51To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 8 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of introducing to your Excellency the Marq[uis] de la Fayette, Majr. General in our army and an officer of Rank in those of France. This Gentlemans character, illustrious birth and fortune, cannot be unknown to you, though you may be unacquainted with his person. I should be wanting in that justice which is due to his great merit, to his early attachment to the American Cause,...
52From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 9 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with Your Excellency’s severals Letters of the 3d 10th and 19th Novembr with their Inclosures; at the time of their receipt, the Army was preparing for Winter Quarters, and a multiplicity of business prevented my acknowledging them until this moment. I pray you now, to be assured, I was extremely obliged, by your particular attention, in making those communications,...
53To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 9 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Headquarters, New Windsor [ N.Y. ], 9 Dec. 1780 . Acknowledges letters of 3, 10, and 19 Nov.; is most grateful for intelligence contained in them and wishes to have more concerning the enemy’s movements in the South. Disposition of the American forces in the middle department, of the French fleet and army (still at Rhode Island), and of the enemy’s fleet and army in and around New York. “It is...
54To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 10 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Headquarters, New Windsor [ N.Y. ], 10 Dec. 1780 . The places of deposit for the specific supplies required of Virginia by Congress’ resolve of 4 Nov. are to be designated by Gen. Greene “or Officer commanding” in the southern department, who will be “much better enabled to judge of the proper places” than Washington. RC ( Vi ); 1 p.; in Tench Tilghman’s hand, signed by Washington; printed in...
55To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 27 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed are the dimensions of the most convenient Flat Boats, either for transportation upon Carriages, or for transporting Men. The plan was given to me by an Officer who has made experiments with those of different kinds. The transports, with the embarkation which I mentioned in mine of the 9th: fell down to the Hook on the 19th: instant, and as the Wind was fair, it is supposed they...
56From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 28 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 13th reached me this day. I have ever been of opinion, that the reduction of the post of Detroit would be the only certain mean of giving peace and security to the whole Western Frontier, and I have constantly kept my Eye upon that object; but such has been the reduced state of our Continental Force, and such the low ebb of our Funds, more especially of late,...
57To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 28 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 13th: reached me this day. I have ever been of opinion, that the reduction of the Post of Detroit would be the only certain mean of giving peace and security to the whole Western Frontier, and I have constantly kept my Eye upon that object; but such has been the reduced state of our Continental Force, and such the low ebb of our Funds, more especially of late,...
58From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 2 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since I had last the honor of addressing Your Excellency, the Embarkation which had been some time preparing, and which had undergone several changes; has sailed from New York. The Fleet, including the Convoys consisted of thirty two Sail, and left the Hook the 22nd Ulto. By the best information I have been able to obtain, the Light Infantry & Grenadiers, with some other Troops, which were at...
59To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 2 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I had last the honor of addressing Your Excellency, the Embarkation which had been some time preparing and which had undergone several changes has sailed from New York. The fleet, including the Convoys consisted of 32 Sail, and left the Hook the 22 Ulto. By the best information I have been able to obtain The Light Infantry and Grenadiers with some other Corps, which were at first under...
60George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 6 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 6, 1781 . Thanks Jefferson for report of British incursions into Virginia. Hopes these events will not stop Virginia from helping to reinforce the southern army. States that Benedict Arnold’s actions were probably a diversion in Cornwallis’s favor. Reports damage by severe storm to English fleet off Rhode Island. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers,...
61From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 6 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged to your Excellency for your letter of the 10th of January, giving me an account of the enemy’s incursion into your state. Baron De Stueben has informed me of their successive operations to five miles below Hoods. It is mortifying to see so inconsiderable a party committing such extensive depredations with impunity: but considering the situation of your state, it is to be...
62To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 6 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged to your Excellency for your letter of the 10th. of January, giving me an account of the enemy’s incursion into your state. Baron De Steuben has informed me of their successive operations to five miles below Hoods. It is mortifying to see so inconsiderable a party committing such extensive depredations with impunity: but considering the situation of your state, it is to be...
63From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 21 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to communicate, to your Excellency, a circumstance which I hope will be followed by the most salutary consequences to the State of Virginia in particular, and which may ultimately have the happiest effect upon the interests of America in general. The Chevalier des Touche, commanding His most Christian Majestys Squadron in the harbour of Newport, finding himself enabled,...
64To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 21 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor to communicate, to your Excellency, a circumstance which I hope will be followed by the most Salutory consequences to the State of Virginia in particular, and which may ultimately have the happiest effect upon the interests of America in general. The Chevalier des Touche, commanding His most Christian Majestys Squadron in the harbour of Newport, finding himself enabled,...
65From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 21 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I should have done myself the honor to have acknowledged your Excellency’s Letters of the 8th, 12th,17th, 26th of February and 8th Inst., at the time they were severally received; had I not been absent from this place on a Journey to the French Army at New Port, from whence I have but just now returned. The transactions and movements you have made me acquainted with in the course of these...
66To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 21 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I should have done myself the honor to have acknowledged your Excellency’s Letters of the 8th, 12th, 17th, 26th of February and 8th Inst. at the time they were severally received; had I not been absent from this place on a Journey to the French Army at New Port, from whence I have but just now returned. The transactions and movements you have made me acquainted with in the course of these...
67From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 4 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the honor of your Excellency’s favors of the 19th and 21st ulto and again to thank you, for your uniform and speedy communication of every southern event which comes to your knowledge. I have the pleasure to find, from General Greenes official letter, that Lord Cornwallis is not likely to reap any great benefits from his late Victory—indeed—were we certain that he would not...
68To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 4 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to acknowledge the honor of your Excellency’s favors of the 19th. and 21st. ulto. and again to thank you, for your uniform and speedy communication of every southern event which comes to your knowledge. I have the pleasure to find, from General Greenes official letter, that Lord Cornwallis is not likely to reap any great benefits from his late Victory. Indeed, were we certain that he...
69From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 18 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am glad to learn from the Letter of General Greene, a Copy of which Your Excellency did me the honor to enclose on the 28th Ulto that the Action of the 15th had been severely felt by the Enemy, that their retreat bore evident marks of distress, and that our Army in good spirits, were advancing upon them. From Virginia I have nothing later than Your Letter, and the enclosure from the Baron...
70To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 18 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am glad to learn from the Letter of General Greene, a Copy of which Your Excellency did me the honor to enclose on the 28th Ulto. that the Action of the 15th. had been severely felt by the Enemy, that their retreat bore evident marks of distress, and that our Army, in good spirits, were advancing upon them. From Virginia I have nothing later than Your Letter; and the enclosure from the Baron...
71From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 16 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 23d Ulto. I have since seen by the Prints that the enemy had reached Petersburgh, after being opposed in a spirited manner by the Militia under the command of the Baron Steuben. I hope that the advance of the Marquis de la Fayette with the choice Body of Continental Troops under his command would check the progress of General Philips. A...
72To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 16 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 23d. ulto. I have since seen by the prints that the enemy had reached Petersburgh after being opposed in a spirited manner by the Militia under the command of the Baron Steuben. I hope the advance of the Marquis de la Fayette with the choice Body of Continental troops under his command will check the progress of General Phillips. A...
73From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 8 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor of receiving your Excellency’s favors of the 9th & 28th of May. The progress which the enemy are making in Virginia is very alarming not only to the State immediately invaded but to all the rest, as I strongly suspect, from the most recent European intelligence, that they are endeavouring to make as large seeming conquests as possible that they may urge the plea of uti...
74To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 8 June 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had the honor of receiving your Excellency’s favors of the 9th. and 28th. of May. The progress which the enemy are making in Virginia is very alarming not only to the State immediately invaded but to all the rest; as I strongly suspect, from the most recent European intelligence, that they are endeavouring to make as large seeming conquests as possible that they may urge the plea of uti...
75From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 30 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your very agreeable Favor of the 28th ulto which I have had the pleasure to receive, & which is filled with such sincere Marks of Cordiality & Affection, could not fail to be very acceptable to me. I thank you Sir! for your Congratulations on the late Success in Virginia—a Success which must be productive of happy Relief to that State in particular; and I trust if properly improved, will be...
76To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 30 November 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your very agreeable Favor of the 28th ulto. which I have had the pleasure to receive, and which is filled with such sincere Marks of Cordiality and Affection, could not fail to be very acceptable to me. I thank you Sir for your Congratulations on the late Success in Virginia—a Success which must be productive of happy Relief to that State in particular; and I trust if properly improved, will...
77From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 10 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favor of the 22d of Jany from Philadelpha. I feel my self much flattered by your kind remembrance of me in the hour of your departure from this Continent—and the favourable Sentiments you are pleased to entertain of my Services for this our common Country. To merit the approbation of good & virtuous Men is the height of my ambition, & will be a full compensation...
78To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 10 February 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honored with your favor of the 22d. of Jany. from Philadelphia. I feel myself much flattered by your kind remembrance of me in the hour of your departure from this Continent and for the favourable Sentiments you are pleased to entertain of my Services for this our common Country. To merit the approbation of good and virtuous Men is the height of my ambition; and will be a full...
79From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 3 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
The last Post brought me the enclosed letter, under cover from the Marquis de la Fayette. If you have any News that you are at liberty to impart, it would be charity to communicate a little of it, to a body. It is unnecessary, I hope, to repeat to you the assurances of the pleasure I should feel at seeing you at this retreat, or of the sincere esteem & regard with which I am—Dear Sir—Yr Most...
80To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 3 March 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
The last Post brought me the enclosed letter under cover from the Marquis de la Fayette. If you have any News that you are at liberty to impart, it would be charity to communicate a little of it, to a body. It is unnecessary, I hope, to repeat to you the assurances of the pleasure I should feel at seeing you at this retreat, or of the sincere esteem & regard with which I am Dear Sir Yr. Most...
81From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 15 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
The Baron de Steuben informs me, that he is about to make a final settlement with Congress; and to obtain from them that compensation which his Services shall appear to have merited; having entered into no stipulation at the time he engaged in the Service either for Pay or emoluments; chusing rather to let his Services point to their own rewards (after they were performed) than to set a value...
82To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 15 March 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
The Baron de Steuben informs me that he is about to make a final Settlement with Congress; and to obtain from them that compensation which his Services shall appear to have merited; having entered into no stipulation at the time he engaged in the Service, either for Pay or emoluments; chusing rather to let his Services point to their own rewards (after they were performed) than to set a value...
83From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 24 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 15th came to my hands the 2 2d—at the moment the Governor & some other company came in. I can do no more at present than to acknowledge the rect of it, but will take the first leisure moment to write fully to you on the points it contains. Capt. Barney informs me that he has two packages on board, from the Marqs de la Fayette; the enclosed to him contains a request to land...
84To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 24 March 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 15th. came to my hands the 22d. at the moment the Governor and some other company came in. I can do no more at present than to acknowledge the receipt of it, but will take the first leisure moment to write fully to you on the points it contains. Capt. Barney informs me that he has two packages on board, from the Marqs. de la Fayette; the enclosed to him contains a request to...
85From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 29 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
It was not in my power to answer your favor of the 15th by the last post for the reason then assigned. I wish I may be able to do it to your satisfaction now, as I again am obliged to pay attention to other Company (the Governor being gone). My opinion coincides perfectly with yours respecting the practicability of an easy, & short communication between the waters of the Ohio & Potomack, of...
86To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 29 March 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
It was not in my power to answer your favor of the 15th. by the last post for the reason then assigned. I wish I may be able to do it to your satisfaction now, as I again am obliged to pay attention to other Company (the Governor being gone). My opinion coincides perfectly with yours respecting the practicability of an easy and short communication between the waters of the Ohio and Potomack,...
87From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 8 April 1784 (Washington Papers)
If with frankness, and the fullest latitude of a friend, you will give me your opinion of the Institution of the Society of Cincinnati, it would confer an acceptable favor upon me. If to this opinion, you would be so obliging as to add the Sentiments, or what you suppose to be the Sentiments of Congress respecting it, I would thank you. That you may have the best Materials on which to form a...
88To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 8 April 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
If with frankness, and the fullest latitude of a friend, you will give me your opinion of the Institution of the Society of Cincinnati, it would confer an acceptable favor upon me. If to this opinion, you would be so obliging as to add the sentiments, or what you suppose to be the Sentiments of Congress respecting it, I would thank you. That you may have the best Materials on which to form a...
89From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 2 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
It was not until I had arrived at Annapolis, on my way home, that I heard of Colo. Humphrys’s appointment as Secretary to the Commissioners for forming Commercial Treaties in Europe. Permit me now Sir, to recommend him to your countenance and friendship, which I would not do, did I not think him deserving of both. In him you will find a good Scholar, natural & acquired abilities, great...
90To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 2 June 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
It was not until I had arrived at Annapolis, on my way home, that I heard of Colo. Humphrys’s appointment as Secretary to the Commissioners for forming Commercial Treaties in Europe. Permit me now Sir, to recommend him to your countenance and friendship, which I would not do, did I not think him deserving of both. In him you will find a good scholar, natural and acquired abilities, great...
91From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 25 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure to find by the public Gazettes that your passage to France had been short, and pleasant. I have no doubt but that your reception at the Court has been equally polite, & agreeable. I have the honor to inclose you the copy of an Act which passed the Assemblies of Virginia and Maryland at the close of their respective Sessions; about the first of last month. The circumstances...
92To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 25 February 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the pleasure to find by the public Gazettes that your passage to France had been short, and pleasant.—I have no doubt but that your reception at the Court has been equally polite and agreeable. I have the honor to inclose you the copy of an Act which passed the assemblies of Virginia and Maryland at the close of their respective sessions; about the first of last month.—The circumstances...
93From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 26 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your favors of the 10th & 17th of July which were committed to the care of Mr Houdon; but I have not yet had the pleasure to see that Gentleman. His Instruments and materials (Doctr Franklin informs me) not being arrived at Havre when they Sailed, he was obliged to leave them; & is now employed in providing others at Philadelphia, with which he will proceed to...
94To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 26 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your favors of the 10th. and 17th. of July which were committed to the care of Mr. Houdon; but I have not yet had the pleasure to see that Gentleman. His Instruments and materials (Doctr. Franklin informs me) not being arrived at Havre when they Sailed, he was obliged to leave them, and is now employed in providing others at Philadelphia, with which he will...
95From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 1 August 1786 (Washington Papers)
The letters you did me the favor to write to me on the 4th & 7th of Jany have been duly received. In answer to your obliging enquiries respecting the dress, attitude &ca which I would wish to have given to the Statue in question—I have only to observe that not having a sufficient knowledge in the art of sculpture to oppose my judgment to the taste of Connoisseiurs, I do not desire to dictate...
96To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 1 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The letters you did me the favor to write to me on the 4th. and 7th. of Jany. have been duly received. In answer to your obliging enquiries respecting the dress, attitude &c. which I would wish to have given to the Statue in question, I have only to observe that not having a sufficient knowledge in the art of sculpture to oppose my judgment to the taste of Connoisseiurs, I do not desire to...
97From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 30 May 1787 (Washington Papers)
It has so happened, that the letter which you did me the honor of writing to me the 14th of November last, did not come to my hands till the first of the present month; and at a time when I was about to set off for the Convention of the States, appointed to be holden in this City the 14th Instt. Consequently, it has not been in my power, at an earlier period, to reply to the important matters...
98To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 30 May 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
It has so happened, that the letter which you did me the honor of writing to me the 14th. of November last, did not come to my hands till the first of the present month ; and at a time when I was about to set off for the Convention of the States appointed to be holden in this City the 14th. Instt. Consequently, it has not been in my power, at an earlier period, to reply to the important...
99From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 18 September 1787 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday put an end to the business of the Fœderal Convention. Inclosed is a copy of the Constitution, by it agreed to, not doubting but that you have participated in the general anxiety which has agitated the minds of your Countrymen on this interesting occasion, I shall be excused I am certain for this endeavor to relieve you from it —especially when I assure you of the sincere regard and...
100To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 18 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Yesterday put an end to the business of the Fœdral Convention. Inclosed is a copy of the Constitution, by it agreed to. Not doubting but that you have participated in the general anxiety which has agitated the minds of your Countrymen on this interesting occasion, I shall be excused I am certain for this endeavor to relieve you from it, especially when I assure you of the sincere regard and...