26131To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 19 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honour of writing to you the 13th to 15th Inst. I have received no other Commands from Congress your Excellency with except the two Inclosed Resolves. the 15th Inst. relative to Clothing & Blankets for the Army. the 17 Inst. for appointments to Rank in the Army the Chevalier Duportail, Messrs Du Lemoy, dela Radierre & Govion—Commissions in obedience to the Resolve are granted &...
26132From George Washington to the Officers Commanding the Brigades of Generals Enoch Poor and John Paterson, 19 November … (Washington Papers)
Instead of proceeding to Coryels Ferry which I imagine is your intended Rout, I desire you will march down as far as Trenton, and there wait my orders before you cross the River. The moment you receive this dispatch an Officer to me, to inform me where you are, when you will be at Trenton & by what Road you will march that I may send orders to meet you. Yrs &ca P.S. If this should reach you...
26133From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 19 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 14th. I could have wished that the Regiments that I had ordered had come on, because I do not like Brigades to be broke by detatchment: The urgency of Colo. Hamiltons Letter was owing to his knowledge of our wants in this quarter, and to a certainty that there was no danger to be apprehended from New York if you sent away all the Continental Troops that were then...
26134From George Washington to Lt. Col. Samuel Smith, 19 November 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Lt. Col. Samuel Smith, 19 Nov. 1777. Smith’s letter to GW of 16 Nov. is docketed in part “Answd 19th.”
26135From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 19 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
In Consequences of advices recd since I wrote you last night, I have ordered Genl Huntington to march to your Assistance. You will please to direct the detatchment that went first down to Fort Mifflin under the command of Colonel Smith to return to Camp, they are in so much want of Necessaries that it is impossible for them to remain longer. Let the Militia that are with you be put in the best...
26136From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 19 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Gens. St Clair, Knox and Kalb returned to Camp this Evening, they are all clear in their opinions that keeping possession of the Jersey Shore at or near Red Bank is of the last importance. I have therefore determined to make such an addition to the reinforcement that marched this morning under Genl Huntingdon, that I am in hopes you will be able to give an effectual Check to the Force...
26137To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 19 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
This Morning my flying Camp was removed from Woodberry, to this Place, as a more fit Situation for benefiting Red Bank. One principal Inducement was a Concurrance of Reports that the Enemy from Philadelphia were to form a Junction with those from Billings port. In w’ch Case we have a proper position for attacking the Party first mentioned, & thereby facilitate the Retreat of the Garrison over...
26138To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 19 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Light Infantry who were Encamped on the Right between third & fourth Street have Struck their tents this morning—their Picquets are drawn in—we took possession of the Advanced Redoubt made of Rails when they Vacated this day—I am just proceeding along the line to the left—they have turned out the Guards from a house near the City with a few of their Horse but don’t seem Inclined to...
26139To George Washington from Pelatiah Webster, 19 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am desired to give a State of the American Prisoners now in this City, which is as Near as I can collect as follows—I calld this day at the State house Where the Officers are confin’d (Abt 60) Saw Majr Join, Capt. Plunket & Leiut. Teagle who were Well, & Informd that their Allowance of Provisions were not half Sufficient, their fire wood Very Scant. Sometimes for Several days they had no...
26140I. Notes of Thomas Burke’s Speech before the House of Delegates, [19 November 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
Jurisdiction of this state extends to lands in question. Henderson & co. nevertheless a right to the soil. Altho’ he must shew their right to the whole, they wish only to retain a very small part and give up the rest in consideration of protection. To make a good deed 3 essentials. N ( DLC ); with TJ’s title at top of page: “Notes of Burke’s argum. before H. of Deleg. in the case of...
26141To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 20–22 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have no doubt of being excused by you for not sooner answering your favor of the 24th last, when you are informed that my ill state of health has prevented me from attending as I ought, to the important matter it contains. I gave Mr Jones the letter, that he might inform Congress of such parts as it imported the public they should be acquainted with. As it appeared by the letters of Gen....
26142Thursday Novr. 20. (Adams Papers)
To Harrwington Harwinton , Phillips’s 5 Miles.—To Yales in Farmington 5.—To Humphreys in Simsbury 7 miles.—To Owens in Simsbury 7 miles.—To Sheldons in Suffield 10.—Kents in Suffield 5.— To Springfield 10.
26143To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 20 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recd. your Favour by the Count d’Attems. I should be happy to procure him a Passage on the Terms desired but know of no way of doing it unless he goes on board one of the Frigates at L’orient; but even there it will not be without expence as he has not any money for his daily subsistence. I cannot say anything of the Lion to him, as I must even deny...
26144General Orders, 20 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Lieut. John Marshall is, by the Judge Advocate General, appointed Deputy Judge Advocate in the Army of the United States, and is to be respected as such. James Monroe Esqr: formerly appointed an additional Aide-du-Camp to Major General Lord Stirling, is now appointed Aide-du-Camp to his Lordship, in the room of Major Wilcock who resigned, on the 20th of October last, and is to be respected as...
26145To George Washington from Maj. John Clark, 20 November 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. John Clark, Jr., 20 Nov. 1777. Clark wrote GW on 22 Nov. that the “Day before Yesterday I wrote to you.”
26146To George Washington from Captain Charles Craig, 20 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have delay’d writing in expectation of hearing something new from the City, but nothing has Transpired since I had the Honour of Adressing Your Excellency. Every Account Confirms the enemys haveing but very few men in the City at present, I shall embrace the earliest oppertunity of Communicateing any fa⟨rther⟩ intellegence. I have the Honour to be Yr Excellencys Most Obt Servt ALS , DLC:GW ....
26147To George Washington from Colonel Hugh Hughes, 20 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to my Promise, in General McDougall’s, which I expect your Excellency is acquainted with by this Time, I am with Col. Hamilton, who I find very ill of a nervous Fever, the Event of which the Doctrors say is altogether uncertain, but rather think the Prospect in his Favour. He is well supplied with Hospital Stores from the Fishkill, and I have taken Care that other Necessaris are...
26148To George Washington from Captain Allen McLane, 20 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Intiligence this day agree that the Enemy have but few Troops in the City its Currently reported that our people have avaceuated Red bank last night. this Evening I Fell in with one Thornton as he was Going to his Family near the lines he is a Clark to the Gallys & Left them this morning in Bristol he left the river opposite red Bank this morning at 3 oClock he thinks that the Fort was then in...
26149From George Washington to the Militia of Certain New Jersey Counties, 20 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy have thrown a considerable Force into your State, with intent to possess themselves of the post at Red Bank, and after clearing the obstructions in Delaware, make incursions into your Country. To prevent them from effecting either of these purposes, I have sent over such a number of Continental Troops as I trust will, with the spirited exertions of the Militia, totally defeat their...
26150From George Washington to Brigadier General John Paterson, 20 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday wrote you a Letter with conditional directions relative to your march: Upon receipt of this, you will proceed by the way of Coryels Ferry and join this army as expeditiously as possible. I am Sir Your most obedt Servt. If in consequence of the order given yesterday you should have filed off towards Trenton—you may continue that Rout but in that case you will dispatch a Messenger to...
26151From George Washington to Brigadier General Enoch Poor, 20 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Upon receipt of this you are to direct your march towards this Army, and to be as expeditious as possible in forming a Junction. I am &ca. If in consequence of yesterdays orders you should have field off towards Trenton —continue that Rout and give me notice of it by a Messenger—he will probably find me at the Crooked Billet. Df , in John Laurens’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW...
26152To George Washington from Brigadier General James Potter, 20 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am under the disagreeble needsesity of Informing your Excelancey that on the eighteenth Instant one of my picquats that Consisted of 1 Capt. 2 Subs. 50 privits had 28 privits 1 Liut. and 2 Sargt taken prisners and 3 wounded as to the perticgulars I Refare you to General Cedwaleter. I am S. your excelancys Humble Servant ALS , DLC:GW . No written report from Brig. Gen. John Cadwalader...
26153To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 20 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Upon my Arrival at Red Bank last Evening, I found that Colo. Greene had recd the same Acct wch I mentioned to your Excellency in my Letter of Yesterday; he was farther informed that the Enemy were actually crossing the Ford, In Consequence, he had given Orders for an Evacuation. The Powder, by Capt. Duplissis, was strewed over the Fort—Hower, upon an Apprehension that your Excellency might...
26154To George Washington from Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, Jr., 21–22 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 8th Instant yesterday and should have answerd it by post had not Colo. Gist inform’d me that he intended to set out for Camp in a day or two; by him therefore you will receive this Letter. Our Assembly have been sitting near four Weeks and I cannot say they have done any thing of consequence within Doors, ’tho’ I am in hopes the business has...
26155Novr. 21. (Adams Papers)
To Hays’s, Salmon Brook 5. miles.—To Southwick, Loomis, 6.—To Fowlers 3. miles.—To Westfield, Claps, 4 miles.—To Captn. Claps, 4 miles this Side N.H.—To North Hampton, Lymans or Clarks. The date of JA ’s arrival in Braintree, 27 Nov., is recorded in his summary account rendered to the State of Massachusetts, enclosed in a letter to Speaker James Warren, 15 Jan. 1778 ( NN :Emmet Coll.).
26156Cotton Tufts to John Adams, 21 November 1777 (Adams Papers)
Sometime in September last I wrote to You, and am not a little anxious to know whether you receivd my Letter, as it was sent about the Time You were removing from Philadelphia; In Your next to me or to Your Bosom Friend dont forget to inform me. I congratulate You on Our Success to the Northward.—When I saw Burgoines Proclamation I read the Man, when I saw his Orders to Col. Baum I was...
26157The American Commissioners to Commanders of American Armed Vessels, 21 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: National Archives This circular letter was a companion piece to the commissioners’ memorandum to the French and Spanish courts below, November 23, and had been equally long under consideration. Lee presented his draft of the letter to his colleagues on the 9th. An argument developed over how to interpret the old maxim that free ships make free goods: Lee’s draft had apparently...
26158The American Commissioners to the Delaps, 21 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society We are informed that the Ship Portsmouth, which left Bourdeaux a few days since, made Prize of a Vessel from Cork entering the River, with a Pilot onboard and after she had got into the Passage of Grave. This is the Captain’s Story, on which his complaint is founded. We ask you to enquire into the particulars of this Transaction and send us the Pilots...
26159The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 21 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society You are desired to get from Capt. Adams a particular Account of his being taken, in which he must ascertain as exact as is in his Power at what distance he was from the Coast of France when he was first Chased and when he was actually taken. He must make oath to his narration and send it up to us by the first Courier. If you have knowledge of other Vessels...
26160To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bancroft, [21 November 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Hodge is just arived from Dunkirk and Mr. Deane intreats that you will immediatly come to Town on Business of very great importance. I am most respectfully Your most Humble and most Devoted Servant William Hodge had been expected back from Dunkirk on the 20th: Deane Papers , II , 227. The important business presumably had to do with finding him passage...