40781[1779 December 30 Thursday.] (Adams Papers)
1779 December 30 Thursday. We went to see the Cathedral Church at Lugo which is very rich.—A Youth came to me in the Street, and said he was a Bostonian, a Son of Mr. Thomas Hickling. He went a Privateering in an English Vessell, he said, and was unfortunately taken. Unfortunately inlisted, said I … He wanted to make his fortune he said. Out of your Countrymen and by fighting against your...
40782Thursday 30th. (Adams Papers)
This morning we all got up at 3 o clock but did not set out till 7. We went over several mountains. At about two o clock we stopt and dined at a little cottage by the Side of a River which is call’d Carasedo and from thence we proceeded on as far as a little village call’d Galiego Gallegos where we shall lodge this night. This is the best house we have Lodged at since we Left Corunna. We have...
40783To Benjamin Franklin from Landais, 30 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society I Receiv’d only the 15th Decemr. the copy of a letter from Capt Jones to your Excellency, dated on board the ship of War Serapis, at anchor without the Texel Octor. 3d. 1779 (but not certifyed by your Excellency, as you did me the honor to tell me you wou’d do) of which letter you told me the copy was in a newspaper. I beg to know in which, for I had never...
40784To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Lee, 30 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the Liberty of writing to You hoping that you wont take it amiss I Henry Lee nave to General in America Has met with the Misfortune to be in Goal in Cadis. I Came here Second Capt of a Brigg from Phillidelphia Loaded with Tobaco and I haveing four Barrells & two Boxes of Snuff for my Private trade came here and not Knowing the Laws of this Place...
40785General Orders, 30 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Commanding officers of regiments and corps are to make duplicates of their Weekly returns this week, accounting at the bottom for all officers and men absent, their names, places where, reasons for and time of absence with a note of the number of Company books, soldiers books and Books of Regulations that have been received by each Corps. Regimental Quarter Masters will make returns of all...
40786To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 30 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Inclosd is a copy of a letter from a number of the Officers of the Artificers at West Point which urges a speedy arrangement of the Corps. I wish it to take place also for many other reasons as soon as your Excellency can find leisure to examin and digest the business. I am with respect your Excellencys Most Obedient humble Sert ADfS , DNA:PCC , item 173. The enclosed letter has not been...
40787To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 30 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Last evening, three Hessian Deserters came to my Quarters. They left Fort Washington last sunday evening. One of the three is a very intelligent man, and has given me many particulars. (viz.) That the Troops at & near Fort-Washington, are said to amount to about 6,000 men, about one half the number British Grenadiers & Light Infantry. These Corps came from New York to that place, at the time...
40788From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 30 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit You all the Letters which have been sent or received by me, on the subject of Colo. Mitchells attending the Trial of Major General Arnold. They are all numbered in regular order from No. 1 to 9 Inclusive. When the Court have read them, they will be pleased to return them. I have the honor to be with great respect & esteem gentn Your Most Obt st Df , in Robert...
40789To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 30 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have just now had Accts from an Emissary below the following is an Extract from his letter “12000 Troops Embar’d & saild their Destination suppos’d to be Georgia principally, tho’ all of them it is thought will not go there, the 26th Regiment has been Draughted the Commissiond and non Commissiond Officers are all gone to England to Recruit a great number of Vessels suppos’d to be Victualrs...
40790From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 30 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s dispatch of the 24th inclosing two acts of Congress of the 23d and 24th instant. Since the information transmitted Congress of the sailing of a fleet with troops from New-York, I have received accounts which though not as decisive as some I expect, yet I have reason to believe will not fall short of the number detatched. As the intelligence stands,...
40791From Thomas Jefferson to the Board of War, 30 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The Board are of opinion that Capt. de Klauman cannot regularly be promoted to the Majority in the State Garrison Regiment; but considering him as a very good Officer and as having resigned his command in the Artillery Regiment on being nominated to a majority in one of the Eastern Battalions then intended to be raised, a nomination which could not then be considered as exposed to...
40792To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, 30 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellency will receive herewith enclos’d the copy of a letter from Thomas Scott to the President of Pennsylvania of the 29th of Novemr. last with a copy of the proceedings of the President and Council of Pennsylvania of the 15th of Decemr., as also an act of Congress of the 27th Instant consequent thereon recommending to the contending Parties not to grant any part of the disputed lands...
40793From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 30 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letter inclosing the resolutions of congress relating to the capture of the Portuguese Snow by Captain Cunningham has remained hitherto unanswered because I hoped Daily to be enabled to write more fully on that subject. The resolutions, and documents accompanying them, as soon as received, were put into the hands of our Attorney General, for his opinion, with intention to have such...
40794Proclamation concerning Consuls, 30 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
By his Excellency THOMAS JEFFERSON, Esq; Governour or Chief Magistrate of the commonwealth of Virginia. Whereas the General Assembly by their act intitled “ An act for the protection and encouragement of commerce of nations acknowledging the independence of the United States of America” have authorized the Executive to receive and admit into this commonwealth, a Consul or Consuls from any...
40795Decr. 31. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Rode from Galliego to Sebrero, Seven Leagues. The Journey Yesterday and to day has been very agreable. The Weather, remarkably fair, and dry, and the Roads not so bad as We expected. There is the grandest Profusion of wild irregular Mountains, that I ever saw—Yet laboured and cultivated every one, to its Summit. The Fields of Grain, are all green. We passed a Rang of Mountains that were white...
40796[1779 December 31. Fryday.] (Adams Papers)
1779 December 31. Fryday. We rode from Galliego to Sebrero, seven Leagues. Our Journey was more agreable this day, than usual: the Weather was remarkably fair and dry, and the roads not so bad as We had expected. There was the grandest profusion of wild irregular Mountains I ever saw: yet laboured and cultivated to their Summits. The Fields of Grain were all green. We passed a Range of...
40797Friday 31st. (Adams Papers)
We had nothing worth remarking to day except we kept ascending all day and we are now at the very top of the mountains. The guide says that this is the worst day that we shall have the whole journey. We came 7 Leagues to day. In my next Volume of my Journal I will give the description of several things which I have not done in this Volume.
40798Oliver Wendell to Abigail Adams, 31 December 1779 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Cranch deliver’d me your Letter with the five french Guineaus which at the Insurance Office I endeavord to hawk to the Money Voyagers. I found 30 for 1 the most they wou’d offer. Mr. Billy who has purchased much hard Money told me he had offerd him 200 hard Dollars the Day before at that Rate. I have no Doubt that 33 and 35 had been given but the late Reports of a Loan being establishd by...
40799From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 31 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Amherst College Library I have not at present any Public Money in my hands; and all that I can expect will be necessary to pay Congress Drafts, and other indispensible Orders and Engagements. I have the honour to be, with very great Respect Sir, Your most obedient and most humble Servant Addressed: To / The honourable Arthur Lee Esqe. / Paris. / [ in another hand: ] a lhotel notre Dame /...
40800To Benjamin Franklin from Amelia Barry, 31 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society One of the happiest days of my life, was that in which I was honored with your condescending favor of the 28th. ulto. for which I return you my most sincere and grateful acknowledgments. I had heared a few days ago, of the death of my revered God-mama from a Mr. Logan— I will not renew a grief which Time I hope, has abated, by saying more on so painful a...
40801To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 31 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’eus hier le plaisir d’avoir la nouvelle, dont ci-joint copie. Notre Ami est parti ce matin, pour Amsterdam, les Etats de la province s’étant séparés. Il m’a remis les nouvelles protestations des villes. Vous les aurez, dès que je les aurai traduites. Depuis plus de 15 jours que je suis de retour ici, je n’étois presque pas sorti, à cause d’un rhumatisme....
40802To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 31 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am just now informed by a very intelligent Friend, on whose Judgement and Veracity I can securely depend, that Mr Adams is lately arrived in France from Boston, in his way hither, vested with full Powers from the Congress to propose Terms of Reconciliation with Great Britain; and that in this Negotiation you had no Concern. You must know, whether there is...
40803General Orders, 31 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Resolved—That instead of the subsistence allowed by an Act of Congress of the 18th day of February last to the officers in the department of the Field Commissary of Military stores—the following sums be allowed vizt—to the Field Commissary 400 dollars per month; the Deputy Field Commissary 300—⅌ month; To a Conductor—100—⅌ month, and to a Clerk—100 ⅌ month, and that this increased subsistence...
40804From George Washington to the Board of Treasury, 31 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
The want of a Pay Master to that detatchment of the army which lays at and near the Highlands is attended with many inconveniences to the troops, and an accumulation of expence to the public, as the officers are obliged to draw for their pay rolls from this part of the army. Should the Board have no person in view, perhaps it might be eligible to place Mr Reed who is at Albany on this station....
40805From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 31 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received yours of last Evening respecting the arrangement of the Corps of Artificers. I must depend intirely upon you for the nomination of the Officers, as I am utterly unacquainted with the Merits or pretensions of any of those who have been in service, or who may with propriety be appointed should there be any deficiency of Officers. If you will make out an arrangement specifying the...
40806From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 31 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favs. of the 21st and 26th Inst. Certificates from the paymasters of the 1st and 15th Massachusetts Regiments setting forth that Ensigns Gilbert and porter have settled their regimental accounts are necessary before those Gentlemen can obtain discharges. Upon producing them to you, you may indorse their discharges upon their Commissions, and inform me of the date, that I...
40807From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 31 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Nov. 20. 1779. came safe, tho lately, to hand. The future acts of our assembly I shall take care regularly to transmit, as also such of those past since the institution of the commonwealth as can be procured: for they are become scarce. I have in my own collection of pamphlets some few duplicates which I will also forward to you as soon as I shall be able to examine them, for...
40808To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-François-Clément Morand, [1780–1781] (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society M. morand, aussitot que le tems, S’adoucira, S’occupera des articles qui reviennent a M. le Venerable et Veneré Confrere M. Franklin; en attendant M. Morand desireroit que M. Franklin Voulut bien S’occuper de Ce qui Suit. Le Volume des transact. an. 1676, No. 130, art. 13. p. 762, fait mention d’une mine de charbon de terre, embraseè, près Newcastle; depuis...
40809Editorial Note on Franklin’s Accounts, 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Two new accounts begin during the period covered by this volume: XXV. Account of Postage and Errands, April 1, 1780, to May 31, 1783: American Philosophical Society, 237 pages. A collection of monthly statements and bills which are all marked as having been paid by order on Ferdinand Grand. For the months under consideration in this volume the statements, in French, were submitted by the cook,...
40810Editorial Note on Promissory Notes, 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Now that Franklin was distributing printed promissory note forms to prisoners receiving assistance, we will no longer publish individual promissory notes as sample documents. Instead, in this and subsequent editorial notes, we will take notice of each person, the date on which he received a loan, and the sum. Printed forms survive from thirteen escaped prisoners for the months covered by this...