151To 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...
152To 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...
153To 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...
154To 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...
155To 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...
156From 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...
157To 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...
158To 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...
159To 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,...
160To 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...
161To 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...
162To 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....
163From 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.
164[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.]
165To 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...
166[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...
167To 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...
168From 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...
169From 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...
170From 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...
171To 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,...
172To 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.
173To 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...
174Notes 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,...
175From 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...
176From 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...
177From 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...
178From 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...
179From 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...
180To 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...
181From 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...
182To 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...
183To 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...
184To Thomas Jefferson from Linctot, 5 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai eu l’honneur d’ecrire a votre excelence depuis mon départ de Wiliamsburg pour L’informer quelles on été mes démarche a mon arivé au fort pitt, jeusse été bien flatté que son excelence eu voulu m’honnorer de quelque reponse, jeusse parla pu sçavoir si mes démarches lui étoit agréable. A mon arivé Monsieur le commandant de cette place m’a engagé a aller chez les loups pour sassurer deux. Je...
185From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 15 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the pleasure of congratulating your Excellency on the small dawn of good fortune which at length appears in the South, as you will find by the dispatches I have the honor of inclosing to you, and which I this moment receive from Genl. Gates. There seems to be a confusion between the numbers 810. and 1400. However the smaller one is not to be despised. The line of expresses having...
186To Thomas Jefferson from Nathanael Greene, 6 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived at this place on the 2d instant, to which place General Gates had advanced with the army some days before I overtook him. I find the troops under his command in a wretched condition, destitute of anything necessary either to the comfort or convenience of soldiers. It is impossible that men can render any service, if they are ever so well disposed, whilst they are starving with cold...
187Charles Fleming to William Davies, 10 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Manchester, 10 Jan. 1781. Arrived at this place the previous evening; the men “had a very disagreeable night, seven of them taken sick”; will proceed as soon “as they get comfortably dried and get their breakfast”; requests supplies. “The Governor lodged on this side last [night], whom I have seen. He informs me the enemy were yesterday morning lying still at and about Colo. Harrissons mills:...
188To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Lawson, 16 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I yesterday was inform’d on my way home, that General Green had retreated to Dan River, being inferior to Cornwallis in his number of Men, who was pushing after him with great avidity, and that Gl. Green had call’d upon the most convenient Counties to turn out the Militia to his Aid. Among one of the Counties that are call’d upon is this. The Militia have met to day at the Court House (where I...
189From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Nelson, 10 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Information having been given the Board that sundry Horses of British property, having been left by the Enemy, were taken by our Militia or un-armed Citizens, and a question made whether they belong to the Commonwealth or the Captor, we are of opinion that they should be yeilded to the Captor. It is thought however where any possible doubt can arise who was the Captor, that the Horse should be...
190From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 26 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Brigadr. Genl. Lawson now waits on you for the purpose of informing you of the state of his corps. I would have done myself the pleasure of introducing him to you personally, but am engaged in the council chamber and shall be so till three o’clock. When yourself and Genl. Lawson shall have settled those essential wants without which his corps cannot proceed I shall be happy to do every thing...
191From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Meade, 4 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The present invasion having rendered it necessary to call into the Field a large Body of Militia, the providing them with Subsistence and the means of transportation becomes an arduous Task in the unorganized State of our military System. To effect this we are obliged to vest the Heads of the Commissary’s and Quarter Master’s Departments with such Powers as if abused will be most afflicting to...
192To Thomas Jefferson from Nathanael Greene, 24 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I congratulate you on the success of the detachment under Genl. Morgan. They were attacked by 1100 British troops under Lt. Col. Tarlton on the 17th. Inst. whom they defeated entirely and with very little loss. I must beg you will permit me to refer you to Major Genl. The Baron de Steuben for the particulars. I have appointed Major Hyrne of the S. Carolina line Deputy Commissary General of...
193To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, 11 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Warneck should have called on me yesterday, but failed: I shall goe after him in a few minutes. I have just received a letter from Majr. North (one of the Barron’s aids) informing me that the Barron desires me to send 400℔ of pistol powder, 2000℔ of lead and 600 flints to Suffolk immedeatly to be delivered to Genl. Muhlenberg. I have sent to the Quarter Master for the State to make (if...
194To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, [27] November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia [ 27 ] Nov. 1780 . Acknowledges dispatches of 13 and 19 Nov., received this day and laid before Congress. Authentic intelligence reports the dissolution of the British Parliament and the calling of a new one. Deputies from Holland are on their way to Petersburgh [St. Petersburg] to attend the convention of neutral powers on the armed neutrality. FC ( DLC : PCC , No. 15); 1 p. No...
195From 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...
196To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, 7 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have a letter from the quarter master , in which he informs me “That the cartridge blocks at Moody’s shop as well as those that were in his possession, were all destroyed by the enemy; and that since then he has not been able to procure a single workman to make more: but that he will use every exertion in his power to push a bussiness so essential at this critical period. He cannot assign...
197From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Nelson, 21 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your letter of the 18th. the night before last and deferred answering it till I could confer with Baron Steuben which I had an opportunity of doing yesterday evening. He shewed me a letter from Monsr. Tilly from which and the information of his aid who went down, we suppose the French squadron sailed on a cruise yesterday morning. They will however be within our call, and therefore...
198From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 7 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed Letter contains the first notification the Executive have received of the existence of any such cases as that of Lieut. Warm[an] therin stated. Exclusive of the justice of his claim, the express reserva[tion] by the board of Officers of the rights of all those in his situation, seems to place him on the footing on which he would have been, had his Commission been actually made out...
199From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 25 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of inclosing to you Letters from Genl. Hamilton for New York. On some representations received by Colo. Towles that an indulgence to Governor Hamilton and his Companions to go to New York on parole would produce the happiest effect on the situation of our Officers in Long Island we have given him, Majr. Hay and some of the same party at Winchester leave to go there on...
200To 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...