26851From George Washington to the Board of War, 2–3 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your several Letters of the 23d, 24th & 27th Ulto have been recieved. Agreable to your request I shall communicate to Genl Howe the information you have recieved respecting Captn Dick and the other American Officers, with your determination to retaliate on an equal number of their Officers, till Captain Dick &c. are relieved from their cruel & unjustifiable treatment. It would be a happy...
26852Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 2 January 1778 (Adams Papers)
Great Advantages are often Attended with Great Inconveniencies, And Great Minds Called to severe tryals. If your Dearest Friend had not Abilities to Render such important services to his Country, he would not be Called to the self Denying task of leaving for a time His Beloved Wife and Little pratling Brood. Therefore while I Weep with my Friend the painful abscence, I Congratulate her that...
26853Dumas to the American Commissioners, 2 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook summary: Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Rendu compte des mêmes rapports de la Lettre précédente. Prié encore qu’ils m’écrivent des choses obligeantes pour Mr. Van Berckel. Instruction pour conserver le beurre. Demandé des nouvelles de Mr. Symeon Deane. We have again silently expanded his abbreviations. The previous letter is that of Dec. 30; the instructions about butter are those...
26854James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 2 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honor of advising you the 29th. ultimo of the departure of the Raleigh and Alfred Frigates. I am now to inform you, that in consequence of your power to me dated December last, I apply’d to Mr. Gourlade of this place on the subject of it; as much from a desire of complying with your and Mr. Chaumont’s intention, as judging him worthy of that...
26855To Benjamin Franklin from Francesco Maria Xaverio Catani, 2 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society L’homme est né pour l’homme c’est une verité inconnüe a bien des Gens, et qui Vous, Monsieur, savez la pratiquer. Je suis un Italien, vous etes Ameriquain: ces sont deux lieux bien opposés; mais tous ceux qui cultivent les Lettres sont Paysans, et Amis. Il y á un Monde pour eux tout particulier. J’ai travaillé toute ma vie sur les observations, qu’un homme...
26856General Orders, 2 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief, to prevent unnecessary Applications for Furloughs informs the Officers that none will be granted by him unless the Officers who apply for the same produce Certificates from the Major Generals of the Divisions to which they belong, that the state of their Regiments will admit of their absence from Camp. And it is expected that the Major-Generals previous to their giving...
26857From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel William Brent, 2 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are to proceed to Wms Burg as expeditiously as you possibly can. You will apply to His Excelly the Governor & the Honorable The Council & take their advice on the most speedy mode for apprehending the Deserters from the Regt to which you belong—A return of which You have with you. You will also apply for the residue of the men to Complete the Regt previous to It’s March from Willms...
26858From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 2 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you will receive a Copy of a Letter from General Varnum to me, upon the means which might be adopted for completing the Rhode Island Troops to their full proportion in the Continental Army—I have nothing to say in addition to what I wrote the 29th of last month on this important subject, but to desire that you will give the Officers employed in this business all the assistance in your...
26859From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 2 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Captain Hopkins of Colonel Moylans Light Dragoons goes to Boston to procure Cloathing & accoutrements for the Regiment against the ensuing Campaign. As the prices of many articles have risen from there being too great a number of Bidders, I have directed the Captain, if there are any Persons Purchasing for the Continent not to interfere with them, but, to apply to them for such articles as he...
26860From George Washington to Captain David Hopkins, 2 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Being appointed by Colo. Moylan to procure cloathing & accoutrements for the Regt against the ensuing Campaign, you are to repair immediately to Boston as the most probable place of furnishing yourself. Upon your arrival you will see Major Blackden, who has similar instructions with these, & with him you will determine on your manner of proceeding on this business, that you may not by any...
26861From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel James Innes, 2 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Continental Forces from Virginia being at present in a situation, that requires the exertion of some officer in that state to collect together the reinlisted Soldiers of the old Regiments—as well as the recruits & Draughts intended to compleat those & the six additional Battalions—you are while in Virginia, in aid to any superior officer who may be there with Instructions to pay particular...
26862From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 2 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of introducing Major John Clark, the Bearer of this, to your notice. He entered the Service at the commencement of the War and has for some time past acted as Aid de Camp to Major Genl Greene. He is active, sensible and enterprising and has rendered me very great assistance since the army has been in Pennsylvania by procuring me constant and certain intelligence of the...
26863From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 2 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of transmitting to you the Inclosed Copies of a Letter from me to Genl Conway since his return from York to Camp, and of Two Letters from him to me, which you will be pleased to lay before Congress. I shall not in this Letter animadvert upon them, but after making a single observation submit the whole to Congress. If General Conway means by cool receptions mentioned in the...
26864To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 2 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed came to my hand only a few days past altho from its date it appears to have been written long since. There are some useful suggestions in it, and therefore I send it to you—I do not know the Writers reason for dating it in April 1776 when from some parts in the body of the writing, it must have been written in the cours of the year 1777. The arts of the enemies of America are...
26865To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 2 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am Directed by a Number of the Genl officers of the Army to Enclose your Excellency a memorial from them to Congress which they beg you to peruse & forward as Soon as Convenient—The General officers further Direct me to Inform your Excellency That The Inclosed Memorial Shows forth as well The Sentiments of the General officers absent as those who have Signed. I have the Honor to be with The...
26866To George Washington from Trenton and Mercer County Magistrates, 2 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Having, with much Concern, been informed that four Regiments of the Light Dragoons of the Army are ordered to be quartered in this Town for the Winter for the Purpose of recruiting, and to be exempt from Duty; and apprehending that, if our Information be true, Your Excellency must have been greatly misinformed respecting the present State and Condition of the Town and the adjacent Country, we,...
26867To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 2 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The two Battalions from the State of Rhode Island being small, & there being a Necessity of the State’s furnishing an additional Number to make up their Proportion in the continental Army; The Field Officers have represented to me the Propriety of making one temporary Battalion from the two, so that one intire Core of Officers may repair to Rhode Island, in order to receive & prepare the...
26868Lieutenant Colonel John Fitzgerald to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 2 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Inclosed Letter is just come to hand which his Excellency orders to be forwarded to you, that you make proper Enquiry into the truth of the Facts mention’d therin; & Issue such orders as you find necessary for the Reformation of those or any other Abuses or irregulariti⟨es⟩ you find to be committ’d in Lancaster, York, or other such places as you go to whilst absent from Camp. One Step the...
26869From John Jay to James De Lancey, 2 January 1778 (Jay Papers)
Notwithstanding the opposition of our Sentiments & Conduct relative to the present Contest, the Friendship which subsisted between us is not forgotten, nor will the good Offices ^ formerly ^ done me by yourself & Family cease to excite my Gratitude. How far your Situation may be comfortable & easy I know not. it is my Wish & shall be my Endeavour that it be as much so as may be consistant with...
26870The American Commissioners to Boux, 3 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society We have wrote Capt. Nicholson who will procure you a Passage to America and we hope it may be such a one as will be agreable. Inclosed you have a Letter for the Hon’ble the Marine Board which you will send to them and attend their future Orders. Capt. Nicholson will give you notice where to meet him, or the Ship in which you can have a passage. We are...
26871John Ross to the American Commissioners, 3 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Connecticut Historical Society I had the honour to address you on the 24th Ultimo. Since without the pleasure of any of your favours. The Scarsity of many necessarys in America, and the practibility of adopting plans less inconvenient and expensive to the Country then have been pursued for some time past to the manifest prejudice of the United States in numberless respects, I shoud be...
26872To Benjamin Franklin from Barbeu-Dubourg, 3 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Monsieur franklin est prié de se trouver lundi a midi chez M. Jeuneux a l’hotel de Chavigny rue d’Enfer dans la Cité, pour y voir de nouvelles machines et de nouvelles experiences, outre un cabinet tres curieux. Il y sera attendu par son tres humble serviteur qui n’a point eté lui faire de compliment de nouvelle année; mais qui n’en fait pas moins en touts...
26873To Benjamin Franklin from James Hutton, 3 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library This is, as far as we know, the first communication since 1772 between Franklin and the Moravian leader. Hutton, when he first learned of his old friend’s arrival in Paris, resolved to have nothing to do with him until the troubles were over, but reconsidered after the news of Saratoga reached London on December 2. The next day he wrote some one,...
26874To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel Wharton], 3 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I have sent you two other Parcels of News papers by Mr. Thornton. I am with the Sincerst Regard dear Sir Yours most affectionately. Identified by the handwriting.
26875To Benjamin Franklin from Emanuel Wolleb-Ryhiner, 3 January 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Basel, January 3, 1778: I have seen in the Pennsylvania constitutions, sections 38 and 39, that you intend to reform the penal laws to render them less savage, and gladly send you the enclosed pamphlet on the same subject; hatred of cruelty and the desire for clement correction guide the author. My birth and duty as a republican commit me to hating...
26876To Benjamin Franklin from ———, 3 January 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society <Würzburg, January 3, 1778, in French: I am desolated that the plan I proposed to you cannot be carried out. None of those concerned in it bears you ill will, because on similar occasions you may well have been let down; but I want to prove my good intentions. Next spring or thereabouts I am going to America at my own expense, with my wife, my...
26877General Orders, 3 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
At a General Court-Martial held 28th ultimo whereof Coll Scammell was President, Captn Courtney of the Artillery appeared before the Court charg’d with “leaving his Howitz. in the Field in the Action of Brandywine in a cowardly and unofficerlike manner”—The Court having considered the Charge and Evidence are of Opinion that Captn Courtney is guilty of the charge exhibited against him and do...
26878From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 3 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Innes having staid a few days longer than he expected, it affords me an opportunity of inclosing you the Returns of the Virginia Regiments which I promised in mine of the 27th December. I refer you to Colo. Innes for more full information, than I have given you by letter, of matters relating to the Virginia line. A valuable prize has fallen into General Smallwoods hands at Wilmington, I...
26879To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 3 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The following hints are humbly submitted to the consideration of your Excellency. The necessity of recruiting the Army is so very obvious, that there cannot be the least doubt but Congress will take the most speedy and effectual methods to induce the respective States to furnish their quotas of men, in such season that they may be collected and disciplind, before the Campaign opens. The mode...
26880From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 3 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been regularly favd with yours of the 28th and 30th of December and of the 1st instant. I congratulate you upon the prize that has fallen into your hands, and the more so as she turns out more valuable than you at first expected. That her Cargo may be removed and secured with all possible expedition, I have sent Colo. Biddle to assist you, he will take down with him all the Waggons that...
26881To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 3 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Every Gentleman of the Army is convinced of the Necessity of recruiting our Troops to a much more respectable Number, than that of wch they consist at present. A retrospective View of the various Successes and Defeats we have met with from the Beginning of the War will indisputable evince that Superiority of Numbers hath given Superiority in the Field. The Scenes of Devastation and Slaughter...
26882To George Washington from Thomas Wharton, Jr., 3 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I had the Honor of receiving your Letter of the 1st Inst. which I communicated to Council, and it is with pleasure I can assure your Excellency that Council is perfectly convinced of the strict attention which you have always paid to the safety and ease of the inhabitants of this state. the proposal which Genl Armstrong has made and to which your Excelly has acquiesced in keeping up...
26883From Thomas Jefferson to George Rogers Clark, 3 January 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
As some Indian Tribes, to the westward of the Missisippi have lately, without any provocation, massacred many of the Inhabitants upon the Frontiers of this Commonwealth, in the most cruel and barbarous Manner, and it is intended to revenge the Injury and punish the Aggressors by carrying the War into their own Country. We congratulate You upon your Appointment to conduct so important an...
26884To Benjamin Franklin from ———, [before 18 May 1778]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete AL or ALS : University of Virginia Library <[Before May 18, 1778 ], in French: You know about the prize, we believe, that the famous Cunningham, in the corvette the Vengeance belonging to Congress, made last December of the French ship Le Gratieux , Captain Augustin Letournois, bound from London to Corunna with a cargo of English manufacture. This Captain [Conyngham], believing that...
26885William Stevenson and the American Commissioners: An Exchange of Three Letters, 4 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL , (II) L , (III) AL : Harvard University Library We print the letters together because they are an entity: the first elicited the second, the second the third, all on the same day. The first was to the commissioners; the second was from, and the third to, Franklin and Deane alone. This was the second quarrel between Lee and his colleagues over who should carry copies of the...
26886From Benjamin Franklin to Rolandeau, 4 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I can no otherwise give an Order for your Passage gratis, than by giving an Order to our Correspondent to pay the Money for you on my Account, which seems too much to be reasonably expected of me. And as you left the Service of the States in America without Leave, to come home upon your own private Affairs, it seems right that you should be at the whole...
26887From Benjamin Franklin to de Tavarez, 4 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Notes and Queries: a Medium of Intercommunication for Literary Men, General Readers, Etc. , 6th series, X (July–December, 1884), 153. The account given in the Newspapers of my having furnished the Physicians with a receipt against the Dropsy is a Mistake. I know nothing of it, nor did I ever hear before that Tobacco Ashes had any such virtue. I thank you for your kind...
26888Gustavus Conyngham to the American Commissioners, 4 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since I wrote you last I went on a Cruze and fell in with the Brig Gracieux Mr. Augustin Letournois from London Bound to Spain with A Cargoe of Dry Goods the most of the Bills of Lading Consignd to Order. On my Asking the Capt. if he new that his Cargoe was British property or not he made Answer. I seen where he Loaded and that I had a Good prize. On this...
26889To Benjamin Franklin from Sir Philip Gibbes, 4 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Sir Philip Gibbes presents his respects to Doctor Franklin. He will be glad to pay them in person to Doctor Franklin at any hour to day, that he will be pleased to name. Notation: Sr. P. Gibbs See above, XXIII , 281 n. BF replied to this note, according to Paul Wentworth, by making an appointment for the next day, when he would call at Gibbes’ lodgings...
26890To Benjamin Franklin from James Hutton, 4 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Here is a Letter for Mr. Nathanael Seidel in Bethlehem, whom you know. You will be so kind as to read it, and if you do not dislike it, you will send it. Only I think your Packet should have lead about it, to be sunk in case of attack. Always. I calld to see you before I went, but no body was stirring. I calld at Mr. Grants and was sorry to find He was not...
26891To Benjamin Franklin from John MacMahon, 4 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Chevalier De Keralio who had the pleasure of dining with you yesterday, sent me the inclosed news this morning. Though I believe you may be already informed of the contents, I thought it proper to transmit them to you. I see, notwithstanding all the boastings of Lord Sandwich, that he has not chased the American Privateers from the coasts of Europe and that...
26892General Orders, 4 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
As fast as the men go into Hutts the tents are to be returned immediately to the Quarter-Master General: The Commanding Officers of Regiments will see this performed—The Brigadiers are also to pay proper attention to it; and the Officers of Companies will be answerable for those which have been delivered to them. The Commander in Chief is thus pointed because he is informed that some tents...
26893From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 4 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 8th Ulto came to my hands a few days ago; and, to my great surprize informed me, that a copy of it had been sent to Congress—for what reason, I find myself unable to acct; but, as some end doubtless was intended to be answered by it, I am laid under the disagreeable necessity of returning my answer through the same channel, lest any member of that honble body, should harbour...
26894From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 4 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Unwilling as I am to add any thing to the multiplicity of matter that necessarily engages the attention of Congress, I am compelled by unavoidable necessity to pass my answer to Genl Gates through their hands. What could induce Genl Gates to communicate a copy of his Letter to me, to that Honble Body, is beyond the depth of my comprehension upon any fair ground; but the fact being so, must...
26895To George Washington from Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 4 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Excellency’s direction I have informed myself minutely with the country in the vicinity of Radnor-meeting-house. To effect the object of your Excellency’s wishes, vizt security to the camp: I conceive it absolutely necessary to establish two posts of horse. The one to appertain to the picquet, & patrole one mile, more or less, in advance of the advanced centinel. The other to...
26896[John Thornton]: Memorandum for the American Commissioners, [between 5 and 8 January 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AD : Harvard University Library In Company with some American Gentlemen, it was dropped in conversation that it was surprising the Commissioners at Paris Knowing the deplorable situation of the American prisoners confined in the several prisons in England, that they had not sent them any relief; this induced me to wait no longer for an answer from Lord North, to run all risks and to set off...
26897Enclosure: Samuel Moody to Samuel Tufts, 5 January 1778 (Adams Papers)
With a very particular Satisfaction shall I take into our School and Family the Son of your respectable Friend Mr. Adams but as we are now so full and incumbered I believe it must be postponed till the 22 April after our Spring Vacation when he may be Chumm or Chambermate to the Son of the Hon. William Ellery of the State of Rhode Island. Our Pupils find their Bed and Bedding. Board a Dollar...
26898From Henry Laurens, with Appended Note of John Adams to Richard Cranch, 5 January 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour of Addressing you on the 28th. November and 3d. Ultimo in Official Letters from Congress. My present business is to intreat your protection to the inclosed Packet from Baron Kalb which he intimates to me is intended to be of particular service to these States. You will be pleased either to take it under your immediate care if you intend within a few Weeks to embark for France...
26899John Jay to the American Commissioners, 5 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Your favors of the 2d. 8th: and 10 June last have been recd. and Copies transmitted to the Committee. The subject of them certainly merits their Attention, and I hope your Advice will be litterally complied with. As I have not now the Honor of a Seat in Congress, having been called to an office which will confine me in this State, any Information I can...
26900Sir Philip Gibbes: Minutes of a Conversation with Franklin, 5 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library This interview, the second within a year between the two men, was not the isolated episode that the earlier one seems to have been. Sir Philip may have been acting on his own; if so it was coincidence that he was in Paris at the same time as two other emissaries whom Whitehall had sent on the same errand. In any case his interview, when he returned to England,...