51331From George Washington to Jeremiah Wadsworth, 30 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with Your Letters of the 19th and 20th Instant. General Beville having made the tour from Rhode Island to Camp, and back again on different routes; and having taken every precaution, to obtain an accurate knowledge of the Country and Roads, will be able to advise and settle with the Commanding Officer of the french Army, which will be the most convenient route for the march...
51332From George Washington to Lund Washington, 30 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 18th came to me by the last Post. I am very sorry to hear of your loss—I am a little sorry to hear of my own—but that which gives most concern, is, that you should go on board the enemys vessels & furnish them with refreshments. It would have been a less painful circumstance to me, to have heard, that in consequence of your non compliance with their request, they had burnt...
51333John Mathews, for Committee of Congress, to Nathanael Greene, 30 April 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan). JM had been appointed on 23 October 1780 as a member of the committee ( Papers of Madison William T. Hutchinson, William M. E. Rachal, et al ., eds., The Papers of James Madison (2 vols. to date; Chicago, 1962——). , II, 206 ). The inclosed paper will give you the substance of the latest intelligence Congress have received from Europe....
51334To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 30 April 1781 (Madison Papers)
Tr ( LC : Force Transcripts). Endorsed, “Edmund Pendleton to James Madison.” Another copy is printed in the Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society , 2d ser., XIX (1905), 129–30. An extract from the missing original is in Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue No. 694 (1892). Since my last yr. two favrs of the 10th & 17th have come to hand together, a week’s mail having fail’d to come to...
51335Edward Carrington to Timothy Pickering, 30 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Upon receiving the Honor of an appointment of Deputy Quarter Master General to the Southern Army from General Greene, dated the fifth of December last, I, immediately, according to the Generals Orders, repaired to Richmond in Virginia to Arrange the business in that State, as the principal support of the service under the present circumstances of the Carolina’s must be drawn therefrom....
51336To Thomas Jefferson from Nathanael Greene, 30 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honord with your Excellencys letter of April the 5th and with the enclosures respecting the misconduct of Lt. Rudder. I consider it a public misfortune that such hot headed Youth, have it in their power to injure the public by such imprudent conduct. Let him and every other Officer who misbehaves be subject to such punnishment as they merit. You may depend upon it that no Officer...
51337To Thomas Jefferson from Miles King, 30 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Hampton, 30 Apr. 1781 . Bearer brings a letter from Capt. Gerlach of the flag vessel from New York, who is very desirous of knowing “where his Ship is destined for.” TJ’s orders may be sent by the bearer. RC ( Vi ); 3 p.; addressed; endorsed. The bearer was one Bryan, to whom there is a note by King on the cover of King’s letter to TJ ordering Bryan “to proceed to Richmond with the Inclosed...
51338To Thomas Jefferson from Bolling Stark, 30 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
It is probable your Excellency may have heard that I reached Cumberland old Court house on wednesday last with the books and papers belonging to Your’s, and the other public-boards, where I judged they would be perfectly secure from the enemy, but on Saturday, we were alarmed with an account of their having penetrated the country as far as chesterfield Court-house, at which place they had...
51339Henry Young to William Davies, 30 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The plan propos’d by Mr. Ross for the building of Mr. Andersons shop I think a good one. Wou’d not 20 insted of 28 feet [be] wide enough? I dont know whether it wou’d not be best to have a store house at one end of the Shop. There is but one reason can operate against it, that is fire. Mr. Ford informs me that you will be at the point of fork this evening. Will you be so good as to take this...
51340Elizabeth Cranch to John Quincy Adams, May 1781 (Adams Papers)
How shall I excuse myself for my long neglecting to write to you? Should I offer any other apology, than want of proper abilities, it would be false; and should I offer that , which is the only true one, perhaps it might be thought I wished for a compliment. But I had rather my Cousin should have a less favourable opinion of my understanding; than have cause to doubt my regard for him. That...
51341To Benjamin Franklin from Turgot, [May 1781] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçû avec bien de La reconnoissance la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire, ainsi que les dessins gravés qui y etoient joints; Je vous en envoye la Traduction en vous priant de vouloir bien me faire Savoir Si elle est fidele. J’accepte bien volontiers L’offre que vous me faites de me donner des Eclaircissements, puisqu’ils me procureront...
51342May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I begin, at this Epoch, a concise Journal of Military transactions &ca. I lament not having attempted it from the commencement of the War, in aid of my memory and wish the multiplicity of matter which continually surround me and the embarrassed State of our affairs which is momently calling the attention to perplexities of one kind or another, may not defeat altogether or so interrupt my...
51343To George Washington from Jotham Loring, May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your Excellencys letter of the 6th of April containing a refusal to grant me a new Trial and the reasons of such refusals. I may be thought perhaps extremely pressing in continuing my applications to your Excellency on the subject of my affairs—That I am pressing I readily confess, but at the same time hope, that I am not more so than my distressed situation demands....
51344Recommendation of the Justices of the Peace for Bedford County, May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Thomas Watts one of the Justices of the Peace for this County having been charged as guilty of High Treason and by this Court Ordered for further Trial—It is the Opinion of this Court, that it be recommended to his Excellency the Governor to Issue a New Commission of the peace for this County and that the said Thomas Watts be left out of the same. A Copy Teste MS ( Vi ); in hand of Steptoe....
51345Petition of Robert Poage and Others, May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Memorial of a Number of faithful Citizens humbly represents, That your Memorialists have from Sentiment, as well as a regard to the Authority of our Country, cordially espoused the common Cause of America. We have invariably endeavoured to cultivate unanimity, Fortitude and Perseverance amongst our fellow Subjects, and joined our most fervent prayers with our Endeavours that the Measures...
51346To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Jacques de Barrett, [before 21 May 1781] (Franklin Papers)
Printed invitation with MS insertions: American Philosophical Society L∴ R∴ L∴ des Neuf Soeurs, Est convoquée pour le Lundi 21 du 3e. mois D∴ L∴ D∴ L∴ V∴ L∴ 5781. à 10 heures précises du matin . Il y aura Election des officiers et banquet. &c. Vous êtes priés d’y venir augmenter les douceurs de l’union fraternelle. Je suis par les N∴ C∴ D∴ V∴ M∴ V∴ T∴ H∴ & affectionné Frere L’adresse ordinaire...
51347From John Adams to the Duc de La Vauguyon, 1 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
By the Tenth Article of the Treaty of Alliance between France and America, the most Christian King and the United States agree, to invite or admit, other Powers, who may receive Injuries from England, to make common Cause with them, and to acceed to that Alliance, under Such Conditions, as shall be freely agreed to and Settled between all the Parties. It will be readily acknowledged that this...
51348From Benjamin Franklin to the Marquis Turgot, 1 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Library of Congress I did intend when in London to have published a Pamphlet, describing the new Stove you mention, and for that purpose had a Plate engrav’d of which I send you an Impression. But I have since been too much engag’d in Affairs to execute that Intention. Its Principle is that of a Syphon revers’d, operating on Air in a manner...
51349To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Dana, 1 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society The Gentleman who will have the honour of presenting to you this Letter, is Mr: Warren, Son of the Honble General Warren of Massachusetts a Member of the Continental Navy Board for the Eastern Department, &c. Mr: Warren has had the Misfortune to be taken on his passage for France, and to carried into England; and was...
51350To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Des Watines [de Flobecq] and Other Favor Seekers, 1 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society On May 1, 1781, in the letter published below, a distressed nobleman writing from his château in Flanders is convinced that his runaway son will apply to Franklin with some kind of scheme, the details of which are given in an enclosed letter (now missing) addressed to the son. When the young man arrives, would Franklin hand over the letter and prevail upon...
51351[Diary entry: 1 May 1781] (Washington Papers)
I begin, at this Epoch, a concise Journal of Military transactions &ca. I lament not having attempted it from the commencement of the War, in aid of my memory and wish the multiplicity of matter which continually surround me and the embarrassed State of our affairs which is momently calling the attention to perplexities of one kind or another, may not defeat altogether or so interrupt my...
51352[Diary entry: 1 May 1781] (Washington Papers)
May 1st. Induced by pressing necessity—the inefficacy, & bad tendency of pushing Military Impresses too far and the impracticability of keeping the Army supplied without it , or money , to pay the transportation I drew for 9000 dollars of the Sum sent on by the State of Massachusetts for payment of their Troops; and placed it in the hands of the QM General with the most positive orders to...
51353To George Washington from Thomas Arnold, 1 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
At the battle of Monmouth, on the 28th of June 1778, I was so unfortunate as to loose a leg—I was returned, and drew pay in the regiment until the 1st of November 1779—I have since had a transference to the corps of Invalid in Boston by Colonel Greene, and joined it the 1st of June last—Soon afterwards, I returned to Rhode Island and at the particular request of Colonel Greene took a command...
51354From George Washington to Board of War, 1 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your favr of the 21st ulto reached me on the 28th—Should there be no Naval Officer of Capt. Willings Rank who has a prior right of exchange, I shall be very glad to see his effected, as he has been peculiarly severely treated by the enemy, but if Lt Colo. Rogers is a continental prisoner of War I cannot consistently permit him to be exchanged for Capt. Willing solely, without making a...
51355From George Washington to Henry Clinton, 1 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been authorised, since my letter of the 16th of April, to revoke the demand, then made, of the return of Lieut. General Burgoyne to America. If letters of recall have not been already transmitted to him, you will be pleased to suspend them: If they have, you will be so obliging as to take the earliest opportunity to countermand them. I have the Honor to be Your Excellencys Most obt and...
51356From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 1 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received the Communications, which you did me the favor to make, in Your Letter of the 20th Ultimo. The knowledge of the present state of the Enemy in New York & its dependencies with regard to the total strength, and the particular disposition of the Corps, is of so great and interesting importance, that I must request you will have the goodness to turn your earliest & strictest...
51357To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 1 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
My public letters to Congress will inform your Excellency of our situation in this quarter. We fight get beat and fight again. We have so much to do and so little to do it with, that I am much afraid these States must fall never to rise again; and what is more I am perswaded they will lay a train to sap the foundation of all the rest. I am greatly obliged to your Excellency for ordering the...
51358To George Washington from William Heath, 1 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed news-paper came to hand the last evening. Major Flagg, who commands on the lines informs me that Mr Pines one of our guides, had been below, where he learnt that it was currently reported the 17th dragoons are to embark, and, it is said, Sir Henry Clinton with them—that Arnold is expected in New York—and is to command on the lines. Our situation at this post grows more alarming on...
51359From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 1 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favors of the 20th and 23d ulto. I shall take as early measures as circumstances will admit for having an enquiry into the conduct of Colo. Brodhead and the Deputy Quarter Master at Fort pitt. Mr Fowlers Charges are so very diffuse, that I shall be obliged to call upon him to specify them more particularly, and I apprehend there will then be a...
51360To George Washington from Samuel Huntington, 1 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will receive enclosed, a Letter from Mathias Halsted with several other Papers, representing the Misconduct of John Adam Deputy Commissary of Prisoners, which they have thought proper to refer to the Commander in Chief, that due Enquiry may be made respecting the Transactions of this Office, and the Facts complained of & stated in those Papers. I have also enclosed the Copy of...