44101IV. To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel David Humphreys, 23 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
General Greene, directs me to inform your Excellency, that from the best intelligence he is able to obtain, the Enemy are now out in force, with seventeen Pieces of Artillery—At first they made a demonstration of acting on his right; and large parties were seen from the heights of Springfield filing off in that direction: A considerable Column, in the mean time advanced on his left, where...
44102V. To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Richard Kidder Meade, 23 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
as I advanced, from the information I receved it became proper to alter the route given me by your Excellency & also to keep the party of horse together. I am now on the hill where Baron Steubens Qrs were (Caldwells former house )—the Enemy a little in front retiring, after leaveing I think only two houses standing in the Town—I have seen Genl Greene who will act with great caution, but at the...
44103VI. To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 23 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
Just as I was Setting out this Morning to Join your Excellency I had Intellignce that the Enemy were out and Advanceing to Springfeild. I immediately wrote to the Commdg Officers of the Militia from Burlington to near Easton (and dispatched Messengers with the letters open), desired them to push down to Turkey for further orders, wrote Genl Greene what I had done, that he might in Case the...
44104VII. To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 23 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
You have heard that the Enemy—after burning Spring-field—are retired to their former post on Elizabeth town point—their Number (from every Judicial Observation) did not exceed four thousand, they brought out three days provision & upwards of twenty pieces of Artillery. I have not yet seen Genl Greene—but from very good Intelligence two Batts. of Grenadrs—& two of Light Infantry together with...
44105VIII. From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 23 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
Some time before the recpt of yr favor I was informed that the Enemy had returned to their Station, at E. T. point—It is certainly difficult if not impossible to ascertain their views. I however all things considered wish to keep our force as compact as possible, & therefore wish you if you find in the morning that the Enemy are quiet or gone over to Staten Island to return by the same route...
44106From George Washington to Richard Claibourne, 23 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will proceed forthwith to Morris Town and inform your self of the measures taken to remove the stores and baggage of the army from Morris and from Succussunni toward Sussex Court house and the North River and you will take such additional measures as appear necessary to remove them effectually and with the greatest expedition. The flour and salted meat except what the Commissaries think...
44107From George Washington to the Committee at Headquarters, 23 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
The enemy are now in full force bending their march towards Morris Town, and by my last advices had advanced beyond Springfeild. They were vigorously opposed by our advanced Corps. But what could the Valour of a hand full do against so infinite a superiority of numbers? The enemy can effect any particular object they may attempt. Besides the Army they can have no other in this state than our...
44108To George Washington from Colonel David Forman, 23 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honr of receiveing Your Excely Favr of the 21st last Evening, wherein your Excly expreses an Opinion that Sr Henry Clintons Object at prest is West Point —My Want of knoledge of that place hardly permits my Attempting to form a Judgement of the Appeara⟨n⟩cees that might indicate an Attack—Yet the Mind will on ⟨su⟩tch Important Subjects Attempt forming a Judgt—My Last Inf⟨or⟩mation to...
44109To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 23 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is paragraph of an act of the Honorable the General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island passed at their last session. The motive for making the disposition proposed is the much greater ease in obtaining the recruits if to be formed by themselves, as many are averse to being incorporated with the blacks. this disposition I do not think myself authorised to make without your...
44110From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 23 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 20th reached me this morning. The principal part of the army yesterday marched to this place—Last night I received a letter from General Greene who commands the corps near the enemy containing the following paragraph, “Mr——this moment returned from Elizabeth Town. He says that General Clinton with the whole British army will be in motion this evening; that three thousand are...
44111From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 23 June 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Nothing material has taken place since my last. The fact is confirmed that Clinton has returned to N.Y. with part of the Southern army, and has joined Kniphausen. They are at present maneuvering for purposes not absolutely known, but most probably in order to draw Gnl Washington to an action in which they suppose he may be disabled to give the necessary co-operation...
44112To Thomas Jefferson from the Committee of Congress at Headquarters, 23 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Morristown, 23 June 1780 . Circular letter to the state executives, enclosing a copy of Gen. Washington’s letter of same date, reporting the advance of the enemy beyond Springfield toward Morristown. The likelihood of an American defeat if these forces in New Jersey pursue their objective makes it imperative for the states to send on their quotas of men. FC ( DLC : PCC , No. 11), signed by the...
44113To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 23 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Nothing material has taken place since my last. The fact is confirmed that Clinton has returned to N.Y. with part of the Southern army, and has joined Kniphausen. They are at present man[oeuvering] for purposes not absolutely known, but most probably in order to draw Genl. Washington to an action in which they suppose he may be disabled to give the necessary co-operation to the french...
44114To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, [after 24?] June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We have gott the honour to trouble your Excellency with the explication of Sevall. bills drawn on the Honourable Henry Laurens Esqr. Comissioner fr. the United States of North America residing in Amsterdam, we have since ask’d a fourthnight that we expected an Answer butt an English house having presented a bill the 24th. send word today that she would have...
44115From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 24 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your two Letters of the 5th. of May I have recieved with more pleasure than You can imagine. They are the first Lines I have recieved from Philadelphia. Your Letter prepared my mind for the horrid History We have since recieved in the Court Gazette from London of the Surrender of Charlestown. This is the severest Blow We ever recieved. Yet We shall soon get over it. I hope it will arouse the...
44116From John Adams to James Lovell, 24 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yours of 4 May is received—it is the first from Philadelphia. Mr. Mease and your Friend shall have all the attention and assistance I can give them. I thank you for sending the Journals by the Way of Braintree: but hope you will continue to send them from Phila. also. Your Plan of a Cypher I cannot comprehend—nor can Dr. F. his. You have made me very happy, by acquainting me with Proceedings...
44117From John Adams to James Wilson, 24 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
I had two days ago the Pleasure of receiving a Duplicate your Letter of the 20 of April—the original is not come to Hand. You could not have given me a Commission, more agreable to my Inclinations, than that of furnishing a List of a Collection of Books—on Treaties, the Law of Nations, the Laws maritime, the Laws of France respecting Navigation and Commerce, and the History and Policy of the...
44118From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Elias Dayton, [24 June 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
I am sorry that we have not yet been able to get a return for the papers I last sent you, as the Minister makes it an object to have them in regular sucession. I send you some late Philadelphia papers, which I entreat you to get exchanged and if possible to get all the papers since the last exchange. Your’s with great resp ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Dayton was at Springfield,...
44119To Benjamin Franklin from Gérard de Rayneval, 14 [i.e., 24] June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress M. Le Cte. de Vergennes a remis avant hier, Monsieur, une Lettre pour vous à M. Dumont qui desireroit fort de vous entretenir; S. Ece. vous seroit infiniment obligé si vous vouliez bien lui dire si le dt. Dumont vous a éffectivement vû, et lui confier les Ouvertures qu’il peut vous avoir faites. Mon Exprès a ordre d’attendre votre Reponse. J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec...
44120From Benjamin Franklin to Gérard de Rayneval, 24 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères The Person who calls himself Dumont was with me yesterday Evening, bringing Notes to me from M. de Vergennes & M le Duc de Vauguyon. He said his Business was to solicit a Supply of 4000. Stand of Arms to be landed in the West of England, for the Use of the Petitioners who were become sensible that Petitioning signified nothing, and that...
44121From Benjamin Franklin to Gourlade & Moylan, 24 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your favour, acquainting me with a Desertion from the Alliance and your having stopt the People. Your Letter is not before me, having put it with other Papers into the Hands of Messrs. Adams and Dana, and requested their Advice, they being, much better acquainted with maritime Law than myself. I cannot therefore answer it fully till next Post. This is just...
44122From Benjamin Franklin to Landais, 24 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, National Archives You have written several Letters peremptorily demanding of me the Prize Money which you say is due to the People of the alliance and in yours of the 16th. which I have received thro’ the Hands of Mr. Schewighauser, you speak of time lost by the Delay of that Payment to the Prejudice of the Interest of the United States. Your two first Prizes were...
44123From Benjamin Franklin to Jean-Daniel Schweighauser, 24 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I last Night received your respected Letter of the 20th. Instant; inclosing one from Capt. Landais to which the Within is an Answer sent open for your Perusal. I should make no Objection to your Supplying the Alliance with such Provisions as might be necessary for the present Subsistance of the People that are on board her, many of whom are exchanged Prisoners, honest...
44124From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 24 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Library of Congress In consequence of the enclosed Letter which I have received from M. Adams, I beg leave to request of your Excellency, that the Orders therein mentioned if not already sent, may be delayed, ’till he has prepared the Representations he proposes to lay before you on that Subject, by which it will appear that those...
44125To Benjamin Franklin from ——— de Illens, 24 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society Un de mes Vaisseaux nomé le Diligent comandé par Capne. GrosJean, aborda heureusement à Charlestown en 1778 avec une Cargaison considérâble, & quoiqu’il fut d’une Portée assez forte, il ne pût point raporter avec luy les fonds de la Cargaison. En conséquence, mon Cape. GrosJean laissa au Trésor du Congrès environ 40 mille Pounds de Caroline, pour laquelle...
44126IX. “Amicus Reipublicae” to John Mercereau, 24 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
Friday last arrived [at] Sandy Hook Genl Clinton with abt 5000 fighting Men according to the best information we’ve been able to procure from Charlestown leaving as a Garrison the 63d 64th & 71st British Regiments, the remaining Forces are employed in bringing the Southern States into Subjection [u]nder Lord Cornwallis it is promulgated by the Officers that he had penetrated as great distance...
44127IX. To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I make use of the first moment to acquaint Your Excellency that the whole force of the Enemy which has been in Jersey went from Elizabeth Town Point between 12 and 1 OClock this morning; whether they crossed to Statten Island, or embarked on board their shipping I am not yet sufficiently inf⟨or⟩med, altho it is reported they have embark⟨e⟩d and proceeded up Hackensack River, to the latter I...
44128X. To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
It is positively asserted that the Troops that were out yesterday were the same which were out before, with the addition of a Corps of light Infantry. It is said Sir Harry Clinton was not out, but was busily employed in preparing for the embarkation of the South Carolina Troops, and that they are actually bound up the North River. Perhaps with a design of possessing the heights round the...
44129XI. To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been too busily employed untill the present moment, to lay before your Excellency the transactions of yesterday. The Enemy advanced from Elizabeth Town about five in the morning, said to be about five thousand Infantry with a large body of Cavalry and fifteen or twenty pieces of Artillery. Their march was rapid and compact. They moved in two columns, one on the main road leading to...
44130General Orders, 24 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
The General Court martial whereof Brigadier General Hand is president will meet tomorrow morning nine o clock at Morristown and will continue sitting from day to day unless especially adjourned by the President. The General Officers directed to meet yesterday to settle a dispute of rank between Colonels Hazen and Livingston will meet this day at twelve o clock at the house on the forks of the...