31701To Benjamin Franklin from Le Maire, 19 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je prends la liberté de vous envoyer cy incluse, la Copie de la lettre que j’écris à M. Lée, ainsi que celle des propositions que M. Gruel fait de son navire pour conduire à bien tous les articles que le Gouvernement de virginie a demandé; Je ne doute nullement, Monsieur, que vous n’approuviez le parti que je propose, S’il veut que tout arrive à Sa...
31702From George Washington to the Board of War, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with the Boards Letter of the 9th Inst. With respect to inlisting either Deserters or prisoners in general cases, I am decisively of Opinion against it—and I am convinced it will always operate against us, or at least till our appointments in Cloathing &c. can be placed upon as good a footing as those of the Enemy. With respect to the Count pulaski’s Corps, as the Campaign...
31703To George Washington from George Clinton, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
By the last Flagg which arrived from New York I received Certifi cates from the Commissary Genl of Prisoners there, with Proposals for exchanging Stephen Lush (late my Brigade Major & taken at Fort Montgomerie<)> for Henry Cuyler—Cornelius Van Tessel for Alexander White and James Dole for Abraham Maybie. As I conceive the exchanges advantageous I mean to agree to the Proposals, and to direct...
31704To George Washington from General Henry Clinton, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Nothing but his Majesty’s positive Instructions of which I send you an Extract, could have induced me to trouble you or the American Congress again on the Subject of the Troops detained in New England in direct Contravention of the Treaty entered into at Saratoga. The Neglect of the Requisitions already made on this Subject is altogether unprecedented among Parties at War. I now however repeat...
31705From George Washington to Brigadier General Duportail, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have perused the memorial which you delivered relative to the defence of the North River at this place —and upon a view of them highly approve what you have offered upon the Subject—Col. Kosciousko who was charged by congress with the direction of the forts and batteries—has already made such a progress in the construction of them as wd render any alteration in the general plan a work of too...
31706From George Washington to Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to your Excellency on the 11th instant. I take the earliest oppertunity of transmitting you the following intelligence, which I have reason to think is authentic—That Lord Howe’s fleet has returned to New York, and that the seamen, which he had taken from the transports to reinforce his Crews, are remanded to their respective Ships. The day before yesterday, a...
31707To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter of the 15th came to hand last Night. I have waited upon General Heath and have got the state of the cloathing department. Mr Fletcher has forwarded for Springfield from this place between 10 & 12000 Blankets 7669 pair of Shoes, 8000 Suits of Uniforms & 2000 Shirts. He is forwarding from Portsmouth about 15,000 Pair of Hose & 11,000 Suits of Uniforms. Messrs Otis &...
31708To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I received the honor of yours of the 13th Instant. From my first being informed of Mr Fletcher’s appointment I have afforded him every assistance which he has asked for without the least delay, and have constantly enjoined upon him to acquaint me of any, the least, embarrassment which may fall in his way, which, if in my power, shall be immediately removed. Mr Fletcher has already...
31709From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 17th Inst. yesterday evening. No certain conclusions can be drawn of the enemy’s designs on the Jersey from the fitting up of their flat bottomed boats. If part of them are going to the West Indies they will want them there. It will not therefore be altogether advisable on the present appearance of things to call out the militia—But in order to guard against the...
31710To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have Your Excellencys Orders from Coll Harrison to try to inform you what the 29 Sail of Vessels were that Major Howell mentions I understood they were all Victualers or chiefly so as far as he knew that many of them was armed Victualers 6 or 7 of them was from Cork & the rest from England. The report of a party making ready to Imbarque still prevails some says they are going to Boston...
31711From George Washington to Brigadier Generals Peter Muhlenberg and William Woodford and Colonel James Wood, 19 September … (Washington Papers)
I have herewith troubled you with a Warrant for the purpose of reinlisting the Virginia Troops in your Brigade, and when you send it to the Paymaster Genl if you will direct the Officer who may carry it to call at Head Quarters, I will transmit you the necessary instructions or if an earlier opportunity offers I will do it then. I am Sir Yr Mo. Obet Servt p.s. Do not delay a moment in sending...
31712To George Washington from Otis & Andrews, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
We have this morning received Your Excellency’s Letter of the 14th Instant; The Cloth order’d to be made up, by the Hon’ble Board of War, has lately been order’d out of Town by General Heath, & is accordingly gone & going out, except such quantities as were necessary to keep the Taylors at work, which we requested the General’s permission to retain; There will be some unavoidable delays on...
31713From George Washington to Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your Letter of the 15 Inst. by Monsr Segond. I think it will be proper for you to join the Army with your Corps, as there yet remain more than Two months in which the Enemy may operate in the Field; However, you are not to proceed with it till you receive orders from Congress or the Board of War for the purpose. If Congress or the Board of War direct you to join the...
31714From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
On consideration it appears to me best, that you should incamp with the division under your command on the East side of the River; so as to preserve as easy a communication with the forts, as the situation of the ground will permit. This position will be most convenient both for the benefit of water and for the greater facility with which you may form a junction with the rest of the army in...
31715From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of your letter of the 15 Inst. last night and another of the 14 the day before. By a resolve of Congress lately passed all horses killed in action are to be paid for by the Quarter Master General on the oath of the party, a sum not exceeding 500 Dollars. We have pretty authentic intelligence of Lord Howes return with his squadron to New york—and a large fleet of transports...
31716To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
There is nothing new in this Quarter Save that the Enemy have within two or three Days past pulled Down Several Houses on the North End of Rhode Island for what purpose is not known I Inclose your Excellencey a providence paper which Contains all the news in this Quarter I have the Honor to be Dear General your Excellenceys Most obedt Humble Servt ALS , DLC:GW . Sullivan may have enclosed a...
31717From John Adams to Ralph Izard, 20 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
You have once or twice mentioned to me, in Conversation, certain Expressions in the Treaty, relative to the Fishery, on the Banks of Newfoundland, which you apprehend, may be hereafter liable to different Constructions, and become the subject of Controversy, if not the Cause of War, but as it is very posible I may not have perfectly comprehended your Meaning, I should be much obliged to you if...
31718From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 20 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inclose, the latest Gazettes, which contain all the News of Europe. The News from America by the Way of London, which is contained in the Courier de L’Europe of the fifteenth instant, has raised our Expectations and encreased our Anxiety. We are not without Apprehensions that the Compte D’Estaing, may fall in with the combined Fleets of How and Biron. The English are...
31719From Alexander Hamilton to Major General William Alexander, Lord Stirling, [20 September 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency finds the relative situation of the country hereabouts something different from what his information led him to conceive and that Fredericksburgh is not quite that intermediate Point between Danbury and the Highlands, which would answer his views but is too far Northerly. He therefore desires you will halt on the ground this will find you upon ’till further orders. He will have...
31720From Benjamin Franklin to Madame Brillon: “The Ephemera,” 20 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Cornell University Library; French translations: American Philosophical Society (three), Bibliothèque de la Société Eduenne, Autun, Institut de France; copy or transcript: Yale University Library; incomplete copy: Huntington Library The following piece, originally published as “Lettre à Madame B.” but better known as “The Ephemera,” strikes a rare note in the canon of Franklin’s...
31721To Benjamin Franklin from Amelia Barry, 20 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Pardon I beseech you, this one trouble more, which I am pained to give you; but being in the most perplexing suspence, I think it a duty to inform you of it. I besought you Sir, in the three last letters I had the honor to write you to transmit your favors to Mr. Barry or me, under cover to Lewis Hameken Esq. Danish Consul at this place, and recommended to...
31722To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 20 [September] 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mércredi vous prendrés encore le thé sans moi, samedi vous le prendrés avéc moi; si cétte idée vous cause seulement la centiéme partie du plaisir qu’elle me fait, vous devés estre bien content mon chér papa; il est un point dit on, ou l’amitié ne peut plus augmentér, je le crois, et crois en mesme temp que la miénne en est la pour vous; cependant chaques...
31723To Benjamin Franklin from François-Pierre de Vauquelin de Boisroger, 20 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. St pierre a gentleman of this province was possessed of a plantation wich he had Called New bordeaux Seated in the Meridional Caroline upon the Side of a river wich discharge itself into the Savanah, and there he had been Killed by the indians about two years agone. His heirs who Live at Caën, had Consented to give up all their rigths in My behalf. But...
31724To George Washington from Colonel George Baylor, 20 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Enclosd is the return of the Rigiment agreeable to the directions given me, by Colo. Banister. An officer will set out tomorrow for Boston, for the purpose of procuring c[l]oathing, I should of sent him off on my arrival here, but have waited for the making of a coat, which is to be the fashion of the Regiment. I neglected to mention to you when I was in your company, that Lieut. John Baylor...
31725To George Washington from George Clinton, 20 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
By the enclosed Copies of Letters which were forwarded to me by Genl Ten Broeck and came to hand this forenoon, your Excellency will receive the disagreable Intelligence of the destruction of the valuable Settlements of the German Flatts by the Enemy and the Loss of 100 head of Cattle which were destined for Fort Schuyler. As I have not received any Account of this Affair or of the Disposition...
31726From George Washington to Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 20 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency yesterday from Fort Clinton —since which I have received intelligence by a New York paper that Admiral Byron in the princess Royal of ninety guns—accompanied by the Culloden Capt. Balfour of seventy four, arrived at New York on the 16th instant. the same paper mentions that an armed Sloop from Hallifax announces the arrival of the following...
31727To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 20 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I writ to Your Excellency the 16th by Titsworth. The present is to inclose an Act of Congress of the 17th for marching Pulaski’s Legion to Trenton, there to receive Your Excellency’s Orders. I have the honor to be &c. LB , DNA:PCC , item 13. The heading of this letter on the manuscript includes the notation: “by Colonel [Moses] Hazen.” For this resolution, see JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et...
31728To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 20 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was Honoured with Your Excellencys Favour of the 19th Inst. about noon to day, it accompany one to Coll Ogden[,] Barber & some others as Coll Ogden is gone to Philada to day on some private Bussiness I opened his letter, but as I did not know what he wrote to Your Excellency last I can return nothing on that subject. I suppose he thought by this time to have much to send you and so did I,...
31729To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 20 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
On the 17th & 18th inst. went down the Sound from the Eastward upwards of one hundred Sail of vessels, part of them loaded with forage—Among them were several large ships. I have not been able to learn whether there were any troops on board. By the last Accounts from New York, five Brigades embark’d on the 16th and all the Pilots for the sound impress’d about the same time. I have two very...
31730From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 20 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this Morning received your favor of the 17 Instant with the Letters to which it refers. your last favor was misdated as you suppose—and will be altered agreable to your request. By a New York paper of the 17th, it appears that Admiral Biron arrived the preceding day, with the princess Royal of 90 Guns & the Colloden of 74 —His whole fleet has now got in except the ship that put back to...