11To Thomas Jefferson from James Innes, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Having received Intelligence last Evening that the Enemy were moving up Chickahominy River Road with an Intention to attempt a Stroke at the Party under my Command, and had actually advanced so far up as to be able to compel me to give them Action on the most disadvantageous Terms, should I endeavour to retreat by the Way of New Kent Court house. In this Situation, encumbered as my Line was by...
12Enclosure: Draft of an Article, 23 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
It is often Said in this Country, “We have nothing to gain by this War.” But who is to gain? If Holland has nothing to gain, it has much to loose, and the Question now is not what is to be gained, but was it to be Saved and defended. This Republick, may loose all her Possessions in the East and West Indies: she may loose her Navigation and Commerce: she may loose her Baltick Trade: her...
13From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the pleasure yesterday to receive your favor of the 17th. inst. and am very happy that the Southern States are to have the Benefit of your Aid. On the 18th. inst. the enemy came from Portsmouth &c. (as in the following Letter to the President of Congress to the words Little River on the 11th.) We still consider his [Greene’s] as the interesting Scene of action to us. As long as we can...
14From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 23 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge, & thank you for your favor of the 16th which covered a Letter from the Marqs de la Fayette dated the 30th of Jany. That letter does not contain any News of considerable moment relative to public affairs—Altho’ the Marquis does not pretend to speak of the plan of the Campaign; his sentiments in general appear to be—That Britain will make a desperate effort to prosecute...
15To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 23 April 1781 (Madison Papers)
Tr ( LC : Force Transcripts). Endorsed, “Edmund Pendleton to James Madison.” Another copy is printed in the Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society , 2d ser., XIX (1905), 129. Since my last nothing material has come to my knowledge, the Fleet up Potowmack proved as I expected a mere plundering party, or if they meant any thing hostile against Alexandria or Fredericksburg, they were...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel McDowell, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letter of the 20th. has been considered by the Board. We are exceedingly sorry that the Militia Service of necessity falls so heavily on the Citizens of our State and would gladly embrace every Opportunity of relaxing it. All we can do however is to keep the Burthen as equal as possible on all the Counties. We keep an Account of all the Tours required by us and the proportions of Men; On...
17From John Jay to Charles Thomson, 23 April 1781 (Jay Papers)
On the 30 th . January last I had the Pleasure of rec g . your very acceptable Letter of the 12 Octob. 1780. The able manner in which it treats the important Subject of american Finances, induced me to give that Part of it to the Minister, and to send a Copy of the same Extract to D r . Franklin, who in his Answer says, “I thank you for communicating to me the Letter of the Secretary of...
18To George Washington from Henry Knox, 23 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Mr Ruddock, Deputy Commissary of Military Stores, at Fishkill, has handed me an order from the board of war, for discontinuing the post at Fishkill, so far as it relates to the department of the Commissary General of Military Stores, dismissing the said Mr Ruddock and all the Officers under him, and ordering all the military stores in his possession to be delivered to the D.Q. Master of the...
19From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 23 Apr. 1781 . This letter is identical with TJ’s letter to Samuel Huntington of this date except that it lacks the postscript. RC ( DLC : Washington Papers); 3 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by TJ; endorsed: “Richmond 23d. April 1781 from Governor Jefferson. Ansd. 16 May.” FC ( Vi ). Tr ( DLC ). Printed in HAW Henry A. Washington, ed., The Writings of Thomas Jefferson , Washington,...
20To George Washington from William Heath, 23 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed is this moment put into my hand. While your Excellency is with the army, I think it improper for me to grant warrants impress—I therefore beg leave to submit the necessity of an impress warrant being granted for the purposes within mentioned. The case, most certainly, is very urgent. I have the honor to be With the greatest respect, Your Excellency’s Most obedient servant, DNA :...