9131From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Flower, 31 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of this date. I wish I was sufficiently acquainted with Circumstances, to enable me to give you such a Certificate as would fully answer your purposes: but when you reflect that little or no part of the conduct of your Office has come under my immediate Notice, you must see the impropriety of my undertaking to vouch for the regular discharge of your duty or to affix an...
9132From George Washington to Alexander Gillon, 17 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received by the post your two favors of the 4th March & 6th of June. I feel myself much obliged to you for the Care & Attention you have paid to the two Boxes sent on Board your Ship at Amsterdam—they contain a Press for Copying Letters, & were ordered on Board by Messrs De Neufville & Sons, & designed as a present from them to me. If you will be pleased to deliver the Boxes to the...
9133From George Washington to Jethro Sumner, 24 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your Letter of the 20th—Before this reaches you, you will probably be informed of the great success of the Arms in this Quarter, the particulars of which are in the inclosed Letter to Genl Greene which is left open for your perusal; after which you will seal the Letter & forward it to Genl Greene by the earliest conveyance—Any movements of the Enemy that take place at...
9134To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 15 February 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Before I give any decided opinion upon the letter you have written to Majr. L’Enfont, or on the alterations proposed for the engraved plan, I wish to converse with you on several matters which relate to this business.—This may be, if nothing on your part renders it inconvenient, immediately after 8 Oclock to morrow, at wch. hour I breakfast, and at which if agreeable to yourself I should be...
9135From George Washington to Brigadier General Enoch Poor, 7 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd your letter of the 3d instant, inclosing the court martial proceedings in the case of Lieut. David Gilman. I have approved and confirmed the sentance, and shall direct its publication in this days orders. Major General Putnam who commands in the room of Major Genl Gates will take measures respecting a surgeon for the sick. I am & Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick...
9136From George Washington to Colonel Henry Jackson, 12 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
From the good report I have of you, and from the desire I feel of affording the Town of Boston an opportunity of turning out a Regiment, (& such a one as may become a pattern to others) I do myself the pleasure of sending you the Inclos’d appointment—Recruiting Orders—and Warrant upon the Paymaster in that District for money to recruit with. The confidence I repose in you will not, I am...
9137From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 29 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favor of the 22 Inst. I wish some positive and clear evidence could have been procured against Mr Hammel. It is painful, to be obliged, at any time, to take away the personal liberty of a subject, on mere presumption of guilt. However I have reasons to expect some further proofs from another hand to justify any vigorous proceedings, which it may be necessary to use. I am &c. Df ,...
9138To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 5 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I would take the liberty of addressing a few lines to Your Excellency, respecting such of the officers and privates of Blands and Baylors Regiments of Dragoons and of Harrisons Artillery as belong to the state of Virginia. Their situation is really disagreable and discouraging; and it is perhaps the more so, from its being now almost if not entirely singular. It is said, that under the idea of...
9139From George Washington to Major General Philemon Dickinson, 2 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have this day receiv’d your Favor of 28th Ulto—& can only say it gives me concern that your Excursion to staten Island was not attended with success equal to your expectation, which, from the Plan you had formed, the Secrecy with which you expected to have executed it, I suppose was pretty Sanguine—but Experience shews us that the most triffling incidents will frustrate the best concert’d...
9140From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 6 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your favours of the 25 & 30 Ultimo I received, and am to inform you that from the good Character you gave of Mr Aborn, I ordered the Agent in whose care his Vessell was, to deliver her up to him; There were other circumstances too, that were favourable to Mr Aborn & Induced a beleif that he was not Inimical to our cause. I am much Obliged by your kind attention to my two Letters of the 15 & 18...
9141From George Washington to Robert Morris, 17 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have in confidence imparted to you the alteration of our late plan and made you acquainted with our intended operations—Besides the provision necessary at the Head of Elk to carry the troops down the Bay a very considerable Quantity will be wanted in Virginia. I should suppose three hundred Barrels of Flour—as many of salt Meat and eight or ten Hhds of Rum would be sufficient at Elk—For what...
9142From George Washington to John Hancock, 10 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will permit me to introduce to your particular Notice & Attention M. Genl D. Choissny, who will have the Honor to present this Letter. As an Officer old in Command, & eminent for his Services, he has the Honor to be placed at the Head of the Troops destined for the Expedition proposed by the Marquis de Vaudreuil against Penobscot, provided that Enterprize should be attempted....
9143From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 20 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
On the 17th I wrote you that Genl Poor, with his Brigade was to proceed to Enfield to conduct the Convention troops to Fish Kill landing. On the 18, having received a Letter from Colo. Bland, advising that the Van of the Convention Troops had reached Enfield on the 13 and that proper Escorts of Militia were provided; and supposing that the whole would have passed that place before my Letter of...
9144From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 22 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
I send you a letter of the 26th Ulto from William Bingham Esquire to the Secretary of the Treasu[r]y together with the documents accompanying it. I desire your opinion on the following points arising upon these papers. I. Whether the proceedings heretofore by the U. States in Congress assembled have transferred from Mr Bingham to the public the consequences of the transaction in question so as...
9145From George Washington to Elias Boudinot, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two letters of this date, and thank you for the intelligence which they contain. you will be so good as to take every means in your power for discovering, in what manner the enemy have conducted themselves since you wrote—whether they continue to hover about the neighborhood of Haddonfield—or if they have made a decisive move, in what direction they have marched—early and...
9146From George Washington to James Craik, 27 April 1795 (Washington Papers)
I would thank you, my Dear Doctor, for your candid opinion of the writer of the enclosed letter. I mean as to his credit, & capability of fulfilling the terms which he therein accedes to, for my land on D: Run. He talks largely of making money; but that does not contribute much if any thing to establish him as a man of property, or credit in my estimn—whilst it may be apprehended if he is...
9147From George Washington to Robert Powell, 4 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
Being induced by the fair representation which is made to me of your character I do hereby notify to you your appointment to be Major Commandant of a battalion of Levies, directed by an act of Congress to be raised for the service of the United States in the State of Virginia—and I enclose to you a statement of the pay, clothing, and rations, and forage allowed to the said battalion. It will...
9148From George Washington to David Forman, 24 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the l4th Inst. has been duly received; the intelligence respecting the embarkation at New York & the arrival of Admiral Digby is very probably founded in reality, but his arrival, under our present circumstances, cannot I flatter myself have any influence on our projects or in the least retard our operations, while there are 36 french Ships of the Line in the Bay. Every thing has...
9149From George Washington to Horatio Gates, 27 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
On receipt of your Letter of the 17th covering the resolution of Congress of the 15th and informg your readiness & zeal to share a part in active military Duty, I have assigned to you a Command in the army under my immediate Direction, which is now on the point of entering the field. As soon therefore as you have adjusted your Concerns in Berkley, & prepared yourself for the Campaign, you will...
9150From George Washington to Colonel William Crawford, 20 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 12th by Mr Ashby came duly to hand. As I am unacquainted with the terms upon which your Regt was raised, it is impossible for me to say any thing on that head. Nor, as you mention your design of attending Congress will it be necessary for me to give any order about the Marching of your Regt as I presume you will be instructed by them. If the Matter rests with me, I shall be...
9151From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 3 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Indians, Bearers of this from Conejoharie, have travelled to Boston, & from thence hither they are now on their way home, wanting, as they say (one of them at least) a Commission to raise Men & fight against the Regulars. As they do not appear to be Persons of any Sort of Consequence, I have only advised them to lay their Pretensions before you, who can Judge better of their merit than I...
9152From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 12 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
Taking it for granted the principle is generally understood, that an Officer holding a Commission in the Line of the Army of a superior grade, to that he possesses in a particular Corps, is to roll on all general duties agreeably to his Commission in the Army, and to be considered in the Line of the State to which he belongs, according to the rank he holds in Corps of that State; the following...
9153From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 14 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 12th dated at Amewalk and on account of the pressing situation of affairs, have written to Col. Lamb at Fish kill, to send to your care 25,000 Cartridges —which you will distribute among the Militia if there is really a necessity for it. I cannot send more. The respective States in general, as I have been informed have good supplies of Military stores of their...
9154From George Washington to John Robinson, 10 May 1758 (Washington Papers)
I can not inform you better of the strange, and unaccountable dilemma I am reduced to, than by transmitting a copy of that part of my letter relative to Recruiting; and a copy also of a Council held here on that occasion. I must beg your assistance in the affair—if you can give any consistently: If I am to suffer, I can only say, that it is but poor encouragement for the exertion of my zeal....
9155From George Washington to William Aylett, 30 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured with your Letter of the 12th Instt a few days ago, advising me of the Appointments you had made in the Line of your Department, of which I shall take proper notice. In respect to your inquiry, most of the public Stores were removed from Elk, Except the Grain. This in general fell into the Enemy’s hands & was either used or destroyed by them. When they arrived, there were several...
9156From George Washington to Edward Carrington, 5 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your consent to accept the office of Quarter Master General to the armies of the United States, gave me sincere pleasure. Not finding—after the arrangement of this matter with the Secretary of War—your name in the list of nominations and appointments (announced by the Papers)—I wrote to him to be informed of the cause; and received the following answer. “I inclose the Act to augment the army...
9157From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., 11 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
You would oblige me by receiving the contents of the enclosed order; and then, by informing me of the price the Tobacco would fetch. With esteem, I am Sir Your very Hble Servt ALS (letterpress copy), ViMtvL ; LB , DLC:GW . For the enclosed order from John Francis Mercer to Benjamin W. Jones of 5 April, authorizing the payment of past rent due on GW’s land in Montgomery County, Md., see n.2 of...
9158From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 17 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I inclose to you Copy of a Letter I have received from Major Genl Heath on the Subject of the Appointments of a Brigadier in the Line of Massachusetts. I approve the proposal—but As that is not the only Line of the Army in which similar promotion is become necessary, I think it will be best to be take up on a general Scale, so far as circumstances demand. The two Brigades of Connecticut Troops...
9159From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 15 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
Congress have been pleased to determine by an Act of the 9th Instant, a Copy of which I received last night, the Quota of Troops to be furnished by each of the States for the ensuing Campaign, and have directed me to transmit them respectively, accurate Returns of their NonCommissioned Officers & privates, that they may know the deficiency for which they are to provide. I therefore request...
9160From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, Sr., 7 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
A Few days ago I wrote to you from Newburgh; and inform’d you (if I mistake not) of the meeting I was to hold with Sir Guy Carleton; consequent of a resolve of Congress directing me to make arrangemts With him for delivery of the Posts, Negros, & other Property belonging to the Citizens of the United States. This Meeting I have had; but the indisposition of General Carleton has taken him back...
9161From George Washington to Brigadier General James Potter, 18 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I congratulate you upon the glorious successes of our Arms in the North an account of which is enclosed. This singular favour of Providence is to be received with thankfulness and the happy moment which Heaven has pointed out for the firm establishment of American Liberty ought to be embraced with becoming spirit—it is incumbent upon every man of influence in his country to prevail upon the...
9162From George Washington to Joshua Fry, 29 May 1754 (Washington Papers)
This by an imediate express, I send to infm you that Yesterday I engagd a party of French whereof 11 were kill’d and 20 taken with the loss of only 1 of mine killd and 2 or 3 wounded among which was Lieutt Waggener: by some of their Paper’s we can discover that large detachts are expected every day, which we may reasonably suppose are to attack us especially since we have began. This is...
9163From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 1 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving your several letters, the last of which was of the 22d Augt. I have not now time to take notice of the several arguments that were made use of, for and against the Counts quitting the Harbour of Newport and sailing for Boston. Right or wrong, it will probably disappoint our sanguine expectations of success, and what I esteem a still worse consequence, I...
9164From George Washington to John Rumney, Jr., 6 April 1787 (Washington Papers)
However desirous I may be of accomodating the wishes of so deserving a Lady as you represent Mrs Wilson to be, yet Mrs Washington concurs in sentiment with me that my family already is, and soon will be too large to admit of an increase. I can say little more at this time, respecting the Estate of the deceased Colo. Thos Colvill than what is contained in my account of it to Major Swan (resited...
9165From George Washington to Michel-Guillaume St. Jean de Crèvecoeur, 4 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I recd with the greatest satisfaction the Message you had the goodness to bring me from my friend the Marquis de la Fayette—Nothing could give me more pleasure than a sight of that amiable, disinterested, & patriotic Young Nobleman. While the polite mode of your communication merits my acknowledgments, I take a pleasure in congratulating you on your appointment to be the Consul of His Most...
9166From George Washington to James McHenry, 17 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed are two letters of application for appointments in the immediate Army. One from John Smith, for a Lieutenancy, recommended by General Posey, and Captn Presley Thornton—the other a Recommendation of Richd Robey, by Captn Garnett Peyton and others, for the appointment of Cadet. Captn George S. Washington has requested that I would mention to you the name of John Stephens, of Berkley...
9167To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, [30 March 1792] (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed Instrumt. does not accord with my recollection of Mr. Blodgets proposed Loan, and I confess I had much rather see a clear expression of the intention than to meet an explanation of it afterwards by one of the parties, to the contract. The number of Lots to be Mortgaged I do not positively recollect, but sure I am one half were to be North of an East and West line from the...
9168From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 19 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor of your Excellency’s Letter of the 15th—Being fully persuaded of your active Zeal & Wish to join the Army under my Command, I have only to intimate to you my Desire that you will not hurry your Troops by too rapid a March—but suffer them to make such Halts on their Rout, as you shall find convenient & necessary. By Information received from the Enemy at N. York, It seems they...
9169From George Washington to Richard Noble, 16 September 1787 (Washington Papers)
By a letter which I have received from Major Thomas Freeman since I came to this City I am informed that he has lodged some money of mine in your hands, as also a receipt from Thomas Smith Esqr. for £533.19.0 with sundry other papers. I shall be obliged by your forwarding the money to me by the First good conveyance; the papers I beg you to place in the hands of Colo. Cannon of Washington...
9170From George Washington to Henry Churchill, 9 August 1759 (Washington Papers)
I am desird in a Letter which I have just received from Colo. Bassett, to send to you for a Chesnut horse that he has lately purchased—the bearer awaits on you for the purpose. I was in hopes we should have had the pleasure of seeing you at Mount Vernon in yo[ur] way up—Mrs. Washington (who joins in her Compliments) impeaches you of a breach of promise in failure of this, and I don’t know a...
9171To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 31 December 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I do not recollect perfectly what your sentiments were respecting the application of Mr. De la Forest—and being to give an answer to the Secretary of the Treasury on this occasion I should be glad to receive them previously thereto. The difficulty of the case you well know arises from the unauthorised request, and the hazard of advancing monies without it. I am Yours sincerely RC ( DLC ); at...
9172From George Washington to Thomas Hutchins, 20 August 1786 (Washington Papers)
You will see by the enclosed letter from the Marqs de la Fayette to me, that the Empress of Russia is desirous of obtaining some authentic documents respecting the languages of the natives of this Country, for the purpose of compiling an universal Dictionary. As I have thought no person was more in condition to accomplish that essential service for the republic of letters than yourself, I have...
9173IV. George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, [16 March 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
Enclosed is the last letter I have received from Messrs. Deakins and Stoddart.—What step had I best take to bring matters to a close with Burn’s, and by declaring at once the site of the public buildings, prevent some inconvenience which I see may arise from the opinions promulgated by Mr. L’Enfont? as much probably from complaisance as judgment.—Yrs, RC ( DLC ); addressed: “Mr. Jefferson”:...
9174From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 10 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Resolution passed at the last session of Congress, requesting the President of the United States to cause an estimate to be laid before Congress at their next session, of the quantity and situation of the lands not claimed by the Indians, nor granted to, nor claimed by any of the Citizens of the United States, within the territory ceded to the United States by the State of North Carolina,...
9175To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 8 October 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
The ardent desire which Mr. La Fayette feels to embrace his Parents and Sisters in the first moment of their liberation, induces him to set out for New York, or further Eastward, in search of a Passage to France. It was my opinion that he had better have awaited authentic accounts of this event; but his eagerness to see his friends—the fear of a Winter passage—and a conviction that he is under...
9176From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 15 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of the 10th informing me of Admiral Gambiers intent to leave the port of New York; if that event hath taken place be pleased to endeavour to ascertain with what number of ships—their force and destination—We have heard nothing of a long time from Z. Has he dropped the correspondence? or what is become of him. If we are to depend no further upon him, you should endeavour to open...
9177From George Washington to John Paterson, 14 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd yours of this day—Should the Enemy still be out, you will instantly put the Connecticut line in motion, with Orders to reinforce the Corps under Colonel Scammell. The Troops must all be held in the most perfect readiness for action, and the Quarter Guards be instructed to use the greatest vigilance. Every effort will be necessary to gain early, regular, & constant intelligence of...
9178From George Washington to Jean Holker, 14 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your favor of the 7th Instant, inclosing a Letter for Mr Pintard, which I shall take pleasure in transmitting to him by an early and I hope a safe opportunity. It has been rumoured here that His Excellency Count D’Estaing and Admiral Byron—both, had put to Sea; but the report probably exists more in imagination—than in any well grounded authority—as you do not mention...
9179From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 26 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I had an Account that three Men of War and Nine Transports had sailed out of Boston—and in the Evening I received a Note the Copy whereof is inclosed. The great Distress they are in at Boston for fresh Provisions makes it extremely probable they may make some Depredations along the Coasts: I have therefore thought it proper to give you the earliest Notice that the Owners of those...
9180From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I transmitted you, by a letter of yesterday, all the intelligence I then had, respecting the movements of the enemy in New-York. I now send you by this conveyance, extracts of a letter from Lord Stirling, and the report of a spy, which contain my latest information upon the subject. I am D. Sir. Your most hble servt p.s. I have the pleasure to inform you, that the taking of Dominica by the...