1To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel William Stephens Smith, 25 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the Honour of transmitting an Order sent to me from the Board of War which Last Night I executed. the Gent. are now in Town Prisoners. they are treated with all the Dellicacey their Situation will admit of ⟨&⟩ their Behaivour on the Occasion has been unexceptionable. I should be happy to receive your Excellency orders concerning them. Inclosed I also send a Letter from Doctor...
2To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel William Stephens Smith, 18 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have this Day Recd your Excellency’s Letter of the 14th Instant repeating the Orders that I was honour’d with when I had last the Pleasure of waiting on you & must confess that it gives me considerable unneasiness that I should ever give your Excellency the trouble of repeating your Orders. But I can with truth assure your Excellency that upon my return to this Place I Issued Orders for my...
3To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel William Stephens Smith, 27 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I send a Letter from Colo. Gibson treating as I am inform’d of the Officers (attending the British & Hessian Prisoners) being permitted to go into the City they propose being at the White Horse this Evening & would be happy to be made acquainted with your Excellency’s Sentiments upon that Subject I shall do myself the Honour of waiting on your Excellency to Morrow to receive your...
4To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel William Stephens Smith, 29 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Immagening that the multiplicity of Business that your Excellency must at present be necessarily engaged in, would render it something inconvenient to honour me with a private Audience; I have thought it most proper to adopt this method to inform you of my Situation which at present is not so agreable as I could wish. I was permitted by M.G. Sullivan to come on with him to H. Quarters, to...
5To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel William Stephens Smith, 10 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
[ Light Camp, Passaic, N.J., 10 Nov. 1780 ]. Smith begins a long letter focused on his actions and those of Col. Israel Shreve during the period from the Battle of Connecticut Farms, 7–8 June, to the Battle of Springfield, 23–24 June: “I do not know how I can answer your Excellency’s letter of the 9th better than by a detail of the facts to which Colo. [Matthias] Ogden alludes.” Smith tells...
6To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel William Stephens Smith, 25 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Marquis set off this morning for Philidelphia since his departure I have received from below the enclosed letters which I have the Honour of transmitting to your Excellency, haveing first taken Copys & forwarded to the Marquis, we shall march early in the morning and arrive at trenton the 28th instant. I have the Honour to be Your Excellency’s Most devoted Servt ALS , DLC:GW . Smith wrote...
7To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 1 August 1788 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Stephens Smith, 1 Aug. 1788. GW wrote Smith on 30 Aug. : “I was favoured, a few days ago, with your letter, dated the first day of this Month.”
8To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 12 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I flatter myself you will put a proper Construction upon my silence hitherto, and rather attribute it to a real diffidence which my mind is impressed with relative to the subject upon which I am now about to address you, than to any want of respect or the least disposition to attempt the attainment of an appointment under the present Government, thro any other medium than your influence &...
9To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 6 June 1791 (Washington Papers)
It becomes my duty to state to the President, that when I visited England the last winter, I noticed a very great change in the Public opinion, relative to the situation of affairs of my country, since I had the honor of residing their in a Public capacity, and in every company found the subject dwelt on in a flattering manner, except in one or two cases—when Merchants who had experienced...
10To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 21 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
The arrival of Mr Hammond and the Objects of his Visit to America, will doubtless be made Known and explained to The President, previous to the receipt of this Letter. I cannot refrain from expressing my satisfaction on this Subject, as it fully proves the solidity of some points which I had the honor of stating in my Letter of the 6th of June last—If I can without presumption claim any merit...
11To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 11 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
When I had the honor of addressing a Letter to The President, last, it was dictated by the necessity I was then under of retiring from public employment—in which I took the liberty of observing, that I should not discover a disposition to return to it, under the then administration. without entering into a detail of the Circumstances which produced that decission, on my part, I shall observe,...
12To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 22 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
After having recovered from a very severe fever, which attack’d me on my passage from Annapolis to the Head of Elk, and confined me to my bed at the last mentioned place, for ten day’s. I arrived in this City the night before last, rendered very weak by the violence of the disorder tho’ at present recovering fast. When the Marquis received your Excellency’s Orders for his present movement, he...
13To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 21 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your Excellency’s Letter of the 14th instant and am fully convinced of the propriety of my requests not being comply’d with. In my last of the 22d of April I requested your Excellency’s Orders concerning my movements for the ensuing campaign, as your Excellency has been silent upon that subject, I think an appology necessary for my being still in this place, which I can with...
14To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 28 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
In the course of seven Years Service, I am only conscious of neglecting my public Duty two Days viz. Wednesday & Thursday last—My feelings as a soldier are wounded—But my future Happiness and Prospects in Life greatly depended upon their being spent as they were & under those circumstances I flatter myself Your Excellency will excuse me. I am with my usual Respect Your Excellency’s most obed....
15To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 24 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
To His Excellency George Washington Esqr Commander in Chief The Undersigned, viewing with regret the situation of their Country, with respect to the prospect of Military operations, the ensuing Campaign, render’d more gloomy by the misfortune of the Count De Grasse, are led to immagine, that this season will be waisted in America with a degree of unavoidable Inactivity, which not corresponding...
16To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 1 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed we have the honor of transmitting to your Excellency a Copy of a Letter from the secretary at War, founded as we hope upon the prospect of active service, in consequence of the Arrival of a french Fleet upon the coast—should they have orders to co’operate with your Excellency, we shall wish for Employment—the more active our station, the more agreable to our wish. Impressed with a...
17To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 28 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
after near three years absence, I am thus far on my way to visit my Fathers Family in Connecticut; not having any public business to engage my attention, I am confident I shall not be blamed—I forwarded to your Excellency by one of Genl Choise’s aids, a Copy of a Letter from the secretary at War, address’d to Clarkson & my-self, in consequence of which we have deferr’d putting in execution our...
18To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 7 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the honor of transmitting to your Excellency, an Exact State of our account with the Enemy, with respect to Prisoners of War, and am happy that I have it in my power to assure you, that the regularity of those Papers respecting the Department, which were delivered to me by Mr Skinner, reflect the highest Credit upon him, for his care, and Attention in the duties of his office....
19To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 27 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to your Excellency’s Orders, I have visited the posts below, from whence I have this instant return’d, the wheather, since I arrived here, being remarkably dull, put it out of my power to report, before, with that accuracy that you wish—I lay last night with 12 men between fort Lee & Bulls ferry, the Troops on the Island were remarkably quiet, & but two small fires to be seen, one...
20To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 29 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed, I have the honor of transmitting flagg orders, from Rear Admiral Digby, & a Certificate, respecting a James Braxter—The flagg arrived here yesterday Evening, The conduct of Richard Gardner Commander, is mark’d with such striking Lines of impropriety, that I have placed an officer & a Guard on board, & shall detain her untill your Excellency’s Pleasure is known—In the first place he...
21To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 2 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Yours of yesterday’s date I have this instant received it affords me singular Satisfaction, that my Conduct meets with your approbation, Mr Gardner in adition to the improprieties mentioned in my last, rec’d five pounds when at New York to take on board his flagg two trunks of goods belonging to Mrs Horseford (who had Govr Clintons pass to go to the City) & land them at this place but have...
22To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 3 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to the promise contain’d in my letter of yesterday’s date to your Excellency, I visited the post below, where I spent the Day, the wheather was remarkably favourable . I must preface my observations by asserting, that the works are view’d to greater advantage by a setting, than a rising Sun—I march’d the party upon the ridge from Closter landing, that I might avoid the observations of...
23To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 12 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s Letters dated the 6th & 9 inst. & observe that the Plan is laid aside; whilst it existed, my Spirits were kept afloat, & I scarcely allow’d myself to reflect (further than was necessary for the moment) upon my Position, but with it, every spur to my ambition is vanish’d, and I have nothing to engage my Attention, excepting flagg Duty, the...
24To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 20 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed I have the honor of forwarding a Petition directed to your Excellency, with a Letter from Sir Guy Carleton to Govr Harrison, received this Day by flagg from the Enemy. I have receipted for, one hundred and eighty seven Guineas & one half Guinea & one spanish milled Dollar, forwarded by Mr Morgan Secretary to Sir Guy Carleton, by Capt. Stewart of the Qr Masters Department. Inclosed is...
25To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 25 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honor’d with your Excellency’s Dispatches, in reply to my last, and shall act upon the several Matters therein contain’d agreable to your directions. I have this Instant return’d with Capt. Pray from near Kings-Bridge where we have been to meet, by appointment a Person from the City, who informs, that the fleet mention’d in my last, sailed on the 23d having on-board Merchants &...
26To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 1 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the receipt of the dispatches from Head Quarters of the 27th Ulto and am obliged to your Excellency for the indulgence granted, and assure you I shall not make use of it, untill the situation of the Post will fully justify it—The Letter to Sir Guy Carleton was forwarded the morning after I received it. I have the honor of enclosing a Letter directed to your Excellency,...
27To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 14 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
After breaking thro’ numberless snow-banks and encountring the Difficulties attendant on those who move in unbeaten Paths, I arrived here yesterday. The Post is in its usual order and nothing material has happen’d during my absence. My Corespondent below had deposited the enclosed Papers, which I sent for last night and have the honor of forwarding. there is no News Circulating but what they...
28To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 19 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to your Excellency’s Orders containd in a Letter from Colo. Humphries of the 2d Inst forwarded by Mr Merrit I dispatch’d a flagg to Paulus Hook, with Letters to the Commissary of Prisoners in New York, requesting permission for Mr Merrit ’s admittance for the purpose of furnishing the Prisoners with money &c.—to which I have not yet received a reply—the flagg was obliged to halt one...
29To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 23 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor of receiving Capt. Walkers Letter of the 20th he observes—"The Commander in Chief desires me to direct, that all Letters &c. (excepting such as are excepted in the Instructions) comeing from or going to New york, may be sent to him for inspection, previous to their being forwarded—It shall be most strictly attended to. " It appears necessary to inform Your Excellency of my...
30To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 27 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
A Capt. of the Pensylvania Artillery acting in the Marine Department, has this instant arrived He informs me, that he Left, the day before yesterday a Subaltern and 13 men at Brunswick, charged with the safe conveying upwards of 60 seamen Prisoners of War. to this post, on their way to new York He expects them here this Night. There being no arrangement made by the Minister of War or the Agent...