26431To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 8 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
Since my last the Situation of the Camp has prevented the Committee of Congress from transacting the Business of their Appointment. The Enemy, the Evening after the Date of my letter, marched out with their whole Force, which is said to consist of twelve thousand five hundred Effectives. We received Information of their preparations, a Day or two before, by persons who left the City; and the...
26432To John Adams from James Lovell, 8 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
Since my signing a letter to you with Colo. Lee an excellent opportunity of sending to France presented; and the Colonel in his way home has carried a Packet to Baltimore, which will go to the Commissioners in a swift sailing armed Vessel. No: 1 contained Triplicates of Letters dated Octr. 31st. Novr. 1st. and Novr 8th No. 2 A Letter of Decr. 1st. and Resolves respecting Frenchmen Sept. 8. 13....
26433The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 8 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; two copies: Archivo Historico Nacional The Commissioners from the Congress of the United States of America, beg leave to represent to your Excellency, that it is near a year since they had the Honour of putting into your Hands the Propositions of the Congress for a Treaty of Amity and Commerce with this Kingdom, to which, with sundry other...
26434Franco and Adrianus Dubbeldemuts to the American Commissioners, 8 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We had the honnour to write You Our Last on the 21st of Last monthy since which we are honoured with Your moast Esteemed favour of the 23 of Last month in answer Serves that we are Greatly obliged to you for the Goodnes you have had to forward the papers Send you and as we are willing to send according Your good advice the Duplicat to our frends in st....
26435To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Goudeman, 8 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Ne croyez pas que je saisisse le moment de vos succès pour vous demander une juste faveur. Il y a longtemps que j’avois prévu cette victoire, et ce n’est pas la derniere que vos Braves et Vertueux compatriotes remporteront sur leurs tirans. Mais ce n’est pas de quoi il est ici question. Un de mes amis, de Province, me prie, Monsieur, de vous adresser le...
26436To Benjamin Franklin from Catherine Macaulay, 8 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have some affaires which demand my immediat return to England. You are very sensible that the suspenssion of the Habeas Corpus Act subjects me to an immediat imprisonment on any suspicion of my having held a correspondence with your Countrymen on this side the Water. This Sir is the only reason why I did not fix a day to have the honor of seeing you at my...
26437To Benjamin Franklin from Courtney Melmoth, [8 December? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I took the first opportunity, after my Arrival in Paris from the Country, to wait on the worthy Mr. Dubourg. He mention’d his having offer’d to your Inspection, Sir, a little hasty Ode that was addressed to you. When I avow myself the Author of that Copy of Verses, it is merely in the Hope that it may discover enough of my Heart and my Wishes to induce you...
26438General Orders, 8 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief returns his warmest thanks to Col. Morgan, and the officers and men of his intrepid corps, for their gallant behaviour in the several skirmishes with the enemy yesterday—He hopes the most spirited conduct will distinguish the whole army, and gain them a just title to the praises of their country, and the glory due to brave men—They will remember, that they are engaged in...
26439To George Washington from Bryan Fairfax, 8 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Now that the Winter Season will put a Stop to the Operations of War, and Yr Excellency will probably have a little more Leisure than usual, I sit down to write to You, and tho’ I have Nothing to communicate worthy your Notice, yet if it be only to renew my Thanks for your late Kindness, and to keep up Your Remembrance of me it may not be improper but yet I ought not to do it so as to give You...
26440To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 8 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I shall not attempt to describe what, as a private Gentleman, I cannot help feeling, on representing to my Mind, the disagreeable Situation, which confidential Letters, when exposed to public Inspection, may place an unsuspecting Correspondent to; but, as a public Officer, I conjure your Excellency, to give me all the Assistance you can, in tracing out the Author of the Infedelity, which put...
26441To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 8 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since my last trouble of the 1st Inst. Your Excellency’s favor of that date reached me & was reported to Congress—I have at present only to transmit a Resolve of Congress of the 3d Inst. calculated for effecting the Exchange of the Baron de St Ouary now a prisoner with the Enemy in Philadelphia or to obtain for him treatment Suitable to his Rank in the french Army. Congress have taken under...
26442To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 8 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The favourable Sentiments which your Excellency has more than once been pleased to express of Coll Livingston both to the late Convention, & the committee of arrangement, with less effect than I had reason to hope for from their declared opinion of his merrit, & the respect due to your Excellencys recommendation, induces me to trouble you on his account, more especialy as the honour he...
26443From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 9 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
Some day next Week Mr. John Thaxter, will Sett off, on his Journey for York Town. You may remember, the Want of Secretaries and Clerks, which We suffered before I came away, and that I agreed to send you one or more. Mr. Thaxter is of a good Family, was educated at H. Colledge, and has Spent three Years in the study of the Law in my office, and was last Summer Admitted to the Bar. You may...
26444From John Adams to Daniel Roberdeau, 9 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
I have never found an Opportunity, of presenting my Respects to you, Since I left York Town, till now. We had as prosperous, and pleasant a Journey, as bad Weather and worse Roads would admit: But I had great Pleasure in observing the growing Confidence of the People all along the Journey, in the Justice, Stability and Success of our great and glorious Cause. In this Part of the Continent We...
26445To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Jacques Bachelier, 9 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’aurois eté vous faire mon Compliment de felicitation sur les heureux succes dont l’Europe Retentit sans l’accident qui est arivé a mon Epouse une Epeingle qu’elle a avalé, nous à alarmé pour sa vie. Je profite du premier moment de soulagement qu’elle Eprouve pour me Rejouir avec vous de ce que la Cause de l’humanité est triomphante. Je suis avec Respect...
26446To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Jacques Caffiéri, 9 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous prie de recevoir mes complimens de l’heureux succés de l’armé Ameriquaine qui vient de remporter une victoire complette sur les anglois; je vous en félicite. Je désire que leurs conquêtes prosperent de jour en jour pour que les treize Provinces ûnie jouissent de la liberté et de la Paix qu’elles méritent à tous Egards. Je prie M. votre petit fils...
26447To Benjamin Franklin from John Thurston, 9 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society From the Knowledge I have of your Goodness, and the Small acquaintance, I was Hon’d. with by you, at Philadelphia and New York, I hope you will Excuse the freedom I take, in recommending the Bearer Mr. Fowler, who Am Certain, you’l find to be a faithfull Honest Man. I am your Excellencys Most Obliged Humble Servant PS. The Bearer is pofects [perfecting?]...
26448General Orders, 9 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The tents are near the bridge, on the Skippack road, and so many are to be immediately sent for and pitched, as are necessary for officers and men that have not huts, that will keep themselves and their arms dry: But the General earnestly recommends, that no more tents be pitched than are absolutely necessary to shelter the troops. Neither officers nor men are to be absent from camp upon any...
26449To George Washington from Maj. John Clark, 9 December 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. John Clark, Jr., 9 Dec. 1777. In his letter to Clark of this date , GW wrote: “I am favd with yours of 8 OClock this Morning.”
26450From George Washington to Major John Clark, Jr., 9 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of 8 OClock this Morning. I fancy your intelligencer is mistaken as to the number of wounded; but they had a pretty warm brush with Morgans Corps, in which he thinks he killed and wounded a good many —Genl Potter is gone over to the West side of Schulylkill again, be pleased to represent the matter of the provision to him and let him know it is my desire that Colo. Rankin...
26451To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 9 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
An Act of the general Assembly passed last Year empowering me to appoint some proper person to reinlist the Virginia Troops. I did appoint General Stephen, & several Letters passed between us upon the Subject, and by an Extract of a Letter from him to me which I inclose, it appears considerable Progress was made by him in that Business. I have heard that General Stephen is no longer in...
26452To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 9 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy having returned ingloriously and the season far advanced makes it necessary that the Troops should be fixed to some place for the Winter. I have now thought proper to mention to Your Excellency, a subject that I once tuched on before, which was, that it was absolutely necessary to relieve the Jersey Militia from their constant duty, by Continental Troops to enable them to fill up...
26453III. Reply of Senate to House of Delegates concerning Money Bills, [9 December 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
The Senate wish to have their institution clearly understood, and the bounds of their authority marked, satisfied that a wide door must stand open to contest, were this not to be the case. They prize very highly the harmony so justly valued by the House of Delegates; whilst that reigns, the public happiness will probably be most effectually sustained. This principle, so useful in the conduct...
26454To John Adams from Nathan Rice, 10 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to congratulate you on your return to your family and frends, of which I am advertised by the weekly Gazette. It must afford not less satisfaction to the state in general to have your presence and council at this critical period, on the transactions of which depend its future happiness and tranquility—than it does to your family and private connections, to imbrace after a tedious...
26455To Alexander Hamilton from Hugh Knox, 10 December 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
The fine, impartial, laconic & highly descriptive account you favour’d me with of the last Years Campain, in your letter of March last, excited in me, & many of your other friends here, an earnest desire of farther accounts from your pen of the succeeding fortunes of the Great American War; A War which will, one day, shine more illustriously in the historic page, than any which has happened...
26456From Benjamin Franklin to Goudeman, 10 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society We consider M. Wuibert as one of our Countrymen. Hundreds of them are in the same Situation. We have propos’d to the British Court, thro’ their Ambassador here an Exchange of Prisoners in Europe. The Proposition was rejected with Insolence. We have no Interest with that Court to procure Favour. That Gentlemen may depend on our taking the same Care &...
26457To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Blin, 10 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Habitant d’un Paÿs voüé depuis Longtems au commerçe et partageant avec Mes Patriottes un Interest bien permis a la deffense des vaillans americains, Il y auroit il de L’indiscretion de ma part, a vous demander, Monsieur, sur le sort de Leurs armes, des nouvelles, que nôtre Gazette nous refuse avec constançe? Elle ne produit que des Lettres de contradiction...
26458General Orders, 10 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The army to march at four o’clock in the morning from the right —A Subaltern from each regiment and a Captain from each brigade, under the command of a Field Officer from the line, are to assemble at General Knox’s quarters in the morning and remain ’till the Army moves off the ground, and then see that all stragglers in the camp, and its environs, are collected and marched after it—They are...
26459Order of March from Whitemarsh, Pennsylvania, 10 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
To his Excellency Gen. Washington Commander in Chief of the American Army. Persuant to your Excellency’s Orders We have consider’d upon a proper Order of March for the Army in crossing the Schulkill & recommend that the Troops march in the following Order Viz. Part of Pennsylvania Militia under Potter first. The Baggage Stores and Park of Artillery to cross at Sweeds Ford setting off at least...
26460To George Washington from Ephraim Blaine, 10 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Pursuant to your Excellencys order of the 21st Ulto I proceeded to Jerseys to procure flour or Wheat for bread for the army and also directed part thereof for the purpose of Loading Waggons orderd by the Commissary General to the Eastward, for Salt: being disapointed in a quantity of flour I expected at Easton for that purpose. Mr Robert Willson my assistant purchaser at Hacketts town...
26461To George Washington from a Continental Congress Camp Committee, 10 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
In Consequence of the conferences we have had with your Excellency, and knowing yours and your General Officers opinions on the Subject of our Mission, we have come to the resolution’s contained in the enclosed paper, finding them as far as we can judge most consistent with the Public good. Among the many reasons offered against a Winters Campaigne we were sorry to observe one of the most...
26462From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 10 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with yours of the 22d ulto on Wednesday last, but the Situation which the Army has since been in has prevented me from answering it before—Genl Howe had been for some time preparing for a move which every account from the City informed me was intended against this Army. On Thursday Evening he advanced as far as Chesnut Hill and in the Morning he appeared upon the Heights about...
26463From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 10 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform you, that in the course of last week from a variety of intelligence I had reason to expect that Genl Howe was preparing to give us a general Action. Accordingly on Thursday night he moved from the City with all his Force, except a very inconsiderable part left in his Lines & Redoubts, and appeared the next morning on Chesnut Hill in front of, & about three miles...
26464From George Washington to Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, Jr., 10 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving yours of the 21st ulto on Wednesday last, but such has been the Situation of the two Armies since, that I have not had an opportunity of answering it before this time. Genl Howe had been for several days making great preparations for a move which they did not scruple to say was intended against this Army, threatning to drive us beyond the Mountains. On Thursday...
26465The American Commissioners: Instructions to John Thornton, [11 December 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AD (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Library of Congress, Harvard University Library The mistreatment of American prisoners of war in England had long been on the commissioners’ minds. In February they had suggested to Lord Stormont an exchange, and the Ambassador had not replied. In April they had sent him depositions to back their claim that the British were behaving like savages, and to...
26466From Benjamin Franklin to Sir Grey Cooper, 11 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Library of Congress, Harvard University Library Receiving frequent Accounts by American Prisoners, who have escap’d from your Goals, of the miserable Situation and hard Treatment of their Countrymen at Portsmouth and Plymouth, we have prevail’d with a Gentleman, Major Thornton, (to us much a Stranger but who appears a Man of Humanity) to visit the...
26467From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 11 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Virginia Library Mr. Franklin’s Compliments to Mr. A. Lee; sends him two Papers containing Facts relating to the Treatment of Prisoners; and begs to be excus’d waiting on him to day at dinner, as he shall be necessarily employ’d at home in preparing Dispatches for England, otherwise the Gentleman cannot set out this Evening nor to-morrow if they are not ready to day, as we...
26468From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Walpole, 11 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : David Holland, London (1955) I ought long since to have acknowledg’d the Receipt of the Bills you sent me, in full Discharge of the Ballance of our Account. For which I thank you. I am sorry Lord Chatham’s Motion for a Cessation of Arms, was not agreed to. Every thing seems to be rejected by your mad Politicians that would lead to Healing the Breach; and every thing done that can tend to...
26469General Orders, 11 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . GW arrived at Swede’s Ford, Pa., sometime after noon on 11 Dec. and headquartered there for two days.
26470To George Washington from Colonel Theodorick Bland, 11 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have detached Let Coll Temple with a small Party from Matsons to the Lancaster Road with orders to fall in at the Seventeen milestone and proceed down the road on the front of the Enemy (dataching a party to gain their left) and if they are on the retreat to move down & Join me as low as Marian Meeting, Majr Jamison with another party I detached about two or three mile in the rear of this...
26471From George Washington to William Livingston, 11 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of receiving yours of the 1st inst. some days since, but the Situation which the Army has been in, must apologize for my not answering it sooner. Genl Howe after making great preparations, and threatning to drive us beyond the Mountains, came out with his whole force last thursday Evening, and after maneuvering round us till the Monday following, decamped very hastily and...
26472From George Washington to Lund Washington, 11 December 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Lund Washington, 11 Dec. 1777. Lund Washington writes in his letter to GW of 24 Dec. that “Yours of the 11th Inst. is come to hand.”
26473From John Jay to Philip Schuyler, 11 December 1777 (Jay Papers)
Your very friendly Letter of the 6 th : Ult. was this Moment delivered. In what careless Hands it has lain so long I cannot concieve. An Expectation of being speedily sent to Albany induced me to defer answering your Favor of the 17 Ult. ^ Oct r ^ till I should have the Pleasure of a personal Interview. Our wise ones however for certain Reasons have suffered the Constitution to lay dormant,...
26474The American Commissioners to Lord North, 12 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Evening Post , January 24–27, 1778 From motives of duty, and an earnest desire of mitigating the calamities of war, we proposed, near a year since, to the King of Great Britain’s Ambassador here, an Exchange of prisoners in Europe. The answer we received must have been made known to your Lordship, and the world will judge of its decency. It would have been honourable for...
26475Dumas to the American Commissioners, 12 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Les grandes joies sont muettes, ainsi que les grandes douleurs. Je vous félicite de tout mon coeur; et Dieu benisse l’Am. unie. En reponse à la Lettre de Mr. A. Lee du 4e. je n’ai rien eu de plus pressé que d’envoyer sur le champ aux gazettiers, tant françois que holl[andois], copie fidèle et exacte, sans changer, ajouter, ni retrancher un seul mot,...
26476To Benjamin Franklin from “Amicus,” 12 December 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
D : Yale University Library <Pennsylvania Coffee House, London, December 12, 1777: I have recently seen a paper supposedly written to facilitate American borrowing. It would do credit to any author; its case for the inevitable growth of America will convince every intelligent reader. Great Britain has achieved pre-eminence during the past eighty years for two reasons, the growth of her...
26477General Orders, 12 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
A careful subaltern from each brigade is to repair this day to the last encampment of the army, to collect and take care of the sick and conduct them to Reading—These officers are to apply to the regimental Surgeons for information where to find the sick of their brigades—Every motive of duty and humanity requires the most exact attention to this order—Drs Draper and Campbell, at Mr West’s...
26478To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 12 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of writing to you the 8th Inst. by Messenger Barry. Your Excellency will find under this cover an important act of Congress calculated for availing your Excellency’s Troops & for depriving those of the Enemy, of the benefit of provisions adjacent to Philadelphia. I beg leave to refer your Excellency to the paper and that you will be pleased to excuse brevity as I am confined...
26479To George Washington from Fielding Lewis, 12 December 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Fielding Lewis, 12 Dec. 1777. A two-page ALS with a three-line docket by GW was offered for sale in two nineteenth-century dealer’s catalogs, both of which printed excerpts from the letter. The first excerpt reads: “ as the Enemy have got up their Ships to Philadelphia and it may be necessary to Keep the army near that place to prevent Gen. Howe ravaging the Country ” (...
26480To George Washington from William Shippen, Jr., 12 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of your Excellencys direction which I received to day from Dr Cochran I have given orders to have the sick removed from Trenton—& will immediately direct the removal of those at Princeton, if you think tis absolutely necessary, altho they are now very comfortably situated & it will be fatal to many of them to move. If it can be allowed, I should wish two or three weeks...