41To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 14 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
In my last I had the honor of informing your Excellency that the enemies fleet had arrived in North Eddesto —since that they have landed their troops on Simmons’s Island & marched part of them to the North East end of Johns Island. I have not been able yet to learn, with any degree of certainty, their numbers for although we have frequent information from Savannah yet as the troops were keept...
42To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 22 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
The last time I did myself the honor to address Your Excellency, I mentioned that the enemy were landed on John’s Island —from that place some have crossed Stono-ferry, and now possess the works which they threw up last summer —I am exceedingly at a loss to know what are their views in taking post there—if, thereby, they mean to cover the landing of their cannon and stores, they will...
43To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 4 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Sir Harry seems to be collecting his force on James Island, and is there throwing up some works—one among the ruins of Fort Johnson, another a little to the westward of it—it is said that he is also throwing up a Bomb-battery opposite the Town; drawing his principal force to this Island, hawling his Gallies, and other armed vessels, of small draught of water, near the mouth of Wappoo,...
44To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 24 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since my last the enemy have very unexpectedly brought over the ships mentioned in the enclosed paper —it has been thought there was not water enough for a 64 gun ship—Before they came into the harbour it was determined to form a line of battle across the channel with our ships, to act in conjunction with Fort Moultrie—but afterwards, as the enemy were so vastly superior to our force, it was...
45To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 9 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
The enemy crossed the Ashley, in force, near the ferry on the 29th ultimo, and the next day moved down, and encamped about three thousand yards from our Lines—before this they had transported their heavy baggage, Ordnance, and Stores, from out of Wappoo across land about two miles, to Old Town creek on the West side of the river opposite their encampment. In the morning of the first instant we...
46To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 11 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your Excellencys favor of the 26th ulto covering a letter from Sir Henry Clinton to me I cannot but hope you have a little misapprehended him and that it was not his intention to make my exchange depend absolutely on the exchange of the southern Army—did I fully believe this to be his meaning I should suppose no advantages would result from my meeting Major General...
47To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 11 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Hingham, Mass, 11 August 1780. “Could a consciousness of having the fullest intentions to serve my country and a sincere attempt to have executed such intentions have so availed me as to have discharged the debt of responsibility to the public for my conduct while their servant, and especially to you my dear General, as my commanding officer, I should have saved you the trouble of this long...
48To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 25 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I take this early opportunity to inform your Excellency that in the late interview no exchanges took place; and that I see little prospect that any will be effected while the idea remains that officers only are to be the subject of it. In the course of conversation with General Philips (for nothing more took place between us relative to a general exchange of prisoners, as I early informed him...
49To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 25 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your Excellencys favor of ⟨the⟩ 8th instant announcing my ⟨ex⟩change—an event extrem⟨ely⟩ felicitating. The General Assembly of this commonwealth, is now sitting, the first on our new c⟨on⟩stitution. Had I arrived fro⟨m⟩ camp a few days sooner, I shoul⟨d⟩ probably have been honored wi⟨th⟩ a seat among them. Though I am happy to inform your Excellency, that the...
50To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 28 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
The committee on ways and means have now before them the resolves of Congress of the 4th instant in which part of the necessary supplies for the next campaign are apportioned on the several States—as also their circular letter calling in the most rational and energetic terms for a speedy and punctual compliance. It is with pleasure, I can assure your Excellency, that this State convinced of...
51To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 25 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was in the evening of the 23d honored with your Excellencys favor of the 11th. No measure has been left untried to save the question for filling up our battalions for the war; but every attempt of its abettors for that purpose, and many there were in the assembly, proved abortive. The following short anecdote will point your Excellency to some and I think the principal reasons, on which the...
52To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 7 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Nothing My dear General very new or material has taken place, since I did my self the honor to address your Excellency under the 26th. However I cannot omit so good an opportunity as offers by this express, to inform you that the recruiting service goes on well, and that there is good reason to hope our battalions will soon be filled up. The matter of clothing the army is of such importance,...
53To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 17 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had last evening the honor of your Excellencys favor of the 9th. Our people were thunder struck by the accounts brought by General Knox. I hope they and the several States seeing the evils which will necessarily result from the revolt of the Pennsylvania line will be induced to pursue such measures as shall prevent the like in future by removing in time every just cause of complaint from the...
54To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 25 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
As General Knox, who well knows the state of our affairs here, will be with Your Excellency as early as this can reach you, I may omit many matters which otherwise I should think it my duty to mention. I am informed that Congress have acceded to a general exchange, and that it is left with Your Excellency to carry it into effect, at such time as you shall think proper. I know too well Your...
55To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 15 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that Colo. Laurens sailed on the 13th, after waiting several days in Nantasket-Road for a fair wind. On his arrival here he found the Alliance had not completed her crew & that it would be difficult soon to effect it. This induced him to apply to the Navy-Board to obtain from the General Court a power to impress—which not only failed in the House, but so...
56To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 1 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning honored with your Excellencys favors of the 10 & 21 Ultmo Orders will be immediately issued for collecting the recruits and I hope they will in a few days come on cloathed. It will be difficult to send them on without, as they have been promised cloathing and are not therefore prepared to march without them—They will be armed here. The fifteen hundred coats for the troops in...
57To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 2 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
Since I was honored with the receipt of your favor of this State society of the Cincinnati have had a meeting & have made choice of General Knox Genl Putnam Colo. Cobb Colo. Hull & Majr Serjeant to represent them in the General Meeting to be held at Philadelphia on May next. they are notified to attend I expect that two or three or more will have the pleasure of meeting your Excellency...
58To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 15 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
I may not omit so good an opportunity as now offers ⅌ Major Bayliss to inform your Excellency that at the meeting of the Cincinnati of this State they with great pleasure adopted the system as altered and amended by the general meeting and it appears to give great satisfaction to the citizens at large. I am pursuing the plan I mentioned to your Excellency the last fall of erecting mill for...
59To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 18 October 1784 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Benjamin Lincoln, 18 Oct. 1784. On 5 Feb. 1785 GW wrote to Lincoln : “Not until these few days have I been favored with your letter of the 18th of Octr.”
60To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 4 January 1786 (Washington Papers)
I have since my return, My Dear General, been looking agreeably to your request, among my young friends to see whether I could find among them one who would answer your purpose as a private Secy &c. &c.—I have at last found a Mr Lear who supports the character of a Gentleman & a schollar—He was educated at Cambridge in this State—Since he left College he has been in Europe & in different parts...
61To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 15 March 1786 (Washington Papers)
Immediately on the receipt of your Excellencys favor of the 6th Ulto I wrote to Mr Lear, who lives at Portsmouth New Hampshire, on the subject of joyning your family and requested to know the terms, ⅌ Year, he would perform the several duties pointed out The following is an extract from his letter in answer to mine “Two hundred dollars ⅌ annum will be satisfactory on my [part] for the services...
62To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 May 1786 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with the receipt of your Excellencys favor of the 16th Ulto. It is probable that Mr Lear will be with you by the first of June I expect him from Portsmouth New Hampshire in about six days he will soon after commence his journey for Virginia I hope & trust your Excellency will find him a Gentleman of an amiable character. With real esteem & affection I have the honor of...
63To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 9 May 1786 (Washington Papers)
Mr Lear will have the honor of delivering this. I have the highest expectations that his services will be acceptable. He wishes to pursue in his liesure hours, the study of the law; his want of books may retard his progress therein—Had I been acquainted with any Gentleman of the bar in your neighbourhood, I would have solicited the loan of some books for him, but, as I am not permit me to ask...
64To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln (Washington Papers)
I was honored by the reciept of your favour of the 7th Ulto, and your circular address by one of the last Posts. I wish your Excellency had not in so decided a manner expressed your determination to retire from the head of the order of Cincinnati. I shall communicate your address to our delegates at the next general meeting, and to our State society. I have made three trips into the eastern...
65To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 9–13 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have, my dear General, been some time in this town with my son Benjn who has been exceedingly sick for about four weeks. On thursday last we thought his days were fully numbered, and that his last moments were rolling rapidly on and that they would have been terminated before the evening; but in the afternoon he revived, he yet lives, his situation, we trust, is not so critical as it has...
66To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 20 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
In my last, I mentioned to your Excellency the critical situation in which I consdeered my son though I entertained hopes that appearances were in his favor; my hopes were alive untill friday morning last; a manifest change then took place in him—He died at four in the afternoon. In him I have lost a beloved son, an agreeable companion, and a sincere and confidential friend—With him expired...
67To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 27 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure of enclosend two news papers in which are the debates of the convention to Saturday the 19th —they are not forward enough to give your Excellency a just state of the business I therefore am inclined to observe that yesterday we were on the 9th sect.—The oposition seem now inclined to hurry over the business and bring on as soon as possible the main question—however this...
68To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will find by the papers of yesterday, which I do myself the pleasure to inclose, that the Governour has taken his seat as President of the Convention and that he came forward with a motion for the adoption of the constitution and sub joined a recommendation that some alterations may take place in it; The motion has taken up a considerable time; those in the opposition want the...
69To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 6 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
The convention this evening ratified the constitution. present three hundred and fifty five members One hundred & Eighty seven Yeas & one hundred & sixty eight Nays 19 majority in favor of the adoption. As I mentioned to you in my last the spirit which operated the last winter had its influence in the appointment of members for the convention and was a clog upon us through the whole business,...
70To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 9 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
In my last I had the pleasure of announcing to your Excellency that we had adopted the reported constitution. Nothing very material has taken place since saving what is mentioned in the enclosed paper by that you will learn what was the temper of many of those who had been in the oposition I think they discovered a candour which does them honor and promises quiet in the State. Some however...