26591To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Franziscus Scheffer, 20 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
It is now a year, since we were taken prisoners; a time, the length of which, we have felt the more heavier, for the disagreeable situations, we have been thrown into, on account of our distance from the army. Want of pecuniary and other supplies exposes us so frequently, and especially now, to the greatest inconveniences; That we are obliged Sir, to lay our circumstances open to you, and to...
26592To George Washington from an Unknown Person, 20 December 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from an Unknown Person, 20 Dec. 1777. In his letter to an Unknown Person of 6 Jan. 1778, GW writes that “I recd yours of the 20th decemr.”
26593From George Washington to Nathaniel Whitaker, 20 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 24th of September inclosing a discourse against Toryism, came safe to my hands. For the honour of the dedication, I return you my sincere thanks, and wish most devoutly that your labour may be crowned with the success it deserves. You also have my gratefl Thanks for your affectionate wishes. With great Esteem and Respect, I am, Reverend Sir, Your mo. obt & obliged hble servt...
26594Reculès de Basmarein & Raimbaux to the American Commissioners, [before 16 May 1778] (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society The house of Basmarein & Raimbaux was going through difficult times. A dynamic man in his early thirties, Basmarein was full of schemes; he had helped Lafayette make his getaway on the Victoire , organized a packetboat service, opened a branch in Charleston, sent more than sixty ships to America in eighteen months. But his losses were tremendous, possibly...
26595To John Adams from James Lovell, 21 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
That you may excuse my vile manner of doing business, know that I am freezing in my little room this morning so that I can scarcely hold my pen, but, I am, here, in quiet. The sealed packet sent before contained Triplicates of Octr. 31st Novr. 1 and 8 which last were only an Introduction of the Bearer Col: Ewen, and an Annunciation of Mr. Laurens’s Election as President so that his Draughts...
26596To John Adams from James Lovell, 21 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
After the Resolve for stopping Burgoyne had passed, some were of opinion that a State of Facts found by the Committee should have preceeded the reasoning. Perhaps you will judge that it is already too laboured a report. I inclose for your own use the State of Facts alluded to which did not enter into the business of Congress; but was only talked of. We have intelligence now that 2 Hoits...
26597From Benjamin Franklin to James Lovell, 21 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress; copy: Yale University Library I see in a Vote of Congress shown me by Capt. Franval, that Mr. Deane is disown’d in some of his Agreements with Officers. I, who am upon the Spot, and know the infinite Difficulty of resisting the powerful Solicitations here of Great Men, who if disobliged might have it in their Power to...
26598From Benjamin Franklin to [Robert Morris?], 21 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Yale University Library I remember that long before I was ordered here, you once did me the Honour to say, you should not dislike being sent to France with me. Since my being here, I have frequently wish’d that Appointment had taken place. I think I should have pass’d my time more comfortably. We are now five of us in this City, all honest and capable Men (if I may include myself in that...
26599William Carmichael to the American Commissioners, 21 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library I have this day renderd an account to Mr. Deane of the Sums disbursd by me on the Public service; I would have given it in sooner, but that I wishd and hopd to have had it in my power to have reimbursd the Whole. I render it to Mr. Deane because the money was cheifly expended under his orders and directions. I offer to become accountable to the Honorable the...
26600Arthur Lee to Franklin and Silas Deane, [21 December 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Lee’s Compliments. Mr. Girard appeared much surprizd at the doubt about the frigate, as he had sent the necessary Dispatches to Passi yesterday which made it plain that no alteration had taken place respecting the frigate at Bordeaux. He thinks Mr. Beaumarchais shoud be desird to bring in his Account, and that we shoud send it to Count V. who will...
26601General Orders, 21 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The field officers who are appointed to superintend the business of hutting, are to call upon Col. Meade at Head Quarters for the model of the huts, and directions about placing them. Four Carpenters, and five expert axmen, from each division are to parade at General Sullivan’s quarters at three o’clock this afternoon —Genl Poor’s and Glover’s brigades to be considered as one division. The...
26602To George Washington from Richard Caswell, 21 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The bearer Mr Charles Forbes was not long since an Ensign in the British Service, had taken some disgust on account of the treatment he received from some of the Officers, and thereupon left the service, went to Bermuda—and from thence came into this state, with a design of entering into the Service of the United States, of America, by the advice of the Council of State he hath been permitted...
26603From George Washington to Major John Clark, Jr., 21 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 18th and 19th and last night with that of the 20th The inclosed, which you will be kind enough to carry or send to Genl Potter immediately, as it is of consequence, among other things directs him to look into the matter of Mr Trumbulls provision and to have it restored to him. Genl potter is somewhere between Radnor and Merion Meeting. If you will...
26604To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 21 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of this Date, a Spy from the City & the Express arrived a few Minutes ago, the former confirms the account of the Enemy’s intention to plunder, they intend to visit Derby, Marple & Springfield Townships this Week, so says “Mr Nat. Vernon in confidence to Mr Joshua Humphreys of Philada.” Yesterday six large flat bottom’d Boats (with about 70 Privates) returned from...
26605To George Washington from General William Howe, 21 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have deferred answering your Letter of the 28th November, daily expecting to receive the promised List of Prisoners in your Possession, which I was sorry to find Mr Boudinot had no Knowledge of when he met my Commissary on the 2d Instant; but having directed a Letter to be written to him on that Subject, I trust he will not longer delay so necessary a Communication, more particularly when I...
26606From George Washington to Brigadier General James Potter, 21 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Major Clark has wrote to me several times about some provision that a Mr Trumbull was sending in to Philada by his permission as a cover to procure intelligence, this provision was seized by Colo. Rankin and has been since detained by him. I desire you will give order to have it delivered for unless we now and then make use of such means to get admittance into the City, we cannot expect to...
26607To Alexander Hamilton from George Clinton, 22–23 December 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ December 22–23, 1777 . On December 28 Clinton wrote to Hamilton : “I was favoured with the Receipt of your Letter of the 22d Instant some Days since and returned a short Answer to it by the Express who brought it.” Letter not found .]
26608To John Adams from Henry Marchant, 22 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
Tho’ we are withdrawn from the Grand Congress and are about Eighty miles Assunder, yet I would hope to hold a little litterary Congress this Winter. I am retired upon my Farm in the Wood. The Publick Cause however now and then draws me out—but I have not that Chance of knowing how the Ship sails as you have, and I would beg now and then You would give me an Extract from the logbook. I was...
26609From Alexander Hamilton to George Clinton, 22 December 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
During my stay in this place, I have received intimations that certain officers high in command in this quarter have been guilty of practices, equally unjust, disgraceful to the Army, and injurious to the common cause; I mean seizing the property of the inhabitants of this State, and converting it to their own use, without any compensation either to the right owners, or to the State. A...
26610From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 22 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: University of Virginia Library; eight copies, five incomplete: National Archives; incomplete copies: Harvard University Library, South Carolina Historical Society I received yours of the 15th and am concerned as well as you at the Difference betwen Messrs. Deane and Lee but cannot help it. You need however be under no concern as to your Orders being only from Mr. Deane. As you have...
26611To Benjamin Franklin from W Hayes, 22 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I flatter myself an explanation of the Inclos’d paper, with you will be a sufficient excuse for the Liberty I have taken; to Sollicit you in favor of an Orphan; whose Father I belive had the Honor of a place in your esteem, which was the late Mr. Huske M:P: for Malden in Essex; who unfortunately Died in this Town in very Indigent Curcumstances, in...
26612General Orders, 22 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The good of the service requiring at this time, the attention of officers and soldiers to duty, the General orders, that no furloughs be granted to officers above the rank of Captain, but from himself; nor to those below rank, but from the Major General, or Officer commanding the division, they belong to: Non-commissioned Officers and privates may be furloughed by their respective Brigadiers,...
26613From George Washington to Maj. Gen. John Armstrong, 22 December 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. John Armstrong, c.22 Dec. 1777. In his first letter to GW of 23 Dec. , Armstrong writes of “your Excellens. favour which came to hand last night.”
26614From George Washington to the Board of War, 22 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 14th Instant I received on Saturday Evening. The Release of Genl Thompson is what I wish much to effect. No circumstances have arisen since his captivity by which it could be accomplished. Your Letter is the first & only information, I have had respecting Genl Hamiltons desire of being exchanged & remaining in America, having never received a Line from Genl Gates or any...
26615To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 22 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
A large Body of the Enemy are on their march to Derby, where they must have arrived by this time, the number uncertain, but you may rely are formidable, they certainly mean to forage where I mentioned in my Letter of Yesterday—at 8 this morning about 20 Dragoons of the Enemy came up to the Fox Chase, to give the alarm, & then took the route to Derby—I have alarmed Morgan—the Genl is rode out...
26616To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 22 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just returned from Springfield, having met one of my Spies on the Road, he informs me Genl Sr Wm Howe Sr Wm Erskine & a number of other Generals are with the party at Derby, refreshing the Troops—they have a very formidable Body with them—my Spy was taken by their advanced Guard one Mile this side Derby, on the Springfield Road—& carried to the Generals at Derby—they’ve made great many...
26617To George Washington from Maj. John Clark, 22 December 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. John Clark, Jr., 22 Dec. 1777. Clark says in the postscript of his letter to GW of 23 Dec. that “I wrote you by Express last Evening.”
26618From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 22 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
On Saturday Evening I had the honor to receive your Favor of the 17th Inst. with it’s Inclosure. The next day I wrote to Genl Burgoyne upon the subject of his application & transmitted him a Copy of the Resolution of Congress founded thereon. That the matter might not be delayed, I dispatched my Letter by the Express who brought yours, he having informed that you expected he would be sent with...
26619To George Washington from Brigadier General James Potter, 22 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
By a young man Just came from the City I am informed that the enemy have hard of Genl Solavan going to Willmington and thy give it out that the will send eight pieces of Cannon and a number of men to Rout him it is beleved that there Number is not more then 6000 men in City. the Boy says the most of there Troops are out of the City. I am Excelanceys Humble servant ALS , DLC:GW . Potter is...
26620To George Washington from Brigadier General James Potter, 22 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I sent Capt. Lives of with 5 men when I wrote you he is Just Returned and says the enemy are in Darbey with a large Number and going aplundring of three Townships. I am Sir your Most Humble Servant ALS , DLC:GW . For more information on this British foraging expedition, see Daniel Morgan to GW (first letter), 23 Dec., n.1 .
26621To George Washington from Brigadier General James Potter, 22 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
the enemy are in two partys and going up into Spring field and the other nearder to the Chister Road we have parties observing there mosions and will be able to let you Know where they encamp this night they have a great number of waggans with them. I am your Excelan. Humble servant ALS , DLC:GW .
26622From George Washington to James Potter, 22 December 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to James Potter, 22 Dec. 1777. In his fourth letter to GW of this date, written at 11:00 p.m. , Potter mentions that he had “Just Receved you Excelanceys favours of seven and Eight oClock this evening.”
26623To George Washington from Brigadier General James Potter, 22 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have Just Receved you Excelanceys favours of seven and Eight oClock this evening the enemy are not moved towards Wilimington they ley en Camped from Philip Prices to Joshewa Asshes Place on the Road leading from Darby to Springfield meetinghous —your pleaseed to Inform me that you will send down fifteen choice partys as soon as they can be perreaded then you Aske me to Inform you of the...
26624From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 22 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy marched out of Philada this morning early with a considerable Body. Their intent is said to be to forage, but lest they may have something further in view, I think it proper to put you upon your guard. They incamp this Evening near Derby. I have this day recd information that the Troops which were embarked some days ago, and were said to be destined for New York are designed to land...
26625To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 22 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Our March being retarded on the 19th Inst. by the Commissarys not furnishing Provision till the Eveng, prevented our seting off, ’till 4 Oclock in the Morning of the 20th, & after a fatiguing & rapid March, arrived here at 9 Oclock in the Morning of the 21st, with all the Troops Artillery and Ordnance Stores &c. safe; we have compleated one Battery mounting two Guns at the Bridge; and are now...
26626To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 22 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
According to the saying of Solomon, hunger will break thro’ a stone Wall; It is therefore a very pleasing Circumstance to the Division under my Command, that there is a probability of their marching. Three Days successively, we have been destitute of Bread. Two Days we have been intirely without Meat. It is not to be had from the Commissaries. Whenever we procure Beef, it is of such a vile...
26627From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 23 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
On my Return from Portsmouth, to which Place I made an Excursion upon a certain maritime Cause, I Yesterday met your kind Letter of Decr. 3. from the Camp at White Marsh. I thank you Sir for the assurances you give me of your Attention to Mr. Smiths Concern, with which I acquainted him, upon my first Reading of your Letter. Am much pleased with your Account of the Strength of the Army, and I...
26628From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 23 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
Having been Absent, on a Journey, I had not the Honour of receiving your Letters, until Yesterday when one of the Twenty Eighth of November inclosing a Resolution of Congress of the Same Day, and another of the third of December inclosing a Commission for Dr Franklin Dr Lee and Myself to represent the United States at the Court of France, were delivered to me in Boston. As I am deeply...
26629To Alexander Hamilton from Edward Stevens, 23 December 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Tho’ I have written you so repeatedly since my Arrival in Scotland, without having ever received an Answer, and ‘tho’ I am, at present, uncertain whether you have escaped those Dangers, to which you have been so long exposed in Defence of the glorious Cause in wh: you are engaged; yet so anxious am I to hear Something concerning you, and to convince you that I still retain the most sincere and...
26630John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 23 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Boston Public Library Your esteemed favor of the 17th. I have recived. I wish to leave the Ranger in such a situation as to expect to find her nearly ready for Sea on my return, as I think it will be for the intrest of the Service that I should then proceed with her alone Unless an Additional force can be very soon procured. Should circumstances Admit, an Additional force may be...
26631Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners: Two Letters, 23 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS and copy: University of Virginia Library; (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society Capt. Nicholson is gone to Painbeuf to see his Ship. I inclose a Letter he has written to Mr. Dean, since which I find the expected orders are arrived and we are now to meet no Difficulties. Your orders relative to M. Montieu’s Cloaths are too late as they are already gone on board. I had not your...
26632Madame Brillon to William Temple Franklin, [23 December 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Je suis on ne peut pas plus faché de ce que votre bon papa a du monde le jour de noël qui l’empesche de me faire l’amitié de venir disnér avéc moi; je me faisois la plus grande féste de passér cétte journée avéc lui, j’esperois qu’il seroit libre: il me fera le plus grand plaisir de venir a 6 heures aprés midi jouér aux échécs avéc moi, je lui promést de la...
26633To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Walpole, 23 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I thank you for your very kind remembrance of me, and for your valuable present to my Son. He is extremely flatter’d with it and as his desire to preserve an impression of your person shew’d some virtuous disposition in him, I hope he will study and imitate your conduct if he should ever be called to the service of his Country. The Confidence which the...
26634To Benjamin Franklin from Patience Wright, 23 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Barer of this is Mr. George Searle at whos request I gave him this, your address. He is the Person that has advanc’d the Twenty guineas for my Bill on you, of this date, drawn for the Use of Mr. Platt and is otherways our good Friend, and I have once more the honour to Subscribe my Self your honor’s most oblig’d humble Servant Addressed: To / Miss Phebe...
26635General Orders, 23 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Those men engaged in building the bridge, under General Sullivan’s direction, are to be supplied with provisions by themselves, upon General Sullivan’s order, and are therefore to be deducted from the regimental provision returns. Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
26636To George Washington from Major General John Armstrong, 23 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday, prior to your Excellens. favour which came to hand last night, I had dispatch’d an Express to the Council of this State in regard to a Continued Succession of the Militia thro’ the Winter—this I had in effect done by a former letter, but Yesterday have been explicit. About 200 fine Cattle are gone forward to you, with these I have Sent a Guard & thro the hurry of business forgot to...
26637From George Washington to Maj. Gen. John Armstrong, 23 December 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. John Armstrong, c.23 Dec. 1777. In his second letter to GW of 23 Dec. , Armstrong writes that he had “received your Excellys Favour this Afternoon.”
26638To George Washington from Major General John Armstrong, 23 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellys Favour this Afternoon & shall as far as in my Power endeavour to obey your Commands. Upon conferring with Persons who have the best Opportunities of knowing the Circumstances of the Country between this & Philada I am of Opinion that instead of there being a Surplus beyond the Wants of the Inhabitants they will have great Difficulty to reach the Spring with the little...
26639To George Washington from the Board of War, 23 December 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from the Board of War, 23 Dec. 1777. In his letter to the Board of War of 2–3 Jan. 1778 , GW writes that “Your several Letters of the 23d, 24th & 27th Ulto have been recieved.”
26640To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 23 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
One of my Spies has just come from General Howes quarters at Mr Prices, he went down the private Road from Garrets undiscovered ’till he got to the General quarters almost, his Troops are encamped all along the Road from the Ferry, to the high Ground on this side Derby, at Justice Parkers on Springfield Road, their picket on this side, is kept at the intersection of the Providence, &...