26201To George Washington from Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, 23 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The desire which I have of fulfilling my Duty, leads me to make frequent representations to Your Excellency of matters which regard the Service of the Cavalry. What follows is my opinion, and if I am so happy as to find it agreeable to Your Excellencys Views, it will be necessary to carry my Plan into execution as soon as possible. As in all appearance it will be late before we retire to...
26202To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan and Brigadier Generals William Maxwell and Anthony Wayne, 23 … (Washington Papers)
May it please your Excellency, We the Subscribers, General Officers in the American Army, beg leave to represent, That we have severally been accus’d of unsoldierly Conduct, dangerous Neglect, and other Crimes, which, had they been prov’d, must have blacken’d our Characters as Officers, and sunk us beneath the Reproaches of our Country. In Consequence of these malicious Accusations, Courts...
26203General Orders, 24 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Information having been given that divers of the late sutlers, and some of the inhabitants have opened tippling houses within and adjacent to the encampment of the army, by which the design of banishing the Sutlers from the army is in a great measure frustrated. The Deputy Quarter Master General is required forthwith, to make diligent inquiry, and examination, for discovering such houses, and...
26204Brigadier General John Cadwalader’s Plan for Attacking Philadelphia, 24 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
As the Enemy have made very considerable Detachments from their main Body to New Jersey under the Command of Lord Cornwallis; and a considerable number of men being necessary to defend the several Posts on the Islands which are at least 7 miles from the Lines it may be very proper to consider whether a successfull attack cannot be made on the City. The following plan of an attack is offered...
26205To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 24 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment returned [from] Mr Philip Prices near the lower Ferry, at which place I thought to have taken a view of the River, but was prevented by the thickness of the Air occasioned by a Smoak on Province Island, I immagine the Enemy are about to evacuate it, by a Person of distinction from Philadelphia (a Friend) this Evening, I am informed, the Enemy are exceedingly alarmed, Orders...
26206To George Washington from Robert Erskine, 24 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The twenty Ovens ordered last Summer, concerning which I have your favour of the 14th Inst., were delivered as follows; four to Coll Mifflin, as the army passed Pompton; fourteen were sent after it to Morristown, by seven Waggons impressed for that purpose; & two large and ten small ones remained here, when I was at Wilmington, which I mentioned to Coll Mifflin; who ordered me to send four,...
26207From George Washington to Col. David Forman, 24 November 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Col. David Forman, c.24 Nov. 1777. In his letter to William Livingston of 24 Nov. , GW writes: “I have given orders to have all the Officers ... except Colo. Forman, for whom you have a letter.”
26208From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
If you have not moved from Mount Holley when this comes to hand, I wish you to wait there till you see Colo. Meade, who will set off immediately charged with some important matters which I thought it improper to commit to paper. This However you are to understand under this restriction—That I do not mean to prevent you a moment from prosecuting any Object you have immediately in view that...
26209To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have nothing new to communicate to your Excellency with Respect to the Motions of the Enemy—they remain or did last night at Woodbury, with a Guard at Timber Creek, consisting of about six hundred men. The Boats that went up, mentioned in my former Letter, I conjecture had on Board the Baggage of the Army; the Soldiers seen on board, were the regimental Guards to the Baggage. The Militia of...
26210To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I receivd your favor by Col. Mead who has communicated to me the design of an attack upo[n] Philadelphia, the consequences if successful are so desireable that I wish it appeard to me more practicable—In war there must be always some thing left to chance and I would always recommend to trust some consequences to the Spirit and bravery of the troops—An excess of caution which councils of War...
26211From George Washington to William Livingston, 24 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 22d. It gives me great pleasure to find that your Legislature have undertaken to procure a Quantity of Blankets and other Cloathing, by Civil Authority, which mode ought ever to be adopted instead of the Military. I have given orders to have all the Officers, who were vested with powers to collect these Articles, immediately recalled, except Colo. Forman, for...
26212From George Washington to Brig. Gen. James Potter, 24 November 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. James Potter, 24 Nov. 1777. GW writes in a letter of this date to Potter : “I wrote you . . . this morning & . . . fear my Letter should have miscarried.”
26213To George Washington from Brigadier General James Potter, 24 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was at Chester yesterday the most of the shiping is gon up the River as far as the Bend below Billingsport, the enclosed lines I Receved from a good honast whig that would not assart a falce hood Knowing it to be such he lives in the City. I am your Excelanceys Most Obedant Humble sert. AL , DLC:GW . The enclosed undated intelligence report reads: “I Receiv’d the Beef & Return Thanks till...
26214From George Washington to Brigadier General James Potter, 24 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for your Favor of this date & for the intelligence it contained. You will continue your endeavours to obtain further information, and will transmit as soon as you can whatever you may think material and necessary to be known. I intend to send a Reconnoitring party over Schuylkill to Morrow Morning and request that you will detach Two Hundred Men to cover them. you will direct them...
26215To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 24 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to Inclose you our Arrangment of the field officers of Light Horse which the Board Directed me to forward. upon a Supposition that your Excellencey would Call in their former Commissions & grant them De novo we Took the Liberty of Hinting At the Dates their Respective Commissions Should Bear—but if that is Disapprovd by your Excellencey, our opinion is that they Rank as...
26216The American Commissioners to Thomas Thompson, 25 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Two AL : Library of Congress, Harvard University Library We advise you on your return to L’Orient to put your Ship in readiness for Sea, Capt. Hinman will do the same, and after you have obtained the best intelligence to be had, of the British Merchant Ships, and Commerce to pursue the Course, which you judge best for intercepting and making prizes on Our Enemies Ships, and property. As it is...
26217Dumas to the American Commissioners, 25 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook summary: Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Depuis le départ d’ici de Mr. Sym. Deane, j’ai eu l’honneur d’écrire le 30e. Octob. à Mr. Sil. Deane, le 14e. Nov. à Mr. W. Carmichael, et 18e. à l’hon. Commission en général comme la présente. Il y avoit aussi dans celle du 18e. une ouverte pour Mr. le Chev. Grand. Nous avons avis de notre bon ami Mr....
26218Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 25 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library M. Peltier has recvd. his Instructions from M. Montieu, but they are not exactly similar to yours, M. Montieu intending to put all his Goods on board the Chalotais, and I prefer putting as much of yours as I can on board of this Ship, which by the tenor of your agreement it appears I have liberty to do. However rather than have any further Difficulty or...
26219To Benjamin Franklin from F. and Anton Georg Eckhardt frères, 25 November 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <The Hague, November 25, 1777, in French: One of us was known to you in London, and had the honor of your esteem. Our friend and correspondent M. Penet will give you the prospectus of a work describing an instrument that we have invented; we should be immensely flattered if you would allow your name to be included among our subscribers in France. We include...
26220To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Grand, [c. 25 November 1777?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mr. Hy. Grand is come up to pay his most humble Respects to Doctor Francklin. Was excessively sorry in not being fortunate enough as to meet him in order to take his Commands once more for America. His Recomandations, is one of the great motives that engaged him to go over. He in consequence takes the Liberty to crave him not to forget them. His father...
26221General Orders, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
For the information of the troops lately arrived, the General Order issued some time since is repeated; That Tatoo is not [to] be beaten in camp. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . See General Orders, 6 September .
26222To George Washington from Major General John Armstrong, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Without such an acquaintance of the Enemies lines as wou’d discover to you where they are more or less accessible I can not well approve of an attack upon them, nor can I conceive the opposite numbers at Philada under Six thousand or upward—And question whether an attack can be Succesful if the lines are not penetrated in so Short a Space of time (perhaps some Seven or at most ten minutes) as...
26223To George Washington from Lieutenant General John Burgoyne, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will have observed by the dispatch from Sir Willm Howe to me which passed thorough your hands, that it was matter of great doubt whether the transports destined to carry the troops to England according to the Convention would be able to make the Port of Boston in this advanced season of the year; & therefore that it might be advisable to send them to Rhode Island, upon the...
26224To George Washington from Richard Caswell, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to Inclose you a Resolve of the General Assembly of this State, respecting the Resignation of the Officers of the Troops raised here; And am to request you will be pleased, in case any of the Officers who come within the meaning of the said Resolve, do resign, to Certify the same to me so soon as you find the same practicable. I am sir, Your Excellency’s Most Obedient Humble...
26225From George Washington to Major John Clark, Jr., 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your two favors of the 22d & that of the 24th Instant have been duly received. I thank you for your exertions to procure intelligence and hope they will be continued. I have inclosed you a List of Questions to which I wish the most satisfactory Answers that can be obtained. You will direct your Emissaries & Spies particularly on these Head, and will request their pointed attention to them. I...
26226To George Washington from Brigadier General Duportail, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
To attack the Enemy in their Lines appears to me a difficult and dangerous Project, it has especially this very considerable Inconvenience, the exposing our Army in case it does not succeed to a total Defeat. This is easily demonstrated—One of the principal means proposed is to throw two thousand men in the rear of the Enemy—if we do not succeed these are so many men absolutely lost—as to the...
26227To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
This moment receivd intelligence the enemy are embarking from Glouster and [c]rossing over to Philadelphia Col. Comstock sends this intelligence and sais it may be depended upon —I have orderd General Varnums & General Huntingtons brigade to advance immediately to fall upon the enemies rear and prevent their geting off their stock—I wait your Excellencies Orders to march where you may think...
26228From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Mead delivered me Yours this Morning as I was upon my way to reconnoitre the Enemy’s Lines from the West side of Schuylkill. I had a full view of their left and found their works much stronger than I had reason to expect from the Accounts I had received. The Enemy have evacuated Carpenters Island and seem to be about doing the same by province Island. Accounts from the City say Lord...
26229To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency this afternoon that the enemy were crossing from the Jerseys to Philadelphia and that the intelligen[c]es came from Col. Comstock—he is stationd at Haddenfield to collect intelligence—I have receivd two letters from the Col. to day the first dated at 12 oClock the last at three both of which I have inclosd —It appears to me the enemy are crossing their Cattle but I much...
26230To George Washington from Brigadier General James Irvine, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have seriously revolved in my mind the subject that was debated in council last night, and notwithstanding the present disagreable situation of our affairs, cannot think that we are yet reduced to the necessity of hazarding the total destruction of the army by a general attack, on the very ground that general Howe would wish to fight us on; to attack redoubts &ca with any prospect of...
26231To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
According to His Excellency General Washington’s orders, and desire of having every Gentleman’s opinion on the Subjects laid before the Council last evening. Mine is to attempt an attack on the lines & City, as Soon as the Plan thereof can be properly laid, all necessary dispositions and calculations made, as to the mode & time. In respect to the Plan much must depend on intelligences of the...
26232To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to Your Excellencys request of last night that I should give my opinion this morning in writing concerning the making an attact on Philidelphia immediately. I am not for attacting it at present and will proceed to give some reasons why I would not Viz. It is but a few days ago; before Generals Green & Huntington crossed the Dellaware that we determined in a full council that an...
26233To George Washington from Brigadier General John Paterson, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The proposed attack on Philidelphia in my Opinion will be so hazardous that we cannot be Justified in Prosecuting of it, as a Failure will most certainly be attended with the loss of great Numbers of our Troops which I am fearfull would be attended with Fatal Consequences. my perfect Ignorance of the Country renders me intirely incapable of recommending any other Plan, but shall with...
26234To George Washington from Brigadier General Enoch Poor, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am Sencuble that the Situation of our Country loudly Calls for the Exertions of this Army. But fear an atact upon the lines Round the City of Philidelphia will be unsucesful therefore dont advize to it. as I have Jest arived to Camp & not acquainted in the Country beg to be Excused from proposing a new Desposition of the Army. I am your Excellencys Most obediant Hue Servt ALS , DLC:GW ;...
26235To George Washington from George Read, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was honoured with yours of the 8th Instant delivered to me the 15th by Col: Pope, by whom I immediately wrote to persons in Authority in the Counties of Kent & Sussex to give him every Assistance in procuring Cloathing & Blankets for the Use of our Battalion with you. I know not what may be the success but have hopes that sufficient for their immediate wants will be obtained. The State had...
26236To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am for making an attack, So soon as things Can be put in readiness. as to the plan I can Think of none better than that proposd by Genl Cadwalader, with this alteration, that the partie proposd to land in the City be detached from Genl Green and not taken from this armey. I Have two reasons for this, the one is that those Men with him are the Flower of the armey and That it will requier, the...
26237To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have revolved in my Mind the Subject of your Requisition last Night, and placed it in every Point of View, and must confess I am much embarrassed, I see the Propriety and Necessity of an Attack, I view with Pain the pressing Expectations of the Public, the Reputation of the Army at Stake, the depression of our Money, the difficulty & hazard of the proposed Attact, and the Misfortunes & I may...
26238To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
In Compliance with your Excellency’s request that each of the General Officers met in Council Yesterday Evening, should give you their Sentiments in Writeing on what Measure’s had best be pursued in the present Exegency of our Affairs; I must now beg leave to give it as my opinion That as all the reinforcements we had any reason to expect, have now Joined the Main Army, and as a Considerable...
26239To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to yr ordr of Last Eveng I have Consd the practicability of making an Attack upon the Enemy in Ph.—& weighed its probable Consequence in Every view That occurred to me. In order to Determine whether Such an Attempt is Likely to Succeed it is Necessary to Consider the Enemys Situation. The manner of our making the Attack on the Lines & the Mode of attack we must adopt for Carrying the...
26240To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
After the most Dispationate & Deliberate Consideration of the Question your Excellency was pleased to propose to the Council of General Officers last Evening; I am Solemnly and Clearly of Opinion; that the Credit of the Army under your Command, the Safety of the Country—the Honor of the American Arms—the Approach of Winter which in a few days will force you from the field—and above all the...
26241To George Washington from Brigadier General William Woodford, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I cannot help viewing the purposed Attack upon the Enemys Lines as attended with many Hazards & Dificuties. But these are over ballanced by the following considerations Vizt first the necessity that something should be attempted by this Army before it retires into Winter Quarters, both for its own Cr. & the support of our paper currency. Secondly, that from my knowledge of the State of the...
26242From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 26–27 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday morning honored with your Favors of the 22d Inst. I wish the measures Congress have adopted may effectually suppress the disturbances in the Western Department. Should they prove successful & the Savages & wicked deluded Inhabitants receive a severe check, it is probable, they will not be induced again to take a part against us—or at least for some considerable time. Colo....
26243The American Commissioners to Bérard frères, 26 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society Yours of the 17th is before us. Our Letter by your Express will direct you how to proceed with the Cargo of the Amphitrite. The Ship herself is at the Order of Mr. Peltier, and the sooner he has her the better, but the Cargo is at ours. In regard to which we have nothing to alter from the Directions given in our former untill you favour us with an Answer to...
26244To Benjamin Franklin from La Rochefoucauld, 26 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu, Monsieur, votre billet du 17. et j’ai appris avec plaisir le retour de l’Amphitrite, les bonnes nouvelles qu’elle a apportées de vos prises sur les Anglois, et la certitude que la bataille annoncée du 11. 7bre. n’est pas vraie, puisque’elle auroit été sue à Charlestown le 21. J’ai vu une lettre de Bordeaux trop belle pour être crue, et j’ai...
26245General Orders, 26 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
If any Gentlemen of the army can give information to the General, of shoes, stockings or leather breeches, in quantities, he will be exceedingly obliged to them—He will likewise be obliged to any of the General officers, for recommending proper persons to be employed in collecting these articles. General Smallwood, and the Colonels of the Maryland regiments are to meet to morrow morning, at...
26246To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 26 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 25th I received, and will strictly adhere to the contents thereof—this moment my Friend from Philadelphia came to me and informs me he left the City this Evening—previous to his departure he viewed the Wharfs & Streets none of which have any Cannon on, this Day upwards of thirty Sail of Transports came up the River, above one hundred now ly opposite the City—several of which have...
26247From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 26 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
My Letter ⟨of⟩ yester night (wro⟨te af⟩ter I returnd from a view of ⟨the Ene⟩my’s Lines from the other side Schuylkill) I must refer to. Our Situation, as you justly obs⟨erve, is⟩ distressing, from a variety ⟨of irreme⟩diable causes; but more espe⟨ci⟩ally from the impracticabillity of ⟨an⟩swering the expectations of the world without running hazards w⟨hich no⟩ military principles can j⟨ustify;...
26248To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 26 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s letter of the 25th reached me at this place—I halted the troops on the reciept of it those that had not got into the town—Genl Varnums & Huntington’s Brigades got to this place before the letter came to hand—I am sorry our march will prove a fruitless one—the enemy have drawn themselves down upon the Peninsula of Gloucester—the Ships are drawn up to cover the Troops—there is...
26249To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 26 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
At the request of Lt General Burgoyne I do myself the honor to transmit to your Excellency a packet which I have this day received from him. The Subject of his Letter will not be new, as you saw the grounds of it in the Letter from General Howe brought by Lieut: Vallancy. Genl Burgoyne is anxious to know your Excellency’s pleasure as soon as possible with respect to the Army, or himself & Suit...
26250To George Washington from General William Howe, 26 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am averse to Altercation, and therefore wish to be explicit, and understood in my Answer to your Letter of the 14th Instant, and to your very importunate Requisition of the 23rd. I shall never agree to a partial Exchange of Prisoners, until you have on your Part fulfilled the Cartel agreed upon; but as that Matter has already been sufficiently investigated in the Course of our...