24951Questions Concerning a Proposed Cartel for the Exchange of Prisoners of War, [10–11 April 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
1st. Qre? … In what light are the prisoners sent out by General Howe to be considered? 2d … How far and for what proportion are we bound to account? 3d … When and upon what terms are the British and foreign prisoners in our hands to be returned? Who are to be considered as citizens on both sides? 4th … Are Americans, who join the enemy, when not in captivity, and taken in Arms to be...
24952Notes on a Proposed Cartel for the Exchange of Prisoners of War, [10–11 April 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
Memorandums Arts: All officers and soldiers, prisoners of war on either side shall be exchanged on the terms and in the manner following. Those first captured shall be first exchanged. Every officer shall be exchanged for one of equal rank, as far as number will apply, except when there are officers, who have been longer in captivity, that cannot be so exchanged; in which case, these shall...
24953Draft of a Proposed Cartel for the Exchange of Prisoners of War, [10–11 April 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
A Treaty and Convention for the Exchange and Accommodation of Prisoners of War, made between the Armies of The United States of America and The Kingdom of Great Britain; and for other purposes therein specified. Whereas on the 30th. day of July, in the year 1776, a proposition was made by His Excellency General Washington to His Excellency General Sir William Howe, and acceded to by him, on...
24954Colonels Charles O’Hara and Humphrey Stephens, and Captain Richard FitzPatrick to Colonel William Grayson, Lieutenant … (Hamilton Papers)
The Commissioners appointed by His Excellency Sir William Howe to take into Consideration all past Transactions relative to the Exchange of Prisoners, to adjust the differences that have so long subsisted in regard to them, to remove all Difficulties that may arise in carrying into Execution a General Exchange of Prisoners with both Parties at this Time, & finally to establish a regular &...
24955Colonel William Grayson, Lieutenant Colonels Robert Hanson Harrison and Alexander Hamilton, and Elias Boudinot to … (Hamilton Papers)
The Commissioners, appointed by His Excellency General Washington, “to confer, determine and agree upon a Treaty and Convention, for the exchange of prisoners of war, and for all matters whatsoever, that may be properly contained therein,” are inexpressibly concerned, to find, that the Commissioners on the part of General Sir William Howe should think it necessary to make the objections stated...
24956To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Kip, 15 April 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Sir, Last Decm’r a Twelvemonth a Small Box was Taken at or Near Princetown And Deposited in an Amunition Cart & Supposed to be Taken From thence by Capt. Crane. I can Assure you that I have Seen a Box in Crane’s Possession That answers the Description & Since the Discovery he is prepareing to Leave the Continent. He Now Resides in Clarks Town, Orange County. A Line to Collo. Gilbert Coper at...
24957Colonel William Grayson, Lieutenant Colonels Robert Hanson Harrison and Alexander Hamilton, and Elias Boudinot to George … (Hamilton Papers)
To His Excellency George Washington Esquire General and Commander in chief of the Forces of the United States of America. We the Commissioners appointed by Your Excellency, “to confer, determine and agree upon a Treaty and Convention for the exchange of Prisoners of War, and for all matters whatsoever which may be properly contained therein,” beg leave to report— That, agreeable to Your...
24958From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Henry E. Lutterloh, 19 April 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] April 19, 1778 . States that a horse not fit for service should be returned to a Mr. Sellers, its owner. Signed “A Hamilton ADC.” The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography , XVI (1892), 196.
24959George Washington to the General Officers, 20 April 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] April 20, 1778 . Lists three plans for next campaign, with possible modes of execution for each plan. Asks officers for opinions. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
24960George Washington to Major General John Armstrong, 24 April 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, April 24, 1778 . Invites Armstrong to council of war. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
24961George Washington to George Clinton, 24 April 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, April 24, 1778 . States that a box of “hard” money taken from British at Princeton in winter of 1777 is suspected to be in the hands of a Captain—Lieutenant Joseph Crane of Orange County. Asks Clinton to investigate matter. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. An enclosure in this letter was Richard Kip, Jr., to H, April 15, 1778 .
24962George Washington to Major General Thomas Mifflin, 24 April 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, April 24, 1778. Invites Mifflin to council of war. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
24963From Alexander Hamilton to James Mease, [26 April 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
By command of His Excellency, I inclose you a letter to him from the officers of the German batalion. There appears, by the representation, to be something particular in the circumstances of that batalion, with respect to cloathing, which deserves attention. You will do whatever can be done with propriety to put them upon an equal footing with other Regiments. I am Sir Your most Obed Serv...
24964George Washington to Major General William Tryon, 26 April 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, April 26, 1778 . States that the British conciliatory handbills have had free circulation among the troops. Asks Tryon to circulate among Tory troops copies of a resolution of Congress concerning the pardoning of those who have levied war against the states. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Tryon was the Loyalist governor of New York.
24965George Washington to Thomas Wharton, 26 April 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] April 26, 1778 . Asks for information concerning the militia available for next campaign. Df , in writings of John Laurens and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
24966George Washington to Samuel Chase, 27 April 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] April 27, 1778 . Discusses British practice of seizing and imprisoning civilians. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Chase was a member of the Continental Congress from Maryland.
24967George Washington to Thevenau Francy, 30 April 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] April 30, 1778 . Encloses letter to be transmitted to Mr. Penet. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Jean Baptiste Lazarus Thevenau Francy was an agent of Beaumarchais in America. Pierre Penet, who was in Nantes, France.
24968George Washington to Pierre Penet, 30 April 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, April 30, 1778 . Thanks Penet for gifts. Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
24969George Washington to Henry Laurens, 3 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, May 3, 1778 . Discusses reasons for lack of Indian aid. Thinks the United States should continue to try to counteract British overtures to Indians. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives; Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
24970George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 5 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] May 5, 1778 . Reviews situation in Europe and discusses possible enemy movements. Df , in writing of H, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
24971From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel William De Hart, [7 May 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
By command of His Excellency, I am to desire, You will immediately march with your Regiment by the safest and most convenient route into the Jerseys, and there join, and put yourself under the command of, Col: Shrieve. You may regulate the march of your baggage, and the transportation of your sick in such manner as shall appear to you most elegible, either by giving them an upper route or...
24972From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, [7 May 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
I am sadly distressed for want of a good saddle &c; and such is my situation, that I have no opportunity of procuring for myself. The one I got by your order the other day was of a coarser kind that would only do for my servant. As you are in the way of procuring matters of this kind, you will oblige me much, if you will give orders for purchasing a good saddle bridle holsters &c. for me....
24973To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 8 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
An opinion of your Benevolence leads me to address this Letter to you. Accident has introduced me to Monsr Lewis de Celoron, we happen to lodge in the same House. His modesty & decent manners made an impression upon me, and induced me to make some inquiries into his History and Character. The Gentlemen of this Place say handsome things of him. He is the son of a Major General who fell last war...
24974To Alexander Hamilton from Edward Stevens, 8 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Comment vous portez vous? & comment vous êtes vous porté depuis que je n’ai eu le plasir de vous voir? Si vous êtes en bonne santé tout est bien avec vous; j’en suis sûre. Qui pourrait avoir imaginé mon Ami qu’un homme de votre grandeur , de votre délicatesse de constitution, & de votre tranquillité aurait brillé tant, & en si peu de tems, dans le Champ de Mars, que vous l’avez fait. Je vous...
24975George Washington to the Council of War, 8 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, May 8, 1778 . Describes distribution of enemy forces. Discusses possibilities of acquiring reinforcements, ordnance, and provisions. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
24976From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General William Maxwell, [10 May 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency has received yours from Horsam meeting House. He is a good deal surprized that you left your Artillery behind as one principal aim of the detachment was to protect the Vessels in the River in which Cannon would be essential. His Question to you on the subject was rather intended to indicate his desire that you should take cannon with your Party. He desires you will immediately...
24977George Washington to Thomas Wharton, Junior, 11 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] May 11, 1778 . Is disappointed that so few militiamen are available. Asks that a plan be devised to keep the militia in constant readiness for the field, and that 400 militiamen be kept between the Delaware and the Schuylkill. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
24978Oath of Allegiance, [12 May 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
I Alexander Hamilton Lieutenant Colonel and Aide De Camp to His Excellency The commander in Chief do acknowledge the United States of America , to be Free, Independent and Sovereign States, and declare that the people thereof owe no allegiance or obedience to George the Third, King of Great-Britain; and I renounce, refuse and objure any allegiance or obedience to him; and I do swear that I...
24979George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Morgan Connor, 12 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, May 12, 1778 . Discusses courts-martial. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Connor was a lieutenant colonel of one of the Sixteen Additional Continental Regiments.
24980George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 15 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, May 15, 1778 . Discusses Indian relations. Asks Schuyler to stop Lieutenant Colonel Jean Baptiste Gouvion and his party of Indians before they start for Camp. Presents arguments that might be used to explain why Indians are no longer needed. Will send notice of Schuyler’s trial as soon as it is received. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress....
24981George Washington to James Mease, 16 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, May 16, 1778 . Orders Mease to Camp. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
24982From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Daniel Morgan, [17 May 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency is sending a considerable detachment towards the enemy’s lines, which will march tomorrow morning. He desires you to select 50 men of your corps, under good officers, and send them to join that detachment. It will be at White marsh tomorrow afternoon where your party will be expected. A party of Indians will join the party to be sent from your corps, at White marsh and act with...
24983George Washington to Ezekiel Cheever, 17 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, May 17, 1778 . Instructs Cheever to rush forward arms that are en route from Springfield, Massachusetts, to Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Cheever was commissary of military stores at Springfield, Massachusetts.
24984George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 17 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] May 17, 1778 . Instructs Greene to prepare for possible movement of Army and to set up magazines along routes to North River. Df , in writings of Richard Kidder Meade and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
24985George Washington to Marquis de Lafayette, 18 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] May 18, 1778 . Sends instructions. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
24986George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 19 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, May 19, 1778 . Discusses crimes and court-martial of Jetson, a Loyalist. Denies request to send flour to supporters of Revolution in Philadelphia. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
24987George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 22–23 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, May 22–23, 1778 . Orders removal of stores from the Elk and urges Smallwood to be on continual guard against enemy. In postscript states the enemy is preparing an offensive move. Df , in writings of James McHenry and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. The postscript is dated May 23, 1778.
24988George Washington to Elias Boudinot, 23 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] May 23, 1778 . Is pleased with the improved treatment of prisoners by British. Requests Boudinot to come to Camp immediately as there is to be a general exchange of prisoners. States that Colonel Francis Johnston has been nominated to succeed Boudinot as commissary of prisoners. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
24989George Washington to Colonel Israel Shreve, 23 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, May 23, 1778 . Discusses case of William Hamet, a Loyalist; disposition of the Jersey drafts; and reinlistment of Lieutenant Jonathan Rhea. Gives instructions in case enemy should evacuate Philadelphia. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
24990George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 25 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, May 25, 1778 . Orders Maxwell to secure all available information concerning enemy and to remain in readiness to march. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
24991From Alexander Hamilton to John Dixon and William Hunter, 29 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
The Commander in chief positively requires all officers, absent from camp, belonging to the Troops of the State of Virginia, except those who are detained on Public service, by his Excellency the Govr of that State, or any Genl officer of the same, or those who may have furloughs not yet expired—immediately to join their respective Corps. By his Excellys Command The several Printers of the...
24992George Washington to the Board of General Officers, 29 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] May 29, 1778 . Submits case of Lieutenant Colonel Pierre Regnier’s rank. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
24993George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel James Innes, 29 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, May 29, 1778 . Orders Innes to return to Camp. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Innes was lieutenant colonel of the Fifteenth Virginia Regiment.
24994George Washington to Colonel Josiah Parker, 29 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, May 29, 1778 . Orders Parker to return to Camp. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Parker was colonel of the Fifth Virginia Regiment. He resigned July 12, 1778.
24995George Washington to the Board of General Officers, 2 June 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, June 2, 1778 . Submits for the Board’s decision Lieutenant Colonel Mauduit du Plessis’s claim to rank. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
24996George Washington to the Board of General Officers, 2 June 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, June 2, 1778 . Submits for the Board’s decision the case of a suspected spy. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
24997To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 4 June 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Loring having been sent by Sir Henry Clinton to meet Mr. Boudinot or any other person appointed by me for the purpose of effecting an exchange of prisoners; I have therefore to desire you (Mr. Boudinot being absent from Camp) to hear any proposals Mr. Loring may have to offer on this subject; and to do definitively whatever may be necessary towards the execution of a general exchange of...
24998Declaration on Prisoners, [4 June 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
In the Name of His Excellency General Washington and by virtue of His authority to me, I declare, that on his being properly notified of time and place, he will appoint a person then and there to receive all Prisoners of War, in possession of the enemy, at present in the city of Philadelphia, and that He will return as speedily as possible an equal number of prisoners of war, in lieu of them,...
24999To Alexander Hamilton from Joshua Loring, 5 June 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Upon my Report to His Excellency Sir Henry Clinton of our meeting yesterday at the Sorrel Horse for the Purpose of settling an exchange of Prisoners— I am directed to acquaint you that all our Prisoners in Philadelphia agreable to the enclosed Return shall be sent out on the 12th Inst under a proper Escort to the two miles stone on the Lancaster Road over Schuylkill, provided you agree to meet...
25000George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 8 June 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] June 8, 1778 . Instructs Greene to find a new camp site. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.