53551From George Washington to Silvanus Seely, 25 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
On the 27th Instant you will commence Your March from Dobb’s Ferry—with your Troops—on the Road by the New Bridge, thro’ Aquacanack to Springfield—where you will receive further Orders from Major Genl Lincoln. I am sir Your most humble Servant, Privately owned.
53552From George Washington to Philip Van Cortlandt, 25 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will take charge of the Clothing, the Boats, Intrenching Tools, and such other Stores as shall be committed to your Care by the Quarter Master General: With these you are to proceed (in the Order they are mentioned) to Springfield, by the way of Suffern’s, Pompton, the two Bridges and Chatham. When you arrive at Springfield you will put yourself under the Orders of Majr Genl Lincoln, or...
53553To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre Chanson, 26 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Comme vous ignorez, peut-être, qu’il existe deux imprimeries dans kehl, celle de m. de beaumarchais et La mienne, j’ose prendre la liberté de vous offrir mes très-humbles services, dans Le cas où vous auriez quelque ouvrage à produire au grand jour. Versé comme je suis (soit dit sans vanité) dans toutes les langues, il me sera moins difficile qu’à tout...
53554[Diary entry: 26 August 1781] (Washington Papers)
[26th.] The 26th. the remainder of the French army, its baggage & Stores, moved from the ferry and arrived at Suffrans—the ground the others had left.
53555To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 26 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote your Excellency by Colonel Morris nothing very material has taken place, except the hanging of Colonel Haynes one our militia Colonels, who the enemy hung in Charles Town a little time since, as a traytor as they call him. He was a man of a most amiable character, highly respected, and of a most extensive influence. This insult offered to the good people of this Country, and to...
53556From George Washington to William Heath, 26 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Yours of yesterday reached me at this place. The Report to which you allude is with my Baggage; but as I imagine you have a Copy of it, you will be pleased to direct a Board to settle the Ranks of the subalterns who are interested, upon the principles established by the Board at Phillipsburg Camp. With great Regard I am Dear Sir Yr most obt sert MHi : Heath Papers.
53557To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 26 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just been favored with your polite and friendly letter of July the 15th last, for which I beg leave to return you my thanks—You may be assured Sir, that as I do not take up friendships upon trivial grounds, so I never lay them down for slight causes. I have been happy to find that the principles which attached me to you have increased, not diminished. If I have been silent some time,...
53558To George Washington from Lt. Col. Roger Enos, 26 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour to inform your Excellency, of my Appointment to the Command of the Troops raised and to be raised for the Defence of this State—As the Political Situation of this State, has heretofore, much injured it’s military operations, by being deprived of the Aid and Influence of Congress and the Commander in Chief—I take this method of acquainting your Excellency, that I shall esteem...
53559Monday August 27th. 1781. (Adams Papers)
This day at about 10 o’clock A.M. we arriv’d at St. Petersburg having left Narva yesterday morning at about 9 ½ o’clock. The roads in general are very good, the country in some part is sandy; but there it is almost all paved, the distance is about 145 Wersts.
53560To Benjamin Franklin from Michel-Guillaume St. John de Crèvecoeur, 27 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Chance enabled me the other day to take 5 Americans by the hand who had fortunately escaped from the English prisons & Crossed the Channell,— Luckily for me as well as for Them I was Just arrived from N. america: where I have resided 27 Years— I brought them to my father’s Seat, who Tells me that he had Several Times had the pleasure of dining with you at...
53561From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 27 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your favr of the 11th did not reach me till yesterday morning—I so soon expect to see you that I shall defer entering into a particular answer to the Contents, part of which is of a very disagreeable nature and must be handled delicately. The whole force intended for the southward will be assembled in this neighbourhood to day and tomorrow and will proceed to Trenton as soon as Craft can be...
53562From George Washington to Thomas Sim Lee, 27 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Official accounts which I have received, giving me Reason to expect the arrival of a powerfull Fleet of our Allies very soon in Chesapeak, if not already Arrived—this Expectation, together with some other Circumstances not necessary at present to detail to you have inducd me to make a total alteration in the concerted measures of this Campaign—In Consequence, I am now marchg a very...
53563From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 27 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to inform Congress, that my Expectation of the Arrival of the Fleet of Monser DeGrasse, in the Chesapeak Bay—with some other Circumstances, of which Congress were informed in my Letter of the 2d of Augst & in which very little alterations have since taken place—have induced me to make an Alteration in the concerted Operations of this Campaign. I am now on my March with a very...
53564From George Washington to Samuel Miles, 27 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of a total alteration in our Plans, & the movement of a large Body of Troops to the Southward, I have dispatched a Messenger for the sole purpose of having Provisions made at Trenton, for the transportation of them to Christiana by Water. You will therefore be pleased to have the greatest possible number of Sloops, Shallops & River Craft of all kinds, fit for the Transportation...
53565From George Washington to Robert Morris, 27 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Accounts brought by several Vessels to Philada and to the Eastward leave little doubt but that the Count de Grasse must have already arrived in the Chesapeak, or that he must be very soon there—The Count de Rochambeau and myself have therefore determined that no time ought to be lost in making preparations for our transportation from Trenton to Christiana and from the Head of Elk down the...
53566From George Washington to Thomas Nelson, Jr., 27 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
At the same time that I acknowledge the receipt of your first favour since you was appointed to the Seat of Government, suffer me to congratulate your Excellency on that appointment, and to anticipate the pleasure and advantage of your future official Correspondence and assistance. A variety of Circumstances having concur’d to induce me to change the plan of operation, which had been concerted...
53567From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 27 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
By Intelligence which I have received since my Arrival at this Place, I find that the Enemy have been throwing Troops upon Staten Island—This Circumstance, & a Desire to bring up the Rear of the two armies, will induce me to halt the Amercan Troops one Day at Springfield—as I pray your Excellency to do those of the French at Whippany. This Halt will occasion no Delay, as I could not, before...
53568To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 27 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Je reçois dans ce moment la lettre de V.E. Je ferai un sejour ici Selon Vos ordres avec la 1ère division qui sera jointe par le 2de demain dans l’après midi. J’attendrai Vos ordres pour faire marcher le tout après demain. Quant à moi, je joindrai V.E. dans l’endroit que vous jujerer à propos de fixer, pour preceder nos troupes à Philadelphie, et faire les preparatifs necessaires. Je Suis &c....
53569From Tench Tilghman to Philip Van Cortlandt, 27 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency desires me to inform you that he found the Road by Ogdens Iron Works difficult for the boats, he therefore wishes you to keep upon the Road from Pompton to Morris Town untill you come to a place known by the name of Dodds Tavern; you there turn to the left and proceed to the Fork of Pasaic—from thence you will take the same Road upon which the artillery moved to this place—it is...
53570To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 27 August 1781 (Madison Papers)
Tr ( LC : Force Transcripts). Addressed to “The Honble James Maddison jr Esqr Philadelphia.” Another copy is printed in the Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society , 2d ser., XIX (1905), 139–40. An extract from the missing original is printed in Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue No. 694 (1892). Finding on my return from a Visit yr kind favr of the 14th with one from Mr Jones of the 7th &...
53571Changes Suggested in Ordinance on Captures at Sea, [ca. 28 August–4 December] 1781 (Madison Papers)
MSS ( NA : PCC , No. 59, III, 280–82, 295) and excerpts from texts of ordinance printed in JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al ., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). , XXI, 961–68, 1153–58. The proper sequence of the PCC folios is 280½, 295, 280, an unnumbered quarter-sheet adjacent to 280½, and 281 and 282. JM’s connection with this ordinance...
53572To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, August 28[–September 7] 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Herewith I send you No. 1 & 2. Triplicates of my Letters of the thirteenth and fourteenth July last No. 3 & 4, Duplicates of my Letters of the nineteenth and twenty first of July last. I have not yet executed the Plan mentioned in mine of the twenty first of July of drawing Bills on you for Reasons which it is not necessary to enumerate at present. Since my Letter to...
53573From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 28 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society The Bearer, Mr Harrison, is a young Gentleman of good Fortune & Character, a Native of Philadelphia, and extremely well recommended to me by Persons of Distinction there. I beg leave to introduce him to your Excellency & to request for him your Protection and Counsels. He will explain to you his Views in going to Holland, where he purposes to reside some...
53574From Benjamin Franklin to George Little et al., 28 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received your Letter of the 25th Instant, acquainting me with your Escape from Forton Prison in England, and your happy Arrival in France in an open Boat, on which I congratulate you. The best Advice I can give you, is to proceed immediately for L’Orient, where there are generally Vessels belonging to America, in which you may find a Passage. I...
53575To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bancroft, 28 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Of all the goods which I have at different times sent to America above four fifths were long since paid for. I was however under the necessity some time ago of accepting Bills for about 10,000 Livres on acct. of the residue of these goods (consigned to Mr. Wharton), & I had then no doubt, but I should in time have received abundant means of paying them,...
53576[Diary entry: 28 August 1781] (Washington Papers)
28th. The American columns and 1st. division of the French Army arrived at the places assigned them.
53577General Orders, 28 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
At a General Court Martial whereof Colonel Henry Jackson was President Major Murnan of the Corps of Engineers was tried on the following charges. 1st Attacking a Centinel upon his Post being in the execution of his duty with a drawn sword, threatening his Life, spitting in his face, and otherwise abusing and insulting him on the twenty fifth of July at Dobbs ferry. 2d Attempting to take away a...
53578From George Washington to William Colfax, 28 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed are the Instructions which I meant to deliver verbally, with some explanation—but—your absence has prevented it! When business or Inclination (especially on a March) calls you from your Command I should be glad to know it, that I may regulate myself, and orders accordingly. Your Rout, & every thing relative to the inclosed order, is to be kept secret till the nature of the...
53579From George Washington to William Dobbs, 28 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Some particular Circumstances having produced an Alteration in my Plan of Operations—there will be no Occasion for the Services of the Pilots at present—they may therefore be desired to return to their several Homes as soon as they please. You will make a Return to me of the Expence incurred by your & the Other Pilots Attendance on this Call—& I will endeavour to procure you Payment as soon as...
53580To George Washington from David Forman, 28 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am this Minute Informed that Eighteen Large Ships of War appeard Standing in from the Southward to Sandy Hook this morning a Sevin oClock—by Nine there Colours was discovered British—a Frigate that had been Cr ui sing off Stood towards the Fleete & fired a Gun—No Answer was observed to be made—the Frigate Tacked and Stood for Sandy Hook again—Soone after some Time this Frigate Sent her Boat...
53581From George Washington to David Forman, 28 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am this Moment favored with yours of this Day. Some particular Business calls me for a few Days to Phila.—whether I shall sett off To morrow Morng—I shall be anxious to know further Particulars of the Fleet you mention—whatever Intelligence you can obtain, you will be pleased to forward to me in Phila.—with all the Expedition in your Power—the more minute your Discoveries, the Better. The...
53582To George Washington from William Greene, 28 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
When I wrote to your Excellency, and requested your further directions, respecting the salted beef and Rum; It did not appear very probable it could have been ready to move before the Sailing of the French Fleet, but as they were detained by contrary winds until the 25th Instant, there was then about five Hundred barrels of salted beef, and ten or eleven Hogsheads of Rum shipped on board four...
53583From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 28 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Troops composing the Detat c hment under your Command may, till they are united with the Force in Virginia, be formed into three Brigades—Vizt—The light Infantry, to be commanded by Colo. Scammel, on the Right—The two York Regiments under Brigr Genl Clinton on the Left—& Hazens, Jersey & Rhode Island in the Center. You will march Tomorrow at four oClock in the morning—in two Columns—for...
53584To George Washington from Robert Morris, 28 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 27th from Chatham, has just been delivered me by Coll Miles, and in consequence, I have advised him to secure the assistance of the President & Council of this State, in case it should be necessary; but, as a preferable mode of procuring the Craft, I advise his engaging to pay them in a short time after the Service is performed and, if needfull, I shall join in this...
53585From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 28 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
To the Quarter Master General, or Deputy Qr Mr with the Army. In all cases on the present march, where the Draught Horses or Cattle of the Army shall fail, or where an addi ti onal number shall be absolutely necessary, & cannot be procured by hire, or in any other way except by Military Force; you are hereby authorised & directed to impress such numbers of Horses or Oxen as shall be required...
53586From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 28 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do not find that the forc e upon Staten Island is large—or thrown over for any other purpose than that of defence—for which reason it is submited to your Excellencys judgment to march your Troops in one or two division’s as shall be most easy & convenient to them—there moving in two divisions succeeding days, will occasion no delay, as the Second will be up by the time the first will have...
53587To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 28 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was on my way to go and see your Excellency, when Cl Smith has given me your letter, I go back to Whipe nn y to brake all preparations to be able to go this afternoon and ride sixteen or 20 miles, I beg of your Excellency to be so good as to leave at Spring field or at Chatham a detachment to cover the Bake house that is to furnish with bredd during Some days to Send some Convoys of Bredd...
53588From George Washington to Abraham Skinner, 28 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Having been authorized by Congress to proceed upon the exchange proposed by Mr Loring at your last meeting—you will as soon as convenient inform that Gentleman that the Prisoners taken at the Cedars will be allowed provided a proper allowance is made on his Part for the Canadian Officers taken at St Johns in 1775 and sent in 1776—you will be pleased to observe that a dispute hath long...
53589From George Washington to Philip Van Cortlandt, 28 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
As the Army will march tomorrow Morning before you will probably have arrived, you will be pleased when you reach Col. Cook’s to make yourself acquainted with the best Road leading above the Mountains towards Trenton, this you will pursue at least to Bound Brook, & from thence will continue the most direct Route to Trenton, with your Regiment & all the Stores & other articles which have been...
53590To George Washington from Philip Van Cortlandt, 28 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your Excellencys Orders of this Date—and shall march on the road you are pleased to direct; but from the Information I have, the best rout is by the way of Troy, to turn of f by Bulls Tavern and then the road is Very direct to Chatham the Distance 24. or 25—miles. The Regiment is encamped near the yallow House (Curtis’s Tavern) some of the Boats are Three Miles in the...
53591To George Washington from Antoine-Charles du Houx, baron de Vioménil, 28 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
the general Count de Rochambeau Setting out to go follow the orders of your Excellency and having assur’d me of your favourable disposition to protect our Bakers in Chatam till we could be done with them. the Intendant told me today that it is a Strong necessitée to keep them till the Second of September on purpose for to be able of giving bread to the army which would not be able to got any....
53592To George Washington from Jabez Bowen, 28 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 16th arived the Evening before the General Assembly was to meet. I laid the same before them and they gave immediate Orders for the Quarter Master to take up Transport and ship all the Salted Provisions (A few Barrels excepted) and the Thirty Hhds of Rum. The Fleet weir all ready to Saile on the Evening of the 20 but weir detained by contrary Winds ’till the 25th when they had a...
53593From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 28 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just been honor’d with yours of this date, and will agreeable to your request, order a Detachment of Troops for the purpose of covering your Bake house in this place. I have the honor &c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
53594Virginia Delegates to Thomas Nelson, 28 August 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Historical Society of Pennsylvania). Written by Joseph Jones except for the other signatures. With this letter the Virginia delegates began numbering their dispatches to Nelson at the top. This was “No. 7.” We were yesterday favored with your Excellency’s two letters of the 10th. & 17th. instant. Our plan of writing weekly by the post has we assure you been in no instance departed from. As...
53595To John Adams from Winslow Warren, 29 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Mason here has received letters from his Father in Virginia to the 3 of June which inform him that at that time the Marquis la Fayette’s force consisted of about 4000 men 1200 of which were Continental troops. That he would be joined in few days after that by Genl. Wayne with 12 or 1500 Men which would make his force superiour to Genl. Cornwallis but that the British had so much the...
53596From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 29 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives I have just receiv’d yours of the 24th.—which I read with Pleasure. This serves to recommend to your Notice and Civilities the Bearer Dr Foulke, a young Physician of Philadelphia, of excellent Character, who travels for Improvement in his Profession. I recommend him earnestly to your Civilities, and request you would introduce him to...
53597From Benjamin Franklin to François Willem de Monchy, 29 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Reproduced from the Henkels Catalog, no. 1492 (April 10, 1935), facing p. 14. I remember with Pleasure & Thankfulness the Civilities I received from you when I formerly visited Rotterdam in company with Sir John Pringle.— The Bearer of this, is a young Physician of Pennsylvania, who travels for Improvement in his Profession. As he will be quite a Stranger in Holland, I take the Liberty...
53598To Benjamin Franklin from Ingenhousz, 29 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Give me leave to acquaint you, that I wrote an other letter to you the 23 of may, which I can make no doubt but you recieved in due time. I was in hopes of recieving a word in answer upon it and upon my former letters, but find me again disappointed. I think however, that your lettres, directed as I told you in my last can not fail of coming to hand. I...
53599[Diary entry: 29 August 1781] (Washington Papers)
29th. The Second division of French joined the first. The whole halted—as well for the purpose of bringing up our rear—as because we had heard not of the arrival of Count de Grasse & was unwilling to discover our real object to the enemy.
53600To George Washington from Daniel Brodhead, 29 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since my last one man was killed by the Indians near the mouth of Cross creek. I suppose this hath been done by some of the Enemies spies. The Country has taken the alarm and several hundred Men are now in arms upon the frontier. I hope we shall be able to repel the Enemy. The Maryland Corps was stationed at a post on the frontier of westmoreland County and have in a body deserted and crossed...