34651Richard Bennett Lloyd to William Temple Franklin, 23 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your agreeable favour of the 17th came by the yesterday’s mail it gives me much pleasure to find that our affairs are going on so well, and I have very little doubt but in a short time we shall be in a situation we wish for— Be pleased to present my best respects to yr. Grandfather and let him know Mr. David Hartley comes to Town this day and I am desired...
34652General Orders, 23 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Adj. Gen. Alexander Scammell’s orderly book entry for this date includes the following general orders: “The Pay Rolls for the month of January to be deliver’d in to the Paymaster Genl for examination. “A Capt. 2 subs: 2 serjts & 40 rank & file for fatigue Tomorrow from Genl Muhlenberg Brigade—to parade at 9 oClock.” (orderly book, 22 Dec. 1778–26 June 1779, DNA :...
34653To George Washington from the Board of War, 23 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from the Board of War, 23 Feb. 1779. GW wrote the Board of War on 26 Feb. : “I am honored with yours of the 19th 22d and 23d instants with their several enclosures.” In a letter of 13 April from the Board of War to GW, it is explained that the letter of 23 Feb. discusses the disputed promotion of Maj. Francis Nichols and presents “all we know of the Arrangement & the Concern...
34654From George Washington to John Jay, 23 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to John Jay, 23 Feb. 1779 . Jay wrote GW on 2 March (first letter): “accept my thanks for your obliging Favor of the 23 Ult.”
34655To George Washington from John Jay, 23 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Congress consider Genl McDougall’s Application worthy of Attention, & the better to enable your Excellency to comply, if you think proper with his Request have ordered a thousand Dollars to be forwarded to You—The enclosed is a Copy of the Order for that purpose. I have the Honor to be With the greatest Respect & Esteem Your Excellys most Obedt & Hble Servt LB , DNA:PCC , item 14. GW had...
34656To George Washington from Captain George Lewis, 23 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
My Ill state of health Since my arrival at Frederick town, and for many months before, renders me incapable of performing the Duty’s of an officer; must beg leave of your Excellency to quit the Army. Would my health admit of my Continueing in the Service, I could not Consistent with the Character of an Officer or Soldier by any Means Submit to have younger Officers placed over me. If your...
34657To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 23 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 23 Feb. 1779. GW wrote Maxwell on 24 Feb. : “I recd your favr of yesterday with several News papers inclosed.”
34658From George Washington to Lund Washington, 24-26 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you by the last post, but in so hasty a manner as not to be so full and clear as the importance of the subject might require. In truth, I find myself at a loss to do it to my own satisfaction in this hour of more leisure & thought, because it is a matter of much importance and requires a good deal of judgment & foresight to time things in such a way, as to answer the purposes I have...
34659From John Adams to Thomas Cushing, 24 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
This Evening I had the Honour of your Letter by Mr. Bradford. When that young Gentleman shall arrive, he shall be treated with all the Civility in my Power, and the best Advice that I am able to give him, shall be at his service. I fancy, sir, they exaggerate the Number of Troops both at N.Y. and R.I. I am persuaded there are not four Thousand Men at either. We have just received News from the...
34660George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 February 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] February 24, 1779 . Instructs Greene to countermand former instructions, but to continue to prepare for an expedition against Indians on a smaller scale. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
34661From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 24 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: Library of Congress Mr Alexander call’d here this Morning to deliver a little Message, to be communicated to you, from Lord Selkirk. The Purport was, that his Lordship had written an Answer to your Letter, which Answer, after having been detain’d many Months in the Post Office, had been sent back to him. That as to the Proposition of returning the Plate, if it was made by Order...
34662To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 24 [February 1779?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai été bien malade mon chér papa, et je suis encore bien souffrante et bien foible, j’ai ce qu’on appélle, maladie de nérfs: mal dont on ne peut s’empeschér de voir les efféts, et dont je crois qu’on ignore encore les causes puisqu’il n’y a aucuns remédes connus, et qu’on en est a l’éssai pour les palliatifs: on dit que ce mal provient d’une grande...
34663General Orders, 24 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
The court of Inquiry upon a complaint exhibited by Mr Brokaw against Colonel Craige, report as follows—That they are of opinion, that if the Inhabitants of the country take the liberty of dealing with the soldiers in an improper manner and to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, they do it at their own risque, and if they should receive any correction, which they think is a...
34664From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 24 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
General Smallwood informs me that Capt. Winder with about 100 Men of the 1st Maryld Brigade is detained in Philada to do Garrison duty. The line has been so weakened by the expiration of the service of a number of the draughts and by necessary detachments that it is impossible the Men above mentioned can be spared for that duty, I must therefore request you to give Capt. Winder orders to march...
34665To George Washington from John Beatty, 24 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
In Obedience to your Excellency’s Commands of yesterday, I beg leave to lay before you the following state of Facts—relative to the situation and sustenance of the Marine & other Prisoners now with the Enemy. 1st That there are at present with the enemy about 258 Prisoners of War, as appears from Mr Pintard’s Return of the 6th Instant, near 200 of whom are confined on Board the Prison Ship the...
34666From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have given the Commissary General orders to lay in a Magazine of four Months provisions for twelve hundred Men at Fort Pitt; and another of the like quantity for one thousand Men at Sunbury, both to be formed by the first day of May next and exclusive of the quantities necessary for the subsistence of the Troops in those quarters. I have directed him if possible, to draw his supplies for...
34667From George Washington to John Jay, 24 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I transmit you herewith two letters the applications of General Glover and Colo. Wigglesworth for the acceptance of their respective resignations. Colonel Wigglesworth is particularly desirous to obtain a speedy answer that he may have it in his power to make some arrangements before his proposed departure for France. Congress will also be pleased to attend to General Glovers request for his...
34668From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 24 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favr of yesterday with several News papers inclosed. The Regulations of Congress for the settlement of Rank take in every claim that the Feild Officers of your Brigade can possibly make and therefore there will be no need of referring the matter to the State. If they find they can not settle the dispute among themselves I will appoint a Board to hear their pretensions and come to a...
34669To George Washington from John Pierce, Jr., 24 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Recevd Sept. 12. 1778 for reinlisting Men 120,000 26th for ditto 80,000 Feb. 12. 1779 ditto 300,000 500,000 Paid to several Persons by Warrants for reinlisting Men 338,000 Ballance on Hand for reinlisting Men 162,000 On Hand for the Payment of the Troops includg 30,000 Dols. borrowed by the Qr Mr Genl 263,734 Payment of December will probably amount to about 200,000 Ballance on Hand for...
34670To John Adams from Leray de Chaumont, 25 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
D’après Le desir que vous avez temoigné hier devant moy de Retourner a L’amerique et Les inconvenients d’estre pris en Chemin et Conduit Chez vos ennemis J’ay Jugé que Le Sejour de Passi ne vous plairoit peutestre pas, et si vous aimiez mieux habiter unne franche Campagne. J’ay dans le Blesois unne terre meublée que Je n’habite pas, Je vous offre avec plaisir de vous en Laisser le Maistre tant...
34671Jacques Donatien Leray Chaumont de to John Adams: A Translation, 25 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
In regard to your desire, expressed to me yesterday, of returning to America and the dangers of being captured and made prisoner by your enemies, I have been thinking that your continuance at Passy might not suit you, and that you might prefer to live inexpensively in the country. I have in the Blesois a property that I do not occupy and I offer, with pleasure, to leave you the master of it as...
34672From John Adams to Leray de Chaumont, 25 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have this Moment the Honour of your kind Billet of this Days Date, and I feel myself under great Obligations for the genteel and generous offer of your House, at Blesois: But, if I do not put Dr. Franklin to Inconvenience, which I shall not do long, my Residence at Passy is very agreeable to me. To a Mind as much Addicted to Retirement, as mine, the Situation you propose would be delicious...
34673From John Adams to James Warren, 25 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the I. Jany. was delivered me, by the Marquis de la Fayette. I wish I was as happy as you, in not being obliged to copy my Letters. Sense or Nonsense frivolous or weighty, I must copy every line I write, for I know not what Accusations may be brought against me, grounded on my Letters if I do not. My Letters are lyable to more Misfortunes and foul Play too than yours, and I keep no...
34674From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 25 February 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency has received a line from Mr. Williamson informing him of the enemy having entered Elizabeth Town. If their design should appear to be any thing more serious than surprising that post, and they should be in force sufficient to approach this army; he desires you will retire gradually harassing and delaying them in their march to give the more time for our dispositions here. You...
34675George Washington to Colonel Samuel Blachley Webb, 25 February 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] February 25, 1779 . States information about number of prisoners obtained. Directs Webb to present this information to Congress. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Webb, a prisoner of the British on Long Island, sought to bring about not only his own exchange but that of his fellow prisoners. Webb, together with Colonel George...
34676From Benjamin Franklin to John Bondfield, 25 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have before me yours of the 19th & 20th inst. I receiv’d also yours of the 16th per M. Bory to whom I shall on your Recommendation shew every Civility in my Power. I return accepted your two Drafts of 12000 Livres each as also the Congress Draft for 300£. I think our People mad to give such a Price for Madeira. I hope the Bordeaux you send will be so good as to...
34677From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 25 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I thank your Excellency for the Appointment of a frigate to escort the Ships from Nantes to the Isle of Aix, and the Assurances of Protection to our Vessels who may join the Convoy there. Our Frigate the Alliance, is order’d to prepare for returning immediately to America. If your Excy. should think fit to send some Dispatches by her, they may probably go safe, as she...
34678From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 25 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I duely receiv’d yours of the 18, with Advice of your Drawing for 58407 l.t. 14 s. 0 d. as the Ballance of your Acct with the Commrs. I shall accept your Bills when they appear. In settling M. Williams’s Accounts, M. Lee insisted on having all the Vouchers in support of each Article produced here. How far this is agreeable to the Customs of Merchants I know not, but...
34679From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes: Two Letters, 25 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (incomplete draft) and copy: Library of Congress; (II) ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Library of Congress The first of these letters represents one of Franklin’s few imprudent acts as a diplomat. His congressional instructions had ordered him to seek French help in attacking Quebec and Halifax, but here he...
34680To Benjamin Franklin from Henrÿ Dubois, 25 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Les offres gracieuses que votre Excellence a daigné me faire lorsque j’eus l’honneur de la voir dans mon voyage de paris au mois de mars dernier, me donne la Confiance de lui marquer que jusqu’a présent je n’ai pas été assez heureux de trouver l’occasion de lui être utile; sauf celle d’aider M. Wallisch et Mr. hancock, de posmoute, en les recommandant a M....