31From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 5 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have successively received your favors of the 3d 7th 8th 9th 15th 23d 25th and 26th of last Month. You having been fully instructed as to your operations and I having nothing material to communicate, was the reason of my not answering them before—While we lament the miscarriage of enterprize which bid so fair for success, we must console ourselves in the thought of having done every thing...
32From Alexander Hamilton to Marquis de Lafayette, [25 June 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
We find on our arrival here, that the intelligence received on the road is true. The enemy have all filed off from Allen Town on the Monmouth road. Their rear is said to be a mile Westward of Lawrence Taylor’s Tavern, six miles from Allen Town. General Maxwell is at Hyde’s Town, abt. three miles from this place. General Dickinson is said to be on the enemy’s right flank, but where cannot be...
33From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 28 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Colo. Senf handed me a list of entrenching tools and other necessaries for the operations against Portsmouth. Notwithstanding present appearances, I shall have them procured. I apprehend we shall be obliged to have many of them made at Fredericksburg. Mr. Walker delivered me your wish to have seamen procured for manning the armed vessels. I know of no method of effecting this but by draughting...
34From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 30 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving your favors of the 8th and 20th instants. The first releived me from much anxiety, as I had seen Mr Revingtons account of the Action at Green Spring, which you may suppose was highly coloured in their favor. I find by your last that neither my letter of the 29th of June or that of the 13th inst. had reached you—I cannot tell the dates of those previous as I...
35From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 2 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I was two days ago honoured with your Letter and that of General Washington on the same Subject. I immediately transmitted by Express the one accompanying it to the Commanding Officer of the Naval Force of his Most Christian Majesty in our Bay, and took measures for providing pilots. Baron Steuben will communicate to you the Arrangements he proposes, which I shall have the pleasure of...
36From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 30 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclosed to Genl. Phillips a passport for the British flag vessel the Genl. Riedesel and delivered it to Captn. Jones who called on me for that purpose by order of Major General Baron Steuben and was to have accompanied the vessel to and from her port of Destination. The movements of the enemy and uncertainty where Genl. Phillips was then to be found delayed his going till you had arrived. I...
37From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 20 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
On the 30th of last Month I wrote you a letter which in point of length, would almost extend from hence to Paris—It was to have been borne to you by Colo. Fleury, to whom the relation of some particulars was referred; but the advice of Count D’Estaings arrival at Georgia—& the hope given us by Congress of seeing him at New York has induced this Officer to suspend his voyage to go in pursuit of...
38From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 23 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge, the honor of your favors of the 14th & 24th of October and 4th of Decr; to thank you for the warm and affectionate expression of them; and to congratulate you & Madame La Fayette on the birth of a daughter—Virginia I am perswaded, will be pleased with the Compliment of the name; and I pray as a member of it she may live to be a blessing to her Parents. It would seem that...
39From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 20 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed are your Instructions, in the prosecution of wch if you should receive authentic intelligence of the Enemys having left Virginia—Or by adverse fortune the detachment from Monsr Destouche⟨s⟩ has lost its superiority in that State and dis-abled thereby to cooperate with you—You will return with the Detachment under your Command, as the enemy cannot be effected by it while they have...
40From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 31 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just returned from Weathersfield at which I expected to have met with the Count de Rochambeau & Count de Barras, but the British fleet having made its appearance off Block Island, the Admiral did not think it prudent to leave New port. Count Rochambeau was only attended by Chevr Chattellux—Generals Knox and Duportail were with me. Upon a full consideration of our affairs in every point...
41From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 25 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are immediately to proceed with the detachment commanded by Genl Poor and form a junction as expeditiously as possible with that under the commanded of Genl Scott. You are to use the most effectual means for gaining the enemys left flank and rear, and giving them every degree of annoyance—all continental parties that are already on the lines will be under your command and you will take...
42From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 6 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since my letter to you of yesterday, I have attentively considered of what vast importance it will be to reinforce Genl Greene as speedily as possible, more especially as there can be little doubt but the detachment under Genl Phillips, if not part of that now under the command of Genl Arnold, will ultimately join, or, in some degree, cooperate with Lord Cornwallis. I have communicated to the...
43From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 26 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received yours of the 25th from Morris Town. I do not think it very probable that three hundred Dragoons will trust themselves in the heart of Connecticut with a superior regular Corps and the force of the Country to oppose them, but I have nevertheless given the intelligence to Duke Lauzun. Upon your arrival in Philada if not before, you will hear that a Body of Men, supposed to be a...
44From Benjamin Franklin to Lafayette, 9 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your very kind Letter of the 9th of october, dated at the light Camp on Passaic River. It is the only One of yours that has yet come to my Hands. I lament with you the Circumstances that prevented the placing a Stronger naval Force in North America last Summer, and the Consequences of that failure; But am neverthless very sensible of the Advantages that...
45From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 29 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will be accompanied by a letter from Congress, which will inform you, that a certain expedition, after a full consideration of all circumstances has been laid aside —I am sorry however for the delay it has occasioned you by remaining so long undecided. I am persuaded My Dear Marquis, there is no need of fresh proofs to convince you either of my affection for you personally or of the high...
46From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 15 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
You are too well acquainted with the merits of Colo. Gouvion to need my testimony either of his Services, abilities or worth; and yet, my wish to see them rewarded, induces me to repeat & even to impress them upon you—I do not take the liberty of bringing this officer directly before Monsr the Count de Segar but if the communication of my ideas of his deserts and my desire to serve him would...
47From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 1 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
We are thus far, my dear Marquiss, ⟨o⟩n our way to New-York. Tomorrow the whole army was to have taken up its line of march, and would have moved with all the rapidity in our power to this object, had we not a few hours since received advice from the Sound, dated yesterday that the fleet of transports had put back, and were steering westward. Col. Sheldon by a letter come to hand this instant,...
48From Benjamin Franklin to Lafayette, 17 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I continue to suffer from this cruel Gout: But in the midst of my Pain the News of Made [Madame] de la Fayette’s safe Delivery, and your Acquisition of a Daughter gives me Pleasure. In naming our Children I think you do well to begin with the most antient State. And as we cannot have too many of so good a Race, I hope you & Me. de la...
49From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 15 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your letters of the 26th and 30th ulto and 1st Inst. I cannot learn that any troops have yet arrived at New York from Virginia. A fleet of 20 sail came in last saturday with troops, but they are said to be Hessian Recruits from Europe. The Concorde Frigate is arrived at Newport from Count de Grasse. He was to leave St Domingo the 3d of this month with a Fleet of between 25 and 29...
50American Peace Commissioners to Lafayette, 27 November 1782 (Jay Papers)
We have rec d . the Letter you did us the Honor to write on the 25 th . Inst. Our Country has had early & repeated Proofs both of your Readiness and abilities to do her Service— The Prospect of an inactive Campaign in America, induced us to adopt the opinion, that you might be more useful here than there—especially in Case the Negotiation for peace on the Part of France & England, should be (...
51From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 27 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 22d from Hartford. I perceive my Dear Marquis you are determined at all events to take New York, and that obstacles only increase your zeal. I am sorry our prospects instead of brightening grow duller. I have already written to you on the subject of arms. There is no probability of our getting the number we want from the states, so that without the timely...
52From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 22 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since writing the inclosed your several letters (acknowledged in my public one of this date) are come to hand—all of them except that of the 12th arrived at Hd Quarters within the course of one hour. The reasons assigned in some of your letters—and others which have occurred to me—chiefly of a political nature—assure me that great advantages will be derived from your being wherever the French...
53From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 14 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Soon after dispatching my last letter to you, your favor dated at Paramus was put into my hands by Colo. Gouvion—Yesterday brought me your letters of the 4th 5th & 5th in the Evening—and this day I have received another of the 9th. The Chevr De la Luzerne’s Dispatches came in time for the Post, which is the only means left me for conveyance of letters—there not being as much money in the hands...
54From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 10 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
We are thus far, My Dear Marquis, on our way to you—The Count de Rochambeau has just arrived, General Chattelus will be here, and we propose (after resting tomorrow) to be at Fredericksburg on the night of the 12th.the 13th we shall reach New Castle, & the next day we expect the pleasure of seeing you at your Encampment. Should there be any danger as we approach you, I shall be obliged if you...
55From Benjamin Franklin to the Marquis de Lafayette, 24 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; copies: National Archives, Library of Congress (three); transcript: National Archives The Congress sensible of your Merit towards the United States, but unable adequately to reward it, determined to present you with a Sword, as a small Mark of their grateful Acknowledgement.— They directed it to be ornamented with suitable Devices. Some of the...
56From John Jay to Lafayette, 3 January 1779 (Jay Papers)
The Congress have directed me to info observe to you, that an Expedition ^ the Plan ^ for emancipating Canada was concieved at a Time when, from various movements of the Enemy there was great ^ the highest ^ Reason to expect a speedy ^ & total ^ Evacuation of all the Posts they held in these States.
57From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 31 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of Yesterday conveyed to me fresh proof of that friendship and attachment which I have happily experienced since the first of our acquaintance, and for which I entertain sentiments of the purest affection. It will ever constitute part of my happiness to know that I stand well in your opinion, because I am satisfied that you can have no views to answer by throwing out false colours,...
58George Washington to Marquis de Lafayette, 30 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Totowa, New Jersey ] October 30, 1780 . Does not think that a campaign at this time is feasible. States that American force is not large enough to attack New York. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
59From John Adams to the Marquis de Lafayette, 10 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
The Proceedings, of late in the British Parliament, I think abundantly prove, that the British Troops will evacuate N. York and Charlestown, and go to Quebeck Hallifax and the West India Islands provided they can escape in the Course of the ensuing Summer. It cannot be a Question, with any Sensible Man, whether it will cost most Time, Blood and Treasure to France and Spain to take them all...
60From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 18 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your polite and obliging letter of the 10th of Octr from Havre came to my hands since the begin[nin]g of this Month —It filled me with a pleasure intermixed with pain—To hear that you were well—to find you breathing the same affection[at]e sentiments that ever have most conspicuously markd your conduct towards me & that you continued to deliver them with unabated attachmt contributes greatly...