1From Alexander Hamilton to William Irvine and John Kean, [6 October 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, October 6, 1792. On October 11, 1792, Irvine and Kean acknowledged the receipt of Hamilton’s letter of October 6, 1792. Letter not found. ] Irvine and Kean were commissioners for settling the accounts between the United States and the individual states. Although this letter has not been found, the answer to it indicates that its contents were similar to those of “Treasury...
2Enclosure: John Brown to William Irvine, [22 August 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
An Express from Gen: Wilkinson has this moment reached this place informing of his success. He has destroyed a large Indian Town situated at the banks of the Wabash; also a Kichapoo town containing about 30 houses, & has killed & taken 42 of the enemy. His loss two men killed & one wounded. I have not as yet heard where the Express left him, but expect he has repassed the Ohio before this...
3From Thomas Jefferson to William Irvine and John Kean, 12 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your letter of the 5th. instant and shall be happy to give every facility to the settlement of the public accounts, which the papers in my office may afford, and their nature admit. You will readily concieve that there may be some (as the secret journals for instance) which could not be suffered to go out of the office, nor to be examined there but by persons of the highest...
4From James Madison to William Irvine, 1 November 1789 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 1 November 1789, Fredericksburg. Acknowledged in Irvine to JM, 15 Nov. 1789 . Encloses JM’s letter to Jefferson of 1 Nov. 1789 .
5From George Washington to William Irvine, 31 October 1788 (Washington Papers)
The letter with which you favored me—dated the 6th instt enclosing a sketch of the Waters near the line which seperates your State from that of New York came duly to hand and for which I offer you my acknowledgments and thanks. The extensive inland Navigation with which this Country abounds, and the easy communications which many of them afford with the amazing Territory to the westward of us,...
6From George Washington to William Irvine, 18 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 27th Ulto and to thank you for the information contained in it. As a Communication between the waters of lake Eire and those of the Ohio is a matter which promises great public utility, and as every step towards the investigation of it may be considered as promoting the general interest of our Country I need [not] make an apology to you...
7From George Washington to William Irvine, 11 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
When I had the pleasure to see you in Philadelphia last summer, I think (if my memory serves me) that you mentioned, in the course of conversation, your having lately been in that part of the Western Country which lies between the sources of the Cayahoga, the muskingum and Big-[Beaver] River. As I am desireous of learning some particulars relative to that part of the Country (as well to...
8From James Madison to William Irvine, 5 May 1787 (Madison Papers)
When I left N. York which was on thursday last nothing had been done in the business which you had particularly at heart. A motion was made soon after you left us, to the effect which you urged. It was referred to the department to which the subject of it belonged. The report disapproved of the expedient and it was found needless to pursue it farther in Congress. The next proposition was that...
9From George Washington to William Irvine, 16 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 6th by Lieut. Rose has been duly received. As the Secrety at War had undertaken to furlough all that part of the Army which lay South of the Delaware, I was much surprized, on the receipt of your Letter, to find that business so irregularly conducted at Fort Pitt; but on enquiry at the War Office, the difficulty seems evidently to have originated from circumstances that...
10From George Washington to William Irvine, 16 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
In reply to your favor of the 28th of March I have to observe, that it is probable that a dissolution of the Army is not far distant—but as it is uncertain when the proclamation of peace & Cessation of hostilities will be ordered by Congress—and as it is of much Importance for the reasons mentioned by yourself, among others, that you should be present at your post previous to, & at the takg...
11From George Washington to William Irvine, 11 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 29th October came to hand a few days since. Viewing the matter on every side I think it is best the Expedition was laid aside—your reasoning on the subject is very just—such excursions serve only to draw the resentment of the Savages, and I much fear that to the conduct of our people may be attributed many of the excesses which have been committed on our frontiers. I am...
12From George Washington to William Irvine, 6 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowlege the Receipt of your two Letters of the 1st & 11th of July—the former containg the plan of a proposed Expedition, of which you mention your being solicited to take the Command, & covering a Copy of your Letter to the Secretary at War on that proposition—I have not given you my Ideas on this Expedition, as the plan, if adopted, must probably have began its Execution, before...
13From George Washington to William Irvine, 10 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your Letter of the 16th June, apprizing me of the Disaster that befell the Militia at Sandusky. I am persuaded you did every thing in your Power to insure them Success. I cannot but regret the Misfortune & more especially for the Loss of Colo. Crawford, for whom I had a very great Regard. I am, Sir, Your most obt Sert. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
14From George Washington to William Irvine, 5 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
If you think that Lieut. Colo. Wuybert can be spared from your Post I have no objection to your granting him leave of absence for such time as you may think proper. I am Sir Your very humble Servant PHi : Papers of Brigadier General William Irvine.
15From George Washington to William Irvine, 22 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been Favored with your two Letters of 20th April & 2d May, and am much obliged by your vigilance & attention. An extract, respecting the removing and supporting the Indians, I have transmitted to the Secretary of War; and desired him to take measures for the relief & comfort of those distressed Wretches . Any further particulars you can obtain of the Route to Niagara & its...
16From George Washington to William Irvine, 22 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to make yourself acquainted as accurately but with as much secrecy as possible with the nearest and best Route from Fort Pitt to Niagara—Whether up the Allegany River and from thence thro’ the Woods—or by the River la Beuf and along the side of the Lake.You will, in both cases, mention the different distances of land and Water transportation. The Indians and Traders who...
17From George Washington to William Irvine, 8 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
You will proceed with all convenient dispatch to Fort Pitt the object of your command, and you will take such measures for the security of that post and for the defence of the Western Frontier as your Continental Force combined with the Militia of the neig h bouring Country will admit of. Under present appearances and circumstances, I cannot promise any further addition to your regular force,...
18From George Washington to William Irvine, 21 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
The secretary at War, to whom your letter of the 3d instant to Congress was referred, reported that—for a variety of reasons which it is not at present necessary to repeat, it was judged inexpedient to remove the principal post from Fort Pitt to Shirtus Creek at this moment, whatever might be done in future, and that you should be instructed "immediately to employ the Garrison in repairing the...
19From George Washington to William Irvine, 18 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 2d instant. I am not at all surprised to hear that you found matters in disorder to the Westward; it is generally the case where a dispute arises respecting command, as the parties make it a point to thwart each other as much as possible, perhaps what is past cannot be amended, as Colo. Brodhead may say, that the delivery of ammunition to the County...
20From George Washington to William Irvine, 1 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
During the Time of my being occupied in the Seige of York, I received a Letter from Colo. Gibson commandg at that Time at Fort Pitt, inclosing sundry Proceedings of Courts Martial held at that post—among which are two Capital Cases, on which Sentences of Death are decreed by the Court. Being informed by Congress, that you have been ordered to the Command of that post—I have to inform—that the...
21From George Washington to William Irvine, 23 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just been favored with your Letter of the 14th Inst. I can easily conceive the inexpressible disapointment and mortification you have suffered, upon finding the flattering prospects of filling your Line so unexpectedly blasted, by the anxious sensations I have experienced on the same subject. If what has been so often urged, and repeated will not excite the States to the most strenuous...
22George Washington to Brigadier General William Irvine, 3 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 3, 1781 . Asks Irvine to aid Major General Arthur St. Clair in recruiting service. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
23From George Washington to Brigadier General William Irvine, 3 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 17th —The affair of your line has had a train of disagreeable circumstances; but we can now only regret what we cannot remedy; and endeavour as soon and as far as possible to repair the evil. I have written to General St Clair to undertake the superintendence of the recruiting service —I am persuaded you will give him all the aid in your power. I am with...
24George Washington to Brigadier Generals Anthony Wayne and William Irvine, 11 August 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Tappan [ New York ] August 11, 1780 . Explains why appointment of Major William Macpherson cannot be revoked. Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
25From George Washington to Brigadier Generals Anthony Wayne and William Irvine, 11 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I cannot but premise my answer to your letter of yesterday, by observing that the refusal of the Colonels & Lt Colonels of your line to comply with my request for stating in writing their motives to the part they have taken in the affair of Majr McPherson, is to me as extraordinary as unexpected—I assure you I had not the least idea there could have been any difficulty in the matter and had no...
26From George Washington to Brigadier General William Irvine, 6 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed is a request to General Hand to return to Camp. I shall be obliged to you for causing it to be safe delivered. I hope your absence will not exceed the first of April—could you return sooner with convenience, it would be more agreeable to Dr Sir Yr obedt Hble Servt ALS , PHi : Papers of William Irvine; ADfS , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . GW signed the cover of the
27From George Washington to Brigadier General William Irvine, 12 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
Friday Evening is determined upon for the execution of the intended enterprize, unless prevented by the intervention of Weather or some unforeseen accident. I would however wish you to have your detachment in a state of perfect readiness. To avoid giving cause for suspicion, by withdrawing your Guards totally, I think you had best, tomorrow night or very early on Friday Morning, call in the...
28From George Washington to Brigadier General William Irvine, 10 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have determined in case the present condition of the Ice, & prospect of its continuance will warrant the enterprize, to make an attempt upon the enemy’s quarters & posts on Staten Island. As it is next to impossible to communicate my ideas fully, & make proper arrangements of the plan by letter Mr Tilghman comes to you for this purpose—He is fully possessed of every matter necessary for your...
29From George Washington to Brigadier General William Irvine, 9 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
Our affairs are in so deplorable a condition (on the score of provisions) as to fill the Mind with the most anxious & alarming fears —such a situation —at all times to be lamented is peculiarly unfortunate at this juncture when there now is, or soon must be, a field opened for enterprize. Circumstanced as things are (—Men half starved—imperfectly cloathed—riotous—& robbing the Country people...
30From George Washington to Brigadier General William Irvine, 9 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
From our great distress for the want of provision and the very remote prospect of getting a supply in any reasonable time, through the Ordinary channel—I have been compelled to address the Magistrates of the several Counties in this State to collect certain quantities of Grain and Cattle from the Inhabitants of each in a limited time; and have appointed Field Officers to present the Addresses...