15061To George Washington from Lund Washington, 3 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Two Letters from you came to hand this Week dated Nvmr the 6th & 12th. I also recieved the one by Mr Gilpin which I men⟨ti⟩on’d in my last —I am glad to hear Mr Harrison is with you—I shall alter the Servts Hall—If it is not Intended for a Wash House one of the Chimneys is rather larger than it shoud be, it was done by Mrs Washingtons Derection, but as they have the same outward appearance I...
15062General Orders, 4 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Lieut. Col. Enos, tried at a late General Court Martial whereof Brigadier Genl Sullivan was president, for “leaving his Commanding Officer without permission, or orders, and returning to Cambridge”—The Court after mature Consideration of the Evidence, are unanimously of Opinion, that the prisoner was by absolute necessity obliged to return with his division, and do therefore acquit him with...
15063To George Washington from Nicholas Cooke, 4 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Three Men having deserted from One of the armed Schooners in the Harbor of Newport on Wednesday Evening last, the Captain with a Midshipman, came ashore after them, and were both taken Prisoners. They were brought here Yesterday. The Captain whose Name is Stanhope was a Lieutenant on board the Glasgow. It was reported that he was a Son of Earl Stanhope. Upon Examination he denied it, but...
15064From George Washington to John Hancock, 4 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writeing to you the 30th Ulto incloseing Inventory of the Military Stores, taken on board the Brig Nancy, by Capt. Manly of the Armed Schooner Lee—I have now to inform you that he has Since sent into Beverly, a Ship named the Concord, James Lowrie Master, from Grenock in Scotland bound to Boston. She has on board dry goods & Coals to the value of £3606.9.7 Stg Shipd by...
15065From George Washington to Colonel Alexander McDougall, 4 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Henry Knox Esqr. having informed me by a Letter from New York of the 27 Ultimo that upon his application you had been kind enough to promise your good offices in Congress, to have Twelve good Iron four pounders, with a Quantity of Shells & Shot directly sent to this Camp and also to spare Two Brass Six pounders; I have now the pleasure to acquaint you, that we are fully supplied with Shells &...
15066From George Washington to William Ramsay, 4–11 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to find by your favour of the 14th Ulto that there is so little prospect of stopping the Navigation of the Potomack, by sinking of Vessels or Cheveaux de Frieze—the Channel being not only deep but wide in those places which you judged most likely to admit of these obstructions —What ever plan you adopt, if executed at the expence of Individuals, should be as extensive as possible in...
15067From George Washington to Brigadier General John Thomas, 4 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
I recollect that when you were here last, you spoke to me in behalf of some Captn who was desirous of raising a Company, and taking the chance of a Vacancy. The answer I then gave I am not positive, but think I rather declind accepting the offer—upon reflecting more maturely on the matter I am clearly against it—because I am satisfied that if one person is indulged in an application of this...
15068From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 4 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Officers for the Regiment of Artillery still remaining unfixed, and of consequence the Inlisting men for it greatly impeded, I should be glad as I am a perfect stranger to that Corps if you, with Genls Thomas and Spencer would assist me in Scrutinizing a list given In by Colos. Burbeck and Mason at my desire. For this purpose you will please to be here to morrow at 11 Oclock. I am with...
15069General Orders, 5 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
15070Circular to the New England Governments, 5 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have of late, met with abundant reason to be convinced of the impracticability of Recruiting this Army to the new establishment in any reasonable time, by voluntary Inlistments—The causes of such exceeding great lukewarmness, I shall not undertake to point out; sufficient it is to know, that the fact is so—many reasons are assigned, one only I shall mention, and that is, that the present...
15071From George Washington to Colonel Benedict Arnold, 5 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 8 Ultimo with a Postscript of the 14 from Point Levi, I have had the pleasure to receive —It is not in the power of any man to command success, but you have done more—you have deserved it, & before this I hope, have met with the Laurels which are due to your Toils, in the possession of Quebec—My thanks are due, & sincerely offered to you, for your Enterprizing & persevering...
15072To George Washington from Colonel Benedict Arnold, 5 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
My last of the 20th ultimo from Point aux Trembles, advising of my retiring from before Quebec, make no Doubt your Excellency has received. I continued at Point aux Trembles until the 3rd Instant, when to my great Joy General Montgomery joined us with Artillery and about 300 Men. Yesterday we arrived here, and are making all possible Preparation to attack the City, which has a wretched motley...
15073To George Washington from Colonel Henry Knox, 5 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
I arriv’d here Yesterday & made preparation to go over the lake this morning but General Schuyler reaching here before day prevents my going over for an hour or two. He has given me a list of Stores on the other side from which I am enabled to send an Inventory of those which I intend to forward to Camp —The Garriso⟨n⟩ at Ticonderoga is so weak, The conveyance from the fort to the landing is...
15074Enclosure: List of Cannon and Ordnance Stores at Ticonderoga, 5 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
A List of Stores to be convey’d to Camp At Cambridge from Ticonderoga 12 18 pounders—Iron 1 do—brass 2 13 Inch Iron Mortars 1 7 do 1 6½ do 2 do 2 Howitz. 1 8¼ Inch } Iron
15075To George Washington from Captain William Palfrey, 5 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
I wrote Mr Moylan Yesterday to acquaint your Excellency (through him) of the progress we had made in forwarding the Ordnance Stores &c. I have since got all the Baggage Waggons & Gun Carriages put together & should have sent them off this Morning, but unfortunately could not procure Harness for the Horses, & the Harness that came with them is not arriv’d from Cape Ann. I have desir’d Capt....
15076From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 5 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your much esteemed Favour of the 22d Ultimo covering Colonel Arnold’s Letter, with a Copy of one to General Montgomery, and of his to you I received Yesterday Morning. It gave me the highest Satisfaction to hear of Colonel Arnold’s being at point Levi, with his Men in great Spirits after their long and fatiguing March, attended with almost insuperable Difficulties, and the discouraging...
15077To George Washington from Colonel James Mitchell Varnum, 5 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Prospect Hill , 5 December 1775 . Informs GW that Private Ralph Morgan of his regiment “hath a Wife and two Children destitute of an House to cover them, & his Household Furniture in the Streets.” Morgan wants an eight-day furlough, “But, as that Regard which the Colo. is happy in paying to General Orders will not admit of a regimental Relief (Morgan declining the Service), begs his...
15078General Orders, 6 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
15079From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 6 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your favours of the 25 & 30 Ultimo I received, and am to inform you that from the good Character you gave of Mr Aborn, I ordered the Agent in whose care his Vessell was, to deliver her up to him; There were other circumstances too, that were favourable to Mr Aborn & Induced a beleif that he was not Inimical to our cause. I am much Obliged by your kind attention to my two Letters of the 15 & 18...
15080To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 6 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed letter from Colo. Pendleton came to hand two days ago, and as it will save a good deal of unnecessary writing, I send it to you. The proclamation there alluded to, we have seen. It proclaims martial law thro Virginia and offers freedom to all the Slaves, calling their Masters rebels &c.—It seems this unlucky triumph over Hutchings with his less than half armed Militia, so...
15081To George Washington from James Lovell, 6 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
I address your Excellency upon a Matter greatly important in its Consequences to more than myself. And, though I am personally unknown to you, I shall proceed without any other Ceremony than just to beg you would not attribute my Abruptness to the Consideration of the Chanel by which my Letter will be conveyed, but to my Embarrassment in an Aim to express by Words, my real Veneration of your...
15082From George Washington to James Otis, Sr., 6 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Copies of the Inclosed Letter I have already written to the Governors of Rhode Island & Connecticut, & shall do the same to the President of the Congress in New Hampshire; as I conceive our affairs are in a very critical Situation. It was mentioned to me yesterday, in conversation, that the Militia of this Government ordered in, to supply the places of the Connecticut Troops, are allowed 40/...
15083General Orders, 7 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Connecticut Regiments are to be under arms, upon their regimental parades; on saturday at eleven in the forenoon, in order to be reviewed—They are to have their arms in good order; the Rolls to be called over, and no man to be absent, every one that is able must appear; for this purpose they are to be exempt from all other duty upon that day. The Qr M. General is strictly enjoined to pay...
15084To George Washington from Phillips Callbeck and Thomas Wright, 7 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Case of Phillip Callbeck late commander in Chief of the Island St John and Thomas Wright one of the Council, Justice of the peace, and Surveyor General of the said Island—Addressed to His Excellency General Washington. That on Friday the 17th of November two armed Schooners or Privateers arrived at Charlotte Town the Capital of the said Island, immediately after Captain Broughton and...
15085From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 7 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 4 Instant, I this moment Received, advising of the taking of a Captain & midshipman of One of the Kings Armed Schooners—You will be pleased to take their parole, not to leave North Hampton untill they are properly discharged, they will, be sent there, where there are several other officers, prisoners. As soon as the deficiency can be ascertained, I will Inform you, at...
15086From George Washington to John Hancock, 7 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you the 4th instant by express to which I beg you will be reffered—my fears that Broughton & Sillman woud not effect any good purpose were too well founded, they are returned, & brought with them three of the principal inhabitants from the Island of St Johns. Mr Collbuck is president of the Council, acted as Governor[.] they brought the Governors Commission, the Province Seal &a &a. as...
15087To George Washington from the Massachusetts General Court, 7 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
We inclose to your Excellency an attested Copy of the Resolve, passed by the General Court, on the first instant, upon the Subject matter of which Resolve, a Committee of both houses had yesterday the honor of a Conference with your Excellency. We are clearly of opinion, that the words of the Resolve will not admit of such a construction as was suggested to your Excelly by Genl Heath, but that...
15088From George Washington to the Portsmouth Committee of Safety, 7 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Richard Emms, a prisoner at Portsmouth, having expressed a Strong desire to go to his Family & Friends in the West Indies in a Schooner which is about to go there, you will be pleased to grant him a permit for that purpose, Unless there be any Objections against It, which I am not apprized of. I am Gentlemen Your Hble servt LS , in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, NjMoHP ; LB , DLC:GW ;...
15089To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 7 December 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 7 Dec. 1775. On 25 Dec. GW wrote to Reed : “your favours of the 7th, & 11th as also the 8th are come to hand.”
15090To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 7 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter of the 2nd instant ⅌ Capt. Clark came to hand the 4th. The late extraordinary and reprehensible conduct of some of the Troops of this Colony impresseth me, and the minds of many of our People, with grief, surprise and indignation—since the treatment they met, and the Order and request made to them was so reasonable, and apparently necessary for the defence of our...
15091General Orders, 8 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
15092To George Washington from John Hancock, 8 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered to you by Mr Jonathan Smith a gentlemen of this city who with two others is charged with 500.000 dollars for the use of the army under your command. I have the honor to be Sir Your obedient humble Servt I shall Dispatch an Express this Day to you by order of Congress in Consequence of your Letter of 28th ulto. LS , DLC:GW . The body of the letter is in Charles Thomson’s...
15093To George Washington from John Hancock, 8 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 28 of November by Captn Blewer being received was immediately laid before Congress. By my letter of the 2d instant, which I hope you will in due time receive, you will perceive the Congress have in a great measure prevented your wishes, having written to New york and given orders to General Schuyler to supply you with and forward with all possible expedition what cannon can...
15094To George Washington from Thomas Lynch, 8 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour by Captn Blewer gives me infinite Concern not less on yours than on the Account of the Continent. Providence favours us every where, our success in every operation excedes our most sanguine expectations and yet when God is ready to deliver our oppressors into our hands, that Men cannot be found willing to receive them, is truly surprising. With grief & shame it must be confessed...
15095To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 8 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
’Tis with real pain I ask your Excellency’s attention (engaged as it is in affairs of such vast importance) to the subject of this letter: but justice, & compassion to the distressed (not to say the injured) compel me to do it. The bearer Capt. McGlathry about a month since was coming from the eastward with a load of wood, bound to Salem, but was taken by a man of war, & afterwards retaken by...
15096To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 8 December 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 8 Dec. 1775. On 25 Dec. GW wrote to Reed : “your favours of the 7th, & 11th as also the 8th are come to hand.”
15097To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 8 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to advise your Excellency of my arrival here on the 7th Inst: should have wrote you yesterday but I was all day in conference with Sixty of the principal Sachems of the Six Nations. the matter was merely congratulatory and introductory to the business which they intend to open on monday, the substance of which I have not yet been able to learn. Inclose you copys of...
15098From George Washington to Brigadier General John Sullivan, 8 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Intention of yesterday’s order, respecting the Review of the Connecticut Troops, is only to afford a good oppertunity of making choice of such of their Arms as shall be found fit for the use of the New Army. I am not without my fear that if they are appriz’d of the Intention, some of the best Arms will be Secreted; for this reason I desire you will say nothing of the matter till the...
15099To George Washington from Brigadier General John Thomas, 8 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Chapin is one that was Arrang’d as a Captain in Colo. Wards Regt But does not fin’d himself Successful in Recruiting, & for Some other Reason brought me his Resignation, which I herewith inclose, Capt. Hazleton who Served as a Capt. in the Same Regt with Said Chapin the Last Summer Return’d to Stay & was Arrang’d with Colo. Jonathan Brewer, But by Some Means after the Arrangment was...
15100General Orders, 9 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
serjt Lane of Col. Whitcomb’s Regiment, with nineteen men of different Regiments, whose Names, Corps and Companies are delivered to Brigade Major Carey, are immediately to be draughted, and sent to the Quarter Master General to receive his orders. The Court Martial whereof Col. Woodbridge was president is dissolved. Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
15101To George Washington from William Bartlett, 9 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have the Pleasure to acquaint your Excellency that Capt. Manly has brought in here a Ship from London and a Brig from St Eustatia I Enclose your Excellency the Papers which I forward by Mr Cabot Shall Secure them Untill fu[r]ther O[r]ders from your Excellency The Brig is Safe arrived from Cape Ann. I am with Respect your Excellencys most Obedt Hume Servt N.B. The Capt. of Ship has hove...
15102To George Washington from Ezekiel Cheever, 9 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Received of His Excellency General Washington, Ten Firelocks with Steel Rammers—Nine Pouches—three Cartouch Boxes—Seven bullet bags—Nine bayonetts with 8 belts & Scabbards; for all which I promise to be Accountable. DS , DLC:GW .
15103To George Washington from Colonel William Prescott, 9 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Sewall’s Point [Mass.] 9 December 1775. . Consents to the discharge of Lt. James Russell who “Represents to me that the affairs of his Family are Such that Require his attention at home.” LS , DLC:GW . James Russell (d. 1801), lieutenant of Capt. Hugh Maxwell’s company in Prescott’s Massachusetts regiment, was discharged on this date.
15104To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 9 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Since I did Myself the Honor to address Your Excellency on the 8th instant, my Baggage is arrived, & now inclose the Return of Cannon at Crown Point Tionderoga &ca —besides these there are a few at Fort George, the Return whereof I gave Colo: Knox to Copy & he forgot to redeliver It to me. As soon as I am a little setled, I shall take the Liberty to send You Copies of my Letters to Congress,...
15105To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 9 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
last Evening I received your Excellency’s favour of the 5th in your hurry not signed, the number of men inlisted left blank. While this Express waits for a horse, I have only time to mention, That I shall (Deo volente) set out on my Journey to meet the Assembly at New Haven the 12th please to favour me with a List of the Officers of our several Regiments, and of the Companies in each as they...
15106General Orders, 10 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
The General has great pleasure in thanking Colonel Bridge and the Officers of the 27th Regt (who from a peculiarity of circumstances, or want of vacancies, have no appointment in the new-established Army) for their polite address to him; he considers the assurances which they have given, of their determination to continue in service (if required) until the new Regiments are compleated, in a...
15107From George Washington to James Otis, Sr., 10 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
I this moment received from Mr Thomas Crafts the Letter you have Inclosed, from which It will appear, that some of the people who came out of Boston were Infected with the small pox—As this disorder should It spread may prove very disastrous & fatal to our army & the Country around it, I should hope that you will have such necessary steps taken as will prevent the infection’s being further...
15108To George Washington from Lund Washington, 10 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
I recieved no letter last post from you I suppose you did not write. Jennifer Adams has made Deeds for his Land to you—Dr Craik was here on thursday last he says he thinks unless the Land is Rented to Adams, it will not be rented at all, unless it is Rented for little or nothing, as yet I cannot tell what I shall do with it, if I find it cannot be rented to Advantage, perhaps I may let Adams...
15109General Orders, 11 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Majors of Brigade, to be more exact, in obliging the Adjutants to deliver to them every saturday, at Orderly time, an exact return signed by the Commanding Officers of the new establish’d Regiments, of the Number of men, weekly inlisted in each of those Regiments; The Majors of Brigade will for the future, be answerable for any neglect in executing this order. To reward and encourage...
15110From George Washington to William Bartlett, 11 December 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to William Bartlett, 11 Dec. 1775. On this date Bartlett wrote to GW : “I acknolidge the Favour of yours of this date.”