1To Alexander Hamilton from Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, [July 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
I am indebted to you, my dear Hamilton, for two letters; the first from Albany, as masterly a piece of cynicism as ever was penned, the other from Philadelphia, dated the 2d March; in both, you mention a design of retiring, which makes me exceedingly unhappy. I would not wish to have you for a moment withdrawn from the public service; at the same time, my friendship for you, and knowlege of...
2To Alexander Hamilton from Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, July 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
[ South Carolina, July, 1782. The printed extract of a letter Laurens wrote to Hamilton reads as follows: “The enemy’s system was perfectly defensive, and rendered the campaign insipid. Many of our sanguine citizens have flattered themselves with the idea of a prompt evacuation of Charleston. I wish the garrison would either withdraw or fight us. Adieu, my dear friend; while circumstances...
3To George Washington from John Laurens, 11 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
The approaching session of the Georgia Legislature, and the encouragement given me by Gov. Howley, who has a decisive influence in the Councils of that Country—induce me to remain in this quarter for the purpose of taking new measures on the subject of our black Levies. The arrival of Col. Baylor whose seniority entitles him to the command of the Lt Troops. affords me ample leisure for...
4To George Washington from John Laurens, 19 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged to you for honoring my bill in favor of Genl Lincoln—it includes the whole sum expended on your account in France—The Plan which brought me to this country, was urged with all the zeal which the subject inspired, both in our privy council and Assembly—but the single voice of reason was drowned by the howlings of a triple-headed monster in which Prejudice Avarice &...
5To George Washington from John Laurens, 12 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have written a letter of this date to Congress inclosing one to me, from Mr Moses Young my fathers Secretary, by which it appears that our Minister plenipotentiary at the Court of Versailles had not so late as the 28th Septem: received official notice of the Resolve of Congress for exchanging Genl Bourgoyne. I likewise inclosed a letter from Genl Cornwallis in which he assures me that all...
6To George Washington from John Laurens, 28 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
Be pleased to pay to the order of Major General Lincoln the Sum of Thirty five Guineas on account of Your Excellencys Most obedt Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
7To George Washington from John Laurens, 10 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
General Greene will have given Your Excellency a detail of his brilliant and rapid manoeuvre on the enemys left, which induced the abandonment of their posts at Goose Creek and Dorchester, and their contracting themselves within the limits of their works on Charles Town Neck. By every report of fugitive Tories and other deserters from thence, they appear still to be laboring under all the...
8From John Laurens to Timothy Pickering, 4 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
The General requests that you will give immediate orders, to have twenty five bushels of grain, and five hundred weight of the best long forage; sent down to York—to be embarked on board of the Serpent Cutter, commanded by the Chevalier de Maulevrier—to serve as provision for two horses which are to go by Count de Grasse—The Grain should be in Good barrels if possible—the Cutter is to sail...
9From John Laurens to Timothy Pickering, 23 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
The General requests that you would commission a quarter master to join the escort of General Lawson without loss of time and take his orders—on the road to Winchester. DNA : RG 93—Manuscript File.
10From John Laurens to Timothy Pickering, 23 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
In the absence of the paymaster General, The General requested that you would take possession of the british Military Chest—Major Ross of Ld Cornwallis’s family informs me that the Chest remains intact—and that no one as yet, has demanded it. You will be so good as to give immediate orders for the reception & security of it—Your &c. DNA : RG 93—Manuscript File.
11From John Laurens to Timothy Pickering, 22 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
The General desires that you would forthwith order the flat bottomed boats in your possession to be transported to the most convenient launching place near York—to be delivered to the order of Monsieur de Martelli Commandg the Experiment. DNA : RG 93—Manuscript File.
12From John Laurens to Timothy Pickering, 4 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
The General requests to know what materials you have for making litters, or whether you have any ready made—a number will be instantly wanted for the service of the trenches. Yours &c. DNA : RG 93—Manuscript File.
13From John Laurens to Anonymous, 24 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in chief instructs me to inform you that the troops now arrived are to be debarked at the usual place—he wishes that the greatest possible assistance may be given to the Commanding Officers of the french troops on landing their men, by your flat bottomed boats and every other means in your power—it is of the utmost importance to facilitate & hasten the reunion of our forces at...
14To Benjamin Franklin from John Laurens, 9 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society On the first instant, we had a faint breeze that just served to bring us to sea, where we have been languishing in calms—and buffeting against contrary winds, which at one time were so violent as to oblige us to lay to—till yesterday morning when a favorable change took place— and enabled us to enter the ocean at a convenient distance from Cape Ortegal— As...
15To Benjamin Franklin from John Laurens, 30 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society An obstinate Calm has detained us in port—’till this evening— to morrow I flatter myself we shall have a favorable wind for putting to sea— I am informed that the orders are already received here for preparing a frigate to convey the specie destined for the french Army— and that she will be probably ready in the beginning of next month—if this be the case...
16To Benjamin Franklin from John Laurens, 29 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; al (draft): South Carolina Historical Society I do myself the honor to acquaint your Excellency that I embarked this Morng early on board the Resolue, that she weighed with the vessels under Convoy—and made an effort to put to sea—but a calm succeeding we were obliged to reanchor— In the mean time an Extraordinary Courier arrived from the Court, in...
17To Benjamin Franklin from John Laurens: Two Letters, 28 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society I do myself the honor of acquainting Your Excellency that the Frigate Resolue with the two vessels of her convoy—the Cibelle Store Ship and the Brigantin Olympe—are at anchor in the road ready for sea— my effects are on board and I embark myself this morning—with a probability of sailing— I must confess I was apprehensive of not being...
18To Benjamin Franklin from John Laurens, 22 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Upon my arrival here yesterday morning I was informed by the Count d’Hector that the Frigate and Store Ship appointed to transport supplies for the service of the United States were fitted and ready as to themselves—that the latter had begun to take on board part of her Cargo—but that some of the articles which I had designated to be embarked in preference...
19To Benjamin Franklin from John Laurens: Two Letters, 16 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society I transmit Your Excellency Gourlade and Moylans account of the Alliances disbursements—to be adjusted as Your Excellency shall think proper— and have the honor to be Your Excellencys most obedient Servant Endorsed: Mr Laurence May 16. 1781 Recd. May 23.—at Night Appear’d to have been open’d. Upon paying my accounts I find that I shall be...
20To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-François de Boy with Franklin’s Note to John Laurens and Laurens’ Response, May 7 [–on … (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Sent to you the Copy of the Certificate, and too that of the Some Sundry papers, from the War Office who Given to me, because I have Lost’d my Comission from the Hble. Congress, when the ennemies have Taken Brunswick, and too Besides all my things. I shall desire to Go again in your Country, if you Can Employ me, as you will please, very much oblige, to...
21To Benjamin Franklin from John Laurens, [before 13 May 1781] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send your Excellency the Estimate of the Board of War with the prices— Your note to Mr de La Rouerie was dispatched immediately— As sunday is the day which the Count de Vergennes has appointed for my taking leave, I shall be deprived of the pleasure of dining with Your Excellency—but shall endeavour to pay you my respects as frequently as possible in the...
22To John Adams from John Laurens, 28 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor of transmitting to your Excellency copies of a representation made to me by Commodore Gillon on the subject of the frigate South Carolina—and a memorandum of articles settled and agreed upon between us. My motives for engaging in this business are That the excellence of the conveyance enables me to transmit immediately a part of the Specie destined for the United States, which...
23To Benjamin Franklin from John Laurens, [before 24 April 1781?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With this your Excellency will receive the Book which I mention’d this morning; and a Letter which my Friend R. Izard of S. Carolina has cautiously sent to your Excellency without Signature or Direction— I set out for Bordeaux on Saturday next, my Desire to bear any Commands which Your Excellency may have for America follows of course, and between this and...
24To George Washington from John Laurens, 11 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Not to trouble Your Excellency with a detail of writings, conferences, attendances and importunities, I pass at once to the result as communicated to me by the Count de Vergennes—It is His most Christian Majestys determination, to guarantee a loan of ten millions of livres to be opened in Holland in favour of the United States—in addition to the gratuitous gift of six millions granted before...
25To John Jay from John Laurens, 11 April 1781 (Jay Papers)
In thanking Your Excellency for the letter with which you have honored me, I should have to reproach myself for not paying my respects to you hitherto, if the novel and busy scene in which I have been engaged did not plead my excuse, and if I were not persuaded that Your Excellencys letters from America, which I committed on my arrival to the care of Doctor Franklin, will have given you every...
26To Benjamin Franklin from John Laurens, [24 March? 1781] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In order to be ready with the memorial for to morrow it will be necessary for me to devote this afternoon to writing— I must entreat you therefore to make my excuse to Mr Chalut— I have the honor to be Dear Sir Yours sincerely and respectfully. Addressed: To / His Excellency Benjamin / Franklin Esqr. The most likely date, as on March 24, above, Chalut de...
27To George Washington from John Laurens, 24 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Upon my arrival here, I found that our Minister plenipotentiary had received the instructions &ca transmitted to him, and commenced the negotiation with which we were charged—and that he had received the followg communication from the Count de Vergennes. "It is impossible for His Majesty to favor a loan in this kingdom—because it would prejudice those which he has occasion to make himself for...
28To Benjamin Franklin from John Laurens, [on or after 18 March 1781] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Lt. Col. Laurens presents his respectful Compliments to Doctor Franklin, requests the favor of him to spare him a few sheets of large fine paper. Addressed: His Excelly / Benjamin Franklin / Esqr. The first Sunday after Laurens arrived in the Paris area on the evening of March 14: London Courant, and Westminster Chronicle , March 30, 1781. Among the letters...
29To Benjamin Franklin from John Laurens, 9 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: South Carolina Historical Society The interval between my debarkation and the departure of the post allows me only a moment to aprise Your Excellency of my arrival at this place in the frigate Alliance after a passage of twenty six days from Boston. I should have prosecuted my journey to passy without an instant’s repose, in order to deliver Your...
30To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 4-7 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Upon my arrival here the 25th Ulto I found that men and money were still wanting to fit the Alliance frigate for sea—I immediately insisted on the necessity of an impress, and of having recourse to extraordinary means for the necessary supply of money—The Head of the navy board who is at the same time, a leading member in the house of Representatives gave me such positive assurances on both...
31To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 7 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
On my arrival at this place last night, I learnt that Major Fishburn had announced Your Excellencys intention of coming this way immediately —The uncertainty whether you wd give a preference to the boon-town road or that by Mr Lotts, and the indispensability of a conference with Your Excellency on the subject of my mission to Europe, determine me to expect you here. Generals St Clair and de...
32To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 6 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
Riveted to head quarters by my attachment to Your Excellency and the patronage with which you have been pleased to honor me, nothing but the approaching critical junction of southern affairs and the expectation of my countrymen could induce me to sollicit a farther leave of absence in case of my exchange —I profess myself too much a continentalist to be affected by local interests—but I...
33To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 4 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
With the triumph of a republican, and the more tender emotions of one who sincerely loves his General, I congratulate Your Excellency on your late providential escape—I congratulate my country whose safety is so intimately united with yours and who may regard this miraculous rescue of her champion, as an assurance that heaven approves her choice of a defender—and is propitious to her cause. in...
34To Alexander Hamilton from Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 8 September 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, September 8, 1780. On September 16, 1780, Hamilton wrote to Laurens : “I … have just time to tell you that I have received your letter of the 8th.” Letter not found. ]
35To Alexander Hamilton from Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 30 July 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] July 30, 1780 . Has executed Hamilton’s commission by arranging for a tailor to make a hat for him. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
36To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 25 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Being suddenly disappointed in my expectation of retiring from this place by land in company with Colonel Ternant—I have scarcely a moment for paying Your Excellency my respects and informing that I am in the number of prisoners by Capitulation—It is the greatest and most humiliating misfortune of my life, to be reduced to a state of inactivity at so important a juncture as the present —My...
37To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 9 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
When I last had the honor of writing to your Excellency, the Enemy had not extended their operations beyond their place of arms on Wappoo Neck —On the 29th Ulto They crossed Ashley River in force one mile above the ferry —the next day they advanced to Gibbes’s a convenient Landing about two miles from town —having previously collected a number of boats at the opposite shore, for the purpose of...
38To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 14 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Enemys present disposition of his force and all his late operations indicate a design to attack Charles Town by a siege in form. To complete the investiture he must introduce his Ships of war into the harbour—that it is his intention appears from his fixing buoys on the bar, barricading his Ships wastes—and anchoring them in a station where they may embrace the first favorable spring-tides...
39To Alexander Hamilton from Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 24 February 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ February 24, 1780. On March 30, 1780, Hamilton wrote to Laurens : “I have received lately two letters from you, the last dated the 24th of February.” Letter of February 24 not found. ]
40To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 14 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I should have done myself the honor of writing to you earlier, but postponed my intention in hopes of obtaining satisfactory intelligence of the force and designs of the enemy in this quarter—Altho’ my expectations are far from being answered, I must entreat your Excellencys acceptance of what I have been able to collect on those subjects, lest the expected siege prolong my silence beyond the...
41To Alexander Hamilton from Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 18 December 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
On my arrival in town I was informed by the president, that Congress had suspended the business of appointing a Secretary to their Minister plenipotentiary at Versailles until my return, in hopes that I might still be prevailed upon to accept the office. I replied that I thought my letter upon the subject sufficiently explicit and assured him of my sincere desire to be excused from serving in...
42To Alexander Hamilton from Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 12 December 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Upon my arrival here yesterday evening I communicated the intelligence received from General Wayne to the President of Congress and the french minister. The latter surprised me greatly by informing me that only one 74 gun ship of the Count de Grasses division and the fier Rodrigue had arrived at Chesapeak. I am at a loss how to account for the absence of the rest. They have not been within the...
43To Alexander Hamilton from Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 14 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Ternant will relate to you how many violent struggles I have had between duty and inclination—how much my heart was with you, while I appeared to be most actively employed here—but it appears to me that I shd be inexcusable in the light of a Citizen if I did not continue my utmost efforts for carrying the plan of black levies into execution, while there remains the smallest hope of success....
44To Alexander Hamilton from Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, [5 December 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
You have seen, and by this time considered, General Lee’s infamous publication. I have collected some hints for an answer; but I do not think, either that I can rely upon my own knowledge of facts and style to answer him fully, or that it would be prudent to undertake it without counsel. An affair of this kind ought to be passed over in total silence, or answered in a masterly manner. The...
45To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 2 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency previous to the Action of the 29th. my letter was committed to the care of Major Gibbes—and he destroyed it as soon as the engagement commenced, to guard against accidents—As Your Excellency has already received minute accounts of the transactions of that day from those who saw them in a more collective View, than the nature of my command afforded...
46To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 23 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am just returned from a fruitless pursuit of the french Squadron—General Sullivan will inform Your Excellency of the fatal determination of the counts officers in a Council of War—as well as of the several Remonstrances and final solemn protest made by the American Generals —The Admirals Ship being dismasted fore and aft, at the moment that he had overtaken the british fleet and was...
47To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 6 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Lt. Col. John Laurens, 6 Aug. 1778. On 10 Aug., GW wrote Laurens: “I have only to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th Inst. and to wish that this may find you in the full possession of the object of the enterprize” (Df, DLC:GW).
48To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 4 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your Excellencys letter of the 28 Ulto the day before yesterday. The following is a short journal of what has passed since the date of the letter which I wrote from point Judith. July 25. Our situation at the point being dangerous from the facility with which the enemy might land a party in our rear and cut off our retreat, I sent the greater part of our pilots to...
49To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 25 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to your Excellency from Lebanon—the 23d inst.—the day following at 3 oClock in the afternoon I arrived at Providence—as soon as I had delivered Genl Sullivan Your Excellencys dispatches and instructions —I set out for this place with Col. Wall and an ample number of Pilots whom General Sullivan had provided and put under his command—Col. Wall is a man of Character...
50To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 23 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I delivered Your Excellencys letter to Governor Trumbull this evening —his deep affliction on account of his sons death seems to incapacitate him for public business—his council is to be convened to morrow and he desires me to assure you that the militia will be collected and marched with the greatest expedition—Pilots he thinks will be found in great abundance at Providence—As there is a...