32071To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 4 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer Mr. Henry Bromfield a Young Gentleman of this Town gose to France on Business as a Merchant and as he will be a Stranger in Paris your Civilities to him as such Will Much Oblige your Dutifull Nephew Addressed: Doctr Benjamin Franklin / Paris / Per Mr Bromfield Notation: Williams Jonathan Oct. 4. 1778. Boston Henry Bromfield, Jr. (1751–1837) was...
32072Editorial Note on Franklin’s Purported Address to the Irish People, 4 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
The Hibernian Journal: or, Chronicle of Liberty published in its issue of November 2–4, 1778, an open letter “To the Good People of Ireland,” signed by Franklin and dated Versailles, October 4, 1778. It was a long and uninspired diatribe against British policy, and ended with a promise that all restraints on Irish trade and manufacture would be removed. Publication in Dublin disturbed the Lord...
32073To George Washington from Colonel Thomas Marshall, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Col. Thomas Marshall, 2 Oct. 1778. GW wrote Marshall on 4 Oct. : “I am just favoured with your letter of the 2d relative to cloathing for your regiment.”
32074General Orders, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
32075To George Washington from Captain Michel Capitaine du Chesnoy, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Gl de la Fayette had desired me to deliver in your hands the two Inclosed draughts, & Shou’d have thought my Self happy in finding an opportunity to pay my respects to your Excellency; but as I am Sick at Providence I can not do my Self that honour therefore take the liberty to Send them to you. I am very Sorry that I am deprived of the possibility of Waiting on you in person, and assureing...
32076From George Washington to Colonel John Cox, Jr., or John Mitchell, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am informed that Sundry Goods (in the Military line) addressed to Mr Jas Rivington of New-York, were taken—carried into Egg harbour—and are now in Philadelphia. Among them a compleat sett of Camp equipage—As I am perfectly incompleat in this way, I should be glad if you would enquire into the truth of this matter, and make a purchase of it for me, if it answers the description; and can be...
32077To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The reputation of Mr du portail made me desire to have the honor of his acquaintance—Your Excellencys recommendation, his talents and his Rank ensured him my esteem and confidence—I have endeavoured to give him marks of them—his devotion to the Service of the United States—the Sentiments which he owes you and with which he is penetrated ensure him my friendship. I made him examine the points...
32078To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
At eight O Clock last Night I had the Honor to receive Your Excellencys letter dated 3d October. I have not any intelligence from Major Gray since the letter I sent to your Excellency by General Mcdougal. A Report prevails, & gains Credit, that an Empidemical Disease was brought to New York, in Admiral Byrons Fleet, which causes great Mortality, & Desertion, amongst the Sailors; it may not be...
32079To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since writing to Your Excellency This morning, Two Sailors belonging to Cape Cod, who made their Escape from the prison Ship last Monday night arrived here; They declare, That The British Fleet of Men of War, Saild Ten days ago in quest of The French Fleet; if this intelligence can be depended upon, may not a very large Body of Troops have gone in, and with The English Fleet; with intent to be...
32080From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am to thank you for your favor of the 28th Ulto and its several inclosures—the intelligence given you by Mr Colvill is very interesting if it can be depended on—and particularly to Count d’Estaing—to whom no doubt you have communicated it. Your distribution of the twelve hundred Militia men ordered out by the Council of State—exactly coincides with my wishes—their labour if it has not its...
32081From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving, by the hands of Monsr de la Colombe, your favour of the 28th Ulto; accompanied by one of the 24th, which he overtook somewhere on the Road. The leave requested in the former, I am as much interested to grant, as to refuse my approbation of the Cartel, proposed in the latter. The generous Spirit of Chivalry, exploded by the rest of the World, finds a...
32082From George Washington to Colonel Thomas Marshall, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am just favoured with your letter of the 2d relative to cloathing for your regiment —I do not think the measure you propose of sending an officer to Boston necessary, as all the cloathing for the army is coming forward as expeditiously as possible and an equal distribution will be made so soon as it arrives—I hope there will be a tolerable supply for the whole—A plan is in execution for...
32083To George Washington from George Measam, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am just arrived from Springfield and have the honour of meeting your Excelleny’s Letter of the 2d from Fish Kill; in answer to which, Major Bigelow has forwarded to Head Qua[r]ters by the way of Fredericksburg, 3129 pr Shoes, 6 Bales Blankets, (about 600) and 2612 prs Hose; he has sent a Conductor with them with some directions to General Parsons, requesting his assistance to enable the...
32084From George Washington to Gouverneur Morris, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
My public Letters to the Presidt of Congress will inform you of the Wind that wafted me to this place —nothing more therefore need to be said on that head. Your Letter of the 8th Ulto contains three questions & answers—to wit—Can the Enemy prosecute the War? Do they mean to stay on the Continent? And is it our interest to put impediments in the way of their departure? To the first you answer...
32085From George Washington to Otis & Andrews, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
By a letter from the Board of War, which will be delivered you herewith you will perceive they have left it to my determination, whether the Continental troops under General Sullivan, shall be supplied with Coats Jackets and Breeches from the imported ready made cloathing ordered on to Springfield and Hartford, or from the materials in possession of Mr Reynolds and yourselves —I have decided...
32086To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd Your Excellencys favour of Yesterdays date, and will do every thing in my Power to comply with the Contents. Respecting the intelligence from Majr Gray, I expect Capt. Leavenworth every Hour who I make no doubt will bring some Certain Accounts From York, which shall be forwarded without Delay. Colo. Parker who has been on the Enemys lines for three days past is Just Returnd and informs...
32087To George Washington from Captain Robert Smith, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been so unfortunate as to have a Relapse of a Fever, with which I was confin’d some Time before I set out. This has detain’d me here two Days, however I hope I shall be able to proceed Tomorrow. I am exceedingly concernd to hear of poor Baylor’s Misfortune, as so many of the Men are kill’d & taken, your Excellency may perhaps wish to give some other Directions as to the Cloathing for...
32088To George Washington from Brigadier General John Stark, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am Informed by Mr Cuyler, that he has Received a Letter from General Bayley, Informing him that he has Received Orders, to Lay up a Large Store of Provisions at Co’os, which in my opinion is by way of a Jobb—I am much Mistaken, if any large Quantity, Can be procured, at that place, & suppose it can, it must be Attended with an amazeing, Needless Expence, firstly there must be a Store Built,...
32089From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
It is now three days since I have received any Intelligence from Your Lordship —this makes me the more uneasy as my movements depend altogether upon the indications of those of the enemy—it is of so much importance to me to be regularly informed—that I must request you will send expresses daily—acquainting me precisely with the enemys position, and communicating such intelligence as you may...
32090To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency Yesterday Morn’g from Paramis, and Came here in the Afternoon. I find here General Winds with about 600 Militia General Heard with about 1000, & General Maxwell with the first & Second Regiments of his Brigade[.] Colonel Dayton with the other two & Col. Neilson with about militia are at Elizabeth Town. the Militia are all home Sick and are every hour apply[ing] for...
32091From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will accompany a letter from the Board of War to you and two others to the Clothiers at Boston and Providence. You will perceive there is one point in particular, which is referred to my decision—whether the Continental troops with you shall be cloathed in the articles of Coats Jackets and breeches out of the imported ready made cloathing which has been ordered on to Springfield and...
32092To George Washington from Brigadier General William Woodford, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
My Lord Sterling left me yesterday Morning for Aquackenack Bridge & Elizth Town & did not expect to return in a Day or two. The Enemy lay in the same situation they did when my Lord Sterling wrote your Excellency last. they appear to be busey at work upon two Redouts on this side the new Bridge, & their Forrageing partys on the other side are very Strong—I keep out small scouting partys for...
32093George Washington to Major Richard Howell, 5 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fishkill [ New York ] October 5, 1778 . Orders Howell to check on rumor that British fleet has sailed in search of French fleet. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Howell was a major of the Second New Jersey Regiment.
32094George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 5 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Fishkill, New York ] October 5, 1778 . Regrets that Captain Edward Norwood cannot be reinstated. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
32095George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 5 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fishkill [ New York ] October 5, 1778 . Discusses procuring clothing for Sullivan’s men. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
32096To Benjamin Franklin from Jan Ingenhousz, 5 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You will be surprised, that I did not keep my word or reather my resolution to come over to Paris. The reason was, that I undertook to finish a work upon the subject of the small pox and inoculation before I quitted this country, in which I was much interrupted by visitors and other avocations, which one can scarce avoid in a city as this, if a man has so...
32097To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-François-Clément Morand, 5 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Si le charmant poële de chauffage au charbon de terre, dont Vous avez eu la complaisance de me donner une gravure, etoit publié dans quelqu’un de vos ouvrages, il seroit actuellement a tout le monde, on en fairoit usage, et mention. Ayant envie d’en faire ce dernier usage, c’est adir, d’en parler, a la fin de mon ouvrage, et de le faire graver dans une...
32098To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-Hubert Moreau, 5 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous adresser deux lettres qui ont été remises par un inconnu au Suisse de M. le Comte de Vergennes. J’ai cru devoir vous les faire passer sans delai sous le Contreseing du Ministre. Je suis avec respect Monsieur Votre tres humble et très obeissant serviteur Endorsed: Moreau Secr. de Cte Vergennes Notation: Versailles 5. 8bre. 1778. For a...
32099General Orders, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
32100From George Washington to the Board of War, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
By the inclosed Copies of letters to General Sullivan and Messrs Otis and Andrews, you will be informed of what I have written on the subject of Clothing—in consequence of the letter which you did me the honor to write on the 29th Ulto. The prospect of having the Army amply provided for, by your exertions, affords the highest degree of satisfaction—I am particularly happy to be informed that...