1To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 15 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Patrick Henry, 15 Oct. 1778. GW wrote Henry on 3 Nov. : “Your favor of the 15th Ulto came to my hands by the last Post.”
2To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 21 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Patrick Henry, 21 Aug. 1778. GW wrote Henry on 13 Sept. : “I have been honored with yours of the 21st Augt.”
3To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 9 January 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Patrick Henry, 9 Jan. 1779. GW wrote Henry on 7 Feb. : “I had the honor of receiving yours of the 9th ulto.”
4To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 1 April 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Patrick Henry, 1 April. GW wrote Henry on 19 April , “I have the honor of yours of the 1st inst.” Also, on 1 April, Henry “laid before the Board a Letter which he had prepared to General Washington” ( Va. State Council Journals H. R. McIlwaine et al., eds. Journals of the Council of the State of Virginia . 5 vols. Richmond, 1931–82. , 2:114).
5To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 23 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Patrick Henry, 23 Oct. 1778. GW wrote Henry on 23 Nov. : “I have been hond with yours of the 23d October inclosing an extract of an Act of the State of Virginia for recruiting the Continental Army.”
6To Thomas Jefferson from Patrick Henry, 29 April 1781 [document added in digital edition] (Jefferson Papers)
The Bearer Mr. Thomas Boush waits on you with a proposition , the Nature of which he will explain to you. Nothing but a Conviction of an almost Impossibility of complying with your Excellency’s Requisition for two hundred & fifty men from the County, could induce the Officers to trouble you on the Subject. I can only say that I am satisfy’d the Difficulty of getting provisions here & on the...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Patrick Henry, 26 February 1777 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Frazer is appointed first Leiutenant instead of Mr. Mossom. The other Appointments of your County remain unaltered. The inclosed Resolution respecting the prisoners will explain the Ideas of the Council Board on that Subject. Thirty pounds cash accompany this. Such of the prisoners as you may judge most in want of Clothes, will be furnished in such manner as you think best. If absolute...
8To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 23 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Militia from Culpepper County were promised by their Colo., that they should be releived by the last of this Month; and as it is impossible to march a like Number from Virginia in Time to comply with that Engagement, I trouble you with this requesting that you will be pleased to discharge them at the Time they were promised Releif, unless they chuze to serve longer. With the highest...
9To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 30 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
My great Anxiety for the Success of the american Arms under your Command, induces me to trouble you with this. Accounts from the Camp are so various & contradictory, that I know not what to rely on. If the Weight of public Affairs, under which you hav so long labor’d will permit, a few Lines will be most welcome to me. Altho’ it seems impossible to inlist continental Recruits here, yet the...
10To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 22 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
It was with equal Surprize & Concern that I received Dispatches from Congress, informing me that the Army under your Excellency’s Command, was in so great Want of Necessarys. In order to give the most effectual Releif in the power of this State, Application has been made to several Merchants by our Commissary of Stores, & an Agent sent Southwardly, to purchase Goods. About 3,000 yards blue...
11To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 9 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
An Act of the general Assembly passed last Year empowering me to appoint some proper person to reinlist the Virginia Troops. I did appoint General Stephen, & several Letters passed between us upon the Subject, and by an Extract of a Letter from him to me which I inclose, it appears considerable Progress was made by him in that Business. I have heard that General Stephen is no longer in...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Patrick Henry, 15 February 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you many Thanks for your Favor by Mr. Sanders . The kind Notice you were pleased to take of me was particularly obliging, as I have scarcely heard a Word of public Matters since I moved up. In the Retirement where I live, I have had many anxietys for our Commonwealth, principally occasioned by the Depreciation of our Money. To judge by this, which some Body has called the Pulse of the...
13Patrick Henry in Council to Henry Laurens, 10 July 1778 (Madison Papers)
Just after sending away my Letter to you of the 8th. on the Subject of the Expedition to Detroit, the inclosed Letter from Mr. Lockhart came to my Hands. As it [is] impossible to furnish him with the capital Articles he wants, & as the Beef Cattle cannot be taken from the Monopolizers he mentions, I think additional Reasons appear for postponing the Expedition. However refering to my last & to...
14To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 29 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Regiment of Artillery commanded by Colonel Charles Harrison, is yet in this State. They have been detained here under leave of Congress to do Duty at Portsmouth and York, near which Plaice the Enemy’s Ships of War have been long hovering. At present, seven Men of War & three large Transports or provision Vessels, are in and near Hampton Road. The Troops of the State are so few, that the...
15To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 8 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Defence of this Country now rests upon the Militia, our regular Troops being absent. As the Enemy may possibly visit us unexpectedly, & the Militia cannot be long kept embodyed, the Necessity of having the earliest Notice of the Enemys Embarkation, is apparent. In order to be furnished with that Intelligence upon which the Safety of the State depends, I have directed Capt. peirce to wait...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Patrick Henry, 31 March 1777 (Jefferson Papers)
By the Bearer Lieut. Jas. Meriwether I send two hundred and thirty six pounds 16/. for the recruiting Soldiers in your County and the adjacent ones, to serve in the Battalions of this Commonwealth. You are to be assisted by Your Field officers in chusing 1 Captain 2 Lieutenants and one Ensign of the most proper persons who have the best chance to raise these Men quickly and deliver them the...
17To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 8 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I beg the Favor of you to accept from the Governor & Council, the Articles contain’d in the inclosed Memorandum. They go by a Galley to the Head of Elk addressed to Colo. Hollingsworths Care. I wish they were more worthy your Acceptance. With Sincere Regard I am Dear sir your most obedient & very humble Servant ALS , DLC:GW . A note on the cover reads “with Sundry Packages.” Tench Tilghman’s...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Patrick Henry, 19 December 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
In Pursuance of a Resolution of the Legislature, I am to appoint a fit Person in every County to collect from the Inhabitants of this Commonwealth all the blankets and rugs they are willing to spare for the Use of the Soldiery. I have to beg of you, Sir, to accept of that Appointment for your County, and to draw upon me for the Amount of the Purchase. When it is considered that those who are...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Patrick Henry, 21 February 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
You are desired to receive into your Custody John Goodrich the Elder, who is ordered to be removed from Bedford County, the place of his present Confinement; and will be delivered by the order of the County Lieut: of Bedford. He is to be Safely kept and prosecuted agreeable to directions of Assembly by the Attorney General . I am Sir, Yr. hble Servt., RC ( DLC ); in an unidentified hand and...
20To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 31 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
Recommends “the Bearer Mr Frazer,” who “means to enter the American Camp, & there to gain that Experience, of which the general Cause may be avail’d. It is my earnest wish that many Virginians might see Service. It is not unlikely that in the Fluctuation of things our Country may have occasion for great military Exertions.” ALS , DLC:GW . The bearer was apparently John Grizzage Frazer, a...
21To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 28 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
By the second Clause of the Act of Assembly, which I have the Honor to inclose to your Excellency, a Bounty of Twenty Dollars is directed to be paid to the soldiers composing the Virginia Corps under your Command, reinlisted. I beg the Favor of your Excellency to inform me of the most effectual Method of managing this Business, which I wish to conduct in the Manner most acceptable to you. With...
22To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 17 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
Introduces Benjamin Ellery of Rhode Island, who “wishes to visit your Camp.” ALS , MiU-C : Thomas Gage Papers. The document’s location indicates that the British intercepted it before it reached GW. Patrick Henry (1736–1799) of Hanover County, Va., served with GW in the First Continental Congress and was a member of the Second Continental Congress until early August 1775, at which time he was...
23Patrick Henry in Council to Henry Laurens, 8 July 1778 (Madison Papers)
Some Resolutions of Congress & proceedings of the Board of War, have been lately transmitted to me, by which it appears that an Expedition against Fort Detroit is resolved on. In order to effect the purposes of it 2000 of the Militia together with Amunition, provisions, Horses, military Stores, Cloathing &c. &c. are requested to be furnished by this State: I should most chearfully exert myself...
24Patrick Henry to Virginia Delegates in Congress, 23 May 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( NA : PCC , No. 71, I, 339–40, 342). I take the Liberty of introducing to you the Bearer Mr. George Anderson. A Ratification of the French Alliance, together with some other State Papers were sent to me very early while I was in Office & I put them all into Mr. Andersons Hands to go to Paris, but he was unfortunately taken by the Enemy & cary’d into Lisbon where he became acquainted with...
25To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 20 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
you will no Doubt be surprized at seeing the inclosed Letter, in which the Encomiums bestowed on me are as undeserved, as the Censures aimed at you are unjust. I am sorry there should be one man who counts himself my Friend, who is not yours. Perhaps I give you needless Trouble in handing you this paper. The Writer of it may be too insignificant to deserve any Notice. If I knew this to be the...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Patrick Henry, 3 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Captain Lemaire the Gentleman whom you were pleased to recommend to his Excellency General Washington will have the honor to deliver you this. He called here in his Way to the Camp, and fell into Conversation with Mr. Loyaute our Inspector general of Artillery and Military Stores on the Subject of his Department, in which are many capital Deficiencies....
27Patrick Henry in Council to Henry Laurens, 28 November 1778 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 16th. inst. is come to hand together with the Acts of Congress of the 26th. of August for establishing provision for Soldiers & Seamen maimed or disabl’d in the public Service—of the 26th September for organizing the Treasury, a proclamation for a General Thanksgiving, & three Copies of the Alliance between his most Christian Majesty & these united States. I lost no time in...
28Patrick Henry in Council to Henry Laurens, 23 November 1778 (Madison Papers)
I am Honoured with the Receipt of your Favour of the 14th. instant covering two Acts of Congress viz. one of the 10th. instant for obtaining from this State & Maryland, Gallies to attack East Florida. another of the 11th for requesting permission to export from Petersburg in Virginia a Quantity of Flour & Bread for the use of his most Christian Majesty. No Time has been lost in giving Efficacy...
29Patrick Henry in Council to George Rogers Clark, [12 December] 1778 (Madison Papers)
To Colonel George Rogers Clarke Commander in Chief of the Virginia Troops in the County of Illinois. You are to retain the Command of the Troops now at the several Posts in the Country of Illinois and on the Wabash which fall within the Limits of the County now erected & called Illinois County which Troops marched out with & have been embodied by you. You are also to take the Command of five...
30To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 20 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
After a long & Severe Illness, I am now but just able to come hither in Order to discharge as I may be able, the Dutys of my public Station. Will you pardon me for asking the Favor of a Correspondence with you? Besides the pleasure it will give me, I shall be taught by your Ideas, to form more correct Opinions, of those Movements that may be proposed for the general Defence in this Quarter. It...
31To John Adams from Patrick Henry, 5 March 1778 (Adams Papers)
Capt. Le Maire the Bearer tells me he saw you in Paris. In Hopes this may find you there, I write, not so much to tell you any thing of public Importance (for we have not much News) as to revive that Correspondence which Time, Distance of Situation and important Avocations have almost worn out. The Marquiss Fayette, Genl. Conway and many other french officers are gone to Canada Report says,...
32To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 6 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the Honor to transmit you an Accot of Necessarys sent off in nine Waggons, for the Virginia Regiments in continental Service. The goods have been deliver’d Colo. Finnie the Quarter Master, & he has put them under the Escort of Leiutent Mennis & a party of Soldiers, who I trust will deliver them safely. It is my Wish that the Troops of Virginia shall have them. I also send a...
33To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 29 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am very sorry to inform you that the recruitting Business of late goes on so badly, that there remains but little prospect of filling the six new Battalions from this State voted by the Assembly. the Board of Council see this with great Concern; and after much Reflection on the Subject, are of Opinion, that the Deficiency in our Regulars, can no Way be supply’d so properly, as by inlisting...
34Patrick Henry in Council to Virginia Delegates in Congress, 4 December 1778 (Madison Papers)
The great distress our Trade has of late and does at present suffer from the Ships & privatiers of the Enemy which infest our Coast has given the Executive power inexpressible uneasiness. A great number of Captures have been made not only of Vessels belonging to this State but of those belonging to our Allies and the other States. And as the long nights and windy Season during which it is well...
35To John Adams from Patrick Henry, 20 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favor with the pamphlet came safe to hand. I am Exceedingly obliged to you for it, and I’m not without Hopes it may produce Good here, where there is among most of our opulent Familys, a strong Byass to Aristocrasy. I tell my Friends you are the Author. Upon that Supposition I have two Reasons for liking the Book. The Sentiments are precisely the same I have long since taken up, and they...
36Patrick Henry in Council to John Jay, 11 May 1779 (Madison Papers)
On Saturday last in the Evening a British Fleet amounting to about thirty Sail consisting of one 64 Gun Ship (supposed by some to be the Saint Albans, and fifteen or Sixteen large Ships, some of them either Frigates or armed Vessels it is not known certainly which, and the others Vessels of lesser Size) came into the Bay of Chesapeak, and the next day proceeded to Hampton Roads, where they...
37To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 13 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Reasons hinted in your Excellencys last Favor, are certainly of such Weight, as to prevent the Flag of Truce Vessells coming with Stores &c. for the convention Troops, from proceeding further than Hampton Road. Orders are therefore issued to Day for Vessells of our own, to be ready at that place to convey the Stores upwards to their Destination, under the Superintendance of proper...
38To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
By an Express which Colo. Finnie sent to Camp, I inclosed you an Anonymous Letter, which I hope got safe to Hand. I am anxious to hear something that will serve to explain the strange Affair which I am now informed is taken up respecting you. Mr Custis has just paid us a Visit, & by him I learn sundry particulars concerning Genl Mifflin, that much surprize me. ’Tis very hard to trace the...
39To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 5 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Edmund Randolph Esqr. communicated to me that part of your last Letter to him, in which you are pleased to take Notice of your Ladys Reception at this place. I beg you to be assured that every Expression of Regard, falls short of that which I feel, & shall retain thro’ Life, for such distinguished Merit. You are pleased also to observe that you have not recd any Answer from me to your two...
40Patrick Henry in Council to Virginia Delegates in Congress, 20 January 1778 (Madison Papers)
Francis Lightfoot Lee Esquirs Letter for the Committee on the Subject of provisions filled me with Concern & astonishment. I applied to the Deputy Commissary General to furnish some Active persons for throwing an instant Supply of Provisions to the Army to answer the present Exigency. I was told by him that he could get none such immediately but he would write to his Deputy to do the Business....
41Patrick Henry in Council to Henry Laurens, 18 June 1778 (Madison Papers)
General Washington sent me an Account of the Drafted Soldiers that have joined the Army from this State; & it appears that not one half of the Number voted by the Assembly have got to Camp. Truth obliges me to add that very few more of the Drafts will ever be got into the Service. I lament this capital Deficiency in our Quota of Troops; but no Efforts of the Executive have been sufficient to...
42From the Virginia Delegates in Congress to George Washington, 26 July 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
With the most cordial warmth we recommend our Countryman Mr. Edmund Randolph to your patronage and favor. This young Gentlemans abilities, natural and acquired, his extensive connections, and above all, his desire to serve his Country in this arduous struggle, are circumstances that cannot fail to gain him your countenance and protection. You will readily discern Sir, how important a...
43From Thomas Jefferson to the President of the Virginia Convention, 11 July 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
The continued sitting of Congress prevents us from attending our colony Convention: but, directed by a sense of duty, we transmit to the Convention such determinations of the Congress as they have directed to be made public. The papers speak for themselves, and require no comment from us. A petition to the king is already sent away, earnestly entreating the royal interposition to prevent the...
44Virginia and Pennsylvania Delegates in Congress to the Inhabitants West of Laurel Hill, 25 July 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
It gives us much concern to find that disturbances have arisen and still continue among you concerning the boundaries of our colonies. In the character in which we now address you, it is unnecessary to enquire into the origin of those unhappy disputes, and it would be improper for us to express our approbation or censure on either side: But as representatives of two of the colonies united,...