131601To Thomas Jefferson from Theodorick Bland, 3 June 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter from the delegation to your Excellency will apprize you of the Situation of Public affairs at this time, and of our endeavors to promote every thing that can give energy to the operations of the Army in defense of our distressed Country. I should not therefore have troubled your Excellency with the perusal of this which relates to myself did not my own peculiar Situation render it...
131602To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, 3 June 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s Letter of the 28th Ulto., previous to which Congress had adopted the Measures contained in their Act of the 31st Ulto., Copy of which is enclosed, for sending Assistance to repel the Enemy in Virginia. No Means in the Power of Congress will be left unessayed to give you all necessary Aid. I am informed some Arms are now on the Way for Virginia, and...
131603From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Reed, 3 June 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The proposition made in your Excellency’s letter of May 14. for deferring the ultimate settlement of our boundary till the 1st. of May 1782. is perfectly agreeable. The observations necessary to fix it with accuracy could not be made in the present season. I also concur in the further proposal to extend Mason and Dixon’s line twenty three miles by an ordinary surveyor and to have it marked in...
131604Steuben to the Speaker of the Senate, [3 June 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
Quelques jours passé J’ai eu L’honneur de vous informer de L’Etat de La Ligne de Virginie en General. J’espere que Vous avez fait connaitre a L’honorable Assemble le contenue de cette Lettre. Croyant necessaire que Les Legislative soient au fait du nombre des trouppes que cet Etat tiens en Campagne. A present je prens la Liberté de vous depeindre La situation des trouppes presentement...
131605From Thomas Jefferson to the Surveyor of Monongalia County, 3 June 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
It having become impracticable to settle the boundary between this State and Pensylvania by Astronomical Observations during the present Season, it is referred by mutual Consent till the next year. In the mean time it is agreed that Masons and Dixons line shall be extended twenty three miles with a Surveyors Compass only in the usual manner marking the Trees very slightly. I am therefore to...
131606To Thomas Jefferson from the Virginia Delegates in Congress, [3? June 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
The delegates have done all they could to hasten Wayne as well as to forward other assistance to our State foreseeing what occasion you would have for aid but could only get the Pen[nsy]lvanians under March very lately and a Resolution a few days past to send forward some Militia from this State and our Neighbour Maryland. Your situation no doubt you have occasionally communicated to the...
131607To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Mallet, 2 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je prends la liberté de vous donner avis qu’un jeunhomme d’ici ma présenté hier un M. qui dit vous appartenir comme neveu, né à Boston, quil est Suivant un passeport délivré à Cherbourg le 24. May dernier, marin, venant des prisons angloises par le Paquebot le prince Indien et quil se nomme William Williams. Il dit vous avoir Ecrit hier et ce jour. J’ai...
131608To George Washington from Jeduthan Baldwin, 2 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
At the begining of the War, on the 20th of May 1775, I entered the Service of the United States as an Engineer. On the 26th of April 1776, the Honble the Congress in consequence of merit, appointed me Lieut. Colo. of Engineers, on the Continental Establishment. On the third of Septr 1776, the Honble the Congress Appointed me Colo. of Engineers & I have their Commission accordingly & have...
131609From George Washington to William Greene, 2 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
There are certain heavy cannon in the State of Rhode Island, which are exceedingly wanted in the proposed operations of the campaign. These have been returned as belonging to the Continent, but it is said some of them are claimed as the property of the State. Your Excellency can determine this matter, and if they are proven the property of the State I must request the loan of as many as will...
131610From George Washington to John Hancock, 2 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
The proposed operations of the campaign will occasion such a demand for heavy cannon and military stores, as to exceed the number and quantity of those articles immediately in possession of the Continent. This insufficiency obliges me to apply to such of the neighbouring States as can afford us any assistance, with a full confidence that the importance of the object, and the apparent...
131611From George Washington to Robert Howe, 2 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
The misterious conduct of the enemy at New York--and their appearance in force (as it is reported to me) at Crown point--with other circumstances unnecessary to detail--renders caution and vigilance extremely necessary at our Posts in the Highlands--I therefore desire that you will not delay a moment after your return to West point & to your command there in obtaining & reporting to me an...
131612To George Washington from Samuel Huntington, 2 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
By the enclosed Order of Congress of the 29th Ulto, I am directed to lay before your Excellency the Letter of the 9th Ulto signed A. Fowler &c with the other Papers referred to, which are herewith enclosed. Col. Broadhead is now in this City. The Complaints of the Inhabitants in the Vicinity of Pittsburgh respecting his Conduct are very great, and his with Respect to them are not small. It...
131613From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 2 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 28th ulto. I flatter myself the Count de Barras will meet with no interruption upon his passage, as I have reason to think the British Fleet are off the Hook. I have deferred writing to your Excellency, in hopes that I should have been able to have learnt, with certainty, whether there was any thing in the report which General St Clair forwarded...
131614To George Washington from Elisha Sheldon, 2 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since your Excellency’s Departure from Wethersfield I have been constantly attending the Assembly of this State on the subject of Remounting my Regt. It has laboured in the House till this day, when about an hour ago, they Resolved to raise 210 Horses immediately. To effect this they have ordered a number of State securities to be issued, which are to be paid in Silver and Gold in two years,...
131615To Thomas Jefferson from John Cabeen, 2 June 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I make bold to Inform you, of the melancholly and Deplorable Situation I am in at present. I inform your Excellency that I have been taken prisioner, by the Americans, at the Southren Department about Three years ago, and after being Taken, got a Parole from Governor Caswell to go to any part, of the Country, to work for the Country. I accordingly Proceeded and advanced, Settled in Richmond,...
131616To Thomas Jefferson from William Harrison, 2 June 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure to Inform your excellencie that the Provision required for the Western expedition is nearly Compleat and will be at Fort Pitt with Boats sufficient to Transport it by the fifteenth Inst. I find the expence Considerabley augmented from My first expectation. Owing to the Depreciation of the Currency, the Money Sent Me from the Treasurey with 100000 pounds furnished me by...
131617To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, 2 June 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
My Letter of yesterday addressed to your Excellency and which accompanies this, contains such important Intelligence, that Congress have thought it indispensible to communicate the same to the Legislatures of the several States through their respective Supreme Magistrates as soon as possible; at the same Time the Intelligence is of a Nature that ought to be kept secret as may be at present. I...
131618From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 2 June 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The House of Delegates and so many of the Senate as were here having reason to believe that Genl. Morgan might probably have it in his power to raise a number of volunteers to join in our present defence, have come to a Resolution of which I do myself the honor of inclosing you a Copy. I have transmitted it to him also. Should you find it not inconsistent with any orders under which he may be...
131619From Thomas Jefferson to Daniel Morgan, 2 June 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure to inclose to you a resolution of the House of Delegates assented to by so many of the Senate as were here, by which you will perceive the confidence they repose in your exertions, and the desire they entertain of your lending us your aid under our present circumstances. I sincerely wish your health may be so far reestablished as to permit you to take the field, as no one...
131620From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 2 June 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to refer to the consideration of the General assembly the inclosed letters from the County Lieutenants of Augusta, Rockbridge and Rockingham, and have the honour to be with great respect Sir your most obedt. humble servt., RC ( Vi ); addressed by TJ: “The honble Benjamin Harrison esq. Speaker of the House of Delegates.” Enclosures (missing): These were probably George Moffett to...
131621From John Adams to the President of the States General, 1 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received from my Sovereign, the United States of America, in Congress, their express Instructions to notify to their High Might inesses the States General, the compleat and final Ratification of the Confederation of the thirteen United States, from New Hampshire to Georgia, both included, on the first day of March last. I do myself the Honour to communicate to you Sir, inclose, an...
131622To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 1 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Rosenblad, porteur de la présente, est le Gentilhomme Suédois, dont j’ai eu l’honneur de vous parler ici, et pour lequel vous m’avez promis de vous interesser, afin de lui procurer le passage franc en Amerique sur quelqu’un des bâtimens qui partiront pour le Continent. Les témoignages irrécusables que j’ai reç sur son sujet, ceux qu’il est en état de produire lui-même, sa personne que j’ai...
131623C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 1 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
The carrier of this letter, Mr. Rosenblad, is the Swedish gentleman of whom I had the honor to speak to you here, and for whom you promised to give consideration in procuring a free passage to America on one of the ships departing for the continent. The indisputable testimonies that I have received about him, which he himself is in the process of obtaining, his character which I have come to...
131624From Benjamin Franklin to Gauthiers frères, 1 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Le 24. Janvier 1780. M. Bouens d’Ostende expedia pour moi par acquit à Caution un Tonneau et un Paquet contenant de la Clincaillerie &c. Il chargea ces éffets sur une voiture conduite par le nommé Champon adressé à messrs. les officiers de la Douane. Comme le Voiturier ne m’a jamais presenté sa Lettre de voiture, J’ai toujours ignoré s’ils étoient arrives ou non....
131625To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 1 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society On the 31 Ult, I drew upon your Excellency, in favour of the House of Fizeaux Grand & Co, three setts of Exchange, of two in a sett, for f. 2200 } together f. 7000, 2300 2500 at two Usances, to enable them to discharge the Bills drawn by Congress, on Mr Laurens, accepted by me, and now become payable. I have the Honour to be
131626To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 1 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have this Day drawn upon you a Bill in Favor of the Marquis d’Yranda for ninety thousand one hundred & thirty five Liv. Tourn. at ninety Days Sight. I shall also soon be obliged to draw for the Balance of the 25000 Doll. for the two Months Sight Bills— I am Dear Sir, Your obliged & obt. Servant. The $25,000 BF had promised to provide for bills of credit drawn on...
131627[Diary entry: 1 June 1781] (Washington Papers)
1st. Received Letters from Generals Schuyler & Clinton, containing further but still indistinct accts, of the enemys force at Crown point. Letters from Doctr. Smith of Albany, &—Shepherd principal armourer at that place, were intercepted, going to the enemy with acct. of our distresses—the strength & dispositon of our Troops—The disaffection of particular Settlements—the provision these...
131628General Orders, 1 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Commanding officers of regiments and brigades are desired to pay particular attention to prevent the soldiers from injuring their hutts when they quit them and to warn the inhabitants in the vicinity not to meddle with or destroy them. The six companies of Colonel Van Schaick’s regiment at West Point to be ready to move as soon as the Quarter master General has provided Vessels. The Regimental...
131629From George Washington to Nathanael Greene, 1 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favors of the 22nd and 27th of April enclosing Copies of your Letters to Congress. The difficulties which you daily encounter and surmount with your small force, add not a little to your reputation, and I am pretty well assured that should you be obliged finally to withdraw from South and even from North Carolina, it will not be attributed to either your want of abilities...
131630From George Washington to Bartholomew von Heer, 1 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your Letter of the 25 Inst. together with the several Enclosures, by your Dragoon the day before yesterday— prior business prevented my dispatching him, untill this time. It gives me great pleasure to find by the Papers transmitted in your Letter, that no part of the embarrassment and distresses of your Troop is owing to want of attention or care in you— but on the...
131631From George Washington to Wilhelm von Knyphausen, 1 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s letter of the 17th ulto. I am sorry that you should have occasion to complain of the treatment of Leiut. Sobbe and Quarter Masr Hartzog while under the protection of my passport in Philada. You may be assured that it is not my wish to countenance either unpolite or improper behaviour towards Gentlemen in their situation, and that due enquiry shall be...
131632To George Washington from William Livingston, 1 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour to inclose to your Excellency a Resolution of our Legislature desiring me to apply to you for some Ammunition. Lead is not to be purchased in Philadelphia; & tho’ we have employed a person to procure it in Boston, his journey thither & back again will necessarily keep us too long without that essential Article. I have the honour to be with the greatest esteem Dear Sir your...
131633To George Washington from Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 1 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
J’ai reçu la lettre que Votre Excellence m’a fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 23. du mois passé et celle de M. le Cte de Rochambeau dont elle étoit accompagnée. J’attens avec une extreme impatience la nouvelle de l’arrivée de la division francoise devant New york et personne ne desire plus vivement que moi de la voir sous vos ordres immédiats. J’esperois fermement que vous feriez dans le cas de...
131634To George Washington from Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 1 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Le Ch evali er de la Luzerne présente ses respects à Son Excellence et la Supplie de lire la gazette cì-jointe qui donne la nouvelle de l’arrivée du Comte de Grasse à la Martìnique et la nouvelle d’une actìon dans laquelle nõtre flotte paroit avoir eu quelque avãntage. Il suplie Son Excellence après l’avoir lue de la faire passer de sa part à M. du Rochambeau. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
131635To George Washington from Richard Peters, 1 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Board have the Honour to transmit a Copy of a Letter from Col. Brodhead referred to them by Congress that your Excellency may be pleased to give your Opinion thereon to enable the Board to report or take any Measures in the first Instance your Means will admit. As to Cloathing for the Troops we have none to supply & on the Subject of Provisions we have repeatedly written both to Virginia &...
131636From George Washington to Charles Pettit, 1 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I some time ago had a number of Blank Books made for transcribing the General Orders and other public records. A few have been used for these purposes but the package containing the remainder has been by some means lost. I have sent to every place at which my Baggage has been deposited but can hear nothing of it, and except it should be at Colo. Biddles, in whose care part of my things were...
131637From George Washington to Oliver Phelps, 1 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged to you for the expression of your regard—the Ox was a beatiful Creature—And proves to be in goodness, when killed, equal to his appearance when living—I hope we may not want for a plenty (tho of inferior quality to this) thro the Campaign. More concerned for the supplies of the Army, than of myself, I am anxious to hear the success of General Heath’s Negociation with the...
131638To George Washington from Peter Van Rensselaer, 1 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with your Excellencies favour of the 14th Ultimo, the Ammunition directed General Knox to send to this place is come to hand, your Excellency may rely on my Utmost Economy in the expenditure; heretofore I have been used to Issue only on an order of the Officer commanding this post, & for the future I will Strictly observe that no stores are to be delivered but upon an order of...
131639Speech to Jean Baptiste Ducoigne, [ca. 1] June 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very much pleased with the visit you have made us, and particularly that it has happened when the wise men from all parts of our country were assembled together in council, and had an opportunity of hearing the friendly discourse you held to me. We are all sensible of your friendship, and of the services you have rendered, and I now, for my countrymen, return you thanks, and, most...
131640Bond of John Ellyson and Richard Harvie, 1 June 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Without place ] 1 June 1781 . John Ellyson and Richard Harvie give bond to TJ, or his successor as Governor, in the amount of 20,000 weight of merchantable tobacco, under the condition that they will appear before the Governor and Council when called for and that John Ellyson will not go “within Ten Miles of any post, encampment or party of the enemy.” MS ( Vi ); 2 p.; signed by Ellyson and...
131641To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, 1 June 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am directed to inform you that Congress have received undoubted intelligence both from their Minister at the Court of Versailles, and the Minister of France in America by order of his Court, that the Courts of Vienna and Petersburgh have offered their mediation to the belligerent powers for the re-establishment of Peace; That these overtures had been eagerly embraced on the part of Great...
131642To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Taylor, 1 June 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you the Sixteenth and Twenty sixth of May, and mentioned in both letters, that a board of Officers had sat and were of opinion that most of the soldiers of the Regiment of Guards were entitled to discharges. There are only one Corporal and four privates left, a Fifer having received his discharge on the opinion of a Court martial since, and a soldier for being in an ill state of...
131643To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Wooding, 1 June 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeable to Your Order You have Inclosed the State of the Militia of this County (as ⅌ Returns made to me by the Captains in April last) consisting of 20 Captains, 40 Lieutenants, 20 Ensigns and 1004 Rank and file, Eighty Eight of which are under 18 years of age. Of the Remaining part we have about 350 at this time in Actual Service in this State and Carolinia. I am Sorry to assure your...
131644Elizabeth Cranch to John Quincy Adams, May 1781 (Adams Papers)
How shall I excuse myself for my long neglecting to write to you? Should I offer any other apology, than want of proper abilities, it would be false; and should I offer that , which is the only true one, perhaps it might be thought I wished for a compliment. But I had rather my Cousin should have a less favourable opinion of my understanding; than have cause to doubt my regard for him. That...
131645To Benjamin Franklin from Turgot, [May 1781] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçû avec bien de La reconnoissance la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire, ainsi que les dessins gravés qui y etoient joints; Je vous en envoye la Traduction en vous priant de vouloir bien me faire Savoir Si elle est fidele. J’accepte bien volontiers L’offre que vous me faites de me donner des Eclaircissements, puisqu’ils me procureront...
131646May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I begin, at this Epoch, a concise Journal of Military transactions &ca. I lament not having attempted it from the commencement of the War, in aid of my memory and wish the multiplicity of matter which continually surround me and the embarrassed State of our affairs which is momently calling the attention to perplexities of one kind or another, may not defeat altogether or so interrupt my...
131647To George Washington from Jotham Loring, May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your Excellencys letter of the 6th of April containing a refusal to grant me a new Trial and the reasons of such refusals. I may be thought perhaps extremely pressing in continuing my applications to your Excellency on the subject of my affairs—That I am pressing I readily confess, but at the same time hope, that I am not more so than my distressed situation demands....
131648Recommendation of the Justices of the Peace for Bedford County, May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Thomas Watts one of the Justices of the Peace for this County having been charged as guilty of High Treason and by this Court Ordered for further Trial—It is the Opinion of this Court, that it be recommended to his Excellency the Governor to Issue a New Commission of the peace for this County and that the said Thomas Watts be left out of the same. A Copy Teste MS ( Vi ); in hand of Steptoe....
131649Petition of Robert Poage and Others, May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Memorial of a Number of faithful Citizens humbly represents, That your Memorialists have from Sentiment, as well as a regard to the Authority of our Country, cordially espoused the common Cause of America. We have invariably endeavoured to cultivate unanimity, Fortitude and Perseverance amongst our fellow Subjects, and joined our most fervent prayers with our Endeavours that the Measures...
131650From John Adams to the President of Congress, 31 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 31 May 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 181–182. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:461. John Adams provided an English translation of a memorial presented to the States General on 28 April by the Danish envoy, Mestral de Saint...