11To Thomas Jefferson from John Mazaret, 23 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Prince Edward Court House, 23 Feb. 1781. Distress of troops serving under Mazaret; three officers and twenty men have not received a farthing of money or an article of clothing since last March “—they are all as naked as when they were born.” Sends Capt. Lt. Rice to TJ “in hopes of some relief.” After a six-week retreat Mazaret arrived at Prince Edward on the 20th with “5 pieces of Artillery,...
12To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 23 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
War Office [ Richmond ], 23 Feb. 1781. Encloses two accounts for the expenses of Capt. Sansum in collecting and bringing over eighteen-month men from the Eastern Shore. As Sansum’s authority was derived from Col. Webb, Muter does not know how to act in his case, especially since other officers have been and are now employed in collecting those men and deserters in that region, “in consequence...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 23 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to remind your excellency of the situation of John Dean, a supposed fugitive from the lead mines, in defiance of the condition of his pardon. It is probable, that the actual abandonment of the place of labour will not be fixed upon him: ‘tho’ nothing can be more satisfactory, than that he had made preparations for flight. I say this upon the information of Colo. Lynch. Now I refer...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 23 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Till it is decided whether Cornwallis will cross the Roanoke or not we ought at all events to be prepared for the worst for which purpose we may have occasion for the troops under the command of Colo. Innes to cross the James River and I shall send orders for him to hold him self in readiness to move at a moments notice. But previous to such a movement (if it should take place) it will be...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Garret Van Meter, 22 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellencys letters of the 24th. December and 19th. January, both of which came to my hand the 13th. Instant. As Colo. Enoch Innis, who has your Excellency’s Commission as County Lieutenant, has never qualified himself to act under his Commission, the command has consequently devolved on me; I have also received the Act of Assembly for recruiting this...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 21 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
By a letter from Mr. Elliott at Petersburg, I am informed that there is in the possession of Mr. McNeal, Assistant to Mr. Ross at that place, a considerable quantity of Duck proper for Tents. The difficulty of procuring this article, for want of Money, obliges me to beg of your Excellency that a part of it may be delivered to Mr. Elliott, as he can have it made up immediately. There are Twenty...
17To Thomas Jefferson from James Innes, 21 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The present distressed Situation of the militia, under my Command induces me, to address your Excellency on their behalf. The most of them are totally destitute of the necessary cloathing to protect them from the Inclemency of the weather. They are lousy dirty and ragged, and from those Circumstances becoming every day more sickly. In addition to this such a spirit of disquietude prevails...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 21 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I Am the More flatterd By the Command Which His Excellency General Washington Has Been Pleased to Intrust to Me , As Independant of the General Good that May Be Hoped from this Expedition, It seems to Promise An Opportunity to Gratify the High Sense I Have of My Personal obligations to the State of Virginia. I Shall from time to time Inform Your Excellency of the Movements of the Continental...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 21 February [1781] (Jefferson Papers)
As the Detachment of Continental Troops will march from Chesterfield on the 25th Inst. I wish to Join to them the Militia of this County and Dinwiddie. For this purpose they must be assembled at Dinwiddie Court house, and there wait my Orders. If you have no Objection to this Plan, an Express must immediately be dispatch[ed] to inform them, as part of the Chesterfd. Militia are on their march...
20To Thomas Jefferson from George Waller, 21 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
This evening, I recievd yours of The 15th. Instant, wherein you Call for The Assistance of our Militia, to the Aid of Gen. Greene, against Lord Cornwallis. I have the satisfaction to Inform You, that our Militia, has before this time Joind General Greene [at] headquarters. The approach of the enemy Towards this state Appeared to Alarming To await your commands, which I am In hopes will be...
21To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 21 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor to communicate, to your Excellency, a circumstance which I hope will be followed by the most Salutory consequences to the State of Virginia in particular, and which may ultimately have the happiest effect upon the interests of America in general. The Chevalier des Touche, commanding His most Christian Majestys Squadron in the harbour of Newport, finding himself enabled,...
22To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 19–20 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
War Office [ Richmond ], 19 Feb. 1781 . “Capt. Browne [Windsor Brown] attends to know the detirmination of your Excellency and the Hon. Council respecting his acting as Commissary of military stores.” All that remains to do is to fix his “allowance,” and since he is soon to be reduced to half pay as an officer, that allowance should be “the more liberal.” In Council Feb. 20. 1781. The board...
23To Thomas Jefferson from John Banister, 20 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am happy in having anticipated your order respecting the Arms , having before directed the Captains to collect every effective Fire lock in the County to a proper Place on the Road leading to Taylor’s Ferry, but I fear when the best endeavours are used few will be the Number, as this collection has repeatedly been made to arm the continental Soldiers sent from hence, and I cannot help...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Vivian Brooking, 20 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Amelia, 20 Feb. 1781 . Received TJ’s letter of 18 Feb. this evening and will endeavor to execute the orders therein, but there will be difficulty because “the Militia has been embodied on this Alarm, and disbanded last Night, as we had not received any Orders from you or Requisition from the Commanding Officers of the Neighbouring Counties.” Brooking also received a letter this day from an...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Clarke, 20 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Charlottesville, 20 Feb. 1781 . Since last writing to TJ, Clarke has received a letter from Brig. Gen. [James] Hamilton “acquainting me that it was not agreeable to Maj. Gen. Phillips that the Convention Troops should receive money for the Provisions due to them, and therefore he wishes that the Germans should receive the Provisions here and the British at Frederick Town.” RC ( Vi ); 2 p.;...
26To Thomas Jefferson from George Elliott, 20 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am this moment Call’d on by the Barron Steuben to furnish four Expresses to ride Between General Gregories Posts and Suffolk. I am at a Very Great Loss to Know what mode to take for Horses for the Different Express Riders. As its for the field Business I expect Majr. Claiborne Wont Interfeiar in it. The practice of Impressing horses is Attended with Double the expense that Buying would be,...
27[To Thomas Jefferson from Commissary Benjamin Harrison, 20 February 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ South Branch of Potomac, 20 Feb. 1781 . Summary in CVSP Calendar of Virginia State Papers … Preserved in the Capitol at Richmond , i , 529: Is employed by Maj. William Harrison, under instructions from the executive, in purchasing provisions and building boats. The scarcity of beef on the western side of the “Allegania Mountain” has obliged him to come to this country to procure the...
28To Thomas Jefferson from James Hunter, 20 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
In reply to your excellency’s inquiry how far the orders that have been given for camp kettles, to be made at my works, are complied with, and in what manner those made have been disposed of, I beg leave to inform you, that the order given last summer for 1000, to be furnished for the particular use of the state, is now fully compleated and the greater part of them, including in the number the...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, 20 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 20 Feb. 1781 . Encloses a resolve of Congress of this day “relative to compleating the quota of troops for the southern army and furnishing them with the necessary supplies.” TJ’s letters of 8 and 12 Feb. have been received. RC ( Vi ); 2 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Huntington; addressed and endorsed. Enclosure ( Vi ): Two resolutions of Congress, 20 Feb. 1781, attested by...
30To Thomas Jefferson from John Nicholas, [20 February 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeable to Colo. Innes’s order to Major Turberville previous to my coming here, I examined Lt. Hare’s Papers, in which I found the enclosed letter which gives me the greatest unhappiness to expose; but with the same hand ever devoted to the service of the Fair, I tenderly let fall the greater weight of my Country’s good; but must still undivested of partiality for so tender a Character, beg...
31To Thomas Jefferson from John Nicholas, [ca. 20 February 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
Since I wrote last I have discovered many other Letters from Mrs. Byrd which exasperates me in such a manner that I have determined to keep the one I mentioned to you secure with the rest for my own justification and untill I hear from you shall act agreeable to the dictates of my own reason. As Majr: Tuberville was so imprudent as to suffer Hare to go to Westover and as I have made...
32To Thomas Jefferson from John Syme, 20 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
New Castle, 20 Feb. 1781. The £1,500 ordered by the Council to be paid to Syme “for Waggonage of Stores” is quite inadequate for his “Cash ingagements”; needs £1,000 more. “Col. [John] Nicholas Writes Me He Has Your Directions, for releiving my Militia , from the Lower Battallion, Now On Duty, without Asertaining the Numbers”; Syme desires more exact information. Congratulates TJ “on the...
33To Thomas Jefferson from the Virginia Delegates in Congress, [20] February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Since our last in which we informd Your Excellency of the Arrival of Col: Harrison in this City, his Applications to Congress have been referd to a Special Committee, and the necessary Steps are takeing to Answer the wishes and wants of the Southern States, and of our State in particular as far is practicable in the present Situation of affairs. We doubt not but that Gentleman will give you...
34To Thomas Jefferson from James Wood, Enclosing a Petition from Certain Men in Colonel Armand’s Corps, 20 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I this Instant Received Your letter of the 18th. Instant, and have given Orders for the immediate March of the Convention Troops, without their Baggage, as we have but a very few Waggons at the Post. The Troops have been Without Meal for Six Days Past, and but a very small Quantity of Beef On hand, so that I foresee the Greatest Difficulty, Indeed an Impossibility of Procuring Provisions by...
35To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Harrison, 19 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
When I did my self the pleasure of writing to you I fully expected the Powder would have been sent off the next day to fort Pitt , but the Q. Master assures me that with his utmost efforts he was not able to procure waggons till this day, and now only to go as far as Carlisle, for which place they set out this Evening. He thinks there will be no difficulty in getting it on immediately from...
36To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Nelson, 19 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Commodore Tilly having determined to sail with the first fair Wind, the Enemy will be left at Liberty to make use of all the Advantages which their Command of the Water gives them over us. They will probably be inclined, for some Losses they have sustained since the Arrival of the French Squadron, to wreak their Vengeance on the Parts of the State most exposed. Hampton and the adjacent Country...
37To Thomas Jefferson from David Ross, 19 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I Have just now the offer of about 400 pr. Soldiers Stockings. Altho I understand that Overalls are at present substituted in place of Stockings for the troops at Chesterfield Courthouse, I take the liberty of mentioning them to You as tis probable the Southern Army now returned to Virginia may have occaision for some supplies more especially as they will for some time be exposed to severe...
38To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 19 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inclose your Excellency Copy of a Letter I have just received from General Greene . The absolute necessity of supporting him and consequently of calling out the Militia makes me extremely apprehensive that it will prevent the drafting the Recruits. The time fixed for this is the 10 of March. Before this time there may be a necessity of ordering out a part of every County....
39To Thomas Jefferson from John Teackle, 19 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Accomac County, 19 Feb. 1781 . Has addressed three letters to TJ, the last in October, acquainting him with “the deplorable situation” of the two galleys “on this Shore,” but has had no answer. “By your Advice to me, in Council last June, you did not authorise me to intermeddle with ’em, Only to furnish with Provision, and Superintend such Repairs as should be directed.” The vessels are...
40To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 19 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Secretary’s Office [ Philadelphia ], 19 Feb. 1781 . Encloses twenty-four blank commissions, with blank bonds and instructions, for private armed vessels. “You will please to give orders that the bonds when Executed be returned into this Office.” Others may be obtained upon application. RC ( Vi ); 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Thomson; addressed and endorsed; printed in CVSP Calendar of...