1From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, Sr., 21 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Upon my return to this place last night, I met your private & friendly letter of the 25th of February. I do not delay a moment to thank you for the interesting matter contained in it, and to express my surprize at that part which respects a pension for my Mother. True it is, I am but little acquainted with her present situation, or distresses, if she is under any. As true it is, a year or two...
2From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, Sr., 27 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
On my return from New port, I found your favor of the 16th of February, with its inclosures, at Head Quarters. I exceedingly regret that I could not have the pleasure of seeing you, not only from personal motives, but because I could have entered upon the subject of your mission in a much more full and free manner, than is proper to be committed to paper. I very early saw the difficulties and...
3From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, Sr., 10 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am under the disagreeable necessity of inclosing you the Copy of a representation signed by several Officers of the Virginia Line, in behalf of the whole assembled at Cumberland Court House, and addressed to Colonel Febiger, on giving them orders to prepare to march with a Detachment to join General St Clair—This was transmitted by Colonel Febiger to Genl St Clair, in excuse for not sending...
4From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, Sr., 15 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
Unacquainted as I am with the cause of my friend Nelson’s resignation, I shall say nothing respecting it—but as the event has taken place, permit me to congratulate you, and my Country on your late appointment to the Government; and to assure you that you have few friends who wish you more honor and satisfaction in managing the Reigns of it than I do—You have certainly embarked on a troubled...
5From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, Sr., 6 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 4th of Janry by Colo. Carrington. The disagreable picture you give of the embarrassed situation of the finances and other public Matters in your State, is the more distressing to me; as I flatter’d myself the reduction of the Enemy’s force in Virginia would afford a favourable opportunity for reestablishing your affairs, and making...
6From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, Sr., 28 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with Your Excellencys favor of the 8th of February, since the receipt of which, letters of a later date from Colo. Febiger and Lt Colo. Posey have come to hand. From their reports, (notwithstanding the imprudent steps which had been taken) I am glad to learn, the Officers who had signed the representation were convinced of, and sorry for, the impropriety and unguardedness...
7From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, Sr., 10 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
I sincerely sympathize with you in the arduos task imposed upon you as first Magistrate of the State of Virginia, in consequence of the present distressed and embarrassed situation of affairs; which you so pathetically describe in your Letter of the 15th of Feby. For it is well known from experience, that in times of War & public Calamity, whoever is engaged in the management of public affairs...
8From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, Sr., 5 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
The subject of your Excellency ’s favor of the 23d of March was immediately referred to Major General Knox, who has direction to negociate that business, so as to obtain the Brass Artillery, belonging to the State of Virginia, as soon as possible. (It is probable His Excellency the Count de Rochambeau will soon put the french Troops in motion; ‘tho as yet, the Objects of the Campaign are not...
9From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, Sr., 18 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s Favor of the 31st —of May—covering your Letter Addressed to Sir Guy Carleton. As your Letter, with the Depositions which accompany it, contain everything that is to be said on the Subject, it is needless for me to impress it with any Observations of mine. The Letter to Sir Guy is forwarded by a flag to N. York, and any Reply he may be pleased to commit to my...
10From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, Sr., 22 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
Just before the receipt of your Favor by the post, I had written your Excellency by a private conveyance, which will in a great measure anticipates necessity of this. The removal of the french Garrisons from York River with their Stores will relieve your Militia from the Service they were particularly called on for by the Count de Rochambeau, & will effectually relieve you from the...
11From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, Sr., 22 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Count de Rochambeau havg come to a Resolution to remove the Garrison of French troops with their Artillery & Stores from Virginia, I think it necessary to inform you of that Event, and to acquaint you that it will be no longer necessary for the Militia of your State to be keept up for their Security. It is also my Opinion, as well as of the Count, that upon removal of the Garrison &...
12From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, Sr., 12 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have this Day received your Excellencys Favor of the 26th of July—covering a Letter directed to Sir Guy Carleton, which has been immediately forwarded to him. From whatever principle it may be, Sir Guy appears to be disposed, in every Instance, to make himself perfectly agreeable to the people of America. A late Letter of his to me announces a "Negociation havg been opened at Paris, for the...
13From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, Sr., 13 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favor of the 25 Ulto and have the pleasure to inform you that all the Prisoners taken and carried into Canada have been lately released upon what terms I do not know—about 170 mostly Women and Children may be expected here every moment by way of the Lakes about 400 more mostly Men are sent round to New York by Sea. I shall immediately write to General Muhlenberg...
14From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, Sr., 11 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellencys Letter of the 23 November inclosing one to Sir Guy Carleton which I have forwarded to New York and I have directed Colonel Smith our Commissary of Prisoners to receive any monies that may be sent out on that account. I am sorry to hear that the ragged state of your Soldiers in the line, should prevent your recruiting, it cannot be attributed to any partiallity...
15From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, Sr., 25 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have now the honor to inclose your Excellency a Letter from Sir Guy Carleton, and to acquaint you that One hundred and Eighty seven Guineas and a half and one Dollar equal to £262.16 Virga Currys has been paid into the hands of Colonel Smith our Commissary of Prisoners on your account—which sum I have directed Colonel Smith to transmit to Mr Saml Inglis of Philadelphia agreably to your...
16From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, Sr., 5 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
By a Letter I have lately receiv’d from Brigadier General Mulenberg, I find he has reported the proceedings respecting Captain Fox to your Excellency, and requested your farther directions. I am also informed by that General Officer, that there are two obstacles which still greatly oppose & retard the success of collecting your Recruits, viz. the want of Provisions to support and carry them to...
17From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, Sr., 4 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 31st of Jany came to my hands the Post before last, & the acct from Genl Lavalette by the last Post. Upon the receipt of the latter, your Letter & Lavalettes acct was sent to Sir Guy Carleton with a request to remit the money to Colo. Smith at Dobbs’s Ferry; who is desired to forward it to the Chevr de la Luzerne at Philadelphia. You ask what my expectations of Peace are? I...
18From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, Sr., 19 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of forwarding to your Excellency a Letter from a Mr Wormly in New York—His present application I suppose is in consequence of the information I had given him that a Passport for his Return to Virginia could only be granted upon his obtaining permission for the purpose from the Executive of the State. I now leave his Request to its own operation & the wisdom of Government....
19From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, Sr., 19 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
About the first of this Month I wrote you along letter. I touched upon the state of the Army—the situation of public Creditors—and wished to know from you, as a friend, what causes had induced the Assembly of Virginia to withdraw their assent to the Impost Law; & how the Continental creditors without (adequate funds) were to come at, or obtain security for their money. I little expected at the...
20From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, Sr., 30 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
I thank you very sincerely for your kind congratulations on the close of the War, & the glorious Peace which is held out to us, but not yet made definitive; I return them with great cordiallity & heartfelt pleasure; & only wish that the business was so far wound up as that I might return to the walks of private life & in retirement enjoy that relaxation & repose which is absolutely necessary...
21From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, Sr., 7 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
A Few days ago I wrote to you from Newburgh; and inform’d you (if I mistake not) of the meeting I was to hold with Sir Guy Carleton; consequent of a resolve of Congress directing me to make arrangemts With him for delivery of the Posts, Negros, & other Property belonging to the Citizens of the United States. This Meeting I have had; but the indisposition of General Carleton has taken him back...