27001From George Washington to Benjamin Rush, 12 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 26th December. Soon after the Rect I had an opportunity of communicating the substance of it, and one from Govr Livingston on the same subject, to the Director General. It is to be regretted, that a department for which such ample provision has been made, and on which so much depends, should yet be inadequate to the ends proposed. If the present medical...
27002From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 12 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 10th: My order to you to have the Baggage removed to this place was founded upon information that there was a much greater quantity than there turns out, but as it proves otherwise you were right in detaining it, till you represented the matter to me—I wish the Gentlemen who drew up and signed the representation had attended more closely to my letter. They would...
27003To George Washington from Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 12 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
At the Request of Colo. Sheldon, who sets out this morning for Fishkills to forward the accoutring those of his Regt in that Departmt, I write this—Am to inform that we want a considerable number of Horses to complete the Regt, to the procuring & disciplining of which we should be glad to attend, as soon as your Excellency’s pleasure can be known. I am, as Commanding Officer of the Regt in...
27004To John Adams from James Lovell, 13 January 1778 (Adams Papers)
First and foremost, become a reconciling advocate for me with your dear lovely Portia, who, from the most rational tender attachment to you, is as angry with me as her judiciously patriotic Spirit will allow, upon a foundation which I hope you have been acquainted with, long e’er this day. This hint must pass for an acknowledgement of the receipt of her letter of Decr. 19th. and for all the...
27005Franklin and Silas Deane to [Ferdinand Grand], 13 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society We desire you would continue to honor Mr. Williams Draughts to the Amount of two hundred thousand Livres in Addition to the Five hundred thousand for which a Credit was before given him. We have the Honor to Remain with much Esteem Sir Your most Obedient &c. &c. This note was BF ’s and Deane’s reaction to Lee’s letter above, Jan. 10. Their colleague, they...
27006To Benjamin Franklin from Ralph Izard, 13 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Izard’s Compliments to Dr. Franklin, and returns him the Newspapers he was so obliging as to send him. Mr. Izard encloses the Gazette Extraordinary, which gives an account of the evacuation of Mud Island, and Red Bank. Howe’s Letter gives us reason to expect news of very great importance soon. Addressed: A Monsr. / Monsr. le Dr. Franklin / a / Passy...
27007To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, [13 January 1778] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I presume you have seen the London Gazette Extraordinary of Friday last, saying that Mud Island and red Bank were evacuated. Howe says a forward movement against the Enemy would immediately take place which he hopes would be successful. From this we are to conclude that Howe himself conceives that all his movements before were retrograde . His last date...
27008To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Cullet de Pugieu, 13 January 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Lyons, January 13, 1778, in French: I write to ask how I go about getting to America. I was born near Lyons and educated there. My father left seven children at his death; my eldest brother inherited everything, as is the local custom, and I was left with a pittance. After an unsuccessful venture into commerce here I got a financial post with the...
27009General Orders, 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Honorable the Congress having been pleased to call Coll Pickering to a seat at the Board of War, have appointed Coll Scammell, Adjutant General in his Room who is to be obeyed and respected as such. At a General Court Martial of which Coll Swift was President, held 5th instant Captn Powell of 3rd Virginia Regiment charged with “insulting Lieutt Davis when on his guard and arresting him...
27010To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your kind letter of recommendation, I had the honor to deliver to His Excellency the President, who laid it before congress in my absence. since which, they have appointed me an Auditor with Mr Clarkson to settle & adjust the accounts of the main Army—whether I am equal to the task assigned me, or not, I cannot presume to say; but shou’d I accept The appointment, I flatter myself under your...
27011To George Washington from Colonel Elias Dayton, 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to inform your Excellency of the situation of John & Baker Hendricks & John Meeker who it is said have forfited their lives, by a law of this State, in consequence of their being employed by me and others, to bring inteligence from the enemy while at New york and Staten Island, according to your Excellencys direction. The fidelity of those persons I am well convinced of, and the...
27012To George Washington from Elbridge Gerry, 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have waited some time, in Expectation of informing You with the Sense of Congress on the several Subjects mentioned in your agreable Favour of the 25th Decr; but am not yet fully able to answer my Purpose. a Committee is appointed from Congress & the Board of War, who in Concert with your Excellency have full Powers to form & execute a Plan for reducing the Number of Batalions now in the...
27013To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will be handed to your Excellency by Mr Francis, a french Merchant belonging to the House from which we have received our ample Supply of Ordnance, Ordnance Stores, Fire Arms &c. He is come over to secure his Remittances, and will I am confident receive that respect from our Countrymen that his assistance afforded at a time of need justly merit. Part of the Cannon and Stores which arrived...
27014From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving your favs. of the 2d and 3d of Novemr by Genl McIntosh who arrived very opportunely to take the command of the North Carolina Brigade, which had wanted a Brigadier very much since the Fall of Genl Nash. The account you give of the numbers of Indians in the Southern Tribes far exceeds any thing that I had an Idea of, and it therefore behoves us the more to...
27015To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I Schall make use in this particular instance of the liberty you gave me of telling freely every idea of mine which could strike me as not being useless to a better order of things. There were two gentlemen, same rank, same duty to perform, and same neglect of it who have been arrested the same day by me—as I went in the night around the piquets I found them in fault, and I gave an account of...
27016To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel La Radière, 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
A council called for fixing the place to be fortifyed on Hudson’s River has decided Last night that west point is the best place—this post is on the west Shore of the Nort River over against fort Constution Six mile Higher than fort Montgomery 8 mile below New Windsor. we will bar the River with a chain. this Council was called at my request. I have read before these gentlemen a Memorial...
27017From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will be deliver’d to you by the Chevalier de Mauduit du Plessis, who was among the first French Officers that joined the Army of the United States—the gallant Conduct of this young Gentleman at Brandywine, German Town, and his distinguished Services at Fort Mercer, where he united the Offices of Engineer and Commandant of Artillery, entitle him to the particular notice of Congress—he made...
27018To George Washington from William Livingston, 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Upon frequent Complaints that Capt. Kennedy’s Residence at his Farm was injurious to the State, & occasioned great Clamours from the People in This Neighbourhood, the Council ordered his Attendance on the Board—they at the same time desired a Gentleman near the Spot, to procure what Affidavits he could respecting Captn Kennedy’s Conduct—He sent us by return of the Express three Affidavits with...
27019To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 27th Ulto, and am happy to find that Your Excellency is Convinced, my Conduct has not been such as Represented by Col: Drake—I have ever paid the Utmost attention to the Protection of the Inhabitants; and am Vain enough to think, that they Conceive the Army to be as good Neighbours, as Col: Drake. General Parsons has not Yet Return’d, Tho is soon expected; and till...
27020From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since writing to you this morning on the subject of the prize Brig Symetry, the Regulations of the Feild Officers of the division for conducting the Sale and disposing of the Cargo was laid before me with a letter from the Regimental Surgeons and Mates to Docr Cochran. These Gentlemen feel themselves so much hurt by the discrimination made by these Regulations between them and the Officers of...
27021VII. Draft of a Resolution concerning Money Bills, [before 13 January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
That bills relating solely to the raising or disposing of public money in any way whatever are not amendable by the Senate. That in other bills if some clauses or sentences relate to the raising or disposing of public money, and others relate to other subjects, the said clauses or sentences so relating to the raising or disposing of public money are not amendable by the Senate; but such other...
27022Bill for Sequestering British Property, [13 January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas divers persons, subjects of Great Britain, had, during our connection with that Kingdom, acquired estates real and personal within this Commonwealth and had also become entitled to debts to a considerable amount, and some of them had commenced suits for the recovery of such debts before the present troubles had interrupted the administration of Justice, which suits were at that time...
27023Draft of a Resolution concerning Money Due British Subjects, [ca. 13 January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
And whereas his Britannic majesty did on the day of 1775 undertake by the strength of his fleets to shut up the several ports and havens of the American states and to intercept all commerce between the said states and other parts of the world, to which proceeding the British parliament had previously given their sanction by an act entitled an act whereby the monies belonging to the subjects of...
27024To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Arnold “Dit Renault,” 14 January 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Metz, January 14, 1778, in French: My dear brother went to America during the late Anglo-French wars, and remained at Quebec as secretary to the British governor of Canada. I heard from him several times until your war broke out; since then he sent me two letters by a bearer who, about to be searched at sea, threw them overboard, and could only tell me...
27025To Benjamin Franklin from La Rochefoucauld, [14 January 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Le Duc de la Rochefoucauld fait bien des complimens à Monsieur franklyn, en lui envoiant le paquet cijoint qu’il s’est chargé de lui faire passer de la part de M. l’Abbé Rozier. Il le prie de vouloir bien lui mander s’il y a quelque chose de vrai à la nouvelle qui se répandoit hier, que les forts de Mud Island et de Red Bank avoient été pris les 20. et 23....
27026From Benjamin Franklin to La Rochefoucauld, 14 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Bibliothèque municipale, Mantes Mr. Franklin presents his respectful Compliments to M. the Duke of Rochefoucauld; with Thanks for his Care of the Pacquet. The English Gazette which came yesterday gives a particular Account of the taking of those petty Forts about the Time you mention. ’Tis a wonder they held out so long. After sustaining a Days continual Battery from the Cannon of the...
27027To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, [14 January 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Lee presents Compliments to Dr. Franklin. He received the Louis. The London paper is inclosed. That with the Boston papers were sent by Mr. Deane to Mr. A. Lee who carried them out with him yesterday as Mr. W. L. tho’t to leave them at Passi, but it seems he left them with Mr. Izard. They will be sent for today and return’d immediately. Mr. L. is just...
27028General Orders, 14 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Majors of Brigade will deliver a list of the Field Officers in the several brigades to which they belong tomorrow at orderly-time. The Court-Martial which was to sit this day, to sit tomorrow ten ôClock at the Bake-House near Head-Quarters. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Brig. Gen. Edward Hand’s orderly book for this date includes instructions for a fatigue party of fifty-four men “to parade...
27029To George Washington from John Parke Custis, 14 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am really ashamed of my long Silence: which has been owing altogether to the Want of Meterials worthy of communicating to you, the same Cause still subsists; but the Fear of your imputing my Silence to the Want of regard & respect; compels Me at present, to intrude a few Lines upon that short Moment, you are allowed by the Multiplicity of your Business, to devote to Freindship, and Society....
27030To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 14 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since the date of my last the 5th Inst. I have been honoured by the receipt of Your Excellency’s Several Letters of the 2d 4th 5th & 9th all which, together with Copy of a Letter to Major Genl Gates have been in course reported to Congress—a Sealed packet under Your Excellency’s direction to Genl Gates, I forwarded to day to Reading where I expect it will meet the Genl. Your Excellency will...
27031To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 14 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with your Excellency’s favour of the 27th Decr Inst. And am greatly obliged by your favourable mention of my brother. In my recommendation of him I was influenced more by my hope of rendering him further useful to his country, than by any partial desire of serving him, without having the most distant wish of engaging your Excellency in any promiss that might lead to a preferrence...
27032To George Washington from William Livingston, 14 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
It is represented to me, that Robert Wilson, who I am told, acts as Commissary under Mr Blain, for the Counties of Sussex, Morris and Somerset in this State, has in the County of Somerset employed only part of the Mills. By this means, the distance that Wheat must be carted is most amazingly encreased; and either the Farmer put to an unnecessary trouble, or the States to an additional Expence....
27033To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel William Palfrey, 14 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Committee of Congress who are appointed to attend at the Camp on Business will acquaint your Excellency with the Reason of my Detention here —Give me leave to assure you I have not been idle— I have the pleasure to acquaint you two Auditors are now appointed, and I flatter myself the Accounts of the Army will soon be properly adjusted. Mr Clarkson is a Gentleman well acquainted with...
27034To George Washington from Brigadier General James Potter, 14 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I Recived your favor of the 12th Instant I will do every thing in my Power to put a stop to Carring provision into the City the passes that have been Given I have sent you enclosed a Copey of one of them which has passed Mrs Larrans Sarvant in with Sundrey waggan-Loads if I am not wrong Informed. I would Inform your Excellency that there is a quenty of Buckskin and Britches in Germentown and...
27035From George Washington to Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, 14 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 9th Instant was deliver’d to me yesterday—and I immediately acquainted the Forage Master General with such parts of it as related to his Department—if proper Magazines for the Subsistence of the Cavalry cannot be formed at Trenton, this is an insurmountable obstacle to their quartering there, and they must of necessity be removed to Flemingtown or some other convenient place...
27036To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 14 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
As Genl Weedon and I have consulted together with regard to the Arrangement of the Army &c., I would not wish to trouble Your Excellency with reading over the same thing a second time—I approve of every thing he has wrote on that head and refer you to his letter, with this addition, That our light Corps be augmented to at least, One thousand men, Half of which should be Riflemen and the other...
27037From George Washington to Maj. Benjamin Tallmadge, 14 January 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Benjamin Tallmadge, 14 Jan. 1778. John Laurens docketed Tallmadge’s letter to GW of 12 Jan. : “answd 14th Ref. for particulars to C[olone]l Pulaski.”
27038To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 14 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am Honored with your Letters of the 15th & 29th Ultimo The Genl Assembly of this State convened at this place the 8th Instant the Latter of yours came to hand on the 10th and was Laid before them The Deficiencies in our Regimts will meet the attention it’s Importance demands Expediency and Necessity require Early and vigorous meas[ur]es Should be adopted to compleat them to their full...
27039To John Jay from James De Lancey, 14 January 1778 (Jay Papers)
I rec d . your kind Letter of the 2 d . Inst. with 100 Dollars from M r. Sam l . Broome which with the many other Obligations I am under to you will never be forgot as I have had a plentifull supply of money from home returned it M r. Broome— The Gentlemen of the Army particularly Gen l. Parsons & some of the Inhabitants of this place have been very Civle to me. the Gen l. has made application...
27040Session of Virginia Council of State, 14 January 1778 (Madison Papers)
The eleventh article of Virginia’s Form of Government ( Hening, Statutes William Waller Hening, ed., The Statutes at Large; being a Collection of all the Laws of Virginia, from the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619 (13 vols.; Richmond and Philadelphia, 1819–23). , IX, 116) provided for a Privy Council, or Council of State, of eight members to be chosen by the legislature....
27041II. Bill for Settling Titles to Unpatented Lands, [14 January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas the various and vague claims to unpattented Lands under the former Government, covering the greater part of the Country on the Western Waters, may produce tedious and infinite Litigation and disputes, and in the mean time Purchasers would be discouraged from taking up Lands upon the Terms lately prescribed by Law, whereby the Fund to be raised in Aid of the Taxes for discharging the...
27042From John Adams to the Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, 15 January 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had this Moment the Honour of receiving the Order of the Honourable the House of Representatives of the 14th. instant directing the Gentlemen who the last Year represented this State in Congress, and are now in this State, to lay before the Honourable House an Account of their Expences, while in that service. In Obedience to this order, sir, I herewith transmit, all the Account, which it is...
27043To John Adams from Henry Laurens, 15 January 1778 (Adams Papers)
I was honoured on the 7th. Instant by the Receipt of your favour of the 9th. Ultimo by the hands of Mr. Thaxter. I desired that Young Gentleman to call on me the Morning after he arrived intending to have conversed with him and to have aimed at some plan for procuring a suitable employment for him, but I found that by the Interest of other friends he had been introduced into the Secretary’s...
27044The American Commissioners to [John Paul Jones], 15 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives Whereas we understand that Capt. Jones has in View to strike a Stroke upon the Enemy that may be greatly to their Damage, but in its nature not probably profitable to his Ship’s Company, unless some Reward be received from the Congress adequate to the Service done, And we being of Opinion that Rewards in such Cases are not only necessary for Encouragement, but are...
27045To Benjamin Franklin from Valltravers, 15 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Letter of the 10th. instant mentioned a Book, which I begged your kind Acceptance of. It was: Simlerus de Rebus publicis Helvetiorum . That Book went off this morning, (without my Letter, brought by Mistake to the Post-Office,) by a Merchant of this Place, Mr. Benoit Charpin; recommended to the care of Monsr. Constant, Rüe de Gesvres, a la Tête noire, à...
27046General Orders, 15 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Colls Humpton and Gibson, Lt Coll Vose & Majors Furnald and Ball are appointed to repair to the several Hospitals in the middle department; They will receive their orders at the Adjutant Genl’s office tomorrow morning—1st Pennsylvania, Poors, Larned’s, Maxwell’s Huntington’s and McIntosh’s brigades each give a Captain, Woodford’s, Scott’s Weedon’s & Varnum’s each a Subaltern for said...
27047To George Washington from Captain Charles Craig, 15 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have thought it my duty to forward to Head Quarters a Certain Hofman Lowrey—that has under the character of beeing one of my horseman robd a number of Poor people—Takes provisions from the poor and Sel’s it for hard money to others. This man and two others have kept up this trade for some time past. I have Delay’d sendg him in expectation of takeing the others It is not in my power to...
27048To George Washington from Colonel Joseph Ellis, 15 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
As I was appointed by Governor Livingston, to the Command of General Newcomb’s Brigade, I thought it my duty to acquaint Your Exellency with the State of the Militia under my Command—There is about five hundred at this time out in Service, wch has in general proved a sufficient force to prevent any trade or Intercourse between this country & the city of Philada—But we have not in other...
27049To George Washington from Archibald Kennedy, 15 January 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Archibald Kennedy, Jr., 15 Jan. 1778. GW wrote Kennedy on 20 Jan. 1778 : “I received yours of the 15th last Evening.”
27050From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 15 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Should it be thought expedient to draw a Body of Men together early next Spring, it will be necessary for us to know precisely what number of Arms we could have ready for such an emergency. I have desired Colo. Flowers to make me a return of all at the magazines under his immediate direction, & have wrote to the Commissary at Springfield to do the like. You will be pleased to make the proper...