51451From George Washington to Daniel Brodhead, 5 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Mr Fowler having in a later letter to the president of Pennsylvania made several charges against you for mal conduct in your command—The president of the state communicated it to Congress, who have been pleased there upon, to direct me to investigate the matter and bring you to trial upon the matters alledged against you—Mr Fowlers charges having been rather general, I have desired him to...
51452From George Washington to James Clinton, 5 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since my letter to you of yesterday in which I mentioned the measure I had taken respecting supplies, informed you of our only resources, and authorized military coertion in cases of extremity; I have received your favor of the 30th Ulto with a Postscrip of the 1st Inst. Alarmed at the critical situation of the Garrison of Fort Schuyler, I order’d out of the small pittance in our Magazines, 50...
51453From George Washington to Alexander Fowler, 5 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency the president of Congress has lately transmitted to me the Copy of a letter from you to the president of Pennsylvania, in which, are a number of charges against Colonel Brodhead and the Deputy Qr Master General at Fort Pitt for mal conduct, and insinuations against others not named—Congress have thereupon directed me to take measures to have the matter investigated, and the...
51454From George Washington to William Heath, 5 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was last evening favored with your Letters of the 3d and 4th Instant. I am pleased to find the Recruits arrive in such numbers as you mention, and desire only that you will use your discretion entirely, in barracking or encamping the Troops in the best manner possible to preserve their health—Straw will be an essential article upon their first going into Tents. I have not the least...
51455To George Washington from William Heath, 5 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to enclose you the proceedings of a general court-martial on several soldiers who lately deserted from the light-infantry, and some others. The reason of my troubling your Excellency with them, is my present indisposition, which forbids my passing on them. I am now feeling those consequences which I have had for some time but too much reason to expect. The unreasonably long...
51456From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 5 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received, with exceeding great satisfaction & pleasure your favor of the 18th of April, and am extremely rejoiced to learn, that the spirit of discontent had so entirely subsided & that the practice of desertion would probably be totally stopped, among the Troops under your Command. The measures you had taken to obtain on your own Credit a supply of cloathing & necessaries for the...
51457From Tench Tilghman to John Laurance, 5 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency has determined to have the Quarter Master at Fort pitt and all persons of proper Rank for such a Court as can be held there to be tried upon the spot; which will save a quere of deposition and you a world of trouble. But Brodhead must be determined upon deposition. If you will draw a proper deputation, leaving Blanks for the Name, it shall be transmitted to the Officer next in...
51458From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 5 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 14th of April, inclosing a remonstrance of Colonel Proctor and the officers of his Regiment against the promotion of Captain Eustace to a Majority in it, and the late annexation of Captain Simonds—I am not a little surprized to see Field officers, who certainly are acquainted with the principles of promotion which have been understood and...
51459To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 5 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received Last night your Excellency’s two Letters of the 30th Ulto. Till now, that article of the New york Gazette which mentions the Letter to Mr Laud Washington has been known by no body but me. I have not spoken of it to the Chevalier Destouches. I did what I thought most consistent with a sincere heart, I wrote about it to your Excellency with candor, being fully persuaded your...
51460To George Washington from Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 5 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Two days after I had the honor of addressing you my last the Marquis arrived with his Detachment at Richmond and as he will inform your Excellency of the Operations of the Army I shall only add to my last, that of all the Articles collected at Chesterfield Co. Ho. & Petersburg for the Equipment of the Levies not the least article fell into the Enemies hands. The Marquis de la Fayette now...
51461From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 5 May 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esqr” and marked “private.” Docketed by Jefferson, “Madison Jas May 5. 1781.” In compliance with your request I have procured and now send you a copy of the Constitutions &c published by order of Congress. I know not why the order in which they stand in the Resolution was varied by the committee in binding them up. The...
51462Virginia Delegates to Thomas Jefferson, 5 May 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Historical Society of Pennsylvania). Written and signed by JM, “By order of the delegation.” Docketed, “Jas Madisons Letter Recd May 81.” The Executive of New Jersey in consequence of authority vested in them by the Legislature for that purpose, by an Act of the 27th. Ulto. established the rate of exchange between the old continental currency and the bills issued pursuant to the Act of...
51463From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Henrico and Certain Other Counties, 5 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Executive, having determined that future Tours of Militia Duty should be of two months length after joining the Army, had called in a proper Complement to serve from the 1st. Day of May to the last Day of June; proposing by that Time to relieve the whole by calling in others: The military officers have however represented that it will be more eligible to change one half monthly, than the...
51464From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Culpeper, 5 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to inform you [&c. as in the preceding Letter of May 5th] I am &c. FC ( Vi ); at head of text: “County Lieutenant of Culpeper.” Brackets supplied. The “preceding letter” refers to the letter preceding here, also. Below the text is written, “Culpeper 351,” the number of militia to be called.
51465To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 5 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
In compliance with your request I have procured and now send you a copy of the Constitutions &c. published by order of Congress. I know not why the order in which they stand in the Resolution was varied by the Committee in binding them up. The encomium on the inhabitants of Rhode Island was a flourish of a Delegate from [that] State who furnished the Committee with the account of its...
51466To Thomas Jefferson from George Moffett, 5 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeable to last Octbr. act of assembly for Recruiting this States Quota of troops to serve in continental army, the Militia of this County was laid off into Districts for Raising their proportion of Said troops. The 26th of last March was the day appointed for the Districts to assemble at Staunton and Deliver their Recruits and those that failed were then to be allotted. I had not Returned...
51467To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, 5 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
My application to the Honbl. Majr. Genl. the Baron Steuben (the nature of which Your Excellency is acquainted with) not having produced me any command, and the enemy having gone down the river again, I intend going up the country for some time, or ’till I am honoured with a command. I beg leave to inform your Excellency, that I intend to go from hence to the Point of Fork, and thence to Colo....
51468From Thomas Jefferson to Sir John Peyton, 5 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your letter of the 3d. instant desiring a suspension of the Draught law. I have at present no Council before whom I can lay it, but as the same Application had been made before by Colo. Page, and had been declined by the Council on the general principle that the suspending Power given them was intended to be exercised only where such a proportion of Militia had been...
51469To Thomas Jefferson from David Ross, 5 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I Did my self the pleasure of writing to you yesterday by Colo. Davies advising you of the flattering prospect we have at the Lead mines of a plentyfull supply of that article in a very short time. Mr. Maury has just now call’d upon me and am sorry to learn the fate of his vessell. It would appear from Mr. Phillips’s letters and conduct in other respects that he is somewhat intoxecated with...
51470To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Taylor, 5 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Before I had received your letter of 11 April I had discharged part of the Regiment Guards at this place and delivered their Arms to the Quartermaster here. Most of the returned arms, and those now in possession of the men, want repair. The Militia of Albemarle drew some of the Arms sent to the Quartermaster at the Barracks, about four hundred was delivered Col. Muter last Octr. and some were...
51471To Thomas Jefferson from the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 5 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Executive of New Jersey in consequence of authority vested in them by the Legislature for that purpose by an Act of the 27th. Ulto. established the rate of exchange between the old Continental currency and the bills issued pursuant to the Act of Congress of the 18th. of March 1780. to be 150 for 1. The speculation arising from this measure to the prejudice of this State with the other...
51472To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 6 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
La même personne qui m’avoit donné l’avis, que vous m’aviez en partant laissé le maître de suivre, me dit hier matin qu’après y avoir bien pensé, il y trouvoit un si grand inconvenient qu’il me le déconseilloit très-sérieusement, comme une démarche incompatible avec le Caractere que vous venez de déployer; en un mot qu’il ne convient pas que vous vous abaissiez à faire parvenir ainsi...
51473C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 6 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
The same person who notified me that you left me in charge of forwarding the démarche, told me yesterday morning that, after much thought, he finds it contains a big drawback. He advised very seriously against submitting it because it is a démarche that is incompatible with your character. In a word, he does not believe that you should lower yourself by sending the piece in question...
51474From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Jefferson, 6 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Pierpont Morgan Library; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress This will be delivered to your Excellency by Mr. Grieve, who goes to America with a View of establishing himself in the State of Virginia, where he has also some Business in which your Countenance & Protection may be of great Service to him. I beg leave to recommend him to you as a Gentleman, who has always been a Steady...
51475From Benjamin Franklin to Montet & Henry, 6 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 28th. past, acquainting me that you are in possession of a Bill drawn by Mr. Pollock of New Orleans on Messrs. Delap for 4000 Dollars, which they have refused to pay, and which you have been advised in that Case to propose to me. Your Letter enclosed one from M. Pollock, who desires the same thing of me,...
51476From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 6 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your respected Letter of the 28th. past and shall duly honour the Bills you mention to have drawn for the 4444 Dollars.— I delivered your inclosed to M. Laurens, who will write to you. What Goods he intends to go in the Active are at Nantes, viz, some Chests of Arms & some Medecines, which he thinks will not be a Quantity to make the relanding of the old...
51477From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 6 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
L , AL (draft), and copy: Library of Congress The Bearer Mr. Grieve, goes to Virginia, with an Intention of settling there, where he has also some Business in which you are concern’d. I beg leave to present him to your Exlleny. as a Gentleman of Character, & who has long distinguished himself in England as a firm Friend to the Cause of America. I purpose writing to you fully by Col: Laurens,...
51478To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine Court de Gébelin, 6 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu avec autant de reconnoissance que de plaisir le précieux present que vous venez de me faire et qui augmente mes richesses sur les Langues de l’Amerique. Je suis bien faché de n’avoir pas connu plutot cet ouvrage, j’en aurois tiré grand parti dans un Memoire que j’ai fait imprimer dans mon 8me. volume, qui va paroitre dans le courant de ce mois; ce...
51479To Benjamin Franklin from Georgiana Shipley, 6 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Your dear delightfull letter made me most exceedingly happy; particularly your account of yourself as it proves that you are in good spirits & pleased with your present situation. Your dialogue with the Gout is written with your own cheerfull pleasantry & la belle et la mauvaise jambe recalls to my mind those happy hours we once past in your society where we...
51480[Diary entry: 6 May 1781] (Washington Papers)
6th. Colo. Menonville, one of the Adjutt. Generals in the French Army came to Head Quarters by order of Count de Rochambeau to make arrangements for supplying the Troops of His Most Christian Majesty with certain provisions contracted for by Doctr. Franklin. This demand, tho’ the immediate compliance with it, was not insisted upon, comports illy with our circumstances; & is exceedingly...
51481General Orders, 6 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
John Powel soldier in the New Hampshire line who was tried by a General Court martial the 27th of April and sentenced to suffer death which Sentence was approved and published in Orders the 30th of April is ordered to be executed on friday next the 11th instant. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
51482To George Washington from George Clinton, 6 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I enclose your Excellency a Copy of Information delivered by Mr Fish (some Time since at Head Quarters) to Brigr Genl Clinton who writes me that from a variety of concurring Circumstances he has Reason to believe it may be depended upon and adds that no less than four Packets from the Enemy passed through Albany last winter but does not inform me of the Evidence he has of this fact. Genl...
51483To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 6 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer Mr Grieve, goes to Virginia, with an Intention of settling there, where he has also some Business in which you are concern’d. I beg leave to present him to your Exlleny as a Gentleman of Character, & who has long distinguished himself in England as a firm Friend to the Cause of America. I purpose writing to you fully by Col: Laurens, who will leave Paris in a few days. With great &...
51484From George Washington to William Heath, 6 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of yesterday has been handed to me—You will be persuaded, that, at the same time, I sympathise sincerely with you, in your illness—I am by no means pleased with the unreasonable long absence of the General Officers, which has rendered your presence with the Army hitherto indispensably necessary. I have read the Proceedings of the Court Martial, and would have the sentences approved,...
51485To George Washington from William Heath, 6 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 5th and 6th to which I shall duly attend. I hoped I should not have been compelled again to represent our situation on account of provisions; but supplies of meat have not arrived. All the Irish beef in the store has been gone for some days—We are at last forced in upon the reserves—that in fort Clinton has been taken all out this day—The pork which was ordered...
51486To George Washington from William Heath, 6 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed news-paper came to hand the last evening; although of an elder date than the one I last sent, may be one which your Excellency has not seen. The officer on the lines writes me—that it was reported, a small fleet with troops on board, sailed lately from New York—and that in the course of a week, another fleet was to sail. The enclosed letter from General Clinton came to hand this...
51487To George Washington from François-Louis-Arthur Thibaut, comte de Ménonville, 6 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
as I think myself intitled to hope the plainess and cander his Excellency has seen in my way of transacting bussiness with him has had his approbation—I thought it would not be improper to offer to his consideration some few lines written down in the same way in relation to the artillery to be put in newport from the stores of this kind belonging to the continent or particular states and I...
51488To George Washington from John Moylan, 6 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am this day Officially honored with my Apointment from Congress, for which, & the polite & generous manner in which you are so kind as to Express yourself in my behalf, in your Letter of 23d febry I beg you will Accept of my Sincere Thanks. Be Assured, Sir, that nothing in my power shall be omitted to Justify the opinion you have been pleased to Conceive of me & by a Steady adherence to the...
51489To George Washington from John Flood, 6 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Information given by John Flood who formerly lived at Maroneck & followed the water. The harbour between City Island & Frogs Neck is very good for large Transports and 5 fathom water may be carried into—the anchorage good—the harbour sufft to contain any number of Transports. a good harbour also between City Island & Harts Isld 3 fathom water sufft for 50 Vessels—both these Islands are...
51490From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 6 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I inclose for your inspection, Original Letters from Major General Heath & Brigadier General Clinton, describing in the most forcible terms, the terrible prospect before them, and the inevitable disasters that must ensue, unless provisions are furnished (and that instantly) for the Troops and Garrisons in their respective Departments—when you have read these Letters you will be pleased to...
51491To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 6 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I find that one great cause of the failure of transportation of the salted provisions from Connecticut has been the general want of forage; of private forage I mean. The farmers there in general have not a lock of hay for their own stocks. Your Excellency’s wishes are anticipated. Colo. Hughes went off yesterday from Fishkill by one o’clock for Danbury (which I assure myself he reached last...
51492From George Washington to John Pierce, 6 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
As there is a sum of money sent on from the Eastern States, for the Payment of the Detachments from their Lines under the command of the Marquis De la Fayette—I wish provision could be made to forward two or three Month pay, in specie value, for the Company of Colonel Hazens Regiment on that Command—You will consider yourself authorized hereby to make application for the same. Lieut. Colonel...
51493From George Washington to John Stark, 6 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your Letter of the 9th of April, am glad your health is such as to permit you to superintend sending off the Recruits from the State—and am fully of opinion you could not be of so essential Service in any other way as by urging the State of New Hampshire to procure & forward her quota of Men & Supplies to the Army. Having seen & experienced the Evils we have suffered...
51494To George Washington from Benjamin Tallmadge, 6 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive Your Excellency’s favor of the 30th ulto a few days past, the Contents of which were in some measure answered in my letter of the 2d inst. I have given the most pressing Instructions to C. Senr & others to put the Corresponden ce on a more advantageous footing. Depend on my Exertions, & the earliest Communications of all Intelligence I may receive. I take the liberty...
51495From George Washington to François-Louis-Arthur Thibaut, comte de Ménonville, 6 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
1st General Washington presumes that Congress has taken measure for the Completion of the Contract entered into by Doctor Franklin, but having received no particular information on the subject, he cannot speak with certainty upon the mode which will be adopted to procure the provision. He would therefore advise Colo. Menonville to proceed to Philada and make his application to Congress thro’...
51496To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Franklin, 6 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be delivered to your Excellency by Mr. Grieve , who goes to America with a View of establishing himself in the State of Virginia, where he has also some Business in which your Countenance and Protection may be of great Service to him. I beg leave to recommend him to you as a Gentleman, who has always been a Steady and serviceable Friend to our glorious Cause, and who will I doubt not...
51497From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 6 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Two Persons have applied to me on Behalf of a certain John Allison, a Citizen under Confinement, as they say, at Camp for some offence. Tho’ perfectly satisfied that nothing will be done under your order but what is right, and assuring them of the same, yet I have not been able to get clear of their sollicitations without a letter to you, asking the favor of a Communication of the Case and...
51498To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Reed, 6 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellencys Favours of the 17. and 18. Ult. have been duly received and claim our particular Acknowledgments as well for the Readiness which has been shewn in concurring with our Proposition of running the Line, as the friendly Sentiments express’d towards this State which I am happy in assuring your Excellency are perfectly reciprocal. A Family Event having last Fall estrang’d me from...
51499To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-François de Boy with Franklin’s Note to John Laurens and Laurens’ Response, May 7 [–on … (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Sent to you the Copy of the Certificate, and too that of the Some Sundry papers, from the War Office who Given to me, because I have Lost’d my Comission from the Hble. Congress, when the ennemies have Taken Brunswick, and too Besides all my things. I shall desire to Go again in your Country, if you Can Employ me, as you will please, very much oblige, to...
51500To Benjamin Franklin from John Laurens, [before 13 May 1781] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send your Excellency the Estimate of the Board of War with the prices— Your note to Mr de La Rouerie was dispatched immediately— As sunday is the day which the Count de Vergennes has appointed for my taking leave, I shall be deprived of the pleasure of dining with Your Excellency—but shall endeavour to pay you my respects as frequently as possible in the...