29401From George Washington to William Livingston, 21 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for your two favors of the 17th Instant which came to hand yesterday. I had heard before, that Houses were preparing in New York, and from a variety of concurring circumstances it would seem, that the Enemy mean to evacuate Philadelphia and make that their Rendezvous, at least in the first instance. The event only can determine the authenticity of the information; but added to the...
29402To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 21 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your favor of the 17th by Express; and shall wait your future Commands at this Place. I am entirely agreed with your Excellency in Opinion, that New-York will be the last place of the United States the Enemy will quit. The Inclosed from Colonel Graham is the last Advice I have had from that City to be relyed on. He commands a Corps of New Levies of near 200 men; now at...
29403To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 21 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
We are going on with the regimental Arrangements as fast as possible and I think the Day begins to appear with Respect to this Business. Had our Saviour addressed a Chapter to the Rulers of Mankind as he did many to the Subjects I am perswaded his Good Sense would have dictated this Text. Be not wise overmuch. Had the several Members who compose our multifarious Body been only wise enough Our...
29404To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 21 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
It may perhaps be some entertainment to you, to be informed of the proceedings of the present Assembly. After choosing Colo. Harrison Speaker by a great majority, they seemed to be determined against every act of legislation, which did not in some measure tend to the security of Independence. The sense of the house was taken, as to their inclination to proceed upon the report of the revisers...
29405From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 21 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Upon perusing the Petition hand’d by you this Morning in favor of Lieutenant Peck—I have given orders that he may be released from his Arrest. The Nature of the Charge exhibited against this Gentleman is very weighty, & which, the excellent Character he has hitherto borne, could only induce me to overlook—I hope this Instance will sufficiently warn him, & prevent his doing any thing in future...
29406Bill to Amend an Act for Raising a Supply of Money, [21 May 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas [< Whereas > by an act of the last session of General assembly intituled an act for raising a supply of money for public exigencies it was enacted that a tax or rate of ten shillings for every hundred pounds value should be paid, among other things, upon all slaves by the owner or proprietor; and that the value of such slaves should be estimated by assessors to be appointed in every...
29407Dumas to the American Commissioners, 22[–26] May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, May 22[–26], 1778, in French: The Grand Pensionary wants to acknowledge your letter but cannot give you, until authorized, your due titles; he has offered to communicate verbally through me, and I shall wait until I can furnish him a copy of the treaty. Our friend [van Berckel] wants to know how the British...
29408George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 22–23 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, May 22–23, 1778 . Orders removal of stores from the Elk and urges Smallwood to be on continual guard against enemy. In postscript states the enemy is preparing an offensive move. Df , in writings of James McHenry and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. The postscript is dated May 23, 1778.
2940922 Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Dined at home with a great deal of Company. Went after Dinner to see the Misanthrope of Moliere, with Mr. Amiel. It was followed by the Heureusement.—Called at the Microcosme. Called at Mr. Amiels at the Pension.
29410[May 22 Fryday.] (Adams Papers)
May 22 Fryday. We sent the following Letter. Mr. Joseph Parker of London has made Application to Us concerning a Claim, that he has of Property in a certain Vessell, which has been as he informs Us, in the Custody of the Public, since the Spring of the Year 1775, requesting Us to write to your honours, on the Subject. From what some of Us know and all of Us have heard of Mr. Parker, We have...
29411John Thaxter to Abigail Adams, 22 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
I am happy in informing you, that the Marquiss de La Fayette has safely returned to the Main Camp, after a Brush with a party of the Enemy from the City; in which he had nearly been captivated. I have not learnt all the particulars of the affair; but from the best knowledge I can obtain, I dont find that any thing material did take place, altho’ it had like to have proved a serious matter to...
29412Benjamin Franklin and John Adams to the Massachusetts General Court, 22 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Passy, 22 May 1778. printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:110 . Citing the usual practice under the law of nations of allowing six months after the commencement of hostilities for subjects of both sides to remove their property, Adams and Franklin requested that, if possible, the General Court...
29413C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 22 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Les Etats d’Hollande se sont séparés aujourdhui; et chacun part demain pour sa Ville. Je viens de souhaiter un bon Voyage à notre Ami. Il a vu le G—P—, qui lui a témoigné être fort embarrassé entre le desir qu’il a, Messieurs, de répondre d’abord à votre Lettre, d’une maniere qui vous fasse connoître combien il est sensible à votre politesse, et s’en trouve flatté, avec son espérance, que le...
29414C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners: A Translation, 22 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
The Dutch States General ended their session today, and each member will be leaving for his town tomorrow. I have just come from wishing our friend a good trip. He saw the Grand Pensionary, who told him that he was torn between his desire, on the one hand, to answer your letter in a way that would demonstrate how much he appreciates your courtesy in these dealings and is flattered with the...
29415The American Commissioners: Petition to the Massachusetts Council and House of Representatives, 22 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : Clements Library, University of Michigan; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: National Archives <Passy, May 22, 1778: Mr. Joseph Parker of London has asked us to write to you about his property in a vessel that has been in public hands since the spring of 1775. We have reason to think that he is a worthy man, a friend of America; further detention of his property will ruin...
29416To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Allaire, 22 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I this moment Arrived from England and profited by the Spanish Courier to Inform you that the Wind came to the Eastward yesterday morning about 11 Clock and all the fleet in the Downs got underway and was out [ of ] Sight in the Evening. The fleet of 12 Ships of the line laying at St. Helens I make no doubt are sailed. I have also sent you two News...
29417To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Anisson-Duperon, 22 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library M. Anisson Duperon Directeur de l’Imprimerie Royale a l’honneur de saluer très humblement Monsieur franklin, et de le prier de se ressouvenir de la promesse qu’il a bien voulu faire de venir diner chez M. Duperon, et voir l’Imprimerie Royale avec M. son petit fils, Lundi prochain, 25 du présent. Notation: Anisson 22 may 1778. The descendant of a long...
29418General Orders, 22 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Auditors Office is removed to James Cloyd’s within a mile and an half of the Pay-Master Generals. At a General Court Martial May 16th 1778, Coll Bowman President, Lieutt Eddison of the German Battalon tried for behaving in a manner unbecoming a Gentleman and an Officer in abusing Coll Nixon’s family, found guilty of a breach of the 21st Article of the 14th section of the Articles of War &...
29419Circular to Officers Commanding Virginia Brigades, 22 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I want to obtain a very particular Account of the Number of Men who have come from Virgina under the Old & new Draft Law You are therefore to order the Commanding Officers of the different Regiments in your Brigade to make you as soon as possible an exact return of the Men in their respective Corps who came out as Drafts or Substitutes, distinguishing those of the old from the New. If you can...
29420To George Washington from Thomas Johnson, 22 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
We have had many Applications from People of this State for Leave to go into Phila. some of them want to return again: we have not given Leave to any Body to go in, without permission from the Officer commanding the Continental Troops at some post on the way nor have we recommended any except Mrs Stewart Mrs Caldcleugh and Mrs McCall —We were not satisfied of the propriety of frequently...
29421To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 22 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have inclos’d an extract of a Letter to me from a prisoner on Long Island, the purport of which you will see. The account there given is correspondant to a variety of transactions which have fallen within the observation of several Gentlemen now with us—who were made prisoners with Major Hammell. I know of nothing antecedent to his being a Prisoner which gave any suspicion of him, but the...
29422To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 22 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellencys favour of the 15th instant which I had the pleasure to receive this morning. Since my last to your Excellency, I have received advice from the Indian Country that the Sentiments of those nations who had Evinced the most unfriendly intentions were greatly changed, that they had resolved to attend the conference at Onondaga where...
29423To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 22 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Officer detach’d to Annapolis has just return’d with dispatches from Governor Johnson which I now forward ⅌ Express & it is with pleasure I am led to acquaint you that I think the full Complement of your requisition will shortly rendevous at the head of Elk. Three Hundred recruits have ariv’d here within this three days and near as many more expected daily—Colo. Pope has swept Bomba Hook &...
294241778. May 23. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Home with Company.
29425[May 23. Saturday.] (Adams Papers)
May 23. Saturday. We wrote this Letter A Pilot being wanted to conduct an Advice Boat to America, if you have in your Ship, a suitable Person that can be spared, the Commissioners request, that you would permit him to go on that Service. We have the honour to be, Sir your most obedient humble Servants Dined at home with Company. To “Capt. John Paul Jones,” as LbC indicates. RC ( DLC : John...
29426George Washington to Elias Boudinot, 23 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] May 23, 1778 . Is pleased with the improved treatment of prisoners by British. Requests Boudinot to come to Camp immediately as there is to be a general exchange of prisoners. States that Colonel Francis Johnston has been nominated to succeed Boudinot as commissary of prisoners. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
29427George Washington to Colonel Israel Shreve, 23 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, May 23, 1778 . Discusses case of William Hamet, a Loyalist; disposition of the Jersey drafts; and reinlistment of Lieutenant Jonathan Rhea. Gives instructions in case enemy should evacuate Philadelphia. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
29428From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Pettit, [23 May 1778–1781] (Hamilton Papers)
Col: Hamiltons Compliments to Mr Petit will be obliged to him, if he can give him any hope of soon having the saddle, he was so kind to undertake to procure for him. At present he is a sad dismounted knight. AL , Yale University Library. Pettit, a resident of New Jersey, was assistant quartermaster general in the Continental Army from March 2, 1778, to June 20, 1781.
29429The American Commissioners to John Paul Jones, 23 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: National Archives A pilote being wanted to conduct an Advice Boat to America, if you have in your Ship a suitable Person that can be spared, the Commissioners request, that you would permit him to go on that Service. We have the Honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servants. Endorsed: from the American...
29430Report of a Committee of the Académie Royale des Sciences, 23 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : Archives de l’Académie royale des sciences, Paris L’Académie nous ayant nommés M. Franklin, M. Le Roi, M. le Marquis de Condorcet et moi pour lui rendre compte du projet de M. de la Blancherie pour une correspondance générale, Sur les Sciences, la littérature et les Arts, et la Vie des gens de lettres, et des Artistes de tous les pays, dont les détails doivent être dorénavant publiés,...