24471From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 31 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of this morning is just come to hand. I have immediately, in consequence of the intelligence contained in it, put all the Troops in motion; and expect they will be with you, or in the neighborhood by tomorrow evening, and in full time to give opposition to the Enemy, as I cannot imagine their operations will be so sudden, as you seem to apprehend. you will send forward some proper...
24472To George Washington from John Hancock, 31 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
An Express this Moment arrived with a Letter from Genl Rodney a Copy of which I enclose agreeably to your Request in your Favour of yesterday which came to Hand last Night. The Enemy by this Intelligence are in the Offing of the Capes, and the Wind was fair yesterday for their coming up this Bay. I shall send likewise to Lord Stirling a Copy of the enclosed immediately. I am Sir with the...
24473From George Washington to John Hancock, 31 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this Moment Honor’d with yours of 5 OClock this morning, & have accordingly sett the Army in Motion One Division had Cross’d the Deleware the day before Yesterday, & I am in hopes the whole of the Troops now here will be able to reach Philada tomorrow Evening Lord stirlings Division lies just in my rear & will move on with us I propose setting off for your City as soon as I can get the...
24474From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 31 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just rec’d information from Philaa that the Enemy’s Fleet arrived at the Capes of Delaware yesterday. you will therefore please to order the two Brigs. which were thrown over the N. River to March immediately towards Philadelphia thro’ Morris Town and over Coryels Ferry where Boats will be ready for them. The Troops to March as expeditiously as possible, without injuring the men. I beg...
24475To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 31 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your favour of the 28th Inst. and have according to your direction ordered two Brigades viz. Gen. McDougal & Huntington to put their heavy baggage over the river, & to be in readiness to march on the arrival of further orders—have sent Lt Col. Dimon to the white plains with his Regt to relieve Col. Courtlands detachment there, Consisting of his own Col. Livingstons & a party from...
24476From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 31 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment advised by Express that the Enemy’s Fleet is arrived at Delaware; I request that you will proceed immediately to Philadelphia with the Division under your command, in the most expeditious manner you can, observing a good order of March & conducting it so as not to injure the Troops. The Rout by Coryels will be best, as there is a sufficient number of boats to transport the...
24477From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 31 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was just now honored with your Letter of the 25th inst. The evacuation of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence is an event so interesting and so unexpected that I do not wonder it should produce in the minds of the people—at least—the well attached—the effects you mention—I am fully in sentiment with you, that the cause leading to this unhappy measure should be fully and minutely...
24478To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont: Two Notes, [before 22 October 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Je prie M. franklin d’avertir M. andrew Patton de se Rendre a Rouen pour s’embarquer pour Cadix a Bord de L’heureuse Rencontre Capitaine Noel Martin. M. Patton peut prendre la diligence qui vat a Rouen dans un jour. Il s’adressera a Rouen a M. holker avec La Lettre cy Jointe. Il s’adressera a Cadix a Messieurs Rey et Brandenbourg. M. franklin voudera Bien...
24479A Catechism Relative to the English National Debt, [August or September? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin ... (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), III , 97. A CATECHISM Relative to the English National Debt. Question 1. Supposing this debt to be only 195 millions of pounds sterling at present, although it is much more, and that it was all to be counted in shillings, that a man could count at the rate of...
24480The American Commissioners to George Washington, [August or September 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft ): Library of Congress The Marquis de la Fayette, a young Nobleman of great Expectations and exceedingly belov’d here, is by this time probably with you. By some Misapprehension in his Contract with the Merchants of Bordeaux he was prevented from using the Produce of the Cargo he carried over, and so was left without a Supply of Money. His Friends here have sent him over about £500...
24481To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse Conway: Two Notes, [August? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society These two undated notes, we believe, were written in the order in which we print them, and between hers of April 14 from Ville-d’Avray, near Sèvres, where she was no doubt visiting a friend, and that below of September 1 from her home in Auxerre. These two can be assigned with some confidence to a single month, August. The first note refers to a battle...
24482To Benjamin Franklin from Lebègue de Presle, [August 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je me suis engagé la derniere fois que J’ai eu l’honneur de vous voir, a vous communiquer quelques details sur le coup de foudre dont a ete frappée la salle d’assemblée de Purfleet; mais je n’ai pu le faire plutot parceque le dessein necessaire pour entendre le rapport etoit chez le graveur. Je vous envoye Monsieur la premiere epreuve avec les circonstances...
24483From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received your three several favours of this day —I have spoken to the Commissary & forage master, who have promised to take the proper measures for furnishing you with supplies in their respective departments. You will be pleased to send all Capt. Lee’s troop that remain behind with the regimt to join the detachment now with him and you will also return immediately to him, whatever men...
24484John Adams to Abigail Adams, 1 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
The Fleet is in Delaware Bay. 228 of them were seen, in the Offing, from Cape Henlopen, the day before yesterday. They come in but slowly. G eneral Washington, and the light Horse came into Town last Night. His Army will be in, this day—that is the two or three first Divisions of it—Greens, Sterlings and Stevensons Stephen’s . The rest is following on, as fast as possible. General Nash with...
24485George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 1 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Chester [ Pennsylvania ] August 1, 1777. Orders Greene to hold men in readiness to march and to give the necessary orders to quartermaster general and commissary general respecting provisions and forage. States that British fleet has departed from the Delaware. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Although H’s crossed-out signature can be seen on the draft, this...
24486George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 1 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Chester [ Pennsylvania ] August 1, 1777. Warns of probable attack on Highlands. Discusses orders given to Major General John Sullivan and Governor George Clinton to aid Putnam. Instructs Putnam to ask aid of Governor Jonathan Trumbull. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
24487Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 1 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yours of the 25th. July Came safe to hand. As to French Seaman who are Now in Goal, they do not Deserve Pitty as they were sent out of the Way preveous to the Officers Comeing on board to look for them and they went the Next day and delivered themselves up to the Judge of the Admiralty who put them all in Prison. I am very glad to find you approve of my...
24488To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-Samuel Du Pont de Nemours, 1 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society En arrivant de la Campagne je trouve la lettre et le paquet ci joints, que j’ai ouvert très innocemment l’enveloppe etant à mon adresse, et n’y ayant rien qui m’indiquât que les lettres n’êtaient pas pour moi. J’avais offert à Mr. Pennet lorsqu’il passa en france, dans le tems où je jouissais de la confiance du Gouvernement, de se servir de mon adresse pour...
24489[Ferdinand Grand]: Draft Contract for the American Commissioners, 1 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society Nous soussignés en vertu de nos pouvoirs donnons ordre et pouvoir á Mr. [ blank in MS ] de nous procurer au mioeux possible et le plus promptement que faire se pourra quatre flutes de Guerre Comme Celle qui se construit en hollande. Nous nous engageons en Consequence de fournir les fonds et les avances necessaires à sa requisition; nous en rapportant á tout...
24490From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 1 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
We have not recieved any certain intelligence that the Fleet have got within the Capes. By the last accounts they were beating in, the Wind unfavorable; It was supposed they would get in about three OClock yesterday Evening. I would wish you to collect and bring up your rear, as soon as may be, to German Town or to proper Grounds contiguous to it where the Troops are to remain untill further...
24491To George Washington from Captain Heman Allen, 1 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Salisbury, Conn., 1 Aug. 1777 . “Suffer me to inclose Copies of several Letters, directed to me by Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell of the Kings 71t Regiment, the first of the 17th March, the second of the 20th & third of the 30th of April last. “I have been informed that Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, with four or five other Colonels of the Enemy, have been detained for a considerable...
24492From George Washington to George Clinton, 1 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had proceeded thus far in order to look out for a proper place to arrange the Army when I recd the provoking account that the Enemy’s Fleet left the Capes of Delaware yesterday and steered Eastward again. I shall return again with the utmost expedition to the North River, but as a sudden stroke is certainly intended by this Maneuvre, I beg you will immediately call in every Man of the...
24493To the Commanding Officer on March from Peekskill, N.Y., 1 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have this Moment recd information that the Enemy’s Fleet have left the Capes of Delaware and have steered Eastward again. You are therefore to return immediately to Peeks kill with the two Brigades under your command. If you should find that the Enemy have thrown any Ships in the passage of the King’s Ferry you must proceed up to New Windsor and cross there. I am Sir Yr most obt Servt LS ,...
24494From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 1 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Having recd information that the Fleet have left the Capes of Delaware and steered Eastward, you are immediately upon the Rect of this to return and keep upon your march till you reach Peekskill. If you find any Ships thrown into King’s Ferry way, you are to proceed to New Windsor and cross there. I am &c. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . An endorsement...
24495To George Washington from Robert Erskine, 1 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 28th Ult: concerning the Office of Geographer, I had the honour to receive yesterday at Pompton. The distinction you confer on me, I beg leave to acknowledge with gratitude; and shall be happy to render every service in my power, to your Excellency, and to the Cause in which the rights of humanity are so deeply interested: on these accounts it is necessary to be explicit;...
24496From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 1 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just received information by express that the enemys fleet have disappeared from the Capes yesterday morning about eight OClock. This unexpected event makes it necessary to reverse our disposition and I have accordingly sent orders to Sullivan’s division, and the two other brigades on the other side the Delaware to return and recross the North River. You are immediately to complete your...
24497To George Washington from John Hancock, 1 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
An Express having this moment Arriv’d from Cape May with a Letter, Copy of which I have the honour to Inclose you, by which it appears that the Fleet which was suppos’d to be destin’d for the Delaware had stood off & Steer’d to the Eastward. I thought proper to Transmit this Intelligence to you by Express, & will not detain him further than to Assure you that I am with the utmost respect, Sir...
24498To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 1 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
We this moment have received the Intelligence contained in the inclosed —whether the Enemy will turn in here, or whether they are destined to Portsmouth, Falmouth (Casco Bay) or to Hallifax, or to the River St Lawrance, Time must discover. I have not time to add, but have The Honor to be Your Excellency’s Most Hble Servt LS , DLC:GW ; ADfS , MHi : Heath Papers; copy, DNA:PCC , item 169. The...
24499From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 1 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
By an Express this moment arrived from Cape May, The Enemy’s Fleet left Yesterday Morning at Eight OClock—put to Sea and were out of Sight Three Hours when the Express came away. I do not know whether you are coming on with the Two Brigades ordered from peeks Kill to reinforce this Army—If you are, I beg that you will leave the Brigades under the direction of the next commanding Officer to...
24500To George Washington from the Massachusetts Council, 1 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
the inclosed is a Copy of a Letter this moment recd from the Brigadier of the County of Essex: The destination of the Fleet is to us yet uncertain; as soon as further intelligence is obtained, Your Excellency may depend upon it’s being forwarded with all possible dispatch. In the Name & behalf of the Council I am With great Respect Sr Your most Obedt hble Servt LS , DLC:GW ; copy, DNA:PCC ,...