1To Benjamin Franklin from William Davies, 28 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am truly sorry that an unhappy occasion compels me to intrude at this time upon your more important concerns, and beg the circumstance may have sufficient weight to apologize therefor. My son William Davies, was lately taken in the ship General Washington, from this Port on a Cruize, by the British ship of War, Chatham and he with other Officers of the...
2To George Washington from Colonel William Davies, 20 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by the board of arrangement to lay the inclosed representation before your Excellency. They are not actuated by any other motives than a regard to their own rights as officers, and the general interest of the service. Upon similar pretensions General Scott might have retired when General Weedon was irregularly placed over his head; and General Muhlenberg, who was in the same...
3To George Washington from William Davies, 19 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had this day the honor to receive your Excellency’s favor of the 16th and enclose for your information the whole stock of cloathing on hand at this place, much the greater part of which came in this morning. I have been using every endeavor for some time past to bring to a point all the cloathing required by law from the various counties, but the confusions which the incursions of the enemy...
4To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 7 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am informed a considerable number of public papers, brimstone and other articles are lying round the works at Westham, many of them very little damaged. I cannot well spare any body from this side to collect them, but think it my duty to give your Excellency the information. The number of Hanover militia on the other side the river, is so considerable as to take the whole of the good arms. I...
5To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 10 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank your Excellency for your information of yesterday . It is improbable Cunningham would be willing to work, and the shortest method in such times of emergency, is to impress the shop and tools for a while. I am surprized your Excellency could conceive I should know where the military stores of this state were dispersed having had no kind of connexion with them, either in point of...
6To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 11 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
In answer to your Excellency’s favor of yesterday , I would observe that it is necessary the good arms and prepared ammunition should continue here to be issued to the militia, as they arrive. If there should be danger, which I do not conceive there is at present, the arms &c. may be removed in boats, of which I have a number collected. There is a considerable quantity of loose ammunition...
7To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 12 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have taken my quarters in the Senate house, and find in one of the rooms below, a great variety of public papers scattered about and open to every body. This I am told is the case with the papers of the General court at the lower end of the town. As I am not acquainted who are the proper officers, and as I suppose these papers must be of some value, I have taken the liberty to inform your...
8To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 15 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As considerable numbers of militia are daily arriving at this place, very many of whom are not armed, and as I know of no public stores from whence they can be supplied, I beg to know your Excellency’s sentiments with respect to the propriety of discharging such as cannot be equipped, or whether it would be your wish that they should be detained here, till a sufficient number of arms can be...
9To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 16 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 16 Jan. 1781. There are about 100 Chesterfield militia now at Manchester, consisting of old men and boys. No purpose can be served by continuing them. Since some militia are to be dismissed, “at least such whose turn has been already taken, previous to the present invasion,” and Col. Haskins says he has “sent all the able men to the army without regard to classes,” orders are...
10To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 19 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The militia from the counties your Excellency mentions have all arrived. Those from Amherst, who came in the last, marched today. All the military stores, I have directed to be issued since my arrival at this place, have been issued by Captain Spiller and Captain Irish. A number were previously delivered by a Waggon master Patten at Manikin town and Judes ferry. He lives at Petersburg. I shall...