1From John Adams to the President of Congress, 17 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 17 October 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC, Misc. Papers , Reel No. 1, f. 423–426). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:782–783. Included in this letter, a duplicate, was an English translation of a placard issued at Utrecht on 3 Oct. against Aan...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Dorcas Montgomery, 17 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mrs. Montgomerys Respectful Compliments wait on Doctr. Franklin. and takes the liberty of Introducing Her Son. As fatigue & a Slight Indisposition prevents Her paying Her Compliments to the Doctr. at present, flatters Her self with having that Honor in a few Days, Her Compts. attend Mr. W— Franklin. Addressed: His Exellency / Benjn. Franklin Esqr / Passy...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Margaret Stewart, 17 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mrs Stewart’s Respectfull Compliments attend Dr Franklin she wrot to Calais the day after she had the honor of Seeing him; for a Copy of the Work, as Mr Wallop; Lord Portsmouths Brother had one that was not paid for; but she hears, he has left Calais; therefore has wrot to England for one, which was bound for a Younge gentleman, that is dead; the berrer of...
4[Diary entry: 17 October 1781] (Washington Papers)
17th. The French opened another Battery of four 24s. & two 16s. and a Morter Battery of 10 Morters and two Hawitzers. The American grand Battery consisting of 12 twenty fours and Eighteen prs.—4 Morters and two Hawitzers. About ten Oclock the Enemy beat a parley and Lord Cornwallis proposed a cessation of Hostilities for 24 hours, that Commissioners might meet at the house of a Mr. Moore (in...
5General Orders, 17 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
For the Trenches tomorrow Major General Lincoln Brigadier General Clinton Major General Lincoln’s division will mount in the trenches tomorrow. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
6From George Washington to John Blair, 17 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 15th has been received. You may be assured Sir that nothing but absolute Necessity could induce me to occupy the College with its adjoing Buildings for Military Purposes—I am very sorry to say that the Number of our Sick & Wounded are increasing so fast that Room cannot be found for their Cover & Convenience—In these Circumstances I am persuaded that Mr Bellini will be ready...
7To George Washington from Samuel Bradford, 17 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
Genl Weedon being unwell, had retired at Sunsett about 3 Miles from Camp, till Morning. I therefore took the liberty of opening Col. Trumbull’s Letter of this date. The Intelligence of today from Deserters are that the Enemy crossed over (by the accts he collected in Town) near 1000 Men last Night & had deliver’d out Cloathing to their Troops, but made no mention of Lord Cornwallis being over...
8To George Washington from Charles Cornwallis, 17 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I propose a Cessation of Hostilities for Twenty four hours, And that two Officers may be appointed by each side to Meet at Mr Moore’s house to settle terms for the surrender of the posts of York & Gloucester. I have the honour to be Sir Your most obedient & most humble Servant NNPM .
9From George Washington to Charles Cornwallis, 17 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have had the Honor of receiving Your Lordships Letter of this Date. An ardent Desire to spare the further Effusion of Blood, will readily incline me to listen to such Terms for the Surrender of your Post & Garrisons at York & Gloucester, as are admissible. I wish, previous to the Meeting of Commissioners, that Your Lordships Proposals in Writing, may be sent to the American Lines: for which...
10To George Washington from Charles Cornwallis, 17 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment been honoured with your Excellency’s letter dated this day. The time limited for sending my answer will not admit of entering into the detail of Articles, but the basis of my proposals will be that the Garrisons of York and Gloucester shall be prisoner’s of War with the Customary honours, And for the convenience of the individuals which I have the honour to Command, that the...