1To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 7 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am informed a considerable number of public papers, brimstone and other articles are lying round the works at Westham, many of them very little damaged. I cannot well spare any body from this side to collect them, but think it my duty to give your Excellency the information. The number of Hanover militia on the other side the river, is so considerable as to take the whole of the good arms. I...
2To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 10 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank your Excellency for your information of yesterday . It is improbable Cunningham would be willing to work, and the shortest method in such times of emergency, is to impress the shop and tools for a while. I am surprized your Excellency could conceive I should know where the military stores of this state were dispersed having had no kind of connexion with them, either in point of...
3To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 11 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
In answer to your Excellency’s favor of yesterday , I would observe that it is necessary the good arms and prepared ammunition should continue here to be issued to the militia, as they arrive. If there should be danger, which I do not conceive there is at present, the arms &c. may be removed in boats, of which I have a number collected. There is a considerable quantity of loose ammunition...
4To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 12 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have taken my quarters in the Senate house, and find in one of the rooms below, a great variety of public papers scattered about and open to every body. This I am told is the case with the papers of the General court at the lower end of the town. As I am not acquainted who are the proper officers, and as I suppose these papers must be of some value, I have taken the liberty to inform your...
5To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 15 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As considerable numbers of militia are daily arriving at this place, very many of whom are not armed, and as I know of no public stores from whence they can be supplied, I beg to know your Excellency’s sentiments with respect to the propriety of discharging such as cannot be equipped, or whether it would be your wish that they should be detained here, till a sufficient number of arms can be...
6To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 16 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 16 Jan. 1781. There are about 100 Chesterfield militia now at Manchester, consisting of old men and boys. No purpose can be served by continuing them. Since some militia are to be dismissed, “at least such whose turn has been already taken, previous to the present invasion,” and Col. Haskins says he has “sent all the able men to the army without regard to classes,” orders are...
7To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 19 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The militia from the counties your Excellency mentions have all arrived. Those from Amherst, who came in the last, marched today. All the military stores, I have directed to be issued since my arrival at this place, have been issued by Captain Spiller and Captain Irish. A number were previously delivered by a Waggon master Patten at Manikin town and Judes ferry. He lives at Petersburg. I shall...
8To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 25 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I found upon my return hither that all the troops, that marched from hence upon the arrival of the enemy, had by order of Baron Steuben come back to this station, from their utter inability to keep the field, from the want of almost every species of cloathing. Many men have not a remnant of cloathing larger than a good napkin to cover their nakedness, and a number of these are dependent upon...
9To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 1 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Of the hundred pair of shoes expected from Petersburg, there came only 53, and those so bad that a day’s wear will destroy them. If my wish could be had, they should be returned. For my part I will never direct the distribution of any of them to the men, unless it be to taylors and shoemakers, whose sedentary occupations will not admit of much walking. There are a number of men belonging to...
10To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 3 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed I transmit copies of the resolution of Congress and the opinion of the board of war of this state with your Excellency’s order respecting Captain Peyton the sub or state clothier. I think there has not yet been much reason to apprehend so great an over proportion of cloathing would be in his hands, as to induce the Continental Cloathier General to direct a distribution of it to other...