49051To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Taylor, 8 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The greater part of the Soldiers of the Regiment of Guards, claim discharges, saying they were enlisted only to serve at this place, and as they have been removed that their engagement is complied with. They have been very troublesome, but hope they will be more satisfied hereafter, especially if they can get cloathed. I think 400 yards of Cloth would (with some they have received) make each...
49052From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 8 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 8 Feb. 1781. This letter is identical in substance with TJ’s letter to Huntington of this date, q.v. FC ( Vi ); captioned: “Genl. Washington & the President of Congress.” Tr ( DLC ); a defective press copy.
49053From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 9 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have this day the Honour of yours of 5. It would be unwise in Congress, to neglect any Effort to induce other Powers of Europe to acknowledge our Independancy, and therefore I am fully of opinion that at least one Minister Should be sent to treat with the Maritime Powers, or rather the neutral Union. For these Powers will all acknowlege our Independance at once, and none of them will do it...
49054To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 9 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
Colonel Johonnot who sails in the Frigate Alliance, I expected would have tarried with us a day or two longer. His sudden and unexpected Call to go on Board this Ship which now lies at some Distance from the Town allows me but a Moment to write you. The Colonel can give you all the News. Colonel Laurens who goes in the same Vessel upon some secret and important Errand of Congress is capable of...
49055To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 9 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
J’ai reçu et vu avec autant de satisfaction la belle et bonne Résolution du Congrès du 5 Octob., que j’ai eu de regret de voir cette Piece publiée trop précipitamment dans la Gazette d’Amsterdam. Sans cela je vous aurois conseillé de renvoyer cette publication de quelques ordinaires; et j’aurois fait avec plus de grace une démarche, qui vous auroit pu conduire tout d’un coup à une liaison...
49056Enclosure: A Démarche from Dumas to Prince Gallitzin, 9 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
Copie du paper qui accompagnoit la Resolution que j’ai portée ce soir à &c. Sans égard à une Traduction très fautive que le Gazettier d’Amsterdam vient de donner de la Résolution du Congrès general des Etats Unis de l’Amérique du 5 Oct. 1780, apparamment d’après quelque Gazette Américaine, il est de mon devoir de communiquer à S. E. M—— une vrai Copie, en langue originale, de cette Résolution,...
49057C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 9 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received and have seen with much satisfaction Congress’ great and good resolution of 5 October. Unfortunately it was published precipitously in the Gazette d’Amsterdam . Otherwise, I would have advised you to postpone its publication so that I could have written a more graceful démarche that you could have sent at once to an important liaison. I must now prepare a less graceful démarche...
49058Enclosure: A Démarche from Dumas to Prince Gallitzin: A Translation, 9 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
Copy of the paper which accompanied the resolution that I have carried this evening &c. Without regard to a very defective translation that the gazetteer of Amsterdam has given the resolution of 5 October 1780 by the general Congress of the United States of America, apparently after some American gazette, it is my duty to communicate to His Excellency M. Prince Gallitzin, Minister...
49059To John Adams from the Comte de Sarsfield, 9 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
Je vous ai, Monsieur, une obligation infinie de m’avoir procuré la connoissance de Monsieur Searle. Je n’en ai encore gueres profité. Je n’ay eu Lhonneur De le voir qu’une fois; mais J’espere que mercredi nous boirons ensemble a votre Santé. Il m’a appris que vous restiez en Hollande dont Je ne vous cacherai pas que J’ay eté faché, apres quoy, par reflexion, J’ay pensé qu’il falloit Etre bien...
49060The Comte de Sarsfield to John Adams: A Translation, 9 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have an infinite obligation to you, sir, for providing my introduction to Mr. Searle. I have hardly been able to profit from it since I have only had the honor of seeing him once. But I hope that we can share a drink together on Wednesday and toast to your health. He told me that you have been staying in Holland, a fact, which I will tell you openly, made me angry. But after some reflection...
49061To John Adams from John Thaxter, 9 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour of yours of Yesterday a few Moments past. I was happy to learn, that the News from our Country is agreable. The Extract from Charlestown furnishes another instance of English Barbarism—another Trait of Despair. The Resolution Thanks you mentioned were very justly deserved, and an Acknowledgment that ought not to have been omitted. There is another Correspondence, which has an...
49062To John Adams from Jonathan Williams, 9 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
Capt. Charles Jenkins of the Brig Sally arrived here this morning to my address, he left Rhode Island on the 12 Jan and reports that affairs were in the same State, the English Fleet in Gardiners Bay and the French in Rhode Island and both armies in Winter Quarters. By this Vessell I received the inclosed Letter which I take the earliest Opportunity to forward. Were I to attempt to make an...
49063From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [9 February 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
The General has anticipated the subject of your letter of this day, by ordering the greater part of the Jersey troops to Morris Town to occupy the huts there. He nevertheless continues in the desire that that place may not be the depositary of any large quantity of stores. The situation of the two artificers can only be pitied not redressed. The families of men in the service cannot be the...
49064George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 9 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 9, 1781 . Asks Congress to decide Colonel Peter Gansevoort’s rank. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
49065George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 9 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 9, 1781 . Commends Knox for measures taken to carry out instructions sent on January 7. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
49066From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Hugh Hughes, 9 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
Head Quarters [ New Windsor, New York ] February 9, 1781 . Requests temporary replacement for his stolen bridle and repairs on his saddle. Also requests a bridle for George Washington’s servant’s horse. LC , New-York Historical Society, New York City.
49067From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [9 February 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
The bad condition of my horses and the scarcity of forage in Camp induced me to leave them at Saratoga to recruit against the Campaign. I am shortly to make a journey with the General to Rhode Island for which I shall want horses. I therefore request the favour of you to furnish me with a couple of the best Continental horses that can be found. One for myself—the other for my portmanteau. The...
49068To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Willard, 9 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The last May the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts incorporated a society under the title of The American Academy of Arts and Sciences , which formed its statutes & elected its officers the latter part of last August. The Act of incorporation, a catalogue of the present officers and the Presidents oration at his inauguration attend this...
49069To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr.: Three Letters, 9 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library; (III) ALS : American Philosophical Society The Procureur du Roi of this Place seeing my Servant Mark Anthony passing the street took it into his Head to order him to Prison because he is black; He has been two Years with me and is well known by everybody in the Town, yet is to day taken up on an Edict of...
49070General Orders, 9 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Honorable the Congress have been pleased to pass the following Resolutions vizt: Congress took into their consideration the report of the board of War of December 8. whereupon: Resolved that from and after the first day of August last the Pay and Appointments of the Officers in the department of Commissary General of Military Stores be as follows; the Sums hereafter mentioned to be paid in...
49071To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Diriks, 9 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Having been informed by Major General Sullivan that the arrangement of the Partizan Corps and Colonel Hazen’s Regiment was left to your Excell: I therefore take the liberty to write and represent to your Excellency, that it is now upwards of four Years since I first entered into the Service of the United states as a Captain in the 9th Regiment of the Pensylvania Line, joyned the army and was...
49072To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 9 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote your Excellency by Major Giles, Lord Cornwallis has been constantly in pursuit of the Light Infantry and the prisoners, and is now between the shallow ford upon the Yadkin and Salem, one of the Moravian towns; and still pushing into the country with great rapidity. The moment I was informed of the movements of Lord Cornwallis I put the army in motion on Pedee and left it under...
49073From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 9 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Under the particular circumstances mentioned in your Letter of the 7th Inst., I shall not hesitate to grant a discharge to Capt. Smart, upon the conditions therein proposed —Altho I would not have it by any Means, considered as a precedent to deviate from the fixed rule of discharges. The answer given to Sergt Larvey’s Petition in Novr last, was, that a transferrence could not be made from One...
49074To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 9 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your’s of the 5. instant, respecting the staff Department. Am happy to find the measures I had adopted, have in so many instances received your approbation, as expressed in your sentiments—Am sorry, that in one instance, I should be so unfortunate as to be thought erroneous by your Excellency. And as it is not only a laudable wish, but an incumbent duty to vindicate...
49075From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 9 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Col. Gansewort has applied to me on a subject, which I am under a necessity of referring to Congress, as they are alone competent to decide upon it. On the 4th of October 1777 they were pleased to pass a resolution of thanks to him for his bravery and perseverance in the defence of Fort Schuyler—appointing him, by way of reward, Colonel Commandant of the same. He also received a special...
49076To George Washington from Samuel Huntington, 9 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s Despatches of the 31st January & 3d Instant. Am much obliged by the Intelligence received from Le Compt de ro-chambeau. If the Situation of the British Fleet at Gardners Bay should render it prudent for the French to send some naval Force in to the Chesapeake at this Juncture, I have no Doubt your Excellency will use every proper Endeavour to improve...
49077To George Washington from Charles Pettit, 9 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with the receipt of Your Excellency’s letter of the 2d instant some days ago, and immediatly put forward the business recommended, which I am informed will be completed today, and the express-rider who has it in charge will return with all possible dispatch. By him you will also receive the spurs, hair-powder and blacking ball, of which I shall inclose a bill. As Your Excellency...
49078To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 9 February 1781 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Col. Timothy Pickering, 9 Feb. 1781. On this date, GW’s aide-de-camp Alexander Hamilton wrote Pickering: “The General has anticipated the subject of your letter of this day” (see Pickering to GW, this date , source note).
49079To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 9 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Last evening I received the inclosed letter from Colo. Lutterloh, which I think it my duty to lay before your Excellency. It describes a practice not new: but which I hoped to remedy by possitive injunctions to the state agents to deliver none except to the order of the Commissary of Forage, who has repeatedly written to the agents to that effect. The abuse however continues; and in some cases...
49080From George Washington to Philip Van Rensselaer, 9 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 1st instant inclosing your January return. If the late Commy of Hides retains the leather which he has upon hand, by the direction of the Cloathier General, it may be for some particular purpose, and therefore I would not wish to order it to be delivered to you, lest it should interfere with some arrangements in the Cloathing department—I should think you might...