501To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Reed, 6 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellencys Favours of the 17. and 18. Ult. have been duly received and claim our particular Acknowledgments as well for the Readiness which has been shewn in concurring with our Proposition of running the Line, as the friendly Sentiments express’d towards this State which I am happy in assuring your Excellency are perfectly reciprocal. A Family Event having last Fall estrang’d me from...
502To Thomas Jefferson from William Fleming, 10 August 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I am this moment told by Colo. Melchoir that a young gentleman will set out in half an hour for Charlottesville. By him I have just time to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 22d. of July, for which please to accept my thanks. I find by your observations on the fishery that that matter is not yet properly understood in Virginia, nor have I time at present (were I at full liberty) to...
503To Thomas Jefferson from Nathanael Greene, 31 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The time of service of the Militia under General Lawson and General Stevens is expird and they are dischargd, having honorably performed their duty agreeable to contract. It was unfortunate that their term of service expird at the time it did; but we could ask no more of the men than they were bound to perform nor would it answer any purpose as they cannot be prevaild on to continue in a...
504To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 15 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have already appointed Mr. Robinson Deputy Commissary Issues and hope that Department will soon be properly Arranged. Orders are already given to Captain Prior for the Removal of the stores from Prince George Ct. Ho. to this place. I have no doubt it will be done immediately. General Muhlenberg in a Letter dated 14th. informs me that the Enemy have nearly compleated 25 Boats to contain each...
505To Thomas Jefferson from Anthony Thornton, 16 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Hanover Town, 16 Jan. 1781. Has received orders from Gen. Nelson to “March back to Caroline” and keep troops embodied for further orders; thinks they will be sent to Potomac; is sending Capt. Coleman with a request for 250 stand of arms, without which the troops can be of no service. RC ( Vi ); 2 p.; addressed and endorsed.
506To Thomas Jefferson from George Weedon, 9 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be delivered you by my Aid-De-Camp, Major Robert Carter Page, who your Excellency was so Obliging as to Appoint my Additional Assistant on the 8th. of Novr. last. This Gentleman from that time to the present, has been mostly employ’d in Public Business and has discharged it so much to my Satisfaction as to induce me to mention his situation to your Excellency. We are now in...
507To Thomas Jefferson from Horatio Gates, 18 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed I send Your Excellency my dispatch of this [Date?] to the President of Congress under a flying Seal for your Persual. I must entreat you to forward it with all its contents, directly by Express to Philadelphia. If the News from General Fleming is Confirmed I think A Speedy recovery of South Carolina and Georgia must be the Consequence, but we are so often disappointed in Reports that...
508To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Harrison, 3 October 1782 (Jefferson Papers)
Payment has been some time order’d for the rent of the House you lived in whilst Governor of the State and Colo. Turpen may receive the Money whenever he pleases to apply to the Agent. Should Mr. Nathan, Mr. Smith or any other person bring a Suit against you for any Contracts or Acceptances made by you on behalf of the State, whilst chief Magistrate, the Executive will take your defence on...
509To Thomas Jefferson from J. M. P. LeGras, 22 March 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
L’équité avec Laquelle votre honnorable assemblée Rend Justice aux fideles Sujets des Etats m’enhardit a vous Réprésenter le tord que les papiers dont Mr. Simon Nathan Est Chargé, Vá nous faire Si votre Bonté n’en ordonne le payement; les Domicilliers de st Vincenne Et pays des Uinois ignorant l’ordonnance du Congrés ont Vendû Leurs Darées [denrées] a L’armée de Mr. le Colonel Clark et ont...
510To Thomas Jefferson from Tench Tilghman, 21 September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The Commander in Chief set out last Sunday for Harford [Hartford] to meet the French Admiral and General at that place. More circumstantial accounts having been received since his departure of the embarkation mentioned in his letter of the 11th: instant, I have thought it my duty to communicate them to Your Excellency. One object of the expedition is said, in New York, to be the release of the...
511To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 13 November 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Carrington, who is a defendant in the suit, brought by your Relation Jefferson vs. Reade’s administrators , obtained an order at the last court, that he, as being nonresident, should give security for costs at the next Term. Will you be so good, as to inform him of this, if he is within the circle of your correspondence? Be pleased to add, that dismission is the penalty on non compliance...
512To Thomas Jefferson from John Randolph, 25 October 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The Letters, with which you some considerable Time ago, honourd me, got to Hand ; tho’, from their appearance, their Contents were known to many, before they reach’d the Person, for whom they were intended. The gloomy Cloud, which hung over our public affairs, and the general Suspicion, which prevail’d at that Time, recommended Caution, and prevented my answering them. But, as Matters now are...
513To Thomas Jefferson from John? Overton, 22 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Halfway House , 22 Mch. 1781 . Accepts offer made in TJ’s letter and thanks Council for the appointment; his term of enlistment in Maj. Callis’ corps will expire in a few days, when he will “attend at as early a period as possible.” RC ( Vi ); 2 p.; signed: “J. Overton, Jr.”; addressed and endorsed. There is no record of a letter from TJ to Overton or of the appointment referred to. Heitman...
514To Thomas Jefferson from James Wood, 3 February 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I find it altogether Out of My Power to engage Any of the Tradesmen Among the German Troops to go to Richmond; by Some Means or Other they have found Out Our Distress for Tradesmen to do Our Public Work, and their Officers have Contrived to get so Considerably in their Debt for Work, Besides their Pay and Cloathing, that they are Afraid to go without their Consent, least they shou’d be...
515To Thomas Jefferson from Turner Southall, 16 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 16 Feb. 1781. Part of the militia of this county being called on to march, the case of Thomas Smith came before the courtmartial, which determined that it did not have a power, consistent with the law, “to Exempt him from his Tour.” Smith was advised, however, to apply to TJ, since both he and his clerk are “employed in the Settlement of the Public Accounts,” and it appears that his...
516To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Dick, 21 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Fredericksburg, 21 Apr. 1781 . Wrote “About 3 Weeks ago … for a Sum of Money to be brought me for the Use of the Factory by Capt. Peter Minor, who has been some time return’d and brings me no Answer about it. My Credit, Word, Honour and every thing mortal can do will not hold out longer with the people unless I am supported with Money. And it is Amazing the quantity of Arms old and New have...
517To Thomas Jefferson from the Board of Trade, 29 October 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Williamsburg ] 29 Oct. 1779 . The salary of Mr. James Warren, assistant in the agent’s office, has never been fixed. Forty pounds per annum, payable in tobacco at twenty shillings per hundred, seems an ample compensation. Signed by Ambler and Rose. RC ( CSmH ); 1 p.; TJ’s reply of the same date, q.v. , is written on the lower portion of the page.
518[To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 2 October 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Florence, 2 Oct. 1781 . Mazzei’s “Representation” of his conduct as agent for Virginia in Europe states that in a letter of this date, his dispatch “No. 26” to TJ, he wrote: “My Bill drawn by your Excellency’s order, on Messr. Penet, D’Acosta, Freres & Co., has been protested. I am at a loss what to do. It was my intention to tell my circumstances to this Sovereign, and was I to do it, I...
519To Thomas Jefferson from William Hay, 21 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am this Moment favoured with a Letter from Mr. Nicolson from Fredricksburg containing very agreeable Intelligence of which the following is an Extract, “By a Gentleman immedeatly from Philada. we have the Agreeable Information of the Arrival of the second Division of the French Fleet off the Capes of Delaware consisting of 9 sail of the Line and 7 Frigates. They were spoke with by a Brig...
520To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Nelson, 4 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
On my Way here this Evening I received Information that the Enemy had landed their whole Force at Westover, and were marching for Richmond. I have ordered the whole Strength of King Wm., King & Queen, and Gloucester, to rendezvous at Bacon’s Ordinary 6 Miles above New Kent Court House, whence I shall march them as will appear best for the Service. The whole Militia of New Kent are now turning...
521To Thomas Jefferson from John Todd, 24 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I recd. the inclosed Letters a few days ago; as they contain some Matters of Consequence I transmit them just as I recieve them. They are written with a freedom which spares no Character and may with additional Letters which I expect you have recd. throw light upon our Situation in the Ilinois. Winston is Commandant at Kaskaskia, McCarty a Captain in the Ilinois Regiment who has long since...
522To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Henry Lee, 2 May 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
We are this moment made acquainted by the War Office that an Express was immediately to depart for Virginia, and I take the opportunity of enclosing by him the last papers, which contain all our news, except it be a report that seems not illy founded, that Genl. Amhers[t] and Adml. Keppel are arrived at Philadelphia as commissioners from the King and Parliament of G. B. to carry into execution...
523To Thomas Jefferson from Arthur Campbell, 28 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellencies Orders of the 15th. day of February came to hand the 23d. and on the 25th. a few odds of one hundred Men under Colo. Wm. Campbell set out to join the Militia of Botetourt and Montgomery on their march to join our Southern army: previous steps having been taken, on hearing the enemy were advancing towards Virginia, to have them in readiness. A larger number would have gone,...
524To Thomas Jefferson from the Maryland General Assembly, 5 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Annapolis, 5 Jan. 1781. The situation in the south indicates that the enemy will establish a post at or in the vicinity of Portsmouth in the summer, “if such a Post is not established against them. The French without whose assistance it cannot be done may probably not make any movement for that end under an apprehension it would give umbrage unless your State should desire it.” Because of the...
525To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Magill, 16 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 15 Lord Cornwallis anticipated the design of General Greene (whose intentions were to Attack the British Army, the same day) by advancing his main Body to Gilford Court House, where the Army had taken post the day before. On the advance Colo. Lee charged Tarltons Legion who were some distance in front of the Enemys main Body, cut thro them and put them to the Rout with very considerable...
526To Thomas Jefferson from George Harmer, 25 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to return you my most sincere thanks for your past favors , and believe me much concerned that I should have occasion to make any further application to you at this time: but as I am informed by my friends, that I could reclaim many of my Negroes on application to the parties who have purchased them, for which purpose it will require a considerable Sum: (I suppose not less than One...
527To Thomas Jefferson from John Baylor, 12 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Hoping that you may have supplyed yourself with an American Atlas, in the space of six or eight Months, You will please to deliver to General Weedon’s Care, my Atlas. I have the Honor to be Your Excellency’s most Ob: & H: Sert, RC ( Vi ); addressed; endorsed (in part): “Requesting the return of his American Atlas.”
528To Thomas Jefferson from Abner Nash, 25 May 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this day received a letter from Governor Rutledge a copy of which, I send inclosed for Your perusal; by this and a Letter I received from Col. Laurens dated at Wilmington containing a paragraph of a letter he received from one of the Council of So. Carolina it seems reasonable to conclude that Charles Town is in the hands of the Enemy and yet the post rider who comes from George town...
529To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 14 August 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honoured with Your Excellency’s favor of the 22 of July and with it’s inclosure . With respect to appointing Officers for the Levies, Your Excellency I presume will have received before this, my Letters of the 18 and 22 Ulto, and by which You would find that I had arranged the matter, as far as the circumstances I was possessed of would admit, in consequence of your former...
530To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, 18 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 18 Nov. 1779 . Circular to the state executives enclosing resolves of Congress of 12 and 16 Nov. reorganizing the eleven companies of artificers raised by the quartermaster general, and other resolves of 16 Nov. requesting the state executives to issue writs, when applied for, compelling witnesses to appear and testify in courts-martial. FC ( DLC : PCC , No. 14); 2 p. Enclosures:...
531[To Thomas Jefferson from Thomson Mason, 21 August 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Gunston Hall, 21 Aug. 1776 . On this date Nicholas Cresswell “Called at Mr. Mason’s” and obtained promise of letters of introduction “for some of the members of the Congress”; two days later he again called on Mason who gave him a “letter to Messrs. Francis Lightfoot Lee, Thos. Stone, Thos Jefferson, and John Rogers Esq., all members of the Congress.” A week later Cresswell noted in his...
532To Thomas Jefferson from Bolling Stark, 30 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
It is probable your Excellency may have heard that I reached Cumberland old Court house on wednesday last with the books and papers belonging to Your’s, and the other public-boards, where I judged they would be perfectly secure from the enemy, but on Saturday, we were alarmed with an account of their having penetrated the country as far as chesterfield Court-house, at which place they had...
533To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Henry Lee, 8 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Chantilly, 8 July 1779 . Acknowledges TJ’s letter of 17 June. “Every good Whig will wish success to a governor whose principles of action are not the incentives of whim, or the suggestions of partiality; but who is influenced by motives of sound whiggism, which I take to be those of genuine philanthropy‥‥ In Virginia we have properly two frontiers, one bordered by a wilderness, the other by a...
534To Thomas Jefferson from George Weedon, 28 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed I have the honour to transmit to your Excellency a Copy of [a] General Return, by which you will see how inadequate the Strength of the Troops, under my Command, must be to the Service expected from them. Your Excellency was pleased to send me a supplementary list of Counties called on, after my Arrival at this place, of which, only Caroline and Spotsylvania have sent any men; indeed...
535To Thomas Jefferson from Horatio Gates, 8 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Berkeley County, 8 Feb. 1781. Letter introducing James McAlister, county commissioner and issuing commissary in “this Districkt,” who waits on TJ for “Directions in regard to His Future Conduct.” Gates recommends him as “a good and Faithfull Servant of The Public.” RC ( NHi ); addressed and endorsed.
536Petition of James McClurg to the Governor and Council of Virginia, 18 October 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
A Petition from the Director and Surgeons of the Virginia Hospitals to the Governor and Council The Petitioners beg leave to acquaint this honorable board, that the resolution of Assembly, which establish’d Hospitals for the relief of the sick and wounded in the service of this state, gave to the Director and Surgeons of those Hospitals a genteel and liberal allowance, for Devoting their time...
537To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 13 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Brown informed Mr. Parks, that Mr. Hay of this town, sent down to Captain Charles Thomas at Warwick four hundred Gallons of Oil; As the Continental Commissary of Hides has not any, will your Excellency be pleased to direct Capt. Thomas to lend us a little for a Short time; as Mr. Marks is gone to Philadelphia respecting his department, and will furnish himself so as to be able to return...
538To Thomas Jefferson from John Dixon, 1 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of the 12th. Ulto. requesting Cavalry to be raized to join Majr. Genl. Baron Steuben, and was anxious to have comply’d therewith, but the Executive appearing to discourage my plan of raising and equiping a Troop of Horse, it has effectually prevented the Gentlemen from being equip’d in any manner to answer the purpose for which they were call’d. A few indeed have acted...
539To Thomas Jefferson from George Weedon, 11 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I was honor’d with your Excellency’s Letter of Yesterday at this place. Two Hundred of Spotsylvania Militia will be here by the Afternoon, they are well arm’d and equipt, I had also embodied about 150 of the Stafford Militia besides a Body of Volunteers which are now on their march, those are also very well found. I had call’d on the Counties of Loudoun Fauquier Prince William, Fairfax Orange,...
540To Thomas Jefferson from Theodorick Bland, 14 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Having been inform’d that since your Excellencys Appointment to the Government of this Commonwealth your residence will be chiefly, if not entirely at the seat of Government, You will pardon me if (tempted by the perpetual view of your delightfull Seat from my lowly and I may say Dirty Cottage) I should venture to ask a preference should you be disposed to permit any other than your own family...
541To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 16 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 16 Dec. 1780. Lt. Col. [Richard] Campbell of the 9th Va. regiment, which is now at Fort Pitt, has orders to join his regiment but is unable to do so for want of $4,000 to pay the expenses of the journey. Steuben requests that a warrant for that sum be granted to Campbell so that the public service will not suffer by his longer detention in Richmond. FC ( NHi ); 1 p.
542To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, 6 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
In consequence of the manner in which the Auditors construe the act of Assembly for allowing certain sums of money to the officers as part of their depreciation (which I am far from insisting is a wrong one) they have refused to grant me a warrant for the sum I think I have a right to under that act. They think it extends only to such officers as are actually at this time drawing pay as...
543To Thomas Jefferson from Edward Stevens, 14 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you the 8th Inst. from this place by Lieut. Fraser of the Militia. This Covers a monthly Return of the Militia through the course of Yestreday. Genl. Green received several dispatches from Virginia and the Northward. These with the reports we have hear with respect to the Enemy in your Quarter, at first is rather alarming to young Soldiers, But I hope my Countrymen will not get into...
544To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Carter Nicholas, 24 August 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
I was pleased with the Receipt of your favour Yesterday, being a little apprehensive that Mr. Walton’s Note might have miscarried, as I had heard nothing of it. The Amount will stand charged in my Books as so much remitted to our Delegates, as do all the Bills and Money, which I have sent them at different times. I know nothing of the State of the Accounts with the Committee of Safety and...
545To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Nelson, 14 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am favoured with your’s of the 10th. Inst. by Mr. Prentis. I have never been informed that any Horses were left by the Enemy, except those at Westover, which were taken by Captain Selden’s and Captain Hockaday’s Men. Those in the Possession of Captain Hockaday’s Men I ordered to be carried to Richmond for the Proprietors to claim. Farther Enquiry shall be made, and if there be any such as...
546To Thomas Jefferson from the Board of Trade, 9 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
We had the Honor of Your Excellency’s Instructions respecting the settlement of Capt. Le Maire’s Expences. We confess ourselves at a loss to know whether the several Articles stated in his Account have been admitted by The Executive or whether under the Engagements entered into with him by the late Governor in Council, We are authorized in making any deductions. We confess ourselves unable to...
547[To Thomas Jefferson from William Eaton, 5 October 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Place not known, 5 Oct. 1780. In a letter to Gen. Gates, 15 Oct. 1780, TJ says: “As to provisions, our Agent Eaton … informs me in a letter of the 5th. inst. he shall immediately get Supplies of Beef into Motion and shall send some corn by a circuitous Navigation.” Not found.]
548To Thomas Jefferson from Arthur Lee, 13 March 1782 (Jefferson Papers)
In your retird situation it will not I hope be disagreable to you to hear what is going on at this place. You will see in what state our western Country rests in Congress, by the Extract that I shall subjoin. The report has not been taken up because the Enemy think they shall acquire an accession of strength, by their usual arts, and by the admission of Vermont, as a state. On our part, not...
549To Thomas Jefferson from the Board of Trade, [4 March 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
The Commissioners of Trade are sorry to be understood by the Honorable Board as intending to free themselves from any part of their duty by submitting the Requisitions of the Board of War for their determination; We conceive it our Duty to do So, as the Act establishing this Board runs thus “The Duty of the said Board shall be to see to the procuring by importation or otherwise all Military...
550To Thomas Jefferson from William Preston, 10 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Yesterday I received your Excellency’s Letter with other Papers by Wheeling the Messenger. I was then on my Way from Montgomery Court House where I had called a meeting of the Officers and Magistrates in order to lay off the County into Districts agreeable to the act of Assembly for raising Troops for the Continental Army; And as I had but Just parted with several of the Officers and Justices...