1To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 19 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
I have lately had convincing proof of what I have long expected, that is, men employed as Contractors being allowed two or three percent for all they purchase, will give any price in order to increase their own profits. It has been suspected that these States have been cheated by some Officers in the Army by false abstracts and payrolls, (no doubt with too much reason) but I apprehend the...
2From Alexander Hamilton to Gouverneur Morris, 19 May 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I this moment received the favour of your letter of the 16th instant. I partly agree and partly disagree with you respecting the deficiencies of your constitution. That there is a want of vigor in the executive, I believe will be found true. To determine the qualifications proper for the chief executive Magistrate requires the deliberate wisdom of a select assembly, and cannot be safely lodged...
3William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 19 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society Above is Copy of my last Respects, since which have received none of your esteemed favors. The Subject which I alluded to in my last, is in regard to the Sale of our Produce, which the French Merchants at present absolutely refuse to purchase for the European Market; as many of their Vessels have been already visited, and American Produce which has been...
4General Orders, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief positively directs, that all officers stationed at Out-Posts, do not come to Morristown, but when their business absolutely requires it; and in that case, that they return to their posts, with all possible expedition. Thomas Mullen Esqr:, is appointed Brigade Major to Brigadier Genl De-Borre; and is to be respected, and obeyed as such. A number of horses having been...
5Instructions to Colonel Armand, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Desirous of making our Service as agreeable to you as possible, and of furnishing you with every Opportunity in my power of acquiring Honour, I have consented to the request you made me of raising and commanding a Partisan Corps. You probably will have it more in your power, to distinguish yourself at the head of a body of Men that understand the French Language, than of any others, Wherefore...
6To George Washington from Lieutenants William Clark and William Norcross, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Morristown, 19 May 1777 . Ask GW to discharge them from the 3d New Jersey in which they recently had been commissioned second lieutenants after serving the previous campaign as ensigns. “Our Reasons Are, that Gentlemen Are Appointed First Lieuts. Over Us, that have not Born Rank in the Army nor Seen Service, we Therefore Are of Oponion That if That Body [the New Jersey general assembly] did...
7From George Washington to Major Colerus, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter by Monsr Malmady. I am sorry some of the Gentlemen promoted by Congress render themselves unhappy, either by forming in their minds, the most groundless suspicions of neglect, or torturing themselves by an unwarrantable degree of jealousy at the promotions of others. It has always been my wish and design, that you should be provided for, so soon as you acquired a...
8Instructions to Brigadier General Thomas Conway, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Congress having been pleased to appoint you to the rank of Brigadier General in the Armies of the United States of America, the following Regiments (from the State of Pennsylvania in a division to be Commanded by Major Genl Lord Stirling) are intended at present, to compose your Brigade, vizt third, Wood’s, 6th Magaw’s, 9th Morris’s and 12th Cooke’s. These Regiments, being at present in an...
9From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just recd yours of the 13th which is in a great measure answered by one which I wrote to you on the 15th But I cannot help taking notice of some expressions in your letter, which appear to me like an imputation of partiality in favr of this Army, to the disadvantage and inconvenience of the Northern. Can you suppose, if there had been an ample supply of Tents for the whole Army, that I...
10To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Saturday last the General Court Martial appointed for the Tryal of Lieut. Colonel Farrington of Colo. Putnams Regiment (charged with behaving in a scandalous and infamous manner) gave in their Judgment that He was Guilty of the Charge alledged against him & have adjudged him to be discharged from the Army—Incapable to serve in the Continental Service and ordered him to be published in the News...
11To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
One of the Hessians left their camp at the landing this afternon, his account of their numbers & situation is very simelar to that we have often had from others. He informs there are no appearances of removing at present, they are waiting for a reinforcment which they daily expect—That the treatment they receive is so very different from what they expected, & so injurious, (were promised 16d....
12To George Washington from Colonel Henry Beekman Livingston, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Peekskill [N.Y.] 19 May 1777 . “By a late Arangement of the Officers Appointed to Five Battallions of Continental Troops now Raising in this State, under the Denomination of New york Regiments, (I must beg leave to represent to your Excellency that) Injustice is done me, in being Ranked as youngest Colonel of the five Although two of the Gentlemen Appointed, Or rather Arranged before me, Held...
13To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your favors of the 10th & 11th Instant and a Visit from Generals Green & Knox, we have viewed the passes and different Routs on this Side of the River, which lead to the Mountains, and are of Opinion from the strength of Ground, that its unnecessary to make any works; For if the Troops will not defend strong Defiles, they will not any works that we can finish in the probable...
14From George Washington to Robert Morris, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour by Monsieur Armandt was duly handed me. I have been happy to show him every mark of attention in my power. The considerations you mention gave him a just claim to it; and derived additional weight from your recommendation. I am pleased to find Congress took such distinguishing notice of him as they did in their late appointment. He has requested to have the command of a partisan...
15To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Adam Stephen, 19 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Adam Stephen, 19 May 1777. GW wrote Stephen on this date : “I have receiv’d your favor of this date” concerning a proposed attack on Bergen, New Jersey. GW’s aide-de-camp George Johnston wrote Stephen on this date: “His Excellency [GW] bids me acknowledge the rect of your favour of this date,” which concerned Stephen’s illness.
16From George Washington to Major General Adam Stephen, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have receiv’d your favor of this date & still continue to think that an Attack upon the Tory Regimts in their present Situation would by no means answer your expectation. I have order’d Genl Heard (who will soon be reinforced to a considerable Number) to advance towards Hackensack with all his Men, except those necessary for the Works at Pumpton & there act in what ever manner he finds most...
17To George Washington from Colonel Samuel Blachley Webb, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
My returns of the 16th Instant amount to 234 Including Dead & Deserted upwards of 50 have already marchd for Peeks Kill agreeable to orders received from Brigadier General Parsons, the others I shall forward on as they leave the Hospital, The Assembly of this State are now setting—and are adopting very spirited measures for immediately filling the Nine and a half Battallions, as your...