1Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 1 December 1781 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Inclosed you have two Resolutions of the General Assembly of this St[ate] respecting the feeding of the British Prisoners now with us. The Resolutions ind[eed] only prohibit the Impress of Provisions, but I would recommend it to you to [ask?] Congress immediately, to send a Commissary forward, or the Troops will suffer, perhaps starve, the State having no Means of...
2Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 11 January 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay, assistant clerk of the Council of State. We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 1st instant and to inform you that the packet by Captain Irish did not get to hand time enough for the assembly which rose on the fifth. They have passed a bill for raising 3000 men. We have no doubt of getting them provided...
3Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 15 January 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay. The inclosed resolution of the Assembly just came to hand directing no money to be paid or specifics delivered but by special order of Congress or the Financier General You will please therefore to put it in such a train that Congress may avail themselves of any supplies we may be able to furnish them. I am &c That is, specific...
4Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 2 February 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay. We have received none of your Favors by the last two posts, nor has any Northward Mail come in. I suppose the Badness of the Weather as usual stopped them on the road. On looking over your letter by Captn Irish I find that you suppose the bill drawn payable to him was for part of the four tenths of the new Congress money as it is called;...
5Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 9 February 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay. You will find by the inclosed that the Executive have had under their Consideration the Situation of the Continental Troops and the Staff Departments now in this State, which is so truly distressing both to them and us, that I want Words to give you a just Idea of it. The State you will know from my former letters and your own Sufferings...
6Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 1 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay. The resolutions of Congress you inclosed me respecting the beef to be provided by this State, for Genl Greene’s Army, is by no means as full as it ought to be, and cannot be complyed with, even if our Circumstances were much more flourishing than they are. I some time ago forwarded a resolution of our Assembly, forbidding any specific...
7Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 23 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay. A privateer belonging to this State has seized a flag in one of the Ports of North Carolina, and brought her into this Country, libelled and condemned her in our Court of Admiralty, which has given such offence to Govr Burke that he once intended to send an armed force to carry her back. I hope he has given over this rash design on a...
8Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 6 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay. My letters that you miss were sent to the Post Office, and I suppose must have been either mislaid or taken away by Some curious Tory, who will meet with but little gratification in reading them, as they containd nothing of consequence, indeed that Seems to be the Case on both Sides. When I came to the government I found the...
9Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 12 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay. It certainly would forward the recruiting service much to have cloths lodged with every person appointed to that business, but as it would be attended with great trouble and expence and perhaps some loss to send them into every County, I think it will be sufficient if an order can be obtained from the War Office permiting the Executive...
10Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 27 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay. By some queries that have been presented to the Attorney General there is reason to apprehend that the people who inhabit the lands that were in dispute with the State of Pennsylvania are likely to suffer, not only in the property of their lands but by a reversal of the decrees of the Courts whilst they were look’d on as subjects of this...
11Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 4 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay. Addressed to “The Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I am much obliged to you for your favor by the last post; the intelligence is agreable tho’ there is no immediate prospect of arriving at the wished for period; yet it will come in time. Who is fully informed of their being in an error, will open their eyes. We wish not to have the...
12Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 11 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether, who had succeeded Charles Hay as assistant clerk of the Council of State on 7 May 1782. I have inclos’d for your perusal a letter to Mr Morris and one to the Chevalier, which you’l please to seal and deliver after reading, and use your endeavours to obviate any difficulties that may be started by the Minister if in your power. I am...
13Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 18 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. We are obliged to you for your communications of the 4th. Instant; I hope there can be no doubt of America’s complying strictly with her engagements to our Allies; there is none here every person that I converse with seems to think it our Interest as well as duty. Our Assembly is at last doing duty and from the complexion of the...
14Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 8 June 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. I am much obliged to you for your communications by the last post. I hope the difficulties thrown in the way of our supplies will be removed by the resolutions of the Assembly, If they should not let me beg of you to use every endeavour to satisfy the Minister that payment will be made according to agreement and that the stores are...
15Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 22 June 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. The plan laid for bringing over the Stores is most unaccountably frustrated by the Assembly. Our deficiency in arms and Ammunition is so truely alarming that I feel real distress, whenever I think of our situation. If you cannot get them brought over by our good friends the French they will probably remain where they are til the...
16Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 29 June 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Written by Thomas Meriwether. Addressed to “Virginia Delegates. Congress.” There was nothing in my Letter taken from the post that can be of any service to the Enemy nor any thing that can amuse the public[.] I confess to You the Buisness you mention in cypher in your last has turn’d out much as I expected it wou’d do. It has never been attended to here. the...
17Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 6 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Archibald Blair. Our Assembly has passd a Law for the seisure of Brittish Goods on Land but the Execution of it is suspended untill other States shall do the same I beg the favour of You when this happens to give me information that proper steps may be taken to enforce the Law here. your favor by the last post came to hand too late for the Assembly I...
18Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 11 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Addressed to “Virga. Delegates.” The handwriting is that of Archibald Blair through the word “Counties” in the first paragraph. The copying was completed by Thomas Meriwether. When Count Rochambeau was about to leave this State He call’d on Government for 1000 Men to garrison the Towns of York & Gloucester. his request has in part been comply’d with[.] about 520...
19Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 19 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Archibald Blair. I enclose you a copy of the direction of a Letter dated 14th. May which came to me from Winchr. three days ago which I shou’d not have open’d but for its being frank’d by Mr. Livingstone, I am really concernd that so little care should have been taken in Communicating the Birth of a Dauphine to me, it may perhaps induce a belief in...
20Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 27 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of William Tatham, assistant clerk of the Virginia Council of State, and directed to “The Virginia Delegates in Congress.” A Mr. Linctot of the Illinois was appointed Indian Agent in that Country by Governor Jefferson on behalf of this State. It appears by his Accounts and some Letters of Colo. Broadheads who commanded at fort Pitt that he also acted in...
21Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 1 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of William Tatham, assistant clerk of the Virginia Council of State, and directed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” It gives me great pleasure to find that the States of Holland have at last de[c]lared in favor of the Independence of America I have no doubt but great good will result from it both to them & us. Your Secretary at War (Gen. Lincoln) has...
22Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 8 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In William Tatham’s hand and directed to “The Virginia Delegates in Congress.” This dispatch is concerned mainly with an unnamed ship and a number of persons identified only by their surnames or places of residence. Although Governor Harrison leaves the impression that he or the delegates had mentioned the episode in their earlier correspondence, they apparently...
23Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 16 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In William Tatham’s hand and directed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I did not know till the receipt of your favor of the 6th. instant that any application had been made to the Assembly for instructions on the several matters you mention as no Letter on the Subject ever came to my Hands, nor do I know whether the Assembly gave any or not, if they did they...
24Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 23 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In William Tatham’s hand and directed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I recd. your favor of the 13th. instant. It gives me real pleasure to find the English Ministry seriously inclined to peace, yet I agree with you, it would be imprudent to relax in our preparations for War. I find by the resolutions of Congress that they are not inclined to any kind of...
25Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 30 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In William Tatham’s hand and directed to “Virginia Delegates.” I recd. some time ago the Journals of Congress that you sent me but find they are not complete those of 79 being wanting be so good as to send them by the first Oppery. Some prisoners return’d from New York have enfused an Opinion into the Heads of our people that their Negros carried away by the Enemy...
26Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 6 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In William Tatham’s hand and directed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” This just serves to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 27th ulto. We have as great a dearth of News or interesting occurrences as you have at Philadelphia. The taxes begin now to come in and I have my hopes you will be no more in the Hands of Usurers, I will take care to let the...
27Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 20 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In William Tatham’s hand and directed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I can not account for the loss of my Letter as I have not omitted writing by every post except the last for several months. The petition you enclosed me from Kentuckey is the weak efforts of a small faction encouraged by some persons near you, it must now be subdued, or Government must exert...
28Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 28 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In William Tatham’s hand and directed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Your favor by the last post with it’s enclosures came safe to hand. I thank you for the papers. their contents are very interesting I think they give us a prospect of peace, and hope your Communications from Paris will confirm them. I wish the Members of Congress could be properly impress’d...
29Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 2 November 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Lyttleton Savage. Addressed to “The Virginia Delegates in Congress.” On 14 October 1782 Savage had succeeded William Tatham as assistant clerk of the Council of State ( Journals of the Council of State H. R. McIlwaine et al ., eds., Journals of the Council of the State of Virginia (3 vols. to date; Richmond, 1931——). , III, 156). I received...
30Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 8 November 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas L. Savage. Addressed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Your favor of the 29th: Ulto: reached me yesterday. If the reports from Canada and New York are true, the English are certainly become the most faithless Nation on Earth, and mean by fraud and deceit to accomplish what they could not do by force. how far their Plan will succeed I can...
31Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 16 November 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas L. Savage and addressed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I have your favor by the last post, and think with you that it is problematical whether the British quit Charles Town or not, tho’ on the 25th. of last Month they had made such advances towards it that hopes are to be entertain’d of their being embarked before the countermanding...
32Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 23 November 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas L. Savage. Addressed to “The Honble Virginia Delegates in Congress.” If the letter mention’d in the enclosed ever came to Congress thro’ Mr. John Adams I shall be oblig’d to you for a copy of it, the request can not be improper as it was the Intention of the writer that I should have it. An enquirey is order’d into the Conduct of a Gentleman...
33Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 30 November 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas L. Savage and addressed to “The Honble. Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Your favor by Post came safe to hand, like you I have nothing new to communicate. Mr. Clarke has ship’d a quantity of Tobacco from this Country to N. York more than the first resolution of Congress amounted to, and without giving me any Information of his design, he says...
34Notes on Debates, 2 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( LC : Madison Papers). See Notes on Debates, 4 November 1782 , ed. n. JM preceded his entry for the present date with the words “No Congress untill.” See Notes on Debates, 28 November 1782 . The Secy of foreign affairs resigned his office assigning as a reason, the increase of business in his Office of Chancellor of N. Y. whereby it was become impossible for him to execute the duties of...
35Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 7 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas L. Savage and directed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” The financier has been misinform’d, his Agent never made any proposition to me to receive Tobacco on Account of the Continent. I heard that he offer’d to buy a Quantity of the Agent for Commutables and to pay for it in Notes payable four Months after date, which I look’d on as a...
36Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 14 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas L. Savage. Addressed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” You have Mazzeis Letter which was left out of mine by mistake now enclosed. I am anxious to know what he has written to Mr. Adams as he seems to think it a Matter of some Consequence to America. I congratulate you on the good news you will find in the enclosed paper, which I think may...
37Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 21 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas L. Savage and addressed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Your favor of the 10th. Instant came safe such parts of it as were necessary for the Consideration of the Assembly have been laid before them and I hope will have a good effect. it has always been a surprise to me that R. Island should act as she has done, the necessity of a fund to...
38Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 28 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The first page of the letter is folio 53 of Vol. 3 of this collection. Probably about forty years after the delegates received the letter, JM wrote on the obverse of the page, “Harrison Benjn. Decr. 28. 1822.” Someone unknown, after canceling “1822,” wrote “1782” above it. The second page of the letter, bearing only the last paragraph, the complimentary close, and...
39Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 4 January 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Lyttleton Savage, assistant clerk of the Council of State. Addressed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Your favors of the 17th. & 24th. of last Month came to hand by Post one of them was not franked, and of course Postage was demanded on it this was as usual but there were two other packets from General Washington and the Secretary of...
40Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 11 January 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas L. Savage. Addressed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Your favor of the 31th. of last Month is before me the contents of it were in some Measure answer’d by the last post. Why the Bill laying an impost of 5 pCt. on imported Articles was repealed, is left to conjecture, other than is declared by the preamble, the Assembly had your Letter as...
41Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 31 January 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether, “third clerk of the Council of State” ( JCSV H. R. McIlwaine et al ., eds., Journals of the Council of the State of Virginia (4 vols. to date; Richmond, 1931——). , III, 194). Addressed to “The Virginia Delegates in Congress.” My being absent from this Place attending a beloved and dying Sister occasion’d your receiving no Letter...
42Benjamin 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...
43Benjamin 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...
44Benjamin 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...
45Benjamin 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...
46Benjamin 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...
47Benjamin 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...
48Benjamin 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...
49Benjamin 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...
50Benjamin 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...