1[April 3. 1776] (Adams Papers)
April 3. 1776 great Things were done. The Naval System made great Progress. See JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789, Washington, 1904–1937; 34 vols. , 4:251–254.
2From John Adams to James Warren, 3 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
As foreign Affairs become every day more interesting to Us no Pains should be spared to acquire a thorough Knowledge of them, and as the inclosed Extract contains some observations which are new to me, I thought it might not be uninteresting to you. Howe has put 3000 Troops on board of Transports, which lie or at least lay last saturday at Staten Island. Whether this is a Feint, or a Serious...
The Congress being Inform’d by a Letter from Genl. Washington, that two Thousand of the Continental Troops at Cambridge and Roxbury are deficient in Fire Arms, and that he has not been able to Purchase the Same from the Inhabitants or Obtain them from the Assemblies of the New England Colonies, have directed the General to make Returns to the Assemblies of the Numbers of men Inlisted from...
4To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 3 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
As the Ships of War now building in this and other Colonies for the Continental Service, will want Commanders, who will I conclude be appointed by Congress, I beg leave to mention to you a Capt. Fellows, late of Boston, who was bred to the Sea and is recommended as a very good Man for a Commander, and I have been desired to mention him to you. He appears to me to be a Man of activity and...
5To John Adams from Mercy Otis Warren, 3 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
The sudden departure of the plunderers of Boston and the removal of the Continental troops from Cambridge occasions a temporary calm in the eastern region; but if the storm should again burst upon this quarter, I fear we shall be too destitute of skillful navigators, to oppose its fury with success: though we have still a few left among us whose tried courage and experience has set danger at...
6General Orders, 3 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Brigade under the Command of Brigadier Genl Spencer, to march to morrow morning at sun rise—Carriages will be provided this Afternoon by the Assistant Qr Mr General; and the Adjutant General will send the marching Orders to the Colonels commanding divisions. Genl Spencer will receive his Orders this Afternoon at five O’Clock, at Head Quarters. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . No general orders...
7From George Washington to Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, 3 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 27th Feby is come to hand. I much fear you will be much Disapointed in the number of Troops you Expected in that month as the Lakes were impassable. Major General Thomas will long before you receive this have informed you the Success of our operations here. the Enemy have quitted this harbour last week. we have no Certain Accounts of their Destination. it is Generally...
8Honorary Degree from Harvard College, 3 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
[Watertown, Mass.] 3 April 1776 . Confers on GW the honorary degree of doctor of laws in recognition of his civic and military virtue. DS , in Latin, in Samuel Langdon’s writing, DLC:GW . For a contemporary English translation of this document, see the New-England Chronicle (Boston), 25 April 1776. The diploma was signed by President Langdon and five fellows of the college: Nathanael Appleton,...
9Orders and Instructions for Colonel Henry Knox, 3 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
It being of the Utmost Importance to the Publick Service, that the Main Body of The Regiment of Artillery, together with The Field Cannon, Ammunition, Stores &c., should as speedily as possible be Assembled at New York, I have thought proper to give you The following Orders, and Instructions. The Legislature of this Colony, having determined to Assemble three Hundred Teams, upon the Common in...
10Orders and Instructions for John Morgan, 3 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
As the Grand Continental Army, immediately under the Command of His Excellency General Washington, will, as soon as it is practicable, be Assembled at New York; you are with all Convenient Speed to remove the General Hospital to that City. As The Sick in the different Houses cannot be removed, but must be attended, untill they are Able to March, you will leave such Surgeons, Surgeon’s Mates,...