1Edward Carrington and Richard Claiborne: Plan for the Quartermaster’s Department in Virginia, 1 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas the irregular manner in which the Quarter Masters Department for the State of Virginia has hitherto been conducted, has been attended with many delays and inconveniencies both to the people and to the public service; and it being expedient that a new disposition should be made to remove those difficulties agreable to the late System for the Quarter Masters department, established by...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 12 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the time your Excellency and Council did me the honor to approve of my being appointed Deputy Quarter Master for the State of Virginia, I have acted as such under an appointment from the Quarter Master General, and approved of by the Deputy Quarter Master General for the Southern Department. I sensibly feel the difficulties which are thrown in my way by the late excursion of the Enemy to...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 18 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s Warrant for impressing a number of Boats to be sent to Hoods, for the purpose of transporting of men and horses across James River. I shall put this matter into execution immediately, and give such directions to the person who will be employed upon the occasion, as may best answer the end, and not distress the proprietors. I am truely sensible how liable the...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 29 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose your Excellency a Copy of the Arrangement proposed by Colonel Carrington and myself, and approved of by the Council, for the Quarter Master’s Department in the Continental Line of this state; also a Copy of the prices established in Specie equal to Tobacco at Twenty Shillings pr. hundred weight, or other money equivalent; and a return of the assistant Deputy Quarter Masters. Your...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 2 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 2 Feb. 1781. The manufactory of wagon harness has been established at Charlottesville so that the German workmen among the Convention troops could be employed; these men may be had on reasonable terms, and, if the Convention army is to be moved, as TJ “observed the other day,” Claiborne wishes to be empowered to “engage as many of them as my business may require, and their Commander...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 7 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose to your Excellency, a copy of the estimate of supplies to be furnished from this State for the equipment and support of the Southern Army the ensuing Campaign. I am sensible of the urgent necessity there is for the things being provided without loss of time, and beg leave to request the Executive to consider how far it will be in their power to assist me. The...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 11 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As I am altogether unacquainted whether your Excellency does business on the Sabbath or not, I hope I shall be excused for addressing you this Morning, because it is respecting a matter in which I am particularly interested for the whole Department, and for the Southern army. Your Excellency and Council were pleased to inform me by letter of the 7th. that it would be chimerical for you to...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 16 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Some of the assistant Deputy Quarter Master’s have made application to me to know whether they and the persons employed under them, are subject to the insuing draft of this State. I am likewise informed that my Name, with some of my Officers are inroled, and that it is the intention of the Court to comprehend us in the Draft. This is a step which I cannot think justifiable, as it should have...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 17 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received Your Excellency’s Warrant of Yesterday for impressing the Boats on James and Appomattox Rivers, to be sent to Sandy Point. I should chearfully proceed in the business this Morning but Your Excellency well knows the difficulty of executing such a matter without a considerable party of Armed Men. Experience has taught me that it is impracticable, unless the things are taken and...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 17 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Lieutenant Lambert is the Commanding Officer of a party of Men to impress the Boats on James River. It is necessary that his Men should be armed. I have referred him to your Excellency for orders in this matter, as my Commission does not authorize me to direct in any such thing. I have the instructions agreeable to your Excellencys Warrant ready. I have the honor to be Yr. Excellency’s Obt....
11To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 21 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
By a letter from Mr. Elliott at Petersburg, I am informed that there is in the possession of Mr. McNeal, Assistant to Mr. Ross at that place, a considerable quantity of Duck proper for Tents. The difficulty of procuring this article, for want of Money, obliges me to beg of your Excellency that a part of it may be delivered to Mr. Elliott, as he can have it made up immediately. There are Twenty...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 25 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 25 Feb. 1781 . Writes “respecting the duty of Feild Quarter Master within this State.” Has observed for a long time that there “is very little regularity or system in that Line … nor is there a principal in Commission to call the Subordinate officers to account for their Receipts and Issues. … While Troops are kept in such small and scatered Bodies, as they must be from the situation...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 6 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 6 Mch. 1781 . Has made repeated endeavors to correct abuses among the express riders and in every other branch of his department, but “many evils have taken such deep root that it is tedious destroying them.” Thanks TJ for the information respecting Boswell and has directed Mr. Elliott to exclude him from public employment. Has not made this an individual matter but has long since...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 7 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I feel so much concern about the horses that are to be impressed for the expedition against Portsmouth, that I beg leave to propose to your Excellency a method which may very possibly answer our wishes as the manner which has been practiced for two days past has proved ineffectual. Impresses cannot be made in a Country which has for a long time, in repeated instances, suffered from the conduct...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, enclosing a Letter from Steuben, 11 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose to your Excellency a copy of a letter which I have Just received from Baron Steuben. I beg for an answer as Speedily as the importance of the matter requires; immediately upon the receipt of which, I shall Issue my orders in consequence, and repair to Williamsburg without a moments loss of time. Your Excellency cannot be a stranger to the dispatch, which is...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 13 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor to inform your Excellency that Baron Steuben has this moment left this to meet the Marquiss Delafayette at Yorktown. Part of the troops have landed. It is probable the Marquiss will be in Williamsburg to-night. The necessity of ordering all the Vessels to be at Hoods without loss of time, your Excellency will judge of and direct accordingly. I have yet had no direction...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 14 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As the intelligence which I conveyed to your Excellency last evening respecting the arrival of the Marquis and his Troops was not delivered to me officially, I hope it will apologize for my not being more particular. The Baron has now returned from York town and informs that a party of thirty men arrived at that place who left the Marquis and his troops a little below the mouth of Patuxen the...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 21 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 21 Mch. 1781 . Acknowledges TJ’s “ favor of this day respecting the bad conduct of the Express rider at Burk’s bridge”; has dismissed him and will treat other offenders similarly; has given directions to the line of expresses “towards General Greene.” RC ( Vi ); 2 p.; addressed and endorsed. TJ’s Favor of this day has not been located. Claiborne’s handling of the line of expresses...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 24 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The order from your Excellency dated in Council this day, respecting the impressed horses, shall meet with my immediate attention. Copies of the letter, with forms and instructions agreable shall be transmitted to Majr. Day at Williamsburg, and Mr. George Elliott at Petersburg, to whom the horses were sent. I beg leave to mention to your Excellency, that owing to some deficiency, either with...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 24 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose to your Excellency the whole proceedings respecting Mr. Boswell the Express Rider who was some time since discharged from the public service. No. 1 is a copy of the charges given by Colo. Jones, and written by your Excellency. No. 2 is a copy of my Letter to Mr. Elliott to discharge Mr. Boswell. No. 3 is a Copy of Mr. Elliotts answer to my Letter. No. 4 is a Copy of a receipt given...
21To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 26 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose to your Excellency an extract of a letter from Colonel Carrington to me dated the 19th. Instant at the Southern Army, respecting the Wagons to come from the different Counties in this State. Frequent representations of one thing, I have no doubt, is disagreable to your Excellency, but the duty which I owe to my Country and to my office, compel me to it. I beg...
22To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 30 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your Excellencys directions about returning the horses and boats which have been impressed for the expedition against Portsmouth. It gives me concern to say that the thing is very impracticable. In the first place there is nothing obligatory upon the impressors to return the horses or Boats and money will not induce them to undertake the business. In the next place, the...
23To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 30 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The great demands which are made upon me of late for the purchasing department under my direction, obliges me to beg your Excellency for a Warrant on the Treasury for the sum which is to be appropriated for the purpose of the said department, of the late emission of the Assembly. I have lately received an appointment of Quarter Master for the Troops in Continental service in this state. This...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 2 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have looked over my estimates, which I transmitted some time since to the Assistant Quarter Master General, and find that they Amount to Two hundred and thirty eight thousand, one hundred and twenty eight Pounds, five Shillings, Specie or other money equivalent; This is for Supplies required for the Southern Army, The Pay of Persons employed, Waggon hire and contingent expenses in this State...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 2 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Yesterday I received an order from Major General Baron Stuben, to immediately get ready Saddles and Accoutrements for 300 horses; also to lay in a large Magazine of Forage at Petersburg. As this Business cannot by any means in my possession be effected I beg leave to entreat your Excellency again for a Warrant on the Treasury for the sum you mean to appropriate to my department. Money is...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 4 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The great demands which are made upon me for things to be furnished from this department, both for the Southern Army, and the Troops within this State, alarm me more and more, as I have Not the means to answer any purpose whatsoever. I am called upon by the Commissary General of Purchases, and the Commissary General of Military Stores for Wagons and horses daily, to transport their Stores, and...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 6 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 6 Apr. 1781 . Gratefully acknowledges receipt of a warrant “for two Millions of Pounds”; gives assurance that “every method will be taken to dispose of the money with the greatest œconomy and Justice.” RC ( Vi ); 2 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Claiborne; addressed and endorsed. Printed in CVSP Calendar of Virginia State Papers … Preserved in the Capitol at Richmond , ii , 14.
28To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 9 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received the extract from the Marquis’s letter respecting Wagons to transport ammunition, with an order affixed from your Excellency to take Measures to answer the demand. However easy it was for your Excellency to Issue such an order, the business is attended with so many difficulties that I am very fearful it will not be in my power to comply with it; I beg leave to recommend to your...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 12 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose to your Excellency an extract of a letter which I have received from Major General Baron Steuben respecting the horses at Petersburg. These are the horses that have been impressed and purchased for the late expedition against Portsmouth and have been collected agreable to the Baron’s orders. Some of the owners are willing to take them back and give up their...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 13 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Brown informed Mr. Parks, that Mr. Hay of this town, sent down to Captain Charles Thomas at Warwick four hundred Gallons of Oil; As the Continental Commissary of Hides has not any, will your Excellency be pleased to direct Capt. Thomas to lend us a little for a Short time; as Mr. Marks is gone to Philadelphia respecting his department, and will furnish himself so as to be able to return...