201To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 10 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was this day honored with your two favours of the 30th Ultimo, the returns and the papers inclosed in them have been laid before Congress. Captain Phelps petitioned Congress for leave to retire from the Invalid Regiment on the emoluments allowed to retiring Officers of the 3d and 21st October 1780, on which Congress passed the enclosed resolve. On the receipt of your Letter covering the...
202To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 9 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your letters of the 3d and have laid before Congress the Copy of your letter to Sir Guy Carleton. I have written to General Greene respecting the disposition of the Troops which I mentioned to your Excellency. General Hazen has been some time since notified that no passes signed by him would avail the Officers. In a late letter to your Excellency I have requested your...
203To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 8 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure of inclosing you some sketches of posts in Canada and some observations on them. They may be of use and afford you some amusement—if so I shall be happy. with the highest esteem I have the honor to be yours DLC : Papers of George Washington.
204To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 5 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of inclosing a copy of the appoint of Mr Edwards to the office of Judge Advocate. I have the honor be Dr General with sincere esteem you Excely most ob. ser. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
205To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 4 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have called on Col. Skinner for a Return of the prisoners taken at York Town shewing how many of them died in the hospitals after the surrender how many were invalided and sent home and how many the Officers were permitted to retain as servants but have not obtained it—A Return thus particular was absolutely necessary for me otherwise it is impossible to account for the prisoners. I cannot...
206To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am informed that the commissioners for settling a general cartel are returned without affecting any thing and that it is not probable a general cartel will be soon agreed on. Can we not with propriety go into a partial exchange as heretofore? It is particularly hard for many of the foreign officers to be held prisoners of war they are deranged and wish to return to Europe where they can be...
207To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 30 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favor of the 24th covering two letters, under flying seals, one to Genl Greene & the other to General Mulenburg. I shall request General Greene, if he thinks proper to send any troops Northward this fall, to send on those I mentioned to your Excellency. Some time since, I ordered a contract for forage, for Colo. Armands corps, to be made at Winchester, on a...
208From Benjamin Lincoln to Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., 30 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am just honored with your favor of the 27th. I do not recollect the cases of Dr Shields and Mr Beck I have generally admitted such of the officers of Ld Cornwallises Arms as wished it go into New York provided they were not to return. As I do not remember the particular situation of the Gentlemen you mention I must request that the General would enquire into the matter and permit them to...
209To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 30 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have just received a letter from Major Gordon of the 80th British Regiment in which he requests that Captain Asgill, who he says has been admitted Prisoner on Parole by your Excellency, may be permitted to go into New York and thence to Europe. If your Excellency should think the request admissible at this time I wish you would forward to him a passport. Major Gordon has requested leave for...
210To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 27 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your favor of the 23 Ult. All thoughts of an expedition were instantly laid aside. I should be happy to know what Troops you mean to retain in the Southern department should the Enemy evacuate Charlestown. Should you be in opinion that it is necessary to retain there any of the Troops of this State and of Maryland and that all the Troops now there are not...
211To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 25 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
Congress, a few days since, received your letter of the 19 of April last which announced to them that you had been received by the States General of the United provinces in the quality of Minister plenipotentiary of the United States of America—an event interesting and important—besides a participation in the general joy occasioned hereby my private feelings are perfectly gratified that...
212To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Lincoln, 25 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Congress has ordered me to prepare and lay before them a State of the pay Rations and Subsistence of the Officers and Men in the Armies of the different powers in Europe—as these often vary I have no means of procuring the necessary information with accuracy from any books I have seen— I am under the...
213To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 18 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favors of the 13th & 16 inst. If my memory serves me, the case of Mr Garden was mentioned to me when I was a few weeks since, at York town, I wish him to go to New York—if he goes in he is not to return—in future I will sign the passports—Horses will not be permitted. The matter of the exchange of Lord Cornwallis was taken up this morning, Congress having received...
214To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 17 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your letter of the 11th instant—The necessity for appointing a Judge Advocate has been mentioned to several members of Congress—I hope it will be attended to. I do myself the honor to transmit Your Excellency a commission authorising you to settle a general Cartel with Great Britain—enclosed are several resolves of Congress on that and other subjects—and an extract...
215To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 14 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to inform Your Excellency that Congress have permitted the Lieutenants Epuilemat , Ferriol, and Boileau to retire from Genl Hazen’s regiment, to be considered on the Invalid establishment—and at present remain with their families. I have the honor to be, with profound respect, your Excellency’s obedt Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
216To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 4 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s Letters on the field Commissary of military stores’ department. Enclosed are the resolves of Congress establishing the department. I am, with sincere esteem, my dear General, Your obedient servant DLC : Papers of George Washington.
217To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
It has just been hinted to me, in a private way, that as Count Rochambeau expects soon to embark for Europe he would be glad to receive & carry with him the two peices of ordnance given him by Congress—If the peices are here and you will send what you wish should be engravened on them I will have it done here & the peices forwarded. I have the honor to be My dr Genl with affection & esteem...
218To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 2 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a copy of the State of the enquiry by Connecticut respecting the time when Lieutenant Colonel Huntington should take rank as Such. It has been before Congress—they have referred it to me to take order thereon—I have to request that Your Excellency would direct the Matter to be enquired into as soon as may be if your Excellency should think on reading the papers that...
219To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 28 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellencys private letter by Mr Frothingham. I have no doubt but Congress will confirm the exchang of Lord Cornwallis for Colonel Laurens and that they will not hesitate a moment about the matter when they are informed of the fact by him—by what I hear it will not be done before. Your letter on the Adjutant Generals department covering two letters from General...
220To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 28 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
General Potter and Colonel Magaw are delegated by the Assembly of Pennsylvania to confer with your Excellency on the subject of an Expedition proposed to be undertaken by the State against the Savages who are destressing the frontiers. The Assembly suppose that carrying the war into the enemys country by attacking Sandusky and the towns of the six nations will be the most efficient mode of...
221To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 28 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
In conformity to a resolve of Congress passed June 14th 1782, which was transmitted your Excellency on the 19th of same month.I do myself the honor to enclose you a farther list of the exiled Citizens of South Carolina, who wish to return home in the flags to be furnished by the british Commander in chief—the list designates such as are entitled to return in the flags from the manner of their...
222To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 22 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit your Excellency a late resolve of Congress respecting the New York State regiments of Infantry. I am, with profound respect, Your Excellency’s obedient, humble servant DLC : Papers of George Washington. In consequence of the enclosed Resolve you are to supply the two Regiments of Infantry raised by the State of New York under the resolution of Congress of the...
223To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 19 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning honored with your Excellency’s letters of the 13th and 15th instant. In my letter of June 23rd I only meant to express a wish that, in matters of convenience, we might meet the Contractors on the open and generous plan which they professed themselves disposed to adopt—this I supposed would be productive of reciprocal benefit But if they continued to practise upon their...
224To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 16 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was last evening honored with your Excellency’s letter of the 11 instant. General Gates informs me that he has written to your Excellency fully on the subject of his joining the army. I enclose a late resolve of Congress which respects him—and a resolve approving the sentence of the Court Martial which tried General McDougal. I wrote some days since on the subject of Hazen’s regiment. I have...
225To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 14 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Since closing my public letter I have learned that the committee to whom you r E xce ll ency’ s letter was referred reported in favor of the discharge of Lord Cornwallis’ but it was violently opposed in Congress & among others by Governor Rutledge who was one of the Committee. I have the honor to be With perfect esteem You r most Obe. servant PHi : Dreer Collection.
226To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 12 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with Your favors of the 6th and 7th instant. I see little probability that Armand will be able to move even with the horse he now has—with others he cannot be supplied—I have little encouragement to hope for the money, and without it I do not see how he can travel one day—he may not impress in Virginia an article necessary for his support. One of Armand’s Officers is now...
227To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 10 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
There are a number of foreign Officers, prisoners of War, who are not now in service—and who wish exceedingly to be exchanged. that they may return to Europe, where they mean to seek farther employ. We have every inducement to wish their exchange—It is a piece of justice due to them—as well as to Ourselves—for they must be paid until we can procure their release. If their exchange can be...
228To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 8 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Doctor Vacher, who was before the year 1780 a Surgeon in one of the New York regiments, complains that by the new arrangement he was left out though senior to those appointed—this he thinks a hardship, and that justice is not done him—he requests an enquiry into the matter. I wish, if he should apply to Your Excellency to have his right investigated in this way, that he might be indulged—it...
229To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 26 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit Your Excellency a resolution of Congress relative to the Hospital department, the department of Commissary of prisoners and of Military stores. I am with perfect esteem and respect Your Excellency’s obedient humble servant DLC : Papers of George Washington.
230To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 17 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have revolved in my mind the question you proposed yesterday morning Viz. whether the French troops should halt at Baltimore or more farther Northward I am fully in opinion, As they have left Virginia where I think they should have remained, that they should not Halt short of Trenton unless future information should require it. Because by coming Northward it will menace the enemy in New York...
231To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 16 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose your Excellency three resolves of Congress—one of April the 23rd, which I suppose had been forwarded at the time it passed—and two others of the 11 instant. I also enclose a copy of my letter to your Excellency of the 10th instt transmitted by the mail which was taken some days ago. When our troops retired from York town in Virginia a large quantity of Ordnance...
232To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 10 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
On revolving in my mind the subject of making suitable provisions for the Invalid Officers as you recommended, I find many difficulties will attend our making that provision for them to which the services and sufferings of some of them entitle them, without doing that for others, which in justice they can have no pretentions to—I should be much obliged by your thoughts on a System which will...
233To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 9 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honoured with your Excellencys favours of the 19th Ultimo and 3d July—I have repeatedly urged the necessity of appointing a Judge Advocate, and of passing the System of Adjutant General, but hitherto without success. I hope and trust that they will be immediately attended to. I have reason to think they will. Your ideas of retaining the Lieutenants to do the duty of Ensigns,...
234To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 5 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose an order of Congress empowering your Excellency to grant certain indulgences to our prisoners in New York—I have also inclosed an extract of a letter from the commissary of prisoners to me and my report to Congress founded thereon—The only doubt, as I am informed, in the minds of Congress with respect to the propriety of granting the request arose from an...
235To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 4 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Pickering has orders to build, without loss of time, a magazine on West-Point, or on Constitution Island, as your Excellency shall direct—When we were down the General Officers were divided in their sentiments whether it should be on the Point or Island—and if on West Point, at what spot—Time has been given for a more perfect view—I wish therefore that Your Excellency would, of...
236To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 28 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honoured with your Excellency’s favour of the 23d—Should it be necessary hereafter to appoint a Court Martial—for the trial of Captain McCurdy I will do it and direct them to report their proceedings to your Excellency. I have the Honour to be with the highest Respect Dear General yr mst obed. Servt N.B. I have conversed with Mr Livingston with respect to he is convinced you...
237To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 26 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the pleasure to enclose you a Copy of the Resolves of Congress respecting the Invalids. Doctor Smith of the British Hospital came some time since from York Town in Virginia, on the breaking up of the Hospital there, to Annapolis ; prior to his leaving York he was obliged to give a new parole to Count Rochambeau in which he engages not to leave Annapolis without Your Excellency’s...
238To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 23 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that Mr Morris agrees to the propositions you laid before him relative to issuing to the Officers and to the regiments by companies, and to the three perCt allowance to the Troops and the two to the contractors. The officers may draw the whole or part of their rations as shall be most convenient for them it is quite immaterial to the public. Your Excellency...
239To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 18 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I cannot in justice to my own feelings on the occasion, nor to the several Brigades I have had the pleasure to see in the Field, refrain mentioning to your Excellency the high satisfaction I enjoyed on observing the clean, neat and Soldier-like appearance of the Troops, the exact & alert manner in which they performed their exercise, firings & Manuvres, I beg leave to assure your Excellency...
240To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 12 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
Immediately on the receipt of your letter covering Colo. Van Schaick’s request to you that he might remain out of camp, until Congress should take up and determine on the matter of his promotions, I laid them both before Congress who referred them to me. In my report I observed that although the several States, by the Articles of Confederation, had delegated to Congress the power of appointing...
241To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 12 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of writing on the subject of the arms, I find that the detention of them arose from a blunder among the officers, and that they do not now pretend that they have any orders on that subject. The state of our naval prisoners is pitiable indeed, and ought to claim every attention—Their distresses are from several causes—to obviate them and if possible give perfect relief, is...
242To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 12 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
From the present state of our finances, the temper and disposition of the several States in general and the little hope we have of farther aid from France–it becomes absolutely necessary to take a view of our present establishments and enquire whether any new arrangements can be made consistent with justice policy & the good of the service. I have therefore to offer to your Excellency...
243To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 5 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your favors of the 28th and 29th Ultimo—Monday is assigned for coming to the choice of a Judge Advocate. I hear that Col. Ramsay, Col. Ennis and Major are in nomination. I have not the pleasure of knowing either of them but it is said by those who do, that they are Men of Education and abilities. I gave Congress an extract of your Excellencys letter with Sir Guys...
244To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 30 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
The night before last Captain Ludlow of the guards, came to this City with letters for General Carleton soliciting his attention to Captain Asgill of the guards—the person to whose lot it falls to suffer for the crimes of others. Major Gordon is here with Capt. Asgill and wishes to attend him into the Jersies as his friend—they will leave this City this evening or in the morning—The Officers...
245To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 28 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
By the enclosed letters your Excellency will observe that the thousand stands of arms ordered to this city are detained, and that your orders are plead in justification of the detention. If there are any orders which, by a forced construction, may be considered as prohibiting the removal of public stores to the Magazines provided for their reception, I wish your Excellency would cause them to...
246To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 24 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed are forwarded by the direction of the president of Congress. I am D. Sir You Ob. servant NB— The Inclosed were the Commision & Letter of Lieut. Sheppard of the 3d NJersey Regt requsts Dischargd which for want of proper Certificates attend it—is transmitted to Colo. Dayton. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
247To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 23 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose your Excellency a Certificate from Doctor Warren of Boston relative to the inability of a Soldier there as also an Extract of a Letter from Mr Green on the Subject—I saw the Man when I was in Boston and supposed him quite unfit for the Service but did not think myself authorized to Discharge him—I have the Honor to be Dr Sir with the greatest Esteem Your...
248To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 21 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with the receipt of your Excellency’s private letter of the 15th. Colonel Pickering is at his House at the falls of Schuylkill where he has been for some days—I have repeatedly asked him when he should go to Head Quarters & always received for answer that he was at any time ready whenever he could be supplied with the necessary cash to enable him to discharge the duties...
249To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 17 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer of this letter Captain Montour waits upon Your Excellency to solicit employ in the Army—I have to request that you will please to detain him in Camp until you hear farther from me on the subject, which you may expect to do in a few days. I am with perfect respect, Your Excellency’s obedt servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
250To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 16 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
Doctor Tilton has presented a large estimate of stores for the establishment of an Hospital in Virginia, which he is directed by the Director General to set up and superintend—I have conversed with Mr Morris on the subject, and find that the requisition cannot at present be complied with. I should be glad to know whether the measure of establishing an Hospital there is an absolutely necessary...