27211From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 26 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this Evening received a Letter from Lt Colo. Smith at Lancaster, advising me of the confinement of the British Officers who were going with Cloathing and medicine for the prisoners in our hands. This measure I consider as rather unfortunate, as they came out by my permission and in consequence of a Stipulation between myself and Genl Howe. The Officers are a Hessian & British Regimental...
27212To George Washington from Brigadier General John Lacey, Jr., 26 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s favor of the 23d inst. My numbers are reduced so low, that I thought it most prudent to move my Camp a few miles back into the country, till I received a fresh supply of men. I received a letter from the President and Council, dated the 9th inst. advising me of seven classes being called out, and forty Light horse from Philadelphia and Bucks counties, to be...
27213To George Washington from William Livingston, 26 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with two Letters from your Excellency, both of the 20th Instant. I observe that your Excellency calls Collo. Ellis, General which I mention, least having occasion to write to him, you might make the same Mistake—Collo. Ellis superceded General Newcomb in the Command, but not in the Commission! I am far from blaming your Excellency for any measures that have been taken with...
27214From George Washington to Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, 26 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two Letters of 20th and 25th Jany. the latter was communicated to the Forage Master, whose answer you will find annex’d —I can only repeat what has been already written on the subject, that if the Cavalry can procure a sufficiency of forage at the quarters first assigned them, that Situation is to be prefer’d—otherwise they must undoubtedly retire to the nearest place...
27215To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 26 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I hope your Excellency will excuse the Delay in not answering your favors of the 12th & 13th Inst. before. I have been so pester’d this 10 Days past, that I need not tell, for you will readily perceive I am scarce yet in my proper Senses, nor do I believe I shall ever get clear of the Echo of Rank in the Line , of the Staff, Furlough, Recruiting, Resignation, Desertion, disaffection, pass into...
27216To George Washington from Major John Taylor, 26 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose to your Excellency a Letter from Colo. Hazen to myself, by which you will see his anxiety to have his regiment with him on the canadian expedition, with which our own wishes warmly correspond. The greater part of our men are Canadians & New England-men, to whom this step would give new life, and who would act with redoubled vigor, besides their presence in canada...
27217The American Commissioners to [Gerard], 30 January 1778 [i.e. 27] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; ALS (draft) or copy: University of Virginia Library We have concluded to make no farther Propositons for the present Treaty. We only wish the Word Sovereignty may be inserted in the two Places propos’d, if not thought absolutely improper. We have the Honour to be with the greatest Esteem, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servants We print the...
27218Francis Coffyn to the American Commissioners, 27 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The letter I had the honnor of writing to you the 20th. instant, was dictated with that Eagerness I feel myself prompted to communicate to you every occurence which comes to my knowledge, and which I imagine may be agreable to you; the report it contain’d of an action between Genl. Gates and Genl. Cornwallis was then currant here, and was confirm’d to me by...
27219Dumas to the American Commissioners, 27 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague La présente est une suite de celle que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous écrire vendredi passé 23e. à l’adresse de Mr. A. Lee à Chaillot près Paris, rue bataille No. 5. Depuis ce temps j’ai fait d’autres découvertes, que j’ai communiquées au Substitut, qui m’en a su gré; et je n’hésite pas de vous en faire part aussi, parce que ce qui se passe en Baviere...
27220John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 27 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the honor to inform you that from Paris I reached this place in 56 hours. As I have in my possession repeated Orders from Congress to Afford Aid and protection to the American Commerce, I conceive it to be my duty to give my best protection and safe conduct to the Squadron with Supplies now nearly in readiness to sail from hence, until they are at...
27221To Benjamin Franklin from James Hutton, 27 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I thank God I had a good Journey home, my wife had been very ill in my absence, of which I had a pretty positive Sensation, tho’ no news. I got to my own house in 73 hours from Paris. I shall never forget your kindness to me and your kind Intentions to serve my Brethren. The Sensation I had of the certain Miseries of War, that would attend all Parties...
27222To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 27 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society The background of this note was Lee’s dispatch from England to the committee of secret correspondence of June 3, 1776. William Carmichael was supposed to deliver it but did not for more than two years; he and Silas Deane opened it, kept it, and used it, Lee believed, to cause trouble for him. The statement about the episode that Lee enclosed with his note is...
27223To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Regnier, 27 January 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Vannes in Brittany, January 27, 1778, in French: Two unmarried men, between thirty and forty, one a judge and lawyer and the other a merchant, both of good reputation, have in mind joining your compatriots to find the simple, peaceful life. They appeal to you, as to a good father, for aid and counsel in their passage and settlement in a country where they...
27224General Orders, 27 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Any Articles to be sent in to our prisoners in Philadelphia must be left with the Commissary of prisoners friday evening next—Paper to be issued by the Quarter-Master General in the following proportions 2 quire to each Brigadier or officer commanding a brigade—1 to each Brigade Major and six to each Regiment. Ammunition to be drawn immediately to complete the troops to forty rounds pr man...
27225To George Washington from Major General Thomas Conway, 27 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
General Gates Deliver’d to me the Letter which I had Directed to him Last october, and of Which I had Kept no Copy. I find With great satisfaction that the paragraph so much spoke of Does not exist in said Letter nor anything Like it. The Letter was communicated before my arrival to several members of congress, and as soon as I receiv’d it, I Deliver’d it to three other members who have...
27226From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 27 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Two Letters of the 24th Instant came to hand. Before The receipt of the first, I had written to you upon the subject contained in it, in consequence of your Letter to the commanding Officer at Lancaster, which had been transmitted to me. As that will inform you fully respecting the British Officers and Cloathing, I will not trouble you with a repetition of the matter. I must observe,...
27227To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 27 January 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 27 Jan. 1778. On 10 Feb., GW wrote to Gates : “I have been favd with yours of the 27th . . . ulto.”
27228To George Washington from Brigadier General John Glover, 27 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I receiv’d your Excellencys Letter (yesterday) of the 8th Inst. desiring me to join my Brigade as soon as possible. I apprehend your Excellency has not been fully acquainted with the Business I was Charged with by Genl Gates. which has been, & still will be attended with so many Difficulties as will necessarily detain me at this Post till the Embarkation of Genl Burgoyne. I was Honour’d with...
27229From George Washington to Francis Hopkinson, 27 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 22d Instant by Captain Alexander, to whom I have given an order to take several pieces of Cannon with a proper supply of Ammunition, that he, in conjunction with the other Gentleman of the Navy, may endeavour to interrupt the Enemy’s Shipping in their Passage up and down the river. Having never found an opportunity of conveying the Letter, which you some time ago...
27230To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 27 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of writing to your Excellency the 25th by Messenger Jones. Inclosed under Cover with this Your Excellency will receive an Act of Congress of the 21st Inst. relative to the treatment of prisoners of War, prefaced by a recital of an Act of the 19th formerly transmitted—also a number of Copies to be disposed of as Your Excellency shall judge proper. I have the honour to be &ca....
27231To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 27 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
While I was sitting in Congress yesterday a Member came in & delivered me the inclosed paper just in its present State except the broken Seals, the Gentleman’s declaration as he was putting the thing into my hand, that he had picked it up on the Stairs, was a sufficient alarm—I passed my Eye cursorily over the pages, put them into my pocket & intimated to the House, that it was an anonymous...
27232From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 27 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I last night received your favor of the 30th Ulto. It gave me great pleasure to hear that you were released from your confined situation and permitted so many indulgencies. You may rest assured that I feel myself very much interested in your welfare, and that every exertion has been used on my part to effect your Exchange. This I have not been able to accomplish, However from the Letters which...
27233From George Washington to James Mease, 27 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I last night recd Mr Youngs letter of the 24th informing me of the unlucky accident that had befallen the Virginia Cloathing. I have consulted the Brigadiers what is best to be done in their present situation, and they think that the Cloths and linens proper for the Officers should be dried as quick as possible and sent here to be made up. The coarse Cloths and linens proper for soldiers, to...
27234From George Washington to Major Jacob Morris, 27 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I last night recd yours by Colo. Williams with several letters from Genl Lee. I am sorry that his request for a passport for Mrs Battier had not been immediately granted upon the first request in Jersey, you have one inclosed and I am persuaded you will do every thing in your power to accommodate a lady so warmly recommended by the General. I am not without hopes that he will be able to wait...
27235From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel William Stephens Smith, 27 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours this Evening by Lieut. Patterson inclosing a letter from the Board of War directing you to seize the Persons, Carriages &ca that have lately arrived at Lancaster with Cloathing for the British Prisoners and secure the same untill you receive further directions from me or from the Board. As this order was founded upon a misapprehension of facts, I desire that they may be released...
27236From Benjamin Franklin to Courtney Melmoth, [on or after 28 January 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress I should have been flatter’d exceedingly by Mrs. Melmoth’s showing the least Inclination for one of those Portraits, when Mrs. Izard accepted the other, and should have presented it to her with the greatest Pleasure. She did not appear to desire it and I did not presume it of Value enough to be offer’d. Her Quarrel with me on that Account is pleasing: The...
27237John Thaxter to John Adams, 28 January 1778 (Adams Papers)
One day last week a number of british waggoners, who were carrying Cloathing &c. to some of their soldiers in our power, had the honor of being introduced to a goal, for attempting to pass counterfeit money. These waggoners with a number of Serjeants of the enemy, were sent out by Genl: Howe, and permitted to pass by Genl: Washington’s leave. When they arrived at Lancaster, they din’d or took...
27238To Benjamin Franklin from Courtney Melmoth, 28 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Were it likely to suppose that the human mind, however comprehensive, could always be exerted on one Subject, even tho that subject be the fate of Empires, I should never attempt to seduce your attention to any trifle that could possibly drop from either my own Pen, or that of any part of my family; but, when I consider that the profoundest sagacity must...
27239To Benjamin Franklin from Ralph Izard, 28 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; three copies: National Archives; copy: South Carolina Historical Society Article XIII of the proposed commercial treaty that Franklin had brought with him prohibited French export duties on West Indian molasses coming into the United States. This provision had raised uncertainties at the start, and the commissioners had been empowered to waive it if need...
27240General Orders, 28 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
As there has been an extraordinary and unaccountable waste of Ammunition in many of the brigades; as soon as the brigades are completed therewith agreeable to yesterdays orders, the Commander in Chief positively orders the Colonels and Commanding Officers of Regiments to see that an Officer in each Company carefully examine their men’s ammunition every day at roll-call in the morning and...