341From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 3 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS and transcript: National Archives; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I duly received the Letter your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me the 12th. of July past, by Mr. Searle: and have paid the Bills drawn on me by Order of Congress in favour of the President and Council of Pensilvania for 1000£ Sterling, which were presented by him.— He is at present in Holland. The...
342From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 8 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your favor of the 25th ulto on my way to this place from Morris Town. A Feild Officer of Artillery shall be sent to Carlisle to superintend the Elaboratory agreeable to the directions of Congress. Under the powers with which Congress were pleased to vest me by their Resolve of the 7th of November, I made the proposition (No. 1) to Sir Henry Clinton, to which I have...
343From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 13 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favors of the 29th Novr and 4th instant. I shall communicate to the Officers of the Army such of the Resolves as relate to them—I would beg leave to remark on that of the 29th Novr respecting the payment for wounded and disabled Horses—that it makes no provision for any that may be left wounded upon the field, and of course lost to the owners—All the...
344From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 26, 14 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am every day accepting the Bills of Exchange, which were drawn upon Mr. Laurens: but I have no prospect of obtaining Money to discharge them, from any other Person, than Dr. Franklin. For some Years before I came to Holland, every Person I saw from this Place assured me, that in his Opinion Money might be borrowed, provided Application was made, with proper Powers directly from Congress to...
345From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellencys favor of the 6th and two of the 9th Inst. The manner in which Congress have been pleased to express their approbation of the Conduct of Major Tallmadge, and the Officers and Soldiers under his command, cannot but be very flattering to them, and will I am certain have a happy effect in encouraging the spirit of enterprize in the Army. A Paragraph in the...
346From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 27, 18 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
War is to a Dutchman the greatest of Evils. Sir Joseph Yorke is so sensible of this, that he keeps alive a continual Fear of it by Memorials after Memorials, each more affronting to any Sovereignty of delicate Notions of Dignity, than the former. By this means he keeps up the Panick and while this Panick continues, I shall certainly have no Success at all. No Man dares engage for me—very few...
347From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 20–26 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
At a time when the Army is about to undergo a material change —when Congress and the States individually, are disposed to establish it upon the best principles for the equal Administration of justice, and the preservation of the rights of the Officers, I am perswaded it will not be deemed presumptuous in me to offer any opinion, which in my judgment, may serve to promote either of these ends...
348From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 28, 21 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Sentiments and Affections of a People, may be learned from many little Circumstances, which few Persons attend to. The Poets and orators, are generally considered as the Surest Repositories of popular Ideas both in ancient and modern nations. The Clergy may be classed among the latter: and it is very certain that most publick Preachers, accommodate both their Sermons and their Prayers, in...
349From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 22 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose to Your Excellency the Extract of a Letter which I have just received from Governor Clinton, and which I beg leave to recommend strongly to the attention of Congress, as by this energetic Exertion of the State of New York the Army will probably be kept from dissolution. We have not for some time received a Barrel of Flour from the Southward, except a few...
350From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 29, 25 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Dispute between Great Britain and the United Provinces is now wrought up to a Crisis. Things must take a new Turn, in the Course of a few Days; but whether they will end in a War, or, in the Retractation of one Party or the other, Time alone can determine. I have before transmitted to Congress, the two Memorials of Sir Joseph York, against Mr. Van Berkel and the Burgomasters of Amsterdam....
351From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 30, 25 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
It is very difficult to discover, with Certainty the secret springs which actuate the Courts of Europe, but whatever I can find with any degree of Probability, I Shall transmit to Congress, at one Time or another. The Prince of Orange is himself of the Royal Family of England: his Mother was a Daughter of King George the Second, and this Relation is no doubt one, among the Several Motives,...
352From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 31, 25 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
Affairs are Still in Suspence. This Day being Chrismas and Yesterday a sunday, there was no publick Exchange held, on either. But Business, and especially, Stock Jobbing goes on, without ceasing, being done at the Coffee houses, on Sundays and holy days, when it cannot be held upon Change. The English Mail which had been interrupted by contrary Winds, for three Posts, arrived on Saturday. The...
353From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 25 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed Instructions given by me to Capt. Lockhart for conducting on the Prisoners taken at King’s Mountain, and his report, of which a Copy is also inclosed, will inform Your Excellency in what manner these Prisoners are disposed of. I have the honor to be with the highest respect Your Excellency’s most obedient and most humbl Servt, RC ( DLC : PCC , No. 71, i ); in a clerk’s hand,...
354From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 32, 26 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
The public Papers of this Morning inform Us, that Sir Joseph Yorke left the Hague on the Morning of the twenty fourth, without taking Leave of any body, and bent his Course to London by the Way of Antwerp and Ostend. Sometime in the Month of April last, a certain British Ambassador, who had an Inclination to take a few of the Pleasures of Paris in his Way to Germany, said in that City, where I...
355From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 27 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
In my letter of the 13th instant, I did myself the honor to inform Congress, that an embarkation was preparing at New York, and that it was to consist, in part, of the British Grenadiers and Light Infantry. I have since learned, from some of our Officers who have been exchanged, that those Corps were once under embarkation orders, but that there had been a change, and others substituted in...
356From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 33, 28 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Dutch say that the English are acting the part of the Sailor, having quarrelled with three others as stout as himself, and got his Bones broke and his Eyes beat out in the Squabble, challenged four more to fight him at the same time, that he might have it in his Power to make it up with all seven, with Honour . If the English are not actuated by the same blind and vindictive Passions,...
357From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 34, 30 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Province of Zealand having been opposed to the other Provinces in so many Instances and having lately protested against the Resolutions of the States General, which begin to be thought spirited, it may be useful to explain to Congress the Causes which influence that Province to a Conduct, which is generally thought to be opposite to the true Interest of the Republic in general. In the...
358From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 35, 31 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
It will scarcely be believed in Congress, that at a Time when there are the strongest Appearances of War, there has not been a Newspaper nor a Letter recieved in this City from London since the nineteenth or twentieth of the Month. There are Symptoms of a more general War. If Britain adheres to her Maxims, this Republick will demand the Aid of Russia, Sweeden, Denmark and Prussia, in pursuance...
359From John Adams to the President of Congress, 1 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam 1 January 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC, Misc. Papers , Reel No. 1, f. 204–211. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:219–222. Read in Congress on 19 Nov., this letter contained the texts of Britain’s manifesto of 20 Dec. 1780, which constituted a...
360From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 17 January 1781, enclosing Resolution of Assembly concerning the Cession of … (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor of transmitting to your Excellency a resolution of the General assembly of this Commonwealth entered into in consequence of the resolution of Congress of September 6th. 1780. on the subject of the confederation. I shall be rendered very happy if the other States of the Union, equally impressed with the necessity of that important convention, shall be willing to sacrifice...
361From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 2 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 21st ulto, in which Congress have been pleased to refer, the propriety of granting Genl Starkes request to them, to me. His Health is undoubtedly so much impaired, that he has been able to do but very little duty the preceding Campaign, and retirement, for a time, seems therefore necessary. Congress will either direct his return to the...
362From John Adams to the President of Congress, 4 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Notwithstanding the Influence of the English Nation; notwithstanding the Influence of old Prejudices and Habits; notwithstanding the Apprehensions that are entertained for immense Sums in the English Funds, and for the sudden destruction of an innumerable Navigation at the Commencement of a War, and above all notwithstanding the Authority and Influence of the Stadtholder, I am confidently...
363From John Adams to the President of Congress, 5 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
On the 10 of Nov. 1780 The Memorial of Sir Joseph York to the States General, was presented for a Disavowal, Satisfaction proportioned to the Offence, and Punishment of the Guilty. The 28 Nov. a formal Disapprobation of the States General, of the Conduct of the Regency of Amsterdam. 12. December: Second Memorial of Sir J. York, for a Satisfaction proportioned to the Offence, and the Punishment...
364From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 6 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Congress must have been long ere this, informed by General Wayne of the Mutiny of the Pennsylvania Troops on the 1st instant, and I have no doubt but he has kept them regularly advised of what happened afterwards. I have heard nothing particular from those troops, since they reached the neighbourhood of Somerset Court House, at which place they shewed some signs of a better disposition than at...
365From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 10 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 10 Jan. 1781. This letter is almost identical with TJ’s letter to George Washington of this date, q.v. RC ( DLC : PCC , No. 71, ii ); 4 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by TJ; endorsed: “Letter from Govr. Jefferson Jany 10. 1781 Read 18. Referred to board of war”; MS mutilated. Tr ( DLC ); in an unidentified hand, with signature and the following caption in TJ’s hand: “Letters from Th:...
366From John Adams to the President of Congress, 15 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 15 January 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 29–32. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:234. Read in Congress on 19 Nov., this letter consisted of a translation, probably from a French text such as that in the Gazette de Leyde of 9...
367From John Adams to the President of Congress, 15 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Zealand is still endeavouring to divert the Republick from its Interest and its Duty, to embarrass its Operations and involve it in disgrace and ruin. The Directors of the Company of Commerce, and that of Insurance, and a great Number of Merchants, established at Middlebourg in Zealand, have presented a Petition to the States General, to supplicate their high Mightinesses to try again the Way...
368From John Adams to the President of Congress, 15 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Congress will not expect me to write upon the Subject of Peace at this time, when the Flames of War are spreading far and wide, with more rapidity than ever: and I have no comfortable Tidings on the Subject of Money. In the first place, I believe there is not so much Money here as the World imagines: in the next place, those who have what there is, have no Confidence in any Nation or...
369From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
The unhappy Mutiny of the Non-Comd & Privates of the Pensylvania line—the perplexed state of affairs in this quarter—the distressed condition of the Troops at West Point and in the vicinity of it, on acct of Provision & some essential articles of Cloathing—combined with other embarrassments of less importance, have engrossed my whole time and attention; and must be offered as an apology for...
370From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 15 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As the dangers which threaten our Western frontiers the ensuing spring render it necessary that we should send thither Col. Crocket’s Battalion, at present on guard at Frederick Town, but raised for the Western service, I thought it necessary to give your Excellency previous information thereof that other forces may be provided in time to succeed to their duties. Cap. Read’s troop of Horse if...
371From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 15 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I received some time ago from Major Forsythe, and afterwards from you a requisition to furnish one half the supplies of provision for the Convention troops removed into Maryland. I should sooner have done myself the honour of writing to you on this subject but that I hoped to have had it laid before you more fully than could be done in writing by a Gentleman who was to have passed on other...
372From John Adams to the President of Congress, 18 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 18 January 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 87–44. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:235–238. Read by Congress on 19 Nov., this letter consisted of English translations of two placards or edicts of the States General dated 12...
373George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 23 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] January 23, 1781 . Sends news of the New Jersey mutiny and details of what has been done to quell it. Is of the opinion that unless funds are found “our opposition must very soon cease.” Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
374From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 23 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been successively honoured with your Excellency’s dispatches of the 12th 13th & 16th and shall duly attend to the contents. Your Excellency, probably by this time, has heard of the revolt of the Jersey Troops in imitation of the Pensylvania line. Advice that this had been the case with a part of them, with an expectation of its becoming general, reached me the night before last—their...
375From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 24 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to introduce to your Excellency’s acqe the Count de Charlus Son to the Marqs de Castres present Minister of the Marine of France—This Gentleman’s rank & amiable qualities are alone sufficient to entitle him to every mark of Respect but when it is known that his zeal to promote the Cause of American freedom induced him to resign a Colonelship of Horse in France to serve as...
Is it possible that my Letter of September requesting Congress to forbear drawing should not have arrived? Many Copies were sent by various Vessels from different Ports, and yet Bills daily arrive I have been promised 150 Thousand Dollars when it will be paid is uncertain It is hard to make brick without Straw Col. Livingston left this the Beginning of last Month with long Letters he is with...
377George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 31 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] January 31, 1781 . Encloses reports of the New Jersey mutiny and the “West Chester” enterprise. Commends troops in both operations. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
378From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 31 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose Your Excellency the report of Major General Howe of his proceedings in suppressing the mutiny of the Jersey line, in which all his measures were taken with decision and propriety. Inclosed are also two other reports of Major General Parsons and Lt Col. Hull of an enterprise against Delancey’s corps at West Chester, in which with small loss on our side, the barracks...
379From John Adams to the President of Congress, 1 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 1 February 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC, Misc. Papers , Reel No. 1, f. 244–254. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:244–248. In this letter, read in Congress on 19 Nov., John Adams provided an English translation of the Convention for an Armed...
380George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 3 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 3, 1781 . Proposes changes in system of punishment in the Army. Asks Congress to repeal the article of war which gives commanding officers of corps the right to furlough soldiers. Encloses a form of furlough. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
381From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 3 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have on different occasions done myself the honor to represent to Congress the inconveniences arising from the want of a proper gradation of punishments in our military code; but as no determination has been communicated to me, I conclude a multiplicity of business may have diverted their attention from the object. As I am convinced a great part of the vices of our discipline springs from...
382From John Adams to the President of Congress, 7 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
By the Tenth Article of the Treaty of Alliance with France “The most Christian King and the united States agree, to invite or admit other Powers, who may have received Injuries from England, to make common Cause with them and to acceed to that Alliance, under Such Conditions as shall be freely agreed to and Settled between all the Parties.” According to present Appearances, in a few Weeks...
383From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 8 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just received intelligence which though from a private hand , I beleive is to be relied on, that a fleet of the enemy’s ships have entered Cape Fear river, that eight of them had got over the Bar and many others were laying off; that it was supposed to be a reinforcement to Ld. Cornwallis under the command of Genl. Prevost. This account which had come through another channel is...
384George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 9 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 9, 1781 . Asks Congress to decide Colonel Peter Gansevoort’s rank. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
385From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 9 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Col. Gansewort has applied to me on a subject, which I am under a necessity of referring to Congress, as they are alone competent to decide upon it. On the 4th of October 1777 they were pleased to pass a resolution of thanks to him for his bravery and perseverance in the defence of Fort Schuyler—appointing him, by way of reward, Colonel Commandant of the same. He also received a special...
386From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 12 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed extract of a letter from Governor Nash which I received this day being a confirmation of the intelligence I transmitted in a former letter, I take the liberty of handing it forward to your Excellency. I am informed through a private channel on which I have considerable reliance, that the Enemy had landed five hundred Troops under the command of a Maj. Craig, who were joined by a...
387From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 13 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been successively honored with your Excellency’s favors of the 18th 24th and 27th ulto with the enclosures to which they refer. I am extremely happy to find, that my remaining in the neighbourhood of West point, during the time of the mutiny of the Pennsylvania line, meets the approbation of Congress—and that the reasons assigned by me, for deeming it inexpedient to call for any part of...
388From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 17 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favors of the 9th instant. General Morgans signal victory over Colo. Tarleton, with the flower of the British Army, reflects the highest honor upon our Arms, and I hope will, at least, be attended ⟨with⟩ this advantage, that it will check the offensive operations of the Enemy, untill General Greene shall have collected a much more respectable force...
389From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 17 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
By a Letter from General Greene dated Guilford C. House Feby. 10. we are informed that Ld. Cornwallis had burnt his own waggons in order to enable himself to move with greater facility and had pressed immediately on. The prisoners taken at the Cowpens were happily saved by the accidental rise of a Water course which gave so much time as to withdraw them from the reach of the enemy. Ld....
390George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 26 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 26, 1781 . States that the southern situation is alarming. Regrets that a regular and permanent force was not established in the South. Explains why French cannot comply with Congress’s request to transport French troops to the South. Is ordering the Pennsylvania troops to the South. Describes Virginia expedition. Suggests sending American frigates, now in...