1Virginia Delegates to Thomas Jefferson, 3 April 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by Theodorick Bland and signed by JM and Bland. Bland inadvertently dated it “1771” rather than 1781. Addressed to “His Excelly Thos. Jefferson Esqr. Govr of the State of Virginia” and franked by Bland. Docketed by a clerk, “James Madison’s Ltr April 12th. 1781.” We have been favord with Your Excellencys enclosing a State of the affair between Mr. Nathan...
2George Mason to Virginia Delegates, 3 and 20 April 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Although “Duplicate” was written by Mason at the top of the first sheet of his three-page letter, this copy is obviously the one received by the delegates. On the cover is written, “Colchester Way—The Honble the Virginia Delegates in Congress. Per Post. Philadelphia.” Colchester, fronting Occoquan Creek, was the post-road village (no longer extant) near Mason’s...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Campbell, 3 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am under the necessity from my own feelings to inform your Exelency of the destressed situation of the Soldiers in my Regiment for want of Cloathing. When I martched from the State of Virga. to join the Army I received a Pare of Overalls for Each Soldier, made of Ozenbrigs which did not last them more than two or three Weeks, and also a shirt for Each Soldier which are intirely worn out and...
4From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 3 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
In my Letter of the 31st Ulto I informed Your Excellency, that there had been an Action between General Greene and Lord Cornwallis on the 15th of March; the particulars of which had not then been received. I have now the honor of enclosing the Copy of a Letter from Major General Greene, in which he gives the circumstances of that Engagement in detail: from this, and other Accounts, I cannot...
5From Thomas Jefferson to J. P. G. Muhlenberg, 3 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Men under your Command who have been in the field from the beginning of the Invasion, having served a Tour of Duty unusually long, I am anxious to have them satisfied of the Accidents which have as yet prevented their relief. Others would have been ordered into their places long e’re this, had it not been for the enterprize meditated against Portsmouth. The changing the whole Militia was...
6From Edward Hand to Edward Antill, 3 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have it in Command from his Excelly to inform you it is his pleasure that the Non Commission’d Officiers and private men of Capt. Antoine Selin’s Company be incorporated with Colo. Hazen’s Regiment—before the incorporation takes place I think you will do well to have a State of the Accots of the Company signed by Capt. Selin and the men themselves. I am Sir with Regard & Esteem Yr Obedt Hble...
7To George Washington from Philip John Schuyler, 3 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s obliging favor of the 23d of last month, I had the pleasure to receive on the 31st following. It was exceedingly mortifying to me, that the Senate was so thin of members, when Your Lady honored us with a visit, that my attendance could not be dispensed with, even for a day, I was consequently deprived of Affording that Attention, which inclination, esteem and the most...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Alexander Spotswood, 3 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I came home, I have contracted with a workman For 1200 Catridge Boxes and 1200 Bayonet Belts For the use of the two Legions now raising , each Box to carry 33 Rounds, and to be Fixed, (as well as the belts) in the same manner, as those of the brittish. The price agreed on, is 15s/ hard money or the exchange, For each box and belt. In 1776 the Same workman received From the state, 20s/...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Peter Wagener, 3 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
When the Enemy’s Vessels were cruising up and down Potow-mac the defenceless situation of the Town of Alexandria induced me, at the particular request of the Inhabitants of the said Town and County to apply to the Governor of Maryland for the loan of some arms and ammunition. His Excellency was pleased to lend us two barrels of Gun powder and two nine pounders, which we have got from Anapolis...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Taylor, 3 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The German Troops arrived here the 5th ultimo, and Col. Wood set out that evening from hence to Philadelphia and has not yet returned. On receiving your letter by the Dragoon , I sent an Officer to the County Lieutenant of Frederick in Maryland, to have a Guard, Waggons &c. ready to proceed with the Troops from Potowmack. He informed me they should be ready this day, and I marched the 31st...
11To Thomas Jefferson from George Weedon, 3 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I was honor’d with your Excellencys dispatches last Night and shall forward those intended for the Flag Ship this Morning. The only certain intelligence from Portsmouth came from Genl: Muhlenburg to my Hands last Evening. The General has had a confidential in Town for some time who sends him the enclosed, which account seems to corroborate that of Capt. Ross’s with respect to the...
12To John Adams from Jean de Neufville & Fils, 3 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
May it please Yoúr Excellency; to receive with the assúrance of oúr most respectfúll regard, the compliments of Mr. Ch. H Themmen of Groninqúe, who charged ús there with in a Letter; and promises to procúre ús by his frend a packet for Yoúr Excellency, which Mr. Francis Dana from Paris charged ús to forward; whe shall comply there with the moment we receive it; it hath been left as Mr. Themmen...
13To Thomas Jefferson from the Rev. James Madison, 3 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your Favour to Day , and am sorry I cannot return a positive Answer. It would give me real Satisfaction to contribute in the least towards the Service of the Public, but many unfortunate Circumstances operate strongly against the present Undertaking. The Vicinity of the Enemy, my Engagements at College, and add to this, my real poverty which will not admit of my procuring the...
14From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 3 April 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esqr. Governor of Virginia” and franked by JM. Docketed, “Madison Jas April 3. 1781,” by Jefferson. I have received your favor of the 23d of March. The publication of which you wish to have a copy for your private use is not yet finished; as soon as it is I shall take care to provide one for you. I have repeatedly...
15To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 3 April 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I arrived here the 7th. day after my departure from Philadelphia. the sanguine hopes entertained before I set out of taking Arnold and his party at Portsmouth, lessened as I advanced and at length were entirely lost by certain information that the British Fleet were in the Bay after engaging that of the French off the Capes. The issue of the conflict has been...
16From Thomas Jefferson to the Auditors, 3 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The board would recommend to the Auditors whenever accounts of the deficiencies of bounty, and orders for them for the new levies are produced as directed by law, that warrants should not be staid because the tobacco notes are not sent, as the men are extremely wanting. RC ( Vi ); endorsed: “Apr. 1781. Recommendation from the Executive respectg Bounties.”
17Report and Remarks, 3 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Report of a Committee of Congress, with General Washington’s remarks, at their request. Report. 1st That Battalion promotions in the Infantry to the Rank of Commanding Officer inclusive, where such Battalion is annexed to any State shall be in the line of such State. Remarks. 1st. Approved. Report 2d. That in Regiments of Infantry not annexed to any particular States, promotions to the Rank of...
18General Orders, 3 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
A detachment of ten Blacksmiths, ten Carpenters and ten wheelwrights from Colonel Baldwin’s regiment to repair to the Park of Artillery and take their orders from Brigadier General Knox—If the number of wheelwrights cannot be procured the deficiency is to be made up in Carpenters. The whole of the Brigade Inspectors are desired to meet the Adjutant General at Westpoint at half after twelve ô...
19To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 3 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s Letter of the 29th ulto by which I see that you could receive only the day after, the intelligence of the return of our fleet. Your Excellency must have received since a Letter of mine, under date of the 31st in which I told you, (After having resumed all that had been said here in your presence) the motion which it would be possible for the french army to...
20William Phillips to J. P. G. Muhlenberg, 3 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had reported to me by Brigadier General Arnold that he has made several overtures to the Officers in command of the American troops for an exchange of the Prisoners of War made by the British and American Forces in Virginia, but that these humane propositions have been evaded, counteracted and refused upon various pretences, that notwithstanding General Arnold allowed a number of...
21To Thomas Jefferson from the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 3 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
We have been favord with Your Excellencys enclosing a State of the affair between Mr. Nathan and the Commonwealth of Virginia which we are endeavoring to put in train for a decision on the Principles you have been pleased to direct, the event of which Your Excellency shall be informd of as soon as tis decided. The Unfortunate consequences which have attended the Naval engagement of Chesapeake...
22From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 3 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
No term having been fixed by the Executive for the Service of the Militia, I do not know whence it could have been collected that it was within ten days of expiring. Nevertheless it is most certain that they would have been relieved long e’er this had it not been for the enterprize meditated against Portsmouth. It was thought too dangerous to change the whole Body of Militia at the critical...
23From Thomas Jefferson to George Weedon, 3 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I stated to you in a former letter the Militia ordered into service to relieve those who had been so long in the feild. They were directed to rendezvous at Williamsburg, but as the Boats have been since ordered up to the Sandy Point, and may perhaps be again shifted, I refer to you the propriety of lodging orders at proper places on the Roads to turn them off from the rout they will be...