52981To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 17 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to Your Excellency, I have received a letter from General Parsons dated 10th instant, filled with severe remarks and reflections on our legislature—copy thereof, with my answers, is enclosed. I wish to do the things that make for peace with both officers and men of the Connecticut line of the army, consisting of our own people raised for defending and securing the rights &...
52982Wednesday 18th 1781. (Adams Papers)
This afternoon at about 4 o’clock we set of f from Francfort upon the Meyn for Hannau where we arrived at about 7 o’clock. It is about 12 English Miles distant from Francfort. The road for the most part is Sandy, the soil poor; about two Miles from Hannau is a Chateau belonging to the prince of Hannau. About this City are several very large fields of the same corn, we saw some days ago, but...
52983To John Adams from the Comte de Vergennes, 18 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
J’ai reçû, Monsieur, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 13. de ce mois. C’est par une Suite de la confiance que je mêts dans vos lumières et dans votre Zèle pour votre Patrie, que je vous ai confié les propositions des deux Cours Impériales, et que je vous ai prié d’y faire les observations dont vous les jugeriez susceptibles. Les choses ne sont pas encore assez avancées...
52984The Comte de Vergennes to John Adams: A Translation, 18 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received, sir, the letter which you did me the honor to write to me the 13th of this month. It was owing to the confidence I placed in your judgment and zeal for your country that I entrusted to you the propositions of the two imperial courts and requested that you would make such observations as you might think them susceptible of. Things are not yet sufficiently advanced to admit of...
52985From John Adams to the Comte de Vergennes, 18 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter, Sir, which you did me the honour to write me of this Days Date: and I assure your Excellency I never had a Thought of appearing upon the Scaene, or of taking ministerially or otherwise any Step towards the two mediators. I must confess to your Excellency, that I have too many Jealousies of the motives, and too many Apprehensions of the Consequences of this...
52986To Alexander Hamilton from Colonel Hugh Hughes, 18 July 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
Fishkill [ New York ] July 18, 1781 . States that Hamilton’s letters have been forwarded “by careful Hands.” Also states that “there are some very inquisitive Gentry on the Route.” Requests “a line now & then, on the appearance of a Phenominon &c.” LC , New-York Historical Society, New York City. See H to Hughes, July 13 , 15, 1781 (printed in this volume).
52987From Benjamin Franklin to Deacon M. Auer, 18 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the Honour of Writing to me the 23d past, containing a Request that I would advance to the Widow Hockterin of Ebingen, the Sum of 1450 fl. which is said to be due to her from a Mr. Christian Schneider at Germantown in Pennsylvania. As I have no Knowledge of M. Schneider, nor of Mrs Hockterin, nor of the Justice of the...
52988From Benjamin Franklin to J.F. Frin & Co., 18 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Je reçois dans l’Instant, Messrs. votre Lettre d’hier. J’ai examiné mes Livres de noveau et je trouve qu’effectivement la 4me. de la Traite en Question a été acceptée le 12. May 81. presentée par M. Le Ray de Chaumont. Comme vous avèz entre vos Mains, Messieurs, la premiere de la dite Traite que j’ai refusé d’accepter, ayant dejà rempli cette formalité à l’Egard de la...
52989To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Rush, 18 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I profitted so much by your kindness and conversation while I was abroad that I cannot refuse an Application from a young Student for a letter of introduction to you in order that he may assist in obtaining your Mantle and transporting it to your Native country before you leave our world.— The bearer Dr Saml Griffitts has genius and an insatiable desire for...
52990[Diary entry: 18 July 1781] (Washington Papers)
18th. I passed the North River with Count de Rochambeau Genl. de Beville his Qr. Mr. Genl. & Genl. Duportail in order to reconnoitre the Enemy Posts and Encampments at the North end of York Island. Took an Escort of 150 Men from the Jersey Troops on the other side. From different views the following discoveries were made—viz.— That two Ships of 20 Guns & upwards lay opposite to the Mouth of...
52991General Orders, 18 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
For the day tommorow Major General Howe Lieutenant Colone. Reid For Picquet Major Trescot Inspector Captain Drew An Active industrious Serjeant is much wanted to serve as Provost Marshal any officer who can recommend a suitable person is requested to send his name and regiment to the Orderly office. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
52992To George Washington from François-Jean de Beauvoir, marquis de Chastellux, 18 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
your excellency Knows very well that it is an old precept to offer the tytles of all earthly goods to the ministers of god. I think in my opinion that the true ministers of god are those who at the risk of their life employ their virtues and abilities to promote the happiness of mankind which consists for the greatest part in freedom and liberty. accordingly I believe that I am bound in duty...
52993To George Washington from Moses McFarland, 18 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
In Compliance with your Excellency’s Directions, communicated in a Letter of the 20th Ulto, I have made every Preparation to march those of the Corps of Invalids on this Station, to West Point; they will commence their March on the 19th Instant, & I hope will accomplish it in fifteen Days. It has given me much uneasiness, to be unable to forward this Detachment sooner, but the want of Money, &...
52994To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 18 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have now the satisfaction to inform your Excellency that having with great difficulty accomplished a Loan of some hard money we have begun the recruiting the rifle corps requested by your Excellency, to the Command of which Major Parr has been appointed. The plan of the business as well as the bounty was settled in concert with General St Clair, and Major Parr, and we flatter ourselves it...
52995To George Washington from John Paul Schott, 18 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
The memorial of Captn John Paul Schott most Humble shewed. that your memorialist has Served these United States ever since the 6d of Septmr 1776 as a Captn, and by the last Arrangement of the Army your Memorialist became Supernumerary that after delivering the noncomisioned offecers and Soldiers to Colo. Hazon, your memorialist then Calld at Head Quarters, but your Excellency were not at home,...
52996Thursday 19th 1781. (Adams Papers)
This morning we set away from Hannau at 4 o’clock A.M. and arriv’d at Hunfeld (which is distant 75 Miles,) at about 8 o’clock P.M. The roads this day were for the most part mountainous but in some places there was a very good made road. The mountains in general, which we have pass’d over this day are pretty well cultivated.
52997From John Adams to the Comte de Vergennes, 19 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
In my Letter, Sir, of the Eighteenth, I had the Honour to mention Some Things which lay upon my Mind: but am Still apprehensive that in a former Letter, I have not conveyed my full meaning to your Excellency. In my Letter of the Sixteenth, I Submitted to your Excellencys Opinion and Advice, whether an American Minister, could appear at the Congress at Vienna, without having his Character...
52998To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 19 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
I think your Excellency will not be Surprized to find that I am stil at Amsterdam. Mr. Dana is so well Accompanied on his Route, that it was quite Unnecessary any one Else should attend him; and the Difficulties daily arising in the Dispatch of the South Carolina take from me any certainty of leaving this Place yet awhile. Tis true we are told that she will go on such a day and such a day. But...
52999The Continentalist No. II, [19 July 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
In a single state, where the sovereign power is exercised by delegation, whether it be a limitted monarchy or a republic, the danger most commonly is, that the sovereign will become too powerful for his constituents; in fœderal governments, where different states are represented in a general council, the danger is on the other side—that the members will be an overmatch for the common head, or...
53000To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 19 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: University of Pennsylvania Library, Library of Congress The foregoing are Duplicates of my Letters of the several Dates there mentioned, by Major Franks who has sailed for Cadiz. I now enclose to you Duplicate Copies of the Letters and Resolutions referred to in mine of the thirteenth.— I do not write to Colo. Laurens, because I know not whether he is still in France, and because I am...
53001[Diary entry: 19 July 1781] (Washington Papers)
19th. The Enemys Shipping run down the river, and left the Navigation of it above once more free for us. In passing our Battery at Dobbs’s where were 2 Eighteen & 2 twelve pounders and two Howitzers, they recd. considerable damage; especially the Savage Sloop of War which was frequently hulled, and once set on fire; occasioning several of her people, and one of our own (taken in Dobbes Sloop,...
53002General Orders, 19 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
For the day Tomorrow Major General Parsons Lieutenant Colonel Newhal For picquet Major Gibbs Inspector Captain Smith The Guards are to be furnished with the countersigns at Retreat beating and no person suffered to pass into or out of camp after that time without giving it; or otherwise satisfying the officer of the guard they are stopped by. The Brigade Quarter masters are to be particularly...
53003From George Washington to François-Jean de Beauvoir, marquis de Chastellux, 19 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
You have taken a most effectual method of obliging me to accept your Cask of Claret—as I find, by your ingenious manner of stating the case, that I shall, by a refusal, bring my patriotism into question, and incur a suspicion of want of attachment to the French Nation, and of regard to you wch of all things I wish to avoid I will not enter into a discussion of the point of divinity, as I...
53004To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 19 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Questions by Genl Rochambeau The Count de Barras in his Letter of the 13th instt and Mr De Choisy in his Letter of the 15th, demand both of them, Mr D. Choisy by the Desire of Mr D. Barras, what is to be the definitive Plan of operations that His Excellcy General Washington has fixed on, that they may make it known to the Count de Grasse on his arrival in these Seas, & so enable him to concur...
53005To George Washington from William Heath, 19 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here yesterday after noon, shall proceed to the army the moment I can pack up my papers Baggage &c. and the Quarter Master can furnish me with waggons to receive and transport them. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect your Excellencys most Obedt Servt MHi : Heath Papers.
53006To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 19 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
General Knox has called on me to-day respecting a provision of horses for the light artillery. I have authorized Colo. Hughes to purchase one hundred for that service only , & promised payment by the first of November. He writes me encouragingly that many may be so procured. The essential service to which they are to be applied will, I trust, facilitate a grant of money to enable me to fulfil...
53007To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 19 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I just now received an answer from Mr De Choisy to my Letter of the 11th instant. I have already sent to your Excellency one from Mr De Barras. he seems to have resolved not to go out of the harbour, till his jonction with the grand fleet, But in his Last Letter and in that of Mr De Choisy I received to day, he asks that your Excellency would send him a definitive plan of your operations that...
53008To George Washington from Richard Varick, 19 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor of informing Your Excellency that I arrived at this Place on Saturday the 7th after having been kept some Days in Suspense at New Windsor, by the Quarter Masters not furnishing a Craft to transport my Charge hither occasioned by the then Embarkation of the Artillery & Stores. By numbering and digesting into Classes the Corpus of Letters & Orders in 1775 & 1776. I found that...
53009Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 20 July – 6 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
Your two Letters of june 26 and july 2d came safe to hand together with the resolves which would gratify me if there was a sufficient stability in the Body which confer’d it to render it truly honorary, but the Letter of Janry. 10th strikes me very dissagreably and is highly tinctured with parissian influence. It bears a striking likeness of a servility to a court that ought not to have so...
53010From Benjamin Franklin to Vicq d’Azyr, 20[–24] July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Bibliothèque de l’Académie Nationale de Médecine, Paris; AL (draft): Library of Congress I received the Letter you Sometime since did me the Honour: of writing to me, accompanied with a Number of the Pieces that were distributed at the last publick Meeting of the Royal Society of Medecine. I shall take Care to forward them to different Parts of America, as desired. Be pleased to present...
53011Friday 20th 1781. (Adams Papers)
This morning we set off from Hunfeld at about 5 o’clock for Gotha where we arriv’d at about 9 o’clock P.M. It is about 66 Miles. The 2 first Posts to Vaach Vacha and to Bercka we had very bad roads but the rest was pretty good; Vaach belongs to the Prince of Hesse-Cassel, and Bercka is the first town in Saxony. Here we saw a new Married couple going about the streets with some musicians before...
53012Abigail Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 20 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
When I looked for your Name among those who form the Representative Body of the people this year I could not find it. I sought for it with the Senate, but was still more dissapointed. I however had the pleasure of finding it amongst the delegates of this Commonwealth to Congress, where I flatter myself you will still do us Honour which posterity will gratefully acknowledge; and the virtuous...
53013To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 20 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Comme je n’ai pas gardé copie des Lettres que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous écrire en Avril & May, je n’en sais plus ni le nombre ni la date. Celles dont vous m’avez favorisé cette année sont du 18 Janv. 14 Mars, 7 Avril & 4 May. J’ai du vous paroître, Monsieur, bien négligent en comparaison d’autrefois. Je ne l’ai pourtant pas été, malgré ma santé, qui n’a pas...
53014To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 20 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recd yours of the 8th Current in Answer to mine of the 29 June. I wrote you a prior Letter on the 8 May which you do not acknowledge pray let me know if it came to hand— As yet I have not heard from Mr Grand— Upon receipt of yours I immediately waited upon the Board of Sick & Hurt who informed me they had just dispatched an order to Edinburg for the...
53015[Diary entry: 20 July 1781] (Washington Papers)
20th. Count de Rochambeau having called upon me, in the name of Count de Barras, for a definitive plan of Campaign, that he might communicate it to the Count de Grasse —I could not but acknowledge, that the uncertainties under which we labour—the few Men who have joined (either as recruits for the Continental Battns. or Militia) & the ignorance in which I am kept by some of the States on whom...
53016General Orders, 20 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
For the day Tomorrow Brigadier General Glover Lieutenant Colonel Badlam For Picquet Major Clift Inspector Captain Robinson For the Working Party Major Woodbridge The Regimental Surgeons are desired to be punctual in sending the Returns of the Sick of their respective regiments to the flying Hospital every saturday morning. Untill further orders the Drum and Fife Majors of the several Corps in...
53017From George Washington to James Clinton, 20 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favor of the 12th I imagine before this reaches you, the first detachment of Boats will have been sent down. Should they not, you will be pleased to have the Light Company of Cortlands compleated and sent down with them. Should the Boats have come away, you will consider whether you can spare the light Company and have a sufficient number of Men left to bring down the...
53018To George Washington from James Clinton, 20 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter of the 14th inst. I have been honor’d with. I should have been happy that Money had arrived in Time to have prevented the late Murmur in the Regiment as every Circumstance of the kind is ulitmately distructive of military Discipline. I have not received the least Intelligence of the Movements either of General Starks, or the Militia from the Eastward; nor do I know...
53019To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 20 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
This letter is not By Any Means directed to the Commander in chief, But to My Most Intimate and Confidential friend—I will lay Before you My Circumstances and My wishes—Certain I am You will do whatever You Can for me that is Consistent with Your public duty. When I went to the Southward You know I Had Some private objections—But I Became Sensible of the Necessity there was for the detachement...
53020To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 20 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
No Accounts from the North ward, No Letter from Head Quarters—I am utterly a Stranger to Every thing that passes out of Virginia—and Virginian Operations Being for the Present in a State of languor, I Have More time to think of My Solitude. in a Word, My dear General, I am Home Sick and if I Can’t go to Head Quarters wish at least to Hear from there. I am Anxious to know Your opinion...
53021To George Washington from William Livingston, 20 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s Favour of the 13th instant, & shall acquaint the horsemen with your Excellency’s Sentiments concerning their offer. Respecting the progress that is made under our late Law for filling up our continental Battalions, I not able to give your Excellency any information, as no returns of the Levies are made to me; but I have reason to believe from the Enquiries I...
53022From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 20 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been favour’d with yours of last evening; and cou’d wish that the present situation of the River might be improv’d to every advantage. Whatever Boats you think necessary may be order’d to Dobb’s ferry; but particular care must be taken, in the tra n sportation of Stores across the opposite Country, that they come in small convey’s, and no deposits made either at the ferry or on the...
53023To George Washington from John Pierce, 20 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to en close an account of several advances made by me to the Army without particular Warrants from your Excellency—some of which were by General Orders for discharged Men, others to alleviate the real wants of officers, and many have arose for the Sale of Ticketts of the last Class of the United States Lottery, all which if the Army had been regularly paid, I should have...
53024To George Washington from Arthur St. Clair, 20 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellencys Letter of the 10th instant, and am very sorry that the Situation of Affairs and the State of the Army will not permit my being employed in that part of it under your Excellencys immediate Command. I shall therefore prepare for a southern March; but there is no probability that it can take Place very soon, as there will be much difficulty and delay in equipping...
53025Saturday 21st 1781. (Adams Papers)
This morning at five o’clock we set of f from Gotha and arriv’d at Naumburg (distant 60 Miles) at about 6 o’clock. Pretty good roads the ground wholly cultivated; flat level country till we get about 10 Miles from Naumburg and then it begins to be a little mountainous.
53026John Thaxter to Abigail Adams, 21 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
Ten months have I been waiting for an opportunity to forward my Letters, but none has presented, which of Course leaves an immense budget of Trumpery on hand. I know not whether to continue writing or begin burning. You will find by the inclosed Gazette Madam, an Account of our Celebration of the Anniversary of Independence. Every thing was conducted with the utmost order and decency—in one...
53027From John Adams to the President of Congress, 21 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 21 July 1781. RC and signature in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 331–332. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:596–597. John Thaxter wrote this letter during John Adams’ absence at Paris. It contains an English translation of an article...
53028From John Adams to the Comte de Vergennes, 21 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
Since my Letter of the nineteenth, Sir, another Point has occurred to me, upon which it seems necessary, that I Should Say Something to your Excellency, before my Departure for Holland, which will be on Monday Morning. An Idea has, I perceive been suggested, of the several States of America, choosing Agents seperately, to attend the Congress, at Vienna, in order to make Peace, with Great...
53029To John Adams from the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 21 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
I do not find by President Huntington’s Letter Book that he has forwarded the within Resolve of July 12th. respecting your Powers of Sept. 29th. 1779 therefore I take the Opportunity of two Vessels which are to sail in a few Hours, to communicate it doubly. The whole of the Proceedings here in regard to your two Commissions, are I think, Ill judged but I persuade myself no dishonour was for...
53030From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Hugh Hughes, 21 July 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Dobbs Ferry, New York ] July 21, 1781 . Requests “particular Care in forwarding the Enclosed.” LC , New-York Historical Society, New York City.