1To John Adams from Jean de Neufville & Fils, 26 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
May it please yoúr Excellency that we thank her for the most kind reception I had the honoúr to meet with. I am sorry my time is so múch taken úp in this moment that I could not make my visit longer and accept of the honoúr offerd me; there is no news aboút the loan; I am very much pleased Yoúr Excellency is so indifferent aboút it for the present, as I can scarcely doúbt it will do in good...
2From George Washington to John Armstrong, 26 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 8th from Carlisle came to me safe, as did the letter alluded to in it; which I should have thanked you for long ’ere this if the public business in which, I am engaged wd yield obedience to my inclination, & indulge me more frequently in the gratification of an epistolary & pleasing intercourse with my friends—I received with much pleasure the acct of your recovered health,...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Certain County Magistrates, 26 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. John Brown who is principally entrusted with the execution of the provision law was some time ago instructed to appoint a Deputy in each County, who among other articles of Duty should be directed to receive the Waggon to be furnished by his County under the Act of Assembly for supplying the Army with Clothes, Provisions, and Waggons. He informs the Board that many of those appointments...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Certain Other County Magistrates, 26 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. John Brown &c (as in the preceding letter to the word waggons). He has accordingly appointed to be his Deputy in your County to whom you will be pleased to order the Delivery of the waggon, Team, Driver, and Appendages to be furnished by you. The same Deputy is duly authorized to call for the Beeves to be furnished by your County, at such Time as will be arranged between Mr. Brown and his...
5From Thomas Jefferson to the Commissioners of the Tax for Albemarle County, 26 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The law requiring that the tobacco notes received by you in payment of the two per cent. tax, under the act of October 1780, for recruiting our quota of continental troops, should be transmitted to the Executive, you will be pleased to transmit them accordingly, so soon as they shall be received, the tobacco being much, and immediately wanted, to provide clothing for the soldiers. Any...
6From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants, 26 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I INCLOSE you by express, three acts of the last session of Assembly for ascertaining the number of militia in the state; exempting artificers employed at iron works from militia duty, and remedying the inconveniencies arising from the interruption of the draught and the procuring clothes, provisions, and waggons for the army. WE expect to send a vessel shortly with a flag, from this place to...
7From John Christian Senf, with Jefferson’s Instructions to William Davies, 26 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
By our present Situation Your Excellency will find it highly Necessary, that all kind of Intrenching Tools, as well for the defensive as offensive Operations, should be got immediatly ready. I take therefore the Liberty to propose what Kind and Quantity of Tools [there] may be Occasion for, 800 Spades 400 Common Axes 200 Broad and Grubbing Hoes 100 Pick Axes 300 Fashine Knifes and smal...
8[From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, with Reply, 26 March 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 26 Mch. 1781 . Minute in War Office Journal (Vi) under this date: “A letter from the Governor respecting the discharge of soldiers for six months, who have no Certificate, nor Witnesses to prove the expiration of their terms of service; and requesting some general plan to be proposed for the regulation of such cases. Answer returned. That in such cases, their oath should be...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 26 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous ecris cette lettre pour vous dire combien je m’amuse a Geneve parceque Mr Marignac a loué une petite campagne près de la ville d’ou nous venons tous les matins pour aller au college et nous nous en retournons tous les soirs et nous y couchons mais une chose qui me fait bien de la peine c’est que la foire na pas eu lieu a cause des affaires de Genève...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Neave and Son, 26 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is with the greatest Reluctance that we trouble your Excellency with our Distress’d situation, but as it is likely to become Worse every day unless we can Obtain some Credit or releif, we hope you will excuse us.— When we had the Honour to see you last March, we beg’d the favor of you to Interfere so far between us & Mr. Wharton, that he might be...
11To Benjamin Franklin from John MacMahon and the Chevalier de Kéralio, 26 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society L’Excellent docteur Mac-mahon et Le chr. de Keralio présentent leurs tendres hommages à monsieur Franklin, et lui demandent, s’il veut leur donner à diner Vendredi ou Samedi prochain./. For Dr. MacMahon see XXV , 4n.
12To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Hanson Harrison, 26 March 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
I came here, My Dear Hamilton, on Friday night to bid adieu to the General, to you and to My other Friends as a military man, and regret much that I have not had the happiness of seeing you. Tomorrow I am obliged to depart, and it is possible our separation may be for ever. But be this as it may, it can only be with respect to our persons, for as to affection, mine for You will continue to my...
13From Benjamin Franklin to John Hancock, 26 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress I am requested by some Friends of much Consideration in this Country, to recommend to your Excellency’s Protection Messrs. Galatheau & Compere who go over in the Ship Marquis de la Fayette, with a Power of Attorney to call to Account Messrs Peurien & La Fitte of Salem, for a Cargo intrusted with them by Messrs. Barran, Merchants of Bordeaux. Nothing is desired...
14From George Washington to William Heath, 26 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I recollect there was a Gun Boat employed on the River, which was withdrawn at the setting in of Winter, and which is again necessary for the same service, I wish therefore you would have it refitted, & stationed as formerly, for the same purposes. In answer to your Letter of the 25th respecting inoculation, you will be pleased to observe; it was under the idea of the New Hampshire Troops...
15From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 26 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The appointment of Commissioner to the War Office of this State having lately become vacant, the Executive are desirous to place Colo. William Davies of the Virga. Continentals in that office. This Gentleman however declines undertaking it unless his rank in the army, half pay for life, land and allowance for depreciation of pay can be reserved to him; observing with justice that these...
16To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 26 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to represent to your Excellency the absolute necessity of appointing one of the officers of the new state regiment to do the duty of Town major at this place. It is impossible for the duties of this office to be done without confusion, if the Commissioner’s attention is perpetually distracted with orders for provision for this man, and rum for another, and a pair of shoes for a...
17To Thomas Jefferson from John McCoy, 26 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
To permit me to Adress you on a Subject which I do with the utmost Reluctancey Considring what a Situation our Country is in. But nature prevails over evrey Effort to the Contrary of being able to undergo the fatigues of a Campaign. Therefor I humbly Adress you hoping that you would give me leave to Resign my Commission as a Captain in this County Militia which I have held for the space of...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Barron, 26 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
This morning Came to our Bay 15 or Sixteen Sail more vessells which make thirty some odd which I suppose to be all British. They all lay at ancor Near the Cape they might have got up this morning but Lay fast. There is one Ship Coming up with a Whit flag at her Fore Top mast head but What She is I know not but Suppose her to be British. We have no accounts what they are but Conjecter them to...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 26 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose to your Excellency an extract of a letter from Colonel Carrington to me dated the 19th. Instant at the Southern Army, respecting the Wagons to come from the different Counties in this State. Frequent representations of one thing, I have no doubt, is disagreable to your Excellency, but the duty which I owe to my Country and to my office, compel me to it. I beg...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, 26 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 26 Mch. 1781 . Enclosing resolve of Congress of 24 Mch. and acknowledging TJ’s letters of 8 , 19 , and 21 Mch. , with “the Papers to which they refer.” RC ( Vi ); 2 p.; endorsed. FC ( DLC : PCC , No. 15). Enclosure ( Vi ): Resolve of Congress of 24 Mch. 1781 authorizing and requesting the executive of Virginia “to appoint suitable persons to settle the accounts of Colo. Wood...
21To Thomas Jefferson from Christian Febiger, 26 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
When Colo. Benjn. Harrison was at this place he inform’d me that he had obtain’d an Order for 5 Tons of powder for our State, his leaving this before I had Time to Know where to gett it or to whom to consign it delayd the Bussiness Some. Haveing procur’d Waggons I obtain’d a new Order from the Board of War and send by the Bearer Mr. John Macklinn W: C: 50 Single Barreles of Cannon powder being...
22To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 26 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am this moment informed of the return of the English Fleet into Lynhaven Bay in the night of the 24th. and that this morning Eighteen sail now arrived and Joined them. It is very probable the last are Transports with the Reinforcements expected from New York. When the Express came from Hampton one Ship was under way coming up to Hampton Road. The Wind has not been fair today for the Vessells...
23From John Jay to John Laurens, 26[–28] March 1781 (Jay Papers)
The Arrival of the Alliance has relieved your Friends from the anxieties occasioned by the Reports of your having sailed in the Shelaly who has long been missing. I sincerely congratulate you and my Country on your being now safe at the place of your Destination, and be assured of my warmest wishes for your becoming as much distinguished in the Cabinet as you have been in the Field. Rely on,...
24To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 26 March 1781 (Madison Papers)
Tr ( LC : Force Transcripts). Docketed, “Edmund Pendleton to James Madison.” Another copy is printed in the Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society , 2d ser., XIX (1905), 125–26. I have yr favr of the 13th which announces Mr Jones’s intention of coming to Virginia; so that you will have for a time at least, the whole burthen of my Correspondence on your hands, as I am in this...
25From Thomas Jefferson to George Lee Turberville, 26 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
In order that you may know fully how far and in what instances the Executive thought the measures you took with respect to the flag, Mr. Hare, and Major General Baron Steuben, improper, and what has passed from the Executive on that Subject, I inclose you extracts from two letters written, the one to Baron Steuben, the other to Marquis la Fayette. You will observe that the acts particularized...
26Thomas Jefferson to Virginia Delegates, 26 March 1781 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Written by a clerk. I beg leave to ask your Sollicitations with Congress for Permission to Colo. William Davies of the Virginia line to accept an Appointment to the War Office of this State without prejudice to his rank and right to half-pay for life, Lands, and Depreciation of pay. I am in Hopes it will be the more easily obtained as by the Discontinuance of...
27From Thomas Jefferson to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 26 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg Leave to ask your Sollicitations with Congress for Permission to Colo. William Davies of the Virginia line to accept an Appointment to the War Office of this State without prejudice to his rank and right to half-pay for life, Lands, and Depreciation of pay. I am in Hopes it will be the more easily obtained as by the Discontinuance of appointing full Colonels in the Army Officers of that...
28To George Washington from Henry Babcock, 26 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I hope your Excellency is arrived safe at your Head Quarters in Windsor—Last Wednesday a British Officer (who was in Newport in Disguise when Your Excellency was there, and had a Party in Connecticut to have seized you, and carried You Prisoner to long Island) was carried by a whale Boat from Groton to long Island: the Persons who carried the British Officer over, were pursued by two of our...
29To George Washington from William Heath, 26 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your’s of this date. I ordered the gun-boat fitted some ten or twelve days since and sent her to the water guard, with instructions to Capt. Pray to make use of her where she would be most serviceable for the protection of the guard boats—to keep a look-out, &c. I do not know particularly how she was employed or stationed the last year; if differently from what I have...
30To George Washington from Edward Hand, 26 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
It appears that when an Invalid Corps was formed it was intended to answer a Twofold purpose—vizt. To Afford a comfortable Maintenance to men who by Wounds received or Disorders contracted in the Service were rendered for ever incapable of serving in the Field or gaining a Livelyhood if discharged the Service entirely; and as a Nursery for the Reception and Instruction of Recruits destined for...