101Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 22 October 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In JM’s hand. Addressed to “His Excelly Govr. Harrison.” Cover missing. Docketed, “Lr f’m Virginia Delegates inclosg Memorial of S. Nathan 1782 Oct 22d.” Your Excellency’s favor of the 12th. instant came duly to hand yesterday. A Vessel lately arrived at Boston brought Congress a letter from Mr. Adams dated Hague Aug: 18th. 1782. The paper No. 1. herewith inclosed...
102Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, [15 October] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed copy ( Burnett, Letters Edmund C. Burnett, ed., Letters of Members of the Continental Congress (8 vols.; Washington, 1921–36). , VI, 507). The contents of the letter and the fact that the dates of the Virginia delegates’ letters of 1 , 8 , and 22 ( qq.v ) are established permit little doubt that the present dispatch was dated on 15 October, the Tuesday post day. The original manuscript...
103Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, [8 October] 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In Joseph Jones’s hand, except for JM’s signature. Although the top of the manuscript is torn so that the date is missing, the docket reads, “Lr f’m Virga Delegates Oct. 8. 82.” The mutilated condition of the bottom of the manuscript obliged the bracketed insertions of words and letters which may have been there originally. The cover is missing. We are honoured...
104Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 1 October 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In JM’s hand, except for the signatures of Joseph Jones and Arthur Lee. Addressed by JM to “His Excelly. Govr. Harrison.” Docketed, “Lr frm Virga Delegates Oct. 1. 82.” Your Excellency’s favor of the 20th. of Sepr. was recd. yesterday. Whatever curiosity or wonder might be excited by the letter in the post office addressed to you from Sr. G. Carlton with an...
105Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 28 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In William Tatham’s hand and directed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Your favor by the last post with it’s enclosures came safe to hand. I thank you for the papers. their contents are very interesting I think they give us a prospect of peace, and hope your Communications from Paris will confirm them. I wish the Members of Congress could be properly impress’d...
106Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 24 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (American Philosophical Society). In JM’s hand, except for signatures of Joseph Jones, Arthur Lee, and Theodorick Bland. Cover missing but contents make certain that the letter was addressed to Governor Harrison. Yesterday’s post brought us no letter from your Excellency. That of the 5th. instant which had not arrived at the date of our last was received a few days after. By the two...
107Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 20 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In William Tatham’s hand and directed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I can not account for the loss of my Letter as I have not omitted writing by every post except the last for several months. The petition you enclosed me from Kentuckey is the weak efforts of a small faction encouraged by some persons near you, it must now be subdued, or Government must exert...
108Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, [ca. 17] September 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Pierpont Morgan Library, New York City). In JM’s hand, except for Arthur Lee’s signature. Addressed to “His Excelly. Governor Harrison.” Cover missing. The copy of sundry late resolutions of Congress herewith inclosed will inform your Excellency of the necessity they have been under of enlarging their requisitions on the States. This necessity has resulted in part from the perseverance of...
109Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 10 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In JM’s hand, except for the signatures of Bland, Lee, and Jones. Addressed by JM to “His Excelly. Govr. Harrison.” Docketed, “Lr. f’m Virga. Delegates Sept. 10. 82.” The cover is missing. Your Excellency’s favors of the 23. and 30. Ulto. were recd. yesterday. Not recollecting that any resolutions of Congress declaratory of their ultimate sense with regard to...
110Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 6 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In William Tatham’s hand and directed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” This just serves to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 27th ulto. We have as great a dearth of News or interesting occurrences as you have at Philadelphia. The taxes begin now to come in and I have my hopes you will be no more in the Hands of Usurers, I will take care to let the...
111Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, [3 September] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed extract (Parke-Bernet Galleries Catalogue No. 2124 [20 September 1962], p. 30). The letter is described as follows: “ Madison, James ; Theodoric Bland, and Arthur Lee. A.L.s. by Bland, signed also by Madison as ‘ J. Madison Jr .’ and by Lee as ‘ A. Lee ’; 2 pp. 4to, integral blank leaf docketed on verso; Philadelphia, 3 Sept. 1782; with an erroneous pencil note suggesting that the...
112Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 3 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
Yesterday’s Post arrived without any letter from your Excellency. We laid before Congress the resolution of the assembly, relating to the emission of the 18th. of March 1780, and the destruction of the old Continental money by Commissioners within the states, which was refer’d to the Superintendt. of finance to report generally upon—as the steps to be taken on the Resolution of our Assembly,...
113Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 30 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In William Tatham’s hand and directed to “Virginia Delegates.” I recd. some time ago the Journals of Congress that you sent me but find they are not complete those of 79 being wanting be so good as to send them by the first Oppery. Some prisoners return’d from New York have enfused an Opinion into the Heads of our people that their Negros carried away by the Enemy...
114Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 27 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (New-York Historical Society). Written by Theodorick Bland, except for JM’s signature. Docketed, “Lr. f’m Virginia Delegates August 27th.” We were yesterday Hond. with your Excellys letter by post dated Augt. 16th. together with the resolution of the Assembly 2d. July 1782. we shall pay due attention to your desire concerning the Resolution and in our next transmit your Excelly. an account...
115Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 23 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In William Tatham’s hand and directed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I recd. your favor of the 13th. instant. It gives me real pleasure to find the English Ministry seriously inclined to peace, yet I agree with you, it would be imprudent to relax in our preparations for War. I find by the resolutions of Congress that they are not inclined to any kind of...
116Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, [ca. 20] August 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by Theodorick Bland, except for the signatures of JM and Arthur Lee. Lacks cover and docket. Both the contents of this letter and the delegates’ practice of writing weekly to the governor on Tuesday, the post day, make it probable that 20 August is the correct date. We have been duely hond. with your Excellys of the 8th Inst. Since our last such a dearth of...
117Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 16 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In William Tatham’s hand and directed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I did not know till the receipt of your favor of the 6th. instant that any application had been made to the Assembly for instructions on the several matters you mention as no Letter on the Subject ever came to my Hands, nor do I know whether the Assembly gave any or not, if they did they...
118Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 13 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by Theodorick Bland, except for the signatures of JM and Arthur Lee. The last (fourth) page of the letter is docketed, “Letter from Delegates Augt 13th 1782.” Filed with the letter is its enclosure—a copy of a letter of 12 August from Secretary at War Benjamin Lincoln to Bland. This and the delegates’ letter were placed, after receipt, in a paper wrapper...
119Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 9 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by Arthur Lee, except for the signatures of Theodorick Bland and JM. The third page of the letter is docketed, “Virginia Delegates to Govr of Virginia Augt 19. 1782.” The cover is franked by “A. Lee,” addressed to “His Excellency The Governor of Virginia,” and docketed, “Lr. f’m Virga. Del. August 19. 82.” The dates on these two dockets should have been “9”...
120Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 8 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In William Tatham’s hand and directed to “The Virginia Delegates in Congress.” This dispatch is concerned mainly with an unnamed ship and a number of persons identified only by their surnames or places of residence. Although Governor Harrison leaves the impression that he or the delegates had mentioned the episode in their earlier correspondence, they apparently...
121Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 6 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed copy ( Burnett, Letters Edmund C. Burnett, ed., Letters of Members of the Continental Congress (8 vols.; Washington, 1921–36). , VI, 427–28, and n. 6). Around 1930 the manuscript was owned by Stan. V. Henkels of Philadelphia. Arthur Lee rather than JM seems to have been the draftsman. See n. 9, below. Endorsed by Harrison, “to be laid before Ass.” We received the Letter your Excellency...
122Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 1 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of William Tatham, assistant clerk of the Virginia Council of State, and directed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” It gives me great pleasure to find that the States of Holland have at last de[c]lared in favor of the Independence of America I have no doubt but great good will result from it both to them & us. Your Secretary at War (Gen. Lincoln) has...
123Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 30 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In Theodorick Bland’s hand, except for JM’s and Lee’s signatures. Addressed to “His Excellency the Governor of Virginia.” Docketed, “Virga Delegates Lr., July 30. 82 July, 1782.” Cover missing. We deliverd the Letter to the Chevalier de la Luzerne, enclosd in that your Excellency honord us with on the 19, together with the apology you desird for your...
124Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 27 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of William Tatham, assistant clerk of the Virginia Council of State, and directed to “The Virginia Delegates in Congress.” A Mr. Linctot of the Illinois was appointed Indian Agent in that Country by Governor Jefferson on behalf of this State. It appears by his Accounts and some Letters of Colo. Broadheads who commanded at fort Pitt that he also acted in...
125Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 23 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In Arthur Lee’s hand, except for JM’s signature. Docketed, “Lr. from Virga Delegates rec’d Augst 1st. 82 July 23d. 1782.” The cover is missing. The Letter of the 11th. with which your Excellency honord us, came safe with the enclosd Resolves, which we shall lay before Congress The Super-intendant’s Contract, for the main Army, is ten pence pensylvania curry. per...
126Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 19 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Archibald Blair. I enclose you a copy of the direction of a Letter dated 14th. May which came to me from Winchr. three days ago which I shou’d not have open’d but for its being frank’d by Mr. Livingstone, I am really concernd that so little care should have been taken in Communicating the Birth of a Dauphine to me, it may perhaps induce a belief in...
127Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 16 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by Arthur Lee except for Theodorick Bland’s signature. Docketed, “Virga Delegates Letter July July 16th 1782.” Although JM did not sign the letter, it clearly was written on his, as well as Bland’s and Lee’s behalf. The omission of his signature may be explained by the comment at the close of JM’s letter to Pendleton of this date ( q.v. ). We had the honor...
128Benjamin 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...
129Virginia 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...
130Benjamin 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...
131Virginia 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...
132Benjamin 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...
133Virginia 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...
134Benjamin 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...
135Virginia 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...
136Virginia 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...
137Benjamin 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...
138Virginia 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...
139Virginia 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...
140Benjamin 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...
141Virginia 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...
142Benjamin 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...
143Virginia 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...
144Benjamin 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...
145Virginia 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...
146Benjamin 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...
147Virginia 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...
148Virginia 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...
149Virginia 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...
150Benjamin 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...