45951To George Washington from Samuel Huntington, 23 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s Letters of the 16th & 18th Instant. Your Excellency will observe by the enclosed Resolve of this Day, that it is the Sense of Congress on receiving the Information contained in your Letter of the 16th of the Proposals you have made respecting the Exchange of General Burgoyne, that you be authorized to proceed in perfecting the Exchange if you shall...
45952To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 23 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
On the 18th instant the enemy came from Portsmouth up James river in considerable force, tho’ their numbers precisely are not yet known to us. they landed at Burwells ferry below Williamsburg & near the mouth of Chickahominy above it. this latter circumstance obliged Colo. Innes who commanded a body of Militia stationed on that side the river to cover the country from depredation, to retire...
45953To George Washington from Henry Knox, 23 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Mr Ruddock, Deputy Commissary of Military Stores, at Fishkill, has handed me an order from the board of war, for discontinuing the post at Fishkill, so far as it relates to the department of the Commissary General of Military Stores, dismissing the said Mr Ruddock and all the Officers under him, and ordering all the military stores in his possession to be delivered to the D.Q. Master of the...
45954To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 23 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Great Happiness is derived from friendship, and I do particularly Experience it in the Attachement which Unites Me to You. But friendship Has its duties, and the Man that Likes you the Best will Be the forwardest in Letting you know Every thing where You Can Be Concerned. When the Ennemy Came to your House Many Negroes deserted to them. This piece of News did not affect me much as I little...
45955From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 23 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge, & thank you for your favor of the 16th which covered a Letter from the Marqs de la Fayette dated the 30th of Jany. That letter does not contain any News of considerable moment relative to public affairs—Altho’ the Marquis does not pretend to speak of the plan of the Campaign; his sentiments in general appear to be—That Britain will make a desperate effort to prosecute...
45956To George Washington from Peregrine Fitzhugh, 24 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
My Father will have the honor to acknowledge by this conveyance the favor of your letter of the 24th Ulto & to return his thanks with which mine are tendered for the signal mark of your Excellency’s Friendship notified thro’ a paragraph of it, an additional one to the many I have experienced and shall ever retain a proper sense of. Having been led to believe (tho’ only from report) that Genl...
45957To George Washington from Ebenezer Hazard, 24 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received Information by Letters from Philadelphia that another of our Mails has fallen into the Hands of the Enemy; this is a distressing addition to our late misfortunes of that Kind, though from the Circumstance of your Excellency’s having recommended the Road through the Clove as the most eligible, and the universally good Character of the Rider, there can be no Suspicion of either...
45958From George Washington to Hugh Hughes, 24 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
It having been represented to me that the Quarter Master at Fishkill hath neither public or private Teams for the transportation of the salted Provisions now at & in the neighbourhood of that Place to the Army, & that he hath applied in vain to the Justices of that District for impress Warrants. And it being absolutely necessary in Order to prevent the greatest calamities & distresses that the...
45959To George Washington from Fielding Lewis, Sr., 24 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
My bad state of health has confined me within doors ever since last October and at times reduced very low I am something better this week past and am yet hopefull that good weather and exercise may give me some relief; the old Lady has been very ill, is now out of danger and will soon be able to leave her room, my family are well, Betsy will shortly enter into the marriage State with Mr Chas...
45960From David Humphreys to Timothy Pickering, 24 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am commanded by His Excellency to forward the enclosed Letters from Genl Heath and Major Reese, and to inform you, that he is utterly averse to a military impress, except on great occasions, and when no other expedients can be devised to answer the end proposed. Because he apprehends it may tends to irritate the minds and alienate the affections of the well disposed people from the Army,...
45961To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 24 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am desired by the Supreme Executive Council, to transmit to your Excellency, the inclosed Memorial from the Officers of Colonel Proctors Artillery. They importunately press for an answer, but the Council have declined it, untill they could be favoured with your advice and opinion. The Officers have this day intimated that if not redressed they propose to resign we can not approve the...
45962To George Washington from Francisco Rendón, 24 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday afternoon Anchored in this River two American schooners from the Havana, from whence they sailed on the 12th Inst. by which I have received Letters from the governor & Captn General of said Place under date of the 10th giving me a Detail of the following Intelligences: That on the 4th January Ultimo, my Masters Arms had re taken the Fort Called San Juan de Nicaragua on the Spanish...
45963To George Washington from Matthias-Alexis, chevalier de La Rochefermoy, 24 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Jai lhonneur de vous faire Part de mon arrivée avec mon fils qui est dans L’armée de Monsieur Le Compte De larrochambeau, nous Sommes dans Le moment d’attaquer nos ennemis, donnés moy La Satisfaction d’etre à même de pouvoir vous témoigner ainsy qu’au Congré & à ma Patrie, L’occasion en Qualité d’encien officier Général Sous vos ordres de Soutenir & La Gloire de Lamerique & D’un officier Connu...
45964To George Washington from William Shepard, 24 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellencys favor of the 23d Ult. respecting—Mr Collens—and this Department; mark’d well the contence—made preperations immediately to send Collens to the Navy Board, the Night preceeding the Day he were to go he broak goal, made his escape & has not ben heard of since; the Goaler advertised him, & I sent the Crime, Sentence &c. to be Publish’d, for Example. have Receiv’d a...
45965To George Washington from Nathaniel Stevens, 24 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
In Obedience to Your Excellency’s Directions of the 21st Instant, I have requested the Agent of Massachusetts State to furnish us the first and third Weeks in each month with one hundred & forty Beef Cattle to be delivered at this place in two equal Droves the one at the first and the other the Middle of the Weeks, also Ninety head every two weeks from the Agent for Connecticut to be delivered...
45966To George Washington from Heman Swift, 24 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency’s favor of the 16th Inst:, am unable to inform you of the number of Recruits which are at Danbury (if there be any at that place), there are none at the other places of Rendezvous, we have constantly sent them on to Camp as fast as they could be collected, excepting those who have been mustered out, which of late has been near one...
45967To George Washington from Benjamin Tallmadge, 24 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor of writing to Your Excellency on the 20th instt from Fairfield, immediately after which I set out for this Place, where I arrived on the 22d—after Communicating my business to Count Chatellaux, I waited on their Excellencys the Count De Rochambeau & the Chevalr Destouches, with Your Excellency’s Letter. I feel myself under great Obligations to Your Excellency for the very...
45968From George Washington to Daniel Brodhead, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The information contained in yours of the 27th ulto corresponds with intelligence I rece’d a few days ago, by a good channel, from New York. It is that Colo. Conolly (who you must very well know) is to collect as many refugees as he can at New York and proceed with them as soon as the season will permit to Quebec—That upon his arrival in Canada he is to join Sir John Johnson and that they are...
45969To George Washington from Joseph Carleton, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The board do themselves the honor to transmit your Excellency, copy of a Letter of the 24th Instant from Mr Udny Hay on the propriety of exchanging a quantity of Salt on the North River for Shad, and to request (should it appear expedient) that your Excellency will be pleased to take such order in the matter, as may be most conducive to the Interest of the United States. I have the Honor to be...
45970From George Washington to George Rogers Clark, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
At the request of His Excellency Govr Jefferson I have already given orders to the Commandant of Fort Pitt to afford you every assistance in his power in the procuration of your intended expedition. I, a few days ago, received a piece of intelligence from New York which it may be material for you to know—It is—that Colo. Conolly who formerly lived upon the Ohio, who was taken in the year 1775...
45971From George Washington to Isaac Craig, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 15th—The present State of Colo. procters Regt does not admit of your Company’s being made up to its full complement, but I have, by this conveyance desired Genl St Clair to let you have as many Men as will put you on a level with the others. This is all that can now be done—I have already desired the Board of War to send six artificers to Fort Pitt, you may avail...
45972To George Washington from William Heath, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Scammell, returned with me the last evening from Head-Quarters, I find by some expressions, his great desire to serve in the Light Infantry this Campaign, he observed that no Field Officer during the war, had been taken from the New Hampshire Line to serve in that Corps, I sincerely wish if agreable to your Excellency, and it can be effected with out inconvenience, that Colonel...
45973To George Washington from William Heath, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Assistant paymaster-general has informed me that 240000 dollars, new emission, is sent to the pay-office by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to pay the troops of their line. The Committee from the army now at Boston lately informed me by letter that they had agreed with the Common-wealth on a complete settlement for the last years pay—and that in case any money arrived at the pay-office,...
45974From George Washington to Hugh Hughes, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I enclose you a Warrant for impressing of Teams on the present important occasion—but if there is any other means in Your power of forwarding the Provisions, I would not have military coercion made use of—if this is the only alternative now left to prevent the Army from starving, let the measure be carried into execution immediately with the utmost prudence & precaution. I am Sir Your Most...
45975From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since my letter of the 14th to your Excellency on the subject of an immediate supply of provision for Fort Pitt, I have received the following intelligence, thro’ a good Channel, which makes the measures I then recommended more indespensably necessary—"Colonel Conolly with his corps to proceed to Quebec as soon as possible, to be joined in Canada by Sir John Johnson with a number of Tories and...
45976From George Washington to John Carlile, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will furnish a prudent discreet officer & 20 Men to impress Teams for the transportation of the salted Provisions at & in the vicinity of Fishkill—The Officer will take directions from Colo. Hughes the Dep. Qr Mastr Genl of the State. I am Sir Your Hble Servt. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
45977To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
On the 21st inst. I wrote to the leading Justice (Mr Burt) in Warwick relative to the procuring teams to transport the flour from that place to New Windsor: but have received no answer: and am now apprehensive that my application will be fruitless. And the supply on hand (as appears by the commissary’s return this day received) is so trifling, I dare not wait any longer my request for an...
45978From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The supply of flour for the Army must be kept up regularly, And the Means of transportation must be calculated accordingly. Should all other expedients for bringing on the flour from Ringwood, Warwick and the Deposits on the communication from Pennsylvania, prove abortive—Should the Justices refuse to issue Warrants for the impress of Teams—or should their Warrants not be attended with...
45979To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Major Tallmadge has delivered us the Letter of the 8th instant that your Excellency has favored us with. We have conjointly with him examined the plan of Loed’s neck fort, and he has given us all the intelligences which his zeal and sagacity which he has shewn in several actions, have procured him. By his report, it appears that there are 750. men garrisoned in that itshmus; that the fort is...
45980From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favors of the 6th and 15th. I am sorry to find from the last, that unavoidable obstacles have been thrown in the way of the march of the 1st division of the line at the time you expected. I can only recommend to you to get them off as soon as possible and in as good temper as possible. It is essential that General Greene should be regularly advised of the motions of those...
45981To George Washington from Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
On the 24th I reconnoitre’d the Enemys Fleet when they lay opposite Westover and consisted of Thirteen Topsail Vessels and 23 flat bottom’d boats, I judged their number to be about 2500 which corresponded with the information received soon after from a Serjeant deserter who said there were 3,000. The Fleet of the enemy soon came to sail and stood at the River toward City point, which kept me...
45982To George Washington from Nathaniel Stevens, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I would inform your Excellency, in obedience to your directions of this day, that we have about 2,300 Bushels of salt at West-Point & posts in its Vicinity 100 ditto at R ingwood and about 2,600 ditto at Clavarack, also about 9,000 ditto is and will be due by the first of next 14,000
45983To George Washington from Benjamin Tallmadge, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
In my late Interview with C— the matter of a future Correspondence, to be render’d more regular & advantageous, was fully discussed. The Plan which he has consented to adopt, on Certain Conditions, is for him to remain for the most part on Long Island & C— Junr whom he thinks might be engaged again, to reside constantly at New York —That some Confidential Person must of Course be Employed to...
45984To George Washington from John Dudley Townes, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am Just arriv’d in the flag of truce from CharlsTown—and from a propper sence of your Excellency’s known candure and impartiallity, I am induc’d to trouble you with a few lines relative to my present Situation—which has hither too been Very disagreeable By the ajudication of a Courtmartial which was ordered (on me) while in Captivity to which Genl Moultrie declin’d giving his sanction to—I...
45985From George Washington to Board of War, 26 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received a representation, see General Knox’s letter of 23d of April of which the inclosed is a Copy, from General Knox, upon his being informed that the Board had directed the Military Stores at Fishkill to be delivered over to the Dy Qr Mr—and Mr Rud’dock and his Assistants to be dismissed—General Knox has so fully pointed out the utility and indeed necessity of keeping up such a post as...
45986To George Washington from George Clinton, 26 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
When I had the Pleasure of seeing your Excellency at Pokeepsie I took the Liberty of mentioning the Expediency of laying in a Quantity of Fish for the Use of the Troops especially those Stationed on the Frontier—I find they are taken more successfully than usual That they can be purchased cheaper, for Salt than the Bate I mentioned & that a less Quantity of Salt will suffice to cure them...
45987To George Washington from Caleb Gibbs, 26 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Accept the warmest acknowledgements My Dear General of a heart filld with gratitude, for your kind care and fatherly attention to me, while I had the honor to make a part of Your Excellency’s family. I want words to express the many obligations I am under to you, and can only wish, I may ever be so happy as to have it in my power to make compinsation. The General Order of the 23d inst. is a...
45988To George Washington from Samuel Huntington, 26 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
For your Excellency’s Information, I have herewith enclosed a State of the Debts due from the United States, with the necessary Estimates for the current Year as near as they can be ascertained at present; Copies whereof are transmitted to the several States. Also a resolve of the 23d Instant, directing the Board of War to take effectual Measures for the Removal of all public Stores,...
45989To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 26 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was the last evening honored with your Excellencys favor of the 21st. Mr C. informs me that his frind will have the honor of calling on your Excellency immediately on his and will digest or agree on a plan for future operations. The General Court have repealed their order directing the Levis raised in the three eastern counties to remain there untill your pleasure should be known respecting...
45990From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 26 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since my letter of the 22d, I have received intelligence, which I think may be depended upon, that Admiral Arbuthnot with this Fleet was in New York harbour, and that three or four of the Ships which suffered in the late action were near the town repairing their damage. Transport were fitting and preparations were making as if for an embarkation, but I can yet gain no satisfactory account upon...
45991To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 26 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The New-york Gazette has published a Supposed intercepted Letter wrote, as it says by your Excellency to Mr Land Washington, and in which is this Paragraph. "It is very unlikely, I say it to you in confidence that the French fleet and detachment did not undertake this present expedition at the time I proposed it. The destruction of Arnold’s corps would have been unavoidable, and over before...
45992To George Washington from Ezra Stiles, 26 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
As a Testimony of their most affectionate Respect, the President and Fellows of this University have this day unanimously conferred upon your Excellency the Degree of the Doctorate in Laws; of which I am now in their Name to ask your Acceptance. We cannot add to the Accumulation of Glory which shines around the Name of Washington, and which none but himself thinks unmerited. But we are...
45993General Orders, 27 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Congress having been pleased to set apart and appoint Thursday the 3d of May next for fasting humiliation and prayer the General enjoins a strict obedience to it in the Army and calls upon the Chaplains thereof to prepare discourses suitable to the occasion. All duties of Fatigue are to cease on that day. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
45994From George Washington to Lewis Garanger, 27 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Monsieur Lewis Garanger Capt. of Bombardiers in the Army of France entered the American service with the Rank of Captain in the Army of the United States in December 1778—from which time he has waited an opportunity of being employed in the particular line of his profession, but none having occurred he has requested and obtained liberty to return to France. Capt. Garanger has ever been...
45995To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 27 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have inclosed a Copy of my Letter to Congress, & am to acknowledge the receipt of a Letter from your Excellency dated the 27th of March. I have the honor to be with great respect, Your Excellencys most obt and most humble servant DLC : Papers of George Washington.
45996To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 27 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I imagine your Excellency has been informed that in consequence of the resolution of Congress for granting commissions to Aide De Camps appointed under the former establishment, I have obtained one of Lieutenant Colonel in the army of the United States, bearing rank since the 1st of March 1777. It is become necessary to me to apply to your Excellency to know in what manner you foresee you will...
45997From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 27 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of this date has not a little embarrassed me—You must remember the ferment in the Pennsylvania line the last Campaign occasioned by the appointment of Major McPhearson, and you know the uneasiness which at this moment exists among the Eastern Officers on Account of the commands conferred upon Colo. Jemat and Major Galvan although it was the result of absolute necessity of which i...
45998From George Washington to William Heath, 27 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Quarter Master informs that Teams with flour will probably be at New Windsor by tomorrow night, and suggests whether it will not be adviseable to have flat-bottomed Boats ready for the transportation of it; as sail Boats may be delayed by the adversity of Wind or Tide. The Commissary of Prisoners reports that there are several Prisoners of War, sent on as recruits from the State of...
45999To George Washington from William Heath, 27 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have mentioned to some of the principal officers of the Massachusetts line the receiving but three months pay at this instant , viz. for January, February and March, out of the monies sent on by their Commonwealth, and the fourth month a short time hence: but I find their distresses so great and their debts so accumulated, that it is not possible for them to do with less than the four...
46000From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 27 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
There was never any regular formation of the department of Geographer to the Army, but to the best of my recollection Mr Erskine’s pay was to have been four dollars per day and that of his Assistants two dollars per day—Chain Bearers half a dollar per day and an allowance for the contingent expences of travelling when out of reach of the Magazine of the Army and for the purchase of the...