221From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 94, 15 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 15 July 1780. Dupl, both text and signature in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 193–195). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:858. In this letter, read by Congress on 26 Dec., John Adams included accounts, probably taken from French or Dutch...
222From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 95, 15 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 15 July 1780. Dupl, both text and signature in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 197–199). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:859. In this letter, read by Congress on 26 Dec., John Adams sent a comparison of the strength, in ships of the line, of...
223From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
The New York paper of the 14th announces the arrival of Admiral Greaves on the 13th with, as they say, “a formidable Squadron of Capital Ships to reinforce Vice Admiral Arbuthnot.” My private information makes this Squadron to consist of the six following Ships. London 90 Guns Resolution 74 Bedford 74 Royal Oak 74 Prudent 64 America 60. The arrival of this naval Armament has not induced us to...
224From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Doctor Cochran, Physician and Surgeon General of the Army in the Middle Department, will have the honor of presenting this to Your Excellency, and of explaining to you the distressed situation of the Hospitals for necessary Stores, even at this time, when the number of sick are exceedingly few. From present prospects of the operations of this Campaign, we must expect to have a considerable...
225From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit your Excellency, in Two packets, the proceedings of the Court Martial in the case of Doctr Shippen, Director General of the Hospitals, for the approbation or disapprobation of Congress. The trial having taken place in consequence of their order, this circumstance and the Doctor’s station in the Army have induced me to think it most proper to refer the matter to...
226From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 96, 19 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 19 July 1780. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 201–206). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:867–869. This let ter, read in Congress on 26 Dec., begins with brief reports from St. Petersburg and Copenhagen concerning preparations of the...
227From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 97, 19 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 19 July 1780. Dupl in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 207–209). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:869–870. In this letter, read in Congress on 26 Dec., John Adams repeated, in more detail, the reports on the Danish, Russian, and Swedish naval...
228From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 20 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure of a communication from Comte de Rochambea and Chevalier Ternay, since their arrival at Rhode-Island, and take the earliest occasion to inform Congress of their force and situation. The succour destined for these States, for particaular reasons, were thrown into two divisions. The first (that arrived) consists of 7 sail of the line, and one of 64, converted into a...
229From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 20 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing Congress this Morning by post, I received a Letter from Brigadier General Maxwell, requesting me to accept his resignation and assigning his reasons for the same. Having never acted on an application of this sort from an Officer of his rank, I beg leave to lay the matter before Congress & to transmit them a Copy of his Letter, by which they will be more...
230From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 98, 22 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 22 July 1780. Dupl in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 211–218). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:873–875. This letter, read in Congress on 26 Dec., contains a series of newspaper reports, the first of which concerned George III’s speech of 8...
231George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 22 July 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] July 22, 1780 . Has sent “definitive proposals of co-operation to the French General and Admiral.” Is proceeding on assumption that the states “will ultimately consult their own interest and honor; and not suffer us to fail for want of means which it is evidently in their power to afford.” Reiterates need for transportation. Df , in writing of H, George Washington...
232From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Committee has done me the honor to communicate a copy of their letter of the 18th to Congress containing a state of the measures they had taken & of our present prospects. The knowledge I have of facts perfectly coincides with their representation & the consequences they draw are so just & important that they ought to engage—& I am perswaded will engage the closest attention of Congress. I...
233From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to acquaint Congress that I have been informed by a letter from Governor Jefferson to their Committee in Camp, lately received, that the Legislature of Virginia had a Bill before them, when His Excellency wrote, for raising Five Thousand Men for Eighteen months to supply their Battallions; and that by a Letter, with which he was pleased to honor me at the same time, he requested...
234From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 99, 23 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
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...
235From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 26 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Having recd information that there were considerable numbers of Cattle and Horses in Bergen Neck, within reach of the enemy, and having reason to suspect that they meant shortly to draw all supplies of that kind within their lines, I detached Brigadier Genl Wayne on the 20th with the 1st and 2d Penna Brigades with four peices of Artilley attached to them, and Colo. Moylans Regt of Dragoons to...
236From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 27 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
By advices received last night from the Count de Rochambeau, I am informed that the British Fleet were off Block Island on the 22d instant. I have at his request transmitted this intelligence to the Minister of France —I have also received intelligence from New York that a number of troops were embarked on board Transports in the Sound. It is given out that Sir Henry Clinton is determined upon...
237From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 27 July 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
According to the desire of Congress expressed in their resolutions of the 17th Ult. I shall endeavor to inform them what has been done by this state in consequence of the several resolutions there referred to. 1779. Mar. 9. Recommendation to the states to compleat their respective quotas of 80 battalions. 1780. Feb. 9. United states to furnish their respective deficiencies of 35,211 men on or...
238To John Adams from the President of Congress, 30 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
Since your Arrival in Europe I have been favoured with your several Despatches of the 11. and 16. of December last, the 16. of January, the 15. 17. 19. 20. 25. 27. and 29. of February, the 8. 18. 19. and 23. of March. It is probable the Committee of foreign Affairs may have acknowledged the Receipt of these Despatches, and several Duplicates which have been also received. I presume they have...
239George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 30 July 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Paramus [ New Jersey ] July 30, 1780 . Requests Congress to take measures to induce Major General Nathanael Greene and other officers of the quartermaster department to continue their services. Explains that unless this is done “we not only must cease the preparations for the campaign; but shall in all probability be obliged to disperse, if not disband the army for want of subsistence.” LS ,...
240From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 30 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Honorable The Committee address Congress by this opportunity to inform them of the most disagreeable crisis to which our affairs are brought in the Quarter Master Generals department. I think it my duty to assure Congress, that I intirely agree with the Committee in opinion; and that unless effectual measures are immediately taken to induce General Greene and the other principal officers...
241George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 3 August 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Peekskill [ New York ] August 3, 1780 . Informs Congress that Sir Henry Clinton has returned. Describes resultant movements of Army. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
242From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 3 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Having received accounts, that Sir Henry Clinton had embarked the principal part of his force for Rhode Island, I put the army in motion the 29th of July and the 31st formed a junction in the vicinity of this place with the troops in this quarter. Had Sir Henry prosecuted what appeared to be his design, my intention was to attempt New York in his absence. Our preparations were made for this...
243From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 9 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; ALS (draft) and copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives With this your Excellency will receive a Copy of my last dated May 31. the Original of which, with Copies of preceding Letters, went by the Alliance, Capt. Landais who sailed the Beginning of last Month; & who I wish may arrive safe in America; being apprehensive that by her long Delay in Port from...
244From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 10 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress Having but just been acquainted with this Opportunity which goes directly, I have only time to write a few Lines; and only leave to send a Letter without any Pacquets of News Papers. Count d’Estaing is gone to Spain to take the Command of the United Fleet. The important Alliance of the Neutral Powers for the Protection of Trade, is nearly compleated It...
245From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 1, 14 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
On the twenty seventh of July. I set out from Paris on a Journey to Amsterdam. I left Mr. Dana and Mr. Thaxter at Paris, who will regularly transmit to Congress whatever shall occur of Importance to the United States to know—they will also inclose all the English, French and Dutch Gazettes. They are exerting themselves in this Republick, to mann their Ships of War, in which they have great...
246George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 20 August 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Orangetown [ New York ] August 20, 1780 . Thanks Congress for increase in powers. Describes situation in Army. Discusses position of Great Britain both here and abroad. Reviews European situation. Argues for establishing a draft either for duration of war or for three years. Reiterates need of “ample and equal provision for the Army.” Repeats need for half-pay provision for officers. Urges...
247From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 20 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with your Excellys letters of the 3d 5th & 7th instt with their Inclosures. I have a grateful sense of the confidence of which these Acts are expressive, and shall labour to improve it to the utmost extent of the means with which I am entrusted. I sincerely wish our prospects were more favourable than they are. The inclosed copy of a letter to the Honorable The...
248From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 2, 22 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 22 Aug. 1780. RC ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 241–244). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:36–38. This letter, read by Congress on 20 Nov., began with France’s reply of 4 Aug. to the Swedish declaration of 30 July acceding to the armed neutrality, the text of...
249From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 3, 23 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Errand of Mr. Cumberland to Madrid, is a mere finesse of the British Ministry, intended to aid the Stockjobbers, keep up the Stocks, aid the Loan and the Canvas for an Election, and lull the belligerent Powers, while they prepare their measures for future Enterprizes and another Campaign. They have carried this Plot so far, that I see some paragraphs in the foreign Papers, which seem...
250From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 4, 24 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have only time by this Vessell to inclose the declarations of Sweeden and Denmark; but the chance of her going safe is so small that I should not send any thing very material, if I had more time. I have the Honour to be &c. LbC ( Adams Papers ); notation: “recd in congress Decr. 3.” According to the Journal of Congress, this letter was read on 4 Dec. ( JCC Worthington C. Ford and others,...