31651Gabriel de Sartine to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 16 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received the letter which you did me the honor to write to me on the subject of the French Ship Isabella which the American Privateer General Mifflin recaptured from a Guernsey privateer. In the general Thesis, you may see the Dispositions of the Ordinance of the Marine of 1681 which adjudges to Captains captors of recaptured vessels when they have been during 24 Hours in the Enemies...
31652Sartine to the American Commissioners, 16 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two), Library of Congress <Versailles, September 16, 1778, in French: I have received your letter concerning the French ship Isabelle recaptured by the privateer General Mifflin . The naval ordnance of 1681 assigns captains of recaptured vessels a third of their value if retaken within 24 hours. American privateers in France benefit...
31653To Benjamin Franklin from de Perygnon, 16 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’eus bien desiré vous exprimer verbalement combien je suis sensible à votre complaisance, mais ma maladie recule encore l’instant ou je pourrai jouir de cet honneur. Votre opinion en une matiere qui ne peut vous être inconnue mais Sacrée; c’est le plus heureux présage pour le succès d’une affaire bien intéressante. Votre bonté m’enhardit à vous supplier de...
31654From George Washington to General Henry Clinton, 16 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I transmit you the inclosed Copies of sundry Resolutions of Congress, by their order, and take the liberty to request your Answer to the last of them, on the subjects of passports by the earliest opportunity. I was much concerned to hear, that one of my patroles fired on a Flag coming from your lines on Monday Evening. I shall do every thing in my power to prevent the like mistake on any...
31655To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 16 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The growing extravagance of the people and the increasing demand for the Article of forage in this quarter, has become a very alarming affair. Hay is from 60 to 80 Dollars ⅌ tun and upon the rise. Corn is 10 Dollars a bushel and oats 4 and every thing else that will answer for forage in that propo[r]tion. Carting is 9/ ⅌ mile by the tun and People much dissatisfied with the price. I have...
31656To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 16 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of addressing Your Excellency under the 12th Inst. by Dodd, and have in the mean time receiv’d & presented to Congress Your Excellency’s favors of the 11th and 12th. In answer to the latter, I am directed to intimate, “That Congress highly approve of laying up Magazines of forage and Provisions at such places as Your Excellency shall judge proper for prosecuting an Expedition...
31657To George Washington from Colonel William Malcom, 16 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed are the weekly returns of the Garrison—the Sentence of a General Court Mar: against Capt. Wood—and a Copy of the Act of Assembly of Connecticut, respecting the militia of that State —the last mention’d paper is Sent that Your Excellency may Decide, between the Colonels & me, whether they are to perform three months Actual Service in Camp, or whether a part of that time is Allowed for...
31658From George Washington to Colonel Matthias Ogden, 16 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Col. Matthias Ogden, 16 Sept. 1778. Ogden wrote GW on 28 Sept. : “I was honored with a line from your Excellency dated 16th Inst.”
31659To George Washington from Colonel Matthias Ogden, 16 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The following intelligence may be relied on—That all the enemys transports are watering in and about New York; & that the men are returned to them, that have been on board the Men of War. A number of troops including some companies of artillery are certainly going for the West Indies very soon. By some of the knowing ones, it is strongly suspected the whole army will leave N. York this fall,...
31660To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 16 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment informd by a hors man from Majr Taylor that the enemy Are on Volentens hill with a large body of Both hors and foot. they ware halted and under arms if they move I have given Orders to the Parties to Skirmish with them To my Camp. my Bagage is just geting under way with orders to halt at Chatterton hill Untill Farther orders. if they should Continue To advance I shall make the...
31661To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 16 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosd Your Excellency will receive a note from Majr Tallmadge whith what Intelligences I git from Gists Corps I have again given orders to both advanced Parties to keep up a Constant fier on them If they continue to advance we are in Perfect readiness to Support them. I am Your Excellencys Obt Servt ALS , DLC:GW . The enclosed letter, which Maj. Benjamin Tallmadge wrote Scott on this date...
31662To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 16 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
My last messenger to Colo. Gist is just Returnd, and Brings the inclosd note from Majr Tallmadge. I believe the enemy murst be Gon in and what Can keep Gist I cant conseive. I have order’d my Corps to halt Short of Chatterton hill unt[i]ll Gist arr[i]ves. I have Thrown Majr Lee with his Corps on the East Side of the Brunx with orders to Patroll To New Rotchel and East Chester Indeed I have...
31663To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 16 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
This Day affords nothing new—I have been Honoured with your Excellenceys favor of the 13th Instant—I am well Convinced that the Enemy will Evacuate Newyork both by your Excys Letters and Every other Circumstance; Some persons who have Lately been Releasd from that City Declare that the Enemy are Laying up no forage and are Selling the wood on hand at half price: than which nothing can be...
31664The Commissioners to the President of the Congress, 17 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
The last letter which We have had the Honour to write jointly to Congress, was of the Twentyeth of July, and as We have Sent Several Copies of it by different opportunities, We hope one of them at least will come Safe to hand. Since our last there has been an important Action at Sea, between two very powerfull Fleets, in which, in our Opinion the French had a manifest and great Advantage, but...
31665The Commissioners to Gabriel de Sartine, 17 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have this Morning the Honour of your Excellencys Letter of the Sixteenth, relative to the french Brigantine the Isabella retaken, by the American Privateer the General Mifflin, from a Guernsey Privateer, after having been Eighty Hours in his Hands. We have the Honour to agree perfectly, with your Excellency, in your Sentiments of the Justice and Policy of the Principle of Reciprocity...
31666To John Adams from William MacCreery, 17 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I did my self the Honor to write you a few Lines from Nantes about 8 days ago, and left it on Monday last. On my arrival here the day before yesterday, I found several Letters from Baltimore for me—the latest dates were the 13th July. They contain nothing new but they—with some Virginia Papers down to the 17th. of the same Month give me much more pleasure and satisfaction than the Copy of a...
31667Horneca, Fizeaux & Co. to the Commissioners, 17 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Nous avons reçu, la Lettre dont vous nous avez honnorés le 31 du Mois passé, et qui ne nous est parvenuë que le 15 du courant. Par nôtre précedente du 7 nous vous avons accusé la Reception, par M. Whitall, du Livre, contenant 205 Promesses des Etats Unis de L’Amerique de Courant F. 1000 chaque, payable au Ir. Janvier 1788, rêvetuës de 10 de 50 pour les Interêts, à 5 pour Cent par Année, le...
31668Horneca, Fizeaux & Co. to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 17 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have received the letter that you did us the honor to send the 31st of last month, but which did not arrive until the 15th. In our letter of the 7th, we acknowledged the receipt, from Mr. Whitall, of the book containing 205 promissory notes of the United States of America, each for 1,000 florins current payable on 1 January 1788 and accompanied by 10 of 50 florins for the interest of 5...
31669William Lee to the Commissioners, 17 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I wish to have a conference with you on a Subject that very materially concerns our Country which at present is a profound Secret to our Enemies or their Agents and must remain so ’till compleated, or the success will be interrupted; any hour therefore tomorrow (at 12 oClock or afterwards) when you are alone, that you may please to appoint, I will do myself the honour of waiting on you, and in...
31670The American Commissioners to the President of Congress, 17 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; three copies and transcript: National Archives <Passy, September 17, 1778: Since our last letter, July 20, there has been an important naval battle in which, in our opinion, the French had a manifest and great advantage. Both fleets are again at sea. The British public is amused and the public funds supported by rumors of peace. We are in a state...
31671The American Commissioners to Jacques Richard, 17 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have written to Mr. Schweighauser of Nantes to receive the Cargo of the Therese and dispose of it as soon as may be. These are therefore to desire you will deliver the Cargo into his or his Agents Hands, whenever he shall demand it. We are, sir, your humble servants. The captain of the Thérèse : Morton, Beaumarchais...
31672The American Commissioners to Sartine, 17 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: National Archives (three) <Passy, September 17, 1778: We received today your letter of the sixteenth relative to the recapture of the Isabelle . We agree with your Excellency’s sentiments on reciprocity between the two nations. Unfortunately we have no access here to United States’ law. A copy of your letter and our answer will be sent to...
31673Horneca, Fizeaux & Cie. to the American Commissioners, 17 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: National Archives, Massachusetts Historical Society <Amsterdam, September 17, 1778, in French: Your letter of August 31 came only two days ago. Ours of the 7th acknowledged receipt of the book of notes and coupons signed by you. We will work on the arrangements with all possible zeal and prudence, and with all the skill we have acquired from fifty years of experience; your instructions...
31674William Lee to the American Commissioners, 17 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Paris, September 17, 1778: I wish to confer with you on an important and profoundly secret subject; I will wait on you at any hour tomorrow at noon or afterwards when you are alone.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VII . Lee had been in Paris several days and planned to remain there no longer than three weeks: Ford, Letters of William Lee , II , 472,...
31675To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 17 [September] 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Comme je venois de vous écrire mon chér papa pour le thé de mércredi, comme je pensois bien fort a vous, comme je disois, óh surement si ce bon papa le peut, il reviendra nous voir; je reçois une léttre du voisin qui m’annonce que vous viendrés tous le samedi 26, que le jour est pris, que vous viendrés disnér, et ne retournerés que le lundi 28 aprés disnér;...
31676To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 17 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was rewarded for the confidence which I owed your Excellency, and which you inspired, by the Answer which you were so kind as to make me the 11th inst. The approbation of a great man, of one who unites the Suffrages of all, who merits them, is the most flattering of personal rewards, and can alone in part console for that fatality of events, which snatched the fleet from the happiness of...
31677To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 17 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will Accompany to Your Excellency a Packet brought from England by the same Hand that brought Mrs Rights & the other letter I sent You. I thought to have sent some person over last night, but the Storm was so high it was impossable I had 9 Saylors Deserters Yesterday, from Byrons Fleet; they say there is above 2,000 of them sick on Statten Island where they have a Vast many Sails Pitched...
31678To George Washington from Charles Pettit, 17 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
A few Minutes ago, Mr Worthington Assistt Commissary of Purchases informed me he had just parted from Joseph Hobby of Horse Neck, Capt. Ezekl Hyat & Major Strang who informed him that this Morning, being at Horse Neck, they saw a large Fleet pass towards New York, larger they imagined than the Fleet which some Weeks since went to New Port. Mr Worthington could tell me no farther particulars,...
31679To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 17 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I returnd from Claps tavern to this place last Evening about Seven oClock and took post to the left of the Artillery park, the whole of the Horse was advanced on the Several roads Leading to the Enemy with orders to keep out Patrolls, which wear Advanced as fare as they Could venter with safety, they Will continue to do this untill Called off, the whole of the infantry Lay on their arms all...
31680To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 17 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is all the Intelligance of this Day The Sloops & Schooners mentioned by General Cornell by the name of the mesqueto Fleet are undoubtedly the Fleet which I mentioned in a former Letter went from Newport & Stood Eastward Hugging the Shore —The other Fleet mentioned by Genl Cornell is Grays—The Ships which Colo. Peabody mentions as Coming into the Harbor are Lord Howes Fleet Joined to...