61To Thomas Jefferson from Littleberry H. Mosby, with Jefferson’s Instructions, 19 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Powhatan, 19 Mch. 1781 . Has recruited “forty odd Men”; intended marching “on Sunday next, but hearing this day at our Court House, that the Enemy were approaching, thought it advisable to proseed as soon as possible.” The bearer has been sent to procure arms as they are not to be had in the county. [ In margin, in TJ’s hand :] “Referred to Colo. Davies as to arms. I am uninformed as to the...
62[From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, with Reply, 26 March 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 26 Mch. 1781 . Minute in War Office Journal (Vi) under this date: “A letter from the Governor respecting the discharge of soldiers for six months, who have no Certificate, nor Witnesses to prove the expiration of their terms of service; and requesting some general plan to be proposed for the regulation of such cases. Answer returned. That in such cases, their oath should be...
63From John Christian Senf, with Jefferson’s Instructions to William Davies, 26 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
By our present Situation Your Excellency will find it highly Necessary, that all kind of Intrenching Tools, as well for the defensive as offensive Operations, should be got immediatly ready. I take therefore the Liberty to propose what Kind and Quantity of Tools [there] may be Occasion for, 800 Spades 400 Common Axes 200 Broad and Grubbing Hoes 100 Pick Axes 300 Fashine Knifes and smal...
64To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, with Reply, 29 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I find the number of waggons in the QMG’s department so utterly inadequate to the wants of the State, that the most common purposes of that department cannot be executed, nor any assistance afforded to the others. At present, indeed, Mr. Brown the commissary general has the greater part of them employed by him. Nothing can be done, therefore, in the collection of military stores without an...
65To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, with Reply, 30–31 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The General expressed to me yesterday in such strong terms the great importance of the post at Chesterfield, and urged so strenuously his idea of the necessity of my continuing my superintendance at that place till the march of the new raised troops shall be over, that it was in vain I represented my opinion of the impracticability of discharging my duty towards it, or the fatigue and trouble...
66From Daniel L. Hylton, with Jefferson’s Instructions to William Davies, 30 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Without place ] 30 Mch. 1781 . Mr. Eppes desires him to inform TJ that “a Gun Smith up the Country will undertake the Cleaning and repairing Arms. He will also get 3 or 4 Men to Assist him provided they are exempt from Military duty.” The arms must be sent up to him. TJ’s instructions follow: “Referred to Colo. Davies; Colo. Muter had the name of this man in a note from me. He lives in...
67To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, with Reply, 31 March–2 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Captain Young, the Quartermaster general of the state, who has just arrived, informs me that he saw at Edentown about 30 exceeding fine cannon of 18s and 24s. He asked the Naval officer, whose they were, who informed him they were the property of the State of Virginia, thrown out of a French vessel, who carried the remainder of them to South quay. As I have no return of any thing of the kind,...
68To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, with Reply, 31 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The equipment of the cavalry is a matter of real consequence to our military operations. The enclosed account appears to have arisen from an application to Mr. Simpson by the officers of the cavalry for a number of articles the troops were in want of. He has applied to Col. Finnie for payment, who tells him he can only give him a certificate for what is due him. Mr. Simpson is very willing to...
69To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, with Reply, 6 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed I lay before our Excellency the estimates you were pleased to mention some time ago. Mr. Ross’s indisposition prevented its being presented sooner. Some Gentlemen think them rather too small. Mr. Clark’s proposals respecting the brick work at the point of fork, I have also enclosed, and beg the direction of the Executive. Col. White applies for cloathing. I presume from the inclosed...
70To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Wooding, with a Memorandum by Jefferson, 8 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Halifax County, 8 Apr. 1781 . Immediately after his appointment as county lieutenant, Wooding inquired “into the Present State of the Militia when I found that the Greatest part of the Officers below a Captain, and even some of them, were not Commissioned.” The reason, he has been told, is that his predecessor had “no Blank Commissions to fill up for the many New Appointments which was...
71To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, with Reply, 10–11 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
War Office [ Richmond ], 10 Apr. 1781 . Many men already discharged from the army have arrears in pay due them. “It is hard upon these men to lose their pay, and it is exceedingly troublesome to this office, to the Auditors and to your Excellency, for the adjustment of each man’s claim to be thrown individually upon us. I would therefore submit it to your Excellency, whether it will not be...
72To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, with Reply, 11 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed certificate is produced with a view of obtaining the same quantity of powder that was lent. It is now wanting for a privateer just going to sea. I beg your Excellency’s directions whether the money or the powder shall be paid. I have the honor to be, sir, Your Excellency’s most obedt servt., In Council Apr. 11. 1781. Mr. Elliott having received this powder, not under the orders of...
73To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, with Reply, 12 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I was desired by the Baron before his leaving town to lay before your Excellency, an extract of a letter from General Greene, which unintentionally he omitted to present to you yesterday, altho’ I think he said he had conversed with you on this subject. His great anxiety for an immediate supply of ammunition to be forwarded on to General Greene has induced him to press this matter with so much...
74From John Christian Senf, with a Note from Jefferson to William Davies, 12 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
In the Order, Your Excellency pleases to send to the County Lieutnant of Prince George County , may’d be mentioned to send the Hands as soon as possible, and if they send them by Six and ten [the 16th], I shall be at Hoods and receive them myself, write down the Date they arrive, and whenever the time, agread on, is ended, discharge them again. By those Means, the Worck will be advanc’d,...
75James Henderson’s Account as Express, with Jefferson’s Certification, 14 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
at the Swet springs £24 Mr. Millers 127– 4 Berton Shavers 21 9 expences comg 336 Mr Tilfords 24 going back 214 Robt. Steel 9 Widow Estills 21 Total expences £550 Leas
76Garret Van Meter and Others to the Auditors with Andrew Woodrow’s Bill and Jefferson’s Certification, 20 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Hampshire County, 20 Apr. 1781 . Garret Van Meter, Abel Randall, James Murphy, and George Beall, Commissioners of the Tax, state that they “have employed the bearer hereof Mr. Andrew Wodrow, to go to Richmond to bring up money, to pay off the draughts for this County, likewise to carry some very important inteligence to his Excellency the Governour” and wish his expenses to be paid....
77To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, with Reply, 21 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I need not represent to your Excellency the insecurity of this place. We never can proceed with any degree of certainty in any of our public works while the enemy command the rivers. The state of our arms requires security to the workmen from alarms, and I am confident we shall never be able to get them repaired, unless some buildings are prepared for them in a safe place above the falls. I...
78To 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...
79To 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,...
80To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, with Reply, 8 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
One of the Assistants of the Quartermaster general is going over to the Eastern Shore. It appears to me an opportunity, which ought not to be neglected, of disposing and securing the public stores of every kind that are there. A great deal has been lost, a great deal more is in danger, and I submit it to the decision of your Excellency whether it will not be proper to sell what cannot be...
81To Thomas Jefferson from Mann Page, enclosing Court Proceedings against a Slave, together with Jefferson’s Reprieve, 13 … (Jefferson Papers)
As one of Colo. Tayloe’s Executor’s I take the Liberty to solicit you on Behalf of Billy, a Negro Man belonging to that Estate, who is now under Sentence of Death, by the Judgement of the Court of Prince William County. The Crime for which he is condemned, and the Proceedings of the Court will be made known to you by the enclosed Papers. Not entertaining a Doubt myself of the Illegality of the...
82To Thomas Jefferson from John Lyne, with Jefferson’s Memoranda for a Legal Opinion, 13 January 1782 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed copy of Mr. Todds Will and money I receiv’d a few days ago from the Gentleman who has married the Widow. He requisted that I would inclose it to you for your Advice for all matters relative to the Widow and perticular to the question below. If the money inclosed is short of your demand for Advice I will pay you or Order the balance on demand. I shall be glad to be favoured with...
83To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Watkins, with Jefferson’s Opinion concerning a Will, 9 May 1782 (Jefferson Papers)
As the Trustees mentioned in my Fathers Will, are at a loss to know, whether they have a right to divide his real Estate among his Children as they think fit, or not; I do, at their request, beg you that you would give us your Opinion on that head; and if you should think that they cannot, we would willingly know whether a division could be procured by a Suit in Chancery agreeable to the two...
84To Thomas Jefferson from John Taylor, with Jefferson’s Opinion on Mary Wayland, [16 August 1782] (Jefferson Papers)
Your most Curious Council is required on the following Cases. Case the 1st. Adam Wayland of Culpeper County in the Virga. State, after 1st. Lawful Marriage had 6 Children by his wife and She pregnant with the 7th.—Made a Will by which will he bequeath’d his wife one full Third part of his Estate, his wife in time of her pregnancy was Taken with the Small pox and Died—after remaining a widower...