4901From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 27 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
After giving the subject of Loans the most attentive consideration I am able under the several explanations which have been required & received from you, my mind has resolved itself into the form of the enclosed paper. But if there is any material objection to the measure there directed unadverted to by me, I am ready & willing to hear it—otherwise it may be carried into effect without delay....
4902From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 19 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 17th came to hand an hour and a half ago; and at the same time, that I regret extremely the Count not being arrived, for whose fate, I feel the greatest anxiety, I am happy to learn, that you had been able to extricate yourself from the difficulties you laboured under, and that you had so favourable a prospect before you—I shall wait the issue with the most anxious...
4903From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 16 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive Your Excellencys Letter of the 8th and can assure you nothing on my part shall be wanting to induce Congress & the States to make as great preparations as possible for a combined operation & to improve every aid His Most Christian Majesty may be pleased to afford to the best advantage. It was with extreme Satisfaction I heard the joyful News of the birth of a...
4904From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 12 July 1786 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 7th is this instant come to hand. Elizabeth & Sarah, daughters of Michl Cresap, live I presume in Hampshire, to the Sheriff of which I will direct the summons; tho’ it is at a hazard—having no other knowledge of the matter, than that their mother married one Jacobs of that county. Luther Martin lives in Maryland, and is I believe Attorney General of that State—What is to be...
4905From George Washington to James Craik, 10 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have come to a resolution (if not prevented by anything, at present unforeseen) to take a trip to the Western Country this Fall, & for that purpose to leave home the first of September—By appointment I am to be at the warm-springs the 7th of that month; & at Gilbert Simpsons the 15th—where, having my partnership accounts, with some of very long standing to settle, & things to provide for the...
4906From George Washington to Robert Stewart, 2 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
By Virtue of the Power and Authority to me given and granted, by the Honorable Robert Dinwiddie Esquire, Governor of Virginia; I do Hereby constitute and appoint you President of a General Court-Martial, to sit between the hours of eight and three; for trial of Lieutenant John Lomax, of the Virginia Regiment; accused of neglect of Duty, in not covering the Retreat of a Detachment under command...
4907From George Washington to Major General Philemon Dickinson, 23 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy are exerting every nerve to reduce the Forts on the Delaware viewing them as insurmountable Obstacles to their holding philadelphia, if they remain in our hands. Against that on Mud Island they have been carrying on their Operations with great activity and industry for many days but as yet without success. They also sent a considerable detachment across the Delaware Yesterday morning...
4908From George Washington to Colonel Elisha Sheldon, 17 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 13th accompanied by one from Governor Trumbull respecting the Cantonment of your Regt. As it is the request of the State and as you seem to think you will be benefitted by the exchange I have consented to your taking your Quarters in Massachusetts in the towns which you have pointed out. But I could not help remarking to the Governor that this repeated interference of...
4909From George Washington to William Shippen, Jr., 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
As Mrs Washington never receiv’d the Jallop and Calomel you promised her—As the Small Pox, by my last advices from home, has got into my Family—and I suppose not less than three hundred Persons to take the disorder, I must beg you to furnish the bearer with so much of the above Articles for my use as you shall judge necessary; & it will exceedingly oblige Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt & Affecte Servt...
4910From George Washington to Josias Hawkins, 27 February 1786 (Washington Papers)
At the request of Mr Booth, I give you the trouble of this letter. This request, added to an inclination to do justice, must be my apology, for I have no motive but to rescue his character from the injurious aspersions which he says has been cast it. My acquaintance with Mr Booth is of more than 30 years standing. I have known him in the characters of Batchelor, husband, & widower; in all of...
4911From George Washington to Wilhelm von Knyphausen, 26 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favors of the 23d of November and 21st of January last. I beg you will be persuaded that there were particular reasons which operated against permitting an officer to come to Philada with money for the Hessian prisoners of War there at the time the request was first made—I now inclose a passport, which may be filled up with the name of any other...
4912From George Washington to Arthur Young, 15 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed is a duplicate of the letter I had the honor of writing to you the 6th of August. The evil genius of the Vessel by which it was sent (which had detained her many weeks in this Country after the letters intended to go by her were ready, agreeably to the owners appointment) pursued her to Sea, and obliged the Captain (when many days out) by the leaky condition in which she appeared,...
4913From George Washington to John Mason, 2 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
I am just informed by the President of the Potomac Company, that the application to the Maryland Assembly on behalf of that Company, for aid to complete their works, has met with much delay, and even at this time, is uncertain in its event—a circumstance which I learn with no small regret. Understanding also, from the same source, that some persons have expressed a doubt whether I still...
4914From George Washington to Robert Morris, 3 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
I can add nothing, in support of the extract on the other side, that was not contained in a former letter from me to you; on the same subject. But I would thank you for letting me know what answer I shall return to the Commissioners of the Federal city. Their credit, I know, has been stretched to its utmost limits, in order to keep the wheels moving; even in the slow, and unprofitable manner...
4915From George Washington to Thomas Cocke, 13 July 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are, with the men under your command, to escort the Waggons sent with you, to Pearsalls Fort; and so soon as you arrive there, inform Captain Baylis it is ordered, that he send a party of the Militia to guard them to Edwards Fort; where Ensign Milner will receive them and conduct them to Winchester. You must see, as soon as possible after your arrival at Pearsalls, to procure waggons to...
4916From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 9 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Under the particular circumstances mentioned in your Letter of the 7th Inst., I shall not hesitate to grant a discharge to Capt. Smart, upon the conditions therein proposed —Altho I would not have it by any Means, considered as a precedent to deviate from the fixed rule of discharges. The answer given to Sergt Larvey’s Petition in Novr last, was, that a transferrence could not be made from One...
4917From George Washington to James McHenry, 7 July 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have considered, with attention, the Rules adopted by the President of the U.S. relative to rank & promotion in the Army, which were enclosed in your letter of the 2d inst. wherein you request me to suggest any alterations which may appear proper, to make them more perfect. These Rules meet my full approbatn, and I see no inconvenience that can arise from the establishment of them unless it...
4918From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 24 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have this Moment received your Application to me requestg Liberty to join the combined Armies in the West Indies, for this Campaign. I applaud Gentlemen the noble & generous Ardor displayed on this Occasion—But having never taken upon me to grant Leave of Absence to Officers in the American Army, with out permission of Congress, your Application shall be conveyed to that Hono. Body—for their...
4919From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of Yesterday I have received this morning. As Genl Greene is gone down, with an intention to collect his Division and I dont know what advances he may have made in it, I could not with propriety agree to the change you mention without his approbation; I have wrote to him signifying my assent and desiring him to give you his sentiments upon the occasion. If I have made a mistake in...
4920From George Washington to Robert Cary & Company, 28 April 1760 (Washington Papers)
On board the Russia Merchant Captn Boyes I have shipd you Fifteen Hhds more of my own, and Jno. Parke Custis’s Tobo which please to Insure in the usual manner —By mistake four of the 54 Hhds intended you by the Cary were left out (serving now to make up the above 15)—I suppose the Insurance of them may be withdrawn. Please to send two Seins by the first Ship to York River directed to the care...
4921From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 28 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
The late accounts from New York are mysterious and perplexing, but they at any rate demand that we should be in readiness to move. You will therefore concentre, as much as possible, your Brigade and put them under marching orders. The parties at the Clove are not to be immediately called in, but the Officers commanding them warned to be in readiness. Should an evacuation of New York take...
4922XVI. George Washington to Major William Crane, 23 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
Captn Ogden will communicate to you in confidence (and more fully than I can do by letter) the business on which he is sent in the execution of which I must require your aid and best exertion —The Boats with the Army are inadequate to the purposes I have in view—more therefore must be provided at, and in the vicinity of Elizabethtown. they will be wanted tomorrow night by one o’clock at...
4923From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 26 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this Evening received a Letter from Lt Colo. Smith at Lancaster, advising me of the confinement of the British Officers who were going with Cloathing and medicine for the prisoners in our hands. This measure I consider as rather unfortunate, as they came out by my permission and in consequence of a Stipulation between myself and Genl Howe. The Officers are a Hessian & British Regimental...
4924From George Washington to William Augustine Washington, 29 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 8th instant has been duly received, and this letter will be handed to you by Mr Lawe Lewis, to whom I have rented my Mill & Distillery, and who comes into your parts to see if he can procure (on reasonable terms) grain with which to keep them employed. Your advice and aid in enabling him to obtain these would be serviceable to him, & obliging to me. Mr Lewis is a cautious...
4925From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 5 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your favr of the 29th March reached me a day or two ago—I cannot conceive from whence can arise the antipathy of Colo. Proctor and His Officers to the Uniform adopted by all the other Regiments of Artillery. In every service, it is customary to distinguish Corps by particular Uniforms, and as Black and Red has been pitched upon for that of the American Continental Artille[r]y, it is...
4926From George Washington to John Jay, 20 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your goodness upon a former occasion, accompanied with assurances of forwarding any dispatches I might have for Europe in future, is the cause of my troubling you with the letters herewith sent. The one for the Marquis de la Fayette contains a vocabulary of the Delaware and Shawanese languages for the Empress of Russia. I beg leave therefore to recommend it to your particular care. To send it...
4927From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 17 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
(Private) My dear Sir, Mount Vernon Sepr 17th 1792 Your private letter of the 11th, accompanying an Official one of the 9th came safe—as did your other private letter of the 9th. I feel myself obliged by the observations contained in the first, respecting the Proclamation. As the former Proclamations, on similar occasions, have been Countersigned by the Secretary of State, I have, for that...
4928From George Washington to Levi Hollingsworth, 20 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 24th ult. did not get to my hands until the 17th inst., and then came by Post; for Mr. Jackson is an Inhabitant of Red Stone, 250 miles from me—I am obliged to him however for having taken notice of a wish of mine, which was accidentally expressed before him—More so to you for having facilitated it,—and in a particular manner to Mr. Donaldson, for obligingly offering to...
4929From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 16 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Board of War having informed me, that the city-light horse were held in readiness to march to the army, whenever I should signify the necessity of their services —I am to inform your Excellency, that in the present posture of things, they would be of very great utility, and therefore I should be glad, they might march as speedily as convenient. If they ⟨come⟩ I hope they will be able to...
4930From George Washington to Thomas Sim Lee, 5 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I must request your Excellency to make it a Rule in future, when persons apply for Liberty to go to or within the Enemy’s Lines, to insert in your Passports, that they shall repair to Dobbs’s Ferry, which is the only Post from whence Flags are sent or at which they are received. This is absolutely necessary to prevent that illegal Intercourse & Traffic which are now carried to so great a...
4931From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 18 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am glad to learn from the Letter of General Greene, a Copy of which Your Excellency did me the honor to enclose on the 28th Ulto that the Action of the 15th had been severely felt by the Enemy, that their retreat bore evident marks of distress, and that our Army in good spirits, were advancing upon them. From Virginia I have nothing later than Your Letter, and the enclosure from the Baron...
4932From George Washington to John Francis Mercer, 5 November 1787 (Washington Papers)
Presuming that it may have been from the want of your knowing of a safe conveyance that I am not furnished with the sum promised me by you at Philadelphia, I shall be glad to know by return of the Post when I may send for it. Had you been so good as [to] have favoured me with it by Genl Peckney or Mr Houston who stopped at annapolis and took this in their way to the Southward—or by any of the...
4933From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 1 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
I consider myself the more indebted to your obliging care in transmitting the letter of the Marquis de la Fayette, as by that means you have given me the double advantage of hearing from two of my distant, military friends at once. It is so long since I have had the satisfaction of holding any immediate intercourse with you, that I may be allowed to touch on a subject rather obsotute indeed,...
4934From George Washington to Arthur Campbell, 15 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your several favors of the 10th and 16th of May and 22d of August with their enclosures have been received—The information which they communicate claims my thanks, and the personal kindness they express is entitled to my grateful acknowledgments. Watchful over every interest of the Union, Congress during their present Session, have passed a Law authorising the appointment of Commissioners to...
4935From George Washington to John Connolly, 25 February 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your servant, on his return from Williamsburg, affords me occasion to answer your polite letter. I confess the state of affairs is sufficiently alarming; which our critical situation, with regard to the Indians does not diminish: but as you have wrote to Lord Dunmore, relative to the prisoners under your charge, there can be no doubt of his Lordship’s having now transmitted you the necessary...
4936From George Washington to Henry Lee, 14 February 1789 (Washington Papers)
I shall pass through Alexandria Monday on my way to George Town—and thence to the Great and Seneca Falls—And shall bring with me the Plats and Pattents for the Land on Rough Creek in Kentucke; in order to receive a Conveyance in the usual and accustomed mode or to return them to you. With my usual esteem and regard—I am Dear Sir Yr Obedt & Affecte Sert LB , DLC:GW . See Lee to GW, 17 Jan. and...
4937From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 10 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been favour’d with yours of the 24th ultmo & 4th inst. I am pleas’d to find by the first that the Assembly of Pennsylvania have at length passed a Law which seems likely to procure the number of Men voted. You certainly misunderstood me when you was at New Windsor, if you conceiv’d it was my intention that you should serve this Campaign with the Army in this quarter; I at that time...
4938From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 28 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your several favours of the 25th & 26th Inst. came to hand —The pass granted by Ld & Genl Howe to William Taylor dated the 18 Int. is of such a nature as not to afford any protection to the Vessell & Crew even on the most scrupulous Construction of the Law of Nations; and she came in so suspicious a manner, without a Flag flying, as would have justified severer treatment than mere...
4939From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 4 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
The freedom of your communications is an evidence to me of the sincerety of your attachment—and every fresh instance of this gives pleasure & adds strength to the band which unite us in friendship. In this light I view the intimation contained in your letter of the 23d Ulto—from Alexandria—respecting the conduct of Mr Lund Washington. Some days previous to the receipt of your letter—which only...
4940From George Washington to the Citizens of Richmond, Virginia, 28 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
Among the numerous expressions of the public sense, in favor of the measures which have been adopted for the observance of neutrality in the present war of Europe, none is more grateful to me, than that of the Inhabitants of Richmond & its vicinity. The manner in which it is conveyed, lays claim to my affectionate acknowledgements. In recollecting the anticipations wch were entertained of a...
4941From George Washington to Josiah Quincy, 4 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 31st Ulto was presented to me yesterday. I than⟨k⟩ you (as I shall do every Gentleman) for suggesting any Measure which you conceive to be conducive to the publick Service; but in the adoption of a Plan, many things are to be considered, to decide upon the utility of it. In the one proposed by you, I shall not undertake to determine, whether it be good, or whether it be bad;...
4942From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 5 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have ordered Lt Col. Washington to Westfield with his cavalry you will be pleased to assign him such a position as you may judge best for the purpose of covering the forage I am sir Yr. P.S. In consequence of intelligence received from Govr Livingston, respecting preparations of the enemy on Staten Island —I have directed Gen: Wayne to move to Acquackanac and Gen: Sullivan to act according...
4943From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 8 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that the whole Fleet went out with a fair Wind this Evening about sun set. You may possibly hear of their arrival in Chesapeak before this letter reaches you– Should you not– You will have every thing prepared for falling down the Bay at a moments warning– We have not yet heard of any more of the British in Gardeners Bay– Should we luckily meet with no...
4944From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 23 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you the 13th directing you to order eight of the Regiments of your State to march with the greatest expedition to peekskill. I then gave you my reasons for this alteration of my former orders. Altho’ I called upon you, in the most pressing manner, to hurry the Troops on, I cannot help again repeating my distress for the want of Men; the general Backwardness of the recruiting...
4945From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 9 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Col. Armand being now on the recruiting service to the Eastward, I am to desire that you will furnish him with orders on the Clothier at Boston for cloathing all the recruits he now has or shall hereafter make, for which he will previously furnish you with authenticated returns. I am Sir Your most Obed. servant. Df , in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
4946From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 7 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge your favors of the 31st Ulto the 1st 3d & 4th Inst. with their several inclosures. As your Lordship observes, the intelligence from the City must now become more important, since the sailing of so large an Embarkation of Troops—and will serve to determine in a great measure whether a complete evacuation of the place is intended. I need not pray your attention, and am, My...
4947From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 26 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
It is with infinite pain I inform You, that we are reduced to a situation of extremity for want of meat. On several days of late the Troops have been entirely destitute of Any—and for a considerable time past they have been at best, at a half—a quarter—an Eighth allowance of this essential Article of provision. The men have borne their distress with a firmness and patience never exceeded—and...
4948From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 18 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the Honor to transmit you, a few days ago, the accounts which I had then received of the arrival of a French Fleet upon the Coast. I soon after had the pleasure of receiving a Letter from the Admiral Count D’Estaing, dated off Sandy Hook, where he now lies with twelve sail of the Line and four Frigates. The British Fleet are within the Hook. I am so fully convinced of the...
4949From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 4 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the inclosed copy of a letter from Congress, that they have appointed you to the command of the army in the Northern department, and have directed me to order you immediately to repair to that post. I have therefore to desire you will, in persuance of their intention, proceed to the place of your destination, with all the dispatch you can, and take upon you the command of...
4950From George Washington to Colonel Elisha Sheldon, 10 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Covers of Most of the dispatches that have lately come from the Count de Rochambeau to me, by the Chain of Expresses, have been so broken, that it would have been an easy matter to have taken out the inclosures and discovered the contents—Had this been the case once or twice only—I should have attributed it to accident, but from the frequency of the thing, and no other packets being broken...