52871Motion on John Adams’ Commission and Instructions, [12 July] 1781 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 36, IV, 367). Although docketed by Samuel Huntington, “Motion by Mr Madison 2d by Mr Sharpe Respecting the Instructions given to J Adams for Negotiating a Treaty of Commerce with Britain,” the “Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs,” states that John Mathews seconded it ( JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al ., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.;...
52872Notes from Congress’ Secret Journal on Instructions to John Adams, 12 July 1781 (Madison Papers)
MS ( LC : Madison Papers). See Notes from Secret Journal, 28 May 1781 , headnote. Madison & Mathews moved to revoke Comissn. & instrns. to Mr. Adams for Treaty of Commerce with G. B. —on which Liverm: no—Partridge Osgood no—Varnum ay—Elsworth—Sherman no, Montgomery, Clymer, T. Smith ay—Rodney McKean ay—Jenifer no Carrol ay Potts ay—Jones ay. Madiso[n] ay—Bland ay—Sharpe Johnson...
52873Joseph Reed to Virginia Delegates, [12 July] 1781 (Madison Papers)
Printed text ( Pennsylvania Archives Samuel Hazard et al ., eds., Pennsylvania Archives (9 ser., 138 vols.; Philadelphia and Harrisburg, 1852–1949). , 1st ser., IX, 271). Endorsed, “1781, July 12th. To Hon’ble Delegates of Virginia in Congress.” I take the earliest oppy to inform you that the Council fully concur with you in your Sentiments respecting the Seizure of Property of the...
52874Friday July the 13th 1781. (Adams Papers)
This morning Mr. Dana and I went to see a gentleman for whom Mr. Dana had letters. He went to take a walk with us about the City which is large, but irregular, very old, and dirty, the streets are very narrow, and the houses are in a decaying situation. We went to see one of the Churches in which they say that the bodies of the three Wise men of the east are interr’d. The priests show their...
52875James Lovell to Abigail Adams, 13 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have already acknowledged the Receipt of your Favour of June 10th. Severely as it concluded in Regard to my Reputation I did not arraign its Justice, but wrote an ingenuous Confession, similar to one I had before made by the Opportunity of Genl. Ward. I thought your Conclusion was founded upon a natural Construction of what you had been reading. I venerated the Purity of your Sentiments. I...
52876From John Adams to the President of Congress, 13 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 13 July 1781. RC and signature in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 287–288. LbC Adams Papers . printed : JA, Corr. in the Boston Patriot Correspondence of the Late President Adams. Originally Published in the Boston Patriot. In a Series of Letters , Boston, 1809[–1810]; 10 pts. , p. 544–546. John Thaxter wrote this letter during John Adams’ absence at Paris. It provided an...
52877From John Adams to the President of Congress, 13 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 13 July 1781. RC and signature in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 283–285. LbC Adams Papers . printed : JA, Corr. in the Boston Patriot Correspondence of the Late President Adams. Originally Published in the Boston Patriot. In a Series of Letters , Boston, 1809[–1810]; 10 pts. , p. 546–549. John Thaxter wrote this letter during John Adams’ absence at Paris. It contains an...
52878From John Adams to the Comte de Vergennes, 13 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inclose, to your Excellency Some Remarks, upon the Articles to Serve as a Basis of the negotiation for the Re-establishment of Peace, which you did me the Honour to communicate to me. As I am unacquainted, whether you desired my Sentiments upon these Articles, merely for your own Government, or with a design to communicate them to the Imperial Courts I should be glad of...
52879Enclosure: Draft of Peace Negotiation Articles, 13 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
Answer of the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, to the Articles to serve as a Basis to the Negotiation, for the Re-establishment of Peace. The United States of America, have no Objection provided their Allies have none to a Treaty with Great Britain, concerning the Re-establishment of Peace in America, or to another concerning the Re-establishment of Commerce, between...
52880To John Adams from Edward Bridgen, 13 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
By the direction of our Mutual Friend Mr. Jennings I have sent to Ostend to the Care of Messrs. Theodoor Van Moorsel & Co. there, a Small packadge of Books Viz: Two Parliamentary Registers. The principles of Law and Goverment, and (by Mistake) a Novell called the Revolution which I was not apprized of untill too late. You will also find 2 large 4to. Volumes of the Memoirs of Thos. Hollis Esqr....
52881From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [13 July 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received my angel two letters from you since my arrival in Camp with a packet of papers, and I have written to you twice since I saw you. I acquainted you with the assurances that had been given me with respect to command, and bad you dismiss all apprehensions for my safety on account of the little prospect of activity. With no object of sufficient importance to occupy my attention here...
52882From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Hugh Hughes, 13 July 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Dobbs Ferry , New York ] July 13, 1781 . “I beg your particular Care in forwarding the enclosed. It … covers a letter to Mrs. Hamilton and some of my Letters to the General.…” LC , New-York Historical Society, New York City. H had gone to George Washington’s headquarters on July 8, 1781, in an effort to obtain a command for the approaching campaign. Elizabeth Hamilton was at her father’s...
52883To Benjamin Franklin from William Carmichael, 13 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress I send you the last Spanish Gazettes in this inclosure by a Courier which the French Ambassador dispatches this with the news of the arrival of Monsr. de Guichen at Cadiz. The United fleet by this Junction amts to 52 sail of the Line, besides 3 other Spanish ships which are in the vicinage of the above-mentioned Port. The General...
52884To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 13 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have received your Favor respecting the Pump at aldgate. I have since (two Days Ago) recd. Letters from Congress assuring me that no further Bills shall be drawn upon me. These Dispatches have given me so much Business that I am obliged to desire Mr. Carm to write you the News, and to assure you without further additions to this Letter that I am most sincerely, Your...
52885To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Manal Monistros, 13 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Jay chargé ce Jour sur ma feuille d’avis pour Paris, un Pacquet a l’adresse de Monsieur franklin député des Etats unis de L’Amerique, lequel m’a eté remis par le Commis Greffier de l’amirauté de Vannes et duquel Jai donné reçû par Duplicata Conformement a l’ordonnance de Sa Majesté Concernant les Prises faites sur Les Ennemis de l’Etat. The packet...
52886To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 13 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copies: Library of Congress, University of Pennsylvania Library The unanimous appointment to the Superintendancy of our Finances with which the Congress have honoured me, and my Conviction of the necessity that some one Person should endeavour to introduce Method & Oeconomy into the administration of affairs have induced me tho with reluctance to...
52887[Diary entry: 13 July 1781] (Washington Papers)
13th. The Jersey Troops arrived at Dobbs’s Ferry agreeable to orders. Some French Frigates made an attempt on the Enemy’s Post at Loyds Neck but without success not being able to Land in the Night. The raid on the British fort at Lloyd’s Neck (also called Fort Franklin), on the Cold Spring Harbor side of Huntington Bay, had been discussed as early as April 1781. GW had pointed out to the...
52888General Orders, 13 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
For the Day Tomorrow Brigadier General Glover Lieutenant Colonel Sprout for Picquet Major Morrel Inspector from 3d Massachusetts brigade Captain Timothy Remick of the first Massachusett’s regiment is appointed to do the duty of Inspector of the first Massachusett’s Brigade and is to be obeyed accordingly. Captain Seth Drew of the second Massachusetts regiment is appointed to do the duty of...
52889From George Washington to François Barbé de Marbois, 13 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 9th, such of the letters as were for the officers of the french army have been delivered to them—Some under the same Packet were for the Minister and Mr Holker those I have returned by the same Express. I cannot find that any packet will shortly sail either from New Port or from Boston. I shall therefore send the European letters to Governor Hancock and...
52890To George Washington from François-Jean de Beauvoir, marquis de Chastellux, 13 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I send to your excellency a man who was arrested yesterday night in a house near the hospital where our surgeon and chaplains quarter. he was in company with thre rascals who had got drunk and made a great noise in the house where they had intruded, breaking, and destroying the furniture, and abusing your excellency and your armie in their discourse. this is ascertained to me by the chaplian...
52891From George Washington to François-Jean de Beauvoir, marquis de Chastellux, 13 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged to you for apprehending & sending One of the Persons who caused the disturbance last night under Guard—He shall be confined & properly examined—Be assured, Sir, every Measure, shall be adopted to preserve good Order & prevent a repetition of the like outrages in future. With perfect respect & esteem I am DLC : Papers of George Washington.
52892From George Washington to Bartholomew von Heer, 13 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will march your Corps to join the Main Army near this place, immediately upon the receipt of this Order. I am Sir Your Most Obedt Servt. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
52893From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 13 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since my last I have received your letters of the 10th 18th and 28th of June. I sincerely congratulate you on the favorable turn of Affairs announced in your last, and I hope you will be enabled to maintain that superiority which you seem to be gaining over Lord Cornwallis. We have had a variety of reports of General Greens further successes, in south Carolina, by some we are told that both...
52894From George Washington to William Livingston, 13 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am just now honored with your Excellency’s Favor of the 8th instant, informg me of the Offer of a Number of Volunteer Horsemen from your State. I applaud Sir! this Spirit, which gives me much Satisfaction in its Contemplation—The Gentlemen deserve my best Thanks for their Tenders of Service; which I beg leave to present to them thro’ the Hands of your Excellency. We are at present so much...
52895To George Washington from Alexander McDougall, 13 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your Excellencys favor of yesterday. General & particular of this post and its depend ecies are Sent here with. the Soldiers who have had their Trials are Jeremiah Belcher of 1st Troy Lee of the 5th & Daniel Godlip of the 10th Massachusets Regts. I have the Honor to be Sir your Excellenc y s most obt and most Humble Servt. NHi .
52896From George Washington to Robert Morris, 13 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
your favors of the 2d and 5th Instants have afforded me infinite satisfaction, as the measures you are pursuing for subsisting the Army perfectly accord with my Ideas, and are, I am certain, the only ones which can secure us from distress or the constant apprehensions of it. Had magazines of any consequence been formed in the different States, in pursuance of the late requisitions of Congress,...
52897From George Washington to Francisco Rendón, 13 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to acknowlege the Receipt of your Agreable Favor of the 14th ulto—with the Invoice inclosed—I have also the Pleasure to inform you per this Conveyance, that the Articles mentioned in the Invoice, & which you have been so kind as to present to Mrs Washington & me, are safely arrived. Be assured Sir! I receive with particular Satisfaction this mark of your Attention &...
52898To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 13 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I expect with great impatience and uneasiness the convoy of Bread that falls due to night to the troops, The Commissary of Provisions tells me that the heavy rains that fell the Day before yesterday have occasioned a delay, because the Bakers as yet are not under cover at Fish kill Landing, however, boats have been seen at Tarrytown coming down the river; Chariots are just gone to fetch it...
52899To George Washington from Philip John Schuyler, 13 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Last night I was honored with Your Excellency’s favor of the 9th Instant. The first parcel of nails and nail rods sent by Colo. Pickering is arrived, if the second compleats my estimate there will be a sufficency. I have declined building batteaux at Schenectady as the inhabitants refused their boards unless I would engage a specie payment in October, a compliance would have involved not only...
52900Washington’s Instructions, 13 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
For the Reconnoitering the Enemy’s Posts at the north end of York Island and the vicinity of it. His Excellency Count de Rochambeau will be pleased to order a detachment of 2000 French Soldiers exclusive of the legion of the Duke de Lauzen & have them in readiness to march at Eight o’clock this Evening. He will order Eight pieces of Ordnance to this detachment—two of which are to be twelve...
52901From George Washington to David Waterbury, 13 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to take a position for the present some where on the left of the White Plains, towards Morineck, or the Sound, so as to keep up a communication with the Duke de Lauzun. It is a standing General Order to have three days bread & two days cooked meat constantly on hand, to which you will immediately as far as possible, pointedly attend—& hold your Corps always in the most...
52902To George Washington from Marinus Willett, 13 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform your Excellency that on the Morning of the Tenth Inst. with a party of One Hundred and Forty Men, about the one half of which were Levies and the remainder Militia from this District, we gained a compleat Victory over a party of near Two Hundred Indians under the Command of the famous Joseph Brant, and not much short of one Hundred Tories command by one Brent Fry a...
52903From John Jay to Floridablanca, 13 July 1781 (Jay Papers)
I have now the Honor of communicating to your Excellency a Copy of certain Instructions I have rec d . from Congress, dated the 28 May 1781; and which were included in the Dispatches which your Excellency was so obliging as to deliver to me the Evening before the last, viz “It is their Instruction that you continue to acknowledge on all suitable occasions, the grateful Impressions made on...
52904From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 13 July 1781 (Jay Papers)
I have received your Favor respecting the pump at aldgate. I have since (two Days Ago) rec d . Letters from Congress assuring me that no further Bills shall be drawn upon me. These Dispatches have given me So much Business that I am obliged to desire M r . Carm[ichael] to write you the News, and to assure you without further additions to this Letter that I am Sincerely Your aff. obliged Friend...
52905To John Jay from William Bingham, 13 July 1781 (Jay Papers)
I did not know of Major Franks’s Intentions of embarking for Spain, untill this very Moment— I cannot suffer him to depart without addressing you a few Lines, should they only serve to congratulate you on the pleasing Prospect of our Affairs— In every part of the United States, the Enemy are now acting on the defensive & seem to have renounced the vain & hitherto transitory Idea of Conquest...
52906To John Jay from Robert Morris, 13 July 1781 (Jay Papers)
I enclose you in this Packet the Plan of a national Bank, which I have been induced to adopt for the following Reasons. The issuing of a large Paper Medium converted the Coin of the Country into a Commodity; so that much of it was exported, and the Remainder concealed. The Depreciation of our Paper has so lessened our Currency that there is not a Sufficiency for Commerce and Taxation without...
52907Virginia Delegates to Joseph Reed, 13 July 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Historical Society of Pennsylvania). Written by JM, except for the other delegates’ signatures. Docketed, “1781 July 13th. from Honble Delegates of Virginia.” The Underwritten Delegates from the State of Virginia have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s letters of the 10th. & 12th instant, and to express their entire satisfaction at the readiness shewn by the Supreme...
52908Saturday July the 14th 1781. (Adams Papers)
This morning at 6 o’clock we set off from Cologne for Coblentz where we arrived at about 6 o’clock P.M. As we could not get horses to go any farther, we stopp’d here, the distance is about 66. English miles. The roads this day were the best we have had since we left Utrecht. Our road, some part of the way was cut through the mountains on the banks of the Rhine; On these mountains we saw the...
52909Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 14 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
Your favour by General Ward was not deliverd me till this day or I should have replied to it by the last post; the Generous acknowledgement of having tran s gressed forbids any further recrimination even tho I had more than the Right of a Friend. The serious part of your Letter drew a tear from the Eye of Portia. She wished for ability she wished for power to make happy the Man who so richly...
52910From John Adams to the President of Congress, 14 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose Copy of a Letter to the Comte de Vergennes, and Copy of Articles and an Answer. Peace is so desirable an Object, that humanity as well as Policy demands of every Nation to hearken with Patience and Sincerity to every Proposition which has a tendency to it, even only in appearance. I cannot however see any symptoms of a sincere disposition to it in the English. They...
52911To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Destouches, 14 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous adresser la lettre cy jointe du Cap Bennet Negus, dont la conduite dans la croisiere qu’il vient de faire avec le Corsaire qui portoit l’illustre nom de Votre excellence a merité vos eloges, et votre bienveillance pour lui. Je suis persuadé que vous voudrez bien lui en faire sentir les effets. Il honore la nouvelle republique qui doit...
52912To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 14 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have this Day drawn. a Set of Bills of Exchange on your Excellency in Favour of the Marquis D’Yranda payable at Ninety Days after Date for forty thousand one hundred and twenty five Livres Tournois— I shall soon be obliged to draw also for the Residue of the Money for the two months Bills and for our Salaries. I have the honour to be, Your Excellency’s most obedt. &...
52913To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 14 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copies: Library of Congress, University of Pennsylvania Library If Major Franks had departed yesterday as was expected, he would have left the enclosed Cypher behind, it was supposed to have been enclosed with the plans of the intended Bank, but was left out by accident— I wish you would when leisure & opportunity will permit, converse with some of the...
52914To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Rhoads, 14 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer hereof Samuel Griffitts (Son of our late fellow Citizen William Griffitts decd.) is a virtuous youth in pursuit of Medical, & Chirurgical Knowledge to Attain which, he hath serv’d an Apprenticeship with an eminent professor in this City, And now intends to visit the proper places in Europe in order to Acquire such further Knowledge, &...
52915[Diary entry: 14 July 1781] (Washington Papers)
14th. Near 5000 Men being ordered to March for Kings bridge, to cover and secure a reconnoitre of the Enemys Works on the No. end of York Island, Harlaem river, & the Sound were prevented doing so by incessant rain. These troops were being held in readiness for a reconnaissance by French and American forces of the New York defenses. See “Instructions for Reconnoitering the Enemy’s Post at the...
52916General Orders, 14 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
For the day Tomorrow Brigadier General Patterson Lieutenant Colonel C. Smith for Picquet Major Billey Porter Inspector from Stark’s Brigade The Gentlemen who attend at the Adjutant General’s office for Orders are requested to be there precisely at three ô clock P.M. untill further orders. Captain Converse of the second Connecticut Regiment is appointed to do the duty of Inspector to the second...
52917To George Washington from Ephraim Blaine, 14 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have an Invoice of sundry Articles for the use of your Excellency’s Table loaded in five Waggons and put under the particular Care of the Waggon Conductor, All the Stores are of the best quality, the Wine is properly cased and, all the other Articles put up carefully—beg your Excellency to Order some person to examine and see that the Stores are properly deliver’d before the...
52918From George Washington to John Clark, 14 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your agreable Favor of the 19th ulto ⅌ Genl Viominil—with its very pleasing Attendant, is come safe to Hand—for which you will please to accept my warmest Thanks. That our Enemies Consignments are so often diverted from the Point of their Intention, is matter of very pleasing Satisfaction to me—and you may be assured Gentlemen that I am particularly rejoiced that Fortune has so often cast her...
52919From George Washington to James Clinton, 14 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 10th—I am very sorry to hear the Disturbance which has taken place in the 1st Regt—especially as the P.M. Genl had just sent on a Sum of money for the Pay of your Brigade—unluckily it seems to have missed them . On Receipt of their money, this murmur I hope will be quieted. So long as the 2d Regt remains in Albany, I approve your keepg up Genl Schuylers Guard...
52920To George Washington from Elias Dayton, 14 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is a return of the men now at this place. I have reason to expect that their number will soon be encreased, as four hundred & fifty men are directed by a law of the state to be immediately enlisted, and, as an encouragement for this purpose, each recruit is to receive a bounty of Thirty two silver dollars. When we marched from Morris, public waggons were not to be had we were of...