[ Totowa, New Jersey ] November 4, 1780 . Approves Smith’s decision to take the place of a retiring lieutenant colonel. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Smith was a lieutenant colonel in Spencer’s Regiment. In January, 1781, he became adjutant and inspector on the Marquis de Lafayette’s staff.
2From Benjamin Walker to William Stephens Smith, 19 April 1783 to 20 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am directed, in reply to your Letter of the 17 to inform you that Letters may in future be Sent direct from N. York to Elizabeth Town—I am Dr Sir Your very humble Ser. 20th Your Letter of the 18th just came to hand when the Commander in Chief Returns this Eveng. it Shall be answerd. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
3From Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. to William Stephens Smith, 15 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
Mr Smith has been to West point—and on Enquiry, finds that the two Men, Isaac Raymond & Thomas Lilleck, who he was seekg are now at the Provost. His Excellency therefore directs that you will be pleased to have them sent into N. York as soon as convenient—that they be accounted in Exchange for Henry Chiecester & Joel Smith, who are already sent out from the Enemy in that Expectation. I am &c....
4From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 10 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your two favours of the 8th with the several Papers enclosed therein, & now send you the Passport requested—the Letters transmitted herewith you will be pleased to have forwarded to their respective addresses. I am Dr Sir. With great esteem Your Most Obedt Servt. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
5From Benjamin Walker to William Stephens Smith, 17 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency has reced the packet transmitted by you of the 14th. The Money you mention is for Genl Chattelleux and is the same that has been desired to be Sent to the Chev. de la Luzerne. Yrs &c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
6From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 6 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
It is not improbable, that as the Arrival of the Packet at N. York with the news of Peace, Sir Guy Carleton will send out an Officer with dispatches for me, containing that agreable intelligence—in such case, the Officer may be permitted to come to this place and you will send an Officer with him or accompany him yourself as you may think proper. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
7From David Humphreys to William Stephens Smith, 17 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
The General received yours of the 14th yesterday. We have no news but the promotion of Cols. Greaton, Dayton, & Putnam to be Brigadr Generals—and the death of that brave & verable Officer My Lord Stirling; who left the World the 14th inst. I am My dear Smith Yours sincerely MH : Dearborn Papers.
8From David Humphreys to William Stephens Smith, 9 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief desires you will send in to N. York the Naval Prisoners forwarded to you by the Adjt Genl & have proper Rects taken for them; unless there should be a Commissy of Marine Prisoners at Dobbs’ Ferry who will in that case negociate the business. Pray inform us whether there is such a Commissy residt there or not—I am Dr Sir Your Most Obedt Servt DLC : Papers of George...
9From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 10 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
You will proceed immediately with a Flag to Paulus Hook and from thence to New York to make the necessary arrangements in your Department with the British Commissary of Prisoners at that place. One servant is permitted to attend you into New York, and the Officer and Party mentioned in the Margin to escort you to the British Out Posts. NjP : DeCoppet Collection.
10From David Humphreys to William Stephens Smith, 27 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief who has just gone to Poughkeepsie, has left it in charge with me to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 25th and to inform you that he has no objections to your coming to the Army for the purposes you Mention; at which time your friends will be very happy to see you at Head Quarters—Mrs Washington (who desires me to present her Complts to you) has often...
11From David Humphreys to William Stephens Smith, 2 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
Mr Merrit who has permission to go into New York with a Massachusetts sum of Money for theNaval Prisoners, with upon you in his route for your advice & assistance. If it shall be thought as small effort is necessary for the protection of the money he is possessed of, The Commander in Chief wishes you would provide one to attend him to Dobbs Ferry.I am Dear Sir with perfect respect Your Most...
12From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 19 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
In conducting the common business, at the Post of Dobbs’ Ferry (of which you have the superintendance), You will cause the Orders & Regulations contained in the several written Instructions which will be delivered to you by the present commanding Officer, to be duly attended to & observed—but I have thought it necessary to give you this private Instruction, hereby authorizing you to take such...
13From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel William Stephens Smith, 14 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I expected you would have been at Camp with the detatchment under your command before this time but I imagine the Weather and Roads have hindered you. I desire you will lose no time in marching after you receive this; and that you will bring with you all the Men of other Corps that are sufficiently recovered from the Hospitals and properly clad to do duty. I am &c. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s...
14From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 14 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 22nd of April. Having been informed that Colonel Vose wished to return to the Northward, Colonel Tupper was ordered to relieve him previous to the receipt of Your Letter—Nothwithstanding the Marquis had suggested that your being appointed to that Command would be exceedingly agreeable to the Regt. I did not think it could possibly be done, without involving...
15From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 10 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed (one for yourself & the other for Major Clarkson) comes in consequence of Generl Knox’s application. To give you such Letters, was My first intention; but not knowing who was to command the Forces destined for the Invasion of Jamaica, I had resort to the Certificates with which you were furnished; conceiving it would appear odd to write, & not be able to direct. or to direct to...
16From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 30 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I fully intended in my letter of the 14th to have desired you to return to this Army, but I might possibly in the hurry of Business have forgot to give the Gentleman who wrote it instructions to that purpose. Should this find you in Philadelphia, you will look upon yourself fully at liberty to return, or proceed to the southward, should your inclinations lead you to prefer that service to...
17From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 24 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have this Moment received your Application to me requestg Liberty to join the combined Armies in the West Indies, for this Campaign. I applaud Gentlemen the noble & generous Ardor displayed on this Occasion—But having never taken upon me to grant Leave of Absence to Officers in the American Army, with out permission of Congress, your Application shall be conveyed to that Hono. Body—for their...
18From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 6 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your two Letters of the 2nd & 3d inst. & to inform you that the matter which has been in agitation is suspended for the present—Notwithstanding which, I wish you to continue your efforts to obtain the best & most particular information in your power. A Command from Hazens Regt will be sent in a few days to relieve the Light Infantry Company at Dobbs’ Ferry....
19From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 21 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your private letter of the 16th I can promise no more than a disposition to promote your wishes—& this if it is in my power and circumstances are not opposed to it will carry me to the extent of your desire; but no Peace establishment is yet adopted nor do I know upon what terms it will—whether Continental—State—or any at all. Whether the present Troops (who have part of their...
20From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 7 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I, a few days ago, reced your favor of the 28th of Augt from Pompton—You certainly cannot be deemed reprehensible for making use of this time of leisure to pay a visit to your family and friends—after so long an absence. When I mentioned you to the Commander of the combined Forces in the West Indies, in the terms to which you allude, I confess I did not imagine you had any intention of...
21From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 16 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 12th Instant was deliverd me yesterday with its several inclosures, and I am to thank you for the intelligence it contains. I have myself seen the Work at Dobbs ferry, but cannot agree with you as to its indefensible State; it never was calculated to withstand a serious attack, but has always been supposed equal to any small party that might attempt it by a Coup de Main; and...
22From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 3 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your private letter of the 24th Ulto & thank you for the information contained in it. It is much to be regretted that while I am using every means in my power to comply with the orders of Congress (founded in my opinion on our true interest & policy) that there should be such a counteraction as we daily experience from individuals. But more lamentable is our...
23From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 1 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your two favors of the 27th and 29th Ulto—I am very well satisfied with the account contained in the former; and approve of your conduct respecting the detention of the Flag as reported in the latter, but it will be best under our present circumstances, for you to send back Mr Gardener with his Flag Vessel, at the same time making a representation of his conduct to the...
24From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 9 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer Mr Cutts, upon the recommendation of General Sullivan, has permission to endeavour to get admittance into New York to relieve a Mr Lord a prisoner there—You will be pleased to send his letter by a Flag and permit him to go in should he obtain liberty to do so, or to have an interview with any Gentleman, should that mode be proposed. You will at the same time forward the letters...
25From Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. to William Stephens Smith, 19 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Commandr in Chief has recied A Letter from a Mr Richd Corbin of Laneville in Virginia— desiring him to cause Enquiry to be made for his Son Dicky , who left his Father in the Year 1775—and went to England to secure family Claim to an Estate in England & in Jamaica—The Father is informed that his Son is now in N. York, & wishes to get a Certainty of the Fact—His Excellency desires you to...
26From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 18 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
The return of Doctr La Moyuer (who has been sick since he came to this place) affords me an oppertunity of acknowledging the receipt of your several letters of the 20th and 30th of May, and of the 1st and 7th Instt—and to thank you for your attention to the different matters I gave you the trouble of. If the Books which I required in one of my former letters, & were not then to be had are now...
27From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 6 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
I returned to this place yesterday afternoon from a tour of Nineteen days through the Northern & Westwern parts of this State. Upon my arrival I found the enclosed from Mr Rivington accompanied by the Books therein alluded to. Be pleased to thank Mr Rivington for sending them to me, and get Money from Mr Parker & pay for them as (if any thing more was meant) it is upon these terms only I shall...
28From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 20 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
Doctr La Moyaer, by whom I expect you will have received my letter of the 18th had scarcely left this when your favor of the 17th accompanied by Vertots Romish Histy & Watsons History of Philip the III were put into my hands. For sending me the latter unasked, please to receive my thanks—I shall be obliged to you for sending me by the first good conveyence the following Books which are...
29From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 12 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 8th instant is duly received. M. Mersereau being out of military office, and retired to the Class of Citizens, his application to me for Liberty to go into New York, is not properly made, but should be addressed to the civil power of the State within which he resides—Independant of this principle, I should have no Objection to granting his request. You may communicate my...
30From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 15 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
Sometime in the Winter, or early this Spring, a Frenchman in New York applied (after representing the manner of his getting to that place) for leave to come out—Being a Stranger of whom I had no knowledge and only his own word to support his narrative, I informed him that his application would go with more propriety to the Minister of France at Phila., than it came to me, & referred him there...