- 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 MAJOR-GENERAL KNOX.
Whether the terms there promulged are sufficiently encouraging to the people of this country, and inviting to strangers; or whether the latter might think so in the first instance, and change sentiments afterwards, upon seeing a wide, a wild, and an extensive country before them, in which they may, for ought I know, obtain good, though not so valuable and pleasant spots upon easier terms, is not with me to decide. Experiment alone can determine it. But it is for me to declare, that I cannot think of separating for ever from lands, which are beautifully situated upon navigable rivers, rich in quality, and abundantly blessed with many natural advantages, upon less beneficial terms to myself.
Mount Vernon, 20 February, 1784.
My dear Sir,
The leases for short tenures, if these should be preferred to either of the other two, could be attended with no great injury to me, because the improvements, which (according to the conditions of them) are to be made thereon, will enable me, if I am not too sanguine in my expectation, to rent them thereafter upon more lucrative terms, than I dare ask for either of the other two at present.
The bad weather, and the great care which the post-riders take of themselves, prevented your letters of the 3d and 9th of last month from getting to my hands till the 10th of this. Setting off next morning for Fredericksburg to pay my duty to an aged mother, and not returning till yesterday, will be admitted, I hope, as a sufficient apology for my silence until now.
It has been my intention in every thing I have said, and will be so in every thing I shall say on this subject to be perfectly candid; for my feelings would be as much hurt, if I should deceive others by a too favorable description, as theirs would be who might suffer by the deception.
I am much obliged by the trouble you have taken to report the state of the garrison and stores, together with the disposition of the troops at West Point to me; and I think the allowance of rations, or subsistence money, to such officers as could not retire at that inclement season, was not only perfectly humane, but perfectly just also, and that it must appear so to Congress.
I will only add, that it would give me pleasure to see these lands seated by particular societies, or religious sectaries with their pastors. It would be a means of connecting friends in a small circle, and making life in a new and rising empire (to the inhabitants of which, and their habits, new comers would be strangers) pass much more agreeably than in a mixed or dispersed situation.
It would seem to me, without having recourse to calculation, that the allowance of a major-general in a separate department to the person who shall discharge the duties of secretary at war, master of ordnance, and commanding officer of the forces, which may be retained or raised on a peace establishment, is a very moderate demand. I expect the president and some members of Congress here in a day or two, and will tell them so.
If a plan of this sort should be relished, it would be highly expedient for an agent in behalf of such societies to come out immediately, to view the lands and close a bargain; for nothing is more probable, than that each of the tracts here enumerated may, if the matter is delayed, have settlers upon it, an intermixture with whom might not be agreeable.
It was among my first acts, after I got home, to write to the president of each State Society, appointing Philadelphia (and the first Monday in May) for the general meeting of the Cincinnati. Colonel Walker took all the letters to the presidents eastward of this with him before new year’s day; and I despatched those for the southward, about the same time, by the post. I have even sent duplicates for fear of miscarriage; yet, though it is the most eligible method, it is to be feared it will not prove so effectual a communication, as a general notification in the public gazettes would have been. And, in case of failure, I shall be exceedingly sorry for not having adopted the most certain, as it would give me pleasure to find the first general meeting a very full one. I have named Philadelphia (contrary to my own judgment, as it is not central), to comply with the wishes of South Carolina; which, being the most southern State, has desired it. North Carolina I have not heard a title from, nor any thing official from New Hampshire. All the other States have acceded very unanimously to the proposition, which was sent from the army.
The number of families, which these tracts aggregately, or each one separately, would accommodate, depends more upon the views of the occupiers, than on any other circumstance. The soil is capable of the greatest production, such as Europeans have little idea of. For mere support, then, the smallest quantity would suffice; which I mention in this place, because a plan for the settlement of them, under the information here given of the quantity, quality, and situation, can be as well digested in Europe, as on the land itself, so far as it respects support only; and is to be preferred to a waste of time in ascertaining on the spot the number it would receive, and what each man shall have before the association is formed.
I am just beginning to experience that ease and freedom from public cares, which, however desirable, takes some time to realize; for, strange as it may seem, it is nevertheless true, that it was not till lately I could get the better of my usual custon of ruminating, as soon as I waked in the morning, on the business of the ensuing day; and of my surprise at finding, after revolving many things in my mind, that I was no longer a public man, nor had any thing to do with public transactions.
I will make no apology, my good Sir, for the length of this letter, presuming from your inquiries, when I had the pleasure of seeing you last in Philadelphia, that you would not be displeased at the information I now give you, and might have a wish to communicate it to others. My best wishes attend you. With sentiments of great esteem and respect, I am, Reverend Sir, &c.
I feel now, however, as I conceive a wearied traveller must do, who, after treading many a painful step with a heavy burthen on his shoulders, is eased of the latter, having reached the haven to which all the former were directed; and from his house-top is looking back, and tracing with an eager eye the meanders by which he escaped the quicksands and mires which lay in his way; and into which none but the all-powerful Guide and Dispenser of human events could have prevented his falling.
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