1From Alexander Hamilton to Theodorick Bland, 26 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Ringwood, New Jersey, January 26, 1781. “I accompanied the General to this place on the business of the Jersey revolt. Tomorrow morning it will be brought to a decision.” Letter not found. ] ALS , sold by C. F. Libbie and Company, November 15, 1889, Lot 343. Bland, who had been a colonel First Continental Dragoons, resigned from the service on December 10, 1779. On June 21, 1780, he was...
2From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 21 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
The intelligence, on which the order given you to join this army was founded, proving not to be as expected, His Excellency desires you to return to your old station and there remain ’till further orders. He thinks it not improbable the enemy may take it into their heads to make some incursion into the Jerseys to plunder and distress the inhabitants, or perhaps even to endeavour to destroy our...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Theodorick Bland, 9 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yesterday your letter inclosing that of Colo. Dubuysson . It gives us great pain that we are not able to do what is desired by that gentleman. I shall not rest this merely on the determination of the Executive not to exchange Govr. Hamilton at all while matters on our frontier are situated as at present, a determination founded as well on the possibility of real injury he would be...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Theodorick Bland, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 14th inst. , came to hand this day. * * * with respect to Col. Finnie, as a continental officer, [we decline med]dling with his conduct; being yourself in the continental service, [we] take it for granted, that if he fails in his duty you will [put] him under a proper train of enquiry. His assurances to us are fair; one thing only I am to inform you, that however true it may be...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Theodorick Bland, 8 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter to Governor Henry of the 1st. instant came safe to hand yesterday and I immediately laid it before the Council. It gave them pain to hesitate on my request from General Phillips whose polite conduct has disposed them to every indulgence consistent with the duties of their appointment. The indiscriminate murther of men, Women and children with the usual circumstances of barbarity...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Theodorick Bland, 18 January 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The most timid being now satisfied that the enemy will not pay us a visit, Baptiste is relieved, after a delay which seems to have been very painful to him. This should have taken place much sooner, but I wished and hoped daily to send by him orders for taking off the suspension of General Scott’s march, which it was thought not proper to do, till we received satisfactory information of the...
7From James Madison to Theodorick Bland, 6 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
MS (Virginia State Library). On the same small page, above JM’s receipt for pay as a delegate, appears one signed by Joseph Jones on behalf of himself and John Francis Mercer, and another signed by Arthur Lee. On a second small page, which originally may have been joined with the other to form a single folio, Bland wrote his own receipt, followed by: “The Auditors will be pleased to debit the...
8Robert Morris to Alexander Hamilton, Theodorick Bland, Thomas FitzSimons, Samuel Osgood, and Richard Peters, 14 April … (Hamilton Papers)
Since the Conference I had the Honor to hold with you the ninth Instant, my Mind has been continually occupied on the important Subject to which it relates. My Feelings are strongly excited by what I wish for the Public and what I apprehend both for them and for myself. The two Points which relate to my Department are the Settlement of Accounts and Advance of Pay. With respect to the first it...
9George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 31 August 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, August 31, 1779. States that Congress has refused Major General William Phillips permission to send two officers to Canada. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
10From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 30 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received the letters directed to Colonel Rumsey, and Major Parker, and inclosed by you. Though I don’t entertain a doubt of a strict attention being paid to the directions given you, respecting a diligent and constant watch being kept on the motions of the enemy, yet such is the importance of our having early notice of their beginning to [move, that I must] repeat to you the necessity there...
11From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 18 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday was favd with yours without date. The Season is already so far advanced, that however inconvenient it may, I plainly perceive we shall be obliged to bring our new raised Horse into the field without training. I am sorry to inform you that few of the Horse sent out last winter to recruit will be in any kind of condition, such has been the inattention of their Officer’s, and we shall...
12From George Washington to Theodorick Bland, 8 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge and thank you for your obliging favor of the 2d—your former (not with me at this time) has also been received—I fervently wish, that Congress, ’ere this, may have recd official accts of the taking of 96 and Augusta; these, with the preceed ing events in that quarter, must, I should think, if proper pains are taken to communicate them to the Court of France, & the...
13George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 23 November 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] November 23, 1778 . Sends instructions for marching of Convention troops to Virginia. Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
14From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 8 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby appointed to superintend the removal of the convention troops from the State of Massachusetts to Charlottesville in Virginia—You will therefore proceed immediately on the shortest route to Ensfield, or to where the first division of the troops may have arrived, and announce yourself to the officer commanding. You will then dispatch Major Jamison, who is directed to assist you in...
15From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 5 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Congress having determined to remove the Troops of the Convention from the neighbourhood of Boston to Charlotteville in Albemarle County Virginia, an Officer of Rank and prudence will be necessary to regulate and conduct their march. I must desire you to undertake this duty. The first division of the troops was to have marched off as yesterday, and will be followed by four others, at proper...
16From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 24 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy’s Fleet having left Sandy Hook and gone to Sea, you are requested to proceed forthwith with the Regiment under your Command to the City of Philadelphia and Receive directions from the Commanding Officer there. You will take no Heavy Baggage with you, but leave it to follow under the Care of an Officer & proper Guard. I am Sir Yr Most Ot Servant Df , in George Lewis’s writing, DLC:GW...
17From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 9 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your favr of the 6th reached me at this place last evening. I am exceedingly sorry that you have been disappointed in finding the necessary Escorts of Militia in Pennsylvania as carrying forward the Continental troops at this season of the year will be attended with insuperable difficulties. They have to build their Hutts after their return to Middle Brook. The German Regiment which is part of...
18From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 28 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two favours of April the 23d and the 31st of May. I was happy to learn that the affairs of the Convention troops were in a better situation than we at first imagined. General Philips in a letter to me bears ample testimony to the politeness of the treatment they have received. Your arangements for their security on the late incursion of the enemy were judicious and proper;...
19From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 21 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 22d with the list of the officers of the regiment and the return. As subsisting the horse is become a matter of much difficulty, congress may not & I believe do not think it convenient to increase their number under present circumstances —On this consideration the officers actually belonging to your regiment, I would suppose fully adequate to its duties. The...
20From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 20 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your favr of the 26th June, which was handed to me by the Board of War, did not reach me till this day. I hope the timely discovery of the intended Mutiny of the Guards—the infliction of punishment, tho’ light, upon the delinquents—but above all the supply of those necessaries, the want of which seems to have been the principal cause of discontent, will prevent any future disturbances. It is...
21From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 22 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of the 27th ulto. I am exceedingly mortified at hearing, that after Colol Temple has been so many months ⟨in⟩ Virginia employed solely in procuring cloathing for the Regiment, that the greatest part of what he had engaged should have been applied to other purposes, by Mr Finnie. The Men of your Regiment now here are in a manner destitute ⟨o⟩f cloathing, and having still depended...
22From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 13 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your letters of the 22d & 23 of last month with their several inclosures, a few days since. The means you have used to prevent the desertions of the Convention troops, and to recover such as had made their escape, ⟨are⟩ perfectly agreeable: and I am glad your attention has checked a practice attended with so very few advantages. In your late transaction with Major...
23From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 29 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have written to Lord Stirling to day to order a Subaltern with 16 Dragoons of Moylan’s Regiment to proceed to Sherard’s ferry and put himself under your command. When you arrive at Fredericktown in Maryland—if you should suppose you will still have occasion for Horse—You will relieve the party from Moylan’s, by taking an equal or inferior number from Baylor’s, if the state of the Horses will...
24From George Washington to Theodorick Bland, 4 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
On Sunday last the Baron de Steuben handed me your obliging favor of the 22d of March—Permit me to offer you my unfeigned thanks for the clear & candid opinions which you have given me of European politics. Your reasonings upon the conduct of the different Powers at War would have appeared conclusive, had not the happy event which has been since announced to us. and on which I most sincerely...
25From George Washington to Theodorick Bland, 7 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 1st Inst. with the enclosure, this Morning, by the Express who brought the same Act of Congress of the 31st of May, under cover from his Excellency the President. Sensible of the pressing exigencies of the Southern States for succours, I have not hesitated a Moment to order the whole of the seven Battalions of Infantry together with the Corps of Horse and...
26From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 17 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
In order to avoid the calling on the militia of Connecticut, for the purpose of guarding the troops of Convention, I have directed Genl Poor, with his brigade to proceed with them as far as the North River. Major Jamison may continue but You will be pleased, to return here, previously communicating to General Poor a copy of your instructions. I am the more desirous to see you, that a...
27George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 26 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Lott’s [ East of Morristown, New Jersey ] July 26, 1777. Orders Bland to halt at Bristol, Pennsylvania, or Trenton and then proceed to Philadelphia if enemy is in Delaware Bay. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
28From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 31 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Congress were pleased to come to a resolution of the 21st instant of which the inclosed is a Copy. You will perceive it is their sense that Major General Phillips should not be indulged with permission to send two officers into Canada as he has requested In obedience to this signify to him that I countermand the dir⟨ecti⟩ons contained in my letter to you of the 27t⟨h⟩ of July You will give...
29From George Washington to Theodorick Bland, 31 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Article in the provisional Treaty respecting Negroes, which you mention to Sir Guy Carleton, had escaped my Notice—but upon a recurrence to the Treaty, I find it as you have stated. I have therefore tho’t it may not be amiss to send in your Letter to Sir Guy, and have accordingly done it. Altho I have several Servants in like predicament with yours, I have not yet made any attempt for...
30From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received your three several favours of this day —I have spoken to the Commissary & forage master, who have promised to take the proper measures for furnishing you with supplies in their respective departments. You will be pleased to send all Capt. Lee’s troop that remain behind with the regimt to join the detachment now with him and you will also return immediately to him, whatever men...
31From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 8 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have receiv’d your favor mentioning the many & strong reasons you have for quitting the Service, or at least obtaining leave of absence for the settlement of your affairs which you say & I make no doubt are in a Situation that demand your presence. As the Contest, in which we all saw the necessity of stepping forth, still remains undetermin’d, & the event of War doubtfull & uncertain, I...
32From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
It being judged advisable to augment the Cavalry by an addition of one Lieutenant, one Serjeant, one Corporal and twenty two privates to each Troop, a great number of Horses will be wanting for such augmentation and to replace those worn down by the last Campaign. It is proposed that six hundred should be purchased if possible in Virginia and North Carolina and that Colo. Baylor and yourself...
33From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 28 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Board of War having received disagreeable accounts of the situation of matters at the Convention Barracks—are of opinion that order can be restored only by the presence of a sensible discreet officer charged with the general direction of their affairs—and having sufficient weight and knowlege of business to regulate the uneasy and discordant spirits among the prisoners—Upon the boards...
34From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 27 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received Your favor of the 10th by Yesterday’s post. I cannot at this time permit any of the Officers of the Convention Army to go to Canada by Land. But, if there is a necessity for it, Two of them may proceed in the first instance to New York and from thence to Quebec by Water. For this purpose I will furnish a passport upon request for their and the safe conduct of the Vessel in which...
35From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 21 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is an order of Congress of the 7th instant. You will be pleased to take immediate measures for the execution of its objects. I have forwarded a copy to Lt Col. Washington for his government on this occasion. I would suppose it is not intended by the resolve that you should leave the command at Charlotte Ville. I am sir &c. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript ,...
36From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 22 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Yours of last evening reached me at day break this morning. The Continental troops will march from hence in an hour and will have orders to proceed untill they meet the troops of the Convention. I have directed two hundred Men to advance quickly before the rest. You will therefore put the first division in motion as soon as possible after this reaches you. They may march the distance between...
37From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 3 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with your two letters of the 5th ulto. As it was not possible for Capt. Medici to procure Horses at the prices to which he had been at first limited, I think you did right in advising him to purchase upon the best terms he could, without limitation: but I do not think that you should advance him any money. He will, with more propri⟨ety draw it⟩ from the State to which he...
38From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 26 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your two expresses have delivered me your letters both of the 25th instant. If this reaches you before you have passed Trentown, you are to halt there till further orders or till you receive authentic information of the enemy’s fleet being in the mouth of the Delaware bay, in which case you are to proceed to Philadelphia as before directed—But if you have passed it, you are then to halt at...
39George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 28 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] June 28, 1779 . Is pleased with the situation of the Convention troops. Approves of exchanging Baron de Geismer. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
40From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 23 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
As you have not yet had a route given you beyond the North River—I am to desire that you continue the march of the Convention troops by way of New Windsor to Sussex Court-House—to Hackets Town—to Sherrards ferry by Pitts-Town—to White Horse on the lancaster road—to Lancaster and thence by the usual route through York in Pennsylvania Frederickstown in Maryland and Leesburg in Virginia —In the...
41From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 1 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received yours of the 10th Ulto with an Account of your Proceedings up to that Time. As the Money put into your hands by the board of Treasury was particularly for the purpose of procuring Horses and Accoutrements I think you were right in not applying it to the payment of the Cloathing purchased by Collo. Temple—I can see no objection to your taking up Money from the Deputy Paymaster...
42III: To Colonel Theodorick Bland, 11 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I earnestly entreat continuance of your vigilant attention to the movements of the Enemy and the earliest report, not only of their movements, but of their number, & the course they are pursuing. In a particular manner, I wish you to gain satisfactory information of a body confidently reported to have gone up to a Ford Seven or Eight miles above this. It is said the Fact is certain. You will...
43From George Washington to Major Theodorick Bland or the Officer Commanding the Virginia Light Horse, 30 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am informed that you are on your march from Virginia, to join the Army under my Command and that you have the Charge of the prisoners who were ordered up to be exchanged. As this must delay your march very much, and as I do not think it expedient for the prisoners to come on just at this time, I desire you will leave them at the most convenient Place; there to remain till further orders from...
44From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 11 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Major General Philips and Major General Baron de Riedisel with his lady, and the gentlemen composing their respective families have permission to go into New-York on parole. You will be pleased therefore to notify them of this and furnish the Generals with a copy of the inclosed route —That it may be strictly observed, and to prevent, as much as possible, the consequences that might arise from...
45From George Washington to Theodorick Bland, 4 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Subject of your private Letter, is so important & involves so many Considerations, that I could not hazard my own Opinion only for a Reply—I have therefore communicated its Contents to some of the most intelligent, well informed, & confidential Officers, whose judgment I have consulted, & endeavoured to collect from them, what is the general Line & Expectation of the Army at large respectg...