1From the Virginia Committee of Safety to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 17 June 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
The confusion which hath for some time happened amongst the People in the disputed Lands between Pennsylvania and this Colony, and a Representation to the Convention, that a Civil War, was like to be the consequence if something was not done to prevent it, Induced that Body to take the Subject into consideration, who were sorry to discover that a Jealousy seemed to prevail in the Governing...
2To George Washington from Joseph Jones, 11 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Monroe leaveing Town this evening I cannot avoid informing you by him that as far as his conduct has fallen under my observation and I have not been unattentive to it, he has been diligent in endeavouring to raise men but such is the present disposition of the people in Virginia neither Capt. Monroe or any other Officer preserving the Character a Gent. ought to support can recruit men...
3To George Washington from Joseph Jones, 14 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Being in want of a light Pheeton I directed my Servt to inquire abt the City for one—He tells me he has found a single light carriage wch belongs to you and has been lying here for some time—I have not seen it but from his account of it expect it will answer my purpose and if you choose to sell will purchase and give any price you may think it reasonably worth—If it is your inclination to keep...
4To George Washington from Joseph Jones, 30 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your Phaeton here though I was obliged to send for it after I left Philadelphia being put to the rout the night I recd your Letter. The bolt that fastens the pole & part of the long reins were lost, some brass nails also gone, and the lining much dirted and in some places torn, I will get these little matters repaired and have the carriage and Harness kept clean and in as good order as...
5To George Washington from Joseph Jones, 22 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
On my return to Congress I found the speakers Letter informing me my resignation was accepted by the House of Delegates and that I might as soon as I pleased return home which I did after staying abt a week to put the Business we had been sent upon to Camp in a proper train—the Issue of which I had then every reason to expect wod be according to the wishes of the Army but what the event has...
6To George Washington from Joseph Jones, 23 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Col. Grayson has mentioned to me his receiving a Letter from Genl Weedon desiring to serve in the northern Army if any employmt can be carved out for him —This Gentleman for whom, as an Officer, I entertain a regard, has attributed the regulation of his Rank, wch has occasioned his retireing, in great part to me; tho’ God knows I did no more in the matter than was my Duty by moving in Congress...
7To George Washington from Joseph Jones, 21 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have your favour of the 31st ult. in answer to my several Letters and was then impressed with and still feel great anxiety on account of our public affairs. The present distress is to be ascribed in great part to the resolution not to issue any more Bills of Credit before a sufficiency of money was provided and supplies secured for the Army—had proper precaution been taken in these matters,...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Jones, 30 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The Troops left by Sr. Henry Clinton in South Carolina amounting to about 3500 Men besides 1500 sent to Georgia cannot be sufficient unless increased by the accession of Tories, to overawe that State, especially when the Inhabitants shall find themselves supported by the Regulars and Militia going to their assistance. The 5000 Militia recommended by Congress to be raised by Virga. to join the...
9To George Washington from Joseph Jones, 18 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
A Report from the Board of War in consequence of a Letter of Genl Gates’s to Congress refd to the Board respecting the promotion of Col. Danl Morgan to the Office of Brigadier General, now lies upon the Table, at my request—The Board have stated his former Services—his being first Colonel of our Line, and the deficiency of that State at present in her Quota of Troops. If a promotion of General...
10To George Washington from Joseph Jones, 7 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter to Col. Harrison turns out as I expected before I received your full information. If the whole had been read and attended to it was impossible to put any other construction on your manner of treating the Subject than to convince your correspondent of the absolute necessity of great exertions this Campaign; while we had a promising prospect before us, least by remissness and delay...
11To George Washington from Joseph Jones, 6 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favour of the 13th ulto upon the subject of a Report respecting a certain Gentleman and thank you for the freedom and candid manner of your Communications. The resentment discovered agt the Gentleman alluded to began to subside before your Letter came to hand and though for some time it was occasionally mentioned in conversation it has lately dyed away and will I expect...
12Motion Regarding the Western Lands, [6 September] 1780 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 36, I, 97–98). In the hand of Joseph Jones. On 26 June 1780 Congress referred the long-standing and complicated issue of the “western frontiers” to a committee composed of James Duane, John Henry (Md.), Joseph Jones, Roger Sherman, and Willie Jones (N.C.). Its “report and resolve,” written by Duane, was laid before Congress on 30 June, debated on 2 September, and adopted on...
13To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 19 September 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I must Request you will so far oblige me as to enclose me every week Dunlaps paper or either of the others containing any thing worth reading. Mr. Dunlap told me he would furnish you with the papers for me. I must also request you to send me the monthly Jou[r]nals as soon as printed and such information of the proceedings from time to time as you may think necessary....
14To George Washington from Joseph Jones, 2 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Medical Department was under the consideration of a Committee before I left Congress and will it is probable undergo a change that may curtail the number of the present appointments—should this be the case and the new arrangement take place before I return (whi⟨ch⟩ at present it is my intention to do before Christmas) I shall recommend to the support of the Virginia Delegates the Gentlemen...
15To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 2 October 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I thank you for your favour of the 19th. ult. and the inclosures. It was really a mortifying circumstance to find the French Fleet converted into twelve British Ships of the line and four Frigates from which nothing can effectually relieve us but the arrival of a superior number of French Battle Ships and unless these come I fear many of our people not only here but...
16To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 9 October 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I think you acted very prudently in declining to press on the part of Virginia the Resolutions I left for the Consideration of Congress, had I been present I should have done the same as I had no intention when they were offered that Virginia should appear anxious about them whatever my opinion might be as to their propriety or Justice. I meant to leave them to the...
17To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 17 October 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). We must place the taking Col. Andre among the fortunate occurrances during the present war[.] a more wicked and ruinous combination could hardly have been formed if the accounts published in the papers are generally true[;] and the three honest militiamen who rendered us the service should be rewarded An attack early the last week of the Ague and fever will prevent...
18To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 24 October 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I very sincerely thank you for your Friendly and regular Correspondence. when I am in Richmond which I am in hopes to be the last of this week (being sufficiently recovered from my late indisposition as to be able to take the Bark) I will endeavour to make you amends by a communication from time to time of our proceedings in Assembly and such southern intelligence as...
19To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 5 November 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I thank you for your two last Letters the first I received at Home the last (Octr. 24th.) found me in this place where I have been since the 31st. ult. waiting with abt. 64 others members of the House of Delegates to make a House to proceed upon Business, but as yet we are eight or ten short and I see no likelihood of the number speedily increasing as it has not...
20To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 10 November 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I have your favour by the last Post. We have had a House since Monday and in Com: of the whole this day have voted the raising the deficiency of our continental Troops for the War and to recruit them by a bounty which I expect will be very high but the Members in general seem to prefer that method to any other let the expences be what it will What may be the ultimate...
21To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 18 November 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I have your favour by the last Post and very sincerely wish the Statia news may prove true but I cannot yet believe the Dutchmen will go to War. The Generals Greene and Steuben are here on their way to the Southward. from that quarter we are destitute of intelligence and from the Army to the Eastward in this State we have nothing material to mention. The Enemy still...
22To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 24 November 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Jones’s dating of this letter is so indistinct that it could be either the “24th” or “25th.” References in his text to specific actions taken by the legislature on particular days make certain that he was writing on the 24th, even though JM acknowledged the letter as of 25 November. I have yours of the 14th: and from my soul wish I could inform you we proceed with...
23To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 2 December 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I have no Letter from you by this weeks Post although I expect you sent one as Mr. Griffin informs me what News there was worth communicating, especially the contents of Mr. Adams’s Letter, you had mentioned. I have been much indisposed the greatest part of this week and not able to give much assistence in the business upon hand which are chiefly the Bills for...
24To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 8 December 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I have yours of November the 28th. by the Post and wish I could inform you the assembly had yet fixed the plan of recruiting our quota of Continentals but such various opinions and modes are proposed that great delay has been the consequence. The present proposition is a bounty of 5000 for the War 2500 for three years if it comes to a draft for that period—the whole...
25To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 2 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I was not in a condition to visit Fredericksburg the last week or you should then have been informed that Mr. Braxton has taken the Warrant upon the Treasurer and agreed to give Bills payable in Philadelphia for the amount of 110,000 £. Mr. Fitzhugh was to bring them up but is not yet arrived unless he came yesterday wch. may be the case as Braxton wrote me it was...
26To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 17 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Address sheet is missing, but the letter’s context and its presence in the Madison Papers permit no doubt that JM was the recipient. I was in doubt whether to write you by this post or not as I intend seting out in a day or two for Philadelphia and should probably have the pleasure of taking you by the hand before my Letter wod. arrive but as we have yet in this...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Jones, 6 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
We yesterday received information that General Parsons with a party of our Troops had passed over to Morrisana, attacked the Enemies Post there, burnt about 40 barracks, a quantity of Forage and brought off 52 prisoners. The bridge of Boats which the Enemy had over Harlem River was also destroyed. A late New York paper mentions the sailing of three ships of the line of the French Squadron at...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Jones, 10 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 10 Feb. 1781. More information is now available on the movements of the “French Ships from R. Island and the Detachment of Graves’s Fleet in search of them.” Four frigates left Newport before the storm of 22 Jan.; two 74’s and a frigate were dispatched from British fleet to intercept them. Both were exposed to the storm, but two British ships of the line have suffered, one being...
29To George Washington from Joseph Jones, 21 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to mention to you a young Gentleman captured by the Enemy when the Buckskin fell into their hands in Chesapeake Bay and who was put on shore under parole and wishes to be discharged from the Obligation as soon as possible as he conceives it restrains him not only from acting in the Field should the situation of his Country require his Services but even from attending the Hospitile...
30To George Washington from Joseph Jones, 27 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I missed the opportunity by the Express of sending you the Letter of the 21st which is now inclosed as it contains a request respecting Dr Lewis and will serve to shew you I meant to pay my Compliments to you as soon as I was certain after my arrival you had declined your visit to R. Island. Ld Cornwallis has put every thing to the hazard and if the people of Virga and North Carolina have not...
31Joseph Jones to the Auditors, with James Hayes’ Account and Jefferson’s Memorandum, 16 March–[5 April?] 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you an account delivered me by Mr. Dunlap for the hire of three waggons to transport the Printing Materials to Virginia and the amount of 7 dozen Parchment for the use of the Legislature. Mr. Dunlap assures me he engaged the waggons upon the best terms he could. They are to deliver their loads at Richmond and return to Fredericksburg with any loads the State may furnish. From thence...
32To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 3 April 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I arrived here the 7th. day after my departure from Philadelphia. the sanguine hopes entertained before I set out of taking Arnold and his party at Portsmouth, lessened as I advanced and at length were entirely lost by certain information that the British Fleet were in the Bay after engaging that of the French off the Capes. The issue of the conflict has been...
33To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Jones, 16 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Alliance of the American States being now compleated by the assent of the State of Maryland to the Articles of Confederation the future proceedings of Congress must be governed by those Rules and every deviation from them become matter of complaint or jealousy to the States. It would be wise therefore where defects appear to have them supplied in time and while the Temper of the States...
34To George Washington from Joseph Jones, 16 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Having returned to Congress a few days only and private matters requiring my attention for great part of the time I have not been able regularly to attend to Business or to acknowledge the receipt of your favour transmitted to Philadelphia after my leaving it and sent after me to Virginia by Mr Madison. The moment for successfull operations agt our Enemies was certainly immediately after the...
35To George Washington from Joseph Jones, 31 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment Conformed that Mr Rutlige is going to Head Quarters and have stolen out of Congress to give you a few lines to impress upon you the necessity of taking some immediate step for the succour of the southern Departmt. The Marquis’s Letters will inform you of his situation and will of itself without being enforced by me shew the distress that must soon fall upon our State if not...
36To George Washington from Joseph Jones, 20 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have your favour of the 7th instant which gives me intire satisfaction of the propriety of your remaining with the Northern Army and that it was out of your Power from the small Army under your Command to afford any present succour to the Southern States. The same sentiment I find was entertained by Governor Jefferson to whom I presume you have written on the Subject but from the contents of...
37Motion of Virginia Delegates on Exchange of Flour, [21 June] 1781 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 19, VI, 607). Written by Joseph Jones. On the Motion of the Delegates of Virginia— Resolved that the Commissary Genl. of purchases be authorised to exchange with Nicholson Agent for the State of Virginia now in Philadelphia, so much a part of the flour within the State of Pennsylvania, Delaware or Maryland belonging to the United States as the Superindt. of finance shall...
38To George Washington from Joseph Jones, 3 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Such has been the situation of Virginia for some time past we have had but little and that very imperfect intelligence of the transactions there—this may have been the case with you and yesterdays Post being the only one for some weeks that brought us Letters I inclose one received from Col. Carey for your perusal knowing that your acquanitance with that Gentleman will readily account for his...
39To George Washington from Joseph Jones, 6 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favour of the 2d inst. with the inclosures and shall take proper care of them. Mr Morris seting out for Head quarters in the morning I embrace the opportunity to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 10th ult. and to thank you for the Copies of the intercepted Letters, the originals were transmitted us by Dr Franklin—these shew the continued delusion and folly of the...
40To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 21 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “Honble James Madison jr. Philadelphia.” Docketed, “May 1782.” The friendly visits of my Neighbours and acquaintance[s] since my return has and still continues to occupy my time[.] having not been free from Company since the day after my geting home, of course I have thought little of those matters which used while in Philadelphia to employ our attention...
41To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 25 June 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed, “June 25. 1782.” Your favor of the 4th. instant and the packet of Newspapers by Mr. Webb went to Richmond and were returned to Fredericksburg where I received them the last week but no letter from you by that post. From Richmond I had written you a long letter and geting home in time for the post at Fredericksburg added a short one of some other matters...
42To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 1 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Undocketed and cover missing. I have no Letter from you by this Post. expecting to receive from Mr. Ross a duplicate of the Bill which fell into the hands of the Robbers and forward it to you this week I came to Town to day but have no letter from him. Col. Monroe writes me he promised to send it. my friend Griffin will therefore be obliged to wait longer than I...
43To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 8 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “Honble James Madison jr. Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “July 8. 1782.” I intended when I left Richmond to set out for Philadelphia about the middle of this month but from a manoeuvre of Mr. Ross’s in settling the balance due from Mr. Braxton and which had by the Executive been ordered to me I am disappointed of the means necessary for the Journey and...
44To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 16 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Undocketed and cover missing. Having occasion to go to Town I recd. your Letter of the 9th. and thank you for the trouble you have taken about a habitation for me and my family. Mr. Ross has this day put it in my power to go forward and if the health of Mrs. Jones and my little boy will permit and her inclination and the heat of the weather does not interfere to...
45To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 22 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “Honble James Madison jr. Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “July 22. 1782.” The reason why Williamsburg and its neighbourhood was mentioned as the place supposed to be alluded to by the correspondent of a certain Gentleman, proceeded from my mentioning to Mr. H——d——y, what had been communicated and his observing that he supposed it proceeded from a report...
46To James Madison from Joseph Jones, [ca. 6 January] 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). See JM to Jones, 6 Jan. 1783 , hdn. Mr. Jones begs to return to Mr. Madison the public letter and thanks him for his offer to answer it. Col. M.’s Letter contains not a word ab. the impost or indeed any thing of consequence—he only mentions Mr. Lee’s prevailing on taking the question to recall him and some further observ. respecting the office he formerly wished to...
47To George Washington from Joseph Jones, 27 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your favors of the 14th Decr last and the 11th inst. have been duly received—a series of ill health through the fall and the greatest part of the Winter and which untill very lately rendered my attendance in Congress seldom and very irregular must be my apology for suffering the first to remain so long unanswered. Congress have been for some time past almost wholely employed in devising some...
48To George Washington from Joseph Jones, 6 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
We have at length got through the plan of funds to be recommended to the States for their adoption—It has been the most difficult & perplexing discussion of any that has engaged the attention of this body for some time—The various objects to be combined, and the different interests to be reconciled, to make the System palatable to the States was a wish not easily or speedily to be effected,...
49To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 25 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. After resting at home two days I set out for this place where I arrived on Tuesday last and took my seat in the House some days before my Colleague, who made his appearance for the first time yesterday. my arrival was seasonable with respect to a Bill then before the House for Postponing the collection of the Taxes for the ease of the people untill...
50To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 31 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Undocketed and cover missing. I should have been uneasy on account of your health had I not heard Letters were received from you by the last Post as I had none myself this or the last week. If you wrote as I suppose you did the letters must have either miscarried or been stopt at Fredericksburg. We have not yet been in a Com: on the papers from Congress, and I begin...