19381To George Washington from Colonel Edward Hand, 20 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
S ir : Being under the necessity of crossing the ferry from New-York to this place, I had a fellow passenger in the boat who talked much and very disrespectfully of our efforts to defend the city; particularly that the British troops would land on Long-Island , march up to York , and destroy the city by bombardment; that there was no doubt but they would, at any time, beat us fourteen to ten;...
19382To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 20 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have to inform you that the Continental Privateers brought into this Port the eighteenth Instant another Scotch Transport with a Highland Company of Grenadiers on board consisting of upwards of an hundred with their Officers, with a few arms more than what belonged to the Company. Each Transport brings a considerable quantity of provisions for the Troops. The prisoners are going into the...
19383To George Washington from John Hancock, 21–22 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress having the greatest Reason to believe there has been very gross Misconduct in the Management of our Affairs in Canada, have come to a Resolution to have a general Enquiry made into the Behaviour of the Officers employed on that Expedition. The Honour of the United Colonies, and a Regard for the Public Good, call loudly for such an Enquiry to be set on Foot. I am therefore directed...
19384John Adams to Zabdiel Adams, 21 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the Ninth of this Month was delivered to me, Yesterday by Mr. Whitney, whose Health I hope will be fully restored by the Small Pox for which he was innoculated the day before. Your Letter, Sir, gave me great Pleasure and deserves my most hearty Thanks. I am fully with you in Sentiment, that altho the Authority of the Congress founded as it has been, in Reason, Honour, and the...
1938521 June., 21 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
21 June. The congress, considering the status of several officers who had served in Canada during the last winter, resolved that New York raise a new regiment and in doing so commission the veterans of the Canadian service; that the commissions be granted on the condition of their companies being raised to full strength; that Maj. Lewis Dubois in particular be provided for; and that Maj. John...
19386The Board of War to George Washington, 21 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
The Congress having thought proper to appoint us to the Board of War and Ordinance, we do ourselves the Honour to transmit you the foregoing Extracts from their Proceedings establishing a War Office for the more speedy and effectual Dispatch of military Business. You will percieve, on Perusal of the Extracts, that it will be necessary for you forthwith to furnish the Board with an exact State...
19387To John Adams from Samuel Chase, 21 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
To remind our friends of their Inattention and Neglect must give Pain. I am almost angry with You. If You are inclined to oblige or please Me write constantly. I found my Lady very ill, but have the pleasure to say she is better, tho’ still very low and weak. An Express from Canada and not one Line to acquaint Me of the Contents. General Sullivan writes Me, that he has the most pleasing...
19388From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 21 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): New York Public Library I am much obliged by your kind Care of my unfortunate Letter, which at last came safe to hand. I see in it a Detail of the mighty Force we are threatned with; which however I think it is not certain will ever arrive; and I see more certainly the Ruin of Britain if she persists in such expensive distant Expeditions, which will probably prove more disastrous...
19389To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Jefferson, [21 June 1776?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society This note has probably far more importance than appears on the surface, because the likelihood is that Jefferson enclosed with it his draft of the Declaration of Independence. The evolution of that document has undergone repeated and microscopic analysis. A number of minor questions remain unanswered, but the general outline is clear. On June 7 the issue of...
19390General Orders, 21 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
All officers, or soldiers, belonging to either of the Regiments, serving in Canada, are to apply immediately to Major General Gates, who will give them orders for repairing to their respective detachments. The General has been pleased to appoint Richard Cary and Samuel Webb Esquires, his Aid-du-Camps—and Alexander Counter Harrison Esqr: assistant Secretary, who are to be obeyed and regarded as...
19391To George Washington from the Board of War, 21 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress having thought proper to appoint us to the Board of War & Ordinance, we do ourselves the Honour to transmit you the foregoing Extracts from their Proceedings establishing a War Office for the more speedy & effectual Dispatch of military Bussiness. You will percieve, on Perusal of the Extracts, that it will be necessary for you forthwith to furnish the Board with an exact State of...
19392From George Washington to the Essex County Committee of Safety, 21 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
The absolute necessity of preventing all Correspondence between the Inhabitants of this Country and our Enemies, obliges me to every degree of Intelligence that lead to the Channel of such Intercourse—Doctor William Burnet of New Ark can inform you of certain Insinuations and charges against Part of the Army under my Command, as if they were liable to Bribery and Corruption, in permitting...
19393To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 21 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am ⟨muc⟩h obliged by your kind Care of my unfortunate Letter, which at last came safe to hand. I see in it a Detail of the mighty Force we are threatned with; which however I think it is not certain will ever arrive; & I see more certainly the Ruin of Britain if she persists in such expensive distant Expeditions, which will probably prove more disastrous to her than anciently her Wars in the...
19394To George Washington from Ensign Benjamin Gould, 21 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Boston, 21 June 1776 . “Whereas I received orders from your Excellency to march the Guard under my Command at Genl Lees Qua[rte]rs to Guard the Magazeine at Winter Hill. accordingly I Did. . . . the Powder was moved into Boston, then General Ward Gave orders for me to march into Boston and be his Guard. accordingly I marched into Boston and remain his Guard; and as he Expects soon to Leave the...
19395From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning honoured with your favor of the 19th Instant with sundry Resolves of Congress, which came to hand after I had closed mine of the 20th. I shall appoint a Deputy muster master General as soon as I can fix upon a proper person for the Office, and direct him immediately to repair to Canada. Mr Bennet the bearer of this delivered me a Letter to day from General Schuyler,...
19396From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered you by the Chevalier de Kermorvan, and Monsieur de Vermonet—they are French Gentlemen just arrived in this Place, who have made Application to me, to be received into the Continental Service—They bring Letters to Dr Franklin and some other Gentlemen of the Congress—I suppose it will better appear from these Letters, than from any Information I can give, whether it will...
19397To George Washington from Joseph Hawley, 21 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Most important Matters are soon to be decided by Arms Unhappy it is for the Massachusetts and I fear for the whole continent that at this season We have a large Numerous Assembly More than one half of the house are new members—Their decisions are Most afflictingly slow, when every thing calls for the Utmost ardour & dispatch The Lord have Mercy on us! This colony I imagine will raise the...
19398Arrest Warrant from a Secret Committee of the New York Provincial Congress, 21 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Whereas David Matthews Esqr. stands charged with dangerous Designs and treasonable Conspiracies against the Rights and Liberties of the united Colonies of America We do in Pursuance of a certain Resolve of the Congress of the Colony of the twentieth of June Instant authorize and request you to cause the said David Matthews to be with all his Papers forthwith apprehended and secured and that...
19399To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Tupper, 21 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I landed here the Evening before last and by reason of Several Inconvenenices Could not make an attact untill this morning at 4 oclock when I advanced within a 150 yds of the Light house in So Secret a manner that my party were not Discovered, I advanced with an officer & desired to Speak with the Commanding Officer and after a few words he fired Several Shot at me but as God would have it he...
19400Secret Committee to George Washington, 21 June 1776 (Jay Papers)
Whereas David Matthews, Esq r ., stands charged with Dangerous designs and treasonable Conspiracies against the Rights and Liberties of the united Colonies of America: We do in pursuance of a certain Resolve of the Congress of the Colony of the twentieth of June Instant authorize and request you to cause the said David Matthews to be with all his Papers forthwith apprehended and secured and...
19401From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin, [21 June 1776?] (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed paper has been read and with some small alterations approved of by the committee. Will Doctr. Franklyn be so good as to peruse it and suggest such alterations as his more enlarged view of the subject will dictate? The paper having been returned to me to change a particular sentiment or two, I propose laying it again before the committee tomorrow morning, if Doctr. Franklyn can...
19402From John Adams to Nathanael Greene, 22 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the second Instant has lain by me, I suppose these Eighteen days, but I fear I shall often have occasion to make Apologies for Such omissions, which will never happen from Want of Respect, but I fear very often for Want of Time. Your Reasoning, to prove the Equity, and the Policy of making Provision for the Unfortunate Officer, or soldier, is extreamly just, and cannot be...
19403From John Adams to Benjamin Kent, 22 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Letters of April 24. and May 26 are before me, both dated at Boston, a Circumstance which alone would have given Pleasure to a Man who has such an Attachment to that Town, and who has suffered So much Anxiety for his Friends, in their Exile from it. We have not many of the fearfull, and Still less of the Unbelieving among Us, how Slowly soever, you may think We proceed. Is it not a Want...
19404From John Adams to Samuel Holden Parsons, 22 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your obliging Favour of the third of June, has been too long unanswered. I acknowledge the Difficulty of ascertaining, the comparative Merit of Officers, and the danger of advancing Friends, where there is no uncommon Merit. This danger cannot be avoided, by any other Means, than making it an invariable Rule, to promote officers in succession. For if you make a King the Judge of uncommon...
19405General Orders, 22 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Aaron Burr Esqr: is appointed Aide-du-Camp to Genl Putnam in the room of Major Webb promoted—He is to be obeyed and regarded as such. The Quarter Masters having in many late Instances, neglected to see detachments, and working parties, furnished with the necessary quantity of provisions, The General requires greater punctuality in future, and if any further neglect appears in this respect,...
19406To George Washington from Colonel James Clinton, 22 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have Just now Received you[r] Letter by Express with the Warrant therein Inclosed which I will Endeavour to Execute with the Greatest Care Expedition and Exactness that I Possibly Can[.] after it is Done I will Bring him and his Papers to this Fort where I ⟨shall⟩ keep him Prisoner till I Receive Your Excellencies further Directions, I wrote to Your Excellency Yesterday by Coll Livingston...
19407To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 22 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Favour of the 10th instant—The Resolve of Congress for augmenting the Army at New York and Canada, induced me forthwith to send Warrants for convening the General Assembly, Yesterday the Sessions was finished—The requisition for the Quota of Men to be furnished by this Colony is fully complied with —The Men are raising and to march soon—have given my Orders agreable to...
19408Secret Committee to James Clinton, 22 June 1776 (Jay Papers)
The Warrant you rec d . from us by Express from General Washington against Fletcher Matthews, was intended for James Matthews, who by an unlucky mistake we understood to be named Fletcher. Be pleased therefore to forbear executing the said Warrant—We have given one to M r . Allison against James Matthews which we are desirous should be served without Delay—as also against William Forbes a...
19409Secret Committee Warrant for the Arrest of John Campbell, 22 June 1776 (Jay Papers)
Whereas John Campbell stands charged with dangerous Designs and treasonable Conspiracies against the Rights and Liberties of the united Colonies of America We do in Pursuance of a certain Resolve of the Congress of this Colony of the twentieth of June Instant authorize and request you to cause the said John Campbell to be with all his Papers forthwith apprehended and secured and that Return be...
19410V. The Mason Plan as Revised by the Committee, [22 June 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
A PLAN Laid before [ a ] committee of the House , [ appointed to prepare a form of Government ] which they have ordered to be printed for the perusal of the members. 1. Let the legislative, executive, and judicative departments, be separate and distinct, so that neither exercise the powers properly belonging to the other. 2. Let the legislative be formed of two distinct branches, who,...
19411To Thomas Jefferson from William Fleming, 22 June 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
I, being inform’d that the post is to set out in an hour, have just left the committee appointed to prepare a form of government to give you a summary of their proceeding. The inclosed printed plan was drawn by Colo. G. Mason and by him laid before the committee. They proceeded to examine it clause by clause, and have made such alterations as you will observe by examining the printed copy and...
19412John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 23 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
It is with Shame, and Confusion of Face, that I acknowledge that your agreable Favour of April the twenty sixth, came duely to my Hand and has laid by me unanswered to this Time. There has been as much Folly and Inattention to my own Pleasure, and Interest, in this Negligence as there is of Ingratitude to you, for in the sincerity of my Heart I declare, that none of the Letters of my numerous...
19413From John Adams to William Gordon, 23 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your agreable Favour of May the first has lain by me neglected, not for Want of Inclination to answer it, but for Want of Time. You have deserved highly of this Country, sir, by Setting So amiable and laudable an Example of public Spirit in Signing the subscription for Fortifications. With great Pleasure I have learn’d that, the Harbour is pretty well secured. I hope, in a Post or two, to be...
19414From John Adams to John Sullivan, 23 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your agreable Favour of May the fourth has lain by me unanswered, till now. The Relation of your Negotiations at New York, in order to convince the People of the Utility and necessity of instituting a new Government, is very entertaining, and if you had remained there a few Weeks longer, I conjecture you would have effected a Change in the Politicks of that Region. Is it Deceit, or Simple...
19415From John Adams to John Winthrop, 23 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of June the first is now before me. It is now universally acknowledged that we are, and must be independant states. But Still Objections are made to a Declaration of it. It is said, that such a Declaration, will arouse and unite Great Britain. But are they not already aroused and united, as much as they will be? Will not such a Declaration, arouse and unite the Friends of Liberty,...
19416Silas Deane to Robert Morris and the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 23 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : (duplicate): Library of Congress This letter, in form to Morris but in fact to the committee, is the only one from Deane that Franklin surely saw before his departure for France; it was therefore part of his small stock of information about what would face him in Europe. The letter deals only with the preliminaries of Deane’s mission, because he reached France long after he had hoped to....
19417To Benjamin Franklin from Horatio Gates, 23 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives This will be presented you by The Chevallier de Kermovant, who left Old France the Sixth of April, and arrived about Fourteen days ago at Stonington by the Way of Cape François; he desires me acquaint you that his Views are truly patriotic, and that he neither Seeks reward, or Honour, but as he shall Merit; he has Letters for you, and Doctor Rush, they probably will...
19418General Orders, 23 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Mutual Complaints having been made by the Armourers, and Soldiers, respecting the repairing of Arms; The Officers of the several regiments, are earnestly called upon, to examine their Men, and turn out all those who can work to any advantage in the Armourers Shop, though they should not be complete workmen; and to prevent further uneasiness, the several Captains are to inspect the arms of...
19419From George Washington to Colonel James Clinton, 23 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 20th & 22d Inst. are both safe to hand, the person you was to seize by warrant, you are Immediately to send with the papers on to this place in charge of an Officer you can confide in, in this no time is to be lost, It is out of my power to assist you in procureing Arms, must therefore urge you to make application to the Convention Committees &c. who I hope will supply you, your...
19420From George Washington to John Hancock, 23 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I herewith transmit you an Extract of a Letter from Genl Ward which came to hand by last nights post containing the agreable Intelligence of their having Obliged the Kings Ships to leave Nantasket road, and of Two Transports more being taken by our Armed Vessels with Two hundred and Ten Highland Troops on board. I sincerely wish the like success had attended our Arms in another Quarter, but It...
19421From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 23 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
By last nights post I was favoured with yours of the 16th Inst., containing the Interesting Intelligence of your havg Obliged the Kings Ships to quit their Station, and of the further Captures of Two Vessels from Glasgow with Highland Troops on board—These events are extremely pleasing & I flatter myself the former will be attended with salutary consequences—It will give our little squadron a...
19422To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 23 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the honour of your Letter of the sixteenth Instant. Agreeable to your Directions I have ordered the Court of Enquiry to set for a rehearing of the Complaint of Col. Varnum against Lieut. Merrill. The Letters to Major Small and Charles Proctor Esqr. I will forward if any opportunity offers. By desire of Col. Cambell I have inclosed his Letters which he desires may be forwarded if there...
19423To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 23 June 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Gilmer, not being able to attend the Convention the other Day, when the Delegates were chosen, sent a Memo. to me, to press your Non-election. I urged it in decent Terms: but stirred up a Swarm of Wasps about my Ears, who seemed suspicious, that I designed to prejudice you. However, fortunately for my Credit, your Letter to the President was yesterday read to the House, confirming, What I had...
19424IX. Committee Report on Fortifying Harbors, 24 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
The Committee appointed to consider what Harbours are proper to be fortified, have attended that Service, and come to the following Resolutions. vizt Resolved as the opinion of this Committee, that the Harbour of Cape Ann, in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, ought to be fortified, and to this End that Twenty Pieces of large Cannon, with Ten Eighteen Pounders and Ten Twenty four Pounders, be...
1942524 June., 24 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
24 June. The congress tabled a petition from Carpenter Wharton (see resolution of 6 July , below) and desired that General Washington inform it as to the cost of a ration as provided by the commissary general ( JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress , 1774–1789, Washington, 1904–1937; 34 vols. , 5:477).
19426From John Adams to Samuel Chase, 24 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
I received your obliging Favour of the 21st. this Morning, and I thank you for it. Dont be angry with me. I hope I shall attone for past Sins of omission soon. The Express which you mention brought Us Such contradictory accounts, that I did not think it worth while to write to you upon it. In general, Sullivan writes that he was intrenching at the Sorell, that the Canadians expressed a great...
19427From John Adams to William Tudor, 24 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of May 4th. has lain by me, till this Time unanswered, and I have heard nothing from you Since. I have entertained Hopes of seeing you here before now, as I heard you intended Such an Excursion. I was much obliged to you, for your particular Account of Major Austin, and Mr. Rice. The first I find has the Command of Castle William. The last is gone to Canada, where if he lives...
19428To John Adams from Horatio Gates, 24 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
By the Letters you will by this Post receive in Congress from the Brigadiers Sullivan, and Arnold, it appears to me, that Our Army in Canada are in the Utmost Peril of being lost. An unadvised Step taken in the Sending Genl. Thompson with a Large Detachment to Attack the Enemys post at the Three Rivers, has ended in Defeat, and Disgrace, with The Loss of Thompson, Col. Irwine, and 3 Principal...
19429To John Adams from Thomas Walker, 24 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
I take the Liberty to enclose you a Letter, that you may see the use that is made of the Indulgence, shewn to your prisoners. Another written by Major Dunbar, has been stopped by this Committee, and is upon their file; giving an Account of the great Confusion in our Provinces and the Attack that is expected to be made by the King’s forces. The enclosed Letter is addressed to the Church of...
19430General Orders, 24 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Guard on the prisoners at the City-hall is to be strenghtned every night as the last, so as to make up one hundred men forty being required from the several brigades. The General Court Martial now sitting to assemble at the house where the Provost is kept till further orders. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Gen. William Heath wrote in his guard report of this date that “finding a number of...