45701From George Washington to Ulster, Dutchess and Westchester Counties Magistrates of Orange, 30 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Upon the representation of the acting Quarter Master with the Army, that public Teams cannot be furnished to bring forward the provisions necessary for the immediate subsistence of the Troops, that private Ones cannot be procured upon hire, and that application hath been made in vain to the neighbouring Justices for their impress Warrants—I have thought proper to state the circumstances, and...
45702To George Washington from Joseph Walker, 30 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to inform you that Major General Parsons is so reduced by his late Moress and at time so far deprived of his reason as makes it impossible for him to transact the Business which your Excellency expected. In the first of his illness he referd the whole business to me in hopes at that time of being able to attend himself in a few days, but I fear he will not this several weeks. A...
45703To George Washington from Ezekiel Cheever, 31 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Monday 26th inst. I was honor’d with your Excellys Commands thro’ the hands of Colo. Shelding to do all in my power to get the arms & accoutrements belonging to his Regt repaired. Sir, the destitue State of this Department for want of proper regard & encouragement, particularly money to pay wages & purchase necessaries and the want of Coal & Leather (which I have remonstrated to the honble...
45704From George Washington to Charles-René-Dominique Sochet Destouches, 31 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was last evening honored with your favor of the 19th instant by the Hermione Via Philada and with a duplicate from Newport. I am obliged by the minute detail which you are pleased to give me on the Action of the 16th instant between the Squadron of his Most Christian Majesty under your command and that of the British under Admiral Arbuthnot. Tho’ you have not been able to accomplish the...
45705From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 31 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your Excellency’s favor of the 26th with its inclosures. I do myself the honor to transmit, for the information of Congress, the duplicate of a letter from the Chevalier de Touche to me, giving a minute detail of the Naval engagement on the 16th inst: The good conduct and bravery exhibited by our Allies on that occasion intitle them to the warmest thanks of the public, for tho’...
45706To George Washington from Peter Kinnan, 31 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
The next day after the Marquis De Lafettee past thro’ here, Mr John Smith an Inhabitant of Smiths Clove, Brother to Joshua and others came to this place in a day or two went from here to Elizabeth Town and that Neighbourhood and Returned here again—and I belive has been down there abouts once since what his business is in this Quarter, People are at aloss to know, He frequents the Tavern and...
45707To George Washington from Thomas Sim Lee, 31 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Count Chalres who does me the honor to bear this, gives me an opportunity to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s favor of the 22d Instant. Colonel Marbury is, now with his family, on parole; and if I am rightly informed without limitation as to time: in that case, I have no doubt he is perfectly satisfied with the indulgence and will wait with patience & convenience his turn for...
45708From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 31 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was last evening honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 27th covering an open letter for the Count de Rochambeau, by which, you have been so good as to make me the earliest communication of the action on the 16th between the French and British Fleets off the Capes of Chespeak. By the inclosed you will be informed of the return of the forms into the harbour of Newport. I must confess to...
45709From George Washington to Alexander McDougall, 31 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Expedition against Arnold has failed—After the favourable moment (occasioned by the disability of part of the British Ships in Gardners bay) was suffered to pass away, I never was sanguine in it—but the object being great, the risk was warrantable. The attempt of the Chevalier Des Touches at the time he Sailed, was bold & enterprising—for this, and political reasons; and because I know it...
45710From George Washington to Richard Platt, 31 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I send you herewith an application to the Civil Authority for impress Warrants to procure Teams for the transportation of flour &c. I wish you to send proper Persons of Your Department to negotiate this business, and to use every exertion to have the Stores brought on, as soon as possible. The Cloathing for Philadelphia may be forwarded by these Teams, without any expence, to Ringwood, or some...
45711From David Humphreys to Richard Platt, 31 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
The General consents that the Cloathing should go by the way of Morris Town, but would not have it delayed, by any means, on the Road. The Congress will wait, for some time, we shall have Letters to go by him in an hour. Be pleased to forward the Dispatches for Rhode Island. I am Sir Your Most Obed. Servt DNA : RG 93—Manuscript File.
45712From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 31 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I last night received your Excellency’s favor of the 27th announcing the return of the Squadron under the command of the Chevalier Des Touche to the Harbour of New-Port. A few minits before your Letter reached me, the inclosed, which His Excellency the Minister of France had the goodness to send under an open cover to me, informed me of the action which had happened on the 16th off the Capes...
45713To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 31 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Last engagement of the Chevalier Destouches has shewn to your Excellency the uncertainty of success in naval fights and of combined operations upon that element. We must not flatter ourselves that our successes will be greater, as Long as we have not a decided Superiority. Our Squadron had run great risks by a Separation and the bad weather and united again only 24. hours before the fight...
45714From George Washington to Antoine-Charles du Houx, baron de Vioménil, 31 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had last evening the honor of receiving your letter dated on board the Duke de Bourgogne the 19th instant—By a letter from the Chevalier des Touche which accompanied yours I am informed of the unavoidable causes of the failure of the enterprize which we had in contemplation. I am perfectly convinced that every effort was made to carry you to the place of your destination, and I attribute the...
45715Duportail’s Observations on the 1781 Campaign 1781-03, March 1781 (Washington Papers)
General observations upon the different operations which Can be undertaken according to the different Cases at the arrival of Count de grasse at the hook . I will Consider first what is relative to Newyork and I will suppose that Count de grasse arrives at the hook before admiral Rodney, admiral graves being with his Squadron in the hook. it is asked what Count de grasse must do? the first...
45716To George Washington from Heman Swift, March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to your Excellencys Warrant McDowall was executed the 21st Inst. The Evening before his Execution he inform’dMessrs Strong & Prud oin Ministers of Hartford that Lee the man your Excellency sent from Newport and ordered confin’d in Goal at Hartford had given him a particular account of his intentions when he left New York, that he was employ’d by Sir Henry Clinton to pass through the...
45717General Orders, 1 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Returns to be made to the Adjutant General’s Office as soon as possible of the number of recruits each line has received up to this day; also a Return of what number of these recruits they were obliged to send back as unfit for service. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
45718To George Washington from Stephen Griffing, 1 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The situation of my affairs is such reduced by the death of my Father, leaving a Family unprovided for having been oblidge to leave the Island and all he was possessed of behind & flee for Shelter into Connecticut, were they must if not Assisted by me suffer, Induces me to ask permission of your excellancy to resign my Commission which nothing but the situation in wich the family were left...
45719From David Humphreys to William Heath, 1 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency will be at West Point before 10 OClock to morrow Morng (Nothing extraordinary happening to prevent it) and wishes if practical that Horses might be provided for him to visit the outer Works. I have the honor to be Dear Sir Your Most Obed. Humble Servt P.S. The General will not go if the Weather proves rainy. MHi : Heath Papers.
45720To George Washington from William Shepard, 1 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I would inform your Excellency that I Shall Send on to Camp from this Post betwen Ninty and a Hundred Recruits—which will march to morrow morning. But am not able to arm and accoutre them a Greeable to your Excellencys orders as Colo. Cheever has not any arms Repaird. the Recruits Come in much Faster than here to fore. I am your Excellencys most obdt Humle Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
45721To George Washington from Peter Van Rensselaer, 1 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd a Letter from the Honble Brigadr Genl Knox, Inquiring in the repair of Arms & Making of Bayonets, which I cannot with propriety Omitt Informing your Excellency that the works have ceased at this place, Because I am not Supplyed by the Quarter Master with Iron, Steel, files Coal &ca &ca nor with provision & money to pay the Artificers. I here inclose your Excellency my Return for...
45722From George Washington to Joseph Walker, 1 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your Letter of the 30th of March, and feel myself sensibly distressed at the Account you give of the illness of General Parsons. I wrote to him the 23d Ult., on the business in which you are now employed, and must refer you, to that Letter, as the rule of conduct I would wish to have adopted. That is, to consult the Executive of the State on the Mode they think proper should be...
45723To George Washington from Thomas Forrest, 2 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
In Obedience to the Orders of Generall Knox I have repair’d to the post at Carlile, and as far as time would Admitt perform’d every duty enjoin’d upon me, I should still have continued in the performance of the Order laid upon me, but that the Honorable the Board of War were pleas’d to Break up the Post. I of Course find myself in a very uneligible Situation, And as the present Commissary...
45724To George Washington from William Heath, 2 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I find there is in every Regiment a Considerable number of women & Children, especially the former who draw Provisions——many of the Officers assert that there is a resolve of Congress or an order or Regulation of Your Excellencys which points out the number allowed to each Company or Regiment, If there is such resolve, or order, I will thank you for information of it if there is not I wish...
45725To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 2 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
On my return from Rhode Island I found that a very considerable delay would attend the compleating our clothing for the recruits as ordered by the General Court which induced me to attempt as a temporary supply Hunting shirts & overalls in this I failed, as the Court was not sitting, from the want of powers in the supream executive—But as there are a number of the recruits well cloathed they...
45726To George Washington from Meshech Weare, 2 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am honord with the Receipt of Your Excellencys favor of the 12th Ulto, Respecting sending forward the Recruits, Raisd in this State. Our General Assembly being Siting, I immediately laid your Letter before them, whereupon they gave immediate Orders, to the Officers Appointed to Receive the new Recruits, at the Several places of Rendezvous in this State, to forward them to the Army as...
45727General Orders, 3 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
A detachment of ten Blacksmiths, ten Carpenters and ten wheelwrights from Colonel Baldwin’s regiment to repair to the Park of Artillery and take their orders from Brigadier General Knox—If the number of wheelwrights cannot be procured the deficiency is to be made up in Carpenters. The whole of the Brigade Inspectors are desired to meet the Adjutant General at Westpoint at half after twelve ô...
45728From Edward Hand to Edward Antill, 3 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have it in Command from his Excelly to inform you it is his pleasure that the Non Commission’d Officiers and private men of Capt. Antoine Selin’s Company be incorporated with Colo. Hazen’s Regiment—before the incorporation takes place I think you will do well to have a State of the Accots of the Company signed by Capt. Selin and the men themselves. I am Sir with Regard & Esteem Yr Obedt Hble...
45729Report and Remarks, 3 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Report of a Committee of Congress, with General Washington’s remarks, at their request. Report. 1st That Battalion promotions in the Infantry to the Rank of Commanding Officer inclusive, where such Battalion is annexed to any State shall be in the line of such State. Remarks. 1st. Approved. Report 2d. That in Regiments of Infantry not annexed to any particular States, promotions to the Rank of...
45730From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 3 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
In my Letter of the 31st Ulto I informed Your Excellency, that there had been an Action between General Greene and Lord Cornwallis on the 15th of March; the particulars of which had not then been received. I have now the honor of enclosing the Copy of a Letter from Major General Greene, in which he gives the circumstances of that Engagement in detail: from this, and other Accounts, I cannot...
45731To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 3 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s Letter of the 29th ulto by which I see that you could receive only the day after, the intelligence of the return of our fleet. Your Excellency must have received since a Letter of mine, under date of the 31st in which I told you, (After having resumed all that had been said here in your presence) the motion which it would be possible for the french army to...
45732To George Washington from Philip John Schuyler, 3 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s obliging favor of the 23d of last month, I had the pleasure to receive on the 31st following. It was exceedingly mortifying to me, that the Senate was so thin of members, when Your Lady honored us with a visit, that my attendance could not be dispensed with, even for a day, I was consequently deprived of Affording that Attention, which inclination, esteem and the most...
45733General Orders, 4 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Captain Symond’s Company of Artillery having been by the late arrangement of the army annexed to Colonel Procter’s Regiment they are to march immediately to Newtown in Bucks county in Pennsylvania and join that regiment. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
45734From George Washington to Board of War, 4 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed was delivered to me a few days ago by General Hand, being the first intimation I ever had upon the subject. It appears to me the powder had better be removed from Lancaster either to Philada or to some Magazine lower down the Country where it may be properly taken care of, for you must undoubtedly know that if the Casks be not turned every now and then the Nitre will subside and...
45735From George Washington to Epaphras Bull, 4 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received a letter from Major Fauntleroy who it seems had reached Lancaster before my order directing him to join the 1st Regt got to his hands—Independant of the reasons which he offers for wishing to remain with the 4th Regt to which he properly belongs—there is one which makes the change no longer of any benefit to you—it is—that that Regiment is now also ordered to the southward—You...
45736From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 4 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Annexed is a duplicate of what I had written to you on the 27th ulto the original I fear miscarried last Week as the post is missing and supposed to be carried into New York. The intelligence contained in yours of the 30th ulto "that the fleet was laying at the Hook the 28th" must have been ill founded, as I see by a York paper that they had been spoken with the 21st to the southward of the...
45737From George Washington to Moore Fauntleroy, 4 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd yours of the 21st ulto. My order directing you to join the 1st Regt and Major Bull the 4th was founded upon a supposition that you were still at the southward and that your doing it would save you the trouble and expence of a journey to the Northward as it would do him to the southward—But as both the Regiments are now to act in that quarter—the reason ceases—You will therefore...
45738From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 4 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The business that has given constant exercise to the Pen of my Secretary; and not only frequently, but always, to those of my Aides de Camp, has rendered it impracticable for the former to register the Copies of my Letters, Instructions &ca in Books; by which means valuable documents which may be of equal public utility and private satisfaction remain in loose Sheets; and in the rough manner...
45739To George Washington from Samuel Huntington, 4 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will receive enclosed an Act of Congress of the 2d Instant, wherein they have engaged for the Pay & Subsistence of two. Regiments of Militia & two Regiments of Infantry proposed to be raised by the State of New York, over & above their Quota of Continental Troops, during the Time they shall be in actual Service. The two Regiments of Infantry to be raised for three Years by the...
45740From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 4 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the honor of your Excellency’s favors of the 19th and 21st ulto and again to thank you, for your uniform and speedy communication of every southern event which comes to your knowledge. I have the pleasure to find, from General Greenes official letter, that Lord Cornwallis is not likely to reap any great benefits from his late Victory—indeed—were we certain that he would not...
45741From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 4 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Every day convinces me that the Enemy are determined to bend their force against the southern States, and that we must support them powerfully from this Quarter, or they will be lost. Except such support is given in time, it will be ineffectual—The enemy will not only have established themselves in posts, but in the affections of many of the people. The pennsylvania Line is already ordered to...
45742From George Washington to Stephen Moylan, 4 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 22d ulto from Lancaster—As the reasons for which I directed Majr Fauntleroy to make an exchange of Corps with Major Bull no longer exist I have now ordered him to remain with you and Bull to join the 1st. I have written both to the Congress and to the Board of War and used every Argument to induce a speedy completion of the Regiments of Cavalry—They will be more...
45743From George Washington to Abner Nash, 4 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of your Excellency’s favr of the 19th ulto and am glad to find that the State have at length adopted measures for filling their Battalions which you think will prove effectual. You may be assured that every exertion not only of the States immediately interested but of those more at a distance will be necessary to prevent the progress of the Enemys Arms in the quarter where...
45744To George Washington from Abner Nash, 4 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the Honour to write your Excellency a few lines from General Greens Camp dated the 18th ult. as the Express was just going off as I arrived at the Generals—I hope you was good enough to excuse the hasty manner in which it appeared to have been written; I am now just arrived Home from Camp and have the pleasure to acquaint you that our Worthy and excellent General with his little...
45745From George Washington to Thomas Nelson, Jr., 4 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer Monsieur Camûs, an Officer in the Navy of France, goes to take the command of an armed Vessel in York River. Being a stranger, he may want advice and assistance to enable him to prosecute the business on which he is sent by the Chevr des Touche, you will therefore oblige me by rendering him every service in your power. I am Dear Sir Yr most obt and hble Servt DLC : Papers of George...
45746To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 4 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received this instant your Excellencys Letter of the 31st ulto. Our Land forces and naval troops I am sure, will look on your Excellency’s approbation as the most flattering reward of the courage which they shewed in the engagement of the 16th Ulto. It is of the highest importance to be thoroughly informed if the Troops on board at New york have set sail, and if the British design rigorous...
45747From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 4 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 15th ulto and to lament the unfortunate accident which prevented the execution of our plan against Arnold. I must beg of you to accept my thanks for the forwardness of your preparations of which and the propriety of all your other arrangements the Marquis has spoken in the most handsome manner—You will now naturally turn your attention again...
45748From George Washington to John Sullivan, 4 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed are my remarks on the report you were pleased to transmit me—They are made pursuant to the request contained in your letter of the 9th Ulto—Where I have been unfortunate enough to differ in sentiment from the Committee I have, in as concise a manner as I was able, assigned my reasons for it; if there is weight in them, I have no doubt of their being attended to—if there is not, it...
45749To George Washington from James Clinton, 5 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 7th Ulto To your Excellency containing an Account of the Capture of seventeen Men of the second Regiment at Fort schuyler by a party of the Enemy, nothing Material has occurred but what may reasonably be expected from the peculiar situation of our Affairs. In my former Letters to Your Excellency, I have been under the painfull necessity of representing the disagreeable...
45750To George Washington from William Heath, 5 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to inclose the protest of a number of officers of Colonel Hazen’s regiment against the conduct of Major Reid, in his defence before a general Court-martial some time since—it was presented to me during your Excellency’s absence. As Major Reid has been and still is absent, nothing has been done respecting it. While your Excellency was absent, a Capt. Simmons of Colo....