19451To George Washington from John Collins, 16 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
It is with the greatest reluctance I trouble Your Excelly With repetitions, but my distress’d condition compells me to it. being destitute of A Relation in this Country to espouse my cause, nor Support Sufficient for an Existance, but lodged in A cold Goal, not possess’d of a Blanket, to cover me with & not a farthing to purchase one. When I wrote to Your Excellency the 24th of January last,...
19452To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 13 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to your Excellency’s request, I have fully considered the subjects of the respective letters which you enclosed to me yesterday. Colonel Flower’s exorbitant claim to be a Colonel of Artillery, or Artillery Artificers, with the rank of Colonel of Artillery from an early date in 1777, is, in my opinion, totally repugnant to every military principle and decisively inadmissible. In...
19453To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 22 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
It is impossible to express to your Excellency the Difficulties I have met with to supply this Army with Provision, or the Anxiety of my Mind consequent thereto—the Recollection of it is as painful to myself as the Recital would be to you. The inclos’d Copies of Letters & Proceedings will give you Information ⟨on⟩ the Methods I have been compel’d to adopt—extraordinary perhaps in their Nature,...
19454To George Washington from Jonathan Boucher, 18 August 1770 (Washington Papers)
Jack comes a Day or two sooner than I intended, in Consequence of an Invitation from Mr Galloway, & Mr Magowan, to go to West River, which He does this Day. He brings You some Samples, which I hardly expect will please. Mr Antho. Stewart has a Cargo just arriv’d, not yet opened, in which, He says, are Assortmts of Coating: Shou’d you rather incline to wait for a choice out of These, if You...
19455To George Washington from Arthur Young, 18 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Within these few days I recieved the honour of the letter Your Excellency has had the goodness to write, wth the very important communications annexed. It is impossible for me fully to express the high idea I have of your goodness in condescending to take so much trouble, so unusual with persons that fill your splendid station; but while the interests of an empire and the welfare of a great...
19456To George Washington from Samuel Huntington, 2 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
By the enclosed Order of Congress of the 29th Ulto, I am directed to lay before your Excellency the Letter of the 9th Ulto signed A. Fowler &c with the other Papers referred to, which are herewith enclosed. Col. Broadhead is now in this City. The Complaints of the Inhabitants in the Vicinity of Pittsburgh respecting his Conduct are very great, and his with Respect to them are not small. It...
19457From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 26 October 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I have noticed a piece in the Aurora under the signature of the Calm Observer which I think requires explanation and I mean to give one with my name. I have written to Mr. Wolcott for materials from the Books of the Treasury. Should you think it proper to meet the vile insinuation in the close of it by furnishing for one year the account of expenditure of the salary, I will with pleasure add...
19458To George Washington from Richard Peters, 20 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
I had prepared the enclosed a considerable Time ago but have waited for a Communication from a Person who does the most in the Grazing Line of any Person I have heard of. But he has not made the Communication from a silly Belief that it is not for a public Purpose but a private one that I wish to get the Acct from him[.] I therefore delay no longer to send you the best Answer to Mr Y.’s Query...
19459To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 3 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
It is difficult to console ones self for the obstacles as numerous as insurmountable which stopped me at Sandy-Hook. The importance of New York, the happiness of fighting the English fleet and the extreme satisfaction of acting directly with you made me desire with the greatest ardor the possibility of entring. I offered, to too little purpose, in an Assembly of your experienced pilots a...
19460To George Washington from the Liberty Hall Academy Trustees, 7 December 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Trustees of Liberty Hall Academy, in Rockbridge County & state of Virginia, to his Excellency George Washington President of the United States of America. We have lately heard of your generous, & disinterested conduct in refusing, as private emolument, the shares in the Patomak and James’ River Companies presented to you by the Legislature of Virginia, as a testimony of their approbation &...
19461To George Washington from Jan Gabriël Tegelaar, 10 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
Op Versock van den Vryheid lievenden, en Regt Edelen en Waarden Heer Baron van der Capellen, heb ik de Eer UWe Excell: Hier by te Zenden, 6 Tonnetyes Holl: Haring, Van Wegens het Patriottisch genoodschap der Stad Enkhuyzen, geleegen in het Noorden van Owze Provintie, gelyt UWe Excell: breeder Zien Zal uyt de byzynde brief Van Voornoem den Edelen Ridder, als ook uyt die van booren genoemde...
19462To George Washington from General William Howe, 21 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 9th Instt concerning the Requisition of Lieutenant Colonel Walcott a Copy of which came enclosed. Though I ob[s]erve that Officer has meant to insist very strongly on the Justice of the Claim for the Return of Prisoners in your Possession, which was one of the Objects of his Appointment, I do not see Reason to suspect that any personal Incivility, was...
19463From James Madison to George Washington, 21 February 1787 (Madison Papers)
Some little time before my arrival here a quorum of the States was made up and Genl. Sinclair put in the Chair. We have at present nine States on the ground, but shall lose South Carolina today. Other States are daily expected. What business of moment may be done by the present or a fuller meeting is uncertain. The objects now depending and most immediately in prospect, are 1. The Treaty of...
19464To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 6 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
I was this day honored with your letter of the 2nd Instant with its enclosures. In future I shall write only by the post of Wednesday & friday; unless something special should occur in which case I shall request the Post Master at Alexandria to forward it to Mount Vernon. I enclose the two french letters with their translations. Finding that the letter from Mess[r]s Triol Roux & Co. was...
19465To George Washington from Colonel Israel Shreve, 18 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since Last thirsday ten foot, three Sailors, one Light Dragoon with horse and Accutriments, Deserters from the British Army and Navy Come in to this post, they All agree the heavy Baggage and Cannon is Loaded on Board the fleet, about 800 Remain at Coopers point, Cuting and Carrying Wood on board their fleet, I am Sorry I have to inform your Excy that a Guard of one Serjt and Six men, was Sent...
19466To George Washington from William Pearce, 17 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have Recevd your Letter of the 10th Instant with Respect to the price of Flour It sells In alexandria for a 11 or 12 dollars ⅌ Barrell at most for cash and I beleve some Gives 13 Dollars ⅌ Barrell on a Creddit of 60 days—Mr Smith has Returnd from New york and I have Sounded him on the subject of buying yours at 15 Dollars ⅌ Barrell at the c[r]edit he offered to take it at before he went from...
19467To George Washington from Thomas Lynch, 13 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of your Favr By Colo. Read I applied to the Chief Justice who tells me the Supreme Courts were lately held and that it will be some time before their Term will return, that he knows of no Capital Suit now depending and that it [is] very easy for Colo. Read to manage matters so as not to let that prevent his Return to you. I am sure Mr Chew is so heartily disposed to oblige you...
19468To George Washington from Henry Knox, 26 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to submit to your consideration, two reports, relatively to the western frontiers of the United States. The Report A, is accompanied by official documents, and is intended to exhibit, the measures taken by the executive to induce the hostile Indians to peace, without the necessity of using force against them—and also the measures of the executive relative to the objects and...
19469To George Washington from James Duane, 10 March 1785 (Washington Papers)
An Opportunity at length presents itself of forwarding to your Excellency a packet which has been detained ever since I left Trenton, as I did not wish to hazard it by the Post. Congress are fixed here for the present apparently to their Satisfaction. They are busily employed in arranging the national Affairs. Mr Adams is appointed Minister for the Court of London Mr Jefferson for Versailles:...
19470From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 28 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellency’s letter on the discriminations which have been heretofore made between the troops raised within this state and considered as part of our quota, and those not so considered, was delivered me four days ago. I immediately laid it before the Assembly, who thereupon came to the resolution I now do myself the honor of inclosing you. The resolution of Congress of Mar. 15. 1779 which...
19471To George Washington from Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 9 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that I am now in possession of a sufficient Quantity of provisions to subsist a thousand Men for three Months. A party of Indians have lately done some mischief on the forks of Chiat River, & I am informed the Western Mingoes the Wyandots of upper Sandusky & the Shawnese have lately been very Hostile against the new Settlements on Kentucke and at the fall of...
19472To George Washington from James Clinton, 15 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s Favor of the 28th ulto and 5th & 10th inst. I am informed by Col Courtlandt that the stores &c are all safely brought down from Fort Schuyler to the German Flatts, and the old Fort entirely destroy’d. Major Vellifranche has arriv’d and will proceed immediately to erect the intended Work at the Flatts, which from our very embarrass’d Circumstances, I...
19473To George Washington from Benjamin Tallmadge, 18 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment recd the inclosed Letter from Capt. Brewster—By His Letter Your Excellency will perceive that Col. Thompson’s Corps has not proceeded for Eastward on the Island, & if they remove to Smith Town, as mentioned in his Letter, the Position will be favorable for a Stroke—The moment the Storm abates, I hope to hear further particulars, when I shall immediately report to Your...
19474To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 17 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
I recd yrs of the 11th with Acct of the Clothg & Provis[ion]s I suppose You will find some more Clothg at Winchester for the Acct at Alexaa belong. to me comes short of my Acct—I have had 500 Shirts made here & 100 Tents—I think you may engage from Mr Carlyle the white Shirts, Shoes, Hatts & the white Yearn Hose. Mr Dick has 84 Doz. of Soldiers Stock[ings] come in wch if he will sell...
19475To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 10 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to the wish expressed in your letter of the 5th instant, with which I have been honored, I have made enquiries respecting the price of flour &c. and find that superfine flour is now selling for forty three & six pence & forty four shillings per barrel, for the Cash—and at forty five & forty six shillings, for notes payable in sixty days. Common flour is from 3/ to 3/6 less. For a...
19476To George Washington from John Frederick Ramnitz, 31 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
From the enclosed news paper printed at Hamburg, the 26th October 1798, I see under New-York head dated the 25th August 98, with much regret, how many of the Citizens of Philadelphia & New York are hurried to the Grave by the raging Yellow Fever—As my Intention is good, I hope your Excellency will forgive my taking the liberty of sending a Medicine without being called upon for it; more so as...
19477To George Washington from Robert Stewart, 13 October 1763 (Washington Papers)
On my return from the Country I happen’d to call at the Post Office to see if there was any Letters for me and to my great surprise found the Inclos’d which I sent upwards of 5 weeks ago by an acquaintance’s Servant (for I have had none of my own these six months) to the Office, the Postmasr’s boy insists it was only deliver’d a few days ago and as the Gentn and his Servant is gone to the West...
19478To George Washington from a Board of General Officers, 10 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Board of General Officers assembled at General Greene’s Quarters by order of the Commander in Chief Beg leave to represent to His Excellency: That the Rations allow’d to the Army in future ought to be as follows Vizt. 2/ One pound & one quarter of a pound of Beef—or One Pound Pork or 1¼ lb. Salt Fish— /5d. 1¼ lb. Flour or Soft bread or 1 lb. hard bread— /7d. Half a Gill Rum or Whiskey pr...
19479To George Washington from Brigadier General Duportail, 2 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received the letter, with which Your Excellency was pleased to honor me together with that addressed to the President of Congress. I delivered this at the instant of its receipt, and in the evening I received a resolution of Congress to go to Charles Town. Mr De Castaing has since brought me your letters for General Lincoln. I cannot refuse myself the pleasure of testifying to Your...
19480To George Washington from Battaile Muse, 4 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
Your Letters dated the 3rd & 24th of Last month I received & have done Every thing in my Power To Accommodate you with money—I now Send by Mr A. Morton fifty pounds Should Mr Wales Fail To Take up my order please To Inform me, that I may provide; I have wrote of this date to Mr Wales To Pay it at the day apointed or sooner if Possable, my money is their in His hands on Interest at my pleasure,...
19481To George Washington from the Baltimore Mechanical Society, 4 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
Having our hopes and expectations principally fixed on the National Government for Protection, and encouragement in our various pursuits; and being sensible that our happiness and prosperity in a great measure depend on the continuance of Peace and our being in a State of Amity with the European Nations now engaged in War. We beg leave in addition to what others of our fellow Citizens of this...
19482To George Washington from Moses Hazen, 24 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
As I am under the disagreeable Necessity of reporting to your Excellency the Situation of the Detachment in the Clove, I beg to refer to Capt. Duncan’s Letter, and mine to him, of this Date; Copies of which are herewith inclosed. Whatever may be the Virtue of other Soldiers, Experience has taught me to believe, that those in my Regiment require the Presence of their Officers—I was therefore...
19483To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have considered the information which your Excellency on the 16th Instant was pleased to give to the Board of General Officers, and the propositions then given for their consideration and opinions. The first query or proposition, vizt “Whether it will be prudent and adviseable to make a Detatchment of the Main Army towards Boston, and if so of what force?” was so fully discussed at the time...
19484To George Washington from Colonel Richard Butler, 13 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
In Compliance with your Excellency’s Orders I have been Endeavouring to Obtain the Supplies Required in the County of Hunterdon, & am happy to find the Magistrates & Inhabitants Apparantly Disposed to do Ev[e]ry thing in their power, but the Inclemency of the weather is Such that I fear their promises Cannot be performd in the time Specified but I Still hint the Necessity of my laying hand too...
19485To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 27 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
By Major Howel you will receive 119000 Musket Cartridges. Part arrived today and part last Night. as soon as the remainder comes up from Amboy & Philadelphia they shall be sent forward. I have been to view the roads again; and fixt upon Aquacanack, Springfield Bownsbrook [Bound Brook], Prince Town & Trenttown to establish the Magezines at. Trent Town and Equacanack, to be the principal ones,...
19486To George Washington from John Augustine Washington, 4 April 1784 (Washington Papers)
I had flattered myself long before this to have paid my respects to you at Mt Vernon, and some time in this Month my Family intended a Visit—but many things have hapned to prevent the execucion of my plan heatherto—first the Frost which continued very late, & when the weather was brakeing up a little, we got the Melancholy Acct of the untimely death of my Son Augustine, whose loss affected me...
19487To George Washington from Robert Stewart, 19 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
From the bottom of a heart that has never, since our parting, ceased to glow with the purest Affection, and most perfect respect for you, I beg leave to offer my warmest and most sincere Congratulations on that exalted Fame which you have so nobly won, and to which your truly glorious Actions so fully entitle you. For you, has been reserved the rare Distinction of performing Atchievements,...
19488To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 7 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I returned late last evening from Reconnoitring the Enemy at Stoney point, & find that they have nearly Completed their works —which Consist of One Advanced Redoubt on the Hill Commanding the ferry, way enclosed & finished, with a good Abbatis & Block House to fire over the parapet in barbet. The large work is also Enclosed the parapet raised much higher than usual & fraised in the most...
19489To George Washington from Thomas Law, 4 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
I respect & esteem you too much to intrude often upon your valuable time I am averse to lacerate a mind already wounded by complaint; yet I cannot forbear when I consider that perhaps in the Year 1800 at Mount Vernon, when Congress cannot come to the City, you may upbraid me for not candidly assigning to you the causes of the misfortune, when it was in your power to do them away. I have...
19490To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 27 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
On Wednesday Evening the Enemy in a Sloop of war, one Galley, and about 40 Boats fell down the Delaware, and Anchor’d off this Place at Dusk: The Boats were full of Troops & upwards of 30 said to be flat Bottomed from the best intelligence I received, cou’d not distinguish from this Place, as they came down under cover of this shore, and at Dusk made over to the Jersey Shore, & came to an...
19491To George Washington from Bryan Fairfax, 10 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had an Opportunity of writing to Yr Excellency lately from Alexandria; but the peculiar Situation I was in prevented me from writing more fully at that time. I advanced one Position only which will be the Ground of this Letter, namely, that Providence carries on Wars the more readily by causing or suffering People to see the same Things in a different Light. And from the pleasure I felt in...
19492To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 4 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I had the Honour to receive your Excellency’s Letter of the 14th Ulto from Middle-Brook. I am sorry to find Your Excellency seems to have given over all thoughts of penetrating into Canada by the Route of Co’os, after the preparations made for that purpose, at an incredible Expence. I am satisfied you could not have advised with Two men, upon this Continent, better acquainted with...
19493To George Washington from John Beatty, 15 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with your two letters of the 26th Ulto & 8th Inst. The former, Inclosing that of Mr Mersereau’s, I have duly noted—& now trouble your Excelly with the Answer, which I must request may be forwarded to him by the earliest conveyance —Should that Gentleman appear to make his defence, I wish also to have a hearing, as perhaps I may adduce some circumstances to support the Charge. In...
19494To George Washington from Andrew Burnaby, 23 June 1760 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here the 15th past, after an Agreable journey; and desire You will think me extremely Obliged to you for the favour you did me in sending me to Annapolis, and by the letters you gave me to recommend me. I had not an Opportunity of seeing Mr Sharp; but Dr Macleane has behaved with the greatest Politeness to me, introduced me to General Stanwix by Mr Doe his Aid de Camp, and contrived...
19495To George Washington from William Tudor, 23 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
At the Time I had the Honour of your Excellency’s Appointing me to the Office of Judge Advocate to the army, my Unacquai[n]tedness with the Nature of the Department rendered me an incompetent Judge of it’s Duties. The Experience I have since had convinces me that I am engag’d in a Service, extensive, laborious & important. I must therefore beg, Sir, your Indulgence, while I mention some...
19496To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Henry Beekman Livingston, 28 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
After having with the greatest Impatience waited the Arrival of the Whale Boats and Vessels that were to have been employed in the Long Island Expedition I find myself at Length disappointed. Colonel Mc: Intosh having Marched two of the Regiments that were allotted for the Purpose to Head Quarters so that the Original Plan must of Necessity fall through as the Force we have left is Inadequate...
19497To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 15–16 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your two favors from Chester and Elkton, and have now the honour to inclose you an address from the town & vicinity of Petersburg, which in a letter from mister Peachey I was desired to deliver you. I also inclose you a letter from mister Genet on the subject of Galbaud, and his conspiracies, with my answer sent to him. my hurry of business has prevented my translating the...
19498To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 6 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 29th Ulto did not reach the City till late on friday evening, of course, it could not receive an earlier attention—We hope with you that the Spring will be early and exertions shall not be wanting, on our part, to forward the public buildings—Our own Ideas with respect to the mode of carrying them on, we expressed loosely in our Letter of 31st Ulto. when we say, “we think it...
19499To George Washington from Nicholas Cooke, 8 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
It is with great Concern that I give you the disagreeable Intelligence that the Enemy with a Fleet consisting of 78 Ships of War and Transports entered the Harbor of Newport Yesterday. We had about Six hundred Men upon Rhode-Island who were Obliged to evacuate it with the Loss of about 15 or 20 heavy Cannon, having taken off the Amunition and Stores & the greatest part of the Stock. The Enemy...
19500To George Washington from Henry Champion, Sr., 28 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I Receivd yours of the 17th Instant informing of the Melancholy & Alarming situation of the Army for want of Provisions of the Flesh kind. I have forwarded (since my appointment) to head Quarters about 160 good heavy Oxen ⅌r week, for four Weeks past besides keeping up the supplies for our Troops & Genl Burgoins Army at the Eastward, which amounts to about 190 ⅌r Week More—I have exerted...