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...
19431From George Washington to Henry Bromfield and Commodore John Manley, 24 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Honble Congress having determined a valuation shall be made of the Ordinance Stores taken last fall by Captn Manly, and directed me to appoint a person in behalf of the Continent to do It in conjunction with one to be chosen by Captn Manly, as you will perceive by the Inclosed Resolve, I must request the favor of you to undertake the business —I have transmitted the Original Invoice to...
19432Orders and Instructions to Major General Horatio Gates, 24 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Honorable Continental Congress reposing the greatest Confidence in your Wisdom & Experience have directed me to appoint you to the very important Command of the Troops of the United Colonies in Canada: with a Power to appoint a Deputy Adjutant General, a Deputy Quarter Master General[,] a Deputy Muster Master General & such other Officers as you shall find necessary for the Good of the...
19433From George Washington to Brigadier General Nathanael Greene, 24 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
From your Brigade (& principally from the Riffle Regiment) detach as many Men as will be sufficient to effect the purpose mentioned in the following Resolution of the Provencial Congress of New York. “In Provencial Congress New York June 24. 1776 Whereas Information has been given to this Congress that Sundry Persons on Nassau Island disaffected & inimical to the American Cause are in Arms in...
19434To George Washington from Brigadier General Nathanael Greene, 24 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Long Island, 24 June 1776 . Asks directions for disposing of eleven Scotch prisoners who have arrived at his quarters. George Washington Greene transcript, CSmH .
19435From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 24 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
On the 20th Inst. I received Your two Favors of the 15th & 17th by Bennet, & Yesterday Evening that of the 19th Continued to the 20th with General Sullivans Letter & return, & the several Copies You inclosed. The Accounts transmitted by General Sullivan are truly alarming, & I confess I am not without Apprehension lest the next Advices should be that the unfortunate Defeat & taking of General...
19436To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 24 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday at two O’Clock in the Afternoon I received a Line from Colonel Wynkoop by a returning Express, Extract of which, together with Copy of the Return alluded to I do myself the Honor to inclose—Colonel Duggan to whom he refers me for particulars is not yet arrived —Captain Goforth, who brought the Letter across Lake George informs as what he got from persons just arrived from Canada that...
19437To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 24 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
It is with the greatest pain I inform you that after our retreat from Canada, to this place, of which I have given your Excellency, An Acct thro’ General Schuyler, & after I had Determin’d to make a Stand here, Till I receiv’d your Excellencys order, That I find myself under an Absolute Necessity of quiting this Island for a place more healthy. Otherwise the Army will never be able to return,...
19438VI. The Draft Reported by the Committee, [24 June 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
Amendments to the plan of Government continued Page 3 line 23. leave out from the word successively to the word an in the next line & insert nor be eligible until the expiration of jour years after he shall have been out of that office. 24. after the word salary insert shall. 25. strike out the words let him and insert he shall 26. strike out from the word Government to the end of the Clause &...
1943925 June., 25 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
25 June. In response to letters from Schuyler, Sullivan, and Arnold transmitted in a letter of 23 June from George Washington, the congress resolved that the number of men for the Northern Department be increased to 4,000; that Major Dubois be made a colonel and ordered to raise a regiment; that the force to be sent to the Northern Department be augmented by one regiment from New Hampshire,...
19440General Orders, 25 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Militia Officers of the adjoining provinces who are to reinforce this army, are upon their arrival with their troops, to make report immediately, to the Brigadier General, or the officer commanding their respective Corps, who is to make report once in two days to the Commander in Chief. The Adjutant General’s Office will be removed this afternoon to a small brick house, one of the offices...
19441To George Washington from Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, 25 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
By this express, you will receive advice From Genl Schuyler of our evacuateing Canada, an event which I make no doubt (from our distressed situation) you have some time expected, the particulars of Genl Thompsons repulse, & Captivity, as nearly as could be ascertained, have ben transmitted, you. on advice of which, very direct Intelligence that the Enemy were greatly superior to us In numbers,...
19442From George Washington to Colonel Jacob Bayley, 25 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I this morning recd yours of the 28 Ulto and approve the measures you had adopted for opening the road to St Johns, which may be still proper to pursue—But as our Army in Canada since their retreat from Quebec has met with further misfortunes and there is the strongest reason to believe they will be Obliged to Abandon the possession of that Country, If they have not already done It, I would...
19443To George Washington from William Burnet, 25 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Excellencys Desire I have called together the Committee of the County of Essex & laid before them the Letter you was pleased to send me of the 21st instt. The Committee sent for David Ogden Esq. & enquired of him, from whom he received the Intelligence of the Rifle Guards agreeing for a Sum of Money to carry a Person on board the Men of War—He informed the Committee that...
19444From George Washington to Colonel James Clinton, 25 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received yours of the 20 Instt and in answer thereto request you to draw out of your Regiment all the Armourers in It and set them immediately to work—they will receive the same pay as the Armourers here do under the like circumstances—you must endeavour to engage the one you mention on the same Terms that are given here, but If you can not do better, you will continue him on those contained...
19445To George Washington from Matthew Griswold, 25 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have to acquaint your Excellency that the Delay of Dischardging the pay Roll of the Regiment under the Command of Colo. G: S: Silliman Sent from this Colony in the late Campaign to New York—Greatly obstructs the Raising the New Levies orderd by the late Act of our Assembly: many of the Men in this part of the Colony proper for the Service Decline to Inlist till they are paid their former...
19446To George Washington from John Hancock, 25 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 21st Inst. by Mr Bennet with the Enclosure were duely received and laid before Congress, as you will perceive by the enclosed Resolves, to which I beg Leave to request your Attention. Altho the Commissioners have undoubtedly mistaken the Intention of Congress, yet the Terms, in which The Resolve is conceived, viz. “That the General be empow[e]red to employ in Canada a Number...
19447To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 25 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
About an Hour ago General Arnold, who is arrived here from Canada sent me a Letter from General Sullivan inclosing one from General Arnold to him, another of Colonel Hazen and a third from Lieutenant Colonel Antill; Copies of all which I do myself the Honor to enclose —The Grief I feel on the Evacuation of Canada by our Troops, is greatly alleviated by the little Loss sustained in the Retreat...
19448To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 25 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
This morning at Day break I rece’d your Excellencys favour of the 16 Instant—am Extremely mortified to find that Every thing here has Turned out Contrary to my Expectations & your Excellencys wishes This was not owing to my being Deceived with Respect to the Enemy on the ground at the time I wrote but to the Sudden arrival of Such a number under General Burgoyne the night before the battle of...
19449From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Tupper, 25 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I this morning Received Information that One or more Boats have pass’d thro: the Narrows in defiance of the fire from the Rifle Men, who had no Boats to pursue them, this passage I had reason to suppose was properly guarded by the Whale Boats under your Command—and am not a little surprized on hearing the Contrary—I do expect you will for the future have them rowing across the Narrows from...
19450John Adams to Abigail Adams, 26 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have written so seldom to you, that I am really grieved at the Recollection. I wrote you, a few Lines, June 2. and a few more June 16. These are all that I have written to you, since this Month began. It has been the busyest Month, that ever I saw. I have found Time to inclose all the News papers, which I hope you will receive in due Time. Our Misfortunes in Canada, are enough to melt an...