21To George Washington from Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 16 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed are some letrs received this morning pr dragoon from Wilmington. By intelligence from Philada we learn that a large fleet sailed from thence on friday last; they had with them a number of flat-bottomed boats. My intelligencer did not know the design of this expidition. Conjectures in the city were various. Some insinuated that Wilmington was the object; others, that they were gone on...
22To George Washington from Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 31 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I should do violence to my own feelings, was I to depart from Camp, without testifying the high sense of gratitude I feel for your Excellency’s approbation of my conduct. I assure you Sir, to deserve a continuance of your Excellency’s patronage, will be a stimulus to glory, second to none in power, of the many, that operate on my soul. “It is not in mortals to command success,” to deserve it,...
23To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 23 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of your Excellency’s letr of the 21st instt. I assure you sir, the subject matter of it being entirely new to me, afforded much surprize. Mr Washington having unfortunately lost his charger, I supplyed him with one belonging to the Corps. This horse is very elegant, and still in his service. I have since communicated your Excellencys letr, and am informed, that the request is...
24To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 14 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of your Excellency’s letr accompanied with your two horses. I will have very great care taken with the foundered horse and will endeavor to procure in exchange for him during the winter a mare suitable to your purposes. It is matter of doubt with me, whether the old troop mare has not been spayed. This matter I can ascertain when I arrive at Burlington, as she came from the...
25To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., February–6 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to address your Excellency on a subject which is very interesting to me, from the attachment I possess for the gentleman who is the object of it. Mr Archer who was some time since appointed a Cornet in my Corps of Dragoons feels himself in some measure hurt in point of rank. He only wishes to hold the same post in the American army as he had once held in the British forces....
26To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 18 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of Captain McCleans request, I do myself the honor to mention to your Excellency, the very great satisfaction I should receive, on having the Captain and his company annexed to the Corps under my command. Exclusive of the great advantage resulting from a small, choice, and alert body of infantry, I flatter myself with deriving particular assistance from the approved zeal,...
27To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 5 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Being disappointed in not meeting with your Excellencys instructions which by a letter from Col. Meade was to have been lodged at General Green’s I have moved forward to this place, & intend to prosecute the route towards Paramus. I am happy to advise your Excellency, that the horses are in true order for service, but must lament, that no measures have been taken by the Commissary General of...
28To George Washington from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 8 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 8 June 1779. GW wrote Lee on 9 June: “I recd yr favor of yesterdays date.”
29To George Washington from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 9 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 9 June. GW wrote Lee on this date: “Yr Letter of this date is just come to hand.”
30To George Washington from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 15 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 15 June 1779. GW wrote Lee on 21 June: “While I was at West point I recd your favors of the 15th & 17th.”
31To George Washington from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 17 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 17 June 1779. GW wrote Lee on 21 June: “While I was at West point I recd your favors of the 15th & 17th.”
32To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 21 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, no Movement has taken place among the Enemy encamped on this Side the River. Two very intelligent Deserters this Morning from Stony-point, mention that Yesterday a Body of Troops (number unknown) embarked from the East Side of the River between the Hours of twelve & two. They confirm the Information communicated in my last concerning the 63d & 64th regiments being about to move...
33To George Washington from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 27 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 27 June 1779. GW wrote Lee on 28 June: “I have rec’d your letter dated yesterday.”
34To George Washington from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 27 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 27 June 1779. GW wrote Lee on 30 June: “Yr favor dated 27th inst. was handed to me to day by Capt. McLane, inclosing your proposals for the incorporation of his company with your Corps.”
35To George Washington from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 4 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 4 July 1779. GW wrote Lee on 5 July: “Your letter of yesterday I recd this day.”
36To George Washington from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 8 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 8 July 1779. GW wrote Lee on 9 July: “I have received your letter of yesterday & thank you for the intelligence you communicated.”
37To George Washington from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 9 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 9 July 1779. GW wrote Lee on 10 July: “I have this moment received your letter of the 9th.”
38To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 11 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of your Excellency’s let. of the 10th last night. I am sorry it did not reach me previous to the execution of the deserter. Altho’ from what I observe here it has had a very immediate effect for the better on both troops & inhabitants. Another deserter was apprehended yesterday. He belongs to the 10th pens. He is sent up unhurt. A party now out, are acting under my former...
39To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 21 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Having received no late instructions from your Excelly, I have employed myself as usual. On the 19th a body of the British landed in the evening on Stony-point, they reimbarked early in the night taking with them the brass twenty four left by us. Yesterday another body landed on Verplanks: during the day baggage was put on shore in great quantitys. The Major part of the army from intelligence...
40To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 21 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
The enemy again landed this morning on Stoney-point. I conjecture this debarkation to be serious: as their baggage tents &c. are also on shore. General Stirling’s brigade compose the present garrison; the General commands. The few wounded men left behind the other day, I have taken the liberty to send on board ship. They are received on the same terms & are to be conside[red] in the same point...
41To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Four deserters from the army encampped opposite Dobbs ferry, who left camp yesterday noon, & arrived here this moment, mention the embarkation of the British forces. They belonged to Lord Rodans [Rawdon’s] Corps, the orders for embarkation were not general, as that Corps was not included. They say it was rumoured among the troops that Baltimore is the place of destination. They report that...
42To George Washington from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 28 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 28 July. GW’s aide-de-camp Richard Kidder Meade wrote Lee from West Point on that date: “By his Excys desire I wrote to you this morning requesting your attendance here on the very subject mentioned in yr letter of this date—He still requests you will come on after making the necessary inquireys in order that the scheme you propose may be adopted” (...
43To George Washington from Henry Lee, Jr., 9 Aug. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Henry Lee, Jr., 9 Aug. 1779. On 10 Aug., GW wrote Lee: “I have received your letter of yesterday.”
44To George Washington from Henry Lee, Jr., 11 Aug. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Henry Lee, Jr., 11 Aug. 1779. On 12 Aug., GW wrote Major General Stirling that “by the inclosed letter of the 11th” Lee had proposed a modification of his plan to attack the British fort at Paulus Hook, New Jersey.
45To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 22 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Lord Stirling was pleased to communicate to your Excellency my verbal Report to his Lordship of the 19th instant. I now do myself the honor to present a particular relation of the Enterprize which your Excellency was pleased to commit to my direction. I took command of the troops employed on this occasion on the 18th They amounted to four hundred Infantry composed of detachments from the...
46To George Washington from Henry Lee, Jr., 1 Sept. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Henry Lee, Jr., 1 Sept. 1779. On 1 Sept., GW wrote Lee: “I have received your letter of this date.”
47To George Washington from Henry Lee, Jr., 3 Sept. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Henry Lee, Jr., 3 Sept. 1779. On 3 Sept., GW wrote Lee: “In answer to your letter of this date which I have this minute received.”
48To George Washington from Henry Lee, Jr., 21 Sept. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Henry Lee, Jr., 21 Sept. 1779. On 25 Sept., GW wrote Lee: “I was yesterday favd with yours of the 21st.”
49To George Washington from Henry Lee, Jr., 3 Oct. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Henry Lee, Jr., 3 Oct. 1779. On 7 Oct., GW wrote Lee: “Your favor of the 3d inst. came to hand yesterday.”
50To George Washington from Henry Lee, Jr., 21 Oct. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Henry Lee, Jr., 21 Oct. 1779. On 25 Oct., GW wrote Lee: “I have your favr of the 21st” ( DLC:GW ).
51To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 3 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
On monday the 1st inst. a fleet sailed from the hook consisting of thirteen square rigged vessels under convoy of three men of war. My spies have not given us their report for the last week: none of them having yet returned; therefore I know not the contents nor object of the fleet. I have the honor to be sir with inviolable affection your Excelleys ob: servt N.B. on saturday the heavy cannon...
52To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 30 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since my last I have received no material intelligence from New York. I transmit herewith an accurate memorandum of the enemys navy on this station. The troops are billeted on the inhabitants: it seems as if Gen. Clinton was waiting for the arrival of a packet before he takes any measures for the ensuing campaign or some obstructions are in the way, of which we are unadvised. Two Fleets of...
53To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 16 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Such has been the disposition of the British fleet since the first expectation of the Count De estaign that no time would admit my passing troops on the hook but in a storm. I have taken advantage of the four which have happened since in this county, & after most laborious endeavors have been each time defeated by the lowness of the tides (having many bars to cross) occasioned by the violence...
54To George Washington from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 24 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 24 Dec. 1779 . GW wrote Lee on 28 Dec. : “I have recd your favr of the 24th.”
55To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 29 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I informed Congress of the sailing of the second fleet —I now do myself the honor to advise your Excellency, that one hundd sail with horse & foot on board under convoy of five ships of the line & two frigates, left sandy hook on the evening of the 26th Yesterdays storm must have injured them exceedingly, as they had got but a little distance from the coast —It is reported that the...
56To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 5 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of your Excellency’s letr of the 28th, in which you are pleased to say that your objects in quartering the two Corps in monmouth county are “the covering the country & preventing the intercourse with the enemy.” Col. Armand is in Philada therefore it is not in my power to deliver any joint determination. It is not worth while to trouble your Excellency with an enumeration of...
57To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 13 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys dispatches to the Magistrate⟨s⟩ of Salem, Cumberland & Capemay countys reached me yesterday about ten oclock. I immediately detached an officer with a small party of dragoons into each county & shall follow this day. I have not the least doubt of being able to carry into full execution your Excellencys requisition in a manner perfectly consonant to the rights of the citizens,...
58To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 17 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
My last letter to your Excellency was antedated by one day, so that the business of collecting supplys for the army commenced sooner than then reported. I found the countys to which I was sent very patriotic, & the magistrates anxious to give every aid to the army. Salem has fully complied with the demand from her. one hundd & seventy head of good cattle & twenty barrels of flower are on the...
59To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 26 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose a letter from Captain McLane. The transmission of his request throws me into an awkward situation. I beg your Excellency will be pleased to favor me with your answer as I wish to set out directly for Virginia. I have never yet thanked your Excellency for the affectionate remind of a debt due: I have got a mare for you which I mean to deliver to Mr Lunn...
60To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 10 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since the receipt of your Excellency’s letter directing the corps to be in readiness to march to join the southern army, every measure has been adopted & pursued to accelerate the essential preparations. But such is the low state of finance, that no public business is performed with vigor. Previous to my departure for Virginia, I commenced the repairing accoutrements; notwithstanding this...
61To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 21 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive your Excellencys orders concerning the arrest of Lt Carns in consequence of a complaint lodged by Mr Samuel Allison of this town. I waited on Mr Allison & informed him of my readiness to execute your orders. He gave me for answer, That he was perfectly satisfied, & wished the matter to be dropped. This decision of the complainant arose not from his humanity or...
62To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 11 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
On receipt of your Excellency’s letter directing the cavalry to halt, the corps were billeted in the vicinity of chester-town. Your lettr of the 8th inst. reached us on the 9th in the afternoon —The troops moved at three oclock, & arrived here this morning. We mean to halt & refresh for a few hours & then pursue our route to springfield—Your Excellency will please to favor me with your orders...
63To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 15 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
The enemy remain in peace in their old position —Should any appearance of motion take place I will dispatch a dragoon with the intelligence. The post I am now at in charge of a subaltern & party was in peril last night from the desertion of the troops—Two left us out of fifteen. I very much apprehend disagreeable consequences from this spirit of infidelity. Pity it is that a corps of faithful...
64To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 19 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have had variety of intelligence from the enemy this day—none very pointed or material—But it is of such a tenor, that I am firmly of opinion you will hear of Genl Clintons being before West point in less than 48 hours. Be pleased to excuse this laconic note, it proceeds from the anxiety I feel—I will be more full tomorrow If requisite—this wind is very fair. I am very affcy your Exclys h:...
65To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 28 June 1780 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 28 June 1780. On that date , Lee wrote GW: “I wrote your Excellency this morning.”
66To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 28 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency this morning. Since which I have acquired more explicit knowledge of the enemy’s situation in Bergen Woods. They certainly may be expelled the country. Perhaps they may be made prisoners. It would give peace to the inhabitants for twenty Miles around & very much assist agriculture. Scarce a night passes but ten or twelve horses are stolen. Another good consequence would...
67To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 30 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I examined the country directed by your Excellency yesterday. I find a position most convenient for an army on the road by Captain Marsailles to Col. Dey’s. Having passed Marsailles house one mile, you arrive at the junction of the Paramus & Dey’s road. Here commences the position I allude to, & continues along Deys road. a very copious branch of water runs close to the camp in front—smaller...
68To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 18 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I addressed your Excellency yesterday advising of Admiral Greaves arrival. I omitted mentioning a report prevalent here from the enemy, viz. that Monsieur Ternay had fallen in with the British squadron, had sunk one seventy four & had taken one sixty four—This is said to have happened off Cape Henrey. I transmit a very exact list of the British fleet. They have received 3000 marines from N....
69To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 20 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of your Excelly’s letr of the 19th. I conceiv’d it a matter of delicacy in communicating with H. quarters, unless advised so to do by Gen. Forman to whom the business had been committed. But sir this matter is now done away & I shall do every thing in my power to execute your orders. Our situation here is disagreeable & perilous for want of Infantry. Disagreeable because we...
70To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 25 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Admiral Arbuthnot after many maneuvres off & on, has at length moved with his fleet towards Rhode-island & Sir Henry Clinton is preparing to push up the sound with an army. I have reced your Excllys let. of the 24th. I shall arrange matters here, & commit the execution of them to Cap. Rudulph, & pursue my route to Easton. I hope my orders may meet me there, as I wish to expedite the business,...