1From George Washington to John Jay, 18 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
Not having received from your Excellency, during the last Winter or summer, the acknowledgement of any Letters, except of my public Dispatches of Octr last; I apprehend that some private Letters which I have had the pleasure of addressing to you since that time, have miscarried; I resume my Pen, therefore to repeat the thanks, which were contained in one of them for the Wine you had the...
2To John Jay from George Washington, 22 October 1781 (Jay Papers)
As the Transmission of the inclosed paper through the usual Channel of the Department of forreign Affairs, would, on the present Occasion, probably be attended with great Delay—and recent Intelligence of Military Transactions, must be important to our Ministers in Europe, at the present period of Affairs:— I have tho’t it would be agreeable both to Congress and your Excellency, that the Matter...
3To John Jay from George Washington, 7 October 1779 (Jay Papers)
Permit me, amongst the number of your friends to congratulate you & my Country on ^ your late honourable, & important ^ appointment—& Be assured ^ Sir ^ that my pleasure on this occasion though it may be equaled by ^ can t be exceeded by that of any ^ other
4From George Washington to John Jay, 7 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Amongst the number of your friends, permit me also to congratulate you, and my Country, on your late honourable & important appointment —Be assured Sir, that my pleasure on this occasion, though it may be equatted, cannot be exceeded, by that of any other. I do most sincerely wish you a pleasant & an agreeable passage—the most perfect and honourable accomplishment of your Ministry—and a safe...
5From George Washington to John Jay, 25 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 15th covering a Resolve confirming the arrangement of the Massachusetts line, and a printed Copy of a circular letter from Congress to their constituents. I sincerely hope, that the measures pointed out may be pursued, and that every good effect, to be wished for, may be the result. Since mine of the 19th I have recd several pieces of intelligence from my...
6From George Washington to John Jay, 23 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
Lieut. Colo. Fleury having communicated to me his desire of Returning to france & on some matters interesting to himself. I have thought proper to give him this letter to testify to Congress the high opinion I entertain of his conduct & services. the marks of their aprobation which he has Received on former occasions (specialy for the interesting part he bore in the defence of fort miflin)...
7From George Washington to John Jay, 19–20 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
On the 12th instant I had the honor of communicating two peices of intelligence respecting the fleet under the command of Admiral Count D’Estaing. Hearing that one of the Captains arrived at New London was a Man of intelligence and veracity, I dispatched Lt Lee of the 1st Connecticut Regt to gain a circumstantial account of the matter. The inclosed is a Copy of Capt. Leisters relation, which...
8From George Washington to John Jay, 18 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform Your Excellency, that the Chevalier de la Luzerne, who was so obliging as to honour me with a visit on his way from Boston, set out yesterday morning for Philadelphia. He will cross the Delaware at Trentown, and if nothing occurs to impede his journey, he will probably arrive at philadelphia on Thursday or Friday. I inclose Your Excellency a Copy of a Letter from Lt...
9George Washington to John Jay, 14 September 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, September 14, 1779. Sends news of sailing of three British regiments. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
10From George Washington to John Jay, 14 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose your Excellency a copy of a Letter from Lt Colo. Taylor stationed at Elizabeth Town to Mr Beatty, respecting the sailing of three Regiments from New York. After writing this, he sent me a verbal message that he had received positive intelligence of their being destined for the West Indies. I believe there must be a mistake in the name of the Ship, as the Ardent was...
11From George Washington to John Jay, 12 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing you yesterday I have received the inclosed pieces of intelligence, thro Genl Gates and Genl Huntington. Genl Gates’s letter inclosing Mr Prouds was dated at Providence the 6th instant whence we may conclude that Sunday the date of Mr Prouds was the 5th —Though these accounts differ as to the number of Ships of War, they seem clearly to indicate a french...
12From George Washington to John Jay, 11 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose your Excellency two of the latest York papers that have come to my hands. The Count de la Luzerne reached Springfeild the Evening of the 7th and may be every hour expected here. I have the honor to be with the greatest Respect Yr Excellency’s Most obt and humble Servt LS , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DNA:PCC , item 152; Df , DLC:GW ; copy, DNA : PCC, item 169;...
13From George Washington to John Jay, 8 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to address your Excellency yesterday—since which I have received the within intelligence. It comes from a person who in general has been exact and authentic in his accounts, and in whose information I place a principal confidence. The counterfiet sixty dollar bill which he mentions is also inclosed. I have the honor to be with great respect and esteem your Excellency’s most obt...
14George Washington to John Jay, 7 September 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, September 7, 1779. Describes British troop movements in New York. Discusses probable British plans and advises building up American defenses in South. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
15From George Washington to John Jay, 7 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your obliging favors of the 25th & 31st of last month and thank you for them. It really appears impossible to reconcile the conduct Britain is pursuing, to any system of prudence or policy. For the reasons you assign, appearances are against her deriving aid from other powers; and if it is truly the case, that she has rejected the mediation of Spain, without having made allies,...
16From George Washington to John Jay, 7 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
The current of intelligence from New York makes the late reinforcement under Arburthnot amount to about 3000 troops principally recruits and rather in an unhealthy situation. It also speaks of preparations for an expedition and some recent rumours point to the Southern States, though the enemy have thrown out menaces against this post. If the reinforcement does not exceed this estimate they...
17From George Washington to John Jay, 5 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s several letters of the 26th 29th & 30th have been duly received. The Commissary of Prisoners being absent from Camp, on business respecting his department; I cannot give Congress the satisfaction I wish on the subject of Major General Phillips’s Letter. As soon as he returns the matter shall be taken up; however, I am inclined to doubt whether there is any ground for...
18From George Washington to John Jay, 31 August 1779–1 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honoured with Your Excellency’s Letters of the 20th and 24th with the papers to which they refer. The Acts of the 16th—17th & 18th have been communicated to the Army, in a manner calculated to inspire a proper sense of them. I hope they will have a good effect. As far as my information extends, they have given great satisfaction. It is only to be lamented, that the state of...
19George Washington to John Jay, 29 August 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, August 29, 1779. Reports British-Spanish rupture. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
20From George Washington to John Jay, 29 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose your Excellency the Manifesto of His Most Catholic Majesty delivered at the Court of London by his Ambassador the Marquis D’Almadovar and the message of the British King there upon to the House of Commons, with some other articles of intilligence copied from a (borrowed) Boston paper of the 23d instant. As this paper has come on with a good deal of dispatch, this...
21From George Washington to John Jay, 24–27 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote to your Excellency yesterday, I have been honored with your letter of the 18th instant with the papers mentioned in it. I am much indebted to your Excellency, for the Copy of your circular letter to the States, and I sincerely wish it may have the desired effect—or at least, that the Battalions, in consequence, may be made more respectable than they are at present. The Act of the...
22George Washington to John Jay, 23 August 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point ] August 23, 1779 . Sends news of capture of Powles Hook by Major Henry Lee. Mentions Lord Stirling’s cooperation. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
23From George Washington to John Jay, 23 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of transmitting to Your Excellency the inclosed Copy of a Letter I received from Colo. Butler of the 21st Instant. From the character of this Gentleman and the opinion I entertain of him as a man of strict honor and probity, I am perfectly persuaded the representation he has made of his loss, is true in every part; and I am exceedingly sorry such an accident should have...
24From George Washington to John Jay, 23 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose your Excellency Major Lee’s report of the surprise & capture of the Garrison of Powles Hook. The Major displayed a remarkable degree of prudence address enterprise and bravery upon this occasion—which does the highest honor to himself and to all the officers and men under his command. The situation of the Post rendered the attempt critical and the success brilliant:...
25George Washington to John Jay, 21 August 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, August 21, 1779. Explains steps taken to provide Major General John Sullivan’s men with clothing. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
26From George Washington to John Jay, 21 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since the letter which I had the honor of writing to your Excellency the 17th instant; I have received one from the Board of War inclosing among several others the copy of one from General Sullivan to Congress of the 26th of July in which I find he is still more pointed on the subject of Cloathing than in his letter of the 21st of the same month. As I was not sufficiently explicit on this head...
27From George Washington to John Jay, 19 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to day to receive Your letter of the 8th by Lt Colo. Sims of the 2d Virginia Regiment, with a copy of a letter from him to your Excellency—and of an order of Congress on the 7th in consequence. The indulgence requested by Col. Sims, however interesting it may be to himself appears to me so incompatible with the public service—and to involve—and to lead to so many disagreeable...
28George Washington to John Jay, 17 August 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, August 17, 1779. Encloses for congressional approval names of men nominated to companies of Sappers and Miners. Discusses Baron von Steuben’s need for an extra allowance. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
29From George Washington to John Jay, 17 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I inclose your Excellency a list of Officers proposed after examination by General Du Portail for the Companies of sappers and Miners. If Congress approve the nomination I request they will be pleased to direct commissions to be sent as speedily as possible. They ought to be dated the second of August 79. By the Regulations for the corps of Engineers, the men to form these companies were for...
30George Washington to John Jay, 16 August 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, August 16, 1779. States that England’s rejection of the Spanish offer of mediation “is more strongly tinctured with insanity than any thing she has done in the course of the contest, unless she be sure of very powerful aid from some of the Northern states.” Encloses a letter from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne concerning some of Wayne’s officers. Df , in writing of H, George...