31From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 28 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was a few days ago honored with yours of the 9th: since the receipt of it, I have seen Commissary Cheever, and have had an opportunity of making particular enquiry into the state of the Arms at Springfield. He tells me, that the repair, of such of the old Muskets as are worth the trouble and expence, is going on as fast as the circumstances of want of hands and want of money will admit. The...
32From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 22 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am again reduced to the painful necessity of informing Your Excellency of the situation in which we are, with respect to provision of the meat kind—and of earnestly entreating every assistance in your power to give, for our relief. The whole Army has been already without meat one day and a great part of it Two. We have none now in Camp, and no good prospect that I can find, of receiving any...
33From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 8 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with Your Excellency’s favor of the 4th Inst. I am sorry that any disputes and differences should have happened between Major Murnan and the Inhabitants and Militia—As it is difficult to reconcile matters after they have been carried to such a height as appears by Capt. Greens deposition I have thought it best to recall Major Murnan—You will be pleased to forward the inclosed to...
34From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 1 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am assembling our whole Continental Force at this place with an intent to move down towards New York, in hopes, that an opportunity may offer in the absence of Sir Henry Clinton of striking the Enemy to advantage or at least of gaining possession of some posts which will be of very great advantage in carrying on our future operations. I have taken the liberty to order the two State Regiments...
35From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 27 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of Your Excellency’s favors of the 18th and 19th instants—Colo. Wadsworth has forwarded the map of new London which you were so kind as to furnish. It answers the purpose for which I principally wanted it, which was to show the draft of Water leading into the Harbour—I very much fear that we shall be obliged to transport our cloathing from France the whole way from Rhode...
36From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 14 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
There is expected a quantity of clothing arms and amunition in the French fleet for the united States, which I have requested might be forwarded to New-London under convoy of a frigate or two—I shall send Mr Olney to receive it, and expedite it to the army. But as the Quarter Master General has no means in his power which could procure a sufficient number of waggons or teams in time, I beg...
37From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 11 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to suggest to Your Excellency that it is a matter of great importance for me to be acquainted with our several Harbours—their depth of Water within and leading to them and all the difficulties & circumstances attending their navigation. at present this knowledge is more peculiarly essential with respect to the Eastern Ports & particularly in the instance of New London. In the...
38From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 7 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am informed there are two Regiments of State Troops, amounting to six hundred men posted at Stanford, under the Command of Colo. Willis; to which place Major Murnon has been sent, for the purpose of cutting fascines, and will stand in need of every assistance, which can be afforded him: If Your Excellency will give directions that such of these Troops, and of the Militia which may be...
39From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 3 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been informed, that the State of Connecticut have in possession a very considerable quantity of Salt petre, which they are unable to manufacture into Gun powder, for want of Sulphur—The Continent, on the contrary, have a quantity of Sulphur at Springfeild which lies idle for want of the other necessary ingredients. I have therefore to propose to Your Excellency, that the Sulphur, or as...
40From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 27 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
By a letter from Your Excellency to Major General Howe, which he communicated to me, it appeared, that you were ordering a body of two thousand Militia to his assistance. This measure at the time was a very eligible one; but as, by the removal of our stores most exposed, we have had it in our power to detach a reinforcement of Continental Troops to West Point, and to remove the rest of the...
41From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 20 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have thought proper to send Brigr Genl Parsons to your State to receive arrange and forward to the army the Drafts and recruits which may be furnished for the Continental Battalions in consequence of the late requisitions of the Committee of Congress. Your Excellency will be pleased to give him such information and advice as will be requisite for his government. So important is the present...
42From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 18 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have just received authentic advice, that a large fleet appeared off Sandy Hook yesterday afternoon and entered as fast as they came up. From every circumstance this can be no other than Sir Henry Clinton. If the enemy push directly up the North River, much is to be apprehended for West Point. It requires all our exertions to put it in a state of defence. I some days since directed General...
43From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 11 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 6th conveying the very agreeable intelligence that a quantity of salted provision is on the way to West Point—It gives me much pleasure to hear that vigorous measures are pursuing by your State to draw forth its resources of Men and supplies, and I am not without hope that the same good disposition will pervade the whole. I am persuaded that the...
44From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 1 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
We have just received a hand Bill from New York, published by Authority, containing an account of the surrender of Charles town the 12th instant, said to have come by the Iris, which left that place the 17th: The particulars are not given; some leading matters are mentioned, but they are probably either false, or exaggerated. There are circumstances of suspicion attending this account, but as...
45From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 26 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
It is with infinite pain I inform You, that we are reduced to a situation of extremity for want of meat. On several days of late the Troops have been entirely destitute of Any—and for a considerable time past they have been at best, at a half—a quarter—an Eighth allowance of this essential Article of provision. The men have borne their distress with a firmness and patience never exceeded—and...
46From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 19 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to forward you by Express, Two packets which have just been transmitted to my care by His Excellency the Minister—& the Consul of France. according to the Letters which accompanied these dispatches, they will announce to your Excellency the very generous and affectionate resolution of His Most Christian Majesty to send a Land & Naval armament to cooperate with us—and that...
47From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 27 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am informed by Lt Colo. Stevens, at present the commanding Officer of Colonel Lambs Regiment of Artillery, that there are four Companies in that Regiment, which were raised in Connecticut, and have been adopted and supplied by the State, for which reason, he has desired liberty to send an Officer from each Company on the recruiting service, not doubting but they will be allowed the same...
48From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 4 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
Immediately upon the Rect of your Excellency’s favor of the 22d ulto, I desired Brigadier General Huntington to send as many Officers, as could possibly be spared from the Connecticut line, to take your instructions relative to the Business of recruiting. The number, from our circumstances at this time, will fall infinitely short of your Excellency’s requisition, but you may be assured that...
49From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 25 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowlege two favors from your Excellency, both of the 10th of this month. I flatter myself that the measures of the Assembly for recruiting the quota of troops, and bringing them into the field, will fully answer your Excellency’s expectations. I am persuaded, that for such an essential purpose, nothing will be left undone. That part of your Excellency’s letter which relates to the...
50From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 26 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honor of addressing Your Excellency on the 20th Instant —It has been found, that there was an Error in the Return then transmitted, with respect to the number of Men belonging to the State in the artillery. Instead of 4 there are 77 in Lamb’s Battallion, 76 of which are for the War—and 7 in Captain Walker’s company for the same time. I have the Honor to be with the most perfect...
51From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 14 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 27th ultimo. It gives me pleasure to hear that the legislature of your State have fallen upon so effectual measures to put a stop to all illicit intercourse between its inhabitants and the enemy in New-York and upon Long Island. The practice I am convinced has been extremely beneficial to our enemy and detrimental to us. I have ever...
52From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 8 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose your Excellency the copy of a letter I have just received from the late Commissary General, by which you will see upon how ill a footing our future prospects of supplies are; particularly with respect to meat. This corresponds with representations from every quarter, and with what we actually feel. The army has been near three months on a short allowance of Bread;...
53From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 8 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favors of the 23d ulto. It gives me great pleasure to find your intention of laying the state of the troops of your line before your Assembly at as early a period as possible. I have directed the Returns which you call for to be made out, and I hope they will be transmitted in time to meet the Assembly at the opening of the Session. I had, previous to...
54From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 20 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with Your Excellency’s Letter of the 16th. I assure you Sir, I should esteem myself happy if it were in my power to comply with your request, with respect to the Troops ordered from Rhode Island—but it is really not. I have no alternative in the matter; or at least I could not consent to their remaining with you, without departing from such an Arrangement, as a regard to...
55From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 16 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
In my letter of the 12th I mentioned to your Excellency that the operations to the Southward had taken up more time than was at first apprehended, and that this, with the advanced season of the year, made the expected co-operation a matter of the utmost uncertainty. I am sorry to inform you that by dispatches received last night, there has been an alteration of circumstances in that quarter,...
56From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 12 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 5th. The operations to the Southward have been of so much longer duration, than was at first apprehended, and no certain accounts being yet received, that have come to my knowlege, induces me to think, that the probability of an attempt against the enemy in this quarter, more especially considering the advanced state of the season, is a...
57From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 4 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowlege your Excellency’s favor of the 30th of last month relative to the case of Lt Sylvanus Meade. I am induced to beleive on considering the peculiarity of the circumstances attending Mr Meade’s coming out of New-York, that he acted without design of violating any engagement which the indulgence he received from the enemy implied. And I shall direct the commissary of prisoners...
58From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 22 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have yet recd no official Accounts from the southward—The inclosed was brought the day before yesterday from Philada. The Gentleman who transmits the account from thence and Colo. Patton who brought the intelligence from North Carolina, are both so worthy of credibility that I flatter myself it will prove substantially true—altho’ it is difficult to account for its not having arrived...
59From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 15 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with your Excellency’s letter of yesterdays date, and thank you for your ready attention to my requisitions. The moment I receive the intelligence from the Count which is to determine our operations or how far the assistance of the Country will be necessary to carry them into execution, I shall do myself the honor to give you the earliest advice. I wait anxiously for...
60From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 10 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I find, upon recurring to my letter of the 7th to your Excellency, that I was not sufficiently explicit in answering that part of yours of the 2d instant, in which you desire to know, whether, in my opinion, the Militia at present on duty on the Coast may be safely withdrawn from thence in case of the expected operations, and be considered as part of the 4000 demanded of the State. They...