1To George Washington from the Virginia Delegates, 12 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
Recommend “the bearer Mr George Baylor, not only on Account of the memory of his worthy Father, wth whom you was acquainted, but For his own merit . . . . His Ardor in the noble cause has drawn him to your school for instruction & emploiment as far as his services may be required.” LS , in Edmund Pendleton’s writing, CtY : Pendleton Papers. In addition to Pendleton, the letter was signed by...
2To George Washington from the Virginia Delegates, 26 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
“We recommend our Countryman Mr Edmund Randolph to your patronage and favor. . . . You will readily discern Sir, how important a consideration it is, that our Country should be furnished with the security and strength derived from our young Gentry being possessed of military knowledge, so necessary in these times of turbulence and danger.” LS , in Richard Henry Lee’s writing, DLC:GW . The...
3From Charles Lynch to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 20 November 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
The express Messenger has been long detain’d, by my not being at home. It so hapend I was out in serch of the Mineral Salt Petre when he came to my house. I have at sundry times had small parcels of Salt Petre made from that mineral to manufacture into gun powder and find it to be very good, when properly refin’d. But no one attemting to carry on the business so as to be of Use to the Country...
4From Robert Carter Nicholas to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 25 November 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
As the Committee of Safety is not sitting, i take the Liberty of addressing you on the Subject of the unhappy Situation of our Country. Former Occurrances you are unquestionably acquainted with. A few Days since was handed to us from Norfolk Ld. D’s infamous Proclamation, declaring the Law martial in force throughout this Colony and offering Freedom to such of our Slaves, as would join him....
5From Robert Carter Nicholas to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 12 December 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
Referring you to a former Letter , in which amongst other Things, I mentioned the Necessity we should be under of having a large Quantity of Paper to make up the Sum of Money voted by the last Convention, besides the 2/6 and ⅓ penny Bills, which I have immediate Occasion for, I must repeat my request that the whole may be provided and forwarded with all Expedition. The Committee of Safety...
6Virginia Delegates in Congress to the Virginia Convention, 18 [May] 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed resolutions were reported by a committee appointed to consider of a letter from general Lee to the president. We have nothing to observe upon them unless it be, that the surgeons whom the director general of the hospital is empowered to appoint, and the regimental surgeons to be nominated by the convention, according to a resolution lately forwarded to you, are different officers....
7Virginia Delegates in Congress to the Executive of Virginia (Patrick Henry), [15 July 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
We were informed a few weeks ago that 5000 ℔ of lead imported by our colony were landed at Fredsbgh. As it appeared very unlikely it should be wanting in Virga., and the Flying camp forming [in] the Jerseys, in the face of a powerful enemy, are likely to be in distress for this article, we thought we should be wanting to the public cause, which includes that of our own country, had we...
8From Edmund Pendleton to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 15 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
I cannot take leave of the duty of writing Official Letters, now transferred to the Governor and Council, without giving you some free thoughts on two Subjects depending before Congress, both of them of importance to this Countrey, I mean the Pensylvania boundary, and the Petition of some factious people on the Ohio to be made a Separate Government. On the first of these You had formerly a...
9Virginia Delegates in Congress to the Speaker of the Pennsylvania Convention, 15 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
The honorable the convention of Virga. attending to the inconveniencies which may arise from an unsettled jurisdiction in the neighborhood of fort Pitt, have instructed us to propose to your honorable house to agree on some temporary boundary which may serve for preservation of the peace in that territory until an amicable and final determination may be had before arbiters mutually chosen....
10Virginia Delegates in Congress to Fielding Lewis, 16 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
We were informed a few weeks ago [that 5000 ℔ of] lead imported on account of our colony were landed at Fredsbgh. There appears scarcely a possibility it should be wanting in Virga., more especially when we consider the supplies which may be expected from the mines of that colony. The Flying camp now forming in the Jersies and which will be immediately in the face of a powerful enemy, is...
11From George Washington to the Virginia Delegates, 23 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of yours of the 16th instant. I know of no more eligible mode of remitting the 30,080 dollars for payment of the additional Bounty to the reinlisted Men of the Virginia Regiments, than by giving a special order to the paymaster General to pay that Sum to me or my order. I only beg, that the Gentlemen of the treasury Board may be reminded that as pay is due the greatest part of...
12To George Washington from the Virginia Delegates, 29 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
In compliance with your letter in answer to ours respecting the Paymt of the Bounty to the re inlisted virginia Soldiers, we now send you thirty Thousand Dollars, by particular direction of the executive of our State, ordered into your Hands; it should however have been negotiated, in a less troublesome way to you, but the warrant was thro mistake made out in our Names. Eighty Dollars are sent...
13To George Washington from the Virginia Delegates, 6 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed letter being referred by Congress to the Virginia Delegates we have judged it proper to request of you that you will be pleased to assist us with your advice upon the occasion. We see this business involved in circumstances of such a nature as to create much difficulty and embarrassment. On the one side is presented Colo. Spotswoods merit as an Officer, his seniority of service,...
14From George Washington to the Virginia Delegates, 13 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with Your favor of the 6th Instant, inclosing a Letter of the 29th Ulto—and a Copy of a Memorial from Colonel Spotswood to Congress, and requesting my advice upon the subject of introducing him into the Army again & appointing him a Brigadier. As you have been pleased to ask my Opinion upon the occasion, I shall give it with freedom and candor. I cannot advise the measure....
15To George Washington from the Virginia Delegates, 21 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from the Virginia Delegates, 21 May 1779. On 25 May, GW wrote to the delegates , “I was last night honoured with your favor of the 21st Instant.”
16From George Washington to the Virginia Delegates, 25 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was last night honoured with your favor of the 21st Instant. From the present condition and arrangement of the Cavalry, I can not think that Major Lee’s Corps can be sent to Virginia, consistently with the general service; nor would I willingly indulge the idea, that their aid can be materially wanted, from any number of Horse the Enemy carried with them. It is but small, and I should hope...
17From Thomas Jefferson to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 31 August 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
We agree to employ Mr. Dunlap according to his proposals inclosed in your Letter of the 15th instant except that we must adhere to our requisition that a complete sheet of his weekly paper shall be kept clear of advertisements, and reserved for intelligence, essays, &c., except that advertisements from the Legislature or Executive shall be put into the same sheet with the intelligence. The...
18Certificate from the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 5 September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 5 Sep. 1780 . Certifies that Congress has received authenticated copies of state legislative acts complying with its 18 Mch. 1780 resolutions on public finance from Maryland (12 June), New Jersey (9 June), New York (15 June), Massachusetts (5 May), and New Hampshire (29 Apr.), as well as a conditional act from Pennsylvania (1 June). MS ( Vi ); 2 p.; in James Madison’s hand,...
19Samuel Nightingale Jr. to Virginia Delegates, 18 [September] 1780 (Madison Papers)
I Hope you will excuse the Liberty I have taken in Directing this Letter to you; as I could not tell who were the Persons that had the Care of goods Shipt from France to the State of Virginia. I have sent the Letter unseal’d that you may Know its Contents—and Desire you will Seal, And direct it to the Proper Persons and forward it as soon as Possable which will much oblidge Your most Humbl...
20Samuel Nightingale Jr. to Virginia Delegates, 18 September 1780 (Madison Papers)
The Schooner Called Le Committee Burden about Ninety Tons Bisson late Master Owned by Messrs Penet, DaCosta, Brothers & Compy. Merchants at Nantz old France, was Taken on hir Passage from Nantz to Virginia, on or about 23r[d] Augt. last by Two Brittish Privateers and Ordered to NewYork, Five Days afterwards Recaptured by the Armed Sloops, Hancock & Randolph, Belonging to New London in the...
21[From Thomas Jefferson to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 22 September 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 22 Sep. 1780 . JCC Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 , ed. W. C. Ford and others, Washington, 1904–1937 , xviii , 899 (4 Oct. 1780): “The delegates for Virginia laid before Congress a letter of 22 September, from Governor Jefferson, which was read; Whereupon, Resolved , That the same be referred to the Board of War, and that so much of the 20,000 pounds sterling...
22From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 5 October] 1780 (Madison Papers)
Draft (New-York Historical Society). Although this undated, unsigned, and mutilated manuscript was written by Theodorick Bland, Jr., and endorsed “Rough drt of letter, from Col. Theok Bland Jr to Govr. Jefferson,” its message is phrased as coming from all the Virginia delegates. Whether the letter bore JM’s signature, along with Bland’s and John Walker’s, cannot be known since the recipient’s...
23Virginia Delegates to Samuel Nightingale Jr., 14 October 1780 (Madison Papers)
You will observe by the enclosed letter from his Excellency the Govr. of Virginia how much that State are obliged by your kind, and voluntary interposition, in its favor in the Affair of the Comitee. Its present distresses in which the welfare of the whole Union in [ sic ] much concernd from your passd Conduct induces us to hope you will Continue your good offices in procuring as much of the...
24From Thomas Jefferson to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 27 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I must beg the favor of you to solicit the sending on to us immediately a good supply of Cartridge Paper and Cartouch Boxes. Nearly the whole of the former Article which we had bought at Alexandria, Baltimore &c. and what the Board of War sent from Philadelphia has been made up and forwarded to the Southern Army; there remains now but a few Ream to make up. I fear we have lost 2000 cartouch...
25To Thomas Jefferson from the Virginia Delegates in Congress, [5 November 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
The great depreciation of money and the extravagant prices of every thing here together with the difficulty of negociating Bills renders it absolutely necessary that some stable provision shoud be made, and some fixed mode adopted for supplying us with money. Other wise we shall not be able to exist. We shou’d be glad to be informed on this head as soon as possible. Tr ( Vi ), bearing notation...
26From Thomas Jefferson to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 14 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the pleasure of inclosing to you a draught of Mr. Ben: Harrison jur. and co: on Messieurs Turnbull and co: merchants of Philadelphia for 66,666? dollars for which we have had transferred to Mr. Harrison the Auditors warrant of aug. 9. 1780. for £20,000 Virginia money with which you stand charged in their books. I have the honor to be with the greatest esteem and respect Gentlemen,...
27From Thomas Jefferson to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 17 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
With respect to the payment made on behalf of Mr. Braxton into the Continental treasury in Part of our Quota of the fifteen Million tax, the Executive having been Charged with the raising and remitting that money, we have thought it unnecessary to lay it before the Legislature. The Sum to be sent, was sent, partly in Money and Partly in Bills. These Bills were drawn in Continental Dollars ,...
28Samuel Nightingale Jr. to Virginia Delegates, 6 December 1780 (Madison Papers)
I this Day Recd your Favour Dated the 14th Octr, Inclosing a Letter from his Excelency Govr. Jefferson, dated the 28 of the same Month, also a letter to the Honobe. John Foster, which I have deld Him—am sorry to here your State is Invaded by a powerfull Enemy, but hope you will be soon able to dislodge them. Observe you Designe the Goods belonging to the State of Virginia, which came in...
29To Thomas Jefferson from the Virginia Delegates in Congress, [ca. 10] December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia , [ ca. 10] Dec. 1780. Enclosing a resolution of Congress of 6 Dec. relating to the Convention troops and also “a copy of a letter from G. Anderson found among the dead letters in the post office and communicated to Congress by the Postmaster. If there should be occasion for the original of the latter it shall be transmitted on the first intimation.” Imprisonment of Henry Laurens...
30To Thomas Jefferson from the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 13 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The complexion of the intelligence received of late from Spain, with the manner of thinking which begins to prevail in Congress with regard to the claims to the navigation of the Mississippi , makes it our duty to apply to our constituents for their precise full and ultimate sense on this point. If Spain should make a relinquishment of the navigation of that river on the part of the United...
31From Thomas Jefferson to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 18 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai pris les informations nécessaires pour connoitre les rades d’ou les vaisseaux de guerre François qu’on stationneroit cet hiver dans notre Baye pourroient proteger le plus efficacement son commerce, etre le plus en sureté et avoir la meilleure retraite. Celles d’ Hampton et d’ York sont les seules qui commandent l’entrée de la Chesapeak; aucun vaisseau ne peut y pénétrer sans être vu de...
32From Thomas Jefferson to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 18 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have made the necessary enquiry as to the place where any armed vessels, which the minister of France shoud think proper to have wintered in our bay, might cover its trade, be safest, and have the most secure retreat. Hampton road and york town are the only ports from which a view of the entrance into the bay is commanded. No vessel can pass up it without being seen from either of these...
33To Thomas Jefferson from the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 1 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
We have been Honored with Your Excellencys favor in answer to ours concerning the Safest and best Harbor &c. &c. which has been duely communicated, through the proper Channel, and we beg leave to inform you that we have endeavord to improve the intended design into a mode for obtaining a more speedy and safe Conveyance of the Cargoe of the Comite to Virginia (should it take place,) than a land...
34From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 9 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). The inclosed extract of a letter from General Washington No. 1 will give your Excellency a more particular account of the late embarkation from N. York than has been before obtained. On thursday last Congress were informed by General Potter & Col. Johnston who came expresses for the purpose that a general mutiny of the Pennsylvania line stationed near Morris Town...
35From Thomas Jefferson to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 15 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I called on Mr. Anderson the Writer of the letter to Capt. Trot which you were pleased to inclose to me and desired he would explain the foundation on which he had written that letter. His explanation I now inclose you, from which you will be able to collect only thus much, that his application on behalf of Mr. Trot was utterly rejected and nothing said which could authorize him to suppose we...
36From Thomas Jefferson to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 18 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a resolution of Assembly directing your Conduct as to the navigation of the Missisippi. The loss of powder lately sustained by us (about 5 tons) together with the quantities sent on to the Southward have reduced our stock very low indeed. We lent to Congress in the course of the last year (previous to our issues for the Southern army) about ten tons of powder. I shall be obliged...
37To Thomas Jefferson from the Virginia Delegates in Congress, [23? January 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
It is with much concern that we have learnt from your Excellency’s, and the Baron de Steuben’s letters to Congress, the misfortunes our Country has suffer’d from the Invasion under the command of the detestable Arnold, and that he has ventured with impunity even to our Capitol. We have some reason to Imagine that the same plan of operations which induced Clinton to send him there will occasion...
38From Thomas Jefferson to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 26 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I shall now beg leave to answer your Letter of the first inst. which inclosed a Paper from Baron de Arendt. Mr. William Lee was some Time ago invested with a special Agency from this State, having received however no instructions from him of his having engaged any other Person to transact any Part of it, we are uninformed as to his Stipulations with Baron de Arendt. If he has left the...
39To Thomas Jefferson from the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 30 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
We were honored yesterday with your Excellency’s favor of the 15th. inst: inclosing Mr. Anderson’s explanation of his letter to Capt. Trott, and that of the 18th. enclosing instructions as to the Mississippi and requesting sundry military supplies, in promoting which no exertions shall be omitted on our part. Your Excellency’s letter to Congress on the subject of the Convention Prisoners and...
40From Thomas Jefferson to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 7 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Courier d’Europe a vessel from Penet & Coy. [Company] having on board military stores for this state was chased into Boston by the enemy in the Summer of 1779. They were principally Artillery Stores, too bulky and heavy for us to think of bringing them on by land. By the loss of our papers we are unable to furnish an invoice of them but they are in the hands of a Mr. J. Bradford in Boston...
41To Thomas Jefferson from the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 13 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
By the Speaker Harrison who arrived here the day before yesterday we were honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 26th. Ulto. We shall communicate your answer to the Baron d’Arendt, and if his claim against the State be supported by proper evidence shall take the best steps in our power to discharge it. A Vessel just arrived from Cadiz has brought Congress two letters from Mr. Carmichael ,...
42To Thomas Jefferson from the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 13 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
We are Just informd from Genl. Varnum a Member now in Congress from Rhode Island that he has received Certain Intelligence that the Culloden of 74 Guns is drove on Shore and all her Crew except 17 men Perishd. The London of 90 Guns is driven out to Sea dismasted and two other 64 Gun Men of War Were dismasted entirely and all their Guns thrown over board in the late storm. Since writing the...
43To Thomas Jefferson from the Virginia Delegates in Congress, [20] February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Since our last in which we informd Your Excellency of the Arrival of Col: Harrison in this City, his Applications to Congress have been referd to a Special Committee, and the necessary Steps are takeing to Answer the wishes and wants of the Southern States, and of our State in particular as far is practicable in the present Situation of affairs. We doubt not but that Gentleman will give you...
44From Thomas Jefferson to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 22 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The object of the inclosed Memorial of Messrs. Stodder, Kerr and North being attainable by Congress only and proper to be the subject of a representation from them I take the Liberty of transmitting it to you that Justice may be done to the parties interested. I have the honor to be with great respect Gentlemen Your mo. ob. Hble Servant, P.S. We are and have long been without Letters of Marque....
45To Thomas Jefferson from the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 27 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
We have nothing new to communicate but what is contained in the inclosed paper except that a considerable Reinforcement from the Continental Army under the Command of the Marqs. la Fayette is on its march to join the Southern Army. This Force added to that now under Genl. Greene will we expect enable him to oppose Ld. Cornwallis or subdue the Traiter Arnold, to whichever object circumstances...
46Virginia Delegates to Thomas Jefferson, 6 March 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Continental Congress Miscellany, portfolio 103). Written by JM and signed by JM and Joseph Jones. Addressed to “His Excellency The Governor of Virginia” and docketed by a clerk, “Delegates for Virga. in Congress Mar. 6th. 1781 AD.” There appears in Joseph Jones’s hand, at the close of the text of the letter, “Phila: 6th Mar: 1781.” Jefferson may have momentarily overlooked this...
47To Thomas Jefferson from the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 6 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Minister of France having imparted to Mr. Jones as Chairman of a Committee appointed to confer with him on some secret matters the intentions of Ct. Rochambeau and Mr. Destouches explained in the inclosed note, we thought it of such consequence that your Excellency should be certainly apprized of them, that notwithstanding the probability of the communication being made through some other...
48Thomas Jefferson to Virginia Delegates, 8 March 1781 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Written by a clerk. The inclosed papers so fully explain themselves, that I need say nothing more to apprize you of the Subject. Should the Governor of Maryland and President of Maryland not close with my third proposition you are hereby authorized to treat with the Delegates of those two States or any other Person appointed by the States and to settle the best...
49From Thomas Jefferson to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 8 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed papers so fully explain themselves, that I need say nothing more to apprize you of the Subject. Should the Governor of Maryland and President of Maryland not close with my third proposition, you are hereby authorized to treat with the Delegates of those two States or any other Person appointed by the States and to settle the best method of availing the Southern Army of their...
50Thomas Jefferson to Virginia Delegates, 15 March 1781 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Written by a clerk. A Difference of opinion having taken place between the Executive of this State and Mr Simon Nathan as to the rate at which certain Bills of exchange should be discharged in paper money—we have agreed with him to refer it to such Gentlemen of Knowledge in the Laws, of established Character & of any other State as yourselves shall mutually agree...