11From Thomas Jefferson to Patrick Henry, [16 July 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter from the President was directed before he knew of your being invested with the office of Governor: you will therefore please to open it. After congratulating you on your appointment and hoping every thing favourable from our new institutions I subscribe myself Dr. Sir Your very humble servt., RC (The Rosenbach Co., Philadelphia, 1946). Endorsed: “Virginia Delegates July 16....
12To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 20 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
After a long & Severe Illness, I am now but just able to come hither in Order to discharge as I may be able, the Dutys of my public Station. Will you pardon me for asking the Favor of a Correspondence with you? Besides the pleasure it will give me, I shall be taught by your Ideas, to form more correct Opinions, of those Movements that may be proposed for the general Defence in this Quarter. It...
13From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 5 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Obliging favor of the 20th Ulto came duly to hand, and demands my best acknowledgments. I congratulate You Sir most cordially upon your appointment to the Government & with no less sincerity on your late recovery—Your Correspondence will confer honor and satisfaction, and whenever it is in my power I shall write to you with pleasure—Our retreat from Long Island under the peculiar...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Patrick Henry, 19 December 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
In Pursuance of a Resolution of the Legislature, I am to appoint a fit Person in every County to collect from the Inhabitants of this Commonwealth all the blankets and rugs they are willing to spare for the Use of the Soldiery. I have to beg of you, Sir, to accept of that Appointment for your County, and to draw upon me for the Amount of the Purchase. When it is considered that those who are...
15From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 24 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Mr Walker has, I doubt not, informed you of the situation in which I have placed him, in Order that he may obtain the best information; and, at the same time, have his real design hid from the World; thereby avoiding the evils which might otherwise result from such Appointments, if adopted by other States. It will naturally occur to you, Sir, that there are some Secrets, on the keeping of...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Patrick Henry, 26 February 1777 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Frazer is appointed first Leiutenant instead of Mr. Mossom. The other Appointments of your County remain unaltered. The inclosed Resolution respecting the prisoners will explain the Ideas of the Council Board on that Subject. Thirty pounds cash accompany this. Such of the prisoners as you may judge most in want of Clothes, will be furnished in such manner as you think best. If absolute...
17To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 29 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am very sorry to inform you that the recruitting Business of late goes on so badly, that there remains but little prospect of filling the six new Battalions from this State voted by the Assembly. the Board of Council see this with great Concern; and after much Reflection on the Subject, are of Opinion, that the Deficiency in our Regulars, can no Way be supply’d so properly, as by inlisting...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Patrick Henry, 31 March 1777 (Jefferson Papers)
By the Bearer Lieut. Jas. Meriwether I send two hundred and thirty six pounds 16/. for the recruiting Soldiers in your County and the adjacent ones, to serve in the Battalions of this Commonwealth. You are to be assisted by Your Field officers in chusing 1 Captain 2 Lieutenants and one Ensign of the most proper persons who have the best chance to raise these Men quickly and deliver them the...
19From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 13 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday Evening had the honor to receive the favor of your Letter of the 29th Ulto. It gives me much concern to hear, the recruiting service proceeds so slowly in most of the States; That it is the case in Virginia affects me in a peculiar manner. I feel myself much obliged by the polite respect your Honorable Board of Council are pleased to shew to my Opinion, & am under the necessity of...
20From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 17 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
When I had the honour of addressing You on the 13th Ult. I flattered myself that, tho’ the recruiting Service did not succeed to our Wishes, a sufficient Reinforcement would ’ere this have enabled me to open the Campaign in such a manner as to have recommended the Service to the lower Class of People, and thereby to have removed the necessity of compelling them to inlist. But that Hope has...
21From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 31 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I This morning received information, which I beleive is not to be doubted, that on Saturday last, A large fleet consisting of a Hundred Sail, left New York & stood out to sea. Whither they are destined, or what they had on Board, remains to be known. If possessing Hudson’s River, should not be Genl How’s first object I should suppose his Operations will be against Philadelphia, and that this...
22To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 5 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Edmund Randolph Esqr. communicated to me that part of your last Letter to him, in which you are pleased to take Notice of your Ladys Reception at this place. I beg you to be assured that every Expression of Regard, falls short of that which I feel, & shall retain thro’ Life, for such distinguished Merit. You are pleased also to observe that you have not recd any Answer from me to your two...
23To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 8 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Defence of this Country now rests upon the Militia, our regular Troops being absent. As the Enemy may possibly visit us unexpectedly, & the Militia cannot be long kept embodyed, the Necessity of having the earliest Notice of the Enemys Embarkation, is apparent. In order to be furnished with that Intelligence upon which the Safety of the State depends, I have directed Capt. peirce to wait...
24From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 3 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 5th and 8th ⟨Septemr.⟩ As you are pleased to make allowance for the great variety ⟨of⟩ Business that engages my attention, I must plead that in ex⟨cuse⟩ for not acknowledging the rect of your favors sooner. Had any thing in the motions of the Enemy seemed to indicate an attack upon Virginia, I should not have delayed one moment in giving you proper...
25To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 23 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Militia from Culpepper County were promised by their Colo., that they should be releived by the last of this Month; and as it is impossible to march a like Number from Virginia in Time to comply with that Engagement, I trouble you with this requesting that you will be pleased to discharge them at the Time they were promised Releif, unless they chuze to serve longer. With the highest...
26To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 29 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Regiment of Artillery commanded by Colonel Charles Harrison, is yet in this State. They have been detained here under leave of Congress to do Duty at Portsmouth and York, near which Plaice the Enemy’s Ships of War have been long hovering. At present, seven Men of War & three large Transports or provision Vessels, are in and near Hampton Road. The Troops of the State are so few, that the...
27To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 30 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
My great Anxiety for the Success of the american Arms under your Command, induces me to trouble you with this. Accounts from the Camp are so various & contradictory, that I know not what to rely on. If the Weight of public Affairs, under which you hav so long labor’d will permit, a few Lines will be most welcome to me. Altho’ it seems impossible to inlist continental Recruits here, yet the...
28From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 13 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was, two days ago, honored with your favs. of the 29th and 30th October. I wish it were in my power to keep up a more regular Correspondence with the different States, but being exceedingly pressed by a variety of Business, I am often under the necessity of being deficient in that respect. Since the Engagement at Germantown no material alteration has happened in the Situation of the two...
29From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 13 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I shall beg leave to refer you to a Letter of mine which accompanies this, and of equal date, for a general account of our situation and wants. The design of this, is only to inform you, (and with great truth I can do it, strange as it may seem) that the Army which I have had under my immediate command, has not, at any one time since General Howe’s Landing at the Head of Elk, been equal in...
30To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 22 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
It was with equal Surprize & Concern that I received Dispatches from Congress, informing me that the Army under your Excellency’s Command, was in so great Want of Necessarys. In order to give the most effectual Releif in the power of this State, Application has been made to several Merchants by our Commissary of Stores, & an Agent sent Southwardly, to purchase Goods. About 3,000 yards blue...
31To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 6 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the Honor to transmit you an Accot of Necessarys sent off in nine Waggons, for the Virginia Regiments in continental Service. The goods have been deliver’d Colo. Finnie the Quarter Master, & he has put them under the Escort of Leiutent Mennis & a party of Soldiers, who I trust will deliver them safely. It is my Wish that the Troops of Virginia shall have them. I also send a...
32To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 9 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
An Act of the general Assembly passed last Year empowering me to appoint some proper person to reinlist the Virginia Troops. I did appoint General Stephen, & several Letters passed between us upon the Subject, and by an Extract of a Letter from him to me which I inclose, it appears considerable Progress was made by him in that Business. I have heard that General Stephen is no longer in...
33From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 10 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with yours of the 22d ulto on Wednesday last, but the Situation which the Army has since been in has prevented me from answering it before—Genl Howe had been for some time preparing for a move which every account from the City informed me was intended against this Army. On Thursday Evening he advanced as far as Chesnut Hill and in the Morning he appeared upon the Heights about...
34From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 19 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
On Saturday Evening I was honored with your favor of the 6th Instant, and am much obliged by your exertions for Cloathing the Virginia Troops. The Articles you send shall be applied to their use agreable to your wishes. It will be difficult for me to determine when the Troops are supplied, owing to their fluctuating and deficient state. However I beleive there will be little reason to suspect...
35From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 27 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
On Wednesday I had the Honor to receive Your Letter of the 9th Instant. I have directed a Compleat state of the Virginia Troops to be made, which if done and I expect it will, I will transmit by the Next post. From it you will be able to discover the amount of the Whole—their deficiency—How many Men of the Old Regiments have reinlisted &c. I do not recollect ever to have heard, that Genl...
36From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 3 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Innes having staid a few days longer than he expected, it affords me an opportunity of inclosing you the Returns of the Virginia Regiments which I promised in mine of the 27th December. I refer you to Colo. Innes for more full information, than I have given you by letter, of matters relating to the Virginia line. A valuable prize has fallen into General Smallwoods hands at Wilmington, I...
37Patrick Henry in Council to Virginia Delegates in Congress, 20 January 1778 (Madison Papers)
Francis Lightfoot Lee Esquirs Letter for the Committee on the Subject of provisions filled me with Concern & astonishment. I applied to the Deputy Commissary General to furnish some Active persons for throwing an instant Supply of Provisions to the Army to answer the present Exigency. I was told by him that he could get none such immediately but he would write to his Deputy to do the Business....
38To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 28 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
By the second Clause of the Act of Assembly, which I have the Honor to inclose to your Excellency, a Bounty of Twenty Dollars is directed to be paid to the soldiers composing the Virginia Corps under your Command, reinlisted. I beg the Favor of your Excellency to inform me of the most effectual Method of managing this Business, which I wish to conduct in the Manner most acceptable to you. With...
39George Washington to Patrick Henry, 19 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 19, 1778 . Describes distressing situation of Army. States that unless effective measures are taken, another campaign may prove impossible. Requests Henry to send all available supplies to Army. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Henry was governor of Virginia.
40From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 19 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
The melancholy prospect before us, with respect to supplies of provisions induces me, reluctantly to trouble you on a subject which does not naturally fall within the circle of your attention. The situation of the Commissary’s department and of the army, in consequence, is more deplorable, than you can easily imagine. We have frequently suffered temporary want and great inconveniences, and for...
41To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 20 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
you will no Doubt be surprized at seeing the inclosed Letter, in which the Encomiums bestowed on me are as undeserved, as the Censures aimed at you are unjust. I am sorry there should be one man who counts himself my Friend, who is not yours. Perhaps I give you needless Trouble in handing you this paper. The Writer of it may be too insignificant to deserve any Notice. If I knew this to be the...
42To Thomas Jefferson from Patrick Henry, 21 February 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
You are desired to receive into your Custody John Goodrich the Elder, who is ordered to be removed from Bedford County, the place of his present Confinement; and will be delivered by the order of the County Lieut: of Bedford. He is to be Safely kept and prosecuted agreeable to directions of Assembly by the Attorney General . I am Sir, Yr. hble Servt., RC ( DLC ); in an unidentified hand and...
43To Benjamin Franklin from Patrick Henry, 3 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Captain Lemaire the Gentleman whom you were pleased to recommend to his Excellency General Washington will have the honor to deliver you this. He called here in his Way to the Camp, and fell into Conversation with Mr. Loyaute our Inspector general of Artillery and Military Stores on the Subject of his Department, in which are many capital Deficiencies....
44To John Adams from Patrick Henry, 5 March 1778 (Adams Papers)
Capt. Le Maire the Bearer tells me he saw you in Paris. In Hopes this may find you there, I write, not so much to tell you any thing of public Importance (for we have not much News) as to revive that Correspondence which Time, Distance of Situation and important Avocations have almost worn out. The Marquiss Fayette, Genl. Conway and many other french officers are gone to Canada Report says,...
45To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
By an Express which Colo. Finnie sent to Camp, I inclosed you an Anonymous Letter, which I hope got safe to Hand. I am anxious to hear something that will serve to explain the strange Affair which I am now informed is taken up respecting you. Mr Custis has just paid us a Visit, & by him I learn sundry particulars concerning Genl Mifflin, that much surprize me. ’Tis very hard to trace the...
46From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 27 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
About eight days ago I was honored with your favor of the 20th Ulto. Your friendship, Sir, in transmitting me the anonymous Letter you had received, lays me under the most grateful obligations, and if my acknowledgements can be due for any thing more, it is for the very polite and delicate terms, in which you have been pleased to communicate the matter. I have ever been happy in supposing that...
47From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 28 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Just as I was about to close my Letter of Yesterday, your favor of the 5 Instant came to hand. I can only thank you again, in the language of the most undissembled gratitude, for your friendship; and assure you, the indulgent disposition, which Virginia in particular and the States in general entertain towards me, gives me the most sensible pleasure. The approbation of my Country is what I...
48To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 1 April 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Patrick Henry, 1 April. GW wrote Henry on 19 April , “I have the honor of yours of the 1st inst.” Also, on 1 April, Henry “laid before the Board a Letter which he had prepared to General Washington” ( Va. State Council Journals H. R. McIlwaine et al., eds. Journals of the Council of the State of Virginia . 5 vols. Richmond, 1931–82. , 2:114).
49To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 8 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I beg the Favor of you to accept from the Governor & Council, the Articles contain’d in the inclosed Memorandum. They go by a Galley to the Head of Elk addressed to Colo. Hollingsworths Care. I wish they were more worthy your Acceptance. With Sincere Regard I am Dear sir your most obedient & very humble Servant ALS , DLC:GW . A note on the cover reads “with Sundry Packages.” Tench Tilghman’s...
50From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 19 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of yours of the 1st inst. informing me of the appointment of Mr Hawkins to the Office of purchasing Commissary in the State of Virginia. I have heard so good an account of his Character that I hope the most salutary effects will ensue. I hold myself infinitely obliged to the Legislature for the ready attention which they paid to my representation of the wants of the Army and...
51From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 16 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving today your letter of the 8th of April Ultimo; and am much obliged to the Governor and Council for their agreeable present. It is now on its way from the head of Elk; when it arrives I make no doubt, but it will find us in a humor to do it all manner of justice. I rejoice with you most heartily, upon our recent good news; the ratification and public...
52From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 23 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to transmit you a return of the Drafts and Substitutes from the State of Virginia, which have joined the Army. By this you will perceive how far short we are at this time in the reinforcements expected; and what is still more unfortunate, I can not learn from any information, I have been able to obtain upon the subject, from Gentlemen who have travelled on most of the Routes...
53From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 30 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
In my last of the 23d Inst. I enclosed you the best ascertained account of the draugh⟨ts⟩ and substitutes obtained from the State of Virginia which could be procured at that time. I have since discriminated and classed the recruits from each county, as draughted under the old and new law, that have joined me; and now send you an exact return. I have the pleasure to inform you that our...
54Patrick Henry in Council to Henry Laurens, 18 June 1778 (Madison Papers)
General Washington sent me an Account of the Drafted Soldiers that have joined the Army from this State; & it appears that not one half of the Number voted by the Assembly have got to Camp. Truth obliges me to add that very few more of the Drafts will ever be got into the Service. I lament this capital Deficiency in our Quota of Troops; but no Efforts of the Executive have been sufficient to...
55From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 4 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take the earliest opportunity of congratulating you on the success of our Arms over the British on the 28th June near Monmouth Court House. I have, in a letter to Congress, given a very particular account of the Maneuvres of both Armies preceding the action, and of the Action itself; and as this will be published I must take the liberty of referring you to it for the matter at large —The...
56Patrick Henry in Council to Henry Laurens, 8 July 1778 (Madison Papers)
Some Resolutions of Congress & proceedings of the Board of War, have been lately transmitted to me, by which it appears that an Expedition against Fort Detroit is resolved on. In order to effect the purposes of it 2000 of the Militia together with Amunition, provisions, Horses, military Stores, Cloathing &c. &c. are requested to be furnished by this State: I should most chearfully exert myself...
57From John Adams to Patrick Henry, 9 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Passy, 9 July 1778. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:153–154 . Adams stated that Lee had attended to Henry’s requests contained in a letter of 5 March (above). He wrote that the ratified Franco-American treaties had been received, approved the actions of the congress, reported the...
58Patrick Henry in Council to Henry Laurens, 10 July 1778 (Madison Papers)
Just after sending away my Letter to you of the 8th. on the Subject of the Expedition to Detroit, the inclosed Letter from Mr. Lockhart came to my Hands. As it [is] impossible to furnish him with the capital Articles he wants, & as the Beef Cattle cannot be taken from the Monopolizers he mentions, I think additional Reasons appear for postponing the Expedition. However refering to my last & to...
59To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 21 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Patrick Henry, 21 Aug. 1778. GW wrote Henry on 13 Sept. : “I have been honored with yours of the 21st Augt.”
60From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 13 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 21st Augt inclosing a letter for Capt. Henry, whose ill state of health obliged him to quit the service about three weeks past. I therefore return you the letter. I wrote to you the 23d May last, and inclosed you a Return of the number of the drafts, under the old and new law, who had actually joined the Army. I did this that the Assembly might see what...