1From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General James Clinton, 1 August 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
The General has received a letter written by Mr Erskine by your desire at half past Nine oClock this morning; by which he perceives there are parties of the Enemy hovering about you. He desires you will take the most effectual measures to ascertain what force they are in; and be particularly watchful, that while they may be amusing you in front, they may not throw a force superior to yours on...
[ Bergen County, New Jersey ] September 11, 1780 . “His Excellency desires you will furnish from your Brigade a subaltern for the Company of light infantry in Col Cortland’s regiment.” ALS , MS Division, New York Public Library. Colonel Philip Van Cortlandt, Second New York Regiment.
3From Edward Hand to James Clinton, 28 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Exy desires me to inform you it is his desire that you Order Returns of the Troops under your Command to be regularly made out and transmitted to this Office so as to reach it by the last saturday in every Month agreable to Genl Orders formerly given. I am &c. DNA : RG 93—War Department.
4Secret Committee to James Clinton, 22 June 1776 (Jay Papers)
The Warrant you rec d . from us by Express from General Washington against Fletcher Matthews, was intended for James Matthews, who by an unlucky mistake we understood to be named Fletcher. Be pleased therefore to forbear executing the said Warrant—We have given one to M r . Allison against James Matthews which we are desirous should be served without Delay—as also against William Forbes a...
5From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 16 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
As we are making a detachment from this army, it is become expedient to withdraw a part of your brigade towards replacing it. You will therefore march to West Point, as speedily as possible, six companies of Col. Van Schaicks regiment, of which the light company to be one. You will make such a disposition with the rest of your brigade as you judge best calculated for the security of the...
6George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 28 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 28, 1779 . Recommends that Clinton encourage the Onondagas to capture either Colonel Walter Butler or Joseph Brant. Hopes that Clinton is ready to cooperate with Major General John Sullivan. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
7From George Washington to James Clinton, 20 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favor of the 12th I imagine before this reaches you, the first detachment of Boats will have been sent down. Should they not, you will be pleased to have the Light Company of Cortlands compleated and sent down with them. Should the Boats have come away, you will consider whether you can spare the light Company and have a sufficient number of Men left to bring down the...
8From George Washington to James Clinton, 5 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am favored with your Letter of the 30th Ulto also with one from His Excellency Governor Clinton of the 1st Inst. representing the exposed situation of the frontier of this State. I have in consequence, thought it adviseable, that the remaining part of Cortlands Regt (except the Light Company) should continue at Albany untill further Orders—I have also prevailed on Major General Lincoln to...
9From George Washington to James Clinton, 17 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I some time ago upon the representation of Mr Rensalaer the Commy of Stores at Albany gave him an unlimited order upon the Dy Commy of Hides for as much Leather or Hides as were absolutely necessary for the business of the Department. I am informed that the first draft he made was for 900 Hides, a quantity that to me seems far greater than there could possibly be occasion for, at one time at...
10From George Washington to James Clinton, 27 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Doctor Vache formerly Surgeon to the 4th New York Regiment has made application to Congress, alledging that he was injustly diranged from the New York Line, notwithstanding he was Eldest Surgeon of the line and had Signified in proper time his desire of remaining in Service—as the Secy at war has referred the matter to me I must desire you to acquaint me fully, what were the reasons for which...
11From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 12 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have before me your two Letters of the 8th and 10th Inst. the first inclosing Returns of the Number of Men and Ordnance and Artillery Stores at Forts Montgomery and Constitution; the last, Copies of two Letters from the Convention of the State of New York, by which it appears they had ordered in 600 Militia as a Reinforcement to the two posts, and which I hope will put them in a proper State...
12From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 9 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
General Schuyler having requested me in the most pressing manner, to send him a General Officer to assist in the command in the Northern department, you will, as soon as possible, after the receipt of this, repair to Albany and take his commands. As the situation of our Affairs in that Quarter, may demand your immediate aid, I should hope you will not delay going a moment longer than you can...
13From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 14 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of the 28th Ultimo with its inclosure containing the final determination of the friendly Indians. The order for your amunition has been sent forward from Philadelphia under cover to yourself; and I would suppose it come to hand before this time. The general orders of the 7th 9th and 12th Inst. which accompany this, will point out the steps which are to be taken for...
14From George Washington to Brig. Gen. James Clinton, 1 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Brig. Gen. James Clinton, 1 July 1779. James Clinton wrote George Clinton on 6 July that he had received a letter from GW “dated the first Instant in which his Excellency expresses his Surprise at my taking so much Stores with me when it was determined that all the Supplies of the Army should come up with Genl Sullivan and that nothing more shou’d be brought with me,...
15George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 16 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 16, 1781 . Orders Clinton to march six companies of Colonel Goose Van Schaick’s regiment to West Point. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress; LS , in the handwriting of H, The Sol Feinstone Collection, Library of the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia.
16From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 20 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of a letter from His Excellency the Governor representing the situation of the Garrison of Fort Schuyler and the Troops at Albany and Schenectady for want of Meat —I have directed the Commissary Genl to give an order upon the Magazine at Richmond for two hundred Barrels of Salt provisions, which you have inclosed. Out of this, you will endeavour to throw a supply of three Months...
17From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 25 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favors of the 9th and 13th insts.—In my last of the 19th I informed you that it was the desire of Congress that a fort might be built for the Oneidas if they requested it—and I am therefore glad that you have ordered that work to be executed—I also at that time inclosed an order upon the Commissary of Military Stores at Springfield for what amunition you might think...
18From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 27 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday received your letter of the 19th and the day before a copy of yours of the 22d to His Excellency the Governor. I find by the great quantity of stores and provisions you are transporting to the lake, that there has been a misapprehension with respect to that matter which I fear may be attended with bad consequences. The large Magazines directed to be formed at Fort Schuyler were...
19From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 2 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowlege your favor of the 23d May. The taking of the two light three pounders in place of the artillery of the brigade, as you propose will depend entirely on the place of your junction with General Sullivan. If on the Susquehannah there will be no necessity to carry any artillery whatsoever, as General Sullivan has made adequate provision. If the other route is determined on I...
20From George Washington to Colonel James Clinton, 17 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 13th Inst. was duly Received, The steps you have taken appear to me extreamly proper and that there may be no discouragement in the purchase of Arms of which we stand in great need, I have by the bearer sent you the £300. you request, You will please to keep a particular Account of the Disburstment in order that it may be bro’t into its proper place of Settlement at a future...
21From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 28 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your favours of the 17th 18th and 20th—with their inclosures. The intelligence communicated by Mr Deane is important—I have transmitted it to General Sullivan. Lieutenant Colonel Regnier will inform you that he is appointed a sub inspector agreeable to your recommendation. I wish however your influence to be exerted to have a brigade inspector appointed, as Lt Col. Regnier...
22From George Washington to James Clinton, 16 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
In my Letter of the 5th & 10th Inst. I intimated to you the necessity of keeping the Reinforcements lately sent to the Northward as much together as possible, and in such constant readiness for a movement, as that they might be recalled, if necessary, on the shortest warning: I must now inform you that the Operation which has been concerted between His Excellency the Count de Rochambeau, and...
23From George Washington to Colonel James Clinton, 21 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer Lieut. Machine I have sent to Act as an Engineer in the Posts under your Command, and at such other places as may be tho’t necessary, he is an ingenious Man, and has given great Sattisfaction as an Engineer, at Boston from which he is just returned—I have Received from the Secret Committee a representation of your want of Metrosses which can be supplied in no other way, but by...
24From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 11 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Upon a farther consideration of the subject of my letter of the 25th Ulto—it appears to me of the utmost importance to secure a communication between Fort Schuyler and Schenectady—in case any expedition should be formed. You will therefore regard this as your primary object—and make the best dispositions relatively to it, that your force and the nature of the Country will allow. Inclosed is an...
25From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 12 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
In a circular letter of the 22d of Jany—in your absence—I transmitted the Inspectors reports of december to the Commandant of your Brigade delineating several defects and abuses there pointed out and exhorting to effectual measures for remedying them. This letter I presume you have since your return received; if not you will be pleased immediately to call for it, and have the objects contained...
26From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 19 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure of introducing to you the Chevr de Chatteleaux Majr Genl in the French Army, and the Viscount de Noailles & Count Damas who are anxious to see the Northern Frontier of New York, & may perhaps go as far as lake George. As they are Gentlemen of the first rank in France, I would wish every attention paid to them. You will be pleased to offer them an escort if they incline to...
27From George Washington to Colonel James Clinton, 28 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Having occasion to part with my Housekeeper, a Mrs Thompson somewhere in your Neighbourhood, is recommended to me as a fit person to supply her place. I therefore give you the trouble of forwarding the Inclosed Letter to her, & beg of you to hasten her to this place or an answer, as I am entirely destitute, & put to much inconvenience for want of discharge the duties of this Office. I am Sir...
28From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 20 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Upon receipt of this letter you will be pleased to proceed immediately to Albany, or the place to which General Hand may have gone; previously, however, directing the two Regiments of your brigade to follow you, in case they have not already set out, and to wait your orders at Albany. General Hand receives my directions to take the command at the minisink, in which I have, (for the present)...
29From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 10 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
From the accounts which I have received from the northward, I am in hopes there will be no occasion for your advancing beyond Albany. I put this letter under cover to the Lieut. Governor with a desire to forward it to you, in case the information he may have received of the retreat of the Enemy will justify your recall. In such case, you will return with the utmost expedition to West Point and...
30From George Washington to James Clinton, 6 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
In my last Letter, I requested you to forward all the Continental Troops from the Northward to West Point by Detachment as soon as possible—some circumstances since having made an alteration in the arrangements of the army, such of the Troops as shall not have been sent off, before the receipt of this Letter you will be pleased to detain at Albany untill further Orders: Causing the whole of...
31From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 13 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Honourable the Congress have decided the affair of rank between Colonels Van Courtlandt—Gansevoort & Dubois upon their respective Memorials, against Colonel Dubois, as you will perceive by the inclosed Extract from General Orders, which contains their Resolution upon the occasion. You will be pleased to publish the Extract in your Brigade Orders—or communicate it to the parties in any way...
32From George Washington to James Clinton, 5 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since my letter to you of yesterday in which I mentioned the measure I had taken respecting supplies, informed you of our only resources, and authorized military coertion in cases of extremity; I have received your favor of the 30th Ulto with a Postscrip of the 1st Inst. Alarmed at the critical situation of the Garrison of Fort Schuyler, I order’d out of the small pittance in our Magazines, 50...
33From George Washington to James Clinton, 5 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
In my Letter of the 28 Ulto I informed you of the succour you might expect, if necessary. The five Companies of Van Schaicks Regt have since sailed—Hazens will follow tommorow. I have now to communicate my sentiments in general respecting the disposition, and application of this force. It is clearly my opinion, that the reinforcements lately ordered to the Northward should be kept together, as...
34From George Washington to James Clinton, 25 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
In a conference this day with the Governor—the Lieut. Governor—Genl Schuyler and Genl Ten Brock it has been determined that the Continental Regiments shall be withdrawn from the Northward as soon as a suitable number of Militia shall be sent in to relieve them. I have in consequence directed 600 men from the Counties of Hampshire and Berkshire to rendezvous at Albany. As they arrive you will...
35From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 25 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
This Letter is intended to countermand the orders which have been given you for marching —if therefore upon receipt of it, your troops should still be at the Continental Village—you will remain there with them and revert to the instructions which you received relative to that post —if it should find you on the march you will halt your troops at the first convenient position—and wait farther...
36From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 24 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I should have been glad had the situation of the Army, in respect to General Officers, admitted of my granting your request for a longer continuance of your furlough: But I am really obliged to dispense with many necessary Camp duties and to send Officers of inferior Ranks upon commands which ought in propriety to fall to General Officers. We have at this time but two Brigadiers of the line in...
37From George Washington to James Clinton, 14 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your Letter of the 7th Instant. The measure you took, for obtaining bread for the Troops, in their distress, by ordering up the flour from the Mills below has my entire approbation. General Heath has gone to the Eastern States, as I suggested, in my former Letter was proposed. One tenth part of the whole supply of Meat, from New England, is ordered to Your Department....
38George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, [17 October 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Fredericksburg, New York, October 17, 1778 .] States that Colonel Goose Van Schaick is to relieve Colonel Peter Gansevoort and that Colonel Philip Van Cortlandt is to make an expedition to the frontier. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
39From George Washington to Colonel James Clinton, 20 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
On the Execution of the Inclosed Warrant with expedition, care & exactness, much may depend; I therefore desire you will perform the Service therein required, yourself—In the Instant he is siezed (& his Papers) inform him that there are indubitable Evidence of his being concernd in a Scheme of Inlisting Men for the Kings Service, & note his answers—Communicate this matter to no Person living...
40From George Washington to James Clinton, 16 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with your letter of the 9th Inst. announcing the arrival of General Stark to take command in the northern department and informing that the state Levies were coming in, and the militia from the eastward hourly expected. You will be pleased therefore on the receipt of this to embark the remaining Companies of Colo. Courtland’s regiment, and proceed immediately with them...
41George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 12 February 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] February 12, 1780 . Asks Clinton to investigate reported defects in his brigade and to correct them. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
42From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 17 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Brig. Gen. James Clinton, 17 Feb. 1779. Clinton wrote GW on 8 April ( DLC:GW ): “I am to acknowledge the Receipt of your Excellency’s Favours of the 14th 17th 22d Feby and 25th March with their Enclosures.”
43From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton or the Commanding Officer at Fort Montgomery, 5 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
In order to shorten the March of the Massachusett’s Regiments intended for this quarter, They are directed to take their Route thro’ the Greenwoods to Kinderhook, Claverack or Red hook, from whence they are to fall down to Fort Montgomery by water. If none of the Enemy’s Vessells should be in Haverstraw bay, they may proceed down the River by Water, and disembark at Peek’s kill or in Jersey,...
44From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 22 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with Your Letter of the 13th Inst. by Colo. Du Bois—with the several Inclosures. I have given Colo. Du Bois Orders on the Cloathing department for such articles as the state of our supplies will admit of, for the Troops which have not been already furnished—and I hope they will reach them ‘ere it is long. I am sorry you have met with some disappointments in respect to...
45From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 31 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with Your Letter of the 5th Inst. and with Your’s & Genl Hand’s of the 28th Ulto. The One you mention of the 20th never came to hand. As the impediments which suspended General Schuyler from command are now removed by an Honorable acquittal—I have written him a line upon the subject of his resuming it, in the Department where he now is for the present. If this event takes...
46From George Washington to James Clinton, 15 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have written to General Schuyler to have all the Boats, Oars & Plank which he has been able to procure for the Public instantly sent to West Point & mentioned that you would furnish men for the purpose—I have now to request that you will order exactly a sufficient number of men, properly officered from the 2nd New York Regt to bring these Boats immediately down the River; the Boats will be...
47From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 14 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Permission is granted to send a Flag Boat from New York to King’s Ferry with Cloathing and other necessaries for the troops of the Convention who may be shortly expected at Fishkill on their way to Virginia. Upon the arrival of the British Boat at King’s Ferry, you are to procure a proper Vessel and take the goods out of her and send them under the care of an Officer who is to deliver them to...
48From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 10 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two favours of the 28th of May and 6th of June —I hope before this you will have received instructions from General Sullivan, respecting the precise line of conduct you are to observe. Whether your destination shall be up the Mohock River or to form a junction in the first instance with the main body at the Head of Susquehannah, is a point I have left to him to decide and...
49From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 14 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Head Quarters [New York] 14 August 1776 . Forwards Clinton’s commission as brigadier general in the Continental army. “As the Post you are now at is an Object of great importance, & I am unacquainted with the Officers under you, must request you will remain there, till you hear farther from me.” LS , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, CSmH ; LB , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The cover of...
50From George Washington to James Clinton, 12 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 5th by Mr Gamble. Nothing gives me greater pain than being obliged to hear daily complaints, which I know are well grounded, from every quarter, and not having it in my power to redress them. Mr Gamble informs me that about 100 Barrels of Salt Meat, which were at Barrington, are upon the way to Claverac. These will be a temporary supply. In the mean time, I...