1The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 8 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives Since Our last We have received the inclosed Intelligence from London, which we take the earliest Opportunity of forwarding, in hopes it may be received with Our other Letters by Nantes. A Vessel from So: Carolina, loaded by that state, which sailed the 20th December, is arrived at L’Orient with Rice and Indigo. As We were particular in Our last which was sent...
2The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 6 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives; copy: Harvard University Library Since our last, a Copy of which is enclosed Mr. Hodge is arrived here from Martinique, and has brought safely the Papers he was charged with. He had a long Passage and was near being starved. We are about to employ him in a Service, pointed out by you, at Dunkirk or Flushing. He has delivered us three sets of the Papers we...
3The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 17[–22] January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and two copies: National Archives; copy: South Carolina Historical Society We joined each other at this place on the 22d. of December and on the 28th. had an Audience of his Excellency the Count De Vergennes, one of his most Christian Majesty’s principal Secretarys of State and Minister for Foreign Affairs. We laid before him our Commission with the Articles of the proposed Treaty of...
4The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 4 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives We send you herewith the Draught of a Frigate, by a very ingenious Officer in this service, which appears to Us peculiarly suitable for Our purpose, and We are in hopes of being able to ship Cordage and Sail Cloth, and Anchors &c. sufficient for Five or Six such Frigates, by the Time you can have them built. Though deprived of any intelligence from you since the...
5The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 12 March[–9 April 1777] (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; L : British Library; copy: National Archives It is now more than 4 Months since Mr. Franklin’s Departure from Philadelphia, and not a Line from thence written since that time has hitherto reached either of your Commissioners in Europe. We have had no Information of what passes in America but thro’ England, and the Advices are for the most part such only as the Ministry...
6The American Commissioners to [the Committee of Secret Correspondence], 28 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Harvard University Library We wrote to you pretty fully on the State of Affairs here, in ours of the 12th of March and 19th of this Month, since which there has been little Alteration. There is yet no Certainty of a sudden Declaration of War, but the Preparations go on vigorously both here and in Spain, the Armies of france drawing towards the Sea Coasts, and those of Spain to the...
7Silas Deane to Robert Morris and the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 23 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : (duplicate): Library of Congress This letter, in form to Morris but in fact to the committee, is the only one from Deane that Franklin surely saw before his departure for France; it was therefore part of his small stock of information about what would face him in Europe. The letter deals only with the preliminaries of Deane’s mission, because he reached France long after he had hoped to....
8Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 30 April[– 9 May 1776] (Franklin Papers)
AL and copy: National Archives; letterbook draft: Algemeen Rijksarchief, the Hague. J’ai reçu le 6e de ce mois à La Haie, des mains de Mr. Tho. Storey, les dépêches dont vous l’aviez chargé pour moi en date du 9e Xbr. 1775. Je suis touché, pénétré jusqu’au fond du coeur, de l’honneur que me fait et de la confiance que me témoigne le Committé nommé par le Congrès général pour la Correspondance...
9Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 14 May[–6 June 1776] (Franklin Papers)
AL and copy: National Archives; letterbook draft: Algemeen Rijksarchief, the Hague Après vous avoir donné ci-joint copie ou extrait de ce qu’il y avoit de plus essentiel dans ma premiere dépeche que je nommerai A pour la briéveté, je commence celle-ci, que je nomme B, en forme de Journal. Ayez la bonté, conséquemment, lorsque vous m’écrirez, de me marquer que vous avez reçu, ou non, la Dépeche...
10From Benjamin Franklin to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 8[–10] December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives After a short but rough Passage of 30 Days we anchor’d in Quiberon Bay, the Wind not suiting to enter the Loire. Capt. Wicks did every thing in his Power to make the Voyage comfortable to me; and I was much pleas’d with what I saw of his Conduct as an Officer, when on suppos’d Occasions we made Preparation for Engagement, the good Order and Readiness with which...
11From Benjamin Franklin to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 4 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives I arrived here about two Weeks since, where I found Mr. Deane. Mr. Lee has since join’d us from London. We have had an Audience of the Minister, Count de Vergennes, and were respectfully receiv’d. We left for his Consideration a Sketch of the propos’d Treaty. We are to wait upon him tomorrow with a strong Memorial requesting the Aids mentioned in our...
12II. Petition of Mace Freeland to the Governor and Council, 15 February 1782 (Jefferson Papers)
To his Excellency Benjamin Harrison esq. Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the honourable the Council of state the Petition of Mace Freeland of the county of Buckingham humbly sheweth That James Freeland your petitioner’s father being seised and possessed of a considerable estate in lands slaves and personalties, and having issue James Freeland your petitioner’s elder brother by one...
13[From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 1? July 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 1? July 1780 . JHD Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia (cited by session and date of publication) , May 1780, 1827 edn., p. 71 (1 July): “The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Governor, enclosing several others from the President of Congress, General Washington, and the committee of co-operation, together with several resolutions of...
14From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 24 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yesterday evening a Letter from General Nelson dated Rich neck november 22nd at half after five P.M. inclosing a note by which we learn that the vessels of the enemy were all under way except one which was getting under way, and the whole standing out for the Capes. This event tho’ relieving us in a certain degree by opening again the door of our commerce and also by putting it in...
15From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 8 May 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I this day received the inclosed letter from Mr. Blackburn, appointed by the last assembly to be of the council of state, but declining to act in that office. Incertain whether he may have given the same information to the general assembly immediately, or may have relied on my doing it, I do myself the honour of inclosing it to you and am with the greatest esteem & respect Sir Your most...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 4 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
According to the pleasure of the House of Delegates signified in their resolution of the 16th. of the last month, I now inclose you a State of the armed Vessels belonging to this Commonwealth, and returns of the Garrison and Artillery regiments, and of such part of the four troops of horse for Eastern service as are raised. What progress is made in raising the four new battalions, is out of my...
17[From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 5? November 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Williamsburg, 5? Nov. 1779 . JHD Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia (cited by session and date of publication) , Oct. 1779, 1827 edn., p. 42 (5 Nov. 1779): “The Speaker laid before the House, a letter from the Governor, respecting sundry losses sustained by Mr. Martin, the present Indian agent, in the Cherokee country, and the propriety of making him...
18From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 29 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Several matters of Public Importance resting on the Hands of the Executive to be transacted to the Northward, we beg Leave to avail ourselves of your Journey thither to get them settled, being satisfied they may be much better done on your verbal representations than by anything which may go in writing from us. The Trade has been carried on to a very small extent between this State and the...
19From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 7 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed papers will sufficiently explain themselves to you. They were put into my hands by Colo. Matthews together with a requisition from Congress to furnish 14492 hard dollars to pay the debts of our prisoners in New York. Were we permitted to send produce, we could do it for less than half of what the hard dollars will cost us, and I think such articles might be selected from the...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 14 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
In a Letter , which I had the Honor of addressing you on the meeting of the present General Assembly, I informed you of the necessities which had led the Executive to withdraw our western troops to the Ohio. Since the date of that Letter I have received the inclosed of the second instant from Colo. Todd communicating the measures he had adopted in Conjunction with Colo. Clarke to procure such...
21Statement of Arms and Men in Service, [29 January 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
1. How many arms have we in the state fit for service, bayonets &c. Muskets in good repair Muskets out of repair Beyonets fitted Cartouch boxes In the magazines 68. 2273
22[From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 16? November 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 16? Nov. 1780. JHD, Oct. 1780, 1827 edn., p. 19 (16 Nov.): “The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Governor, enclosing a return of the present state of the navy, and stating additional matter for the consideration of the General Assembly; and the same were read. Ordered , That the Governor’s letter do lie on the table. Ordered , That the return of the state of the...
23[From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 5 June 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 5 June 1780. JHD Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia (cited by session and date of publication) , May 1780, 1827 edn., p. 35 (5 June): “The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Governor, enclosing one from Governor Nash of North-Carolina, containing intelligence from Charleston.” Not located, but see the letter from Nash, 30 May , which was...
24[From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 15 June 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 15 June 1780 . JHD Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia (cited by session and date of publication) , May 1780, 1827 edn., p. 48: “The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Governor, respecting the removal of the Convention troops in case of danger, and enclosing one from Col. Wood on the same subject.” TJ’s letter has not been found; James...
25From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 17 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
At the request of the honorable Theodorick Bland I take the liberty of laying before the General Assembly the inclosed paper in which he states a difficulty which has arisen in reconciling his qualification as a delegate to the peculiar channel into which he had previously turned his private fortune. From the inclosed extract of a Letter from our Delegates in Congress you will also perceive...
26[From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 5? July 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 5? July 1780 . JHD Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia (cited by session and date of publication) , May 1780, 1827 edn., p. 75 (5 July): “The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Governor, enclosing several others from General Washington, and the committees of co-operation, respecting the state of the army.” Read and referred to committee of...
27From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 9 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter from Governor Nash with the articles of Capitulation entered into between Generals Lincoln and Clinton, having just come to hand I beg leave to communicate them to the General assembly. I am with great esteem & respect Sir Your most obedient & most humble servt., RC ( DLC ). Endorsed by John Beckley: “Governors Letter June 9th: 1780. enclosing Govr: Nashs Letter of 30th....
28From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 8 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of laying before the General assembly the enclosed letter and memorial from the Consul of his most Christian majesty in this state. That gentleman’s letters of appointment came to hand soon after the date of my letter to you on the same subject . MS not located. Extract printed from Anderson Auction Co. sale catalogue, 10 Jan. 1908 (Henry Goldsmith Sale), lot 134, a one-page...
29From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 11 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed resolution of the General assembly of Pennsylvania with President Reid’s letter came to hand by yesterday’s post. I now do myself the pleasure of transmitting them to the assembly, and of assuring you that I am with the greatest esteem Your most obedient & most humble servt., RC ( Vi ). Addressed in TJ’s hand. Endorsed: “Governors Letter enclosing Pennsylvania Assembly’s...
30[From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 7? November 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 7? Nov. 1780. JHD Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia (cited by session and date of publication) , Oct. 1780, 1827 edn., p. 10 (7 Nov.): “The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Governor, enclosing several others addressed to the executive, and sundry resolutions of Congress, with other papers, and stating several matters for the...
31[From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 17? November 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Williamsburg, 17? Nov. 1779 . JHD Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia (cited by session and date of publication) , Oct. 1779, 1827 edn., p. 59 (17 Nov. 1779): “The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Governor, on the subject of certain inquiries made by the executive, on complaints against justices of the peace for misfeasance in office, which was...
32[From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 7 June 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Williamsburg, 7 June 1779 . A. L. S., 1 p., Henkels Catalogue No. 906 (Hampton L. Carson Sale, 26 Oct. 1904), pt. ii , suppl., lot 2262. Not located. See note on TJ’s letter to Harrison, 8 June 1779 , the text of which refers to this letter.]
33From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 8 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Since receiving the resolutions of Congress calling for an additional sum of money, which I had the honor of transmitting to you yesterday, the inclosed address relating to the same subject, with the letter accompanying it has come to hand. I take the liberty through you of communicating it to the General assembly, and am Sir with the greatest esteem Your most obedient & most humble servant,...
34[From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 28? November 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 28? Nov. 1780. JHD Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia (cited by session and date of publication) , Oct. 1780, 1827 edn., p. 31 (28 Nov.): “The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Governor, enclosing extracts of letters from Major Kirkpatrick and General Nelson, respecting certain persons who had aided and countenanced the enemy, which were...
35[From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 26? December 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 26? Dec. 1780. JHD Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia (cited by session and date of publication) , Oct. 1780, 1827 edn., p. 70 (26 Dec.): “The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Governor, enclosing one to the Executive, respecting the seizure of salt, which were read and ordered to lie on the table.” Neither TJ’s letter nor its enclosure...
36From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, [20?] November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The Board of War apprehending that the mention of the appointment of an assistant Clerk to them, as made in my letter to you of October 20th . was not accurately conformable to their resolution as approved by the Executive, have inclosed me the resolution with the approbation subscribed. This transaction happened in my absence, and the Clerk being otherwise engaged no copy was retained, so...
37From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 20 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed Letter from the President of Congress with the resolutions of that honourable body of the fourth instant, having come to hand yesterday and being intended for the consideration of the Legislature, I beg leave through you to transmit them to the General Assembly, and have the honor to be with every sentiment of esteem and respect, Sir, Your most obedient and most humble servant, RC...
38From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 29 October 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The Executive in the Month of March 1778, in order to secure the acquisition and proper choice of a supply of Arms, Ordnance, and Military implements sent a Mr. Le Mair of the Kingdom of France their Agent express for that purpose to Europe. He executed his Commission with a zeal and assiduity which we have rarely met with, having traversed for fourteen Months those parts of Europe backwards...
39[From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 22? November 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Williamsburg, 22? Nov. 1779 . JHD Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia (cited by session and date of publication) , Oct. 1779, 1827 edn., p. 66 (22 Nov. 1779): “The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Governor, stating sundry matters for the consideration of the House, and enclosing several letters and papers on the subject thereof; and the same were...
40[From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 18? December 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 18? Dec. 1780. JHD Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia (cited by session and date of publication) , Oct. 1780, 1827 edn., p. 55 (18 Dec.): “The Speaker laid before the House, a letter from the Governor, enclosing several others from Major General Baron Steuben, containing requisitions for the army, which were read, and ordered to be referred to the...
41[From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 30? October 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Williamsburg, 30? Oct. 1779 . JHD Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia (cited by session and date of publication) , Oct. 1779, 1827 edn., p. 30 (30 Oct. 1779): “The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Governor, respecting the purchase of a frigate for the use of the State, which was read, and ordered to be referred to the committee of the whole House...
42From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, [23 November 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
There is reason to believe that the appointment of a Consul to reside in this State on the part of his most Christian majesty either has been already or will shortly be made. I must submit to the general Assembly the expediency of considering whether our Laws have settled with precision the prerogatives and jurisdiction to which such a person is entitled by the usage of nations; and putting...
43[From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 24? November 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Williamsburg, 24? Nov. 1779 . JHD Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia (cited by session and date of publication) , Oct. 1779, 1827 edn., p. 69 (24 Nov. 1779): “The Speaker laid before the House, a letter from the Governor, requesting that the vouchers returned by the commissioners of the Gun Manufactory at Fredericksburg, on the settlement of their accounts, may...
44[From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 17? June 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Williamsburg, 17? June 1779 . JHD Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia (cited by session and date of publication) , May 1779, 1827 edn., p. 52 (17 June): “The Speaker laid before the House, a letter from the Governor, enclosing several papers and stating sundry matters for the consideration of the General Assembly‥‥” Not located.]
45[From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 12? June 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 12? June 1780 . JHD Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia (cited by session and date of publication) , May 1780, 1827 edn., p 44 (12 June): “The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Governor, enclosing several others from the President of Congress, with sundry acts and resolutions of that body.” Not located. Enclosures not clearly identifiable.]
46From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 30 May 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
In Council, Richmond, 30 May 1780. Transmitting letters and intelligence concerning the surrender of Charleston. RC ( Vi ); mutilated. Addressed by TJ to Harrison as Speaker. Endorsed: “Governors Letter. May 30. 178[0.] Inclosing Govr. Nash & Rutledge’s respecting Surrender of Charles town. Referred to Committee of whole on the State of the Commonwealth.” Enclosures: Abner Nash to TJ, 25 May...
47From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 29 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed resolution of Congress came to hand yesterday. As it is on the same subject with the resolution of Assembly of 23d. Decr . I beg leave to lay it before them. That the Assembly may be informed of the footing on which this matter stood at the time of their resolution I beg leave to inclose to them an extract from my Letter to Colo. Wood giving a general order for the removal of the...
48From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 13 April 1782 (Jefferson Papers)
The legion of Colo. Armand which was stationed here to be refitted for service has for some time been on sufferance for provisions. Flour they have had and still have, but of animal food the supplies have almost totally failed, and failed from a cause which is without remedy, that is, the want of it in the neighborhood. The former calls for beef by fifteenths and tenths had reduced the stocks...
49From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 22 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Major Nelson, commanding officer of the three troops of cavalry belonging to this state but in continental service informs me on the part of his officers that they find the service extremely discouraging on account of the preference in command given to Continental officers of the same rank tho junior in their appointments, and pray that they may be placed on continental establishment without...
50From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 3 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter of resignation from Mr. Armistead Commissioner for the Continental loan office I beg leave to lay before the General assembly by whom that officer was appointed. With sentiments of the highest respect I have the honor to be Sir Your most obedt. & most humble servt., RC ( CtY ). Addressed by TJ to Harrison as Speaker; John Beckley’s endorsement concludes: “to lie on table.”...