1XII. George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel David Humphreys, 22 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
You are immediately to proceed to West Point & communicate the business committed to you, in confidence to Majr Genl Heath, & to no other person whatsoever —from thence you will repair to the Detachmt at the White Plains, on friday next, taking Measures to prevent their leaving that place, before you get to them. And in the course of the succeeding Night you may inform the Commanding Officer,...
2George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel David Humphreys, 24 November 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Totowa, New Jersey ] November 24, 1780 . Announces relinquishment of projected attack. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Humphreys was an aide-de-camp to Washington.
3XVIII. George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel David Humphreys, 24 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
Some intelligence having been received from New York unfavourable to the project I had in contemplation, I have relinquished it and am to desire the detachment under General Stark will discontinue its cooperation and take such measures as are necessary for its security and for making the forage originally intended. I am with great regard Yr Obedient servant. Df , in Alexander Hamilton’s...
4From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel David Humphreys, 23 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will take command of such of the Detachments of Water Guards, now on the River, as you may think necessary; and with them attempt to surprize & bring off, Genl Knyphausen from Morris’s House on York Island, or Sir Henry Clinton from Kennedys House in the City; if from the Tide, Weather, & other Circumstances you shall judge the Enterprize to be practicable. In the execution of it, you will...
5From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel David Humphreys, 15 February 1781 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Lt. Col. David Humphreys, 15 Feb. 1781. On 21 Feb., Humphreys acknowledged receipt of GW’s “favour of the 15th.”
6From Richard Platt to David Humphreys, 6 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency’s Application to the Justices of Ulster & Orange has been presented, accompanied with a Letter from me containing a Detail of Teams each should furnish. You have enclosed Copies of their several Answers. Tis true that some of them had previously been called upon for Teams which I did not know: tho’ the numbers were so small as not interfere materially with the last Call. Out of...
7From Timothy Pickering to David Humphreys, 20 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Between the 5th & 13th inst. were loaded at Ringwood fifteen double teams & twenty nine single teams, with 124 barrels of flour 1 barrel of biscuit 33 barrels of beans 2 hogsheads of salt 6 tierces of ditto 23 barrels—do– according to the report of Mr Skidmore the deputy waggon master, who saw them loaded. On his return hither the 14th inst. he met 17 more single teams on their way to Ringwood...
8From Charles Stewart to David Humphreys, 30 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
There are no Cattle yet arrived, when they come none shall be distributed before I receive His Excellencys instructions. The pork shall be reserved about forty Barrells are now on hand, I Can expect twenty bbls more from West point this day, which will be also laid by, for special Occasions. I wait impatiently for a messenger for Fish Kill, by him expect to hear something about Cattle; The...
9From Timothy Pickering to David Humphreys, 5 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
On hand fit for service—soldiers tents 35. wall tents 6 Expected daily from Connecticut 300. very old tents at Morristown repairing, probably will be rendered serviceable 80. As Colo. Hatch is disappointed in his expectations of exchanging heavy for light duck, on notice of it, July 27th I immediately desired him to make up into tents all the Russia duck that was tolerably light. This may...
10From George Washington to David Humphreys, 11 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received yours of the 22d of November by Captn Sergeant and am obliged by the trouble which you took in securing Quarters for me—It is very uncertain when I shall have occasion to use them, as I am detained here at the request of Congress to assist in the arrangements which are making for the next Campaign. As to the plan which you propose, I will only say just now, that there are not the...
11From Hugh Hughes to David Humphreys, 17 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
On seeing his Excellency’s Letter of the 12th current to the Quarter Master General relative to settling with the Engineer for the Quantity of Plank & Scantling for the ensuing Campaign, I wrote to Major Villefranche on that Subject acquainting him with what I had done in the Affair by Order of Colonel Pickering. He approved of what had been engaged & added about one Third more of Plank &...
12From Henry Sewall to David Humphreys, 12 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with yours of yesterday respecting colonel Popkin’s going on the recruiting service. Inclosed is a copy of the letter I wrote major Wyllys respecting the flag at the New-bridge. The dragoon notwithstanding receiving those directions, had at Dobb’s ferry told capt. Pray he was directed to call and deliver the letters there, and accordingly did deliver them to captain Pray,...
13From Elias Dayton to David Humphreys, 11 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your letter of the 4th Instant, you will please to inform the General that I duly received his of the 11th Ult. but hearing that he was gone to Philadelphia I delayed to answer it, upon a supposition that he would return by this rout—Immediately however upon it’s receipt the orders which it communicated were as far as was in my power strictly executed in every point, I...
14From Timothy Pickering to David Humphreys, 24 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
your favour of this date is just handed to me. The axes are all ground & part helved; the residue are helving. I have given directions to have grindstones fixed; and will attend to the means of transportation, agreeable to his Excellency’s wishes. I am yr most obedt servant DLC : Papers of George Washington.
15From Jean-Louis-Ambroise, chevalier de Villefranche de Genton to David Humphreys, 27 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
as it appears by the General orders of this day, that the army is going to move, I should be much obliged to you to let me know, whether it is his Excellency’s intention that I should march with it & who are the Engrs designd to stay at west-point. I am sir with great regard your most humble obedient servant PHi : Gratz Collection.
16From Samuel Canfield to David Humphreys, 19 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I received your favour of the 18th Inst. last evening—Should I obtain Intelligence of any movement of the enemy I will give His Excellency immediate information of it agreeable to his orders. I am Sir with esteem your most Obedt very humble Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
17From William Stephens Smith to David Humphreys, 20 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
I received yours of the 17th inst. last night, the death of that brave, and venerable officer, Lord Stirling, I sincerely lament, his faults were so dimmed by the lustre of his Virtues, that they were scarcely decernable, and I think Society has met with a Loss in his exit—the natural goodness of his Heart, and the general rectitude of his Conduct in public Life, entitles him to the tributary...
18From David Brooks to David Humphreys, 24 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
Mr Moylan in a Letter of the 16th writes me as follows, viz. "—In my last I advised you that I expected by the following post, to be able to give you more certain Information about the Blankets than was then in my power: but the detention of the Eastern post for a fortnight past, & which only arrived this morning, has prevented my complying with my promise until now. I have at present the...
19From Edward Antill to David Humphreys, 25 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
As I go on Monday to Join the Cantonment of the Regiment I am under the Necessity of applying for permission to draw Provisions for my Famely Consisting of five Canadian Refugees. the mode of Drawing Suggested by the Minister of War has obligd me to Trouble You. as by the Inclos’d Copy of Directions to the Contractors. I should be obligd to send the monthly returns to Albany & Draw there...
20From Rufus Putnam to David Humphreys, 7 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to the Directions of the commander in chief in your official letter of the 4th Inst; the court of enquiry appointed respecting the Negro man claimed by Mr Hobby have revised their former proceedings, the result of which you have enclosed. I have the honor to be Sir Your most obedient Humble servant DLC : Papers of George Washington. The Court met again agreeable to order And having...
21From Robert Oliver to David Humphreys, 24 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
Beg leave to trouble you in behalf of Serjt Fisher formerly of Colonel Bailey now the 2d Regt—by the certificate it appears he was inlisted in the begining of 77 for three years, wounded the 3d of Augt sent to the Hospital at Albany, continued there some time, furlough’d from the Hospital as a convalesent, and continued so during the remainder of the time for which he was ingaged, has never...
22From Moses Knap to David Humphreys, 25 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
At a reasonable Time after the Furloughs of Non-Commissioned Officers & Soldiers expire, they are consider’d as Deserters, & so accounted for, by which means, in my Opinion, others ought to be indulged with the Benefit of Furloughs, in the same Manner, as if the Men first furlough’d, had returned to Camp. Genl Putnam declines giving Furloughs to any, unless the Men previously furlough’d have...
23From James Randolph Reid to David Humphreys, 3 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
The note you Sent me contains the Genl’s consent for my absence—I have between two & three hundred miles to go, and cannot possibly return by the 15th April—I could wish to have a limited furlough and that extended till some time in may If that can be granted I shall be much obliged. Your most obt Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
24From David Brooks to David Humphreys, 8 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry I am reduced to the Necessity of entering a most grievous and heavy complaint against a Number of the Sentinels who have stood over the Clothing Store. About ten Nights ago One was detected in attempting to break Open the back-door with his Bayonette—a few days after, another was detected with his pocket full of stockings which he had stolen out of a Hhd over which he was placed &...
25From George Washington to David Humphreys, 21 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
Permission is hereby granted for Lt Col. Humphrys, Aide de Camp to the Commander in Chief to proceed to New York by Water—He being charged with Dispatches of great importance for His Excellency Sir Guy Carleton, all American Officers are directed, and all Officers in the Service of His Britannic Majesty are requested to give him every facility & assistance in his passage to the said City of...
26From Heman Swift to David Humphreys, 16 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
It is with the most affectionate Feelings of Respect we are informed the Commander in Chief is soon to leave the Army & uncertain whether he will return to this Post—as he has not publickly announced his Departure we are not at liberty formally to take our Leave of him—We cannot however in justice to our Feelings reconcile his Departure without giving him the liveliest Testimonials of our...
27From George Washington to David Humphreys, 14 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your letter of the 6th—Be assured that there are few things which would give me more pleasure than opportunities of evincing to you the sincerity of my friendship, & disposition to render you services at any time when it may be in my power. Although all recommendations from me to Congress must now be considered as coming from a private character, yet I enter very...
28From George Washington to David Humphreys, 2 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
I very sincerely congratulate you on your late appointment—It is honorable, & I dare say must be agreeable. I did not hear of it until I arrived at Annapolis, where I remained but one day, & that occasioned by the detention of my Carrige & horses on the Eastern shore. Genl Knox not reaching that place before I left it—your letter of the 18th, only got to my hands on Sunday last, by the Post. I...
29From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 21 June 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I find on my arrival here that there is no vessel going for France from any Eastern port. There is a new brig of Mr. Tracy’s which sails for London in about ten days; but besides the objection to the place of her destination, another arises to that crowd of passengers to which we should be exposed in merchant ships without corresponding accomodations. I here learn that the French packet sails...
30From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 27 June 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I mentioned in my letter to you that there was one circumstance which might induce me to take my passage from hence in a ship of Mr. Tracy’s. This was the obtaining a tolerable probability of being set ashore on the coast of France. Since my return from Portsmouth (which was the night before last) I have seen Mr. Tracy, and I think the probability of being landed at Brest, tho’ his ship goes...
31From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 4 July [1784] (Jefferson Papers)
A letter which I wrote you by express to bring you on here will have informed you of the circumstances which have occasioned me to sail from hence. A tissu of unfortunate events has deprived me of the pleasure of your company. We have waited till this moment in expectation of your joining us, but the return of the express now informs us you had left New-haven and therefore we sail in the...
32From George Washington to David Humphreys, 25 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive two letters from you since your arrival in France, and cannot let the Marquis de la Fayette depart without an acknowledgement of them, altho’ his doing it is Sudden, & I at the same time am surrounded with Company. When I have a little more leizure (if that ever should be) I will give you all the occurrences of this quarter that have come under my view &...
33From George Washington to David Humphreys, 7 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
Editorial Note A letter written by George Washington on 7 Feb. 1785, and printed in John C. Fitzpatrick’s standard edition of Washington’s writings, was overlooked by the editor of the second volume in the Confederation Series of this edition of Washington’s Papers. It is printed here, at the end of 1785. In my last, by the Marquis de la Fayette, I gave you reason to believe that when I was...
34From George Washington to David Humphreys, 25 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you I have received your letters of the 15th of Jany and (I believe) that of the 15th of Novr; & thank you for them both —It always gives me pleasure to hear from you; and I should think, if amusements would spare you, business could not so much absorb your time as to prevent your writing to me more frequently; especially as there is a regular & safe conveyance once a month,...
35From George Washington to David Humphreys, 1 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
In the latter part of July I wrote to you very fully, since which I have received your favor of May. As nothing has occurred since that period worthy of observation, except that the Indians, supposed to be instigated thereto by the B—— are getting more & more our of humour, this letter will be shorter than I usually write to you. I find by your last that your time has been more occupied by...
36From George Washington to David Humphreys, 30 October 1785 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 1st of September I have received your favor of the 17th of July, which was brought to this Country by Mr Houdon; to whom, tho I had no Agency in the matter, I feel great obligation for quitting France, & the pressing calls of the Great Ones to make a Bust of me, from the life. I am not less indebted to the favourable opinion of those who you say are anxious to perpetuate...
37From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 4 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter from Gatteaux observing that there will be an anachronism, if, in making a medal to commemorate the victory of Saratoga, he puts on General Gates the insignia of the Cincinnati which did not exist at that date. I wrote him in answer that I thought so too: but that you had the direction of that business, that you were now in London, that I would write to you and probably...
38From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 5 January 178[6] (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter on the subject of the medals came duly to hand, but the workman has not applied to me since as I expected, and, if I ever had his address, I have mislaid it, so that I cannot send to him. However I am not afraid that any thing is going wrong, as I had desired him to leave the part in question for the last. I inclose you two letters which have lately come to hand for you. Our town...
39From John Adams to David Humphreys, 8 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I received with Pleasure, your kind Letter of Yesterday, and although I cannot absolutely disapprove of your proposed Return to America in the Spring for the Reasons you Suggested in Conversation, yet I feel a sensible Reluctance at the Thought of loosing your Assistance, and Still wish you may find it convenient to Stay at least till the Expiration of your Commission. I believe, and I hope,...
40From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 14 March 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honoured with your letter in which you mention to me your intention of returning to America in the April packet. It is with sincere concern that I meet this event, as it deprives me not only of your aid in the office in which we have been joined, but also of your society which has been to me a source of the most real satisfaction. I think myself bound to return you my thanks for...
41C. W. F. Dumas to Humphreys and Short, 6 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Je suppose que pendant l’absence de son Excellence Mr. Jefferson mes Lettres sont toujours ouvertes par Mr. Humphrys comme Secretaire de la Légation, et les Incluses pour N. York, après avoir été lues et extraites si on le juge à propos, fermées et acheminées par la voie directe de France, sans passer par le Royaume voisin, où je suis expressément requis par ceux d’ici de ne point faire passer...
42From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 7 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
My stay in London having been considerably longer than I had expected, I did not arrive in this place till the last day of April. I found here your kind letter of the 4th. of that month acknoleging much more than they deserved, my little attentions to you. Their only merit was their being faithful testimonies of a sincere regard for you. The obligations have in fact been on my side, and I...
43From George Washington to David Humphreys, 20 June 1786 (Washington Papers)
Your letter from New York (as did the preceeding one from London) came duly to hand, & claim my particular acknowledgments. On your return to America I sincerely congratulate you. I shall rejoice to see you at this place, & expecting it soon, shall add little at this time. The only design of this letter is to assure you, that you will have no occasion for Horses, for mine will always be at...
44From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 14 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 7th. of May, being immediately on my return from England; and have lately received your favor of June 5. and thank you for the intelligence it contains. Every circumstance we hear induces us to beleive that it is the want of will, rather than of ability, to furnish contributions which keeps the public treasury so poor. The Algerines will probably do us the favour to produce...
45From George Washington to David Humphreys, 1 September 1786 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed are all the documents Mr Lear could find respecting the confinement, & treatment under it, of Captain Asgill. For want of recurrence to them before I wrote to Mr Tilghman, I perceive that a bad memory had run me into an error in my narrative of the latter, in one particular. For it should seem by that, as if the loose and unguarded manner in which Captn Asgill was held, was sanctioned...
46From George Washington to David Humphreys, 22 October 1786 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 24th ulto came to my hands about the middle of this month. For the enclosures it containd I pray you to receive my warmest acknowledgements and thanks. The poem, tho’ I profess not to be a connoisseur in these kind of writings, appears pretty in my eye, and has sentiment and elegance which must, I think, render it pleasing to others. With respect to the circular letter, I see...
47From George Washington to David Humphreys, 26 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
I am much indebted to you for your several favors of the 1st 9th & 16th of November. The last came first. Mr Morse keeping in Mind the old proverb, was determined not to make more haste than good speed in prosecuting his journey to Georgia—so I got the two first but lately. For your publication respecting the confinement of Captn Asgill, I am exceedingly obliged to you. The manner of making it...
48Remarks, 1787–1788 (Washington Papers)
It was rather the wish of my eldest brother (on whom the general concerns of the family devolved) that this shd take place & the matter was contemplated by him—My father died when I was only 10 years old. He was not appointed Adjutant General of the Militia of Virginia untill after his return from the expedition to Carthagena. Nor did he Command the Colonial troops on that occasion. these were...
49From George Washington to David Humphreys, 23 January 1787 (Washington Papers)
Since I have heard of the robbery of the Mail at New Ark, on the 4th instt, I have been under great apprehension that a long & confidential letter which I wrote to you on the 26th Ulto was in it—My only hope is, a strange one you will say, that the inattention to, and practice of bringing back, instead of exchanging Mails, which frequently happens, and did actually happen about that time may...
50From George Washington to David Humphreys, 18 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Wadsworth has handed me your obliging and much esteemed favor of the 20th ulto for which I offer you my sincere thanks. The tranquil state, in which the people of this commonwealth are affords me nothing to offer you in return for the interesting communications in your letter of the above date the House of Delegates, in maryland, have adjourned in high dudgeon. As you are neare the...