21To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, with Reply, 29 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I find the number of waggons in the QMG’s department so utterly inadequate to the wants of the State, that the most common purposes of that department cannot be executed, nor any assistance afforded to the others. At present, indeed, Mr. Brown the commissary general has the greater part of them employed by him. Nothing can be done, therefore, in the collection of military stores without an...
22[From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, with Reply, 26 March 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 26 Mch. 1781 . Minute in War Office Journal (Vi) under this date: “A letter from the Governor respecting the discharge of soldiers for six months, who have no Certificate, nor Witnesses to prove the expiration of their terms of service; and requesting some general plan to be proposed for the regulation of such cases. Answer returned. That in such cases, their oath should be...
23From John Christian Senf, with Jefferson’s Instructions to William Davies, 26 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
By our present Situation Your Excellency will find it highly Necessary, that all kind of Intrenching Tools, as well for the defensive as offensive Operations, should be got immediatly ready. I take therefore the Liberty to propose what Kind and Quantity of Tools [there] may be Occasion for, 800 Spades 400 Common Axes 200 Broad and Grubbing Hoes 100 Pick Axes 300 Fashine Knifes and smal...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Littleberry H. Mosby, with Jefferson’s Instructions, 19 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Powhatan, 19 Mch. 1781 . Has recruited “forty odd Men”; intended marching “on Sunday next, but hearing this day at our Court House, that the Enemy were approaching, thought it advisable to proseed as soon as possible.” The bearer has been sent to procure arms as they are not to be had in the county. [ In margin, in TJ’s hand :] “Referred to Colo. Davies as to arms. I am uninformed as to the...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Humphrey Brooke, 16 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Fauquier, 16 Mch. 1781 . The bearer, Joseph Duncan, enlisted with George Slaughter to go to Kentucky as an armorer; was granted leave of absence to see his family; has been informed that “all under his Circumstances are ordered to Richmond”; is willing to “comply with his engagement” if he is not obliged to return to Kentucky. Duncan is a neighbor of Brooke, who can vouch that he is excellent...
26To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 13 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honour of inclosing to your Excellency, a note to Mr. Ross to furnish sundry articles to Mr. Mayes who is employed in the Countrys service by Capt. Brown, if you approve it. Mr. Ross’s furnishing the articles at Petersburgh, which I understand he can do, will save the expence of transportation from hence. There is also inclosed a certificate from Capt. Browne respecting Mr. Mayes’s...
27To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 7 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Colo. Senf says that a very considerable number of entrenching tools will probably be wanted below, and informs me that there are a considerable number at Fredericksburgh, which he wishes to have sent down forthwith to York. I have no knowledge of any tools belonging to the state being at Fredericksburgh, but as I cou’d wish to have Colo. Senf’s desire complyed with, I have taken the liberty...
28[To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 6 March 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 6 Mch. 1781 . Minute in the War Office Journal (Vi) under this date: “A letter to the Governor inclosing a Morning Return of the State Garrison Regiment, Stationed at Richmond, and inquiring if the orders for powder from below shall be obeyed in their fullest extent, or first submitted to his Excellency.” Another minute of the same date: “The Governor’s answer respecting the...
29[To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 5 March 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 5 Mch. 1781 . Minute in War Office Journal (Vi) under this date: “A letter to the Governor, respecting the 200 Cartouch boxes he required me to collect, informing that the State’s Cartouch boxes at Petersburg had been sent to Chesterfield Courthouse by order of Baron Steuben, before Capn. Browne’s messenger got there, and asking if an Order shall be issued for 50 boxes from Col....
30To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 1 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond ] 1 Mch. 1781 . Requests information concerning the proper officer to discharge the eight-months’ men whose term of service is expired and the manner in which they are to be paid. Has written Mr. Blakey to report to the Council on the business for which he was employed; fears “he has done but little, and cannot be depended on.” Encloses a letter from Smith respecting the quarter...
31To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 28 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
War Office [ Richmond ], 28 Feb. 1781 . Five covers were ordered to be got ready for use on wagons removing the powder to Point of Fork. Mr. Rose says no canvas is to be had except some that was lodged with him for the use of the fleet, which he will not give up without express orders from TJ. Answer follows: “This canvas must not be diverted to any other use, Mr. Armistead should look out for...
32To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 28 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The prisoners that came from below lately are still in charge of the Commanding officer (Mr. Mann) at this place, and he is uncertain whether they are to be considered as Continental or State prisoners while they continue here. I can give him no information, as not a single line accompanyed them to me. The furnishing the prisoners with provisions, is the reason why Mr. Mann applies for this...
33From Christopher Calvert, with a Note by Jefferson to the Attorney General, 25 February–21 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
South Quay, 25 Feb. 1781 . “Agreeable to the within information,” Calvert has seized the trunk and has found no letters in it, but rather a quantity of “valuable dry Goods”; wishes to know what is to be done with them. By law the Naval Office is open from ten to three; this prevents Calvert from attending muster; and, on account of his feet, he believes himself entitled to exemption from...
34To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 23 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
War Office [ Richmond ], 23 Feb. 1781. Encloses two accounts for the expenses of Capt. Sansum in collecting and bringing over eighteen-month men from the Eastern Shore. As Sansum’s authority was derived from Col. Webb, Muter does not know how to act in his case, especially since other officers have been and are now employed in collecting those men and deserters in that region, “in consequence...
35To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 19–20 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
War Office [ Richmond ], 19 Feb. 1781 . “Capt. Browne [Windsor Brown] attends to know the detirmination of your Excellency and the Hon. Council respecting his acting as Commissary of military stores.” All that remains to do is to fix his “allowance,” and since he is soon to be reduced to half pay as an officer, that allowance should be “the more liberal.” In Council Feb. 20. 1781. The board...
36To Thomas Jefferson from Stephen Southall, enclosing Order, [16? February 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
Without place or date [ 16? Feb. 1781 ]. Has settled with several persons whose wagons were employed in Continental service “at the Price then allowed by the Continent which did not exceed twenty pounds, and on the Presumption of the Enclosed Order from you I did in some measure promise them the same pay as was allowed by this state.” Having given certificates to these people for the...
37To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 13 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have never seen the law that exempts people employed for the public from militia duty &c., therefore I take the liberty of inclosing a note from Wm. Stone and Thos. Stone, for your Excellency’s determination. They I beleive have contracted with Mr. Moody for making wheels and waggons, tho’ I have nothing from Mr. Moody at present to show for it; and wish to have something to show, to satisfy...
38To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 13 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
War Office [ Richmond ] , 13 Feb. 1781. Encloses an attestation of three soldiers enlisted for the war who have applied to Muter for a certificate for their bounty money. Muter desires to know what the bounty for such enlistments is. Below the text are two undated notes in TJ’s hand: “The bounty for Continental enlistments for the war is 2000 dollars to be charged to the United States and the...
39[To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 10 February 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 10 Feb. 1781. War Office Journal (Vi) contains the following entries under this date: “Letter, to the Governor inclosing a list of some men that Mr. Ford has engaged that are now down with the Militia, whom he wishes to have Authority to send for.” Answer to the above: “In Council February 10th. 1781. The Executive never had an Idea of withdrawing workmen from the Militia in...
40To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, with a Memorandum by Jefferson, 9 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As your excellency and the council probably have not access to Vattel, on whose doctrines this hasty answer is founded, I shall inclose the paragraph from his work, which treats of the right of soldiery to booty. They seem to amount to this: that booty does in strictness belong to the commonwealth; but that late usage has divided it among the captors, military stores excepted. Now I believe,...
41From Granville Smith, with Jefferson’s Instructions to George Muter, 6 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed is from Mr. Thomas respecting his purchase of canoes, and finding the prices much higher than what your Excellency calculated on, you will please to direct me whether I shall instruct him to continue his purchases, or not: also under whose care and direction the four that have come to Westham are to be put. I am Your Excellency’s Obt. Hble. Servt., G. Smith Ast.Q.M.Gl. In Council...
42To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 3 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to inform your Excellency, that Capt. Irish received orders yesterday from Barron Steuben to be ready in three days to proceed to North Carolina, where he is to remain. This will immedeatly leave the state without a commissary of military stores, which (if not quickly remedied) will be productive of confusion and inconvenience. I have the honour of enclosing a warrant in favour of...
43To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 1 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have not been yet able to learn where or in whose possession any of the tents are except those (by the quarter masters return 49 in all) that have been delivered for the use of the State Garrison regiment: and Majr. Magill informs me that he is obliged to let his men use them at present for want of blanketts, there hardly being a blankett in the possession of one of his soldiers. I have the...
44To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 29 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond ] 29 Jan. 1781 . Encloses a certificate concerning payment of which the quartermaster wishes instructions. [ Reply :] “Our Quartermaster is not to pay this difference. We have nothing to do with it. I think he had better take his remedy at law to obtain a just price. Th: Jefferson.” RC ( Vi ); 2 p.; addressed; endorsed: “Letter to the Govr. respecting the Q: Mr. applying to me about...
45To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 26 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As the armoury at the foundery will probably be built on a different plan, from what was originally intended, when I contracted with Colo. Richd James, and, as he wishes to be clear of that contract, I have this day agreed with him that it shall be void. Colo. James is willing still to work for the public, and will furnish plank and scantling deliverable at the fork or the foundery as may be...
46To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 25 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond ] 25 Jan. 1781. Some “eight months men” who work in the laboratory consider themselves cleared from service and are with difficulty persuaded to work; Muter desires to know how they shall be dealt with. Mr. Ford wishes to know whether the persons who are to work at the fork of the James are to be furnished with provisions by the state, or whether money is to be advanced “to enable...
47To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 24 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The building the boring mill and the moulding house for the use of the foundery, being a separate matter entirely from the other works to be erected near the foundery, I am of opinion it will be unnecessary to wait for the arrival of Colo. Senf before they are contracted for, more particularly as from circumstances, the same situation and walls must be again made use of, and those houses will...
48To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 23 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Colo. Southall requires that his house (wanted for Mr. Anderson’s shop) shall be returned to him in the same order it was in when the state has done with it; and also, that the price for the tobo. shall be the current price at the warehouses at this place at the time of paiment, and not the price settled by the grand jury. Those articles agreed to, he is willing the house shall be immediatly...
49To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 22 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Several Cannon that were cast at the Foundery have not been bored. Cannon are wanted for the Jefferson of those that have been cast at the Foundery, as also to comply with the contracts formerly made with individuals. Capt. Maxwell also wants Cannon for the Thetis: none for her have yet been cast. The cannon cannot be bored ‘till a boring mill is built and fitted, and no cannon can be cast...
50From Sampson Mathews, with Jefferson’s Instructions to George Muter, 21 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am advanced this Far with the Militia From augusta (after having been at Fredricksburg four days) by order of Genl. Mulenburg. Colo. John Bowyer with about 220 Men From Rockbridge has Joined me this morning. There is wanting Smiths vices, Files and some fine Steel For the Repair of the arms of the militia. The Bearer Mr. Chas. Cocke will wait on your Excellency For an order For these...