351To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 31 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
Having had the honor of communicating to you in my letter of the last of July, my purpose of retiring from the office of Secretary of state at the end of the month of September, you were pleased, for particular reasons, to wish it’s postponement to the close of the year. that term being now arrived, & my propensities to retirement daily more & more irresistible, I now take the liberty of...
352To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 14 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your favor of Apr. 24. and received at the same time mister Bertrand’s agricultural Prospectus. tho’ he mentions my having seen him at a particular place yet I remember nothing of it. and observing that he intimates an application for lands in America, I conceive his letter meant for me as Secretary of state, & therefore I now send it to the Secretary of state. he has given...
353To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 23 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
You were formerly deliberating on the purpose to which you should apply the shares in the Patowmack & James river companies presented you by our assembly; and you did me the honor of asking me to think on the subject. as well as I remember, some academical institution was thought to offer the best application of the money. should you have finally decided in favor of this, a circumstance has...
354To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 12 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
The last post brought me a letter from Madame de Chastellux, covering the enclosed, which she informs me is on the same subject with hers to me, and that she refers you to me for particulars. I had very little acquaintance with her personally in Paris. I understood she was the daughter of an English general Plunket in the Austrian service, entirely without fortune. Chastellux is said to have...
355To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 19 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
In Bache’s Aurora of the 9th inst. which came here by the last post a paper appears which, having been confided, as I presume, to but few hands, makes it truly wonderful how it should have got there. I cannot be satisfied as to my own part till I relieve my mind by declaring, and I attest every thing sacred & honorable to the declaration, that it has got there neither thro’ me nor the paper...
356To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 8 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving a Letter from General Greene dated High Rockford february 29 (probably march 1) who informs me that on the night of the 24th Colo. McCall surprized a subaltern’s guard at Hart’s mill, killed 8 and wounded and took 9 prisoners, and that on the 25th Genl Pickens and Lieutenant Colo. Lee routed a body of near 300 Tories on the Haw river, who were in arms to join...
357To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 19 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of enclosing your Excellency a copy of a letter from Genl Greene with some other intelligence received, not doubting your anxiety to know the movements in the South. I find we have deceived ourselves not a little by counting on the whole numbers of militia which have been in motion as if they had all remained with Genl Greene, when in fact they seem only to have visited &...
358To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 21 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Letter will inform you of the arrival of a British Fleet in Chesapeake Bay. The extreme negligence of our stationed expresses is no doubt the cause why as Yet no authentic account has reached us of a general action which happened on the 15. instant about a mile and a half from Guilford Court House, between General Green and Lord Cornwallis. Captain Singleton an intelligent Officer...
359To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 28 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I forward to your Excellency, under cover with this, copies of letters received from Major General Greene and Baron Steuben which will give you the latest state of the situation of things with us and in North Carolina. We had hoped to have received by the French Squadron under Mons: Tilly eleven hundred stand of arms which we had at Rhode-Island, but were disappointed. the necessity of...
360To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 23 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
On the 18th instant the enemy came from Portsmouth up James river in considerable force, tho’ their numbers precisely are not yet known to us. they landed at Burwells ferry below Williamsburg & near the mouth of Chickahominy above it. this latter circumstance obliged Colo. Innes who commanded a body of Militia stationed on that side the river to cover the country from depredation, to retire...
361To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 9 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since the Letter which I had the Honor of last addressing to your Excellency, the military movements in this state have scarcely merited Communication except a very late one. The Enemy after leaving Williams burg came directly up James River & landed at City point being the point of Land on the Southern Side of the Confluence of Appamattox & James Rivers; they marched up to Petersburg where...
362To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 28 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I make no doubt you will have heard before this shall have the honour of being presented to Your Excellency of the junction of Lord Cornwallis with the force at Petersburg under Arnold who had succeeded to the command on the death of Major General Philips. I am now advised that they have evacuated Petersburg, joined at Westover a Reinforcement of 2000 Men just arrived from New York, crossed...
363To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 28 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I hope it will not be unacceptable to your Excellency to receive the congratulations of a private individual on your return to your native country, & above all things on the important success which as attended it. great as this has been however, it can scarcely add to the affection with which we had looked up to you, and if in the minds of any the motives of gratitude to our good allies were...
364To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 22 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
Having lately received a call from Congress to pass the Atlantic in the character of one of their ministers for negotiating peace, I cannot leave the Continent without separating myself for a moment from the general gratitude of my country to offer my individual tribute to your Excellency for all you have suffered & all you have effected for us. were I to indulge myself in those warm effusions...
365Thomas Jefferson to Virginia Delegates and George Washington, 10 May 1781 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Written by a clerk and directed to “His Excellency General Washington & the Honble Virginia Delegates in Congress.” The papers of the Executive having been almost wholly lost in the visit which was made by General Arnold to this place, we are endeavouring to procure Copies of as many of them as we can. As the Correspondence with Congress is among the most important...
366Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 12 July 1790 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Abstract. 12 July 1790, New York. Secretary Jefferson reports to Washington that he “had a conference yesterday with mr. Madison on the subject recommended by the President. He has the honor of inclosing him some considerations thereon, in all of which he believes mr. Madison concurred.” The enclosure, in Jefferson’s hand, delineates “the conduct we are to observe in the war between Spain and...
367From the Virginia Delegates in Congress to George Washington, 26 July 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
With the most cordial warmth we recommend our Countryman Mr. Edmund Randolph to your patronage and favor. This young Gentlemans abilities, natural and acquired, his extensive connections, and above all, his desire to serve his Country in this arduous struggle, are circumstances that cannot fail to gain him your countenance and protection. You will readily discern Sir, how important a...
368From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, [ca. 1 April 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer Horseley enlisted for 2 years in a company raised in this county for one of the Virga. battal’s of 1775. In the winter now past, and before his time was out, he was unfortunate enough to desert from the service. Having had lesure to repent he some time ago made application to me through a third person to advise him what to do. I let him know that (his life being forfeited) there was...
369From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, [18 April 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer Mr. Strother Jones , son of Mr. Gabriel Jones of Augusta is now about to set out for the Continental army, where he wishes to be so placed as to gain military knolege. An offer of being Aid de camp to Brigadr. Genl. Stephens he thought himself in delicacy obliged to decline, on account of some misunderstanding which had subsisted between that gentleman and his father, tho otherwise...
370From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 19 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure to enclose you the particulars of Colo. Clarkes success against St. Vincenne as stated in his letter but lately received, the messenger with his first letter having been killed. I fear it will be impossible for Colo. Clarke to be so strengthened as to enable him to do what he desires. Indeed the express who brought this letter gives us reason to fear St. Vincenne is in...
371From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 17 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I some time ago inclosed to you a printed copy of an Order of Council, by which Governor Hamilton was to be confined in Irons in close Jail. This has occasioned a letter from General Philips of which the inclosed is a Copy. The General seems to suppose that a prisoner on capitulation cannot be put into close confinement tho his capitulation shall not have provided against it. My idea was that...
372From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 23 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letter of the 9th ulto. has been taken under Consideration, and I have now the pleasure to inform Your Excellency, that the report of the Board of Field Officers contain’d therein, meets with the intire approbation of the Executive of this State; I have therefore inclosed four blank Commissions , which it is requested You will be pleased to order to be filled up properly for the...
373From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 23 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of begging leave of your Excellency to forward the enclosed by the first flag which may happen to be going into New York. They are addressed to [a] good man in distress which I am sure will apologize with you for my asking your intervention. I am with the greatest respect Your Excellencys most obt. & most hbl. servt., Tr ( DLC ). Enclosure missing. The enclosure was a letter...
374From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 1 October 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
On receipt of your letter of August 6th. during my absence the Council had the irons taken off the prisoners of war. When your advice was asked we meant it should decide with us; and upon my return to Williamsburg the matter was taken up and the enclosed advice given. A parole was formed of which the enclosed is a copy and tendered to the prisoners. They objected to that part of it which...
375From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 2 October 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Just as the letter accompanying this was going off Colo. Mathews arrived on parole from New York by the way of headquarters bringing your Excellencys letter on [t]his subject with that of the British Commissary of prisoners . The subject is of great importance and I must therefore reserve myself to answer after further consideration. Were I to speak from present impressions I should say it was...
376From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 8 October 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
In mine of the second of the present month written in the instant of Colo. Mathews delivery of your letter I informed you what had been done on the subject of Governor Hamilton and his companions previous to that moment. I now enclose you an advice of Council in consequence of the letter you were pleased to enclose me from the British commissary of prisoners with one from Lord Rowden [Rawdon]....
377From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 28 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellency’s letter on the discriminations which have been heretofore made between the troops raised within this state and considered as part of our quota, and those not so considered, was delivered me four days ago. I immediately laid it before the Assembly, who thereupon came to the resolution I now do myself the honor of inclosing you. The resolution of Congress of Mar. 15. 1779 which...
378From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 16 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of putting under cover to your Excellency, some Letters to Generals Philips and Riedesel, uninformed whether they are gone into New York or not, and knowing that you can best forward them in either case. I also trouble you with a Letter from the Master of the Flag in this State to the British Commissary of Prisoners in New York, trusting it will thus be more certainly...
379From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 10 February 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
It is possible you may have heard that in the course of the last summer an expedition was meditated by our Colo. Clarke against Detroit; that he had proceeded so far as to rendezvous a very large body of Indians (I beleive four or five thousand) at Saint-Vincennes; but being disappointed in the number of whites he expected, and not chusing to rely principally on the Indians, was obliged to...
380From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 19 March 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Since writing to your Excellency on the subject of the expedition against Detroit, the want of men, want of money and difficulty of procuring provisions, with some other reasons more cogent if possible and which cannot be confided to a letter, have obliged us to decline that object. I thought it therefore necessary to notify this to your Excellency that no expectations of our undertaking it...
381From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 11 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Majr. Galvan as recommended by your Excellency was dispatched to his station without delay, and has been furnished with every thing he desired as far as we were able. The line of expresses formed between us is such as will communicate intelligence from one to the other in twenty three hours. I have forwarded to him information of our disasters in the South as they have come to me. Our...
382From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 11 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Since sealing the within to your Excellency I received a letter from Govr. Rutlege of which the inclosed is an extract. As it will correct and supply some parts of my letter I do myself the honor of transmitting it, and of again subscribing myself, Your Excellency’s most obedt. servt., RC ( DLC : Washington Papers); endorsed: “Extract of a letter from Govr. Rutledge.” Tr ( DLC : TJ Papers)....
383From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 2 July 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received from the Committee of Congress at Headquarters three letters calling for aids of men and provisions. I beg leave to refer you to my letter to them of this date on those subjects. I thought it necessary however to suggest to you the preparing an arrangement of officers for the men: for tho? they are to supply our battalions, yet as our whole line of officers almost are in...
384From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 4 July 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The assembly have directed me to send a quantity of tobacco to the Virginia officers in captivity at New York and Long island, or if the enemy will not admit that, that it be sold for hard money and sent to them. I own I do not expect they will admit it. As you are a better judge of this, should you be of opinion they will suffer the officers to receive and dispose of the tobacco, I must...
385From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 2 August 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
In obedience to the act of our assembly, a copy of which I now do myself the honor of inclosing you, I am, in the name of the General assembly, ‘to request you to proclaim pardon to all deserters from the Virginia line of the continental army, who shall within two months after the publication of the act’ (which took place about a week ago) ‘return to their several companies, if on land, and if...
386From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 9 August 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeable to the resolutions of Congress of January 13. 1780, we have turned over to the Continental Commissary of Prisoners at Winchester forty prisoners of war, a roll of whom I now take the liberty of inclosing to your Excellency. I have the Honor to be with all possible respect & esteem Your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble servt., RC ( DLC : Washington Papers); in a clerk’s...
387From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, August 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
At the request of General Hamilton I transmit you Letters from General Specht and himself, to Generals Philips and Reidesal, and a state of the deficiencies of provisions furnished to the barracks. I have no reason to doubt the truth of the state they send, so far as it may be understood of animal food, for of meal they have had always enough, but in justice to ourselves must assure you that...
388From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, with a Narrative of the Battle of Camden, 3 September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
As I know the anxieties you must have felt since the late misfortune to the South, and our later accounts have not been quite so unfavorable as the first, I take the liberty of inclosing you a state of this unlucky affair extracted from letters from General Gates, Gen. Stevens, and Govr. Nash, and taken as to some circumstances from an officer who was in the action . Another army is...
389From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 23 September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I yesterday forwarded to you a letter from Colo. Wood informing you of his situation. That Post has been for some time past pretty regularly supplyed, and I hope will continue to be for some time to come. A Person whose punctuality can be relied on offers to contract for victualling it. If we can agree on terms and the Assembly will strengthen our Hands sufficiently, We think to adopt that...
390From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 26 September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed Copy of a letter from Ld. Cornwallis to Colo. Balfour was sent me by Govr. Rutledge: lest you should not have seen it I do myself the pleasure of transmitting it, with a letter from Genl. Harrington to Genl. Gates giving information of some late movements of the Enemy. I was honored yesterday with your favor of the 5th. inst. on the subject of prisoners and particularly Lt. Govr....
391From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 22 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this morning received certain information of the Arrival of a hostile fleet of about Sixty Sail in our bay. The debarkation of some light Horse in the Neighbourhood of Portsmouth seems to indicate that, as the first scene of their action. We are endeavouring to collect as large a body to oppose them as we can arm: this will be lamentably inadequate if the Enemy be in any force; it is...
392From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 25 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of inclosing to you Letters from Genl. Hamilton for New York. On some representations received by Colo. Towles that an indulgence to Governor Hamilton and his Companions to go to New York on parole would produce the happiest effect on the situation of our Officers in Long Island we have given him, Majr. Hay and some of the same party at Winchester leave to go there on...
393From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 26 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 26 Oct. 1780. This letter is almost identical with TJ’s letter to Thomas Sim Lee of this date, q.v. RC ( DLC : Washington Papers); in a clerk’s hand, signed by TJ; endorsed. Tr in DLC : TJ Papers. For variations in the text from the letter to Lee, see note there.
394From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 3 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 3 Nov. 1780. This letter is almost identical with TJ’s letter to Samuel Huntington of this date, q.v. RC ( DLC : Washington Papers); in a clerk’s hand, with corrections, complimentary close, signature, postscript, and address in TJ’s hand; endorsed: “No. 19. Richmond 3d: Novr. 1780 from Governor Jefferson Ansd. 9th. Decr.” PrC ( DLC : TJ Papers), lacking postscript.
395From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 10 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 10 Nov. 1780. Encloses copy of intercepted letter from Gen. Leslie to Lord Cornwallis; describes circumstances of its capture in same terms as in letter to Gates of this date, q.v. An added paragraph reports the capture of deserters from the Convention army in same terms as in letter to Huntington of this date, q.v. RC ( DLC : Washington Papers); 2 p.; in a clerk’s hand, with...
396From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 26 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 8th instant. Having found it impracticable to move suddenly the whole Convention Troops, british and germans, and it being represented that there coud not immediately be covering provided for them all at fort Frederic we concluded to march off the British first from whom was the principal danger of desertion and to permit the germans...
397From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 13 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of writing to your Excellency on the subject of an expedition contemplated by this State against the british post at Detroit and of receiving your answer of october 10th. Since the date of my Letter the face of things has so far changed as to leave it no longer optional in us to attempt or to decline the expedition, but compels us to decide in the affirmative and to begin our...
398From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 10 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
It may seem odd considering the important events which have taken place in this State within the course of ten days past, that I should not have transmitted an account of them to your Excellency, but such has been their extraordinary rapidity and such the unremitted exertions they have required from all concerned in Government that I do not recollect the portion of time which I could have...
399[From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 12 January 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 12 Jan. 1781. The proceedings of the Council for 19 Jan. 1781, the first meeting after the invasion, state that TJ “communicated his proceedings during the recess together with Copies of the Letters which have passed between him and certain persons which being read and approved the board directs to be registered to wit: … to His Excellency General Washington of the 10th and 12th” (...
400From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 8 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 8 Feb. 1781. This letter is identical in substance with TJ’s letter to Huntington of this date, q.v. FC ( Vi ); captioned: “Genl. Washington & the President of Congress.” Tr ( DLC ); a defective press copy.