51From George Washington to George Clinton, 3 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose to your Excellency Copy of a Letter from Generals McDougall Clinton & Cortlandt in favor of Majr Hamtramck. My knowledge of that Officer is such, as makes the task of Recommendg him to the notice of the Government of this State, extremely pleasing—being assured that if it shall be in their power to favor his views his conduct will always justify any appointment...
52From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 31 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
A Captain who escaped from New York on Saturday Evening and who arrived here this morning, informs, that about Three Thousand Troops (British & Hessians) were embarked from the City & Staten Island when he came away. It was generally said, they had in contemplation an expedition to Chesepeak Bay and to make a descent on the Eastern Shore. There were some who conjectured, they mean to go up the...
53From George Washington to George Clinton, 19 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 12th instant was delivered me last night. I recollect, that Permission was granted Mrs Hatfield to visit her Husband, & had not the least Doubt, but she would be suffered to return whenever she had an Inclination, unless some singular Circumstances should render it ineligible for a Day or two. Her Detention seems to be by the Mayor, to whom she was referred for a Passport. As...
54From George Washington to George Clinton, 2 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Machin has been employed since the year 1776 in the engineering Branch, without ever coming to any regular settlement for his Services. He does not chuse to fix any price himself, and I am really ignorant of what is just and proper. You have been a witness of a good deal of his work, and he is willing to submit the matter to your decision. Captain Machin holds a Commission in the...
55From George Washington to Egbert Benson and Brigadier General George Clinton, 13 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Two ships of force with their Tenders have Sailed up Hudsons River —I am apprehensive that they design to seize the passes in the Highlands by Land wh[ich] I am informed may be done by a small body of Men. I must therefore request you instantly to desire Genl Ten Broeck to March down as great force as he can Collect to secure them, particularly the post where the Road runs over Anthonies nose...
56From George Washington to George Clinton, 25 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with yours of the 20th and 24th instants; the latter by Mr Harkermir who gives a melancholy account of the distresses of the inhabitants at the German Flatts. To defend an extensive frontier against the incursions of a desultory Enemy is next to impossible; but still if you think the addition of another Regiment, ill as I can spare it, or a change of position in the troops...
57From George Washington to George Clinton, 29 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured to day with your Letter of the 26 Instant. It gave me extreme concern to hear of the complaint, which you transmitted. There is nothing I wish for more, than a happy understanding between the Inhabitants and every part of the Army—and this I have constantly endeavoured to promote. I have written to Major Strang & Mr Hyatt, inclosing a Letter to Major Lee with a copy of the...
58From George Washington to George Clinton, 9 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
In the close of my letter of the 5th Instant, I had the pleasure to acknowlege your favors of the 18th & 21st Ultimo. Besides the 80 battalions of Infantry, it is the intention of Congress to preserve as many of the 16 additional and other corps as can be kept up by means of incorporation, or continued in their present condition—considering at the same time such of the men composing these...
59From George Washington to George Clinton, 29 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am very sorry to find by the Report of the Baron Steuben there is no probability that we shall be put in possession of the Western Posts this fall—in consequence of this information and the late season of the year I have directed the Movement of the Troops to be stopped, & the preparations to be suspended until farther Orders. Major Giles (who is the bearer of this Letter) having occasion to...
60From George Washington to George Clinton, 30 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 24th inclosing the Copy of a Letter From Col. Willet—From which I have learnt with great concern the repeated depredations that have been committed on your Western frontier, and should be extremely happy (were it in my power consistent with the general state of affairs) to afford a sufficient Detachment from this Army to cover the whole...
61From George Washington to George Clinton, 14 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday evening received Your favor of the 13th and thank you for transmitting me a copy of Your Brother’s Letter. I am happy to find the Troops are in such health and Spirits. Major Gibbs inclosed you Yesterday the Charles Town papers of the 29th of May and 4th of June, which would shew Your Excellency all the operations in that quarter to those dates; and that matters are far short of...
62From George Washington to George Clinton, 1 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am extremely sorry that it is in my power to inform you, that a Captain Colson of the 5th Virginia Regiment a few days ago, violently wounded a Mr Vantassel of this State, of which he died in a little time after —The moment I was apprised of it, I directed a Letter to be written & sent to Genl Muhlenburg, to whose Brigade he belonged, to have him secured, in order that he might be delivered...
63From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 8 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of 4th Inst. I receiv’d this Morning —As the Movement of the Enemy & their Designs are as yet uncertain, I have to request that you will keep as large a Body of the Militia as you can collect, & have them in as good order as Circumstances will permit, in case Genl Howe should Incline up North River[.] I have no doubt but you have form’d such a Plan with General Heard as will best...
64From George Washington to George Clinton, 30 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
On monday I received your favor of the 22d Inst. I should be extremely sorry if the incursions you apprehend, should take place. From the defeats and disappointments the Indians met with the last campaign, when pushed on and supported by a formidable regular Army, we had reason to hope, that they would remain peaceable, at least for some time. However there is no reasoning with precision from...
65From George Washington to George Clinton, 5 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
The time not being very remote, in which our intended operations must commence—it is necessary to put some of the troops designed for the expedition in motion, to the several points from whence they are to operate. In consequence of this—the troops now at Minisink will be immediately ordered from that post. As this circumstance may create apprehensions in the minds of the people for their...
66From George Washington to George Clinton, 3 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I this minute received a Letter from General Sullivan of the 30th Ulto and a Copy of One to yo⟨ur⟩ Brother the General; of both which I inclose you Copies. Your Excellency will be pleased to direct the march of Lt Colo. pauling at such time—and in such manner as you shall judge best. You will also receive a Letter ⟨addre⟩ssed to you, which came with ⟨mine.⟩ I have inclosed a line to the...
67From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 3 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 23d February was duly handed me; and I am thankful for the attention and activity, with which you are promoting the public service. As you have all the circumstances immediately before you, you can best judge whether the cannon, of which you speak, will be most useful to defend the obstructions which are forming, or at the places where they now are; and you will be pleased...
68From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 25 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yours of Yesterday reached me at this place. Considering the situation in which you say the hard Bread is, instead of bringing it forward, I have directed Genl Sullivan’s and Lord Stirlings divisions to draw three days each before they leave King’s Ferry. If any remains after supplying them, it may be sent back to the Forts. Whether the Enemy’s real design’s are southward or Eastward, in order...
69From George Washington to George Clinton, 8 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly ⟨honored⟩ with Your Excellency’s favor of the ⟨31st of⟩ January. I have also conversed with ⟨your⟩ Brother, on the temper and dispo⟨sition of the⟩ Troops of New York, ⟨and from his represen⟩tation, am led to expect the discontents among them, which were so happily suppressed, will not revive again. With respect to the mode your Excellency recommends for employing ⟨the...
70From George Washington to George Clinton, 7 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have had the Honor to receive your Excellencys Favor of the 5th Communicatg Intelligence from St. Croix—for which I beg you to accept my acknowledgement & thanks. It seems we are comg to a period when we are exceedgly in Danger of being imposed upon by the Insidious Measures of our Enemy—You have doubtless seen the Intelligence from N. York & the Debates in Parliament upon the American...
71From George Washington to George Clinton, 19 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 15th Inst. with the Enclosures. And tho’ at the same time it is true, I have the general command of the Allied Army, as to all its movements, operations &c. yet I have never considered myself as having an absolute right to interfere with the internal police & regulation of the french Army under the immediate orders of His Excellency the Count de Rochambeau;...
72From George Washington to George Clinton, 20 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of a Resolution of Congress ordering Arrangements to be formed by me & the Minister at War for the Liberation of Prisoners—& directing a Negociation to be entered into with Sir Guy Carleton, for the Delivery of the British Posts, I am this Moment returned from Ringwood, where I went Yesterday, to meet & have a Conference with General Lincoln—As the Negociation with Sir Guy, has...
73From George Washington to George Clinton, 30 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform your Excellency, that in makg the general Arrangements of Winter Cantonments for the Army, & in consequence of your representations, One Regiment has been allotted to the Defence of the Northern frontiers of your State—Colo. Olney, with the Rhode Island Regiment, is ordered to repair to Albany—and the two New Hampshire Regiments will join the Army, who are takg their...
74From George Washington to George Clinton, 12 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was yest⟨erday honored with your⟩ favor of the 7th and am v⟨ery sorry to find that your⟩ Frontier is likely Again to [be] ⟨disturbed by the⟩ incursions of the Savages. I⟨t appears by yours⟩ that you had not received the ⟨Act of Congress of the⟩ 4th instant, by which they app⟨rove of your proposal⟩ of raising 800 Militia for the ⟨defence of the State—⟩ I take the liberty of enclosing ⟨you a...
75From George Washington to George Clinton, 10 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your Excellency’s favour of yesterday by Colo. Malcolm, who has communicated to me the particulars with which you charged him —I beg leave to refer you to my letter of yesterday which I hope you have received. In that, sensible of the inconvenience of keeping out the militia at this season of the year, I anticipated your wish for their discharge, with my warmest...
76From George Washington to George Clinton, 31 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Philadelphia Mar. 31st 1794. Your favor of the 20th instt, with its enclosures, came duly to hand; and for which you have my particular thanks. As there are those who affect to believe that Great Britain has no hostile intention towards this Country, it is not surprizing that there should be found among them characters who pronounce the Speech of Lord Dorchester to the...
77From George Washington to George Clinton, 28 February 1796 (Washington Papers)
To the enclosed, I answered in a note, that the whole of the business to which it related, was entrusted to you: from whom, if application was made, complete information might be obtained. A few days afterwards, Mr Cooper applied to me personally; intimated that the land was valuable; that he was desirous of purchasing; and would give a good price for it. I answered as before, and added that...
78From George Washington to George Clinton, 10 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have with great pleasure received your Excellency’s favr of the 7th: Your plan of ordering the Militia to bring out 40 days flour of their own will be a great releif to the Commy General who is only under apprehensions on account of that Article. Of Meat, he gives me assurances of any quantity that may be required. The Quarter Master General is making every preparation for Camp equipage. We...
79From George Washington to George Clinton, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have Colo. Butlers Journal of his expedition against Unadilla and Anaquaga You will perceive from that the Route he pursued and the difficulties he met from the Waters, even at this Season. Perhaps this may be of some service to you in forming a decisive opinion upon the Chemung expedition. Be pleased to return this Journal and Colonel Hartleys when you have done with them. I am...
80From George Washington to George Clinton, 24 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
That I might be more convenient to the Works at West point, I removed my quarters to this place on Monday last. I have only to add upon this subject, that I shall be happy to see Your Excellency here, as often as your leisure will permit. There has been no Official account received from Charles Town as yet that I know of; but I have no doubt but that there has been an Action there, and that...
81From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 26 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you on the 23d Inst. communicating Intelligence lately received respecting the Enemy’s designs up the North River—A letter from Genl McDougall this moment received, places their Intentions beyond the power of misconception —Several Transports have anchored at Dob’s ferry—& mean, in my Opinion, to divert our Attention, if possible, from their Movements towards the Delaware—At any rate...
82From George Washington to George Clinton, 27 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Philadelphia 27th Novr 1793 Not having the letters at hand, I am unable to refer to dates; but the one with which you were pleased to favour me, dated sometime in September, did not reach my hands before I had left this City. Immediately, however, upon the receipt of it (at my own house in Virginia) I put it under cover to the Secretary of War with directions to answer it...
83From George Washington to George Clinton, 20 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have just recd the inclosed from Albany. It serves to shew the hostile intentions of the Indian Enemy, and consequently the necessity of counteracting them as vigorously as possible. I am with great Esteem Your Excellency’s most obt Servt LS , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, CSmH ; Df , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . GW enclosed the letter from Indian agent James Deane to Maj. Gen....
84From George Washington to George Clinton, 7 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive, last night your Excellency’s letter of the same date. In consequence of Brigadr Clinton’s information of the 30th Ulto I instantly ordered 50 Barrels of flour, & 34 of Meat (being every Barrel of the latter we had on hand) to be sent to Albany; for a partial releif of the Garrison of Fort Schuyler—I know it was very inadequate, but it was our all, since which not a...
85From George Washington to George Clinton, 14 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
In conformity to Mr Izard’s request, I take the liberty to enclose to your Excellency a Letter from Mrs Delancy to him, describing the outrages which have been committed in the County of West-Chester, I am well assured that every species of licentiousness and disorder hath, and will meet with your displeasure; and I have therefore informed Mr Izard, that measures have been taken, for the...
86From George Washington to George Clinton, 23 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s Letter of Yesterday, with its Inclosures respecting Mr Murson. Sensible of the Impropriety of suffering persons of his Character to remain in the Country at this Time, I inclose to your Excellency a permission to Capt. Pray who commands at Dobbs Ferry—to pass Mr Muirson within the Enemys Lines—The Time for his going in I submit to your Excellency...
87From George Washington to George Clinton, 11 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
It was with great concern I heard of your Indisposition—later accts say you were upon the recovery—and nothing would give me more pleasure than the confirmation of it from under your own hand. I am not able to give you any information on the point you requested, at our parting. Congress have come to no determination yet respecting the Peace Establishment, nor am I able to say when they will. I...
88From George Washington to George Clinton, 12 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received the letter which Your Excellency did me the honor to write the 7th inst: with the depositions of Capt. Laurence and Thomas Minor—relative to Col. Holdridges seisure of the schooner General Howe. As I am informed that a complaint on the same subject has been laid before Congress—and am ignorant what orders they may have given in consequence—I have given conditional directions to...
89From George Washington to George Clinton, 18 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellency’s favour of yesterday in the Evening—Previous to that, I had written you a second letter on the subject of the expedition to Anaquaga; informing you, among other particulars, that Col. Cortlandts regiment was immediately to proceed to Poughkepsie and that the Col. himself would wait upon you to consult you fully on the measures proper to be taken. The representation...
90From George Washington to George Clinton, 17 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
Under the urgent necessity of making immediate preparations for occupying the Western Posts as soon as they shall be evacuated by the Enemy, which was stated very fully in the Letter I had the honor to address to your Excellency a few day ago by Col. Humphrys; I consider myself obliged to request in the most pressing manner that you will advance five hundred Pounds or a larger sum if...
91From George Washington to George Clinton, 30 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I was honored by the Receipt of your Excellency’s Favor of the 28th inst. Sensible of the Importance of supporting the Northn & Western Frontier of your State, Measures were taken for that Purpose, by calling for the Militia of the State of Massachusetts, as early as the Resolution for drawing down the Regular Troops was adopted—and my Letter of the 25th June, requesting Governor...
92From George Washington to George Clinton, 11 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Lutterloh, Commissy Gen. of Forage waits upon your Excellency to represent the state of the Army respecting forage, and to sollicit such aid from your Legislature as may be necessary for keeping up the supplies, untill the Financier shall be enabled to take more effectual measures for the purpose. Give me leave to inform your Excellency that the Horses & Ox Teames of the Army are...
93From George Washington to George Clinton, 1 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had proceeded thus far in order to look out for a proper place to arrange the Army when I recd the provoking account that the Enemy’s Fleet left the Capes of Delaware yesterday and steered Eastward again. I shall return again with the utmost expedition to the North River, but as a sudden stroke is certainly intended by this Maneuvre, I beg you will immediately call in every Man of the...
94From George Washington to George Clinton, 16 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 15th containing the disagreeable account of the further ravages committed by the Indians. I will immediately order one Regiment to be held ready for the frontier service, and if, upon making a general arrangement of the Army, I find that more can be spared, I will make an addition to the number. As I am unacquainted with the direction of Anaquaga I shall be obliged...
95From George Washington to George Clinton, 6 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
The annexed Letter written previous to the Receipt of Your Excelly’s favor of the 3d inst. will serve as an Answer to the principal part of its contents. The intelligence I have to communicate to Your Excelly is I apprehend, no more than will have already been transmitted to you by the Delegates of your State. It is in brief as follows—That the King of Spain has declared he will not be an...
96From George Washington to George Clinton or Philip Van Cortlandt, 29 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit your Excellency the proceedings of the Court Martial upon Joshua Smith; by which you will perceive out of four charges exhibited against him the Jurisdiction of the Court was only found competent to one, of which they have acquitted him for want of sufficient evidence. As he was brought out of Your State into this for trial, I have thought proper to send him back...
97From George Washington to George Clinton, 5 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I shall be exceedingly obliged to you for information, either from your own knowledge or that of others, whether there is a possibility of marching a Body of troops from the head of Susquehannah across the Country to Niagara. Among many other Routes pointed out for carrying the War into the Indian Country, when circumstances will permit, the above has been mentioned as one. The distance...
98From George Washington to George Clinton, 30 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
In fullest confidence I inform you that I intend to make an attempt by surprise upon the enemy’s posts on the North End of York Island on Monday Night. Should we be happy enough to succeed and be able to hold our conquest, the advantages will be greater than can be well imagined: But I cannot flatter myself that the Enemy will permit the latter, unless I am suddenly and considerably...
99From George Washington to George Clinton, 21 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just received a letter from Mr Des-touche, commandant of the French fleet, of which the inclosed is a translation. I am persuaded Your Excellency will do every thing for the accommodation of our allies, which the extreme necessities of our own army will permit. I shall be obliged to you to inform me how the matter Mr Des-touche mentions may stand, and how far it will be in your power to...
100From George Washington to George Clinton, 16 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
In my letter of this date by Colo. Stevens I only mentioned the necessity of filling Colo. Lambs Regiment of Artillery. There are the same reasons for compleating the two Regiments of Infantry. Let me entreat your Excellency to press the Legislature to devise means of procuring the deficiency for the Campaign only, if they cannot be obtained upon better terms. I have the honor to be with...