6401From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Udny Hay, 24 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 21st this morning. With respect to its contents, I have directed Major Genl Howe to order on the Massachusetts & New Hampshire Militia as they shall arrive, to Fish kill, or the most eligible place in its vicinity on either side the river—I have also directed as claverac is considered as a place of rendezvous, to have a small deposit of provisions at this post for...
6402From George Washington to Colonel James Wood, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 27th Instant and Memorandum by Genl Muhlenburg. I am sorry the recruiting business does not promise more success; but it is not to be wondered at, as there are such exorbitant bounties given for substitutes. I have never received any regular account of the Act you mention and of which you have transmitted a copy. If the Legislature have determined on the bounty...
6403From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 26 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
In answer to yours of this morning, I think it adviseable, that a couple of Officers, one from the New Hampshire and one from the Massachusetts troops should be immediately sent on by different routs, in quest of the Clothing; with directions to proceed on towards fish Kill ’till they meet it. As from other information, besides what you now communicate, I have reason to believe there is a...
6404From George Washington to Tench Tilghman, 14 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
A nephew of mine, Brother to the young Gentleman who studied Law under Mr Wilson, is inclined to enter into a Mercantile walk of life, & his Father is desirous he should do so. He has just compleated a regular Education—is about twenty years of age—Sober & serious—sensible, and I am told, remarkably prudent & assiduous in the comple[tion] of whatever he takes in hand. This is the character he...
6405From George Washington to the Cabinet, 16 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
Tomorrow I shall commence my journey for Virginia. My absence from the seat of Government will be as short as I can make it, to answer the purposes of my going. In the interim, occurrences may happen, out of the common rotine which might suffer by delay. where this is the case, & the matter is of importance, advise with the other Secretaries, & the Attorney General, and carry any unanimous...
6406From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 1 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Favor of 23d Ulto came to hand Yesterday with the inclos’d returns which I think are very extraordinary ones, particularly Colo. Penrose’s as I well remember having asked him early in December how his Regiment fill’d, & his answer as well as I can recollect was, that he then had got 300 Men—The returns of Desertion given in to you appear to be utterly impossible, should therefore be glad...
6407From George Washington to Robert Erskine, 3 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 26 ulto by Colo. Malcom. Notwithstanding the many conveniencies that would result from carrying on your work at your own House, I am still of opinion, that convenience is over ballanced by the danger you are in, should the enemy think the draughts in which you are engaged worth their attention. I can assure you, your Work is no secret to them. Some of the Convention...
6408From George Washington to Henry Knox, 9 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 6th came to hand last night. It would have given me pleasure to have had you with me & advantages might have resulted from it on my present tour, if your return, in time, would have allowed it. It is now too late, as we shall be in the Act of crossing the mountains, or I shall be on my return to Phila. (according to circumstances & the information I shall receive) at the...
6409From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 2 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I enclose you copies of my two Letters of the 30th and 31st, lest any accident should have happened to the originals. Col. Clarke has informed me that he had received intelligence of the enemy being at Tallar’s point with 42 sail and a number of flat-bottomed boats—that they had landed a party of men on the other side the North River and a party at the Slote —That he had called in his out...
6410From George Washington to William Booker, 26 June 1797 (Washington Papers)
From the good report I have had of your improved threshing machine, I am desirous of getting one or two of them erected; and as expeditiously as possible. The Scantling for two, upon the Plan of Mr Jefferson & others, of the Scotch machine, had been got before I received the account of yours; and may, I presume, be appropriated to the latter. The purpose therefore of this letter, is to know if...
6411From George Washington to John Hoskins Stone, 6 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
By thursdays Post I was favoured with your letter of the 27th ulto enclosing a declaration of the General Assembly of Maryland. At any time would the expression of such a sentiment have been considered as highly honorable & flattering: at the present, when the voice of malignancy is so high toned, and no attempts are left unessayed to destroy all confidence in the Constituted authorities of...
6412From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 5 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of yesterday. I can hardly suppose that a total evacuation of New York can be in contemplation at this time. but it is not improbable that they may endeavour to throw a Body of troops over to the West Indies, and the preparations you observed and have heard of may be for that purpose. However, be it a partial or total embarkation, a very little time must discover it. I am Dear...
6413From George Washington to Brigadier General Jedediah Huntington, 14 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Col. Sherman, who will deliver you this, informs me that his regiment has not received a supply of cloathing of any kind—I have not my papers by me and therefore cannot refer to what I wrote you from Fredericksburgh on the subject of cloathing for your Brigade—But if I recollect right, it was that it might be furnished out of the imported cloathing; provided you would engage to have all the...
6414From George Washington to William Gordon, 9 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your letter begun on the 28th Ulto ended the first instant came to my hds at this place– I am conscious of being indebted to you for several other unacknowledged favors. I thank you for ascribing my omission to a multiplicity of other matters. I can with much truth assure you that my business has encreased with our difficulties, & kept equal pace with them. To what length these have arisen no...
6415From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 14 July 1799 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for the enclosure in your letter of the 1st instant, and for forwarding my letters to England, under cover to Mr King. Since the receipt of the above, General Pinckney has given me the whole of Major Mountf[l]orence’s letter to him. Surely La Fayette will not come here on such an errand, and under such circumstances as are mentioned in that letter. And yet—I believe he will, if the...
6416From George Washington to Colonel Elisha Sheldon, 24 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
When you were at this place some time since, you assured me, that I might expect to see you and your Regiment at Camp about a fortnight thence. I must confess I did not entertain the least Suspicion, after this assurance, that so long a space would have elapsed, and that at the end of it the event would be as remote for any thing I should know, as ever. I find myself utterly at a loss to...
6417From George Washington to John Mathews, 26 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
your favor of the 15th was not receivd till this Morning. I am so totally unacquainted with the State of southern prisoners, that I did not chuse to enter into a negociation with Sir Henry Clinton on the idea of a General exchange, altho’ liberty was given me by Congress —Nothing particular has therefore been done respecting the Gentlemen who are confined at St Augustine, as it could not be...
6418From George Washington to James McHenry, 5 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
At the earnest request of General Hamilton, that I would give instructions for having the eighth, ninth and tenth Regiments of Infantry provided with Winter Quarters, which it was very desireable should be at Harper’s Ferry, I have departed from the resolution which I had formed, not to take charge of any military operations, unless the Army should be called into the Field, so far as to Order...
6419From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 5 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
As every thing, in a manner, depends upon obtaining Intelligence of the Enemys motions, I do most earnestly entreat you and Genl Clinton to exert yourselves to accomplish this most desireable end. leave no stone unturn’d, nor do not stick at expence to bring this to pass, as I never was more uneasy than on Acct of my want of knowledge on this Score. Keep besides this precaution, constant...
6420From George Washington to Charles Lee, 14 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
This letter is for your eye only—It is written for the purpose of expressing my regret for your continued absence from the Seat of the Government. Rely upon it, it is productive of unpleasant remarks, in which I must be involved. It will, indeed is, considered as making a Sinecure of the Office. To suppose there is no particular occasion for the Law-Officer of the government at the Seat of it...
6421From George Washington to Robert Cary & Company, 26 July 1773 (Washington Papers)
Since writing my Invoice of the 10th Instt my Gardiner has furnish’d me with a compleat list of such Seeds as he will want, which please to send instead of the few then wrote for. I have also recollected some other Articles as underneath which I should be glad to have added to my Invoice & forwarded along with the other Goods, which will much oblige Your Most Obedt Servt ALB , DLC:GW . There...
6422From George Washington to James McHenry, 21 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Mount Vernon Septr 21st [1792]. Fearing some accident may have prevented my last (enclosing a letter for Mr Robt Smith) from reaching your hands, I take the liberty of giving you the trouble to receive this, requesting to be informed if this be the fact—and if not, what has been the result of your enquiries in the business Committed to you. I have had many applications in...
6423From George Washington to William Temple Franklin, 26 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
The last post gave me the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 20th inst: covering, among others, a letter from the Marquis de la Fayette, who speaks of you to me in very advantageous terms. but your own merit Sir, of which I have heard frequent mention, is alone sufficient to impress me with very favourable sentiments of you; of which I should be happy to give you personal assurances at...
6424From George Washington to Samuel Adams, 22 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
Amidst a multiplicity of Business smaller matters are apt to be overlook’d—this I conceive to be the case with respect to the proposition of a Colo. Baillie, for opening a Road from Connecticut River to Montreal, and which I laid before Congress for their direction some Months ago—The matter again occurs upon a Second application, from Mr Weatherspoon (the bearer, at, as I understand, the...
6425From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 18 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed from Genl Forman is this instant came to hand. there are by information—from Genl Schuyler—1700 Barrls of flour at Trenton. Use every possible means to hurry it on to the North River and to get this Army in a moving condition. The General (& ind[ee]d other) Officers at Morris Town will not fail being in Camp this Afternoon. My Letters to Genl Howe & Govr Trumbull are left open for...
6426From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 21 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have the several papers respecting the claims of Captains Becker and Steddiford which were referred to me by Congress —It appears to me that there is no way of providing for these Gentlemen, but introducing them into the 4th Pennsylvania Regt under the Resolve of Congress of the 24th Novemr 1778. You will therefore be pleased to enquire what dates their Commissions are to bear in...
6427From George Washington to Captain John Stokes, 11 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of yesterdays date inclosing a list of articles seized in the hands of two women from New York. The Licence to pass and repass granted them by the executive Council of Pennsilvania—is not intended to countenance the illicit Commerce in which they have been concerned—Besides a Law of this State subjects such contraband Goods to forfeiture —You will therefore inform...
6428From George Washington to Warner Washington, 9 November 1787 (Washington Papers)
Having received an Official acct (from Mr Athawes) of the death of Colo. Geo: Wm Fairfax, together with the enclosed letter, I take the safe conveyance afforded by Mr Muse, of forwarding them to you. On this occasion I sincerely condole with Mrs Washington and yourself. Colo. Fairfax has appointed me an Executor of his Will in this Country; but the multiplicity, & perplexed state of my own...
6429From George Washington to Anthony Walton White, 17 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will please to send to this place for the use of the Genl & field officers expected from the head of Elk twelve good Horses—they will be wanted till their own come by land, only—let a Commisioned Officer come with them that he may regularly account for their delivery—He will report himself, & these Instructions to the Marquis de la Fayette upon his arrival. Besides these, I shall want two...
6430From George Washington to Brigadier General Nathaniel Heard, 1 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy tota⟨lly abandoned Amboy Yesterday,⟩ I therefore shall be e⟨nabled to dispense with a⟩ much less Number of ⟨Militia than were deman⟩ded, which gives me ple⟨asure, as the peo⟩ple will have an Opportunity of collecting their ⟨Har⟩vest. Instead therefore of five h⟨undre⟩d ⟨men, a⟩ number not under one hundred⟨, nor e⟩x⟨ceeding one⟩ hundred and fifty will be suffici⟨ent, which are to be⟩...
6431From George Washington to Brigadier General John Neilson, 2 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I wish very much to have the information I wrote for yesterday sent me. How many boats can be drawn together—what kind—and the number of men each boat can contain? These were the principal questions. If you have obtained the answer I request it immediately. I also am desirous of knowing with all the precision of which the enquiry is capable—the number of men on Staten Island—where they are...
6432From George Washington to John Marshall, 15 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 10th Ulto to Doctr Stuart enclosing a Summons for L. Washington &c. did not come to my hand till lass Night. I am at a loss what step to take in this matter, and should be glad of your advice. Luther Martin is the Attorney Genl of Maryland and lives in Baltimore. Elizabeth and Sarah Cresap I have always understood live with one Jacobs who Married there Mother, and is said to...
6433From George Washington to Colonel James Clinton, 28 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Having occasion to part with my Housekeeper, a Mrs Thompson somewhere in your Neighbourhood, is recommended to me as a fit person to supply her place. I therefore give you the trouble of forwarding the Inclosed Letter to her, & beg of you to hasten her to this place or an answer, as I am entirely destitute, & put to much inconvenience for want of discharge the duties of this Office. I am Sir...
6434From George Washington to Brigadier General Jedediah Huntington, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I desire you will immediately detatch a proper Officer from your Brigade with orders to bring forward all the Men that may have been left upon command at the posts where the Brigade has been stationed, and who have recovered in the different Hospitals to which they have been sent—If any of the Men left at the Elaboratories have become expert at the Business and therefore useful in preparing...
6435From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 30 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to acknowlege the Receipt of your Excellency’s Favor of the 26th inst. covering a Correspondence between the Marqu i ss Lefayette & Earl Cornwallis—I am obliged by this early Transmission of the Papers—& have the Honor to concur in sentiment with your Excellency in the probable future Movement of the Enemy under Comand of His Lordship—This Conjecture is indeed already verefied...
6436From George Washington to a Board of General Officers, 25 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Mr Beatty Commissary of Prisoners will furnish you with the names of a number of persons, officers and others, who were in captivity and are alleged by the enemy to have deserted their paroles—He will also furnish you with the circumstances of their several escapes as stated by the enemy and by themselves—corroborated by such testimonies as are in his possession. You will be pleased to take...
6437From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Temple, 8 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Bland having been ordered upon another Duty, you will take the command of the 1st Regt of Dragoons and march them immediately by the shortest Route to Winchester in Virginia, at which place they are to be quartered for the Winter. You will collect and carry with you all the Men, Horses and Accoutrements belonging to the Regt. When you have passed the Delaware at Coryells Ferry you will...
6438From George Washington to William Duer, 14 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I some time ago recd advice that a large parcel of cloathing was forwarded from New England to peeckskill with an intent to come on to this Army. I could not account for its being delayed there, untill I was just now informed by the Quarter Master General, that the Convention of your State had appropriated 26 Bales of it to their own use without consulting him in the least. This I look upon as...
6439From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 30 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favr of yesterday by Colo. Fleu⟨ry.⟩ After sending off the prisoners of War to Lancast⟨er,⟩ I think you had better endeavour to disencumber yourself of the Tories by examining them, and if any of them appear insignificant in themselves or confined for trifling crimes, dismiss them. I have no objection to your permitting Cap⟨t.⟩ Walbe and the purser to go to Philada upon Parole⟨.⟩...
6440From George Washington to Elizabeth Parke Custis, 10 February 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have obeyed your injunction in not acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the first instant until I should hear from Mr Law. This happened yesterday—I therefore proceed to assure you—if Mr Law is the man of your choice, of wch there can be no doubt, as he has merits to engage your affections, and you have declared that he has not only done so, but that you find, after a careful...
6441From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 27 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I last night received your favor of the 30th Ulto. It gave me great pleasure to hear that you were released from your confined situation and permitted so many indulgencies. You may rest assured that I feel myself very much interested in your welfare, and that every exertion has been used on my part to effect your Exchange. This I have not been able to accomplish, However from the Letters which...
6442From 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...
6443From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 3 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
In my Letter of the 31st Ulto I informed Your Excellency, that there had been an Action between General Greene and Lord Cornwallis on the 15th of March; the particulars of which had not then been received. I have now the honor of enclosing the Copy of a Letter from Major General Greene, in which he gives the circumstances of that Engagement in detail: from this, and other Accounts, I cannot...
6444From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform Congress, that I was this minute advised by Mr Roberts that the Enemy evacuated the City early this morning. He was down at the Middle ferry on this side, where he received the intelligence from a number of the Citizens, who were on the opposite shore. They told him, that about Three Thousand of the Troops had embarked on board Transports. The destruction of the...
6445From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 10 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
Private The last Post brought me the enclosed letter from General Pinckney. It becomes necessary now to prepare Instructions for him without delay. To bring him fully and perfectly acquainted with the conduct and policy of this government towards France &c. and the motives which have induced the recall of Mr Monroe. As this measure will excite, when known, much speculation; and set all the...
6446From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 3 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your private letter of the 24th Ulto & thank you for the information contained in it. It is much to be regretted that while I am using every means in my power to comply with the orders of Congress (founded in my opinion on our true interest & policy) that there should be such a counteraction as we daily experience from individuals. But more lamentable is our...
6447From George Washington to Samuel Powel, 29 June 1792 (Washington Papers)
I feel much obliged by your kind offer of one of the tubs of Grape Vines from Madeira. If the remaining two contain plants enough to answer your own purposes, I will accept it with thankfulness; but let me entreat you not to disoblige yourself in order to accomodate me. A Vessel will sail in a few days for Alexandria, by which I shall send sundry parcels to Mount Vernon. Mrs Washington unites...
6448From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 20 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I acknowledge the receipt of yr two favours of the 23d Decr & 17th January. The former introducing Mr Faneuil, a French Gentleman, who did me the honour of delivering it himself—The latter Monsr de Bourneuf, who also delivered it in person. The French Gentl. come to me in such Shoals, many of them with nothing more than introductory Letters, that I am under the most disagreeable Dilemma what...
6449From George Washington to James McHenry, 8 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
To a letter which I wrote to you somedays ago, I beg leave to refer you. I congratulate with you on the happy decision of your Convention; having no doubt of its weight on those States which are to follow. In a letter (just received) from Colo. Spaight of North Carolina he informs me of his having sent a small bag of Pease to your care, for me. Have you received them? If so, be so good as to...
6450To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 30 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed letter from the Governor of New York, covering a communication to him from the Consul of the French Republic at that place, respecting the continuance of a British Letter of Marque in the Harbour of New York—reached my hands by the post of last evening; and I now transmit it to you, that it may be taken into consideration by yourself and the other Heads of the Departments, as soon...