1To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 17 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
Introduces Benjamin Ellery of Rhode Island, who “wishes to visit your Camp.” ALS , MiU-C : Thomas Gage Papers. The document’s location indicates that the British intercepted it before it reached GW. Patrick Henry (1736–1799) of Hanover County, Va., served with GW in the First Continental Congress and was a member of the Second Continental Congress until early August 1775, at which time he was...
2From the Virginia Delegates in Congress to George Washington, 26 July 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
With the most cordial warmth we recommend our Countryman Mr. Edmund Randolph to your patronage and favor. This young Gentlemans abilities, natural and acquired, his extensive connections, and above all, his desire to serve his Country in this arduous struggle, are circumstances that cannot fail to gain him your countenance and protection. You will readily discern Sir, how important a...
3To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 31 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
Recommends “the Bearer Mr Frazer,” who “means to enter the American Camp, & there to gain that Experience, of which the general Cause may be avail’d. It is my earnest wish that many Virginians might see Service. It is not unlikely that in the Fluctuation of things our Country may have occasion for great military Exertions.” ALS , DLC:GW . The bearer was apparently John Grizzage Frazer, a...
4To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 20 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
After a long & Severe Illness, I am now but just able to come hither in Order to discharge as I may be able, the Dutys of my public Station. Will you pardon me for asking the Favor of a Correspondence with you? Besides the pleasure it will give me, I shall be taught by your Ideas, to form more correct Opinions, of those Movements that may be proposed for the general Defence in this Quarter. It...
5To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 29 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am very sorry to inform you that the recruitting Business of late goes on so badly, that there remains but little prospect of filling the six new Battalions from this State voted by the Assembly. the Board of Council see this with great Concern; and after much Reflection on the Subject, are of Opinion, that the Deficiency in our Regulars, can no Way be supply’d so properly, as by inlisting...
6To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 5 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Edmund Randolph Esqr. communicated to me that part of your last Letter to him, in which you are pleased to take Notice of your Ladys Reception at this place. I beg you to be assured that every Expression of Regard, falls short of that which I feel, & shall retain thro’ Life, for such distinguished Merit. You are pleased also to observe that you have not recd any Answer from me to your two...
7To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 8 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Defence of this Country now rests upon the Militia, our regular Troops being absent. As the Enemy may possibly visit us unexpectedly, & the Militia cannot be long kept embodyed, the Necessity of having the earliest Notice of the Enemys Embarkation, is apparent. In order to be furnished with that Intelligence upon which the Safety of the State depends, I have directed Capt. peirce to wait...
8To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 23 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Militia from Culpepper County were promised by their Colo., that they should be releived by the last of this Month; and as it is impossible to march a like Number from Virginia in Time to comply with that Engagement, I trouble you with this requesting that you will be pleased to discharge them at the Time they were promised Releif, unless they chuze to serve longer. With the highest...
9To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 29 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Regiment of Artillery commanded by Colonel Charles Harrison, is yet in this State. They have been detained here under leave of Congress to do Duty at Portsmouth and York, near which Plaice the Enemy’s Ships of War have been long hovering. At present, seven Men of War & three large Transports or provision Vessels, are in and near Hampton Road. The Troops of the State are so few, that the...
10To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 30 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
My great Anxiety for the Success of the american Arms under your Command, induces me to trouble you with this. Accounts from the Camp are so various & contradictory, that I know not what to rely on. If the Weight of public Affairs, under which you hav so long labor’d will permit, a few Lines will be most welcome to me. Altho’ it seems impossible to inlist continental Recruits here, yet the...
11To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 22 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
It was with equal Surprize & Concern that I received Dispatches from Congress, informing me that the Army under your Excellency’s Command, was in so great Want of Necessarys. In order to give the most effectual Releif in the power of this State, Application has been made to several Merchants by our Commissary of Stores, & an Agent sent Southwardly, to purchase Goods. About 3,000 yards blue...
12To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 6 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the Honor to transmit you an Accot of Necessarys sent off in nine Waggons, for the Virginia Regiments in continental Service. The goods have been deliver’d Colo. Finnie the Quarter Master, & he has put them under the Escort of Leiutent Mennis & a party of Soldiers, who I trust will deliver them safely. It is my Wish that the Troops of Virginia shall have them. I also send a...
13To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 9 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
An Act of the general Assembly passed last Year empowering me to appoint some proper person to reinlist the Virginia Troops. I did appoint General Stephen, & several Letters passed between us upon the Subject, and by an Extract of a Letter from him to me which I inclose, it appears considerable Progress was made by him in that Business. I have heard that General Stephen is no longer in...
14To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 28 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
By the second Clause of the Act of Assembly, which I have the Honor to inclose to your Excellency, a Bounty of Twenty Dollars is directed to be paid to the soldiers composing the Virginia Corps under your Command, reinlisted. I beg the Favor of your Excellency to inform me of the most effectual Method of managing this Business, which I wish to conduct in the Manner most acceptable to you. With...
15To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 20 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
you will no Doubt be surprized at seeing the inclosed Letter, in which the Encomiums bestowed on me are as undeserved, as the Censures aimed at you are unjust. I am sorry there should be one man who counts himself my Friend, who is not yours. Perhaps I give you needless Trouble in handing you this paper. The Writer of it may be too insignificant to deserve any Notice. If I knew this to be the...
16To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
By an Express which Colo. Finnie sent to Camp, I inclosed you an Anonymous Letter, which I hope got safe to Hand. I am anxious to hear something that will serve to explain the strange Affair which I am now informed is taken up respecting you. Mr Custis has just paid us a Visit, & by him I learn sundry particulars concerning Genl Mifflin, that much surprize me. ’Tis very hard to trace the...
17To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 1 April 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Patrick Henry, 1 April. GW wrote Henry on 19 April , “I have the honor of yours of the 1st inst.” Also, on 1 April, Henry “laid before the Board a Letter which he had prepared to General Washington” ( Va. State Council Journals H. R. McIlwaine et al., eds. Journals of the Council of the State of Virginia . 5 vols. Richmond, 1931–82. , 2:114).
18To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 8 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I beg the Favor of you to accept from the Governor & Council, the Articles contain’d in the inclosed Memorandum. They go by a Galley to the Head of Elk addressed to Colo. Hollingsworths Care. I wish they were more worthy your Acceptance. With Sincere Regard I am Dear sir your most obedient & very humble Servant ALS , DLC:GW . A note on the cover reads “with Sundry Packages.” Tench Tilghman’s...
19To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 21 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Patrick Henry, 21 Aug. 1778. GW wrote Henry on 13 Sept. : “I have been honored with yours of the 21st Augt.”
20To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 15 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Patrick Henry, 15 Oct. 1778. GW wrote Henry on 3 Nov. : “Your favor of the 15th Ulto came to my hands by the last Post.”
21To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 23 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Patrick Henry, 23 Oct. 1778. GW wrote Henry on 23 Nov. : “I have been hond with yours of the 23d October inclosing an extract of an Act of the State of Virginia for recruiting the Continental Army.”
22To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 9 January 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Patrick Henry, 9 Jan. 1779. GW wrote Henry on 7 Feb. : “I had the honor of receiving yours of the 9th ulto.”
23To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 13 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Reasons hinted in your Excellencys last Favor, are certainly of such Weight, as to prevent the Flag of Truce Vessells coming with Stores &c. for the convention Troops, from proceeding further than Hampton Road. Orders are therefore issued to Day for Vessells of our own, to be ready at that place to convey the Stores upwards to their Destination, under the Superintendance of proper...