1From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 13 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 13 May 1779. Robert Hanson Harrison docketed Trumbull’s letter to GW of 27 April as “recd 8 May[,] ansd—13.”
2From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 27 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am informed by Lt Colo. Stevens, at present the commanding Officer of Colonel Lambs Regiment of Artillery, that there are four Companies in that Regiment, which were raised in Connecticut, and have been adopted and supplied by the State, for which reason, he has desired liberty to send an Officer from each Company on the recruiting service, not doubting but they will be allowed the same...
3From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 11 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to suggest to Your Excellency that it is a matter of great importance for me to be acquainted with our several Harbours—their depth of Water within and leading to them and all the difficulties & circumstances attending their navigation. at present this knowledge is more peculiarly essential with respect to the Eastern Ports & particularly in the instance of New London. In the...
4From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 23 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I received Advice from Boston that a Number of Transports, have sailed on a second Expidition for fresh Provisions: As they meet with such Success before, it is probable they may pursue the same Course only advancing further—We think Montague Point on Long Island a very probable Place of their Landing: I have therefore thought it best to give you the earliest Intelligence; But I do...
5From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 5 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s Letter of the 24th of febry. Circumstanced as our affairs are, it is impracticable for me, to comply with your request, for a Body of Continental Troops to be stationed at Stamford: some Aid, however, may be given to your State Troops, by the Countenance & Increase of our marching parties, who are patroling on the Lines, & may extend as far as the...
6From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 28 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning honored with yours of the 25th. I think you need be under no apprehensions for the safety of your Coast, while the Count D’Estaings Squadron lays off the harbour of New port, as the Enemy will have sufficient upon their hands to prevent their carrying on a predatory War—I took the Liberty of suggesting to the Count, the advantage of sending a Ship of force down the Sound, to...
7From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 11 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I did my self the pleasure to write you yesterday, and informed you that I had sent you Sixty Thousand Dollars for the recruiting service in your State—After I had sent the money off, I received a letter from Genl Knox, advising me that he was under the most pressing necessity for twenty thousand Dollars for the use of the Ordnance Department, but that he could not get that Sum in the State of...
8From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 30 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
Having received authentic advice from Long Island, that the Enemy are recruiting a great number of men with much success, and collecting large quantities of Stock, throughout the Island, for their support, I have directed Brigadier General Clinton forth with to repair to Fairfield to meet Genl Lincoln on his march hither with a part of the Troops lately voted by the Massachusetts State to...
9From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 16 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress have been pleased to appoint Elisha Sheldon Esqr. of your State to be Lieut. Colonel and Commander of a Regiment of Cavalry. For the purpose of raising them he now sets off for Connecticut—Having to pass through an Enemy’s Country on his way there—I cannot think it prudent to advance him the sum necessary for his immediate use. I have to request you will furnish him with what...
10From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 28 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was a few days ago honored with yours of the 9th: since the receipt of it, I have seen Commissary Cheever, and have had an opportunity of making particular enquiry into the state of the Arms at Springfield. He tells me, that the repair, of such of the old Muskets as are worth the trouble and expence, is going on as fast as the circumstances of want of hands and want of money will admit. The...
11From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 17 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday received the inclosed information from several persons, who lately came out of Boston, which, I thought it my duty, to transmit to you —Whether these Troops are embarked I cannot undertake to say; but if they are it is more than probable, that their destination may be very different from what they gave out in Boston, and that that was only used as a feint—It is certain that several...
12From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 8 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with Your Excellency’s favor of the 4th Inst. I am sorry that any disputes and differences should have happened between Major Murnan and the Inhabitants and Militia—As it is difficult to reconcile matters after they have been carried to such a height as appears by Capt. Greens deposition I have thought it best to recall Major Murnan—You will be pleased to forward the inclosed to...
13From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 19 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed extracts from the proceedings of Congress which I have the honor to transmit you will discover their anxiety respecting our Army here and their wishes to have it reinforced. I shall only add, that the situation of our affairs demands the most speedy succour, and my request, that you use your good offices for expediting the new Levies as fast as possible. I have also inclosed you a...
14From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 3 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been informed, that the State of Connecticut have in possession a very considerable quantity of Salt petre, which they are unable to manufacture into Gun powder, for want of Sulphur—The Continent, on the contrary, have a quantity of Sulphur at Springfeild which lies idle for want of the other necessary ingredients. I have therefore to propose to Your Excellency, that the Sulphur, or as...
15From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 6 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I must take the liberty of addressing you on a subject, which, though out of your sphere, I am fully persuaded, will have every possible attention in your power to give—It is the alarming situation of the Army on account of provision—Shall not undertake minutely to investigate the Causes of this, but there is the strongest reason to believe, that its existence cannot be of long duration,...
16From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 20 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 18th inst. I received this day, for which I return you my thanks. Upon receiving the melancholy intelligence of the Fall of the Brave Montgomery and the repulse of our Troops in their attempt against the City of Quebec, I called a Council of Genl Officers to determine upon the necessary steps to be taken upon the alarming Occasion—Of their determination I wrote you yesterday,...
17From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 12 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 5th. The operations to the Southward have been of so much longer duration, than was at first apprehended, and no certain accounts being yet received, that have come to my knowlege, induces me to think, that the probability of an attempt against the enemy in this quarter, more especially considering the advanced state of the season, is a...
18From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 25 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowlege two favors from your Excellency, both of the 10th of this month. I flatter myself that the measures of the Assembly for recruiting the quota of troops, and bringing them into the field, will fully answer your Excellency’s expectations. I am persuaded, that for such an essential purpose, nothing will be left undone. That part of your Excellency’s letter which relates to the...
19From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 18 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
It is with no small Concern that I find the Arrangement of General Officers made by the Honourable Continental Congress has produced Dissatisfaction. As the Army is upon a general Establishment, their Right to controul & supersede a Provincial one must be unquestionable: and in such a Cause I should hope every Post would be deemed honourable which gave a Man Opportunity to serve his Country. A...
20From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 22 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have yet recd no official Accounts from the southward—The inclosed was brought the day before yesterday from Philada. The Gentleman who transmits the account from thence and Colo. Patton who brought the intelligence from North Carolina, are both so worthy of credibility that I flatter myself it will prove substantially true—altho’ it is difficult to account for its not having arrived...
21From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 26 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
It is with infinite pain I inform You, that we are reduced to a situation of extremity for want of meat. On several days of late the Troops have been entirely destitute of Any—and for a considerable time past they have been at best, at a half—a quarter—an Eighth allowance of this essential Article of provision. The men have borne their distress with a firmness and patience never exceeded—and...
22From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 18 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the Honor to transmit you, a few days ago, the accounts which I had then received of the arrival of a French Fleet upon the Coast. I soon after had the pleasure of receiving a Letter from the Admiral Count D’Estaing, dated off Sandy Hook, where he now lies with twelve sail of the Line and four Frigates. The British Fleet are within the Hook. I am so fully convinced of the...
23From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 16 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
The alarming and almost defenceless state of our Lines, occasioned by the slow progress in raising men for the New Army and the departure of a great number of the Militia which had been called in for their support, till the 15th inst. from this and New-Hampshire Governments, rendered it necessary for me to summon the General Officers in Council, to determine on proper measures to be adopted...
24From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 22 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your’s of the 18th and thank you for the Steps you have taken to carry my requests into execution. I must make an apology for not informing you in particular, of our Success at Monmouth, on the 28th last month. The multiplicity of affairs, then upon my hands, prevented me from writing but to the Congress and General Gates, and I expected, that the intelligence...
25From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 8 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with yours of the 1st instant—you have my thanks for your ready compliance with my requisition, thro’ Genl Putnam, for a Reinforcement to the important [posts] at Peeks kill, and it is an additional pleasure to me to find that you have also sent a Reinforcement to the Army. Since General Howe’s debarkation at the head of Chesapeak Bay he has made very little progress,...
26From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 19 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer [ ] is sent by the Quarter Master General purposely to superintend the forwarding a quantity of Cloathing from Springfield to New Burg —indeed the whole of our dependance in that Article, as far as I can see, for the Winter. The Quarter Master General is in hopes that His Deputies will be able to find the means of transportation without applying to your Excellency for assistance,...
27From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 7 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am honored by yours of the 28th. I had, previous to the receipt of it, determined upon such a disposition of the Troops for the winter, as will serve the purposes you mention. As soon as the intentions of the Enemy are more clearly known I shall fix upon the places of cantonment, and assign the Troops to their respective Stations. A Fleet of upwards of one hundred sail left the Hook on the...
28From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke and Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 24 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Information, being of the highest Importance, I thought it proper to transmit it to you with all Dispatch. I am Sir yr mo. Ob. Servt LB , in Edmund Randolph’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The letter-book copy is addressed to Cooke and is followed by a note reading “A Letter in the same Words was written to Governor Trumbull of Connecticut.” Trumbull’s letter book...
29From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 9 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am just honored with Your Excellency’s letter of the 7th. I had the pleasure of writing to you the same day inclosing a letter for General Glover, or Officer commanding his brigade, in which I was so happy as to have anticipated your wishes. In addition to that, Genl Parsons set out yesterday for Connecticut at my request —I was induced to this from a supposition that his knowlege of The...
30From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 14 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I last night recieved a Letter from Congress, informing me of the arrival of a French Fleet, on our Coast, extracts of which I have the Honor to enclose. In addition to that information, I have recieved intelligence, of tolerable authenticity, to day, of its arrival off the Hook. Every thing we can do to aid and cooperate with this Fleet is of the greatest importance. Accounts from New-York...
31From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 21 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
I am to Acknowlage your Favour of the 17th Inst. informing me of the Destination of the Troops raising in your Colony; As the season is now advanced & the Enemy considerably reinforced we have the utmost Reason to expect any Attack that may be made will not be much longer delayed—I should therefore think it hig[h]ly necessary the new raised Troops should join the Army with all possible...
32From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 8 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
As Capt. Bacon has been here in pursuit of some Duck and other Articles for the Northern Army and is now gone into Connecticut, I take the liberty of forwarding a letter for him to Gov. Cooke under cover to you, by which Capt. Bacon can be furnished with what Duck is wanting provided he does not meet with it in Connecticut. I wrote you particularly last evening by Mr Root of Hartford since...
33From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 20 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have thought proper to send Brigr Genl Parsons to your State to receive arrange and forward to the army the Drafts and recruits which may be furnished for the Continental Battalions in consequence of the late requisitions of the Committee of Congress. Your Excellency will be pleased to give him such information and advice as will be requisite for his government. So important is the present...
34From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., and Colonel Samuel Elmore, 1 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Having just received from Congress a return of Colo. Elmore’s Regiment now in your State, with directions that it shall join this Army, I request the favor of you to order him to march immediately to this place—They have appointed John Brown Esqr. Lieut. Colo. of it, and Robert Cocke Esqr. Major. Commissions for such Officers as appear with their respective Companies I am to fill up. I have...
35From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 7 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The pay Abstract of the 10th Regiment of Connecticut Militia from October to January last, was this day presented to me for payment. The very unreasonable disproportion of Officers induced me to decline giving Orders for the payment. I must beg the favour of You to have some Mode adopted by which the Public Treasury may be eased of such extraordinary Demands—Impositions of this nature are...
36From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 8 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I last night received intelligence of the arrival of some powder in your Colony by the Sloop Macarone, and the report is that she brought Arms too—As my last letters from Philadelphia do not promise me hopes of an immediate supply of those necessaries, and as the exigency of this Army, at this particular crisis, calls for much more than what we have, I must beg the favor of you to interest...
37From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 18 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Mr Starr, an agent for the Board of War in a factory at Middletown, has represented to me, that the public service is like to suffer very materially from the workmen employed with him being called out to serve in the militia. The business under Mr Starr’s direction is of so much importance, that I could wish if possible, it might meet with no interruption. I am therefore induced to request the...
38From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 17 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
With much concern I beg leave to inform you of an unfortunate event that has taken place. Yesterday about 12 oClock the Enemy made a Genl Attack upon our Lines on Harlem Heights, which having carried, the Garrison retired within the Fort—Colo. Magaw who commanded finding the works invested on every side by a large part of their Army, and that there was but little or no prospect of effecting a...
39From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 30 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
The foegoing was put into the post Office agreeable to its Date, to be conveyed to your Excellency, but thro’ the Inattention of the post Master was made up in the Southern Mail—And on its return from Philadelphia by the Eastern post, was captured with his Mail & carried into N. York, which forms a Necessity for transmitting this Duplicate. With great Regard & Esteem I have the Honor to be...
40From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 8 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to receive your Excellencys Favor of the 24th of April—inclosing a Copy of your Letter to Congress on the Subject of American prisoners confined in England—with your Sentiments on the Necessity of Retaliation. I am sorry to inform your Excellency, that a Meeting of Commissioners which had, Among other Matters, been concerted for the purposes of a general Exchange, comprehendg...
41From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 15 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of yours of the 2d instant—I am much obliged for the attention you have paid to my requests thro’ General Putnam, and I shall ever acknowledge the readiness with which you have always afforded any assistance from Your State, when demanded immediately by myself. I was never consulted in the least upon the Rhode Island Expedition, and I cannot therefore pretend to say who were...
42From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 2 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform your Excellency of the sailing of the Embarkation, which I mentioned in my Letter of the 13th of December. The Fleet consisting of thirty two Sail, left the Hook on the 22nd Ulto with a Detachment of about Sixteen hundred Troops on Board, under the command of Arnold. It is conjectured they are designed as a further reinforcement to the Southern Army, which is said to...
43From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 12 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to inform your Excellency, that on hearing the enemy were moving through Marryneck in considerable force, I put General Heath and the two Connecticut brigades under marching orders towards the Sound. They I believe began their march yesterday morning; but the weather probably prevented their going far. I have the honor to be With the greatest respect Yr Excellency’s Most...
44From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 11 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I duly received your favor of the 6th instant and return you my best thanks for the attention you have shewn at this Crisis, in preparing the several Regiments of Militia which are nearest this place to be ready for marching when ordered. Some of the Troops have arrived, and I hope the rest will follow without loss of time. In my last letter I wrote you fully relative to the Light Horse, which...
45From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 21 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
By letter received from five Gentlemen Committee appointed by Provincial Convention of this State to reconnoitre and report the situation of the High Lands and Forts on Hudsons River, I find them in great want of Cannon, two men of war and three tenders being but about ten miles below them, and in daily expectation of their attempting to pass the Forts Montgomery and Constitution, to burn the...
46From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 14 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since I did myself the honor to write you last, the Enemy have embarked their Troops on board a number of Transports, and are now making a shameful retreat from Boston. Various are the conjectures of their destination, though most agree it is either for Halifax or New-York—The latter place seems by much the most probable, be that as it may, New York is a Post of infinite importance both to...
47From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 24 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with Your Excellency’s Letter of the 30th Inst. together with the several Enclosures. The measures which have been taken by your Legislature to produce a prompt compliance with the requisitions upon the State, are of a good complexion, and afford me great satisfaction— I flatter myself the ample powers with which your Excellency & your Council are invested, will be strenuously...
48From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 16 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have been obliged to trouble you with some more disaffected persons whose residence here was dangerous to the American Interest. I trust I have now done with them, at least for the present, and hope you will excuse the disagreeable necessity I have been under of solliciting your care and attention to provide for them and dispose of them. As the case of these differs in no respect from that...
49From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 14 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
“I beg leave to recommend to your kind notice Monsieurs Pennet and De Pliarne two French Gentlemen who came here last night. . . . I pray the favor of you to supply them with such necessaries as they may want and have Carriages provided for expediting their journey as much as possible.” LB , Ct : Trumbull Papers; LB , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . This letter is very similar in wording...
50From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 15 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your favors of the 7th and 9th instant I received, and was much pleased to hear of the zeal of the people of Connecticut & the readiness of the inhabitants of the several Towns to march to this Camp, upon their being acquainted with the behaviour and desertion of their Troops. I have nothing to suggest for the consideration of your Assembly; I am convinced that they will not be wanting in...