105081To George Washington from George Clinton, 9 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have the Information procured by Major Wychoff—He was unavoidably detained on the Island beyond the Time fixed for his Return, and altho he made his Report to me some Days ago—I conceived it unnecessary to forward it by Express to your Excellency & the present is the first private Conveyance that has offered. I have the Honor to be with Sentiments of the highest Respect & Esteem...
105082To George Washington from Samuel Cooper, 9 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Knowing how important it is that your Excellency should receive the latest and most authentic Advices from our Friends in Europe, particularly upon the great Point of Peace, I have taken the Liberty to send you a Transcript of a Letter I lately received from our Minister to States of Holland, Mr Adams, dated at the Hague July 2d 1782. His Words are. “When we shall have Peace I know not; I...
105083From George Washington to Moses Hazen, 9 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Captain Duncan of your Regiment has preferred a Complaint of Injustice done him by an Arrangement made in Regimental Orders of the 1st of Jany last wherein Captains Goslain, Lee and Selin are appointed to the Command of Companies, though younger Officers than himself I shall be glad you will inform me of the principles on which this Arrangement was made that I may be able to Judge of the...
105084From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 9 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer Mr Cutts, upon the recommendation of General Sullivan, has permission to endeavour to get admittance into New York to relieve a Mr Lord a prisoner there—You will be pleased to send his letter by a Flag and permit him to go in should he obtain liberty to do so, or to have an interview with any Gentleman, should that mode be proposed. You will at the same time forward the letters...
105085From George Washington to William Lord Stirling Alexander, 9 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with your two Letters of the 12th and 23 of Novr. By a Resolution of Congress of the 27th Ulto I am directed "to take immediate measures for apprehending and securing Lake Knolton of Newfane & Samuel Mills of Brattleborough both of the District commonly called the New Hampshire Grants west of Connecticut River;" Whereupon, I have thought proper to commit the execution...
105086From George Washington to Abel Weyman, 9 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 27 t h of November was delivered to me on the 7 t h instant—The dispute between the States of Connecticut and Pennsylvania is now before Commissioners appointed to settle it, who I hope will soon come to a determination—Be their decision whatever it may, I apprehend there will be no occasion for keeping a Garrison at Wyoming afterwards—But should it be still deemed expedient...
105087General Orders, 10 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
For the day tomorrow Colonel Van Schaick Lt Colo. Brooks. For duty tomorrow the 2d Newyork regiment. At the General Courtmartial whereof Colo. Greaton is President Corporal Dun of the Maryland Detachment charged with having premeditated a plan to Desert and endeavoring to get others to go with him was tried. The court on mature consideration are of opinion that the charge against the prisoner...
105088To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 10 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I doubt not your Excellency expected to hear of the evacuation of Charles Town long before this. The enemy are not yet gone altho’ now just upon the eve of this departure. In two days more the town will be free. Your letter of the 23d of Sepr I just acknowledged in Novr with a promise to give it a more full answer at a future day. The Minister at War sent me an order for incorporating &...
105089From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 10 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am favor’d with your Letter of the 4 December accompanying one from Mr Morris. I have acquainted that Gentleman by this conveyance that his Resignation is accepted. Tho I regret much the occasion of your leaving Philadelphia I shall be happy to see Mrs Livingston and yourself at this place on your way to the Manor—you will be so obliging as to make Mrs Washingtons respects to Mrs Livingston...
105090From George Washington to Lewis Richard Morris, 10 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 30th November requesting leave to resign your Commission. I am always sorry to see those officers quit the Army whose abilities may do credit to themselves and to the Service, but the reasons you give are such that I cannot refuse your request. I am Sir. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
105091To George Washington from John Paterson, 10 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is the arrangement of the Field officers of our line, and as the distribution of the whole is now fixed on, and only waits your Excellency’s confirmation in orders, I request it may take place as soon as may be, as the field officers of the reduced regiments conceive it would be an impropriety in their joining other corps without your orders and approbation. I am with esteem your...
105092From George Washington to Elisha Sheldon, 10 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
It being now time for your Corps to retire into Winter quarters, I propose posting the two Companies of Infantry under the Orders of Major Tallmadge contiguous to the Sound; and should be very well satisfied with having the Cavalry cantoned in either of the Towns of Ridgefield, Danbury, Reading, or New Town (but, not farther eastward) if convenient quarters, & a supply of Forage can be...
105093From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 10 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 8th last evening by Express—’Tho you have not met with the success you deserved, & probably would have obtained had the Enterprize proceeded, yet I cannot but think your whole conduct in the affair was such as ought to entitle you still more to my confidence & esteem—for however it may be the practice of the world, & those who see objects but partially or thro’ a...
105094General Orders, 11 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
For the day tomorrow Lt Colonel Mellen, Major Trescot. For duty tomorrow 1st Newhamshire regiment. A proper attention to the police and decipline of the troops (which is not to be effected without a sufficient number of officers) is, as it ought to be, the first object of the General—that of allowing them every indulgence conformable thereto is his next wish and warmest inclination: the...
105095To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 11 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowlege the receipt of your Excellency’s polite letter of the 4th instant, and am much obliged by the intelligence it contained. We have since received letters from our Agent Mr Harrison at Cadiz, a copy of which I enclose. By a letter from General Greene of the 11th of November, we are informed, "that the evacuation of Charles Town will not take place till the 20th or 21st. The...
105096To George Washington from Guy Carleton, 11 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your Excellency’s letter of the 20th November and transmit herewith the Report of the Deputy Judge Advocate here, in consequence of the orders I had given him to make further Inquisition concerning the unfortunate death of Huddy, and to collect evidence for the prosecution of such other persons as should appear to have been criminal in that Transaction. But such, Sir, has been...
105097To George Washington from Guy Carleton, 11 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s letter of the 27th November, with the passport for the Ship Amazon inclosed. When the duties of Captain Armstrong, and the Gentlemen who attend him, are fulfilled, I request your Excellency will be pleased to furnish them and their attendants with the necessary passports for their return by land. The master of the Ship which will convey the necessary...
105098To George Washington from Jonathan Forman, 11 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Mr J. Odle who I permitted yesterday to go between the lines has just returned and informs that Sir Guy Carleton with about 5000 of the Enemy at New York were preparing to embark; that the transports for their reception were haul’d to the wharfs on Saturday last but waited for a fair wind. The 17th Dragoons was said to compose a part tho he coud not learn the particular Corps, or given...
105099From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, Sr., 11 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellencys Letter of the 23 November inclosing one to Sir Guy Carleton which I have forwarded to New York and I have directed Colonel Smith our Commissary of Prisoners to receive any monies that may be sent out on that account. I am sorry to hear that the ragged state of your Soldiers in the line, should prevent your recruiting, it cannot be attributed to any partiallity...
105100From George Washington to Robert Howe, 11 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I enclose to you the Arran g emt of Field Officers in the Mass. Line; but as it is not final & may be subject to alteration from various contingency, I have not thought proper that it should be announced in the General Orders—but it will be necessary for you to post the Field Officers to the Regt agreeably to that arrangement, until further Orders that they may take their Commands...
105101From George Washington to William Irvine, 11 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 29th October came to hand a few days since. Viewing the matter on every side I think it is best the Expedition was laid aside—your reasoning on the subject is very just—such excursions serve only to draw the resentment of the Savages, and I much fear that to the conduct of our people may be attributed many of the excesses which have been committed on our frontiers. I am...
105102To George Washington from Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 11 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
J’ai reçu la lettre que Vous m’avés fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 3. de ce mois. Je prens la liberté de Vous adresser celle que j’ecris à M. le Mis de Vaudreuil. Elle contient mon opinion touchant la maniere de proteger efficacemt les cotes de ce Continent et d’en tirer des subsistances pour nos Isles. Je desire bien vivement qu’elle lui parvienne et je crois qu’on ne sauroit recommander trop...
105103From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 11 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your two Letters of the 2nd & 4th inst.—In what manner the new mode proposed respecting the Officers subsistence will be considered by them, I am not yet competent to determine—Tho I am sensible that almost every innovation is in danger of being viewed in a disadvantageous point of light in the present state & temper of the Army, yet for my own part, I see no...
105104From George Washington to Robert Morris, 11 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your two favors of the 30th ulto and that of the 3d inst. Upon a supposition that Mr Skinner may have delivered up the papers respecting the Marine prisoners to Lt Colo. Smith, I have written to him and desired to be informed whether it be so or not—If he is not possessed of them, I will write to Mr Skinner and direct the delivery to Mr Turner. Upon a full...
105105From George Washington to John Paterson, 11 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your Letter of yesterday’s date. Altho I cannot consider the Arrangement of Field Officers in the Mass. Line as final, because of the alterations which may happen between this & the first of Janry; & because I have always held up the idea that nothing was to be deemed conclusive until that time; yet I have authorized Major General Howe to post the Officers in the mean time...
105106To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 11 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have this day Recd a Letter from Governor Clinton informing me that the Levies rais’d by the State are by a Law put under the immediate Command of your Excellency, and that their discharge previous to the time to which they stand engag’d will depend entirely upon your pleasure. As this is the place from whence those Troops must receive their supplies I could wish to know your Excellencys...
105107To George Washington from Samuel Blachley Webb, 11 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
It is with pain we are obliged to trouble your Excellency on the subject of numbering the Regiments of the Connecticut Line, had the principle’s we adopted in the reform of 1780 (which has ever given perfect sattisfaction) and the arrangement made by the Field Officers on the first of November last, been adhered to by Colonel Butler, we should not at this time had cause to address your...
105108To George Washington from Lund Washington, 11 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 27th of Novmbr is at hand—The Trees in the Pasture were trim’d last winter and shall again be gone over this Winter—they were trim’d of equal heights, they shall be done in the way you direct—I planted the Flowerg Shrubs at the North End of the House among the Locust which were first directed to be put there, but most of them died, I planted them again, but few of them lived...
105109General Orders, 12 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
For the day tomorrow Colonel Courtlandt, Major Darby For duty tomorrow the 2d Newhampshire regiment. At a General courtmartial of which Colonel Greaton is president Silas Rodgers a soldier of the 3d Massachusetts regt charged with desertion from the said regiment and John Murrow soldier of the 9th Massachusetts regiment also charged with desertion were found guilty in breach of arte 1st...
105110To George Washington from Guy Carleton, 12 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have this morning received your Excellency’s letter of the 6th with it’s inclosure, and have not lost a moments time in procuring the passport, which I inclose. It is with pleasure Sir, that I accept any occasion which my duty will allow of manifesting my attention towards your Excellency and the respect with which I am your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servant. DLC : Papers of...
105111To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 12 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have taken the liberty to inclose to your Excellencys care a number of family letters from Mrs Greene and my self to our friends in Rhode Island; the whole under cover to Governor Greene. I am not informed whether letters go to the Governors free from postage. If they do not, I beg you will be kind enough to give them a private conveyance by the first safe opportunity. I should not have...
105112To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 12 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s Letters dated the 6th & 9 inst. & observe that the Plan is laid aside; whilst it existed, my Spirits were kept afloat, & I scarcely allow’d myself to reflect (further than was necessary for the moment) upon my Position, but with it, every spur to my ambition is vanish’d, and I have nothing to engage my Attention, excepting flagg Duty, the...
105113From George Washington to Louis-Philippe de Rigaud, marquis de Vaudreuil, 12 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was honored last Evening with your letter of the 8th—The packet for the Chevr de la Luzerne has been forwarded this Morning. It appears by a New York paper of the 5th that 42 sail of Transports had arrived there from Hallifax on the 3d—under Convoy of the Renown—Amphion and Cyclops. The British seem to be drawing together a great number of Transports at New York—They must have now there, at...
105114From George Washington to Antoine-Charles du Houx, baron de Vioménil, 12 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Reasons which prevented me from taking a public leave of your Excellency, operated equally against my signifying to the Army, now under your command, not only the reluctance with which I parted with them, but the grateful sense which I entertained of the very essential services they had rendered to America—Your destination being no longer a secret—permit me to request the favor of your...
105115General Orders, 13 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
For duty tomorrow the 1st Massachusetts regiment. For the day tomorrow Colonel H. Jackson Lt Colonel Reid DLC : Papers of George Washington.
105116To George Washington from Hodijah Baylies, 13 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
The same private Circumstances which led me to request your Excellency’s permission to be absent, a few Weeks, from Head Quarters now constrain me, either to relinquish the Service, or beg for a further Extension of your Indulgence. The former being extremely repugnant to my Feelings, I cannot but hope your Excellency will gratify me in the latter. Two or three Months will probably be...
105117From George Washington to William Greene, 13 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
By a Resolution of Congress of the 7h of August, there is to be, upon the 1st of January next, a Reform of all Regiments in the Continental Army which do not, at that time, consist of at least 500 Rank & File—But this being left somewhat at the discretion of the Secretary at War, he would wish, before he carries the Resolution into execution, to give those States, whose Corps are not a great...
105118To George Washington from Christian Holmer, 13 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Long have I Considered if I Should or Shoul not undertake to Trouble your Excellency with a Letter of so Small Consequence, Since I Know that your Excellencys Thought have affairs of much Greater Inportance than be Pleas’d with my Writing. But Som Necessity have no Law, and Poverty, Missery, Sickniss, and Infirmity of Body Forces one to Appley to a Judge who can be Depended on which I no where...
105119To George Washington from Elisha Sheldon, 13 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment been honored with your Excellency’s Letter of the 10th Instant, in obedience to which I shall immediately repair to the Towns proposed for the Winter Cantonments of my Regt, & after inquiring into the State of the Forage at those places, I shall immediately report the same to your Excellency. I am already satisfied that no forage can be procured in Danbury or Ridgfield, as...
105120To George Washington from Antoine-Charles du Houx, baron de Vioménil, 13 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Our little Army had embarked on board the fleet of Mr the Ms. de Vaudreuil without any accident and in the greatest order but from contrary Winds and other accidents which retards the referation of the Ships—I do not think the fleet will be able to Sail before the of this Month. From what the Chevalier de la luzerne writes it seems you have no doubt of the evacuation of Charlestown . If you...
105121General Orders, 14 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Officers for tomorrow Colonel J. Vose, Major Graham. For duty tomorrow the 7th Massachusetts regiment. One Captain from the first Massachusetts brigade to attend the Courtmartial of which Colonel Greaton is President in the place of Captain Hastings absent by leave. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
105122From George Washington to Elias Boudinot, 14 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I recollect subscribing, when I was in Philadelphia last Winter, twenty or twenty five Guineas towards the support of the Children of the late Revd Mr Caldwell. No person has called upon me since for this money—I therefore take the liberty (as the Subscription paper was in your hands) of asking you to whom I am to pay this Sum? Mrs Washington who is now with me, offers her affectionate...
105123From George Washington to François-Jean de Beauvoir, marquis de Chastellux, 14 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I felt too much to express anything, the day I parted with you; A Sense of your public Services to this Country, & gratitude for your private friendship, quite overcame me at the moment of our seperation—But I should be wanting to the feelings of my heart, & should do violence to my inclination, was I to suffer you to leave this Country without the warmest assurances of an affectionate regard...
105124From George Washington to Joseph Jones, 14 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
In the course of a few days Congress will, I expect, receive an Address from the Army on the Subject of their grievances. This Address, tho’ couched in very respectful terms, is one of those things which tho’ unpleasing, is just now unavoidable. for I was very apprehensive once, that matters would have taken a more unfavourable turn, from the variety of discontents which prevailed at this...
105125To George Washington from Jeremiah Olney, 14 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to Inclose your Excellency a Letter from Lieut. John M. Greene of my Regmt wherein he expresses a desire of leaving Service on account of his Indisposition, as this young Gentleman has greatly Impair’d his Health in the Service, and from a Conciousness off his merriting every Indulgence the public Can bestow, I am Induc’d to Interest myself in his behalf, and take the Liberty...
105126From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 14 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I cannot, My dear Genl, permit you to depart from this Country without repeating to you the high sense I entertain of the Services you have rendered America by the constant attention which you have paid to the Interests of it. By the exact order & discipline of the Corps under your command—and your readiness, at all times, to give facility to every measure which the force of the Combined...
105127To George Washington from Benjamin Tallmadge, 14 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was Yesterday made happy by Your Excellency’s very obliging Letter of the 10th instant—Nothing could have given me so much Satisfaction, under my late Disappointment, as the Sanction which Your Excellency has been pleased to put upon my Conduct; and to insure a Reputation, I only wish to deserve Your Excellency’s Confidence & Esteem. I shall not fail to Communicate to Capt. Brewster Your...
105128General Orders, 15 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Officer for tomorrow Colo. Tupper, Major Pettingill For duty tomorrow 4th Massachusetts regiment. By the order of the 6th instant respecting uniformity of cloathing for the army the General did not propose that the coats should all be made in the same mode; on the contrary he wishes Commanding officers of the different lines and corps would agree among themselves on such distinctions as may be...
105129From George Washington to John Dickinson, 15 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to the promise contained in my Letter of the 6th to your Excellency, I immediately made application to Sir Guy Careton for the Passport you requested;which he made no hesitation in forwarding with a very polite Letter to me, and which I have now the pleasure of enclosing.I have the honor to be Sir Your Most Obt &c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
105130From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 15 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
In my last of the 20th of Octobr I informed you that the armies were about quitting the field, & that the French Troops were going to the Eastward—they have since embarked at Boston—(except the Legion of Lauzen which is at Burlington)—for the West Indies; and by a Letter which I have recd from the Marqs De Vaudrueil, will sail about the 20th Instt. The Count de Rochambeau—to whose care I...