51From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 27 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have no scruple of announcing to you, that New York is the object of my preparations, and, if the respective States comply with the requisitions made on them, there is a well grounded hope of putting a speedy and happy termination to the War. Taking it for granted that the Militia of your State who were requested to rendezvous at Trenton by the 25th Inst. are there by this time, I have to...
52From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 1 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to inform Your Excellency, that the exigency of the service makes it necessary for me to call the German Battallion from Sunbury to join this Army, & that I must embrace the earliest opportunity to transmit an Order for the purpose. I have thought it proper to communicate this to Your Excellency, that You may, if You deem it essential, supply it’s place, by incorporating & ordering...
53From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 28 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
General Howe has a grand Manouvre in view—or—has made an inglorious retreat. Yesterday Evening the remains of the British Fleet left Nantasket Road & (except an Arm’d Vessel or two) hath left the Coast quite clear of an Enemy—Six more Regiments will instantly March for New York—two days hence another, and a day or two after that our whole force, except about 3 or four Regiments to erect such...
54From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 4 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received information from New York that a person who is called George Fustner, and who is Brother in law to Rankin formerly of York County, comes frequently out as a Spy by way of Shark River thro’ Jersey and from thence to Lancaster. He left New York the 27th ulto and is probably at this time upon that Business. Your Excellency may perhaps, from the foregoing Clue, have him intercepted...
55From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 24 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had not the honor of receiving your Excellency’s favor of yesterday till late in the evening. I am very sensible of the high mark of esteem and attention intended me by the Supreme Executive Council, and I shall be happy to receive the honor of their visit at 11 o’clock this morning. I thank you for the polite manner in which you have been pleased to convey their desire for that purpose, and...
56From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 19 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Letters of the 16 & 17th Inst. are both before me. I have come to a Resolution to recall the Protections given by Genl Howe, & am now preparing something by way of Proclamation for that purpose in order that the Country may stand upon the same Footing or friends distinguished from Foes. I have also Issued something in general Orders explaining the former Orders relative to the...
57From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 1 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am under the necessity of laying before your Excellency, the Copy of a representation made to me yesterday, by the Commy General of Issues, on the subject of Flour. The representation goes so fully and truly into our present situation and prospects, that I shall only refer your Excellency to it, and then intreat you to exert your authority and influence, with the Agents and all others...
58From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 19 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
With respect to prisoners of War mentioned in yr Excellency’s Letter of the 3d Instt—I beg leave to observe that it has been my wish from the beginning of the contest to the present day, that no distinction should exist with respect to them—that the whole should be considered on one general & liberal scale as belonging to the States, and not to this or that State—be exchanged according to...
59From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 10 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your obliging favours of the 28th Ulto & 1st Instt are now before me, & claim my particular thanks for the polite attention you pay to my wishes, in an early, & regular Communication of what is passing in your Quarter. If my dear Sir, you conceive that I took any thing wrong, or amiss, that was conveyed in any of your former Letters you are really mistaken—I only meant to convince you, that...
60From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 9 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of your Excellency’s favr of the 5th instant inclosing sundry Resolves of the Executive Council respecting the Conduct of Major General Arnold during his command in the City of Philada: previous to the Rect of your letter, General Arnold, who had arrived at Head Quarters the day before, had shewn me a letter from the Council to him accompanied by a Copy of the same Resolves,...
61From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 30 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
After you left this yesterday Mr Tudor presented me with the Inclosed—as there may be some observations worthy of notice I forward it to you, that it may be presented to the Congress; but I would have his remarks upon the frequency of General Courts Martial consider’d with some degree of caution, for although the nature of his Office affords him the best oppertunity of discovering the...
62From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 25 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, things remain nearly in Statu-quo—the Enemy have the best nack at puzling People I ever met with in my life. They have blown up—burst—and demolished the Castle, totally; and are now all in Nantasket Road—have been there ever since Wednesday; what doing the Lord knows—various are the conjectures; the Bostonians think there stay there absolutely necessary to fit them for Sea, as...
63From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 30 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
Two days ago I wrote fully to you by Captn Blewer—to this Letter I refer—since which your favr of the 20th with the agreeable Post[s]cript of the 21st, is come to hand, and demands my acknowledgements for the Civility intended Mrs Washington, by you &ca. I have a very singular pleasure in informing of you, that by Express last Night from Cape Ann, I received the glad tidings of the Capture of...
64From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 27 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
In a line of yesterday, as I did not think it proper to detain the express & delay the notice then given till I could prepare a more explicit answer, I only briefly acknowledged the receipt of your two letters in Council of the 24th and 25th inst, to which I should have added that of the 26th —I am now to enter into a particular consideration of their contents, and to offer such explanation as...
65From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 29 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have a pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of your obliging favor of the 15th Instt, and in finding by it, that the author of the queries “Political & Military” has had no great cause to exult in the favourable reception of them by the public. Without a clue, I should have been at no loss to trace the Malevolent writer; but I have seen a history of the transaction, and felt a pleasure...
66From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 23 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
Real necessity, compells me to ask you whether I may entertain any hopes of your returning to my Family? if you can make it convenient, and will hint the matter to Colo. Harrison, I dare venture to say that Congress will make it agreeable to you in every shape they can—My business Increases very fast, and my distresses for want of you, along with it—Mr Harrison is the only Gentleman of my...
67From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 23 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Letters of the 13th and 18th Instt are both to hand—the last in date arrived first, the first this Morning only—I am sorry, upon the footing you have put it, and under the apprehensions you seem to be, that I did not accept your Commission as Adjt Genl when you offered it, tho your fears cannot be realizd, because at that time it was mentiond in Genl Orders, that you having resign’d,...
68From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 26 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was last evening favd with yours of the 22d and the day before with that of the 21st. I should have concurred with your Excellency in the propriety of keeping the Militia embodied for the reasons and under the circumstances you mention, had I not last night received dispatches from Count Rochambeau, from which I think it more than probable that the 2d division will not arrive before the...
69From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 25 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your Favor of the 15th and am exceedingly sorry to find that your indisposition continued so long. I hope it is now entirely over—and that the change of season will prevent a return of it. As there is nothing that is more interesting to us, than œconomy in our public expenditures—both in money and provisions—I am happy that nothing more was done, with respect to your Militia,...
70From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 20 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 15th is just come to hand —I cannot suffer myself to delay a moment in pronouncing if Arnold by the words (in his letter to his wife) “I am treated with the greatest politeness by General Washington and the Officers of the Army who bitterly execrate Mr Reed and the Council for their villainous attempt to injure me” meant to comprehend me in the latter part of the expression...
71From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 26 February–9 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
A Line or two from you by Colo. Bull, which came to hand last Evening, is the only Letter I have receivd from you since the 21st of Jany —this added to my getting none from any other Corrispondant to the Southward, leads me to apprehend some miscarriage. I am to observe thô that the Saturday’s Post is not yet arrived—by that I may, possibly, get Letters. We have, under as many difficulties...
72From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 27 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am upon the eve of my departure for Winter Quarters, but shall not quit my present roof untill I acknowledge, and thank you for your obliging favor of the 25th Ulto. Unless the Officer who commanded the dispersed Dragoons of Baylor’s Regiment was directed by Mr Caldwell to Trenton, he was not only guilty of an unpardonable piece of indiscretion, but disobedience of Orders; for he was...
73From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 14 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
The bearer presents an oppertunity to me, of acknowledging the receipt of your favour of the 30th Ulto (which never came to my hands till last Night) and, if I have not done it before, of your other of the 23d preceeding. The hints you have communicated from time to time not only deserve, but do most sincerely, and cordially meet with my thanks—you cannot render a more acceptable service, nor...
74From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 15 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, I have had the pleasure of receiving your Favours of the 28th Ulto and 2d Instt. I must again express my gratitude for the attention shewn Mrs Washington at Philadelphia—It cannot but be pleasing, altho’ it did in some measure, impede the progress of her journey on the Road. I am much obliged to you for the hints containd in both of the above Letters respecting the jealousies...
75From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 5 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 14th of April, inclosing a remonstrance of Colonel Proctor and the officers of his Regiment against the promotion of Captain Eustace to a Majority in it, and the late annexation of Captain Simonds—I am not a little surprized to see Field officers, who certainly are acquainted with the principles of promotion which have been understood and...
76From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 8–9 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your favor without a date, acknowledging the receipt of my letters of the 28th & [2]9th ulto came to hand a day or two ago. Colo. Patterson (as he is called) was a stranger even in name to me, till he came here introduced by Colo. Cox as a person capable of giving the best information of the Indian Country between the Susquehannah and Niagara of any Man that was to be met with; and as one who...
77From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 20 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had this morning the honor of yours of the 17th from Trenton. When I ordered the Militia of Pennsylvania to assemble at their place of rendezvous, I was in hopes that our supply of provisions would have been adequate to their subsistence with the Army: But, from repeated and a lately pointed representation from the Commy General, I find myself very unfortunately disappointed. I can with...
78From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 28 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
By Post, I wrote to you yesterday in answer to your Letter of the 16th, since which your favours of the 15th & 17th are come to hand. In one of these you justly observe, that the sudden departure of Mr Randolph must cause your absence to be the more sensibly felt; I can truely assure you that I miss you exceedingly; & if an express declaration of this be wanting, to hasten your return, I make...
79From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 6 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of receiving three days since your letter of the 30th of September; and should have answered it at once but was delayed by being separated from my papers, a recourse to which was necessary to assist my memory. I recollect, that in a conference with the Committee of arrangement on the subject of inlisting prisoners and deserters, I gave my opinion explicitly against the...
80From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 28 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
The enemy have some enterprize in view—New London, on Acct of the Frigates in the river, and because Boats have been preparing at the East end of long Island, and Troops for sometime past drawing thitherward, is supposed to be the object. Probably it is so —but as the Season is now approaching when either Negociation, or vigorous exertions must take place; and General Clinton doubtless will,...
81From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 25 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with Your Excellency’s favors of the 20th and 22d instants. I am exceedingly sorry to find you express a doubt of being able immediately to procure the number of 250 Waggons in the State of Pennsylvania—if we should be disappointed in that quarter, I know not where we are to apply. The Quarter Master General has, as you observe, a considerable number of Waggons laying idle...
82From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 28 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive Your Excellency’s Letter of the 18th Instant. I am sorry to find the Council are apprehensive that difficulties will attend the collecting of the Supplies required of the State, by the Resolution of Congress of the 25th of February; but I cannot see that it is in my power to prevent them in any degree. Your Excellency and the Council will perceive on recurring...
83From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 23 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favors of the 12th and 18th Instt are both before me; and, on two Accts have given me concern; first, because I much wishd to see you at the head of the Cavalry, and secondly by refusing of it, my arrangements have been a good deal disconcerted—As your motives for refusing the appointment are, no doubt, satisfactory to yourself, and your determination fixed, it is unnecessary to enter...
84From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 25 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Since my last your favours of the 7th, & 11th as also the 8th are come to hand—the first last Night—the 2d by Wednesdays Post; for the several pieces of information therein contain’d I thank you. Nothing new has happened in this Quarter since my last, except the setting in of a severe spell of cold Weather & considerable fall of Snow; which, together, have interrupted our work on Litchmeres...
85From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 8 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Ship-wreck of a Vessell, said to be from Philadelphia to Boston near Plymouth, with 120 Pipes of Wine, 118 of which are save’d—another from Boston to Hallifax near Beverly, with about 240£s worth of dry Goods—the taking of a Wood Vessel bound to Boston by Captn Adams —and the sudden departure of Mr Randolph (occassiond by the death of his Uncle) are all the occurrances, worth noticing,...
86From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 22 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Three days ago I received your obliging favor of the 14th and was sorry to find you had been so much indisposed. Before this I hope you have perfectly recovered. Your early attention & that of the Assembly to my requisitions, have my warmest thanks—and the more so, from the situation in which they found you. I could wish however—that the three months service of the Militia had been made to...
87From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 22 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Mr Tilghman delivered me your favour of the 8th Instt for which, & the favourable sentiments expressed of me in your publication, addressed to the Printer of the Maryland journal, you will permit me to offer my grateful acknowledgements. The loss of Fort Washington simply—abstracted from the circumstances which attended it—was an event that gave me much pain, because it deprived the army of...
88From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 4 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, I have recd your obliging favours of the 19th & 23d Ulto & thank you for the Articles of Intelligence therein containd; as I also do for the Buttons which accompanied the last Letter, althô I had got a sett, better I think, made at Concord. I am exceeding glad to find, that things wear a better face in Virginia than they did sometime ago; but I do not think that any thing less...
89From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 31 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
In my last (date not recollected) by Mr John Adams, I communicated my distresses to you, on Acct of my want of your Assistance —since this, I have been under some concern at doing of it, least it should precipitate your return before you were ripe for it, or bring on a final resignation, which I am unwilling to think of, if your return can be made convenient and agreeable—True it is, that from...
90From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 4 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Motives of friendship, not less than of public good, induce me with freedom to give you my Sentimt⟨s⟩ on a matter, which interests you personally as well as the good of the common cause. I flatter myself you will receive what I say in the same spirit which dictates it, and that it will have all the influence circumstances will possibly permit. The Legislature of Pensylvania has vested you in...
91From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 3 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
The President of Congress has transmitted me the instructions of the Assembly of your state to their delegates, founded on a representation of the distresses of your western frontiers—and farther the opinion of a Committee of the house on the subject of their defence—together with the two Resolves made in consequence. I am therefore to inform your Excellency that offensive operations against...
92From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 14 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I very much approve of your visiting Genl Putnam, as I cannot acct for his remaining at Crosswicks instead of removing to Princeton, as I have desird in several of my Letters. I would have him keep nothing at Princeton (except two or three days provisions) but what can be moved of at an hours warning—in that case, if good Scouting Parties are kept constantly out, no possible damage can happen...
93From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 28 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your favor of the 23d —Nothing could be more necessary than the aid given by your State towards supplying us with provision. I assure you every idea you can form of our distresses will fall short of the reality. There is such a combination of circumstances to exhaust the patience of the soldiery that it begins at length to be worn out—and we see in every line of...
94From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 12 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 7th Instt by Mr Laurens came to my hands a day or two ago; previous to which, I should have done myself the pleasure of congratulating you (which I now do very sincerely) on your late election to the government of Pensylvania, had not Sir Harry’s late extra Manœuvre up the North River kept me upon the March, & counter-march, from the 5th till yesterday; when I arrived at...
95From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 27 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 16th by Post now lyes before me, & I thank you for the attention paid to my Memorandums; the arrival of Money will be an agreeable Circumstance. I recollect no occurrance of moment since my last, except the taking possession of Cobble Hill on Wednesday night[.] this to my great surprize we did, & have worked on ever since, without receiving a single Shott from Bunkers...
96From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 1 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I had wrote the Letter herewith Inclosed before your favour of the 21st came to hand —The Acct given of the behaviour of the Men under Genl Montgomerie is exactly consonant to the opinion I have form’d of these People, and such as they will exhibit abundant proofs of in similar cases whenever called upon—Place them behind a Parapet—a Breast Work—Stone Wall—or anything that will afford them...
97From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 18 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
By your favor of the third from Bethlehem, I perceive my letter of the first had not got to your hands; but I have the pleasure to find that the business you were upon anticipated the purposes of it, and was in a fair way to answer the end. Arnolds conduct is so villainously perfidious, that there are no terms that can describe the baseness of his heart—That over-ruling Providence which has so...
98From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 12 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
In my last I omitted to answer that part of your Excellency’s letter of the 5th inst. respecting Capt. Campbells proposal of attempting to bring off our Officers prisoners upon parole on Long Island. Was the measure justifiable, of which I have my doubts, it would in my opinion be impolitic. We could not hope to be compleatly successfull, and strict confinement would certainly be the fate of...
99From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 19 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 14th instant. I shall not fail to recommend to the Officer, who will command upon the Susquehannah, the cultivation of a good understanding between the setlers at Wyoming and the inhabitants of Northumberland County. Upon estimating the Force necessary to be employed upon the intended Expedition, so as to give the most probable assurance of success, I find...
100From George Washington to Colonel Joseph Reed, 30 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed was put into my hands by an Express from the White Plains. Having no Idea of its being a Private Letter, much less Suspecting the tendency of the Correspondence, I opened it, as I had done all other Letters to you, from the Same place and Peekskill, upon the business of your office, as I Conceived and found them to be. This as it is the truth, must be my excuse for Seeing the...