Title: To George Washington from the Continental Congress Executive Committee, 7 January 1777
From: Continental Congress Executive Committee
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philada Jany 7th 177[7]

I was this day honoured with your favour of the 5th Inst. which arrived in time to forward the enclosures by Post—We waited with Impatience to learn the consequence of your late movements and have been highly gratifyed, at the same time we see plainly some Important event is still to happen, the Enemy must mean to evacuate the Jerseys or to give you Battle the latter may be ruinous in its consequences to either party & therefore its probable will only be sought for by those that have the superiority this we fondly hope will fall to your lot If joined by Genl Heath, & Genl McDougal & the Jersey Militia as we are taught to Expect will be the case, Shou’d they loose a Battle or evacuate Jersey, surely they cannot afterwards make out a decent paragraph for Gaines infamous paper after being Out General’d & obliged to abandon the Country they thought themselves Securely possessed of. Your Excellency will find enclosed a paper herein, drawn up by a Capt. Gamble lately a prisoner onboard the Fleet in New York he declares that the Treatment of both Sea & Land Prisoners in that place is Shocking to Humanity this man deserves Credit & his Account of their Ill usage is confirmed by all the Prisoners that come from thence, as to the information he gives at the bottom of his paper he says he will forfeit his life if every tittle of it is not as near to the Truth as possible for an inquisitive man in his Situation to come at. We think this wou’d be a good time to remonstrate to Genl Howe & Lord Howe against the base usage our people meet with and to Threaten immediate retaliation on the British prisoners in our possession if they did not alter their Conduct, it is probable Genl Howe may say it is Contrary to orders & not with his knowledge if our people Suffer, but this is not sufficient, Our poor Soldiers & Sailors are perishing for want of Foods, fresh air & cleanliness, whilst those of theirs in our possession are feasting on the fat of this land, they have Said we Treat them well through

fear, It is time to Convince them we are not afraid, altho we are actuated by principles of Humanity, but those principles now Dictate the necessity of Severe usage to British Officers in particular that they may hereafter make it a point for their own sakes to see proper care taken of those that fall within their power—Depend on it good Sir We do not write in this Stile to gratify any feelings of our own, they are all repugnant to what we propose. Lieutt Josiah has just called on us & Confirms the acct of Ill usage &c. he says he was exchanged for Lieutt Ball & that no person has been given up for Lieutt Boger now in New York, there is a Capt. Burke that was formerly Capt. Manlys Lieutt in his Successfull Cruize’s. Burke Succeeded to the Command of Manlys Vessell, was taken by the Liverpool Frigate to which Mr Boger belongs & Cap. Bellew sent Burke to N. York for the express purpose of having him exchanged for Boger, & as he is said to be a very good Officer, has been Ill used and suffered a good deal, we dare say your Excellency will demand his release by the first Flag. We have the honor to be Sir Your Excellencys Obedt Servts

Robt Morris
Geo. Clymer
Geo. Walton


Title: To George Washington from Lord Cornwallis, 7 January 1777 [letter not found]
From: Cornwallis, Charles, second earl of
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Lord Cornwallis, 7 Jan. 1777. In a letter to Cornwallis of 8 Jan., GW referred to “your Lordship’s Favor of yesterday.”


Title: To George Washington from John Parke Custis, 7 January 1777 [letter not found]
From: Custis, John Parke
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from John Parke Custis, 7 Jan. 1777. On 22 Jan. GW wrote Custis that “your Letter of the 7th came to my hands a few days ago.”


Title: From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 7 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Heath, William

Dear Sir
Morris Town 7th Jany 1777

I wrote to you on the 5th from Pluckemin, a Copy of which I inclose, least the Original should have miscarried. I confirm all the Orders given in mine of the 5th only that I would (if it is agreeable to you both) have Genl Lincoln continue with you, and let some other proper Officer conduct the Troops who are to join me. But this I leave intirely to yourselves.
I beg you will keep up every Appearance of falling down upon New York, as that will be the surest Method of obliging them to withdraw their whole Force from this side to protect the City, and as I am confident they have not proper Magazines established there, they must be put to the most extreme want for provisions. If they throw part of their Force into New York, they will leave themselves in such a Situation, that we may, in all probability fall upon them with Success.
I received yours of the 4th last Night, and am glad to find that you have already made some dispositions to move towards New York, your following with a stronger Force, will give a colour to our pretended or real design upon that City, for if there is a fair opening I would have you make the Attempt.
I leave the Settlement, for the Arms that have been lost, to you. Justice should be done to the public and to individuals. If the Arms have been lost by Neglect, the party should certainly pay for them at a reasonable Rate, but if by any Accident unavoidable in the Course of a Campaign, I should not think the Soldier liable. The Regimental Pay Masr can stop the Value of the Arms with more conveniency than the Paymaster General.

By a person who came out of New York a few days ago, I am informed that there are 2000 Hessians at Fort Washington and 1 Brigade of British and 2 Regiments of Hessians in the City.
I have so good an Opinion of Colo. Malcolm that I will engage to give him a Regiment if he will undertake to make out such a Corps of Officers as I shall approve of, and will give me any kind of Assurance that he can raise the Men. If he thinks he can comply with those two points I shall be glad to see him as soon as possible. I am Dear Sir Yr most obt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 7 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Lincoln, Benjamin

Dear Sir
Morris Town 7th January 1777

I am glad to hear by yours of the 4th Inst. that you had arrived at Peekskill, and I hope from the measures you have taken to hasten up your Troops that they will soon be all with you.
General Heath will communicate mine of this date to you, by which you will find that the greatest part of your Troops are to move down towards New York to draw the Attention of the Enemy to that Quarter, and if they do not throw a considerable Body back again, you may in all probability carry the City, or at least blockade them in it.
I beleive they are not prepared for the latter, for as they have for some time past made themselves sure of holding Jersey, they have not taken proper precautions to establish large Magazines at any one place. I leave it intirely to the determination of you and Genl Heath whether you shall continue on the East Side of Hudsons River, or come on with the Troops that are to join me. I have only to beg of you to be as expeditious as possible in moving forward for the sooner a pannic struck Enemy are followed the better. If we can oblige them to evacuate

Jersey we must drive them to the utmost distress for as I mentioned above they have depended upon the Supplies from that province for their Winter support. I am Sir.


Title: From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 7 January 1777 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Putnam, Israel

Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 7 Jan. 1777. On 9 Jan. Putnam wrote to the Pennsylvania council of safety: “I received a Letter from his Excellency last Evening, without Date, but supposed to be written 7th Inst., he was at Morris Town, & proposed refreshing his Troops a few Days at that Place” (Pa. ArchivesSamuel Hazard et al., eds. Pennsylvania Archives. 9 ser., 138 vols. Philadelphia and Harrisburg, 1852–1949., 1st ser., 5:177).


Title: From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Edward Antill, 8 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Antill, Edward

Sir
Head Quarters Morris Town 8th Jany 1777

I recd yours of the 2d Inst. from Baltimore. In Answer to which I have only to desire you to call upon all your Officers who are upon recruiting Service, to exert themselves as much as possible in filling their Companies, and sending their Recruits forward to some general place of Rendezvous that they may be armed equipped and got into service with as much Expedition as possible. As you and Colo. Hazen had the Nomination of your own Officers by Virtue of your Commissions, I shall have no objection to any Gentlemen of good Character that you may think fit to appoint. I would only mention to you that Mr Burwell has already got a Company in the Virginia Artillery, and therefore you had better fill up the place you intended for him with some other Person. If going to Virginia yourself will be of any service I certainly shall have no Objection to it. I am &ca.


Title: From George Washington to Lord Cornwallis, 8 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Cornwallis, Charles, second earl of

My Lord
Morris Town 8th Jany 1777

Your Lordship’s Favor of yesterday was delivered to me by the Officer who met your Flag of Truce.
You may be assured that no Molestation will be offered to the Convoy of Money and Stores which General D’Heister means to send to the Hessians taken at Trenton, or to the Surgeon and Medicines for the wounded at Princetown, by any part of the regular Army under my command. But I cannot answer for the Militia, who are resorting to Arms in most parts of this State, and exceedingly exasperated at the Treatment they have met with from both British and Hessian Troops.
I therefore thought it most advisable to direct Capt. Barry, the Bearer of this, to give a safe Conduct to the Hessian Baggage as far as Philadelphia, and the Surgeon and Medicines to princetown.
I have no objection to the Hessian Serjeant and twelve Men’s attending their Baggage till it is delivered to their Countrymen, but cannot consent to their carrying their Arms, as I think none but bad consequences can ensue from such a Measure. I am with due Respect my Lord Your Lordships most obt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 8 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Pennsylvania Council of Safety

Gentn
Morristown January 8th 1777

I have been honoured with your Several Letters of the 3d & 5th Instt and return you my thanks for your kind attention to the wants of the Army and endeavours to supply ’em; Nor am I less obliged by your notice of the Eclipse of the Sun, which is to happen to morrow. This event, without a previous knowledge of it, might affect the minds of the Soldiery, and be attended with some bad consequences.
The various, important concerns, to which I am obliged to turn my attention, have prevented me from transmitting you the intelligence I wished to have done. The Manuvre from Trenton has been attended with happy effects; the evacuation of that, as well as princetown by the Enemy who are now at Brunswick and the posts below. I cannot enter upon a minute & particular detail of the affair and shall only add that in the Action they must have lost five hundred Men; in killed, wounded & prisoners, besides the Stores they had in princeton—Our loss in slain is Six or Seven Officers & about Twenty five or Thirty privates. The number of wounded, is not ascertained, but in the list, is the brave & worthy Genl Mercer who is a prisoner. he was reported to be dead, but from the last intelligence from princeton, he was alive & there were hopes of his doing well. I intended to have proceeded from princeton to the surprize of Brunswick, but was prevented by the arrival of the Enemy at the former in their return from Trenton, before our Men had an opportunity of refreshing themselves after their fatiguing and hasty march. There have been Two or three small skirmishes since, between some of their parties and those of the Militia of this State, in which the latter have been successfull and made a few prisoners. The most considerable was on Sunday morning, when Eight or Ten Waldeckers were killed & wounded, & Two Officers & thirty nine or forty privates, the remainder of the party taken, by a number not superior and without any damage. I have the Honor to be with great respect Genn Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: Orders to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Blachley Webb, 8 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Webb, Samuel Blachley

Sir
[Morristown, 8 January 1777]

you are to take charge of  privates of the Brittish Army & to Conduct them by the shortest and best rout from this place to Peekskill in the State of Newyork—Treat them with humanity, and Let them have no reason to Complain of our Copying the brutal example of the Brittish Army in their Treatment of our unfortunate bretheren who have fallen into their hands, provide every thing necessary for them on the Road, and draw orders on the Quarter Master General for the amount of your several Disbursements, you will Deliver the prisoners to General Heath or the officer Commanding there who is desired to forward them to Governor Trumbull, who will dispose of them in such parts of the State of Connecticut as he will think proper. Given at Headquarters Morristown 8th January 1777.

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Colonel George Baylor, 9 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Baylor, George

Dear Baylor.
Morris Town Jany 9th 1777.

Your Letter of the 1st from Baltimore came to my hands this day; Your desires of commanding a Regt of Horse I chearfully yield to, because it is the Recommendation of Congress—your own wish—and my desire.
As nothing contributes so much to the Constitution of a good Regiment,

as a good Corps of Officers, and no method so likely to obtain these as leaveing the choice, in a great measure, to the Gentleman who is to reap the Honours, or share the disgrace ariseing from their Behaviour, I shall vest you with the power of Nominating the Officers of your own Regiment—except the Field Officers, and those of the Troop commanded by Geo: Lewis, which I shall annex to your Regiment (instead of Sheldons) and except a Lieutenancy in some Troop for little Stark, when I talk of giveing you the Nomination of the Officers, I would have it understood, that, I reserve to myself a negative upon a part or the whole, if I have reason to suspect an improper choice.
I earnestly recommend to you, to be circumspect in your choice of Officers—take none but Gentlemen—let no local attachments influence you—do not suffer your good nature (when an application is made) to say Yes, when you ought to say No—remember, that it is a public—not a private Cause, that is to be injured, or benefited by your choice—recollect also, that no Instance has yet happened of good, or bad behaviour in any Corps in our Service, that has not originated with the Officers. Do not take old Men, nor yet fill your Corps with Boys—especially for Captains—Colo. Landon Carter sometime ago recommended a Grandson of his to me—if he still inclines to serve, & a Lieutenancy would satisfy him, make him the offer of it.
I have wrote to a Major Clough to accept the Majority of your Regiment, he is an experienced Officer in the Horse service, and a Gentleman like Man, as far as I have seen of him. The Lieut. Colo. I have not yet absolutely fixed on, tho I have a person in my Eye.
For further Instructions I refer you to Mr Harrisson—who will furnish you with a Copy of those given to Colo. Sheldon—One Hundred and twenty Dollars will be allowed You as the Average price of the Horses; the Money for these, and your accoutraments you must call upon Congress for; & I have to entreat that you will not delay a moment that can be avoided, in prepareing to take the Field early—You must be upon your Mettle, for others are engaged in the same service & will exert themselves to the utmost to out do you. I can say nothing respecting your uniform, as that will depend upon the Cloth to be had. Mr James Mease of Philadelphia is appointed Clothier General to the Army, & to him you must apply for this Article—where you will be able to get proper Saddles I know not; if Maryland and Virginia, together with Lancaster & York, could furnish You, perhaps it would be better than to depend upon Philadelphia, as it is likely there may be a run upon that City for more than it can furnish in a short time; let me hear frequently from You. I am Very Sincerely Yours

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from the Continental Congress Executive Committee, 9 January 1777
From: Continental Congress Executive Committee
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philadelphia January 9. 1777.

We do Ourselves the Honor to transmit you the inclosed Report or Relation of Joseph Traversie a Canadian by which your Excellency will learn the secret Machinations of some of his Countrymen of Rank who are Prisoners in this State. It is from an Apprehension of what is there intimated that a Release of these Prisoners is about to take place, that we early make you acquainted with this Circumstance respecting their Conduct, and your Excellency will best judge how far they ought to be indulged with a Favour of this kind while they labour under such Suspicions.
Upon Enquiry we learn that Traversie has always manifested a warm Attachment to the American Cause and we suggest to You as a Matter that has occurred to Ourselves whether it would not be proper to suffer this Man to return to Canada in order to give Information concerning the Design mention’d in the Report as the best Means of defeating its Execution. Our Information concerning Traversie is through Mr Bondfield late of Quebec, who tells Us he will undertake this Service and lives near St Francis. We are Your Excellency’s obedt hum. Servts

Robt Morris
Geo. Clymer
Geo. Walton


Title: From George Washington to Colonel Richard Gridley, 9 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Gridley, Richard

Sir
Head Quarters Morris Town 9th Jany 1777

I recd yours of Decemr last with plans of the seven Fortifications in and about Boston. I dare say they are so constructed as to answer the Ends, for which they were intended, in the most effectual manner, but such is my present multiplicity of Business that I have not had time to cast my Eyes upon them.
I think it reasonable that Capt. Chadwick and your Son should be paid for their Service, and it is my desire that Genl Ward shall (upon the Sight of this) make them proper Compensation.
It is impossible for the Qr Masr General to affix a price to the Boards, Nails and other Materials used in building the Forts. I suppose they were contracted for at some certain price, and whatever that was must be paid. I am Sir Yr most obt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison, 9 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Harrison, Robert Hanson

My dear Harrison,
Morris Town Jany 9th 1777.

I often intended, but before I had it in my power forgot, to ask you whether your Brother in law Majr Johnston would not, in your opinion, make a good Aid de Camp to me, I know it is a question that will involve you in some difficulty, but I beg you will not consider the Connexion between you in answering of it. I have heard that Majr Johnston is a Man of Education. I beleive him to be a Man of Sense—these are two very necessary qualification’s; but how is his temper? As to Military knowledge, I do not expect to find Gentlemen much skilled in it—If they can write a good Letter—write quick—are methodical, & deligent, it is all I expect to find in my Aids. do not therefore if Mr Johnston possesses these qualities, and a good disposition, refrain (from false modesty) to withhold your recommendation; because in that case you will do him injustice, & me a disservice.
If you think Mr Johnston will suit me as well as any other, I should prefer him; & therefore beg that he may be sent hither immediately, as Webb only waits the arrival of another Aid to set out for Connecticut. I am ever Yr Affecte friend & Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 9 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Heath, William

Dear sir
Morris Town 9th Jany 1777

I wrote you lately, since which the Enemy appear to be drawing their whole force to Brunswick whether with design to move towards Philadelphia Attack Us—or secure themselves from the inconveniences of detach’d bodies I know not; but as many valuable purposes may, I think be answered by your moving towards New York, I wish that no time may be lost in doing it. I have good reasons to believe that there are very few Men left in the City of York, or upon the Island, consequently a forced March that way may possess themselves of the City, or occasion a reinforcement to be thrown in there which in either case cannot fail of advancing our Cause. I am Dr sir Yr &c.

G.W.


Title: To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 9 January 1777
From: Heath, William
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Peeks-kill [N.Y.] Jany 9th 1777

I have received the honor of your’s of the 31st of December, & 5th & 7th of Jany.
In my last I mentioned to your Excellency the taking of one Strang & the Appointment of a General Court martial for his Tryall—The Court gave in their Judgment on the 5th Inst. Copy of which I take the Liberty in inclose—I have not as yet approved or disapproved the Sentence, as this is the first Tryal of the Kind, I have thought it my Duty to lay the matter before your Excellency, and to crave your Opinion.
I have just received a Letter from Governor Trumbull which I also inclose.
Your Excellency in your Letter of the 5th Inst. Signify’d your Pleasure, that a Body of the Eastern Militia should move towards New York—I took immediate measures for the purpose—Those coming on from Connecticut I have ordered to Rye, & Kingstreet—The New York Militia was before at North Castle—In order to give your Excellency

the earliest Aid in our power, part of Two Regiments crossed the North River, and marched to Rampaugh several days since—The Remainder of those Regiments are now on their march with Brigadier General Warner—There are but Two other Regiments as yet arrived from Massachusetts Bay—One of which must remain here as a Guard; the other is marching for North Castle—Our greatest difficulty is the want of Artillery men—I have been oblig’d to offer Ten Dollars bounty, for a number sufficient to man Five or Six pieces of Cannon for Six Weeks—I hope I shall obtain them.
Your Excellency hinted in your last that if it was agreable to General Lincoln, & myself you would have him continue on this Side—It being perfectly so to us both he will remain with me.
We are making every preparation necessary with the greatest dilligence—The Troops are Rendezvousing as fast as possible—General Lincoln & myself shall go down tomorrow, if the Artillery is manned—Our parties already Scout pretty far down—Rogers’s men desert fast, and others are joining of him many of whom, we have taken.
Rogers is alarmed—part of his Regiment have moved to the other Side of Kingsbridge where about 50 Light Horse are Quartered—I think this Expedition will be attended with good Consequences—It must certainly make a Diversion in favor of your Excellency—It will prevent much Forage & provisions being sent to them by the way of Kingsbridge, & I hope enable us to raise Magazines of forage for our own Army—and your Excellency is sensible that Army which is best provided with Forage, can earliest take the Field to advantage—Forage at present is extremely scarce with us.
The day before yesterday I was informed that the Enemy were warping over some Ships to the Jersey Side, we suppos’d to cover a Retreat, & that others were under Sail—I immediately sent an Express towards Dobbss Ferry for Intelligence, he return’d yesterday & informs that Two Ships are in the River, One off the mouth of Spiten Devil, the other off Fort Washington, & that he could not discover any others.
I most heartily congratulate your Excellency on your success at Princetown, mention’d in your Letter of the 5th & others as we are informed Since—Your Excellency may be assured of every Exertion in our power here.
This moment a Flag has been sent from the City, requesting of the Convention of this State, Liberty for Lady Johnson, & Mrs Cuyler with their Servants & Effects to go to New York—As the former is said to be a Lady of great art & Intrigue, I am informed the Convention refused a former Application, on Account of Sr John’s Influence among the Indians. I have the honor to be with great respect & Esteem your Excellency’s most humbe Servt

W. Heath


Title: To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, 9 January 1777 [letter not found]
From: Lincoln, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, 9 Jan. 1777. When writing to William Heath on 12 Jan., GW referred to Lincoln’s “letter of the 9th.”


Title: Orders to Captain John Thornton, 9 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Thornton, John

[Morristown, 9 January 1777]

You are to appoint proper Officers to command such of your Regiment as are here and in the vicinity of this place—who are to collect them together—and also to take charge of the sick & see they are properly

taken care of & provided for. You are also to appoint & send an Officer to collect such of the Men belonging to the Regiment as were left on the East side of Hudsons River, who is to return with them to Head Qrs or Philadelphia & there wait for further orders giving me notice of his arrival. When you have done these things you are to repair with such other Officers as may not be wanting to command the Men left here, to Colo. George Weedon & receive such orders & instructions as he may think necessary to give, which you are to Obey. Given at Morristown this 9th day of January Anno Domini 1777.

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from George Walton, 9 January 1777
From: Walton, George
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Philadelphia, 9th January, 1777.

As a general Cartelle between your Excellency, in behalf of the united states, and the Commanders of the British army and navy, has been settled, I take the liberty of enclosing to your Excellency a list of the names of the Officers and men of an armed Boat which were taken in May last by Captain Stanhope, of the Raven, while in the service of the state I have the honor to represent; and I have this day recieved information that they are now confined in a prison-ship in the harbor of New-York. The fortune of war having placed several officers and privates, both of the british Fleet and army in the power of your Officers in Georgia, I was informed that an Exchange was proposed to Captain Stanhope before he brought our people away; and that he declined it, alledging that he had no orders to that purpose. As these men have been a long time in a most disagreeable and painful confinement, and several of them having Families, I must earnestly request that your Excellency will either demand Captain Brown and his men in exchange for any prisoners which have been delivered to the enemy, or that you will apply for their release upon an assurance that an equal number of Officers and men, which are now in Georgia, shall

be given up to the Commanding Officer at Augustine, or to any other Officer that may be empowered to recieve them. I have the honor to be, Sir, with the most perfect esteem, Your Excellency’s very humble Servant,

Geo. Walton


Title: From George Washington to Colonel David Forman, 10 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Forman, David

Sir
Head Quarters Morris Town 10th Jany 1777.

From my observation of your Behaviour and Attention to your Business during the last Campaign, I am induced to make you an offer of the Sixteen Battalions which the Congress have empowered me to raise and officer. If you accept of my offer, I shall leave the recommendation of the Feild and subaltern Officers in a great Measure to yourself, trusting to your recommending none but Gentlemen of known Abilities and Spirit. I dont know in what part of the Country

you will recruit, but that you may lose no time, I enclose you such Instructions as I think it necessary for you to follow. As Philada will be the place where all Recruits must be armed and accoutered I should think a Feild Officer and such others as can be spared from the recruiting Service should be stationed there to receive them and send them into service with the utmost Expedition—Let me hear from you at any Rate upon the Rect of this. I am Sir Yr most obt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 January 1777
From: Hancock, John
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Baltimore Jany 10th 1777.

The enclosed Resolves will inform you of the Proceedings of Congress since my last.
I have wrote to the Council of Massachusetts Bay on the Subject of the enclosed Resolve relative to an Attack on Nova Scotia, the Propriety of which the Congress have submitted to that State.
You will please to inform Doctor Morgan, and likewise Doctor Stringer of their Dismission from the Service of these States. I am so extremely hurried in the Execution of the Resolves of Congress, that I have only Time to request your Attention to the enclosed.
The late Movements of our Army have filled us with the most anxious Expectation and we are impatient for the Event. I have the Honour to be with perfect Esteem & Regard Sir your most obed. & very hble Sert

John Hancock Presidt


Title: From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison, 10 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Harrison, Robert Hanson

My dear Sir,
Morris Town Jany 10th 1777.

Inclosed are unsealed Letters for Baylor & Majr Clough—let every thing be put in motion agreeable to them as speedily as possible—& Clough or Starke, or both, set of as speedily as possible for Virginia.
If Grayson accepts the offer of a Regiment he should set out immediately to raise it, in doing which he will, I expect, derive great assistance from Levin Powell if he Inclines to serve as Lieutt Colo. the other Officers, under the reserve of a negative, I leave to themselves to name. Young Ross I shall put into Gists Regiment.
Let me have a Copy of the Instru[c]tions given Sheldon—& if you could let me know exactly, how the matter stands with respect to the exchange of Prisoners I should be glad to be furnished with it as soon as possible, as I am blamed it seems for not facilitating that matter more—take the most speedy, & effectual measures to communicate the releasements that have come out in order that the several officers concernd may be under no doubt or embarrassment with respect to the part they are to act.
The Inclosed came to me from Richd Henry Lee Esqr.—I send it that if Grayson thinks proper to make use of Captn Kendal, he may. his writings do not convey the most exalted opinion of him, but he may be a good Officer, & somewhat of a Gentleman notwithstanding—Colo. Lee gives a good character of him, and a Company, if not obtaind

at too great an expence in the officers of it, is no undesirable thing when so many Men are to be raised in a hurry.
I shall add no more at present than that I am most sincerely yrs

Go: Washington

P.S. Send me a Copy of that Resolution of Congress relative to Genl Lee—I hear they are about to try him as a Deserter. Inclosed is the Key of my red Trunk (coverd with a Bearskin) out of which please to take a Bunch of Keyes & send them to me by the first safe hand.

G. W——n


Title: To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 10 January 1777
From: Heath, William
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Peeks-Kill [N.Y.] Jany 10th 1777

In your Excellency’s Letter of the 7th Inst. you are pleased to leave the Settlement of the Arms that have been lost, to me—Observing that Justice should be done to the Public & to Individuals—I have been endeavoring to Settle with some of the Regiments, but I find the matter so embarrass’d, that I cannot compleat it without again applying to your Excellency for Direction.
Some Regiments, in particular Prescott’s, have Sixty or Seventy Arms lost, some private & others public property—The Officers alledge that

when they left Governor’s Island, they had many Sick, That some Arms were left on the Island—that others were brought over to the City, & that at the Time of the Retreat, Waggons could not be obtained to bring them off, & that they lost even their own Clothing—Others were at the Armourers Shops, and either brought away in a Hurry, & mixed with others, or left behind—Such as were private property they request payment for—Such as belonged to the Public & were so lost, they construe unavoidably lost—As there were a great many Arms lost by different Regiments, in the before mention’d Retreats, under Similar Circumstances, I would beg your Excellency’s particular Direction, as it is a matter of very considerable importance, as all should be treated alike—I have ordered a Stoppage for the public Arms, which have been lost in the before mention’d Instances, until I am directed further.
I cannot but mention to your Excellency the State of the Recruiting Service, an Object on the Success of which, our future hopes of Advantage against the Enemy, must under Heaven be principally built—we are now arrived to the 10th of January, & but few Recruits comparatively raised except in this State, where the Regiments are in great forwardness principally owing to the immediate Clothing of their Troops—There are here a number of Recruits belonging to the State of Massachusetts Bay—they are almost naked, & so infected with the Itch, as to be unfit for Service—their Officers are importuning of me that the men may return home, cleanse & recruit themselves; this I am confident would promote the Service, as it respects these Individuals; but I find that they have grown uneasy, on Account of those belonging to Connecticut, being gone home; & should I grant their request, the uneasiness would spread among those who are with your Excellency—I have not as yet furloughed one Private, but wish to know your Excellency’s pleasure on this matter.
There are a number of Officers here who have engaged in the new Army; and as they have but little prospect of recruiting at this place, I have sent a number of them to New-England.
Major Huntington who is acting at this post, as an Assistant to the Adjutant General, & is well known at Head Quarters is a Gentleman of Family, of Fortune, and possessed of those Qualifications, requisite in an Officer—I beg leave to recommend him to your Excellency’s Notice.
My next will be dated at some other place.
Rogers’s men are deserting daily, I think that if a Proclamation was issued offering a pardon to those who return to their Duty & allegiance to the States, great numbers of them would come off—they certainly grow much discontented.

A few days since Twenty or Thirty Sail of large Ships, sailed up the East River towards New-England.
I have ordered that such men as are in Captivity, should be made up only to the time of their being taken. I have the honor to be With great Respect Your Excellency’s Most humble Servt

W. Heath


Title: From George Washington to Richard Henry Lee, 10 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Lee, Richard Henry

My dear Sir,
Morris Town Jany 10th 1777

Your last favour, by the purport of it (having no date) as also one or two others at different periods, have come safe to my hands; and went unacknowledged from the hurried, and distracted state of our Affairs, & from the knowledge I had, that every occurrance worth noticing came regularly to you in my Letters to Congress.
I thank you Sir for the mention of Colo. Heartly, and finding upon enquiry that he is worthy of a Regiment I have sent him Orders to raise one immediately—I shall also Inclose Woffendall Kendalls Letter to some Officer to the Southward that his merit & services may not go unnoticed.
My Letters to Congress containing every thing of a Public nature that I coud communicate in this, renders it unnecessary for me to add more than my Complimts to our friends—my thanks for your kind wishes & that I am with Affecte regard Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to James Mease, 10 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Mease, James

Dear Sir.
Morris Town Jany 10th 1777.

Your Letter of the 6th came duly to hand, and I have the pleasure to inform you that previous to your application, I had fixed upon you in my own mind, for the Office you have sollicited.
It will be necessary for you, or whoever discharges the duties of that Office to attend the Army, in order that the wants of it may be known—the cloathing received—and properly distributed.
We are distressed beyond measure for Cloathing, (Shoes & Stockings particularly) & for want of some person whose business it is to attend to this department, those articles which have been sent from Philadelphia have either been lost—or misapplied, to the extreame prejudice of the Service.
A Parcel sent by You to Colo. Read are either lost or laying where we derive no benefit from them, more I understand are comeing on from the Eastward, & will be in the same predicament, unless particular attention is paid to the matter by those whose business it is to order and direct in these cases—for not being in the line of the Quarter Master’s duty, the Business is not only neglected but the articles often injudiciously applied. with Compliments to Mrs Mease I am Dr sir Yr &c.

G.W.

P.S. If you cannot come up at this time yourself some person should be sent on to take charge of the Business in your behalf.


Title: From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 10 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Trumbull, Jonathan Sr.

Sir
Head Quarters Morris Town 10th Jany 1777

I am honored with your favor of the 23d last month—I hope the Congress have, in consequence of your application, ordered up a supply of money for the bounty to the new-enlisted Troops in your State; but lest they should not have done it, I shall order Colo. Palfrey to send what Cash he can spare to the Deputy Pay Master at Peekskill, to be applied to the use of the recruiting Service to the Eastward. He, some little time ago, sent 150,000 Dollars to Peekskill to be distributed by General Heath among the recruiting Officers. If that sum should not be expended, some money may be drawn from thence. In the mean time, I must beg the favor of you to advance the necessary sums out of the Treasury of your State, assuring you it shall be refunded as early as possible.
I am very happy to hear that your Assembly have it in contemplation to send a body of Troops forward to serve till your regular enlistments can be compleated—Nothing can be more distressing to the Enemy, or serviceable to me than an Army hanging upon the rear of New York, to move forward as circumstances may require—Their wishes and views are certainly towards Philadelphia; and valuable as the acquisition of that City would be, it would be paying too dear a price for it, were they to give up New York to a force that might be thrown into it, after their Army has moved Southward.
Our success at Trenton has been followed by another lucky blow at Princetown on the 3d instant—I lay with about five thousand men at Trenton, the Enemy advanced a superior force down upon me from Princetown on the second—Not choosing to risque an engagement there, I decamped as soon as it was dark, and marched along their flank to Princetown which lay directly in their rear. I arrived there by break of day and found three Regiments of British Troops ready drawn up to march to Trenton—We immediately attacked them, and in a short time put them compleatly to the rout. We have already taken 300 Prisoners, & the Country People are daily bringing in straglers. Their loss upon the whole will amount to at least 500. The Enemy confounded at this unexpected stroke in their rear, and fearing that their baggage at Brunswick would fall into our hands, marched back in the greatest hurry from Trenton to Brunswick where there main body now lays—They have called in all their out posts, so that their late possession of the greatest part of Jersey is reduced to the Compass of a very few miles—They evacuated Elizabeth Town with so much precipitation that we made 100 Prisoners and took the Baggage of two Regiments, besides a quantity of provisions.

These successes, though comparatively small, have greatly inspirited the inhabitants of this State and Pensylvania, and I am in great hopes if we can once put the Enemy into Winter Quarters and get some little leisure, that our affairs may be put in such a train and upon such a footing, as will insure success the next Campaign. I have the honor to be with great Sincerity Sir Your most obedient Servant

Go: Washington


Title: Commissions to the Colonels of the Sixteen Additional Continental Regiments, 11 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Colonels of the Sixteen Additional Continental Regiments

[Morristown, 11 January 1777]

Whereas the honorable Continental Congress by a resolve of the 27th Ulto have appointed Sixteen Battalions more to be raised in addition to eighty eight voted in september last and have authorized me to nominate & Commission the Officers for the same—Know You that I reposing the utmost confidence in your Abilities and Attachments to The United States of America, by virtue of the Power aforesaid do constitute and appoint you a Colonel of one of the said Battalions giving and granting you Authority, by & with the advice of your other Field Officers to appoint all Officers under the rank of Field Officers necessary for the same—nevertheless reserving to myself the right of ratifying or rejecting such appointments, and as many good Officers may have been overlook’t in the new Appointments by the Committes of the several States assignd for the discharge of that business, it is my wish that you give a preference to such of them as you know to be deserving of notice. I do hereby require and enjoin you forthwith to take measures for recruiting such Battalions in the most expeditious manner, to serve for the term of three Years or during the continuance of the War with Great Britain, and upon such pay bounties & allowances as have been resolved on by Congress for the Eighty Eight Battalions aforsaid. Given at Head Quarters at Morris Town this eleventh day of January One Thousand seven hundred and seventy Seven.

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Colonel William Grayson, 11 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Grayson, William

Dear Sir
Morris Town Jany 11th 1777

From Mr Harrison you would know my Intention of offering you one of the 16 Regimts which the Congress have been pleas’d to leave to me to raise, & appoint the Officers of[.] I have express’d my desire that Colo. Levin Powell should be your Lieut. Colo., & if you have no objection, & Frazers Stomach comes to him it will be agreeable to me that he becomes your Major as he is spoke very well of in that Character by the General & other Officers who serv’d with him to the Northward.

Instructions & Recruiting Orders (which you are to distribute to the Officers after your Arrangment is made) are inclos’d, As also a Warrant for 10,000 Dollars to begin your Recruiting with—After you have nominated your Officers & seen them fairly enter’d upon the Recruiting Service, repair yourself to Philadelphia, which is to be the General Rendezvous, in order that you may receive—Form—Cloath & provide for your Regiment.
The Recruits are to be March’d by Fifty’s or upwards as rais’d; & are to be sent on by the Lieut. Colo., who is to use every means in his power to compleat the Regiment, & send the Men with all Imaginable dispatch—When you compare the date of this Letter, with the Season we shall undoubtedly be drawn into the Field, & revolve the Consequences of going thither weak handed, I am perswaded no greater Stimulus can be given to your Exertions—Most sincerely wishing you Success I am with great regard Dr Sir Yr Most Affecte

Go: Washington

Quere If only part of the Bounty is given at the time of Enlisting, & the rest at Joining the Regiment, would it not be better? there would be less Temptation to Desert.


Title: From George Washington to Colonel John Patton, 11 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Patton, John

Sir
[Morristown] Jany 11th 1777.

Consequent of the good opini⟨on⟩ I entertain of you as an Officer, I present you with an Appointment to the Command of a Regiment.
Parke will be your Lieutt Colo.; and Scull (late Brigade Majr to Genl Thompson) your Major. I have also to desire that Lieutt Jno. Dennis (recomd by Genl Cadwallader) may be one of your Captains.
The rest of the Officers you, and your Field Officers will, I hope, make a happy, & judicious choice of—always keeping in view, how much your own honour & the reputation of the Regiment depends upon their goodness.
Inclosed you have a Warrant upon the Paymaster for 5,000 Dollars to begin your Recruiting with—more may be had as wanted. Wishing

you to use every possible exertion in the discharge of this duty I remain Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington

N.B. The Surgeons & Mates are to pass Examination of the Director Genl of the Hospital before they are appointed. Philadelphia may be the place of Rendezvous for your Regiment.


Title: To George Washington from Col. Joseph Reed, 11 January 1777 [letter not found]
From: Reed, Joseph
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Col. Joseph Reed, 11 Jan. 1777. GW wrote to Reed on 12 Jan. that “yours of the eleventh is Come to hand.”


Title: To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Joseph Spencer, 11 January 1777 [letter not found]
From: Spencer, Joseph
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Joseph Spencer, 11 Jan. 1777. Spencer wrote GW on 30 Jan.: “I wrote to your Excellency the 11th Instant.”


Title: Orders to Captain Francis Wade, 11 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Wade, Francis

Morris Town Jany 11th 1777

You are hereby authorized and empower’d to collect all the Beef, Pork, Flour, Spirrituous Liquors &c. &c. not necessary for the subsistance of the Inhabitants, in all the parts of East Jersey lying below the Road leading from Brunswick to Trentown and as fast as the Stores are collected to be remov’d to Newton, Buck County in Pensilvania, and there stored, and formd into proper Magazines.
You are further authorized and Impower’d to press such Waggons, Carriages, &c. as may be necessary to transport the Provisions & Stores in the most expeditious manner to the place affoursaid. You are also

to apply to the Council of Safety at Philadelphia to furnish you with such quantitys of Salt as may be wanted to cure the provisions you take in, You are first to notify the Inhabitants & request them, to bring in all the above inumerated Articles not necessary for their own subsistance, at such places as you shall appoint, for which they shall be paid a generous price. But if any refuse to comply with the request, you are directed to take such Articles as they withold by force giving proper Certifycates for the Articles so taken, payable when demanded. The Commanding Officers at the different Posts in East Jerseys are hereby Directed to furnish you with such Assistance as you may require to execute, the above Business.
The Qr Mr Genl Thos Mifflin Esqr. & the Commissy Genl Thos Lowry Esqr. are desired to furnish you with such sums of Money for their respective departments as you may require, for which you are to give your receipts and account to them for the Disbursments.


Title: From George Washington to the Continental Congress Executive Committee, 12 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Continental Congress Executive Committee

Gentlemen
Head Quarters Morris Town 12th Jany 1777

I have your several Favors of the 7th and 9th instant. Complaints of the usage of the prisoners both in the land and Sea Service have been the subjects of many of my Letters to Lord and General Howe, but all the Satisfaction or Answer, that I could ever obtain, was, that the Reports were groundless. However upon the Authority of Capt. Gambles relation, and the miserable emaciated Countenances of those poor Creatures who have lately been released, I shall take the Liberty of remonstrating sharply to his Lordship and the General, and let them know in very plain terms, that if their rule of Conduct towards our prisoners is not altered, we shall be obliged, however disagreeable it may be, to make retaliation.
I think your plan of appointing Agents to attend the prisoners would answer many good purposes, that particularly of seeing them regularly and honestly supplied with whatever their Allowance may be. And then any Accounts of ill Usage coming thrô them, would be so authentic, that we might safely proceed to take such measures towards their prisoners as would be fully justifiable.
I shall demand Capt. Burke for Lieut. Boger, and agreeable to your Request, desire that Capt. Bell and Getshius may be sent out under parole, at the same time mentioning to Lord Howe that we do not treat Captains of Merchantmen as prisoners of War.
I dont know what to make of the Information of Joseph Traversie, it appears very strange to me, that people, who have been 12 Months from Canada, should be able to lay any plans, at the distance of many hundred Miles, that can be any ways detrimental to us. I have just recd Letters from the French Officers at Reading desiring a Liberty of

returning home under our Cartel, but if it should be thought improper just now, on account of the above information, I have no objection to their being detained a while longer.
I recd a Letter from Mr Walton inclosing the Names of the Captain and Crew of an armed Boat belonging to Georgia, which was taken by the Raven Man of War. I will, when I write to Lord Howe, transmit the List and desire an Exchange.
The Enemy are very quiet at Brunswic and Amboy, to all appearance more afraid of an attack than thinking of attacking.
General Heath is beginning to move towards Kingsbridge and a few days will shew what Alteration a diversion in that quarter will make. I am Gentn Yr most obt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Lt. Col. Robert Hanson Harrison, 12 January 1777 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Harrison, Robert Hanson

Letter not found: to Lt. Col. Robert Hanson Harrison, 12 Jan. 1777. In his letter of 20 Feb. 1777 to the Maryland council of safety, Samuel Chase asked the council “to consider the following Extract of a Letter from Genl. Washington to his Friend Colo. Harrison, of 12 [ultimo]. ‘With great Truth I can add, that Heaven alone knows upon what principle they (the Enemy) act, or by what Means, they are kept quiet. That we are not able to make the least Stand, if they move, is as clear as the Sun in its’ meridian Brightness. Whilst you are at an Expence equal to the Maintainance of a large Army, & expect that We are very strong, We have scarce Men enough to mount the Common Guards’” (Smith, Letters of DelegatesPaul H. Smith et al., eds. Letters of Delegates to Congress, 1774–1789. 26 vols. Washington, D.C., 1976–2000., 6:328–30).


Title: From George Washington to Colonel Thomas Hartley, 12 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Hartley, Thomas

Sir,
Morris Town Jany 12th 1777.

Instructions, Recruiting Orders, & a warrt for 5,000 Dollars for Recruiting, are herewith Inclosed—Copies of the Recruiting orders are

to be given to the Officers so soon as they are nominated, & I should think if only part of the bounty was given to the Men at the time of Inlisting and the residue when they join, it might be a means of preventing Desertion.
Philadelphia is to be your Genl Rendezvous; so soon therefore as you have put the Recruiting Service into a proper Train, repair to that place yourself, in order to receive—form—Cloath—Discipline—& provide for your Regiment. The Recruits, with proper Officers, are to be forwarded to Philadelphia by fifties, or upwards as they are raised.
I am satisfied, I need urge nothing more to you as a stimulus to the completion of your Regiment as speedily as possible than to desire you will compare the present date with the time we shall have occasion to take the Field with our whole Force.
The appointment of your Lieutt Colonel, and Major, is left to yourself under the reservation contained in your Instructions. Once a Week you are to inform me of the State of your Regiment & how you proceed in Recruiting. I am Sir Yr Most Obedt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 12 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Heath, William

Dear Sir
Head Quarters Morris Town 12th Jany 1777.

I have yours of the 9th inclosing the proceedings of the Court Martial who set upon Strang. In my opinion the Sentence should be confirmed & executed.
It gives me great pleasure to find that your Troops are in so great fordwardness, to move down on both sides of the River. I think the diversion which you will create, will be attended with the most happy Consequences to us and distress to the Enemy.
Forage for the Winter will be one of their greatest Wants, and I highly approve of your Intentions of collecting all you can, not only to put it out of their reach, but as it will be most servicable to us.
You were certainly right in retaining the Artillery Men upon the Bounty of 10 dollars. By the time the six Weeks expire, I hope we shall have a sufficient Number of new Recruits.
As I have never intermeddled in the Affair of Lady Johnsons Confinement, I think the propriety of her Enlargement had better be still submitted to the Convention of New York.
Make my Compliments to Genl Lincoln and inform him that I had

the pleasure of his Letter of the 9th and that I am pleased with his continuing with you on the East side of the River.
The Flints left at Durham should be forwarded on. You will retain as many at peekskill as are wanted for your Division, and order the remainder on to my Army. I am Dear Sir Your most obt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Colonel Henry Jackson, 12 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Jackson, Henry

Sir
Morris Town Jany 12th 1777

From the good report I have of you, and from the desire I feel of affording the Town of Boston an opportunity of turning out a Regiment, (& such a one as may become a pattern to others) I do myself the pleasure of sending you the Inclos’d appointment—Recruiting Orders—and Warrant upon the Paymaster in that District for money to recruit with.
The confidence I repose in you will not, I am satisfied, be abus’d—time will not admit of Delay, nor the necessity of the case of Indecission; you will therefore, I am persuaded, sett about this work with all possible Diligence.
Let me have an Account once a Week of your proceedings.
The short time allow’d us for the most vigorous Exertion, must render arguments unnecessary to stimulate you to the speedy Completion of your Regiment, & preparing it for the Field—my best wishes shall therefore be added for this purpose, with assurances that I am Sir Yr mo: Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Brig. Gen. François de Malmedy, 12 January 1777 [letter not found]
From: Malmedy, François Lellorquis de
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. François de Malmedy, 12 Jan. 1777. GW wrote Malmedy on 24 Jan.: “your Favor of 12th Inst. is now before me.”


Title: From George Washington to the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 12 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Pennsylvania Council of Safety

Gentlemen
Head Quarters Morris Town 12th Jany 1777

I have yours began upon the 31st last Mo. and continued to the 4th Inst. I am obliged to you for Mr Stanleys information, but I was before acquainted with the most material parts from other Quarters.
I would not yet suffer any of the foreign prisoners to inlist among our Troops, their Affection for us is not as fully settled and confirmed as I hope it will be a little time hence.
I shall cheerfully co-operate with you in any Measures to support the Credit of our paper Currency, which I am informed has greatly regained its Value since our late Successes.
As the Militia who first came into service, begin to grow tired, I hope you will have others ready to supply their places when they are discharged. The happy turn of our Affairs has been in a great Measure owing to the Spirit of the Militia of your State, and I hope their Brethren will not be backward in defending the Conquests which they have made.
I beg you will give every Assistance in your power to the Commissaries in providing Flour which is the only Article we are in any danger of wanting. Those Millers who have Wheat and refuse to grind it at this time, should be treated as the worst Enemies of their Country. A Scarcity of Flour in Pennsylvania must be fictitious and not owing to any real Want, and therefore should be strictly enquired into. I am Gentlemen with great Respect Your most obt Servt

Go. Washington


Title: To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 12 January 1777
From: Trumbull, Jonathan Sr.
To: Washington, George

Sir
Middletown [Conn.] Jany 12th 1777.

This will be delivered you by Lt Fellows who comes to Obtain the Release of his Brother Capt. Amos Fellows now held in Close Prison in New York upon Suspicion of being concern’d in the burning of that City—he is a Militia Captain in Col. Chapmans Regiment & taken in the Retreat out of New York, & has suffered much during his Confinment. I could wish every reasonable consistent measure might be

taken for his Releif, he is Man of Interest & Int[e]grity, has a Family, & do not think him Culpable in the matter laid to his Charge, or deserving the Treatment he has rec’d—at least I think he Ought to be heard—am extremely Sorry to find our Freinds in Captivity meet with so much Severity, we will not retaliate in that way, but Shew to the World, that American humanity rises Superior to that of our Enemys, which does not deserve even the Name—I am preparing Answers to your several Last favours, & shall only now add—that I am, most respectfully Sir Your most Obedient humble Servant

Jonth; Trumbull

P.S. As it appears by Col. Moulton who is just got from New York that Capt. Fellows is under particular Circumstances, & treated with uncommon Severity, whereby his Life is in Danger, must be of Opinion & wish for these reasons he might be prefered in point of Exchange to any other of his Rank, not under similar Situation.

P.S. The Prisoners from this State went from hence last Friday for Rhode Island, expect to send the list soon—Our four Battalions and Volunteers are going on, many must be arrived before this; Save one of the four—was ordered to Providence—how Genl Spencer will forward them back, to any advantage I am at a loss—they are much wanted there—more Volunteers go on to your Aid than was expected—Wish General Spencer might receive Orders to retain that Battalion, if so it will be needful An Express may be sent to him immediately. I am—ut intra

J. T—l


Title: General Orders, 13 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Morristown, Jany 13th 1777.
Newtown.Trenton.

Till an Adjutant General is appointed, the duty of that office will be discharged by Col. Weedon, who is obliging enough to undertake it, Pro-Tempore. He is to be regarded and obeyed as such.
All the men who came up with Genl Stephens, belonging to the different Corps, either at this place, or Chatham, are immediately to join their respective regiments.


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, 13 January 1777
From: Arnold, Benedict
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Providence Janry 13th 1777

Yesterday I arived here, haveing previously done all in my power, to forward on the Militia, from the Massachusets Bay, and Connecticut, upwards of six Thousand of which I hope are in the Jerseys, before this Time.
There is at this place & in the Vicinity, about Two thousand Men, part of six Thousand Ordered from the New England States, The others are on their March, & expected in, in a few days, The Enemies Force, on Rhode Island by the best Intelligence is five or Six Thousand, One half Foreigners, & some few Invalids, we are informed by several Persons who left New Port within a few days, that Genl Clinton is going home in the Asia, & has sent his Baggage on board, & that the Troops have Orders to hold themselves in readiness to embark at a minutes Notice, (perhaps for New York,) I beleive they have No Intention of penetrateing the Country at Present—I beg leave (tho late) to Congratulate your Excellency on your success at Trentown. It was a most happy stroke, and has greatly raised the sinking Spirits of the Country.
We this minute have Advice by a letter from Govenor Trumbull of your further Success near Prince Town, & report says, Generals Putnam, & Mifflin, have killed, & taken Two Regiments, Near Bristol, we

beleive this true As the Intelligence comes from New Port. People In General are in high Spirits, this seems a most Favourable Crisis, to Dislodge the Enemy from the Country, Heaven grant, your Excellency may be able to effect it, & may peace, & Lau⟨rels⟩ Crown your Success’es.
About Twelve or fifteen hundred of the Enemy are dispersed, in all the Farm houses On Rhode Island, as soon as the Militia arives I hope we shall be able to give a good Accot of some of them.
I beg leave to recommend to your Excellency, Capt. Samuel Mansfield, to Command a Company of Artillery. He was a Leiut. of Artillery last Summer in the Northern Department, and Afterwards, Captain of a Gally, in Two Actions Behaved with great, Prudence and Bravery, being Anxious to Continue in the Service & much wanted here, I have desired him to engage a Number of Men. If your Excellency should think proper to Appoint him, his Company will be soon filled up, & I dare be responsible for his good Conduct.
A Quarter Master is much wanted here, One is Appointed by the state for their Own Troops, but they are not able to furnish him with Cash.
I beg the favour of ⟨mutilated⟩ Respect to Capt: Mansfield, & am ⟨mutilated⟩ of perfect respect & Esteem Dear General Your most Obedient, Humble Servant

B. Arnold


Title: From George Washington to Lord Howe, 13 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Howe, Richard (Lord)

My Lord
Head Quarters [Morristown] 13 January 1777

I am sorry that I am under the disagreeable Necessity of troubling your Lordship with a Letter almost wholly on the subject of the cruel treatment which our Officers and Men in the naval Department, who are unhappy enough to fall into your hands, receive on board the prison Ships in the Harbour of New York—Without descending to particulars, I shall ground my Complaint upon the Matter containd in the enclosed paper which is an exact Copy of an Account of the usage of the prisoners deliverd to Congress by a Capt. Gamble lately a prisoner himself in New York.
If this account be true, of which I have no reason to doubt, as Capt. Gamble is said to be a Man of Veracity, I call upon your Lordship to say whether any treatment of your Officers and seamen has merited so severe a Retaliation. I am bold to say it has not. so far from it, that the Officers and seamen taken on board armed Ships have been treated with the greatest humanity, and not forced to enter on board any of our public or private Vessels at War, and those taken in the Merchant service have been immediately set at Liberty.
From the opinion I have ever been taught to entertain of your Lordships Humanity, I will not suppose that you are privy to proceedings of so cruel and unjustifiable a Nature, and I hope that upon making the proper Enquiry you will have the Matter so regulated, that the unhappy Creatures whose Lot is Captivity, may not in future have the Miseries of cold, disease and famine added to their other Misfortunes. You may call us Rebels and say that we deserve no better treatment. But remember my Lord that supposing us Rebels we still have feelings

equally as keen & sensible as Loyalists and will if forced to it most assuredly retaliate upon those upon whom we look as the unjust invaders of our Rights Liberties and properties—I should not have said thus much but my injured Countrymen have long called upon me to endeavour to obtain a Redress of their Greivances and I should think myself as culpable as those who inflict such Severities upon them were I to continue silent.
I inclose your Lordship a List of the Capt. & Crew of an armed Boat belonging to Georgia, taken by the Rover Man of War Capt. Stanhope—There are a sufficient Number of prisoners, in Georgia belonging to your Navy, to make an exchange. If the Measure meets your Approbation it will be very agreeable to both parties.
I lately sent in Lieut. Boger who belonged to the Liverpool Frigate, Capt. Bellew of the same Frigate took a Capt. Burke and sent him into New York for the express purpose of having him exchanged for Boger, I should therefore be glad to have Capt. Burke sent out.
There are two Captains of Merchantmen by the Name of Bell and Getshius on board the Whitley prison Ship if your Lordship will grant them their Liberty upon Parole I will engage to send two British Masters in [Exchange for them. I am &ca.

G. Washington.]


Title: From George Washington to Robert Morris, 13 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Morris, Robert

Dear Sir,
Morris Town Jan. 13th 1777.

If a midst a multiplicity of Important matters, you could suffer a trivial one to Intrude, I should thank you most heartily, for taking a Letter or two of mine, when you do your own, by the Southern Mail, and forwarding of them, as oppertunity offers, to the Camp. I have long since drop’d all private corrispondance with my friends in Virginia, finding it incompatable with my public business—A Letter or two from my Family are regularly sent by the Post, but very irregularly received, which is rather mortifying, as it deprives me of the consolation of hearing from home on domestick matters.
I beg you’ll excuse this freedom and do me the justice to believe that with very sincere esteem & regard I am Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Ser.

Go: Washington


Title: Orders to Brigadier General Adam Stephen, 13 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Stephen, Adam

Sir
[Head Quarters, Morristown, 13 January 1777]

Inspect minutely into the State of the five Virginia Regiments now in the Jerseys—retain as many Officers as are necessary for the Men. send (if there are not already a sufficiency) enough to collect, and take care of those at the different hospitals—& otherwise stragled—and let the rest be sent to Virginia in order to Recruit for, and compleat their respective Regiments agreeable to the general Instructions herewith given you which, in these Regiments, are to be considered as local—that is, confined to the Commonwealth of Virginia.
No Regiment is to be left without a Field Officer where there is a possibility of avoiding it. In the Instance of Colo. Lawson I did, with great difficulty & reluctance, yield to his entreaties, & the peculiarity of his circumstances, but cannot permit another Regiment to be in the same situation when there is such urgent occasion for them, either in the Field, or in Quarters if we should be permitted to repair to them.
The Recruits should be sent forwd to their respective Regiments by fifties or upwards as they can be assembled in order that they may be properly provided and disciplind—& be in the way to resist the early attempts of the Enemy in the Spring.
Orders conformable to these you will furnish each Officer with whom you send out upon the Recruiting Service. Given at Head Quarters at Morris Town this 13th day of Jan. 1777.

Go: Washington


Title: General Orders, 14 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Morristown, Jany 14th 1777.
Stirling.Livingston.

Major John Clarke is appointed Aide-De-Camp to Genl Greene, in the room of Major William Livingston appointed Lieutenant Colonel in Col. Webb’s Regiment—He is to be obeyed and respected accordingly.
Serjt Prentice is appointed Captain of the Provost ’till further orders.
For the future, the Brigade Majors will attend at Head Quarters, for General Orders, at 12 o’Clock; General Returns of Brigades to be given in to the Adjutant General immediately.
In future one waggon with four horses, or four oxen, and not more, will be allowed to 80 Men, and in proportion for a greater, or less number; and forage for four Saddle Horses to a Regiment, arranged as follows—Colonel, one. Major, one. Quarter Master & Adjutant, one to both. Surgeon, one.
The Commanders of Brigades and Regiments are to take care that no persons, in their respective Corps, except such as are abovementioned, presume to keep Horses at the public expence.


Title: From George Washington to Col. David Chambers, 14 January 1777 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Chambers, David

Letter not found: to Col. David Chambers, 14 Jan. 1777. Chambers wrote GW on 9 Feb.: “I Observ’d your Excellency’s letter of the 14th of last Month.”


Title: From George Washington to William Duer, 14 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Duer, William

Dear Sir
Head Quarters Morris town 14th Jany 1777

I some time ago recd advice that a large parcel of cloathing was forwarded from New England to peeckskill with an intent to come on to this Army.
I could not account for its being delayed there, untill I was just now informed by the Quarter Master General, that the Convention of your State had appropriated 26 Bales of it to their own use without consulting him in the least. This I look upon as a most extraordinary peice of Conduct, and what involves me just at this time in the greatest difficulties, for depending upon that Cloathing I have not applied elsewhere and the Troops in the Feild are now absolutely perishing for want of it.
I have therefore to desire that what is not made use of may be immediately forwarded to me, and that in future not the least Article may

be stopped upon the Way without giving me due Notice, that I may know how to regulate myself.
I dont doubt but your Troops were in want of Cloathing, but consider they were in comfortable Barracks while ours are marching over Frost and Snow many without a shoe Stocking or Blanket. I am Dear Sir Yr very hble Servt.


Title: From George Washington to John Hancock, 14 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Hancock, John

Sir
Head Quarters Morris Town 14th Jany 1777

I embrace this Opportunity, by Mr Hopkins of informing you that the Enemy remain upon their old Ground at Amboy and Brunswic. Our Accounts still confirm their want of Forage, which I hope will increase. If their Horses are reduced this Winter it will be impossible for them to take the Feild in the Spring.
Genl Warner with two Regiments from Massachusets are arrived here, Genl Heath with the remainder of the Troops from that State has by this time began to move down towards Kingsbridge.
I this day intend to send in a Flag with letters to Lord and Genl Howe upon the Subject of Genl Lee’s Exchange and remonstrating against the severe treatment of our prisoners. I inclose you Copies of both for your inspection and Approbation. I have the Honor to be most Respectfully Sir Your obt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 14 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Heath, William

Dear Sir
Head Quarters Morris Town 14 Jany 1777

I have yours of the 10th. In the Settlement for Arms I plainly perceive that the loss is all likely to be thrown upon the public, and I dont know how it is to be avoided, I can only as I did before, desire you to act up to the best of your Judgment in this Matter.
If some of those persons who have reinlisted are in such a Situation on Account of their Health, that they require a time to recruit themselves, they certainly should be indulged with a Fu[r]lough, but this favor should be granted with great Caution, and where the Case really requires it, otherwise it will be claimed by the whole.
You did very right in sending home, all the Of⟨fice⟩rs that could be spared, to recruit, it is what I have done here. I have even incorporated two or three small Corps into one rather than detain supernumerary Officers.
Before I recd yours recommending Mr Huntingdon, I had appointed him to a Majority in a Regt to be commanded by Colo. Webb my late Aid de Camp.
I beg you will keep me constantly advised of your own Situation and the Movements of the Enemy on your quarter that I may regulate my Conduct on this side accordingly. I am Dear Sir Yr most obt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 14 January 1777
From: Heath, William
To: Washington, George

Claps Tavern Kingstreet [Westchester County, N.Y.]Janry 14th 1777
Dear General,

I have Just received the Honor of yours of the 9th Instant, and have the Pleasure to acquaint your Excellency that I am moving towards New York with all Possible Expedition our Numbers are between Two and Three Thousand, And Hope Soon to give your Excellency Some Particulars which I dare not write at this Time, least the Letter should fall into the Hands of the Enemy—your Excellency may be assured of every Exertion in Our Power.
The Enemy are Alarmed, Two Brass Twelve Pounders Drawn by Eight Horses each were moved up to Fort Washington on Fryday last—A man who left the City on Fryday or Saturday has given us the Intelligence Contained in the Enclosed, And by Three young men who left the City on Sunday we are Informed, that on Fryday or Saturday Two

or three Ships full of Hessian Soldiers Came up to the City from Staten Island, who had been in the Jersies, and were ordered to the City (as was Said) because they Could not be trusted, I wish this account may be true We want Artillery having but three Peices with us Occasioned by the want of Artillerymen.
As Soon as any thing material Transpires it shall be Transmitted to your Excellency. I have the Honor to be with great respect your Excellencys most Humble Servt

W. Heath


Title: From George Washington to Joshua Loring, 14 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Loring, Joshua

Sir
Head Quarters [Morristown] 14 January 1777

As there is a Balance of prisoners still due to us I must beg the favor of you to give the preference to such Officers as have been heretofore demanded by me in my Letters to Genl Howe and the request not complied with. You may always in future, as we send in prisoners, return those of equal Rank who have been longest in Captivity, giving a due proportion of Eastern & southern Officers except I call for any particular person. I expect that Rank will be allowed to the French Officers taken at St Johns last Year, and an equal Number of ours returned for them, they themselves claim it, and those that still remain among us made a demand a few days ago of being sent in agreeable to the Terms of our Cartel.
I desire that Lt Colo. Rawlins & Major Williams may be sent out whenever any Officer of equal Rank is sent in.


Title: To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 14 January 1777
From: Trumbull, Jonathan Sr.
To: Washington, George

Sir
Middletown [Conn.] Jany 14th 1777

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your several Favors of the 12th 14th 16th and 21st Decemr since which the agreable Intelligence of a series of Signal Successes which has attended you in the Jersies affords the most animating Hopes & Prospects; upon which Events we most heartily Congratulate you; and trust that Heaven will still continue to succeed & bless our Exertions & enable you to surmount every Obstacle & rise superior to every Embarrisment & Difficulty that you may yet be called to encounter.
Our Four Battallions are filling up with all possible Dispatch & three of them are gone & going on to your Assistance together with a number of volunteer Companies equal to a Battallion which we are in hopes may answer in lieu of one of the Battallions which we had previously designed for Providence.
The New Army we have great Reason to expect will soon be filled under the great Encouragements that are given, and the Spring that this new Turn in our Affairs must naturally give, but Money & Cloaths will be very necessary to expedite the same—should therefore think it requisit that the recruiting Officers be furnished as soon as possible with a sufficiency of Cash for the purpose of Inlistments, and that our Proportions of the Continental Cloathing coming from the Eastward be ordered to be stopped & delivered here for their Supply likewise how, when & where they are to be armed & accoutred will be necessary to be known.
I immediately laid yours of the 16th before our Assembly who granted ten Thousand Pounds to Colo. Sheldon for the purpose you mention and agreable to your Direction have drawn on the Continent thro’ you for a Reimbursment of the same.

Observe what has passed between yourself and Genl Howe respecting our Suffering Prisoners and am well assured of your feelings for Them—The unheard of Cruelty & Inhumanity with which they have been treated demands our just Resentments & a spirited Remonstrance to Genl Howe upon that Subject.
Have forwarded all their Prisoners in this State to Rhode-Island in pursuance of your advice; and now enclose the necessary Returns requested with a Line to Genl Howe to wait your Requisition for an Exchange.
In this place I cannot help reminding your Excellencys very particular Attention the Case of Colo. Ethan Allen—whose early Captivity & long Sufferings entittle him to a preferance in point of Exchange, his Spirit and Bravery might be of singular Service to his Country and his Tory Enemies in New York are seeking his ruin—I would likewise mention the Case of one Capt. Isaac Fellows, who is also a Prisoner in New York and is confined in close Goal under pretence of Suspicion of being concerned in the late Fire in the City—& is used with great Inhumanity & refused to be brought to Tryal.
Colo. Wards Regiment whose Time do’nt expire till May I am advised are much in want of necessary Cloathing, which wish they may be supplied with if possible from the Continental Stores—but if that can’t be done must request that they may be returned as soon as the public Service will permit to some Station this side the North River that they be supplied from their Friends with much necessary Cloathing they may want. I am, with the most sincere Esteem & Regard Your Excellency’s Most obedt hume Servant

Jonth; Trumbull

P:S. The List of Prisoners is not yet come to hand & must be omitted, till my next.
I have taken the Liberty to advise Majr General Spencer to wait your Excellencys further Orders by Express, before he sends Colo. Ely’s Regiment belonging to our four Battallions from Providence—hoping it will meet your Approbation.


Title: General Orders, 15 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To:

Head-Quarters, Morristown, Jany 15th 1777.

Brigadiers, and Colonels commanding Brigades, are directed to order fatigue parties from their respective Corps, for the purpose of cutting, and cording Wood: The Quarter Masters will order Waggons allotted to their Brigades, to bring it in, and will see it equally distributed amongst the troops of their brigade: This is intended to prevent the burning of fence-rails, which the General positively forbids.
Notwithstanding repeated Orders for all Horses, Plunder &c. taken from the Enemy to be delivered to the Quarter Master General, who was directed to accompt with the Soldiery for them; The General understands, that some individuals are so lost to obedience, as to hold up and conceal, from the rest of the Army several valuable Horses, for their own private emolument taken in the Action of the 3rd Instant at Princeton, and on the march from thence; He therefore strictly orders all such persons, to bring in any Horses, or other Plunder they may have in their possession, & deliver it to the Quarter Master General, for the good of the whole; as they may depend on examples being made of those, who presume a contrary Conduct, so prejudicial to the service.
One orderly Serjeant and two Sentinels to be furnished Governor Livingston from the main Guard.
Reports of Guards to be made to the Adjutant Genl every morning after Guard mounting, ’till further orders.


Title: To George Washington from Gunning Bedford, 15 January 1777
From: Bedford, Gunning
To: Washington, George

Hond Sir,
Philada Jany 15th 1777

I returned sometime ago from Baltimore, & with me brought the inclosed letter; as I knew it chiefly respected myself, I intended to have done myself the honor of delivering it to you in person; but when I came here, I found the Militia as they passed thro were to receive a months pay advance; the paymaster here found difficulty in paying them off without their being mustered; that I have been oblidged to attend to that matter since my arrival.
The confusion that has attended the Muster Masters department, since the commencement thereof, & the many difficulties that have intervened to prevent the executing the office to that benefit to the

publick, for which it was intended; will induce me to set down to think of some regulations, which will be necessary to take place in the Department, on the new establishment. When I shall have commited my thoughts on the subject to paper, I will transmit them to your Excellency for your approbation, or rejection.
I hope your Excelly will be so good, as to spend a thought, on that part of Mr Chase’s letter which respects myself. The pay annexed to the office, is by no means such as will support the dignity of it, or even the character of a gentleman; & what is more mortifying, every Deputy in the Department, receives the same, down to Deputies of Deputy; they make no distinction.
As to the matter of rank; it is a line in which I could wish to stand fixed in the army; but as it may require further proof of merit, then your Excelly has had an opportunity of discovering in me; I just mention it. I have the honor to be with the greatest esteem, your Excellencys Most Obedt Very Hbble Srvt

Gunn’g Bedford


Title: To George Washington from John Hancock, 15 January 1777
From: Hancock, John
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Baltimore Jany 15th 1777.

The enclosed Resolves I do myself the Honour to transmit in Obedience to the Commands of Congress, as necessary for your Information. By them you will percieve, that in Order to restore the Credit of the Continental Currency, the Congress have adopted, & recommended to the States, such Measures, as if properly executed cannot fail to produce the Effect.
Doctor Potts, who is ordered to repair to Ticonderoga, I am directed by Congress to inform you, is so highly recommended to them, that they wish to have him appointed in the Room of Doctr Stringer in that Department.
Your two Favours of the 5th & 7th inst. I had the Honour of recieving in the Order of their Dates, and immediately laid them before Congress.
The Hessian Officers, taken at Trenton, arrived here yesterday, and are ordered immediately to Dumfries in Virginia.
The enclosed Letters & other Papers relative to the Army, and Appointments

therein, having come to Hand since you were invested with Power to fill up Vacancies, and to make such Arrangements as you might think proper, I transmit them to you for your Attention & Consideration—and have the Honour to be, with the most perfect Esteem & Respect, Sir your most obed & very hble Servt

John Hancock Presidt


Title: From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 15 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Reed, Joseph

Dear Sir
Morris Town Jan: 15th 1777.

The Inclosed was intended to have gone by the Express who brought me your last Letter. He came in the Evening of the 13th was desired to call early next Morning, & I have never seen or heard of him since.
Many days ago I wrote to Genl Putnam (supposing him to be at Princeton) to have the Stores rescued from the hands of the Militia who had borne them off, and had no doubt but he had done it. What in the name of Heaven he can be doing at Crosswicks I know not, after my repeated wishes to hear of him at Princeton. Surely he is there by this time—In that case desire him from me, to use every possible means to recover the Stores, and bring the Authors to punishment; especially Colo. Chambers to whom I have written on this Subject.
I will speak to the Quarter Master Genl for a Person to be sent on this business but apprehend from what I heard him say yesterday, that he has nobody to spare; not being able to carry on his business here for want of Biddle & Mifflin who are both absent Sick.
If the Militia cannot be prevaild upon to restrain the Foraging parties & to annoy and Harrass the Enemy in their excursions & upon a March they will be of very little use to us, as I am sure they can never be brought fairly up to an attack in any serious matter.
When you see Genl Mercer be so good as to present my best wishes to him—& congratulations (if the state of his health will admit of it) on his recovery from death. You may assure him, that nothing but the confident assertion to me that he was either dead—or within a few minutes of dying, and that he was put into as good a place as I could remove him to, prevented my seeing him after the Action, & pursuit at Princeton.
My Complimts also if you please to Colo. Coxe from whom I shall expect a continuation of such Intelligence as occurs & he is able to procure. Yrs &c.

Go: Washington

P.S. The Letter to Colo. Chambers you will have sent—it is open for your perusal.


Title: To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 15 January 1777
From: Schuyler, Philip
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Fish Kill [N.Y.] January 15th 1777

The pleasure I felt on Learning your Success At Trentown Occassioned Feelings which are Better Conceived than discribed, I very Sincerely congratulate you on that Event and the Succeding ones, may Heaven Continue To Crown you with a Succession of Laurels, and make you the happy Instrument of preserving Liberty to this much Injured Country.
About one Thousand men from the Massachusetts engaged for three month are marched to Tionderoga none are yet moved from any of the other States, Altho I have made the most Pressing Applications, Colo. Wayne Gives me hopes that the Pensylvanians will not Leave the post untill regularly relieved, But should the relief be Withheld too Long, I fear their patience will wear out and that they will come away, At Present there is nothing to Apprehend, But when Lake Champlain is Frozen over we ought to have a very strong Garrison Least the Enemy Should Attempt a Coup-de-main.
Van Schaicks Regiment which is raising in The neighbourhood of Albany, Consists of about four hundred men, But with every Effort I have not been able to Procure more then one Hundred Blankets, so that not more than that number of men are as yet Marched to garrison Fort George, which was abandoned by Colo. Phinneys Regiment.
I am makeing every preparation for next Campaign which I Possibly can, but the great Scarcity of Materials retards every work and where to procure a Competent number of Cannon I do not know, by the Inclosed you will see what I expect from Connecticut my application to the other Eastern States have Proved frutless, I arrived here on the 12th Instant to Sollicet an aid of many articles I stood in need of, none of which I can procure Because the Convention has not any of them.
I am so much Indisposed that I write with great Pain and therefore beg Leave to refer Your Excellency to the Inclosed Copy of a Letter to Congress. I am Dr Sir with every Sentiment of Respect and Esteem your Excellencys most Obedt Humble Servent

Ph: Schuyler


Title: General Orders, 16 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To:

Head-Quarters, Morristown, Jany 16th 1777.
Amboy.Brunswick.

General Court Martial to sit to morrow at 9 o’Clock, for the trial of Capt. Fister and Lieut: Rallwaggon, of the German Battalion. Col. Stricker and such officers of his Regiment, as can give information of the above Gentlemen’s Conduct, for which they were confined, will attend the Court, for that purpose.
The Captain of the Provost is ordered to warn one Serjeant, and 25 Privates, as his guard. Prisoners confined for capital offences will hereafter be committed to his charge, and be by him reported.


Title: To George Washington from Bartholomew Dandridge, 16 January 1777
From: Dandridge, Bartholomew
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Wmsburg [Va.] January 16. 1777.

It is probably a very unseasonable time to interrupt that attention you must be constantly paying to the momentous concerns you are engaged in, but I could not omit so good an Opportunity as offers by Mr Walker to let you know that I am alive and in good health, and that all our Relations at present enjoy the same blessing, as far as I know or have heard, for it is seldom I have the pleasure of seeing them, being desirous of making up in some measure by diligence what I want in other respects, towards the discharge of the trust reposed in me by my Country, I have not had the least Opportunity of seeing my Sister, tho’ there is hardly any thing I am more desirous of; The rest you will read or not as you have leisure—I cannot help mentioning (tho’ it is impossible to express) the anxiety I have suffered from the critical situation you have been in for sometime past, but I have the pleasure of hoping, from various Reports, that matters have now taken a more favorable turn with you, and that you have so far improved your glorious Victory at Trenton as to have stoped the Ravages of our cruel Enemies, and greatly lessened the fatigue and danger to which you have been exposed, we have no authentic Accounts of your transactions since, but such as we have seem to deserve credit.
It is certainly astonishing and will hardly be credited hereafter that the most deserving, the most favorite General of the 13 united American States, should be left by them, with only about 2500 Men, to support the most important Cause that mankind ever engaged in agst the whole Power of British Tyranny, my Indignation against the Authors of such measures admits of no bounds, they are concealed at present, but that Providence that has hitherto protected you, will, I hope, in due time unveil their dark Designs (or timid Counsels) and subject them to be despised and punished as they deserve—it is however some consolation to me, to reflect that measures which disgraced America in General afforded an Opportunity of ading honour to you, your patience and fortitude can have no bounds after sustaining so severe a trial as you have lately had. God grant you may not meet with such another, Permit me to say (without flattery) that it is plain Providence designed you as the favorite Instrument in working the Salvation of America, it is you alone that can defend us against our foreign and,

still more dangerous, domestic Enemies, I wish these Considerations would caution you against exposing your Person too much, in all other Things I rely on you most stedfastly, but I am sure you can have no Idea of your real value to us—If you were not at the head of our Affairs we should have ten Tories in Virginia where we have one, a personal attachment to you, weighs more with some than any attachment to the glorious cause in which you are engaged, and I am sorry to say that I am afraid there others who would sacrifice the most sacred Friendship to their pernicious Principles, or their Fears—if a fair Opportunity offered.
The State of Jersey seems to have been in the same situation with respect to America in General as Norfolk was to Virginia—both left to combat a Power singly, that united we seemed unable or unwilling to resist; the Conduct of our Generals upon these Occasions appear indeed in a very different light, and I hope will be attended with different consequences.
I sincerely congratulate you and the publick upon the necessary Accession of Power you have received from the Congress, as it appears the only means of rendering your endeavors successful, you may depend on what the executive Power here can contribute to your Assistance and nothing can have greater force in Virginia than a request from you—I have the pleasure to inform you that the business of recruiting goes on well, and that we have a fair prospect of raising our new Regiments in good time.
Several of the young Gent. who have lately come here from your Army are taken with the Small Pox in different Places which I am afraid will be attended with bad consequences.
If there is no impropriety in the Commission we have given Mr John Walker, I hope for the future to have, thro his means, a more frequent, and more perfect account of you and your situation than we have been hitherto able to get. May all that is great & good attend you is the sincere Prayer of Dear Sir Your affectionate & obedt Ser.

B. Dandridge


Title: Orders to Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Flower, 16 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Flower, Benjamin

Sir
[Headquarters, Morristown, 16 January 1777]

The Honble Continental Congress having Resolved to establish a Magazine, Laboratories, & Foundery for casting Cannon &c. at York Town in the State of Pennsylvania. You are hereby directed to repair thither & erect or provide such Buildings as shall be necessary for carrying on the preparation of fixed Ammunition of every Species. an Air Furnace to be constructed there to hold Three Thousand Weight of Flux’d Metal—a Mill for the purpose of Boring the Cannon &c. after they are Cast. Shops Sufficient for Forty Carpenters, Forty Blacksmiths, & Twenty Wheelwrights, Turners & Tinmen in proportion to the Demand the Laboratory shall have for them. Also Twelve Harness makers to make Spare Harness Double & Single.
The Artificers above mentioned are to consult the Founder about the Size of the Cannon, & they are to make spare Carriages for them. the Wheels, Cheeks Limbers &c. to be Ready to be put together for immediate use. The Founder to be instructed to Cast Six pounders first. Three pounders & Howitzers next—and after there are about Sixty of these Cast he is to Cast Ten Twelve pounders.
Besides the Artificers before mentioned who are to be inlisted for One year there are to be Sixty persons employed in the Laboratory inlisted for the War consisting of One Captain who is to be Capt. Coren, One Capt. Lieut. Four Lieutts Six Sargts Six Corporals, Six Bombardiers One Drum & Fife with Twenty Eight Matrosses. these persons are to be inlisted as Artillery Men altho they are at present to be employed in the Laboratories.
The Company is to fix all kinds of Ammunition according to the Orders they shall Receive. Case Shott with Flannel Cartridges for 3, 6 & 12 pounders to be the first Object. Musket Cartgs. are likewise to be made in great Numbers.
You are to contract for & procure likewise the Articles a List of which you have on a Seperate paper.

Exclusive of the above Artificers we shall want a Company of Artificers inlisted during the War to be attached to the Artillery in the Feild Consisting of One Master Carpenter One Mastr Wheelwright & One Mastr Blacksmith Two Tinmen, Two Turners, Two Coopers, Four Harness makers Two Nailers & Two Farriers Six Wheelwrights Twenty five Carpenters & Fifteen Smiths the whole being Sixty under the direction of the Master Carpenter.
The people now Employed in the different Branches in Philadelphia of making Carriages for Cannon Casting of Cannon & preparing Ammunition of all kinds are Still to continue to carry on their different Business there—& if there Should be any thing necessary to further or Quicken these matters you are hereby directed to use your utmost exertions for these important purposes.
After the Buildings Furnace &c. are prepared at York Town part of the Different Branches to be Removed thither—In the Course of providing these matters you will have Occasion for Sums of Money which you will procure by applying to the Commissioners of Congress at Philadelphia.
Mr Byars the Founder at Philada must have every Encouragement & Assistance in Order to Carry on the Business with the utmost Spirit.
The Commissioners of the Honble Congress Residing at Philada will upon your applying to them which you are to do give you every Assistance in their power—for any thing necessary to be Transacted in Camp you are to apply to Majr Genl Green in the absence of Genl Knox.
You must keep a very particular Account of all matters & Expences transacted by you in Order to Render in when Call’d for.
The Speedy accomplishment of the matters with which you are intrusted are of such high import to the Wellfare of the Continent that I hope no inducement will be wanting to urge you to complete them assoon as possible.
The Continental Congress have Resolved that it is their Opinion that Carlisle in Pennsylvania is a proper place for a Magazine &c. You are therefore not to make any preparations in York Town which cannot be Removed from thence to Carlisle. I shall write to the Congress concerning this matter & let you know the result as soon as possible. in the mean time every preparation is to be push’d in Philadelphia with the utmost Vigor. Given at head Quarters at Morris Town this 16th day of Jany 1777.

Go: Washington