1From George Washington to Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle Duportail, 29 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I thank you most cordially for your Congratulations on the News of Peace—The terms are extremely Satisfactary to me and I am as pleased as possible that the great Work is so happily consummated. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
2From George Washington to Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle Duportail, 19 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 16th inst., and this day have laid it before Congress, their determinations, which I hope will be speedy, & agreeable to your wishes, shall be transmitted to you as soon as they come to hand. I am Dr sir DLC : Papers of George Washington.
3From George Washington to Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle Duportail, 28 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
The subject you have written upon, is equally perplexing and incomprehensible to my understanding—I will talk more fully to you there on when we meet at two O clock. In the meanwhile I am—Dr Sir, with much estm & Regd Yr most obt Sert DLC : Papers of George Washington.
4From George Washington to Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle Duportail, 23 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
I was this day in conference with a Commee of Congress upon the subject of your letter to me of the 16th Instt—they discovered every disposition to relieve the the Gentln of your departmt from the state of uncertainty in wch they are at prest, but wished previous to their making a report to Congress to obtain your Sentiments more in detail upon a proper Peace establishment for the Engineering...
5From George Washington to Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle Duportail, 17 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I inclose to you, the arrangement of the Army—If there is any place more proper than the one I have assigned for the Engineers, & Corps of Sappers and Miners, pray let me have your sentimts thereon by return of the bearer, as I want to publish the whole in the Orders of this day. If it is convenient to you, it would be my wish that you and the Q.M. Genl should view—to morrow—a spot to form our...
6From George Washington to Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle Duportail, 7 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your Letter of the 25th of May, accompanied by your observations respecting the fortifications necessary for the United States—I was extremely obliged by the communication, and now enclose them under a flying Seal to Congress, with a Letter to His Excellency the President, which is likewise open for your inspection. I have the honor to be with great esteem & respect...
7From George Washington to Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle Duportail, 23 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 16th instant. The case of Mr Reckless I have referred to the Secrety at War, who will take care to fulfill his wishes. In answer to your Questions respecting the Engineers, I can only say, that a Peace Establishment is now under consideration, in which it is recommended that Congress should form Military Academies & Manufactories, as a part of this...
8From George Washington to Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle Duportail, 18 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor by Capt. Segond—and have informed that Gentleman that I have the same Ideas of the Impropriety of the Appointment he solicits as you express in your Letter—I have however written a Line to the Secretary at War in his Behalf, mentiong his Circumstances, & leaving it entirely with Genl Lincoln, whether to apply to Congress in favor of his Promotion or not, as he shall...
9From George Washington to Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle Duportail, 31 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
General Duportail, Commandant of the Corps of Engineers, having signified his desire of obtaining leave to go to France, for the arrangement of his domestic Affairs—It is with the greatest satisfaction I embrace this oppertunity of testifying the sense which I entertain of his distinguished Talents & Services. His judgment in Council, and well conducted valour in the field, claim the highest...
10From George Washington to Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle Duportail, 28 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
As you are perfectly acquainted with the plan which has been concerted with His Excellency the Count De Rochambeau at Weathersfield: I need not enter into a detail of particulars. but have only to request therefore, that you will be pleased to make the Estimates of the Articles in Your Department necessary for the operation, and that the previous Arrangements for the seige, as far as they are...
11From George Washington to Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle Duportail, 10 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your Letter of the 29th of April—By your Letter of the 16th I certainly understood the Officers of your Department to be included with yourself. You have anticipated my Wishes, in having, as you mention, communicated your Sentiments on a peace Establishment, so far as relates to your Department, to a Committee of Congress—As you promise to send me a Copy of it, I shall...
12From George Washington to Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle Duportail, 19 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
Genl Laumoy and Colo. Gouvion did me Justice in mentioning the Regret I feel at your intention of leaving this Country—the personal attachment which naturally grows out of such a length of service together had I no other motive would occasion a regret at parting but it is considerably heightend by your quitting the service and thereby depriving me of the hope of seeing you return to benefit...
13From George Washington to Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle Duportail, 26 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your letter of the 24th I beg leave to inform you, that as no immediate operation requires your presence in this country, I shall most chearfully second your application to Congress for a Six months furlough to yourself & Col. Gouvion for the purpose of arranging your private affairs in France. The other request appears to me to involve difficulties that will deprive me of the...
14From George Washington to Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle Duportail, 7 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am made happy by the receipt of your Letter of the 2nd Inst. and the other Dispatches announcing the arrival of the Count de Grasse. Nothing now gives me uneasiness but the two things you mention, not hearing from the Count de Barras who sailed the 24th of Augst, and the resolution for the departure of the fleet at a certain time. Our measures must be forced, & every intermediate moment...
15From George Washington to Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle Duportail, 4 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am favord with your Letter of the 29 January inclosing Copy of Maj. Villefranches Memorial to Congress. The Testimonials already in the possession of Maj. Villefranche will shew the very high opinion I Entertain of his Merit & services—His Memorial meets my approbation and if Congress should think proper to Comply with it the circumstance will afford me pleasure. I am &c. DLC : Papers of...
16From George Washington to Brigadier General Duportail, 13 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received with much pleasure your letter of the 8th from Philadelphia, & sincerely congratulate you on your liberation from Captivity, and safe arrival at that place. I shall set out the day after tomorrow for New Port. had you not So lately come off a long & tiresome journey, I should have been glad of your company thither—but this being impracticable, & there being no immediate occasion for...
17From George Washington to Brigadier General Duportail, 31 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favour of the 20th, inclosing your remarks on the state of the fortifications already erected for the defence of the Town of Boston, and on such amendments and additions as appear to you necessary to render them effectual. Your reasonings and observations appear to be strong and well founded; but at this distance, and without so perfect a knowlege of the local...
18From George Washington to Brigadier General Duportail, 24 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
The estimate you delivered me some time since of the Cannon wanted for the works of West Point, having been, by some accident mislaid, I am to request you will deliver a copy of it to the President of Congress—which you will be pleased to do as speedily as possible. I am With great consideration and esteem—Sir Your most Obed. servant. Df , in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick...
19From George Washington to Brigadier General Duportail, 29 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to find by yours of the 20th that you have met with so many delays and disappointments in the prosecution of your plan for taking a survey of the Delaware. Altho’ I am anxious to see you in Camp, I shall be very unwilling to recall you while there is the least prospect of your rendering any service; I must therefore desire you to point out to that public Body before which you may...
20From George Washington to Duportail, 20 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
The Marqs de la Fayette who arrived at this place on tuesday last, gave me the pleasure of receiving your letter dated at Paris the 16th of June—& of learning from it, that you had not relinquished the idea of visiting a Country, on whose theatre you have acted a conspicuous part. Be assured Sir, that at whatever time, & under whatever circumstances this may happen, I shall be among the first...
21From George Washington to Brigadier General Duportail, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
You will proceed forthwith to Boston in the State of Massachusettes Bay. You will examine into the state of the fortifications which have been erected and are erecting for the defence of that Town against a Land attack; and you will form a plan, from a view of the whole local situation of the place, which shall appear best calculated to give it the most effectual security, that circumstances...
22From George Washington to Brigadier General Duportail, 22 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am to request you will give instruction to your assistants attached to the different works—to turn their attention to the barracks necessary at each to cover the men required to be constantly stationed for the immediate security of the respective posts—and the places at which it will be most proper to erect them—Were it not for the difficulty of transporting materials to those high mountains...
23From George Washington to Brigadier General Duportail, 27 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding the occasion we should have for your services in this quarter should any active operations commence, the critical situation of Charles Town and the importance of that place induce me to wish you were there. I am doubtful whether you can arrive in time; but I have submitted the matter to Congress to determine according to the advices they have received. The letter to them is...
24From George Washington to Brigadier General Duportail, 8 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Congress has by an act of the 2d inst. directed me to order an Engineer to proceed to south Carolina for the service of the southern Department—if I shd judge it necessary. As I think the presence of a skilful Engineer indispensible in that Country I am to desire that you will detach one of the Corps—with directions to repair to Charles Town and take the orders of Major General Lincoln or the...
25From George Washington to Brigadier General Duportail, 21 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
My Visit to the French Army at Rhode Island has been delayed by important business & must necessarily be retarded a while longer. There are particular reasons which makes me anxious to have you along with me in this tour. If it is not inconvenient to you therefore to leave Philadelphia immediately, I should be glad if you would join me as soon as possible—That I may know certainly whether you...
26From George Washington to Brigadier General Duportail, 27 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
You will proceed as speedily as convenient to the Highlands and examine the several fortifications carrying on there for the defence of the North River. When you have done this you will make me a full report of their state and progress, with your opinion of any alterations or additions which may appear to you necessary in improvement of the present plan. In doing this, you will of course...
27From George Washington to Duportail, 4 April 1784 (Washington Papers)
At present I can do no more than snatch a moment to acknowledge (by Monsr Le Compte de laval, who is going immediately to Paris & gave me the honor of a call as he travelled from Charles town to New York) the receipt of your letter of the 24th of Decr—to thank you for your kind remembrance of me—& to assure you that it will always give me great pleasure to hear from, or to see you in America....
28From George Washington to Brigadier General Duportail and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 25 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have just now received a letter from Col. Hamilton, mentioning your having changed your position of Lewis Town, for that of little Egg harbour, and that you would write me more fully on your arrival at the furnace. In my last I informed you that the enemy had evacuated both their posts at Kings-ferry, since which no alteration has taken place, that has come to my knowlege. Things at Rhode...
29From George Washington to Brigadier General Duportail, 9 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
A body of troops is ordered to rendesvous at Wyoming on the Susquehanna. There will be some works to be carried on in that quarter which will require an Engineer. You will readily conceive the nature of frontier fortification and will be pleased to send a Gentlemen in your department whom you judge proper for the purpose. He had best proceed in the first instance towards Sunbury where he will...
30From George Washington to Brigadier General Duportail, 27 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to make an arrangement of the officers who have presented themselves for appointments in the companies of Sappers and Miners, which I will transmit to the Board of War to obtain their commissions —The numerous drafts that have [been] made from the line for different purpose⟨s,⟩ would make it inconvenient at this time to take out others for the purpose of forming these...