1From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 29 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed your Excellency will be pleased to receive a letter from the Baron De Frey of Pulaskis Regiment soliciting a furlough for France. He will explain his situation and motives and Congress will judge of the propriety of a compliance. I have the honor to be Most respectfully Your Excellency’s Obedient servant LS , in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, DNA:PCC , item 152; copy, DNA:PCC , item...
2From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 30 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favors of the 22d and 23d instants, with the Resolves to which they refer. In obedience to the latter, I have put the North Carolina Regiments under march by the shortest Route to South Carolina. I yesterday received the inclosed intelligence—it is said “to be obtained from a public Office which has the best opportunity of determining the numbers, the...
3George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 1 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, October 1, 1779. Recommends that Congress grant Major Noirmont a furlough. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. On September 27, 1779, John Jay, President of Congress, was chosen Minister to Spain. The following day Samuel Huntington, delegate from Connecticut, was chosen as his successor.
4From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 1 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Major Noirmont De la Neuville who will have the honor of delivering this, has signified to me the necessity he is under from his private affairs of returning to France this Winter; and his desire to obtain from Congress a furlough for that purpose. The whole tenor of this Gentlemans conduct in the different capacities in which he has acted has been so meritorious as to give him a just title to...
5From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 2 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit Your Excellency an Extract from a Letter of the 24th of last month, which I have received from Major General Gates. In Answer to his question, so far as it respects the time from which the Resolve, the subject of his Letter, is to operate; I have written him, that it operated from the time it passed: but I have not given him any opinion, with respect to the claims...
6From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 4 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your Excellency’s letter of the 26th and 27th ultimo at half after twelve OClock yesterday. Immediately upon the Receipt of it, I set about concerting the measures necessary for a cooperation with His Excellency the Count D’Estaing, agreeable to the powers vested in me by the Resolve of Congress of the 26th ulto. I have called upon the State of Massachusetts for...
It gives me very sensible pleasure to find, from the Act of Congress inclosed in your Excellency’s polite Favour of the 1 st . inst. that my Conduct in the chair and the execution of public Business, has been honoured by the approbation of Congress. The testimony given of it by this act demands my warmest acknowledgements. Be pleased, sir, to assure the Congress, that my happiness is...
8From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 9 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor inclosing two acts of Congress of the 24th and 25th Ulto. While I express my sense of the approbation with which Congress have honored me, and my pleasure from the manner in which it has been communicated, permit me to congratulate you on the presidency with which you are vested. The army must feel the motives to a discharge of their duty...
9From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 16 October 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of troubling your Excellency for some blank letters of marque for use in this state, those we have on hand (forty seven in number) bearing the signature of Mr. Jay your predecessor. I am in hopes a safe opportunity of conveying them may not be long wanting. I have the honour to be with great respect Your Excellency’s Most Obedient & most humble servt., RC ( DLC : PCC , No....
10From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 17 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Upon an application similar to the inclosed, I did not look upon myself at liberty to grant the request, as the furlough was to extend beyond the limits of the United States. I therefore referred Capt. Stoddard, the former applicant, to Congress. They were pleased to grant his petition, and from the recommendation I have had of Capt. Lieut. Vandyke, I would beg leave to request a similar...
11From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 17 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favors of the 5th 8th and 9th instants. Neither of the former reached me till yesterday, and the latter this day. I am happy that my countermanding the march of the two North Carolina Battalions met the approbation of Congress. I am waiting with the utmost anxiety for further accounts from the Southward. By a letter from General Gates, of the 13th...
12From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel Huntington, [19 October 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, October 19, 1779. On October 27, 1779, Huntington wrote to Louis Le Bèque Du Portail and Hamilton acknowledging the receipt of a “letter … from Colo Hamilton of the 19th instant.” Letter not found. ] Huntington, a resident of Connecticut and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was a member of the Continental Congress from 1776 to 1784 and President of...
13From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 20 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Schweighauser of Nantes, who is a Native of Switzerland, observing me, as I was, one Day at his House, looking with some Attention, upon a Stamp, of the heroic Deed of William Tell, asked me to take a few of them to America, as a Present from him, which I agreed to do, with Pleasure. He, accordingly Sent, on Board the Frigate a Box, containing as he told me, one Stamp for each of the...
14From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 21 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 14th inclosing an act of Congress of the same date, expressive of their sense of the plan and execution of the expedition under the command of Major General Sullivan. I feel it a principal satisfaction, that the discharge of my duty, and the conduct of the troops, should meet with the approbation of Congress. Herewith your Excellency will...
15From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 24 October 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Some time in June I received from Mr. Jay a letter desiring I would have evidence collected on the subject of some Frenchmen who were said to have been murdered in cold blood by the English during their invasion of this commonwealth in the Spring. Several disappointments have retarded this matter much more than I could have wished, tho’ we have paid repeated attention to it. I now do myself...
16From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 30 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of transmitting to Congress the Copy of a letter which I recd yesterday from Governor Clinton. I have agreeable to his request directed the Massachusetts Militia to rendezvous at Albany instead of Claverack, not for the purpose of making use of them against the Indians should the incursion prove serious, but to give the appearance of an immediate collection of force in...
17From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 2 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing your Excellency last, I have received a letter from a confidential Correspondent in New York who informs me that the 57th Regt Rawdons Corps and a detachment of Artillery were to sail for Hallifax on the 29th ulto and that they were to be accompanied by all the heavy ships of War except the Europa. The Daphne Frigate was to sail for England at the same time....
18From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 3 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have taken the liberty to inclose, for the consideration of Congress, the Memorial of Colo. Hazen in behalf of Capt. Joseph Louis Gill Chief of the Abenecke or St Francois Tribe of Indians. The fidelity and good services of this Chief, and those of his Tribe, are fully set forth in the Memorial. I have taken upon me to order the subsistence of them till the further pleasure of Congress be...
19From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 4 November 1779 (Adams Papers)
printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:177–178 . Replying to the president’s letter of 20 Oct. (above), John Adams acknowledged receiving his commissions and instructions and expressed his appreciation of the high honor done him. In regard to his mission, Adams declared that he was determined...
20From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 5 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
When the plan of the Inspectorship was concluded upon by resolve of the 18th of February last it was determined that the duties of Brigade Major, and Brigade Inspector should be exercised by the same person who should be one of the Majors of the line. As this regulation detatches the Brigade Major from the immediate service of the Brigadier, it was thought necessary and recommended...
21From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 6 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 17th, and that of the 29th of last month. The memorial of the officers Steddiford and Becker, shall have due consideration. The repeated approbation of Congress, in their act of the 27th Ulto, cannot but give me the most sensible pleasure. Since Governor Clinton’s letter, which I inclosed your Ex[c]ellency in mine of the 30th of...
22From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 7 November 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to enclose to Congress Copy, of the Letter Book of the Commissioners at the Court of Versailles, during the Time that I had the Honour to be one of them. As the Letter Book was kept by me, and almost wholly in my Hand Writing, the Minister plenipotentiary consented that I should bring it home with me leaving him a Copy, which was done. As there may be many Things in it, which...
23From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 14 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
In my Letter of the 4th Ulto, which I had the honor of addressing Congress—I informed them of the measures I had adopted for a cooperation with His Excellency the Count D’Estaing, in consequence of their Act and Favor of the 26 & 27 of the preceding month. Besides the measures which I then mentioned, several Others which appeared to me essential for the occasion—and which would be naturally...
24From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 16 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Colo. Bland being about to retire from his Command at the Barracks in Albemarle, and desirous to withdraw at the same time the party of his horse which has hitherto been Stationed there, wished that we should supply their place by sending thither about twenty or five and twenty of the horse of this State. Our horse being as yet not very well trained, the Officers represented that it woud much...
25From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 18 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
As the present Campaign is advancing towards a conclusion—and the Councils of the British Cabinet, so far as they have come to my knowledge, are far from recognizing our Independence and pointing to an honourable peace —I have thought, it might not be amiss for me to lay before Congress a state of the Army, (notwithstanding it is frequently transmitted the Treasury Board, I believe, by a...
26From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 20 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
On Monday Evening I had the honor to receive Your Excellency’s Letter of the 10th, with the Inclosures to which it refers, by Major Clarkson. I also had the honor since, on the night of the 17th, to receive Your Favor of the 11th. I regret much the failure of the expedition against Savannah, and the causes which seem to have produced it. The North Carolina Troops proceeded yesterday to New...
27From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 23 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Samuel Huntington, 23 Nov. 1779 . Huntington wrote GW on 4 Dec.: “I am honour’d with your several favours of 23d 24th 27th & 29th Ulto” (see GW to Huntington, 29 Nov. , source note).
28From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 24 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honoured with Your Excellency’s several Favors of the 13th 18th & 19th with the several Acts to which they refer. As soon as circumstances will permit, I shall pursue measures for incorporating and arranging the Companies of Artificers, as directed by the Act of the 12th Instant. The unhappy failure of the expedition against Savannah and the other intelligence announced by the...
29From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 27 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
In the Letter I had the honor of addressing to Your Excellency on the 24th—I mentioned the general Outlines of the intended disposition of the Army for the Winter. From the important light in which these Highland posts are held—I would now take occasion to mention for the more particular satisfaction of Congress—that the 1st 2d 3th and 4th Massachusetts’ Brigades, are the Troops intended for...
30From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 29 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing Your Excellency on the 20th I have received sundry reports, though not through the Channel I could have wished—and yet through such as seem to make the Reports worthy of credit—that the Enemy are making or preparing for a pretty considerable embarkation of Troops from New York. From this circumstance—although their destination is not known—and from the...
31From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 2 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing you on the 20th ulto I have seen Lt Colonel Washington of Baylors Light Dragoons, who gives me a more favorable report of the times of service of that Regiment than was represented by one of his Officers. He informs me, that including Capt. Stiths Troop already on its march to the Southward he will be able to carry forward about 125 Men, none of whose times...
32From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 4 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with Your Excellency’s Letter of the 27th Ulto and with the Inclosures to which it refers. The moment circumstances will admit of it, Doctor Shippen shall be put in arrest—and his trial will be proceeded on immediately after the Trials of General Arnold & Colo. Hooper are finished. When Doctor Shippen is arrested, Doctor Morgan shall have notice of it—and be furnished with...
33George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 7 December 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] December 7, 1779 . Sends information concerning British fleet; enemy attempts to depreciate American currency; and probable future movements of British army. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
34From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 7 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform Congress, that I have received a letter, from a confidential correspondent in New York, dated the 27th of November, containing the following Paragraph “The Men of War at the Hook have taken in water for several months, and, on friday, the Admiral went down with all his Baggage. A fleet for Cork and a number of Vessels for England will sail in a few days, some of...
35From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 8 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
From the silence of our Articles of War with respect to the right, which parties in arrest have, of challenging or objecting to Members of Courts Martial—I would beg leave to submit the point to the consideration of Congress, and to request, that they will be pleased to decide—Whether the parties have such a right: Whether it may be exercised in all, or in what cases: To what extent as to...
36From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 10–11 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
In my Letter of the 8th in which I had the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s dispatches of the 4th Instant, just then come to hand—I advised Congress, that I had given Orders for the march of the whole of the Virginia line for Philadelphia. I am now to inform them, that the first & second State Regiments moved yesterday, & all the Regiments of the line to day, except two,...
El Ferrol, Spain, 11 December 1779. Dupl in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, 1, f. 227; docketed: “No. 1 J Adams Esqr original by Capt. Trask from Corunna to Newbury Port, Mass. Bay. Duplicate of Decemb 11th 1779 Original receivd. Recd. May 15. 1780 orig read March 27.” The “original” has not been found. LbC Adams Papers . LbC in JA ’s and in Thaxter’s hand Adams Papers ; notations: “Recd in...
38From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 13 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to lay before your Excellency the inclosed papers relative to the state of our supplies of meat; and a letter from the commissary general of musters, on the subject of a further subsistence for the officers of his department. I thought it necessary to make these communications, and have the honor to be with the greatest respect, Sir, Your Excellency’s most obt servt P.S. I...
39From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 14 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor of your Excellency’s favors of the 7th and 10th, with their respective inclosures. The act to regulate the proceedings of officers absent on furlough, or otherwise, has been communicated to the army in general orders. In consequence of the resolution of the 10th, directing a successor to Col. Bland, in the command at Charlotteville, I have appointed on this occasion Col....
40George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 December 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] December 15, 1779 . Reiterates need for food for the Army. States that news of the sailing of British fleet was premature. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
41From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
The representations I had the honor to transmit in my letters of the 10th and 12th and those now inclosed will inform Congress of the deplorable distress of the great departments of the army. I beg leave to add that from a particular consultation of the Commissaries, I find our prospects are infinitely worse than they have been at any period of the War, and that unless some expedient can be...
La Coruña, Spain, 16 December 1779. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, I, f. 231.; docketed: “No. 2 Letter from J. Adams Corunna Decr. 16. 1779 Read March 27. 1780.” LbC Adams Papers . LbC in Thaxter’s hand Adams Papers ; notations: “Recd in Congress Oct. 15. Triplicate.”; by Thaxter: “No. 2.” and “NB. Nos. 1 & 2 were sent by Captain Trask bound to Newbury Port from Corunna.” For a...
43Thomas Jefferson in Council to Samuel Huntington, 16 December 1779 (Madison Papers)
We have information from our Delegates in congress that the detention of some continental arms by the executive of this State during the course of the last summer has given considerable umbrage to congress. I beg leave therefore, thro’ you Sir, to lay before that honorable body facts, simply as they occurred, hoping that these will satisfy them that, the arms being justly due to this State,...
44From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 16 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
We have information from our Delegates in congress that the detention of some continental arms by the executive of this State during the course of the last summer has given considerable umbrage to congress. I beg leave therefore, thro’ you Sir, to lay before that honorable body facts, simply as they occurred hoping that these will satisfy them that, the arms being justly due to this State,...
45George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 17 December 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] December 17, 1779 . Suggests sending the Reverend Hyacinthe de la Motte to Canada as a secret emissary. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
46From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 17 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
The bearer of this The Reverend Mr De La Motte represents to me that he has been employed by order of Congress as Missionary to the Indian tribes in the Eastern department, from which trust he is now returning —On conversing with him he has exprested a willingness to go into Canada as a secret emissary. He appears to be not unintelligent, and if there is good reason to depend on his fidelity,...
47From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 23 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the honor to transmit the Copy of a letter which I received last evening from General Wayne who had been to reconnoitre the situation of the Enemy upon Paulus Hook —Should the Fleet, which he mentions to have fallen down to the Hook, proceed to Sea, Your Excellency will receive information of it from Major Lee, who is stationed in Monmouth, and who is directed to advise...
48From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 24 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of transmitting the Copy of a letter which I received late last evening from General Wayne, from which it appears, that the fleet has sailed from New York. The moment I receive any further particulars of their destination, or the number of Troops on board, I shall forward them. Your Excellency will also find inclosed the Copy of a second letter from Mr Champion to Colo....
My former Letters to your Excellency of the 20 th . and 22d. Instant (a triplicate of the former and a duplicate of the latter are herewith enclosed) have already informed Congress of the disaster which imposed upon us the necessity of coming hither. But as that necessity has been and it seems still continues the subject of much Inquiry and investigation, it is proper that the facts from which...
50From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 25 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to lay before your Excellency the representation of a certain Elizabeth Burgin late an inhabitant of New-York. From the testimony of different persons, and particularly many of our own officers who have returned from captivity, it would appear, that she has been indefatigable, for the relief of the prisoners, and in measures for facilitating their escape. In consequence of...