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Front Page  Titles (by Subject) TO JOHN P. POSEY. - The Writings of George Washington, vol. X (1782-1785)
TO JOHN P. POSEY. - George Washington, The Writings of George Washington, vol. X (1782-1785) [1891]Edition used:The Writings of George Washington, collected and edited by Worthington Chauncey Ford (New York and London: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1890). Vol. X (1782-1785).
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- To Major-general Greene.
- The Writings of George Washington.
- 1782.
- To Brigadier-general Hazen.
- To Lieutenant-colonel John Laurens.
- To Lieutenant-general James Robertson. 1
- To James Mchenry.
- To the Secretary At War.
- To Major-general Greene.
- Circular Letter to the States.
- To John P. Posey.
- To the President of Congress.
- To the Marquis De Vaudreuil.
- To Sir Guy Carleton.
- To Robert Morris.
- To the Chevalier De Chastellux. [extract.]
- To the Secretary At War.
- To the Count De Rochambeau.
- To Colonel Lewis Nicola.
- To the Secretary At War.
- To Brigadier-general Hazen.
- To the President of Congress.
- To Colonel Elias Dayton.
- To Major-general Knox. Instructions.
- To Major-general Lincoln.
- To the Secretary At War.
- To Archibald Cary.
- To Sir Guy Carleton.
- To Robert Morris.
- To James Mchenry.
- To Joseph Reed.
- To the Secretary At War.
- To Thomas Paine.
- To Robert R. Livingston.
- To John Dickinson, President of Delaware.
- To Robert Morris.
- To Lieutenant-colonel Tench Tilghman.
- To Major-general Greene.
- To the President of Congress.
- To James Duane, In Congress.
- To Major-general Greene.
- To the Secretary At War. 1
- To Lieutenant-colonel John Laurens.
- To James Mchenry.
- To James Mchenry.
- To Major-general Greene.
- To Governor Clinton.
- To the Marquis De Lafayette.
- To John P. Posey.
- To the Marquis De Vaudreuil.
- To Doctor William Gordon. 1
- To Captain Charles Asgill. 1
- To Lund Washington.
- To the Chevalier De Chastellux. [extract.]
- To the Secretary At War.
- To Lund Washington.
- To the Count De Rochambeau.
- To Count De Vergennes.
- To the Secretary At War.
- To Major Benjamin Tallmadge.
- To the President of Congress.
- To Count De Rochambeau.
- To Joseph Jones, In Congress.
- To Major-general Knox. Instructions.
- To Bartholomew Dandridge.
- To the Secretary At War.
- To Major-general Greene.
- To Sir Guy Carleton.
- To James Mchenry.
- To Robert Morris.
- To Joseph Reed.
- To Thomas Paine.
- To Tench Tilghman.
- To Robert R. Livingston.
- To Robert Morris.
- To Bushrod Washington. 1
- To Major-general Greene.
- To John Augustine Washington,
- To James Duane, In Congress.
- To the Secretary At War. 1
- To Samuel Ogden.
- To Major Thomas Lansdale.
- To James Mchenry.
- To Elias Boudinot, President of Congress. 1
- To Governor Clinton.
- To the Marquis De Lafayette.
- To Major-general Greene.
- To Joseph Jones, In Congress.
- To Doctor William Gordon. 1
- To Captain Charles Asgill. 1
- To Lund Washington.
- To Lund Washington.
- To the President of Congress.
- To Lund Washington.
- To Benjamin Harrison.
- To Count De Vergennes.
- To Major Benjamin Tallmadge.
- To Alexander Hamilton, In Congress. 1
- To Count De Rochambeau.
- To Joseph Jones, In Congress.
- To Robert Morris.
- To Bartholomew Dandridge.
- To the President of Congress.
- Address to the Officers. 1
- To Major-general Greene.
- 1783.
- To Robert Morris.
- To Joseph Jones, In Congress.
- To the President of Congress.
- To Tench Tilghman.
- To Joseph Jones, In Congress.
- To Bushrod Washington. 1
- To the President of Congress.
- To John Augustine Washington,
- To Lund Washington.
- To Robert R. Livingston.
- To Governor Benjamin Harrison.
- To Samuel Ogden.
- To Major Thomas Lansdale.
- To the Marquis De Lafayette.
- To Elias Boudinot, President of Congress. 1
- To the Chevalier De La Luzerne.
- To Major-general Greene.
- To Robert R. Livingston.
- To Joseph Jones, In Congress.
- To Colonel Bland.
- To Alexander Hamilton, In Congress.
- To Lund Washington.
- To the President of Congress.
- To Theodorick Bland.
- To Benjamin Harrison.
- To Theodorick Bland.
- To Alexander Hamilton, In Congress. 1
- To Robert Morris.
- To Alexander Hamilton.
- To the President of Congress.
- To the Marquis De Lafayette.
- Address to the Officers. 1
- To Sir Guy Carleton.
- To Alexander Hamilton, In Congress.
- To Joseph Jones, In Congress.
- To the President of Congress.
- To the President of Congress.
- To Joseph Jones, In Congress.
- To Sir Guy Carleton.
- To the President of Congress.
- To Alexander Hamilton.
- To Lund Washington.
- To Robert R. Livingston.
- To Tench Tilghman.
- To Governor Benjamin Harrison.
- To the President of Congress.
- To the Marquis De Lafayette.
- Substance of the Conference Between Gen. Washington and Sir Guy Carleton, At an Interview At Orangetown, 6th May, 1783.
- To Sir Guy Carleton.
- To the Chevalier De La Luzerne.
- To Major-general Putnam.
- To Robert R. Livingston.
- To Robert Morris.
- To Colonel Bland.
- To Major-general Heath.
- To Alexander Hamilton, In Congress.
- Circular Letter Addressed to the Governors of All the States On Disbanding the Army.
- To Theodorick Bland.
- To Theodorick Bland.
- To Alexander Hamilton.
- To the Marquis De Lafayette.
- To Lund Washington. [extract.]
- To the President of Congress.
- To Sir Guy Carleton.
- To the President of Congress.
- To Alexander Hamilton, In Congress.
- To Dr. William Gordon.
- To the President of Congress.
- To M. Marbois.
- To Sir Guy Carleton.
- To Alexander Hamilton.
- To George William Fairfax.
- To Baron Steuben. Instructions.
- To Tench Tilghman.
- To the President of Congress.
- To the President of Congress.
- Substance of the Conference Between Gen. Washington and Sir Guy Carleton, At an Interview At Orangetown, 6th May, 1783.
- To the President of Congress. 1
- To Sir Guy Carleton.
- To Robert Stewart.
- To Major-general Putnam.
- To the President of Congress.
- To Robert Morris.
- Address to the President and Members of Congress. 1
- To Major-general Heath.
- To Lieutenant-colonel William S. Smith.
- To Mrs. Richard Stockton. 2
- Circular Letter Addressed to the Governors of All the States On Disbanding the Army.
- To James Duane, In Congress.
- Observations Upon a Peace Establishment.
- To Lund Washington. [extract.]
- To the President of Congress.
- To Governor Clinton.
- To Lund Washington.
- To the President of Congress.
- To Major-general Knox.
- To Dr. William Gordon.
- To Samuel Huntington, Chairman.
- To M. Marbois.
- To the Chevalier De Chastellux.
- To Major-general Knox.
- To George William Fairfax.
- To Baron Steuben. Instructions.
- To Major-general Knox.
- To the President of Congress.
- Farewell Orders to the Armies of the United States.
- To the President of Congress. 1
- To the President of Congress.
- To Sir Guy Carleton.
- To Robert Stewart.
- To James Mchenry.
- To the President of Congress.
- To the President of Congress.
- To Baron Steuben.
- Address to the President and Members of Congress. 1
- General Washington’s Address to Congress On Resigning His Commission. 1
- To Lieutenant-colonel William S. Smith.
- To Mrs. Richard Stockton. 2
- To James Duane, In Congress.
- Observations Upon a Peace Establishment.
- To Governor Clinton.
- To Lund Washington.
- To Major-general Knox.
- To Samuel Huntington, Chairman.
- To the Chevalier De Chastellux.
- To Major-general Knox.
- To Major-general Knox.
- Farewell Orders to the Armies of the United States.
- To the President of Congress.
- To Sir Guy Carleton.
- To James Mchenry.
- To the President of Congress.
- To Baron Steuben.
- General Washington’s Address to Congress On Resigning His Commission. 1
- 1784.
- To Jonathan Trumbull, Junior.
- To the President of Congress.
- To Benjamin Harrison, Governor of Virginia.
- To the Marquis De Lafayette.
- To Thomas Lewis. 1
- To Jonathan Trumbull, Junior.
- To Gilbert Simpson.
- Memorandum to John Lewis.
- To the President of Congress.
- To Benjamin Harrison, Governor of Virginia.
- To Major-general Knox.
- To the Marquis De Lafayette.
- To Dolphin Drew.
- To Thomas Lewis. 1
- To Captain Fielding Lewis.
- To John Witherspoon.
- To Gilbert Simpson.
- Memorandum to John Lewis.
- To Major-general Knox.
- To Edmund Randolph.
- To Dolphin Drew.
- To Captain Fielding Lewis.
- To Major-general Knox.
- To John Witherspoon.
- To Tench Tilghman.
- To Dr. James Craik.
- To Thomas Jefferson, In Congress.
- To Edmund Randolph.
- To Hugh Williamson, In Congress.
- To Major-general Knox.
- To Tench Tilghman.
- To the Marchioness De Lafayette.
- To Dr. James Craik.
- To Thomas Jefferson.
- To Thomas Jefferson, In Congress.
- To Governor Trumbull.
- To Rufus Putnam.
- To Hugh Williamson, In Congress.
- To James Madison.
- To Dr. James Craik.
- To Clement Biddle.
- To the Marchioness De Lafayette.
- To Jacob Read. 2
- To Thomas Jefferson.
- To Count De Rochambeau.
- To Governor Trumbull.
- Certificate to Mr. James Rumsey. 1
- To Benjamin Harrison, Governor of Virginia.
- To Rufus Putnam.
- To James Madison.
- To Dr. James Craik.
- To Clement Biddle.
- To Jacob Read. 2
- To Jacob Read.
- To Count De Rochambeau.
- To George Clinton, Governor of New York.
- Certificate to Mr. James Rumsey. 1
- To Benjamin Harrison, Governor of Virginia.
- To Richard Henry Lee, President of Congress. 2
- 1785.
- To Major-general Knox.
- To Jacob Read.
- To George Clinton, Governor of New York.
- To Benjamin Harrison.
- To Richard Henry Lee, President of Congress.
- To Richard Henry Lee, President of Congress. 2
- To Rev. William Gordon.
- To Major-general Knox.
- To Hugh Williamson, In Congress.
- To Richard Henry Lee.
- To Benjamin Harrison.
- To James Duane.
- To Richard Henry Lee, President of Congress.
- To Francis Hopkinson.
- To Rev. William Gordon.
- To Major-general Greene.
- To Hugh Williamson, In Congress.
- To Burwell Bassett.
- To Richard Henry Lee.
- To William Minor.
- To James Duane.
- To Tench Tilghman. 1
- To William Goddard.
- To Francis Hopkinson.
- To Major-general Knox.
- To Major-general Greene.
- To William Grayson.
- To Burwell Bassett.
- To Richard Henry Lee.
- To William Minor.
- To George William Fairfax.
- To Tench Tilghman. 1
- To William Goddard.
- To Major-general Knox.
- To David Humphreys.
- To William Grayson.
- To the Marquis De Lafayette.
- To Richard Henry Lee.
- To George William Fairfax.
- To Edmund Randolph.
- To Edmund Randolph.
- To David Humphreys.
- To Richard Henry Lee, President of Congress.
- To the Marquis De Lafayette.
- To James Mchenry, In Congress.
- To William Grayson, In Congress.
- To Edmund Randolph.
- To John De Neufville.
- To Edmund Randolph.
- To Edmund Randolph.
- To Richard Henry Lee, President of Congress.
- To Thomas Jefferson.
- To James Mchenry, In Congress.
- To George Mason.
- To William Grayson, In Congress.
- To John De Neufville.
- To Edmund Randolph.
- To Thomas Jefferson.
- To George Mason.
TO JOHN P. POSEY.
Whilst I thought there was a probability of my letters finding you in France, I continued to write to you at Paris. After that, I ceased to do so, expecting the more agreeable pleasure of embracing you in America. Your favor of the 29th of June, placing the time of your departure from thence on a contingency, and our latest advices from Europe, reporting that the negotiations for Peace were nearly in the same state as at the commencement of it, I shall renew my correspondence.
Head Quarters,Newburgh,
7 August, 1782. Sir,
I approve, very highly, the motives which induced you to remain at your Court and I am convinced Congress will do the same—The Campaign, as you supposed, has been very inactive—We formed the junction with the French Corps (which is now encamped on our left ten miles distant) the middle of September; and have remained in perfect unison with them ever since their arrival. It may I believe with much truth be said, that a greater harmony between two Armies never subsisted than that which has prevailed between the French and Americans since the first junction of them last year. I had prepared a beautiful Corps for you to command, that would not, I am convinced, either in their appearance or action, have discredited any Officer, or Army whatever. It consisted of all the light Infantry of the Northern Army, to which Sheldon’s Legion would have been added. But we have done nothing more than to keep a watch upon the enemy this Campaign except restraining them from detaching; which I believe has been the consequence of our junction, and lying here. A few German Troops, and Refugees have been sent to Hallifax; from thence it was supposed they were to proceed to Canada. This took place before I came into the Field, which was on the last day of August. The cold weather puts us in mind of warm fire sides, and the two Armies will separate for this or some other purpose in the course of a few days. The French Army will go Easterly, we Northerly, and shall fix our cantonments in the vicinity of West point.
With a mixture of surprize, concern, and even horror, have I heard of your treatment of the deceased Mr. Custis; in the abuse in misapplication of the estate which he had committed—with much confidence I am sure, and I believe personal regard—to your management.
The Enemy in New York make no scruple of declaring their intention of evacuating Charles town. Many Transports went from the former about a month ago; with design, it was said, to take off the Garrison; but whether it is to be brought to the last mentioned place or carried to the West Indies is mere matter of conjecture—very probably the British Troops may go to the latter, and the foreigners to the former. Time only will shew this, as indeed it may another thing, viz—that the late changes in the British Councils may prevent the evacuation of it at all.
If what I have heard, or the half of it be true, you must not only be lost to the feelings of virtue, honor, and common honesty—but you must have suffered an unwarrantable thirst of gain to lead you into errors which are so pregrant with folly and indiscretion, as to render you a mark for every man’s arrow to level at. Can you suppose, Sir, that a manager can dissipate his Employer’s Estate with impunity? That there are not Laws in every free country by which Justice is to be obtained?—or that the Heirs of Mr. Custis will not find friends who will pursue you to the end of the Earth in order to come at it? If you do, you are proceeding upon exceedingly mistaken principles—but, for a moment only, let us suppose that you have taken the advantage of an unsuspecting friend—for such I am sure Mr. Custis was to you, and that you have acted so covertly, as to elude the Law; do you believe that in the hours of cool reflection—in the moment perhaps, when you shall find that ill-gotten pelf can no longer avail you; that your conscience will not smite you for such complicated iniquity as arises not only from acts of injustice, but the horrors of ingratitude; in abusing the confidence of a man who supposed you incapable of deceiving him, who was willing, and I believe did, in a great degree, commit his whole property to your care?
With respect to New York, various opinions have prevailed. Some thought the speedy evacuation of it inevitable; others, that it would be delayed till the spring; while a third set, less sanguine than either of the other two, believed that nothing short of military force would ever free the city of them, their whole design being, to amuse the Belligerent Powers and deceive America, till they could put their marine and other matters in a more prosperous train for prosecuting the war. The first, it is certain, were in an error, because the Troops are still at New York, but which of the other two may be right, your knowledge from what is transacting on the European theater enables you to judge better of than I. Certain it is, the loyalists and Refugees in New York are very much alarmed, and know not what to expect. As certain it is, Sir Guy Carleton holds himself in readiness to evacuate, or perform any other movement with his Army; while he endeavors assiduously in the mean while to propagate the favorable disposition of Great Britain to grant every thing America can require. Their Transports have wooded and watered, and lay ready for any Service; so have the Ships of War under Admiral Pigot, but I believe they are designed for the West Indies, with part of the Troops at New York, more than for any other purpose.—
But this by the by—I do not mean to put this matter upon the footing of conscience. Conscience might have been kicked out of doors before you could have proceeded to the length of selling another man’s negroes for your own emolument, and this too after having applyed the greatest part, or the whole of the profits of his Estate to your benefit.—Conscience again seldom comes to a man’s aid while he is in the zenith of health, and revelling in pomp and luxury upon illgotten spoils. It is generally the last act of his life, and comes too late to be of much service to others here, or to himself hereafter. But, Sir, the footing I expect to see you put this matter upon is, to settle without delay, such acc’ts with the administrator of Mr. Custis’s Estate, whose duty it is to have it done, as you can support by authentic vouchers—That you will show by what authority you have sold any of his negroes, and to what purposes the money has been applied—and lastly, what crops you have made, what stocks you have raised, and how they have been disposed of. A settlement of this kind, altho’ it should appear by it that you have applied the greatest part, or even the whole of the money arising from the sales of them, to your own purposes, will be the next best thing to never having committed the wrong. How far Mr. Dandridge, as an Administrator, may chuse to push matters, I cannot undertake (never having heard from him on the subject) to say—but this you may rely on, that this affair shall be most critically investigated, and probed to the bottom; let the trouble and cost of doing it be what it may—as a man therefore who wishes for your own sake as well as that of an injured family, to see you act properly, I advise, and warn you of the consequences of a contrary conduct, being, Sir, yr. most h’ble Serv’t.
You will have heard before this Letter can reach you, of the loss of the L’Eagle—it will be unpleasant therefore to repeat it—every body laments the misfortune, and pities poor L’Touche.—Duke Lauzun has been very sick but is now recovering fast—tho’ very thin and pale.
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