41451To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 23 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
As the Enemy will probably soon leave the Southern States, if they have not done it already, we shall not have the same necessity for Cavalry and Artillery as heretofore; I beg leave therefore to suggest to your Excellency the propriety of confining the recruiting service in Virginia to the Infantry: unless this be done, I think there will be a stop put to filling up the Battalions of...
41452To George Washington from Daniel Pilsbury, 23 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
After serving my Country ever since the Commencement of Hostillities with Honor and Conduct—I flatter my self your Excellency will over look & forgive my long absence as I have been Confined for Several Months with a Slow and lingering sickness-- am Now upon the Mending hand; wish to serve my Countrey as I have hear to fore faithfully Done till I was Confind by the Almighty hand of Providence....
41453To George Washington from William Smith, 23 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I ought long since to have acknowleged the Receipt of your Excellency’s polite Letter of the 1 8th of August, as well as to have return’d the grateful Acknowlegments of the Visitors & Governors of Washington College , for your liberal Benefaction to that rising and already flourishing Seminary. Sensible of your disinterested Services to your Country, it was not our Wish that you should put...
41454To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 23 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s of the 17th inclosing one to Col. Willet came duely to hand, and the enclosure forwarded. Col: Olney on receipt of my letter of the 17th thought it necessary to see me before Carryg it into execution, he Came down on friday and returned the same fully satisfied as to the points he was doubtfull of; I made some addition to his Instructions, and wrote a letter to the Officer...
41455From George Washington to Peter Ten Broeck, 23 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
You will proceed as expeditiously as may be, with the Letter now committed to you, addressed to Thomas Chittenden Esqr. of Bennington; and deliver the same to him, you will be careful to take a receipt for the delivery of the Letter, and return directly to Head Quarters with it. Given at Head Qrs Newburgh Decr 23d. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
41456General Orders, 24 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
For the day tomorrow Lieutenant Col. Hull, Major Morrell. For duty tomorrow the 2d Newyork regiment. The Board assembled for the purpose of assertaining the facts relative to an agreement said to have been made between Captains Jackson of the 3d and Pillsbury of the 6th Massachusetts regiments, report it as their opinion that an exchange was fully effected before the promulgation of the...
41457From George Washington to Richard Butler, 24 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 7th inst. has been duly received—Agreeably to your request I enclose Discharges for the Men you have mentioned by name—Whenever there are any other instances in which you think the good of the service will be promoted by similar exchanges, I shall not hesitate to give my assent thereto. At the same time, I am very happy to hear you are to continue in service, I am extremely...
41458From George Washington to Guy Carleton, 24 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your Excellency’s three several Letters of the 11th & 12th instant: covering the report of the Judge Advocate of your Army, respecting a farther inquisition which had been proposed to be made into the Murder of Capt. Huddy; a representation of Lieut. Reinking relative to the treatment of the German Prisoners at Reading, and a Passport for a Vessell to proceed from...
41459To George Washington from Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle Duportail, 24 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Give me leave to assure you of the pleasure I feel of seeing me again in america and under your excellency’s Command. I wished to Return sooner but I was detained by many Reasons, and, principally by the hope of engaging the french ministry in an expedition if not against newyork, at least againts Charlestown. I suppose marquis de la fayette has informed your excellency of all that we have...
41460From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 24 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s Letter of the 18th of this Month with one for the Marquis de Vaudreuil which was sealed and forwarded by express immediately, and I am exceedingly obliged to your Excellency for the communication of its contents—As the Marquis informs me he should sail the 22d . I am fearfull that Baron Fuchs who passed this place the 23d in the...
41461To George Washington from Philippe-André-Joseph de Létombe, 24 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Jai l’honneur d’informer votre Excellence que l’heure vient de mettre à la Voile. Monsieur Le Baron de Viomenil et Monsieur Le Marquis de Vaudreuil m’ont chargé de les rappeller particulierement au souvenir de votre Excellence et de Vous présenter, Monsieur, Leurs obéissances et Leurs Compliments. Je suis infiniment flatté, Monsieur, de trouver cette occasion de Vous offrir Les hommages les...
41462From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 24 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
As it was your opinion when you honored the Army with your presence in Octr last, and as it was clearly mine, that the two Regiments of New Jersey and New Hampshire & the Regiment of Rhode Island, had better remain entire Corps until the States to which they respectively belonged should (on application being made to them) determine whether they would recruit those Corps to the number required...
41463From George Washington to Jeremiah Olney, 24 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your favor of the 14th enclosing an application from Lieut. Greene of your Regt to retire from service, I have to inform you, that (by the explanation of the Secretary at War) the Emoluments of the Act of Congress of the 19th of Novr last, were not intended to extend to any Officers except such as belong to the Lines which are reduced—therefore the request respecting Lieut....
41464From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 24 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
The bad state of affairs in your Department, is such as makes your presence indispensably necessary with the Army; The complaints of all, from the Major General to the lowest Staff Officer entitled to keep a Horse, are agravated to the highest possible degree, on account of the continual want of Forage—As a specimen of the distress, which has fallen under my own observation, you may be...
41465To George Washington from Marinus Willett, 24 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
From Albany I wrote to your excellency on the prosecution of the plan proposed by you when I was last at Head Quarters, I then promised to endeavour to make further Inquiry after my arrival at this place, And altho I have not yet been able to compleat my Inquiry so pointedly (Without affording room for surmise) as to determine on the exact rout which it would be best to take, I am prety clear...
41466General Orders, 25 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
For the day tomorrow Lt Colonel Cochran, Major Lansdale. For duty tomorrow the 1st Newhampshire regiment Untill further orders the old and New field officers of the day and commanding officers of Patrolls are to meet every morning at 10 o’clock on the left of the third Massachusetts brigade; when the officers to be relieved will make their reports and communicate every material occurrence to...
41467To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 25 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was honored by your Excellency’s letter of the 16th instant, which I laid before Congress. It is with great pleasure that I congratulate your Excellency and the Army, on the admission of our Independency and national Character by the Court of Great Britain; in the issuing a Commission under the Great Seal to Mr Oswald, now at the Court of Versailles, for treating with any Commissioner or...
41468To George Washington from Joseph Chandler, 25 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
The third day of July last Mr Abner Hitchcock made complaint on oath that on Or about the twentyfirst day of march last Lieut. Nathaniel Stone of the Masechusetts line in Colonel Voses regiment did wilfully Murder his Brother Captn Luke Hitchcock of the Said regiment; Praying the law might be put in Execution against the Said murderer: in consequence of which I issued a warrant to apprehend...
41469From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, Sr., 25 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have now the honor to inclose your Excellency a Letter from Sir Guy Carleton, and to acquaint you that One hundred and Eighty seven Guineas and a half and one Dollar equal to £262.16 Virga Currys has been paid into the hands of Colonel Smith our Commissary of Prisoners on your account—which sum I have directed Colonel Smith to transmit to Mr Saml Inglis of Philadelphia agreably to your...
41470From George Washington to Moses Hazen, 25 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have sent orders to Colonel Humpton in Philadelphia, to send on immediately all the recruits who have been inlisted from among the Prisoners of War—Colonel Humpton is to send them as far as Princeton and I must desire to send a sufficient number of Officers to meet them there and conduct them to this place—their numbers I believe amount to about 120 or 130. Provision is to be furnished them...
41471To George Washington from William Heath, 25 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday between One and two oClock P.M. the French Fleet came to sail in Nantasket road, and stood out to Sea, the weather was fine, with a fresh breeze from the N.W.—this morning the wind was light at N.E.,—in the afternoon has veered more Easterly, there are some signs of a storm gathering,—it is to be hoped the Fleet will get out of the Bay, and clear of the Cape, before a storm comes on,...
41472From George Washington to Richard Humpton, 25 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Recruits raised from among the Prisoners of War are to be sent on as soon as possible to the Army—Immediately therefore on the Recet of this you will please to have them put under the direction of a proper number of the most prudent Officers you have under your Command, and sent to Princeton, where Officers will be orderd to attend and bring them forward. As I believe there is no issuing...
41473From George Washington to Robert Morris, 25 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received the Two Letters you did me the honor to write on the 17th inst. By the enclosed Return of Horses to which Forage was issued a few days since, you will be convinced the number is much smaller than ever was kept with an Army of equal strength before—Sensible of the difficulty of procuring large supplies in the vicinity of the Cantonment, I had directed all but those Horses I...
41474From George Washington to Stephen Moylan, 25 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with the receipt of your Letter of the 15th inst. concerning the reduction of your Regiment—I have conversed with the secretary at War on the subject: that Gentleman (on whose determination will defend the particular modes to be adopted in the reformation of the Lines not serving immediately under my Orders) gone to the Eastward without deciding anything positively as to...
41475From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 25 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
By the last Post I recd a letter from Mr Lund Washington (who lives at my Seat, & takes care of my business in Virginia) Inclosing a Letter from Jno. Francis Mercer Esqr. to him, with a decree of the High Court of Chancery in Virginia ordering the Bonds &ca in my hands to be delivered to the Said Mr Mercer who was required to give Bond & sufficient Security to comply with certain Provisos. in...
41476To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 25 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honor’d with your Excellency’s Dispatches, in reply to my last, and shall act upon the several Matters therein contain’d agreable to your directions. I have this Instant return’d with Capt. Pray from near Kings-Bridge where we have been to meet, by appointment a Person from the City, who informs, that the fleet mention’d in my last, sailed on the 23d having on-board Merchants &...
41477From George Washington to William Lord Stirling Alexander, 25 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favor of the 18th—and take the liberty to trouble you with a Line for Col. Olney, it is not of importance it should be forwarded before some casual opportunity presents. I am with very great esteem Your Lordships &c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
41478From George Washington to Lund Washington, 25 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I approve of your conduct with respect to Dows Land and am very glad you have bought it whether I get Dulany’s or not; as I have no idea of loosing by it if it will Rent for £120 ⅌ Ann.—which is more than the Virginia Interest of the Sum given, though less than what I am to pay for the loan of it in this State. This circumstance, independant of the desire I have to repay the Money borrowed in...
41479General Orders, 26 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Major Morrell is appointed a member of the Genl. courtmartial of which Colonel Greaton is president vice Lieutenant Colonel Fernald. The honorable the congress have been pleased to pass the following resolves vizt. By the United States in Congress Augt 1 1782. Resolved That the Adjutant General be appointed by Congress from the General officers, Colonels, Lieutt Colonels Comdt or Lieutt...
41480From George Washington to Thaddeus Burr, 26 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
In compliance with the request of the Civil Authority and Select Men of the Town of Fairfield communicated in your Letter of the 23d of Novr I have sent the Infantry of Sheldon’s Legion under the Orders of Major Tallmadge to take Quarters in that place. I beg, Sir, you will be assured nothing could be more agreeable to me, than your laudable exertions to prevent that pernicious intercourse...
41481To George Washington from Bryan Fairfax, 26 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I received a Letter lately from Doctor Sa. who lives in No. Carolina wherein he expresses his Expectation that we would discontinue the Suit again him as Mrs Savage he says has been so long dead, and offers to pay Yr Excellency what Sums you have been so kind as to advance her. I wrote to him in Answer that I did not know certainly or would take Advice what should be done in this Case; but...
41482To George Washington from Moses Hazen, 26 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour to acknowledge the Receipt of your Excellency’s Letters of the 4th and 9th Instant. I have called on the Magistrates at this Place to assist in billeting the Troops, and have in Company with them visited the Houses, Families, and Quarters of the Men, and have with some little Difficulty obtained their Approbation and Authority in support of our present Quarters, which extend...
41483To George Washington from Robert Morris, 26 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to enclose to you a Bill of Exchange for fifty Guineas drawn by Doctor Smith upon yourself together with a Letter which I presume advises of it. Conceiving that a small Remittance might not be useless to your Family I have indorsed it accordingly and of Course it will be chargable in the Public Books to your Household. When the Subsistence Notes go up I shall direct a Sum...
41484From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 26 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
As a reward for the signal gallantry of Captain Caleb Brewster of the 2nd Regt of Artillery, and the Officers & Men under his command, in capturing on the Sound two Armed Boats then in the service of the King of Great Britain and commanded by Captains Hoit & Johnson; you are hereby authorised to cause the said Boats with all the property taken therein, to be disposed of for the benefit of the...
41485General Orders, 27 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
For the day tomorrow Colonel Vanscaick Major Fish. For duty tomorrow the 7th Massachusetts regiment. Commanding officers of Brigades and Regiments are desired to meet the Contractors, who are to supply the army with Provisions from the first of January, at Majr General Howes Quarters, on Sunday next, at 11 o’clock A.M. in order to agree upon some points relative to the issues. Regulations for...
41486To George Washington from Andrew Billings, 27 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
We the Master, Wardens and Brethern of Solomon’s Lodge, are highly sensible of the honour done to Masonry in general, by the countenance shewn it by the most dignified Characters. We esteem it a peculiar honour to us in particular that at this Time we may with one Heart, congratulate your Excellency on your arrival here, by the appellation of Brother. Gratitude on this, as well as on all other...
41487To George Washington from Robert Hoakesly, 27 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Memorial of Robert Hoakesly of the City of New York Merchant Sheweth That your Memorialist Sail’d from here in the Ship General De Riedesel in the Month of March 1781—With a Considerable Sum of Money in Specie, and a Large Quantity of Goods & Stores for the Saratoga Convention Troops. After the Surrender of York in Virginia, to the united arms of America And France, it was Suggested that...
41488To George Washington from Robert Morris, 27 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am duly honored with your Excellency’s Favor of the seventeenth Instant. Previous to the Receipt of it Admiral Digby had transmitted the polite Application of which a Copy is enclosed. In Answer to it I wrote a Letter of which a Copy is also enclosed and which I think Consists with your Excellency’s Sentiments. As this Letter involved Engagements which were of an extensive Nature whether...
41489From David Humphreys to New York Officer Commanding at Kings Ferry, 27 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
It is the Order of His Excellen c y the Commander in Chief, that the Commanding Officer at Kings Ferry forward immediately to Head Quarters by a trusty non Commissioned Officer or Soldier, all Dispatches he may receive which shall be directed to be forwarded & franked by Lt Colonel Smith Commanding at Dobbs Ferry—This to be considered as a standing Instruction. Given at Head Quarters Newburgh...
41490From David Humphreys to William Stephens Smith, 27 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief who has just gone to Poughkeepsie, has left it in charge with me to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 25th and to inform you that he has no objections to your coming to the Army for the purposes you Mention; at which time your friends will be very happy to see you at Head Quarters—Mrs Washington (who desires me to present her Complts to you) has often...
41491To George Washington from Joseph Vose, 27 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Nothing remarkable has taken place since I have been on the lines, the best intelegence I can collect from below is that a number of refuiges is to leave Newyork soon, Major Farnum left a Gentleman under the sanction of a Flagg on the lines, I would wish to know your Excellencys Pleasure respecting him—begg leave to represent to your Excellency respecting provision for the Troops the...
41492General Orders, 28 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
For the day tomorrow Colonel Putnam Major Oliver For duty tomorrow the 4th Massachusetts regiment. The Superintendent of Finance and the Secretary at war having taken into consideration, the difficulties which have arisen in the modes of Issuing Provisions under the Contracts and also the intricases which have taken place in the stating and setling of accounts by reason whereof the Army have...
41493To George Washington from William Jackson, 28 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to transmit Your Excellency some late resolves of Congress. If the Ordinance which empowers the Inspector Genl, the Adjutt Genl, Qr Master Genl, Director of the Hospitals, and—Commissary of prisoners to frank letters, is published in General orders the necessity of transmitting seperate copies to those Officers will be obviated—I beg leave therefore to request that Your...
41494To George Washington from William Livingston, 28 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 17th instant. I am greatly obliged to your Excellency for offering to write to General Haldeman respecting the release of Mr Roading tho’ you have no correspondence with him; or to forward a Letter from me to him on that subject. The first I can’t prevail upon myself to desire, considering that General Haldeman has not thought proper to...
41495From David Humphreys to Timothy Pickering, 28 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
There is a french Officer returning Express from Boston to Philadelphia, who wants Horses to carry him to Chester, (where his own remain) if they can be furnished by the public, it is much the General’s wish they may be—if you have it not in your power, His Excellency desires you will hire tem for the Gentleman, who (if necessary) will pay the Money on his arrival at Chester. I am Sir Your...
41496General Orders, 29 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
For the day Tomorrow Lieutenant Colo. Mellen. Major Trescot For duty tomorrow the 3d Massachusetts regiment. A General courtmartial whereof Colonel Putnam is appointed President, will assemble at the Presidents quarters tomorrow morning for the trial of Major Reid and such persons as may come before them; Lieutenant Colonel Hull—Major Lansdale—Two Captains from the Jersey: Two from the York,...
41497From George Washington to William Barber, 29 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby particularly appointed to inspect the Horses of Sheldon’s Legion; for which purpose you will repair as soon as may be to the Quarters of that Corps at Danbury & the adjacent Towns—It is much my wish that your inspection & examination into the state and quality of the Horses should be as accurate as possible—And you are authorized & directed to Suffer only those to continue in...
41498To George Washington from Cleland Kinloch, 29 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your goodness and humanity will I hope exercise the liberty, that I really am reduced to take, of adressing myself to You—I am a native of George Town district in South Carolina, and while yet a child was sent to England for the benefit of Education; Upon becoming of age, in the year Eighty One, I returned to Charles Town, where refusing to sign any certificates of allegiance to the British...
41499From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 29 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of enclosing to Your Excellency, under a flying seal, a Letter to the Count de Rochambeau; it accompanies the Cannon presented to him by Congress—should the Count have left the Continent previous to their arrival, agreeably to his direction, I must request you will have the goodness to take charge of these Peices, and of the Carriages which will also be sent to your Orders....
41500From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 29 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
You will please to take immediate measures to dissolve the chain of Dragoons, and discharge the Expresses stationed between this and Boston; assuring them and the People who have furnished Provisions & Forage that the Accounts will be paid as soon as they can be sent to Philadelphia and the Money obtained—Sheldon’s Dragoons are to join their Corps. An accurate state of the Expences properly...