1From George Washington to Robert Alexander, 20 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have waited, as I think you must do me the justice to acknowledge, with a good deal of patience, to see if you were disposed to fulfil your agreement with me, respecting the Land I purchased of you in Maryland. As I hear nothing of your intentions of carrying this matter into execution, and see no greater prospect of its being done now, than when the bargain was first made, I cannot help...
2From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Edward Antill, 8 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
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...
3From George Washington to Brigadier General John Armstrong, 5 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 22d Feby from Carlisle, and hope soon to have the pleasure of seeing you at this place. I cannot conceive upon what principle the Baltimore Militia were stopped, they ought to have been here in time to have releived Genl Johnstons Brigade, the last of whom go home this day. But as I lately wrote most pressingly for a Reinforcement, I imagine Genl Buchanan is by this...
4From George Washington to Brig. Gen. John Armstrong, 19 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. John Armstrong, 19 Jan. 1777. Armstrong wrote to GW on 22 Feb. that “I am favoured with your Excellencys Letter of the 19th Ulto.”
5From George Washington to Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, 3 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 10th of last month, with the enclosed papers. I must recall your attention to what I have before said on the subject of your intended attack. You must be sensible that the most serious ill consequences may and would, probably, result from it in case of failure; and prudence dictates that it should be cautiously examined in all its lights,...
6From George Washington to Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, 20 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 7th instant. It has some how or other generally happened that we have been obliged to send in our prisoners at the most inconvenient times, but when they are brought down for the purpose of Exchange, it seems hard to send them back, especially as they did not fix upon the time themselves. I am so well convinced that the Officers are enabled to do us harm,...
7From George Washington to Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, 6 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was this Evening favoured with your Letter of the 30th Ulto and am sorry to find the Forces now assembled in Rhode Island are not competent to the projects you have in view. The propriety of the Attack or of the plan, I cannot determine. The Map you sent and for which I return you my thanks, gives me an Idea of the situation of the Island but not so accurately as to pronounce upon the matter...
8From George Washington to Brig. Gen. Benedict Arnold, 24 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. Benedict Arnold, 24 Jan. 1777. On 7 Feb. Arnold wrote GW that “Your favour of the 24th Ulto I had not the pleasure of receiveing untill the 3d Inst.”
9From George Washington to Colonel George Baylor, 1 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your several favours of the 31st Jany & 7th Febry are now before me. I am happy in being informed that the Govr of Virga has consented that their Muskett-factory shall equip yr Regimt with Carbines & Pistols. I have no doubt of your keeping the Workmen closely to their duty; nor of your using your best Endeavours to purchase proper horses. As I am not acquaintd with all the Gentlemen mentioned...
10From George Washington to Colonel George Baylor, 17 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
There is a Gentleman, a friend of mine whom I should be glad to provide for in your Regiment of Horse I therefore desire you will reserve a Troop for him. The Lieutt & other Officers of the Company must raise the Men &ca—The Gentleman I have in my view, is now in the Service, and cannot conveniently leave this place, at this time; nor in deed have I said any thing to him on the subject as yet....
11From George Washington to Colonel George Baylor, 9 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
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...
12From George Washington to Colonel George Baylor, 15 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Two young Gentn name sakes of mine, the one Son to Mr Lawrence Washington, the other to Mr Robt Washington, both of Stafford County, are desirous of entering into the Horse Service. If therefore you have not disposed of all the Cornetcies in your Regiment, I should be glad if you would appoint each of them one. I am very sincerely Dr Sir Yr Affecte ALS , owned (1994) by Mr. David Rust,...
13From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Gunning Bedford, 9 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Haslet having been unfortunately killed in the late Engagement at princetown, and the Congress having invested me with powers to fill up Vacancies, I am ready to confer the command of the 1st Delaware Battn upon you, if you determine to continue in the Service. I am also desirous of promoting Major McDonnaugh to the rank of lieutent Colonel in the same Regiment. As the Majority will...
14From George Washington to the Board of War, 23 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your Letter of the 6th Instt, and beg leave to assure you, that I shall not only be always ready to rectify any Error which I may commit through hurry or Otherwise, but be happy to have them pointed out. I have not the proceedings of Congress at this time, which would apply to the subject matter of your Letter, and therefore, cannot pronounce upon it with certainty...
15From George Washington to James Bowdoin, 28 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday recd a letter from Lieut. Colo. Campbell of the 71st Regt dated Concord Goal 4th of this Month. The Colo., in this letter, gives me such an account of the severity of his Confinement, as is scarce ever inflicted upon the most atrocious Criminals. The following Extract of his letter shews the Reasons that were given to him upon his Confinement. “The first of this Month, I was...
16From George Washington to Jonathan Bryan, 17 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have wrote to General Howe who commands in Georgia, to consult with you and the president of South Carolina, the propriety of making an Attempt upon St Augustine. If on consideration the measure shall seem expedient & practicable, I flatter myself, that your State & that of South Carolina will chearfully concur and give General Howe every aid necessary for the execution of it. The good...
17From George Washington to Colonel Mordecai Buckner, 28 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
It is not in my Power to comply with yr Request on three Accts yourself, the Country at large, & the State you come from—Were the matter to remain undetermined, yr Reputation must be ruined at all Events, every Officer wd have reason to expect equal favr & I should be justly taxed with partiality—Would you reflect on the Impropriety of yr petition, you wd certainly withdraw it—Resolved as I am...
18From George Washington to Captain Bartholomew Burke, 4 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby authoriz’d to raise a Company of Men in the Service of the United States to Consist of 68 Rank & file Four Serjeants & a Drum & Fife, according to the Recruiting Instructions herewith deliver’d you. As you will in a great Measure be Answerable for the Behaviour of your Company I leave the Nomenation of your Subaltern Officers to yourself, only reserving a Negative in Case I...
19Orders to Colonel John Cadwalader, 23 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
March your Brigade from hence to Chatham or the Posts below that—Consult with Genls Sullivan and Stephen upon the Propriety of an attempt upon any of the Enemys Posts. or giving them a formidable Alarm—and, if you shd find a willingness in your Officers & Men to the undertaking of any practicable Scheme, do not omit, in conjuction with the Troops at the Posts of Chatham &ca to prosecute it....
20From George Washington to Colonel John Cadwalader, 3 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
The satisfaction I received in perceiving your name on the List of Brigadiers of Continental Appointment, met with some little Alloy upon recollecting a Conversation had with You at this place upon that subject, in which You seemed to have doubts, which, I wish most ardently, to hear are removed. Let me beseech You, my good Sir, to reflect, that the Period is now arrived when our most vigorous...
21From George Washington to Col. Lambert Cadwalader, 24 March 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Col. Lambert Cadwalader, 24 Mar. 1777. The docket on Cadwalader’s letter to GW of 16 Mar. reads “16th Mar. Answer’d 24th ditto.”
22From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell, 1 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I last night received the favor of your letter of the 4th instant, and am much obliged by the opinion you are pleased to entertain of me. I am not invested with the powers you suppose; & it is an incompatible with my authority as my inclination to contravene any determinations Congress may make. But as it does not appear to me that your present treatment is required by any resolution of...
23From George Washington to Col. David Chambers, 14 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
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.”
24From George Washington to Samuel Chase, 5 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of the 23d January inclosing a Resolution of Congress, whereby you are appointed one of seven Gentlemen to enquire into the Conduct of the British and Hessian Officers towards the Officers and Soldiers in the Service of the States and towards the Inhabitants of the States of New Jersey and New York. To take a particular account of all the Ravages and devastations would be endless,...
25From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 3 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 23d February was duly handed me; and I am thankful for the attention and activity, with which you are promoting the public service. As you have all the circumstances immediately before you, you can best judge whether the cannon, of which you speak, will be most useful to defend the obstructions which are forming, or at the places where they now are; and you will be pleased...
26From George Washington to Brig. Gen. George Clinton, 19 March 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. George Clinton, 19 Mar. 1777. The collection of letters and documents belonging to the estate of James Gordon Bennett that was sold by the Anderson Galleries of New York on 23 Nov. 1926 reportedly contained a letter signed by GW at Morristown on 19 Mar. “regarding appointments of officers” ( American Book-Prices Current , 33 [1927], 797).
27From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 19 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
Let me beseech you to nominate, & set four Gentlemen, such as you conceive will make good Captains to Raising Companies upon the Continental pay & establishment; and to be annexed hereafter to one of the Sixteen additional Regiments. I shall also leave the nomination of the Subaltern Officers for these Companies to yourself and the Captains—all I ask is, that they may be Gentlemen—and that...
28From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 24 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was favd with yrs of the 21st Inst. on Yesterday. Much depends on our taking the Field early with a powerfull force, by which means Victory over the Enemy in the distressed Situation they must be from the severity of this Campain will be certain, & our Affairs will be on so good a footing before any considerable Reinforcement can come to them, that We shall have but little to dread—I am...
29From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 19 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
Altho’ I have not the least doubt of your Zeal and Activity, I cannot help reminding you of the Necessity there is, for your raising and bringing into Service, as expeditiously as possible, the Body of Men, of which your State have given you the command. I am clearly of opinion that the Enemy are collecting their force, with an intent to make a Stroke at this Army, which they will never suffer...
30From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 19 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Information being lodged that many of the Inhabitants living near the Passaick Falls are busily employed in removing their provision & Forrage within the Enemy’s reach, with design of supplying them, obliges me to beg the favr of you to let me know what Success you have experienced in collecting the Troops voted by the Convention of the State of New York. The presence of some men in that...