1From John Adams to William Heath, 5 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I never had the Pleasure of a Correspondence or any particular Acquaintance with you, which can justify the Freedom I have taken of giving you this Trouble: But as the good of our Country, which I know is your first Consideration, is my Motive, I presume you will think it a Sufficient Apology. In the present State of America, which is so novel and unexpected, and indeed unthought of by Numbers...
2From John Adams to William Heath, 10 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Passy, 10 July 1778. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:156–158 . Adams reported the arrival on 8 July of the ratified Franco-American treaties, which were seen as fresh evidence of the increasing isolation of Great Britain and of the unlikelihood of the formation of a coalition of powers...
3From John Adams to William Heath, 15 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
Altho I never had the Pleasure and the Honour of so intimate an Acquaintance with you as I wished yet I have a long Time, been sufficiently acquainted with your Character, to have the Utmost Confidence in your Patriotism and your Judgment of the true Interest of our Country. The critical State of the Colonies, at this Time, is the Cause of my writing you, because Providence has now placed you...
4From John Adams to William Heath, 18 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of January 22d. never reached me, untill my arrival at this City. I am much obliged to you for the Information you have given me of the Character and services of Coll. Baldwin, and should be happy to do any Thing in my Power, to obtain Justice for so deserving an officer. Upon shewing your Letter and another from him to some of my Colleagues, they are of opinion that Coll. Baldwin...
5From John Adams to William Heath, 3 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 20th. Ultimo is before me. I am much obliged to you for it, and most heartily wish for a more free and intimate Communication of Sentiments, upon the State both of our Councils and Arms. I should be happy, in a few Hours Conversation, but as this cannot be, I must be content with a Letter. We have now a Nation to protect and defend; and I can easily see the Propriety of the...
6From Hodijah Baylies to William Heath, 4 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by the Commander in Chief to acquaint you that he has no Objection to your commencing your Journey in the Morning, and hopes you will do him the pleasure to breakfast at Head-Quarters if it be convenient. I have the Honor to be Your Most Obedt Sert MHi : Heath Papers.
7The Commissioners to Canada to [William Heath], 5 April 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives We this Evening arrived here, and from Curiosity Mr. Chase and Mr. Carroll went ashore, and found the State of the fort as follows: 3 Companies of Minute Men, Captain Moffats, Capt. Raymonds, and Capt. Woshons, Consisting of 5 Lieutenants, 6 Serjeants, 8 Corporals, 2 Drummers, a fifer and 102 privates. Mr. Seth Marvin 1st. Lieutenant of Capt. Moffats Company has now the...
8From David Cobb to William Heath, 5 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your several Letters of yesterday have been duly received. The Commander in Chief has further to request your forwarding the inclosed to their direction. I have the honor to be Your Most Obedt Servant MHi .
9From David Cobb to William Heath, 20 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by the Commander in Chief, who went to Poukepsie early this morning, to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of the 18th & 19th, & to inform you that he has placed the Contract on such footing, that in future, he hopes, no complaint will arise for want of provision, or from the Officers not having their wishes gratified by the mode of Issues, the alteration of the Contract only...
10From David Cobb to William Heath, 15 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your Letter of this date, I am directed by the Commander in Chief to inform you, that it is his pleasure, that two Brigadiers from the Masstts Line should continue with the Troops for the present, they will determine, under your direction, which of the three retires. As the present position of the Troops is only temporary, it is probable, that when the whole Army of this...
11From Alexander Hamilton to Major General William Heath, [9 July 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency commands me to acknowlege the receipt of your letter of this day with two prisoners. He says he spoke to you to day on the points mentioned in your letter which probably was written antecedent to your interview. Lt Col Loring is to be tried by a Court Martial of the line. Capt Forrest, under the peculiar circumstances represented by Col Putnam, to be indulged with a furlough. I...
12From Alexander Hamilton to Major General William Heath, [27 June 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New Windsor, New York, June 27, 1779. ] Acknowledges receiving two letters from Heath addressed to George Washington. ALS , Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston. Letters not found.
13From Alexander Hamilton to Major General William Heath, [26 July 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point, July 26, 1779. ] Requests Heath to attend “a Council to be held at Head Quarters this afternoon.” ALS , Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston. On the same day, H wrote a similar, but slightly differently worded, letter to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne ( ALS , Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia).
14From Alexander Hamilton to Major General William Heath, [21 February 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
I am commanded by The General to inform you that Lt. Col Gouvion and Capt Rochefontaine will march with the detachment under the Marquis De la Fayette. Major Villefranche will shortly return to the post of West Point. I have the honor to be Sir Yr. most Obed ser ALS , Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston. Heath was in command at West Point. Etienne Nicolas Marie Béchet, Chevalier de...
15From Alexander Hamilton to Major General William Heath, [10 July 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency orders me to acknowlege the receipt of your two letters per bearer. The intended march of your division tomorrow morning prevents a particular reply to the points mentioned in one of them. I have the honor to be Very Respectfully Sir Your most Obedt servant ALS , Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston. On July 5–11, 1779, the British made a maritime raid on the...
16From David Humphreys to William Heath, 17 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency wishes the distribution of the State Cloathing of Massachusetts may not be made, until the arrival of the Officer send by the Marquis to procure Cloathing for the Detachment of the Massachusetts line under his Command—As a part of that Cloathing may be necessary for these Troops—Capt. Heart, the bearer, informs the Officer may be expected every Moment. I have the honor to be...
17From David Humphreys to William Heath, 14 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency the Commander in Chief having recd your Letter of the 13th inclosing the Arrangements of the reformed Regts & Corps in this Cantonment, directs me to acknowledge it, & to inform you that he fully approves of the alteration you have made, as well as of such others as you may judge proper & conducive to the good of service. I have the honor to be With perfect respect Sir Your Most...
18From David Humphreys to William Heath, 5 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency the Commander in Chief requests you will be pleased to forward the Letter transmitted herewith, in the most expeditious manner, by a Flag. I have the honor to be Sir Your Most Hble Servant MHi .
19From David Humphreys to William Heath, 22 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
It is His Excellency’s pleasure that One of the two Prisoners, belonging to the Massachusetts Line, now under sentence of Death for desertion, should be pardoned. He therefore requests that you will be pleased to Order that One of the two Culprits, whose crime shall appear to you the least aggravated, to be finally pardoned, and released from his confinement. I have the honor to be With the...
20From David Humphreys to William Heath, 10 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency has received your Letter of this date by Major Tallmadge, and has given it in charge to me to inform you, he has no objection that the Detachment under Major Maxwell should continue at Stamford untill the 25th Inst. by which time he hopes the State Troops will have arrived—and beyond which, the Troops cannot be dispensed with from their Corps—The General desires you will...
21From David Humphreys to William Heath, 1 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency will be at West Point before 10 OClock to morrow Morng (Nothing extraordinary happening to prevent it) and wishes if practical that Horses might be provided for him to visit the outer Works. I have the honor to be Dear Sir Your Most Obed. Humble Servt P.S. The General will not go if the Weather proves rainy. MHi : Heath Papers.
22From David Humphreys to William Heath, 13 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am commanded by His Excellency to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of Yesterday; and to inform you, that he consents that the Six Teamsters required, should continue with Major Campbell untill the first of May, at which time they must positively join their Corps. I have the honor to be with the perfect respect Your Most Obedt Servt MHi : Heath Papers.
23From David Humphreys to William Heath, 28 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by His Excellency the Commander in Cheif to inform you that the Troops of the Massachusetts Line may receive four Months Pay. I have the honor to be Your most Obedt Servant DLC : Papers of George Washington.
24From David Humphreys to William Heath, 19 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief desires you will order a Court Martial on Doctr McKnight, in consequence of the enclosed Charges, whenever it is convenient—and that you will decide on the sentences of the Court Martial of which Col. Swift is President. I have the honor to be Your Most Obedt Servt MHi : Heath Papers.
25From David Humphreys to William Heath, 23 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency the Commander in Chief wishes you would be pleased to attend with the other General Officers at Head Quarters at 10 OClock tomorrow Morng. I have the honor to be Sir Your Most Obedt Servt MHi : Heath Papers.
26From David Humphreys to William Heath, 23 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency commands me to acknowledge the receipt of your favor by Doctr Evans, and to acquaint you, that altho’ the business in question, as a military point is of some considerable consequence, yet he would not make it interfere with your arrangements—however if you can make it convenient to stay one day longer, not only your attention to this last call of duty, but your company at...
27From David Humphreys to William Heath, 27 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have it in command from His Excellency the Commander in Chief to inform you, that Lieut. Col. Hull may have leave of absence for five Weeks. I have the honor to be With perfect respect Your Most obdt Servt MHi : Heath Papers.
28From David Humphreys to William Heath, 8 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency (who has just rode out with Colonel Menonville first Deputy Adjutant General of the French Army) desired me to inform you, that he will be at West Point tomorrow Morng if the weather is fair : that he must return before dinner, and will expect the pleasure of your company up the river, if your health, & occasions will permit. I have the honor to be With perfect respect Dear Sir...
29From Tench Tilghman to William Heath, 29 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency commands me to acknowledge yours of yesterdays date, of which the proper notice will be taken. I have the honor to be Sir Yr most obt Servt MHi : Heath Papers.
30Lieutenant Colonel Tench Tilghman to Major General William Heath, 6–10 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the receipt of your favs. of the 13th and 20th August. I should have answered the former before this time, but as I recd it upon my march to this place I had not an opportunity of doing it sooner. As the Expedition to St Johns was set on foot by order of Congress, you should apply to them for directions about the payment of the Officers for the time they were engaged in...
31From Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. to William Heath, 22 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your two favors of Yesterday have been received. The General just going to Wapping Creek, directs me to reply, that it is his Desire that, upon the Arrival of Colo. Badlam, you should immediately order him in Arrest, producing such Charges against him as you find can be properly supported—for which purpose it may be well perhaps to examine the Recruits themselves. The Baron Steuben will be...
32From Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. to William Heath, 8 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency directs me to reply to the several Queries contained in your Letter of this Day—and to inform you that the mode you propose for Officering the four Regiments, is perfectly agreeable to him—or any other method that you shall find necessary to accomodate to the Views of the Officers concerned, so as to make the matter as agreable as possible to them. This he leaves entirely to...
33From Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. to William Heath, 12 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency the Commander in Chief directs me to inclose you the within Warrant—& Desires you will be pleased to have the Execution carried into effect in such manner as you think proper. I am most Respectfully Sir Your most obedt MHi .
34From Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. to William Heath, 1 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Favors of this Day are received—His Excellency being this moment going out, Directs me to reply—That the Request of Cap. Summer is complied with for a Short Leave of Absence—It is The Generals Opinion, which he would have you signify, that Colo. Nickola is in the Right respectg his Explanation of the Article for drawg provisions. The laying down of the Chain, may be deferred a few Days...
35From Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. to William Heath, 4 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
The General being engaged, directs me to reply to your favor of Yesterday; & to inform you that he approves of your Idea of formg four Regiments of Massachusetts from the Men remaing after the Discharge of those for the War—and requests that you will proceed, agreeable to the General Orders, to form four Corps of Officers by Agreement—If that Mode should fail, then Measures will be directed...
36From Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. to William Heath, 6 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency desires me to inform you, that he has lost the Hour you mentioned last Evening for the assembling the Officers—But that he is preparing a Reply to their Address, which will be delivered at the Public Building this Day at Levee Hour—at which Time the Officers, if they please, will be present. The General is sorry that a very bad Cold, with which he is much indisposed—and the...
37From Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. to William Heath, 21 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency requests that you will cause the inclosed to be forwarded to Capt. Pray at Dobbs Ferry—from whence it is to go into N. York with as much Dispach as possible. Most respectfully I am Sir Your most Obed. Ser vant P.S. you will be pleased to give the Flag for the purpose. MHi : Heath Papers.
38From Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. to William Heath, 1 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
The System lately agreed upon between the Officers & Contractors, for future Issues to the Army, which was transmitted by you to Head Quarters, being by some Means mislaid—The General, having Occasion to refer to it, will be much obliged, if you can furnish him with a Copy.His Excellency will also be glad if you will please to direct, that a Copy of your Orders issued in Consequence of that...
39From Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. to William Heath, 3 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency the Commander in Chief directs me to inform, that your Letter of Yesterday, inclosing (as you mentioned) a copy of the late System of Issues, with other papers, is not yet arrived. If it has missed the expected Conveyance, the General will be obliged by your Care to forward it as soon as possible—I am Sir Your most Obedt MHi : Heath Papers.
40Enclosure: Lieutenant Colonel Richard Varick to Major General William Heath, 24 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
I think it my Duty as a Man of Candour & Generosity, to inform You, that for your Information in our Interview of yesterday, I had every reason to convince Me, That Mr. Tripp’s Information, so distressing to Me, & in which my warm & pointed letter of the 21st. to You, was founded; was communicated to me in a very disingenuous Manner & Air & that he mentioned to Me more, than was contained in...
41From Benjamin Walker to William Heath, 31 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am ordered by the Commander in Chief to acquaint you that he will arrive this day at his Quarters at Mr Hasbrooks at Newburg, to which place he desires you would Send the Barge he formerly had—with a good . with respect I have the honor to be Sir Your very Obed Serv MHi : Heath Papers.
42From George Washington to William Heath, 3 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
By the Contents of Sir Guy Carletons Letter which came inclosed in yours of this Day, I find it is unnecessary for you to proceed to Phillips’s House—Sir Guy being disappointed in not obtaing Passports for M. Chief Justice Smyth to come out, he will not, he says, trouble an Officer of your Rank to be the Bearer of a Bundle of papers only—but adds that they shall be sent out in the ordinary...
43From George Washington to Maj. Gen. William Heath, 17 August 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. William Heath, 17 Aug. 1776. Heath’s letter to GW of this date is docketed in Joseph Reed’s writing: “Major Genl Heath Kingsbridge Aug. 17 1776 Answerd do.”
44From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 8 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this day favor’d with yours of the 27th & 29th of May. I am surprised at the accounts you give me of the want of Cloathing for the Troops of Massachusetts. I took it for granted that they had been sent forward when it was intended that all your Troops shou’d go the Northward, & that they wou’d meet them at Peekskill. My reason for this was, that the Cloathier General repeatedly assured me...
45From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 15 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I received yesterday your two favors of the 11th instant. The latter announcing the appearance of the French fleet off New-port harbour. We wait anxiously for further particulars which we expect to day. Mr Corny mentions the bad state of the road of communication between Providence and New-port. It appears essential, as the intercourse may be great on this route, to have it attended to. I...
46George Washington to Major General William Heath, 26 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 26, 1779 . Hopes that the “want of bread” has been “relieved.” Asks Heath to come to Headquarters. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
47From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 16 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I return you the proceedings of the Division Court Martial held by order of Majr Genl Parsons. I have confirmed the sentence of Taylor and ordered it to be carried into execution, at such time and place as you shall direct —The punishment ordered to be inflicted upon Cahos is not authorised by the Articles of War, but as it may be sometimes necessary to depart somewhat from the line laid down,...
48George Washington to Major General William Heath, 15 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 15, 1781 . Directs Heath to prepare the light companies for march to Morristown. Sends general instructions. LS , in writing of H, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston.
49From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 7 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
You are upon Receipt of this to cross the North River with the Troops under your Command in the Continental Service to wit Parsons’s Brigade & move on so as to give all possible Protection to the Country & Vigour to the Cause. If you could move on towards Morris Town in New Jersey it would be best, as by this Means a Junction may be made if necessary & at all Events such a Movement would...
50From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 25 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two favors this morning—I have only to request you will take the best measures in your power to ascertain the enemy’s movements and designs, and have your troops in readiness to act as occasion may require but without interrupting the works. You will continue to advise me. I am Dr Sir Yr Most Obet, servant P.S. I think it will be adviseable to detach a couple hundred men...