241To Thomas Jefferson from Nathanael Greene, [28 April 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
Since I wrote your Excellency in answer to the resolutions of your Assembly relative to the conduct of the Cavalry Officers, and the measures pointed out to supply this Army in future with Horses, I have been considering more fully the tendency and consequences that would attend it. It is to be lamented that Officers will not exercise more discretion and prudence when entrusted with the...
242To Thomas Jefferson from Beesly Edgar Joel, [28 April 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
I have this instant received notice that the Enemy appears to be again in motion at Osburn’s. I have dispatch’t a Vidett to recoinoitre them, and am collecting some negroes to hew down Trees and be ready to take up the different Bridges in their rout. There is no Officer on this side but myself . I desire to know if you have any commands. I am Sir &c., RC ( Vi ); without place or date;...
243To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Read, enclosing a Resolution of the Charlotte County Militia Officers, 28 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Charlotte Court House, 28 Apr. 1781 . Encloses a resolution of the militia officers of this county and is “directed to mention to you Sir, that Arms are dificult to be procured in the County, not having been Recovr’d since Sent out with the Militia under General Green.” Ammunition is also wanting. Asks where the men, if ordered out, are to march, and would be glad to have the six weeks term...
244To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, 27 April 1781, enclosing a Letter from Ebenezer Hazard, 7 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the Honor of transmitting to your Excellency the enclosed Copy of a Letter from Ebenezer Hazard. You will observe by the Journals of Congress under the 20th of July 1778, Encouragement given to this Gentleman to collect Materials for a History, and a Recommendation to the several States to aid and assist him in such Collection. If any of the Manuscripts &c. to which his Letter...
245Garret Van Meter and Others to the Auditors with Andrew Woodrow’s Bill and Jefferson’s Certification, 20 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Hampshire County, 20 Apr. 1781 . Garret Van Meter, Abel Randall, James Murphy, and George Beall, Commissioners of the Tax, state that they “have employed the bearer hereof Mr. Andrew Wodrow, to go to Richmond to bring up money, to pay off the draughts for this County, likewise to carry some very important inteligence to his Excellency the Governour” and wish his expenses to be paid....
246Virginia Delegates to Thomas Jefferson, 27 April 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Historical Society of Pennsylvania). Written by Theodorick Bland and signed by Bland, JM, and Meriwether Smith. Docketed, “Virga. Delegates Letter recd. May 81. April 27th.—AD.” Having discovered that there were a considerable number of Rampart Arms belonging to the U. S. at this place, which have long lain dormant, (having been supposed useless for the Field,) we have found on enquiry...
247To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 27 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Captain North from Baron de Stüben’s Camp Has Been with Me last Evening and was directed By the Baron to Give me Every intelligence Relative to the Situation. From what He says I think the Baron is By this time [at] Chesterfield Court House, And Consider Richmond as the Present object for Both Parties. Every Boat that is in the River should Be Collected Above the falls By which Means A...
248To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Sim Lee, 27 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Genl. Hamilton has informed us that a Flag with Cloathing and Money for the late Convention Troops stationed in Virginia and Maryland has arrived at Hampton and requested Permission to land them at George Town in Maryland, which we have granted so far as concerns the Troops in Maryland under certain restrictions and referred him to your Excellency as to the Necessaries for the Troops in...
249To Thomas Jefferson from the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 27 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 27 Apr. 1781 . “Having discovered that there were a considerable number of Rampart Arms belonging to the U:S. at this place, which have long lain dormant, (having been supposed useless for the Field,) we have found on enquiry that with a small alteration, and fixing Bayonettes to them they are capable of being renderd exceeding good Field Arms.” The Delegates undertook to arrange...
250To Thomas Jefferson from James Maxwell, with a List of Armed Vessels, 26 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
A List of the Arm’d Vessels at Coxes dale with there Force and present Compliment of Men. Tempest 16 Six pounders 6 Men. Complimt. 120 when Compt. Jefferson 14 four pds: 23. do: 70 Renown 16 Six do: 23.
251To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Woodson, 26 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Without place, 26 Apr. 1781. “After the Fatted Beefs are Consum’d a Call may take Place to Collect Bacon.” If this happens, Woodson desires to be excused from that duty, “as many Publick Stores are Stationd with me, and the absolute Necessity of Being at home as a publican &c.” Eight to nine thousand bushels of wheat for flour will be collected in this county. RC ( Vi ); 2 p.; addressed in...
252To Thomas Jefferson from Arthur Campbell, 25 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose for your Excellencys information a Letter just received from Colo. Martin and another from Major Lewis whom I had instructed to drive off the Indians from their haunts near Cumberland Gap. I have no hopes now that the Cherokees will sue for Peace whilst Augusta in Georgia is in the enemies hands and they can receive supplies from thence; several hundred of the Indian Women and...
253To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 25 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter of Yesterday Has found me At this place where we Arrived this After Noon After A March of twenty five Miles which the Extreme Heat of the day And Absolute want of Waggons for the transportation of the Men Have Rendered Very fatiguing. Want of Waggons Has Also detained our Ammunition which Cannot Be Here Untill to Morrow. As soon As we get this Necessary Article the...
254To Thomas Jefferson from Reuben Lindsay, 25 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 16th. Instant came to hand covering the Inclosed Commission and one for Major Charles L. Lewis, the receipt of which I most thankfully Acknowledge—but being consious of my inability to execute an Office of that importance at Present, must beg leave to return the Commission. That fill’d up for Major Lewis I have delivered him, which he told me he would Qualify too the first...
255To Thomas Jefferson from George Weedon, 25 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to enclose your Excellency Copy of Genl: Phillip’s Letter of 12th Inst. also Copies of his returns of Prisoners, and my answer of this date. General Phillips seems from the Complexion of his Letter to complain of an enfringement on the sacred rules of Flags and mentions that borne by Mr. Armstead; In justification of myself, I enclose your Excellency Copy of Mr. Armstead...
256Virginia Delegates to Thomas Jefferson, 24 April 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Continental Congress Miscellany). Written by Theodorick Bland and signed by Bland and JM. Docketed, “Virga Delegates Letter 24th April recd May 81.” We were yesterday Honord with your Excellency’s of the 13th Inst. with its enclosures. You may be assured that our utmost endeavors have been exerted in forwarding the arms and stores mentiond in our last, but insurmountable difficulties...
257To 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...
258To Thomas Jefferson from John Floyd, 24 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Jefferson [ County ], 24 Apr. 1781 . “I wrote to you about eight days ago upon the Subject of our affairs in this County, but as many accidents may happen to prevent the conveyance of Letters such a distance, I have taken the liberty to trouble you with a second.” The substance of what follows is the same as that in Floyd’s letter of 16 Apr., q.v., though in the present letter he adds that he...
259To Thomas Jefferson from James Innes, 24 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment arrived at this place— and shall loose no time . I beg to recieve your orders as I am Ignorant of the Situation of Richmond. I would write more explicitly but for prudential Reasons of which your Excellency will easily Concieve. I am most respectfully Yr Excellency’s most obt. Sert., P.S. I hope to hear from you by the Dawn of Day. RC ( Vi ); addressed: “On Servive His...
260To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Read, 24 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Port Royal [ Caroline co. ], 24 Apr. 1781 . Returned here two days ago “with my Troop from Potowmack River.” The enemy’s ships have all gone down, but “Since my leaving Boyd’s Hole a Small boat came up and Burnt down the Houses there, except the Ware Houses.” On account of “the Rapid Depresiation of our Money,” has never been able to obtain the boots for his troop for which TJ gave him a...
261To Thomas Jefferson from the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 24 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
We were yesterday Honord with your Excellency’s of the 13th Inst. with its enclosures. You may be assured that our utmost endeavors have been exerted in forwarding the arms and stores mentiond in our last, but insurmountable difficulties have prevented their seting off untill now, but we are happy to inform you that the first of them will go on to day as the Quarter Master assures us. We have...
262To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, with Reply, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
From Mr. Browne’s account it is impossible, I should think, that Col. Innes should be in want of provision. If he has crossed at Ruffin’s, as Mr. Browne says he has, it would be proper to send to New Castle what stores you may under the present circumstances think necessary to order to him. At present we are in great distress for want of waggons. Every one of the public offices almost, as the...
263To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
War Office [ Richmond ], 23 Apr. 1781. Encloses an extract of a letter from Gen. Greene “which came to hand this Morning.” RC ( Vi ); 3 p.; addressed and endorsed. The enclosed extract of a letter from Greene to Davies was undoubtedly taken from that of 11 Apr. 1781, dated at Little River ( Tr in CSmH ). The extract was transmitted by TJ to Huntington on this date, but it has not been further...
264To Thomas Jefferson from James Innes, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Having received Intelligence last Evening that the Enemy were moving up Chickahominy River Road with an Intention to attempt a Stroke at the Party under my Command, and had actually advanced so far up as to be able to compel me to give them Action on the most disadvantageous Terms, should I endeavour to retreat by the Way of New Kent Court house. In this Situation, encumbered as my Line was by...
265To Thomas Jefferson from Sarah McIntosh, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am extremely obliged to your Excellency for your very polite letter, and I return my most cordial thanks to the state of Virginia for the seasonable releif which my distressed famely has lately received thro your Excellency. I hope notwithstanding my Famely is numerous and small, that the ten thousand pounds which your excellency was pleased to send by Colo. Russell, will contribute to...
266To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I this moment received intelligence from Gen. Muhlenburg which I inclose you. Your letters of Yesterday are received and shall be answered the first leisure moment Yr Excellcys Dft ( NHi ) endorsed: “Copy to Govr Jefferson 23 Apl 1781 8 o Clk Pm.” Enclosure missing, but from two letters that Steuben wrote to James Innes on the same day it is clear what information Muhlenberg had transmitted....
267To Thomas Jefferson from Daniel Fisher, 22 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellency’s circular letter of the 12th instant I have just now recived. The reasons therein contained for carrying into execution, the law subjecting the militia delinquents to six months service, are so obvious and cogent, that to reflect a moment on its propriety, would betray a great want of discernment: But in this county, our being without commissions for the captains &c. will...
268To Thomas Jefferson from James Innes, 22 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The movements of the Enemy on the Western side of chickahominy River of which I apprized you yesterday by Express has renderd it expedient for me to take my present position which I think a very defencible one, from which too I can file off towards Richmond without exposing my flanks or Rear to annoyance. They possessed themselves of the Ship Yard about 4 o’Clocke yesterday, and I am...
269To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, with Reply, 21 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I need not represent to your Excellency the insecurity of this place. We never can proceed with any degree of certainty in any of our public works while the enemy command the rivers. The state of our arms requires security to the workmen from alarms, and I am confident we shall never be able to get them repaired, unless some buildings are prepared for them in a safe place above the falls. I...
270To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 21 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Col. Th. M. Randolph has a large flat or lighter, which he tells me can go sixteen miles above his house . It would carry off a great deal of stores if we had it, and I am very apprehensive without it we shall lose a great deal. I am but little acquainted with him, otherwise should make the request myself. I would therefore submit it to your Excellency whether you would think it proper to...