32101From George Washington to William Livingston, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your Excellencys favor of the 21 Septr this morning. By what means it has been So long delayed, I cannot conceive. The conduct of Crowel appears to me to have forfeited the protection he derived from the flag and to justify in point of right the detention of his person and the confiscation of the Vessel and her effects. The obligation of a flag is reciprocal. On...
32102From George Washington to the President of the Maryland Senate and the Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, 5 … (Washington Papers)
Among the various disputes upon the subject of rank in the Army, there have not been found any more difficult to settle, than the claims of this nature, in the Maryland line. These have been matter of employment for a Board of General Officers for several days, and, after all their care and assiduity, I fear, no arrangement that they can make, will prove entirely satisfactory. There is one...
32103From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
In a letter from Genl Gates of yesterdays date, I received the following intelligence—“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, sailed ten days ago, in quest of the french fleet” —An event of this importance I think would not have escaped your notice—and I hope the report is...
32104From George Washington to Edward Rutledge, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Our corrispondance seems to be at an end; but why it is so, I am at a loss to discover—In the Month of Augt last year, from the House of Mr H. Hill near Germantown (where I was then Incamped) I wrote you a Letter as long as my Arm; since which I have not received a line from you; but enquire at every oppertunity how you do. Many great and important changes have taken place in our Military &...
32105From George Washington to John Rutledge, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Congress having been pleased to nominate Major Genl Lincoln (the bearer of this Letter) to Command the Troops in the Southern Department I take the liberty of recommending him to your civilities & friendship. In this Gentn you will find a worthy character, & a brave & attentive Officer—My best respects are tendered to Mrs Rutledge. I have the honr to be with great esteem & regard Dr Sir Yr...
32106From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured with your letter of yesterday early this morning. Gen. Gates writes me of the 4th Inst. that “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, sailed ten days ago in quest of the French fleet.” Tho’ I think this relation somewhat improbable, and the fact of such...
32107To George Washington from William Shippen, Jr., 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose your Excellency a general Return of the sick & wounded in the Hospitals and army of the united States —and have the pleasure to inform you the Hospitals in this district a<re> in the best order & that thei<r> number will soon be reduced two or three, & they will only contain such as are proper objects for a chelsea . I flatter myself the Hospitals in the eastern...
32108From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have attentively considered the memorial you delivered me in behalf of a respectable number of officers in the Maryland line, requesting the restoration of Capt. Norwood —It gives me real pain, that I find myself obliged to refuse their request; but the duty I owe to justice and impartiality outweighs every other consideration. Notwithstanding the honorable testimony which is given of the...
32109From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have this morning received a letter from Gen. Gates which has the following paragraph. “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 sailed ten days ago in quest of the french fleet.” Altho’ there is a certain want of probability in the relation, yet as it may be true, you will...
32110To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
About Eight oClock this Morning we were Alarmed with Accounts of the Enemy’s Advanceg, thro’ugh Hackensack. soon after that about 300 of them were on the heights behind Arent Schuylers house. both Accounts prove true. that Body which Come thro’ Hackensack halted on the heights near the head of the polyfly about one Mile S.W. from Hackensack and about four miles N.E. from hence, and there...
32111From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of your letter of the 3d Inst. with its inclosure. In a letter from Gen. Gates of yesterdays date he has the following paragraph. “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, sailed ten days ago in quest of the french fleet.” There is some shew of a...
32112To George Washington from Colonel Vienne, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I shall be very much oblig’d if your Excellency will be So good as to Send me a forlorn [furlough] for one year according to your Excellency’s promise to me, with a Certificate of my behaviour in the time I have been under your Command. I will Still be much oblig’d to your Excellency if you will be pleas’d to Send me these two pieces as quick as your Excellency’s time will permit it, because I...
32113To George Washington from Brigadier General William Woodford, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The last inteligence I recd gives me great reason to think the Enemy are about to move—the inhabitants of Hackensack inform’d an Officer of Horse I sent out yesterday, that 100 Waggons pass’d that with Forrage to the Boats, & that 3000 Troops marched for New York. the Officers with them said they were to go immediately to the West India’s. I have a party down from whom I expect some thing to...
32114To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Henry Lee, 5 October 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
A few days past, since the last post left us, Mr. Harvey presented me your favor of August the 30th, to which this is an answer; and which I shall direct to Williamsburg upon a supposition that the Assembly has called you there by the time the letter can reach that place. The hand bill you have seen was certainly written by Mauduit, and circulated under the auspices of administration. It was...
32115To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 6 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
You have often complaind that taking care of the public Papers, and having the business of the Commission done in your rooms; was an unequal share of the public burthen apportiond to you. Whatever may be my sentiments on that point, yet to remove, as far as I can with propriety, all cause of discontent; I am willing to appropriate a room in my House for the meeting and deliberations of the...
32116George Washington to the Committee of Arrangement from Congress, 6 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fishkill [ New York ] October 6, 1778 . Discusses problem of enlisting deserters and prisoners. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
32117George Washington to Colonel Goose Van Schaick, 6 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fishkill [ New York ] October 6, 1778 . Thanks Van Schaick for removing boats at Kings Ferry. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Van Schaick was a colonel of the First New York Regiment.
32118John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 6 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have only time to advise of the Arrival of a small Cutter from Baltimore which place they left 14 Augt. and the Capes the 23d. No advices when he left the Coast of Comte dEstaings operations. Another Cutter is in the River from the same port there probably may be letters on board. The fierre Rodrigue from Virginia they left within a Days run of Rochefort...
32119To Benjamin Franklin from Charlotte Amiel, 6 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society From the known, and amiable character you bear, and from the civilities Mr. Amiel and myself have had the honor to receive from you: thereon am I embolden’d to address you, and beg you would be so good to inform me whether you think there is any Prospect of Mr. Amiels succeeding in what he is gone upon, and at the same time, pray you will be so kind to push...
32120To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, [6 October 1778] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL and partial AL (drafts): Algemeen Rijksarchief Honoré de vos deux Lettres du 22 Sept. et de la présence agréable de Mr. Austin, le desir de lui prouver tout le cas que je fais de sa personne et de la main qui me l’a adressé, me fera être aussi court aujourd’hui que je pourrai. J’enverrai demain copie à notre ami de votre Lettre, où il s’agit de...
32121To Benjamin Franklin from the Vicomte Gaspard de Galbert, 6 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Un événement qui vient d’arriver a un battiment de bordeaux sur lequel j’avois quelques bariques des sucres provenant de la guadeloupe ou est ma fortune m’engage a vous prier de vouloir bien faire accélérer la décision de cet événement dont vous ettes sans doutte instruit. Le navire l’isabelle de bordeaux venant de la guadeloupe a étté arrétté par un...
32122General Orders, 6 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Regimental Pay-Masters are to make out their Pay-Rolls for the Month of August and lodge them at the Pay-Master Generals for Examination as soon as possible. A Court of Enquiry whereof Lieut. Coll Temple was President which sat to examine into a Charge against Lieutt Eggleston’s Conduct on the 26th ultimo, report that the Charge was groundless and vexatious and that his Conduct was not...
32123To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 6 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received with all the pleasure which Your Excellencys letters give me, and all the utility that accompanies them, your favor of the 2d inst. The Wisdom and Depth of your Reasonings upon the ulterior views of the enemy—leave nothing to add—you particularise in a luminous manner whatever he can project, execute or fear—It will not be by the preparatives of his measures, and by what can be...
32124To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 6 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys letter of Yesterday from fish kill, came to my Hands at Nine o Clock, last Night; I shall endeavour, as You direct, to send to the West End of Long-Island, but believe the Enemy’s Design will be fully ascertain’d before the return of that intelligence; The French Fleet, & Boston, must be the Sole Objects of the British Arms upon this Continent; The Season of The Year will...
32125From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 6 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered to you by Major General the Marquis de la fayette, the generous motives which first induced him to cross the Atlantic, and enter the Army of the United States, are well known to Congress—Reasons equally laudable now engage his return to France, who in her present circumstances claims his services—His eagerness to offer his duty to his Prince and Country, however great,...
32126From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 6 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Mr Crowels recent violation of the usages and laws of flags render it necessary to adopt some measures, that may prevent similar procedings in future. For this purpose you will immediately fix upon a certain number of places for the reception of flag-boats, and advise the commanding Officer on Staten Island, of the places, and that no flag boats will be received any where else without a...
32127From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 6 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Colonel G. V. Schaick advises me in a letter of this date, that he is “this moment informed, that, a ship, a tender and a galley are standing up the river—they were seen off Tallers point about ten O’clock this morning under sail. I have sent off a party of fifty men well officered to bring off a number of boats laying at Kings ferry.” You will give your attention to this information of the...
32128From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 6 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of receiving three days since your letter of the 30th of September; and should have answered it at once but was delayed by being separated from my papers, a recourse to which was necessary to assist my memory. I recollect, that in a conference with the Committee of arrangement on the subject of inlisting prisoners and deserters, I gave my opinion explicitly against the...
32129To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 6 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd Your favor of Yesterdays date Late last night—I can hardly Suppose that the Fleet could possably have Saild without our Hearing of it. however every thing possable Shall Be immediatly don in order to know with Certainty whether that is the Case, particular attention Shall also be paid Respecting the disease. Capt. Leavenworth who was expected on Sunday last, is not Yet Come. I am afraid...
32130To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 6 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was informd by one of my Patrolls that there was lying of[f] Tarry town this morning one Frigat of about 24 Guns togather with two Galleys which Stood up the River with the Next tide and thaught would be able to reach the mouth of Croton before the tide would turn. She fierd a gun this evening which the inhabitance Say was in a Very good direction for that place (the mouth of Croton) where I...