2051George Washington to Brigadier General Louis Le Bèque Du Portail and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 2 November … (Hamilton Papers)
Since mine of yesterday I have received another letter from my confidential correspondent in New York dated the 29th: ulto. He informs me that the 57th: Regt: Rawdons Corps and the Artillery mentioned in his last, were to sail on that day for Hallifax, and with them all the heavy ships of War except the Europa. The Daphne Frigate, with Sir George Collier and Colo. Stewart on board, was to sail...
2052George Washington to Brigadier General Louis Le Bèque Du Portail and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 11 November … (Hamilton Papers)
Being absent from Head Qrs. on a visit to the several Outposts of the Army, when your favor of the 2d Instant arrived—and not returning till last night—it was not in my power to answer it before. I am precisely in the predicament you are with respect to the Count, his intentions or ultimate operations. I have not heard a single syllable about either since your departure, except what was...
2053George Washington to Brigadier General Louis Le Bèque Du Portail, 27 March 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Morristown, New Jersey ] March 27, 1780 . Doubts Du Portail can arrive in the South in time to be of use. Requests that Du Portail send frequent dispatches containing full details. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
2054George Washington to Brigadier General Louis Le Bèque Du Portail and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 10 October … (Hamilton Papers)
The only material intelligence which I have obtained from New York or respecting the Enemy since your departure, is contained in the inclosed account, which I received yesterday from Captain Monroe. This in your communications with His Excellency Count D’Estaing, you will be pleased to shew him. As we shall have occasion for a great many boats, in case a cooperation between the Count & us...
2055George Washington to Brigadier General Louis Le Bèque Du Portail and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 1 November … (Hamilton Papers)
I have this day been favd. with yours of the 26th: ulto. informing me of your removal to Great Egg Harbour. My letter of the 18th, which had not reached you, went, as you supposed, by way of Philada., and lest any accident may have happened to it, I inclose you a duplicate. Mine of the 30th. ulto., which went thro’ Major Lee, informed you of the evacuation of Rhode Island. I have since recd. a...
2056George Washington to Brigadier General Louis Le Bèque Du Portail and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 25 October … (Hamilton Papers)
I have just now received a letter from Col. Hamilton, mentioning your having changed your position at Lewis Town, for that of little Egg harbour, and that you would write me more fully on your arrival at the furnace. In my last I informed you that the enemy had evacuated both their posts at Kings-ferry, since which no alteration has taken place, that has come to my knowlege. Things at Rhode...
2057From George Washington to Thomas Durie, 11 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have given orders to have Mr Adam the Dy Commy of Prisoner’s at Elizabeth Town arrested and brought to trial upon some charges of mal conduct which have been exhibited against him to Congress. You will therefore proceed to Elizabeth Town and remain there untill the matter shall be determined, or untill Mr skinners return from Philada. You will permit Major de Meibom and Ensign de Meibom who...
2058From George Washington to Thomas Durie, 3 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
After the Vessels, for which you have obtained Passports to New York are dispatched, you may suffer the remaining officers—on Parole—Merchants—and others (included in the Capitulation of York) together with those which have been detained by Count de Grasse & liberated by me, to procure a Vessel for New York—or to Charles Town; and will fill up the blank Passports herewith given you,...
2059From George Washington to John Durkee, 20 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was surprised to find by a Letter from Mr John Hurlbut of Wyoming that you had given permission for the Men belonging to the Army, who were Inhabitants of & now are at Wyoming to continue at that place until further Orders—You must be sensible such interference is very improper; & in future you will not presume to contravene the Resolutions of Congress, or Orders of Your Superior officers. I...
2060From George Washington to Timothy Dwight, Jr., 18 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday received your favor of the 8th Instt, accompanied by so warm a recommendation from Genl Parsons that I cannot but form favorable presages of the merit of the work you propose to honor me with the dedication of. Nothing can give me more pleasure than to patronize the essays of genius, and a laudable cultivation of the Arts & Sciences, which had begun to flourish in so eminent a...
2061Instructions to Captain Charles Dyar, 20 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
You being appointed Captain and Commander of the Armed Schooner Harrison in the Service of the United Colonies are to Pay all attention and Obedience to the following Instructions. 1st you are to proceed imediately on a Cruze against Such Vessels as may be found on the high Seas or elswhere bound Inwards or outwards to or from Boston in the Service of the Ministerial Army—and to take & Seize...
2062From George Washington to the Eastern Department Navy Board, 24 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with Your Letter of the 13th and should be exceedingly happy if it were in my power to comply with Your requisition, but so far from this being the case, on account of the scantiness of our supplies of powder, I have been obliged to apply both to your State & to Connecticut to obtain a loan. Of this application you will probably have heard before this. On recurring to our...
2063From George Washington to William Eden, 15 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
On Wednesday evening I had the honor to receive your polite favor of the 9th Instt. If an occasion shall present itself of an interview with Doctor Ferguson, you may rely Sir, I shall esteem myself happy, in shewing him the civilities due to his literary and social character. I thank you much for your care of the Letters addressed to myself. The one from your Brother Sir Robert, gave me...
2064From George Washington to Major Evan Edwards, 11 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Bush will deliver you 20,000 dollars on Acct of the Gratuity of 100 dollars each allowed by Congress to those Men who were inlisted for the War previous to 23d Jany last inclosed you have the form of the Receipt to be taken. I suppose the general tenor of the inlistments of the Men of the 11th Regt will be Three Years or during the War. This was the case throughout the Penna line, but...
2065From George Washington to Colonel Henry Jackson, Captain Thomas Turner, and Lieutenant Thomas Edwards, 28 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 24th I should have been glad if the arrangements made for the disposition of the Army this Winter, would have admitted of your Regiment’s remaining at or very near the Quarters of the Massachusetts line. But circumstances are such, that was it to be stationed upon the North River, some one of those belonging immediately to the State must be separated from...
2066From George Washington to Timothy Edwards, 21 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
The thousand Barrels of salted provisions which the Contract obliges you to furnish, I concive to be intended for the contingent purposes of the Army, dependg on particular Operations, and not for immediate stores—previous therefore to replying to your Qustion respectg the places of Deposit, I will be glad to know, whether the Contractor for the movg Army, mean to supply any Quantity of salted...
2067From George Washington to Timothy Edwards, 7 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Inclosed Copy of a Resolution of Congress entered into the 2d Instant will discover to you their Sentiments upon the Subject of Employing the Stockbridge Indians in the Service of the United States. It is certain they differed some time ago from the Commissioners of Indian Affairs and put a Stop to their proceedings in this Instance; But finding that our Enemies are prosecuting the War...
2068From George Washington to Timothy Edwards, 10 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered you by Saml & John two of our friends of the Stock bridge Indians who have been here and expressed the desire of their people to become part of the Army of the United States. Havg wrote you fully on the 7 Inst. & transmitted a Copy of the Resolutn of Congress upon this Subject, which I presume will have reached you before this comes to hand, I have referred them to you...
2069Circular to Eleven States, 31 January–1 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The great Countenance & protection shewn & given to Deserters, by persons in the different Neighbourhoods from whence they originally came, has made that Vice so prevalent in the Army that unless some very effectual means are fallen upon to prevent it, our new Army will scarcely be rais’d before it will again dwindle & waste away from that cause alone. I know of no remedy so effectual as for...
2070From George Washington to Christopher Ellery, 8 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Among the distinguished honors which have a claim to my gratitude since my arrival I have seen with peculiar satisfaction those effusions of esteem and attachment which have manifested themselves in the Citizens of this antient Town. My happiness is complete in a moment that unites the expressions of their sentiments for me with their suffrages in favor of our Allies. The conduct of the French...
2071From George Washington to William Ellery, 22 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your favr dated 14th Feby only reached me Yesterday. The arrangement of the two Rhode Island Regt has been settled, and the Commissions are now in my hands waiting an opportunity for forwarding them. I have the honor to be Sir Your most obt Servt. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . A purported LS was offered for sale by Christie’s, June 1990, catalog no....
2072From George Washington to John Elliott, 28 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Amt With Note 3020 1 1/2 Yd Gause 150 3170 30 galls. Ram Charge but not recd 1000 2170 Lb. Tobo to Pay or Cause to be Paid to Elliott & Co. on or before the Twenty fifth Decemr Next at the Petersburg
2073From George Washington to Col. Thomas Elliott, 12 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Col. Thomas Elliott, 12 Jan. 1777. On 22 Mar. Elliott wrote to GW that “I make no doubt but you have been surprised why I did not comply with your Orders of the 12th Jany . . . Your Letter . . . came to hand abt the tenth of Febry.”
2074From George Washington to Col. Thomas Elliott, 10 February 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Col. Thomas Elliott, c.10 Feb. 1777. Elliott writes to GW on 22 Mar. that “your Letter . . . came to hand abt the tenth of Febry at which time . . . I then wrote you.”
2075George Washington to Colonel Thomas Elliott, 18 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Smiths Clove [ New York ] July 18, 1777. Orders Elliott to appear at Headquarters. Df , in writing of H, who indorsed on the verso Washington’s decision: “in Six or Seven weeks from this time if he does not come on must expect to be superseded” George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
2076George Washington to Colonel Thomas Elliott, 21 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 21, 1777. Warns Elliott that any further delay in appearing at Headquarters will result in a replacement being appointed to his position in the regiment. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Elliott was a colonel, Fourth Virginia Regiment.
2077From George Washington to Colonel Thomas Elliott, 21 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I flattered myself that I should have had the pleasure long before this of seeing you in Camp at the head of your regiment, and am sorry that the ill state of your health, or whatever other cause there may be, has disappointed my expectations. This campaign probably may be of decisive importance to America, and at this advanced period of it, the service demands that every commanding officer...
2078From George Washington to Colonel Thomas Elliott, 18 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 6th instant has been duely handed me. I exceedingly lament that there has been such a concurrence of unlucky circumstances to protract your absence from Camp, at a time when your presence has been and is so essentially necessary. But as I wish to make every allowance for unavoidable impediments to your coming on—I shall extend the time I had proposed to myself, and...
2079From George Washington to John Ellis, 10 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
You profess not to be a panegyrist while you are bestowing the most exalted praise—but compliments apart—I received your very polite Letter of the 25th of Mar: with much pleasure—It recalled to my remembrance some of the pleasing occurrences of my past life & reminded me of the Acquaintances I had formed in it; for whom, tho’ seperated by time—distance—& political Sentiments I retain the same...
2080From George Washington to Colonel Joseph Ellis, 24 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have sent over ⟨Captn Lieut. Symonds⟩ to take the charge of some peices of heavy Artillery; with which I have directed him, to give the Enemy’s shipping near the City all the annoyance in his power, while the rivers continues in its present situation. He will stand in need of a body of infantry to cover the Artillery in this opperation and to Aid in throwing up some little work that may be...
2081From George Washington to Colonel Joseph Ellis, 18 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am glad to hear, by yours of the 15th instant, that you have been appointed to the Command of the Brigade late Newcombs. From the Character given of you by Genl Green, I have every reason to expect that nothing will be wanting on your part to excite a proper spirit among the people, and to give the most effectual opposition to any parties of the Enemy who may attempt to ravage your Coast. If...
2082From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., and Colonel Samuel Elmore, 1 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Having just received from Congress a return of Colo. Elmore’s Regiment now in your State, with directions that it shall join this Army, I request the favor of you to order him to march immediately to this place—They have appointed John Brown Esqr. Lieut. Colo. of it, and Robert Cocke Esqr. Major. Commissions for such Officers as appear with their respective Companies I am to fill up. I have...
2083From George Washington to Colonel Samuel Elmore, 7 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
On the 1st Inst: I wrote you and directed you to mar[c]h immediately with your Regiment to Joine the Army here. When I gave this Order I supposed you and your Regiment to be in Connecticut, But understanding that you have got to Albany with It, or near that place, I have thought proper to countermand the Orders then given and desire that you will put yourself under the command of General...
2084From George Washington to Colonels George Mathews and John Ely and Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel Ramsay, 1 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
By the Letter You were so obliging as to bring me from Congress Yeste⟨r⟩day, I find they have been pleased to authorise me to negociate and settle a Cartel for an Exchange of prisoners. In consequence of this authority, I shall be ready to appoint Commissioners to meet Others from the British Commander in Chief—at any time & place which may be thought convenient for the adjustment of so...
2085From George Washington to George Emlen, 13 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favr of the 20th November, respecting the damage done to your farm by the Army in the Fall 1777, and am not a little surpd that General Mifflin should refer you to me when he well knows that this is a business clearly within the line of the Quarter Masters department, & that every Acct of the kind is to be settled by him, up to the date of General Greene’s appointment to that...
2086From George Washington to Comte d’Ennery, 7 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday had the honor of receiving your Letter of the 4th Augt and I take the earliest Opportunity of testifying the pleasure I have in complying with your request, by immediately ordering the Release of Monsr Dechambault. He shall be accommodated with a Passage in the first Vessel that sails from Philadelphia to the French Colonies in the West Indies. Had it not been for your...
2087From George Washington to Lt. Col. Roger Enos, 6 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday recd your favor of the 26th of August and am glad to find that matters are like to be accommodated to the mutual satisfaction of the people of Vermont and those of the neighbouring States; where by the strength of a numerous Body will be thrown into the general scale, and the enemy disappointed in the hopes which they entertained of a separation of interests. You will be pleased to...
2088From George Washington to Robert Erskine, 10 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
As I think you are much exposed in your present situation to the enterprises of Refugees acquainted with the Country—and the work in which you are employed unquestionably makes you an object with the enemy—I desire that as soon as possible after receipt of this letter, you will remove to quarters more safe by the vicinity of the Army —You will of course dismiss your guard, and direct the...
2089From George Washington to Robert Erskine, 28 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of my representations to Congress of the advantage that might be derived from having a good Geographer to accompany the army, and my recommendation of you for that purpose they have come to the inclosed resolution authorizing me to appoint you or any other Gentleman I shall think proper to act in the capacities therein specified; and to determine the allowance of pay to be...
2090From 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...
2091From George Washington to Robert Erskine, 14 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I shall be glad to know by Return of the Bearer whether the portable Ovens bespoke last summer are finished. If they are you may send them down to the Army if you can procure Waggons, if you cannot, let me know and I will order the Qr Mr General to send for them. Be pleased to let me know when you think you will be able to enter upon any of the duties of the Office which I spoke to you about...
2092From George Washington to Robert Erskine, 16 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Lord Stirling writes me that a very good road might be opened from Ringwood into the clove, about a mile below Galloways, along the e[a]st side of Tucksets pond. This will be a shorter route from Morris Town to New-Windsor —You will therefore be pleased to mark out the road, and make the proper communication to Lord Stirling that it may be carried into execution. I am Df , in James McHenry’s...
2093George Washington to Robert Erskine, 28 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Flemington [ New Jersey ] July 28, 1777. Offers Erskine position of geographer with the Army. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Erskine was a civil engineer operating a mine at Ringwood, New Jersey.
2094From George Washington to Robert Erskine, 11 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of the 26th March inclosing an elegant draft of part of Hudsons River. If your Affairs are in such a situation that they will admit of your attendance upon the Army I shall be glad to see you as soon as possible. Capt. Scull, who is intended for one of your Assistants, has been for some time employed in surveying the Country adjacent to the Camp. I am Sir Yr most obt Servt. Df ,...
2095From George Washington to Robert Erskine, 7 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Are the cross roads between the Sussex and Morris-town Roads Surveyed? If they are I wish to have them laid down on my pocket Map as soon as possible; if they are not, no time should be lost in the completion of this necessary Work. If you have any Assistant with you, unimployed, he may Survey the Road from Stamford to Hartford by the way of Norwalk Fairfield & New Haven. & come back the most...
2096From George Washington to Colonel Arthur Erwin, 9 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I expected upon my Arrival here to have found the Militia of Bucks County ready to have joined me, and to have kept the Enemy from setting a Foot in the province of Pennsylvania, but to my great Surprize not a Man has turned out, tho so glorious an Example has been shewn them by the Citizens of Philadelphia. I was altogether at a Loss to account for so extraordinary a Conduct, but Colo. Hart...
2097From George Washington to Baron d’ Esebeck, 8 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
General Washington presents his Compliments to the Baron Delbeck, and requests the favour of his Company at Dinner to morrow—3 o’clock. MH : Dearborn Papers.
2098From George Washington to the Essex County Committee of Safety, 21 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
The absolute necessity of preventing all Correspondence between the Inhabitants of this Country and our Enemies, obliges me to every degree of Intelligence that lead to the Channel of such Intercourse—Doctor William Burnet of New Ark can inform you of certain Insinuations and charges against Part of the Army under my Command, as if they were liable to Bribery and Corruption, in permitting...
2099George Washington to Comte d’Estaing, 22 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] October 22, 1778 . Sends news of departure of British fleet, which is presumably bound for West Indies. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress
2100George Washington to Comte d’Estaing, 2 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fishkill [ New York ] October 2, 1778 . Sends news of enemy’s movements in New Jersey. Regrets that no reinforcements can be sent to Boston. Df , in writings of John Laurens and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.