1111From Thomas Jefferson to John Syme, 2 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Should any of the Stores be on their way up before my last order becomes notified to Mr. Watkins they had better be received and Stored at Newcastle than to be sent back. If your letter mentioned Genl. Nelsons call of your lower battalion, it escaped me. I must confer with Baron Steuben on the subject from whom whatsoever order is given will go to Genl. Nelson. The observation on the failure...
1112From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Claiborne, 17 February [1781] (Jefferson Papers)
I have submitted your Letter of yesterday to the consideration of the Gentlemen of the Council, who are present. It is thought that as the Letter of the Draft Law has left it to the Militia Officers to determine who are the proper Subjects of the Law, so the exemptions specifyed by the Law itself imply that no others shall be allowed. Whether the Staff Officers of the Continent or State are...
1113From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Holmes, 7 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As we have at present a great superiority of Prisoners of war in our hands, and artificers and manufacturers are very much wanting in the different parts of the Country, we are of Opinion it will be advantageous to the State to permit such artificers and manufacturers as may be useful to settle in the Country restraining them to some particular County subject to the orders of the County...
1114From Thomas Jefferson to D’Anmours, 9 September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of the 3rd instant came to hand last night by Captain Laport. It is unfortunate for you that Major Galvan had left the station. It happened thus. The sailing of the french fleet in two divisions was a circumstance equally unknown to Major Galvan and my self. I received a Letter from General Washington congratulating me on the arrival of the french fleet in general terms, and no...
1115From Thomas Jefferson to John Smith, 9 September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 31st. came to hand yesterday. We had been apprised of the destruction of Fort Randolph soon after it happened. But it was thought that the importance of the post required that it should be rebuilt, and we have no means of doing this without the aid of militia. Besides reestablishing this post and establishing others, we expect the militia will be engaged ranging on active...
1116From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 3 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
No term having been fixed by the Executive for the Service of the Militia, I do not know whence it could have been collected that it was within ten days of expiring. Nevertheless it is most certain that they would have been relieved long e’er this had it not been for the enterprize meditated against Portsmouth. It was thought too dangerous to change the whole Body of Militia at the critical...
1117From Thomas Jefferson to the General Assembly of North Carolina, 3 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the Honor of receiving your joint Letter of the 14th ult. I assure you that we have been so very far from entertaining an Idea of witholding Succours from you on account of the Invasion of our State that it had been determined that the regular Troops raised and not at that Time marched should nevertheless proceed to your assistance and that we would oppose the Army in our own Country...
1118From Thomas Jefferson to Isaac Avery, 21 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The arrival of a powerful British fleet in Chesapeake Bay renders me extremely apprehensive that a French fleet expected here not apprized of this Circumstance may run into the mouths of the Enemy. I must therefore beg of you to procure immediately two good Boats to go out and keep a constant Lookout for the French fleet and to deliver to the Commanding Officer, should they meet with him, the...
1119From Thomas Jefferson to Sampson Mathews and John Bowyer, 31 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Every tent and all the tentstuff owned by the State were delivered during the last Invasion, 230 in the whole. Of these 75 were sent to the Southward, the remaining 155 are still somewhere. I have given orders to find in whose possession they are, and as soon as it is known I will inform Baron Steuben and communicate to him your want, which I make no doubt he will order to be first supplied;...
1120From Thomas Jefferson to George Weedon, 3 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I stated to you in a former letter the Militia ordered into service to relieve those who had been so long in the feild. They were directed to rendezvous at Williamsburg, but as the Boats have been since ordered up to the Sandy Point, and may perhaps be again shifted, I refer to you the propriety of lodging orders at proper places on the Roads to turn them off from the rout they will be...
1121From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Henrico and Certain Other Counties, 19 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Having received Intelligence that the Enemy are in Motion up James River and that their vessels were in sight of Burwells ferry yesterday afternoon and their destination as yet being unknown we think it necessary to require you to assemble every man of your County able to bear Arms immediately to repair with proper officers and the best Arms he has to and that they do not wait to come...
1122To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 20 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have conferred with Capt. Irish. He thinks it not incompatible, for him to act as State Commissary of Military stores, at the same time that he is Continental Commissary, and is willing immedeatly to undertake that office. He requires a good assistant at an adequate sallary, and a right to appoint occasional assistants when necessity requires. On these conditions he will undertake for three...
1123From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin, 13 August 1777 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof Mr. Thomas Shores is a native of Virginia, and having lately in conjunction with some others established a partnership for the purpose of carrying on a trade to Europe, he comes to France on behalf of his house to establish a proper mercantile correspondence. I am less acquainted with him than his partners whom I know to be able, punctual, and of great genius for trade; and...
1124To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 2 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received from the Committee of Congress at Headquarters three letters calling for aids of men & provisions. I beg leave to refer you to my letter to them of this date on those subjects. I thought it necessary however to suggest to you the preparing an arrangement of officers for the men: for tho’ they are to supply our battalions, yet as our whole line of officers almost are in...
1125From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Charlotte and Certain Other Counties, 2 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Arrival of a hostile force within our State being confirmed, and their movements indicating an intention to come immediately into the heart of the Country, renders it necessary, to call for one fourth of your Militia under proper Captains and Subaltern officers to rendezvous at Petersburg. That there may not be a moments delay, let them come in detached parcels as they can be collected,...
1126From Thomas Jefferson to George Gilmer, [5 July 1775] (Jefferson Papers)
The battle of Charlestown I expect you have heard, but perhaps not so as you may depend on. The provincials sustained two attacks in their trenches, and twice repulsed the ministerial forces, with immense slaughter. The third attack, however, being made with fixed bayonets, the provincials gave ground, retired a little way, and rallied ready for their enemy; but they, having been pretty...
1127From Thomas Jefferson to William Phillips, 31 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your Favor dated New York March 8th. The Removal of the German Troops of Convention also from this State was a Circumstance probably not known to you at that Date. I am as yet uninformed of the Post at which they have been stationed, but believe it to be York Town and Lancaster in Pensylvania, the nearest navigation to which is the Head of Chesapeake Bay. The Permissions...
1128From Thomas Jefferson to George Bird, 16 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 12th. instant has come to hand. Mr. Brown [John Browne] has orders on the Commissioners of the specific Tax for all the grain they shall receive. I should suppose that in strictness he could not be authorized to receive it but from them. However as it may be a mutual advantage to the People and Public to feed Beeves for the Army at the Planters farms it would seem best to...
1129From Thomas Jefferson to James Maxwell, 5 August 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
You will be pleased to advertise the Tartar for sale at some future day as you propose, as also the Safeguard galley. The Council agrees to suspend the sale of the Lewis Galley till the Assembly shall declare their sense of the matter. We shall be very glad to purchase the ground you speak of above Hoods proper for making a wharf for public use, if the owner shall be willing to sell it for a...
1130From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Henry and Certain Other Counties, 8 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The British Army [&c. to the words ‘keep clear of Danger from the former.’] Should the Militia before ordered to join General Greene be not actually marched we should approve of these Arms being put into their hands, and that they proceed to one of the Rendezvouses beforementioned instead of taking a direct Route to General Greene as formerly ordered. The person who receives [&c. to the end.] I...
1131From Thomas Jefferson to Cyrus Griffin, 19 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The within resolution will inform you of the honourable appointment to which you are elected by the voice of your Country, which I do myself the pleasure to notify to you. The present urgencies of the public business, require as early an attendance as you can possibly bestow, and will I hope be my excuse when I urge you to give us your most speedy aid. I am Sir Yr. very hble Servt, RC ( TxU )....
1132From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 28 October 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I hope it will not be unacceptable to your Excellency to receive the congratulations of a private individual on your return to your native country, and above all things on the important success which has attended it. Great as this has been however, it can scarcely add to the affection with which we had looked up to you, and if in the minds of any the motives of gratitude to our good allies...
1133From Thomas Jefferson to Captains Hardy and Young, 7 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
On laying before the Board the Information against Captn. Reeves , they think it best to ask the favour of yourself and Captain { Young } who is at { Chesterfield Court House
1134From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 21 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I was informed by a reputable man this afternoon that he saw about 300 of the enemy land this morning at Sandy point. He said that 25 of our guard had crossed the river there last night and carried their boats up a creek on the opposite side: and that the 25 which remained on this side retreated. Since this the inclosed letter has come to hand. This account and Colo. Innes’s cannot both be...
1135From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 30 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
In consequence of the resolutions of General Assembly at their last Session on the rank of the officers of the two State regiments, I wrote to the Continental board of war on that subject; an extract from my Letter is now inclosed. To this I have never received an answer. Brigadier General Muhlenberg has desired me to lay before the General Assembly the inclosed letter to him from Colo. Brent...
1136From Thomas Jefferson to the Officer Commanding the French Naval Force on the Coast of Virginia, 28 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to forward to you the inclosed Letter which accompanied others from General Washington to the Marquis Fayette, to the honourable Major General Baron Steuben, and myself. That there may be no Disappointment in procuring the pilots required, I got the favor of Captain Maxwell Naval Commander to this State to proceed to Hampton to provide them. His Knowledge of the Service and of...
1137From Thomas Jefferson to John Winston, 25 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very sorry that your Militia by different Orders from a Succession of Persons should have been harrassed with marches to so little purpose. It was not intended by us that they should be called on at all. When I learnt however that they were come into Duty and were at Hanover Courthouse, I thought it best for them to join and remain with General Nelson till he should receive the Militia of...
1138From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 12 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Colo. John Gibson is appointed to go as next in Command under Genl. Clarke on the business communicated to you. As Colo. Gibson is now here he will return to Fort Pitt by the way of Baltimore to see the powder sent on, and prevent any danger of it’s stopping by the way. Be so good as to lodge at Goddard[’s] the Printer in Baltimore a line to Colo. Gibson informing him in what state the...
1139From Thomas Jefferson to Granville Smith, 28 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The late Lt. Colo. Porterfield your Principal contracted a Debt of thirty Guineas during his illness in South Carolina which his brother Robert Porterfield has desired us to enable him to pay. You will therefore be pleased to purchase a heavy Hogshead of Tobacco and to be ready to consign it on board a Flag (which will go to Charlestown with Tobacco) to Robert Porterfield. The Purchase Money...
1140To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 26 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As the armoury at the foundery will probably be built on a different plan, from what was originally intended, when I contracted with Colo. Richd James, and, as he wishes to be clear of that contract, I have this day agreed with him that it shall be void. Colo. James is willing still to work for the public, and will furnish plank and scantling deliverable at the fork or the foundery as may be...