241From George Washington to John Jay, 29 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform your Excellency, that by a letter from Capt. Burrows dated the 26th at Middle Town, it appears, that the body of the Enemy mentioned in my last, as having made an incursion into Monmouth County reimbarked the afternoon of the same day and returned to New York. A small party of fifteen Continental Troops under Capt. Burrows had kept up a desultory fire upon them for a...
242To John Jay from Philip Schuyler, 29 April 1779 (Jay Papers)
Yesterday I was honored with your Excellency’s Letter of the 20 th covering the Act of Congress permitting my Resignation— I embrace the Opportunity of an Express to his Excellency General Washington to acknowledge the Receipt of it. The Distance at which Mess rs . Wolcott and Edwards reside from this place will not often permit those Gentlemen to afford M r . Dow their Aid on the Business of...
243From George Washington to John Jay, 30 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you an extract of a letter from Major General Gates relative to the complaints among the troops in the Eastern department for want of their pay —It will naturally claim the notice of Congress should not the nec[e]ssary supply of money have been ordered before this time. I have the honor to be with great regard and esteem Your most hble sevt. Df , in James McHenry’s...
244George Washington to John Jay, 3 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 3, 1779 . Advises that peace be made with only a part of the Indians. Thinks that Indians should be severely punished for past behavior. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
245From George Washington to John Jay, 3 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was duly honored with your Excellency’s letter of the 28th of last month, with its inclosures, to which proper attention shall be paid. I inclose you extracts from some letters lately received from General Schuyler, which are interesting in their nature, and require immediate direction. They are rather of a remote date, having been long in coming to hand. Congress will perceive, that some of...
246George Washington to John Jay, 5 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 5, 1779 . Reports that news from Great Britain “seems to breathe a vigorous prosecution of the war.” Asks that states be urged to complete their battalions. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
247From George Washington to John Jay, 5 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the honor to transmit your Excellency three New York papers of the 28th & 29th of April and 1st of May—which I think are interesting. The last contains extracts from Lord Norths speech at opening the budget which seems to breathe a vigorous prosecution of the war: I have thought appearances for some time past wore this complexion. The English papers have frequently announced...
248From George Washington to John Jay, 7–9 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of transmitting to Your Excellency the following Extract of a Letter from General Maxwell of the 5 Instt which I received last night. “My intelligence from the Enemy is, that 4000 Troops chiefly British are embarked for the West Indies or Georgia, though the latter is the most suspected. Generals Vaughan & Leslie are supposed to take the command—they were to embark this...
249George Washington to John Jay, [10 May 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Middlebrook, New Jersey, May 10, 1779 .] Agrees with Jay’s “summary of the causes of the national evils we feel.” Fears results of a strong British campaign during summer. Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
250From George Washington to John Jay, 10 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I sieze a moment of leizure to thank you my dear Sir for your obliging favours of the 21st & 26th of April—My friendship for you will always make me take pleasure in cultivating the esteem and confidence of which you so politely assure me. You give an affecting summary of the causes of the national evil we feel, and the still greater we have reason to apprehend—To me it appears that our...
251To John Jay from Gustavus Risberg, 10 May 1779 (Jay Papers)
This morning I waited on the Honorable Governeur Morris Esq r . one of the Committee for our Department to know if the Alteration proposed by Col. Stewart, Commissary General of Issues had pass’d the Approbation of Congress, when I was inform’d they had been reported—but nothing further done— As Col. Stewart is at Camp I beg leave to trouble you with these lines, and report, that for this four...
252George Washington to John Jay, 11 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 11, 1779 . Recommends that Brigadier General Lachlan McIntosh be allowed to serve with the Army in Georgia. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
253George Washington to John Jay, 11 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 11, 1779 . Discusses New Jersey remonstrance. Concludes that reported lack of cattle “will sensibly affect our Western expedition.” LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
254From George Washington to John Jay, 11 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Brigadier General McIntosh will have the honor to deliver you this. The war in Georgia, being in the State, to which he belongs, makes him desirous of serving in the Southern army. I know not whether the arrangements Congress have in contemplation may make it convenient to employ him there; but I take the liberty to recommend him as a Gentleman, whose knowledge of service and of the country...
255From George Washington to John Jay, 11 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose Your Excellency copies of letters and papers, which have passed on the subject of a late remonstrance from the officers of the 1st Jersey Regiment, to the Assembly of their state. This is an affair which Congress will no doubt view in a very serious light. To me it appears truly alarming. It shows what is to be apprehended, if some adequate provision is not...
256Patrick Henry in Council to John Jay, 11 May 1779 (Madison Papers)
On Saturday last in the Evening a British Fleet amounting to about thirty Sail consisting of one 64 Gun Ship (supposed by some to be the Saint Albans, and fifteen or Sixteen large Ships, some of them either Frigates or armed Vessels it is not known certainly which, and the others Vessels of lesser Size) came into the Bay of Chesapeak, and the next day proceeded to Hampton Roads, where they...
257George Washington to John Jay, 14 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 14, 1779 . Reports that deputies from Delaware Nation have arrived in Camp and have been referred to Congress. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
258From George Washington to John Jay, 14 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received the honor of your Excellency’s favor of the 10th with its several inclosures. When the order was given to General Glovers Brigade to be held in readiness to march, the comparitive state of the Enemy’s force and ours, allowing for the troops to be detached on the Western expedition made it indispensible, without risking more important misfortunes in this quarter than could...
259From George Washington to John Jay, 16 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with your Excellencys favor of the 10th instant; and the two resolutions of Congress which shall be properly attended to. I herewith take the liberty to transmit several papers of a serious nature, which have passed between General McIntosh and myself. I thought it my duty to submit them to the consideration of Congress, that it might decide whether the reasons given...
260George Washington to John Jay, 17 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 17, 1779 . Speculates on destination of the British detachment that sailed from New York. Estimates number of British troops that sailed and number that remains. Mentions possibility of surprise attack on New York. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
261From George Washington to John Jay, 17 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your favour of the 15th with the inclosed papers. The fleet mentioned in Governor Johnson’s letter may contain the detachment, which lately sailed from New York, and the object may be, if not to rescue, at least to facilitate the desertion of The Convention troops—This is the prevailing opinion in New York ⟨counte⟩nanced among other circumstances by the Goodrich’s...
262From George Washington to John Jay, 17 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing Your Excellency this morning, I received a Letter from General Gates, a Copy of which with the packet he mentions I transmit by this express. From Genl Gates’s account it appears indispensably necessary that a supply of money should be sent as soon as possible, if it has not been already done to pay the Troops. I have the Honor to be with the greatest...
263To John Jay from Robert Troup, 22 May 1779 (Jay Papers)
After mature Reflection I think it best for me to continue in the Army till the War is ended. You say an Officer who resigns at present will lose the Eclat his Services have given him. I thank you for your Advice, and have already improved it to Advantage, as you will find in the Subsequent Part of this Letter. Besides I feel my Happiness so intimately connected with the Prosperity of my...
264From George Washington to John Jay, 24 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received the inclosed news papers to day—and as they contain intelligence of an interesting nature I take the earliest opportunity of transmitting them to Your Excellency by Express. I have the Honor to be with sentiments of the highest esteem & respect Yr Excellency’s Most Obedt servt LS , in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DNA:PCC , item 152; Df , DLC:GW ; copy, DNA:PCC , item 169;...
265George Washington to John Jay, 25 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 25, 1779 . Is concerned about the “predatory” fighting of British. Encloses instructions to Brigadier General Charles Scott concerning reinforcements in the South. Discusses British preparations in New York. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
266From George Washington to John Jay, 25 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with Your Excellencys favours one of the 12th two of the 19th and one of the 22d—with their inclosures, to all which due attention shall be paid. The predatory war which the enemy now seem resolved to carry on will be very distressing—little aid can be afforded from the army in its present situation and the militia appear to be too ill provided with arms to defend themselves. How...
267From George Washington to John Jay, 26 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Mr Wadsworth who is just now returned from the Eastward, informs me, that a vessel had arrived there from Charlestown S. Carolina, the captain of which told him, that he slipped out of the harbour, the night of the 5th instant (a fresh embargo being laid that evening on all the shipping, and the sailors ordered on shore for the defence of the Town). The report was that the enemy were on this...
268From George Washington to John Jay, 27 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was last night honoured with your Excellency’s favor of the 25th—and with the papers to which it referred—which shall have my attention. You will be pleased to receive Two New York Gazettes. I have the Honor to be with the greatest respect & esteem Yr Excellency’s Most Obedt sert Df , in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
269To John Jay from Thomas Pitcairn, 27 May 1779 (Jay Papers)
In Justice to my Brother officers and myself on Parole at this Place, my Duty directs me to adress you. To sett forth the insult and abuse of some persons Inhabitants of Reading; Of which I beg leave to trouble you with a Short naration founded on facts— On Saturday last the 23 rd Ins t : Lieut. Dunlop in Company with some ladies of the Place, were walking the Streets, he received several...
270From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 2 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Royal Library, Windsor; copy: Library of Congress; transcript: Columbia University Library I received a few Days since by way of St Eustatia, the Duplicate of a Letter you did me the honour to write to me of 3d Jany. But the Act of Congress of Decr 23d which you mention is not yet come to hand. Col Diricks whom the Secretary names to you called here in his way to Holland, and brought me a...