1From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 4 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 31st Ulto—As yet no official information of a general Peace has yet arrived, I can undertake to make no definitive arrangements for taking possession of the City of New York—and can only say at present, that, for the reasons you suggest, I think there will be a propriety in your going early into Town whenever the communication shall be opened, whether with or...
2From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 25 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
It is more than probable that the Orders to Sir Guy Carleton by the last Packet, are decisive as to the Evacuation or holding N. York. As it is important to our Operations to have as early knowledge of this Determination as possible—and having great Dipendance on your Channel of Intelligence, I am anxious to have you exert your most diligint Endeavours, to obtain all the Information you can,...
3From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 4 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your Letter of the 24th of Febry with its Inclosures. The Capture of the Boats mentioned by you, trading to & bringing Goods from L. Island, is very clear; and their Condemnations, as well as of all others taken in like Situation, must be just. The Case of the Flag, arrived at N. Haven, is not expressed with that precision, as to enable me to decide positively...
4From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 26 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am just favored with your Letter of the 21st of this informing me of the Capture of one of the Enemys Armed Vessells by a party of Continental Troops detach’d by you for that purpose. I shall acquaint Congress of this additional exertion of yours to annoy the Enemy and prevent the illicit Trade they are carrying on with the Country and I beg you to accept my thanks for it and to communicate...
5From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 21 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have lately received your Letter of the 4th and have now to give my approbation to the Plan contained therein, for suppressing the illicit intercourse which prevails so scandalously with the Enemy—As this is an object in itself very important, and particularly recommended by Congress I cannot but think it proper that the Boatmen actually employed to assist you in the performance of this...
6From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 26 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
As a reward for the signal gallantry of Captain Caleb Brewster of the 2nd Regt of Artillery, and the Officers & Men under his command, in capturing on the Sound two Armed Boats then in the service of the King of Great Britain and commanded by Captains Hoit & Johnson; you are hereby authorised to cause the said Boats with all the property taken therein, to be disposed of for the benefit of the...
7From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 10 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 8th last evening by Express—’Tho you have not met with the success you deserved, & probably would have obtained had the Enterprize proceeded, yet I cannot but think your whole conduct in the affair was such as ought to entitle you still more to my confidence & esteem—for however it may be the practice of the world, & those who see objects but partially or thro’ a...
8From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 3 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 28th Ulto came duly to hand—I have been under the necessity of delaying an Answer untill this time. The Relief for the Lines is to move from Camp this Morning—Colonel Webb has directions to send two Companies to Bedford, who will be there this Evening or tomorrow Morning, and wait untill they receive your Orders—The necessary advices respecting the Infantry Companies &...
9From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 3 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Relief has been countermanded entirely—but your project is to go on without being confined precisely to the time before limited; you will however seize the first good opportunity within a week or ten days; beyond which the Party cannot be kept on the Lines; in the mean time you will communicate your Orders to the two Companies of Light Infantry at Bedford, & take every precaution to make...
10From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 27 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 25th with its enclosures came safe by the Dragoons yesterday; but I had occasion to delay writing until this Morning, which will account for their not returning so soon as you expected. I very much approve the plan you suggest, but cannot agree with you respecting the time—I should think it ought to be, at the instant when the Troops on the Lines are relieved; you may make your...
11From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 15 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of yesterday has just been delivered to me, with the intelligence enclosed therein—& Tho’ I should consider it a very desirable thing for the Corps of Cavalry which has gone to the East end of Long Island to be cut off; Yet, under the peculiar circumstances of the present moment I should not wish the Enterprize to be undertaken, unless there should be almost a certainty of...
12From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 14 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Dragoon handed me your Letter of Yesterday respecting the Capture of four Refugees, by your Corps. Considering present Circumstances, I think it best, that they should be delivered over to the civil Powers You will therefore be pleased to have them disposed of agreeable to the Direction mentioned in the Close of Govr Clintons Letter to you, that they may be tried by a Court of Ayer &...
13From Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. to Benjamin Tallmadge, 6 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by the Commander in Chief to acknowledge the Receipt of your favor of this Day by a Dragoon. His Excellency thanks you for the Communication, & Begs your constant attention to the future obtaing every Information in your power. I am &ca DLC : Papers of George Washington.
14From Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. to Benjamin Tallmadge, 20 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency thanks you for the Intelligence communicated by the Dragoon, who arrived this Morng, & renews his Request, that you will keep him as often informed , as is in your power. I am &a DLC : Papers of George Washington.
15From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 3 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am just favored with your Letter of yesterday mentioning a certain Person you propose to be employing, in communicating intelligence from N. York; tho’ I cannot say I rely perfectly on any of the Class to which this person belongs—yet as you appear to be acquainted with him & his circumstances I shall submit the arrangement of the matter entirely to your discretion—Only remarking, that as we...
16From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 10 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I find it very important from a variety of considerations, to have the most difinite & regular information of the state of the Enemy at New York, which can possibly be obtained; particularly with regard to the Naval Force which now is in that Harbour, or shall be there in the course of the Summer or Autumn; as the communications which have formerly been made under your auspices, have been very...
17From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 15 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received a Letter by the Baron Steuben; and take the earl iest opportu nity to return the Inclosur e . I could readily hav e excused yo ur sending it t o me — I have so bad an opin ion of the writer of that Let ter to you, that I wish never to hear or see any thing more fro
18From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 24 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your Favor of the 19th instant with its Inclosure. Be so good as to write me of the Chain of Express immediately on the Recept of this & inform when the Count de Rochambeau leaves Hartford—by what Rout he intends to come on & when he may be expected at my Head Quarters, which he will find at Peekskill. I am &c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
19From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 31 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 29th. The inclosed Letter for Colonel Sheldon, I entreat you will forward by the first safe conveyance. With great esteem & regard I am Dear Sir Your Very Hble Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
20From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 30 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your two favors of the 24th & 25th have been duly received. Fully impressed with the idea of the Utility of early, regular & accurate communications of the kind in contemplation—I shall make no difficulty in acceding to the proposal contained in Your Private Letter from N. Port of the 25th—But at the same time, I am engaging in behalf of the United States, a liberal reward for the services of...
21From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 8 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your Letter of the 6th Inst. The success of the enterprise proposed, must depend on the absence of the British Fleet, the secrecy of the Attempt, and a knowledge of the exact situation of the Enemy. If after you have been at the Westward, the circumstances, from your intelligence, shall appear favorable; You will be at liberty, to be the bearer of the inclosed Letter to His...
22From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 4 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
You would oblige me by ascertaining as soon as possible the following things. The number of Troops and different Corps that composed the last detachment which is supposed to have gone to the Southwd. The truth of the present report of another Imbarkation taking place—when it will happen—& to what amount in Men & Corps—and who is to commd the detachment. The present disposition of the remaining...
23From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 13 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of Yesterday, with the enclousures has this Moment come to hand by Express. You are undoubtedly right in your conjecture of the Author of the Letter addressed to Major DeLancey, the contents of which were suggested to him for communication. Notwithstanding any indiscretion of the person, in question, he may be employed to valuable purposes, and I am sufficiently apprized of the...
24From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 24 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday recd your favr of the 22d with letters from the Culpers inclosed. I return you a Copy of that from Culper junr by which it appears that he does not incline to continue the correspondence. The old Gentleman may perhaps have it in his power now and then to give intelligence which may be material —You will therefore be pleased to desire him to communicate any matters which appear...
25From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 11 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
As we may every moment expect the arrival of the French Fleet, a revival of the correspondence with the Culpers will be of very great importance. If the younger cannot be engaged again, you will endeavour to prevail upon the elder to give you information of the movements and position of the enemy upon Long Island —as whether they are all confined to the post at Brooklyn, or whether they have...
26I. From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 19 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 8th reached me a few days ago. As C—— junr has totally declined and C—— Senr seems to wish to do it, I think the intercourse may be dropped, more especially as from our present position the intelligence is so long getting to hand that it is of no use by the time it reaches me. I would however have you take an opportunity of informing the Elder C—— that we may have occasion...
27From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 8 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor[s] of the 20th and 26th Feby Inclosed you will find an acceptance of Capt. Shethars Resignation, which ought of right to have been indorsed upon his Commission—I shall be glad to be informed whether the interposition of the Civil authority in regard to granting and extending furloughs is confined to the State of Jersey, because I would take occasion to mention the...
28From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 5 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received two letters of yours from Wethersfeild—one dated the 15th January—the other without a date —By Colo. Blaine, who I expect will be the Bearer of this, I send twenty Guineas, and two Phials containing the counterpart and Stain for C—— junior, which I wish may be got to him, with as much safety and dispatch as the case will admit of conveniently. It is my further most earnest...
29From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 6 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your letter of the 3d—and the papers which it mentioned. It would be a very desirable thing as we are circumstanced at present, could a channel of communication be opened across the North river—or by way of Staten Island. If C—— can fall upon a line which he thinks he may safely trust, I wish it to be adopted: but if this cannot be accomplished, he will continue his...
30From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 2 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 1st instant, with its inclosures. The piracies upon the inhabitants of Long-Island of which you complain, are in their very nature injurious to our cause, and altogether injustifiable. For these and other reasons I wish to see them effectually restrained; and shall, to this end communicate the recent instance you have mentioned to Governor Clinton and...
31From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 30 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 28th. I send you by your dragoon a small quantity of the counterpart, of which we must be as saving as possible. I have heard nothing from Rhode Island, at which I am much surprised, especially if the Vessels bound to the Westward had troops on board. General Howe does not seem to think that, that matter was perfectly clear. I am Dear Sir &. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s...
32Instructions to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 17 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
C——Junr to remain in the City, to collect all the useful information he can—to do this, he should mix as much as possible among the Officers and Refugees, visit the Coffee Houses and all public places. He is to pay particular attention to the movements by land and Water in and about the City—especially— How their transports are secured against an attempt to destroy them—whether by armed...
33From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 9 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 7th inclosing a letter for Major Jameson who is in south Carolina. It shall be forwarded by the first opportunity. Should a certain operation take place, it will be necessary to establish a very regular communication with Long Island. These plans are better settled personally than by letter, I shall be glad to see you at Head Quarters. After leaving some person who can...
34From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 8 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
It is very interesting at this moment to be well informed of the Enemy’s shipping which may take place in the Sound—I wish you therefore to station an intelligent officer in such a situation as may be perfectly adopted for this purpose—He is to be careful in observing the size & number of all Vessels and whether there may be Troops on board, either in coming to, or going from New York, and in...
35From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 6 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received last evening your letter of the 3d with its inclosure. In your first communication with C——, and you will make it as soon as possible, I shall want to be as perfectly ascertained ⟨as⟩ the nature of the inquiry will ad⟨mit—viz.—⟩The quantity and quality of the ⟨provisions⟩ in New-York—comprehending their whole stock—whether in magazines, or on ship-board. He will be particular as to...
36From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 2 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have recd yours of the 30th Sepr by Mr Helmerharsen to whom I have granted a Warrant for 5000 dollars to be accounted for by Colo. Sheldon. The State of the military Chest will not allow of a further sum at this time. When this is expended, be pleased to make a Return of the Names of the Men inlisted, and you may draw a further Sum. I am anxious to hear what effect the Count D’Estaings...
37From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 24 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I this morning received your letter of the 22d with its several inclosures. It is not my opinion that Culper Junr should be advised to give up his present employment. I would imagine that with a little industry he will be able to carry on his intelligence with greater security to himself, and greater advantages to us—under cover of his usual business, than if he were to dedicate himself wholly...
38From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 22 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been expecting for some time past a communication from C——. The period which he had fixed was the 11th instant. If you know the cause of his silence—or have had any intimations from him I wish to be informed of them. Very interesting events have taken place which must and have produced circumstances in New-York—deserving of his notice—That he has gone so far beyond his promise makes me...
39From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 7 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have recd yours of the 4th inclosing C—— letter No. 22. and also that of the 5th. You may detain Brown in his present employ, and I will inform General Parsons that it is by my order. I have not heard that the enemy have any parties upon Long Island cutting Wood for the Garrisons of New York and Rhode Island. I think they were busy at that work, at this time last year. Be pleased to direct...
40From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 28 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
The period is now come (in the arrival of the enemys reinforcement ) when the intelligence of C——r Junr may be interesting and important—To delay his communications till they are matters of public notoriety, is answering no valuable purpose but to be early—precise—and well informed in the several accts transmitted, is essential—To know as nearly as may be the amount of the enemy’s...
41From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 14 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have your favors of the 11th by Capt. Edgar, who has got an order for the Arms necessary for the dismounted Dragoons. I have wrote to Colo. Sheldon by this opportunity respecting the inlistment of Men to fill up the Regiment provided they can be obtained upon the terms of serving on foot untill there shall be a necessity or conveniency of mounting them —If you can procure a proper person to...
42From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 27 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 25th came safe—the Ink I sent a day or two ago by Colo: Saml Webb who I hope has delivered it safe e’re this. I shall examine your dictionary the moment I am at leizure thanking you in the mean while for the trouble you have had in preparing it. I am Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt ALS , in private hands. GW signed the cover of this letter and addressed it to “Majr Talmadge Light...
43From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 25 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
All the white Ink I now have (indeed all that there is any prospect of getting soon) is sent in Phial No. I. by Colo. Webb. the liquid in No. 2 is the Counterpart which renders the other visable by wetting the paper with a fine brush after the first has been used & is dry—You will send these to C——r Junr as soon as possible & I beg that no mention may ever be made of your having received such...
44Enclosure: Samuel Culper to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 15 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Mr C. Junr informed me at our Intervew that Christofer Dycink Sail Maker of 10 [New York] formerly Chairman of the Committee of Mechanicks is amongst you and is positively an agent for David Mathews Mayor of 10 [New York], under the direction of Tryon. he assisted Mathews John Rome—and others in effecting their escape Mr C. Junr Wishes for Some of that Ink or Stain that he may Paint out his...
45Enclosure: Samuel Culper, Jr., to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 15 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I did not mean that Nr 1 shou’d be sent as it was wrote, I intended it as hints for my friend S.C. Senior, and expected that he wou’d have wrote you more particular—the shortness of the notice, and not at that time being sufficiently acquainted with the Character of 30 [post rider], prevented my writing so particular as I cou’d have wished—However I flatter myself that it was of some service....
46Enclosure: Samuel Culper to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 9 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
It is now, a long time Since I have heard from you—And wheather you mean to Continue the coresspondence—I Cannot tell or your Coast So Interupted thats impractible nevertheless I have not neglected my duty and determined to be Prepared exactly at every appointment that 40 [post riders], may not be detaind here—I yesterday had an Opportunity of Seeing Mr Culper Junr And repeated—again all my...
47George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 5 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New Windsor, New York ] July 5, 1779 . Regrets loss of papers and money. Will try to replace guineas. Instructs Tallmadge to inform George Higday of the loss, as Higday’s life may be in danger as a result. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
48From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 5 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your letter of the 3d—the loss of your papers was certainly a most unlucky accident—and shows how dangerous it is to keep papers of any consequence at an advanced post—I beg you will take care to guard against the like in future —If you will send me a trusty person I will replace the guineas. I observe yourself and other officers have lost some cloathing— Though I have not...
49From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 27 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of yesterday came safe to my hands, and by the Dragoon who was the bearer of it I send you Ten guineas for C——r. His successor (whose name I have no desire to be informed of, provided his intelligence is good, & seasonably transmitted) should endeavour to hit upon some certain mode of conveying his information quickly; for it is of little avail to be told of things after they have...
50From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 27 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I observe what you say respecting your position at Bedford—and the fatigue of the horse —with regard to the first, when Bedford was pointed out, it was descriptive only of a central place between the two rivers, and as near the enemy as you could with military prudence take post for the purpose of covering the inhabitants, & preventing the ravages of small parties. The judgment of the Officer...