1To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bancroft, 7 August 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had lately the honour of acquainting you by Capt. Read with some particulars which I now confirm, and although but little of importance has since occurred I am induced to trouble you again with a few suggestions respecting the Title of the different Indian Tribes of America to the property and Jurisdiction of their Territories. You will doubtless remember...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Gale, 7 August 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This letter was apparently Franklin’s first news of an invention that might, given a fair trial, have affected the course of the war. Until the entrance of France, Britain had virtually complete control of the sea; the Royal Navy supplied and reinforced British armies, and moved them at will along the coast. Any challenge to the navy’s predominance would...
3General Orders, 7 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
Captain Kilton of Col. Patterson’s Regiment, tried by a General Court martial for “Neglect of duty” is found guilty of a Breach of the 49th Article of the Rules and Regulations for the Massachusetts Army; They therefore sentence him to receive a severe reprimand from the Commanding Officer at the head of the regiment. Application having been made for Sutlers to supply the different Regiments...
4To George Washington from the Norwich Committee of Correspondence, 7 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
We the Committe of Correspondence for the Town of Norwich Think it our indespensable Duty to Accquaint your Excellency of a Matter we think may possibly be of the utmost importance at this most Critical Juncture of affairs & hope the occasion of our Writing will Sufficiently apologize for the Liberty, we (tho. Strangers) have Taken—Yesterday Morning this Town was alarmed with an Acct of...
5From George Washington to James Otis, Sr., 7 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
By the General Return made me for last Week, I find there are great Number of Soldiers and non-commissd Officers, who absent themselves from Duty, the greatest Part of which I have Reason to believe, are at their respective Homes, in different Parts of the Country; some employ’d by their Officers on their Farms, & others drawing Pay from the Publick, while they are working on their own...
6From George Washington to Joseph Palmer, 7 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of yesterday came duely to my hands—as I did not consider local appointments, as having any operation upon the general one, I had partly engaged (at least in my own mind) the Office of Quartermaster Genl before your favour was presented to me. In truth Sir, I think it sound policy to bestow Offices indiscriminately among Gentleme⟨n⟩ of the different Governments; for as all bear a...
7To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 7 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
Fessenden is not returned hither—Your Letter to Majr General Schuyler was forwarded ⅌ Express the 1st instant —enclosed is Copy of a Letter from Colo. Saltonstal received yesterday —I Ordered him as Colo. of the third, Colo. Saml Coit of the 8th —and Lt Colo. Saml Abbot of the 20th Regiment in this Colony forthwith to raise so many Men of their Regiments as could speedily be got in readiness...