1To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 21 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
The situation of the Troops of the Convention of Saratoga being such as calls upon my earnest attention, will, I hope, plead for me in apology for giving you, Sir, the trouble of this Letter. By an Article of the Treaty made at Saratoga with Major General Gates it was to be allow’d that an Officer might be sent to Canada for the Cloathing for the Troops of the Convention —By application...
2To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 31 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your very polite letter dated from White plains the 16th instant enclosing a letter to me from Sir Henry Clinton of July the 18th. I return you, Sir, my very sincere thanks for the obliging manner with which you explain your not being able to grant me passports to go to New York, and am sure if you imagined it proper for you to do, I should not fail of procuring them. I...
3To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 29 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Having obtained permission, th< illegible > Major General Reidesel and Brigadier General Hamilton, < illegible > Captain Masters of the 24th Regiment British going to Your < illegible > Quarters he will have the honour of delivering Your Exc<elleny> this letter, and with it a letter to Sir Henry Clinton with < illegible > of various papers that have been written on the Subject <of > the march...
4To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 24 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am to return you my thanks for appointing Colonel Bland to conduct the Troops of Convention to Virginia—The acknowledged good Character and humane Qualities of that Officer cannot fail of proving of the utmost advantage to the Troops, and I have given every possible Instruction and order that may lead to good Conduct from them and to aid the good purposes of Your Excellencys directions to...
5To George Washington from William Phillips, 4 December 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. William Phillips, 4 Dec. 1778. GW wrote Phillips on 26 Jan. 1779 : “I have had the honor of receiving your favor of the 4th December.”
6To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 8 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
The unsuccessfull attempts which have been made to ratify the Treaty of Convention of Saratoga and the Asperity which seems to have crept into the Correspondence between Sir Henry Clinton and the American Congress leaves it to be conjectured that the humane purpose of a General Cartel of Exchange of Prisoners of War and Troops of the Convention will not have force so soon as good men like...
7To George Washington from William Phillips, 8 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Phillips, 8 Dec. 1778. On 25 Dec., GW wrote Phillips : “I received the favor of Your two Letters of the 8th Instant.”
8To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 30 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
The difficulties attending my journey, from Stormy Weather and bad roads, have rendered it impossible for me to travel quick, but I have met with some distress with my baggage and that of my family from want of regularity and authority over the Waggoners for carrying the Baggage—Colonel Hay has very obligingly promised me all assistance to Sussex Court House, and from thence, I understand, it...
9To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 6 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received at this place your letter dated from Philadelphia of December the 25th for which and allowing Lieutenant Campbell going to New York I return you, Sir, my very sincere thanks. I lament from the bottom of my heart at there being so little likelyhood of an Exchange of Prisoners of War, the cause of humanity is deeply interested in it, and the injury both sides receives should urge...
10To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 6 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
By the Treaty of Convention of Saratoga the Troops were to be allowed to send for Cloathing and necessaries and other articles of comfort and convenience such as Sugars Wines &c. &c. this has been constantly complyed with hitherto, and at our departure from the Massachusetts Bay there was actualy a Flag of Truce Vessel for use of the Convention Troops in Boston Harbour, but it was not unloaded...
11To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 16 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have waited in anxious expectation of answers to my letters sent by the Deputy Adjutant General of the Troops of the Convention, but your Excellency not leaving Philadelphia so soon as expected, and my Officer not being permitted to go on to that Capital has created a delay which has occasioned my waiting here some days. Since I have been at Bethlem I have seen and read a Philadelphia...
12To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 28 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been detained here some days by the breaking up of the Ice upon the River Susquehanna , and have expected, as I wished, an answer, to those parts of the letters with which I troubled Your Excellency regarding the accommodation for the Officers and Soldiers of the Troops of Convention in Virginia, and the passports necessary for Cloathing Vessels going to such Ports as might be judged...
13To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 29 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have by accident met this day with Colonel Mathews who is going to New York to return to his Parole. I have had by this Gentleman a description of the situation of the Troops of Convention, and of the means taking for their conveniency which engages me to return you my thanks for the directions which have been given, and I make no doubt but that in a little time the situation of the Troops...
14To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 1 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I last night received by express your Excellencys letters of the 26th and 30th of January, as, also, the letter from the President of the American Congress and the Resolve of that Body on my subject. I have been delayed at this place unavoidably, but the Susquehana is now open and I shall pursue my journey to Virginia. You are pleased to mention, Sir, in your letter of the 26th of January that...
15To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 4 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I will not trouble your Excellency upon the subject of the Convention Troops more than what you will have in reading my letter to Sir Henry Clinton, and I make no doubt but Your Excellency has been informed of all the particulars by Mr Harvie, and I live in the earnest hope that some positive remedy will be applied in redress of the present situation of the Convention Troops—According to your...
16To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 6 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Captain of the Troops of Convention will probably have the honour of delivering your Excellency this letter—I have obtained permission from Governor Henry and Colonel Bland for his going to Philadelphia to effect his exchange which Sir Henry Clinton has signified to me he intends to settle with your Excellency as well as for Captain Edmonstone who will set out in a few days he being at present...
17To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 7 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Captain Edmonstone of the Troops of Convention, who will probably have the honour of delivering you, Sir, this letter, goes by permission of the Governor of Virginia and Colonel Bland to Philadelphia to be Exchanged, Sir Henry Clinton having signified to me his intentions of settling with Your Excellency the Exchange of this Officer for an American Officer Prisoner of War. Very urgent and...
18Enclosure: Major General William Phillips to Thomas Jefferson, 5 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received from Colonel Bland a Copy of the Letter you were pleased to write him in answer to my request for Lieutenant Governour Hamilton a british prisoner of war being allowed to make me a visit at this place. I have also read in a public print the resolution of a Council held at Williamsburg on the 16th of June 1779 with your orders in Consequence; this publick paper seems of such...
19To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 21 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
Mr Mersereau the American Commissary of Prisoners who attends me to Elizabeth Town has just informed me of an Express passing on from Virginia through this town to the Army under Your Excellency’s Command. I take the opportunity of this Express of informing you, Sir, that I received only two days ago a letter from the British Commissary General of Prisoners signifying to me that I was to name...
20To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 30 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I take the opportunity of Mr Commissary Mersereau’s Express to inform you, Sir, that Major General De Riedesel and myself with our respective families are arrived at this place. To my great surprise I have received notice that we are to be detained and not suffered to go into New York agreeable to the tenour of the agreement settled, as I suppose, between Your Excellency and Sir Henry Clinton...
21To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 6 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I shall answer the letter you have, Sir, been pleased to send me by Major Skinner from Easton for which place I am going to set out. I writ to you, Sir, from Elizabeth Town in consequence of the detention of Major General de Riedesel and myself, but to that letter I have not received any answer. I will not wound General Washington’s feelings with a description of my sentiments of the unkind...
22To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 10 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Reports have reached me that a reason for my detention here is my refusing to order to be certified by the British Quarter Master General’s department some accounts delivered in at CharlottesVille in Virginia consequent upon the arrival of Mr Milligan an American Commissioner of Accounts in Virginia. I will take a liberty of premising to you, Sir, that whenever I have acted in my publick...
23To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 10 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
If the Reports be true which circulate relating to me and my being detained from going into New York by the American Congress they assuredly are of such a nature as to put Major General De Reidesel, his lady, and family entirely out of the question under which description I beg leave to address Your Excellency on their account who must be perfectly sensible that no operation of that General...
24To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 10 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been so long without any intercourse with my friends in Europe not having received any letters of any kind from thence since the British Pacquet of last December that I am very solicitous for procuring those letters which are now at New York, they amount by the intelligence I received from Major General Pattison while at Elizabeth-town to a considerable number with parcels of Magazines...
25To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 12 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I enclose the Copies of two papers which will inform your Excellency by what means Lieutenant Smith of the British Artillery and Captain de Guismere of the Hesse Hanau Regiment are arrived at this place in their way to New York. I am apprehensive the same reasons which detain me here will also prevent those Officers from going forward, and as I have a number of papers here with me relating to...
26To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 26 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Upon reading Your Excellency’s letter of the 30th of September delivered to me by Major Skinner I did not hesitate at communicating my Sentiments to that Gentleman relating to an Exchange of Prisoners at large and particularly as such Exchange was connected with the Troops of Convention—my conversation on this matter with Major Skinner arose on the instant of reading Your Excellency’s letter...
27To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 28 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this Evening received Your Excellency’s letter of the 20th Instant. I have not failed on the Instant to communicate the Contents to Major General De Reidesel and have left him at full liberty to apply to the American Congress or not as he shall think proper on the subject of his going into New York. I am of Opinion it would be highly improper for me to address that Body on this occasion...
28To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 21 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Copy of a letter which I received by the favour of Colonel Webb will inform Your Excellency that I am a second time permitted to set out on a journey for New York. The letter mentions that Major Skinner is to meet me at Elizabeth Town and I take the liberty to request he may be thee with Your Excellency’s Commands for me relating to my parole or other matters on Wednesday Evening...
29To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 29 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Major Gardiner of the 16th Regiment of British Infantry was made a prisoners of War sometime since and carried to Boston—He arrived here the day before Yesterday under Your Excellency’s permission, restricted, however, to return unless Exchanged in ten days. The Overtures for a Negotiation which the four American Officers have carried out to Your Excellency have necessarily put a local stop to...
30To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 8 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I inclose to you, Sir, the Duplicate of a letter I writ to you some days ago concerning Major Gardiner; that Gentleman’s uneasiness at remaining here beyond the ten days prescribed him is the cause of my troubling Your Excellency again and I will, therefore, hope you will have the goodness to answer these letters so soon as it may be convenient to you, and should it be your opinion that Major...
31To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 25 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honour to receive all Your Excellency’s letters with the several permissions inclosed for Major Gardner, and I beg leave to assure Your Excellency that I feel very much obliged to you for the attention you have been pleased to pay to my Requests. I have the honour to be, Sir, with great personal Esteem Your Excellencys most obedient and most humble Servant LS , DLC:GW . See GW...
32To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 21 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
Colonels Mathews, Ely, and Lieutenant Colonel Ramsey communicated to me your letter to them expressing your Willingness for Commissioners to meet to enter into a negotiation for a General Exchange of Prisoners; they, also, communicated to me in writing Your having received my Offer of becoming a Commissioner on this occasion without any Objection. You will receive, Sir, a letter from His...
33To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 4 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honour to receive Your Excellency’s letter signifying that you have appointed Commissioners on your part to meet ours and propose the 9th Instant for that purpose. I feel extremely happy at this Event on a publick Account, in commiseration of a Number of distressed Individuals on both Sides, and I most Sincerely hope the Negotiation may be attended with Success. I am extremely...
34To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 2 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honour to inclose for your Excellency’s perusal the copy of a letter I have this day written to Major Skinner your Deputy Commissary General of Prisoners. I conclude not to trouble you, Sir, with a long letter upon the occasion, as I hope the inclosed will be sufficiently explanatory of my wishes upon the several subjects contained in it, trusting at the same time that they will...
35To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 19 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency General Sir Henry Clinton upon his arrival at New York has had the goodness to inform me that he gave permission, previous to his departure from Charles-Town South Carolina, that Major General Lincoln might go to Philadelphia upon his parole, that Officer having very earnestly solicited for it, proposing among other matters to negotiate for a General Exchange of Prisoners of War...
36To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 28 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
This letter will be delivered to you, Sir, by Messrs Randolph and Fitzhugh who return upon their general paroles. My motive in first procuring the liberty for these young Gentlemen going upon their paroles, I can assure Your Excellency, proceeded from an earnest desire to shew attention and Civility to the Families they are connected with, and from whom I received personally the greatest...
37To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 23 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Officers of the Troops of Convention at present on parole at New York, I mean abstracted from myself, Aide de Camp, and Secretary, Major General De Riedesel and the immediate Officers of his family, have memorialed me upon the subject of their present situation setting forth, that the American Officers against whom they are opposed upon an unlimited parole are in the full possession of...
38To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 11 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your letter of the 28th of August which I should sooner have answered but that I have been very unwell. My Idea of the Parole for Officers of the Troops of Convention being Extended to Europe was only supposing no General Exchange to take place which I, then, saw no likelihood of, nor indeed are my hopes now very flattering upon the Subject —If Paroles in the manner I have...
39To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 23 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency General Sir Henry Clinton expected I should have met a person from Your Excellency at this place to have conversed upon various subjects relating to a General Exchange as, also, upon the appointment of Commissarys to reside with the respective Armies, but, no such person from you, Sir having arrived at Elizabeth Town, I have only to enclose to Your Excellency the rough draft of...
40To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 27 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of sending you a deposition inclosed which Your Excellency cannot doubt the truth of as it corresponds so exactly with the reports made to you, Sir, from Virginia, from Brigadier General Hamilton’s letters to me which went to Your Excellency and from that British Officer’s letter to you, Sir, of which I have a Copy —It is quite unnecessary for me to enlarge upon this...
41To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 13 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency General Sir Henry Clinton has been pleased to communicate to me your letter to him of the 7th Instant respecting the Exchange of Officers and Privates prisoners of War. His Excellency has, also, thought proper this day to signify to me that Major General De Riedesel and myself were to be immediately exchanged; As this event may, perhaps, Concern American Officers of Rank taken...
42To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 13 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
Application having been made by Brigadier Irvine and other principal American Officers prisoners of war upon parole on Long Island for three of their number to have the liberty of going to Philadelphia, Viz. one in behalf of the Officers from the Eastern, another from those of the Southern, and a third from those of the middle Colonies, for the purpose of procuring Supplies for the payment of...
43To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 23 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
When I was last at Elizabeth-Town at the meeting with Major General Lincoln I desired Major Skinner to mention to Your Excellency my wishes that Brigadiers General Spæcht and DeGall might have liberty of going into New York in order for their being exchanged, requesting at the same time that, if Your Excellency should be inclined to acquiesce in the measure as proposed by me, you would...
44To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 4 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive, Sir, by the report of Your Commissary General of Prisoners that the Exchanges on both sides have been made so far as possible and the Certificates have been mutually given by the Commissaries of the Exchange of all the British and German Officers Prisoners of War against an equal number of American; and a consent has been mutually interchanged for a delivery of privates...
45To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 30 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of receiving Your Excellency’s letter of the 9th Instant and was made very happy to find that you had been pleased to extend the proposed Exchanges so generally into execution. Agreeable to Your Excellency’s desire I send the inclosed list, specifying the name of the Vessel designed to carry the Stores and refreshments to the Troops of Convention, with the name of the Master...
46To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 8 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I take leave to address Your Excellency on the subject of Lieutenant Governor Hamilton and I will request to trouble you, Sir, with a short detail of the different propositions that have been heretofore made concerning that Gentleman. You are apprised that Colonel Mathews obtained permission from His Excellency General Sir Henry Clinton in the Summer of last year to go to Virginia with an...
47To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 18 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of receiving Your Excellency’s letter of the 9th Instant with the passport for the Flag of truce Vessel inclosed agreeable to the tenor of my request on that subject. When I communicated my wishes to Your Excellency that the Flag might have permission to proceed to James River, my reasons for soliciting of it were obvious, nor did I then know what I have Since been informed of...
48To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 23 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Upon the arrival of the Officers of the Troops of Convention several Memorials were presented to me from some of those remaining with the Troops, Containing Such reasons as have induced me to comply with their request of being exchanged: I take the liberty of inclosing their names to Your Excellency, hoping you will be so good as to send your orders to Frederick Town in Maryland or elsewhere...