41401To George Washington from Major Generals John Sullivan, Nathanael Greene, and Adam Stephen, 28 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
In obedience To your Excellencys order we have met and Considered The Pretensions of Colo. Moylan and Colo. Bland to Rank in the Army of The United American States; And beg Leave to Report That we are Unanimously of Opinion That Colo. Moylan is Intituled to Rank in the Army before Colo. Bland; which is Humbly Submitted to your Excellencey by your Excellenceys most obedt Servants LS , in...
41402To George Washington from Colonel George Baylor, 11 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the third instant I receivd by Capt. Lewis and shall endeavour to merit your approbation, by dispaching the business in which I am engaged. I have not heard from Colo. Bland respecting your orders for sending the Recruits and Horses to Camp in Squads. but I have agreeable to your former directions sent off forty Men and fifty Horses. they left this two days since. On my arrival...
41403To George Washington from John Hancock, 25 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 21st Inst. by Mr Bennet with the Enclosure were duely received and laid before Congress, as you will perceive by the enclosed Resolves, to which I beg Leave to request your Attention. Altho the Commissioners have undoubtedly mistaken the Intention of Congress, yet the Terms, in which The Resolve is conceived, viz. “That the General be empow[e]red to employ in Canada a Number...
41404To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 4 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Brigadier Generals Nixon & Glover have repeatedly represented the destitute Condition of the men belonging to their respective Brigades for Shoes, nearly one half of each Brigade being bare footed. The weather is now become So Cold that it will be almost impossible for them to do duty in Such Condition, and a greater discouragement to the reinlistment of the Troops cannot at this time happen....
41405To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel William Palfrey, 5 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have just receiv’d a Letter from Boston which contains a Paragraph that may not be worth your Excellency’s attention, but which I think it my Duty to Communicate. “The British Officers will lay any Betts whatever that before this Day (the Letter is dated Decr 15th) General Washington is no more. What they mean by their Talk we know not, but suppose some infernal Scheme at the Bottom. It...
41406To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Supreme Executive Council, 18 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Council had the Honor yesterday & not before to receive your Excellency’s Letter, dated the 9th Inst. to which you may depend the utmost attention will be paid—they are looking out for proper surveyors & when procured they shall be sett to Work as soon as possible, and the business shall be conducted with as much expedition & secrecy as the nature of it will admit. Gen. Du Coudray by order...
41407To George Washington from Samuel Huntington, 8 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to transmit your Excellency the enclosed Extracts of Letters from the Governors of North Carolina & Virginia, which contain the latest Intelligence we have received from the southern Department, and give a more favourable representation of the Action near Cambden on the 16. Ulto than we had apprehended from the Letter of General Gates of the 20. Ulto, a Copy of which I presume...
41408To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 6 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
A small Touch of the Rheumatism in my right Hand and Shoulder prevents my writing to your Excellency myself. Some Circumstances in Major Howells last journal induces me to send you the inclosed Original. they have become very strict within these few last Days at New-York about permitting any Persons to pass or repass. I have therefore found it difficult to get Intelligence from thence. they...
41409To George Washington from George Plater, 22 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
The General Assembly joyfully embrace the opportunity which your wellcome arrival in this City affords them of testifying to your Excellency in person, their high sense of your signal services and of shewing you every mark of esteem and respect. Actuated by the purest public spirit, your long and steady perseverance, and anxious unremitted vigilance, under the pressure of surrounding...
41410To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 1 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Excellenceys Commands I have Considered upon the most Suitable place to Canton the Army During the winter The Several places proposed in Councill have their Advantages and Disadvantages but that which has the Least objections ought to be fixed upon The Intention of the Board is to take that Station which will answer best to Cover the Country Refresh the Troops & Discipline...
41411To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 25 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored by the receipt of yours of the 29th December & 9th Instant. Every assistance in my power shall be afforded to Major Blackden, and I am happy to find that he will obtain most of the Articles which are necessary without much difficulty or delay. General Steuben having grown impatient to proceed to the Army, had set out before the arrival of your Excellency’s Letter which...
41412To George Washington from the Executive Committee of the Continental Congress, 31 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
We have the honor to enclose herein sundry resolves of Congress just received from Baltimore by express, we have barely taken time to read them over and finding them so important we wou’d not delay the express one moment, we find by these resolves your Excellencys hands will be Strengthened with very ample Powers & a new reformation of the army seems to have its origin therein, happy it is for...
41413To George Washington from Hugh Hughes, 9 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Sensible that the Foregoing does not fully answer the Description of what your Excellency was pleased to order, I must beg Leave to mention the Reasons why that Order has not been complied with, and a partial Return exhibited, which are, that all the Brigade Returns were not yesterday, sent to the Quarter Master General’s Office, and that Colonel Humphrys, signified it was your Excellency’s...
41414To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 20 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I feel myself doubly honoured by your favor of the 14th Inst. from the confidence of General Washington in the free communication of his sentiments & in the coincidence of his Ideas with my own, upon a question, on the wise decision of which the Inheritance, possibly the establishment, of the freedom & Independence of these States, seems to depend. The respect Sir, which I owe you, demands an...
41415To George Washington from Colonel Henry Jackson, 1 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor a few days sinse of receving by the hands of the Selectmen of this City, your Excellencys Letter of date, inclosing an appointment to the Command of one of the additional sixteen Regiments to be raised in the servise of the United States with my recruitg orders, accompanied with a warrant on the paymaster General for ten thousand dollars —This is the first opportunity I have...
41416To George Washington from Heman Swift, 6 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
It is with regret I am obliged to report to your Excellency a mutinous combination which has been carried on among the soldiery of this Division. The time appointed for the execution of the plan was the morning of the 4th at the beating of the reveillee. Happily I had information of the design the morning before, and that they were to meet that afternoon under pretence of playing ball, to...
41417To George Washington from Egbert Benson, 18 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
On Sunday last we were honored with your Excellency’s Letter of the 10th instt, and this day We transmitted to Sir Guy Carleton a Representation of which We do ourselves the Honor to inclose your Excellency a Copy; and the Reasons which induced us to make it, appear so fully from the Representation itself as to prevent the necessity of any further Explanation. Except some Provincials, no...
41418To George Washington from Brigadier General Nathanael Greene, 4 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Col. Hand Reports 21 Sail seen off last Evening, Eight arrivd at the Hook this morning and thirteen coming in. The Enemies Guard Boats pattroled much higher up the Bay than usual last Night. I apprehend a couple of Guard Boats are necessary to Pattrole from Red to Yellow Hook across the Bay leading to Rappelyeas Mills, providing there are Boats to spare. Inclosd is a return of the Officers of...
41419To George Washington from Samuel Allyne Otis, 24 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
With the utmost anxiety I have beheld your army of Patriots opposeing not only the formidable powers of Europe, and you bearing your Gallant breast not only against misfortune, but combating also the attacks of inclement Skies in our unequal Combat. Why application to the Eastern States whose ports are open and whose acquisition of Cloathing is vast, was not sooner made I cant determine, But...
41420To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 6 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Extract of a letter from General Sullivan dated Wyalusing [Pa.] 6th Augt 1779. “On examining the state of our Stores I find that we have not more than forty days provision in Flour, nor will the Meat now on hand, with the greatest Oeconomy last more than two Months. This was all I could possibly procure and indeed full as much as I had means to carry; for the number of my Boats does not exceed...
41421To George Washington from Lund Washington, 4 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Letters of the 14th & 21st come to hand by the last Post—on monday Morning I inclosed the latter to Dulany and wrote him that I woud wait on him and Mrs French for their final answer the next day—accordingly I went, but did not see Mrs French, she did not appear at Dinner but sent word she was not well Dulany told me when I went, as the Day was very Wet he did not expect me and had wrote...
41422To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 27 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to Accquaint you that yesterday Morning the Enemy Evacuated both Fort Montgomery & Clinton, (but not without laying the same into ashes) and destroying every work about them; all their Shipping Large & Small with all the sails they could Possible Crowd Proceded down the River yesterday, They have Certainly ⟨so⟩me secret expidition in View, & from every Acct I am able to...
41423To George Washington from John Likly, 4 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was at York Town in Virginia as a Merchant, when the Army & Garrison there surrendered to Your Excellency; and disposed of a considerable part of my Merchandize to the Public, for which, it was stipulated that I should receive Tobacco in return. Finding that some of the Vessels employed in bringing away this Tobacco, were detained in the Country beyond expectation; and finding that they...
41424To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 25 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday poors, & the Late Learneds Brigades, arrived, & incamped in the Neighbourhood of this Town; & tomorrow, Pattersons will Join them; I have received no intelligence of any kind, from any Quarter, since that contain’d in Your Excellencys Lre: of the 21st Instant; Colonel pickering came here last Night, & this morning wrote the inclosed Letter to Your Excellency. Your Commands thereupon...
41425To George Washington from Joseph King, 26 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
The humble Station in which I act would forbid the freedom I take in writing to your Excellency had I not Reason to believe your kind disposition towards the Afflicted—And being urged by the necessity, flatter my Self you will Pardon the Liberty I take, Therefore beg your Excellency will permit me to inform you that the Inclosed Paper signed by Officers of the Jersey line and the One Signed by...
41426To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 11 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
In mine of the 9th I had the Honor of giving you a particular account of our proceedings & Situation, yesterday Our Sergts or Commanders agreed as a preliminary to give us up the two Spies & that all such Soldiers as were entitled to their Discharges (which are but few) should Immediately give up their Arms & retire these were Articles which they took the Voice of the Soldiers on—who agreed to...
41427To George Washington from Colonel Thomas Lowrey, 19 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
By Information from Brunswick last night I have to inform your Excellency, the Body of English Troops now lying at Brunswick & the Landing have had a late Reinforcemt, the whole consists of between seven & eight thousand Men, This day a number more of them is expected to the same places—Genl Howe & Ld Piercy are arrived at Amboy with a number of Troops, it is expected a movemt will be made in...
41428To George Washington from Peter Muhlenberg, 25 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the Honor to inclose Your Excellency a return by the last post of the troops at Cumberland; since that time a detachment from the Eastern Shore has got in, The return I do myself the Honor to inclose—I flatter myself as soon as the promis’d Clothing arrives that I shall be able to equip & send in 200 Men. The House of Assembly are now sitting, but have done nothing of consequence...
41429To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 28 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote Your Excellency the two columns of the enemy which were only as I apprehend two Regiments marching by files, to envelop the party of Cavalry with which I was reconnoitring —have retired from the woods into which they were gliding on our right and left—their advanced videts have been withdrawn, and the whole appears to be moving off. I am with the greatest respect Your Excellencys...
41430To George Washington from George Weedon, 2 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
One of my lookouts has this moment Returned from his station at Hobdeys; The Enemy this morning sank a Brig. and schooner, loaded with Canon and Carriages at the salt marshes just below Town. No other Intelligence that can be depended on, he says he saw an Eastern shore Man that crossed the Bay last Night, who said a British Fleet was of the Cape, This I scarely believe. I am with much Esteem...
41431To George Washington from William Heath, 25 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
A number of very respectable merchants in the town of Boston have lately been imposed upon and defrauded of property to a very large amount, by two persons whose names are William Campbell, and William Huntington, who after geting the property into their hands have abscounded, and as is Supposed gone to New York, such practices being detested by all civilized nations, and persons whose breasts...
41432To George Washington from General Frederick Haldimand, 29 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Amongst the various Evils that are the certain Attendants of a Civil War, I did not expect to find the unmeritted Misery of Individuals, one of the Objects to occupy the Virginian Assembly, because I thought the liberal Education many of its Inhabitants have received, joined to their private Virtues, however they might be changed by Party, would at least have prevented their Assembly from...
41433To George Washington from Andrew Billings, 27 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
We the Master, Wardens and Brethern of Solomon’s Lodge, are highly sensible of the honour done to Masonry in general, by the countenance shewn it by the most dignified Characters. We esteem it a peculiar honour to us in particular that at this Time we may with one Heart, congratulate your Excellency on your arrival here, by the appellation of Brother. Gratitude on this, as well as on all other...
41434Sonnet from Domenico Bertini, of Florence, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
A Sua Eccellenza il Signor Washinton Generale delle Colonie Americane Sonetto ADS (in Italian), DLC:GW ; translation, DLC:GW . The sonnet and translation both are undated. GW docketed the translation “Letter & Sonnet from Dominec Bertini, 12th Novr 1777.” Bertini enclosed this sonnet in a letter to James Lovell written in Italian at Florence, Italy, on 12 Nov., and Lovell apparently forwarded...
41435To George Washington from Ebenezer Huntington, 10 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
In adverting to the Resolution of his Excellency Governor Trumbull & Council of Safety, I observe the reason they give for Colo. Grey’s being intitled to the Rank of me is principally on account of Lt Colo. Livingstons being continued on the Muster & Pay Rolls of the late 9th Connt Regt after the 10th of October 1778, the time on which my Commission stands dated, which rolls were signed by me...
41436To George Washington from the Board of War, 31 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from the Board of War, c.31 Dec. 1778. On 1 Jan. 1779 GW wrote Brig. Gen. William Smallwood : “The inclosed was addressed to me by the Board of War at the request of Mr Rutherford.”
41437To George Washington from Seth Warner, 16 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
After a long Confinement With Sickness and Lameness Which hath followed me Ever since I Left the Sarviss I Would present you With a line prehaps not Worthy your observation though With the leatest intelligence from Canaday—Liut Dunning an officer from my Regiment Who Was taken presner on the 14 Mile island in Lake georeg july the 13th 1778 hath got his Redemtion By the Way of Varmont and Maid...
41438To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 28 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday morning I was informed by a Credible Coaster from Martha’s Vineyard that the British Fleet were the day before in the Vineyard Sound and to the Westward of the Island, to the number of twenty Sail & upwards. their object probably is to plunder the Stock &c. I think it is not unlikely that the Small embarkation of Troops lately mentioned to be taking place at New York are on this...
41439To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 14 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I should have done myself the honor of writing to you earlier, but postponed my intention in hopes of obtaining satisfactory intelligence of the force and designs of the enemy in this quarter—Altho’ my expectations are far from being answered, I must entreat your Excellencys acceptance of what I have been able to collect on those subjects, lest the expected siege prolong my silence beyond the...
41440To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 4 Oct. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Major General Stirling, 4 Oct. 1779. On 7 Oct., GW wrote Stirling: “I am this moment favored with yours of the 4th.”
41441To George Washington from Burwell Bassett, 5 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have waited thus long without writeing to you in hopes that I should been able to inclosd you and Accot of the settlement of your affairs below but Posey has not yet finishd the business he has paid to Mr Washington £1009 as soon as it settle’d I will send you the best Accot that I can get made out but what I can learn from Posey Hill has kept his Accot in such a manner that will be very...
41442To George Washington from Col. Stephen Moylan, 21 April 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Col. Stephen Moylan, 21 April 1778. GW wrote Moylan on 29 April , “I recd yours of the 21st instant.”
41443To George Washington from Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 20 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
It is with a great pleasure, that I inform Your Excellency, of the arrival of the Frigate The Alliance , at Boston. You will see in the Newspaper herein included, the news that she brings. they are all very good; All I fear, is Least the Departure of the 2d Division should not have taken place, until the Junction of the Spanish fleet, that was not effectuated, when the Frigate set sail. She...
41444To George Washington from George Clinton, 12 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Friends of Major Hatfield (who last year belonged to General Scott’s Brigade in our Army and was taken by the Enemy on Montresure’s Island, and is now a Prisoner with them) inform me that when your Excellency was in the Clove Mrs Hatfield (the Majors Wife) obtained your Permission to visit her Husband at Newyork and was conducted by a Flag from Elizabeth Town to Staten Island for that...
41445From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 25 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
The last Post brought me your letter of the 10th from Mount Vernon—I am sorry to find by it, that you had not got rid of your fever—the cool weather will, probably prove your best physician and this is fast approaching. The Inclosed Letters from the Marquis De la Fayette came under cover to me—They were brought by Baron Viominel, Duke Lauzen, Marq: Laval & others; who were driven on shore in...
41446From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 14 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 23d Ulto from Berkeley; & am sorry to find that your fever & pain in the Breast still continues—If they should not have left you ’ere this gets to hand, you had, in my opinion, best take a trip to the Southward—Doctr Craik advises one to the West Indies, if there is the least appearance of the disorder falling upon your Lungs. the only objection I see to this...
41447From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 21 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter came to my hands last Night. I have wrote to Majr Lee on the subject—when his answer arrives you will hear further from me on the subject of it. I am. ADf , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . George Augustine Washington (c.1758–1793) was the oldest son of GW’s brother Charles. He served from September to November 1777 as a second lieutenant in Col. William Grayson’s Additional...
41448From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 18 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
If my Letter from Albany by the Count del Vermé has reached you, it would inform you that I had just made the tour of the Northern & Western parts of this State, & had got that far on my return home. Accordingly, the day following I arrived at this place & found your Aunt but just recovering from a Fever & severe Cholic which had reduced her much. Since then she has had a relapse, and is at...
41449From George Washington to Hannah Bushrod Washington, 18 October 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Hannah Bushrod Washington, c.18 Oct. 1777. On 18 Oct. GW wrote John Augustine Washington : “the Inclosed Letter of thanks to my Sister for her elegant present you will please to deliver.”
41450From George Washington to John Augustine Washington, 18 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your kind and Affectionate Letters of the 21st of Septr & 2d Instt came Safe to hand. when my last to you was dated I know not, for truely I can say, that my whole time is so much engross’d that I have scarce a moment (but sleeping ones) for relaxation, or to endulge myself in writing to a friend. The anxiety you have been under, on Acct of this Army, I can easily conceive; would to God there...