1To Thomas Jefferson from John Banister, [before 24 February 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
Without place or date [ before 24 Feb. 1781 ]. Cannot send more than 100 men into the field with arms; but if arms could be had, “I suppose half our Militia would cheerfully turn out.” At Petersburg are 400 good Continental arms. Desires instructions. Tr ( NHi ). At head of text: “Copy of a Letter to the Governor from Colo. Banister.” This is the copy enclosed in TJ’s letter to Steuben of 24 Feb .
2To Thomas Jefferson from Edward Carrington, 24 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Major Claiborne has inclosed me a Copy of your Excellencies Letter on the Subject of the Estimate I left with him to be complied with in Virginia. I find the Executive have estimated the Amount of the Sum which will be requisite to comply with my Claims, and that the Greatness of it fixes the Impossibility even of an Attempt. It is true, in forming the Estimates , I did not consult the...
3To Thomas Jefferson from David Geddes, 24 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Frederick Town [ Md. ], 24 Feb. 1781 . Has this moment received TJ’s letter of 3 Feb. “and have to inform you that Paper Money at any rate will not answer here at present.” The Assembly having called in all Continental money, little of any kind is to be had, and people will accept nothing but specie or bills. If an opportunity later occurs of “facilitating the business in the manner you...
4To 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...
5To 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...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Littleberry Mosby, 24 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeable to the Instructions given by you I sent all the Men that cou’d be furnished with Armes, which Amounted to one Hundred and Six Rank and file, under the Command of Captains Hughes and Williamson. Majr. Thomas Harris being Sick stay’d at Home; tho I think the Captains will prove Sufficient for the Command they will have as they are two Gentlemen I have a great Opinion off. Our Militia...
7To 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...
8To Thomas Jefferson from James Wood, 24 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I had the Honor of Writing you the 20th. Instant I have been informed that there is a Number of Prisoners of War at Winchester, that Provisions are Scarce and hard to be Procured in that Neighbourhood, and that the whole Houses are taken up. If this shou’d be the Case, it will be Necessary for me to Send a part of the Germans to Stovers Town or Shepherds Town, Neither of which will be...
9To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 23 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Chesterfield, 23 Feb. 1781. Because of his “present constant hurry,” Davies has been unable to find “the plan for the cloathier’s department”; will forward it as soon as he can find it. The deerskins can be dressed at Chesterfield if the men who understand doing it are permitted to stay. RC ( Vi ); 2 p.; addressed and endorsed.
10To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Gaskins, 23 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
You’l Receive this by Mr. John Gordon who promises to take down with him the proceedings of our Court martial in September Last in regard to the Rioters then in our County. It appears we have been much blaimed by some for our proceedings, but I hope upon the matter being fully inq[uired into] they’l find we have done well. The reason we took the rioters in for 18 months was to incourage them...
11To Thomas Jefferson from John Mazaret, 23 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Prince Edward Court House, 23 Feb. 1781. Distress of troops serving under Mazaret; three officers and twenty men have not received a farthing of money or an article of clothing since last March “—they are all as naked as when they were born.” Sends Capt. Lt. Rice to TJ “in hopes of some relief.” After a six-week retreat Mazaret arrived at Prince Edward on the 20th with “5 pieces of Artillery,...
12To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 23 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
War Office [ Richmond ], 23 Feb. 1781. Encloses two accounts for the expenses of Capt. Sansum in collecting and bringing over eighteen-month men from the Eastern Shore. As Sansum’s authority was derived from Col. Webb, Muter does not know how to act in his case, especially since other officers have been and are now employed in collecting those men and deserters in that region, “in consequence...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 23 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to remind your excellency of the situation of John Dean, a supposed fugitive from the lead mines, in defiance of the condition of his pardon. It is probable, that the actual abandonment of the place of labour will not be fixed upon him: ‘tho’ nothing can be more satisfactory, than that he had made preparations for flight. I say this upon the information of Colo. Lynch. Now I refer...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 23 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Till it is decided whether Cornwallis will cross the Roanoke or not we ought at all events to be prepared for the worst for which purpose we may have occasion for the troops under the command of Colo. Innes to cross the James River and I shall send orders for him to hold him self in readiness to move at a moments notice. But previous to such a movement (if it should take place) it will be...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Garret Van Meter, 22 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellencys letters of the 24th. December and 19th. January, both of which came to my hand the 13th. Instant. As Colo. Enoch Innis, who has your Excellency’s Commission as County Lieutenant, has never qualified himself to act under his Commission, the command has consequently devolved on me; I have also received the Act of Assembly for recruiting this...
16To 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...
17To Thomas Jefferson from James Innes, 21 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The present distressed Situation of the militia, under my Command induces me, to address your Excellency on their behalf. The most of them are totally destitute of the necessary cloathing to protect them from the Inclemency of the weather. They are lousy dirty and ragged, and from those Circumstances becoming every day more sickly. In addition to this such a spirit of disquietude prevails...
18To 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...
19To 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...
20To Thomas Jefferson from George Waller, 21 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
This evening, I recievd yours of The 15th. Instant, wherein you Call for The Assistance of our Militia, to the Aid of Gen. Greene, against Lord Cornwallis. I have the satisfaction to Inform You, that our Militia, has before this time Joind General Greene [at] headquarters. The approach of the enemy Towards this state Appeared to Alarming To await your commands, which I am In hopes will be...
21To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 21 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor to communicate, to your Excellency, a circumstance which I hope will be followed by the most Salutory consequences to the State of Virginia in particular, and which may ultimately have the happiest effect upon the interests of America in general. The Chevalier des Touche, commanding His most Christian Majestys Squadron in the harbour of Newport, finding himself enabled,...
22To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 19–20 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
War Office [ Richmond ], 19 Feb. 1781 . “Capt. Browne [Windsor Brown] attends to know the detirmination of your Excellency and the Hon. Council respecting his acting as Commissary of military stores.” All that remains to do is to fix his “allowance,” and since he is soon to be reduced to half pay as an officer, that allowance should be “the more liberal.” In Council Feb. 20. 1781. The board...
23To Thomas Jefferson from John Banister, 20 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am happy in having anticipated your order respecting the Arms , having before directed the Captains to collect every effective Fire lock in the County to a proper Place on the Road leading to Taylor’s Ferry, but I fear when the best endeavours are used few will be the Number, as this collection has repeatedly been made to arm the continental Soldiers sent from hence, and I cannot help...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Vivian Brooking, 20 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Amelia, 20 Feb. 1781 . Received TJ’s letter of 18 Feb. this evening and will endeavor to execute the orders therein, but there will be difficulty because “the Militia has been embodied on this Alarm, and disbanded last Night, as we had not received any Orders from you or Requisition from the Commanding Officers of the Neighbouring Counties.” Brooking also received a letter this day from an...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Clarke, 20 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Charlottesville, 20 Feb. 1781 . Since last writing to TJ, Clarke has received a letter from Brig. Gen. [James] Hamilton “acquainting me that it was not agreeable to Maj. Gen. Phillips that the Convention Troops should receive money for the Provisions due to them, and therefore he wishes that the Germans should receive the Provisions here and the British at Frederick Town.” RC ( Vi ); 2 p.;...
26To Thomas Jefferson from George Elliott, 20 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am this moment Call’d on by the Barron Steuben to furnish four Expresses to ride Between General Gregories Posts and Suffolk. I am at a Very Great Loss to Know what mode to take for Horses for the Different Express Riders. As its for the field Business I expect Majr. Claiborne Wont Interfeiar in it. The practice of Impressing horses is Attended with Double the expense that Buying would be,...
27[To Thomas Jefferson from Commissary Benjamin Harrison, 20 February 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ South Branch of Potomac, 20 Feb. 1781 . Summary in CVSP Calendar of Virginia State Papers … Preserved in the Capitol at Richmond , i , 529: Is employed by Maj. William Harrison, under instructions from the executive, in purchasing provisions and building boats. The scarcity of beef on the western side of the “Allegania Mountain” has obliged him to come to this country to procure the...
28To Thomas Jefferson from James Hunter, 20 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
In reply to your excellency’s inquiry how far the orders that have been given for camp kettles, to be made at my works, are complied with, and in what manner those made have been disposed of, I beg leave to inform you, that the order given last summer for 1000, to be furnished for the particular use of the state, is now fully compleated and the greater part of them, including in the number the...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, 20 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 20 Feb. 1781 . Encloses a resolve of Congress of this day “relative to compleating the quota of troops for the southern army and furnishing them with the necessary supplies.” TJ’s letters of 8 and 12 Feb. have been received. RC ( Vi ); 2 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Huntington; addressed and endorsed. Enclosure ( Vi ): Two resolutions of Congress, 20 Feb. 1781, attested by...
30To Thomas Jefferson from John Nicholas, [20 February 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeable to Colo. Innes’s order to Major Turberville previous to my coming here, I examined Lt. Hare’s Papers, in which I found the enclosed letter which gives me the greatest unhappiness to expose; but with the same hand ever devoted to the service of the Fair, I tenderly let fall the greater weight of my Country’s good; but must still undivested of partiality for so tender a Character, beg...