1To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 30 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
This will have the honor of being delivered to your Excellency by Il Comte di Vermé Cousin to Prince Caromanico the Neapolitan Ambassador at the Court of London, who in pursuit of his travels intends very shortly a Visit to the United States of America. Permit me to introduce this Nobleman to Your Excellency’s acquaintance and Protection; I have not the honor of personal Knowledge of the...
2To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 8 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
William Woodley Esqr. of the British Horse in America is now going to New York, should this Gentleman in the course of his enterprizes happen to be captured in our side of the water, suffer this to introduce him to Your Excellency’s notice and favor; and especially I req uest that Mr Woodley may be supplied with such sums of Money for his support in captivity as shall be requsite, and that...
3To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 24 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of addressing you in a Letter under the 7th & 9th Inst. which went forward by a Messenger from the Dep. Qu. Master’s office. Yesterday I received from Charles Town in south Carolina by a Letter & News Papers, intelligence, in brief, of the operations of the combined arms in & near Georgia to the 2d Inst. Colo. Maitland with so many of his Troops as were inclined & able had made...
4To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 7–9 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
The day before yesterday I was made very happy by the receipt of Your Excellency’s Letter of the 29th Ulto. I had been for some time wishing for a good occasion to pay my respects, nor had subjects been wanting, but such as appeared to me worthy of Your Excellency’s attention were of so serious a cast, as to awe me into silence in more than one attempt, nor dare I even upon the present opening...
5To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 16 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of addressing Your Excellency under the 2d Inst. this is chiefly intended to convey extracts of Letters which I received last night from Charles Town, these shew our affairs in the southern department in a more favorable light, than we had view’d them in, some few days ago —nevertheless the Country is greatly distressed & will be more so, unless further reinforcements are sent...
6To George Washington from Thomas Burke and Henry Laurens, 15 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed papers are referred to us by Congress, and we wish for the assistance of your Ideas to enable us to make a more perfect report. we request you therefore to take the trouble of committing to paper your Opinion on the proposed terms for the exchange of Prisoners in the Southern department, and also any thing which you think will conduce to that End without Contravening your general...
7To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 2 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
At my return to Philadelphia from Middle Brook I found on my Table Your Excellency’s favor of the 17th February—were I to indulge a pen, always prompt to express the feelings of my heart, truths might drop, which ‘though truths, had better be understood than displayed, therefore I shall say only in one word, I count it one of the highest honors of my Life to have been for some Weeks an Inmate...
8To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 8 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
The last Letter which I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency is dated the 6th Instant, in the mean time I have received and presented to Congress your favors of the 4th and 5th, the former is committed to the Board of War. By direction of Congress I now transmit Copy of a Letter of the 23d Ultimo from the honorable Major General Schuyler. You will be pleased Sir to direct your next...
9To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 6 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency Yesterday by a Messenger to Lord Stirling. This will be accompanied by an Act of Congress for taking eventual Measures for emancipating the Province of Quebec dated the 5th Instant. The 4th Instant Congress resolved to promote Lieut. Henry P. Livingston to be Captain in the Corps of Your Excellency’s Guard vice Captain Gibbes promoted. Mr...
10To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 5 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
My last was dated the 2nd Inst. since which I have had the honor of presenting to Congress Your Excellency’s favors of the 23d, 26th and 27th Ultimo, that of the 26th committed to the Board of War, and the whole remain unconsidered. This will cover two Acts of Congress—one of the 3d Instant for confirming the sentence of the General Court Martial on the tryal of Major General Schuyler—the...
11To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 2 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency on the 28th Ultimo, and of presenting to Congress your favor of the 23d on the 30th. Last Night Mr Dodge delivered me Your Excellency’s Letter of the 26th which shall be laid before Congress this Morning. This will be accompanied by the undermentioned Papers. 1. An Act of Congress of the 30th November for the more speedily and effectually...
12To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 28 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
After writing to Your Excellency Yesterday Morning, I had the honor of presenting to Congress Your Excellency’s Letters of the 20th and 21st. The latter was sent to the Board of War where the Papers respecting the Inspectorship are said to be lying, the former produced an Act for disbanding Bedels’ Regiment, which with an Act of the same date the 27th for allowing additional Pay to the...
13To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 27 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
When I was writing to Your Excellency yesterday Morning I had some doubts whether General Heath’s Letter of the 2nd November referred to in the first article had been an original to Congress or a Copy derived through Your Excellency’s hands, this was at too early an hour for obtaining information from the Secretary’s Office where the Paper was lodged and the tenor of the Resolve contributed to...
14To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 26 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 20th Instant, I have had the honor of presenting to Congress Your Excellency’s several Dispatches under the 13th, 16th, 16th, and 18th. Inclosed with this, Your Excellency will receive four Acts of Congress as undermentioned. 1. An Act of the 23d empowering the Commander in Chief to take such Measures respecting the Officers of the Convention mentioned in Major General...
15To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 20–21 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to refer to what I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency under the 18th Instant by Humphrey. I was Yesterday honor’d with Your Excellency’s Letters of the 11th and 12th which were immediately presented to Congress, the former is committed to the Board of War, the other to the Committee on the Marquis de la Fayette’s Letters. Inclosed with this will be found an Act of Congress...
16To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 20 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I feel myself doubly honoured by your favor of the 14th Inst. from the confidence of General Washington in the free communication of his sentiments & in the coincidence of his Ideas with my own, upon a question, on the wise decision of which the Inheritance, possibly the establishment, of the freedom & Independence of these States, seems to depend. The respect Sir, which I owe you, demands an...
17To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 18 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency the 15th by Jones. Yesterday I presented a Letter to Congress from Major General Schuyler of the 2d Inst. together with one of the 10th of October from Mr James Deane which had come inclosed in the General’s Letter; A Copy of Mr Deane’s is now transmitted and by Order of Congress referred to Your Excellency. This moment half past six, A.m. Your...
18To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 15 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency Yesterday by Messenger Freeman. Your Excellency will receive inclosed herewith Copy of a Letter dated Sunbury 9th Instant from Colonel Hartley to the Board of War, which Congress have directed to transmit & to signify that it is the desire of the House Your Excellency “will take such Measures relative to the subject matter thereof as you shall...
19To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 14 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 6th Instant I have had the honor of receiving and presenting to Congress Your Excellencys’ favor of that date. Under Cover with this Your Excellency will receive an Act of Congress of the 12th Instant containing a state of Doctor Conollys’ case, and a Resolve of Congress thereupon which you will be pleased Sir, to send in to the Commanding Officer of the Enemys’ troops in...
20To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 6 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since my last Letter under the 1st Instant I have had the honor of presenting to Congress Your Excellencies favors of the 29th and 31st Ulto together with the Papers which accompanied each the former is committed—Doctor Connelly’s case has been long submitted to a Committee and I am told a Report will be made very soon. I sent your Excellency’s Letter to him in Goal. Inclosed with this Your...
21To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 1 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
With this Your Excellency will receive my Letter of the 30th which has been two days in the hands of Colonel Gimat; this Gentleman being detained by some prospect of receiving an Act of Congress in his favor in a day or two, I judge it best to forward the public Dispatches by an Express Messenger. Yesterday I had the honor of presenting to Congress your Excellencys’ several Letters of the...
22To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 30 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since my last Letter under the 25th by Van Court I have had the honor of presenting to Congress Your Excellency’s favors of the 22nd and 23d. Your Excellency will find Inclosed herewith Copy of a letter which I have written to Major General Gates in Answer to Lord Balcarres’ application and also two Acts of Congress. 1. of the 26th Instant directing Count Pulaski’s Legion and all the Cavalry...
23To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 25 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Referring to my last Letter under the 23d Instant by Crawford, I proceed to forward to your Excellency within the present Cover an Act of Congress of the 23d for allowing Pay and subsistence to Monsr Dominique Le Eglise, and for holding him subject to the directions of the Commander in Chief, or the Commander of the Northern Department. This, I apprehend is intended as a support for an...
24To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 23 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of addressing Your Excellency Yesterday by Jones, and also of receiving and presenting to Congress Your Excellency’s favor of the 18th with the Refugee Petition to the British Commissioners. This, I understand will appear in print tomorrow, and be prefaced by a private hand. Congress heard it read and paid no other attention to it. Inclosed in this Your Excellency will receive...
25To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 22 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since my last Letter of the 16th by Brown, I have had the honor of presenting to Congress Your Excellency’s favor of the 14th Instant. Within the present Cover Your Excellency will receive three Acts of Congress of the 21st Instant. 1. for granting Monsr de Vrigny such testimonial of his zeal and services as he is entitled to. 2. for obtaining a Return of re-inlistments in the Army in...
26To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 16 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency the 13th Instant by Messenger Freeman. Inclosed Your Excellency will be pleased to receive an Act of Congress of yesterdays’ date for removing from Massachusetts Bay to Charlotte[s]ville in Virginia the Troops of the Convention of Saratoga unless Sir Henry Clinton shall have complied with one of the requisitions of Congress in their Act of the 11th...
27To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 13 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
My last trouble to your Excellency was dated the 9th by Messenger Dodd who was detained by bad weather and a little management of his own until yesterday. Within the present inclosure your Excellency will receive the undermentioned Papers. 1. An Act of Congress of the 12th Inst. strictly enjoining all Officers in the Army of the United States to see that the good and wholsome Laws provided for...
28To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 10 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
An accident which has very seldom happened to me in the course of thirty Years business, has deprived me of the honor of making an earlier & puts it out of my power even now of making a more proper acknowledgement of three of Your Excellency’s favors which I remember to have been indebted for antecedent to the receipt of this of the 3d Inst. which now lies before me. those, in removing my...
29To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 9 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency the 2nd Instant by Ross, since which Your Excellency’s several favors of the 29th Ulto & 3d Inst. with the several papers refer’d to have been duly presented to Congress—the former is committed to the Board of War—I have communicated the Extract from Count d’Estaings’ letter to Monsr Girard—Congress have no objection to granting leave of absence to...
30To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 2 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 27th I have had the honor of receiving and presenting to Congress Your Excellency’s favor of the 23d Ulto which is still in the hands of a Committee. I have at present only to forward the Inclosed Act of Congress of the 30th September for Marching Count Pulaski’s Legion and other Continental Soldiers in and near this City to Princeton. I have the honor to be &c. LB ,...
31To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 27 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency the 20th Instant by Colonel Hazen. This will be accompanied by an Act of Congress of the 25th Inst. for the immediate defence of South Carolina and Georgia, to which I beg leave to refer. Congress have appointed Mr John Ternant Lieutenant Colonel in the service of the United States, and Inspector of the Troops in South Carolina and Georgia and...
32To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 23 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Mr Richard Beresford, a Native of South Carolina, a Young Gentleman of family, fortune and good Character who left New York on the 20th Instant called on me at a late hour last Night and delivered a verbal Message from Robert Williams Esquire another Native of that State, a very sensible Man, long a Practitioner in the Law, a respectable Character in general but not well affected to the...
33To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 20 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I writ to Your Excellency the 16th by Titsworth. The present is to inclose an Act of Congress of the 17th for marching Pulaski’s Legion to Trenton, there to receive Your Excellency’s Orders. I have the honor to be &c. LB , DNA:PCC , item 13. The heading of this letter on the manuscript includes the notation: “by Colonel [Moses] Hazen.” For this resolution, see JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et...
34To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 16 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of addressing Your Excellency under the 12th Inst. by Dodd, and have in the mean time receiv’d & presented to Congress Your Excellency’s favors of the 11th and 12th. In answer to the latter, I am directed to intimate, “That Congress highly approve of laying up Magazines of forage and Provisions at such places as Your Excellency shall judge proper for prosecuting an Expedition...
35To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 12 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will be accompanied by a Letter of the 9th, since which I have had the honor of presenting to Congress Your Excellency’s favor of the 7th which the house were pleased to commit to the Board of War. My present duty is to transmit to Your Excellency the undermentioned Acts of Congress which will be found within the present inclosure. 1. An Act of the 11 th Septr for removing if necessary...
36To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 10 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 5th by Burwell, I have had the honor of receiving and presenting to Congress Your Excellency’s favors of the 4th and Inst. together with Copy of Major General Sullivan’s Letter of the 31st Ulto and other Papers referred to. Your Excellency will be pleased to receive under the present Cover the following Acts of Congress. LB , DNA:PCC , item 13. A note on the letter-book...
37To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 5 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
My last was dated the 31st Ulto forwarded by Messenger Jones, since which I have had the honor of receiving and presenting to Congress Your Excellencys dispatches, one of that date and one of the 3d Instant, the first is committed to the Board of War & remains there. This will be accompanied by two Acts of Congress of the 3d Instant. 1. An Act for raising a Corps of troops by the name of the...
38To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 31 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency by Captain Josiah Stoddard who was so obliging as to take upon him the safe conduct of 500 Guineas to be lodged in Your Excellencys’ hands for public service. Be pleas’d Sir to receive here inclosed an Act of Congress of the present date for engaging in Confederal Service for three Years or during the War such of the drafts of the Militia...
39To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 30 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of addressing Your Excellency twice on the 28th Instant by Jones, in that which was written last, I ought more explicitly to have acknowledged the reciept and presentment to Congress of Your Excellencys favor of the 25th and of Copies of the several Papers from General Sullivan’s Camp. Congress Yesterday ordered the public Treasurer to pay into my hands five hundred Guineas to...
40To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 29 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I did my self the honour of writing to Your Excellency yesterday by Jones to which I beg leave to refer. this Morning upon enquiry I was confirmed in my belief that the former Camp Committee had made no application to Congress for Gold or Silver to be deposited in Your Excellency’s hands for public uses, wherefore I suggested to two or three Members the necessity & utility of establishing such...
41To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 28 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 20th I have had the honor of receiving Your Excellency’s several favors of the 16th, 19th, 21st, 21st and 24th and of presenting them together with the several papers which accompanied them to Congress in due course. The proceedings of the General Court Martial for the trial of Major General Lee had been made an Order of the day for Wednesday the 26th, Congress then...
42To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 28 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am indebted for Your Excellency’s favors of the 20th and 25th, the former receiv’d three days since, and the latter while I was in Congress this Morning; this takes my immediate attention—I feel convinc’d that had Your Excellency named a sum in Gold and apply’d for it to Congress, an order for the Amount would have pass’d without hesitation—but from circumstances which I have more than a few...
43To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 20 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
My last to Your Excellency went by Dunn dated the 13th since which I have had the honor of receiving and presenting to Congress Your Excellency’s second of the 13th and one of the 16th Inst. I have at present nothing to trouble Your Excellency with but an Act of Congress of the 17th for exonerating the Commanding Officers on Hudsons’ river from any censure for the loss of the Posts in the...
44To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 20 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency this Morning by Burwell and late the present Evening of receiving Your Excellency’s dispatches by Captain Riley. These shall be presented to Congress tomorrow. Inclosed with this will be found a Report of a Committee on Your Excellency’s letter, relative to Baron Steuben, which Congress request Your Excellency will take under consideration, and...
45To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 16 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency the 13th by a Messenger from Monsr Girard, since which Your Excellency’s several favors of the 9th, 11th, and 13th, together with the several papers refer’d to have reached me. The latter I receiv’d Yesterday at half past four P.M. in Congress, and immediately presented that and General Sullivan’s of the 10th to the House. By the Messenger...
46To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 13 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 30th July I have had the honor of presenting to Congress Your Excellency’s several favors of the 3d, 4th and 7th Inst. The transcript from the journal of Congress dated the 10th Inst. and here inclosed will shew Your Excellency how those of the 3d and 4th were dispos’d of. I likewise inclose with this, an Act of Congress dated the 10th, and three dated the 12th Inst....
47To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 31 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I Am this minute favor’d with Your Excellency’s very obliging Letter of the 24th. The British Commissioners, for, in the Act of one, there is good ground for charging the whole, having by various means attempted to bribe Congress and thereby offer’d the highest possible affront to the Representatives of a virtuous, Independent People, are in my humble opinion rendered wholly unworthy of the...
48To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 30 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor since my last under the Inst. of presenting Your Excellency’s Letter of 22d to Congress, whence it was committed to the Board of War & I received no order except to Issue a Commission for Capt. Caleb Gibbes to rank Major in the service of the United States. I shall transmit the Act of Congress upon that occasion to Major Gibbs & under the present Cover Your Excellency will...
49To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 18 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency a public Letter by James Martin & also of presenting to Congress Your Excellency’s favor of the 14th which the House received with satisfaction. permit me Sir, to recommend to Your Excellency’s protection two packets from the Sieur Gerard to Count d’Estaing, which will accompany this. I have assured Monsr Gerard that it is altogether...
50To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 17 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 14th Inst. which came to hand pretty late last Evening I shall have the honor of presenting to Congress this Morning. At present I have no other Commands on me, but to transmit the Inclosed Act of Congress of the 15th Inst. for receiving & subsisting prisoners of War which may be taken by the Squadron under the Command of Vice Admiral Count d’Estaing to which I...