26901From 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...
26902John 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...
26903Sir 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,...
26904To Benjamin Franklin from Sir Philip Gibbes, 5 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You did me the honour this morning to say, that if upon considering what I had suggested to you you should judge it proper to communicate any hints to me, you would write to me. I beg leave to acquaint you, that any letter addressed to me at my house in Queen Ann Street, Cavendish Square, or at Messrs. Lascelles & Daling’s in Crutched Fryars will reach me....
26905To Benjamin Franklin from John MacMahon, 5 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Here is an invitation from the Dutchesses De Mortemart for your son and you to dine with them next thursday Se’nnight, which I hope you’ll comply with. They live Rue St. Guillaume fauxbourg St. Germain. If that day should not suit you, you may appoint friday, but not saturday, as they are to go that day to the Princess de Guemenées ball at Versailles. Be so...
26906General Orders, 5 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
At a General Court-Martial held 1st instant whereof Coll Scammell was President appeared Denham Ford Commissary in General Greene’s division charged with Theft—The Court having considered the Charge and the Evidence are of Opinion, That Denham Ford is guilty of the Charge exhibited against him and do sentence him to pay Mr Spencer and Mr Holliway two hundred dollars and that after he shall...
26907To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 5 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
As your excellency’s opinion seems to gree with my ideas for ⟨taking⟩ in our service those Non commissioned officers who came with Mister du Coudray, I schall take the liberty of telling you what I know about the matter—how useful they would be in this army is a thing obvious for every body—those ⟨men⟩ join to a pretty great theory the greatest practice of theyr art—security and exactitude...
26908From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 5 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday Evening had the honor of your Favor of the 1st Instant with it’s several Inclosures. The Letter you allude to from the Committee of Congress and Board of War came to hand on Saturday morning; But it does not mention the Regulations adopted for removing the difficulties and failures in the Commissary line. I trust they will be vigorous, or the Army cannot exist. It will never answer...
26909To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 5 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Last Night I was honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 1st Inst. I presented it this Morning to Congress but have received no other Commands except to acquaint Your Excellency that Colonel Scammel by an Unanimous ballot is elected Adjutant General in the Army which will further appear by the inclosed Certified Act of the present date. I shall likewise inclose a Resolve of Congress of...
26910From George Washington to Brigadier General Lachlan McIntosh, 5 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Plan proposed by the Feild Officers of your Brigad⟨e⟩ is Similar to what is Adopted by some New England Corps, does them Honor, & is approved of. You are therefore as soon as possible to make up the 1st 2d & 3d Battalions of ⟨No.⟩ Carolina as nearly equal as Conveniently may be, from the Non Commissioned Officers & privates of the other Regiments of that state, and order all the...
26911To George Washington from Colonel Daniel Morgan, 5 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
General Potter Militia he tells me, will all leave this place today, which will leave this post very weak, General Polaskey sent for all the horse that was with me to join their rigts, I did not think it advesable to send them before I aquinted your excellency, As none has Come to reliave them, and without Horse we should be very liable to be surpris’d—I have two butchers that Come out of...
26912To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel William Palfrey, 5 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have just receiv’d a Letter from Boston which contains a Paragraph that may not be worth your Excellency’s attention, but which I think it my Duty to Communicate. “The British Officers will lay any Betts whatever that before this Day (the Letter is dated Decr 15th) General Washington is no more. What they mean by their Talk we know not, but suppose some infernal Scheme at the Bottom. It...
26913To George Washington from Major General Arthur St. Clair, 5 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
As you were pleased to desire my Sentiments upon sundry Matters, I have thrown them together upon the following Sheets without Method as they occurred to me—if they should happen to fall in with your Excellencys, it will be to me a convincing proof that I have not been mistaken. It has appeared to me that the Quarter Master Generals Department has been for some time very ill executed, from...
26914From George Washington to Major Peter Scull, 5 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
A few days ago I recieved your Favor of the 27th Ulto. I wish it had been on any other subject than that of your resignation, and am extremely sorry the situation of your Affairs should have made such an application necessary. I must request, Sir, if it can be done, that you will not entertain an idea of it. It is no time for Officers of merit in which class I consider you, to leave the Army....
26915From John Jay to Silas Deane and Benjamin Franklin, 5 January 1778 (Jay Papers)
Your Favors of the 2 d . 8 th : & 10 June have been rec d . & 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 give You will be far less satisfactory than...
26916Samuel Tufts to John Adams, 6 January 1778 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed you have a letter from Saml. Moody Esqr. dated the 5th. Inst. came to my hands by his Brother, unsealed. You will therein read his propossals respecting your son. If you should send him, I shall be ready to offer him my Service so far as lays in my power, in any respect, to make his life happy in his Absence from his Friends. The Owners and Agents of the Civel Usage have followed your...
26917Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 6 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library I am just returned from Painbeuf where I have been with Capt. Nicholson to quiet a Discord between the french and americain Sailors, which we have in a great measure effected; and I hope the Steps agreed on between the Commissary at Pain beuf, the Commander of a french Vessell of War, and ourselves, will soon put an end to it. We have offered free Liberty...
26918To Benjamin Franklin from Doerner, 6 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My friends and Relations in Paris Messieurs Lavabre & Doerner have sent me the following Letters of introduction, which you did me the favour to present Them with in consequence of the Liberty I have taken to wait on you at Passy. vizt. one for his Excy. John Rutledge Esqr. Governor of South Carolina. one for Your Son Richard Bahe Esqr. Philadelphia one for...
26919To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Galevon, 6 January 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Ivry la Bataille, January 6, 1778, in French: I am treating a dropsical patient to whom all the resources of my art bring only short-term relief. I have already drained him twice, and grieve that he cannot survive more than two or three more such operations. You have revealed a new remedy, I see in the papers, that has succeeded with two patients; will you...
26920To Benjamin Franklin from Courtney Melmoth, [6 January 1778] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society An American friend, who sups with me this Evening, expresses great desire to read the little Ode call’d the Muse of America which I had, some time since, the Honour to present to you thro the medium of Mr: Dubourg of Paris. Having no second Copy of the above trifle, I shall be very much indebted to you, Sir, if you will give it to the Bearer; and, I...
26921To Benjamin Franklin from Marston Watson, 6 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honour of Addressing you the 9th. Ultimo on the Affair of Mr. Allen in the Schooner Hawk’s prize Brigg Britannia, which has been seiz’d by the Marquiss Basecourt Genl. of St. Sebastian; the Vessell unrigg’d, the Cargo unloaded and dispos’d of, and the Crew confin’d in Prison, with a design of Confiscation, on a specious pretence of Piracy. However...
26922Dumas to the American Commissioners, 6 January [i.e. February] 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Je crois toujours bien faire, de vous communiquer les intelligences, authentiques comme les ci-jointes, que les circonstances me permettent de me procurer. Je me prescris pareillement, de suivre toujours, quant aux adresses de mes Lettres, et des enveloppes, les premiers ordres que j’ai reçus de Mr. Deane lors...
26923General Orders, 6 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The difficulty of procuring Forage for such horses as must necessarily be detained for the common purposes of the camp obliges the Commander in Chief to call upon the General Officers, & Commanding Officers of Regts to see that no Officer under their respective Commands (except those who are allowed Forage by Congress & even to those it is recommended to part with their horses if they can)...
26924To George Washington from James Craik, 6 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding your unwearied diligence And the unparalleled Sacrifice of Domestic happyness and ease of mind which you have made for the good of your Country yet you are not wanting in Secret enemies who would Rob you of the great and truely deserved esteem your Country has for you—Base and Villainous men thro’ Chagrin, Envy, or Ambition, are endeavouring to lessen you in the minds of the...
26925To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 6 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 17th and 20th Ultimo. It gave me pain to find myself censured by your Excellency for not attending to your orders in the inoculating the Recruits before they were sent on to join the Army. If I have misapprehended your Excellency’s orders, I hope you will excuse such my mistake: But after you had been pleased repeatedly by Letter to order me to hurry on...
26926From George Washington to Colonel William Malcom, 6 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 4th Inst. When you reflect how lately you Joined the Army—What indulgencies you have had, and how long you were at & in the Neighbourhood of your Home, after your Appointment, you cannot be surprized, that I disapproved your Application for a Furlough and with some degree of displeasure. It has been a custom with several Officers to resign of late when...
26927From George Washington to Trenton and Mercer County Magistrates, 6 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your Letter of the 2d Instant pointing out the many inconveniencies that will attend Trenton & its Neighbourhood by Quartering the Light Horse there. Before this Step was determin’d on I made Enquiry of the Forage master Genl, who reported that plenty of Forage &Ca could be got convenient to the Town—my desire of adding in some degree to the Security of that Neighbourhood & the...
26928From George Washington to an Unknown Person, 6 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of the 20th decemr inclosing a letter from Colo. Marbury’s Freind to Majr Molleson. It was immediately forwarded and I hope will have the desired effect. I am Sir Yr most obt Servt LS , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, PHi : Etting Papers. The letter may have been intended for Maryland governor Thomas Johnson. Luke Marbury of Prince Georges County, Md. served in 1776 as a captain of...
26929To George Washington from Martha Washington, 6 January 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Martha Washington, c.6 Jan. 1778. James Craik wrote GW on this date : “I get the favour of Mrs Washington to Send this under Cover to you.”
26930Arthur Lee to Franklin and Silas Deane, 7 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I calld at Passi yesterday in expectation of meeting you together, that I might have an explanation of the affair with Mr. Stevenson, in which the whole blame is left to rest most undeservedly on me. I have been informd, that a Letter was written on this subject by Mr. Stevenson to the Commissioners, which has been answerd by you Gentlemen without any...
26931James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 7 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg leave to refer you to my letter of the 2d. instant, and altho’ I am not yet in the situation you prescribed for me to transact your Bussiness here, I am nevertheless induced, as well from the season of the year, as the reports of Captains Thompson and Green, to inform you; that the Ship Durass of near Eight hundred Tons Burthen, which is here for...
26932Paul Wentworth to [William Eden]: Extract, 7 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Library Eden, the head of British intelligence, sent Wentworth to Paris in early December to talk with the commissioners, and armed him with a letter in which he sketched what he hoped might be the basis for rapprochement. He was clearly seeking some guidance for the conciliatory proposals that the government was then drafting for submission to Parliament. After two campaigns, he...
26933General Orders, 7 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Quarter Master General is to apply to the Adjt General for a fatigue party & cause all dead horses in and about the camp, and all offal to be buried, after which each division Quarter-Master is to see this regularly performed once a week in & near their own divisions—The Officers commanding Divisions are required to know that this order is executed. The Depy Clothier Genl desires those...
26934To George Washington from the General Officers, 7 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Officers of the Army being fixed to this particular Camp, are not in a Situation to procure many Articles, wch would be very necessary for them; And being informed that in the Vessell taken from the Enemy by Genl Smalwood there were a number of such Articles, which would be of more Utility to the Officers than to any other part of the Community; & being apprehensive that if they should be...
26935To George Washington from Major Peter Scull, 7 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had this day the honor of receiving your Excellency’s Letter of the 5th Instant. Imprest with the warmest sentiments of Gratitude & attachment, I return you thanks for the polite & obliging manner in which you are pleased to answer my late application. At the time I made the Request I was conscious, Sir, that there was some impropriety in doing it, but that or inevitable distress was the...
26936From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 7 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Learning that the Captured Brig contains a great quantity and variety, of officers baggage; and necessaries proper for them; many articles of which from the length of time I have been in the service and difficulty of procuring them at first, I stand much in need of, I shall be obliged to you for sending me, if to be had, the things contained in the Inclosed memm. I will pay the appraised...
26937From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 7 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed to Govr Johnston, on the subject of compleating and Cloathing the Troops of Maryland, is left open for your inspection. After reading, be pleased to seal and transmit it to the Governor with the Returns for which I have referred him to you. The Officers in this Camp are anxious to come in for a share of the Baggage taken in the prize Brig. That justice may be done to all, I...
26938To George Washington from Major General Joseph Spencer, 7 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The strength of the Land Force of the Enemy at Rhode Island, remains much as it has been, for several Months past; they have Fortifyed Latterly Considerably, and Especially, near New Port; I have obtaind a Return of four Regiments, in October last, which I Enclose adding the other two Hession, and the 22nd Brittish Regiments, together with the Grenadiers, and Light Infantry of the 54th and the...
26939A Proposed Article for the Treaty of Alliance with France, [on or before 27 January 1778] (Franklin Papers)
D : Library of Congress The commissioners met with Gérard on January 8 and agreed to negotiate two treaties, one of amity and commerce and the other for an eventual alliance. On the 18th Gérard presented them with drafts of both, which he asked them to return. They consequently spent the next days in making copies and translations of the drafts, a chore that they dared not entrust to a...
26940Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 8 January 1778 (Adams Papers)
Did I think it in my power to afford any Consolation to my Friend I Would Readily undertake the tender task and as she Request s offer many Arguments for her support. But is it Really Necessary to Muster up arguments to prevail with my dear Mrs. Adams to Consent to what she knows is Right, to what she is sensible will Contribute Much to the welfare of the public. No surely she has Already...
26941To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 8 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Deane’s Compliments to Docr. Franklin and prays him to be at his house Rue Royale at Six this Evening where he will meet the Gentleman Mr. Deane went this Morning to Visit on an Affair of the greatest Consequence. Addressed: To / The Honle. Benj Franklin Esq In a similar invitation to Arthur Lee, Deane explained that the meeting was at Gérard’s request:...
26942To Benjamin Franklin from ——— De Père Meilhan, 8 January 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Nérac near Mézin, Gascony, January 8, 1778, in French: When the name of Boston was known only in French ports, I love to remember that I publicized its glory in a small town in the depths of Gascony, and waked the kind of enthusiasm that the name rouses today throughout Europe. Hancock and Washington are now as well known as were the heroic liberators in...
26943To Benjamin Franklin from Courtney Melmoth, [8 January 1778] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Dubourg yesterday gave me a second notice that you were to meet him and some other Company at Mr. Jeaneux’s to day. Upon my going to that Gentleman’s I found some Ladies and other Persons waiting the same Pleasure as myself, viz: that of seeing Dr: Franklin. Mr. Jeaneux beg’d I would inform you of his earnest wishes to see you upon an electrical...
26944General Orders, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief is informed that gaming is again creeping into the Army; in a more especial manner among the lower staff in the environs of the camp: He therefore in the most solemn terms declares, that this Vice in either Officer or soldier, shall not when detected, escape exemplary punishment; and to avoid discrimination between play and gaming forbids Cards & Dice under any pretence...
26945From George Washington to Brigadier Generals John Glover and Ebenezer Learned, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
As the short time we have to lay in Winter Quarters ought to be spent in training the Men, and endeavouring to bring them into the Feild in a more regular manner than they have hitherto been, I must desire that you will join your Brigade as soon as possible, in order to effect this Measure. I have another reason, which is, that so many of the Brigadiers and Colonels Commandant, who have been...
26946To George Washington from William Gordon, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The cares & fatigues of the campaign are, I hope, so far over, as to admit of your perusing the following lines without interruption, & of writing me an answer however short, as I am desirous of knowing the state of your Excellency’s health, after all the many hardships & difficulties you have been called to pass through. I have been told that they have worn you greatly, but I flatter myself...
26947To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
From several peices of Intelligence which we have lately received, I think there are some grounds to apprehend that the Enemy are removing some of their Troops from philadelphia to New York, and from thence to Newport. Whether these movements are for the security of those places, or with further design is matter of conjecture. It has long been my Sentiment that the great Sea-port Towns are...
26948From George Washington to General William Howe, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by the Board of War to acquaint you, that they have received undoubted information, that a Captain Dick and a number of American Officers are confined in Dungeons in England. It is not known with whom this injurious and unwarrantable treatment originated, nor by what authority it is continued; but it is expected that you will interest yourself to have it redressed. The Board...
26949To George Washington from General William Howe, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take the earliest Occasion, after being made acquainted with the circumstances, to make known to you the coming in of 2d Lieutt Eyre of the 23d Regiment of Foot from the Place of his Confinement in Maryland, to lay his Grievances before me, finding no Probability of being otherwise redressed—His Treatment is explained in the Representation enclosed, which by his desire is transmitted to you,...
26950From George Washington to Brigadier General Jedediah Huntington, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I desire you will immediately detatch a proper Officer from your Brigade with orders to bring forward all the Men that may have been left upon command at the posts where the Brigade has been stationed, and who have recovered in the different Hospitals to which they have been sent—If any of the Men left at the Elaboratories have become expert at the Business and therefore useful in preparing...