271To Thomas Jefferson from George Rogers Clark, 23 September 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I am happy to find that your Sentiments Respecting a fortification at or near the Mouth of Ohio is so agreable to the Ideas of Every Man of any Judgment in this Department. It is the Spot that ought to be strongly Fortified and all other garisons in the Western Cuntrey dependent on it if the ground would admit of it but the Misfortune is there is not a Acre of Ground nearer the point than four...
272To Thomas Jefferson from George Rogers Clark, 23 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
A few days past I Receivd despatches from the Illinois-Kantuck &c. of a late date. I am sorry to Inform your Excellency that near 100000 ℔ of Beef at the Kantucky is Spoilt by the persons who Engag’d to procure it. About the same Quantity on hand Excellent good and 250 Head of Cattle promis’d by the inhabitants. The Indians have done considerable damage there. The Enclosd copies are all that...
273To Thomas Jefferson from George Rogers Clark, 21 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Excuse the liberty I take in writing to you on a Subject that you might think would not Concern me so much as it Really does. As great part of my forces will be from Kentucky the appointment of the County Lieutenants is an object worthy my attention. I this day Learnt that Col. Christy hath Resignd the Lieutenancy of Jefferson County. I would beg leave to Recommend to you Col. Jno. Floyd an...
274To Thomas Jefferson from George Rogers Clark, 27 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I Received your dispatches by Captn. Sullivan, that part Respecting the Bills Countersigned by Majr. Slaughter and Letters of advice is something curious. Its supprising to me that Majr. Slaughter as an officer of the State would suffer those persons to persevear in their Villany was he as he hints truly sensible of the principal that actuated them. You know my sentiments Respecting Several...
275To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Clay, enclosing His Account against the State, 9 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
In the Month of July last I had the honour of waiting on your Excellency with a Warrant of Congress on your State for 1,200,000 Dollars, transmitted me from the Pay Office in Philada. for the purpose of supporting the Southern Army, at which time you inform’d me your Treasury was so drain’d, ’twas not in your Power to take the Warrant up, but assur’d me you wou’d advise me when it was that I...
276To Thomas Jefferson from William Clayton, 16 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
In Order to Justify my conduct (as also those of our militia) for not complying fully with the Requisitions lately made on the Militia by your Excellency and General Nelson, I beg leave to lay before you a true State of the whole Men, taken from the Proceedings of a Court-Martial held yesterday for that purpose. The whole number of Privates are 350–75 of whom were by the Court Adjudged unfit...
277To Thomas Jefferson from Rawleigh Colston, 24 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Presuming that your State may Stand in need of cloathing for the Soldiers, I take the liberty of acquainting you that I have lately received a consignment of about one thousand Joannes’s prime cost of woolens containing between 11 and 12 thousand Ells which are extremely well adapted for that purpose amongst them a quantity of blanketing stuff all which I could furnish you with on very...
278To Thomas Jefferson from the Commissioners for Collecting Taxes in Accomac County, 15 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
May it please your Excellency We the Commissioners for the Collection of the Taxes in this County think it our duty to inform your Excellency of the disorders and confusion which at this time prevail here which impedes if not totally prevents the collection of the said Taxes, which we do as well to justify ourselves and to make it appear that we have not been remiss in our duty, as to give...
279To Thomas Jefferson from the Commissioners of the Specific Tax in Fairfax County, 29 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed we transmit your Excellency the Amount of each Commissary’s Return of the Produce received this last Spring, in payment of the Tax payable in enumerated Commodities, in this County. The Wheat, Rye, and Oats, and three thousand four hundred and ninety seven ⅝th Bushels of Corn We have delivered to Mr. James Lawrason of Alexandria, Mr. John Brown’s Deputy in this County, in pursuance of...
280To Thomas Jefferson from the Commissioners of the Specific Tax in Essex County, [after 16 October 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letter of the 6th of Septr. requisting a delivery of the Tobacco Notes in our Hands of the Specific Tax, came to hand the 16th. of October. The bearers Name not being specified, in the Letter, we were unable to tell by whom it was sent, or to whom the Notes were to be delivered; fortunate for us, that it did not in its slow conveyance, get into the hands of some of our public plunderers,...
281Commission as Lieutenant of Albemarle, 26 September 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
The COMMITTEE of SAFETY for the Colony of VIRGINIA To Thomas Jefferson Esquire By Virtue of the Power and Authority invested in us, by the Delegates and Representatives of the several Counties and Corporations in General Convention assembled, we, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Fidelity, Courage, and good Conduct, do, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to...
282To Thomas Jefferson from the Committee of Congress at Headquarters, 19 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
We inclose you a copy of General Washingtons letter to us of this day (see page 214). We have in our former letters dwelt so forcibly on the several matters contained in the generals letter, that it is now become almost unnecessary for us to say any thing more on them . But when we consider the season for operation wears fast away; the small force we now have in the field, being still fed in a...
283To Thomas Jefferson from the Committee of Congress at Headquarters, 25 May 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Yesterday we were honored with a despatch from Congress, conveying to us their resolutions of the 19th instant, (see page 3) together with a copy of their circular letter of the same date, to the several States, from New-hampshire to Virginia, inclusive. By one of the former we are appointed to assist the commander in chief in drawing out supplies for the Army, and the line of conduct we are...
284To Thomas Jefferson from the Committee of Congress at Headquarters, 16 August 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed you will receive copy of a letter of the 15th. Instant from the Commissary General , (see page 325). Circumstanced as our Army at present is, the information contained in this letter becomes truely alarming. It requires the utmost attention of the Officers, together with all the necessaries, and even comforts of life, to render the service acceptable to recruits, and as the greatest...
285To Thomas Jefferson from the Committee of Congress at Headquarters, 19 August 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
When America stood alone against one of the most powerful nations of the earth, the spirit of liberty seemed to annimate her sons to the noblest exertions, and each man chearfully contributed his aid in support of her dearest rights. When the hand of tyranny seemed to bear its greatest weight on this devoted country, their virtue and perseverence appeared most conspicuous, and rose superior to...
286To Thomas Jefferson from the Committee of Congress at Headquarters, 2 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
In a letter of the 31st Ulto. from the commander in chief, which we had the honor to receive the same day, his Excellency observes, “That in the expected co-operation with the force of our ally against that of the common enemy; it is of great moment that we should proceed with circumspection and on the surest ground. Before we can determine what aught to be undertaken, we should be able to...
287To Thomas Jefferson from the Committee of Congress at Headquarters, 23 July 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
We were honored with Your Excellency’s favor of the 2d Instant on the 21st. The cantonments of the Army In this quarter added to the Extreme badness of the Crops last season has so totally exhausted the Country of grain for forrage that the army is in great distress on this Account. The transportation of the necessary stores delayed, and every Embarrasment Increased. We have therefore to...
288To Thomas Jefferson from the Committee of Congress at Headquarters, 10 July 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Preakness [ N.J. ], 10 July 1780 . The forming of a magazine of short forage in the vicinity of the Hudson River is immediately necessary. The quantities earlier called for by the Committee should therefore be hastened forward. New Jersey’s supply of forage is exhausted by the army’s having wintered there. FC ( DLC : PCC , No. 11); signed by the copyist with the names Schuyler and Peabody. At...
289To Thomas Jefferson from the Committee of Congress at Headquarters, 25 May 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Morristown, 25 May 1780. Circular to the state executives enclosing copy of Gen. Washington’s letter of same date to Committee. Signed by Schuyler, Mathews, and Peabody. FC ( DLC : PCC , No. 11); 1 p.; at head of text: “Circular, No. 2.” Enclosure: Washington to Committee, 25 May 1780, approving recommendations in the Committee’s first circular letter (preceding) and urging filling up the...
290To Thomas Jefferson from the Committee of Congress at Headquarters, 23 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Morristown, 23 June 1780 . Circular letter to the state executives, enclosing a copy of Gen. Washington’s letter of same date, reporting the advance of the enemy beyond Springfield toward Morristown. The likelihood of an American defeat if these forces in New Jersey pursue their objective makes it imperative for the states to send on their quotas of men. FC ( DLC : PCC , No. 11), signed by the...
291To Thomas Jefferson from the Committee of Congress at Headquarters, 12 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
We have the honor to inclose you copy of a letter addressed to us by the commander in chief (see page 211). The contents will advise you to what an alarming crisis our affairs are reduced. The General observes with great propriety, that this committee “need no arguments to evince the danger.” Indeed we do not: our own observations have led to the fullest conviction that unless the force stated...
292To Thomas Jefferson from William Constable, 7 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honor’d with yours in Council of the 30 Ultimo relative to the releif of the Militia, which I sincerely wish was arrived, as it will be impossible to detain these in the field above a few days longer with our outmost endeavours; they already begin to be much dissatisfied, and desertion prevails apace. A number of the Enemy’s transports sailed yesterday and the day before, ’tis said they...
293To Thomas Jefferson from the Continental Board of War, 12 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
War Office [ Philadelphia ] , 12 Dec. 1780. Case of 1st Lt. Thomas Warner, formerly of the 7th Va. Continental Line, for whom no vacancy is now available in the Virginia Line, though it has been recommended and agreed that “in all Cases where the Places of Prisoners were filled by junior Officers they should retire on the Officers Exchange whose places they filled.” This information is...
294To Thomas Jefferson from the Continental Board of War, 30 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The board do themselves the honor to transmit to you, a resolution of congress of the 23d. instant also a resolution of the 11th. of april last, by which you will discover that they depend upon the arrears of specific supplies for the last campaign which have not yet been furnished by the different States to make good their engagements with the Court of France. As the honor and faith of the...
295To Thomas Jefferson from the Continental Board of War, 6 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The Board have recieved a Letter from Col. Rawlins Commissary of Prisoners at Fort Frederick in Maryland informing of the Approach of the first Division of the Convention Troops towards that Post. We have given Directions to Major Foresythe to superintend the Supplies of all these Troops as well those at their former Station as those at Fort Frederic. We propose that one half of the Supplies...
296To Thomas Jefferson from the Continental Board of War, 12 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
In answer to your Excellency’s letter of March 31st. referred to the Board by Congress they beg leave to observe, that they think it will be proper for the flag vessel to proceed round from James River to Potomack, and land their Cloathing, refreshments Money &c., designed for the Prisoners at George Town in the State of Maryland; there to be received by two Officers of the Convention Troops...
297From the Continental Board of War, enclosing a Letter to James Wood, 24–26 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the Resolution of Congress relative to the removal of the Convention Troops they have been pleased to refer the Matter to this Board to take Order and we have given the enclosed Instructions to Col. Wood who has the Superintendance of those Troops and he is gone forward to put those Orders in Execution which are expressive of the sense of Congress on the Subject. The Instructions will...
298[To Thomas Jefferson from the Continental Board of War, 25 May 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia, 25 May 1781 . Extract of a letter from Col. William Fleming to Benjamin Harrison, Staunton, 7 June 1781 ( Official Letters , iii , 1): “I … take the liberty through you Sir of communicating a letter from the board of war of the 25th of May with a resolve of Congress of the 23d directing the removal of the Convention prisoners out of this State and requesting the necessary...
299To Thomas Jefferson from the Continental Board of War, 11 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
War Office [ Philadelphia ], 11 Dec. 1780 . Enclosing a resolution of Congress of 6 Dec. respecting the Convention troops; the Board will be pleased to have TJ take order thereon. RC ( PHi ); 2 p.; signed “by ord. Ben Stoddert Secy.”; addressed: “(Public) His Excellency Thos. Jefferson Esqr. Govr. of Virginia (War Office)”; endorsed: “Contl. Board War Lr. Recd Feby 81.” For the resolution...
300Additional Instructions by Congress to Franklin, Deane, and Jefferson, 16 October 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Additional instructions to B F, S D, and T J, commissioners from the united states of America to the king of France. Whilst you are negotiating the affairs you are charged with at the court of France you will have opportunities of conversing frequen[t]ly with the ministers and agents of other european princes and states residing there. You shall endeavour, when you find occasion fit and...