45401To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 21 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress; draft: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères J’ai reçu, Monsieur, La Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 15. de ce mois. Nous n’empecherons pas nos Corsaires de prendre le Pavillon Americain pourvu qu’ils ne pretendent pas que ce Pavillion les soustrait à l’autorité des Loix et des Tribunaux du Royaume. C’est une Condition qu’il sera de votre...
45402General Orders, 21 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
[Officers] For the day Tomorrow[:] Brigadier General Patterson[,] Lieutenant Colonels Littlefield[,] Olney[,] Brigade Major Oliver. For Guard[:] Major Leavensworth The regimental Paymasters will bring their Payrolls and Abstracts made up to the 1st Instant to the Deputy Paymaster General for Examination They will also call on him for the amount of the Pay and subsistence for the respective...
45403From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 21 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favor of yesterday late last Evening. Should you receive intelligence upon which you can depend that any considerable number of the enemy’s shipping have sailed Eastward, or any other matter which you may think interesting to the French Army and Navy, you will be pleased to communicate it to Genl Heath at Newport, as well as to me. There is a Chain of Expresses from Colo. Sheldons...
45404To George Washington from Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 21 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
By Captain Duplantier who is just Arrived from the Delaware Towns. I am informed that, the British, at Detroit treat the french Inhabitants with great severity & that they wish for nothing more than the approach of a body of Troops from this place The Captain adds that Colo. Clark with a body of about one thousand Men has actually destroyed the Shawnese Town at Chellacoffy and was in pursuit...
45405To George Washington from George Clymer and John Nixon, 21 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
The letter of the 14th instant which your Excellency has honored us with, makes us sensible of the necessity of fixing, with some degree of precision, the supply of flour the army is to receive from the Pennsylvania—bank. From a consideration then of its present ability, and the near prospect we have of its encrease, we can venture to give assurance of a supply of two thousand five hundred...
45406To George Washington from William Gordon, 21 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Having received, by the Alliance the last week, a letter from Holland & another from Mr John Adams; I have thought it would be proper to communicate the same to your Excellency wherein they referred to public matters. That from Holland is dated March 27. & says—“if Mr Burke’s oeconomical plan takes place it will long support the present war. I believe the French are half afraid to trust you,...
45407From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 21 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 17th reached me last Evening. I have recieved intelligence that Sir Henry Clinton went himself towards the East End of Long Island on the 16th and that the troops at Whitestone were again embarking. I have an account of Sir Henry’s movement through two different Channels—that of the embarkation only thro’ one. I can hardly suppose that he will, considering the present...
45408To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 21 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
The following Extract of a Letter just sent me dated the 18th Inst: from your Excellency’s Quarters coming from an Agent who I have directed to correspond with General Arnold—& the Letter being brought as I hear by a Horseman from Robinson’s House, He may probably have conveyed to you the Intelligence it contains, & have rendered my troubling you unnecessary —As however it may possibly be...
45409To George Washington from William Livingston, 21 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have your Excellency’s Favour of the 15th Instant. It mortifies me beyond Expression to find that only 159 recruits have joined the Jersey Brigade; and all the Consequences which your Excellency mentions are but too justly to be apprehended from such deficiences. I shall without loss of time pursue the measure your Excellency recommends for compleating our Quota, if my Disorder will permit,...
45410From George Washington to Colonel William Malcom, 21 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favr of the 14th: If the Militia under your command are drawn out for the Campaign, as I think they are, I shall have no objection, if the measure should be agreeable to the Governor, to receiving those who want Arms into the York Brigade, and arming them from the public Magazines. You will be pleased on the receipt of this to march from your present Ground to where the Road from...
45411To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 21 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
On the 17 Inst. I did myself the Honour of writing to you from this Place informing of my being here with about 1200 Men, being the Militia of Philadelphia County, City & Bucks County. Having upon all Occasions accomodated the Board of War with any military Stores in Possession of the State & Times & Circumstances not admitting their being replaced, we were unavoidably delayed so that it was...
45412From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 21 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
In the letter which I did myself the honor of writing to you the 16th I had only time to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 10th; since which I have had the pleasure of successively receiving your two others of the 14th & 17th. In the idea of an operation against New York it has always been a fundamental principle with me, that there ought to be a naval superiority to give such a prospect...
45413To George Washington from Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 21 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Major of our Artillery who is just returned from Boston told me that Mr De Bougibault aide-de camp to the Marquis de La Fayette had got dispatches for him, for Mr De La Luzerne and for all this army, that he is to bring them, as soon as he hath bought horses, not chusing to trust them to any body, he says further that an officer had come to L’orient , to get on board the frigate L’...
45414From George Washington to Philip Schuyler, 21 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 10th. I am exceedingly sorry to hear of the ravages committed upon the settlements of schohary and Conajohare, but it is some consolation to find that a supply of provision has been thrown into Fort schuyler. I wish it was in my power to send up the 100 Barrels of salt provisions which you request. By the last return from West point there were...
45415To George Washington from Rear Admiral Ternay, 21 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
le sejour des deux officiers pratiques du sound et de la partie de sandy hook amenès igy par Monsieur le Marquis de la fayette devenants inutile dans çe moment cy je prens le parti de les renvoyer chez eux je leur ay fait donner çent piastres quils mont demandè pour retourner dans leurs habitations lorsquil sera question doperer je prieray, Vôtre exçellençe, de les faire revenir à Neuport ils...
45416To George Washington from Colonel Goose Van Schaick, 21 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
When I had the Honor of receiving your Excellencies favor of the 31st Ultimo, I was in Tryon County where I met General Van Rensselaer returning from Fort Schuyler —The enemy while the General was marching up with the State Levies, & the Militi⟨a⟩ of Tryon disappeared from before Fort Schuyler & proceeded down to Canajohary, burnt near one hundred houses, & as many Barns, captured thirty four...
45417To Thomas Jefferson from Timothy Pickering, 21 August 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 21 Aug. 1780 . Having been appointed by Congress to “an important and at this time a most difficult and ungratefull office,” that of quartermaster general, Pickering is obliged to request the governor and Council of Virginia to appoint a deputy quartermaster general for Virginia. Has consulted the Virginia delegates in Congress and requested them to recommend a proper person, but...
45418Tuesday 22d of August 1780. (Adams Papers)
This morning Pappa went out to take a walk and did not come back till about three quarters after eleven. At about half after twelve Mr. Guile came here. Pappa dined at home and Mr. Guile dined here. Very bad weather all the fore part of the day but in the afternoon it clear’d up. The weather is very uncertain here. There was one man kill’d and another stunn’d to day by a clap of thunder in the...
45419From John Adams to Jean Luzac, 22 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
At a Time, when the English Emmissaries are filling all Europe with their confidant Assertions, of the Distress of the Americans, the enclosed Papers shew that both at Philadelphia and at Boston, the People are so much at their Ease, As to be busily employed, in the Pursuits of the Arts of Peace, and in laying Foundations for future Improvements in Science and Literature. It is perhaps the...
45420From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 2, 22 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 22 Aug. 1780. RC ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 241–244). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:36–38. This letter, read by Congress on 20 Nov., began with France’s reply of 4 Aug. to the Swedish declaration of 30 July acceding to the armed neutrality, the text of...
45421To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 22 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Algemeen Rijksarchief Je n’ai rien présentement d’interessant à vous faire parvenir, si ce n’est la traduction que j’ai faite du Protest fait il y a près de deux mois par la Ville d’Amsterdam. Je fis hier une visite au Prince de Gallitzin, Envoyé de Russie, à qui je donnai un petit Mémoire, pour réfuter l’opinion, où l’on est assez généralement, que...
45422To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 22 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library Since my Return from Passy I have not received a Line from Mr de Chaumont relative to the Breton although I have frequently written to him on the Subject; I have received Letters from him on other matters but not a word of the Breton. I am at a loss to account for this & I wish you would please to put him in mind of the...
45423General Orders, 22 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
[Officers] For the Day Tomorrow[:] Brigadier General Wayne[,] Lieutenant Colonels Cobb[,] Vose[,] Brigade Major Ashley [Officer] For Guard[:] Major Talbot A Corporal and seven men for Fatigue on the Bake house from the 1st Pennsylvania brigade tomorrow morning five o clock to be relieved by a like number from the 2d Pennsylvania brigade the 24th and so on by the other Brigades daily in...
45424To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 22 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
The day before yesterday I was honored with yours of the 17th Instant. If his Excellency General de Rochambeau should consent to the three months militia marching forward while I remain in this quarter they shall be directed to the place you are pleased to point out. At present they are employed in fortifying and rendering very strong, Butts’s hill, a post which the Count considers of the...
45425To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 22 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
My Corps reached Slotterdam yesterday evening, where they halt this day. In the mean time I have hurried to Camp to receive your Excellencys orders for the disposal of them, on their arrival here. I gave orders to Capt. Rudulph to deliver Mr Andersons horse to him. The horse is gelded & Mr Anderson refuses him. When I left Monmouth, I directed Capt. Rudulph to be under the guidance of Gen....
45426Answer to Benjamin Moody’s Bill of Complaint, 22 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
[ 22 Aug. 1780 ] This document is titled “The Answer of George Washington, Esquire, Surviving Executor of the last Will and Testament of Thomas Colvill, Gentn, deceased, to the Bill of Complaint exhibited against him by Benjamin Moody, Complainant.” Among the many complaints answered in this lengthy legal document, GW argues that the charges in Moody’s account submitted with his bill of...
45427To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 22 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 20th Instant came to Hand this Afternoon & it gives me great Pleasure to find I have anticipated your Excellys Desires in almost every pa[r]ticular. I have encamp’d the Troops on the Banks of the Delaware, & drawn a very considerable Part of my Supplies from Bucks County, so as not to interfere with the Quota of the County to be furnished for the Army. Tho Col. Stewart did...
45428From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 22 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am again reduced to the painful necessity of informing Your Excellency of the situation in which we are, with respect to provision of the meat kind—and of earnestly entreating every assistance in your power to give, for our relief. The whole Army has been already without meat one day and a great part of it Two. We have none now in Camp, and no good prospect that I can find, of receiving any...
45429To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 22 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
On the receipt of yours of the 8th instant—Majr Murnan came and informed me that as I had orderd the men to cut fascines, gabions &c. on Norwich River, he thought his presence would be necessary to instruct them further in the business of their employment. I accordingly directed him to remain with them untill he thought they had obtained sufficient knowledge. Colo. Wyllys, Commandant of those...
45430To George Washington from Colonel Seth Warner, 22 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Gideon Brownson Capt. Simeon Smith and Lt Michael Dunning was Taken from my Regiment in July 1779, are Now Suffering a Close Confinement in A Neosious Goul under the Provost Gard at Quebeck which I understand Proves To them Very unhealthy and is Likely Soon to Prove the Death of Capt. Brownson, I think it a pity that men Like them who have Faithfully Served their Country Ever Since the...
45431To Thomas Jefferson from George Rogers Clark, 22 August 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
By every possible exertion, and the aid of Colonel Slaughter’s corps, we completed the number of 1000, with which we crossed the river at the mouth of Licking on the 1st day of August, and began our march the 2d. Having a road to cut for the artillery to pass for seventy miles, it was the 6th before we reached the first town, which we found vacated and the greatest part of their effects...
45432Wednesday 23d of August 1780. (Adams Papers)
Pappa went out in the morning and came home and dined at home. Our Master comes every morning at six and every noon. Nothing very remarkable this day. Reading a Volume entitled the World I found this fable. A fable about wisdom and folly, copied on the following half-page of the Diary , appeared in The World No. 120, 17 April 1755. The edition that JQA used is not known.
45433Abigail Adams to John Adams, 23 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
I could not omit so favourable an opportunity as the present of writing you a line by Mr. Warren who is upon his travells, and tis not unlikely may take France in his way. I know the welfare of your family so essential to your happiness, that I would improve every means of assureing you of it, and of communicating to you the pleasure I have had in receiving every Letter you have written since...
45434From John Adams to William Lee, 23 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have just now received yours of 20. Please to Send the Packet along here to me, chez Mr. Henry Schorn Amsterdam by the first Post. There are opportunities enough here by which I shall put Ama. on her guard against the plan, you mention. The Plan of dividing, which they have been constantly pursuing these 15 years, has Succeeded most admirably. It has succeeded So far as to divide all mankind...
45435From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 3, 23 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Errand of Mr. Cumberland to Madrid, is a mere finesse of the British Ministry, intended to aid the Stockjobbers, keep up the Stocks, aid the Loan and the Canvas for an Election, and lull the belligerent Powers, while they prepare their measures for future Enterprizes and another Campaign. They have carried this Plot so far, that I see some paragraphs in the foreign Papers, which seem...
45436From Benjamin Franklin to John Torris, 23 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Inclos’d I send you Copy of an Answer I have received from his Excellency the Comte de Vergennes upon the subject of your Privateers continuing to act under American Commissions. I believe the Shipping french Seamen as well as the taking of the flora, contributed to raise the alarm against you. I trust you will give Strict Orders to your Captains, that for the future...
45437To Benjamin Franklin from Félix Vicq d’Azyr, 23 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society L’assemblée publique de la Societé royale de medecine aura lieu mardi 29 de ce mois; cette compagnie qui Se fait gloire de vous compter au nombre de Ses membres ma chargé de vous y inviter. Votre presence est un encouragement pour elle qu’elle vous prie de ne pas lui refuser. Je Suis avec Respect, Monsieur Votre tres humble & tres obeissant Serviteur...
45438General Orders, 23 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
[Officers] For the day Tomorrow[:] Brigadier General Huntington[,] Lieutenant Colonels Sumner[,] Badlam[,] Brigade Major Darby [Officers] For Guard[:] This Day Major Talbot[,] Tomorrow Major Grier The Guards to parade at five o clock this afternoon near the York brigade where the Grand Parade is assigned for the present. A Sub. two serjeants and thirty rank and file for Fatigue from the right...
45439To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 23 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I was honored with Your Excellency’s Favor of the 21st instant. Your Directions to communicate to Genl Heath any Intelligence I may receive of the Movement of the Enemy to the Eastward, in Force, shall be punctually complied with. Agreeable to Your Excellency’s Desire, I have made Enquiry, Whether Colo. Livingston can furnish an Officer capable of executing the Offices of Depy Adjt...
45440To George Washington from Major Christopher Darrow, 23 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
After A service in the present war from the first commencement of hostilities to this time; am now constraind with the greatest reluctance to ask A discharge from A service which is most dear, is and always has been most agreeable to me under your excellency’s command: such A request at this Juncture will I am fearful be surprizing to your Excellency, but the bodily infirmities that I have for...
45441To George Washington from William Livingston, 23 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I informed your Excellency in my last that I should immediately give directions to the Colls to exert themselves to compleat their Quotas of recruits in the Jersy Brigade but on looking over our Act for that purpose, I find to my great mortification that the time in which the officers were to procure the Levies for that Service is expired, & with it their Authority to proceed farther in the...
45442From George Washington to Colonel William Malcom, 23 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
When you arrive at Dobbe’s ferry agreeable to the orders sent you yesterday your attention is to be directed to the security of the works & cannon at that place and of the sick & stores left at this place. For these purposes you will make the best disposition in your power and use every precaution for gaining the earliest intelligence of a movement against you—& you will furnish what ever...
45443To George Washington from Hermannus Meyer, 23 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Would be very unwilling to trouble Your Excellency or disturb his attention, had not in the execution of General Orders some grievances been laid on the ministerial Order of which I have the honour to be a Member, by impressing their Teams, whereby many of them are not so much deprived of the means to support their families, as to perform their necessary functions in their Congregations....
45444To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 23 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Officers of the Troops of Convention at present on parole at New York, I mean abstracted from myself, Aide de Camp, and Secretary, Major General De Riedesel and the immediate Officers of his family, have memorialed me upon the subject of their present situation setting forth, that the American Officers against whom they are opposed upon an unlimited parole are in the full possession of...
45445To James Madison from David Jameson, 23 August 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Rives Collection of Madison Papers). I have to acknowledge your favour of the 8th. mentioning the reports from the West Indies. Notwithstanding our Bay is so closely watched by the Enemy’s private armed Vessels we have had some arrivals, and they give us reason to believe Jamaica is invested by the combined Fleets. If it is, I must suppose so great an Armament will find little...
45446To Thomas Jefferson from Johann Friedrich Specht, 23 August 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Irvin’s House [i.e., Colle, Albemarle co., Va.], 23 Aug. 1780 . Acknowledges TJ’s letter of 12 Apr., received 14 May. TJ’s previous kindness in forwarding letters to Generals Phillips and Riedesel emboldens him to ask once more that the enclosed letters be sent. Names of addressees and nature of enclosures not identified. RC ( DLC ); 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed “JF Specht Brig: Gener.”...
45447From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 23 August 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I am satisfied that in the midst of a campaign and while N. York may perhaps be the object, Genl. Washington would not permit a convention officer to pass from his camp to N. York; nor can I suppose it proper such a one should see his camp as he might find means of communicating with the enemy: but in this you will do as you please. I see no objection to General Hamilton’s sending an express,...
45448Thursday 24th of August 1780. (Adams Papers)
This day at about half after twelve PM. Commodore Gillon came here and went into the country with Pappa, but Brother Charles and I did not go. At about half after five Pappa came back and stay’d about an hour when Commodore Gillon came again and Pappa went out to spend the evening some where with Commodore Gillon but I do not know where. At about half after ten o clock Pappa got home again....
45449From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 4, 24 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have only time by this Vessell to inclose the declarations of Sweeden and Denmark; but the chance of her going safe is so small that I should not send any thing very material, if I had more time. I have the Honour to be &c. LbC ( Adams Papers ); notation: “recd in congress Decr. 3.” According to the Journal of Congress, this letter was read on 4 Dec. ( JCC Worthington C. Ford and others,...
45450To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 24 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
This week honor’d me with Your kind favors of 23d Febry. last, for which acknowledge myself much obliged. With respect to the Vessel sunk in the W Indies, I took the liberty to address You, in July, from Boston—when the Owners, supposing your public important Commission not to permit any particular attention to such private business, forwarded to the Honble. Mr. Dana every paper they thought...