271Form of Recruiting Commission, [28 November] 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
To Gentleman: You are appointed, and forthwith are to proceed, to recruit men to serve in the infantry of this commonwealth. Each man is to receive at the time of enlistment a bounty which with that heretofore received shall make seven hundred and fifty dollars to serve during the war, and the following articles of clothing, that is to say: A coat, waistcoat, a pair of overalls, two shirts, a...
272From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 28 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellency’s letter on the discriminations which have been heretofore made between the troops raised within this state and considered as part of our quota, and those not so considered, was delivered me four days ago. I immediately laid it before the Assembly, who thereupon came to the resolution I now do myself the honor of inclosing you. The resolution of Congress of Mar. 15. 1779 which...
273Proclamation Ordering Embargo, 30 November 1779 (Madison Papers)
Whereas the exportation of provisions from this state will be attended with manifest injury to the United States, by supplying the enemy, and by rendering it difficult for the publick agents and contractors to procure supplies for the American troops, and will moreover give encouragement to engrossers and monopolizers to prosecute their baneful practices, I have therefore thought fit, by and...
274Proclamation of Embargo, 30 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
By His Excellency THOMAS JEFFERSON, Esq; Governour or Chief Magistrate of the commonwealth of VIRGINIA: A PROCLAMATION. Whereas the exportation of provisions from this state will be attended with manifest injury to the United States, by supplying the enemy, and by rendering it difficult for the publick agents and contractors to procure supplies for the American troops, and will moreover give...
275Notes on Threatened British Invasion, [December 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
INVASION Pro Con. 1. French ships. 1. Too unimportant. 2. Convention troops. 2. Impracticable. 3. Forage. Pilot taken away. Length of time and the winds. Season too severe. They give out this as their object. Danger of being blocked up by French fleet. 1779 PREPARATIONS
276From Thomas Jefferson to Pontdevaux, [before 2 December 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
In hopes that by this time you will have discharged those attentions which the situation of your ship and men required on your arrival here, I take the liberty of expressing to you the satisfaction it would give me to have the honour of seeing you in our little capital. As such it would scarcely merit the notice of a stranger, but the exercise and change of air and element may perhaps be...
277From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Reed, 3 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Your acceptable present came duly to hand. Tho I had not the happiness of a personal acquaintance with your excellency, I never needed evidence of the propriety of your conduct on any occasion. A circumstantial development however of Governor Johnstone’s essay cannot but have good effects in satisfying the world at large, that the same pure spirit of patriotism which produced this revolution,...
278From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 8 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of laying before the General assembly the enclosed letter and memorial from the Consul of his most Christian majesty in this state. That gentleman’s letters of appointment came to hand soon after the date of my letter to you on the same subject . MS not located. Extract printed from Anderson Auction Co. sale catalogue, 10 Jan. 1908 (Henry Goldsmith Sale), lot 134, a one-page...
279From Thomas Jefferson to the Board of Trade, 10 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed resolution for purchasing Slaves to carry on the West Ham Foundary is transmitted to your Board to be carried into execution, as the care of those works rests with you. P.S. Since writing the above another resolution of Assembly is come to hand for purchasing Iron of Mr. Ross. I inclose it to you with a Copy of his Letter proposing the supply, and Governour Henrys Answer. Th . J....
280To Thomas Jefferson from the Board of War, with Reply, 11–15 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The Board of War recommend that a fast sailing Boat be kept as a look out at Smiths Island to give the alarm in Maggoty Bay on the approach of an Enemy; from thence an Express to be sent across the Country to Northampton Court House; the Boat then to proceed to York with the alarm. The Battery at Cheriton to be repaired, and the Guns there remounted immediately for the defence of that Inlet;...
281From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 11 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed resolution of the General assembly of Pennsylvania with President Reid’s letter came to hand by yesterday’s post. I now do myself the pleasure of transmitting them to the assembly, and of assuring you that I am with the greatest esteem Your most obedient & most humble servt., RC ( Vi ). Addressed in TJ’s hand. Endorsed: “Governors Letter enclosing Pennsylvania Assembly’s...
282[From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 11? December 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Williamsburg, 11? Dec. 1779 . JHD Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia (cited by session and date of publication) , Oct. 1779, 1827 edn., p. 86 (11 Dec. 1779): “The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Governor, enclosing one from the Board of War, respecting the attempts of a band of speculators to create an artificial scarcity of grain.” Not located.]
283From Thomas Jefferson to the Board of Trade, 13 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Williamsburg ] 13 Dec. 1779 . Order to carry into execution a resolution of the Assembly of 8 Dec., empowering the governor to contract for clothing and provisions for the slaves and tradesmen at the Westham foundry. Tr of executive order and enclosed resolution in Board of Trade Journal ( Vi ); 1 p.; printed in Official Letters Official Letters of the Governors of the State of Virginia ,...
284To Thomas Jefferson from the Board of War, with Reply, 14 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Williamsburg, 14 Dec. 1779 . Since there is at present no commissary of prisoners, the vessel bearing a flag from New York should be committed to the care of Richard Barron, commanding officer of the state navy. If necessary, Capt. Barron will convey the ship to a place of safety on the western shore. Signed by Innes, Nelson, Barron, and Lyne. Countersigned: “In Council Decr. 15th. Approved...
285From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sim Lee, 15 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter which came by a flag of truce from New-York, will, I imagine, inform you that prisoners from your state are sent here for the purpose of exchange. A copy of a letter from the master of the flag I also take the liberty of inclosing, as it will give you further information of their arrival here and escape from the flag. The master is to await the return of the prisoners whom...
286To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 16 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of putting under cover to your Excellency, some Letters to Generals Philips & Reidesel, uninformed whether they are gone into New York or not, and knowing that you can best forward them in either Case. I also trouble you with a Letter from the Master of the Flag in this State to the British Commissary of Prisoners in New York, trusting it will thus be more certainly conveyed...
287Thomas Jefferson in Council to Samuel Huntington, 16 December 1779 (Madison Papers)
We have information from our Delegates in congress that the detention of some continental arms by the executive of this State during the course of the last summer has given considerable umbrage to congress. I beg leave therefore, thro’ you Sir, to lay before that honorable body facts, simply as they occurred, hoping that these will satisfy them that, the arms being justly due to this State,...
288To Thomas Jefferson from the Board of War, with Reply, 16 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Williamsburg, 16 Dec. 1779 . In Feb. 1779 Mark Talbot agreed with Capt. Maxwell and Col. Travis, commissioners of the navy, to build a vessel of war for the state. Talbot, supposing he had a bad bargain, did not comply with the terms of the contract. When called on in June for delivery, he stated that the enemy had destroyed the vessel, though it appears that timbers for the hull had not been...
289From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 16 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
We have information from our Delegates in congress that the detention of some continental arms by the executive of this State during the course of the last summer has given considerable umbrage to congress. I beg leave therefore, thro’ you Sir, to lay before that honorable body facts, simply as they occurred hoping that these will satisfy them that, the arms being justly due to this State,...
290From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 16 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of putting under cover to your Excellency, some Letters to Generals Philips and Riedesel, uninformed whether they are gone into New York or not, and knowing that you can best forward them in either case. I also trouble you with a Letter from the Master of the Flag in this State to the British Commissary of Prisoners in New York, trusting it will thus be more certainly...
291From Thomas Jefferson to the Board of War, 18 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Cap. De Klauman having sometime ago explicitly in the presence of the Board made his election to withdraw from duty in the Regiment of Artillery, and relied on his appointment to a majority in one of the Eastern Batalions and the vacancy thereby occasioned having been supplied by a new appointment, they are of opinion he cannot resume his command in that Regiment: the proposition to promote...
292To Thomas Jefferson from the Board of Trade, with Reply, 23 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Williamsburg ] 23 Dec. 1779 . The commanders of two vessels from Bermuda with salt to exchange for corn submit a proposal, enclosed. The terms agreed upon last July were bushel for bushel, but the price of corn has fallen and the price of salt doubled. It would be good policy to allow two bushels of corn for one of salt to induce others to bring salt. The captains are granted permission to...
293From Thomas Jefferson to the Board of War, 23 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The Board approves of the whole of the foregoing measures except as follows. They think the particular works of defence [to] be constructed at York had better be referred to the Engineers of this State and of our Allies on view of the ground; and under the controul of Col. Marshall and the commanding Officer of the French. They are of opinion that the application to the State of North Carolina...
294From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 23 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter from Governor Lee and intelligence (from the French Minister) accompanying it, gives reason to apprehend that the enemy meditate an invasion of this state. The reasons which support this opinion as well as those which oppose it will occur to the General assembly. It is our duty to provide against every event, and the Executive are accordingly engaged in concerting proper...
295From Thomas Jefferson to ——, 25 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The difficulties, which you proposed to me as to the commission of the peace I will endeavor to answer, as a private friend, for the satisfaction of your own judgement: the regular determination of them belongs to the judiciary department between whom and the executive should be a sacred barrier. Under the regal government, the office of a justice of the peace was held during the pleasure of...
296From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sim Lee, 26 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged by your friendly communication of the intelligence from the Chevalier de la Luzerne. It was delivered to me on the 22d. Instant, two days after the date of your letter, and three days sooner than I received it by Express in the ordinary way, a Time very precious if the Enemy should really visit us. I was sorry that the Master of the Vessel returned before I could send to him,...
297From Thomas Jefferson to James Innes, 28 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The Board has taken into consideration the several parts of Colo. Marshalls Letter , and I now do myself the pleasure of communicating to you their opinions. It seems proper you should immediately call on Eaton and Brown, the commissaries and have the most decisive measures taken to have provisions brought into place. Perhaps the Board of Trade may be able to give you some assistance as to the...
298From Thomas Jefferson to James Innes, 28 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Since writing to you on the subject of the council proposed by Colo. Marshall, General and Colo. Nelson have called on us from York. The measure is further pressed and shewn to be expedient. We have concluded to ask the favor of yourself to proceed to York tomorrow and hold a conference with the Marquis de Vaudreul Count Pont de Veaux and such of their Officers as they may think proper,...
299From Thomas Jefferson to the Board of War, 30 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The Board are of opinion that Capt. de Klauman cannot regularly be promoted to the Majority in the State Garrison Regiment; but considering him as a very good Officer and as having resigned his command in the Artillery Regiment on being nominated to a majority in one of the Eastern Battalions then intended to be raised, a nomination which could not then be considered as exposed to...
300From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 30 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letter inclosing the resolutions of congress relating to the capture of the Portuguese Snow by Captain Cunningham has remained hitherto unanswered because I hoped Daily to be enabled to write more fully on that subject. The resolutions, and documents accompanying them, as soon as received, were put into the hands of our Attorney General, for his opinion, with intention to have such...