1To George Washington from Abraham Ackerman, 5 Oct. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Abraham Ackerman, 5 Oct. 1779. On 9 Oct., GW wrote Ackerman: “I have received Your Letter of the 5th Instant.”
2To George Washington from John Adam, 10 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
It gives me uneasiness while I am obliged to intrude, more especially, where objects of greater moment requires your Excellencys Attention. Since ordered by your Excellency’s Command to this Place in Febry 1779, I have at all times made it my study to descharge my duty to the Utmost of my abillity. The Post being a thuroughfare, the Interest in a great measure mutual, laid me under the...
3To George Washington from Robert Adam, 21 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of writeing you the 20th Instant, Incloseing a letter from Mr Lund Washington which he was desireous should be forwarded you by first Opertunity, I then informed you we had not found out the person you depended on for transacting your Bussiness in regard to the Land purchased from Messrs Dow & Makian , but have now the pleasure to Inform you that in Two Hours after the...
4To George Washington from Robert Adam, 10 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
The many Obligations I have been, and Still think my[self] under to you Oblidges me by this Opertunity to truble you with a few lines And for a Moment Interupt from Matters of Much greater Consequence. Mr Lund Washington and I have Settled all the Acctts that Subsisted between you & I, and has received the Ball[anc]e in full for which I have his receipt. I cannot help Observeing to you, that...
5To George Washington from Major Daniel Jenifer Adams, 31 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am extreamly sorry to inclose you my Commission at this unseasonable time of the Campaign, with a signification of my resignation—I Observe Colonels Howard & Tillard who was Captains in the Flying Camp at the same time I was Brigade Major with the rank of Major from the State, with their promise I should rank Agreable to my Commission, The Board of Genl Officers who your Excellency was...
6To George Washington from John Adams, 6 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
As your Excellency has asked my Opinion of General Lees Plan, as explain’d in his Letter of the fifth instant, I think it my Duty to give it, although I am obliged to do it in more Haste than I could wish. I Suppose the only Questions which arise upon that Letter are whether the Plan is practicable; whether it is expedient; and whether it lies properly within your Excellencys Authority,...
7To George Washington from John Adams, 19–20 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
In Complyance with your Request, I have considered of what you proposed, and am obliged to give you my Sentiments, very briefly, and in great Haste. In general, Sir, there will be three Committees, either of a Congress, or of an House of Representatives, which are and will be composed of our best Men, Such, whose Judgment and Integrity may be most relyed on. I mean the Committee on the State...
8To George Washington from John Adams, 1 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer of this Letter Francis Dana Esqr. of Cambridge, is a Gentleman of Family, Fortune and Education, returned in the last Packett from London where he has been about a Year. He has ever maintained an excellent Character in his Country, and a warm Friendship for the American Cause. He returns to share with his Friends in their Dangers, and their Triumphs. I have done myself the Honour to...
9To George Washington from Samuel Adams, 26 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Letter of the 25th instant to this Committee together with an extract from another of the 17th instant to the President of Congress has been duely considered by the Committee. Unfortunately the situation of our Frigates is such, as to afford no reason to expect that they can possibly be collected in Season to execute the plan proposed. The Providence of 32 Guns & the Ranger of...
10To George Washington from Samuel Adams, 15 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
It was not till the Begining of this Month that I had the Honor of receiving your Favor of the 22d of March, respecting a Proposition of Coll Baillie for opening a Road from Connecticutt River to Montreal. The President, soon after, laid before Congress your Letter of the 5th, a Paragraph of which referrs to the same Subject. The Resolution of Congress thereon has, I presume, before this Time...
11To George Washington from Samuel Adams, Sr., 11 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to transmit to your Excellency the inclosd Address of the General Assembly of this Commonwealth and to assure your Excellency that with the most grateful remembrance of your generous and successful Exertions in securing and Establishing the Liberty & Independence of our Country. I am with sincere Esteem & affection Your Excellencys most Obedient & very humble Servt DLC :...
12To George Washington from Samuel Adams, Sr., 9 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor of receiving your Letter of the 29th of March directed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and myself, which will be laid before the General Assembly at the next Meeting. In the meantime, give me Leave as an Individual to express to your Excellency the most lively feelings of Joy on so happy a Settlement of Peace—your Country will not fail to do Justice to your...
13To George Washington from Henry Addison, 17 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency, I trust, will not have wholly forgot the Name wch stands at the Foot of this Letter. The Owner of it can never forget that he had once the Pleasure & Honor of Mr Washington’s Acquaintance. Your Excellency will scarce have expected to receive a Letter from me ; & from this Place. Yet so it is that I arrived here about a Month ago from England, together with My Younger Son. The...
14To George Washington from Edmund Affleck, 30 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I intend not either to deny or to assert for it will neither facilitate business nor alleviate Distress. The Subject of your Letter seems to turn upon two Points, viz: the Inconveniencies & distresses which the American Prisoners suffer from the Inadequacy of Room in the Prison Ships which occasion the Death of many of them as you are told. The other is that a Commissary General of Prisoners...
15To George Washington from Albemarle Independent Company, 29 April 1775 (Washington Papers)
The County of Albemarle in General & the Gentlemen Volunteers in particular are truly alarmed, & highly incensed with the unjustifiable proceedings of Lord Dunmore, who we are informed has Clandestinly taken possession of our ammunition lodged in the Magazine, we should have attended at Fredericksburgh in order to have proceeded to Williamsburgh to demand a return of the powder, had the Alarm...
16To George Washington from Colonel Ichabod Alden, 4 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Last July I was Ordered By Brigr Genl Stark to the Command at this place; Ever since I have done what was In my Power to unite the People and Defend & Secure the property of Those that Are Freinds to the Cause of America, Being Stationed at this place & Being Informd that there was a Number of People Living at a place Distance from this about thirty Miles Called the Butter nuts, Which place...
17To George Washington from Captain Judah Alden, 5 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Serjeant by whome your Excellency will Receive this I have sent under his cair three disarters from New York who came to this post this afternoon; the Newspapers and other printed Letters Inclos’d with this, I took from them. A schooner from New York under the sanction of a Flag of truce came up the River this afternoon. I brought hir too, found by hir passport she was bound to Sing Sing,...
18To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 23 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s of the 17th inclosing one to Col. Willet came duely to hand, and the enclosure forwarded. Col: Olney on receipt of my letter of the 17th thought it necessary to see me before Carryg it into execution, he Came down on friday and returned the same fully satisfied as to the points he was doubtfull of; I made some addition to his Instructions, and wrote a letter to the Officer...
19To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 6 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
‘Tis a very great mortification to me to find my Feet are in such a Condition this Morning as to make it improper for me to go abroad. I esteem the misfortune the greater at this moment as it deprives me of the Pleasure and Honor of paying my Respects to Count Rochambeau and the Officers of the army under his Command. I am with the highest Respect and Regard, your Excellency’s most Obedient...
20To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 23 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
After examining and Compareing all the different Caracters that have come into my mind as proper to fill the Office of Commissary of prisoners of war; none appear to me to be so well qualified for it, as Capt. Sill one of my Aids de Camp; he has had an exceeding good education, which he industriously improves on every occasion, his Stile is Strong Clear and polite, well Versed in figures,...
21To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 21 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your Excellencys Letter of the 18th Instant—that part of my letter of the 11th Instant relative to the boundaries between Canada and The United States must have been misunderstood, for I had not the most distant idea of an attempt of that kind under our present circumstances, it was only meant to give my idea’s of some consequential points that should hereafter...
22To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 14 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
Memorandums for immediate Consideration If it should be found to be true that the Enemy’s armed Vessels are detained in the Ice in Lake Champlain, would it not be very proper to send of a party to bring away their Cannon Riging &c. and to destroy the Vessels. If the Object of an Expedition is Confined to this; 800 or 1000 Men will be Sufficient and the Chief preparation will be in getting...
23To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 20 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Storm yester d ay prevented my leaveing Rhynbeck ’till this morning; It however has been no loss of time to me, as I was employed in finishing my Answer to your Excellency’s Querries of the 15th which I now send enclosed. The marginal notes are added meerly to give your Excellency my Ideas of two CoOperating Armies; the one thro’ Jersey to Staten Island Bergen Neck and long Island; the...
24To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 27 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Excellency’s public orders of this day, I have (with Colo. Swift, one of the field officers for tomorrow) viewed the approaches to this Camp, and think the following advanced pickets will be necessary, viz. Picket No. 1. a Sub., &c. and 24 privates, to be posted at the fork of the road, which leads to Crotons New Bridge, and the road leading to Kings ferry Picket No. 2. A...
25To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 16 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to the liberty your Excellency has given me, I now send you some thoughts which have occured to me, Since I had the honor of seeing you. An operation I think should be Carried on thro’ New Jersey for the following reasons. 1st When the Grand Army is advanced as far as Dobbs’s ferry, a Communication may be Opened and preserved across Hudsons River (by Batteries on each side) so as to...
26To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 5 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
On the 19th of February last I stated to General Heath by Letter, the Objections made by General McDougal to my siing as president of the Court Martial appointed for his Tryal, with my reasons for being of Opinion that there was no good cause of Challenge shewn either by the Martial Law known to us, or by any Common or Statute Law that we can have referrence to, of this Letter I suppose...
27To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 20 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I most sincerely congratulate your Excellency on the glorious victory you have obtain’d over the British Arms on the 19th of October at York and Gloucester in Virginia. An event important in the Affair of Europe as well as America; it will weigh heavy in the political Scale of Negociation; and I hope secure peace to America on the principles of Independency and honor, with permanent advantages...
28To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 12 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have now the satisfaction to inform your Excellency that the two Regiments of New hampshire troops are Compleatly embarked and sailed for Newburgh, notwithstanding they have had some disagreeable weather and contrary winds. The Rhode Island Regiment has marched and before this time is at Saratoga. All is quiet to the westward & Northward. A Party of Weissenfelts fell in with one of the...
29To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 23 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
Being on a Visit to the posts we occupy on the Mohawks River; and detained by a Severe Snow Storm two days longer than I expected, was the reason of my not writeing your Excellency by the last post, at Johnstown I found that by a little repair of some of the deserted houses a Regiment may be Comfortably quartered there dureing the Winter; If your Excellency would Chuse to have one remain...
30To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 9 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
the frequent use of Division and Brigade Courts Martial is distressing to the officers of the army. in our present Scituation we may have nine of those Courts at the same time, employing at least 126 Officers. I am Convinced the whole busyness might at present be done by two Generals Courts Martial at which the Judge advocate and his Deputy may attend. the busyness would be more regularly...
31To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 14 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writeing your Excly the 7th Instant by the post; since which nothing material has occur’d. the frontiers to the Northward as well as Westward as yet Continue in peace. Yesterday arrived here from Canada one man and 22 Weomen and Children taken about two years ago on the Ohio and frontiers of pensilvania and Virginia by the Indians among whom they remained till last Spring,...
32To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 6 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
The last post came in so late in the day, that he was off again before I knew of his arrival; Indeed I had nothing more to inform your Excellency than that by all the accounts I had then received the frontiers were perfectly quiet. But by a letter of the 4th Instant from General Sulivan which I have Just received and of which the enclosed is Copy, we are not likely long to remain in our...
33To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 19 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your Excellency letter of the 11th and have enquired of Mr Quackenbush the A.D.Q.M., about the bear Skins, he tells me that on the receipt of Col.. Pickering’s letter, he engaged the Skins and that they are now dressing at Saratoga. But as I know how little dependence is to be placed on that Quarter, I will endeavour to procure four of the very best from Skenecteda, where I...
34To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 18 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
By the enclosed letter from Colonel Willet and the resolve of Congress accompanying it your Excellency will find that Congress mean that the New York State Regiment (there is but one) shall be immediately Cloathed, how the Application came to be directed to me I know not, But I now send the Pay Master of that Regiment to receive your Commands. The dispute between Colonel Willet and Leiut....
35To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 11 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have this day Recd a Letter from Governor Clinton informing me that the Levies rais’d by the State are by a Law put under the immediate Command of your Excellency, and that their discharge previous to the time to which they stand engag’d will depend entirely upon your pleasure. As this is the place from whence those Troops must receive their supplies I could wish to know your Excellencys...
36To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 7 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
After experiencing a Variety of unnessesary delay’s from usual tricks in the Q.M.G.’s department, I found the only chance I had for a passage to this place, was to embark on board a pettiauger, which I accordingly did in the Afternoon of the 3d Inst. and arrived here yesterday Evening. I have this Morning given directions for the Return necessary fully to inform me, of the State and Scituation...
37To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 13 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am honor’d with your Excellency letter of the 30th Ulto. am happy to find that the Military Operations to the Northward under my direction have your Excellency’s Approbation. I have Just received a letter from General Schuyler of which I send you an Extract, the Intelligence it Contains is such as I expected to receive. I should think it would be worth while to destroy the Armed Vessels, or...
38To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 26 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writeing to your Excellency on the 23d Instant by Major Popham Since which I have not received any Intelligence from any quarter, except the enclosed Extract of a letter from Leiut. Col. Dearborn. I belive the Enemy are so busyly employed in rendering their fortifications Tenable for the Winter, they have neither Men nor time to spare to Alarm us with their parties. with...
39To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 12 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am honor’d with your Excellencys letter of the 9th Instant. Since mine to your Excy of the 6th I have had abundance of examinations & information’s sent to me from different quarters, all amounting in Substance to, and originating from the same Scources, that General Sulivan’s letter is founded on; except in one Instance, and that is that one Dock Steder left Montreal on this parole on the...
40To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 8 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Guard Boats to rendezvous at Dobbs Ferry. They should not go down from thence untill about half Ebb and they may proceed as low as they judge safe. They may remain there on the look out untill three quarters of the Flood is spent unless they have made observations which ought to be immediately communicated—Their Report is to be received by the Commanding officer at Dobbs Ferry, who is...
41To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 2 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am honor’d by the Rect of your Excellencys Letter of the 30th Ulto; and have given the necessary orders in compliance therewith that the New Hampshire Regiments may be in readiness to embark as soon as possible after the arrival of the Rhode Island Troops. I have directed Coll Willett to send a Company of State Troops from Fort Ranselaer to Johnstown without delay, and as soon as they reach...
42To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 28 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your Excellency letter of the 25th. To find that the measures I have been pursueing in this quarter meet with your approbation, gives me very Sensible Satisfaction. The New Hamshire Troops will I expect on Monday be all at Saratoga and Johnstown, except the fatigue parties I was obliged to have in town to load the Sloops, they have been Idle Since Monday last, for want of two...
43To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 8 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
Since my Letter to your Excellency of the 2nd Instant five Companies of the Rhode Island Regiment have arrived & marched for Saratoga, two others have come up to Town last evening and will March this day. Captain Sherwood who accompanied the Flag I mentioned to your Excellency to have sent to Canada the 21st Ulto informs me that he went as far as Ticonderoga, where he met a Flag from the Enemy...
44To George Washington from Lewis Nicola, 15 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of your Excellencies Orders of the 12th of June last we have arrang’d the relative rank of the Subalterns of the Connecticut Line, and enclosed a Roll of them in numerical order for your Inspection and further observation. In this business we look for our guide generally, the certifyed Returns given in to us which we regulated by the best establishd rules laid down for the...
45To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 23 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am honor’d with your Excellencys letter of the 13th and you may depend on it that the Arms, Accoutrements and Quarter Master Stores shall, be delivered to the State troops enlisted for three years, and to none others. Col: Olney writes me that a party of the Enemy about 20, were lately discovered near the South end of Lake George, a party which he immediately sent out after them could find...
46To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 18 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
On the 16th I was honord with the receipt of your Excellency’s letter of the 9th with the enclosures there in mentioned. after fully Considering the busyness; I concluded it would be best to Commit the Management of it to Lt Colonel Olney who is at Saratoga, and will best know which of his Officers are the most proper for the interprize; the enclosed letter which went off Yesterday contains...
47To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 24 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
The board of Officers Appointed to examine into the principles of the late Arrangement of the Subalterns in the Connecticut Line. Do Report it as their Opinion that the principles followed by the board of field Officers, in forming that Arrangement, are widely different from those pointed out as the Basis of such settlement by the Board of General Officers Convened near Dobbs’s ferry in August...
48To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 19 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
In order to answer the several Questions Stated by your Excellency on the 15th it will be necessary to fix some Certain Number to the strength of the Regiments that are to Compose the Northern Army this Campaign; at the time of its begining to operate; and I hope we shall be safe in Calling them. 12000. And that if the Enemy evacuate the Southern States we may expect from thence 2000 And...
49To George Washington from William Heath, 2 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
At a board of general Officers of the american Army held at camp near Dobbs’ ferry August the 2. 1781 by order of his Excellency the Commander in chief to consider three plans for the succession of the Medical department and report thereon. Present Major General Heath Brigadier General Knox Major General Lord Stirling Brigadier General Glover Major General Lincoln Brigadier General Paterson...
50To George Washington from Ethan Allen, 6 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
The fifth Campaign drawing near Towards Opening, and Lake Champlain (from the last Intelligence) being broke up, and the Enemy’s Ships of Force and Scouting-parties Every day expected down the Lake; which may Annoy and Massacree the Frontier Inhabitants, has given rise to great uneasiness, as this Frontier is but weakly guarded and widely extended, which has Induced the Governor of this Infant...