1George Washington to Henry Laurens, 16 March 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, March 16, 1778 . States that command of Forts Montgomery and Clinton should be placed under general command of the Highlands. Has appointed Major General Alexander McDougall to that general command. Sees no prospect of carrying out intended expedition against Canada. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives. Laurens had succeeded John Hancock as...
2George Washington to Henry Laurens, 3 April 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge , April 3, 1778 . Recommends that Captain Henry Lee be promoted. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
3George Washington to Henry Laurens, 3 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, May 3, 1778 . Discusses reasons for lack of Indian aid. Thinks the United States should continue to try to counteract British overtures to Indians. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives; Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
4George Washington to Henry Laurens, 7 July 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New Brunswick, New Jersey ] July 7, 1778 . States that American forces have advanced to North River. Asks that Committee for Arranging the Army begin operations at once. Df , in writings of Robert Hanson Harrison and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
5George Washington to Henry Laurens, 11 July 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Paramus [ New Jersey ] July 11, 1778 . Acknowledges receipt of Laurens’s congratulations on Battle of Monmouth. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
6George Washington to Henry Laurens, 26 July 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
White Plains [ New York ] July 26, 1778 . Regrets Baron von Steuben finds it necessary to resign. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
7George Washington to Henry Laurens, 9 August 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
White Plains, New York, August 9, 1778 . Discusses desirability of forming a corps consisting of Hessian deserters. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
8George Washington to Henry Laurens, 13 August 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
White Plains [ New York ] August 13, 1778 . Encloses a letter from Major General John Sullivan. Asks for papers concerning Major General Arthur St. Clair, whose trial is about to commence. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
9George Washington to Henry Laurens, 12 September 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
White Plains [ New York ] September 12, 1778 . Transmits a copy of report of “a Board of Officers” on proposed Canadian expedition. Discusses importance of project and problems involved. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
10George Washington to Henry Laurens, 3 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fishkill [ New York ] October 3, 1778 . Sends information concerning enemy’s movements in New Jersey. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
11George Washington to Henry Laurens, 21 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] October 21, 1778 . Introduces Lieutenant Colonel Mauduit du Plessis, who wishes to leave country. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress
12George Washington to Henry Laurens, 13 November 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] November 13, 1778 . States that Baron von Steuben waits upon Congress on the subject of the inspectorship. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
13George Washington to Henry Laurens, 14 November 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] November 14, 1778 . Discusses advantages and disadvantages of proposed Canadian expedition. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
14George Washington to Henry Laurens, 16 November 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] November 16, 1778 . States that Brigadier General Du Portail, since his furlough from France expires soon, wishes to be employed by Congress. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
15George Washington to Henry Laurens, 16 November 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] November 16, 1778 . Transmits news of attack on Cherry Valley. Believes that only way to prevent such attacks is to carry on an offensive war against Indians. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
16George Washington to Henry Laurens, 19 November 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] November 19, 1778 . States that Colonel Armand wishes Congress to commission officers who served in his corps, and that Armand intends to leave for France. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
17George Washington to Henry Laurens, 21 November 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] November 21, 1778 . Requests Congress to promote Pierre Penet’s brother to captain by brevet. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
18George Washington to Henry Laurens, 27 November 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] November 27, 1778 . Acknowledges receipt of copies of treaties with France. States that commissioners have been appointed for exchange of prisoners. Discusses plans for winter quarters. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
19George Washington to Henry Laurens and Thomas Burke, 18 March 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] March 18, 1779 . Discusses exchange of prisoners. Believes that civilian prisoners should not be exchanged at this time. Raises question as to mode of delivery of prisoners. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Laurens was a member of Congress from South Carolina; Burke was a member of the same body from North Carolina.
20George Washington to Henry Laurens, Joseph Spencer, and Nathaniel Scudder, 20 August 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, August 20, 1779. Suggests combining duties of muster department with those of inspectorship. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. These men were members of a committee of Congress on the mustering department.
21From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 1–3 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was duly honored with Mr Hancocks Letter of the 25th with its several Inclosures. I shall take the case of John More under consideration, and will transmit Colo. Mason my determination upon the same. At this time, I cannot inform the Commissary whether any alterations have, or have not been made by Genl Orders in the Original ration establishment. I have been under the necessity from time to...
22From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 8 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose you an extract of a letter from Major Genl Dickinson of the 6th instant, by which it appears that a reinforcement has sailed from New York either for Genl Howe or some other expedition. I have not yet heard whether any of the Troops on their march from the northward have yet crossed the North River, but I hope they will be with me near as soon as Genl Howe’s...
23From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 10 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with your Favors of the 4th and 5th Inst., with their several Inclosures. Among those of the former, I found the Resolution you are pleased to allude to, respecting your Appointment as president. permit me, Sir, to congratulate you upon this Event, and to assure you, I have the most entire confidence, that I shall experience in you, during your presidency, the same...
24From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 11 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The condition of the Army for want of Cloaths and Blankets, and the little prospect we have of obtaining relief according to the information I have received from the Board of War, occasion me to trouble you at this time. The mode of seizing and forcing supplies from the Inhabitants, I fear, would prove very inadequate to the demands, while it would certainly imbitter the minds of the People,...
25From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 17–18 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to inform you that Fort Mifflin was evacuated the night before last, after a defence which does credit to the American Arms, and will ever reflect the higher honor upon the Officers and Men of the Garrison. The Works were intirely beat down, every peice of Cannon dismounted, and one of the Enemy’s Ships so near, that she threw Grenades into the fort, and killed the men upon the...
26From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 23 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with your Favors of the 13 & 19 Instant with their Inclosures. I am well assured Congress have not been inattentive to the Necessities of the Army, and that the deficiency in our Supplies, particularly in the Article of cloathing has arisen from the difficulty of importing, on account of the Numerous Fleet, which line our Coast. However, I am persuaded that...
27From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 26–27 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday morning honored with your Favors of the 22d Inst. I wish the measures Congress have adopted may effectually suppress the disturbances in the Western Department. Should they prove successful & the Savages & wicked deluded Inhabitants receive a severe check, it is probable, they will not be induced again to take a part against us—or at least for some considerable time. Colo....
28From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 1 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
On Saturday I had the Honor to receive your Favor of the 26th Ulto with it’s Inclosures. The Resolve of the 25th, I have published in Orders agreable to direction, and shall be happy if Congress can fall upon measures to render the situation of the Officers & Soldiery more eligible than what it now is. At present it is truly distressing, and unless some means can be divised to support them...
29From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 10 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform you, that in the course of last week from a variety of intelligence I had reason to expect that Genl Howe was preparing to give us a general Action. Accordingly on Thursday night he moved from the City with all his Force, except a very inconsiderable part left in his Lines & Redoubts, and appeared the next morning on Chesnut Hill in front of, & about three miles...
30From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 14–15 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
On Thursday Evening I had the Honor to receive your Favor of the 8th Instant. From the Several Letters which have lately passed between Genl Howe & myself, I am fully convinced that any propositions by me to release the Baron St Ouary from captivity, either by an Exchange or on parole would be unavailing. In his Letter of the he has explicitly stated his Sentiments, and has declared himself to...