1From James Madison to William Bradford, [ca. 21 May] 1776—Summary (Madison Papers)
Ca. 21 May 1776 . In “A Memorandum Book,” Bradford noted on 28 May 1776: “This morning I recieved a Letter from Mr Maddison who is a member of the Virginia Convention, informing me of the declaration of Independency made by that body.” Since the resolution calling upon the delegates of Virginia in the Second Continental Congress to propose that “the United Colonies” be declared “free and...
2From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer, Mr Mersay being at Quebec when the Garrison Sallied & Obliged our Troops to an abandonment of the Siege & a precipitate retreat; I have taken the liberty to refer him to you for examination, that Congress may have such further Information of this unfortunate event as he possesses. I have the honor &c. LB , in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW ....
3From George Washington to the New York Provincial Congress, 21 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Congress having been pleased to request my attendance at Philadelphia to advise with them on the situation of Affa⟨irs,⟩ and being about to set out immediately, I Judged It necessary to give Majr Genl Putnam Instructions similar to those I have the honor to Inclose you, for the regulation of his conduct, in case you come to any determination respecting the Tories here & on long Island & should...
4Orders to Major General Israel Putnam, 21 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have reason to believe that the Provencial Congress of this Colony have in contemplation a scheme for Siezing the principal Tories, & disaffected Person’s on Long Island, in this City, & the Country round about; and that to carry the Scheme into Execution, they will be obliged to have recourse to the Military power for assistance. If this should be the case, you are hereby required, during...
5Orders to Major General Israel Putnam, 21 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress having been pleased to signify a desire that I should repair to Philadelphia in order to advise & consult with them on the present posture of Affairs, and as I am on the point of setting out accordingly—I have to desire that you will cause the different Works now in agitation to be carried on with the utmost expedition. to this end I have wrote to the Provincial Congress (of this...
6From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 21 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have inclosed for Your Perusual, Copies of two Informations & a Letter I received on Saturday last from the Committee of Kings District by the Hands of a Martin Beebe who says he is their Clerk & was sent Express. From these You will readily discover the Insidious & Diabolical Arts & schemes carrying on by the Tories & Friends to Government, to raise distrust, Dissention & Divisions among...
7To George Washington from John Hancock, 21 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
As I imagine this will meet you on the Road to this Place, I wave making any Mention of public Matters, except that it is the Wish of Congress, you would if consistent with the Good of the Service order one Battalion from New York to be posted at Amboy in the Jerseys agreable to the enclosed Resolve. Genl Gates arrived this Morning, soon after which I was honored with your Favour by Post which...
8To George Washington from Brigadier General Nathanael Greene, 21 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
From the last accounts from Great Britain it appears absolutely necessary that there should be an augmentation of the American forces in consequence of which I suppose there will be several promotions—As I have no desire of quiting the service, I hope the Congress will take no measures that will lay me under the disagreeable necessity of doing it—I have ever found my self exceeding happy under...
9To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Henry Beekman Livingston, 21 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am induced to trouble Your Excellency with this Letter, lest You Should be deceived by the Information I Gave You with respect to the Depth of the River Opposite this Fort which was very Erronious: Oweing intirely to want of Recollection in the Gentleman fr⟨om⟩ who I had my Information he had tak⟨en⟩ its depth but had forgot it. I have since Sounded it and found it to be 28. 31. & 32 Fathoms...
10To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 21 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Wm Goforth arrived here about an hour since with the enclosed letters—Express from Canada, which I mean to forward on to Amboy very early in the morning, and beg your Excellency’s particular answer in regard to what you would have forwarded from this place —Capt. Goforth commanded the Schooner in the River St Lawrence—he says—that not more than 100 Men are taken prisoners & them all...