31951From George Washington to Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are to proceed immediately upon the Rect of this with your whole Corps both Horse and Foot and put yourself under the command of Major General Lord Stirling, who will be in the neighbourhood of paramus. As the Enemy are out in considerable force in Jersey, near Hackinsack, you will make particular enquiry of their situation as you advance, lest you should fall in with their parties. I am...
31952From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of the 27th Inst. with that of yesterdays date. His Lordship Gen. Stirling who is perfectly well acqd with the Jerseys & its Militia has been dispa[t]ched there this morning, in order to condense the regular troops under Gen. Maxwel, with those who have marched from your division and the Militia wch are Assembling to a useful point, where they can affoard cover to the...
31953To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is the Examination of some Deserters who have Just come in. The intellegence they bring I thought to be of some importance, and therefore send it to Your Excellency—The Deserters seem to be verry intelligent men. I likewise inclose your Excellency a Letter I last night Receiv’d from General Woodford, with one inclos’d from Col. Cooper to Col. Hay. I thought it most advisable for...
31954From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of the 28 Inst. late last night. You will continue your information of the enemys progress; and by those means which you have set on foot, for the obtaining intelligence from New-york, endeavour to learn as much as possible of their naval force—their number—their sailing—or detachments—All facts of this kind are of the utmost importance to the Count d’Estaing, and every...
31955To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this moment Recd a letter from Capt. Leavenworth with Some intellegince which You Have in Closd. the Deserters that wear taken Going to their Regiments I had Tryed Yesterday & the Court are of oppinon that they Receive one Hundred Lashes each. I orderd it should be put in execution Immediatly. upon which a Number of offi cers Politely petitiond me to pardon them assuring me that they wear...
31956To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the hono’r to acknowledge your Excellencys Favor’s of the 20th and 22d Instants, and previous to their reception, had design’d to request your Excellency, to relax the order, which directed me to write you by express once a day, as the nature of the Intilligence which I have had lately the hono’r to communicate, was not sufficiently interesting, to demand so frequent and expensive a...
31957To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Ternant, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The late & unexpected appointment of Lieutt Colonel & Inspector of the Conferal troops in south Carolina & Georgia, which Congress has been pleased to confer upon me, fills my heart with gratitude & commands my warmest & sincerest thanks to your Excellency for the favorable testimony you were pleased to give of my past services & conduct —I feel an infinite joy in being able to indulge ounce...
31958From George Washington to Colonel Vienne, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favour of the 15 Sepr by Major DuBois. I am sorry it is not in my power to comply with your request, as I am not authorised to give any officer a furlough to leave the Continent; I am therefore obliged to refer your application, to Congress, to whom I have accordingly transmitted a copy of your letter to me —So soon as their answer reaches me, it shall be conveyed to you....
31959To George Washington from Brigadier General William Woodford, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
My Brigade has cross’d the River & advanced as far as this place, the best accts I have been able to collect inform that the Enemy lay Just below orrange Town (theire is a report that a large party is gone to take possession of the pass in the Clove, but this wants confirmation) I shall keep partys out for inteligence, & move with expedition & caution to the neighbourhood of Clarkstown, unless...
31960The Commissioners to John Ross, 30 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have received your Letter of the twenty second of September, and take this Opportunity to say, that We have no Authority, either to give you Orders or Advice, any further than respects the large Sum of Money, which the Commissioners put into your Hands sometime ago. Of the Expenditure of this Money, We have demanded an Account, which you have refused to give Us. With your private Concerns...
31961George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 30 September 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] September 30, 1778 . Sends news of enemy’s movements in New Jersey. LS , in writing of H, New-York Historical Society, New York City.
31962The American Commissioners to John Ross, 30 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Detroit Public Library; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: National Archives (four); transcript: National Archives <Passy, September 30, 1778: We received yours of September 22. We have no authority to give you orders or advice beyond what concerns the large sum of money advanced you by the commissioners some time ago for which you refuse to account. We have nothing to...
31963To Benjamin Franklin from Borel, 30 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous me promites la derniere fois que J’eus L’honneur de vous voir de me faire passer les armes et les titres des etats independants de l’amerique. Oserai-je vous prier de vous occuper un instant de cet objet dont j’aurai un extreme Besoin d’ici a tres peu de tems? J’ai L’honneur d’etre avec le plus profond respect Monsieur Votre tres humble et tres...
31964To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, [30 September 1778] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Pourquoi ne vouliés vous pas me donnér votre lettre françoise, mon chér papa, votre coeur l’a dicté, et le mien l’eut sans doutte devinée si elle n’étoit pas claire, mais elle l’est parfaittement elle répond a tout ce que je desire; vous m’adoptés pour fille comme je vous ai choisi pour pére; vous aviés en amérique distes vous, une fille qui vous...
31965To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier De Coux, 30 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Paris, September 30, 1778, in French: An outfitter from St. Malo has asked me to offer you a vessel loaded with cordage. His charges for freighting and insurance are enclosed. Please grant me an appointment to discuss this matter.> He signs himself “officier d’Infanterie dans les troupes des Colonies.”
31966To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph-Jerôme le Français de Lalande, 30 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous presente mes hommages, et ceux de M. Cerisier mon compatriote et mon ami, dont vous avés bien voulu accepter la dedicace, pour les 13 etats unis, d’un Tableau des provinces unies . Il a eté attaqué en angleterre, il est bon que vous le Sachiés, il se justifie, et il est glorieux pour lui de mettre sa justification sous vos yeux. J’en profite avec...
31967General Orders, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
In future the Captains and Commanding Officers of Companies are allways to insert in their Muster-Rolls the time when the sick absent and those on Furlough left their Companies—No man is to be borne on the Muster-Roll before he has joined his Company. The General Court Martial whereof Major General Lincoln is President will assemble tomorrow morning nine ôClock at the Presidents quarters and...
31968To George Washington from the Continental Congress Committee of Arrangement, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
When the Committee of Arrangement had the Honour of conferring with you on the Affairs of the Army it appeared to them that it was your Excellys Opinion that no Prisoners or Deserters should be inlisted, & farther that such as had been inlisted should not join the Army: The Treachery of Armand’s Corps about that Time having too fatally demonstrated how little Dependance could be placed on such...
31969From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received advice, that a considerable body of the enemy, in addition to those already in the Jerseys, had crossed the North River on the morning of the 28th and landed at a place about two miles from Orange Town. There are rumours, that they were marching towards Kakeate and had detached a party to take possession of the Clove; but these want confirmation. They have surprised and cut off...
31970To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment honoured with the receipt of Your Excellency’s Letter of to day’s date. I am sorry for the disgrace we have suffered in the Jerseys; but imagine the Enemy take advantage of the Supineness that constantly seizes our people, when they have been long unmolested. This is an evil, that even the best Officers cannot remedy. General McDougall’s Division will be put upon the March...
31971To George Washington from Major Ebenezer Gray, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
By Leiutt Brewster who returned last evening from Setocket, and also by a Gentn who came from N. York last Friday, & to this Place from Huntington Yesterday, I have the following Intelligence, both Stories agreing, (Lt Brewster’s Informant left N. York the same Day the other did,) that for 4 or 5 Days before they left N. York Troops were Constantly imbarking from the City to the Narrows where...
31972To George Washington from Colonel John Lamb and Lieutenant Colonel Edward Carrington, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
We the Subscribers, beg leave to assure Your Excellency that, we profess the greatest deference and respect, for the honorable Board of General Officers which on the 15th Instant, settled the Rank of the Regiments of Artillery; and we hereby declare our full conviction, that no partiality influenced them, in making the arrangement. But as the Board inadvertently proceeded to make the...
31973From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The enemys designs still continue ambiguous, however it is our policy to provide against possible events—You will therefore detach a field officer with about one hundred men to guard the pass leading from Haverstraw to Fort Montgomery, I mean the pass by which the enemy marched to the reduction of that post. You will take every other necessary precaution or place such advanced parties as may...
31974From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since writing the inclosed I have some advices that the enemy are moving towards the Clove at Suffrens, you will immediately dispa[t]ch some horsemen to ascertain the fact —I shall be at Fish kill Town this afternoon if you should have any intelligence to communicate. Sir I am & Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . GW apparently obtained this information, in...
31975To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment favor’d with your Excellencys Letter of this day. General Woodford has cross’d the River, and fallen down to Clarks-Town, and by our latest from there, the Enemy are about retiring. A small party of them have been as far up as Clarks-Town but tarried a verry short time. General Winds with his militia has, I am inform’d been at Hackinsack, and I believe the Enemy have drawn in...
31976From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of yesterday inclosing Capt. Leavensworth’s intelligence—I shall move myself to Fishkill to day, to which place be pleased to send your next dispatches. I have directed the relay of Horsemen to move their present stages to form a communication directly from you to Fishkill. I think your present position rather too near the North River, as there is a possibility that the enemy may...
31977To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this moment recd a Second letter from Capt. Leavensworth giving a more particular Acct From the persons who made their Escape from The Enemy. tho it amounts to but little more Than that, I sent Yesterday, I thought it my duty to Send it. the inclosd is his letter. Colo. Butler with three Hundred men and Majr Lee with his Corps has been very Near the enemys lines for two days past, I heard...
31978To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inclose You a letter from Colo. Butler, giving an Acct of His taking in a partie of the enemy this Morning. this in Some Measure Compensates For poor Baylor. I am Your Excellencys Obt Servant p.s. not a Single man of ours Hurt. ALS , DLC:GW . In his letter of this date to Scott, Col. Richard Butler writes: “I with Pleasure Inform you that the Troops Under my Command,...
31979To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
We are Just arrived here and as it is uncertain where Genl Woodford is, as some tell me he is at the Court house about two Miles from hence, others that he is advanced to Clarks town, others that he Marching further on, I shall therefore [remain] here ’till the Messengers I have sent to find him out return—I do not like any of those possitions for him. he [is] too Nigh [the] River and I think...
31980To George Washington from Brigadier General William Winds, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I Just Now Recd yr Favour of the 28th and would Inform yr Exelency, by Divers Reports the Enemy Consists (some say) of fifteen thousand and some of twelve, and by two Deserters that Came to us Last Night say that their whole force is Nearly there—but in my oppinion there is Nine thousand Men with seven Generals —I yesterday went with my Troops of Melita Near to their works and fired on their...
31981From George Washington to Colonel James Wood, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 27th Instant and Memorandum by Genl Muhlenburg. I am sorry the recruiting business does not promise more success; but it is not to be wondered at, as there are such exorbitant bounties given for substitutes. I have never received any regular account of the Act you mention and of which you have transmitted a copy. If the Legislature have determined on the bounty...
31982From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your Letter of yesterday. In consequence of the Enemy’s movements on the West side of the North river, I shall proceed to Fish Kill Town to day & hold my Head Quarters there till their intentions are better understood or while circumstances may make it necessary. You will therefore send all your Letters and information to that post and you will also be so obliging as...
31983Virginia Troops in Continental Service, [30 September 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
General Washington’s return of Virga. troops Sep. 30. 7[8] 6. Colonels. } Feild 6. Lt. Colonels 6. Majors. 33. Captains } Commission. 38. 1st. Lts. 24. 2d. Lts. 7. Ensigns 2.
31984To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bancroft, [October 1778 or after] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have a few Lines from Mr. Deane dated Philadelphia 6th. Septr. 1778 and refering to Packets which he had just Sealed; I suppose they must have come under Cover to you, and beg you will in that Case send them by the Bearer. I am with the utmost respect and Devotion Dear Sir Yours Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsr. Franklin / Passy Notation: Edw. Bancroft...
31985Household Accounts of Benjamin Franklin and John Adams at Passy, 1 October 1778 – 23 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
1778 1778 Octr. 1 Passy Octr. 1. 1778 Sir Pay to the honble. John Adams Esqr., or order the Sum of Six thousand Livres, and Charge the Same to Account of the Commissioners 6000. B. Franklin John Adams Oct. 2 Cabaret for Stationary, per Receipt 84. 10. 6 Washerwomans Account for D. Franklin 78. 12 Dennis Account
31986John Eliot to Abigail Adams, October 1778 (Adams Papers)
You did not see fit to send the letter you proposed for the conveyance of Mr. Ingram. Perhaps it was owing to the supposition that it would arrive too late.—Lest that was the case, I would inform you that Mr. I. is still detained in expectation of his Vessell from the Eastward, and it is more than probable that he will tarry till the middle of next week. I hope in mercy the British Cruiser...
31987From Benjamin Franklin to Anne-Catherine de Ligniville Helvétius, [October? 1778] (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin, L.L.D., F.R.S., &c … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), III , 332. Arranging a party with Mme. Helvétius was not always an easy enterprise. Two undated notes, in as many hands, allow us a glimpse into the complexity of getting friends together. Taking up the pen herself, for once, the lady begged...
31988To Benjamin Franklin from [Jean-Baptiste Le Roy], [October 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Just arrived from Paris I send to know whether you have at last received your Dispatches. They say in Paris Strange news about M. D’Estaing. I wish you my Dear friend a very good Night. If it was not too late I had been to play a game at Chess with You. Addressed: Dr. Franklin Notation: Le Veillard? Identified by the handwriting and dated by the reference to...
31989John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 1 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
As my thoughts are Principally busied upon the French tongue, & as I wish you to turn yours the same way, earlier than I did, I cannot think of a Subject to write to you upon more agreable & useful both to you & me than this: Pappa who has an opportunity of Conversing with many men of Learning in this Kingdom, among the phisiciens & Lawyers, as well as eclesiasticks, of various orders,...
31990William Smith to Abigail Adams, 1 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter, respecting the Bill for £50. The way that you propose is as agreable to us as any. The Credit of the Bill no one can dispute. It will be proper to have the Bill drawn in the proper form. I have inclos’d 4 Bills of the same Tenor and Date for the £50 which you have only to sign. You mention some Bills that will become due in November if you have not engag’d them We...
31991The Commissioners to the Comte de Vergennes, 1 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have received, the Letter which your Excellency, did Us the Honour, to write to us, on the twenty seventh of the last Month: together with a Copy of a Letter from the Ministre of the Marine to your Excellency, of the twenty first of the Same Month. Convinced of the Propriety of those Ecclaircisements, which his Excellency demands, We had recourse to our Instructions from Congress, and...
31992Gabriel de Sartine to the Commissioners, 1 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Des raisons particulieres, Messeurs, m’ayant determiné a proposer a Sa Majesté d’accorder au Sieur Fagan trois passeports pour trois navires anglois qui doivent transporter des Marchandises de France, en Angleterre sous une caution convenable. Le Sieur Fagan desireroit que les corsaires americains ne troublassent pas cette navigation protégée par sa Majesté. Je vous prie de vouloir bien lui...
31993Gabriel de Sartine to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 1 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Some specific reasons have convinced me, gentlemen, to ask His Majesty to grant Mr. Fagan passports for three British vessels which will carry goods from France to England under suitable guarantees. Mr. Fagan does not want American privateers to trouble this voyage protected by His Majesty and, therefore, I kindly request that you give him, in this regard, all the assurances within your power...
31994Franklin and John Adams to Ferdinand Grand, 1 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, American Philosophical Society <Passy, October 1, 1778: Pay to John Adams 6,000 l.t. and charge the same to the commissioners’ account.> This letter only exists as copied in the account books of JA and WTF . It is published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VII , under Oct. 1; it also appears in Account III described above, XXIII , 19.
31995The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 1 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; three copies and transcript: National Archives <Passy, October 1, 1778: We have received your letter of September 27 and its enclosure. Our instructions from Congress do not empower us to conclude treaties with the Barbary states but we request your help in obtaining passes from them for American...
31996Sartine to the American Commissioners, 1 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society; Library of Congress (two) <Versailles, October 1, 1778, in French: For certain reasons I am asking His Majesty to grant Mr. Fagan passports for three British ships to carry goods from France to England. I request you to grant him whatever documentation he needs for protection against privateers. The merchandise involved consists only of goods belonging...
31997To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac van Teylingen, 1 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Les interessés dans le navire le chester, capitaine W. Bray, ont pris la liberté de vous exposer veridiquement la conduite injuste des americains en s’emparant d’un vaisseau, et d’une cargaison appartenant en propre et sans detour aux sujets de cette republique. Ils vous en ont produit les pieces authentiques et justificatives. Votre reponce a eté claire et...
31998General Orders, 1 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Although GW was at Fishkill from 30 Sept. to 8 Oct., the general orders continued to be issued at Fredericksburg throughout that time (see GW to Horatio Gates, 30 Sept. , and note 5 to that document).
31999From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 1 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I do not find that the Enemy are advancing on the West side of the River. From the latest accounts they were at the liberty pole and at the Newbridge near Hackensack; and from many circumstances and the conjectures of the Officers in their Neighbourhood, it would seem that foraging is the principal object of their expedition. I was very apprehensive that they would possess themselves of some...
32000From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 1 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed was sent to you at Boston, and by mistake of General Heaths Aide de Camp, who imagined you were returning directly to the Army, sent back again. The enemy are foraging with strong parties on this side the River, between the plains and the Bridge, and on the other, in Bergen. A few nights ago they made an unlucky stroke at Baylors Regiment of Horse laying at Harrington, four Miles...