25951To Alexander Hamilton from William Gordon, 23 September 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Tho from the expressions & innuendos in yours of the 5th instant which I received from Col Henly the last tuesday, I cannot apprehend myself treated with due respect, yet I shall not be thereby drove either to reply with asperity, or to quit my own plan of conduct. Said one of the greatest soldiers of the age in which he lived, “The business of a general is not to fight but to overcome.” When...
25952George Washington to John Beatty, 23 September 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, September 23, 1779. Sends instructions for exchange of prisoners. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
25953George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 24 September 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point ] September 24, 1779 . Refuses to countermand the order for the trial of Major Henry McCormick. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
25954George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 25 September 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point ] September 25, 1779 . Orders Howe to appoint a court of inquiry to investigate the complaint against Colonel John Greaton. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
25955George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, George Clinton, and William Livingston, 27 September 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point ] September 27, 1779 . States that if the French fleet is in reality off the coast, it will be necessary for states to supply men and provisions. LS , in writing of H, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
25956George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 28 September 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, September 28, 1779. Congratulates Lincoln on Stono Ferry attack. Regrets delay in securing reinforcements from Virginia. Believes British objectives to be Georgia and South Carolina. Sends news of the French fleet. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
25957From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, [29 September 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 18th which I received with all the pleasure that is inspired by a sincere respect and esteem. I must beg leave to repeat my assurances to you, that whenever I have occasion to trouble you in the epistolary way, unless where the subject should require a return, I shall be sorry, you should think yourself bound by the rules of ceremony; and I shall always...
25958George Washington to Major General William Alexander, Lord Stirling, 29 September 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point ] September 29, 1779 . States that Brigadier General Anthony Wayne will take up quarters at Haverstraw Forge. Asks Stirling to support Wayne if necessary. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
25959George Washington to Colonel Thomas Clark, 29 September 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point ] September 29, 1779 . Orders Clark to prepare to march south. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
25960George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 29 September 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, September 29, 1779. States that Lord Stirling has been ordered to cooperate with Wayne if necessary. Sends general instructions. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
25961From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, [30 September 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point, September 30, 1779. ] Orders Wayne to “detach the light infantry of the Carolina Brigade to join their respective Regiments.” AL[S] , Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. The signature and final sentence have been clipped from this letter. At the time the letter was written, Wayne was at Stony Point, New York.
25962George Washington to Major General William Alexander, Lord Stirling, 30 September 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, September 30, 1779. Regrets that permission cannot be granted to Lady Mary Stirling to visit her friends. Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Lady Mary Stirling, the wife of Peter Van Brugh Livingston, was the sister of William Alexander, Lord Stirling.
25963George Washington to Major General William Phillips, 30 September 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, September 30, 1779. Regrets that negotiations for exchange of prisoners must be delayed. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
25964George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 30 September 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point ] September 30, 1779 . Has referred Wayne’s request for two light field pieces to Brigadier General Henry Knox. Describes how the boats under Wayne’s jurisdiction should be distributed. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
25965From Alexander Hamilton to James Duane, 1 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
I am much obliged to you, my dear Sir, for your two letters of the 16th & 23rd. In haste I snatch up my pen by an express going off to the Governor, to give you the news as it runs. The most important & best authenticated is, that Count D’Estaing was arrived on the coast of Georgia. The tale runs thus. We are in possession of a Charlestown paper of the 6th of September which mentions that the...
25966George Washington to George Clinton, 1 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point ] October 1, 1779 . Discusses amount of assistance needed from New York “in case of a cooperation with our allies.” Sends news of Comte d’Estaing’s arrival off coast of Georgia. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
25967George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 1 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, October 1, 1779. Recommends that Congress grant Major Noirmont a furlough. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. On September 27, 1779, John Jay, President of Congress, was chosen Minister to Spain. The following day Samuel Huntington, delegate from Connecticut, was chosen as his successor.
25968Certificate by George Washington, 1 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, October 1, 1779. Commends the conduct and service of Major Noirmont. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
25969George Washington to Baron von Steuben, 2 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point ] October 2, 1779 . Thanks von Steuben for the plan for recruiting the Army for the next campaign. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
25970George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 2 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, October 2, 1779. Instructs Wayne to guard West Point. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
25971George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 3 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point ] October 3, 1779 . Instructs Sullivan to join the main Army for possible “cooperation” with D’Estaing. Sends news of arrival of D’Estaing off coast of Georgia. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
25972George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 3 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point ] October 3, 1779 . Orders Wayne to cooperate with Brigadier General Du Portail in reconnoitering Stony Point. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
25973George Washington to George Clinton, 4 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, October 4, 1779. States that, as D’Estaing is soon expected, complete cooperation of states is needed. Discusses number of men and amount of supplies that will be needed from New York. Df , in writings of Robert Hanson Harrison and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
25974George Washington to Colonel John Cox, 4 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, October 4, 1779. Orders Cox to keep a fleet of fast sailing boats off the Jersey shore to carry dispatches from Headquarters to D’Estaing. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Cox was assistant quartermaster general.
25975George Washington to Comte d’Estaing, 4 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, October 4, 1779. Describes British forces and position. Suggests an attack on either New York or Rhode Island. Explains difficulties involved in a joint undertaking. Describes navigation of Hell Gate. Df , in writings of Richard Kidder Meade and H, Musée du Palais de Compiègne, et Musée de Blérancourt, Compiègne, France.
25976George Washington to William Livingston, 4 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, October 4, 1779. Asks Livingston to instruct William Van Drill, a pilot, to join Major Henry Lee at Monmouth to assist D’Estaing. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
25977George Washington to Captain William Dobbs, 5 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point ] October 5, 1779 . Asks Dobbs to report to Headquarters in order to serve as a pilot for D’Estaing. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Dobbs was a pilot of Fishkill, New York.
25978George Washington to Captain Thomas Hunt, 5 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point ] October 5, 1779 . Asks Hunt to serve as a pilot for D’Estaing. Requests him to hire others in the same capacity. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Hunt was a pilot of Quaker Hill, Dutchess County, New York.
25979From Alexander Hamilton to the Marine Committee, 6 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Dobbs and Mr. Redfield are engaged to go on Board the French fleet as pilots. The former is well acquainted with the passage of the Hook and the latter with the navigation of the North River. The General has received information, that the fleet is to call in at the Delaware, has referred them to the Marine Committee, whom he requests to give them the necessary directions for going on board...
25980From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, [7 October 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
It is determined that General Du Portail and myself should go to Count D Estaing. We proceed to New Windsor this afternoon and set out from thence before light tomorrow. Four horses will be necessary to accomodate us, as I am dismounted & General Du Portail is loth to wear out his own horses in the journey. Will you be so good as to send me an order on the person at New Windsor who provides...
25981George Washington to Comte d’Estaing, 7 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, October 7, 1779. Reports that he is sending Brigadier General Du Portail and Hamilton to “explain to you fully my ideas of the proposed cooperation.” Df , in writings of Robert Hanson Harrison and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
25982From Alexander Hamilton to Major Henry Lee, 9 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Near Philadelphia, October 9, 1779. On October 15, 1779, Lee wrote to Hamilton : “I have your letters of the 9th & 13th Octobr.” Letter of October 9 not found .]
25983George Washington to Brigadier General Louis Le Bèque Du Portail and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 10 October … (Hamilton Papers)
The only material intelligence which I have obtained from New York or respecting the Enemy since your departure, is contained in the inclosed account, which I received yesterday from Captain Monroe. This in your communications with His Excellency Count D’Estaing, you will be pleased to shew him. As we shall have occasion for a great many boats, in case a cooperation between the Count & us...
25984From Alexander Hamilton to Major Henry Lee, 13 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Lewes, Delaware, October 13, 1779. On October 15, 1779, Lee wrote to Hamilton : “I have your letters of the 9th & 13th Octobr.” Letter of October 13 not found .]
25985To Alexander Hamilton from Major Henry Lee, 15 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
I have your letters of the 9th & 13th Octobr. The Pilots have orders one half to proceed to Lewis Town, there to wait on you. The route I can not yet determine, as I am not sufficiently acquainted. They will be sent the shortest & every assistance given them to expedite their arrival. Should you leave the Capes before they get there, it would be necessary to dispatch a courier to cross at...
25986From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel John Mitchell, 18 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Lewes, Delaware, October 18, 1779. On October 23, 1779, Mitchell wrote to Hamilton : “Your favor of the 18th Instant from Lewis Town, came duly to hand.” Letter not found. ] John Mitchell, deputy quartermaster general at Philadelphia, served as a middleman between Washington, on the one hand, and H and Brigadier General Du Portail, on the other, when H and Du Portail were on their abortive...
25987George Washington to Brigadier General Louis Le Bèque Du Portail and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 18 October … (Hamilton Papers)
I have been favored with Colonel Hamilton’s letter, mentioning your arrival early on the 11th at Philadelphia; and your being about to set off for Lewis town the morning on which it was written. I have attentively considered the object to which you more particularly refer, and am now to authorize you, (provided the Count will not determine on a co-operation to the full extent of my...
25988From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel John Mitchell, 19 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, October 19, 1779. On October 23, 1779, Mitchell wrote to Hamilton : “Yours of the 19th. from Egg Harbour came to hand at half past two.” Letter not found. ]
25989To Alexander Hamilton from John Holker, 21 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Lewes [ Delaware ,] October 21, 1779 . “… I begin to suppose the Count will not be here so soon, I am affraid he must have suffered in some storm to the Southward; I hope & more Sincerely wish it is not the Case & that he will still appear [in] time enough to execute some plan of utility to the Common Cause.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Holker was French consul to the United...
25990George Washington to Brigadier General Louis Le Bèque Du Portail and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 21 October … (Hamilton Papers)
In my Letters of the 10th & 18th I transmitted all the intelligence I had obtained, respecting the Enemy from the time of your departure to those two periods; and by the present conveyance, I inclose you an Extract of a Letter from Major General Gates of the 15th. By this you will perceive he was fully persuaded, that the Enemy were preparing to evacuate Rhode Island and he expected from his...
25991To Alexander Hamilton from Major Henry Lee, 22 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your two letrs announcing your object route & wishes. I sent to you at Lewis-town two pilots—one of them Captain Johnston from whom you may know more than from any other, as he was particularly active. The enemy’s strength at the hook consists in two 64, the Europa & Russell—the Raisonable, Renown Roebuck & Romulus. Besides these they have a few frigates & some armed Schooners. They...
25992From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel John Mitchell, 22 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ On the New Jersey coast, October 22, 1779 . On October 23, 1779, Mitchell wrote to Hamilton : “yours of the 22d Inst … came to hand at three oClock this afternoon.” Letter not found. ]
25993To Alexander Hamilton from Colonel John Mitchell, 23 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Your favor of the 18th Instant from Lewis Town, came duly to hand & in consequence of your request, Express’s have been Stationed at proper Distances on the Road between this and Lewis Town. Yours of the 19th. from Egg Harbour came to hand at half past two & yours of the 22d Inst from Col. Wadsworth came to hand at three oClock this afternoon. I shall only observe in answer to your last Note...
25994George Washington to Brigadier General Louis Le Bèque Du Portail and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 25 October … (Hamilton Papers)
I have just now received a letter from Col. Hamilton, mentioning your having changed your position at Lewis Town, for that of little Egg harbour, and that you would write me more fully on your arrival at the furnace. In my last I informed you that the enemy had evacuated both their posts at Kings-ferry, since which no alteration has taken place, that has come to my knowlege. Things at Rhode...
25995Brigadier General Louis Le Bèque Du Portail and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 26 October … (Hamilton Papers)
We are honored with two letters from Your Excellency of the 10th. and 21st to the contents of which we beg leave to assure you of our strictest attention. That of the 18th. is not yet come to hand, it is not improbable it has gone round by Lewis Town, which has occasioned the delay. Col Hamilton wrote to your Excellency from Philadelphia acquainting you with our arrival there and our intention...
25996To Alexander Hamilton from Major Henry Lee, 29 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
October 29, 1779. Reports “two naval actions the one in the english channel between the grand fleets the second in the West indies.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. See Lee to H, October 15 , 22, 1779 , and Washington’s correspondence with H and Brigadier General Du Portail for background to this letter.
25997George Washington to Brigadier General Louis Le Bèque Du Portail and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 30 October … (Hamilton Papers)
I inclose you an Extract of a Letter of the 26th which General Greene has just received from Mr Bowen. D.Q.M. Genl, dated in New port , announcing the evacuation of Rhode Island by the Enemy on Monday night last. The intelligence is not to be doubted, altho by some means or another it has happened, that I have not received any advices from Genl Gates upon the subject, or a Letter from him...
25998Brigadier General Louis Le Bèque Du Portail and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 1 November … (Hamilton Papers)
[ Great Egg Harbor Landing, New Jersey, November 1, 1779. On November 8, Brigadier General Du Portail and Hamilton wrote to Washington : “We hope before this you will have received our two letters of the 26th of October and 1st instant.” Letter of November 1 not found .]
25999George Washington to Brigadier General Louis Le Bèque Du Portail and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 1 November … (Hamilton Papers)
I have this day been favd. with yours of the 26th: ulto. informing me of your removal to Great Egg Harbour. My letter of the 18th, which had not reached you, went, as you supposed, by way of Philada., and lest any accident may have happened to it, I inclose you a duplicate. Mine of the 30th. ulto., which went thro’ Major Lee, informed you of the evacuation of Rhode Island. I have since recd. a...
26000George Washington to Brigadier General Louis Le Bèque Du Portail and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 2 November … (Hamilton Papers)
Since mine of yesterday I have received another letter from my confidential correspondent in New York dated the 29th: ulto. He informs me that the 57th: Regt: Rawdons Corps and the Artillery mentioned in his last, were to sail on that day for Hallifax, and with them all the heavy ships of War except the Europa. The Daphne Frigate, with Sir George Collier and Colo. Stewart on board, was to sail...