251To John Jay from Gustavus Risberg, 10 May 1779 (Jay Papers)
This morning I waited on the Honorable Governeur Morris Esq r . one of the Committee for our Department to know if the Alteration proposed by Col. Stewart, Commissary General of Issues had pass’d the Approbation of Congress, when I was inform’d they had been reported—but nothing further done— As Col. Stewart is at Camp I beg leave to trouble you with these lines, and report, that for this four...
252George Washington to John Jay, 11 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 11, 1779 . Recommends that Brigadier General Lachlan McIntosh be allowed to serve with the Army in Georgia. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
253George Washington to John Jay, 11 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 11, 1779 . Discusses New Jersey remonstrance. Concludes that reported lack of cattle “will sensibly affect our Western expedition.” LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
254From George Washington to John Jay, 11 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Brigadier General McIntosh will have the honor to deliver you this. The war in Georgia, being in the State, to which he belongs, makes him desirous of serving in the Southern army. I know not whether the arrangements Congress have in contemplation may make it convenient to employ him there; but I take the liberty to recommend him as a Gentleman, whose knowledge of service and of the country...
255From George Washington to John Jay, 11 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose Your Excellency copies of letters and papers, which have passed on the subject of a late remonstrance from the officers of the 1st Jersey Regiment, to the Assembly of their state. This is an affair which Congress will no doubt view in a very serious light. To me it appears truly alarming. It shows what is to be apprehended, if some adequate provision is not...
256Patrick Henry in Council to John Jay, 11 May 1779 (Madison Papers)
On Saturday last in the Evening a British Fleet amounting to about thirty Sail consisting of one 64 Gun Ship (supposed by some to be the Saint Albans, and fifteen or Sixteen large Ships, some of them either Frigates or armed Vessels it is not known certainly which, and the others Vessels of lesser Size) came into the Bay of Chesapeak, and the next day proceeded to Hampton Roads, where they...
257George Washington to John Jay, 14 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 14, 1779 . Reports that deputies from Delaware Nation have arrived in Camp and have been referred to Congress. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
258From George Washington to John Jay, 14 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received the honor of your Excellency’s favor of the 10th with its several inclosures. When the order was given to General Glovers Brigade to be held in readiness to march, the comparitive state of the Enemy’s force and ours, allowing for the troops to be detached on the Western expedition made it indispensible, without risking more important misfortunes in this quarter than could...
259From George Washington to John Jay, 16 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with your Excellencys favor of the 10th instant; and the two resolutions of Congress which shall be properly attended to. I herewith take the liberty to transmit several papers of a serious nature, which have passed between General McIntosh and myself. I thought it my duty to submit them to the consideration of Congress, that it might decide whether the reasons given...
260George Washington to John Jay, 17 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 17, 1779 . Speculates on destination of the British detachment that sailed from New York. Estimates number of British troops that sailed and number that remains. Mentions possibility of surprise attack on New York. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
261From George Washington to John Jay, 17 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your favour of the 15th with the inclosed papers. The fleet mentioned in Governor Johnson’s letter may contain the detachment, which lately sailed from New York, and the object may be, if not to rescue, at least to facilitate the desertion of The Convention troops—This is the prevailing opinion in New York ⟨counte⟩nanced among other circumstances by the Goodrich’s...
262From George Washington to John Jay, 17 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing Your Excellency this morning, I received a Letter from General Gates, a Copy of which with the packet he mentions I transmit by this express. From Genl Gates’s account it appears indispensably necessary that a supply of money should be sent as soon as possible, if it has not been already done to pay the Troops. I have the Honor to be with the greatest...
263To John Jay from Robert Troup, 22 May 1779 (Jay Papers)
After mature Reflection I think it best for me to continue in the Army till the War is ended. You say an Officer who resigns at present will lose the Eclat his Services have given him. I thank you for your Advice, and have already improved it to Advantage, as you will find in the Subsequent Part of this Letter. Besides I feel my Happiness so intimately connected with the Prosperity of my...
264From George Washington to John Jay, 24 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received the inclosed news papers to day—and as they contain intelligence of an interesting nature I take the earliest opportunity of transmitting them to Your Excellency by Express. I have the Honor to be with sentiments of the highest esteem & respect Yr Excellency’s Most Obedt servt LS , in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DNA:PCC , item 152; Df , DLC:GW ; copy, DNA:PCC , item 169;...
265George Washington to John Jay, 25 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 25, 1779 . Is concerned about the “predatory” fighting of British. Encloses instructions to Brigadier General Charles Scott concerning reinforcements in the South. Discusses British preparations in New York. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
266From George Washington to John Jay, 25 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with Your Excellencys favours one of the 12th two of the 19th and one of the 22d—with their inclosures, to all which due attention shall be paid. The predatory war which the enemy now seem resolved to carry on will be very distressing—little aid can be afforded from the army in its present situation and the militia appear to be too ill provided with arms to defend themselves. How...
267From George Washington to John Jay, 26 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Mr Wadsworth who is just now returned from the Eastward, informs me, that a vessel had arrived there from Charlestown S. Carolina, the captain of which told him, that he slipped out of the harbour, the night of the 5th instant (a fresh embargo being laid that evening on all the shipping, and the sailors ordered on shore for the defence of the Town). The report was that the enemy were on this...
268From George Washington to John Jay, 27 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was last night honoured with your Excellency’s favor of the 25th—and with the papers to which it referred—which shall have my attention. You will be pleased to receive Two New York Gazettes. I have the Honor to be with the greatest respect & esteem Yr Excellency’s Most Obedt sert Df , in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
269To John Jay from Thomas Pitcairn, 27 May 1779 (Jay Papers)
In Justice to my Brother officers and myself on Parole at this Place, my Duty directs me to adress you. To sett forth the insult and abuse of some persons Inhabitants of Reading; Of which I beg leave to trouble you with a Short naration founded on facts— On Saturday last the 23 rd Ins t : Lieut. Dunlop in Company with some ladies of the Place, were walking the Streets, he received several...
270From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 2 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Royal Library, Windsor; copy: Library of Congress; transcript: Columbia University Library I received a few Days since by way of St Eustatia, the Duplicate of a Letter you did me the honour to write to me of 3d Jany. But the Act of Congress of Decr 23d which you mention is not yet come to hand. Col Diricks whom the Secretary names to you called here in his way to Holland, and brought me a...
271To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 2 June 1779 (Jay Papers)
I received a few Days since by way of S t . Eustatia, the Duplicate of a Letter you did me the honour to write to me of 3r d Jan y . But the Act of Congress of Dec r . 23 d which you mention is not yet come to hand. Col Diricks whom the Secretary names to you called here on his way to Holland, and brought me a Recommendatory Letter from Gov r . Trumbull; but neither himself nor that Letter...
272George Washington to John Jay, 3 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 3, 1779 . Encloses information concerning British troop movements and present position of American troops. Is about “to set out this day towards the Highlands, by way of Morris Town.” LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
273From George Washington to John Jay, 3 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
In the letter which I did myself the honor to write to Your Excellency the 25th of May, I mentioned the appearances which indicated that the enemy had some important enterprise in contemplation. These appearances have since increased ’till they seem to have arrived at a very interesting crisis. The inclosed extracts from the intelligence I have successively received will show their progress...
274From George Washington to John Jay, 3 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor of transmitting to Your Excellency a Copy of a Report of a Board of General Officers in a dispute between the Captains in the pensilvania line and Captain prowell, who has been appointed to the majority in the 11th Regiment. If Congress approve the Report, they will be pleased to revoke Captain prowells Commission. They will see a Copy of the Memorial against his...
275From George Washington to John Jay, 3 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honor of addressing Your Excellency this morning, I received the inclosed papers, by which You will perceive that the Troops & fleet lately employed in Chesepeak bay have returned to New York. I have not received any advices respecting the Enemy since those transmitted in the morning. I have the Honor to be with sentiments of the most perfect respect & esteem Yr Excellency’s...
276To John Jay from Jeremiah Wadsworth, 5 June 1779 (Jay Papers)
before any considerable Evils had happened in my Department as early as September last I asked liberty of Congress to resign my office of Commissary General of Purchases and gave some reasons which induced me to ask a dessmission—in October I repeated my earnest desire to be desmissed, when the Year shoud end—a Committee from Congress confered with me and I believe made a report which has...
277From George Washington to John Jay, 6 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
On the 3d I had the Honor to address Your Excellency from Middle Brook and Morris Town—and to transmit you all the intelligence I had then received, respecting the movements of the Enemy on the North River; and of the measures I had taken and was about to pursue in consequence. I am now to inform you, according to the advices I have obtained since, that on the 2d in the morning the Enemy...
278George Washington to John Jay, 11 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Smiths Clove [ New York ] June 11, 1779 . Gives information on position of British and American forces. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
279From George Washington to John Jay, 11 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your Excellency’s favours of the 4th & 5th, to which due attention shall be paid. The enemy’s situation remains much the same as mentioned in mine of the 6th—One body of about 5000 Men is on Verplanks point and another of about 1000 on stoney point—They continue fortifying & no doubt mean to keep possession of those posts—The natural strength of the ground with very little...
280To John Jay from Lafayette, 12–13 June 1779 (Jay Papers)
how happy I shall think Myself whenever a Safe opportunity of writing to Congress will be offered, I Cannot Better any way express But in Reminding them of that unbounded Affection and Gratitude I Shall ever feel for them— So deeply are those sentiments Engrav’d in my heart, that I every day lament upon that distance which Separates me from them, and that never any thing was so warmly and...
281From George Washington to John Jay, 14 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
On Saturday Evening I was honoured with Your Excellency’s favor of the 7th Instant and with the papers to which it refers. The intelligence from Carolina is very interesting as related, and I should hope from it’s coming through so many channels & from its being told so circumstantially, that it is not destitute of foundation. I have nothing to communicate to your Excellency respecting the...
282To John Jay from John Morgan, 15 June 1779 (Jay Papers)
Congress having been pleased by its resolve of the 12 th Inst, on the full & weighty evidence before them to restore me in the most ample manner, to my former fair & unsullied reputation, I thankfully acknowledge the honourable approbation which it has been pleased, in consequence thereof to bestow on my Conduct in the Service of my Country— I consider it as a proof of the disposition of the...
283From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 19 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Our delegates by the last post informed us that we might now obtain blank letters of marque for want of which our people have long and exceedingly suffered. I have taken the liberty therefore of desiring them to apply for fifty, and transmit them by a safe conveyance. The inclosed order being in it’s nature important and generally interesting, I thought it my duty to lay it before Congress as...
284To John Jay from Jonathan Trumbull, 22 June 1779 (Jay Papers)
The General Assembly of this State, at its sessions in Jan y last, ordered taxes to be levied to collect their Quota assigned for the 15,000,000 Dollars requested by Congress in their Resolve of 5 th Jan y . last— At their May Session further Taxes are granted to collect the Quota assigned this State of 45,000,000 Dollars— They are payable at different Periods—none exceed the 1st Jan y . next...
285George Washington to John Jay, 23 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] June 23, 1779 . Sends latest information concerning British in New York and the South. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
286From George Washington to John Jay, 23 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Two days since I removed my quarters to this place where I am more contiguous to the forts and best situated to attend to the different parts of the army. By my last advices the enemy at Kings ferry were embarking their baggage and some heavy cannon and preparing for a movement either up or down the river. Your Excellency will find in the inclosed New York Gazette of the 19th two or three...
287To John Jay from Egbert Benson, 23 June 1779 (Jay Papers)
I have frequently of late determined to write to You and have been as often interrupted; indeed this disagreeable Business, in which I am engaged, tho’ it is not sufficient to furnish Me with constant Employment yet is of ^ such ^ a Nature as to leave Me scarce a Moment which I can call my own or in which I am free from Interruption. We were flattered that when our Government was established...
288To John Jay from Nathanael Greene, 24 June 1779 (Jay Papers)
A late law has been passed by the legislature of the state of New Jersey, for the express purpose of taxing the Assistant and Deputy Quarter Masters General, which I am afraid will be productive of the most disagreeable consequences— This law appears so arbitrary and unprecedented upon any free principles of taxation, that I am surprized it ever had the sanction of a deliberative body— Such a...
289From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, [26 June 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
I beg leave to trouble you with two matters, which if your ideas correspond with mine I doubt not you will employ your influence to effect. One respects Col Malcolm and perhaps may be conducive to the interest of the public—the other respects Mr De Neuville and is only interesting to the feelings of an individual, who if I am not mistaken, with proper allowances for the peculiarities of his...
290George Washington to John Jay, 27 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] June 27, 1779 . Complains about incompetence of clothing department and “disagreeable” treatment of Sixteen Additional Continental Regiments. Requests an allowance to provide liquor for the officers. Asks Congress to send another copy of resolve concerning brigade majors. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
291From George Washington to John Jay, 27 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
It gives me infinite pain, that the circumstances of the service oblige me to trouble Congress with a frequent repetition of the same subjects—But every hour distracts my attention with fresh instances of the inconveniencies, that result from the want of system in a department which I have frequently mentioned. These compel me again to intreat that Congress will be pleased to take decisive...
292George Washington to John Jay, 30 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] June 30, 1779 . States that Colonel Daniel Morgan “waits upon Congress with his resignation.” Commends Morgan. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
293From George Washington to John Jay, 30 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Col. Morgan of the Virginia troops, who waits on Congress with his resignation will have the honor of delivering you this—I cannot in justice avoid mentioning him as a very valuable officer who has rendered a series of important services and distinguished himself upon several occasions. I have the honor to be With the greatest respect & esteem Yr Excellency’s Most Obedt ser. LS , in Alexander...
294From George Washington to John Jay, 1 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor Yesterday to receive Your Excellency’s Letter of the 24th Ulto. I have ever taken all the pains in my power to prevent plundering, and the practice has been constantly reprobated and prohibited by my Orders. I will continue to use my best endeavours to suppress it. I transmit a Copy of a Letter of the 25th and of Two Reports which I received Yesterday from General Gates,...
295To John Jay from Egbert Benson, 6 July 1779 (Jay Papers)
Since I had the Pleasure of writing to You last the Committee of Congress have returned from Vermont, and they passed thro’ this place when I happened unfortunately not to be at home— Altho I have not had an Opportunity to converse with them yet from what has been communicated to Me by the Governor and the Papers which I have seen, their Embassy has not been productive of the Good I both...
296From George Washington to John Jay, 9 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
On the 1st Instant I transmitted Your Excellency a copy of a Letter I had received from General Gates, advising that a number of Vessels with Troops, had left Newport and directed their course up the Sound. I had previously on the 27th from the intelligence obtained through different Channels that the Enemy intended to draw a part or the whole of their Troops from Rhode Island, requested him...
297William Phillips to John Jay, 11 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed dispatch from me to Sir Henry Clinton contains copies of a variety of papers relating to Lieutenant Governor Hamilton a British prisoner of war now in confinement in Virginia. I have thought it my indispensable duty to give information to Sir Henry Clinton of the Lieutenant Governor’s situation and of the means I have taken to endeavour at procuring his enlargement. I have...
298From George Washington to John Jay, 13 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
In my Letter of the 9th which I had the honor of addressing to Your Excellency, I informed you of the proceedings and ravages of the Enemy on the Sound till that time, as far as I had been advised. I now take the liberty to transmit an Extract of a Letter of the 10th (No. 1) from Governor Trumbull—and of the same date (No. 2) from General parsons, by which Your Excellency will find, that they...
299To John Jay from Nathanael Greene, 14 July 1779, enclosing Thomas Chase to Nathanael Greene, 1 July 1779 (Jay Papers)
The enclosed is a letter from Col. Chace D.Q.M.G. at Boston. The representation it contains, and the consequences that will follow, point out the necessity of some mode being adopted for the security of the Barracks— For the present, I have directed Col. Chace to enter into contract with the proprietors of the soil on which the Barracks stand, to make them a reasonable compensation for the use...
300From George Washington to John Jay, 16 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to transmit Your Excy the inclosed Copy of a Letter from Brigadier Genl Wayne, which this moment came to hand. I congratulate Congress upon our success—and what makes it still more agreable—from the report of Captain Fishbourn who brought me Genl Wayne’s Letter, the post was gained with but very inconsiderable loss on our part. As soon as I receive a particular account of...