1To 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...
2Lieutenant Colonels Alexander Hamilton and John Laurens to Major General John Sullivan, 21 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
We have just received your favour of Yesterday, desiring from us a Testimony of your Conduct, so far as it fell under our Observation, the day of the Battle on the Brandywine. As we had not the pleasure of seeing you in the fore part of that Action when the Line at large was Engaged, We are unable from our own Knowledge, to say any thing of your Conduct at that time. But we can chearfully...
3From 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...
4From 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.
5To George Washington from John Laurens, 4 August 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Laurens, 4 Aug. 1777. On 5 Aug. GW wrote to Laurens that “Your favour of Yesterday came to my hands late in the Afternoon.”
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.
7From 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.
8To 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. ]
9To George Washington from John Laurens, 28 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from John Laurens, c.28 June 1778. Laurens’s other letter to GW of this date begins with the words “Since I wrote Your Excellency,” implying that he had sent an intelligence report to GW earlier on the same day or perhaps late on 27 June.
10To 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.
11To 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. ]
12From 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.
13From 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.
14To 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).
15To 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...
16To 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...
17To 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...
18To 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...
19To 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...
20To 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 &...
21To 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...
22To 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...
23To 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...
24From 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...
25To 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...
26To 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...
27To 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...
28To 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...
29To 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...
30To 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...