4551From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 23 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
You will proceed with the detachment under your command to Dunks’s ferry on Delaware, if you find in your progress the way clear & safe. When arrived there, you will take the safest & most expeditious method of conducting the detachment to fort Mifflin; by water would be easiest & least fatiguing to your men; and if practicable & safe, will certainly be most eligible: otherwise you will cross...
4552[Diary entry: 17 May 1770] (Washington Papers)
17. 10 hands at work to day. The H⟨oist⟩ frame & Mill beam were put up to day. Began also to raise Scaffolds for the Masons this day.
4553To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 29 October 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
A voluminous publication is daily expected from Mr. R——. The paper alluded to in the extract of his letter to me, of the 8th. instt. and inserted in all the Gazettes, is a letter of my own, to him; from which he intends (as far as I can collect from a combination of circumstances) to prove an inconsistency in my conduct, in ratifying the Treaty with G. Britain, without making a rescinding (by...
4554[Diary entry: 26 May 1780] (Washington Papers)
26th. Wind fresh from the Westwd. Very warm—dusty & dry—Also hazy with appearances of Rain but none fell.
4555[Diary entry: 23 January 1772] (Washington Papers)
23. Soft Morning and a White frost. Weather exceeding pleasant as it continued to be through the day without Wind & clear Sky.
4556[Diary entry: 12 August 1770] (Washington Papers)
12. Warm and still with Clouds.
4557From George Washington to Brigadier General Nathaniel Heard, 12 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
As there is a large number of horses and Cattle in the vicinity of the enemy which they will no doubt convert to their own benefit—and without making compensation to the owners, the good of the service and a regard to the individuals to whom they belong require that they should be immediately removed. The rules of war justify this precaution and good policy forbids us to leave so valuable a...
4558General Orders, 4 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
The sixth Virginia Regiment being ordered to join the Tenth in the Arrangement of the Brigades was a Mistake—it is to continue with the second as usual. All Officers commanding Regiments having men who from their state of health will not be fit for active service in a short time are desired to make a return of them to the Orderly-Office that those proper for the Purpose may be draughted to...
4559From George Washington to Robert Morris, 12 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favr of the 7th Inst. upon the Subject of Tents for this Army. That you might receive proper Information of the Number wanted, I directed the Quarter Master General to return you an Estimate, whose Office it is to provide them. His Report you will find in the inclosed Letter which I beg leave to refer you, and requesting that the greatest Dispatch may be used in...
4560[Diary entry: 20 May 1772] (Washington Papers)
20. Colo. Blackburn & the Compa. with him went away after Breakfast. I sat to have my Picture drawn. On 21 May, GW wrote to Jonathan Boucher : “Inclinations having yielded to Importunity, I am now contrary to all expectations under the hands of Mr. Peale; but in so grave—so sullen a mood—and now and then under the influence of Morpheus, when some critical strokes are making, that I fancy the...
4561General Orders, 16 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Adj. Gen. Alexander Scammell’s orderly book entry for this date includes a general order: “A Corporal & six Men from the Maryland Line to be sent to the Forage Master Generals this afternoon with their Blankets & two Days provision—They are to drive a Number of horses to Lancaster in Pennsylvania” (orderly book, 17 Oct. 1779–22 March 1780, DNA : RG 93, Orderly...
4562From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 18 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
(Private) My dear Sir Phila. Octobr 18th 1792. I did not require the evidence of the extracts which you enclosed me, to convince me of your attachment to the Constitution of the United States, or of your disposition to promote the general Welfare of this Country. But I regret—deeply regret—the difference in opinions which have arisen, and divided you and another principal Officer of the...
4563From George Washington to Stockbridge Indians, 2 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter by your Captain with your kind Tenders of a Months Service if needed—In Answer I inform you that the Circumstances of the Campaign are such, that at present I have no Ocassion for your Aid—but should Genl Heath find Need of your Assistance, I will be glad you will do him the like Service as you have offered to me, if he shall write to you for that Purpose. In Answer...
4564From George Washington to the Board of War, 6 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
In a letter which I wrote to Congress a few days ago, I took the liberty to recommend uniting the remains of the late Count Pulaski’s legion—Colo. Armands Corps—and a small troop of Horse under the command of Capt. Bedkin. The whole to be under the command of Colo. Armand. Should Congress determine upon the measure—Colo. Armand wishes the Resolve, for the incorporation of the Corps, should be...
4565From George Washington to John Penn, 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your favor of the 12th Instant. I was exceedingly sorry for Major Taylor’s resignation—and used my interest to dissuade him from it, as I deemed him a valuable Officer—capable of rendering his Count⟨ry⟩ good Service. But The Major having resigned, I do not see how he can be reintroduced, more especially after so long an absence. Attempts of this sort when they have succeeded,...
4566[Diary entry: 9 May 1796] (Washington Papers)
9. Cloudy with appearances of Rain—some of which fell in the night. Wind Easterly.
4567From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison, 9 January 1781 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Lt. Col. Robert Hanson Harrison, 9 Jan. 1781. On 26 Feb., Harrison wrote GW : “On the 26th of last month, I had the Honor to receive Your Excellency’s Obliging Favor of the 9th.”
4568[Diary entry: 6 January 1790] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 6th. Sat from half after 8 oclock till 10 for the Portrait Painter, Mr. Savage, to finish the Picture of me which he had begun for the University of Cambridge. In the Afternoon walked round the Battery. Miss Anne Brown stayed here on a visit to Mrs. Washington to a family dinner. mr. savage : See entry for 21 Dec. 1789 .
4569General Orders, 17 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
4570General Orders, 14 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
At a Brigade General Court Martial held at Elizabeth-Town the 10th instant, Lieutenant Colonel Brearly President. Lieutenant Snowden of the Jersey Brigade was tried for “Disobedience of orders and neglect of duty on the 4th instant.” The Court after mature consideration are of opinion that from the General’s expressions mentioned in Captn Van Voorhees testimony Lieutenant Snowden had reason to...
4571From George Washington to Lord Stirling, 20 January 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Lordships favour of the 31st of October never came to my hands till a few days ago & then unaccompanied with any Printed Lists of the fortunate Prizes as mentiond in yr Letter. some time ago I came across one of these Lists in a Gentns possession by wch I found that out of the Six Tickets wch I kept on my own Acct two of them were fortunate—viz. One of £200—No. 58 in the division of...
4572From George Washington to John Mathews, 22 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been hond with your Excelly two Favors of the 15th of March & 11th of April. I am happy to Observe the good Disposition of the State over which you preside—their Exertions seem to me in proportion to the Distresses in which they have been involved—The Act for Recruitg your Line I hope may be attended with happy Consequences. Our Affairs at this moment are placed in a most critical...
4573General Orders, 18 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Lieutenant Colin Coke is appointed Pay-Master of the 2nd Virginia regiment, vice Lieutt Erasmus Gill from the 16th instant. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Adj. Gen. Alexander Scammell’s orderly book entry for this date closes with the following additional general order: “The Court Martial whereof Colo. Hall is President will sit Tomorrrow 10 oClock A.M. at the usual place, for the Trial of...
4574From George Washington to Major General Joseph Spencer, 21 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of the 14th Instant. When I wrote to Genl Varnum expressing my surprise that my Orders for innoculation had not been sooner carried into execution, I was not acquainted with the Circumstances that necessarily retarded it. I do not apprehend that there is any immediate danger from the Enemy at Newport, their sending away their Vessels is a plain indication that they mean either to...
4575From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 11 December 1785 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your letter of the 25th of November by Major Farlie. Sincerely do I wish that the several State Societies had, or would; adopt the alterations that were recommended by the General meeting in May 1784. I then thought, and have had no cause since to change my opinion, that if the Society of the Cincinnati mean to live in peace with the rest of their fellow Citizens,...
4576Enclosure: Proposal for Frontier Forts, 9 November 1756 (Washington Papers)
A Plan of the number of Forts, and strength necessary to each, extending entirely across our Frontiers, from South to north. Names of the forts, or persons Commandg in ’em. On what waters placed Distance from each other in miles No. of men Garrisoning each Capt. Harris Mayo 20 Galloway Smith’s-river 15 miles 20 Terry
4577[Diary entry: 27 December 1770] (Washington Papers)
27. Frosty Morning but clear and pleasant afterwards.
4578George Washington to Chevalier de la Luzerne, 27 July 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Bergen County, New Jersey ] July 27, 1780 . Repeats rumors concerning British plans to attack French fleet and army. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
4579From George Washington to Robert Morris, 2 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 26th ulto preparing a plan of providing the Officers with Cloathing—I approve of it generally, and think it will have a happy effect. I will only beg leave to make this remark, that the amount of two Months pay of subalterns will be scarcely sufficient to enable them to purchase a sufficiency of the Articles necessary for the genteel equipment of an...
4580General Orders, 23 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
For the day tomorrow Major Porter B. Q. M. 2d Massa. Brigade For duty the 8th Massachusetts Regt The Light Infantry Companies, to be compleated to the Establishment viz to 5 Serjts 2 Dr. & f. & 68 Rank & File each. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
4581To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 1 January 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
I yesterday received with sincere regret your resignation of the office of Secretary of State. Since it has been impossible to prevail upon you, to forego any longer the indulgence of your desire for private life; the event, however anxious I am to avert it, must be submitted to. But I cannot suffer you to leave your Station, without assuring you, that the opinion, which I had formed, of your...
4582[Diary entry: 7 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 7th. Thermometer at 50 in the morng.— at Noon and 52 at Night. Rid to Muddy hole Plantation and finding the ground which had been twice plowed to make my experiments in there middling dry in some places, though wet in others, I tried my drill or Barrel plow; which requiring some alteration in the harrow, obliged me to bring it to the Smiths shop. This suspended any further operation...
4583From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 14 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
When I was down the Committee among other things resolved that the Maryland and Carolina Companies shoud not be supported with our Provisions—This Resolve (I think) met with your Approbation; upon which I wrote to Colo. Stephen desiring him to acquaint Capt. Dagworthy thereof, who paid slight Regard to it, saying it was in the Kings Garrison and all the Troops had an equal Right to draw...
4584From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 1 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favors of the 20th and 23d ulto. I shall take as early measures as circumstances will admit for having an enquiry into the conduct of Colo. Brodhead and the Deputy Quarter Master at Fort pitt. Mr Fowlers Charges are so very diffuse, that I shall be obliged to call upon him to specify them more particularly, and I apprehend there will then be a...
4585From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 25 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 21st: No occurrence has happened since I wrote to you last, except the evacuation of Stoney and Verplanks Points, which took place on the 22d. I have not heard from Rhode Island since the 15th when Genl Gates wrote me that the enemy were seemingly making every preparation for evacuating that place also —Should Count D’Estaing reach the Hook without touching at the...
4586Orders, 16 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
A Court Martial to sit immediately, for trial of Richard Madden. The commanding Officers of the Militia, are to hold themselves in readiness to march very early to-morrow morning with their men, to their respective Stations. and must apply to the commissary for arms, ammunition and Provision. The provisions must be dressed to night, that no time be lost in the morning—at which time the...
4587[Diary entry: 15 April 1788] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 15th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morning—71 at noon and 64 at Night. Warm with the Wind Southerly. Clouds and Sun shine alternately thro’ the day. Rid to all the Plantations (Mr. Fairfax going away after breakfast). At all of them, the same work was going on as yesterday. At Dogue run, the Plows finished crossing for Barley in fd. No. 2 and two of them began to cross for flax in the same...
4588From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 6 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I flattered myself that I should never again be under the necessity of trespassing upon the public spirit of your State by calling for another supply of Militia; but such has been the unaccountable delay in the recruiting of the Continental Battalions, chiefly owing to the long time that unhappily elapsed before the Officers were appointed, that I see no prospect of keeping the Field, till the...
4589[Diary entry: 29 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
29. Warm with some appearances of Rain but none fell.
4590From George Washington to Colonel Oliver Spencer, 29 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am informed by Colonel Malcom in a letter of the 25th in[s]tant of your arrival and that you were to take the command of the new corps. He has declined the service. It appears from his letter that the officers and men are dissatisfied in their present situation—the latter in particular have expressed a desire to be distributed among the regiments belonging to the States where they have been...
4591From George Washington to John Marshall, 5 May 1799 (Washington Papers)
With infinite pleasure I receiv’d the news of your Election. For the honor of the District, I wish the Majority had been greater; but let us be content; and hope, as the tide is turning, the current will soon run strong ⟨in our⟩ favor. I am sorry to find that the publication you allude to, should have given you a moments disquietud⟨e⟩. I can assure you, it made no impression on my mind, of the...
4592[Diary entry: 22 September 1773] (Washington Papers)
22d. Warm—Wind blowing pretty fresh from the So. West.
4593[Diary entry: 8 March 1770] (Washington Papers)
8. Clear & pleasant with the Wind Southwardly.
4594From George Washington to Goose Van Schaick, 12 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter to me of April last was transmitted to the War Office to be laid before Congress for their Order. Inclosed is the Report of the Secretary at War thereon, from whence it appears that no promotion has taken place, nor Liberty granted for your retiring. It not being in my power to permit your Absence any longer, I have to request that you immediately return to your Duty in the Army, &...
4595From George Washington to Joseph Valentine, 20 June 1768 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Joseph Valentine, 20 June 1768. On 8 July Valentine wrote to GW : “I Recd yours of the 20th of June.”
4596[Diary entry: 12 December 1788] (Washington Papers)
Friday 12th. Thermometer at 35 in the Morning—46 at Noon and 46 at Night—Clear in the forenoon with appearances of Snow, in the afternoon but these vanished before Night. Wind Southerly all day. Visited all the Plantations. In the Neck 7 Plows were in No. 8 breaking it up. The other hands were pulling and getting in Corn; and topping Carrots. At Muddy hole—3 plows were at work in No. 5. The...
4597[Diary entry: 5 June 1770] (Washington Papers)
[5.] Dined at the Club & spent the Evening in my own Room.
4598From George Washington to a Board of General Officers, 11 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Book you will herewith receive contains the Journals and proceedings of Congress for the year 1776. Among these—and agreable to the pages marked below, you will find all the Resolutions that I am possessed of, respecting the Regiments and Officers of Artillery now in Camp—and also the establishment of the Army for 1777. I have the Honor to be with great respect and esteem Genn Yr Most...
4599George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 20 November 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Passaic Falls [ New Jersey ] November 20, 1780 . Discusses problems involved in exchanging prisoners with Great Britain. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
4600[Diary entry: 23 April 1796] (Washington Papers)
23. Clear morning with the Wind fresh from No. Et. wch. continued so through the day & weather cooler.