51Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 1 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay. The resolutions of Congress you inclosed me respecting the beef to be provided by this State, for Genl Greene’s Army, is by no means as full as it ought to be, and cannot be complyed with, even if our Circumstances were much more flourishing than they are. I some time ago forwarded a resolution of our Assembly, forbidding any specific...
52Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 15 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. Addressed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” You will receive herewith an Authenticated Copy of the Certificate of Gen: Clarke and Col: Todd which was omitted by a Mistake of the Clerk when Nathans other Papers were forwarded to you. I hope they will get in Time to prevent his obtaining an Award in his favor which appears to me...
53Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 1 December 1781 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Inclosed you have two Resolutions of the General Assembly of this St[ate] respecting the feeding of the British Prisoners now with us. The Resolutions ind[eed] only prohibit the Impress of Provisions, but I would recommend it to you to [ask?] Congress immediately, to send a Commissary forward, or the Troops will suffer, perhaps starve, the State having no Means of...
54Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 28 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The first page of the letter is folio 53 of Vol. 3 of this collection. Probably about forty years after the delegates received the letter, JM wrote on the obverse of the page, “Harrison Benjn. Decr. 28. 1822.” Someone unknown, after canceling “1822,” wrote “1782” above it. The second page of the letter, bearing only the last paragraph, the complimentary close, and...
55Benjamin Harrison to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 26 December 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
You have enclosed the copy of an act of the general assembly to authorise the united States in Congress to adopt certain regulations respecting the british trade , also the acts empowering Congress to levy an impost, and empowering the delegates to convey to Congress the claim of this State to the country north westward of the river Ohio, which several acts you will please to lay before...
56Benjamin Harrison to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 5 December 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
The last post brought no letter from you which I am really sorry for as the definitive treaty which we hear is certainly arrived is much wanted by the assembly and would perhaps prevent some steps being taken that may be contrary to it. Do Congress mean to take no measures to counteract the designs of the British respecting our trade ? If they do it must be immediately to have any effect here...
57Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 8 June 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. I am much obliged to you for your communications by the last post. I hope the difficulties thrown in the way of our supplies will be removed by the resolutions of the Assembly, If they should not let me beg of you to use every endeavour to satisfy the Minister that payment will be made according to agreement and that the stores are...
58Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 18 October 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Addressed to “Delegates in Congress.” In the hand of Samuel Patteson. I received your favor by the last post with its enclosures which shall be laid before the assembly as soon as they meet which I hope will be next week. The sooner Congress come to a determination on the subject of trade the better as I expect it will be the first thing of consequence that will be...
59Benjamin Harrison to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 16 April 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Randolph was so obliging as to read me a Letter from the honble John F. Mercer addressed to the Honble. Executive Council of Virginia which I suppose from the stile of it was intended as an official Letter from the corresponding member of our Delegation in Congress tho’ I have no other reason for thinking so but a complaint made in it of negligence in me or curiosity in the Postmaster, one...
60Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 16 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In William Tatham’s hand and directed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I did not know till the receipt of your favor of the 6th. instant that any application had been made to the Assembly for instructions on the several matters you mention as no Letter on the Subject ever came to my Hands, nor do I know whether the Assembly gave any or not, if they did they...
61Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 11 January 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay, assistant clerk of the Council of State. We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 1st instant and to inform you that the packet by Captain Irish did not get to hand time enough for the assembly which rose on the fifth. They have passed a bill for raising 3000 men. We have no doubt of getting them provided...
62Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 20 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In William Tatham’s hand and directed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I can not account for the loss of my Letter as I have not omitted writing by every post except the last for several months. The petition you enclosed me from Kentuckey is the weak efforts of a small faction encouraged by some persons near you, it must now be subdued, or Government must exert...
63Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 31 January 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether, “third clerk of the Council of State” ( JCSV H. R. McIlwaine et al ., eds., Journals of the Council of the State of Virginia (4 vols. to date; Richmond, 1931——). , III, 194). Addressed to “The Virginia Delegates in Congress.” My being absent from this Place attending a beloved and dying Sister occasion’d your receiving no Letter...
64Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 25 October 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Addressed to “The Virginia Delegates in Congress.” In the hand of Samuel Patteson. This letter and the one from Harrison on 30 October to the Virginia delegates ( q.v. ) are included in this volume because they are dated before the expiration of the term of JM in Congress on 2 November. Obviously, they could not have reached their destination while he was still a...
65Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 14 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas L. Savage. Addressed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” You have Mazzeis Letter which was left out of mine by mistake now enclosed. I am anxious to know what he has written to Mr. Adams as he seems to think it a Matter of some Consequence to America. I congratulate you on the good news you will find in the enclosed paper, which I think may...
66Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 2 November 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Lyttleton Savage. Addressed to “The Virginia Delegates in Congress.” On 14 October 1782 Savage had succeeded William Tatham as assistant clerk of the Council of State ( Journals of the Council of State H. R. McIlwaine et al ., eds., Journals of the Council of the State of Virginia (3 vols. to date; Richmond, 1931——). , III, 156). I received...
67Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 23 November 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas L. Savage. Addressed to “The Honble Virginia Delegates in Congress.” If the letter mention’d in the enclosed ever came to Congress thro’ Mr. John Adams I shall be oblig’d to you for a copy of it, the request can not be improper as it was the Intention of the writer that I should have it. An enquirey is order’d into the Conduct of a Gentleman...
68Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 17 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. Addressed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I have nothing of Consequence to communicate to you by this Post[.] a sufficient Number to constitute an Assembly met on Munday last, but the great Business of the Session is not sufficiently open’d to enable me to form a conclusive Judgment on the Steps that will be taken to improve...
69Benjamin Harrison to the Virginia Delegates, 20 February 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of the 23d. of last month yesterday with Mr. Pollocks letter which I shall lay before the next assembly. Some part of his complaint may be just tho’ the last assembly thought more money had been already paid and assumed than he was justly entitled to, and I am of opinion there can be but little more due, tho’ they in their hurry at the close of a session had agreed to pay...
70Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 20 March 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. Addressed to “The Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Your acceptable favor of the 12th. Instant reached me last Evening, the acknowledgement of our Independence gives me great Pleasure, for tho’ the Peace is not finally concluded, yet we may safely look on that Part of it, as certain and not to be retracted. I shall make such Parts...
71Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 11 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Addressed to “Virga. Delegates.” The handwriting is that of Archibald Blair through the word “Counties” in the first paragraph. The copying was completed by Thomas Meriwether. When Count Rochambeau was about to leave this State He call’d on Government for 1000 Men to garrison the Towns of York & Gloucester. his request has in part been comply’d with[.] about 520...
72Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 23 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In William Tatham’s hand and directed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I recd. your favor of the 13th. instant. It gives me real pleasure to find the English Ministry seriously inclined to peace, yet I agree with you, it would be imprudent to relax in our preparations for War. I find by the resolutions of Congress that they are not inclined to any kind of...
73Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 27 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay. By some queries that have been presented to the Attorney General there is reason to apprehend that the people who inhabit the lands that were in dispute with the State of Pennsylvania are likely to suffer, not only in the property of their lands but by a reversal of the decrees of the Courts whilst they were look’d on as subjects of this...
74Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 13 September 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Samuel Patteson. Addressed to “The Honorable Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I arrived here yesterday after a very pleasant trip of a fortnight which has perfectly restored my health. It gives me pleasure to find by your favor that positive orders are given to General Carelton to remove from New York, the sooner he goes the better, as I never can...
75Benjamin Harrison to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 30 October 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
The two last posts brought no letters from you which I am really sorry for as a full account of the proceedings of Congress on the place of their permanent residence was expected. There are not yet a sufficient number of members to proceed to business. I am &c. FC ( Vi ); caption reads: “Delegates in Congress.”
76Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 19 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Archibald Blair. I enclose you a copy of the direction of a Letter dated 14th. May which came to me from Winchr. three days ago which I shou’d not have open’d but for its being frank’d by Mr. Livingstone, I am really concernd that so little care should have been taken in Communicating the Birth of a Dauphine to me, it may perhaps induce a belief in...
77Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 19 September 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Addressed to “The Honorable Virginia Delegates in Congress.” In the hand of Samuel Patteson. Yesterday’s post brought me none of your favors. I have nothing to communicate to you but that my advices from our north western frontiers tell me that if the Pennsylvanians continue their settlements on the other side of Ohio a general indian war is to be apprehended which...
78Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 11 January 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas L. Savage. Addressed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Your favor of the 31th. of last Month is before me the contents of it were in some Measure answer’d by the last post. Why the Bill laying an impost of 5 pCt. on imported Articles was repealed, is left to conjecture, other than is declared by the preamble, the Assembly had your Letter as...
79Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 8 November 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas L. Savage. Addressed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Your favor of the 29th: Ulto: reached me yesterday. If the reports from Canada and New York are true, the English are certainly become the most faithless Nation on Earth, and mean by fraud and deceit to accomplish what they could not do by force. how far their Plan will succeed I can...
80Benjamin Harrison to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 14 November 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I have at last received a letter from you which with its important enclosures were immediately laid before the Assembly. They came in the most critical time, the subject of the impost being then under consideration. Mr. Adams’s letter silenced the opposition and I have now no doubt of its obtaining. I earnestly wish Congress had entered into some general recommendations for counteracting the...
81Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 2 February 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay. We have received none of your Favors by the last two posts, nor has any Northward Mail come in. I suppose the Badness of the Weather as usual stopped them on the road. On looking over your letter by Captn Irish I find that you suppose the bill drawn payable to him was for part of the four tenths of the new Congress money as it is called;...
82Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 1 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of William Tatham, assistant clerk of the Virginia Council of State, and directed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” It gives me great pleasure to find that the States of Holland have at last de[c]lared in favor of the Independence of America I have no doubt but great good will result from it both to them & us. Your Secretary at War (Gen. Lincoln) has...
83Instruction to Virginia Delegates in re Demobilization of Troops, 26–27 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Docketed: “Resolution For advancing three Months pay to the Soldiers of the Virginia line, from the Southern Army 26th June 1783 Copied for Govr.” Whereas a body of troops of this States line in the continental service has lately arrived in the town of Richmond from the southward under the command of Captain Parker and other troops of the same line are daily...
Printed text ( Journal of the House of Delegates Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia; Begun and Held at the Capitol, in the City of Williamsburg . Beginning in 1780, the portion after the semicolon reads, Begun and Held in the Town of Richmond. In the County of Henrico . The journal for each session has its own title page and is individually paginated. The edition...
85Instructions to Virginia Delegates in re Financial Quota, 28 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( NA : PCC , No. 75, fols. 380–81). This manuscript is twice docketed on folio 381. One docket, probably written in Virginia, reads, “Resolution of assy of Virginia relating to payment of the requisitions of Congress to be laid before Congress.” The other docket, probably written by one of Charles Thomson’s clerks, is as follows: “Resolutions of Legislature of Virginia 28 Decr. 1782 for...
86Instructions to Virginia Delegates in re Tobacco Contract, 28 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( NA : PCC , No. 75, fols. 376–79). Docketed: “Resolves of the Virginia Assembly December 28th 1782 relating to the Shipment of a larger qy of Tobo under passports of July of Congress than was agreed to be permitted to be laid before Congress.” The outstanding example in Virginia of the general problem of suppressing illicit trade with the enemy by flag-of-truce vessels was the...
87Instruction to Virginia Delegates in re Fortifications, 17 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( NA : PCC , No. 20, II, 313–14). Docketed: “Resolve of genl Assembly of Virginia That an application be made to Congress for 750 £ to level works at York Town July 31. 1783 Referred to Mr Read Mr Ellery Mr Williamson.” Resolved that it be an instruction to the Delegates representing this State in Congress to make application to Congress to obtain an order on the Continental Treasurer in...
88Instruction to Virginia Delegates in re Ship “Cormorant,” 26–27 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 137, II, 729). Docketed: “Resolution of genl Assembly of Virginia 26 June 1783 Read 23 July Referred so far as relates to the offer of the Ship Cormorant , to the Agent of Marine to report.” Unsigned by John Beckley, clerk of the House of Delegates, or by William Drew, clerk of the Senate, this instruction varies in form from that of the instructions usually sent by the...
89Instruction to Virginia Delegates in re Treaty of Commerce, 23–24 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). On 22 May 1783 the Virginia House of Delegates referred to the Committee of Commerce the letter of 13 May from the delegates in Congress to Governor Benjamin Harrison ( Delegates to Harrison, 13 May 1783 , ed. n.; JHDV (1828 ed.). Journal of the House of Delegates of Virginia, Anno Domini, 1776 (Richmond, 1828). , May 1783, p. 16). On 23 May, instead of the...
90Instructions to Virginia Delegates in re Permanent Site for Congress, 28 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( NA : PCC , No. 46, fols. 55–58). Docketed: “Resolutions of the Genl Assembly of Virginia. Offers to induce Congress to fix their residence in that State. Read July 16. 1783. Copies to be made out & sent to the several States.” Whereas the Legislature of Virginia are fully convinced of the advantages that would result to the United States by having some fixed place of residence for...
91Instructions to Virginia Delegates in re Settlement of Accounts, 28 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( NA : PCC , No. 75, fols. 382–83). Docketed, “Resolution of the Assemby of Virga. relative to the Loss of Vouchers &.c Decemr. 28. 1782 to be laid before Congress.” Mr. Richard Henry Lee reported from the Committee appointed to inquire into the Progress of the Continental Account that the Committee had according to Order examined the same and had agreed upon a Report and come to several...
92Instruction to Virginia Delegates in re Peace Negotiations, [17 and 19 December] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed text ( Journal of the House of Delegates Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia; Begun and Held at the Capitol, in the City of Williamsburg . Beginning in 1780, the portion after the semicolon reads, Begun and Held in the Town of Richmond. In the County of Henrico . The journal for each session has its own title page and is individually paginated. The edition...
93Instructions to Virginia Delegates, 24–25 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of John Beckley, clerk of the House of Delegates, with the exception of the attestation by William Drew, clerk of the Senate. Resolved unanimously that a Proposition from the Enemy to all or any of these United States for Peace or Truce, separate from their Allies, is insidious and inadmissible. Resolved unanimously that a Proposition from the Enemy for...
RC ( NA : PCC , No. 75, fols. 386–87). Docketed: “Resolutions of Assembly of Virginia 27 June 1783 relative to their offer of Cession of lands NW of Ohio Read 23 July to lie on table.” Resolved that it would be improper to determine upon that part of the memorial of the Officers and soldiers of the Virginia line on Continental establishment presented to this Session of Assembly which prays for...
95From Thomas Jefferson to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 15 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I called on Mr. Anderson the Writer of the letter to Capt. Trot which you were pleased to inclose to me and desired he would explain the foundation on which he had written that letter. His explanation I now inclose you, from which you will be able to collect only thus much, that his application on behalf of Mr. Trot was utterly rejected and nothing said which could authorize him to suppose we...
96Thomas Jefferson to Virginia Delegates, 26 March 1781 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Written by a clerk. I beg leave to ask your Sollicitations with Congress for Permission to Colo. William Davies of the Virginia line to accept an Appointment to the War Office of this State without prejudice to his rank and right to half-pay for life, Lands, and Depreciation of pay. I am in Hopes it will be the more easily obtained as by the Discontinuance of...
97From Thomas Jefferson to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 10 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
A small Affair has taken Place between the British commanding Officer in this State (Genl. Phillips) and the Executive which as he may endeavour to get Rid of through the medium of Congress, I think it necessary previously to apprise you of it. General Scott obtained Permission from the Commandant at Charlestown for vessels with necessary Supplies to go from hence to them, but instead of...
98From Thomas Jefferson to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 8 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed papers so fully explain themselves, that I need say nothing more to apprize you of the Subject. Should the Governor of Maryland and President of Maryland not close with my third proposition, you are hereby authorized to treat with the Delegates of those two States or any other Person appointed by the States and to settle the best method of availing the Southern Army of their...
99From Thomas Jefferson to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 15 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
A Difference of opinion having taken place between the Executive of this State and Mr. Simon Nathan as to the rate at which certain Bills of exchange should be discharged in paper money, we have agreed with him to refer it to such Gentlemen of Knowledge in the Laws, of established Character and of any other State, as yourselves shall mutually agree on with him. Their award shall be performed...
100Thomas Jefferson to Virginia Delegates, 10 May 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( NA : PCC , No. 71, II, 109–10). Written by a clerk and signed by Jefferson. Directed to “The Honble The Virga. Delegates in Congress.” Docketed, “Letter from Govr Jefferson May 10 1781 Read 29 Referred to the board of War.” The file copy is in the Virginia State Library and a transcript in LC : Jefferson Papers. A small Affair has taken Place between the British commanding Officer in this...