61From George Washington to William Livingston, 25 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honoured with your Excellency’s favors of the 14 18 & 21st. Insts. I am sorry to find that the few troops with Colo. Foreman, have become a subject of uneasiness. They are ordered to join Colonel Shreve’s regiment for the present and to act with him. Colo. Foreman five or Six weeks since transmitted through my Hands a memorial to Congress respecting his Salt works—offering a...
62From George Washington to William Livingston, 25 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have strong reasons to suspect a Mr Banksson late a captain of Marines in our service, of being in the employ of the enemy as a spy. His family lives at Princetown. We have nothing against him that amounts to proof, and to seize him at present would answer no end; but to put it out of our power to detect and punish him. It were to be wished Your Excellency without discovering our Suspicions...
63From George Washington to William Livingston, 9 April 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to William Livingston, 9 April 1778. On 11 April, Livingston wrote GW , “In Answer to your Excellency’s favour of the 9th with which I am just now honoured.”
64From George Washington to William Livingston, 11 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of yours of the 4th instant. If Capt. Arnold makes so many difficulties before he comes into the feild he will perhaps find more after he has entered, and I therefore would rather have him drop the Scheme than take it up unwillingly. Mr Boudinot is at present at Newtown with the Commissioners, but I will send him that part of your letter which respects the illicit trade...
65From George Washington to William Livingston, 14 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 9th inclosing a petition from a number of respectable inhabitants of the lower Counties of your State. I wish it were in my power immediately to afford them that relief and protection which they look for, but you know I can only make detatchments from the Army proportioned to the Strength of the main Body. I have ordered the few Men of Colo. Formans Regiment who...
66From George Washington to William Livingston, 15 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
Some little time ago, one samuel Carter an inhabitant of the State of New Jersey was taken in Arms on the side of the Enemy by a party of Colo. Shreve’s. The Colo. summoned a General Court Martial and tried one Seeds a deserter from the Continental Army and Carter. He sent the Sentences of the Court to me for approbation, but as it was illegally constituted, I was under the necessity of...
67From George Washington to William Livingston, 22 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I transmit you a philadelphia Paper, containing the Draughts of Two Bills introduced into parliament by Lord North, and his speech upon the occasion. Their authenticity in philadelphia is not questioned, and I have not the smallest doubt, but there will be some overtures made us, similar or nearly so, to the propositions held forth in the Draughts. You will see there aim is, under...
68From George Washington to William Livingston, 26 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received yesterday your favor of the 15th Inst., with the papers alluded to. Your reasoning, upon the subject of Deserters attending Flags, is certainly right & not to be disputed. Their appearing in that character is an additional crime, and it is the practice of War in such instances, founded in principles of common reason & the delicacy of Truces, to execute them immediately. This is the...
69From George Washington to William Livingston, 12 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was, a few days ago, honoured with yours informing me of the probable strength of Militia which might be collected in your State if called upon —This was a piece of information which I wanted more for my guidance in future than for any sudden plan. There are several matters which render the drawing together a large Body of forces just at this time impracticable: The deranged State of the...
70From George Washington to William Livingston, 21 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for your two favors of the 17th Instant which came to hand yesterday. I had heard before, that Houses were preparing in New York, and from a variety of concurring circumstances it would seem, that the Enemy mean to evacuate Philadelphia and make that their Rendezvous, at least in the first instance. The event only can determine the authenticity of the information; but added to the...