1From George Washington to William Gordon, 13 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for the Intelligence contain’d in your Letter of the 5th which is now before me. No matter from what cause your promptness to Work proceeded, whether from the Salem Acct of an Invasion, or the general Plan of Security; which common prudence rendered obviously necessary for the preservation of every Capital place—If the Work is done, I will not quarrel about the motives, for you may...
2From George Washington to William Gordon, 29 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am rather asham’d to be so long in debt for your favor of the 10th Ulto but a variety of matters for my consideration; and of late, the bustle, & moving condition of the Army, will, I am perswaded, sufficiently appologize for the seeming neglect. I am too far remov’d from Philadelphia, and have too much business of my own, to know, or enquire into the springs which move Congress to such...
3From George Washington to William Gordon, 23 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I HAVE attended to your information and remark, on the supposed intention of placing General L——, at the head of the army: whether a serious design of that kind had ever entered into the head of a member of C—— or not, I never was at the trouble of enquiring. I am told a scheme of that kind is now on foot by some, in behalf of another gentleman —but whether true or false, whether serious, or...
4From George Washington to William Gordon, 15 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you abt the end of Jany I have been favourd with your Letter of the 12th of that Month, which did not reach my hands till within these few days. The question there put, was, in some degree, solved in my last—But to be more explicit, I can assure you that no person ever heard me drop an expression that had a tendency to resignation. the same principles that led me to embark in...
5From George Washington to William Gordon, 2 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 22d Ult. came to my hands by the last Post, and receives, as it deserves, my warmest thanks—I have also to acknowledge myself your debtor for another letter of the 15th of Decemr which the number I am obliged to write, and read, with other papers to consider, prevented my answering till it had slipped my memory wholly. The Assault of Stoney point does much honor to the Troops...
6From George Washington to William Gordon, 3 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I received some time ago Your Letter of the 29th of February & 1st of March by Colo. Henley. From a multiplicity of important-pressing business which I have had on hand—I was prevented from communicating it to Colo. Hamilton till yesterday. It was then put into his hands, as You will perceive by the inclosures No. 1 & 2, a Copy of my Letter to him upon the occasion & his Answer. While I must...
7From George Washington to William Gordon, 9 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your letter begun on the 28th Ulto ended the first instant came to my hds at this place– I am conscious of being indebted to you for several other unacknowledged favors. I thank you for ascribing my omission to a multiplicity of other matters. I can with much truth assure you that my business has encreased with our difficulties, & kept equal pace with them. To what length these have arisen no...
8From George Washington to William Gordon, 23 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favor of the 2d Instt & thank you for the extract of Mr Adams’s letter. I never was among the sanguine ones, consequently shall be less disappointed than People of that description, if our Warfare should continue—From hence (it being the opinion of some Men that our expectations have an accordance with our wishes) it may be inferred that mine are for a...
9From George Washington to William Gordon, 8 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 19th of June came to my hands on Sunday last by the Southern Mail—from this circumstance, & the date of it I conclude it has been to Philadelphia—A mistake not very unusual for the Postmaster at Fishkill to commit. I delayed not a moment to forwd the letters which came to me under your cover of the 26th of Feby to New York—I did not answer the letter which accompanied them in...
10From George Washington to William Gordon, 8 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
Every aid which can be derived from my official papers, I am willing to afford, & shall with much pleasure lay before you, whenever the latter can be unfolded with propriety. It ever has been my opinion however, that no Historian can be possessed of sufficient materials to compile a perfect history of the revolution, who has not free access to the archives of Congress—to those of the...