201To 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...
202To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Martin, 12 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
On my Return to this place I Immediately Transmitted your Excellencies Dispatches to Chiefs of the Cherokees which I Seconded with Some letters of my own and Divers private messages with the Meddles &c. but unfortunately all arrived to late. The British agents had Succeeded in their negociations, and most of their Chiefs and Warriers of the old Towns had Determin’d To Take a Decisive part...
203To Thomas Jefferson from the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 13 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The complexion of the intelligence received of late from Spain, with the manner of thinking which begins to prevail in Congress with regard to the claims to the navigation of the Mississippi , makes it our duty to apply to our constituents for their precise full and ultimate sense on this point. If Spain should make a relinquishment of the navigation of that river on the part of the United...
204To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Heth, 13 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 3rd and 24th of October last the following Resolve of Congress was passed, Viz. That such of the Sixteen additional Regiments as have not been annexed to the Line of some particular State and all the seperate light Corps of the Army &c. be reduced on first day of January next that the non Commissioned Officers and privates in those several Corps be incorporated with the Troops of their...
205To Thomas Jefferson from Archibald Cary, [29 January 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
I have calls on me which I must in a Few days comply with, for £16000 or thereabouts for my proportions towards raising the 3000 men. Mr. Rubsarnen Informs me he has a warrant on his and my account for about £40.000. He informs me, he has been apply’d to Worke over a Quantity of Powder taken out of the Canel. This Powder will require a large Quantity of Salt Peter, which without ready money...
206To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, [9 January 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia, 9 Jan. 1781. ] Encloses copies of resolutions of Congress of 5 and 8 Jan. The former relates to “the unwarrantable and cruel Treatment which … Prisoners with the Enemy have of late received,” necessitating the “Exercise of the Law of retaliation”; recommends that measures be taken for carrying into execution the resolves of Congress of 13 Jan. 1780 respecting prisoners taken by...
207To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Taylor, 30 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The horseman by whom I wrote to you last week on the subject of Mr. Clarke’s demand about provisions is not returned. I must further observe to you that our troops drew the same kind of meal that was issued to the Convention troops without complaining, and as it was received by their Quartermasters, will their soldiers, should any allowance be made for unsifted meal, receive the money? Or have...
208To Thomas Jefferson from James Wood, 31 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I returned to this Post Two Days Ago from Maryland, where I left the British Troops tollerably well Accomodated. I make no Doubt you have Received before this a Requisition from the State of Maryland, for a Supply of Beef and Pork for the Troops, as the Scarcity of those Articles are so great as to Render it impossible to procure more than three weeks allowance from this time. On this Subject...
209To Thomas Jefferson from Dudley Digges, 19 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have, this Moment received Your Letter requiring my Attendance at Richmond. It gives me pain that some days must elapse before I shall be able to attend where my duty and Inclination would certainly induce me to go. I am thus far on my Way to Williamsburgh to collect the scattered remains of my property, which was hastily distributed in such places as were deemed the most secure. When this...
210To Thomas Jefferson from James Hamilton, 24 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of receiving Your Excellencies Letter of the 3d Instant, with an extract from Major Genl. Phillips’s Letter, which by adhering to, in Your ordering any Sum from one to five thousand Pounds in Specie to be paid Mr. Geddes here for the use of the Troops of Convention, I shall immediately Write to New York, that Your Prisoners may receive an equivalent Sum there, payable to those...
211To Thomas Jefferson from David Ross, with a Memorandum on Improving Tobacco and Flour Inspection, 23 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
As you seem to join me in opinion that an Inspection in the Upper Country would be of publick Utility and rouse a number of able bodied people inhabiting good lands to industry, I have in a hurry communicated to you a few hints on the Subject. The wretched State of our Flower trade is such that no doubt can remain of the necessity of improving it by every possible means. I have also given you...
212To Thomas Jefferson from Meriwether Smith, 12 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed I send you Copies of the Papers I mention’d to you. You know the Importance of them and therefore will retain them for your own satisfaction and perusual. Pray be so good as to remind the clerk of the Council to send me a Copy of your Letter to the President of Congress with the Account you stated. Your Sentiments with the Respect to the Boundary of Virga. in case of Negociation...
213To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 15 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am this moment favord with your Excellencys Letter of this date . I had before transmitted you Copy of General Greens Letter to me with a state of our wants for compleating the Detachment destined for the Southard. I agree with your Excellency that the Militia of Rockbridge Augusta Rockingham and Shenandoah would be the most speedy reinforcement to General Green, but they must first be...
214To Thomas Jefferson from Nicholas Eveleigh, 25 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I am one of those, who fall under the description of an act of the General Assembly of May last, respecting the Citizens of South Carolina and Georgia, being expell’d from the former State by the Enemy. A few Negros, 14 in number, were remov’d from thence into this Commonwealth, on my account, about 4 months ago; they reach’d it sooner than I did, and by a very different route. They had...
215To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Dick, enclosing Statement of His Services in the Arms Manufactory at Fredericksburg, 23 … (Jefferson Papers)
I received your Excellencys favour of the 15th. and shall punctually observe your Directions in case of Appearance of any Danger of the Enemy. It seems to be the Wish of every body, they wou’d at this Time attempt to come this Way, and I verily believe they wou’d never get back again. I never intended to resign the Business of the Factory, as I had such a considerable Share in it’s formation...
216To Thomas Jefferson from Johann Ludwig de Unger, 25 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
L’ordre que nous reçumes de quitter cette Province, me fit prendre la Liberté, de Vous envoyer la semaine passée une Lettre pour m’aquiter de mes tres humble Devoirs, en me recommandant a Vos bonnes graces. Maintenant un Echangement de quelques Officiers vient de ce publier, parmi quel nombre ma Personne a le bonheur de se trouver; cela m’oblige de repeter mes protestations et de prendre pour...
217To Thomas Jefferson from Rowland Madison, 23 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Without place ] 23 Jan. 1781. Has expended the £500,000 which was furnished him when he was appointed quartermaster and commissary to “the Expedition intended to be Carried into the Country beyond the Ohio”; needs £300,000 to complete his contracts, and the success of the expedition depends on ready supplies. Unless sum needed is furnished immediately, “Contracts will be Defeated”; begs that...
218To 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...
219To Thomas Jefferson from Richard and William May, 13 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Louisville, 13 Dec. 1780. Informing TJ that they have served as justices of the peace for Kentucky co. “almost ever since it was taken off Fincastle, but upon the late Division , [we] fall into that Part of the County which is now called Jefferson, where we have Land and intend to reside.” It was therefore by mistake that the delegates for Kentucky co. put the Mays in the commission of the...
220To Thomas Jefferson from Sampson Mathews, 13 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I Received your favour of the 12th. Inst. and Shall Proced Early tomorrow morning to Fredricksburg with about 250 Militia from augusta which is all that is Come this Length. Those of the 2d. Battallion which are on the way as also the Militia from Rockbridge and Rocking [Rockingham] I Shall send by Express to order their March to Fredricksburg, which Place I hope to Reach by Monday Night. I...
221To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Porterfield, 1 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Charleston, S.C. 1 Feb. 1781. Reports the death on 10 Jan. of his brother Col. Charles Porterfield, who was on his way from Camden to Charleston. During his brother’s “almost five months extreme illness, The consequence of a wound he received on the 16th. of August near Camden, His necessary expences amounted to a considerable sum, for the purpose of defraying which, he borrowed of Lord...
222[To Thomas Jefferson from James Barron, before 2 October 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond?, before 2 Oct. 1780. Minute in Journal of the Commissioner of the Navy (Vi), under date of 2 Oct.: “Letter from Commodore Barron referred from his Excellency the Governour.” An entry of 3 Oct., following, states that a reply was written by James Maxwell to Commodore Barron “inclosing a Form of a List of Seamen employed in the Navy of Virginia.” Neither Barron’s letter nor Maxwell’s...
223To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Scott, December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I am unhappy to inform Your Excellency of the Distressed Situation of our troop prisoners at this place, for want of Clothing and Necessaries. The Very long delay I have no doubt has been occasioned by Some unforeseen Circumstances, perhaps the probability of a General Exchange of prisoners. However I hope the latter is not the reason why the Supplies are not Sent on, for Wear we Exchangd...
224To Thomas Jefferson from James Innes, 24 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Return you require was sent from this post to the adjutant General, above nine Days since. But that I suppose having miscarried from the villainy of the Express riders (every one of whom, that I am acquainted with ought to suffer Death) I herewith transmit a second Account of the two Regiments stationed at and below this place. I can with truth assure your Excellency that I never within...
225To 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...
226To 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...
227[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...
228To 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...
229[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...
230To 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...
231To 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...
232To 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...
233To 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...
234To 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...
235To 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...
236To 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...
237To 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,...
238To 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...
239To 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...
240To 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....
241[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.]
242To 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...
243[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...
244To 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...
245To 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,...
246To 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.
247To 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...
248To 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...
249To 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...
250To 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...