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...
19581To George Washington from John Hancock, 6 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress, for some Time past, have had their Attention occupied by one of the most interesting and important Subjects, that could possibly come before them, or any other Assembly of Men. Altho it is not possible to foresee the Consequences of Human Actions, yet it is nevertheless a Duty we owe ourselves and Posterity, in all our public Counsels, to decide in the best Manner we are able,...
19582To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel William Henshaw, 6 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Long Island [N.Y.] 6 July 1776 . Asserts right to command a regiment. “In the present Campaign I was appointed a Lt Col., under Col. Little, which reduced the Rank I formerly held in the Service, & exposes me to be Commanded by many, who have been on Command under me. . . . I have no doubts in my Mind, Sir, but that you will take my Case into Consideration, and grant me the Rank I have...
19583To George Washington from Brigadier General William Livingston, 6 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
This moment an express arrived from Major Duyckinck, a copy of whose Letter I enclose to save time —I should be glad of some immediate directions what to do with the prisoners, as in the mean time I am obliged to keep them under Guard. I am acquainted with but one of them, John Smyth Esqr: who is a man of so great integrity that I think great faith might be given to his Word —If they are to...
19584From George Washington to Brigadier General William Livingston, 6 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of this Date inclosing Major Duyckinck’s Letters was this Moment received. The known Dissafection of the Poeple of Amboy & the Treachery of those of Staten Island who after the fairest Professions have shewn themselves our inveterate Enemies induced me to give Directions that all Persons of known Enmity or doubtful Character should be removed from Places where they might enter into...
19585From George Washington to Colonel Gold Selleck Silliman, 6 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Governor Trumbull having informed me in a Letter of the 3d Instt that he had ordered Three Regiments of the Militia Light Horse to march to the defence of this place under the command of Lieutt Colo. Seymour, lest the other Troops from your Colony should not arrive in time for succour, & at the same time requesting If there service is unnecessary or can be dispensed with that I would Signifye...
19586From George Washington to Daniel Tillinghast, 6 July 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Daniel Tillinghast, 6 July 1776. Tillinghast’s letter to GW of 29 June is docketed in part “Answered 6th July.”
19587To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 6 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have this day wrote the Continental Congress, That [“]the Antient Laws of this Colony enable the Colonels of the Militia to call out their respective Regiments upon any Alarm Invasion or Appearance of an Enemy by Sea or Land, giving Notice to the Captain General or Commander in Chief for the Time being of the Occasion thereof; This with a General Order to them to call out their Regiment⟨s⟩...
19588To George Washington from Colonel William Woodford, 6 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was favored with yours of the 10th of November and should long ago have thanked you for your kind advice therein contained, together with your polite assurance, of your thorough approbation of my appointment, but supposing you too much engaged in your important office, I feared I might be troublesome; this, and not want of respect alone occasioned my silence. Have ever since made the subject...
19589From John Jay to the President of Congress (John Hancock), 6 July 1776 (Jay Papers)
The enclosed Memorial was Yesterday given me by Mr Pell with a Request that I would transmit it to the Congress. He appears much hurt at being omitted in the Arrangement of officers intended for the Regiment lately ordered to be raised in this Colony; and I sincerely wish he had less Reason to think himself neglected. He is a fine, spirited, young Gentleman; of one or two and twenty, of an...
19590From John Jay to Edward Rutledge, 6 July 1776 (Jay Papers)
Your friendly letter found me so engaged by plots, conspiracies, and chimeras dire, that, though I thanked you for it in my head I had no time to tell you so either in person or by letter. Your ideas of men and things (to speak mathematically) run, for the most part, parallel with my own; and I wish Governor Tryon and the devil had not prevented my joining you on the occasion you mentioned....
19591To Thomas Jefferson from John Page, 6 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
When I wrote last week to Col. Nelson I promised to write to both of you by this Post, a circumstantial Account of the State of Things here, but the whole Week has slipt away in the Hurry of Business, without my being able to spare a single Minute for that Purpose and I am now as much in Want of Time as ever, the Post being about to set out in a few Hours, in which Time I am to wait on our new...
19592Abigail Adams to John Thaxter, 7 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
As you have always expressd a desire to have the small pox with my family I write to let you know that we go next thursday. If you chuse to enter as part of my family at 18 Shillings per week, paying your d octo r for innoculation which I hear is a Guiney you may send me word immediately. I will find a Bed and Bedstead, but should be glad if you could take 2 pair of sheets and a counterpain....
19593John Adams to Abigail Adams, 7 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have this Moment folded up a Magazine, and an Evening Post and sent it off, by an Express, who could not wait for me to write a single Line. It always goes to my Heart, to send off a Packett of Pamphletts and News Papers, without a Letter, but it sometimes unavoidably happens, and I suppose you had rather receive a Pamphlet or News Paper, than nothing. The Disign of our Enemy, now seems to...
19594John Adams to Abigail Adams, 7 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
It is worth the while of a Person, obliged to write as much as I do, to consider the Varieties of Style. . . . The Epistolary, is essentially different from the oratorical, and the Historical Style. . . . Oratory abounds with Figures. History is simple, but grave, majestic and formal. Letters, like Conversation, should be free, easy, and familiar. Simplicity and Familiarity, are the...
19595From John Adams to Joseph Reed, 7 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday your Favour of the 4th. Instant was handed me by the Post. Am much obliged to you for it, and will give all the Attention I can to its Contents. Am not certain that I know the Gentleman whom you recommend by the Name of Henshaw—but I believe I do. There are several very worthy Men of that Name: which of them this is, I am not clear. The Difficulty is that We dont know what Vacancies...
19596From John Adams to James Warren, 7 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Congress has been pleased to establish a War Office, and have done me the Honour to make me a Member of that Board, which lays me under obligation to write you upon the subject of Flints. Congress has impowered and directed the Board to employ a Number of Persons, wherever they can find them, to manufacture Flints, and also to enquire in the Several Colonies, for the proper Flint Stone. It...
19597To John Adams from Samuel Holden Parsons, 7 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Want of particular confidential Acquaintance with the Delegates from the State of Connecticutt, occasions you more Trouble than I should think myself at Liberty to give you; As I am Sure what I at any Time say to you will be taken in good Part and as well intended however in any Points we may differ in Opinion; therefore I disclose my Sentiments without Reserve, if they are of any Service I am...
19598To John Adams from William Tudor, 7 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
I am to acknowlege your Favour of the 24th. of June and to apologize for not having wrote you more than twice since I have been at York. Indeed I expected before this to have had the Pleasure of seeing You at Philadelphia. Where I have been long sollicitous to get in order to prevail on Congress to establish a new Set of Articles for the Government of their Forces, the present Regulations...
19599General Orders, 7 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
A working party of one hundred and fifty men properly officered to go to Kingsbridge to morrow, to march at six OClock from the parade; they are to take two days provision with them, after which they will draw out of the Stores there—to take their arms and tents with them and when they get there Genl Mifflin will give them orders. As the enemy may make an attack early in the morning, when...
19600From George Washington to Colonel James Clinton, 7 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received yours by Major Ranselear, and am pleased to find you are makeing the necessary preparations to repel the Enemy in Case of an Attack—I hope you will be able to get Arms sufficient for the Men under your Command who are destitute, but if not you are to dismiss all those whom you cannot equip, (I mean to confine myself to the Militia wholly) as it is equally absurd and unjust, to keep...