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...
26371To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 3 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s letter of this date requesting my Sentiments on “the Adviseability of a Winters Campaign; and the practicability of an Attack upon Philadelphia with the Aid of a Considerable Body of Militia to be Assembled at an appointed Time and Place.” I have duely Considered, and in Answer to the first Question am of Opinion—that in order to Undertake a Winters Campaign the Troops should...
26372Extract from a Boston Newspaper, [after 4 December 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AD : Cornell University Library In a Letter from Philadelphia, giving an Account of the Battle at Brandywine, between the Armies of Generals Washington and Howe, is the following Passage. “A great Number of French Officers were in the Action. The Marquis de la Fayette, that most accomplish’d Youth, behaved with a Bravery equal to his noble Birth and amiable Character. The Polish Count Pulawski...
26373Order of Battle, 4–5 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The order of Battle is to be agreeable to the above Plan Morgan’s rifle Corps is to form upon the left of the Maryland Militia and Webbs Regiment upon the right of the Pensa Militia—these Corps and the Militia (who are to act in Detachment, and not in a solid or compact body) are to skirmish with, and harrass the Enemy as much as possible, taking especial care to gain their flanks & rear....
26374The American Commissioners: A Public Announcement, 4 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
D : American Philosophical Society Jonathan Loring Austin had ridden post haste from Nantes with his dispatches. On Thursday morning, December 4, he paused in Versailles for an hour’s sightseeing, and then at 11:30 A.M. he arrived in Passy. Rumor had preceded him, or so the story goes, and the commissioners were waiting in the courtyard. “Before he had time to alight Dr. Franklin addressed...
26375The American Commissioners to [the Comte de Vergennes], 4 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères We have the Honour to acquaint your Excellency that we have just receiv’d an Express from Boston, in 30 Days, with Advice of the total Reduction of the Force under General Burgoyne, himself and his whole Army having surrendered themselves Prisoners. General Gates was about to send Reinforcements to Gen. Washington, who was near Philadelphia...
26376From Benjamin Franklin to Hevin de Navarre and the Baron de Seyffertitz, 4 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society I am sorry that the Miscarriage of my Letter to you has occasion’d you so much repeated Trouble in writing. I therein inform’d you that I had no Authority from the Congress to entertain Officers for their Service, excepting a few Engineers and Officers of the Artillery, who are long since gone: That all others who have passed to America have gone of...
26377From Benjamin Franklin to John Hancock, 4 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress The Bearer of this, Mr. Holcker, is a Gentleman of excellent Character, of great Credit in this Country, and one of my particular Friends. He can give you good Information of the State of Public Affairs here. I beg leave therefore to recommend him to your Acquaintance, and to all the Civilities you usually show to Strangers of Merit, of which you will find him...
26378John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 4 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed you have copies of letters which I had the honor of writing you from Portsmouth the latter of which could not have reached your hands as I understand that the mail was destroyed. I sailed from Portsmouth the 1st. Ulto. and arrived safe in this River in the Ranger the 2d. Current having taken two brigtines from Malaga laden with Fruit for London. I...
26379Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 4 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library I have at present to inform you of the arrival of the Frigate Ranger Capt. Jones with the Duplicates of the Dispatches I sent you by Mr. Austin. This Ship left portsmouth the 1st of November but brings not a syllable in addition to what we have had, and as Capt. Jones tells me that his Dispatches were on board before Mr. Austin sailed, I conclude that the...
26380To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 4 [December] 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Monsieur votre fils vient de nous apprendre les admirables nouvélles de l’amérique nous lui avons tous sauté au col, et nous voulions allér sur le champ, vous témoignér la joye inéxprimable que nous cause cet événement: il nous a dit que vous étiés fort occupé et que nous pourrions vous gésnér; nous réspéctons vos affaires; mais mon chér papa, mon coeur est...
26381To Benjamin Franklin from Valltravers, 4 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society These Lines will be conveyed to you by the Elector Palatine’s secretary of the ambassy, Mr. David, who setts out for Paris to morrow, and will, I hope, come safe to Hand. What has been the Fate of my 3. last Letters from my House, at Rockhau, near Bienne in Switzerland, written September 21t. and 26. and another the 9th. of last Month, I don’t know. If...
26382General Orders, 4 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The troops are constantly to have one day’s provisions on hand, ready cooked—The officers are to pay particular attention to this, and consider it as a standing rule, that if they are suddenly called to arms the men may not be distressed. Major General The Marquis La Fayette is to take the command of the division lately commanded by General Stephen. Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
26383To George Washington from Major General John Armstrong, 4 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
In regard to the Advisability of a Winters Campaign, I answer —In keeping the Field, the hardships on both officers and privates are manifestly great, nor is there an alternative presenting your Excy with less inconvenience, at best you have but a choice of difficulties of which Hutting in the field is in my Opinion the least of the two, and most in Character for the Army. The only Semblance...
26384To George Washington from William Dewees, Jr., 4 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Have Just Recd Information which I Beleive to be the Best Can be Obtaind that the British Army had Last Night Packd up all their Baggage & each Man four Days Provision Coock’d; their Horses hitchd to their Artillery & every Appearance of marching out Immediately But something happening which is Not accounted for the orders were Countermanded; the Reason Assignd to me is they Expect our army...
26385To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 4 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment informed that a Ship is arrived at portsmouth with a valuable Cargo of Ordnance & ordnance Stores for the use of the United States. as soon as we are fully ascertained of it measures shall be taken to secure, and forward them to the Arsenals. A large Quantity of Lead is on the Road, which with upwards of one Hundred Thousand Musket Cartridges, will be forwarded from...
26386To George Washington from Brigadier General James Irvine, 4 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
If posting the army in a position similar to that I advised in my last letter, be to form a winters campaign, the measure in my opinion is not only adviseable, but absolutely necessary, as the more I think on the subject the more I am convinced that retiring into winter quarters and leaving the country uncovered will be followed with the ruin of our friends, give ease and plenty to our...
26387To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 4 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Favour of yesterday I received concerning the Adviseability of a winter Campaign, and the practicability of an attack upon Philada with the Aid of a considerable body of Militia asembled at an apointed time and place. I do ashure Your Excellency I think the object a verry desireable one could it be put properly into execution and without tacking a winter Campaign to it, which...
26388To George Washington from Brigadier General Peter Muhlenberg, 4 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency was pleasd to desire the Opinion of your General Officers on “The Adviseability of a Winters Campaign, & practicability of an Attack upon Philadelphia, with the Aid of a considerable Body of Militia to be Assembled at an appointed Time & place” —I must Confess that to me this Question seems so much interwoven, with the Question Your Excellency was pleasd to put a few days ago,...
26389To George Washington from Brigadier General John Paterson, 4 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The bad State of our Army at present, destitute of Clothing and many other Necessaries the Necessity of its being reunited this Winter that we may be superior to Mr How in the Spring induces me to give my Opinion in favour of going to Winter Quarters. The Attack on Philadelphia, from the best Knowledge I can obtain of the Strength of their Works I must think wou’d fail, the Consequences of...
26390To George Washington from Richard Peters, 4 December 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Richard Peters, 4 Dec. 1777. GW wrote to Peters on 14 Dec. that “Your several favs. of the 28th Novem. and 4th and 5th instants came duly to hand.”