771From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 16 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I shall be exceedingly glad to hear the British division is gone, as their presence gives uneasiness. I hope the waggons will come in as you expect. Your orders for receiving the forage of the Officers and repaying them specifically are approved as being perfectly just. We wish in every possible circumstance to lighten the inconveniences which will attend their removal, a measure which we...
772Thomas Jefferson to Virginia Delegates in Congress, 17 November 1780 (Madison Papers)
Extract ( NA : PCC , No. 71, I, 523–24). This document, in Theodorick Bland’s hand, is endorsed, “Extract of a letter from the govr. of Virginia dated November 17–80 referred to the Board of Treasury.” To this notation was added, probably by a clerk of Congress or the Board of Treasury, “Treasury Board 21st. Decr. 1780 Make two Copies of the Order of Congress of the 15th Instant respecting...
773From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 17 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
At the request of the honorable Theodorick Bland I take the liberty of laying before the General Assembly the inclosed paper in which he states a difficulty which has arisen in reconciling his qualification as a delegate to the peculiar channel into which he had previously turned his private fortune. From the inclosed extract of a Letter from our Delegates in Congress you will also perceive...
774From Thomas Jefferson to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 17 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
With respect to the payment made on behalf of Mr. Braxton into the Continental treasury in Part of our Quota of the fifteen Million tax, the Executive having been Charged with the raising and remitting that money, we have thought it unnecessary to lay it before the Legislature. The Sum to be sent, was sent, partly in Money and Partly in Bills. These Bills were drawn in Continental Dollars ,...
775From Thomas Jefferson to Horatio Gates, 19 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The vessel which had been sent by Genl. Leslie, to Charles town as we supposed, returned about the 12th. inst. The enemy began to embark soon after from Portsmouth, and in the night of the 15th. compleated the embarkation of their whole force. In the morning of the 16th. some of our people entered Portsmouth. They had left their works unfinished and undestroyed. Great numbers of negroes who...
776From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 19 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The vessel which had been sent by General Leslie to Charles town as we supposed, returned about the 12th. inst. The enemy began to embark soon after from Portsmouth, and in the night of the 15th. compleated the embarkation of their whole force. In the morning of the 16th. some of our people entered Portsmouth. They had left their works unfinished and undestroyed. Great numbers of negroes who...
777From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sim Lee, 19 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 19 Nov. 1780. The first paragraph of this letter is identical with the first paragraph in TJ’s letter to Gates of this date, except that after “coming up James river” TJ here adds: “or I suppose any other of the waters of the Chesapeake.” The second paragraph of the letter to Lee is identical with the second paragraph of TJ’s letter to Huntington of this date, except that it lacks...
778From Thomas Jefferson to Edward Stevens, 19 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 19 Nov. 1780. The first paragraph of this letter is identical with the first paragraph in TJ’s letter to Gates of this date. The second and last paragraph (except for the usual complimentary close) reads: “Since writing so far, your favour of the 10th comes to hand with the Letter from Genl. Gates and Genl. Morgan . Strange derangements indeed our Riders are got into to be comeing 9...
779[From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 20? November 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 20? Nov. 1780. JHD Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia (cited by session and date of publication) , Oct. 1780, 1827 edn., p. 22 (20 Nov.): “The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Governor, containing information respecting the embarkation of the enemy from Portsmouth, which was read and ordered to lie on the table.” Not located.]
780From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 20 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed Letter from the President of Congress with the resolutions of that honourable body of the fourth instant, having come to hand yesterday and being intended for the consideration of the Legislature, I beg leave through you to transmit them to the General Assembly, and have the honor to be with every sentiment of esteem and respect, Sir, Your most obedient and most humble servant, RC...
781From Thomas Jefferson to Timothy Pickering, 21 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
On receipt of your favour by Colo. Mead we offered the office of Deputy quarter master General for the Continent in this state to a Mr. George Divers, a person qualified in every point for exercising it as we wou’d wish it to be. A peculiarity in the present situation of his private affairs has however prevented his acceptance of it. I have this day written to major Foresythe to know if he...
782From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 22 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Major Nelson, commanding officer of the three troops of cavalry belonging to this state but in continental service informs me on the part of his officers that they find the service extremely discouraging on account of the preference in command given to Continental officers of the same rank tho junior in their appointments, and pray that they may be placed on continental establishment without...
783From Thomas Jefferson to George Muter, 22 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Colo. Muter will be pleased to have an account made out of all the powder &c. lent or delivered for Continental use since the establishment of the Board of War that we may require a return of it. Also to call on Mr. Maupin for a state of all the powder which has been lent to individuals and never repaid. RC ( Vi ); endorsed: “Govr. requiring X of all the Powder lent or delivered since the...
784From Thomas Jefferson to George Muter, 23 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The Board agrees to give Capt. Groer a Guinea ⅌ Month for each person they shall put under him to be taught the duties and operations of a Laboratory, but if the number shall exceed four, no more than four Guineas a Month. Tr ( Vi ); quoted in Muter’s letter to Groar of this date entered in War Office Letter Book. Capt. Groar (whose name is variously spelled) has not been further identified,...
785From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Lawson, 23 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The last intelligence from the enemy having indicated that they were on the point of departure , and it being probable that not only the force from hence but a new embarkation is destined Southwardly Genl. Greene has recommended strongly the hastening on succours to the South. For this purpose Baron Steuben is left here. He entertains hopes of receiving more immediate support from your corps...
786From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 24 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yesterday evening a Letter from General Nelson dated Rich neck november 22nd at half after five P.M. inclosing a note by which we learn that the vessels of the enemy were all under way except one which was getting under way, and the whole standing out for the Capes. This event tho’ relieving us in a certain degree by opening again the door of our commerce and also by putting it in...
787From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Lawson, 24 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Since writing the letter which accompanies this I have received a letter from Genl. Nelson dated Richneck. Nov. 22. 5. o’clock P.M. inclosing a note from New-port’s news point probably of the same day which gives information that the enemy’s vessels were then all under way except one which was also getting under way, and that the whole appeared to be standing out for the Capes. It is now...
788From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 24 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
As you have been so kind as to remain here, among other purposes, for that of organizing our troops meant to be forwarded to the south, I beg leave to inclose to you a resolution of the Executive of this State, entered into previous to your arrival here appropriating such of the men as were before unappropriated to any particular corps, and directing in what manner they shou’d be officered. I...
789From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 25 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I had the honor of informing the General assembly of the instructions which had been given on the subject of the British Convention officers and their horses, Colo. Wood writes me that he has received a notification from Genl. Washington of the exchange of eighty eight of them, and that they are to proceed to Elizabeth town immediately where they will receive the General’s further...
790From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 25 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The Officers were desired to give notice to the militia when arms were delivered them that no man would ever be discharged till he had returned his arms or given justifiable reasons for not doing it, and this was given out in general orders by the commanding officers. Nothing was said at that time about other stores, but I shall when the order for their discharge is given out, desire that...
791From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 25 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Dragoon did not get here till last night. I this day submitted the matter as to the horses of the exchanged officers to the House of Delegates informing them that I had no doubt but Genl. Washington would take the proper measures as to those purchased since the Convention, but as an express was this day setting out with dispatches to him, I would mention the matter to him specially unless...
792To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 26 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 8th instant. having found it impracticable to move suddenly the whole Convention troops, british and germans, and it being represented that there coud not immediately be covering provided for them all at fort Frederic we concluded to march of the British first from whom, was the principal danger of desertion and to permit the germans...
793From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 26 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I received advice that on the 22d. inst. the enemy’s fleet got all under way and were standing towards the Capes. As it still remained undecided whether they would leave the bay or turn up it I waited the next stage of information that you might so far be enabled to judge of their destination. This I hourly expected; but it did not come till this evening when I am informed they all got to sea...
794From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 26 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Brigadr. Genl. Lawson now waits on you for the purpose of informing you of the state of his corps. I would have done myself the pleasure of introducing him to you personally, but am engaged in the council chamber and shall be so till three o’clock. When yourself and Genl. Lawson shall have settled those essential wants without which his corps cannot proceed I shall be happy to do every thing...
795From Thomas Jefferson to Edward Stevens, 26 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The Enemy which lately invaded us left our Capes in the Night of the 22d Instant. What course they steered afterwards is not known. Another Fleet of Transports under the Command of Admiral Rodney fell down to the Hook on the 11th Instant. As this as well as the Fleet which lately left us is destined for Charles Town we shall March from their present Encampments all the forces who are so...
796From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 26 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 8th instant. Having found it impracticable to move suddenly the whole Convention Troops, british and germans, and it being represented that there coud not immediately be covering provided for them all at fort Frederic we concluded to march off the British first from whom was the principal danger of desertion and to permit the germans...
797[From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 28? November 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 28? Nov. 1780. JHD Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia (cited by session and date of publication) , Oct. 1780, 1827 edn., p. 31 (28 Nov.): “The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Governor, enclosing extracts of letters from Major Kirkpatrick and General Nelson, respecting certain persons who had aided and countenanced the enemy, which were...
798From Thomas Jefferson to D’Anmours, 30 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor from Baltimore and shall carefully attend to the notifying you of the arrival of any fleet here from your nation or other circumstance which I may think interesting to you. The enemy have left us as you will before have heard. Tho’ I do not wish for new occasions of calling together my countrymen to try their valour, yet I really wish, as they were called together that...
799From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 30 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
In consequence of the resolutions of General Assembly at their last Session on the rank of the officers of the two State regiments, I wrote to the Continental board of war on that subject; an extract from my Letter is now inclosed. To this I have never received an answer. Brigadier General Muhlenberg has desired me to lay before the General Assembly the inclosed letter to him from Colo. Brent...
800From Thomas Jefferson to Johann Ludwig de Unger, 30 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter which covers this being of a public nature I wished separately to acknolege the many things personally obliging to me expressed in your two letters . The very small amusements which it has been in my power to furnish in order to lighten some of your heavy hours by no means merited the acknolegements you make. Their impression must be ascribed to your extreme sensibility rather than...