51From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 28 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received Colo. Lamb’s Letter addressed to You, by which he desires You “to ask me, if ever Colo. Bigelow solicited me, to order a Court of Enquiry into his conduct at the attack on Quebec, on the 31st Decr 1775.[”] In Answer to this question I can only say that I recollect something passed between Colo. Bigelow & Myself a long time ago. I believe soon after he returned from Canada on...
52From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 31 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
By advices received this afternoon the Enemy have again made an incursio⟨n⟩ into this State and were in pretty considerable force before Fort Schuyler on the 27th. It is essential that a considerable number of Militia should march to relieve it, and Ammunition is wanted for them, which can not be supplied at Albany. You will therefore be pleased to direct the Commissary of Military Stores to...
53From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 3 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I wish to be informed, whether what Arms and Accoutrements you have on hand, together with those in the Magazines capable of being put in repair in three weeks; are sufficient to equip five thousand men, exclusive of the troops now on this ground, who are destitute and must be supplie⟨d⟩. If there are not Arms and Ac⟨co⟩utrements to this amount, I beg you will give me the best information you...
54George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 21 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey ] October 21, 1780 . Has permitted Captain Lewis Garanger to experiment with the artillery at West Point before recommending Garanger to Congress for appointment. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
55George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 22 November 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey ] November 22, 1780 . Orders Knox to prepare artillery to cover passage of troops across river. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
56XIII. George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 22 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
By twelve OClock on Friday you will have ready all such peices of your park as are most proper to annoy shipping and cover a body of troops across a River —A releif of Horses to accompany them will be desirable if they are to be had. Your usual punctuality assures me of the same in this instance. I am Dear Sir Your most obt humble Servt LS , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, ViRVal ; Df , DLC:GW ;...
57XIX. George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 24 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received Some Intelligence wch has induced me to lay aside the enterprize I had in view—you will be pleased therefore to suspend the Measures & orders you were to execute. I shall now turn my thoughts to Winter Quarters, & have sent for the Qr Mr to fix Matters for this purpose. I am Dr Sir Yrs &ca. ALS , NjMoHP . See Document XIII ; see also Document XVIII . For the dispersal of GW’s...
58From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 7 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will proceed, with the dispatches with which you are charged, to the Governors of the States of Connecticut—Rhode Island and Massachusetts and to the President of New Hampshire. You are acquainted with the subject of those dispatches, in which, the Gentlemen, to whom they are addressed, are referred to you for a more particular account of the situation of the Army—the causes of discontent...
59George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 9 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 9, 1781 . Commends Knox for measures taken to carry out instructions sent on January 7. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
60George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 10 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New Windsor, New York ] February 10, 1781 . Reports that conference between French and American commanders tentatively decided to make New York the focus of operations. Directs Knox to make necessary artillery preparations for cooperation with French. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
61George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 10 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 10, 1781 . Asks Knox to supply Captain Lewis Garanger with materials necessary for executing his experiments. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
62From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 10 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
In the conference between the Count De Rochambeau and myself, it was agreed, that if by the aid of our allies, we can have a naval superiority, through the next campaign, and an army of thirty thousand men (or double the force of the enemy [at New York] and its dependencies) early enough in the season to operate in that quarter, we ought to prefer it to every other object, as the most...
63From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 10 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Mr De Granger has represented to me that his delay in executing the experiments prescribed to him proceeded from the want of the materials requisite for making them, the composition and prepartion of which, he wishes to undertake himself, as the justness of his experiments depends upon the goodness of his materials and the accuracy with which they are prepared, and as his reputation and...
64From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 1 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have Capt. Moodies letter and returns of Artillery and Ordnance Stores at Fort schuyler, which you laid before me for my opinion. I do not think there is any occasion, at present, for [more] than the quantity of these Articles which have been heretofore kept there. You will therefore be pleased to examine the Returns and send up what you may find deficient of the usual quantity at...
65From George Washington to Henry Knox, 28 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
As you are perfectly acquainted with the Measures which have been concerted with the Count De Rochambeau, I have only to request that you will be pleased to make all the necessary Estimates of Articles wanted in your Department, and also put the whole business for the Operation (so far as is within your reach) in the best train of execution, which our embarrassed circumstances will possibly...
66From George Washington to Henry Knox, June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Having already communicated to you my intention to attempt to Surprize the Enemys Posts at the north end of York Island, & prepared you for the part I expect you to take in the conducting of it, I have now to desire That you will on next (under the most specious pretence that can be devise to conceal the real object) detach as many Officers and Men as with the aid of the Infantry they are to...
67From George Washington to Henry Knox, 8 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I enclose to you the application of the State of New Jersey for Ammunition, also General Cornell’s Letter informing what quantity may be expected from the Eastward, and request your opinion of the expediency of granting any to that State, and in that case how much? I wish also to be advised, what has been done respecting Plank for Platforms, and whether it will be necessary to have...
68From George Washington to Henry Knox, 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
The following is an extract of what I have just received from the Board of War in a letter of the 22d Inst. "The Board are unhappy to inform you that nothing is yet done in consequence of General Knox’s letter: immediately on the receipt of it they made the necessary estimates and applications to Congress for the following Sums—To the department of Military Stores £3794 Specie and for...
69From George Washington to Henry Knox, 2 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favor of the 29th ulto. The arrangement which you have made for the periods of transportation of the heavy Stores from Philada agrees perfectly with my Ideas of the matter, as I think we must be certainly able to determine ultimately upon our plan of operations, by the time they are to be in motion. An enterprize, which I have long had in contemplation, will be executed in the...
70From George Washington to Henry Knox, 7 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I wish to see you at Head Quarters as soon as possible—You can leave the Superintendence of the Laboratory preparations, without any Injury to the Care of your officers, & come on directly—I have received your Letter of 2d July—I shall consult with you on its Subject when you arrive. I am &a DLC : Papers of George Washington.
71From George Washington to Henry Knox, 5 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Be so good as to commit the Box & Map herewith sent to some person in whom you can confide—to go by water to Christiana. Present my Compliments to Mrs Knox, & repeat to her my wishes that she would spend her time at Mount Vernon—if it is convenient & agreeable to her to go to Virginia—I am very sincerely—Dr Sir Yr Obedt & Affecte Servt MHi : Henry Knox Papers.
72From George Washington to Henry Knox, 11 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
Whereas a proposition was made by me on the 6th day of December last to General Sir Henry Clinton to the following effect "That Commissioners mutually appointed should meet at such time and place as might thereafter be agreed upon for the purposes of obviating all difficulties in exchanges—for liquidating the expenses of maintaining prisoners and for making solid arrangements for providing for...
73From George Washington to Henry Knox, 11 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
The powers of equal date herewith authorise you to proceed to Elizabeth Town in the State of New Jersey in order to meet Commissioners on the part of the enemy on Friday the 15th inst. for the purposes in the powers fully recited. You will consider the settlement of accounts, for the subsistence of Prisoners of all descriptions from the commencement of the War, to —obtaining payment or...
74From George Washington to Henry Knox, 13 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
Messrs are delegated by the Merchants of this City to apply a sum of Money which has been raised by subscription to the relief of the Marine Prisoners in New York belonging to the Port of Philad. They are directed to consult you upon the most proper and efficacious mode of answering the benevolent intentions of the subscribers—The Gentlemen do not propose going themselves into New York—The...
75From George Washington to Henry Knox, 14 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
I enclose to you, an Extract of a Letter of the 7th Inst. from Sir Henry Clinton, by which it appears, he had for certain reasons, thought proper to nominate different Persons for Commissioners from those he had first named; & that, he wished to postpone the time of the meeting untill the 10th of April; I have written to him respecting the inconveniences which will be occasiond by delaying the...
76From George Washington to Henry Knox, 19 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 16th reached me last Evening. I do not see that any alteration is necessary in your instructions relating to Mr Laurens—From what we yet know, he is not at liberty to leave England and therefore as much a prisoner in fact as before the extension of his limits. I am with great Regard Gentn Yr most obt servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
77From George Washington to Henry Knox, 24 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
I received last Evening at this place, your favor of the 22d with the several Enclosures—it gives me satisfaction to find that you are so soon to proceed upon the business of your commission; in the mean time, I propose being at Morris Town on the 26 Inst. where I shall probably have the pleasure of seeing you—I am Gentlemen. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
78From George Washington to Henry Knox, 28 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have had intimations, that under the idea of the cessation of Hostilities within certain limits, a number of People intend to come over from New York to our Lines—to prevent all intercourse of this kind is the principal design of this Letter—Sir Wm Howe on a former occasion proposed that a neutrality should take place to a certain distance from the spot where our Commissioners were to...
79From George Washington to Henry Knox, 30 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
You are too well acquainted with my opinion of certain characters in this State—especially one whom I am told is now an attendant on you at Elizabeth Town—to need a repetition of it at this time; but I wish it were possible for you to guard your Colleague against the arts, & the disadvantages which certainly will result from a free intercourse of Sentiments with the person I allude to, on...
80From George Washington to Henry Knox, 30 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of yesterday’s date came to my hands just as I was leaving Mr Lots house; your Messenger came on with me to be the bearer of this. Altho the information I had recd & communicated in my Letter of the 28th that a number of people intended coming over from the Enemy’s Lines under the idea of the cessation of hostilities, might not be well founded when it is understood of characters...
81From George Washington to Henry Knox, 10 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is an Extract of a Letter from Governor Harrison on the subject of the Brass Cannon belonging to Virginia. I wish you to take up the matter so as to get them in our possession as quick as possible. I am Dr Genl Your very hum. Servt. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
82From George Washington to Henry Knox, 20 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your Letter of the 16th of April by General Forman. Convinced, from the state of facts which has been exhibited to me, that justice, expediency & necessity require satisfaction should be obtained for the Murder of Captain Huddy; I have in the first instance made a representation to Sir Henry Clinton & demanded that the Officer who commanded the Party, or if he was not...
83From George Washington to Gouverneur Morris, 30 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
It is with great pleasure, I make use of the earliest occasion to acknowledge the receipt of your several Dispatches, by Colonel Smith, which contain an ample account of your Proceedings in consequence of the Commission you were charged with, by me. I have also received from Sir Henry Clinton an abstract of the same negociations as stated by his Commissioners. From the whole aspect of the...
84From George Washington to Henry Knox, 1 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your Letter of the 21st Ulto. I am so totally in the dark at this Time, respecting the Scene of our operations for the ensueing Campaign, that I cannot at present, give you any directions respecting the Time and Rout that Colo. Lamb’s Regiment shall march—as soon as I am decided, I shall inform you in season. The sappers and Miners have been ordered to West Point,...
85From George Washington to Henry Knox, 17 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Annexed you have extracts from a letter of the 12th, from the Secretary at War, relating to the proposed arrangement of the office of Feild Commissary of Military Stores. It being a matter intimately connected with your department, I would be glad of your opinion, and that as early as possible, that I may frame my answer without loss of time. That we may make a regulation, as nearly as may be,...
86From George Washington to Henry Knox, 29 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby appointed to the command of West point and its Dependencies—But as the Army will lay for some time upon Verplanks point, you will consider yourself as releived, ’till further orders, from the care of attending to that post—Stoney Point and Dobbs’s Ferry, which are part of the dependencies—except so far as relates to their being constantly supplied with the proper quantity of...
87From George Washington to Henry Knox, 3 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
As Mr Corne was ignorant of the Regulations respecting Flags when he came out, he may be permitted to Return with the other Prisoners. You will please therefore to send them with a Serjeant and the enclosed Letter to Colonel Canfield who commands at Stanford. I am Dear Sir Your very hum. Servt MHi : Henry Knox Papers.
88From George Washington to Alexander McDougall, 3 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have concluded to name you on the part of the United States, as Commissioners, to meet those of Sir Guy Carleton, for the purposes of settling a general Cartel of Prisoners &ca agreeable to the inclosed Resolutions of Congress. I have therefore to desire you Gentlemen to undertake that Business and if any previous preparation is necessary, that you will be pleased to attend to it as early as...
89From George Washington to Henry Knox, 5 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
The arms of the army are daily getting out of repair with out any possibility of remedying it there are no travelling forges here and if there were I am informed they could not be set at work for want of some Articles which are absolutely necessary such as Borax salt &c. can any of the Armourers and necessary materials be spared from West Point to come here with some travelling Forges and...
90From George Washington to Henry Knox, 9 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have your favor of the 7th—Altho there may be an impropriety in employing a compa. of the German prisoners in the Garrison of Westpoint as Armourers yet I think it may safely be done at Newburgh, where a Buildg may be appropriated for a Work Shop—It seems our only expedient, and I have little Doubt, but if these people were promised their Liberty, upon workg faithfully Twelve Months, or some...
91From George Washington to Henry Knox, 12 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
As soon as the french Army arrives, which will be on Saturday and Sunday next, I will contrive to know whether the field peices or royal Howitzers, will be most acceptable to Count de Rochambeau, and will inform you—I think with you, that the Inscription had best be in Latin—If the Person belonging to the Artillery can do the engraving, I will send down the proposed Inscription (a Copy of...
92From George Washington to Henry Knox, 17 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favors of the 16th Inst. Things being circumstanced as they are, I consent to the work upon the Magazine being stopped, and the Workmen employed upon the Barracks in the Garrison. I shall inform the Secretary at War, who seemed to have the completion of the Magazine much at heart, of the reasons which have hindered us from proceeding. I shall approve your nomination of...
93From George Washington to Henry Knox, 17 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Captain Machin being under arrest there would be an impropriety in his transacting any public business—or in granting him leave of absence from Camp. His Trial must soon come on in course, if that terminates in his favor I shall then have no objection to granting the leave requested, and if in the mean time any business of the Corps requires that an Officer should go to Philadelphia, leave...
94From George Washington to William Heath, 23 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Powers of equal date herewith Authorize you to proceed to Tappan in Orange County in the State of New York and there meet Commissioners from the British for the purposes mentiond in your powers. You are to pay the most pointed attention to the nature of your Powers which are founded upon Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United States bearing date the 16th instant a Copy of which...
95From George Washington to William Heath, 23 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
By His Excellency George Washington Esqr. General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States of America. To Major General Willm Heath and Major General Henry Knox. Whereas the Honorable the Delegates of the United States in Congress assembled, have been pleased to authorize and impower me, by Letters patent under the Great Seal bearing date the 16th day of September Anno Domini...
96From George Washington to Henry Knox, 13 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
My being obliged to go down the River early yesterday morning, prevented my answering yours of the 11th yesterday. I can say nothing decisive respecting the Invalid Regiment, untill the arrangements for the Winter are made: But I cannot concieve any duty more proper for them than that of Constitution Island will be, or where it will be more light. They will have occasion for very few Centries,...
97From George Washington to Henry Knox, 8 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
As the 4th Connect. Regt, under the expectation of being soon drafted into the other Regts, is not now employed in hutting, or any other public duties; it is my wish, that this Corps may be occupied in cutting & laying in Wood for the Hospital on the east side of the River. The importance of this business is so great & so obvious, that I scarely need express the earnestness of my desire, that...
98From George Washington to Henry Knox, 8 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
By the enclosed you will become as well acquainted with the case therein referred to, as I am—You will be pleased to take up the matter in question, have a fair investigation made into the Merits of it, and cause—justice to be done to the Individual concerned, as well as the Public. I am Sir Your Most Obedt Servt MHi : Henry Knox Papers.
99From George Washington to Henry Knox, 9 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I had the Inclosed in my pocket but forgot to give it to you yesterday. I pray you to let the Parole &ca of the day only be known at a time, keeping the others to your self, to avoid the evil of a premature discovery. I am sincerely and Affectionately Yr Privately owned.
100From George Washington to Henry Knox, 11 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
The reason for my directing the 4th Connect. Regt to procure Wood for the Hospital on the east-side of the River, was, because I found that Corps idle, while all the rest of the Army was employed. As the incorporation will now supersede this reason; you may either have the fuel cut by Detachments from the Troops under your Order, or by the Levies now employed in the transportation service, if...