War is to a Dutchman the greatest of Evils. Sir Joseph Yorke is so sensible of this, that he keeps alive a continual Fear of it by Memorials after Memorials, each more affronting to any Sovereignty of delicate Notions of Dignity, than the former. By this means he keeps up the Panick and while this Panick continues, I shall certainly have no Success at all. No Man dares engage for me—very few...
Since writing my Letter of the 6 th of October last (a Copy of which is enclosed) I have been honored with yours of July 10 th & September 16 th ; by the latter I am happy to find that we may expect soon to receive further & more particular Intelligence from you Congress, it is probable, will soon establish an Office for foreign Affairs, to be managed by an Officer stiled Secretary for foreign...
13To Thomas Jefferson from La Luzerne, 18 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Cette lettre vous sera remise par M. le Marquis de Laval Montmorency, Colonel du Régiment du Bourbonnois, actuellemen à Newport. Il a voulu profiter de l’inaction de l’armée pendant l’hyver pour voir plusieurs Etats du Continent. Il se propose de passer quelques jours à Richmont et quoique les circonstances ne lui permettent pas de rendre son sejour aussi long qu’il l’auroit desiré, il a...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 18 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 18 Dec. 1780. Encloses “some hints toward a Law to prevent illegal discharges and desertions from the Army.” Has written on the same subject to Congress and the Commander in Chief. RC ( Vi ); 2 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Steuben; addressed; endorsed, by TJ: “Baron Steuben illegal discharges.” Enclosure: Probably Steuben’s plan for preventing desertion, printed below at end of...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Gideon Johnston, 18 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
York, 18 Dec. 1780. Acted as brigade quartermaster to the troops which marched south under Col. Porterfield last May, “and some time after was ordered to Virginia to receive and forward on the necessary Cloathing for the Regiment of State Artillery, in which I have the honour to hold a Captain’s Commission.” Is deeply concerned that he will not be able to serve much longer “except I can be...
16From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 18 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Favour of the 11. The Inclosures I have packed with my Dispatches, and the Duplicate of Mr. Amorys, to go by the first opportunity. Sir Joseph will kick, and cuff and pinch this People untill he forces into them a little Spunk. They cry shame upon his last Memorial more than the former. However I believe he knows enough of the nature of them, to answer his End, which I...
17From John Jay to Robert Morris, 18 December 1780 (Jay Papers)
As I have lately written by different vessels to Congress, and my Friends, among whom I always reckon you. My chief Inducement at present is to commit the inclosed to your Care and to request the Favor of you to forward them. No Letters from America of later date than July have reached me, indeed I have had the Pleasure of receiving only one from you since we parted. Some were probably carried...
18From Thomas Jefferson to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 18 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai pris les informations nécessaires pour connoitre les rades d’ou les vaisseaux de guerre François qu’on stationneroit cet hiver dans notre Baye pourroient proteger le plus efficacement son commerce, etre le plus en sureté et avoir la meilleure retraite. Celles d’ Hampton et d’ York sont les seules qui commandent l’entrée de la Chesapeak; aucun vaisseau ne peut y pénétrer sans être vu de...
19From Thomas Jefferson to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 18 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have made the necessary enquiry as to the place where any armed vessels, which the minister of France shoud think proper to have wintered in our bay, might cover its trade, be safest, and have the most secure retreat. Hampton road and york town are the only ports from which a view of the entrance into the bay is commanded. No vessel can pass up it without being seen from either of these...
20Thomas Jefferson to Virginia Delegates in Congress, 18 December 1780 (Madison Papers)
Translation (Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation). Jefferson’s original letter is probably not extant. This French version, translated and copied by a person or persons unknown, was in all likelihood sent from Philadelphia on 2 January 1781 by the Chevalier de La Luzerne in his letter to Chevalier Charles René D. S. Destouches, who commanded the French fleet at Newport, Rhode Island, after...