1To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Nelson, 19 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Commodore Tilly having determined to sail with the first fair Wind, the Enemy will be left at Liberty to make use of all the Advantages which their Command of the Water gives them over us. They will probably be inclined, for some Losses they have sustained since the Arrival of the French Squadron, to wreak their Vengeance on the Parts of the State most exposed. Hampton and the adjacent Country...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Nelson, [18 February 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
A Flag vessel from the enemy, in which was Lieut. Hare formerly detained at Hampton, has been stopped at Sandy point. The inclosed papers will inform you of the business and the extraordinary Conduct he has observed. His abuse of Characters in this State has been general and his Expressions concerning your Excellency have been such, as from any other mouth but that of an enemy and at the same...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Nelson, 7 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
In consequence of your Letter to me to assist Captain Joel with a Vessel for an enterprize against the Enemy’s Fleet, I gave him an order to the Commissioner of the Navy on the Subject; but he not being at the Yard, the Person who acts under him; has deliver’d the Dragon Ship of which I never was inform’d until last night. I immediately orderd her back to the Ship Yard, because in my opinion,...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Nelson, 3 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have visited the Posts below this Place, and am happy in informing your Excellency that the paroled People require nothing but Assistance to make them very spirited Friends to their Country. They have in general destroyed their Paroles, and have formed a very fine Company to join the Troops sent down. The Troops at present under my Command are altogether from the Counties whose Militias are...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Nelson, 26 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Williamsburg ], 26 Jan. 1781. Eight British vessels have been driven ashore, four of which it is supposed will not be gotten off again. The greatest advantage cannot be taken of their distress because the vessels are on a coast chiefly in British power. MS not located. Text abstracted from an entry in Anderson Galleries, sale catalogue, 19–20 Jan. 1926 (James H. Manning Sale), lot 407; a...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Nelson, 22 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am just favoured with yours of the 20th. Instant inclosing your Proclamation respecting those who have been paroled, which shall be strictly adhered to. We have hitherto made use of Meal for the Soldiers, and shall continue this Practice as long as we can be regularly supplied with it; but it would be proper to have some Flour on hand for fear of a Disappointment in the other Article. I...
7To 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...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Nelson, 15 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last, informing you that the Enemy’s Fleet had passed Burwell’s Ferry, it has only fallen down the River as low as Hardy’s Ferry. They land on the South Side wherever they have a Prospect of getting any valuable Plunder. I am concerned to hear of the bad Conduct of the Men commanded by Capt. Hockaday, and shall, as soon as they join me again, make the strictest Enquiry into it. I am,...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Nelson, 13 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
This Day the Enemy’s Ships passed Burwell’s Ferry and have fallen so far down the River that I think they intend nothing further on the North Side of James River at present. They yesterday landed some Troops at Cobham, in Surrey, and it is said that Arnold himself was with them. If this be so, it is probable they intend marching by the Route of Smithfield and Suffolk to Portsmouth. I write to...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Nelson, 8 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am pained to the very Soul that we have not been able to prevent the Return of the Enemy, but even the Elements have conspired to favour them. On Saturday Night I intended a Blow at their Rear, when the Gates of Heaven were opened, and such a Flood of Rain poured down as rendered my Plan abortive by almost drowning the Troops, who were in Bush Tents, and by injuring their Arms and Ammunition...