1To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 22 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
Being just returned from German Town, I beg leave to inform your Excellency that I was happy enough to perfect the Exchange of the following Officers, for those of equal Rank due to us from the Enemy, which I hope will meet with your Excellency’s Approbation. I have the Honor to be Your Excellency’s Most Obedt Hble Servt ALS , DNA:PCC , item 152; copy, DNA:PCC , item 169. The accompanying...
2To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 16 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since my recovery from my late Indisposition so far as to attend to any Business, I have been looking over the Papers relating to my late Office of Commy Genl of Prisoners, and among them I find the report of my transactions at German Town just before and at the time of the Enemies evacuating of Philadelphia, which was designed for your Excy, but prevented from being sent by my sudden illness....
3To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 7 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have duly recd your Excellency’s several public dispatches of the 9th 18th & 30th of Aprill and 3d May, all which have from time to time been laid before Congress. We are without any farther advices from Europe than what your Excellency has already recieved, except that Compte De Vergennes in a Letter to the Minister of France of the 29th Feby, mentions that there are no difficulties in the...
4To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 11 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowlege the receipt of your Excellency’s polite letter of the 4th instant, and am much obliged by the intelligence it contained. We have since received letters from our Agent Mr Harrison at Cadiz, a copy of which I enclose. By a letter from General Greene of the 11th of November, we are informed, "that the evacuation of Charles Town will not take place till the 20th or 21st. The...
5To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am this Moment returned from the Point opposite to Gloucester—As soon as the City was a little reconnoitered, and prudent precautions taken, I went down with two or three chosen Persons to the Point from whence the Enemy had just gone over—We plainly discovered their rear & indeed the direction of the whole Party from the Dust—Two Deserters came over to us while we were there, one swam the...
6To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 16 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s letter of the 8th instant, enclosing Mr Chittendon’s receipt, came safe to hand and was duly laid before Congress. I have also the honor to acknowlege the receipt of your Excellency’s private letter of the same date, enclosing the Bank Notes for 95 Dollars on account of the late Revd Mr Caldwell’s Children—I cannot but again repeat on behalf of these distressed Orphans, the...
7To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 23 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will give me the utmost credit, when I assure you, that it is with the most unfeigned Joy, that I congratulate your Excellency and the whole army on the confirmation of the signing of the definitive Treaty of peace by all the belligerent powers, on the 21st of January. This happy event has just been announced by an Express from on Board a Sloop of War in the River, dispatched...
8To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 5 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have neglected writing your Excellency a circumstantial account of the Reasons of Congress leaving Philadelphia, in hopes of being able to furnish the official Account, as entered in our Journals, which must be more satisfactory, than any Thing I could have wrote. I now have the honor to enclose, the Proceedings of Congress on this Business, which will give your Excellency a tolerably just...
9To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 20 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I omitted writing yesterday, supposing that your Excellency would have had constant Intelligence from the Gentlemen of the Army, and not being able to send any thing very material, knew it would be but troublesome. Finding this Morning that I was mistaken in the first, I push the Bearer forward with the enclosed Acct of facts which you may depend upon, as they come from a Person of Credit, who...
10To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 18 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Genll Maxwell just setting off for Camp, I improve the Opportunity, to acknowledge the reciept of your Excellency’s Letter of yesterday, and to assure you that I shall attempt every prudent measure in my power to accomplish your Wishes, and will endeavour to see your Excellency on the Subject, when any Plan is formed. From a Calculation of a Gentleman whose means of Knowledge are great, there...
11To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 26 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
I take the first Moment of Leisure since our Arrival here, to inform your Excellency that Congress have removed to this Place—The Reasons of our Conduct, I cannot delay the Post to give you in full—They are in short contained in the enclosed Proclamation—I think my last was on Monday, the Committee appointed to Confer with the President & Council of the State, could not prevail to have the...
12To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 13 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Commissary General of Prisoners begs leave to report to his Excellency, that he has attended to the Letter deliver’d him from General Howe of the 6th Inst. With regard to the Complaint made therein against the Commissary of Prisoners, Mr Boudinot is greatly surprised at a Charge as unexpected as it is unjust: Mr Boudinot assures his Excellency that since his Appointment he has never...
13To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 9 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of inclosing to your Excellency, an Act of Congress of the eighth instant, together with the Letter, therein referred to, and have the pleasure to be Your Excellency’s Most Obedient & very Humble Servant DLC : Papers of George Washington. In consequence of the 7th Article of the treaty between America & England I with a number of others, have been to New York in order to...
14To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 9 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
Since my last private letter to your Excellency nothing has turned up worthy of your notice but what you have received official advice of, from the proper Departments. Indeed unaccountable as it may seem, our Ministers at Paris have not suffered us to hear from them since the 24th of Jany last, till the day before yesterday, when I received two letters from Mr Laurence, one of the 15th of...
15To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 21 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
This Afternoon I dispatched an Express to your Excellency (a copy of whose dispatches is inclosed) informing of the mutinous conduct of the Troops in the Barracks in this City, part of whom lately came in a mutinous manner from Lancaster. I thought proper to call Congress together this evening since writing by the Express, in order to deliberate on the proper steps to be taken in consequence...
16To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 21 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of enclosing to your Excellency two Letters that have been committed to my Care. Not a Word of News from Europe, but what is taken from the New York Papers. Have the Honor to be with great Respect Your Excellency’s Most Obed. & very, Hble Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
17To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 2 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Having been detained in New York on the business committed to me by your Excellency, much longer than could have been expected, think it my Duty to take the earliest opportunity of Communicating a Report of my Proceedings and the Reasons of my Conduct. On my Arrival in Jersey I wrote to Sir Henry Clinton for permission to pass to New York, for the purpose of visiting our Prisoners &ca as per...
18To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 12 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favours of the 6th inst. gave me great pleasure, as they announced your safe arrival after so expeditious & fatiguing a Journey. The Resolution of Congress requested by your Excellency was forwarded several days since, but it cannot answer your expectations. Congress wished to have your Excellency’s personal aid at forming the peace arrangement whenever that Report was called...
19To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 8 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
This will be handed to your Excellency by the Count Del Vermé, a nobleman of Milan in Italy—By Means of his Cousin Prince Caraminici an Ambassador at the Court of London, he was recommended by the Duke of Portland to Dr Franklin Mr Laurens & Mr Adams, who have warmly addressed this illustrious Traveller to the Notice of Congress—Permit me Sir to request your kind attention to the Count on his...
20To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 16 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since my recovery from my late Indisposition so far as to attend to any Business, I have been looking over the Papers relating to my late Office of Commy Genl of Prisoners, and among them I find the report of my transactions at German Town just before and at the time of the Enemies evacuating of Philadelphia, which was designed for your Excy but prevented from being sent by my sudden illness....
21To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 26 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Mr Boudinot thinks it his Duty to report to his Excellency General Washington, that Complaints of the cruel Treatment of a number of our Prisoners, taken by the Enemy & confined in the Goals of the City of New York, are daily increasing—That Mr Boudinot as Commissary General of Prisoners, has made the best Inquiry into the Truth of the Facts alledged, that his Circumstances will admit—That on...
22To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 4 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Nothing but that indisposition with which I have been confined for upwards of four Months, could have excused me from waiting on your Excellency e’er now, and welcoming you once More to New Jersey, a State so much indebted to your former residence here, for its present safety & Happiness. Permit me Sir, while I am sensible of your aversion to any unnecessary parade or Ostentation, to enclose...
23To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 29 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
The unexpected and melancholy news of the death of the late Major General Lord Stirling, contained in your Excellency’s letter of the 20th instant, was laid before Congress immediately on the receipt. The special services rendered to his Country by that Nobleman, from the very earliest period of the present war to the day of his death, has not only rendered his memory, in the highest degree,...
24To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 16 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I must beg your Excellency’s excuse from particularly answering your late favour, till I return home—The design of this is merely to acquaint you, that I have very great reason to believe that the design of the Enemy in their late Embarkation is to go along the Coast of Virginia under the Idea of plundering &c. but really to make a sudden March into the Country & rescue Burgoyne’s Troops—I...
25To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 12 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
You can only judge from your own feelings on this occasion, with what peculiar joy I congratulate your Excellency and the Army on a constitutional cessation of hostilities by the public Act of Congress, I have the honor to enclose. Thus far we may truly say, that we have passed thro’ the wilderness by a series of Miracles, which nothing short of the own ruling Providence of God could ever have...
26To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 21 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
It is but this moment that your Excellency’s Letter of the 14th Instt has got to Hand. The alarming illness of Mrs Washington gives Mrs Boudinot, myself & Daughter, real distress; our Prayers shall not cease for her recovery --Ere this I hope your Excellency has recd mine by the Secretery of War, which will inform of the Intentions of Congress, that you should make your Journey here entirely...
27To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 17 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Arrival of Capt. Barney in the Washington Packett, has afforded us, a large Budget of Intelligence & opened a new Scene in this Western World. I have endeavoured to discover if any of the confidential Servants of Congress, have made it a Business to communicate freely to your Excellency the political State of our Affairs both at home & abroad, from time to time as they have turned up. The...
28To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 30 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
It would have given me great Pleasure to have been favoured with your Company on Thursday, but am fully convinced of the necessity of Business being attended to; whenever your Excellency can spare a day I shall think myself very happy in being honored by a Visit. The Person referred to in your Postscript, is a Major Ward of the new Levies, who has made very full Offers of this kind, on...
29To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 30 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing your Excellency by the last Post, since which a Captain Reed, late of one of our Frigates, arrived from Charles-Town, where he had been carried a Prisoner. He informs me that he left that Town on the 4th instant. Two divisions of Transports had sailed, one for St Augustine, the other for Halifax, with Stores and foreign Troops—That every thing looked like a speedy...
30To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Elias Boudinot, 18 June 1778. GW wrote to Boudinot on this date that “I have received your two letters of this date.” In the letter to GW, Boudinot refers to “your Excellency⟨’s⟩ Letter of this date,” which apparently is GW’s letter acknowledging receipt of Boudinot’s two earlier letters. If so, Boudinot wrote to GW three times on 18 June, and two of his letters have...
31To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 3 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
General St Clair is now here, and this moment suggests an Idea which he has desired me to mention to your Excellency, as a Matter of Importance in his View of the Matter in the intended Inquiry at Philadelphia—That the Judge advocate should be directed to attend the Inquiry—By this Means the Business would be conducted with most Regularity—The Inquiry might be more critical—and as several...
32To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 24 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of your Excellency’s letter of the 16th inst., which was duly laid before Congress, committed and will soon receive an answer. Enclosed is an act of Congress of the 18th inst. relative to Mr Reuben Harvey. On the 21st, (We are informed from pretty good authority), the Mercury Frigate arrived in New York, with the definitive Treaty, which, it is...
33To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 12 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
The arrival of Captain Barney this morning creates so great a field for the circulation of reports agreeably to the complexion of the Reporter, that I have thought it not amiss to inform your Excellency of the substance of his dispatches, tho’ you may perhaps receive it from other hands. He left L’Orient the 17th of January last—His latest dispatches are dated the 25th December. The...
34To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 14 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
Mons. le Compte de Grasse having requested me to have the two pieces of Artillery presented him by Congress forwarded to him without delay, I endeavoured to urge the engraving and getting them ready to be shipped by the Duc de Lauzun, who sailed from hence about three weeks ago. I was led to believe by the Quarter Master that they should certainly be ready in time, and I accordingly wrote the...
35To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 9 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of enclosing to your Excellency a Copy of the recommendatory System of finance lately adopted by Congress, together with their address to the several States, which may serve for your Information and amusement. Mrs Boudinot & Miss Susan join me in presenting the most affectionate Complements to Mrs Washington. I have the Honor to be Your Excellency’s Most Obed. & Hble Servt DLC...
36To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 25 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was honored by your Excellency’s letter of the 16th instant, which I laid before Congress. It is with great pleasure that I congratulate your Excellency and the Army, on the admission of our Independency and national Character by the Court of Great Britain; in the issuing a Commission under the Great Seal to Mr Oswald, now at the Court of Versailles, for treating with any Commissioner or...
37To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 26 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your Excellency’s letter of the 30th ult. which I immediately laid before Congress, who, without delay, gave it the full attention it deserved. The result of their deliberations I do myself the pleasure to enclose. The Secretary of Foreign Affairs will make the confidential communication to your Excellency mentioned therein, I hope, by this opportunity. The...
38To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 31 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
A moments’ time is only allowed me, to inform your Excellency that I have it in command from Congress to acquaint you, that it is their pleasure that you should, as soon as convenient, after your return from the Northward, attend Congress at this place, as they think your presence will be of special service at this important period; and the change of situation may be more agreable to your...
39To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 21 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am greatly mortified that our circumstances here oblige us to trouble your Excellency with a detail highly disagreeable and perplexing. I presume your Excellency has recd copies of letters from Colo. Butler and Mr Henry, forwarded a few days ago. All endeavours to oblige the men to return to Lancaster proved ineffectual. They entered this City yesterday morning in a very orderly manner and...
40To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 26 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
Congress feel a particular pleasure in seeing your Excellency, and in congratulating you on the success of a War in which you have acted so conspicuous a part. It has been the singular happiness of the United States, that during a War so long, so dangerous and so important, Providence has been graciously pleased to preserve the life of a General, who has merited and possesses the uninterrupted...
41To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 27 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s several favours of the 30th Octr, 1st & 19th Instt which have come to hand since I had the honor of filling the Presidents Chair, have been duly laid before Congress. You will believe me Sir, when I assure you, that the Correspondence & Communication which my Office necessarily opens with your Excellency, are among the few special Advantages & agreeable Engagements, which I...
42To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 13 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
On my Arrival at Morris Town, I found Lt Coll Campbell, who proposed my going with him to New York, as he thought he could aid me greatly in farthering some immediate relief to our suffering Prisoners: By Coll Allen I recd Genl Clinton’s permission to attend Coll Campbell and then proceeded to New York—I found Major Genl Daniel Jones in the Command & Genl Valentine Jones Commandant of the...
I am sorry to inform you, that by the Resignation of M r. Livingston, as minister for foreign affairs, it has become necessary, that you should receive the Resolutions of Congress relative to your Mission, through my Hands. The Disadvantage arising from this Necessity, untill a Successor to that worthy Gentleman is appointed, will be yours, as it is impossible for me to do more than barely to...
44Motion in re Armed Vessels of Virginia, [28 July] 1783 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 36, II, 195–96). In the hand of Arthur Lee, except that Hugh Williamson wrote the third paragraph and Elias Boudinot the words in the second paragraph between “Defence” and “Pounders,” both inclusive. These emendations may not have been made until 3 October or shortly before that date. Docketed: “Motion of Delegates of Virginia July 28 1783 for leave to fit out two Armed...
45To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 1 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to the assurance contained in my letter of yesterday by the Post, I do myself the pleasure of enclosing the Act of Congress referred to therein; and have the honor to be, with great regard, Your excellency’s Obedient & very humb. Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
46To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 12 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
With this your Excellency will receive my public Letter of this Date—That your Excellency may be informed of every Act of Congress, relating to yourself personally, I do myself the honor of enclosing for your private Information, a Copy of an Address proposed to be delivered to your Excellency on your Attendance here, in Case it should precede the definitive Treaty. I also enclose an Act of...
47To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 8 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Baron Steuben, who is the Bearer of this, delivered me your Excellency’s Letter, which after being read in Congress, was found to have been substantially complied with by our Act of the 12th May, which must not have got to Hand, at the Date of yours, tho’ the War office reports, that it had been forwarded in due Time. I hope the Baron will accomplish his wishes & immediately proceed on his...
48To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your not having heard from me lately, has not proceeded from a want of the most sincere respect or the warmest Attachment to your Person & the Common Cause, but from a conviction that every unnecessary Letter, adds to your Excellency’s allready intolerable Embarrassments. This design of this is principally to inform your Excellency that from special Information, The Enemy have in the Ship Yard...
49To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 17 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your Excellency’s favour relative to the promotions in General Hazen’s Regiment, which was referred to the Secretary at War to report. The Assistant Secretary has accordingly reported, that there is no record of any such promotions in his Office. I informed Congress how the matter stood, but they chose to have an official report from the Secretary. The fact is that...
50To Alexander Hamilton from Elias Boudinot, 8 July 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
I had concluded your Laurels had produced a forgetfulness of your old friend, but am now rejoicing in my disappointment having your obliging & very entertaining favour of the 5th. Inst. just handed me. With the utmost sincerity I congratulate you & my Country on the kind Interposition of Heaven in our favour on the 28 Ultmo. It seems as if on every Occasion we are to be convinced that our...