1To George Washington from John Arbuthnot, 21 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
If I had not been very busy when I Received your Letter dated the 25th of January last, complaining of the treatment of the Naval Prisoners at this place, I certainly should have Answered it before this time; And Notwithstanding I then thought, as I now do, that my own Testimony would have been sufficient to have put the truth past a doubt, I ordered the strictest Scrutiny to be made into the...
2To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 21 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society From Bilboa by a vessel arrived from Salem they have receivd advice that the L’Eveilée Capt De Thilly fell in with the Romulus of 44 Guns with a Convoy consisting of 20 Transports bound from New York to the Assistance of Arnold. The accounts differ in the Number of Troops on board some mention 6000 others five hundred, 1200 suits Cloathing, Arms, and a...
3To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, with Reply, 21 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I need not represent to your Excellency the insecurity of this place. We never can proceed with any degree of certainty in any of our public works while the enemy command the rivers. The state of our arms requires security to the workmen from alarms, and I am confident we shall never be able to get them repaired, unless some buildings are prepared for them in a safe place above the falls. I...
4To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 21 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Col. Th. M. Randolph has a large flat or lighter, which he tells me can go sixteen miles above his house . It would carry off a great deal of stores if we had it, and I am very apprehensive without it we shall lose a great deal. I am but little acquainted with him, otherwise should make the request myself. I would therefore submit it to your Excellency whether you would think it proper to...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Dick, 21 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Fredericksburg, 21 Apr. 1781 . Wrote “About 3 Weeks ago … for a Sum of Money to be brought me for the Use of the Factory by Capt. Peter Minor, who has been some time return’d and brings me no Answer about it. My Credit, Word, Honour and every thing mortal can do will not hold out longer with the people unless I am supported with Money. And it is Amazing the quantity of Arms old and New have...
6William Ellzey’s Certification of Charles Lee to Practise in the County Courts, [21 April 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
At the request of His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esqr. Governor of Virginia I have examined Charles Lee Esqr. touching his Capacity abilities and fitness to practice as an Attorney in the County Courts and do find him fitly qualified to practice in such Courts. Certified under my hand this 21st. day of April 1781. MS ( Vi ); in Ellzey’s hand, endorsed in a later hand: “1781 April 21....
7From Benjamin Franklin to Huquier, 21 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Monsieur, les deux Lettres que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire. J’aurois repondu immediatement à la premiere si je n’avois pas cru que la seule Demande de M. Williams suffiroit pour rétirer de chèz vous les Objets que j’y avois adressés pour lui suivant ses Ordres mais comme cela ne vous paroit pas ainsi, Je vous prie par la presente de vouloir bien...
8From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 21 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress Agreable to my Faith I have obtain’d a Promise of Money sufficient to pay the Bills you have accepted and shall accordingly accept those you draw on me for that purpose. I request only that you would send me immediately a List of the Bills, and of the Times of their becoming due, that I may be always provided, and that as the...
9From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 21 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: Library of Congress I received your favour of the 12th. Instant inclosing the Bills for 4444 Dollars. As it clearly expresses that it is drawn on public Account, and not on the private Accot. of Mr. Laurens, I have no scruple against paying it with the Approbation of his Son, tho’ not endors’d by him. I enclose that Approbation, with a little Instrument which I request you would...
10To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 21 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
Agreable to my Faith I have obtain’d a Promise of Money sufficient to pay the Bills you have accepted, and shall accordingly accept those you draw on me for that purpose. I request only that you would send me immediately a List of the Bills, and of the Times of their becoming due, that I may be always provided, and that as the Money will come gradually into my hands, you would not draw upon me...
11To George Washington from Lewis Garanger, 21 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have waited a long time for a favourable moment to be employed in the corps of artillery of the united states in the rank and under the conditions agreed upon between Mr Deare and Mr du Coudray, in the hope that it might take place without exciting any discontent among the artillery officers: but the operations which I have been in the last instance charged to execute in concert with some of...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Harrison, [21 April 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
The Bearer Mr. Acrill Cocke this moment inform’d me that about three hundred of the Enemy are landed at Sandy Point, that three Square rigg’d vessels and two Sloops had got up to that place and that he saw one other coming up. I am with great respect Your most obedt Servt, RC ( PU ); addressed: “His Excellency The Governor Richmond Express”; endorsed: “B. Harrison’s Lre April 21st 1781.” The...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Harrison, [21? April 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
The main body of the enemy are landed at Mrs. Morecock’s in this country at the mouth of Chickahominy, supposed to be about twelve hundred. Their object I suppose to be the ships in that river. They came up in the night in about twenty flat-bottomed boats covered by a ship and a brig. I am &c. Tr ( NHi ); in TJ’s hand, headed: “Copy of a letter from Colo. B. Harrison of Chas. City.”
14To Thomas Jefferson from William Hay, 21 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am this Moment favoured with a Letter from Mr. Nicolson from Fredricksburg containing very agreeable Intelligence of which the following is an Extract, “By a Gentleman immedeatly from Philada. we have the Agreeable Information of the Arrival of the second Division of the French Fleet off the Capes of Delaware consisting of 9 sail of the Line and 7 Frigates. They were spoke with by a Brig...
15To Thomas Jefferson from William Hay, 21 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 21 Apr. 1781 . Difficulties of Hay’s brother, whose rheumatism prevents him from paying “the least attention to his Bussiness” and whose “two Store Boys are now under Marching Orders, so that his Store with a large Quantity of Goods must be left to the Mercy of the Negroes &c. … Among the Goods now in the Store there is at least One hundred Pieces of Sail Duck of the best Quality...
16To George Washington from William Heath, 21 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your two favors of the 20th. I am informed that twelve or thirteen men have deserted from the light infantry—but few of them have come to their regiments. It is generally thought, that such as have not come in are lurking in the vicinity of the post to hear how those who have come in are treated. The subaltern who was with Captain Pope and who had the immediate charge...
17To George Washington from Hugh Hughes, 21 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour to Inclose your Excellency the Knife you sent me. If the Point is not agreeable, it shall be alter’d whenever your Excellency is pleased to order it back. Permit me to assure you that I have not been inattentive to the accommodation of your lady or self. I sent to Hartford in order to know if a Fare of Salmon could be had, and was inform’d that none could be procured on...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, 21 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The United States in Congress assembled, deeming it proper and necessary to communicate to their Constituents in the several States, as fully as can be done, a proper Representation of their national Affairs, the Amount of the public Debts due from the United States, together with the Estimates for the current Year; having examined and agreed to the Report of their Committee on that Subject of...
19To Thomas Jefferson from James Innes, 21 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
About 3 oClock Yesterday the Enemy landed at Burwell’s Ferry 500 Infantry 50 Horse and 4 Peices Artillery, which with a seeming Intention of landing in force at Jamestown or on some part of the River above us, obliged us to evacuate the Town, and move up to Allens Ordinary six Miles above, about 12 o’Clock in the Night. Major Armistead with 150 Men and Capt. Kelly with 50 Riflemen were ordered...
20From John Jay to Samuel Huntington, 21 April 1781 (Jay Papers)
Accept my Thanks for your Favor of the 18 Dec r . which was delivered to me on the 13 th . of March last— I am happy to hear that your Health permits you ^ still ^ to continue in your import in the Chair and to sustain the Weight of Business which the Duties of that office impose upon you. We have within these five Days The ^ interesting ^ news of Gen Morgans ^ glorious
21From Thomas Jefferson to William Preston, 21 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 13th. is come duly to Hand. We consent to the dividing your Militia into two battalions and will send you Commissions for a second Set of field Officers whenever you will forward to me the Courts Recommendations. Having been obliged by a movement of the Enemy up James River to pack up all our papers for removal, I am unable to send you the blank Commissions desired. They...
22From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 21 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letters No. 1. are this moment come to hand. The public stores at this place are almost wholly removed and by this evening will be as high as the Manakin town ferry. The heavy cannon are still here. I understand the Henrico militia will be in to day. I believe I mentioned in my letter of this morning that those of Powhatan would be at Manchester to day, with a part of Capt....
23From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Wooding, 21 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Prisoners of war should properly come addressed to yourself as County Lieutenant, the office of guarding and conducting them being of a military and not civil nature. I shall therefore be glad you would always receive them, from either the person who brings them, or from the Sheriff, or other to whom they are delivered and send them on under a proper Guard to Winchester and not to...
24From Thomas Jefferson to James Innes, 21 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Within an hour after receiving your first Notification that the enemy were in movement we issued orders to the Militia of the Counties of Chesterfield, Prince George, Dinwiddie, Powhatan, Goochland, Hanover and Henrico to assemble immediately every Man able to bear Arms, and one half of those of Amelia and Cumberland and to bring with them the best Arms they had. They were to rendezvous at...
25From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 21 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I was informed by a reputable man this afternoon that he saw about 300 of the enemy land this morning at Sandy point. He said that 25 of our guard had crossed the river there last night and carried their boats up a creek on the opposite side: and that the 25 which remained on this side retreated. Since this the inclosed letter has come to hand. This account and Colo. Innes’s cannot both be...
26From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 21 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of inclosing you a letter from Colo. Innes this moment come to hand. The circumstance of their halting under a favorable tide seems to shew their destination to be Williamsburg, and that the putting their men into boats is not merely a feint. I am told the Powhatan militia will be at Manchester to-day. Also that a part of Capt. Mosby’s new raised cavalry will be there. It is...
27From Thomas Jefferson to John Syme, 21 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Question you propose, whether the second Set of Field Officers be discontinued on the Reduction of the numbers of your Militia below the legal Number for two Battalions is really difficult. We certainly shall not give any new Commissions after this, but whether the former ones are vacated or we the proper Judges to determine on it we cannot at present say. Any Militia necessary for the...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 21 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
My Last Letter to Your Excellency Having Acquainted You of Our Preparations to Return to the Southward, and Having Also Mentionned the Reasons which in the present danger Urge me to Hasten By forced Marches to the Support of Virginia, I will only Add that We Came in two days from our Encampement Near Baltimore to this place and intend Setting out to Morrow for frederik Burg. Our Baggage,...
29To George Washington from Richard Peters, 21 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Friends of Capt. James Willing are pressing to have him exchanged & his long Sufferings entitle him to it. He is not in our Department & we are told holds only the Rank of Captain & that of an armed Boat. The Enemy have conceived him to be of so much Consequence as to claim a Lieut. Colonel for him. This seems un r easonable but there is a Lieut. Col. Rogers in the State Prison at...
30To George Washington from Friedrich Adolph von Riedesel, 21 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Several German Officers of the Convention of Saratoga having applied to me to be exchanged on account of their particular private affairs, I made a requisition accordingly to Major General Phillips to propose such an Exchange to Your Excellency, and in answer to my request General Phillips communicated to me Your letter of the 25th of January to His Excellency Sir Henry Clinton, in which the...