101From George Washington to Henry Knox, 19 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 16th reached me last Evening. I do not see that any alteration is necessary in your instructions relating to Mr Laurens—From what we yet know, he is not at liberty to leave England and therefore as much a prisoner in fact as before the extension of his limits. I am with great Regard Gentn Yr most obt servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
102From George Washington to Henry Knox, 24 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
I received last Evening at this place, your favor of the 22d with the several Enclosures—it gives me satisfaction to find that you are so soon to proceed upon the business of your commission; in the mean time, I propose being at Morris Town on the 26 Inst. where I shall probably have the pleasure of seeing you—I am Gentlemen. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
103From George Washington to Henry Knox, 28 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have had intimations, that under the idea of the cessation of Hostilities within certain limits, a number of People intend to come over from New York to our Lines—to prevent all intercourse of this kind is the principal design of this Letter—Sir Wm Howe on a former occasion proposed that a neutrality should take place to a certain distance from the spot where our Commissioners were to...
104From George Washington to Henry Knox, 30 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
You are too well acquainted with my opinion of certain characters in this State—especially one whom I am told is now an attendant on you at Elizabeth Town—to need a repetition of it at this time; but I wish it were possible for you to guard your Colleague against the arts, & the disadvantages which certainly will result from a free intercourse of Sentiments with the person I allude to, on...
105From George Washington to Henry Knox, 30 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of yesterday’s date came to my hands just as I was leaving Mr Lots house; your Messenger came on with me to be the bearer of this. Altho the information I had recd & communicated in my Letter of the 28th that a number of people intended coming over from the Enemy’s Lines under the idea of the cessation of hostilities, might not be well founded when it is understood of characters...
106From George Washington to Henry Knox, 10 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is an Extract of a Letter from Governor Harrison on the subject of the Brass Cannon belonging to Virginia. I wish you to take up the matter so as to get them in our possession as quick as possible. I am Dr Genl Your very hum. Servt. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
107From George Washington to Henry Knox, 20 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your Letter of the 16th of April by General Forman. Convinced, from the state of facts which has been exhibited to me, that justice, expediency & necessity require satisfaction should be obtained for the Murder of Captain Huddy; I have in the first instance made a representation to Sir Henry Clinton & demanded that the Officer who commanded the Party, or if he was not...
108From George Washington to Gouverneur Morris, 30 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
It is with great pleasure, I make use of the earliest occasion to acknowledge the receipt of your several Dispatches, by Colonel Smith, which contain an ample account of your Proceedings in consequence of the Commission you were charged with, by me. I have also received from Sir Henry Clinton an abstract of the same negociations as stated by his Commissioners. From the whole aspect of the...
109From George Washington to Henry Knox, 1 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your Letter of the 21st Ulto. I am so totally in the dark at this Time, respecting the Scene of our operations for the ensueing Campaign, that I cannot at present, give you any directions respecting the Time and Rout that Colo. Lamb’s Regiment shall march—as soon as I am decided, I shall inform you in season. The sappers and Miners have been ordered to West Point,...
110From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Henry Knox, [7 June 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
We are told here that there is a British officer coming on from Cornwallis’s army to be executed by way of retaliation for the murder of Capt Huddy. As this appears to me clearly to be an ill-timed proceeding, and if persisted in will be derogatory to the national character I cannot forbear communicating to you my ideas upon the subject. A sacrifice of this sort is intirely repugnant to the...
111From George Washington to Henry Knox, 17 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Annexed you have extracts from a letter of the 12th, from the Secretary at War, relating to the proposed arrangement of the office of Feild Commissary of Military Stores. It being a matter intimately connected with your department, I would be glad of your opinion, and that as early as possible, that I may frame my answer without loss of time. That we may make a regulation, as nearly as may be,...
112From George Washington to Henry Knox, 29 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby appointed to the command of West point and its Dependencies—But as the Army will lay for some time upon Verplanks point, you will consider yourself as releived, ’till further orders, from the care of attending to that post—Stoney Point and Dobbs’s Ferry, which are part of the dependencies—except so far as relates to their being constantly supplied with the proper quantity of...
113From George Washington to Henry Knox, 3 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
As Mr Corne was ignorant of the Regulations respecting Flags when he came out, he may be permitted to Return with the other Prisoners. You will please therefore to send them with a Serjeant and the enclosed Letter to Colonel Canfield who commands at Stanford. I am Dear Sir Your very hum. Servt MHi : Henry Knox Papers.
114From George Washington to Alexander McDougall, 3 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have concluded to name you on the part of the United States, as Commissioners, to meet those of Sir Guy Carleton, for the purposes of settling a general Cartel of Prisoners &ca agreeable to the inclosed Resolutions of Congress. I have therefore to desire you Gentlemen to undertake that Business and if any previous preparation is necessary, that you will be pleased to attend to it as early as...
115From George Washington to Henry Knox, 5 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
The arms of the army are daily getting out of repair with out any possibility of remedying it there are no travelling forges here and if there were I am informed they could not be set at work for want of some Articles which are absolutely necessary such as Borax salt &c. can any of the Armourers and necessary materials be spared from West Point to come here with some travelling Forges and...
116From George Washington to Henry Knox, 9 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have your favor of the 7th—Altho there may be an impropriety in employing a compa. of the German prisoners in the Garrison of Westpoint as Armourers yet I think it may safely be done at Newburgh, where a Buildg may be appropriated for a Work Shop—It seems our only expedient, and I have little Doubt, but if these people were promised their Liberty, upon workg faithfully Twelve Months, or some...
117From George Washington to Henry Knox, 12 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
As soon as the french Army arrives, which will be on Saturday and Sunday next, I will contrive to know whether the field peices or royal Howitzers, will be most acceptable to Count de Rochambeau, and will inform you—I think with you, that the Inscription had best be in Latin—If the Person belonging to the Artillery can do the engraving, I will send down the proposed Inscription (a Copy of...
118From George Washington to Henry Knox, 17 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favors of the 16th Inst. Things being circumstanced as they are, I consent to the work upon the Magazine being stopped, and the Workmen employed upon the Barracks in the Garrison. I shall inform the Secretary at War, who seemed to have the completion of the Magazine much at heart, of the reasons which have hindered us from proceeding. I shall approve your nomination of...
119From George Washington to Henry Knox, 17 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Captain Machin being under arrest there would be an impropriety in his transacting any public business—or in granting him leave of absence from Camp. His Trial must soon come on in course, if that terminates in his favor I shall then have no objection to granting the leave requested, and if in the mean time any business of the Corps requires that an Officer should go to Philadelphia, leave...
120From George Washington to William Heath, 23 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Powers of equal date herewith Authorize you to proceed to Tappan in Orange County in the State of New York and there meet Commissioners from the British for the purposes mentiond in your powers. You are to pay the most pointed attention to the nature of your Powers which are founded upon Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United States bearing date the 16th instant a Copy of which...
121From George Washington to William Heath, 23 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
By His Excellency George Washington Esqr. General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States of America. To Major General Willm Heath and Major General Henry Knox. Whereas the Honorable the Delegates of the United States in Congress assembled, have been pleased to authorize and impower me, by Letters patent under the Great Seal bearing date the 16th day of September Anno Domini...
122From George Washington to Henry Knox, 13 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
My being obliged to go down the River early yesterday morning, prevented my answering yours of the 11th yesterday. I can say nothing decisive respecting the Invalid Regiment, untill the arrangements for the Winter are made: But I cannot concieve any duty more proper for them than that of Constitution Island will be, or where it will be more light. They will have occasion for very few Centries,...
123From Benjamin Walker to Henry Knox, 28 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief has desired me to acquaint you that immediately on the arrival of the Troops at their places of Cantonment much uneasiness arose on hearing their Artificers were not instantly to join them—alledging that they cannot commence hutting till they get their Carpenters to direct the Work—It is therefore the Generals wish that neither they nor the Masons be detained one moment...
124From George Washington to Henry Knox, 8 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
As the 4th Connect. Regt, under the expectation of being soon drafted into the other Regts, is not now employed in hutting, or any other public duties; it is my wish, that this Corps may be occupied in cutting & laying in Wood for the Hospital on the east side of the River. The importance of this business is so great & so obvious, that I scarely need express the earnestness of my desire, that...
125From George Washington to Henry Knox, 8 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
By the enclosed you will become as well acquainted with the case therein referred to, as I am—You will be pleased to take up the matter in question, have a fair investigation made into the Merits of it, and cause—justice to be done to the Individual concerned, as well as the Public. I am Sir Your Most Obedt Servt MHi : Henry Knox Papers.
126From George Washington to Henry Knox, 9 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I had the Inclosed in my pocket but forgot to give it to you yesterday. I pray you to let the Parole &ca of the day only be known at a time, keeping the others to your self, to avoid the evil of a premature discovery. I am sincerely and Affectionately Yr Privately owned.
127From George Washington to Henry Knox, 11 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
The reason for my directing the 4th Connect. Regt to procure Wood for the Hospital on the east-side of the River, was, because I found that Corps idle, while all the rest of the Army was employed. As the incorporation will now supersede this reason; you may either have the fuel cut by Detachments from the Troops under your Order, or by the Levies now employed in the transportation service, if...
128From George Washington to Henry Knox, 13 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
In answer to the several points contained in your private letter of yesterday I have to observe—that I shall not be able finally to adjust a system of Signals, until I have seen Governor Clinton, which I expect will be in a few days—in the mean time I would have the Guards continued at the Beacons, as at present. The Rockets you propose to have made will be necessary. As to the Guard of...
129From George Washington to Henry Knox, 3 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
On a further consideration of what I had in contemplation, I have determined to postpone the matter till tomorr ow —perhaps I may put it of altogether—In either case, it is my earnest wish that not a tittle respecting it may transpire. I am Sincerely and Affectionately Yr MHi : Henry Knox Papers.
130From George Washington to Henry Knox, 16 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
The appearance of the Weather, reminds me of the use of a Sleigh; I beg to be informed therefore, if the one I talked to you about the other day can, without much inconvenience, be made immediately? In that case I should be glad to have it set ab t . If it cannot, I should be glad to know it that I may look out elsewhere as I find, upon enquiry, that the Qr Mr Genl carried my old one to...
131From David Humphreys to Henry Knox, 2 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
Mr Merrit, who has permission to go into New York with a Sum of Money for the Naval Prisoners of Massachusetts, waits upon you in his route for your advice and assistance—If it shall be thought a small escort is necessary for the protection of the Money he is possessed of, the Commander in Chief wishes you would order one to attend him to Dobbs’s ferry—I am Dr Sir with perfect respect Your...
132From George Washington to Henry Knox, 15 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
When the Party arrived yesterday with the Sleigh, I was engaged with Mr Howell—before I was at liberty they had left this—This is my apology for not writing to you yesterday. I have now to thank you for the Sleigh, which I think very handsome—convenient—& well executed. Shall I thank you for giving the Master Workman a couple of Guineas, to be laid out in liquor for those who have been engaged...
133From George Washington to Henry Knox, 1 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am to desire--that you will take the earliest Opportunity to furnish me with an Estimate of every thing in the Ordnance and Artillery Department which will be necessary to carry on an Offensive and vigorous Campaign—considering also the Seige of New York as a probable Operation—this Estimate to be on the same principles as those of 80 & 81—noting such of the Articles as are already in our...
134From George Washington to Henry Knox, 25 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
It was some time since Reported to me that sundry Artillery-Stores had been stolen from the Magazines at Kings ferry—The last Officer who was Relieved also reports “A barrell of Powder stolen owing to the deficiency of the Magazine.” I wish some inquiry to be made of the Offr, commandg the Artillery into this repeated loss of Stores that measures may be taken to prevent it. I am Dr Sir Your...
135From George Washington to Henry Knox, 8 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Women of the New York Regt of Artillery have applied to me on the Subject of allowing them and their Children Provisions. The number of Women & Children in the New York Regiments of Infantry before the New System of Issues took place obliged me, either to depart from that System and allow them provision or by driving them from the Army risk the loss of a number of Men, who very probably...
136From George Washington to Henry Knox, 24 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
In order to facilitate and expedite the communication between the Post of Dobbs Ferry and Head Quarters (which must be kept up principally by Runners) I have to request you will give Orders for forwarding expeditiously by a trusty Non Commissd Officer or Soldier as far as Kings Ferry (where the senior Officer has Instructions on the subject) all Dispatches from Head Quarters to Dobbs Ferry—and...
137From George Washington to Henry Knox, 26 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
Such as I hav,e I give unto thee . God grant the news may be true. But whether it is, or not, the late conduct of the Army will redound to the immortal honor of it. Yrs most sincerely TxU .
138From George Washington to Henry Knox, 27 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
Since you left me a Servant of the Marquis de la Fayette has arrived with Dispatches—The Marquis sent him in the Packet from Cadiz—I enclose a summary of the Articles as published in Philadelphia, also a Copy of the Communication of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, & the Extract of a Letter from His Excellency the Minister of France for your satisfaction. It likewise gives me great pleasure...
139From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 12 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
Taking it for granted the principle is generally understood, that an Officer holding a Commission in the Line of the Army of a superior grade, to that he possesses in a particular Corps, is to roll on all general duties agreeably to his Commission in the Army, and to be considered in the Line of the State to which he belongs, according to the rank he holds in Corps of that State; the following...
140From George Washington to Henry Knox, 14 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed is Copy of a Letter which I have received by Yesterdays post. I have to request the favor of your Sentiments on the Subject mentioned—and that you will give them to me as soon & as full as possible. You will please also to communicate the Letter to Genl Huntington, & obtain his Thoughts, which you will be so good as to forward with your own. I am Dr Sir Your most Obedient humble...
141From George Washington to Henry Knox, 21 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
The cessation of hostilities having been now proclaimed, you will permit any Citizens of the State of New York or of the United States to pass and Repass your Post with any Vessels, Boats or Water Crafts without any hindrance or molestation on their Reporting themselves to you or to such Officer as shall be appointed by you for the purpose. I am Sir Your most Obedt Servt Sent also to William...
142From George Washington to Henry Knox, 14 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
I approve of your sentiments given to the Officers commanding the Regiments at West Point, respecting the carrying into execution the sentence of Courts Martial upon the Rioters, mentioned in your Letter of this day, & they will stand justified with me. I am loth at this time to consent to the absence of Officers from their Corps, wanting their influence as much as possible, to quiet & allay...
143From George Washington to Henry Knox, 8 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
In answer to the question which has been proposed, whether the Music are entitled to fire Arms, under the Resolution of Congress of the 23d of April. I am to give it as my opinion they are not; but that they should be allowed to take their Drums & Fifes, which is the mode that has been adopted respecting the Music who have been furloughed from this Cantonment. I am Dear Sir With great regard...
144From George Washington to Henry Knox, 10 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am favored with your Letter of the 8th enclosing the Instructions of the Secry at War—on the subject of erecting an Arsenal and Magazines at West Point—the Plan I conceive is a very eligible one—As soon as we shall have passed through the present business of furloughing the Men engaged for the War, it is probable that the whole or at least a part of the Troops in this Cantonment will be...
145From David Humphreys to Henry Knox, 21 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
It having been reported to Head Quarters that there is an error in the Arrangement of Officers in the Masstts Corps of Artillery, by the omission of Capt. Sargeant (without his knowledge or consent, the Commander in Chief directs me to refer the matter to you with the Enclosure, that in case there has been a Mistake it may be rectified, and that a complete Return may be sent back to Head...
146From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 25 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
I refer to your consideration A Memorial of Mr Hoaksley with sundry other papers relative to the condemnation of Merchandize &c. at York Town, said to have been carried in a Flag of Truce from N. York to Virginia—After an investigation of the Papers & the examination of Mr Hoaksley you will please to report your Opinion whether any alteration and what, ought to be made in the former decision....
147From David Humphreys to Henry Knox, 25 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief desires you will have as much of the hard Bread, which was delivered by the late Contractors into Elderkins Store, issued to the Detachment as they can carry with them—and that you will have the remainder of that Bread served out occasionally, that it may not be lost by the Public, whose property it now is—I have the honor to be &c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
148From David Humphreys to Henry Knox, 25 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am directed to acquaint you, that the General has just recd Dispatches from Philadelphia, by which it appears the necessity still exists for marching the Detachment as expeditiously as may be, the contents will be communicated to you by His Excellency tomorrow. I have the honor to be Sir &c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
149From David Humphreys to Henry Knox, 25 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency commands me to inform you he approves of the Arrangements you have made, & would have the party from the Lines follow in the manner you propose. General Howe will meet the Detachment in the Clove tomorrow Morng. No Express or Information hath arrived from Philadelphia since you left Head Quarters last Evening—I have the Honor to be &c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
150From Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. to Henry Knox, 29 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency directs me to express to you his Concern for the Circumstance you mention of the Regts being without their Compliment of Field Officers—It is unlucky, but the Inconvenience must at present remain without Remedy. Colo. Vose is unwell here—Colo. M. Jackson is incapable to perform the Duty—Nothing New has yet arrived from Phila.—tis possible there may not be that Occasion for the...