23501From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 29 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your favour of this date. It is of the greatest moment that the motions of the enemy on the quarter you mention, should be narrowly watched; and every step they take known by me as early as possible. I am strongly apprehensive they will shortly push for Philadelphia by water, and the counteracting their scheme will intirely depend upon my having instant intelligence of every thing...
23502From Alexander Hamilton to Captain Francis Grice, [30 May 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Middlebrook, New Jersey, May 30, 1777. By Washington’s orders Hamilton wrote to Grice, assistant deputy quartermaster general, ordering the removal of all boats in the Delaware from Trenton up to Coryells. Letter not found. ] GW John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington (Washington, 1931–1944). , VIII, 144, note 29. Coryell’s Ferry, located on the New Jersey side of the...
23503From Alexander Hamilton to Captain Francis Grice, 30 May 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
By His Excellency’s command, I am to acknowledge the receipt of yours per Mr. Grace. Colo. Biddle has given Mr. Grace an order to make use of the waggons at Hackets Town, for the purpose of transporting the twelve boats you mention. The General expects it will be done with all possible dispatch, as it is absolutely necessary we should have all the boats we can collect at and about Coryel’s...
23504The American Commissioners: Contract with ––– Mercier for the Repair of Arms, 30 May 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society <Charleville, May 30, 1777, in French: Mercier will engage at least forty qualified workmen to come to Nantes as soon as possible. He will contract with each of them at a fixed price, not to exceed 2 l.t. 2 sols for each gun that needs to be dismantled, cleaned, and reassembled; any new work will be done as cheaply as possible. He will obtain parts from the...
23505The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 30 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and duplicate: American Philosophical Society; copies: National Archives (two), Library of Congress We have delayed sending this Packet from a daily expectation of hearing from you, as some letters from France make mention of a quick Sailing Vessel by which we were to receive despatches. Tho’ it must be agreeable to you to hear frequently from us, yet as our Letters by being taken might be...
23506General Orders, 30 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Commissary General is to adopt every means in his power, to provide Vinegar for the use of the army; and to see that provisions are regularly served; to do which with ease, he is to have an Assistant with each brigade—Provisions are to be delivered to regimental Quarter Masters only, or to a commissioned officer authorised for the purpose, when the regiment has no Quarter Master—except in...
23507To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 30 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Late last night the Inclosed from General poor, was brought me Express from Ticonderoga. I also inclose Your Excellency a General Return of the Garrison at that post dated the 24th Instant, by which You will perceive the shameful deficiency in the Numbers proper for it’s defence. Artillerists are likewise much Wanted; I always expected Six Companies: Two, is as many as can be said to be there....
23508To George Washington from Captain Francis Grice and W. Masters, 30 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to directions of General Mifflin, we are to informe your Excellency of ower safe arival at Corrells, wth a Continental Fleet consisting of eight flat bottom boats, fixed on Carrages; we expect a reinforsement of twelve by friday next all wch when arrived shall agreable to your Excellency’s order be kept on the Carrages untill further Order. The bearer Capt. Grace informes us of a...
23509To George Washington from James Lovell, 30 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
As chairman of the Committee on foreign applications, I inclose herewith to your Excellency the only list which has come to hand from France, tending, in any manner, to discover the arrangement made there of the officers who lately arrived in the Amphitrite. Should it appear hereafter by any vouchers that some of them have a just claim by compact to higher commissions, Congress will attend to...
23510To George Washington from Richard Peters, 30 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
By Order of the Board I do myself the Honour of troubling your Excellency for Information on the Subject of our Prisoners who are with the Enemy. I am directed to enquire whether a Commissary has been sent in to supply them or in what Situation that Business now is & what Steps have been taken which have fallen within your Observation for the Relief of their Wants. The Board are desirous of...
23511From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 30 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you will receive a copy of the Information I received last night. From this, It appears, the Enemy are drawing their force from New York, and the account seems to be corroborated thro’ several other Channels. My principal design in communicating this intelligence, is, that if the facts are true, it favours the Expedition suggested in my Letter of the 25th. You are not to understand...
23512To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 30 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
By Capt. Mitchell and two other Gentlemen who went (the day before Yesterday) to New York, with a Flagg (to exchange some of the Inhabitants of this Neighberhood, who had a great desire to go in; for some of the Citizens who were equally desirous to come out) we have the following Intelligence Vitz. That while he Lay in the River with the Flagg (for they would not suffer him to go on shore) he...
23513Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 31 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I arrived here late last Evening. The Mere Bobie has not taken in the Bales I ordered, on account of a difficulty which the Custom House Officers have made relative to the Duties, but on application to the Directeur des Fermes I have so succeeded, that I am in hopes to have them aboard this evening, and wind permitting, she...
23514General Orders, 31 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
A principal design of the movement this morning was, to see whether a proper distribution of baggage waggons had been made, to the several regiments, and with what degree of alertness, and expedition, the army could be ready to march, on a sudden emergency—The General has much reason for approbation in many respects; but, though there was great exactness, in some instances—He wishes a greater...
23515From George Washington to John Hancock, 31 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Monsr Coudré is just arrived at Camp, and proposes to set out to Morrow for Philadelphia. What his views are, I am uncertain, having had no conversation with him upon the Subject; but I find, an Idea prevails, that there is an Agreement between Mr Dean & him, that he shall have the cheif command of the Artillery. How well founded this Opinion may be, I cannot determine; but if it be true, it...
23516From George Washington to John Hancock, 31 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I did myself the honor to write to you the 29th I have recd the inclosed intelligence. As it comes from a person of Veracity, and one who is much in the confidence of the Enemy, I have no doubt as to the fact of the two Brigades having come over from New York to Amboy, and also that a Number of Waggons have been brought from Staten and Long Island. These accounts are corroborated by...
23517From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 31 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I This morning received information, which I beleive is not to be doubted, that on Saturday last, A large fleet consisting of a Hundred Sail, left New York & stood out to sea. Whither they are destined, or what they had on Board, remains to be known. If possessing Hudson’s River, should not be Genl How’s first object I should suppose his Operations will be against Philadelphia, and that this...
23518From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 31 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I last night received your favor of the 29th. Your Conjectures, respecting the Troops arrived, correspond with my own. I shall not be disappointed, if they are those, which were in Canada, having long thought, there was a probability of their coming to reinforce Genl Howe. I am much surprized, that more of the Connecticut Troops, have not reached Pecks Kill. I have repeatedly & in most...
23519From George Washington to Major General Thomas Mifflin, 31 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 27th giving me an account of the Tents that have been delivered out. By this it appears that 2306 have come on to the Army at this post, exclusive of Princeton, which are so many more than are necessary for the Troops here, that I shall cause an exact scrutiny to be made, and see what Regiments have drawn more than their Share. I have this day transmitted to...
23520Cadwallader Colden II: Notes of a Conference with John Jay, 31 May 1777 (Jay Papers)
I Sent my Son with the forgoing Letter to Mr Jay who was then in Council & he bid him tell me that he would wait on me Emediately— He accordingly soon Came. When he informed me that he had Laid my Letter before the Council, & that they had bid him to tell me that their former Resolution must take Place, I only Reply’d that I thought it exceeding hard, and asked him what was the Charge against...
23521To John Jay from Cadwallader Colden II, 31 May 1777 (Jay Papers)
I had Desired Doct r : Jones to Speak to You and some other Gent n . of the Council of Safety Concerning a Report I had heard, that I with some other Gent n . ^ now at Lodgings ^ was to be Confined on bord a Vessel, the Doct r Told me Yesterday that You was so kind as to Propose to Call to See me on that Account; But this Moment the Sherriff Sent a Man to inform M r Cumming and Myself to hold...
23522To George Washington from Colonel Robert Magaw, June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will receive this by Capt. Lieut. Randal of Genl Knox’s Regiment of Artillery who goes out on Exchange and can inform you of the state of the Prisoners on this Island. at the same time they bear their misfortune with proper Spirit & Magninimity we are surprized & concerned that not the least publick Provision has yet been sent in for our support. we are well informed that many...
23523To Benjamin Franklin from Pétronille Le Roy, [before 23 June? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mme. Le Roy dated her letters even more rarely than her husband did his. Such letters, when they have no internal clues, could have been written at any time during the pair’s long friendship with Franklin. Most of them are of little consequence, but this one shows that Madame was quick to take offense and, when roused, had no inhibition about berating even...
23524Abigail Adams to John Adams, 1 June 1777 (Adams Papers)
I designd to have wrote you by the last Post, but have been so unwell for the week past that I have not been able. We have had very Hot weather which you know never agrees well with me, and greatly distresses me under my present circumstances. I loose my rest a nights, which makes me more unable to bear the Heat of the day. I look forward to the middle of july with more anxiety than I can...
23525George Washington to Major General William Health, 1 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 1, 1777. Discusses arrival of Du Coudray. Approves of removal of military stores. LS , in writing of H, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston. Philippe Charles Jean Baptiste Tronson du Coudray. By an agreement with Silas Deane, Du Coudray was to receive the rank of major general. Although Congress rejected this agreement, he did receive this rank in August, 1777.
23526George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 1 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 1, 1777. Orders all troops not needed for the Long Island expedition to Peekskill, New York. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Parsons was in New Haven, Connecticut, recruiting men for the Continental Army.
23527To Benjamin Franklin from Coder, 1 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society M. dubourg, m’a conselié de vous envoiér Monsieur, un mentau bleu exactement conforme au modelle que je m’etois proposé de vous presentér. Il n’y a de plus que les agréements qui sont en argent, qui doivent etre pour le soldat en fil, ainsi que les epauletes de la veste. L’officier est encore distingué par une echarpe qui scert a portér sabre ou epée et...
23528General Orders, 1 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
The General directs the following rules to be invariably observed throughout the army; and as he is apprehensive they will meet with great obstacles, in the carelessness, and indolence of some officers; he thinks it necessary to declare, that he will not overlook any neglect, or breach of them, that shall come to his knowledge. Each regiment to be paraded at troop and at retreat beating—the...
23529From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Francis Barber, 1 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I dont know what particular instructions you recd from Genl Green, but I must inform you that you are not only stationed at your present post to keep small parties of the Enemy from making excursions, but also to send out parties yourself to lay between Millstone and Brunswic and endeavour to make discovery of any Motions of the Enemy. If you find them move in such a manner as to induce you to...
23530From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 1 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favour of the 19th May. General De Coudrée arrived here last night, and set off this morning for Philadelphia. What his engagements with Mr Dean are, I cannot say; but as he is represented to be a Gentleman of great ability in his profession, I dare say his expectations are high. Congress will undoubtedly make a genteel and honorable provision for him; but I hope it may be done, in...
23531From George Washington to John Langdon, 1 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 16th and am glad to find that you are taking Steps to remove the Military Stores from pertsmouth—I am surprized that you have never heard from the Cloathier General respecting the Cloathing which arrived from France, I shall in my next Letter desire him to give you some directions about them. So far from the Militia’s having left Arms at the different Posts for the...
23532From George Washington to Richard Henry Lee, 1 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
By your favour of the 22d Ulto I perceive my Letter of the 17th has been expressed in too strong terms. I did not mean by the words, “to get rid of importunity” to cast the smallest reflection; indeed the hurry with which I am obliged to write the few private Letters I attempt, will not allow me to consider the force & tendency of my Words; nor should I have been surprizd if the fact had...
23533From George Washington to Colonel Henry Beekman Livingston, 1 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was some days ago favd with yours of the 19th May but the interruption occasioned by moving my Quarters & papers from Morris town to this post delayed my answering you sooner. I will not undertake to determine how far injustice has been done to you in regard to arranging any of the other Colonels before you, but it is evidently so in the Case of Colonels Gansvoort & Cortland, as far as may...
23534To George Washington from Lewis Morris, 1 June 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Lewis Morris, 1 June 1777. GW wrote Morris on 12 June : “Your favor of the 1st Instant has been duly receiv’d.”
23535From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 1 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
In mine of the 25th Ultimo, I consented to your detaining some of the Continental troops to execute the expedition you proposed to Long Island. I have now to desire in the most positive manner, that you send on as fast as possible all who are not absolutely necessary for that purpose, and as I am morally certain, that till the field officers are forced from their scenes of ease and dissipation...
23536From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 1 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have now before me your Two favors of the 27th and 30th Ulto. I thank you for the information contained in the latter; I had the substance of it, transmitted before in a Letter from Genl McDougal. In respect to the Rhode Island Detachment, you will have received Orders for their march to join Colo. Olney at Morris Town. I do not agree with you in Sentiment, respecting the Quantity of...
23537To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 1 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
It is Impossible for me at this Juncture to obey your Instruction with respect to the Boats, we have verry few Flat Bottom’d ones here, and as yet only one Whale Boat has been employ’d in Cruising in the River I have Directed the Quarter Master to have Eight Built Immediately, and a proper officer with a party of men to man them—four of them I intend shall be kept alway’s down the River as a...
23538From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 1 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of your representation I yesterday detatched Lt Colo. Barber with 150 Men and some Horse to Sommerset Court House. I wish you would use your endeavours to encourage the Militia between Brunswic and the Delaware to be ready to assemble and give their Assistance provided the Enemy attempt to march thro’ the Country, which they intend to do from all our late Accounts. The inclosed...
23539From George Washington to Captain Francis Wade, 1 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours in May without any particular date. I am very certain that when Balser made his Escape he called upon me and got a Reward for his Services and the Risque he run. Having sent away many of my old papers I cannot tell the Sum that was paid to him, but you may depend upon it that something has been paid. Be kind enough to put this Matter closely to Balser and endeavour to come at the...
23540From George Washington to John Augustine Washington, 1 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I think I stand Debter to you for your Letters of the 22d of April and 11th of May, which are all that have come to hand since my last to you from Morristown. I am now Assembling the Troops of this State, and those Southward of it, at this place which lays about Seven Miles from the Enemys principal post at Brunswick and convenient for following them either to Philadelphia or to the Eastward....
23541Concerning Mr. Merckle, [after 2 June? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AD : University of Pennsylvania Library J. P. Merckle had arrived in Bordeaux on the Dispatch and had contracted, but not paid for, a small consignment of goods for her return voyage. He had then gone to the Netherlands, and ordered supplies worth far more than the secret committee had authorized him to spend. In February Lee had complained that the Dispatch was waiting in Bordeaux for a...
23542John Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 June 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday, I took a ride to a beautifull Hill eleven Miles out of Town. It is called Rush Hill. An old Lady Mrs. Morris and her Daughter Mrs. Stamper, live here with a Couple of servants, and one little Boy, who is left with the Family for Education. It is the most airy, and at the same Time the most rural Place in Pensilvania. The good Lady has about sixty Acres of Land, two fine orchards, an...
23543John Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 June 1777 (Adams Papers)
Artillery Election!—I wish I was at it, or near it. Yours of the 18th. reached me this Morning. The Cause that Letters are so long in travelling, is that there is but one Post in a Week who goes from hence to Peeks Kill, altho there are two that go from thence to Boston. Riding every day, has made me better than I was, altho I am not yet quite well. I am determined to continue this Practice,...
23544John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 2 June 1777 (Adams Papers)
I Love to recieve Letters very well much better than I love to write them, I make but a poor figure at Composition my head is much too fickle, my Thoughts are running after birds eggs play and trifles, till I get vexd with my Self, Mamma has a troublesome task to keep me Steady, and I own I am ashamed of myself. I Have but Just entered the 3d volume of Smollet tho I had designed to have got it...
23545From John Adams to Nathanael Greene, 2 June 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yours of 28 Ultimo is before me. It is certain that Religion and Morality, have no less obligation upon Armies, than upon Cities and contribute no less to the Happiness of Soldiers than of Citizens. There is one Principle of Religion, which has contributed vastly to the Excellence of Armies, who had very little else of Religion or Morality, the Principle I mean is the Sacred obligation of...
23546From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 2 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your favour per express, and as the absence of my former respectable correspondents has made a change necessary, I am happy that you have been substituted in their room. Except a body of Militia at and about Pumpton and a few detachments of observation, our whole army is now collected at two points; the main body here, and a division under General Sullivan at Princeton. Though this...
23547George Washington to Charles, Earl Cornwallis, 2 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 2, 1777. Remonstrates against murder of William Martin. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress; Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. For details of Martin’s murder, see H to John Jay, June 2, 1777 .
23548From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Israel Putnam, 2 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
By order of His Excellency, I am to acknowlege receipt of your favour of yesterday. The General is astonished at that extraordinary want of cloathing you mention; as Mr. Mease informed Mr. Tilghman that a full proportion of this article had been retained in Massachusetts for all its troops. It is unaccountable, that they should be ⟨so⟩ unprovided, unless the cloaths destined for them should...
23549George Washington to John Hancock, 2 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook Camp [ New Jersey ] June 2, 1777. Encloses news from Northern Department. Deplores deficiency of troops. States that Colonel Elias Boudinot is going to Philadelphia to discuss exchange of prisoners. Df , in writing of H; last line and postscript in writing of Robert Hanson Harrison, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Boudinot was commissary general for prisoners,...
23550The American Commissioners to John Jay, 2 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: National Archives We refer the Committee to ours to You of the 26 ulto. of which we sent Duplicates, should either arrive, but apprehensive of the Contrary we send you the Substance in this. The Brittish Commerce in Europe, especially in the North, is unguarded, the Greenland Whale Fishery and the Hudsons Bay Shipps in particular. Could two or three of our frigates accompanied by...