22351From George Washington to the Committee at Headquarters, 20 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your recommendation I have thought proper to send Brigadier General Parsons to the state of Connecticut. My orders to him will relate to the collecting, arranging and forwarding the drafts and recruits from that state to the army. The Committee will give him what further instructions they think proper, which he will execute with judgment and zeal. It will be useful to inform him...
22352From George Washington to the Committee at Headquarters, 18 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to submit to Your consideration the inclosed Copies of Two Acts of the States of Connecticut and Massachusetts Bay, which passed respectively on the 2d & 4th of May. The first, by the State of Connecticut, You will be pleased to observe, is for adopting the Regiment (one of the Additional sixteen) commanded by Colo. Samuel B. Webb, and declaring it One of their Battallions, in...
22353From George Washington to the Committee at Headquarters, 23 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
The enemy are now in full force bending their march towards Morris Town, and by my last advices had advanced beyond Springfeild. They were vigorously opposed by our advanced Corps. But what could the Valour of a hand full do against so infinite a superiority of numbers? The enemy can effect any particular object they may attempt. Besides the Army they can have no other in this state than our...
22354From George Washington to the Committee at Headquarters, 12 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received information which though not official—I deem authentic, that some of the states have taken up the measure of augmenting their batalions by a draft on a less extensive footing than was urged in your circular letter of the 25th of May. Though I wish to pay in every instance implicit deference to the determinations of the respective states, I think it my duty in the present...
22355From George Washington to the Committee at Headquarters, 13 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
We have received intelligence through different channels from New York, that The Guadaloupe had arrived there on sunday morning, and brought an account that she had fallen in with a large French fleet consisting of several sail of the line and a number of transports between the Capes of Virginia and Delaware. This intelligence has every appearance of authenticity; and, if true, the arrival of...
22356From George Washington to the Committee at Headquarters, 27 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to transmit You a Letter of the 22d Instant which I received last night from the Assembly of Maryland, in consequence of the requisitions which have been made them with respect to Men, and my Answer to it, which I have left open for your perusal & consideration, and the propriety of which You will be pleased ultimately to determine by a Letter from yourselves. The proposition...
22357From George Washington to the Committee at Headquarters, 24 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have considered the powers vested in you by the resolution of Congress of the 19th Inst. The importance of taking every step on the surest ground induces me to request your opinion of the competency of these powers to the objects they are intended to answer —and whether you think they will enable you as far as is practicable in our circumstances, to draw forth the resources of the Country....
22358From George Washington to the Committee at Headquarters, 25 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have attentively considered the circular letter to the different States which you did me the honor to communicate for my perusal, and I am happy to find, that my ideas perfectly correspond with those of the Committee. The view they have given of our situation is just, full & explicit; The measures they have recommended are well adapted to the emergency and of indispensable necessity. I very...
22359From George Washington to the Committee at Headquarters, 11 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
It appears to me to be a very eligible step, at the present juncture, to reiterate our instances with the several States, to engage them to press the measures recommended in your former letter. Not only the time is sliding away very fast, every moment of which ought to be improved for the intended cooperation —but the movements of the Enemy demand every exertion in our power for the purposes...
22360From George Washington to the Committee at Headquarters, 17 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
We are now arrived at the middle of August; if we are able to undertake any thing in this quarter this campaign, our operations must commence in less than a month from this, or it will be absolutely too late. It will then be much later than were to be wished; and with all the exertions that can be made, we shall probably be greatly straitened in time. But I think it my duty to inform you, that...
22361From George Washington to the Committee at Headquarters, 31 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
In the expected cooperation it is of great moment that we should proceed with circumspection and on the surest ground—Before we can determine what ought to be undertaken, we should be able to appreciate the means we shall have it in our power to employ—on some precise scale. To begin an enterprise against New York for instance on a general presumption of sufficient resource in the country and...
22362From George Washington to the Committee at Headquarters, 13 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have examined the system for the Quarter Masters department with as much attention as the time I have had for it, and the hurry of my situation would permit—It appears to me as good an one as we can adopt in the present posture of our affairs. I beg leave to observe that I conceive it indispensably necessary for the Committee at once to fix the Salaries of the different Offices finally. A...
22363From George Washington to the Committee at Headquarters, 19 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
From the vast importance of the thing, I hoped that I should have been informed before this, of the measures which the several states meant to adopt, in consequence of your late requisitions; but as I have not, I am certain you are unadvised yourselves, and have only to lament with you the delay. This is a point of primary consequence. We are now arrived at the period, when we may momently...
22364James Madison to the Committee for Democratic Republicans, Madison County, Virginia, 18 August 1834 (Madison Papers)
I have received, Fellow Citizens, your letter of the 1st Instant inviting me in the name of a large number of Democratic Republicans of your county to a public dinner to be given on the 23d to the Honble John M. Patton, their Representitive in Congress. My continued debility from age and sickness not permitting me to accept the invitation, I can only express my grateful acknowledgements for...
22365The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 28 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS and transcript: National Archives; incomplete copy: Massachusetts Archives; copy: Harvard University Library Our Dispatches of Decr. 18. which would have acquainted you with the State of our Affairs here, and our Expectations of a speedy Conclusion of the Treaties with this Court, are unfortunately returned; the French Man of War which went on purpose to carry them, having met with some...
22366The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 7 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Attested copy: Harvard University Library; copies: British Library (incomplete), National Archives (three), Sheffield City Library (two), South Carolina Historical Society We received duly your Dispatches by Mr. McCrery, and Capt. Young, dated May 20 and 30. June 13, 18, and 26 and July 2. The Intelligence they contain is very particular and Satisfactory. It rejoices us to be informed that...
22367The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 8 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: British Library, Harvard University Library, National Archives (three) It is long since we had a Line from you, the last received being of the Date of [ blank in MS ] per Mr. Reed. We suppose from the same Causes which have occasioned your hearing so seldom from us, the Difficulty of finding safe Conveyances, and sometimes the Loss of the Dispatches by the Way. Mr. Lee informs you, we...
22368The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 16 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : South Carolina Historical Society; transcript and two copies: National Archives We have now the Pleasure of sending you the Treaties of Amity and Alliance with France compleated after long Deliberation and signed the 6th. Instant. This is an Event that will give our States such an Appearance of Stability, as must strengthen our Credit, encourage other Powers in Europe to ally themselves...
22369The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 17 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society We have given Capt. Courter whom we have entrusted with our Dispatches one hundred Louis D’Ors: His Journey to Corogne will be very expensive. He will keep an Account of his Expences which he will give you and we recommend him to you for such further allowance, independant of the Actual expence of his Voyage, as you shall judge adequate to his Services. He...
22370From Benjamin Franklin to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 26 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Library of Congress, South Carolina Historical Society; transcript: National Archives The Marquis de La Fayette, who arrived here the 11th of Feby. brought me yours of Oct. 28. and the new Commission, Credentials and Instructions the Congress have honoured me with. I have not since had an Opportunity of Writing that I could...
22371From John Jay to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 30 November 1780 (Jay Papers)
I have had the Honor of receiving from you a Letter of the 16 th . of June, and another the 12 th . of July, 1780, with the several Papers mentioned in them. With respect to the Subjects of the first, you will find them fully discussed in my Letter to His Excellency the President of Congress, which will accompany this: The description of the Bills will I hope, answer good purposes. How far the...
22372The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 26 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives The Navy of the United States increasing in the Number of its Ships and Force, it is of the utmost importance to direct the Cruises of the Shipps of War which belong either to the States or individuals so as to annoy and alarm the Enemy the most effectually, and at the same Time to encourage Our brave Officers and Seamen by the Value of prizes. The West India...
22373The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 30 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; AL (draft ): Yale University Library; three copies: National Archives When the commissioners met on November 27 to plan this dispatch, differences between them soon emerged. Lee profoundly distrusted Deane, who he believed had Franklin in his pocket and, in his dual role of private businessman and agent of Congress, was playing fast and loose with public money. Deane...
22374The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 29 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; three copies and one transcript: National Archives <Passy, July 29, 1778: We received your letters of May 14 and 15. We congratulate you on the general good appearance of our affairs and are happy you are determined to accept no peace terms contrary to our alliance with France. We have not received from Congress the authorization we need to remove...
22375The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 18 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; attested copy: National Archives; copy: Harvard University Library; copy and transcript: National Archives Since our last of Nov. 30, a Copy of which is herewith sent you, we received your Dispatches of Oct. 6. from York Town. They came to us by a Packet from Boston, which brought the great News of Burgoynes Defeat and Surrender, News that apparently occasion’d as much...
22376Franklin and Silas Deane to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 16 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : South Carolina Historical Society This will be delivered to you by Mr. Carmichael to whom we have committed our dispatches for Congress, and who becoming Acquainted with Mr. Deane soon after his arrival at Paris, travelled to Berlin through Holland and Hambourgh at the desire and Appointment of Mr. Deane and on his Journey rendered very Considerable Services to the United States by...
22377The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 25 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives; two copies: British Library Agreeable to what we mentioned in ours of March 14 and April the 9th (a third Copy of which we send herewith) Mr. Lee tarry’d here some Weeks after his Return from Spain. No News arriving (tho’ we received Letters from you) of any Commissioner being actually appointed for Prussia, and the Necessity of a good Understanding with that...
22378James Madison to the Committee for the Democratic Festival, Philadelphia, 29 June 1834 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. fellow Citizens your letter inviting me to the Democratic festival to be given on the 4th of July. I beg that the Company may be assured of my due respect for so kind a mark of their attention. But the gratification, I might feel in being present on an occasion cherishg. the Constitutional doctrines, maintained by Virginia, in 1798-9, as an authentic view of the relations between...
22379George Washington to the Committee of Arrangement from Congress, 6 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fishkill [ New York ] October 6, 1778 . Discusses problem of enlisting deserters and prisoners. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
22380III. To the Committee of Cheshire, Massachusetts, [1 January 1802] (Jefferson Papers)
I concur with you in the sentiments expressed in your kind address on behalf of the inhabitants of the town of Cheshire, that the constitution of the United States is a Charter of authorities and duties, not a Charter of rights to it’s officers; and that among it’s most precious provisions are the right of suffrage, the prohibition of religious tests, and it’s means of peaceable amendment....
22381James Madison to the Committee of Citizens of Albemarle County, June 1834 (Madison Papers)
I have recd fellow citizens your letter inviting me, in behalf of a number of citizens of Albemarle to partake of a public dinner on the approaching 4th. of july. For this mark of their kind attention I can only offer an expression of my grateful sensibility; the debility of age with a continuance of much indisposition rendering it impossible for me to join them on the occasion. However...
22382The American Commissioners to the Committee of Commerce, 29 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, July 29, 1778: We have received your letter of May 28 by Captain Reed [Read]. We rejoice at the arrival of even 49 hogsheads of tobacco, but wish for more. As we are under contract with the farmers general to furnish 5,000 hogsheads, for which we have already received a million livres, we have consigned this...
22383From Benjamin Franklin to the Committee of Commerce, 21 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the honour of yours dated the 21st. of july containing an Extract of Mr. Pollocks Letter to you, in which he mentions his Drafts on Mr. Delap for 10,897. Dollars and his Expectation that in case of any difficulty I will See those Bills paid. I Should certainly do every thing in my power to support the credit of the States and of every Person acting under...
22384George Washington to the Committee of Conference, 23 January 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, January 23, 1779. States need for a permanent system for clothing the Army. Proposes plan to fill this need. Df , in writings of Tench Tilghman and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
22385George Washington to the Committee of Conference, 8 January 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] January 8, 1779 . Proposes following points to be discussed with the committee: recruiting; a plan for the next campaign; prospects of further aid from Europe; clothing and supplies; changes in the ordnance, clothing, hospital, and engineering departments; establishment of an inspectorship; paper currency. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress....
22386George Washington to the Committee of Conference, 27 February 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] February 27, 1779 . Proposes centralizing all prisoner exchanges and charging each state for supplies for its prisoners. Asks committee to consider giving a bounty to procure wagoners. States that immediate reorganization of clothing department is necessary. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
22387George Washington to the Committee of Conference, [13 January 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, January 13, 1779. ] Discusses in detail points listed in letter of January 8, 1779 to the committee. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
22388George Washington to the Committee of Conference, 20 January 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, January 20, 1779. Discusses officers’ problems and need for immediate relief in order to prevent dissolution of Army. Again recommends half-pay and pension plans. Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
22389Joseph Hawley to the Committee of Conference of Congress, 23 October 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society To give you full Satisfaction that what was granted and paid in the last War to the Non commission officers and private Soldiers by this colony was in the whole much more than the whole which has been engaged to the Non commissiond officers and privates in the present service by the late Congress of this colony. Col. Warren and the Subscriber have bro’t for...
22390George Washington to the Committee of Congress, 1 March 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] March 1, 1778 . States that inadequacies of armorer’s department will soon result in a shortage of arms for the Army. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives. The Committee of Conference consisted of Francis Dana, Joseph Reed, Nathaniel Folsom, John Harvie, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, and Gouverneur Morris. This letter should have been...
22391From George Washington to the Committee of Congress, 20 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Upon my alighting in this City I received your communication of the 17th with the resolutions of the two Houses which accompanied it and in answer thereto beg leave to inform you that knowing how anxious both houses must be to proceed to business I shall continue my journey with as much dispatch as possible. Tomorrow evening I propose to be at Trenton—the night following at Brunswick and hope...
22392Arthur Lee to Committee of Congress, 27 October 1780 (Madison Papers)
FC (Harvard University Library). The remainder of the Furniture, of which you ask the particulars, consists of Knives, Forks Spoons, plates & table Linnen, with two Iron travelling bedsteds, Mattresses & Sheets. The exact quantity of these things I do not know, but they cannot be of much value; being broken Setts, & having been usd for upwards of three years. I have the honor to be with the...
22393William Ellery and JM to the Committee of Congress at Washington’s Headquarters, 5 May 1780 (Madison Papers)
Printed text (John Sanderson, ed., Biography of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence [2d ed.; 5 vols.; Philadelphia, 1828], I, 388–89). Nothing is said there of its source except that it had “fallen into our hands.” References to the existence of the letter are made in Brant, Madison Irving Brant, James Madison (6 vols.; Indianapolis and New York, 1941–61). , I, 90; Burnett, Letters...
22394George Washington to the Committee of Congress with the Army, 29 January 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge, January 29, 1778 .] Discusses proposed changes in military establishment. Submits questions concerning foreign officers, use of Indians to fight British, Colonel Daniel Morgan’s Riflemen, use of Negroes as wagoners, pay for prisoners, and proper gradation of punishments. LS , in the writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress; two drafts in writing of H,...
22395George Washington to the Committee of Cooperation, 11 June 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Springfield [ New Jersey ] June 11, 1780 . Believes time has arrived to “reiterate our instances with the several States.” Reviews situation in South and in New York. Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
22396George Washington to the Committee of Cooperation, 17 August 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Orangetown [ New York ] August 17, 1780 . Describes present situation of Army. Recommends a new appeal to the states. LS , in writing of H, Papers of Continental Congress, National Archives.
22397George Washington to the Committee of Cooperation, 12 June 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Springfield [ New Jersey ] June 12, 1780 . Asks committee to check rumor that some states are not attempting to complete their quotas of men. Discloses that force requested is as small “as can give us any prospect of a decisive effort.” Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
22398George Washington to the Committee of Cooperation, 20 June 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Springfield [ New Jersey ] June 20, 1780 . Advises Committee that Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons is being sent to Connecticut for “collecting, arranging and forwarding the drafts and recruits from that state to the army.” LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
22399George Washington to the Committee of Cooperation, 23 June 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Rockaway Bridge [ New Jersey ] June 23, 1780 . Reports that enemy is marching toward Morristown. Emphasizes need of redoubled efforts by the states. Urges Committee to move from Morristown as it “is become an ineligible place.” Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
22400George Washington to the Committee of Cooperation, 13 June 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Springfield [ New Jersey ] June 13, 1780 . Approves of plan for quartermaster’s department. Asks committee to fix salaries of officers so that the department can be immediately activated. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.