201To Thomas Jefferson from John Todd, 30 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
We have been for some time past and are still dreading an Invasion from the neighbouring Northern Indians. Intelligence by the Way of St. Vincent informs us that late in Octo. a great Number of Indians and English were at the late-destroyd Shawnese Towns waiting the rise of the Waters to make a Descent either against the Falls or this Place. I have ordered upon Duty part of the Militia of this...
202From Thomas Jefferson to Johann Ludwig de Unger, 30 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter which covers this being of a public nature I wished separately to acknolege the many things personally obliging to me expressed in your two letters . The very small amusements which it has been in my power to furnish in order to lighten some of your heavy hours by no means merited the acknolegements you make. Their impression must be ascribed to your extreme sensibility rather than...
203[From Thomas Jefferson to ——, 30 November 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 30 Nov. 1780. Etienne Charavay, comp., Inventaire des autographes et documents historiques réunis par M. Benjamin Fillon , Paris, 1878, i , item 295, lists a letter signed by TJ of this date, 2 p. folio, and summarizes it as follows: “Il mande que le pouvoir exécutif a l’intention de placer, dans les principaux forts, quatre canons pour protéger les vaisseaux qui sont dans les...
204[From Thomas Jefferson to John Gibson, November? 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, Nov.? 1780. A letter from Col. John Gibson to Col. George Rogers Clark, Fort Pitt, 17 Dec. 1780, states that Gibson “received a Letter from his Excellency the Governor of Virginia wherein he informed me that Colo. Campbell had told him that I had a quantity of Cloathing which I received last summer for the men of my Regiment and that I had no immediate use for it as he expected we...
205Impressment Warrants to Various Persons, November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas by an act passed at the General Assembly holden in the month of may in this present year and intituled an act for giving further powers to the Governeur and Council and for other purposes, authority was given for obtaining by impress among other things so many horses waggons and necessaries as might be wanting to supply the militia and other troops ordered into actual service. These...
206To Thomas Jefferson from Geismar, [November? 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
I have leave to go in to N. York and Shall let get of [off] as soon as I can Settle my Affairs; You will oblige me in writing to […] French in fredriksburg who has a goald repeater, he was So Kind as to have it repaird for me. I shall be thankfull to you if you will Sell it and Send me the value of it by Some means to Europe. Adieu. Be my friend, do not forget me and persuede Yourself of my...
207To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, 1 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to observe to your Excellency that as the Quarter master general’s office is to be immedeatly removed to this place (Richmond) it becomes necessary to dispose of the houses in Wmsburgh, lately used for that office, to some other use. Mr. Kemp who is obliged to goe to Wmsburgh as soon as the arangement of the Quarter master generals department takes place, to finish the business...
208To Thomas Jefferson from Jacob Rubsamen, 1 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed Letters contain not any thing in the least injurious to the states. General Riedasel has in on [one] of his Letters the following Passage— I hear with Pleasure that Some of the deserted Dragoons are desirous to join Corps again. For my part I cannot advice any thing in the present posture of Affairs. Should a General exchange take Place wich is at present more probable then ever,...
209To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 1 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellency was acquainted with My Intention of sending on Genl. Lawson’s Corps, and I can now inform you that I expect they will march from hence to morrow, tho’ not in such Numbers as I Expected, only 340 Rank and file appearing under Arms at the review Yesterday, including Infantry and Cavalry. The next Object is sending on as speedily as possible 400 Continental Troops and as many...
210From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 1 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I this moment received your letter, and have extended Mr. Elliot’s powers to the procuring subsistence for the marching troops. You will perceive by the inclosed resolution of assembly (which was put into my hands about two o’clock to-day) that they doubt whether the time, for which Genl. Lawson’s corps is enlisted, will not be so nearly expired before they reach the scene of action as, under...
211To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 2 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote Your Excellency the 30th ult. that Gen. Lawson’s Corps would march Yesterday. This would Certainly have been the Case had not a report arrived that the Legislature had determined on their being discharged immediately. I should not however have suspended the march from a mere report, but Genl. Lawson himself shewed me a Copy of the Resolution of the house of Delegates on the subject. I...
212From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 3 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I was equally surprized and mortified to learn by your letter of yesterday that mine of the day before had not been delivered. The resolution of assembly was put into my hands at two o’clock in the afternoon of Friday. At 7. o’clock I delivered letters to an express for yourself, Genl. Lawson , and Genl. Muhlenberg , with orders to be with you at farthest by an hour by sun on Saturday. I was...
213To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, 4 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 4 Dec. 1780. Circular letter to the state executives enclosing copy of a resolve of Congress of 30 Nov. requesting the states to furnish Commissary General Blaine or his deputy with the names of the principal agents or commissioners appointed to supply the army in each state “and to oblige them [the agents] to give Information from Time to Time to the Commissary General, or his...
214To Thomas Jefferson from Patrick Lockhart, 4 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellencys Instructions relative to my conducting the prisoners taken on Kings mountain to the place of destination did not come to hand until fourteen days after dated. I set out next day to execute your Excellencys Commands. Before I reached the Lead mines I had advice that the Tories were chiefly Inlisted but was not certified how the British were disposed of until I arrived at Surry...
215From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 4 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been just honored with your favor of Yesterday expressing your Opinion that it will be for the general good to dispense with the services of the Corps under Genl. Lawson; and take the Liberty of putting under cover to you my Letter to General Lawson desiring him to give them a discharge. The Diversion of their Services to an object different from that to which they had attached their...
216[To Thomas Jefferson from John Gregory, before 5 December 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Place unknown, before 5 Dec. 1780. A minute in the Journal of the Commissioner of the Navy (Vi), under this date reads: “Letter from Capt. Jno. Gregory, referred from his Excellency the Governor, read and filed.” Neither Gregory’s letter nor TJ’s covering letter has been located.]
217[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...
218From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 5 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to lay before the General Assembly the inclosed Letter from the honourable Theoderick Bland, one of our Delegates in Congress, the subjects of which may be proper for the consideration of the Legislative Body and have the honor to be with great respect sir, Your most obedient & most humble servant, RC ( Vi ); in a clerk’s hand, signed and addressed by TJ to Harrison as Speaker....
219To 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...
220To Thomas Jefferson from John Taylor, 5 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
It gives me great uneasyness that the Militia of this County By their riotous behavour have prevented my making a proper return to you. On the day appointed for the Draft they assembled in a Mob, and disarm’d the Officers as they came to the field, and took from me the papers relative to the draft which prevented my carrying it on. I had a Court Martial held according to Law, and many were...
221To 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...
222Robert Forsyth to the Agent Superintending the State Supplies, 6 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 6 Dec. 1780. Announces that, by the new arrangement of the purchasing department, “there is only a Commissary General and one Deputy Commissary General continued in the service of the United States; the former for the Northern and the latter for the Sothern Army.” The duties hitherto performed by the purchasing commissaries employed by Forsyth in Virginia “are in future to be...
223To 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...
224From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 6 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure of inclosing to you an order for the Shoes, Shirts and Cloth you desired. Mr. Armistead the Commissary of Stores to whom it is directed and who now waits on you, sais he has not that number of Shoes, but will call on the Continental Q.M. in hopes he may have some which are of course subject to your order. He has no white cloth but will if it be possible in our circumstances...
225To Thomas Jefferson from Meshech Weare, 6 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Hampton Falls [ N.H. ], 6 Dec. 1780 . Acknowledges TJ’s letter of 27 Sep. accompanying “Copies of the Acts of the Virginia Assembly from the beginning of the year 1779‥‥ I have now the Pleasure of transmitting to your Excellency Copies of the Acts passed in New Hampshire Since our first taking up of Government In the year 1776.” Wishes these exchanges to be continued. Dft ( MHi : Misc.); 1 p.;...
226To Thomas Jefferson from James Maxwell, 7 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to inform Your Excellency that the Lieutenant of the Jefferson thinks it will take Fourteen thousand pounds to pay her up to the present time. And there is also due the Workmen of the Ship Yard on the last of October (by Warrants on the Treasury) for Eighteen thousand six hundred and Seventy nine pounds fourteen Shillings and six pence. I am with great Respect Sir Your Excellencyes Most...
227Virginia General Court: Certificates of Escheated Property, 7 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I do hereby certify that the Inquisitions taken in the County of Lunenburg against John Patterson, Andrew Johnston, John Graham, and Messrs. Cunningham & Company have been in the Office of the Clerk of the General Court one Month without a Claim being made to any of the Estate[s] contained in the said Inquisitions. Given under my Hand this seventh Day of December 1780. MS ( Vi ); endorsed:...
228[From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 8? December 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 8? Dec. 1780. JHD Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia (cited by session and date of publication) , Oct. 1780, 1827 edn., p. 41 (8 Dec.): “The Speaker laid before the House, a letter from the Governor, enclosing returns of the provisions obtained under the acts of the last session of Assembly; and the same were read, and ordered to lie on the table.”...
229George Muter to Charles Magill, 8 December [1780] (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with an answer from [his] Excellency the Governor, to my letter to him wishing for [orders] with respect to the intentions of the supreme Executive concerning the troops under your command. It is as f[ollows:] It is the opinion of the Board, that the men u[nder] Major Magill should return to their stations at which they were before the Invasion; unless it be so far as Colo. Muter...
230To Thomas Jefferson from George Slaughter, 8 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed are Copies of letters from Capt. George the Commanding officer at Fort Jefferson and Capt. Williams from the same place to Colo. Clark, also an original letter sent by Capt. Helm, by which you will learn the situation of the Officers in that Quarter. Such a number of Officers leaving their Posts, and so many of the Men Deserting, together with the Conduct of the Commertial Agent and...
231From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 8 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed is a Copy of a requisition I have received this morning from Lt. Colo. Lee. With respect to cloathing for so many of his Legion as were raised in other States and consequently not credited to us in our Continental quota we do not conceive the call on us to be proper; as it is totally unprecedented for the troops of one State to be clothed by another, nor does our condition or...
232To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 8 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I am this moment favord with your Excellencys Letter of this morning inclosing a Copy of the requisition made by Lt. Colo. Lee for the Corps under his command. I am perfectly of Opinion with your Excellency that the call on this State for the several Articles he demands is improper on any other principle than that of the general good. In the new Establishment of the Army this Corps is...
233To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 8 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of introducing to your Excellency the Marq[uis] de la Fayette, Majr. General in our army and an officer of Rank in those of France. This Gentlemans character, illustrious birth and fortune, cannot be unknown to you, though you may be unacquainted with his person. I should be wanting in that justice which is due to his great merit, to his early attachment to the American Cause,...
234From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Lee, 9 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Baron Steuben has just favored me with a State of what is essential for your Corps. I am sincerely sorry it is in our power to comply with so little of it. I inclose you a warrant for £6000. which I fear however cannot be furnished till Thursday or Friday next, when any recruiting money due may be also paid. I shall be much obliged to you if you will be so good as to favor me with a return of...
235To Thomas Jefferson from John Page, 9 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours in which you desire a Copy of the List of Tithe’s, and of my Journal of the Weather, came through such a circuitous Chanel that it was long after the Date of it before it reached me. As to the List I gave it in to the Society without taking a Copy of it, and suppose it is now in the Hands of the Secretary. My Meteorological Journal I took back, as I did all the Papers of my own...
236To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, Enclosing Instructions for Drawing the Recruiting Bill, 9 December [1780] (Jefferson Papers)
The Frequent abuses that have happened in the Recruiting Service, and an absolute Necessity that those Men who are raised for the War in Future should be fit for the Service and the Continent and State no longer deceived, by having Old Men, Deserters, &c &c, Imposed upon them; I have made the Within Instructions and beg Your Excellency to lay them before the Legislature that when they Pass the...
237To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 9 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Headquarters, New Windsor [ N.Y. ], 9 Dec. 1780 . Acknowledges letters of 3, 10, and 19 Nov.; is most grateful for intelligence contained in them and wishes to have more concerning the enemy’s movements in the South. Disposition of the American forces in the middle department, of the French fleet and army (still at Rhode Island), and of the enemy’s fleet and army in and around New York. “It is...
238To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 10 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I came here Yesterday in full Expectation of sending off Colo. Greens Detachment of 400 Men this Day and it is with great pain I have to inform Your Excellency that so far from being ready to March I am even fearfull they will not be able to March at all. Amongst the 400 Men selected for this Detachment about 60 only had Blankets. The Militia I discharged left about 20 and of 200 which I...
239To Thomas Jefferson from the Virginia Delegates in Congress, [ca. 10] December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia , [ ca. 10] Dec. 1780. Enclosing a resolution of Congress of 6 Dec. relating to the Convention troops and also “a copy of a letter from G. Anderson found among the dead letters in the post office and communicated to Congress by the Postmaster. If there should be occasion for the original of the latter it shall be transmitted on the first intimation.” Imprisonment of Henry Laurens...
240To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 10 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Headquarters, New Windsor [ N.Y. ], 10 Dec. 1780 . The places of deposit for the specific supplies required of Virginia by Congress’ resolve of 4 Nov. are to be designated by Gen. Greene “or Officer commanding” in the southern department, who will be “much better enabled to judge of the proper places” than Washington. RC ( Vi ); 1 p.; in Tench Tilghman’s hand, signed by Washington; printed in...
241To Thomas Jefferson from the Continental Board of War, 11 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
War Office [ Philadelphia ], 11 Dec. 1780 . Enclosing a resolution of Congress of 6 Dec. respecting the Convention troops; the Board will be pleased to have TJ take order thereon. RC ( PHi ); 2 p.; signed “by ord. Ben Stoddert Secy.”; addressed: “(Public) His Excellency Thos. Jefferson Esqr. Govr. of Virginia (War Office)”; endorsed: “Contl. Board War Lr. Recd Feby 81.” For the resolution...
242From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 11 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
At the request of Major General Baron de Steuben, I take the liberty of transmitting to you his Letter and observations on the cautions he thinks necessary to be observed on the raising future recruits. I think it my duty also to mention to the General Assembly that I have received information from him that a very considerable proportion of the new Levies raised under an act of the last...
243[To Thomas Jefferson from James Maxwell, 11 December 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 11 Dec. 1780. A minute in the Journal of the Commissioner of the Navy (Vi), under this date reads: “Letter to the Governor on the Subject of ordering down the Jefferson to Hampton Road, and procuring money to pay the crew.” Not located, but see TJ’s reply , following, and Maxwell to TJ, 7 Dec. , above.]
244From Thomas Jefferson to James Maxwell, [11 December 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
Money to pay off the Men of the Brig will be ready Friday Evening or Saturday Morning which may be dispatched to them by Express. In the mean time they may be informed of this, and the Brig ordered to be in readiness to proceed down as within proposed Instructions should be given to the Officer commanding on the Cruise to make particular Enquiry whether any persons he may take come within the...
245To Thomas Jefferson from William Shannon, 11 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Louisville, 11 Dec. 1780. Desires “to know the nature of my Commission from Colo. G. Rogers Clarke on my return from Government last Spring, and must inform you that it is very difficult to execute the business I am entrusted with for want of money owing to a report prevalent that our Bills on the Treasurer have been Protested which renders the Credit of the State very Trifling.” The army in...
246To Thomas Jefferson from the Continental Board of War, 12 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
War Office [ Philadelphia ] , 12 Dec. 1780. Case of 1st Lt. Thomas Warner, formerly of the 7th Va. Continental Line, for whom no vacancy is now available in the Virginia Line, though it has been recommended and agreed that “in all Cases where the Places of Prisoners were filled by junior Officers they should retire on the Officers Exchange whose places they filled.” This information is...
247To Thomas Jefferson from John Floyd, 12 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
As the division of the County has put a stop to the Surveying business till the Surveyors can be again Commissioned and qualified, and as there are not a sufficient number of Magistrates in the County to hold a Court, a majority of those in the Commission of the Peace being Inhabitants of other Counties, I beg leave to recommend to your Excellency a few Persons to be put into the Commission in...
248To 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...
249To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, [12 December 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
A state of the situation of the tanyard, is left with me. It appears that things are in bad order there, but I know not how it is to be remedied. Neither do I know that I have any authority to act in it at all, farther than (perhaps) to originate orders for any articles that may be wanted, and can be furnished on such orders. Permitt me to inform your Excellency, that several of the tradesmen...
250To 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...