1To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 27 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
Permit me once more to break in on your important Duties with a personal Request which I flatter myself it will give you as much Pleasure to grant as it will me to receive. I am about to embark for Europe on some private Concerns & in Pursuance of the Advice of Physicians who have recommended the Voyage. It is natural for any one to wish to visit a strange Country under every Advantage, to me...
2To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 11 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
After the Services, Sufferings & Anxieties of the Winter 1776 I little expected that Persons would be selected as the Season of my greatest Reprsent that I should stand publickly charged with not only meditating but actually expressing Intentions of deserting to the Enemy: Yet, Sir, so it is not mere News Paper Abuse or transient Report but actually countenanced & supported by a Person of some...
3To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 27 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to mingle my sincere Congratulations with the general Applause on the late glorious Success of the Army under your Excellencys immediate Command. I trust you will not suspect me of Flattery when I assure you that I think the Wisdom of the Plan, the Secrecy of the Movements & Gallantry in Execution will hand Down the whole to Posterity as equal to those celebrated Enterprizes which...
4To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 29 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Intelligence received by a Flag from Providence is so important that I consider not only a Matter of Respect but of indispinsable Duty to forward it to your Excelly with all possible Dispatch. The Prisoners (American Captains) say that in 24 Fathom Water they fell in with 14 British Men of War of the Line under Admiral Drake, other Vessels made up the whole Squadron to 22 viz. Frigates &...
5To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 4 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honour of your Excellencys favour of the twenty eighth Ult: and forwarded the inclosures to Major Parr. We are sorry to learn by the accounts transmitted by the recruiting Officers that they do not meet with the success they expected. I was apprehensive the bounty was too small, but General St Clair and Major Parr deemed it sufficient, their opinion had its due weight, expecially as...
6To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 18 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have now the satisfaction to inform your Excellency that having with great difficulty accomplished a Loan of some hard money we have begun the recruiting the rifle corps requested by your Excellency, to the Command of which Major Parr has been appointed. The plan of the business as well as the bounty was settled in concert with General St Clair, and Major Parr, and we flatter ourselves it...
7To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 7 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge your Excellencys favours of the fifteenth and twenty fourth June last, the former would not have remained so long unanswered, but that we wished to have the full result of the proceedings of the Assembly, so as to give the most satisfactory account of our prospects and expectations. We have now to acquaint your Excellency, that agreeable to the inclosed Resolutions, Robert...
8To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 6 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
We had the honor of your Excellencys favour of the twenty seventh Ult. requesting sixteen hundred Militia of this state. The Congress at the same time made a requisition of four battalions of Infantry consisting of two thousand two hundred and twenty eight rank and file a Company of Artillery, and Corps of sixty four horse for the southern service. A demand has also been made of three hundred...
9To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 17 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
We have to acknowledge your Excellencys favour of the fifth Instant—the observations on the address of the Artillery Officers of Colonel Proctors Regiment contain so perfect and satisfactory an answer that we hope we shall have no occasion to trouble your Excellency on that subject again much less shall we by any act of ours contravene a system which is established not only by Resolutions of...
10To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 24 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am desired by the Supreme Executive Council, to transmit to your Excellency, the inclosed Memorial from the Officers of Colonel Proctors Artillery. They importunately press for an answer, but the Council have declined it, untill they could be favoured with your advice and opinion. The Officers have this day intimated that if not redressed they propose to resign we can not approve the...
11To George Washington from Joseph Reed and James Potter, 19 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Having been lately called upon to perform a very important duty, towards the Troops of this state forming a part of the Continental Army, we should be wanting in due respect to your Excellency, if we did not lay before you a succinct, and accurate detail, of so important a Transaction, as far as we have been called on to take part in it. Upon the repeated application of General Wayne, a sum of...
12To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 19 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the Receipt of your Excellencys favour of the tenth—Instant appointing the places of deposit for the specifick articles required by Congress. Some difficulties have arisen with respect To Wyoming which the Inhabitants of this state do not consider as of Continental importance, but only as holding a possession for the state of Connecticut: in consequence they think it hard...
13To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 3 October 1780 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Joseph Reed, 3 Oct. 1780 . GW wrote Reed on 18 Oct. : “By your favor of the third” (see also GW to Reed, 19 Oct. ).
14To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 30 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I take the earliest Oppy to acknowledge your Excellys Favour of the 26th Inst. & shall immediately comply with your Desires in every particular. I have already stoppd the distant Militia & shall discharge those here as soon as they are mustered which we are now about. All Stores will be duly collected & reserved so that in Case there should be any future Occasion we may not lessen the...
15To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 25 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Upon receiving your Favour of the 20th Instt I dispatch’d Orders to the Militia which had cross’d at Coryells Ferry to join me here & to halt the Militia of the back Counties till farther Orders: Being now so fully apprized of the real Situation of Things I shall endeavour in every Respect to make such Arrangements as to forward the Supplies & prevent unnecessary Consumption. A great Number of...
16To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 22 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 20th Instant came to Hand this Afternoon & it gives me great Pleasure to find I have anticipated your Excellys Desires in almost every pa[r]ticular. I have encamp’d the Troops on the Banks of the Delaware, & drawn a very considerable Part of my Supplies from Bucks County, so as not to interfere with the Quota of the County to be furnished for the Army. Tho Col. Stewart did...
17To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 21 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
On the 17 Inst. I did myself the Honour of writing to you from this Place informing of my being here with about 1200 Men, being the Militia of Philadelphia County, City & Bucks County. Having upon all Occasions accomodated the Board of War with any military Stores in Possession of the State & Times & Circumstances not admitting their being replaced, we were unavoidably delayed so that it was...
18To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 17 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
In pursuance of your Orders I am thus far on my Way with about 1200 of the Militia of the City, County of Philad: & Bucks those from the other Counties not having arrived but are by this Time on their Way. Every Expedient that could be used for dispatch has been adopted but the natural Slowness in their Movements, the necessary Equipment & other Provision has unavoidably consumed some Time....
19To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 15 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 15 – 20 July 1780. “I must acknowledge & thank you most cordially for your truly friendly & valuable Letter of the 4th Instant. I consider it as an inestimable Mark of that Esteem, of which with a kind Allowance for human Frailty, I trust I am not altogether unworthy & which I shall ⟨be⟩ sollicitous to improve & preserve as adding Dignity & Value to my Life. I am sensible of the...
20To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 22 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellys Favour of the 19th Inst. requesting 250 Waggons from this State was duly received & Orders have issued accordingly. I fear the Collection of them considering the great Demand by Mr Cornay & other Causes will be more tedious than the Exigency of our Affairs will well admit. The Number of Waggons in this State is most amazingly diminished—the County of Lancaster which formerly...
21To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 20 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favour of the sixteenth Instant directing the March of the City Light Horse, for which the necessary orders will be given and they will proceed with all possible dispatch Upon the new plan of our Militia there are Light Horse attached to the troops of every County The short time since the plan has been adopted has not permitted a thorough execution, but if your Excellency...
22To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 5 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your kind & truly obliging Favour of the 28th Ult. came safely to Hand, & the oftner I peruse it the more fully sensible I am of the Justice & Importance of its Contents. I do not know by what Means the expected Assistance from France has been procured, but it will certainly give a Complexion to the Alliance in future accordi[n]g to the Reception it meets with here. I should be very...
23To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 23 May 1780 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Joseph Reed, 23 May 1780. On 28 May, GW wrote Reed: “I am much obliged to you for your favor of the 23d.”
24To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 18 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honour of three of your Excellencys favours respecting the supplies furnished by this state agreeable to the Resolve of Congress of the twenty fifth of February. The number and distance at which these magazines are to be formed will I fear be found very difficult if not impracticable, as the Transportation (for which no provision is made by the Resolve of Congress) will in many...
25To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 25 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour of inclosing you a Memorial from the Officers of Artillery in Col. Proctors Regiment: With the Proceeding of the Council thereupon. And am with great Respect & Regard Your Excellys most Obed. & very Hbble serv. ALS , DLC:GW . GW replied to Reed from Morristown on 1 April: “I have been honoured with Your Excellency’s Letter of the 21st Instant, with the inclosures to which it...
26To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 10 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer has obtained the Permission of the Authority of this State for sundry Persons belonging to the Moravian Society to come into this State from New York. The Council having every Reason to be satisfied with the general Behaviour of the Society I beg Leave to recommend their Case to your Excellys favourable Notice so far as your Orders or Permission may be necessary to the Military...
27To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 16 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
Our reluctance to take any step which may add to the many cares and embarrassments that necessarily attend your Excellencys station will we hope apologize for giving you this Trouble. The Officers and Men enlisted from the state of Pennsylvania into Colonel Hazens regiment have applied to this Board to partake of the Bounty of the state in Cloathing shoes and other things which have been...
28To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 22 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 16th Instt advising us of the melanch[o]ly State of the Army came to Hand on Sunday Evening, & was early the next Morning laid before the Council. Soon after a Committee of Congress laid before us a Letter on the same Occasion & to the same Import. We did not consider it wise or prudent to spend Time in unavailing Complaints of Misman[a]gement or Neglect but to endeavour to...
29To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 15 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
A continued State of Indisposition till within these few Days has prevented my acknowledging your very kind & obliging Favour of the 22d Ult. Fearing there might be some Disappointment from Operations & Events which depended much on Winds, Waves & other precarious Circumstances I only made Preparations for our March & am very glad I proceeded no farther—as the Militia would have added greatly...
30To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 14 Oct. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Joseph Reed, 14 Oct. 1779. On 22 Oct., GW wrote Reed: “Three days ago I received your obliging favor of the 14th” ( RPJCB ).
31To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 8 Aug. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Joseph Reed, 8 Aug. 1779. On 22 Aug., GW wrote Reed: “Mr Tilghman delivered me your favour of the 8th Instt.”
32To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 15 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I should not trouble you with the inclosed Paper if I did not know that you can look down with Contempt on these feeble Efforts of Malevolence & Resentment, and that I am introduced into it to bear false Witness. I have addressed a Peice to the Printer wherein I have made such Remarks & taken such Notice of this Attempt as I thought a Respect to my own Character required. I have also the...
33To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 14 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys favour of the fifth instant was duly received, and tho it was and is the universal opinion that the number of Men under General Sullivan is greater than can be fed when he proceeds a little farther on the expedition yet we gave early and preremptory orders to the companies of rangers to join as soon as they were completed to any tolerable number, we also directed the militia...
34To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 29 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys favours of the fifteenth—Instant and of the twenty second (Circular) have both been duly received, and in answer to the former we are happy to find our explanations have been so satisfactory and agreeable. The distressing complaints from the frontiers will we trust greatly apologise to your Excellency for the anxiety shewn in our letters. But we hope these calamities will soon...
35To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 1 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received your Favour of the 27th April this Afternoon, & the Council having adjourned to Monday, when it will be laid before them, & an official Answer given; I could not rest satisfied without immediately in a private Way, endeavoring to remove some of those Impressions which seem to have been made from a Misconception of our last, different from what I am confident was intended. It would...
36To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 26 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Joseph Reed, 26 April 1779. On 27 April , GW acknowledged “the receipt of your two letters in Council of the 24th and 25th inst, to which I should have added that of the 26th.”
37To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 25 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am to thank you for your favour of the nineteenth Instant, and hope the state I am about to give of our affairs will in some degree answer, to your Excellencys satisfaction, the most important parts of your letter. As soon as I returned from camp, orders were issued for calling two hundred and fifty militia from the inner counties for the protection of Bedford and Westmoreland, those...
38To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 14 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 8th was delivered me on Sunday, & I beg you to accept my Thanks for the Attention to our distressed Inhabitants on the Frontiers. The Support & Comfort they will derive from it, will have the most happy Effects & confirm the Hopes I have given them that nothing will be omitted for their Safety consistent with the necessary Caution, & Regard to be had to the Defince of the...
39To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 2–5 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I beg you to accept of my Thanks for your Favours of the 28th & 29th Ult. & the Intelligence inclosed. I shall esteem such Communications a particular Mark of your Regard, & if you could occasionally mix your own Sentiments as to the Measures most adviseable it would add to the Favour. My Ideas upon the Subject so perfectly correspond with yours that I shall take every possible Measure to put...
40To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 29 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this Evening received your Favour of the 26th—The Appellation which Col. Proctor has given his Regiment is by no means a proper one. By an Act of Congress which has lately been recognized by an Act of Assembly & Council he is put upon the Line of the State for the Purposes of receiving those Benefits & Comforts which have been voted to the Troops of this State, but no farther. So that...
41To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 12 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 3d Instt inclosed in one of the 4th came safely to Hand. At that Time & till this Day the Business to which they refer was transacted by a Committee of Assembly in Concert with one from Congress. Their Proceedings I only knew from common Report & were thought by some inadequate to the End. Yesterday Advice was received that the Indians had begun at a Place called Bushy Run...
42To George Washington from Joseph Reed, c.1 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Joseph Reed, c.1 March 1779. GW wrote Reed on 4 March : “Inclosed is a letter which I had written your Excellency, previous to the receipt of your favor by Mr Keen.” GW is referring to a letter of 3 March that he had written to Reed but that had not been sent before the c.1 March letter from Reed arrived. GW’s letter of 3 March discussed plans for an expedition against...
43To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 5 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Joseph Reed, 5 Feb. 1779. GW wrote Reed on 9 Feb. : “I have the honor of your Excellency’s favr of the 5th instant inclosing sundry Resolves of the Executive Council respecting the Conduct of Major General Arnold during his command in the City of Philada.” GW also wrote Reed on 12 Feb. : “In my last I omitted to answer that part of your Excellency’s letter of the 5th...
44To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 19 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
At the desire of Council I enclose your Excellency a state of Colonel Samuel Attlees claim upon which are founded his expectations to be recommended to Congress as a brigadier General of this state I also enclose your Excellency the resolutions of the Council of safety respecting the prisoners and the plan of arrangement from which you will have a very clear and explicit view of Colonel...
45To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 26 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Council of this state, have been favoured with your Excellencys letter of the seventeenth Instant proposing to regulate the Intercourse between the inhabitants of these states, and the enemy at New York, so as that flag boats may pass at stated periods only. In answer to which, I have now the honor to acquaint your Excellency that this Board entirely approve thereof, and as soon as the...
46To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 23 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Joseph Reed, 23 Dec. 1778. On 24 Dec., GW wrote Reed : “I had not the honor of receiving your Excellency’s favor of yesterday till late in the evening.”
47To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 7 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Joseph Reed, 7 Dec. 1778. On 12 Dec., GW wrote Reed : “Your favor of the 7th Instt by Mr Laurens came to my hands a day or two ago.”
48To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 25 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Joseph Reed, 25 Oct. 1778. GW wrote Reed on 27 Nov. : “I am upon the eve of my departure for Winter Quarters, but shall not quit my present roof untill I acknowledge, and thank you for your obliging favor of the 25th Ulto.”
49To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 4 April 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Joseph Reed, 4 April 1778. In his diary entry for 4 April 1778, Christopher Marshall wrote: “About eight o’clock waited upon Gen. Read at Wm. Atlee’s. He there wrote a polite letter to Gen. Washington on my application, in order to procure a pass for daughter Patience to go to Philadelphia, to secure sundries belonging to my three sons” ( Duane, Marshall’s Diary William...
50To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 4 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Tho’ the Consideration of a Winters Campaign, & Practicability of an Attack on Philada have been so lately proposed, every Gentleman who extended his Views beyond the present Hour, must have turnd his Thoughts upon these Subjects so as to be able to form something more than a sudden Opinion. There cannot be any Person, Sir, either on a publick or private Account, upon whom the Motives for a...