31From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 30 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 23d and 24th Insts. I am sorry that you took the trouble to transcribe the Dispatches from General Greene, as I had received them immediately from him. It is to be regretted that so small an accident should have turned the fortune of the day before Campden. The General’s conduct however in the action, and the perseverance with which he pursues...
32From John Adams to the President of Congress, 29 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
The English, by the capture of St. Eustatia, seem to have committed the most compleat blunder of all. There was found in that Island a greater quantity of Property belonging to the Britons themselves, than to the French, Dutch, or Americans. They have broke up a Trade, which was more advantageous to them, than to any of their Enemies, as it was a Channel through which British Manufactures were...
My last to Your Excellency was of the 25 th ult o . and was the more particular as M r : Toscan, who is appointed Vice Consul of France at Boston was the Bearer of it— He sailed from Bilboa On the 18 th Inst: I received from the Honorable M r . Lovell Three Letters written on one sheet, viz t : 20 Feb y . 9 & 31 March last— No other Copies of these Letters ever reached me— They arrived at...
34From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 28 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Charlottesville, 28 May 1781 . This letter is virtually identical with the first part of TJ’s letter to George Washington, same date, q.v. for variations in the two texts. RC ( DLC : PCC , No. 71, ii ); 2 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed and addressed by TJ; endorsed in part: “Read June 4. Referred to the board of War.” FC ( Vi ). Tr ( DLC : TJ Papers).
35From John Adams to the President of Congress, 27 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 27 May 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 173–176. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:448–451. John Adams provided an English translation of a report made to the States General regarding the Dutch East India Company’s request for...
36From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 27 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to inform Congress that I returned from Weathersfield yesterday Evening. I met only His Excellency the Count de Rochambeau at that place (accompanied by the Chevr de Chartellux). The British Fleet having appeared off Block Island, the Count de Barras did not think it prudent to be absent. In consequence of the measures concerted at the late interview, all the French...
37From John Adams to the President of Congress, 25 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 25 May 1781. RC PCC , No. 84, III, f. 169–170. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:435–436. John Adams provided an English translation of a convention signed at Versailles on 1 May by the Comte de Vergennes and the Dutch ambassador, Lestevenon van...
38From John Adams to the President of Congress, 24 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 24 May 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 163–168. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:431–433. In this letter John Adams provided an English translation of Amsterdam’s address of 18 May to the States of Holland. The city’s deputies...
39From John Adams to the President of Congress, 23 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 23 May 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 159. printed : JA, Corr. in the Boston Patriot Correspondence of the Late President Adams. Originally Published in the Boston Patriot. In a Series of Letters , Boston, 1809[–1810]; 10 pts. , p. 465. This letter requested Congress to offer relief to the owners of an unnamed Dutch vessel captured by a British warship or...
40From John Adams to the President of Congress, 21 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 21 May 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 151–157. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:424–427. This letter contained an English translation of Frederick II’s ordinance of 30 April regarding navigation and commerce. The preamble to the...
41From John Adams to the President of Congress, 17 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 17 May 1781. LbC Adams Papers . printed : JA, Corr. in the Boston Patriot Correspondence of the Late President Adams. Originally Published in the Boston Patriot. In a Series of Letters , Boston, 1809[–1810]; 10 pts. , p. 455. This letter is not in the PCC and was probably never sent. It contains a list, according to nationality, of vessels paying tolls to Denmark in 1780 for passage...
42From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 17 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency the Count de Rochambeau having received dispatches from the Court of France by his Son the Viscount de Rochambeau, who arrived at Boston in the Frigate la Concorde the 6th instant, has requested an interview with me. I have appointed the place of meeting at Weathersfield on Monday next, for which purpose, I shall set out to morrow from hence. I am in hopes we shall be able, from...
43From John Adams to the President of Congress, 16 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose Copies of the Memorials, which I had the honor to present on the fourth instant to the President of their High Mightinesses, and to the Secretary of his most Serene High ness. The former has been published in English, French and Dutch; and has been favourably recieved by the Public: but the public Voice has not that Influence upon Government in any part of Europe,...
44From John Adams to the President of Congress, 16 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
There has been much said in the public Papers concerning Conferences for Peace, concerning the Mediation of the Emperor of Germany and the Empress of Russia &c. &c. &c. I have never troubled Congress with these Reports, because I have never recieved any official Information or Intimation of any such Negotiation, either from England or France, or any other way. If any such Negotiation has been...
45From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 14 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS , press copy, and transcript: National Archives; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I did myself the honour of writing to your Excellency pretty fully on the 12th. March, to which I beg leave to refer. Col. Lawrens arriving soon after, we renew’d the Application for more Money. His indefatigable Endeavours have brought the good Dispositions of this Court to a more speedy Determination...
46From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 11 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose to your Excellency, the Extract of a Letter from Col. Dayton, which is just received—As this is the first Information , I thought proper to communicate it, altho, from the circumstances of the Wind & Weather at the time the fleet is said to have sailed as well as from the number of Ships of the Line (of which there were not so many at New York,) and strength of the...
47From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 9 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 9 May 1781 . This letter is virtually identical with TJ’s letter to George Washington of the same date , q.v. Tr ( DLC : Washington Papers). Another Tr ( PHi ). FC ( Vi ). The first two are in the hand of Richard Peters. TJ’s letter was read in Congress on 14 May 1781 and referred to the board of war ( JCC Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 , ed. W. C. Ford and others,...
48From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 8 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favors of the 26th and 29th ulto with the inclosures to which you refer—They shall be duly attended to. Under cover of the letter of the 26th is one from General Gates to Congress, indorsed by the Secretary "Ordered to be transmitted to the Commander in Chief." without any particular directions respecting the subject of it. Congress have been informed...
49From John Adams to the President of Congress, 7 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
On the fourth of May I did myself the Honour to wait on Peter Van Bleiswick Esqr., Grand Pensionary of Holland, and presented him a Letter containing a Copy of my Memorial to the States General &c. His Excellency said that it was necessary for me to go to the President and Secretary of their High Mightinesses, and that it was not customary for foreign Ministers to communicate any thing to the...
50From John Adams to the President of Congress, 3 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
On the first of May I went to the Hague, and wrote to his Excellency Peter Van Bleiswick Esqr. Grand Pensionary of Holland, that having something of Importance to communicate to him, I proposed to do myself the Honour to wait on him the next Morning at half after eight, if that Time should be agreable to him: but if any other Hour was more convenient, I requested his Excellency to mention it....
51From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 3 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives, American Philosophical Society; transcript: National Archives Enclos’d are Copies of a Number of Publick Letters taken from the English in a late New York Pacquet, of which I have already sent Duplicates by several Conveyances. I have the honour to be, with great Respect, Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servant Notation: Letter May 3. 1781 Doctr. Franklin Recd....
52From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 1 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favors of the 20th and 23d ulto. I shall take as early measures as circumstances will admit for having an enquiry into the conduct of Colo. Brodhead and the Deputy Quarter Master at Fort pitt. Mr Fowlers Charges are so very diffuse, that I shall be obliged to call upon him to specify them more particularly, and I apprehend there will then be a...
53To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, 27 April 1781, enclosing a Letter from Ebenezer Hazard, 7 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the Honor of transmitting to your Excellency the enclosed Copy of a Letter from Ebenezer Hazard. You will observe by the Journals of Congress under the 20th of July 1778, Encouragement given to this Gentleman to collect Materials for a History, and a Recommendation to the several States to aid and assist him in such Collection. If any of the Manuscripts &c. to which his Letter...
54From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since my letter of the 14th to your Excellency on the subject of an immediate supply of provision for Fort Pitt, I have received the following intelligence, thro’ a good Channel, which makes the measures I then recommended more indespensably necessary—"Colonel Conolly with his corps to proceed to Quebec as soon as possible, to be joined in Canada by Sir John Johnson with a number of Tories and...
I have had the honour of receiving your Excellency’s Letters of the ^ 6 th & ^ 17 October last with the Inclosures. They arrived the 30 Day of Jan y last— There is more than reason to suspect that the French Court were apprized of their Contents before they arrived and to beleive that the Construction of the Treaty by which the navigation of the Mississippi is supposed to be comprehended in...
56From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 18. instant the enemy came from Portsmouth up James river in considerable force, tho’ their numbers precisely are not yet known to us. They landed at Burwells ferry below Williamsburg and near the mouth of Chickahominy above it. This latter circumstance obliged Colo. Innes who commanded a body of Militia Stationed on that Side the river to cover the country from depredation, to retire...
57George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 21 April 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] April 21, 1781 . Asks Congress to authorize the quarter-master general to appoint Colonel Jabez Champlin a barrack master to be attached to the French army. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
58From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 21 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency the Count De Rochambeau, when I was at Rhode Island, made an application to me to have Colonel Champlin of New port appointed a Barrack Master under Authority of Congress, to be attached to the French Army—His reason was—that a native vested with the authority of our own government might act with more propriety and efficacy than a foreigner, or even a native merely employed by...
59From John Jay to Samuel Huntington, 21 April 1781 (Jay Papers)
Accept my Thanks for your Favor of the 18 Dec r . which was delivered to me on the 13 th . of March last— I am happy to hear that your Health permits you ^ still ^ to continue in your import in the Chair and to sustain the Weight of Business which the Duties of that office impose upon you. We have within these five Days The ^ interesting ^ news of Gen Morgans ^ glorious
60George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 16–19 April 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] April 16–19 , 1781 . Describes steps taken in regard to General John Burgoyne’s parole. Sends report of British embarkations for Delaware. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. The postscript of this letter is dated April 19.
61George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 18–19 April 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] April 18–19 , 1781 . Discusses prospects of supplies for Army. Df , in writings of Tench Tilghman and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. The postscript of this letter is dated April 19.
62From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 18 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Our present prospects of supplies in the Article of Bread are peculiarly bad. From all the information I can collect, the whole quantity of Flour we shall be able to command in the States of Jersey and New York will not carrry us beyond the beginning of the next Month. These States having been for some time past the immediate Theatre of the War, are so full of Certificates, and coersion both...
63From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 18 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I was honoured yesterday with your Excellency’s Favour inclosing the Resolutions of Congress of the 8th. inst. for removing Stores and Provisions from the Counties of Accomack and Northampton. We have there no Military Stores except a few Musquets in the hands of the Militia. There are some Collections of Forage and Provisions belonging to the Continent and some to the state, and the Country...
64From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 16 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency’s letters of the 4th and 5th instant, with the papers inclosed. The last did not arrive ’till the 14th. Previous to the receipt of it, I had directed the Commissary of Prisoners to renew a proposal some time since made the enemy for exchanging General Burgoigne, and a ballance of private prisoners due to us, against the residue of...
65From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 14 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
By advices just received from Col. Brodhead, dated at Fort Pitt the 10th Ulto I am informed there are strong indications from several quarters, that Hostilities will be committed pretty extensively on the frontiers by the Savages, at the Opening of the Campaign—that the Troops under his command are very much distressed for want of Provisions, that they have been at half allowance of meat ever...
66From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 12 March[–12 April 1781] (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives (two); copies: Library of Congress, Columbia University Library; press copy: National Archives; transcript: National Archives I had the honour of receiving on the 13th. of last Month, Your Excellency’s Letter of the 1st. January, together with the Instructions of Nov. 28. and Decr. 27. a Copy of those to Col. Laurens, and the Letter to the King. I immediately drew a...
67From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 12 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellencys letter of the 7th inclosing the copy of a peice of intelligence communicated by General Forman. I have yet heard nothing of the kind from New York, but still I cannot undertake to contradict it altogether. I do not however think it probable that a detachment, so large as one ought to be to merit the attention of Sir Henry Clinton himself, can be spared...
68From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 10 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to introduce to your Excellency Colonel Menonville, Deputy Adjutant General to the French Army. This Gentleman, who is charged by his Excellency the Count de Rochambeau with matters respecting a contract entered into by Doctr Franklin, in behalf of the United States, for the supply of a quantity of Provision, will, through your Excellency, lay his business generally before...
69From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 8 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Return, made up to the first of this month, will shew the number of Recruits which have joined this part of the Continental Army, since the formation of it upon the new establishment. My requests to the Executives of the several States have been earnest , and my orders to the Officers in them have been pointed and positive to send forward the Recruits as fast as possible. What to...
70From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 7 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Hearing that our arms from Rhode island are arrived at Philadelphia, I have begged the favor of our delegates to send them on in waggons immediately, and for the conveyance of my letter have taken the liberty of setting the Continental line of expresses in motion, which I hope our distress for arms will justify, tho’ the errand be not purely Continental. I have nothing from Genl. Greene later...
71From John Adams to the President of Congress, 6 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
This Day the Skipper of a Trech Schuit, brought me, your Excellencys important Dispatches by Coll. Laurens. The Coll. delivered them to Mr. Dana at Paris, with perfect Propriety. Mr. Dana with equal Propriety delivered them to a Gentleman of Character, who undertook to deliver them at Amsterdam, but unfortunately forgot them at Valenciennes. From Valenciennes they travelled partly by Post,...
72From 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...
73From 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’...
74From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 31 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Letters and papers accompanying this will inform your Excellency of the arrival of a British flag vessel with clothing, refreshments, money &c. for their prisoners under the Convention of Saratoga. The Gentlemen conducting them have, on Supposition that the prisoners, or a part of them still remained in this State, applied to me by Letters, copies of which I transmit your Excellency, for...
75From John Adams to the President of Congress, 29 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
Leyden, 29 March 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC, Misc. Papers , Reel No. 1, f. 287–294. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:335–337. Read in Congress on 19 Nov., this letter consists of an English translation of the memorial that Baron de Lynden, the Dutch...
76From John Adams to the President of Congress, 29 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
It is of Importance to the People of America to observe how much lighter their own Burthens are than those of their Enemies, and for this Reason, I have every Year since I have been in Europe taken Notice of the new Taxes laid annually in Perpetuity upon the People of Great Britain by Parliament, in Support of Tyranny, in addition to all former Debts and Taxes. One sixth Part of the new Taxes...
77From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 28 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I forward to your Excellency, under cover with this, copies of letters recieved from Major General Greene and Baron Steuben which will give you the latest state of the situation of things with us and in North-Carolina. [I observe a late resolve of Congress for furnishing a number of arms to the Southern States; and I lately wrote you on the subject of ammunition and cartridge-paper. How much...
78From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 26 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The appointment of Commissioner to the War Office of this State having lately become vacant, the Executive are desirous to place Colo. William Davies of the Virga. Continentals in that office. This Gentleman however declines undertaking it unless his rank in the army, half pay for life, land and allowance for depreciation of pay can be reserved to him; observing with justice that these...
79From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 24 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Board of War have lately laid before me a summary of the situation of the department of the Commy General of Military Stores, for want of Money to pay the arrearages due to the Workmen, and to procure proper materials for carrying on the Business of the Elaboratories. This is a matter of so much importance, and which, if not remedied, will so materially affect our operations not only in...
I ought & wish to write your Excellency a long Letter, but not by the Post. The french Fleet is not yet sailed—it will in my opinion be late in the Summer before the Fleet at Rh. Island will be reinforced. This Court has promised me one hundred and fifty thousand Dollars. Some Cloathing is now shipping on Acc t . of Congress from Cadiz. Russia has offered her mediation to England & the States...