51From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 7 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The pay Abstract of the 10th Regiment of Connecticut Militia from October to January last, was this day presented to me for payment. The very unreasonable disproportion of Officers induced me to decline giving Orders for the payment. I must beg the favour of You to have some Mode adopted by which the Public Treasury may be eased of such extraordinary Demands—Impositions of this nature are...
52From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 8 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I last night received intelligence of the arrival of some powder in your Colony by the Sloop Macarone, and the report is that she brought Arms too—As my last letters from Philadelphia do not promise me hopes of an immediate supply of those necessaries, and as the exigency of this Army, at this particular crisis, calls for much more than what we have, I must beg the favor of you to interest...
53From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 18 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Mr Starr, an agent for the Board of War in a factory at Middletown, has represented to me, that the public service is like to suffer very materially from the workmen employed with him being called out to serve in the militia. The business under Mr Starr’s direction is of so much importance, that I could wish if possible, it might meet with no interruption. I am therefore induced to request the...
54From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 17 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
With much concern I beg leave to inform you of an unfortunate event that has taken place. Yesterday about 12 oClock the Enemy made a Genl Attack upon our Lines on Harlem Heights, which having carried, the Garrison retired within the Fort—Colo. Magaw who commanded finding the works invested on every side by a large part of their Army, and that there was but little or no prospect of effecting a...
55From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 9 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of your favor of the 5th instant and am sorry to say that from the best information we have been able to obtain, the people on Long Island have, since our evacuation, gone generally over to the Enemy, and made such concessions as have been required: some through compulsion I suppose but more from inclination—As a diversion on the Island has been impracticable under these...
56From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 30 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
The foegoing was put into the post Office agreeable to its Date, to be conveyed to your Excellency, but thro’ the Inattention of the post Master was made up in the Southern Mail—And on its return from Philadelphia by the Eastern post, was captured with his Mail & carried into N. York, which forms a Necessity for transmitting this Duplicate. With great Regard & Esteem I have the Honor to be...
57From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 8 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to receive your Excellencys Favor of the 24th of April—inclosing a Copy of your Letter to Congress on the Subject of American prisoners confined in England—with your Sentiments on the Necessity of Retaliation. I am sorry to inform your Excellency, that a Meeting of Commissioners which had, Among other Matters, been concerted for the purposes of a general Exchange, comprehendg...
58From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 15 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of yours of the 2d instant—I am much obliged for the attention you have paid to my requests thro’ General Putnam, and I shall ever acknowledge the readiness with which you have always afforded any assistance from Your State, when demanded immediately by myself. I was never consulted in the least upon the Rhode Island Expedition, and I cannot therefore pretend to say who were...
59From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 2 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform your Excellency of the sailing of the Embarkation, which I mentioned in my Letter of the 13th of December. The Fleet consisting of thirty two Sail, left the Hook on the 22nd Ulto with a Detachment of about Sixteen hundred Troops on Board, under the command of Arnold. It is conjectured they are designed as a further reinforcement to the Southern Army, which is said to...
60From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 12 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to inform your Excellency, that on hearing the enemy were moving through Marryneck in considerable force, I put General Heath and the two Connecticut brigades under marching orders towards the Sound. They I believe began their march yesterday morning; but the weather probably prevented their going far. I have the honor to be With the greatest respect Yr Excellency’s Most...
61From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 11 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I duly received your favor of the 6th instant and return you my best thanks for the attention you have shewn at this Crisis, in preparing the several Regiments of Militia which are nearest this place to be ready for marching when ordered. Some of the Troops have arrived, and I hope the rest will follow without loss of time. In my last letter I wrote you fully relative to the Light Horse, which...
62From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 21 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
By letter received from five Gentlemen Committee appointed by Provincial Convention of this State to reconnoitre and report the situation of the High Lands and Forts on Hudsons River, I find them in great want of Cannon, two men of war and three tenders being but about ten miles below them, and in daily expectation of their attempting to pass the Forts Montgomery and Constitution, to burn the...
63From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 14 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was last night favored with yours of the 6th—In a letter which I did myself the pleasure to write to you two days ago, I gave you a full account of my present situation and the occurrences that had happened since I left the neighbourhood of Fort Lee. The want of means of transportation has hitherto hindered the Enemy from making any attempt to cross the Delaware, and I hope, unless the...
64From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 21 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 18th instant, and concur with you in opinion, that their Women and Children with the Tory Families will most probably go to Halifax. This is what I meant and alluded to, having never suspected that they, especially the latter, would go to New York. I am extremely obliged by your friendly hints and shall ever receive them with pleasure, but I do not think that they...
65From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 24 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
On thursday last the Enemy landed a body of Troops supposed to amount, from the best accounts I have been able to obtain, to eight or nine thousand men at Gravesend Bay on Long Island, ten miles distant from our works on the Island, and immediately marched through the level and open lands to Flat-Bush where they are now incamped. They are distant about three miles from our Lines, and have...
66From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 7 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favors of the 3d and 4th instant and return you my sincere thanks for your kind intention to afford me every assistance in your power at this truly critical and alarming period. The situation of our affairs calls aloud for the most vigorous exertions, and nothing else will be sufficient to avert the impending blow. From four prisoners taken the other day we are...
67From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 9–10 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your request and the promise contained in my letter of yesterday I beg leave to transmit you the enclosed list comprehending the names of such Gentlemen as are recommended by the General Officers from your State, as proper Persons to be promoted in the Regiments you are about to raise, with the ranks which they conceive they ought to hold. Sensible that the very existence, that...
68From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 14 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since I did myself the honor to write you last, the Enemy have embarked their Troops on board a number of Transports, and are now making a shameful retreat from Boston. Various are the conjectures of their destination, though most agree it is either for Halifax or New-York—The latter place seems by much the most probable, be that as it may, New York is a Post of infinite importance both to...
69From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 24 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with Your Excellency’s Letter of the 30th Inst. together with the several Enclosures. The measures which have been taken by your Legislature to produce a prompt compliance with the requisitions upon the State, are of a good complexion, and afford me great satisfaction— I flatter myself the ample powers with which your Excellency & your Council are invested, will be strenuously...
70From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 16 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have been obliged to trouble you with some more disaffected persons whose residence here was dangerous to the American Interest. I trust I have now done with them, at least for the present, and hope you will excuse the disagreeable necessity I have been under of solliciting your care and attention to provide for them and dispose of them. As the case of these differs in no respect from that...
71From 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...
72From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 29 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 21st by Express, and return you my most sincere thanks for your ready compliance with my request for two thousand Militia—A late Maneuvre of the Enemy convinces us of the necessity that there is for an immediate march of this body of men to Peekskill. I imagine upon information of our weakness at that Post (the Eastern Militia having just left it) and that there...
73From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 14 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
“I beg leave to recommend to your kind notice Monsieurs Pennet and De Pliarne two French Gentlemen who came here last night. . . . I pray the favor of you to supply them with such necessaries as they may want and have Carriages provided for expediting their journey as much as possible.” LB , Ct : Trumbull Papers; LB , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . This letter is very similar in wording...
74From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 15 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your favors of the 7th and 9th instant I received, and was much pleased to hear of the zeal of the people of Connecticut & the readiness of the inhabitants of the several Towns to march to this Camp, upon their being acquainted with the behaviour and desertion of their Troops. I have nothing to suggest for the consideration of your Assembly; I am convinced that they will not be wanting in...
75From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 19 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have this morning received Your Excellency’s favor of the 15th. I have likewise had information from New York, that the enemy were preparing to make a move of some kind, but all my intelligences suppose that it will be a further detachment to the southward —Indeed, the situation of their affairs in that quarter seem to require a reinforcement. Should they however turn their views towards the...
76From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 10 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
By an almost total failure of the Supplies of Beef Cattle, demanded by Congress of the Eastern States; I find we are again reduced to the verge of Distress, (Our little Magazines, which were laid up for an emergency being entirely exhausted) and that there is no prospect of immediate relief, but from the salted provisions of Connecticut. I have therefore to request in the most earnest manner,...
77From 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...
78From 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...
79From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 2–4 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had last night the honor of your letter of the 27th of June. The proposition for the exchange of the Gentlemen you mention is entirely agreeable to me, as they are now entitled to a releasement, from the time of their Captivity; and fall within the right of Exchange I have prescribed to myself. I am sorry it is not in my power to comply with your request for Arms. Nothwithstanding the many...
80From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 27 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
Several concurring reports lead so strongly to a supposition that a French Squadron may be approaching our coast, that I think we cannot with propriety altogether neglect them. If this event should take place, it will be incumbent upon us to exert our utmost resources in a cooperation; and I shall be under a necessity of applying to the adjacent states for a very considerable aid of men and...
81From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 24 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 14th instant and am much obliged for your promised attention to the compleating of your Regiments, and I hope your exertions will be attended with the desired success. I am also to thank you for your care in providing cloathing for your Troops—If the Coats should not be cut out before this reaches you, instead of the usual Regimental Coat, I would recommend a...
82From 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...
83From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 7 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 1st inst. I received and heartily thank you for your kind salutations—I was happy to hear of the great unanimity in your Assembly and of the several salutary Laws they passed, which shew them to be well attached to the Common Cause, and to have taken proper measures for supporting it. Inclosed you have the account of the lead from Crown Point agreeable to your request —The...
84From 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...
85From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 20 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
By the returns, just delivered me, of the state of our Ammunition, I find we are greatly deficient in the article of Ball, and as I understand a large quantity of Lead has been manufactured at Middletown in your Government, I must beg the favor of you to forward as much as you can spare to me, as soon as possible. I am very respectfully Sir your most obedient humble Servant P.S. As the...
86From 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...
87From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 2 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 27th ulto and am sorry to inform you that it is not in my power at this time to refund to your Colony the powder lent the Continent, our Magazines here being very low, and the pressing demands from Canada obliging me immediately to forward sixty barrels thither. Should any inconvenience result to the Colony from not having it, it will give me much uneasiness. You...
88From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 7 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to you the 2nd instant with a Post Script of the 4th I there informed you of the Enemy having evacuated the Jerseys and of the intelligence received from Ticonderoga, which induced me to suppose it highly probable the next operation of General Howe would be up the North River. But as I have received no information since the first of the 26th Ulto to confirm the...
89From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 10 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favored with a Call from the Gentlemen appointed Commissioners from your State to arrange your Officers and to adopt some line of conduct for recruiting the Quota of men which you are to furnish. In discussing this subject the gentlemen informed me that your Assembly, to induce their men to enlist more readily into the service, have passed a vote advancing their pay twenty...
90From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 6 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favor of the 31st ulto and am extremely obliged by the measures you are taking in consequence of my recommendatory letter. The exertions of Connecticut upon this, as well as every other occasion, do them great honor, and I hope will be attended with successful and happy consequences. In respect to the mode of conduct to be pursued by the Troops that go over to the...
91From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 6 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the satisfaction of your two favors, both of the 27th ulto. The Battalions of Colo. Enos [&] McClellan, I am informed by Colonel Malcom, who commands where they were stationed, were to be discharged, and I suppose they are now on their way home. The violent gale which dissipated the two Fleets when on the point of engaging, and the withdrawing of the Count D’Estaing to Boston, may appear...
92From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 26 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday evening honored with your letter of the 22d instant—It is certainly of importance that I should have the earliest intelligence of the Enemy’s Movements, and I beg leave to thank you for the information you have been pleased to transmit on that head. Your anxiety for Troops to remain in Connecticut and my inability to grant them, when I examine matters upon a large, and I...
93From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 7 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
By two Deserters this day we have the following intelligence (viz.) That General Clinton and Lord Cornwallis with the whole Southern Army have arrived from South Carolina and landed on Staten Island, in number between 3 & 4,000, that the Fleet which came in a few days since are the Hessians and Scotch Highlanders part of 12,000 who were left off Newfoundland, and the whole making about 30,000...
94From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 21 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Having been obliged to make a very considerable temporary detachment from the Army, I am under the necessity of immediately calling in what Recruits may be raised in the neighbouring States to replace it —I have directed the superintending Officers at the different places of rendezvous to do this, but I must request your Excellency, if it possibly can be done, to furnish them in whole or in...
95From 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...
96From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 11 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday evening honored with your letter of the 4th inst. I regret our loss of Stores at Danbury and the misfortunes of our brave men who fell, and of those who were wounded. However, from these latter events, we derive this consolation, that the sentiments of the People are still powerfully directed to Liberty, and that no impression of the Enemy, be it never so sudden and unexpected;...
97From 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;...
98From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 2 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favor of the 30th ulto by Mr Trumbull —I sincerely wish this Camp could furnish a good Engineer—The Commisary Genl can inform you how excedingly deficient the Army is of Gentlemen skilled in that branch of business; and that most of the works which have been thrown up for the defence of our several Encampments have been planned by a few of the principal Officers...
99From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 9 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
From some late Intelligence out of Boston & sundry corroborating Circumstances, there is great Reason to suspect, that the Ministerial Troop intend either to make a Diversion to the Southward, or wholly to remove—If they should do either, it is most probable New York is the Place of their Destination; I therefore think it most Adviseable, that the Troop of your Colony who have not yet march’d,...
100From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 31 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I did myself the pleasure to write to you yesterday, I have received information, that the Enemy have embarked three thousand men, some said, with an intent to go to Chesapeak Bay, others, to go up the North River again. As this last is the most probable, I beg you will hasten your Militia to Peekskill with the utmost expedition, and also what Continental Troops are ready. Should the...