1From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 10 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Annexed is a Copy of my last Letter, which from the tenor of yours of the 7th inst. I am inclined to think you have not received—it was sent by the return of the Dragoon, who brought me your Letter of the 9th February—The Legislature of New Jersey certainly never meant that the Law regulating the Prices of Necessaries should have a retrospective view and invalidate anterior Contracts —you will...
2From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 30 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your two favors of the 24th & 25th have been duly received. Fully impressed with the idea of the Utility of early, regular & accurate communications of the kind in contemplation—I shall make no difficulty in acceding to the proposal contained in Your Private Letter from N. Port of the 25th—But at the same time, I am engaging in behalf of the United States, a liberal reward for the services of...
3From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 8 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
It is very interesting at this moment to be well informed of the Enemy’s shipping which may take place in the Sound—I wish you therefore to station an intelligent officer in such a situation as may be perfectly adopted for this purpose—He is to be careful in observing the size & number of all Vessels and whether there may be Troops on board, either in coming to, or going from New York, and in...
4From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 10 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 8th last evening by Express—’Tho you have not met with the success you deserved, & probably would have obtained had the Enterprize proceeded, yet I cannot but think your whole conduct in the affair was such as ought to entitle you still more to my confidence & esteem—for however it may be the practice of the world, & those who see objects but partially or thro’ a...
5From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 14 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Dragoon handed me your Letter of Yesterday respecting the Capture of four Refugees, by your Corps. Considering present Circumstances, I think it best, that they should be delivered over to the civil Powers You will therefore be pleased to have them disposed of agreeable to the Direction mentioned in the Close of Govr Clintons Letter to you, that they may be tried by a Court of Ayer &...
6From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 20 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am glad to be informed by your Letter of the 9th Inst. that you are established in quarters, where you are likely to have means of putting your men and horses into good Condition; As you have been so successful in contracting for boots and Leather Breeches, I would not have you confine your views in these articles, to the precise number that may be wanted by your Regiment; but wish that you...
7From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 3 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am just favored with your Letter of yesterday mentioning a certain Person you propose to be employing, in communicating intelligence from N. York; tho’ I cannot say I rely perfectly on any of the Class to which this person belongs—yet as you appear to be acquainted with him & his circumstances I shall submit the arrangement of the matter entirely to your discretion—Only remarking, that as we...
8From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 4 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 31st Ulto—As yet no official information of a general Peace has yet arrived, I can undertake to make no definitive arrangements for taking possession of the City of New York—and can only say at present, that, for the reasons you suggest, I think there will be a propriety in your going early into Town whenever the communication shall be opened, whether with or...
9From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 24 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I this morning received your letter of the 22d with its several inclosures. It is not my opinion that Culper Junr should be advised to give up his present employment. I would imagine that with a little industry he will be able to carry on his intelligence with greater security to himself, and greater advantages to us—under cover of his usual business, than if he were to dedicate himself wholly...
10From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 10 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I find it very important from a variety of considerations, to have the most difinite & regular information of the state of the Enemy at New York, which can possibly be obtained; particularly with regard to the Naval Force which now is in that Harbour, or shall be there in the course of the Summer or Autumn; as the communications which have formerly been made under your auspices, have been very...
11From George Washington to Maj. Benjamin Tallmadge, 14 January 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Benjamin Tallmadge, 14 Jan. 1778. John Laurens docketed Tallmadge’s letter to GW of 12 Jan. : “answd 14th Ref. for particulars to C[olone]l Pulaski.”
12From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 25 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
All the white Ink I now have (indeed all that there is any prospect of getting soon) is sent in Phial No. I. by Colo. Webb. the liquid in No. 2 is the Counterpart which renders the other visable by wetting the paper with a fine brush after the first has been used & is dry—You will send these to C——r Junr as soon as possible & I beg that no mention may ever be made of your having received such...
13From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 25 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 23d inst: the deficiency of remounts is an evil which does not admit of immediate remedy—as I cannot at present authorise the completing your number by purchase. The same reason will render it necessary for you to make the best use of those horses, which you say are so much reduced —it gives me pain, but I cannot forbear attributing the ill-state of the...
14From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 25 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
It is more than probable that the Orders to Sir Guy Carleton by the last Packet, are decisive as to the Evacuation or holding N. York. As it is important to our Operations to have as early knowledge of this Determination as possible—and having great Dipendance on your Channel of Intelligence, I am anxious to have you exert your most diligint Endeavours, to obtain all the Information you can,...
15From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 6 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received last evening your letter of the 3d with its inclosure. In your first communication with C——, and you will make it as soon as possible, I shall want to be as perfectly ascertained ⟨as⟩ the nature of the inquiry will ad⟨mit—viz.—⟩The quantity and quality of the ⟨provisions⟩ in New-York—comprehending their whole stock—whether in magazines, or on ship-board. He will be particular as to...
16From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 21 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have lately received your Letter of the 4th and have now to give my approbation to the Plan contained therein, for suppressing the illicit intercourse which prevails so scandalously with the Enemy—As this is an object in itself very important, and particularly recommended by Congress I cannot but think it proper that the Boatmen actually employed to assist you in the performance of this...
17From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 5 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 28th ulto inclosing C—— No. 7. Altho’ he does not at present purpose giving any further intelligence untill the middle of March, yet I hope if any thing of importance should come to his knowledge in the mean time he will communicate it. If you have an opportunity of letting him know this, be pleased to signify it to him. I am Your most obt Servt LS , in Tench Tilghman’s...
18From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 27 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of yesterday came safe to my hands, and by the Dragoon who was the bearer of it I send you Ten guineas for C——r. His successor (whose name I have no desire to be informed of, provided his intelligence is good, & seasonably transmitted) should endeavour to hit upon some certain mode of conveying his information quickly; for it is of little avail to be told of things after they have...
19From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 3 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Relief has been countermanded entirely—but your project is to go on without being confined precisely to the time before limited; you will however seize the first good opportunity within a week or ten days; beyond which the Party cannot be kept on the Lines; in the mean time you will communicate your Orders to the two Companies of Light Infantry at Bedford, & take every precaution to make...
20From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 31 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 29th. The inclosed Letter for Colonel Sheldon, I entreat you will forward by the first safe conveyance. With great esteem & regard I am Dear Sir Your Very Hble Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
21George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 29 November 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fishkill [ New York ] November 29, 1778 . Discusses arrangements for obtaining information from Samuel Culper. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Tallmadge, a major in the Second Continental Dragoons, managed the secret service of the Army around New York City from 1778 until the end of the war. Abraham Woodhull of Setauket, Long Island, who used the...
22From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 25 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I shall be glad to see you upon the business mentioned in yours of this date. If Colo. Sheldon is acquainted with W—— and the circumstances as you have related them to me, let him come also—You should be perfectly convinced of the Integrety of W—— previous to his imbarking in the business proposed—this being done I shall be happy in employing him—but there will be an impropriety in his coming...
23From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 26 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am just favored with your Letter of the 21st of this informing me of the Capture of one of the Enemys Armed Vessells by a party of Continental Troops detach’d by you for that purpose. I shall acquaint Congress of this additional exertion of yours to annoy the Enemy and prevent the illicit Trade they are carrying on with the Country and I beg you to accept my thanks for it and to communicate...
24From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 14 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have your favors of the 11th by Capt. Edgar, who has got an order for the Arms necessary for the dismounted Dragoons. I have wrote to Colo. Sheldon by this opportunity respecting the inlistment of Men to fill up the Regiment provided they can be obtained upon the terms of serving on foot untill there shall be a necessity or conveniency of mounting them —If you can procure a proper person to...
25From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 2 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 23d ulto inclosing a letter No. 5 from C——. I have no new instructions to give him and therefore if you see or write to him only desire him to comply as near as possible with those already sent to him. There are regular Expresses established between Danbury and the Head Quarters of the Army and you therefore need not in future send a special Messenger the whole...
26From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 22 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been expecting for some time past a communication from C——. The period which he had fixed was the 11th instant. If you know the cause of his silence—or have had any intimations from him I wish to be informed of them. Very interesting events have taken place which must and have produced circumstances in New-York—deserving of his notice—That he has gone so far beyond his promise makes me...
27From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 2 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 1st instant, with its inclosures. The piracies upon the inhabitants of Long-Island of which you complain, are in their very nature injurious to our cause, and altogether injustifiable. For these and other reasons I wish to see them effectually restrained; and shall, to this end communicate the recent instance you have mentioned to Governor Clinton and...
28From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 24 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday recd your favr of the 22d with letters from the Culpers inclosed. I return you a Copy of that from Culper junr by which it appears that he does not incline to continue the correspondence. The old Gentleman may perhaps have it in his power now and then to give intelligence which may be material —You will therefore be pleased to desire him to communicate any matters which appear...
29From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 27 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 25th with its enclosures came safe by the Dragoons yesterday; but I had occasion to delay writing until this Morning, which will account for their not returning so soon as you expected. I very much approve the plan you suggest, but cannot agree with you respecting the time—I should think it ought to be, at the instant when the Troops on the Lines are relieved; you may make your...
30From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 4 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
You would oblige me by ascertaining as soon as possible the following things. The number of Troops and different Corps that composed the last detachment which is supposed to have gone to the Southwd. The truth of the present report of another Imbarkation taking place—when it will happen—& to what amount in Men & Corps—and who is to commd the detachment. The present disposition of the remaining...