1From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sim Lee, 15 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter which came by a flag of truce from New-York, will, I imagine, inform you that prisoners from your state are sent here for the purpose of exchange. A copy of a letter from the master of the flag I also take the liberty of inclosing, as it will give you further information of their arrival here and escape from the flag. The master is to await the return of the prisoners whom...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sim Lee, 26 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged by your friendly communication of the intelligence from the Chevalier de la Luzerne. It was delivered to me on the 22d. Instant, two days after the date of your letter, and three days sooner than I received it by Express in the ordinary way, a Time very precious if the Enemy should really visit us. I was sorry that the Master of the Vessel returned before I could send to him,...
3From George Washington to Thomas Sim Lee, 24 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s letter of Decr 26th and its inclosure. The immediate attention of goverment to the distresses of the army, and the effectual assistance promised from the operation of the act cannot but claim the acknowlegements of every good citizen. I flatter myself from your exertions, and those of the other States from which we derive our supplies, that we shall...
4George Washington to Thomas Sim Lee, 19 February 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] February 19, 1780 . Sends Brigadier General Henry Knox’s recommendations concerning arrangement of the three Maryland companies of artillery. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Lee was governor of Maryland.
5From George Washington to Thomas Sim Lee, 19 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
About the latter end of December last I had the honor to receive a letter from His Excellency Governor Johnson dated the 27th of October, in which he proposes an arrangement for the three companies of Artillery belonging to the state of Maryland, and asks my opinion upon it. As General Knox who is at the head of the Artillery, is consequently best acquainted with its interior circumstances and...
6From George Washington to Thomas Sim Lee, 10 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honor of writing to Your Excellency on the 20th Ulti—I have obtained Returns of some Corps, which I had not then. I find there are in Moylan’s Regiment of Light Dragoons a few Men belonging to the State of Maryland, of which I inclose You a particular Return, specifying the terms for which they stand engaged. I have received within a few days past the Honor of Your Excellency’s...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sim Lee, 14 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I lately received a resolution of Congress of the 5th instant requesting the establishment of a line of expresses from Cape Henry to Philadelphia. I had before on application from General Washington formed such a Line from Cape Henry to this place in order to communicate such intelligence as I should receive to the gentleman entrusted by the General with the duty of keeping a Look out at that...
8From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sim Lee, 28 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Having just received from Carolina an authentic state of things as they exist there at present, I have thought it worthy of being communicated to Congress by putting into motion our line of express riders . The sum of it is that Clinton has sailed with about 5000 men from Charlestown; but whither, is not known: that that place is garrisoned by 800 men: that they have 2500 men at Cambden; their...
9From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Sim Lee, 11 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Maryland State Archives; copy: Library of Congress I received your Excellency’s Letter of the 4th January, enclosing an Act of your General Assembly, appointing me to nominate a Trustee for carrying the same Act into Execution, in Case the Trustees heretofore appointed should neglect or refuse it. I transmitted the Original Act, (retaining a Copy) to Mr. Russel, and desired an immediate...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sim Lee, 15 August 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
On receipt of your Letter yesterday on the subject of Stephen Mister, I enquired of the Jailer and had from him information that such a person was Sent here from Accomack in June last, charged with high treason: that the Judges at the last court admitted him to bail, (the testimony probably appearing slight) binding him in a penalty of £100,000 himself and two sureties in £50,000 each for his...
11From George Washington to Thomas Sim Lee, 2 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to inform Your Excellency that the Commission of Colo. price of your line, has been transmitted to me in a Letter dated at Frederick Town of the 31st of April last, informing of his determination to resign. The Letter was a most unreasonable time on its way and by some means was not signed, but from the subject of it—and the circumstance of it’s inclosing his Commission without...
12From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sim Lee, enclosing Signals of Recognition for Maryland and Virginia Vessels, 3 September … (Jefferson Papers)
I received your Excellency’s favor of the 28th. of August on the 30th of the same month, and should have answered it immediately but that a previous enquiry was necessary what force we could certainly contribute to the enterprize proposed. I have it now in my power to inform you that a brig carrying 14. Guns, 4. pounders and two swift sailing armed boats shall be ready to join the force from...
13From George Washington to Thomas Sim Lee, 6 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of the disagreeable intelligence of the defeat of the Army, under Major General Gates, which I have just received: I think it expedient to countermand the march of the Troops which were ordered from Maryland to join the Main Army. I am therefore to request Your Excellency to give directions for the Regiment lately raised for the War, as well, as for all the Recruits of your...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Sim Lee, 13 September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
We have received Information that a certain James Anderson, a Subject of this State, was captured in one of the Barges or Gallies which have, for some Time past, infested our Bay and interrupted our Trade, by Capts. Yellatt and Folger and carried into the State of Virginia, and is now confined at Richmond. Anderson, before and since our Government was formed, lived on Fell’s Point in Baltimore...
15[From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sim Lee, 14 September 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 14 Sep. 1780 . Anderson Galleries, sale catalogue, 19–20 Jan. 1926 (James H. Manning Sale), lot 861, lists a 1-page A.L.S. from TJ to Gov. Lee of this date announcing recapture of 150 Maryland troops from the British and expressing doubt that the enemy will “risque any naval force at Portsmouth while the superiority of the combined naval power in the American seas is so decided.”...
16From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Sim Lee, 18 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress The foregoing is a Copy of my last: since which I have received a Letter from the Trustees of the Maryland Funds in London, and the Opinions of Counsel they have consulted, Copies of which I send enclos’d. As the Trustees refuse to do any act by which they may be divested of those funds, I do not see that my Appointment, of a Person to do the Business, can have any...
17From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sim Lee, 26 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The Executive of this State, think it expedient and necessary that under our present circumstances the prisoners of war under the Convention of Saratoga, be removed from their present situation. Many circumstances have led to this necessity. It will be utterly impracticable as long as they remain with us to prevent the hostile army now in this State from being reinforced by numerous desertions...
18From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sim Lee, 2 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
In the course of examination of a British deserter this morning some information was given interesting to the state over which your Excellency presides and which therefore I think it my duty to communicate. He calls himself Peter Christian; says he is a native of New York, was taken in Fort Montgomery; that after being kept two years in prison he was induced to enlist into the British service...
19[From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sim Lee, 3 November 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 3 Nov. 1780. A letter from the Maryland Council to Col. Moses Rawlings dated 10 Nov. states: “we have received one from Governor Jefferson, of the 3d informing us that he had given Directions for the March of the Convention Troops, in two Divisions, the first to consist of the British, amounting to about 804 Rank and File, the second consists wholly of Germans, in Number, the...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sim Lee, 19 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 19 Nov. 1780. The first paragraph of this letter is identical with the first paragraph in TJ’s letter to Gates of this date, except that after “coming up James river” TJ here adds: “or I suppose any other of the waters of the Chesapeake.” The second paragraph of the letter to Lee is identical with the second paragraph of TJ’s letter to Huntington of this date, except that it lacks...
21From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sim Lee, 15 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 15 Jan. 1781. This letter is virtually identical in substance with the preceding letter to Samuel Huntington, q.v. FC ( Vi ); 2 p.; at head of text: “Governor Lee and President of the Board of War”; the letter sent to Lee is printed in Md. Archives , xlvii , 17–19. A copy was enclosed in TJ’s letter to Benjamin Harrison, 29 Jan. 1781 , q.v.
22From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sim Lee, 1 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged by your Excellency’s favour of Janury. 5th. Joseph Shoemaker is a citizen of this State and has been an active mischeivous traitor. The dangers of escape on the road from Baltimore to this place, and from this place, where since our removal from Wmsburg no public jail has been yet erected, are so great as to induce me to suggest to your Excellency the trial and punishment of...
23From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sim Lee, 6 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the Honor of receiving yesterday your Excellency’s Favour of February 27th. and had just before received the resolutions of Congress of February 20th which were the Subject of the Letter. I think that we ought not to expect any Cooperation in this Business from North Carolina and that we should be disappointed were we to expect it. A State in the midst of which are several different...
24From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sim Lee, 12 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The prisoners of Convention and those taken at the Cowpens having been ordered on the late Approach of Lord Cornwallis to move on to our Northern Boundary, while Congress could be consulted as to what should be done with them, I have received a Letter from the President from which the inclosed is extracted. They have I believe reached as far as Winchester from which place they are now ordered...
25From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sim Lee, 12 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellency’s Favor of the 7th. came to Hand last night. We have been endeavouring to procure what armed vessels we could, but they are in James river and of Course cannot possibly get out of that River, but under Countenance of a Naval power superior to that of the Enemy; and indeed they are so trifling that they could not venture up the Bay were they out of James River. From the best...
26From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sim Lee, 21 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 21 Mch. 1781 . This letter is virtually identical with TJ’s letter to Samuel Huntington, same date , q.v., but with the omission noted there. Tr ( MdAA ). FC ( Vi ). Enclosure ( MdAA ): Copy of James Barron to TJ, 20 Mch. 1781 , q.v.
27From George Washington to Thomas Sim Lee, 22 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 18th ulto came to Head Quarters during my visit to Count de Rochambeau at Newport from whence I only returned two days ago. You may be assured that every attention shall be paid to the Exchange of Colo. Marbury in his due turn, more than that I cannot promise without deviating from a Rule of conduct which I myself had ever observed and which has lately been...
28From George Washington to Thomas Sim Lee, 7 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
By a Resolve of Congress of the 31st of May two Battalions of Infantry and a Corps of those consisting of sixty four Dragoons are required of the State of Maryland to serve for three Months from the time of their respectively rendezvousing at the Place or Places directed by me. Your Excellency has no Doubt, been made acquainted, that the foregoing requisition is founded upon the alarming...
29From George Washington to Thomas Sim Lee, 10 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s favor of the 29th June. It is with very great satisfaction I observe the proceedings of the General Assembly of your state which you have been pleased to communicate to me The exertions of that Legislature have heretofore been laudable and I am exceeding glad to see the same spirit still prevailing—For my own part I have not a...
30From George Washington to Thomas Sim Lee, 27 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Official accounts which I have received, giving me Reason to expect the arrival of a powerfull Fleet of our Allies very soon in Chesapeak, if not already Arrived—this Expectation, together with some other Circumstances not necessary at present to detail to you have inducd me to make a total alteration in the concerted measures of this Campaign—In Consequence, I am now marchg a very...
31From George Washington to William Livingston, 3 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to inform your Excellency that the Operations of the present Campaign are tendg very seriously to the Southward—& that a large Detatchment of the American Army—with the whole of the French Troops, are now on the March for Virginia—As the Article of Supplies for the Army which will be collected in that Quarter, & which will probably be large, will be a Matter of the last...
32From George Washington to Thomas Sim Lee, 11 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I intended, on passing thro Maryland, to have done myself the Pleasure to have seen your Excellency—but Circumstances pressing upon me as I advanced on my March, & Time slipping from me too fast, I found a Necessity of getting on with such Rapidity that I have been obliged to proceed without calling at Anapolis. I am exceedingly pleased, to find, as I passed thro your State, that a Spirit for...
33From George Washington to Thomas Sim Lee, 15 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency has been informed, that on hearing the French Fleet had sailed from the Capes, I had given Orders to the Troops which were Embarked, to stop their Proceeding. I am now happy to be able to inform your Excellency, that the Count DeGrasse is returned to his former Station at Cape Henry, havg driven the British Fleet from the Coast—formed a Junction with the Squadron of the Count...
34From George Washington to Thomas Sim Lee, 12 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 3d—Give me leave to return you my sincerest thanks for your exertions on the present occasion— the supplies granted by the State are so liberal, that they remove every apprehension of Want. Colo. Blaine has gone himself over to the Eastern shore to see that the Cattle from thence are brought down to the proper landing where they will...
35From George Washington to Thomas Sim Lee, 29 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
During the operations against York, Capt. Thomas Shilds was sent to the Eastern shore of Maryland in order to procure plank for the artillery and engineering departments. The exigency was so pressing, that he was directed to spare no measures for procuring it. Part of it he obtained by contract, and the remainder, 13,546 feet of inch pine plank, he was under a necessity of taking by impress....
36From George Washington to Thomas Sim Lee, 30 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the honor of transmitting to your Excellency the terms upon which Lord Cornwallis has surrendered the Garrisons of York and Gloucester. We have not been able yet, to get an Acct of Prisoners, Ordnance or Stores in the different departments—but from the best general report there will be (Officers included) upwards of Seven thousand Men besides Seamen—more than 70 pieces of Brass...
37From George Washington to Thomas Sim Lee, 16 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to receive your Excellencys last Favor, a few Days before I left my Quarters below. I immediately caused the Enquiries you mentioned, to be made—but with very little Success—Of the Refugees named, none were to be found in the Returns made to me—The Commissry of Prisoners could only collect, that a Mr French had been with the Enemy at Portsmouth, and had left that place to go to...
38From George Washington to Thomas Sim Lee, 8 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have lately been informed, that a number of Soldiers, Belonging to the Army which had served in Virginia, were, on their return from thence, left sick in Annapolis, and that they are now in a very distressed situation for the want of Cloathing, and other necessaries—I shall direct the Clothier to send such Articles as are most necessary, as soon as may be; and in the mean time will pray your...
39From George Washington to Thomas Sim Lee, 14 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
I think it necessary to inform your Excellenc,y that I have granted permission for the sloops Mary and Leith, to proceed from New York to Baltimore, with Cloathing and Necessaries for the British and German Prisoners of War at Frederick Town and other places in the State. Should there be any impropriety in these Vessels going up to the Town, you will lodge orders to have them stopped at any...
40From George Washington to Thomas Sim Lee, 5 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I must request your Excellency to make it a Rule in future, when persons apply for Liberty to go to or within the Enemy’s Lines, to insert in your Passports, that they shall repair to Dobbs’s Ferry, which is the only Post from whence Flags are sent or at which they are received. This is absolutely necessary to prevent that illegal Intercourse & Traffic which are now carried to so great a...
41From George Washington to Thomas Johnson and Thomas Sim Lee, 18 May 1785 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the Subscribers to the Potowmac Navigation held yesterday agreeable to the Acts of Assembly of both States, a President and Directors were chosen, the former I have accepted of, & you two in conjunction with George Gilpin & John Fitzgerald Esqrs. were appointed Directors which I hope will be agreeable to you[.] As the Season begins to advance I have thought necessary that we...
42From George Washington to Thomas Johnson and Thomas Sim Lee, 10 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 30th ulto did not reach me until the 8th instant; I went the next day to Alexandria & laid it before Colos. Fitzgerald and Gilpin, who with myself, acceded fully to the propriety of your proposal of buying servants. Of this, the Secretary was directed to inform you; also of our sentiments respecting the hire of Negroes by the year, & to ask your opinion of the number...
43From George Washington to Thomas Johnson and Thomas Sim Lee, 9 December 1787 (Washington Papers)
Presuming that Colo. Fitzgerald according to his promise has communicated to you the vote of the Potomack Co. passed at the last general Meeting, held at George Town, and the measures consequent of it, taken by the directors, I shall trouble you with no more than the result which you will find in the enclosed authenticated Act of the Assembly of this State. It is scarcely necessary to observe...
44From George Washington to Thomas Sim Lee, 9 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the Receipt of your Excellency’s letter of the 1st Inst. recommending Mr Benj’n Harwood to be Loan Officer for the U.S. in Maryland, and to express the satisfaction which I always feel in finding respectable & dignified Characters united in testifying to the merits & ability of those Candidates for office where I have not had an opportunity of being personally acquainted...
45From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sim Lee, 25 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your Excellency’s letter of the 20th. and have duly laid the same before the President. Measures had been already taken for prosecuting such American citizens as had joined in the capture therein mentioned, a letter to that effect having been written to the Attorney of the US. in the state of Maryland. With respect to the prize, the government did not think itself authorised...
46From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sim Lee, 13 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your Excellency’s favor of the 3d. inst. The answers given to the French Consul are so perfectly proper that no further observation on the subject is necessary. It is really unfortunate that the agents of the French republic should be conducting themselves as if their object was to disgust and alienate all the friends of their nation. It is but an act of justice however to...
47From George Washington to Thomas Sim Lee, 13 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
The Letter with which your Excellency was pleased to favor me, dated the 7th inst. was received on the 10th—& might have been acknowledged the next day; but I waited the arrival of Friday’s mail in hopes that I should have had a report from the Secretary of War relatively to the Ship Roehampton. Disappointed in this, I am not able to give any opinion thereon, uninformed as I am of the specific...
48From George Washington to Thomas Sim Lee, 16 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s Letter of the 11 instant. When the British Vice-Consul at Baltimore exhibits all his proofs respecting the capture of the Brigantine Coningham, a better judgment can be formed than at present, whether this act is an infraction of neutrality. In doing this he ought to make no delay; because there can be no decision before the evidence on both sides is heard....
49From George Washington to Thomas Sim Lee, 25 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Philadelphia July 25th 1794. This letter will accompany an official one from the Secretary of State—written to you by my desire—It is unnecessary therefore for me to repeat what is contained in his letter; but I shall express with frankness, a wish that it may comport with your convenience to accept the proffered appointment—provided your health, inclination & habits, would...
50From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Sim Lee, 21 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to acknowlege the Receipt of your letter to the Secretary at War of the 15 instant. The President, to whom it has been communicated, considers the determination of the Council to furnish the detachment of Militia called for from your State with Musquets Bayonets and Cartouchboxes as a new proof of their zeal for the support of the Government and laws of the United States. It...