53851From Benjamin Franklin to Gabriel Johonnot, 15 September 1781 [i.e., on or after 16 September 1781] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Yale University Library Dr Franklin presents his Compliments to Col. Johonnot, and sends the Letter he desires for Mr Williams. He has not the least Acquaintance with any French Merchant at Nantes that is likely to enter into Col. Johonnot’s Views; and if he were to advise, it would be not to sollicit at present any one for Goods upon Credit. The great Losses that have been sustained by...
53852General Orders, 16 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
As during the present Scarcity of Provisions the Quarter Master will take care that a sufficient number of Cornfields be appropriated to the use of the Troops, the Commander in Chief in the most Pointed manner forbids the Soldiers entering or taking Corn in any field but those pointed out by the Quarter Master, and hopes that every Officer will exert himself to see this order attended to. DLC...
53853To George Washington from François-Joseph-Paul, comte de Grasse-Tilly, 16 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
je reçois avec reconnoissance, la lettre que Votre Excellence a bien voulû me faire l’honneur de m’écrire. je m’estimerois heureux, si je pouvois emporter de ces contrés, votre estime et votre amitié, ainsi que celle des Etâts unis, pour lesquels je mets tout mon zêle en activité. Votre Excellence aura sans doutte vû avec satisfaction que mon premier soin à mon retour de la sortie que les...
53854To George Washington from William Heath, 16 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
By this same conveyance Your Excellency will receive a letter from Governor Trumbull giving an account of the wanton conduct of the Enemy in their late attack on New London. The Enemy for some days have had a number of Troops embarked at New York. They had not sailed on Wednesday evening. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Your Excellencys Most Obedient Servant DLC : Papers of...
53855To George Washington from Thomas Nelson, Jr., 16 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Difficulty of procuring Vessels for the Transportation of Flour is so great, that I fear our Supplies will come in but slowly, unless some Aid can be obtained from the French Fleet. If an empty Transport or two could be spared for this Purpose, we should find them of infinite Advantage. The Part of the Country, whence we expect our immediate supplies, has been so fully in Possession of the...
53856From George Washington to William Davies, 16 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Upon viewing the troops of the Virginia Line this morning I find that they are almost totally destitute of Cloathing that is even necessary for the present season in consequence of which upwards of one third of them are renderd at present unfit for service. The importance of present exertions need not be pen’d as I flatter myself you must already be convinced of the necessity of them. You will...
53857From John Jay to Floridablanca, c. 16 September 1781 (Jay Papers)
Whatever may be the Issue of the american Revolution—whether that Country shall continue independent—or be doomed to reunite her Power with that of ^ G. ^ Britain, the good Will and Affection of the People of North America will never cease to ^ cannot in either Case ^ be of some Importance to ^ unimportant to ^ their Neighbours: nor will the y ma Impressions made upon their Minds ^
53858From John Jay to Montmorin, 16 September 1781 (Jay Papers)
The Paper herewith enclosed is the D t . of a Letter which I think of addressing ^ writing ^ to his Exey the Count De Florida Blanca The Subject as well as the occasion render ^ call for ^ much Circumspection necessary ^ demand
53859From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 16 September 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your letter of the 7th. inst. That mentioned to have been sent by the preceding post has not come to hand nor two others which Mrs. Randolph informs me you wrote before you left Virginia, nor indeed any other should you have been so kind as to have written any other. When I received the first letter fr[om the President of C]ongress inclosing their resolution, and mentioning...
53860To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 17 September 1781 (Adams Papers)
I Hope this will find Your Excellency’s Health well established, and that your Disorder has not left the Remains usually attendant on it, but that your wonted Spirit and Fortitude are continud, for indeed, they are necessary to you at this Juncture, if I am rightly informed of a late transaction in America, which has grievd and Confounded me above Measure. The Hints given me of it are...
53861To Benjamin Franklin from John Hindman, 17 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Being so unfortunate as not to be able to leave this for Paris till thursday next, on account of all the places in the Diligence from this being occupied before I arrived here; I thought it might not be amiss to give you as early as I could what little intelligence I could collect in travelling thro’ England, tho’ it may appear to be but of trifling...
53862To Benjamin Franklin from William Jones, 17 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Do me the honour to accept the enclosed pieces of poetry, the fruit of a few idle hours: they contain sentiments, which, I trust, you will approve. Your excellent notes on Foster I received, and give you my warmest thanks for them. A few weeks ago I wrote a long letter to you, enclosing one from an amiable young lady, whose venerable father and agreeable...
53863To Benjamin Franklin from Angélique-Michèle-Rosalie Jogues de Martinville Lafreté, 17 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Madme. Lafreté a l’honneur de faire mille Complimens à Monsieur francklin et de le prévenir, que la personne de Bayonne dont elle lui a parlé pour le consulat des Etats unis de l’amérique se nomme Mr. Galart desgraux; elle le recommande à sa Protection. Madme. Lafreté va faire un petit voyage en normandie; elle espere avoir a son retour le plaisir de voir...
53864To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Nesbitt, 17 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Stephen Willson, a young Gentleman lately arrivd from America will have the honor to deliver you this Letter. He is recommended to me by my friends in Philadelphia in the warmest manner, & doubt not but he will prove himself entirely worthy of your Excellencys favor & protection— I have the honor to remain wth. Sentiments of the greatest respect Sir...
53865[Diary entry: 17 September 1781] (Washington Papers)
17th. In company with the Count de Rochambeau—the Chevr. Chastellux—Genls. Knox & Duportail, I set out for the Interview with the Admiral & arrived on board the Ville de Paris (off Cape Henry) the next day by Noon and having settled most points with him to my satisfaction except not obtaining an assurance of sending Ships above York and one that he could not continue his fleet on this Station...
53866To George Washington from François-Joseph-Paul, comte de Grasse-Tilly, 17 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
It appears more eligible to occupy the anchoring ground near Cape Henry, than the position which the naval army occupied within the mouth of York River—because the fleet will cover the two Rivers of James & York whereas in the other case James River would be intirely dependant upon the particular vessels stationed there. Besides the Station at Cape Henry gives the naval Army greater facility...
53867To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 17 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received your very affectionate letter of the 30th of July; and your entire approbation of my conduct claims my warmest acknowledgments. I cannot help thinking it no less fortunate for the public than happy for ourselves that so perfect a good understanding subsists between your Excellency the Marquis and my self; and I beg leave to assure your Excellency that from duty and inclination I...
53868To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 17 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter of the 30th of July I have had the honor to receive. before the receipt of which I had sent off two of my aids to give your Excellency a very particular account of the state of the southern department. By Colonel Morris I wrote my opinion respecting the proper object to operate against should we be so happy as to be joined by our good ally. I presume he is with your...
53869To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 17 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of replying to your polite and agreeable letter of July the 15th by my son Ludwell who expected either to wait on you with it in Virginia or to get the letter forwarded by the Marquis de la Fayette. Altho I am at this time laboring under a severe fit of the gout, it is impossible to refrain from congratulating you, and rejoicing with our country, on the present happy and...
53870From George Washington to Alexandre-François-Auguste de Grasse-Rouville, comte de, marquis de Tilly Grasse, 17 September … (Washington Papers)
Questions proposed by General Washington to and Count De Grasse’s Answers to them. The noble and generous Support which is given to this Country, by His Most Christian Majesty does as it ought, fill the heart of every American with gratitude & Love; The zeal and alacrity with which His officers strive to carry His Royal intentions into execution, merit our highest admiration & applause, a...
53871From George Washington to Alexandre-François-Auguste de Grasse-Rouville, comte de, marquis de Tilly Grasse, 17 September … (Washington Papers)
Le noble et genereux Secours qui est donne a ce pays par Sa majesté tres chretienne, remplit comme il le doit Le coeur de tout Americain d’amour et de reconnoissance. Le zêle et L’activité qu’apportent les oficiers dans L’execution de Ses instructions royales, meritent au plus haut degré notre admiration et nos applaudissements—nous en avons actuellement sous Les yeux une nouvelle preuve—mais...
53872From George Washington to Anthony Walton White, 17 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will please to send to this place for the use of the Genl & field officers expected from the head of Elk twelve good Horses—they will be wanted till their own come by land, only—let a Commisioned Officer come with them that he may regularly account for their delivery—He will report himself, & these Instructions to the Marquis de la Fayette upon his arrival. Besides these, I shall want two...
53873From John Jay to Floridablanca, 17 September 1781 (Jay Papers)
La repugnance que J’ai senti á depecher le Majeur Franks sans transmettre au Congrés á son retour les Informations qu’il s’attend aux sujets que J’ai eu l’honneur de soumettre à la consideration de V. S, m’a engagé à le retenir jusqu’à cette heure, surtout étant encouragé d’esperer que V. S. auroit trouvé le loisir dans la semaine derniere, pour entrer dans des conferences serièueses avec moi...
53874From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [15–18 September 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
How chequered is human life! How precarious is happiness! How easily do we often part with it for a shadow! These are the reflections that frequently intrude themselves upon me, with a painful application. I am going to do my duty. Our operations will be so conducted, as to economize the lives of men. Exert your fortitude and rely upon heaven. Hamilton, History John C. Hamilton, Life of...
53875To Benjamin Franklin from Madame ——— Letellieur Benard, 18 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La joye que je ressentie au mois de mars dernier de revoire un fils qui Etoit party depuis Sept année redoubla quand il maprit qu’il avoit eû L’avantage de captivér La confiance de vos concitoyens Et celuÿ de votre honorable protection; je desirée á Lors donnér á votre Exélence un mot de má Sensible reconnoissance; mon fils m’engagá au Silance: il est...
53876To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Du Mourier with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 18 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’etais dejà penetré depuis longtems de veneration pour vos connaissances, votre patriotisme & vos vertus. Mr. Nixon Eclesiastique vient de me confier sa position & votre generosité, je luy ay payé sur le champ la lettre de Change qu’il tire sur vous. Mr. Le Mis. de Clarac qui se trouvait chez moy vous la remettra, & recevra de vous le comptant, il a voulu...
53877To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 18 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did myself the pleasure to write you on the 4th Currt to which I refer— Yesterday the Commissioners of Sick & Hurt sent to desire to see me, I waited on them & they wished me to write you to discharge from his Parole Major Cowley of the 22d Regt taken by the Black princess & carried into Cherburg & now on Parole at Vellona [Valognes], they offered to...
53878To George Washington from George Weedon, 18 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am honor’d with your Letter of 15th Inst. and take the earliest opportunity to offer my warmest congratulations to your Excellency on your safe return once more to your own Country—The greatest attention shall be paid to the small supply of Cartridges arrived in Camp last Night: previous to which the Troops in this Quarter had not two per Man, and am sorry to inform your Excellency that...
53879Virginia Delegates to Thomas Nelson, 18 September 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written and franked by Theodorick Bland. Addressed to “His Excelly. Thos. Nelson Esqr. Govr. of Virginia.” “No. 10” is written at the top of the letter. It was opened in Richmond by the Council of State during the absence of Nelson and then forwarded to him in “Camp before York.” The delegates would not number their future letters. We have been honord with Yr....
53880From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 18 September 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by Pendleton, “James Maddison Esqr. Sepr. 18th. 1781.” I was yesterday favored with yours of the 10th. instant. The various reports arrived of late from Chesapeake prepared us for a confirmation from our correspondents of a fortunate rencontre between the 2 fleets. A continuation of these reports although unsupported by any authentic evidence still keeps up...