54481From George Washington to Virginia Magistrates of Essex County, 29 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
It is of essential importance to the public, that the British sick and wounded should be removed from York & Gloucester to the places of their destination as soon as possible—To do it wholly by Land (in our circumstances) is impracticable, and the means of removing them by Water is not in my power. The best expedient I can devise is to send them up York river to the nearest point to...
54482To George Washington from Baron de Frey, 29 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to represent to your Excellency that I obtained a Commission of Captain from the Honorable Congress the 2d of february 1778. I Served in the family of Major general Marquis de la Fayette till after the battle of Monmouth. in the Month of July following general Count Pulasky gave me a Company in his Legion—but on its reform being at that time a prisonner of war, I was unavoidably...
54483To George Washington from François-Joseph-Paul, comte de Grasse-Tilly, 29 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
J’ai reçû les deux lettres que vous m’avés fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 28. de ce mois, ou etoient jointes les vuës de Votre Excellence, pour la position a prendre par L’Escadre au printemps prochain, pour exécuter les projets les plus avantageux á L’amérique. je crois ainsi que vous, que c’est á La Bayë de Chesapeack, qu’il faudroit arriver, si l’on n’avoit rien déterminé d’avance, mais je...
54484From George Washington to William Heath, 29 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
As the Troops belonging to the States eastward of the Delaware are preparing to return from Virginia; and as the season for placing the Army in Winter Quarters is fast approaching I have thought it expedient to give you this early notice of the disposition of the Troops, that preparations may be made for their accomodation accordingly. The Troops of New Jersey, will remain in that State, near...
54485From George Washington to Thomas Jones, 29 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby authorized and directed to deliver to the order of One thousand stand of Arms with accoutrements complete, for the use of the State of North Carolina. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
54486From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 29 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Count de Grasse having been so good as to submit the inclosed Signals to my light & Improvement—agreable to his Desire, I take this first Opportunity to return them to your Excellency by a safe Conveyance—And hope they may prove of signal Advantage to the Commanders of his Most Christian Majesty’s Naval Armies. I have the Honor to be Your Excellency’s Most Obedient humble Servant, AAE :...
54487From George Washington to Thomas Sim Lee, 29 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
During the operations against York, Capt. Thomas Shilds was sent to the Eastern shore of Maryland in order to procure plank for the artillery and engineering departments. The exigency was so pressing, that he was directed to spare no measures for procuring it. Part of it he obtained by contract, and the remainder, 13,546 feet of inch pine plank, he was under a necessity of taking by impress....
54488From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 29 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
All the Troops which are about to return to the Northward will be under your Command— and I entreat you to use every means in your power to dispatch them by Land, or Water, or partly by both, as circumstances may require. The Ordnance, and Stores of every kind, must be dispatched, or in such train for it, as to need no further cover or aid from the Troops, ’ere they can move from their prest...
54489From George Washington to Alexander Martin, 29 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the , and am happy that the late acquisition of arms we have received, by the surrender of the enemy in this quarter, has put it in my power to supply the State of North Carolina with a number, which cannot fail of being very useful. Enclosed is an order on Mr Jones D.F.C.M. Stores for one thousand arms and accoutrements complete, which he will deliver to your...
54490From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 29 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Detachment of which you will have the command, for the Southward, is to consist of the Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia Continental Troops. You will march them by the most convenient route, and in the most expeditious manner (without fatiguing the Troops) towards Wilmington in North Carolina; of which, or other Posts in that State, you will endeavour to dispossess the Enemy, if their...
54491From François-Joseph-Paul, comte de Grasse-Tilly to Allan McLane, 29 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I request that you will proceed with all possible expedition in your boat—to the Capes—and reconnoiter as nearly as is consistent with your safety, the british Fleet, in order to ascertain their strength and disposition—and particularly whether they have any number of transports under convoy—if circumstances should make it more advisable to make your observations from the Shore—You will apply...
54492Richard Cranch to John Adams, 30 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am just come from Braintree, and hear a Vessell is to sail for France directly: I have only time to enclose you two Hand-Bills, on the Contents of which I heartily congratulate you. —American Affairs never wore a more agreeable Aspect than at present. I want to hear how this News will be relish’d at St. James’s. Captains Brown, and Skinner are arriv’d from Amsterdam last Week, and Capt....
54493To John Adams from Joshua Johnson, 30 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am this day honord with your polite favour of the 20 Idem covering two Letters one for the President of Congress and the other for Major Jackson, the first will go forward this day by the Sally Cap Worth for Rhode Island, the other shall be sent so soon as I can find out where Major Jackson is. You say there is no News but that of Commodore Gillon and that I must have heard off, this is...
54494From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques and Anne-Louise Brillon de Jouy, 30 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Je vous remercie bien, mon cher & respectable Ami, de votre agréable Postscriptum, dans laquelle vous me faites esperer que vôtre Voyage aura l’heureux Effét proposé. Mon fils est trés sensible à vôtre Bonté en vous souvenant de lui; il presente ses compliments respectueuses. Nos dernieres Nouvelles de l’Amerique sont bonnes. Puissent ils continuer telles!...
54495To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 30 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I now remain without any reply to my Letters of the 4th & 18 Sepr, at which I am rather surprised, I find however that Major Cowley concerning whom I wrote has obtained his Parole by which it appears the Black Princess acted under a French Commission he being released as such— The Commissioners of Sick & Hurt sent for me a few days ago & informed, that they...
54496General Orders, 30 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
For the Day tomorrow Brigadier General Gist Lieutenant Colonel Van Dyck Major Rice Brigade Major Hobby The second Regiment of York and Lieutenant Colonel Barber’s Battalion will furnish the Guards and fatigue parties tomorrow. Vose’s and Gimat’s Battalions for fatigue for levelling the works tomorrow. In pursuance of the determination of a Board of General Officers setting forth the means by...
54497To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 30 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
Within a few days, I have received from General Smallwood, the arrangement of the Maryland line; by which I find that Colonel Hall has resigned, and that the regiments are fast forming, to compose two brigades; and as General Smallwoods promotion, creates a vacancy in the line of Brigadiers, to which Coll Williams stands in the line of promotion; I am to request, that your Excellency, will...
54498To George Washington from William Heath, 30 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 16th and since with the glorious news of the completion of your wishes in the capture of Earl Cornwallis and his army; on which I pray your Excellency to accept my most sincere and hearty congratulations. I have been carefully watching the enemy in this quarter, determined to give them a blow where ever it appeard practicable. But although their force has...
54499From George Washington to Thomas Sim Lee, 30 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the honor of transmitting to your Excellency the terms upon which Lord Cornwallis has surrendered the Garrisons of York and Gloucester. We have not been able yet, to get an Acct of Prisoners, Ordnance or Stores in the different departments—but from the best general report there will be (Officers included) upwards of Seven thousand Men besides Seamen—more than 70 pieces of Brass...
54500From George Washington to Alexander Martin, 30 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Favor of the 10th Octo. accompanied with your Letter addressed to Lord Cornwallis—Before the Receipt of which his Lordship had surrenderd himself & Army prisoners of War to the United States—in Consequence of which, it is not in that late Gentleman Commanders Power to give you any Relief in Behalf of Govr Burke. I am very sorry for the unhappy Situation & ill treatment of...
54501From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 30 October 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). On the cover is this note: “Colo. Pendleton will be so Obliging as to bring the form he promised to Church next Sunday T. Jones.” Pendleton and Thomas Jones (d. 1782), a planter, lived in St. Mary’s Parish, Caroline County, and were members of the same congregation of the Church of England. JM addressed the letter to “The Honble Edmund Pendleton Esqr Caroline County...
54502From Benjamin Franklin to William Hodgson, 31 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Library of Congress, William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan I have ordered another Sum into your hands for the Prisoners, and will keep you constantly supply’d so as that you may furnish them with a Shilling each per Week from the middle of November to the Middle of March. I hear nothing from Digges. Do you know what is become of him? I am...
54503From Benjamin Franklin to Marignac, 31 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Made Montgomery qui me fait l’honneur de se charger de celle cy, est une Dame Ameriquaine qui n’a d’autre But en venant en Europe, que celui de donner la meilleure Education a son fils unique, qui l’accompagne. M’ayant demandé mon Conseil a ce Sujet, j’ai cru ne pouvoir mieux seconder ses Vues qu’en vous l’adressant. Il seroit inutile de vous recommander...
54504From Benjamin Franklin to Penet, 31 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress; copy: Virginia State Library, Richmond I have consider’d your Proposition to me, that I should legalize your Bonds for the State of Virginia. The Manner of doing this, as you explain’d it to me verbally, is by writing on each of them the Word Vue , with my Signature. I have taken Advice on this Subject, and am informed that it is by no means proper for...
54505To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Bell, 31 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I had the Honor to Write your Excellency, the 28: of Last Month, to Which I have not been favor’d With an Answer,— Mr. Nesbitt, has Likewise mentiond my Situation to you— I have this Day, recieved A Letter from Captn. John Kinnear, the person for Whom it was proposed I should be Exchanged, Who Engages in Case he Gets his Liberty on Parole, to Make his...
54506To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 31 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I profit by the oppertunity of the bearer Monsieur Bory to transmit the Bond duely executed for the Commission of the Brig Mariana for which I hold my self obliged to you. We may flatter ourselves from the receiption Admiral Greaves met with from Comte de Grass of seeing the Southern States freed from the Rapatious ravages of a cruel Enemy. Permit me to...
54507To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Dana, 31 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society Since my arrival here which was on the 27th. of Augt: N.S. I have taken up one thousand Roubles upon Mr: Grand’s letter of Credit upon Messrs: Strahlborn & Wolff, at different times, and yesterday drew a bill upon you for the same, value in Sterlg: £197. 18. 4 if I have not miscast it. This is the course in which Mr: Grand has proposed this business...
54508To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Neave & Son, 31 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We rece’d your very Kind favor of the 12th. of April last, which was detain’d by Accident near two Months at Rouen, & until the Friend who carried you our Letter return’d from Paris.— Since then our distress’d Situation has put it out of our Power to return you sooner, our best thanks for your Friendly Opinion & advice.— We lament the Necessity we are under...
54509General Orders, 31 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
For the Day Tomorrow Brigadier General Hazen Lieutenant Colonel Cochran Major Graham Brigade Major Fullerton General Wayne’s brigade for Guard and Fatigue in Yorktown and Hazen’s for levelling the works tomorrow. The Quartermaster General is requested to point out a House in York or elsewhere convenient for a Provost. Notwithstanding the repeated Orders for that purpose it is reported there...
54510From George Washington to George Baylor, 31 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Moylan having received instructions respecting the Regiments of Cavalry—or Legionary Corps—you will receive your orders from him, & carry them into effect with all the zeal and alacrity in your power. Given at the Camp near York this 31st day of Octr 1781. The same orders to Colo. White of the 1st Regt of Dragoons. DLC : Papers of George Washington.