24961From George Washington to Colonel David Mason, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am glad to find, from yours of the 13th Ulto that the six new Virginia Battalions are likely to be compleated by means of drafts and inlistments. All the Recruits who have not had the small pox should be innoculated before they join the Army, for altho’ there are few of the Continental Troops but have had that disorder, yet as we constantly have Militia with the Army we cannot safely...
24962To George Washington from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 2 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 2 Sept. 1777. GW wrote in his first letter to Maxwell of this date : “I have your two favs. of this date,” and in his second letter to Maxwell of this date, GW wrote: “I am just favd with yours of this Evening.”
24963From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your two favs. of this date. In consequence of the remonstrance from the Inhabitants near Elk I have commanded Armands Corps to repair immediately to this place. If any of the people who have been injured can point out the particular persons either Officers or Soldiers they shall be made Examples of—As several accounts seem to agree that the Enemy mean to come out tomorrow Morning, I...
24964From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am just favd with yours of this Evening. I do not know where the Sign of the Buck is, I therefore cannot say whether it will be proper for you to leave your present post to go and attack the party that is said to be thereabouts. If it is upon your left as I suppose it is, it will be by no means proper, because while you were gone down, the Enemy might advance from Grey’s Hill to Christeen...
24965From George Washington to Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, Jr., 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
By Yesterday mornings post, I received Your favor of the 22d. Ulto. It gave me great pleasure to hear of your Appointment, and I wish you to accept my Congratulations upon the occasion. The want of Military experience, you mention, is no Ob[s]tacle to your serving your Country in the Capacity in which you have undertaken. In our infant state of War, it cannot be expected, we should be perfect...
24966From George Washington to Major General Joseph Spencer, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your favour of the 15th of last month. The frequent captures you make with your little parties have a very good effect and ought to be encouraged. With respect to the exchanges you propose, it is not in my power to interfere in the matter. Elias Boudinotte Esqr. has been appointed Commissary General of prisoners and every thing relating to them must pass through his hands....
24967To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I took the liberty some days since to Suggest the Selecting 2′500 or 3′000 of our best Armed and most Disciplined Troops (exclusive of the Reserve) who should hold themselves in Readiness on the Approach of the Enemy to make a Regular and Vigorous Assault on their Right or Left flank—or such part of their Army as should then be thought most expedient—and not wait the Attack from them. This Sir...
24968To John Adams from Andrew Henshaw, 3 September 1777 (Adams Papers)
I this day had the pleasure to converse with the Hon. Mr. Warren who appears desirous to serve me. He informs me the present Establishment for the Navy Board is only one Clerk. I would not presume to dictate, but beg leave to suggest that the Business must be very extensive and whether there will not be ample Employ for both a Secretary and Clerk. Several Gentlemen of Character have spoke to...
24969To John Adams from Joseph Nourse, 3 September 1777 (Adams Papers)
The Resolves of Congress, directing every board to deliver into the secretary’s Office, all original Letters referr’d to them address’d to Congress, I have with the advice and direction of Mr. Peters deliver’d in all Papers up to the 1st. Instant. Mr. Houston is arranging them, and preparing to have copies made out for the Committee, and desires me to inform you, he will be happy to see you,...
24970George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 3 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] September 3, 1777. Discusses possibility of British attack on Maxwell by enemy party sent to Bohemia, Delaware. Orders Maxwell to send information about enemy in that area. In postscript, orders Maxwell to retreat to Christiana Bridge. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
24971From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 3 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress M. Gontier de Biran, who will have the honour of delivering this into your hands, is strongly recommended to me by Persons of Merit and Distinction at this Court, as a Gentleman of Family, and of excellent Character for his Morals, Prudence, and Attention to the Duties of his Profession as a Soldier. He is desirous of improving himself in that Profession, under...
24972To Benjamin Franklin from William Day, 3 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is with the Greatest pleasure I embrace this Conveyance, per Monsier Rochette who says he has the Honour of being personally Known to You, and has promised to deliver my Letter himself. The Thought that it was my duty (to inform You of the Occurrences of my Cruize) must appologize for my Freedom of troubling a Gentlemen of Your Character with a scrawl,...
24973To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé Vicomte de Tarride, 3 September 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Pau in Béarn, September 3, 1777, in French: The vicomte de Tarride, a young man of twenty-two, was réformé after three years’ service and decided to join the Americans. About a month ago he sailed from Bayonne on a Boston ship. I hope I may ask for him your protection and letters to your countrymen. If you think proper, I will send the duc du Châtelet’s...
24974General Orders, 3 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
John Parker Esqr. is appointed paymaster to the 8th Pennsylvania regt in the room of John Boyd Esqr. resigned. As the enemy’s motions will be sudden, and perhaps rapid, the General positively orders the commanding officers of corps to keep their men in camp, by no means suffering them to ramble about, out of the verge of it—The discharge of two field pieces is to be considered by the...
24975From George Washington to the Continental Congress Intelligence Committee, 3 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor of yours of Yesterday with a Number of Hand Bills giving an account of our successes to the Northward. They shall be distributed among the Soldiery, and I doubt not but they will answer the good End which is intended by them. Every peice of favorable News circulated in this manner thro’ the Camp will certainly inspirit the Troops. I refer you to my letter to Congress for the...
24976To George Washington from John Hancock, 3 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have Nothing in Charge from Congress at this Time, but to transmit the enclosed Resolves, to which I must refer your Attention. General Sullivan’s Expedition on Staten Island having ended in the Loss and Defeat of a considerable Number of the Troops under his Command; the Congress have directed a Court of Enquiry to be instituted relative to the Expedition. You will please to order Colonel...
24977From George Washington to John Hancock, 3 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I this minute returned to Head Qrs, where I found your favor of this date with the Resolves respecting Genl Sullivan and Colo. Richardson’s Battallion. I had conversed with Genl Sullivan upon the Subject and observed to him, that it was necessary an inquiry should be had relative to the Affair of Staten Island, as his conduct was censured & much dissatisfaction prevailed. He was sensible of...
24978From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 3 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The late Resolution of Congress for sending Genl Smallwood and Colo. Gist from this Army, to arrange and command the Militia of Maryland, now called to the Feild, and the frequent applications I had, before the arrival of those Gentn at this place, to send Officers to the Eastern Shore to take the direction of the Militia assembling there, give me reason to beleive, that the regulations, in...
24979To George Washington from William Livingston, 3 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was just now honoured with your Excellencys Favour of the 1st Instant, as I arrived at this place to meet the Assembly. I am surprized at Mr Troup’s pretension of his leaving the Enemy to come into this State with design of taking the Benefit of our Act of Grace, & of referring in Proof of that Assertion, to Philip Schoop & his Mother, for the three following reasons, which I think render it...
24980To George Washington from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 3 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 3 Sept. 1777. GW wrote Maxwell on this date : “Yours of three oClock this morning, I have received.”
24981From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 3 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yours of three oClock this morning, I have received. I do not think you have much to fear from the party that has been sent over to Bohemia, who lie greatly to the Southward of you & too remote from where you now are, easily to injure you. It is im[a]gined the design of their going there is to extend across from Bohemia river to Apoquiminy, by which means, they will prevent the Eastern shore...
24982To George Washington from Brigadier General Caesar Rodney, 3 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday morning I took Post at this place between two and three miles from Middleton. I have kept my Light-Horse, about seventeen or eighteen in number, out beating up the Enemy’s Quarters ever since and gaining what intelligence I could of the Enemy’s movements. Last night a little after dark they were close in with the Enemy at Carson’s Tavern where they encamped exchanged some shott and...
24983To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 4 September 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday a severe skirmish happened between a party of seven hundred of our Troops and two or three thousand Barbarians , it is said we lost forty or fifty and the Enemy more, but the superiority of their numbers obliged our men to retreat; the Enemy advanced and are now encamped three or four miles below Christiana Bridge, with the greatest part of their Troops. These accounts I receive from...
24984To John Adams from James Warren, 4 September 1777 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for yours of the 12th. and 18th August which came safe to hand. I am much Gratified by seeing some Account of your plans, and Operations Abroad. Your good Lady Obliged me with A Sight of A Letter of A similar kind She received from you some time since. I think on the whole they are as well as we could Expect, and perhaps in A better way than our Enemies ever had An Idea of. I shall...
24985George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 4 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] September 4, 1777. Orders Hand to send forward officers of Colonel Daniel Brodhead’s regiment. Sends news of Fort Stanwix (Schuyler). Df , in writing of H, postscript in writing of Caleb Gibbs, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
24986From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 4 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress The Gentleman who will have the Honour of waiting upon you with this Letter is the Baron de Steuben, lately a Lieutenant General in the King of Prussia’s Service, whom he attended in all his Campaigns, being his Aide Camp, Quartermaster General, &c. He goes to America with a true Zeal for our Cause, and a View of engaging in it and rendring it all the Service in...
24987To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-François Fournier, 4 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Pour répondre a l’honneur de votre demande des cinquante livres de caracterres d’imprimerie que vous m’avez faites le jours de la st. Louis lorsque j’ai eu l’honneur de vous parler étant avec mon épouse et ma fille, je n’ai pas fait la reflexion de vous repondre que vous ne pouviez pas faire grand choses avec si peut du caracterre dont vous avez gardé...
24988To Benjamin Franklin from Paulze, 4 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Je viens, Monsieur, de faire acheter à Londres et à Glascow 6000 Boucauds de Tabacs. Vous sçavés que suivant l’acte du 27. Septembre 1660 toutes les denrées et marchandises d’Angleterre ne peuvent être expédiées que par des Navires Anglois et je tenterois sans succès de faire charger ces Tabacs sur des navires français; Mais on me fait craindre que les...
24989General Orders, 4 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
As a full supply of hard bread cannot at present be obtained, all that now is in, or shall come to, the hands of the regimental quarter masters, is to remain there, and not be distributed, but upon the most pressing exigency, and when the troops are about to march, and then not without orders from their Brigadier. In the mean time the army is to be furnished with soft bread, or flour, which...
24990From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 4 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Broadhead of the 8th Pensylvania regiment has represented to me, that several of his officers sent to Westmoreland with large sums of public money, for the purposes of recruiting men for his corps & recovering others who had deserted from it, were detained by your influence and countenance from their regiment. I know not what foundation he may have for this assertion; but if the fact...
24991To George Washington from Thomas Johnson, 4 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I recvd your Letter of the first Instant and was happy in having it in my power to converse with General Smallwood on the Contents of it. I see several Vessels in the Harbour which I think might well be applied for the purpose you mention and believe I could get Men who would at least endeavour to go through it but I am apprehensive it could not be conducted with Success we have very little...
24992From George Washington to Colonel William Richardson, 4 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
General Howe having arrived with his Army at the Head of the Chesepeak Bay, with a design to push his Arms in this Quarter and particularly against Philadelphia, It is necessary to collect our Whole force to oppose him. You will therefore, immediately on receipt of this, march such Companies of your Regiment, as are on the Eastern Shore, with all convenient expedition to the head of Sassafras,...
24993To George Washington from Brigadier General Caesar Rodney, 4 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I took Post in this place on Tuesday about 10 OClock being the Most Secure Considering my force—not being Joined as Yet by more than forty or fifty of the Newcastle Militia—I have Some more than four hundred, all but those few before mentioned from Kent—I have kept out Scouting parties Rather more than Equal To the force I now have—and my Light-Horse Are Every day Within View of the Enemy—The...
24994To George Washington from Brig. Gen. William Smallwood, 4 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. William Smallwood, 4 Sept. 1777. GW wrote Smallwood on 9 Sept. : “I received your favor of the 4th Inst.”
24995Henry Laurens, Richard Henry Lee, and John Adams to Joseph Trumbull, 5 September 1777 (Adams Papers)
The Resolve of Congress which you will receive under this Cover will shew you that we are appointed a Committee and for what purposes. We request you to transmit to us by the earliest good opportunity the fullest intelligence in your late department of Commissary General and you will further oblige us by adding any further information properly authenticated relative to the enquiries which we...
24996From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Charles Stewart, 5 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed in your letter to Mr Ludowick you will find one from His Excellency confirming your orders. We expected you to call here this morning; but as you have not done it, I send you the letters, that they may be immediately forwarded by express. No time should be lost in the matter as it is a point of the most urgent necessity. I am Sir Your most Obed serv ALS , Harvard College Library....
24997George Washington to Christopher Ludowick, 5 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] September 5, 1777. Orders Ludowick to Camp by way of Pittstown and Coryells Ferry. Asks Ludowick to send bread from these places to Camp, and to set up as many ovens as possible in Philadelphia for baking hard bread. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
24998George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 5 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] September 5, 1777. Encloses two letters for Lord Richard Howe and General William Howe. Orders Maxwell to apologize to Howe if there is any truth in report that an enemy flag was fired upon. Requests information concerning situation of enemy. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
24999George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 5 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] September 5, 1777. Asks if Maxwell is prepared to make a secret foray against enemy. Gives instructions concerning proper guides and return route. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
25000To Benjamin Franklin from Philip Mazzei, 5 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society I received the honour of your answer, by Mr. Jefferson, with the pamphlet, for which I return you my sincere thanks, as by enlightening my mind it greatly contributes to the happiness of my life. The seeds, called Ravizzoni by the Lombards, and cavolo rapa in the Tuscan language, may be very usefull to us in America when we shall have more leasure...
25001General Orders, 5 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Commissary General of prisoners informs the commanding officers of regiments and other corps, that notwithstanding the orders heretofore issued for that purpose; he has received but one small return of prisoners, taken by the enemy, since his appointment; in consequence of which neglect, it will be impossible for him, in case of an exchange, to pay proper attention to the order of the...
25002To George Washington from Colonel Mordecai Gist, 5 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have to Inform Your Excellency that I arrivd here the 2d Instant, where I found General Cadwalader with about 300 Militia, in very confusd order. their complaints of being called out contrary to law has become very general Among them, which has Induc’d me to promise them to adopt the rule of calling out only the three first Classes as orderd by the Assembly of this State, for the better...
25003From George Washington to John Hancock, 5 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I did myself the honor of writing to you the Night before last, the Enemy have remained intirely quiet. A person who came express from Genl Rodney informs me that the Enemys shipping fell down from Cecil Court House on Tuesday last, but how low he does not know. I have desired Genl Rodney to inquire into this matter, and if it be true, to send persons along the Bay shore to see where...
25004To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 5 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Edmund Randolph Esqr. communicated to me that part of your last Letter to him, in which you are pleased to take Notice of your Ladys Reception at this place. I beg you to be assured that every Expression of Regard, falls short of that which I feel, & shall retain thro’ Life, for such distinguished Merit. You are pleased also to observe that you have not recd any Answer from me to your two...
25005From George Washington to General William Howe, 5 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the honor to write you on the 16th of July upon the subject of an Exchange of Major Genl Prescot for Majr Genl Lee. As I can only attribute your Silence upon a matter so personally interesting to both those Gentlemen to your not having received my former Letter, I am induced to transmit you a duplicate of it, to which I beg leave to request an Answer. I have the Honor to be with...
25006From George Washington to Christopher Ludwick, 5 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Mr Stewart Comy Genl of Issues has shown me a letter from him to you of yesterday’s date, desiring you to repair to Camp, leaving the ovens at Morristown under the direction of some other person if you can find a proper one; and directing you also in your way to call at Pitstown and Coryells, and forward all the bread from those places by water to Camp, or near it. It is my wish, you should...
25007From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 5 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I send you herewith two letters for Lord & General Howe, which you will immediately transmit by a flag to the latter. Let Some decent officer go with the flag. I have heard a report of one of our militia parties firing upon a flag that came from the enemy; I wish you to inquire into the matter, and if you find it true, make a proper apology for it to General Howe; and strictly forbid any...
25008From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 5 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Let me know by the bearer whether you have received such information, as to enable you to make the intended attempt to night (or rather in the morning) if you have—the parson will be an excellent hand to accompany you. I am persuaded, I need not impress upon you the necessity of secrecy: the success of the enterprise totally depends upon that, and the precautions you use, to prevent the...
25009To George Washington from Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, Jr., 5 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am just inform’d that three Ships are coming down the Bay, their business I imagine is to get provisions, which I shall endeavour to prevent by every means in my power. Colo. Harrison of the Artillery hearing of some of the Solbays crew being on shore in princess Anne, endeavouring to get off a Vessel, that they had run on shore, sent a party of Men down, who fell in with them, & took one...
25010To George Washington from Richard Peters, 5 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour of enclosing you Copy of a Letter which was addressed to a Member of Congress, & laid before the Board for their Consideration. It is sent to your Excellency for the Purpose of pointing out the Grievances complained of & which the Board are very willing to use their Endeavors to redress if they could be furnished with your Excellency’s Assistance in forming the Plan. It is...