27601Millin de La Brosse to the American Commissioners, 20 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Il y a deux mois que vous m’avés promis une réponse au mémoire que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous présenter; je l’attends encore. J’ai bien appris de Monsieur le Comte de Maillebois que vous aviés dessein de terminer mon affaire, mais comme vous n’avés point fixé de terme, je me vois obligé de vous demander quelque chose de plus positif. Suivant une de vos...
27602To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 20 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: British Library One word by this mail. With respect to Ld. Ns. plan of peace much of course will be debated of the sincerity or insincerity, whether it be practicable or admissible, &c. &c. to all which I say that the great object with me is a cessation of arms. I admire much the spirit of your sentiments to Ld. Howe. Trade and revenue and supremacy...
27603General Orders, 20 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
At a board of General Officers held Feby 19th 1778—to take into Consideration the promotion of Majr Michael Ryan and after having heard the reasons for and against it, are of opinion that his promotion to the Rank of Major in 10th Pennsylvania Regimt is irregular. The Commander in Chief is therefore obliged to suspend the appointment of Major Ryan in the said Regiment. The same board likewise...
27604To George Washington from Peter Colt, 20 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 7th Instant came duly to hand. the Contents are truly distressing to every thinking Man—or well wisher to this Country. It is painfull to recount the Causes that have prevented our Supplies from this Quarter’s being more adequate to your wants than they have been. But as my Character, I hear Suffers on that account—& as it is necessary that your Excellency should know the...
27605To George Washington from Colonel Elias Dayton, 20 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
Confiding in your known and admired candor I beg leave to address you on a subject of great delicacy and to me very interesting & important. Sensible that your Excelency has been frequently interrupted with resignations from the Officers under your command ’tis not without reluctance that I pray your attention to a subject of this nature. With the greatest sincerity I say it—I could never be...
27606To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 20 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
General Wayne wrote me last Evening that all his troops had crost over the River Delaware into the Jerseys—He intends to collect all the Stock and burn all the Hay along the River that will be within the reach of the Enemy—If he executes the business effectually the only chance the Enemy will have of forageing will be between Schuylkill and the Delaware—I am told there is considerable Hay upon...
27607To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 20 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored by the receipt of yours of the 22d Ulto. Having received the Resolve of Congress for delaying the embarkation of General Burgoyne & his Army ’till the Convention is ratified by the Court of Great Britain. I am carefully observing the conduct of these Troops; have inculcated vigilence & alertness on the Guards & Sentinels, and have augmented their numbers; have been...
27608To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 20 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
you will no Doubt be surprized at seeing the inclosed Letter, in which the Encomiums bestowed on me are as undeserved, as the Censures aimed at you are unjust. I am sorry there should be one man who counts himself my Friend, who is not yours. Perhaps I give you needless Trouble in handing you this paper. The Writer of it may be too insignificant to deserve any Notice. If I knew this to be the...
27609To George Washington from Brigadier General John Lacey, Jr., 20 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
My people have taken Several persons going to Market Some of which is now Confind in my provo. three Young Fellows in perticulal, who were going to the Enemy with an entent to Stay with them, they had Meal on their Backs, which they Confess was for Market, they were flying to escape their fines in the Militia. if your Excellency would Direct I would be glad, to try and punnish them here, as it...
27610To George Washington from Jonathan Mifflin, Jr., 20 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
On the other Side is a Copy of a Letter I received Yesterday from the President of the Board of War on my Way to Potts Grove to establish a Magazine at that Place which I think proper to transmit to you Excellency. Your Excellencys Letter of 15th Int was received a few Minutes before Col. Hooper & Capt. Falconer left this Town—The Cattle in this County have been chiefly collected by Mr Patton...
27611To George Washington from Joseph Nourse, 20 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to inform your Excellency that in Consequence of the Resolution of Congress giving The Revd Mr Batwell of Yorktown, the alternative of taking the Oath of Allegiance to the state of Pennsilva. or going into the City of Philada in order to embark with his Family for Europe, that agreable to his choice the Board have given him, a Passport for himself, his Wife, two Children, his...
27612From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 20 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am glad to be informed by your Letter of the 9th Inst. that you are established in quarters, where you are likely to have means of putting your men and horses into good Condition; As you have been so successful in contracting for boots and Leather Breeches, I would not have you confine your views in these articles, to the precise number that may be wanted by your Regiment; but wish that you...
27613To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Temple, 20 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am at this place waiting for a Cargo of Goods purchas’d by Colo. Finne, to compleat the cloathing of the first Regt of Dragoons, except Boots & leather Breeches, I have only been able to engage one hundred pair of each, by the first of April, and them at an exorbitant price, Six pounds ten Shillings ⅌ pair, I have got the cloathes amaking and shall do every thing in my power to expedite the...
27614Feb. 21. Saturday, 22. Sunday, and 23d. Monday. (Adams Papers)
Exhibited such Scaenes as were new to me. We lost Sight of our Enemy it is true but We found our selves in the Gulph Stream, in the Midst of an epouvantable Orage, the Wind N.E. then N., and then North West. It would be fruitless to attempt a Description of what I saw, heard and felt, during these 3 days and nights. To describe the Ocean, the Waves, the Winds, the Ship, her Motions, Rollings,...
27615[February 21. Saturday. 22. Sunday, and 23. Monday] (Adams Papers)
February 21. Saturday. 22. Sunday, and 23. Monday Monday exhibited such Scaenes as were new to me, except in the Histories of Voyages, and the descriptions of the Poets. We lost sight of our Ennemy it is true, but We found Ourselves in the Gulph Stream, in one of the most furious Storms, that ever Ship survived, the Wind North East, then North and then North West. It would be fruitless to...
27616George Washington to the Board of War, 21 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 21, 1778 . Asks that artillery at Farmington and Albany be forwarded to Camp. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. The draft is indorsed to “Genl. Horatio Gates, President of the Board.”
27617George Washington to William Duer, 21 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 21, 1778 . Discusses impossibility of an enemy attack on Valley Forge. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Duer was a delegate from New York to Congress.
27618George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 21 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 21, 1778 . Discusses disposal of the artillery at Albany and Farmington. Instructs Knox to send the artillery to Camp as soon as weather permits. Hopes that Knox will soon return to Camp. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
27619George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 21 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 21, 1778 . Discusses method for obtaining shoes for Smallwood’s men. States difference between intended and attempted desertion and proper punishment for each. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
27620Dumas to [the American Commissioners], 21 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook summary: Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Envoyé les Extraits des dernieres Dépêches de Petersb. Dantsic Stockh. Berlin, Vienne, Ratisbonne, Paris et Lisbonne. Item l’Extrait de la Lettre importante de Messrs. Delalande & Fynje d’hier 19e d’Amsterd. sur laquelle je demande prompte réponse. &c. Jacob de la Lande and Hendrik Fynje were Dumas’ business associates in trading ventures...
27621To Benjamin Franklin from Michel Bonniot and Jn. Eymas Labate, 21 February 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, February 21, 1778, in French: We have received by the ship Yacht Bordelais the enclosed letter for you. It must be an old one because the ship, dispatched from Cork last August, was stopped at sea by the British and detained for some months in Falmouth. We should be happy to be of any service to you.> Bonniot was one of two brothers, Bordeaux...
27622General Orders, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
27623From George Washington to Maj. Gen. John Armstrong, 21 February 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. John Armstrong, 21 Feb. 1778. Tench Tilghman wrote at the bottom of the last page of Armstrong’s letter to GW of 5 Feb. : “Ansd 21.”
27624From George Washington to Captain Thomas Cartwright, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured last night with your Letter of the 14th Instant and with its inclosure. As no person under our present Military system can appoint a General Court Martial but the Commander in Chief or Commanding General in a particular state, I cannot determine on the proceedings transmitted. Those sent by major General, the Marquiss de la Fayette, he omitted to deliver. I have written to Colo....
27625From George Washington to William Duer, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 16th instant, communicating the intelligence you had received, respecting the scheme of investing this camp and cutting off its supplies. Your being unacquainted with our present position and the circumstance you mention of an intimation from General Sinclair, of the possibility of such an event, very naturally occasioned Biddles insinuation, to make the...
27626From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
At General Knox’s departure from camp, I directed him to forward the artillery at albany, to some proper depository in this quarter, convenient for rendering them useful in the next campaign. My motives for this were, that in case of an augmentation of this army, we should stand in need of a much larger train than we now have in the field, and ought besides to have a reserve to answer the...
27627From George Washington to Colonel George Gibson, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I last night received your Favor of the 17th Instant. The same reasons which prevented me determining on the sentences of the Court Martial, ordered by Major General the Marquiss de la Fayette, apply against the proceedings of the Court directed by General Wayne in the case of Lts McMichael & Dickinson. I make no doubt Colonel Hubley will have shewn you my Letter of the 14th on that subject....
27628From George Washington to Colonel Henry Hollingsworth, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 18th gives me pleasure by informing me that you have employed two active persons for the purpose of collecting Cattle and other articles of provision for the use of this Army, and that your brother whose zeal and knowledge of the Country will render him exceedingly useful is likewise exerting himself in this business; I am persuaded he will need no spur to his activity, if...
27629To George Washington from General William Howe, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
Although my Letter of the 5th Instant has in great measure anticipated the Answer requisite to your’s of the 20th and 30th of January, I shall make no Apology for troubling you with a few observations, in consequence of the papers you referred to me, which I hope will preclude any farther declamatory Complaints on your part, and well founded Remonstrances on mine, upon the Subject of the...
27630From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I duly received your favour of the 18th of January, which hurry of business has prevented my answering sooner. As transportation, at this season, would be ⟨difficult tedious⟩ and expensive, I approve of the plan you adopted ⟨with respect to⟩ the cannon at albany; but that no risk may be run, and in order to have them as early as possible, so near the scene of action, as that we may be able to...
27631From George Washington to Brigadier General John Lacey, Jr., 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your Favors of the 19th & 20th Instant. With respect to the three Men you mention to have taken, when going to Philadelphia, I wish you to examine them & the Witnesses on the subject and to punish ’em in such manner, as they may deserve. If there is any of them, who appear to be great Offenders, & to be proper Objects for Capital punishment, you will send them to Head Quarters with...
27632To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of writing to your Excellency the 19th by Barry —Under the present Cover Your Excellency will be pleased to receive—An Act of Congress of the 19th for seperating the Troops included in the Convention of Saratoga & for other purposes. of the present date for appointing by Your Excellency’s Order a Major Genl to releive Major Genl Spencer in the Comand of the Troops at Rhode...
27633From George Washington to Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 19th inst. informing me of the measures which you have taken for supplying our wants, and the prospects which you have of success—Your application to the Assessors of the several hundreds, was extremely judicious, and I have no doubt that by your activity and prudent management you will avail yourself of all the resources of the Country without giving...
27634To George Washington from Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
This country does not answer our excpectation with respect to waggons. Consequently the conveyance of the salt provision &c. collected at this place will not be so expidetious as could be wished. A drove of cattle from seventy to an hundred head, will set out tomorrow from Middletown. We do business very regularly visiting in our route each & every farm, & taking with us every article...
27635From George Washington to Colonel Southy Simpson, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I rec’d your favour by Major Sneed. Your request to suffer the drafts in that part of the Country to remain there, is an indulgence I am sorry to say I cannot with the least propriety consent to; & am perswaded when you have weighed the matter in your own mind, you will be of opinion with me. Many parts of this continent as to their situation & circumstances resemble yours, and fixing the...
27636From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favoured with yours of the 10th instant. You intirely misconceived my intention, with respect to the mode proposed of furnishing your division with shoes. I did not mean, that a shoe manufactory should be established for the purpose; but only, that you should contract with private persons, in the way of barter, to furnish you with such a number of shoes, and to be paid for...
27637To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your Favor of the 16th Inst. by Capt. Lee, who came here on the Evening of the 17th; I dispatch’d him very early the next Morning, with four very active officers, well acquainted with the Country, and best adapted to aid him in the Execution of the design , I also wrote to the President, General Rodney, The Purchasing Commissary, & Capt. McLane, all now at Dover, requesting that...
27638To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have The Honor to Inclose yr Excellencey a pitiful Letter from My Man of The Intelligent Countenance by which appellation he was well known Last Campaign & gave us the best Intelligence we Ever had. I beg your Excellencey to Let me know what answer I am to give him & whether any Thing is to be Done for him. I have heard from various Quarters that the Enemy are about Embarking & Say they are...
27639From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
It gives me pain that a Dispute of so delicate a nature as that which makes the subject of your favor of the 19th inst. should be left undetermined and continue the source of uneasinesses in Officers who deserve well of their Country—This matter will not as you seem to apprehend be returned for the consideration of Congress, they have already refered it to their Committee in this Camp, the...
27640To George Washington from Brigadier General William Woodford, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favor’d with your very obligeing answer to my Letter of the 19th. as this unfortunate affair of mine is to be finally settled by a Board of Genl Officers, I could wish a larger number were present, but as that is not likely to be the case in any short time, I could wish the matter to be taken up as soon as it is convenient to your Excellency. I am with much respect Your Excellencys...
27641To Thomas Jefferson from Patrick Henry, 21 February 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
You are desired to receive into your Custody John Goodrich the Elder, who is ordered to be removed from Bedford County, the place of his present Confinement; and will be delivered by the order of the County Lieut: of Bedford. He is to be Safely kept and prosecuted agreeable to directions of Assembly by the Attorney General . I am Sir, Yr. hble Servt., RC ( DLC ); in an unidentified hand and...
27642John Lowell to Abigail Adams, 22 February 1778 (Adams Papers)
I am not displeased that the Call of Business obliges me to address you at this Time, and gives me an Opportunity of expressing my sincere good Wishes, that Mr. Adams’s Voyage may be agreable, and happy; I am sensible that the Prospect of so long a Seperation must be painfull to you, the tender social Connection which you have so highly enjoyed, must make the Struggle hard, but the...
27643George Washington to William Livingston, 22 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 22, 1778 . Commends New Jersey’s efforts. States that a change of method is needed in handling supplies. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
27644The American Commissioners to [Gérard], 22 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Harvard University Library The News you have receiv’d from England cannot be true. No Treaty would be entred into with Howe by Washington, when the Congress was at hand: And Howe could have no Propositions to make but such as were authoris’d by the Act of Parliament, and had been long since rejected, (viz.) Pardon upon Submission ....
27645To Benjamin Franklin from Barbeu-Dubourg, 22 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Au lieu du rendez vous que nous nous etions donné pour mardi 24, a une heure chez M. Le Marquis de Mirabeau rue de Seine, je propose a Monsieur franklin de nous trouver le meme jour et a la meme heure chez M. Lee a Chaillot, pour raison que j’aurai l’honneur de lui dire Addressed: To / Dr. franklin, by favour of / Mr. Courtney Melmoth The year is...
27646To Benjamin Franklin from the Vicomte de Sarsfield, 22 February 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <Sunday, February 22, [1778], in French: The vicomte de Sarsfield came to ask Mr. Franklin to dine with him, not on Mardi Gras (when he will be in the country) but on the first Sunday in Lent, March 8; he sets such a distant date in hopes that M. Franklin will be free, and apologizes for the change of plan. M. Franklin fils and M. Deane, he hopes, will do...
27647General Orders, 22 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Commissary General is, if possible to keep the Camp well supplied with rice for the use of the sick; if rice cannot be had, Indian meal is to be provided in it’s place; and as this is an article that can at all times and under all circumstances be had no excuse will be admitted for the neglect. He is every monday to make a return of all his issues in the course of the week and of his stock...
27648To George Washington from Colonel George Gibson, 22 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
My last which I had the Honor of writing Your Excelly was of the 19th Current by Colo. Stewart, I find myself obliged to trouble Your Excelly once more on the Subject of Cloathing the Convalescents & the men discharged from the Hospitals—I have made frequent though ineffectual applications to the Clothier Generl nor can I tell what reason to assign for his not complying with my requisitions...
27649To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Adam Hubley, Jr., 22 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Excellencys orders, a General Court-martial, sat in this Borough, for the Tryal of all offenders, that shall be brought before it. Inclosed I transmit, the proceedings of several Tryals. The Prisoners in both cases have been try’d by former Courts, but the constituon of them appearing illegal, your Excellency could not approve them. You will observe in the present proceedings...
27650To George Washington from Thomas Johnson, 22 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this Moment received your Letter of the 16th Instant with its Inclosure I have within a few Days past received Letters on the same Subject from the Board of War and also from Members of the Congress from this State —the first Intimation or indeed Apprehension I had of any Difficulty in your Supplies of provisions was about the tenth of January and every Assistance which I thought could be...