1From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 8 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
This Letter will accompany another from me to the Convention of your State—the purport of wch will come before you, and need not be recapitulated —In that Letter, I did not care to make too full a declaration of the Weak State of this Army—to you Sir, I can have no reserve in doing of it—’tis necessary that you, and some other Gentlemen of your body should know it. By the last Genl return (on...
2From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 20 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I wish I had leizure to write you fully on the subject of yr last Letter —the moving state of the Army, and the extreame hurry in which I have been Involved for these Eight days, will only allow me time to acknowledge the receipt of yr favour, and to thank you (as I shall always do) for Any hints you may please to communicate, as I have great reliance upon your judgment; & knowledge of the...
3From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 18 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 16th Inst., I received to day. Tho I am & shall always be happy in your Favors, I feel with you but too sensibly, the cause giving rise to our present intercourse. But we must look forward to more fortunate events—The Evacuation of our posts on the Lake has taken place, and cannot be recalled. Agreable to the Idea you have so obligingly hinted to me, I have written to the...
4From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 27 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was a few days ago favd with yours of the 8th instant. I am sorry that any undue promotions should have disgusted your Brother, but as I do not know the instances to which you allude, I can say nothing to the justice of his pretensions to rank in preference to them. The only dispute that has come to my knowledge, is that between him and Colo. Cortland, and in that, I must say, Colo. Cortland...
5From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 12 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I should have answered your favor of the 14th January before this time, had I not have been daily in hopes that I should have been able to have given you a satisfactory account of a change of Men and Measures in the North River department. It has not been an easy matter to find a just pretence for removing an Officer from his command, where his misconduct rather appears to result from want of...
6From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 31 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
The disagreeable events which have taken place in the Pensyla and Jersey lines—the general discontent of the Army for want of pay, cloathing & Provisions—added to the usual course of business (which increases with our perplexities) will, I am perswaded, be admitted as a sufficient apology for my not acknowledging the receipt of your confidential, and obliging letter of the 8th, till now. To...
7From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 11 April 1784 (Washington Papers)
Give me leave to introduce to your Civilities the Marquis de Fontinelle, Colonel of Infantry in the Service of France and a Gentleman of Merit & Fortune. The Marquis Was Aid to Count de Estaing at the Siege of Savanna and is now on a tour from Charleston to Boston—he is accompanied by Colo. Senf. I am Dr Sir Yr most Obedt Hble Servt ALS , NHi : Robert R. Livingston Papers. Robert R. Livingston...
8From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 31 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
The new and busy scenes in which I have been constantly engaged since my arrival in this place, and which will not allow me to pay that pointed attention to the favors of my friends that my inclination would lead me to do, will, I trust apologize for this late acknowledgment of your letter of the 15th instant. To you, Sir, and others who know me, I believe it is unnecessary for me to say, that...
9From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 29 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Philadelphia 29th April 1794 Circumstances have rendered it expedient to recall Mr Gouvr Morris from his Mission to the Republic of France. Would it be convenient and agreeable to you to supply his place? An affirmative answer, would induce an immediate nomination of you, for this appointment to the Senate, and the signifi cation of your sentiments, relatively thereto, as...
10From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 16 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 4th instant, accompanying the transactions of the society for promoting Agriculture, Arts & Manufactures; and am very much obliged by your goodness in sending them to me. Works of this sort are of the most interesting importance to every country; and it is much to be regretted that similar societies, are not more general in our own—or not more attended to...
11From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 20 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor, dated the 8th of July (on the subject of the treaty with Great Britain) the day preceeding my departure for Mount Vernon; from whence I intended to have acknowledged the receipt of it: but so many letters of a public nature were poured upon me at that place, and the urgency of the business in which I have since been engaged, have prevented my doing it until now. Aiming...
12From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 29 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
On my way from Mt Vernon to this city, I met your favor, with the Packages, committed to the care of Mr Fay and pray you to accept my thanks for your attention to them. From the former place I sent you a parcel which came under cover to me from Sir John Sinclair which I hope got safe to your hands. They were put in charge of my Secretary Mr Dandridge whom I directed to send them by a safe hand...
13From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 23 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge, & thank you for your favor of the 16th which covered a Letter from the Marqs de la Fayette dated the 30th of Jany. That letter does not contain any News of considerable moment relative to public affairs—Altho’ the Marquis does not pretend to speak of the plan of the Campaign; his sentiments in general appear to be—That Britain will make a desperate effort to prosecute...
14From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 22 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
While the Qr Master is endeavouring to furnish the bearer (who is said to be charged with important dispatches for Congress from France) with a fresh Horse, I set down to acknowledge, in haste, the Receipt of your favor of the 30th Ulto, & to thank you for the information which it contains. We wanted no fresh opiate to encrease that Stupor into which we had fallen; but I much fear that the...
15From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 22 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Favor of the 13th communicating to me the formal Annunciation to Congress, by the Minister of France, of the Birth of a Dauphine. Measures are ordered to convey to the Army the News of this happy Event; which will be celebrated with such Demonstrations of Joy as the Occasion requires and our Circumstances will admit. This Information will be transmitted to Genl...
16From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 5 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your favor of the 27th Ulto by the last Post. The extract from the Marqs La Fayette’s Letter--which you were so obliging to send me--is, in substance, the same as the one he has written to me himself.—On some points he is more particular in his letter to you—on others, mine is more full; A copy of which, if I had a Cypher established with you, I would have sent; but am...
17From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 19 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 12th I was honoured with last Night, and not chusing to trust my Sentiments on the Subject of it to Paper, I communicated them freely to General Lincoln (who set off at 4 o’clock this Morning on his return to Philadelphia) with a request that he would convey them to you. When I am favoured with the Cypher which you have promised me, I will convey my opinion upon your...
18From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 14 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a continuation of Mr Morris’s furlough for two Months; at the expiration of which, it may be well for him to consider that, the Regiment to wch he belongs is now very full of Men, and that the Officers of it will think it hard especially at a time when Congress are discontinuing Regimental Officers wch can scarcely be dispensed with. to perform his duty therein, while he is in the...
19From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 19 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 11th—The political intelligence which we have lately had from Europe is so contradictory that little dependence can be put upon it, more especially as we have it principally thro’ the channel of an enemy’s Paper, wch I take it for granted is calculated to answer, as much as possible their own views. Why we have nothing from our own...
20From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 10 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am favor’d with your Letter of the 4 December accompanying one from Mr Morris. I have acquainted that Gentleman by this conveyance that his Resignation is accepted. Tho I regret much the occasion of your leaving Philadelphia I shall be happy to see Mrs Livingston and yourself at this place on your way to the Manor—you will be so obliging as to make Mrs Washingtons respects to Mrs Livingston...
21From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 8 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 25th of Decr has been duly received—and I thank you for the information contained in it. The Marquis in his Letter to me, is not very explicit in his Sentiments respecting the Negociations of Peace; But refers me to his Official letter to you for his thoughts at large. In general, he holds up an idea, which perfectly accords with my opinion, that nothing will be concluded...
22From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 10 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
The honor of your favor dated the 26th Ulto, inclosing the resolves of Congress of the 20th preceeding; and a state of the Negociations for a general pacification (when your last advices were dated) came duly to hand; and I thank you for the information, and your observations thereon. The state of suspence in which we are held at present, with respect to Peace or War, is not more irksome than...
23From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 19 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your letter of the 12th and for the enclosures—The early communication of such important occurrances rendered the favor double acceptable—Would to God the Articles for a general pacification were as well advanced as those between America and Great Britain but I am not with out fears that that event is at a greater distance than the sanguine one I imagine. The...
24From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 20 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am at a loss how to regulate my Conduct in consequence of the Letter you have transmitted to me, addressed to Sir Guy Carleton, relative to the Exchange of Capt. Fage, agreed upon by Doctor Franklin. Several Exchanges, made in the same manner in Europe, by Doctr Franklin & the Marquis de la Fayette, have been referred to Congress, for their approbation, so long ago as last fall; but I have...
25From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 29 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your obliging letter of the 24th was delivered me the day before yesterday, & accompanied the acct of a general Peace having been concluded in Europe on the 20th of Jany last. most sincerely do I accept your congratulations on this happy event, which has already diffused a general joy through every class of People; & to none more than to the Army. It now will be our own fault if we do not...
26From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 16 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
However great the merits of the Marqs de la Fayette may be. however important his Services to this Country. And however strong my friendship for, and inclination to serve him—it never was my intention to promote his wishes at the expence of the interest, policy, or dignity of our National character. If my last to you therefore, conveyed an idea repugnant to these sentiments, I beg it may be...
27From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 22 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your two favors—dated the 12th & 15th of instant. In Consequence of the Resolutions of Congress of the 15th and the express declarations of the Secretary at War, respecting the Sense & Expectations of Congress, Arrangements have been agreed upon between him & me, for an immediate Liberation of all land prisoners; and I have Yesterday given this Information to Sir Guy...
28From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 13 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 2d came to Hand by the last post. Before this Time, you will have seen the report I made to Congress of the Interview with Sir Guy Carleton—I am very sorry the result proved so indecisive—that this, however, arises from the Cause you mention, I am not fully persuaded—I believe, a want of Information from his Court, which had been for some Time without an Administration, has...
29From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 15 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
It gives me great pleasure to have it in my power to inform you, that Sir Guy Carleton has announced to me his intention, to relinquish the Posts he holds on York Island, as far as McGowens pass inclusive, on the 21st inst., Herricks and Hampstead with all to the Eastward on Long Island on the same day, and if possible to give up the City, with Brooklyn on the day following; and Palus Hook,...