1From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Chevalier Mauduit Du Plessis will have the honor of delivering you this letter. In expectation that the war is at a conclusion in this Country and that another is kindling in Europe; he has determined to return to France to offer his service to his own Country. He waits upon Congress to obtain their concurrence for this purpose: I have given him a handsome certificate of his conduct in our...
2From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 31 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 23d Instant, was delivered me yesterday, with the Resolution respecting Monsieur L’Eclise. As soon as I am notified of the place of his residence, I will give the necessary directions, for carrying into execution the humane & benevolent intention of Congress towards him. I take the liberty to inclose a Letter from Doctor Connolly, representing his situation, His...
3From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 3 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 23d Ult. came to my hands at Fredericksburg the Afternoon before I left it for this place. I thank you for the transmission of Mr Beresfords intelligence, tho I have not the smallest Idea that any thing more than a deception, is meant by it; and, that Mr Williams is either a voluntary Agent, or the innocent instrument, for carrying it on. Yet, as the case may be otherwise,...
4From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 18 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 9th inclosing a Resolve to extend the Embargo and to prevent forestalling provision. I hope the latter will have the desired effect, for unless that most infamous practice of raising the prices of the necessaries of life can be stopped, it will be impossible for any Funds to subsist the Army. Inclosed you have the Copy of a petition from the Refugees in New York...
5From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 22–23 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been Honoured, in due order, with your favors of the 13 & 16 Instant; the former came to hand on Sunday Evening —the latter to day. The several matters, which are the Objects of them, shall have my attention, as far as it shall be practicable. With respect to the practices complained of by Governor Livingstone, the Extract from his Letter, transmitted by Congress, conveyed the first...
6From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 26–27 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of your letter of the 22d Instant with its several inclosures to-day, at noon. I shall pay a proper regard to the act of Congress respecting Monsr de Vrigny. For information on the second resolve, for obtaining a return of the re-inlistments, I must beg leave to refer Congress to my letter of the 24th. I have complyed with the intention of the 3d, and transmitted the act to Sir...
7From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 14 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honor of addressing you on the 6th Instant, by favor of the Marquiss Fayette, I received your Letter of the 2d with it’s Inclosure. I do myself the honor of transmitting you an Account of the Engagement, between the French and British Fleets on the 27th of July, as published by the British Admiralty Board; I received a printed Copy of it last night from New-York, which I have...
8From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 6 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered to you by Major General the Marquis de la fayette, the generous motives which first induced him to cross the Atlantic, and enter the Army of the United States, are well known to Congress—Reasons equally laudable now engage his return to France, who in her present circumstances claims his services—His eagerness to offer his duty to his Prince and Country, however great,...
9From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 23 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing you on the 12th Instant, I have received your several Favors of the 10th—12th & 16th with the Resolutions, to which they allude. I transmitted the British Commissioners the Resolve of the 4th Instant, respecting the Convention Troops, the morning after it came to hand; and also wrote to Sr Henry Clinton upon the subject of passports. I have not received his...
10From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 3 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your favour of the 27 of September, with the inclosed resolves of Congress; a copy of which has been transmitted to Major General Lincoln, for his information and direction. Being separated from my papers, I am uncertain, whether I mentioned in my last, that the enemy in the Jerseys having received a reinforcement and made some forward movements, I had thought it expedient to...
11From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The letter, which I had the honor of addressing to you the day before yesterday, would inform Congress of the embarkation and sailing of a considerable detachment of the enemy from New York; and of the measures I had taken, in expectation of—and upon the happening of the event. Whether this will be succeeded by a further embarkation, or by a total evacuation of the posts, which they hold...
12From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 29 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday forenoon I had the honor to receive your favor of the 23d Instant, with a Resolution of Congress of the preceding day, appointing Major General Gates to command in the Eastern district. A copy of the Resolution was immediately forwarded to him at Hartford, with a request that he would repair to Boston in compliance with it. Your Excellency’s letter to him, was also dispatched by the...
13From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The following is an extract of a letter of the 17th inst. which I had the honor to receive from the Count D’Estaing. “I intreat you to promote the exchange of prisoners already planned by Mr Gerard. The unhappy persons taken before the commencement of Hostilities cannot be fully regarded as prisoners—their lot is dreadfull—The mode adopted for exchanging them by means of your Commissary,...