111From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 28 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
Col. Hay delivered me your letter of the 18th of April. It is lamentable that we should be obliged to experience such distresses as we do every where. Those we feel here are not inferior to yours—we are constantly on the point of starving for want of provision and forage—A deficiency of money is the cause, and a cause for which the present situation of affairs renders it infinitely difficult...
112From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 10–11 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday recd yours of the 7th. I fancy your information of the enemy’s having been at Sufferans was without foundation—at least I have heard nothing of it, and I think such an occurrence could not have escaped the Officer who commands the party at paramus. I take it for granted that General Heath has furnished you with a Copy of the instructions which I left with him when I removed from...
113From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 15 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 11th and 13th. the intelligence contained in the first is interesting and is confirmed, so far as it respects the preparations of the enemy for defence, by accounts from other Quarters—The late demonstration, of a movement in New York, seems to have resolved itself into a Forage in Bergen County, as several small Vessels have gone up Hackensack River—some...
114From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 13 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have duely received your favors of the 2d 3d and 10th instants. I take it for granted that the detail of the signals furnished by Genl Patterson is right—I have no Copy of it in my possession. I have not yet obtained any certain account that the fleet which fell down to the Hook on the 5th has put to sea. I however think it may be depended on from a concurrence of circumstances, that they...
115From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 30 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
From the diminution of our force at the Highlands by the expiration of the service of many of the Troops & which will become still greater from the same cause, and the possibility that the Enemy may attempt to enterprize something against the posts there—I have determined to bring the New-Hampshire Brigade from Danbury to reinforce you—The inclosed Letter to the Commanding Officer there, You...
116From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 17 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of yesterday on the subject of our confidential friend. It appears to me that the detail he seems to desire will be rather too minute and tend to excite suspicion instead of giving him credit with the enemy. The idea of what was communicated before was to pretend that he had made general observations and inquiries in the army, and had formed an average estimate of...
117From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 28 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your letters of the 26th and 27th inst. public—and that of the 26th marked private. As the arrival of a 74, one of Arbuthnots fleet is mentioned in a New-York print of the 24, I have no doubt but that the whole are in the Hook by this time. It is now our business to learn the particular Regiments which compose the reinforcement, or their general force. this I should...
118From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 20 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have both your favs. of Yesterday. I have not the least objection to your foraging as far as you can consistent with safety, and with your present force. My desire to put this post into as perfect a state of security as possible, renders it inconvenient to spare you any more troops. I approve of your determination to leave your Baggage well in your Rear should you go down for the purpose...
119From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 25 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your Two favors of the 22d Instant. The distresses of the Troops under yr Comd give me great pain and what adds to it is, I have it not in my power to administer to their relief. Our situation here is equally melancholy—for the Troops on several days have been entirely without meat—and at best on half & quarter allowance for a considerable time. I very sincerely hope that You...
120From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 20 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Herewith you will receive Mr Pulteney’s lucubrations—and my thanks for the perusal of them. He has made I perceive, the dependance of America essential to the existance of Great Britain as a powerful Nation—This I shall not deny—because I am in sentiment with him in thinking her fallen state in consequence of the seperation too obvious to be disputed—It was of magnitude sufficient to have made...