31To George Washington from William Gordon, 12 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was a stranger to the subjects of the present letter when I wrote last week, or should have mentioned them considering their importance. Mr Hancock reports that your Excellency designs quitting the command of the army. I hope he has no good foundation for what he says. I should dread your doing it, did I believe it probable, for I apprehend the cause would suffer amazingly by it, & that the...
32To John Adams from William Gordon, 8 May 1779 (Adams Papers)
We are just returned from visiting your good Lady at Braintree, where I had a complaint exhibited against me for not writing to you, which I mean to answer totidem verbis. But before I proceed further must mention, in brief, that news which will be the most important and agreeable of all you will meet with in the letter, viz, that Mrs. Adams and children are well and as chearful as can be...
33To George Washington from William Gordon, 15 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
When you have perused the enclosed, pray you to put it under cover & forward it to Genl Gates. Should not Genl Burgoyne have practised bribery & corruption, he might propose the question from what he had seen heard & observed while at Cambridge: but the question reminded me of what was wrote you the 12th of Jany. Some things I have heard since have tended to corroborate my suspicion. I have...
34To Alexander Hamilton from William Gordon, 23 September 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Tho from the expressions & innuendos in yours of the 5th instant which I received from Col Henly the last tuesday, I cannot apprehend myself treated with due respect, yet I shall not be thereby drove either to reply with asperity, or to quit my own plan of conduct. Said one of the greatest soldiers of the age in which he lived, “The business of a general is not to fight but to overcome.” When...
35To George Washington from William Gordon, 12 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
Though I rejoice whenever I receive a letter from You, & think myself highly honored by it; yet I would by no means call off your attention from the important business of the United States. Your excellency’s safe return from the southern tour was matter of thankfulness, especially considering the danger you was once in upon the water. Not considering the distance & other circumstances, I...
36To George Washington from William Gordon, 27 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
In the midst of important business the following anecdote will probably give you some pleasure, with a little pain for the disappointment you have met with in missing the Saddle . A gentleman who served his time with one of my people when I was at London, J. Harvey Pierce, a physician, writes me from Nantz last Feby 12. where He is in his way to America from an attachment to our cause—"I dined...
37To George Washington from William Gordon, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The cares & fatigues of the campaign are, I hope, so far over, as to admit of your perusing the following lines without interruption, & of writing me an answer however short, as I am desirous of knowing the state of your Excellency’s health, after all the many hardships & difficulties you have been called to pass through. I have been told that they have worn you greatly, but I flatter myself...
38To Benjamin Franklin from William Gordon, 13 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I must first of all congratulate and thank you, for and upon the treaties. We have not had them yet from Congress, but have learnt their contents in general, and approve of them. As a native of GB I could have wished that my countrymen had been wise in time, and had known in their day the things that made for their peace and happiness; but heaven means...
39To George Washington from William Gordon, 10 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Gordon, 10 May 1777. GW wrote Gordon on 29 June : “I am rather asham’d to be so long in debt for your favor of the 10th Ulto.”
40To George Washington from William Gordon, 23 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
It’s with great pleasure I congratulate you upon our late success, on a double account—the advantage it is of to the Continent—& the honour it reflects upon your Excellency. I hope this happy beginning will, thro’ the blessing of heaven, be productive of so glorious a campaign as to admit your changing the toils & hazards of the field for the repose & safety of domestic happiness. I shall...
41To George Washington from William Gordon, 26 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of Ocr the 23d I was honored with in due season: but having nothing special about which to write, & being sensible how many & great your engagements were, I delayed till somewhat of importance might offer. Now is the happy moment: for though we have received no official accounts announcing the Peace, yet the information is so particular & hath the appearance of such authenticity,...
42To Thomas Jefferson from William Gordon, 12 August 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of presenting to you M r William S Archer of Amelia. He represents that District in Congress, is a gentlemen of Liberal Education, of great private worth, and an undeviating republican in his politics. He visits Albemarle among other things to see the University of Virginia and with sentiments of high Consideration, towards yourself— MHi .
43To George Washington from William Gordon, 18 October 1784 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Gordon, 18 Oct. 1784. On 3 Nov. GW wrote to Gordon : “The last post brought me your favor of the 18th ulto.”
44To Thomas Jefferson from William Gordon, 8 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I trouble you afresh from an apprehension that either your Excellency did not receive my letter of February , or that your answer has miscarried. I mentioned in my letter my having delayed to write, till I had gotten forward in printing; and informed you that I had finished the two first volumes, and should be obliged to you for your friendly assistance in the way you had proposed, by...
45To George Washington from William Gordon, 16 February 1789 (Washington Papers)
Ringwood in Hampshire (97 miles from London) My Dear Sir Feby 16. 1789 I have at length finished that arduous undertaking, in which I have been engaged for many past years. I shall have peculiar pleasure in learning that it meets with your Excellency’s approbation; & that you are not disappointed in that reliance you exercised on my honor & prudence, when you admitted me to a free inspection...
46To George Washington from William Gordon, 19–20 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am desirous of writing, tho’ without a flow of spirits. The reason of the last is not any disagreeable news to be transmitted from this neighbourhood; but an apprehension that the crisis is hastening which will deprive me of some valuable friends, nobly falling in the cause of the Continent, & what is more of Liberty. Heaven grant that their number may be small; & that they may be such as...
47To Benjamin Franklin from William Gordon, 13 August[–15 September 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Library Your duplicate of May 1st has been recd. Am obliged to you for sending the letter to London by a safe hand, and for your kind offer with respect to any future packits. Have taken the allowed liberty of accompanying this with a few sermons. Would have Mr. Sowden’s wait till an opportunity may offer of sending it on without any great expence, or he may think that the sermon...
48To George Washington from William Gordon, 2–5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you by the Baron De Steuben, & by an express that went from Genl Heath. In the last I mentioned Mr Hancock. Do not find out in any way whatsoever, that he hath concerned himself at all about the late subject of conversation: & expect from circumstances that the scheme of changing is dropt, from observing that the voice of the public is against it. There were a few hints also upon the...
49To George Washington from William Gordon, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I take this method of introducing to your Excellency Lt Coll Weld (generally pronounced Wells) one of my parishioners, a gentleman, on whose prudence activity courage & zeal for the public good, I apprehend, you may rely without danger of disappointment. On the 5th of March 1776 at night he was honoured with a particular service at the lines next to Boston neck, & had the thanks of Genls Ward...
50To George Washington from William Gordon, 10 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
Till now I have had nothing of late worth communicating, but the following extract from a Letter dated London June 30. 1785 I think will be pleasing, & have therefore sent it your Excellency. Mr Temple accompanied Mr Adams to the kings levee; after the levee was over, Mr Adams, according to etiquette, was introduced to the kings closet, where (as is usual for foreign ministers) he made a...
51To John Adams from William Gordon, 25 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I begin upon a half sheet, as a quarter may possibly not hold what I have to write, but should I comprehend the whole within that compass, shall dock your allowance, the times demanding the utmost frugality as well as courage. Pray how many more burnings of towns are we to be abused with by the British Barbarians, ere the long suffering of the Congress is concluded, and every manly exertion of...
52To George Washington from William Gordon, 28 October–1 November 1788 (Washington Papers)
The leisure I have enjoyed for a few weeks past, has enabled me to look over my letters, from which I have learned that your remittance was for forty two sets. They will be sent accordingly to your Excellency the first opportunity that offers. The plates I expect will be finished this week: have sent a specimen of the maps & plans already wrought off. If you should observe any material errors,...
53To George Washington from William Gordon, 20 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
Though I anticipated the pleasure of hearing you would be chosen President; yet it was confirmed & increased by the actual news of an event, which expressed the gratitude & wisdom of the United States, in conferring their executive power & confidence on the person, who had never deceived nor abused it—no; not when he was tempted to it. The knowledge of this remains to be known by them in some...
54To Thomas Jefferson from William Gordon, 17 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform You that the Bill in Your behalf was to-day ordered to be engrossed by a large majority. It is calculated by Your friends that it will pass to morrow , by a decided majority— The objects of the application were not at first understood by many members, voting, against the leave to bring in the Bill, and I fear the Federalists were active in perverting them— I...
55To George Washington from William Gordon, 14 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I embraced the first opportunity of sending you an anniversary sermon, this day fortnight, but had no time to accompany it with a few lines. I took the liberty of covering a few to some other gentlemen. Do the like now, praying you to accept of half a score to dispose of among your Suite, which has been so changed that I have not the pleasure of knowing them. Should be obliged to Mr Pickering,...
56To John Adams from William Gordon, 22 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
The beginning of March I forwarded to You and friend Dana a joint letter, which I hope if received will be answered by one or other of you. The people, you will have heard before this can get to hand, have agreed upon a form of government, not so good as the Report of the Committee, but better than I expected. We begin to think of the ensuing elections. It is thought that Mr. Bowdoin or Mr....
57To George Washington from William Gordon, 19 December 1785 (Washington Papers)
I find in my minutes the following story to have been reported, the truth or error of which I wish to have ascertained, & therefore make my application to You as the proper person to establish or contradict it, viz., “When Genl Washington was at Morris Town in 1777 with the fewest men, a British officer was taken in a skirmish, who was permitted to go about upon his parole; within a few days...
58To Alexander Hamilton from William Gordon, 15 November 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
In my last of Sepr. 23. I mentioned my having sent to my informer; have received an answer from him wherein he writes “As to the subject of your letter (for which I have now an opportunity to return my thanks) what was said was very confidential, & influenced by nothing but an anxious regard & attachment to our public cause. To affect the character of any one from a malignant principle is...
59To John Adams from William Gordon, 7 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
This day 7-night I transmitted under cover to Mr. Hancock a number of anniversary sermons, printed at the request of the General Court, some of which were directed to those members of the Congress whose names I was acquainted with, others I requested might be directed, my design being to present one to each; yours I hope will be duely received. The particular occasion of my writing is not the...
60To George Washington from William Gordon, 13 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your obliging letter of the 8th ulto was duly received. We have been earnestly waiting for the definitive treaty, but as yet have had no authentic account of it. However looking upon it as certain & at hand, have determined with the permission of Heaven setting off for the Jerseys next monday fortnight. Mrs Gordon accompanying me in the chaise will oblige us for the sake of better roads & a...