132501From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, 25 April 1781 (Jay Papers)
I scarcely ever address you in the familiar Stile, but I am insensibly led to reflect on what Clermont & we were fifteen or sixteen Years ago—nature seems to have given me a Propensity to Reverie, and I have long found pleasure in endulging it. past Scenes recalled to view in this Species of perspective appear much softned—the lesser asperities are lost in the Distance, and the more pleasing...
I have had the honour of receiving your Excellency’s Letters of the ^ 6 th & ^ 17 October last with the Inclosures. They arrived the 30 Day of Jan y last— There is more than reason to suspect that the French Court were apprized of their Contents before they arrived and to beleive that the Construction of the Treaty by which the navigation of the Mississippi is supposed to be comprehended in...
132503To Thomas Jefferson from Arthur Campbell, 25 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose for your Excellencys information a Letter just received from Colo. Martin and another from Major Lewis whom I had instructed to drive off the Indians from their haunts near Cumberland Gap. I have no hopes now that the Cherokees will sue for Peace whilst Augusta in Georgia is in the enemies hands and they can receive supplies from thence; several hundred of the Indian Women and...
132504To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 25 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter of Yesterday Has found me At this place where we Arrived this After Noon After A March of twenty five Miles which the Extreme Heat of the day And Absolute want of Waggons for the transportation of the Men Have Rendered Very fatiguing. Want of Waggons Has Also detained our Ammunition which Cannot Be Here Untill to Morrow. As soon As we get this Necessary Article the...
132505To Thomas Jefferson from Reuben Lindsay, 25 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 16th. Instant came to hand covering the Inclosed Commission and one for Major Charles L. Lewis, the receipt of which I most thankfully Acknowledge—but being consious of my inability to execute an Office of that importance at Present, must beg leave to return the Commission. That fill’d up for Major Lewis I have delivered him, which he told me he would Qualify too the first...
132506To Thomas Jefferson from George Weedon, 25 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to enclose your Excellency Copy of Genl: Phillip’s Letter of 12th Inst. also Copies of his returns of Prisoners, and my answer of this date. General Phillips seems from the Complexion of his Letter to complain of an enfringement on the sacred rules of Flags and mentions that borne by Mr. Armstead; In justification of myself, I enclose your Excellency Copy of Mr. Armstead...
132507To Benjamin Franklin from John Laurens, [before 24 April 1781?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With this your Excellency will receive the Book which I mention’d this morning; and a Letter which my Friend R. Izard of S. Carolina has cautiously sent to your Excellency without Signature or Direction— I set out for Bordeaux on Saturday next, my Desire to bear any Commands which Your Excellency may have for America follows of course, and between this and...
132508To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 24 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I am told an Express will set out this Evening from hence to Paris, & tho’ I have not time say as much as I would wish, I cannot omit this Opportunity of returning you my warmest Thanks for your very friendly Letter by my Courier. Col. Laurens informs me that on his arrival he delivered some Letters he brought from America for me to you— as none of them have as yet...
132509To George Washington from Peregrine Fitzhugh, 24 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
My Father will have the honor to acknowledge by this conveyance the favor of your letter of the 24th Ulto & to return his thanks with which mine are tendered for the signal mark of your Excellency’s Friendship notified thro’ a paragraph of it, an additional one to the many I have experienced and shall ever retain a proper sense of. Having been led to believe (tho’ only from report) that Genl...
132510To George Washington from Ebenezer Hazard, 24 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received Information by Letters from Philadelphia that another of our Mails has fallen into the Hands of the Enemy; this is a distressing addition to our late misfortunes of that Kind, though from the Circumstance of your Excellency’s having recommended the Road through the Clove as the most eligible, and the universally good Character of the Rider, there can be no Suspicion of either...
132511From George Washington to Hugh Hughes, 24 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
It having been represented to me that the Quarter Master at Fishkill hath neither public or private Teams for the transportation of the salted Provisions now at & in the neighbourhood of that Place to the Army, & that he hath applied in vain to the Justices of that District for impress Warrants. And it being absolutely necessary in Order to prevent the greatest calamities & distresses that the...
132512To George Washington from Fielding Lewis, Sr., 24 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
My bad state of health has confined me within doors ever since last October and at times reduced very low I am something better this week past and am yet hopefull that good weather and exercise may give me some relief; the old Lady has been very ill, is now out of danger and will soon be able to leave her room, my family are well, Betsy will shortly enter into the marriage State with Mr Chas...
132513From David Humphreys to Timothy Pickering, 24 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am commanded by His Excellency to forward the enclosed Letters from Genl Heath and Major Reese, and to inform you, that he is utterly averse to a military impress, except on great occasions, and when no other expedients can be devised to answer the end proposed. Because he apprehends it may tends to irritate the minds and alienate the affections of the well disposed people from the Army,...
132514To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 24 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am desired by the Supreme Executive Council, to transmit to your Excellency, the inclosed Memorial from the Officers of Colonel Proctors Artillery. They importunately press for an answer, but the Council have declined it, untill they could be favoured with your advice and opinion. The Officers have this day intimated that if not redressed they propose to resign we can not approve the...
132515To George Washington from Francisco Rendón, 24 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday afternoon Anchored in this River two American schooners from the Havana, from whence they sailed on the 12th Inst. by which I have received Letters from the governor & Captn General of said Place under date of the 10th giving me a Detail of the following Intelligences: That on the 4th January Ultimo, my Masters Arms had re taken the Fort Called San Juan de Nicaragua on the Spanish...
132516To George Washington from Matthias-Alexis, chevalier de La Rochefermoy, 24 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Jai lhonneur de vous faire Part de mon arrivée avec mon fils qui est dans L’armée de Monsieur Le Compte De larrochambeau, nous Sommes dans Le moment d’attaquer nos ennemis, donnés moy La Satisfaction d’etre à même de pouvoir vous témoigner ainsy qu’au Congré & à ma Patrie, L’occasion en Qualité d’encien officier Général Sous vos ordres de Soutenir & La Gloire de Lamerique & D’un officier Connu...
132517To George Washington from William Shepard, 24 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellencys favor of the 23d Ult. respecting—Mr Collens—and this Department; mark’d well the contence—made preperations immediately to send Collens to the Navy Board, the Night preceeding the Day he were to go he broak goal, made his escape & has not ben heard of since; the Goaler advertised him, & I sent the Crime, Sentence &c. to be Publish’d, for Example. have Receiv’d a...
132518To George Washington from Nathaniel Stevens, 24 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
In Obedience to Your Excellency’s Directions of the 21st Instant, I have requested the Agent of Massachusetts State to furnish us the first and third Weeks in each month with one hundred & forty Beef Cattle to be delivered at this place in two equal Droves the one at the first and the other the Middle of the Weeks, also Ninety head every two weeks from the Agent for Connecticut to be delivered...
132519To George Washington from Heman Swift, 24 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency’s favor of the 16th Inst:, am unable to inform you of the number of Recruits which are at Danbury (if there be any at that place), there are none at the other places of Rendezvous, we have constantly sent them on to Camp as fast as they could be collected, excepting those who have been mustered out, which of late has been near one...
132520To George Washington from Benjamin Tallmadge, 24 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor of writing to Your Excellency on the 20th instt from Fairfield, immediately after which I set out for this Place, where I arrived on the 22d—after Communicating my business to Count Chatellaux, I waited on their Excellencys the Count De Rochambeau & the Chevalr Destouches, with Your Excellency’s Letter. I feel myself under great Obligations to Your Excellency for the very...
132521Virginia Delegates to Thomas Jefferson, 24 April 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Continental Congress Miscellany). Written by Theodorick Bland and signed by Bland and JM. Docketed, “Virga Delegates Letter 24th April recd May 81.” We were yesterday Honord with your Excellency’s of the 13th Inst. with its enclosures. You may be assured that our utmost endeavors have been exerted in forwarding the arms and stores mentiond in our last, but insurmountable difficulties...
132522Virginia Delegates to Merchants of Virginia, [ca. 24 April] 1781 (Madison Papers)
FC ( NA : PCC , No. 75, fols. 348–49). This copy is written by Theodorick Bland, and the phraseology suggests that he also wrote the recipient’s copy. The letter is docketed, “Letter of the Delegates from Virginia no date.” The Underwritten delegates from the State of Virginia Sensible of the distress of that and the Southern states for want of arms, and anxious for the relief of their own...
132523To Thomas Jefferson from Rawleigh Colston, 24 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Presuming that your State may Stand in need of cloathing for the Soldiers, I take the liberty of acquainting you that I have lately received a consignment of about one thousand Joannes’s prime cost of woolens containing between 11 and 12 thousand Ells which are extremely well adapted for that purpose amongst them a quantity of blanketing stuff all which I could furnish you with on very...
132524From Thomas Jefferson to Daniel Fisher, 24 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letter was handed me at a Time when I was much engaged in preparing to render a visit then expected from the Enemy as little prejudicial as possible. The Act of Assembly having not exempted the Commissaries from Militia Duty, we do not chuse to give them a formal Exemption. Yet their Exertions are so essential for subsisting the Army when assembled that it is impossible for them to be...
132525To Thomas Jefferson from John Floyd, 24 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Jefferson [ County ], 24 Apr. 1781 . “I wrote to you about eight days ago upon the Subject of our affairs in this County, but as many accidents may happen to prevent the conveyance of Letters such a distance, I have taken the liberty to trouble you with a second.” The substance of what follows is the same as that in Floyd’s letter of 16 Apr., q.v., though in the present letter he adds that he...
132526To Thomas Jefferson from James Innes, 24 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment arrived at this place— and shall loose no time . I beg to recieve your orders as I am Ignorant of the Situation of Richmond. I would write more explicitly but for prudential Reasons of which your Excellency will easily Concieve. I am most respectfully Yr Excellency’s most obt. Sert., P.S. I hope to hear from you by the Dawn of Day. RC ( Vi ); addressed: “On Servive His...
132527To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Read, 24 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Port Royal [ Caroline co. ], 24 Apr. 1781 . Returned here two days ago “with my Troop from Potowmack River.” The enemy’s ships have all gone down, but “Since my leaving Boyd’s Hole a Small boat came up and Burnt down the Houses there, except the Ware Houses.” On account of “the Rapid Depresiation of our Money,” has never been able to obtain the boots for his troop for which TJ gave him a...
132528From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 24 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have information this morning from Capt. Maxwell on his own view that the enemy landed at Westover yesterday evening. If it be impossible that he should have been deceived, it is equally unaccountable that we are uninformed of it from the Videts sent. The movements of the enemy up Chickahominy obliged Colo. Innes, incumbered with 20 waggons with stores, and 100 sick to cross Pamunkey at...
132529To Thomas Jefferson from the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 24 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
We were yesterday Honord with your Excellency’s of the 13th Inst. with its enclosures. You may be assured that our utmost endeavors have been exerted in forwarding the arms and stores mentiond in our last, but insurmountable difficulties have prevented their seting off untill now, but we are happy to inform you that the first of them will go on to day as the Quarter Master assures us. We have...
132530To Alexander Hamilton from Stewart and Totten, 13[–23] April 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
We have this moment Recv’d your favour of ye 11th Inst., the one you Refer to in this we have not Rec’d; we have applied your Bill to our own use, not having it in our power to dispose of it in hard money owing to bills being so plenty for paper. They have Been current here a[t] 4/ & 4/6 hard money pr 5 Livres. We will use our utmost Endeavours to forward you the money you ask in the time...
132531Abigail Adams to John Adams, 23 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
You will wonder I suppose to what part of the world all the Letters you have written since the 25 of Sepbr. are gone, that not a line of a later date has reachd me, even up to this 23 day of April. My Heart sickens at the recollection, and I most sensibly feel the sacrifice of my happiness from the Malignant Union of Mars with Belona. My two dear Boys cannot immagine how ardently I long to...
132532James Lovell to Abigail Adams, 23 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
Not receiving any Line from you by this day’s post, I recur to your favor of April 3d. already answered in part. I wrote to Col. Hughes to endeavor to forward the two Packages left by Doctor Winship, if he could find where they were deposited. I hope he will have found them and had them cased in Boards. Capt. J. P. Jones is without Letter or Invoice and supposes they must have been sent by the...
132533Enclosure: Draft of an Article, 23 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
It is often Said in this Country, “We have nothing to gain by this War.” But who is to gain? If Holland has nothing to gain, it has much to loose, and the Question now is not what is to be gained, but was it to be Saved and defended. This Republick, may loose all her Possessions in the East and West Indies: she may loose her Navigation and Commerce: she may loose her Baltick Trade: her...
132534From Benjamin Franklin to Gourlade & Moylan, 23 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received your Favour of the 9th Instant, & am much obliged by your Care in forwarding my Letters &c by the Ships Franklin & Duke of Leinster. I shall accept and pay your Bills in favour of Tessier & La Galdie. The other in favour of M. Pothonnier & Co. for the full Ballance of your Account I defer, till Mr Williams, to whom it appertains, has seen and...
132535General Orders, 23 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Major Gibbs having been in the late arrangement of the Army appointed to, and having joined the second Massachusetts Regiment the Commander in Chief takes occasion to express his Approbation of his Conduct while in the command of his Corps of Guards and to return him thanks for his very particular attention to the several Duties incident to that Station. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
132536To George Washington from William Heath, 23 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed is this moment put into my hand. While your Excellency is with the army, I think it improper for me to grant warrants impress—I therefore beg leave to submit the necessity of an impress warrant being granted for the purposes within mentioned. The case, most certainly, is very urgent. I have the honor to be With the greatest respect, Your Excellency’s Most obedient servant, DNA :...
132537To George Washington from Samuel Huntington, 23 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s Letters of the 16th & 18th Instant. Your Excellency will observe by the enclosed Resolve of this Day, that it is the Sense of Congress on receiving the Information contained in your Letter of the 16th of the Proposals you have made respecting the Exchange of General Burgoyne, that you be authorized to proceed in perfecting the Exchange if you shall...
132538To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 23 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
On the 18th instant the enemy came from Portsmouth up James river in considerable force, tho’ their numbers precisely are not yet known to us. they landed at Burwells ferry below Williamsburg & near the mouth of Chickahominy above it. this latter circumstance obliged Colo. Innes who commanded a body of Militia stationed on that side the river to cover the country from depredation, to retire...
132539To George Washington from Henry Knox, 23 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Mr Ruddock, Deputy Commissary of Military Stores, at Fishkill, has handed me an order from the board of war, for discontinuing the post at Fishkill, so far as it relates to the department of the Commissary General of Military Stores, dismissing the said Mr Ruddock and all the Officers under him, and ordering all the military stores in his possession to be delivered to the D.Q. Master of the...
132540To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 23 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Great Happiness is derived from friendship, and I do particularly Experience it in the Attachement which Unites Me to You. But friendship Has its duties, and the Man that Likes you the Best will Be the forwardest in Letting you know Every thing where You Can Be Concerned. When the Ennemy Came to your House Many Negroes deserted to them. This piece of News did not affect me much as I little...
132541From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 23 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge, & thank you for your favor of the 16th which covered a Letter from the Marqs de la Fayette dated the 30th of Jany. That letter does not contain any News of considerable moment relative to public affairs—Altho’ the Marquis does not pretend to speak of the plan of the Campaign; his sentiments in general appear to be—That Britain will make a desperate effort to prosecute...
132542From John Jay to Charles Thomson, 23 April 1781 (Jay Papers)
On the 30 th . January last I had the Pleasure of rec g . your very acceptable Letter of the 12 Octob. 1780. The able manner in which it treats the important Subject of american Finances, induced me to give that Part of it to the Minister, and to send a Copy of the same Extract to D r . Franklin, who in his Answer says, “I thank you for communicating to me the Letter of the Secretary of...
132543To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 23 April 1781 (Madison Papers)
Tr ( LC : Force Transcripts). Endorsed, “Edmund Pendleton to James Madison.” Another copy is printed in the Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society , 2d ser., XIX (1905), 129. Since my last nothing material has come to my knowledge, the Fleet up Potowmack proved as I expected a mere plundering party, or if they meant any thing hostile against Alexandria or Fredericksburg, they were...
132544To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, with Reply, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
From Mr. Browne’s account it is impossible, I should think, that Col. Innes should be in want of provision. If he has crossed at Ruffin’s, as Mr. Browne says he has, it would be proper to send to New Castle what stores you may under the present circumstances think necessary to order to him. At present we are in great distress for want of waggons. Every one of the public offices almost, as the...
132545To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
War Office [ Richmond ], 23 Apr. 1781. Encloses an extract of a letter from Gen. Greene “which came to hand this Morning.” RC ( Vi ); 3 p.; addressed and endorsed. The enclosed extract of a letter from Greene to Davies was undoubtedly taken from that of 11 Apr. 1781, dated at Little River ( Tr in CSmH ). The extract was transmitted by TJ to Huntington on this date, but it has not been further...
132546From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 18. instant the enemy came from Portsmouth up James river in considerable force, tho’ their numbers precisely are not yet known to us. They landed at Burwells ferry below Williamsburg and near the mouth of Chickahominy above it. This latter circumstance obliged Colo. Innes who commanded a body of Militia Stationed on that Side the river to cover the country from depredation, to retire...
132547To Thomas Jefferson from James Innes, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Having received Intelligence last Evening that the Enemy were moving up Chickahominy River Road with an Intention to attempt a Stroke at the Party under my Command, and had actually advanced so far up as to be able to compel me to give them Action on the most disadvantageous Terms, should I endeavour to retreat by the Way of New Kent Court house. In this Situation, encumbered as my Line was by...
132548From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the pleasure yesterday to receive your favor of the 17th. inst. and am very happy that the Southern States are to have the Benefit of your Aid. On the 18th. inst. the enemy came from Portsmouth &c. (as in the following Letter to the President of Congress to the words Little River on the 11th.) We still consider his [Greene’s] as the interesting Scene of action to us. As long as we can...
132549From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel McDowell, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letter of the 20th. has been considered by the Board. We are exceedingly sorry that the Militia Service of necessity falls so heavily on the Citizens of our State and would gladly embrace every Opportunity of relaxing it. All we can do however is to keep the Burthen as equal as possible on all the Counties. We keep an Account of all the Tours required by us and the proportions of Men; On...
132550To Thomas Jefferson from Sarah McIntosh, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am extremely obliged to your Excellency for your very polite letter, and I return my most cordial thanks to the state of Virginia for the seasonable releif which my distressed famely has lately received thro your Excellency. I hope notwithstanding my Famely is numerous and small, that the ten thousand pounds which your excellency was pleased to send by Colo. Russell, will contribute to...