32051From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 3 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
General Mcdougall forwarded Major Grays letter to you, to me. I have no account from General Scott of any troops having lately gone from New York to the Narrows. The party that went to Jersey were reinforced, and perhaps that might have occasioned the mistake. I do not apprehend any attempt agt this Army, but to be prepared for contingencies, I am to desire, if the Enemy should make a...
32052To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 3 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
At seven o’Clock last night, I was favour’d with the receipt of Your Excellency’s Letter, dated the 1st Instant from Fish Kill; though the hour is not mentioned, it must at any rate have been unreasonably long upon the Road: The bearer John Turner, says he received the packet from Thomas McCarty, at half an hour After 3 o’Clock yesterday Afternoon, at Fredrick’sbourg. I mention these...
32053From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 3 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 23d Ult. came to my hands at Fredericksburg the Afternoon before I left it for this place. I thank you for the transmission of Mr Beresfords intelligence, tho I have not the smallest Idea that any thing more than a deception, is meant by it; and, that Mr Williams is either a voluntary Agent, or the innocent instrument, for carrying it on. Yet, as the case may be otherwise,...
32054From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 3 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your favour of the 27 of September, with the inclosed resolves of Congress; a copy of which has been transmitted to Major General Lincoln, for his information and direction. Being separated from my papers, I am uncertain, whether I mentioned in my last, that the enemy in the Jerseys having received a reinforcement and made some forward movements, I had thought it expedient to...
32055From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 3 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the inclosed Copy of a Resolution which came to hand last night, that Congress have determined on measures for securing Charles Town, in case the Enemy should form an expedition against it, and have appointed you to command there. I have nothing to add upon the subject, except my assurances, that you will have, as you have had upon all occasions, my warmest wishes for your...
32056To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 3 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your Excellency’s favor, of yesterdays date, the last evening. I immediately gave orders that a party from each Brigade in my Division should this morning be marched to repair the roads as mentioned in your letter—and to prevent their interfering one with the other & with the party which should be ordered by General McDougal I have assignned to each, of mine, its district...
32057To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 3 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I sent Mr Putnam down the River yesterday by Water, to learn for certain whether any of the Enemys shipping was up. He return’d last night, and informs me that he went down on the West-side nearly oposite Philips’s; that there is one Gally laying near Philips’s, which is the only Water Craft of any kind, above Fort Washington. The Boats with which the Enemy landed at the Slote , have all...
32058From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 3 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of yesterdays date, and am glad that Capt. Leavensworth has found means to elude the enemys posts—I wish him to use his utmost endeavours to ascertain the truth of the following intelligence transmitted me by Major Gray from Norwalk—“From the 19th or 20th Ulto to the 24th (when his informant left New York) Troops were constantly embarking from the City to the...
32059To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 3 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency two letters from Kakiyate, I came here the day before yesterday, my time Since has been Cheifly employed in Veiwing the Country and getting intelligence of the Enemy: two deserters from the 15th yesterday say their Regiment and Eleven others are in a few days to Embark for the West Indies, that they were Officers Servants and over heard this, which is the Cause of their...
32060To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 3 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Two more deserters from the 15th Regt they tell the Same Story of the twelve Regts going to the West Indies and that the Embarkation is to take place on Tuesday Next. General Woodford has received your Excellency’s letter of the 30th. a drago[o]n of the 16th Came in Also yesterday Evening, several other deserters are Come in at Clarks Town. I am your Excellency’s most Obt Humble Servt ALS ,...
32061To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 3 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I can give you no Information from this Quarter Save that Amiral Biron in the Ninety Gun Ship Accompanied by the Seventy four Left Newport Sunday Last, they had Genl Pigot on Board. Lord Howe in a fifty Gun Ship came to Newport & on Monday Sailed for England Genl Pigot by Letter Informed me that his private affairs called him to Europe & that my Correspondence must be with General Prescott in...
32062Franklin’s Journal of His Health, 4 October 1778[–16 January 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AD : Library of Congress As my Constitution appears to have undergone some considerable Changes within the last 3 or 4 Years, it may be of Use to make some Notes of the Changes past, and to continue them, in order to ascertain what are hurtful or beneficial. I had enjoy’d continu’d Health for near 20 Years, except once in two or three Years a slight Fit of the Gout, which generally terminated...
32063George Washington to Major General William Alexander, Lord Stirling, 4 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Fishkill, New York ] October 4, 1778 . Requests daily reports on situation in New Jersey. LS , in writings of John Laurens and H, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
32064George Washington to Otis and Andrews, 4 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fishkill [ New York ] October 4, 1778 . Orders Otis and Andrews to supply Major General John Sullivan’s troops with coats. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Otis and Andrews, a Boston firm, was appointed collector of clothing for the Continental forces in November, 1777.
32065To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley: Two Letters, [4 October 1778] (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS : American Philosophical Society; transcript: Library of Congress (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society; transcript: Library of Congress I thank you for yours of Sept. 3d inclosing those beautiful lines from Dante to the late Mistress of his affections, of which I feel the whole force. In return I send you another most pathetic Sonnet. I have told you before that my heart is always...
32066To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 4 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer Mr. Henry Bromfield a Young Gentleman of this Town gose to France on Business as a Merchant and as he will be a Stranger in Paris your Civilities to him as such Will Much Oblige your Dutifull Nephew Addressed: Doctr Benjamin Franklin / Paris / Per Mr Bromfield Notation: Williams Jonathan Oct. 4. 1778. Boston Henry Bromfield, Jr. (1751–1837) was...
32067Editorial Note on Franklin’s Purported Address to the Irish People, 4 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
The Hibernian Journal: or, Chronicle of Liberty published in its issue of November 2–4, 1778, an open letter “To the Good People of Ireland,” signed by Franklin and dated Versailles, October 4, 1778. It was a long and uninspired diatribe against British policy, and ended with a promise that all restraints on Irish trade and manufacture would be removed. Publication in Dublin disturbed the Lord...
32068To George Washington from Colonel Thomas Marshall, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Col. Thomas Marshall, 2 Oct. 1778. GW wrote Marshall on 4 Oct. : “I am just favoured with your letter of the 2d relative to cloathing for your regiment.”
32069General Orders, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
32070To George Washington from Captain Michel Capitaine du Chesnoy, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Gl de la Fayette had desired me to deliver in your hands the two Inclosed draughts, & Shou’d have thought my Self happy in finding an opportunity to pay my respects to your Excellency; but as I am Sick at Providence I can not do my Self that honour therefore take the liberty to Send them to you. I am very Sorry that I am deprived of the possibility of Waiting on you in person, and assureing...
32071From George Washington to Colonel John Cox, Jr., or John Mitchell, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am informed that Sundry Goods (in the Military line) addressed to Mr Jas Rivington of New-York, were taken—carried into Egg harbour—and are now in Philadelphia. Among them a compleat sett of Camp equipage—As I am perfectly incompleat in this way, I should be glad if you would enquire into the truth of this matter, and make a purchase of it for me, if it answers the description; and can be...
32072To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The reputation of Mr du portail made me desire to have the honor of his acquaintance—Your Excellencys recommendation, his talents and his Rank ensured him my esteem and confidence—I have endeavoured to give him marks of them—his devotion to the Service of the United States—the Sentiments which he owes you and with which he is penetrated ensure him my friendship. I made him examine the points...
32073To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
At eight O Clock last Night I had the Honor to receive Your Excellencys letter dated 3d October. I have not any intelligence from Major Gray since the letter I sent to your Excellency by General Mcdougal. A Report prevails, & gains Credit, that an Empidemical Disease was brought to New York, in Admiral Byrons Fleet, which causes great Mortality, & Desertion, amongst the Sailors; it may not be...
32074To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since writing to Your Excellency This morning, Two Sailors belonging to Cape Cod, who made their Escape from the prison Ship last Monday night arrived here; They declare, That The British Fleet of Men of War, Saild Ten days ago in quest of The French Fleet; if this intelligence can be depended upon, may not a very large Body of Troops have gone in, and with The English Fleet; with intent to be...
32075From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am to thank you for your favor of the 28th Ulto and its several inclosures—the intelligence given you by Mr Colvill is very interesting if it can be depended on—and particularly to Count d’Estaing—to whom no doubt you have communicated it. Your distribution of the twelve hundred Militia men ordered out by the Council of State—exactly coincides with my wishes—their labour if it has not its...
32076From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving, by the hands of Monsr de la Colombe, your favour of the 28th Ulto; accompanied by one of the 24th, which he overtook somewhere on the Road. The leave requested in the former, I am as much interested to grant, as to refuse my approbation of the Cartel, proposed in the latter. The generous Spirit of Chivalry, exploded by the rest of the World, finds a...
32077From George Washington to Colonel Thomas Marshall, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am just favoured with your letter of the 2d relative to cloathing for your regiment —I do not think the measure you propose of sending an officer to Boston necessary, as all the cloathing for the army is coming forward as expeditiously as possible and an equal distribution will be made so soon as it arrives—I hope there will be a tolerable supply for the whole—A plan is in execution for...
32078To George Washington from George Measam, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am just arrived from Springfield and have the honour of meeting your Excelleny’s Letter of the 2d from Fish Kill; in answer to which, Major Bigelow has forwarded to Head Qua[r]ters by the way of Fredericksburg, 3129 pr Shoes, 6 Bales Blankets, (about 600) and 2612 prs Hose; he has sent a Conductor with them with some directions to General Parsons, requesting his assistance to enable the...
32079From George Washington to Gouverneur Morris, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
My public Letters to the Presidt of Congress will inform you of the Wind that wafted me to this place —nothing more therefore need to be said on that head. Your Letter of the 8th Ulto contains three questions & answers—to wit—Can the Enemy prosecute the War? Do they mean to stay on the Continent? And is it our interest to put impediments in the way of their departure? To the first you answer...
32080From George Washington to Otis & Andrews, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
By a letter from the Board of War, which will be delivered you herewith you will perceive they have left it to my determination, whether the Continental troops under General Sullivan, shall be supplied with Coats Jackets and Breeches from the imported ready made cloathing ordered on to Springfield and Hartford, or from the materials in possession of Mr Reynolds and yourselves —I have decided...
32081To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd Your Excellencys favour of Yesterdays date, and will do every thing in my Power to comply with the Contents. Respecting the intelligence from Majr Gray, I expect Capt. Leavenworth every Hour who I make no doubt will bring some Certain Accounts From York, which shall be forwarded without Delay. Colo. Parker who has been on the Enemys lines for three days past is Just Returnd and informs...
32082To George Washington from Captain Robert Smith, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been so unfortunate as to have a Relapse of a Fever, with which I was confin’d some Time before I set out. This has detain’d me here two Days, however I hope I shall be able to proceed Tomorrow. I am exceedingly concernd to hear of poor Baylor’s Misfortune, as so many of the Men are kill’d & taken, your Excellency may perhaps wish to give some other Directions as to the Cloathing for...
32083To George Washington from Brigadier General John Stark, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am Informed by Mr Cuyler, that he has Received a Letter from General Bayley, Informing him that he has Received Orders, to Lay up a Large Store of Provisions at Co’os, which in my opinion is by way of a Jobb—I am much Mistaken, if any large Quantity, Can be procured, at that place, & suppose it can, it must be Attended with an amazeing, Needless Expence, firstly there must be a Store Built,...
32084From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
It is now three days since I have received any Intelligence from Your Lordship —this makes me the more uneasy as my movements depend altogether upon the indications of those of the enemy—it is of so much importance to me to be regularly informed—that I must request you will send expresses daily—acquainting me precisely with the enemys position, and communicating such intelligence as you may...
32085To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency Yesterday Morn’g from Paramis, and Came here in the Afternoon. I find here General Winds with about 600 Militia General Heard with about 1000, & General Maxwell with the first & Second Regiments of his Brigade[.] Colonel Dayton with the other two & Col. Neilson with about militia are at Elizabeth Town. the Militia are all home Sick and are every hour apply[ing] for...
32086From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will accompany a letter from the Board of War to you and two others to the Clothiers at Boston and Providence. You will perceive there is one point in particular, which is referred to my decision—whether the Continental troops with you shall be cloathed in the articles of Coats Jackets and breeches out of the imported ready made cloathing which has been ordered on to Springfield and...
32087To George Washington from Brigadier General William Woodford, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
My Lord Sterling left me yesterday Morning for Aquackenack Bridge & Elizth Town & did not expect to return in a Day or two. The Enemy lay in the same situation they did when my Lord Sterling wrote your Excellency last. they appear to be busey at work upon two Redouts on this side the new Bridge, & their Forrageing partys on the other side are very Strong—I keep out small scouting partys for...
32088George Washington to Major Richard Howell, 5 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fishkill [ New York ] October 5, 1778 . Orders Howell to check on rumor that British fleet has sailed in search of French fleet. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Howell was a major of the Second New Jersey Regiment.
32089George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 5 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Fishkill, New York ] October 5, 1778 . Regrets that Captain Edward Norwood cannot be reinstated. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
32090George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 5 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fishkill [ New York ] October 5, 1778 . Discusses procuring clothing for Sullivan’s men. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
32091To Benjamin Franklin from Jan Ingenhousz, 5 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You will be surprised, that I did not keep my word or reather my resolution to come over to Paris. The reason was, that I undertook to finish a work upon the subject of the small pox and inoculation before I quitted this country, in which I was much interrupted by visitors and other avocations, which one can scarce avoid in a city as this, if a man has so...
32092To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-François-Clément Morand, 5 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Si le charmant poële de chauffage au charbon de terre, dont Vous avez eu la complaisance de me donner une gravure, etoit publié dans quelqu’un de vos ouvrages, il seroit actuellement a tout le monde, on en fairoit usage, et mention. Ayant envie d’en faire ce dernier usage, c’est adir, d’en parler, a la fin de mon ouvrage, et de le faire graver dans une...
32093To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-Hubert Moreau, 5 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous adresser deux lettres qui ont été remises par un inconnu au Suisse de M. le Comte de Vergennes. J’ai cru devoir vous les faire passer sans delai sous le Contreseing du Ministre. Je suis avec respect Monsieur Votre tres humble et très obeissant serviteur Endorsed: Moreau Secr. de Cte Vergennes Notation: Versailles 5. 8bre. 1778. For a...
32094General Orders, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
32095From George Washington to the Board of War, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
By the inclosed Copies of letters to General Sullivan and Messrs Otis and Andrews, you will be informed of what I have written on the subject of Clothing—in consequence of the letter which you did me the honor to write on the 29th Ulto. The prospect of having the Army amply provided for, by your exertions, affords the highest degree of satisfaction—I am particularly happy to be informed that...
32096From George Washington to Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Two American Seamen who made their escape from a Prison-Ship at New York—report that the british fleet sailed ten days ago in quest of the French Squadron. This is an event of such importance and which from the nature of it admits so little of concealment—that I could not have been uninformed of it till now—supposing that it really happened; without the most unpardonable neglect in the Officer...
32097From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your several communications of the 3d and 4th Inst. The relation of the two deserters is certainly of a serious complexion, could we confide in its reality. But the reasons for denying it any great degree of credit are not a few. Of the different observers in New-York and those places proper for attending to the motions of the fleet, not one has made any return of...
32098To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys favor of the 22d of Sept. and the 1st of October came to hand last Evening. I am exceeding sorry for Col. Baylors misfortune. The surprise is the worst part of the affair; and no Man will more sensibly feel upon the ocasion than the Col. should he recover. Col. Butlers and Major Lees surprise made upon the Chasseurs was a compleat one. These two events serves to shew how much...
32099From George Washington to Major Richard Howell, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have just received a letter from Danbury containing the following paragraph “Two sailors belonging to Cape Cod, who made their escape from the Prison-ship last monday night arrived here. They declare, That the British fleet of men of war sailed ten days ago in quest of the French fleet.” I cannot suppose this account to be well founded because I have heard nothing of the kind from you; and I...
32100To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I hope the measures you have taken will be effectual to the purpose of reenlisting the Army, because it is an object of great importance; and I readily admit the propriety of first trying those methods which promise fewest ill consequences. Danger will only arise from pressing such too far, and urging the experiment too long. I very much fear Sir, that the knowledge of depreciation has reached...