I have been amused sometime with dark and unintelligible hints in Letters from London of some Messenger sent from Lord North to Madrid. Three weeks ago, I waited on the Comte de Vergennes at Versailles to acquaint him that I had an intention of making a Journey to Amsterdam for a few weeks, as I flattered myself I might form some Acquaintances or Correspondences there and collect some...
2From Alexander Hamilton to Baron von Steuben, [23 July 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received My Dear Baron your two letters of the 16th. and 18th. On the formation the light infantry, The General has already written to you. I presume it will be ultimately nearly as you have proposed. Smith set out some days since to join you. Bradford, I am told is undecided about entering into the office. Col Scammell has promised to bring him to me, and if he accepts we will forward...
3General Orders, 23 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
[Officers] Of the Day Tomorrow[:] Colonel Shreve[,] Brigade Major Ogden Two Battalions for manœuvring tomorrow from Maxwell’s and Stark’s brigades: General Hand to Command. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Dr. James Thacher wrote in his journal entry for this date: “Sunday I attended a sermon preached by Mr. [Samuel] Blair, chaplain of the artillery. The troops were paraded in the open field, the...
4To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 23 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
While the Express was preparing to set off with mine Dated at 12 oClock, the inclosd Packet from major ⟨Ta⟩lmage arriv’d, which he sent by a Horseman and urges me to hasten to your Excellency in such a manner, that I conclude it to be important. I forgot to ⟨Write⟩ in my other letter that I had been inform’d that the Enemy had prevail’d upon many of the Inhabitiants of New york to go on Board...
5To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 23 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am exceedingly anxious to hear from your Excellency about the militia at Clavarac that I mention’d in my letter a day or two Since as I hear they are arriving there very fast. Colo. Hay tells me six thousand will take that Rout my accounts of cattle are not very Encouraging I must give the Purchasers a spur, and again Apply to the state of Connecticut. this casual Express gives me a moment...
6To George Washington from Colonel Francis Johnston, 23 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to inform Your Excellency, that my officers have not yet return’d from the respective Counties, I therefore cannot write with certainty, the number of Recruits wh. Your Excelly may expect to be rais’d in this way—The inclosed Letter from Governor Reed to me will however, in a great degree convince you, that our Line cannot be compleated in the present mode. To recruit men for the...
7To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 23 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had this Morning the honor to wait on his excellency the Governor, and took the liberty, thò in A private Capacity, to inform him of our Circumstances—the Result of our Conversation I will thearin transmit to You and to be More Certain of Conveying the Governor’s ideas, I am writing at his own house and will show him My letter Before I fold it up. to Begin By the Article of powder which is...
8To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 23 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I took the liberty to write to Your Excellency on the 20th Inst. stating certain circumstances respecting my self and requesting my resignation through you from Congress, but upon the most mature consideration, I am persuaded the measure was premature as by it I eventually subscribe to the Justice of the allegations of my accusers—I therefore entreat that if Your Excellency has not forwarded...
9To Thomas Jefferson from the Committee of Congress at Headquarters, 23 July 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
We were honored with Your Excellency’s favor of the 2d Instant on the 21st. The cantonments of the Army In this quarter added to the Extreme badness of the Crops last season has so totally exhausted the Country of grain for forrage that the army is in great distress on this Account. The transportation of the necessary stores delayed, and every Embarrasment Increased. We have therefore to...