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.”
15111To George Washington from William Bartlett, 11 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
I acknolidge the Favour of yours of this date concerning the Ship Concords Cargo and Shall forward it to Head Quts. as fast as Possible but the Roads being Very bad the Teamers think the Price Stipulated by Our General Court is not Sufficient Desire Your Excellency would inform me weather you will allow them any more or not The Porter togeather with the Other Arcticles mentioned by your...
15112To George Washington from William Bartlett, 11 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
I beg Leave to inclose Your Excellency the Petition of the Committee of Corrispondence of this Town where they set fourth the Sutiation of it in a Very Clear Light & Pray Your Excellency would hear and Answer the same if you in your Grate Wisdom think it Necessary. Those Valuable Prizes brought in here are much Exposed as we have nothing to Defend them with—Our Herbour is as Safe as any can be...
15113To George Washington from the Beverly Committee of Correspondence, 11 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Petition of us the Subscribers Humbly Sheweth That as the Highand of Minesterael Creuelty hath brought us into a most unnatural War with our mother Country by which means the Town of Beverly is much Exposed to their most unnatural Savage Like Creuelty. the Town Lying more then four miles on the Sea coast and a grate part of that way Conveiniant for Landing, the Inhabitents of this Town...
15114To George Washington from Nicholas Cooke, 11 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to address this Letter to you by Mr Penet, and another French Gentleman who arrived here last Night in Capt. Rhodes from Cape Francois, who was dispatched some Time since from this Place for Powder. Mr Penet comes extremely well recommended to our Committee for providing Powder from a Merchant of Character at the Cape. He hath Proposals to make for supplying the United...
15115From George Washington to John Hancock, 11 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Captain Manly of the Lee Armed Schooner has taken & sent into Beverly, two prizes Since I Last wrote you (which was the 7th instant) one of them is the ship Jenny, Captain Forster who Left London late in October, he has, very unfortunatly, thrown all his paper over board; is not yet arrived at Camp, if he does, before I close this, I will Let you Know what information I get from him; his...
15116To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 11 December 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 11 Dec. 1775. On 25 Dec. GW wrote to Reed : “your favours of the 7th, & 11th as also the 8th are come to hand.”
15117To George Washington from William Sever, 11 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
At the request of the Board I am to acquaint your Excellency, that in consequence of a Letter, received the 4 Instt from your Excellency’s Aid de Camp, Robt H: Harrison, Esqr. giving Information of a number of Persons coming out of Boston, who were apprehended to be infected with the smallpox; The whole Court immediately took Order thereon, an attested Copy whereof is inclosed —This the Board...
15118From George Washington to the Simsbury Committee of Safety, 11 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
the prisoners which will be deliverd you with this haveing been tried by a Court Martial & deemd to be Such flagrant & Attrocious villains, that they Cannot by any Means be Set at Large or Confined in any place near this Camp were Sentenced to be Sent to Simsburty in Connecticut. you will therefore be pleas’d to have them Secured in your Jail or in such other manner as to you shall Seem...
15119From George Washington to John Tayloe, 11 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
In a Letter which I have receiv’d from Mr Lund Washington dated the 24th Ulto are these Words—“I got a Letter the other day from Mr Mercer wherein he says that Colo. Tayloe & himself thinks that the Money due upon Bond for the Sale of Colo. Mercers Estate, or at least all those Bonds that are due from Maryland, or near here, should be paid to me; those in Berkley, Frederick &c. to Mr Mercer;...
15120From George Washington to Lund Washington, 11 December 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Lund Washington, 11 Dec. 1775. On 30 Dec. Lund Washington wrote to GW : “Your Letter of the 11th Inst. I have recieved.”
15121General Orders, 12 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Honorable the Continental Congress having been pleased to appoint Henry Knox Esqr. Colonel of the Regiment of Artillery, upon the new-establishment; he is to be obeyed as such. The Colonels or commanding Officers of the five Connecticut Regiments, upon the new establishment; to deliver to the Adjutant General to morrow at Orderly time, an exact List of the Commissioned Officers of their...
15122To George Washington from Nathaniel Freeman, 12 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
—M ay it please your E xcellency : Colonel Otis , the younger, the author of the letter to your Excellency enclosed herewith, sent the same open to me, as we were together in ordering Mr. Lovell apprehended and sent a prisoner to your Excellency. Upon reading it, I thought it would not be improper to add, that the two Lovells mentioned in this delinquent’s letter, owned that they told Shubael...
15123To George Washington from John Morgan, 12 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
In pursuance of your Excellency’s command I have carefully inquired into the state of the genl Hospital, and of the sick in each House, and do find that the number set down in the last weekly return, made to me, from the Surgeons of the Hospital, amounts to 676, but they have sometimes amounted to near 15,00; of which the proportion at Roxbury, is about one third; and on an average, their...
15124To George Washington from Joseph Otis, 12 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
B arnstable [Mass.], December 12, 1775— M ay it please your E xcellency : The enclosed letter was sent me by the Governour of Rhode-Island , on the receipt of which, with the advice of the Field Officers of this regiment, I took up the writer, and, with the advice of Colonel Otis , have sent the man to your Excellency, by Lieutenant Lothrop . The two men mentioned in the letter, we talked...
15125From George Washington to Eleazar Wheelock, 12 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Cambridge 12 December 1775 . “Acknowledged receipt of two Letters. Thankd him for information respecting Major Rogers & inclosed a Letter for him, which was Saved with other papers thrown over board by Capt. Forster.” LB , in Stephen Moylan’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The abstract is taken from the memorandum in the letter book. No copy of the full letter has been found,...
15126General Orders, 13 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Major Generals are to order the Militia Companies to be joined to the different Brigades and Regimints, in their respective Divisions in such a manner, as to supply the dificiency of the Connecticut Troops, and to prevent disorder and confusion, in case we should be called to action; and make a report thereof as soon as it is done. As the Companies have an Inclination to join particular...
15127To George Washington from the Massachusetts Council, 13 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
[Watertown, Mass.] 13 December 1775 . Corrects several mistakes made in its letter to GW of 31 Oct. recommending officers in Col. Ephraim Doolittle’s regiment for commissions. LS signed by William Sever, DLC:GW ; LB (photocopy), DNA : RG 93, Photocopies of State Records.
15128General Orders, 14 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
15129To George Washington from William Bartlett, 14 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
I now forward to Your Excellency by the Bearer Three Cask of Porter purchased of Capt. Hunter one BLL of Lemons of what was Remaining Sound out of the Ship Concord one Box of Pickels one Keg of Sweetmeets one Box of wine Two Cases of wine one BLL of Tea & Loaf Sugar one BLL of Oranges being all the Sound ones on board the Brign. Hannah the Oranges being Directed to his Excellency Generall...
15130From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 14 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 11 Instant was handed me by the Two French Gentlemen, for which I am exceedingly Obliged to you—I have heard their proposals and plan for Supplying the Continent with Arms & Ammunition, which appear plausible and to promise Success; But not thinking myself authorized to enter into any contract respecting the same, and being not fully acquainted with the measures Congress...
15131From George Washington to John Hancock, 14 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
I received your favour of the 2d instant with the Severall resolves of Congress therein inclosed—The resolves relative to Captures made by Continental armed vessells only want a Court establishd for trial, to Make them Complete, this I hope will be Soon done, as I have taken the Liberty, to urge it often, to the Congress. I am Somwhat at a Loss to Know whether I am to raise the two Battalions...
15132From George Washington to John Hancock, 14 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Two french Gentlemen who will appear before you with this, brought recommendations to me from Governor Cooke of Providence, their names are, Messieurs Pennet & Depliurne. They propose a plan for supplying this Continent with Arms & Ammunition, which appears to me very eligible, as I am not acquainted with the extent of Schemes already formed by Congress for the attainment of these...
15133To George Washington from Robert Rogers, 14 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
I sail’d from Gravesend the 4th of June last in a Merchant ship bound to Baltimore in Maryland, which was at the time I came away the nighest passage I could get to Philadelphia, where I waited on the Gentlemen that compose the Continental Congress, in order to obtain ⟨their permit to set⟩tle my private Affairs, being much ⟨encumbered with de⟩bts, chiefly contracted in the province ⟨of...
15134From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 14 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
“I beg leave to recommend to your kind notice Monsieurs Pennet and De Pliarne two French Gentlemen who came here last night. . . . I pray the favor of you to supply them with such necessaries as they may want and have Carriages provided for expediting their journey as much as possible.” LB , Ct : Trumbull Papers; LB , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . This letter is very similar in wording...
15135General Orders, 15 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Quarter Masters of all the Regiments, are as soon as possible, to deliver to the Deputy Commissary General Mr Elisha Avery, all the Cyder Barrels, Butter Firkins & Candle-Boxes, in the possession of their respective Corps; as those Articles are very much wanted for the public service. Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
15136From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 15 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, I have had the pleasure of receiving your Favours of the 28th Ulto and 2d Instt. I must again express my gratitude for the attention shewn Mrs Washington at Philadelphia—It cannot but be pleasing, altho’ it did in some measure, impede the progress of her journey on the Road. I am much obliged to you for the hints containd in both of the above Letters respecting the jealousies...
15137To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 15 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Favor of the 28th November I received on the 11th instant, the Inventory of the Military Stores taken from the Enemy, gave great Joy in this Place. With mine of the 8th instant, Your Excellency will receive an Account of our Strength in Canada, It is daily decreasing, above an hundred have left It since General Montgomery’s Letter. I fear much that by the first of next Month,...
15138From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 15 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your favors of the 7th and 9th instant I received, and was much pleased to hear of the zeal of the people of Connecticut & the readiness of the inhabitants of the several Towns to march to this Camp, upon their being acquainted with the behaviour and desertion of their Troops. I have nothing to suggest for the consideration of your Assembly; I am convinced that they will not be wanting in...
15139General Orders, 16 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
15140To George Washington from Captain Richard Dodge, 16 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
I Have in Closed the Observation of the Day. Last Eve[n]ing Eight men Runaway in a bote from Boston to our guard at the farry—arly in the mor[n]ing finding thay had been with the guard Immedetly forwooded them to the Cammete on the Commete Reception thay Clensed them by Smooking them and Lett them pass —one of tham was Capt. James Warden who was Taken, in major mifflim Imploy who is Vary...
15141Enclosure: Intelligence from Boston, 17 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
This Acompt I Receivd from Boston this Day—Dember 17 1775. Remark for Tusday Dember 5 1775. Gott into Boston mett with the Ship Boyan Bound for London Wich Had on Bord 30 Masters of Vesels Pasheners on bord. Thusday 7 the Foy man of war 20 Guns Mountigue Commander Brought in the Brige Washington one Martendell Commander mounted 10 Guns and ten Swivells 72 men the Capt. and all the men was Put...
15142From George Washington to John Hancock, 16 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
the information Containd in the above comeing So Many different ways, Corroborated by Severall vessells haveing Salid this day from Boston, I thought it my duty to transmit it to you, tho Halifax is the place given out for their destination, it is possible they may be bound else where, I Shall communicate this inteligence to Governors Cooke & Trumbull, & to the Convention of Newyork for their...
15143To George Washington from Colonels Jedediah Huntington, Samuel Wyllys, and Samuel Holden Parsons, 16 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Recommend Stephen Keyes “A Young Gentleman from Connecticutt . . . as a person of Education, Genius, & Spirit, & capable of doing honour to any Regt in which yr Excelly Should see fit to appoint him a Lieut.” LS , DLC:GW . This undated letter was apparently written about the same time as was Joseph Spencer’s letter to GW of 16 Dec. recommending Keyes. For background on this letter, see Keyes...
15144To George Washington from Stephen Keyes, 16 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
I trust to your Excellency’s well known Character to pardon a Stranger & Inferior—who presumes to address you on a matter of Consequence to himself, tho’ perhaps of very little to you[.] I wou’d then Inform your Excelly that not long Since I was recommended to Brigadr Genl Spencer for a first Leiutenancy, by Col. Reed, and his other field Officers, which was agreeable to the Captain under whom...
15145From George Washington to the Massachusetts General Court, 16 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Among many resolves of Congress which were forwarded to me the other day, are the Inclosed. Not being able to discover from the Resolves themselves, or the Letter which accompanied them, whether a Copy had been transmitted to you by the President, or to be handed in by me, I thought it best to err on the safe side, especially as the Q. M. Genl has just inform’d me that he is exceeding scarce...
15146To George Washington from Brigadier General Joseph Spencer, 16 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Camp at Roxbury , 16 December 1775 . Recommends Stephen Keyes for a vacant first lieutenancy in Col. Samuel Holden Parsons’s regiment. LS , DLC:GW . For background on this letter, see Keyes to GW, this date . For another recommendation of Keyes, see Jedediah Huntington, Samuel Wyllys, and Samuel Holden Parsons to GW, this date .
15147To George Washington from Captain Peleg Wadsworth, 16 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Orders of the 5th Inst: I have examined the Harbour of Cape Cod. Give it as my Oppinion—that Cape Cod makes a very extensive Harbour with any Winds from the West to North & N. E. & Shipping may conveniently Ride out of the Reach of Cannon altho’ the whole Shore was lined with them. But the Cove, which may Strictly be called the Harbour might be pretty well commanded from an...
15148General Orders, 17 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
When fresh Recruits from the Country join the new established Regiments, The Colonels, or commanding Officers of those Regiments, are to discharge the like number of old Soldiers, who have not engaged for the next Campaign; taking care to part with the most indifferent first. A General Court Martial to sit to morrow Morning in Cambridge, at Ten in the fore-noon, to try such prisoners as shall...
15149From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 17 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
By sundry persons and Accounts just from Boston I am Informed, that the Ministerial Army is in very great distress for want of fresh provision, and having received Intelligence that there are Two hundred Fat Cattle on Block Island, and some Transport Vessels cruizing that way in quest of Necessaries for the Army, I must request you to have the Cattle &c. removed from thence immediately, and...
15150To George Washington from Colonel Henry Knox, 17 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
I returnd from Ticonderoga to this place on the 15th instant & brought with me the Cannon &c. It having taken nearly the time I conjecturd it would to transport them here —It is not easy to conceive the difficulties we have had in getting them over the lake owing to the advanced Season of the Year & contrary winds—three days ago it was very uncertain whether we could have gotten them over...