26341To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Berthérand de Fleury, 2 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society L’inquiéttude ou je suis, Monsieur, du sort d’un de mes Parens, actuellement au service des Américains, me force à vous demander un moment d’audiance j’espere que vous ne me refuserez pas; votre jour, votre heure, soyez seur de mon exactitude a m’y rendre. J’ay l’honneur d’etre avec les sentimens qui vous sont dus Monsieur Votre trés humble obeissante...
26342General Orders, 2 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Returns are to be made early to morrow morning of all officers and men in the several brigades and corps, who have not had the small pox. Every Colonel, or officer commanding, a regiment, or corps, is to make an immediate return, to the Pay Master General, of every pay Mr that has belonged to, or done duty as such, in any regiment or corps—the place of their abode, and the time when they left...
26343To George Washington from Captain Charles Craig, 2 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have thought it my duty to inform Your Excellency that about five Hundred of the enemy Crossed over Schoolkill Last night. The enemy intend to make a push out—and endeavour to drive Your Excellency from the present encampment, Destroy our Fleet Burn German Town & Frankford shou’d the not Succeed in this expedition the will return to the City and prepare for a retreat, Genl How gave orders...
26344From George Washington to Major General Philemon Dickinson, 2 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have this day receiv’d your Favor of 28th Ulto—& can only say it gives me concern that your Excursion to staten Island was not attended with success equal to your expectation, which, from the Plan you had formed, the Secrecy with which you expected to have executed it, I suppose was pretty Sanguine—but Experience shews us that the most triffling incidents will frustrate the best concert’d...
26345George Ewing’s Report on Hides, 2 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
2 Dec. 1777 . Accounts for 144,376 pounds of “raw hide exchanged for Leather in this Dept” that had been distributed to eighteen tanners since 2 Sept. 1777 “to be exchanged at the rate of five pound raw hide for one pound Sole and eight pounds for one pound of upper leathers the greatest part of which ought by contract to have been ready by this time, and notwithstanding I have sent a waggon...
26346From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 2 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 23d Novemr and am glad to find that you were upon your guard against any attempt of Genl Burgoine to endeavour to change the place of embarkation. No Transports have yet sailed from the Delaware for the purpose of carrying the Troops to Europe, nor do I hear that any have gone from New York. I can only attribute this delay to want of provision for the...
26347From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 2 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The importance of the North River in the present contest and the necessity of defending it, are subjects which have been so frequently and so fully discussed and are so well understood, that it is unnecessary to enlarge upon them. These facts at once appear, when it is considered that it runs thro’ a whole State—That it is the only passage by which the Enemy from New York or any part of our...
26348From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 2 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
If you can with any convenience let me see you to day I shall be thankful for it—I am abt fixing the Winter cantonments of this army, and find so many, & such capitol objections to each mode proposed, that I am exceedingly embarrassed, not only by the advice given me, but in my own judgment, and should be very glad of your sentiments on the matter without loss of time. In hopes of seeing you,...
26349To George Washington from Captain Robert Smith, 2 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Hardly any thing has come out to Day. No Passes have been granted from Town. Some Ladies who got out by special Favor say as far as the Accots from the british Officers are to be attended to a Movement will take Place early tomorrow Morning. Some of them say to this Town, others that they do not know the Route. At such a Time I think it my Duty to send your Exy the most minute Circumstances....
26350To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 2 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was Honor’d with your Favour of the 26th Octor Ulto some time last month; for which I return my Thanks. I have recd several of your Applications through M: Genl Putnam, which have been executed in the best Manner our Circumstances would admit. On the last request from the M: Genl—in addition to Col. Enos’s Regiment and others with him before, I order’d Col. Ely’s Batn (nearly full) from New...
26351To John Jay from James Duane, 2 December 1777 (Jay Papers)
I have had so much Publick Business on my hands that I have been unavoidably deprived of paying that Attention to my Friends which always gives me Pleasure. As one of the Number I have the Honour of considering yourself; & of you I have not been entirely unmindful— At the same time that I cannot boast of much Encouragement: or any great Merit. To the Governour and Council of Safety I have...
26352To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 3–4 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Having been favored with your Excellency’s commands of this day, I shall give my sentiments respecting the subject matters thereof, uninfluenced by any motives, but the sincere dictates of my own mind. Not being at Head Quarters when the Subject of a “winters campaign was proposed,” in order “to make an attack upon Philadelphia, aided by a considerable body of militia,” I cannot be acquainted...
26353To John Adams from the Foreign Affairs Committee, 3 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
With great pleasure to ourselves we discharge our duty by inclosing to you your Commission for representing these United States at the Court of France. We are by no means willing to indulge a thought of your declining this important service, and therefore we send duplicates of the Commission and the late Resolves, in order that you may take one sett with you, and send the other, by another...
26354To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 3 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
I received your Favour of the 19th Novr on my Way to this Place; and the Business which your Friend Mr. Smith requested You to negotiate, shall be carefully attended to and performed. I thank You, for the Intelligence conveyed, and would endeavour to recollect in Return, what has transpired at Congress, had not our Friend Mr. Lovell, who as a faithful and accurate Intelligencer as well as on...
26355To John Adams from the President of the Congress, 3 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
The 28th. Ultimo I had the honour of writing to you by the Messenger Frederick Weare and of transmitting a Vote of Congress by which you are appointed a Commissioner at the Court of France. Inclosed under this Cover you will find a Commission executed agreeable to the Order of Congress. You have no doubt heard or will hear before this can reach you of the little affair which happened last Week...
26356Certificate Authenticating Extracts from Minutes of the Georgia Assembly, 3 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AD : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I do hereby certify whom it may concern, that the Papers herewith connected under my Seal, viz. the Extract from the Minutes of the Assembly of Georgia, signed by Henry Cuyler, Clerk; and the Instructions to Capt. De la Plaigne signed by N W. Jones Speaker, are genuine and authentic Papers. Notation in Franklin’s hand: Certificate in favour of Capt...
26357General Orders, 3 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
At a General Court martial whereof Col. Grayson was president, held the 26th, 27th 28th and 29th of Novr last, Major Howard appeared before the court, charged with “1st Wounding Capt: Lieut. Duffey with his sword—2nd Abetting a riot in camp, and 3rd In the front of his men (at his request assembled) attempting the life of Capt: Duffey with a loaded firelock, and fixed bayonet, being utterly...
26358Circular to the General Officers of the Continental Army, 3 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wish to recall your attention to the important matter recommended to your Consideration sometime ago—namely—the Advisieability of a Winters Campaign, & practicability of an attempt upon Philada with the Aid of a considerable body of Militia to be assembled at an appointed time & place. Particular reasons urge me to request your sentiments on this matter by the Morning, & I shall expect to...
26359To George Washington from Brigadier General John Cadwalader, 3 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
whether the army under your Excellency’s command should continue in the field this winter; and whether it is expedient to call to your assistance a great body of militia to make an attack on the City, are very important Questions—the determination of which may decide the fate of America—They therefore require our most serious consideration. It is certainly usual with all nations, in every cold...
26360To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 3 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Col: Laurens Letter came to hand this morning. I am sorry a Guard of Militia under the Command of Colonel Warner took up one of my Friends going into Philada which has prevented my getting some very material intelligence as I had formed a channel through which every thing in that way wou’d have come with secrecy & for that purpose had sent a little provision to my Correspondent in Philada from...
26361To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 3 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
One of my Spies this moment arrived from the City, which place he left this Day at 12, oClock—he confirms the account transmitted you this Day at one oClock with respect to the Enemy pressing Horses & Carriages—but seen no Boats &c. on Carriages—he went thro the greatest part of the City assures me Troops are quarter’d in almost every House—they are pulling down a great many frame Buildings...
26362From George Washington to George Clinton, 3 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The importance of the North River in the present contest and the necessity of defending It, are Subjects so well understood and so familiar to you, that it is needless for me to enlarge upon them. I therefore only mean to mention, that no exertions can be too great to render it secure against any future attempts of the Enemy, and that the present opportunity should be improved to effect it, as...
26363To George Washington from Captain Charles Craig, 3 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The enemy have not made any movement since I had the Honour of Adressing Your Excellency. I have been inform’d since my last, that, the Number that Crossed Schoolkill Consisted of Three Thousand Men, with six field pieces, The Took a Number of flat Bottom’d Boats, with which the intend to Cross on your Excellencys rear, the enemy are very Diserous to Know where our Stores and Baggage are at...
26364From George Washington to Capt. Charles Craig, 3 December 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Capt. Charles Craig, c.3 Dec. 1777. Craig’s letter to GW of 3 Dec. is docketed in part “Answd.”
26365To George Washington from Brigadier General Duportail, 3 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have examined anew with all the attention of which I am capable, the Project of attacking the English and it still appears to me too dangerous—the great Body of Militia with which we might be reinforced for this purpose does not give me any additional hope of succeeding—it is not the number of Troops which is of importance in this case, but it is the quality, or rather their nature and...
26366To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 3 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Subject under Consideration before the board is whether a plan to draw together a large Body of militia in aid of the continental Troops in the dead of winter to attack General Howe in his winter quarters is eligible or not. However desireable the destruction of General Howe’s army may be & however impatient the public may be for this desireable event; I cannot recommend the measure. I...
26367To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 3 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
When your Excellency recommended sometime ago the Consideration of the practicabity of an attack on the Ennemy, I was already of opinion for Such an attack if it was possible to make an attempt on the City behind the lines, either by Sending troops in Boats down Delawar River to land on, or below the wharf, or by crossing Schuylkill river below middleferry either by throwing over Bridges or...
26368To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 3 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I receiv’d your Excellencys orders to give my sentiments “upon the advisability of making a Winters Campaign, and Practicability of an attack upon Philadelphia, with the aid of a considerable body of militia to be assembl’d at an appointed time & place” —Were it probable that Sir Wm Howes destruction would be the consequence of a Winters Campaign I would most chearfully give my voice and...
26369To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 3 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
the project of calling a large body of militia for such a day, in order to attack the ennemy in philadelphia, seems to me attended with so many difficulties, inconveniences and bad chances, that if it is not looked upon as a necessary and almost desesperate enterprize, tho’ it is a very shining and highly pleasing idea, however I cannot think it is a prudent and reasonable one. the reasons for...
26370To George Washington from Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 3 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Genl Green directed me on his departure, to tarry on this side the river, & assist in protecting the inhabitants from the depredations of the enemy. We have been active in executing the Generals directions, & have visited the shore from this town, down to Sweedsborough, daily. The enemy still possess Billingsport, they have a garrison of four hundred men in that fort, & two nine pounders. Good...