53941From George Washington to William Heath, 24 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is Copy of a Resolution of Congress of the 5th inst. respecting the Conduct of Major Genl Howe while in Georgia—with Copy of the Instructions of the Genl Assembly of that State, in which is grounded the Resolution of Congress. These Papers I have lately received—and are now transmitted to you, that the necessary steps may be taken to pursue the Intentions of Congress by an Inquiry....
53942From George Washington to Robert Howe, 24 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
The constant Attention I have been obliged to pay to the March of the Troops—forwarding Stores—procuring Necessaries &c. for the Expedition in Contemplation with other unavoidable Circumstances, have prevented my giving an Answer to your private Letter, which I received at Philadelphia, before this Day. I am very sorry you have taken up the Matter in so serious a Light as seems to appear from...
53943To George Washington from John Hurt, 24 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
By endeavoring to gain intelligence for the Baron de Steuben last January, I was made a prisoner by a party of Simpcoe’s Corps—After suffering the most ignominious treatment at different times on board different prison Ships, about a month ago I had my parole extended from the Town of Norfolk, to the State of Virginia, here to remain till exchanged, or my parole attired —By the information I...
53944From John Laurens to Anonymous, 24 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in chief instructs me to inform you that the troops now arrived are to be debarked at the usual place—he wishes that the greatest possible assistance may be given to the Commanding Officers of the french troops on landing their men, by your flat bottomed boats and every other means in your power—it is of the utmost importance to facilitate & hasten the reunion of our forces at...
53945From George Washington to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 24 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favor of the 12th. You may be assured that should the proposal for the exchange of Genl Burgoyne be acceded to on the part of the enemy, every attention shall be paid to the rights of the southern Officers—my personal regard for you will make me particularly careful that no injustice shall be done to you—You have been misinformed as to any particular officers of your Rank...
53946To Thomas Jefferson from Hugh Rose, enclosing Affidavits respecting Jefferson’s Orders for Militia, 26 September 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Herewith you will receive my Affidavit with my Certificate agreeable to your Request in your Favour by Jupiter. If either of them from my Aversion to Prolixity shou’d not contain a due Portion of the Facts which came within my Knowledge, I hope you will not scruple to require my Attendance upon the Assembly, for be assured, that no Person will more readily step forth in Exculpation of injured...
53947To Benjamin Franklin from Turgot, 25 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library Un Gentilhomme Normand qui est depuis 27. ans établi a pensilvanie et qui de la permission du congrés est venu voir sa famille, veut bien se charger de me procurer des grainnes de L’amerique Septemtrionnale pour assurer Le succès de Ses Soins il seroit necessaire d’avoir une recommandation auprés de Monsieur hancock pour qu’il veulle bien permettre qu’on...
53948[Diary entry: 25 September 1781] (Washington Papers)
25th. Admiral de Barras having Joined the Count de Grasse with the Squadron and Transports from Rhode Island, & the latter with some Frigates being sent to Baltimore for the remr. of the French army arrived this day at the usual port of debarkation above the College Creek and began to land the Troops from them.
53949General Orders, 25 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
All deserters and persons coming from the Enemys Lines are to be sent in the first instance to Head Quarters—No Horses, Arms or accoutrements are to be purchased from them except for the Public services, unless it is specified to the contrary in the written passes which will be granted to them by the Adjutant General—any persons of the above discription found without proper passes, with the...
53950To George Washington from Daniel Brodhead, 25 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your favor of the sixth instant and agreeable to your instruction immediately ceased taking upon myself the Command of this post. I humbly beg your Excellencies pardon for having been mistaken as to your intention & I hope this misapprehension may not be considered as voluntary. Since the receipt of your Letter several disputes have arose respecting the person who was...
53951From George Washington to François-Joseph-Paul, comte de Grasse-Tilly, 25 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I cannot conceal from your Excellency the painful anxiety under which I have laboured since the receipt of the letter with which you honored me on the 23d inst. The naval movements which your Excellency states there as possible, considering the intelligence communicated to you by the Baron De Clossen, make it incumbent upon me to represent the consequences that wd arise from them—and to urge a...
53952To George Washington from François-Joseph-Paul, comte de Grasse-Tilly, 25 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Jai l’honneur de prévenir Votre Excellence, que j’ai assemblé ce matin un conseil composé des officiers genéraux de mon armée et je leur ai exposé les motifs qui m’y determinoient. Le résutât a êté, que le parti que je voulois prendre d’appareiller, etoit le plus brillant et le plus glorieux, mais qu’il ne remplissoit pas les vuës que nous nous etions proposés; Enconsequence, il a êté decidé...
53953To George Washington from William Heath, 25 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Apprehending it to be my duty to inform your Excellency of every movement of the enemy or interesting event in my department, I shall be as attentive to communicate as vigilant to collect intelligence. The last I have received, part of which is from confidential agents, is that the british fleet returned to the Hook the 20th, several of the ships in a shattered condition. It is said, five...
53954From George Washington to John Hurt, 25 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of Yesterday—It is a fact that, by particular Agreement with Sir Hry Clinton, the Chaplains both of the American & British Armies, are exempted from Detention by Capture, or Parole—pleading therefore that Stipulation, I know no Reason the Enemy can have for detaing you a Prisoner of War—or holding you under Parole—but should suppose you at your Liberty—several of...
53955To George Washington from Thomas McKean, 25 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will receive inclosed herewith copies of two Acts of Congress, one of the 20th and the other of the 24th instant, for your information. General St Clair, with the troops of the Pennsylvania line now here, will march for Head–Quarters as speedily as possible. I am happy that the order of Congress, for their rendezvous near Philadelphia, has not impeded their proceeding to...
53956To George Washington from Martelli Chautard, 25 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Jay L’honneur de vous adresser un Memoire Pour Mr Segond mon parent, auquel Je dois le plus vif Intèrest. on ma assuré que la grace que Je prens la liberté de demander a Votre Excelence, nest pas Sans Exemple, lés assertions flateuse qui nous été doné de la Conduitte Militaire de Cet Offer particulierement Par Mr Le Vicomte de Noaille, redoublans mon Interest pour luy, monsieu hardy à Vous la...
53957To George Washington from Alexander Scammell, 25 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
When your Excellency honor’d me with the command of a Regt of light Troops I presumed the operation of the main army would be pointed solely at New York, and that my detachment would constitute the Vanguard of the Army, In that point of view I esteem’d myself happy and did not wish to return to the command of the Brigade which devolved to me on the New arrangement of the army for the Campaign....
53958To George Washington from George Weedon, 25 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of your Excellency’s Letter of the 23d. Count D’Arotte at the head of Lauzun’s Cavalry, joined me yesterday 1/2 after 11 OClock; Mr Hunter my Volunteer Aide de Camp will have the honor of delivering you this; I had sent him in search of the Infantry of the Duc’s corps. he returned yesterday without being able to gain any intelligence of ’em, I take the liberty of introducing...
53959Virginia Delegates to Thomas Nelson, 25 September 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by Theodorick Bland, who also signed for JM. Received in Nelson’s absence but, although obviously opened, apparently not acknowledged by the addressee or the lieutenant governor. Yesterdays post arrived without any letter from your Excelly. to us. We cannot help observing to your Excelly. that the Operations of the fleet and army are of so important a...
53960Richard Cranch to John Adams, 26 September 1781 (Adams Papers)
Tho’ I have often wrote to your Excellency, yet I have not had the Happiness of a Line from you since you left us. I have this Day heard that Mr. Codman, who had his mercantile Education under our worthy Uncle Isaac Smith Esqr, will sail tomorrow Morning for Spain. I therefore take the liberty of sending a few Lines by him, tho’ the Conveyance be somewhat circuitous. Our Affairs at the...
53961William Jackson to John Adams, 26 September 1781 (Adams Papers)
Lest the date of my letter should alarm your Excellency, I am happy in prefacing it with an assurance that your dear little Boy, who is now at my elbow, is perfectly well. Mr. Gillon (to the baseness of whose character no term of reproach is equal) has, after adding insult to injury landed us in Spain. I would enter into the detail of his unparalleled villainies—but the late hour at which I...
53962To Benjamin Franklin from St. John de Crèvecoeur, [26 September 1781] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yes Sir I am the Same Person whom Madame La Contesse de Houdetot had been So Kind as to mention to you,— the Reason of this mistake proceeds from the singularity of the french Customs, which renders their names allmost arbitrary, & often Leads them to forget their Family ones; it is in consequence of this , that there are more alias dictus in this than in...
53963To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 26 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having an opportunity of a conveyance to you, I write one short line (as my notice is very sudden and short) just to tell you how happy I shd have been to have had an opportunity of seeing and Conversing with you. I fear that pleasure must be delayed, but it wd make me infinitely happy to look forward to that pleasure upon some future occasion.— At present...
53964To Benjamin Franklin from William Jackson, 26 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Columbia University Library I am sorry to inform your Excellency that the event has fully verified your prediction— Mr. Gillon, with a degree of baseness which would sully the blackest character on record, has violated his contract with Colonel Laurens in every instance— the circumstance of his having left Holland...
53965To Benjamin Franklin from John Shaffer, 26 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania My Interpreter & Attorney has Just Left me he Sais it is absolutly nessesry to Offir Securety Alltho he is Sure it will Not be Asked— I am Sure and Evry Body Agrees that I can ruin Dotun the moment the seals are broke & bring him in for Great Damadgus Besedes Recovering the 15200 Livers I Lost on the sale of the luggar— I have No other Securaty to offer...
53966General Orders, 26 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
The first Brigade of Light Infantry, Waynes Brigade and the third Maryland Regiment are to remove at eight oClock Tomorrow Morning to the encampment advanced of the city. The field Artillery attached to the Brigades are to be provided with Horses Tomorrow without fail. Four days Bread (if to be had) or flour and the like quantity of Meat (no more of which fresh than will keep) is to be issued...
53967To George Washington from François-Joseph-Paul, comte de Grasse-Tilly, 26 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Votre Excellence doit être rassuré dans ce moment, ayant reçû la lettre que j’ai eû l’honneur de luy ecrire hier 25. du mois; mais quoique sur la carte, la position que j’occupe, m’eut parû bonne; lorsque j’ai été sur le lieu, je l’ai trouvé mauvaise et hors d’Etât de rendre à votre armée; aucuns services, de plus, je me trouve dans l’impossibilité de faire de l’eau, et de donner à mes...
53968To George Washington from Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 26 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
J’ai l’honneur d’envoyer à Votre Excellence copie d’une lettre que j’ai reçue de Mr le Gardeur de Tilly. Elle Contient toutes les nouvelles qui me Sont parvenues de ce coté. Je viens de lui envoyer un Exprès et j’ai beaucoup d’esperances que mes lettres le trouveront encore dans la Baye de Chesapeak. Je me suis abstenu de lui faire aucune requisition d’y séjourner et j’ai pensé que c’etoit à...
53969To George Washington from Thomas McKean, 26 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of writing to you on the 21st instant, I have learned, that on the proposed mediation of the Emperor of Germany and the Empress of Russia to the belligerent powers, the Court of France accepted it, on condition his Allies the United States of America should accede thereto, adding he would immediately advertise them of the measure; the Court of Spain declined it, because a...
53970To George Washington from Thomson Francis Mason, 26 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I most sincerely congratulate your Excellency upon your safe Return to your native Country, and look upon it as a happy Presage of putting a glorious Period to the present War. But do not flatter yourself, that your Fatigues are to end with this War. No, more glorious ones are yet reserved for you, in ridding your Country of its domestic Enemies, more vilent indeed, but not less destructive,...