1From John Adams to John Laurens, 8 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter you did me the Honour to write me, on the 28th. of April. I most Sincerely congratulate you, on the most essential Aid you have obtained from the Court of Versailles, who upon this Occasion have done as much Honour to their own Policy, as essential Service to the United States. By a Conduct like this, which it is easy for France to hold, and which does as much...
2Baron d’Arendt to Lieutenant Colonels Alexander Hamilton and John Laurens, 26 October [1777] (Hamilton Papers)
Fort Mifflin [ on Mud Island in the Delaware River ] October 26 [ 1777 ]. Discusses plans for defence of Fort Mifflin. ALS , MS Division New York Public Library. This letter is in French. There is no addressee on the MS. In unidentified handwriting on the last page the following is written, “Col Hamilton Col John Larens.” The contents of the letter indicate that it was written to someone at...
3From Benjamin Franklin to John Laurens, 8 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : South Carolina Historical Society; AL (draft) and incomplete copy: Library of Congress I received your very kind Letter written at Sea off the Coast of Spain. I thank you for the friendly Hint contained in it respecting my Grandson: I see that what you propose for him might have a good Effect; but I have too much Occasion for his Assistance, and cannot spare him to make the Voyage. He...
4From Benjamin Franklin to John Laurens, 4 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : South Carolina Historical Society; copies (two): Library of Congress Inclos’d is a Letter I have receiv’d for you. The Seal of the Cover being imprudently plac’d over that of the Letter, and sticking to it, occasion’d it to be almost broke open.—I want to see you about a Letter I have received from New Orleans, which proposes my Paying Drafts to the Amount of 55000 Livres, whereon I...
5From Benjamin Franklin to John Laurens, 21 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress I sent you Yesterday some Letters whi[ch] came here for you since your Departure. Mr. Necker is no longer in Place. M. Joly de Fleury succeeds him. I am again applied to for the Expences on the Alliance. Be so good as to draw an Order on me for what you think proper to pay of Gourlade and Moylands Acct. I repeat my Wishes for...
6From Benjamin Franklin to John Laurens, 17 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library; copy: Library of Congress Inclos’d is the Order you desire for another Hundred Louis.— Take my Blessing with it, and my Prayers that God may send you safe & well home with your Cargoes. I would not attempt persuading you to quit the military Line, because I think you have the Qualities of Mind and Body that promise your doing great Service & acquiring Honour in...
7From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, [April 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
Cold in my professions, warm in ⟨my⟩ friendships, I wish, my Dear Laurens, it m⟨ight⟩ be in my power, by action rather than words, ⟨to⟩ convince you that I love you. I shall only tell you that ’till you bade us Adieu, I hardly knew the value you had taught my heart to set upon you. Indeed, my friend, it was not well done. You know the opinion I entertain of mankind, and how much it is my...
8From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 2 March 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, March 2, 1782. In July 1782, Laurens wrote to Hamilton : “I am indebted to you, my dear Hamilton, for two letters; the first from Albany, as masterly a piece of cynicism as ever was penned: the other from Philadelphia, dated the 2d March.” Letter of March 2 not found. ]
I wrote you fully by the post and have just time to tell you that I have received your letter of the 8th. & that tomorrow morning I set out with the General for Hartford to an interview with the French General and Admiral. My hopes increase, that Guichen is coming to enable us to act. For your own sake, for my sake, for the public sake, I shall pray for the success of the attempt you mention;...
10From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, [4 February 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
I had finished my letter when I received a respite of another quarter of an hour which I shall improve in writing you another ⟨let⟩ter. The Marquis thinks the Generals ⟨lett⟩er will have more weight if the Ministry ⟨see⟩ it, as it were undesignedly by you, than if you formally communicate it to them; and with a view to this he has mentioned the letter to them and advised them to ask for a...
11From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 22 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Monroe is just setting out from Head Quarters and proposes to go in quest of adventures to the Southward. He seems to be as much of a night errant as your worship; but as he is an honest fellow, I shall be glad he may find some employment, that will enable him to get knocked in the head in an honorable way. He will relish your black scheme if any thing handsome can be done for him in that...
12[From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens], [27 September 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
Sparks Transcripts, Harvard College Library. Although this letter is attributed to H in the Sparks Transcripts, in reality it was written by Lieutenant Colonel Tench Tilghman, H’s fellow aide. The original of the letter is in the South Carolina Historical Society. There are textual differences in the Sparks and the original, but the contents of both letters are the same. The copy in the Sparks...
13From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, [11 September 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
I acknowlege but one letter from you, since you left us, of the 14th of July which just arrived in time to appease a violent conflict between my friendship and my pride. I have written you five or six letters since you left Philadelphia and I should have written you more had you made proper return. But like a jealous lover, when I thought you slighted my caresses, my affection was alarmed and...
14From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 19 July 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey, July 19, 1780. On July 30, 1780, Laurens wrote to Hamilton : “Your letter tho dated the 19th. did not reach me till yesterday.” Letter not found. ]
15From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, [12 September 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
We ought both my Dear Laurens to beg pardon of our friendship for mutual neglect in our correspondence, though I believe you are a good deal in arrears to me, and I am sure one of my letters must have miscarried. I informed you that the application, in favour of Portail, and yourself, had been referred to a general exchange as I expected. When this general exchange will take place is...
16From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 8 January [1780] (Hamilton Papers)
I had written the enclosed and was called off. Some ruffian hand has treated it in the manner you see. I have no time to copy it. I shall take up the story where I left it. Another reason for believing the destination is your way, is that Governor Martin and divers others refugees of Georgia South and North Carolina are said to have gone in the fleet. You will have a busy time; acquit...
17From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, [11 October 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
[1] Since my return from Hartford, my Dear Laurens, my mind has been too little at ease to permit me to write to you sooner. It has been wholly occupied by the affecting and tragic consequences of Arnold’s treason. My feelings were never put to so severe a trial. You will no doubt have heard the principal facts before this reaches you; but there are particulars, to which my situation gave me...
18From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, [15 August 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
I received with great Pleasure, My Dear Laurens, the letter which you wrote me in last. Your wishes in one respect are gratified; this state has pretty unanimously delegated me to Congress. My time of service commences in November. It is not probable it will result in what you mention. I hope it is too late. We have great reason to flatter ourselves peace on our own terms is upon the carpet....
19From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, [4 February 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
Col Armand, My Dear friend, who is charged with the Marquis’s dispatches will set out in half an hour. It is fortunate that nothing very important since you ⟨left⟩ us has occurred, for I should scarcely ⟨have⟩ liesure to communicate it. By a late letter from Greene he had taken a new position on the left of Charlotte at the Cheraws, which brings him nearer to Cross creek, enables him the...
20From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, [30 June 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
I received my Dear Laurens a letter from you which came by Mr. Ternant; and I since learn you are arrived at Philadelphia on a parole restricted to the State of Pensylvania. I regret the loss of Charles Town as a public misfortune. I regret it, as it affects my friends and among these I need not tell you how much my heart distinguishes your case. I know what you must suffer ⟨to⟩ have your...
21From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, [30 March 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received lately two letters from you, the last dated the 24th of February and am much obliged to you for the detail you give me. I hope your expectations may not be disappointed, though I confess to you my fears are very much up about your situation. The enemy will push the point at every hazard; and I am apprehensive after all you will be vulnerable on the water-side. If they will cut...
22From John Jay to John Laurens, 26[–28] March 1781 (Jay Papers)
The Arrival of the Alliance has relieved your Friends from the anxieties occasioned by the Reports of your having sailed in the Shelaly who has long been missing. I sincerely congratulate you and my Country on your being now safe at the place of your Destination, and be assured of my warmest wishes for your becoming as much distinguished in the Cabinet as you have been in the Field. Rely on,...
23From John Jay to John Laurens, 2 May 1781 (Jay Papers)
I have been favored with your very polite & obliging Letter by the Return of my Courier. None of the Letters for me from America, which you mention to have committed on your arrival to the Care of Doct r . Franklin have as yet reached me. The nature of the Warrant under which your good Father is detained, is if I am rightly informed, such as that I fear his Enlargement on Parole will not be...
24Major General John Sullivan to Lieutenant Colonels Alexander Hamilton and John Laurens, [21 September 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
[ September 20, 1777. On September 21, 1777, Hamilton and Laurens wrote to Sullivan : “We have just received your favour of Yesterday.” Letter not found .] Laurens, like H, was an aide-de-camp of Washington. A native of South Carolina and the son of Henry Laurens, John Laurens was H’s closest friend in Washington’s official family.
25From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 28 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours from Lebanon and that from Point Judith. You have my warmest thanks for the great expedition of your Journey and for your exertions since your arrival at Rhode Island. I anxiously wait an account of the Admirals arrival, and of the effect which the appearance of the Fleet had. I wish you success and safety as I am My dear Sir sincerely and Affecty Yrs LS (photocopy), in Tench...
26From George Washington to John Laurens, 10 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
The last Post brought me your Letter of the 19 May. I must confess that I am not at all astonished at the failure of your Plans. That Spirit of Freedom which at the commencement of this contest would have gladly sacrificed every thing to the attainment of its object has long since subsided, and every selfish Passion has taken its place—it is not the public but the private Interest which...
27From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 15 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
In compliance with your request I shall commit to writing the result of our conferences on the present state of American affairs; in which I have given you my ideas, with that freedom and explicitness, which the objects of your commission—my intire confidence in you—and the exigency demand. To me it appears evident: 1st—That, considering the diffused population of these states—the consequent...
28From George Washington to John Laurens, 18 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive your favor of the 19th of Decr and also the Report of the judicious & successful Movement of General Greene, by which he compelled the Enemy to abandon their Out Posts—This brilliant Manoeuvre is another proof of the singular abilities, that officer possesses. Since my last Dispatches from So. Carolina, I have been informed, via Virginia, of the intelligence...
29George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 26 April 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] April 26, 1780 . Discusses situation at Charleston. Is apprehensive of the fall of the city. Sends news of British embarkations. Regrets inability to go to the South. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
30From George Washington to John Laurens, 9 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Armand, who was charged with the delivery of many letters to you from the Marquis de la Fayette, imparting to his friends and the Ministry of France your mission; unfortunately arrived at Boston after you had Sailed from that place. By him, I gave you an acct of the revolt of part of the Jersey Troops—Arnolds Expedition to Virginia—Leslies arrival at Charles Town—and such other matters...
31From George Washington to John Laurens, 22 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received since my arrival at these Quarters, your favor of the 12th of Feby respecting the exchange of your Honble Father for Lord Cornwallis—I am sorry to inform you , that upon my arrival at Philadelphia, and for a long time after I had been there, I experienced the greatest disinclination in Congress to the exchange of Lord Cornwallis; upon any terms ; and that, it was not till after...
32From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 26 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letters of the 14th of Feby and 14th of March, and am much obliged to you for the Military details they contain. I sincerely lament that your prospects are not better than they are. The impracticability of defending the bar, I fear, amounts to the loss of the town & garrison. At this distance it is difficult to judge for you, and I have the greatest confidence in General...
33From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 28 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I shall consider myself happy to see you again in that character in which you are pleased to subscribe yourself whenever the object that drew you to Carolina may cease to be a motive for your continuing there, or will permit you to rejoin your old associates here. In this let me entreat you to believe me most sincere. Some late movements of the Enemy have given rise to a variety of...
34From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 8 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday Afternoon I recd your favr of the 4th inst. You have my warmest thanks for your indefatigable exertions to promote the intended enterprise agt the Enemy, and my sincerest wishes that you may see them crowned with the fullest success. I shall be happy if things are in a proper train at the time you mention to begin our operation. About an hour ago I recd a letter from General Maxwell,...
35From George Washington to John Laurens, 22 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your order in favor of Genl Lincoln is paid—and I shall, with great pleasure, pay the further Sum which may be due for the articles you brought from France for me, when called upon. I am sorry that the raising of the black Corps, hung in suspense when you last wrote; but hope if Your Assembly then about to sit adopted the measure, it is now in a degree of forwardness and may be useful to the...
36George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, [15 January 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New Windsor, New York, January 15, 1781. ] Summarizes conference between Laurens and Washington on state of American affairs. Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
37From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 13 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your friendly & Affectione letter of the 4th came to my hands on the 10th & would have been acknowledged yesterday by the Baron de Steuben but for some important business I was preparing for Congress. In no instance since the commencement of the War has the interposition of Providence appeared more conspicuous than in the rescue of the Post & Garrison of West point from Arnolds villainous...
38From George Washington to John Laurens, 5 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of Yesterday came to my hands late in the Afternoon. For reasons unnecessary to mention, I mean to delay the actual Appointment of my fourth Aide de Camp a while longer; but if you will do me the honour to become a member of my Family, you will make me very happy, by your Company and assistance in that Line as an Extra Aid and I shall be glad to receive you in that capacity...
39From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 30 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Before this letter reaches Boston, you will, no doubt have heard ⟨o⟩f the revolt of part of the Jersey line—I did not hesitate a moment upon the report of it in determining to bring the matter to a speedy issue, by adopting the most vigorous coercion—accordingly a detachment marched from the Posts below, and on the Morning of the 27th surrounded their Quarters & brought them—without opposition...