1From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 4 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to introduce to Your Excellency’s Civilities & attention the Count del Vermé an Italian Noblemn of Family & distinction on a tour thro’ America. This Gentleman comes warmly recommended by our Ministers at the Court of Versailles and from the Acquaintance I have had the pleasure to make with him does honor to his high birth & Education. I am &ca Go: Washington To Genl Sullivan & Jno....
2From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 5 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s Letter of the 24th of febry. Circumstanced as our affairs are, it is impracticable for me, to comply with your request, for a Body of Continental Troops to be stationed at Stamford: some Aid, however, may be given to your State Troops, by the Countenance & Increase of our marching parties, who are patroling on the Lines, & may extend as far as the...
3From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 14 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
I enclose a Letter from Major Tallmadge to Your Excellency which came under a flying seal to my hands; the observations contained in it appear to be highly worthy of consideration. The importance of absolutely cutting off all manner of commerce & illicit intercourse with the Enemy is so great, and at the same time so obvious, that I conceive it only necessary to recommend the subject, without...
4From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 13 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose you the extract of a letter, which I have lately received from His Excellency the Minister of France, on the subject of the amazing quantities of provisions which the enemy draw, from the States contiguous to New York. The evil complained of has been long growing, and has at length arisen to a height truly alarming. I persuade myself no arguments will be...
5From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 30 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
The foegoing was put into the post Office agreeable to its Date, to be conveyed to your Excellency, but thro’ the Inattention of the post Master was made up in the Southern Mail—And on its return from Philadelphia by the Eastern post, was captured with his Mail & carried into N. York, which forms a Necessity for transmitting this Duplicate. With great Regard & Esteem I have the Honor to be...
6From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 3 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your Excellency’s Letter of the 21st of June. Captain Johnson, who was the Bearer of it, had permission granted to him to go to the Enemy’s Lines for the purpose of carrying Money to the prisoners. That your Excellency may be fully informed on what footing the Exchange of naval prisoners now stands, I have directed the Commissary of prisoners to report to you, what he has...
7From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 29 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your two Letters of the 21st & 23d of this Month. Your Excellency’s reply to Dean’s Letter I read with great Satisfaction—and the pleasure was hightened by findg that it contained not only your own Sentiments, but also conveys the Sense of the Legislative Body of your State—From a variety of circumstances I view the present, as the most critical Moment, that we have...
8From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 10 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose to your Excellency, the Copy of a Letter of this date to Colonel Canfield, prohibiting the practice of sending Flags from, or receiving them at any place except the Post of Dobbs’ Ferry—This I thought essentially necessary for many reasons, which I doubt not will occur to your Excellency, and therefore request your aid in carrying the measure into effect; and that...
9From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 8 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to receive your Excellencys Favor of the 24th of April—inclosing a Copy of your Letter to Congress on the Subject of American prisoners confined in England—with your Sentiments on the Necessity of Retaliation. I am sorry to inform your Excellency, that a Meeting of Commissioners which had, Among other Matters, been concerted for the purposes of a general Exchange, comprehendg...
10From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 28 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to acknowlege your Favor of the 6th instant— and to thank your Excellency with great Sincerity for the very cordial and affectionate Congratulations which you are pleased to express on our late Success in Virginia. I must earnestly hope that this Event may be productive of all those happy Consequences which your Excellency mentions; and I think that its good Effects cannot...
11From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 16 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
It being of the utmost importance that a quantity of salted Provision, not less than 1000 Barrels should be immediately shipped from Connecticut River to Rhode Island—The Quarter Master General has dispatched Mr Mix an Officer in his Department (who will have the honor of delivering this Letter to your Excellency) to see that business carried instantly into execution. I pray Your Excellency...
12From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 3 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s Favor of the 31st ulto—I most ardently wish that your Orders for reinforcing & supplying the Army, may be carried into Execution with a Zeal & Ardor equal to that with which, I am persuaded, they are given. Money for the Pay of the Troops of your Line will be exceedingly welcome—the sooner it arrives the more salutary will be its Consequences. It will...
13From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 1 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am obliged again to trouble your Excellency with the Distress we are in for Want of Provisions to feed the Troops—by a Return from the Comsy Genl of Issues, we have received from the 12th of May to this Day only 312 Head of Cattle—& those in the followg Proportions—Vizt. N. Hampshire 30 Massachusetts Bay 230 Connecticut 52 312 from this Supply, with the Help of Salted Provision, we have...
14From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed your Excellency will receive Copy of a Letter addressed to me from General Parsons, representg the Situation of the Troops of your Line of the Armey. I feel myself so distressed at this Representation, not only as it affects the Troops themselves, but from the Apprehension I have of the Consequences which may, from their feelings, be produced to the general Service; that, altho it is...
15From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 24 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with Your Excellency’s Letter of the 30th Inst. together with the several Enclosures. The measures which have been taken by your Legislature to produce a prompt compliance with the requisitions upon the State, are of a good complexion, and afford me great satisfaction— I flatter myself the ample powers with which your Excellency & your Council are invested, will be strenuously...
16From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 15 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I flatter myself the proper Measures have been before this Time taken to procure the Number of Men for Continental and Militia service, required by my Letter of the 24th May from Weathersfield. In the Calculation which I then made of the Aid of Militia which would be necessary to support the Operations which we have in View, I included sixteen hundred from Pennsylvania, but that State having...
17From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 25 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
It having been represented to me that some powder has been made by your Excellency’s directions, at Glassenbury & New Haven in this state, of materials belonging to the Continent, I take the liberty earnestly to request that such measures may be taken by the State as will transport it to Fishkill with the utmost expedition— great care being had that it should not be injured by the weather on...
18From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 22 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose to your Excellency a Resolution of Congress respecting mounting and equipping the Corps of Dragoons raised by this State of Connecticut. I am the more induced to wish this may be done, as Colonel Sheldon’s is now the only Regiment of Cavalry destined to act with the Army under my immediate command, and as the number of men in that Regiment now mounted are totally...
19From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 17 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
By the Letter from the Quarter Master General, transmitted herewith, Your Excellency will be pleased to observe the necessity of furnishing the Camp Equipage specified in the estimate for the Troops of Your State, as also the reason why this application was not made at an earlier period. Every other effort for a supply, having failed of success, this is the last resource now remaining—And I...
20From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 10 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
By an almost total failure of the Supplies of Beef Cattle, demanded by Congress of the Eastern States; I find we are again reduced to the verge of Distress, (Our little Magazines, which were laid up for an emergency being entirely exhausted) and that there is no prospect of immediate relief, but from the salted provisions of Connecticut. I have therefore to request in the most earnest manner,...
21From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 21 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Having been obliged to make a very considerable temporary detachment from the Army, I am under the necessity of immediately calling in what Recruits may be raised in the neighbouring States to replace it —I have directed the superintending Officers at the different places of rendezvous to do this, but I must request your Excellency, if it possibly can be done, to furnish them in whole or in...
22From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 4 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your Excellencys Letter of the 31st of January by General Knox. The exertions the Eastern States are making afford me great satisfaction. I am sorry there should be so much justice in Your Excellency’s observation respecting the irregularity of supply, and consequent waste of the live Cattle sometimes sent to the Army. It is easy to trace this Misfortune to its...
23From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 18 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Under the circumstances, Your Excellency states in your letter of the 12th, there is to me no doubt that Wilson may be detained and punished, notwithstanding the sanction of a flag. But there is a fact alleged by the enemy, which would intirely change the nature of the case. They pretend, that Wilson came out under a passport or permit from Col. Wells of your Militia, while Commanding Officer...
24From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 2 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform your Excellency of the sailing of the Embarkation, which I mentioned in my Letter of the 13th of December. The Fleet consisting of thirty two Sail, left the Hook on the 22nd Ulto with a Detachment of about Sixteen hundred Troops on Board, under the command of Arnold. It is conjectured they are designed as a further reinforcement to the Southern Army, which is said to...
25From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 19 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have this morning received Your Excellency’s favor of the 15th. I have likewise had information from New York, that the enemy were preparing to make a move of some kind, but all my intelligences suppose that it will be a further detachment to the southward —Indeed, the situation of their affairs in that quarter seem to require a reinforcement. Should they however turn their views towards the...
26From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 17 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I submitted to the interference of the State of Connecticut last Year with respect to the Cantonment of the Horse, without any animadversion or remark, because I was hopeful that the impropriety of it would appear to them, and prevent the like in future. I shall, (as it is the request of the State, and because it is my wish to harmonize, as much as possible, with the Civil Authority, in the...
27From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 13 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have this day forwarded a passport to New York for the Brig Jenny to proceed from thence to New London as a Flag of truce with Cloathing for the prisoners at Rutland, and to carry back such of them as have been lately exchanged. An officer has permission to go with the Cloathing to Rutland and return. The Vessel is directed to lay in such part of the port as the commanding Officer there...
28From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 8 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
On my arrival at this place, I met with your Excellency’s favor of the 27th November, and immediately gave Orders for the Returns which you request therein. They shall be transmitted to you, as soon as they are brought in. I have given directions to Colonel Sheldon to make the Return of his Regiment immediately to you —I very much regret that the requisition of Congress, for your quota of men,...
29From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 19 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer [ ] is sent by the Quarter Master General purposely to superintend the forwarding a quantity of Cloathing from Springfield to New Burg —indeed the whole of our dependance in that Article, as far as I can see, for the Winter. The Quarter Master General is in hopes that His Deputies will be able to find the means of transportation without applying to your Excellency for assistance,...
30From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 5 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am honored by your Excellency’s favor of the 31st ulto accompanied by a letter to the Committee of Cooperation, which I took the liberty of opening; as those Gentlemen had been, some little time before, recalled by Congress—Our situation, in respect to Meat, is, if possible, worse now than it was when I addressed my circular letter of the 27th ulto. The Country in the neighbourhood is daily...
31From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 28 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was a few days ago honored with yours of the 9th: since the receipt of it, I have seen Commissary Cheever, and have had an opportunity of making particular enquiry into the state of the Arms at Springfield. He tells me, that the repair, of such of the old Muskets as are worth the trouble and expence, is going on as fast as the circumstances of want of hands and want of money will admit. The...
32From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 22 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am again reduced to the painful necessity of informing Your Excellency of the situation in which we are, with respect to provision of the meat kind—and of earnestly entreating every assistance in your power to give, for our relief. The whole Army has been already without meat one day and a great part of it Two. We have none now in Camp, and no good prospect that I can find, of receiving any...
33From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 8 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with Your Excellency’s favor of the 4th Inst. I am sorry that any disputes and differences should have happened between Major Murnan and the Inhabitants and Militia—As it is difficult to reconcile matters after they have been carried to such a height as appears by Capt. Greens deposition I have thought it best to recall Major Murnan—You will be pleased to forward the inclosed to...
34From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 1 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am assembling our whole Continental Force at this place with an intent to move down towards New York, in hopes, that an opportunity may offer in the absence of Sir Henry Clinton of striking the Enemy to advantage or at least of gaining possession of some posts which will be of very great advantage in carrying on our future operations. I have taken the liberty to order the two State Regiments...
35From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 27 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of Your Excellency’s favors of the 18th and 19th instants—Colo. Wadsworth has forwarded the map of new London which you were so kind as to furnish. It answers the purpose for which I principally wanted it, which was to show the draft of Water leading into the Harbour—I very much fear that we shall be obliged to transport our cloathing from France the whole way from Rhode...
36From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 14 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
There is expected a quantity of clothing arms and amunition in the French fleet for the united States, which I have requested might be forwarded to New-London under convoy of a frigate or two—I shall send Mr Olney to receive it, and expedite it to the army. But as the Quarter Master General has no means in his power which could procure a sufficient number of waggons or teams in time, I beg...
37From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 11 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to suggest to Your Excellency that it is a matter of great importance for me to be acquainted with our several Harbours—their depth of Water within and leading to them and all the difficulties & circumstances attending their navigation. at present this knowledge is more peculiarly essential with respect to the Eastern Ports & particularly in the instance of New London. In the...
38From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 7 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am informed there are two Regiments of State Troops, amounting to six hundred men posted at Stanford, under the Command of Colo. Willis; to which place Major Murnon has been sent, for the purpose of cutting fascines, and will stand in need of every assistance, which can be afforded him: If Your Excellency will give directions that such of these Troops, and of the Militia which may be...
39From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 3 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been informed, that the State of Connecticut have in possession a very considerable quantity of Salt petre, which they are unable to manufacture into Gun powder, for want of Sulphur—The Continent, on the contrary, have a quantity of Sulphur at Springfeild which lies idle for want of the other necessary ingredients. I have therefore to propose to Your Excellency, that the Sulphur, or as...
40From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 27 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
By a letter from Your Excellency to Major General Howe, which he communicated to me, it appeared, that you were ordering a body of two thousand Militia to his assistance. This measure at the time was a very eligible one; but as, by the removal of our stores most exposed, we have had it in our power to detach a reinforcement of Continental Troops to West Point, and to remove the rest of the...
41From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 20 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have thought proper to send Brigr Genl Parsons to your State to receive arrange and forward to the army the Drafts and recruits which may be furnished for the Continental Battalions in consequence of the late requisitions of the Committee of Congress. Your Excellency will be pleased to give him such information and advice as will be requisite for his government. So important is the present...
42From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 18 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have just received authentic advice, that a large fleet appeared off Sandy Hook yesterday afternoon and entered as fast as they came up. From every circumstance this can be no other than Sir Henry Clinton. If the enemy push directly up the North River, much is to be apprehended for West Point. It requires all our exertions to put it in a state of defence. I some days since directed General...
43From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 11 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 6th conveying the very agreeable intelligence that a quantity of salted provision is on the way to West Point—It gives me much pleasure to hear that vigorous measures are pursuing by your State to draw forth its resources of Men and supplies, and I am not without hope that the same good disposition will pervade the whole. I am persuaded that the...
44From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 1 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
We have just received a hand Bill from New York, published by Authority, containing an account of the surrender of Charles town the 12th instant, said to have come by the Iris, which left that place the 17th: The particulars are not given; some leading matters are mentioned, but they are probably either false, or exaggerated. There are circumstances of suspicion attending this account, but as...
45From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 26 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
It is with infinite pain I inform You, that we are reduced to a situation of extremity for want of meat. On several days of late the Troops have been entirely destitute of Any—and for a considerable time past they have been at best, at a half—a quarter—an Eighth allowance of this essential Article of provision. The men have borne their distress with a firmness and patience never exceeded—and...
46From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 19 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to forward you by Express, Two packets which have just been transmitted to my care by His Excellency the Minister—& the Consul of France. according to the Letters which accompanied these dispatches, they will announce to your Excellency the very generous and affectionate resolution of His Most Christian Majesty to send a Land & Naval armament to cooperate with us—and that...
47From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 27 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am informed by Lt Colo. Stevens, at present the commanding Officer of Colonel Lambs Regiment of Artillery, that there are four Companies in that Regiment, which were raised in Connecticut, and have been adopted and supplied by the State, for which reason, he has desired liberty to send an Officer from each Company on the recruiting service, not doubting but they will be allowed the same...
48From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 4 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
Immediately upon the Rect of your Excellency’s favor of the 22d ulto, I desired Brigadier General Huntington to send as many Officers, as could possibly be spared from the Connecticut line, to take your instructions relative to the Business of recruiting. The number, from our circumstances at this time, will fall infinitely short of your Excellency’s requisition, but you may be assured that...
49From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 25 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowlege two favors from your Excellency, both of the 10th of this month. I flatter myself that the measures of the Assembly for recruiting the quota of troops, and bringing them into the field, will fully answer your Excellency’s expectations. I am persuaded, that for such an essential purpose, nothing will be left undone. That part of your Excellency’s letter which relates to the...
50From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 26 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honor of addressing Your Excellency on the 20th Instant —It has been found, that there was an Error in the Return then transmitted, with respect to the number of Men belonging to the State in the artillery. Instead of 4 there are 77 in Lamb’s Battallion, 76 of which are for the War—and 7 in Captain Walker’s company for the same time. I have the Honor to be with the most perfect...