49051General Orders, 8 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . On this date, Lt. William Colfax, commandant of GW’s guard, wrote Brig. Gen. Anthony Wayne from New Windsor: “His Excellency has ordered me to enclose & send you a list of the Names of the Penn[sylvani]a[n]s serving in his Guard; & request you to ascertain the terms of their inlistments, respectively, and give me the necessary information, that those Men who appear...
49052From George Washington to George Clinton, 8 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly ⟨honored⟩ with Your Excellency’s favor of the ⟨31st of⟩ January. I have also conversed with ⟨your⟩ Brother, on the temper and dispo⟨sition of the⟩ Troops of New York, ⟨and from his represen⟩tation, am led to expect the discontents among them, which were so happily suppressed, will not revive again. With respect to the mode your Excellency recommends for employing ⟨the...
49053To George Washington from Brigadier General Duportail, 8 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I arrived yesterday here and I am informed that an express is setting off immediately for head quarters. so I will have only time enough to write a word. please your excellency to Receive my most sincere thancks for your favour of exchanging me. I am not able to express my gratitude of it and my happiness for Coming again under your orders. although I am much impatient to see your excellency I...
49054To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 8 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your’s of the 6th —have ordered Major Throop with his Detachment to join their respective Corps; have also desired Major Bauman to give notice to General Knox previous to his trying the proposed experiments in Gunnery. Capt. Welles was some time since directed by your Excellency to take the command of the guard Boats with a company of light Infantry from the...
49055To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 8 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just received intelligence, which though from a private hand, I believe is to be relied on, that a fleet of the enemy’s ships have entered Cape Fear river, that eight of them had got over the bar and many others were laying off; that it was supposed to be a reinforcement to Lord Cornwallis under the command of Genl Prevost. This account which had come through another channel is...
49056To George Washington from Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 8 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am exceeding glad of the good news which your Excellency gives me about the entire reduction of the Last mutinery that had taken place among a part of the Jersey Line, and of the example of rigor that you thought necessary to give to terminate in a solid manner these movements of Mutinery. I cannot flatter myself that I shall have the honor to see here Your Excellency but only after you will...
49057To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 8 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your several favors came to hand yesterday, but neither the tools nor the taylors are yet arrived. I never knew whose property the tools were, whether public or private, and the taylors, belonging to the State Garrison regiment, are countermanded by Major McGill, as Mr. Thornbury informs me. If it is disagreeable or inconvenient to their officers, I would not wish their men to come, tho’ I do...
49058To Thomas Jefferson from Horatio Gates, 8 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Berkeley County, 8 Feb. 1781. Letter introducing James McAlister, county commissioner and issuing commissary in “this Districkt,” who waits on TJ for “Directions in regard to His Future Conduct.” Gates recommends him as “a good and Faithfull Servant of The Public.” RC ( NHi ); addressed and endorsed.
49059From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 8 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just received intelligence which though from a private hand , I beleive is to be relied on, that a fleet of the enemy’s ships have entered Cape Fear river, that eight of them had got over the Bar and many others were laying off; that it was supposed to be a reinforcement to Ld. Cornwallis under the command of Genl. Prevost. This account which had come through another channel is...
49060To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, 8 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellency will receive enclosed, two important Acts of Congress of the 3d and 7th Instant, Recommending to the several States as indispensably necessary, that they vest a Power in Congress to levy for the Use of the United States, a Duty of five per cent, ad Valorem at the Time and Place of Importation, upon all Goods, Wares and Merchandize of foreign Growth and Manufacture which may be...
49061To Thomas Jefferson from Edward Stevens, 8 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you by Major Giles from the Camp at Hickes Creek the 24th. January. I then informed you I was under marching Orders to take charge of all the Prisoners at Salisbury. I marched on the evening of the 25th. after which there came on Violent Rains which raised the Waters in Such a manner as it made my march Two days longer than it otherwise would have been. When I got within Twelve miles...
49062To 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...
49063From 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.
49064From 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...
49065To 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...
49066To 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...
49067Enclosure: 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,...
49068C. 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...
49069Enclosure: 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...
49070To 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...
49071The 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...
49072To 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...
49073To 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...
49074From 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...
49075George 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.
49076George 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.
49077From 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.
49078From 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...
49079To 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...
49080To 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...