79061From George Washington to John Jay, 31 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of addressing Congress some time since on the subject of General Du Portail and the Gentlemen with him —He informs me that his affair has not yet been decided and is extremely anxious that it should be in some way or other—He assigns many powerfull reasons to show that it is very interesting to him, if he is not to continue in our service, to return to france as speedily as...
79062To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 31 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I a few hours ago received Your Excellencys favour of the 26th Inst. with a letter accompanying it to Sir Henry Clinton that and the Letter to Coll Butler was immediately sent forward I inclose to Your Excely two New York Papers of the 26th & 30th Inst. Was I supply’d with some Pennsylvania & the Jersey Papers to send into New York I could have a constant supply in return. I have likewise...
79063To George Washington from Israel Putnam, 31 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Israel Putnam, 31 Dec. 1778. On 18 Jan. 1779 GW wrote to Putnam acknowledging receipt of “your favor dated thro’ mistake the 31st Inst.,” a letter that included observations on the affairs of Capt. William Smith Scudder. An extract copy of Putnam’s letter to GW, correctly dated 31 Dec. 1778, reads: “P.S. I have inclosed Govr Clintons Ansr to mine on Capt. Scudders...
79064From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 31 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
In a letter which I had the pleasure of writing you the 18th Inst. I requested you to take the direction of the magazines &c. which were to be prepared towards a certain expedition—I should have extended the idea to your taking the full command in the Northern department; but I was restrained by a doubt how far the measure might be agreeable to your own views and intentions—The same doubt...
79065General Orders, 1 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Brigade Commissaries are to deliver their Hides and Tallow to the Commissary of Hides at Bound-Brook, at least once a week, taking his receipt for the same, and the Commissary of Hides will issue upon the order of the Commandant of Brigades what number of hides may be necessary to exchange for shoes for the use of their respective Brigades; provided that demand does not exceed the number...
79066To George Washington from the Marquis de Brétigney, 1 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of presenting to Your Excellency the summary of my plan for raising a french Corps. I submit it intirely to Your Decision, and it is only in consequence of your intire approbation, that I shall permit myself to take any measures on this subject. I have the most violent desire of serving under your orders, and my only means of repairing the misfortunes which I have suffered—is...
79067From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 1 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I arrived here, I received Your favor of the 17th Ulto. I am sorry the Country about Minisincks or within supporting distance could not afford forage sufficient to subsist Count pulaski’s Horse. Matters respecting them and their Quarters are arranged before this. As to the German batallion—should any pressing circumstances arise to make it essential, you may call it from Easton. With...
79068From George Washington to John Jay, 1 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of transmitting to Congress the inclosed Letter with the papers which accompany it, which I received two or three days ago from His Excellency Governor Clinton. Mr McDowel’s application seems to merit relief—whether the Barn &c. were destroyed by accident or through design. In either case the injury is the same—and may equally call for reparation by the public in the first...
79069To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 1 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys favor of the 18th ult: Covering Copy of your orders to the Quarter Master General I had the honor to receive on the 30th. I shall with the utmost alacrity Carry your Excellencys orders Into Execution, nor shall my resignation Even after It shall have been Accepted by Congress prevent me In the least from giving my personal Aid to procure every thing necessary for the...
79070From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 1 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed was addressed to me by the Board of War at the request of Mr Rutherford. As it appears from the State of the Case that an Officer is necessary to keep the Men employed in the shoe Factory at Newark in order, I think it will be best for you to appoint one for that purpose. You may perhaps know more of the matter than I do, and therefore should there be any misrepresentation, you...
79071From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 1 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I this minute received Your Lordships favor of the 29th Ulto; that of the 24th came to hand on Wednesday night. If a stroke can be effected against the Enemy on Staten Island with success, it is much to be desired—and if the situation of the Bay of New York is such as to prevent support coming from the City or Long Island; and the passage from Jersey on account of the ice should be safe for...
79072General Orders, 2 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Congressman Samuel Holten wrote in his diary on this date: “The Delegates of South Carolina, invited the Congress & Genl. Washington to dine with them at the city Tavern” ( Smith, Letters of Delegates Paul H. Smith et al., eds. Letters of Delegates to Congress, 1774–1789 . 26 vols. Washington, D.C., 1976–2000. , 11:395).
79073From George Washington to Brigadier General Jacob Bayley, 2 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favr of the 8th Decemr at this place, from whence I shall return again to Middle Brook in a few days. New and more powerful reasons have occurred for laying aside the expedition at this time, than when I wrote you last. I therefore again desire that you will desist from making further preparations and not go beyond the orders which have been given you by The Quarter Master and...
79074To George Washington from Brigadier General Jacob Bayley, 2 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Two days after my last the Inclosed account came to Hand it Corrisponds with the former accounts as to the Numbers (nearly) in Canada yet as it differs as to thier Stations: I thought it Necesary that your Excelency Should be notified of it. I Send this by way of Boston Post which may Take three days longer but will Save the Exspence of an Express from Hence, I am Concerned for the Safty of...
79075To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 2 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
By a Letter received last week from the Commanding Officer at Fort Schuyler, I am informed that a certain William Johnston an Indian of the Six nations had been at the Oneida Castle endeavouring to persuade that friendly Tribe to forsake our Interest, and join them—An Officer and party were immediately dispatched to apprehend him; but they returned the next day unsuccesfull—he having fled...
79076From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 2 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 12th of last Month from Williamsburg is got safe to hand, & I am obliged to you for the Deed which you have got from the Secretary’s Office in Richmond & purposed bringing to Lund Washington. You say I shall be surprized at the slow progress made by your Assembly in the passage of the Bills through both Houses. I really am not, nor shall I, I believe, be again surprized at...
79077To George Washington from William Fitzhugh, 2 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to recieve Your very kind Letter of The 25th Ulto, & am Infinitely Oblig’d to you, As both Mrs Fitzhugh & myself Are, for your friendly Sympathy on the Captivity of Our Son; She was a Good Deal Hurt on the first Advice recd, Nor is it to be wonder’d at, Considering the Various Reports respecting that Unfortunate Affair; Sometimes we heard that Our son was Dangerously Wounded,...
79078To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 2 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have nothing to Inform Your Excellency of since my last, only that Lieut. Campbell of the Convention Troops is co[m]e out, and I have sent an Officer with him. I have got a London paper from him which I inclose of the 6th Octr wherein their is a passage that mentions Coll Houseker, and which I thought proper you should be acquainted with. I am your Excellencys Most Obedient Humble Servant...
79079To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 2 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Major General Philip Schuyler, 2 Jan. 1779. On 18 Jan., GW wrote Schuyler : “I have had the pleasure of receiving your favs. of the 1st and 2d instants with their several inclosures.”
79080From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 2 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 30th Ulto. I thank you for the intelligence it contains. I shall communicate that part of your letter respecting Cannon Ball to the Board of War and Ordnance, and if they have not already made Contracts for a sufficient quantity, they may, if they think proper, make their proposals known to the Managers of the Works under your Lordships direction. I return your...
79081From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 2 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 23d ulto inclosing a letter No. 5 from C——. I have no new instructions to give him and therefore if you see or write to him only desire him to comply as near as possible with those already sent to him. There are regular Expresses established between Danbury and the Head Quarters of the Army and you therefore need not in future send a special Messenger the whole...
79082General Orders, 3 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
79083To George Washington from John Beatty, 3 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
On my arrival at this place with a View of Negociating the Exchange of a Number of Marine Prisoners: I am prohibited by the Commanding Officer at this post of conducting my Business in the usual manner, but am informed that previous to my sending in any Prisoners, it is necessary that I should have a particular and Special Order from Your Excellency for that purpose—As this mode of proceedure...
79084To George Washington from James Duane, 3 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
When I have the Honour of seeing your Excellency I will explain the objection made in Congress to the plan for establishing the Department of Inspector General. It holds up the Idea too strongly of seperate Departments which, as they have been conducted, imply an Independence of the Commander in Cheif, & are in other respects productive of Inconvenience & Expence. And it assigns too high a...
79085To George Washington from George Measam, 3 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter of the 14th Ulto I had the Honor to receive, but not ’till the 31st. I now inclose a Return of the Cloathing on hand, by which your Excellency will see the particular number of overalls in store, including some that are on the road from Boston of which I have an Invoice. I really am deficient in Comprehension whether your Excellency means I shall keep a proportion of...
79086To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 3 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor of receiveing your Excellency’s of the 1st Instant. the very great Change in the weather has so rotted the Ice that I must give up all thoughts of proposed enterprize for the present. Yesterday Afternoon arrived here Mr Noble Aid de Camp to General Phillips with a letter to your Excellency which Doctor McHenry will now enclose, he was very desireous of either going on to...
79087To George Washington from Brigadier General William Woodford, 3 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
When I obtain’d your Excellencys permission to come to Virginia I had no doubt but the business that brought me in, would by this time have been compleated, & that I should have been able to comply with your Excellencys request, & my own inclinations, to return to my Duty in the army—but it will necessarily detain me some considerable time longer; for which I hope I shall have your further...
79088General Orders, 4 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
The commanding Officers of Brigades are to make report of their huts and how far completed as soon as possible. Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
79089To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 4 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Nothing but that indisposition with which I have been confined for upwards of four Months, could have excused me from waiting on your Excellency e’er now, and welcoming you once More to New Jersey, a State so much indebted to your former residence here, for its present safety & Happiness. Permit me Sir, while I am sensible of your aversion to any unnecessary parade or Ostentation, to enclose...
79090To George Washington from James Geary, 4 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I just now have recd from Geo: Measam Esqr. Commissary Genl Cloathg for the Northern Army, now at Springfield Six Hhds said to contain, six hundred and eighteen Shirts and two thousand and forty seven pair Shoes, for the use of the Army of the United States, he Geo: Measam, desires that I should immediatly inform your Excellency of the arrival of said Cloathing at this place, and at the same...
79091To George Washington from Alexander McNutt, 4 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to lay before Your Excellency Copies of Such papers as I have presented to the Right Honourable the Congress, hope it will appear Evident that the People of Nova Scotia are only waiting for Directions from your Excellency what measures to take, for which purpose your Excellency Shall be furnished with a true State of that Colony in a very Short time after my arrival there, provided...
79092To George Washington from Colonel Thomas Marshall, 4 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
as their is Several officers of my regiment which have not received a Suply of Cloathing from the Contenental Store, and as their is a large Store now at Fish kill. I Should take it as a Great faver that your Excellancy would Give an Order on the Comy of Cloathing at that place for their Suply as the Cloathing Cannot be Obtained by an Order from aney other person. I am Sir with respect your...
79093To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 4 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor of writing to you Yesterday by Express, I have since received a Letter from Captn Burrowes by which he informs me of the sailing of a Fleet on the 29th consisting he says of 27 Ships 13 Brigs and Snows, and 13 Sloops and Schooners, in all 53 Sail, but the Messenger who brought me that Letter says that after the writing that Letter, more Vessels of various Siezes came down so as...
79094To George Washington from Colonel Edward Wigglesworth, 4 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am exceeding loth to trouble your Excelency on so trifling a Subject, as a matter of rank, when Affairs of much greater moment, must necessarily call for your Attention, but in Justice to myself as an Officer, think I ought to enquire into the Affair—Your Excellency may remember, that some time in either the month of Feby or March last, a Board of Genl Officers was order’d to determine the...
79095General Orders, 5 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
As passing over Rye and Wheat Fields will prove very prejudicial to the inhabitants and ruin their crops, all officers are called upon to prevent as far as possible such pernicious practices and bring to condign punishment such as transgress. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Congressman Samuel Holten wrote in his diary on this date that “Genl. Washington invited congress to dine with him at the...
79096To George Washington from John Grizzage Frazer, 5 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you the 20th Ulto, and inclosed you the King of Great Britains Speach, to his parliament, when they met Novr 26th. And as the Vessell is still here waiting for a Convoy; I take the liberty of writing you a second Letter, informing you that the Debates in parliament are much in favour of us; In the House of Lords we have Thirty Five Members against the present Ministry, and their...
79097To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 5 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
The little leisure I have dont afford me a sufficient opportunity to go largely into the subject your Excellency requested my opinion upon. I have been oblig’d to write for two Nights past until after one oClock in the morning, and am now writing before Sunrise. Therefore I hope your Excellency wont think me inattentive to your wishes or regardless of the Subject. I think the fact is pretty...
79098To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Udny Hay, 5 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Necessity I hope will plead my excuse for troubling you with the following narrative, and at same time for requesting your Excellencies order thereanent. In the Month of Septr—76 I was ordered by General Gates to purchase a quantity of Forage &c. &c. from the inhabitants on the borders of Lake Champlain, for the use of the Garrison at Tyconderoga which he then commanded; In consequence of...
79099To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 5–10 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
in my dificult situation, at Such a distance from you, I am oblig’d to take a determination by Myself and this I hope will meet with your approbation—you Remember that in making full allowances for deliberations, the answer from Congress was to Reach me before the 15th of last month, and I have long waïted Since without ever hearing from them —Nay, many gentlemen from philadelphia, where,...
79100To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 5–6 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
On the evening of the 25th ulto I received information, at Charles-Town, that the enemy had arrived with upwards of twenty ships at Tybee, near the mouth of the river, Savannah, and in a harbour south of the river. The few troops at Charles-Town were immediately put in motion, and marched for Georgia; On my way, I met an express, from General Howe, who was in Georgia, informing that on the...
79101To George Washington from John Morgan, 5 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Doctor Morgan presents his most respectful Compliments to his Excellency General Washington, and informs him that a Committee appointed by Congress to examine into the State of the Hospitals under his Direction, and into his Conduct, in the Discharge of Duty, meets this Evening at 7. OClock. It is recommended to Him to apply to his Excellency for a few Lines, respecting his Attention to the...
79102To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 5 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have just been favoured with yours of the 20th and 26th Ulto have noticed the contents, and shall regulate matters accordingly. Nothing new has happened since I had the honor to address you on the subject of the disturbances in General Huntingtons Brigade, which I am happy to inform you has not been repeated, or attended with any farther ill consequences. The Prisoners, who were confined as...
79103General Orders, 6 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Sarah Bache wrote to Benjamin Franklin from Philadelphia on 17 Jan. 1779 that she had “lately been several times invited abroad with the General and Mrs Washinton, he allways enquires after you in the most afectionate manner and speaks of you highly we danced at Mr. Powels [Samuel Powel, mayor of Philadelphia] your Birth day or night I should say in company...
79104From George Washington to the Marquis de Brétigney, 6 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 1st Inst. and perused Your summary of a plan for raising a french Regiment. The matter not being officially before me I can only give as my opinion that the precautions which you have there proposed—such as the limiting the number of officers to the proportion of men enlisted—the choice of Soldiers united by the ties of Country similar manners and ways of...
79105From George Washington to John Morgan, 6 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
So much time hath elapsed since the several transactions, upon which you require my opinion, happened, and having none of my papers of that day to refer to, I am obliged to trust to my memory alone, which I fear will enable me to give but very imperfect answers to the queries contained in your letter of the instant. The Hospitals at Cambridge being stationary, and in a Country full of every...
79106To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 6 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received at this place your letter dated from Philadelphia of December the 25th for which and allowing Lieutenant Campbell going to New York I return you, Sir, my very sincere thanks. I lament from the bottom of my heart at there being so little likelyhood of an Exchange of Prisoners of War, the cause of humanity is deeply interested in it, and the injury both sides receives should urge...
79107To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 6 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
By the Treaty of Convention of Saratoga the Troops were to be allowed to send for Cloathing and necessaries and other articles of comfort and convenience such as Sugars Wines &c. &c. this has been constantly complyed with hitherto, and at our departure from the Massachusetts Bay there was actualy a Flag of Truce Vessel for use of the Convention Troops in Boston Harbour, but it was not unloaded...
79108General Orders, 7 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Clothier General is immediately to deliver out to the respective regiments any deficiencies of the proportion of clothing allowed at Frederick’s burgh: When that is completed, the commanding officers of Brigades are to make returns in to the Orderly-Office of whatever then will be deficient. Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
79109To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 7 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
This letter will be delivered to your excellency by Mister Nevill my aid de Camp whom I beg you to favor with a leave of absence for joining me in france—Besides the affection I have for that gentleman, I also think his voyage may forward the public good as he will be intrusted with those dispatches Congress are going to Send —may I beg you, my dear general, to hurry theyr expedition, and let...
79110From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 7 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 31st Decemr inclosing two letters from Major Howell. To prevent a too frequent intercourse by Flag Boats I lately wrote to the Governors of Pennsylvania and New Jersey and pointed out the inconveniences of people’s coming almost daily with permissions from them to go into New York, which occasioned the Officer commanding at Elizabeth Town to send a Flag with each...