1To Benjamin Franklin from James Lovell, 4[-9] July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Two ALS : American Philosophical Society I think it my duty as an Individual to communicate to you some information which you may not perhaps receive in a more formal or authoritative way. The treaties made with the Chevalr. de Borre Mr. Du Coudray &c. &c. have given infinite trouble being inconsistent with each other, and all of them, except the one you signed with 4 Engineers, inconsistent...
2To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 4 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
The Army marched from Middle Brook yesterday and arrived here last Evening and encamped. I presume we shall not remain in this place long. If Howe moves up the North River, or towards New England, I suppose we shall immediately push after him; but at present I apprehend the designs of the Enemy are not known, and therefore we must remain some time longer in a suspense. The unsettled state of...
3To Alexander Hamilton from Gouverneur Morris, 4 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Your Letter gave me the Pleasure of knowing with Certainty what might be depended upon among the numerous Reports circulated Thro the Country with Relation to the Several movements of the Enemy. That Howe wishes to draw you to a General Action is highly Probable because certainly he hath no other Means of conquering the Country, but the time when he wishes to Engage must depend upon a General...
4George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 4 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] July 4, 1777. Discusses Drummond’s breach of parole. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Lee was a prisoner of the British in New York City. Lord James Drummond.
5The American Commissioners to Lambert Wickes, 4 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Harvard University Library; three copies, one incomplete: National Archives We have appointed Mr. Williams to take the Direction of such affairs at Nantes as are more particularly within our Department and accordingly advise you to address yourself to him for any assistance You stand in want off in the Disposition of your prizes or your other Concerns. You will give directions to Capts....
6Silas Deane to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 4 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives; copy: Harvard University Library Yours of the 20th Ulto. and 1 Inst. are befor us. Mr. Morris were he present, has not the least pretension to any direction of Cap. Wickes or his Prizes and less so to Johnson or Nicolson. They are Continental Property and are immediately under our direction by the express orders of Congress, and under no other Persons . Inclosed you...
7Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 4 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you the 28th. June Advising of my Safe arrival at this port, also informing of the success of our late Cruize and have now the pleasure to Acquaint you of the Safe Arrival of Captain Johnston in the Brig Lexington at Morlax. I have wrote him and desired if he is not well Situated there, to get a good Pilot and Come up here. I should be very Glad if...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas & Mallet, 4 July 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society <Geneva, July 4, 1777, in French: Republicans are always interested in new republicans: common principles bind them together, and the heart approves. If commercial interests are also shared, the bond becomes a chain between two worlds. Our firm offers silk cloth, woolen stockings, clocks, and other articles, to be sent either to Frédéric Romberg & fils at...
9To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 4 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The other day I made use of the Liberty you gave of leaving two paper percels and a letter for my Brother at your house and was sorry to be so unfortunate as not to find you at home. Very early in the morning I set out for Havre and expect to return in 8 or 10 daies at farthest, but if in the mean time my presence here Should be requisite, a line directed...
10General Orders, 4 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief approves the following sentences of a General Court Martial, held the 2nd Inst:, whereof Colonel Stewart was president, and orders them to be put in execution forthwith—viz: George Deal of Col. Armand’s Independent Corps, charged with “Desertion” found guilty, and sentenced to receive 39 lashes. Charles Mulley of the 1st Pennsylv: regt charged with “Deserting, and...
11From George Washington to Brigadier General John Armstrong, 4 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving yours of the 20th June, some days ago, but the constant hurry I was in during Genl Howe’s late Maneuvres in Jersey must apologize for not answering you sooner. The spirit with which the Militia of this State and pennsylvania turned out upon the late Alarm far exceeded my most sanguine expectations and I am persuaded must have chagrined Genl Howe, who, I beleive,...
12To George Washington from Major General Du Coudray, 4 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received yesterday with the most respectfull Gratitude, the answer with which your Excellency has honoured me. I was not surprised, in finding that you disown’d the Authority which the Commandant of Artillery at springfield pretended to have, to execute the strange demande which he said he had received from the Commanding officer in Canada, to send to that country, twelve pieces of...
13To George Washington from Brigadier General Christopher Gadsden, 4 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Fort Moultrie, S.C., 4 July 1777 . Introduces Charles Cotesworth Pinckney: “I did myself the Honour to write a few Lines to your Excelly the other Day by my Worthy Friend Coll Danl Horry I now beg leave to introduce his Brother in Law Coll Chas Cotesworth Pinckney to your Excelly. He is Coll of the regimt I lately commanded the first of this State, station’d at Fort Moultrie under my immediate...
14From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 4 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 16th Ulto only came to hand Two days ago. The arrivals which you mention and the capture of the Brig. by Commodore Manly are fortunate circumstances. The Cargoes are valuable & such as we wanted. In respect to General Spencers claim of pay on the footing of a separate command, It is what I do not conceive myself authorized to allow. I know of but One separate command in the...
15From George Washington to Brigadier General Robert Howe, 4 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was favor’d with your letter accompanied by others to the States of Georgia and North Carolina, a few days since. When I wrote respecting an expedition against St Augustine, I meant it as recommendatory only, sensible, that you almost on the spot, or however well acquainted with the situation and every attendant circumstance, must be the proper judge; and assure you Sir that the reasons you...
16To George Washington from Brigadier General Robert Howe, 4 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Charleston, S.C., 4 July 1777 . “I was last September near St Johns in East-Florida; a Party sent out to scout the Country on the River, fell in with a small detachment of the Enemy, which they surrounded and made Prisoners—Among these, was a Young Gentleman, by Name James Richardson, who was acting as a Cadet in the Sixteenth Regiment; finding him, when he was brought up, exceedingly unwell...
17From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 4 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your favour of the 7th June, in which you enter into consideration of the breach of parole imputed to Lord Drummond; and give it as your opinion, that his conduct has not been such as to justify the imputation. It can answer no valuable purpose to enter into a discussion of the particulars of this affair, which would probably end as it began and leave his Lordship and myself in the...
18To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 4 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have Received your several favors of the 30th Ultm. the first and second Inst. and observe the Directions therein given —On the 1st Inst. a party of the Enemy, Consisting of about 3 or 400, Advanc’d as far as White Plains, Attackd a small party of our’s there; kill’d one, took Eight Prisoners, and Drove off some Cattle—by several deserters that has Come in to day; we are Inform’d, that they...
19From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 4 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Upon your arrival at Pompton you are to halt your division till the intentions of the Enemy are more clearly and fully known. To come at a knowledge of this, you must endeavour, by all the means in your power, to obtain intelligence from the side of the North River, up which, I have every Reason to think they intend to move, as most of their shipping have removed from Staten Island up to New...