104401From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 15 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
The appeal contained in your letter of the 11th instant, is equally unexpected & surprising. Not knowing the particular changes which are alledged against you, it is impossible for me to make a specific reply. I can therefore only say in general terms, that the Employments you sustained in the year 1776—and in that period of the year, when we experienced our greater distress, are a proof that...
104402General Orders, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
For the day tomorrow Major General Heath Major Wright Major Warner Brigade Majr Hicks Brig. Quartermaster Judson For duty tomorrow the Rhode Island & 7th Massachusetts regiments A Field officer two captains, two subs., eight serjeants one drum one fife and one hundred and thirty rank & file from the 1st Connecticut regiment to releive the party on fatigue at the ferry from the 2d Massachusetts...
104403To George Washington from Jacob Bayley, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
agreeable to your Excelencys Directions I inported about fifty Savages of the St Francois tribe from November 177 8 when in from Hunting which was at least half the time to February 1781 Except the Summer Colo. Hazen was here with his Regt the partys Sent here from Head Quarters, to gain Intiligence from Canada I have Supported and also they wintered with me and returned in the Spring the...
104404To George Washington from Jacob Bayley, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
The foregoing I had no Saft opertunity to Send without Sending on purpose Since I find General Carltons orders have Taken Effect in Canada they have Desisted from Sending a large party to Distroy us which was Intended I believe Small partys are forbid Takeing any more prisoners, but they mean to keep thier partys amongst us to gain Inteligence and Steal the Hearts of the people, Vermont...
104405To George Washington from Jabez Bowen, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
We have Intelligence thro’ a pretty good Channel, that the Enemy intend paying us a Visit in their way to Boston. I know your Intelligence is good, yet it is possible they may have so Marqued their Designs, that they may deceive you. We Rely on your Excellency, to give us the earliest intelligence of all Military movements with which we may be affected. We have Order’d our Militia to hold...
104406To George Washington from Pierce Butler, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I take leave to trouble your Excellency with the inclosed letter from Mrs Butler to Sir Guy Carleton. It is left open for your perusal—I shall thank you to have it Seal’d: And request the favour of your Excellency to have it forwarded by the first Flagg you send to Sir Guy Carleton. I have the honor to be, with great respect and Esteem, Sir Yr Excellency’s Most Obedient Humble Servant DLC :...
104407From George Washington to Guy Carleton, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter of the 12th came to my Hands Yesterday. The Want of some very necessary papers, which were expected from Philadelphia, by yesterday’s post, puts me under the necessity of proposing to your Excellency, that the meeting of the Commissioners may be postponed, until Wen ’s day of next Week; at which time, I hope, we cannot fail to be ready to proceed to Business. I am...
104408From George Washington to Samuel Carr, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Complaint having lately been made to me by the Marquis de Vaudrueil commanding the Fleet of His most Christian Majesty in the Harbor of Boston, that numbers of his Seamen and Soldiers have deserted, and that he has Reason to believe many of them are engaged in the Continental Service . These are to direct you to make immediate Enquiry among the Recruits which may be assembled at your place of...
104409From George Washington to John Hancock, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
The present superiority of the British Fleet upon this Coast, naturally makes the Marquis de Vaudreuil apprehensive for the safety of that under his command in the Harbor of Boston. Should the enemy make an attempt upon him, a land force, superior to what he possesses, will be necessary for his defence, and for that he must depend upon the Militia in the neighbourhood of Boston. I am certain,...
104410From George Washington to John Hanson, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to inform your Excellency, that Wednesday next, the 18th of this month, had been fixed upon for the meeting of Commissioners to settle a General Cartel and for other purposes: But I have been obliged to request Sir Guy Carleton, that it may be postponed a Week longer, as I have not yet been favoured by your Excellency, with an answer to my letter of the 28th of August,...
104411To George Washington from Henry Knox, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Machin is desirous of going to Philadelphia for a few days, to transact some business relative to the recruiting service for this state. If his absence for a short time will not interfere with his trial, and your Excellency has no objection, I would recommend him for the indulgence requested. I have the honor to be most respectfully Your Excellencys very hum. servt DLC : Papers of George...
104412To George Washington from Henry Knox, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose a representation of Major Villefranche, the engineer of these posts, respecting the magazine ordered to be erected on Constitution Island. Your Excellency will observe that it is impossible, in the present advanced season, with the masons only in prospect, to effect to much of the building as to be of any material service. If it should be continued, the labor...
104413To George Washington from Henry Knox, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Excellency’s request, I have the honor to enclose the nomination of the persons who appear to me to be proper to compose the department of field commissary. I hope it may meet your Excellencys approbation. I am conscious of no other motive in recommending any, under a view of the circumstances attending them, than a wish to retain those who may best promote the service. I am,...
104414To George Washington from John Lamb, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have the Proceedings of a Court Martial, held in the Brigade of Artillery; which, would have been forwarded to your Excellency, at an earlier period, if I had not been absent, at the time the Court was dissolved, by the Order of Lt Colo. Stevens. I have the honor to be, your Excellency’s Most Obedient Servant DLC : Papers of George Washington.
104415From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding your letter of the 28th of August, in which you mentioned that Congress had taken up the proceedings of the former Commissioners, and a most pressing letter of my own to the President of the 28th of last month, requesting to know whether Congress would confirm Lord Cornwallis’s exchange for Mr Laurens—and whether they would consent to Sir Guy Carletons and Admiral Digbys...
104416From George Washington to James Lovell, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 9th instant solliciting my favor for acertain Mr George Joy with the Enemy. Should I be so happy as to enter N. York, so early as you mention is the Expectation of the people of Boston—which Event, to me, I must Confess does, not appear so promising as they seem to imagine—It will not be for me to determine upon the Merits or Demerits of Individuals, who may...
104417From George Washington to John Mitchell, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I should have answered your Letter of the 21st Ulto before this, if a good oppertunity of forwarding the Ball e due you, had presented, as I intended that both the letter & money both should go together—By the statement in your letter, there appears to be £42.08 due you, which I now send by Colo. Steward—Arising from the old Ballance of £3, & £48.4. for the paint, lately sent; credited by...
104418From George Washington to Robert Morris, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Partly for want of answers to my letters to you of the 2d and 4th instants, requesting money for the use of our Commissioners and the accounts for the maintainance of Prisoners, and partly for want of answers to some matters proposed by me to Congress, I have been under the necessity of deferring the meeting, which was appointed on the 18th, to the 26th of this month. It will be extremely...
104419From George Washington to John Popkin, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Complaint having lately been made to me, by the Marquis de Vaudreuil commanding the Fleet of His Most Christian Majesty in the Harbor of Boston, that numbers of his seamen and soldiers have deserted, and that he has reason to beleive many of them are engaged in the Continental service—these are to direct to you, to make immediate enquiry among the Recruits which may be assembled at your place...
104420To George Washington from John Pray, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I inclose your Excellency a York paper of the 13th Inst. The bearer has the charge of two deserters of Them the Troops which was out yesterday. Sir Guy Carleton with a Number of other General Officers & the Princ were up to Phillips yesterday with the 17th Regiment of Light Dragoons Colo. Worms Coare and the American Light Dragoons Sixteen hundred men with Six field pieces. Seven Deserters...
104421To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to send to your Excellency, my Letter for the Mis de Vaudreuil. My sentiments I am happy to find perfectly coincide with yours, on the objects mentioned in the Letter. I beg of your Excellency to write to Gor hancock that he may give the proper directions for the Speedily assembling of the militia, in case of a signal from the Mis de Vaudreuil, that he sees the British fleet...
104422From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Excellency’s request I have written to Governor Hancock to call out the Militia in the neighbourhood of Boston should the enemy threaten the Fleet under the command of the Marquis de Vaudreuil. I have the honor to be most sincerely yr Excellency’s obt and hble servt. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
104423From George Washington to Comfort Sands, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
By my letter of the 25th ulto informing you that the Army was about to take the Feild, and pointing out its disposition—I imagined you would have understood that a proportion of Hospital Stores was as necessary as that of other Species of supplies, and that a magazine of them would have been established in the Vicinity of the main Army, not only for the accommodation of the sick in the Feild,...
104424From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
In reply to your Letter of the 10th instant, which I received Yesterday by post, I send you inclosed, a Copy of my Letter to you of the 8th of last Month—which went to Phila under Cover to the Secretary at War—who was desired to see it forwarded to you,By what misfortune it has failed, I cannot say—but rather suppose it must have been sent into the Country, while you have been absent from...
104425From George Washington to Louis-Philippe de Rigaud, marquis de Vaudreuil, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to reply to two Letters of your Excelle n cy one of the 9th & the other 13th instant—the latter of which came to my Hands last Night. The Circumstance of your Seamen inlistg into the Service of the United States, which is mentioned in your Letter of 9th is contrary to Instructions already given to my Recruitg officers—by this Conveyance I renew my positive orders to them to...
104426General Orders, 17 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
For the Day tomorrow Major Genl Howe Colonel Greaton Major Fish Brigade Major Walker Brigade Quartermastr Williams For Duty tomorrow 1st Jersey & 4th Massachusetts regimts The 2d Connecticut regiment to furnish the releif for the fatigues from the third Massachusetts regiment at the ferry, tomorrow morning at sunrise to consist of a Field officer two captains 2 sub., 8 Serjeants one drum one...
104427To George Washington from Moses Ashley, 17 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday Capt. Lawrence of the Corps of sappers & miners, who is unwell at his fathers, in the vicinity of this post, waited on me and gave me the information which I have enclosed, respecting the conduct of a Mr Lott who came from New York by a flag previous to my taking the command here—I am informed likewise that he Mr Lott has left a large portmanteau about three miles from this, which is...
104428From David Humphreys to Moses Ashley, 17 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency the Commander in Chief has recd your favor of this date, & directs me to signify his approbation of the conduct of Captn Laurence & yourself in communicating the information contained therein—I have further to inform you, that the reference to the Civil Authority was very proper, as it was from the Execution of the State Mr Lott obtained permission to go into N. York, &...
104429To George Washington from Ann Hawkes Hay, 17 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have just heard from New Ark, that the Enimy are medetating a Blow against the Town of Boston, and the Fleet there, they are now busily imployed in embarking Seven thousand Troops for the purpose, and will in a few Days sail—Mr Johnson who is my Informer is now here, and will wait on your Excellency, if you will send him a Permit to cross the Ferry immediately, he then can give your...
104430From George Washington to David Hopkins, 17 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have recd yours of the 1st instant—the steps you have taken to prosecute your claim to the Majority which you say is your due, are totally irregular—If the Vacancy happened at any time previous to the 25th of May 1781—at which time promotions in the Cavalry and Artillery were made Regimental, your Rank with respect to Captain swan or any other should have been settled either from the dates...
104431Instructions for Maneuvers at West Point, 17 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
The regiments will immediately recieve ten cartridges pr man. At 7 o’clock precisely the regiments will be on the grand parade formed in battalion according to the plan laid down in the regulations: the light Infantry companies at twenty paces distance on the right of each regiment. The first part of the manouvre will be performed by motion only without firing. 1st Four discharges by platoons...
104432From George Washington to Henry Knox, 17 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favors of the 16th Inst. Things being circumstanced as they are, I consent to the work upon the Magazine being stopped, and the Workmen employed upon the Barracks in the Garrison. I shall inform the Secretary at War, who seemed to have the completion of the Magazine much at heart, of the reasons which have hindered us from proceeding. I shall approve your nomination of...
104433From George Washington to Henry Knox, 17 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Captain Machin being under arrest there would be an impropriety in his transacting any public business—or in granting him leave of absence from Camp. His Trial must soon come on in course, if that terminates in his favor I shall then have no objection to granting the leave requested, and if in the mean time any business of the Corps requires that an Officer should go to Philadelphia, leave...
104434To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 17 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your letter of the 11th instant—The necessity for appointing a Judge Advocate has been mentioned to several members of Congress—I hope it will be attended to. I do myself the honor to transmit Your Excellency a commission authorising you to settle a general Cartel with Great Britain—enclosed are several resolves of Congress on that and other subjects—and an extract...
104435To George Washington from John Pray, 17 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I enclose your Excellency five York papers I have been able to get no other inteligence. Except The Enemies takeing in Water on board their Ships from all the pumps in the City as well as at the Watering place at the Narows. that from the City they take only by night which they have done for several nights past. about Six hundred Refugees a Giting Ready to go to Hallifax. There is a Report in...
104436General Orders, 18 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
For the Day tomorrow Brigr Genl Patterson Lt. Col. Barley Major Rice Brigade Major Converse Brigade Qr master Ripley For Duty the 2d Jersey & 2a Massachusetts regiments. The fifth Connecticut regiment to furnish the relief for the fatigue, from the 8th Massachusetts regiment at the ferry tommow morning at sunrise. A serjeant and ten men to be sent daily on fatigue to the flying hospital untill...
104437From David Humphreys to Samuel Canfield, 18 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency the Commander in Chief, having recd intimations that the Enemy have in contemplation to make some movement to the Eastward, has directed me to request you will keep a vigilent look out & upon any appearance of their being in motion either by land or Water that you will give immediate intelligence to Colo. Sheldon who will communicate it to head Quarters—The General requests your...
104438From George Washington to William Duer, 18 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 13th covering a Copy of yours of the 6th to Mr Morris, is really alarming—I cannot however but hope that he will find means of extricating you from the Difficulties in which you are involved on the public Account—If he cannot, I know of no means of subsisting the Army but reverting again to the ruinous and expensive System of calling upon the States for specific Supplies—I...
104439From George Washington to John Lamb, 18 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 16th inclosing the proceedings of a Brigade Genl Court Martial held at Burlington upon Salmon and Brown of the 2d Regt of Artillery. It does not appear in the face of the proceedings by whom the Court was constituted, at any rate it must have been illegal—as a General Court Martial can only be held by order of the Commander in Cheif—the Commanding Genl in any of...
104440To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 18 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favors of the 13th & 16 inst. If my memory serves me, the case of Mr Garden was mentioned to me when I was a few weeks since, at York town, I wish him to go to New York—if he goes in he is not to return—in future I will sign the passports—Horses will not be permitted. The matter of the exchange of Lord Cornwallis was taken up this morning, Congress having received...
104441From George Washington to Thomas Paine, 18 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to acknowledge your favor of the 7th instant—informg of your proposal to present me with fifty Copies of your last publication, for the amusement of the army. For this Intention you have my sin c ere thanks, not only on my own acco., but for the pleasure, I doubt not, the Gentlemen of the army will receive from the perusal of your Pamphlets. Your Observations on the Period...
104442From Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. to John Pray, 18 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency thanks you for your Intelligence of Yesterday—with the News papers which you inclosed. The General has some very particular Reasons to desire that you would be more than usually active in your Endeavours to obtain all the Information you possibly can of the Enemy’s movements among their fleet, their Transports & their Troops—whether any Embarkation of Troops is makg—and where...
104443From George Washington to William Lord Stirling Alexander, 18 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Favours of the 7th and 14th instant. However desirable the Plan you mention may be, there are insuperable Obstacles to our undertaking it at present, or any other which would require a Transportation of a Magazine of provisions. Mr Duer has no Doubt informed you upon how precarious a Footing our Subsistence stands, even in a Country full of Supplies. We are as quiet here...
104444To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 18 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
By the enclosed letter from Colonel Willet and the resolve of Congress accompanying it your Excellency will find that Congress mean that the New York State Regiment (there is but one) shall be immediately Cloathed, how the Application came to be directed to me I know not, But I now send the Pay Master of that Regiment to receive your Commands. The dispute between Colonel Willet and Leiut....
104445General Orders, 19 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
For the Day tomorw Brigadier Genl Huntington Colonel Shepard Lieutt Col. Sprout Brigade Major Smith Brigade Qr Master Tuckerman For duty tomorrow 1st York & 8th Massachusetts regiments. The Board of officers appointed in the orders of the 9th of Septr to examine the pretentions of the Candidates for the badge of Merit will be pleased to enquire into the grounds on which the badges for long and...
104446To George Washington from Jacob Bayley, 19 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
last night a man who I can depend upon Returnd from St Johns in five Days he was a week at that place he was Eight Days Since at Isle Au noix and Say he Saw two thousand men Imbark at St Johns and proceed up the lake and when at the Island found them Incampted thier that the whole on the Island was between three and four thousand there Destination was not publick but Supposed to Take...
104447From Samuel Canfield to David Humphreys, 19 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I received your favour of the 18th Inst. last evening—Should I obtain Intelligence of any movement of the enemy I will give His Excellency immediate information of it agreeable to his orders. I am Sir with esteem your most Obedt very humble Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
104448From George Washington to David C. Claypoole, 19 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
By a letter which I reced from Mrs Washington (at Mount Vernon) by the last Post, I am informed that the week after I requested you to forward your Gazettes to her, she received them, but has got none since—We are both at a loss how to account for this—unless my meaning was incorrectly expressed to you. I have now to request, that your weekly publications may be sent regularly to her, by every...
104449From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 19 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I inclose to you Copies of a Report of the Engineer Maj. Villefranche & a Representation of Maj. Genl Knox—respectg the magazine which was proposed to be erected on Constitution Island. Immediately upon the Plan being determined on, Fatigue Parties from the army were ordered to be employed on the Work of Digging & preparing for the foundations as often as they were applied for by the Engineer,...
104450From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 19 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 11th—The political intelligence which we have lately had from Europe is so contradictory that little dependence can be put upon it, more especially as we have it principally thro’ the channel of an enemy’s Paper, wch I take it for granted is calculated to answer, as much as possible their own views. Why we have nothing from our own...