24401Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 27 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your esteemed favor of the 22d by Mr. Beaugear, and shall pay due Attention to the Contents, part of which is already answered as I have inclosed the prices of Canvis, Cordage &c. also an Inventory of the Prince of Conte, her rigging, Sails, Stores &c. with my opinion of her Value according to the best information I could Obtain of the Value of...
24402To Benjamin Franklin from Coder, 27 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Ne pouvant jouir du plaisir de vous voir, je m’en console en faisant tous mes efforts pour accellerér la fourniture dont vous m’avés chargé et dont j’espere que vous seres content. Malgrai les entraves qu’on mest a mon operation, je serai en etat de vous faire passér en revue du 15 au 16 du mois d’oust prochain la plus grande partie de la fourniture et dans...
24403General Orders, 27 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
The army is to proceed on its march to morrow morning as early as possible. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . On this date Richard Holcombe received £5.10 from “His Excellency Genl Washington” for twenty-two “Suppers” and twenty-two “Breakfasts,” at 2s. 6d. each ( NjHi ; see also Vouchers and Receipted Accounts, 1776–1780, DLC:GW , ser. 5, vol. 29). GW dined at Holcombe’s again on 21–22 June 1778,...
24404To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 27 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I arrived at Camp Fort Edward the 21st Instt and should have done myself the honor of writing your Excellency imediately on my arrival, but was informd by Genl Schuyler that he had communicated every intelligence in his Power, by an Express sent off the day before my Arrival; The day after my coming here the Army was divided into two divisions & Head Quarters moved to Moses Creek three Miles...
24405To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 27 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
persuaded by my Own Opinion, & confirm’d by the Opinion of Congress, I believed Sr William Howe was determined to Force the pass of the Highlands; by the Direction of The Congress, I set out from philadelphia Fryday Evening to Join you at pompton, or peekskiln, as Circumstances might answer; This moment; an Express is Arrived from philadelphia; with Certain Information; that the Enemys Fleet...
24406From George Washington to John Hancock, 27 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to transmit you, the inclosed Memorandum of Warlike stores wanted for an Expedition to the River St John’s, which I received in a Letter from Genl Heath of the 16th Inst. The Memorandum was sent, that I might order the Stores to be supplied. Not knowing, that Congress have such an Expedition in view at this Time, I do not conceive myself authorized to comply with the...
24407From George Washington to Major General William Health, 27 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 16th instant, informing me of an application from the Board of War, of your state for a sufficiency of arms and other necessaries to accommodate a body of men to be employed in a secret expedition to St John’s River, and desiring my instructions upon the occasion. As I am not acquainted by Congress with what steps they have taken in the affair, nor with their...
24408To George Washington from Major General Thomas Mifflin, 27 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
A Gentleman well known in this City is this Minute come to Town from little Egg Harbour. He declares he saw Seventy Sail of Vessels at 4 OClock Yesterday Afternoon pass by little Egg Harbour toward Cape May. I enclos’d to you a Letter from Doctor McGinnis to Colonel Bradford on the same Subject. The Destination of General Howe cannot now be mistaken as Egg Harbour or but a few Hours Sailing...
24409To George Washington from the New York Council of Safety, 27 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
By Order of the Council of Safety I have the Honor of transmitting to your Excellency, the enclosed Extracts of a Letter from Major General Schuyler, and a Copy of a Letter from the Council to Governor Trumbull. Such is the State of our Northern Affairs at present as to promise the Enemy an easy Conquest. This State is greatly exhausted, and our New England Brethren are not yet roused. The...
24410To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 27 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Recd yours of the 25th respecting two Brigades holding themselves in readiness to move on the Shortest notice, and I have Issued orders accordingly, & am now going to advise with Genl Clinton in respect to Calling the militia as directed in your letter. This Moment Mr Israel Knap D. Commissy came in from Horseneck and informs me that he Saw Genl Silliman there; & that he had it in charge...
24411From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 27 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Express with your’s of the 23d overtook me at this place last Evening. As soon as it was ascertained that the Enemy’s Fleet had left the Hook (which they did upon the 23d) I began to move the Army towards the Delaware, as it was the unanimous opinion, that as they made no Move up the North River Philadelphia was the most probable Object. From the best Accounts that we have been able to...
24412From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 27 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning favoured with yours of the 26th. I am surprized to hear Colo. Morgans Corps was at Heckensack when you mention. I should suppose your information premature, having sent Orders to him to march the moment I had intelligence of the Fleet’s sailing and having written to him since. Your going to Baskenridge must depend on the information you receive from Colo. Dayton respecting...
24413To John Jay from Philip Schuyler, 27 July 1777 (Jay Papers)
General Arnold who is advanced with two Brigades of Continental troops and the Militia of the County of Albany about two miles In our fronts has Just Informed me that the Enemy have appeared on the heights above fort Edward In Considerable force and that from their movements he Judges an Attack will be made to day, loth as I am that a General Engagement Should Ensue And that I will take Every...
24414Cadwallader Colden II: Notes of a Conference with John Jay, 27 July 1777 (Jay Papers)
Sunday Morning soon after Breakfast Mr. Jay Called in. I told him I was Sorry to have given him that trouble, that I had Desired Mr Sleght to ask Leave for me to have Waited on him. He answered that he Should have been glad to See me at his Lodgeings, however it was no trouble to him to Wait on Me. I then told him that what I wanted to see him for was to know if no Method Could be fallen upon...
24415John Adams to Abigail Adams, 28 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
Never in my whole Life, was my Heart affected with such Emotions and Sensations, as were this Day occasioned by your Letters of the 9. 10. 11. and 16 of July. Devoutly do I return Thanks to God, whose kind Providence has preserved to me a Life that is dearer to me than all other Blessings in this World. Most fervently do I pray, for a Continuance of his Goodness in the compleat Restoration of...
24416Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 28 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
Not haveing anything worth troubling you with for sometime have been silent. The late Affair of Ticonderogia, makes us all sick. I have been of Opinion for sometime itt would have been best iff itt had been evacuated last spring and come down lower by which means the laboring Oar would have fell more on the Enemy, but to give itt up with such immence stores and charge we have been att, is...
24417To John Adams from Samuel Holden Parsons, 28 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
Upon the Public Affairs of the Country we all have a Right to speak freely and censure where we think there’s Misconduct; to ramble into the Field of Conjecture when we are disposed for it; in Short to turn Politicians if we please. You know from early Life I never Spard Men nor Measures and made Use of my Right to Censure very freely therefore you won’t be Surprized if I tell you I am out of...
24418George Washington to Robert Erskine, 28 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Flemington [ New Jersey ] July 28, 1777. Offers Erskine position of geographer with the Army. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Erskine was a civil engineer operating a mine at Ringwood, New Jersey.
24419George Washington to Major General Thomas Mifflin, 28 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Flemington [ New Jersey ] July 28, 1777. Believes that appearance of enemy fleet off Little Egg Harbor is proof that its destination is Philadelphia. Orders Mifflin to reconnoiter area around Philadelphia, and to obtain “drafts … of the Country.” Presents possible plan for stationing of American troops. Recommends baking of large quantities of hard bread. Df , in writing of H, George...
24420To Benjamin Franklin from ――― Brillon, 28 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Brillon est passé pour avoir l’honneur de voir Monsieur franklin et de lui proposer et a Monsieur son petit fils a diner jeudy La comedie francaise dans une loge grillée, après diner. Une partie d’echecs et du thé, le soir. Le tout avec M. Leveillard. Response si vous voulés bien. The year could be 1783, but we are guessing that this note is related to...
24421To Benjamin Franklin from ――― Lecoq, 28 July 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Paris, July 28, 1777, in French: To whom should one apply, a merchant friend of mine has written to ask, for a privateer’s commission? It is for a worthy Bostonian, who is in port with a ten-gun ship and crew. When you reply, I will write him to say whether he should make himself known.> He signs himself as a master goldsmith and jeweler. BF did, on Aug. 11.
24422General Orders, 28 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
24423From George Washington to Robert Erskine, 28 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of my representations to Congress of the advantage that might be derived from having a good Geographer to accompany the army, and my recommendation of you for that purpose they have come to the inclosed resolution authorizing me to appoint you or any other Gentleman I shall think proper to act in the capacities therein specified; and to determine the allowance of pay to be...
24424From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 28 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 23d from Philada and that of the 27th from Coryells Ferry both met me yesterday on the Road. If there are not very clear proofs of the Hessian Paymaster’s having endeavoured to establish an illicit correspondence, I think he had better be suffered to go back immediately, for two Reasons. One, that a person under the sanction of a Flag should not be detained upon any but the most...
24425To George Washington from Colonel William Grayson, 28 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Having been in the Country on Post days, & nothing of any consequence occurring, I have not wrote since the first of the Month. I shall be able to leave this in two or three days, to join that part of the regiment which is gone forward. I shall leave Lt Col. Powell here, to superintend the recruiting the remainder of the regiment. There will be about thirty more recruits ready to march soon...
24426To George Washington from John Hancock, 28 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
This morning I laid before Congress your letter of the 25 with that inclosed from Mr W. Franklin & have the honour to enclose you the result of their deliberation thereon. Time will not admit my Enlarging farther than to inform you I have recd your letter from Cross roads. I am Sir Your very hume Servt LS , CSmH . Hancock enclosed a copy of Congress’s resolution of 28 July 1777, which GW sent...
24427To George Washington from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 28 July 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 28 July 1777. GW wrote Maxwell on 30 July that “I was this day favoured with your Letter of the 28th.”
24428From George Washington to Major General Thomas Mifflin, 28 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I last night received your favour of yesterday morning. The appearance of the enemy’s fleet off little Egg Harbour, if it does not amount to a certain proof that their design is against Philadelphia, is at least a very strong argument of it. If the weather had been good this morning, General Green’s division would have reached Coryels ferry by night, with ease. I am in hopes, as it has now...
24429From George Washington to Richard Peters, 28 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have now before me your Two Favors of the 15th & 23d Inst. I have not the proceedings of the Court Martial respecting Hudson Burr. The Crime alleged against him, I recollect, was not supported by the State of the Evidence submitted to me, and therefore I refused to confirm the Court’s sentence—At the same time being informed, that he was a Citizen of Philadelphia, I advised Genl Sullivan to...
24430From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 28 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
We have certain advices that part of the Enemy’s Fleet, Viz. Seventy Sail were beating off Little Egg Harbour on Saturday morning with a Southerly Wind. From this Event, there seems to be but little room to doubt but that their destination is into Delaware Bay and against the City of Philadelphia. I am now to request that the Two Brigades which I mentiond some time ago, to come this way in...
24431To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 28 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your Favor of the 24h Instant, Which I received half an Hour ago having just arrived from Moses Creek, where I keep my Quarters. So far from the Militia that are with me encreasing, they are daily diminishing, and I am very confident that in ten Days, if the Enemy should not disturb us, we shall not have five hundred left, and altho’ I have entreated this and the Eastern...
24432To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 28 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your Favor of the 18th Instt, at a Time I was preparing to set out. Allow me to assure your Excellency I shall use the utmost dispatch, in repairing to the Army; and that my particular Situation has been such, that it wou’d not admit of my waiting on you as I expected when I last wrote for your Directions, which have ever had, and ever shall have the greatest weight, and...
24433To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 28 July 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Major General Stirling, 28 July 1777. GW’s letter to Stirling of 30 July says: “Yours of the 28th from Elizabeth Town, did not reach me untill this morning.”
24434From George Washington to Charles Thomson, 28 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday received your Favor of the 21st on the Road, and thank you much for the Ordinance respecting the Royal Corps of French Engineers. I cannot give it a serious perusal at this time, but doubt not, I shall find in it several interesting and useful hints. I hope the Gentlemen you allude to, will be of great service, but I am totally unacquainted with the rank they held in France. We are...
24435To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 28 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
last evening received a Letter from Majr General Putnam informing that the Enemy’s Fleet hath Sailed—In Suspence to what part designed—Altho’ I believe their Object to be Philadelphia or North River or both—Yet if they turn Eastward I fancy they will rather Attack Portsmouth, to cooperate with General Burgoine, the Country back is thinly inhabited, and Little or no force to Resist them—and the...
24436From John Jay to Arthur St. Clair, 28 July 1777 (Jay Papers)
Your Letter of the 25 th. : July Inst. which does no less Honour to your Candor, than Reputation Justice to the Reputation of General Schuyler, was very acceptable. Agreable to what I apprehend to have been your Intention, I have sent it to the Press, and flatter myself the Purposes for which it was written will be fully answered. The Evacuation of Tyconderogah was an Event very unexpected as...
24437From Alexander Hamilton to Robert R. Livingston, 29 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the pleasure of your favour of the 25th. I cannot be induced to think the enemy are so numerous as you apprehend, and would place no dependence on what is said either by deserters or prisoners, further than as it respects their own company, nor even that with regard to prisoners in general who commonly have their cue, as the phrase is, and know very well how to manufacture stories...
24438Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 29 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; letterbook copy: Yale University Library I yesterday drew on you two Drafts at one Days Date the first in favour of Messrs. Montaudouins for 1000 l.t. the second in favor of the Chevalier de la motte d’aubigné for 3000 l.t. 4000 l.t. which please to Honour. My Last informed you of the order I had given for 8 large anchors, as to the price these will cost I...
24439To Benjamin Franklin from ――― Laistre, 29 July 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Paris, July 29, 1777, in French: Mr. Deane, I have heard, is making purchases for the former British colonies, and I have just offered him the iron kitchenware, tinned inside and out, that the French colonies import in vast quantities. I make you the same offer, with the intent of doing good to your compatriots and promoting the welfare of humanity; for...
24440To Benjamin Franklin from John Temple, 29 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you a letter by Mr. Garnier, which, on account of his going a day sooner than expected, I had not an Opportunity to copy: I hope, however, and doubt not, it safely reached your hands, that it was legiable enough to convey the thoughts I wished to express, and that I shall soon have the pleasure to know from yourself that you received it. This will...
24441To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 29 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook copy: Yale University Library In consequence of your Letter relative to the Complaint against Capt. Wickes, I wrote to him and in return have recvd. the inclosed explanation. I have since been with the lawyer and find that these poor silly men have been deceiving themselves with an Idea that they were to make a great deal of money, and that they...
24442General Orders, 29 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief has reason to believe, that it has been owing to the carelessness and inattention of the waggon-masters, in not seeing the horses properly fed and managed, that such great numbers of them have foundered and died—They may be dismissed from the service if they neglect so capital a part of their duty, and content themselves with merely directing the waggoners to do it—It is...
24443From George Washington to William Franklin, 29 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to what I wrote you a few days ago I transmitted your letter to me to Congress. Inclosed you have their answer by a Resolve of the 28th with Copy of the Certificate which was granted by you to Robert Betts while upon your parole. It appears that this Act has laid Congress under the necessity of refusing your Request. I am &ca. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick...
24444From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 29 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer Monsr Portail is appointed by Congress Colonel of Engineers, and is recommended as a Man of Abilities in his profession. As there is no occasion for him here at present, I have desired him and the Gentleman who accompanies him, who is also of the Corps of Engineers, to return to Philada. They may assist you and Genl Mifflin in viewing the Grounds upon the West Side of Delaware and...
24445From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 29 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Upon your Arrival at Trenton you are to halt till you receive further orders. I do not think it prudent to advance the Army beyond Delaware before the Enemy enter the Capes, which they have not yet done. Should the Fleet come into the Bay we can be down below Philada before they can make any disposition for an attack either by land or Water, or should they return we shall be so far upon our...
24446From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 29 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding it will be a Week tomorrow since the Fleet left the Hook, none of the Ships had, by the latest accounts, made their appearance in Delaware Bay; About Seventy Sail were seen a few days ago, off little Egg Harbour. This delay makes me suspicious that their real intentions are yet a secret to us, and therefore that we may not draw too much of our Force Southward, I desire that you...
24447To John Jay from Peter Jay, 29 July 1777 (Jay Papers)
I have recd your letter of the 21 inst. The Evacuation of Ticonderoga is very alarming, I wish it may soon be made appear in a less gloomy light— hitherto, Fady has not been able to succeed in precuring Wagons to remove Your Books to Kent— My thoughts have been much imployed of late abo t removing from hence in case of need, but the more I consider of it the more I am perplex’d, for my present...
24448Abigail Adams to John Adams, 30 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
I dare say before this Time you have interpreted the Northern Storm; if the presages chill’d your Blood, how must you be froze and stiffend at the Disgrace brought upon our Arms unless some warmer passion seaze you, and Anger and resentment Fire your Breast. How are all our vast Magazines of Cannon, powder, Arms, cloathing, provision, Medicine &c. to be restored to us—but what is vastly more,...
24449John Adams to Abigail Adams, 30 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
I am sorry to find by your late Letter what indeed I expected to hear, that my Farm wants manure. I fear by your Expressions that your Crop of Hay falls short. But, there has been an Error in our Husbandry in which We have been very inconsiderate and extravagant, that is in pasturing the Mowing Ground. This will ruin any Farm. The true Maxim of profitable Husbandry is to contrive every Means...
24450From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Israel Putnam, 30 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency commands me to acknowlege the receipt of yours of the 27th instant. The circumstance of the fleet appearing off, opposite to Blue Point does not indicate any movement to the Eastward. It was necessary in going out of the Hook, whatever course they might intend to steer, whether to the Southward or Eastward, to stand out in that direction for some time, as they went out with a...