71791From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 16 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress have been pleased to appoint Elisha Sheldon Esqr. of your State to be Lieut. Colonel and Commander of a Regiment of Cavalry. For the purpose of raising them he now sets off for Connecticut—Having to pass through an Enemy’s Country on his way there—I cannot think it prudent to advance him the sum necessary for his immediate use. I have to request you will furnish him with what...
71792From George Washington to Joseph Trumbull, 16 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 13th Inst. came safe to hand; I have taken an Extract of that part of it which relates to the business of your Department, and shall forward it to Congress by the first Opportunity. I can have no objection to your going to New England instead of coming this way, upon the representation you have made of the necessity, and superior Advantage arising from your going, and at the...
71793To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 17 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
General Arnold this moment received from me Your Excellencys Letter to Him of the 14th Instant—From Intelligence, which he thinks authentic, Rhode Island has been some time in possession of the Enemy, and so considerable a Force from Connecticut had Assembled Opposite to Bristol Ferry, as to render any Further attempt of the British Forces impracticable in that Quarter. upon mature...
71794From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 17 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I received a letter from the Council of the State of Massachusetts by Major Shaw, informing me he had in charge a few Indians from N. Scotia who were inlisted into the Continental Service; as they will be of no use to me here I have directed Mr Shaw to deliver them into your Care, & request you will employ them in such a manner as you may judge most advantageous to the Service, and...
71795From George Washington to Lieutenant General William Howe, 17 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I would beg leave to recall your Attention to the proposition for the Exchange of prisoners, to the several Letters I have lately written on that subject, and to inform you that I have not recd such officers in Exchange as were requested by me. I am persuaded Sir, that this Mistake has arisen from Mr Commy Loring’s Zeal to facilitate the Business, but I would at the same time desire, that you...
71796From George Washington to Colonel Robert Magaw, 17 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
As an exact Return of the Officers, with their Names and Ranks, and the Number of non Commissioned Officers and privates taken at Fort Washington, will be necessary to carry an Exchange into Execution, you will please to furnish me with it as soon as convenient. And as Genl Howe only transmitted me an Account of the number of Officers returned by Sr Guy Carlton under Parole from Canada,...
71797From George Washington to the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 17 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote to you yesterday, I have received Information that the Enemy are still moving downwards, and by their making Fascines, they either have not yet laid aside their Designs upon Philada, or they mean to quarter in the small Towns along the River, in which Case I suppose they would throw up small Works to prevent a surprize. In either Case, if there are any Artillery or Stores at...
71798To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 17 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
We lament the loss of General Lee both as it relates to the public and to a General whom we so highly esteem & respect—yet we hope it may be in the power of your Excellency to close the Campaigne with honour to yourself and to leave General Howe in a situation which may afford him little reason to boast—We assure you, sir, this Council will not suffer any thing to abate their exertions, but...
71799To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 17 December 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 17 Dec. 1776. GW on 21 Dec. wrote Putnam : “I have been favoured with your Two Letters of the 17th and 19th Instt.”
71800From George Washington to James Bowdoin, 18 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I this morning received the Honor of your favor of the 8th Instt and beg leave to return your Honble Body my warmest acknowledgements for their early attention to my requisition, and assurances of such Support as shall be in their power. Circumstances having varied much since I addressed them upon this Subject, & being far removed myself from the rendezvous intended for this reinforcement when...