28501To George Washington from Grace Gilbert Webb, 9 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was exceedingly surprized & not less afflicted by a Visit a few Days ago from Colonel Humpton, when he informed me that it was your Excellencys Orders, that I should not remove to Philadelphia with my Family & Effects till farther Orders from your Excellency. I replied, there was not the least Danger of my taking such a Step, for I was too great a Coward to attempt to take a Journey without...
28502Questions Concerning a Proposed Cartel for the Exchange of Prisoners of War, [10–11 April 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
1st. Qre? … In what light are the prisoners sent out by General Howe to be considered? 2d … How far and for what proportion are we bound to account? 3d … When and upon what terms are the British and foreign prisoners in our hands to be returned? Who are to be considered as citizens on both sides? 4th … Are Americans, who join the enemy, when not in captivity, and taken in Arms to be...
28503Notes on a Proposed Cartel for the Exchange of Prisoners of War, [10–11 April 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
Memorandums Arts: All officers and soldiers, prisoners of war on either side shall be exchanged on the terms and in the manner following. Those first captured shall be first exchanged. Every officer shall be exchanged for one of equal rank, as far as number will apply, except when there are officers, who have been longer in captivity, that cannot be so exchanged; in which case, these shall...
28504Draft of a Proposed Cartel for the Exchange of Prisoners of War, [10–11 April 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
A Treaty and Convention for the Exchange and Accommodation of Prisoners of War, made between the Armies of The United States of America and The Kingdom of Great Britain; and for other purposes therein specified. Whereas on the 30th. day of July, in the year 1776, a proposition was made by His Excellency General Washington to His Excellency General Sir William Howe, and acceded to by him, on...
28505April 10. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Monsr. Brillon’s, with many Ladies and Gentlemen... Madam Brillon is a Beauty, and a great Mistress of Music, as are her two little Daughters... The Dinner was Luxury as usual—a Cake was brought in, with 3 Flaggs, flying. On one, Pride subdued—on another, Haec Dies, in qua fit Congressus, exultemus et potemus in ea. Supped in the Evening, at Mr. Chamonts. In the evening 2 Gentlemen...
28506[April 10. Fryday. 1778.] (Adams Papers)
April 10. Fryday. 1778. The first moment Dr. Franklin and I happened to be alone, he began to complain to me of the Coolness as he very coolly called it, between the American Ministers. He said there had been disputes between Mr. Deane and Mr. Lee. That Mr. Lee was a Man of an anxious uneasy temper which made it disagreable to do business with him: that he seemed to be one of those Men of whom...
28507The Commissioners to C. W. F. Dumas, 10 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Passy, 10 April 1778. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:44–46 . Drafted by Benjamin Franklin and, according to Adams, “the only public Letter I believe which he wrote while I was with him, in that Commission,” it began by informing Dumas of Adams’ arrival and reporting on his voyage. The...
28508To John Adams from William Vernon Jr., 10 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
After having consulted Persons who are well acquainted with the Commerce of both Bourdeaux and Nants, and the principal Houses in each, I have resolved to settle in this place, and accordingly I have chosen the House of Messrs. Feyers freres, provided they will agree to receive me into their family, for I am informed it is not the custom of this House to allow their Clerks the priviledge of...
28509John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 10 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Upon Mature deliberation and the advise of Experienc’d Officers at this Port Captain Tucker has alter’d his resolution of laying the Ship a Ground, as there are proper Conveniences to heave down large Ships he has brought his Ship up to the Hulks and getting all ready to have her hove down next Week which he and the Carpenter tels me will take eight Days. I therefore hope we shall get her out...
28510Benjamin Franklin and Arthur Lee to Vergennes, 10 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have the Honour to acquaint your Excellency, that Mr. Adams, appointed by the Congress to replace Mr. Deane in the Commission here, is safely arrived, and purposes to wait upon you as soon as recovered a little from the Fatigue of his Voyage. The Ship in which he came is a Frigate of 30 Guns, belonging to the Congress. In her Passage she took a large Ship from London to New York, with a...
28511Colonel William Grayson, Lieutenant Colonels Robert Hanson Harrison and Alexander Hamilton, and Elias Boudinot to … (Hamilton Papers)
The Commissioners appointed by His Excellency General Washington to confer, determine and agree upon a Treaty and Convention for the Exchange of Prisoners of War, and for all matters whatsoever, that may be properly contained therein— Having examined the powers on the part of General Sir William Howe to his Commissioners and compared them with their own, observe a difference, which, in their...
28512The American Commissioners to Dumas with a Covering Note and a Draft Letter to the Grand Pensionary, 10 April 1778 … (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL (draft): Library of Congress; incomplete LS : New-York Historical Society; copies: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, Koninklijk Huisarchief, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two); (II) AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Koninklijk Huisarchief, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (three); (III) AL (draft): Library of Congress;...
28513The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 10 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères <Passy, April 10, 1778: Mr. Adams, appointed by Congress to replace Mr. Deane, has arrived and will wait on you as soon as he recovers from his voyage. He came on a continental frigate, which took a prize with a cargo valued at £70,000. Congress is detaining Gen. Burgoyne and his army for a breach of the convention, and has more than 10,000...
28514John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 10 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society <Bordeaux, April 10, 1778: Capt. Tucker hopes to start careening his ship next week and be finished by Easter. He has instructed the ship’s officers to make returns of the stores wanted. The local officers of the farmers general have ordered him to land and declare the tobacco brought by the Boston . I refused to comply, and they agreed to await further...
28515Dumas to the American Commissioners, 10 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief Les conseillers du Committé d’Hollande, après avoir été, par pure formalité, chez eux ad referendum (car on n’a pas même daigné de délibérer de nouveau là-dessus) sont revenus ici: l’augmentation demandée par le Corps des Nobles est refusée tout net. C’étoit le dernier effort du Parti Anglois, la seule lueur d’espérance qu’il...
28516To Benjamin Franklin from Edme-Jacques Genet, 10 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library J’ai l’honneur de vous addresser la prétendue réponse du gouvernement d’Angleterre à la déclaration de l’indépendance des Etats unis. Elle ne sera imprimée dans le Recueil que vous connoissés qu’autant que vous n’y verres point d’inconvenient. Si vous pensés qu’il soit aussi bien fait de ne point l’y insérer, vû la multitude de faussetés qu’elle...
28517To Benjamin Franklin from Claud Guillaud, 10 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society C’est le desir de servir L’amerique qui m’engage a vous écrire. Avec un tel motif il n’est pas necessaire d’autre appologie: vous êtes notre Ambassadeur voila mes droits; votre zelle pour assurer la liberté de votre pais ne c’est jamais dementi. Le tout puissant touché de nos traveaux, de notres patience, et de nos souffrances, a enfin couronné vos Jours en...
28518To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé Le Clerc de St. Etrain, 10 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Desirant profiter d’une occasion favorable, Mr. mereau de monneron est parti pour amsterdam avant hier. Il aurait fort souhaité emporter les lettres que vous avés eu la Bonté de luy promettre, je l’ay assuré d’après ce que vous m’avés fait l’honneur de me dire que je les luy enverrais en hollande bien persuadé que vous ne l’oublieriés pas. Ainsy je vous...
28519Song for a Brillon Party, [c. 10 April 1778] (Franklin Papers)
D : American Philosophical Society The manuscript is perhaps in Chaumont’s hand, but the author could have been any of the Brillons’ friends or even Madame herself. The date is equally uncertain, and we have only conjecture for the one we assign. The Brillons invited John Adams to a dinner party a day or two after his arrival; it was a large and festive gathering. “Madame Brillon was one of...
28520General Orders, 10 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
Whereas many Inconveniencies may arise in settling the recruiting Accounts of the Army for want of the officers being acquainted with the mode of stating the said Accounts, the Commanding Officer of each Regiment and Corps is therefore requested to apply to the Auditors of the Army who will furnish them with blank forms by which that business will be much facilitated, and render the adjustment...
28521To George Washington from Robert Adam, 10 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
The many Obligations I have been, and Still think my[self] under to you Oblidges me by this Opertunity to truble you with a few lines And for a Moment Interupt from Matters of Much greater Consequence. Mr Lund Washington and I have Settled all the Acctts that Subsisted between you & I, and has received the Ball[anc]e in full for which I have his receipt. I cannot help Observeing to you, that...
28522To George Washington from Colonel Theodorick Bland, 10 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
This day fortnight I wrote to Your Excellency in obedience to the Orders Recd by Col: Baylor, Since which I have been Constantly employd in the Purchase of Horses for the Cavalry; I have myself Purchased ten, as yet I have not exceeded £100 this Curr[enc]y & have only given that in one Instance; the generality of my Purchase has been from 60 to 85. From the dispersed Situation of the officers...
28523To George Washington from Bryan Fairfax, 10 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had an Opportunity of writing to Yr Excellency lately from Alexandria; but the peculiar Situation I was in prevented me from writing more fully at that time. I advanced one Position only which will be the Ground of this Letter, namely, that Providence carries on Wars the more readily by causing or suffering People to see the same Things in a different Light. And from the pleasure I felt in...
28524To George Washington from Brigadier General John Glover, 10 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
your Excellencys letter of 18th Ulto I recd the 8th instant; the business I was Charged with, is not yet finished, oweing to many circumstan[c]es attending the accots; and the mode of payment, Resolved by congress, which I fully mentioned, in my letter, of the 29th March. General Burgoyne, left Cambridge for newport the 5th instant; when he gave me a bill on his paymaster, for the amount of...
28525To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 10 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will be presented to your Excellency by Lt Colo. Nevers, of the Province of Nova Scotia, He with a number of other Inhabitants have been Driven from their Habitations by the Iron Rod of Tyranny He is now going to Congress to Implore their advice aid & assistance being Desireous to Wait on your Excellency before He proceeds to Congress and having requested a line from me I have taken the...
28526To George Washington from Colonel Obadiah Johnson, 10 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am sensible that your perpetual publick Concernments are so important that it is with much Difficulty you Can Spare a few Minnutes to an Individual but Knowing your Kindness to all Men I presume a moment to interrupt you & to request a perticular favour—I have lately I Conceive been most Severely injured by a Gentleman of this State in a publick Assembly (when nominated to Sustain An Office...
28527From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 10 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor of receiving your favor of the 4th Instt, inclosing a resolve of Congress of the same date empowering me to call forth five Thousand Militia from the States of Maryland, Pensylvania, and New Jersey. I thank Congress for the power; at the same time it is incumbent on me to assure them, that granting the practicability of collecting such a number, it would prove a work of...
28528To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 10 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
Having lately received some Leiden papers the perusal of which (tho’ of an old date) the Marquiss De la Fayette assured me would be agreeable to your Excellency I do myself the honour to enclose them, & at the same time to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 12th March—The papers contain little interesting intelligence but what we have already had—they are chiefly filled with American...
28529To George Washington from Brigadier General Peter Muhlenberg, 10 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
Coll Mead was with me this Morning, desiring me to give Your Excellency a final Answer, in what manner I intended to Act, with regard to the dispute between Genl Woodford Weedon & myself; Tho I have had time enough to consider of it, I have still put it of[f], as I expected nothing would be done in it, untill Genl Weedons return; This Affair has been often Canvassed within my hearing, by the...
28530From George Washington to Brigadier General Peter Muhlenberg, 10 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
In answer to yours of this morning I have only to say that the matter respecting your Rank and that of Generals Woodford, Scott and Weedon has been most fully discussed at several times by Congress, the Committee of Congress, and a Board of General Officers, whose opinions all seemed to correspond. This contradicts the Report that Congress were at all events determined to give a preference to...
28531To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel John Parke, 10 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was Yesterday at Head Quarters, with an Intention of laying my Situatiation before your Excellency, but had not the Honor of seeing you: with great Submission therefore I take this Method of making my Case known. In the Confidence of Innocence I wrote two Letters to the Adjutant-General, desiring an Enquiry into my Conduct, as reported by Genl Scott: my last Letter was answerd with Arrest,...
28532From George Washington to Major Michael Ryan, 10 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of Yesterday. You know very well that by the Rules of the Army which have been and now are in force, that no officer could hold two appointments, unless by an express Resolution of Congress, and that therefore when you accepted the appointment of Brigade Major, you vacated your Rank in the line. You cannot produce an instance where a Brigade Major has returned to the line, except...
28533From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 10 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
Majr Schull leaving Camp without giving me a second oppertunity of speaking to him, prevented another offer which I had in contemplation, and which I am still disposed to make him, if it can be done without carrying with it the appearance of importunity, and consequently embarrassment, if his inclination leads to a different pursuit. The place I had in view for him was in my family—assistant...
28534To George Washington from Colonel Israel Shreve, 10 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
two Day ago, by Express, I was inform’d the Enemy that Landed at Squan, Burnt the Buildings, belonging to the Works on that River, and Immediately Imbarked, the Salt and pans were not Distroyed, the Detatchment of Furmans Late Regt has not yet Joined me, I hear they are on their march, I have had no Reignforce of militia Since my Last, I have kept three Small parties Scouting below in the...
28535From George Washington to Thomas Wharton, Jr., 10 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of yours of the 6th inclosing a passport for the Waggons with Stores for the prisoners at Winchester, which I immediately forwarded to Mrs Pemberton. I beg leave to introduce Major General Greene to you, who is lately appointed Qr Mr General. Upon looking over the late law of this State for regulating the manner of providing Waggons for the Service, he has found out some parts...
28536[Edward Bancroft] to [Franklin and John Adams], [before 7 August 1778] (Franklin Papers)
Two copies and transcript: National Archives In early 1778 Silas Deane and his friend Edward Bancroft had used their inside knowledge of the Franco-American treaty negotiations to wager on the London stock market. Unfortunately for them, Musco Livingston, a young ship captain, saw a letter written by Bancroft to a Mr. Wharton (probably Samuel Wharton, Bancroft and Deane’s partner, but perhaps...
28537April 11. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Went to Versailles, with Dr. Franklin and Mr. Lee—waited on the Count De Vergennes, the Secretary of foreign Affairs—was politely received.—He hoped I should stay long enough to learn French perfectly—assured me, that every Thing should be done to make France agreable to me—hoped the Treaty would be agreable, and the Alliance lasting.—I told him I thought the Treaty liberal, and generous—and...
28538[April 11. Saturday 1778.] (Adams Papers)
April 11. Saturday 1778. Went to Versailles with Dr. Franklin and Mr. Lee, visited the Secretary of State for foreign Affairs, the Count de Vergennes and was politely received. He hoped I should stay long enough in France, to acquire the French Language perfectly.... Assured me that every Thing should be done to make France agreable to me. Hoped the Treaty would be agreable, and the Alliance...
28539John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 11 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
I Now Sit Down to inform You That I have Safely arrived at Paris which we Did on Wednesday evening when We went to 3 hotels Before we could Procure a Lodging which we Did for 2 days the next Morning we Went To a place Calld Passy where we found Dr franklin his Son and some other Gentlemen where we stayd about an hour when Mr. Deanes son and another Gentleman and I Went about the City which we...
28540Samuel Tucker to the Commissioners, 11 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
These may serve to inform your Honours of my present Situation, and how far advance’d, in Readiness; I am at the Pantoon and shall Careene my Ship on Tuesday next, and Expect by the last of the Week to have her finished as to heaving down; after that I hope in a short Time to be prepared for Sea. My Ship and Riging being so much shatered, it will take me some Time longer then I imaganed to get...
28541Colonels Charles O’Hara and Humphrey Stephens, and Captain Richard FitzPatrick to Colonel William Grayson, Lieutenant … (Hamilton Papers)
The Commissioners appointed by His Excellency Sir William Howe to take into Consideration all past Transactions relative to the Exchange of Prisoners, to adjust the differences that have so long subsisted in regard to them, to remove all Difficulties that may arise in carrying into Execution a General Exchange of Prisoners with both Parties at this Time, & finally to establish a regular &...
28542Colonel William Grayson, Lieutenant Colonels Robert Hanson Harrison and Alexander Hamilton, and Elias Boudinot to … (Hamilton Papers)
The Commissioners, appointed by His Excellency General Washington, “to confer, determine and agree upon a Treaty and Convention, for the exchange of prisoners of war, and for all matters whatsoever, that may be properly contained therein,” are inexpressibly concerned, to find, that the Commissioners on the part of General Sir William Howe should think it necessary to make the objections stated...
28543Samuel Tucker to the American Commissioners, 11 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society <On board the Boston , Bordeaux, April 11, 1778: I shall careen my ship next Tuesday, and hope to be soon ready for sea; Mr. Bondfield will expedite matters. You will have sent Capt. Palmes, I hope, before this reaches you. I shall be happy to hear from you.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 27–8.
28544Vergennes to the American Commissioners, 11 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library J’ai recû, Messieurs, La lettre d’hier que vous m’avés fait L’honneur de m’ecrire et l’Extrait de la resolution du Congrès en datte du 22. novembre de l’année derniere que vous aves bien voulu y joindre. Agreés en tous mes remercimens. Je ne suis pas moins sensible Messieurs, a l’attention que vous avés de m’informér de l’arrivée de M. adams Votre nouveau...
28545To Benjamin Franklin from ——— d’Alagnac, 11 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne, April 11, 1778, in French: I trust that you will give me, though a stranger, news of my relative the chevalier de Pontgibaud, who left Nantes on October 11 last with recommendations to M. Lafayette and Gen. Conway. For six months I have had no word, and his father, seventy-seven, is in great anxiety. You are presumably...
28546To Benjamin Franklin from James Hutton, 11 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer of this is a Mr. D’Aguiton of Geneva, a very honest worthy man whom I Love and who deserves it. He has an affair of Merchandise to settle with a Mr. Haywood at Paris, said to be known to you. Mr. Aguiton begs me to recommend him to you to be of any Assistance to Him that He may want, if He should want it, in this Matter. I never knew you refuse a...
28547To Benjamin Franklin from Le Roy, [11 April 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society J’ai appris Mon Illustre confrère que M. Adams est arrivé la nuit du Mercredy au Jeudy, au moins à ce que l’on m’a dit, et pour ne pas vous importuner trop tôt j’ai eu la discrétion de ne pas vous envoyer demander les bonnes nouvelles qu’il a apportées mais je ne puis y tenir. Permettez donc que je vous prie de vouloir bien me les mander et que je me...
28548General Orders, 11 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief earnestly calls on all officers to pay the strictest attention to the General order of 28th of January last respecting their mens Ammunition and in addition to that order, He directs that whenever a non commissioned officer or soldier is detected in discharging his Piece or otherwise wasting his Ammunition the first Commissioned Officer he is brought before shall order...
28549To George Washington from Captain John Barry, 11 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I send by the bearer the things I have Purchased for Your Excellency, It wood have gave me grate pleasure to have had it in my power to have Complated the whole, but some of them selling so high and others not good was the Occasin —the men I have hire that your Excellency Ordered me from Camp Wants close and the[y] Grumble Very much about it—I fear thare Is some of them that will not stay...
28550From George Washington to the Continental Navy Board, 11 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 31st ulto. All the Articles which you send over are to be directed to the Commy Genl of purchases or his deputy in Camp and they will give Receipts upon delivery. I have never had an answer from General Howe respecting Caps. Robinson and Galt. Our Commissioners are now sitting at Newtown to endeavour to procure a general Release of prisoners and to settle a more...