101Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 11 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Addressed to “Virga. Delegates.” The handwriting is that of Archibald Blair through the word “Counties” in the first paragraph. The copying was completed by Thomas Meriwether. When Count Rochambeau was about to leave this State He call’d on Government for 1000 Men to garrison the Towns of York & Gloucester. his request has in part been comply’d with[.] about 520...
102Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 9 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In JM’s hand except for Arthur Lee’s signature. Addressed to “His Excelly. Governor Harrison.” Docketed, “Virga Delegates Letter July 9th 1782.” Your Excellency’s favor of the 29th. of June inclosing a letter to Mr. Irwin & a bill of exchange in his favor from Mr. O. Pollock was received this morning. The defect of intelligence which rendered our last so...
103Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 6 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Archibald Blair. Our Assembly has passd a Law for the seisure of Brittish Goods on Land but the Execution of it is suspended untill other States shall do the same I beg the favour of You when this happens to give me information that proper steps may be taken to enforce the Law here. your favor by the last post came to hand too late for the Assembly I...
104Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 2 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In JM’s hand, except the signatures of Bland and Lee. Addressed to “His Excellency. The Honble B. Harrison.” Docketed: “Virga Delegates Lr. July 82[.] July 2d 1782.” We had the honor of receiving your Excellency’s favor of the 22. Ultimo by yesterday’s mail. All the late intelligence from Europe which has not been already communicated, is contained in the gazettes...
105Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 29 June 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Written by Thomas Meriwether. Addressed to “Virginia Delegates. Congress.” There was nothing in my Letter taken from the post that can be of any service to the Enemy nor any thing that can amuse the public[.] I confess to You the Buisness you mention in cypher in your last has turn’d out much as I expected it wou’d do. It has never been attended to here. the...
106Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 25 June 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In JM’s hand, except for Bland’s signature. Docketed, “Lr. f’m Del. in Congress June 25 82.” Your Excellency’s favor of the 15th. came safe to hand yesterday. The loss of the mail of the preceding week is the more regretted, as we understand that a packet from N. York for England which had been intercepted and carried into N. Carolina, made a part of it. A private...
107Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 22 June 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. The plan laid for bringing over the Stores is most unaccountably frustrated by the Assembly. Our deficiency in arms and Ammunition is so truely alarming that I feel real distress, whenever I think of our situation. If you cannot get them brought over by our good friends the French they will probably remain where they are til the...
108Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 18 June 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In JM’s hand except for Bland’s signature. JM wrote all italicized words in the official cipher. Docketed, “Virga Dels Lr. June 18th 1782.” Accompanying the manuscript in the Virginia State Library is a page upon which the second paragraph of the letter was decoded by Archibald Blair, clerk of the Council of State. The Post having been robbed of his mail on his...
109Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, [11] June 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (New York State Historic Sites, Albany, N.Y.). Entirely in the hand of Theodorick Bland, Jr., except for JM’s signature. Although the cover is missing, the title by which the recipient is addressed, along with the contents of the letter, establishes the identity of the addressee. The complete date probably should be 11 June 1782 in view of the nature of the information in the dispatch and...
110Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 8 June 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. I am much obliged to you for your communications by the last post. I hope the difficulties thrown in the way of our supplies will be removed by the resolutions of the Assembly, If they should not let me beg of you to use every endeavour to satisfy the Minister that payment will be made according to agreement and that the stores are...
111Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 4 June 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by Theodorick Bland, except for JM’s signature. Docketed, “1782. June 4th.” Our last of the 28th. Ultimo informed your Excelly. fully of the State of News at this place, Since which nothing material has happened, except what the enclosed News Paper contains. There yet remains some doubt relative to the event of the Action of the two fleets in the West...
112Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 28 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by Theodorick Bland except for JM’s signature. Docketed, “Letter from Virga Delegates recd June 6 1782.” The words written by Bland in the official cipher are italicized below. Accompanying the letter are three pages upon which the cipher was decoded by Archibald Blair, clerk of the Council of State. The state of News as it respects the action of the French...
113Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 18 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. We are obliged to you for your communications of the 4th. Instant; I hope there can be no doubt of America’s complying strictly with her engagements to our Allies; there is none here every person that I converse with seems to think it our Interest as well as duty. Our Assembly is at last doing duty and from the complexion of the...
114Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 14 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (McGregor Library, University of Virginia). In JM’s hand. Docketed: “Lr. from the Virga Delegates[.] May 23d. 1782[.] referred to the Committee appd: to prepare Instructions to the Delegates in Congress.” This statement is discussed in n. 13. In our letter of the 17th Ulto. we informed your Excelly. that we had called upon Congress for a decision on the report of the Committee on the...
115Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 11 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether, who had succeeded Charles Hay as assistant clerk of the Council of State on 7 May 1782. I have inclos’d for your perusal a letter to Mr Morris and one to the Chevalier, which you’l please to seal and deliver after reading, and use your endeavours to obviate any difficulties that may be started by the Minister if in your power. I am...
116Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 7 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In JM’s hand. Addressed to “His Excelly. The Governor of Virginia.” Docketed: “Virga. Delegates Letter May 7th recd May 16. 82[.] Will soon send information as to Inhabitant[s] transfered from Jurisdiction of Virginia to that of Pensylvania. Fifty commissions forwarded by Secretary of Congress for armed Vessels. A vigorous effort to expel the enemy from our country...
117Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 4 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay. Addressed to “The Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I am much obliged to you for your favor by the last post; the intelligence is agreable tho’ there is no immediate prospect of arriving at the wished for period; yet it will come in time. Who is fully informed of their being in an error, will open their eyes. We wish not to have the...
118Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 30 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Addressed, “His Excelly. B. Harrison Esqr.” Entirely in JM’s hand except for the signatures of the other delegates. The words in the official cipher are here italicized. Accompanying the recipient’s copy is a sheet upon which the second paragraph of the letter was decoded by Archibald Blair, clerk of the Council of State. We have not the honor of acknowledging any...
119Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 27 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay. By some queries that have been presented to the Attorney General there is reason to apprehend that the people who inhabit the lands that were in dispute with the State of Pennsylvania are likely to suffer, not only in the property of their lands but by a reversal of the decrees of the Courts whilst they were look’d on as subjects of this...
120Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 23 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by JM. Docketed, “Lr from Delegates partly in Cypher May 82[.] April 23d 1782.” “May 82” probably signifies when the letter was received. Italicized words in the present copy appear in the manuscript as numbers, conforming with the so-called “official cypher.” A decoding and an encoding page are in the Virginia State Library. Your Excellency’s favor of the...
121Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, [17 April] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed extract (Paul C. Richards Catalogue No. 11 [1964], item 266). The catalogue describes the manuscript as comprising two pages written by JM and bearing the signatures of Joseph Jones, Theodorick Bland, JM, and Arthur Lee. We thought it necessary to have a decision from Congress relative to the cession of our western territory, for the information of the ensuing Assembly; & therefore...
122Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 17 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
The enclosd relation was directed by Congress to be transmitted to the Executives of Virginia & Pensylvania, that they might make enquiry into the facts, & take such measures in it as they deemed proper. Your Excellency’s Letter, touching the capture in north Carolina, remains yet unreported on. We thought it necessary to have a decision from Congress, relative to the cession of our western...
123Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 12 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay. It certainly would forward the recruiting service much to have cloths lodged with every person appointed to that business, but as it would be attended with great trouble and expence and perhaps some loss to send them into every County, I think it will be sufficient if an order can be obtained from the War Office permiting the Executive...
124Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 6 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay. My letters that you miss were sent to the Post Office, and I suppose must have been either mislaid or taken away by Some curious Tory, who will meet with but little gratification in reading them, as they containd nothing of consequence, indeed that Seems to be the Case on both Sides. When I came to the government I found the...
125Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 2 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by Arthur Lee. Docketed, “Letter from Delegates April 2d 1782.” We had the honor of receiving your Excellency’s letter of the 23d. ult. with the Papers for Congress which we shall present. We are obliged to your Excellency for your intelligence from the W. Indies, which we hope will be confirmed. Mr. Foster Webb will receive every assistance we can give...
126Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 26 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written and franked by Arthur Lee. Docketed: “Virga. Delegates Lr. recd. Apl 82[.] March 26h 1782[.] Latest advices from Europe indicate determination of British Cabinet to continue the War.” The Superintendant of Finance informs us, that he has sent a proposition to our Executive which he conceives will answer the object of our motion relative to the supply of...
127Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 23 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay. A privateer belonging to this State has seized a flag in one of the Ports of North Carolina, and brought her into this Country, libelled and condemned her in our Court of Admiralty, which has given such offence to Govr Burke that he once intended to send an armed force to carry her back. I hope he has given over this rash design on a...
128Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 19 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Except for the signatures of JM and Joseph Jones, the letter was written, franked, and addressed by Arthur Lee to “His Excellency Benjamin Harrison Esqr. Governor of Virginia.” Docketed, “Virga. Delegates Lr. March 19th 1782.” The Motion we made for Congress to accept the Beef, that might be supplied by the State for the southern Army above her former quota of that...
129Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 12 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by Joseph Jones. Docketed, “Del: in Congress March 12th 1782.” We are honoured with your favors of the 22d. ult. and 1st. instant the last covering a resolution of the House of Delegates of the 5th. of Jan[ua]ry last which we had before received and lodged a Copy with the supertendt. of Finance. We cannot at present return a full answer to your request...
130Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 5 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by Joseph Jones. Docketed, “Virga Delegates Lr. recd. March. 1782. March 5th.” This weeks Post has brot. us no Letter from your Excellency. Mr. Ross has directed Mr. Whiteside a mercht. of this City to pay us £200 each, which will enable those of us who have been sometime here to discharge our outstanding balances but will leave a small sum only for future...
131Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 1 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay. The resolutions of Congress you inclosed me respecting the beef to be provided by this State, for Genl Greene’s Army, is by no means as full as it ought to be, and cannot be complyed with, even if our Circumstances were much more flourishing than they are. I some time ago forwarded a resolution of our Assembly, forbidding any specific...
132Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 25 February 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by Joseph Jones. Docketed, “Virga. Delegates Letter recd March 7. 1782. Feby: 25th.” We have your Excellencys favor of the 9th. of this month. Since our last the plan for the final settlement of the public accounts from the commencement of the War to the 1st. of Janry. 1782, which we formerly mentioned to be under consideration has been adjusted and agreed...
133Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 15 February 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by Joseph Jones. Docketed, “Virga. Delegates Letters, Feby. 15th. 1782. inclosg. resolution of Congress respectg Beef & men.” We have your favor of the 2d. with the inclosures. those for Monsr. Mazzei shall be delivered to the minister of foreign affairs with request to forward them in the manner desired. Although general Greenes information of the number...
134Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 9 February 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay. You will find by the inclosed that the Executive have had under their Consideration the Situation of the Continental Troops and the Staff Departments now in this State, which is so truly distressing both to them and us, that I want Words to give you a just Idea of it. The State you will know from my former letters and your own Sufferings...
135Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 8 February 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed extract (Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue No. 1170 [2 June 1916], p. 34). The catalogue states that this letter, four pages in length, is dated as below and signed by JM, Joseph Jones, and Edmund Randolph. The dispatch is apparently in JM’s hand. It was found that great quantities of British goods, were brought by circuitous commerce into these States, that this trafic tending to strengthen...
136Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 2 February 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay. We have received none of your Favors by the last two posts, nor has any Northward Mail come in. I suppose the Badness of the Weather as usual stopped them on the road. On looking over your letter by Captn Irish I find that you suppose the bill drawn payable to him was for part of the four tenths of the new Congress money as it is called;...
137Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 1 February 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Franked by Edmund Randolph. Docketed, “Virga Delegates recd 14 Febry 1782.” The post of the present week having failed to arrive in this city on its usual day (Tuesday) and our letters not coming to hand until this morning (Friday) we can answer your excellency’s favor of the 17th. instant only by acknowledging the receipt of it. We have the honor sir to be with...
138Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 24 January 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (University of North Carolina Library: Southern Historical Collection). The letter was written by Edmund Randolph. It is docketed: “Lre from our Delegates in Congress Janry 24. 1782. Reced Febry 7th:” The minister plenipotentiary of France communicated to us this afternoon the inclosed extract from a letter of Count de Vergennes. We are happy to find, that the supplies, which your...
139Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 15 January 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by Edmund Randolph and addressed to “His excellency the governor of Virginia Richmond.” Having informed your excellency in our last letter, that we should repeat our dispatches, transmitted to Capt. Irish, unless you should announce the receipt of them by yesterday’s post, and hearing nothing from the executive, we shall prepare them for the mail of the...
140Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 15 January 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay. The inclosed resolution of the Assembly just came to hand directing no money to be paid or specifics delivered but by special order of Congress or the Financier General You will please therefore to put it in such a train that Congress may avail themselves of any supplies we may be able to furnish them. I am &c That is, specific...
141Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 11 January 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay, assistant clerk of the Council of State. We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 1st instant and to inform you that the packet by Captain Irish did not get to hand time enough for the assembly which rose on the fifth. They have passed a bill for raising 3000 men. We have no doubt of getting them provided...
142Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 8 January 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by Edmund Randolph. Docketed: “Lre from Delegates in Congress Dated Jany 8th. 1782[.] Inclosing Mr D Murrays papers[,] Also facts and reasons respecting the incorporation of the National Bank.” Your excellency’s favor of the 28th. Ulto, not having acknowledged the receipt of our despatches by Capt. Irish, we shall repeat them, unless the next post should...
143Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 1 January 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written and franked by JM. Addressed to “His Excellency Benjamin Harrison Esqr. Governor of Virginia[.] Public service.” A Letter from Genl Heath who commands the army on the North River, dated the 26th. Ulto: informs Congress that an intelligent person from N. York had reported to him that an embarkation of troops was taking place there, that he saw a part of them...
144Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 18 December 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Historical Society of Pennsylvania). Written by JM. Docketed, “Lre from Delegates in Congress Decr 27. 1781.” Probably the letter reached Harrison in Richmond on that date. At the request of Baron Steuben, a letter from him to your Excellency is herewith inclosed. The paper from the Secretary of War to Congress also inclosed is an answer to the two Resolutions of the General Assembly...
145Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 4 December 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by Joseph Jones and addressed to “His Excellency The Governor of Virginia Richmond.” JM wrote the postscript. Relying on the assurances given by your Excellency, that we should be releived from our embarrassments here, by the agency of Mr. Ross to whom our supply had been committed, we ceased from further representations on that head, believing them to be...
146Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 1 December 1781 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Inclosed you have two Resolutions of the General Assembly of this St[ate] respecting the feeding of the British Prisoners now with us. The Resolutions ind[eed] only prohibit the Impress of Provisions, but I would recommend it to you to [ask?] Congress immediately, to send a Commissary forward, or the Troops will suffer, perhaps starve, the State having no Means of...