1To George Washington from James Duane, 8 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
Be pleased to accept my most thankful acknowledgments for the honor done me by your favor of the twenty third of March, the concern you are pleased to express for my ill State of health, and your benevolent wishes for my recovery—They are fresh proofs of the Attention with which you have always had the goodness to distinguish me, and which I shall not cease to remember with the utmost...
2To George Washington from James Duane, 10 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
I reflect with the utmost sensibility on the frequent instances I have experienced of your attention and benevolence, and particularly in the manner in which you was pleased to confer on me the office of Judge of this district. It manifested a mark of your esteem which I shall always prize as a distinguished honor. The disorder which I contracted by a sedentary habit, the effect of close...
3To George Washington from James Duane, 3 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
I want words to express, as I ought, my grateful acknowledgements for the high honor of your communication this day enclosing my Commission as district Judge. Happy in seeing, thro many difficulties, the first object of my wishes accomplished by the establishment of our national government, I aspired after no personal emoluments or promotion; but was contented to contribute the little in my...
4To 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:...
5To George Washington from James Duane, 16 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
I entertained the pleasing hope of meeting you at this place; on no better authority indeed than report; and yet I feel the disappointment in proportion to my affection for your Person, my gratitude for your publick Services, and the kind attention with which you have always indulged me. Be pleased to take in good part the Address which I have the honor to transmit with the Freedom of our City...
6To George Washington from James Duane, 22 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
A Resolution which lately passed—and which I have long had at Heart—makes it necessary that I should inform your Excellency that the foreign dispatches last received, and which were referred to a Committee of which I was Chairman, are returned into the Secretary’s Office, and ready for your Excellency’s perusal whenever it suites Your Convenience. With the most perfect Esteem and Respect, I...
7To George Washington from James Duane, 8 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer Mr Arent Schuyler, Son of Mrs Livingston, has requested an Introduction to Your Excellency. The Situation of the Young Gentleman for whom he intercedes I believe is truly deplorable. I have been some time attending the Legislature at this place and hope to have the pleasure of accompanying Mrs Duane to pay our Respects at Head Quarters next week. The Assembly have voted the full...
8To George Washington from James Duane, 12 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
It was not till the 10th that I had the Honour of your Excellency’s favour of the 1st Instant; Mr Arnold the bearer having been several days in Town before he delivered it. Sincerely attached to your Excellency by every Motive which can command Affection and Esteem, the Reflections which introduce your Enquiry on Huddy’s Case give me great Concern. Whatever may have been the Indecision of the...
9To George Washington from James Duane, 7 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
It is with great Pleasure that I find your Excellencys arrival at Newburgh announced in the publick Papers. The Circumstances of my Family prevent me from paying you my Respects at present: but the visit shall only be deferred till the Impediment is removed. I long, my Dear Sir, to see you: to congratulate you on the glory which you have acquired the last Campaign: and to felicitate with you...
10To George Washington from James Duane, 9 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I need not tell you, my dear General, what I felt on the critical Arrival of Count de Grass’ Squadron. Accept my warmest Congratulations. The most decisive advantages may reasonably be expected from this generous & formidable Cooporation: but I will not anticipate. The Financier has relieved my Solicitude for the New York Line. A Month’s Pay however inadequate to their Claims will raise their...
11To George Washington from James Duane, 29 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honour of writing to you last by our Friend the Marquiss de la fayette intending before this to have followed it by some Information on the Subject of cloathing for the Army. I have taken pains to investigate it fully And you have the best Right to the fruites of my Enquiry: It does not appear that there has been any Inattention in the Body of Congress to this essential Article: that...
12To George Washington from James Duane, 2 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I receivd with infinite pleasure your very friendly favour by Lt Col. Smith. I shall have occasion to give you some Information on passages of it which you ought to know but I have already trespassed on my Health to assist our new Minister. I have just got rid of a Violent Inflamation in my Throat and find myself at an extinguishd fire an hour after midnight. The provision you wished is made...
13To George Washington from James Duane, 9 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I shou’d not so long have restrained the Expressions of a Heart flowing with the most affectionate and respectful Attachment if Care had not been taken to communicate our Intelligence officially. In the mean time I have never found it so necessary to devote my Attention to the publick business. Amidst pressing distresses it will give your Excellency pleasure to be assured that Congress have...
14To George Washington from James Duane, 10 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I had the Honour of your Excellency’s very friendly Letter of the 4th Instant for which be pleased to accept my warmest Thanks. Before this reaches your Hands you will have received the new Arrangement of the Army: submitted, as it is, to your Opinion it is only to be considered as an Essay open to such Alterations as you may suggest. The Idea of a Majority of Congress was clear that...
15To George Washington from James Duane, 19 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the Honour of your Excellency’s favour of the 9th Instant on the Subject of the Hospital Department. your Sollicitude that Gentlemen of distinguished Merit shoud be employed is a continued Proof of your Attention to the publick good; & those you particularize will not fail of being supported. We are deeply engaged on the Subjects of your Excellency’s several Letters;...
16To George Washington from James Duane, 30 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Congress are much affected at the Wants and distresses of the Army another Committee is appointed on your Excellency’s late Representation to the Board of War, & a Letter from Commy Blane. It is now found that the Supplies already demanded from the States are incompetent and in some Instances anticipated. It is to be lamented that we were not furnished with better Estimates at first; but we...
17To George Washington from James Duane, 26 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
We have Intelligence from Charles Town which leaves it in our possession as lately as the 3d or 4th Inst. and we may from the Silence of the Enemy at New york extend our Hopes to the 10th or 12th. The best and most direct account is to our Friend Mr Jones from Gen Woodford. He has this moment promised me to communicate it to your Excellency which he will do much better than I can from my...
18To George Washington from James Duane, 21 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Letter was delivered me after a very importunate personal Sollicitation. I have a very great Respect for Col. Shea, and a warm desire to serve every officer of distinguished Merit; At the same time that I am anxious to do no Violence to the Arrangements of the Army which have been brought into order with such infinite pains and under numberless Embarrasments. Under these...
19To George Washington from James Duane, 9 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I Judge of your Excellency’s Anxiety for the Fate of Charles Town by my own. When we have much at Stake Events, tho’ not very important, are interesting: I shall not therefore fail to give you every Intelligence which comes well authenticated from that Quarter tho’ it may probably often happen to be no more than a Repetition of your official Information. The President yesterday receivd...
20To George Washington from James Duane, 4 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
We are here in anxious Suspence for the Fate of Charles Town: it is not to be wondered at when we consider the greatness of the Stake; and the Uncertainty and Importance of the Event. The Governour Council and Magistrates have shut themselves up in the Town determined to share the Glory of preserving it, or to perish in the Attempt! We understand that this Resolution was submitted to with...
21To George Washington from James Duane, 17 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honourd with your Favour of the 3d Instant & have communicated it to my Colleagues. when I wrote to your Excellency respecting the Exchange of Citizens in the power of the Enemy, I did not Attend to the distinction between Civil and military Prisoners: but conceivd your Authority competent in all Cases. I cannot think it adviseable to leave the negociation of the Exchange even of Citizens...
22To George Washington from James Duane, 15 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I find myself under the necessity of expressing my wishes that it may be agreeable to your Excellency to transfer the non commissiond officers and Privates, Citizens of New York, late of Col. Malcolms Regiment, to one of the Battallions of that State. after the Resolution to the same Effect in favour of the Pensylvania Companies, of which at the time I much disapproved, it is difficult to...
23To George Washington from James Duane, 27 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I beg Leave to recommend the enclosed papers transmitted by Governour Clinton to your Excellency’s Attention—As you have full power to conduct the Exchange of Prisoners it is needless to lay them before Congress. Permit me to request your Excellency to favour Governour Clinton with the Directions you may think proper to give on this Subject. I have the Honour to be—for myself and the Delegates...
24To George Washington from James Duane, 16 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour has been presented to the Committee of Conference. I beg you will do me the Justice to believe that my Zeal for the publick good—and may I be permitted to add—my Respect and Affection for your Excellency, will never suffer what you have at Heart to languish for Want of my best Exertions: Yet must I ask for Allowances for your Representatives, who are too much incumberd with a...
25To George Washington from James Duane, 28 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I found myself so much indisposd this morning that it was imprudent to go abroad; which will I hope apologize for my not meeting the Committee of Conference at your Excellency’s Quarter’s as was proposed. General Knox has paid me a Visit and given me an opportunity of comparing his Remarks with the propositions of the Board of war. I am not sufficiently master of the Subject to decide; & must...
26To George Washington from James Duane, 11 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed papers have this day been referred to the Committee of Conference with your Excellency: Not with any View to the immediate Contents of those papers: but to introduce a general Enquiry whether Humanity & policy demand from Congress a further proposition for the Exchange of Prisoners? Upon this great Point we wish in a free Conference to consider the State of the Prisoners on both...
27To George Washington from James Duane, 10 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I intended to have done myself the Honour of seeing your Excellency yesterday Evning but was so long detaind in Congress that I coud not collect some Information which was necessary to be laid before you. I expect Mr Peters has furnished you with such papers as will give you a State of the Post At Fort Pitt & the plan of Operations suggested by General McInTosh. I gave a Verbal direction to...
28To George Washington from James Duane, 9 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
In order to give Dispatch to the several Matters mentiond in your Excellency’s Report to the Committee it is proposed to offer Resolutions to Congress on the Heads you enumerate. We wish that the Remedy may be effectual and think it happy that we can be favourd with your Assistance: We therefore request that you will be pleased to point out what ought to be done with respect to the Arrangement...
29To George Washington from James Duane, 3 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
When I have the Honour of seeing your Excellency I will explain the objection made in Congress to the plan for establishing the Department of Inspector General. It holds up the Idea too strongly of seperate Departments which, as they have been conducted, imply an Independence of the Commander in Cheif, & are in other respects productive of Inconvenience & Expence. And it assigns too high a...