On this day 250 years ago in Philadelphia, Frenchman Emmanuel de Pliarne wrote to General Washington about the secret contract that he and Pierre Penet were negotiating with the Continental Congress:

We . . . find the Sentiments of their Committee of Secrecy very favourable, to us, and we asure your Excellency, that nothing shall be wanting on our parts to Establish between America & France, a branch of Trade, sufficient to supply all the wants, of the New Empire.

For that purpose we are forming a Contract with the Committe of Secrecy. The articles are not yet settle’d, Whenever they are agreed on Mr Penne’l will Sail for—in one of your Ships, and he will use his best Endeavour’s to return to America, before your Enemies can infest your Coast’s.

Source: “Emmanuel de Pliarne to George Washington, 11 January 1776,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-03-02-0047. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 3, 1 January 1776 – 31 March 1776, ed. Philander D. Chase. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1988, pp. 69–71.]

On this day 250 years ago in Watertown, the Massachusetts Council approved a

Plan for fiting out one or more Armed Vessels for the defence of American Liberty . . .

Resolved that two Ships be built, as soon as may be, at the expence of this Colony; One Suitable to carry Thirty-Six Guns, vizt., Twenty Guns carrying twelve Pound Shot, and Sixteen Guns for Six Pound Shot; and the other Ship suitable to carry Thirty-two Guns, vizt., Twenty Guns for nine Pound Shott, and Twelve for Six Pound shot; and that these Ships be built in a manner best calculated for swift sailing, and of Timber and other Materials suitable for Ships of War of such a number of Guns and weight of Metal, and furnished with a Suitable number of Officers, Seamen and Mariners and that all kinds of necessary Arms, Ammunition and Provisions be furnished for such Ships.

Source: “II. Report of a Committee on Fitting Out Armed Vessels, 11 January 1776,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/06-03-02-0195-0003. [Original source: The Adams Papers, Papers of John Adams, vol. 3, May 1775 – January 1776, ed. Robert J. Taylor. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1979, pp. 380–382.]

And on this day 250 years ago in Cambridge, Massachusetts, General Washington reported to John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress on a successful raid on

the evening of the 8th instant a party of our men under the Command of Major Knoulton were orderd to go and burn Some houses, which Lay at the foot of Bunkers hill, & at the head of Charles town, they were allso orderd to bring of the Guard which we expected Consisted of an Officer & 30 men—they Crost the Milldam about half after eight ô clock, & gallantly executed their business, haveing burnt eight houses, & brought with them, a Serjeant and four privates of the 10th Regiment, there was but one man more there who makeing Some resistance, they were obliged to dispatch—the gun that Killd him, was the only one that was discharged by our men, tho Severall hundreds were fired by the enemy from within their works, but in So Confused a manner that not one of our people was hurt

Source: “George Washington to John Hancock, 11 January 1776,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-03-02-0046. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 3, 1 January 1776 – 31 March 1776, ed. Philander D. Chase. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1988, pp. 67–69.]