19851To George Washington from Thomas Chittenden, 14 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
The peculiar Situation and Circumstances with which this State for several Years last past has been attended, induces me to address your Excellency on a Subject which nearly concerns her Interest, and may have it’s Influence on the Common Cause of the States of America. Placing the highest Confidence in your Excellency’s Patriotism in the Cause of Liberty, and Disposition to do equal Right &...
19852To George Washington from Arthur St. Clair, 14 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
On the Afternoon of the 9th instant I arrived at this place, and this day will have all the Troops and Stores over the River. You will doubtless be surprised at the time that the Passage will have taken up, and indeed it has been a very mortifying delay to me; but notwithstanding that Major Clayborne, the Quarter Masr Genl for the State had been sent forward to make the necessary preparations...
19853To George Washington from Philip John Schuyler, 15 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I was honored with Your Excellency’s favor of the 27t ult. A few days ago I did myself the pleasure to congratulate you on the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. I hope the States will not conceive the Contest at an end, an Idea, If It should unhappily prevail, which will Induce to still greater remissness than has hither to prevailed, to your great distress and to the Injury of the...
19854To George Washington from William Heath, 17 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
On the morning of the 13th instant lieutenant Deforest of the Connecticut line, who had been detached by major-general Parsons, with twenty-five regular troops and captain Lockwood of the militia with fifteen volunteers, including lieutenants Hull and Mead of the Connecticut state troops, formed a design of boarding a sloop of ten carriage guns then at anchor in East Chester bay, and having...
19855To George Washington from Thomas Sim Lee, 18 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to receive your Excellencys favor of the 16th Yesterday Afternoon. The State of Maryland is much Indebted for your attention to the Subjects of my last in Council. Colo. Tilghman received his Letter as soon as it came to my hands, he is now in Town & writes by this opportunity. I am very happy to hear your Excellency intends to take Annapolis in your Route Northward. Permit me...
19856To George Washington from William Ramsay, 19 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Amidst the honest effusions of Joy, and Sentiments of Gratitude which your presence has every where excited, permit us, the Inhabitants of Alexandria, who think ourselves peculiarly called upon, from that acquaintance with your Virtues which a long residence among us, in a private Station, had procured, to assure you That We are not less transported with the warmest feelings of gratitude &...
19857To George Washington from Friedrich Heinrich Scheer, 19 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Votre Excelence aura la grace d’accorder un Passport pour un Officier Lieutenant de Andresohn du Regmt de Prince hereditaire de Hesse d’aller à la nouvelle York pour quelques necessits de prisonniers des gueres hessoises. Avec le plus grand Respect & Sousmission j’ai l’honneur d’etre Votre Excelence tres humble & tres obeissant Serviteur PHi : Gratz Collection.
19858To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 20 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I most sincerely congratulate your Excellency on the glorious victory you have obtain’d over the British Arms on the 19th of October at York and Gloucester in Virginia. An event important in the Affair of Europe as well as America; it will weigh heavy in the political Scale of Negociation; and I hope secure peace to America on the principles of Independency and honor, with permanent advantages...
19859To George Washington from John Bullen, 21 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
To his Excellency General Washington The Citizens of Annapolis feel themselves happy in having an opportunity personally to express their affection for, and gratitude to your Excellency. Your private character forces admiration from the foes of virtue and freedom. We derive peculiar pleasure from the contemplation that the successes at Trenton and Princetown, laid the corner stone of our...
19860To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 21 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s letters of the 16th, 24th and 30th of October containing an account of the operations of the combined Army afford me the highest satisfaction and I beg leave to congratulate Your Excellency again upon this important and happy event. I contemplate its advantages with infinite satisfaction and feel a relief upon the occasion that is difficult to express. Count Rochambeau’s stay...
19861To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 22 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I receivd your very affectionate letter dated before York. Your approbation of my conduct affords me the highest satisfaction; and I flatter my self nothing on my part will ever be wanting to deserve a continuance of your esteem and regard. I may be unfortunate but I shall never be unfaithful to my friendships. My letter to Mrs Greene your Excellency will please to forward, if she is not on...
19862To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 22 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your affectionate letter of the 15th ultimo by Mr Mathews was this moment handed me. I thank you most cordially for the kind attention you pay to Mrs Greene. I did not expect she would have had the courage to engage in such a disagreeable journey and shall be extreme happy if she gets through it without meeting any capital misfortune. I sinserely condole with Mrs Washington on the loss of her...
19863To George Washington from David Humphreys, 22 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Upon my arrival at this place, I applied to Colonel Hughs respecting Quarters for Your Excellency—As it was imagined the Governors House would be far more convenient than any other; and the Quarter Master having suggested, that Mr Bedlow’s family (being very small) might be accomodated in Cases House the whole of which he would obtain for that purpose, the proposal was made by him—but some...
19864To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 22 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
As part of the Troops are not arrived and those who are, not ready to march, as the sick are gone on to Philadelphia and as it seems to be the Intention of the Board of War to put them into Hospitals in that City, I have thought it necessary, after leaving the inclosed Orders, to proceed as fast as possible to that place, to prevent, if in my Power, the Measure from taking Place, for it...
19865To George Washington from George Plater, 22 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
The General Assembly joyfully embrace the opportunity which your wellcome arrival in this City affords them of testifying to your Excellency in person, their high sense of your signal services and of shewing you every mark of esteem and respect. Actuated by the purest public spirit, your long and steady perseverance, and anxious unremitted vigilance, under the pressure of surrounding...
19866To George Washington from David Ross, Jr., 22 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I Received from Colo. Martin the letter you did me the honor to write of the 9th instant—I paid very particular attention to the Cherockie chiefs whom you were pleased to reccommend—I furnished them with such articles as this place afforded and at the Expence of the State—I was at due pains to convince them, of the Advantages which we have gaind over the Enemy, and to impress them with a...
19867To George Washington from Wilhelm von Knyphausen, 23 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
The distressed situation of the Hessian Soldiers Prisoners of War in Philadelphia induces me to apply to Your Excellency for a Passport for an Officer to proceed to that City with Money for their Relief under whatever restrictions you may judge requisite; and should the indulgence be granted I would wish to employ Lieutenant Sobbe of my Regiment upon this business. I have the Honor to be Sir...
19868To George Washington from Abraham Skinner, 23 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to your Excellency’s Commands, I have Visited the Posts of Winchester Fort Frederick, and Frederick Town at which places it was intended the Prisoners taken at the Surrender of York and Gloucester should be confined, and have made such arrangements respecting them as I hope will merit your Approbation. There are at Winchester about 2400 and at Frederick Town about 1400 Rank and...
19869To George Washington from Gideon Brownson, 24 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Permit to inform your Excellency, that after my long Confinement in the Enemy’s power in Canada, I arriv’d from thence the 16th ult., having been favoured by an Exchange from the Government of Vermont—Immediately on my Arrival, I waited upon Colonel Warner, who inform’d me that I was considered exempt from Service, upon the Reduction of his Regimt, which took place 1st of January last. Permit...
19870To George Washington from Henry Clinton, 24 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to propose that your Commissary General of Prisoners may be authorised to meet mine as soon as convenient either at Elizabeth Town or Staten Island, in order finally to adjust the Exchange of Lieutt General Burgoyne, for which Proposals have been made some time since; and likewise to treat for the Exchange of Lieutt General Earl Cornwallis, and such other Officers of this Army as...
19871To George Washington from Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle Duportail, 24 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I heard with great Concern the domestique misfortune which your Excellency had lately, and in the apprehension that sad event will Retard your arrival here, I take the Resolution to write to you. I beg your Excellency to Receive my most sincere thanks for the letters of Recommendation which you have been so good as to give me for Congress. they have obtained to me the succes of my demands. one...
19872To George Washington from John Hanson, 24 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of enclosing your Excellency copies of two Acts of Congress of the 16th and 22d instant, which being intended merely for your information and sufficiently explicit on their respective subjects, will require no comment. Your Excellency’s favours of the 4th, 6th and 15th instant have been received and laid before Congress. I have the honor to be, with great respect, Sir, Your...
19873To George Washington from David Ross, Jr., 24 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to you on the 22d instant—since then the British merchants at this place have requested me to procure from you a short notification, that they will be allowed to carry away Tobacco under sanction of a Flag in payment for the goods they have furnished to the Army agreable to the Certificates which I have granted to them—They conceive it will not be in their power to...
19874To George Washington from Daniel Morgan, 25 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
After acknowledging the Honour of your very friendly and polite Letter dated "before york 5 Octr," give me leave most sincerely to congratulate you on our late signal Success over the British Arms under Lord Cornwallis which has afforded me unspeakable Satisfaction not only on account of the additional Laurels it has gain’d to your Excellency in particular and the Army in general, but because...
19875To George Washington from Arthur St. Clair, 26 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
On the 22d instant I arrived at Williamsbourough in North Carolina to which place I had gone in advance of the Troops (leaving them to be conducted from Petersburgh by General Wayne) in order to settle the Route it would be proper to persue and take the necessary measures for provisions. A report had prevailed, for a day or two, that the Enemy had evacuated Wilmington, and there I received...
19876To George Washington from Thomas Durie, 27 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform your Excellency, that on consulting with Lt Governor Jamieson for the removal of the sick Prisoners of War from Gloucester; the mode prescribed in your Letter to him was adopted. In consequence thereof 350 Privates marched from thence for Toddsbridge the 9th instant, and on the 10th & 14th about 300 embark’d in boats and proceeded up the River, for the same place....
19877To George Washington from William Moore, 27 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Our cordial acknowledgments are ever due to Your Excellency, for the great and disinterested service you have rendered our common country; but, on this occasion, we approach you with peculiar pleasure, and can only regret, that the common language of congratulation will too imperfectly convey our gratefull sense of the late eminent display of your military virtues, in the capture of a British...
19878To George Washington from Daniel Carroll, 28 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am instructed by the Committee, appointed to consider the establishment of the army, and to confer thereon with your Excellency, the Secretary of War, and the Superintendant of Finance, to request your aid on this Subject, at 11 oClock on Saturday morning in the Committee room of Congress. It is impossible to specify all the particulars of this enquiry; I shall therefore suggest to your...
19879To George Washington from John Hanson, 28 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Congress Sir at all times happy in Seeing your Excellency, feel particular pleasure in your presence at this time, after the Glorious Success of the Allied Arms in Virginia—It is their fixed purpose, to draw every advantage from it, by Exhorting the states in the Strongest terms, to the most vigorous and timely Exertions. A Committee has Accordingly been appointed, to State the requisitions...
19880To George Washington from Wilhelm von Knyphausen, 28 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
The distressed situation of the Hessian Soldiers, Prisoners of War in Philadelphia, induces me to apply to Your Excellency for a Passport for an Officer to proceed to that City with money for their relief, under whatever restrictions you may judge requisite, and should this indulgence be granted I would wish to employ Lieutenant Sobbe of my Regiment upon this business. I have the Honor to be...
19881To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 28 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform your excellency that the United States in Congress assembled have resolved to give you an Audience this day at One o clock in Order to give you a further testimony of the high esteem they have for your person & services and to communicate their intentions respecting provisional measures for the next Campaign. I have the honor to be With respect Your most obedient &...
19882To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 29 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed You will find some Numbers a Copy of Which I Have kept and Which Contain some Names that May probably Occur in our Correspondance. I Need Not telling you, My dear General, that I will Be Happy in Giving You Every Intelligence in My power, and Reminding You of the Most Affectionate friend You Can Ever Have. The Goodness You Had to take upon Yourself the Communicating to the Virginia...
19883To George Washington from Francis Mentges, 29 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency is acquainted my having the Superintending of the Hospitals in this State, I shall beg to give your Excellency a Detail of the Distresses of the Hospitals. There are no more then three articles of Medecyn in the store to cure all the Deseasses. No kind of Vegetables are procured, altho Doctor Tread received two hunderd pounds, to that purpose. the iregular mode of drawing...
19884To George Washington from Frederick Augustus Conrad Muhlenberg, 29 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Representatives of the Freemen of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met, wish to express their sincere Joy on Your Excellency’s arrival in this City. The very great Events that have lately taken place in Virginia under Your Command, have fully justified the Expectations formed by Your Country of Your Abilities and Patriotism—to add to her Esteem for You was impossible. Humbly depending on...
19885To George Washington from Henry Clinton, 30 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Having occasion to remit Two Thousand Pounds Sterling in Specie to the British Officers at Frederick Town, and Winchester, I am to request a Passport for a Deputy Paymaster to proceed thither by land with the above Sum, who, after the delivery thereof will return to this Place. I am Sir Your most obedient humble Servant DLC : Papers of George Washington.
19886To George Washington from William Hunter, 30 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency having left Mount Vernon before I got from Williamsburgh, was desir’d by Mr David Ross to forward two letters I was charg’d with, by express, one of them relating to passports, for a Brigantine to go to Newyork, which if you are pleas’d to grant, may be put under cover to me, which I will forward immediatly to the Capt. Mr Ross having gone up the Country. I Have the Honour to...
19887To George Washington from Thomas Paine, 30 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
As soon as I can suppose you to be a little at leisure from business and visits, I shall, with much pleasure, wait on you, to pay you my respects and congratulate you on the success you have most deservedly been blest with. I hope nothing in the perusal of this letter will add a care to the many that employ your mind; but as there is a satisfaction in speaking where one can be conceived and...
19888To George Washington from Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle Duportail, 1 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
Before I Sett off for france, I think it my Duty to propose to your Excellency Some Regulations concerning the Corps of Engineers. I hope, first of all, that Colel Laumoy will be Soon exchanged, & I wish it exceedingly for the good of the Service, & also because, having a Rank Superior to the other Engineers, there will be no difficulties about the Command, wich might otherwise probably be...
19889To George Washington from John Hanson, 1 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to enclose a copy of an Act of Congress of the 28th instant for your Excellency’s information; and am, with great respect, Sir, Your obedient & very humble Servant DLC : Papers of George Washington.
19890To George Washington from William Irvine, 2 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
At the time Congress directed me to repair to this place I took for granted your Excellency would have information thereof, through different channils, and knowing how very particularly you were at that moment engaged, I did not think proper to give unnecessary trouble; this I flatter myself will excuse me with your Excellency for not writing sooner. Previous to my arrival, Col: Gibson had...
19891To George Washington from Moses Rawlings, 2 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honour to inform your excellency That there is at this place about 1800 prisoners of war taken at York Town. ever since their Arrival here they have made it a point to be very Insolent to the Citizens and guards by which Means one or two of them has been put to the bayonet. At which the brittish officers are become are become Very Clamorous and want redress, but as the nature of the...
19892To George Washington from William Heath, 3 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 15th instant. In mine of the 17th I mentioned that the board of war had desired me not to issue the clothing until your Excellency’s directions were given. I have not heard a word from them on the subject since. The troops are in a most distressed situation. I have directed each regiment to prepare a work-shop for its taylors, and the materials are now...
19893To George Washington from Barent Jacob, 3 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
Imploring your Excellency’s Pardon for the Freedom I take to trouble your Excellency with my Distresses, being just informd that my Son in Law Levy Reuben a Citizen of Baltimore, and a poor Man on his Way to Philadelphia was taken by our Ennemys and is a prisoner on Board the Jersey-Prison-Ship at New York since the Month of October, he left a helpless and distressed Wife and Two Children at...
19894To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
The late Board of War were by Congress impowered and directed to take depositions in the case of Major General Howe in support of complaints made against him by the Delegates of Congress from Georgia—The Board did not proceed far in this business, their powers now cease and this matter does not fall within my Commission. It appears to me that the shortest way of terminating this affair is by a...
19895To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to forward the inclosed papers for your Excellencys perusal. And am my Dr Genl your servant DLC : Papers of George Washington.
19896To George Washington from James McHenry, 3 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have placed my resignation in the hands of one of the electors but he omitted forwarding it to Congress at the usual time. I now take the liberty to send it to your Excellency as the lateness of the resignation makes it rather improper on my own account for it to go to Congress from myself. I make no doubt but your Excellency when here suggested such measures as you saw necessary to be...
19897To George Washington from Matthias Ogden, 3 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am happy to inform your Excellency that I have been successful in my negotiations, & soon expect the most favourable consequence. I intend soon to have the honor to wait on your Excellency; I have several plans to propose which if they meet with aprobation will need particular direction. In consequence of a plan concerted between Capn Dayton & myself, one Parcell, who was second in command...
19898To George Washington from John Dickinson, 4 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I was honored with your Excellency’s Letter of that Date; and on a Conference with the Director General and Doctor Latimer, have taken such Measures, as in the opinion of those Gentlemen and my own, have been judg’d most likely to carry the designed Establishment into Execution effectually and without Delay. If any further Assistance within my Power shall be wanting I shall give it...
19899To George Washington from William Heath, 4 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is copy of a resolution of Congress directing me to furnish an escort for the mail between Morristown and Fishkill; in consequence of which three or four dragoons have since been assigned to that duty: their horses are now worn down with fatigue—the leaves are off the trees, which will deprive the lurking mail-stealers of cover—and troops are on the communication. If your Excellency...
19900To George Washington from William Heath, 4 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed letters from general Bailey and Mr Adams, were handed me a few days since by captain Edgar, the person refered to in those letters. Captain Edgar’s want of money has induced him not to think of proceeding farther southward. He is for the present gone to Albany, where he has several friends. He informs me, that there is undoubtedly a plan of union maturing between the british...