11779 July 17th. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Three Days past We have sounded for the Grand bane but have not found it. By the Reckonings of all the officers, We ought to be now Ten Leagues upon the Banch. It is surprizing to me, that We have not seen more Fish. A few Whales, a few Porpoises and two Sharks are all We have seen. The two Sharks, We caught, with a Shark Hook and a Bit of Pork for a Bait. We cutt up the first, and threw over...
2From Alexander Hamilton to Major Henry Lee, or in his absence, Captain Allan McLane, [17 July 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
There is an incampment of the enemy or a demonstration of one which appears on the other side of the River considerably on this side of Tarry Town. You will be pleased in conse[que]nce to have patroles kept from this till morning seven or eight miles down along the shore & on the roads leading to this place on our right. This may be a critical night and demands the greatest vigilance. I am Sir...
3From Alexander Hamilton to Captain Allan McLane, [17 July 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
The General desires you will do every thing in your power without delay to collect all the teams and waggons about the Country in this neighbourhood—to remove the wounded cannon and stores. There is no time to be lost in doing it. I am Yr. Obed ser ALS , New-York Historical Society, New York City. These instructions were given as a result of the capture of Stony Point on July 16, 1779, by...
4George Washington to Brigadier General John Glover, 17 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Stony Point [ New York ] July 17, 1779 . Orders Glover to join Major General William Heath. Sends news of capture of Stony Point. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
5To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Alexis Cadet de Vaux, 17 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Dans le compte que J’ai rendu (Journal de Paris) de l’acte soutenu au college Mazarin, J’ai cru devoir parler de ce qui vous est relatif, après avoir pris l’attache de M. Barbeu du Bourg. Je me suis appercu de l’Insuffisance des Expressions pour rendre les sentiments de respect et d’admiration que votre présence inspire, sentiments que personne n’éprouve...
6General Orders, 17 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
A Major, two Captains, four Subalterns six serjeants and one hundred rank and file from General Woodford’s Brigade to march immediately with their Packs, Arms & Provision to relieve the detachment with the british Prisoners whom they are to escort to such place as ordered by the Commissary of Prisoners—The Major will receive directions from the commanding officer of the party he relieves—A few...
7To George Washington from Ezekiel Cheever, 17 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
His Excelly Govr Trumbull having been pleased to apply to me as Commissary of ordnance Stores by Letter the 10th Inst. advising the dangerous State of Connecticut & thair absolute need of Some Field pieces with thair apparators, and that he had well founded reasons to Believe that it was the determined Resolution of the Enemy to penetrate into the Country & extend thair Ravages as far as...
8From George Washington to Brigadier General John Glover, 17 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favour of the 15th. In my letter of yesterday to General Heath I directed him to send you orders, immediately to join him with your brigade, which I presume you have received. He will probably have informed you that General Wayne had surprised & taken the post where we now are with the Garrison cannon and stores, with but inconsiderable loss on our side. I am Sir Yr most...
9From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 17 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with Your Two Letters of the 15th. I wrote you Yesterday upon the subject of your conduct and now inclose you a Copy, Lest my Letter should have miscarried. I have written to General Glover and commit the Letter to your care, which you will forward to him, if you have not already given him orders to join you with his Brigade, in consequence of my Letter of Yesterday....
10To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 17 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am Just honored with your two favors of yesterday which came to hand within an hour of each other as Soon as the advance Pickets can be Called in the Division will begin their March for Pecks kill. I most heartily Congratulate your Excellency on the Success of the American arms in the reduction of Stony Point—with so little loss, hope this is an Omen of future Success, I have Sent Expresses...
11From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 17 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
It is thought from a view of the fortifications on Verblanks point that there is a ⟨g⟩ood prospect of possessing our selves of the Garrison. You will therefore march down your troops and open a battery against their Block House as soon as possible. After beating the block House about their Ears if you can find any apprehensions in the Garrison for their safety, You will make a disposition of...
12To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 17 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I joined the Division at the Continental Village the last Evening, and arrived at this Post at five this Morning. I now only halt for the Return of a Reconnoitring party, sent out last Night, and shall immediately proceed to execute your Excellency’s Orders. The Field pieces you suppose to have been taken on with the Brigades are not with them. General Nixon informs me there are not any...
13To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 17 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am now very near Verplank’s point, which I have been reconnoitring, and shall still more fully inspect. What I discern of the Works appears to be properly constructed, & seems capable of considerable Defence, if the Numbers and Spirit of the Garrison are adequate to the Task. The Troops, except such as I have fixed at particular Passes, are with me: The heavy Cannon are by this time, I hope,...
14From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 17 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I just now received your Two favors of to day. I am sorry for the difficulties you seem to be under. I had no doubt but that the Cannon and Ammunition would proceed together—as One without the other could be of no service. I hope before this reaches you, you will have received both. I have sent you a number of intrenching Tools—and expected they had gone before from West point. There is not...
15To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 17 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I some time ago inclosed to you a printed Copy of an Order of Council, by which Governor Hamilton was to be confined in Irons and in close Jail. This has occasioned a letter from General Philips of which the inclosed is a Copy. The General seems to suppose that a prisoner on capitulation cannot be put into close confinement tho his Capitulation shall not have provided against it. My idea was...
16From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Alexander McDougall, 17 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Maj. Gen. Alexander McDougall, 17 July 1779. McDougall wrote GW on this date: “Your Excellencys Favor of this Day is this Moment received.”
17To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 17 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Favor of this Day is this Moment received. Colonel Hamiltons of equal date, reached Me at 3 P.M. Only Eight of the Boats written for, can be procured and are now ready. It is imposible at this post, to furnish the Horse Harness desired; for few of the Artillery brought here are accompanied with Horse Harness. I have however directed the Quarter-Master to write immediately to...
18To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 17 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of giving you a full & particular relation of the reduction of this post by the light Infantry under my command. On the 15th instant at twelve o Clock we took up our line of march from Sandy beach, distant 14 miles from this place; The roads being exceedingly bad and narrow, and having to pass over high mountains, through deep morasses, and difficult defiles, we were obliged...
19To George Washington from Major General Oliver Wolcott, Sr., 17 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with the orders of Governor Trumbull particularly to attend to the defence of the Sea Coasts in the western parts of this State; In consequence of which I had with about Seven Hundred of the Militia, arrived at Norwalk about Twenty four hours before the destruction of that Town, upon the moving of the Enemys Fleet westward I have come on to this place, with about the same number...
20To John Jay from Anne Conyngham, 17 July 1779 (Jay Papers)
I beg leave to trouble your Excellency and the Honorable Congress, with the perusal of the inclosed letter from my Husband, Cap t . Gustavus Conyngham, late Commador of the Cutter Revenge, now a Prisoner and in Irons on board a British Packet, bound to England. As these Extraordinary and in the present Stage of the War between Britain and America, Singular Cruelties exercised upon the Person...
21From James Madison to William Bradford, 17 July 1779 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving yours of the 29th.[?] Ulto. by yesterday’s post, and agreeable to your request take this immediate opportunity of acknowledging it. The Inhabitants of this City roused by the extortions of the times and the example of your State are instituting regulations similar to those you mention. Whether they will have the necessary prudenc[e,] firmness & perseverence, or...
22To Thomas Jefferson from the Board of Trade, 17 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Messrs. McCallum Osborne & Co. have made an offer of a new Brig just Launched of the undermentioned Dementions, her Sails Rigging &c. fitted and may be ready in three weeks the price £30,000. We employed Capt. Maxwell, in whose Judgment we think we can confide, to go up and examine her; he Reports that it is his opinion she is a good Vessel and will sail fast. We are of opinion the said Vessel...
23To Thomas Jefferson from the Board of Trade, 17 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Williamsburg ] 17 July 1779 . The owners of the cargo of the Dolphin propose to let the Board of Trade have such part of it as they wish, at the rate of fifty for one upon the sterling cost, payable in tobacco at £15 per hundred. It is recommended that such articles as are absolutely and immediately necessary be purchased, because the goods are better than any which may be offered for some...
24Return of Arms, Stores, &c., Belonging to the State of Virginia, [17 July 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
[Text reproduced in illustration section following p. 254.] Tabular MS ( DLC ); entirely in TJ’s hand. See TJ’s authorization to De Klauman, 12 June 1779 .
25From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Henry Lee, 17 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
This being post morning and many letters to write I must beg leave to refer you for some articles to my letter to the feild officers of Northumberland &c.. In order to render our miserable navy of some service orders were some time ago issued for two gallies on the seaboard of the Eastern shore to join the others; another galley heretofore stationed in Carolina (if not purchased by that...
26From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 17 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I some time ago inclosed to you a printed copy of an Order of Council, by which Governor Hamilton was to be confined in Irons in close Jail. This has occasioned a letter from General Philips of which the inclosed is a Copy. The General seems to suppose that a prisoner on capitulation cannot be put into close confinement tho his capitulation shall not have provided against it. My idea was that...