1981From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 28 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Troops composing the Detat c hment under your Command may, till they are united with the Force in Virginia, be formed into three Brigades—Vizt—The light Infantry, to be commanded by Colo. Scammel, on the Right—The two York Regiments under Brigr Genl Clinton on the Left—& Hazens, Jersey & Rhode Island in the Center. You will march Tomorrow at four oClock in the morning—in two Columns—for...
1982From George Washington to Captain Ephraim Anderson, 15 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
You are directed to proceed from hence to Pluckemin and enquire of Colo. McDaniel by what authority he lately went to Staten Island with a Flag. I am told he produced the Copy of a permit, the original of which he said he obtained from me. As I never granted any such to him it must be a forgery When I was at Colo. Mehelm’s I granted a liberty to send a Flag to an old Gentleman of the Name of...
1983To George Washington from Claude Gabriel, marquis de Choisy, 20 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform your Excellency that I arrived here the 17th of the instant, I found the admiral Marquis of Vaudreuil very much Concerned about the lost of the Ship the Magnifique of 74 g uns in this Harbour by the fault of the Pilote belonging this Port. the Triumphant of 80 mounted by the admiral touche’d the Bottom too. these two events have employed all his best matross, and had...
1984General Orders, 26 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
[Officers] For the day Tomorrow[:] Brigadier General Wayne[,] Colonel Nixon[,] Lieutenant Colonel Peters[,] Major Knapp[,] Brigade Major Oliver. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . GW’s aide-de-camp Richard Kidder Meade wrote Capt. John Pray on this date: “General Washington presents his Compliments & thanks to Capt. Pray—and accepts with much pleasure the Present of Oysters which he has been so good...
1985From George Washington to George Clinton, 29 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured to day with your Letter of the 26 Instant. It gave me extreme concern to hear of the complaint, which you transmitted. There is nothing I wish for more, than a happy understanding between the Inhabitants and every part of the Army—and this I have constantly endeavoured to promote. I have written to Major Strang & Mr Hyatt, inclosing a Letter to Major Lee with a copy of the...
1986To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne and Colonels Richard Butler and Walter Stewart, 4 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your own anxiety & distress of mind, is the best Criterion to judge of ours by—the Inclosed copy of Orders, propositions, Interogatories & Answers, will Inform you of our prospects & Situation. If with the assistance of the Governor & Council, or a Committee from that body, this unhappy business can not be settled, your presence & Influence will be more proper in an Other Quarter than with us....
1987From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 11 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I did my self the pleasure to write you yesterday, and informed you that I had sent you Sixty Thousand Dollars for the recruiting service in your State—After I had sent the money off, I received a letter from Genl Knox, advising me that he was under the most pressing necessity for twenty thousand Dollars for the use of the Ordnance Department, but that he could not get that Sum in the State of...
1988From George Washington to George Clinton, 9 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
In the close of my letter of the 5th Instant, I had the pleasure to acknowlege your favors of the 18th & 21st Ultimo. Besides the 80 battalions of Infantry, it is the intention of Congress to preserve as many of the 16 additional and other corps as can be kept up by means of incorporation, or continued in their present condition—considering at the same time such of the men composing these...
1989To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 23 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
La maison que Votre Excellence m’a ordonné d’acheter Vous appartient depuis hier au Soir, que nous en avons passé le Contrat de vente par-devant notaires de la main à la main, pour quatorze mille cinquante deux et demi florins, je dis ƒ14052.10s argent courant, et franc de tous fraix, d’Hollande, de votre part, moyennant quoi le Vendeur est tenu de vous livrer au premier de May prochain la...
1990Francis Hopkinson to the American Commissioners, 18 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (three): American Philosophical Society I am directed by the Board of Treasury of the United States to transmit to you a List, shewing the Numbers the Bills of Exchange are to bear, which will be drawn upon you and issued from the respective Loan Offices. Agreeable to this Order I now enclose you an Invoice of such Bills as have been forwarded to each State from my Office, ascertaining...
1991To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 23 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed I this moment received, which I transmit for your Excellency’s perusal. Tho’ I do not believe this Alarm proceeds from anything else, than a small hunting party, yet the People in that Quarter are in such Consternation, that unless a party of Men are stationed there to inspirit them, they will infallibly leave the remainder of that Country, (which is still well worth preserving)...
1992To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 22 April 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 14. inst: written in the Susquehanna with the several letters inclosed were safely delivered to me. I did not fail to present as you desired your particular compliments to Miss K. Your inference on that subject was not groundless. Before you left us I had sufficiently ascertained her sentiments. Since your departure the affair has been pursued. Most preliminary arrangements,...
1993To George Washington from William Shepard, 18 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
As the General Courtmartial for the Trial of General McDougall is adjournd untill the tenth of June. I beg the Favor of your Excellency to grant me leave of absence for that Term of time to Visit my Family provided the service will not be injurd by it—Lt Colo. Mellen and Major Rice are Both Present with the Regt. Should your Excellency have any Commands to the Eastward I should be Happy in...
1994From George Washington to John Ellis, 10 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
You profess not to be a panegyrist while you are bestowing the most exalted praise—but compliments apart—I received your very polite Letter of the 25th of Mar: with much pleasure—It recalled to my remembrance some of the pleasing occurrences of my past life & reminded me of the Acquaintances I had formed in it; for whom, tho’ seperated by time—distance—& political Sentiments I retain the same...
1995Richard Oswald’s Notes on Conversations with Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, 7[–9] August 1782 (Jay Papers)
Yesterday Evening, at 7’o’Clock, the Courier Roworth arrived; and brought my Commission, for treating with the Commissioners of the Colonies: and the King’s instructions & c . This forenoon I went out to Passy, and carried a Copy of the Commission to D r . Franklin. after perusal, he said he was glad it was come. That he had been at Versailles yesterday. and Mons r . de Vergennes had ask’d...
1996From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 24 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of your two letters, the one of the 26 of May and the other of the 6 Inst. The Congress sometime ago resolved that Col. Lee’s commission should not be received till further consideration. I have not heard any thing since on this subject and must therefore refer Col. Lee to Congress for an answer. I accept of the resignation of Captn Cleveland of Jackson’s Regiment, and...
1997To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 21 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS and L : University of Pennsylvania Library; transcript: National Archives Congress a few days since passed the enclosed Resolution No. 1. by which they have added Mr Jefferson to the Commission for concluding a peace; the established character of this Gentleman gives me reason to hope, that his appointment will be very acceptable to you, and the other Gentlemen in the Commission, I have...
1998John Patterson to the American Commissioners, 29 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As Ambassedors of the United-States of America, of which I am a Subject, I make bold to address my-self to you, on the present occassion, I arrivd. at Bordoux the 18th Septr. last from Baltimore with my Brig the General Lee’ with a cargo of Tobacco, consignd. to Messrs. Tessier George & Co. of that place, where unfortunately two of my Men run away which...
1999To George Washington from Lieutenant Henry Willis, 25 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
By the last Expresses from Captain Lawrence who commands a company of State Troops now stationed [at] a Place called the Sloat 20 Miles below Kings Ferry I am inform’d the Enemies Shipping have all retired down to Fort Washington—they landed a Party of Refugees and Negroes at Cloaster Dock four Miles below the Sloat on Saturday Afternoon and burnt 6 or 7 Houses, and did other Mischief to the...
2000From 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...
2001George Washington to Patrick Dennis, 30 June 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Ramapo [ New Jersey ] June 30, 1780 . Asks Dennis to come to Headquarters. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Dennis was a pilot.
2002From George Washington to John Hanson, 23 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to transmit the proceedings of the General Court Martial upon Major General Howe. In apology for their being sent in so rude a state, I beg leave to observe that it would take some days to make a fair Copy, which would add so much to the detention of the Officers who composed the Court, several of whom have remained in Town at a very considerable expense and much...
2003To George Washington from Thomson Francis Mason, 17 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I take the Liberty of addressing You in favour of the Bearer Mr Lawrence Washington, second Son of that very worthy Man Mr Lawrence Washington of Chetanque; the young Gentleman has been unluckily engaged in a Duel, (if self Defence from the most injurious, and unprovoked Treatment can be called so,) with Mr Philip Alexander, Son of John Alexander of the same Place, in which Mr Alexander...
2004To George Washington from Samuel Huntington, 29 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your Excellency’s Despatches of the 26. Instant, which will be laid before Congress in the Morning. We had before received Intelligence from General Greene, that Genl Arnold was gone over to the Enemy. Immediately Orders were given to search, & seize his Papers & Effects to be found here, which was speedily executed, but I am not yet advised of what particular Discoveries...
2005To Benjamin Franklin from William Temple Franklin, 15 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am got thus far on my Journey, much fatigued by the Vehicle in which we travelled; We set off from Paris at 12 the Night I left you, & have been, ’till an hour ago, on the Road to this Place. No stopping for Sleep, & no means of taking any in so Rough a Machine. It is the first, & I hope will be the last time, I shall ever climb into such a Thing. I made,...
2006To George Washington from Richard Peters, 3 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
We have the Honour to transmitt a Copy of a Memorial relative to the Promotions in the Pennsilvania Regiment of Artillery & previous to our making a Report to Congress we beg the Favour of your Excellency’s Opinion thereupon. We have the Honour to be with the greatest Respect & Esteem your very obed. Servants DLC : Papers of George Washington. The Honorable the Congress of the United States...
2007To Benjamin Franklin from Ralph Izard, 28 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; three copies: National Archives; copy: South Carolina Historical Society Article XIII of the proposed commercial treaty that Franklin had brought with him prohibited French export duties on West Indian molasses coming into the United States. This provision had raised uncertainties at the start, and the commissioners had been empowered to waive it if need...
2008From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 20 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
By means of the Spies employed by —— you may, I conceive, obtain very accurate Intelligence of the Incampments Piquets—&ca of the light Troops without Kings bridge & the strength of the Corps—and know whether it is practicable to beat up their quarters with a reasonable prospect of success. The distance, though disadvantageous in some respects, is favourable in others; for being thought to be...
2009From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 40, 10 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
Duplicate The Memoire of the Prince Gallitzin, Envoy Extraordinary of all the Russias to the States General, presented the third of this Month, is of too much Importance to the United States of America, and their Allies, to be omitted to be sent to Congress. It is of the following Tenor. High and Mighty Lords., “The Undersigned, Envoy Extraordinary of her Majesty the Empress of all the...
2010To George Washington from William Jackson, 18 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s letter of the 11th instant, addressed to the Secretary at War—The Muster rolls for the month of October are received—and the several letters, brought by the Express, have been delivered. General Lincoln purposed waiting on the Commissioners as he passed through Trenton on his way to Head Quarters—his conversation with those...