30951From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 10 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 6th Instt which came to my hands yesterday, afforded a fresh proof of the noble principles on which you act, and has a just claim to my sincere & hearty thanks. The common cause, of which you have been a Zealous supporter would I know, be benefitted by Genl Greene’s presence at Rhode Island, as he is a native of that State—has an interest with the People—and a thorough...
30952From George Washington to Richard Henry Lee, 10 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
A few days ago I received your favor of the 26th Ulto, inclosing one from Colo. Spotswood, for which I thank you. The reputation which this Gentn had acquired, of being an attentive Officer and good disciplinarian, was justly founded; and I considered his leaving the Army a loss to the Service. The supposed death of his Brother, it is natural to believe, had a painful influence upon his...
30953To George Washington from Brigadier General John Stark, 10 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Dear General —Your letter of the 5th instant has come to hand by express. I am very happy to hear that the disposition of the troops in this department will so well agree with your sentiments. The posts of Schoharie and Cherry Valley I look upon as exposed to equal danger. For that reason I have stationed Colonel Butler at one, and Colonel Alden at the other. By the inclosed letters, you will...
30954From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 10 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favoured with yours of the 6th. I regret much the tardiness of the militia, as every moment is infinitely precious, and the delay, it produces, may not only frustrate the expedition, which is a matter of the greatest importance in itself; but may expose the French fleet to some fatal disaster. I have no doubt of your utmost exertions to forward the business with all dispatch....
30955To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 10 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Count De-Estaing and myself were by Agreement to land our Forc[e]s here this Morning but I having received Intelligence early Yesterday Morning that the Enemy had abandoned the north End of the Island entirely in Consequence of the French Fleets coming up the River thought it best to push over without Loss of Time the whole of my Troops which accordingly was done —immediately after our...
30956To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Henry Lee, 10 August 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
I agree entirely with you concerning the importance of the confederation, and have never failed to press it. Ten States have ratified—Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland have not, and one of them, Maryland, has adjourned until November, so that the new Congress under the Confederation cannot meet this year at the time proposed by the Confederacy. The inclosed paper contains all the news we have,...
30957General Orders, 11–12 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
A sufficient number of Officers having not yet presented themselves as Candidates for Commissions in the Companies of Sappers and Miners—The General requests all those who may be disposed to enter into this service immediately to give in their names and wait upon General Du Portail as he is desirous of having the Companies established without delay—This being a species of service well worthy...
30958John Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
I am desirous of conveying to you, in a manner that will not probably fail of success, and therefore have written the same Thing by many Vessells. I have ordered some Things to be shipped to you by two Opportunities. But least these should not arrive, or whether they do or not, I beg of you to draw upon me, for one hundred Pounds sterling which shall be paid at sight. Any Person who has...
30959John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
you will pardon me if I do not write to you very often for you know how I used to teaze you to write a copy of a letter for me but now I do not have you to write and my Pappa being always a doing publick affaires or a writing to you cannot do it for me, so that I am obliged to think myself, sometimes I think of a few words to write but you know I am no great hand at letter writing for if I was...
30960Peter Frederick Dobrée to the Commissioners, 11 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
My Father in law has just now comunicated me the Honble. Mr. Lee’s Letter of the 4 Instant which he received Yesterday, together with sundry extracts which would greatly alarm me, was not I consious of my Innocence. I will not take too much upon those precious moments which you so laudably dedicate to your Country, to refute the false accusations contained in the anonimous Letter, but beg you...
30961Peter Frederick Dobrée to the American Commissioners, 11 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library My Father in law has just now comunicated me the Honorable Mr. Lee’s Letter of the 4 Instant, which he received Yesterday, together with sundry extracts which would greatly alarm me, was not I consious of my Innocence. I will not take too much upon those precious moments which you so laudably dedicate to your Country, to refute the false accusations contained...
30962To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 11 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): M.D.A.F.H.H. Hartley Russell (1955) on deposit in the Berkshire County Record Office; transcript: Library of Congress I writ to you as long ago as the 14th of last month to tell you that the administration here had given their consent to the exchange of prisoners at Calais and that they would agree to give any ship on your part a free passport from Brest to Calais upon your sending...
30963From George Washington to Lieutenant Caleb Brewster, 11 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I perceive by a letter of yours to Genl Parsons that Genl Silliman had granted liberty to Lieut. French to return to Long Island upon parole. Genl Parsons tells me that upon rect of your letter he directed Mr French to be detained untill he consulted me upon the propriety of the Measure. I desire that he may be immediately sent back to the place from whence he came, and inclosed is a letter...
30964From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 11 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of transmitting to Congress the Inclosed Letter, which I just now received from the pay Master General. They will perceive by it, that the Military Chest is entirely exhausted, and, that a third of the Army remains unpaid for the Months of April and May. The importance & necessity of an immediate and large supply will at once appear—and I am persuaded it will be ordered and...
30965From George Washington to William Livingston, 11 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was favor’d with yours of the 7th in[stant] this morning. You will perceive by the enclosure from Colo. Biddle the Forage Master General to the Army the prices that have been given for hay in the different States and that the proper measures will be used to exempt Somerset County from her proportion of Forage. The last accounts from Rhode Island was of the 6th with the news of the Enemy’s...
30966From George Washington to Colonel William Malcom, 11 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Captain John Stevens who will deliver you this, I find was properly authorized to project a Machine in the river, at West Point, for the purpose of setting fire to any of the Enemy’s Shipping that might attempt a passage up it. He represents that, for the want of hands, he is unable to carry it on—being totally unacquainted with the circumstance, I have taken the opinion of some Gentlemen who...
30967To George Washington from Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, Jr., 11 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Will you pardon a liberty I am about to take with you. I have been inform’d that you have had the misfortune to lose your favorite Horse & that you are not mounted at present as you ought to be. The Liberty I am about to take with you, is that of sending you a Horse that will suit you better than any one in Am[e]rica. But then I must insist that he be accepted as a present, for his value...
30968To George Washington from William Palfrey, 11 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from William Palfrey, 11 Aug. 1778. On 17 Aug., Congress read GW’s letter of 11 Aug., “enclosing one, of the same date, to him from William Palfrey, Esq. pay master general” ( JCC , 11:802).
30969From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 11 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
A few days ago I received your favor of the 16th Ulto, which Colonel Lee was so obliging as to transmit. From the regard I had for you and the estimation in which I held you, as an Officer, I wished your continuance in the Army; and considered your departure from it a loss to the service. This you will readily believe, as you well know my persuasions had been used to prevent it’s taking place...
30970From Benjamin Franklin to R. Parsons, [on or after 12 August 1778] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society I did truly tell Capt. Hickey as you mention that I had never given Mr. Parsons the least Encouragement to go to America. Your good Opinion of your Husband, which is very natural and laudable, induces you to think there is some Mistake in this, and you express your Doubt in these Words, “ If IN REALITY he has never had any Countenance from you ,” &c....
30971To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 12–13 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, 12–13 Aug. 1778. On 21 Aug., GW wrote Greene : “On Wednesday afternoon I re⟨ce⟩ived your favor of the 12th & 13th Inst.”
30972From John Adams to John Bradford, 12 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of 17 June is before me. I thank you, sir for your kind Congratulations on my safe arrival at Paris. Before this arrives you will have learn’d that War is commenced in Earnest between France and England. Never was a Nation in higher Spirits than the French, or lower than the English. The Events of War, it is true are always uncertain, but there have been few Conjunctions in human...
30973From John Adams to Samuel Cooper, 12 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your kind favour of July 1st. is before me, and I feel myself much obliged to you for it, as well as for your generous Endeavours, to console my dear Mrs. Adams under her anxiety. Our Ennemies discover the Meanness of their Souls in nothing more than in the low Lyes they make and propagate merely to distress, private Families. A very great Number, have been fabricated, Simply to afflict that...
30974George Washington to Comte d’Estaing, 12 August 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
White Plains [ New York ] August 12, 1778 . States again that British fleet has left “the Hook.” Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
30975James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 12 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The forgoing is extract of a letter I this day received from Lisbon dated 21st July. It may happen, the information may be of some utility to you, which is the reason I forward it, being with due respect Honorable Gentlemen Your assur’d humble Servant Addressed: The Honorable / Plenepotentiary Ministers / of the United States of / America / at / Passy...
30976To Benjamin Franklin from R. Parsons, 12 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope you will Pardon a liberty which nothing but the deepest distress cou’d induce me to take. I feel the indelicacy of importuning a Perfect stranger to afford that relief, which I have no right to demand, and which goodness of heart alone, can Prompt you to bestow; but indeed, Sir, a Situation such as mine, is an excuse for any impropriety there may be...
30977General Orders, 12 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Brigade Commissaries are daily to deliver the hides and tallow at the Magazines of Provisions. Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
30978To George Washington from Silas Deane, 12 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving your polite & Freindly Letter of the 25th Ulto but Three days ago, and Col. Bannister informing me, he should set out in a Day, or Two, for the Army, prevented my instantly writing to tell you, how happy I am to find that my Conduct has met your Approbation, & how much I consider myself honored by it. next to the satisfaction which rises from a consciousness, of...
30979From George Washington to Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 12 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have just received a second letter dated the 10th from General Maxwell, confirming the intelligence of the departure of the British fleet from the Hook, with some further particulars, which it may not be useless or unsatisfactory to you to know—an extract from which I do myself the honor to inclose. The state of the winds for two or three days past makes me hope this communication may not...
30980To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 12 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 24th June and 3rd July Came to hand by this Days Post. where they have been so long detained I cannot Conceive, as they Contain Several Peices of Intelligence of the then motions of the Enemy—had they Come to hand in the Usual Time would have gratifyed the Publick exceedingly; be pleased Sir to accept my warmest acknowledgements of Gratitude and Thanks for the Honor Done me in...
30981To George Washington from Colonel John Lamb, 12 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am extremely sorry to inform your Excellency, that, a dispute has arisen between Colo. Harrisson of the Artillery, and myself, respecting Seniority; As I came into the Service, a Capt. in the Artillery, on 30th June 1775, and had the honor of being appointed (by Congress) to the sole Command of the Artillery in the Northern Department, with the Rank, and Pay of Major 1st Janry 1776 (at the...
30982To George Washington from the Council of Maryland, 12 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Lieut. Colo. Smith by his Letter of the 26th last, informs us that he is desired by the Officers of the second Maryland Brigade to apply to us for Money to inlist the nine Months Men, many of whom they have inlisted for three Years and the greatest Number of whom may be before their Time has expired; that the Money, which they will frequently want, will induce them and, he conceives an Order...
30983To George Washington from Maryland Officers, 12 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maryland officers, 12 Aug. 1778. On 13 Aug., GW’s secretary James McHenry wrote to Col. John Gunby and other Maryland officers: “Colonel Price has been transmitted a copy of the charges against him in your letter to his Excellency of yesterday that he may prepare for tryal. When the evidence you think necessary to carry on the prosecution are collected, you will be...
30984Arthur Lee and John Adams to Sartine, 13 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellency s Letter of the Twenty ninth of July, inclosing a Plan for a System of Regulations for Prizes and Prisoners, We had the Honour of receiving in due Time, and are very Sorry it has remained, so long unanswered. In general We are of opinion that the Regulations are very good, but We beg leave to lay before your Excellency the following observations. Upon the second Article We...
30985George Washington to Colonel Peter Gansevoort, 13 August 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
White Plains [ New York ] August 13, 1778 . Instructs Gansevoort to hold Samuel Gake, who has been found guilty by a court-martial, as a witness against Major Jury Hammell. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress. Gansevoort was a colonel of the Third New York Regiment.
30986George Washington to Henry Laurens, 13 August 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
White Plains [ New York ] August 13, 1778 . Encloses a letter from Major General John Sullivan. Asks for papers concerning Major General Arthur St. Clair, whose trial is about to commence. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
30987The American Commissioners to Sartine, 13 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, August 13, 1778: We are sorry for the delay in answering your letter of July 29. We are of opinion that the regulations are very good but wish to make the following observations. We propose that judges of admiralty in America because of the size of their jurisdictions be permitted to delegate their authority....
30988From Benjamin Franklin to William Lee, 13 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society You left a Trunk in my Care seal’d up, and took my Receipt attested by four Witnesses, wherein I promis’d to deliver that Trunk to you or your Order in the same State wherein I receiv’d it. This I am ready to do whenever you please. But I am not willing to have any Concern in the Opening of it, or in examining and Sorting as you desire, the Papers it...
30989To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Rodolphe Perronet, 13 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Perronet assure de son Respectueux attachement Monsieur Francklin et lui envoy un Plan du Combat Entre la flotte anglaise et l’Armée du Roy, persuadé qu’il pourra lui faire plaisir. This is the only letter we have to BF from his fellow member of the Académie royale des sciences. Perronet (1708–94) was the leading engineer in France: Schelle, Œuvres de...
30990To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Peters, 13 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Let me beg of you to endeavor at sending the enclosed Letter to my Father if he be still in England. I fear all Letters to him are examined at the Post Offices and therefore presume you can contrive the Matter so as that it shall not pass thro’ them. It contains Information of absolute Necessity to him but perhaps it might be of Disservice to him if...
30991General Orders, 13 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Two Colliers from each Brigade are to be constantly employed under direction of Colonel Baldwin in burning Coal for the use of the Army. All the Teams attached to the different Brigades fit for service are to be turned out daily by the Waggon Master General to be employed by the Commissary General of Provisions and Forage in the Invirons of Camp except so many as may be necessary for Camp...
30992To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel William Butler, 13 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Lt. Col. William Butler, 13 Aug. 1778. On 24 Aug., GW wrote Butler : “I recd yours of the 13th instant dated at Schohary.” Butler wrote New York governor George Clinton on 13 Aug.: “I have wrote to his Excellency Genl. Washington informing him of my situation &c. of the same date” (Hastings, Clinton Papers , 3:632).
30993From George Washington to Colonel Peter Gansevoort, 13 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received the proceedings of a Court Martial held by your order respecting Samuel Gake. As neither the articles of war, nor any resolves of Congress authorise the constituting General Courts Martial by any others, than the commander in chief, the commanding officer in a separate department, or a General-Officer commanding in a particular state, I should have been under the necessity of...
30994From George Washington to Colonel John Lamb, 13 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your Letter of ⟨yes⟩terday. A Board of Officers cannot sit at this time upon the point in question between you and Colo. Harrison; but you may be assured, that as soon as circumstances will permit, I will order One, as there is nothing that I wish for more than an adjustment of disputes about rank. In the mean while I request, that you will transmit me a full state of...
30995From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 13 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you a letter from General Sullivan, which, from the tardiness of the expresses, is but just come to hand—I suppose it gives Congress the same information communicated to me; but lest there should be any particulars mentioned in his letter to me, which may not be contained in the one to you, I am induced to accompany the latter with a copy of the former. The papers...
30996To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 13 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 30th July I have had the honor of presenting to Congress Your Excellency’s several favors of the 3d, 4th and 7th Inst. The transcript from the journal of Congress dated the 10th Inst. and here inclosed will shew Your Excellency how those of the 3d and 4th were dispos’d of. I likewise inclose with this, an Act of Congress dated the 10th, and three dated the 12th Inst....
30997To George Washington from Colonel William Malcom, 13 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Col. William Malcom, 13 Aug. 1778. On 17 Aug., GW wrote Malcom : “I rec’d your favor of the 13th inst.”
30998From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 13 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 10th inclosing a list of the French Fleet. I am informed that Lieut. Lane of your Brigade, who was the Officer that recd the Flag at second River, opened the packet from the British Commissioners to Congress—read the Contents and made them known to several persons; one of whom is ready to prove the fact. I therefore desire that Mr Lane may be arrested and sent up here,...
30999To George Washington from Officers of the 3d New York Regiment, 13 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
“Petition” for relief from duty at Fort Schuyler, where the officers have served “Seventeen Months” with “not the least Prospect of our being called to any other Employ than Hard Labour, which has been our Constant Exercise, since we arrived.” Request “an Opportunity of serving with the Grand Army, or taking the Feild in some other Place,” as they are “Anxious to have an equal opportunity with...
31000From George Washington to William Paterson, 13 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the Inclosed Copy of the proceedings of Congress, that they have appointed you, to assist and co-operate with the Judge Advocate in conducting the Trial of the General Officers, who were in the Northern Department, when Tyconderoga and Mount Independence were evacuated. I think it proper to inform you, that a General Court Martial will sit at this place on Monday the 24th...