42391To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 27–28 March 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Nothing under the title of news has occurred since I wrote last week by express except that the Enemy on the 1st. of March remained in the neighbourhood of Charlestown in the same posture as when the preceding account came away. From the best intelligence from that quarter there seems to be great encouragement to hope that Clinton’s operations will be again frustrated. Our great apprehensions...
42392From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 27, 27 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 27 March 1780. RC ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 361–364). In this letter, received by Congress on 31 July and read on 1 Aug., John Adams wrote that war “is now generally considered as a Contest of Finances; so that the Nation which can the longest find Money to carry on the War, can generally hold out the longest.” Adams believed that Great Britain, because of its heavy taxation since 1774, had...
42393To John Adams from Jeremiah Allen, 27 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
Some Villain, has reported, and it is almost universally Creditted by the people of this place, that the Americans, have concluded a peace with Great Britain, and notwithstanding the absurdity of the report, and all the reasons, that I could give them, such as, the impossibillity of concluding peace, in so short a time, and from the disposition of the people when I left America—also that no...
42394George Washington to the Council of War, 27 March 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] March 27, 1780 . Gives “a general view of affairs as well to the Southward as here.” Requests opinions on advisability of sending a detachment to South Carolina. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
42395George Washington to Brigadier General Louis Le Bèque Du Portail, 27 March 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Morristown, New Jersey ] March 27, 1780 . Doubts Du Portail can arrive in the South in time to be of use. Requests that Du Portail send frequent dispatches containing full details. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
42396George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 27 March 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] March 27, 1780 . Asks that Congress send Brigadier General Du Portail to the South where a good engineer is needed. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
42397To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 27 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send by this date another letter with enclosures relating to the Exchange of prisoners. I hope in God that nothing will happen to interrupt that Exchange wch I look upon as a link of communication wch may by degrees lead us to farther pacific intercourses. The only object of my thoughts is by every possible means to soften animosities and to counteract by...
42398To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 27 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have red yrs of Octr. 25 & rejoyce you continue in helth & have so many Comforts about you the Agreable situation of yr Dwelling, Beautifull Gardens, & yr choice of the best of company. I often form to my self an Idea of; & wish you could Injoy them hear with the same Benifit to yr Native country. You are happy in that you can never want friends go where...
42399To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 27 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library Mr De Chaumont has sent me Mr Bondfields Letter to you with authority to freight his Ships on the same Conditions as the King Freights which Mr Bondfield supposes to be 25 l.t. pr Ton & Insurance out & home without Premium. As it does not appear by Mr De Chaumonts Letter that he understands more than Insurance out & that at...
42400[Diary entry: 27 March 1780] (Washington Papers)
27th. Morning lowering & raw the wind being pretty fresh from South. About Noon it blew exceeding hard from the same point with much appearances of Rain. After Sun down the wind shifted round to the West or No. West blew fresh—cleared & became cold.
42401General Orders, 27 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
A Surgeon from the 1st Pennsylvania brigade is to go immediately to take charge of the wounded at Paramus —he will call on Doctor Cochran for his instructions. The General directs that officers and soldiers remain in camp and hold themselves ready for a sudden movement. The men who want Arms to be immediately supplied and the whole to be completed with ammunition. Varick transcript , DLC:GW ....
42402To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Edward Antill, 27 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Assur’d, this will be delivered You, by Mr Bradford now Exchang’d: I could not in Justice to myself, & Family, forego so good an oppertunity, to mention my Situation to You Sir; particularly as it is to escape the prying Eye, of Impertinent Curiosity. Once more, in Anxious Expectation, of a Change, in our unfortunate Situation; we have waited the Result of the Commissioners meeting at Amboy:...
42403To George Washington from Mary Auchmuty, 27 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Goodness and humanity that has ever marked Your Excellency’s Character induces me to take a liberty of addressing you on a Subject the particular circumstances of which I have hopes will plead my excuse for this trouble. I have a son who was unfortunately taken prisoner at Stony point, he is now at Lancaster —My going to England is fixed; and I propose imbarking early in the next...
42404Council of War, 27 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of War held at Head Quarters Morris Town the 27th day of March 1780. Major Generals Brigadier Generals St Clair Clinton DeKalb Maxwell Knox Hand Gist The Commander in Chief states to The Council, that by his latest advices from South Carolina Sir Henry Clinton was arrived there with the force under his command and about the beginning of this month was advanced as far as...
42405From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 27 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
If through the Channel you mentioned to me the other day, or any other, you could speedily ascertain the following points you would render an essential service to the Public & to me a favr. Whether Transports under Convoy of one or more Men of War hath lately arrived at New York from Georgia, or So. Carolina? Whether any Troops are under orders for Imbarkation? or whether from report, or...
42406From George Washington to Brigadier General Duportail, 27 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding the occasion we should have for your services in this quarter should any active operations commence, the critical situation of Charles Town and the importance of that place induce me to wish you were there. I am doubtful whether you can arrive in time; but I have submitted the matter to Congress to determine according to the advices they have received. The letter to them is...
42407To George Washington from Colonel Christopher Greene, 27 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to Inclose the return your Excellency last call’d on me for, Also the proceedings of A Court Martial held by Order of General Cornell The proceedings have been laid before The Governor. He Took the Advice of His Council as to the propriety of his Acting in the Mater, They were of Opinion he had no right to Act, and recommended my Sending the proceedings to your Excellency—I...
42408To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 27 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honor’d with yours of the 2d Inst. respecting Capt. Cartwright & beg your Excellency to accept my thanks for your determination respecting him. A Resolve of the General Assembly of this State of which the enclosed is Copy, was sent to me the 24th Inst. I am endeavoring to detain three Commission’d Officers and one Serjeant from each Regt belonging to the Massachusetts Line for the...
42409From George Washington to Nehemiah Hubbard, 27 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
On the 7th instant the Quarter Master General laid before me, for my direction, Returns of sundry Accoutrements wanting by Moylans and Sheldons Regiments of Horse, and which had been demanded from you. Not knowing what provision might have been made by the Board of War, I did not look upon myself at liberty to give order in the matter before I had consulted them on the subject—In answer to my...
42410From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 27 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
In the present situation of Southern affairs much will no doubt depend on the having an able Engineer in that Quarter. I have a very good opinion of the Gentleman now there in this line, but the confidence I have in General Du Portails abilities makes me think his presence would be of the greatest utility. Though we may sensibly feel the want of him here should any active operation commence;...
42411To George Washington from the Justices of Morris County, New Jersey, 27 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency was pleased to say, in a letter to us dated at Morris Town Jany 20th 1780 that you would direct the Qur Mr Genl to examine the damages which the troops have done to the prison and Courthouse at this place and to have it repaired far as circumstances would permit. We beg leave to inform your Excellency that no such repairs have been made, that the House is so damaged as that it...
42412From George Washington to Lieutenant General Wilhelm von Knyphausen, 27 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
After the breaking up of the Commission at Amboy, Mr pintard continued within our lines for the purpose of settling his Accounts with the present Commissary General of prisoners who is shortly going out of Office. He yesterday informed me that previous to his leaving Amboy, a parole had been required of him limiting his stay to the 30th Inst. a period too short to accomplish the purpose above...
42413John Adams to Abigail Adams, 28 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Izard goes off, the day after tomorrow, and will carry this, and all the News there is. We have none from America, a long time. I have only yours of 10 decr. since I left you. I hope you have received Letters from me, from Corunna and Bilbao. There are gone many for you, since my Arrival here, but I suppose are still detained at the Sea Ports. They will soon sail. My 3 Boys dined with me...
42414Elizabeth Smith Shaw to Mary Smith Cranch, 28 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
It is so long since the enclosed was written that I am almost ashamed to send it. However I wish it may be accepted as a convincing Argugument that I have not been wholly unmindful of my Friends, and that the variety of Cares which have unavoidiably crouded upon me this winter, has not in the least abated my Concern and love for them. I have really so little Time for literary Employments, that...
42415From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 28 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am almost ashamed to acknowledge, after ten days, the receipt of your favor of the 18th, and to thank You for the pains You have taken in searching the Treaties for Examples of Subsidies. I had understood that the House of Austria, altho’ one of the most powerful in Europe, and the constant Rival of that of Bourbon, not being a maritime and commercial Power, had always occasion for Money, to...
42416From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 28, 28 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 28 March 1780. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 365–366). With this letter, received by Congress on 31 July and read on 1 Aug., John Adams sent newspapers and reported on John Jay’s arrival in Spain. See Adams to Edmund Jenings, 28 March , and note 3 (above). RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 365–366.)
42417To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 28 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am obligd to You for a letter the 14th Instant. My writing to You is from the motive of making You acquainted from time to time with any material movement or particular news from this quarter, which may be interesting or serving in any way the business you are engagd in; Your particular situation must put it out of your power to write when even you may wish to do so, and I by no means expect...
42418To John Adams from Muscoe Livingston, 28 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
Permit me, late as it is, to congratulate you on your Safe arrival one More to this Country, after the very disagreable passage you must have had, Owing to the distress of the frigate you was on board of. You was so Good as take Charge of a Letter for Governor Livingston from me at Lorient last year; nay did you See him or did you send the Letter to him. I am happy to tell you, that I have all...
42419To Benjamin Franklin from the Board of Admiralty, 28 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives By the annex’d list you will perceive the present disposition of the Continental Navy in North america. The detachment of four Ships to gaurd the Harbour of Charles Town has subjected our Coasts to the depredations of the enemys armed vessels from New York who of late have frequently appeared in our Bays and...
42420To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas: Two Letters, 28 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous verrez, par l’avis ci-joint, que la Frise a accédé à la Résolution d’Hollande. Je n’apprends rien encore du parti qu’ont pris les autres Provinces. Il est vrai qu’étant indisposé, je n’ai pu m’informer, mais il paroît clairement, sur le tout, qu’on ne cherche ici qu’à pousser le temps par les épaules. Mr. Y—— a présenté le 21e. un Mémoire...