100151From Edward Hand to Elias Dayton, 28 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Exy is much surprized that no Returns of your Line have been transmitted to Head Quarters since the late Arangement of the Army has taken place, he therefore desires me to inform you that it is his positive Orders that a Monthly state of the Jersey Line be transmitted to the Orderly Office, so as to reach it by the 25th—or at farthest by the last Saturday of every Month. I am Sir DNA : RG...
100152From George Washington to William Heath, 28 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have no objection to Austin’s having permission to go to Morris Town, if nothing unfavorable has been discovered of him, while employed as you Mention. I am Dear Sir With great esteem Your Most Obed. Servt MHi : Heath Papers.
100153To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 28 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I forward to your Excellency, under cover with this, copies of letters received from Major General Greene and Baron Steuben which will give you the latest state of the situation of things with us and in North Carolina. We had hoped to have received by the French Squadron under Mons: Tilly eleven hundred stand of arms which we had at Rhode-Island, but were disappointed. the necessity of...
100154From Edward Hand to Stephen Moylan, 28 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency surprised & much displeased that Monthly Returns of the state of your Regiment are not transmitted to the Orderly Office, has commanded me to desire that in future you may be punctual in making and forwarding your returns so that they may reach my Office by the 25th or at least by the last Saturday of every Month—and to assure you at the same time that it is his determined...
100155From Edward Hand to Thomas Proctor, 28 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Exy desires me to inform you it is his Orders that you transmit a Return of the State of your Regt to the Orderly Office as soon as possible, and that Monthly Returns of it may be regularly made out and forwarded so as to reach this Office by the last Saturday in every Month agreable to former Genl Orders. I am Sir &ca DNA : RG 93—War Department.
100156From Edward Hand to Arthur St. Clair, 28 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excy is very anxious to know the state of the Pennsa Division, and desires me to request you to order a Return of it to be made to the Orderly Office as soon as may be, and that Monthly returns may be regularly transmitted so as to reach the Office by the last Saturday of every Month, by regiments if its present situation will not admit of comprehending the whole in one Genl Return. I am...
100157To George Washington from Abraham Skinner, 28 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have this day seen Lieutenant General Knyphausen’s Letter of the 25th instant to your Excellency inclosing Extracts of Sundry Letters from Mr Loring some on the Subject of Passports being furnished to certain British and Hessian Officers for the purpose of Visiting their Prisoners and furnishing them with Cloathing &ca. In Answer to which, I have to inform your Excellency, that an...
100158From George Washington to Lund Washington, 28 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, your letter of the 14th Instt is received. If Mr Triplet has got as much Land as he has given, & you have paid him the cash difference with a proper allowance for the depreciation since the bargain was made, I am at a loss to discover the ground of his complaint—and if men will complain without cause, it is a matter of no great moment. it always was, and now is my wish to do him...
100159To George Washington from John Parke Custis, 29 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
On my return to this place, on Sunday last, I had the pleasure of receiving your Favour of the 28th ulto, Your reasoning is so cogent, that no one can pretend to cavil or dispute the Position; I must acknowledge that I wish to quit the public Business, & attend for some time to my domestic affairs, which call very pressing for my attention; but it has never been my Intention to leave the...
100160From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 29 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have never yet heard whether the Officers have had any or what success under the Law for recruiting. You will be pleased to inform me by the first oppertunity. We have a report by the way of Kings bridge that there has been an action between the French and British Fleets, but no particulars. If you hear any thing of it from Staten Island be pleased to let me hear from you. I am Yr most obt...
100161To George Washington from Catharine Littlefield Greene Miller, 29 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
It would be in vain for me to attempt the discription of My Mortification and disappointment at Not seeing your Excellency while I you honourd this state by a visit, the same honour I vainly expected (and I need not add impatiently) untill your very obligeing letter came to hand, which however, was not untill the next day after you left Providence, at which Place I intended at all events to...
100162To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 29 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I send your Excellency a Copy of my Letter to Congress for your information respecting the operations in this department. The Marquis de la Fayette has arrived in Virginia; but I beleive his Troops are still in Maryland. some Days since I sent Colo. Morris to confer with the Marquis, and see if he has your Excellencys permission to go farther Southward. I received a Letter from him on...
100163To George Washington from William Heath, 29 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
The distressed condition of the New York regiment, under the command of Colonel Van schaick, on account of their great arrears of pay (sixteen months) and the uneasiness consequent thereon, is encreased by the consideration that the troops of the other states have lately received money, while they get none—their officers are much perplexed and embarrassed and know not what to say or do. I...
100164To George Washington from William Heath, 29 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received the enclosed from Major Trescott, I think the information given Mr Cushing by the British Officer, if true, is a circumstance from which we may conclude, that the British have met with a handsome drubbing. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect your Excellencys most Obedient Servant DLC : Papers of George Washington. I was mistaken, in my oppinion...
100165To George Washington from John Jay, 29 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
There has long been something about my Heart which urged me to write to You, but I thought it selfish to diminish your few Leisure moments by an additional Correspondent, especially as your Punctuality & Attention would probably have led you to consult my Wishes rather than your own Convenience. The Time I hope will come when the Return of Tranquility will give me an opportunity of conversing...
100166From George Washington to James Johnston, 29 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to deliver to the Pay Masters of the several Massachusetts Regts the Muster Rolls of the Regts for the Months of May, June & July last, in Order to take Copies of the same to make a settlement with the state, the Sd Pay Masters, having engaged to you to return the Rolls into the Office, as soon as the Copies are Made & Certified by you. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
100167From George Washington to Wilhelm von Knyphausen, 29 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellencys letter of the 25th instant—The complaint, as to provisions, contained in the depositions of the several Hessian prisoners lately exchanged, is the first that I ever heard respecting the quality of that delivered by the American Commissaries to their prisoners of War—Your Excellency will therefore pardon me, if I do not give entire credit to it—The very...
100168From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 29 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 21st: I have not received any intelligence from the Southward since the letter of the 15th from the Marquis de la Fayette, the substance of which I communicated to your Excellency in my last. I cannot but look upon this as very unaccountable; for, I think, had either Fleet reached the Chesapeak by the 20th, I should have heard of it,...
100169General Orders, 30 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
A Sub, Serjeant, and twenty watermen to be sent immediately to Newburgh to assist Captain Nevins in floating the rafts to and stretching the chain at WestPoint. Also a subaltern officer to be immediately sent to the same place to relieve the Subaltern now on command there. A return to be made of all the oarsmen in the several regiments digested into Brigade returns and sent into the Adjutant...
100170From George Washington to Board of War, 30 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favor of the 22d instant inclosing the heads of two plans for the incorporation of the departments of Qr Mr General and Commissaries General of purchases and Issues and that of the Commissary of prisoners in some degree, the whole to be under the direction of the Quarter Master General—If there is an absolute necessity for such a reform, I do not hesitate in...
100171To George Washington from George Clinton, 30 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
We do ourselves the honor to inclose your Excellency Copy of a Message from his Excellency the Governor with a Copy of the Letter referred to therein. Could the Legislature have afforded immediate Relief, or was there the least prospect of procuring any Provisions of the meat kind in time to prevent the Evils, we should not have troubled you on the occasion: But altho’ we have impowered our...
100172To George Washington from Elias Dayton, 30 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
By a person from New york 28th inst. it appears the british fleet were then laying at the hook with the troops on board, The enemy have again vissited Elizabeth Town but have gained little by the excurtion as appears by Capt. Scuders letter inclosed—I have also inclosed the New york account of an action between the french & english fleets by which I think it does not appear the english have...
100173From George Washington to William Heath, 30 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letters of the 29th. The situation of the New York Troops, I am sensible, is indeed distressing—but I am in hopes their distresses will be in some measure alleviated, by an Order which the Dep. Pay Master has just received on the Treasury of the State for money to pay the Troops of its Line—Should this not be productive of releif, I will make representations to Congress,...
100174To George Washington from William Heath, 30 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of this date—shall communicate to the officers of the New York regiment the case your Excellency has been pleased to take for the relief of the regiment; which I hope will be effectual. I thank your Excellency for your opinion respecting my expences on my journey to this place the last fall. Am sorry that a remedy in the case of expences here does not rest with you: and...
100175To George Washington from William Heath, 30 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed from Captain Selden, who commands at Stoney-point, came to hand the last evening. Just before the receipt of it, Mr Pine, one of our guides came to my quarters with a Mr Swain of Morrisania. Swain left that place on monday last, about ten o’clock A.M.—he informs me that all intercourse between New York and Morrisania is stopped—no refugee allowed to go in or come out—or any flag...
100176From George Washington to Ulster, Dutchess and Westchester Counties Magistrates of Orange, 30 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Upon the representation of the acting Quarter Master with the Army, that public Teams cannot be furnished to bring forward the provisions necessary for the immediate subsistence of the Troops, that private Ones cannot be procured upon hire, and that application hath been made in vain to the neighbouring Justices for their impress Warrants—I have thought proper to state the circumstances, and...
100177To George Washington from Joseph Walker, 30 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to inform you that Major General Parsons is so reduced by his late Moress and at time so far deprived of his reason as makes it impossible for him to transact the Business which your Excellency expected. In the first of his illness he referd the whole business to me in hopes at that time of being able to attend himself in a few days, but I fear he will not this several weeks. A...
100178To George Washington from Ezekiel Cheever, 31 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Monday 26th inst. I was honor’d with your Excellys Commands thro’ the hands of Colo. Shelding to do all in my power to get the arms & accoutrements belonging to his Regt repaired. Sir, the destitue State of this Department for want of proper regard & encouragement, particularly money to pay wages & purchase necessaries and the want of Coal & Leather (which I have remonstrated to the honble...
100179From George Washington to Charles-René-Dominique Sochet Destouches, 31 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was last evening honored with your favor of the 19th instant by the Hermione Via Philada and with a duplicate from Newport. I am obliged by the minute detail which you are pleased to give me on the Action of the 16th instant between the Squadron of his Most Christian Majesty under your command and that of the British under Admiral Arbuthnot. Tho’ you have not been able to accomplish the...
100180From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 31 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your Excellency’s favor of the 26th with its inclosures. I do myself the honor to transmit, for the information of Congress, the duplicate of a letter from the Chevalier de Touche to me, giving a minute detail of the Naval engagement on the 16th inst: The good conduct and bravery exhibited by our Allies on that occasion intitle them to the warmest thanks of the public, for tho’...
100181To George Washington from Peter Kinnan, 31 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
The next day after the Marquis De Lafettee past thro’ here, Mr John Smith an Inhabitant of Smiths Clove, Brother to Joshua and others came to this place in a day or two went from here to Elizabeth Town and that Neighbourhood and Returned here again—and I belive has been down there abouts once since what his business is in this Quarter, People are at aloss to know, He frequents the Tavern and...
100182To George Washington from Thomas Sim Lee, 31 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Count Chalres who does me the honor to bear this, gives me an opportunity to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s favor of the 22d Instant. Colonel Marbury is, now with his family, on parole; and if I am rightly informed without limitation as to time: in that case, I have no doubt he is perfectly satisfied with the indulgence and will wait with patience & convenience his turn for...
100183From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 31 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was last evening honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 27th covering an open letter for the Count de Rochambeau, by which, you have been so good as to make me the earliest communication of the action on the 16th between the French and British Fleets off the Capes of Chespeak. By the inclosed you will be informed of the return of the forms into the harbour of Newport. I must confess to...
100184From George Washington to Alexander McDougall, 31 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Expedition against Arnold has failed—After the favourable moment (occasioned by the disability of part of the British Ships in Gardners bay) was suffered to pass away, I never was sanguine in it—but the object being great, the risk was warrantable. The attempt of the Chevalier Des Touches at the time he Sailed, was bold & enterprising—for this, and political reasons; and because I know it...
100185From George Washington to Richard Platt, 31 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I send you herewith an application to the Civil Authority for impress Warrants to procure Teams for the transportation of flour &c. I wish you to send proper Persons of Your Department to negotiate this business, and to use every exertion to have the Stores brought on, as soon as possible. The Cloathing for Philadelphia may be forwarded by these Teams, without any expence, to Ringwood, or some...
100186From David Humphreys to Richard Platt, 31 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
The General consents that the Cloathing should go by the way of Morris Town, but would not have it delayed, by any means, on the Road. The Congress will wait, for some time, we shall have Letters to go by him in an hour. Be pleased to forward the Dispatches for Rhode Island. I am Sir Your Most Obed. Servt DNA : RG 93—Manuscript File.
100187From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 31 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I last night received your Excellency’s favor of the 27th announcing the return of the Squadron under the command of the Chevalier Des Touche to the Harbour of New-Port. A few minits before your Letter reached me, the inclosed, which His Excellency the Minister of France had the goodness to send under an open cover to me, informed me of the action which had happened on the 16th off the Capes...
100188To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 31 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Last engagement of the Chevalier Destouches has shewn to your Excellency the uncertainty of success in naval fights and of combined operations upon that element. We must not flatter ourselves that our successes will be greater, as Long as we have not a decided Superiority. Our Squadron had run great risks by a Separation and the bad weather and united again only 24. hours before the fight...
100189From George Washington to Antoine-Charles du Houx, baron de Vioménil, 31 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had last evening the honor of receiving your letter dated on board the Duke de Bourgogne the 19th instant—By a letter from the Chevalier des Touche which accompanied yours I am informed of the unavoidable causes of the failure of the enterprize which we had in contemplation. I am perfectly convinced that every effort was made to carry you to the place of your destination, and I attribute the...
100190Duportail’s Observations on the 1781 Campaign 1781-03, March 1781 (Washington Papers)
General observations upon the different operations which Can be undertaken according to the different Cases at the arrival of Count de grasse at the hook . I will Consider first what is relative to Newyork and I will suppose that Count de grasse arrives at the hook before admiral Rodney, admiral graves being with his Squadron in the hook. it is asked what Count de grasse must do? the first...
100191To George Washington from Heman Swift, March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to your Excellencys Warrant McDowall was executed the 21st Inst. The Evening before his Execution he inform’dMessrs Strong & Prud oin Ministers of Hartford that Lee the man your Excellency sent from Newport and ordered confin’d in Goal at Hartford had given him a particular account of his intentions when he left New York, that he was employ’d by Sir Henry Clinton to pass through the...
100192General Orders, 1 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Returns to be made to the Adjutant General’s Office as soon as possible of the number of recruits each line has received up to this day; also a Return of what number of these recruits they were obliged to send back as unfit for service. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
100193To George Washington from Stephen Griffing, 1 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The situation of my affairs is such reduced by the death of my Father, leaving a Family unprovided for having been oblidge to leave the Island and all he was possessed of behind & flee for Shelter into Connecticut, were they must if not Assisted by me suffer, Induces me to ask permission of your excellancy to resign my Commission which nothing but the situation in wich the family were left...
100194From David Humphreys to William Heath, 1 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency will be at West Point before 10 OClock to morrow Morng (Nothing extraordinary happening to prevent it) and wishes if practical that Horses might be provided for him to visit the outer Works. I have the honor to be Dear Sir Your Most Obed. Humble Servt P.S. The General will not go if the Weather proves rainy. MHi : Heath Papers.
100195To George Washington from William Shepard, 1 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I would inform your Excellency that I Shall Send on to Camp from this Post betwen Ninty and a Hundred Recruits—which will march to morrow morning. But am not able to arm and accoutre them a Greeable to your Excellencys orders as Colo. Cheever has not any arms Repaird. the Recruits Come in much Faster than here to fore. I am your Excellencys most obdt Humle Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
100196To George Washington from Peter Van Rensselaer, 1 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd a Letter from the Honble Brigadr Genl Knox, Inquiring in the repair of Arms & Making of Bayonets, which I cannot with propriety Omitt Informing your Excellency that the works have ceased at this place, Because I am not Supplyed by the Quarter Master with Iron, Steel, files Coal &ca &ca nor with provision & money to pay the Artificers. I here inclose your Excellency my Return for...
100197From George Washington to Joseph Walker, 1 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your Letter of the 30th of March, and feel myself sensibly distressed at the Account you give of the illness of General Parsons. I wrote to him the 23d Ult., on the business in which you are now employed, and must refer you, to that Letter, as the rule of conduct I would wish to have adopted. That is, to consult the Executive of the State on the Mode they think proper should be...
100198To George Washington from Thomas Forrest, 2 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
In Obedience to the Orders of Generall Knox I have repair’d to the post at Carlile, and as far as time would Admitt perform’d every duty enjoin’d upon me, I should still have continued in the performance of the Order laid upon me, but that the Honorable the Board of War were pleas’d to Break up the Post. I of Course find myself in a very uneligible Situation, And as the present Commissary...
100199To George Washington from William Heath, 2 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I find there is in every Regiment a Considerable number of women & Children, especially the former who draw Provisions——many of the Officers assert that there is a resolve of Congress or an order or Regulation of Your Excellencys which points out the number allowed to each Company or Regiment, If there is such resolve, or order, I will thank you for information of it if there is not I wish...
100200To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 2 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
On my return from Rhode Island I found that a very considerable delay would attend the compleating our clothing for the recruits as ordered by the General Court which induced me to attempt as a temporary supply Hunting shirts & overalls in this I failed, as the Court was not sitting, from the want of powers in the supream executive—But as there are a number of the recruits well cloathed they...