441From George Washington to John Jay, 19 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to day to receive Your letter of the 8th by Lt Colo. Sims of the 2d Virginia Regiment, with a copy of a letter from him to your Excellency—and of an order of Congress on the 7th in consequence. The indulgence requested by Col. Sims, however interesting it may be to himself appears to me so incompatible with the public service—and to involve—and to lead to so many disagreeable...
442From George Washington to John Jay, 21 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since the letter which I had the honor of writing to your Excellency the 17th instant; I have received one from the Board of War inclosing among several others the copy of one from General Sullivan to Congress of the 26th of July in which I find he is still more pointed on the subject of Cloathing than in his letter of the 21st of the same month. As I was not sufficiently explicit on this head...
443From George Washington to John Jay, 23 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of transmitting to Your Excellency the inclosed Copy of a Letter I received from Colo. Butler of the 21st Instant. From the character of this Gentleman and the opinion I entertain of him as a man of strict honor and probity, I am perfectly persuaded the representation he has made of his loss, is true in every part; and I am exceedingly sorry such an accident should have...
444From George Washington to John Jay, 23 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose your Excellency Major Lee’s report of the surprise & capture of the Garrison of Powles Hook. The Major displayed a remarkable degree of prudence address enterprise and bravery upon this occasion—which does the highest honor to himself and to all the officers and men under his command. The situation of the Post rendered the attempt critical and the success brilliant:...
445From George Washington to John Jay, 24–27 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote to your Excellency yesterday, I have been honored with your letter of the 18th instant with the papers mentioned in it. I am much indebted to your Excellency, for the Copy of your circular letter to the States, and I sincerely wish it may have the desired effect—or at least, that the Battalions, in consequence, may be made more respectable than they are at present. The Act of the...
446From George Washington to John Jay, 29 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose your Excellency the Manifesto of His Most Catholic Majesty delivered at the Court of London by his Ambassador the Marquis D’Almadovar and the message of the British King there upon to the House of Commons, with some other articles of intilligence copied from a (borrowed) Boston paper of the 23d instant. As this paper has come on with a good deal of dispatch, this...
447From George Washington to John Jay, 31 August 1779–1 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honoured with Your Excellency’s Letters of the 20th and 24th with the papers to which they refer. The Acts of the 16th—17th & 18th have been communicated to the Army, in a manner calculated to inspire a proper sense of them. I hope they will have a good effect. As far as my information extends, they have given great satisfaction. It is only to be lamented, that the state of...
448From George Washington to John Jay, 5 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s several letters of the 26th 29th & 30th have been duly received. The Commissary of Prisoners being absent from Camp, on business respecting his department; I cannot give Congress the satisfaction I wish on the subject of Major General Phillips’s Letter. As soon as he returns the matter shall be taken up; however, I am inclined to doubt whether there is any ground for...
449From George Washington to John Jay, 7 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your obliging favors of the 25th & 31st of last month and thank you for them. It really appears impossible to reconcile the conduct Britain is pursuing, to any system of prudence or policy. For the reasons you assign, appearances are against her deriving aid from other powers; and if it is truly the case, that she has rejected the mediation of Spain, without having made allies,...
450From George Washington to John Jay, 7 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
The current of intelligence from New York makes the late reinforcement under Arburthnot amount to about 3000 troops principally recruits and rather in an unhealthy situation. It also speaks of preparations for an expedition and some recent rumours point to the Southern States, though the enemy have thrown out menaces against this post. If the reinforcement does not exceed this estimate they...