45451To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 24 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you a few lines on the 18th and 22d Instants chiefly to inform you the news of those days, but as they were forwarded by the usual conveyance of Post (my not knowing you were then in Holland) I suppose they will not get to hand earlier than this letter; which is born by a particular friend Mr. Saml. Hartley a relation of D. Hartleys. He is a considerable Merchant of this place and goes...
45452George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 24 August 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Teaneck, New Jersey ] August 24, 1780 . Questions manner in which Howe’s baggage was guarded. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
45453From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 24 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yesterday the Honour of your Letter of the 19th. Instant, where in you mention my having paid your former Accounts of Disbursements on the frigate Alliance and other Vessels, which you suppose was done with the approbation of Congress. The Congress have never yet had the Opportunity of giving their Opinion of those Accounts, and if they had Approved of...
45454To Benjamin Franklin from Philip Balliau, 24 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As I ade the Misfortune to Be Taken By Amerequin Priviteer In Sconneur Belonging to Jersey Caled the May Flower Bound to Newcastle I was Brought to Dunkerque Presone. There I Was Told By the Commesary of Dunkerque to Right to your honneur. I hope you Be So good to Right to the Comesaire of Dunkerque that Wee May Be Exchange In the first oportunite. I Ramain...
45455To Benjamin Franklin from Fournier le jeune, 24 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Jay l’honneur de vous envoyer L’adresse du nouvel orgue, C’est Chez Mr Maugeaunt horloger Rüe du Pourtour st Gervais. Si vous voulés vous y Rendre demain vendredy moi vous y Sachant Je ne manquerai Point de m’y trouver: Cela sera sur Les midy (tout Sera Pret). Je suis fort aise que Cela me Procure L’honneur de vous Renouveler L’assurance de mon Respectueux...
45456General Orders, 24 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
[Officer] For Guard[:] Major Wallbridge The Army will draw three days flour and bake it and as soon as Beef arrives will draw and cook as much as the Weather will permit. The General reminds the Troops of the order of yesterday. Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
45457To George Washington from Brigadier General Jacob Bayley, 24 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
My second party is arived from Canada but for want of an Interpreter got no Inteligence of Consiquence worth the Cost of an Express we only find by them that the Enemy Lately keep their Small parties out at Least half way to us —Two parties of French are now in Canada or on their Return one from towards Quebeck the other from Sarell those were sent from Head Quarters by the Marquess when they...
45458From George Washington to Captain Thomas Blanch, 24 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I cannot help expressing exceeding great surprize at your not obeying the order you received yesterday, to take post with the men under your command at the Closter Landings —Nor do I see how you could have answered it to yourself Or Your Country, if any disaster had happened in consequence of Your neglect. You are to repair thither immediately With the whole of Your Men. The service will not...
45459From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
You are appointed to the command of the Light Infantry and four brigades from your own Wing to be employed upon a forage dow⟨n⟩ to Bergen and from thence up to the English neighbourhood. You will make the necessary disposition for your own security and the Waggons employed upon the occasion. Such are the necessities of the Army and such the situation of the Inhabitants being all within the...
45460To George Washington from Brigadier General James Hamilton, 24 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Having obtained Colonel Woods consent to Write Your Excellency, I shall in as few Words as possible mention, that since the 6th of January When the scarcity of Meal begun the Troops of Convention Quarter’d in Albemarle Barracks have been in the greatest distress. First When that article was Wanted and the Inhabitants prohibited selling What the Comissaries could not supply the Troops with—&...
45461From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 24 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
In the report of the march of yesterday, it appears there was to your baggage a guard of a serjeant and four men, contrary to the regulations and to General orders. I am persuaded this must have happened by mistake; but as it is of the greatest importance that the General officers should set an example of regularity to the army I mention the matter to you that you may take effectual care to...
45462From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 24 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am now to acknowledge the Honor of Your Excellency’s dispatches of the 9th, which I received four or five days ago, and which I have been prevented answering before, by a variety of pressing business. With respect to the exchange of Officers—I beg leave to refer Congress to the Inclosures No. 1.2.3.4.5 & 6 which comprehend the correspondence which has passed of late between Us & the Enemy on...
45463To George Washington from Samuel Huntington, 24 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
By the Act of Congress herewith enclosed you will observe, that, the Court Martial having acquitted Doctor Shippen he is discharged from Arrest. Your Excellency will also receive enclosed an Act of Congress of the 22. Instant, subjecting Delinquents in the Departments of the Quarter Master General, Commissary General of Purchases, and of Issues, Clothier General, Commissary General of Military...
45464From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 24 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased immediately upon the receipt of this to commence the Forage of Barbadoes Neck and as far up as Polifly —The necessities of the Army require that it should be executed as extensively as possible in the Articles of Cattle Hogs and Sheep fit for slaughter—You will endeavour to gain a knowledge of the well and ill affected inhabitants and make distinctions accordingly, but your...
45465To George Washington from Brigadier General Peter Muhlenberg, 24 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
The detachment at Chesterfield Court House compos’d of Old Soldiers—Recruits—& Deserters, amounting to 300 Rank & file, fit for duty, are at length in readiness to March, & will set out this Week to join the Southern Army, agreeable to the Orders I recd from General Gates it was with the utmost difficulty, we could procure the most necessary Articles to equipp them for the Field, They have no...
45466To George Washington from Nathaniel Shaw, 24 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
In my last I wrote you that the Brittish Fleet Saild last Satturday, and a Sloop belonging to this Port arived last Evening from the West Indias, and Informs me that he fell in with Twelve large Ships and three friggates, Seventy Mile Southward of Montaug, and Imagines they were bound to N. York, I make no doubt but that they were the Brittish Fleet, I am Sir your most Obedt hume Servt ALS ,...
45467Motion of Virginia Delegates on Kentucky, [24 August] 1780 (Madison Papers)
Printed text ( Journals of the Continental Congress , XVII, 763–64). A petition from a number of the inhabitants of Kentucke was read; on which A motion was made by the delegates of Virginia, that this petition, together with that read yesterday, from a number of inhabitants of the said country, be transmitted to the governor of Virginia; which on the question, passed in the negative. The...
45468Friday 25th of August 1780. (Adams Papers)
This morning at about half after ten o clock Mr. Leroi came to our lodgings and then went with Pappa brother Charles and myself to see the medicinal garden, we saw there several american Plants. After having seen this we walk’d out of town upon the dyke and got home at about two o clock. Pappa dined out but brother Charles and myself dined at home. At about half after four o clock Pappa got...
45469To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 25 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
Since I wrote you the 22d (by a friend Mr. S. H——l——y) nothing material has transpird and the arrival of news by a small Vessel from Boston to Bristol has not removd in any measure the gloom on the generality of countenances here in consequence of the late disaster to the outward bound East and West India Fleet. Tho I have seen J ohn T emple we have no exact accounts by this vessel to Bristol....
45470To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 25 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
Behold the fruits of the french Alliance! Our young men no longer look upon Great Britain as their home or Mother Country, but turn their eyes entirely to France for all the purposes of business and knowledge. The bearer of this letter Mr. Wm. West —a young merchant of excellent character, and of a respectable Quaker family waits upon you with a proof of this assertion, I beg leave to...
45471From Benjamin Franklin to William Hodgson, 25 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have received your Favour of the 11th. Instant. I have only time by this Oportunity to enclose and send you the Receipts of the Capt. of the Cartel, for some English Prisoners I have lately releas’d. There were a Number sent before, of which I can not find at present the Receipt. I shall continue sending as they may arrive, in order to settle my particular Account...
45472To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 25 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I did not receive Your letter of the 18th. handed me by Mr H. time enough for the Office Hours to make enquiry of or about Mr. G——d; But I calld there this Evening & went to Mr. G——s Lodgings, where neither His Landlady or the Servant could give me further accots. of Him than that He had been near three weeks in the Country but where they could not...
45473General Orders, 25 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
[Officers] For the Day Tomorrow[:] Brigadier General Patterson[,] Lieutenant Colonels Sill[,] Holdridge[,] Brigade Major White. [Officer] For Guard[:] Major Torrey As it is not an unusual thing for Soldiers in an engagement to expend their Ammunition at too great a distance, to do much execution and then make the want of it a plea to quit the field of action the General enjoins in very earnest...
45474To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 25 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am just honored with yours of the 21st Instant by the Same Express with one from Governor Trumbull of the 23d and one from Major Talmadge of the 22d—they all contain nearly the same intelligence. Colonel Potter of South Kingston this moment writes me that a Gentleman on Sunday last, four o’Clock P.M. Saw the Brittish fleet W.S.W. from Montauq point Steering for Sandy hook. All the...
45475To George Washington from John Mercereau, 25 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since I Left Head Quarters I have Been very Deligent in gitting the Account of Brooklin works I Sent Over to Both my Corespondent the One is very Sick I have Sent a Second time & found him Recovering hope Soon to git a plan of the works at Brooklin in Sending to the Other Corespondent the first Order miscaried but have Sent again which he has Receiv’d that I Now Expect from Both assoon as I...
45476To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 25 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Upon receiving your Favour of the 20th Instt I dispatch’d Orders to the Militia which had cross’d at Coryells Ferry to join me here & to halt the Militia of the back Counties till farther Orders: Being now so fully apprized of the real Situation of Things I shall endeavour in every Respect to make such Arrangements as to forward the Supplies & prevent unnecessary Consumption. A great Number of...
45477To George Washington from Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 25 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 21st instant, I just now received, together with advices from the Generals on this side Hudson’s river, opposite to the S[o]und, giving a sure intelligence of Mr Clinton’s imbarking a considerable number of Troops. I have another Letter from Stonington, advising the English fleet of the Line having been seen W.S.W. Moncton’s point on Sunday Last on its way to...
45478To George Washington from Colonel James Wood, 25 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am Honoured with your Excellencys Letter of the 27 Ult. Inclosing the representation of Mr Hoakesly; and am extremely Sorry that the Situation of Our Country has been Such, as to give any Cause of Complaint altho’ Some part of the representation is entirely Groundless. Since the 1st of April, all our Supplies of Meat have been Waggoned from Richmond and Fredericksburg, (except 100 Beeves)...
45479From John Jay to Floridablanca, 25 August 1780 (Jay Papers)
I arrived here this morning, but was prevented from immediately doing myself the Honor of paying my Respects to your Excellency, by fatigue & Indisposition. In a Letter I had the Honor of writing to your Excellency on the 16 th . Instant I mentioned that the holders of the Bills began to grow impatient. On the 18 th . Instant I informed your Excellency by another Letter, that their...
45480Saturday the 26th of August 1780. (Adams Papers)
This morning at about eight o clock Mr. Le Roi came here and went with Pappa, brother Charles and myself to buy some books. We went through the Exchange into a street call’d Kalve Straat. We went to 2 booksellers shops and Pappa bought a Latin Grammar and some Greek testaments. After this we went along another road back again, coming we came through the Exchange. At about twelve o clock we got...
45481George Washington to Comte de Rochambeau, 26 August 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Teaneck, New Jersey ] August 26, 1780 . Is concerned that Captain Pierre Landais failed to bring more arms; trusts they will arrive on the Ariel . Hopes that the second French division will not be held in blockade. Fears that internal troubles in Ireland and England will not directly aid American cause. Sends news of the Comte de Guichen’s plans to sail to Jamaica. Agrees that the British...
45482To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Aillaud, 26 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Le triste etat dans lequel Melle Basseporte se trouve actuellement ne me permettant plus de me flatter que je puisse joüir encore longtemps du plaisir detre aupres d’elle, je crois devoir me donner des mouvemens pour tacher pendant qu’elle existe, de massurer une pension sur sa charge. Cela depend principalement de Monsieur De Buffond que vous connoissez...
45483To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 26 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I have this day received a Letter from Mr de Chaumont, in which he tells me, he has purchased the Breton & that she will be ready to take in at L’orient by the last of next Month, so that what I wrote you by the last Post need not be shewn to him, since the Business is now going on, and you may depend it will on my Side go on...
45484General Orders, 26 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
[Officers] For the Day Tomorrow[:] Brigadier General Huntington[,] Lieutenant Colonels Whiting[,] Huntington[,] Major Smith [Officer] For Guard[:] Major Reid Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
45485From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 26 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Our necessities will oblige us to draw down part of the Flour and Rum from West Point—The Commy General of Issues who is fully acquainted with our wants and expectations will be as sparing as possible of his draft upon your Magazine. I have this moment recd yours of the 23d. I will take the Contents into consideration and give you an answer in my next. I am Dear Sir Yr most obt Servt LS , in...
45486From George Washington to General Henry Clinton, 26 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
In a letter I have lately received from Major General Lincoln, he transmitted the inclosed for Your Excellency, which I have taken an early opportunity of forwarding. I find by General Lincolns letter to myself, that he proposes to meet General Phillips on the 12th of next Month at Elizabeth Town, which will be perfectly agreeable to me. I shall direct our Commissary of Prisoners to be there...
45487To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 26 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
There has been committed some of the most horrid acts of plunder by some of the Pennsylvania line that has disgracd the American Arms during the War. The instances of plunder and violence is equal to any thing committed by the Hessians. Two soldiers were taken that were out upon the business both of which fired upon the Inhabitants to prevent their coming to give intelligence. I think it would...
45488To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 26 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I went out this morning by Day light in order to make my Self acquainted with the Approaches of the Camp And situation of the Guards, and am but this moment Return’d. during this Tour I am inform’d that your Excellency did me the Honour of a Visit, I therefore immediatly Send to know if you have any Business or Commands that I may Attend without Delay Should that be the case, & which with...
45489To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 26 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform your Excelly that exclusive of sixty waggon load of forage sent in yesterday, we have I flatter myself two days fresh meat for the army. Col. Blains instructions pointed out the stock of sheep at Newark as proper to cull on this emergency. I accordingly detached a party to procure a part of them. The people assembled determined to rescue their property by arms....
45490From George Washington to William Livingston, 26 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
In mine of the 20th instant, I desired Your Excellency to discharge the whole of Colo. Seely’s Militia, except about one hundred for the purpose of a Guard at Morris Town, and to direct the September Class to hold themselves in readiness to come out upon the shortest notice. I would only wish you to continue those orders, but not to call out the Classes, except about one hundred Men for the...
45491To George Washington from Daniel Marsh, 26 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
at the desire of a Number of the Magistrates, and well affected Inhabitants of this County, I beg leave to Inform your Excellency of the Conduct of Major Lees Corps here, not, so much by way of Complaint, against them, as to prevent, if possable, Such abuses in future, they have already taken by force most, of the Oats in this Quarter, and wasted them in such a manner, as if presisted in, will...
45492From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 26 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was last evening favd with yours of the 22d and the day before with that of the 21st. I should have concurred with your Excellency in the propriety of keeping the Militia embodied for the reasons and under the circumstances you mention, had I not last night received dispatches from Count Rochambeau, from which I think it more than probable that the 2d division will not arrive before the...
45493From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 26 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received the honor of Your Excellency’s Letters of the 20th & 21st Instant, the last of which came to hand Yesterday Evening, and am much obliged for the matters of intelligence they contain, although some of them do not entirely correspond with our wishes. I am concerned for the situation of Capn Landais, as he has been esteemed an Officer of merit, and as his indisposition has...
45494To George Washington from Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 26 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favour of the 21st inst. has been duly recd & the directions therein contained, attended to. I was yesterday at the Gentleman’s house to whom a certain Letter was addressed to be forwarded to Major D——y, when the Author of it came in —He soon enquired whether that letter had been recd by him & forwarded, & was answered in the Affirmative. The Gentleman who I heretofore...
45495To George Washington from Captain Thomas Wylie et al., 26 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Far be it from us to regret, to have pass’d many more years in Obscurity at Washington near Carlisle; where we have been station’d these three years past (Officers of Col. Benjamin Flower’s Regiment of Artillery and Artificers) without a Murmur because we knew we were endeavouring to render every service in our Power to our Country. But now we can no longer be silent but beg your Excellencies...
45496To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 26 August 1780 (Jay Papers)
I received yours from of the 23 d May from Madrid with Duplicates thereof & ^ of ^ the Letters you wrote from Cadiz & Martinico. The original of the first of these came to hand shortly after I wrote my Letters of the 22 d . Dec r . The last never— You had I flatter myself before this time rec d four Letters which I directed to the care of Doct r Frankling. I sh d
45497Sunday August 27th 1780. (Adams Papers)
This morning at about half after seven o clock Mr. Le Roi came to our lodgings and at about eight o clock he went with My Pappa, brother Charles, Stevens, and myself down to a boat where we found two Gentlemen and two ladies. We set away and went out of the port on board the South Carolina for Captn. Joyner we did not go on board. We then went to Surdam Zaandam which is a Village in North...
45498To John Adams from Francis Dana, 27 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have been made very happy by the letters you forwarded to me. I presume you must have been also, by those you wou’d receive by the same hand. Pray give my regards to Mr: Guild. You make no mention whether you have paid Messrs: de Neufville and Son the £60 sterling agreable to our proposal, nor whether there are any vessels going from Amsterdam for Massachusetts. If so I shall give further...
45499To John Adams from William Lee, 27 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
As you desire in yours of the 23. I now send you the Packet and least the English mail should be detain’d by the wind from you as it has been here I send you the contents of a letter from Mr. Stephens Secratary of the Admiralty to LLoyds Coffee House for the information of the Merchants—which is dated the 22 instant. Mr. Stephens says he has received a letter dated Augt. 9. from the Capt. of...
45500Circular to the States from George Washington, 27 August 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Teaneck, New Jersey ] August 27, 1780 . Discusses lack of provisions in Army. Writes: “Either the Army must disband, or what is, if possible, worse, subsist upon the plunder of the people.” Asks the states to requisition enough food to set up winter magazines. Df , in writings of Tench Tilghman and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.