101Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 7 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. Addressed to “The Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Your favors of the 21th. and 28th. of last Month came together by Post. we had some reason to expect from advices received here you would have been able to have inform’d us with certainty whether we were to have Peace or War for the next year, the Ultamatum of Great Britain has...
102Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 11 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Historical Society of Pennsylvania). In the hand of Joseph Jones, except for the signatures of JM, John Francis Mercer, Arthur Lee, and Theodorick Bland, Jr. Addressed to “His Excellency the Governor of Virginia.” Docketed by Harrison, “Lr: from the Delegates in Congress February 11th. 1783.” We had the honor of receiving your Excellency’s favor, of the 31st. of Jany.; & sympathize very...
103Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 15 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. Addressed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” You will receive herewith an Authenticated Copy of the Certificate of Gen: Clarke and Col: Todd which was omitted by a Mistake of the Clerk when Nathans other Papers were forwarded to you. I hope they will get in Time to prevent his obtaining an Award in his favor which appears to me...
104Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 18 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Arthur Lee, except for the signatures of the other four delegates. Docketed, “Lr. from the Delegates in Congress—February 18th. 83.” We had the honor of receiving your Excellency’s letter of the 7th. & shall communicate what it contains relative to the supply of the Post at Winchester to the Financier, & transmit you his answer. We have reason to...
105Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 21 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. Addressed to “The Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Your favor of the 11th. Instant came to Hand by the Post, as did the missing Letter by the Post before which makes it probable that the delay proceeded from it’s not geting to the Post master before the Mail was closed. I enclose you a Paper sent to me by the Commissioners of our...
106Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 24 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas L. Savage. Addressed to “The Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I am much obliged to you for your favor by Express, part of the Speach had reached us before yours came to hand but it was so incorrect that it did not generally obtain Credit. Mr. Ross has a Letter from his Partner Mr. Edwards at Nantes of the 18th. of December advising him that...
107Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 4 March 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Jasper E. Crane, Wilmington, Del., 1957). In the hand of John F. Mercer, except for the other four signatures. Cover franked and addressed by him to “His Excellency Benjamin Harrison Esqr. Governor of Virginia.” Docketed, “Lr. from the Delegates in Congress—March 4th. 1783.” We have receiv’d your Excellency’s Letter of the 26th. Ult, enclosing a copy of the King of Great Britain’s speech,...
108Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 11 March 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of John Francis Mercer, except for the signatures of the four other delegates. Docketed, “Lr. from the Delegates in Congress—March 11th 1783.” Cover franked by Mercer and addressed by him to “His Excelly. Benjamin Harrison Esqr. Governor of Virginia.” The second paragraph of the letter explains why Harrison wrote on the cover, “The Treasurer B H.” Yr....
109Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 12 March 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of John Francis Mercer, who signed his own name. Arthur Lee signed for the other delegates. Cover missing, but the delegates were undoubtedly addressing Harrison, even though his name is not shown either at the beginning or the close of the letter. Docketed, “Lr. from the Delegates in Congress—March 12th. 1783.” The words italicized in the present copy...
110Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, [18 March] 1783 (Madison Papers)
Printed summary ( Calendar of Virginia State Papers , III, 458). The original letter has not been found, but the enclosure and a portion of the cover are in the Virginia State Library. On this fragment of the cover is “His Excellency Ben” in the hand of John Francis Mercer and also his signature below the franking word “Free.” As a rule the member of the Virginia delegation who drafted its...
111Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 20 March 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. Addressed to “The Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Your acceptable favor of the 12th. Instant reached me last Evening, the acknowledgement of our Independence gives me great Pleasure, for tho’ the Peace is not finally concluded, yet we may safely look on that Part of it, as certain and not to be retracted. I shall make such Parts...
112Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 12 November 1782 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 November 1782, Philadelphia. “We have been honord with your Excellys of the 2d. Inst. Since our last nothing of Material Consequence has happend, nor has any news of Importance arrived from Europe that is well Authenticated. The Enclosed News Paper contains all the Intelligence of every kind.” Printed facsimile of RC (University Archives Catalogue No. 110 [1994], item 105). 1 p.; in the...
113Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 20 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 9th. inst: was duly recd. by yesterday’s mail. We had communicated to Mr. Thomson the mistake contained in your preceding letter, relative to a recall of the territorial Cession, but have now corrected it as you desire. If our official & joint correspondence with your Excelly. be less circumstancial than that which individual delegates may enter into with their...
114Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 24 March 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of John Francis Mercer, except for the signatures of the other delegates. Cover addressed by Mercer to “His Excellency Benjamin Harrison Esqr. Governor of Virginia.” Mercer signed his name on the lower left, and wrote “(On public Service)” on the upper right portion of the cover. The letter was carried to Richmond by a special courier. The cover is...
115Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 25 March 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of John Francis Mercer, except for the two other signatures. Cover missing. Docketed, “March 25th. 1783 Letter from Repsts in Congress.” Having dispatched an Express yesterday, by whom we communicated to your Excellency, the substance of the important & happy advices, receiv’d by the Ch: du Quesne. We now enclose yr. Excellency the days papers, in which...
116Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 29 March 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. Addressed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Your favor of the 18th. of March came safe to hand, by which I find our Prospects of Peace are greatly lessen’d since the perusal of Mr. Lawrence’s Letter it is however some consolation to me to know that the reports spread abroad by the Enemies of the French Alliance are on this as...
117Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 1 April 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In hand of Theodorick Bland, Jr., except for the signatures of the other delegates. Cover franked by Bland and addressed by him to “His Excelly. Benjn: Harrison Esqr. Govr. of Virginia.” Docketed, “Letter fr. Virga. Dels Apl 1. 83.” Your Excelly. will have received by our Express the important Intelligence brought by the Triomphe. That Intelligence (together with...
118Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, ca. 8 April 1783—Missing Letter (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 8 April 1783 . In his letter to the delegates on 19 April , Governor Harrison mentioned that “by the last Post” he had received their “favor” dealing with the claims of Simon Nathan and Oliver Pollock against the state of Virginia. See Harrison to Delegates, 19 April , and nn. 1–7, and especially the closing paragraph of n. 5. Harrison almost certainly referred the now...
119Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 10 April 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Theodorick Bland. Cover addressed by him to “His Excellency Benjn: Harrison Esqr. Governor of Virginia.” Bland also wrote on another fold of the cover, “Delegates—Apr. 10th.” At the opposite side of the same fold appears the docket, “Letter from the Delegates in Congress. April 10th 1783.” We take the opportunity by a Gentn. who sets off to North...
120Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 12 April 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. Addressed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Severe rheumatic Pains prevent my doing more than acknowledge the receipt of yours favor of the 1st. Instant and informing you that I shall lay it before the Assembly if you desire it but I really do not know what they can do more than is already done, the Treasurer is directed to Pay...
121Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 15 April 1783—Missing Letter (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 15 April 1783 . After Congress had ratified the provisional articles of peace with Great Britain ( JM Notes, 15 Apr. 1783 , and n. 2), JM and Theodorick Bland, on behalf of all the Virginia delegates, apparently sent a brief letter, now missing, to Governor Harrison, informing him of the ratification (Anderson Galleries [New York] Catalogue, No. 1581 [2–3 May 1921], item 34).
122Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 15 April 1783 (Madison Papers)
Nothing new has happend Since our last by Mr. St. Greaves —the last Post Brought us no letter from yr. Excelly we have the honor to enclose to days Paper & are with Perfect respect Yr. Excellys. most obdt. Sets RC ( ViHi ). In the hand of Theodorick Bland, except for JM’s signature. Enclosure not found. This letter was noted as missing in Papers of Madison William T. Hutchinson et al., eds.,...
123Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 19 April 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. Addressed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I received your favor by the last Post. It appears to me astonishing that Nathan should give you so much trouble, when he must know his Debt can be paid no where but at this Place[;] this his Agent has been told, and that there are no funds as yet establish’d for that Purpose; I shall...
124Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 22 April 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In hand of Theodorick Bland, except for JM’s signature. Cover franked by Bland and addressed to “His Excelly. Benjn. Harrison Esqr. Govr. of Virginia.” Docketed by Thomas Meriwether, “Lr. from the Delegs. in Congress. April 22d. 1783.” Your two Favors of April 5th & 12th came both to hand by yesterdays Post. little Interesting has happend Since our last, except...
125Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 29 April 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Theodorick Bland, except for the signatures of Arthur Lee and John Francis Mercer. Cover franked and addressed by Bland to “His Excelly. Benjn: Harrison Esqr. Govr. of Virginia.” Docketed, “Lr. from the Deleg: in Congress, April 29th. 1783.” The absence of JM’s signature, even though he apparently was in Philadelphia on 29 April when he wrote to...
126Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 3 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether, assistant clerk of the Council of State. Addressed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I duely received your favor of the 22d. of last Month, and anxiously wait for the News by the French Frigates, a report prevails here that Lord Shelburne has said in the House of Lords that as there is no Time fixed by the Treaty for the...
127Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 6 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Historical Society of Pennsylvania). Cover missing. Docketed, “Lr. from the Delegs: in Congress: May 6th. 1783.” Although only JM signed it, he obviously was writing on behalf of all members of the delegation. Your Excellency’s favor of the 25th. Ulto. came duly to hand yesterday. A commercial intercourse is under present circumstances carried on freely from other States with our late...
128Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 9 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. Addressed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I duly received your favor of the 29th. of last Month. In my last I requested you to let Mr. Thompson know I would send by this Post an Act of Assembly repealing the Cession of the Western Teretory. I then thought there had been one, but the Clerk of the Delegates informs me I was...
129Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 13 May 1783—Missing Letter (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 13 May 1783 . In a letter of 20 May to Edmund Randolph ( q.v. ), JM mentioned a “letter from the Delegation by the last post to the Govr.,” asking him to inform the General Assembly of the expected negotiations “for a Treaty of Commerce” with Great Britain and of the delegates’ wish to know “the final sense of the State” on that subject. Governor Harrison referred the letter...
130Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 17 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. Addressed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I have nothing of Consequence to communicate to you by this Post[.] a sufficient Number to constitute an Assembly met on Munday last, but the great Business of the Session is not sufficiently open’d to enable me to form a conclusive Judgment on the Steps that will be taken to improve...
131Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, [20 May] 1783 (Madison Papers)
Printed extract ( Cal. of Va. State Papers William P. Palmer et al ., eds., Calendar of Virginia State Papers and Other Manuscripts (11 vols.; Richmond, 1875–93). , III, 485). The style of the paragraph quoted in this abstract suggests that the letter was written by JM, except for the signatures of Bland and Mercer. They had recd. his letter of the 9th and had made the correction therein...
132Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 27 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
Printed copy ( Burnett, Letters Edmund C. Burnett, ed., Letters of Members of the Continental Congress (8 vols.; Washington, 1921–36). , VII, 172, and n. 1). John F. Mercer probably wrote the letter, with the exception of the other two signatures. An abstract, emphasizing the third paragraph, is in Cal. of Va. State Papers William P. Palmer et al ., eds., Calendar of Virginia State Papers and...
133Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 31 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia Historical Society). In the hand of Archibald Blair but signed by Harrison. The cover, enveloping several enclosures, is missing. The verso of the present letter is docketed in an unknown hand, “Gov: Harrisons Letter May 31st. 1783.” The original text, clipped on the edges, is internally mutilated or has deteriorated. Obliterated words or letters are supplied, as shown in...
134Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 7 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. Addressed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I have rec’d. your favor by the last Post, and have no official Communications to make you. We are anxiously waiting for the definitive Treaty, some of our People can hardly persuade themselves that Peace is yet certain and our Merchants wish to Keep them in that Opinion. I beg the...
135Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 17 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Pierpont Morgan Library, New York City). In the hand of John Francis Mercer, except for JM’s signature. Docketed, “Virga Delegates Letter recd June 27. 83, June 17th 1783.” Since our last to Yr. Excellency, little has occurr’d worthy of communication. A Letter from General Washington encloses a very feeling address from the Officers of that part of the Army, comprehended in the late...
136Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 20 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( NA : PCC , No. 71, II, 365–67). In Harrison’s hand. Addressed to “The Honble: Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Docketed, “Letter 20 June 1783 Govr. B. Harrison of Virginia to Honble. delegates of that state on a claim of Edward Cowper July 3 1783 Referred to the Agent of marine to report.” The FC in the Virginia State Library varies from the original only in a few instances of punctuation...
137Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 24 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of John Francis Mercer, except for JM’s signature. Cover franked by Mercer and addressed to “His Excelly. Benja. Harrison Esqr Governor of Virginia.” Cover docketed, “Virginia Delegates June 24th 1783 Letter in Cypher.” Words italicized were written in the official cipher. Filed with the recipient’s copy is a decipherment of the dispatch, docketed,...
138Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 5 [July] 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). The misdatings of “June 5th,” both in date line and docket, were apparently corrected soon after the letter’s receipt. The letter was drafted and signed by Theodorick Bland, although he obviously was also writing on behalf of JM and John Francis Mercer, his two colleagues from Virginia then in Congress. Docketed: “Virginia Delegates Letter Theo Bland one of the...
139Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 12 July 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. Addressed to “The Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I had not the pleasure of your usual favor by the last post the reason of which I expect was explain’d by a proclamation of your President for the removal of Congress to Prince Town, a step that has given general Satisfaction here, indeed I think nothing could justify your staying...
140Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, [26] July 1783 (Madison Papers)
Printed copy ( Burnett, Letters Edmund C. Burnett, ed., Letters of Members of the Continental Congress (8 vols.; Washington, 1921–36). , VII, 238–39). In or shortly before 1934, Stan. V. Henkels of Philadelphia had possession of the original of this letter ( ibid ., VII, 238, n. 1). For the date of 27 July as printed in Burnett, Letters Edmund C. Burnett, ed., Letters of Members of the...
141Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 1 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In Arthur Lee’s hand, except for Theodorick Bland’s signature. Addressed to “His Excely. Govr. Harrison.” For the absence of JM’s signature, see Delegates to Harrison, 24 June 1783 , ed. n. Congress have directed the Superintendent of Finance to make public an order he has given to the continental Receivers in the different States, to receive the Notes issued from...
142Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 9 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Unsigned. Addressed to “The Honorable Virginia Delegates in Congress.” In the hand of Samuel Patteson, appointed temporarily “an Assistant Clerk” by Governor Harrison on 11 August and subsequently “approvd” for regular employment by the Council of State on an unspecified date ( JCSV H. R. McIlwaine et al ., eds., Journals of the Council of the State of Virginia (4...
143Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 14–15 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Cover missing. In the hand of Arthur Lee, except for the signatures of the other two delegates and the first sentence of the postscript, written by Mercer. Addressed to “His Excellency The Govr. of Virginia.” Docketed, “Virga Delegates L. Augt 14th 1783.” For the absence of JM’s signature, see Delegates to Harrison, 24 June 1783 , ed. n. Lee’s draft of the letter,...
144Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 15 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Samuel Patteson. Addressed to “The Honorable Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I received your favor of the 1st. instant and shall most assuredly use every endeavor to apprehend any forgers of Morris’s notes that may be in this country and beg you to give me any information respecting them that may come out in the course of the examination of those...
145Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 23 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Theodorick Bland. Docketed, “Letter Hon Virga Del: 23d August 83.” A different hand, possibly that of an unknown archivist, continued the docket: “1783 Aug: 23d Containing among other Matters, Sir Guy Carletons reasons for delaying the evacuation of. and informing the Govr. that Congress by resolution had demanded the records and State papers...
146Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 28 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Addressed to “The Honorable Virginia Delegates in Congress.” In the hand of Samuel Patteson. Many thanks to you for your kind concern for my health I was so extremely ill that the doctors advised my leaving the fogs of Richmond for some time as absolutely necessary for my recovery. I have received much benifit from the trip short as it was but am not quite...
147Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 8 September 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of John Francis Mercer, except for the signatures of Theodorick Bland, Jr., and Arthur Lee. Docketed, “Virginia Delegates Sept. 8th. 1783.” For the absence of JM’s signature, see Delegates to Harrison, 24 June 1783 , ed. n. This Post brought us no Letter from your Excellency, & little has ocurred with us since our last communications, worthy your...
148Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 13 September 1783—Missing Letter (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 13 September 1783 . In a letter of 26 September to the Virginia delegates in Congress ( q.v. ), Governor Harrison acknowledged receipt of their letter dated thirteen days earlier. This letter, now missing, was written by Joseph Jones on behalf of the Virginia delegation and forwarded by Harrison on 20 October to John Tyler for submission by him to the Virginia General...
149Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 13 September 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Samuel Patteson. Addressed to “The Honorable Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I arrived here yesterday after a very pleasant trip of a fortnight which has perfectly restored my health. It gives me pleasure to find by your favor that positive orders are given to General Carelton to remove from New York, the sooner he goes the better, as I never can...
150Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 19 September 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Addressed to “The Honorable Virginia Delegates in Congress.” In the hand of Samuel Patteson. Yesterday’s post brought me none of your favors. I have nothing to communicate to you but that my advices from our north western frontiers tell me that if the Pennsylvanians continue their settlements on the other side of Ohio a general indian war is to be apprehended which...