49181Virginia Delegates in Congress to Thomas Jefferson, 13 February 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by Theodorick Bland and signed by Bland and Joseph Jones. We are Just informd from Genl. Varnum a Member now in Congress from Rhode Island that he has received Certain Intelligence that the Culloden of 74 Guns is drove on Shore and all her Crew except 17 men Perishd. the London of 90 Guns is driven out to Sea dismasted and two other 64 Gun Men of War Were...
49182From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, [13] February 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I have your favor of the 5th. instant by the post. Col. Harrison arrived here yesterday, and as he mentions no circumstance which indicated an intended departure of the Enemy I am afraid your intelligence on that subject was not well founded. Immediately on the receipt of your former letter relating to an exchange of C. Taylor I applied to the Admiralty department,...
49183From Thomas Jefferson to Daniel Brodhead, 13 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor by Colo. Gibson . I am sorry to learn there is any scarcity of provisions in your settlement. Nevertheless I must suppose it too numerous to be at any time under a difficulty to support so moderate a Garrison as yours, if the means of drawing provisions from the people are furnished you. I apprehend your wants proceed rather from deficiences of mony than of...
49184To Thomas Jefferson from Archibald Cary, 13 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I hope you will Excuse the Fredom I Venture at, In recommending any Publick Matter, and I hope you will; The Baron Dined with me Yesterday, and the Conversation Turnd, on the Defence of our River on which he Mentioned a Fort at Hoods , which would he was Confident prevent any Ships Coming by. This Morning Col: Self [Senf] Came here in Quest of the Baron who had gone on to the Courthouse, the...
49185From Thomas Jefferson to George Rogers Clark, 13 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Still having at heart the success of the expedition at the head of which you are placed, we have obtained leave from Baron Steuben for Colo. J. Gibson to attend you as next in command, and of course to succeed to your offices in the events of your death or captivity which however disagreeable in contemplation yet as being possible it is our duty to provide against. I have further added my most...
49186From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Clarke, 13 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As I expect to see Majr. Forsythe here within a few Days I must beg leave to postpone a definitive answer to your Letter ‘till I am informed whether he has any and what objections to your demand, after which I will do myself the pleasure of writing you on the Subject. FC ( Vi ). your letter : Dated 6 Feb. 1781, q.v.
49187From Thomas Jefferson to John Gibson, 13 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Having obtained leave from Majr. Genl. Baron Steuben that you should concur in an expedition across the Ohio under the command of Genl. Clarke, I am to desire that you will in the first place take Baltimore in your way, at which place I have reason to beleive four tons of powder have been furnished us by the Continental Board of War which we mean for this expedition. The obtaining this powder...
49188[From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 13 February 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 13 Feb. 1781. Minute in Va. Council Jour. , ii , 292: “Tuesday February 13th 1781 … Letters of this date from the Governor to General Greene, Colonel John Gibson, and Colonel Brodhead, on the Subject of the Western Expedition … being read, are approved, and ordered to be registered.” No such letter from TJ to Greene has been found and none of this date was acknowledged by Greene....
49189To Thomas Jefferson from James Henry, 13 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I was lately on the E. Shore, and there I discovered that the 2 fine Gallies destin’d for that Station, were not only abandoned, but in a way very soon to be totally lost to the publick. They ly ashore, greatly injured by the Worms; the smaller Cannon, either stolen, or borrowed, and put on board Vessels which depart from thence and never return; the small Rigging and other apparel, from time...
49190From Thomas Jefferson to Linctot, 13 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I received two Days ago your favor of Decemr. 5. 1780 from Fort Pitt. It was the more acceptable as I had not before heard of you after your departure for that place on your way from Wmsburgh and had really entertained fears that some accident had befallen you. The Letter you mention to have written informing me of your proceedings never came to hand and of course could not be answered. I...
49191To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 13 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have never seen the law that exempts people employed for the public from militia duty &c., therefore I take the liberty of inclosing a note from Wm. Stone and Thos. Stone, for your Excellency’s determination. They I beleive have contracted with Mr. Moody for making wheels and waggons, tho’ I have nothing from Mr. Moody at present to show for it; and wish to have something to show, to satisfy...
49192To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 13 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
War Office [ Richmond ] , 13 Feb. 1781. Encloses an attestation of three soldiers enlisted for the war who have applied to Muter for a certificate for their bounty money. Muter desires to know what the bounty for such enlistments is. Below the text are two undated notes in TJ’s hand: “The bounty for Continental enlistments for the war is 2000 dollars to be charged to the United States and the...
49193From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Nelson, 13 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your suspension of Capt. Joel’s enterprise against the Enemy’s fleet seems to have been well grounded. It was become so universally known, as to leave little doubt of the Enemy’s being apprised of it and of course prepared against it. Capt. Maxwell had some time before informed me that the Dragon had been devoted to this purpose. He at the same time assured me he had found it impossible to...
49194To Thomas Jefferson from John Christian Senf, 13 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
“At Coll. Cary’s” [ Ampthill, Chesterfield co. ], 13 Feb. 1781. Was at Manchester last night, but too late to cross the river; is now on his way to see Steuben at Chesterfield Courthouse; will return to Richmond for TJ’s orders tonight. “Mr. Ross intends to set off with me for the Fork of James River the Day after to morrow, if No Contra Orders.” RC ( Vi ); 2 p.; signed: “Senf”; addressed and...
49195From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 13 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed resolutions of Congress of Janry. 8th. and Aprl. 9. 1777 under which Capt. Heth’s independant company at Fort Pitt were raised, will inform you of a condition to which they seem entitled of not being removed from that Station without their consent: the subsequent one of Octor. 3d. 1780 incorporates them in positive terms into the troops of the State. The former resolutions were...
49196From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 13 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
That the reformation of the troops of the Continent and State now on hand may be complete, I beg leave to inclose you a return of Col. Taylors regiment of guards. They are enlisted most of them to serve only during the continuance of the Saratoga troops in Albemarle. Their numbers being two hundred thirty eight, non-commission’d and private, I suppose they should be reduced to four companies...
49197From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Taylor, 13 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The claim of the souldiers to discharges is by no means well founded as many of their enlistments were during the continuance of the Convention troops in this State, and others during their continuance in Albermarle. No occasional exit from the County with an intention to return can be considered as having broken off their continuance in the County and determined the enlistments. As however I...
49198From Thomas Jefferson to George Lee Turberville, 13 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your information that I had ordered furloughs to the Guard which brought up prisoners was without foundation as I never have in a single instance given or ordered a furlough . I consider it as my duty to furnish the number of men required by the Commanding Officer, to provide them as far as our circumstances enable us, and to leave to him and those acting under him the direction of them: this...
49199To Thomas Jefferson from the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 13 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
By the Speaker Harrison who arrived here the day before yesterday we were honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 26th. Ulto. We shall communicate your answer to the Baron d’Arendt, and if his claim against the State be supported by proper evidence shall take the best steps in our power to discharge it. A Vessel just arrived from Cadiz has brought Congress two letters from Mr. Carmichael ,...
49200To Thomas Jefferson from the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 13 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
We are Just informd from Genl. Varnum a Member now in Congress from Rhode Island that he has received Certain Intelligence that the Culloden of 74 Guns is drove on Shore and all her Crew except 17 men Perishd. The London of 90 Guns is driven out to Sea dismasted and two other 64 Gun Men of War Were dismasted entirely and all their Guns thrown over board in the late storm. Since writing the...
49201From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 13 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have laid before the Council the several Certificates you were pleased to inclose to me. They are very clear that an enlistment to serve untill the prisoners should be removed from Albermarle can by no fair construction be deemed at an end by any occasional crossing of the line with an intention to return. A man is not said to be removed from his residence by taking a journey from it. You...
49202From George Washington to John Mathews, 14-19 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 30th Ulto being delayed on the road, did not come to my hands till now, when I am on the eve of a journey to Rhode Island. The information given in it is important, It affords me infinite satisfaction; & I have to thank you for your goodness in giving it to me so early. The confederation being now closed, will, I trust, enable Congress to speak decisively in their...
49203From Alexander Hamilton to Major Sebastian Bauman, [14 February 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Garanger has received a second order from the General to make the experiments which were before prescribed him. General Knox he tells me has given him a letter to you to furnish him with the materials and afford him the assistance of which he may stand in need. You will oblige me by facilitating his operations as much as you can; You may depend he will not be introduced into the corps of...
49204George Washington to Colonel Ephraim Blaine, 14 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 14, 1781 . Informs Blaine that Washington is leaving for Rhode Island. Orders Blaine to send provisions to West Point. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
49205George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 14 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 14, 1781 . Is going to Rhode Island. States that command of the Army will devolve on Major General William Heath. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
49206George Washington to Comte de Rochambeau, 14 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New Windsor, New York ] February 14, 1781 . Informs Rochambeau that Lieutenant Colonels Jean-Baptiste Gouvion and Jean-Joseph Sourbader de Gimat have permission to go to Rhode Island to “pay their respects to your Excellency.” Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
49207From Benjamin Franklin to Gourlade & Moylan, 14 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: Library of Congress I received the Letter you honoured me with of the Instant, relating to the Arms left by Capt. Jones. They are to be shipt on board the Marquis de la Fayette; and it may be done as soon as she arrives, if Mr. Williams who has the Care of loading her, has not other Goods that he chuses should be placed lowest. I have the honour to be, with much Esteem, Gentlemen,...
49208To Benjamin Franklin from William Howard, 14 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take this opportunity to aguaint you that there is Six american prisoners on Bord of this Ship that was taken in august last in a bad Condition and now are in a very misorable manner not fit for no Cristean to See us we are not allowed any Cloths nor money allowed us at all Sir/ I hope it is in your power to assist us in a few Cloths I never new Before...
49209To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 14 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library The Marquis de la Fayette is at length arrived at L’Orient & as soon as the Freight she brought round from Bordeaux is delivered she will begin to take in: All that depends on me is ready, & you may depend there will not be a moments Delay that I can prevent.— I have written a Letter to the Minister which I inclose for...
49210General Orders, 14 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
The General with great satisfaction communicates to the Army the following Intelligence just received of important and brilliant successes lately obtained over the Enemy in South Carolina. Brigadier General Morgan who commands the light troops of General Greene’s army having taken post at the Cowpens near Cherakee ford on broad river with about eight hundred men regulars and militia including...
49211From George Washington to Ephraim Blaine, 14 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I shall set out in a day or two for Rhode Island. The command in my absence will devolve upon Major General Heath—I am to desire you will do every thing in your power without delay to throw into the garrison of West Point a supply of provisions for several weeks that it may be subject to no accident from a sudden investiture—This I regard as of so much importance, that I hope you will omit...
49212To George Washington from Captain Lieutenant Caleb Brewster, 14 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
My appointment on the 6th Inst. was frustrated untill the 9th (by bad weather) when I cros’d, & from informatio⟨n⟩ found I could not accomplish my buisines⟨s⟩ without endangering particular persons, as there were several crews of Reffugees scatter’d in the town, which made it impossible for me to see the persons I wish’d. I thought it most prudent to return immediately, and take with me an...
49213To George Washington from Samuel Huntington, 14 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
By Letters just come to hand from Mr Carmichael at Madrid, I am informed that the Son of Count de rochambeau is safe arrived in France. Our last reports from Virginia say that the British were fortifying at Portsmouth, that their Operations indicated a Design to take Post there. How far Credit ought to be given to the Account contained in the Paper enclosed, that all the Shiping & Troops in...
49214To George Washington from the New York Legislature, 14 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Reflecting with a most sincere satisfaction on the marks of confidence which you have so repeatedly bestowed upon the Government of this State, we esteem it incumbent on us to afford your Excellency the perusal of a Letter which we have addressed Congress; Copy whereof we have the Honor to inclose. Minute as we have been in a detail of our distresses, they fall far short of those we at this...
49215From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 14 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I shall set out in a day or two for Rhode Island. The command in my absence will devolve upon Major General Heath. I must request you will make every effort to enable the Commissary to throw as ample a supply of provisions as he can into the Garrison of West point, that it may not be exposed to any accident from a sudden investiture —and will do every thing else, that depends on you, to...
49216From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 14 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 2d, and am much obliged by the confidential communication of your dispatches from St Domingo. It is with pleasure I transmit your Excellency the Copy of a letter from Brigadier General Morgan to Major Genl Greene, giving an account of a decisive Victory gained by him over Lt Colo. Tarleton on the 17th of January. I am in hopes that this...
49217From Thomas Jefferson to James Henry, 14 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Gallies of which you are so kind as to give me information have been the subject of great misconduct in the Officers. They were first abandoned by Officers and men, and all their Apparel and furniture left with themselves exposed to depredation. On information of this last summer, we ordered Commodore Baron to bring one of them over to the Western shore, to bring the other to the Bay side...
49218To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Massingbird Hyrne, 14 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
New London, Va., 14 Feb. 1781. On departing from Greene’s headquarters, Hyrne was instructed to march the prisoners now under his command “into such part of Virginia as your Excellency should direct for their residence; but the alarming accounts of the Enemy’s approach induc’d me to push them on towards Stanton without halting, as I at first intended, for your instructions.” Is to march from...
49219From Thomas Jefferson to Beesly Edgar Joel, 14 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry that any circumstances have arisen to occasion the laying aside the enterprise which you had undertaken, bold in itself and, if succesful, advantageous. As it was however, pretty certain that the enemy had received notice of it, there seemed little hope of it’s success for the present with however bold a hand it might have been conducted. Attempts of this kind have been generally...
49220From Thomas Jefferson to George Muter, 14 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I must beg the favor of you to have immediate measures taken for the following purposes. To send some of the worst Arms to Fredericksburg to be repaired at the Factory and by Mr. Hunter and to bring all the Camp kettles in readiness. To have five ton of powder brought from Baltimore at Continental expence to replace what we have lent them and to bring our Cartouch boxes. To have all the lead...
49221[To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, 14 February 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 14 Feb. 1781. War Office Journal (Vi) contains the following entry under this date: “Letter to the Governor, in consequence of an application made to me from Major Magill, respecting the Soldiers of the State Garrison Regiment that served in the Southern Army, informing him they have received no pay for the time they served there, and petition his Excellency to advance pay for them...
49222To Thomas Jefferson from the General Assembly of North Carolina, 14 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The General Assembly of North Carolina by joint Resolve of both Houses, have directed us to lay before your Excellency the Situation of the Affairs of this State, which since the Commencement of the War with Britain have not been at a more critical Period. Lord Cornwallis irritated with the Blow struck at one of his principal Partizans by General Morgan hath penetrated into the Heart of the...
49223To Thomas Jefferson from George Elliott, 14 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Petersburg, 14 Feb. 1781. By a letter from TJ of 6 Dec. 1780, Elliott was directed to furnish wagons for the purpose of moving Col. [John] Green’s troops to the south; he received from Capt. Thomas Claiborne a wagon and three horses valued at £12,350 Virginia currency, and gave Claiborne a certificate therefor. RC ( Vi ); 2 p.; addressed; endorsed (in part): “charged 15th. feby 81.” TJ’s...
49224To Thomas Jefferson from George Rice, 14 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 14 Feb. 1781. The distress of the quartermaster’s department at Albemarle Barracks, where Rice has acted as assistant since its establishment, has become so great for want of money “that I think it my duty as a publick officer to lay a plain and full state of the matter before your Excellency.” The lack of money has involved Rice in a load of debts that he has been unable to pay, and...
49225To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Nelson, 14 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am favoured with your’s of the 10th. Inst. by Mr. Prentis. I have never been informed that any Horses were left by the Enemy, except those at Westover, which were taken by Captain Selden’s and Captain Hockaday’s Men. Those in the Possession of Captain Hockaday’s Men I ordered to be carried to Richmond for the Proprietors to claim. Farther Enquiry shall be made, and if there be any such as...
49226From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 15 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
This Morning, the House of Botereau & Co. of this City, presented to me, Sixty Six Bills of Exchange drawn by Congress on the 26th. day of October last, in favour of Nathaniel Tracy, of Newbury Port, amounting to the Sum of Ten Thousand Pounds sterling, payable at Ninety days Sight. I was obliged to ask the favour of the House, to wait untill I could write to your Excellency, to see if you can...
49227To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 15 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
Sans vouloir rien opposer aux bonnes raisons que vous donnez dans votre faveur du 12e. pour la prompte publication de la Résolution du Congrès, j’aurois voulu au moins avoir pu pourtant la différer d’un ordinaire, pour les raisons que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous dire: et la Copie imprimée que vous avez, eût été un garant suffisant pour la démarche que j’aurois faite, pour vous faire entrer dès à...
49228C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 15 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
Without wanting to disagree with any of the good reasons you gave me in your letter of the 12th regarding the prompt publication of the resolution of Congress, I would, however, have wanted it to be postponed for at least another day, for all the reasons which I have had the honor to tell you. The printed copy that you have was a sufficient guarantee of the démarche that I could have made in...
49229From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [15 February 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
The General directs you will send off the inclosed dispatch for Count De Rochambeau very early in the morning with the most positive directions concerning expedition. It is of great importance that it should arrive to him as quick as possible. He wishes you also to write to the Qr. Master at the station of your last express and desire him in case Sheldon should not have taken up the chain...
49230George Washington to Major General William Heath, 15 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 15, 1781 . Directs Heath to prepare the light companies for march to Morristown. Sends general instructions. LS , in writing of H, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston.