1From John Jay to William Livingston, 19 July 1783 (Jay Papers)
On the 1 st . Instant I had the Pleasure of seeing ^ rec g . ^ your Favor of the 21 May Ma last, but have neither seen nor heard any thing of Doctor Wearing whom you mention as the Bearer of it— Should he come this Way, I shall certainly pay him all the Attention w h . you or Presidt Boudinott could wish— I am happy to hear that the provisional Articles meet with general approbation— The...
2From George Washington to William Livingston, 26 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed papers were handed to me a few Days ago—The Case of the Officers as therein represented, appears singularly hard; but I can only refer him to the Civil power, for Relief from civil processes. I will thank your Excellency to take the Trouble of reading the papers—and, if any legal remedy can be given to Lieut. Stewart, that you will be pleased to suggest the Mode to B. Genl Hazen....
3From John Jay to William Livingston, 21 May 1783 (Jay Papers)
It was not until this Morning that your obliging Letter of the 8 th . Jan y . last reached me— I thank you for it sincerely, & regret that its arriving so late in the Season will render it useless to send you an assortment of Seeds for this Spring. You may expect them in the Fall & they shall be fresh & of this Years Growth. Your accounts of my Boy are flattering, & so is your affectionate...
4From Thomas Jefferson to William Livingston, 3 January 178[3] (Jefferson Papers)
It gives me real concern that I have been here several days and so closely engaged that I have not been able to pay you the respect of a letter and to assure you that I hold among my most estimable acquaintances that which I had the pleasure of contracting with you at this place. I am the more concerned, as expecting to leave this place about Tuesday next, I might have been gratified with the...
5From George Washington to William Livingston, 17 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am favord with your Excellencys Letter of the 7th of this Month. I Should be very happy in using every endeavour in my power to procure the release of Mr Reading and would apply to Sir Guy Carleton in his behalf if such an application was like to be attended with the desired effect but Sir Guy’s Command does not extend to Canada—on which the Posts in the back Country are dependant—General...
6From George Washington to William Livingston, 13 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am persuaded that the importance of the inclosed Act of Congress of the 30th ulto and extract of a letter 6th Novemr from His Excellency the Minister of France on the subject of it, will most seriously call the attention of the Legislature of your state to the matter therein mentioned. The evil complaind of has been long growing, and has at length arisen to a height truly alarming. I have...
7From George Washington to William Livingston, 11 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Letter of the 29 July came to hand only the day before yesterday—The intention of confining the Flags to Dobbs ferry, was to prevent the disadvantages arising from the continual and unrestricted intercourse that was kept up with the Enemy from various parts of the Continent, and more particularly from Elizabeth Town. I have no objection to your Excellency’s granting Passports...
8From George Washington to William Livingston, 30 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
Lt Heard of Lt Colo. Lee’s Corps informs me that a process is issued against him for the seizure of a Horse the property of Mr Anderson in Monmouth County in the year 1780—As he says that he acted in this matter under orders from Majr Lee and that those orders were founded on my instructions—I have had recourse to my Papers and agreable to my promise to Mr Heard inclose a Copy of the...
9From George Washington to William Livingston, 3 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
From the enclosed information of Captain Stevens, there is reason to apprehend the business of driving Cattle to the Enemy is carrying on with great artand assiduity—it would be a happy circumstance if the Villains concerned in it could be detected; I have therefore to propose to your Excellency that you will be pleased to take such precautions as you shall judge best calculated to learn...
10From George Washington to William Livingston, 24 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s Letter of the 18th—And being much concerned for the Occasion, I am much obliged by a Communication of its Contents. My Instructions to Colo. Dayton were very pointed, strict and positive to prevent every Intercourse with the Enemy by Way of Elizabeth-Town, or any of the Jersey Posts, informing him that no Communication was to be held with the Enemy but by the...
11From George Washington to William Livingston, 18 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I perceive by your Excellency’s letter of the 10th, that I have not been fully understood by Mr Lott—when that Gentleman applied to me for permission for himself and Son in Law Mr Livingston to go into New York, my Answer, as nearly as I can recollect, was "I thought he had been well acquainted with my determination, not to give passports to Citizens, unless they should previously have...
12From George Washington to William Livingston, 10 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose to your Excellency the Copy of a Letter to Colonel Dayton, prohibiting the practice of sending Flags from, or receiving them at any place except the Post of Dobbs Ferry—This I thought essentially necessary for many reasons, which I doubt not will occur to your Excellency, and therefore request your aid in carrying the measure into effect, and that you will be...
13From George Washington to William Livingston, 6 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
On receiving information, by a representative from the Inhabitants of Monmouth County, of the Cruel Murder of Captain Joshua Huddy of the Jersey State Troops by a party of Refugees from New York—I immediately informed the British Commander in Cheif, that unless he delivered up the perpretaters of that horrid deed I should be reduced to the disagreeable necessity of Retaliating. In answer to my...
14From George Washington to William Livingston, 12 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
Major Barber, who now holds a Commission in the Line of the Army at large, informs me that if the State of New Jersey, to which he belongs, will grant him the Commission of Captain in one of their Regiments, he can prevail upon Captain Anderson to resign in his favor, and that he can obtain the consent of all the Captain’s junior to Capt. Anderson to his being admitted into his place—If Major...
15From George Washington to William Livingston, 7 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
General Forman has applied to me for permission for Mrs Provost to go into New York in search of some property she has there, taking with her some person whom he would chuse, and from whom he makes no doubt of obtaining some very usefull intelligence on his return. As Mrs Provost & the Gentleman intended to go with her are both Citizens of New Jersey and as the ostensible reason of their going...
16From George Washington to William Livingston, 22 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Paper without signature, was a few days since put into my hands—As the information is not such as can be acted upon in a military way, I have thought it adviseable to transmit the same to your Excellency that any use you should think proper might be made of it. I have the honor to be. N.B. Information respecting John Smith said to have come to Morris Town for the purpose of...
17From George Washington to William Livingston, 12 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
On receiving Your Excellency’s favor of the 1st instant by Lord Stirling, I immediately set about making the necessary enquiry respecting the post said to be taken by the Enemy near Egg Harbour, and had I found the report well grounded, I should have concerted measures to have dislodged them—From the best information I have been able to obtain: particularly from General Forman who is now in...
18From George Washington to William Livingston, 3 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to inform your Excellency that the Operations of the present Campaign are tendg very seriously to the Southward—& that a large Detatchment of the American Army—with the whole of the French Troops, are now on the March for Virginia—As the Article of Supplies for the Army which will be collected in that Quarter, & which will probably be large, will be a Matter of the last...
19From George Washington to William Livingston, 2 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I regret being obliged to inform Your Excellency, that I find myself, at this late period, very little stronger than I was when the Army first moved out of their Quarters. Of the Militia which were required of the State of New Jersey, and which were to have joined me by the 15th of July, none have come in. I am informed that the first party which rendezvoused at Morris Town returned home for...
20From George Washington to William Livingston, 13 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am just now honored with your Excellency’s Favor of the 8th instant, informg me of the Offer of a Number of Volunteer Horsemen from your State. I applaud Sir! this Spirit, which gives me much Satisfaction in its Contemplation—The Gentlemen deserve my best Thanks for their Tenders of Service; which I beg leave to present to them thro’ the Hands of your Excellency. We are at present so much...
21Sarah Livingston Jay to William Livingston, 24 June 1781 (Jay Papers)
I had the pleasure of writing you a long letter by M r : Toscan & likewise sending a duplicate of one which had been written a long while ago, I hope you will soon receive them as they may serve to shew you that those sentiments of gratitude & esteem to which you are intitled from me have not been obliterated by absence. The reluctance I feel to lessen the satisfaction of my dear Papa, already...
22From George Washington to William Livingston, 15 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I flatter myself that proper Measures have been taken before this Time to procure the Number of Men for Continental & Militia Service required by my Letter of the 27th of May. In the calculation which had been made at Weathersfield of the Aid of Militia which would be necessary to Support the Operation which we have in View, I included sixteen Hundred from Pensylvania; but that State having...
23From George Washington to William Livingston, 9 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 1st Instant. Upon examining the state of Ammunition, with reference to the proposed operations, it is found impossible to furnish more than fifteen Thousand Musket Cartridges for the Use of the State of New Jersey; especially at a time, when, we are obliged to sollicit a loan of Powder from the Eastern States, and when, the supply of lead in...
24From George Washington to William Livingston, 27 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Last night I returned from Weathersfield, where I have had an interview with His Excellency the Count De Rochambeau: in consequence of which, the French Army will commence its march, to form a junction with ours on the North River, as soon as circumstances will admit. The accomplishment of the object which we have in contemplation, is of the utmost importance to America, and will in all...
25From George Washington to William Livingston, 8 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Intelligence has been sent me by a Gentleman living near the enemy’s lines, and who has an opportunity of knowing what passes among them, that four parties had been sent out with orders to take or assasinate Your Excellency—Governor Clinton—Me and a fourth person, name not known. I cannot say that I am under apprehension on account of the latter, but I have no doubt they would execute the...
26From George Washington to William Livingston, 23 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was honored on my return from Rhode Island, with Your Excellencys Letter of the 1st Inst. together with the enclosures. Altho the discharging a single man from the service, is a very inconsiderable diminution of our force; Yet when the innumerable applications on this subject are taken into consideration, the unavoidable decrease of our Army if discharges are granted, the amazing difficulty...
27From George Washington to William Livingston, 1 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Having been informed by Major General Dickinson that he was vested with powers, during the recess of the Legislature, to order out the Militia of the State I have thought it expedient to desire him, at this juncture, to order the whole to be held in readiness, and to direct the Beacons and other signals of Alarm to be put in condition to afford the speediest communication to the Country of an...
28George Washington to William Livingston, 13 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 13, 1781 . Will discuss question of New Jersey prisoners with commissary of prisoners. Explains rules of exchange concerning militia and civilians. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress; LS , in the handwriting of H, William Livingston Papers, MS Division, New York Public Library.
29From George Washington to William Livingston, 13 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letters of the 15th of December and 4th of February. I have been for some time past expecting the Commissary of Prisoners at Head Quarters; but he only arrived yesterday. I shall speak to him on the subject of your Excellency’s letter, and shall do every thing in my power to have justice done to the state. ’Tis no doubt reasonable it should be informed of the steps taken...
30George Washington to William Livingston, 27 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
Ringwood [ New Jersey ] January 27, 1781 . Informs Livingston that the mutiny has been completely suppressed. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
31From George Washington to William Livingston, 27 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform your Excellency that the measures concerted for quelling the mutiny in the Jersey line were this morning carried into full execution. The mutineers were unexpectedly surrounded and awed into an unconditional surrender with little hesitation and no resistance. Two of the principal actors were executed on the spot, the rest pardonned—The spirit of mutiny seems now...
32From George Washington to William Livingston, 23 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Having received information from Colo. Shreve of the defection of the Jersey line, and apprehending the most dangerous consequences may ensue unless an immediate stop shall be put to such horrid proceedings; I am now taking the most vigorous coercive measures for that purpose. I thought it necessary your Excellency should be apprized of my intention, in order to prevent any compromise being...
33From George Washington to William Livingston, 12 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellencys Letter of the 20th of Decr enclosing the Act for More effectually preventing Ilicit Trade &c. —and also with your favor of the 5th Inst. covering the Act for recruiting the Regts of New Jersey. When the present urgent business is dispatched, I shall attend to the several Matters containd in them—in the Mean time I have the honor to be. Df , in David...
34Virginia Delegates in Congress to William Livingston, 21 December 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC (New York Public Library). The text of this letter is in Madison’s hand. The letter and its address sheet have become separated—the former is in the Emmet Collection and the latter among the papers of William Livingston. We received this morning a letter subscribed by Peter Thornton informing us that he is the son of a gentleman in Virginia, that he lately made his escape from N. York and...
35From George Washington to William Livingston, 26 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
In mine of the 20th instant, I desired Your Excellency to discharge the whole of Colo. Seely’s Militia, except about one hundred for the purpose of a Guard at Morris Town, and to direct the September Class to hold themselves in readiness to come out upon the shortest notice. I would only wish you to continue those orders, but not to call out the Classes, except about one hundred Men for the...
36From George Washington to William Livingston, 20 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honor’d with your Excellency Letter of the 17th Inst. respecting the Troops under the command of Colo. Seely at Morris Town. It was not untill the rect of this, that I was made acquainted with the Mode in which the Militia of Your State were to be called forth. And as the time for which the first Class was detached, is so far elapsed, that there is little probability of their being...
37From George Washington to William Livingston, 17 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your Excellency’s favor of the 4th instant. As soon as I found that Sir Henry Clintons return from the Eastward had frustrated the enterprize which I had in contemplation, I directed Colo. Seely to return again to Morris town with the Militia and wrote to the commanding Officer of the State detachment in Monmouth to remain there. By a return from Colo. seely of the 10th instant his...
38From George Washington to William Livingston, 1 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
From our present advices a considerable part of the Enemy’s force are gone to Rhode Island with a view of reducing the Armament from France. We can give them no succour from hence by detaching, on account of the distance and the difficulty there would be if not impracticability, of subsisting the Troops with bread. There is no other mode which promises them relief, so far as it may depend on...
39George Washington to William Livingston, 18 June 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Springfield [ New Jersey ] June 18, 1780 . Is sending Brigadier General Henry Knox to present to the New Jersey legislature the “ill consequences” of their plan of “a draft from the Militia to serve for the campaign under their own Officers, instead of being incorporated with their Continental batallions.” Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
40From George Washington to William Livingston, 18 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received advice which appears to be direct, that the Legislature of this State has determined on a draft from the Militia to serve for the Campaign under their own Officers, instead of b⟨eing⟩ incorporated with their Continental batallions. This mode if adopted, will be attended with so many inconveniencies, if followed by the States in general, will be so absolutely pernicious to all...
41From George Washington to William Livingston, 27 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 25th inclosing a Certificate from Mr Boudinot that Colo. Billop, after he was the first time taken by the Militia, was exchanged for Colo. Atlee a Continental Officer: But as Colonel Billop was the last time taken by a party of Continental troops and exchanged by Co⟨lo.⟩ Reynolds of the Militia, the account be⟨tween⟩ the State and Continent, so far as...
42From George Washington to William Livingston, 16 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellencys letter of the 8th of this month, in favor of Capn Fitzrandolph. The Captains known zeal and usefulness entitle him to consideration; and I shall be very well pleased, if we can effect any thing towards his relief or releasement. At present commissioners from the enemy, and on our part, are sitting at Amboy, for the purpose of an exchange of prisoners. Should...
43From George Washington to William Livingston, 10 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honor of writing to Your Excellency on the 26 Ulto—I have obtained Returns of Moylan’s & Sheldon’s Regiments of Light Dragoons, in which I find there are some Men belonging to the State of New Jersey. I inclose a particular Return of them, specifying the Terms of their engagements. I have the Honor to be with the greatest respect & esteem Your Excellency’s Most Obedt servant...
44From George Washington to William Livingston, 26 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was last night honored with your Excellency’s letter of the 22d. I had on the 20th transmitted you as accurate a Return as could then be obtained of the number of Men serving in the three Battalions of the State and in the additional Corps. I have since recd a Return of Major Lees Corps dated the 20th Decemr last, in which I find fifty non Commd Officers and privates belonging to the State...
45George Washington to William Livingston, 19 February 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Morristown, New Jersey ] February 19, 1780 . Explains why it would be inexpedient for a state to interfere in enlistment complaints. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
46From George Washington to William Livingston, 19 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have just received a letter from Mr Symmes one of the Supreme Judges of this state transmitting me a copy of a letter of the 14th instant ⟨to⟩ the Honorable the House of Assembly, on the subject of complaints made to him by soldiers in the Continental army of their being detained in service beyond the period for which they were engaged, and recommending the speedy direction and inquiry of...
47From George Washington to William Livingston, 15 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I sincerely regret that any circumstances should render it necessary for you to make use of Mr Parson’s house instead of Perseppeny. If you think a guard would give you security in your own dwelling, I shall be happy to furnish you with one, and am Dr Sir &. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . GW wrote this word. GW is replying to Livingston’s letter to him...
48George Washington to William Livingston, 21 December 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] December 21, 1779 . States reasons that make it probable that British will attack Army’s winter quarters. Asks Livingston for support if this should happen. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
49George Washington to William Livingston, 21 December 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] December 21, 1779 . States probability of an attack on the Army by the British. Asks Livingston to form a plan by which militia can be called into action on short notice. Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
50From George Washington to William Livingston, 21 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding the enemy have been for some time past making demonstration of sending detatchments from New York, they still continue there with their whole collected force. On our part we have lately been obliged to march a considerable body of troops to the Southward, and a part of those which remain are daily leaving us from the expiration of their terms of service. These and many other...