1751To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 9 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the first instant—By mine of the 26th ultimo I meant only to ask what number of servants the public should feed and pay for the several Officers in the Staff department in case they hired them themselves. The money will be immediately paid to the Workmen at Burlington. Three hundred suits of clothes are put up for the recruits raised by Maryland, and most of...
1752To George Washington from Jacob Schreiber, 9 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
As your Excellency honoured me with the Promise at your departure from Philadelphia that in Case the Exchange of Prisoners of war will not take place, your Excellency would favour me to demand from the English my Exchange in particular, I have then the honor in my Disagreable Situation to apply again to your Excellency, in representing as your Excellency allready acquainted with my being...
1753From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 8 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: Library of Congress I did myself the honour of writing to you a few Days since by the Comte de Segur. This Line is chiefly to present the Prince de Broglie to your Excellency, who goes over to join the Army of M. de Rochambeau. He bears an excellent Character here, is a hearty Friend to our Cause, and I am persuaded you will have a Pleasure in his Conversation. I take leave...
1754To George Washington from Henry Dearborn, 8 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honour of inclosing to your Excellency an act of this State passd at the last Session of the general Assembly for raising the deficient cies of this States quota of Troops. the delinquent Towns are now begining to exurt them selves in procureing the men, but I have too much reason to fear they will fall far short of compleeting the whole; the State has authorised me to appoint...
1755To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 8 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the honour of writing to you a few Days since by the Comte de Segur. This Line is chiefly to present the Prince de Broglie to your Excellency, who goes over to join the Army of M. de Rochambeau. He bears an excellent Character here, is a hearty Friend to our Cause, and I am persuaded you will have a Pleasure in his Conversation. I take leave therefore to recommend him to those...
1756To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 8 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Carrington has laid before me several estimates for the southern service, among which is that of purchasing a number of horses for Colonel Armand—the necessity and importance of granting them depends upon the force your Excellency intends to send into the southern States—and; as the state of our finances not only requires the most rigid oeconomy, but that the little money at our...
1757To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 8 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
Messrs Livingston, Phelps, and others have contracted to supply the moving army with rations for the next campaign from the first day of may to the last of december. Mr Phelps, who will have the honor of delivering this to your Excellency, and Timothy Edwards Esq. both of the State of Massachusetts have made a sub-contract to supply all the meat which shall be called for under the first...
1758To George Washington from Charles, marquis de La Rouërie Armand Tuffin, 7 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your answer to my last lettre—by the formers thestimony of the patronage which your exellency granted to my military fortune & by the uncheangeable resolution in which you are thot to inter in to the motives & stepts conducive to restore what promotions out of regular course have make me lost, I must be convinced of the unpropriety of my past & further application on...
1759To George Washington from George Clinton, 7 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor of transmitting to your Excellency, Copies of Dispatches taken upon a certain Beatie, who calls himself an Ensign in Roger’s Corps, lately captured at a Place called New Town about twelve Miles north of Albany. The Commissioners for Conspiracies there detained the originals to offer in evidence against him on his Trial. I was in hopes I should have been able to have...
1760To George Washington from James Duane, 7 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
It is with great Pleasure that I find your Excellencys arrival at Newburgh announced in the publick Papers. The Circumstances of my Family prevent me from paying you my Respects at present: but the visit shall only be deferred till the Impediment is removed. I long, my Dear Sir, to see you: to congratulate you on the glory which you have acquired the last Campaign: and to felicitate with you...
1761To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 7 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
Being informed by Major Burnet that the arrangement of the several Lines of the Southern States had not been made agreable to my order on that head, I have enclosed a Copy of all that have come to my hand, or that I have been able to procure. The distraction that has prevailed in these States, the great number of Officers belonging to the several Lines in captivity, and the great extent of...
1762To George Washington from William Heath, 7 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to enclose the two latest New York papers that have come to my hand. Two deserters from the enemy who came in this morning, inform me it was reported five or six days since, that there was a hot press for seamen in New York—that it was said a detachment from the grenadiers and other corps were to embark; but the embarkation had not taken place, nor was the destination known....
1763To George Washington from David Humphreys, 7 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
Memorandum for His Excellency the Commander in Chief. In consequence of the frequent encouragement your Excellency has given me, to suggest freely whatever might occur which appeared benificial to the public Interest, I have the honor to submit the following observations respecting the object of the Campaign for your consideration & future decision. In the first place, I believe we may venture...
1764To George Washington from William Shepard, 7 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Lebbeus Drew of the 4th massts Regt being Desirous of Resineing his Command in the Army. I recommend him to your Excellency for a Discharg—and do hearby certify that he has no Public accounts unsettled to my Knowledge Except Such as may have accrued. During his being a Prisoner of War. I am your Excellencys obedt Humle Sert DNA : RG 93—Manuscript File.
1765To George Washington from William Colfax, 6 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am obliged to address you Excellency on a subject I know to be disagreeable, but my reasons, I am persuaded, will aboundantly make it appear that I am not to troblesome, without a cause. The third arrangment of the subaltern Officers of the Connt Line will be presented for your Excellency’s approbation—As an individual; & as an injured person, I protest against. Agreeable to the proceedings...
1766To George Washington from William Heath, 6 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
In December last I received orders from the honorable the secretary at war to direct the commissaries and all others at West-point and its vicinity who had public provisions in their hands on the first day of January to deliver them to one of the mr Sands, &c. Orders were given conformably. There were at that time fifteen or sixteen hundred barrels of salted provisions in the magazine at...
1767To George Washington from Richard McDonald, 6 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
The petition of Richard McDonald Humbly Sheweth That your Excellencies petitioner (a Soldier of the Maryland line) was taken prisoner by the Enemy on Statin Island In an expedition Headed by Generals Smallwood, Sullivan and Debois in the year 1777. That your petitioner after suffering eighteen Months Imprisonment and its consequent difficilties in the Sugar-house at new York sound means to...
1768To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 6 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
When I was last with you I forgot to mention the Name of Mr William Heron of Redding who has for several Years had Opportunities of informing himself of the State of the Enemy, their Designs & Intentions with more certainty & Precision than most Men who have been imploy’d: as I have now left Service I think it my Duty to inform your Excellency of this Person & my Reasons for beleiving him more...
1769To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 6 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to send to your Excellency the Letter which I have received from General Greene and a copy of the answer which I have made according to your Excellency’s intentions, of the 19th of march. I wait with the greatest impatience for news from France and the Duke de Lauzun, who was said to be at Brest when the Last vessel which is arrived at Philadelphy set sail from L’orient. I...
1770To George Washington from Henry Tiebout, 6 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
Have thought it my duty to inclos to your Excellency a letter I Recd from the Sheriff of Bergen County in whose custody I found the prisoner Henry Lawbach who was Concern’d in ing the post. I am your Excellency’s most obedt Humble Servent DLC : Papers of George Washington. After I Left you I met With Cornl Haring Who Informed me that Henry Lawback wass Taken Prisinor in Seventy Six by Our...
1771To George Washington from William Heath, 5 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a New York paper of the 1st instant, the latest which has come to hand, and a letter I have just received from colonel Tupper. Twenty-seven recruits arrived yesterday from Massachusetts. By letters and other information the recruiting service is successful at the eastward. I have the honor to be, With the highest respect, Your Excellency’s Most obedient servant DLC : Papers of...
1772To George Washington from Thomas Sim Lee, 5 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
We are honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 4th Ulto—We will take measures to have Waggons Supplied to the Officers who have Charge of the Goods for the British and German Prisoners at Frederick Town—and to prevent imposition or molestation in this State. We have the honor to be with very high personal respect & Esteem Your Excelly’s Mo. Obedt Servants DLC : Papers of George Washington.
1773To George Washington from James McHenry, 5 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
Doctor Craik gives me but a moment to acknowlege your Excellency’s letter of the 12 of last month. I think precisely with your Excellency in your observations on the war. Its prosecution is certainly intended, and it is our business to bring as early as possible a respectable force into the field. Shall I tell you, that we inlist but slowly, and that I am very apprehensive our Assembly will be...
1774To George Washington from Philip John Schuyler, 5 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have perused the Charges exhibted by M: Gen: Heath, against M: Gen: McDougal, and the letter of the 1st Instant from the latter to your Excellency. The Charges contained in the first five articles, appear to me to be so clearly and particularly defined that General McDougal may either plead not guilty, and produce Evidence to refute them, or he may plead guilty, and claim the Indulgence of...
1775To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 5 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
On the 19th of February last I stated to General Heath by Letter, the Objections made by General McDougal to my siing as president of the Court Martial appointed for his Tryal, with my reasons for being of Opinion that there was no good cause of Challenge shewn either by the Martial Law known to us, or by any Common or Statute Law that we can have referrence to, of this Letter I suppose...
1776To George Washington from Matthias Ogden, 4 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Memorial of Lewis Costigin formerly a Lieutenant in the Jersey Line Most respectfully Sheweth, That your Memorialist was taken Prisoner by the Enemy in the Month of January 1777 and continued in Captivity untill the 17th of Sepr 1778. That your Memoralist was prevailed upon by the Solicitations of Major General Lord Sterling & Colonel Ogden To Stay in the City of New York after his...
1777To George Washington from Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle Duportail, 4 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I take this opportunity of presenting my Respects to your excellency and Recalling to your memory a person entirely devoted to you. I will not speak of any political or military matters because you will Receive by this same opportunity letters of gentlemen who was acquaint you of the situation of the affairs better than I can do. I beg leave only to assure your excellency that the distance has...
1778To George Washington from Ann Hawkes Hay, 4 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
This will be handed to your Excellency with a letter from Dr Latham who has Gov. Clintons permission for his sister in law to come out of New York & reside with him at Manor Livingston. for which purpose he has proceeded thus far on his way to Elizabethtown intending to send for his to meet him there & to carry her & her baggage in waggons home with him. To save my Friend such a vast expense....
1779To George Washington from James Latham, 4 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency Governor Clinton has been so kind as to grant me a permit for my Sister inlaw to Come from New York, & to reside with me in the Manor Livingston, of which the inclosed is a Copy, I should have sent the original, but for fear of losing it. for this purpose, I am so far on my way to Elizabeth town, and have my friend point me out an easier and less expensive mode of Conveying my...
1780To George Washington from William Heath, 3 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed your Excellency will find a New York paper of the 27th ultimo, which came to hand this morning—is the latest I have received. The escort to the mail on the return from Morristown on Sunday afternoon, was attacked by Moody and his gang a few miles beyond Suffrans—One of the escort was killed but the mail was saved. I have just received a letter from colonel Tupper, dated at Albany the...
1781To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed papers, transmitted me by General Heath, exhibit charges against the Contractor for the post of West point—The terms of the contract prescribe the mode of trial in cases of delinquency—it is wished that your Excellency would be pleased to take the matter up, and give the necessary directions for a enquiry. Mr Sands (who says he is conscious of having in every instance demeaned...
1782To George Washington from Robert Morris, 3 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received letters from Wm Duer Esqr. respecting a request made by Genl Heath for Magazines of Salt provisions to be provided at some of the Posts which Mr Duer is to supply, he alledges that the laying up such Magazines will create an expence & advance of Money beyond what he is bound to by the Contract, which I suppose may be the case, and if so it is but reasonable & Just that such...
1783From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 2 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS and two copies: Library of Congress I received duly the Honour of your Letter accompanying the Capitulation of Gen. Cornwallis. All the World agree that no Expedition was ever better plann’d or better executed. It has made a great Addition to the military Reputation you had already acquired, and brightens the Glory that surrounds your Name and that must accompany it to our latest Posterity....
1784To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 2 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I received duly the Honour of your Letter accompanying the Capitulation of Gen. Cornwallis. All the World agree that no Expedition was ever better plann’d or better executed. It has made a great Addition to the military—Reputation you had already acquired, and brightens the Glory that surrounds your Name and that must accompany it to our latest Posterity. No News could possibly make me more...
1785To George Washington from Charles-Malo-François, comte de Lameth, 2 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
Les Bontés dont votre Excéllance à Bien Voulu m’honnorer me donnent La Confiance de me Rappeller à Lhonneur de son Souvenir, et de luy offrir mes Regrets que la place qu’on m’a donne à mon Retour icy, et plus encore L’état de ma santé me déffendent de Retourner maintenant en amérique: j’y Serai remplacé Par un frére Pour Lequel j’ôse Reclamer la bontée de votre Excellence, j’espere que Sa...
1786To George Washington from Arthur Lee, 2 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I enclose your Excellency the latest account that has been received here of European Politics. The Governor of Virginia writes us— that a Vessel just arrived from the W. Indies informs, that Count de Grasse has totally defeated the English fleet; taken or destroyd 4 sail of the line, & 100 sail of Transports with 3,000 Troops on board. His Letter is dated the 23d ult. I beg my respects to Mrs...
1787To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 2 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
By the latest accounts from the West Indies there is the highest probability that the French will have a decided naval superiority the Ensuing Campaign To detain their whole fleet on that Station in the hurricane months would be placing a great part of the marine of France in a situation too hazarduous, while the will being of that Nation depends so much on it’s safety—That it will return...
1788To George Washington from Catherine Van Rensselaer Schuyler, 2 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
As the ladies are not bound to enter into the views of military arrangements, Your Excellency, I imagine, will not be surprized that I take the liberty to trouble you with a request contrary to the order you have given for relieving the guard you have been so obliging as to allow the Skeyler . I found the poor fellows extremely unwilling to exchange their situation; and as several of them have...
1789To George Washington from David Brooks, 1 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to trouble your Excellency immediately upon your Arrival; but some matters of considerable Import to the Army and ourselves, that we have not been able to get determined hitherto, induces me to lay them thus early before your Excellency, that they may be decided upon as soon as possible. The first & most considerable object is the Clothing furnished by the State of...
1790To George Washington from William Heath, 1 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
This will be presented by colonel Putnam of the 5th Massachusetts regiment, who will solicit your permission to be absent from the army for a short time. He was some time since appointed one of the arbitrators to ascertain the quantity of forage consumed by the allied army in West Chester county the last campaign, which has detained him, and will again require his attention on the 20th of May...
1791To George Washington from Alexander McDougall, 1 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been extremely reluctant to trouble your Excellency while you were at Philadelphia, least I might draw your attention from public Objects of more moment, than the Case of an Individual. The same Consideration still influences me, till you are settled in your Quarters; But as I am apprehensive, Major General Heath may immediately apply for leave of Absence from the Army, I am constrained...
1792To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 31 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
We have Certain Intelligence, My dear General, that Lord North is out of place. He Has Himself Announced that event in Parliament, and Said a New Minister Whould Be Named in the Course of two or three days. It is Generally Believed Marquis de Rockingam will Replace Him—Charles Fox is likely to get into Administration, and there will not be Better principles to be found in the New Ministry than...
1793To George Washington from Jedediah Huntington, 30 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the Honor of writing your Excellency the 8th inst. since which I am requested to have a greater Number of Officers to muster the Recruits. the Council of Safety wish to have one in each Militia Brigade, which are six. whenever the Recruits are ready to march to Camp, some Officers and Sergeants will be wanted to conduct them; that Period will not be before the 1st of May as the...
1794To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 30 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
The sailing of the Alliance Has Been So Unexpected that Mr Franklin and Myself Have not Been Able to Send the dispatches we intended to forward By that Opportunity. There is now a French cutter that is pretty Suddenly Sent of to America—I expected to write By a frigat Which is to Sail in a Short time, But Cannot let this Opportunity slip a way, Before I have the pleasure to Remember me to you,...
1795To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 29 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Smith delivered your Excellency’s Letter of the twenty eighth, between four and five Yesterday Afternoon. You mention having had Intimations, that under the Idea of the Cessation of Hostilities a Number of People intend to come over from New York to our Lines, and express your particular Desire that no Persons coming from the Enemy may be permitted to Land, except the Commissioners and...
1796To George Washington from Richard Butler, 28 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honour to inclose your Excellency the proceedings of the general court-martial held at this post from the 19 Inst. (by adjournments) to the 25th Inclusive, by which your Excellency will observe that only three prisoners Viz. John Harling, William Compton and Hugh Smith have had trial—the prisoner John Harling is capitally convicted on his own confession—indeed it would not have been...
1797To George Washington from John Hanson, 28 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
It is with the greatest Pleasure and Satisfaction that I congratulate you on the happy Events that have happened in America by the Reduction and Captivity of Lord Cornwallis & his Army; it was reasonable to suppose that such an Event would have proved a cautious Lesson to Men who were not lost to all Sense of feeling and humanity and that America would have been left to feel the rising Joys of...
1798To George Washington from William Heath, 28 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment honored with yours of the 26th instant, and have given orders for a guard to be detached and put in motion with all possible despatch, agreeable to your directions—hope they will arrive in season. I have the honor to be With the highest respect, Your Excellencys Most obedient servant, DLC : Papers of George Washington.
1799To George Washington from Abraham Skinner, 27 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
As the Business of my Department at Elizabeth Town, renders it sometimes necessary to send Flags of Truce to New York and receive those coming from thence; I should be much Obliged to your Excellency, for your Instructions on this head for my government, and to prevent in future any impropriety that possibly may result from this business. The Post of Elizabeth Town hitherto, has been chosen...
1800To George Washington from Moses Hazen, 26 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
I arrived last evening at this place. In obediance to your Excellencys Commands I Set Down this morning to Consider and Collect my own Ideas together on the subject of an Expedition into Canada. The force of the Enemy in that Country, with Its probable means of Defence. The manner in which an army may be Transported into Canada. And The method of Subsisting your Troops with Provisions, are...