51To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 20 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit your Excellency two late resolutions of Congress. They have this morning passed resolves respecting the settlement of the pay of the army—and authorising the filling up of vacancies to the first of January next—these I cannot send by this post, as they are yet open to debate and will be read again tomorrow morning. I shall be happy to be informed what encouragement...
52To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 11 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with Your Excellency’s favor of the 6th instant. I see the difficulty to which you must be reduced respecting the post at Wyoming—if any thing more is done I am convinced it must be by Congress. I have already transmitted your Excellency the decision of Congress in Asgill’s affair—Enclosed is a subsequent resolve on the subject of retaliation. On my return from Camp I...
53To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 12 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Excellency’s orders I waited upon General Schuyler on my way to the militia, who had assembled and were assembling at Manchester on the grants, received his instructions, and met the troops the second instant, found only five or six hundred there—but one regiment was on the road from the Massachusetts, and about thirteen or fourteen hundred from New Hamshire, before many of...
54To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 23 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I Sent out in the morning Two parties ordered one of them to the Right of the Enemy & the other to the left & to meet in the Centre of their front each performed the part Assigned him on their meeting they joined a party of Rifle men and march[ed] in a body to the eastd of wards Tavern were soon discovered by the enemy who attempted to incir[c]le them they fell back to Wards where they posted...
55To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 26 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the pleasure to enclose you a Copy of the Resolves of Congress respecting the Invalids. Doctor Smith of the British Hospital came some time since from York Town in Virginia, on the breaking up of the Hospital there, to Annapolis ; prior to his leaving York he was obliged to give a new parole to Count Rochambeau in which he engages not to leave Annapolis without Your Excellency’s...
56To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 9 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the first instant—By mine of the 26th ultimo I meant only to ask what number of servants the public should feed and pay for the several Officers in the Staff department in case they hired them themselves. The money will be immediately paid to the Workmen at Burlington. Three hundred suits of clothes are put up for the recruits raised by Maryland, and most of...
57To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 2 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a copy of the State of the enquiry by Connecticut respecting the time when Lieutenant Colonel Huntington should take rank as Such. It has been before Congress—they have referred it to me to take order thereon—I have to request that Your Excellency would direct the Matter to be enquired into as soon as may be if your Excellency should think on reading the papers that...
58To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was on the 15th instant honored with your favor of the 9th with several letters one to Mrs Washington I shall do my self the honor of waiting on her if I pass through Alexandria—I am greatly obliged to you for your introductory letters to Gentlemen in Carolina and for your many unmerited marks of friendship, for them, I can only thank you over and over again—As early as I can know a state of...
59To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 19 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose the Covenant between Mr Morris & Messrs Sanos for the purpose of supplying the Post at West Point & its dependancies with Provisions. Your Excellency will observe that many matters are left to the decision of the Secretary at War or some person appointed by him to retain a gentleman constantly for this business would be attended with expence & evils might arise from...
60To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
Since closing my letter of the first I have been honored with the Receipt of your public letter of the 24 and your private one of the 26 Ultimo. The Clothier General informs me that the Shirts your Excellency may depend on—I am sorry that I cannot give you the same Assurance respecting the Woollen Overalls—Mr Moylan informs me that he has applied to Mr Morris for the Money to supply the Cloth...
61To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 5 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
In order that the British Prisoners may be kept with more safety than they have been by the Militia and to correct that spirit of desertion which has taken place to a very great degree since the Capture of Cornwallis they are to be removed from their present Cantonments to Lancaster where there are good Barracks picketted in. I have to request that your Excellency will order one of the...
62To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 22 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with Your letter of the 11th instant. Many of the articles mentioned in my letter of the 31st ultimo will leave this City in a few days. I have, in an official report to Congress, recommended Colonel Dayton for promotion—and, having met the committee to whom my letter was referred, I pressed the measure as dictated by Justice and Policy—but notwithstanding my representation...
63To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 28 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
By the enclosed letters your Excellency will observe that the thousand stands of arms ordered to this city are detained, and that your orders are plead in justification of the detention. If there are any orders which, by a forced construction, may be considered as prohibiting the removal of public stores to the Magazines provided for their reception, I wish your Excellency would cause them to...
64To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 20 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
We have in the Guard House an infamous tory said to be one of Skinners men who on an attempt made by our people to secure him fired on them & wounded one—he also was wounded but is now almost well—By the enclosed warrant your excellny will learn more of the matter than I can explain —Wish to know whether he is to be tried by the civil authority of this State or by a Genl Court martial—By a...
65To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 9 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honoured with your Excellencys favours of the 19th Ultimo and 3d July—I have repeatedly urged the necessity of appointing a Judge Advocate, and of passing the System of Adjutant General, but hitherto without success. I hope and trust that they will be immediately attended to. I have reason to think they will. Your ideas of retaining the Lieutenants to do the duty of Ensigns,...
66To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 5 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your favors of the 28th and 29th Ultimo—Monday is assigned for coming to the choice of a Judge Advocate. I hear that Col. Ramsay, Col. Ennis and Major are in nomination. I have not the pleasure of knowing either of them but it is said by those who do, that they are Men of Education and abilities. I gave Congress an extract of your Excellencys letter with Sir Guys...
67To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 2 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
On consideration of the several questions proposed by your Excellency to the Council, the last evening, I beg leave to give it as my opinion—that the army ought to be immediately removed eastward—One division of it consisting of a number sufficient fully to reinforce the troops in the Highlands and in conjunction with them be equal to the defence of that post to be marched to Danbury and there...
68To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 10 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
As Sr Hy Clinton has requested leave that two officers, with cash for the prisoners might be suffered to pass to them I think it unnecessary that Captain Barcly and Lieutenant Hall should be indulged with the liberty of going into New York and intended to mention the matter to your Excellency that if you was of the same opinion our answer on the subject might be similar. I have no doubt but Dr...
69To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 13 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was Yesterday honored with your Favor of the 4th Inst. Every attention is paid to collect and forward the Troops with dispatch from all the Counties saving those in the eastern part of this State. they, by a resolve of the Assembly in their last session, were detained untill the pleasure of your Excellency & that of Congress could be known with respect to their being further detained for the...
70To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 7 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Nothing My dear General very new or material has taken place, since I did my self the honor to address your Excellency under the 26th. However I cannot omit so good an opportunity as offers by this express, to inform you that the recruiting service goes on well, and that there is good reason to hope our battalions will soon be filled up. The matter of clothing the army is of such importance,...
71To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 4 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Pickering has orders to build, without loss of time, a magazine on West-Point, or on Constitution Island, as your Excellency shall direct—When we were down the General Officers were divided in their sentiments whether it should be on the Point or Island—and if on West Point, at what spot—Time has been given for a more perfect view—I wish therefore that Your Excellency would, of...
72To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 28 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
On my arrival here this morning, I found the inclosed papers relative to Canadian matters on my Table with an order to forward them. By the enclosed resolve your Excellency will learn that the keeping the Troops longer at Wyoming or not, is with you—if you should think proper to remove them, I can with ease forward your orders from this place. The within arrangement for the Quarter Master...
73To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 28 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Militia from the State of Massachusetts Bay were directed by the General Court to receive their Amunition at this place and the Court Ordered out a quantity of Powder for that purpose which has not yet arrived —The Troops are Collecting here and finding it dificult to git supplies and detaining them till the Powder shall come in will greatly incommode those who are following and being...
74To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 17 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had last evening the honor of your Excellencys favor of the 9th. Our people were thunder struck by the accounts brought by General Knox. I hope they and the several States seeing the evils which will necessarily result from the revolt of the Pennsylvania line will be induced to pursue such measures as shall prevent the like in future by removing in time every just cause of complaint from the...
75To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 8 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Doctor Vacher, who was before the year 1780 a Surgeon in one of the New York regiments, complains that by the new arrangement he was left out though senior to those appointed—this he thinks a hardship, and that justice is not done him—he requests an enquiry into the matter. I wish, if he should apply to Your Excellency to have his right investigated in this way, that he might be indulged—it...
76To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 1 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning honored with your Excellencys favors of the 10 & 21 Ultmo Orders will be immediately issued for collecting the recruits and I hope they will in a few days come on cloathed. It will be difficult to send them on without, as they have been promised cloathing and are not therefore prepared to march without them—They will be armed here. The fifteen hundred coats for the troops in...
77To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 28 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
In conformity to a resolve of Congress passed June 14th 1782, which was transmitted your Excellency on the 19th of same month.I do myself the honor to enclose you a farther list of the exiled Citizens of South Carolina, who wish to return home in the flags to be furnished by the british Commander in chief—the list designates such as are entitled to return in the flags from the manner of their...
78To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 19 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning honored with your Excellency’s letters of the 13th and 15th instant. In my letter of June 23rd I only meant to express a wish that, in matters of convenience, we might meet the Contractors on the open and generous plan which they professed themselves disposed to adopt—this I supposed would be productive of reciprocal benefit But if they continued to practise upon their...
79To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 6 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your private letter, which I shall answer when a safe conveyance offers. I beg leave to suggest to your Excellency the expediency of removing the Rhode Island regiment from the vices and follies of the City, by calling Them to Camp. The commanding Officer informs me that a great proportion of them must be committed to the Surgeon’s care before they will be fit to take...
80To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 14 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
In my last I had the honor of informing your Excellency that the enemies fleet had arrived in North Eddesto —since that they have landed their troops on Simmons’s Island & marched part of them to the North East end of Johns Island. I have not been able yet to learn, with any degree of certainty, their numbers for although we have frequent information from Savannah yet as the troops were keept...
81To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 31 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your favor of this date at 1/2 past one at the landing—we have put & are putting on board the vessels the ordnance stores &c.—I shall send in the same vessels the Corps of artillery—Corps of Sappers & miners and also Colo. Hazens Regt by sending Gen. Hazens Regiment suppose it will be unnecessary to send the hundred men you mention I thought it was best to send whole Corps &...
82To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 15 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that Colo. Laurens sailed on the 13th, after waiting several days in Nantasket-Road for a fair wind. On his arrival here he found the Alliance had not completed her crew & that it would be difficult soon to effect it. This induced him to apply to the Navy-Board to obtain from the General Court a power to impress—which not only failed in the House, but so...
83To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 20 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this morning, honoured with Your Excellencies favour of yesterdays date, On General Heard leaving his present post Colo. Broadhead will possess it every assistance in my power will be afforded him in placing the Guards Patrols &c.—our mutual safety depend on our acting jointly—I had information last night that the enemy were imitating our dress in order to deceive & surprize us we shall...
84To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 2 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am this morning honored with your Excellency’s letter of the 27th ultimo. I have no idea that the explanatory resolve of Congress has relation to any corps but such as are subject to the reform directed in the resolve of the 7th of August—and I am confident such a measure would meet a certain negative were it proposed for whenever a request for leave to return with the emoluments granted by...
85To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 23 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
As the Enemy will probably soon leave the Southern States, if they have not done it already, we shall not have the same necessity for Cavalry and Artillery as heretofore; I beg leave therefore to suggest to your Excellency the propriety of confining the recruiting service in Virginia to the Infantry: unless this be done, I think there will be a stop put to filling up the Battalions of...
86To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 4 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have not heard any thing of the request of Major Villefranche to be promoted—If it should come before me it will be difficult for me to recommend the measure to Congress as I find many Majors in the line who are much older than he is—If there are any reasons in your Excellencys mind which will justify his being promoted over the heads of others I should be very happy, if, in a private way,...
87To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 8 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed extract of a letter from the Lt Colonels Commandants has been before Congress and by them referred to me—I shall be made very happy by your Excellencys opinion on this subject—whether it will be best to interfere with the present arrangement—if any alleration is to be made what that aught to be—I see nothing which will satisfy them and the other officers unless the commandants are...
88To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 28 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellencys private letter by Mr Frothingham. I have no doubt but Congress will confirm the exchang of Lord Cornwallis for Colonel Laurens and that they will not hesitate a moment about the matter when they are informed of the fact by him—by what I hear it will not be done before. Your letter on the Adjutant Generals department covering two letters from General...
89To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am informed that the commissioners for settling a general cartel are returned without affecting any thing and that it is not probable a general cartel will be soon agreed on. Can we not with propriety go into a partial exchange as heretofore? It is particularly hard for many of the foreign officers to be held prisoners of war they are deranged and wish to return to Europe where they can be...
90To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 22 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellencies directions of the 20th forwarded by Colonel Harrison. In order to prevent in some measure the too frequent desertions, and to promote the safety of this camp I have detached a few companies of good faithful men on whom we can depend as well for their atteachment to the cause as for their bravery and activity, to act as scouts ⅌ day and patrols by night, they...
91To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 14 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I this moment receivd an extract of a letter from Genl Stevens to your Excellency of this days date, purporting the situation & designs of the enemy—and a letter from Colo. Harrison expressing your desire that I woud avail myself of the intelligence containd in the extract, and be gaurded in the best manner possible, to elude, & baffle their designs, I shall most chearfully do it —I have...
92To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 26 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was the last evening honored with your Excellencys favor of the 21st. Mr C. informs me that his frind will have the honor of calling on your Excellency immediately on his and will digest or agree on a plan for future operations. The General Court have repealed their order directing the Levis raised in the three eastern counties to remain there untill your pleasure should be known respecting...
93To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 11 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your Excellencys favor of the 26th ulto covering a letter from Sir Henry Clinton to me I cannot but hope you have a little misapprehended him and that it was not his intention to make my exchange depend absolutely on the exchange of the southern Army—did I fully believe this to be his meaning I should suppose no advantages would result from my meeting Major General...
94To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 8 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was a few days since honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 26th October last by Lieut. Colonel Ternant. I am too fully convinced of the utility of the new regulations not to afford him every countenance and assistance in my power, and it will be my greatest attention to have the troops in this Department formed on the plan adopted for the order & discipline of the army of the United...
95To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 11 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
The first division of the troops were embarked and ready to sail to -day at 12 o’clock, and are now only waiting for the turn of the tide. The embarkation would have taken place 24 hours sooner, had not several of the large vessels run on ground. We have on board Colo. Scammell’s Brigade, Colo. Lamb’s Regt, 2d Regt of Jersey, Sappers & Miners and the corps of Artificers—Besides the Grenadiers...
96To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 9 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your letters of the 3d and have laid before Congress the Copy of your letter to Sir Guy Carleton. I have written to General Greene respecting the disposition of the Troops which I mentioned to your Excellency. General Hazen has been some time since notified that no passes signed by him would avail the Officers. In a late letter to your Excellency I have requested your...
97To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 7 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
I find by the returns that there are but a few of Sheldons Dragoons who are not engaged to serve during the War; and as all the Horses are sold, I am fully in opinion that the little service which the remainder of the Corps would render in the circumstances they now are, will not compensate the expences which must arise from keeping them together. I therefore think that if at the time your...
98To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 12 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of writing on the subject of the arms, I find that the detention of them arose from a blunder among the officers, and that they do not now pretend that they have any orders on that subject. The state of our naval prisoners is pitiable indeed, and ought to claim every attention—Their distresses are from several causes—to obviate them and if possible give perfect relief, is...
99To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 1 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your kind favor of the 7th Ulto the 19th accompanying your valuable present the epaulettes & sword knot —you will permit me to return my most cordial thanks for them, and to assure your Excellency, that this testimony of your approbation of my conduct fills me with the highest sentiments of duty & affection, will always be remembred with the warmest gratitude, and ranked...
100To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 28 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Maryland, and the ninth Pennsylvania regiment were, by a mistake, returned yesterday as being in camp here, they were left behind. Colonel Brodhead informs me that there are many vacancies in his regiment—he hath handed to me the inclosed list, wishes the Gentlemen therein named might be appointed to fill them. I cannot git a return from the independent companies in any measure...