1971From George Washington to Daniel Carroll, 24 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to the Resolve of Congress of the 20th Inst. I had taken up my pen to make a representation to Sir Henry Clinton upon the subject of the instructions of the Legislature of New Jersey to their Delegates—But the more I have resolved this matter and considered the unjustifiable conduct of our own people, sometimes acting under the authority of individual States and other times by no...
1972From George Washington to John Hanson, 24 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose Your Excellency the report of the Commissary General of Prisoners who has just returned from Elizabeth Town—As it contains a refusal on the part of the Enemy to proceed in the exchange of Officers except Lord Cornwallis is included, I must request the further instructions of Congress upon the subject. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Your...
1973From George Washington to William Heath, 24 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favors of the 12th and 18th Instants—Doctor Cochran is of opinion that the season is favorable for the innoculation of all those who have not had the small pox. The new Contractors have agreed to furnish Stores necessary for the Patients, and the moment things are in readiness, you will be pleased to have the work begun. The Cloathing for the Rhode Island Regiment which...
1974From George Washington to Robert Morris, 24 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
Knowing full well the multiplicity & importance of yr business, it would give me more pain than pleasure if I thought your friendship, or respect for me did, in the smallest degree, interfere with it.—At all times I shall be happy to see you, but wish it to be in your moments of leizure—if any such you have. Mrs Washington, myself and family, will have the honor of dining with you in the way...
1975General Orders, 22 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
Olney’s Regiment will tomorrow take the Guards at present mounted by the Militia in this City and keep them up untill further orders. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
1976From George Washington to William Irvine, 21 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
The secretary at War, to whom your letter of the 3d instant to Congress was referred, reported that—for a variety of reasons which it is not at present necessary to repeat, it was judged inexpedient to remove the principal post from Fort Pitt to Shirtus Creek at this moment, whatever might be done in future, and that you should be instructed "immediately to employ the Garrison in repairing the...
1977From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 21 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 19th inclosing A copy of the Contract for supplying the Post of West point & its dependencies. The quaeries & observations on it which follow are submitted to you. 1st Do the Contractors mean to supply only the Garrison of West point and the dependant Posts Which May amount to 3000 or 3500 Rations? or will they increase the supply to any number of Men Which...
1978From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 20 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
Altho’ it seems probable that matters will remain tolerably quiet in New York for the remainder of the season; yet it may not be amiss to keep a Channel of intelligence open, that if any thing material should occur we may have the earliest information—You will therefore be pleased to take measures for the purpose. The principal thing to attend to, will be any movement of Troops and their...
1979From George Washington to Abraham Skinner, 20 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Resolve of Congress has been this moment transmitted to me. You will make the proposal therein directed and report to me as soon as possible whether it will or will not be acceded to. I am &c. see Resolve of this date respecting the Exchange of Govr Burke. P.S. You may throw out a hint that if the Civil Characters are not permitted to be exchanged in the above mode, we shall be...
1980From George Washington to William Irvine, 18 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 2d instant. I am not at all surprised to hear that you found matters in disorder to the Westward; it is generally the case where a dispute arises respecting command, as the parties make it a point to thwart each other as much as possible, perhaps what is past cannot be amended, as Colo. Brodhead may say, that the delivery of ammunition to the County...