4701From George Washington to David Rittenhouse, 9 July 1792 (Washington Papers)
Having had under consideration the letter of the Director of the mint of this day’s date, I hereby declare my approbation of the purchase he has made of the house and lot for the mint. of the employment of mr Voight as Coiner, of the procuring fifteen tons of copper, & proceeding to coin the cents and half cents of copper & dismes & half dismes of silver: and I leave to his discretion to have...
4702From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 12 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
You will see by the inclosed letter to Lord Stirling, which you will be pleased to deliver him, the footing upon which the affair is placed. If upon confering with him, the enterprise is judged elegible, it will be carried into execution. I am Dr Sir Your most hble servt. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . See GW’s first letter to Stirling of this date . GW...
4703From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, Sr., 11 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellencys Letter of the 23 November inclosing one to Sir Guy Carleton which I have forwarded to New York and I have directed Colonel Smith our Commissary of Prisoners to receive any monies that may be sent out on that account. I am sorry to hear that the ragged state of your Soldiers in the line, should prevent your recruiting, it cannot be attributed to any partiallity...
4704From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 1 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment receiv’d your favor of Yesterday, & hope General Varnum with the Detachment from this Army, have by this time arriv’d to your support, & that your little Garrison will, with the greatest confidence & Vigor, exert itself to baffle every attempt of the Enemy to reduce it —When I last saw General Foreman I authorized him to collect all the Cloathing such as shoes, stockings,...
4705From George Washington to Samuel Purviance, Jr., 8 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
With the warmest Sense of Gratitude & Affection, I accept your kind Congratulations on my Arrival in this Town—permit me to assure you that I participate in your Felicity, from the Happiness I feel in having this opportunity to pay my Respects to your worthy Inhabitants. If during the long & trying Period in which my Military Services have been Employed for the Interests of the United States &...
4706From George Washington to Thomas Marshall, Jr., 22 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 4th of August came safe to my hands under cover from Mr Colston—whom I have authorised to draw upon me for the full balance as stated in the a/c transmitted by you. It dwells however upon my mind (but not perfectly) that the first item therein—viz.—£8.17.3 has been paid to some person who appeared authorised to receive it; but as My voluminous Papers (brought from...
4707From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 23 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have inclosed the Warrant for executing the Deserter—The blanks you will fill up, and direct the Ceremony as You please. Will it not be adviseable to arrange & equip the Troops under Innoculation in Philada? That, on an Emergency, they may be of some service. Another skirmish happened Yesterday between Genl Maxwell & about 2000 from Amboy, they came to forage—The Genl writes me that he has...
4708From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 23 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yours reached me so late last Night that it was impossible to send off the provision before this Morning, and I hope th[at] Genl Maxwell will not be obliged to return for want of it. Had the day been good, the whole Army would have moved down towards Metutchin disencumbered of Tents or Baggage, and would then have acted as Circumstances would have permitted, the Moment the weather is such that...
4709From George Washington to John Hurt, 28 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 24th instant, and have to inform you on the subjects mentioned in it, that, according to the best of my recollection the Arrangements respecting the Commutation of the half-pay of the Officers in the late army were made between Congress & a Committee from the Army, without any agency of mine. Nor do I remember to have taken any measures with regard to...
4710From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered you by the Chevalier de Kermorvan, and Monsieur de Vermonet—they are French Gentlemen just arrived in this Place, who have made Application to me, to be received into the Continental Service—They bring Letters to Dr Franklin and some other Gentlemen of the Congress—I suppose it will better appear from these Letters, than from any Information I can give, whether it will...
4711From George Washington to Christian Holmer, 3 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of —It was not expected by Congress in their Resolution of the 7th of Augst last, nor is it possible from the circumstances, that I should take measures for compleating or even doing any thing in the arrangement of any of the Lines of the Army excepting those which are under my immediate command—I have therefore transmitted a Copy of your Letter to the Secry at War,...
4712From George Washington to John Hancock, 30 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Information which the Gentlemen who have lately gone from hence can give the Congress of the State & Situation of the Army would have made a Letter unnecessary if I did not suppose there would be some Anxiety to know the Intentions of the Army on the Subject of their Re-inlistment. Agreeable to the Advice of those Gentlemen & my own Opinion, I immediately began by directing all such...
4713From George Washington to John Eager Howard, 19 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
It may seem strange to those, not acquainted with circumstances, that the office of State should be so long vacant; but causes, not within my power to controul, have occasioned it. I have, at length, proposed to Colo. Pickering, to go from the War office into that of State, & he has agreed to do so: this, of course makes a vacancy in the former. Permit me, to ask you Sir to fill it. I shall...
4714From George Washington to Colonel John Lamb, 16 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I would willingly dispense with your attendance agreeable to your request if the Court did not deem it necessary. But as the case is capital and the prisoner insists on your presence, our military laws require it. I am sorry for your indisposition; but I wish you may find yourself able to be here on thursday or friday. The want of your testimony will otherwise be the only delay to the...
4715From George Washington to David Forman, 4 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 1st Inst. I perceive by a letter from you, of the same date, to Colonels Blaine and Steward, that you had collected about two hundred Cattle more, and that a further number might be obtained, if you were furnished with parties to cover the collectors. You may apply to the Officer commanding the detachment of the State Regiment in Monmouth for this purpose, and...
4716From 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...
4717From George Washington to John Beatty, 29 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
From the particular circumstances of Capn Campble’s case I have been induced to permit his remaining on parole with his friends. You will therefore in your first intercourse with the British Commissary of prisoners send in an officer of theirs of the same rank which Mr Campble held when taken by them—adjusting the transaction in the usual manner. Mr Hogland being a violator of parole—is to be...
4718From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 21 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
I nominate Matthew Clarkson, of Pennsylvania, to be the Commissioner on the part of the United States, agreeably to the 21st article of the Treaty of Friendship, limits and navigation between them and his Catholic Majesty, to examine and decide the claims of the Citizens of the United States for losses sustained in consequence of their vessels and cargoes having been taken by the subjects of...
4719From George Washington to John Francis Mercer, 30 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
The last Post brought me your letter of the 10th Instt—and a former one handed me a line from Mr Lund Washington informing me of your application for the Bonds, & other Securities taken at the Sale of Colo. Mercer’s Estate; and of his suspending the delivery of them ’till he could hear from me. His reasons for so doing, I suppose , for I can suggest no others, were, not having heard from the...
4720From George Washington to American Philosophical Society, 13 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
While you recall to my mind the honor formerly done me by enrolling my name in the List of the Members of your Society, you greatly heighten the pleasure of your present congratulations. For if I know my own inclination, it is to be the friend and associate to men of Virtue & philosophical knowledge; or if I have a wish ungratified, it is that the Arts & Sciences may continue to flourish with...
4721From George Washington to Moses Hazen, 3 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy, persisting in that barbarous line of Conduct they have pursued during the course of this war, have lately most inhumanly Executed Capt. Joshua Huddy of the Jersey State Troops taken Prisoner by them at a Post on Toms River—and in consequence, I have written to the British Commander in Chief, that unless the perpetrators of that horrid deed were delivered up, I should be under the...
4722From George Washington to Lamar, Hill, Bisset, & Company, 1 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your favor of the 22d of June. As I have been very unlucky hitherto, in the transportation of Wine (in the common Craft of the Country) from one port, or one from one river to another; I had rather the old Madeira ordered by Mr Hill for my use should remain with you (as I am not in immedate want) until a conveyance may offer directly to Alexandria. But if this is not likely...
4723From George Washington to William Shippen, Jr., 19 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
General Scott writes me by the last post that he is in the utmost distress for Regimental Surgeons. There is an absolute and immediate necessity for appointments to the regiments which march to the Southward. King he has heard nothing of. You will be pleased to order two surgeons and their mates to join him with all expedition at Petersburg in Virginia—where they will receive his instructions....
4724From George Washington to James McHenry, 22 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
(private) Your private letter of the 16 came to my hands at the same time that your official one did of the 18th. From what is there said it appears by the enclosures, I am satisfied no unnecessary delay respecting the Algierine frigate has taken place. From a former one, & perhaps from a solicitude to execute promptly whatever is entrusted to me, I had conceived otherwise. As I have Mr Liston...
4725From George Washington to Robert Morris, 25 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
Some complaints having been made respecting the quality of the Beef lately issued to the Troops, and the Contractors (whose conduct has been perfectly satisfactory) having solicited that a Person should be appointed to inspect it in future, previous to delivery—I have therefore this day appointed for this purpose, Majr Henry Wikoff of Fishkill until your pleasure should be known: of which I...
4726From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 26 April 1798 (Washington Papers)
If Stuart can spare a Steer, you may keep the one you got from thence and pay for him in kine. Fishing, hitherto, has been very unsuccessful at my landing. More were caught last night and this morning (since I have not heard from thence) than in the same space at any time before since it commenced; & unless it continues for some days my expences will not be reimbursed. Have you written to...
4727To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [1 February 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
I received the enclosed letter with the document therein, last night. For reasons which will appear obvious, I make you acquainted with the contents of them, being Yours ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. H endorsed this letter: “This covered a letter from Mr. Coxe of the 31 of January 1795 containing a charge against Mr. Woolcott for my having committed to him & he having exercised...
4728From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 11 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your two Letters of the 2nd & 4th inst.—In what manner the new mode proposed respecting the Officers subsistence will be considered by them, I am not yet competent to determine—Tho I am sensible that almost every innovation is in danger of being viewed in a disadvantageous point of light in the present state & temper of the Army, yet for my own part, I see no...
4729From George Washington to Major General Johann Kalb, 21 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of yesterday, inclosing a letter for General Greene, which I shall not deliver to him, as I know he has not at present the means of building the Boats you mention. I would therefore recommend to you, to put out the best of those which you may find in the several Rivers for the purpose of Guard Boats. Upon referring to and reconsidering your former letter upon this...
4730From George Washington to Commodore John Hazelwood, 7 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
When you passed by this place in your way to Dover you mentioned that there were a number of Arms at Trenton belonging to the Navy which you wished might be taken for the use of the Continent. As Colo. Shreve wanted Arms for his Recruits I gave him an order to draw sixty stand, but he writes me word that Colo. Bradford would not deliver them, perhaps not knowing that you had desired they might...
4731From George Washington to John Witherspoon, 8 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
I enclose to your care a Letter to Mr Cowvenhoven in answer to his Memorial & request, and his Letter to you & the President of Congress. In the course of Mr Cowvenhoven’s Memorial he takes occasion to mention his assistance to one Mr Wyckhoff, who, he says, was employed by Governor Clinton & me to bring Money from Long Island; all the agency I had in this matter, was giving an Order, at the...
4732From George Washington to Captain Robert Forsyth, 5 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am always sorry to lose a good officer or when the circumstances of his affairs render his resignation necessary—I feel myself however in this instance pleased that we are not to be deprived of your services, but that we are still to enjoy their usefulness in another line of the army —Under this idea I the more willingly at this time acquiesce in your resignation. It is usual to furnish a...
4733From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 15 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
From an Acct just recd from the Gentn who went over Schuylkill, I conceive there will be an occasion for a detachment to March so soon as they make a final report, which I expect this Afternoon. I have therefore to desire, that the division you at present Command may be held in readiness to move with their Baggage (& Provisions agreeable to the Genl Orders of this day) by Seven O’clock...
4734From George Washington to Colonel Richard Gridley, 9 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of Decemr last with plans of the seven Fortifications in and about Boston. I dare say they are so constructed as to answer the Ends, for which they were intended, in the most effectual manner, but such is my present multiplicity of Business that I have not had time to cast my Eyes upon them. I think it reasonable that Capt. Chadwick and your Son should be paid for their Service,...
4735To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 27 April 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of this date has not a little embarrassed me. You must remember the ferment in the Pensylvania line the last Campaign occasioned by the appointment of Major McPhearson; and you know the uneasiness which at this moment exists among the Eastern Officers on Acct. of the commands conferred upon Colo. Gemat and Major Galvan although it was the result of absolute necessity. Should...
4736From George Washington to Charles Crookshanks, 15 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
The last Southern Mail brot me a Letter from Jno. Searle Esqr. & Co., inclosing a Bill of Lading for two Pipes of old Madeira Wine which were Shipped in the Freemason Captn Wm Thomas, and Consigned to your Care at Oxford. I shall thank you, Gentlemen, for forwarding the said wine to Mr Lund Washington on Potomk River; 10 Miles below Alexa. in Virginia; who will pay the freight of them from the...
4737From George Washington to the Militia and Citizens of Frederick County, Va., 28 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
The approbation of my public conduct, which you have been so good as to express in behalf of the People of your county, has not failed to excite the most agreeable Sensations, and you have made it the dearer, by the terms of personal affection with whch it is accompanied. At all times it has been my ende⟨av⟩our to discern, and promote the welfare of o⟨ur⟩ country to the ⟨utmo⟩st of my...
4738From George Washington to Samuel Taft, 8 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
Being informed that you have given my name to one of your Sons, and called another after Mrs Washington’s family—and being moreover very much pleased with the modest and innocent looks of your two daughters Patty and Polly I do, for these reasons, send each of these Girls a piece of chintz—and to Patty, who bears the name of Mrs Washington, and who waited more upon us than Polly did, I send...
4739From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 28 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the pleasure of informing you Yesterday of our Success at Trenton, I have received Advice that Count Donnop with the remainder of the Enemy’s Army, immediately upon the News, decamped, and was on his Retreat towards South Amboy. On hearing this Genl Ewing and Colo. Cadwallader passed the River with the Troops under their command, and Genl Mifflin will follow this day with a...
4740From George Washington to William Tryon, 26 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 17th and a triplicate of the same were duly received. I had had the pleasure of seeing the Draughts of the two Bills, before those which were sent by you, came to hand; and I can assure you, they were suffered to have a free currency among the officers and men under my command, in whose fidelity to the United States I have the most perfect confidence The inclosed Gazette...
4741From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 17 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
Gentlemen of the Senate, I nominate Charles Cochran of South Carolina, to be Marshal of and for the District of South Carolina; vice Daniel L. Huger, resigned. and Thomas Waters Griffith, of Maryland, to be Consul of the United States of America, for the port of Havre Marat, in France; and for such other places as shall be nearer to the said port than to the residence of any other Consul or...
4742From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 23 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Half an hour ago I received your Note at eight P.M. In consequence of the intelligence Col. Butler communicates I have directed General Putnam to advance a brigade early in the morning to the Forest of Deane. If you receive any further advice, you will be pleased instantly to give me notice of it; and at the same time, send a messenger to General Putnam, that he may be the more certain of...
4743From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 28 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have received with vexation the enclosure you have just sent me from the French Minister: and pray you to take the opinion of the Gentlemen upon the measure proper to be taken in this business. Every day, more & more discovers the intention of this Agent to perplex this Government, and to scatter thick & wide the Seeds of dissention. Yours always— ALS , DLC : Jefferson Papers. Jefferson...
4744From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 12 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you a statement of the south western frontiers, and of the Indian Department which have been submitted to me by the Secretary for the Department of War. I conceive that an unreserved, but confidential communication of all the papers relative to the recent negociations with some of the southern tribes of Indians is indispensibly requisite for the information of Congress—I am...
4745From George Washington to General Henry Clinton, 26 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
In a letter I have lately received from Major General Lincoln, he transmitted the inclosed for Your Excellency, which I have taken an early opportunity of forwarding. I find by General Lincolns letter to myself, that he proposes to meet General Phillips on the 12th of next Month at Elizabeth Town, which will be perfectly agreeable to me. I shall direct our Commissary of Prisoners to be there...
4746From George Washington to Annis Boudinot Stockton, 18 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
The intemperate weather, and very great care which the Post Riders take of themselves, prevented your letter of the 4th of last month from reaching my hands ’till the 10th of this. I was then in the very act of setting of on a visit to my aged Mother, from whence I am just returned. These reasons, I beg leave to offer, as an apology for my silence until now. It would be a pity indeed, My dear...
4747From George Washington to William Peachey, 18 September 1757 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 22d ultimo came to hand about 4 days ago. In answer to that part which relates to Colo. Corbins gross and infamous reflections on my conduct last spring; it will be needless I dare say to observe further at this time, than that the liberty which he has been pleased to allow himself, in sporting with my character, is little less than a comic-entertainment, discovering at one...
4748From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 11 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have just received yours of yesterday—I am happy to hear of the spirited behaviour of the Militia. They have certainly done themselves great honor; if the opposition they give is not absolutely effectual, it serves to discourage the enemy and make them sick of such excursions—I shall be glad to learn they have met with a proper reception at Norwalk. Before this reaches you, you will have...
4749From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 26 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the p⟨lea⟩sure of yours of the 25th but a⟨m⟩ sorry to h⟨e⟩ar that your Wound is so troublesome to you⟨.⟩ I have sent Colo. Biddle up purposely to see the Baggage properly ⟨di⟩sposed of, and I must beg of you to pay as much attention as your health will admit of to the conduct of the Baggage Guard, who will probably be licentious and distressing to the Inhabitants. Make my Compliments to...
4750From George Washington to John Rutledge, 1 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your private letter of the 18th ulto and Mr Jay’s resignation of the Office of chief Justice of the United States, both came to my hands yesterday. The former gave me much pleasure, and without hesitating a moment, after knowing you would accept the latter, I directed the Secretary of State to make you an official offer of this honorable appointment. To express to you my wish that it may be...