31251From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 28 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am exceedingly anxious to hear the determination of yourself and the General Officers upon the great reverse of your prospects, since the French Fleet left you. I however think it incumbent upon me to inform you, that from a variety of intelligence, Lord Howe put to sea again on Tuesday, his design no doubt to attempt the relief of New port, which will be easily effected, either by throwing...
31252John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 29 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
Since my last of the 26th I an honord with your favor of the 19th. Commissioning the emediate purchase of fifty six pieces of Cannon say Twenty eight 24 pounders and Twenty eight eighteen pounders. From the search I have already made I suspect it will be November before they can be all colected. I propose going to the Forges next week on that Account. I shall take every precaution both with...
31253To Alexander Hamilton from Elisha Boudinot, [29 August 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
The Person I mentioned to you came over last Night and informs me, that General Clinton with his whole Army has set off for Rhode Island. They are gone up the Sound and across the East End of Long Island. There are only a small Guard left in the City. Not a Canoe is suffered to pass up the East River least it should be known, they moved with the utmost secrecy. As it might be you have not...
31254George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 29 August 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ White Plains, New York ] August 29, 1778 . Sends information concerning maneuvers of British fleet in the Sound. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. This was probably the news sent in Elisha Boudinot to H, August 29, 1778 .
31255John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 29 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, August 29, 1778: I have received your letter of the 19th commissioning the purchase of 56 pieces of cannon. I suspect it will be November before I can collect them. I presume they are for naval use; let me know where to send them. I am without instructions for the General Arnold ; the delays cause very heavy expenses which are charged to me....
31256To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Guigon, 29 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Agde, August 29, 1778, in French: I am sending you a modest work on engineering and make bold to congratulate your country on its alliance with France, that generous protector of the weak. May America prove a faithful daughter!> He signs himself Maître de Chapelle de la Cathédrale d’Agde.
31257To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Hill, 29 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai recu de Mr. Franklin la somme de Cinq Cent Livres a Compte, de ce qu’il me doit de Memoire que je luy ai donné, Notation: Hills Rect for 500 Livs A tailor who had been serving the members of the commission for at least a year; he appears sporadically throughout WTF ’s Accounts (see XXIII , 19), and F. Grand’s Accounts with the Commissioners ( XXIV , p....
31258General Orders, 29 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
The board of Field-Officers appointed in orders of the 27th instant in the Virginia Line are to take into Consideration and settle Lieutt Colls Brent & Ellison’s claims of rank. Colonels Wyllys, Bradley, Swift and Meigs are appointed to settle the relative rank of the Lieutt Colonels, Majors and Captains in the Connecticutt line—They are desired to meet at Colonel Wyllys’s Marquee three ôClock...
31259To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 29 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your Excellencys favour of the 9th Inst. on the 15th And immediately, inclosed it to the President and Council of this state, and requested three hundred Militia to Supply the Place of the Continental Troops, the Next day I received a Coppy of an Act of the Assembly of the State, which makes a requisition of Congress Necessary before the Presidt & Council can Order Out the...
31260To George Washington from Captain Epaphras Bull, 29 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have to Inform your Excellency that the Fleet which came to Sail Last Night have got as far Etward as Oyster Bay where they now lie at Anchor the wind being Rather a head, there appears to be between 60 & 70 Sail of them, (30 of them Ships) the distance is so great that I am not able to give a Particular Acct of them—I shou’d think that a Person at Horse Neck or Stanford, with a good Glass...
31261To George Washington from Captain Epaphras Bull, 29 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Capt. Epaphras Bull, 29 Aug. 1778. On 30 Aug., Bull wrote to GW : “the Transport, which I mentioned as having Troops on board Last Night, appeard to have them to day”; when Bull wrote GW on the morning of Aug. 29, he had not been able to discern whether the boats were carrying troops.
31262To George Washington from George Clinton, 29 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment honored with the Receipt of your Excellency’s Letter of Yesterday; In consequence of which it shall be my first Business to order out a Detachment of the Militia to strengthen the Garrisons in the Highlands; tho’ I much doubt (considering the large proportion which are constantly kept out on the frontiers) whether I shall be able to march and keep out at those Posts for any...
31263From George Washington to Colonel Peter Gansevoort, 29 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your favor of the 18th Instant. Inclosed is a copy of a letter sent you some time ago respecting the court martial you transmitted. The spirit of desertion which possessed your soldiers was certainly very alarming and required a serious check. I hope the intention of the example you have made will be fully answered; and altho’ the proceeding was not strictly in the...
31264To George Washington from Lieutenant George Hurlbut, 29 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am set don to inform your Excellency the Fleet, are now at Anchor Betwen Horse & Rye Neck —the Guard Ship of 16. Guns has been Stationed, Sixteen Months, Betwen Heart, & City, Island is now with the fleet—two Briggs and a small Tender, is left in her place—a few small Sloops, are now Sailing for Newyork. I am your Excellency’s most Obed. Servt ALS , DLC:GW . Rye Neck, now named Peningo Neck,...
31265From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 29 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 12th inst. I very highly approve of the determination of your Council to reinlist the nine months Men at this period; if it is left undone, untill the time of their service is near expiring, it will be almost impossible to re-engage them. I, some time ago, pointed out to Congress the expediency of adopting this measure but as yet have not received their Answer....
31266To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 29 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I did my self the honour of writing to Your Excellency yesterday by Jones to which I beg leave to refer. this Morning upon enquiry I was confirmed in my belief that the former Camp Committee had made no application to Congress for Gold or Silver to be deposited in Your Excellency’s hands for public uses, wherefore I suggested to two or three Members the necessity & utility of establishing such...
31267From George Washington to Colonel William Malcom, 29 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have recd yours of the 27th inclosing a weekly return of the Garrison. I observe that ten men of your small Regiment are upon furlough, I desire that they may be recalled as soon as the terms expire and that no more may be granted, during the active part of the Campaign. I have wrote to Govr Clinton and have desired him to call in from 500 to 1000 Militia to the Highlands, and I have no...
31268To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 29 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
By my Son from Long Island, yesterday, I learn that Genl Clinton’s Baggage arrivd at Flushing last Wednesday. he was expected there last Thursday; about forty Field Peices had arrivd at Flushing from New York: that the Hessians at Huntington had marchd for Jamaica: that the Dragoons at Huntington had receivd Orders to march to the Narrows; but when they were ready to march were Orderd to wait...
31269To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 29 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is the intelligence I this moment received from Colls Butler & Parker. I am your Excellencys Obedient Servt Sprague transcript , DLC:GW . Scott wrote and signed a note on the cover of the letter: “pass the Bearer to Head Quarters” (MB). The enclosure, a letter to Scott from colonels Richard Butler and Richard Parker, dated “New Rochelle [N.Y.] ½ past 10 OClock,” reads: “We find the...
31270From George Washington to Brigadier General John Stark, 29 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have duly recd yours of the 13th 18th 19th and 21st instants to which I shall reply in course. I have desired the pay Master General to appoint a deputy at Albany and to supply him with the proper Sums to pay the troops to the Northward. I have it not in my power to make you any extra allowance for your expences, an application upon that head must be made to Congress. If Capt. McKeens...
31271From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 29 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you yesterday, informing you, that a number of transports were in the sound. Last night they got under way and proceeded Eastward as far as opposite to Oyster bay; where they seem to have been stopped by the wind being contrary. There were from sixty to seventy sail. From every intelligence it appears certain, that a considerable number of troops have crossed over to Long Island;...
31272To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 29 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
A Retreat to the North End of the Island having been deemd adviseable (from our great diminution of Numbers) by the determination of a Council of War held the 26th Instant—I last evening gave the necessary orders for and effected a well timed & regular retreat without losing any part of my Baggage, Stores, or heavy Ordinance. The Enemy was apprizd of the Movement sometime in the Night—they had...
31273To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Ternant, 29 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
When I accepted of the military offices proposed to me in this army, & undertook to discharge the duties of them as a volunteer, besides other motives, I had two chief objects in view: 1º to try my own self & learn from experience what I could not get with certainty from Theorical speculations, 2º to give your Excellency an opportunity of judging of my military abilities, talents &c.—how...
31274From John Jay to Gouverneur Morris, 29 August 1778 (Jay Papers)
Your friendly letter of the 16 th . instant was delivered to me yesterday. I am well apprized of the situation of the gentleman you mention, and sincerely hope that his conduct may, on inquiry, be found such as to justify the opinion which I have long entertained of him. I wish for many reasons to have a personal interview with him. It will probably be long before the duties of my office will...
31275Aug. 30. 1778. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
This Evening had the English Gazette extraordinary, containing Extracts from Letters from Ld. How and Gen. Clinton—the first containing an account of the Arrival of the Toulon Fleet, and anchoring without Sandy Hook—the other, a Relation of the Action of the 28. June in the Jerseys. There are Letters in London, as M. J. Wharton says, as late as the 14. July. Elements of Spanish Grammar by Del...
31276To John Adams from William MacCreery, 30 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
I am very much obliged to you for yours of 19th. Instant and am glad to find that there is a prospect of an end being speedily put to the troubles which arise to us in the Sea Ports of this Kingdom from our differences with Seamen, by the appointment of Consuls. I have not lost less than £100 Sterling by the People of one little Vessel. These People too, are renderd useless to our Vessels...
31277John Paul Jones to the Commissioners, 30 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor of writing to you by the last Post that Monsieur De la Prevalaye, the present Commandant here, had absolutely refused to continue the Guard which Comte D’Orvilliers lent me for the security of Prisoners of War taken by the Ranger, and Confined on board the Prize Brig Patience in the Road. I then promised to use every possible means to have the Guard continued until you could...
31278The American Commissioners to Sartine, 30 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have just received a Letter from Brest relating to the insecure State of our Prisoners there a Copy of which We inclose and request your Excellencys Aid in Securing them more effectually, till they can be exchanged. We also beg Leave to remind your Excellency of the Passport we desired for the English Cartell ship...
31279John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 30 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; draft: National Archives; copy: United States Naval Academy Museum <Brest, August 30, 1778: My friend M. de la Porte, intendant, has now agreed to furnish a vessel and send the Ranger ’s prisoners to England, if you consent. This offer is too generous to refuse. The guard will be discontinued unless you procure an order from the minister. As for the...
31280To Benjamin Franklin from François Teissedre de Fleury, 30 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je viens d’etre informé par un de mes amis a qui je m’etais adressé pour qu’il me procurat s’il lui etoit possible des nouvelles de mon fils n’en ejant [ayant] pas eu depuis un fort longtemps, il me mande par le courrier d’aujourdhui qu’il a appris qu’il avoit ete fait prisonnier avec pleusieurs autres officiers francais sur la delavare, et conduits a St....
31281General Orders, 30 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
The General Court Martial of the Line whereof Coll Hazen is President is dissolved and another is ordered to sit tomorrow nine oClock at the usual place to try all such Persons as shall be brought before them. Colonel Humpton is appointed President, Lieutt Coll Miller, Major Thompson and a Captain from each Brigade except Nixon’s Late Larned’s & Waynes are to attend as Members. Varick...
31282To George Washington from Artillery Captain Lieutenants, 30 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
It is with the most unfeigned concern that the Captain Lieutenants of Artillery find themselves under a real necessity of beging your Excellency’s attention to their case, as they conceive themselves very sensibly affected by a Resolve of the Honorable Congress passed the 27th May last. They wish your Excellency to be assured that no consideration but a clear conviction of the justice they owe...
31283To George Washington from Captain Epaphras Bull, 30 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have to Inform your Excellency that between 7 and 8 OClock the Fleet made Sail and Stood on to the Etward, the Transport, which I mentioned as having Troops on board Last Night, appeard to have them to day, they are now almost out of Sight. I have the Honour to be your Excellencys Mot Obt Sert ALS , DLC:GW . The date is taken from a docket on the cover. Bull’s letter to GW of the previous...
31284To George Washington from the Continental Congress Committee of Arrangement, 30 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
It is submitted by the Committee to your Excellency’s Judgement, whether it would not be better to direct an adjournment of the Court Martial, which is composed of the principal Part of the Genl officers, for a few daies untill the arrangement of the army shall be completed, as all Information, & subject matter for the Committee to proceed upon is derived from these officers. The Committee...
31285To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 30 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with the receipt of yours of the 14th Instant. I beg leave to observe to your Excellency that a large Sum of Money is now due to the United States from the British Government for Supplies furnished to the Troops of the Convention and that the pay Master and Commissary to those Troops were just going for Rhode Island with the Accounts to obtain the money, when the Expedition...
31286To George Washington from Lieutenant George Hurlbut, 30 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
this forenoon their passed by this place, Bound EstWard, Six Sloops, two Sloops, put in Hempsted Bay —the rest kep on after the Fleet—in the afternoon, passed one Schooner, & two Sloops—one Sloop had Troops on board, soon after two Ships, one of 20. Guns, the other a Transport, passed the same Course—No Guns heard in the Sound to day. I am your Excellencys very Hbl. Servt ALS , DLC:GW ....
31287To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 30 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of addressing Your Excellency twice on the 28th Instant by Jones, in that which was written last, I ought more explicitly to have acknowledged the reciept and presentment to Congress of Your Excellencys favor of the 25th and of Copies of the several Papers from General Sullivan’s Camp. Congress Yesterday ordered the public Treasurer to pay into my hands five hundred Guineas to...
31288To George Washington from Colonel William Malcom, 30 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I hope your Excellency will not be displeased at the number of men on furlough from my Regiment, when I assure you Sir that they were Cripples for want of shoes, and had a prospect of being supply’d by their parents who live only a few miles off—I hope in a few days to remove that complaint by obtaining shoes &c. from fishkill—Not a man more shall depart from the Garrison on furlough before...
31289To George Washington from Colonel Rufus Putnam, 30 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Haveing seen a list of the Massachusetts line of Colos. said to be arrangment made by a board of General Officers as they are in future to Rank, together with the Committee of arrangment being arrived in camp, I hope your Excellency will consider as a sufficient apology for my addressing you at this time on the subject of my own Rank. In your letter of 11th April last you say the...
31290To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 30 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have inteligence from York by good Authority that Seven of the Cork fleet is arived—Which Braught 600 Marins, that they war imbarking Heavy Cannon Yesterday and other Stors, 4 or 5 Brigads imbarked two days ago part of which Was from long Island, those from York Saild Out at the Hook the others eastward, all the remainder Of the fleat was taking in Stors, it is the Genl oppinion of the...
31291From George Washington to Joseph de Valnais, 30 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of the 18th and was not a little surprised to find it contain a request for a certificate of your services in the American Army. You must be sensible that Colo. la Balme, to whom you were appointed Aid, never entered upon the duties of his Office of Inspector of Cavalry, and that consequently you could never have given any proof of your Abilities. I shall ever be ready to give...
31292To George Washington from John Augustine Washington, 30 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from John Augustine Washington, 30 Aug. 1778. On 23 Sept., GW wrote John Augustine Washington : “Your Letter of the 30th Ulto came to my hand a few days ago.”
31293From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Henry Lee, 30 August 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters of June 16. and Aug. 10. came safely to hand. I am in great pain for the French fleet. Operations by land I have more confidence in. What are we to think of the handbill said to have been circulated by Mr. Mauduit and published in our papers as certified by your brother? Is it genuine? If they really are coming to their senses at last, and it should be proposed to treat of peace,...
31294The Commissioners to Horneca, Fizeaux & Co., 31 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
Nous avons profité de l’Occasion de Mr. Whitall pour vous faire parvenir un Livre relie en Burane Basane con tenant deux cent cinq promesses de mille Florins chaque ce qui forme, un Capital de deux cent cinq mille Florins Argent Courant d’Hollande payable le premier Janvier mil sept cent quatre vingt huit a votre Domicile, garnies de dix Coupons de cinquante Florins d’Interet pour Année le...
31295The Commissioners to Horneca, Fizeaux & Co.: A Translation, 31 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
We take the opportunity of Mr. Whitall’s visit to convey to you a leather-bound book containing 205 promissory notes, each worth 1,000 florins, making a capital fund of 205,000 florins lawful money of the Netherlands, to be paid on 1 January 1788 at your residence with, in addition, 10 coupons of 50 florins in interest for the year, the whole payable to the bearer and signed by us. You will...
31296The Commissioners to James Moylan, 31 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
Our last to you was of the twenty second, since which We have received yours of the 26th., and are much pleased to hear of the good success, as well as the Adventurous and patriotic Spirit of Captn. Mc.Neal. We have been negociating with the English for an Exchange of Prisoners, and have a Promise that it shall be accomplished, when an opportunity will present of exchanging those of C....
31297The American Commissioners to Horneca, Fizeaux & Cie., 31 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two), University of Virginia Library <Passy, August 31, 1778, in French: We send by Mr. Whitall a book of promissory notes and interest coupons, for 205,000 florins payable on January 1, 1788. You will fill in the blanks in each with the number and date of delivery, likewise the counterfoils, and keep an exact record. Sell the notes...
31298The American Commissioners to Musco Livingston, 31 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We are favoured with yours of the 24, and are not able to give you any certain Directions concerning the Duties upon C. Tucker’s Prizes. We have heretofore taken a great deal of Pains concerning the Subject of Prizes, and the Duties which must be paid upon them. Mr. Schweighauser of Nantes has obtained, as We...
31299The American Commissioners to James Moylan, 31 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, August 31, 1778: We are pleased to hear from you of the good success as well as the adventurous and patriotic spirit of Capt. McNeill. When the prisoner exchange we have been promised is accomplished, his prisoners can be exchanged for a like number of our suffering countrymen. We will inform you when the...
31300To Benjamin Franklin from John Holker, 31 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je prends la liberté de vous recommander encore la Maison de Mr. Le Couteulx de Cadix: leur Scituation, leur richesse, la considération dont ils jouissent en Europe et Surtout a la Cour d’Espagne, avec leur façon de penser pour la noble cause, mérite réellement votre attention. Mr. Le Normand leur associé doit vous remettre cette lettre et vous me flaterés...