101To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 19 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
The last evening I received the Honor of yours of the 8th Instant. In my last I wrote your Excellency that Cloathing was now preparing with the utmost dispatch for the Troops of this State, and that I was in hopes there would be no more complaints on that Head. Your Excellency in your last, on mentioning that the Troops have been illy supplied is pleased to observe that “This however has not...
102To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 30 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have not been honored with a Line from you since the 8th Inst. I have seen a copy of your Excellency’s Letter to Major General Putnam in which the then debilitated State of the Army in the Jerseys in mentioned which is truly surprising, as we have been constantly told that the Army under your immediate Command consisted of 15. or 16000. Men, and that you were vastly superior to the Enemy in...
103To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 7 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received the honor of yours of the 23d Ulto and most heartily congratulate your Excellency on the fair prospect of your soon driving the Enemy from the Jersies, and hope your next will communicate such Intelligence, I think General Howes late advancing his Army in order to facilitate & secure the safe removal of his Baggage and Stores from Brunswick may be considered as one of his best...
104To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 10 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have recd the Honor of yours of the 27th Ulto. I now do myself the Honor to inclose your Excellency the best State of the Regiments which have been raising in Massachusetts Bay that I can obtain: it is not accurate, both the number Inlisted and those that have marched are something more than is exhibited in the Returns, in particular in Colonel Brewers & Voses Regiments, parts of both those...
105To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 13 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
On the 11th Instant we recd the disagreeable Intelligence that on the night of the Sixth our Army Evacuated the Works at Ticonderoga and Mount Independence, and had retreated by Castle-town and Skeensborough towards Bennington. What the reasons for this Retreat were, we cannot as yet Learn, and all at present seem asstonished at it, as the Militia from all Quarters were marching to their aid....
106To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 15 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be handed to your Excellency by Monr D’Avaux, late a Major in the French Cavalry, as he informs. He came to this place in the Freedom a Brig. of War, Capt. Clouston of this State, He has come to serve in our Army, and has desired a line from me to your Excellency. By Express yesterday from our Army at the Nor[t]hward, we are informed, that a considerable number of Officers and...
107To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 16 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday afternoon a Committee from the Board of War of this State presented me the inclosed Resolve of the General Assembly & Estimate of Stores and provisions necessary for the secret Expedition to St Johns River, an Expedition some time since recommended by the Honble Congress, of which I doubt not your Excellency has been fully acquainted. The Committee desired that I would furnish them...
108To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 23 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just received the honor of yours of the 13th Instant. I have made it an established Rule heretofore to furnish each man marching to join the Army with Ten rounds of Cartredge. In future I shall pay obedience to your Excellency’s orders as expressed in your last. The late evacuation of Ticonderoga has greatly agitated the Minds of the People, and we cannot as yet hear any satisfactory...
109To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 30 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just received the honor of yours of the 19th Instant, and shall pay strict attention to its Injunctions. I have this Day received a Letter from Major General Putnam of the 25th Inst. purporting that a Letter was lately intercepted going from General Howe to Genl Burgoyne intimating that he (How) shoud soon be at B—n to cooperate with Burgoyne; and that by another Express the General had...
110To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 1 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
We this moment have received the Intelligence contained in the inclosed —whether the Enemy will turn in here, or whether they are destined to Portsmouth, Falmouth (Casco Bay) or to Hallifax, or to the River St Lawrance, Time must discover. I have not time to add, but have The Honor to be Your Excellency’s Most Hble Servt LS , DLC:GW ; ADfS , MHi : Heath Papers; copy, DNA:PCC , item 169. The...
111To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 2 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
We have had no certain intelligence of the Fleet since I wrote your Excellency on Yesterday Many doubt whether any considerable number of large Ships were seen at all, and suppose it was only a number of Cruizers with their prizes. We have a number of Boats in the Bay, and persons by Land, upon the whole I beleive the Report has but little foundation, and was chiefly Imaginary, I thought it my...
112To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 4 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be Handed to you by the Count de Puluski General de Larme de la Republique de Poloigne, who has Come over to Serve in the great american Cause. Since my last we have Sent on near Three Hundred full Barrels of Powder, and a number of arms to Brookfield, A number of Shells 10 and 8 Inch with Some other Heavy articles are at Cambridge the Removal of which far by land will be very...
113To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 13 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received the honor of yours of the 27 Ulto. Extracts of the paragraph respecting the Expedition to the River St Johns I sent to the Assembly—finding your Excellency’s opinion, without [waiting] for further Directions from Congress they voted to lay the Expedition aside, and ordered the Troops to be disbanded. As the Resolve of Congress directed them to set the Expedition on foot and...
114To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 20 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have this day received ⅌ Mr Fessenden the honor of yours of the 5th 10th & 12th Instant, most heartily thank your Excellency for the Intelligence communicated therein, and shall strictly attend to the directions given. We have just received the inclosed Intelligence of the success of our Troops under General Starks near Bennington, upon which I beg leave to congratulate your Excellency. We...
115To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 30 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Council of this State have ordered the prisoners lately taken near Bennington to this place where they intend to confine them on board Guard Ships, which they are preparing for the purpose. I suppose they will arrive about the middle of next week. Inclosd is a Copy of a Vote of Council sent to me a few days since. I have given orders for the prisoners & Guards being supplied with...
116To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 10 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
A few days since the Board of War offered me about forty Swords, designed for the Enemy’s Light Horse, taken by one of the State Armed Vessels. Capt. Crafts, being here and informing me that some of the Regiments, in particular Colo. Blands, were not completely furnished with that necessary weapon, and these being excellent good ones, I have ventured to purchase them, and shall immediately...
117To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 24 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The last Evening I received the Honor of yours of the 14th Instant and this day that of the 6th—shall forward the Troops with all Possible dispatch, as the Regiments had no apprehensions of being Called Upon to march on so Short notice, They are not prepared for takeing the Field but the Utmost Vigilance shall be Exerted to prepare them, Their Strength is but Inconsiderable, Jacksons about 200...
118To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 9 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Lee’s Regiment marched on Fryday morning last at break of day to join your Excellency. Colo. Jackson on Tuesday, who is about 230 strong including Officers. I have obtained a Detachment from the Militia to guard the Stores and Magazines at this place Dorchester, Cambridge &c. A Vessel has lately arrived at Dartmouth with twenty Chests of Arms, Ten Bales of Tents, and a quantity of...
119To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 22 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am now to acknowledge the Honor of the receipt of yours of the 30th Ultimo and 8th Instant. We have this moment receivd the agreable news of General Burgoynes Surrendering himself and Army Prisoners on the 17th Instant to General Gates, on this Happy Event I beg leave most Heartily to Congratulate your Excellency, I find by the Articles of Capitulation that Burgoynes army is to be Sent to...
120To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 25 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
We find by the destination of the prisoners of General Burgoynes Army to this Neighbourhood, a wide and difficult Field opens to us. To provide Quarters, provisions, Fuel &c. for Five or Six Thousand Men will be no small Task. The Assembly suppose them to be under my direction and have advised that they be placed in the Barracks on prospect and Winter Hill, Cambridge & Sewells point, and...
121To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 23 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am now to acknowledge the honor of the receipt of yours of the 22d Ulto and 5th Instant. In consequence of the former I directed Major Barber to purchase up what Lead he could find in this Town or its Vicinity. He soon informed me that he had purchased Ten Tons, Six of which were forwarded, some days since, to Springfield. the remainder will follow immediately. Mr Jervis, Agent to the...
122To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 26 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
At the request of Lt General Burgoyne I do myself the honor to transmit to your Excellency a packet which I have this day received from him. The Subject of his Letter will not be new, as you saw the grounds of it in the Letter from General Howe brought by Lieut: Vallancy. Genl Burgoyne is anxious to know your Excellency’s pleasure as soon as possible with respect to the Army, or himself & Suit...
123To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 27 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
This moment my Express going off I recd the Honor of yours of the 13th Inst. to which I shall pay strict attention. I shall be hapy in every matter of great importance to have a signification of your Excellency’s pleasure, and shall be very cautious how I act without your advice or direction, am most fully sentiment with your Excellency respecting the Troops of the Convention as expressed in...
124To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 4 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment informed that a Ship is arrived at portsmouth with a valuable Cargo of Ordnance & ordnance Stores for the use of the United States. as soon as we are fully ascertained of it measures shall be taken to secure, and forward them to the Arsenals. A large Quantity of Lead is on the Road, which with upwards of one Hundred Thousand Musket Cartridges, will be forwarded from...
125To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 7 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to congratulate your Excellency on the safe arrival of the Ship Flamond at Portsmouth in 75 days passage from Marseilles having on board for the service of the United States, besides a General Officer, 48 peices of brass Cannon 4 pdrs with Carriages compleat. 19 nine Inch Morters, 2500 Bombs 9 Inch. 2000–4 pd Ball. a number of intrenching Tools, 3000 Fusees, 1110 of another Quality...
126To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 17 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
General Burgoyne recd the information of the Resolve of Congress of the 1st Decemr (restricting the embarkation of his Troops to the port stipulated by the Convention of Saratoga and no other) with no small disopointment. I had before given him my opinion that an alteration would never be allowed; but he flattered himself otherwise. He is now anxiously waiting an answer to his Letter some time...
127To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 25 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Not long since I received a Letter from Colo. Sam. B. Webb, informing me that the fortune of War had thrown him into the Hands of the Enemy, that he was admitted on parole, and was very desirous if possible to effect an Exchange for some British Officer in our hands. As Colo. Webb is an active and good Officer, I beg leave to recommend him to your Excellency’s particular attention, and as an...
128To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 6 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 17th and 20th Ultimo. It gave me pain to find myself censured by your Excellency for not attending to your orders in the inoculating the Recruits before they were sent on to join the Army. If I have misapprehended your Excellency’s orders, I hope you will excuse such my mistake: But after you had been pleased repeatedly by Letter to order me to hurry on...
129To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
From several peices of Intelligence which we have lately received, I think there are some grounds to apprehend that the Enemy are removing some of their Troops from philadelphia to New York, and from thence to Newport. Whether these movements are for the security of those places, or with further design is matter of conjecture. It has long been my Sentiment that the great Sea-port Towns are...
130To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will be handed to your Excellency by Mr Francis, a french Merchant belonging to the House from which we have received our ample Supply of Ordnance, Ordnance Stores, Fire Arms &c. He is come over to secure his Remittances, and will I am confident receive that respect from our Countrymen that his assistance afforded at a time of need justly merit. Part of the Cannon and Stores which arrived...
131To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 18 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Lieut. General Burgoyne has requested leave for his Assistant Commissary General, Mr Clarke, to proceed to Sr Wm Howe, to lay before him the Accounts of provisions &c. which have been supplied to the Troops of the Convention, those for the Months of November and December having been exhibited. I imagine this is in order to consult General Howe which will be most for their Interest, to refund...
132To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 19 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since writing on yesterday, Genl Burgoyne has sent his packet of Letters for examination. I observe he has enclosed several Copies of Letters which have passed between us. All these Copies, and others I have some time since transmitted to Congress. It would not do for me to object to General Burgoyne’s sending them to General Howe, for obvious reasons, and I am assured your Excellency’s...
133To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 25 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored by the receipt of yours of the 29th December & 9th Instant. Every assistance in my power shall be afforded to Major Blackden, and I am happy to find that he will obtain most of the Articles which are necessary without much difficulty or delay. General Steuben having grown impatient to proceed to the Army, had set out before the arrival of your Excellency’s Letter which...
134To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 7–10 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received the honor of yours of the 2d Instant pr Captain Hopkins of Colo. Moylans Light Dragoons. shall afford him every assistance in my power. Brigadier General Learned called upon me a day or two since and requested that I would transmit your Excellency the enclosed Certificates, and represent his present state of Health. In the Campaign of 1775 by a violent fall he received a breach...
135To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 20 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored by the receipt of yours of the 22d Ulto. Having received the Resolve of Congress for delaying the embarkation of General Burgoyne & his Army ’till the Convention is ratified by the Court of Great Britain. I am carefully observing the conduct of these Troops; have inculcated vigilence & alertness on the Guards & Sentinels, and have augmented their numbers; have been...
136To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 10 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is an application from Lieutenant Colonel Tudor of Colo. Henleys Regiment for leave to resign his appointment in that Regiment, finding but ill success in recruiting the Regiment. He has for some time discovered an inclination to resign; but having a few days since married a young Lady here, he now appears anxious to do it, and I imagine cannot be persuaded otherwise. I am...
137To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 22 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received the honor of yours of the 27th Ultimo per Capt. Gooch; shall communicate your advice to Brigr Genl Learned immediately. Colo. Lee has been anxiously waiting an answer to his request for leave to resign his Commission, and was much disappointed on finding that your Excellency had not mentioned it in your last, He has beg’d of me again to renew his request for leave to resign,...
138To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 24 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Express just going off I have only Time to do myself the honor to acquaint your Excellency that the Warren Frigate commanded by Captain Hopkins arrived here the last evening, having made a short Cruise after she sailed from Providence, in which she has taken two or three prises, one of which is from Liverpool and has a quantity of Canvas on board, an Article much wanted at this time. It is...
139To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 6 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the honor of the receipt of yours of the 5th & 12th Ulto. Genl Burgoyne was not gone when I was honored with your last enclosing one to him. He has expressed the greatest pleasure & satisfaction on receiving your letter. I do myself the honor to enclose one from him. Yesterday about 11 o’Clock he set out for Rhode Island, He expresses the strongest wishes for an...
140To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 10 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will be presented to your Excellency by Lt Colo. Nevers, of the Province of Nova Scotia, He with a number of other Inhabitants have been Driven from their Habitations by the Iron Rod of Tyranny He is now going to Congress to Implore their advice aid & assistance being Desireous to Wait on your Excellency before He proceeds to Congress and having requested a line from me I have taken the...
141To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 13 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with the receipt of yours of the 25th Ultimo. On Wednesday next the British Royal Artillery and advance Corps of the Troops of the Convention are to march for Rutland, where they are to be quartered —Temporary Barracks are to be immediately erected, and the other Corps are to follow. About Three Hundred Soldiers have been and now are undergoing the opperation of the Small...
142To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 21 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
Mr Deane Brother to the Hon. Silas Deane Esqr. being on his way to Congress Charged with Dispatches of the most Happy & Interesting nature to the United States of america and being anxious to proceed Immediately I have not Time to write Save to Congratulate your Excellency on the Court of France having acknowledged the Independence of these United States and having entered into Two Treaties...
143To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 26 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been Honored with yours of the 8th Instant. I do myself the Honor to enclose the resolves of the General assembly of this State for Drafting a number of men to Compleat their Battalions, and to Serve on Hudsons River which They appear to be Determined to accomplish without Delay. On the 13th Instant I Published an order in the publick Papers for all Soldiers in this Quarter belonging to...
144To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 27 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
27 April 1778. Recommends Col. Henry Jackson to GW’s notice as “an Honest man a worthy Citizen and Good Officer.” States that he has “taken the Liberty to enclose under Cover addressed to your Excellency” a letter to the president of Congress and asks that it be “forwarded by the first Conveyance.” ADf , MHi : Heath Papers. Heath’s letter to Henry Laurens of 27 April requested congressional...
145To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 4 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this day forward from this place to the Treasury at York Town 127,334 ⅓ Dollars in Specie under the care of John Adams Esqr. who will have the honor to deliver this. The Money is loaded on three Waggons, the Boxes marked, Musket Cartridges, and covered with upward of 5000 Canteens for the purpose of deception. The Escort is commanded by Captain Hutchins of the State of New Hampshire; his...
146To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 23 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored by the receipt of yours of the 29th Ulto & 5th Instant. I communicated to the Council of this State that part of your Excellency’s Letter of the 29th which respected the inlisting of prisoners or Deserters from the Enemy, and have added another admonition to the many I had before given the recruiting Officers on the same subject. Having done myself the honor to enclose...
147To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 25 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
A Colonel Armand is here with a number of recruiting Officers of his Corps. He has for some time been expecting orders from Congress to inlist such of the foreign Troops as appear disposed to enter our service, and is continually harrassing me to Cloath such as he has already inlisted—I wish to do every thing in my power to promote the public service, but at present am at a loss in this...
148To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 26 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will be handed to your Excellency by the Marquis Devienne lately from France. He has come to serve in our Army, and requested a line to you. We have a report this day that a number of the Enemy from Rhode Island, yesterday morning surprised a party of our men who were posted at Warren Neck and made prisoners of nearly the whole, burnt the meeting house & destroyed a large number of Boats...
149To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 6 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favor of the 20th Ultimo. Several Detachments are now on their march to join you. Mr Parker the pay Master of Colonel H. Jackson’s Regiment has in charge for you Seven & a half pounds of Sealing Wax—hope it will come safe to hand. We are pushing on the Stores of all kinds with the utmost expedition. Mr Agent Bradford has just informed me that he has received 28...
150To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 9 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment informed that a french Ship of Twenty Guns arrived at Portsmouth on fryday last with a valuable Cargo of Cloathing Arms, Horse furniture &c., for the use of the United States. She left France the 12th of April. War was not declared at that time, but the greatest preparations making for it, both in France & England. Major Courtis and Adjutant Dunckerley never received...