1From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 4 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
Mr Edward Tiffin solicits an appointment in the Territory North West of the Ohio, The fairness of His Charactor in private and publick life, together with a knowledge of Law resulting from close application for a considerable time, will I hope, justify the liberty I now take in recommending Him to Your attention; regarding with due attention the delicacy, as well as importance of the character...
2From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 4 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have read and duly considered your letter of the 31st ultimo. The reasons you offer, for retaining your commission, until an opportunity should be presented, if necessary, of investigating your conduct, in every mode prescribed by law, would be conclusive with me, under any other circumstances than the present. But, the establishment of the troops allows only of one major general—you have...
3From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 28 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your knowledge of the Country North-west of the Ohio, and of the resources for an Army in its vicinity, added to a full confidence in your military character, founded on mature experience, induced my nomination of you to the command of the troops on the frontiers. Your desire of rectifying any errors of the public opinion, relatively to your conduct, by an investigation of a Court of Enquiry,...
4From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 2 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Philadelphia Jany 2d 1791. In the Journals of the Proceedings of the Executive in the North Western Territory, there appears to be certain regulations made by the Executive under the Articles of the 25th of April—6th 28th & 29th of June last, which can, with propriety, only be established by Laws. In noticing these, my mind naturally recurred to your letter to me dated at...
5From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 6 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
Congress having by their Act of the 29th of September last empowered me to call forth the Militia of the States respectively, for the protection of the frontiers from the incursions of the hostile Indians, I have thought proper to make this communication to you, together with the instructions herein contained. It is highly necessary that I should as soon as possible possess full information...
6From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 31 August 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 21st ulto inclosing a letter written in behalf of the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Pennsylvania on the 9th of July in the preceding year, came to this place in my absence on a tour up the river potomac with the Directors, to examine the obstructions & to point out a mode for the improvement and extension of its navigation. I am perfectly convinced that if the...
7From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 22 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 29th of Jany in answer to my circular Letter of the 28th of Dec. is at hand. I am sorry to find by it, that so many Delegates from your State Society are likely to be Nonattendants at the General meeting in May. It would have an odd appearance (whatever may be the causes) for the Society of the State, in which the General meeting is held, to be unrepresented upon such an...
8From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 8 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your Letter of the 2d instant, respecting the unhappy Irregularities of the Troops in Philadelphia. Your proposition for sending on the Judge Advocate appeared so just, that I have directed him to proceed immediately to Philadelphia & give all the Assistance in his power—I wish a happy Termination of this unlucky affair. The Pay Master General had left this before the...
9From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 19 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
It is a considerable time since I received the Letter in which you informed me, it would be impossible for you to return to the Army at the period appointed, on account of your pecuniary & domestic affairs. Sympathizing deeply in your private distresses, I have delayed to recall your attention and presence to your Command as long as the circumstances of Service, my own personal feelings, and...
10From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 3 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
Not having had an Answer to my Letter of the 16th of Sepr—inclosing a Copy of One to you of the 8th of Augst respectg your Joing the Army—I am induced to think the last has failed as well as the first. I therefore commit one more Letter to the Care of the Secretary at War—I have to request, that immediately on the Receipt of this, you will proceed to, & assume the Command assigned to you in my...
11From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
In reply to your Letter of the 10th instant, which I received Yesterday by post, I send you inclosed, a Copy of my Letter to you of the 8th of last Month—which went to Phila under Cover to the Secretary at War—who was desired to see it forwarded to you,By what misfortune it has failed, I cannot say—but rather suppose it must have been sent into the Country, while you have been absent from...
12From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 8 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Army under my Immediate Command, is on the point of takg the field—Your Services will be necssary—You will therefore be pleased to repair to this Department as soon as possible where a Command will be allotted to you.I am &c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
13From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 30 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Favor of the 14th instant, and am very sorry to observe the Difficulties & Impediments which have attended the march of the Troops under your Command—they are such as I feared—but such as I trust the Resources of your Genius will surmount. The Returns you inclosed, I was sorry to see so small—the Deficiency in Numbers, must be made up in the Vigor of your Operations—Your...
14From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 29 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Detachment of which you will have the command, for the Southward, is to consist of the Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia Continental Troops. You will march them by the most convenient route, and in the most expeditious manner (without fatiguing the Troops) towards Wilmington in North Carolina; of which, or other Posts in that State, you will endeavour to dispossess the Enemy, if their...
15From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 15 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have to request you in the most earnest Manner to send forward all the Recruits that are furnished by the State of Pensylvania for their Line—Let it not be said that those Troops are kept from Service for Want of a few Articles which they could wish to be furnished with, when other Troops doing Duty in the Field are combatting almost every Distress imaginable, in the Want of almost every...
16From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 22 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have to request you immediately to assemble all the Recruits in the State of Pennsilvania at their respective places of Rendesvous, where they may be properly equiped to march on the shortest notice to the Southward; and those Recruits that are raised in the State of Delaware, I wish you to inform whoever has the Direction of them, that they assemble at Wilmington, and be in the utmost...
17From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 7 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Favor of the 20th ulto—I am very sorry to observe the unfavorable Prospect you give me of the Recruiting the Pensylvania Line—that I may have a decided Knowlege of the Success of this Business from time to time, you will be pleased to give me by every post, a Weekly Acco. of the Numbers recruited in each Week—& that it may be done with Clearness & Precision, you will be...
18From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 10 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been favour’d with yours of the 24th ultmo & 4th inst. I am pleas’d to find by the first that the Assembly of Pennsylvania have at length passed a Law which seems likely to procure the number of Men voted. You certainly misunderstood me when you was at New Windsor, if you conceiv’d it was my intention that you should serve this Campaign with the Army in this quarter; I at that time...
19From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 23 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I received your Favor of the 16th—I am much obliged by your Care & Attention for the Public Service—& at the same Time lament the sm all proba bility of Success which you have Reason to expect from the Representation you give of the Disposition of the Assembly of Pensylvania. some favorable Circumstances, or some adverse Fortune may possibly yet draw forth their Exertions. your Zeal...
20From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 23 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your fav’r of the 21st: If it be reduced to a certainty that the enemy are making another embarkation, I shall not think a total evacuation of New York is improbable, except they hold us in a light more contemptable than I can suppose they do, or unless they look for speedy reenforcements, of which from the latest European intelligences, there were no appearances. I shall probably...
21From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favors of the 6th and 15th. I am sorry to find from the last, that unavoidable obstacles have been thrown in the way of the march of the 1st division of the line at the time you expected. I can only recommend to you to get them off as soon as possible and in as good temper as possible. It is essential that General Greene should be regularly advised of the motions of those...
22From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 8 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The dispersed and broken situation of the remaining Troops of the Pennsylvania Line, after the unhappy affair of the 1st of January, rendered the unwearied attention, and greatest exertion of the Officers of every rank indispensably necessary, to reassemble the scattered remains, and restore discipline among them; for on this, and the success of the recruiting Service, depended all our hopes...
23From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 26 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Congress, by a resolve of the 20th instant, have determined that the Pennsylvania line except Moylans Dragoons and the troops upon command to the Westward shall compose part of the southern Army, and have directed me to order it to join the Army in Virginia by detachments, as they may be in readiness to march —You, will therefore, in obedience to the above resolve, put matters in proper train...
24From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 22 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will, by the time this reaches you, be acquainted with the destination of the detachment under the command of the Marquis de la Fayette, which, tho’ as large as could be afforded from the troops in this quarter, is not so competent to the certain completion of the object in view, as I could wish. By some accounts from Philada I am led to hope that further assistance may be derived from the...
25From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 13 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I observe by the recruiting instructions annexed to the printed arrangement of the Pennsylvania line, that the Regimental places of rendezvous are fixed, but that the general Rendezvous is to be at such place as shall be judged proper by me, or the commanding Officer of the line. In my opinion, Bristol and that neighbourhood will be, upon many accounts, most suitable and convenient for this...
26George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 3 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 3, 1781 . Sends instructions for recruiting the Pennsylvania line. Requests opinion on the treatment of fraudulent discharges. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
27From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 3 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
The unexpected reduction of the Pensylvania line from the late unfortunate affair adds to the necessity of the greatest attention to improve the measures adopted for recruiting it. I do not know precisely what these are; but I am informed in general that money is raising for the purpose and that the recriuting service goes on with success. In orde⟨r to ha⟩ve it conducted with regularity and...
28From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 15 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 11th together with one from the Committee of Congress of the 9th Inst. as I had just dispatched an Express to you, with my Letter of the 12th—I have detained your Messenger untill this time, in expectation that something so decisive would have turned up, as might have fixed the line of conduct which we ought to pursue. But nothing new having come to my...
29From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 12 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Receipt of your Letter of the 9th inclosing One from General Wayne has, if possible, added to my embarrassments. I had heard from General Sullivan and Lord Stirling that the Mutineers had delivered up the British Emissaries immediately upon their arrival at Prince Town —From this, I was in hopes that they had precluded themselves from all assistance from that quarter, and that the...
30From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 10 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your favors of the 7th and 8th from Morris Town both reached me in the course of this day. I cannot conceive how Major Fishbourne could have misunderstood me as to my intention of going down. The postscript of my letter of the 3d to General Wayne, which was added after I had consulted Governor Clinton and the General Officers was to the contrary. Upon receiving your letter of the 7th I sent...
31George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, [1 October 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Tappan, New York, October 1, 1780. ] Directs St. Clair to take command of West Point. Sends instructions for this command and reviews the orders that have been given for that and nearby posts. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
32George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 1 August 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Peekskill [ New York ] August 1, 1780 . Writes that Lafayette is to be given command of the Corps of Light Infantry. Asks St. Clair to assume command until Lafayette returns. Df , in writings of George Washington to H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
33From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 1 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the orders of this day that the corps of light infantry is im⟩med⟨iately to b⟩e formed⟨. The⟩ command of it for the Campaign is promised to the Marqs De la Fayette for reasons which I dare say will be to you obvious & satisfactory. If we attack New York the part this Corp will act will make it a most desirable command. Should it be agreeable to you to take it till the...
34From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 2 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have considered the several objects of the two letters from Major Genl Phillips of the 22 and 29 of last month, which you put into my hand; and would summarily observe for your gover[n]ment so far as my opinion is concerned. General Phillips may be informed that the American Commissary of Prisoners will be instructed to signify my permission for Major Harnage and Capn Hawker of the 62d B....
35George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair and Lieutenant Colonels Edward Carrington and Alexander Hamilton, [8 … (Hamilton Papers)
The powers herewith authorise you to proceed to Amboy on Thursday the 9th. instant to meet Commissioners on the part of the enemy for the purpose of settling a General Cartel. You will perceive what has been already done in this business by the papers accompanying this. The proposals concerted between Major General Phillips and Colonels Magaw, Mathews, Ely and Lt Col Ramsay, No. 1; the...
36George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair and Lieutenant Colonels Edward Carrington and Alexander Hamilton, [7 … (Hamilton Papers)
By His Excellency George Washington Esquire General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States of America. To Major General Arthur St: Clair and Lieutenant Colonels Edward Carrington and Alexander Hamilton— Whereas a proposition hath been made and acceded to for a meeting of Commissioners at Amboy on Thursday the 9th: instant for the purpose of settling a General Cartel— In...
37From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 27 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
The letter you inclosed me in yours of this date contains some matters of information from a Mr Mercereau of Deane’s character, the person whom you sent up some time since —As I have nothing particular for your attention I have ordered the horsemans return—and am Dr Sir &. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . See St. Clair to GW, 22 February .
38From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 24 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of yesterday late last night. I am sorry that the state of the Ice did not admit of the prosecution of your enterprize at the time you had determined to carry it into execution, but perhaps this change of Weather may again make the passage secure. You will be pleased to come up on Monday next, if the situation of matters below will permit—Your presence is necessary as a Witness on...
39George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 23 February 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] February 23, 1780 . Agrees to delay of project against Powles Hook. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
40From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 23 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received yours of seven oClock this morning. I am apprehensive with you that the circumstances you mention will prevent the execution of your project; for which reason and the badness of the weather I delay the march of the covering party ’till I hear further from you. If the intelligence you expect proves favourable to your design I shall be obliged to you to dispatch a...
41From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 12 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I received yours of yesterday, late last night. I am pleased to find that the Vigilance of your Guards and patrolls disappointed the enemy whatever might have been their intentions. I have taken precautions to guard against an attempt by such a party as might be reasonably supposed to be able to reach this in the course of a night, and I hope that a short continuance of this Weather will make...
42From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 8 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 7th yesterday afternoon. As I can see no inconveniency from permitting Mrs Hadden to pass in by Pawlus Hook, you will therefore grant her request, and make such further use of that communication, in the way of flags while the frost continues as you may judge essential for any purposes you may have in view, or for obtaining useful information. I would imagine...
43From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 2 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
The two Connecticut Brigades march this morning. I think you had best detain all the Men of that line, who are already down, who are cloathed and in other respects fit for duty—The others may be sent up under Officers to do Camp duty. I am &c. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . See GW to St. Clair, 1 February .
44From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 2 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment favored with your letter of this date. The detatchment which I mentioned as to march this morning, owing to some causes that have unavoidably intervened, does not leave camp till to-morrow. With regard to the enterprise you have in view—should circumstances make it eligible in your opinion, I have no objection to your trying the experiment. I am Dr Sir Your obt & hble servt LS...
45From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 2 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your 2d Letter of this date. As I wrote You this forenoon I leave the Enterprize in view entirely with You—and the execution to be attempted or not as You may judge proper from a full consideration of all circumstances—the intelligence you have received—and the characters of the persons who gave it. If it should appear to You that there is a strong probability of it’s...
46From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 1 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of yesterday. As the horse are so very essential during the continuance of the ⟨ice—I⟩ think you had better ⟨engage them at al⟩l ev⟨ents, a⟩nd, ⟨at such a pay as they can be obtained. The militia horse, that were employed as patroles &c. last winter—had (if I do not mistake) the same allowance as express riders. You however, will make your agreement on the best terms...
47From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 30 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 28th and 29th. Your reasons for preferring patrols, and those chiefly of Horse, are so conclusive, that I would wish you to endeavour to engage about twenty to serve while the Sound is passable upon the Ice. If they will find their own Forage, it will be more convenient than to supply them from the public Magazines. They shall be allowed accordingly. One Mr...
48From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 29 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to forward the inclosed letter by flag. It is from a Mr Ranselair, who comes particularly recommended by Gen. Schuyler. As he is impatient for an answer, as soon as one reaches you, I wish to have it sent up by express. I want to be informed in what manner the troops are accommodated as to quarters, or whether any part of them are put to inconvenience on this account. I...
49From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 27 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to repair to our lines and investigate the causes of the late misfortune & disgrace at Elizabeth Town &ca —& report your opinion there upon as soon as enquiry is made. You will also examine into the state of our Guards—their situation &ca & see if any change can be made in their position for the bettr havg respect as far as present circumstances will allow to the objects in...
50From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 23 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
Congress have by a late Resolve directed the incorporation of the Inspectorate and Mustering departments. But previous to this, the Officers of the latter had chiefly left the service, and as the new arrangement is not yet organized the Musters for the Months of Novemr and Decemr are on that account incompleat. The Brigade Inspectors have generally performed that duty for those Months at the...