51From George Washington to Lafayette, 19 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Renewing to you, my dear Sir, assurances of the most perfect esteem and affection, I desire to refer the interruptions which our correspondence has lately sustained, on my part, to causes which I am persuaded you will readily admit as excusable. To the fulfilment of public duties, too interesting to be neglected, and too multiplied to allow me much leisure, I am forced to sacrifice the wishes...
52From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 3 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter on the subject of the corps raising by Col: Armand. You are sensible that it rests solely with Congress to determine the existence of a new corps and decide in an affair of this nature, If they should think proper to give their sanction to Col. Armand in the business he is engaged in, and in which by your representation he has made so considerable a progress, I...
53From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 12 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
While I thought there was a probability of my letters finding you in France, I wrote frequently to you there; and very long epistles too—My last was dated the 15th of June—between that, & the letter which must have been handed to you by the Chevr Chartellux, I addressed three others, under the following dates—March 23d—April 5th—& May 10th—Subsequent to these I have been honored with your...
54From George Washington to Lafayette, 21 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
Mr John Trumbull, with whom you are acquainted, is engaged in Painting a series of Pictures of the most important Events of the Revolution in this Country, from which he proposes to have plates engraved. I have taken peculiar satisfaction in giving eve⟨r⟩y proper aid in my power to a subscrip⟨tion⟩ for supporting this work, whic⟨h⟩ has been likewise patronized by the principle people in this...
55From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 5 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received, with exceeding great satisfaction & pleasure your favor of the 18th of April, and am extremely rejoiced to learn, that the spirit of discontent had so entirely subsided & that the practice of desertion would probably be totally stopped, among the Troops under your Command. The measures you had taken to obtain on your own Credit a supply of cloathing & necessaries for the...
56From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 9 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of introducing to your acquaintance, Doct: Witherspoon President of the College of New Jersey & the bearer of this letter—It is with pleasure I can recommend him to your notice, as a Gentleman well known on this side the water for his Abilities & Literature; I therefore the more readily take the liberty of presenting him to you as worthy of your civilities. We have just now my...
57From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 10 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving your two favors of the 19th and 23d February, and hasten to dispel those fears respecting Your Reputation, which are excited only by an uncommon degree of Sensibility—you seem to apprehend that censure proportioned to the disappointed expectations of the World, will fall on you in consequence of the failure of the Canadian Expedition—but in the first place,...
58From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 1 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just received letters from The Count De Rochambeau and The Chevalier Des-touches, informing me of their intention to operate in Chesapeak bay with their whole fleet and a detachment of 1100 french troops grenadiers and Chasseurs included. The Chevalier expected to sail the fifth of this month, so that you will arrive at the head of Elk before he appears in the bay, He seems to make a...
59From George Washington to Lafayette, 10 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
I fear my dear marqs, you will believe me to have been remiss in attentions to you. my last letters, I find, have been unaccountably concentered in the same hands and unreasonably delayed; entirely contrary to my expectation. when you shall have received them by the Chevalier Paul Jones, you will acquit me of any intended or real neglect. one of these letters containing the form of Government...
60From George Washington to Lafayette, 4 April 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have no expectation, that this Letter will find you in France. Your favor of Novr to me, & of Deer to Congress, both announce your intention of making us a visit this Spring. On this hope I shall fully rely, & shall ardently long for the moment in which I can embrace you in America. Nothing could add more to the pleasure of this interview than the happiness of seeing Madame la Fayette with...
61From George Washington to Lafayette, 23 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
You would scarcely expect to receive a letter from me at this place: a few hours before I set out for it, I as little expected to cross the Potomac again this winter, or even to be fifteen miles from home before the first of April, as I did to make you a visit in an air Balloon in France. I am here however, with Genl Gates, at the request of the Assembly of Virginia, to fix matters with the...
62From George Washington to Lafayette, 11 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have received your affectionate letter of the 17 of March by one conveyance, and the token of victory gained by Liberty over Despotism by another: for both which testimonials of your friendship and regard I pray you to accept my sincerest thanks. In this great subject of triumph for the new World, and for humanity in general, it will never be forgotten how conspicuous a part you bore, and...
63From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving, by the hands of Monsr de la Colombe, your favour of the 28th Ulto; accompanied by one of the 24th, which he overtook somewhere on the Road. The leave requested in the former, I am as much interested to grant, as to refuse my approbation of the Cartel, proposed in the latter. The generous Spirit of Chivalry, exploded by the rest of the World, finds a...
64GW to Lafayette, 15 September 1788 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: GW to Lafayette, 15 Sept. 1788. On 27 Nov. 1788 GW wrote Lafayette : “I wrote to you my dear Marquis, on the 15th day of September last.”
65From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 26 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since my letter of the 14th Instt by Majr Franks (for the Post once a Week, & travellers accidentally—are all the conveyances I have)—Your favours of the 16th & 19th are both come to hand. My Sentiments respecting your serving in the Southern Army this Winter, were fully, though concisely explained in my last. if I was to add aught to the opinion there given, it should be to wait (as we are...
66From George Washington to Lafayette, 12 April 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 15th of Septr last year, introductory of Mr Duchi, I had the honor to receive a few days since. However great that Gentleman’s merits are, and however much I might be inclined to serve him, candor required me to tell him, as I now do you, that there is no opening (within my view) by which he could enter, & succeed in the line of his profession, in this Country. Besides being...
67From George Washington to Lafayette, 28 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have, my dear Sir, to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of the 7 of March and 3 of May, and to thank you for the communications which they contain relative to your public affairs. I assure you I have often contemplated, with great anxiety, the danger to which you are personally exposed by your peculiar and delicate situation in the tumult of the times, and your letters are far from...
68From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 26 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your favors of last night and this morning. I have given the most positive & pointed orders for provisions for your Detachment and am sorry that they have not arrived. In order that the Troops may be supplied, I wish you would always send up, an Active Officer in time to the Commissary, who might never leave him till he obtained the necessary supplies. This will be attended with...
69From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 26 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
General Lee’s uneasiness on account of yesterday’s transaction rather increasing than abating, and your politeness in wishing to ease him of it, has induced me to detach him from this Army, with a part of it, to reinforce, or at least cover, the several detachments under your command, at present. At the same time that I felt for General Lee’s distress of mind, I have had an eye to your wishes,...
70From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 4 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since my last which was written (to the best of my recollection for not having my Papers with me I cannot have recourse to dates) in March both Armies continued quiet in their winter cantonments till about the first of May when a detachmt of abt 2000 of the Enemy under the command of General Matthew convoyed by Sir George Collier made a sudden invasion of a Neck of land comprehending...
71From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 21 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to my Intentions communicated to you the 15th Instant—The Troops destined for the Southern Quarter are now in Motion—The American Detatchment is already on the West Side of the Hudson—The French Army I expect will reach the Ferry this Day—Our March will be continued with all the Dispatch that our Circumstances will admit. Immediately on Receipt of this you will be pleased to inform...
72From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 7 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received with infinite satisfaction, My Dear Marquis, the information of the Arrival of the Count de Grasse—And have an additional pleasure in finding that your ideas on every occasion have been, so consonant to my own, and that by your Military dispositions & prudent Measures you have anticipated all my wishes. Every thing has hitherto succeeded agreeably to my desires &...
73From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote to you this morning I have received another letter from Major Lee by which I am informed that his account of the Return of the British Fleet to Sandy Hook was premature. Three Frigates only came in, and that gave rise to the report that the whole Fleet had returned—The Major adds—it is beleived that they are gone to the West Indies. But that is an Idea which I would not wish to...
74From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 24 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have sent Major Gibbs to join your Corps in the room of Major Galvan, as you are so well acquainted with the former. I need say nothing more respecting him but that I am persuaded he will equal your most favorable expectations. It was impossible with any propriety to have ordered that Gentleman you Mentiond on that service, after he had been employed the whole of the last Campaign in the...
75From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 1 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have this Moment received the inclosed Information of the Movement of the British Fleet—And as I view it a Matter of the greatest Moment that the French Admirals should have the earliest Intelligence I have made no delay to comunicate it to you. Our Troops are proceeding with as much Dispatch as possible In our Circumstances—the Van is beginning to arrive at this Place & the whole will...
76From George Washington to Lafayette, 26 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Lafayette, 26 June 1778. GW apparently wrote four letters to Lafayette on this date. The first , written in the morning; the second, written around 6:30 p.m., has not been found. In his third letter to Lafayette of this date, docketed 8:30 p.m., GW refers to “my Letter written about two Hours ago,” ordering Lafayette to march on Englishtown.
77From George Washington to Lafayette, 27 November 1788 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you my dear Marquis, on the 15th day of September last, a very long letter, mostly on speculative and political topics. But as [I] knew that communication, by going through the French Post Offices, might be exposed to the inspection of other eyes besides yours, I was careful not to suggest any thing, which it might have been imprudent to divulge to the world. A little after sending...
78From George Washington to Lafayette, 15 August 1787 (Washington Papers)
Altho’ the business of the Fœderal Convention is not yet clos’d, nor I, thereby, enabled to give you an account of its proceedings; yet, the opportunity afforded by Commodore Paul Jones’ Return to France is too favourable for me to omit informing you, that the present expectation of the members is, that it will end about the first of next month; when, or as soon after as it shall be in my...
79From George Washington to Lafayette, 8 June 1786 (Washington Papers)
You would be surprised at the old date of the letter herewith sent you, were I not to tell you that the vessel which carries it was to have sailed agreeably to the date, & by information was to do so every day since. Nothing new has occurred since it was written, nor should I have given you the trouble of a second letter by the same ship, had I not forgotten to mention in my last that Mrs...
80From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 13 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since my last I have received your letters of the 10th 18th and 28th of June. I sincerely congratulate you on the favorable turn of Affairs announced in your last, and I hope you will be enabled to maintain that superiority which you seem to be gaining over Lord Cornwallis. We have had a variety of reports of General Greens further successes, in south Carolina, by some we are told that both...
81From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 1 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favor of the 25th Ulto by Monsr Pontgebaud and wish my time, which at present is taken up by a Comee of Congress, would permit me to go fully into the contents of it—this, however is not in my power to do. But in one word, let me say, I feel every thing that hurts the sensibility of a Gentleman; and, consequently, upon the present occasion, feel for you & for our...
82From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 31 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I received Your Two Obliging Favors of the 26th just as I was commencing yesterday our second day’s march for the North River. There is no doubt that Sir Henry Clinton means to attack the Count de Rochambeau and that a considerable force has sailed for the purpose, of which You will have the greatest certainty by the time this reaches You. I am happy in the measures which have been taken for...
83From George Washington to Lafayette, 15 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive your affectionate letter of the 21st of December—dated on board the Nymph Frigate in the harbour of New York; & felt all that man could feel from the flattering expression of it. My last to you, if I recollect right, was dispatched from Annapolis; whither I went at the request of this State to settle a plan (to be mutually adopted by the Legislatures of both...
84From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 17 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been favour’d with yours of the 31st ulto and 6th inst. and as General du Portail will hand you this, he will be able to give every intelligence you wish relative to my movements in this Department; as he is sent in confidence he will make known to you all my designs. I am Dr Marquis, Your Mt Obt Servant. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
85From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 4 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Since I came to this place, which was evacuated by the British Forces, & taken possession of by our Troops on the 25th ulto, I have made a purchase of so many pieces of the plated Ware, as to render it unnecessary for you to comply with the request of my letter of the 30th of October from Princeton by Majr L’Enfant; & have to beg the favor of you to take no steps in consequence thereof. With...
86From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 8–10 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am mortified exceedingly that my Letter from Philadelphi⟨a,⟩ with the several inclosures, did not reach Boston before your departure from that Port—It was written as soon as Congress had come to a decision upon the several matters which became the subject of the Presidents Letter to you, & was committed (for conveyance) to the Messenger who was charged with his dispatches to that place—how...
87From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 15 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
In my last of the 20th of Octobr I informed you that the armies were about quitting the field, & that the French Troops were going to the Eastward—they have since embarked at Boston—(except the Legion of Lauzen which is at Burlington)—for the West Indies; and by a Letter which I have recd from the Marqs De Vaudrueil, will sail about the 20th Instt. The Count de Rochambeau—to whose care I...
88From George Washington to Lafayette, 6 June 1787 (Washington Papers)
Not till within this hour was I informed of the intention of Mr Rutledge (son to the Governor Rutledge of South Carolina whom I believe you know) to embark in the Packet for France, or that he was to set out in the morning for New York, to take shipping the day after. Tho’ totally unprepared (immersed as I am in the business of the Convention) I cannot let this Gentleman depart without a...
89From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 22 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have a letter under a flying seal to Genl St Clair. Upon your arrival at Philada you will learn with a degree of certainty from Genl Wayne—Colonel Butler—Colo. Stewart and other Officers who you will find in town whether it will be possible to derive such a reinforcement from the Pennsylvania line, in time to answer your purpose, as I have mentioned in the letter—Should those...
90From George Washington to Lafayette, 1 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you, I have been favored with your letters of the 11th & 13th of May by young Mr Adams, who brought them to New York, from whence they came safely to this place by the Post: the first is in Cypher; & for the communications therein contained I thank you: My best wishes will always accompany your undertakings; but remember my dear friend it is a part of the military art to...
91From George Washington to Lafayette, 3 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
Your kind letter of the 12th of January is, as your letters always are, extremely acceptable to me. By some chance its arrival had been retarded to this time. Conscious of your friendly dispositions for me and realising the enormous burden of public business with which you was oppressed, I felt no solicitude but that you should progress directly forward and happily effect your great...
92From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 28 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
Mr Platt, who will have the honor of presenting you with this Letter, and his Lady are going to England, and probably to France—Should the latter happen, I would beg leave to recommend them to your kind notice and civilities as respectable Citizens of this State. With great truth I am, My dear Marqs, Yr Most Obedt & Affecte Servt NIC .
93From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 29 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
The last letter I have had the pleasure of receiving from you is dated the 3d instant—I have since that heard a thousand vague reports of your situation and that of the enemy, but none of them satisfactory. I fear some of your letters have miscarried—as from your usual punctuality, I am certain you must have written in that time. I hope your next will confirm the accounts which I have this day...
94From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 1 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of introducing to the honor of your acquaintance Major Jackson—a Gentleman who has served both in a Military and Civil capacity in this Country with great Credit and Reputation. I shall be much obliged to you to afford him your protection whilst in France being assured that he will Render himself worthy of any civilities you may shew him. I am &c. DLC : Papers of George...
95From George Washington to Lafayette, 8 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
This letter will, I hope and expect, be presented to you by your Son, who is highly deserving of such Parents as you and your amiable Lady. He can relate, much better than I can describe, my participation in your sufferings—my solicitude for your relief—the measures I adopted (though ineffectually) to facilitate your liberation from an unjust & cruel imprisonment—and the joy I experienced at...
96XVII. George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 23 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
Be pleased to order Capt. Von Heer to parade tomorrow Morning at nine OClock with his Corps at Totowa Bridge—with two days provision. He will meet Colo. Moylan there from whom he is to take orders. Let Capt. Bedkin with his Corps be at your Quarters tomorrow—by one OClk and there wait my orders—Let him have two days provision also. I am &. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick...
97From George Washington to Lafayette, 1 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
At length my Dear Marquis I am become a private citizen on the banks of the Potomac, & under the shadow of my own Vine & my own Fig tree, free from the bustle of a camp & the busy scenes of public life, I am solacing myself with those tranquil enjoyments, of which the Soldier who is ever in pursuit of fame—the Statesman whose watchful days & sleepless Nights are spent in devising schemes to...
98From George Washington to Lafayette, 10 June 1792 (Washington Papers)
In the revolution of a great Nation we must not be surprized at the Vicissitudes to which individuals are liable; and the changes which they experience will always be in proportion to the weight of their public character; I was therefore not surprised, my dear Sir, at receiving your letter dated at Metz which you had the goodness to write me on the 22d of January. That personal ease & private...
99From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 30 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
As I persuade myself it would rather give you pain than pleasure, were I to apologize for any liberty I might take with you, which does not exceed the rules of propriety & friendship—I shall proceed without further hesitation or ceremony to beg the favour of you to send me of the plated wares (or what formerly used to be called French plate) the articles contained in the enclosed memorandm to...
100From George Washington to Lafayette, 8 November 1785 (Washington Papers)
Having written fully to you about the first of Septr; & nothing having occurred since worth reciting, I should not have given you the trouble of receiving a letter from me at this time, were it not for the good opportunity afforded me by Captn Littlepage, & my desire not to suffer any of your letters to remain long by me unacknowledged. I have now to thank you for your favors of the 9th & 14th...