1From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 14 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favors of the 11th and 12th: I have no objection to your sending the two pieces of Cannon to Colo. Gouvion. Under the circumstances you mentio⟨n⟩ you may detain the Men of Colo. Putnams Reg⟨t⟩ who are serving as Bargemen to you, and if you can withdraw the Batteaumen sent down to Kings ferry, with convenience, it will be a measure intirely agreeable to me. I hope Colo....
2From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 2 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
Having received intelligence, that the Enemy are in preparation for some important movement, I thought it adviseable that you should be apprised of it—Because it is uncertain (if the information should prove true) whether their object will be an attack on the Main Army or an attempt on the Posts in the Highlands. I wish you therefore to put the latter in the most defensible state, which is...
3From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 2 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will receive a letter from the Commy General of Issues by this conveyance upon the subject of supplies—He informs you of what you may expect in lieu of what he has been obliged to draw dow⟨n⟩ from West point —I am sorry that you have been obliged to consume the salt provision in the Garrison, but necessity has no law. The Militia Officers must be served with Rum agreeable to the late...
4From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 26 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Our necessities will oblige us to draw down part of the Flour and Rum from West Point—The Commy General of Issues who is fully acquainted with our wants and expectations will be as sparing as possible of his draft upon your Magazine. I have this moment recd yours of the 23d. I will take the Contents into consideration and give you an answer in my next. I am Dear Sir Yr most obt Servt LS , in...
5From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 21 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favor of yesterday late last Evening. Should you receive intelligence upon which you can depend that any considerable number of the enemy’s shipping have sailed Eastward, or any other matter which you may think interesting to the French Army and Navy, you will be pleased to communicate it to Genl Heath at Newport, as well as to me. There is a Chain of Expresses from Colo. Sheldons...
6From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 19 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday recd your favr of the 16th with a Return of your provision Magazine inclosed. I approve of your refraining from the use of the Salt provision to the last extremity. The Commissary generally directs a proportion of Cattle to be left on the other side the River for the troops at West point, and he, has lately had orders to that effect —Should Colo. Livingston find that none of the...
7From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 14 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Hay proposes to send down a person into West Chester County to purchase some Cattle which are there, and as he will have occasion to go where there may be danger either from the Enemy or the disaffected, you will be pleased to give directions to Colo. Sheldon to afford a proper party to cover Colo. Hays Agent while in the execution of the business. I am Dear Sir Yr most obt Servt LS , in...
8From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 13 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favor of yesterday. The providing Wood in season for the Garrison is so essential a matter that you will be pleased to furnish Colo. Hay with the Men required. I expect those Men who were detained at Rhode Island, while there was an expectation of Genl Clinton, will soon come forward. Colo. Sheldon may be directed to send down a Flag with Capt. Benedict and Mr Stevens. If the...
9From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 11 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday recd your favor of the 8th: The Commy General of Issues must be supposed to have the best knowledge of the Affairs of his department, and therefore any directions given by him to draw from one post to supply Troops at another ought to be complied with. In the present instance our dependence is upon part of the stock of Rum at West point, and you will for that reason permit the...
10From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 8 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd both your favors of the 6th. I wish it were in my power to furnish the Militia with Tents and Camp Kettles, but such is our situation with respect to these Articles—especially the first, that the troops in the feild are not fully provided, and I very much fear the deficiency will continue thro’ the Campaign. Under these circumstances, as nothing better can be done, I would...
11From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 6 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Kosciusko having permission to join the southern Army —Major Villefranche has directions to repair to West point and take upon him the superintendance of the Works. You will, I am persuaded, find this Gentleman fully acquainted with his Business, and I doubt not but he will give general satisfaction to those with whom he will be immediately concerned in the execution of the Works. I am...
12From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 5 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a letter which I recd this day from Colo. Malcom. His observations may perhaps be of use to you. He was a considerable time in command at the post, and is well acquainted with what relates to its security. It will be well to make inquiry into the cases of the number of prisoners who are confined in the Fort. Some of them may have been committed upon frivolous occasions, and no...
13From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 3 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
You are to proceed to West Point: and take the command of the Post, and its dependencies—in which are included all from Fish-kill to Kings Ferry, The Corps of Infantry and Cavalry advanced towards the Enemy’s lines on the East side of the River will also be under your orders, and will take directions from you, and you will endeavour to obtain every intelligence of the Enemy’s motions. The...
14From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 4 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have the draught of a proclamation addressed to the inhabitants of Canada. You will be pleased to put this into the hands of a printer whose secrecy and discretion may be depended on and desire him to strike off a proof sheet with the utmost dispatch, which you will send to me for correction —We shall want at least 500 Copies—The importance of this Business will sufficiently...
15From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 28 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowlege your favor of the 6th of this month, and that of the 20th containing a duplicate of the former. In a letter to the Board of Admiralty of the 15th I communicated my sentiments respecting the subject of your letter. I observed to the Board “with respect to the troops, that, from the detatchment lately sent to the Southward, and the great diminution of our force besides,...
16From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favour of the 13th Instant. The situation of affairs would not permit a Court Martial to sit since you were at Middle Brook. You may be assured it is not my wish to delay your trial a single moment; At the same time you must be sensible, that I cannot fix with precision on any day, during the more active part of the Campaign for it to come on. The movements of the Enemy...
17From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 2 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to inform You that the Situation of Affairs will not permit a Court Martial to proceed on your Trial at this Time. The Movements of the Enemy make it indispensably necessary, that the Army should at least advance towards the North River, with all practicable Expedition & require that the Officers appointed to compose the Court, should be with the several Commands. The following is A...
18George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 15 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 15, 1779 . Explains reasons for delay of Arnold’s trial. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
19From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 15 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favour of the 5th instant and read it with no small concern. I feel my situation truly delicate and embarrassing—on one side your anxiety, very natural in such circumstances—and the convenience of the army strongly urge me to bring the affair to a speedy conclusion—on the other, the pointed representations of the state on the subject of witnesses, and the impropriety of...
20George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 7 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 7, 1779 . Announces that date of Arnold’s trial is June 1, 1779. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
21From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 7 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that the time of your trial is now finally fixed on the first day of June. If something very extraordinary does not intervene to prevent it, it will certainly come on then; as I am truly desirous that it may have as speedy a decision, as a regard to propriety will permit. I am Dr Sir with much esteem your most Obedt servant Df , in Alexander Hamilton’s...
22George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 28 April 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] April 28, 1779 . Explains why Arnold’s trial has been postponed. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
23From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 28 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I informed you in a short line of the 26th that your trial was postponed, with a promise to explain the reason at another opportunity. I had received a letter from the Council, representing that the period appointed for the purpose, and the previous notice given, were too short to admit of the necessary witnesses being produced in time. One of the most material they inform me is in Virginia...
24George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 26 April 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] April 26, 1779 . Announces postponement of Arnold’s trial. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Arnold was in Philadelphia at this time waiting to be tried for his “Conduct … during his command in the City of Philada.” See George Washington to Joseph Reed, February 9, 1779 ( GW John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George...
25From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 26 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I find myself under a necessity of postponing your trial to a later period, than that for which I notified your attendance —I send you this information in a hurry lest you should set out before it might arrive if delayed to an hour of more leisure—In a future letter I shall communicate my reasons and inform you of the time which shall be finally appoin⟨ted⟩. I am Dr Sir Your most Obed....
26From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 20 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of . I have, in obedience to the Resolve of Congress, ordered a Court Martial to sit at this place on the 1st May, to try you on the 1st 2d 3d and 5th Charges exhibited against you by the Council of the State of Pennsylvania. It would have given me great pleasure to have endulged you with a Court at Philada but such is the weak state of the line in respect to General and Feild...
27From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 24 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
General Smallwood informs me that Capt. Winder with about 100 Men of the 1st Maryld Brigade is detained in Philada to do Garrison duty. The line has been so weakened by the expiration of the service of a number of the draughts and by necessary detachments that it is impossible the Men above mentioned can be spared for that duty, I must therefore request you to give Capt. Winder orders to march...
28From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 13 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Upon my arrival here I found your favor of the 5th: Your own letter communicated the first hint that I ever recd of any representations or reports made by the Board of War to Congress respecting you or your command in Philada. The Board some little time ago applied to me for a Regiment or two to be stationed at Philada and Trenton to do the Town Duties and guard the Stores, alledging that the...
29From George Washington to Benedict Arnold, 13 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Benedict Arnold, 13 Nov. 1778. On 20 Nov., Arnold acknowledged “Your Excellencys favor of the 13th Inst., by General Du Portail.”
30From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 23–27 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured with your letter of the 11th Instant. I am sorry at the destruction of property at Egg harbour—but in attending to the general objects of war, we must at times submit to such losses, or depend on the exertions of the militia for their prevention. No doubt you have been informed of the progress of the enemy’s embarkation at New-York—The 19 & 20th Inst. about 150 sail of vessels,...