1From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 20 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
The plan proposed for taking A——d (the out lines of which are communicated in your letter whh was this moment put into my hands without a date—has every mark o⟨f⟩ a good one—I therefore agree to the promised rewards, and have such entire confidence in your management of the business as to give it my fullest approbation; and leave the whole to the guidance of your own judgment, with this...
2From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 3 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
Several days ago I received a Letter from the Honble Mr Brearly, Chief Justice of Jersey in which he mentions that “Complaint has been made to me by a Member of the Legislature of Somerset County, together with other respectable Inhabitants, that a Detachment of Major Lee’s light Dragoons have quartered themselves upon the Inhabitants of that County near Rockey Hill, without any order of Law,...
3From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 2 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 31st Ulto was delivered to me yesterday—I never hear of the intended resignation of a good Officer without feeling pain—& shall be sorry for that of Captn McLean’s; but if he is resolved on the measure It is not in my power to prevt it. The same principle that actuates Captn McLean would occasion the resignation of half the Captains of the line, if it was to pervade the whole—for...
4From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 24 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased immediately upon the receipt of this to commence the Forage of Barbadoes Neck and as far up as Polifly —The necessities of the Army require that it should be executed as extensively as possible in the Articles of Cattle Hogs and Sheep fit for slaughter—You will endeavour to gain a knowledge of the well and ill affected inhabitants and make distinctions accordingly, but your...
5From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 20 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
This day Mr Joshua Anderson of Monmouth County presented a petition to me in consequence of Capt. Rudulph’s seizing a stone horse, which he urges was at any rate, unfit for present use —His petition is supported by many well effected Inhabitants of that County who place him clearly in the character of a friend to his Country—Therefore as the seizure must have been made by the Capt., in...
6From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 5 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter from Eastown of the 31st ulto. Before this the Quarter Master General will have transmitted you orders. I have to request after their execution, that you will immediately repair to the main army at Dobbs’ ferry—by way of the Two bridges. I am Dr Sir Your obt & hble sert LS , in James McHenry’s writing, ViHi ; Df , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . On 31 July, Lee...
7From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 25 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd yours of the 23d Inst. by which it appears as if the British Fleet were plying off and on —The dispatches which were lodged in Monmouth for Count Rochambeau and Monsieur Ternay are no longer of use there —You will therefore be pleased to take them up from Genl Forman, if they are in his hands, and either send them to me by an Officer, if one is coming this way, or keep them with...
8From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 24 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am informed by General Foreman that there is a great number of horses in those parts of monmouth County within the Enemy’s power belonging to disaffected persons. To prevent the Enemy’s having the benefit of these and to have it ourselves—you will immediately set about driving off from the part of the Country under the above description all the horses fit for waggon or riding service—and...
9From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 19 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 16th. You mistook the point of giving me intelligence as by recurring to your instructions you will find. I now depend on you for information of every occurrence, which will save General Foreman the trouble of a business which I could only with propriety request the favor of him to discharge till another could be sent to undertake it. For the future you will...
10From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 16 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
We have received advice from New York of the arrival of Admiral Greaves at the hook with six sail of the line the 13th —We think it very extraordinary if the fleet has arrived that we should have heard nothing of it from you. Should you not have sent off an account before this comes to hand, immediately dispatch a dragoon to confirm or contradict the report, for it may be very injurious to us...
11From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 11 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will proceed to Monmouth and establish yourself in that vicinity. On your arrival there You will see General Foreman who ⟨is charged w⟩ith dispatches for a ⟨French fleet⟩ expected at the Hook and ⟨to keep a l⟩ook out for their arrival. ⟨You will⟩ give such assistance in ⟨this as⟩ will be necessary. There are ⟨some⟩ pilots who will be stationed ⟨ mutilated ⟩ Monmouth, who will put...
12From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 27 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
You may remain in your present position till further orders. In the mean while and without delay I request you to reconnoitre the country well about Totawa and between that and Pompton by the routs of Col. Deys & Prekenis; and report to me the kind of roads—passes—and quantity of green forage, with other circumstances that come under a military view. I am Dr Your ob. ser. P.S. There is a...
13From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 11 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have rec’d your favor of this date—& The spirit which has been exhibited by your co[r]ps on the present occasion, gives me pleasure, & be assured meets with my thanks & approbation. As your rapid progress must have fatigued the Cavalry in some degree, I wish you for the present to take Post somewhere in our rear—perhaps chatham or its vicinity, is as well calculated to afford you forage as...
14From George Washington to Major General Henry Lee, Jr., 8 June 1780 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 8 June 1780. On 11 June , Lee wrote GW: “Your lettr of the 8th inst. reached us on the 9th in the afternoon.”
15From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 13 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 10th: I am sorry to find that the repairs of your accoutrements and the general indisposition of your Horses will prevent your moving so soon as could have been wished, but I have confidence in your making no greater delay than is absolutely necessary. The Board of War having powers to order a General Court Martial, the prisoner you mention may be tried at...
16From George Washington to Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 9 April 1780 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 9 April 1780 . Lee wrote GW on 12 April: “I have the honor of your Excellencys letr of the 9th” (see Lee to GW, 10 April, source note ).
17From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., or the Officer Commanding His Corps at Burlington, N.J., 30 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased, upon the receipt of this, to take the most expeditious measures for putting the whole Corps both Horse and Foot in readiness to march. If you move, your destination will be South Carolina. The Horse will go the whole way by land—the Foot will go down Chesapeak Bay by Water and meet the Horse at Petersburg—As soon as you have given the necessary orders at Burlington you had...
18From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 21 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am to request that you will transmit me, as soon as possible, an exact Return of the number of the non Commissioned Officers and privates of your Corps, mounted and dismounted designating in a particular manner the states to which they belong, what proportion of them are inlisted for the War, and the different terms of service of the residue, digested in monthly Columns. Inclosed you have...
19From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 30 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 26th incloseing one from Capn McLane to you of th[e] 15th. However Capn McLanes services may entitle him to consideration yet he is neither singular in his sacrifices nor situation. There are numbers in the line, who have been as long Captains—and without promotion as himself. This is one of those circumstances incidental to all services. But with regard to...
20From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 21 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 17th—I am happy to find such a disposition in the good people to relieve us, and for their ready & zealous compliance in my requisition. I think you had better order forward the corn which is stored in Cumberland, to this place while the roads remain in their present condition. I suppose the commissaries will take proper care to provide barrels for the salted...
21From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 16 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 13th—I hope you may meet with the same success in the Counties of Salem, Cumberland and Cape May, as that which has attended the Officers who went into those contiguous to the Camp—All from whom I have heard, found the Magistrates and people most willing to contribute to the releif of the Army. When you return from your present Tour, I shall have no objection to...
22From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 9 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will not forget that you owe me a horse or something in the shape of one—for the bay I turned into your Corps twelve Months ago. I am not in immediate want. but in some cases it is necessary to remind a man of his debt lest he should forget his creditor. I do not apply this to you because I am sincerely & Affectly Yrs ADfS , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . See GW to Lee , and Lee to...
23From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 7 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 5th I take it for granted that the measures you mean to pursue for cutting off the intercourse between the Country and the enemy will be such as will [be] justified by circumstances, and not incompetent with the laws which the state of Jersey have passed for that purpose. It will be well to inform yourself particularly of the laws which are in force on...
24From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 28 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 24th by Capt. Rudulph. I should have been glad had it been possible for your Corps and Colonel Armands to have found a position in Monmouth County capable of supplying the Cavalry of both with Hay forage, as it would, in my opinion, have best answered the object which I have principally in view, that of covering the Country and preventing the intercourse with the...
25From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 20 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 30th November and 16th Inst. The practice of trading under the cover of procuring intelligence has grown to such a height that there is an absolute necessity of putting a stop to it. To avoid giving any umbrage to the Government of the State, I would have you confine your observations to the sailing of the fleets from New York, and whenever any capital...
26From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 2 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have an account from New York that a fleet with two Regiments and a detachmt of Artillery was to sail on the 29th ulto for Hallifax accompanied by all the heavy ships of War except the Europa—The Daphne Frigate for England was to sail at the same time. I mention these matters to you, that you may compare them with your accounts from the shore—I have reason to beleive that part of the Hulks...
27From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 25 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 21st: No occurrence has happened since I wrote to you last, except the evacuation of Stoney and Verplanks Points, which took place on the 22d. I have not heard from Rhode Island since the 15th when Genl Gates wrote me that the enemy were seemingly making every preparation for evacuating that place also —Should Count D’Estaing reach the Hook without touching at the...
28From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 10 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday recd the inclosed intelligence which I have transmitted to Lewis town at the Capes of Delaware, in hopes it may meet Count D’Estaing there. But should he have left Delaware before my dispatches reach him, you will, upon his arrival off the Hook, communicate the inclosed with such other occurrences as may have come to your knowledge. I am Dear Sir Yr most obt. Df , in Tench...
29From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 7 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 3d inst. came to hand yesterday. I shall comply with your present ingagements to the spies, which you have promised to pay in specie: but as we have so little of this to spare for even the most pressing and important purposes within the enemy’s lines—You will be careful to effect as much as possible with such other means as we have in our power; And as œconomical in all other...
30From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 30 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I herewith inclose you an extract of my latest intelligence from New-York, so far as it respects the particular business in which you are now engaged. I am of opinion that the numbers are over-rated—But the Count d’Estaign should he come this way, will determine for himself. We have advice by a private letter from Philadelphia that on the 9th inst. the Count was to have attacked the British...
31From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 25 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 21st which came to me open under cover with other dispatches from Lord Stirling. I would wish you in future, to send your dispatches to me sealed, and communicate any thing, necessary for my Lord to know, to him separately. When an enterprise of any kind is in agitation the fewer to whom it is intrusted the better, and as to the particular business upon...
32From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 13 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
From several circumstances there is reason to beleive that a French Squadron may be expected upon this Coast. As it is of the utmost consequence that Count D’Estaing or the Officer commanding this Squadron (should such an one arrive) should as soon as possible receive some necessary information from me, I desire that you will immediately move with the remainder of your Corps to the County of...
33From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 3 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your letter of this date which I have this minute received. As you request my concurrence to the step you propose, I do not find myself at liberty to give it, because it appears to me to be premature and unnecessary. From the time your report was dispatched to Congress, there is no reason to suppose delay. I am firmly persuaded the event will shew you they cannot possibly intend...
34From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 1 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of this date “requesting me to give you in writing, the instructions which you verbally received from me on the subject of Powles Hook, when you were last at Head Quarters—and particularly concerning the immediate evacuation of the post after the reduction and concerning the retreat.” When you were last at Head Quarters, the Enterprize against Powles Hook was in...
35From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 23 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your report of the attack of Powles Hook transmitted by Capt. Rudulph which I have forwarded to Congress by Lieutenant McCalester. I shall be sorry if this should be contrary to your wish or Capt. Rudulph’s expectation, as I have the best opinion of this Gentleman’s merit. My motives for sending Mr McCalester with the dispatches were that he commanded one of the forlorn hopes...
36From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 22 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
As Congress are yet uninformed of the enterprise against Powles Hook, and I am anxious to have them furnished with the particulars, I have to request your report without delay. I heart[i]ly congratulate you and wish you to give my thanks to the officers and troops who were concerned on this occasion. I am & Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . For Lee’s...
37From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 12 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
You will see by the inclosed letter to Lord Stirling, which you will be pleased to deliver him, the footing upon which the affair is placed. If upon confering with him, the enterprise is judged elegible, it will be carried into execution. I am Dr Sir Your most hble servt. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . See GW’s first letter to Stirling of this date . GW...
38From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 10 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of yesterday with its inclosures —The plan you propose for the attack of Powlus Hook and for making good the retreat of the party is well concerted, and such as would be most likely to succeed, if the enterprise were to be carried into execution—But upon the whole in the present position of the enemy’s army I should deem the attempt too hazardous and not warranted...
39From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 2 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
This morning your letter dated at Paramus came to hand—I thank you for the intelligence it contains —I have received similar accounts from the other side of the river transmitted by different persons. In the present situation of affairs it is important to discover if possible the views as well as movements of the enemy—for this purpose I should think you might fix on some inhabitant of...
40From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 26 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your favor by Capt. Rudulph I received yesterday —He has my directions respecting Cloathing for your Officers. As you think the two serjts named in your list officers worthy of promotion, I approve the appointments—the remove of your Qr Mr into McLanes company I also consent to—but, the appointment of an extra capt. in the Corps & 3 subs under McLane I cannot conceive necessary, the former you...
41From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 25 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two letters of the 21st and 22d—The intelligence you communicate is interesting and I am anxious to have the movements it mentions more clearly and certainly unfolded—You will spare no pains nor cost for this purpose. It is of great importance we should ascertain as early as possible the reality of the supposed embarkation—its extent and the course it takes in the first...
42From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
This morning I received your favor of yesterdays date —I did not think it necessary to change your position or, the kind of duty I had alloted to you—therefore only repeated to you, that it was my wish you should keep a good watch down the river—This I have now to request you will do in the most effectual manner—I am happy to hear of the fate of the Marauding party your letter mentions—The 24...
43From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 12 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
In mine to you of the 5th—I requested you to attend to the movements of the enemy on the river below and for this purpose to engage the country people as look outs along the River—I would wish you to have such persons on whose fidelity and vigilance you can rely stationed at different places as low as fort Lee, that we may have the earliest intelligence of any collection of vessels or boats or...
44From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 10 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received your letter of the 9th. I wish mine of the same date had gotten to hand before the transaction you mention had taken place—I fear it will have a bad effect both in the Army and in the Country—I would by no means have you to carry into execution your plan of diversifying the punishment, or in any way to exceed the spirit of my instruction yesterday—And even the...
45From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 9 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of yesterday & thank you for the intelligence you communicated —I would caution you not to place too much confidence in Mr Smith. I suppose he is the son of Mr Thomas Smith, whose attachment to us is very generally & I beleive Justly suspected—The presumption is that the son holds similar sentiments to his father though the contrary is possible enough—The...
46From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 5 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of yesterday I recd this day—& have only to thank you for it and its inclosure —except that I wish you to pay the strictest attentn to the movements of the enemy below, lest they may undertake an excursion into the Jersey—by the way of ta[p]pan or elswhere; of this should it take place, I must request the earliest information—it may be well in order to accomplish this knowledge to...
47From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 30 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Yr favor dated 27th inst. was handed to me to day by Capt. McLane, inclosing your proposals for the incorporation of his company with your Corps —The measure is desireable, & I should be happy were it in my power at once to authorise you to proceed on the business, but not being vested with sufficient powers to change the establishment of a Corps —the plan must be referred to Congress In doing...
48From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 28 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have rec’d your letter dated yesterday & thank you for the information it contained I have now to request that you will endeavour to employ some person, in whom you can confide, & at the same time that is intelligent, to go into the works at stoney point, or if admittance is not to be gained, otherwise to obtain the best knowledge of them he can, so as to desc⟨r⟩ibe the particular kind of...
49From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 21 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
While I was at West point I recd your favors of the 15th & 17th. This will be delivered you by Corpl Harrison, who carries the party of horse that have been with me. I do not wish them to be relieved from your corps. As matters now stand, I rather approve your present position, than one on the other side of the river you have fully answered the purpose of your command, where you are & a...
50From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 9 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I recd yr favor of yesterdays date & am happy to find you are in the neighbourhood of the enemy & make no doubt but you will fully answer the purposes of yr being placed there. The Stores you mention to have been at Kekiat were there without my knowledge—& I much approve the removal of them—As to the live Stock being driven off as you mention within a certain distance—though a desireable...