48351To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 14 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
This moment has been handed to me the inclosed copy of General Heath’s “Garrison orders” issued at West Point, apparently with a design to regulate the public issues at Fishkill; but which, if carried into execution, will unhinge all public business there, & go near to dissolve my department in the state. They were issued, I am warranted to say, at the instigation of Colo. Hazen, whose...
48352To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 14 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
In a memorandum of your Excellency’s which I recd at Totowa is the following—“Ox teams to be provided & used the next campaign.” In a resolution of Congress of the 10th of November is the following paragraph. “That if it be deemed preferable by the commander in chief that a proportion of the public horses should be disposed of for draught oxen, to be provided for the ensuing campaign, he be...
48353To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, 14 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your Excellency’s letter and note . What is required in the letter, shall be instantly (as far as possible) sett about. “Twill be very proper to engage some barr iron of Mr. Ross; tho’ I don’t think it will be necessary to have any brought down immedeatly. There is a sufficient quantity of his pig iron to work up into cannon now at and near the foundery; but it is impossible...
48354To Thomas Jefferson from David Ross, [14? January 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
Since I had the pleasure of seeing you have mentioned to several of my acquaintances the necessity of rebuilding the publick Work houses &c. They mention some excellent workmen at present in the Militia that would gladly engage and carry with them many workmen black and white. I recommend your Excellency to Mr. Thos. Pleasants and Capt. John Pleasants who can inform you of a considerable...
48355To Thomas Jefferson from George Slaughter, 14 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the Honour to inclose to your Excellency letters from two Gentlemen at Auposte and copys of several others from Kaskaskias directed to Colo. Clark and Colo. Todd. I have taken the Depositions of three persons which coroborates with the contents of these letters and have enclosed them also, for the consideration of your Board. The Contents of the letters from the two French Gentlemen...
48356From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 14 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters of the 12th. and 13th. are now before me. They are in some measure answered by some marginal notes on the several articles in a paper delivered me by Majr. Walker . If there be any state arms, fit for use, and still undelivered they are so few, that we may consider them as nothing. I should therefore think it proper to discharge so many militia as cannot be furnished with arms. My...
48357Steuben’s Queries concerning Military Supplies, with Jefferson’s Answers, [before 14 January 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
All are delivered 1 To know if all the State Arms are already distributed. If not where are the remainder? Richmond and Westham. They shall be delivered to Capt. Pryor. 2 To fix on a place where all the Arms Ammunition and Camp Equipage may be collected and appoint some Officer to collect and distribute them. If the Governor thinks proper, Capt. Prior may be appointed to distribute them after...
48358To Thomas Jefferson from Edward Stevens, 14 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you the 8th Inst. from this place by Lieut. Fraser of the Militia. This Covers a monthly Return of the Militia through the course of Yestreday. Genl. Green received several dispatches from Virginia and the Northward. These with the reports we have hear with respect to the Enemy in your Quarter, at first is rather alarming to young Soldiers, But I hope my Countrymen will not get into...
483591781. Monday. Jan. 15. (Adams Papers)
Visited old Mr. Crommelin and Mr. De Neufville. There is a wonderful Consternation among the Merchants. Many Houses have great difficulty to support their Credit.
48360Abigail Adams to John Adams, 15 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Capt. Caznew is now just about to sail. I wrote large packets to go by him a month ago, but hearing Capt. Trash was going from Newbury to Bilboa I sent them by him. It was thought that Caznew would not sail till Febry. But all of a suden I am calld upon unprepaird having but an hours warning—he shall not however go without a line or two. Your last which I have received was by way of...
48361From John Adams to the President of Congress, 15 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 15 January 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , Misc. Papers, Reel No. 1, f. 225–227. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:233. In this letter, read in Congress on 19 Nov., John Adams provided a much condensed translation, probably from a French text such...
48362From John Adams to the President of Congress, 15 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 15 January 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 29–32. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:234. Read in Congress on 19 Nov., this letter consisted of a translation, probably from a French text such as that in the Gazette de Leyde of 9...
48363From John Adams to the President of Congress, 15 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Zealand is still endeavouring to divert the Republick from its Interest and its Duty, to embarrass its Operations and involve it in disgrace and ruin. The Directors of the Company of Commerce, and that of Insurance, and a great Number of Merchants, established at Middlebourg in Zealand, have presented a Petition to the States General, to supplicate their high Mightinesses to try again the Way...
48364From John Adams to the President of Congress, 15 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Congress will not expect me to write upon the Subject of Peace at this time, when the Flames of War are spreading far and wide, with more rapidity than ever: and I have no comfortable Tidings on the Subject of Money. In the first place, I believe there is not so much Money here as the World imagines: in the next place, those who have what there is, have no Confidence in any Nation or...
48365To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 15 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
I cannot find a french form to adress you at the head of my Letters which pleases so much to my heart as this English. Give me leave therefore to make use of it even when I write to you in French, which, you know, is more easy to me. Le Comte de Welderen, et son Epouse, sont de retour ici. Ce qui, comme vous voyez, dément l’opinion, où étoient certaines gens, qu’il Se tiendroit à portée de S....
48366C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 15 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
I cannot find a french form to address you at the head of my Letters which pleases so much to my heart as this English. Give me leave therefore to make use of it even when I write to you in French, which, you know, is more easy to me. Count Welderen and his wife have returned here. This, as you can see, contradicts the opinion of certain people that he is under the influence of Sir Joseph...
48367George Washington to Benjamin Franklin, 15 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] January 15, 1781 . Introduces and commends Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens. Explains reasons for sending Laurens to France. Df , in the writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
48368George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, [15 January 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New Windsor, New York, January 15, 1781. ] Summarizes conference between Laurens and Washington on state of American affairs. Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
48369From Benjamin Franklin to John Bondfield, 15 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress In Case Mr. John Vaughan should present himself before you to take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America; this is to request and authorise you, to administer the same to him. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servant John Vaughan ( XXVI , 53, 56, 512–13), unable to find sufficient work at Bordeaux and desiring to improve...
48370From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 15 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Reproduced in Joseph M. Maddalena, Profiles in History Auction Catalogue no. 15 (Beverly Hills, California, Winter, 1991), p. 3. I am much in your Debt on Account of Letters. I have had a long Fit of the Gout, and am but just getting abroad again after near 10 Weeks Confinement. I have accepted your Bill. I shall write fully to you & Mr Carmichael very soon. This accompanies a Number of...
48371From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 15 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress You gave me a great Pleasure in informing me of the safe Delivery of your good Wife. I congratulate you both most cordially.— As you make no Objection to M. de Segray’s Account, I suppose it right, & return it with my Approbation as you desire.— It is a vexatious thing to have Business to do which one does not understand. I...
48372To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Durand neveu, 15 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Dans une lettre de messieurs Les freres reycend Libraires a turin, jay recu Le petit Billet cy inclus, que je joins a la presente. Les mauvais temp, et mes incommodites mont empeche Daller moy meme faire cette commission. Comme je prevois ecire Lundy a turin, je vous prie de me faire savoir au dos de ce Billet, La reponse que je dois faire. Jay Lhonheur...
48373To Benjamin Franklin from John Fletcher, 15 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Not having the Honr. of being personaly Known to you I beg leave to aquaint you, that I am the person who Commanded the Carteel Brigt. Temple which Arivd. at Bristol from Boston in August Last since which time my Name has been handed to you through mr Henery Broomfield who was with you about 10 weeks since, on some busness in which I was princapally...
48374To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-Jean Grosley, 15 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Grosley qui n’a point perdu le souvenir du plaisir qu’il a eû de voir à Londres Monsieur francklin chez Le Dr. Pringle á ses conversations de Pall-mall, desireroit trés fort de se renouveller dans le plaisir. Il auroit à l’entretenir du sujet d’un Mém. dont il a les materiaux prets pour La soc. Royle. de Londres; et il saisiroit avec le plus vif...
48375To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Lafargue: Bill and Memoir, [15 January 1781] (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) D : American Philosophical Society La Delafargue a servi Monsieur DIne [Deane] place Louis Quinze, en qualité de Cuisiniere pendant treise mois Et quatre Jours a compter du 5 May 1777 quelle Est Entrée a son service ainsi qu’a Celuy de Monsieur franclin ou Elle a pris la place de la Pilé Cuisiniere aux mêmes gages quelle avoit, et ou il y avoit beaucoup de travail, ayant été...
48376To Benjamin Franklin from George Washington, 15 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; draft: Library of Congress; copy: American Philosophical Society I have the honor of addressing this letter to you by Colonel Laurens, one of my Aid De Camps, whom Congress has been pleased to Commission for particular purposes to the Court of Versailles.— Justice to the character of this Gentleman conspiring with motives of friendship will...
48377General Orders, 15 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . On this date, GW’s aide-de-camp David Humphreys wrote Q.M. Gen. Timothy Pickering from New Windsor: “His Excellency has received such intelligence as induces him to direct the preparations, which were making for Marching the Detachment to be discontinued: you will be pleased therefore, to Order the Horses (should any have been brought in), to be returned, & that no...
48378From George Washington to Sarah Franklin Bache, 15 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I should have done myself the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the letter you did me the favor to write on the 26th of December, at the moment it came to hand, had not some affairs of a very unusual Nature (which are too recent and notorious to require explanation) engaged my whole attention —I pray you now to be perswaded, that a sense of the patriotic exertions of yourself, and the Ladies...
48379To George Washington from Thomas Chittenden, 15 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am exceeding unhappy when I view the critical Situation of the Interest of the United States, and the great Evils which attend the people in this Quarter, by the unhappy internal Broils and Contentions caused by the Disputes between them and the several adjacent States, which prevents that Line of Correspondence with Your Excellency, necessary to make the Common Inter[e]st become mutual, And...
48380To George Washington from George Clinton, 15 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am unhappy to learn by your Excellency’s Letter of the 13th (which was delivered me late yesterday Evening) that the Accounts from the Pensylvania Troops are not so favorable as they were last represented —I have not for some considerable Time had occassion to call upon the Militia most contiguous to the Posts in the Highlands & I may therefore be deceived with respect to their present...
48381To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 15 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honor’d with your Excellency’s two favours of the 19th & 26th Ultimo. I wish it were in my power to inform your Excellency that our supplies in this Quarter were either more regular, or our prospects more flattering than they are. But a general deficiency of every article necessary for the Troops is the melancholy Fact—I have repeatedly and in the most pressing terms applied to the...
48382To George Washington from the Continental Congress Committee on the Pennsylvania Line, 15 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
We have hitherto given Your Excellency Intelligence from time to time of the State of things respecting the Pennsylvania line, and have now the Pleasure to Inform you, that the terms agreed on by the Committe from the Executive Council of Pennsylvania with them are now carrying into Execution, in as peaceable and Quiet a manner as could possibly be expected—two Regts have been already settled...
48383To George Washington from Captain Destouches, 15 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Jay L’honneur de presenter a Votre Exellence, Mr Le Cher de Granchain Major, Et Chargé du detail General de L’Escadre du roy, Ses Talents et Ses Connoissances, Lui avoient Aquis Toute La Confiance de feu Mr Le Cher de Ternay. Il Est J’ose Le dire digne de Celle de Votre Exellence, Et Elle peut S’ouvrir avec Lui, Sur Ce qui Est Relatif a Notre position, Et aux Operations prochaines de La...
48384From George Washington to Benjamin Franklin, 15 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of addressing this letter to you by Colonel Laurens, one of my Aid De Camps, whom Congress has been pleased to Commission for particular purposes to the Court of Versailles. Justice to the character of this Gentleman conspiring with motives of friendship will not permit me to let him depart without testifying to you the high opinion I have of his worth as a Citizen & as a...
48385To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 15 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
The 2d of last month General Greene presented me your Excellency’s Letter of the 22d of October —and upon the 10th following, Capt. Hughes of the First Regt of Dragoons, delivered me that of the 8th of October from Pasaick falls—he said it was given him by one of the staff Department, who had pick’d it up upon the road—it had evident marks of having been opened by the way. By General Green’s...
48386To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 15 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Detachment ordered to be made & held in readiness to march, have been compleatly ready for this day or two, & from the general representation of the Officers a very good temper is every where predominant among the men—there is but little said by them, but the Officers are of opinion, that they will chearfully obey any orders that are given. I mentioned in mine of the 13th that six...
48387To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 15 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have Just received a Letter from Lt Colonel Hull, dated at Crompond yesterday, with a Postscript of this Day one oClock P.M. in which he expresses himself as follows, “I have this moment received Intelligence from below, that Sir Henry Clinton has crossed to New Jersey with a Body of Troops.” how far this intelligence is to be depended on I cannot Say, I have written Colo. Hull if possible...
48388From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 15 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your favor of this day, and am pleased with the good disposition of the Troops, which indeed is no more than I expected. By intelligence this Moment received from Genl Wayne, it is not probable the Detachment will March, tho I would still have it held in readiness. The Pennsylvanians, have arrived at Trenton, and Delivered up the Spies, who were to be executed on the 11th...
48389From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
The unhappy Mutiny of the Non-Comd & Privates of the Pensylvania line—the perplexed state of affairs in this quarter—the distressed condition of the Troops at West Point and in the vicinity of it, on acct of Provision & some essential articles of Cloathing—combined with other embarrassments of less importance, have engrossed my whole time and attention; and must be offered as an apology for...
48390From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 15 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
In compliance with your request I shall commit to writing the result of our conferences on the present state of American affairs; in which I have given you my ideas, with that freedom and explicitness, which the objects of your commission—my intire confidence in you—and the exigency demand. To me it appears evident: 1st—That, considering the diffused population of these states—the consequent...
48391From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 15 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 11th together with one from the Committee of Congress of the 9th Inst. as I had just dispatched an Express to you, with my Letter of the 12th—I have detained your Messenger untill this time, in expectation that something so decisive would have turned up, as might have fixed the line of conduct which we ought to pursue. But nothing new having come to my...
48392Thomas Jefferson to Virginia Delegates in Congress, 15 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). I called on Mr. Anderson the Writer of the letter to Capt Trot which you were pleased to inclose to me and desired he would explain the foundation on which he had written that letter. His explanation I now inclose you, from which you will be able to collect only thus much that his application on behalf of Mr. Trot was utterly rejected and nothing said which could...
48393To Thomas Jefferson from Arthur Campbell, 15 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Militia of this, and the two Western No. Carolina Counties, have been fortunate enough to frustrate the designs of the Cherokees. On my reaching the frontier, I found the Indians meant to annoy us by small parties and carry off Horses. To resist them effectually, the apparently best measure was to transfer the War without delay to their own border. To raise a force sufficient and provide...
48394To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 15 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As considerable numbers of militia are daily arriving at this place, very many of whom are not armed, and as I know of no public stores from whence they can be supplied, I beg to know your Excellency’s sentiments with respect to the propriety of discharging such as cannot be equipped, or whether it would be your wish that they should be detained here, till a sufficient number of arms can be...
48395From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Dick, 15 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am exceedingly pleased at the spirited exertions of your town and its Neighbourhood, which with the aid Gen. Weedon carries back, and the Militia called from the Counties of Rockbridge, Augusta, Rockingham and Shenandoah (supposed about 900) and directed to proceed to Fredericksburg will I hope secure you. I meant this day to have begged the continuance of your attention to the Gun factory...
48396To Thomas Jefferson from John Floyd, 15 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
My want of knowledge and experiance in the military department will I fear cause me to be more troublesome to your Excellency than is necessary, or than I would wish to be. And as the County Lieutenant may probably not come out for some time to take the Command, and numbers of People are daily removing them[selves] into the interior parts of the County for safety; it will be high[ly] necessary...
48397To Thomas Jefferson from Nathanael Greene, 15 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Camp on the Pedee, 15 Jan. 1781. Requests credit in the amount of £2,000 for Dr. Brownson , newly appointed purveyor general to the hospital of the southern department, who is on his way to Virginia. RC ( MiU-C ); 1 p.; endorsed. Tr ( CSmH ). Dr. Brownson : Nathan Brownson, M.D., formerly a Georgia delegate to Congress; governor of Georgia, 1782 ( Biog. Dir. Cong. Biographical Directory of the...
48398From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 15 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As the dangers which threaten our Western frontiers the ensuing spring render it necessary that we should send thither Col. Crocket’s Battalion, at present on guard at Frederick Town, but raised for the Western service, I thought it necessary to give your Excellency previous information thereof that other forces may be provided in time to succeed to their duties. Cap. Read’s troop of Horse if...
48399To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, 15 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
A circular Letter addressed to the respective States of the 9th Day of November last communicated a requisition of Congress for Service of the current Year. This Act, and the System of the 18th of March respecting our Finnances included the principal Means which their present Powers have enabled Congress to adopt for prosecuting the War. Measures so deeply interesting not only demand the...
48400From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 15 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I received some time ago from Major Forsythe, and afterwards from you a requisition to furnish one half the supplies of provision for the Convention troops removed into Maryland. I should sooner have done myself the honour of writing to you on this subject but that I hoped to have had it laid before you more fully than could be done in writing by a Gentleman who was to have passed on other...