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...
31731To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 20 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have this Day nothing worth taking up a moment of your Excellenceys attention unless you find it in the Inclosed Letters which I am Requested to forward I have the Honor to be my Dear General your Excys most obedt Servant ALS , PHi : Etting Collection. On the manuscript Sullivan inadvertently wrote “Excellencelleneys.” These letters have not been identified.
31732From Benjamin Franklin to [the Marquise de Lafayette], [after 21 September 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Wherever it is in my Power, I should certainly pay the greatest Respect to the Recommendation of Madame de la Fayette, but it is absolutely impossible for me to do what is desired for this M. Rolandeau. He was an Officer in the American Service; he left his Regiment without Leave and came to France. If he would return there it should therefore be at...
31733Ralph Izard to the Commissioners, 21 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received information that the Ship Nile, Captn. Goldsmith has been taken, and carried into Marseilles. She was bound from London to Leghorn, and had on board Twenty Packages of Baggage belonging to me. These Packages are marked, and numbered in the following manner AB A Monsieur Monsieur Antoine Martinelli Negotiant, pour remettre a Monsieur l’Abbé Niccoli a Livourne No. 1 a 20. My own...
31734Muscoe Livingston to the Commissioners, 21 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of —— I have Received and will answer Immediately on My Return to Nantes at which place, I have Left all the papers, Rilative, to that business; I shall have a very fine Ship Ready for Sea, Immediately, and would be Very glad to take in, two or three hundred Tons of the publick goods, which Now Lays at Nantes for America; as to the Freight, I Really am unacquainted with; but If you...
31735Gabriel de Sartine to the Commissioners, with a Contemporary Translation, 21 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai reçu, Messieurs, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 17 de ce mois. Je ne doutois pas que les reflexions que je vous proposois Sur la Necessité d’etablir pour les reprises faites en mer une parfaite reciprocité entre les deux nations ne vous parussent de toute Justice. Je Suis fâché que vous n’ayez pas entre les mains une Copie des loix des Etats unis relativement à...
31736Gabriel de Sartine to John Adams: A Translation, 21 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received the letter which you did me the honor of writing to me the 17th. instant. I made no doubt but that the reflexions which I made on the necessity of Establishing a perfect reciprocity between the two Nations with respect to reprisals at sea, would appear just to you. I am sorry that you have not at hand a copy of the Laws of the U States on this Subject which might have prevented...
31737To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, [21 September 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
In order to get rid of your present accumulations you will be pleased to take the pills agreeable to the directions; and to prevent future accumulations observe the following table of diet. This will have a tendency also to correct your wit. I would advise for your breakfast two cups of tea sweetened, with brown sugar, and coloured with about a teaspoonful of milk. I prefer brown sugar to loaf...
31738Ralph Izard to the American Commissioners, 21 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères <Paris, September 21, 1778: I have learned that the ship Nile , Captain Goldsmith, has been taken while bound from London to Leghorn and brought into Marseilles. She carried 20 packages of my baggage addressed to Monsieur Antoine Martinelli, merchant, to be delivered to the abbé Niccoli. My name doesn’t appear on them as this might have...
31739Musco Livingston to the American Commissioners, 21 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, September 21, 1778: I received yours of –– [August 31], and will answer on my return to Nantes where I have left the relevant papers. I have a very fine ship ready to sail immediately and will gladly take two or three hundred tons of the public goods now at Nantes. Since I am unfamiliar with the terms and conditions of shipment, write me your...
31740Sartine to the American Commissioners, 21 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress (two), National Archives (two); transcripts: National Archives (two) <Versailles, September 21, 1778, in French: I have received your letter of the 17th. I knew that the principle of reciprocity in the matter of recapture would meet with your approval. The regulations of Massachusetts of which Capt. McNeill informed you are...
31741To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 21 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives; copy: United States Naval Academy Museum This serves only to cover my letters to the Duke De Chartres and his Squire as mentioned in my last. Unless you entirely Approve of these letters I beg you to suppress them. If you Approve them I could wish it may be consistent and convenient for you to see, or Write a line to, the...
31742To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, 21 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Au milieu de l’affliction où nous sommes mon Illustre Docteur je ne puis m’empêcher de vous faire souvenir de la promesse que vous nous avez faite de venir nous voir ici à Viry chez mon frère. Nous lui avons parlé de cette promesse il en a été ravi et il desire vivement que vous l’accomplissiez. Vous savez combien un ami comme vous peut adoucir les maux...
31743To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Pine, 21 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope your lord Ship will Take it in consederat[ion] Since it was my Mesfortune to be Taken by american Privatear as I was on my voyage to Newfoundland I was taken By the gennrell Putnan from Newlondon commanded by Thomas allen whare of he Rancomd my vessell and Send me For England after my Sending two men for the Rancom. And as I was on my Passage to...
31744To Benjamin Franklin from Louis-François Rolandeau, 21 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Comme il y a 7 jours que je suis malade et que je me propose de jour en jour de vous aller voir et vous demander mon déportement (?) pour rejoindre [ mon régiment ], dans cet intervalle de ma maladie le marquis d’Ossun et Madame de la Fayette m’ont fait remettre deux lettres pour vous mettre en main. Etant malade et ne pouvant que vous les envoyer, je vous...
31745To George Washington from Brigadier General Jacob Bayley, 21 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I arrived at this Place the 18th Inst. and find that Provisions can be made nearly Equal to what I represented to your Excellency, altho’ I found some Gentlemen were Endeavouring to purchase for Private Use I have not as yet had any advice from Mr Cuyler Commissary for the Northern Department for which reason I send Capt. Young to him that the Purchase might not be delayed Inclosed Your...
31746To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 21 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to acquaint Your Excellency that General Mac dougals Division arrived here Yesterday, and The whole Left Wing are now encamped upon a Height, to the East of this Town; about one Mile upon the road leading to Hartford; in my Judgement, exactly the position your Excellency recommended: I apprehend the Troops posted upon the Sound, and to the Southard of Danbury, are order’d to...
31747To George Washington from Major Ebenezer Gray, 21 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
By Capt. Daviss who returned from the Iland this morning I have Recd the following Intelligence which he received from two credible Persons who left N. York last Saturday in the afternoon viz. that a Day before yesterday all the Light Horse were ordered to the City in order to Imbark that many of the Transports had Arm[i]ngs built for the Conveyance of Stock, and that Genl Jones was to Imbark...
31748To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Udny Hay, 21 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed I have the Honour to transmitt your Excellency the act for regulating the impresses of Forage and Carriages within this State, together with <t>he Copy of a Letter from Governour Clinton to me on <t>hat subject, in consequence of which General Gates then commanding in this department <t>hought proper to grant me a general Press warrant, <in> executing of which I have been so carefull...
31749To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 21 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
On fryday last a Vessel arrived at Piscataqua in forty Days from Nantz, in France, Dispatches were yesterday brought up to the Count de Estaing, the Master of the Vessel reports that on the 27th July last a Navel Engagement happened off Ushant between the Squadron of his most Christian Majesty Commanded by Monsieure de Chaffault and the British Fleet Commanded by Admiral Keppel which lasted...
31750To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 21 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am to aknowledge the reception of your late favor —your excellency’s Sentiments were already known to me, and my heart had Anticipated your answer—I however Confess it gave me a new pleasure when I Receiv’d it—my love for you is such, my dear general, that I did enjoy it better (if possible) in a private Sentimental light than in a political one—Nothing makes me happier than to See a...
31751To George Washington from William Livingston, 21 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
About a week ago arrived in Brunswick from New york one Crowel formerly a New Jersey man with a Flagg for his Boat from Admiral Gambier, for the sole purpose of his carrying to Brunswick Lewis Costigen & his family; and another pass from General Jones in the like words except the omission of the word, sole . Crowel, after landing his Passengers obtained leave from Justice Neilson to go about...
31752To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 21 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The fleet I mentiond to Your Excellency in My last coming from the eastward, I have Just been Able to Learn whither they had any troops on board A person imployd for that purpose informs me That on the 18th & 19th they came too off whitestone Where they disembarked, (he thinks) between Five and Seven thousand Men, who incamped on the Ground in That Neighbourhood. they Brought with them and...
31753To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 21 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
By a Flag Just Returned from Newport I find that Admiral Biron in a Ninety gun Ship has Arrived at Newport a Seventy four gun Ship has also Arrived with him: Those Ships were Seperated from the Fleet in a Storm —The Fleet which I mentioned to your Excellencey as going westward have not Since been heard of I then thought New London might be their object but as they have not been Discovered in...
31754The Commissioners to William Lee, 22 – 26 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have considered, with some Attention the Papers which you have laid before Us, containing a Project of a Treaty to be made between the Republic of the United Provinces, and that of the United States of America. As Congress have entrusted to Us the Authority of treating with all the States of Europe, excepting Such as have particular Commissioners designated by Congress to treat with them,...
31755The American Commissioners to William Lee, [22–26] September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, September [22–26], 1778: We have considered the papers you submitted, including the project of a treaty between the Netherlands and the United States. As Congress has appointed no commissioner to deal with their High Mightinesses, we have taken and will continue to take all suitable measures to further...
31756From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 22 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
In order that I We may be understand one another, Upon looking over the Account of the Expenditure of the Money for which We have jointly drawn upon the Banker Since my Arrival at Passi, I find some Articles charged, for Similar ones to which I have paid in my seperate Capacity. I dont mean to be difficult about these Things but that each of Us may We may have a Plan, for the future, I beg...
31757Jonathan Williams to the Commissioners, 22 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
When I had the honour to lay my Accounts before you, I left the general one unfooted intending to compleat it after Examination. I now send it properly closed and settled to the 30th May 1778. You have also inclosed the account of the Magazine, Invoice of Arms repaired, and your general Account since that Period, all settled to the 10th September 1778, Balance in your Favour seven thousand...
31758George Washington to Comte d’Estaing, 22 September 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] September 22, 1778 . Reports that Major de Chouin will explain to D’Estaing the situation of both the enemy and the American army. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
31759George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 22 September 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] September 22, 1778 . States that provisions for the French fleet have not arrived. Asks Greene to see “that every possible expedient may be embraced to promote” the forwarding of supplies. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress; LS , in the handwriting of H, Bibliothèque Municipale, Lille, France.
31760The American Commissioners to the Massachusetts Council, 22 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives Mr. Jonathan Loring Austin who was dispatched the last year by your Honours with the glorious News of the Convention of Saratoga, being about to return home We think it proper to inform your Honours that his Behaviour since his arrival here has been entirely to our Satisfaction and to recommend him as a Gentleman of...