27841To George Washington from Captain Samuel Bartlett, 4 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I would beg leave to acquaint your Excelency that by reason of the Fatigues of the Past Campaign I am Reducd to So low a State of Health that I am intirely unfit to do Duty in the Camp, and as it is very improbable that I Shall recover So long as I Continue in the Camp, must beg your Excelency to grant me a Discharge from the Service. Your Excelencys Granting my Request will much Oblige your...
27842Instructions to Colonel George Baylor, 4 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
It being adjudged advisable to augment the Cavalry in Continental Service by an addition of One Lieutt One Sergeant one Corporal and twenty two privates to each Troop, and that the States of Virginia and North Carolina should furnish Six hundred Horses for this purpose. You will receive from the Comee of Congress (sitting at Moor-hall) direction respecting the means to obtain these; with which...
27843To George Washington from William Buchanan, 4 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
On the 14th Ulto I had the Honour of recieving your Excellency’s Letter, in Baltimore. Both my duty and Inclination prompted me to answer it much sooner, but a severe Fit of Sickness, out of which I am even yet but very imperfectly recovered, has ⟨here⟩to prevented me—Words can not pain the Distress I feel in being at the Head of a Department, the Deficiencies in which, have occasioned your...
27844To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 4 March 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 4 Mar. 1778. On 9 Mar., GW wrote to Gates : “I have been this day favd with yours of the 27th February and of the 2d 3d and 4th instants.”
27845From George Washington to a Board of General Officers, 4 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I transmit you the Case & papers alluded to in yesterdays Orders, respecting the claim of rank by the Brigadiers in the Virginia line and upon which you are requested to report your Opinions, as to the prec[e]dence they should hold with respect to each other. I am Gentn Yr Most Obedt Servt Df , in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The enclosures...
27846To George Washington from a Board of General Officers, 4 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
At a Board of General officers held at Lord Stirlings Quarters March 4th 1778 The Board having Taken into Consideration the Relative Rank of Generals Woodford Mulenburgh Scott & Weeden and after Examining the Papers Refferred to Them, Are unanimously of opinion That in the original promotion of Those Gentlemen to the office of Brigadiers They ought to have been Arranged in The following Manner...
27847To George Washington from Lund Washington, 4 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Horse and Letter by Fitzgerald was deliverd me on Saturday last—the Horse is rather poor, I think he is rather likely than otherways—he is much swoln about the Ancles otherways appears to be well—I shall endeavour to Fatten him—make him look as well as Possible and then let it be known that I have a Horse for the purpose of Coverg. I shall ask 15 or 20 Dollars for the season the latter if...
27848March 5. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
This Morning We have the pleasantest Prospect we have yet seen —a fine easy Breeze, from the Southward, w hich gives us an Opportunity of keeping our true Course—a so ft , clear, warm Air—a fair Sun—no Sea. We have a g reat Number of Sails spread and We go at the Rate of 9 Kno ts. Yet the Ship has no perceptible Motion, and makes no N oise. My little Son is very proud of his Knowledge of all...
27849[March 5. Thursday 1778.] (Adams Papers)
March 5. Thursday 1778. This morning We had the pleasantest prospect We had yet seen. An easy breeze from the Southward, gave Us an Opportunity of keeping our true course. With a soft, clear, warm Air, a fair Sun and no Sea, We had a great number of Sails spread, and went at the rate of nine Knots; yet the Ship had no perceptible motion and made no noise. My little Son was very proud of his...
27850To John Adams from Patrick Henry, 5 March 1778 (Adams Papers)
Capt. Le Maire the Bearer tells me he saw you in Paris. In Hopes this may find you there, I write, not so much to tell you any thing of public Importance (for we have not much News) as to revive that Correspondence which Time, Distance of Situation and important Avocations have almost worn out. The Marquiss Fayette, Genl. Conway and many other french officers are gone to Canada Report says,...
27851To Alexander Hamilton from George Clinton, 5 March 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your Favour of the 13th Feb’y last. Your other Letter has not reached me. I am so Circumstanced at present so much to do & no Body to assist me that I can hardly steal a Moment to write to my Friends tho their Letters always afford me the greatest Pleasure. May I then hope Sir that you will continue to write me frequently tho I shoud not prove a very punctual Correspondent....
27852From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 5 March 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
It gives me pleasure to inform you that Mr Boudinotte has been able to effect your exchange for a Doctor Mentzes. Allow me to congratulate you on the event. We are again on the business of a general cartel with Mr Howe He seems inclined to meet us on fair ground. Commissioners from us meet an equal number from him the 10th instant. One great and preliminary point to be settled is the...
27853George Washington to Major Warham Parks, 5 March 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] March 5, 1778 . Urges Parks to remain in service in spite of temporary disability. Df , in writings of John Laurens and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Parks was a major of the Fourth Massachusetts Regiment.
27854From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 5 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
L : Harvard University Library Dr. Franklin presents his Respects to Mr. A. Lee, is sorry he can not do himself the honour of waiting upon [ him ] on Monday next, being pre-engaged. If Tuesday or Wednesday will suit Mr. Lee’s Convenience, Dr. F. will [ be ] happy to accept his Invitation. Addressed: Honble Arthur Lee Esqr. / Chaillot Notation: March 5th. 1778 In WTF ’s hand. He was perhaps...
27855From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 5 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : The late Arthur Bloch The interview to which this brief note is a summons was the one that the commissioners had requested the day before, to discuss making the treaty public. Gérard met them on schedule, and opened the conversation by taking Lee to task for misquoting him to Aranda about another matter; Lee put the blame on Deane, who refused to take it. Franklin then recalled them to...
27856William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 5 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Not being favor’d with any of your Dispatches since the Arrival of Doctr. Franklin (except a few Lines under Date of the 7 June) I have become very apprehensive of the Fate of the many Letters that I have from Time to Time done myself the honor of writing, and which have generally been addressed under Cover to Messrs. Delaps at Bordeaux. Your not...
27857Ralph Izard to the American Commissioners, 5 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I intend to set out, as soon as my Gout and the weather will permit me, for the Court to which I have the honour of being appointed by Congress. It will be proper for me to be acquainted with such parts of your proceedings at the Court of France as will be of any assistance to me in fulfilling the objects of my Commission. You will therefore be pleased to...
27858To Benjamin Franklin from La Rochefoucauld, [5 March? 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Le Duc de la Rochefoucauld fait bien des complimens à Monsieur franklyn, en lui envoiant la nouvelle traduction sur laquelle il a bien voulu lui promettre de jetter les yeux; il le prie de vouloir bien la lui renvoier lorsqu’il aura eu la bonté de l’examiner et de la corriger: il le prie aussi de vouloir bien, si par hasard il avoit eu quelques nouvelles,...
27859To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Peters, 5 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have been honored with several Letters by the Hands of sundry Gentlemen coming here with a View to serve our Cause; but from the Numbers of our own Officers and the foreign Gentlemen not being possessed of our language it was impossible for us to find Places or for them to distinguish themselves in our Service. You are conscious of this and therefore ’tis...
27860To Benjamin Franklin from [Benjamin Vaughan], 5 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I beg to recommend the bearer to your best patronage, friendship, and advice. I shall say nothing more of him, than that to warm benevolence and good parts, there have been joined a virtuous education and public principles. In these times and upon the plan on which he goes, his success is fundamentally important to his family. Particulars he will explain;...
27861To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Vaughan, 5 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be delivered to You by my son John, who goes (via Paris) in order to be an inmate in the House of Messrs. Barton & Co. at Bourdoux; to perfect himself in the Language, acquire experience in Business, and form connections, preparatory to his setling in North America, so soon as our unhappy disputes are at an end; as I am more and more determined to...
27862To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 5 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have recvd. your obliging Favour of the 28 Inst. and am much rejoiced at Mr. Chaumonts success; I hope he will retain a Dedomagement for his Trouble and Kindness. If this Money is to be paid in America how am I to be reimbursed my Expences and paid Commissions? But I suppose the 50,000 Livres will be paid here; I beg Sir you will obtain this for me, for a...
27863General Orders, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
As Persons, Inhabitants of this State are often brought and lodged in the Provost-Guard upon charge of being disaffected or for other reasons which upon examination before a Court Martial appear groundless and those persons consequently subjected to needless Imprisonment; The Commander in Chief therefore desires that in future the Adjutant General would before commitment refer the Cases of such...
27864From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
It being judged advisable to augment the Cavalry by an addition of one Lieutenant, one Serjeant, one Corporal and twenty two privates to each Troop, a great number of Horses will be wanting for such augmentation and to replace those worn down by the last Campaign. It is proposed that six hundred should be purchased if possible in Virginia and North Carolina and that Colo. Baylor and yourself...
27865To George Washington from George Clinton, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Favour of the 16th Ultimo has been delivered to me—The Distress to which the Army has been reduced by want of Provissions is no less surprizing than alarming—Your Excellency’s Idea of the Condition of this State is very just; No material Supplies can be drawn from it—The Attachment however of the Inhabitants to the American Cause as well as to the Commander in Chief will at...
27866To George Washington from Captain Charles Craig, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I beg Leave to inform your Excellency that the situation of my Private Affairs obliges me to request permision to quit the service. That is the Motive, Sir, which is my principal inducement to resigning; but there are several additional reasons that render my continuance in the Army impracticable. The Promotion of Major Washington who was my inferior in point of rank, I cannot view in any...
27867From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 20th Feby inclosing a letter from Lieut. Coune of the 62d Regt to Genl Howe. I shall send in the letter and shall have no objection to his Exchange if Genl Howe consents. As Ensign Winslips health does not admit of his remaining in the Service, I would have you accept of his resignation. The wax which you mention to have sent forward is not yet come to hand. Having...
27868To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
By an Express which Colo. Finnie sent to Camp, I inclosed you an Anonymous Letter, which I hope got safe to Hand. I am anxious to hear something that will serve to explain the strange Affair which I am now informed is taken up respecting you. Mr Custis has just paid us a Visit, & by him I learn sundry particulars concerning Genl Mifflin, that much surprize me. ’Tis very hard to trace the...
27869From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have your favors of the 4th and 16th Feby. I have not yet recd any answer from the Board of War respecting the Artillery at Farmington. I would not have you keep any more of the new Arms in the Magazines to the Eastward than you think will be absolutely necessary for the Recruits coming on to the Army, what number that will probably be you can best judge who are upon the spot. I do not know...
27870To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
The present Messenger will deliver to your Excellency with this, a Letter which I had the honour of writing the 1st Inst. & which has been detained by Susquehana. Inclosed herewith Your Excellency will be pleased to receive the following Acts of Congress. 1. 2d March. for appointing a Quarter Master General & two Assistant Quarter Masters general & for other purposes in that department. 2d. ...