1From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel William Stephens Smith, 27 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours this Evening by Lieut. Patterson inclosing a letter from the Board of War directing you to seize the Persons, Carriages &ca that have lately arrived at Lancaster with Cloathing for the British Prisoners and secure the same untill you receive further directions from me or from the Board. As this order was founded upon a misapprehension of facts, I desire that they may be released...
2From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel William Stephens Smith, 14 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I expected you would have been at Camp with the detatchment under your command before this time but I imagine the Weather and Roads have hindered you. I desire you will lose no time in marching after you receive this; and that you will bring with you all the Men of other Corps that are sufficiently recovered from the Hospitals and properly clad to do duty. I am &c. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s...
3From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel William Stephens Smith, 4 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
The subject on which you spoke to me yesterday did not strike me in a proper point of view, which prevented my immediately acquiescing in it; but on revolving the matter, I perceive there can be no inconvenience, and wish exceedingly it could take place. If more of the Lt Colonels of either of the lines you mentioned are willing to retire than the establishment will permit provided they could...
4From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 1 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
I consider myself the more indebted to your obliging care in transmitting the letter of the Marquis de la Fayette, as by that means you have given me the double advantage of hearing from two of my distant, military friends at once. It is so long since I have had the satisfaction of holding any immediate intercourse with you, that I may be allowed to touch on a subject rather obsotute indeed,...
5From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 30 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured, a few days ago, with your letter, dated the first day of this Month, in which you obligingly acknowledge the receipt of mine of a former date. In the dearth of News and Politics at this moment—and especially in my distance from the sources of intelligence, and retirement from the scenes of public life; I should have scarcely any topic of importance enough to trouble you with a...
6From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 7 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
As I find the duties of your office can be executed by a deputy during your absence, and the business which calls you to Europe appearing to be important to your private interest; I feel a pleasure in complying with the request for leave of absence made in your letter of the 1st Inst., and sincerely wish you a pleasant voyage—a prosperous completion of your business & a happy return to your...
7From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 13 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have received since my return to this place the letter which you were so kind as to write on the 6. of June, and am now to make you my acknowledgements for the information it contained. Very soon after I came to the government I took measures for enquiring into the disposition of the british cabinet on the matters in question between us: and what you now communicate corresponds very exactly...
8From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 10 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
I was sorry to learn from your letter of the 7th instant, that you propose to resign the Office which you hold under the United States. Presuming that this determination is the result of a due reflection upon the subject, and a conviction that the measure is for your best interest, I acquiesce in it, altho’ I regret the loss of your services to the public. And, while I express my approbation...
9From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 14 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 22nd of April. Having been informed that Colonel Vose wished to return to the Northward, Colonel Tupper was ordered to relieve him previous to the receipt of Your Letter—Nothwithstanding the Marquis had suggested that your being appointed to that Command would be exceedingly agreeable to the Regt. I did not think it could possibly be done, without involving...
10From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 30 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I fully intended in my letter of the 14th to have desired you to return to this Army, but I might possibly in the hurry of Business have forgot to give the Gentleman who wrote it instructions to that purpose. Should this find you in Philadelphia, you will look upon yourself fully at liberty to return, or proceed to the southward, should your inclinations lead you to prefer that service to...