1From John Adams to William Heath, 5 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I never had the Pleasure of a Correspondence or any particular Acquaintance with you, which can justify the Freedom I have taken of giving you this Trouble: But as the good of our Country, which I know is your first Consideration, is my Motive, I presume you will think it a Sufficient Apology. In the present State of America, which is so novel and unexpected, and indeed unthought of by Numbers...
2From John Adams to William Heath, 18 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of January 22d. never reached me, untill my arrival at this City. I am much obliged to you for the Information you have given me of the Character and services of Coll. Baldwin, and should be happy to do any Thing in my Power, to obtain Justice for so deserving an officer. Upon shewing your Letter and another from him to some of my Colleagues, they are of opinion that Coll. Baldwin...
3From John Adams to William Heath, 15 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
Altho I never had the Pleasure and the Honour of so intimate an Acquaintance with you as I wished yet I have a long Time, been sufficiently acquainted with your Character, to have the Utmost Confidence in your Patriotism and your Judgment of the true Interest of our Country. The critical State of the Colonies, at this Time, is the Cause of my writing you, because Providence has now placed you...
4From John Adams to William Heath, 3 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 20th. Ultimo is before me. I am much obliged to you for it, and most heartily wish for a more free and intimate Communication of Sentiments, upon the State both of our Councils and Arms. I should be happy, in a few Hours Conversation, but as this cannot be, I must be content with a Letter. We have now a Nation to protect and defend; and I can easily see the Propriety of the...
5From John Adams to William Heath, 10 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Passy, 10 July 1778. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:156–158 . Adams reported the arrival on 8 July of the ratified Franco-American treaties, which were seen as fresh evidence of the increasing isolation of Great Britain and of the unlikelihood of the formation of a coalition of powers...
6From John Adams to William Heath, 19 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have recd the Letter, you did me the honour to write me on the tenth of this month. The Date of this Letter reminds me that it is two and twenty years Since our final Separation from Britain, and my Letter which you quote recalls old Times and scenes to remembrance. I thank you, Sir, for your kind Congratulations on my Advancement. The Times appear not to me, so critical and difficult, as...
7From John Adams to William Heath, 11 May 1807 (Adams Papers)
I read in the Chronicle some time ago, two Speculations with the signature of a military Countryman, and I read them with great pleasure for two very Substantial reasons, one of which is that I cordially approved and coincided with every Sentiment and every expression in them: the other was that I knew at once that General Heath was the Writer of them. How did you know that? you will ask. I...
8From John Adams to William Heath, 14 December 1807 (Adams Papers)
As I did not wish to oppress you with my Letters I have not acknowledged the receipt of your favour of the 18th of May, though I received it in due Season and esteemed it very highly. I have seen lately in the Chronicle, that like the good Steward you bring out of your Treasury Things new and old, and in very good Season. The Military Countryman written five or six and thirty years ago I have...
9George Washington to Major General William Heath, 3 March 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] March 3, 1777. Orders Heath to relieve Major General Artemas Ward. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Heath, who was in command of the Hudson River posts, was appointed Artemas Ward’s successor as commander of the Eastern Department on Ward’s resignation.
10George Washington to Major General William Heath, 27 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] July 27, 1777. Disapproves of requisition of arms for proposed St. Johns expedition. Approves of Heath’s methods of dealing with deserters. Requests Heath not to send French volunteers to Headquarters, as their pretensions to office are “embarrassing.” Reports that British fleet’s destination is probably Philadelphia. Orders Continental troops sent to the Northern...
11George Washington to Major General William Heath, 14 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Near Germantown [ Pennsylvania ] September 14, 1777. Orders Heath to send all Continental troops in Massachusetts to join the main Army. Relays information concerning engagement at Brandywine Creek. LS , in writing of H, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston.
12George Washington to Major General William Heath, 30 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Skippack [ Pennsylvania ] September 30, 1777. Approves of Heath’s action in supplying Continental frigates with needed ammunition and is pleased with the capture of prizes. Sends news of successes in North and of British occupation of Philadelphia. Repeats orders to forward three regiments from Massachusetts. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
13George Washington to Major General William Heath, 22 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Whitpain Township [ Pennsylvania ] October 22, 1777 . Discusses distribution of newly arrived supplies. Sends news of General John Burgoyne’s defeat. Describes recent movements of enemy. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
14George Washington to Major General William Heath, 14 March 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, March 14, 1778 . Instructs Heath to demand liberation of Daniel Hiester and the return of Hiester’s papers and effects. LS , in writing of H, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston.
15George Washington to Major General William Heath, 28 August 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
White Plains [ New York ] August 28, 1778 . Advises, for reasons of policy, that removal of French fleet from Rhode Island be attributed to damages caused by a storm. Asks Heath to use his influence to obtain assistance for fleet. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
16George Washington to Major General William Heath, 13 September 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
White Plains [ New York ] September 13, 1778 . Orders that clothing be forwarded from Boston to Springfield and Hartford. LS , in writing of H, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston.
17George Washington to Major General William Heath, 29 September 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] September 29, 1778 . Introduces Brigadier General Du Portail who is to examine the fortifications at Boston. LS , in writing of H, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston.
18George Washington to Major General William Heath, 29 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Fredericksburg, New York ] October 29, 1778 . Has forwarded to Congress Heath’s requisition for flour. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
19George Washington to Major General William Heath, 26 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 26, 1779 . Hopes that the “want of bread” has been “relieved.” Asks Heath to come to Headquarters. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
20George Washington to Major General William Heath, 25 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] June 25, 1779 . Acknowledges receipt of information concerning enemy. Instructs Heath to keep troops in readiness to act. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
21From Alexander Hamilton to Major General William Heath, [27 June 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New Windsor, New York, June 27, 1779. ] Acknowledges receiving two letters from Heath addressed to George Washington. ALS , Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston. Letters not found.
22George Washington to Major General William Heath, 30 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] June 30, 1779 . Advises sending Brigadier General Jedediah Huntington’s brigade to Continental Village where forage is more plentiful. LS . in writing of H, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston.
23George Washington to Major General William Heath, 30 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] June 30, 1779 . Agrees with Heath’s proposals. Instructs Heath to make suggested moves. LS , in writing of H, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston.
24George Washington to Major General William Heath, 1 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] July 1, 1779 . Asks Heath to cooperate with Baron von Steuben. LS , in writing of H, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston.
25From Alexander Hamilton to Major General William Heath, [9 July 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency commands me to acknowlege the receipt of your letter of this day with two prisoners. He says he spoke to you to day on the points mentioned in your letter which probably was written antecedent to your interview. Lt Col Loring is to be tried by a Court Martial of the line. Capt Forrest, under the peculiar circumstances represented by Col Putnam, to be indulged with a furlough. I...
26From Alexander Hamilton to Major General William Heath, [10 July 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency orders me to acknowlege the receipt of your two letters per bearer. The intended march of your division tomorrow morning prevents a particular reply to the points mentioned in one of them. I have the honor to be Very Respectfully Sir Your most Obedt servant ALS , Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston. On July 5–11, 1779, the British made a maritime raid on the...
27George Washington to Major General William Heath, 10 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] July 10, 1779 . Describes British raids on Connecticut. Asks Heath to march to scene of action with two Connecticut brigades. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
28George Washington to Major General William Heath, 10 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] July 10, 1779 . States that the “light companies of the two brigades should be left behind for a few days.” LS , in writings of George Washington and H, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston.
29George Washington to Major General William Heath, 10 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New Windsor, New York ] July 10, 1779 . Again requests Heath to form the light infantry. LS , in writing of H, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston.
30George Washington to Major General William Heath, 16 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, July 16, 1779. Orders Heath to Peekskill to take command. LS , in writing of H, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston.