131To Thomas Jefferson from Archibald Cary, [16 January 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
I have Continued As ill as any Person could well be with a Cold, for upwards of 3 Weeks, it has reduced me so that I can with difficulty walke up and Down Stairs. I thank God it has Mended greatly for 3 days past, and I have gatherd a little strength. I have heard nothing of the Enemy Since their Stop at Sandy Point, untill this Morn. A Man Came to press a Waggon who Says they have landed at...
132To Thomas Jefferson from Meriwether Smith, 4 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am on the road to Philadelphia, and have just Time to acquaint you that I have received Letters from De francy dated at Bourdeaux informing me that he should find no Difficulty in complying with the Contract he had made with this State; and that I might expect him in the Spring of the Year. He earnest requests me to press the providing of the Tobacco for his Ships, as Nothing but Dispatch...
133From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Shenandoah, 18 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The prisoners taken at the Battle of the Cowpens being to pass under the conduct of Mr. Hyrne or Mr. Boush Commissaries of Prisoners, they will be attended by the guard at present with them as far as Shenandoah Court House. There you will be pleased to have assembled such guard and at such time as either of these Gentlemen shall fix on, which guard must see them safely over the Potowmack. I am...
134From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Monongalia and Ohio, 24 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
A powerful army &c. [as in letter to county lieutenants Hampshire and Berkeley to ‘proper officers’ and leave out from thence and insert] to be rendezvouzed at Pittsburg precisely by the first of march to proceed by the way of the falls of Ohio for an expedition under Colo. Clarke into the country beyond that river and to continue in service during the expedition; as to which Colo. Clarke is...
135From Thomas Jefferson to Abner Nash, 16 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 3d inst, and am to thank you for your permission and countenance to our Pork purchases. The late invasion of this State by the Enemy should not have been so long uncommunicated to you by me, but that the very extraordinary movement they made was such in its nature as to allow little time to those concerned in Goverment to think of any thing but...
136From Thomas Jefferson to the Auditors, 5 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Be pleased to issue to Colonel John Syme a Warrant for one thousand five hundred pounds on account for removing public Stores. By Advice of Council. RC ( Vi : Contingent Fund Vouchers); in a clerk’s hand, signed by TJ; endorsed.
137From 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...
138[To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, before 5 December 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, before 5 Dec. 1780. Extract of a letter from George Muter to [Arthur?] Campbell, 5 Dec. 1781, in War Office Letter Book (Vi): “I was favoured with yours of the 2d. of November [and] that I might be fully enabled to answer it, I laid it before [the] Governor. In Mr. Smith’s affair the Governor says The Board [can]not consent to advance Ensign Smith to a Captaincy on the...
139From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Burke, 15 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 5th. covering a draught of Mr. Clay’s for 106,775 D. came safely to hand last night. I am sorry that Mr. Clay adopts this method of negotiating money claims on our treasury which is not and I fear will not again be in a condition to answer his draughts with any kind of punctuality which might justify his drawing and negotiating in the mercantile way. In my letter to you of...
140To Thomas Jefferson from the Continental Board of War, 6 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The Board have recieved a Letter from Col. Rawlins Commissary of Prisoners at Fort Frederick in Maryland informing of the Approach of the first Division of the Convention Troops towards that Post. We have given Directions to Major Foresythe to superintend the Supplies of all these Troops as well those at their former Station as those at Fort Frederic. We propose that one half of the Supplies...
141From 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...
142From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Berkeley and Frederick, 16 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have with exceeding distress of mind received information that the service to which the Militia of the Counties of Frederick and Berkely have been called Westwardly is so disagreeable as to render it probable that that call will be very imperfectly obeyed. A knowledge that an extensive combination of Indians had been formed to come on our frontier early in the spring induced us to prevent...
143From Thomas Jefferson to John Banister, 4 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
My former Order required only half of your Militia to be embodied. The rapid Approach of the enemy renders it necessary that for instant Opposition you embody the whole able to bear arms. Should they not be armed, there are Waggons loaded with Arms at Chesterfield Courthouse under orders to proceed to Powhatan Courthouse. By an Application to Colo. Carrington or other Commanding Officer, you...
144Proclamation Convening the General Assembly, 23 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
By his Excellency Thomas Jefferson esqr. Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia A Proclamation. Whereas it is become necessary that the General Assembly be called together before the time to which they stand adjourned: I have therefore thought fit with the advice of the Council of State to issue this my proclamation, hereby appointing the first day of march next for the meeting of the said...
145[To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, 10 February 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 10 Feb. 1781. War Office Journal (Vi) contains the following entry under this date: “Letters, to the Governor inclosing a list of Mr. Andersons men that lost their bedding, and an order to the Commissary of Stores to furnish what is wanted Viz. eight beds, eight Sheets and twenty Six Blankets as soon as the circumstances of the public Store will permit of it. The order is returned...
146From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 26 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I received advice that on the 22d. inst. the enemy’s fleet got all under way and were standing towards the Capes. As it still remained undecided whether they would leave the bay or turn up it I waited the next stage of information that you might so far be enabled to judge of their destination. This I hourly expected; but it did not come till this evening when I am informed they all got to sea...
147To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Dick, 4 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just time to acquaint You That the Gentlemen of this Town and even the Ladys have very spiritedly attended at the Gunnery and assisted to make up already above 20000 Cartridges with Bullets, from which the Spotsa. [Spotsylvania] Militia and [those] of Caroline have been supplied, as also above 100 Good Guns from this Factory; As I propose to do all the good in my power in these...
148To Thomas Jefferson from the Virginia Delegates in Congress, [23? January 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
It is with much concern that we have learnt from your Excellency’s, and the Baron de Steuben’s letters to Congress, the misfortunes our Country has suffer’d from the Invasion under the command of the detestable Arnold, and that he has ventured with impunity even to our Capitol. We have some reason to Imagine that the same plan of operations which induced Clinton to send him there will occasion...
149To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 11 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As I am altogether unacquainted whether your Excellency does business on the Sabbath or not, I hope I shall be excused for addressing you this Morning, because it is respecting a matter in which I am particularly interested for the whole Department, and for the Southern army. Your Excellency and Council were pleased to inform me by letter of the 7th. that it would be chimerical for you to...
150To Thomas Jefferson from Horatio Gates, 3 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Yesterday afternoon I had the Honour to receive your Excellencys Letter of the 28 Ult. from Richmond, and a few Minutes after the inclosed from Colo: Preston. I send it to Your Excellency that the Executive may determine, as they think proper upon the Subject. I had no conception that the Setting Up Two hundred Yards of Picketing, could Cost 100,000£, as to the Log Huts within side, the...
151To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 24 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I set out tomorrow with the Detachment from hence for Dinwiddie Court Ho. from whence my movements will be wholly directed by those of the Enemy. The necessary instructions are given to General Muhlenbg who will keep the Command at Suffolk. Colo. Innes with the Troops under his Command is orderd to pass the River and take post at Cabbin point till further orders. Genl. Weedon is orderd to...
152To Thomas Jefferson from George Weedon, 3 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of laying before your Excellency a return made me this morning of our Provision Stores. As the Militia are now coming in fast, and a considerable body may be Expected here in a few days we shall be much distressed to feed them unless steps are taken previous to their Assembling. And tho’ they will not remain here long, yet some delays may happen in Acquiping that cant...
153From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Morris, 7 February 17[81] (Jefferson Papers)
Tho’ I consider our last appointment of you as having put the business prescribed by the inclosed resolution into a course of execution, I think it necessary in point of formality to inclose it to you and to repeat my wishes for as expeditious a settlement of the accounts of the Commissioners of the Provision Law and Agents of the Specific tax as can be had. I am with much respect Sir Yrs &c...
154To 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...
155To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 1 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have not been yet able to learn where or in whose possession any of the tents are except those (by the quarter masters return 49 in all) that have been delivered for the use of the State Garrison regiment: and Majr. Magill informs me that he is obliged to let his men use them at present for want of blanketts, there hardly being a blankett in the possession of one of his soldiers. I have the...
156To Thomas Jefferson from D’Anmours, 25 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
It will appear to you very strange that I should Communicate You Pollitical news from this place, where I expected to hear of none but of the Rural sort. Yet I have one which, though it may at first seem rather extraordinary, is not altogether quite improbable. Yesterday, after I had finished my letter to Mrs. Jefferson , I went to dine with Dr. Gilmer. In the evening Just as I left the town,...
157To Thomas Jefferson from Richard MacCarty, 14 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Having the Honnor to be appointed by Colol. Clark, Captain of the Regular forces of the State of Virginia the 1st. of March 1779 after the Conquest of Post Vinçent, I in Consequence raised men and with my Officers had the fullest Company during a Year, and those mostly to serve for during the War, the Returns of which no Doubt have been laid before You. In June 1779 Colol. Clark gave me Bills...
158To Thomas Jefferson from John Robertson, 13 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Chesterfield Court House, 13 Jan. 1781. Prevented by urgency of business from coming himself, has sent James Ball to obtain a warrant in the amount of £20,000 or £30,000 to be charged to Robertson for the use of Major Forsyth in provisioning the troops and the hospital. “The Hospital at present is in want of Wine, Tea, Sugar, Coffee, Rice and Molasses, besides the daily quantitys of fresh...
159To Thomas Jefferson from John Todd, 1 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Accounts from all Quarters lead us to expect vigorous Measures from our Enemies the next Campain. I have just recieved Duplicates of Letters sent from our Officers of Ilinois to others at Louisville which inform that the Spanish and American Ilinois Settlements are preparing defensively for heavy Attacks. The Original Letters I hear are sent forward to your Excellency. On Conferring with Cols....
160From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 26 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 26 Oct. 1780. This letter is almost identical with TJ’s letter to Thomas Sim Lee of this date, q.v. RC ( DLC : PCC , No. 71, i ); in a clerk’s hand, signed and addressed by TJ; endorsed: “Letter from Govr Jefferson Octr 26. 1780 Read Novr 2 Referred to the board of War to take order.” For variations from the text of the letter to Lee, see note there.
161[To Thomas Jefferson from James Maxwell, 2 October 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 2 Oct. 1780. Minute in Journal of the Commissioner of the Navy (Vi), under this date: “Letter written to his Excellency the Governour relative to Capt. Richd. Barron.” Not located.]
162To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 9 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I would suggest to you the Defenceless condition of Hunter’s Works at Fredericksburg full as great or greater an object than any were at Richmond. The people in that part of the Country as destitute of arms, as they are in this. The Distance to the Works from Potomack River about half as far as from Westover to Richmond. I would recommend it to your Excellency to order some fortification...
163[To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, 29 January 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 29 Jan. 1781 . Minute in the War Office Journal (Vi) under this date: “Letter, to the Governor respecting the issuing spirits to the Officers and Soldiers in the State Service, and an order enclosed for a hogshead of rum to be delivered Francis Graves, to be issued to the Officers, Soldiers, tradesmen &c. if he approves of it.” Muter’s letter and its enclosure have not been...
164To Thomas Jefferson from John Christian Senf, 13 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
“At Coll. Cary’s” [ Ampthill, Chesterfield co. ], 13 Feb. 1781. Was at Manchester last night, but too late to cross the river; is now on his way to see Steuben at Chesterfield Courthouse; will return to Richmond for TJ’s orders tonight. “Mr. Ross intends to set off with me for the Fork of James River the Day after to morrow, if No Contra Orders.” RC ( Vi ); 2 p.; signed: “Senf”; addressed and...
165From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 29 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you below a List of the Counties which were called on to make a part of the 4000 men for this invasion, tho’ they were called into the field on the last invasion also. As your reduction of the 4000 to 2700 will enable you to discharge some of those Counties, I think it would be best that these below mentioned should be first discharged. I have the honor to be with great esteem Sir Your...
166From Thomas Jefferson to George Lee Turberville, 13 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your information that I had ordered furloughs to the Guard which brought up prisoners was without foundation as I never have in a single instance given or ordered a furlough . I consider it as my duty to furnish the number of men required by the Commanding Officer, to provide them as far as our circumstances enable us, and to leave to him and those acting under him the direction of them: this...
167From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 17 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
At the request of the honorable Theodorick Bland I take the liberty of laying before the General Assembly the inclosed paper in which he states a difficulty which has arisen in reconciling his qualification as a delegate to the peculiar channel into which he had previously turned his private fortune. From the inclosed extract of a Letter from our Delegates in Congress you will also perceive...
168To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Kinloch, [1780?] (Jefferson Papers)
I have to [entreat?] that your Excellency would be so kind as to forward the letters that accompany this; that addressed to [Gen.?] Huger to Charles Town You will be pleased to send southwardly, and I could wish that your Excellency would so far indulge me, as to enclose it with any occasional dispatches, either to Genl. Greene or to Governor Nash. I have already, If I am not mistaken,...
169To Thomas Jefferson from Matthew Pope, 19 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond ] 19 Jan. 1781. Encloses a list of medicines “necessary to be imported for the use of the State”; has confined them to “such only as are common and useful”; the cost of the medicines and instruments will be about £600 sterling. RC ( Vi ); 2 p.; addressed and endorsed. Enclosure not located.
170To Thomas Jefferson from D’Anmours, 18 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honour to Acquaint your Excellency with a Piece of intelligence, Which if true Can not fail of Being Agreable to you in the present Circumstances. A Gentleman of this town Received last night a letter informing him of our ship Washington at Boston and tels him also that that ship parted in a storm from a french Squadron and fleet of transports in the latt. 32. which were intended...
171Notes concerning the Right of Removal from Office, [1780] (Jefferson Papers)
N ( DLC ); entirely in TJ’s hand. Undated, but before Gen. Lee’s dismissal by Congress 10 Jan. 1781 ( JCC Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 , ed. W. C. Ford and others, Washington, 1904–1937 , xvi , 33) and after the Boards of War and Trade were abolished in June 1780. TJ became familiar with the “rapacity, inattention and means of evasion” practised by forage masters, purveyors,...
172From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 24 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received repeated information that the nakedness of the Militia on service near Wmsburg and want of Shoes is such as to have produced murmurings almost amounting to mutinies and that there is no hope of being able longer to keep them in service. The precedent of an actual mutiny would be so mischevious as to induce us to beleive an accomodation to their present temper most prudent, and...
173From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 16 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of the 14th. and 31st. of December remain unanswered. I have been less attentive to the communication of our progress in preparing for the Southern war as Baron Steuben who knows all our movements, gives you no doubt full information from time to time. The present invasion of this State you have before been apprized of by the Baron. The very extraordinary and successful attempt of...
174From Thomas Jefferson to the Auditors, 5 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof Lewis Duval came express from Monongalia on necessary business. RC ( Vi : Contingent Fund Vouchers); endorsed (in part): “£657.” On the face of TJ’s note are the following calculations in another hand: “350 miles coming 700 Do. returning 700 1 Days Attendce 60 1460 @ 14/. 3 £4380 219 657” A separate note accompanies TJ’s note and reads as follows: “Ms. Auditors I am well...
175From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 18 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment received your favor of the 15th. from Boyd’s ferry. I had heard yesterday of the approach of the Ld. Cornwallis, gave orders in consequence for embodying so many of the militia between this place and that as could be armed and of this gave you information in a letter of yesterday’s date. I hoped at the same time that the militia would not await my orders, and by the letters...
176From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 24 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The Southern express sets out to day. As you will probably have commands for him I will order him to call on you if you will be so good as to say at what hour. I should be exceedingly glad if by the return of the expresses (for the business which sets them in motion requires a return) I could through your means procure an accurate return of the Virginia troops in the South stating their times...
177To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Nelson, 16 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
In my Letter of Yesterday I informed your Excellency that the Enemy’s Fleet had fallen down to Hardy’s Ferry. This afternoon I have Intelligence that it was on its Way again, and standing for Newport-news. Yesterday about twelve o’Clock, the Enemy were seen from this Shore to land a Number of Men on a Point below the Mouth of Pagan Creek, and soon afterwards a heavy firing commenced, the Issue...
178From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, 5 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am anxious to have secured for the detachment which is next to proceed Southwardly as many tents as will suffice for them, and to collect all the residue belonging to the State and send them down for the use of the Militia. Of 230 tents issued during the last invasion, I understand that 75 were sent on with Colo. Green’s detachment, I find that about 28 were returned to this place, the rest...
179To Thomas Jefferson from Horatio Gates, 14 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have read and attentively considered Your Excellencys Letters of the 23d Ult:, and 4th. Instant and Lest Congress, or the Board of War, should conceive Greater Supplies for the Southern Army, can be furnished by your State than it is in their Power, or Abillity, to give, I have sent The President by this conveyance, Exact Copies of Your Excellencys Two letters to me, that no Plea of not...
180To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 18 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am favord with your Excellencys Letter of yesterday and submit whether it would not be prudent to order the prisoners removed from the Barracks at Albermarle. I have the honor to be Your Excellencys most Obed Servt, RC ( Vi ); in an aide’s hand; addressed and endorsed. Your excellencys letters of yesterday : Evidently the third letter from TJ to Steuben printed above under 17 Feb. In view of...