47491To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Corny, 4 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
The consequences of a dreadfull Cold which I caught Last june have aflicted me with a disorder in my Breast, the progress of which has determined me to request permission to return to france. I desire to recover spedily my health, that I may immediately return to be a Witness of your Excellency’s Glory, and of the services you will render your Country in bruising her chains and cimenting her...
47492To George Washington from Samuel Huntington, 4 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will receive herewith enclosed, the Copy of an Act of Congress of the 30th Ulto respecting the Department of the Commissary General. I am informed by Letter from Govr Jefferson that the Brittish have all reimbarked and left, the Chesapeake. By Dunlaps Paper enclosed you will be informed of the Success of the Corps under Genl Sumpter against Majr Wemyss. I have also to...
47493To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 4 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I Will for this time write A very short letter to You, and Cannot be More particular either on public or private Business, Untill Some few days Stay in this City have Enabl’d me to Get further informations. I have been Greatly disappointed in my not Meeting Mistress Washington—I have been Very Angry With My Bad fate which led me into an other Road at the only Moment when I Could Miss her—This...
47494To George Washington from Colonel Israel Shreve, 4 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to the orders of Major Gen. Heath, I marched with the Jersey Brigade, on the 30th Ult.; for this place. At King’s-Ferry, on my rout hither, I had the honor to receive your Excellency’s favor, dated at Morristown, 29 Novr 80: But the instructions, to which it referred, have not yet come to hand. According to your Excellency’s direction, I left Col. Weltner, with the German Battalion,...
47495To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 4 December 1780 (Madison Papers)
Tr ( LC : Force Transcripts). Since my last I am indebted for yr two favrs of the 14th & 21st past. Every thing wears the Appearance of confirming the Intention of the Enemy to make a Winter campaign to the Southward; The Fleet who lately left us it is said divided off the Capes part steering Eastward the Others to the South. if those & the late Embarkation from New York should meet at Charles...
47496To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, 4 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 4 Dec. 1780. Circular letter to the state executives enclosing copy of a resolve of Congress of 30 Nov. requesting the states to furnish Commissary General Blaine or his deputy with the names of the principal agents or commissioners appointed to supply the army in each state “and to oblige them [the agents] to give Information from Time to Time to the Commissary General, or his...
47497To Thomas Jefferson from Patrick Lockhart, 4 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellencys Instructions relative to my conducting the prisoners taken on Kings mountain to the place of destination did not come to hand until fourteen days after dated. I set out next day to execute your Excellencys Commands. Before I reached the Lead mines I had advice that the Tories were chiefly Inlisted but was not certified how the British were disposed of until I arrived at Surry...
47498From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 4 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been just honored with your favor of Yesterday expressing your Opinion that it will be for the general good to dispense with the services of the Corps under Genl. Lawson; and take the Liberty of putting under cover to you my Letter to General Lawson desiring him to give them a discharge. The Diversion of their Services to an object different from that to which they had attached their...
47499From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 5 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress We have inquired at the Bureau des Diligences de Flandres, and can learn nothing yet of the Picture which chagrines me greatly, A Portrait in of G.W. came to Hand, I now not from whom, executed with admirable art. I shall transmit it by the first good Opportunity, after I receive orders so to do. The Bill you drew on me for Expences on the Prisoners is accepted....
47500To Benjamin Franklin from Ferdinand Grand, [5 December 1780] (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society M. Grand a l’honneur de présenter son Respect à Monsieur franklin & de lui demander S’il a quelque objection a faire Sur cette Lettre afin qu’il les communique à M. le Directeur General en lui remettant les duplicats qu’il demande & que Monsieur franklin voudra bien envoyer à Monsr. Grand le plutot possible il n’y auroit point d’inconvenient d’en donner deux...
47501From Benjamin Franklin to Ferdinand Grand, 5 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Mr. Franklin presents his Compliments to M. Grand & will send the two Copies required tomorrow Morning. He understands well that he is to receive nothing till the Advances there are Ascertained: And it is for that Reason, that he has required the Receipts to be sent him. But as the Bills expected are mostly of three Usances, will be drawn gradually, and will...
47502To Benjamin Franklin from Jan Ingenhousz, 5 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the satisfaction of being informed by a lettre of monsieur le Begue de Presle, that you continued to enjoye a good health: but as it is allways a much greater satisfaction for me to be informed of your happiness by your self, I will endeavour to procure me this pleasure the sooner by giving you some information of my self. I continue to enjoye a...
47503General Orders, 5 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
47504To George Washington from Henry Babcock, 5 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Tho early in Life I had the Honor of receiving Answers to my Letters from Sir Wm Johnson, Lord Loudon; Governors Hopkins, Pitkin, & Franklin; Genls Abercrombie, Lord Howe, & Lord Amherst (the present Commander in Chief of the Troops of G. Britain)—The great Dr Franklin, who (I ever tho’t) took Rank of the whole of the above Gentlemen, (tho some of them)—and indeed all of them respectable...
47505To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 5 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your Excellency’s favour of the 29th ulto and by a line from Gen. Heath of the 2th Inst. I understand the Troops are on their way for this place agreeable to your Excellency’s order —It is with particular pain I must inform your Excellency that the state of our provision and precarious expectation of future supplies afford the most gloomy prospects, I have mentioned in my...
47506To George Washington from Colonel Charles Harrison, 5 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to acknowledge the rect of your Excellency’s polite & friendly favor by Major Genl Greene, under whose comd promise myself no small share of happiness, and through his aid to be enabled, to arrange matters within my department, no little deranged by the late unfortunate defeat. It adds no little to my happiness that I merrit a share of your confidence, which shall endeavour...
47507To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 5 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
By My letter of Yesterday I have Mentionn’d to You that A spanish Expedition Was intended Against st Augustine—They Mean to Set out at the End of december which will Certainly delay them till the Middle of january—it Consists of twelve ships of the Line, Some frigats, Bomb Ketches, and a Large Number of troops —I have Advis’d the Minister to Communicate officialy to You this intelligence, and...
47508To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 5 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
however Acquainted I May be with your intentions, I thought upon the whole that I Should Better wait for your approbation Before I present any opinion of yours to the spanish or french Generals in the west indias —I will, I Know, Loose the opportunity of The Confederacy, But Many vessels are Going that Way and if My letters Meet with Your Approbation I Shall Send them By Triplicatas —I...
47509To George Washington from La Luzerne, 5 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I flattered myself that the Cloathing destined for the Army under the command of your Excellency had at length arrived in the River, in the Vessel of Paul Jones or in one of those coming under his Convoy, but I regret infinitely that You have not yet that satisfaction. A passenger arrived in one of this Convoy told me that when this same little squadron, which left France the 8th October,...
47510From James Madison to Joseph Jones, 5 December 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I had yours of the 25th. Ulto. by yesterdays post. I congratulate you, on the deliverance of our Country from the distresses of actual invasion. If any unusual forbearance has been shewn by the British Commanders, it has proceeded rather I presume from a possibility that they may some time or other in the course of the war repossess what they have now abandoned than...
47511From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 5 December 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I have your favor of the 27th. ulto. and congratulate you on the deliverance of our Country from the distresses of actual invasion. The spirit it has shewn on this occasion will I hope in some degree protect it from a second visit. Congress yesterday received letters from Mr. Jay & Mr. Carmichael as late as the 4 & 9th of Sepr. The general tenor of them is that we...
47512[To Thomas Jefferson from John Gregory, before 5 December 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Place unknown, before 5 Dec. 1780. A minute in the Journal of the Commissioner of the Navy (Vi), under this date reads: “Letter from Capt. Jno. Gregory, referred from his Excellency the Governor, read and filed.” Neither Gregory’s letter nor TJ’s covering letter has been located.]
47513[To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, before 5 December 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, before 5 Dec. 1780. Extract of a letter from George Muter to [Arthur?] Campbell, 5 Dec. 1781, in War Office Letter Book (Vi): “I was favoured with yours of the 2d. of November [and] that I might be fully enabled to answer it, I laid it before [the] Governor. In Mr. Smith’s affair the Governor says The Board [can]not consent to advance Ensign Smith to a Captaincy on the...
47514From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 5 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to lay before the General Assembly the inclosed Letter from the honourable Theoderick Bland, one of our Delegates in Congress, the subjects of which may be proper for the consideration of the Legislative Body and have the honor to be with great respect sir, Your most obedient & most humble servant, RC ( Vi ); in a clerk’s hand, signed and addressed by TJ to Harrison as Speaker....
47515To Thomas Jefferson from Linctot, 5 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai eu l’honneur d’ecrire a votre excelence depuis mon départ de Wiliamsburg pour L’informer quelles on été mes démarche a mon arivé au fort pitt, jeusse été bien flatté que son excelence eu voulu m’honnorer de quelque reponse, jeusse parla pu sçavoir si mes démarches lui étoit agréable. A mon arivé Monsieur le commandant de cette place m’a engagé a aller chez les loups pour sassurer deux. Je...
47516To Thomas Jefferson from John Taylor, 5 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
It gives me great uneasyness that the Militia of this County By their riotous behavour have prevented my making a proper return to you. On the day appointed for the Draft they assembled in a Mob, and disarm’d the Officers as they came to the field, and took from me the papers relative to the draft which prevented my carrying it on. I had a Court Martial held according to Law, and many were...
47517To Thomas Jefferson from Arthur Campbell, 5 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
By recent intelligence from the Cherokee country, it appears that the whole of the towns had agreed in a late treaty with our enemies to the southward, to take up the hatchet, and attack the inhabitants of Virginia and Carolina, settled on the back of the mountains, immediately; which country was to be given them by the King over the great water, besides a stipulated quantity of goods for...
47518From Benjamin Franklin to [the Comtesse de Golowkin], [before 1 February 1781?] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Mr. F. prie sa fidelle Interpréte de jetter ses beaux yeux sur ces ecrits allemandes, & de lui dire à la premiere rencontre, leur contenu en peu de mots. We assign this date on the basis of BF ’s Feb. 1 request, below, to return “the German Papers.” He first wrote “afin de lui dire à leur premiere rencontre le pourport” and then interlined his...
47519John Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 6 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your Favours of August 21. and Sept. 9. I have received and am much obliged to you for them. I hope you will be so good as to write me, by every Vessell. From the great Number of American Vessells which have arrived, in Europe in the Course of the past summer, I think our Commerce as well as Privateering is on the rising hand, and I hope that next year, it will increase considerably, and that...
47520From John Adams to John Bondfield, 6 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Favour of 28 of Octr. and am very glad to hear of your Recovery from Sickness. The Non Arrival of the Cloathing, is a great Disappointment and Misfortune in America. The British Ministry are never at a Loss. You see they were very ready to discover how Mr. Laurens was to be treated. They will easily know how to treat Mr. Trumbull and Mr. Tyler. If Americans had understood...
47521From John Adams to Samuel Cooper, 6 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received your very agreable Letter of the 8th of September. Nothing could give me more Satisfaction than to learn the peaceable Establishment of the New Constitution. I Sincerely wish Mr. Hancock happy in his important office. Much will depend upon the Wisdom and Firmness of the first Governor, and much upon the Impartiality, and Liberality with which he hearkens to the Advice of Such,...
47522From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 6 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I congratulate you, on the Return of your Health and thank you for the Extract from Dr. Styles, which I have communicated to Mr. Searle and Mr. Dumas as you desired. Shall be happy to See, the detail of Arnolds Conduct. As long, as Congress and Courts Martial inflict So gentle Punishments upon flagrant Criminals, and then entrust them with Commands and Employments as if nothing had happened,...
47523From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 6 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I thank you, for yours of 30 Nov. I return the two Letters from Mr. L. I had the Honour of one, from him, by each of those opportunities, nearly to the Same Purpose. Your kind concern for our Health is very obliging. I shall cover me with Flannels and Furs, like a Dutchman. A Mans Feelings, Soon remove all the Ridicule of it. The “Pensees” will Serve to excite a Curiosity after the Memorial....
47524From John Adams to Arthur Lee, 6 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Favour of September 10th and am very glad to hear of your Visit to Braintree and Plymouth. I have traced your Path as far as Governor Trumbulls at Lebanon. I hope you found, Things in the Eastern States, as well as all others agreable. Govr. Trumbulls son and Mr. Tyler, are taken up in England and committed for high Treason. This will cure the Silly Itch of running over to...
47525From John Adams to Arthur Lee, 6 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yours from Lebanon 28 Sept. is just come to hand. I wish the Mass. happy in their Governor. It would not have been otherwise, as you Suggest, had an Absent Citizen been at home. Popularity is a Witch. The Gentleman chosen has long been So, to a great degree. The Absent one could Scarcely ever be Said to be so. So it has ever been. Objects must be set up for popular Admiration, Confidence, and...
47526From John Adams to William Lee, 6 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 29th. Ultimo is before me. Arnold’s Apostacy shews the Necessity of nipping Dishonesty in the Bud. Congress must assume a more decided Authority, and must punish Crimes, and in other Ways do Justice to the Public. If Arnold had been sued at Common Law for the Money or Goods of the Public that he had defrauded the Public of, he would never have had another Command. Juries are the...
47527From John Adams to Stephen Sayre, 6 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I received the Letter, which you did me the Honour to write me on the 21 of October, but a few days ago. I am much obliged to you, for the Information it contains; altho I have neither Instructions, nor Powers by which I can improve it, in any other Way than in Speculation. I am, however, extreamly pleased with the Idea of opening a Trade between Russia and North America. It may be done,...
47528To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 6 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I congratulate you, on the Return of your Health and thank you for the Extract from Dr Styles, which I have communicated to Mr Searle and Mr Dumas as you desired.— Shall be happy to See, the detail of Arnolds Conduct. As long, as Congress and Courts Martial, inflict So gentle Punishments upon flagrant Criminals, and...
47529To Benjamin Franklin from J. M. Couder and Other Offerers of Goods and Schemes, 6 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society During the period of this volume merchants and manufacturers continued to offer their goods for the war in America, while other correspondents proposed a variety of schemes to benefit the cause and the country. On December 6 master tapissier J.M. Couder of Nancy offers a full range of military camp equipment, from tents to folding stools and gun covers, all...
47530To Benjamin Franklin from Fleury & Demadières, 6 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Nous avons bien recu celle que vous nous avez fait l’honneur de nous ecrire le 14e. 9bre expiré. Nous avons fait retablir vos 6 Caisses vin de madere et nous vous les avons Chargées le 3e. Courant par la voiture de mouseau d’orleans au prix de 52 s du (?) En droiture a passy cy joint vous en avez la notte de nos frais a £ 6 l.t. 5 s. dont il vous plaîra...
47531General Orders, 6 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
47532To George Washington from Samuel Huntington, 6 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will receive enclosed, Copy of several resolves of Congress of the 4th Instant, in which you will observe, the Officers are prohibited from making any Contract or Bargain, or giving Orders for the Purchase of Articles for the Use of the Troops; in the Department of Cloathier General, Quarter Master General, or Commissary General of Purchases, except in Cases of Necessity, as...
47533Samuel Nightingale, Jr., to Virginia Delegates in Congress, 6 December 1780 (Madison Papers)
Printed text (Charles Campbell, ed., Bland Papers , II, 39). From the salutation, Nightingale addressed his letter to Bland and JM, the only delegates from Virginia then in Congress, rather than to Bland alone. The editor of the Bland Papers either decided to print only an extract of the letter or could print no more because the rest of it was missing or illegible. I this day received your...
47534Samuel Nightingale Jr. to Virginia Delegates, 6 December 1780 (Madison Papers)
I this Day Recd your Favour Dated the 14th Octr, Inclosing a Letter from his Excelency Govr. Jefferson, dated the 28 of the same Month, also a letter to the Honobe. John Foster, which I have deld Him—am sorry to here your State is Invaded by a powerfull Enemy, but hope you will be soon able to dislodge them. Observe you Designe the Goods belonging to the State of Virginia, which came in...
47535To Thomas Jefferson from the Continental Board of War, 6 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The Board have recieved a Letter from Col. Rawlins Commissary of Prisoners at Fort Frederick in Maryland informing of the Approach of the first Division of the Convention Troops towards that Post. We have given Directions to Major Foresythe to superintend the Supplies of all these Troops as well those at their former Station as those at Fort Frederic. We propose that one half of the Supplies...
47536Robert Forsyth to the Agent Superintending the State Supplies, 6 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 6 Dec. 1780. Announces that, by the new arrangement of the purchasing department, “there is only a Commissary General and one Deputy Commissary General continued in the service of the United States; the former for the Northern and the latter for the Sothern Army.” The duties hitherto performed by the purchasing commissaries employed by Forsyth in Virginia “are in future to be...
47537To Thomas Jefferson from Nathanael Greene, 6 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived at this place on the 2d instant, to which place General Gates had advanced with the army some days before I overtook him. I find the troops under his command in a wretched condition, destitute of anything necessary either to the comfort or convenience of soldiers. It is impossible that men can render any service, if they are ever so well disposed, whilst they are starving with cold...
47538From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 6 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure of inclosing to you an order for the Shoes, Shirts and Cloth you desired. Mr. Armistead the Commissary of Stores to whom it is directed and who now waits on you, sais he has not that number of Shoes, but will call on the Continental Q.M. in hopes he may have some which are of course subject to your order. He has no white cloth but will if it be possible in our circumstances...
47539To Thomas Jefferson from Meshech Weare, 6 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Hampton Falls [ N.H. ], 6 Dec. 1780 . Acknowledges TJ’s letter of 27 Sep. accompanying “Copies of the Acts of the Virginia Assembly from the beginning of the year 1779‥‥ I have now the Pleasure of transmitting to your Excellency Copies of the Acts passed in New Hampshire Since our first taking up of Government In the year 1776.” Wishes these exchanges to be continued. Dft ( MHi : Misc.); 1 p.;...
47540From John Adams to William Temple Franklin, 7 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I duly recieved your favour of the 6th of November, and ought to have acknowledged it before. I am glad to find by his Excellency’s late Letter, that his Health has returned. The Gout I fancy has done the Business of a Physician, and laid the foundation for fine Health and Spirits, for the ensuing dull Winter. I could wish for the Gout too, or any thing else, to make the Scene agreable to me,...