51Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 9 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. Addressed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I duly received your favor of the 29th. of last Month. In my last I requested you to let Mr. Thompson know I would send by this Post an Act of Assembly repealing the Cession of the Western Teretory. I then thought there had been one, but the Clerk of the Delegates informs me I was...
52To George Washington from Benjamin Harrison, 21–24 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
I received your very acceptable favor of the 10th Instant by express, your Fatigue and various kinds of trouble I dare say are great, but they are not more than I expected, knowing the People you have to deal with by the sample we have here, the Congress have taken the two Regiments now raising in Conecticut into service, which with Rifle Men and Recruits to your Regiments will I hope make up...
53Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 31 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia Historical Society). In the hand of Archibald Blair but signed by Harrison. The cover, enveloping several enclosures, is missing. The verso of the present letter is docketed in an unknown hand, “Gov: Harrisons Letter May 31st. 1783.” The original text, clipped on the edges, is internally mutilated or has deteriorated. Obliterated words or letters are supplied, as shown in...
54To George Washington from Benjamin Harrison, 11 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that the Assembly of this State has pass’d an act for raising three thousand men, which I think can not fail producing them; it gives a bounty of twelve pound specie to the recruit and forty shillings to the recruiting officer for each Man he enlists, the country is laid of into 3000 districts, each of which is to produce a man or the above sum of fourteen...
55Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 20 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( NA : PCC , No. 71, II, 365–67). In Harrison’s hand. Addressed to “The Honble: Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Docketed, “Letter 20 June 1783 Govr. B. Harrison of Virginia to Honble. delegates of that state on a claim of Edward Cowper July 3 1783 Referred to the Agent of marine to report.” The FC in the Virginia State Library varies from the original only in a few instances of punctuation...
56Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 4 January 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Lyttleton Savage, assistant clerk of the Council of State. Addressed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Your favors of the 17th. & 24th. of last Month came to hand by Post one of them was not franked, and of course Postage was demanded on it this was as usual but there were two other packets from General Washington and the Secretary of...
57Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 23 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay. A privateer belonging to this State has seized a flag in one of the Ports of North Carolina, and brought her into this Country, libelled and condemned her in our Court of Admiralty, which has given such offence to Govr Burke that he once intended to send an armed force to carry her back. I hope he has given over this rash design on a...
58Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 21 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. Addressed to “The Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Your favor of the 11th. Instant came to Hand by the Post, as did the missing Letter by the Post before which makes it probable that the delay proceeded from it’s not geting to the Post master before the Mail was closed. I enclose you a Paper sent to me by the Commissioners of our...
59Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 7 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. Addressed to “The Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Your favors of the 21th. and 28th. of last Month came together by Post. we had some reason to expect from advices received here you would have been able to have inform’d us with certainty whether we were to have Peace or War for the next year, the Ultamatum of Great Britain has...
60To George Washington from Benjamin Harrison, 8 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 10th ulto did not get to hand till a day or two ago, stopped I suppose by the way, by the severe weather, The Letter from the Officers ordered to march for Carolina (to Colo. Febiger ) was laid before the Assembly at their last setting, and every relief given to them that it was in their power to give. They seemed so sensible of this, that I had no doubt of their marching...
61To James Madison from Benjamin Harrison, 30 November 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). In Harrison’s hand. Lacks superscription but is docketed by JM, “Govr. Harrison Novr. 30. 1782.” Under the place and date line, someone unknown wrote, “Harrison Ben:” many thanks to you my Dear Sir for the Books, they are extremely dear but as you justly observe the price should be no objection, when the want of them is considered. I fall miserably short in my...
62Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 21 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas L. Savage and addressed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Your favor of the 10th. Instant came safe such parts of it as were necessary for the Consideration of the Assembly have been laid before them and I hope will have a good effect. it has always been a surprise to me that R. Island should act as she has done, the necessity of a fund to...
63Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 27 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of William Tatham, assistant clerk of the Virginia Council of State, and directed to “The Virginia Delegates in Congress.” A Mr. Linctot of the Illinois was appointed Indian Agent in that Country by Governor Jefferson on behalf of this State. It appears by his Accounts and some Letters of Colo. Broadheads who commanded at fort Pitt that he also acted in...
64To George Washington from Benjamin Harrison, 16-c.20 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I arrived at this place five days ago, sent by our Assembly to make application to congress for immediate assistance in men, arms, ammunition cloathing, and was also directed to wait on You on the same subjects; on Wednesday last I laid before a Committee of that body the business I had in charge as fully as it was in my power to do without answers to letters I had written to the Governor of...
65Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 9 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Unsigned. Addressed to “The Honorable Virginia Delegates in Congress.” In the hand of Samuel Patteson, appointed temporarily “an Assistant Clerk” by Governor Harrison on 11 August and subsequently “approvd” for regular employment by the Council of State on an unspecified date ( JCSV H. R. McIlwaine et al ., eds., Journals of the Council of the State of Virginia (4...
66Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 29 June 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Written by Thomas Meriwether. Addressed to “Virginia Delegates. Congress.” There was nothing in my Letter taken from the post that can be of any service to the Enemy nor any thing that can amuse the public[.] I confess to You the Buisness you mention in cypher in your last has turn’d out much as I expected it wou’d do. It has never been attended to here. the...
67Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 8 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In William Tatham’s hand and directed to “The Virginia Delegates in Congress.” This dispatch is concerned mainly with an unnamed ship and a number of persons identified only by their surnames or places of residence. Although Governor Harrison leaves the impression that he or the delegates had mentioned the episode in their earlier correspondence, they apparently...
68Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 4 July 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. Addressed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Your favor of the 24th. of last Month came safe to hand. I give Congress great Praise for their steadiness on the late trying Occasion, and only wish they had turn’d their Attention to the South rather than the North as it may have some effect on the determination to be had in October...
69Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 1 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay. The resolutions of Congress you inclosed me respecting the beef to be provided by this State, for Genl Greene’s Army, is by no means as full as it ought to be, and cannot be complyed with, even if our Circumstances were much more flourishing than they are. I some time ago forwarded a resolution of our Assembly, forbidding any specific...
70Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 28 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The first page of the letter is folio 53 of Vol. 3 of this collection. Probably about forty years after the delegates received the letter, JM wrote on the obverse of the page, “Harrison Benjn. Decr. 28. 1822.” Someone unknown, after canceling “1822,” wrote “1782” above it. The second page of the letter, bearing only the last paragraph, the complimentary close, and...
71Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 11 January 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay, assistant clerk of the Council of State. We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 1st instant and to inform you that the packet by Captain Irish did not get to hand time enough for the assembly which rose on the fifth. They have passed a bill for raising 3000 men. We have no doubt of getting them provided...
72Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 20 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In William Tatham’s hand and directed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I can not account for the loss of my Letter as I have not omitted writing by every post except the last for several months. The petition you enclosed me from Kentuckey is the weak efforts of a small faction encouraged by some persons near you, it must now be subdued, or Government must exert...
73Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 31 January 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether, “third clerk of the Council of State” ( JCSV H. R. McIlwaine et al ., eds., Journals of the Council of the State of Virginia (4 vols. to date; Richmond, 1931——). , III, 194). Addressed to “The Virginia Delegates in Congress.” My being absent from this Place attending a beloved and dying Sister occasion’d your receiving no Letter...
74To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Harrison, 19 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
When I did my self the pleasure of writing to you I fully expected the Powder would have been sent off the next day to fort Pitt , but the Q. Master assures me that with his utmost efforts he was not able to procure waggons till this day, and now only to go as far as Carlisle, for which place they set out this Evening. He thinks there will be no difficulty in getting it on immediately from...
75To James Madison from Benjamin Harrison, 4 January 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Harrison’s hand. Cover missing. Docketed in an unknown hand, “Harrison Ben.” I have recd. your several favors and am much oblig’d to you for them, but more particularly for that in Cypher, the sentiments are just and perfectly coinside with mine, would to god our countrymen could see things thro’ our medium, or rather would give them selves time to...
76Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 2 November 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Lyttleton Savage. Addressed to “The Virginia Delegates in Congress.” On 14 October 1782 Savage had succeeded William Tatham as assistant clerk of the Council of State ( Journals of the Council of State H. R. McIlwaine et al ., eds., Journals of the Council of the State of Virginia (3 vols. to date; Richmond, 1931——). , III, 156). I received...
77Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 20 March 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. Addressed to “The Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Your acceptable favor of the 12th. Instant reached me last Evening, the acknowledgement of our Independence gives me great Pleasure, for tho’ the Peace is not finally concluded, yet we may safely look on that Part of it, as certain and not to be retracted. I shall make such Parts...
78Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 11 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Addressed to “Virga. Delegates.” The handwriting is that of Archibald Blair through the word “Counties” in the first paragraph. The copying was completed by Thomas Meriwether. When Count Rochambeau was about to leave this State He call’d on Government for 1000 Men to garrison the Towns of York & Gloucester. his request has in part been comply’d with[.] about 520...
79Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 23 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In William Tatham’s hand and directed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I recd. your favor of the 13th. instant. It gives me real pleasure to find the English Ministry seriously inclined to peace, yet I agree with you, it would be imprudent to relax in our preparations for War. I find by the resolutions of Congress that they are not inclined to any kind of...
80Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 19 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Archibald Blair. I enclose you a copy of the direction of a Letter dated 14th. May which came to me from Winchr. three days ago which I shou’d not have open’d but for its being frank’d by Mr. Livingstone, I am really concernd that so little care should have been taken in Communicating the Birth of a Dauphine to me, it may perhaps induce a belief in...
81Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 8 November 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas L. Savage. Addressed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Your favor of the 29th: Ulto: reached me yesterday. If the reports from Canada and New York are true, the English are certainly become the most faithless Nation on Earth, and mean by fraud and deceit to accomplish what they could not do by force. how far their Plan will succeed I can...
82Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 1 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of William Tatham, assistant clerk of the Virginia Council of State, and directed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” It gives me great pleasure to find that the States of Holland have at last de[c]lared in favor of the Independence of America I have no doubt but great good will result from it both to them & us. Your Secretary at War (Gen. Lincoln) has...
83To George Washington from Benjamin Harrison, 15 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
My sincerest thanks to you for your friendly congratulations on my promotion to the Government; indeed my Friend if you knew my true situation and that of this Country you would rather condole with me. When I accepted the appointment I knew I had innumerable difficulties to encounter, yet I undertook the task with a hope of surmounting them, not with a view of serving myself, for there is...
84Contract between the Secret Committee and John Brown, [before 20 January 1776]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy with DS by Nicholas Brown: John Carter Brown Library <[Before Jan. 20, 1776]: Agreed between John Brown on the one part and members of the committee on the other that a voyage or voyages will be undertaken to procure thirty-six tons of gunpowder (or, failing that, sufficient saltpetre and sulphur to make up the same amount), 1,000 stand of good arms, 1,000 gun locks, twenty tons of lead,...
85The Secret Committee to Richard Harrison and Adrien le Maitre, 3 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society We wrote you the 2d Ultimo by the Sloop Fanny Capt. Wm Britton which we hope will get safe, at that time we directed how you were to dispose of the Net Proceeds of the Cargo Consigned you by said Sloop and probably you may have complyed with those orders before this reaches you, if so its well, but if those orders are not executed and you remain possessed of...
86Contract between the Secret Committee and Thomas Mumford for Supplying Gunpowder, 28 November 1775: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Owner anonymous; transcript furnished by courtesy of Dr. Joseph E. Fields, Joliet, Ill. (1957) Less than a month after the creation of the secret committee Silas Deane, one of its members, wrote his friend Thomas Mumford to suggest that he come to Philadelphia to find out what profit could be made under the committee’s aegis. The letter seems to have crossed one from Mumford, who explained...
87The Committee of Secret Correspondence to Silas Deane, 1 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Harvard University Library; letterbook copy: National Archives Mr. Morris has communicated to us the substance of your letters to him down to the 23rd June when you was near setting out for Paris. We hope your reception there has been equal to your expectation and our wishes, indeed we have no reason to doubt it considering the countenance we have met with amongst the French Islands, and...
88The Committee of Secret Correspondence to William Hodge, Jr., 3 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives We Commit to your care sundry dispatches delivered you herewith, and you are immediately to repair onboard the Sloop Independance John Young Commander now waighting for you between this and Rheedy Island. This Sloop will carry you and Said dispatches with the utmost Expedition to the Island of Martinico, where you must apply to Wm. Bingham Esqr. delivering to him all...
89The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 18 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library You will receive herewith a Copy of our Letter of Yesterday by the Lexington, with its enclosures. This goes to Boston for a Passage from thence. An armed Vessel belonging to that State will carry the dispatches and will be governed by your directions respecting her Load back, and the Time of her return. Should you have failed in obtaining the Loan, or of...
90Charter Party between the Secret Committee and Joseph Harper and James King, 1 February 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
DS : The Rosenbach Foundation <February 1, 1776: The agreement is between members of the committee and James King and Joseph Harper, Philadelphia merchants and owners of the brigantine Cornelia of approximately 100 tons, Thomas Genn master, to hire her for a voyage to France. She is to sail to a port in South Carolina to be subsequently designated, there to be loaded with rice, indigo, or...
91The Committee of Secret Correspondence to [Arthur Lee], 30 November 1775 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: University of Virginia Library On November 29, 1775, Samuel Chase brought before Congress a proposal to send ambassadors to France. John Adams seconded the motion, and a vehement debate ensued. A number of alternatives were advanced, and one finally gained approval: to appoint a five-member committee of secret correspondence for the purpose of opening communication with friends of...
92Contract between the Secret Committee and John and Nicholas Brown, 6 February 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy: John Carter Brown Library <Philadelphia, February 6, 1776: The Browns will procure in Europe 10,000 good blankets at approximately 4 s. 6 d. to 5 s. sterling apiece; 9,200 yards of blue and brown broadcloth for uniforms and 800 yards of different colors for facings, most of the cloth, being for privates, at about 4 s. sterling per yard and the rest, for officers, at 6 s. ; ten tons of...
93The Committee of Secret Correspondence to William Bingham, 21 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives We send you herewith a copy of what we wrote you the 1st Inst. per the Sloop Independance Capt. Young and hope some of the articles that were to be forwarded to your Island or St. Eustatia by Monsr. Hortalez have arrived. In that case you will apply for, receive and Ship them by these opportunities of our Continental Cruizers, which...
94The Committee of Secret Correspondence to John Bradford, 30 July 1776 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives; typescript of ALS : Yale University Library We take the liberty to enclose herein some dispatches for Messrs. Saml. & J. H. Delap Merchts. in Bourdeaux which youl please to deliver into Capt. Clevelands own hands with a strict charge to take the utmost care of them and follow the orders also enclosed herein directed to him which you will be pleased to deliver and...
95The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 9 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Johns Hopkins University Library; copies: American Philosophical Society, National Archives, Library of Congress, University of Virginia Library This letter is intended to be delivered you by John Paul Jones Esquire an Active and brave Commander in our Navy, who has already performed signal services in Vessels of little Force and in reward for his Zeal, we have directed him to go on board...
96The Committee of Secret Correspondence: a Report to Congress, [on or before 14 February 1776] (Franklin Papers)
AD : National Archives The invasion of Canada, authorized by Congress in June, 1775, had begun in August under Major General Philip Schuyler. Because of his ill health the command almost immediately devolved upon his subordinate, Brigadier General Richard Montgomery, who by November had captured the forts at Chambly and St. Johns and the city of Montreal. Governor Carleton escaped to Quebec...
97The Committee of Secret Correspondence to William Bingham, 23 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copy: National Archives We have wrote you already by this Conveyance of the Brigantine Andrew Doria to St. Eustatia which we deem safer than the Sachem as she sails faster and is of more Force. Therefore we now enclose you some very Important dispatches for Mr. Dean and request you will forward them by the very first good Conveyance advising us...
98Contract between the Secret Committee and Silas Deane and Others, 19 February 1776 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: South Carolina Historical Society; copy: Connecticut Historical Society We normally summarize contracts of the secret committee signed by Franklin, but this one is important enough to be printed in full because it was the initial reason for Deane’s going to France. Soon after he lost his seat in Congress in October, 1775, and thereby his membership in the secret committee, he began to...
99The Committee of Secret Correspondence to Silas Deane, 23 October 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Haverford College Library; copy: National Archives <Philadelphia, October 23, 1776: We have written you twice today by different ships. This letter goes by the Andrew Doria to St. Eustatius, to be forwarded to William Bingham and by him to you in a French vessel. We enclose two resolutions of Congress. The first replaces Thomas Jefferson as commissioner with Arthur Lee, whom you will...
100The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the Amerìcan Commissioners, 30 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; Haverford College Library; LS without postscript: Joseph E. Fields, Joliet, Ill. (1958); AL (draft ): American Philosophical Society; copies: Historical Society of Pennsylvania; National Archives (two) The military defeats that had followed consistently on the Battle of Long Island, and had brought the British so near Philadelphia that Congress had fled to...