79021From George Washington to the Magistrates of Philadelphia, 25 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I return you my warmest thanks for the honor you do me in your obliging address—Such a distinguished proof of the affection of my fellow citizens manifested by so respectable a body as the Magistrates of the city of Philadelphia cannot but afford me the most sensible pleasure. I congratulate you Gentlemen that this State is again in possession of its capitol; and I sincerely hope that a...
79022To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 25 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys favour of the 21st with my Instructions came safe to hand. I shall make it my Studdy to act agreeable to them. I find it is your wish that the intercourse between the enemy and us may be as small as possable, yet you say I may permit as many of the Inhabitants to pass with in the Enemys Lines, as have written Licences from the Congress, the Governors, or Legislative...
79023From George Washington to Major General William Phillips, 25 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
On Monday last, just as I was setting out from my Quarters at Middle Brook, I received the favor of Your two Letters of the 8th Instant. Lt Campbell, agreable to your request was permitted to proceed to New York with your dispatches to Sr Henry Clinton—with liberty to return when he should have finished his business. With respect to an exchange of prisoners, I assure You, Sir, there is nothing...
79024To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 25 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellencys letter and Instructions of the 21st which you may be Assured will have my Strict Attention. Dr McHenry will forward to your Excellency a letter he received for you from Major General Reidesel. I have sent Capt. Tilton of the 9th Pensilvania Regiment to Accompany the General to the place of his destination in Virginia. and have ordered a Guard to Escort him from...
79025General Orders, 26 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
All the Cartridges now with the men to be delivered up to the Regimental Quarter Masters who will have the damaged ones selected and delivered in to the Brigade Quarter Masters respectively, to whom they will make returns for a sufficient number to make up forty rounds pr man, including the good ones on hand which they are to keep by them ready to issue. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The...
79026From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel William Butler, 26 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
At the request of Major General Lee, I transmit you the inclosed Letter. In order to avoid the delay which would arise from your writing to me respecting the time of your meeting—I propose that you should give notice to Genl Maxwell at Elizabeth Town, who will immediately acquaint General Lee. I am Sir Yr Most Obedt & Most Hble sert Df , in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick...
79027From George Washington to General Henry Clinton, 26 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I send Your Excellency Mr Beatty’s representation of the case of Brower and Lezier, two soldiers in the service of these states, who it appears are suffering under a confinement of peculiar severity, without any sufficient cause for so injurious a discrimination—I am persuaded I need only call your attention to the situation of these men to induce you to order them relief and to have...
79028From George Washington to Charles Lee, 26 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 24th and have transmitted Your Letter for Colo. Butler to General Maxwell, with directions to send it to him immediately by a flag. As some delay might arise from Colo. Butler’s writing to me upon the occasion, I have requested him to advise Genl Maxwell of the day he appoints for the interview, who will inform you, when you arrive at Elizabeth Town—and furnish the...
79029From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 26 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to transmit the inclosed Letter to Colo. Butler by a flag. This Gentleman has requested an interview with Genl Lee, who is to meet him. A House near Elizabeth Town point is thought most convenient for the meeting—and has been proposed to them both. Colo. Butler is to appoint the time and to inform you, of which you will advise Genl Lee and furnish any passports that may be...
79030From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 26 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favr of the 17th at this place at which I shall remain but a few days and then return to Middle Brook. I am pleased to think that your troops will have been covered before this severe Weather. A plan for the establishment and regulation of the Inspectorship is now under consideration of Congress, I would not therefore have you appoint a division Inspector at this time, but let the...
79031To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 26 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Council of this state, have been favoured with your Excellencys letter of the seventeenth Instant proposing to regulate the Intercourse between the inhabitants of these states, and the enemy at New York, so as that flag boats may pass at stated periods only. In answer to which, I have now the honor to acquaint your Excellency that this Board entirely approve thereof, and as soon as the...
79032General Orders, 27 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The copyist inadvertently wrote “Saturday.”
79033To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 27 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I laid the Letter containing Your Excellency’s Requisition for the Cannon of The Somerset Ship of War, to be sent to the North River, before the Council of this State; and received the Answer inclosed. All the lower Deck Guns, twenty Six in Number, with Nineteen of those of the Upper Deck, with their Carriages, are brought from Cape Cod to Castle Island, where they now remain. Captain...
79034From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 27 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have had the Honor to receive Your Excellency’s Letter of Yesterday—and I am extremely sorry that it is not in my power to inform the Council, with precision, in the several points of their inquiry. The State supplies of Cloathing hitherto sent to Camp, have been but small and partial. These, I believe, have been generally issued by Officers appointed by the respective states—and comformably...
79035To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 27 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
In my letter of the 30th ult. I promised to transmit you Copy of the Account given me In 1758 by the persons employed to Explore a rout Into the St Laurence by the River La Famine Since my return to this place I have made a fruitless Search for It. should I not be able to find It on another I will then send for one of the persons Employed on that Occassion. Inclose, your Excellency a number of...
79036From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Temple, 27 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favor of the 12th at this place, where I shall remain a few days upon Business and then return to Middle Brook. I hope you have by your own exertions and the Assistance of the Quarter Master got your Men and Horses well accommodated by this time. The Resolve of Congress being very express and extending only to the reinlistment of the old Men of the Regiment, I would have you...
79037General Orders, 28 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Captain Kirkpatrick of the 4th Virginia Regiment is appointed Brigade Major in General Scott’s Brigade, from the 15th of October last and is to be respected accordingly. Lieutt Abraham Hite and Lieutt John Bowen of the 8th Virginia Regiment are appointed the first Pay-Master & the second Adjutant of the same. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . On this date in Philadelphia, “agreeable to the...
79038To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 28 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honour of receiving a Letter from the Board of War dated the 4th of December, requesting me to take proper Steps for the Mustering & paying the Corps commanded by Major Whitcomb, which had been done previous to the receipt of the Letter—It also mentions the inclosing an Order on the Clothier Genl at Spring field, to have them supply’d with Cloathing, but thro’ mistake it hath been...
79039From George Washington to Benjamin Franklin, 28 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Marquis de la fayette having served with distinction as Major General in the army of the United States, two Campaigns—has been determined by the prospect of an European War to return to his native Country. It is with pleasure that I embrace the oppertunity of introducing to your personal acquaintance a Gentn whose merit cannot have left him unknown to you by reputation. The generous...
79040To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 28 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have to inform Your Excellency that a Packet arived from England in the Hook the 22d. I have inclosed You an English paper and the latest New York one. We have had the sevarest weather for some time past that has been known for many Years. The Sound is froze up and it is currantly reported that a Number of Vessels is on shore at Statten Island; & some cut through and sunk coming out of the...
79041To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 28 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of Writing to your Excellency the 25th. I sent the letter to McHenry to forward. there is Nothing New in this Quarter; the Severity of the Weather seems to have Stoped the Chanels of Intelligence. The distress of the Army for want of forrage had Come to the last Extremity, indeed the very existance of it depended on an immediate relief, and however disagreable the Measure,...
79042General Orders, 29 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
All officers, intitled to keep horses, who will send them to a distance from camp, where they may have a better supply of Forage than in Camp shall have the expence paid by the Forage Master General. The many positive orders relative to the preservation of the Inhabitants’ fences and Property renders it painful to the Commander in Chief at this Post to repeat them; but the frequent complaints...
79043From George Washington to George Clinton, 29 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received Your favor of the 18th Instant and am sorry for the accident that has happened to Mr McDowell. Whether his Barn was destroyed through design or otherwise—does not alter the injury as to him—and he seems equally intitled to reparation in either case. I do not know, however, that I am authorised to direct it to be made, and therefore shall be under the necessity of submitting the...
79044To George Washington from George Clinton, 29 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
After the Loss of the Forts in the Highlands it became necessary to detach a Part of the Army on the West Side of the River which joined by a Part of the Militia were under my immediate Command. The River being the Bounds between the different purchasing Commissaries none could be found to supply the Troops in Consequence whereof we were reduced to the Necessity of taking from the Inhabitants...
79045From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 29 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will be accompanied by a letter from Congress, which will inform you, that a certain expedition, after a full consideration of all circumstances has been laid aside —I am sorry however for the delay it has occasioned you by remaining so long undecided. I am persuaded My Dear Marquis, there is no need of fresh proofs to convince you either of my affection for you personally or of the high...
79046To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 29 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you yesterday by a return Express going to Genl Greene—I have Since received the N. York News papers down to the 24th which I now enclose with this, also a London paper of the 5th October, this paper Shews how the pulse beats in that kingdom, and it is Certain to me that they are in high Rumpas, Confusion & distraction. I send your Excellency herewith Genl Maxwell’s Letters, by which...
79047General Orders, 30 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Coll Beauford is appointed to visit & superintend the Hospitals in Jersey—He will apply at the Orderly-Office tomorrow for instructions. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . GW dined on this date with Congressman Samuel Holten, John Jay, French minister Conrad-Alexandre Gérard, and “about 60 other Gentln” ( Smith, Letters of Delegates Paul H. Smith et al., eds. Letters of Delegates to Congress,...
79048To George Washington from Henry Waldegrave Archer, 30 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of informing you, of my intention of entering into the American Army, & becoming a citizen of the United States. Though a native of England, I feel myself quite attached to America, & firmly pursuaded, that I have brought hither dispositions entirely consonant to her welfare. From infancy I considered myself a member of the British Empire at large, including the colonies of...
79049To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 30 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I beg pardon for troubling your Excellency with the inclosd, which, if you think proper I request the favor of your sending to Congress. I am decided in my intentions of leaving so ineligible a situation as I have been in all the past Campaign. I wish to continue in the service of my Country untill the present contest is at an end. But I find it an indispensable duty owing to myself not to do...
79050To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 30 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
As there is much preparation to make, and many matters to arrange, in the Ordnance Department in order to take the field the next campaign with advantage, I take the liberty to lay before your Excellency the situation in which I am, and beg, if you think proper, that you would lay the same before the Honorable Congress for their consideration. Some time last May I did myself the honor to...
79051From George Washington to Robert Morris, 30 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Mrs Washington and I, will wait on you and Mrs Morris at dinner, on Monday next, with great pleasure. If in pursuing the bent of my own inclination, I was happy enough to pay such attention as was pleasing to you at Valley forge, it was more than the time or the place gave me any reason to hope; and the favourable light in which they are mentioned by you cannot but be pleasing to—Dr Sir Yr...
79052To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 30 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
The difficulties attending my journey, from Stormy Weather and bad roads, have rendered it impossible for me to travel quick, but I have met with some distress with my baggage and that of my family from want of regularity and authority over the Waggoners for carrying the Baggage—Colonel Hay has very obligingly promised me all assistance to Sussex Court House, and from thence, I understand, it...
79053To George Washington from William Shippen, Jr., 30 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of enclosing you a general return of the sick & wounded in the hospitals of the United States till December. Give me leave Sir to rejoice with you on this day & give thanks that no fatal disease rages in your Army or Hospitals; And to assure you that I am with the truest Esteem & warmest Affection Your Excellencys most obedient & very humbe Servant ALS , DLC:GW . The enclosed...
79054To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 30 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
When I waited on you the other Evening, before your departure to Philadelphia, I found you too much engaged to impart my Sentiments on two Subjects, which I have ever had in view to mention at the close of the Campaign—There are Circumstances in my present Situation, which have long wounded my Feelings, & have become so injurious, that they must I fear force me (tho’ with Reluctance) to quit...
79055To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 30 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
My last Dispatches to you were Yesterday Evening. I now inclose you what have come to me since. Other Intelligence which I have received from N. York Staten Island and Eliz. Town in general agree that about a Fortnight ago a Fleet began to assemble at the Watering Place off Staten Island. What the Intention of this Fleet was, I have not yet been able to learn with Accuracy. Some of my Accounts...
79056General Orders, 31 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Tents and Markees which are public property are to be delivered in to the Quarter-Master General’s Store as soon as the Officers and men are hutted; Likewise the tools which were delivered out for the purpose of building huts. The Regimental Pay-Masters will make out returns of the Blankets wanting in their respective Regiments early tomorrow morning and deliver them to the Brigade Majors,...
79057To George Washington from the Board of War, 31 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from the Board of War, c.31 Dec. 1778. On 1 Jan. 1779 GW wrote Brig. Gen. William Smallwood : “The inclosed was addressed to me by the Board of War at the request of Mr Rutherford.”
79058From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 31 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with Your Letter of the 5th Inst. and with Your’s & Genl Hand’s of the 28th Ulto. The One you mention of the 20th never came to hand. As the impediments which suspended General Schuyler from command are now removed by an Honorable acquittal—I have written him a line upon the subject of his resuming it, in the Department where he now is for the present. If this event takes...
79059To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Flower, 31 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Being denied the happiness of Waiting on you in person by an indisposition that confines me to my Chamber; beg You will excuse the liberty I am about to take—A liberty justified by no merit of my own—But from your known Benevolence and kind attention to every Officer who has the Honor of Serveing under You. It is to request that you will be good enough to favour me with a few lines, signifying...
79060From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Flower, 31 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of this date. I wish I was sufficiently acquainted with Circumstances, to enable me to give you such a Certificate as would fully answer your purposes: but when you reflect that little or no part of the conduct of your Office has come under my immediate Notice, you must see the impropriety of my undertaking to vouch for the regular discharge of your duty or to affix an...
79061From George Washington to John Jay, 31 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of addressing Congress some time since on the subject of General Du Portail and the Gentlemen with him —He informs me that his affair has not yet been decided and is extremely anxious that it should be in some way or other—He assigns many powerfull reasons to show that it is very interesting to him, if he is not to continue in our service, to return to france as speedily as...
79062To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 31 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I a few hours ago received Your Excellencys favour of the 26th Inst. with a letter accompanying it to Sir Henry Clinton that and the Letter to Coll Butler was immediately sent forward I inclose to Your Excely two New York Papers of the 26th & 30th Inst. Was I supply’d with some Pennsylvania & the Jersey Papers to send into New York I could have a constant supply in return. I have likewise...
79063To George Washington from Israel Putnam, 31 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Israel Putnam, 31 Dec. 1778. On 18 Jan. 1779 GW wrote to Putnam acknowledging receipt of “your favor dated thro’ mistake the 31st Inst.,” a letter that included observations on the affairs of Capt. William Smith Scudder. An extract copy of Putnam’s letter to GW, correctly dated 31 Dec. 1778, reads: “P.S. I have inclosed Govr Clintons Ansr to mine on Capt. Scudders...
79064From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 31 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
In a letter which I had the pleasure of writing you the 18th Inst. I requested you to take the direction of the magazines &c. which were to be prepared towards a certain expedition—I should have extended the idea to your taking the full command in the Northern department; but I was restrained by a doubt how far the measure might be agreeable to your own views and intentions—The same doubt...
79065General Orders, 1 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Brigade Commissaries are to deliver their Hides and Tallow to the Commissary of Hides at Bound-Brook, at least once a week, taking his receipt for the same, and the Commissary of Hides will issue upon the order of the Commandant of Brigades what number of hides may be necessary to exchange for shoes for the use of their respective Brigades; provided that demand does not exceed the number...
79066To George Washington from the Marquis de Brétigney, 1 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of presenting to Your Excellency the summary of my plan for raising a french Corps. I submit it intirely to Your Decision, and it is only in consequence of your intire approbation, that I shall permit myself to take any measures on this subject. I have the most violent desire of serving under your orders, and my only means of repairing the misfortunes which I have suffered—is...
79067From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 1 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I arrived here, I received Your favor of the 17th Ulto. I am sorry the Country about Minisincks or within supporting distance could not afford forage sufficient to subsist Count pulaski’s Horse. Matters respecting them and their Quarters are arranged before this. As to the German batallion—should any pressing circumstances arise to make it essential, you may call it from Easton. With...
79068From George Washington to John Jay, 1 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of transmitting to Congress the inclosed Letter with the papers which accompany it, which I received two or three days ago from His Excellency Governor Clinton. Mr McDowel’s application seems to merit relief—whether the Barn &c. were destroyed by accident or through design. In either case the injury is the same—and may equally call for reparation by the public in the first...
79069To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 1 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys favor of the 18th ult: Covering Copy of your orders to the Quarter Master General I had the honor to receive on the 30th. I shall with the utmost alacrity Carry your Excellencys orders Into Execution, nor shall my resignation Even after It shall have been Accepted by Congress prevent me In the least from giving my personal Aid to procure every thing necessary for the...
79070From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 1 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed was addressed to me by the Board of War at the request of Mr Rutherford. As it appears from the State of the Case that an Officer is necessary to keep the Men employed in the shoe Factory at Newark in order, I think it will be best for you to appoint one for that purpose. You may perhaps know more of the matter than I do, and therefore should there be any misrepresentation, you...