4561From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 24 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
The bad state of affairs in your Department, is such as makes your presence indispensably necessary with the Army; The complaints of all, from the Major General to the lowest Staff Officer entitled to keep a Horse, are agravated to the highest possible degree, on account of the continual want of Forage—As a specimen of the distress, which has fallen under my own observation, you may be...
4562From George Washington to William Livingston, 10 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of yours of Yesterday. I am sorry that you construed a part of my last letter into any kind of reflection upon the exertions of your State. I could not mean it as I am conscious they do not deserve it—As it happened from several particular Circumstances that the two thousand Militia voted to reinforce this Army could not leave the State, I only meant to urge the necessity of...
4563From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 27 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I receiv’d your favor of Yesterday, & immediately sent one of my Aids to represent the Subject of it to the Commissary of Forage & Quartermaster Genl as far as it related to them—they declare that nothing of the Kind has happen’d within their knowledge, but say, they cannot be answerable for the conduct of many of their Deputies as they are not to be depended on, & it is out of their power to...
4564From George Washington to John Hancock, 9 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Copy of a Letter from the Commissary General of provisions & the information you will receive from Majr Hoops will convince Congress of the distress & confusion prevailing in that Department. Without something is done in aid of Mr Trumbull immediately, this Army must be disbanded—If the present difficulties continue, it is impossible it can exist. I entreat Congress to take the...
4565From George Washington to William Savage, 28 June 1768 (Washington Papers)
In compliance with the Bond given to Mr Fairfax and myself, as Trustees for the use of Mrs Savage, we think it incumbent on us to request payment of the sum therein stipulated, for the purposes therein expressed. This demand we are induced to make, on full conviction that it is not in our power to release the Bond (of which, possibly, you may hereafter be convinced) without forfeiting the...
4566From George Washington to Ezra Stiles, 1 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
On my way from Philadelphia to this place, I had the pleasure to receive your favor of the 20th of March, covering an Oration delivered by Mr Tutor Meigs on the Surrender of Lord Cornwallis—I entreat, you will make that Gentleman sensible of the high gratification I have received from his ingenious performance; and that you Will be convinced of the ardent passion I have for the promotion of...
4567From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Udny Hay, 15 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Upon looking to a General Return of Qr Masters Stores I find there were 1200 lb. of Oakum and 164 Barrels of Tar at Albany the 7th January last —As the repair of the Boats upon the north River was delayed for want of the above Articles you will be pleased to order them down, and set every hand who understands the Business to work upon the Boats —I am exceedingly anxious to have them put in...
4568From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 20 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment recd your favs. of the 19th and 20th My Accounts from New York by way of Staten Island agree in the main with yours, and General Wayne just now informs me that he is of opinion that the evacuation of both Verplanks and Stoney points is in agitation. You must exercise your own judgment in pitching upon a position, I have only one general Rule to lay down for you, which is, to...
4569From George Washington to Joseph Chandler, 21 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
By an accidental conveyance I recd some time ago the Representation you was pleased to address to me on the 25 Ulto respecting the apprehension of Lt Stone of the 1st Masstts Regt for the murder of Capt. Hitchcock of the same Regt, having been until then, totally unacquainted with the circumstances of that unhappy affair some time has been unavoidably consumed in investigating & pointing out...
4570From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 15 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
Cambridge , 15 November 1775 . “Inclosed you have a Copy of instructions given to Genl Sullivan on his departure for Portsmouth New Hampshire.” LS , in Stephen Moylan’s writing, NjMoHP ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The contents of this letter are nearly identical to the third, fourth, and fifth paragraphs of GW’s letter to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., of this date. See Circular Instructions for...
4571From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 12 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 5th. The operations to the Southward have been of so much longer duration, than was at first apprehended, and no certain accounts being yet received, that have come to my knowlege, induces me to think, that the probability of an attempt against the enemy in this quarter, more especially considering the advanced state of the season, is a...
4572From George Washington to John Hanson, 26 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
The following Intelligence I rece’d yesterday from Canada—It being of great importance to the United States and in my Judgement bearing the marks of great Authenticity I think it proper to communicate it to your Excellency and Congress. "Septr 3. 1782—Dispatches are lately received by General Haldiman from the Ministry—the following is what I have collected of the Contents—That a reinforcement...
4573From George Washington to Joseph Woodbridge, 5 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favr of the 24th of last Month and am obliged by the offer which you have made of the Cannon saved out of the Wreck of the Culladen—such Guns would be valuable to the Continent; but you must know our difficulties in regard to making payment—If you will however let me know your lowest price and longest Credit, I will endeavour to make a Contract with you, on terms which...
4574From George Washington to Robert Lewis, 31 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 19th Instt has been received, & I will answer such parts as require it. The money in your hands, belonging to me, may be lodged in Alexandria, & made subject to Mr William Pearce (my manager) his order. This will answer all the purposes of your coming down, if he is advised thereof—At the sametime write, & transmit me the accts, that I may see who have paid, and who are...
4575From George Washington to Joseph Willard, 22 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am much indebted to you for announcing my election as a member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences—I feel myself particularly honored by this relation to a Society whose efforts to promote useful knowledge will, I am perswaded, acquire them a high reputation in the literary world. I entreat you to present my warmest acknowledgements to that respectable body and to assure them that I...
4576From 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...
4577From George Washington to Lieutenant General William Howe, 17 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I would beg leave to recall your Attention to the proposition for the Exchange of prisoners, to the several Letters I have lately written on that subject, and to inform you that I have not recd such officers in Exchange as were requested by me. I am persuaded Sir, that this Mistake has arisen from Mr Commy Loring’s Zeal to facilitate the Business, but I would at the same time desire, that you...
4578From George Washington to the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 20 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Am favour’d with yours of the 16h and am to thank you for the promise you make of assisting the Commissary in procuring flour for the use of the Army. I Am glad to find the Indians are coming in to court our Friendship, and I dare say the proper steps will be taken to secure their Interest. It will be dangerous for them to come near the Army, as it is much infected with the small Pox. I...
4579From George Washington to Mathew Carey, 15 March 1785 (Washington Papers)
I purposed, so soon as I understood you intended to become the Publisher of a News Paper in Philadelphia to request that a copy of your weekly production might be sent to me. I was the more pleased with this determination, when, by a letter from my friend the Marquis de la Fayette, I found he had interested himself in your behalf. It has so happened, that my Gazettes from Philadelphia, whether...
4580From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 23 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored by your Excellency’s Letter of the 6th instant—and thank you for the Communication of Genl Green’s of the 10th ulto—I think he need not be much alarmed on Account of the movement of the Legion—from the present Situation of the Enemy, I am persuaded no Reinforcement will be sent from N. York to Carolina. I am equally impatient with your Excellency, for Intelligence from...
4581From George Washington to Warner Washington III, 4 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have been too much indisposed since the receipt of your letter of the 31st ulto to give it an earlier acknowledgment. Placing, as you do, the want of supplies to some interruption of the communication with your father, I promise, if you will entrust a letter to him under my cover, that it shall reach his hands in ten days from the date. I prefer doing this to advancing money myself (even if...
4582From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 3 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Flour began to move from hence last night and will be sent on as quick as the Waggons come in. There will be five or six hundred Barrels. You will be pleased to have Boats immediately sent down to Kings ferry to receive it upon its arrival there. The account of the Fleet mentioned in mine of the 1st instant seems to have been premature: The Officer stationed at Elizabeth town has made...
4583From George Washington to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 1 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your two letters, dated the 29th Ulto, have been received. The enclosures for the several Printers, to whom they are directed, are franked; and will go with this, and other letters to the Post Office this afternoon. I do not think it would be amiss to add Hartford, in Connecticut (a paper of extensive circulation altho’ I do not recollect the name of the Editor of it) and some Gazette in North...
4584From George Washington to the United States Senate, 3 May 1792 (Washington Papers)
I nominate the following persons to fill vacancies which have taken place in the late military appointments—to-wit— Rank . Names . States . Brigadier General Rufus Putnam Territory of the United States North West of the Ohio—vice Marinus Willett, declined. Captains of Cavalry Jedediah Rodgers New York—vice John Craig, declined. Henry Bowyer Virginia—vice Lawrence Manning, declined. Lieutt of...
4585From George Washington to James Wilkinson, 6 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Army having taken its position for the Winter in the Vicinity of this place you will repair hithe[r] as expeditiously as possible to take charge of and issue the Cloathing which has been stopped here—The four Massachusetts Brigades at West point and the New Hampshire Brigade at Danbury, having recd their proportion of the Cloathing at Newberg you are to apply to the Quarter Master for the...
4586From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 8 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The dispersed and broken situation of the remaining Troops of the Pennsylvania Line, after the unhappy affair of the 1st of January, rendered the unwearied attention, and greatest exertion of the Officers of every rank indispensably necessary, to reassemble the scattered remains, and restore discipline among them; for on this, and the success of the recruiting Service, depended all our hopes...
4587From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two letters of yesterdays date; if you think the intelligence of the evacuation of Kings bridge and the intermediate posts between that and New York, may be depended upon—it will be proper to order A respectable detachment of horse to move down that way—in order to make more particular inquiries and discoveries of what is going forward—the officer commanding this party...
4588From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 22 August 1787 (Washington Papers)
Since I came to this City, if I recollect rightly, you asked me if I now had, or could put up, a quantity of Herrings next season, for Sale. Having revolved the matter in my mind, I wish in turn to be informed, if there is any responsible character who would enter into a contract for a number, to be delivered next Season? What number of Barrls he would contract for?—and at what price; to be...
4589From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 26 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge your favs. of the 18th 19th and 20th Instants. I inclose you the Commissions for Colo. Henleys Regt which be pleased to deliver to Capt. Trescot the commanding Officer. I laid yours of the 20th before the Commissary General who in Vindication of his department wrote me a letter of the 25th and sent me a Copy of Mr Flints letter to you of the 30th October and Copy of Mr...
4590From George Washington to Colonel Hugh Hughes, 9 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of the 3d from peekskill and as I think you are more usefully employed there than you could be here, I desire that you may remain till Genl Mifflin thinks proper to call you down. He is at present at philadelphia. I approve of your having appointed an Officer and a proper Number of Men to tend King’s Ferry. Mr Mease the Cloathier General, who is now here, will give directions in...