1To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel James Wilkinson, 24 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have this Moment arrived here, on my Way to Congress, with dispatches from Major General Gates; and being Uncertain whether your Excellency is apprized of the Fact; I think it my duty to congratulate you, on Lt Genl Burgoynes Surrender to the American Arms—This fortunate Event took place on the 17th Inst., & put us in possession of Six General officers, five thousand Combitants, five...
2To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel James Wilkinson, 28 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I beg you to receive the grateful Homage of a sensible Mind, for your condescension in exposing to me M[ajo]r Genl Gates’s Letters which Unmask his Artifice & efforts to ruin me. The Authenticity of the Information recd thro Lord Stirling I cannot confirm; As I solemnly assure Your Excellency I do not remember the Conversation which passed on that occasion, nor can I recollect particular...
3To George Washington from James Wilkinson, 12 Sept. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from James Wilkinson, 12 Sept. 1779. On 13 Sept., GW wrote Wilkinson: “I have received Your Letter of the 12th.”
4To George Washington from James Wilkinson, 15 Sept. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from James Wilkinson, 15 Sept. 1779. On 16 Sept., GW wrote Wilkinson: “I have received Your Letter of the 15th inclosing Copies of the correspondence between you and Mr Measom—on the Two preceding days.”
5To George Washington from James Wilkinson, 5 Oct. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from James Wilkinson, 5 Oct. 1779. On 8 Oct., GW wrote Wilkinson: “I have received Your Letter of the 5th.”
6To George Washington from James Wilkinson, 9 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was last Evening honored with your Letter of the 2nd Inst: & shall pay every practicable attention to the Mandate therein contained; in the mean time the justice I owe my Character obliges me to assure your Excellency, that no Moment of my time since my Arrival in this place has been otherwise employed than in direct pursuit of the Interests of the Army & of the Public; and I am confident I...
7To George Washington from James Wilkinson, 9 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
The frequent Applications which I receive, from the General officers & other Individuals of the Army, for Articles of Clothing for their Servants & Waiters, occasions me great perplexity & Uneasiness, and obliges me to request your Excellency, either to Authorize my compliance therewith, or to inform the Army that my Duty obliges me to reject them, for from the mistaken Idea of my possessing...
8To George Washington from James Wilkinson, 1 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of your Letter of the 20th ultimo, it reached me on the 28th; your Excellencys condescension in the advice & assistance which you therein offer me excites my warmest gratitude, and I beg leave to return my sincere acknowledgements for the same. My reluctance to intrude on that Time which I consider too interesting & important to my Country, to be trespassed upon on common...
9To George Washington from James Wilkinson, 12 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you Returns, of the Clothing on Hand in the Magazine in Philadelphia the 1st Inst: & of the Issues made to that Day since my last Return. The Assistant Clothier general having lately made Returns of the state of the Eastern Magazines makes it unnecessary for me to say any thing respecting them at present: I have therefore only to add that I expect the Shoes & light...
10To George Washington from James Wilkinson, 3 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive your Excellencys Letter of the 27th Ultmo Yesterday, and I doubt not you will be as much surprized to hear from me, as I am distressed in being obliged to Answer your Excellency from this place; but I trust you will pardon my abrupt departure from Camp when I assure you that Measure was compeled by a Most extraordinary demand of the Treasury Board, which reached my...
11To George Washington from James Wilkinson, 11 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had this Moment the honor to receive your Letter of the 5th Inst., and should instantly obey your Excellencys Commands was I possessed of means necessary for the Purpose; I shall go to Philadelphia Tomorrow Morning & as soon as my private credit or the public funds can furnish me the small sum necessary to defray my traveling expences, shall set off for your Quarters: In the mean time I must...
12To George Washington from James Wilkinson, 17 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since my Letter of the 11th Inst: I have had an Interview with the Board of War—and obtained the inclosed State of their Purchases; I am sorry that the subsequent Correspondence (of which a Copy is inclosed) should damp the expectations raised by my first Information: I have every reason to conclude that the Woollens alluded to in the Letter of the 16th Inst: comprehend the whole of the...
13To George Washington from James Wilkinson, 7 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose your Excellency an exact report of the Clothing in my Possession & in the Hands of the Agent Clothiers, to whom I have wrote intreating their exertions to push forward the several Articles in their Hands to New Burgh, & I have directed them to represent the exeigency to their respective executive Powers & require the Transport necessary for the occasion —Genl Heath...
14To James Madison from James Wilkinson, 22 February 1787 (Madison Papers)
Motives of regard, to the general Interests of the United States, prompt this Address; your Virtues as a Man, and your Integrity & descernment as a Politician, subject you to the intrusion: A Republican in every impulse of the Senses, I deal not in apologies. The inclosed papers came to my Hands a few days Since; under the delusion of names, the applicants have mistaken the Authority of the...
15To George Washington from James Wilkinson, 30 December 1787 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Wilkinson, 30 Dec. 1787. GW wrote Wilkinson on 20 Feb. 1788 : “I have received your letter of the 30th of December.”
16To George Washington from James Wilkinson, 1 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
Conceiving that the novelty of the thing may render it acceptable; I have presumed to offer to you, by the Hands of Capt. Prior, two Kegs of Salted Fish, which were taken in the Big Miami River. And, with the most dutiful attachment to your Person, & the highest veneration for your exalted Station I have the Honor to be Your obliged & faithful Soldier & Servant ALS , NIC . The docket reads:...
17To George Washington from James Wilkinson, 1 December 1796 (Washington Papers)
J: Wilkinson takes the Liberty to send the President, a rough draft & concise description of his 1000 Acre tract of Land on the Ohio a few Miles above the little Miami, as reported to Him by the Surveyor. AL , DLC:GW . The enclosed document contains a hand-drawn map of GW’s tract near the Ohio and Little Miami rivers, accompanied by the following text: “The presidents 1000 Acre tract of Land...
18To John Adams from James Wilkinson, 29 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I take the Liberty to deposite in your Hands, a rude manuscript map, which embraces a part of the Spanish provinces of Louisiana, Texhas, St. Anders, & St. a Fee, in the audience of New Gallicia; & Kingdom of Mexico,— This work, accomplished by deep Intrigue, under heavy pecuniary losses, & six years of perilous Action, may be considered as a foundation of some thing more extensive & more...
19To John Adams from James Wilkinson, 20 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
To justify to our Country and to the world your protection of me at a moment when and powerful enemies were combined to destroy me by implications which dare not meet the light, I profess before God and Man is among the leading motives of all my acting— The death of General Wayne silenced an investigation which I had much at heart, because it would have unfolded Scenes and circumstances...
20To John Adams from James Wilkinson, 24 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
At the particular desire of the Bearer, the Miamis Chief called the little Turtle, I give Him this Letter of Introduction to you; His consequence among the Nations, approximate to one North Western frontier, gave Him pretensions to this distinction, I have deemed it political to indulge Him, and hope the Step may not be displeasing to you.— To the details which I have given the Secretary of...
21To John Adams from James Wilkinson, 26 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
To justify to our Country & to the World, your protection of me at a moment, when numerous & powerful Enemies were combined to destroy me, by implications which dare not meet the light, I profess before God & Man, is among the leading Motives of all my Actions. The Death of General Wayne silenced an investigation, which I had much at Heart, because it would have unfolded Scenes &...
22To George Washington from James Wilkinson, 26 December 1797 (Washington Papers)
Should this Letter be presented to you, it will be from the Hands of the Miamis Chief the Little Turtle, who in ballancing between a visit to the Town of Boston, or Mount Vernon, has decided in favor of your Seat. I think Sir, you will find Ideas more correct, and a mind more capacious in this Chief, than any of his race. It was He who conducted the action of the 4th November against Genl St...
23To John Adams from James Wilkinson, 24 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received the enestimable Letter, which you condescended to write to me on the 4th of the present month—I am oppressed by your goodness to me, & I fail of utterance, adequate to my sensibilities.— Bound to you by duty, by principle, by patriotism, by gratitude, and all the subordinate Interests & attachments of the human Mind, what can be so grateful to my Heart & my Head as your...
24To John Adams from James Wilkinson, 13 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
The motives which prompt me to this intrusion, will I hope apologise for it.— Regard to the welfare of an honest Man, & in his station a faithful officer, (who has served under my observation for six Years past, & suffered much in Constitution) induces me to take the Liberty, of, presenting the Bearer Mr. Saml Henly to your consideration, who goes on furlough to his native air of Boston, for...
25To John Adams from James Wilkinson, 18 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
Ensign Peyton of the 1st. Regiment: will have the Honor to present this to you; ill Health obliges Him to retire from this Climate, more dangerous to us, than the swords of our neighbours.— A desire to be made known to you Sir, as natural as it is commendable, imboldons me to indulge Mr. Peytons request. By the medium of this note, and the assurance, that this Young officer is valuable in his...
26To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 15 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It is in consequence of an order from the Minister of War received on the 4th. Inst., that I have now the Honor to begin my correspondence with you. Accustomed to the frankness of a Soldier, nothing less than the fear of incurring the imputation of adulation or of impertinence could prevent the expression of my feelings on the occasion, but altho I wave professions, I may express the high...
27To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 20 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It was not before the last Evening, I had the Honor to receive your Letter of the 12th. Febry: altho the messenger who brought it, delivered me philadelphia Papers, as late as the 8th: Ultimo. I regret the delay but cannot account for it. I wrote you five Days since Fort Washington on the Ohio, & now enclose you a duplicate of that Dispatch, by a confidential half-bred Indian, who will bear...
28To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 25 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
A confidential opportunity having offered to New Orleans, I avail myself of it, to give you the following extract from a Letter just recd. from Governor Gayoso & dated the 15th Inst. “Your instructions to Captn Shaum Burgh, are not only according to the strictest discipline, but they show your Genls. evident disposition, to cultivate the best understanding between our Nations. “The party...
29To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 24 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Natchez [ Mississippi Territory ] May 24, 1799 . “Immediately after I received your Letter of the 12th: Feby: I dispatched an Express over land to Mobile, to gain intelligence of the Detachment, which had marched to take post on that River.… The Night before the last, I had the satisfaction to receive assurances from the Commanding officer, that He had reached the point of his destination …...
30To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 6 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I arrived here on the 3rd Inst. & expect to Embark on the 10th. directly for the port of your residence. I have Offered two & would have given four hundred do⟨l⟩lars for a passage in the Sloop which bears this as she is reputed a good sailer, but find myself excluded by a band of Kentuckeans, who anticipated my application. Contrary to my expectations I do not find an armed Vessel in port, &...
31To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 3 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Balise, Mouth of the Mississippi, July 3, 1799. “I reached this place the 30th. Ultimo where we are detained for a Wind to pass the Bar.… Immediately after my Arrival At New Orleans, I droped you a line by a Sloop, bound directly to New York, and I send this by the Schooner two Brothers bound to Baltimore. I am on Board the Willm. of Charlestown bound to London, to touch at the Port of your...
32To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Genl. Hamilton will find in the “Reglemens pour L’infanterie Prussienne” many substantial principles of duty & of service, inapplicable perhaps to our Modes of thinking & acting, but susceptible of modification. Brig Genl. W. begs leave to refer to the Chapter on “Subordination” in the second Volume particularly—and will be obliged by General Hamiltons attention to the Letter for Lt. Boote. AL...
33To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 16 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you the only Letter Book I have with me—unfortunately the most material one has been left behind. The inaccuracies of the copiest may be readily excused, but the frivolity & fallibility of Intellect, too current in my correspondence with the Minister, will require an exertion of your indulgence. My humiliation has been profound, my sufferings exquisite, whether justly or unjustly you...
34To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, [26 August 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
Brigr. Gen. Wilkinson has the Honor to transmit Majr. Genl Hamilton, an original communication from the Officer commanding Fort Massac, near the Mouth of the Ohio River, which appears to Him to merit some attention. He sends the Original, because the retention of it, is important to the Brigadier, & may be most properly deposited with the Majr. General. The debauch & consequent absence of the...
35To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 2 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Indisposition Sir has prevented my seeing you, since the day before the last. I have a terible Cold, caught I know not how. If the Ministers report be correct, & it accords with my own information, & that of the adjutant Generals Office—the 1st. and 2d. Regiments want each two Mates, and the 3d. and 4th. each one, to compleat the Establishment, which should I humbly conceive be appointed, &...
36To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 6 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor to submit to your Consideration, a rough delineation of the Maritime Coast of the United States, and those parts of the interior of our Country, which lay contiguous to the Dominions of Great Britain and Spain, as far North as the “Saut de St. Marie,” with the intention to exhibit to you, at one View, the Military posts occupied at this time by the several Powers, and such as...
37To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 7 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
At foot you have the Corps designated, to which the Infantry of the frontier Garrisons respectively appurtain; it may be Essential to note, that a Sergeant, Corporal, & eight Dragoons are included in the Return for Fort Sargent— Most respectfully I am sir Yr. Ob. Ser Oswego, the Garrison of, is from the 1st. Regt. Niagara. Do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do. Fort Wayne Do . . . . . . . . . . ....
38To John Adams from James Wilkinson, 27 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
With a sense the most respectful, I presume to intrude the documents enclosed on the President’s attention, in the hope that they may serve to amuse a leisure hour. The first is an imperfect register of the trading vessels, which passed our barrier post on the Mississippi during a short period, and is evidential of the progressive population and improvement of our Western Country, which sent...
39To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 12 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Trenton, October 12, 1799. On October 31, 1799, Hamilton wrote to Wilkinson and referred to “your several communications of the 12th. 15. 19th. & 27 instant.” Letter of October 12 not found. ]
40To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 15 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Trenton, October 15, 1799. On October 31, 1799, Hamilton wrote to Wilkinson and referred to “your several communications of the 12th. 15. 19th. & 27 instant.” Letter of October 15 not found. ]
41To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 19 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, October 19 1799. On October 31, 1799, Hamilton wrote to Wilkinson and acknowledged receipt of Wilkinson’s “several communications of the … 13th. 15. 19th. & 27 instant.” Letter of October 19 not found. ]
42To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 27 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, October 27, 1799. On October 31, 1799, Hamilton wrote to Wilkinson and acknowledged receipt of Wilkinson’s “several communications of the … 13th. 15. 19th. & 27 instant.” Letter of October 27 not found. ]
43To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 30 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor to inclose you an invoice of Medicine & Hospital Stores, intended for the use of the Troops on the Mississippi & Mobile Rivers, which may I hope be purchased & shiped on the Vessel, which — the ordnance & Military Stores, for the sake of Oconomy, dispatch, & accommodation; I am the more particular in this instance, because the Season has been remarkably sickly on our South...
44To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 6 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
You have under cover the copy of my requisition for provisions to the Contractor, of which I am desirous to have your opinion—The demand has been regulated by the present strength of our Garrisons, by the changes contemplated, the augmentation expected, and the occupancies intended—You will perceive that the sum demanded at the proposed Head-quarters, at Fort Adams, Fort Wayne, Detroit, &...
45To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 7 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor to inclose you for consideration, an Account of my necessary Expences, since I left my Head Quarters on the Mississippi agreably to your Orders, with vouchers to support them—The Acct marked private is to evidence that I have not charged all my Expences for subsistence, indeed a variety of minute expences are omited, & I have made no charge for personal indulgences—yet the sum...
46To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 12 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I arrived here on Saturday & shall proceed on my Journey the 15th., and expect to reach Norfolk on the 20th. I take the Liberty to submit the enclosed to you from Lt Claiborne, who stands for a Company in place of Kreemer disgraced, and to advise that He should receive recruiting Instructions, in order to compleat his Command—altho unauthorized I can not forbear offering the Opinion, that the...
47To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 13 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It has been suggested both by the pay Master & Majr Genl Pinkney, that a Lt McCall, now of the 3d. Regt & stationed in Georgia is necessary in that quarter as pay Master, I have therefore, for accommodation of the service, ventured to transfer Mr. McCall to the 4th. Regt., which may I hope meet your approbation. In arranging with Mr Swan for the pay of the Troops on the Missippi, I have named...
48To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 21 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your Letter respecting Hamtramck & Lt Claiborne, has come to Hand & is the last I have received from you. I left Phila. the 16th. Inst, arrived here the 17th. & shall sail Tomorrow in the Vessel intended for me, requiring so much time for equipment. From some conversation with the Secy of War, the Day before I left Phila. I fear the proposed organization of the four old Regts: will be cut up,...
49To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 21 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It is a truth, that in the variety of my Life, I have very seldom experienced so essential a privation, as the loss of your Society. I should find difficulty in the discrimination, but you have Interests about you, which I have never discovered in another, matter to captivate the understanding, & manner to charm the Heart—pardon this effusion of grateful Friendship, since it gives pleasure to...
50To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 14 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor to transmit you a second Letter from Capt Claiborne of the 1st. Regt., and beg leave to second his views as far as may be consistent with your arrangements—I am assured here that he is no longer necessary to guard the Frigate, & that his Men are in the Way of the Builders & Riggers— With perfect consideration I am most respectfully Sir Yr. Obt Ser ( ALS , Hamilton Papers,...