23401To Benjamin Franklin from Lambertus Bicker, 23 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La présente vous sera remise par Mr. Caarten, frere de mon Epouse. Je profite avec un vrai plaisir de cette occasion pour me renouveller dans l’honneur de votre souvenir, et pour vous donner des preuves de mon sincere et cordiale attachement. Avant les troubles de l’Amérique mon Frere étoit fort occupé par une manufacture considerable de Tabac, qu’il tiroit...
23402To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 23 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Nous n’avons point d’expression en bon François, qui rende bien ce titre, qui m’est précieux de votre part, et dont je vous demande la permission de me servir à mon tour avec Vous, Monsieur, qui m’êtes cher à double titre, premierement par la maniere noble avec laquelle vous consentites autrefois à entrer en correspondance avec moi, et à me faire plaisir...
23403General Orders, 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief is pleased to approve, the following sentences of a General Court Martial, held at Ash-Swamp, on the 14th Inst: whereof Col. Mathews was President. Ensign Gill of the 4th Virginia regiment, charged with “Being absent from his regiment without leave, and neglect of duty”—found guilty of the charge; but in consideration of his good character in the regiment, ordered to be...
23404From George Washington to Colonel George Baylor, 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
By this day’s post, I received your favor of the 13th Instant. I am sorry to find you have to combat so many difficulties in raising your Regiment; These However, I flatter myself, in a little time will all be surmounted by your persevering activity. A Chaplain is part of the Establishment of a Corps of Cavalry, and I see no Objection to your having One, Unless you suppose yours will be too...
23405From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, 23 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, 23 May 1777. Greene wrote GW on 24 May : “Your Excellencies favor of Yesterday this moment came to hand.”
23406From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received yesterday your Two favors of the 11th & 14th Instant. I think with you, that it will not be entirely prudent, to deposit All our Stores at one place, not so much from an apprehension that the Enemy will penetrate the Country to destroy them, as that the whole may not be lost, in case of other unhappy events. I have spoke to Genl Knox, who will direct, what he judges proper to be...
23407From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I, yesterday, had the pleasure of your’s of the 21st instant. I wish every Gentleman in the army could appeal to his own heart and find the same principles of conduct, which, I am persuaded activate you; we should experience more consistency, zeal and steadiness, than we do, in but too many instances. A disinterested attachment to the cause, we are ingaged in, can alone produce that line of...
23408From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your Letters of the 18th & 22d Instant with their Inclosures. I am sorry to find there is such a Scarcity of Blankets, and doubt not, whatever Measures you pursue to procure a Supply, will be founded on the strictest propriety. I thank you for your Information respecting Mr James Fisher, and shall avail myself of it in a suitable Manner. I am Dr Sir with great Esteem &...
23409To George Washington from Colonel Henry Sherburne, 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Wrote your Excellency about six Weeks ago informing of the Proficency We had made in Recruiting the Battalion, to which have not as yet Recd an Answer. Three of the Companies which are raising in Connecticut have Recd that state Bounty which has given us an Opportunity of doing as well there as any of the other Battalions, Most of the Recruits have passed thro the small pox and am this Day...
23410To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Adam Stephen, 23 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Adam Stephen, 23 May 1777. Stephen wrote GW on 24 May : “I wrote your Excellency last Night from Col. Shrives’s Quarters.”
23411From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of Yesterday I have received this morning. As Genl Greene is gone down, with an intention to collect his Division and I dont know what advances he may have made in it, I could not with propriety agree to the change you mention without his approbation; I have wrote to him signifying my assent and desiring him to give you his sentiments upon the occasion. If I have made a mistake in...
23412To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
There was one Richard Burrest Tryed by General Court Martial on the 22d Instant, & Convicted by his own Confession of Attempting to Desert to the Enemy. he was taken by one of our Scouting partys near the Enemies Lines & Sentenced by the Court to be Shot for Desertion. I Should have forwarded him with a Copy of his Sentence to Head Quarters but as Desertions are So frequent here I think an...
23413From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your letter of the 18th inst. As I could only repeat the observations contained in my letter of the 11th upon your request for two Regiments to remain in Connecticut, I must beg leave to refer your attention to them, and to a few more which I shall now subjoin—If the several Battalions designed to compose the Army, were compleat, I should then hope, a few Troops...
23414From George Washington to James Warren, 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 4th instant was duly handed me. I am fully sensible of the zeal your state has demonstrated in the instances you recite, and in many more. With you, I consider them as great exertions; and as a decisive evidence of your inclination to do every thing in your power, to advance the common cause. At the same time, whatever efforts have been or can be made are not more than...
23415John Adams to Abigail Adams, 24 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
We have an Army in the Jersies, so respectable that We seem to be under no Apprehensions at present, of an Invasion of Philadelphia—at least untill a powerfull Reinforcement shall arrive from Europe. When that will be and how powerfull, it is impossible to say: But I think, it will not be very soon, nor very strong. Perhaps, the Troops from Canada may come round by Water. If they do, the whole...
23416From John Adams to Nathanael Greene, 24 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
During the civil Wars in Rome, in the Time of Sylla, and young Marius, after the Death of the Elder Marius, Sylla commanded one Army against Mithridates King of Pontus, and Fimbria another. Both were in Arms against the Same foreign Enemy: but Sylla and Fimbria were equally Enemies to each other, commanding different Armies in the Service of different Parties at Rome, which were disputing...
23417To Alexander Hamilton from Gouverneur Morris, 24 May 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Kingston [ New York ] May 24, 1777. Has no news of the destruction of stores at St. Johns. Speculates on future course of the war and discusses need for maintaining health of troops. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. This letter was written by Morris in his capacity as a member of the New York Committee of Correspondence.
23418George Washington to Charles Thomson, 24 May 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] May 24, 1777. Encloses copy of plan for establishing a cavalry force. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Thomson was secretary of Congress.
23419To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 24 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your letter of the 8th Instt. came duely to hand. I do not wonder that M. Du bourg thought my terms too high, and I doubt not but he will get many Cheaper Undertakers. May They prove good and Cheap for his Sake. His affairs have afforded me some hours amusement which I do not regret. I see you have a bad opinion of our ministerial news, but by letters I...
23420To Benjamin Franklin from Reinier Arrenberg, 24 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai recu votre agreable Lettre avec les papiers incloses, je les ai remis a Mr. Sowden. Je vous en suis bien obligé en vous priant de me les faire recevoir dans la suite. Puisque j’imprime une Gazette Hollandoise, j’ai copié et envoyé au Gazettier Francois de Leide le recit du mauvais traitement des Americains par les Anglois, en le priant de le faire...
23421To Benjamin Franklin from ――― Le Doigt, 24 May 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Louviers in Normandy, May 24, 1777, in French: I have the idea that I can be useful to the brave Americans. If they are short of carpenters, particularly those competent to build all sorts of mills, please let me know, and tell me on what terms I might enter their service. My intentions, I assure you, are pure.>
23422General Orders, 24 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Aquillah Giles Esqr: is appointed Aide-De Camp to Major Genl St Clair; and to be obeyed and respected as such. All the troops in, and near Morristown, (except on duty) to attend divine service, to morrow morning. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Aquila Giles (1758–1822) of Maryland served in the hospital department before receiving this appointment. Captured by the British at or near Germantown,...
23423To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 24 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter of the 15th Inst. from Morris Town is now before me. The Barracks at Ticonderoga, and Mount Independence, will not Contain more than One Thousand Officers and Men; the Hutts that were built last Campaign, might for ought I know, contain One Thousand more; but these being made of Earth, and flimsily put together, are mostly in Ruins. But Neither the Huts, or Barracks,...
23424To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencies favor of Yesterday this moment came to hand. I am perfectly satisfied with the exchange of Hazens Regiment for the Barron Arends—I am by no means attach’t to any particular Regiment—nearly an equal distribution of the forces will be entirely satisfactory to me. I only wish to stand upon an equal footing with other Officers—then if I dont execute my duty as well I am willing...
23425From George Washington to John Hancock, 24 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to inform Congress, that immediately after the receipt of their Resolve of the 26th of March, recommending the Office of Adjutant General to be filled by the Appointment of a person of Abilities, and unsuspected attachment to our Cause, I wrote to Colo. Timothy Pickering of Salem, offering him the post in the first instance, and transmitting at the same time a Letter for Colo....
23426From George Washington to Brigadier General Nathaniel Heard, 24 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Disposition of the Army which I am about to make renders it necessary that I should call away the Continental Troops now at Newark & Elizabeth Town—I therefore think it necessary to give you this Information, & to let you know that I expect you will extend part of the Militia under your Command, so as to give assistance to the well affected people of that part of the Country from Newark to...
23427To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 24 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
A number of Colo. Brodheads men, 8th Pennsylvana regiment, were some time since tried for desertion—Your Excellency was induced from the disordered state of that regiment to suspend the execution of the several sentences untill a court of enquiry could ascerta[i]n the real cause of such disorder no court hath set & from the long confinment of the men they have lost their healths & are become...
23428From George Washington to Colonel Elisha Sheldon, 24 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
When you were at this place some time since, you assured me, that I might expect to see you and your Regiment at Camp about a fortnight thence. I must confess I did not entertain the least Suspicion, after this assurance, that so long a space would have elapsed, and that at the end of it the event would be as remote for any thing I should know, as ever. I find myself utterly at a loss to...
23429To George Washington from Major General Adam Stephen, 24 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency last Night from Col. Shrives’s Quarters, where I was Concerting Measures for attacking the Enemys Camp near Amboy, before they had all left the Town; or could get the Camp fortify’d; when I was disconcerted, by receiving the inclosd from Genl Mullenberg & advice of the Same Sort from Genl Maxwell. This Manœuvre is of very extensive Consequence—It gives the Enemy Command...
23430From George Washington to Major General Adam Stephen, 24 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
No pleasure could exceed what I should feel, if it was in my power to protect every Town, and every individual on this wide extended continent; this, however, is a pleasure that never can be realized, and as our dispersed Situation, is neither formidable for defence, or offence, it becomes me to place the Continental Troops in such a manner as to answer a more valuable purpose than to give the...
23431From George Washington to Colonel Samuel Blachley Webb, 24 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favour of the 19th instant, in which you inform me, that by the last returns your Regiment amounted to 234 including dead and deserted. This is rather an unsatisfactory account of the matter, and admits the supposition of a very large as well as a small part coming under this description. I should be glad you would be more explicit in your next and furnish me with as exact...
23432John Adams to Abigail Adams, 25 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
At half past four this Morning, I mounted my Horse, and took a ride, in a Road that was new to me. I went to Kensington, and then to Point No Point, by Land, the Place where I went, once before, with a large Company in the Rowe Gallies, by Water. That Frolic was almost two Years ago. I gave you a Relation of it, in the Time, I suppose. The Road to Point No Point lies along the River Delaware,...
23433The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 25 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives; two copies: British Library Agreeable to what we mentioned in ours of March 14 and April the 9th (a third Copy of which we send herewith) Mr. Lee tarry’d here some Weeks after his Return from Spain. No News arriving (tho’ we received Letters from you) of any Commissioner being actually appointed for Prussia, and the Necessity of a good Understanding with that...
23434To Benjamin Franklin from Barbeu-Dubourg, 25 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dubourg a l’honneur de souhaiter le bonjour a Monsieur Franklin et le supplie d’accorder une audience favorable a Mr. Coder dont il lui a deja parlé plusieurs fois, pour qui Mrs. Turgot, de Francés et de Beaumont s’interessent, et qui a divers modeles d’habillement &c. a lui faire voir qui semblent meriter une attention speciale. Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin...
23435General Orders, 25 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
23436To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 25 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I find a great want of Tents in several Brigades—General Maxwell sais he has none neither has he had it in his power to get any. I shall endeavor to get a more particular state today and will notify your Excellency upon the subject. A small detachment of Col. Lewis Regiment came in last Evening without Blankets or Tents and sais there were none to be had at Philadelphia. If that be true we...
23437From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 25 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
From the uncommon prevalency of desertion at this time in the army, I am induced to think, there must be great mismanagement and abuses among the officers, which must be corrected as the first and principal step towards preventing it. This general consideration makes it necessary that a careful inquiry should be made into the matter, and as the practice exists in a higher degree in the 8th...
23438From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 25 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 21st instt from New Haven came safe to hand by Colo: Henley to which mine of the 20th instt is an answer, so far as relates to inoculation. I am very glad to find, that to morrow is the day fixed on for the completion of your Regiments; but I begin to think, that with respect to the continent at large, it is almost a matter of moonshine, whether they are completed or not,...
23439To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 25 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Having recd Information that the Enemy were collecting Forage, Horses &c. on the East End of Long Island, I order’d a Detachment from the Several Regiments then at this Place, consisting of 1 Major 4 Capts. Viz. Throop, Pond, Mansfield & Savage, & 9 Subalterns & 220 Noncommisd Officers & Privates under the Command of Lt Coln. Meigs to attack their different posts on that Part of the Island &...
23440From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 25 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Would it be practicable, do you think, under the present Circumstances, and situation of the Troops at Peeks Kill, to surprise the Enemy at Kings bridge? it must be effected by surprise or not at all, and must be undertaken by Water, which would also prove abortive, if the Enemy have Vessels of any kind above Fort Washington. The undigested Ideas which I have entertained of the matter, are...
23441To Benjamin Franklin from James Lovell, [after 26 May 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I catch up my pen in haste: but, it is not that circumstance which makes me omit prefatorial apology, in this attempt to draw You into a literary correspondence. Difference of age and other differences vastly more important vanish, when I consider our relationship as “Friends to America.” And, I am conscious that the service of these United States is the...
23442From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 26 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
I had this Morning, the Pleasure of your Favour of the Sixteenth instant, by the Post; and rejoice to learn that your Battal lions, were So far fill’d, as to render a Draught from the Militia, unnecessary. It is a dangerous Measure, and only to be adopted in great Extremities, even by popular Governments. Perhaps, in Such Governments Draughts will never be made, but in Cases, when the People...
23443The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 26 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives The Navy of the United States increasing in the Number of its Ships and Force, it is of the utmost importance to direct the Cruises of the Shipps of War which belong either to the States or individuals so as to annoy and alarm the Enemy the most effectually, and at the same Time to encourage Our brave Officers and Seamen by the Value of prizes. The West India...
23444To Benjamin Franklin from Noble Wimberly Jones, 26 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You cannot be a Stranger to the State of Georgia, having been heretofore engaged in public Business on her Behalf. She is now one of the united States, and therefore must particularly claim your Attention. From our Situation as a Barrier State, far from the Center of the Continent, and being destitute of a sufficient Number of Shipping and Seamen, which by...
23445To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, 26 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Le Roy pays his best Compliments to Dr. Franklin and begs leave to ask him whether he has M. Burck’s Letter to the Sheriffs of Bristol wherein he maintains by very valuable arguments the Necessity of making Peace with the united Colonies. A Gentleman writes from England to Mde. Du Déffand That if She had read that letter She would no longer be of the...
23446To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé Raimondo Niccoli with a Note by Franklin, 26 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : British Library L’abbé Niccoli prie Monsieur franklin de luy faire l’honneur de venir dejeuner chés luy Mercredy matin 28 de ce mois à 9 heures du matin. Il luy donnera une bonne tasse de chocolat. Il l’assure de son respect. [ Note in Franklin’s hand :] The above is a Note from Abbé Niccoli Minister of the Grand Duke (of Tuscany). The Intention of it was to give the Emperor an...
23447To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Sarsfield, 26 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As I have received no answer from you to my last note I am Still in Suspense about the Books you may wish to have. There is a Bundle made wherein are Garma teatro de España and Gibbon’s Roman empire. Mr. Oudin chez Mr. Lecomte de Sarsfield rue pot de fer will send them to Mr. Deane’s upon any note from you written in french. If you wish any other, Please,...
23448General Orders, 26 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
It being omitted (thro’ mistake) in the Orders of the 22nd Instant, to mention the Brigadiers that command in Major General Lord Stirling’s division—Brigadier Genl Conway takes command of the 3rd 6th 9th and 12th Pennsylva Regts and Col. Spencer’s regiment, which compose his brigade—And Genl Maxwell of the 1st 2nd 3rd and 4th Jersey regiments, which form his brigade. Peter Tarling Esqr: is...
23449Circular Instructions to the Brigade Commanders, 26 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
You are to enquire minutely into the State & Condition of your Brigade & Order every Officer & Soldier belonging to it, not usefully employed in recruiting, or in the execution of any command (by proper Authority) or Sick in Hospitals, to Join their respective Corps immediately & see that it is done. Make strict enquiry what measures the commanding Officers of each Regiment in your Brigade is...
23450To George Washington from Colonel Mordecai Gist, 26 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of yours under cover to General Smallwood requiring a return of the State of my Regiment, which was Immediately forwarded to him in order that the same might be transmitted to your Excellency—agreeable to your orders, which I make no doubt you have receivd. from the Insurrection of some Tories in Somerset & Worchester Counties of Maryland in Feby last—the...