1To George Washington from Robert Howe, 4 May 1785 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer Mr Sitgreaves is a Delegate in Congress for the State of North Carolina, the Respect he has for your character induces him strongly to wish that he may know you personally, and being well assur’d that he is worthy of an introduction to you, I take the liberty to recommend him to your Civilities, I am sorry that inevitable Circumstances deprive the publick of the advantages which...
2To George Washington from Robert Howe, 4 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
In the year 1781 when I went to the protection of the Stores at Tarry Town I marched off as your Excellency well remembers at a moments warning the party who went under my Command moved off without Baggage or Provisions, as this was the case the men were in want of support the more especially as the fatigue in getting the Stores on Shore & up the hill was considerable—a little Rum upon such an...
3To George Washington from Robert Howe, 21 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
Having been reduced to a situation very disagreeable to me indeed by having an action brought against me for a debt which ought long since to have been paid by the publick, & which was only suspended being carried into Court by my pledging my honour to settle it before I went out of Town, I have been and am unable to leave this place or I had long since paid my Respects your Excellency. I...
4To George Washington from Robert Howe, 9 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
I was honour’d with your Excellency’s favour of the 26th Septr on the 6th Instant late at night I feel the greatest happiness that my conduct has met the approbation of Congress and am very much obliged to your Excellency for the polite manner in which you have favour’d me with the Resolves of that Honble Body. I am Dear Sir with Every Sentimant of Respect and Regard your Excellency’s most obt...
5To George Washington from Robert Howe, 25 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
Previous to your Excellency’s favour this moment receiv’d the troops were under orders to march for Tomorrow . some papers which ought to have been sent me were omitted to be transmitted, & I sh’d not get them until saturday by Mr Jackson. The subsistance money for the next month was requisit ioned to the movement of the officers, they receiv’d it last Evening & requir’d this day to settle...
6To George Washington from Robert Howe, 14 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been hon’d by your Excellency’s favour and am much obliged by the communication & indulgence that it conveys. I hope very soon to pay my Respects to you at Rocky Hill, which honour I should have long since done my self had I not thought it improper to leave this place until the matters committed to my charge were intirely clos’d. I have the honour to be with the greatest Respect Sir...
7To George Washington from Robert Howe, 2 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to inclose your Excellency a Copy of my Letter to the President of Congress from which you will see the Measures I have pursued upon an Occasion perplexing & intricate—& if in the Course of it I have so conducted Matters as not to merit your Excellency’s Disapprobation it will make me happy. I conceived that your Excellency would not wish to be Troubled with the Proceedings of...
8To George Washington from Robert Howe, 31 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
By Doctor Craik I had the honour to write a few lines to your Excellency & having now nothing new to communicate I only repeat that nothing shall be wanting to finish all matters here when I flatter myself it will appear that invention or delay have not been among my faults with Every Respect I am Dear Sir your Excellency’s most obt hum. servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
9To George Washington from Robert Howe, 28 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the honour to inform your Excellency that the part of Colo. Jacksons who were here marched off this morning Except some so lately recover’d as to render their moving improper and a few others still sick; of the latter class none dangerously & in all as major Norton says about thirty odd—I am hastening with all possible dispatch matters here to a close. I have the honor to be Dear sir...
10To George Washington from Robert Howe, 26 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
I was honor’d with your Excellency’s Favor of the 24th Inst. late last Night. That Part of Jackson’s Regt now here will march to-Morrow Eveg or next Day Morng—Vose’s shall follow as soon as Circumstances will admit—No Desire of unnecessarily detaining them, or remaining myself having the least Revalence in my Bosom. I was strongly persuaded my former Letters would have met your Excellency at...
11To George Washington from Robert Howe, 24 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
Major Gibbs marched with Sprouts Regiment yesterday morning very early—Having furnished him with a waggon to take the baggage of some soldiers who had been sick & who with that indulgence can march, his numbers will I imagine be about three hundred and fifty: and as the Court-Martial will now very soon close their proceedings I have not detached the small number deficient of the four hundred,...
12To George Washington from Robert Howe, 21 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
I find that Sprout’s will not be able to march off much more than Three hundred Effective Rank & File—The Rest of Jackson’s That are here fit for Duty are one hundred & sixty six—Vose’s a Little more than three hundred—as Jackson’s compose a Part of Paterson’s Brigade I submit it to your Excellency’s Consideration whether they shoud immediately follow Sprout’s or remain & march when the Rest...
13To George Washington from Robert Howe, 21 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
As a peace Establishment is I hear to take place, and as I feel an inclination to serve my country in a military line whilst that sort of service is thought requisite, I think it my Duty to inform your Excellency of this Disposition—I had the honour Sir of mentioning this to you once before, & I now take the liberty to repeat that should you Deem me Worthy of your Influence & will Exert it in...
14To George Washington from Robert Howe, 20 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of your Excellency’s letter received yesterday, I have ordered Colonel Sprouts Regiment to be ready for march on a moments warning, and shall direct them to take the rout prescribed. I do not believe they will be able to moove off before saturday, but they shall if possible. They will march under the command of one field officer—the other with the officers on Court martial duty...
15To George Washington from Robert Howe, 19 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am just now honour’d with your Excellency’s favour of the 13th & shall take the measures Consequent thereto. As I inclose this to the President of Congress to be forwarded by any conveyance which may offer, I delay writing more fully until tomorrows Post as that Letter may arrive as soon if not sooner than this With the greatest Respect I am Dear sir your Excellency’s most Obt Servt DLC :...
16To George Washington from Robert Howe, 23 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your Excellency’s favour of the 16th instant yesterday. The Judge Advocate announced himself to me on the 14th—The General Court martial was ordered to sit the next day and was to have been composed of the officers of the Massachusetts and Pennsylvania lines—The officers of the latter from some points of delicacy declined acting and though I did not, for reasons which must...
17To George Washington from Robert Howe, 7 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Troops encamped within Two Miles of this Town on Saturday where They remain still, for having procured Tents for Them. They are permitted to hold little or no Communication with the Town. Immediately on my Arrival I took Measures to carry into Execution the Intentions of Congress to the utmost Extent—but I have it to regret that where so much ought to be known so Little Means of...
18To George Washington from Robert Howe, 3 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
The troops halted at this place last night and are now crossing the river for Philadelphia. Though Congress in their Resolution seem to leave me the Judge of the numbers requisite to the purposes they have in view, yet the committee of Congress with whom I was directed to confer gave it as their opinion upon my report to them of the numbers I had with me, that they were not more than they...
19To George Washington from Robert Howe, 1 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
I arrived yesterday with the Troops within some Miles of this Place where They will halt until Twelve to Night. The President of Congress having informed me that He has given your Excellency a particular Account of The Operations of the Mutineers & The Proceedings of the Executive of Pennsylvania Thereupon as well as the Steps Taken by Congress in Consequence Thereof, I shall not Trouble you...
20To George Washington from Robert Howe, 1 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
The inclos’d Resolution of Congress has been just now handed me & the Express sets off in a moment, fuller Instructions are to be given me—my situation appears to me to be critical much seems to me Expected from me & whatever I do may on one side be thought too little, on the other too much, for unhappily Congress & the state of Pennsylvania (at least the Executive of it) differ widely in...
21To George Washington from Robert Howe, 27 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Troops arrived at this place last night and commenced their march at three this morning—The Bad Roads (the mountains being a Part) the Heat of the weather & want of shoes made the men appear to be much fatigued. our Provisions will be out at noon this day and from what information I can get we shall continue to out go it unless we make a halt should this be the case I shall probably halt...
22To George Washington from Robert Howe, 25 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have delayd answering your Excellency’s favour in reply to mine requesting leave of absence until the matter betwixt Genl Hazen and Mr Edwards was determined, as it appeard to be your wish (to me always a Law) that I should remain ’till it was over. As motives of Business induced the request I made, the delay has not been without inconvenience to me, but my own affairs Shall always be, as...
23To George Washington from Robert Howe, 9 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
By letters I have received I find it very necessary to my affairs to repair to Boston as soon as possible; and therefore request of your Excellency that leave of absence you was so kind as to intimate you would in that case give me when I had the honor to speak to you upon the subject. I should have been glad the necessity of going had not occured; but since it has your indulgence will much...
24To George Washington from Horatio Gates, 23 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to Your Excellency’s Orders, we the undersigned met at Ellisons, and took into consideration that part of The Memorial presented to Your Excellency by Brigadr General Hazen, & a number of officers of his Regiment, wherein they set forth, that by the partiallity of the Judge advocate, Mr Edwards in Conducting the Proceedings of a General Court Martial lately Assembled for the Trial of...
25To George Washington from Robert Howe, 30 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am surprized at being reported to your Excellency in the manner I have been by major general Heath, but am happy in the persuasion that my reasons for my conduct will be satisfactory both to you and to service. On the 26th I marched with the Troops until I had leave of General Heath to quarter at General McDougalls. On the 27th I was so unwell that I could not join my division as early in...
26To George Washington from Robert Howe, 1 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
If the ultimate End arriv’d at by the Enemy in sending out Fishing Parties from our Prisoners in New-york, & purchasing Wood within our Lines, was really intended for the Benefit of the Prisoners alone, The Measure ought to meet our heartiest Approbation—But as under this Aspect they may by picking out proper Implements from among our People, continue that Transient Intercourse already found...
27To George Washington from Robert Howe, 8 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
The first Quere your Excellency has been pleas’d to submit to the consideration of your Generals is, that admitting the Enemy to aggregate their Force at New York and to retain a naval superiority both in Harbour and at Sea, their number then ammounting to 16090 Men, whether it is probable we shall obtain men and means sufficient to undertake the siege of New York, what force will be necessary...
28To George Washington from Robert Howe, 26 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I inclose your Excellency a letter from Lt Colo. Fernald in behalf of Captain Marshall, his situation is particular and he has it seems given his winter to Publick service in a way Extra to his immediate line. General Heath appears to think him Entitled to indulgence & Colo. Fernald says his Regiment can spare him, he wishes to have leave until the first of July, less time than that will not...
29To George Washington from John Paterson, 22 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency having been pleased in your letter to major-general Heath of the 17th instant to request our opinion at what places it may be best to establish magazines of provisions for the moving army—and also what should be deemed the dependencies of West-point—We beg leave to give our opinion as follows; viz. Considering the contingencies of the campaign, magazines may be eligible at...
30To George Washington from Robert Howe, 8 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
Late last night my unabating Efforts obtain’d me a sum of money which tho’ not perhaps quite Equal to my Expences will Enable me to Leave Town (I hope) without discredit. Some part of this Cash has advanced me by a friend I accidentally met with upon Generous Terms, but the Residue (and that the greater Part) I have been moved to Accept upon hard Condition of indebting myself one hundred...
31To George Washington from Robert Howe, 4 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
Accept my Dear General my warmest Congratulations on the Glorious Events which have taken place & which as they resulted from the wisdom of your measures & the noble manner in which you Executed them reflects a lustre upon your Conduct which must rejoice your Friends & entitle you to the applause & gratitude of the present & of future generations. As among the officers sent from the southward...
32To George Washington from Robert Howe, 19 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
One of my friends in Congress having informed me that the Delegates of the State of Georgia had moved Congress that an Enquiry might be made into my Conduct as to some military Transactions which happened in December 1778 & that your Excellency would be directed to order this Enquiry when Circumstances would admit of it, I take the Liberty to request that if it should take place, it may not be...
33To George Washington from Robert Howe, 25 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Every circumstance militates to confirm me in opinion that your Excellency intends marching with the army under your immediate command to the Relief of Virginia, the two Carolina’s & Georgia. I wish you Dear sir in that , as in all other Cases from the Bottom of my soul success, Honour, glory and safety. The wisdom of the measure deserves the highest applause and I anticipate the deliverance...
34To George Washington from Robert Howe, 22 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Inconvenience that must arise to service by retarding the Works necessary to our aking he Field, should the artificers detaild from the Line march with their Regiments, has induc’d me to order them to remain until your Excellency’s Pleasure is known upon the Subject, which please give me by the Express Boat which I send on Purpose. Your Orders respecting the Flag have been punctually...
35To George Washington from Robert Howe, 21 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have a Letter from an Agent who says that the Troops on Lloyd’s Neck were under marching Orders, but had not march’d the Day before Yesterday—That he was inform’d the Hessians were under Marching Orders also. I should not have sent on Purpose to convey this, as I expect to hear further, but as I inclose your Excellency some Papers which came by a Flag, it was opportune to carry it—Please Let...
36To George Washington from Robert Howe, 20 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just received the inclos’d Letters. I think the measures taken by Colo. Scammel are all that are requisite upon this information. I have acquainted him that General Persons will be Tommorrow in advance—and that if the movements are real and of so serious a nature to make further support necessary, that he will ask it of General Persons. not however omitting to Transmit me the Earliest...
37To George Washington from Robert Howe, 18 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd Intelligence that the Enemy are incamping at East Chester in Force. The Mode by which it comes tho’ not absolutely authentic is credible. I therefore think it my Duty to Transmit it. with the greatest Respect I am Dear Sir your obedient Servant DLC : Papers of George Washington.
38To George Washington from Robert Howe, 13 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
We feel ourselves much obliged to your Excellency for having communicated to us the Plan of Operations concerted between Yourself and the Count de Rocham beau for the ensuing Campaign; and in Compliance with your Excellency’s Request, we shall, you may be assured, through the whole Course of its Operations, give you our Opinion and Advice, either collectively or individually, with that Freedom...
39To George Washington from Robert Howe, 12 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just this Minute received the inclos’d Letter, which I transmit your Excellency & should be glad to have sent Directions thereupon. I am with great Respect your Excellency’s most obedient humble Servant DLC : Papers of George Washington. Since I wrote you yesterday, I have such intelligence, as I rely on;,that the enemy are making preparation, to come with considerable force, to this...
40To George Washington from Robert Howe, 11 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Major having requested the Loan of my Barge to bring some of his Acquaintance to see West Point, I take the Opportunity to inclose your Excellency the Report of a Board of Officers appointed to inspect Provisions, & in Case any was damag’d by Negligence to fire if possible the Neglect—upon the proper Reasons—By their Proceedings as far as they have gone We find the Provisions reported unfit...
41To George Washington from Robert Howe, 7 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Mr Kirkland has requested me (with Earnestness) to apply to your Excellency in behalf of one King a soldier under sentence of Death, as he Relates the mans Case there are Alliviating circumstances in it which may Probably claim attention, beside which he offers another man in the Room of King, to serve out his time if his Inlistment is temporary, or to serve a Year should he be for the War,...
42To George Washington from Robert Howe, 5 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Returns of the Provision Endowments of each Work would have been sent your Excellency yesterday had I not hoped for the Honor of seeing you—The Quantity is too small, but our Magazine will not admit of a farther supply at present—The Moment it can be done, it shall. I have examin’d the Magazine & the Ammunition is much expos’d to Injury—I am sorry to add that our Work is at a...
43To George Washington from Robert Howe, 4 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
The inclos’d Extract of a letter from Captain Pray to General Paterson will give you the intelligence he sent up, I, as yet, have heard nothing—I am sorry it was not in your Excellency’s power to Honour me with your presence to day. But hope to be favored with it some other time & should be happy to see the Duke when he will do me the Honor and with your Excellency if you think it proper. It...
44To George Washington from Robert Howe, 17 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was honourd the night before last with your Excellency’s favour & should have set out as to day but both my servants were and are yet so ill that they are not able to attend me. They are not however in such a way that they can I persuade myself proceed by Sunday or Monday when I shall set out for camp or sooner if they can possibly Travel. The loss of the Confedracy with our Clothing is an...
45To George Washington from Robert Howe, 19 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
In the letter I did my self the Honour to write your Excellency from New Hampshire on the 12th Instant, I Expressd an intention unless service Forbid it to Visit some of those Parts of that state which were worthy of Observation; But a Gentlman arriving from Boston and saying, that it was Currently & Credibly reported & believ’d, that the Whole Army was in motion, & movements of importance...
46To George Washington from Robert Howe, 12 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I arriv’d Yesterday at this Place and intend taking a View of th ose Parts of this country worthy of Observation, unless some Circumstance of service should make my return necessary, which should it do I rely upon your Excellency’s Goodness to recall me without the least attention to any suppos’d disapointment it may Occasion me, for nothing however interesting to me Could Compensate for the...
47To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 17 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
The orders given & heavy drafts made from the Army induce me to think that Some movements are intended, and tho’ I hinted to your Excellency yesterday in a short letter I did my Self the honour to write you, that I wished not to be Suffered to proceed to the Eastward if Service could be aided by me here, yet as that letter was dictated in a hurry And with a croud about me, (the french...
48To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 16 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was honoured with your Excellency’s favour of the 15th about half hour Since. My earnest wish was, and is, to have the honour of attending you to Newport. the uncertainty of the time of your departure alone would induce me to Set out before you, but as this is not possible to be ascertained I would proceed with your leave to Hartford, where a visi[t] to Mr Web’s family long Since due might...
49To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 2 February 1781 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Robert Howe, 2 Feb. 1781. On 5 Feb., GW wrote Howe : “Your favor of the 2nd with the enclosures have just been received.”
50To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 29 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I unluckily missed of a letter from Col. Barber Sent me express. the purport of it however I fancy Can be pretty well ascertained, as it was brought by an intelligent officer acquainted with the occasion of it who met with Col. Sprout. The enemy had taken post at Staten Island with intention to Support the Jersey insurgents. they Sent out a Spy with a proclamation offering the Same terms to...