1John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 1 September 1781 (Adams Papers)
We arrived here on Monday the 16/27 instant having left Amsterdam the N.S. 7th of July And rode the greatest part of the way day and night. The distance is about 2400 English Miles. The first place of any consequence we stopp’d at was Berlin the capital of the king of Prussia’s Dominions; this is a very pretty town, much more so than Paris, or London as Mr. Dana says; but it will be still more...
We had the pleasure to receive several letters from you before we left St. E– the contents of which were properly attended to, our answers have good reason to think did not reach you. Since that period our sufferings have been very great, but for prudential reasons must be silent thereon. Beg to refer you to Mr. Jno. Witherspoon, who take the liberty of introducing to you. With the greatest...
3From George Washington to Henry Clinton, 1 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
In Compliance to a Resolution of Congress, I take the Liberty to inclose to you Copies of 16 setts of Bills of Exchange drawn by British Officers while Prisoners within these States, in Payment of the allowance of two dollars per week allowed them by Congress—which Bills have been protested & remain yet unpaid, in Consequence of Orders given by the Officers for that purpose—as appears from the...
4From George Washington to David Forman, 1 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 31st was handed to me by the Express at 8 o clock this Morning. I thank you again for your unwearied attention in communicating with so much rapidity the advices you receive of the Enemy’s Movements. A report is circulated that some Land forces arrived in the fleet from the West Indies; I could wish that matter to be ascertained, as also whether any Troops sailed with the...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Charlotte de Cheminot, 1 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Cest avec reconnoissance que je recois la grace que vous me faite, en axceptant ma soupe pour samedy 8 du courant avec monsieur votre fils, qui comblera lhoneur que vous me faite, mais plus ce plaisir me tient a coeur, et plus je craint que mr Keay nay mal entendue, pour quil ny ay aucune meprisse, veülliez bien monsieur men assurer par un oui qui me...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Grand, [September 1781?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr Grand presente Son Respect à monsieur franklin & le prie de Vouloir bien mettre Sa Signature en Blanc au dos de cette traitte. Le porteur en la rapportant pourra lui donner des nouvelles de la Santé de Mr. franklin le fils. Addressed: a monsieur / monsieur Franklin / à Passy In whose hand the letter is written. A surmise based on Grand’s concern for the...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 1 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I hope you will not think me troublesome by requesting you to forward the Inclosed to Mr de Fleury with a short Letter informing him who I am and your Opinion of my Capacity & Probity.— I have the maintenance of my Family to think off and I wish by my own Labours to rise in the World. It is not therefore extraordinary that I should seize every Occasion...
8From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 1 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have this Moment received the inclosed Information of the Movement of the British Fleet—And as I view it a Matter of the greatest Moment that the French Admirals should have the earliest Intelligence I have made no delay to comunicate it to you. Our Troops are proceeding with as much Dispatch as possible In our Circumstances—the Van is beginning to arrive at this Place & the whole will...
9From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 1 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Brigadier General Duportail has very earnestly solicited the exchange of Colos Laumois and Cambray of the Corps of Engineers who were taken prisoners at Charles Town upon the principal of the utility which they would be of to the southward should we carry on any operations in that Quarter—Altho I am impressed with the truth of Genl Duportails observation upon this matter I cannot without...
10From John Jay to Robert Morris, 1 September 1781 (Jay Papers)
Major Franks arrived here last Evening. I have not yet got thro the Dispatches he brought. I have read sufficient however to percieve that I am soon to have the Pleasure of writing long Letters to Congress & yourself. I shall dispatch the Major as soon as possible— I cannot say precisely when, because it will depend in some Measure on others. N o . 1— The bills on me [Far] exceed the Funds for...
11To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 1 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
From the Bottom of My Heart I Congratulate you upon the Arrival of the French Fleet—Some Rumors Had Been spread, and spy accounts sent out—But no Certainty untill the Admiral’s dispatches Came to Hand—Inclosed I send you His letter and that of Mis. de St Simon Both of whom I Request you will Have translated By Tilmangh or Gouvion alone as there are parts of them personal which I do not choose...
12To George Washington from William Heath, 1 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Little of consequence has transpired since your departure. Some parties of the enemy have come out towards the plains, and some few shot have been exchanged between patroling parties. Yesterday we made a grand forage down to the Plains—the troops are not expected back till this afternoon, therefore have it not in my power to report whether they met with opposition or not. The militia are...
13To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 1 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was the last Evening honored with your Excellency’s Favor of Yesterday Afternoon—On the Receipt of it I applied to Colo. Dearborn Dy Qr Mr Gnl, to know what Number of Vessels were left, and what Number it would probably take to transport the French Artillery, Baggage, Sick, &c. On his Report I found it impossible to take Vessels enough for another Corps, and leave a Sufficiency for the...
14To George Washington from William Sharpe, 1 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to call the attention of your Excellency for a moment to the State of North Carolina respecting a quantity of arms which I conceive essential for her immediate defence. On the 26th of April last Congress gave the following order, "That the board of war cause the rampart muskets in their possession to be repaired and forwarded with all possible dispatch to the executives of Virginia...
15To George Washington from John Stark, September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, nothing extraordinary has turned up in this department, except seven deserters, who shall be sent to you as soon as possible; and a few tories that have been taken on the frontiers. I inclose you a copy of a letter found with one of them, and am in hopes, by this time, that the writer is a prisoner likewise. I am informed that forty-seven of the enemy’s Indians are coming down...
16To George Washington from David Forman, 1 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am accidently this minute Informed by a person from the Sea shoar about 25 Miles to the Southward of Shrewsberry that he saw the British Fleet Saturday Morning Standing to the Southward—But so far off to Sea as only to observe what he supposed the war —Had they Stood to the Eastward with the Winds at North as we suppose it was all Night they would have been out of sight from every part of...
17To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 1 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am Happy to inform Your Excellency that Count de Grasse’s Fleet is lastly arrived in this Bay—it Consists of 28 ships of the Line with Several frigats, and convoys a Considerable Body of troops Under Marquis de st Simon—Previous to their Arrival Such positions Had Been taken By our Army as to prevent the Ennemy’s Retreating towards Carolina. In Consequence of Your Excellency’s orders I Had...
18To George Washington from William Smallwood, 1 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to inform you that the third Regiment was detained beyond my Expectations, for want of Equipments, they marched to join the Marquis on the 28h of August, but are yet deficient one hundred stand of Arms, and upwards of two hundred Blankets, The arms I have procured, and shall forward with all possible dispatch—some Cloth has been received which is now making up into Blankets to be...