20151John Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Mr. A. and Coll. Whipple, are at length gone. Coll. Tudor went off with them. They went away, about Three o Clock this afternoon. I wrote by A and Coll. Whipple too. By the latter I sent two large Bundles, which he promised to deliver to you. These middle States begin to taste the Sweets of War. Ten Thousand Difficulties and wants occur, which they had no Conception of before. Their Militia...
20152To John Adams from Jonathan Mason Jr., 12 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of July the 18th came safe to hand. I consider it as a favour, this amid so great a variety of business, of the first importance, you have condescended so freely to offer me your advice, my situation warmly calling for it. The Obligation will be ever fresh in my memory, which in addition to many others I have received from yourself and your agreeable Lady, how to compensate for I...
20153From Alexander Hamilton to the Convention of the Representatives of the State of New-York, [12 August 1776] (Hamilton Papers)
It is necessary I should inform you that there is at present a vacancy in my company, arising from the promotion of Lieutenant Johnson to a captaincy in one of the row-gallies, (which command, however, he has since resigned, for a very particular reason.) As artillery officers are scarce in proportion to the call for them, and as myself and my remaining officers sustain an extraordinary weight...
20154The Pennsylvania Convention: Order to Pay George Ross and Others, 12 August 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Rosenbach Foundation <August 12, 1776: A note to the council of safety to pay George Ross, Timothy Matlack, and Henry Slagle £10,000 in the public service of the state of Pennsylvania, signed by Franklin as president of the convention, attested by John Morris, Jr., as secretary, and addressed to Jno. M. Nesbitt. Below Franklin’s signature is an order to pay, dated August 13 and signed by...
20155To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Kermorvan, [12 August 1776?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçû l’honneur de votre Lettre. J’ai lû avec le plus grand plaisir votre judicieuse dissertation sur mon plan de défense. J’ai parfaitement senti les raisons qui feront qu’on ne l’executera que quand l’ennemi seroit descendu. Vos peuples ne veulent pas travailler et ne voyent de danger que quand l’ennemi est sur eux. Le travail d’un camp rétranché...
20156To Benjamin Franklin from Mehetable Newland, 12 August 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As Mr. Newland has the honour of being known to you, I have taken the liberty of asking the favour, whether you have heard, any thing of him, sence he Embark from New York for Quebec. From the deferent reports of the Success of our Troops, at that place, I am under the greatest uneasiness for his Welfare. Sir from the thousand Amiable qualities of your...
20157General Orders, 12 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
The business of granting passes proving burthensome to Messrs Berrien, Ray & Wilmot; three others are added to them, viz.: William Goforth, John Campbell and Samuel Cowperthwaite, any passes signed by either of them are to be allowed. The Honorable The Continental Congress have been pleased to appoint the following Gentlemen, Majors General of the Army of the United States. viz.: William Heath...
20158To George Washington from John Bradford, 12 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am honour’d with your Excellencys Signature under the 5th Instant, directing me to take the necessary Care of all the Warlike Stores, and Necessaries, for an Army, till I may receive Orders from the proper Authority. your Excellency may rely on the Strictest punctuallity in Complying with any future Orders I may Receive. I have not Omitted since I have been in this department giving a...
20159To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 12 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Hand reports this morning a twenty Gun Ship that came in last Evening fird as She past through the Narrows—and was Answerd by the Admiral—Four Ships went through the Narrows Yesterday—they are at Anchor along New Uttrect Shore. Twenty five Sail of ships are seen at a great distance at Sea coming in. If your Excellency think Col. Varnum deserveing promotion and another Brigadier is to be...
20160From George Washington to John Hancock, 12 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honoured with your favors of the 8 & 10th Instts with their several Inclosures. I shall pay attention to the Resolution respecting Lieutt Josiah, and attempt to releive him from his rigorous Usage. Your Letters to such of the Gentn as were here, have been delivered—the rest will be sent by the first Opportunity. Since my last of the 8 & 9th the Enemy have made no movements of...
20161From George Washington to John Hancock, 12 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
This will be handed you by Colo. Campbell from the Northern Army, whom the Inclosed Letter and proceedings of a Genl Court Martial will shew to have been in arrest and tried for Sundry matters charged against him. As the Court Martial was by Order of the Commander in that department—the Facts committed there—the Trial there, I am much at a loss to know Why the proceedings were referred to me...
20162From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 12 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding I shall probably feel the effect, I do most cordially and sincerely congratulate you on your victory over Clinton and the British Squadron at Sullivans Island—A victory undoubtedly it is, when an Enemy are drub’d, and driven from a Country they were sent to Conquer—such is the case of Clinton and Sir Peter Parker, who are now with the Fleet & Army at Staten Island, where Genl...
20163To George Washington from Brigadier General William Livingston, 12 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 8th Instant I recieved on a Journey to Brunswick on Friday last, when I had an Opportunity of Conferring with our Convention and urging your Excellency’s requisition relating to the Militia, the propriety of which is so obvious—I returned on Saturday Evening and delayed answering your favour in hopes of recieving the resolution of Convention thereon—I have just been favoured...
20164To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 12 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Give me leave to Introduce to your Excellencys notice—Colo. Attlee of the Pennsylva. Troops—His experience and Attention to every part of the service entrusted to his direction—will I am perswaded secure to him your Regard—Col. Burd will march this Afternoon with about Three hundred men of the Flying Camp—including One Compy of Rifle men, Volunters, from CumberLd—Commanded by Capt. Steel. I...
20165From George Washington to the New York Convention, 12 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
As the time is certainly near at hand & may be hourly expected, which is to decide the fate of this City & the Issue of this Campaign, I thought it highly improper that Persons of suspected Character should remain in places where their opportunities of doing mischief were much greater than in the Enemies Camp—I therefore have caused a number of them to be apprehended & removed to some Distance...
20166From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 12 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 4th Instant is safe to hand. an answer to the Several particulars it contains will be given soon, time will but allow me to Request your forwarding with all possible Dispatch, Two 13 Inch Sea Mortars of the best in Boston to this place with their Beds & every thing Compleat. I am sir Yr &c. LB , in Samuel Blachley Webb’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
20167To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 12 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
This day I have forwarded one hundred Barrels of powder for Norwich, there to be deposited agreeable to your directions; I have also forwarded a Chest of Arms to the care of Messieurs Huntingtons to be by them sent to New York; an Invoice of them is here inclosed. Whetcombs Regiment march’d the eighth Instant and Phinney’s the ninth, for Ticonderoga. Last week Mr Glover, the Agent, was in Town...
20168To John Jay from Robert Livingston, 12 August 1776 (Jay Papers)
I wrote Coll o . Porter, by Express, desiring him to Spare me two of his moulders to assist my hands, in Casting doubleheaded Shott, & the Trux you desired me to cast for the Convention of the State of New York; he wrote me immediately that he Could not possibly fulfill the orders he had from his Honor The Governour if he Spared one of his hands; upon which I went out to Speak with him my Self...
20169Jefferson’s Outline of Argument Concerning Insubordination of Esek Hopkins, 12 August 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
The Commodore’[s] excuse for not going to Southern colonies agreeable to orders . Before he left capes of Delaware, he heard the Liverpool was joined to Ld. Dunmore , which made enemy an overmatch, and many of his men sea sick. He did not go to N. Carolina because [he] received intelligence the enemy’s force had gone from there and from S. Cara. to Georgia. (His men recovered as he got to the...
20170From John Adams to Horatio Gates, 13 August 1776; 18 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favours of 24 June, and 17. July, are before me. I wish with all my Heart that you were Dictator at Ticonderoga, as much as it was intended you Should be, in Canada. Not for the sake of promoting Mr. Rice, nor any other particular Person, but for the good of the Service in general. Let me ask you however, by the Way, whether, Rice would not do for a Judge Advocate in that Department? I...
20171[Tuesday August 13. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Tuesday August 13. 1776. The Board of War brought in a Report, which was taken into Consideration; whereupon Resolved as in the Journal. A Letter of the twelf th from Brigadier General Mercer was read. Resolved that it be referred to the Board of War. Congress took into Consideration the Articles of War, and after some time spent thereon, the farther Consideration thereof was postponed till...
20172John Adams to Abigail Adams, 13 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Geography is a Branch of Knowledge, not only very usefull, but absolutely necessary, to every Person of public Character whether in civil or military Life. Nay it is equally necessary for Merchants. America is our Country, and therefore a minute Knowledge of its Geography, is most important to Us and our Children. The Board of War are making a Collection of all the Maps of America, and of...
2017313 August., 13 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
13 August. The congress resolved that General Washington supply it with a copy of Massachusetts Bay’s treaty with the St. Johns and Micmac Indians; that Colonel Wilson’s battalion of militia be supplied with 22 muskets, 22 lbs. of powder, and 88 lbs. of lead; and that William Caldwell and William Lawrence be appointed paymasters of Col. Loammi Baldwin’s and Col. John Shee’s regiments,...
2017414 August., 13 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
14 August. See the Board of War report for 13 August printed below.
20175A Report of the Board of War, 13 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Agreed to report to Congress That Monsr. Weibert now serving in the continental Army at New York as an Engineer be appointed Assistant Engineer with the Rank and Pay of Lieut. Colonel and that his Pay commence from the Time of his engaging in the Service. That General Mercer be directed to discharge or grant Furlows to Joseph Kerr Hatter a private of Capt Will’s Company in the first Battallion...
20176To John Adams from Samuel Adams, 13 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Before this reaches you, you will have heard of the Arrival of near an hundred more of the Enemies ships. There are too many Soldiers now in Philadelphia waiting for Arms. Is it not of the utmost Importance that they should march even without Arms, especially as they may be furnished with the Arms of those who are sick at N York. Would it not be doing great Service to the Cause at this time if...
20177To John Adams from Samuel Holden Parsons, 13 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
My sincere Thanks are due to my Friend in Congress for the unexpected Honor, done me in my late Preferment. As it was unsolicited and unthought of by me, I cannot but feel the most grateful Sense of the Obligation my Friends have laid me Under by this Token of their Esteem for me. I wish I may discharge the Duties of this important Trust in a Manner which may fully Answer the just Expectations...
20178To John Adams from Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant, 13 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a rough Sketch of a plan, which, for ought I know, may be about as wise as an hundred others, that have made their Appearance in this World. I had Thoughts of giving it my last Hand and printing it; but determined first to inclose it for your perusal. If you should think it of any Importance please to return it cum Notis ; or else, if You find Leisure and Inclination You may finish...
20179General Orders, 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Thomas Henly and Israel Keith Esqrs. are appointed Aid-de-Camps to Major General Heath; they are to be respected and obeyed accordingly. The Court Martial to sit to morrow, for the tryal of Lieut: Holcomb of Capt. Anderson’s Company, Col. Johnson’s Regiment, under Arrest for “assuming the rank of a Captain & mounting Guard as such.” The Colonels of the several Regiments, or commanding...
20180To George Washington from Henry Bromfield, 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am hond with your Excellencie’s Favor of 24th June, wch came to Hand at a time that I was Absent on a Journey in the Country, This wth a great uncertainty whether to undertake the Task Assigned me therein has been the Reason, that I have not returned an earlier Answer, at length however, upon the Consideration of the Delay a Refusal must Occasion, & that the Excuse I might Alledge in my...
20181From George Washington to John Hancock, 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
As there is reason to beleive that but little Time will elapse before the Enemy make their Attack, I have thought It advisable to remove All the papers in my hands respecting the Affairs of the States from this place. I hope the Event will shew the precaution was unnecessary, but yet prudence required that It should be done, Lest by any Accident they might fall into their hands. They are all...
20182To George Washington from John Hancock, 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 13 August 1776 . “I have nothing in Charge from Congress to Communicate to you. Had not the honour of a Letter by the Post, I Judge the Return Express is on the Road, by whom wish to have an Agreeable Accot of the State of the Army.” ALS , DLC:GW .
20183From George Washington to Colonel Thomas McKean, 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
In answer to that part of your Letter of the 10th Instt “whether, when a Brigade is drawn up, and the oldest Colonel takes the Right, his Battalion is to be on the right with him; that is, whether the Colonel gives rank to the Battalion” I shall inform you, that to the best of my Military knowledge a Regiment never looses its Rank, consequently can derive none from its Colonel, nor loose any...
20184From George Washington to Brig. Gen. Hugh Mercer, 13 August 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. Hugh Mercer, 13 Aug. 1776. In a letter to GW of 15 Aug. , Mercer refers to “your Letters of the 13 & 14.”
20185To George Washington from a Secret Committee of the New York Convention, 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Letter of the 21 Ulto arrived here at a Time when this Committee was dispersed and the Members gone different Ways on different Business—It was however sent by Express to Mr Jay who was then in Connecticut endeavouring to procure Cannon for the Defence of Hudson’s River and we have the Pleasure of informing your Excellency that we have obtained ten twelve & ten six pounders...
20186To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Aftor mr Balor cam to me with your ordor I immedatly went one bord all the roo galles and told them it was your Pesetive ordors that thay proced up the rivor with 2 fier Ships the 2 Rodisland Galles and thes 2 bult hear immedatly waied ancor and proced up the revor the oather 3 have not moved but now aply for 36 men which ware peraded by my quartors for 2 or 3 hours and then went thare way but...
20187From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 6th Inst. I received this Morning by Bennet. The Reports made by the Emissaries who have been among the Indian Nations, appear not so promising as I could wish. However I trust, as so many have come to the Treaty, their Views are friendly, & tho they may not consent to take an Active Part in our Favor, that they will not Arm against Us. The Difficulties attending the Vessels...
20188To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 7th Instant, by Mr Root, & the Intelligence it contains has given me great concern & Anxiety—the soon expected Strength of the Enemy & weekness of your Army were equally unforseen and surprizing—tho I never gave credit to the public Accounts of you[r] Numbers, yet I could not suspect they fell so much short of the Numbers proposed as I find they do. Immediately upon receipt...
20189From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I could not have supposed the Company of Artificers under Capt. Ayres would have insisted on their Wages being augmented in Consequence of their being ordered to this place, the consequences of raiseing their pay would be an Immediate Application from all those in Service as Artificers to be put on the same footing, if not refuse doing Duty any longer than absolutely bound. But these men...
20190To George Washington from Abraham Yates, Jr., 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by the Convention to return their Thanks to Your Excellency for the Attention You have paid to the removal of suspicious and dangerous Persons from the Environs of the City of New York. Deeply sensible with Your Excellency of the Importance and Necessity of this Measure, the Convention had entered into a Resolution for that purpose previous to their Arrival at this Place but the...
20191From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Pendleton, 13 August 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of Aug. 3. came to hand yesterday. Having had no moment to spare since, I am obliged to sit down to answer it at a Committee table while the Committee is collecting. My thoughts therefore on the subject you propose will be merely extempore. The opinion that our lands were allodial possessions is one which I have very long held, and had in my eye during a pretty considerable part of my...
20192[Wednesday. August 14. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Wednesday. August 14. 1776. A Letter of the 12th from General Washington with a return of the Army at New York, and sundry other Papers inclosed, being received was read. Also sundry Letters from England were read. Resolved That the Letter from General Washington with the Papers inclosed be referred to the Board of War. The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into Consideration,...
20193Abigail Adams to John Adams, 14 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Smith call’d upon me to day and told me he should set out tomorrow for Philadelphia, desired I would write by him. I have shewn him all the civility in my power since he has been here, tho not all I have wished too. Our Situation and numerous family as well as sick family prevented our asking him to dine. He drank tea with us once and Breakfasted once with us. I was much pleasd with the...
20194Abigail Adams to John Adams, 14 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you to day by Mr. Smith but as I suppose this will reach you sooner, I omitted mentioning any thing of my family in it. Nabby has enough of the small Pox for all the family beside. She is pretty well coverd, not a spot but what is so soar that she can neither walk sit stand or lay with any comfort. She is as patient as one can expect, but they are a very soar sort. If it was a disorder...
20195John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
This is the Anniversary of a memorable day, in the History of America: a day when the Principle of American Resistance and Independence, was first asserted, and carried into Action. The Stamp Office fell before the rising Spirit of our Countrymen.—It is not impossible that the two gratefull Brothers may make their grand Attack this very day: if they should, it is possible it may be more...
20196From John Adams to William Tudor, 14 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
By a Return from the Adjutant General of the 10. instant, I see a new Brigade, makes its appearance, under the Title of General Fellow’s Brigade, composed of Coll. Holman’s Coll. Smith’s, and Coll. Carys Regiments, making in the whole 1544 Men. These I conclude are from the Massachusetts. Neither the Council, nor the House nor any Individual, of our Province, have ever mentioned one Word, in...
20197To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 14 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of June 10, in Answer to mine on the Continental Currency, I have now to thank you for. Who brought it I know not, but it was never deliver’d to me till four days ago. A Number of the most sensible Gentlemen among us, with whom I have convers’d upon the Subject are fully of opinion that there is no Way they can at present think of, so effectual to promote public Credit in the...
20198To John Adams from John Lowell, 14 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
By some Accident your Letter of the 12th. of June did not reach me till last Week, or I should not have delayed so long to accept a Proposal so much to my Advantage, as a Correspondence with you. From a Sense of its being my Duty to take a more active Part in our Public Matters, than I had in the first Part of my Life determined at any Time to have done, I willingly entered into the General...
20199General Orders, 14 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Alexander Scammell and Lewis Morris Esquires, are appointed Aids-de-Camp to Major General Sullivan; they are to be obeyed and respected accordingly. The Divisions of the Army, under Major Generals Putnam and Sullivan, having undertaken some special works are to be omitted out of the general detail of Guards and Fatigue for the present. The General orders three days provision to be cooked...
20200From George Washington to James Bowdoin, 14 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 30th Ultimo in behalf of the Honorable Council of the Massachusetts State is duly Received, thro you I beg their Acceptance of most hearty Thanks for their readiness in undertakeing the late Treaty. I likewise congratulate them on the Success with which it was attended, and wish an early arrival of such of their Tribes as intend Joining Us in the present Controversy, The four...