421From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 18 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
Major General Baron de Steuben, who goes to philadelphia on business, will do me the honor of presenting this Letter to your Excellency. From this Gentleman’s perfect knowledge of service in general and of the state of our Army in particular, he has it entirely in his power to satisfy Congress in any inquiries they may think proper to make, with respect to it’s situation necessities and wants....
422From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 18 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
The severity of the Weather having rendered a descent upon Staten Island practicable by the Ice, and it being also imagined that the communication between New York and the Island was interrupted by the same cause, a favorable opportunity, of striking the enemy stationed there, (who amounted by report to 1000 or 1200 Men) seemed to present itself—A detachment of 2500 Men, including the troops...
423From John Adams to the President of the Congress, No. 3, 16 January 1780 (Adams Papers)
Bilbao, Spain, 16 January 1780. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC No. 84, I, f. 234; docketed: “No. 3 Letter from John Adams Bilbao Jany 16 1780 Read April 7.” LbC Adams Papers . LbC in Thaxter’s hand Adams Papers ; notations: “Recd in Congress Oct. 15. Triplicate.”; by Thaxter: “No.3.” For a discussion of the presence of two Letterbook copies, see part 2 of the Introduction: “John Adams and his...
424From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 5 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with Your Excellency’s Letter of the 29th Ulto and the Acts to which it refers. I hope the proposed regulation of the post office, will contribute to lessen our expences, but with all deference I would take the liberty to observe, that I think the exigency and good of the service will not admit of a general discharge of the Express Riders. Circumstances very interesting...
425From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 4 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
The following Gentlemen, Colonels Magaw, Mathews, Eli & Lt Colo. Ramsay have been permitted to come out of New York on parole, with some new propositions for an exchange of prisoners—the result of a conference between Major General Phillips & themselves. These they will have the honor of submitting to Congress, as I do not conceive myself authorised to take any steps in the business without...
426From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 3 January 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
A large packet directed to the President of Congress with other dispatches for the Chevalier de la Luzerne and others, coming to my hands two days ago, I thought it proper to forward them to you by express. He should have set out yesterday but it was too tempestuous. I have the honor to be with all possible respect Your Excellency’s most obedient & most humble servt., RC ( DLC : PCC , No. 71,...
427George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 2 January 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] January 2, 1780 . Asks intentions of Congress concerning continuance of Brigadier General Louis Le Bèque Du Portail and Colonels Laumoy and Gouvion in service. Commends their service and recommends that they be retained. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Colonel Jean Baptiste Joseph, Chevalier de Laumoy, and Colonel Jean Baptiste...
428From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 2 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
Congress were pleased by their resolution of the 1st of January last to express their desire of retaining Brigadier General Du Portail, Colonels La Radiere and Laumoy, and Lt Col. De Gouvion in the service of these states for another campaing, if agreeable to them. These gentlemen having accepted the invitation, have now completed the term to which it extended; and it is with pleasure I can...
429From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 30 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s dispatch of the 24th inclosing two acts of Congress of the 23d and 24th instant. Since the information transmitted Congress of the sailing of a fleet with troops from New-York, I have received accounts which though not as decisive as some I expect, yet I have reason to believe will not fall short of the number detatched. As the intelligence stands,...
430From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 30 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letter inclosing the resolutions of congress relating to the capture of the Portuguese Snow by Captain Cunningham has remained hitherto unanswered because I hoped Daily to be enabled to write more fully on that subject. The resolutions, and documents accompanying them, as soon as received, were put into the hands of our Attorney General, for his opinion, with intention to have such...
431From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 27 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I last night received a letter, of which the inclosed is a Copy, from General Wayne, informing me that the second division of the Fleet put to sea yesterday. It is generally imagined that the first division, which sailed the 23d consisted of returning Transports and private Vessels bound to Europe. I have reason to expect, in the course of a few days, from a confidential correspondent in New...
On our arrival here M. Gerard told me that he was about to write to the governor and admiral at Port Royal, and asked me whether I also chose to write, or would leave to him the necessary communication, offering to mention to them whatever I might desire. As I was well satisfied that he should take the lead in the business I replied that I was obliged to him, but did not think it necessary for...
433From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 25 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to lay before your Excellency the representation of a certain Elizabeth Burgin late an inhabitant of New-York. From the testimony of different persons, and particularly many of our own officers who have returned from captivity, it would appear, that she has been indefatigable, for the relief of the prisoners, and in measures for facilitating their escape. In consequence of...
I have done what, perhaps, I shall be blamed for—but my pride as an American, and my feelings as a Man, were not on this Occasion to be resisted. The Officers of the Confederacy were here without Money, or the Means of getting any. The Idea of our Officers being obliged to sneak, as they phrase it, from the Company of French Officers for Fear of running in Debt with them for a Bottle of Wine,...
435From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 24 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of transmitting the Copy of a letter which I received late last evening from General Wayne, from which it appears, that the fleet has sailed from New York. The moment I receive any further particulars of their destination, or the number of Troops on board, I shall forward them. Your Excellency will also find inclosed the Copy of a second letter from Mr Champion to Colo....
My former Letters to your Excellency of the 20 th . and 22d. Instant (a triplicate of the former and a duplicate of the latter are herewith enclosed) have already informed Congress of the disaster which imposed upon us the necessity of coming hither. But as that necessity has been and it seems still continues the subject of much Inquiry and investigation, it is proper that the facts from which...
437From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 23 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the honor to transmit the Copy of a letter which I received last evening from General Wayne who had been to reconnoitre the situation of the Enemy upon Paulus Hook —Should the Fleet, which he mentions to have fallen down to the Hook, proceed to Sea, Your Excellency will receive information of it from Major Lee, who is stationed in Monmouth, and who is directed to advise...
438George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 17 December 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] December 17, 1779 . Suggests sending the Reverend Hyacinthe de la Motte to Canada as a secret emissary. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
439From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 17 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
The bearer of this The Reverend Mr De La Motte represents to me that he has been employed by order of Congress as Missionary to the Indian tribes in the Eastern department, from which trust he is now returning —On conversing with him he has exprested a willingness to go into Canada as a secret emissary. He appears to be not unintelligent, and if there is good reason to depend on his fidelity,...
La Coruña, Spain, 16 December 1779. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, I, f. 231.; docketed: “No. 2 Letter from J. Adams Corunna Decr. 16. 1779 Read March 27. 1780.” LbC Adams Papers . LbC in Thaxter’s hand Adams Papers ; notations: “Recd in Congress Oct. 15. Triplicate.”; by Thaxter: “No. 2.” and “NB. Nos. 1 & 2 were sent by Captain Trask bound to Newbury Port from Corunna.” For a...
441Thomas Jefferson in Council to Samuel Huntington, 16 December 1779 (Madison Papers)
We have information from our Delegates in congress that the detention of some continental arms by the executive of this State during the course of the last summer has given considerable umbrage to congress. I beg leave therefore, thro’ you Sir, to lay before that honorable body facts, simply as they occurred, hoping that these will satisfy them that, the arms being justly due to this State,...
442From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 16 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
We have information from our Delegates in congress that the detention of some continental arms by the executive of this State during the course of the last summer has given considerable umbrage to congress. I beg leave therefore, thro’ you Sir, to lay before that honorable body facts, simply as they occurred hoping that these will satisfy them that, the arms being justly due to this State,...
443George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 December 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] December 15, 1779 . Reiterates need for food for the Army. States that news of the sailing of British fleet was premature. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
444From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
The representations I had the honor to transmit in my letters of the 10th and 12th and those now inclosed will inform Congress of the deplorable distress of the great departments of the army. I beg leave to add that from a particular consultation of the Commissaries, I find our prospects are infinitely worse than they have been at any period of the War, and that unless some expedient can be...
445From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 14 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor of your Excellency’s favors of the 7th and 10th, with their respective inclosures. The act to regulate the proceedings of officers absent on furlough, or otherwise, has been communicated to the army in general orders. In consequence of the resolution of the 10th, directing a successor to Col. Bland, in the command at Charlotteville, I have appointed on this occasion Col....
446From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 13 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to lay before your Excellency the inclosed papers relative to the state of our supplies of meat; and a letter from the commissary general of musters, on the subject of a further subsistence for the officers of his department. I thought it necessary to make these communications, and have the honor to be with the greatest respect, Sir, Your Excellency’s most obt servt P.S. I...
447From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 10–11 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
In my Letter of the 8th in which I had the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s dispatches of the 4th Instant, just then come to hand—I advised Congress, that I had given Orders for the march of the whole of the Virginia line for Philadelphia. I am now to inform them, that the first & second State Regiments moved yesterday, & all the Regiments of the line to day, except two,...
El Ferrol, Spain, 11 December 1779. Dupl in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, 1, f. 227; docketed: “No. 1 J Adams Esqr original by Capt. Trask from Corunna to Newbury Port, Mass. Bay. Duplicate of Decemb 11th 1779 Original receivd. Recd. May 15. 1780 orig read March 27.” The “original” has not been found. LbC Adams Papers . LbC in JA ’s and in Thaxter’s hand Adams Papers ; notations: “Recd in...
449From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 8 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
From the silence of our Articles of War with respect to the right, which parties in arrest have, of challenging or objecting to Members of Courts Martial—I would beg leave to submit the point to the consideration of Congress, and to request, that they will be pleased to decide—Whether the parties have such a right: Whether it may be exercised in all, or in what cases: To what extent as to...
450George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 7 December 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] December 7, 1779 . Sends information concerning British fleet; enemy attempts to depreciate American currency; and probable future movements of British army. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
451From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 7 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform Congress, that I have received a letter, from a confidential correspondent in New York, dated the 27th of November, containing the following Paragraph “The Men of War at the Hook have taken in water for several months, and, on friday, the Admiral went down with all his Baggage. A fleet for Cork and a number of Vessels for England will sail in a few days, some of...
452From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 4 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with Your Excellency’s Letter of the 27th Ulto and with the Inclosures to which it refers. The moment circumstances will admit of it, Doctor Shippen shall be put in arrest—and his trial will be proceeded on immediately after the Trials of General Arnold & Colo. Hooper are finished. When Doctor Shippen is arrested, Doctor Morgan shall have notice of it—and be furnished with...
453From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 2 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing you on the 20th ulto I have seen Lt Colonel Washington of Baylors Light Dragoons, who gives me a more favorable report of the times of service of that Regiment than was represented by one of his Officers. He informs me, that including Capt. Stiths Troop already on its march to the Southward he will be able to carry forward about 125 Men, none of whose times...
454From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 29 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing Your Excellency on the 20th I have received sundry reports, though not through the Channel I could have wished—and yet through such as seem to make the Reports worthy of credit—that the Enemy are making or preparing for a pretty considerable embarkation of Troops from New York. From this circumstance—although their destination is not known—and from the...
455From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 27 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
In the Letter I had the honor of addressing to Your Excellency on the 24th—I mentioned the general Outlines of the intended disposition of the Army for the Winter. From the important light in which these Highland posts are held—I would now take occasion to mention for the more particular satisfaction of Congress—that the 1st 2d 3th and 4th Massachusetts’ Brigades, are the Troops intended for...
456From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 24 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honoured with Your Excellency’s several Favors of the 13th 18th & 19th with the several Acts to which they refer. As soon as circumstances will permit, I shall pursue measures for incorporating and arranging the Companies of Artificers, as directed by the Act of the 12th Instant. The unhappy failure of the expedition against Savannah and the other intelligence announced by the...
457From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 23 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Samuel Huntington, 23 Nov. 1779 . Huntington wrote GW on 4 Dec.: “I am honour’d with your several favours of 23d 24th 27th & 29th Ulto” (see GW to Huntington, 29 Nov. , source note).
458From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 20 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
On Monday Evening I had the honor to receive Your Excellency’s Letter of the 10th, with the Inclosures to which it refers, by Major Clarkson. I also had the honor since, on the night of the 17th, to receive Your Favor of the 11th. I regret much the failure of the expedition against Savannah, and the causes which seem to have produced it. The North Carolina Troops proceeded yesterday to New...
459From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 18 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
As the present Campaign is advancing towards a conclusion—and the Councils of the British Cabinet, so far as they have come to my knowledge, are far from recognizing our Independence and pointing to an honourable peace —I have thought, it might not be amiss for me to lay before Congress a state of the Army, (notwithstanding it is frequently transmitted the Treasury Board, I believe, by a...
460From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 16 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Colo. Bland being about to retire from his Command at the Barracks in Albemarle, and desirous to withdraw at the same time the party of his horse which has hitherto been Stationed there, wished that we should supply their place by sending thither about twenty or five and twenty of the horse of this State. Our horse being as yet not very well trained, the Officers represented that it woud much...
461From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 14 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
In my Letter of the 4th Ulto, which I had the honor of addressing Congress—I informed them of the measures I had adopted for a cooperation with His Excellency the Count D’Estaing, in consequence of their Act and Favor of the 26 & 27 of the preceding month. Besides the measures which I then mentioned, several Others which appeared to me essential for the occasion—and which would be naturally...
462From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 7 November 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to enclose to Congress Copy, of the Letter Book of the Commissioners at the Court of Versailles, during the Time that I had the Honour to be one of them. As the Letter Book was kept by me, and almost wholly in my Hand Writing, the Minister plenipotentiary consented that I should bring it home with me leaving him a Copy, which was done. As there may be many Things in it, which...
463From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 6 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 17th, and that of the 29th of last month. The memorial of the officers Steddiford and Becker, shall have due consideration. The repeated approbation of Congress, in their act of the 27th Ulto, cannot but give me the most sensible pleasure. Since Governor Clinton’s letter, which I inclosed your Ex[c]ellency in mine of the 30th of...
464From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 5 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
When the plan of the Inspectorship was concluded upon by resolve of the 18th of February last it was determined that the duties of Brigade Major, and Brigade Inspector should be exercised by the same person who should be one of the Majors of the line. As this regulation detatches the Brigade Major from the immediate service of the Brigadier, it was thought necessary and recommended...
465From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 4 November 1779 (Adams Papers)
printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:177–178 . Replying to the president’s letter of 20 Oct. (above), John Adams acknowledged receiving his commissions and instructions and expressed his appreciation of the high honor done him. In regard to his mission, Adams declared that he was determined...
466From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 3 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have taken the liberty to inclose, for the consideration of Congress, the Memorial of Colo. Hazen in behalf of Capt. Joseph Louis Gill Chief of the Abenecke or St Francois Tribe of Indians. The fidelity and good services of this Chief, and those of his Tribe, are fully set forth in the Memorial. I have taken upon me to order the subsistence of them till the further pleasure of Congress be...
467From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 2 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing your Excellency last, I have received a letter from a confidential Correspondent in New York who informs me that the 57th Regt Rawdons Corps and a detachment of Artillery were to sail for Hallifax on the 29th ulto and that they were to be accompanied by all the heavy ships of War except the Europa. The Daphne Frigate was to sail for England at the same time....
468From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 30 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of transmitting to Congress the Copy of a letter which I recd yesterday from Governor Clinton. I have agreeable to his request directed the Massachusetts Militia to rendezvous at Albany instead of Claverack, not for the purpose of making use of them against the Indians should the incursion prove serious, but to give the appearance of an immediate collection of force in...
469From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 24 October 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Some time in June I received from Mr. Jay a letter desiring I would have evidence collected on the subject of some Frenchmen who were said to have been murdered in cold blood by the English during their invasion of this commonwealth in the Spring. Several disappointments have retarded this matter much more than I could have wished, tho’ we have paid repeated attention to it. I now do myself...
470From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 21 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 14th inclosing an act of Congress of the same date, expressive of their sense of the plan and execution of the expedition under the command of Major General Sullivan. I feel it a principal satisfaction, that the discharge of my duty, and the conduct of the troops, should meet with the approbation of Congress. Herewith your Excellency will...