1From Tench Tilghman to John Pray, 19 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency recd yours of the 17th New York papers inclosed. If you can obtain a giving an account of the actual evacuation of town be pleased to send it immediately up, as it is of consequence to His Excellency to have that matter ascertained. Be pleased to send the inclosed to Major Smith. I am Sir Yr most obt Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
2From David Humphreys to John Pray, 30 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
The News of Peace (tho not official) is nevertheless so positive and the certainty that Hostilities were to cease in America on the 20th of this Month is so great, that the Commander in Chief has no hesitation in Ordering the Wagons, Horses, Drivers & every thing captured to be given up & returned to the British Lines without the least injury or delay. I am Sir Your Most Obedt Servt DLC :...
3From David Humphreys to John Pray, 7 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Cheif, directs that the three new Whale Boats built at Wappings Creek under the Superintendance of Mr Sheaf, should be made use of as Guard Boats—Captain Pray will apply to Major General McDougal for the same, or if Genl McDougal has sent them to the Orders of Major Darby—Majr Darby will be pleased to deliver these three Boats to Capt. Pray, on his Order—Should they already be...
4From George Washington to John Pray, 10 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of Yesterday, accompanying Dispatches from Sir Guy Carleton—and a Note from Majr Scott. I cannot omit to express to you the pleasure I have experienced from the propriety of your Conduct in stopping the Officer bearing the Flag, at your post, & your forwardg the Dispatches by an Officer of our own—I beg you to accept my sincere thanks on this Occasion. The inclosed...
5From David Humphreys to John Pray, 20 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Smith, who is to remain at Dobbs Ferry, for the sake of transacting the business of his Department, will also have the superintendance of that Post—he will have the charge of receiving & granting Flags, he will send only such as are proper & necessary; The General desires therefore you will furnish such Boats for the purpose as he shall have occasion for; and co-operate with him in any...
6From George Washington to John Pray, 11 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Order from Head Quarters of the 7th Inst. was not meant to prohibit you from giving passes to Citizens to fish, in the manner formerly practiced, it related entirely to the Army. I am Sir &c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
7From David Cobb to John Pray, 14 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
It is of great importance at this Crisis, to have the best possible information of the state of the Enemy’s affairs at N. York. His Excellency the Commander in Chief has commanded us therefore, to inform you, it is his wish that you will use your utmost endeavours to obtain such information, and that you will devote all the time & attention you can spare from your other Duties, to this very...
8From David Humphreys to John Pray, 9 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief is pleased to direct that you send up a Cockswain & 8 of your best Oarsmen to Man his Barge—They may bring a light Boat with them to be kept at Head Quarters for Orderly purposes. I am Sir Your Hble Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
9From David Humphreys to John Pray, 4 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief commands me particularly at this time to repeat to you the directions formerly given that the utmost precaution & vigilance should be used to prevent surprize, & to announce instantaneously to him any sudden Movement of the Enemy. for this purpose you will give the most pointed Orders to the person commanding your guard Boats on duty, & will inform Col. Olney or the...
10From Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. to John Pray, 11 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency the Commander in Chief request the inclosed Letter directed to Sir Guy Carleton, may be delivered at the enemys Post—as soon as opportunity will permit. Your most Obedt Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
11From David Humphreys to John Pray, 1 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have his Excellency’s direction to give Orders on the Clothier at this place to deliver Caps & Mittens for the Men under your Command, agreeable to your Returns if there are any in store. I wish you still to persist in taking every Means in your power to obtain the most Authentic Intelligence of the State of the Enemy, particularly what their exact strength & Destination are, on the North...
12From George Washington to John Pray, 5 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have learnt by accident, that there may probably arise some difficulty in the command at Dobbs Ferry, unless an early measure is taken to prevent it. You cannot be ignorant, Sir, that when two Officers come in contact in the course of service, the senior must always command. And you will please to understand that your being entrusted with the immediate command of the Water Guard, (with...
13From David Humphreys to John Pray, 25 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
The General received your favor of the 23d yesterday, with the News Papers enclosed—His Excellency wishes you to be as particular & accurate as possible, in your information respecting the Cantonments, movements, embarkation & sailing of any of the Enemy’s Troops, also concerning the Fleet and every thing else, that is of consequence to be known. I am Dr Sir Your Most Obedt Servt DLC : Papers...
14From George Washington to John Pray, 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Yours of this day has been received. You will be pleased to send me immediately a State of the Detachment under your Comman d specifying particularly the num ber of Officers & Men in the Garrison & on the Water Guard. I am Sir Your Most Obed. Servt NjP : DeCoppet Collection.
15From Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. to John Pray, 18 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency thanks you for your Intelligence of Yesterday—with the News papers which you inclosed. The General has some very particular Reasons to desire that you would be more than usually active in your Endeavours to obtain all the Information you possibly can of the Enemy’s movements among their fleet, their Transports & their Troops—whether any Embarkation of Troops is makg—and where...
16From George Washington to John Pray, 1 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to put a Sub. or Sergt with two Boats properly manned under the Command of Capt. Lawrence, I am Sir &c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
17From David Humphreys to John Pray, 7 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief was surprized to hear that Boats were down the River in the manner you relate in your Letter of yesterday—In future he directs, that you should apprehend any People you find in the same predicament, & send them under guard to Head Quarters. I am Sir Your Most Obedt Servt. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
18From George Washington to John Pray, 21 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
The same Movement which was mentioned in my Letter of the 14th will be made this Evening—you will observe the same line of Conduct as pointed out in that Letter; using particular vigilance to discover every motion of the Enemy, especially to morrow night—I shall absolutely depend upon it, that the Enemy cannot move a single Vessel or Boat up the River or have any thing in agitation, without...
19From George Washington to John Pray, 14 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
You are to have the Water guard supplied with three days provisions, & make preparations instantly to go down the River with all your Light Guard Boats this Evening. You will take effectual care to proceed below in such a manner as to discover with certainty whether the Enemy have any Guard or other Boats, on the water advanced at any distance from their Shipping. I mention in my confidence to...