26671To George Washington from Lund Washington, 24 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 11th Inst. is come to hand —I am Sorry Howe has manag’d so as to escape a Drubg. this Campaign I fully expected he woud get one—Your Army we are told are going into Winter Quarters, but whether that will be a means of giveg us the pleasure of your Company at Mount Vernon or not, this winter, we here cannot tell. I wish it may. It gives me Real concern and uneasiness, that we are...
26672Act to Empower the Justices of Cumberland and Fluvanna Counties to Appoint New Places for Holding Their Courts, 24 … (Jefferson Papers)
[ Williamsburg, 24 Dec. 1777 .] Act repeals Act of preceding session directing justices of Cumberland to lay off a town called Effingham where the courthouse was to be located; petitions both from Cumberland and Fluvanna request that Assembly authorize justices to “re-consider their said appointments” of places for the respective courthouses. The Act also repeals that part of the Act of the...
26673Thomas Thompson to the American Commissioners, [before 29 December 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I thot before this to have given you an acct. of our departure; nothing Hinders but wind and weather. Shall forward the accts. &c. at my Departure, and write you fully; I recivd Mr. Franklines Inclosing Mr. Boudiens; also a Letter from Mr. Lee Informing of a spy’s being in Lorient; the time of sailing and the way I intend to go is a matter that remains...
26674Colonel Henry Emanuel Lutterloh’s Instructions for Wagon Masters, 25–26 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
as soon as the Troops have delivered into my Stores all the Tents according to order. I would advise that all those Waggons which carried the Tents were to be delivered up, they could be employed in the Forraging & Commissary Genls Business: I wish also, That all the Colonels & Commanders of Regiments were ordered to See that all the Continentel pressed riding horses were to be delivered up to...
26675From John Adams to Archibald Campbell, 25 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
Three Days ago, I had the Honour of receiving your Letter of the 18th. of December, inclosing Copy of a Letter from Mr. Heman Allen and another from Mr. Boudinot. I was not present in Congress, when the Resolution passed, for your being taken into close Custody But I believe You may assure Yourself, sir, that no suggestion of improper Conduct on your Part as a Prisoner of War, gave Birth to...
26676Stephen Sayre to the American Commissioners, 25 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library When I left Berlin, I meant to have come to Paris by the way of Hambourg, and from thence to Rouan by sea; but on my arrival at Hambourgh, I saw more propriety in coming here. I have reason to think I shall remain here the Winter, therefore beg it as a great favour, that you will send such Letters, as are now under your care, to the Danish Minister at Paris,...
26677Thomas Thompson to the American Commissioners, 25 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Besides the general Letter which I wrote you respecting our Business with Gourlard, Berard & D. Montplesire, I cannot in Justice to Mr. Berard to whose particular management all the Business which concerned the Raleigh was left omit giving this particular Letter. He has transacted every matter to my entire satisfaction like a man of Honour, a Man of...
26678To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Baudouin, 25 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress Je recois la lettre que vous me faittes l’honneur de m’ecrire avec celle qui y etoit jointe, je vais la traduire aussitot et je l’enverray demain a Mr. de Sartine par son courier. Dans cette occasion comme Dans toutte autre, vous me trouverés toujours pret a vous convaincre de toutte la veneration et du respect avec lesquels je...
26679To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte d’Estaing, 25 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Count d’Estaing presents his dutys to the truly right honourable Benjamin Franklin and desires, if it is possible, the favor of his Excellency’s presence but for Nonday near only: he begs pardon for that trouble, Mr. Franklin will be so good as to guess the reason of it: the other Excellency is very deep upon the Punctilio, and it is probable his Higness...
26680To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 25 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Library of Congress I thank you for your very friendly and prudent consideration of my situation in this Country with respect to correspondencies on the subject of the unfortunate differences between the Country and America. Free communications on this subject are by Law interdicted which I think to be one of the greatest misfortunes of the present times. If those who are lovers of...
26681To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Webb, 25 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer of this is a particular Friend of mine. A Mr. Roegler of Leipsig. A long Acquaintance with him myself, as well as the general Sufferage of More who have that Pleasure, confirm me in the Opinion of his being a particularly worthy Character. As such, I take the Liberty to recommend him to an Honor he was very desirous of; that of being introduced...
26682General Orders, 25 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Each brigade is to detach an active, careful subaltern and eight men, who with an Assistant Commissary are to go to such places as the Commissary General, or his Assistant at Camp shall direct, for the purpose of collecting flour, grain, cattle and pork, for the army—Such men are to be selected, as are able of body, and know how to thresh—Lieut. Col. Bayard is to take the command of these...
26683Plan to Attack Philadelphia, 25 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Jameison with the light Horse on the other side Schuylkill to guard the Avenues to the City, & even to form a Chain across from Kensington to Schuylkill; and stop, & secure every Person going in, and coming out. obtaing from them all the Intelligence he can. A Small Party of Horse under a careful Officer to waylay the road from the middle & upper Ferry, & do the same. A Party of foot at each...
26684From George Washington to Richard Caswell, 25 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to receive your Favor of the 25th Ulto, with Its Inclosure by yesterday’s post. A spirit of resigning their Commissions, whether resulting from necessary causes or feigned ones I cannot determine, has been but too prevalent in the Army of late. I have discountenanced it as much as possible, especially where the applications were by Men of merit and in some such instances have...
26685To George Washington from Major John Clark Jr., 25 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
This morning a party of the Enemy with a few Field pieces moved from Derby towards Chester, near the White Horse Tavern they fell in with a small party of our Troops, and a pretty smart Skirmish ensued, the Enemy played their Artillery so warm, that our Troops were soon obliged to give way, we have one man killed, & another wounded with a Cannon ball—& we have taken two prisoners, with their...
26686From George Washington to Elbridge Gerry, 25 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding my last Letters to Congress were very explicit, and expressive of the wants of this Army—the necessity of arranging many matters in it—and making the necessary appointments without a moments loss of time, yet, when I consider the advanced Season, and consult my past experience of delay, I am induced to take the liberty of claiming your particular attention to this business;...
26687To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 25 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Not long since I received a Letter from Colo. Sam. B. Webb, informing me that the fortune of War had thrown him into the Hands of the Enemy, that he was admitted on parole, and was very desirous if possible to effect an Exchange for some British Officer in our hands. As Colo. Webb is an active and good Officer, I beg leave to recommend him to your Excellency’s particular attention, and as an...
26688To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 25 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of writing to Your Excellency yesterday by Colo. Boudinot. This Instant was brought to me a Resolve of Congress dated the 24th in favor of Colonel Barton, which will accompany this. I have in obedience to that Act signed & delivered to Colo. Barton a Commission of Colonel in the Army—that Gentleman will be bearer of this & intends immediately to wait on your Excellency in...
26689To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 25 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have not yet been joined by one Militia Man, I inclose you Genl Pattersons Ltr, which is not very promising of any considerable Aid from them, tho he is now endeavoring to draw them out. Our Fortifications go on slower than I cou’d wish, as I am not able to procure more Tools than for 150 Men to work wth at once, but every Effort shall be exerted to render the Place tenable. The Eagle & 25...
26690To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 25 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I would have wrote you earlier this Morning had we not about Eight oClock heard the report of Several Cannon, yet I cannot learn the Occasion of their fireing. The Enemy keep the Same possition and their Waggons Constantly at work Night & day in geting the forrage from the Islands &c. I have 57 Waggons of my own division at work in Carrying off forrage & Grain from the Neighbourhood of Merrion...
26691To Benjamin Franklin from Le Roy, [on or after 31 December 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Voulez vous bien mon cher Docteur que je vous fasse demander s’il ne vous est pas resté des papiers du manuscrit de M. le Comte de Lacepede sur l’Electricité car je n’ai trouvé parmi ces papiers que le 3 le 4m et le 9 mémoire et selon la table il y doit en avoir 1 2–5, 6, 7, 8–10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. Recevez mille et mille complimens. Addressed: a Monsieur...
26692The American Commissioners to Jean H. Delap, 26 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society Yours of the 19th we received Yesterday and immediately enclosed it to Monsieur De Sartine in a Letter of ours, and have not the least Doubt that Justice will be immediately done. The part you have acted merits our Thanks, and Justice to you requires that we should represent it to our Friends in America, which we shall do in our first Dispatches. You on the...
26693The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 26 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères We beg your Excellency’s Permission to make an appeal from the Judgment of the Admiralty at Nantes which ordains a confiscation of two Prizes (British Westindia Ships) taken legally on the high seas by two American Privateers, and that Your Excellency will be pleased to request his Majesty to suspend the Departure of those Prizes, and their...
26694To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Lacepède, 26 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai osé me flattér que le celebre monsieur francklin voudroit biên agrêer les memoires que j’ai l’honneur de lui envoyér sur un sujét de physique dans lequél les plus sublimes verités lui ont été devoilées: ils font partie, Monsieur, d’un ouvrage plus etendu auquêl je mets dans ce moment cy la derniere main, et que je ne manquerai pas de vous offrir aussi,...
26695To Benjamin Franklin from Lavabre, Doerner & Cie., 26 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Messieurs Lavabre & Doerner ont l’honneur de presenter leurs obeïssances a Monsieur le Docteur francklin et luy envoyent cy inclus une Lettre pour luy qui leur est venuë par le Courier d’amsterdam. Ils prient en même tems mondit sieur francklin de vouloir bien Remettre au porteur les Lettres de Recomandation qu’il a eu la bonté de promettre au sieur Doerner...
26696General Orders, 26 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
A General Court Martial is to sit at the House of Wiley Bodles, near the provost, at nine o’clock, this morning, for the trial of all prisoners which shall be brought before them —Colonel Scammell is appointed president of this court; and a Captain from Muhlenberg’s, 2nd Pennsylvania, Glover’s, Paterson’s, Huntington’s, & McIntosh’s brigades, and a subaltern from Weedon’s, Woodford’s, Scott’s,...
26697To George Washington from Major General John Armstrong, 26 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I cannot yet learn whether the Enemy are return’d to Philada—a person from thence, tells me the Citizens were extreamly alarm’d at the little Noise of the evening before last & it was thought the Ravagers wou’d return as of yesterday —As to persons passing in & out of Town, I see that may be done in oppo[si]tion to all we can do to prevent it, nor can every degree of Marketing be fully Stoped,...
26698To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 26 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you yesterday at one o Clock P.M. , informing you the Enemy had moved towards Chester, after which, I took a circuit round them, their design appeared only to disperse our light parties, to make room for their Waggons to hall the remainder of the Hay from Tinicum Island, & the Hook, My Spy from the City has just arrived, & informs me General Knyphausen commands in Philada, & has but a...
26699From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 26 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The reason of my troubling you at this time is to request that Congress will defer their decision on Genl Woodfords claim of rank for the present. I find that the Gentlemen affected by it are much averst to it, and therefore shall direct the whole to state their Objections, which I shall transmit by the earliest Opportunity, that Congress may be fully possessed of the subject and apprized of...
26700To George Washington from William Livingston, 26 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am quite content to have Lieut. Boskirk, Lieut. Earle & Surgeon Hammel treated as Prisoners of war, being fully convinced by your Excellency’s observations on the Subject of the Propriety of the Measure—They therefore wait your order, being now confined in Trenton Gaol—If you think it for the good of the Service to have Browne treated in like manner, I shall have no Objection after his...