19531Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 3 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
A Lame Hand still prevents me the free use of Either the Nedle or the pen. Yet I take up the Latter and Attempt a Line or two just to Let my Dear Friend know that both myself and Family are in better Health than when she was at Plimouth. I Enclose a Number of papers which Came to hand yesterday from Philadelphia, with Directions to send them to the foot of Pens Hill when Read. I also send...
19532Thomas Hartley to the Pennsylvania Delegates in Congress, 3 July 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Crown Point, July 3, 1776: In the engagements near Three Rivers on June 8 the sixth Pennsylvania battalion, of which I have the honor to be lieutenant colonel, lost Colonel Irvine, Lieutenant Edie, and almost eighty privates, most of whom are prisoners. On June 21 Captains McLean, Adams, and Rippie, Lieutenants McKerran, McCallister, and Hogg, Ensigns Lusk...
19533To Benjamin Franklin from Catharine Greene, 3 July 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Gladly once more Welcom you To your own home though I Lament the occation hope by this you have Recoverd your Health and the Pheteiuge [Fatigue] of So Disagreeable a Tuor and have Resumd the Chearfull agreeable BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. Pray God to Preserve you long a Blessing to your family Friends and Injurd Country. We have Disagreeable accounts from N. York...
19534To Benjamin Franklin from Frederick William de Woedtke, 3 July 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Woedtke died shortly after writing this letter. It is part of a series that he addressed to Franklin; the earlier ones have been lost, and another on July 4 is in large part illegible. His French bears out Father Carroll’s comment that the Baron had picked up just enough polish to accentuate his awkwardness. The handwriting is on a par with the spelling,...
19535General Orders, 3 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Director General of the Hospital having laid before the General, a plan of conduct for the surgeons and Mates of the regiments, by which, in case of action, they will do their duty with greater ease and benefit to the service: And the General much approving thereof; they are to attend the Director General and each take a Copy of said plan, to which they are strictly to conform—The...
19536To George Washington from the Elizabethtown Committee of Safety, 3 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
This Morning we have been Alarmd with a Party of the Enemy landing on Staten Island & proceeding to the point within two Miles of this Town where they took off the plank of a Draw Bridge & retreated to a House about a Mile from the Bridge. From the best intelligence we can get there are several Parties on the Island. The few remaining Militia we have are Collecting, but we are in distress for...
19537To George Washington from the Fredericksburg Precinct Committee of Safety, 3 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Whereas at a Meeting of the Committee of Fredricksburgh Precinct July 3d 1776 a Gentleman of Carractor appeared before Said Committee and declared volontarily that in Conversation with a disafected Person he was told that the Ministerial Party had a Post rid to the northward from New York to carry News as Constantly as the other Posts and that Said Post was lately gone to the northward And the...
19538From George Washington to John Hancock, 3 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing you and on the same day, several Ships more arrived within the Hook, making the number that came in then a hundred & Ten, and there remains no doubt of the whole of the Fleet from Hallifax being now here. Yesterday evening fifty of them came up the Bay, and Anchored on the Staten Island side. their views I cannot precisely determine, but am extremely...
19539To George Washington from Captain Ephraim Manning, 3 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Last Night about 12 oClock I recd your Excellencies Orders to give my Assistance in taking the Stock of[f] Staten Island—beg leave to inform your Ex[c]ellency, that by the Advice of all my Officers, I left the Island Yesterday about 3 oClock P.M. the Inhabitants being unfreindly & the Enemy so near & my Party so small, had I staid any longer we must have fallen into their Hands, as they were...
19540To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 3 July 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 3 July 1776. On 4 July GW wrote to Mercer : “I am to acknowledge the receipt of your favours of Yesterday & this morng.”
19541To George Washington from Captain John Smith, 3 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Esopus [N.Y.] 3 July 1776 . Requests the exchange of himself and three other officers of the 42d Royal Highland Regiment of Foot who were captured aboard the transport Oxford by the Continental navy brig Andrew Doria . ALS , DLC:GW . For an account of the Andrew Doria ’s capture of the Oxford on 29 May 1776, see Charles Pond to GW, 19 June and note 1 . The other three prisoners mentioned in...
19542To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 3 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Immediately after the Recess of the General Assembly I gave the necessary Orders to Brigadier General Wadsworth for expediting the raising and marching the Battallions ordered to be raised and sent to your Assistance. Since which I had the Honour to receive your favour of the 28th Ult., advising of the Arrival of General How at the Hook and the near approach of the British Fleet. In...
19543To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Eppes, 3 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
We return’d last sunday from Elk-Hill whare we had been for a week on a visit to your good Lady; she is perfectly recover’d from her late indisposition, and except being a little weak, is as well as ever she was. She is in great expectation of seeing you in August, if your appointment to serve in Congress the insuing year dont prevent. However I am in hopes you will be able to spare a few...
19544Proposal for the Great Seal of the United States, [before 14 August 1776] (Franklin Papers)
On July 4, 1776, Franklin, John Adams, and Jefferson were named as a committee to suggest a seal. Each man proposed designs, and one of Jefferson’s closely resembled Franklin’s. In addition the painter Pierre Du Simitière, who had been called in as a consultant, produced a version of his own. A letter from John Adams of August 14 described the various proposals; hence Franklin’s had been...
19545From George Washington to John Hancock, 4–5 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
When I had the honor to address you on the 30th Ulto, I transmitted a Copy of a Letter I had received from a Gentleman, a member of the Honble Genl Court, suggesting the improbability of Succours coming from thence in any reasonable time either for the defence of this place, or to reinforce our Troops engaged in the Canada expedition. I am sorry to Inform you that from a variety of...
19546[July [4]. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
July 4 . 1776. Resolved that Dr. Franklin, Mr. J. Adams and Mr. Jefferson be a Committee to prepare a device for a Seal for the United States of America. This paragraph is interlined in the MS and mistakenly placed between the last two paragraphs of the entry dated 1 July. The editors have placed it where JA no doubt intended to put it. This committee reported on 20 Aug., but its report was...
19547To John Adams from Joseph Reed, 4 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
I do not know whether I take the proper Channel of Recommendations, but I cannot help mentioning to you a Gentleman of your own Province whose Rank and Services seem to me intitle him to farther Notice than he has yet had. His Name is Henshaw of Worcester County. He came a Colonel of Militia in the Service afterward stayed as Assistant to Genl. Gates in his Department 5 Months for which he...
19548Franklin and James Wilson to Jasper Yeates, 4 July 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania <Philadelphia, July 4, 1776: The Congress has appointed you a commissioner of Indian affairs in the middle department, and asked us so to inform you. A conference will be held at Pittsburgh on July 20, which Congress hopes you will attend. Although this may be inconvenient, we know that your regard for the public will outweigh any consideration of your...
19549To Benjamin Franklin from Frederick William de Woedtke, 4 July 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’espere que le s. Colonel Allen vous aura remise ma letter par laquelle vous ne savez que trop noter situation, laquelle est la plus épineuse de nos trouppes, comme [ illegible ] que avoire [ illegible ], par [ illegible ] juge [ illegible ] nous [ illegible ] experimenté et que les Generaux [ illegible ] Sulivan [ illegible ] gouverneur [ illegible
19550General Orders, 4 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Colonels and commanding officers of Regiments, are to make out Pay-Abstracts, for the Month of May; These are to be carefully examined by the Brigadiers under whom they serve, and by the Pay Master General, before the Warrants are brought to be signed by the General, they are then to deliver them in and receive payment. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . “Henshaw’s Orderly Book,” “The Orderly...
19551To George Washington from Colonel James Clinton, 4 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Articles Sent by Capt. Palmer for the Use of Fort Montgomery & this place I have Recd with both Your Letters and Agreable to Directions Sent an Officer to Look for Mrs Thompson who Soon found her She is verye willing to go Down and You may Expect her the first Opportunity. We are makeing all the Preparations we Possibly Can to give our Enemy a Proper Reception in Case they Should Attempt...
19552From George Washington to John Hancock, 4 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
This will be handed you by Col. Stevenson whom I have ordered with the captains of the Two Rifle Companies from Maryland to wait on Congress. they will point out such measures as they conceive most likely to advance the raising of the New Rifle Battallion and the persons they think worthy of promotion that have served in the three Companies here agreable to the Inclosed List. I am not...
19553To George Washington from John Hancock, 4 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves, to which I must beg Leave to refer your Attention, will inform you of the Steps Congress have taken to establish the flying Camp. To the unhappy Confusions, that have prevailed in this Colony, must principally be ascribed the Delays that have hitherto attended that salutary Measure. However I flatter myself Things will now take a different Turn, as the Contest to keep...
19554From George Washington to Matthew Griswold, 4 July 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Matthew Griswold, 4 July 1776. Griswold’s letter to GW of 25 June is docketed in part “Answered 4th July.”
19555To George Washington from Brigadier General William Livingston, 4 July 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brigadier General William Livingston, 4 July 1776 (first letter). GW began his letter to Livingston of 5 July : “Your Favour of the 4th came safely to hand,” and near the end he wrote: “another of your Favours came to my Hands informing me that the Enemy have thrown up two small Breast Works on the Cause way from the Point.” The second letter is Livingston’s letter of...
19556To George Washington from Brigadier General William Livingston, 4 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to Mr Adjutant Reed, nothing material has happened here, excepting that we are fully Confirmed in the Enemy’s having Posts along the whole Staten Island Shore as far as Amboy —They have thrown up a couple of small Breast Works on the Cause way leading from the Point over the Salt Meadows at the Entrance of the two Bridges. It is said that last Night they brought two pieces of...
19557To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 4 July 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 4 July 1776. On this date GW wrote to Mercer : “I am to acknowledge the receipt of your favours of Yesterday & this morng.”
19558From George Washington to Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 4 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the receipt of your favours of Yesterday & this morng, & approve much of the Steps you have taken for securing the Ferries as well as quieting the Apprehensions of the Inhabitants of New Ark by stationing some Troops there. Upon full consideration of all circumstances I have concluded to send the Militia Home except 500 to guard Bergen neck, which I deem an Important post &...
19559To George Washington from the Newark Committee of Correspondence, 4 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
As not only the Levies but the main Body of the Militia of this and the neighbouring Counties are gone to New York; and as the King’s Troops are in Possession of Staten Island, & there being but a narrow River between them & our defenceless Country; and it being thought improbable that General Howe will make any Attempt on New York with his present Strength, or until all his expected...
19560To George Washington from Colonel Adam Stephen, 4 July 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Colonel Adam Stephen, 4 July 1776. On 20 July GW wrote to Stephen : “Your Letter of the 4th Instt came duly to hand.”
19561To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 4 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Retreat of the Northern Army and its present Situation have spread a general Alarm; by Intelligence from major General Schuyler received last Evening, I have reason to conclude that they are now at Crown-point and Ticonderoga, in a weak State, and under Necessity of an immediate Reinforcement to enable them to make a stand, & prevent the Enemy from passing the Lake and penetrating into the...
19562From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 4 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Distress we are in for want of Arms induces me again to urge your sending on all such as can possibly be spared with the greatest expedition, The enemy have landed under cover of their Ships and taken possession of Staten Island—from which in all probability they will soon make a decent upon Us, the Arms would have sent to Norwich and from there by Water to this place provided there is no...
19563To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 4 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
By yesterdays post I have the honour of your letter of the twenty sixth June and have this morning forwarded the two hundred Carbines agreeable to your directions. I have inclosed a Return of this Division of the Army. Also a Return of the Scotch Prisoners. By the next post I hope to be able to make a Return of the Scotch Cargoes. The Small pox prevails to such a degree in Boston, and so many...
19564John Adams to Mary Palmer, 5 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of June 15. 1776 was handed to me, by the last Post. . . . I hold myself much obliged to you for your Attention to me, at this Distance, from those Scenes, in which, altho I feel myself deeply interested, yet I can neither be an Actor nor Spectator. You have given me (not withstanding all your modest Apologies) with a great deal of real Elegance and Perspicuity, a minute and...
19565Cotton Tufts to John Adams, 5 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to You about the 17 or 18th. of last Month which suppose You have received. Yesterday People in Boston were openly inoculated for the Small Pox. The Business had been carried on in private for some Time amongst the Soldiery and others; the Selectmen represented the Impossibility of preventing its Spread any longer and leave was given by the general Assembly for Inoculation in...
195665 July., 5 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
5 July. The congress resolved that a regiment be raised out of the officers who had served in Canada on the same basis as that of Colonel Dubois and designated the officers for this regiment ( JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress , 1774–1789, Washington, 1904–1937; 34 vols. , 5:518–519; Note: An additional resolution immediately following and...
195675 July., 5 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
5 July. The congress resolved that John Coburne, assistant conductor of military stores in Canada, be allowed lieutenant’s pay from 1 March – 1 June 1776; that a chaplain be appointed to each regiment in the Continental Army; that immediate steps be taken to procure lead; and that an express be established between New York and Philadelphia to permit General Washington to send daily dispatches...
195685 July., 5 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
5 July. The congress resolved that five tons of powder be sent to Gen. Andrew Lewis at Williamsburg for use in the Southern Department and that part of it be sent to South Carolina; that British prisoners in New Jersey be sent to York, Pennsylvania; and that four companies of militia be retained in Philadelphia to guard continental stores ( JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of...
19569From John Adams to Joseph Ward, 5 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 16 June, and that of the 20th. of the Same Month, are before me. I congratulate you on those happy Events which are the Subjects of them. It is very true that We have disagreable Accounts from Canada. Our Army has retreated from that Country. Where they will make a Stand I know not. Weakened and dispirited as they are, both with the Small Pox, and with several Defeats, I fear they...
19570To John Adams from Samuel Chase, 5 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 1st. conveys both pleasure and Grief. I hope eer this Time the decisive blow is struck. Oppression, Inhumanity and Perfidy have compelled Us to it. Blessed be Men who effect the Work, I envy You! How shall I transmit to posterity that I gave my assent? Cursed be the Man that ever endeavors to unite Us. I would make Peace with Britain but I would not trust her with the least...
19571Franklin and James Wilson to John Montgomery, 5 July 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : Chicago Historical Society <The letter, dated Philadelphia, July 5, 1776 is identical in wording with that to Jasper Yeates above, July 4, 1776.> A signer of the letter from the Carlisle committee above, Jan. 26.
19572To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 5 July 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives The news in this brief note, that France was arming and, Dubourg believed, about to go to war against Britain, was more arresting than any in his letter above of June 10 to July 2, 1776. The intelligence, false as it was, must have had considerable impact in Philadelphia. The question of when it arrived, however, seems to be unanswerable. Dubourg may have sent the note...
19573General Orders, 5 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Those Regiments who have not made a Return of their officers, their ranks and dates of their Commissions, agreeable to a former order are now called on to do it without delay and to mention in such Returns the Colony in which such Regiment was raised; the time when and period in which they inlisted, together with the vacancies in their respective regiments. Varick transcript , DLC:GW ....
19574To George Washington from Brigadier General Nathanael Greene, 5 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to recommend to your consideration the establishing a certain Guard at Red Hook. tis undoubtedly a Post of vast importance, detach’t Guards never defend a place equal to troops stationd at a particular Post. both Officers and men contract an Affection for a post after being there some time, they will be more industrious to have every thing in readiness and Obstinate in defence. The...
19575From George Washington to Brigadier General William Livingston, 5 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 4th came safely to hand. The Situation of New Jersey is such & the Apprehension of the Inhabitants so justly excited that I have concluded to discharge the Militia from this Place except those from Morris County whose internal Situation is such as to leave them nothing to fear from the Enemy. These I have posted on Bergen in order to prevent any Communication & to give the...
19576To George Washington from Brigadier General William Livingston, 5 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, I have recieved so many Applications from the Inhabitants along the Sound, Woodbridge & Amboy relating to the defenceless State of their Borders, the whole Militia being sent to New York, that to allay their Fears (with the Approbation of Genl Mercer, who had stopped them at New Ark Ferry, when they were ordered to assist Genl Herd) I ordered Major Duyckink with 600 Middlesex...
19577To George Washington from Brigadier General William Livingston, 5 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I forwarded the inclosed early this morning, but thro’ a mistake of the express was this moment returned to me. Since which I am honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of this Day, part of which is answered by the enclosed Letter. Every thing in my power shall be carefully attended to, for the public Good. We have plenty of Provision, I am informed it will continue. I forgot to mention in my...
195786 July., 6 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
6 July. The congress resolved that Carpenter Wharton be appointed commissary to the militia being sent from Pennsylvania to New Jersey; that William Sherman Jr. be named paymaster for Col. Seth Warner’s regiment; and that Maj. Robert Rogers be sent to New Hampshire “to be disposed of” as that government thinks best ( JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental...
19579Jasper Yeates to Franklin and James Wilson, 6 July 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania <Lancaster, July 6, 1776: I received your favor this afternoon, and think it my duty cheerfully to accept the appointment by the Congress. My company is under marching orders to Trenton, and I am uneasy about leaving it; but I shall be happy to render my country any service in the position assigned to me. Please...
19580General Orders, 6 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Quarter-Master-General to have all the empty Casks, which have been collected, filled with fresh Water, to be changed occasionally. The General hopes the officers and soldiers will improve this opportunity, to get their Arms in the best Order for service—as they cannot tell how soon, or how suddenly, they may be called forth. Two hundred men properly officered (exclusive of the number...