11To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 21 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Col. Th. M. Randolph has a large flat or lighter, which he tells me can go sixteen miles above his house . It would carry off a great deal of stores if we had it, and I am very apprehensive without it we shall lose a great deal. I am but little acquainted with him, otherwise should make the request myself. I would therefore submit it to your Excellency whether you would think it proper to...
12To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 16 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The badness of the weather has prevented my return to Richmond today. I am, however, so firmly persuaded of the enemy’s intentions up the rivers, that I cannot refrain from renewing my request for the impressment of a number of waggons not only for the removal of the stores at Petersburg and Chesterfield, which amount to at least 150 waggon loads, but also for the removal of the cannon at...
13To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 13 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As it would be proper for us, I suppose, to make use of the same kind of parole that the British require of us, which is very restricted in its terms, I will be obliged to your Excellency to favor me with a copy or the original parole signed by Govr. Hamilton. I am your Excellency’s most obdt servt., RC ( Vi ); addressed; endorsed in part: “April 14th 1781” (date of receipt?).
14To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, with Reply, 12 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I was desired by the Baron before his leaving town to lay before your Excellency, an extract of a letter from General Greene, which unintentionally he omitted to present to you yesterday, altho’ I think he said he had conversed with you on this subject. His great anxiety for an immediate supply of ammunition to be forwarded on to General Greene has induced him to press this matter with so much...
15To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 12 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
From the negligence of Col. Munford the issuing continental commissary general in this State, there is the most shameful waste of provision and scandalous abuses in that department that can well be conceived. He has not for many months paid the least attention to his deputies, and has even refused to appoint the necessary issuers to the troops below. The provisions delivered by Mr. Brown [John...
16From John Christian Senf, with a Note from Jefferson to William Davies, 12 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
In the Order, Your Excellency pleases to send to the County Lieutnant of Prince George County , may’d be mentioned to send the Hands as soon as possible, and if they send them by Six and ten [the 16th], I shall be at Hoods and receive them myself, write down the Date they arrive, and whenever the time, agread on, is ended, discharge them again. By those Means, the Worck will be advanc’d,...
17To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, with Reply, 10–11 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
War Office [ Richmond ], 10 Apr. 1781 . Many men already discharged from the army have arrears in pay due them. “It is hard upon these men to lose their pay, and it is exceedingly troublesome to this office, to the Auditors and to your Excellency, for the adjustment of each man’s claim to be thrown individually upon us. I would therefore submit it to your Excellency, whether it will not be...
18To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, with Reply, 11 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed certificate is produced with a view of obtaining the same quantity of powder that was lent. It is now wanting for a privateer just going to sea. I beg your Excellency’s directions whether the money or the powder shall be paid. I have the honor to be, sir, Your Excellency’s most obedt servt., In Council Apr. 11. 1781. Mr. Elliott having received this powder, not under the orders of...
19To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 9 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
War Office [ Richmond ], 9 Apr. 1781 . The wooden work for wagons goes forward well at Dinwiddie Courthouse, but there is no blacksmith there to do the smith’s work. Mr. Hardaway, who lives three miles from that place, “will undertake that business at 4/ a day, payable at 20/ a hundred for tobacco according to the evaluation of the previous grand jury. He will engage for six months for himself...
20[To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 9 April 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 9 Apr. 1781 . War Office Journal (Vi) contains the following minute under this date: “Letter to his Excellency the Governor proposing Mr. Gilbert to superintend the public carpenters.” Not found. A virtually identical entry appears some pages later in the War Office Journal, under the same date but among the May entries; it may be a mere repetition by a careless clerk or it may...
21From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, 9 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I beleive it will be necessary for us to begin to register our people in captivity with the enemy, in order that we may be enabled on all exchanges to give preference according to turn : which is certainly just whether a person be exchanged as a souldier, a sailor, or a citizen. I therefore have recommended to the bearer John Wood to enter his name with you, time of captivity, denomination...
22To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, with Reply, 6 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed I lay before our Excellency the estimates you were pleased to mention some time ago. Mr. Ross’s indisposition prevented its being presented sooner. Some Gentlemen think them rather too small. Mr. Clark’s proposals respecting the brick work at the point of fork, I have also enclosed, and beg the direction of the Executive. Col. White applies for cloathing. I presume from the inclosed...
23From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, 4 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
There are in the hands of Colo. Taylor for the use of his regiment of guards about 500 stand of arms. The regiment having gone to Maryland with the Conventioners was ordered at first to be discharged at Winchester and afterwards to be brought back to Charlottesville to be discharged there. It is therefore uncertain at which place those arms will be deposited. Besides these there were lodged in...
24[To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 4 April 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ War Office, Richmond, 4 Apr. 1781 . A minute in the War Office Journal (Vi) under this date reads as follows: “Letter to the Governor, inclosing one from Colonel Muter, respecting supernumeries of the State Garrison Regiment; also one from Mr. William Mann, Asst. Commissary of Military Stores, about Cannon, &c. at Newcastle; and submitting to his decision the arrangement of the state Corps,...
25[From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, 4 April 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 4 Apr. 1781 . A minute in the War Office Journal (Vi) under this date reads as follows: “The Governor’s Answer: that as Col. Porterfield’s death happened after the Resolution of Assembly directing the state Regiments to be reformed, no promotion on that event can be admitted: That the Executive approves of the 2d. Lieutenants, supernumeries, acting as Ensigns: That it is Mr....
26To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, with Reply, 31 March–2 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Captain Young, the Quartermaster general of the state, who has just arrived, informs me that he saw at Edentown about 30 exceeding fine cannon of 18s and 24s. He asked the Naval officer, whose they were, who informed him they were the property of the State of Virginia, thrown out of a French vessel, who carried the remainder of them to South quay. As I have no return of any thing of the kind,...
27To 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...
28To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, with Reply, 31 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The equipment of the cavalry is a matter of real consequence to our military operations. The enclosed account appears to have arisen from an application to Mr. Simpson by the officers of the cavalry for a number of articles the troops were in want of. He has applied to Col. Finnie for payment, who tells him he can only give him a certificate for what is due him. Mr. Simpson is very willing to...
29From Daniel L. Hylton, with Jefferson’s Instructions to William Davies, 30 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Without place ] 30 Mch. 1781 . Mr. Eppes desires him to inform TJ that “a Gun Smith up the Country will undertake the Cleaning and repairing Arms. He will also get 3 or 4 Men to Assist him provided they are exempt from Military duty.” The arms must be sent up to him. TJ’s instructions follow: “Referred to Colo. Davies; Colo. Muter had the name of this man in a note from me. He lives in...
30To 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...
31George 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...
32From 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...
33[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,...
34From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies?, 27 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Not having that kind of knolege of the transactions of the artificers which is acquired by personal inspection, we think it will be better that a determination on the above point should be suspended until Colo. Davies shall become so far acquainted with them as will enable him to form a judgment on the subject. RC (Paul C. Richards Autographs, Brookline, Massachusetts, 1969); unaddressed, but...
35[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...
36To 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...
37From 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...
38From 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...
39From 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...
40To 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...
41To 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...
42From 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,...
43To 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...
44From 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...
45To 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...
46To 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...
47From 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.
48To 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.
49From 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...
50To 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...
51From 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...
52From 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...
53To 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...
54From 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...
55From 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...
56To 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...
57From 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...
58To 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...
59To 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...
60To 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...