Amsterdam, 11 Oct. 1780. Dupl in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 289–304). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:88–95. The copy cited here was received by Congress on 29 Jan. 1781, but the original (not found) was received and read on 27 Dec. ( JCC...
Repeated Letters from London, confirm the Account of Mr. Laurens’s being confined to the Tower, so close a Prisoner, that neither his old Correspondents, nor even his Refugee Relations, are Suffered to Speak to him. There have been So many Precedents of Exchanges, Mr. Lovell as well as the Major Generals Sullivan, Stirling, Lee and others having been exchanged, as Prisoners of War, that it is...
I have recieved several Letters from London, concerning Mr. Laurens. It is certain that he has been treated with great Insolence by the Populace in his Journey from Dartmouth to London, and that he is confined to a mean Appartment in the Tower, denied the Use of Pen and Ink, and none of his Friends have been able to obtain Leave to visit him, excepting his Son and Mr. Manning, and those...
It seems to be now certain, that Some of Mr. Laurens Papers were taken with him. There have been Sent to his most Serene Highness the Prince of orange, Copies of Letters from Mr. De Neufville, Mr. Gillon, Mr. Stockton and Col. Derrick, and a Copy of the Plan of a Treaty projected between the City of Amsterdam and Mr. W. Lee. The Prince was much affected, at the Sight of those Papers, and laid...
The British Ministry, by the terrible Examples of the Rioters, have So intimidated the Nation, and by their Success in the late Elections have So great a Majority in Parliament, that they think themselves secure for Seven Years, and Seem determined to go on, with more Vigour than ever. The Letters from their Generals Clinton, Cornwallis &c. shew that they are now adopting a new system. These...
On the 10th of this month, Sir Joseph York, presented to the States General, the following Memorial. The King, my Master, has discovered, during the whole Course of his Reign, the most Sincere desire, to maintain the Union, which has Subsisted for more than a Century, between his Crown and this Republick. This Union rests, upon the immoveable Basis, of reciprocal Interest, and as it has...
From the Time, of the Arrival of my Commission, I have been constantly employed in forming Acquaintances, making Inquiries and asking Advice; but am Sorry to be obliged to Say that I hitherto See no certain Prospect of borrowing any Money, at all. For Some Years past, all the Information I could obtain from this Country led me to think, that America had many Friends in this Republick, and that...
It is now certain that the States General, have by a Plurality of five Provinces determined to acceed to the armed Neutrality. Zealand and Guelderland, have agreed to it likewise, but upon Condition of a Warranty of the Possessions of the Republick. If the Intention of Sir J. Yorks Memorial, was to intimidate their high mightinesses from this measure, he has missed his aim. Nor will the...
The Prince was ill advised, when he undertook, what he was not obliged to do, in producing Mr. Laurens’s Papers, which he did too in a manner justly offensive to the United States. It was the part of Sir Joseph Yorke, to have produced them, not to the Prince, but to their High Mightinesses. His Serene Highness, therefore, in this Work of Supererogation, gave himself the Air of an Instrument of...
10Summary of George Washington’s Letter to Samuel Huntington, [11 October 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
Contents of Letter to Congress Approves the reduction to 50 regiments. Proposes as the basis of the reduction a half pay establishment for life, or making the half pay for seven years whole pay, to be paid one half in a year after the conclusion of peace, the other half in two years after that. Regiments to consist of one Colonel where the old colonels are continued or one Lt Col Commandant...
11George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 11 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Passaic Falls [ New Jersey ] October 11, 1780 . Approves of resolution for the Army establishment with certain reservations. Recommends either half-pay for life or full pay for seven years for all officers. Approves the number of regiments planned, but recommends an increase in the number of men and officers in each regiment. Makes suggestions concerning the cavalry and artillery. Believes...
12George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 13 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] October 13, 1780 . Informs Congress that Baron von Steuben is going to Philadelphia “to obtain some determination on his department.” Reiterates recommendation that Congress assist von Steuben. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
13George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] October 15, 1780 . Sends letters concerning proposal for a “Resident Commissary of Prisoners.” Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
14George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 22 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] October 22, 1780 . Has appointed Major General Nathanael Greene to assume command of the southern army until completion of inquiry into Major General Horatio Gates’s conduct. Recommends Greene, but states that the difficulties which Greene will meet can be overcome only with Congress’s support. Asks Congress to approve sending Baron von Steuben south to reorganize the...
15George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 1 November 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] November 1, 1780 . Transmits memorials from Captain Joseph Traversie and from “the Canadian families which have taken refuge” in Albany. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
16George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 4 November 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] November 4, 1780 . Sends news of British troop and naval movements. Reports that Army received announcement of new establishment with satisfaction. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
17George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 20 November 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Passaic Falls [ New Jersey ] November 20, 1780 . Discusses problems involved in exchanging prisoners with Great Britain. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
18George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 25[–26] November 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] November 25 [ –26 ] 1780 . Will furnish the return of the officers of engineering department after Brigadier General Louis Le Bèque Du Portail arrives. Advocates increase in compensation for officers in the inspectorship. Recommends Simeon DeWitt as the successor to Robert Erskine as geographer of the Army. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of...
19George Washington to Samuel Huntington, [27 November 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey, November 27, 1780. ] Introduces the Chevalier de Chastellux. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
20George Washington to Samuel Huntington, [27 November 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey, November 27, 1780. ] Introduces the Vicomte de Noailles. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Louis Marie, Vicomte de Noailles, was a brother-in-law of the Marquis de Lafayette. He was “mestre de camp en second du regiment colonel-general hussards; mestre de camp en second of the Regiment Soissonnais” ( GW John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The...
21George Washington to Samuel Huntington, [27 November 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey, November 27, 1780. ] Introduces Comte de Damas. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Charles François Louis Joseph César, Comte de Damas, was a captain in the Regiment du Roi and colonel and aide to Rochambeau.
22George Washington to Samuel Huntington, [27 November 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey, November 27, 1780. ] Introduces Mauduit du Plessis. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Thomas Antoine, Chevalier de Mauduit du Plessis, had been an American officer but was now again in the French army.
23From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 11 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
Three days since, I received your Excellency’s Letter of the 4th with the inclosed resolutions, which, as the Army was in motion to this Post, I had it not in my power to answer before. I am much obliged to Congress for the honor they do me by the fresh mark of their attention and confidence conferred upon me in the reference they have been pleased to make. My wish to concur in sentiment with...
24From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s Favors of the 6th and 9th instants, with the Acts and papers to which they refer. The first did not reach me ’till the 13th in the Evening. I shall, in obedience to the order of Congress, take the proper steps for a Court of Enquiry to be held on the Conduct of Major Genl Gates as Commander of the Southern Army; and also shall, agreeable to their...
25From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
In answer to my proposals for appointing a Resident Commissary of Prisoners Major General Philips by order of Sir Henry Clinton sent me a set of articles of which the inclosed No. 1 is a copy —I have sketched an answer No. 2 which before I send it in, I transmit to Congress for their examination. If they have no objections, I beg them as soon as possible to signify it, through His Excellency...
26From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have this minute received the inclosed New York paper of the 13th which I transmit for your Excellency’s perusal. From the particulars related with respect to Mr Lauren’s capture, I am very much afraid that the account is really true. By other recent intelligence from New York which is direct, the Cork fleet is said to be on the Coast. I have the Honor to be With great respect Yr...
27From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 16 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit Your Excelliency the Copy of the Letter (No. 1) I wrote to Sr Henry Clinton on the 6th Instant with respect to the Citizens of South Carolina, said to be confined on board a Ship of War—of his Answer of the 9th (No. 2) and of my Letter to him of this date (No. 3), with a Copy of the Letter from Lord Cornwallis & Lord Rawden to which it refers. This Letter from Lord...
28From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 17 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have just received advice from Elizabeth Town, which I think may be depended on, that the Fleet fell down from New York on sunday last and it is said have since sailed. There was a constant firing of signals on Sunday. The numbers gone are, by the best information I have yet obtained, about 2500 Foot and thirty or forty Horse, but they have taken spare furniture for a considerable number of...
29From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 21 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with Your Excellency’s favors of the 10th and 14th Instants —The advance of the British Army towards the borders of North Carolina is an alarming circumstance, more especially, as there is every reason to believe that the force which lately sailed from New York is intended to cooperate with them—The enemy, by several accounts, received a reinforcement from Europe in the...
30From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 22 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform Congress, that in consequence of their resolution of the 5th instant, I have appointed Major General Greene to the command of the Southern Army, ’till the enquiry into the conduct of Major Genl Gates is completed. I inclose a Copy of my instructions to General Greene, by which and a Copy of my letter to Genl Gates, Congress will perceive the mode I have adopted for...