31From George Washington to John Jay, 29 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
My long and unexpected stay in this city being attended with many inconveniences to the common business of the army, and in other respects—I feel myself under a necessity of requesting the permission of Congress to return; and if consistent with their views, I should be glad to set out for the camp at Middle-Brook, on monday next. There are several matters, which have been the subjects of...
32From George Washington to John Jay, 30 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of the authority vested in me by Congress of “directing and superintending the military operations in these States,” I was led to make inquiry into the State of the Magazines to the Westward. From a late letter of Genl McIntosh’s to myself, and several to the Board of War, I find that he has been so much distressed for provision, that he has been obliged suddenly to disband all...
33To George Washington from John Jay, 30 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
On the 23d Inst., Congress passed two Acts, One relating to the Commissary of Prisoners, the other to the Director General; Copies of both are herewith enclosed. Both your Excellency’s Letters of the 29 Inst., One covering an Extract of a Letter from Governor Clinton, the other, a Letter from General Du Portail, have been delivered to me—Whatever Acts they may become the Subjects of, shall be...
34To George Washington from John Jay, 31 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Congress, agreeable to Your Excellency’s Recommendation, have directed the Commissary, and Quarter-Master General to pay such of the Accounts, mentioned in Governor Clinton’s Letter, as he shall certify —And by their Act of the 30th Inst., of which the enclosed is a copy, have consented to Your Excellency’s Return to Camp. The Opinion of Congress, respecting the continuation of the Committee...
35To George Washington from John Jay, 1 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Congress have this day passed an Act, of which the enclosed is a copy, on the Subject of your Excellency’s Letter of the 30th Ult:, whereby they have resolved that You give such directions, as you may think proper, for arranging the Commissary’s and Quarter Master’s Departments to the Westward &c. I have the honor to be Sir with the greatest Respect Your Excellencys most Obedt & very humble...
36To George Washington from John Jay, 3 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will herewith receive a Copy of an Act of Congress of the 2nd Inst: on the Subject of Aid to the States of Georgia & South-Carolina. I have the Honor to be with the greatest Respect & Esteem Your Excellency’s Most Obedt Servant LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DNA:PCC , item 14 The enclosed act of 2 Feb. consists of resolutions directing that Pulaski’s Legion and the Continental troops said...
37To George Washington from John Jay, 5 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will receive herewith enclosed Copies of two Acts of Congress of Yesterday—The one for recruiting Count Pulaski, & Coll Armand’s Corps to their full Complement of Infantry—The other for completeing the Arrangement of the Army, & settling the relative Rank of Officers under the Degree of Brigadier. I have the Honor to be, Sir, Your Excellency’s most Obedt & Hble Servt LS , DLC:GW...
38From George Washington to John Jay, 8 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 3d and 5th instants with the Resolves of the 2d and 4th inclosed. I have dispatched orders to the Infantry of Count Pulaski’s Legion to march immediately from Minisink to Lancaster, at which place they will expect a Route and further orders for proceeding. The Horse of the Legion not being in this Quarter will receive orders from the Count himself. In obedience...
39To George Washington from John Jay, 8 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am directed to transmit to Your Excellency the enclosed Copies of two Letters—One from Major Genl Schuyler to Congress—the other from Mr James Deane to him —The State of Delaware has acceded to the Confederation. I have the Honor to be with the greatest Respect & Esteem Your Excellency’s most Obedt & Hbl. Servt LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DNA:PCC , item 14. The enclosed copies of Maj. Gen. Philip...
40George Washington to John Jay, 19 February 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] February 19, 1779 . States that a court-martial will be held at Springfield, Massachusetts. Advises Jay that Major General Alexander McDougall needs hard money for spy system. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives
41From George Washington to John Jay, 19 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been successively honored with your two favours of the 8th and 15th instant, with their several inclosures; to all which due attention shall be paid —The Court Martial in the case of the officers conducting the public works at Springfield, shall be immediately directed. A letter of the 11th Ultimo from General McDougall contains the following paragraph, “If Congress will order me one...
42To George Washington from John Jay, 22 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment honored with Your Excellency’s Favor of the 19th Inst: It shall, with the Papers enclosed, be communicated to Congress this Morning, & their Orders on the Subject immediately transmitted to You. Your Excellency will find herewith enclosed Copies of two Acts of Congress, of the 20th Inst: One respecting Brigr General McIntosh, & the Proceedings of a Court-Martial held by his...
43From George Washington to John Jay, 23 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to John Jay, 23 Feb. 1779 . Jay wrote GW on 2 March (first letter): “accept my thanks for your obliging Favor of the 23 Ult.”
44To George Washington from John Jay, 23 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Congress consider Genl McDougall’s Application worthy of Attention, & the better to enable your Excellency to comply, if you think proper with his Request have ordered a thousand Dollars to be forwarded to You—The enclosed is a Copy of the Order for that purpose. I have the Honor to be With the greatest Respect & Esteem Your Excellys most Obedt & Hble Servt LB , DNA:PCC , item 14. GW had...
45From George Washington to John Jay, 24 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I transmit you herewith two letters the applications of General Glover and Colo. Wigglesworth for the acceptance of their respective resignations. Colonel Wigglesworth is particularly desirous to obtain a speedy answer that he may have it in his power to make some arrangements before his proposed departure for France. Congress will also be pleased to attend to General Glovers request for his...
46George Washington to John Jay, 26 February 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] February 26, 1779 . Sends information concerning British attack and retreat at Elizabethtown. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
47From George Washington to John Jay, 26 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received the honor of your two favours of the 22d and 23d, with the several papers accompanying them. The measures necessary in consequence shall be immediately taken—I am much obliged by the communication of the intelligence from Martinico. Yesterday morning a detachment of the enemy from Staten Island made an attempt to surprise the post at Elizabeth town. On receiving information of...
48To George Washington from John Jay, 26 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will receive enclosed with this Letter Copies of two Acts of Congress, one of the 18th Inst. establishing Regulations for the Department of Inspector General—The other of the 25th respecting the Defence of the Western Frontiers, with the Applications of Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania to Congress on that Subject. I have the Honor to be Sir With the greatest Respect &...
49George Washington to John Jay, 1 March 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] March 1, 1779 . Suggests that information from Europe be issued officially rather than circulated casually. Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
50From George Washington to John Jay, 1 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been a little surprised, that the several important pieces of intelligence lately received from Europe (such parts of it I mean as are circulated without reserve in Conversn) have not yet been given to the public in a manner calculated to attract the attention & impress the Minds of the people. As they are now propagated, they run through the Country in a variety of forms, are...
51From George Washington to John Jay, 1 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor herewith to transmit you, copy of a letter from General Maxwell, containing such particulars of information, as he omitted in his last, respecting the attempt of the enemy on the post at Elizabeth Town. I also inclose your Excellency a New-York paper of the 24th Ultimo. I am sir Your Excellency’s most obt and humble servt LS , in James McHenry’s writing, DNA:PCC , item 152; Df...
52To John Jay from George Washington, 1 March 1779 (Jay Papers)
I have been a little surprised, that the several important pieces of intelligence lately received from Europe (such parts of it I mean as are circulated ^ without reserve in Convers[atio] n ) ^ , have not been given to the public in a manner calculated to attract the attention & impress the minds of the people.— As they now are propagated, they run through the Country in a variety of forms,...
53To George Washington from John Jay, 2 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
accept my thanks for your obliging Favor of the 23 Ult. and be pleased to add to the obligation by a Repitition of them. The arrival of a Reinforcement from Rhode Island at New York seems to indicate, either another Embarkation to the Southward, or offensive operations in your Quarter. but of military Matters I have too little Knowledge to hazard Conjectures, especially to Persons familiar...
54To George Washington from John Jay, 2 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letters of the 24th & 26th Ulto with their several Inclosures have been received and communicated to Congress. A Copy of an Act of Congress of the 27th Feby is herewith enclosed, by which your Excellency will perceive that the Letter of Coll Wigglesworth is referred to the Delegates of Massachusetts Bay, & that General Glover is to be indulged with a furlough for such time as...
55From John Jay to George Washington, 2 March 1779 (Jay Papers)
Accept my Thanks for your obliging Favor of the 23 Ult. and be pleased to add to the obligation by a Repetition of them. The arrival of a Reinforcement from Rhode Island at New York seems to indicate, either another Embarkation to the Southward, or offensive Operations in your Quarter, but of military Matters I have too little Knowledge to hazard Conjectures, especially to Persons familiar...
56George Washington to John Jay, 3 March 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] March 3, 1779 . States that plans for western expedition are in preparation. Discusses arrangement of Sixteen Additional Continental Battalions. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
57From George Washington to John Jay, 3 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received the letter which Your Excellency did me the honor to write of the 26th of last Month, together with the two resolves of Congress and the other inclosures referred to in it. A plan of offensive operations for the effectual relief of the Western frontier has been some time since determined upon and preparations are making in consequence. I endeavour to observe as much secrecy as...
58To George Washington from John Jay, 3 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
The opinion that greater advantage results from communicating important Events to the People, in an authentic manner, than by unauthorized Reports, is certainly just, tho often neglected. The Intelligence alluded to, is unfortunately of such a Nature, or rather so circumstanced, as to render Secrecy necessary. As Congress with the Consent of the Minister of France, have directed it to be...
59From John Jay to George Washington, 3 March 1779 (Jay Papers)
The opinion that greater advantage results from communicating important Events to the People, in an authentic Manner, than by unauthorized Reports, is certainly just, tho often neglected. The Intelligence alluded to, is unfortunately of such a Nature, or rather so circumstanced, as to render Secrecy necessary. As Congress with the Consent of the Minister of France, have directed it to be...
60To George Washington from John Jay, 4 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure of acknowledging the Receipt of Your Excellency’s Favor of the 1st Inst., which, with the Paper enclosed in it, was immediately communicated to Congress. I have the Honor to be with the greatest Respect & Esteem Your Excellency’s most Obedient And Humble Servant LB , DNA:PCC , item 14. GW acknowledged the receipt of this letter on 11 March. Jay is acknowledging GW’s second...
61To George Washington from John Jay, 5 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will receive herewith enclosed three Acts of Congress of this day—One for accepting the Resignation of Brigadier Genl Warnum, another accepting the Resignation of Major Pawling of Colonel Malcolm’s Regiment, and the third authorizes your Excellency at your discretion to settle with the Enemy a Cartel for the Exchange of Prisoners. I have the Honor to be Sir Your Excellency’s...
62From George Washington to John Jay, 6 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I herewith transmit your Excellency the last news papers, which I have obtained from New-York. I also inclose you an extract of intelligence, respecting a fleet of victuallers, with some troops, said to be preparing to sail for Georgia. The fidelity of the writer is hitherto unquestionable. The report of the 1500 troops from Rhode Island, I am induced to suppose without foundation. Some time...
63From George Washington to John Jay, 10 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of your Excellency’s letter of the 2d Inst. with its several inclosures. I have only at present to request the attention of Congress to the inclosed letter from James Reed, signing himself Brigadier General. Congress will be pleased to inform me, if he holds the rank of Brigadier General, that some measures may be taken in his case. I have the honor to be your Excellency’s most...
64From George Washington to John Jay, 11 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowlege the honor of your Excellencys favors of the 4th and 5th, and shall apply the Inclosures to their several intentions. The Baron Steuben transmitted me his proposed plan of regulations for the Infantry of the American army. I have returned it to the Baron, with such observations as occurred on different objects of the work, and my general approbation of the whole. If the plan...
65To George Washington from John Jay, 12 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure of acknowledging the Receipt of your Excellency’s Favor enclosing an Extract of a Letter from Major General Putnam. Herewith enclosed is a copy of an Act of Congress of the 5th Inst. for the Payment of certificates given to Inhabitants from whom Supplies have been irregularly obtained —Another of the 9th for recruiting the Army, & a third of the 10th Inst. for accepting...
66To George Washington from John Jay, 14 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from John Jay, 14 March 1779. GW wrote Jay on 20 March : “I am honored by yours of the 12th and 14th insts. with their inclosures.”
67George Washington to John Jay, 15 March 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] March 15, 1779 . Reiterates request for a congressional plan “which would have a general operation throughout the States for compleating their respective Battalions.” Discusses need to continue Army at full strength and to reorganize clothing department. Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
68From George Washington to John Jay, 15 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have waited with anxious expectation, for some plan to be adopted by Congress which would have a general operation throughout the States for compleating their respective Battalions. No plan for this purpose has yet come to my knowledge, nor do I find that the several Governments are pursuing any measures to accomplish the end by particular arrangements of their own legislatures. I therefore...
69To George Washington from John Jay, 15 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will receive herewith enclosed a copy of an Act of Congress of this day for the Releif of such of the Troops of the United States as are not included in the Quotas assessed on the different States. I have the Honor to be With the greatest Respect And Esteem your Excellency’s most Obedt Servant. LB , DNA:PCC , item 14. This letter apparently was carried to GW by Maj. Benjamin...
70To George Washington from John Jay, 17 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting to your Excellency herewith enclosed a copy of an Act of Congress of the 16th Inst., for enlisting a Corps of Waggoners —And am With the greatest Respect & Esteem—Your Excellency’s Most Obedt & Hble Servt. LB , DNA:PCC , item 14. GW replied to this letter on 24 March. Congress passed this act, the enclosed copy of which has not been identified, after...
71To George Washington from John Jay, 19 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of transmitting to Your Excellency, herewith enclosed, Copies of three Acts of Congress, One of the 18th Inst. for exchanging Captain Greene, who was made Prisoner at the Cedars in Canada in 1776, with an Extract from a Letter of Major General Schuyler on that Subject. Another of the 18th Inst. declining to accept General Schuyler’s Resignation—and a third of the 16th Inst.,...
72From George Washington to John Jay, 20 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honored by yours of the 12th and 14th insts. with their inclosures. Colonel Wigglesworths certificate is transmitted to him; and I have published such parts of the resolve of the 5th, for payment of certificates given to the inhabitants for supplies, as relate to the future conduct to be observed by the officers of the line and staff. I take the liberty of laying before congress a...
73From George Washington to John Jay, 24 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured, in due order, with Your Excellency’s several Favors of the 15. 17 & 19 Instant with the Papers to which they refer. I shall direct the earliest Returns to be made, that circumstances will admit, of the Officers—Soldiers &c., who are the Objects of the Act of the 15th—and will transmit them to the Board of War. Captain Greene’s case shall also have my attention—and his...
74To George Washington from John Jay, 24 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor of acknowledging the Receipt of your Excellency’s favor of the 20th Inst., with the Memorial enclosed with it—On the 15th I had the Honor of transmitting to You by Major Talmage an Act of Congress of that day for the releif of such of the Troops of the United States as are not included in the Quotas assessed on the different States—This Act I hope has reached your Excellency &...
75To George Washington from John Jay, 24 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is an Act of Congress of this day authorizing the Commissioners of Indian Affairs in the Northern Department to order Supplies of Provision to the Oneidas & the other friendly Indians whose Necessities may require it, & directing the Commissaries in that Department to obey such Orders. Altho’ this Act may not require your immediate Interposition, yet as every circumstance that may...
76From George Washington to John Jay, 26 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
When I had the Honor of addressing Your Excellency on the 11th Instant, I transmitted some intelligence I had just received from General Maxwell, respecting Admiral Gambier’s preparing to sail from New York—and suggesting New London to be the Object of the expedition. How far events may justify this suggestion, I cannot determine; however, by advices which came to hand this Evening, from a...
77From George Washington to John Jay, 28 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor of transmitting to Your Excellency—Two of Rivington’s papers of the 24th and 25th, which I received last night. I fear from the accounts contained in the last of them, though I doubt not but that they are highly coloured, that our people have suffered in the affair, mentioned to have happened in the Southern quarter on the 4th Instant. Since my Letter of the 26th I have...
78To George Washington from John Jay, 28 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
The less is written on the Subject about which the Bearer will confer with you, doubtless the better—It may be proper however for me to inform you—that I have known him well for many Years. In my Opinion he is an honest man, and firmly attached to the American Cause from the Commencement of the present Troubles. I have seen his Conduct in several Instances directed by generous Sentiments of...
79From George Washington to John Jay, 29 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to transmit the inclosed extract of a letter which I have just received from General Maxwell. Whether the Report that the expedition from the East End of Long Island is laid aside, is true or false, I will not undertake to determine. I also inclose the latest New York paper. I have the honor to be with the greatest Esteem Your Excellency’s Most obt Servt. L , in Tench...
80From George Washington to John Jay, 2 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have had the Honor to receive Your Excellency’s two Favors of the 24th Ulto, with their Inclosures. I am much obliged by Your Excellency’s attention, in communicating the Act for supplying the Oneidas and Other friendly Indians with provision. Matters, in consequence, I flatter myself, will be so conducted, as not to disorder or injure our other arrangements in this Article. The Act...