1351From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 22 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you two letters from Colo. Innes just received. We are in very great anxiety for him. His force we are told is very considerably reduced by desertion, and he has no Cavalry. I make no doubt you see how far it is necessary to send him reinforcements and will order them accordingly. I have no return of the numbers of Militia here. Indeed it is changing every hour by the arrival of...
1352To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, with Reply, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
From Mr. Browne’s account it is impossible, I should think, that Col. Innes should be in want of provision. If he has crossed at Ruffin’s, as Mr. Browne says he has, it would be proper to send to New Castle what stores you may under the present circumstances think necessary to order to him. At present we are in great distress for want of waggons. Every one of the public offices almost, as the...
1353From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 18. instant the enemy came from Portsmouth up James river in considerable force, tho’ their numbers precisely are not yet known to us. They landed at Burwells ferry below Williamsburg and near the mouth of Chickahominy above it. This latter circumstance obliged Colo. Innes who commanded a body of Militia Stationed on that Side the river to cover the country from depredation, to retire...
1354From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the pleasure yesterday to receive your favor of the 17th. inst. and am very happy that the Southern States are to have the Benefit of your Aid. On the 18th. inst. the enemy came from Portsmouth &c. (as in the following Letter to the President of Congress to the words Little River on the 11th.) We still consider his [Greene’s] as the interesting Scene of action to us. As long as we can...
1355From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel McDowell, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letter of the 20th. has been considered by the Board. We are exceedingly sorry that the Militia Service of necessity falls so heavily on the Citizens of our State and would gladly embrace every Opportunity of relaxing it. All we can do however is to keep the Burthen as equal as possible on all the Counties. We keep an Account of all the Tours required by us and the proportions of Men; On...
1356From Thomas Jefferson to the President of the Board of War, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Colo. Wood has applied to us to take Measures for furnishing provisions and building Barracks for the Convention Prisoners at Winchester. Neither of those can be effected without considerable Sums of Money either advanced or to be paid within some reasonable Time and I am sorry to be obliged to inform you it is not in our power to do either. Such are the Calls on us for Money for the Southern...
1357From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 23 Apr. 1781 . This letter is identical with TJ’s letter to Samuel Huntington of this date except that it lacks the postscript. RC ( DLC : Washington Papers); 3 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by TJ; endorsed: “Richmond 23d. April 1781 from Governor Jefferson. Ansd. 16 May.” FC ( Vi ). Tr ( DLC ). Printed in HAW Henry A. Washington, ed., The Writings of Thomas Jefferson , Washington,...
1358From Thomas Jefferson to George Weedon, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter was forwarded to me by Baron Steuben. I suppose it contains an answer to the proposition for exchange of prisoners, and am anxious for a communication of it. On the 18th. the enemy came from Portsmouth up James river, their force unknown. They landed in two bodies, the one at Burwell’s ferry, the other near the mouth of Chickahominy. This latter circumstance obliged Colo....
1359From Thomas Jefferson to Daniel Fisher, 24 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letter was handed me at a Time when I was much engaged in preparing to render a visit then expected from the Enemy as little prejudicial as possible. The Act of Assembly having not exempted the Commissaries from Militia Duty, we do not chuse to give them a formal Exemption. Yet their Exertions are so essential for subsisting the Army when assembled that it is impossible for them to be...
1360From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 24 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have information this morning from Capt. Maxwell on his own view that the enemy landed at Westover yesterday evening. If it be impossible that he should have been deceived, it is equally unaccountable that we are uninformed of it from the Videts sent. The movements of the enemy up Chickahominy obliged Colo. Innes, incumbered with 20 waggons with stores, and 100 sick to cross Pamunkey at...
1361From Thomas Jefferson to —— Read, 26 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have advised with the Members of the Council present , and they are of Opinion that Captn. Reed be permitted to purchase four horses for his Troop instead of the four which were to have been purchased by the Quarter Master and one other instead of the one lately dead, governing himself by the price limited in the Order to the Quarter Master. I am &c., FC ( Vi ); at head of text: “Lieutenant...
1362From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 26 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Maury, owner of the Brigantine Alert, engaged and fitted as a flag for carrying tobacco to Charles town waits on you to see whether a permit can be obtained for her. You will be pleased to follow your own judgment whether the time be proper to negotiate on this subject. Whenever you think it so, I am of opinion it would be expedient to send the single vessel as first agreed to by Genl....
1363From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 2[6] April [1781] (Jefferson Papers)
One half the Cumberland militia and of those of Amelia were ordered down. Some of the former are come in. I have ordered them to go to you, but what should be done with such of them as have no arms I think doubtful. We have found by experience that the men of those counties where the enemy are, cannot be kept in the field. They desert and carry off their arms. It also seems reasonable that...
1364From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 26 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
An Officer from Cumberland having called on me this morning to direct what should be done with his unarmed Men, I took the Liberty by him of stating to you the order in which I thought the Militia should be discharged. I did this hastily while he was waiting and must now on more mature Reflection beg leave to correct in some Degree what I then wrote and to take up the whole subject. Fauquier,...
1365From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 27 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
When we desired the resigned and supernumerary officers to come into command, we took the liberty, after establishing the rules by which they should be given, to ask the favor of you to arrange the Commands accordingly. As the gentlemen are likely to be exposed in action with the enemy, and if taken would have no commissions to produce, circumstances which give them uneasiness, I will ask the...
1366From Thomas Jefferson to Garret Van Meter, 27 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have directed Mr. Woodrow to furnish Money for the Bounty of the New Levies out of what was put into his hands for the removal of your Militia to Pittsburg. I am sorry such a Spirit of Disobedience has shewn itself in your County; it must be subdued. Laws made by common Consent must not be trampled on by Individuals. It is very much the Interest of the good to force the unworthy into their...
1367From Thomas Jefferson to the Auditors, 1 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Wm. Brackenridge came express from Botetourt on necessary public business and was detained in Richmond three days. Th : Jefferson 380 miles @ 2℔ Tobo is 780 Tobo. @ £75 £585 Ferriages 1: 4 Expences 3 days in Richmond 181:16 768 RC (Contingent Fund Vouchers, Vi ); endorsed: “16 June 1781. Wm. Brackenridge £768 Contingent.” TJ’s orders to the auditors are written on the verso of a...
1368From Thomas Jefferson to the Members of Assembly for Fluvanna and Certain Other Counties, 1 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
We deferred changing the place of calling the Assembly, in hopes that every Day would give us a prospect of getting rid of the enemy in the neighbourhood of Richmond. The Arrival of the Marquis Fayette with a detachment of Continental Troops, and the junction of our whole force together with his, has put these cowardly plunderers under way down the River, and renders this Place perfectly...
1369From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Elizabeth City and Certain Other Counties, 2 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
You are desired immediately to embody so many of your Militia as you can arm from your County and have them marched under proper officers to join Colo. Innes at such place as he shall direct. I am &c., FC ( Vi ); at head of text: “County Lieutenants of Elizabeth City, Warwick, York, James City, King & Queen and of Williamsburg.”
1370From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Gloucester, 2 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
You are desired immediately to embody so many of your Militia as you can arm, if Colo. Innes shall require so many for the Purpose of defending the Battery at Gloucestertown, and to march them there immediately under proper officers. I am &c., FC ( Vi ).
1371From Thomas Jefferson to James Innes, 2 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As it may be necessary to reestablish the Batteries at Gloucester and York Town, and for this Purpose to transport thither Cannon from other Places, which probably cannot be effected but by impressing Waggons, Teams and Drivers, Boats or other vessels and their navigators, you are therefore hereby empowered to make impresses of the said Articles for the purposes aforesaid, having them...
1372From Thomas Jefferson to James Innes, 2 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Having received information that divers Citizens of this Commonwealth in the Counties of James City and York, have lately committed Acts, some of which amount to high Treason, and others to Misprision of Treason; and that some, tho’ they have been able so to disguise and conceal their Transactions as that legal evidence cannot be obtained by which they might be subjected to prosecution for...
1373From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, [3 May 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 3 May 1781 .] “The army is in extreme want of cartridges. If you can by any means expedite the making them it will be very salutary. The enemy embarked at the Hundred last night and are supposed to be gone down today.” MS not located. Extract printed from Anderson Galleries Catalogue (J. H. Manning Sale, 19–20 Jan. 1926), lot 376, where the letter is listed as a 1-page A.L.S.,...
1374From Thomas Jefferson to Heinrich Gerlach, 3 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very sorry for the delay which has happened in sending the passport. I received it the 20th. of Apr. and sent it the [same] day to Majr. Genl. Baron Steuben to be forwarded. He immediately delivered my letter covering it to an officer with orders to proceed. The papers being directed to Genl. Phillips the officer was uncertain whether he was at Portsm. or with the British army then coming...
1375From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Claiborne, 4 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
You shall receive the money necessary for the purchase of the horses as fast as it can be prepared and as shall be practicable in concurrence with other pressing claimants. You know how difficult it is to fix on precise days for the treasury. Therefore all I can say with precision is that it shall be paid out of the present emission. Dft ( Vi ); written by TJ on address leaf of Claiborne’s...
1376To Thomas Jefferson from James Downie and William Thompson, with Jefferson’s Instructions, 4 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As prisoners of War on parole at this place we beg leave to address the Executive, hoping no offence will be given. We were Commanders of Privateers and taken some time past in Hampton Road, since which part of the time we have been in close Confinement. The request we have to make is that our paroles may be extended and permitted to go to New York where our families and Connections are,...
1377From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Lawson, 4 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
You were here when our council was broke up by the departure of Colo. Fleming since which we have had no board, and at present there is but a single member. When I shall have a board I cannot foresee, but as soon as I have your matter shall be certainly deliberated on. Henry is the 7th. of the eleven counties ordered to reinforce Genl. Greene which has applied to be excused. But it is...
1378From Thomas Jefferson to Abraham Penn, 4 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am exceedingly sorry that the public Situation should be such as to render it necessary to call our Citizens from their farms, at this interesting Season of the year. But the enemy will not suspend their Operations till we can sow or reap, so that we must have an Army on foot as well at these, as the other Seasons of the year. We have called on eleven Counties to furnish a reinforcement to...
1379From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Henrico and Certain Other Counties, 5 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Executive, having determined that future Tours of Militia Duty should be of two months length after joining the Army, had called in a proper Complement to serve from the 1st. Day of May to the last Day of June; proposing by that Time to relieve the whole by calling in others: The military officers have however represented that it will be more eligible to change one half monthly, than the...
1380From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Culpeper, 5 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to inform you [&c. as in the preceding Letter of May 5th] I am &c. FC ( Vi ); at head of text: “County Lieutenant of Culpeper.” Brackets supplied. The “preceding letter” refers to the letter preceding here, also. Below the text is written, “Culpeper 351,” the number of militia to be called.