1To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 19 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to enclose you the particulars of Colo. Clarkes success against St Vincenne as stated in his letter but lately received the messenger with his first letter having been killed. I fear it will be impossible for Colo. Clarke to be so strengthened as to enable him to do what he desires indeed the express who brought this letter gives us reason to fear St Vincenne is in danger...
2To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 17 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I some time ago inclosed to you a printed Copy of an Order of Council, by which Governor Hamilton was to be confined in Irons and in close Jail. This has occasioned a letter from General Philips of which the inclosed is a Copy. The General seems to suppose that a prisoner on capitulation cannot be put into close confinement tho his Capitulation shall not have provided against it. My idea was...
3To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 23 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of begging leave of your Excellency to forward the enclosed by the first flag which may happen to be going into New york. They are addressed to [a] good man in distress which I am sure will apologize with you for my asking your intervention. I am with the greatest respect your Excellencys mos. obdt & most hbl. servt Copy, DLC : Jefferson Papers. GW replied to Jefferson from...
4To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 1 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
On receipt of your letter of August 6th during my absence the Council had the irons taken off the prisoners of war. When your advice was asked we meant it should decide with us: and upon my return to Williamsburg the matter was taken up and the enclosed advice given. A parole was formed of which the enclosed is a copy and tendered to the prisoners. They objected to that part of it which...
5To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 2 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Just as the letter accompanying this was going off Colo. Mathews arrived on parole from New York by the way of head quarters bringing your Excellencys letter on [t]his subject with that of the British Commissary of prisoners. The subject is of great importance & I must therefore reserve myself to answer after further consideration. Were I to speak from present impressions I should say it was...
6To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 8 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
In mine of the second of the present month written in the instant of Colo. Mathews delivery of your letter I informed you what had been done on the subject of Governor Hamilton & his companions previous to that moment. I now enclose you an advice of council in consequence of the letter you were pleased to enclose me from the British commissary of prisoners with one from Lord Rowdon. also a...
7To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 28 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s letter on the discriminations which have been heretofore made between the troops raised within this state and considered as part of our quota, & those not so considered, was delivered me four days ago. I immediately laid it before the Assembly, who thereupon came to the resolution I now do myself the honor of inclosing you. the resolution of Congress of Mar. 15. 1779 which...
8To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 16 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of putting under cover to your Excellency, some Letters to Generals Philips & Reidesel, uninformed whether they are gone into New York or not, and knowing that you can best forward them in either Case. I also trouble you with a Letter from the Master of the Flag in this State to the British Commissary of Prisoners in New York, trusting it will thus be more certainly conveyed...
9To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
It is possible you may have heard that in the course of the last summer an expedition was mediated by our Colonel Clarke against Detroit; that he had proceeded so far as to rendezvous a very large body of Indians (I beleive four or five thousand) at Saint-Vincennes; but being disappointed in the number of whites he expected, and not chusing to rely principally on the Indians, was obliged to...
10To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 19 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since writing to your Excellency on the subject of the expedition against Detroit, the want of men, want of money & difficulty of procuring provisions, with some other reasons more cogent if possible & which cannot be confided to a letter, have obliged us to decline that object. I thought it therefore necessary to notify this to your Excellency that no expectations of our undertaking it may...
11To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 11 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
Majr Galvan as recommended by your Excellency was dispatched to his station without delay, and has been furnished with every thing he desired as far as we were able. the line of expresses formed between us is such as will communicate intelligence from the one to the other in twenty three hours. I have forwarded to him information of our disasters in the South as they have come to me. Our...
12To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 2 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received from the Committee of Congress at Headquarters three letters calling for aids of men & provisions. I beg leave to refer you to my letter to them of this date on those subjects. I thought it necessary however to suggest to you the preparing an arrangement of officers for the men: for tho’ they are to supply our battalions, yet as our whole line of officers almost are in...
13To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 22 July 1780 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Thomas Jefferson, 22 July 1780 . On 14 Aug. , GW wrote Jefferson: “I have been honoured with Your Excellency’s favor of the 22 of July.”
14To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 2 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to the act of our assembly, a copy of which I now do myself the honor of inclosing you, I am, in the name of the General assembly, “to request you to proclaim pardon to all deserters from the Virginia line of the continental army, who shall within two months after the publication of the act” (which took place about a week ago) “return to their several companies, if on land, & if...
15To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 9 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to the resolutions of Congress of January 13. 1780, we have turned over to the Continental Commissary of Prisoners at Winchester forty prisoners of war, a roll of whom I now take the liberty of enclosing to your Excellency. I have the Honor to be with all possible respect & esteem Your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble servt LS , DLC:GW ; LB , UkLoBM : Add. MSS 38650; copy,...
16To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, c.29 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
At the request of General Hamilton I transmit you Letters from General Specht and himself, to Generals Philips and Reidesal, and a state of the deficiencies of provisions furnished to the barracks. I have no reason to doubt the truth of the state they send, so far as it may be understood of animal food, for of meal they have had alway enough, but in justice to ourselves must assure you that...
17To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 3 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
As I know the anxieties you must have felt since the late misfortune to the South, and our latter accounts have not been quite so unfavorable as the first, I take the liberty of inclosing you a state of this unlucky affair extracted from letters from General Gates, Genl Stevens, & Govr Nash, and taken as to some circumstances from an officer who was in the action. another army is collecting....
18To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 23 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday forwarded to you a letter from Colo. Wood informing you of his situation. That Post has been for some time past pretty regularly supplyed, and I hope will continue so to be for some time to come. A Person whose punctuality can be relied on offers to contract for victualling it. If We can agree on terms, and the Assembly will Strengthen our Hands Sufficiently, We think to adopt that...
19To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 26 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Copy of a letter from Ld Cornwallis to Colo. Balfour was sent me by Govr Rutledge: lest you should not have seen it I do myself the pleasure of transmitting it, with a letter of Genl Harrington to Genl Gates giving information of some late movements of the Enemy. I was honored yesterday with your favor of the 5th inst. on the Subject of Prisoners, and particularly of Lt Govr...
20To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 22 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have this morning received certain information of the Arrival of a hostile fleet of about Sixty Sail in our bay. the debarkation of some light Horse in the Neighbourhood of Portsmouth, seems to indicate that, as the first scene of their action. we are endeavouring to collect as large a body to oppose them as we can arm: this will be lamentably inadequate if the Enemy be in any force; it is...
21To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 25 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of inclosing to you Letters from Genl Hamilton for New York. On some representations received by Colo. Towles that an indulgence to Govenor Hamilton and his Companions to go to New York on parole would produce the happiest effect on the situation of our Officers in Long Island We have given him, Majr Hay & some of the same Party at Winchester leave to go there on Parole: The...
22To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 26 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Executive of this State think it expedient and necessary that under our present circumstances the prisoners of war under the Convention of Saratoga be removed from their present situation. Many circumstances have led to this necessity. It will be utterly impracticable as long as they remain with us to prevent the hostile army now in this State from being reinforced by numerous desertions...
23To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 3 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of writing to your Excellency on the 25th ult. the enemy have withdrawn their force from the north side of James river, and have taken post at Portsmouth, which we learn they are fortifying; their highest post is Suffolk where there is a very narrow and defensible pass between Nansemond river and the dismal swamp, which covers the country below from being entered by us....
24To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I inclose your Excellency a copy of an intercepted Letter from major General Leslie to Lord Cornwallis. it was taken on a person endeavouring to pass thro the country from Portsmouth towards Carolina. when he was apprehended and a proposal made to search him he readily consented to be searched but at the same time was observed to put his hand into his pocket and carry something towards his...
25To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 26 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 8th instant. having found it impracticable to move suddenly the whole Convention troops, british and germans, and it being represented that there coud not immediately be covering provided for them all at fort Frederic we concluded to march of the British first from whom, was the principal danger of desertion and to permit the germans...
26To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 13 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to your Excellency on the subject of an expedition contemplated by this State against the british post at Detroit, and of receiving your answer of october 10th. since the date of my Letter the face of things has so far changed as to leave it no longer optional in us to attempt or to decline the expedition, but compels us to decide in the affirmative and to begin our...
27To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
It may seem odd considering the important events which have taken place in this State within the course of ten days past, that I should not have transmitted an account of them to your Excellency. but such has been their extraordinary rapidity & such the unremitted exertions they have required from all concerned in Government that I do not recollect the portion of time which I could have taken...
28To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 12 January 1781 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Thomas Jefferson, 12 Jan. 1781. The entry for 19 Jan. in the journal of the Virginia executive council reads in part: “His Excellency [Jefferson] communicated his proceedings during the recess together with the Copies of the Letters which have passed between him & certain persons which being read & approved the board directs to be registered to wit: … to His Excellency...
29To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 8 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just received intelligence, which though from a private hand, I believe 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 Lord Cornwallis under the command of Genl Prevost. This account which had come through another channel is...
30To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 12 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed 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 500 troops under the command of a Major Craig who were joined by a number of...
31To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 17 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
By a Letter from General Greene dated Guilford C. house Feby 10. we are informed that Lord Cornwallis had burnt his own waggons in order to enable himself to move with greater facility & had pressed immediately on. the prisoners taken at the Cowpens were happily saved by the accidental rise of a watercourse which gave so much time as to withdraw them from the reach of the enemy. Lord...
32To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 26 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I gave you information in my last letter that Genl Greene had cross’d the Dan, at Boid’s ferry, and that L[or]d Cornwallis had arrived at the opposite shore. large reinforcements of militia having embodied both in the front & rear of the enemy, he is retreating with as much rapidity as he advanced. his route is towards Hilsborough. Genl Greene cross’d the Dan the 21st in pursuit of him. I have...
33To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 6 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 3d is this moment put into my hands, and as the post does not usually stay here above an hour, it leaves me time to scribble a few lines only, scarcely admitting them to be prefaced with an acknowlegement of the pleasure it will give me to be permitted to communicate with you occasionnally. we received dispatches from Europe yesterday, by Capt. Barney. there is no news but in...
34To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 15 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
Since my last nothing new has occurred. I suppose the crippled state of Congress is not new to you. we have only 9 states present, 8 of whom are represented by two members each, and of course, on all great questions not only an unanimity of states but of members is necessary, an unanimity which never can be obtained on a matter of any importance, the consequence is that we are wasting our time...
35To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 31 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your servant delivered me your favor this morning; Capt. Barney is gone to Philadelphia and his vessel to Baltimore, having left with me one of your packages only. the persons who brought this could give me no certain account of the other package which you suppose to have been brought. this your servant now receives. Being obliged to seize a moment in Congress of writing you these few lines, I...
36To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 6 April 1784 (Washington Papers)
I am obliged to you for your query as to the distance from New York to Cayahoga, as it has occasioned my reexamination of that matter & detection of an error of 150 miles. the distances from New York to Niagara I collect from information as follows. from N. York to Albany 164 miles Oneida 165 Oswego 171 Niagara 180 680 from Niagara to Cayahoga 140 820 This last distance [from Niagara to...
37To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 16 April 1784 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 8th inst. by Colo. Harrison. the subject of it is interesting, and, so far as you have stood connected with it, has been matter of anxiety to me: because whatever may be the ultimate fate of the institution of the Cincinnati, as in it’s course it draws to it some degree of disapprobation I have wished to see you stand on ground separated from it; & that the...
38To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
Every thing on this side the water seems to indicate a certainty of war. the Emperor seems decided in not receding from the right to navigate the Scheld; & the Dutch as determined not to yeild it. I suppose that this court & that of Berlin will take part with the Dutch, the Turks of course become parties in a war against the Emperor: & it seems as probable that the Empress of Russia will join...
39To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Mr Houdon would much sooner have had the honour of attending you but for a spell of sickness which long gave us to despair of his recovery & from which he is but recently recovered. he comes now for the purpose of lending the aid of his art to transmit you to posterity. he is without rivalship in it, being employed from all parts of Europe in whatever is capital. he has had a difficulty to...
40To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 17 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to add, what I forgot in my former letter, a request to you to be so kind as to communicate to me what you can recollect of Bushnel’s experiments in submarine navigation during the late war, and whether you think his method capable of being used successfully for the destruction of vessels of war. It’s not having been actually used for this purpose by us, who were so peculiarly in...
41To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 4 January 1786 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your letter of Sep. 26 which was delivered me by Mr Houdon, who is safely returned. he has brought with him the mould of the face only, having left the other parts of his work, with his workmen to come by some other conveiance. Doctor Franklin, who was joined with me in the superintendance of this just monument, having left us before what is called the costume of the...
42To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 7 January 1786 (Washington Papers)
A conversation with the Count de Rochambeau yesterday obliges me to write a supplementary letter to that of the 4th instant. he informs me that he has had applications for paiment from the person who furnished the badges for the Cincinnati, as well the Americans as French. that this person informed him they were not paid for, that he had furnished them indeed on the application of major...
43To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 14 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
The house of Le Coulteux, which for centuries has been the wealthiest of this place, has it in contemplation to establish a great company for the fur trade. they propose that partners interested one half in the establishment should be American citizens, born & residing in the U.S. yet if I understood them rightly they expect that that half of the company which resides here should make the...
44To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 14–15 August 1787 (Washington Papers)
I was happy to find by the letter of Aug. 1 1786 which you did me the honour to write me, that the modern dress for your statue would meet your approbation. I found it strongly the sentiment of West, Copeley, Trumbul & Brown in London, after which it would be ridiculous to add that it was my own. I think a modern in an antique dress as just an object of ridicule as an Hercules or Marius with a...
45To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 2 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with your Excellency’s letter by the last packet & thank you for the information it contained on the communication between the Cayahoga & Big beaver. I have ever considered the opening a canal between those two watercourses as the most important work in that line which the state of Virginia could undertake. it will infallibly turn thro the Patowmack all the commerce of Lake Erie...
46To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 4 December 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of Aug. 31. came to hand yesterday; and a confidential conveiance offering, by the way of London, I avail myself of it to acknolege the receipt. I have seen, with infinite pleasure, our new constitution accepted by 11 states, not rejected by the 12th and that the 13th happens to be a state of the least importance. it is true that the minorities in most of the accepting states have...
47To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 5 December 1788 (Washington Papers)
I this moment discover that I have dated my letter of yesterday Nov. 4. instead of Dec. 4. tho’ the letter be gone out of my hands I hope the present will reach the bearer of it in time to accompany that, and to prevent the embarrasment of dates which it might otherwise occasion. I have only to repeat assurances of the sentiments of esteem & respect with which I have the honor to be Your...
48To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I am now to acknolege the honor of your two letters of Nov. 27 and Feb. 13 both of which have come to hand since my last to you of Dec. 4 and 5. the details you are so good as to give me on the subject of the navigation of the waters of the Patowmac and Ohio are very pleasing to me, as I consider the union of those two rivers as among the strongest links of connection between the eastern &...
49To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 15 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have received at this place the honour of your letters of Oct. 13 and Nov. 30 and am truly flattered by your nomination of me to the very dignified office of Secretary of state: for which permit me here to return you my humble thanks. Could any circumstance seduce me to overlook the disproportion between it’s duties & my talents it would be the encouragement of your choice. but when I...
50To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 14 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received the letter of the 21st of January with which you have honored me, and no longer hesitate to undertake the office to which you are pleased to call me. your desire that I should come on as quickly as possible is a sufficient reason for me to postpone every matter of business, however pressing, which admits postponement. still it will be the close of the ensuing week before I...