251From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 24 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am now to acknowledge the Honor of Your Excellency’s dispatches of the 9th, which I received four or five days ago, and which I have been prevented answering before, by a variety of pressing business. With respect to the exchange of Officers—I beg leave to refer Congress to the Inclosures No. 1.2.3.4.5 & 6 which comprehend the correspondence which has passed of late between Us & the Enemy on...
252From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 28 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
The day before yesterday we compleated the Forage of which I had the honor to advise Congress the 24th instant, the product of which has been, as was apprehended, very inconsiderable. The Army is now reassembled at this place and will remain here a day or two to consume the forage remaining in the neighbourhood, after which we shall probably return to our former position. The intelligence...
253From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 3 September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
It is not in my power to add any circumstance of consequence to those communicated to you by Genl. Gates, and as I suppose to the delegates of N. Carolina by Gover. Nash a letter from whom accompanies this, and I take for granted communicates the later intelligence which he was so kind as to transmit me at the same time. A force is again collected of between four and five thousand men...
254From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 5, 4 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 4 Sept. 1780. RC ( MdHi : Gilmor Papers). A note attached to this letter by Robert Gilmor, a Baltimore merchant, indicates that he received it from Jared Sparks on 24 Dec. 1827. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:45. In this letter, received by Congress...
255From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 6, 5 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
As Eloquence is cultivated with more Care in free Republicks, than in other Governments, it has been found by constant Experience that such Republicks have produced the greatest purity, copiousness and perfection of Language. It is not to be disputed that the Form of Government has an Influence upon Language, and Language in its Turn influences not only the Form of Government but the Temper,...
256From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 6 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive your Excellency’s Letters of the 24th & 28th Ulto, on the 1st & 2d Instt with the resolutions to which they refer. The latter have been announced to the Army in Orders—and I hope that they will quiet many of the complaints which have existed. I cannot forbear expressing my wishes for the sake of harmony, which our affairs essentially require, that the business of...
257From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 6 September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the dispatches forwarded three days ago I have received others from Genl. Gates which he was pleased to leave open for my perusal and desired they might then be sent on by the line of expresses. He has therein informed you of the articles he has called on us for, and it may be important that you should know as well what we cannot as what we can do. Of the tents desired we cannot procure...
258George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 8 September 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
New Bridge [ New Jersey ] September 8, 1780 . Asks Congress to explain resolve of August 5, 1780, concerning Washington’s powers. Inquires about Congress’s ability to furnish currency, about North and South Carolina’s ability to supply provisions, and about measures to replace men whose terms of service end in January. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
259From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 8 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since the letter which I did myself the honor to write Congress the 20th Ulto, I have been more attentively considering the import of the resolution of the 5th of August, and am at a loss to satisfy myself as to the precise extent—whether it be meant to authorise me to extend my views beyond the present Campaign and even to apply to the Ministers of France & Spain in Europe—or only to concert...
260From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 8 September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
On receipt of the resolutions of Congress of June 19, for procuring Horses to remount Whites and Washingtons cavalry we laid the same before the assembly and were authorized by them to engage the state for payment. We thereon sent out powers to the different counties to purchase 160 Horses which were properly described in addition to 83, the purchase of which we had before authorized. That...
261From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 9 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been informed that large quantities of Goods, proper for the use of the Army, have lately arrived to the Eastward, in the prizes captured out of the Quebec Fleet. The disappointment of not receiving the Cloathing expected from France by the Alliance Frigate, and the uncertainty of the safe arrival of the Ariel, on board of which it is said it was afterwards to have been shipped, (but...
262From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 13 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
This will be presented to your Excellency by Captain Hendricks Solomon of Stockbridge who with about Twenty of his Tribe have been serving as Volunteers with the Army since the beginning of July —They have been generally attached to the Light Infantry and have conducted themselves with great propriety and fidelity—seeing no immediate prospect of any operations in this quarter in which they can...
263From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 14 September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
According to Genl. Gates’s request I transmit to your Excellency the inclosed copy of a letter I received from him this morning. That the enemy should meditate taking possession of Portsmouth in the manner they give out does not seem probable, as Sr. Henry Clinton under the present appearances would scarcely consent to spare men from New York; and that they should think of taking possession of...
264George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 September 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
New Bridge [ New Jersey ] September 15, 1780 . Asserts that the fall of Camden “adds itself to many others to exemplify the necessity of an army, the fatal consequences of depending on Militia.” Regrets that South still relies on militia. Is to meet the French commanders on September 20. Explains measures taken concerning certificates. Does not think it expedient to send a detachment to South...
265From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your letters of the 6th and 8th instant with their inclosures—happy to find that the late disaster in Carolina has no⟨t⟩ been so great as its first features indicated —This event however, adds itself to many others to exemplify the necessity of an army—the fata⟨l⟩ consequences of depending on Militia. Regular Troops alone are equal to the exigences of modern war, as well for...
266From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 7, 16 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to send by this Opportunity, a few Pamphlets and Papers. The Pamphlets relate to Subjects which interest the United States, and therefore ought to be communicated to Congress, for their Consideration. The Attention of Mankind is now turned next to the Congress of America upon that at Petersbourg. The last Letters from London say they have Information that one of the first...
This letter and several copies of it are to be sent by the next Post to Bilboa, Cadiz, Nantes &c. The Object of it is to inform you that it is necessary immediately to cease drawing bills upon me—for the Present. Your Excellency may soon expect a full detail of Particulars from me, you will then receive an answer to every question that may be raised upon this letter. His Catholic Majesty has...
268From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 8, 19 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
The day before yesterday, Mr. Dana arrived here from Paris with the dispatches which came by Mr. Searle. I am very sensible of the Honour that is done me by this Appointment and yesterday morning I set myself seriously about discharging the Duties of it; and this day I have been some Leagues into the Country upon the same Service. There are good Reasons for concealing the Names of the...
269From John Adams to Samuel Huntington, 20 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellencys Letter of 12 July, I have received and thank you, sir, for recommending this Gentleman to me. And shall on all future occasions be obliged to you for recommending to me such Persons as you shall think proper coming to Europe. The Current of popular Hopes and Fears in Europe has been lately much turned by the favourable News from America. But the public opinion is of no...
270From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 9, 24 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
Since the Receipt of the Dispatches, by the Honourable Mr. Searle I have been uninteruptedly employed in attempting to carry into Execution the Designs of Congress. The first Inquiry, which arose, was, whether it was prudent to make any Communication of my Business, to the States General, or to the Prince. Considering that my Errand was Simply an Affair of Credit, and that I had no political...
271From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 10, 25 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
There are Persons, in this Republick, who have been Attentive to this War, and who know somewhat of the History of the Rise and Progress, of the united States of America: but it is Surprizing that the Number Should be So Small. Even in the City of Amsterdam, which is the most Attentive to our Affairs, and the best inclined towards Us there are few, who do not consider the American Resistance,...
272From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 26 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform Congress that I arrived here yesterday about 12 o’clock on my return from Hartford. Some hours previous to my arrival Major General Arnold went from his quarters which were at this place, and as it was supposed over the river to the Garrison at Westpoint, whither I proceeded myself in order to visit the post. I found General Arnold had not been there during the day,...
273From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 26 September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
At the desire of Genl. Gates I transmit you the inclosed letters from Genl. Harrington and Colo. Marian and the deposition of a prisoner escaped from the enemy. A Gentleman will set out from this place within two days for Philadelphia to receive and bring our quota of the new money, which we hope will be in readiness for him. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Your Excellency’s...
274[From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 27 September 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[Richmond, 27 Sep. 1780. JCC Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 , ed. W. C. Ford and others, Washington, 1904–1937 , xviii , 912 (9 Oct. 1780): “A letter, of 27 September, from Governor Jefferson was read, accompanied with copies of the acts of the Virginia assembly, from the beginning of the year, 1779.” Letter not located, but the Journals record two days later that, on a motion...
275From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 11, 28 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 28 Sept. 1780. Dupl ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 273–276). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:72. Received by Congress on 29 Jan. 1781, this letter contained the statements exchanged by Baron Willem van Wassenaer-Starrenburg and Catherine II, when...
276From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 1 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s favors of the 16th and 24th ulto with the several Resolves to which they refer—The first came to hand while I was absent on my journey to Harford. I most sincerely wish that the measures which have been adopted, for procuring a supply of fresh and salt Meat, may prove effectual. Congress will perceive by the inclosed, which is the Copy of a representation made...
277From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 3 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the within copies of letters transmitted me by Genl. Gates, according to his desire expressed in the one addressed to me. I shall endeavor as far as shall be in my power to have his several desires complied with. I have the honor to be very respectfully Your Excellency’s Most obedient & most humble servt., RC ( DLC : PCC , No. 71, i ); endorsed by Charles Thomson: “Letter from...
278From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 12, 5 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 5 Oct. 1780. Dupl in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 277–280). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:81–82. Received by Congress on 29 Jan. 1781, this letter reported that on 6 Sept. the Dutch plenipotentiaries at St. Petersburg, Baron Willem van...
279From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 13, 5 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 5 Oct. 1780. Dupl in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 281–282). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:82. In this letter, received by Congress on 29 Jan. 1781, John Adams indicated that he had no news regarding his commission to negotiate a Dutch...
280From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 14, 6 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 6 Oct. 1780. Dupl in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 285–287). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:83–84. Received by Congress on 29 Jan. 1781, this letter consisted of an English translation of the decree of 30 Aug. by Maria I, Queen of...
281From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 7 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor on the 1st Instant to receive Your Excellency’s dispatches of the 24th Ulto addressed to Major General Greene—and since, Your very obliging Letter of the 29th, for which I beg leave to return You my acknowledgements. I have written to Sir Henry Clinton in consequence of the former and requested him to make the desired communications. When these are received, they shall be...
282From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 8 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
At the desire of Majr. Genl. Gates I do myself the honour of transmitting you the inclosed papers sent by him to me, and copies also of his letters to me. I have the honor to be with the most profound respect Your Excellency’s Most obedt. & most humble servt., RC ( DLC : PCC , No. 71, i ); endorsed by Thomson: “Letter from Gov Jefferson Oct 8. 1780 Read 13.” Enclosures: Gates to Huntington, 5...
283[From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 10 October 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 10 Oct. 1780. JCC Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 , ed. W. C. Ford and others, Washington, 1904–1937 , xviii , 957–8 (21 Oct.): “A letter, of 10, from Governor Jefferson was read; Whereupon, Resolved , That the reasons assigned by his excellency Governor Jefferson for inviting Oconostota and a few other principal warriors of the Cherokee nation to visit Congress and...
284From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 15, 11 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 11 Oct. 1780. Dupl in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 289–304). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:88–95. The copy cited here was received by Congress on 29 Jan. 1781, but the original (not found) was received and read on 27 Dec. ( JCC...
285Summary of George Washington’s Letter to Samuel Huntington, [11 October 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
Contents of Letter to Congress Approves the reduction to 50 regiments. Proposes as the basis of the reduction a half pay establishment for life, or making the half pay for seven years whole pay, to be paid one half in a year after the conclusion of peace, the other half in two years after that. Regiments to consist of one Colonel where the old colonels are continued or one Lt Col Commandant...
286George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 11 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Passaic Falls [ New Jersey ] October 11, 1780 . Approves of resolution for the Army establishment with certain reservations. Recommends either half-pay for life or full pay for seven years for all officers. Approves the number of regiments planned, but recommends an increase in the number of men and officers in each regiment. Makes suggestions concerning the cavalry and artillery. Believes...
287From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 11 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
Three days since, I received your Excellency’s Letter of the 4th with the inclosed resolutions, which, as the Army was in motion to this Post, I had it not in my power to answer before. I am much obliged to Congress for the honor they do me by the fresh mark of their attention and confidence conferred upon me in the reference they have been pleased to make. My wish to concur in sentiment with...
288George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 13 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] October 13, 1780 . Informs Congress that Baron von Steuben is going to Philadelphia “to obtain some determination on his department.” Reiterates recommendation that Congress assist von Steuben. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
289From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 16, 14 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Repeated Letters from London, confirm the Account of Mr. Laurens’s being confined to the Tower, so close a Prisoner, that neither his old Correspondents, nor even his Refugee Relations, are Suffered to Speak to him. There have been So many Precedents of Exchanges, Mr. Lovell as well as the Major Generals Sullivan, Stirling, Lee and others having been exchanged, as Prisoners of War, that it is...
290From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 14 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
At the desire of Majr. General Gates I transmit you the inclosed papers which he put under cover to me. He complains of the arrival of our troops without clothes, tents, or arms at Hilsborough: and desires they may not be sent on at all unless completely equipped with every necessary. This would indeed put an end to the marching a single man there. They go clothed as militia. Few of them carry...
291George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] October 15, 1780 . Sends letters concerning proposal for a “Resident Commissary of Prisoners.” Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
292From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s Favors of the 6th and 9th instants, with the Acts and papers to which they refer. The first did not reach me ’till the 13th in the Evening. I shall, in obedience to the order of Congress, take the proper steps for a Court of Enquiry to be held on the Conduct of Major Genl Gates as Commander of the Southern Army; and also shall, agreeable to their...
293From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
In answer to my proposals for appointing a Resident Commissary of Prisoners Major General Philips by order of Sir Henry Clinton sent me a set of articles of which the inclosed No. 1 is a copy —I have sketched an answer No. 2 which before I send it in, I transmit to Congress for their examination. If they have no objections, I beg them as soon as possible to signify it, through His Excellency...
294From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have this minute received the inclosed New York paper of the 13th which I transmit for your Excellency’s perusal. From the particulars related with respect to Mr Lauren’s capture, I am very much afraid that the account is really true. By other recent intelligence from New York which is direct, the Cork fleet is said to be on the Coast. I have the Honor to be With great respect Yr...
295From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 15 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the pleasure of congratulating your Excellency on the small dawn of good fortune which at length appears in the South, as you will find by the dispatches I have the honor of inclosing to you, and which I this moment receive from Genl. Gates. There seems to be a confusion between the numbers 810. and 1400. However the smaller one is not to be despised. The line of expresses having...
296From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 16 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit Your Excelliency the Copy of the Letter (No. 1) I wrote to Sr Henry Clinton on the 6th Instant with respect to the Citizens of South Carolina, said to be confined on board a Ship of War—of his Answer of the 9th (No. 2) and of my Letter to him of this date (No. 3), with a Copy of the Letter from Lord Cornwallis & Lord Rawden to which it refers. This Letter from Lord...
297From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 17 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have just received advice from Elizabeth Town, which I think may be depended on, that the Fleet fell down from New York on sunday last and it is said have since sailed. There was a constant firing of signals on Sunday. The numbers gone are, by the best information I have yet obtained, about 2500 Foot and thirty or forty Horse, but they have taken spare furniture for a considerable number of...
298From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 21 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with Your Excellency’s favors of the 10th and 14th Instants —The advance of the British Army towards the borders of North Carolina is an alarming circumstance, more especially, as there is every reason to believe that the force which lately sailed from New York is intended to cooperate with them—The enemy, by several accounts, received a reinforcement from Europe in the...
299George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 22 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] October 22, 1780 . Has appointed Major General Nathanael Greene to assume command of the southern army until completion of inquiry into Major General Horatio Gates’s conduct. Recommends Greene, but states that the difficulties which Greene will meet can be overcome only with Congress’s support. Asks Congress to approve sending Baron von Steuben south to reorganize the...
300From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 22 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform Congress, that in consequence of their resolution of the 5th instant, I have appointed Major General Greene to the command of the Southern Army, ’till the enquiry into the conduct of Major Genl Gates is completed. I inclose a Copy of my instructions to General Greene, by which and a Copy of my letter to Genl Gates, Congress will perceive the mode I have adopted for...