- 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 LUND WASHINGTON.
Although the expedition has not been attended with success, the officers and soldiers employed on it are entitled to great credit for the spirit, activity, and patience exhibited by them in the course of the attempt; and, I am certain, nothing that depended upon Colonel Willett to give efficacy to it was wanting.
Newburg, 21 November, 1782.
Dear Lund,
Major Tallmadge, whom I had placed on the Sound, with the infantry of Sheldon’s legion, for the purpose of interrupting as much as possible on that side the trade with New York, has been more successful, as will appear by his report, a copy of which is likewise enclosed. The zeal and activity of Major Tallmadge, and the promptness and bravery of the party acting under his orders on this occasion, have merited and received my thanks. The detachments also belonging to the command of Brigadier-General Hazen, which are occasionally advanced to Bergen, Newark, and Elizabethtown, to intercept the illicit commerce in that quarter, appear to have been very alert, and they have succeeded in several instances. I flatter myself Congress will be persuaded, nothing on my part has been omitted to carry fully into execution the resolution of the 30th of October last. But at the same time I am under the necessity to declare, in my own vindication, that, unless the civil powers of the different States will adopt the most energetic measures, and make the greatest exertions to carry them into effect, it will be impossible to put a stop to an evil, which has increased to an alarming height, and which, (notwithstanding all our efforts,) is still increasing, and, I am informed, prevails nowhere in such an uncontrolled manner as on the seacoast of Connecticut. I have the honor to be, &c.
The letter which will be enclosed with this, will inform you that since my letter by the last post I have had the offer of £2000 York currency, and the terms of it. But before you strike any bargain with Dow and Co. for their land, I would have you view it critically, and form your own judgment of the quality of it. To do this with any degree of accuracy, you must estimate the quantity of improved and unimprovable meadow; the nature of it; the quantity of Hay the first will yield; and the expence which will attend the cutting and making of it; how much of the latter can be added, and the cost of doing it; these things, with a proper valuation of the other parts of the tract, will show you whether I shall be safe in giving the price asked. Or if Dow will pay such as he once said he wou’d give to whomsoever should be the purchaser, there need be no hesitation in that case neither; because the rent will amount to more than the interest of the money. If the price of this land will not stand the test of the first mode of valuation; and the second, as I suspect, was nothing more than a mere puff, and it shall appear that there is some collusion or finesse in Dow & Co. to extort a high price from me, I know of but one other method by which you can proceed with propriety and safety; and that is, to pursue the mode which I have pointed out in the letter herewith enclosed, and which I have made a separate one, that you may as from yourself, candidly let them see, consider, and determine on it.
The expedition failed through the treachery or ignorance of an Indian guide. Colonel Willett approached with his party in the night within five miles of Fort Oswego, when his principal guide lost his way, and the darkness and extreme fatigue of walking on snow-shoes prevented their discovering the fort, till the morning dawned, and it was necessary to retire. In reply to Colonel Willett’s letter reporting the result, General Washington said:
“Unfortunate as the circumstance is, I am happy in the persuasion that no imputation or reflection can justly reach your character, and that you are enabled to draw much consolation from the animated zeal, fortitude, and activity of the officers and soldiers who accompanied you. The failure, it seems, must be attributed to some of those unaccountable events which are not within the control of human means, and which, tho’ they often occur in military life, yet require not only the fortitude of the soldier, but the calm reflection of the Philosopher to bear.
“I cannot omit expressing to you the high sense I entertain of your persevering exertions and active zeal on the occasion of this expedition, and begging you to accept my warmest thanks, and that you will be pleased to communicate my gratitude to the officers and men under your command for the share they have taken in that service.”—Washington to Colonel Willett, 5 March, 1783.
The enemy’s armed vessels in the Sound were carrying on and protecting an illicit trade with the inhabitants along the coast. A privateer of this description, mounting eleven carriage-guns and four swivels, was boarded by a party sent by Major Tallmadge in a fast sailing vessel, and after a short but sharp conflict was captured. Major Tallmadge represented the enterprise as conducted with great courage and gallantry on the part of the assailants.
Directing the Commander-in-chief to take the most effectual measures to prevent a clandestine intercourse between New Jersey and the city of New York, by which the enemy were supplied with provisions.
“It is much to be regretted, that, while I am using every means in my power to comply with the orders of Congress, founded in my judgment on our true interest and policy, there should be such a counteraction as we daily experience from individuals. But lamentable indeed is our situation, when States, or the administration of them, are leaping over those bounds, which should ever be deemed the sacred barrier betwn. us and the enemy, without which all opposition to their measures must soon cease, or dwindle into something ridiculous enough.
“That the intercourse with New York by way of the Sound is in a manner without restriction, I have little doubt of; and that the very Boats, which are Armed and Commissioned for the purpose of cutting off the Communication, are employed in facilitating the Trade, I have a recent instance of in one caught by Major Tallmadge in the act and with the goods on board. We have only to persevere, and with the means we possess give all the checks to it in our power. Every officer, who exerts himself in this business, will meet every support I can give, and will undoubtedly merit the approbation of Congress.”—Washington to Lieut.-Col. William S. Smith, 3 March, 1783.
The expedition failed through the treachery or ignorance of an Indian guide. Colonel Willett approached with his party in the night within five miles of Fort Oswego, when his principal guide lost his way, and the darkness and extreme fatigue of walking on snow-shoes prevented their discovering the fort, till the morning dawned, and it was necessary to retire. In reply to Colonel Willett’s letter reporting the result, General Washington said:
“Unfortunate as the circumstance is, I am happy in the persuasion that no imputation or reflection can justly reach your character, and that you are enabled to draw much consolation from the animated zeal, fortitude, and activity of the officers and soldiers who accompanied you. The failure, it seems, must be attributed to some of those unaccountable events which are not within the control of human means, and which, tho’ they often occur in military life, yet require not only the fortitude of the soldier, but the calm reflection of the Philosopher to bear.
“I cannot omit expressing to you the high sense I entertain of your persevering exertions and active zeal on the occasion of this expedition, and begging you to accept my warmest thanks, and that you will be pleased to communicate my gratitude to the officers and men under your command for the share they have taken in that service.”—Washington to Colonel Willett, 5 March, 1783.
The enemy’s armed vessels in the Sound were carrying on and protecting an illicit trade with the inhabitants along the coast. A privateer of this description, mounting eleven carriage-guns and four swivels, was boarded by a party sent by Major Tallmadge in a fast sailing vessel, and after a short but sharp conflict was captured. Major Tallmadge represented the enterprise as conducted with great courage and gallantry on the part of the assailants.
Directing the Commander-in-chief to take the most effectual measures to prevent a clandestine intercourse between New Jersey and the city of New York, by which the enemy were supplied with provisions.
“It is much to be regretted, that, while I am using every means in my power to comply with the orders of Congress, founded in my judgment on our true interest and policy, there should be such a counteraction as we daily experience from individuals. But lamentable indeed is our situation, when States, or the administration of them, are leaping over those bounds, which should ever be deemed the sacred barrier betwn. us and the enemy, without which all opposition to their measures must soon cease, or dwindle into something ridiculous enough.
“That the intercourse with New York by way of the Sound is in a manner without restriction, I have little doubt of; and that the very Boats, which are Armed and Commissioned for the purpose of cutting off the Communication, are employed in facilitating the Trade, I have a recent instance of in one caught by Major Tallmadge in the act and with the goods on board. We have only to persevere, and with the means we possess give all the checks to it in our power. Every officer, who exerts himself in this business, will meet every support I can give, and will undoubtedly merit the approbation of Congress.”—Washington to Lieut.-Col. William S. Smith, 3 March, 1783.
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