1651To Thomas Jefferson from George Weedon, 12 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with your Excellencies letter of Yesterday, and should have stood fast to day had I not heard from Genl. Nelson. That Gentleman recommends our return immediately, and thinks the Enemy will make only Sudden Descents on the lower Counties if they disembark again at all. I have in Consequence set the Troops in motion this morning and shall proceed up to Fredericksburg with all...
1652To Thomas Jefferson from George Weedon, 15 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the receipt of yours of 11th Inst: I have taken every measure in my power to fulfil your request; the County Lieutenants of Northumberland, Richmond, Lancaster, Westmoreland, King George, Stafford, P. William, Fairfax, Loudon, Fauquier, Orange, Culpepper and Spotsylvania are apprized of the danger and requested to have every Man they can Arm and equip arranged and ready to march at a...
1653To Thomas Jefferson from George Weedon, 21 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
An Aid-de-Camp of the Marquis’s returned last Night from reconnoitreing the Fleet lately arrived, and to my great Mortification reports them to be British! They consist of 12 heavy Ships all of which he Supposes to be of the line. None of them have been higher up than the Horse Shoe except a Frigate, which was met by a Brig from Portsmouth. They did not at first understand each others Signals,...
1654To Thomas Jefferson from George Weedon, 4 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote your Excellency by Capt. Calender and then expected to have compleated my Arrangements by to-night; and to have marched to-morrow. I have been delayed several days waiting for the Lowden Men which are now crossing the river. To my very great astonishment not more than 170 Men will come from that County. Colo. Clapham who comes from that place, will inform your Excellency more...
1655To Thomas Jefferson from George Weedon, 27 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Honble. Major Genl. Baron de Steuben will lay before your Excellency an expedition suggested by himself, which meets the full approbation of a Military Board convened on the occation and which may if agreed to by the Honble: the Executive, in a great measure terminate the War. I conceive it the best Policy in this State to keep the War abroad. In doing that we must make our Objects at a...
1656To Thomas Jefferson from George Weedon, 30 March 17[81] (Jefferson Papers)
I mentioned a Mr. Clansmate in my letter of yesterday who I supposed was with the other prisoners. Upon inquiry found he had been sent to Gloster on an alarm that happened four days ago. I have got him back and Now send him up under guard. His Crime has never been reported to me officially. No Doubt your Excellency has had some Accounts of his Conduct. I am with high Esteem yr Excellencies...
1657To Thomas Jefferson from George Weedon, 14 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honor’d with the resolution of Council 10th Inst. and as Genl. Philip’s Letter dated 6th demanded an answer from me, have confined it chiefly to the very words of the Council, Copy of which have the Honor to enclose. I am desirous of cultivating the Liberal Idea held out by the British General to those who are unfortunate, as nothing but reciprocal advantages can result from it. I am...
1658To Thomas Jefferson from George Weedon, [28 February 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
It will not be in my power to arm the whole at this place without delaying too much time, and therefore must beg your Excellency to direct 200 stand to meet us at Hanover court house to which place the Baron has ordered me for further directions. There will also be wanting 300 cartouch boxes. Tr ( NHi ); captioned: “Extract from Genl Weedons Letter to the Governor, dated feb: 28.” Enclosed in...
1659To Thomas Jefferson from George Weedon, 10 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The deranged situation of our defence in this Quarter makes it absolutely necessary more Men should be call’d from above. I find from Baron de Steuben’s situation, that the Militia in the neighbouring Counties are more backward than I could at this Time of alarm [have] expected. The Baron has therefore desired me to call for some more from the upper Counties, and as his intended operations...
1660To Thomas Jefferson from George Weedon, 21 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I got here last night from Potowmac. On my leaving Williamsburg I pushed across the Country into the Northern Neck, and geting Intelligence of the Ships coming down proceeded to Hollis’s marsh where a body of Militia ware drawn together under the command of Colo. Richard Henry Lee. Two Ships, Two Brigs, a Topsail Schooner and two Tenders, lay oposite, at Blackstones Island. The whole Fleet...
1661To Thomas Jefferson from Wakelin Welch, Sr., with Jefferson’s Account with Robert Cary & Co., 31 May 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to congratulate You on the happy Restoration of Peace which I flatter myself will be permanent and Satisfactory to all Parties. During the national Misfortunes I have had the Unhappiness to lose both my Partners Cary and Moorey. The Business for many Years was chiefly under my Management and which I flatter myself was so conducted as to meet the Approbation of You and the rest of our...
1662To Thomas Jefferson from Wakelin Welch, Jr., 31 May 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
London, 31 May 1783 . Announcing that he has taken been taken into partnership by his father; solicits TJ’s custom. RC ( MoSHi ); 1 p.; signed “Wake. Welch Junr.”
1663To Thomas Jefferson from Alexander White, 27 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Marlboro Iron Works, 27 Feb. 1781 . Having been informed that “a Corps of Invalids are to be embodied under the direction of Your Excellency,” White ventures to name Lt. Robert White of the 8th Virginia regiment, who served a year as a volunteer rifleman at Boston in 1775, being only sixteen years old; in June 1777 he was wounded in New Jersey “by a Musket Ball which shattered his thigh Bone.”...
1664[To Thomas Jefferson from Anthony Walton White, 2 September 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Place not known, 2 Sep. 1780 . In his letter to Samuel Huntington, 8 Sep. 1780 , TJ enclosed a letter “from Colo. White complaining of (a) limitation of price” for horses purchased to remount White’s cavalry. White’s letter was read in Congress, and a committee reporting on it declared “That the Style of Lt. Colo. White’s letter of Septr. 2d. 1780, which was addressed to the Governor of...
1665To Thomas Jefferson from Anthony Walton White, 5 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had the Honor to receive a letter from your Excellency requesting me to have Epaphroditus Rudder brought to an enquirey, on information lodg’d against him by Colo. Buford, respecting some malversations as to a horse of Publick Property; and desiring me to countermand Orders to Persons engag’d in different Parts of this State, in impressing horses for the 1st. and third Regiments of...
1666To Thomas Jefferson from Beverley Winslow, 23 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeable to yours of the 12th. instant , have Order’d 120 effective Men properly Officer’d, imediately to repair to Williamsburg. They marched the 21st., except a few whose situation (from so short notice) prevented them a few days. I expect those will join by the time the Detachment arrives at Williamsburg. If not, proper Notice will be taken of the Delinquents. The present call for so large...
1667To Thomas Jefferson from John Winston, 24 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Command of the Louisa Militia having devolved on me in Consequence of Lt. Colo. Fontains absense; the wretched State in which I found this Militia in point of Amunition and accoutrements obliges me to trouble your excellency with this application to know where we can be furnished. We have neither Cartridge Boxes, Cartridges, or even paper for that purpose and but a small proportion of...
1668To Thomas Jefferson from William Woodford, 22 September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Charleston, 22 Sep. 1780 . Introducing Master Alexander Frazier Grigorie, whose father, James Grigorie, “late of Urbanna [Va.],” had shown Woodford kindness in Charleston. RC ( NN ); mounted in an extra-illustrated volume and assigned to TJ as recipient by a previous owner, probably being done at the time the address-leaf was removed so that the letter could be mounted. However, even if this...
1669To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Wooding, 18 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Within a few weeks Past Genl. Green has sent into this County several Parties of Brittish Prisoners Directed to the Sheriff with Orders for them to be safely conveyed to the Post or such Place in this state Appointed for their Receiption. In consequence of which the Sheriff has summond sundry Men, within his Baliwick, of the Militia to Assist him in the safe Conveying the said Prisoners to...
1670To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Wooding, 1 June 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeable to Your Order You have Inclosed the State of the Militia of this County (as ⅌ Returns made to me by the Captains in April last) consisting of 20 Captains, 40 Lieutenants, 20 Ensigns and 1004 Rank and file, Eighty Eight of which are under 18 years of age. Of the Remaining part we have about 350 at this time in Actual Service in this State and Carolinia. I am Sorry to assure your...
1671To Thomas Jefferson from James Wood, 31 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I returned to this Post Two Days Ago from Maryland, where I left the British Troops tollerably well Accomodated. I make no Doubt you have Received before this a Requisition from the State of Maryland, for a Supply of Beef and Pork for the Troops, as the Scarcity of those Articles are so great as to Render it impossible to procure more than three weeks allowance from this time. On this Subject...
1672To Thomas Jefferson from James Wood, 15 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I am Honour’d with your Letter of the 9th. Instant with the Several Inclosures, and shall think myself Happy if I am Able to Carry your Ideas into Execution. I have Issued Peremptory Orders for all the Officers without Distinction, to repair within five Days to the Barracks, and shall Certainly inforce them with Strictness; at the same time I must beg leave to Suggest it as my Opinion, that in...
1673To Thomas Jefferson from James Wood, 13 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I forgot to Ask your Opinion whether the Soldiers of the Regiment of Guards might with Propriety be enlisted into the Continental Service. If so, and Money cou’d be Advanced I make no Doubt but a Considerable part of them wou’d enlist. I am Sir Yr. Excellency’s Very Obt. Servt., RC ( Vi ); addressed. Place of writing assigned on basis of internal evidence.
1674To Thomas Jefferson from James Wood, 27 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Colonel Mengen had left this Place before I received your Letter of the 21st., when I see him, which will be in two or three Days, I will Communicate the Contents of your Letter as far as it respects him. If they shou’d Apprehend a Removal from the State, Our Currency will not Purchase their Bills. I am now endeavouring to take the Debts of the British Officers, On the State, as far as Mr:...
1675To Thomas Jefferson from James Wood, 3 February 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I find it altogether Out of My Power to engage Any of the Tradesmen Among the German Troops to go to Richmond; by Some Means or Other they have found Out Our Distress for Tradesmen to do Our Public Work, and their Officers have Contrived to get so Considerably in their Debt for Work, Besides their Pay and Cloathing, that they are Afraid to go without their Consent, least they shou’d be...
1676To Thomas Jefferson from James Wood, 9 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the Return of the German Troops to the Barracks a Great Proportion of the Regiment of Guards Conceive their times of Service from the Tenor of their enlistments are expired. I have never been Able to learn what the Instructions to the Recruiting Officers were, but from their Certificates Granted to the men they have Certainly Acted very improperly. I have Directed Copies of these...
1677To Thomas Jefferson from James Wood, 17 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I Make No Doubt but you have heard the Determination of Congress with respect to the Convention Troops, and their Instructions to Me; the Board of War Assured Me that you wou’d be furnished with both by the first Post. Your Excellency will recollect that I wrote you in Feby. that I had Assumed the Debts of the British Officers, for Bills for the Use of the State, I agreed with their Creditors...
1678To Thomas Jefferson from James Wood, Enclosing a Petition from Certain Men in Colonel Armand’s Corps, 20 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I this Instant Received Your letter of the 18th. Instant, and have given Orders for the immediate March of the Convention Troops, without their Baggage, as we have but a very few Waggons at the Post. The Troops have been Without Meal for Six Days Past, and but a very small Quantity of Beef On hand, so that I foresee the Greatest Difficulty, Indeed an Impossibility of Procuring Provisions by...
1679To Thomas Jefferson from James Wood, 5 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have Divided the German Troops between this Place and the Warm Springs in Berkeley, and am Just now Seting Off to Frederick Town, from whence I shall Proceed to Congress, if I do not receive their Instructions where to fix them. A Number of the Regiment of Guards who were enlisted During the Stay of the Convention Troops at the Barracks in Albemarle, insist On their Discharges. I shall be...
1680To Thomas Jefferson from James Wood, 24 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I had the Honor of Writing you the 20th. Instant I have been informed that there is a Number of Prisoners of War at Winchester, that Provisions are Scarce and hard to be Procured in that Neighbourhood, and that the whole Houses are taken up. If this shou’d be the Case, it will be Necessary for me to Send a part of the Germans to Stovers Town or Shepherds Town, Neither of which will be...
1681To Thomas Jefferson from James Wood, 20 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Frederick Town [ Frederick, Md. ], 20 Dec. 1780 . Capt. [Edmund] Read of the light dragoons representing his troop to be unfit for duty for want of clothing and accouterments has been permitted to go to Richmond in order, if possible, to get them equipped. Lt. [George] Brent’s resignation has been accepted, and his vacant commission must now be filled up. “I am under the Disagreeable Necessity...
1682To Thomas Jefferson from Leighton Wood, 3 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
This Morning to my mortification I received the inclosed Letter from Mr. Everard which I beg leave to lay before your Excellency and Council. From the nature that I conceive of my late appointment I cannot be too early in applying myself to the duties of that Office and wished to qualifie therefor on Monday next tho’ should it appear necessary that I should continue to act as an Auditor on...
1683To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Woodson, 26 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Without place, 26 Apr. 1781. “After the Fatted Beefs are Consum’d a Call may take Place to Collect Bacon.” If this happens, Woodson desires to be excused from that duty, “as many Publick Stores are Stationd with me, and the absolute Necessity of Being at home as a publican &c.” Eight to nine thousand bushels of wheat for flour will be collected in this county. RC ( Vi ); 2 p.; addressed in...
1684To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 11 November 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
The resolutions describing treasons are inclosed. The report for ascertaining the value of coins , &c. remains in the same state of repose as you left it in, among several others that are, as the president says, not acted upon. I gave Col. Harrison an extract of that part of your letter which related to him, and asked him what answer I should make? He told me he would do what you desired so...
1685To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 28 October 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 18th instant , by some accident or other, did not come to hand before it was too late to answer it by this days post. Make use of the house and furniture. I shall be happy if any thing of mine can contribute to make your and Mrs. Jefferson’s residence in Williamsburg comfortable. Adieu. RC ( DLC ). TJ’s letter of the 18th instant is missing. It must have contained a request...
1686To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 27 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Lord Dunmore, driven from Gwins, retreated to St. George’s island in Potowmack, a station we hear he found no less unquiet than what he left, so that he hath gone up that river, distressed, it is imagined for want of water. Ought the precept, ‘if thine enemy thirst give him drink,’ to be observed towards such a fiend, and in such a war? Our countrymen will probably decide in the negative; and...
1687To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 31 December 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
A few days after the reduction of York I returned to Williamsburg, and accompanying Mr. Madison, waited on general Washington, with an address of the university among other things, desiring him to give orders, that the college, which we found employed as an hospital, might be evacuated so soon as it could be done conveniently. He was very civil, and gave a kind answer; but for that business...
1688To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 18 November 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Whenever you and the speaker think I should return to Virginia to engage in the part which shall be assigned to me in revising the laws , I shall attend you. As to the time and place of meeting and my share in this work, I can accommodate myself to the appointment, and be content with the allotment my colleagues shall make. In the mean time, I purpose to abide here, if the enemy do not drive...
1689To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 9 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Notwithstanding those to whom the bills were drawn immediately payable, could not have been entitled to more than the value received for them, I think that Mr. Nathan, the endorsee, if he were not privy to that transaction, and actually paid cash, or an equivalent for them at par when he took them up, may equitably, as well as legally, insist upon the assumpsit; because the terms of the...
1690[To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Young, before 15 May 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond?, before 15 May 1781 . Extract of a letter from Henry Young to William Davies, Richmond, 15 May 1781 (Vi; printed in CVSP, ii , 96–7): “I propos’d to the Governor to order twelve militia men from hanover to assist in removing the Cannon. I have received no answer. Recourse must be had to hire, which is difficult and expensive.” Young’s letter, if the proposal was a written one, has...
1691To Thomas Jefferson from Isaac Zane, 25 February 1782 (Jefferson Papers)
I was favor’d with yours of the 24th of decemr. last while in Phila. and should have acknowledg’d it, had opportunity Offered. I was heartily pleased to see that justice done you, at the last session which I would feign have done in June last. But probably all is for the best, and Slander reproved. I should have been happy to have accompanied the bearer Mr. Charles Logan to Albemarle, but my...