21To George Washington from William Gordon, 2 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I just catch a few minutes before the post goes off to acquaint you that Lord Chatham is dead—that no troops whatsoever are coming either from G.B. or Ireland—that tho’ an English fleet of 1–90 guns 9–74 & 1–64 may be sailed from St Helens, a powerful provision has been made for counteracting them when they are upon the American coast; their opposers may possibly be at the Rendezvous before...
22To George Washington from William Gordon, 23 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
It’s with great pleasure I congratulate you upon our late success, on a double account—the advantage it is of to the Continent—& the honour it reflects upon your Excellency. I hope this happy beginning will, thro’ the blessing of heaven, be productive of so glorious a campaign as to admit your changing the toils & hazards of the field for the repose & safety of domestic happiness. I shall...
23To George Washington from William Gordon, 15 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have for some time waited in vain for the pleasing occasion of congratulating your Excellency upon the evacuation of the United States by the British troops; but can delay no longer writing you a few lines. My tour was far more agreeable than can be generally expected so late in the fall. Genl Gates being orderd to Boston, while I was at Weathersfield in the neighbourhood of Hartford, I...
24To George Washington from William Gordon, 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been earnestly wishing for an opportunity to congratulate you upon some successful manoeuvre under your own immediate direction; & I now embrace it with the utmost satisfaction. The capture of the fort is of the greatest consequence, all things considered, & must therefore afford your Excellency peculiar pleasure. I have been fearful lest our men, being called out to storm lines or...
25From George Washington to William Gordon, 2 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 22d Ult. came to my hands by the last Post, and receives, as it deserves, my warmest thanks—I have also to acknowledge myself your debtor for another letter of the 15th of Decemr which the number I am obliged to write, and read, with other papers to consider, prevented my answering till it had slipped my memory wholly. The Assault of Stoney point does much honor to the Troops...
26To George Washington from William Gordon, 25 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your obliging letter of the 3d instant afforded me peculiar pleasure, & more especially the close of the postscript, as it furnished me with authority for the removal of prejudices, wherever I found any had been produced against your Excellency, by the idle & foolish expressions of individuals. I am not insensible of the delicate situation you have been in, between the Congress & the Army; &...
27To George Washington from William Gordon, 29 February 1780–1 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
The last week I was designing to send You a friendly letter, without introducing into it any of my own concerns but Col. Henly calling upon me on the saturday afternoon, with a most extraordinary letter from Col. Hamilton hath reduced me to the necessity of altering my plan. In some stations moral character is of little importance, but in mine it is next to All; & like female honour must, be...
28From George Washington to William Gordon, 3 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I received some time ago Your Letter of the 29th of February & 1st of March by Colo. Henley. From a multiplicity of important-pressing business which I have had on hand—I was prevented from communicating it to Colo. Hamilton till yesterday. It was then put into his hands, as You will perceive by the inclosures No. 1 & 2, a Copy of my Letter to him upon the occasion & his Answer. While I must...
29To George Washington from William Gordon, 12 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your obliging favour of May 3d came to hand this day fortnight May 29th. I waited with a degree of solicitude, as I could not proceed consistently without hearing first from your Excellency. It was a very busy week what with the annual election on the following wednesday, & the convention of ministers the next day. However I have since then transcribed all the correspondence between me & Lt...
30To George Washington from William Gordon, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I take this method of introducing to your Excellency Lt Coll Weld (generally pronounced Wells) one of my parishioners, a gentleman, on whose prudence activity courage & zeal for the public good, I apprehend, you may rely without danger of disappointment. On the 5th of March 1776 at night he was honoured with a particular service at the lines next to Boston neck, & had the thanks of Genls Ward...