1From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 12 November 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been detained here these two days by a fever and violent rheumatic pains throughout my body. This has prevented my being active in person for promoting the purposes of my errand, but I have taken every other method in my power, in which Governor Clinton has obligingly given me all the aid he could. In answer to my pressing application to General Poor for the immediate marching of his...
2From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [12 November 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New Windsor, New York, November 12, 1777. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from General Hamilton to General Washington,” Columbia University Libraries. Two letters from H to Washington on November 12, 1777, are listed. One of these letters is printed in PAH Harold C. Syrett, ed., The Papers of Alexander Hamilton (New York and London, 1961– ). , I, 360–62.
3To Benjamin Franklin from James Babson, 12 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives This Days post from Nantes brought me the Disagrable a Counts of the sea prises tacking by me and Capt. Kendrick to be Condemed to yours [use] of the King France. I Cannot se on what grounes or authority thay have for so Doing, as I had agood Commision for tacking of saiad Shipes; I Neiver thought of their Doing aney thing futher than sanding them out again &c. I Cant...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Francois Gianolio, 12 November 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Turin, November 12, 1777, in French: I have long wanted to establish commercial contact with America, but am unable to go there; so I am asking your assistance. Congress, I know, has established agents in Europe for importing American and exporting European products; and I should like to be added to this fortunate group. America has plenty to offer...
5General Orders, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Honorable Continental Congress have been pleased to pass the following resolve, concerning the opinion of the Court of enquiry, published in General Orders, the 16th Ult: relative to General Sullivan. Resolved—That the result of the Court of enquiry into the expedition of Staten-Island, so honorable to the character of General Sullivan is highly pleasing to Congress, and that the opinion...
6Sonnet from Domenico Bertini, of Florence, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
A Sua Eccellenza il Signor Washinton Generale delle Colonie Americane Sonetto ADS (in Italian), DLC:GW ; translation, DLC:GW . The sonnet and translation both are undated. GW docketed the translation “Letter & Sonnet from Dominec Bertini, 12th Novr 1777.” Bertini enclosed this sonnet in a letter to James Lovell written in Italian at Florence, Italy, on 12 Nov., and Lovell apparently forwarded...
7To George Washington from the Board of War, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Flower having applied to the Board to fill up a Commission as Colonel as he alledges he is entitled to that Rank by the Arrangement of the Artillery the Matter is referred to Genl Washington as he is the best acquainted with the Circumstances. ADS , DLC:GW . For GW’s earlier decision that Benjamin Flower should be granted the rank and pay of a lieutenant colonel, see GW to Richard...
8To George Washington from William Buchanan, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 5th. It is much to be lamented that from many unfortunate concurring Circumstances, there is sufficient Ground for General Heath’s Remonstrance—I have not been inattentive to that Quarter, but I have not the appointment of Agents. The Assistant Commissaries are all appointed by the Depy Commissary General of Purchases for the District, and Congress, with whom...
9To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will inform you I left New Castle Yesterday Evening, at which place there lay about one hundred sail of Men of War & Transports, chiefly of the later, one large Ship of Force at the mouth of Christiana—Day before Yesterday thirty five sail of Transports hove in sight & soon after taking advantage of the Flood, moved up & joined the Fleet at Chester—The Inhabitants say they had no Troops...
10From George Washington to the Continental Navy Board, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 10th and am only sorry that I did not sooner know my request of sinking the Frigates had been complied with. The delay of the Resolve of Congress, from the time you first applied for their advice, was what led me into a mistake, and I am obliged to you for the genteel manner in which you excuse me. I am perfectly satisfied with the measures which you have taken to...
11To George Washington from Captain Fleury, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
in my quality of engineer in chief at fort mifflin i think that my duty obliges me to informe you of the present situation of the fort. the fire of the enemy has been successful enough to spoile our three Block houses, and dismount the canon of all, except two. the great lockes of which we had covered them are not strong enough to preserve the inside of the block houses, and we have none...
12To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been detained here these two days, by a fever and violent rheumatic pains throughout my body. This has prevented my being active in person for promoting the purposes of my errand, but I have taken every other method in my power, in which Governor Clinton has obligingly given me all the aid he could. In answer to my pressing application to General Poor for the immediate marching of his...
13From George Washington to James Mease, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 4th inclosing Returns of the Cloathing that has been delivered, and which you are now sending on to Camp. If I understand you, it is all that you have on hand made or unmade. If this is so, our prospects are melancholy indeed, except considerable quantities are expected from abroad, or are on some other part of the Continent. Of this I shall be glad to be informed...
14To George Washington from Pierre Penet, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
permit me to address these few lines in Congratulation of your late success against the Troops of Great Brittain, as we have just had the agreeable news by post of the arrival of a Packet at St Malo’s in this Kingdom, whereby we learn you have drove them & prevented their schemes against the Southern Colonies—I have taken the Liberty of sending you a pair of Shoulder knots & a sword knot, also...
15To George Washington from Brigadier General James Potter, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Receved your Excelanceys favour of yesterday at 10 oClock last night. I was out Reconnitring, the Shiping are com up the number of soldiers I cant assurtain. as to the marching of the Militia the were all at Head Quarters before I Recd your Letter, as for my Harressing the Enemy the sitation of the pleace is such that I can do Little, and my numbers so Trifling, that I cant prevent there...
16To George Washington from Brigadier General James Potter, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am sorey to Inform your excelancey that Last night in the night the enemy got two Briggs and one Sloop up past the Island on the side next the Islands and this day they were unloading them at the Lowast ferrey in Schulkill, there has been a verey hevey fiering this day at the fourt from the Battreys on the Islands the fourt Seldom Returned the fier the Galleys went lower down the River then...
17From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I last night received your Favor of the 10th Instant, and am sorry to find the Enemy’s Batteries had played with such Success against our Works. Nevertheless, I hope they will not oblige you to evacuate them. They are of the last importance, and I trust will be maintained till the latest extremity. I have written to Genl Varnum to afford you immediate succour by sending Fresh Troops to releive...
18To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday unfortunately recd a Contusion on my Hip & left Arm both which give me much pain. I imprudently went into my Barracks to answer a Letter from Gen. Varnum & A Ball came through the Chimney & Struck me on the Hip So forcibly that I remain’d senseless for Some time. however I am happy to find myself much less hurted than I at first imagin’d & Hope in 5 or 6 days to be again fit for...
19From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to find from yours of Yesterday, that the fire of the Enemy had made so great an impression upon the Works of Fort Mifflin, that you thought an evacuation would be necessary. As I have not yet heard that the measure was determined upon, I hope it is not carried into execution. If it is not, it is the unanimous opinion of a Council of General Officers now sitting, that the Fort be...
20To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Garrison holds out; tho’ the Enemy continue to batter with great Success upon the Works, but few Men are killed and wounded. The Troops are extremely fatigued. I shall send one Hundred fresh Troops this Night, &, all that I have tomorrow Night, if the Fort should remain defensible—The most fatigued will be taken from the Garrison. Colo. Smith will be unable to return to his Command for...
21From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote to you at One O’Clock this day yours dated twelve last Night came to hand. This has occasioned an alteration in the sentiments of myself and the Council, who find it impossible, from your representation, to give timely releif to the Fort. We therefore are now of opinion that the Cannon and Stores ought immediately to be removed, and every thing put into a disposition to remove...
22To George Washington from Herman Zedwitz, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Should not presume to trouble your Exellencey with the inclosed letter to his Excellencey general howe, was it not to prevent mischiefs with three men Send after me from philadelphia by the honorable the Congress to Cure my desease, have Resolved upon to Publish a Shouking Story; but to inform your Excellencey in particular how dangerous them Vilans maid be if not prevented as well to the...