271To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 21 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the honor of forwarding to Your Excellency, a Letter rece’d by flag from the Enemy. Capt. Thomas Douglas Intendant of marine Prisoners, presented the enclosed recommendation from Mr Turner for his admittance into the Enemy’s Lines and requested a flag for the purpose—My orders will not admit of granting it upon Mr Turner’s passport. I have therefore informed the Gentleman I...
272To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 19 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the honor of forwarding to your Excellency a Letter from Sir Guy Carleton, received late this Evening by flag of Truce, with the others which accompany it also the London Papers rece’d from a Corespondent of the 8th, & 9th of Novr the 2d & 7th of Decr 82 and the New York Paper of this date.I have the honor to be Your Excellency’s most Obedt Humble Servt DLC : Papers of George...
273To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 14 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellencys Letter of the 12th instant and shall communicate to Mr Mercereau the contents as far as they respect him. Inclosed I have the honor of forwarding a letter received by flag this evening from M: Morgan Secretary to Sir Guy Carleton with a Copy of a receipt given to Captain Stapleton Depy Adjt General for three hundred and twenty french crowns for the use of...
274To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 8 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I was honoured with your Excellency’s private Letter of the 3d Inst—I shall be as attentive as can be wished to the points particularly referred to; the subject has never yet in the most distant manner passed my lips—I shall continue silently attentive to it, and under the mask of interrupting Commerce, sometimes review the scene; and with 24 hours notice, I think I shall be able to give a...
275To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 27 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a copy of a Letter from the Commissary of prisoners in Canada, with a certified copy of the account of Cash paid our officers and others prisoners with the Enemy, address’d to Josa Loring Esqr. and delivered to me by Mr Dunant Deputy Commissary of prisoners, requesting a settlement of the same—As the accounts we have against the Enemy for supplies furnish’d their prisoners are...
276To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 26 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the honor of forwarding to your Excellency a Copy of a Letter from Mr Robert Hoakesly accompanied with a memorial and the original Invoice of Merchandize shiped on board the Sloop Convert, with affidavits annexed, tending to prove the propriety of the prayer of his Memorial. I am Your Excellency’s most obedt Servt PHi : Gratz Collection. I flatter my-self your goodness will...
277To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 25 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
When in New York, several of the Inhabitants of Long-Island, and others who have advanced money to our officers, while Prisoners, waited on me for a settlement of their accounts, being inform’d by Mr Skinner, that he had Lodged the papers, and every thing respecting their affairs in my hands, and that they must apply to me for a Settlement. I was obliged to inform them, that Mr Skinner had...
278To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 24 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I informed your Excellency last night of my return, and forwarded the papers which I hope are received. The day after my arrival in New York Major Wemyss Deputy Adjutant General being requested by Sir Guy Carleton to attend to a settlement with their Commissary, we proceeded to compare, and examine the accounts, with respect to numbers sent in and received from either side, and found them to...
279To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 24 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
Some time ago I requested Colonel Humphrys to state to your Excellency, the Case of Lieutenant Sutherland of the British Artillery captured at Yorktown, who in prospect of an appointment procured for him in the East Indies was anxious to be exchanged; but peculiar circumstances preventing a partial Exchange taking place, that gentleman was acquainted of the impossibility of his request being...
280To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 24 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding the Enemy’s present dispositon for Peace, and that nothing else is apparently wish’d for, or expected by them in general, there are some who have their doubts, and do not hesitate in expressing them—every step is taking to sooth, and quiet the minds of the people, of which no stronger evidence can be given than the general Orders of the 20th instant. The people of Connecticut...
281To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 23 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I left the City of New York this day at 12. I have the honor of forwarding to your Excellency the last Papers and shall forward a report of my proceedings as soon as they can be made out. I have the honor to be Your Excellency’s Most Obedt Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
282To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 12 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been honour’d with your Excellency’s Dispatches of the 10th Inst. and propose going to New York in the morning, Inclosed is the paper of the 8th, and four Letters directed to New York. I am Your Excellency’s most obedt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
283To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 8 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter from New York directed to me your Excellency will observe it contains permission for me to enter the City by way of Paulus Hook. It appears to me necessary that the Flag orders should come from Head Quarters as it may not be proper for an officer commanding to issue Flag orders for his own conveyance. Mr Merrit has finished his business and returned—so that the flag orders...
284To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 8 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the honor of forwarding to your Excellency the papers of the 3d 4th &5th instant The Enemy are anxiously expecting the arrival of a Cutter from Europe, said to be on her way—on the 6th 60 Guineas were laid to 30, at the Coffee House in favour of a peace upon her arrival. I am Your Excellency most Obedt Ser. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
285To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 31 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am honour’d with your Excellency’s Letter of the 28th Inst., and am happy to have it in my power to inform you that, the officer and Escort detach’d with a Flagg with the Prisoners mentioned in my last, have return’d; tho’ we had no provision to Issue (upon their being deliverd to the Enemy) they expressed their Gratitude, for the treatment they met with while here—this relieves me in some...
286To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 27 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
A Capt. of the Pensylvania Artillery acting in the Marine Department, has this instant arrived He informs me, that he Left, the day before yesterday a Subaltern and 13 men at Brunswick, charged with the safe conveying upwards of 60 seamen Prisoners of War. to this post, on their way to new York He expects them here this Night. There being no arrangement made by the Minister of War or the Agent...
287To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 23 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor of receiving Capt. Walkers Letter of the 20th he observes—"The Commander in Chief desires me to direct, that all Letters &c. (excepting such as are excepted in the Instructions) comeing from or going to New york, may be sent to him for inspection, previous to their being forwarded—It shall be most strictly attended to. " It appears necessary to inform Your Excellency of my...
288From William Stephens Smith to David Humphreys, 20 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
I received yours of the 17th inst. last night, the death of that brave, and venerable officer, Lord Stirling, I sincerely lament, his faults were so dimmed by the lustre of his Virtues, that they were scarcely decernable, and I think Society has met with a Loss in his exit—the natural goodness of his Heart, and the general rectitude of his Conduct in public Life, entitles him to the tributary...
289To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 19 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to your Excellency’s Orders containd in a Letter from Colo. Humphries of the 2d Inst forwarded by Mr Merrit I dispatch’d a flagg to Paulus Hook, with Letters to the Commissary of Prisoners in New York, requesting permission for Mr Merrit ’s admittance for the purpose of furnishing the Prisoners with money &c.—to which I have not yet received a reply—the flagg was obliged to halt one...
290To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 14 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
After breaking thro’ numberless snow-banks and encountring the Difficulties attendant on those who move in unbeaten Paths, I arrived here yesterday. The Post is in its usual order and nothing material has happen’d during my absence. My Corespondent below had deposited the enclosed Papers, which I sent for last night and have the honor of forwarding. there is no News Circulating but what they...
291To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 1 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the receipt of the dispatches from Head Quarters of the 27th Ulto and am obliged to your Excellency for the indulgence granted, and assure you I shall not make use of it, untill the situation of the Post will fully justify it—The Letter to Sir Guy Carleton was forwarded the morning after I received it. I have the honor of enclosing a Letter directed to your Excellency,...
292To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 25 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honor’d with your Excellency’s Dispatches, in reply to my last, and shall act upon the several Matters therein contain’d agreable to your directions. I have this Instant return’d with Capt. Pray from near Kings-Bridge where we have been to meet, by appointment a Person from the City, who informs, that the fleet mention’d in my last, sailed on the 23d having on-board Merchants &...
293To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 20 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed I have the honor of forwarding a Petition directed to your Excellency, with a Letter from Sir Guy Carleton to Govr Harrison, received this Day by flagg from the Enemy. I have receipted for, one hundred and eighty seven Guineas & one half Guinea & one spanish milled Dollar, forwarded by Mr Morgan Secretary to Sir Guy Carleton, by Capt. Stewart of the Qr Masters Department. Inclosed is...
294To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 12 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s Letters dated the 6th & 9 inst. & observe that the Plan is laid aside; whilst it existed, my Spirits were kept afloat, & I scarcely allow’d myself to reflect (further than was necessary for the moment) upon my Position, but with it, every spur to my ambition is vanish’d, and I have nothing to engage my Attention, excepting flagg Duty, the...
295To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 3 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to the promise contain’d in my letter of yesterday’s date to your Excellency, I visited the post below, where I spent the Day, the wheather was remarkably favourable . I must preface my observations by asserting, that the works are view’d to greater advantage by a setting, than a rising Sun—I march’d the party upon the ridge from Closter landing, that I might avoid the observations of...
296To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 2 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Yours of yesterday’s date I have this instant received it affords me singular Satisfaction, that my Conduct meets with your approbation, Mr Gardner in adition to the improprieties mentioned in my last, rec’d five pounds when at New York to take on board his flagg two trunks of goods belonging to Mrs Horseford (who had Govr Clintons pass to go to the City) & land them at this place but have...
297To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 29 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed, I have the honor of transmitting flagg orders, from Rear Admiral Digby, & a Certificate, respecting a James Braxter—The flagg arrived here yesterday Evening, The conduct of Richard Gardner Commander, is mark’d with such striking Lines of impropriety, that I have placed an officer & a Guard on board, & shall detain her untill your Excellency’s Pleasure is known—In the first place he...
298To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 27 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to your Excellency’s Orders, I have visited the posts below, from whence I have this instant return’d, the wheather, since I arrived here, being remarkably dull, put it out of my power to report, before, with that accuracy that you wish—I lay last night with 12 men between fort Lee & Bulls ferry, the Troops on the Island were remarkably quiet, & but two small fires to be seen, one...
299From William Stephens Smith to Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., 16 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to his Excellency’s request, I have inform’d myself as fully as possible respecting the Character of Chelmer & find that in 78. he was attached to Colo. Laridier the Enginier at West Point, that according to his own account, he was a deserter from the Convention Troops, a Scotchman by birth Educated at Paris, he appear’d a man of address, and his manners superior to his station. From...
300To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 7 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the honor of transmitting to your Excellency, an Exact State of our account with the Enemy, with respect to Prisoners of War, and am happy that I have it in my power to assure you, that the regularity of those Papers respecting the Department, which were delivered to me by Mr Skinner, reflect the highest Credit upon him, for his care, and Attention in the duties of his office....