51To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 3 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
My last trouble to Your Excellency was dated the 30th Ulto by Ross. The present will cover an Act of that date for ascertaining the Rank & pay annexed to Brevet Commissions, whether this is, or is not intended to have a retrospective effect, I think is not clearly expressed by this Letter, & as I apprehend such operation may in many Instances give Umbrages I shall embrace the first proper...
52To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 3 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Soon after I had dispatched my Letter of this Morning by McKlosky—the Secretary sent in the Inclosed Act of Congress dated 2d Inst. for raising two Regiments for the protection of the Western frontier & for authorizing your Excellency to appoint a proper Officer to the Command of Fort Pitt—a Copy of the Letter mentioned in the Act will also be inclosed. I likewise transmit about 100 Copies of...
53To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 5 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
In a public Letter which I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency the 3d Instant by Major Brice, I sent a number of hand Bills calculated for giving satisfactory information to the public who were anxious to learn the recent intelligence from France—one article of this has been questioned, respecting the King of Prussia’s promise—the only part of the performance that can be called mine—I...
54To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 6 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
My last was under the 3d Instant by Maj. Brice since which I have had the honor of presenting to Congress Your Excellency’s several favors of the 30th Ulto, 1st 3d & 4th Inst. The present will cover the undermentioned Papers the Cases of the British Officers are submitted by Congress to Your Excellency referring to a Resolve of the 3d March —I received only verbal direction on this head & that...
55To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 9 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
My last to Your Excellency was dated the 6th by Sharp. This will be accompanied by a Petition of Lt Colo. Dircks which I am directed to transmit & to request Your Excellency will do or advise therein as Your Excellency shall judge conducive to public service. Also by, several printed Acts of Congress of the 6th Instant contained in a pennsylvania Gazette announcing such parts of the Treaty of...
56To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 11 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 6th Instant by Sharp I have not received any of Your Excellency’s favors. Colonel Gimad takes the trouble of conveying this & also of a Packet containing 50 Copies of an Address by Congress to the Inhabitants of the United States of America—Your Excellency will be pleased to direct a dispersion of these papers so as most effectually to answer the purposes intended....
57To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 15 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
The last I had the honour of writing to Your Excellency was dated the 11th by the hand of Colo. Gimad. I have since presented to Congress Your Excellency’s favors of the 11th & 12th which were immediately Committed & remain unconsidered. Your Excellency will receive under this Cover an Act of Congress of the present date for allowing Officers in the Army certain half pay after the end of the...
58To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 20 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had this Morning the honour of receiving & presenting to Congress Your Excellency’s favour of the 18th which is Committed to the Committee on the Army. Inclosed Your Excellency will receive extract of a Letter from General Sullivan of the 3d Instant & an Order of Congress thereon —Also one branch of the Army arrangement, which Congress Resolved this Morning, for establishing a Provost—the...
59To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 21 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I dispatched Barry this Morning with a Letter which I had the honour of writing to Your Excellency last Night. The present is for the sole purpose of transmitting the Inclosed Act of Congress of this date to enable Your Excellency to answer General Sir William Howe’s late proposition for Exchange of prisoners. I have the honor to be With the greatest Esteem & Regard Sir Your Excellency’s Most...
60To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 25 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
My last to Your Excellency was under the 21st by Wilkinson. Doctor Scudder on his return to New Jersey is so obliging as to take charge of this, & also of a packet containing 100 Copies of an Act of Congress, half of these in En[g]lish & the other half in German—Recommending to the several States to exempt from Militia duty & to disqualify for acting as Substitutes all prisoners & Deserters...
61To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 29 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency the 21st Instant, by the hand of Doctor Scudder, since which I have received & presented to Congress Your Excellency’s favour of the 24th. this was Committed & has not yet been returned for consideration. Your Excellency will be pleased to receive Inclosed—two Acts of Congress of yesterday’s date. 1—for a new arrangement of Major Lee’s Corps of...
62To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 31 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
The day before yesterday I troubled Your Excellency with a Letter by Messenger Gray; last Night Brigadier McIntosh put into my hands Your Excellency’s favor of the 21st Inst. which shall be laid before Congress to morrow. Inclosed herein Your Excellency will receive an Act of Congress of the 29th for reforming the North Carolina Battalions now in Camp—as it will afford Your Excellency some...
63To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 4–5 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since my last under the 31st May, I have had the honor of presenting Your Excellency’s sundry favours of the 21st 28th 28th & 31st Ulto & 1st Instant. these are dispersed in the hands of Committees and at present I have only to forward to Your Excellency, the undermentioned papers. 1. Establishment of the American Army by Acts of Congress of the 28th & 29 May & 1st June —about 200 Copies. in...
64To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 5 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency under yesterdays date with a p.S. of this Morning by Saxton. A Report on Your Excellency’s Letter of the 1st Inst. relative to measures necessary to be taken in Philadelphia in case the Enemy shall abandon that City had been considered in part yesterday & I had entertained hopes the whole would have been determined this Morning, but other business...
65To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 6 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Referring to my Letter of yesterday’s date forwarded by the hands of Messenger Davis I proceed to inform Your Excellency that having laid before Congress the Letters from Lord Viscount Howe & Sir H. Clinton I have received instructions from the House to return the necessary replies. Accordingly, Your Excellency will find within this Inclosure a packet directed to His Lordship & another to Sir...
66To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 8–9 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
My Colleague Mister Drayton having shewn me about a fortnight ago the draught of a Report which he had prepared, stating charges against the General Officers who lately abandoned Tyconderoga & flattering me with assurances that he would soon offer it to Congress I delayed replying to Your Excellency’s favor of the 29th Ulto hoping for ground to intimate that, that business was ready to be...
67To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 11 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Late last Night I was honored with Your Excellency’s favor of the 9th accompanied by Sir Henry Clinton’s application for a passport for Doctor Ferguson & Your Excellency’s reply—these I presented to Congress this Morning, & ’tis probable I shall receive from the House the necessary Commands to morrow—in the mean time I am ordered to transmit to Your Excellency an Act of Congress of the present...
68To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 14 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
My last to Your Excellency went by Davis, dated the 11th. Between one & two oClock yesterday the Packet which Your Excellency sent to Congress accompanied by Yours Excellency’s favour of the 11th was brot into the House, among other papers it contained an Address from the British Commissioners to Congress, at that minute Congress were determining on a proper reply to be given to Sir H....
69To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 17 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
On the 14th I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency, & sent the dispatches by Messenger Petit. Yesterday I sign’d a Commission to William Malcom Esquire to Rank Colonel, by order of Congress, from the 11th March 1776 & if I do not mistake Congress have agreed to confirm your Excellency’s intimation relative to Colo. Campbell which rests at the Board of War—or is referred there. Your...
70To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
It has not been in my power with any convenience to make an earlier acknowledgement of Your Excellency’s favour of the 11th. There were Letters in the Commissioners Packet only for Congress & particular Members then present in the House, one for Mister E. Rutledge unsealed & several also unsealed were brought as being taken from the Express—the utmost caution is necessary in the present...
71To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 20 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I had the honor of presenting to Congress Your Excellency’s favors of the 18th Inst. A.M. & P.M. At present I have only in charge to transmit the Report of the Committee appointed to examine the evidence collected & to state charges against the General Officers at Tyconderoga &c., which Your Excellency will be pleased to receive inclosed with this. And I take the liberty of adding...
72To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 7 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor of presenting to as many Members of Congress as have been convened in this City since the adjournment from York, Your Excellency’s several favors of the 28th & 30th June & 1st Inst: & at their special Instance have caused them to be printed for the information of the public. I arrived here on Tuesday last, but hitherto have not collected a sufficient number of States to...
73To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 8 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to refer to a private Letter of yesterday by Gray, in which I acknowledged the receipt of Your Excellency’s Letters to Congress of the 28th & 29th Ulto & 1st Inst. I should have added the 21st Ulto which came to hand the 2d Inst. With some difficulty a Congress was collected yesterday, Your Excellency’s Letters were immediately taken under consideration & the House unanimously...
74To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 10 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency by Major Putnam the 8th Inst. Congress while sitting before Noon received intelligence of the following import. Mr Blair McLenahan said he had seen a Capt. Selby or Selwin off Chincoteague who had fallen in with the French Fleet Eastward of Bermuda—the Admiral had taken him on board & enjoined him to pilot the ffleet to this Coast, the ffleet...
75To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 11 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to refer Your Excellency to the contents of a Letter which I had honor of writing to you last Evening by Barry. The present Cover will convey to Your Excellency two Acts of Congress of this date. 1—Empowering Your Excellency to call in the Aid of such Militia as shall appear to be necessary from the four Eastern States, from New York & New Jersey for carrying on operations in...
76To 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...
77To 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...
78To 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...
79To 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...
80To 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....
81To 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...
82To 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...
83To 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...
84To 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...
85To 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...
86To 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...
87To 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...
88To 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...
89To 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...
90To 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...
91To 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...
92To 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...
93To 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...
94To 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...
95To 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...
96To 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 ,...
97To 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...
98To 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...
99To 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...
100To 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...