1Editorial Note: Notes and Documents Relating to the British Invasions in 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The documents here gathered together, though covering a long span of time, are so gathered and given special annotation because of their close interrelationship and because the events they deal with had a profound effect both upon Jefferson’s reputation as governor and upon his own feelings. The events they record led directly to the legislative motion of 12 June 1781 to investigate...
2I. Diary of Arnold’s Invasion and Notes on Subsequent Events in 1781: Versions of 1796?, 1805, and 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Sunday. Richmond. 1780. Dec. 31. At 8. A.M. the Governor [Th: J.] recieves the first intelligence that 27. sail of ships had entered Chesapeak bay, and were in the morning of the 29th. just below Willoughby’s point, the Southern cape of James river, their destination unknown. [1]781. Jan. 2. Tuesday. At 10. A.M. information is recieved that they had entered James river, their advance being at...
3II. Arnold’s Invasion as Reported by Jefferson in the Virginia Gazette, 13 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
A narrative of the late incursion made by the enemy to this place. On the 31st of December, a letter from a private Gentleman to General Nelson reached this place, notifying that in the morning of the preceding day, twenty seven sail of vessels had entered the Capes, and from the tenor of the letter, there was reason to expect within a few hours farther intelligence whether they were friends...
4III. Depositions Taken in 1796 respecting Jefferson’s Conduct during Arnold’s Invasion, 12 October 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Archibald Blair’s Deposition Being requested to state what I recollect of the circumstances which occasioned the loss of the public records in the year 1781, and the time Mr. Jefferson, the then Governor of Virginia, quitted Richmond upon the approach of the enemy,—I do well remember that Mr. Jefferson was extremely active in removing all public records from Richmond, and I have reason to...
5IV. William Tatham to William Armistead Burwell, 13 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
In compliance with your request, I have endeavoured to charge my recollection more minutely, concerning the particulars of my intercourse with Mr. Jefferson (at present the President of the United States) at several times while the British Army were in Virginia, in and about the year 1781. At the time General Arnold arrived within the Capes, I was preparing for a journey from Richmond, on...
6V. Deposition of Christopher Hudson respecting Tarleton’s Raid in June 1781, 26 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
In the Month of June 1781, near Milton on my way to Join the Marquis La Fayette’s Army I met with a Mr. Long, who informed Me that Duvit [Jouett] had arrived the preceeding evening at Charlottesville, and brought information of the approach of the English to that place under Tarleton. Upon inquiring from Long whether Mr. Jefferson had receiv’d information he was ignorant; I immediately...