361From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 17 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 15th Instt—The Measures you have taken & directed in Consequence of the 2 Men of War passing up the North River appear to me extremely prudent & proper. The Spirit of the Militia too upon this Occasion & at so critical a Period deserves the highest Commendation. As it is impossible for me to judge with Certainty what the Intentions of the Enemy are or even to...
362From George Washington to George Measam, 23 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have given orders on the Store at Peeks-kill for 3,400 Hunting shirts, 2,000 pair of Shoes to be sent to Easton with all possible dispatch. I am fearful lest the former demands on this quarter may have totally exhausted the Store—you will therefore, take the most immediate measures to have a supply at least equal to this order brought forward to Peeks kill. I shall on this occasion expect...
363From George Washington to George Chapman, 15 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
Not until within a few days have I been honor’d with your favor of the 27th of Septr 1783 accompanying your treatise on Education. My sentiments are perfectly in unison with yours sir, that the best means of forming a manly, virtuous and happy people, will be found in the right education of youth. Without this foundation, every other means, in my opinion, must fail; & it gives me pleasure to...
364From George Washington to George Minor, 13 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
From a letter which I have lately received from Doctr Stuart, I learn that depredations continue to be made upon my land on four mile run, in the County of Fairfax; & that you were so obliging as to inform him, that you would use your endeavours to rescue it from further injury if I should request it. This offer is kind, and I thank you for having had the goodness to make it; and do hereby...
365From George Washington to George Clinton, 28 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
By a letter received this day from Colonel Malcom I learn that the time of service for which the militia in the Highlands is engaged is very near expiring. I am to request you will be pleased to order out a relief of from 500 to 1000 as expeditiously as possible. Besides the call for them to carry on the defences of the river, there is at this juncture an additional necessity for their...
366From George Washington to George Bryan, 9 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of your favor of the 5th Instant. I am much obliged to you for that attention you discover to prevent any intercourse with the enemy, which might be attended with doubtful circumstances. I had taken my measures with the gentlemen which are the object of your information before I recieved your letter, and, restricted them to our own lines at Elizabeth Town point where they had...
367From George Washington to George Rogers Clark, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
At the request of His Excellency Govr Jefferson I have already given orders to the Commandant of Fort Pitt to afford you every assistance in his power in the procuration of your intended expedition. I, a few days ago, received a piece of intelligence from New York which it may be material for you to know—It is—that Colo. Conolly who formerly lived upon the Ohio, who was taken in the year 1775...
368From George Washington to George Clinton, 25 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
It appears to me, upon further considerations essentially necessary, that the Levies of this State should be collected immediately to some of the Posts where issuing Stores are established by the Contractors, otherwise I apprehend, it will be impossible they should be fed in the manner proposed. I have directed Mr Sands to issue to all the Levies which may be assembled at Fish kill upon their...
369From George Washington to George Washington Motier Lafayette, 22 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
It was with sincere pleasure I received your letter from Boston; and with a heart of affection I welcome you to this country. Considerations of a political nature, added to those which were assigned by yourself or Mr Frestal of a sort more private but not less interesting to your friends left no doubt in my mind of the propriety of your remaining incog. until some plan advantageous to yourself...
370From George Washington to George Clinton, 5 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I last evening recd the inclosed letter and depositions from Congress, from which it appears that the inhabitants of Minisink are under apprehensions of another visit from the enemy. Under present appearances I think Colo. Cortlands Regiment may as well move over towards Delaware and take such a position as will best answer the purpose of protecting the settlements. Upon delivery of the...
371From George Washington to George Weedon, 30 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your Favor of Yesterday—Last Night the Enemy evacuated their exteriour Works,& left us in Possession of Pigeon Quarter, & some other Works which they had occupied, contracting their Defences near the Town . This Circumstance has created a Jealousy in some Minds similar to what you mention—that Ld Cornwallis may throw himself with his Troops upon the Gloster Side,&...
372From George Washington to George Mason, 23 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your Coachman applied to me yesterday (through my Nephew) for employment. I informed him it was not my custom to treat with any one in the service of another unless it was well ascertained that a seperation was about to take place—nor then unless sufficient testimonials could be produced of sobriety—of Skill honesty and industry in the occupation that was followed. To the First, he replied...
373From George Washington to George Clinton, 29 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s favor of Yesterday, with the enclosures, by Colo. Nicoll. An order for the Ammunition had been previously given, in consequence of your first application. With respect to provision, of the Meat kind, I confess I am entirely at a loss by what means it can be supplyed to the Troops on the Frontier: the whole dependence of the Army for this Article is upon the...
374From George Washington to George William Fairfax, 20 July 1763 (Washington Papers)
I have not a Lath in the World of any kind, seasoned or unseasoned, or you shoud be heartily welcome to them—I never knew before that it was in any wise necessary that they shoud be Seasoned; for I usually got and put them up as they were wanted—Smart bring’s the Bucket &ca; he has been detained longer than ordinary by a mistake of Peters (or mine) who I told to make staples & hasps proper for...
375From George Washington to George Washington Parke Custis, 7 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
System in all things should be aimed at; for in execution, it renders every thing more easy. If now & then, of a morning before breakfast, you are inclined, by way of change, to go out with a Gun, I shall not object to it; provided you return by the hour we usually set down to that meal. From breakfast, until about an hour before Dinner (allowed for dressing, & preparing for it, that you may...
376From George Washington to George Clinton, 13 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I this day received your Favor of the 9th Inst. your Vigilance in providing a proper Force to oppose the Enemy and the Alacrity with which the Militia have assembled afford me great Satisfaction; if your Efforts are seasonably and skilfully seconded by your Eastern Neighbours we may hope that General Bourgoyne will find it equally difficult to make a farther Progress or to effect a Retreat....
377From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 5 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 1st instant by Capt: Lush, with Copies of the proceedings of the Courts Martial upon the case of Capt: Martin and those of Several persons accused of treasonable practices. As the proceedings against the latter, can be only sent for my opinion, I having no right to interfere in the matter, I would recommend the execution only of the most notorious, and such,...
378From George Washington to George Starr, 2 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am under the necessity of informing you, that there is not, at this time, a single pair of Shoes in the hands of the deputy Cloathier at Camp, and that a considerable part of the Army is returned unfit for duty for want of them. I must therefore call upon you in the most pressing manner, to forward, immediately to Newburg, every pair that you have in your possession, and beg that you will...
379From George Washington to John Jones or George Conway, 1 November 1755 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby Ordered to deliver to Sergeant Wilper (taking his receipt for the same) for the use of Captain Hoggs Company, eight Regimental Coats, ten Waistcoats, ten pair of Breeches, nine Hats, eleven Shirts, as many pair of Stockings, and the same quantity of Shoes: You are also to deliver to the said Wilper, for the use of the said Company, twelve Musquets, twenty Bayonets, and ten...
380From George Washington to George Martin, 10 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
So long a Course of Time as you mention, had indeed obscured the Remembrance of our former Acquaintance, ‘till the Letter you have favored me with, bthe recollection of your Name to my Mind—Your good Sense has furnished me an Apology, should any be needed—and the Occasion which introduces this renewal of former Times, is most plea s ing indeed—Your Congratulations to our happy-fated Country,...
381From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 1 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
From intelligence just received from the Northward; there can be little doubt that the enemy are operating against Ticonderoga and its dependencies; and from the evacuation of the Jerseys, and the reason of the thing itself, there can be as little room to doubt, that General Howe will cooperate with the Northern army, and make a sudden descent upon Peeks Kill, in order, if possible to get...
382From George Washington to George Clinton, 3 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The importance of the North River in the present contest and the necessity of defending It, are Subjects so well understood and so familiar to you, that it is needless for me to enlarge upon them. I therefore only mean to mention, that no exertions can be too great to render it secure against any future attempts of the Enemy, and that the present opportunity should be improved to effect it, as...
383From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 21 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter came to my hands last Night. I have wrote to Majr Lee on the subject—when his answer arrives you will hear further from me on the subject of it. I am. ADf , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . George Augustine Washington (c.1758–1793) was the oldest son of GW’s brother Charles. He served from September to November 1777 as a second lieutenant in Col. William Grayson’s Additional...
384From George Washington to Captain George Lewis, 3 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I should be glad if you would let the inclosed go by a safe hand, as it is to thank Mr. Turner for an elegant pair of pistols and furniture which he obligingly made me a present of. I do not know where to direct to him, but believe he lives somewhere on Rappahannock, either near Leeds or above it. He is the son of Harry Turner, and I think married the sister of Captain Fauntleroy. I would not...
385From George Washington to George Clinton, 5 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
Not having heard, or not recollecting who the President of the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of New York is, I take the liberty of giving you the trouble of the enclosed. I am endeavouring by the sale of Land, to raise money to pay for my Moiety of the purchase on the Mohawk River—So soon as this is effected I will write your Excellency more fully. In the meantime, with every good...
386From George Washington to George Clinton, 16 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered to Your Excellency by Lt Colo. Stevens, at present commanding Officer of Colo. Lambs Regiment of Artillery. His business is to lay before you a particular state of the Regiment, by which it will appear, that it is yet very deficient of its establishment, and that there is little or no prospect of compleating it by any measures at present in agitation. I have desired...
387From George Washington to Colonel George Baylor, 17 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Copy of a Resolve of Congress, & Extract from the Presidents Letter, founded upon it, will discover to you, their desire of your being furnished with a Good Horse, properly caparisoned, at the Expence of the States. Tho, it has been my wish, to comply with their Resolve in your favor, Yet, for want of Opportunity, and by reason of the Multiplicity of business, which constantly...
388From George Washington to George Clinton, 10 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
An Anxiety for your Excellency’s safety induces me to transmit a report, I lately rec’d from New York, though it may not in reallity have a sufficient foundation, still caution on the subject may not be improper. I am informed that George Harden, James Kilty, one Bice of Dutchess County and a fourth person whose name is not noted, are promised a very considerable reward if they will sieze your...
389From George Washington to George Clinton, 27 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I duly received your letter of the 17th and am much obliged to you for the succour so readily afforded to West Point. The reinforcement of continental Troops sent there and the present disposition of the Army make it inexpedient at this time to keep the militia in the field and I have therefore directed General Howe to dismiss them. The continuing them in service at this time would be...
390From George Washington to George Washington Parke Custis, 10 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 1st instant was received by the last mail (on friday) and your other letter of the 8th of June remains unacknowledged; owing principally to engagements without doors, in my Harvest fields, and to company within; for we have scarcely been alone a day for more than a month; and now have a house full, among whom are your Sisters Law & Peter. To hear you are in good health, and...
391From George Washington to George Clinton, 5 April 1785 (Washington Papers)
A few days ago I had the pleasure to receive your favor of the 5th Ulto—Your other letter of the 26th of December came duely to hand, and should not have remained so long unacknowledged had I not been in daily expectation of accompanying my answer with a remittance. Disappointment followed disappointment, but my expectation being kept up, I delayed writing from one Post day to another until...
392From George Washington to George Clinton, 2 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of yesterday, inclosing an Act of the legislature of your State empowering the Commy, under certain restrictions, to seize all Wheat, Flour or Meal in hands of Forestallers; or Wheat of the Year 1777 and Years preceding. I have immediately, in the absence of the Commissary General, transmitted this salutary law to the Asst Commy General, who is with the Army, that he...
393From George Washington to George Lewis, 13 November 1797 (Washington Papers)
The running off of my Cook, has been a most inconvenient thing to this family; and what renders it more disagreeable, is, that I had resolved never to become the master of another Slave by purchase; but this resolution I fear I must break. I have endeavoured to hire, black or white, but am not yet supplied. A few days ago, having occasion to write to Mr Bushrod Washington on other matters, I...
394From George Washington to George Clinton, 12 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 5th instant, and cannot sufficiently express my thanks for your attention to my letter of the 16th Feby. I have the pleasure to inform you, that by the exertions of our friends in different quarters the Army has been pretty well supplied since, and I hope will continue to be so, if proper steps are taken by the present Commissaries, or if there should be a change...
395From George Washington to George Clinton, 30 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
If our circumstances on a close examination will permit, we have in contemplation a very important enterprise, in which Your Excellency’s advice and assistance will be of the greatest utility to us. I am therefore to entreat if possible an immediate interview at this place or Ver Planks point. Should we persue our object, it must be done with the greatest rapidity, and this makes it necessary...
396From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 15 June 1787 (Washington Papers)
The only design of this letter is to acknowledge the receipt of the letters from Mount Vernon of the 10th & 11th; and to let you or your Aunt know that the Buckles and knives mentioned in my last as having been sent, were not forwarded—I expected when I was writing those letters that Mr Porter would have been the bearer of them, but he is yet in this City. By him I mean to send the Buckles and...
397From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 9 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 2d Instant is duly Received enclosed you have a Resolution of the provincial Convention which came to hand last Evening, by which you will please to Regulate your Conduct, I must beg you to Inform Me as soon as possible what number your Brigade now consists of—and what number it will contain when a fourth part of the Militia are drafted agreeable to Order of provincial Congress....
398From George Washington to George Measam, 8 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
It has been represented to me that the troops of Connecticut are in great want of Shirts Stockings and Shoes—This leads me to inquire of you whether they have not received their proportion of these Articles in common with the rest of the Army—The troops in general have obtained orders for a Shirt and pair of Stockings per man—and a pair of Shoes to each that wanted—If the Connecticut Troops...
399From George Washington to Brigadier General George Weedon, 15 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
The situation of the Army in respect to General Officers at this time—the anxiety of General Woodford to visit his family, and the fast approach of the period for opening the Campaign urge me to request, that you will return to Camp as soon as possible. It is unnecessary for me to enlarge upon this subject. Your precise and accurate knowledge of our circumstances, in this instance, will...
400From George Washington to George Weedon, 25 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 19th. and thank you for the trouble you have taken to procure for me the Jerusalem Artichoke, but as Captn. Grymes has been so obliging as to send me five Bushels of them which I expect are enough to plant an acre of ground (which will be sufficient to make the experiment I had in contemplation) as there is no way of getting them but by the Stage or sending on...
401From George Washington to George Measam, 16 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
Mr Wilkinson has transmitted me the Copy of a Letter from him to you of the 13th and of your Answer the next day. The only part of your correspondene which it concerns me to notice—is that which supposes, that Mr Wilkinson has not the direction and superintendance of the Cloathing at Springfield. I confess I am surprised, after the Ordinance of the 23d of March—and his appointment by Congress...
402From George Washington to George Clinton, 31 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose you a letter which Mr Morris sent open for my inspection. I shall only add that the mode of promotion which he points out is exactly conformable to the Rule established by a Board of General Officers on the 29th October last. It is absolutely necessary that some fixed principles should be settled for regulating promotions, and it would be attended by the most...
403From George Washington to George Clinton, 24 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
In the affair of Princetown the winter before last, a box was taken from the enemy, which by appearances was supposed to contain a quantity of hard money. It was put into a small ammunition cart, on the spur of the occasion and has since disappeared. I am informed there were some suspicions at the time against one Crane, a Capt. Lieutenant in the artillery—who, it was imagined had converted...
404From George Washington to George Thacher, 27 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
It is not long since the Papers herewith sent have been in my possession, altho’ from the date they bear, one would be led to think otherwise. If the statements are just, the case merits attention; and as Mr Goodwin has mistaken the road by which the application (if redress can be afforded) is to be made, I have taken the liberty of transmitting them to you, on the supposition that he is a...
405From George Washington to George Savage, 8 February 1786 (Washington Papers)
Your skipper, Mr Jno. Whitney, has delivered me eight hundred bushels of oats agreeably to the contract made with Doctr Stuart in my behalf—They are good & clean, for which I thank you. Mr Whitney informing me that he was authorized to provide a freight for the Schooner he is in, I have engaged him positively, to bring me eight hundred bushels of Indian corn from the plantations of the...
406From George Washington to George Pearson, 15 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 12th of May has been received, but not until within these few days: to which you will please to consider the following as a reply. Having been long in public life, and but little in this State for the last five and twenty years; and moreover, having had but very little agency in the Administration of the deceased Colo. Thomas Colvils affairs even antecedant thereto, no...
407From George Washington to George Clendinen, 21 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 1st of December, and thank you as well for the readiness with which you have complied with my request to undertake the letting of my lands in your neighbourhood, as for the disposition which you express to render your best services in this way. In my letter to you of the 25 of June last (a duplicate of which was committed to the care of Mr Moore in August) I...
408From George Washington to George Geddes, 30 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your obliging favor of the 22d Instt accompanying the present of a pair of very elegant Pistols came to my hands yesterday. accept Sir my thanks for this testimony of your polite attention—and be assured that I am Yr Most Obedt & obliged Servt ADfS , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . George Geddes (Geddis), a privateer captain of Philadelphia, commanded the 16-gun brig Holker and recently...
409From George Washington to George Clinton, 7 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I herewith transmit to your Excellency several papers, with a letter from Elias Boudinot Esqe relative to the case of a certain Hallet who is said to be an inhabitant of Long Island —As I do not consider him cognizable by the military laws, but more properly falling under the jurisdiction of the State to which he belongs, I have therefore sent him under guard to your Excellency. I also inclose...
410From George Washington to George Clinton, 25 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
With very great sensibility I have recd the honor of your letter dated the 10th instt and consider the kind & obliging invitation to your House until suitable accomodations can be provided for the President as a testimony of your friendship & politeness; for which I shall ever retain a grateful sense—But if it should be my lot (for heaven knows it is not my wish) to appear again in a public...