1531To Thomas Jefferson from Carter Braxton, [May? 1780?] (Jefferson Papers)
[ May? 1780? ] Has heard from the skipper of one of his vessels now at Annapolis that a number of cartouche boxes for Col. Finnie have been received there, but Braxton had already given orders to sell the vessel, even though at a loss, because of the lack of a convoy through Chesapeake Bay. (The vessel had gone to Annapolis loaded with public corn under convoy of the Jefferson , and had been...
1532To Thomas Jefferson from the Committee of Congress at Headquarters, 2 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
In a letter of the 31st Ulto. from the commander in chief, which we had the honor to receive the same day, his Excellency observes, “That in the expected co-operation with the force of our ally against that of the common enemy; it is of great moment that we should proceed with circumspection and on the surest ground. Before we can determine what aught to be undertaken, we should be able to...
1533To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 2 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have written several private letters to you since my arrival here, which as they contained matters that I should be sorry should fall into other hands, I could wish to know had been received. If your Excellency has written any acknowledgements of them, they have never reached me. Mr. Griffin tells me he has seen several letters just received by Mr. Bingham from Martinique which give...
1534To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 2 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
It is 8 days since we heared another anecdote of british wild barbarity, which I really did not believe. It comes however authenticated to day in the Spanish gazette, the extract of which is inclosed. The english Commander is supposed to have been Commodore, alias Govr., Johnstone, or his Lieutenant. I must repeat what I said in letter 15. “What a happy circumstance for us to have divided in...
1535To Thomas Jefferson from John Rutledge, 2 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I think it proper to acquaint you that, intelligence being received last Saturday morning at Cambden that 3900 men under Ld. Cornwallis had crossed and taken post on the North side of Santee river about 57 miles below Cambden, and that they were to be soon joined (as they have been since) by 1200 more from the opposite side of the river, who were to rendezvous at that town, and proceed higher...
1536To Thomas Jefferson from John Todd, 2 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
On Consulting with Col. Clark we found it impracticable to maintain so many petty posts in the Ilinois with so few men and concluded it better to draw them all to one post. The Land at the Junction of the Ohio and Missisippi was judged best Situated for the Purpose as it would command the Trade of an extensive Country on both sides of each River and might Serve as a Check to any Incroachments...
1537To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, 3 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 3 June 1780. Circular letter to the state executives enclosing a resolve of Congress of 1 June respecting supplies to be furnished over and above quotas fixed by Congress’ resolve of 25 Feb. 1780. FC ( DLC : PCC , No. 15); 1 p. Enclosure missing; printed in JCC Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 , ed. W. C. Ford and others, Washington, 1904–1937 , xvii , 480.
1538To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, 5 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 5 June 1780. Encloses a resolve of Congress and asks that orders for executing it be carried out. FC ( DLC : PCC , No. 15); 1 p. Caption reads “To Governor Lee,” but at foot of text is the notation “The like verbatim to Gov Jefferson.” Enclosure ( Vi ); see below. The resolve enclosed was one adopted by Congress on the day this letter was written (see JCC Journals of the...
1539To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 6 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
A Vessel from West Florida has brought to the President of Congress intelligence from Govr. Galvez of the surrender of Mobile. No other particulars than that contained in the inclosed paper are mentioned, except the verbal report of the Capt. that the Garrison consisted of about 800 including inhabitants &c. Seven or eight vessels have just arrived from the W. Indies as you will also observe...
1540To Thomas Jefferson from Cyrus Griffin, 9 June [1780] (Jefferson Papers)
I have the mortification to inform you that the Enemy are parading the Jerseys in great force, at least with six thousand Infantry and the General says with a large body of horse also. In consequence of this movement the commander in chief requests that major Lee may be ordered to the main army, and I suppose this morning Congress will prevent his proceeding to the southward. A Committee of...
1541To Thomas Jefferson from James Innes, 10 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I this morning arrived in Town from Williamsburgh charged with some dispatches for your Excellency, which I herewith transmit you. On my arrival, I was astonished to be informed, that a Report had been industriously handed to you, of intentions in me, to impeach your Excellency before the general assembly, of illegal conduct relative to the palace furniture . I would fain flatter myself, that...
1542To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Sim Lee, 10 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Annapolis, 10 June 1780 . Notifying TJ that a line of expresses has been established by the State of Maryland “on the Main Road, leading from Young’s Ferry on Patowmack River to Philadelphia,” in accordance with Congress’ resolution of 5 June. FC ( MdAA ); 1 p. See Huntington to TJ, 5 June ; TJ to Gov. Lee, 14 June ; Lee to TJ, 17 June 1780 .
1543To Thomas Jefferson from the Committee of Congress at Headquarters, 12 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
We have the honor to inclose you copy of a letter addressed to us by the commander in chief (see page 211). The contents will advise you to what an alarming crisis our affairs are reduced. The General observes with great propriety, that this committee “need no arguments to evince the danger.” Indeed we do not: our own observations have led to the fullest conviction that unless the force stated...
1544To Thomas Jefferson from Cyrus Griffin, 13 June [1780] (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 13 June [ 1780 ]. Griffin is about to retire from Congress. Hopes governor approved intelligence he has forwarded. Confesses that, duty aside, he had “pride and pleasure in corresponding with a great character.” Stirling reports British in New Jersey considerably reinforced. They have built a floating bridge to retreat to Staten Island if necessary. Two or three “little battles”...
1545To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, 13 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
By the Act of Congress of this Day herewith enclosed your Excellency will be informed that Major General Gates is ordered to take the Command in the southern Department. This Order is in Consequence of Intelligence received that seems to place it beyond a Doubt, the Enemy are in Possession of Charles town and the Garrison there made Prisoners, although the Intelligence received is not...
1546To Thomas Jefferson from Riedesel, 13 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
New York, 13 June 1780 . Acknowledges TJ’s kindness in forwarding earlier letters to officers of the Convention army and encloses others to be so forwarded. Begs his own and Mme. de Riedesel’s remembrance to Mrs. Jefferson. The Riedesels have moved for the summer to a house a few miles out of town on the East River. The children are well and have not forgotten Mrs. Jefferson’s kindnesses. RC (...
1547[To Thomas Jefferson from John Todd, 13 June 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond?, 13 June 1780 . TJ’s letter to Speaker Harrison, 14 June 1780, q.v. , states that Todd had addressed TJ on 13 June asking for indemnification for losses in connection with the proposed settlement at the mouth of the Ohio. Todd’s letter was transmitted to the Assembly but has not been located (JHD, May 1780, 1827 edn., p. 46).]
1548To Thomas Jefferson from John Walker, 13 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I hoped before I had been here so long, to have had the pleasure of a few lines from you, if it was merely to inform us of your health and that of your Family, in which you know we are so deeply interested. My Family is perfectly recovered from the small-pox, which to them was so favorable that they never lay’d by for it. Mrs. Walker had only two pustules and Milly one for each of the united...
1549To Thomas Jefferson from George Brooke, 14 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Upon examining the money transmitted by Mr. Sinclair the undermentioned bundles were missing, which Mr. Smith Tandy who received the money says was taken out of his bags on his way down. Inclosed is the list sent by Mr. Sinclair. I am with due respect Sir Your most obt. servt, Bundles missing vizt. } Certificates issued July 12. 1783 Mar. 18 Robert Dunlap £ 550 £18 Apr. 4 William Matear 560...
1550To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 15 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 15 June 1780 . Sends Leyden gazette of 6 June with accounts of “various insolent and ignominious actions of the British subjects at sea.” The whole world now believes that “the sentiments contained in the enclosed Manuscript No. 1. may be considered as the Emperors”—an East India Company now forming at Trieste under his auspices. King of Naples goes on as fast as possible to form his...
1551To 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...
1552To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, 16 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 16 June 1780 . Acknowledges TJ’s “Despatches” of 9 June. They have been referred to Board of War and Committee on the Post Office. Encloses resolutions of Congress of 14 June authorizing Gen. Gates to call on Virginia and other southern states for militia and supplies and recommending those states to give every assistance in their power to carry into execution “such Measures as...
1553To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Sim Lee, 17 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Before we were honored with your Excellency’s Letter of the 14th. Inst., we had, in Pursuance of the Resolution of Congress 5th. established a Line of expresses extending from Young’s Ferry on Patowmack to Philadelphia, and wrote immediately by Post, advising you of it, and that the Rider at Young’s Ferry would be in constant Readiness to receive your Excellency’s Commands. To keep up the Line...
1554To Thomas Jefferson from John Walker, 17 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Favor of the 9th Ult : I received with pleasure, and shall always be glad to hear from you when leisure and Inclination occur. For business I refer you to our public Letter . The propositions contained in yours to the President , will I doubt not, be immediately comply’d with. Business in Congress goes on better than I expected, each Member appearing willing to contribute all in his power...
1555To Thomas Jefferson from the Committee of Congress at Headquarters, 19 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
We inclose you a copy of General Washingtons letter to us of this day (see page 214). We have in our former letters dwelt so forcibly on the several matters contained in the generals letter, that it is now become almost unnecessary for us to say any thing more on them . But when we consider the season for operation wears fast away; the small force we now have in the field, being still fed in a...
1556To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 20 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] 20 June 1780 . Circular letter to the state executives quoting Congress’ resolutions of 2 May 1780 respecting the issuance of commissions to private vessels of war. Such commissions are hereafter to be obtained by application to the Board of Admiralty. FC ( DLC : PCC , No. 18A); 2 p. For text of resolutions of 2 May, see JCC Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 ,...
1557To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, 21 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honour to transmit your Excellency the enclosed Acts of Congress of the 17th and 19th Instant pointing out the Measures they deem necessary to be taken, for the Support of the southern Army. I make no Doubt the State of Virginia will avail itself of its numerous and spirited Militia, as well as great resources, at this important Crisis, when her own immediate Interest is so...
1558To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, 21 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Congress have at different Periods recommended Measures which they deemed essentially necessary for the public Good. They now request of those States which have not made returns of their Transactions in that respect, the most expeditious Information of the Measures they have taken in Consequence of the several resolutions, a list of which is annexed to the enclosed Act of Congress of the 17th...
1559To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 22 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Bad news have long legs. I have just seen the Capitulation of Chs. Town in the London extraordinary gazette. I never was so afflicted in Virginia, by our bad events, as I am now. I thought I was singular in that, but our good Americans here tell me that it is the Same with them. We are really dejected, and we would be much more so, if all circumstances did not agree to make us hope that we...
1560To Thomas Jefferson from the Committee of Congress at Headquarters, 23 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Morristown, 23 June 1780 . Circular letter to the state executives, enclosing a copy of Gen. Washington’s letter of same date, reporting the advance of the enemy beyond Springfield toward Morristown. The likelihood of an American defeat if these forces in New Jersey pursue their objective makes it imperative for the states to send on their quotas of men. FC ( DLC : PCC , No. 11), signed by the...