1Abigail Adams to John Adams, 31 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
I wish you would ever write me a Letter half as long as I write you; and tell me if you may where your Fleet are gone? What sort of Defence Virginia can make against our common Enemy? Whether it is so situated as to make an able Defence? Are not the Gentery Lords and the common people vassals, are they not like the uncivilized Natives Brittain represents us to be? I hope their Riffel Men who...
2To John Adams from Hugh Hughes, 31 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour by ’the reputed Author of Common Sense’ I have not yet answered, as I was not then, nor for some Time afterward, quite clear how Matters would be carried on. But now, I confess our Affairs begin to wear a very different Aspect, as you will perceive by the inclos’d Return to General Thomson. Indeed our Citizens seem determin’d to work out their Salvation not only on Earth, but in...
3To Benjamin Franklin from David Barclay, 31 March 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This letter was written, a modern scholar has suggested, at the initiative of the man who is the subject of it, Admiral Lord Howe. The suggestion is plausible: Barclay and Howe were not well acquainted, as far as is known; but in the circumstances their common friendship with Lord Hyde might have been enough to elicit this testimonial. Franklin’s Quaker...
4General Orders, 31 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
Learnards, Parsons’s, Huntingtons, Wards, and Wyllys’s Regiments are to march at sun-rise, next Thursday Morning. The whole to be commanded by Brigadier Genl Spencer—The remainder of the Regiment of Artillery (except the Company that is to remain in Boston) with such Pieces of Artillery and Stores, as Colonel Knox shall think necessary; are to march with the above Brigade—The Quarter Master...
5From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 31 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer Colo. Putnam, who has been employed as an Engineer in the Army under my Command, is now on his Way to New York; I have order’d him to wait upon your Honor to afford you such advice & assistance in the Construction of your Works as his time will permit. You will find him capable and ingenious, & I am happy in having this opportunity of sending you an Officer of such experience. I am...
6To George Washington from Nicholas Cooke, 31 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am to inform your Excellency that I have this Moment an Express from Newport informing me that a Ship of War hath arrived in the Harbor of Newport, and that Twenty seven Ships undoubtedly having the ministerial Troops on Board are within Seconet Point. Upon this most alarming Occasion when we have not more than 400 Soldiers upon Rhode Island, and not above 700 or 800 more in the whole Colony...
7To George Washington from Brigadier General William Heath, 31 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
on Yesterday I arrived in this City with the Brigade, and flatter my Self that Considering the Badness of the Roads Stormy weather &c. your Excellency will not think that I have been either Negligent or dilitory on the march. General Schuyler Still remains at Albany and the Command of the army at present devolves on me, I have this day ordered a Return of the army, But have it not in my Power...
8From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Rufus Putnam, 31 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby Order’d to march to New York, by the way of Providence—When you arrive at Providence you are to deliver Governor Cooke the Letter directed for him and afford him your best advice and assistance in the Construction of the Works there. At New York you are to apply to the Commanding Officer of the Continental Forces & follow such Orders & directions as you may from time to time...
9From George Washington to John Augustine Washington, 31 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 24th Ulto was duely forwarded to this Camp by Colo. Lee. and gave me the pleasure of hearing that you, my Sister and family were well. after your Post is established to Fredericksburg the Intercourse by Letter may become regular and certain (& when ever time, little of which God knows I have for friendly corrispondances, will permit, I shall be happy in writing to you)—I...