11From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 25 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
From the uncommon prevalency of desertion at this time in the army, I am induced to think, there must be great mismanagement and abuses among the officers, which must be corrected as the first and principal step towards preventing it. This general consideration makes it necessary that a careful inquiry should be made into the matter, and as the practice exists in a higher degree in the 8th...
12From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln and Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 16 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Major Campbell advises by Letter just now received that the Enemy are advancing toward Van Vacter’s Bridge. I wish you to send out fresh scouts immediately, and to make the earliest reports. If this report is confirmed by your scouts you will order your Tents to be struck, and put into the Waggons, and have everything in readiness to move. I am Sir yr mt hume servt LS , addressed to Wayne, in...
13From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 24 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just received information that the Fleet left the Hook yesterday, and as I think Delaware the most probable place of their destination, I shall immediately move the Army that way. I desire that you will agreable to what I hinted to you, set off immediately, and proceed as quickly as your Health will permit to join the Northern Army under the Command of Genl Schuyler. My Principal view...
14From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 26 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
It gives me great pleasure to find by yours of the 20th that you are likely to save your leg, and that you think you will be able to take the Feild in the Spring, should there be occasion. I congratulate you upon the glorious termination of the Campaign against Genl Burgoine, which I hope will, in its consequences, free us from all our oppressors. Ever since the Enemy got possession of...
15From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 20 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
By the inclosed Copies of Two Resolutions of Congress you will perceive that they have restored Genl Arnold to the rank he claims in the line of General Officers, and have directed me to grant him a Commission for that purpose. This I have done, and he will receive it by the conveyance by which this goes. From your peculiar situation, and being one of the Officers within the operation of the...
16From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 9 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
On the 20th Ulto I did myself the pleasure of writing you by Colonel Marshall who was going to Boston, to which place I had heard that you were gone. Lest my information on that head should have been wrong and you should still be at Albany, I transmit you a Copy of my Letter of that date by the conveyance which now offers, and I am to request that you will, as soon as your condition will...
17From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 7 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
A Gentleman of France having, obligingly, sent me three setts of Epaulets & Sword knotts, two of them professedly to be disposed of to any friend, I should choose I take the liberty of presenting them to you, and Genl Arnold, as a testimony of my sincere regard, and approbation of your conduct. Nothing would give me more pleasure than to hear of your perfect recovery, as I am with the most...
18From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 2 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wish you and General McDougal to whom I have written upon the subject, to send a Fatigue party from your Divisions on the Road from Fredericksburg by New Milford—Woodberry and Waterbury to Farmington to repair it. This will facilitate our movement, if we proceed to the Eastward. Genl McDougal will only furnish for the fatigue from Nixon’s brigade, as I may find it necessary to make a...
19From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 3 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the inclosed Copy of a Resolution which came to hand last night, that Congress have determined on measures for securing Charles Town, in case the Enemy should form an expedition against it, and have appointed you to command there. I have nothing to add upon the subject, except my assurances, that you will have, as you have had upon all occasions, my warmest wishes for your...
20From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 9 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry I happened to miss you yesterday. I waited till two Oclock p.m. in expectation of your arrival, and then divided my family upon difft roads—but all of us escaped your Tract. conceiving that this might happen, I left a few introductory Letters (for you to some of the first Gentlemen in Carolina) with Baron Kalb, and would now inclose you others to my friends in Virga if I knew what...
21From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 8 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Congress having directed me to order an Engineer for the service of the Southern Department —Lt Colonel L’Aumoy is in consequence of General Du portails recommendation detached on that duty—he is instructed to proceed with all possible expedition to South Carolina, there to take your orders—and his Conduct while he has been attached to this Army, leaves me no room to doubt that he will give...
22From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 15 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving your favors of the 19th Decemr and 5th January. I thank you for your communications and shall always be happy to hear from you when you have leisure. I am so utter a stranger to the Country in which you are, that I cannot pretend to offer my opinion upon the measures that ought or ought not to be pursued. Of this however I am confident, that your Abilities...
23From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 30 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Some days since Major Rice delivered me your letter of the 5th of June last—I am sorry to hear that Col. Laurens received a wound so soon after his arrival with you; as it prevented his following the dictates of his zeal and rendering the service for which he is qualified, at a moment very interesting to his Country and to his own feelings. But I am happy to hear it was slight & that it will...
24From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 28 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of the 8th of July with that pleasure which we always experience in hearing from those for whom we have a real esteem—The details you give me of your attack upon Stono ferry are obliging and satisfactory; and “though all was not done which you wished” I have no doubt that the attempt had a good effect and at least accelerated the retreat of the Enemy—It did no discredit...
25From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 26 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Lieutenant Colo. Ternant who will have the honor of delivering you this returns to the Southward to execute the duties of his Office of Inspector to the Troops in South Carolina and Georgia. He is furnished with the “Regulations for the order and discipline of the Troops of the United States” approved by Congress on the 29th March and by them directed to be generally observed. He is also...
26From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 12 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving yours of the 22d October by Colo. Laurens, to whose information, I am indebted for a very particular account of the situation of affairs to the southward. I had, previous to his arrival, been furnished by Congress with Copies of your dispatches by Major Clarkson, who came forward himself to Head Quarters. By him, I had the mortification of hearing of the ill...
27From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 27 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been successively favored with your letters of the 7th of Novr 23d of Decemr and 8th of January last I am extremely happy to find both for the public and you⟨r⟩ sake that your prospects were less gloomy when you wrote the two last than when you wrote the first. I hope you have had the time necessary to complete your defences on the land side, and will be able effectually to baffle every...
28From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 28 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered to you by Brigadier General Du Portail, Chief Engineer; a Gentleman of whose abilities and merit I have the highest opinion and who, if he arrives in time will be of essential utility to you. The delay that will probably attend General Clinton’s operations in consequence of the losses he has suffered on the voyage, makes me hope—his assistance will not come too late; and...
29From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 15 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have successively received your several letters of the 23d and 28th of January 12th 14th and 23d of February, almost all of which were come to hand when I wrote you by General Du Portail, but by accident were not acknowleged. As far as it is possible for me at this Distance, and with a very inconsiderable knowlege of the Country, to judge, your reasonings on the best plan for an expedition...
30From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 28 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 15th Instant, I am favoured with Your two Letters of the 4th and 24th of March. The advices You give me greatly increase my anxiety for the fate of Charles Town and the State of South Carolina; and You will believe that my solicitude is not unmixed with considerations of personal friendship. The loss of the bar is a very serious loss—I hope it may not be a fatal one. This...
31From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 15 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 9th of last Month, containing an account of the Enemy’s movements till that period. Since the receipt of this I have seen a Copy of a Letter from the Honble Mr Gervais, one of the Council, as low down as the 15th—and was happy to find by it that their Batteries, though they had been opened some days, had done You but very little damage; and I was made...
32From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 26 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I transmit you the inclosed letter from Sir Henry Clinton in answer to your’s of the 5th Instant. I am exceedingly sorry to find that he seems to involve your Exchange with that of the Southern Army & to make it depend upon it. At this time, for the reasons I mentioned to you, & others which will readily occur, an Exchange of privates could not possibly be gone into with the least degree of...
33To George Washington from George Washington To Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 10 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
By a Letter I have received from Sir Henry Clinton of the 4th Instant, I find that the interview which has been proposed between You & General Phillips is to take place on the 19th of the Month, at Elizabeth Town. I presume Sir Henry Clinton informs You of this by the Letter I now transmit; and I need not add, that it will give me the highest pleasure if You can effect your exchange either for...
34From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 8 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have now the pleasure to congratulate you upon your exchange—The certificate of it will be transmitted to you by the Commissary of Prisoners—Majrs Bailey and Jackson are also exchanged. I do not mean by this notice to hasten your return to the Army, for that alas! is upon the eve of its annual dissolution & consequently of the Enemys advantages—I am of opinion that your influence, and...
35From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 11 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favors of the 25th & 28th of last Month, and it gives me very great pleasure to find that you are appointed to a Committee the subject of whose deliberations you are so well acquainted with—and it adds not a little to my satisfaction to hear, that it is generally composed of Gentlemen remarkable for their good sense & patriotism, at a time when there never was greater...
36From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 9 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 25th of December. If prejudices will still prevail against experience, the fatal effects of temporary inlistments must be endured to the risque, if not the ruin, of the cause. The discontents and jealousies arising from this source have at length broke out in the Pennsylvania Line as you will have been informed by General Knox before this...
37From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 10 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with your Letters of the 7th 17th & 25th of Janry—The distractions in one part of the Army, and distresses in the other, have engaged me so far as to prevent my acknowledging them until the present time. In addition to the perplexities occasioned, in the first instance, by the revolt of the Pennsylvania Line—the subsequent arrangements for quelling the Insurgents, if...
38From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 21 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have lately been obliged to make so large a temporary detachment, that it becomes indispensibly necessary to call in the Recruits from the States nearest at hand. You will therefore be pleased to dispatch orders to the superintending Officers to send forward, to the Army, such as may have come in to the places of rendezvous, and to exert themselves to collect and send in any which may yet be...
39From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 27 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 15th. I am glad to hear of Colonel Laurens’s departure—He wrote to me a few days before he sailed and mentioned in the warmest manner your exertions to get the Ship mann’d —The few Continental soldiers you spared on the occasion were well bestowed considering the importance of Colonel Laurens’s mission. By a Resolve of Congress of the 4th of January, the Board...
40From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 5 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
Not until within these few days have I been favored with your letter of the 18th of Octr introductory of Mr Porter. I beg you to be assured that I shall have pleasure in shewing him every civility in my power while he makes this region the place of his residence—as I shall to any other, to whom you may give letters recommendatory. A few days ago I received from on board some vessel in the...
41From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 6 February 1786 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 4th of Jany never reached me till yesterday, or the receipt of it should have had an earlier acknowledgement. Let me in the first place thank you for your kind attention to my enquiries. And in the next, pray you to learn, precisely from Mr Lear, upon what terms he would come to me; for I am not inclined to leave matters of this sort to after discussion, or misconception....
42From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 10 April 1786 (Washington Papers)
The violent rains, and consequent freshes, have given such interruption to the Stages in this part of the world, as to prevent your favor of the 15th Ulto getting to my hands till Saturday last. I accede to the sum of Two hundred Dollars in addition to the stipulations mentioned in my last, as compensation for Mr Lear’s Services a year; and shall be glad to receive him into my family as soon...
43From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 20 April 1786 (Washington Papers)
As Doctr Gordons departure for England is an event that was to have taken place about this time & may have happened I take the liberty, in that case, of requesting the favor of you to do what shall appear right with the inclosed Subscription Paper & Bill. I will make no apology for the trouble this request may give you as I persuade myself your inclination to serve the Doctr will keep pace...
44From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 7 June 1786 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a copy of my last to you, soon after writing which I heard of Doctr Gordon’s sailing. Not knowing who his Agent is, I again take the liberty of putting under this cover, the second Bill of exchange for him; & the original subscription paper on which the eleven pounds arose as part of the Bill (just mentioned) for forty two pounds which was the amount of both the Alexandria &...
45From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 7 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
I have, I think, seen your name mentioned as President of the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Massachusetts. For this reason I give you the trouble of the enclosed address. I hope your wishes were fully accomplished in your Eastern trip. Are your people getting mad? are we to have the goodly fabrick that eight years were spent in rearing, pulled over our heads? What is the cause of...
46From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 23 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
Ever since the disorders in your State began to grow serious I have been particularly anxious to hear from that quarter; Genl Knox has, from time to time transmitted to me the state of affairs as they came to his hands; but nothing has given such full & satisfactory information as the particular detail of events which you have been so good as to favor me with, and for which you will please to...
47From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 31 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 9th instt came to hand last evening. As you know what ever concerns your happiness & welfare cannot be indifferent to me, you will very readily believe me when I assure you, that I take a feeling part in your anxiety and distress on account of your Son, and most sincerely wish for his recovery. I thank you, my dear Sir, for your observations upon the advantages which might...
48From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 11 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
As you must be convinced that whatever effects your happiness or welfare cannot be indifferent to me, I need not tell you that I was most sensibly affected by your letter of the 20th of January. Yes, my dear Sir, I sincerely condole with you the loss of a worthy, amiable & valuable Son! Altho’ I had not the happiness of a personal acquaintance with him, yet the character which he sustained,...
49From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 29 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your three letters of the 3d 6th & 9th int. The information conveyed by the last was extremely pleasing to me, tho’ I cannot say it was altogether unexpected, as the tenor of your former letters had in some measure, prepared me for the event, but the conduct of the minority was more pleasing and satisfactory than could have been looked for from the debates....
50From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 10 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 20th Ult., and the papers accompanying it came duly to hand; I believe none of your letters to me have miscarried as I have received the Gazettes containing the debates of your Convention very regularly. I am sorry to hear that the issue of the proposed Government in New-Hampshire is, in any measure, dubious: Our accounts from that quarter have been favorable in the highest...
51From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 2 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the reception of your favor of the 24th of Feby; which I have delayed answering till this time in expectation of being able to give you some information of what will probably be the determination of this State, upon the Constitution; but the proceedings of New Hampshir, so directly opposite to what we had reason to hope for, from every account, has entirely baffled all...
52From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 2 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have now to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 19th of March, which should have been done at an earlier period had any thing transpired in these parts which was worth communicating. I can now, with pleasure, inform you that the State of Maryland adopted the proposed Constitution last monday by a very large majority; this you will undoubtedly have announced by the publick papers...
53From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 29 June 1788 (Washington Papers)
I beg you will accept my thanks for the communications handed to me in your letter of the 3d instant. And my congratulations on the encreasing good dispositions of the Citizens of your State—of which the late Elections are strongly indicative. No one can rejoice more than I do at every step taken by the People of this great Country to preserve the Union—establish good order & government—and to...
54From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 28 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
I received with your letter of the 9th instant, one from Mr Minot and also his History of the Insurrections in Massachusetts. The work seems to be executed with ingenuity, as well as to be calculated to place facts in a true point of light, obviate the prejudices of those who were unacquainted with the circumstances & answer good purposes in respect to our government in general. I have...
55From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 26 October 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have been lately favored with the receipt of your letters of the 24th and 30th of September, with their enclosure, & thank you sincerely for your free & friendly communications. As the period is now rapidly approaching which must decide the fate of the new Constitution as to the manner of its being carried into execution & probably as to its usefulness, it is not wonderful that we should all...
56From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 14 November 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 25th of last Month, accompanying the political letters of Mr Adams, came safely to hand; and I have to acknowledge my obligations for both those favours. There is good sense in the answers given by Mr Adams to the questions of Doctr Calkoen, combined with an extensive knowledge of the interests and resources of this Country. If there be in some instances an exageration of...
57From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 31 January 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your two letters of Decr 20th & Jany 4th are before me. I am much obliged to you for the intelligence contained in them: because it enabled me to contradict a report, in circulation among the Antifederalists, that your State had made choice of only one Representative to Congress, that no more would probably be appointed, & that every thing was in very great confusion. Though facts will...
58From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 11 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
I was favored last evening by yours of the 20th Ulto and am glad to be confirmed in the idea that a spirit of unanimity is becoming still more prevalent. My having company with me at present & my being occupied with my private concerns, will be considered by you as sufficient reasons for my writing in a laconic manner. I will therefore reply to the principal scope of your letter with all that...
59From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 11 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
On the 15th of September next there is to be a treaty held in the State of Georgia, between the Indians on the southern frontiers and Commissioners on the part of Georgia. At this treaty there will be a numerous and respectable concourse of Indians; two, and some say three thousand. Their famous Counsellor, the noted McGilvery is to be present at it; and it is now in agitation, and a bill is...
60From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 20 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I informed you on the 11th Inst. that a bill was before the House to provide for the Expences that might attend the Treaties & Negociations to be made with the Indian Tribes, and for the appointment of Commissioners to be employed in the same. This Bill has to day passed into a Law, and in consequence thereof I have nominated, and by & with the advice & consent of the Senate, have appointed...