31To George Washington from George Clinton, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
By the last Flagg which arrived from New York I received Certifi cates from the Commissary Genl of Prisoners there, with Proposals for exchanging Stephen Lush (late my Brigade Major & taken at Fort Montgomerie<)> for Henry Cuyler—Cornelius Van Tessel for Alexander White and James Dole for Abraham Maybie. As I conceive the exchanges advantageous I mean to agree to the Proposals, and to direct...
32To George Washington from George Clinton, 25 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with your Excellencys Letters of the 21st & 24th Instant—The Legislature have now under their Consideration Measures for enabling the Commissarys to procure a Supply Of Flour for the Army In Consequence of a Letter which I received two Days since from Genl Green I recommended to them the appointing of suitable Persons in each District to ascertain the Quantities of Flour & Wheat...
33To George Washington from General Henry Clinton, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Nothing but his Majesty’s positive Instructions of which I send you an Extract, could have induced me to trouble you or the American Congress again on the Subject of the Troops detained in New England in direct Contravention of the Treaty entered into at Saratoga. The Neglect of the Requisitions already made on this Subject is altogether unprecedented among Parties at War. I now however repeat...
34To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 22 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed I send your Excellency the Proceedings of a Brigade Court martial, held by Order of Coll V. Scoick, by which the Prisoner is condemned to die—and wait your Confirmation of the Sentence to have it put in Execution. It may not be improper also to inform your Excellency, that as Col. V. Scoick’s Regiment is now under marching Orders to the Northward, he wou’d wish to proceed as soon as...
35To George Washington from Major Alexander Clough, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
This morning I was in formd that genl Clinton had return’d to new york, the former intelligance relating the removel of the arttilery store is conferm’d with this addition, that there remains little on shore, the loss of men by sickness in Adml Byrons fleet is very considerable, at this time there is not less than 460 sick belonging, the Conquerer unfitt for duty, Adml Howe arive’d the last...
36To George Washington from Major Alexander Clough, 18 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
since my last tho I have seen severall from New york I have not been able to collect any thing more then a confermation of the former intellegance, and that a great quantity of furniture is selling off at vandue—Adml Byron arive’d the last wedensday with a ninhty & seventy four, which as been the only movement in the fleet for this week past, according to the best inthelligance I can get. I am...
37To George Washington from the Continental Congress Committee for Foreign Affairs, 27 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Congress having resolved upon the Expediency of attacking Canada the next Campaign, in Conjunction with the Forces of his most Christian Majesty; and a plan for that purpose having been reported to Congress; We are directed to send both the Resolve & plan to You. The latter of These we are to request your Observations upon previous to its being sent to Doctr Franklin for the Consideration of...
38To George Washington from the Continental Congress Committee of Arrangement, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
When the Committee of Arrangement had the Honour of conferring with you on the Affairs of the Army it appeared to them that it was your Excellys Opinion that no Prisoners or Deserters should be inlisted, & farther that such as had been inlisted should not join the Army: The Treachery of Armand’s Corps about that Time having too fatally demonstrated how little Dependance could be placed on such...
39Council of War, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of War held at Fredericksburgh September 29th 1778. Present The Commander in Chief[,] Major Generals Brigadiers . His Excellency states to the Council, that the enemy have some days since, made an incursion into the Jerseys, with a considerable force, which with a reinforcement lately received is supposed to amount to four or five thousand men, which had taken post between...
40To George Washington from Silas Deane, 26 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Major Tallmadge, a gentleman for whom I have a particular regard is desirous of seeing me here for a few days, and as I have a Phaeton and horses in his care, it would be extremely convenient for him as well as for me to have him come down with them, as by that means, I may probably have the opportunity of accompanying of him back; if it be consistent with the service to permit him to make the...
41To George Washington from Brigadier General Duportail, 27 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
je m’étois engagé a suivre de près mr de laumoy a philadelphie, mais j’avoueray a votre excellence que j’ai une Repugnance singuliere a faire le voyage voisy pourquoy. Cette Campagne-cy est peut estre la derniere qui se fera dans le Continent de L’amerique. si elle etoit Donc terminée par quelque action, je serois desespéré de ne m’y estre pas trouvè. je ne Crains pas Certainement que les...
42To George Washington from Brigadier General Duportail, 20–21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
jai lhonneur de vous presenter mes observations sur boston. je les aurois envoyé plus tot s’il ne m’avoit fallu attendre six ou sept jours quèlles fussent traduîtes esperant d’ailleurs les avoir à tout moment. enfin on ne me les à Rendu qu’avant hyer et je suis party le lendemain C’est a dire hyer en prenant Congè du general heath j’ai appris que 10 Regiments anglois s’etoient embarqués a...
43To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received the letter which Your Excellency did me the honor to write the 16th of this month—and I hope that you will have been so good as to read with your usual indulgence my imprudent dispatch of yesterday on the subject of the Marquis de la fayettes Cartel—it was not only my tender friendship for him which dictated it—I regard him not only as my friend, but as a General Officer who...
44To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 2 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I entreat Your Excellency to accept my sincere thanks—for your kindness to Mr de Choin—I share in the gratitude with which he is penetrated—his personal qualities and his connexions in france, had inspired me with friendship and consideration for him. these sentiments derive additional strength from the profound veneration with which he takes a pleasure in depicting to us, that amiable...
45To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 18 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of thanking your Excellency for your goodness in sending me the 13th of October the letter of Admiral Keppel to the English Admiralty published by authority—To have an obligation of gratitude to those, whom we take pleasure in loving and respecting is an additional felicity. The reflexion you make upon the modesty of the English and the exaggerations, they always allow...
46To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 17 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was rewarded for the confidence which I owed your Excellency, and which you inspired, by the Answer which you were so kind as to make me the 11th inst. The approbation of a great man, of one who unites the Suffrages of all, who merits them, is the most flattering of personal rewards, and can alone in part console for that fatality of events, which snatched the fleet from the happiness of...
47To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 26 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received at the same time the two letters that Your Excellency did me the honor to write me the 21 & the 22. My thanks are often delayed by the little obstacles that occur in the navigation of boats. The Expressions of what I owe you cannot be as extensive as my gratitude. ’Tis with the greatest sensibility, I experience every instant how useful and easy it is to act in concert with a great...
48To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 6 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received with all the pleasure which Your Excellencys letters give me, and all the utility that accompanies them, your favor of the 2d inst. The Wisdom and Depth of your Reasonings upon the ulterior views of the enemy—leave nothing to add—you particularise in a luminous manner whatever he can project, execute or fear—It will not be by the preparatives of his measures, and by what can be...
49To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The reputation of Mr du portail made me desire to have the honor of his acquaintance—Your Excellencys recommendation, his talents and his Rank ensured him my esteem and confidence—I have endeavoured to give him marks of them—his devotion to the Service of the United States—the Sentiments which he owes you and with which he is penetrated ensure him my friendship. I made him examine the points...
50To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 23 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received almost at the same time, the two letters that Your Excellency had the goodness to write me the 18th and 20th of this month. The important advices they contain were confirmed to me at the same moment by Mr De Boubie an officer of marine, who has just completed the exchange of our prisoners. I have the honor to send you a copy of what he tells me concerning an embarkation....
51To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 9 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Letter which Your Excellency did me the honor to write the 5th of this month—was sent down to me last night at 8 OClock by the care of Major General Heath—I recognised in the intelligence which you were so kind as to give me and the speed with which it came, the interest which you take in all that regards the Kings Squadron—and I confess to you, that however persuaded I am that the great...
52To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 25 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received the letter which Your Excellency did me the honor to write the 19th inst. I entreat you to accept all the thanks which I owe you, for the intelligence you have been so kind as to communicate. it perfectly accords with the little which I have received, both in point of the sickness of Byrons Crews, and the precipitation with which immense means of embarkation are preparing at...
53To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 20 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Those who have the happiness to be under Your Excellencys orders find in you a father; The Marquis de la fayette has a superior title to your Excellencys affection—he respects admires and loves you—I had the honor of asking you whether you permitted him to send his Cartel to Lord Carlisle to satisfy myself whether you were informed of it—you were so kind as to acquaint me that you had not seen...
54To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received the letter which Your Excellency did me the honor to write, the 20th September with the confirmation of what was contained in the Letter with which you honored me on the 19th. the details by which I took the liberty of submitting my ideas to your judgement appeared to me, to include all that was to be said upon the different subjects. The Arrival of new Troops at Halifax seems...
55To George Washington from William Fitzhugh, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Having the honor to meet with your relation, Capt. Lewis at this place, I am happy in the opportunity of addressing you. I find my son was taken prisoner with a party of our friend Baylor’s dragoons and is now on Long Island. I have not a letter from him; but advice that he is well; and I have sent him by this week’s post letters of credit for whatever he may want. I am afraid, as we have...
56To George Washington from Samuel Fletcher, 18 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Esteemed favr of 14th Septemr and am quite Obliged pr your desiring General Heath to Afford me all possible Assistance in forwarding the Clothing. This Clothing had been arrived here some months before I recd charge of the same, landed in many places & some of the Packages with out any Particular Invoice, had it not been for those Circumstances I should have been able to...
57To George Washington from Samuel Fletcher, 10 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have duely received your Excellencys Esteemed favr 24th Septemr Informing me of Mr Measoms appointment, also a letter from the Honble board War pr Major Nicholas whom they have sent to Inspect the conductg the Cloathing to the Army I shall do everything in my Power for the Public Service in Conjuntion with those two Gentn. The Chief of the imported Cloathing is arrived here and a few days...
58To George Washington from Royal Flint, 26 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The unexpected demands for provisions at the eastward have nearly exhausted all the magazines of Flour east of Hudsons river. Should there be an expediency, during this campaigne, of collecting any considerable army, in either of the eastern states, I am convinced that with common exertions only, they could not be suppplied with bread. Our dependance cannot with the least degree of prudence be...
59To George Washington from Royal Flint, 22 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 20th instant was brought to my quarters, when I was absent, on a journey to Poughkepsie, to accomplish the very purposes required in the letter. While I was there, the legislature of this state were compleating a bill, that is to invest the comisaries with full power to secure all the flour & wheat in the state, exclusive of this year’s crop. The purchasers in...
60To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 23 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter I received Yesterday by the Bearer Doctor Johnston, from General Stark —From intelligence from different places, corresponding with each Other, there is the Strongest reason to believe, that The Enemy meditate an Attack, both by Sea, & Land, upon Boston, and The French Fleet; indeed, they can now, have no Other Objects; in my Letter to Congress of the 3d June last, I...