1From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington and the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 10 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The papers of the Executive having been almost wholly lost in the visit which was made by General Arnold to this place, we are endeavouring to procure Copies of as many of them as we can. As the Correspondence with your Excellency is among the most important I am to solicit the Favor of you to permit the Bearer hereof Mr. Granville Smith to take Copies of any Letters with which you have been...
FC (Virginia State Library). Written by a clerk and directed to “His Excellency General Washington & the Honble Virginia Delegates in Congress.” The papers of the Executive having been almost wholly lost in the visit which was made by General Arnold to this place, we are endeavouring to procure Copies of as many of them as we can. As the Correspondence with Congress is among the most important...
3To George Washington from Walter Stewart, 26 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I find by this days Orders your Excellency has directed a Board to meet in Order to Examine the Shoes in Store, as the Clothier General Concieves Himself Injur’d by the report of Inspection. The Cause for such a reports being made; was from the Almost Universal Complaints of the Officers respecting the Shoes they have receiv’d for this Year, And the bad Appearance, & Short last of those then...
4To George Washington from Jeremiah Olney, 10 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Field officer Commanding the advance post at Dobbs Ferry on the Hudson from 24th Augt to 8th Septr 1782, begs leave to Report, that he has (from time to time) Communicated to your Excellency every occurrence that has Come within the Sphere of his Observations—that he has nothing Further to Report that the State of the Garrison &c. &c., agreeable to the Inclos’d Reports—Save only that the...
5To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 7 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
The commanding officers are applying for arms for the Musick—The donation of Arms to the Troops was in consequence of your Excellency’s recommendation should you be of opinion, all circumstances considered, they have a right to arms, I think no difficulty will arrise in Congress from the measure. I have requested General Knox to commence as soon as possible the build ing a Magazine on...
6From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 12 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 12 Feb. 1781. This letter is identical in substance with TJ’s letter of this date to Samuel Huntington , q.v. RC ( DLC : Washington Papers); 2 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by TJ; endorsed (in part): “recd 28u. Ansd. 21st March.” PrC of Tr ( DLC ). Printed from Tr in HAW Henry A. Washington, ed., The Writings of Thomas Jefferson , Washington, 1853–1854
7To George Washington from William Hull, 24 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Crocker having represented that his Circumstances are such as render it absolutely necessary that he should leave Service, on his own very pressing Request. has obtained my approbation, and if agreeable to your Excellency, request he may obtain a Discharge. The necessary Certificates are obtained that his public Accounts are adjusted. I am Your Excellencys most Obedt Servt DNA : RG...
8To George Washington from David Forman, 14 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
The British Fleete from New York Consisting of Seven Ships of 60 Guns and upwards Twelve Large Transport Ships and Ten Topsail Schoners and Sloops made Sail from sandy Hook on Saturday Morning last about Ten OClock The Wind about South East—at Twelve The Whole fleete was Clear of The Hook and The Wind Hauled round to Southd, in The afternoon The wind Was to The Westward of South. Upon Which...
9To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 10 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Loss that your Excellency has met with, when you joined your family, and the grief that you must have experienced, has afflicted me very much. I beg of your Excellency to accept of my very sincere and tender condoleance. I have received two Letters from your Excellency for Count de Grasse, at the time you wrote them, you did not know that he had set under sail, on the 4th inst. with a fair...
10From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [17 March 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, March 17, 1783. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from General Hamilton to General Washington,” Columbia University Libraries. Two letters from H to Washington on March 17, 1783, are listed. One letter is printed in PAH Harold C. Syrett, ed., The Papers of Alexander Hamilton (New York and London, 1961– ). , III, 290–93.
11To George Washington from Peter Van Rensselaer, 1 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with your Excellencies favour of the 14th Ultimo, the Ammunition directed General Knox to send to this place is come to hand, your Excellency may rely on my Utmost Economy in the expenditure; heretofore I have been used to Issue only on an order of the Officer commanding this post, & for the future I will Strictly observe that no stores are to be delivered but upon an order of...
12To George Washington from Colonel Israel Shreve, 8 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of General Wayne’s orders of the 2d instant, a battalion was formed of about 250 men of those in the Brigade who were best clothed, and marched the day following to Morristown under the command of Lieut. Colonel Barber. The clothing did not arrive till yesterday when I meant to have followed with the remainder of the troops but reasons which I presume Your Excellency will deem...
13To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison, 28 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am extremely sorry to inform You, that it will not be in my power to return to Headquarters by any means as soon as I expected & hoped when I came away. The business which brought me to Maryland, & which must be adjusted before my departure, will take infinitely more time than I at first apprehended, and will be prolonged the more by the event of my Mother in Law’s death, which has just...
14To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 26 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Clel Laurens having Been Appointed By Congress to Go to france and Sollicit Succours for the Next Campaign he has also been directed to take Your orders at head Quarters—I am By order of Congress to have A Conference With him, and intend Giving him Many letters for france —As in Your instructions to Laurens The presence of one who Knows these people May be Agreable to You, I shall Set out for...
15To George Washington from Jedediah Huntington, 8 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have Occasion for four or five Officers, to settle with the Committee of the State, the Accounts of their Line, for 1780 & 1781. I do not expect to finish them, before some time in May; but I shall in Obedience to your general Order, dismiss those Officers before the 10th of next Month, unless I have your Permission to detain them. the Business is very interesting to the Troops, &, if...
16To George Washington from Joseph Woodbridge, 24 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since the Misfortune that Befel the Enemys Ship Culloden, in the Sound, I have had the Good fortune to Get up Sixteen of Her upper Tier Guns, 32 Pounders, Wt. About 55 lb. —And Understanding that Your Excellency, has had Occasion, to Direct a Number of Heavy Cannon to be Transported from the Eastward, for the Use of theArmy Westward. I have to Inform, that if any further occasion Should...
17To George Washington from John Paterson, 14 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your Excellencys Letter—The Enemy having retired makes the Disposition mentioned in your Letter, with respect to them, at this Time unnecessary—This Moment I have received the inclosed Letters, which agreeable to your Excellencys desire, as they contain the latest Intelligence I have, I have transmitted—Should I hear any thing more, respecting this unhappy affair—I shall...
18To George Washington from Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 24 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to transmit your Excellency the Abstracts of the Muster Rolls for the Months of July and August: and to the Report of the Inspection made by Colonel Stewart I have added the Original. The account which he gives of the Army is so minute and just that I have nothing to add except what respects the Progress which the Troops have made in Exercise and Manoeu v res. As your...
19To George Washington from William Heath, 6 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed are the proceedings of a General Court Martial on Lieut. Sampson, and Amos Bennett a Soldier, they were handed me yesterday. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect your Excellency Most Obedt Servt MHi : Heath Papers.
20To George Washington from William Greene, 13 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honour of receiving your Excellency’s favour of the 7th Instant, and inform you, that immediately upon the receiving your letter of the 24th of last May, I imbraced the earliest oppertunity of laying it before the Assembly, who very readily complyed with its contents, and ordered five Hundred of the Militia of this State to be raised and Stationed at the different Posts on Rhode...
21To George Washington from George Reid, 14 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Altho the opening of the Campaign forbids it; yet I am induced to consent that Ensign Richards have a Discharge; The situation of his Family with other Circumstances Loudly call for it. I am your Excellencys Most Obedt & very Hble Servt DNA : RG 93—War Department.
22To George Washington from Samuel Huntington, 7 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose copies of letters received this morning which from their impor t ance it is judged necessary to communicate to you with all possible expedition. I have the honor to be Your Excellency’s most obedient humble Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington. By accounts I this day received from New York Two of the inhabitants near the Clove took and carried into Genl Sir Henry...
23To George Washington from James Randolph Reid, 2 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I received a furlough from General Hazen at Lancaster on the 2d of last November with leave of absence from the Regt untill the 1st of December current. He did not tell me when the Regt was going, but I learnd they were come on towards the grand Army, I accordingly took the shortest and best rout for this place where I arrived yesterday. I am now very unwell from cold and fatigue and am in...
24To 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...
25To George Washington from Elisha Sheldon, 10 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I rcd your Excellency’s Letter of the 18th Ulto on the 8th Instant, In obedience to which I have put Lieut. Kenney in Arrest, and ordered him to Head Quarters, that his Conduct may be inquired into. He is furnished with a Copy of Your Excellencys orders for that purpose. I have the Honor to be with the greatest Regard, Sir your Excellencys most obt & most Humb. sert DLC : Papers of George...
26To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 8 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 3rd with a poscript dated the 4th at 7. OClock A.M. by Major Fishbourn came to hand last evening, the manner in which your Excellency has been pleased to Approve of the Conduct of the Officers in General, and ours in particular, Affords a Sensation which words can not express. It would have afforded us Infinate pleasure, had fortune put it into our power to Inform you that...
27To 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...
28To George Washington from Jean [de] Neufville, 19 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
If I entertaind a wish to tread a land render’d sacred to Liberty by the virtuous efforts of men deserving the veneration of this, and after ages, for their deeds, which Heaven has already so well rewarded, the anxious one of paying the among them, the most unfeignd respect would urge me most there to. The bearer My son I hope, will have the honor of giving you this assurance of it, and I...
29To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 23 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s of the 17th inclosing one to Col. Willet came duely to hand, and the enclosure forwarded. Col: Olney on receipt of my letter of the 17th thought it necessary to see me before Carryg it into execution, he Came down on friday and returned the same fully satisfied as to the points he was doubtfull of; I made some addition to his Instructions, and wrote a letter to the Officer...
30From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [1 March 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
Your Excellency will, I am persuaded, readily admit the force of this sentiment, that though it is the duty of a good citizen to devote his services to the public, when it has occasion for them, he cannot with propriety, or delicacy to himself, obtrude them, when it either has, or appears to have none. The difficuties I experienced last campaign in obtaining a command will not suffer me to...
31To George Washington from Malachy Treat, 27 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I take the Liberty of informing your Excellency of the distressd Situation of the general Hospital at the Pennsylvania Hutts; These small Buildings have been in a wretched ruinous State for some Time, owing to the disorderly Behaviour of the Patients and Soldiery, which these left undistroyed the late Snow Storm had effected; there is not a Single Hutt in the Captains Line, and these are the...
32To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 12 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
From the present state of our finances, the temper and disposition of the several States in general and the little hope we have of farther aid from France–it becomes absolutely necessary to take a view of our present establishments and enquire whether any new arrangements can be made consistent with justice policy & the good of the service. I have therefore to offer to your Excellency...
33To George Washington from John Cochran, 29 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
In Conformity to a Genl Order of the 16th Inst. I do hereby certify that the Gentlemen of the Medl Department acting under the immediate Command of his Excellency the Commander in Chief, have agreed to accept of the Commutation of the five years full Pay, in Lieu of the half Pay granted by a Resolution of Congress of the 17th of Jany 1781. DNA : Item 149, Letters and Reports from Benjamin...
34To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 9 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency the 8th of February since which I am without your favor. In my last I informed you that I had written to Count Rochambeau for reinforcements. Inclosed is his answer. I am persuaded he must have mistaken your intentions. I find nothing is to be expected from that quarter. I am sorry the Legion was put in motion as it may raise the enemy’s apprehensions, and bring upon us...
35To George Washington from Moses Hazen, 20 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will perceive by a Return of the Regiment of this Day’s Date that we have Thirty Men on Furlough, which is more than the Regiment is intitled to by the late General Orders respecting Furloughs; these Men however are mostly in the State of Pennsylvania, and were all indulged with leave of Absence before the Regiment marched from Lancaster: Two Officers were left to collect them...
36To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 21 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received this last night, your Excellency’s Letter of the 18th instant dated from hartford; The Intelligence your Excellency gives me of the return of the fleet of Transports on the 11th makes me believe that this convoy will wait for Arbuthnot’s fleet to sail afterwards under its protection, I hope that this will occasion a delay long enough to give our Expedition a great advance. I wait...
37To George Washington from Guy Carleton, 7 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
However convinced of your Excellency’s disposition, yet it gave me much Satisfaction to be confirmed therein by your Letter of the 22d of June, wherein you say, that it woud make you happy if any Measures can be adopted for humanizing, as much as possible, the Calamities attendant on a State of War. But you are also pleased to say, Resort must be had to the Civil Power, the Laws complained of...
38To George Washington from George Clinton, 23 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
It gives me great Pain to write to your Excellency on Matters concerning which I had the honor of a personal Conversation which I when I was last at Head Quarters; but as I have not yet received any answer from Congress respecting the Subsistence &c. of the Levies for the Defence of the frontiers & those rasing on bounties of unappropriated Lands, and as the ultimate period assigned for the...
39To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 9 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a copy of my letter to Congress which contains all material matters of occurrence since I wrote your Excellency before. Capt. Shutrick, who transacts the business for Major Hyrne in the commissary of Prisoners department since his misfortune has transmitted a copy of the State of that business in this quarter and upon examination I found Major Hyrne had forwarded one a few days...
40To George Washington from William Jackson, 12 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with the receipt of Your Excellency’s letter of the 5th instant. The Officers who have been arranged to the first Pennsylvania regiment are ordered to repair to Charlestown in consequence of your intention to continue that corps in the southern Department. As the Powers vested by Congress in the Secretary at War do not comprehend the business of Exchange—I beg leave to...
41To George Washington from George Clinton, 8 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I thank your Excellency for the Intelligence communicated by your private Letter of Yesterday Afternoon—There is a Party of six or Seven daring Fellows from the Enemy now in this Part of the Country who have plundered the Houses of two or three of our public Officers; whether they have any Thing farther in View I am not able to determine—I have been for some Time passt out of the Way of...
42To George Washington from Elias Dayton, 14 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s letter of the 7th with the proceedings of a court martial enclosed, which proceedings the court were of opinion from the nature of the oath they had taken, they could not communicate to any person untill the commander in chief’s pleasure shuld be known, they therefore dispatched them to Head Quarters without my knowledge when your Excellency returned them to...
43To George Washington from Elijah Hunter, 11 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
Ever Since that Genl Arnold went and Joined the Enemy I have Been obliged to Quit my Liveing in Bedford and have been at Very Great Expence and for Nine month Past have had a Sevear fit of Sickness so that I have Not been able to go about Till Now with the Blessing of God I am Better So that I hope to Git on my farm again this Spring if Times will admit of it but at Presant It Looks Gloomy as...
44To George Washington from Robert Oliver, 13 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to Brigade orders of the 2d proceeded with the Battalion under my command and releived the Lines—sending Captain Webbs compy to Pines Bridge-- Captain Fowles compy to the New Bridge-- Captain Bradfords company to Stoney and Verplanks Points—provided with Captains Remick compy and releived Major Forman at Dobbs’s Ferry. On the 6th Received a flagg from the Enemy with a letter Frank’d...
45To George Washington from John Sullivan, 20 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Inclosed Letter is an answer to a Letter received from Baron Stubend inclosing the plan for forming the society of Cincinnati. since writing the inclosed I have had the pleasure of being informed that your Excellency, has honored the society by becoming The president, I therefore take the Liberty of forwarding to your Excellency my answer for your perusal and should be happy in receiving...
46To George Washington from Ann Hawkes Hay, 17 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have just heard from New Ark, that the Enimy are medetating a Blow against the Town of Boston, and the Fleet there, they are now busily imployed in embarking Seven thousand Troops for the purpose, and will in a few Days sail—Mr Johnson who is my Informer is now here, and will wait on your Excellency, if you will send him a Permit to cross the Ferry immediately, he then can give your...
47To George Washington from William Heath, 1 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
This will be presented by colonel Putnam of the 5th Massachusetts regiment, who will solicit your permission to be absent from the army for a short time. He was some time since appointed one of the arbitrators to ascertain the quantity of forage consumed by the allied army in West Chester county the last campaign, which has detained him, and will again require his attention on the 20th of May...
48To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 23 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
So many difficulties attended the late mode of issuing provisions to Officers or their own returns, that when the new contract was entered into, the contractors would not agree to issue as they had formerly done, but requested that the number of rations which each Officer was entitled to draw might be ascertained—this induced the recommendation of the enclosed resolves of Congress by which the...
49To George Washington from William Bloodgood, 24 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
Altho I have not the honor to be personally known to your Excellency, yet the circumstances which impells me to Address you at this time are of such a nature as I flatter myself will plead an Excuse for the liberty I have taken. After having been persecuted near six Months with all the rancour which the malice of my Enemies could suggest, I was at last favour’d with a Tryal, and...
50To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 14 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
General Hazen has applied to the secretary at war for the articles necessary to equip his regiment. For what regards my department, he is referred to me. I have no difficulty in ordering a supply of every article, tents excepted, which must be brought from the North river; nor should I hesitate about these, if the regiment were certainly to continue any length of time at Lancaster: for they...