1To George Washington from George Clinton, 4 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
4 July 1775. Recommends the bearer, “Mr. White, the Son of Anthony White Esq’r of New Jersey. . . . Inspired with Love for our much injured Country he now vissits your Camp to offer his Service as a Vollenteer in the Army under your Command.” Hugh Hastings and J. A. Holden, eds., Public Papers of George Clinton , 10 vols. (1899–1914; reprint, New York, 1973), 1:208–9. This letter may be...
2To George Washington from George Clinton, 27 July 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from George Clinton, 27 July 1775. On 25 Aug. GW wrote to Clinton : “Mr White presented me with your favour of the 27th Ulto.”
3From George Washington to George Clinton, 25 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
Mr White presented me with your favour of the 27th Ulto —you may rely upon it, that any Civilities which may be in my power to shew this young Gentleman shall not be wanting—if an acquaintance of mine, for whom I have wrote to Virginia (knowing his promptitude to business) should not come, as there is reason to doubt, I propose to take Mr White into my Family as an Aid de Camp—the mode by...
4John Alsop, John Jay, George Clinton, and Lewis Morris to Walter Livingston, 17 April 1776 (Jay Papers)
We received your Favour of the 8th Ins t .— The Office of Commissary is extreamly embarrassed—The Commissary Gen al . (who it was expected woud have continued in the Eastern Department) is now (by the Removal of the Army from Bo[s]ton) in NewYork— tho it was originally intended (as we understood) that you as Deputy Commissary General shoud have the sole Managem t . of that Office in the...
5From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 2 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Having received information that there is a number of arms at one Wilseys at the Fish Kilns, among the Officers Baggage which came from St Johns, I request and authorize you to make inquiry about them & to secure all you can find. I am Sir Your Most Hble Servt LS , in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, PAeTPM ; LB , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Although Clinton had held the rank of...
6To George Washington from Brigadier General George Clinton, 5 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
On my Arival here I went immediatly to Fishkill to make Inquiery about the Arms said to be stored at Wiltsys. I find that about a Week ago a certain Duncan Campbell a Major in the Ministerial Army taken on Board the Enemys Vessels at the Mouth of the Sorrel came to the Fish Kill on Board of an Albany Sloop landed there & put in Wiltsy’s Store a number of Chests & Trunks containing (as he said)...
7From George Washington to Egbert Benson and Brigadier General George Clinton, 13 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Two ships of force with their Tenders have Sailed up Hudsons River —I am apprehensive that they design to seize the passes in the Highlands by Land wh[ich] I am informed may be done by a small body of Men. I must therefore request you instantly to desire Genl Ten Broeck to March down as great force as he can Collect to secure them, particularly the post where the Road runs over Anthonies nose...
8To George Washington from Brigadier General George Clinton, 15 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I receivd your Favour of the 13th Instant yesterday at this Place previous to which about 9 oClock Satturday Morning the Signal at Fort Constitution being given & the Masters of two Sloops which about the same Time came too opposite my House having informed me that the Enemy had attacked New York the Evening before & that they judged by the Report of the Cannon that their Shipping had passed...
9From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 17 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 15th Instt—The Measures you have taken & directed in Consequence of the 2 Men of War passing up the North River appear to me extremely prudent & proper. The Spirit of the Militia too upon this Occasion & at so critical a Period deserves the highest Commendation. As it is impossible for me to judge with Certainty what the Intentions of the Enemy are or even to...
10To George Washington from Brigadier General George Clinton, 23 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with your Excellency’s Commands of the 17th Instant and am happy to find the Measures taken here for the Reception of the Enemys Shipping approved. Yesterday some of the Carpenters from Poughkeepsie arrived at this Place with the Fire-Rafts—They are constructed on the Plan lately transmitted to your Excellency by my Brother —We are busy preparing & hope to be able Tomorrow or...
11From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 26 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 23d Instant is duly Received and am pleased with the timely notice of your Situation, Strength Movements, &c. &c. & think time is not to be lost, or expence regarded in getting yourselves in the best posture of Defence, not knowing how soon the Enemy may attempt to pass You. The fire Rafts you mention are not of the best Construction, but probably are the best that can be procured...
12To George Washington from Brigadier General George Clinton, 2 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I take this Opportunity by my Brother (now on his Way to Newyork to settle some Affairs of his Regimt) to acknowledge the Receipt of your Excellency’s Favour of the 26th Ulto & of informing you of our present Situation & that of the Enemy—On Thursday last the Shipping & Tenders fell down to the Mouth of Croton’s River where they have since continued at Anchor near the East Shore—Since which...
13From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 9 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 2d Instant is duly Received enclosed you have a Resolution of the provincial Convention which came to hand last Evening, by which you will please to Regulate your Conduct, I must beg you to Inform Me as soon as possible what number your Brigade now consists of—and what number it will contain when a fourth part of the Militia are drafted agreeable to Order of provincial Congress....
14To George Washington from Brigadier General George Clinton, 12 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
In Consequence of a Motion made in a late Counsel of Genl Officers (in which Contrary to former Determination) it was advised that the City of Newyork shoud be evacuated & that the Disposition of the Army shoud be changed & that those who adhered to the former Opinion shoud assign their Reasons for defending the City as one of those I now begg leave to lay before your Excellency the following....
15Orders to Brigadier General George Clinton, 30 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
Take with you Lieut. Colo. and proceed immediately to Fairfield and there in Consultation with General Lincoln of the Massachusets Bay, Mr Hobart of this State and Lieut. Colo. Livingston if you can meet with him, concert an Expedition to Long Island for the purpose of aiding the Inhabitants removing or destroying the Stock, Grain, &ca which must otherwise fall into the Hands of the Enemy....
16From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 19 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
Let me beseech you to nominate, & set four Gentlemen, such as you conceive will make good Captains to Raising Companies upon the Continental pay & establishment; and to be annexed hereafter to one of the Sixteen additional Regiments. I shall also leave the nomination of the Subaltern Officers for these Companies to yourself and the Captains—all I ask is, that they may be Gentlemen—and that...
17From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 19 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
Altho’ I have not the least doubt of your Zeal and Activity, I cannot help reminding you of the Necessity there is, for your raising and bringing into Service, as expeditiously as possible, the Body of Men, of which your State have given you the command. I am clearly of opinion that the Enemy are collecting their force, with an intent to make a Stroke at this Army, which they will never suffer...
18To George Washington from Brigadier General George Clinton, 21 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this Moment honored with your Excellency’s Commands of the 19th Instant and shall not fail in exerting myself to the utmost of my Power in raising and marching the New Levies ordered by this State which I hope soon to effect —I have already nominated the Officers for Ulster & Orange Counties & fixed the Proportion of Men that the different Militia Regiments therein are to furnish with...
19From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 24 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was favd with yrs of the 21st Inst. on Yesterday. Much depends on our taking the Field early with a powerfull force, by which means Victory over the Enemy in the distressed Situation they must be from the severity of this Campain will be certain, & our Affairs will be on so good a footing before any considerable Reinforcement can come to them, that We shall have but little to dread—I am...
20From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 19 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Information being lodged that many of the Inhabitants living near the Passaick Falls are busily employed in removing their provision & Forrage within the Enemy’s reach, with design of supplying them, obliges me to beg the favr of you to let me know what Success you have experienced in collecting the Troops voted by the Convention of the State of New York. The presence of some men in that...
21To George Washington from Brigadier General George Clinton, 23 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Being summoned to attend Convention a Day or two before the Express arrived here with your Excellency’s Letter of the 19th Instt I had not the Pleasure of receiving it till on my Return Home Yesterday Evening—Before this can reach your Excellency you will doubtless have a Return of the Men raised in this & Orange County pursuant to a Resolve of the Convention of this State with any Orders to...
22George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 3 March 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] March 3, 1777. Asks Clinton to decide location of cannon on the Hudson. Places choice of men and officers for Clinton’s forces in Clinton’s hands. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress; LS in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress. Clinton, a brigadier general in the Continental Army, was at New Windsor, New York,...
23From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 3 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 23d February was duly handed me; and I am thankful for the attention and activity, with which you are promoting the public service. As you have all the circumstances immediately before you, you can best judge whether the cannon, of which you speak, will be most useful to defend the obstructions which are forming, or at the places where they now are; and you will be pleased...
24To George Washington from Brigadier General George Clinton, 14 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I begg Leave to recomend Capt. Black & Lieut. Santford both of Colo. Malcom’s Regiment for Captains of the two remaining Companies for which your Excellency Directed me to appoint Officers. Their Charecters Well in private life as Officers are good & I believe they will [be] able to raise their Companies as the Men of that Regiment are strongly attached to their Officers; many of them have not...
25From George Washington to Brig. Gen. George Clinton, 19 March 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. George Clinton, 19 Mar. 1777. The collection of letters and documents belonging to the estate of James Gordon Bennett that was sold by the Anderson Galleries of New York on 23 Nov. 1926 reportedly contained a letter signed by GW at Morristown on 19 Mar. “regarding appointments of officers” ( American Book-Prices Current , 33 [1927], 797).
26To George Washington from Brigadier General George Clinton, 21 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Fort Montgomery, New York, 21 March 1777. Writes on behalf of a John Griffiths who wants to travel to England to attend to his wife’s estate. “Some Time since a Relative of Mrs Griffiths (I think a Brother) died in England & by his Will devised to her or her Son a considerable Estate in Lands on Condition the Devissee shoud return to England within a limitted Time & possess it—Mr Griffiths for...
27From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 31 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
A Captain who escaped from New York on Saturday Evening and who arrived here this morning, informs, that about Three Thousand Troops (British & Hessians) were embarked from the City & Staten Island when he came away. It was generally said, they had in contemplation an expedition to Chesepeak Bay and to make a descent on the Eastern Shore. There were some who conjectured, they mean to go up the...
28To George Washington from Brigadier General George Clinton, 18 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Being from Home when your Excellency’s Letter of the 31st Ultimo was left at my House prevented my Answering it by the Return of the Express & till now I have not had any other Opportunity —Before the Receipt of it I had (in Consequence of Powers given me by the Convention of this State) ordered out about 1200 of the Militia of this & Orange County 500 of them to releive Colo. Pawling at the...
29George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 20 April 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] April 20, 1777. Discusses whether enemy plans to attack Philadelphia or move up North River. Reminds Clinton to call out militia. Approves of placing a chain across the North River. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
30From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 20 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 18th instant has just now come to hand. Two days ago, I wrote to general McDougall urging it upon him to apply to the Convention of your state in my name to call out the Militia, in order to have as respectable a force as possible, in the quarter where you are to act according to contingencies. I am glad to find that the powers vested in you, have enabled you to anticipate...
31From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 23 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
By a person sent into Brunswic I am informed that “Genl Skinners Force consists of about 1000 to be joined by some regular Troops and to proceed from Bergen thro’ Sussex and the back parts of the Jerseys when the Troops march for Philada.” I think this Move so probable, as it will give them access to a part of the Country most notoriously disaffectd, that I desire you will post a Body of...
32From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 26 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you on the 23d Inst. communicating Intelligence lately received respecting the Enemy’s designs up the North River—A letter from Genl McDougall this moment received, places their Intentions beyond the power of misconception —Several Transports have anchored at Dob’s ferry—& mean, in my Opinion, to divert our Attention, if possible, from their Movements towards the Delaware—At any rate...
33To George Washington from Brigadier General George Clinton, 1 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Immediatly on the Receipt of your Excellency’s Letter of 23d Ultimo I ordered one third Part of the Militia of Orange County to guard the Passes of the Highlands on the West Side of Hudson’s River to co,operate with the Militia, under Genl Heard if the Enemy shoud make any Attempts in that Quarter; but I am unhappy to find by a Return I have just received from Lieutenant Colo. Cuyper (who...
34From George Washington to Brigadier Generals George Clinton and Alexander McDougall, 2 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The necessity of having regular Magazines of Provision for subsisting the Army, wheresoever It may act, and the late destruction of the Stores at Danbury, have induced Congress to take the matter into consideration & to come into the Resolves which accompany this. By these you will perceive, that One object of their deliberation was, to have immediate measures taken for the removal of the...
35From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 5 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 1st instant by Capt: Lush, with Copies of the proceedings of the Courts Martial upon the case of Capt: Martin and those of Several persons accused of treasonable practices. As the proceedings against the latter, can be only sent for my opinion, I having no right to interfere in the matter, I would recommend the execution only of the most notorious, and such,...
36To George Washington from Brig. Gen. George Clinton, 4 June 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. George Clinton, 4 June 1777. GW wrote George Clinton on 8 June : “Your favor of 4th Inst. I receiv’d this Morning.”
37From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 8 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of 4th Inst. I receiv’d this Morning —As the Movement of the Enemy & their Designs are as yet uncertain, I have to request that you will keep as large a Body of the Militia as you can collect, & have them in as good order as Circumstances will permit, in case Genl Howe should Incline up North River[.] I have no doubt but you have form’d such a Plan with General Heard as will best...
38From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General George Clinton, 10 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
By His Excellencys Command, I am to desire you will give orders upon the deputy Clothier General at Peeks-Kill, for the necessary supply of Cloathing &c. for the four companies raising under your direction. It is not however intended, that more shall be drawn than a sufficiency for the number of men actually inlisted. I am Sir Your most Obedt servant ADfS , George Washington Papers, Library...
39To George Washington from Brigadier General George Clinton, 19 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
The weak State of the Post near Sydnam’s Bridge where my Brother commands he not having Men Sufficient to mount the necessary Guards or on the most urgent Occasion to send out a Party has induced me to take the Liberty of ordering there from this Post the other Two Companies raising under my Direction for one of the sixteen Additional Regiments and as they will now consist of about one hundred...
40From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 23 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was favor’d with yours of the 19th Instant & have to acknowledge my approbation of the removal of the two Companys you mention, to the Post near Sidman’s Bridge. you have also my consent to keep Colonel Duboys’ regiment with you it is certainly preferable to any, other, being as you observe perfectly acquainted with the Grounds; which is a singular advantage to any Body of Troops when...
41George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 1 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] July 1, 1777. Reports news of attack on Ticonderoga. Warns of probable attack on Peekskill. Orders Clinton to call out militia to defend the area around Peekskill. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
42From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 1 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
From intelligence just received from the Northward; there can be little doubt that the enemy are operating against Ticonderoga and its dependencies; and from the evacuation of the Jerseys, and the reason of the thing itself, there can be as little room to doubt, that General Howe will cooperate with the Northern army, and make a sudden descent upon Peeks Kill, in order, if possible to get...
43To George Washington from Brigadier General George Clinton, 11 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer Mr Connoly is the Person I formerly mentioned to your Excellency as a supernumerary Officer I having given a Warrant to him as first Lieutenant after the four Companies Officered by me were compleat—He has taken great Pains to recruit Men tho’ his Success has not been equal owing to the Resolve of this State in Favor of the five Regiments raised in it—There are two First...
44From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 13 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment receiv’d your Favor of the 11th Inst. by Mr Conoly, & from your recommendation have not the least Objection that he should be appointed to one of the Lieutenancies you mention; provided it can be done without any just cause of offence to the other Officers of that Corps—If these Commissions have ever been granted, & the Officers by Resignation or otherwise quit the Regiment,...
45To George Washington from Brigadier General George Clinton, 24 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I this Moment received your Excelllency’s Order of the Day for sending 30,000 Wt of Hard-Bread from this Post to King’s Ferry to be transported from thence to Head Quarters. The Hard Bread was sent here in Bulk and by the Time it was Stored so much broken as to render it almost unfit to be used as I have no empty Casks at this Place to put it in I fear it would be impossible to convey it to...
46From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 25 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yours of Yesterday reached me at this place. Considering the situation in which you say the hard Bread is, instead of bringing it forward, I have directed Genl Sullivan’s and Lord Stirlings divisions to draw three days each before they leave King’s Ferry. If any remains after supplying them, it may be sent back to the Forts. Whether the Enemy’s real design’s are southward or Eastward, in order...
47To George Washington from Brigadier General George Clinton, 26 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
When I had the Pleasure of seeing your Excellency at Ramapogh I mentioned that the Terms for which the two Militia Regiments stationed at this Post were engaged in Service expired the last of this Month at which Time unless a Reinforcement is sent here by General Putnam the whole Strength we shall have at this important Station will be Colo: Dubois’s Regimt two Companies of Artillery and a...
48From George Washington to George Clinton, 1 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had proceeded thus far in order to look out for a proper place to arrange the Army when I recd the provoking account that the Enemy’s Fleet left the Capes of Delaware yesterday and steered Eastward again. I shall return again with the utmost expedition to the North River, but as a sudden stroke is certainly intended by this Maneuvre, I beg you will immediately call in every Man of the...
49To George Washington from George Clinton, 9 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Immediately on the Receipt of your Excellency’s Letter directing from 1000 to 1500 of the Militia of this and the State of Connecticut to reinforce this Garrison and the Army under General Putnam I issued Orders for drawing out 810 including Non Commissioned Officers from this State for the above Purposes. Since which I have been induced by the Situation of our Affairs to the Northward in...
50From George Washington to George Clinton, 13 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I this day received your Favor of the 9th Inst. your Vigilance in providing a proper Force to oppose the Enemy and the Alacrity with which the Militia have assembled afford me great Satisfaction; if your Efforts are seasonably and skilfully seconded by your Eastern Neighbours we may hope that General Bourgoyne will find it equally difficult to make a farther Progress or to effect a Retreat....