51901To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 24 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
the jonction of Lord Cornwallis with the other Army at peters Burg was an Event that from local Circumstances and from thier so Great Superiority it was Impossible to prevent— it took place on the 20th and Having lost Every Hope to Operate a timely stroke in Conjunction with the pennsylvanians, My ideas were Confined to defensive Measures—I therefore Moved up to Richmond where precautions were...
51902To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 24 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
My official letter a Copy of which I Send to Congress will let you know the Situation of Affairs in this Quarter—I ardently wish My Conduct May Meet with Your Approbation—Had I followed the first Impulsion of My temper, I would Have Risked Some thing More—But I Have Been Guarding Against My Own Warmth, and this Consideration that a General defeat which with Such a proportion of Militia Must Be...
51903To George Washington from Alexander Scammell, 24 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was honor’d with your Letter of the 17tenth the 18tenth in the afternoon. I proceeded without delay to Dobb’s Ferry leaving orders for the detachment to be form’d at King’s Ferry. Saw Capt. Lawrence the morning of the 19tenth concerted measures with him. Return’d to the detachment and found the connecticut Troops had but just arrived, and that the whole had no provision a major part having...
51904To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, 24 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 24 May 1781 . Encloses the following resolves of Congress of 22 May, and expects “the Necessity as well as the Importance of those Measures will have a suitable Impression upon the States universally, and excite them to a vigorous and punctual Compliance”: (1) “That the whole Debts already due by the united States be liquidated as soon as may be to their Specie Value, and funded,...
51905Abigail Adams to John Adams, 25 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
In this Beautifull month when Nature wears her gayest garb, and animal and vegetable life is diffused on every side, when the Chearfull hand of industery is laying a foundation for a plentifull Harvest who can forbear to rejoice in the Season, or refrain looking “through Nature up to Nature’s God?” While my Heart expands, it sighing seeks its associate and joins its first parent in that...
51906Abigail Adams 2d to John Thaxter, 25 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
My mamma has so often reminded me of a deficiency in politeness in not replying to your letter which is now too long out of date to answer, that I can no longer withstand her frequent solicit at ions, and an opportunity offering by Mr. Charles Storer I am prevailed upon to take your attention from more important subjects to the perusal of a letter which will afford no pleasure but as it will...
51907Jean de Neufville & Son to Abigail Adams, 25 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
We are honor’d with your Ladyship’s letter of the 15th Jany. last, and deem ourselves peculiarly unfortunate, not to have been more happy in the choice of the Color of Silk we sent you. ’Tis the more painful to us, as we can make no amends but by redoubling our attention and Vigilance, In the execution of your future Commands which we set so high a value on that we consider your Continuance of...
51908From John Adams to the President of Congress, 25 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 25 May 1781. RC PCC , No. 84, III, f. 169–170. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:435–436. John Adams provided an English translation of a convention signed at Versailles on 1 May by the Comte de Vergennes and the Dutch ambassador, Lestevenon van...
51909From Benjamin Franklin to Jean-Baptiste Luton Durival, 25 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress The Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 22d. Instant, Informing me, of the Order M. Le Cte. De Vergennes has been so good as to send Mr. D’harvelay for the Payment of the four hundred and sixteen thousand Livres, gave me great Pleasure, and I beg you to accept my Thanks for your kind Attention, I shall take Care to furnish the Receipit or acknowledgement...
51910To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 25 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I have the Honour to Advise you, that I have this day drawn four setts of Bills of Exchange, of two in each sett, for Ten thousand Livres Tournois each, payable to the order of Captain Joyner Commodore Gillon not being yet arrived, and this sum being represented to me by Major Jackson absolutely necessary for the present Use of the ship. I applied to the...
51911To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 25 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je comptois de vous faire parvenir aujourd’hui une Lettre pour le Congrès, où vous auriez vu l’Histoire en raccourci de nos opérations ici; mais un service que viennent de me demander nos amis ici, & une Lettre que je dois écrire à Mr. Adams, m’obligent malgré moi de différer encore. En attendant je joins ici ma traduction de la Proposition d’Amst., qui a...
51912To Benjamin Franklin from Alexis-Janvier La Live de La Briche, 25 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. De La Briche a lhonneur de Vous faire part que Madame de la Briche est heureusement accouchée d’une fille. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Francklin / Ministre plenipotentiaire de / L’amerique / a Passy La Briche (1735–1785), introducteur des ambassadeurs and secrétaire honoraire des commandemants de la reine , was the brother of the comtesse...
51913[Diary entry: 25 May 1781] (Washington Papers)
25th. Breakfasted at Squire Cogswells —dined at Colo. Vandeburgs & reached head Quarters about Sunset where I found letters from Generls. Schuyler & Clinton, full of uncertain information respecting the enemys landing at Crown point & intention to penetrate on the Hudson & Mohawk Rivers. This uncertainty respects the number, not the fact—the latter seeming to be beyond a doubt. In consequence...
51914General Orders, 25 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Peter McBride Matross in the 2d regiment of Artillery charged with "mutinous behavior," Joel Wilmot and Elmer Russell matrosses in the same regiment charged with "Desertion" were tried by the General Court martial whereof Lieutenant Colonel Stephens is president convicted and sentenced as follows vizt Peter McBride to receive one hundred lashes on his bare back with hiccory rods: Joel Wilmot...
51915To George Washington from Caleb Gibbs, 25 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Lieut. Mitchell of the 2d Massachusetts Regiment, who will have the honor of delivering your Excellency this applies for a discharge from the service. Whatever Mr Mitchells reason may be, I cannot ascertain. I have endeavoured to use my influence to dissuade him to the contrary, but it is of no avail. It being his first determination to leave the Army, I recommend him to Your Excellency for a...
51916To George Washington from William Grayson, 25 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Board have the honor to transmit you, the copies of Letters from the Governor of Virginia and Colonel Wood on the subject of the Convention Prisoners, also the resolutions of Congress which was adopted upon this occasion. Since this, the Board have thought it adviseable to direct the Non commissioned Officers & Privates to be sent to Rutland in Massachussetts bay, and the Commissioned...
51917From George Washington to John Hancock, 25 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
The great demand we shall have for powder in the proposed operations of the campaign constrains me to request a loan of this article, of the States who are possessed of it, to supply the deficiency of the Continental magazine. I therefore, Sir, earnestly request as great a loan of powder of the State of Massachusetts as can possibly be spared, and that the State would take most speedy and...
51918To George Washington from Bartholomew von Heer, 25 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Confident of Your Excellency’s Patience and Inclination to redress Grievances, I submit the inclosed to your particular Attention. By Copies of the papers here inclosed, your Excellency will see by number one, The Resolve of the Honourable Congress, appointing That all The Troops, I should inlist, were to be deemed, as the Quota of the state, in what they were inlisted. And when I had inlisted...
51919To George Washington from Richard Peters, 25 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will lay up, at the following Posts, Provisions for Three Thousand Men for five Days at each Post. These Provisions, are for the use of the Convention Prisoners & their Guards on their Route from Virginia to Rutland in Massachusetts Bay. If the Magazines of the United States will not afford the Supplies, you will call on the Executives of the Several States for Provisions in Part of their...
51920From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 25 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
It having been represented to me that some powder has been made by your Excellency’s directions, at Glassenbury & New Haven in this state, of materials belonging to the Continent, I take the liberty earnestly to request that such measures may be taken by the State as will transport it to Fishkill with the utmost expedition— great care being had that it should not be injured by the weather on...
51921From George Washington to Richard Varick, 25 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
By Virtue of Authority committed to me by Resolution of the Hone Congress of the United States of America—I do hereby appoint you my recording Secretary at Head Quarters—You will therefore enter upon the Duties of your office, and proceed therein agreeable to my Instructions herewith given you, conforming yourself at all Times to those Instructions, together with such others as may hereafter...
51922From George Washington to Richard Varick, 25 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Instructions to the Recording Secretary at Head Quarters. A. 1. All Letters to Congress, Committees of Congress, the Board of War, Individual Members of Congress in their public Characters and American Ministers Plenipotentiary at Foreign Courts, are to be classed together and to be entered in the Order of their Dates. B. 2. All letters, Orders and Instructions to Officers of the line, of the...
51923To George Washington from Richard Varick, 25 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
When I had the Honor of conferring with Your Excellency last, on the Subject of the confidential & pleasingly arduous Office tendered to me & heard Your Excellency’s Answers to my Objections, I put my Acceptance of the honorable Charge, on the Condition of procuring proper Persons under me for executing the Business in such Manner as to do ample Justice to the Public & not to disappoint Your...
51924To George Washington from John Wheelock, 25 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Mr Vincent will have the honor of delivering this letter—He is a Canadian of the Loretto tribe; and has for several years been a member of this Institution. He waits on your Excellency respecting a matter, in which he is interested in favor of his uncle—Permit me, Sir, to recommend him to your notice, as a person of integrity; and as having rendered real services to these States in Canada and...
51925George Nicolson to Virginia Delegates, [ca. 25 May] 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( NA : PCC , No. 78, XVII, 139). Addressed to “The Honble the Delagates in Congress for the State of Virginia.” Docketed by Charles Thomson, “Letter from Geo Nicolson Read May 26. 1781 Referred to the board of War.” Articles in the Public Magazine, wanted for the State of Virginia Gentlemen Above is a List of such necessarys now in the Continental Store which are much wanted in our State...
51926[To Thomas Jefferson from the Continental Board of War, 25 May 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia, 25 May 1781 . Extract of a letter from Col. William Fleming to Benjamin Harrison, Staunton, 7 June 1781 ( Official Letters , iii , 1): “I … take the liberty through you Sir of communicating a letter from the board of war of the 25th of May with a resolve of Congress of the 23d directing the removal of the Convention prisoners out of this State and requesting the necessary...
51927From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, 25 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just received a letter from Baron Steuben informing me that at the date of it (the 23d) he was on his way to the old Court house to fit the new recruits for the feild, and supposing it might be in your power to aid them with some articles necessary for them. If any thing can be done by the state in this way I think it will be of essential good, as, wherever these recruits are to be...
51928To Thomas Jefferson from William Grayson, 25 May 1781 [document added in digital edition] (Jefferson Papers)
The Board have the Honor of acknowledging the Receipt of your Letter of the 23d of April; This, with Colo. Woods Letter on the same subject was referred to the Consideration of Congress, who came to the Resolution of which the enclosed is a Copy; The Board have since determined to remove the non Commissioned Officers & Soldiers of the Convention Troops, as soon as possible, to Rutland in...
51929To Thomas Jefferson from John Nelson, 25 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The reduced Situation of my Corps has inducd the Marquis to order me to this Place, for the Purpose of recruiting the Horses, and geting equiped as fast as possible; to expedite which, Capt. Read will wait upon your Excellency with a State of our Wants to obtain Orders for what is necessary. When I had the Honor to see your Excellency at Wilton, you told me I should be furnished with what we...
51930From Thomas Jefferson to David Ross, 25 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Clothing which came here from Philadelphia is ordered to the Point of Fork in the Waggons which brought it. The other Waggons also proceed there. The Baron Steuben has written to me on the Subject of having the New Levies immediately equipped which I think with him to be very important. You will please to provide for them such articles as he shall inform you are wanting. According to the...