1From George Washington to John Mathews, 10 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Mr Abraham Martlin a pilot for the North River, called here to day to receive my orders. I thought it best to direct him to Major Lee—to wait the Counts appearance off the Hook, Of this you will be pleased to give information to the Count should he be at the Capes of Delaware. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . For GW’s call for pilots, see his Circular to...
2Enclosure: Reports on John Adams’ Accounts, 25 October 1779; 27 October 1779; 14 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Adams’ Letter of Aug. 3d. was referred to the Board of Treasury on the 20th. to take Order. The Commissioners report That agreable to an Order of the honble. Board of Treasury of the 12th Instant, they have examined the Accounts of the honble. John Adams Esqr. one of the Commissioners of the United States at the Court of Versailles for his Expences to, at and from thence, and find that He...
3To George Washington from John Mathews, 24 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Mr Kinloch One of the Delegates of South Carolina arrived here yesterday in Twenty three days, from that place. He says the British troops, were in the same position as on the 25 of February, (as your Excy has already been informed). Genl Hogan had arrived with the No. Carolina Brigade. Genl Woodford on the 11 Inst. was 380 miles distant from Chs Town Genl Scott, had at last proceeded for that...
4From George Washington to John Mathews, 30 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your favor of the 24th of this month. It would seem pretty evident from the enemy’s inactivity, from which we derive so many advantages, that some very considerable derangement has happened in their affairs. Whether this arises from the want of horses—the loss of military stores, or an insufficiency in the article of small craft for the transportation of troops or...
5From Thomas Jefferson to John Mathews, 2 September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honoured with your Letters of the 13 and 19 ult . No person can feel more poignantly than I do for the distresses of our army to the north nor the idea of blasting well grounded hopes of decisive operations there for want of those supplies which constitute the force of war. That something brilliant there shou’d take place is the more necessary to keep up the spirits of our people...
6From George Washington to John Mathews, 9 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have heard that a New Arrangement is about to take place in the Medical Department and that it is likely, it will be a good deal curtailed with respect to many of it’s present appointments. Who will be the persons generally employed I am not informed nor do I wish to know; however I will mention to You—that I think Doctors Cochran & Craick—from their services—abilities and experience—and...
7To George Washington from John Mathews, 15 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 9th inst. by Dr Craig, two days ago. There is a New arrangement for the Medical department now before Congress, & nearly compleated, by which, there will be a very great reduction of Officers. By the new System there will be fifteen principal Officers to be elected by Congress, which I apprehend will be but too much influenced by that spirit...
8To George Washington from John Mathews, 24 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the pleasure of writing to you a few days ago by The Minister of France: since which time, the Committee have brought in a partial report on the affairs of the army. It has been acted upon by Congress & thus far agreed to. To call on the States for an army of 32,000 men, to be in the field by the 1st day of January next. To reduce the remaining sixteen battalions, & all the light...
9From George Washington to John Mathews, 4 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your favors of the 15th and 24th Ulto. I thank you much for your kind communications which are rendered more pleasing as they are offered without reserve. As Congress has already allowed the alternative of raising men for twelve months, opinions on the propriety of the measure can be of no avail—but since you have done me the honor to ask mine I have no scruple...
10To George Washington from John Mathews, 14 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
A variety of causes render it necessary for Mrs Mathews to return to Carolina: & as a flag will go there in a few days; I take the liberty of thus early sollicting your Excellency to apply to Sr Henry Clinton for a permit for herself, & a Negroe Man & Maid servant to go in the flag. The Board of War, will inform you of the name of the Vessel. If Sr Henry Clinton should make any difficulty...
11To George Washington from John Mathews, 17 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
At the time I wrote to you respecting that part of the system for the army, that has been agreed on by Congress, I had despaired of its being submitted to your opinion. I had moved for it, but my proposition was rejected, on a principle, that the whole should go together—We have received your Excys sentiments on this very important subject, such, as I evidently foresaw would be the result of...
12George Washington to John Mathews, 23 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Passaic Falls [ New Jersey ] October 23, 1780 . Will comply with Mathews’s request concerning Mrs. Mathews as soon as situation permits. Discusses southern situation. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Mathews was a member of Congress from South Carolina.
13To George Washington from John Mathews, 30 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I Received your Excellencys favor of the——inst. a few days ago by Genl Greene. And am extremely obliged to you for your kind care & attention respecting my application for Mrs Mathews’s going to Carolina: permit me at the same time to assure you sir of her most gratified acknowledgemt for your benevolent intentions towards her—I was surprized the Board of War had not wrote to you about the...
RC (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan). On 23 October 1780 Congress added JM and William Sharpe to the standing committee, created 8 July 1779 “to correspond with the commanding officer of the southern department,” and prescribed that the committee should thereafter “keep a journal of their proceedings and correspondence” ( Journals of the Continental Congress , IV, 807;...
RC (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan). The inclosed extracts appear as sufficiently interesting, to induce us to forward them to you. The reiterated information we have lately received from different quarters leave little room to doubt, that the Southern States, will be the grand theatre of war this ensuing winter and spring. The Waggons with stores for the army under your...
16John Mathews, for Committee of Congress, to Nathanael Greene, 4 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan). The inclosed extracts from Genl. Washingtons letter of the 13th & 27th. Ulto. and from Mr. Houston’s of the 30 Ulto. & newspapers will give you all the information from this quarter, worth communicating, except that the fleet from New York, is sailed; what it’s destination is, we are at present uninformed. ’tis said Portsmouth in...
17John Mathews, for Committee of Congress, to Nathanael Greene, 9 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Historical Society of Pennsylvania). Address sheet missing. We are desired by Congress to transmit you the inclosed resolutions. Nothing new has transpired since we last wrote, informing you of the departure of the British fleet from New York, except that in less than forty eight hours after their sailing, there was a most violent storm, which we have the best reason to imagine they had to...
18To George Washington from John Mathews, 30 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
As this intelligence received yesterday possibly may not be conveyed to you through any other channel at this time; and being well assured it will aford you much satisfaction to be informed of it: I have therefore taken the liberty of communicating it to you. Tho the information does not come officially from the state, yet it comes in such a manner that it is to be depended on—That Maryland...
19From George Washington to John Mathews, 14-19 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 30th Ulto being delayed on the road, did not come to my hands till now, when I am on the eve of a journey to Rhode Island. The information given in it is important, It affords me infinite satisfaction; & I have to thank you for your goodness in giving it to me so early. The confederation being now closed, will, I trust, enable Congress to speak decisively in their...
20To George Washington from John Mathews, 15 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
As I observed Genl Greene had given you a full account of the victory obtained by Genl Morgan. I did not trouble Yr Excy with it. Nothing else of any importance has since occured. I should be extreamly obliged to you sir, to inform me of the state of the buisiness respecting the exchange of prisoners (particularly those at St Augustine) by the first convenient opportunity. I hope yr Excy will...
21George Washington to John Mathews, 26 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 26, 1781 . Explains difficulties that will probably arise in trying to exchange the prisoners at St. Augustine. Df , in writings of Tench Tilghman and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Mathews was a member of Congress from South Carolina.
22From George Washington to John Mathews, 26 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
your favor of the 15th was not receivd till this Morning. I am so totally unacquainted with the State of southern prisoners, that I did not chuse to enter into a negociation with Sir Henry Clinton on the idea of a General exchange, altho’ liberty was given me by Congress —Nothing particular has therefore been done respecting the Gentlemen who are confined at St Augustine, as it could not be...
23To George Washington from John Mathews, 6 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 26th Ulto the 1st inst. In answer thereto, I beg leave to observe—That all the gentlemen now prisoners at St Augustine, were either acting as officers in the militia; or as private soldiers, at the time they were made prisoners. And I cannot conceive they can be looked upon, in any other light, than that in which they acted at the time of their captivity. Indeed by...
24From George Washington to John Mathews, 23 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
On my return from Newport three days ago I found your favor of the 6th at my quarters. In my letter of the 26th of Feby I meant only to express my apprehensions that the British Commander in Chief would make some difficulty in the exchange of those Citizens of eminence who were not clearly invested with military Commissions—You may rest assured, as I before mentioned, that whenever it shall be...
25To George Washington from John Mathews, 16 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I mentioned in my last, that by the first good opportunity, I would communicate to yr Excy some thoughts respecting the present political state of affairs—such as they appear to me—perhaps my opinions may differ, from the generallity of your correspondents, as I know many are but too apt to keep their eyes constantly fixed on the pleasing side of the picture, & feel an aversion to take a View...
26John Mathews, for Committee of Congress, to Nathanael Greene, 30 April 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan). JM had been appointed on 23 October 1780 as a member of the committee ( Papers of Madison William T. Hutchinson, William M. E. Rachal, et al ., eds., The Papers of James Madison (2 vols. to date; Chicago, 1962——). , II, 206 ). The inclosed paper will give you the substance of the latest intelligence Congress have received from Europe....
27To George Washington from John Mathews, 2 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will no doubt think it some thing singular, that the inclosed should be of so old a date and handed to you with this, but the reason of it is, that it was meant to go by Govr Rutledge, who intended paying a visit at Head Quarters, but being taken ill tho’ expecting daily to be in condition to prosecute his journey finding that not likely to be soon the case, I have requested Mr Duane to be...
28Motion on Currency, [30 May] 1781 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 26, fol. 299). The first half of this motion is written by JM, and the rest by John Mathews, who presented it in Congress. Although the person who seconded the motion is not mentioned, he probably was JM. Whereas the period assigned by the Act of the 18th. of March 1780 for calling in & cancelling the bills of Credit emitted by Congress prior to that date, hath long since...
29John Mathews, for Committee of Congress, to Nathanael Greene, 4 June 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan). The inclosed papers will furnish you with the most important foreign intelligence we have lately received. And of what has been done by Congress in consequence thereof. We thought it necessary to give you this communication, not knowing how far [it ma]y influence your future operations [so t]hat you might thereby be enabled to take your...
30From George Washington to John Mathews, 7 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I must begin this letter with an apology for having delayed the acknowledgment of your favors of the 16th of Apl & 2d of May till this time—and as the best excuses upon these occasions is to confess the truth, honestly, I beg leave to add that, the above letters did not reach my hands till a day or two before my departure for Weathersfield—that I did not return from that place till the...
31To George Washington from John Mathews, 1 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
Although I am well convinced your time must be occupied by very important objects; Yet I presume you will not regret the few moments employed in the perusal of the following interesting advices lately received through the most authentic channel. "After the retreat of Mr Cumberland from the court of Madrid, that court, finding itself relieved from the embarrassments created by that gentleman’s...
32To George Washington from John Mathews, 15 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 19th of December last was by my Predecessor Mr Rutledge, laid before the Legislature of this State at Their last Meeting in January. In consequence whereof and from a previous conviction, of the importance of the several matters recommended by Your Excellency, the subject of recruiting the line of this State, had been taken up, and on receipt of your letter a law was passed...
33To George Washington from John Mathews, 11 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Circular letter of the Twenty Second day of January, I had, the honor of receiving on the Twenty Ninth Ultimo. The legislature of this State had risen before your Excellency’s letter came to hand, but I am very happy in being able to inform you that the Subject of your letter had been fully considered by them in their last Session in January and February, and your Requisition anticipated....
34From George Washington to John Mathews, 22 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been hond with your Excelly two Favors of the 15th of March & 11th of April. I am happy to Observe the good Disposition of the State over which you preside—their Exertions seem to me in proportion to the Distresses in which they have been involved—The Act for Recruitg your Line I hope may be attended with happy Consequences. Our Affairs at this moment are placed in a most critical...
35To George Washington from John Mathews, 11 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
I received your much esteemed favor of the twenty second of May a few days ago. The sentiments of regard it contained are extremely flattering to me indeed—And it shall be an invariable principle with me to cultivate a continuance of it with the utmost assiduity. I congratulate your Excellency on the evacuation of Savannah by the enemy. I flatter myself it will be productive of happy...