1From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 10 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
On the 4th Instant I had the Honor to receive Your Letter of the 19th of June. Your Excellency will permit me to offer you my sincere congratulations upon your appointment to the Government of Virginia. I thank you much for the accounts Your Excellency had been pleased to transmit me of the successes of Cols. Clarke & Shelby. They are important and interesting—and do great honor to the...
2Enclosure: Major General William Phillips to Thomas Jefferson, 5 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received from Colonel Bland a Copy of the Letter you were pleased to write him in answer to my request for Lieutenant Governour Hamilton a british prisoner of war being allowed to make me a visit at this place. I have also read in a public print the resolution of a Council held at Williamsburg on the 16th of June 1779 with your orders in Consequence; this publick paper seems of such...
3From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 6–10 August 1779 (Washington 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 Mr...
4From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 13 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose your Excellency the Copy of a Letter from Mr Loring British Commissary of Prisoners to our Commissary of prisoners respecting the measures which have been taken in the Case of Lieutenant Govener Hamilton and the enemys intentions of retaliation in Consequence. By this your Excellency will be able to Judge how far it may be expedient to relax in the present treatment...
5From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 5 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I would take the liberty of addressing a few lines to Your Excellency, respecting such of the Officers and privates of Blands and Baylors Regiments of Dragoons and of Harrisons Artillery, as belong to the state of Virginia. Their situation is really disagreable and discouraging; and it is perhaps the more so, from its being now almost if not intirely singular. It is said, that under the idea...
6From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 23 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellencys favors of the 1st 2d and 8th of October and the several inclosures. The measure of the Council in remanding Governor Hamilton and his companions back to confinement, on their refusing to sign the parole tendered them, is perfectly agreeable to the practice of the enemy. The particular part objected to I have always understood enters into the paroles...
7From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 11 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform Yr Excellency that I have received advice from New York that a very la[r]ge embarkation had taken place (said to amount to 8000) and that the fleet containing them was at the Hook on the point of sailing—their destination reported to be for Chesapæk bay, on a combined operation in the 1st place against the French Squadron there, and afterwards to attempt the rescue...
8From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 25 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of addressing your Excellency on the 11th inst. I then informed you it was reported that the fleet, which had been some time preparing at New York had sailed the day before. I have since found the account was premature; or, that if any Vessels went out at that time, they were but few. I have now certain information that a fleet of about one hundred sail, under convoy of a 74—a...
9From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 26 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
On the 13th Instant I had the honor to receive your Excellency’s Letter of the 28th Ulto with a Copy of the Resolution of the Assembly to which it refers. The proceeding is founded in a generous & just liberality with respect to the Officers & Soldiers who had not been provided for by the Act alluded to—and will I hope at least have a happy operation in alleviating their distresses which were...
10From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 22 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have before me your Excellency’s favor of the 16th of Decr last. The inclosures for New-York have been duly transmitted. with respect to the prevention of flags to Chesepeak under the present appearance of things in that quarter, I shall should any fresh application come from the enemy give it proper consideration. The case of Col. Bland wch your Exy was pleased to communicate is very...
11From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 16 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to transmit Your Excellency a Letter from Major Genl de Riedesel which only came to hand Two days ago. I would now inform Your Excellency, that agreeable to my Letter of the 18th of December I have obtained a Return of Moylan’s Regiment of Light Dragoons —and find as I apprehended, that there are Sixty three Non Commissioned Officers & privates in it, who belong to...
12From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 5 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive by last nights Post Your Excellencys favor of the 10th Ulto—I am not certain I ever heard that Colo. Clarke had meditated an expedition against Detroit but I have thought it probable enough that he might turn his views that way. The reduction of this Post would be a matter very interesting from it’s situat[i]on—and consequent importance to the tranquility of the...
13From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 15 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform Your Excellency confidentially that a French Fleet may in the course of a few Weeks be expected upon this Coast, and as it is uncertain what part of the land they may first make, Gentlemen are to be stationed at different points to give them Signals and to make them some necessary communications immediately upon their arrival. Major Galvan who will have the honor...
14From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 29 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with two of your Excellency’s favors both of the 11th inclosing an extract of a letter from Governor Rutlege. I cannot but feel most sensibly affected by several parts of your Excellency’s letter. The successive misfortunes to the Southward—the progress of the enemy—and the great deficiency in military stores give rise to the most serious reflections, while our situation in...
15From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 18 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor a few days ago, to receive Your Excellency’s Letter of the 2d Instant—and at the same time One from General Muhlenburg, inclosing the Return You had requested him to send me. I am exceedingly obliged to Your Excellency for your attention in this affair, and beg leave to refer You to the inclosed Copy of a Letter addressed to Major General Gates if He should be at Fredericksburg...
16From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency on the 18th I have received a Letter form Genl Muhlenberg of the 11th inclosing a List of Sundry Officers (named below) belonging to Colo. Gist’s Regiment, who were omitted in his former Return —& in consequence in the Arrangement intended for the present of the Drafts, which I forwarded to Your Excellency. These Officers do not properly...
17From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 14 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with Your Excellency’s favor of the 22 of July and with its inclosure. With respect to appointing Officers for the Levies—Your Excellency I presume will have received before this, my Letters of the 18 & 22 Ulto, and by which You would find that I had arranged the matter, as far as the circumstances I was possessed of would admit, in consequence of your former application....
18From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 29 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had not the honor till Th[r]ee days ago to receive Your Excellency’s Letters of the 4th Ulto & 2d Instant. With respect to your enquiry about sending Tobacco to New York & Long Island for the prisoners—it is not in my power to give You a decisive answer, but I am much inclined to think that it would not be permitted by the Enemy. I have heard by report that the matter has been mentioned, on...
19From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 5 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 9th ulto enclosing a return of 40 prisoner’s of War delivered to the Continental Commy at Winchester, for which the state will have the proper credit. Now I am upon the subject of prisoners, I would wish to be informed in what light I am to consider Governor Hamilton, as I do not observe him included in the list. That Gentleman has...
20From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 11 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am exceedingly obliged by your Excellency’s favor of the 3d. It has indeed relieved me from much anxiety, as, from Genl Gates’s letter of the 20th Augt from Hillsborough, there was the greatest reason to apprehend that the whole of the Maryland line and the troops which made a stand with them had been cut off—The stroke, as it is, is severe; but the total loss of the regular troops, would...
21From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 10 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
On sunday Evening I had the honor to receive Your Excellency’s Letters of the 23d and 26th of last month. I am happy to find by the former and the Letter You were so obliging as to forward from Colo. Wood that the Convention troops are now comfortably supplied. I hope this will be the case and that the mode You have in contemplation to adopt will answer your expectations. Colo. Wood’s conduct...
22From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 8 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellencys favors of the 22d 25th and 26th ulto. We have already had reports that the Enemy left Portsmouth precipitately a few days after landing. I shall be happy to hear it confirmed, as well as the cause to which their hurry is attributed—that of the appearance of a French or Spanish Fleet upon the Coast of Carolina. Should this account be premature, and...
23From 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,...
24From 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,...
25From 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...
26From 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...
27From 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,...
28From 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...
29From 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...
30From 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...
31From 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...
32From 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...
33From 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...
34From 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...
35From 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...
36From 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...
37From 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...
38From 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...
39From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 1 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 15th of August, and am sorry that it is not in my power to give you any further information relative to the practicability of opening a communication between Lake Erie and the Ohio, than you are already possessed of. I have made frequent enquiries since the time of your writing to me on that subject while Congress were sitting at Annapolis, but could never...
40From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 31 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
I was very much gratified by the receipt of your letter, dated the 3d of May. You have my best thanks for the political information contained in it, as well as for the satisfactory account of the Canal of Languedoc. It gives me pleasure to be made acquainted with the particulars of that stupendous work, tho’ I do not expect to derive any but speculative advantages from it. When America will be...
41From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 13 February 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having found that there is a vessel on the point of sailing from Alexandria for Havre de Grace I would not forego so good an opportunity of addressing a letter to you; although nothing very material has occurred since the date of my last, which was transmitted by Mr Gouverneur Morris. As you will doubtless have seen in the Gazettes the Measures taken by the different States for carrying the...
42From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 13 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
In the selection of characters to fill the important offices of Government in the United States I was naturally led to contemplate the talents and disposition which I knew you to possess and entertain for the Service of your Country. And without being able to consult your inclination, or to derive any knowledge of your intentions from your letters either to myself or to any other of your...
43From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 30 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the enclosed letter (which was left for you at the Office of Foreign Affairs when I made a journey to the Eastern States) the motives on which I acted with regard to yourself, and the occasion of my explaining them at that early period. Having now reason to hope—from Mr Trumbulls report—that you will be arrived at Norfolk before this time (on which event I would most...
44Memoranda on Thomas Jefferson’s Letters, 27 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
Information from our Bankers in Holland that they had money in hand sufft to answer the demands for the Foreign Officers & Captives: and moreover that the residue of the Bonds of the last loan were engaged. The Sum necessary for the first is 60,393⅌—17s.—10d. a year—and 26,000⅌ was sent him to complete the business of the Medals. The officers was paid up to the first of the year 1789. Desires...
45From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 21 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure to receive duly your letter dated the 15th of Decr last; but I thought proper to delay answering or mentioning the contents of it, until after the arrival of Mr Madison, who I understood had been with you. He arrived yesterday, and I now take the earliest opportunity of mentioning to you the result of my reflections; and the expediency of your deciding, at as early a period...
46From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 19 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Letters & documents from Mr Gouvr Morris are sent for the perusal of the Secretary of State. The private letters from the Marquis de la Fayette and Mr Payne he also gives Mr Jefferson a sight of; because there are some ideas in the latter which are new—and in the former, geneneral information respecting the affairs of France, which, by being compar’d with other accts may (though...
47Tobias Lear to Thomas Jefferson, 23 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
By the command of the President of the United States T. Lear has the honor to enclose for Mr Jefferson perusal a Letter from the Count de Estaing to the President which was alluded to by Mr Short in the letter which Mr Jefferson laid before the president at the time when he delivered the above letter from the Ct de Estaing. Likewise two letters a Memorial & a treatise upon establishing a...
48From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 26 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States transmits to the Secretary of State, to report thereon, a memorial of Monsr deletombe, Consul of France, to the Legislature of Massachusetts, respecting certain parts of the Consular Convention agreed upon by and between his most Christian Majesty and the President of the United States—together with a Resolution of that Legislature upon said memorial; and a...
49From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 27 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is the report (I mentioned to you on our Passage to Rhode-Island) of the Officer who was directed to explore the Navigation of Big Beaver &ca —When you have read, & taken such extracts from it as you may be inclined to do, please to return to the papers to me, as they will have a place with some other Papers I mean to take with me to Virginia. The short and rough Extracts also...
50From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 1–7 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
The P. requests that Mr J. would give the letter & statement herewith sent from the S. of War a perusal, & return it to him in the course of the day with his opinion as to the propriety of the manner of ⟨making⟩ the communication to Congress; and whether it ought not, at any rate, to be introduced in some such way, as this (if it is to pass thro him to Congress) “Pursuant to direction” “I...