51From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 30 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
The extensive ill consequences arising from a want of uniformity in discipline and manœuvres throughout the Army—have long occasioned me to wish for the establishment of a well organised inspectorship, and the concurrence of Congress in the same views has induced me to set on foot a temporary institution, which from the success that has hitherto attended it, gives me the most flattering...
52From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 1 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your dispatches of the 27th Inst. In compliance with the request of Congress, I shall immediately call upon the Officers in the Army to take the Oath of Allegiance & Abjuration. This I should have done, as soon as the Resolution passed, had it not been for the state of the Army at that time, and that there were some strong reasons which made it expedient to...
53George Washington to Henry Laurens, 3 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, May 3, 1778 . Discusses reasons for lack of Indian aid. Thinks the United States should continue to try to counteract British overtures to Indians. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives; Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
54From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 3 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
In a late letter from General Schuyler, I received the proceedings of a Board of Commissioners for Indian-affairs held at Albany the 15th of last month. It appears by them, and some other accounts, I have seen, that there is but little prospect of succeeding in the plan, for engaging a body of Indians from that quarter to serve with this army. The advantage, which the enemy possess over us, in...
55From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 4 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Last night at 11 oClock, I was honored with your despatches of the 3d. The Contents afford me the most sensible pleasure. Mr Simeon Deane had informed me, by a line from Bethlehem, that he was the Bearer of the Articles of alliance &ca between France and the States. I shall defer celebrating this happy event in a suitable manner, untill I have liberty from Congress to announce it publickly. I...
56From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 11 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to transmit to Congress a copy of a Letter from General Howe, which I received at three O’Clock this afternoon. The contents are exceedingly interesting to the unhappy prisoners in his hands. I thought it my duty to forward ’em immediately, and I must request that Congress will be pleased to inform me, as soon as possible, what line of conduct I am to pursue upon this...
57From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 12 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to receive in due time, your several favors of the 3d 6th & 9th Inst., with the Papers to which they respectively alluded. After much consideration upon the subject, I have appointed General McIntosh to command at Fort Pit & in the Western Country for which he will set out, as soon as he can accommodate his affairs. I part with this Gentleman with much reluctance, as I esteem...
58From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 18 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your two favors of the 11 & 15 Instant, with the several papers alluded to; the former by Monsr Jemat—the latter by Express yesterday. Colo. Johnson set out on saturday afternoon to wait on Congress upon the subject of his appointment, and I presume will be at York to day. I shall announce the Resolution of the 15th to the Army, and would flatter myself, it will quiet...
59From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 21 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
General McIntosh will have the honor to deliver you this. He is now on his way to take the command at Pitsburg and in the western frontiers, and waites on Congress for their instructions. I would also take the liberty of submitting to Congress the inclosed account of Expences incurred by the General in his Journey from Georgia to join this Army, and which he presented to me and to the Auditors...
60From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 24 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was duly honored with your two favors of the 20 & 21st Instant with their Inclosures. I have transmitted General Howe a Copy of the Resolution of the 21st respecting prisoners, and supposing him willing to effect an Exchange immediately, I have written to Mr Boudinot and requested him, as he is in possession of all the papers concerning them, to come to Camp without delay and superintend the...
61From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 28 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honor of addressing you on the 24th Instant, nothing material has happened. The Enemy are still in philadelphia, but the intelligence from thence is so clear and so strong, that it is certain, or nearly as much so as any Event can be that is contingent, that they mean to abandon it. Against the various measures they are pursuing, which point to an evacuation, there is but one...
62From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 28 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Lt Colo. John Gibson of the 6th Virginia Regiment, who, from his knowledge of the Western Country and Indian Nations and language, is ordered to repair to pitsburg will have the honor of delivering you this. He is intitled and has been ever since the Twenty fifth of October last to a Regiment in that line, and I must take the liberty to request that Congress will give him a Commission of that...
63From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 29 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your polite favor of the 5th Instt I duly received, and thank you much for the information contained in it. at the sametime, I earnestly request, that you will endulge me with an excuse for not answering it before—a constant croud of business, and the intervention of a variety of circumstances have been the cause; and not an inattention to the rules of civility, or to those of friendship. Your...
64From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 31 May–1 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive your favor of the 25th Inst. by Doctor Scudder, and that of the 29th yesterday afternoon, with the inclosures and packet to which they referred. I shall inform Major Lee of the New arrangement of his corps and will appoint the officers required. Major Beatty is not in camp. The letter addressed to him shall be sent by the first opportunity, to Princetown, where I...
65From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 2 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to inform you, that agreably to the Resolutions transmitted in your Favor of the 31st Ulto, I shall undertake the reform of the North Carolina Batallions in Camp, as soon as circumstances will admit. I sincerely wish the Legislatures of the several States had passed Laws, adopting the generous policy, recommended by Congress in their Resolution of the 23d of April. I am assured, by...
66From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 4 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to transmit you by Express, the inclosed packet, which just arrived at our advanced post by a flag from Sir Henry Clinton. I also transmit a Copy of a Letter I received from him, of the 30th Ulto and of my answer; likewise Copies of his and Lord Howe’s Letters which came to hand by the present flag. The packet, I presume, contains Acts similar to those sent to me. I have the...
67From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 7 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honoured with your Favors of the 4 & 5 Inst., and with the Resolutions and papers to which they refer. I have taken measures to communicate the New Establishment of the Army through the Line, and the sooner the arrangements can be made the better. Should there appear further regulations necessary, I shall take the liberty to offer my Sentiments respecting them. My principal...
68From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 9 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured with yours of the 6th Inst. inclosing copies of your answers to Lord Howe and General Clinton. The originals I sent in early this morning by a flag. I have the honor to transmit you a duplicate of a letter I received from Sir Henry Clinton for the purpose of procuring a passport for Doctor Ferguson (the secretary to the Kings Commission) to Congress, with my answer to him; on...
69From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 10 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Major Campbell of the 13th Virginia Regiment will have the Honor of presenting you with this. He is now on his way at the earnest sollicitation of General McIntosh to serve in the Western department and waites on Congress to obtain, if they shall think proper, a Commission for a Lieutenant Colonelcy in the Virginia Line, to which he has been intitled in the ordinary course, since the 20th of...
70From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 11 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for your favor of the 8th which was duly recieved. I must take the freedom to hint to you, that if in the packets transmitted by this conveyance there are any Letters for persons, with whom you are not acquainted, or in whose firmness and attachment you have not an entire confidence, it may not be improper to open them. This I am persuaded would be the case; However I am the more...
71From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 15 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honoured with your favors of the 11th & 14th Instant, and with the inclosures to which they refer. The Resolution for settling the value of Rations which have become due since the 1st of January and fixing the mode of payment, I shall announce in this days orders, and hope it will be highly satisfactory to all who are interested in it. I have notified General Mifflin of the...
72From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Baron Steuben will have the Honor of delivering you this. I do not know particularly, the extent of his business at York, but from what he has communicated, it is in part to get the duties and powers of his appointment minutely defined and settled. I inclose a Copy of orders on the 15th Inst., which were issued to quiet the minds of the General Officers and to remove a spirit of jealousy,...
73From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform Congress, that I was this minute advised by Mr Roberts that the Enemy evacuated the City early this morning. He was down at the Middle ferry on this side, where he received the intelligence from a number of the Citizens, who were on the opposite shore. They told him, that about Three Thousand of the Troops had embarked on board Transports. The destruction of the...
74From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honor of addressing you this forenoon, I received your Letter of the 17th with it’s several Inclosures. I am happy in the approbation of Congress respecting my conduct to Doctor Ferguson. I could not find, after the maturest consideration on the subject, that his passage through the Country could be in any wise material, or answer any other purpose than to spread disaffection....
75From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 20 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to inform you, that I am now advanced with the main body of the Army within Ten miles of Coryels ferry, and shall halt to refresh the Troops and for the night, as the Weather is very rainy. Genl Lee with the six Brigades mentioned in my former Letter, will reach the Ferry this Evening. My last accounts from Jersey were from Genl Dickinson, dated Yesterday at 3 OClock P.M....
76From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 21 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered you by Major Wemp, who has the care of some Warriors from the Senecca Nation. The inclosed copy of a Letter from our Commissioners will shew, that they are come to obtain the release of Astiarix, Another Warrior, who was taken on the Frontiers of Virginia. I never heard of the circumstance, till I was informed of it a few days ago by a Letter from General Schuyler. As...
77From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 22 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to inform you, that I am now in Jersey and that the Troops are passing the River at Coryel’s; and are mostly over. The latest intelligence I have had respecting the Enemy, was yesterday from Genl Dickinson. He says they were in the morning, at Mores Town and Mount Holly, but that he had not been able to learn what rout they would pursue from thence; nor was it easy to...
78To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 25 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
On the 23d I had the honor of presenting Your Excellency’s Letter of the 20th & last Evening of receiving one of the 22d which shall be presented this Morning. Congress have been so attentive to Confederation some five or six days past, as to admit of scarcely another consideration—& have now Resolved to adjourn to Philadelphia on the 27th. I therefore judge it best to return the bearer with...
79From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 28 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was duly honored with your favor of the 20th Instant, with the report to which it referred, and trust my situation will apol[og]ize for my not answering it before. I am now here with the main body of the Army and pressing hard to come up with the Enemy. They encamped yesterday at Monmouth Court House, having almost the whole of their front, particularly their left wing, secured by a Marsh...
80From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 29 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that about seven OClock yesterday Morning both Armies advanced on each other. About 12 they met on the Grounds near Monmouth Court House, when an action commenced. We forced the Enemy from the Feild and encamped on the Ground. They took a strong post in our front, secured on both flanks by Morasses and thick Woods, where they remained till about 12 at Night, and...
81From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 1 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I embrace this first moment of leisure, to give Congress a more full and particular account of the movements of the Army under my command, since its passing the Delaware, than the situation of our Affairs would heretofore permit. I had the honor to advise them, that on the appearances of the enemy’s intention to march thro’ Jersey becoming serious, I had detatched General Maxwells Brigade, in...
82George Washington to Henry Laurens, 7 July 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New Brunswick, New Jersey ] July 7, 1778 . States that American forces have advanced to North River. Asks that Committee for Arranging the Army begin operations at once. Df , in writings of Robert Hanson Harrison and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
83From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 7 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to inform you, that on sunday morning the left wing of the Army moved towards the North river—The right followed yesterday; and the second line which forms the rear division, is also now in motion. I shall advance, as fast as I can, consistently with the circumstances of the weather and the health of the Troops. The Enemy, from the advices of our parties of observation, were...
84George Washington to Henry Laurens, 11 July 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Paramus [ New Jersey ] July 11, 1778 . Acknowledges receipt of Laurens’s congratulations on Battle of Monmouth. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
85From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 12 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
On friday evening I had the honor to receive your Letter of the 7th Instant, with it’s inclosures. The vote of approbation and thanks, which Congress have been pleased to honor me with, gives me the highest satisfaction, and, at the same time, demands a return of my sincerest acknowledgements. The other resolution, I communicated, with great pleasure, to the Army at large in Yesterday’s...
86From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 14 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor yesterday evening of receiving your very important favor of the 10th instant. Colonel Laurens, one of my aids, will set out this morning with a letter to the French Admiral the Count d’Estaing inclosing a copy of yours, and such other information as I have been able to collect. Its further purpose is for the establishing a convention of signals in case of co-operation; or to...
87From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 22 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing you on the 14th, I have been favoured with your Letters of the 11th and 17th, with their respective inclosures. The next morning after the receipt of the former, which came to hand on the 17th, I dispatched Lt Colo. Hamilton another of my Aides, with the best pilots and the most skilful masters of ships, I could procure, to Admiral Count D’Estaing, to...
88From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 24 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had yesterday the pleasure to receive your favor of the 18th Instant with the inclosure and packets, which you mentioned. I should have been sorry, if you or Monsieur Gerard had found the smallest difficulty in recommending the packets for the Count D’Estaing to my care; and I am happy to inform you, that they will meet with a speedy and safe conveyance to him by an Officer, who has set off...
89George Washington to Henry Laurens, 26 July 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
White Plains [ New York ] July 26, 1778 . Regrets Baron von Steuben finds it necessary to resign. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
90From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 26 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Baron De Steuben will have the honor of delivering you this. I am extremely sorry, that this Gentlemans situation and views seem to have determined him to quit the service, in which he has been heretofore and is capable still of being extensively useful. Some discontents which arose among the Officers on account of the powers with which the Office was at first vested, induced me to arrange...
91From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 28 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will be presented to Congress by Genl Putnam. He arrived from Connecticut the day after I came into the Neighbourhood of this Camp. As I have not received any Resolution of Congress, respecting the Court of Inquiry, which they directed and which was transmitted them, on the subject of the posts in the Highlands, taken last year, I am at a loss in what point of view to consider him. He...
92From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 3–4 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of transmitting to Congress a copy of a Letter from General Knox, and of sundry observations and remarks on the Ordnance establishment of the 11th of February, which I received about the time we marched from Valley Forge. These would have been transmitted before, had it not been for the moving state of the Army and a variety of other Objects which engrossed my attention....
93From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 7 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday afternoon I had the Honor to receive your favor of the 30th Ulto. Major Gibbs is now at Rhode Island. I shall embrace the first safe opportunity to transmit him your Letter and the Commission, with which Congress have been pleased to honor him. Since my Letter of the 3d & 4th Instant, I have received no advices from General Sullivan, so that I can give no information of our...
94George Washington to Henry Laurens, 9 August 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
White Plains, New York, August 9, 1778 . Discusses desirability of forming a corps consisting of Hessian deserters. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
95From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 9 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
At 10 OClock last night the Inclosed Letter came to hand from General Sullivan with one addressed to myself, a Copy of which I do myself the honor of transmitting. The Enemy seem determined that none of their Ships of War shall fall into the Count D’Estaings hands. Yesterday I received a Letter from Genl Maxwell dated at 9 OClock A.M. on the 7th at Elizabeth Town, containing the following...
96From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 9 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Mr Fuhrer & Mr Kleinsmit have lately left the British lines and come in to us. The account they give of themselves is this—That they had been first lieutenants in the Hessian Corps—were taken prisoners at Trenton, resided during their captivity at Dumfries in Virginia—were lately exchanged and have since resigned their commissions—That having solicited permission to come out from the enemy and...
97From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 11 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of transmitting to Congress the Inclosed Letter, which I just now received from the pay Master General. They will perceive by it, that the Military Chest is entirely exhausted, and, that a third of the Army remains unpaid for the Months of April and May. The importance & necessity of an immediate and large supply will at once appear—and I am persuaded it will be ordered and...
98George Washington to Henry Laurens, 13 August 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
White Plains [ New York ] August 13, 1778 . Encloses a letter from Major General John Sullivan. Asks for papers concerning Major General Arthur St. Clair, whose trial is about to commence. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
99From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 13 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you a letter from General Sullivan, which, from the tardiness of the expresses, is but just come to hand—I suppose it gives Congress the same information communicated to me; but lest there should be any particulars mentioned in his letter to me, which may not be contained in the one to you, I am induced to accompany the latter with a copy of the former. The papers...
100From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 16 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty, by the conveyance now offered me by Captain Riley, to transmit to Congress the proceedings of the Court Martial in the case of Major General Lee. The Inclosed papers comprehend a request by General phillips, for an Officer to go to Canada by way of the Lakes, on the subject of Cloathing for the Convention Troops. I do not conceive myself at liberty to answer General Heath...