1John Adams and other members of the Electoral College of Massachusetts, 5 December 1820 (Adams Papers)
At a meeting of the Electors of President and Vice President of the United States, holden agreeably to Law at the State House in Boston, in the fifth day, of D being the first Tuesday of December in the year of our Lord 1820, at four o’clock in the afternoon, the following persons appeared, and produced certificates of their appointment under the seal of the Commonwealth, namely The Hon. John...
2To Thomas Jefferson from William Phillips, 6 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your letter dated the 31st. ulto. and am much obliged to you, Sir, for the attention you have given to the Flag of Truce. I did not, as you observe, know of the German Troops of Convention being moved out of Virginia. As it is, I will hope the Flag may be permitted to go to the head of Elk from whence there may be a conveyance by land supposing, as you say, the Troops of...
3William Phillips to George Weedon, 6 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The two Flags by Lt. Col. Matthews and Major Callis have been admitted into this place and your Letters received by them and I hope you will be convinced from these Gentlemens Report of my conversation with them that I mean to pursue during my stay in Virginia a conduct of the strictest liberality and humanity and I do assure you that nothing shall turn me aside from such benevolent principles...
4William Phillips to J. P. G. Muhlenberg, 3 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had reported to me by Brigadier General Arnold that he has made several overtures to the Officers in command of the American troops for an exchange of the Prisoners of War made by the British and American Forces in Virginia, but that these humane propositions have been evaded, counteracted and refused upon various pretences, that notwithstanding General Arnold allowed a number of...
5To Thomas Jefferson from William Phillips, 8 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
From the following Extract of a Letter I received from General Washington, and which I inclose for your information, I have reason to conclude that Your Excellency is doubtless apprised of a Flag of truce Vessel, laden with Stores and refreshments for the use of the Troops of Convention, being expected to arrive in James River. This Flag has now orders to proceed, and upon its arrival in James...
6To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 23 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Upon the arrival of the Officers of the Troops of Convention several Memorials were presented to me from some of those remaining with the Troops, Containing Such reasons as have induced me to comply with their request of being exchanged: I take the liberty of inclosing their names to Your Excellency, hoping you will be so good as to send your orders to Frederick Town in Maryland or elsewhere...
7To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 18 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of receiving Your Excellency’s letter of the 9th Instant with the passport for the Flag of truce Vessel inclosed agreeable to the tenor of my request on that subject. When I communicated my wishes to Your Excellency that the Flag might have permission to proceed to James River, my reasons for soliciting of it were obvious, nor did I then know what I have Since been informed of...
8To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 8 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I take leave to address Your Excellency on the subject of Lieutenant Governor Hamilton and I will request to trouble you, Sir, with a short detail of the different propositions that have been heretofore made concerning that Gentleman. You are apprised that Colonel Mathews obtained permission from His Excellency General Sir Henry Clinton in the Summer of last year to go to Virginia with an...
9To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 30 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of receiving Your Excellency’s letter of the 9th Instant and was made very happy to find that you had been pleased to extend the proposed Exchanges so generally into execution. Agreeable to Your Excellency’s desire I send the inclosed list, specifying the name of the Vessel designed to carry the Stores and refreshments to the Troops of Convention, with the name of the Master...
10To Thomas Jefferson from William Phillips, 28 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency’s letters of the 3rd. and 19th. of October. I observe, with peculiar satisfaction, the acts of kindness you have extended to several of our Gentlemen whose situations have required such indulgencies; your attention to them claim my best thanks which I now beg leave to present you, and in a more particular manner I am obliged to...
11To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 4 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive, Sir, by the report of Your Commissary General of Prisoners that the Exchanges on both sides have been made so far as possible and the Certificates have been mutually given by the Commissaries of the Exchange of all the British and German Officers Prisoners of War against an equal number of American; and a consent has been mutually interchanged for a delivery of privates...
12To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 23 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
When I was last at Elizabeth-Town at the meeting with Major General Lincoln I desired Major Skinner to mention to Your Excellency my wishes that Brigadiers General Spæcht and DeGall might have liberty of going into New York in order for their being exchanged, requesting at the same time that, if Your Excellency should be inclined to acquiesce in the measure as proposed by me, you would...
13To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 13 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency General Sir Henry Clinton has been pleased to communicate to me your letter to him of the 7th Instant respecting the Exchange of Officers and Privates prisoners of War. His Excellency has, also, thought proper this day to signify to me that Major General De Riedesel and myself were to be immediately exchanged; As this event may, perhaps, Concern American Officers of Rank taken...
14To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 13 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
Application having been made by Brigadier Irvine and other principal American Officers prisoners of war upon parole on Long Island for three of their number to have the liberty of going to Philadelphia, Viz. one in behalf of the Officers from the Eastern, another from those of the Southern, and a third from those of the middle Colonies, for the purpose of procuring Supplies for the payment of...
15To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 27 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of sending you a deposition inclosed which Your Excellency cannot doubt the truth of as it corresponds so exactly with the reports made to you, Sir, from Virginia, from Brigadier General Hamilton’s letters to me which went to Your Excellency and from that British Officer’s letter to you, Sir, of which I have a Copy —It is quite unnecessary for me to enlarge upon this...
16To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 23 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency General Sir Henry Clinton expected I should have met a person from Your Excellency at this place to have conversed upon various subjects relating to a General Exchange as, also, upon the appointment of Commissarys to reside with the respective Armies, but, no such person from you, Sir having arrived at Elizabeth Town, I have only to enclose to Your Excellency the rough draft of...
17To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 11 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your letter of the 28th of August which I should sooner have answered but that I have been very unwell. My Idea of the Parole for Officers of the Troops of Convention being Extended to Europe was only supposing no General Exchange to take place which I, then, saw no likelihood of, nor indeed are my hopes now very flattering upon the Subject —If Paroles in the manner I have...
18To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 23 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Officers of the Troops of Convention at present on parole at New York, I mean abstracted from myself, Aide de Camp, and Secretary, Major General De Riedesel and the immediate Officers of his family, have memorialed me upon the subject of their present situation setting forth, that the American Officers against whom they are opposed upon an unlimited parole are in the full possession of...
19To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 28 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
This letter will be delivered to you, Sir, by Messrs Randolph and Fitzhugh who return upon their general paroles. My motive in first procuring the liberty for these young Gentlemen going upon their paroles, I can assure Your Excellency, proceeded from an earnest desire to shew attention and Civility to the Families they are connected with, and from whom I received personally the greatest...
20To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 19 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency General Sir Henry Clinton upon his arrival at New York has had the goodness to inform me that he gave permission, previous to his departure from Charles-Town South Carolina, that Major General Lincoln might go to Philadelphia upon his parole, that Officer having very earnestly solicited for it, proposing among other matters to negotiate for a General Exchange of Prisoners of War...
21To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 2 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honour to inclose for your Excellency’s perusal the copy of a letter I have this day written to Major Skinner your Deputy Commissary General of Prisoners. I conclude not to trouble you, Sir, with a long letter upon the occasion, as I hope the inclosed will be sufficiently explanatory of my wishes upon the several subjects contained in it, trusting at the same time that they will...
22A Proposition, [18 March 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
That the Exchange of the first Division of the Troops of Convention according to the proposed Plan given in shall have immediate Operation with the Exchanges of Officers for Officers Prisoners of War, and that the Exchange of the second Division of the Troops of Convention according to the proposed Plan given in shall, also, have immediate Operation so far as the Estimate of American Officers,...
23To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 4 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honour to receive Your Excellency’s letter signifying that you have appointed Commissioners on your part to meet ours and propose the 9th Instant for that purpose. I feel extremely happy at this Event on a publick Account, in commiseration of a Number of distressed Individuals on both Sides, and I most Sincerely hope the Negotiation may be attended with Success. I am extremely...
24To Thomas Jefferson from William Phillips, 1 March 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
New York, 1 Mch. 1780 . Introduces Mrs. Maxwell and asks TJ’s “Notice and Protection” in conveying her to her husband, Lt. Maxwell of the Convention troops. Compliments to TJ and Mrs. Jefferson. RC ( DLC ); 2 p. Enclosed in Maria Maxwell’s letter to TJ, 15 Mch. 1780, q.v.
25To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 21 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
Colonels Mathews, Ely, and Lieutenant Colonel Ramsey communicated to me your letter to them expressing your Willingness for Commissioners to meet to enter into a negotiation for a General Exchange of Prisoners; they, also, communicated to me in writing Your having received my Offer of becoming a Commissioner on this occasion without any Objection. You will receive, Sir, a letter from His...
26To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 25 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honour to receive all Your Excellency’s letters with the several permissions inclosed for Major Gardner, and I beg leave to assure Your Excellency that I feel very much obliged to you for the attention you have been pleased to pay to my Requests. I have the honour to be, Sir, with great personal Esteem Your Excellencys most obedient and most humble Servant LS , DLC:GW . See GW...
27To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 8 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I inclose to you, Sir, the Duplicate of a letter I writ to you some days ago concerning Major Gardiner; that Gentleman’s uneasiness at remaining here beyond the ten days prescribed him is the cause of my troubling Your Excellency again and I will, therefore, hope you will have the goodness to answer these letters so soon as it may be convenient to you, and should it be your opinion that Major...
28To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 29 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Major Gardiner of the 16th Regiment of British Infantry was made a prisoners of War sometime since and carried to Boston—He arrived here the day before Yesterday under Your Excellency’s permission, restricted, however, to return unless Exchanged in ten days. The Overtures for a Negotiation which the four American Officers have carried out to Your Excellency have necessarily put a local stop to...
29To Thomas Jefferson from William Phillips, 16 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
New York, 16 Dec. 1779 . A flag-of-truce vessel brings this letter, together with food and stores for the Convention troops. To save expense it is desirable that the flag vessel “be permitted to go up the James River as far as possible to discharge her cargo.” Capt. Farquhar of the 20th Regt., who comes with the flag, brings a supply of money and will need an escort from the vessel to...
30To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 21 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Copy of a letter which I received by the favour of Colonel Webb will inform Your Excellency that I am a second time permitted to set out on a journey for New York. The letter mentions that Major Skinner is to meet me at Elizabeth Town and I take the liberty to request he may be thee with Your Excellency’s Commands for me relating to my parole or other matters on Wednesday Evening...
31To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 28 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this Evening received Your Excellency’s letter of the 20th Instant. I have not failed on the Instant to communicate the Contents to Major General De Reidesel and have left him at full liberty to apply to the American Congress or not as he shall think proper on the subject of his going into New York. I am of Opinion it would be highly improper for me to address that Body on this occasion...
32To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 26 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Upon reading Your Excellency’s letter of the 30th of September delivered to me by Major Skinner I did not hesitate at communicating my Sentiments to that Gentleman relating to an Exchange of Prisoners at large and particularly as such Exchange was connected with the Troops of Convention—my conversation on this matter with Major Skinner arose on the instant of reading Your Excellency’s letter...
33To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 12 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I enclose the Copies of two papers which will inform your Excellency by what means Lieutenant Smith of the British Artillery and Captain de Guismere of the Hesse Hanau Regiment are arrived at this place in their way to New York. I am apprehensive the same reasons which detain me here will also prevent those Officers from going forward, and as I have a number of papers here with me relating to...
34To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 10 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Reports have reached me that a reason for my detention here is my refusing to order to be certified by the British Quarter Master General’s department some accounts delivered in at CharlottesVille in Virginia consequent upon the arrival of Mr Milligan an American Commissioner of Accounts in Virginia. I will take a liberty of premising to you, Sir, that whenever I have acted in my publick...
35To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 10 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
If the Reports be true which circulate relating to me and my being detained from going into New York by the American Congress they assuredly are of such a nature as to put Major General De Reidesel, his lady, and family entirely out of the question under which description I beg leave to address Your Excellency on their account who must be perfectly sensible that no operation of that General...
36To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 10 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been so long without any intercourse with my friends in Europe not having received any letters of any kind from thence since the British Pacquet of last December that I am very solicitous for procuring those letters which are now at New York, they amount by the intelligence I received from Major General Pattison while at Elizabeth-town to a considerable number with parcels of Magazines...
37To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 6 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I shall answer the letter you have, Sir, been pleased to send me by Major Skinner from Easton for which place I am going to set out. I writ to you, Sir, from Elizabeth Town in consequence of the detention of Major General de Riedesel and myself, but to that letter I have not received any answer. I will not wound General Washington’s feelings with a description of my sentiments of the unkind...
38To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 30 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I take the opportunity of Mr Commissary Mersereau’s Express to inform you, Sir, that Major General De Riedesel and myself with our respective families are arrived at this place. To my great surprise I have received notice that we are to be detained and not suffered to go into New York agreeable to the tenour of the agreement settled, as I suppose, between Your Excellency and Sir Henry Clinton...
39To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 21 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
Mr Mersereau the American Commissary of Prisoners who attends me to Elizabeth Town has just informed me of an Express passing on from Virginia through this town to the Army under Your Excellency’s Command. I take the opportunity of this Express of informing you, Sir, that I received only two days ago a letter from the British Commissary General of Prisoners signifying to me that I was to name...
40To Thomas Jefferson from William Phillips, 12 September 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Major General Phillips’s Compliments wait on Governor Jefferson. He shall be greatly obliged to him to allow the inclosed letter being delivered to Mr: Hamilton. Major General Phillips incloses a paper rather curious of its kind as a Parole for a Man of Rank merely travelling through a Country by a route he has already used: The letter of permission from Mr. Jefferson for the Major General...
41To Thomas Jefferson from William Phillips, 3 September 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of addressing your excellency, on the subject of a removal of part of the troops of convention, and that, should such a measure take place, it may be left in the option of the British to remain in their present barracks. I form this claim from the British having removed from Cambridge to Rutland, in New England, and that a removal now would be in regular turn given to the...
42To Thomas Jefferson from William Phillips, 25 August 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I have reason to suppose that a Flag of truce may arrive at Hampton Road with passports from General Washington bringing wines, Rum, and other refreshments for the Troops of Convention. I am, therefore, to request your Excellency will have the goodness to allow such Flag of truce entrance into James River and that it may come up as high as the Bermuda Hundred or Warwick, that it be suffered to...
43To Thomas Jefferson from William Phillips, 12 August 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I am exceedingly sorry the Weather yesterday prevented me from having the pleasure of seeing you. I return you my very sincere thanks for the answer to my letter of the day before yesterday. Mr. Geddes shall be sent in a very few days and I shall persue for the several Prisoners of War any mode of conveying money and Clothing to them you shall prefer. The British Officers intend to perform a...
44To Thomas Jefferson from William Phillips, 10 August 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
At the time the troops of Convention quitted New England the Officers, British and German, drew sundry Bills of Exchange in favour of Merchants and others at Boston for which they received the value in Continental Dollars and it so happened that by much the greater part of them were of the emissions which have since been called in by the American Congress which were regularly refused in...
45William Phillips to John Jay, 11 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed dispatch from me to Sir Henry Clinton contains copies of a variety of papers relating to Lieutenant Governor Hamilton a British prisoner of war now in confinement in Virginia. I have thought it my indispensable duty to give information to Sir Henry Clinton of the Lieutenant Governor’s situation and of the means I have taken to endeavour at procuring his enlargement. I have...
46To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 7 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Captain Edmonstone of the Troops of Convention, who will probably have the honour of delivering you, Sir, this letter, goes by permission of the Governor of Virginia and Colonel Bland to Philadelphia to be Exchanged, Sir Henry Clinton having signified to me his intentions of settling with Your Excellency the Exchange of this Officer for an American Officer Prisoner of War. Very urgent and...
47Enclosure: Major General William Phillips to Thomas Jefferson, 5 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received from Colonel Bland a Copy of the Letter you were pleased to write him in answer to my request for Lieutenant Governour Hamilton a british prisoner of war being allowed to make me a visit at this place. I have also read in a public print the resolution of a Council held at Williamsburg on the 16th of June 1779 with your orders in Consequence; this publick paper seems of such...
48To Thomas Jefferson from William Phillips, 5 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received from Colonel Bland a Copy of the Letter you were pleased to write him in answer to my request for Lieutenant Governour Hamilton a british prisoner of war being allowed to make me a visit at this place. I have also read in a public print the resolution of a Council held at Williamsburg on the 16th of June 1779 with your orders in Consequence; this publick paper seems of such...
49To Thomas Jefferson from William Phillips, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I must lament the having lost, by your Succeeding Mr: Henry in the Government of Virginia, a very agreeable neighbour of whose Society I had promised myself a great share, and proposed with my friend Reidesel to have profited of your and Mrs: Jefferson’s acquaintance during our residence in this Country. As it is I do assure you I wish you personally every possible good. I request to put the...
50To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 6 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Captain of the Troops of Convention will probably have the honour of delivering your Excellency this letter—I have obtained permission from Governor Henry and Colonel Bland for his going to Philadelphia to effect his exchange which Sir Henry Clinton has signified to me he intends to settle with your Excellency as well as for Captain Edmonstone who will set out in a few days he being at present...