1From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington and the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 10 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The papers of the Executive having been almost wholly lost in the visit which was made by General Arnold to this place, we are endeavouring to procure Copies of as many of them as we can. As the Correspondence with your Excellency is among the most important I am to solicit the Favor of you to permit the Bearer hereof Mr. Granville Smith to take Copies of any Letters with which you have been...
FC (Virginia State Library). Written by a clerk and directed to “His Excellency General Washington & the Honble Virginia Delegates in Congress.” The papers of the Executive having been almost wholly lost in the visit which was made by General Arnold to this place, we are endeavouring to procure Copies of as many of them as we can. As the Correspondence with Congress is among the most important...
3To George Washington from Thomas Seymour, 18 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
As Major French proposes troubling your Excely upon the Subject of his not being allowed to wear his Sword while a Prisoner here, am directed by the Comtee to give a full State of the Case. Soon after he came to hand by Mr Webb, the Comtee let him know your Excellys order and that an exact Compliance with it was expected —he soon began to raise Objections against conforming to the same...
4To George Washington from Walter Stewart, 26 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I find by this days Orders your Excellency has directed a Board to meet in Order to Examine the Shoes in Store, as the Clothier General Concieves Himself Injur’d by the report of Inspection. The Cause for such a reports being made; was from the Almost Universal Complaints of the Officers respecting the Shoes they have receiv’d for this Year, And the bad Appearance, & Short last of those then...
5To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel John Fitzgerald, 17 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am honor’d with your kind Favor of 28th Ulto, which I only receiv’d by last sundays Post —it gives me the most pleasing satisfaction to find, that those who were endeavoring to Injure you in the Public Esteem, are become sensible of their own insignificance & earnestly hope they may feel the contempt & Scorn of all good men in proportion to the Iniquitous Scheme which they expected to...
6To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 14 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I received the honor of your Excellency’s letter of 11th inst: Mr Caldwell being at Philadelphia I confered with Colo. Jaques of the Militia of Essex County on the Subject of the Signals established for allarming the Country: I here inclose a Copy of them in all the parts of this State, I understand that those hereabout though neglected are not much impaired, I will take care to See them...
7To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 1 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I Should have Long Since wrote your Excellencey was there any thing in this Quarter worth Ingaging your attention. I found upon my Journey Home that there was not the Least probability of the Enemys attempting to Rescue Genl Burgoine & Army: I therefore went to New Hampshire where I tarried about twelve Days upon my Arrival here I found no Troops worth mentioning & by the Inclosed Return your...
8To George Washington from Jeremiah Olney, 10 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Field officer Commanding the advance post at Dobbs Ferry on the Hudson from 24th Augt to 8th Septr 1782, begs leave to Report, that he has (from time to time) Communicated to your Excellency every occurrence that has Come within the Sphere of his Observations—that he has nothing Further to Report that the State of the Garrison &c. &c., agreeable to the Inclos’d Reports—Save only that the...
9To George Washington from John Hancock, 21 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour to transmit the enclosed Resolves, in Obedience to the Commands of Congress. They are so explicit, that I shall only request your Attention to them. You will percieve from the Vote of Congress, the Sense of that Body with Regard to the Necessity of furnishing the Troops for the new Army, as soon as possible; a Copy of which, I have forwarded to the respective States agreeably...
10To George Washington from the Board of Admiralty, 15 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
The recent complaints made to this Board by Prisoners from New york on Parole of neglect in the Commissary Generals department we flatter ourselves will apologize for our requesting your Excellencys interference. We have this day wrote Colo. Beatty fully on the Subject directing him to furnish this Board monthly with an Accurate return of all Marine Prisoners within his Department, and as we...
11To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 1 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment (by Express) received the enclosed letters from Generals Schuyler and Sullivan which I think of such great Importance I shall immediately forward you, together with my answer to General Schuyler, I wrote you yesterday but was too late for the post, shall forward it on wt. this—since which five Ships arrived Att the Hook three of which I suppose to be Men of War, I am truly...
12To George Washington from Peter Muhlenberg, 6 Oct. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Peter Muhlenberg, 6 Oct. 1779. On 12 Oct., GW wrote Muhlenberg: “I have received your Letter of the 6th Instant.”
13To George Washington from Philip Schuyler, 5 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
On the 3d Instant I was favored with Your Excellency’s letter of the 30th ult. I have for ten days Successively deferred writing In hopes that I should have been able At last to have advised you that public business was closely attended to In this quarter, and that we had adopted Measures to disencumber us from that Variety of embarrasment we experience, but alas! we have made little or no...
14To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 24 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour to inclose for Your Excellency’s Determination, a petition I have just received from the Canadian Soldiers in Col: James Livingston’s Regiment. Baron Stuben assured me, he would make such Report of that Regiment to your Excellency, as would induce some orders to be taken thereupon, the most Beneficial to the public Service; at present they are a very unprofitable Corps to the...
15To George Washington from the Georgia Delegates in Congress, 2 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
We do ourselves the pleasure to enclose to your Excellency, a letter from Governor Burt, of Antigua, respecting Mr Thomas Morris, an officer of the Continental artillery in the Georgia line, to General Prevost, who was supposed to be Commanding Officer in the Southern Department. (You will perceive that its object is to liberate Mr John Burke, a citizen of that Island, who is your prisoner,...
16To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 8–12 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Remarks on the Resolution of Congress of the 25th February 1780—requiring each State to furnish certain species of supplies for the support of the Army. The measure seems to be calculated, more for the convenience of each state, than for the accommodation of the service. The aggregate quantity ordered, tho’ far short of the demands of the army, is proportioned on the states, in such a manner,...
17To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 22 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
Being just returned from German Town, I beg leave to inform your Excellency that I was happy enough to perfect the Exchange of the following Officers, for those of equal Rank due to us from the Enemy, which I hope will meet with your Excellency’s Approbation. I have the Honor to be Your Excellency’s Most Obedt Hble Servt ALS , DNA:PCC , item 152; copy, DNA:PCC , item 169. The accompanying...
18To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 7 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
The commanding officers are applying for arms for the Musick—The donation of Arms to the Troops was in consequence of your Excellency’s recommendation should you be of opinion, all circumstances considered, they have a right to arms, I think no difficulty will arrise in Congress from the measure. I have requested General Knox to commence as soon as possible the build ing a Magazine on...
19To George Washington from Thomas Burke and Henry Laurens, 15 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed papers are referred to us by Congress, and we wish for the assistance of your Ideas to enable us to make a more perfect report. we request you therefore to take the trouble of committing to paper your Opinion on the proposed terms for the exchange of Prisoners in the Southern department, and also any thing which you think will conduce to that End without Contravening your general...
20To George Washington from James Mease, 18 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of writing your Excellency, the 12th Inst., which missing the post, was delayed some days, Since which, your Excellencys favors of 9 & 12, are come to hand, The former of which surprized, & paind me very much, The paragraph from Mr Youngs letter to Mr Kemper, respecting the sending forward some Shirts & stockings, which seems to have given your Excellency cause of offence, I...
21To George Washington from Colonel Armand, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Complaints made to you against my Corps, are the more personal as I derive the Command of it from Your Excellency, as I love and respect this Corps in the light of a Gift which comes to me from you, and as it is my constant Attention to render it as well as myself worthy of your Favour; if Your Excellency previous to casting Reproaches upon me, with respect to which from my Ignorance of...
22To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Steuben, 27 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Steuben, 27 June 1779. GW wrote Steuben on 1 July: “I have been favoured with four letters from you three of the 22d and one of the 27th.”
23To George Washington from Colonel Henry Jackson, 15 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I receivd a note from Colonel Harrison this morning desireing I would State to your Excellency in writeg the complaint I yesterday made against Brig. General Stark. My principal Complaint against him is, that he has discharged a man from my Regiment who had at the time of his discha[r]ge more than twelve months to serve, and this without my knowledge altho present in Camp or a certificate from...
24To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Adam Hubley, Jr., 19 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
By the resighnation of Colo: Hartley of the 11th Pennsya Regt—I, as eldest Lieut. Colo: of the line, considered myself, intitled to the same, and accordingly, wrote to the Hone the Executive Council of the State of Pennsya, requesting they would, recommend me to the Board of War, and procure the Appointment to which I was intitled. The Council, in consequence of a certificate sign’d by Genl St...
25To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel John Popkin, 8 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Beg leave to lay before your Excellency the pretentions that the Regiment commanded by Colo. Crane, has to rank in the Brigade of Artillery. The first Regiment of Artillery rais’d in these United States for their defence in —75, was commanded by Colo. Gridley; in the latter end of —75, or beginning of —76, the Regiment was newly arrang’d and recruited, and the command given to Colo. Knox,...
26From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 12 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 12 Feb. 1781. This letter is identical in substance with TJ’s letter of this date to Samuel Huntington , q.v. RC ( DLC : Washington Papers); 2 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by TJ; endorsed (in part): “recd 28u. Ansd. 21st March.” PrC of Tr ( DLC ). Printed from Tr in HAW Henry A. Washington, ed., The Writings of Thomas Jefferson , Washington, 1853–1854
27To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 3 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since I did myself the honor to address Your Excellency on the 27th ult: I have had no Intelligence from Quebec. Mr Carrol in a letter of the 28th April dated at St Johns has advised me of the safe arrival of himself and his Brothers the Commissioners at that place on the preceeding day. He adds that twenty four Batteaux with troops had Already passed that place and that the remainder were...
28To George Washington from Major General Arthur St. Clair, 31 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Letter came to hand about seven OClock last Night at this Place. Colonell Hubley will set out to Day, and by him I shall write to Governour Reed about the Appointment of the necessary Officers after having consulted with the Gentlemen commanding Regiments; I believe they find some Difficulty in getting such Persons to serve as they would wish to recommend, which is the Reason...
29To George Washington from John Mercereau, 28 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your request have proceeded—at Coryell; the river is C15 L75 wide and five and a half feet Deep—at Smiths where they attempted crossing last winter—is C7 L25 wide—at Samuel Pettets 2 mils below; the water is five and a half foot Deep—and at Pool’s Cove is the narrowes place only C6 L75 —this and Smiths are the most Likely to cross if they pass on brid⟨ge⟩s—the fording places below...
30To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 1 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
It gives me the greatest pain to hear the murmurs and complaints among the officers for the want of spirits—they say they are exposd to the severity of the weather subject to hard duty and nothing but bread and beef to eat morning, noon, and night, without vegetables or any thing to drink but cold water—this is hard fare for people that have been accustomd to live tolerable—The officers...
31To George Washington from Stephen Parker, 15 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
Impelled by the triple tyes of affection for my Country, Attachment to Liberty, and concern for my family Interest and place of residence, I am embolden’d to break thro’ the rules of formality, and inform your Excellency, that at Annapolis in this Government, a schooner with hands impressed, which had two Cask of Powder, and an equivalent in ball, ship’d by some officers in the Governments...
32To George Washington from William Hull, 24 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Crocker having represented that his Circumstances are such as render it absolutely necessary that he should leave Service, on his own very pressing Request. has obtained my approbation, and if agreeable to your Excellency, request he may obtain a Discharge. The necessary Certificates are obtained that his public Accounts are adjusted. I am Your Excellencys most Obedt Servt DNA : RG...
33To George Washington from David Forman, 14 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
The British Fleete from New York Consisting of Seven Ships of 60 Guns and upwards Twelve Large Transport Ships and Ten Topsail Schoners and Sloops made Sail from sandy Hook on Saturday Morning last about Ten OClock The Wind about South East—at Twelve The Whole fleete was Clear of The Hook and The Wind Hauled round to Southd, in The afternoon The wind Was to The Westward of South. Upon Which...
34To George Washington from the Board of War, 14 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed is a copy of a letter we have just dispatched to Lt Colo. White. We thought if these suspicions were well founded that it was of consequence your Excellency should be made acquainted with the facts; & they might coincide with other circumstances which may fall within your immediate knowledge. If any satisfactory intelligence should be recd it shall be forwarded without delay. We...
35To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosd is a letter from Mr Levi Hollingsworth relative to the situation of the Stores in that quarter —General Mughlenburg has marched with his detachment to cover the removeal of the Stores—If your Excellency thinks any additional force is necessary it shall be sent immediately—I wait your further Orders and am your Excellencies Most Obedient & very humbl. Servt ALS , DLC:GW . Robert Hanson...
36To George Washington from Brigadier General John Thomas, 25 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
There was Information forwarded to Head Quarters yesterday P.M. of the Sailing of 13 Ships from Boston, I Sent one Capt. Davis Down the Harbour to watch their Motion, and he reports on his return that they put to Sea & Stood their Course about E.S.E. which appears as if they were bound to the Southward: that Course would Lead them out by Cape Cod, & to the Chops of the South Chanel —I am Sir...
37To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 10 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Loss that your Excellency has met with, when you joined your family, and the grief that you must have experienced, has afflicted me very much. I beg of your Excellency to accept of my very sincere and tender condoleance. I have received two Letters from your Excellency for Count de Grasse, at the time you wrote them, you did not know that he had set under sail, on the 4th inst. with a fair...
38To George Washington from Samuel Huntington, 19 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will receive herewith enclosed five Acts of Congress, Viz. one of 12th and four of the 16th Instant; respecting the eleven Companies of Artificers raised by the Quarter Master general; The procuring of Witnesses and depositions in trials before Courts Martial; And the Constituting a sub Cloathier for the Artillery, Cavalry, Artificers and Corps composed of troops from different...
39To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Steuben, 29 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Steuben, 29 June 1779. GW wrote Steuben on 1 July: “The proposals towards a monthly inspection contained in … your letter of the 29th appear in general to be very eligible.”
40To George Washington from Peter Scull, 19 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter of the 10th instant inclosing the arrangement of the ninth Virginia Regiment was delivered the 15th by Colonel Gibson. Commissions have been issued and delivered in consequence of it. I herwith transmit the promotions in the 6th Regiment of Connecticut, occasioned by the resignation of Captain Pond. I have the honor to be with profound respect Your Excellency’s most...
41From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [17 March 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, March 17, 1783. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from General Hamilton to General Washington,” Columbia University Libraries. Two letters from H to Washington on March 17, 1783, are listed. One letter is printed in PAH Harold C. Syrett, ed., The Papers of Alexander Hamilton (New York and London, 1961– ). , III, 290–93.
42To George Washington from Peter Van Rensselaer, 1 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with your Excellencies favour of the 14th Ultimo, the Ammunition directed General Knox to send to this place is come to hand, your Excellency may rely on my Utmost Economy in the expenditure; heretofore I have been used to Issue only on an order of the Officer commanding this post, & for the future I will Strictly observe that no stores are to be delivered but upon an order of...
43To George Washington from General William Howe, 29 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 20th January 1777, in which you propose to establish Mr Lewis Pintard, a Merchant of this Town, as your Agent to reside here under Parole to transmit no Intelligence but what belongs to his Office, whose Business it shall be to provide Necessaries for such Prisoners as fall into my Hands, I have not any Objection to your appointing the...
44To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 11 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I send to your Excellency, under the auspices of Mr Pomroy, a young Gentleman who was a Captain in the British Service by name Joel and who after (as he says) giving up his Commission, came over to this Service. His Case is particular, he will explain it himself, he is young, Sensible, and I should hope Sincere, he can give you some Details, and I think he may with propriety have an audience...
45To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Henry Beekman Livingston, 11 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since my last by Lieutenant Smith I have been able to collect no assisstance, the Malitia of Southold about one Hundred and fifty in number deserted me at the River Head on my way to Huntington haveing heard that long Island was given up to the Enemy, Colonel Mulford was gathering the Malitia of South and East Hampton when this Report (industriously Circulated by our Enemies) was spread among...
46To George Washington from Jabez Bowen, 5 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
This will be deliver’d your Exellency by Capt. Campbell of the 71st British who you will perceive by the incloased Vote of the Council of War, is recommended to you for Permission to go into New Yorke for the purposes theirin expressed; as the Officers have Subsisted intirely at their owne expence tis necessary that they should be supplyd with Cash &c. I doubt not but your Exellency will...
47To George Washington from a Board of General Officers, 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
At a Board of General Officers, assembled at Genl Putnams Quarters July 22nd 1779 agreeable to the direction of His Excellency the Commander in Chief, communicated in his Letter of the 20th Inst. Present. Major Generals { Putnam De Kalb Brigadiers { Smallwood Muhlenberg Gist. Major General Putnam laid before the Board the Letter of the Commander in Chief, requesting him “to consult with the...
48To George Washington from Colonel Israel Shreve, 8 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of General Wayne’s orders of the 2d instant, a battalion was formed of about 250 men of those in the Brigade who were best clothed, and marched the day following to Morristown under the command of Lieut. Colonel Barber. The clothing did not arrive till yesterday when I meant to have followed with the remainder of the troops but reasons which I presume Your Excellency will deem...
49To George Washington from Colonel Henry Beekman Livingston, 15 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Committee of Arrangement of Officers for this state have been more than three Months Appointing the Officers to my Regiment, and have not yet Finished, a Lieutenant Colonel, a Lieut:, and two Ensigns, Qr Master, Are the Officers now wanting: The Competitors for the Lieutenant Colonels Commission, who are two Shoe makers, have had just Interest enough at Court to Exclude all others, and...
50To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison, 28 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am extremely sorry to inform You, that it will not be in my power to return to Headquarters by any means as soon as I expected & hoped when I came away. The business which brought me to Maryland, & which must be adjusted before my departure, will take infinitely more time than I at first apprehended, and will be prolonged the more by the event of my Mother in Law’s death, which has just...