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The prisoners of Convention and those taken at the Cowpens having been ordered on the late Approach of Lord Cornwallis to move on to our Northern Boundary, while Congress could be consulted as to what should be done with them, I have received a Letter from the President from which the inclosed is extracted. They have I believe reached as far as Winchester from which place they are now ordered...
I beg leave to trouble you with a Letter from Captn. Joel. As it is not consistent with the regulations of this State in the Money Department to pay expences in the lump without Account, and you best know what Time Captain Joel has spent in our Service, we ask the favor of you either to appoint some person to settle his Account and say what he should receive, or to report to us the Number of...
Information having been given the Board that sundry Horses of British property, having been left by the Enemy, were taken by our Militia or un-armed Citizens, and a question made whether they belong to the Commonwealth or the Captor, we are of opinion that they should be yeilded to the Captor. It is thought however where any possible doubt can arise who was the Captor, that the Horse should be...
I received your letter of the 18th. the night before last and deferred answering it till I could confer with Baron Steuben which I had an opportunity of doing yesterday evening. He shewed me a letter from Monsr. Tilly from which and the information of his aid who went down, we suppose the French squadron sailed on a cruise yesterday morning. They will however be within our call, and therefore...
I am very anxious to prepare for cooperating with our Allies, and for providing for their support. For the former purpose measures are taking as agreed on this moment in a conference with Baron Steuben. For the latter we suppose York town the most effectual to prepare as an Assylum for their Vessels. Colo. Senf comes down with instructions to point out what may be done there in a short time;...
The bearer Mr. William Short purposing to Philadelphia for the prosecution of his studies, I do myself the honor under authority of the acquaintance I had the pleasure of forming with you in Philadelphia, of introducing him to your notice, persuaded that should you give him an opportunity of being known to you, you will think it a circumstance not merely indifferent to add to the number of...
At the request of the directors of the public Buildings in Richmond, I am to desire that you will provide for them locks of different kinds fit for house doors, hinges for do., window glass, putty, lathing nails and shells. For the quantities I must refer you to the Directors themselves. I am Sir Your Humble Servant, Memod. for the Board of Trade. 800 feet of Glass—10 by 12. 300 lb Putty 500...
On receipt of your Letter yesterday on the subject of Stephen Mister, I enquired of the Jailer and had from him information that such a person was Sent here from Accomack in June last, charged with high treason: that the Judges at the last court admitted him to bail, (the testimony probably appearing slight) binding him in a penalty of £100,000 himself and two sureties in £50,000 each for his...
At the time of writing your letter of the 7th you had not received my letter in Answer to your former . In Consideration of the Exertions of your County, I am further to notify to you in Addition to what I did in that, that we will not insist on the Number of 100 therein mentioned, so far as to carry any on duty again who are just returned or returning or are still on duty. Send all able to do...
The inclosed letter which came by a flag of truce from New-York, will, I imagine, inform you that prisoners from your state are sent here for the purpose of exchange. A copy of a letter from the master of the flag I also take the liberty of inclosing, as it will give you further information of their arrival here and escape from the flag. The master is to await the return of the prisoners whom...
We sent expresses on the 17th instant to call down a fourth part of the militia of the Counties of Loudon, Fauquier, Prince William and Fairfax (about 1090) with orders to march immediately to Wmsburg. Genl. Weedon followed these orders to hasten their execution. These Counties are indeed distant, but they had been some time held in readiness; so that I hope they will afford an early and very...
As I suppose by this time you may have more Men than Arms, and there are no more Arms fit for use remaining in the public Stock, œconomy will require that the surplus Militia be discharged. This measure is the more necessary, as the law for raising new levies remains unexecuted while the Militia are from their Counties. I shall therefore take the liberty of pointing out to you, as I have done...
I had received two days ago information from Genl. Greene of the advance of Ld. Cornwallis and immediately ordered about 1200 men from Washington, Montgomery, Botetourt, Bedford, Henry and Pittsylvania. Besides this I trusted that the Militia of other Counties immediately in their way would turn out with Spirit. If this be done I hope a very good account will be rendered of Ld. Cornwallis....
I have [been] waiting hoping to see Mr. Ross. I suppose his indisposition detains him. In the mean time a matter of pressing emergency will not admit a longer delay. It is the sending cloathing or something which may procure it, to our officers in Charlestown. An idea on this subject which you dropt in conversation with me has made impression and led me to enquiries which have proved it was...
We have received Information that a certain James Anderson, a Subject of this State, was captured in one of the Barges or Gallies which have, for some Time past, infested our Bay and interrupted our Trade, by Capts. Yellatt and Folger and carried into the State of Virginia, and is now confined at Richmond. Anderson, before and since our Government was formed, lived on Fell’s Point in Baltimore...
Having just received from Carolina an authentic state of things as they exist there at present, I have thought it worthy of being communicated to Congress by putting into motion our line of express riders . The sum of it is that Clinton has sailed with about 5000 men from Charlestown; but whither, is not known: that that place is garrisoned by 800 men: that they have 2500 men at Cambden; their...
In the course of examination of a British deserter this morning some information was given interesting to the state over which your Excellency presides and which therefore I think it my duty to communicate. He calls himself Peter Christian; says he is a native of New York, was taken in Fort Montgomery; that after being kept two years in prison he was induced to enlist into the British service...
I lately received a resolution of Congress of the 5th instant requesting the establishment of a line of expresses from Cape Henry to Philadelphia. I had before on application from General Washington formed such a Line from Cape Henry to this place in order to communicate such intelligence as I should receive to the gentleman entrusted by the General with the duty of keeping a Look out at that...
Your Excellency’s favor of the 20’th Ult. inclosing a duplicate of the resolution of Congress which honoured me with an appointment is just come to hand. I received the Original on the 9th. of July, and was prevented answering it till the 4th. of Aug. by accidents which I therein endeavored to explain. This answer I took the liberty of putting under cover to the honble. Majr. Genl. Marquis la...
I am sorry to be obliged to inform you that it is out of our power to have paiment made of Mr. Clay’s draught for 225,000 dollars. Our treasury is at present absolutely exhausted, and no prospect of it’s being replenished till the assembly shall have met and have had time to provide supplies. I hope this will reach you in time to prevent the additional disappointment which might arise from...
Your suspension of Capt. Joel’s enterprise against the Enemy’s fleet seems to have been well grounded. It was become so universally known, as to leave little doubt of the Enemy’s being apprised of it and of course prepared against it. Capt. Maxwell had some time before informed me that the Dragon had been devoted to this purpose. He at the same time assured me he had found it impossible to...
The Bearer hereof Capt. Joel proposes to engage two others to undertake with himself an enterprize on the Enemy’s fleet wherever it shall be collected in Harbour. As he requires only an old Vessell of the most worthless kind, and proper preparations for her, I think the object will justify the risk. So many Orders and Measures may be necessary in the detail of executing this Business that I...
[ Richmond, 14 Sep. 1780 . Anderson Galleries, sale catalogue, 19–20 Jan. 1926 (James H. Manning Sale), lot 861, lists a 1-page A.L.S. from TJ to Gov. Lee of this date announcing recapture of 150 Maryland troops from the British and expressing doubt that the enemy will “risque any naval force at Portsmouth while the superiority of the combined naval power in the American seas is so decided.”...
I beg you will be pleased to ascribe to the change in our administration and to my not becoming immediately possessed of all the business which lay before the executive, your letter of the 7th. of the last month remaining so long unanswered. It has happened very unluckily that this was among the latest of the several matters which have come to my hand. I am to return you thanks for your...
Your Excellency’s Favor of the 7th. came to Hand last night. We have been endeavouring to procure what armed vessels we could, but they are in James river and of Course cannot possibly get out of that River, but under Countenance of a Naval power superior to that of the Enemy; and indeed they are so trifling that they could not venture up the Bay were they out of James River. From the best...
A most distressing harvest in this State having reduced us to the necessity of either disbanding our military force or seeking subsistence for them else where we asked permission from Governor Johnson to purchase a quantity of flour in your State. He was pleased to grant it to the extent of two thousand Barrels. Mr. Smith who was intrusted with the purchase informed us at different times of...
The Executive of this State, think it expedient and necessary that under our present circumstances the prisoners of war under the Convention of Saratoga, be removed from their present situation. Many circumstances have led to this necessity. It will be utterly impracticable as long as they remain with us to prevent the hostile army now in this State from being reinforced by numerous desertions...
Richmond, 19 Nov. 1780. The first paragraph of this letter is identical with the first paragraph in TJ’s letter to Gates of this date, except that after “coming up James river” TJ here adds: “or I suppose any other of the waters of the Chesapeake.” The second paragraph of the letter to Lee is identical with the second paragraph of TJ’s letter to Huntington of this date, except that it lacks...
I will send to Mr. Brown the Commissary the Paragraph from your Letter relative to Provisions with orders for him to take measures for Relief. At the same time I wish the Principal expenditures could be in Indian meal that the Flour might be kept as much as possible for the Summer’s use. Majr. Hollier has no authority to make exchange [of] Prisoners with the enemy. The inclosed Proclamation...
I am sorry to find that the Order for 156 of your Militia to join General Greene is likely to bear so hard and yet that his Necessities are such as leaves it in our Power to relax somewhat only and not to excuse altogether. The Number 156 was calculated as a fourth of your Militia according to the latest Return we then had. Your present return would reduce the fourth to 141. However instead of...
The Enemy left a number of Horses at Westover which they had taken during their late incursion. Colo. Nicholas very properly ordered a party to take charge of them and bring them to the Quarter Master where they might be kept for the Owners to come and claim them; but I am well informed that in the [mean] time several Men of Capt. Hockaday’s Command of Charles City have plundered and carried...
I have never heard a tittle of the Enemy since your information that they were at Sandy Point the day after they left Westover; nor is any thing known at this place as to their subsequent Movements. As this want of intelligence might eventually be fatal, I have ordered an Express to be stationed at Bottom’s Bridge, another at New Kent Court House, a third at Bird’s tavern, a fourth at...
The Executive cannot agree to your return to reside within the State unless you Consider yourself freed from your Parole. You informed me that the British Commanding Officer expressed the Determination to hang any Person who should be found in Arms after having given a parole. If the validity of these paroles were without question under the Law of nations still that law only punishes a breach...
It happened unfortunately that from the Tenor of Mr. Wrays Lett[er] which gave us the first Intelligence of the Appearance of an Enemy we had reason to expect more precise Information within a few Hours. None such having come within fifty Hours, the first Intelligence had become totally disbelieved. At 10 o’Clock this morning I first received Confirmation of it. Orders go out by the members of...
I received your Excellency’s favor of the 28th. of August on the 30th of the same month, and should have answered it immediately but that a previous enquiry was necessary what force we could certainly contribute to the enterprize proposed. I have it now in my power to inform you that a brig carrying 14. Guns, 4. pounders and two swift sailing armed boats shall be ready to join the force from...
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
War Office [ Richmond ], 23 Feb. 1781. Encloses two accounts for the expenses of Capt. Sansum in collecting and bringing over eighteen-month men from the Eastern Shore. As Sansum’s authority was derived from Col. Webb, Muter does not know how to act in his case, especially since other officers have been and are now employed in collecting those men and deserters in that region, “in consequence...
The arms you mention being Continental, they are subject to the orders of Baron Steuben. I have therefore sent him a copy of your letter and begged him to send you by this conveyance such orders as he thinks proper. As he is anxious that the reinforcement should be respectable I make no doubt he will order the Arms. My letters mentioning that the detachments should go under proper officers...
[ Williamsburg, 5? Nov. 1779 . JHD Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia (cited by session and date of publication) , Oct. 1779, 1827 edn., p. 42 (5 Nov. 1779): “The Speaker laid before the House, a letter from the Governor, respecting sundry losses sustained by Mr. Martin, the present Indian agent, in the Cherokee country, and the propriety of making him...
The Commonwealth of Virginia Dr. to A. Willy for Candells for the use of the Councill Chamber for Sealling Land pattens and Comisians &c. from Septem. the 1st 80 till December the 18. 80 £30–0–0 to Cash Paid for […] Coall 12–0–0 to do. January the 24 12–0–0 £54–0–0 These services were performed on requisition of the Executive N in Contingent Fund Vouchers ( Vi ); TJ’s confirmation of the...
Charlottesville, 28 May 1781 . This letter is virtually identical with the first part of TJ’s letter to George Washington, same date, q.v. for variations in the two texts. RC ( DLC : PCC , No. 71, ii ); 2 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed and addressed by TJ; endorsed in part: “Read June 4. Referred to the board of War.” FC ( Vi ). Tr ( DLC : TJ Papers).
You shall receive the money necessary for the purchase of the horses as fast as it can be prepared and as shall be practicable in concurrence with other pressing claimants. You know how difficult it is to fix on precise days for the treasury. Therefore all I can say with precision is that it shall be paid out of the present emission. Dft ( Vi ); written by TJ on address leaf of Claiborne’s...
The Marquis de La Val and Count des Custine two noblemen of distinction, and Brigadiers general in the French army at Rhode island will be passing through Williamsburg. Being particularly recommended to me by the French minister and our delegates in Congress I beg leave to recommend them to your civilities while in Williamsburg. I am with great esteem Sir Your most obedt. humble servt. RC...
Richmond, 17 Feb. 1781. . This letter is identical in substance with that sent by TJ to Huntington this day , q.v., except that the last sentence in the first paragraph and the last two sentences in the paragraph before the complimentary close in the letter to Huntington are not in the letter to Washington. RC ( DLC : Washington Papers); 4 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed and with postscript in...
You will be so good as to furnish to the American Officer appointed to conduct the British flag General de Riedesel up Patowmac to George Town with a Pilot acquainted with that Navigation. I am &c, FC ( Vi ). The missing RC was sent to Steuben this day to be forwarded to Barron.
The Enemy having returned from this place and fallen down James River, and the German Prisoners being represented by you to be in a distressed situation for want of covering and food, you will be pleased to march them back again to the barracks in Albemarle. I am Sir Your very humbl. Servt., FC ( Vi ).
In Council, 9 Apr. 1781 . This communication consists of an extract from Lafayette’s letter Annapolis, 4 Apr., notifying TJ that field pieces and ammunition were being sent from Lafayette’s army to Gen. Greene. To this TJ added the following note: “Majr. Claiborne will be pleased to take measures for the transportation of the above.” Tr ( Vi ); 1 p.; at foot of text: “A Copy.”
As I expect to see Majr. Forsythe here within a few Days I must beg leave to postpone a definitive answer to your Letter ‘till I am informed whether he has any and what objections to your demand, after which I will do myself the pleasure of writing you on the Subject. FC ( Vi ). your letter : Dated 6 Feb. 1781, q.v.
Richmond, 19 Mch. 1781 . This letter is virtually identical with TJ’s letter to George Washington of this date , q.v. RC ( DLC : PCC , No. 71, ii ); in a clerk’s hand, signed by TJ; endorsed, in part: “Read 27.” FC ( Vi ); at head of text: “To the President of Congress & General Washington.” Enclosures: Copy of Nathanael Greene to TJ, 10 Mch. ( DLC :
[ Richmond, 16? Nov. 1780. JHD, Oct. 1780, 1827 edn., p. 19 (16 Nov.): “The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Governor, enclosing a return of the present state of the navy, and stating additional matter for the consideration of the General Assembly; and the same were read. Ordered , That the Governor’s letter do lie on the table. Ordered , That the return of the state of the...