26341George Washington to Comte de Rochambeau, 13 September 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
New Bridge [ New Jersey, ] September 13, 1780 . Asserts that British expedition “seems to be on the point of taking place.” States that under these circumstances “we should be with our respective armies.” Asks to defer the proposed meeting to September 20. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
26342George Washington to Comte de Rochambeau, 13 September 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
New Bridge [ New Jersey ] September 13, 1780 . Renews proposal for meeting Rochambeau on September 20. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
26343George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 September 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
New Bridge [ New Jersey ] September 15, 1780 . Asserts that the fall of Camden “adds itself to many others to exemplify the necessity of an army, the fatal consequences of depending on Militia.” Regrets that South still relies on militia. Is to meet the French commanders on September 20. Explains measures taken concerning certificates. Does not think it expedient to send a detachment to South...
26344From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Clement Biddle, [16 September 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
There is to be an interview at Elizabeth Town the 19th. between General Lincoln General Philips, The British & American Commissaries of Prisoners. You will endeavour to provide them, with forage, and for this purpose if you please, take the directions of General Lincoln. Yr Obed serv. ALS , Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Major General Benjamin Lincoln had been taken prisoner...
26345From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, [16 September 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote you fully by the post and have just time to tell you that I have received your letter of the 8th. & that tomorrow morning I set out with the General for Hartford to an interview with the French General and Admiral. My hopes increase, that Guichen is coming to enable us to act. For your own sake, for my sake, for the public sake, I shall pray for the success of the attempt you mention;...
26346To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Schuyler, 16 September 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
The great Scarcity of wheat before harvest and the drought Since has prevented the agent appointed to Collect the Supplys required from this State to deliver It to the Issuing Commissary and we are at least ten thousand barrels in rear. The wheat for all which is already assesed, a considerable quantity of it brought to the mills to be manufactured, and the remainder daily collecting, hence...
26347George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 16 September 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
New Bridge [ New Jersey ] September 16, 1780 . Is setting out for Hartford. States that Greene is to be in command of the Army. Sends instructions concerning post at Dobbs Ferry. Reports that Admiral Rodney is “at the Hook and that the Enemy are making an embarkation for Rhode Island.” States that if this information is true, Greene is to make preparations for attacking New York. Df , in...
26348From Alexander Hamilton to Philip Schuyler, 17 September 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ September 17, 1780. In September, 1780, Schuyler wrote to Hamilton : “Your favor of the 17th I received on that day.” Letter not found. ]
26349George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 18 September 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Peekskill [ New York ] September 18, 1780 . Reports arrival of Admiral Rodney. Directs Greene to move the Army to vicinity of Tappan and to send a Continental regiment to West Point. Df , in writing of H, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
26350Conference at Hartford: George Washington’s Answers to Queries by the Comte de Rochambeau and the Chevalier de Ternay … (Hamilton Papers)
1st. That there can be no decisive enterprise against the maritime establishments of the English in this country, without a constant naval superiority. 2d. That of all the enterprises which may be undertaken, the most important and decisive is the reduction of New York, which is the center and focus of all the British forces. 3. That under whatever point of view we consider the establishment,...
26351Conference at Hartford, [22 September 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
Summary of a Conversation between His Excellency General Washington, The Count De Rochambeau & The Chevalier De Ternay—exclusive of the contents of the paper dated at Hartford the 22nd Sept. 1780. signed by the parties. It was agreed that if the Count De Guichen should arrive by the beginning of October and an naval engagement should immediately take place, in which by a fortunate office, The...
26352From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [25 September 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
You will see by the inclosed we are too late. Arnold went by water to the Vulture. I shall write to General Greene advising him without making a bustle to be in readiness to march and even to detach a Brigade this way, for though I do not believe the project will go on, it is possible Arnold has made such dispositions with the Garrison as may tempt the enemy in its present weakness to make the...
26353Enclosure: Benedict Arnold to George Washington, 25 September 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
The Heart which is Concious of its Own rectitude, Cannot attempt to paliate a Step, which the World may Censure as wrong; I have ever acted from a Principle of Love to my Country, since the Commencement of the present unhappy Contest between Great Britain and the Colonies, the same principle of Love to my Country Actuates my present Conduct, however it may appear Inconsistent to the World: who...
26354From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, 25 September 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
There has just been unfolded at this place a scene of the blackest treason, Arnold has fled to the Enemy. André the British Adjt Genl is in our possession as a Spy. This capture unravelled the mystery. West Point was to have been the Sacrifice, all the dispositions have been made for the purpose and ’tis possible, tho’ not probable to night may still see the execution. The wind is fair, I came...
26355From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Schuyler, 25 September [1780] (Hamilton Papers)
In the midst of my letter, I was interrupted by a scene that shocked me more than any thing I have met with—the discovery of a treason of the deepest dye. The object was to sacrifice West Point. General Arnold had sold himself to André for this purpose. The latter came but in disguise and in returning to New York was detected. Arnold hearing of it immediately fled to the enemy. I went in...
26356George Washington to George Clinton, 26 September 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Robinsons [ New York ] September 26, 1780 . Sends details of the Arnold-André plot. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
26357George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 26 September 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Robinsons [ New York ] September 26, 1780 . Instructs Wayne to march his brigade to West Point. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress; LS (photostat), in the handwriting of H, George Washington Collection, "Facsimiles and Transcripts," MS Division, New York Public Library.
26358[From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens], [27 September 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
Sparks Transcripts, Harvard College Library. Although this letter is attributed to H in the Sparks Transcripts, in reality it was written by Lieutenant Colonel Tench Tilghman, H’s fellow aide. The original of the letter is in the South Carolina Historical Society. There are textual differences in the Sparks and the original, but the contents of both letters are the same. The copy in the Sparks...
26359To Alexander Hamilton from Isaac Ledyard, [27 September 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
Since writing two Letters to his Excely. concrning Mr. Wm. Smyth. I have learned for a certainty that he was laying a plan for rescuing Joshua Smyth which was frustrated by Col. H. Hay his Uncle in Law. I would wish to give you all ye. information I can in this young Mans Case that you may be ye. better able to determine concerning him, which causes you this trouble. I am my dear Col. Your...
26360George Washington to Comte de Rochambeau, 27 September 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Near West Point, September 27 , 1780 . Sends news of Major General Benedict Arnold’s treason. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. The letter was first dated September 26 and then changed to 27.
26361George Washington to the Officer Commanding at West Point and Its Dependencies, 27 September 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Robinsons [ New York ] September 27, 1780 . Sends instructions for placing the “several posts … in a state of defence at the shortest notice.” Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
26362From Alexander Hamilton to Ebenezer Foot, 28 September 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter to the General was delivered to me on the road. You will on receipt of this permit the officer with the flag to return delivering him the enclosed letter. This I know to be His Excellency’s intention, and he yesterday gave orders for the purpose which seem not to have reached you. I am Sir Your Most Obed’t ALS , Mr. C. P. Greenough Fuller, New York City. Foot was the receiver of...
26363From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 28 September 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
The General desires you on receipt of this to send a party of fifty men to proceed ten miles down the River road beyond the ferry to give security to the guards who are conducting the prisoners to Head Quarters on an upper route. ALS , sold at Parke-Bernet Galleries, November 16–17, 1938, Lot 94; ALS (photostat), in the handwriting of H, George Washington Collection, "Facsimiles and...
26364George Washington to the Board of General Officers, 29 September 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Tappan [ New York ] September 29, 1780 . Informs board that it is to consider Major John André’s case and to decide his punishment. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
26365From Alexander Hamilton to Sir Henry Clinton, [30 September 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
It has so happened in the course of events, that Major André Adjutant General of your army has fallen into our hands. He was captured in such a way as will according to the laws of war justly affect his life. Though an enemy his virtues and his accomplishments are admired. Perhaps he might be released for General Arnold, delivered up without restriction or condition, which is the prevailing...
26366George Washington to Lieutenant General James Robertson, 30 September 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Tappan [ New York ] September 30, 1780 . Explains cause for delay in receiving and sending letters. Informs Robertson that Major John André’s “necessaries” will be delivered to André as requested. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
26367To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Schuyler, [September 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
Your favor of the 17th I received on that day. That of the 13th has taken a tour to Albany and was delivered me this moment, with one Inclosed for Betsy. Commissioners will be appointed to meet the Eastern Convention. I believe Judge Hubbard, Mr Benson the Attorney General and myself will go, the two Gentlemen I have mentioned are as deeply Impressed as men can be with the necessity of more...
26368George Washington to George Clinton, 1 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Orangetown [ New York ] October 1, 1780 . Reiterates Army’s urgent need for flour. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
26369George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, [1 October 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Tappan, New York, October 1, 1780. ] Directs St. Clair to take command of West Point. Sends instructions for this command and reviews the orders that have been given for that and nearby posts. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
26370From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Schuyler, [2 October 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
Since my last to you, I have received your letters No. 3 & 4; the others are yet on the way. Though it is too late to have the advantage of novelty, to comply with my promise, I send you my account of Arnold’s affair; and to justify myself to your sentiments, I must inform you that I urged a compliance with Andre’s request to be shot and I do not think it would have had an ill effect; but some...