22851General Orders, 14 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The General Court Martial of which Major Harmar is President, is to sit to morrow, at 9 o’clock, to try Lieut: Francis Costigan of Col. Ogden’s Regt and such other prisoners, as may be brought before them. All Evidences are to attend—Col. Biddle will furnish the evidence against Lieut. Corstagan. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . For the charge against Lt. Francis Costigin (Costigan; c.1744–1821)...
22852To George Washington from Colonel George Baylor, 14 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
My indisposition for three weeks past has prevented my writing as you have directed, and I am inclind to do, by every post. Our situation is nearly the same now, as it was then; we have only forty men here, of Capt. Smiths, Lieut. Jones, Lieut. Pages and Cornet Baylor’s, and seventy eight Horses, which are pretty well traind. Most of the officers have got some men, and a few of them have...
22853From George Washington to Owen Biddle, 14 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning favd with yours of yesterday, inclosing Copy of a letter from Mr Henry Fisher of Lewis Town. The Ships therein mentioned are certainly meant for no other purpose than to distress and cut off the Trade in Delaware Bay, you may depend, that when an Attack upon the Works below the Town is really intended, there will be a co-operation of their land and sea Forces. I would...
22854To George Washington from Nicholas Cooke, 14 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Favors of the 14th ult. and of the 3d instant are now before me. In Pursuance of your Recommendation Mr Hutchinson, and Governor Shirley’s Son are permitted to go to Rhode Island. I have made Enquiry after the Mulatto Lad, Thomas Rogerson, but can as yet gain no Account that is perfectly satisfactory. I believe he was brought into this Place, and very soon after sailed for...
22855To George Washington from William Livingston, 14 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Collo. Duyckinck has preferred a Petition to the Governor & Council of Safety of this State for a hearing being under terrible apprehensions of the approaching warm Season of the year in the place of his Confinement —As the Judicature he has addressed, is competent to release him from confinemt or order his Imprisonment in this State, for an Offence against the municipal Laws, it is on the one...
22856To George Washington from Colonel Stephen Moylan, 14 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
On receipt of your Kind favour of the 8th instant, I had fixt on this day, for my Setting out for Maryland, but the hostile appearances in this Bay are Such, that I have given up the thought of going there, and have wrote to Major Washington to repair to Baltimore, and take the part of the Regiment raiseing there under his Command, I have reccommended him to push them forward as Soon as...
22857From George Washington to Colonel John Patton, 14 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of 7th Instt with a Return of your Regiment came to hand two days ago, & am sorry to find that your Officers are so slow in the Recruiting Service—The Company you intend to March in a few days you will order directly to head Quarters, unless countermanded. The Expences that necessarily arise to recruiting Officers I believe is much increas’d, but at same time cant help remarking,...
22858To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 14 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I sent by the express an answer to your letter respecting the office of adjutant general, & gave what appeared to me sufficient reasons to excuse my declining to accept it; but have since been uneasy, lest you should deem them otherwise; & that I was too willing, under the civil offices I sustain, to shelter myself from the dangers & fatigues of war. An opinion which, if it has taken place, I...
22859To George Washington from Major General Joseph Spencer, 14 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have rec’d your Excellency’s Letter of the 3d of April instant, and in Answer thereto take Liberty to observe, that by the late Appearances there is no probability that the Enemy will soon evacuate Rhode Island, as your Excellency has apprehended and as we have heretofore generally expected in these parts: the Ships that were haul’d off when I wrote last, being thirty three Square rigg’d...
22860To George Washington from Major General Adam Stephen, 14 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosd I send your Excellency a Return of the men of my division, exclusive of General Maxwells Brigade, of which I have got no return yet. I go on the Out posts to day, and do not approve of the mens being so dispersd as not be Able to support one Another—The troops at Quibble town were kept in Awe by Appearances yesterday; had they happily reinforcd their pickets a little; or Shou’d some...
22861To Benjamin Franklin from Feutry, [after 15 April 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Feutry est venu pour avoir L’honneur de voir Monsieur de Franklin et de se rappeller à son souvenir. Il joint ici une nouvelle Traduction de Richard que M. Quétant, son ami, Lui a confiée pour la faire voir à Monsieur de Franklin; il Le supplie de vouloir bien la lui renvoyer dans quelque Jour. Feutry fait remettre ses canons en Etat de paroître et de tirer;...
22862Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 15 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This letter speaks of preparations for a major American naval move, Wickes’s cruise in the Irish Sea. The commissioners had summoned him to Paris in mid-March, and out of their consultations had come the plan for the cruise. The tiny squadron was to consist of the Reprisal and a cutter, renamed the Dolphin , which had been intended for a packet and was now...
22863To Benjamin Franklin from Nathan Rumsey, 15 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The dispatches by Mr. Cunningham arrived safe late on Sunday Night. The Packet falls down the River to day, and if the wind continues fair, will sail tomorow. I have my faults, and perhaps they are conspicuous but Nemo nascitur sine Vitiis. I doubt not but Ennemies have made a Handle of them to rob me of your favor and good Opinion for the Loss of which I...
22864To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 15 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook copy: Yale University Library I am fearfull you will think me too troublesome in so often diverting your attention from other important concerns, but I can’t help requesting your opinion on the inclosed articles before I consent to them, as when I am once engaged I must continue, and it is too important on my side to agree without the necessary...
22865General Orders, 15 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Serjt Keener of the 11th Pennsyl: Battn and Serjt Berns of the 10th tried at a General Court Martial, held at Samptown, of which Col. Shreve was president, on a charge of “Intending to desert” The Court find Serjt Keener guilty of the above Crime, and sentence him to be reduced to the ranks, and receive 100 Lashes on his bare back—The Court acquit Serjt Berns of the Charge against him. John...
22866From George Washington to Landon Carter, 15 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 22d of Feby I have had the pleasure to receive; but the other Letters alluded to, have never got to hand; and may be adduced among many other proofs of the villainy you suspect in the Post Offices. I should have been very happy in seeing your Grandson inlisted under the Banners of his Country and under the care of so good, and brave a Man as Baylor—But a Mothers tenderness...
22867To George Washington from Colonel Jedediah Huntington, 15 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 3d inst. & observe your Desire that I march my Men fit for Duty immediately to Peek’s Kill. Since the Date of your Letter, the Governor & Council have resolved forthwith to make a Draft of Men to fill up the continintal Battalions, upon which I think my Stay here very necessary & shall therefore presume it to be your Pleasure untill further...
22868To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 15 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Two detachments from the Regiments of this State have marchd for head Quarters, another will march this Week; I hope some time next week a Considerable Body may be ready to leave the Colony; the Small Pox has been very heavy upon them, they are much reducd by it, & about Twenty have faild; this is one Reason of the Delay—About 150 from Rhode Island and some from Massechusetts Bay are on their...
22869To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair, 15 April 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair, 15 April 1777. GW wrote St. Clair on 18 April: “I am favd. with your of the 15th.”
22870Receipt for Bounty Money, 15 April 1777 (Jefferson Papers)
Received of Thos. Jefferson fifty one pounds four shillings to be given in bounty to such persons as shall enlist with me and I promise to execute a bond with sufficient security for employing it in that way. MS ( DLC ); in TJ’s hand, signed by John Jouett, Jr. For instructions to TJ concerning the distribution of bounty money, see Patrick Henry to TJ, 31 Mch. 1777 . TJ submitted an account of...
22871John Adams to Abigail Adams, 16 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
We are waiting with some Impatience to hear of the Arrival of some of the Massachusetts Troops at Head Q uarte rs. The Lassitude and Torpor, that has seized our New Englandmen, is to me, very surprizing. Something will happen I believe, to arrouse them from their Lethargy. If they dont go and crush that little Nest of Hornetts at Newport, I shall think them dead to all Sense of Honour, Virtue,...
22872From John Adams to James Bowdoin, 16 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
It is difficult to ascertain with Precision the Designs of the Enemy: But by the best Intelligence We can obtain their Malice and Revenge against New England, is implacable. Their Intentions, most probably, are, to come over the Lakes and enter N. England by that Way, to attack it by the Way of Rhode Island, and also by the Way of the North or the East River. An Armament, may possibly be...
22873From John Adams to James Warren, 16 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
An unfortunate Vessell has arrived from France. The brave Fellow who commanded her, is blown to Pieces in her. A French Nobleman who came in her, got on Shore and brought the Letters. We have Letters from our Commissioners of the Sixth of Feby. —much in the Same Strain with the former of Jany. 17. tho not quite so encouraging. They say there is an universal Apprehension that We shall submit....
22874To John Adams from Joseph Palmer, 16 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
I have too many kinds of public business, to admit my looking into the matter of Finances, and examining the Same with that precision which the Subject demands; but some methods must be taken, as Speedily as possible, to sink the Bills of Credit. Taxes will draw in large Quantities, and Lotteries will operate in aid to Taxes: And I think that you ought to borrow hard Money; ¼ the Sum emitted...
22875To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Joseph Raup de Baptestin de Moulières, 16 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Dès que les Etats-unis de l’Amerique commenceront a jouir de la tranquilité qui, selon toute apparence, va bientôt succeder a la plus injuste et la plus revoltante de toutes les Guerres, Leur premier soin sera sans doute, de se livrer plus vivement que jamais au goût que vous leur avés donné pour les sciences et les arts, sans lesquels un Etat ne saurait...
22876To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Desegray, 16 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Desegray, Neg[ocian]t de St. Malo, logè à Paris à l’hôtel de Nock, ruë de Richelieu, No. 154 , est venu pour presenter ses Respects à Son Excellence, et pour luy remettre la lettre cy jointe. Il la prie de vouloir bien, s’il veut faire reponse à cette lettre, l’envoyer chez luy à l’hôtel susdit, ou de luy faire sçavoir si et quand il pourra venir la...
22877To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Franquelin, 16 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La crainte de troubler vos grandes occupations m’a empêché jusqu’à ce jour de me présenter devant vous: mais pressé par ma famille, j’ose donc vous prier de me permettre d’avoir l’honneur de vous voir pour verifier si effectivement nous sommes descendus de la méme souche, comme plusieurs de mes parents me l’ont asseuré; peut-etre n’esce que le desir qu’ils...
22878General Orders, 16 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
22879To George Washington from John Hancock, 16 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves will convey to you such Information of the Proceedings of Congress as may be necessary for your Direction and future Conduct touching the same. In the present Situation of the British Army, it is extremely to be wished, that an Attack could be made upon their Troops in Rhode Island, which, tho’ it should not prove successful, would, in all Probability, cause a Diversion...
22880To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 16 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since my last I have received the honor of yours of the 30th ultimo and the 1st Instant & this moment that of the 5th. The Troops mention’d in my last as nearly ready have since marched, as have also about 60 of Col. Crane’s Regt of Artillery, who are now pushing their way to join your Excellency—A Second Division of Col. Bailey’s marches to morrow for Ticonderoga—The Hospitals are now opened...
22881To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 16 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your letter to the Committee was immediately laid before Congress, and in consequence thereof, Gen. Schuyler was ordered to carry your ideas into execution with all possible dispatch. The Troops are therefore ordered to Bristol without delay, and thither will go all such as come from the Southward. You have only to order them from Bristol to Head Quarters at your pleasure. The inclosures now...
22882From George Washington to William Livingston, 16 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 14th. I dont know whether Colo. Duyckink comes under the Civil or Military Jurisdiction, but from the following State of the facts on which I ordered him to be secured, you will be able to form a Judgment, and if you think, he falls within the line of civil Authority, I will most cheerfully give him up to you. Colo. Duyckink, some time in the Winter came...
22883To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 16 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
On the Intelligence received by Congress that nine of the Enemies Ships of War had got into Deleware Bay, and that a Number of Transports were seen in the offing, the Continental Troops in this City amounting to 563 Rank and File were ordered to Fort Island to assist in compleating the Fortifications there, which are in a very defenceless State, and to throw up a Work on Red Bank to prevent...
22884To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 16 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favourd with your Excellencys Letter of the 23d ulto—also with those of 29th & 31st of same Month which came safe to Hand—Yesterday received your Proclamation relative to Deserters—& have sent it to the Printers —In mine of 21st March I informed you of the Order given for marchg 2,000 Militia to Peekskill agreable to your Request & that Brig: Genll Wadsworth would take the Command—Want of...
22885From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 17–18 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 12th Instt was delivered me last night by Mr Trumbull. I am much surprized to hear, that the innoculation of the Troops had been countermanded, or the least Hint suggested of the sort. I have never done or said anything countenancing such a measure, on the Contrary, I have pressed & urged the necessity of it in every instance, and I must request, that not a Moment may be...
22886Abigail Adams to John Adams, 17 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
Your obliging favours of March 14, 16 and 22, have received, and most sincerely thank you for them. I know not How I should support an absence already tedious, and many times attended with melancholy reflections, if it was not for so frequently hearing from you. That is a consolation to me, tho a cold comfort in a winters Night. As the Summer advances I have many anxieties, some of which I...
22887To Alexander Hamilton from the New York Committee of Correspondence, 17 April 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Kingston [ New York ] April 17, 1777. “We are directed by Convention to enclose a resolution passed this day in addition to that of the 1st. of Apl. which we before did ourselves the honor to transmit to his Excellency.…” Asks Hamilton to consult with Washington on propriety of enlisting “ignorant young lads,” who had joined the enemy and now wish “to enlist in our regiments.” ALS , Hamilton...
22888To Benjamin Franklin from Feutry, 17 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society J’ai eu, hier, L’honneur de vous adresser quelques mémoires; j’ai celui de vous envoyer une Bagatelle qui vous prouvera du moins que je desire Le bien. J’attends toujour vos ordres et suis très Laconiquement, très Belgiquement, et très respectueusement Monsieur votre très humble et très obeissant P.S. Quand j’aurai sous La main mes autres ouvrages, qui...
22889General Orders, 17 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Sentence of the General Court Martial whereof Major Harmar is President, against Lt Costagan of the 1st Jersey Battalion; accused of “Behaving in a scandalous, and infamous manner, unbecoming an officer and a Gentleman, for pressing a Horse, the property of John Kidd Esqr. of Bucks-County, (Pennsylvania) appropriating him to his own use, and when required by Col. Biddle D.Q.M. Genl, to...
22890From George Washington to the Commanding Officer of the German Battalion and the 1st and 12th Pennsylvania Regiments, 17 … (Washington Papers)
On looking over the last Return of the German Battalion, there appears to be Fifty three privates Sick and absent—and Seventeen on Furlough. Almost four months have expired since orders were given for collecting the sick, and yet there are as many absent as if no such had issued. Such disobedience can no longer be pardonned in Officers. I do therefore in the most peremptory manner command that...
22891To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 17 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with the receipt of your favors of the 12th and 13th Instant, containing information against sundry Persons wickedly engaged in the service of the Enemy. You may rest assured no pains will be wanting to secure those miscreants. It’s probable Van Wagoner is secured; a person of his Character, being lately taken with a Number of Recruits for the Enemy. The late resolution of...
22892To George Washington from Colonel David Mason, 17 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I take this opportunity of Acquainting your Excellency that I reach’d this place on Tuesday last and by order of Brigadier Genl Weedon have with my Men been Innoculated. The number of Men I have with me is contained in the inclosed return, which is short of what I had hopes of being able to March with when I wrote you last—Having very few Troops from the Northern Counties which in the...
22893From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 17 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
That the Enemy are upon the point of opening the Campaign can scarce admit of a doubt—where, or in what manner, is yet uncertain; it behooves us however to be as well prepard as possible, & keep every thing in such order as to move at an hours warning—one step towards this is, to have the number of our Posts reduced—the Men drawn a little more compactly together—and Scouts to supply the places...
22894From George Washington to James Mease, 17 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 12th by Colo. Campbell. All the Cloathing that has come from the Eastward within a few days is forwarded to you unopened, except a sufficient Quantity for Colo. Formans Regt of which they were in immediate want. I have directed the Colo. to have the heavy woolen linings taken out of the Coats and sent down to you, and I think if you have time, you had better have the...
22895From George Washington to Major Jacob Morris, 17 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been favour’d with your Letter of the 10th Instt, and not having leizure to answer it fully, shall content my self with asking a question or two by way of Information—It being the only trouble I mean to give you at this, or any time hereafter, on the subject of your resignation. Were you not informed then, before I saw you at Genl Sullivans (a day or two preceding your going into New...
22896From George Washington to Richard Peters, 17 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by a Resolve of Congress of the 10th Inst. to transmit to the Board of War a list of the Appointments made in Consequence of the powers with which I am invested by Congress, together with a Copy of all Commissions originating from and issued by me. I have made no appointments out of the Military line, but James Mease Esq: Cloathier Genl with a Salary of 150 dollars ⅌ Month. And...
22897To George Washington from Captain William Scott, 17 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Was appointed by your Excellency to raise a company of rangers & according to a provision made by the honourable the continental congress, I was impower’d to offer each man so to be inlisted six pounds bounty, a suit of cloaths annually, & 100 acres land should they serve the term of three years, but upon coming to new England where I purposd to raise my company, I find a much larger bounty...
22898From George Washington to John Hancock, 18–19 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have nothing of importance to transmit Congress, no Event in the Military line having happened since my last, except the Surprizing a Small picquet guard of the Enemy on Monday night at Bonam Town & bringing off Thirteen prisoners by One of our parties. An Enterprize of a similar nature was formed against that at Amboy, in which, the party sent to effect it did not succeed so well, though...
22899From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 18–19 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 28th March and 1st of this Month. I have, in my several late letters, wrote to you so fully upon the necessity of forwarding the Troops to Ticonderoga and peekskill, that I need only to refer you to them, and to beg your Attention to the several Matters recommended in them. You will be kind enough not only to insist upon, but to see that the Feild Officers do not stay...
22900General Orders, 18 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
All the Continental Arms, those in possession of the troops, as well as those in Store, to be marked immediately. Commanding Officers of Corps to see this Order put in execution—they will get the Brand by applying to the Commissary of Military stores. Varick transcript , DLC:GW .