27661To George Washington from Nicholas Cooke, 23 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 3d instant inclosing a Proposal made to you by General Varnum for recruiting the two Continental Battalions raised by this State. I laid the Letter before the General Assembly at their Sessions on the Second Monday in this Month, who considering the pressing Necessity of filling up the Continental Army, and the peculiarly difficult...
27662To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 23 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I Meet with an occasion of wraïting to your excellency which I wo’nt miss by any means, even schould I be affraïd of becoming tedious and troublesome—but if they have sent me far from you for I do’nt know what purpose, at least I must make some little use of my pen to prevent all communication be cut of[f] betwen your excellency and me—I have writen lately to you my distressing, ridiculous,...
27663From George Washington to the Pennsylvania Recruiting Officers, 23 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of the 18th from Lancaster, in behalf of yourselves and others appointed to superintend the recruiting Service. If, upon the representation which you intend to make to the Assembly when they meet, you do not get such an allowance as will defray your necessary Expences, it cannot be expected that you will continue upon a service, by which you will be losers. The Bounty of eight...
27664From George Washington to Thomas Wharton, Jr., 23 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of yours of the 17th inst: The Militia from the Westward, who had been detained by the badness of the weather, have arrived at Genl Laceys Camp, and those from Northampton have, I hope, come in by this time. Their presence had become exceedingly necessary, as the insolence of the disaffected in Philadelphia and Bucks Counties had arisen to a very alarming Height. They have...
27665Tuesday 24. Wednesday 25. Thursday 26. (Adams Papers)
Tuesday We spyd a Sail and gave her Chase. We overhawled her, and upon firing a Gun to Leeward, and hoisting American Colours, she fired a friendly Gun and Hoisted the French Colours of the Province of Normandy. She lay to for us, and We were coming about to speak to her, when the Wind sprung up fresh of a sudden and carryed away our Main top Mast. We have been employed ever since in getting...
27666[Tuesday. 24. Wednesday 25. and Thursday 26 of February. 1778.] (Adams Papers)
Tuesday. 24. Wednesday 25. and Thursday 26 of February. 1778. Our Mainmast and Maintopmast had been hurt by the Lightening. On Tuesday We espyed a Sail and gave her chase. We gained upon her, and upon firing a Gun to leward and hoisting American Colours, she fired a friendly Gun and hoisted the French Colours of the Province of Normandy. She lay to, for Us, and we were coming about to speak to...
27667Hannah Quincy Lincoln Storer to Abigail Adams, 24 February 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have often thought of You My good friend, and as often wish’d to See You, and did flatter Myself that I should injoy that happiness before Mr. A——departure. I am really Sorry that I was so unfortunate as to be absent from home when your first friend call’d to see Me. You Must Surely have call’d up all your Philosophy to Stand the Shock of his Absence a Second time for a Year.—Will My owning...
27668George Washington to Captain-Lieutenant Jonas Symonds, 24 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 24, 1778 . Instructs Symonds to obtain artillery from Captain Charles Alexander and to bombard British shipping near Philadelphia. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Jonas Symonds was a captain-lieutenant in the Fourth Continental Artillery Regiment.
27669From Benjamin Franklin to Gérard, 24 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Understanding that Reports have been spread at Versailles, of Treaties on foot in America between the Congress and the English Commissioners; or here between us and the English Ministry; I send you an American Newspaper of Decr. 19. by which you will see, in the Passages marked with a Pen, in what manner such Reports, and those who occasion...
27670Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 24 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library M. Boux has been on board the Lion for a passage. Capt. Nicholson wished to accomodate him as well as he could, but on account of the many am[erica]n Passengers who have escaped hither from England he has not been able to make such provision as he desired and as M. Boux expected. He therefore returns to Nantes, and seemed rather disgusted with his...
27671To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 24 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Library of Congress Yours of Feb 12 received. I have called at Mr. Hutton’s door, but he was not at home, I shall deliver the letters to morrow. We are to have a very long day in the house today, so that I cannot enter into any matter at present. Suspend for a few hours, or days. Times seem to be mending. Let us take all possible chance of reconciliation. While there is life there...
27672To Benjamin Franklin from Michael Hillegas, 24 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer Baron de Holzendorff not having been happy enough to obtain the Service which he expected and I doubt not Merited is returning to France. Permit me to Thank you for your favours of the 23d. of January 1777 per Mr. Lutterloh who as I understand is much esteemed, also for yours of the 7th of October last respecting Mr. McCreery and his Loan Office...
27673To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis Turgot, 24 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Turgot fait mille complimens a Monsieur francklin, il espère qu’il voudra bien se souvenir de la parole qu’il luy à donnée de diner chés luy vendredy prochain 27 fevrier, il espère aussy que M. francklin fils voudra bien accompagner Monsieur son pere. Etienne-François (1721–89), Anne-Robert’s older brother, was a former army officer now in retirement; his...
27674General Orders, 24 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
At a General Court-Martial whereof Col. Cortlandt was President (Feby 19th 1778) Mr Edward Bennett Forage-Master in the Marquis La Fayette’s division tried for repeated neglect of duty in suffering the horses of the division to remain three days without Forage when there was Forage in the General Forage yard, and all the divisions in the Army drew, for neglecting to draw hay when to be got and...
27675From George Washington to Colonel Joseph Ellis, 24 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have sent over ⟨Captn Lieut. Symonds⟩ to take the charge of some peices of heavy Artillery; with which I have directed him, to give the Enemy’s shipping near the City all the annoyance in his power, while the rivers continues in its present situation. He will stand in need of a body of infantry to cover the Artillery in this opperation and to Aid in throwing up some little work that may be...
27676From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 24 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday received your favor of the 19th Instt. I am as averse to controversy, as any Man, and had I not been forced into it, you never would have had occasion to impute to me, even the shadow of a disposition towards it. Your repeatedly & solemnly disclaiming any offensive views in those matters, which have been the subject of our past correspondence, makes me willing to close with the...
27677To George Washington from Colonel Stephen Moylan, 24 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
agreeable to your Commands, I have with attention perused the proposals for procureing Horses and Sadles for the Cavalry—as you was pleased to desire that I woud give you my Sentiments thereon, I must beg leave to tell you, that I totally disapprove of the measure it is arbitrary and cannot be attended with the Success expected from it—the mode proposd for putting it in execution must...
27678To George Washington from Colonel William Russell, Sr., 24 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am happy to be inform’d by Major Campbell, that your Excellency intends shortly to have the divided and disagreeable situation of the 13th Virginia Regiment laid before Congress; that thereby that part of the Regiment here, and those over the Mountain at Fort Pitt may be join’d together, and act accordingly at such place as your Excellency and Congress may think propper to direct. That the...
27679The American Commissioners to Gustavus Conyngham, [before 19 April 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress The interest which the public has in the vessel you command makes us regard her as a continental Ship of war. Mr. Hodge and Mr. Ross have therefore no right to direct or controul you. Neither had Mr. Deane alone any right to dispose of the vessel; nor of the produce of the prizes you made, as Monsr. Lagonere informs us he has done. You will give us an account...
27680To George Washington from Timothy Matlack, 25–26 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
This morning I received a letter from James Young Esquire waggon master general of this state and laid it before Council. I am directed by them to send you the following extract of it, which I suppose will need no comment vizt I beg leave to represent to the honourable Council the difficulties I meet with in assisting the army with waggons as I wish to do in their want. On the eighteenth...
27681From Benjamin Franklin to Gérard, 25 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères I received last night the enclos’d Letter from a Member of Parliament, and the two frivolous Bills which the Ministry in their present Consternation have thought fit to propose, with a View to support their publick Credit a little longer at home, and to amuse and divide if possible our People in America. You will see that they have dispatch’d...
27682To Benjamin Franklin from Gérard, 25 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai l’honneur de vous renvoyer les pieces que vous avez eu la bonté de me communiquer et je vous prie d’en recevoir mes Remercimens. Le jugement que vous portez, Monsieur, sur le pretendu coup d’Etat que le Lord North a si pompeusement annoncé, paroit confirmé par l’opinion publique qui prevaut même en Angleterre, où les fonds sont tombés depuis cette Epoque. Je suis...
27683To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 25 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Virginia Historical Society The trunk that is the subject of this letter was coming to resemble Pandora’s box. Thomas Morris had jumbled his papers as he had jumbled his two roles, as agent for the secret committee and for Willing & Morris. The commissioners were interested only in his public papers, but the official order that Lee took to Nantes was...
27684General Orders, 25 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Brigadiers General & officers commanding Brigades in pursuance of yesterdays orders have made a distribution of Cloathing—The Commanding officers of Regiments & Corps may receive their respective proportions accordingly by applying to the Commissary of Cloathing. At a General Court Martial whereof Coll Cortlandt was President February 16th 78, Lieutt Tipton of 12th Virginia Regiment tried...
27685To George Washington from William Gordon, 25 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
Could I have thought that the weight & multiplicity of business with which you was loaded, while serving the public in the field, would not have hindered your attending to private letters, or that mine would have met with so kind a reception & given you such pleasure as your favor of the 23d ulto intimates, you should have heard oftner from me. I wish for your own sake, as well as for your...
27686From George Washington to Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 25 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have your favors of the 21st and 22d from Dover and am much obliged for the Steps you have took and are taking for procuring Supplies for the Army. All the Cattle that are tolerably fit for slaughter must be immediately consumed on account of our present necessity, and therefore should be drove towards Camp as fast as they can be collected. I do not think that Kent in Maryland or any part of...
27687To George Washington from Benjamin Rush, 25 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I should think myself inexcusable in leaving the army by resigning my commission without informing your Excellency that I was compelled to that measure by the prevalence of an opinion among some people that the distresses and mismanagement of the hospitals arose from a “want of harmony” between Dr Shippen, and myself. next to the conviction of my own mind that this was not the case, I wish to...
27688From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 25 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday received your Two favors of the 15th and 21st Instant. I thank you much for the trouble you took in procuring the several Articles, which came by Serjeant Sprigg. The Caledonian pistols and both Swords I return—The latter are too small. I wish to be informed by the earliest opportunity of the prices of the other Articles, that I may transmit you the Money. I will order the...
27689To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 25 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I landed in New Jersey the 19th and proceeded to salem the same Evening—the next Morning I sent out several Detachment to Collect Cattle &ca pursuant to the within Order; at the same time Dispatched the enclosed Letter to B. Genl Ellis. It was difficult to meet any Cattle, Altho the Country abounded with them; as the Inhabitants had Secreted all such as were fit for our use in the...
276901778. Feb. 26. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
I have made many Observations, in the late bad Weather, some of which I do not think it prudent to put in writing—a few I will set down. 1st. I have seen the inexpressible Inconvenience of having so small a Space between Decks, as there is in the Boston. As the main Deck was almost constantly under Water, the Sea rolling in and out at the Ports and Scuppers, We were obliged to keep the Hat ch...