1Summons to Benjamin Franklin, with Memorandum by Him, 6–7 February 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and ADS : American Philosophical Society Benjamin Franklin Esqr. without Deduction being on Account of the purchase and Transportation of Forage for the Use of the forces Commanded by Genl. Braddock by Warrant dated 21st. June 1755 ——£1000 The Sheriffs of London and Middlesex have process come into their hands against you for not passing your Accounts of the above Sum, to which they are to...
2To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 26 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform your Excellency that I have just arrived here, with my party, & expect to throw myself in to Fort Mifflin this night, the want of provisions has detained me much, & the men not being properly chosen for such an expedition has been a great stop to our march, Few of them have Shoes or Stockings, many of them without Coats or Blankets & scarce any who have more than...
3To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 27 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I last night threw myself into this Garrison, where I am sorry to inform your Excellency that I find every-thing in the utmost Confusion, not as many Cartouches as will last one day, & the very necessary Cartouches for the Block houses not sufficient for an hour: 60 untrained Militia, are all the artillery men in the Fort, the provisions almost out. The Militia refused obedience to Capt. Treat...
4To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 2 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Nichola with the advice of the Officers in Garrison withdrew his Invalids before the Arrival of your Excellency’s Letter so that the Command remains with me. The Enemy yesterday landed a number of men (below Billingsport and encampt last night within nine miles) some say 400. others 600. my Opinion is the first as we had intelligence of that number having march’d from Willmington for...
5To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 3 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I sent yesterday an express to your Excellency with an account of the enemies having landed near Billingsport, which place they have now possession of, Our Militia evacuated it after bringing off all the stores and Spikeing up the Cannon. This event as I foresaw struck the fleet with much Panic, last night five Officers and 18 Men Deserted and a great part of the rest only wait for...
6To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 3 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered you by Majr Boyce who has reconnoitered the enemy now in Billingsport and reports their strength to be 1500 men at least 1300 of whom went from Phila. he will inform you of particulars. This evening the enemy have been reconnoitering us from the Meadows, what they intend I know not. Certainly their force scatterd in this manner must weaken them much. Their Shiping have...
7To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 6 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
From the best Intelligence the Enemy have withdrawn all their men from Billingsport (the night of the fourth Instant) except two hundred who seem much discourag’d, Your Excellencys Success (on which I sincerely congratulate you) has been of the utmost service, we have now no more Desertions, on the contrary some who went from the fleet have returnd. Had we a few men to sport on we might with...
8To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 7 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday Evening the Enemy entirely evacuated Billingsport after having destroy’d our works, burnt the platforms, Houses[,] Gun Carriages &c. they have left all our own guns, one of which a twelve pounder they had taken out the spike and left it open. The works they threw up are entire We shall destroy them. The Commodore engag’d their Shiping last night and chas’d them down to Chester, where...
9To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 9 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Receiv’d your Excellencys Letter of the 7th and have read it to the Officers of the Navy which assists not a little to keep up their Spirits. Yesterday a large Scow was brought down the Schuylkil which we secur’d, after wounding One of their Men. Our Intelligence informs that Six Boats were ready to come down from the lower ferry and in the evening we heard that a large Body with 20 ps. of...
10To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 10 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy have just crossed & are crossing in very considerable numbers to Province Island already they have begun to throw up Works & tomorrow morning I suppose will open on us which will oblige me to withdraw my men out of the Fort & Cover them the best in my power, they have about 20 Boats & if the Number we have seen on the opposite Shore are to cross there must at least be 800 or 1000, If...
11To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 11 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Last Night the Enemy threw up a Battery in the rear of the Fort close to the Banks of the Meadow within Musket shot of us & had already got one piece of Artillery in it. We attacked it with the Floating Batteries[,] Block houses, Gallies, & 32 Pounder from the Battery & in short time obliged them to hoist the white Flag, as We were bringing off the prisoners another party ran down which the...
12To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 12 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you this day giving an Accot of the Enemies having erected a Battery in the Rear of our Northwest Block House close to the Banks of the Meadow, in which we took 56: Soldiers & 2 Officers, An Officer with a party came down under the Sanction of the flag & took & kept possession of it. we have made two or three fruitless Attempts to Storm it, in the last of which we had Some few kill’d &...
13To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 14 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency the 12th Instant on which night the enemy threw up a long Breast Work on the high ground at province Island, which Enfilades our principal Battery. I got some small assistance from Colo. Green Yesterday and threw up a blind on the platform which with two others I intend throwing up to day, will in some measure make the men who work the Guns secure. I presume they have...
14To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 16 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy have open’d three Batteries on us. one in front of the pest Houses which with Recache rakes the whole Garrison, from whence they throw Red Hot Balls, as yet without Success. Another in Rear of our N. W. Block House in which they have Some Royalls an 8 In. Howitz. & 1 p[ai]r Artillery 12 p[ounde]r. I believe the other in Rear of the Mud Battery in which as yet they have but one 8 In....
15To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 18 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency the Second day the enemy open’d their batteries; they have since continued a fire from their two Bomb Batteries and red hot balls from their works at the Port [pest] houses, as yet without much damage. Yesterday an unlucky shell fell in a barracks where the soldiers had gone contrary to orders, which killed one and wounded 3 others, two of them very slightly. They have...
16To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 20 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellencys favor of the 19th in which I observe you have thought proper to send the Baron d’Aranot to take the command of this Garrison. There will, therefore, be no further occasion for me here, as the party of Infantry left, of what I brought here, does not now exceed 80 men, which will scarce be a command for Maj. Ballard, and farther draft must be made for the artillery. I...
17To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 26 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I recd your Excellys Order to remain in the Garrison & Shall obey it, when I wrote I expected there would not have been that Occasion for my being here which I now See there will, Baron d’Arendts ill State of Health will oblige him to retire to Red Bank for three or four days perhaps more, whether Coll Green or I are to Command I know not, I presume I am to have the Command untill an express...
18To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 30 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellency’s favor of the 28th. I am happy to hear of a sufficient reinforcement. If they arrive in time I have no doubt we shall keep the fort. The enemy have been afloat for three days. The weather must have done them much harm. Their bridge on Schuylkill broke, and we secured 12 of their boats with the planks on them which composed part of the bridge. This must stop,...
19To George Washington from Lt. Col. Samuel Smith, 31 October 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Lt. Col. Samuel Smith, 31 Oct. 1777. GW wrote Smith on 1 Nov. that “I have this moment receiv’d your favor of Yesterday.”
20To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 3 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have this Inst. the honor to receve your Excellency’s Letter of the 1st. Genl Vernum has arriv’d and will send me 200 men this morning. Genl Foreman has some Cloathing of small consequence, which I am to have this day, We by order of Genl Vernum begin this day to take the Inhabitants Cloaths I fear it will be a very poor Resource, this Garrison must be well cloathed or they will perish. I...
21To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 4 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency yesterday am happy to find I was mistaken, The enemy have not constructed a Battery on their work as I then expected, I was deceiv’d by the Water being much lower than usual which left a greater part of the Wreck naked. General Varnums reinforcement arriv’d yesterday. Last night about 8. OClock we were alarm’d with the rowing of Boats between this and province Island....
22To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 9 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I receiv’d your Excellency’s favour of the 4th I presume you must have mistook Major Fleury’s meaning. he has since he arrived acted fully in his department of Engineer, when I proposed any thing he has generally been so polite to approve it. he writes and I presume will acknowledge that his Ideas have been adopted as far as the strength of the Garrison would permit. The enemy since I wrote...
23To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 9 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
About the 20th Instant if we are not attacked sooner I am of Opinion we shall have put this Fort in a good posture of defence, at which time the Officers of the Virginia Regiments and my party hope your Excellency will relieve them and their men. Your Excellency will see the propriety of this request when I assure you that out of 200 Men compleatly Officer’d which my party consisted of, there...
24To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 10 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
This morning the enemy open’d their Battery in the Rear of our Nort. West Block House, about 500 Yards distance from it of 6 pieces of Cannon 18 to 32 pounders, and one eight inch howitz, one other eight inch howitz opposite the right of our Battery. they were so fortunate to strike one of our 18 pounders in the two Gun Battery on the Muzzle, by which, she is rendered useless; their Shott from...
25To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday unfortunately recd a Contusion on my Hip & left Arm both which give me much pain. I imprudently went into my Barracks to answer a Letter from Gen. Varnum & A Ball came through the Chimney & Struck me on the Hip So forcibly that I remain’d senseless for Some time. however I am happy to find myself much less hurted than I at first imagin’d & Hope in 5 or 6 days to be again fit for...
26To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 15 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
My Arm will this Night or tomorrow Night permit me to take the Command at fort Mifflin. I was there last Night. it is now one Heap of Ruin & must be defended with Musquetry in Case of Storm. I presume the Enemy will Continue to Cannonade for four or five days & then they will be oblig’d to Storm. when they do, I am of Opinion they will Succeed. with 600 Men I think we could defend it as an...
27To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 16 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Gen. Varnum will have inform’d your Excelly of the Evacuation of fort Mifflin. I am extremely Sorry for the Circumstance. Major Thayer defended it too bravely. My party taken (as your Excelly knows) from the picquet, think they have done their Tour of duty, & hope for your Excellys permission to join their respective Regiments, who (they Say) want their immediate Attention. the Officers have...
28To George Washington from Samuel Smith, 2 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I Had the Honor to recieve your Excelly permission to resign, the obliging Expressions & Honor you do ⟨me,⟩ in which I shall ever esteem myself indebted to you for. I reg⟨ret⟩ my Incapacity of ever being able to repay your politen⟨ess⟩ or I should have been happy to have remain’d in a situation ⟨ mutilated ⟩ I might have indeavour’d to merit it. I ever shall regret ⟨my⟩ being oblig’d to leave...
29To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Smith, 2 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the Liberty to trouble you with a few Lines, which hope you’ll excuse, on seeing the immediate Necessity of my writing— I embark’d from Philada: for France & was unfortunately taken, haveing at the same Time with me a Sum, in Loan Interest Bills drawn on the Commissioners for the Thirteen United States of America at Paris, which was oblidg’d to...
30To George Washington from Samuel Smith, 2 March 1790 (Washington Papers)
Mr Philip Walsh of Cadix will have the Honor to present this to your Excellency, that Gentlem⟨e⟩n Vis[i]ts America with a view of forming Connexions for the very respectable House of Domnick Terry & Co. of Cadix. He has the advantage of being introduced by the most respectable Mercantile Houses of Europe Who all agree that the House he represents is considered of the first Consequence. Mr...
31To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 5 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
In behalf of myself and the gentlemen concerned in the sloop Jane and cargo, I beg leave to enclose you the Captain and people’s protest, which will fully shew you the insult done to the american flag, and they still continue to detain the property. I also return your obliging letter to Mr. Skipwith who had left Martinique before it arrived there. The purport of the present is to request the...
32To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 13 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your obliging favour 9th. Inst. came to hand per post, consequently we have not had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Skipwith. On a consultation with the other Gentle. concerned, We have concluded it will be best to make our first Tryal at Martinique; should we not succeed, we shall at least possess ourselves of all the material Evedence, and get our papers all properly authenticated, that we may be...
33To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 15 April 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The Enclosed publication has appear’d in the Philadelphia Papers. From its Nature (If fully Insisted on) It seems to Exclude all American Exports in our Own Bottoms going to England.—You will confer a very particular favor by informing me What your Opinion is on this Subject and whether the Clause of the Navigation Act will go to the prevention of American Ships Carrying American produce to...
34To George Washington from Samuel Smith, 16 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
From the number of vacancies that have lately happened in the Army I am Induc’d to apply for an Ensigncy for Mr Benjamin Anderson a Young robust Farmer of this County of respectable connections & in my Opinion extremely worthy of a Commission[.] Permit me to hope that he will meet your Approbation & that his name will be among the new appointments. Mr Anderson thinks, that he will be able to...
35To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel Smith, 16 June 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Before I receivd your Letter of the 8 Inst. I had Convers’d with Mr. Randolph who had nearly Satisfied my Mind. I had his permission to mention Such points of our Conversation as tended to Allay the fears of the people relative to a War & I have taken the Liberty to use some parts of your Letter to serve the same desireable purpose. These are those parts that prove the Imprudence of a...
36To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel Smith, 20 August 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Yours of 17 Inst. I have recd. The late proceedings of the Executive give satisfaction to every Body. It is only Askd—why was not this done sooner to which I have answerd—that the President had promised lenient Measures & depended on the promise of Mr Genet respectg. the Vessells Commissiond in America being orderd off not to return & that he had pledgd his Honor to grant no New Commissions....
37To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel Smith, 27 August 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Since my last I have inquird most particularly & find that there was not the Smallest Ground for the Report of Rendezvous houses being open’d for an Expedition to Providence. The Aristocratic French said that the Intention of the Volunteers being askd from the French Mercht Ships to man the Ships of War was to go agt. Providence & People generally wishing the Destruction of that Nest of...
38To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel Smith, 16 September 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Baltimore, September 16, 1794. On September 19, 1794, Hamilton wrote to Smith : “I have had the pleasure of receiving your two letters of the 16th: instant.” Neither letter has been found. ] Smith referred to one of these letters when he wrote to William Pinkney, president of the Maryland Council, on September 21, 1794, as follows: “… In Consequence of a Letter I wrote to the Secretary of...
39To George Washington from Samuel Smith, 22 September 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Post of Marshall for the District of Maryland having become Vacant by the removal of Colonel Ramsay, I am solicited by the Friends of Mr Jacob Graybell (that Gentleman having marched against the Insurgents) to entreat your Excellency in his behalf. The Connections of Mr Graybell are very respectable & numerous—he has been employed by Coln. Ramsay as Deputy Marshall—In which Office from his...
40To George Washington from Samuel Smith, 25 May 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Inclosed was this Moment deliv⟨er⟩d me by Capt. Buchanan of the Pomona just Arrived from Hallifax —I receivd it Open. My Money on Board the Pomona was Cleared in the Court of Admiralty at Hallifax, owing I have every reason to believe to the Letters of Mr Hammond. I am sir, your Obedt servt ALS , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters. The enclosure from Capt. Boyd Buchanan has not been...
41To John Adams from Samuel Smith, 2 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty to enclose you the copy of a letter which I shall address to the Publick tomorrow—I think it my duty to apologize to you for repeating a conversation which passed at your table & for thus infringing on the rules of hospitality & society—The necessity of defending myself against what I conceived to be a misrepresentation will I flatter myself plead my apology— I have no right...
42To John Adams from Samuel Smith, 24 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I Do myself the honor to Inclose you a publication of the Committee of this City, whether it will have the desired effect contemplated I cannot yet determine. The following Expression Induced me to address you. We are informed by the Sect. of War that the Finances of the U. S. did not admit of a larger appropriation than twenty thousand Dollars towards the fortifications to be erected near our...
43To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel Smith, 14 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Some Years past I had the pleasure to recommend Mr. W. Wilson to the secy. of War & he Obtained a Commission in the Artillery, in which he Conducted himself with honor & propriety. A Bad State of Health Compelled him reluctantly to resign. With A restoration of health his desire to a Military Life has again returned, permit me to recommend him to your Attention & to flatter myself that he may...
44To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 8 October 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Iznardi Consul of the U:S—has arrived in Baltimore from Cadix, the Old Gentle[man] on his arrival wrote you, to which having no Answer [he] Concludes his Letter has miscarried either in the us [ ual ] Way, or for want of proper direction—He informs me from Philadelphia, that he brought with him from Cadix some particular Wine for his friends among Others two Casks for your Use which he...
45To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 24 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
In Consequence of the Conversation we had on the subject of Banks I made application (without saying for what cause) to the President & Directers of the Bank of Maryland & they directed their Cashier to make out A Statement from the Book every day in Use.—Indeed I did not want it farther back as It would only have shown a similar Result-I would only Add that I do not believe any Bank has it...
46To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, [before 12 March 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
Capt. William Buchanan has resided at the Isle of France for the last four or five years, [his] friends request me to solicit the Consulate of the Isles of France & Bourbon for him—An application for his appointment was presented by me lately to Mr. Marshall signed by the most [respec]table Merchants of both parties in this City—It was rejected because (as I understood) he was known to be my...
47To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 17 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I am afraid I have Acted improperly by delaying to answer your letter so long.—I hope however It will be attributed to the real Cause,—to my anxiety & desire (if possible) to Comply with your wishes by accepting a Post that would have been at all times highly honorable, but during your Administration would have been to me particularly pleasing & gratifying—The Conflict with myself has been...
48To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 20 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor to transmit to you an Address from the Republican Citizens of Alleghany County (Maryland), which they have thought proper to request me to present—Should you return an answer, they request It may be done thro: me & that the Address & Answer may be published in one of our Papers— Mr. Dawson will sail on sunday the ship being perfectly ready—. He mentions that I am wanted...
49To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 2 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
A Report prevails & is believed that a fracas took place between the sailors of the French ship at Norfolk & the English & American sailors. I presume no Lives were lost, as I have no Account from Norfolk on the subject— I progress with as much dispatch as possible in putting the Navy in the situation the Law has directed — My son Louis. Buchanan. Smith will go to Europe in two Weeks. permit...
50To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 6 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The Inclosed from Mr Dawson I have this Instant received—The fracas at Norfolk commenced with some English & French Sailors & terminated with some very severe broken heads but no lives lost— Previous to my leaving this City (on Sunday) I had ordered all the ships (for sale) that were in Port to be Sold without delay—I directed two 44 gun ships one of 32 guns & a Schooner to be got ready for...