1To George Washington from Henry Bromfield, 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am hond with your Excellencie’s Favor of 24th June, wch came to Hand at a time that I was Absent on a Journey in the Country, This wth a great uncertainty whether to undertake the Task Assigned me therein has been the Reason, that I have not returned an earlier Answer, at length however, upon the Consideration of the Delay a Refusal must Occasion, & that the Excuse I might Alledge in my...
2To George Washington from John Hancock, 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 13 August 1776 . “I have nothing in Charge from Congress to Communicate to you. Had not the honour of a Letter by the Post, I Judge the Return Express is on the Road, by whom wish to have an Agreeable Accot of the State of the Army.” ALS , DLC:GW .
3To George Washington from a Secret Committee of the New York Convention, 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Letter of the 21 Ulto arrived here at a Time when this Committee was dispersed and the Members gone different Ways on different Business—It was however sent by Express to Mr Jay who was then in Connecticut endeavouring to procure Cannon for the Defence of Hudson’s River and we have the Pleasure of informing your Excellency that we have obtained ten twelve & ten six pounders...
4To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Aftor mr Balor cam to me with your ordor I immedatly went one bord all the roo galles and told them it was your Pesetive ordors that thay proced up the rivor with 2 fier Ships the 2 Rodisland Galles and thes 2 bult hear immedatly waied ancor and proced up the revor the oather 3 have not moved but now aply for 36 men which ware peraded by my quartors for 2 or 3 hours and then went thare way but...
5To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 7th Instant, by Mr Root, & the Intelligence it contains has given me great concern & Anxiety—the soon expected Strength of the Enemy & weekness of your Army were equally unforseen and surprizing—tho I never gave credit to the public Accounts of you[r] Numbers, yet I could not suspect they fell so much short of the Numbers proposed as I find they do. Immediately upon receipt...
6To George Washington from Abraham Yates, Jr., 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by the Convention to return their Thanks to Your Excellency for the Attention You have paid to the removal of suspicious and dangerous Persons from the Environs of the City of New York. Deeply sensible with Your Excellency of the Importance and Necessity of this Measure, the Convention had entered into a Resolution for that purpose previous to their Arrival at this Place but the...
7To George Washington from the Continental Congress Secret Committee, 14 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
You have annexed an extract of a letter we have just recd from Messrs Clarke & Nightingale Merchts in Providence Rhode Island, this letter was laid before Congress who ordered this Committee to inform your Excellency of the Powder therein mentioned & to desire you woud take possession of it granting a receipt for the same to those who have it in keeping in order that we may Account hereafter...
8To George Washington from a Secret Committee of the New York Convention, 14 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
As we are informed that the little powder belonging to this State is dispersed thro’ the Counties for the use of the Militia, we find ourselves under the necessity of requesting an order from your Excellency to Capt. Benson on Mr John R. Livingston for as much powder as may be necessary for our two armed vessels. We have directed him to procure a proper number of hand Granades—there is reason...
9To George Washington from Lund Washington, 14 August 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Lund Washington, 14 Aug. 1776. On 26 Aug. GW wrote Lund Washington : “Your Letter of the 14th is now before me.”
10To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 15 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
It having appeared in Orders that Colo: Hitchcocks’s Regiment is to take Possession of the Post opposite to Fort Washington I beg leave to acquaint you that their peculiar Attachment to the old regiments that are here, their thorough Knowledge of the Ground, their Discipline and the good Order in which they are respecting Arms makes me desirous of their remaining here, if it can possibly be...
11To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 15 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was att Eliza. Town when your Letters of the 13 & 14 reached me —The Men who had been prepared to join the Army at N. York lay at New ark—The Posts along the Jersey Shore opposite to Staten Island are sufficiently Guarded—and more Troops are dayly arriving—If you approve of it a Body of four hundred men well accoutred from the Delaware Country may be stationed at Powlis Hook & five hundred...
12To George Washington from Brigadier General Daniel Roberdeau, 15 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
In the absence of General Mercer, he being on duty at Elizabeth Town or its neighbourhood, I just now received from one of our posts at South Amboy, two prisoners escaped from the English Fleet—They are inhabitants of Philadelphia and well known to many of us from thence. Their Examination which I forward enclosed may be depended on according to their knowledge. I am Sir Yr most obt hume Serv:...
13To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 16 August 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Benjamin Franklin, 16 Aug. 1776. On 18 Aug. GW wrote to Franklin : “I have been honourd with your favour of the 16th.”
14To George Washington from John Hancock, 16 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 16 August 1776 . “I have only time to Acknowledge the Rect of your Letter of 15th, and to Transmitt the Resolves pass’d since my last, which you will find Inclos’d.” ALS , DLC:GW . The enclosed resolves of 13, 14, and 15 Aug. include a request that GW send Congress a copy of the Massachusetts treaty with the St. John’s and Micmac Indians, a plan for encouraging Hessians and other...
15To George Washington from Major William Smith Livingston, 16 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am desired by General Green to inform your Excellency that Colo: Hand waited upon him this Morning and informed him that the Hessians were landing again Yesterday on the East End of Staten Island to a considerable Number—That there was nothing extraordinary happened—That by the Movements of the Enemy there did not appear any immediate Preparation for an Attack And that three Men of his...
16To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 16 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
About eight last Night I returned to this place after a Month’s Absence; on a Business the most disagreeable to a Man accustomed to Civil Society that can possibly be conceived. On the 11th Instant, I was honored with your Excellency’s Favor of the 7th, but was unable to answer it from the German Flatts, altho’ I several Times attempted it being ever interrupted by a Croud of Savages. Last...
17To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 16 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Major General Schuyler has requested that two Hundred Seamen may be raised in this state to man the Vessells on the Lake. as most of our Seamen are marched with the Militia to join your Army, I have to ask the favour of you to permit Capt. David Hawly, and Capt. Frederick Chappel to inlist such Number of Seamen out of our Militia as may be necessary for that Service. I am sir with great...
18To George Washington from Lord Drummond, 17 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Being deeply intarested in the welfare of America I think it my Duty to communicate a Matter of Intelligence which I flatter myself may be rendered conducive to the Restoration of a Disirable Peace And in this View I request your Excellency’s Permission to land at New York to go to Philadelphia in Order to lay the same before the General Congress. In the course of a Conversation I have had...
19To George Washington from John Hancock, 17 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 16th Inst: per Post this Minute came to Hand, & shall be laid before Congress on Monday. I do myself the Pleasure to enclose sundry Resolves for your Information, and likewise to forward the Commissions ordered by a Resolve of Congress on the 10th Inst., a Copy of which I transmitted in my Letter of that Date. With the most ardent and sincere Wishes for your Health &...
20To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 17 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Last night the Fire Ships & Row Gallies made an attempt, Upon the Enemys ships, which lay at Anchor up the River, The Fire ships were well Conducted, the Armed Schooner was Grappled and Burnt, The Phenix was Grappled for a Bought Ten minutes, But got herself Clear, The Lady Washington Galley and Independence, were Conducted with Great Judgment and Bravery, I wish I could Say that the Other...
21To George Washington from Major William Smith Livingston, 17 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Colo: Hand has this Morning reported to the General that since Yesterday Evening four Vessels of War, one of them the Solbay have sailed from the Fleet at the Narrows—Two Brigs a Sloop and Schooner came in from Sea and the Man of War that lay off the Hook these two Days past came in—The Morning being very Thick he could discern nothing distinctly at the Hook but that late in the Evening of...
22To George Washington from Abraham Yates, Jr., 17 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Mr Denning hath made the Convintion Acquainted with your Excellenceys Sentiments upon obstructing the Navigation of the East River between the Grand Battery and Governor’s Island. we now take the Liberty of inclosing the Copy of our Resolution for that purpose, which together with this Letter will be handed to your Excellency by the Gentleman of the Committee to whom we make no doubt Sir that...
23To George Washington from Abraham Yates, Jr., 17 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am directed to inform your Excellency that immediately upon the receipt of your favor of this morning respecting the Women, Children and Infirm persons remaining in the City of New York—The Convention appointed a Committee for the purpose of removeing and provideing for such persons—I inclose a Copy of the Resolves for that purpose and hope you will soon be releived from the Anxiety which...
24To George Washington from William Blodget, 18 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Hands report, mentions no Uncommon movements of the Enemy. The General desires me to acquaint your Excellency that he finds himself considerably better this Morning than he was Yesterday, and is in hopes in a few days, to be able to go abroad, ’tho still very weak. I am with Respect Humble Servant ALS , DLC:GW .
25To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 18 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have thought proper to communicate to you certain Intelligence which I have recieved from my Brother respecting Captain Grimes, whose Conduct (if I have been rightly informed) does not entitle him to that Place in your Esteem which he now holds, nor to that Confidence which you have thought proper to put in him. His leaving the Gally at Rode Island in the Time of the Attack, to take Convoy...
26To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 18 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Early this morning the Phoenix Man of War, Rose Frigate & the Two Tenders, came to Sail & stood down the River, keeping close under the East Shore, in order to avoid the Fire of our Cannon; but notwithstanding this Precaution, the Phoenix was thrice Hull’d by our Shot from Mount Washington, & one of the Tenders once—The Rose was Hull’d once by a Shot from Burdit Ferry—They kept their men...
27To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 18 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 13th Instant was Delivered me about nine Last Evening. I am very Confident that you have pursued Every measure in your power, to releave our wants in this Quarter, and to Facilitate the works going on to the Northward; we have people in every Quarter Attemping to procure the variety of Articles, that are wanted, but after all, We shall fall Considerably short,...
28To George Washington from Lord Drummond, 19 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
While attending in the Boat on the 17th I was favoured with yours of that Date, and in Answer to those Points it seemd to allude to I coud then only return a verbal Message by Mr Tighlman which I flatter myself woud remove the Suspicions you entertained. As my first Motive for asking Lord Howes Permission to land at New York, was to give me an Opportunity of explaining myself to your...
29To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, 19 August 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, 19 Aug. 1776. In a letter to Hancock of 20 Aug. , GW says that he received “a Letter from Genl Greene Yesterday Evening.”
30To George Washington from Lord Howe, 19 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Concurring in the Proposition you have been pleased to make in your Favor of the 17th for an Exchange of Prisoners in my Department, viz. Officers for those of equal Rank, and Sailors for Sailors; I will take the Liberty to propose an Officer of the same Rank to be exchanged for Mr Josiah, when he arrives. The Cerberus being absent, I have no other Information respecting the Situation of Mr...
31To George Washington from Colonel Henry Knox, 19 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I understood that some few Cannon were to be taken from Mount Washington for Kings Bridge for the present—we find great difficulty in procuring the Carriages for General Fellowss encampment—the Greatest part of which I hope will be Completed to day and tomorrow after which we will turn our whole endevors to Complete those for Kings Bridge. I am with Great Respect Your Excellencys Most Obt &...
32To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 19 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Substance of the examination of the woman which your excellency directed me to take, is as Follows vizt That her name is Mary Debeau; that She lived with Mr John Livingston about 18 months ago; and resided two weeks in Newyork, before She went to Staten Island, the day the man of warr passed up the River. That She embarked with 7 men good livers in appearance, & 8 or 9 women, & ten...
33To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 19 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered at Head Quarters by Mr Ludwick; whom I sent for to Amboy in consequence of your Excellencys Letter of yesterday —Inclosd is some Intelligence that may be of Consequence —I am pushing on Troops to Bergen to the Amount of one Thousand—I hear the 3rd Virga Regt is on the March to join the Army—please to signify your Intentions as to the Disposition of such Virga Troops as...
34To George Washington from Brigadier General Daniel Roberdeau, 19 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Post rider just past through here with a very incredible story which he told with great Confidence vizt that you had received a Flag from Lord Howe “proposing to retire with the Fleet and Army and that he was willing to settle the present dispute on any terms you should ask” for which he quoted the Authority of an Officer in your Army who told him that he might spred the News without the...
35To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 19 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the twelfth Instant I received Saturday Evening; I gave immediate attention to your Orders, and as it was judged extremely difficult, if not impracticable, to convey the Mortars by land, I gave Orders to the proper persons to prepare every thing necessary for conveying them by water, and to work day and night until they were compleated. This day they will go on board of Lighters...
36To George Washington from Colonel Lewis Duboys, 20 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellency’s Letter of the 9th of August and agreeable to your Order have procured Returns of all the Officers of the Regiment under my Command of the Men inlisted by them (except three Captains who are at present in New York) The Number which as yet they have been able to inlist consists of thirty Men; 23 of which are well Armed and will be ready to march on Saturday next...
37To George Washington from the Greenwich Committee of Safety, 20 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Authority Selectmen & Comttee of this Town have yesterday reced from his Honor the Governor of sd state, a requisition dated the 12th instant, to embody all the householders not obliged to do duty in any Training Band, in order to march forthwith to N. York to Join the Army under your Excellency’s Command. we thereupon warned all the able Bodied men in the Town to assemble at 6 O’Clock...
38To George Washington from John Hancock, 20 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter by Express with its several Inclosures I yesterday Rec’d, & yours by Post this moment come to hand; I have laid the whole before Congress, & am directed to keep the Express; I shall therefore only by the Return of the Post Inclose you Two Commiss[ion]s which please to order to be Deliver’d; Referring all other matters to be Sent by the Express. I have the hon. to be Your most Obedt...
39To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 20 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the Pleasure to Inform you, that we have taken out of the wreck of the Tender lately burnt up the north River, The following Cannon Vizt One Six Pounder, Two Three Do One Two Do and Ten Swivels, One Cabooses and Apron, Two Cutlasses, Two Gun Barrels, One Crow bar and 4 Gapp[l]in[g]s and Chains, Lieut. Landon of Colo. Nicolls Regiment with Two of the Company to Which he belongs went off...
40To George Washington from Brigadier General William Livingston, 21 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
In the utmost Haste, I must inform you that very providentially, I sent a Spy last Night on Staten Island to obtain Intelligence of the movements of the Enemy, as many Things apparently new was seen from our Lines—He has this Moment returned in safety—The Substance of his Information I must give you in short—He went on the Island about Midnight and got undiscovered to the House of the Person...
41To George Washington from John Hancock, 22 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Congress not having Come to a full Determination upon the Subject of your Letter by the Express, he is still Detain’d, I shall so soon as the Resolutions are perfected Dispatch him with them —Your favr of 20th I have rec’d, & is before Congress with its Inclosures. I have now only to Inclose you several Resolves pass’d yesterday in Congress, to which beg Leave to Refer you. I have the honour...
42To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 22 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor this moment to receive yours of the last Evening Inclosing Copy of a Letter from Genl Livingston. I can Assure your Excellency that every thing in my Power shall be Done to be in Readiness, either to receive the Enemy here or to afford you Aid, Fort Washington is in Good order, but our works here are not yet Compleated, and we are as yet Entirely without any Cannon...
43To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 22 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor this moment to receive your Orders for augmenting the Detachment designed for your Aid—Genl Mifflin, Clinton & myself an Hour or Two Ago had determined upon the same Plan, and think our Selves happy in having the same order’d by your Excellency—The Detachment shall be got ready with all Expedition, & Officer’d with the best Officers which we have, Genl Mifflin will command...
44To George Washington from Richard Peters, 22 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have put under the Care of the Bearer’s, Part of the Philadelphia Light Horse, five hundred thousand Dollars to be sent to Ticonderoga for the Use of the Northern Army. As it might save Expence & be more expeditious, I have desired the Gentlemen, to call at Head Quarters & take your Excellency’s Opinion & Directions as to the Propriety of sending the Money by Water; the River being now...
45To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 22 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s letter of the thirteenth Instant came to hand last Evening; and agreeable to your Directions I shall order Capt. Burbeck with his Company of Artillery, and the Company of Artificers, to march as soon as possible for Norwich and from thence to go by water to Norwalk, and New york. I am Your Excellency’s most Obedient Humble Servant Postscript: Major Wadsworth, was appointed...
46To George Washington from Abraham Yates, Jr., 22 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Convention of this State have received Information from one of the Deputies of the City and County of New York, of a Report Prevailing amongst the Army, “that if the fortune of War should oblige our Troops to abandon that City, it should be immediately burnt by the retreating Soldiery, and that any Man is authorized to set it on fire.” The Convention will chearfully submit to the fatal...
47To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 23 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am so unhappy as not to receive your Letter Untill this moment, having been all this forenoon with the Engineers viewing the Ground & laying out the works, But upon Sight of your Letter I have ordered the Detachment Here to Parade and march for Mount Washington as Soon as Possable, And the Detachment at that place which Consists of near Eight Hundred to march forward agreable to your...
48To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 23 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
This Afternoon the Enemy formed & attempted to pass the Road by Bedford a smart fire between them and the Rifle Men ensued, the Officer sent off for a Reinforcement which I ordered down Immediately, a number of Musketry came up to the Assistance of the Rifle Men whose fire with that of our field peices caused a Retreat of the Enemy our Men followed them to the House of Judge Lefferds, where a...
49To George Washington from John Hancock, 24 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
The late Conduct of Lord Drummond is as extraordinary, as his Motives are dark and mysterious. To judge the most favourably of his Intentions, it should seem, that an overweening Vanity has betrayed him into a criminal Breach of Honour. But whether his Views were upright, or intended only to mislead and deceive, cannot at present be a Matter of any Importance. In the mean Time, I have the...
50To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 24 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
In Order to Ease Head Quarters as much as Possible, And on Account of our Distance from thence, General or Garrison Court Martials have been Appointed at this Post for the Tryal of Offenders, Brigadier General Mifflen has Sent me the Inclosed this Day, But I pause Untill I Know your Excellency’s Pleasure (which I Desire you would be pleased to Signify as Soon as Convenient) whether the before...