1To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 30 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
We would ee’r this have done ourselves the Honor, to have wrote Your Excellency had any thing occurred making a Communication necessary. We arrived here the 10th Inst. and Immediately by a writtin Message announced our arrival to Sir Guy Carleton, and requested to know when we should attend him to produce our Credentials, in answer to which we were informed, by one of the Gentlemen of His...
2To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 24 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
To His Excellency George Washington Esqr Commander in Chief The Undersigned, viewing with regret the situation of their Country, with respect to the prospect of Military operations, the ensuing Campaign, render’d more gloomy by the misfortune of the Count De Grasse, are led to immagine, that this season will be waisted in America with a degree of unavoidable Inactivity, which not corresponding...
3To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 1 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed we have the honor of transmitting to your Excellency a Copy of a Letter from the secretary at War, founded as we hope upon the prospect of active service, in consequence of the Arrival of a french Fleet upon the coast—should they have orders to co’operate with your Excellency, we shall wish for Employment—the more active our station, the more agreable to our wish. Impressed with a...
4To 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...
5To 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.
6To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 28 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
In the course of seven Years Service, I am only conscious of neglecting my public Duty two Days viz. Wednesday & Thursday last—My feelings as a soldier are wounded—But my future Happiness and Prospects in Life greatly depended upon their being spent as they were & under those circumstances I flatter myself Your Excellency will excuse me. I am with my usual Respect Your Excellency’s most obed....
7To 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...
8To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 25 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been honour’d with your Excellency’s Letter of the 23d Inst. and have communicated to Capt. Douglass the contents as far as they respected him. By intelligence from New York this instant deliverd, I am informed, that a private Express arrived there at one o’Clock last night from Philadelphia, conveying an account of the arrival of a french Sloop of War on sunday afternoon from Cadiz in...
9To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 16 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Boundaries of the United States as settled by the Treaty of Peace, are I immagine more extensive than what we originally claimd. That grant of additional Territory, must consequently be considerd and guarded as the property of the United States independant of any particular Claim—As the Fortress of Detroit is comprehended in the Limits referred to and I suppose will be possessed and...
10To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 20 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning honoured with your Excellency’s private Letter of the 15th inst. and having this Day dined with Mr Lispenard I tooke an oppertunity of asking some questions relative to Doctor Le Moyer Mayeur , and turned the Conversation upon his Abilities in his profession—I have the pleasure to inform your Excellency, that he is considered particularly eminent—He came to this Country,...
11To 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...
12To 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....
13To 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...
14To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 15 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to inform your Excellency a very considerable embarkation of Refugees took place last week bound for Nova Scotia and Canada—one large Transport was filled with Soldiers of different Corps for Quebec and a number of the 17th Light Dragoons are discharged and accompany the refugees to the new Country. The Nonsuch a 64 sail’d on Thursday last for Europe with the regiment of Hesse...
15To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 15 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s Letters of the 30th Ulto & 9th Inst. The Key of the Small trunk, I gave to Mr Cortlandt and am surprised at his inattention in not haveing it—The Duty of Arts and Sciences is in eight vols,but bound for more convenience in 4. I have acted with Mr Francis agreable to your Excellency’s directions & have requested him to present his Bills after...
16To 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 &...
17To 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.
18To 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...
19To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 22 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
After having recovered from a very severe fever, which attack’d me on my passage from Annapolis to the Head of Elk, and confined me to my bed at the last mentioned place, for ten day’s. I arrived in this City the night before last, rendered very weak by the violence of the disorder tho’ at present recovering fast. When the Marquis received your Excellency’s Orders for his present movement, he...
20To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 18 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
a Sloop with a permit from Mr Parker loaded with provission & stores, said to be for the use of the Army arrived at this Post from New York this Day—her situation is very similar to the Schooners I sent up yesterday under the orders of Capt. Fry—I have orderd a Corporal & three Privates to take possession of her & directed him to proceed to Head Qu arters . Your Excellency will observe the...
21To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 26 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Books which your Excellency requested should be forwarded by your letter of the instant were committed to the care of Colo. Cobb—I should have accompanied them with a letter but was confined to my bed with a severe fever from which I have only within a few days recovered. The Caps for the boys should have been forwarded before this had not the workman I employed undertook a matter for...
22To 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...
23To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 3 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
The detachment made from the british Camp mentioned in my last to Your Excellency for the purpose of suppressing certain riots and dis-orders near Huntington on Long Island, returned on the morning of the 29th Ulto, they have taken up a Number of the most respectable Inhabitants of that part of the Country—who are charged with robbery—confin’d in the Provost, and under tryal by General court...
24To 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...
25To 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...
26To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 5 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellency’s Letter of the 31st Ulto & am always rendered particularly happy, whenever my conduct meets your approbation. I must acknowledge myself obliged by the advice contain’d in the latter part of the Letter relative to granting Passports to Persons going into the Country—protections I never presumed to give and generally informed the persons that the passes were not given...
27To 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,...
28To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 21 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your Excellency’s Letter of the 14th instant and am fully convinced of the propriety of my requests not being comply’d with. In my last of the 22d of April I requested your Excellency’s Orders concerning my movements for the ensuing campaign, as your Excellency has been silent upon that subject, I think an appology necessary for my being still in this place, which I can with...
29To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 28 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
after near three years absence, I am thus far on my way to visit my Fathers Family in Connecticut; not having any public business to engage my attention, I am confident I shall not be blamed—I forwarded to your Excellency by one of Genl Choise’s aids, a Copy of a Letter from the secretary at War, address’d to Clarkson & my-self, in consequence of which we have deferr’d putting in execution our...
30To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 20 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
By the Bearer Capt. Pinkney I return the Glass which your Excellency was so obliging as to lend me at the end of the last Campaign I should have forwarded it before had I not expected to have had an opportunity of presenting it in person—I have been confined for six day’s past to my Room with a severe ague & fever which paid me a visit every day—the Bark has at last broke it but left me very...