22351To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 8 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We are informed here that a Canadian with a commission from the Congress has fitted out a privateer at Dunkirk, and after cruising sometime in the Channel has taken a very large prize and carried her into Ostend; this News seems to occasion great eagerness in some people here to fitt out privateers in the same way, if proper commissions can be obtain’d and...
22352General Orders, 8 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
22353From George Washington to Brigadier General Andrew Lewis, 8 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am uneasy at not being reinforced by some of the new Recruits from Virginia—I had hopes, That in Compliance with the Order of Congress, some time since published, such a number of Parts of Regiments would have taken the Field, as would have enabled me to strike a Blow of Importance this Winter—Disappointed in this, I must entreat You to issue immediate Orders in the most peremptory manner to...
22354From George Washington to William Livingston, 8 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I this Moment had the Honour to receive your two favours of the 3d Inst. With pleasure I will forward your Letters to Mr Jay by the first Opportunity. How can an Assembly of Gentlemen, Eyewitnesses to the distresses & Inconveniences that have their principal source in the Want of a well regulated Militia, hesitate to adopt the only remedy that can remove them! And stranger still, think of a...
22355To George Washington from William Livingston, 8 March 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Livingston, 8 Mar. 1777. GW’s secretary Tench Tilghman writes in reply to Livingston on 11 Mar.: “His Excellency being much indisposed commands me to acknowledge the honor of yours of the 8th Currt. Many frauds will undoubtedly arise upon the irregular Mode in which we shall be obliged to settle the accounts of the Flying Camp men of this State. Under the present...
22356To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 8 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Having but a few Moments Notice of this Express I can only acknowledge the Receipt of your Excellys last Favour, & acquaint you that I will take the first Oppy of consulting Mr Cox on the Appointment of Commissary of Prisoners. As Col. Biddle the Deputy Qr Master & Col. Flower the Commissary of Stores have the Rank of Colonel who have moved in much lower Spheres in Life than Col. Cox I have no...
22357From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 8 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
The present weak state of our army, and the appearance of a speedy movement being intended by the ennemy make it necessary that I should use every resource to augment our numbers in the most expeditious manner possible. You will therefore immediately call upon the commanding officers of all the regiments of yr state, and order them without delay to repair to camp, with such men as they have...
22358To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 8 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I trouble you with the inclosed Papers lately sent to me—respecting Prisoners sentenced by Court Martial to Confinement in Simsbury Mines in this State & sent thither agreable to you[r] Excellency’s Order —with an Account of Expences incurred for their Support &Ca I shall take it as a Favour in Behalf of the Comtee of P. Town if the Necessary Orders are given for the Refunding the Expences...
22359To George Washington from John Augustine Washington, 8 March 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Augustine Washington, 8 Mar. 1777. GW wrote his brother John on 12 April : “I have been favourd with your Letter from Mount Vernon, and one other of the 8th Ulto which is now before me, from Bushfield.”
22360From George Washington to Brigadier General George Weedon, 8 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
You are so well acquainted with our Circumstances and Situation that I need not assign any Reason for desiring you to call upon every Colonel within your reach and order him to march whatever Men he may have raised to join the Army immediately. Let a good Officer be sent forward with the first party who may receive and take Care of the Men of his Regiment as they come up. Endeavour to procure...
22361To John Jay from Lewis Morris, 8 March 1777 (Jay Papers)
A M r Jackson that will hand you this goes to our state in order to fix on Some person or persons to make Sale of the States Lottery Tickets, I have wrote to Gov r on the Subject, but least he should not be there, I have Troubled you with this— The Congress meets to day for the first time since their flight, I wish to God we had more men in jersey, you ^ may ^ be assured from the best...
22362From John Adams to Nathanael Greene, 9 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
I had, last Evening the Pleasure of yours of March 3. by your Brother, to whom in his Business to this Place I shall give all the Assistance in my Power. In whose favour the Ballance of Letters lies, I cant Say: but if I am in debt, in Point of Numbers it must be because Some of my Remittances have miscarried. I am not yet entirely convinced, that We are playing a desperate Game, tho I must...
22363To Benjamin Franklin from Elie de Beaumont, 9 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Monsieur Monin de champigny officier de distinction neveu d’un homme qui a joüi de la plus haute consideration dans ce pays ci desireroit fort d’avoir l’honneur de vous entretenir et de vous presenter des vües qui peuvent vous être utiles. Le vif interêt que je prends a lui me fait prendre la liberté de vous le presenter et de vous prier de l’entendre. Je...
22364General Orders, 9 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
22365From George Washington to William Livingston, 9 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Council of Safety of Pennsylvania has done me the honour to communicate to [me a] piece of Intelligence of Importance, which they received from Colo. Gurney: A Copy of which is inclosed. I wish it may rouse the Gentlemen of your Assembly to prepare for the worst Event—In my Opinion the present Time is of infinitely greater Worth than is generally supposed. Vain and useless will all our...
22366To George Washington from Major General Thomas Mifflin, 9 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to write to you by General Gates and since that Time by Express—My last enclosed some Sketches of Regulations in the Q.M. Gs. Department, which requird your Excellencys Examination; and, if approvd, some fixd Time for being set in Motion. I have not heard of the Receipt of either Letter. By Order of Congress I have receivd 450,000 Dlrs towards the Purchase of Horses Wagons &...
22367To George Washington from Edward Snickers, 9 March 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Edward Snickers, 9 Mar. 1777. GW wrote to Thomas Mifflin on 19 Mar . that “I have a letter of the 9th from Mr Snickers.”
22368To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 9 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have called on General McDougle & Informed him Confidentially of the State of Our Army he Says there is about 600 Continental Troops here with two Massa. Militia Regts he is of opinion that The Continental Troops here Should be Sent forward & that the State Should Garrison this post; for which purpose he will call on Mr Jay, and consult with him upon the most Effectual Measures to bring it...
22369To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 9 March 1777 (Jay Papers)
General Sullivan arrived here to To-day from Head Quarters in Jersey. He had it in charge from General Washington to communicate to me, a matter of the utmost importance in Condfidence. It is of Such a Nature and of Such moment that it must not be commited to Paper. I cannot Posibly Quit this post, or I would have mounted my Horse the moment he left me, (in his way to Connecticut) to converse...
22370From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 10 March 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 7th. instant to his Excellency fell into my hands. He has been very much indisposed for three or four days past, insomuch that his attention to business is pronounced by the Doctor to be very improper; and we have made a point of keeping all from him which was not indispensibly necessary. I detained your express a day in hopes of a convenient opportunity to communicate your...
22371To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 10 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We yet remain without a Line from you; tho’ we have had the pleasure of hearing you were safe arrived; this is my third Letter to you, since you left us; I think I have never mentioned to you before, that Mr. Galloway, when the Enemy were at Trenton, passed over the Delaware and took protection, three of the Allens did the same, viz: John, Andrew, and...
22372To Benjamin Franklin from Ebenezer Smith Platt, 10 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Through the solicitations of my freinds I have made free to trouble you with thiss Packett, and to beg the favour of you to forward per first conveniant and safe opportunity the Inclos’d letters. I am inform’d you have been acquainted with a state of my Case, for which reason have omited troubling you therewith again, and shall only give you the following...
22373To Benjamin Franklin from Elizabeth Wright, 10 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Wee have so good an oppertunity of writing to you that it would be a Pitty to miss of it, and I cannot forbear Mentioning again to you, about Mr. Platt. He was advised by Mr. W––ks to Pettition the old Baily last Session, to be brought to Tryall, and least they should Refuse it, or Plead ignorance to put a Copy of it in the Papers. This He thought very...
22374General Orders, 10 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
22375From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 10 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure of yours of the 7th instant and am sorry to find that Genl Cadwalader has declined a Commission in the continental Service. Altho’ I often wished in secret, that you could be brought to resume the Office of Adjutant General, I never even hinted it, because I thought it might be disagreeable to you for the Reasons which you yourself mention, “that you commanded last Campaign...
22376To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 10 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I acknowlege the Receipt of your Favr of the 3d inst. & obse[r]ve the Contents. I have wrote the Cloathr Genll by this Express & have stated what I understand to be our Condition relative to the Cloaths for our Nine & a Part of Battalions raising in this State & shall wait his Approbation & further Orders as mentioned in mine to him. The Stopping the Prize Cloathg passing thro this State, was...
22377To George Washington from Brig. Gen. George Weedon, 10 March 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. George Weedon, 10 Mar. 1777. GW writes to Weedon on 27 Mar . that “your Letter of the 10th Instt from Philadelphia came duly to hand.”
22378From John Adams to William Tudor, 11 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 7th. instant, I just received. Am glad to find the Post begins to do its Duty, and that Intelligence, is like to be more regular. I doubt, whether the Enemy have at Amboy and Brunswick So many as near 10,000 Men. But are they not posted in Smaller Numbers at other Places? Cannot these Places be attacked or Surprised? We must continually harrass them. As to their marching to...
22379George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel John Brooks, 11 March 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] March 11, 1777. Transmits commission for William Hull. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Brooks was a Massachusetts doctor turned soldier. Major William Hull, Eighth Massachusetts Regiment.
22380George Washington to Major General Thomas Mifflin, 11 March 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] March 11, 1777. Orders preparations for approaching campaign. Mifflin was the quartermaster general of the Army.
22381George Washington to Brigadier General Gold Selleck Silliman, 11 March 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] March 11, 1777. Discusses British naval feints. Is not apprehensive of an attack on Connecticut and, therefore, refuses to send requested detachments. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
22382Dumas to the American Commissioners, 11 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook draft: Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Je ne saurois plus longtemps résister à la tentation de vous écrire, que j’éprouve à chaque ordinaire, et à laquelle je succomberois régulierement, si la crainte d’être importun, plus qu’utile, ne me retenoit. Enfin la joie de pouvoir vous féliciter des succès de nos amis l’emporte sur cette crainte. Trois...
22383Thomas Morris to the American Commissioners, 11 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have duely received your esteemed favours of the 2d and 3d Instant the Contents of which requiring no immediate answer, the present may serve to acquaint you with the safe arrival here of the Schooner Jenifer in 35 days from Baltimore. This Vessell has brought sundry dispatches for you from Congress, and the Bearer Captain Hammond will have the pleasure...
22384Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 11 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have began to load the Ship. The salt is at Painbeuf and we are here loading the first Lighter with some Bales and the Cordage which is near all made, the Bales that were here are all reduced, and tomorrow the workmen will begin to reduce those that are just arrived from orleans; the Letter from thence informs us that about 50 more will be ready to come...
22385To Benjamin Franklin from Penet, 11 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. rumcay porteur de la presante est partie ce jour pour cerandre [se rendre] a paris avec le capt. hammond arrivant dans ce port expedie par le committé secret de philadelphie a baltimore avec des lettres pour vous Mr. Deane et Lée; nous esperons qu’il vous serat parvenus heureusement et nous attandons vos ordres et son retour pour l’expedier ausitot avec...
22386To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 11 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In consequence of your advice and kind offer of reccommendation, I have conversed with Mr. Shweighausser relative to a plan for establishing a House here to transact american Business. His proposition is to take the Firm of J Williams & Co. myself being the ostensible person and he the acting partner, thereby keeping it wholly seperate from his other...
22387General Orders, 11 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
22388To George Washington from Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, 11 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am now to acknowledge Your Excellency’s favours of the 6th & 20th Ulto & 3d Inst.—On Receit of the former, I was Ordered to Boston with a View of Collecting, four, or five, Continental Battallions, for our intended Attack, On my return Genl Spencer thought It necessary for me to go to Pt Judah from whence I returned last night, & was then presented with your Excellency’s favours of the last...
22389From George Washington to Major General Thomas Mifflin, 11 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have not had the pleasure of hearing from you since yours of the 13 Feby inclosing a Number of Regulations for the Quarter Master Generals department, which, from the multiplicity of Business, I have not been able yet to attend to. What I would principally recommend to you, is the having the Amunition Waggons and those for carrying Tools got ready as soon as possible. But I think you should...
22390From George Washington to Brigadier General Gold Selleck Silliman, 11 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Chester delivered me your letter of the 7th instant, mentioning the appearance of some of the ennemy’s ships in the sound, and your apprehensions thereupon. I am well convinced, there is no reason to dread the descent you speak of; and that these little desultory motions have no serious design, but are only intended to divert our attention from the important objects which ought to...
22391From George Washington to Major General Joseph Spencer, 11 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of the 2d instant, by which I am sorry to find, that from a Number of unfortunate Circumstances, your intended descent upon Rhode Island had failed. I however think you were right in not putting any thing to the risque of a miscarriage, for untill we get our new army properly established, it is our Business to play a certain game, and not depend upon Militia for any thing capital....
22392From George Washington to Brigadier General David Wooster, 11 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was a good deal surprised to find yours of the 2d dated from Rye. Supposing there was a real Necessity of your retreating from New Rochelle, you certainly ought to have returned immediately, upon the Enemy’s dropping their design, if they ever had any, of attacking you—All Accounts from your Quarters complain loudly of this retreat as a most injudicious Step, as it gave fresh spirits to the...
22393The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 12 March[–9 April 1777] (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; L : British Library; copy: National Archives It is now more than 4 Months since Mr. Franklin’s Departure from Philadelphia, and not a Line from thence written since that time has hitherto reached either of your Commissioners in Europe. We have had no Information of what passes in America but thro’ England, and the Advices are for the most part such only as the Ministry...
22394George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 12 March 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] March 12, 1777. Discusses necessity of concentrating forces. States that Philadelphia is enemy’s object. Weighs advantages of centralizing forces at Peekskill as against Ticonderoga. Df , in writings of John Walker, George Washington, and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Schuyler was at this time in Albany in command of the Northern Department.
22395George Washington to Connecticut and Rhode Island Colonels, 12 March 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] March 12, 1777. Requests exact return of troops. Orders colonels to send all their men to join the Army. Instructs colonels to remain behind to complete their regiments.
22396George Washington to New York Colonels, 12 March 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] March 12, 1777. Requests exact return of troops. Orders recruits to Peekskill. Instructs colonels to remain behind to complete their regiments.
22397George Washington to Pennsylvania Colonels, 12 March 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] March 12, 1777. Requests exact return of troops. Orders men who have had smallpox to the Army, others to Philadelphia to be inoculated. Instructs colonels to remain in Philadelphia to supply their regiments.
22398The American Commissioners: Memorandum [for Vergennes], [12 March 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AD : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères While Great Brittain engross’d the Commerce of the United States, merchandize imported from thence into France was considered as British, and Consequently subject to the same duties, Customs &c, as if imported direct from the Islands of Great Brittain or Ireland. Since the separation of those States from Brittain it is presumed their...
22399Arthur Lee to Franklin and Silas Deane, 12 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In my return to this place, I receivd the joyful intelligence which I enclose; and in which I congratulat you a thousand and a thousand times. The Congress had removd to Baltimore, and General Putnam was providing for the defence of Philadelphia, before this happy change in the posture of the hostile Army. It is said that the cruelties exercised in the...
22400To Benjamin Franklin from Barbeu-Dubourg, 12 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de souhaiter le bonjour à Monsieur franklin; nous avons oublié moi de lui remettre le memoire quittancé de sa Lingere, et lui de me remettre le traité original entre les fermiers generaux et moi. J’ai besoin de celuicy actuellement; ainsi je le prie de me le renvoyer par le porteur. J’ai annoncé sa visite a M. Turgot pour demain; il le...