501From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 17 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I some time ago inclosed to you a printed copy of an Order of Council, by which Governor Hamilton was to be confined in Irons in close Jail. This has occasioned a letter from General Philips of which the inclosed is a Copy. The General seems to suppose that a prisoner on capitulation cannot be put into close confinement tho his capitulation shall not have provided against it. My idea was that...
502From Thomas Jefferson to the Board of War, 22 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Approved as to the gallies; and as to the ship Gloster it is recommended to the board of war to have a proper enquiry and report made whether it may not be more advantageous to convert her into a galley than to sell her, and on such report to reconsider the matter. Tr in Board of War Journal ( Vi ); printed in Official Letters Official Letters of the Governors of the State of Virginia , ed. H....
503To Thomas Jefferson from Daniel Brodhead, 22 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I have taken the liberty of enclosing you copies of sundry letters relative to the designs of the Enemy, in and about Detroit. A great number of men must be discharged in the course of a few weeks, which will leave us weak on this frontier, and as no reinforcement of regulars can reasonably be expected for this district and the calling out some of the Militia from the States of Virginia and...
504To Thomas Jefferson from Archibald Cary, 22 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed you have a State of Ballandines Account with the Country for the Works at Westham, also Ballandine and Reveley for the Buckingham Furnace. You will also find Inclosed, his Deed to and Agrement with Mr. Richd. Adams and others for the Air Furnace and Canal. I have also Sent as it will Save the Trouble of haveing recourse to the Journals of Assembly the Papers you Sent Containing their...
505From Thomas Jefferson to William Phillips, 22 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letter, on the Subject of Lieutenant Governor Hamilton’s confinement, came safely to hand. I shall, with great chearfulness, explain, to you, the Reasons on which the advice of Council was founded, since, after the satisfaction of doing what is right, the greatest is that of having what we do approved by those whose opinions deserve esteem. We think ourselves justified in Governor...
506Contract between the State of Virginia and Peter Penet, Windel & Company, 22 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Williamsburg ] 22 July 1779 . Contract entered into by the Governor and Council of Virginia on the one part and Peter Penet, Windel [or Wendel] & Company on the other part, by which the company pledges to establish “a Manufactory of Arms and Foundery of Cannon … on James river,” to import artisans therefor, and to furnish 10,000 stand of arms annually to the state, while the state on its...
507To Thomas Jefferson from — Savarit, [after 22 July 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Without place, after 22 July 1779 .] Directed to the Governor and Council and written after the contract between the State of Virginia and Penet, Windel & Co. (q.v., 22 July) was signed. The writer considers the tenth and eleventh articles of the contract objectionable because they limit the exemption of arms makers from military service to twenty-one years and because the exemption applies...
508Orders for Defense of the Western Frontier, 23 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The Act of General Assembly intituled an act for raising a Body of Troops for the defence of the Commonwealth, having directed that two battalions shall be raised for the Western and two for the Eastern Service, the Board advise the Governor to Order that the men to be raised according to the said act in the Counties of Yohogania, Monongalia, Ohio, Kentucky, Hampshire, Berkley, Frederick,...
509Notes and Plans for Western Defense, [23 July 1779 and after] (Jefferson Papers)
Plan for regimenting & stationing the two Western battalions. Joseph Crocket & James Knox Lt. Colonels commandants } appointed by the Council George Walls, Robert Powell. Majors. William Cherry, Samuel Gill. Captains. Thomas Walls, Peter Moore. Ensigns. no. of men supposed they will raise Officers to be recommended by the feild officers of the respective countries Destination . Yohogania. a...
510From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 23 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letter of the 9th ulto. has been taken under Consideration, and I have now the pleasure to inform Your Excellency, that the report of the Board of Field Officers contain’d therein, meets with the intire approbation of the Executive of this State; I have therefore inclosed four blank Commissions , which it is requested You will be pleased to order to be filled up properly for the...
511From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 23 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of begging leave of your Excellency to forward the enclosed by the first flag which may happen to be going into New York. They are addressed to [a] good man in distress which I am sure will apologize with you for my asking your intervention. I am with the greatest respect Your Excellencys most obt. & most hbl. servt., Tr ( DLC ). Enclosure missing. The enclosure was a letter...
512To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 26 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of transmitting to your Excellency sundry papers respecting the capture of a vessel of Portugal by a Captain Cunningham of the Privateer Phoenix the Property of Carter Braxton Esqr. and others. Among these papers is a copy of an Act of Congress of the 21st. Inst., for the purpose of doing Justice to the Parties injured, and punishing the Aggressors, to both which Objects it...
513To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 27 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 27 July 1779 . Detailed account of Wayne’s capture of Stony Point on the Hudson, 15 July. Postscript reads: “You will oblige me much, by suggesting to me such reflections, as occur to you on the subject of peace: not on the propriety of making it, if possible, but on terms, necessary for America to insist on.” RC ( DLC ); 1 p. Printed in part: Conway, Edmund Randolph , p. 39–40.
514To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 28 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 28 July 1779 . Circular letter to the state executives enclosing resolves of Congress of 23 July respecting, first, the better preservation of buildings belonging to the United States and, second, the delivery of horses, cattle, and other stores owned by the United States to proper officers. FC ( DLC : PCC , No. 14); 2 p. Enclosure ( Vi ); signed by Charles Thomson; endorsed by...
515To Thomas Jefferson from the Board of War, with Reply by John Page, 30 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Williamsburg, 30 July 1779 . Because of the multiplicity of business, one clerk cannot attend to all the duties the office requires, including keeping a journal. Appointment of a second clerk desired. Signed by James Innes, Clerk. Countersigned by Lt. Gov. John Page: “In Council July 30th. 1779. The Council approves of the reasons above given by the board of War for the appointment of a second...
516Henry Hamilton to the Lieutenant Governor and Council of Virginia, 30 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Pelham having very obligingly procured me the means of addressing you, I take this first opportunity of representing to you the Circumstances and situation of the two Gentlemen at present in confinement along with me. I am to suppose they have been put in Prison for having acted under my orders. If there be any criminality in those orders Justice demands that I alone should be the...
517To Thomas Jefferson from Meriwether Smith, 30 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 30 July 1779 . Quotes extracts from memorials to Congress from the French minister, Gérard, dated 26 and 28 July, demanding protection for M. Holker, the French consul, whose efforts to obtain provisions for the King’s fleet have been publicly protested and interfered with by a committee of Philadelphia citizens. Smith then adds: “Thus, Sir, you see the good Effects of Committees...
518From Thomas Jefferson to Riedesel, [July 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
You mentioned the other day your wish to visit the several medicinal springs in Louisa, Berkeley and Augusta. You will be pleased in this to follow your own inclination, passing from one to another of them by such roads, and making such excursions while on the road or at any of the springs as may be agreeable to yourself, in doing which this shall be your passport, and shall dispense during...
519[To Thomas Jefferson from the Board of War, 4 August 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Williamsburg, 4 Aug. 1779 . Minute in Board of War Journal (Vi) under this date: “This Board do recommend to his excellency the Governour and the honorable the Council, Mr. Theophilus Field as a proper person to be appointed a Lieutenant in the Navy of this Commonwealth.” Not located.]
520To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 6 August 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honoured with your Letter of the 17 of July, upon the case of Lt. Governor Hamilton. This subject, on more mature consideration, appears to be involved in greater difficulty than I apprehended. When I first received the proceedings of the Council upon it, transmitted in Your Excellency’s Letter of the 19th of June, I had no doubt of the propriety of the treatment decreed against...
521From Thomas Jefferson to Col. William Fleming, 7 August 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed order will explain to you the general plan adopted for regimenting, officering, and stationing the two Western battalions. We are in hopes you will so far proceed in concert with the other commissioners as that the chain of posts to be recommended may form a complete Western defence, leaving no chasm in the middle. We wish you, when you report the stations proposed, to advise us...
522From Thomas Jefferson to William Preston, 7 August 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
You are desired to call together your feild officers and in conjunction with them to recommend to the Executive a Lieutenant and an Ensign to take command in one of the battalions to be raised for the defence of the Western frontier under an act of the late assembly intit[uled ‘an] act for raising a body of troops for the defence of the Commonwealth.’ The men to be raised in your county under...
523To Thomas Jefferson from William Fleming, 10 August 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I am this moment told by Colo. Melchoir that a young gentleman will set out in half an hour for Charlottesville. By him I have just time to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 22d. of July, for which please to accept my thanks. I find by your observations on the fishery that that matter is not yet properly understood in Virginia, nor have I time at present (were I at full liberty) to...
524To Thomas Jefferson from William Phillips, 10 August 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
At the time the troops of Convention quitted New England the Officers, British and German, drew sundry Bills of Exchange in favour of Merchants and others at Boston for which they received the value in Continental Dollars and it so happened that by much the greater part of them were of the emissions which have since been called in by the American Congress which were regularly refused in...
525To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Henry Lee, 12 August 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Menokin, 12 Aug. 1779 . Arrival from France at Lee’s house of Hezekiah Ford, late secretary to Arthur Lee. The writer has advised Ford not to go on to Congress but to ask a hearing on charges against him before the Virginia Council. Developments in the dispute between Arthur Lee and Silas Deane. If Congress does not publish Arthur Lee’s vindication, then the writer will. Franklin’s hypocrisy....
526To Thomas Jefferson from William Phillips, 12 August 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I am exceedingly sorry the Weather yesterday prevented me from having the pleasure of seeing you. I return you my very sincere thanks for the answer to my letter of the day before yesterday. Mr. Geddes shall be sent in a very few days and I shall persue for the several Prisoners of War any mode of conveying money and Clothing to them you shall prefer. The British Officers intend to perform a...
527To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 14 August 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 14 Aug. 1779 . Circular to the state executives. The expected arrival of 7,000 troops from Europe and 3,000 from the West Indies as reinforcements to the enemy is a matter of grave concern to Congress and “our Allies.” The states are therefore to “prepare for the most immediate, and most vigorous operations” by filling up their battalions and by having the militia ready to march...
528To Thomas Jefferson from John Page, 14 August 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I believe the Board had no Intention of removing the Convention Troops till you return; and wish to have a full Board, whenever the Propriety of that Measure shall be taken under Consideration, and every Inform[ation] which can be procured on a Subject of such Importance. Ayletts Letter [to] his Deputy was certainly unjustifiable. I will write to him on the Subject as he is not in Town. I hope...
529Testimonial for Charles Clay, [15 August 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
The reverend Charles Clay has been many years rector of this parish, and has been particularly known to me. During the whole course of that time his deportment has been exemplary as became a divine, and his attention to parochial duties unexceptionable. In the earliest stage of the present contest with Great Britain, while the clergy of the established church in general took the adverse side,...
530To Thomas Jefferson from Rev. John Todd, 16 August 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for the favour you have done me in inclosing me the bill for establishing religious freedom . I had not seen it before—and teased with reports from the Assembly as people affected and were attached, that a general Assessment was to take place; again that the old detested establishment had warm advocates in the house, &c. Long have I been anxious for thoughts of mankind, sacred and...
531To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 16 August 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
West Point, 16 Aug. 1779 . Acknowledges TJ’s letter of 23 July enclosing one for Mr. Battora, which will be forwarded by the next flag. Dft ( DLC : Washington Papers); 2 p. Endorsed. Printed: Washington, Writings , ed. Fitzpatrick, xvi , 114.
532To Thomas Jefferson from Peter Penet, 17 August 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received the five copies of the Contract which Your Excellency and the Honorable Council have been pleased to enter into with my Company, and I have fulfilled the necessary formalities to confirm it, waiting for the ratification of many Articles by the General Assembly in the next Session, where Mr. Savarit will attend for that purpose. This Contract, appears to me calculated for the...
533To Thomas Jefferson from John Todd, Jr., 18 August 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
By Letters which I had the Honor of writing to you by Col. Slaughter dated early in July , I gave your Excellency a full account of the situations of this Country, since which nothing important has happened here. Col. Clark I suppose is by this time at the Falls of Ohio, and as the Expedition against Detroit is declined, he will probably wait upon you in person. Col. Rogers has arrived from...
534To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 24 August 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 24 Aug. 1779 . Circular letter to the state executives enclosing a resolve of Congress of 17 Aug. relative to further provisions for the army. FC ( DLC : PCC , No. 14); 1 p. Enclosure missing; printed in JCC Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 , ed. W. C. Ford and others, Washington, 1904–1937 , xiv , 973–4.
535Pass for David Geddes, [25 August 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof Mr. Geddes assistant Paymaster general to the troops of Convention now within this commonwealth, is permitted to pass attended by his servant, from the county of Albemarle by the way of Richmond and of the honourable Archibald Cary’s along such direct roads as he shall chuse, to Williamsburg, and to return by the same way, using reasonable dispatch, avoiding communication...
536Passes for Poellnitz and Others, [25 August 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof Capt. Pelnitz , one of the aids de camp to Majr. Gen. Riedesel of the German Convention troops now within this commonwealth, has permission to pass, attended by his servant, from the county of Albemarle along such direct roads as he shall chuse to the Medicinal springs in the county of Berkeley there to continue with Majr. Genl. Riedesel or his family and to accompany them on...
537To Thomas Jefferson from William Phillips, 25 August 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I have reason to suppose that a Flag of truce may arrive at Hampton Road with passports from General Washington bringing wines, Rum, and other refreshments for the Troops of Convention. I am, therefore, to request your Excellency will have the goodness to allow such Flag of truce entrance into James River and that it may come up as high as the Bermuda Hundred or Warwick, that it be suffered to...
538To Thomas Jefferson from Archibald Cary, 26 [August] 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you some time agon and Inclosed some Papers to you from Majr. Hay addressed to General Phillips. Mr. Hay was two days past at my House. I did not see him but he desired Mrs. Cary to Inform me he had received no Answer from Phillips and that the whole party were much distressed. A Few days after I wrote you I received from Williamsburg a letter from Phillips for Hay which Col. Bland had...
539To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 26 August 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellency I make no doubt has been made fully acquainted with the Ordinance established by Congress by their Act of the 23d of March for regulating the Cloathing department, and recommending the Respective States to appoint State or Sub Cloathiers. I addressed the Other States on this subject on the 22d of May, but deemed the measure unnecessary with respect to Virginia, as a Gentleman...
540Proceedings of Commissioners to Settle the Pennsylvania-Virginia Boundary, 27–31 August 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Baltimore, 27–31 Aug. 1779 . After presenting their respective powers, the commissioners for Virginia (Rev. James Madison and Rev. Robert Andrews; the third commissioner, Thomas Lewis, was absent) exchanged on the following days with the commissioners for Pennsylvania (George Bryan, Rev. John Ewing, and David Rittenhouse) a series of letters proposing and rejecting various lines as the...
541[To Thomas Jefferson from the Continental Board of War, before 28 August 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia, before 28 Aug. 1779 . A letter from Lt. Gov. Page to the Continental Board of War, 28 Aug. 1779 ( DLC : PCC , No. 147, ii ; printed in Official Letters , ii , 37, q.v.) answers a letter from the Board to TJ “on the Subject of the Muskets lately imported into this State for the use of United States.” The Board’s letter has not been found. For action by Congress on Page’s letter,...
542To Thomas Jefferson from Andrew Lewis and Col. William Fleming, 31 August 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
In compliance with the orders of Council of July the 23d , directing Genl. Lewis, William Fleming and Willm. Christian to meet for the purpose of fixing the Stations proper for the Troops designed for the Defence of the So. western Frontiers, Andrew Lewis and Wm. Fleming accordingly met, and on Maturely considering the order of Council, to Comply therewith, in forming as compleat a Chain of...
543To Thomas Jefferson from William Phillips, 3 September 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of addressing your excellency, on the subject of a removal of part of the troops of convention, and that, should such a measure take place, it may be left in the option of the British to remain in their present barracks. I form this claim from the British having removed from Cambridge to Rutland, in New England, and that a removal now would be in regular turn given to the...
544[From Thomas Jefferson to the Board of Trade, 4 September 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Williamsburg, 4 Sep. 1779 . Board of Trade Journal ( Vi ), under 19 Feb. 1780, records that upon application by the Board of Trade for a clarification of the terms under which the agent, commissary of stores, and his assistants were licensed to draw from the public store for their own use, TJ replied, 4 Sep. 1779, that “They have no objection to their drawing Goods out of the public Store,...
545To Thomas Jefferson from George Corbin, [4 September 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
As I presume the important and weighty affairs of State, have altogether engrossed your Excellency’s attention pardon me for calling to your recollection, the exposed situation of this County. Since my last to your Excellency (favored pr. Mr. Js. Henry) which I hope you received, I have had convincing proof that my fears, were not imaginary. On the 15th. Ulto. a british privateer anchored off...
546To Thomas Jefferson from Arthur Lee, 4 September 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
It was not until the 7th. of July 1779. that I received your favor of the 9th. of July 1778. It was open, without any seal, nor was the memorandum you mention enclosed. All this I suppose arose from Mr. Anderson and his Vessel having been captured by the Enemy. It gives me very singular concern, that I was thus deprived of an opportunity of serving you which woud have given me the greatest...
547To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 6 September 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
You will receive herewith enclosed a copy of an Act of Congress of the 4th: Inst, giving Lieut. Colonel Simms leave of Absence from his Regiment until the 20th Novr. next, together with copies of two letters on that subject, one from General Washington of the 19th: Ulto. the other from Lieut. Coll: Simms of the 2nd: Inst. It is the wish of Congress that Coll: Simms may be enabled to join his...
548To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Henry Lee, 6 September 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The Chevalier D’Anmour who will have the honor of delivering you this letter, having been lately appointed Consul of France for this State, as he before was for Maryland, comes now to pay his respects to you. I have had the pleasure of being acquainted with this gentleman since early in the year 1777 and I have found in him the same unshaken attachment to our cause in times of its great...
549To Thomas Jefferson from the Board of War, 9 September 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The Board of War have considered the case of Mr. Blunt of Sussex as Stated in a Letter to Colo. Starke, by Captain Edmundson, and have thereupon come to the following resolution. That Mr. Blunt has been forced to Stand the Draft unjustly and illegally, and therefore the Draft so far as it respects him, is not valid: Mr. Blunt having complied fully with the intent and meaning of the Law passed...
550To Thomas Jefferson from the Board of Trade, 10 September 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Williamsburg ] 10 Sep. 1779 . Dean offers goods at sixty shillings for a livre, the money to be left at the loan office. Although the advance is very high, the pressing need for some of the articles should be considered. Goods are to be delivered at Smithfield and Portsmouth, at the risk of the state, as soon as the bargain is closed. The money will be put in the loan office as soon as it is...