1From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 5 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I received a Letter from General Gates on the 14th. Sept. communicating Intelligence which he had received of a design meditated by the Enemy to make a lodgement at Portsmouth in this State. Tho’ I thought it very improbable under the then existing Circumstances it was yet my duty to communicate it to Congress and apprise them of our general Situation. In my Letter was this paragraph. ‘another...
2From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, [8 October 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Martin receives body shirts and hunting shirts for the regiment of guards, clothing for the officers, and some for yourself. Your portion being not equal to what you expected it becomes my duty to explain it. On the discontinuance of the board of War the Executive finding that the method which had been followed of issuing individual orders for clothing had produced great inequality they...
3From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 12 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Baker was to give notice to Colo. Crockett when he should have ready subsistence and pack horses for him. Colo. Matthew’s Suggestions as to the Militia shall be submitted to the Council, and the result communicated to Colo Crockett. I am sorry to hear that your Supplies of Provision are still precarious. Mr Divers has made a Proposition to victual the troops on contract, which we think to...
4From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 18 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters of the 11th. and 14th. inst. are now before me. I inclose you four blank powers to be directed to any person or persons you shall think proper for Green briar or any other county. I am informed beef may be had in Frederic and Hampshire. I am only to desire that when you fill up any of these powers you immediately communicate to me the name of the county and persons inserted...
5From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 23 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Certain information being received of the arrival of an enemy’s fleet in the bay, it is thought expedient to decline for a time at least the sending Colo. Crocketts battalion to the Westward, as it is possible their services may be wanting elsewhere. Be pleas’d therefore to forward the inclosed to Mr. Madison requiring him to bring the beaves he had collected for that battalion to the...
6From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 26 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The Enemy invading us appearing now to be in force the Executive have determined that the Convention Troops be removed without delay. You will therefore take immediate measures for their removal to fort Frederick as directed by the Board of War. Previous to the publication of this measure another is expedient: The Regiment of Guards you know is enlisted to serve only till the departure of...
7From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 28 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter by Cap. Read which could not be come to hand when yours of the 26th came away will have answered beforehand the several matters stated in that except as to the division of the Convention troops into three parts. This I apprehend is contrary to the Convention, and I should expect would render their government and safe custody more difficult. My last intelligence is that the troops who...
8From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 1 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
No movement of the enemy since my last has contributed in the least to declare their object. They have left the north side of James river, and taken possession of the Country on the south side as far up as Suffolk. Still we are told they keep a considerable part of their troops on board their Ships. They are making great collections of horses to mount their men on, and taking possession of all...
9From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 3 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Your representation on the want of barracks at Fort Frederick has been again the subject of consideration with the board, together with a Letter from Govr. Lee informing me it is not in their power to make more than a partial provision for the Subsistence of the Convention troops. Our apprehensions as to desertion to the enemy and corresponding with the disaffected arise from the British...
10From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 7 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letters of the third and fifth instant are now before me. My last to you which you could not have received on the fifth will I think have anticipated some parts of these letters. The terms of the Officers paroles, being that they will not say or do any thing to the prejudice of the united States while they are under the convention of Saratoga, and that they will remain within certain...
11From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 7 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
We think with you that the Germans you have furloughed to Augusta Rockingham &c. may be permitted to remain. My opinion of Pastor Kohlé is the same with yours, that is that he is more American than British. He never wrote a letter to me which could be exceptionable to me. I beleive that with a proper opportunity for explanations he might be rendered useful. I am with great [estee]m Dr Sir Your...
12From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 11 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
It will be inconvenient for you to go to Annapolis, yet if not very much so, we think it much more probable that you will get every thing properly settled by personal representations to the fountain of power, than on conferences with persons who might be substituted by them. The former could adapt their orders to actual circumstances, the latter would be bound by orders entered into without...
13From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 16 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I shall be exceedingly glad to hear the British division is gone, as their presence gives uneasiness. I hope the waggons will come in as you expect. Your orders for receiving the forage of the Officers and repaying them specifically are approved as being perfectly just. We wish in every possible circumstance to lighten the inconveniences which will attend their removal, a measure which we...
14From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 25 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Dragoon did not get here till last night. I this day submitted the matter as to the horses of the exchanged officers to the House of Delegates informing them that I had no doubt but Genl. Washington would take the proper measures as to those purchased since the Convention, but as an express was this day setting out with dispatches to him, I would mention the matter to him specially unless...
15From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 15 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favour of the 7th instant from Annapolis and write an answer, tho I hardly know by what route to send it to you. The post at the barracks shall be duly attended to. I had a Letter from Colo. Taylor the other day when all was well and he mentions no apprehension of want. With respect to that part of the troops which are gone to Maryland we thought it right to lend all possible...
16From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 12 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Enemy having returned from this place and fallen down James River, and the German Prisoners being represented by you to be in a distressed situation for want of covering and food, you will be pleased to march them back again to the barracks in Albemarle. I am Sir Your very humbl. Servt., FC ( Vi ).
17From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 13 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
We have no board: the three Members present concur with me in opinion that it would be well to enlist as many of the Regiment of Guards as will engage for the War. The bounty is 2000 dollars. I cannot say whether the Money can shortly be furnished. FC ( Vi ).
18From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 3 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letters will sufficiently explain to you their object: I shall be much obliged to you to endeavour to negociate the purchase of bills therein proposed with all the expedition you can. It is natural to expect that the demand for such a sum will raise the exchange to a certain degree. We have no right to expect to force the ordinary course of things and must therefore submit to it....
19From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 13 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have laid before the Council the several Certificates you were pleased to inclose to me. They are very clear that an enlistment to serve untill the prisoners should be removed from Albermarle can by no fair construction be deemed at an end by any occasional crossing of the line with an intention to return. A man is not said to be removed from his residence by taking a journey from it. You...
20From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 15 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just received information from Genl. Greene that Ld. Cornwallis, maddened by his losses at the Cowpens and George town has burnt his own waggons to enable himself to move with facility and has pressed forward as far as the Moravian towns, Genl. Greene being obliged to retire before him with an inferior force. We are endeavouring to gather a force around him from which I hope he will not...
21From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 18 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Ld. Cornwallis’s approaches are so rapid that we know not where they will terminate. He was at Boyd’s ferry on the 14th. inst. Without arms as our Countrymen are there is no safety for the Convention troops but in their removal; you will therefore be pleased to remove them in the instant of receiving this, only allowing them time to pack their baggage that it may follow them in Waggons. As the...
22From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 21 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
We consent to the dividing the Germans between Winchester, Martinsburg and the Berkely springs till further orders as proposed by you. I must get the favor of you to know from Colo. Mingen what sum of money by the fortnight they will have occasion for, and it shall be sent either to the Barracks in Albermarle to any Agent whom they shall leave there to settle their affairs or to their new...