26281From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 28 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed remonstrance was laid before me by Colo. Drake and Mr Hunt Commissioners appointed in the County of West Chester to take Care of all Forage and property exposed to the depredations of the Enemy—and also Commissioners of sequestration to dispose of the personal property of those who have fled to or joined the Enemy. They complain that parties from your Army frequently take property...
26282To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 28 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote my Last nothing particular has happened in this Quarter. some days ago I had made a Desposition to Cross over to Long Island, and Attackt the Forts Huntington & Setauket. but before Matters could be got Ready for the Expedition, they Evacuated both Forts and are now Making very strong Works at the Upper End of the Island. I Recd a Letter the other Day from Genl Dickenson...
26283From Benjamin Franklin to Anne-Louise Brillon de Jouy, [29 November 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL and draft: American Philosophical Society Etant revenu chez moi, j’etois surpris de trouver qu’il étoit presque onze heures. Je crains qu’oubliant toutes autres Choses, par notre trop d’attention au Jeu des Echecs, nous vous avions beaucoup incommodé, en vous detenant si longtemps dans le Bain. Dites moi, mon chère Amie, comment vous vous trouvez ce matin. Jamais je ne consentirai de...
26284Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 29 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library Agreeable to the orders of Mr. Dean and Mr. Lee I have the honour to transmit Capt. Adams’s Deposition properly authenticated. I have no american News, there being no Arrivals since my last, but I have just heard a melancholy account of Capt. Wickes having foundered on the Banks of Newfoundland. This I am much disposed to disbelieve, and the more so as I...
26285To Benjamin Franklin from Sellonf & Perrouteau, 29 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society We are desired by our intimate friends Messr. Fairholme & Luther of St. Martin to forward their inclosed Letter for you, and Solicit a Speedy answer may equally go through our hands, werewith we remain respectfully Honourable Sir Your most Obedient Humble Servants If you Would be so Kind as to inform us of the American bills Called gourdes , how to dispose...
26286General Orders, 29 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The officers commanding regiments are to see that their men’s arms are put in the best order possible; and of the loaded ones, such as can be drawn, are to be drawn, and the others discharged the first fair day, at eleven o’clock in the forenoon; but to prevent the waste of lead , the men of each regiment, or brigade are to discharge their pieces, into a bank of earth, from whence the lead may...
26287To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 29 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Favor of the 27th I received last Night and will pay a particular attention to your request—By a Gentleman of veracity (a worthy Friend) who left Philadelphia the Evening before last, I am informed that General Howe is Billeting his Troops on the Citizens, two to every Housekeeper, which has occasioned a universal murmur among the Citizens—By a person who left the City Yesterday Evening,...
26288From George Washington to the Continental Navy Board, 29 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 28th. I see no Reason for changing my former opinion in respect to sending the Frigates to ensure their safety. If they are weighed again and converted into Barracks for the Seamen, they must be brought near the shore and when the Frost sets in they cannot be sunk should the Enemy approach at such time. I however leave the Matter to your judgment. The Hulls of the...
26289The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 30 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; AL (draft ): Yale University Library; three copies: National Archives When the commissioners met on November 27 to plan this dispatch, differences between them soon emerged. Lee profoundly distrusted Deane, who he believed had Franklin in his pocket and, in his dual role of private businessman and agent of Congress, was playing fast and loose with public money. Deane...
26290From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 30 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Frederick R. Kirkland, Philadelphia (1955) I have now receiv’d the Bill from Mr. Chaumont accepted. The Acceptance is in these Words Accepté pour payer des fonds qui me seront remis a cet effet, Le Ray de Chaumont . He tells me that you may act upon this in relieving Capt. Babson and his People to the Amount including what they have already had from you. There seems however some Caution...
26291——— Troyes: Memorandum to Franklin and Deane for Antoine-Felix Wuybert, 30 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
D : American Philosophical Society Wuybert, who had held the responsible position of chief engineer at Fort Washington before its capture by the British in August, 1776, was now languishing in Forton Prison, and despite Franklin’s efforts on his behalf was destined to stay there another year. Early in November, 1777, the London press published the commissioners’ proposal to Stormont the...
26292Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 30 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am happy in sending you the agreeable News of Genl. Bourgoynes surrender with his whole army to our victorious arms. Mr. Austin will give you all particulars. His being charged with the delivery of the dispatches, as well as the importance of many verbal accounts he may furnish, are the reasons for my not desiring the Dispatches for a less expensive way...
26293To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 30 [November] 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Non mon bon papa vous ne m’avés pas fait mal hier, j’ai tant de plaisir a vous voir que le bien l’a emporté sur la petite fatigue d’estre sortie un peu plus tard du bain. On m’a présenté ce matin mr. Bitaubé vous me ferés grand plaisir de l’émener mécredi prendre le thé; je lirai son homére dont je vous remércie mon bon ami. Adieu a mécredi, a samedi, a tous...
26294To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Compagnoni, 30 November 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Lugo in the Romagna, November 30, 1777, in French: I wrote you on September 21 to the following effect: Your literary merit and your patriotism move me to dedicate to you a small rhymed work on a war that has brought Europe the good fortune of having you back. The poem, entitled “Il Washington,” will not offend reason or virtue and, though most favorable...
26295General Orders, 30 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
On the 25th of November instant, the Honorable Continental Congress passed the following resolve—vizt. “Resolved. That General Washington be directed to publish in General orders, that Congress will speedily take into consideration the merits of such officers as have distinguished themselves by their intrepidity and their attention to the health and discipline of their men; and adopt such...
26296To George Washington from Colonel Mordecai Gist, 30 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the Misfortune to be on camp Near the Quarters of General Maxwell and have no good Water convenient except at his house. I endeavoured first by virtue of an order and since by personal Application to obtain some water for my own use, which contrary to the principles of politeness was refused to me. You will pardon me sir for troubling You on so frivolous an occasion, and permit me to...
26297To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 30 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
On the 26th Currt by the Messenger Barry I paid my respects to your Excellency & conveyed Such Orders as I had then received from Congress —pretty late last Night Jones brought in your Excellency’s favors of the 26th & 27th which Shall be presented to Morrow, in the mean time I dispatch Franis Seall with the undermentioned Resolves of Congress —a packet containing one hundred Commissions —two...
26298From George Washington to James Mease, 30 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
There are such Variety of applications constantly for matters that concern your department that I find it absolutely necessary you should be with the Army. This you may now do without any public inconvenience as you have no store of Goods by you to draw your attention. I therefore desire you may repair immediately to Head Quarters, and endeavour to form and fall upon some plan in concert with...
26299Travels, and Negotiations. (Adams Papers)
Quincy December 1. 1806. When I asked Leave of Congress to make a Visit to my Constituents and my Family in November 1777, it was my intention to decline the next Election, and return to my practice at the Bar. I had been four Years in Congress, left my Accounts in a very loose condition, my Debtors were failing, the paper Money was depreciating, I was daily loosing the fruits of seventeen...
26300Enclosure: Congressional Resolution: A State of Facts, December 1777 (Adams Papers)
That by the return of ordinance and stores taken from the enemy in the Northern department from the 19 Sept. to 17 Oct. inclusive it appears, there were only 4647 muskets, which are returned “unfit for service,” 3477 bayonets without scabbards, 638 cartouch boxes, 1458 cutlasses without scabbards, 6000 dozen musket cartridges, 1135 ready or fixed shot for 32 peices of cannon, and only 15...
26301Ward Chipman to Montfort Browne, December 1777 (Adams Papers)
Owing to the very partial opinion and recommendation of my Friend, you have been pleased to apply to me for such observations as have occurred to my mind upon a subject, very interesting in its nature, and of the utmost importance to that cause in support of which every loyal and good subject would wish to use his utmost efforts and exert all the Abilities with which Nature, Industry or...
26302To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac-Jean-Georges-Jonas Grand, [December? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society George Grand’s most respectfull Compliments to Dr. Franklin and many thanks for the Book he was so good as to send him. The dinner appointed at the Chancellor Abbé de Breteuil is for Monday next at two o Clock precisely and at his own house rue st. honoré près de l’assomption. Mr. Grand desires the Dr. not to forget the paper he has left him yesterday and...
26303To Benjamin Franklin from ———, [December 1777]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <[Brussels, December, 1777, ] in French: You do not know me, and my name would not mean much to you. I am fond of great souls, and want to pay tribute to their virtues. Sincere congratulations on the defeat of M. de Burgoÿne, obtained by skill and bravery. M. de Washington has those qualities, and we may hope that Sir Howe, now in check, will be checkmated....
26304To George Washington from Colonel Theodorick Bland, December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Original Establishment of my Regt was one feild Officer a Captain Leiutt Cornet three Corporals, one Drummer one trumpeter & thirty Rank and file ⅌ troop; a Quartermaster to each Squadron; a Chaplain and Surgeon & adjutant to the Regt, and a Rough Rider to each troop. Their Pay as follows Majr Commt 10s. Adjutant 7.6 Capt. 7.6 Quar. Mastrs 5.0 Leiut. 6 Rough Ridr 5.0 Cornet 5 Drummer...
26305To John Adams from James Lovell, 1 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
As I was at the Secretaries yesterday I took off a few Resolutions from the Journals for your view, supposing as to the above, that you might have forgotten them, and as to the following, wishing to have your Sentiments. I doubt not you will think it may or may not be proper to take from the minds of foreign Courts the Idea that we are absolutely determind about our conduct towards Great...
26306The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 1 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: American Philosophical Society, Library of Congress, National Archives As we wish the subject of this letter to be well attended to and understood, we shall confine ourselves intirely to the business of such french Gentlemen as have returned without getting employment in north america and particularly those of Monsr. du Coudray’s Corps. Whatever may be the Clamour excited by...
26307Jean Peltier-Dudoyer to the American Commissioners, 1 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library Sur les ordres de Messrs. De Montieu Proprietaire du Navire L’amphitrite et de Beaumarchais Proprietaire de la cargaison, Je me suis transporté ici Pour retirer l’un et L’autre des mains du Sr. Berard, celui-ci m’ayant dit qu’il étoit Porteur de vos ordres Pour disposer de cette cargaison. Je me suis contanté de le sommer de me la délivrer a quoi Il n’a eu...
26308General Orders, 1 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Mr Robert Duncan is appointed Paymaster to the fourth North Carolina regiment, and is to be respected as such. A General Court Martial is to sit to morrow at 9 o’clock in the morng, at the tavern next to Col. Biddle’s quarters, for the trial of all prisoners which shall be brought before them—Col. Ogden is appointed president of this court—Lieut. Cols. Simms, Wallace and Major North and a...
26309To George Washington from Major General John Armstrong, 1 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to recommend, that as early as it may be Safe to make such movement, the Army may pass Over the Scuilkill & take for Some time a position on that Side. With respect to Winter Quarters for the Army—The longer I consider the measure pointed out in the back Villiages of this State, the more inadmissable that Step appears to be, as by the large lattitude thereby given the Enemy thro’...
26310To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 1 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
A few Minutes ago my Friend Mr J. F. returned from the City, in which, he says there are a great many Troops Billeted, the Streets remain without any Cannon in them six or seven Frigates have got up, none ly above Mark⟨et⟩ Street Wharf, neither do they carry above twenty Guns each, the Transports have not as yet unloaded but a little Suga⟨r⟩ and a few pieces of Linnen—Lord Cornwallis has at...