1To Benjamin Franklin from William Davies, 28 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am truly sorry that an unhappy occasion compels me to intrude at this time upon your more important concerns, and beg the circumstance may have sufficient weight to apologize therefor. My son William Davies, was lately taken in the ship General Washington, from this Port on a Cruize, by the British ship of War, Chatham and he with other Officers of the...
2From George Washington to Colonel William Davies, 16 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
The whole of the Virginia line being ordered to the Southward it becomes indispensibly necessary, that a sub Inspector should accompany them, to perform the duties incidental to that Office —Should you have so far compleated the arrangement of your private Affairs, for which you obtained leave of Absence, as to be able to proceed with the troops from Virginia, you can join them upon their...
3From George Washington to Colonel William Davies, 20 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your Letter of the 20th of last month —and Mr Harrison has communicated to me the contents of one he had received from You of the same date. The arrangement of Officers for the Regiments gone to the Southward, was made at philadelphia—after the Virginia line marched from hence—and I do not know the reasons which operated, for appointing Colo. Gist to the command of one of them...
4To George Washington from Colonel William Davies, 20 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by the board of arrangement to lay the inclosed representation before your Excellency. They are not actuated by any other motives than a regard to their own rights as officers, and the general interest of the service. Upon similar pretensions General Scott might have retired when General Weedon was irregularly placed over his head; and General Muhlenberg, who was in the same...
5From George Washington to William Davies, 24 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favr of the 20th ulto inclosing a representation signed by you and a number of the Feild Officers of the Virginia line against the readmission of Brigadier Weedon to command in the line of that State—Being a stranger to the transactions which took place at the time General Weedon was thought to have retired from service, I can give no decided opinion upon the propriety of...
6From George Washington to William Davies, 16 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Upon viewing the troops of the Virginia Line this morning I find that they are almost totally destitute of Cloathing that is even necessary for the present season in consequence of which upwards of one third of them are renderd at present unfit for service. The importance of present exertions need not be pen’d as I flatter myself you must already be convinced of the necessity of them. You will...
7To George Washington from William Davies, 19 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had this day the honor to receive your Excellency’s favor of the 16th and enclose for your information the whole stock of cloathing on hand at this place, much the greater part of which came in this morning. I have been using every endeavor for some time past to bring to a point all the cloathing required by law from the various counties, but the confusions which the incursions of the enemy...
8From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, 9 August 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Robertson receives a warrant for £2500, and an order for a tierce of rice from our stock. We have none of the other articles desired, but am in hopes he may be able to purchase them. As to the soap from the Barracks I imagine the requisition to the commissary general of issues would go more properly from yourself, as it is continental property. Shoud any difficulty occur in this, Genl....
9From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, 3 September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The Bearers of your Letters have unfortunately called on me generally in the afternoon when it is impossible to consult the Council, and of course to answer you, which occasions a delay of answer. This was the case with Dr. Munro. I now inclose you an order for the medicine. We can furnish you with about 400 yds. of a coarse woolen which may be made to answer the purpose of blankets in the...
10From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, 9 September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The Sentence of the court martial however inadequate the punishment is to the offence, seems to be such as the law has authorized, except as to the musket lost. For this indemnification we shall take more effectual measures by stopping the full worth out of the pay of the deserter. The Act of assembly named six places of rendezvous for the new recruits and authorized us to name two more and to...
11From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, 1 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Baron Steuben having desired that all Issues and Furnitures from us to the Continent might be on his Order while here, I immediately on Receipt of your Letter sent it down to the Baron; he was just set out to Hoods. I therefore have given an Order to Mr. Armistead to deliver the Materials to the Person attending for you that they may be making up and paying due Attention to the Barons Request....
12George Muter to William Davies, 2 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The enemy’s approach rendering the removal of the arms and stores belonging to the state at Petersburgh, immedeatly necessary; Capt. Spiller (State Commissary of Military stores) goes directly from hence towards Petersburgh for that purpose, and will call on you. I must request the favour of you to render Capt. Spiller what assistance you can in the execution of the duty he goes on. The powder...
13William Armistead to William Davies, 3 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 3 Jan. 1781. Has been directed by the governor to order the tailor and shoemaker at Warwick to go to Chesterfield Courthouse immediately; but fears that without an officer to attend them they will desert; suggests that they be sent for, with a wagon or two to remove the leather and cloth on hand. RC ( Vi ); 2 p.; addressed: “Colo. William Davies Chesterfield Court House”; endorsed;...
14To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 7 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am informed a considerable number of public papers, brimstone and other articles are lying round the works at Westham, many of them very little damaged. I cannot well spare any body from this side to collect them, but think it my duty to give your Excellency the information. The number of Hanover militia on the other side the river, is so considerable as to take the whole of the good arms. I...
15To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 10 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank your Excellency for your information of yesterday . It is improbable Cunningham would be willing to work, and the shortest method in such times of emergency, is to impress the shop and tools for a while. I am surprized your Excellency could conceive I should know where the military stores of this state were dispersed having had no kind of connexion with them, either in point of...
16Charles Fleming to William Davies, 10 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Manchester, 10 Jan. 1781. Arrived at this place the previous evening; the men “had a very disagreeable night, seven of them taken sick”; will proceed as soon “as they get comfortably dried and get their breakfast”; requests supplies. “The Governor lodged on this side last [night], whom I have seen. He informs me the enemy were yesterday morning lying still at and about Colo. Harrissons mills:...
17To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 11 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
In answer to your Excellency’s favor of yesterday , I would observe that it is necessary the good arms and prepared ammunition should continue here to be issued to the militia, as they arrive. If there should be danger, which I do not conceive there is at present, the arms &c. may be removed in boats, of which I have a number collected. There is a considerable quantity of loose ammunition...
18To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 12 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have taken my quarters in the Senate house, and find in one of the rooms below, a great variety of public papers scattered about and open to every body. This I am told is the case with the papers of the General court at the lower end of the town. As I am not acquainted who are the proper officers, and as I suppose these papers must be of some value, I have taken the liberty to inform your...
19To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 15 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As considerable numbers of militia are daily arriving at this place, very many of whom are not armed, and as I know of no public stores from whence they can be supplied, I beg to know your Excellency’s sentiments with respect to the propriety of discharging such as cannot be equipped, or whether it would be your wish that they should be detained here, till a sufficient number of arms can be...
20To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 16 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 16 Jan. 1781. There are about 100 Chesterfield militia now at Manchester, consisting of old men and boys. No purpose can be served by continuing them. Since some militia are to be dismissed, “at least such whose turn has been already taken, previous to the present invasion,” and Col. Haskins says he has “sent all the able men to the army without regard to classes,” orders are...
21To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 19 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The militia from the counties your Excellency mentions have all arrived. Those from Amherst, who came in the last, marched today. All the military stores, I have directed to be issued since my arrival at this place, have been issued by Captain Spiller and Captain Irish. A number were previously delivered by a Waggon master Patten at Manikin town and Judes ferry. He lives at Petersburg. I shall...
22To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 25 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I found upon my return hither that all the troops, that marched from hence upon the arrival of the enemy, had by order of Baron Steuben come back to this station, from their utter inability to keep the field, from the want of almost every species of cloathing. Many men have not a remnant of cloathing larger than a good napkin to cover their nakedness, and a number of these are dependent upon...
23From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, 26 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As for the outer Clothing for the Soldiers there is no early Prospect but from the 1495 yards of Cloth sent you some Time ago. We purchased 100 or 150 Blankets and 400 Pair of Stockings of Mr. Ross whom I desired in Presence of an Aid of Baron Steuben’s to deliver them to the Order of the Baron. And the aid ( Major Walker ) promised to notify the Baron of this. There are some Blankets (perhaps...
24From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, 1 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I suppose there is no hope of our getting hats for the soldiers. We will aid you anywise in our power towards getting caps made. Mr. Armistead receives 1800£ to be transmitted you for your tailors and sempstresses. He has received an order to deliver you all the leather he has (enough for about 300 or 350 pair three qr. soals) and receives one now to make up the deficiency of 1500 pair as soon...
25To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 1 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Of the hundred pair of shoes expected from Petersburg, there came only 53, and those so bad that a day’s wear will destroy them. If my wish could be had, they should be returned. For my part I will never direct the distribution of any of them to the men, unless it be to taylors and shoemakers, whose sedentary occupations will not admit of much walking. There are a number of men belonging to...
26From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, 2 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very sorry the shoes and cloathing fall so far short of what we had reason to expect. Such of the former as are unfit for use had better be returned. We shall omit no opportunity of making up the whole deficiency. The Shoemakers and Taylors at Warwick receive orders to day to go to your post under a Mr. Thornbury’s care, who is himself one of them. We shall be glad to have the services of...
27To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 3 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed I transmit copies of the resolution of Congress and the opinion of the board of war of this state with your Excellency’s order respecting Captain Peyton the sub or state clothier. I think there has not yet been much reason to apprehend so great an over proportion of cloathing would be in his hands, as to induce the Continental Cloathier General to direct a distribution of it to other...
28From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, 5 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am anxious to have secured for the detachment which is next to proceed Southwardly as many tents as will suffice for them, and to collect all the residue belonging to the State and send them down for the use of the Militia. Of 230 tents issued during the last invasion, I understand that 75 were sent on with Colo. Green’s detachment, I find that about 28 were returned to this place, the rest...
29From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, 7 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
It was our intention that the tools should go with the workmen and hope they have accordingly gone. I have enquired of Mr. Armistead as to the giving a yard of linen for making shirts at Petersburg. He says it was never done by him; but that Colo. Elliot the Continental Q.M. had given the price of a yard of linen. Mr. Armistead’s allowance for the white linen shirts is 30 dollars. There is no...
30To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 8 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your several favors came to hand yesterday, but neither the tools nor the taylors are yet arrived. I never knew whose property the tools were, whether public or private, and the taylors, belonging to the State Garrison regiment, are countermanded by Major McGill, as Mr. Thornbury informs me. If it is disagreeable or inconvenient to their officers, I would not wish their men to come, tho’ I do...
31From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, 21 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The want of a board of Council prevented our taking up the final arrangement of the Clothier’s duties till yesterday, the paper I sent you having contained only what was proposed to be agreed on. Unfortunately no copy of it was retained, so that I am obliged to ask the favor of you to return it if you still have it. We have here a large number of undressed deer-skins, and no person who can...
32To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 23 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Chesterfield, 23 Feb. 1781. Because of his “present constant hurry,” Davies has been unable to find “the plan for the cloathier’s department”; will forward it as soon as he can find it. The deerskins can be dressed at Chesterfield if the men who understand doing it are permitted to stay. RC ( Vi ); 2 p.; addressed and endorsed.
33From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, 6 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a Letter from Colo. Waggoner and Depositions on the Subject of Mattenly’s Complaint on which I had written to him: They appear to justify his Conduct. The Tobacco note which Mattenly supposes should have been given him has been returned by Colo. Waggoner to the Auditors. I am, &c., FC ( Vi ). The enclosed letter from Col. Peter Wagener and the depositions have not been found.
34To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 8 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I gave immediate orders to Captain Brown of the artillery, and he will instantly set out for Hood’s. By some mismanagement the orders for Captain Brown’s continuance at Richmond are now somewhere in that town, and he knew nothing of them till he came here. I am under obligations to your Excellency for your ready attention to my information on the complaint of Mattinly. The papers you have...
35To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 11 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Chesterfield, 11 Mch. 1781 . Forwards a number of letters taken from a packet addressed to Steuben; Steuben’s letters have been forwarded by express. Some time ago replied to TJ’s inquiry concerning dressing deer skins that this could be done but has heard nothing further concerning them. A greater quantity of leather and two sets of shoemaker’s tools are needed. The clothier contracted for...
36From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, 13 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of March 8th and 11th. have remained so long unanswered from a constant Hurry of Business, but orders were immediately given for executing your requisitions as far as could be. Mr. Armistead tells me he has procured you one set of Shoemaker Tools, being the whole to be found here which now go to you; He sends also the Deer skins which on receipt of your Letter on that Subject I had...
37To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 18 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of addressing your Excellency in two letters last week upon the subject of some supplies in the cloathing department. I have not yet been favored with your answer, altho’ Captain Peyton informs me you have been kind enough to give the necessary orders for the money, and that one sett of shoemakers’ tools are procured. I would wish to be informed of your Excellency’s intentions...
38From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, 19 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
My Letter of the 13 will have answered your former Letters and part of your last and the superscription will explain to you why it was so late coming. One article I omitted to answer, that is whether you should receive Deserters from Colo. Syme in Lieu of the Levies under the last law. The Description in the act of those who are to be received is that they be recruits fit for present Duty,...
39George Twyman to Nicholas Lewis and Isaac Davis, with Jefferson’s Instructions to William Davies, 20–28 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Sixth of October last I Delivered to Mr. Joseph Hawkins Comasery at the Barracks 139 ℔ of mutten at 4. Dollars pr. pound, which I agree’d with him for a few Days before, for which I took a receit of Mr. John Tomas his assistant, Mr. Hawkins being some-where about The Store. I wated with patience as no money was to be had, and between the 5th. and 10th. March notis was given For Every body...
40From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, 21 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of inclosing to you an Information given in to me by Colo. Buford against Epaphroditus Rudder a Cornet in Baylors Horse. His being now in your neighbourhood induces me to address it to you particularly and to desire you will institute proper proceedings to call him to Account. I also beg the favor of you to inform me if you know what became of the men described in the...
41To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 21 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Commissioner of the provision law, I think he is called, being so exceedingly ill as to be past the possibility of recovery, I have taken this opportunity of giving your Excellency notice of it, as the arrival of the new levies will occasion a considerable consuption of provision; and we have no great quantity of meat on hand. Mr. Ball is the gentleman who is expected to expire in a few...
42To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 21 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of your Excellency’s favors of this date and of the 19th. I have never yet been able to find out where your letter of the 13th. is, the detention of which you observe the superscription will explain. It has never yet come to hand; and if this express should reach your Excellency before the bearer of one I wrote you today sets out on his return, I shall be obliged to you to...
43From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, 22 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Colo. Muter having resigned his appointment as Commissioner of the war office, the board have appointed you to succeed him which I have now the pleasure to notify to you. I shall be exceedingly happy should it be agreable to you to undertake the Office, and if applications to the Commanding Officer or other Person shall be necessary to reconcile your acting in this Office to the reservation of...
44[From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, with Reply, 26 March 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 26 Mch. 1781 . Minute in War Office Journal (Vi) under this date: “A letter from the Governor respecting the discharge of soldiers for six months, who have no Certificate, nor Witnesses to prove the expiration of their terms of service; and requesting some general plan to be proposed for the regulation of such cases. Answer returned. That in such cases, their oath should be...
45To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 26 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to represent to your Excellency the absolute necessity of appointing one of the officers of the new state regiment to do the duty of Town major at this place. It is impossible for the duties of this office to be done without confusion, if the Commissioner’s attention is perpetually distracted with orders for provision for this man, and rum for another, and a pair of shoes for a...
46From John Christian Senf, with Jefferson’s Instructions to William Davies, 26 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
By our present Situation Your Excellency will find it highly Necessary, that all kind of Intrenching Tools, as well for the defensive as offensive Operations, should be got immediatly ready. I take therefore the Liberty to propose what Kind and Quantity of Tools [there] may be Occasion for, 800 Spades 400 Common Axes 200 Broad and Grubbing Hoes 100 Pick Axes 300 Fashine Knifes and smal...
47[To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 27 March 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 27 Mch. 1781 . Minute in War Office Journal (Vi) under this date: “Letter to the Governor, suggesting that although Mr. Anderson claims liberty to contract with persons to wash and cook for his people, there is no such privilege allowed him in his contract, only for nine lads, nailors, and being aware of the danger of setting a bad precedent, requests his advice, whether he shall,...
48From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, 28 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The board are of opinion that the proposal of the Commissioner of the War office to appoint Capt. Hamilton, an officer of the state regiment to do the duty of Town-major with such rations and forage as shall make those he is already entitled to equivalent to those of a Major, referring him to the General assembly to obtain a similar augmentation of pay, be approved. They approve of his...
49To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, with Reply, 29 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I find the number of waggons in the QMG’s department so utterly inadequate to the wants of the State, that the most common purposes of that department cannot be executed, nor any assistance afforded to the others. At present, indeed, Mr. Brown the commissary general has the greater part of them employed by him. Nothing can be done, therefore, in the collection of military stores without an...
50To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, with Reply, 30–31 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The General expressed to me yesterday in such strong terms the great importance of the post at Chesterfield, and urged so strenuously his idea of the necessity of my continuing my superintendance at that place till the march of the new raised troops shall be over, that it was in vain I represented my opinion of the impracticability of discharging my duty towards it, or the fatigue and trouble...