Papers of Thomas Jefferson. Volume 5 The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 5: February 1781 to May 1781 9780691184708, 9780691045375

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THE

THOMAS

PAPERS

OF

JEFFERSON

THE

PAPERS OF

Thomas Jefferson Volume 5 25 February 1781 to 20 May 1781 JULIAN LYMAN

P. B O Y D ,

EDITOR

H. B U T T E R F I E L D A N D M I N A ASSOCIATE

PRINCETON, PRINCETON

R.

BRYAN,

EDITORS

NEW JERSEY

UNIVERSITY 19 5 2

PRESS

Copyright, 1952, by Princeton University Press London: Geoffrey Cumberlege, Oxford University Press ISBN-13: 978-0-691-04537-5 (cloth)

Printed in the United States of America by Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey

DEDICATED

TO T H E MEMORY

ADOLPH PUBLISHER

S.

OF

OCHS

OF T H E N E W

YORK

TIMES

1896-1935 WHO

BY T H E E X A M P L E OF A PRESS

ENLARGED

AND

THE JEFFERSONIAN OF A F R E E

RESPONSIBLE

FORTIFIED CONCEPT

PRESS

GUIDE TO

EDITORIAL

APPARATUS 1. T E X T U A L

D E V I C E S

T h e following devices are employed throughout the work to clarify the presentation of the text. [• • [....] [. . J , [. . . J 1

One or two words missing and not conjecturable. More than two words missing and not conjectur­ able; subjoined footnote estimates number of words missing. Number or part of a number missing or illegible. Conjectural reading for missing or illegible mat­ ter. A question mark follows when the reading is doubtful. Editorial comment inserted in the text. Matter deleted in the M S but restored in our text.

1

[ ] [roman]

[italic] (italic) 2.

D E S C R I P T I V E

S Y M B O L S

T h e following symbols are employed throughout the work to describe the various kinds of manuscript originals. W h e n a series of versions is recorded, the first to be recorded is the version used for the printed text. Dft

Dupl MS N PoC PrC RC SC Tripl

draft (usually a composition or rough draft; later drafts, when identifiable as such, are des­ ignated "2d D f t , " & c . ) duplicate manuscript (arbitrarily applied to most docu­ ments other than letters ) note, notes (memoranda, fragments, & c . ) polygraph copy press copy recipient's copy stylograph copy triplicate

A l l manuscripts of the above types a r e assumed to be i n the h a n d of the author of the document to which the descriptive symbol pertains. I f not, that fact is stated. On the other hand, the followC vii 3

G U I D E

TO

E D I T O R I A L

A P P A R A T U S

ing types of manuscripts are assumed not to be in the hand of the author, and exceptions w i l l be noted: FC Tr

file

copy (applied to all forms of retained copies, such as letter-book copies, clerks' copies, &c. ) transcript (applied to both contemporary and later copies; period of transcription, unless clear by implication, w i l l be given when k n o w n ) 3.

L O C A T I O N

S Y M B O L S

T h e locations of documents printed in this edition from originals in private hands, from originals held by institutions outside the United States, and from printed sources are recorded in self-ex­ planatory form in the descriptive note following each document. T h e locations of documents printed from originals held by public institutions i n the United States are recorded by means of the sym­ bols used i n the National Union Catalog in the L i b r a r y of Congress; an explanation of how these symbols are formed is given above, V o l . 1 : x l . T h e list of symbols appearing in each volume is limited to the institutions represented by documents printed or referred to in that volume. CSmH Ct CtY DLC DNA ICHi IHi MHi MdAA MeHi MiU-C MoSHi MWA NHi NN NNP NcD

Henry E . Huntington L i b r a r y , San Marino, California Connecticut State L i b r a r y , Hartford, Connecti­ cut Yale University L i b r a r y L i b r a r y of Congress T h e National Archives Chicago Historical Society, Chicago Illinois State Historical L i b r a r y , Springfield Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston M a r y l a n d H a l l of Records, Annapolis Maine Historical Society, Portland W i l l i a m L . Clements L i b r a r y , University of Michigan Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis American Antiquarian Society, Worcester New-York Historical Society, N e w Y o r k City N e w Y o r k Public L i b r a r y , New Y o r k City Pierpont Morgan L i b r a r y , New Y o r k City D u k e University L i b r a r y [ viii ]

GUIDE NjP PHi PPAP PU RPA Vi ViHi ViU WHi

TO E D I T O R I A L

APPARATUS

Princeton University L i b r a r y Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadel­ phia American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia University of Pennsylvania L i b r a r y Rhode Island Department of State, Providence V i r g i n i a State L i b r a r y , Richmond V i r g i n i a Historical Society, Richmond University of V i r g i n i a L i b r a r y State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison 4.

O T H E R

A B B R E V I A T I O N S

T h e following abbreviations are commonly employed in the an­ notation throughout the work. TJ Thomas Jefferson T J Editorial Files Photoduplicates and other editorial materials in the office of T h e Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Princeton University L i b r a r y T J Papers Jefferson Papers (Applied to a collection of manu­ scripts when the precise location of a given document must be furnished, and always preceded by the symbol for the in­ stitutional repository; thus " D L C : T J Papers, 4 : 6 2 8 - 9 " repre­ sents a document in the L i b r a r y of Congress, Jefferson P a ­ pers, volume 4, pages 628 and 6 2 9 . ) PCC Papers of the Continental Congress, in the L i b r a r y of Con­ gress RG Record Group ( U s e d in designating the location of docu­ ments in the National A r c h i v e s . ) 5.

S H O R T

T I T L E S

T h e following list includes only those short titles of works cited w i t h great frequency, and therefore in very abbreviated form, throughout this edition. T h e i r expanded forms are given here only in the degree of fullness needed for unmistakable identification. Since it is impossible to anticipate all the works to be cited in such very abbreviated form, the list is appropriately revised from volume to volume. Atlas Biog.

of Amer. H i s t . , Scribner, 1 9 4 3 . James T r u s l o w Adams and R . V . Coleman, Atlas of A m e r i c a n History, N . Y . , 1943 D i r . Cong. B i o g r a p h i c a l Directory of Congress, 1774-1927 [ix]

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TO

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A P P A R A T U S

B l a n d Papers T h e B l a n d Papers: Being a Selection f r o m the Manuscripts of Colonel Theodorick B l a n d , Jr. B . M . Cat. B r i t i s h Museum, G e n e r a l Catalogue of P r i n t e d Books, London, 1 9 3 1 — . Also, T h e B r i t i s h M u s e u m Catalogue of P r i n t e d Books, 1 8 8 1 - 1 9 0 0 , A n n Arbor, 1 9 4 6 . B . N . Cat. Catalogue général des livres imprimés de l a B i b l i o thèque N a t i o n a l e . Auteurs. B u r k - G i r a r d i n , H i s t , of V a . John B u r k , T h e History of V i r g i n i a . . . Continued by Skelton Jones and Louis H u e G i r a r d i n Burnett, Letters of Members E d m u n d C . Burnett, ed., Letters of Members of the C o n t i n e n t a l Congress c 8c D See V a . Gaz. C a l . F r a n k l i n Papers C a l e n d a r of the Papers of B e n j a m i n F r a n k l i n i n the L i b r a r y of the A m e r i c a n Philosophical Society, ed. I . Minis H a y s C a l . W a s h . C o r r . with Officers L i b r a r y of Congress, C a l e n d a r of the Correspondence of George Washington . . . with the Officers C l a r k Papers See George Rogers Clark Papers CVSP C a l e n d a r of V i r g i n i a State Papers . . . Preserved i n the C a p i t o l at Richmond D & H See V a . Gaz. D 8c N See V a . Gaz. DAB D i c t i o n a r y of A m e r i c a n Biography DAE D i c t i o n a r y of A m e r i c a n E n g l i s h DAH D i c t i o n a r y of A m e r i c a n History DNB D i c t i o n a r y of N a t i o n a l Biography Epistolary Record Jefferson's M S Index to Letters W r i t t e n and Received ( i n D L C : T J Papers) E v a n s Charles E v a n s , A m e r i c a n Bibliography F o r d P a u l Leicester F o r d , ed., T h e W r i t i n g s of Thomas Jefferson, "Letterpress Edition," N . Y . , 1892-1899 Fry-Jefferson M a p T h e F r y & P Jefferson M a p of V i r g i n i a and M a r y l a n d : A F a c s i m i l e of the F i r s t E d i t i o n , Princeton, 1950 George Rogers C l a r k Papers, 1 7 7 1 - 1 7 8 1 ; also 1 7 8 1 - 1 7 8 4 George Rogers C l a r k Papers, ed. James A . James, Illinois State Historical L i b r a r y , Collections, vni,xix HAW Henry A . Washington, ed., T h e W r i t i n g s of Thomas Jefferson, Washington, 1853-1854 Heitman Francis B . Heitman, H i s t o r i c a l Register of Officers of the C o n t i n e n t a l Army, new edn., Washington, 1914; also the

Cx]

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same compiler's H i s t o r i c a l Register and D i c t i o n a r y of the U n i t e d States Army [ 1 7 8 9 - 1 9 0 3 ] , Washington, 1903 Hening W i l l i a m W . Hening, T h e Statutes at L a r g e ; Being a Col­ lection of A l l the Laws of V i r g i n i a jcc Journals of the C o n t i n e n t a l Congress, 1 7 7 4 - 1 7 8 9 , ed. W . C . F o r d and others, Washington, 1904-1937 jHD J o u r n a l of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of V i r g i n i a (cited by session and date of publication) Johnston, "Jefferson Bibliography" R i c h a r d H . Johnston, " A Con­ tribution to a Bibliography of Thomas Jefferson," W r i t i n g s of Thomas Jefferson, ed. Lipscomb and B e r g h , x x , separately paged following the Index L & B Andrew A . Lipscomb and Albert E . B e r g h , eds., T h e W r i t ­ ings of Thomas Jefferson, "Memorial Edition," Washington, 1903-1904 L . C . Cat. A Catalogue of Books Represented by L i b r a r y of C o n ­ gress P r i n t e d Cards, A n n Arbor, 1942-1946; also Supple­ ment, 1948 L i b r a r y Catalogue, 1783 Jefferson's M S list of books owned and wanted in 1783 (original in Massachusetts Historical Society) L i b r a r y Catalogue, 1815 Catalogue of the L i b r a r y of the U n i t e d States, Washington, 1815 L i b r a r y Catalogue, 1829 Catalogue. President Jefferson's Li­ brary, Washington, 1829 Marraro, M a z z e i H o w a r d R . Marraro, P h i l i p M a z z e i : V i r g i n i a ' s Agent i n E u r o p e , New Y o r k , 1935 O E D A New E n g l i s h D i c t i o n a r y on H i s t o r i c a l Principles, Oxford, 1888-1933 Official Letters Official Letters of the Governors of the State of V i r g i n i a , ed. H . R . M c l l w a i n e p 8c D See V a . Gaz. PMHB T h e Pennsylvania M a g a z i n e of History and Biography Randall, L i f e Henry S. Randall, T h e L i f e of Thomas Jefferson Randolph, Domestic Life Sarah N . Randolph, T h e Domestic Life of Thomas Jefferson Randolph, " E s s a y " E d m u n d Randolph, " E s s a y on the Revolu­ tionary History of V i r g i n i a , " V M H B , X L I I I - X L V ( 1 9 3 5 - 1 9 3 7 ) Sabin Joseph Sabin and others, Bibliotheca Americana. A Dic­ tionary of Books R e l a t i n g to A m e r i c a Simcoe, M i l i t a r y J o u r n a l John Graves Simcoe, M i l i t a r y J o u r n a l , New Y o r k , 1844 Swem, I n d e x E . G . Swem, V i r g i n i a H i s t o r i c a l I n d e x

[xi]

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TO

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Swem, " V a . Bibliog." E a r l G . S w e m , " A Bibliography of V i r ­ ginia," V i r g i n i a State L i b r a r y , B u l l e t i n , v i n , x , x n ( 1 9 1 5 1919) S w e m and W i l l i a m s , "Register of the General Assembly of V a . " Appended to: V i r g i n i a State L i b r a r y , F o u r t e e n t h A n n u a l Report, 1917 TJR Thomas Jefferson Randolph, ed., M e m o i r , Correspondence, and Miscellanies, f r o m the Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Char­ lottesville, 1829 Tucker, L i f e George T u c k e r , T h e L i f e of Thomas Jefferson, Philadelphia, 1837 T y l e r , V a . Biog. L y o n G . T y l e r , Encyclopedia of V i r g i n i a Biog­ raphy Tyler's Quart. Tyler's Q u a r t e r l y H i s t o r i c a l and Genealogical Magazine V a . C o u n c i l Jour. Journals of the C o u n c i l of the State of V i r g i n i a , ed. H . R . M c l l w a i n e V a . Gaz. V i r g i n i a Gazette ( W i l l i a m s b u r g , 1751-1780, and R i c h ­ mond, 1 7 8 0 - 1 7 8 1 ) . Abbreviations for publishers of the sev­ eral newspapers of this name, frequently published concur­ rently, include the following: c & D (Clarkson & D a v i s ) , D & H (Dixon & Hunter), D & N (Dixon & Nicolson), p & D (Purdie & Dixon ) . I n all other cases the publisher's name is not abbre­ viated VMHB V i r g i n i a M a g a z i n e of History and Biography W h a r t o n , D i p l . C o r r . A m . Rev. T h e Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the U n i t e d States, ed. Francis W h a r t o n WMQ W i l l i a m and M a r y Q u a r t e r l y

[xii]

CONTENTS G U I D E TO EDITORIAL APPARATUS J E F F E R S O N CHRONOLOGY

vii 2

continued From Joseph Bell, 2 5 F e b r u a r y From Christopher Calvert, with a Note by Jefferson to the Attorney General, 2 5 F e b r u a r y to 2 1 M a r c h From Richard Claiborne, 2 5 F e b r u a r y From Robert Gamble, 2 5 F e b r u a r y From Samuel Huntington, 2 5 F e b r u a r y From Robert Lawson, 2 5 F e b r u a r y T o Robert Lawson, 2 5 F e b r u a r y T o Steuben, 2 5 F e b r u a r y From Steuben, 2 5 F e b r u a r y From Humphrey Brooke, 2 6 F e b r u a r y From Nathaniel Burwell, 2 6 F e b r u a r y T o Richard Claiborne [26? F e b r u a r y ] From W . R . W . Curie, 2 6 F e b r u a r y From Charles Dick, 2 6 F e b r u a r y T o Samuel Huntington, 2 6 F e b r u a r y From George Muter, 2 6 F e b r u a r y [From George Muter, 2 6 F e b r u a r y ] From Joseph Reed, 2 6 F e b r u a r y From John Christian Senf, 2 6 F e b r u a r y From John Syme, 2 6 F e b r u a r y T o George Washington, 2 6 F e b r u a r y T o John Fitzgerald, 2 7 F e b r u a r y T o James Innes, 2 7 F e b r u a r y From Thomas Sim Lee, 2 7 F e b r u a r y From R . William Mitchell, 2 7 F e b r u a r y [To George Muter, 2 7 F e b r u a r y ] From William Rose, 2 7 F e b r u a r y T o John Syme, 2 7 F e b r u a r y From Alexander White, 2 7 F e b r u a r y From James Wood, 2 7 F e b r u a r y From John Ballendine, 2 8 F e b r u a r y From Arthur Campbell, 2 8 F e b r u a r y

{ xiii }

3 4 4 5 5 6 7 8 9 10 10 10 11 11 12 12 13 13 13 14 15 15 15 16 16 17 17 18 18 19 19 20

CONTENTS From George Corbin, 2 8 F e b r u a r y To the County Lieutenant of Goochland, 2 8 F e b r u a r y From Nathanael Greene, [ 2 8 ] F e b r u a r y To James Maxwell, 2 8 F e b r u a r y To the Officer Commanding the French Naval Force on the Coast of Virginia, 2 8 F e b r u a r y From George Muter, with Reply, 2 8 F e b r u a r y From George Muter, with Reply, 2 8 F e b r u a r y To George Muter [ 2 8 F e b r u a r y ] To Granville Smith, 2 8 F e b r u a r y To Steuben, 2 8 F e b r u a r y From George Weedon [ 2 8 F e b r u a r y ] Return of Militia by Counties, F e b r u a r y David Ross' Memorandum concerning Supplies [ F e b r u a r y ] To Nathaniel Burwell, 1 M a r c h To Mary Willing Byrd, 1 M a r c h To the County Lieutenants of Prince George and Other Counties, 1 M a r c h To James Innes, 1 M a r c h To the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 1 M a r c h From George Muter, with Reply, 1 M a r c h [From George Muter, 1 M a r c h ] From Charles Scott, 1 M a r c h Memoranda of Needs Submitted by Steuben [ c a . 1 M a r c h ] Memorial of British Prisoners, 1 M a r c h From John Dixon, 2 M a r c h From Samuel Huntington, enclosing a Resolution of Congress Adopting the Articles of Confederation, 2 M a r c h To James Innes, 2 M a r c h To Lafayette, 2 M a r c h From Charles Magill, 2 M a r c h [From George Muter, 2 M a r c h ] From George Muter, 2 M a r c h To George Muter, 2 M a r c h Notes concerning Preparations for the Expedition against Portsmouth [ c a . 3 M a r c h ] To Edward Carrington, 3 M a r c h From James Innes, 3 M a r c h From Lafayette, 3 M a r c h To the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 3 M a r c h From M . Marston, 3 M a r c h [From George Muter, 3 M a r c h ]

txiv]

21 22 22 25 25 26 26 27 27 28 28 29 30 30 31 32 32 33 37 38 38 39 40 41 41 42 43 43 45 45 46 46 47 48 49 51 52 52

CONTENTS To George Muter, 3 M a r c h [From George Muter, 3 M a r c h ] From Duncan Rose, 3 M a r c h To the General Assembly of North Carolina, 3 M a r c h From George Weedon, 3 M a r c h From William Call, 4 M a r c h To the Commanding Officer of the French Squadron, 4 M a r c h From Samuel Huntington, 4 M a r c h To William Lewis, 4 M a r c h Commission to William Lewis [ 4 M a r c h ] To Marbois, 4 M a r c h To Timothy Pickering, 4 M a r c h To Richard Claiborne [before 5 M a r c h ] To the Judges of the High Court of Chancery, 5 M a r c h To the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 5 M a r c h From Charles Magill, 5 M a r c h From Hudson Martin, 5 M a r c h From James Maxwell, 5 M a r c h [From George Muter, with Reply, 5 M a r c h ] From George Muter, 5 M a r c h To Steuben, 5 M a r c h From Steuben, 5 M a r c h From Steuben's Aide-de-Camp, 5 M a r c h To George Weedon, 5 M a r c h From James Wood, 5 M a r c h From Richard Claiborne, 6 M a r c h To William Davies, 6 M a r c h From Samuel Huntington, 6 M a r c h From James Innes, 6 M a r c h From Lafayette, 6 M a r c h To the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 6 M a r c h To Thomas Sim Lee, 6 M a r c h From George Muter, 6 M a r c h To George Muter, 6 M a r c h [From George Muter, with Reply, 6 M a r c h ] [To George Muter, 6 M a r c h ] From the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 6 M a r c h From George Carrington, Jr., 7 M a r c h From Richard Claiborne, 7 M a r c h To Joseph Holmes, 7 M a r c h From Joseph Holmes, 7 M a r c h From Thomas Sim Lee, 7 M a r c h [XV]

52 53 53 53 54 55 55 56 57 58 58 59 60 61 61 62 64 64 65 65 65 66 70 70 71 72 72 72 73 74 76 77 78 80 80 81 81 82 82 84 84 85

CONTENTS [To Charles Magill, 7 M a r c h ] From George Muter, with Reply, 7 M a r c h From Edmund Pendleton, 7 M a r c h To Steuben, 7 M a r c h From Steuben, 7 M a r c h From William Davies, 8 M a r c h To Samuel Huntington, 8 M a r c h To Lafayette, 8 M a r c h To the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 8 M a r c h To William Lewis, 8 M a r c h From Charles Magill, 8 M a r c h From James Maxwell, 8 M a r c h From George Muter, 8 M a r c h From William Phillips, 8 M a r c h To Steuben, 8 M a r c h From Steuben, 8 M a r c h From Francis Taylor, 8 M a r c h To the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 8 M a r c h From John Walker, 8 M a r c h To George Washington, 8 M a r c h From John Banister, 9 M a r c h To the County Lieutenants of Chesterfield and Dinwiddie, 9 March To the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 9 M a r c h To the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 9 M a r c h [From George Muter, 9 M a r c h ] From Steuben, 9 M a r c h From John Walker [9 M a r c h ] From George Weedon, 9 M a r c h From George Wythe, 9 M a r c h From Nathanael Greene, 1 0 M a r c h To Lafayette, 1 0 M a r c h To the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 1 0 M a r c h From Charles Magill, 1 0 M a r c h From J . P. G . Muhlenberg, 1 0 M a r c h To Granville Smith, 1 0 M a r c h To Steuben, 1 0 M a r c h To Steuben, 1 0 M a r c h From Steuben, 1 0 M a r c h To George Lee Turberville, 1 0 M a r c h To George Weedon, 1 0 M a r c h From George Weedon, 1 0 M a r c h

[xvi]

86 87 87 89 90 90 91 92 93 93 93 94 96 97 98 98 100 101 101 102 104 104 105 105 106 106 108 108 110 111 113 114 115 116 117 117 119 121 121 122 122

CONTENTS From James Callaway, 1 1 M a r c h From Richard Claiborne, enclosing a Letter from Steuben, 11 M a r c h From William Davies, 1 1 M a r c h From William Lewis, 1 1 M a r c h To William Lewis, 1 1 M a r c h From John Syme, 1 1 M a r c h From John Allen, 12 M a r c h To the County Lieutenants of Hanover and Certain Other Counties, 12 M a r c h To Joseph Holmes, 12 M a r c h To Lafayette, 12 M a r c h To Lafayette, 12 M a r c h To Thomas Sim Lee, 12 M a r c h To Thomas Sim Lee, 12 M a r c h To James Maxwell, 12 M a r c h From George Muter, enclosing an Exchange of Letters with John Walker, 12 M a r c h To Thomas Newton, Jr., 12 M a r c h To the Superintendent of the Shipyard, 12 M a r c h To the Superintendent of the Public Vessels and Workmen at the Shipyard on Chickahominy, 12 M a r c h To James Wood, 12 M a r c h To John Banister, 13 M a r c h From Richard Claiborne, 13 M a r c h To the County Lieutenants of Accomac and Northampton Counties, 13 M a r c h To William Davies, 13 M a r c h From Charles Magill, 13 M a r c h To James Maxwell, 13 M a r c h To J . P. G . Muhlenberg, 13 M a r c h From George Muter, 13 M a r c h From George Muter, with Reply, 13 M a r c h [From George Muter, 13 M a r c h ] To George Muter, 13 M a r c h To David Ross, 13 M a r c h To George Weedon, 13 M a r c h From John Banister, 1 4 M a r c h From Richard Claiborne, 1 4 M a r c h From Joseph Crockett, 1 4 M a r c h From Beesly Edgar Joel, 1 4 M a r c h To Lafayette, 1 4 M a r c h [ xvii}

123 124 125 125 126 126 126 128 128 129 130 131 131 132 133 135 135 135 136 136 136 137 137 138 138 139 139 139 140 140 141 141 141 142 142 143 144

CONTENTS From Hugh McGavock, 1 4 M a r c h To Robert Mitchell or William Lewis, 1 4 M a r c h [To the State Naval Officers, ca. 1 4 M a r c h ] To Francis Taylor, 1 4 M a r c h William Cole to George Muter, with Jefferson's Instructions to Muter, 1 5 - 1 9 M a r c h Petition of Brewer Godwin and Others [before 1 5 M a r c h ] To Brewer Godwin, 1 5 M a r c h From Thomas Sim Lee, 1 5 M a r c h From William Lewis, 1 5 M a r c h From Robert Mitchell, 1 5 M a r c h To the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 1 5 M a r c h From Isaac Avery, 1 6 M a r c h From Humphrey Brooke, 1 6 M a r c h From William Clayton, 1 6 M a r c h To George Elliott, 1 6 M a r c h From Nathanael Greene, 1 6 M a r c h Joseph Jones to the Auditors, with James Hayes' Account and Jefferson's Memorandum, 1 6 M a r c h to [ 5 A p r i l ? ] From Lafayette, 1 6 M a r c h To Richard Henry Lee [ 1 6 ? ] M a r c h To the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 1 6 M a r c h From Charles Magill, 1 6 M a r c h To J . P. G . Muhlenberg, 1 6 M a r c h To John Banister, 1 7 M a r c h From Thomas Gaskins, 1 7 M a r c h To Samuel Griffin, James Southall, and Robert Anderson, 17 March From Lafayette, 1 7 M a r c h To the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 1 7 M a r c h To the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 1 7 M a r c h From Thomas Sim Lee, 1 7 M a r c h [From George Muter, 1 7 M a r c h ] To George Muter, 1 7 M a r c h From David Ross, 1 7 M a r c h To David Ross, 1 7 M a r c h From Edward Travis, 1 7 M a r c h From John Walker, 1 7 M a r c h From William Davies, 1 8 M a r c h To William Lewis, 1 8 M a r c h From William Lewis, 1 8 M a r c h To Robert Mitchell, 1 8 M a r c h [ xviii ]

145 146 146 147 147 148 149 150 150 151 152 153 154 154 155 156 157 159 160 161 162 163 164 164 166 166 167 168 168 169 169 169 171 171 173 173 176 177 177

CONTENTS To William Davies, 1 9 M a r c h From George Gibson, 1 9 M a r c h To Samuel Huntington, 1 9 M a r c h To Lafayette, 1 9 M a r c h To the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 1 9 M a r c h From Charles Magill, 1 9 M a r c h From Littleberry H . Mosby, with Jefferson's Instructions, 19 March [To George Muter, 1 9 M a r c h ] From Riedesel, 1 9 M a r c h To George Washington, 1 9 M a r c h From George Weedon, 1 9 M a r c h To James Barron, 2 0 M a r c h From James Barron, 2 0 M a r c h From Abraham Buford, 2 0 M a r c h From Miles King, 2 0 M a r c h From Lafayette, 2 0 M a r c h To James Maxwell, 2 0 M a r c h From J . P. G . Muhlenberg, 2 0 M a r c h From George Muter, 2 0 M a r c h From Edmund Pendleton, Jr., 2 0 M a r c h To David Ross, 2 0 M a r c h George Twyman to Nicholas Lewis and Isaac Davis, with Jefferson's Instructions to William Davies, 2 0 - 2 8 M a r c h From the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 2 0 M a r c h To Isaac Avery, 2 1 M a r c h To the Officer Commanding the French Naval Force, 2 1 M a r c h To John Browne, 2 1 M a r c h From Richard Claiborne, 2 1 M a r c h To the Commanding Officer of the Charles City County Militia, 21 March To William Davies, 2 1 M a r c h From William Davies, 2 1 M a r c h From William Davies, 2 1 M a r c h To Thomas Fletcher, 2 1 M a r c h To Samuel Huntington, 2 1 M a r c h From Samuel Huntington, 2 1 M a r c h To Thomas Sim Lee, 2 1 M a r c h To John Peyton, enclosing Advice of Council concerning the Clothier's Department, 2 1 M a r c h From George Lee Turberville, 2 1 M a r c h To George Washington, 2 1 M a r c h [ xix ]

178 178 179 179 182 182 183 183 184 185 185 186 187 187 188 188 189 190 190 191 191 192 193 193 194 194 195 195 196 196 197 198 198 200 200 200 201 202

CONTENTS From George Washington, 2 1 M a r c h To George Weedon, 2 1 M a r c h From George Weedon, 2 1 M a r c h To the County Lieutenants of Buckingham and Amherst, 22 M a r c h To the County Lieutenant of Culpeper, 22 M a r c h To William Davies, 22 M a r c h From George Elliott, 22 M a r c h To the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 22 M a r c h From William Greene Munford, 22 M a r c h From George Muter, 22 M a r c h To Thomas Nelson, 22 M a r c h From John? Overton, 22 M a r c h From David Ross, 22 M a r c h From John Syme, 22 M a r c h From Isaac and Abram Van Bibber & Company, 22 M a r c h Invoice of Dixon & Nicolson for Printing [ 2 3 M a r c h to 3 A p r i l ] From James Callaway, 23 M a r c h To Christopher Calvert, 23 M a r c h From Charles Dabney, 23 M a r c h To George Elliott, 23 M a r c h From Nathanael Greene, 23 M a r c h From Samuel Huntington, 23 M a r c h From Lafayette, 23 M a r c h To Sarah Mcintosh, 23 M a r c h From Daniel Morgan, 23 M a r c h From LeRoy Peachey, 23 M a r c h From George Rice, 23 M a r c h To Edward Travis, 23 M a r c h From Beverley Winslow, 23 M a r c h To Richard Claiborne and Granville Smith, 2 4 M a r c h From Richard Claiborne, 2 4 M a r c h From Richard Claiborne, 2 4 M a r c h To the Commanding Officer of the British Force at Portsmouth, 24 March To the Governor of Hispaniola, 2 4 M a r c h To Nathanael Greene, 2 4 M a r c h To Lafayette, 2 4 M a r c h To Lafayette, 2 4 M a r c h To Abner Nash, 2 4 M a r c h Final Settlement of Accounts of Peter Pelham as Keeper of the Public Jail [ 2 4 M a r c h ]

I

XX]

202 203 203 204 204 204 205 206 207 207 208 208 208 209 210 211 212 214 214 214 215 216 217 218 218 219 223 223 224 224 225 226 227 228 229 231 231 234 235

CONTENTS To William Preston, William Christian, and Joseph Martin, 24 March From George Rice, 2 4 M a r c h To Anthony Walton White, 2 4 M a r c h From Richard Barron, 2 6 M a r c h From the Continental Board of War, enclosing a Letter to James Wood, 2 6 M a r c h From Richard Claiborne, 2 6 M a r c h To Certain County Magistrates, 2 6 M a r c h To Certain Other County Magistrates, 2 6 M a r c h To the County Lieutenants, 2 6 M a r c h [To William Davies, with Reply, 2 6 M a r c h ] From William Davies, 2 6 M a r c h From Christian Febiger, 2 6 M a r c h To Samuel Huntington, 2 6 M a r c h From Samuel Huntington, 2 6 M a r c h From John McCoy, 2 6 M a r c h Proclamation of Embargo, 2 6 M a r c h From John Christian Senf, with Jefferson's Instructions to William Davies, 2 6 M a r c h From Steuben, 2 6 M a r c h To George Lee Turberville, 2 6 M a r c h To the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 2 6 M a r c h From James Barbour, 2 7 M a r c h From George Rogers Clark, 2 7 M a r c h To the County Lieutenants of Berkeley, Frederick, and Hampshire Counties, 2 7 M a r c h To the County Lieutenants of Orange and Certain Other Counties, 2 7 M a r c h To the County Lieutenant of Shenandoah, 2 7 M a r c h [From William Davies, 2 7 M a r c h ] From Andrew Donnally, 2 7 M a r c h From Heinrich Gerlach [ 2 7 M a r c h ] From Nathanael Greene, 2 7 M a r c h From Herstale [ 2 7 M a r c h ] From Miles King, 2 7 M a r c h From Lafayette, 2 7 M a r c h From Richard Henry Lee, 2 7 M a r c h To Charles Lynch, 2 7 M a r c h From Joseph Reed, 2 7 M a r c h From David Ross, 2 7 M a r c h To David Ross, 2 7 M a r c h [xxi]

236 237 238 238 239 240 242 242 243 244 244 246 246 247 247 248 248 250 250 251 251 252 254* 255 255 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 263 264 266

CONTENTS From the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 2 7 M a r c h From George Weedon, 2 7 M a r c h From Arthur Campbell, 2 8 M a r c h To the Commissioners of the Tax, 2 8 M a r c h To William Davies, 2 8 M a r c h To Samuel Huntington, 2 8 M a r c h To Lafayette, 2 8 M a r c h From Robert Mitchell, 2 8 M a r c h From French Strother, 2 8 M a r c h To George Washington, 2 8 M a r c h From George Weedon, 2 8 M a r c h From John Browne, 2 9 M a r c h From Richard Call, 2 9 M a r c h To the County Lieutenants of Montgomery and Certain Other Counties, 2 9 M a r c h From the Tax Commissioners of Culpeper County, 2 9 M a r c h From William Davies, with Reply, 2 9 M a r c h From William Harrison, 2 9 M a r c h To William Lewis, 2 9 M a r c h From Nicholas Long, 2 9 M a r c h To Robert Mitchell, 2 9 M a r c h From Robert Mitchell [after 2 9 M a r c h ] From Sir John Peyton, 2 9 M a r c h From George Weedon, 2 9 M a r c h From Nathaniel Burwell, 3 0 M a r c h To Richard Call, 3 0 M a r c h From William Churchill, 3 0 M a r c h To Richard Claiborne, 3 0 M a r c h From Richard Claiborne, 3 0 M a r c h From Richard Claiborne, 3 0 M a r c h To the County Lieutenants, 3 0 M a r c h To William R. Davie, 3 0 M a r c h From William Davies, with Reply, 3 0 M a r c h To Nathanael Greene, 3 0 M a r c h To Samuel Griffin, James Southall, and Robert Anderson, 30 March From Samuel Huntington, 3 0 M a r c h From Daniel L . Hylton, with Jefferson's Instructions to William Davies, 3 0 M a r c h From James Innes, 3 0 M a r c h From Thomas Jones, 3 0 M a r c h [To J . P. G . Muhlenberg, 3 0 M a r c h ]

[ xxii ]

266 267 267 268 269 269 270 271 272 272 273 274 274 275 278 278 280 280 281 282 282 282 283 284 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 290 291 292 292 293 293 295 295

C O N T E N T S From Catherine Park, 3 0 M a r c h To David Ross, 3 0 M a r c h To Granville Smith, 3 0 M a r c h From George Weedon, 3 0 M a r c h From Edward Carrington, 3 1 M a r c h From William Davies, with Reply, 3 1 M a r c h to 2 A p r i l From William Davies, with Reply, 3 1 M a r c h To Heinrich Gerlach and Herstale, 3 1 M a r c h From Nathanael Greene, 3 1 M a r c h To Samuel Huntington, 3 1 M a r c h To the Rev. James Madison and Robert Andrews, 3 1 M a r c h From Joseph Martin, 3 1 M a r c h From William Peachey, 3 1 M a r c h To William Phillips, 3 1 M a r c h From Duncan Rose, 3 1 M a r c h To David Ross, 3 1 M a r c h To George Weedon, 3 1 M a r c h To James Wood, 3 1 M a r c h Recapitulation of Tours of Duty Performed by the Virginia Militia [ M a r c h ] From John Fitzgerald, 1 A p r i l To Nathanael Greene, 1 A p r i l To Nathanael Greene, 1 A p r i l From J . P . G . Muhlenberg, 1 A p r i l From Steuben, 1 A p r i l From John Tyler, 1 A p r i l From Robert Walton, 1 A p r i l From George Weedon, 1 A p r i l From James Barbour, 2 A p r i l From Richard Claiborne, 2 A p r i l From Richard Claiborne, 2 A p r i l From Linctot, 2 A p r i l To Nicholas Long, 2 A p r i l From Mann Page, 2 A p r i l From Absolem Pollard, 2 A p r i l From Matthew Pope, 2 A p r i l To Francis Taylor, 2 A p r i l To the Commissioners of the T a x for Culpeper and Prince William Counties, 2 A p r i l To Robert Walton, 2 A p r i l From George Weedon, 2 A p r i l To the Auditors, 3 A p r i l [ xxiii ]

296 296 297 297 297 298 300 301 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 308 309 310 311 312 313 315 316 316 316 317 318 318 319 320 321 321 322 322 322 323 323 324 324

CONTENTS From Richard Campbell, 3 A p r i l From James Madison, enclosing a Communication to L a Luzerne, 3 A p r i l To J . P. G . Muhlenberg, 3 A p r i l William Phillips to J . P. G . Muhlenberg, 3 A p r i l From Alexander Spotswood, 3 A p r i l To Steuben, 3 A p r i l From Francis Taylor, 3 A p r i l From the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 3 A p r i l From Peter Wagener, 3 A p r i l To George Weedon, 3 A p r i l From George Weedon, 3 A p r i l From Robert Andrews, 4 A p r i l To the Auditors, 4 A p r i l From Arthur Campbell, 4 A p r i l From Richard Claiborne, 4 A p r i l To William Davies, 4 A p r i l [From William Davies, 4 A p r i l ] [To William Davies, 4 A p r i l ] From Nathanael Greene, 4 A p r i l From Lafayette, 4 A p r i l From James Maxwell, 4 A p r i l From Thomas Read, 4 A p r i l From George Rice, enclosing a Petition from the Inhabitants in the Vicinity of the Albemarle Barracks, 4 A p r i l From Steuben [ 4 A p r i l ] From George Washington, 4 A p r i l To George Weedon, 4 A p r i l To James Barbour, 5 A p r i l To James Callaway, 5 A p r i l William Cherry's Account of Expenses, with Jefferson's Certification, 5 A p r i l From Charles Dick, 5 A p r i l To Nathanael Greene, 5 A p r i l To Thomas Nelson, 5 A p r i l From Anthony Walton White, 5 A p r i l From William Call, 6 A p r i l From Richard Claiborne, 6 A p r i l From William Davies, with Reply, 6 A p r i l From Nathanael Greene, 6 A p r i l From John Nelson, 6 A p r i l From William Phillips, 6 A p r i l

[ xxiv ]

325 325 328 329 331 332 333 334 335 337 338 339 339 339 340 341 341 342 342 342 344 344 346 349 351 351 353 353 354 355 356 357 357 358 358 358 360 362 363

CONTENTS William Phillips to George Weedon, 6 A p r i l To Steuben, 6 A p r i l To Steuben, 6 A p r i l To the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 6 A p r i l From William Constable, 7 A p r i l To Captains Hardy and Young, 7 A p r i l To Samuel Huntington, 7 A p r i l From Edmund Read, 7 A p r i l From Thomas Read, 7 A p r i l To Thomas Read, 7 A p r i l From David Ross, [7] A p r i l Tax Commissioners of Lancaster County to the Auditors, with a Note by Jefferson, 7 A p r i l To Robert Andrews, 8 A p r i l From Humphrey Brooke, 8 A p r i l To the Rev. James Madison, 8 A p r i l From Philip Mazzei, 8 A p r i l From Joseph Prends, 8 A p r i l From George Weedon, 8 A p r i l From Robert Wooding, with a Memorandum by Jefferson, 8 April Advice of Council respecting James Hayes' Newspaper [9 April] To the Auditors, 9 A p r i l To Richard Claiborne, 9 A p r i l From Richard Claiborne, 9 A p r i l From Joseph Clay, enclosing His Account against the State, 9 April From William Davies, 9 A p r i l [From William Davies, 9 A p r i l ] From Samuel Huntington, 9 A p r i l From Henry Lee, Sr., 9 A p r i l [From Richard Henry Lee, 9 A p r i l ] From Henry Towles, 9 A p r i l To the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 9 A p r i l From William Christian, 1 0 A p r i l From William Davies, with Reply, 1 0 A p r i l From Alexander Dick, 1 0 A p r i l From Abner Nash, 1 0 A p r i l From William Preston, 1 0 A p r i l From Edmund Read, 1 0 A p r i l To Thomas Read, 1 0 A p r i l

[xxv}

364 366 366 367 369 369 370 371 371 372 372 373 373 373 374 375 383 383 385 386 386 388 389 390 391 392 392 393 394 394 395 395 396 397 398 398 399 400

CONTENTS Tò Steuben, 1 0 A p r i l To Edward Travis, 1 0 A p r i l To George Weedon, 1 0 A p r i l To the Auditors, 1 1 A p r i l From James Callaway, 1 1 A p r i l To the County Lieutenant of Frederick, 1 1 A p r i l From William Davies, with Reply, 1 1 A p r i l From William Garrard and Other Officers of the Stafford Militia [ 1 1 A p r i l ] From Nathanael Greene, 1 1 A p r i l From John Skinker, 1 1 A p r i l From James Slaughter, 1 1 A p r i l To James Slaughter, 1 1 A p r i l To Francis Taylor, 1 1 A p r i l From Garret Van Meter, 1 1 A p r i l From George Weedon, 1 1 A p r i l From George Bird, 12 A p r i l To Robert Boiling and Others, 12 A p r i l To William Call, 12 A p r i l From Richard Claiborne, 12 A p r i l From the Continental Board of War, 12 A p r i l To the County Lieutenants, 12 A p r i l To the County Lieutenants of King William and Certain Other Counties, 12 A p r i l From William Davies, with Reply, 12 A p r i l From William Davies, 12 A p r i l To James Hendricks, 12 A p r i l To L a Luzerne, 12 A p r i l From Robert Mitchell, 12 A p r i l From John O'Bannon, 12 A p r i l From Lindsay Opie and James Ball, 12 A p r i l From John Christian Senf, with a Note from Jefferson to William Davies, 12 A p r i l From Francis Taylor, 12 A p r i l From Foster Webb, 12 A p r i l To , 13 A p r i l From Richard Claiborne, 13 A p r i l From Richard Claiborne, 13 A p r i l From William Davies, 13 A p r i l From Prévost Deleurieux, 13 A p r i l From Thomas Gaskins, 13 A p r i l From George Gilmer, 13 A p r i l [ xxvi]

400 401 401 402 402 403 404 404 405 406 407 408 408 409 410 411 412 413 414 414 415 416 416 418 419 421 423 423 4>24> 425 426 428 428 428 429 429 430 430 430

CONTENTS From Thomas Hamilton, 13 A p r i l From Joseph Holmes, 13 A p r i l From L a Luzerne, 13 A p r i l To Henry Lee, Sr., 13 A p r i l From Richard Henry Lee, 13 A p r i l From John Page, 13 A p r i l From William Preston, 13 A p r i l From George Slaughter, 13 A p r i l To the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 13 A p r i l To John Boush and Nicholas Payne, 1 4 A p r i l To John Browne, 1 4 A p r i l From William Call, 1 4 A p r i l From Richard Claiborne, enclosing an Extract of a Letter from Joseph Holmes, 1 4 A p r i l To the County Lieutenants of Fauquier and Certain Other Counties, 1 4 A p r i l To Samuel Cox, 1 4 A p r i l To Andrew Donnally, 1 4 A p r i l From John Gordon and John Hull, 1 4 A p r i l James Henderson's Account as Express, with Jefferson's Certification, 1 4 A p r i l From James Mercer, 1 4 A p r i l To John O'Bannon, 1 4 A p r i l From George Skillern, 1 4 A p r i l To John Skinker and William Garrard, 1 4 A p n l From George Slaughter, 1 4 A p r i l To Samuel Smith, 1 4 A p r i l To Steuben, 1 4 A p r i l To Oliver Towles, 1 4 A p r i l From Garret Van Meter, 1 4 A p r i l To George Weedon, 1 4 A p r i l From George Weedon, 1 4 A p r i l From Samuel Huntington, 1 5 A p r i l From David Ross, 1 5 A p r i l From Steuben, 1 5 A p r i l Steuben to William Phillips [ 1 5 A p r i l ] From John Taylor, 1 5 A p r i l From John Todd, 1 5 A p r i l From John Todd, 1 5 A p r i l To George Bird, 1 6 A p r i l To James Callaway, 1 6 A p r i l From William Davies, 1 6 A p r i l [ xxvii ]

432 432 433 434 434 436 436 439 440 440 441 441 442 443 444 444 445 446 446 448 449 451 452 452 452 454 455 456 456 458 453 459 459 461 461 462 464 464 465

CONTENTS From John Floyd, 1 6 A p r i l To David Jameson, 1 6 A p r i l From Joseph Jones, 1 6 A p r i l To Richard Henry Lee, 1 6 A p r i l From James Madison, 1 6 A p r i l To J . P. G . Muhlenberg, 1 6 A p r i l From Henry Skipwith, 1 6 A p r i l To Charles Thomas, 1 6 A p r i l To Arthur Campbell, 1 7 A p r i l To William Christian, 1 7 A p r i l From Lafayette, 1 7 A p r i l To Joseph Reed, 1 7 A p r i l From Steuben, with Plan for Defensive Operations, 1 7 A p r i l From the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 1 7 A p r i l To George Weedon, 1 7 A p r i l To Beverley Winslow, 1 7 A p r i l From James Wood, 1 7 A p r i l Thaddy Kelly to James Innes [ 1 8 A p r i l ] James Barron to the Commanding Officer at Williamsburg [18 April] To William Call, 1 8 A p r i l To Charles Dick, 1 8 A p r i l To Samuel Huntington, 1 8 A p r i l From Samuel Huntington, 1 8 A p r i l From James Innes, 1 8 A p r i l From James Innes, 1 8 A p r i l To Timothy Matlack, 1 8 A p r i l From Littleberry Mosby, 1 8 A p r i l To John Page, 1 8 A p r i l To Joseph Reed, 1 8 A p r i l From Eleanor Sheed, 1 8 A p r i l From George Slaughter, 1 8 A p r i l From George Washington, 1 8 A p r i l From Robert Wooding, 1 8 A p r i l To the County Lieutenants of Henrico and Certain Other Counties, 1 9 A p r i l To the County Lieutenant of Henrico, 1 9 A p r i l From Samuel Huntington, 1 9 A p r i l From James Innes, 1 9 A p r i l From John Christian Senf, 1 9 A p r i l To Steuben, 1 9 A p r i l From Steuben, 1 9 A p r i l

[ xxviii ]

465 468 469 472 473 475 475 476 476 476 477 478 479 481 483 484 484 485 486 487 488 488 489 489 490 490 491 491 492 493 493 494 495 496 497 497 499 499 500 502

CONTENTS To the Treasurer, Register of the Land Office, Auditors, Com­ missioner of the Navy, and Clerks of the Assembly, Gen­ eral Court, and Court of Chancery, 1 9 A p r i l To James Barron, 2 0 A p r i l To George Rogers Clark, 2 0 A p r i l To William Harrison, 2 0 A p r i l From James Innes, enclosing a Letter from William Davenport to Innes, 2 0 A p r i l From James Innes, 2 0 A p r i l From James Innes, 2 0 A p r i l From Samuel McDowell, 2 0 A p r i l From Littleberry Mosby, 2 0 A p r i l From Littleberry Mosby, 2 0 A p r i l To William Phillips, 2 0 A p r i l John Christian Senf to Steuben, 2 0 A p r i l To Steuben, 2 0 A p r i l From John Syme, 2 0 A p r i l From Oliver Towles, 2 0 A p r i l From Garret Van Meter, 2 0 A p r i l Garret Van Meter and Others to the Auditors, with Andrew Woodrow's Bill and Jefferson's Certification, 2 0 A p r i l From William Davies, with Reply, 2 1 A p r i l From William Davies, 2 1 A p r i l From Charles Dick, 2 1 A p r i l William Ellzey's Certification of Charles Lee to Practise in the County Courts [ 2 1 A p r i l ] From Benjamin Harrison [ 2 1 A p r i l ] From Benjamin Harrison [21? A p r i l ] From William Hay, 2 1 A p r i l From William Hay, 2 1 A p r i l From Samuel Huntington, 2 1 A p r i l To James Innes, 2 1 A p r i l From James Innes, 2 1 A p r i l From Lafayette, 2 1 A p r i l To William Preston, 2 1 A p r i l To Steuben, 2 1 A p r i l To Steuben, 2 1 A p r i l To Steuben, 2 1 A p r i l From Steuben [ 2 1 A p r i l ] To John Syme, 2 1 A p r i l From John Syme, 2 1 A p r i l From George Weedon, 2 1 A p r i l [ xxix ]

502 503 503 504 504 505 506 507 508 509 509 510 511 512 513 513 515 515 517 517 518 518 519 519 519 520 520 521 522 524 525 525 525 526 527 528 529

CONTENTS To Robert Wooding, 2 1 A p r i l From Daniel Fisher, 22 A p r i l To Benjamin Harrison, 22 A p r i l From James Innes, 22 A p r i l To James Innes, 22 A p r i l Joseph Martin to Arthur Campbell, 22 A p r i l To Steuben, 22 A p r i l From William Davies, with Reply, 23 A p r i l From William Davies, 23 A p r i l To Samuel Huntington, 23 A p r i l From James Innes, 23 A p r i l To Lafayette, 23 A p r i l To Samuel McDowell, 23 A p r i l From Sarah Mcintosh, 23 A p r i l To the President of the Board of War, 23 A p r i l From Steuben, 23 A p r i l Steuben to William Davies, 23 A p r i l To George Washington, 23 A p r i l To George Weedon, 23 A p r i l From Rawleigh Colston, 2 4 A p r i l To Daniel Fisher, 2 4 A p r i l From John Floyd, 2 4 A p r i l From James Innes, 2 4 A p r i l From Edmund Read, 2 4 A p r i l To Steuben, 2 4 A p r i l From the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 2 4 A p r i l From Arthur Campbell, 2 5 A p r i l From Lafayette, 2 5 A p r i l From Reuben Lindsay, 2 5 A p r i l From George Weedon, 2 5 A p r i l From James Maxwell, with a List of Armed Vessels, 2 6 A p r i l To Read, 2 6 A p r i l To Steuben, 2 6 A p r i l To Steuben, [ 2 6 ] A p r i l To Steuben, 2 6 A p r i l From Joseph Woodson, 2 6 A p r i l From Samuel Huntington, enclosing a Letter from Ebenezer Hazard, 2 7 A p r i l From Lafayette, 2 7 A p r i l From Thomas Sim Lee, 2 7 A p r i l To Steuben, 2 7 A p r i l To Garret Van Meter, 2 7 A p r i l [ XXX ]

530 531 532 532 533 534 536 537 538 538 539 541 541 542 542 543 544 545 545 546 547 547 548 548 549 550 552 553 554 555 557 558 559 560 560 561 562 564 564 565 565

CONTENTS From the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 2 7 A p r i l From Nathanael Greene [ 2 8 A p r i l ] From Beesly Edgar Joel [ 2 8 A p r i l ] From Thomas Read, enclosing a Resolution of the Charlotte County Militia Officers, 2 8 A p r i l From Charles Bellini, 2 9 A p r i l From Vivian Brooking, 2 9 A p r i l From Heinrich Gerlach, 2 9 A p r i l From Churchill Gibbs, 2 9 A p r i l From John Rogers, 2 9 A p r i l Edward Carrington to Timothy Pickering, 3 0 A p r i l From Nathanael Greene, 3 0 A p r i l From Miles King, 3 0 A p r i l From Boiling Stark, 3 0 A p r i l Henry Young to William Davies, 3 0 A p r i l To the Auditors, 1 M a y From Richard Claiborne, 1 M a y From John Dixon, 1 M a y From Robert Lawson, 1 M a y From James Madison, 1 M a y To the Members of Assembly for Fluvanna and Certain Other Counties, 1 M a y From the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 1 M a y From James Barbour, 2 M a y To the County Lieutenants of Elizabeth City and Certain Other Counties, 2 M a y To the County Lieutenant of Gloucester, 2 M a y Depositions concerning the Flag Ship A l e r t [ 2 M a y ] To James Innes, 2 M a y To James Innes, 2 M a y From Richard Claiborne, enclosing an Extract of a Letter from William Claiborne, 3 M a y To William Davies [ 3 M a y ] To Heinrich Gerlach, 3 M a y From Sir John Peyton, 3 M a y To Richard Claiborne, 4 M a y From James Downie and William Thompson, with Jefferson's Instructions, 4 M a y To Robert Lawson, 4 M a y To Abraham Penn, 4 M a y Petition from the Inhabitants of Kaskaskia, 4 M a y From David Ross, 4 M a y

[ xxxi]

566 567 570 571 572 573 573 573 574 574 578 579 579 580 581 581 583 583 584 585 586 587 588 588 588 592 593 594 594 595 596 596 597 597 598 599 600

CONTENTS [From Steuben, ca. 4 May] To the County Lieutenants of Henrico and Certain Other Counties, 5 M a y To the County Lieutenant of Culpeper, 5 M a y From James Madison, 5 M a y From George Moffett, 5 M a y From George Muter, 5 M a y To Sir John Peyton, 5 M a y From David Ross, 5 M a y From Francis Taylor, 5 May From the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 5 M a y From Benjamin Franklin, 6 M a y To Lafayette, 6 M a y From Joseph Reed, 6 M a y To the County Lieutenants of Charles City and Certain Other Counties, 7 M a y From James Hendricks, 7 M a y To Robert Lawson, 8 M a y To the County Lieutenants and Others [ 8 M a y ] To the County Lieutenants of Lunenberg and Certain Other Counties, 8 M a y To the County Lieutenant of Spotsylvania, 8 M a y To the County Lieutenants of Louisa and Certain Other Counties, 8 M a y To the County Lieutenants of King William and Hanover, 8 May To the County Lieutenants of Henry and Certain Other Counties, 8 M a y To the County Lieutenant of King and Queen, 8 M a y To the County Lieutenants of Chesterfield and Dinwiddie, 8 May From William Davies, with Reply, 8 M a y From William Davies to the Commissioners of Accomac and Northampton Counties, 8 M a y From the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 8 M a y To Samuel Huntington, 9 M a y From Samuel McDowell, 9 M a y To George Washington, 9 M a y To John Scarsbrook Wills, 9 M a y To the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 1 0 M a y From Richard Henry Lee, 1 0 M a y From Thomas Nelson, 1 0 M a y

[ xxxii ]

601 601 602 602 603 605 605 606 607 608 610 610 611 612 612 613 614 614 616 616 617 617 618 618 618 619 620 621 621 623 625 626 629 631

CONTENTS Order in Council concerning the Copying of Public Records [10 May] To the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 1 0 M a y To George Washington and the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 10 M a y From Miles King, 1 1 M a y To Robert Lawson, 1 1 M a y From Robert Lawson, 1 1 M a y From William Langborn, 12 M a y From Jacques Le Maire, 12 M a y To Col. William Fleming, 13 M a y To Andrew Lewis, 13 M a y From Mann Page, enclosing Court Proceedings against a Slave, together with Jefferson's Reprieve, 13 M a y Nathan Reid to William Davies, 13 M a y Henry Young to William Davies, 13 M a y From Dudley Digges, 1 4 M a y To Lafayette, 1 4 M a y From George Mason, 1 4 M a y From Joseph Reed, 1 4 M a y To the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 1 4 M a y [From Henry Young, before 1 5 May] From the Commissioners for Collecting Taxes in Accomac County, 1 5 M a y To James Monroe, 1 5 M a y To Those Appointed by Lafayette to Remove Horses out of the Route of the Enemy, 1 5 M a y From Carter Braxton, 1 6 M a y From Robert Lawson, 1 6 M a y From Reuben Mitchell, 1 6 M a y From David Ross, enclosing Account of Loss of Goods at Petersburg, 1 6 M a y From Francis Taylor, 1 6 M a y From George Washington, 1 6 M a y From James McClurg, 1 7 M a y From Matthew Pope, 1 7 M a y From Benjamin Blunt, 1 8 M a y From Richard Claiborne, enclosing a List of Articles to be Furnished to Steuben and Lafayette, 1 8 M a y From Richard Claiborne, 1 9 M a y From Samuel Huntington, 1 9 M a y From Richard Claiborne, 2 0 M a y [ xxxiii ]

631 632 634 635 636 636 637 639 640 640 640 643 643 644 644 647 650 650 651 651 655 655 656 657 658 660 661 662 663 664 665 665 668 668 669

CONTENTS A P P E N D I X Appendix I : "The Äff air of Westover." Editorial Note Steuben to J . P. G . Muhlenberg, 1 [ F e b r u a r y ] Steuben to Thomas Nelson, 1 F e b r u a r y Steuben to Thomas Nelson, 2 F e b r u a r y Thomas Nelson to Steuben, 3 F e b r u a r y Mary Willing Byrd to Steuben, 1 5 F e b r u a r y Charles Hare to Steuben [ c a . 2 0 F e b r u a r y ] Mary Willing Byrd to Steuben, 23 F e b r u a r y Steuben to Mary Willing Byrd [ 2 3 F e b r u a r y ] Steuben to John Nicholas, 23 F e b r u a r y Steuben to James Innes, 2 5 F e b r u a r y Steuben to James Innes, 2 5 F e b r u a r y Steuben to Charles Hare, 2 5 F e b r u a r y Mary Willing Byrd to Steuben, 2 6 F e b r u a r y James Innes to Steuben, 2 7 F e b r u a r y Charles Hare to Steuben, 2 8 F e b r u a r y Steuben to J . P. G . Muhlenberg, 2 M a r c h J . P. G . Muhlenberg to Steuben, 13 M a r c h Steuben to J . P. G . Muhlenberg [ 1 3 M a r c h ] George Lee Turberville to Steuben [ 1 3 ? ] M a r c h Benedict Arnold to J . P. G . Muhlenberg, 1 4 M a r c h George Lee Turberville to Steuben [ c a . 1 5 M a r c h ] George Lee Turberville to Steuben, 1 6 M a r c h List of Charges against George Lee Turberville [ca. 1 7 M a r c h ] George Lee Turberville to Steuben [before 2 7 M a r c h ] Charles Hare to Steuben [ c a . 2 8 M a r c h ] Steuben to Charles Hare [ c a . 2 8 M a r c h ] Mary Willing Byrd to [Thomas Nelson?], 1 0 August Mary Willing Byrd to Sir Guy Carleton, 5 June 1 7 8 3

[ xxxiv ]

671 671 686 687 687 687 688 688 689 691 692 692 693 693 693 694 696 697 697 697 698 699 699 700 701 702 702 703 703 704

ILLUSTRATIONS FACING PAGE LORD C O R N W A L L I S

72

Engraved portrait, published by Fielding and Walker, Paternoster Row, London, 1 Feb. 1781. BARON S T E U B E N

73

Portrait, drawn from life by Pierre Eugène DuSimitière, in Philadelphia, and engraved by B. Reading, from T h i r t e e n Portraits of A m e r i c a n Legislators, Patriots, and Soldiers, London, William Richardson, 1783. NATHANAEL GREENE

184

Portrait from life by Charles Willson Peale, 1783. (Courtesy of Independence Hall Collection.) MARQUIS DE L A F A Y E T T E

185

Portrait by Joseph Boze, 1790. When Jefferson left France he directed William Short to obtain for him a portrait of Lafayette. Short had considerable difficulty in getting Lafayette, though willing, to take time to sit for the portrait, but Boze's portrait was finally completed in the fall of 1790. (Courtesy of the Massachusetts Historical Society.) PRINTED L E T T E R TO T H E COUNTY LIEUTENANTS,

12 A P R . 1781 416 This broadside is probably one of the first commissions executed by Dunlap and Hayes as official printers for the State of Virginia. (Courtesy of the Virginia State Library.) PLAN OF T H E

A C T I O N A T O S B O R N E ' S , 27 A P R . 1781

417

Plan drawn by L t . O. Spencer of the Queen's Rangers, from a lithograph in John Graves Simcoe's M i l i t a r y J o u r n a l , New York, 1844. MARY W I L L I N G BYRD

680

Portrait by Cosmo Alexander, originally at Westover, and now in the Virginia State Library. (Courtesy of the Commonwealth of Virginia.) WESTOVER

681

Photograph of the home of Mary Willing Byrd as it appears today. Photographed by Thomas L . Williams, Colonial Williamsburg, Inc. (Courtesy of Mr. Williams.)

[ XXXV ]

VOLUME

5

February 1781 to 20 May 1781

J E F F E R S O N

VOLUME

C H R O N O L O G Y

5 • 178 1

21 Feb. Gen. Greene recrosses Dan River in pursuit of Cornwallis. 1 Mch. General Assembly convenes. 1 Mch. Preparations begin for expedition against Portsmouth to cap­ ture Benedict Arnold and his force. 7 Mch. Engagement near Hampton between forces commanded by Colonels Dundas and Curie, in which the latter was captured. 12 Mch. Committee of legislature begins investigation of conduct of George Muter, commissioner of the War Office. 14 Mch. Lafayette arrives at Yorktown in advance of his detachment. 15 Mch. Battle of Guilford Court House. 17 Mch. T J notifies legislature of final ratification of Articles of Con­ federation. 20 Mch. Fleet under Graves and Arbuthnot arrives within Virginia capes, bringing reinforcements commanded by General William Phillips, who supersedes Arnold in command at Portsmouth. 20 Mch. Committee investigating Col. Muter reports. 22 Mch. Col. Muter resigns and Col. William Davies is appointed in his place. ca. 24 Mch. Expedition against Portsmouth abandoned. 29 Mch. Steuben's proposal to take 2,000 militia from Virginia to reinforce Greene rejected by Council, ca. 8 Apr. Col. Curie released on parole. ca. 9 Apr. James Hayes sets up printing plant at Richmond under authority of government. 15 Apr. TJ's daughter, Lucy Elizabeth, dies. 18 Apr. Gen. Phillips begins invasion up James River. 25 Apr. Battle of Petersburg. 27 Apr. Engagement at Osborne's in which state naval vessels are captured or destroyed. 28 Apr. Lafayette arrives in Richmond in advance of his detachment. 10 May General Assembly convenes at Richmond and adjourns to meet in Charlottesville on 24 May. 15 May T J leaves Richmond for Charlottesville.

T H E PAPERS OF

THOMAS

JEFFERSON

From Joseph Bell Augusta County February 25. 1781. PLEASE YOUR E X C E L L E N C Y

I have at L a s t made a Return of W h a t I Procured under the Provision L a w . I Reed your Instructions for procuring Grass beef and Salt two Late. A t that time the ware all Sold other wise put up to feed and Could not be taken under that Denomination. I f there is not more Severe L a w s made against Ingrossers this part of the Country w i l l not be able to Suply with any Beef. T h e r e has been many Droves Carried of from these B a c k Cuntrys greatly to the Distress of those good men Now in the field that is now I am afraid Scarce of that Article and agreeable to your Instructions, I Proceeded to Collect Cattle from the farmer According to the A c t B u t Before that was made or Come to hand Ingrossers had Ingaged them in General it was the Direction of Colo W o o d to Seize them which I did and had them appraised agreeable to Direction I E x p e c t E v e r y day to be Sued B y them as an Attorney H a t h Informd that we had no Business with Such Cattle it was only Such as the farmer possessd that we were to take half of our Judgments led us other­ wise I also had before I proceeded to Seize them the Opinion of Captn. H o g which agreed with mine Never the Less a man of more Judgment and the Attorney General for the County H i s give advice and Reed, money from them on that head as I am Informd. I n that Case I hope your Excellency w i l l protect me So far as I have gon agreeable to Instructions I would Recommend to prevent in future that G r o w i n g E v i l l (as they w i l l be much Encouraged B y M r Joness Information ) that any person or persons being found G u i l t y of a Breach of that kind Should on Coviction thereof in a Summery way B e deemd Soldiers for the w a r or Such period as might be thought Sufficient otherwise our A r m y must Suffer, as the publick his Been Such bad pay in this part that Individuals is unwilling to trust never the less i n General good W h i g s and those people per[3}

25

F E B R U A R Y

1781

form w i t h more punitillity, therefore the would Chuse to Deal w i t h them as money is Exceeding Scarce and much wanted Never the less of so little Value of those Certificates Given by the Com'rs. pro­ vision law is not Got upon application there cannot be any thing got here on Credit again. B u t in fact I think it would answer a bet­ ter purpose to put money into good mens hands and pay as the purchased. I am w i t h Sentiments of Esteem your Excellencys Most Obedient H u m l . Servant, JOSEPH B E L L P S I would be glad to be informed how or where I am to Settle for the Desposal of what I procured under the provision law. RC

( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

From Christopher Calvert, with a Note by Jefferson to the Attorney General South Quay, 2 5 F e b . 1 7 8 1 . "Agreeable to the within information," Calvert has seized the trunk and has found no letters in it, but rather a quantity of "valuable dry Goods"; wishes to know what is to be done with them. By law the Naval Office is open from ten to three; this pre­ vents Calvert from attending muster; and, on account of his feet, he believes himself entitled to exemption from bearing arms. Desires "or­ ders to Exemt me from Mustering or allow me to shut the office on Muster days"; also wishes to know any further duties of his post "laid on" by the last Assembly. The following memorandum appears at the foot of the text: "Mar. 21. 1781. The Attorney general will be pleased to advise what should be done with the goods above mentioned, and what with the person of the offender. T h : Jefferson." R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; endorsed. T J ' s direc­ tion to the Attorney General (Edmund Randolph) is in his own hand. Enclo­ sure ( V i ) : A letter, unaddressed but undoubtedly directed to Calvert, "the Na. Officer at South Quay," as follows: "Edenton the 21st of Febry. 1781 . . . there is a Donald Mein [tyre?] that come in the Virginia flag from Charls town and has a large trunk of goods that was purchast in Said Town and Fetch­ ing up to your port in a Small boat. I would be glad you'l take such Steps as

you shall think Consistant with your duty. & oblige your Huml Servt Sign'd by J . Hardy who came in the Flagg. P.S. I shall be at So. Quay in a few days and give the Particulars." See T J ' s reply to Calvert, 23 Mch. 1781. Calvert, collector of customs at South Quay (in Nansemond, on the Blackwater R i v e r ) , was threatened with dismissal by Governor Harrison for neglect of duty {Official Letters, Hi, 297).

From Richard Claiborne Richmond, 2 5 F e b . 1 7 8 1 . Writes "respecting the duty of Feild Quar­ ter Master within this State." Has observed for a long time that there "is very little regularity or system in that Line . . . nor is there a princi­ pal in Commission to call the Subordinate officers to account for their [4]

25

F E B R U A R Y

178 1

Receipts and Issues. . . . While Troops are kept in such small and scatered Bodies, as they must be from the situation of this Country, it is seldom necessary to appoint more than Brigade Quarter Masters to act with them. . . . A Deputy Quarter Master in the Feild therefore, would only be an expence to the Public and be little able to give proper assistance." If the executive agrees, Claiborne is willing to take this business under his own direction and make the necessary arrangements. Mr. Elliott "will cheerfully act as an Assistant on the South side of J ames River; and I am persuaded Majr. Day who is an Assistant Deputy Quarter Master at Williamsburg, will act on the East side. These Gen­ tlemen will always have Stores which will be convenient for the troops in the lower parts of the state, and will Issue to the Brigade Quarter Masters, and call them to a settlement when ever it shall be necessary. If troops should be embodied in any other part of the State, the Assist­ ant Quarter Masters are so disposed of in districts that they will all be ready to act when called upon." Col. Carrington has written to Maj. Meriwether offering him an appointment as field quarter master, but, for the reasons given, Claiborne thinks the appointment unnecessary, especially since "the person who does undertake the business, must be accountable to me, as he will receive little else except what comes from my Department." Claiborne has written to Carrington on this subject; suggests that the executive may wish to do so likewise. RC

( V i ) ; 4 p.; in a clerk's hand, signed by Claiborne; endorsed. Printed in 538-9.

CVSP, I ,

From Robert Gamble Chesterfield, 2 5 F e b . 1 7 8 1 , "half past 4. oClock P.M." Baron Steuben being on the point of setting out, he has ordered Gamble to send "the enclosed return of Militia under Geni. Muhlenberg, specifying the Counties they are from. It has this moment come to hand—he has been exceedingly disturbed and uneasy that he had it not sooner in his power to comply with your requisition." Enclosed also are letters from Maj. Mitchell to Steuben. R C ( V i ) ; 3 p.; signed: "Ro Gamble Capt. 8th. V . R . " ; addressed and en­ dorsed. Printed in C V S P , I , 539-40. T h e enclosed returns are missing; two letters dated "Camp Near Scotts" 22 and 24 Feb. 1781 and signed "N Mitchell Adjt.

Geni.," transmitting returns ("Called for some time since") to Steuben, are in V i . But see Return of Militia by Counties, printed at the end of Febru­ ary, for T J ' s copy of returns from Muh­ lenberg and others.

From Samuel Huntington SIR

Philadelphia February 25. 1781

I have been honored with your Excellency's Despatches of the 8th and 17th Instant. The Success of the M i l i t i a against the Cherokees it is to be hoped may be attended with happy Consequences. Y o u r Letter of the 17. [5]

2 5 F E B R U A R Y

17 8 1

which was received last evening shall be laid before Congress at their next Meeting. Their Determination respecting Colonel Camp­ bell's Proposition to build a Fort shall be forwarded as soon as may be. Enclosed your Excellency will receive a Resolve of the 24th Instant, ordering the Convention Troops to be removed to the Northward, and, if Circumstances continue such as to render it necessary, to send the Prisoners taken at the Cowpens, to the North­ ward. I should think it best they proceed the same Route, or at least the most safe and convenient Route through the inland Part of the Country to the Northward, as the Place is not yet fixed for their Cantonement, but will be sent forward to the Officers who shall escort the Prisoners on their W a y . It will be necessary that your Excellency immediately communi­ cate the Movements and Route of the Prisoners to Congress and the Governor of Maryland. I have the Honor to be with very great Respect Sir your most obedt and most humble Servant, S A M H U N T I N G T O N President 1

R C ( N N ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by Huntington; endorsed. Enclosure missing; printed in J C C , X I X , 193. F C ( D L C : P C C , No. 1 5 ) . T J ' s letter of 17 Feb. was sent by Huntington to Washington in a letter dated 25 Feb., as containing "the latest

Intelligence from the Southward. T h e Intelligence is interesting and Situation of Affairs critical" ( D L C : Washington Papers). i Preceding three words omitted in R C and supplied from F C .

From Robert Lawson SIR

P. Edward Feb. 25th. 1781.

Agreeable to the Instructions received from General Green I have order'd out the Militia of P. Edward, Cumberland, Amelia, Charlotte, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Brunswick, Buckingham and Amherst. W e must depend upon the best arms they can provide and which your Excellency must know is not the most certain dependence; however I have the pleasure to inform you that a number of the Guns are very good for the purpose of Shooting loose Ball. General Green (on whom I have waited in person) tells me, that he has not as many good Guns as will arm the Continental Troops under him. I f Arms can be procur'd from Petersburg or else where I wish for an Order as more men than are now in motion might be got in the field, could they be arm'd. [6]

2 5 FEBRUARY

17 8 1

General Green has been reinforced from the upper Counties w i t h about 1000 M i l i t i a . T h e y constituted General Stephens Brigade. I hope to march in a day or two as many more from this quarter and to cross lower down the Roanoke. Y o u have received no doubt be­ fore this an E x p r e s s from Geni. Greene acquainting your E x c e l ­ lency, that Cornwallis having persued our retreating A r m y as far as Boyds F e r r y on D a n R i v e r , changed his Route, and directed his force towards Hillsborough. H i s strength is from 2 5 0 0 to 3 0 0 0 Men. Whatever Intelligence your Excellency may have received of the movements of our A r m y about Portsmo. you'll oblige me much by communicating, as I am very anxious to hear the result of the movements there. T h e Person who w i l l deliver you this, w i l l bring back either dis­ patches to Geni. Green or myself. I w i l l forward any to Geni. Green without delay. I am with the greatest respect S i r Y o u r Excellencys, Most obedt. hum. Servt., R o : LAWSON B.G.M. R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

To Robert Lawson SIR

Richmd. Febry. 25. 1781.

I yesterday received information from Colo. Bannister that there were 4 0 0 stand of good Continental A r m s at Petersburg of which he desired 150. I wrote to Baron Steuben on that, and shall imme­ diately write to h i m again to let h i m know your want, and I have no doubt but he w i l l order on the balance for your Militia; besides these, 6 0 0 stand passed by this place three days ago for Geni. Greenes Camp. I have never heard a tittle of the movements of either A r m y in the South since a letter from Geni. Greene of the 15th. Before that I had on the information which your express brought me ordered out all the militia of Cumberland, Powhatan, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Amelia, Lunenberg, and Mecklenburg who could be armed and a fourth part of Washington, Mont­ gomery, Botetourt, Henry, and Pittsylvania. I sent no order to Prince E d w a r d because I had your information that the business was already done; to Bedford we dispatched Colo. L y n c h who hap­ pened to be here to carry all who could be armed. Hallifax and Charlotte were known to be so immediately under the approach of the enemy as that they must be out under the general directions of the invasion L a w before our orders could get there. W e determined [7}

2 5 F E B R U A R Y

17 8 1

not to embody on the North side of James river till we should know that L d . Cornwallis had crossed the D a n , because we still wished to interrupt as little as possible the execution of the law for raising regulars. T h a t our intelligence might be perfect we got the favor of M a j r . M c G i l l to go to Geni. Greene's Camp and apprise us of any interesting movement through the line of stationed expresses. H e has been gone a week and we have not yet heard from [him] which makes me apprehend some foul play on the road. I am the more led to this fear by a letter from Geni. Greene to Baron Steuben having been opened in the same course of conveyance and the State of G e n i . Greene's force withdrawn from it. G e n i . Mulenburg has drawn close down on the E n e m y ' s lines at Portsmouth. T h e French 64 gun ship lies in Lynhaven bay, and the two frigates are on the cruize. W e are strengthening ourselves in that quarter. FC (Vi).

To Steuben SIR

Richmond Feb. 25. 1781.

G e n i . L a w s o n writes me word that he can march 1 0 0 0 men to-day or to-morrow to reinforce Geni. Greene i f he can be aided w i t h arms. I inclosed you yesterday a letter from Colo. Banister informing me there were 4 0 0 good Continental arms at Petersburg, of which he seemed to w i s h about 150. T h e state stock being al­ ready exhausted, I could only inform Geni. L a w s o n that I would take the liberty of making known his want to you and referring to you the propriety of ordering the residue to h i m . T h e bearer who is returning to h i m w i l l carry any thing you shall think proper to say to h i m on the subject. I am w i t h very great respect S i r Y o u r most obedt. humble servt., T H : JEFFERSON R S . I shall be obliged to you for any intelligence of G e n i . Greene or L d . Cornwallis. M y last was of the 15th except the verbal in­ formation from a militia officer which I communicated to you and which was as late as the 19th. R C ( N H i ) ; endorsed. Steuben's aide-de-camp, Major W i l ­ liam North, wrote Steuben at 11 a.m., 23 Feb., informing him of Cornwallis'

move and of Greene's crossing the Dan on 21 Feb.; Steuben transmitted this in­ formation to T J in the letter following. North had been temporarily at Greene's headquarters.

[8]

From Steuben SIR

Chesterfield Co. Ho. 25th Feby [1781]

[Colo. Meade has return'd from examining into the Affair of the F l a g . H e has brought the inclosed papers which I send for your inspection. I do not find sufficient Reasons to Detain M r . Hare any longer and have therefore sent orders to have h i m discharged.] I have the pleasure to inform your Excellency, that the Detach­ ment has marched from this consisting of 4 0 0 R a n k and file. T h e y are well armed and tolerably Clothed. I received last night information that Cornwallis is retreating w i t h as much rapidity as he advanced. H i s Route is toward H i l s boro. Geni. Greene crossed the D a n the 21st in pursuit of h i m . I n consequence of this, I have countermanded the M a r c h of the Troops under Colo. Innes. General Muhlenburg has orders to keep Arnold close to in Ports­ mouth. I sett out this afternoon for Petersburg, perhaps further as cir­ cumstances may determine. I f Cornwallis should continue to re­ treat, and it should not be likely for us to come up with h i m , I shall discharge the M i l i t i a order'd from the Counties of Chesterfield and Dinwiddie. I have given orders long since for the returns your Excellency mentions and have again repeated them. 1

Dft ( NHi ) ; in aide's hand. Enclo­ sures not identified. Steuben's orders to Innes to cross the James were issued 24 Feb. 1781 and countermanded two days later; in the letter of 26 Feb., Steuben directed Innes to make out a militia return and "send it immediately to the Governor that he may take measures to have them properly relieved. In acknowl­ edging the countermanding order on 26 Feb., Innes said that he had "yes­ terday enclosed the Governor such a Return as you require" (Steuben to Innes, 24 and 26 Feb. 1781; Innes to Steuben, 26 Feb.; Steuben to Nelson, 25 Feb., all in N H i ; Innes to T J , 24 Feb., above). In his orders to Muhlen­ berg of 25 Feb. Steuben remarked: "The Governor is continually com­ plaining that he cannot receive returns of the number of Militia from each county. I beg you will immediately have proper returns made out, and for­ ward them" (Steuben to Muhlenberg, 26 Feb., N H i ; Muhlenberg's returns

were sent on 25 Feb.; see Gamble to TJ, above). As T J pointed out to Steuben and other military officers more than once, it was quite impossible for the civil authority to regulate its calls upon the counties with any sem­ blance of system unless the military furnished regular returns of militia actually in the field; but the difficulty amounting almost to impossibility of obtaining such returns persisted to the end of his term of office, C O R N W A L L I S I S R E T R E A T I N G : In a letter to Muhlen­ berg of 25 Feb. Steuben remarked: " I have been sometimes in doubt whether Lord Cornwallis was a Great General or a Madman. His late manoeuvre proves him clearly to be the latter. . . . " (NHi). i There is in N H i a one-page sheet with various extracts of letters, of which the part in brackets (supplied) is one; others are from letters of Steuben to T J , 21 Feb., and T J to Steuben, 20 and 22 Feb., qq.v.

[9]

From Humphrey Brooke W i t h o u t place [ F a u q u i e r County], 2 6 F e b . 1 7 8 1 . Received the re­ cruiting law on 15 Jan. and divided the militia in preparation for the draft to be made on 5 Mch. I s apprehensive that sufficient funds will not be available for this purpose. Received T J ' s orders for embodying one fourth of the militia of the county on 23 Feb.; this may interfere with the draft, but if a man is drafted who is on duty with the militia he will "have the liberty to procure a Substitute as soon as he returns." Fears a deficiency of arms but has given orders for impressing them. Encloses an affidavit showing payment he made of bounties to three soldiers recruited in 1779 for which he has never been reimbursed. A n excellent wagon train has been provided by the county and is now in the possession of Col. Pickett ready to be delivered to T J ' s order. Beëf will be difficult to procure from the lateness of the season, but "most of our people" remain willing to provide for the army. R C ( V i ) ; 3 p.; addressed (in part): "Favor Colo. Pickett"; endorsed. Enclosure not found.

From Nathaniel Burwell SIR

Carter's Grove, Jas. City County 26th Feby 81

Agreeable to an act entitled an act for the better regulation and discipline of the M i l i t i a passed M a y 1779 a Court martial has been lately held in this County for the trial of such of the M i l i t i a as did not turn out when ordered, by which ten or twelve of them are turn'd over as regular Soldiers. I find by the above mentioned act that they are to serve as regu­ lar Soldiers in Troops of this State six months and are by order of Court martial to be delivered to a recruiting officer for that Purpose. I should be glad to be informed by your Excellency to whom I must deliver them, not knowing a recruiting officer as above men­ tioned. W o u l d there be any impropriety in delivering the new levies as fast as they are raised to a continental officer? I am S i r your hum­ ble Servt., N B BURWELL C.L.J.C. R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

To Richard Claiborne SIR

[26? February 1781]

T h e matter referred to us in your letter of the 25th. Inst, we conceive to be improper for us to meddle i n , I mean as to the neces[10]

2 6 FEBRUARY

17 8 1

sity, and duties of a Field Quarter Master. T h e expences of defence in cases of actual invasion being altogether Continental, I men­ tioned early in the present invasion to Baron Steuben the propriety of directing every expenditure to be through the hands of conti­ nental officers, who might see that those expenditures were made according to the continental rules. He made the present arrange­ ment, I believe, and I can therefore only beg leave to refer you to him for any alterations you may think proper to propose. I am Sir Your most. Obt. Servt., THOMAS JEFFERSON FC (Vi).

From W. R . W . Curie W i l l i a m s b u r g , 2 6 F e b . 1 7 8 1 . Received at the end of January TJ's letter of the 19th enclosing "the Law for recruiting our Army"; went at once to Hampton to execute it, but at a meeting of the field officers, magistrates, &c, it was the unanimous opinion that, "as no Assessment in Specie had been made in the County, (oweing to the frequent In­ vasions, the great Distresses Confusion and dispersed Situation of the Inhabitants) that they could not then Proceed. As soon as the Com­ missioners of the Tax provide for Us a Copy of the Assessment we will as far as we are able comply with the Law." Due attention has been paid to everything in TJ's letter and orders, and a return of the militia will be forwarded at the close of the draft. R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; addressed and endorsed.

From Charles Dick SIR

Fredg 26 Feby 1781.

I received Your Excellencys Letter with appointment for Direc­ tion of the Gun Factory and shall do all in my power to increase its Success. You were desirous of having an Account of the W o r k done and delivered, especially I believe, what might be a Conti­ nental Charge; I have herewith inclosed in one point of View the whole, which I hope will be Agreeable and am with the greatest Respect Your Excellencys Most Obedient Humbl Servt., CHAS

DICK

E S . M r . John Lewis will wait on your Excellency for an order on the public Store for about 120 yds. of coarse cloth or Cotton for clothing some Negros hired in the Factory, which Article is not to be had here without a great deal of Nominal Money. R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. Enclosure not found. Y O U R E X C E L L E N C Y S L E T T E R : See T J to Charles Dick, 7 Feb.

[in

To Samuel Huntington SIR

Richmond, Feby. 26th. 1781.

I gave you information in m y last letter that Geni. Greene had cross'd the D a n at Boid's ferry, and that L d . Cornwallis had arrived at the opposite shore. L a r g e reinforcements of militia having em­ bodied both in the front and rear of the enemy, he is retreating w i t h as much rapidity as he advanced. H i s route is towards Hilsborough. Geni. Greene crossed the D a n , the 21st. in pursuit of h i m . I have the pleasure to inform you that the spirit of opposition among the people was as universal and ardent as could have been wish'd. T h e r e was no restraint on the numbers which embodied but the want of arms. T h e B r i t i s h in Portsmouth lie close in their lines. T h e F r e n c h Squadron keep them in by water, and since their arrival, as they put it out of the [power of t h e ] enemy to cut off our retreat up Nansemond river, our force has been moved down close to their lines. I have the honor to be with great respect S i r Y o u r most obedt. & mo hble. Servt., T H : JEFFERSON 1

RC (DLC: P C C , No. 7 1 , n ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by T J ; endorsed: "Letter from Govr Jefferson Feby. 26. 1781 Read March 5." Evidently Con­ gress ordered copies of this letter cir­ culated to the state executives, for tran­ scripts have been located in C t , R P A , and among the Joseph Reed Papers in NHi. A copy in French was enclosed in L a Luzerne to Rochambeau, Philadel­

phia, 5 Mch. 1781 ( L a Luzerne's Let­ ter Book, Archives de la Guerre, A r ­ chives Nationales, P a r i s ) . F C ( V i ) . T r ( D L C ) . A n identical letter was sent by T J directly to Washington on this day. i Words in brackets omitted in R C to Huntington; supplied from R C to Washington.

From George Muter W a r Office [ R i c h m o n d ] , 2 6 F e b . 1 7 8 1 . " I n the regulation for issuing liquor, the waggoners are not mentioned; and I am informed liquor is issued to them in wet weather and on other occasions at the discretion of the quarter master general." The sutler has refused to issue them liquor, and they have refused to act, "from which great inconvenience at present arises." Encloses an order to be sent to the sutler if the execu­ tive approves it. R C ( V i ) ; 1 p.; addressed and en­ dorsed. Enclosure (missing): George Muter to "The Suttler or Commissary for the State," W a r Office, 26 Feb. 1781, ( F C in V i : W a r Office Letter Book), directing him to "issue the usual allowances of spirits to the waggoners

[12]

in the State service in wet weather, or when they are obliged to do duty in an uncommonly fatiguing manner, on the order of the Assistant, or Deputy Quar­ ter Master General, whenever they Judge it necessary"; countersigned by TJ.

From George Muter [Richmond, 2 6 F e b . 1 7 8 1 . War Office Journal ( V i ) contains the following entry under this date: "Letter to the Governor, informing him of Col. Gibson's men being to the southward, except about 10 or 12 that were left sick, and are at Chesterfield Courthouse; and that the first Captain of that Regiment is to the southward, Capt. Browne is the second, and Capt. Hamilton, the third is at Petersburg." Letter not located.]

From Joseph Reed SIR

In Council Philada. February 26th. 1781.

I have the honour to inclose your Excellency the appointment of Commissioners on the part of Pennsylvania to compleat the Bound­ ary line between V i r g i n i a and this State pursuant to the Agreement of the Commissioners at Baltimore the thirty first day of August 1779. I have to request your Excellency to communicate the same to the Legislature of the State of V i r g i n i a and to favour me w i t h their proceedings thereon as soon as convenient. I have the honour to be w i t h great respect and regard Y o u r most obedient and very humble Servant, J o s . R E E D President R C ( V i ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by Reed; addressed and franked: "on publlck service His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esquire Governor of the State of Virginia. Jos: Reed"; endorsed: "Presdt. Reed's L r e April 17th. 1781." (The date in the endorsement is that of T J ' s answer, q.v. ) Enclosure ( V i ) : Resolution of Pennsylvania Council, 21 Feb. 1781, appointing John Lukens and

Archibald McLean of York co. commis­ sioners on the part of Pennsylvania to survey the extension of the VirginiaPennsylvania boundary and proposing that 10 May next be the day appointed "to proceed in the said business." F C of letter and enclosure is in N H i : Reed Papers. Enclosure printed in C V S P , I , 531-2.

From John Christian Senf SIR

Richmond Febry. 26th. 1781.

I was Yesterday honourd with a Letter from Y o u r Excellency and a Copy of the Advice of Consul for m y Appointment as Engineer in this Common W e a l t h . I am sensible of this generous Appointment and think myself highly honourd by Y o u r Excellency and the Honourable Consul and give my most humble T h a n k s for it, but some Reasons, which Y o u r Excellency are pleased to explain to me, won't permit me to accept of it. [13]

2 6 F E B R U A R Y

17 8 1

I have the Honour to hold the R a n k as Colonel Engineer i n the State of South Carolina, since Febry. 1779, and am respected and Obey'd as such by every Officer I have the Honour to serve w i t h , I could therefore accept by no Means of an inferior R a n c k , as which I actually enjoy. T h a t Engineers w i l l allways be necessary, even i f the W a r is ended, is Certain, but as the Opinion of Republicans may change, and the Affections for a faithfull Servant die away, owing to some 111 Look [ L u c k ] to which a Soldier is allways lyable to, I should w i s h that Nothing could discharge me of my D u t y after I have risk'd my Person, and destroy'd my Youth and Constitution, as [except] a Court Martial, my O w n Resignation or Death. A n d as I never have been nor shall be guided by Interest for myself, I leave Pay and Emoluments intirly to the Generosity of the State, that it may only be such, as to support the Character I am to represent. T h e Honourable Assembly is to meet soon, as I understand. I f Your Excellency think proper to lay this before them, they may then determine and do that, in which Y o u r Excellency and the Consul are restrain'd by the L a w to comply w i t h . Without any K i n d of V i e w , A l l , what may be for the Interest and Welfare of T h i s and the United States, and far as my few Abilities w i l l assist, w i l l be with the greatest Pleasure faithfully executed, and I have the Honour to be w i t h great Respect and Estime Y o u r Excellency's most obdt. and most humble Servant, S E N F Colonel Engineer R C ( V i ) ; endorsed. A L E T T E R F R O M Y O U R E X C E L L E N C Y : See T J to Senf, 21 Feb. On 10 May T J explained to the General Assembly how he was "restrain'd by the L a w to comply with" in this matter ( T J to the Speaker, 10 May 1781).

From John Syme New Castle, 2 6 F e b . 1 7 8 1 . Is informed that there are 50 state mus­ kets at John Newell's in Hanover co. which might be repaired; shall Syme order them to be repaired? Further instructions from T J clarify­ ing the method of drafting men are needed. " A few People Among us (One of which is a Field Officer) that Declares He Will not Pay a Shilling, and intends to Plead the Laws not being in Time." Syme has been unable to get a return of the militia in this officers battalion. Desires to have late intelligence and asks if anything has been heard lately from Patrick Henry. R C ( V i ) ; 3 p.; addressed in part: "Care Mr. Turner"; endorsed.

[14]

To George Washington Richmond, 2 6 F e b . 1 7 8 1 . This letter is identical in substance with TJ's letter to Samuel Huntington of the present date, q.v. R C ( D L C : Washington Papers); 3 p.; in a clerk's hand, signed by T J ; endorsed (in part): "Ansd. 21st. March." Printed in H A W , I , 296-7, and elsewhere. T r (DLC).

To John Fitzgerald SIR

In Council Febry. 27. 1781.

Messrs. Amable & A l e x . L o r y of Alexandria advertised a Copy of the Encyclopédie for sale. I wrote to enquire as to the condition and price of the work, and received for an answer of which the in­ closed is a Copy. I take the liberty, under sanction of the readiness you have ever shewn to aid us, of inclosing to you the notes of 15068 l b s of Tobo, and of asking the favor of you to make the purchase for us. A s the Tobo, is some of it old, it is just that we should make good the weights, which you w i l l be pleased to under­ take shall be done. I am y r s . &c, T.J. F C ( V i ) ; captioned: "Majr. Fitzger­ ald." T r ( V i ) ; misdated 7 Feb. and at­ tested by Benj. Terrasson. Enclosure: Copy of A . and A . Lory's letter to T J , 16 Dec. 1780, q.v.; also unidentified tobacco notes. See Fitzgerald to T J , 3 Oct. 1780, and references there; also Fitzgerald to T J , 1 Apr. 1781. It is highly interesting

to note that the encyclopedia was in­ tended for public and not private use. On 27 Feb. T J laid before the Council and obtained approval of this "Letter to Colo Fitzgerald requesting him to pur­ chase for the use of the Public, a Copy of the Encyclopédie lately advertised for sale by Messrs. Amable & Alexr Louss [sic]" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., I I , 300).

To James Innes SIR

In Council Febry. 27. 1781.

I w i l l notify to the Baron the necessity Nelson and your Self on the Legislature it. I n the mean time I should hope the devolved on those next in rank. I hope my last letter to you has made the disaffection of Militia. I am &c. & c , FC (Vi),

M Y LAST LETTER TO YOU:

for the attendance of Geni. that he may take order in commands may be safely effectual provision against T.J.

See T J to Innes, 24 Feb. 1781, Vol. 4: 699.

[15]

From Thomas Sim Lee SIR

In Council Annapolis Maryland 27th. Feby 1781

W e have just received the Resolution of Congress of the 20th. Instant recommending it to the Executives of the States of Dela­ ware, Maryland, V i r g i n i a , and North Carolina, to agree upon, and Settle an Arrangement for supplying the Southern A r m y with Provisions, from the States most contiguous, and for replacing the same with Provisions from those that are more remote, and to establish such Mode of Transportation, as w i l l be most convenient, and least expensive to the whole. I t is our Desire, that some Place in V i r g i n i a should be imme­ diately agreed on, and assigned for Depositing the Quota of Pro­ visions, which W e are called upon to supply the Southern A r m y ; I n establishing which, W e think the mutual ease, and Convenience of both States should be adverted to, and none has occurred to U s So suitable as Alexandria; I f your Excellency should concur with U s in Opinion, you w i l l have a proper Person appointed to receive at that Post, the Provisions which we may be able to forward. Y o u r Excellency w i l l communicate your Sentiments on this Subject, as early as possible, A n d in the mean T i m e W e shall be preparing to comply fully w i t h the Recommendations of Congress. W e are anxious to be informed of the present Situation of V i r g i n i a ; many reports have been circulating here, but none so authentic as to deserve entire Confidence. W e have the honor to be with sentiments of high respect and Esteem Y o u r Excellencys M o . Hble servts., T H O . S. L E E R C ( V i ) ; in a clerk's hand, with complimentary close and signature by Lee; endorsed. F C ( M d A A ) . It is clear that Lee's letter annoyed

T J ; see T J ' s letter to Lee of 6 Mch. and to the Virginia delegates in CongTess of 8 Mch.

From R . William Mitchell HONOURABLE SIR

Culpeper 27th February 1781

I enlisted with Major Slaughter at the time he was recruiting his men for the back Country, where I have served till now, but finding the Country to be very unhealthy and not answering my expectations, I must beg leave to request the favour of your E x c e l ­ lency to Permit me to serve my time out in the Continental A r m y , where I perhaps may render some service to my Country as men appear to be greatly wanting to the Southward and by the time I [16]

27

F E B R U A R Y

178 1

can get out to the Falls of Ohio, my time of enlistment w i l l be nearly elapsed; that in all probability, Should I go there I shall be of but small service; and i f by your Excellencys permission, I join the Continental A r m y I may render my Country the Service due from a Soldeir. Indeed the accommodations in the back Country for soldiers is so bad that-I dispair of E v e r returning should I go there. A t all events, am taught by Experience that I shall suffer greatly. I make no doubt but Y o u r excellency is no stranger to the sufferings of the A r m y in that quarter under Major Slaughter; that Numbers of them are already dead, through want of the Neces­ saries and conveniencies of life and many others languishing under severe illness who it is probable may not recover. F r o m the remote situation of that Country it has proved very inconvenient to supply the Soldiers with the Money they are intituled to for W a g e s with which they perhaps when sick might purchase some little neces­ saries of provisions which would afford them some small releif. I can assure your Excellency, I have not received one farthing of pay from the time of M y enlistment, that I have a family that depend on Me for a Support, and without getting my pay it is morally im­ possible to afford them that assistance that is required to keep them from W a n t and was I in the A r m y where I could be favoured with Opportunities of Sending them the little Succour I could Spare, it would not only be a satisfaction to Me but a great releif to them in their distress. These reasons, I hope, w i l l have their due operation W i t h your Excellency, and i f you find it Convenient to grant M y petition, Shall ever Consider myself under the greatest Obligations and M y family relieved from the Utmost distress. I am Y o u r Excellencys Most Obet: & V e r y Hble St., R. WILLIAM RC

MITCHELL

( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

To George Muter [Richmond, 2 7 Feb. 1781. following entry under this date: undertaking to have 50 muskets and the said note was delivered Not located.]

War Office Journal ( V i ) contains the "Note from the Council of Col. Syme's repaired which are in Hanover County; to the Commissary of military Stores."

From William Rose W i t h o u t place, 2 7 F e b . 1 7 8 1 . "Mr. Smith of Loudoun County waits on you with the inclosed Certificate and prays a Warrant on the Treas[17]

27

F E B R U A R Y

1781

ury for Payment; but has agreed with me in presence of Col. Brooke not to solicit Payment before the 10th. of April next." As Smith's wagon and geer are "perfectly new," Rose thought it best to purchase them, "reserving the Right of submitting it to your Excellency either to ap­ prove or disapprove the Bargain." R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; addressed and endorsed. Enclosures not found.

To John Syme SIR

Richmond February 27th 1781

W e shall be glad if you will take the Trouble of having those arms repaired and give us notice when done that they may be sent for. As I suppose you will send your new Levies to Chesterfield Court House, that being the most convenient Rendezvous for your County, I am to inform you that they may be received at that Place at any time all together or in detail. T h e Assembly will no doubt cure the defect of time in the execution of the late acts, so that those who refuse to pay will only shew their principles without saving their money. T h e last intelligence from the South is that Cornwallis was retreating towards Hillsborough as precipetately as he had ad­ vanced, and that General Greene had crossed the Dan in Pursuit of him., I am &c, T.J. FC (Vi).

From Alexander White M a r l b o r o I r o n Works, 2 7 F e b . 1 7 8 1 . Having been informed that "a Corps of Invalids are to be embodied under the direction of Your Excel­ lency," White ventures to name Lt. Robert White of the 8th Virginia regiment, who served a year as a volunteer rifleman at Boston in 1775, being only sixteen years old; in June 1777 he was wounded in New Jersey "by a Musket Ball which shattered his thigh Bone." He lan­ guished for two years and, contrary to all expectations, recovered his health but is lame and unfit for active service; he has for some time past, he believes, been entitled to a captain's commission; and perhaps that can now be given him in the invalid corps. Lt. White being the writer's nephew, T J is referred to Col. Wood and Col. Darke for testimony as to his character. Postscript: "The French Fleet is Arived [Safe?]." R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; addressed (in part): "By favour of Isaac Zane Esqr"; endorsed. Printed in C V S P , I, 543. ( T h e postscript may be in another hand than White's.)

[18]

From James Wood SIR

Charlottesville 27 Feb. 1781.

Colonel Mengen had left this Place before I received your L e t ­ ter of the 21st., when I see him, which w i l l be in two or three D a y s , I w i l l Communicate the Contents of your Letter as far as it respects him. I f they shou'd Apprehend a Removal from the State, Our Cur­ rency w i l l not Purchase their B i l l s . I am now endeavouring to take the Debts of the B r i t i s h Officers, On the State, as far as M r : Com­ missary C l a r k w i l l engage to furnish M e with Public B i l l s at the Current exchange; I shall make myself liable to the People for their Debts in two Months; which I hope your Excellency w i l l Enable me to Comply with. I f any thing is done in Purchasing B i l l s from the Germans, it must be by sending A n Agent as soon as Possible w i t h Money to their New Quarters. Since the Removal of the Troops, About E i g h t y Prisoners of w a r have been Sent here in two Parties by General Greene; I sent them forward with M i l i t i a Guards from this County to Winchester, which I hope w i l l meet Y o u r Approbation. I shall return to this Place in three weeks for the Purpose of removing M y family. I have the Honor to be with Great Respect and Esteem S i r Y r . Excellency's V e r y Obt Servt, JAMES W O O D R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

From John Ballendine 28th Febry. 1781 His

EXCELLENCY, T H E GOVERNOR & COUNCIL

OF

VIRGINIA

A s the late unfortunate sufferings by the E n e m y , is rather dis­ couraging for an individual to risk any thing more at present on the Canal &ca. and as you seem inclinable to repair the losses of the country at that place, I would propose letting you have my G r i s t M i l l s , and all other conveniencys belonging to me during the pres­ ent W a r , on reasonable T e r m s Annually. T h e Furnace in Buckingham has a fine Stock of Coal and Ore, wanting only a Hearth to put her in Blast. Y o u may also have that addition to Assist in Supporting the Necessary W o r k s below as you may choose to improve. F o r your better information, I have thought fit to make out a State of those advantages when properly improved and Supported, of which you'l please to consider, and let me have your opinion in A n s w e r thereto. [19]

28 FEBRUARY

17 8 1

Colo. Grayson one of the Honble. the board of War for the united States, have made proposals to me for water to Erect a saw mill, Slitting Mill, Boring Mill &ca. for immediate use, but having con­ sidered my Situation with the State of Virginia and Naturally in­ clined to be Serviceable, would not wish to do any thing that might be prejudicial, therefore declin'd giving him an Answer until I have your approbation. I am Yr. Excellencys &c. Mo. obedt. Servt., JOHN R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. Enclosure: "An Estimate of the profits of the Grist Mill, with 4 pair of Stones, on the Canal, to the Public annually";

BALLENDINE

printed in C V S P , I , 545-6. See T J to Harrison, 30 Oct. 1779 and notes there,

From Arthur Campbell SIR Washington Feb. 28th. 1781 Your Excellencies Orders of the 15th. day of February came to hand the 23d. and on the 25th. a few odds of one hundred Men under Colo. Wm. Campbell set out to join the Militia of Botetourt and Montgomery on their march to join our Southern army: pre­ vious steps having been taken, on hearing the enemy were advanc­ ing towards Virginia, to have them in readiness. A larger number would have gone, were it not for the daily apprehensions of attacks from the Northward and Southern Indians. The later last Week killed three Men in Powells Valley and carried off a considerable number of Horses. This act of hostility is considered as a rejection of the proposals of the fourth day of January last; I am contriving means to put another part of the message in a train of execution with voluntiers; but I am doubtful of its having effect, without the support of Government. Could the lower Towns of the Cherokees, and their Middle-Settlements, be desolated as well as the Over-Hill Country, it would hardly then be worth while for our enemies to employ an Agent to reside among them, to excite them to mischief; the want of Bread would cause many other wants, which would soon lower their vindictive Spirit. I am Sir Your most Obedient Humble Servant, ARTHUR

CAMPBELL

R C ( V i ) ; addressed; endorsed by T J : "reed. Apr. 27. 1781"; also endorsed by a clerk.

[20]

From George Corbin SIR

Accomack—Onancock Feby. 28th. 1781.

Your Excellencys favour of the 19th. ult. came to hand two Days past, accompanied with the Act for recruiting this State's quota of Soldiers in the Continental Service, together with sundry Procla­ mations. Your Excellencys requisition made six months ago for a return of my Militia, I expected was fully complied with by my return made about three Months past to Col. Webb, who was appointed to receive from our County the last eighteen Months Men; that Gentleman I furnished with a list of the men raised amounting to fifty seven, and as the law required every fifteenth man, this I thought plainly shewed the actual strength of the County, and I made no doubt but this would be immedeately communicated to your Excellency at his arrival on your shore. Your Excellencys exhortation to the Militia of this County shall be carefully attended to, so far as my influence will reach, as I con­ sider the Salvation of the County [Country?] depends on a due execution of such wholesome Instructions. These Instructions six months ago duely executed, (in my humble opinion) would have prevented the late Dispersion of our public papers, the Injury done the printing office, and the Capture of the Seat of Government. Your Excellencys request "to make diligent enquiry and search through this County for public Arms and Accoutrements in the hands of Individuals and to collect them together" you will pardon me for not complying with, as I have neither Power or Inclination to effect it: Your Excellency will not consider this as the result of Obstinacy, or a desire to dictate; but the serious consideration of safety to my County and myself. Pray consider our Situation, sur­ rounded on every side by enemies, the British on our Sea and Bay coasts, and the most disaffected part of Maryland compleats our bounds; that very frequent robberies are commited in Maryland near our Borders, on almost every friend to the Country; that by exertions of our Militia to support our few friends amoungst our Neighbours the Marylanders too generally disaffected we have incured their displeasure, and nothing could afford them a more favourable opportunity of gratifying their Malice and Revenge, than removing from us our Arms: Under these considerations I hope your Excellency will at least for the present dispence with that command of collecting from Individuals the public Arms in their hands: But if these reasons have no force, and your Excellencys [21]

28

1781

F E B R U A R Y

request must be complied with in that particular, I shall consider it a favour, you would please to confer on some other person the command of this County, who may be more powerful to force obedience to your Excellencys w i l l ; as I am well convinced that force alone can effect it. I beg leave to refer you to T h o s . Bailey E s q r e . (the B e a r e r ) for a particular state of our Gallies, w h i c h I think w i l l be totally lost to the State i f not sold immediately. M r . George Nicolson made free to take from one of the Gallies 2 pr. double fortified 3 pounders, as he said by order from C o l . M a x w e l l , they were put on board his B r i g and at sea before I knew of it. W e are much i n want of L e a d , and should have been quite exhausted of Powder had I not received Order from Col. L e w i s to make use of the Powder belonging to the Gallies. A supply of Cartridges which he said he had order'd over to me, has never yet come to hand. I am S i r Y o u r Excellencys Most Obdt. H u m b l . Servt., GEO.

CORBIN

R C ( V i ) ; addressed (in part): "Thos. Bailey E s q r . " (the bearer); endorsed.

To the County Lieutenant of Goochland SIR

In Council February 28th: 1781

Be pleased immediately on Receipt of this to order to this place 40 of your Militia under a Captain, Lieutenant and Ensign to re­ ceive and escort to Winchester between one and two hundred Pris­ oners. I am &c, T.J. FC (Vi).

From Nathanael Greene SIR

N O . C High Rock ford Feby. 29th. [i.e., 28th] 1781.

I had the honor of receiving a Letter from your Excellency by Major M a g g i l l , dated the [18]th, inst. I t would give me satisfac­ tion to furnish the Gentleman w i t h such intelligence as might be interesting to you, but there is such a necessity for secrecy to for­ w a r d the operations of an A r m y that it w i l l be utterly impossible to furnish h i m w i t h facts i n time to make them important. Should any thing turn up at any time, that immediately concerns the policy 1

[22]

28

F E B R U A R Y

1781

of V i r g i n i a I shall do myself the honor to write to you, or send it through the chanel of Major M a g g i l l as circumstances may be. W e have had an active and difficult campaign so far, but it has been, as yet, greatly to our advantage. T h e E n e m y have suffered in several little skirmishes, and I do not know that we have met with one disaster. On the Night of the 2 4 t h Colo. M c C a l l surprised a Subalterns G u a r d at Harts M i l l , killed 8 and wounded and took 9 Prisoners. On the 25th Geni. Pickens and Lieutt. Colo. L e e routed a Body of near 300 Tories on the H a w R i v e r , who were in A r m s to join the B r i t i s h A r m y . T h e y made a most dreadful carnage of them; upwards of 100 were killed, and most of the rest cut to pieces. I t has had a very happy effect on those disaffected Persons, of which there are too many in this Country. I must now take this opportunity of reminding your Excellency of the Cloathing which that part of the V i r g i n i a L i n e that is out here, have been in long expectation of. M a n y of them are so ragged that it is painful to exact common duty of them. E v e n those of the last detachment who had short Jackets given them are in a dis­ tressed situation, from the Jackets being made so bad. T h e Shoul­ ders of them were not lyned, and the rubbing of the Musquet has worn them to pieces. I trust your Excellency w i l l make use of every means to furnish them as soon as possible. Y o u cannot be a Stranger to the necessity of Troops being well clad to do the necessary duties of Camp. I have the honor to be w i t h great respect Y o u r mo: obt. hble. NATH

Servt., R C ( P H i ) ; in an aide's hand, signed by Greene; addressed; endorsed: "Geni Greene Letter reed March 8. 1781." F C ( M i U - C ) ; endorsement alters date to "Feby. 28th." T r ( C S m H ) . "Extract of a letter from High-Rochford, dated February 29" { V a . G a z . , D & N , 10 M c h . ) ; this extract consists of most of the second paragraph of Greene's letter. The obvious error in the date may have been discovered at the time Greene wrote to T J on 10 Mch., q.v., wherein Greene referred to his former letter of "the 28th of February"; the date on F C ( M i U - C ) was changed from the 29th to the 28th then or at some other time. T J , however, assumed that the letter had been written on 1 Mch.; see his letters to Washington and Huntington of 8 Mch. It must have become quite obvious to T J by mid-February that a decided

GREENE

change in communications with the Southern army had taken place when Greene replaced Gates. Whereas Gates had kept T J fully informed at frequent intervals and had often depended on him to transmit information to Congress and to Washington, Greene had not been nearly so full or frequent in his letters. After Tarleton's defeat, when Cornwallis began pressing more vigor­ ously, Greene's letters had been few and brief. He had also occasionally re­ ferred T J to Steuben for more com­ plete information. T J tactfully pointed out in his letter of 18 Feb. informing Greene of Major Magill's appointment that he knew the Southern commander had been faced with a "multiplicity of . . . business." Yet this could not have been the whole explanation, or an ade­ quate one, for a condition that had existed since Greene assumed command. The plain fact is that Stevens, Morgan,

[23]

2 8 F E B R U A R Y Lawson, and others in these critical weeks of January and February, when so much depended on accurate com­ munication, had furnished T J with more frequent and more complete in­ formation than Greene had. Indeed, the exceedingly important news that Corn­ wallis had swung to the right toward Hillsborough came from Lawson, who naturally assumed that Greene had al­ ready informed T J of this vital fact (see Lawson to T J , 25 F e b . ) . T h i s news from Lawson was hurried forward by T J to Congress and Washington and was in turn dispatched to northern governors and to the French govern­ ment. Yet the present letter, which was a thinly disguised rebuff to T J for send­ ing Magill to headquarters to obtain information, contained no mention of Cornwallis' most important move since Greene's last letter. Greene promised to send forward through Magill anything "that immediately concerns the policy of Virginia." F e w military facts could have more vitally affected Virginia pol­ icy at that particular moment than the news that Cornwallis' threat of inva­ sion was greatly diminished; yet Greene passed the matter over in silence, though on the very day that he wrote the present letter he informed Steuben in a lengthy communication of all that had transpired with the Southern army. More, he appealed to Steuben to con­ duct matters that would certainly seem to have belonged to T J ' s sphere of responsibility: "If the law respecting the Cavalry is a bad one, and the means of executing it ineffectual, I would wish you [Steuben] to repre­ sent it to the Legislature, and get it put upon such a footing as to enable you to procure what Horses may be found necessary to forward the operations of the Southern Army" (Greene to Steu­ ben, 29 [i.e., 28] Feb., N H i ) . Greene's failure to communicate was probably not due to personal animosity, but rather to a conviction that military affairs should be left to the military. He frequently depended upon Steuben to convey both good and ill news to T J and the two could scarcely have been more effectively juxtaposed than in Greene's letter to Steuben of 24 J a n . : " I beg you will please to let the Gover­ nor know that the artillery he has sent out by Colonel Greene are totally unfit for service; and that the Agents who sent them deserves little less than hang­ ing. You will communicate to him the good news [of Morgan's victory at

17 8 1

Cowpens] as I have not time to write him fully on the subject" ( N H i ) . An­ other possible reason for Greene's fail­ ure to communicate more fully to T J is the fact that accounts from the South­ ern army were occasionally summarized and published in the V i r g i n i a Gazette. For example, when Greene transmitted to Steuben a copy of Morgan's full, de­ tailed, and official report of the victory over Tarleton, he remarked: "As it will be indelicate to publish it before it gets to Congress and the Commander in Chief, you w ill therefore only mention the substance of the enemy's loss, with­ out giving the particulars of the letter" (Greene to Steuben, 24 J a n . , N H i ) . There is no evidence that T J had vio­ lated the proprieties in this matter or that Greene thought he had, but the fact is that Greene did not send T J a copy of Morgan's letter and omitted from his communications many things that he reported freely to Steuben. Early in Feb., for instance, Greene made some remarks to Steuben that would have been highly interesting to T J and perhaps useful in the determination of "Virginia policy" if he had been per­ mitted to see them: "These Southern States are in such a defenceless condi­ tion that they must fall under the do­ minion of the enemy, unless reinforce­ ments are immediately sent from the Northward. You know I have always considered the incursions in Virginia as of no consequence if we could pre­ vent their penetrating this way. Pray send on all the men you can equip: and if Colo. Carrington has not left Vir­ ginia, desire him to join the army as soon as he can" (Greene to Steuben, ca. 1 Feb., N H i ) . T h i s was written at the time that Steuben^ who had been left in Virginia primarily to gather men and supplies for Greene, was continu­ ally protesting T J ' s inability to obtain men and supplies for efforts that were being made against Arnold in Ports­ mouth. It is apparent that Major Magill had some difficulty in obtaining information during his first few days at Greene's headquarters. But as time passed Magill's prudence, Steuben's growing un­ popularity in Virginia, and perhaps Greene's increasing confidence in T J caused Magill's reports to become more informative. So, for that matter, did Greene's direct communications with TJ.

£24]

T

i T h e date is blank in all copies.

To James Maxwell SIR

In Council February 28th. 1781

I am to ask the Favor of you to proceed immediately to Hampton to procure a number of the best and most trusty river and B a y Pilots. I f you cannot otherwise get them you must force them into the Service. Immediately on your arrival at Hampton wait on the Commanding Officer of his most Christian Majesty's Fleet to know the Number of Pilots wanting, and to receive and forward by ex­ press to me any Communications he may think necessary: T h e Pilots when procured you w i l l be pleased to deliver to him. I have reason to believe that this Squadron has on board some stores and small arms for this State. Y o u w i l l be pleased to receive them and have them forwarded to this Place, through ei[ther] Y o r k or James River as shall be safest. I should be glad that you would take meas­ ures for rendering the armed vessels of this State subservient to the general Service, and particularly to the performing necessary offices for the French fleet. T h e Jefferson might be very useful in preventing the escape of small vessels from Elizabeth river. I am & c , T.J. FC (Vi).

To the Officer Commanding the French Naval Force on the Coast of Virginia SIR

Richmond February 28th 1781

I have the honor to forward to you the inclosed Letter which accompanied others from General Washington to the Marquis Fayette, to the honourable Major General Baron Steuben, and my­ self. T h a t there may be no Disappointment in procuring the pilots required, I got the favor of Captain M a x w e l l Naval Commander to this State to proceed to Hampton to provide them. H i s Knowledge of the Service and of the properest Persons to be employed w i l l I hope ensure our getting them. Y o u w i l l be pleased to advise him as to the number necessary. T h e Communication between yourself and the Commanding Officer on Shore I suppose to be at present safe and easy. I f you can point out anything which it is in my Power to have done to render it more so, I shall w i t h great Pleasure have it done. General Washington mentions that you had been so kind as to take on board some arms and cloathing on account of this [25]

2 8 F E B R U A R Y

17 8 1

State. Captain M a x w e l l is instructed to take measures for receiving them. I shall be happy to have it in my power to contribute by any orders I can give towards supplying your troops with provisions or any other necessaries which may promote their Health or ac­ comodation and in every instance to testify our gratitude to your nation in general and yourself personally for the aid of you have brought us on the present Emergency, and [have] the Honor to be w i t h the greatest esteem & respect S i r your's &c, T.J. FC (Vi). Enclosure: Washington to T J , 21 Feb. T h i s letter was addressed to a non-existent naval officer; the French naval force under De T i l l y had already left the Virginia capes and that under Destouches never arrived.

From George Muter, with Reply W a r Office [ R i c h m o n d ] , 2 8 F e b . 1 7 8 1 . Five covers were ordered to be got ready for use on wagons removing the powder to Point of Fork. Mr. Rose says no canvas is to be had except some that was lodged with him for the use of the fleet, which he will not give up without express orders from T J . Answer follows: "This canvas must not be diverted to any other use, M r . Armistead should look out for some other. T h : Jef­ ferson." R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; addressed and endorsed. T J ' s answer, in his own hand, is at foot of text.

From George Muter, with Reply SIR

War office Feby 28. 1781.

T h e prisoners that came from below lately are still in charge of the Commanding officer ( M r . M a n n ) at this place, and he is un­ certain whether they are to be considered as Continental or State prisoners while they continue here. I can give h i m no information, as not a single line accompanyed them to me. T h e furnishing the prisoners with provisions, is the reason w h y M r . M a n n applies for this information. I f they are Continental prisoners, his order is not sufficient for the purpose. I have the honour of inclosing a letter I have just received from M r . Smith, which he wishes me to answer quickly. I beg leave also to mention to your Excellency, that tho' the nominal price paid to the people in the staff departments of the Continent and State is the same, yet the mode of payment makes a most material difference, which occasions much discontent in the state service. I f I am rightly informed, the Continental staff are paid off at 100 for our deprecia­

do ]

28

FEBRUARY

1781

tion, while the state pays only 65. I f this difference continues, none will serve the State: I therefore thought it necessary your Excel­ lency should be informed of it. I have the honour to be Your Excellency's Most hi Servt., G E O R G E

M U T E R .

C.

In Council Feb. 28. 1781. The prisoners Spoken of are Continental and should be fed by the Continental issuing commissary. On being furnished with a list of them I will order him to supply them. I shall write to Majr. Claiborne on the propositions made by M r . Elliot to withdraw Patton from our service. I n the mean time Patton may be told that if the lot falls on him on the draught we will detain him, and that neither Elliot nor any other power short of that of the legislature can exempt his property from taxation, or his person any otherwise from military service. T H : J E F F E R S O N R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. Enclosure ( V i ) : G[ranville] Smith, "Ast. Q.M.G1.," to George Muter, 28 Feb. 1781, requesting an exemption from the draft for M r . Patton, "our W[agon?] Master," who will prefer to accept M r . Elliott's offer to enter the

Continental quartermaster department in order to avoid military service and paying "his proportion towards recruiting a man for the Division," which he cannot afford under his wages from the state; a proper replacement for Patton will be very difficult to obtain.

To George Muter [28 February 1781] Whenever Capt. [Windsor] Brown wants a horse to ride on duty, Colo. Muter will be pleased to give him an order on the Quar­ ter master for a public horse. T H : J E F F E R S O N R C ( V i ) ; endorsed: "Note from the Govr. to furnish Cap. Browne with a horse 28 Feb." A minute in the W a r Office Journal ( V i ) recording receipt of this letter on 28 Feb. 1781 confirms the recipient and date here assigned.

To Granville Smith SIR

In Council February 28th 1781

The late Lt. Colo. Porterfield your Principal contracted a Debt of thirty Guineas during his illness in South Carolina which his brother Robert Porterfield has desired us to enable him to pay. You will therefore be pleased to purchase a heavy Hogshead of Tobacco and to be ready to consign it on board a Flag (which will go to [27]

2 8 FEBRUARY

17 8 1

Charlestown with Tobacco) to Robert Porterfield. T h e Purchase Money of the Tobacco you w i l l pay out of the contingent money in your Hands and consider it as advanced to L t . Colo. Porterfield as Quarter Master. I am &c, T.J. FC (Vi).

See Robert Porterfield to T J , 1 Feb. 1781.

To Steuben SIR

I n Council February 28th 1781

I have the pleasure of forwarding you by express the inclosed Dispatches. I send off immediately proper orders for providing the Pilots to be furnished the Commanding officer of the French Squad­ ron who is to forward them up the B a y . General Washington says he writes to you on the Subject of M i l i t i a , Magazines &c. I shall be glad to receive any advices on those Heads which may require my assistance. I have the Honor &c, T.J. F C ( V i ) . T h e enclosures probably included copies of Washington's and Lafayette's letters to T J of 21 Feb. 1781. Steuben apparently received T J ' s let­ ter and its enclosures the same day, for on 1 Mch. 1781 he wrote Innes stating that Captain Fairlie would com­ municate to him the information re­

ceived "this moment" in letters from Washington and ordering him to col­ lect the men under his command, march at once to the best place of embarca­ tion near Hog Island, and, after cross­ ing the James, proceed at once to Suf­ folk where he would place himself un­ der Muhlenberg ( N H i ) .

From George Weedon [28 February 1781] I t w i l l not be in my power to arm the whole at this place without delaying too much time, and therefore must beg your Excellency to direct 2 0 0 stand to meet us at Hanover court house to which place the Baron has ordered me for further directions. T h e r e w i l l also be wanting 3 0 0 cartouch boxes. T r ( N H i ) ; captioned: "Extract from Geni Weedons Letter to the Governor, dated feb: 28." Enclosed in T J ' s letter to Steuben, 5 Mch. 1781. The letter of which the above is an extract may have contained additional matter similar to that in Weedon's let­ ter to Steuben of the same date; in that letter Weedon explained that he had hoped to march earlier, but that the tardy movements of the militia had pre­ vented. He reported further that a total of 286 rank and file from Fairfax and Prince William counties had come in,

and added: "The Governor Assured me their one fourth part would amount, from these Counties, to 385, which he had positively ordered out. I have men­ tioned it to him, and also to the County Lieutenants. Those that have arrived come Sadly Armed. I shall not be able to Arm the whole at this place without delaying too much in waiting for re­ pairs, and have requested his Excel­ lency to forward 200 Stand to meet me at Hanover Court House" (Weedon to Steuben, 28 Feb., N H i ) . A week later Weedon was still protesting the delay

[28]

F E B R U A R Y caused by the militia: "Sure I am if an officer ordered to superintend and expedite militia movements does not in that service loos his Reputation, he may risque it on all other occations. . . . The Conduct of the Loudoun Militia

178 1

[I] have represented to the Governour and pressed in the most Cogent Terms, an exertion on the side of the Execu­ tive" (Weedon to Steuben, 8 Mch., NHi).

Return of Militia by Counties last of Feb. 1781.

218 244 344 156 219 156 156 285 384 175 169 137 281 87 300 102

245 155 125 109

I . of W i g h t . Southampton Nansemd. Mecklenb. Augusta Rockbridge Rockingham Charlotte Buckingham Halifax Bedford Sussex Lunenburg Goochland Amelia Powhatan Brunswick Cumberland Chas. City Hanover Henrico K . & Q. K . Wm. Albemarle Fluvanna Amherst E l i z . city N . Kent

G l . Muhlenburg 192. 141. 84. 247. 370. 190 190 108 128 167 306 117 104. 1. 65. 2. 297. 90. 2799

Colo. Nicholas

46 61. 53 16. 38.

Innes

Dabney

24 40 116. 38

45 138 46 73

214

2799 M S ( D L C ) ; entirely in T J ' s hand.

[29}

218

302

David Ross' Memorandum concerning Supplies [February 1781] W a n t e d in a few days a Complete Estimate of all the Cloathing and Military Stores which are to be imported for this State against next F a l l . A n Estimate of what articles must actually be had this Spring by importation or purchase in the Country. T h e T h e t i s w i l l be wanted immediately. Must I purchase the articles wanted for her? O r is there funds already Provided for that Purpose. Can I depend upon geting Provisions for the Ships employ'd in the trade from the State Commissarys? I f there is any doubt in-this matter I w i l l take measures for obtaining a supply my self, for there must be no delays when our Ports are again open. D.R MS ( V i ) ; in Ross' hand; captioned: "Memorandum"; endorsed: "David Ross L r . Feby 8 1 . " Evidently sent by Ross to the Council some time during Febru­

ary; on 23 J a n . Ross had been appointed commercial agent for the state; see T J to Ross, 29 J a n . and 2 Feb.

To Nathaniel Burwell SIR

In Council March 1st 1781

I shall be obliged to you i f you w i l l put the six months Men of your County under the Care of some officer coming with discharged M i l i t i a by this place. Baron Steuben has furnished Officers to go to each of the places of Rendezvous mentioned in m y circular Letter to receive the Draughts. None but these can receive them, which renders it necessary that yours should be sent to the Rendezvous. Chesterfield Courthouse, I suppose is the one you w i l l send to where an Officer is ready to receive them. I am, &c. & c , T.J. F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "Colo. Nathaniel Burwell." M Y C I R C U L A R L E T T E R : A note to this letter in Official Letters ( i l , 380) states, incorrectly, that the letter referred to was possibly an undated draft of a let­ ter to the county lieutenants (printed in this edition under 1 Aug. 1780; see note there for reasons for dating). It is not clear whether T J refers to his circular

letter to the county lieutenants of 19 Jan. 1781, or whether, possibly, he re­ ferred to a (missing) letter to the county lieutenants of James City (of which Bur­ well was county lieutenant), Williams­ burg, York, Warwick and Elizabeth City dated 28 Feb. or 1 Mch. 1781 (see Notes concerning Preparations for the Expedition against Portsmouth, printed under 3 Mch. 1781).

[30]

David Ross' Memorandum concerning Supplies [February 1781] W a n t e d in a few days a Complete Estimate of all the Cloathing and Military Stores which are to be imported for this State against next F a l l . A n Estimate of what articles must actually be had this Spring by importation or purchase in the Country. T h e T h e t i s w i l l be wanted immediately. Must I purchase the articles wanted for her? O r is there funds already Provided for that Purpose. Can I depend upon geting Provisions for the Ships employ'd in the trade from the State Commissarys? I f there is any doubt in-this matter I w i l l take measures for obtaining a supply my self, for there must be no delays when our Ports are again open. D.R MS ( V i ) ; in Ross' hand; captioned: "Memorandum"; endorsed: "David Ross L r . Feby 8 1 . " Evidently sent by Ross to the Council some time during Febru­

ary; on 23 J a n . Ross had been appointed commercial agent for the state; see T J to Ross, 29 J a n . and 2 Feb.

To Nathaniel Burwell SIR

In Council March 1st 1781

I shall be obliged to you i f you w i l l put the six months Men of your County under the Care of some officer coming with discharged M i l i t i a by this place. Baron Steuben has furnished Officers to go to each of the places of Rendezvous mentioned in m y circular Letter to receive the Draughts. None but these can receive them, which renders it necessary that yours should be sent to the Rendezvous. Chesterfield Courthouse, I suppose is the one you w i l l send to where an Officer is ready to receive them. I am, &c. & c , T.J. F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "Colo. Nathaniel Burwell." M Y C I R C U L A R L E T T E R : A note to this letter in Official Letters ( i l , 380) states, incorrectly, that the letter referred to was possibly an undated draft of a let­ ter to the county lieutenants (printed in this edition under 1 Aug. 1780; see note there for reasons for dating). It is not clear whether T J refers to his circular

letter to the county lieutenants of 19 Jan. 1781, or whether, possibly, he re­ ferred to a (missing) letter to the county lieutenants of James City (of which Bur­ well was county lieutenant), Williams­ burg, York, Warwick and Elizabeth City dated 28 Feb. or 1 Mch. 1781 (see Notes concerning Preparations for the Expedition against Portsmouth, printed under 3 Mch. 1781).

[30]

T o Mary Willing Byrd I n Council March 1st 1781

M A D A M

I am sorry it is not in my power to send you the L a w you desire, having only one Copy of it myself and that bound up with the laws of the session of October 1776 at which it was passed. T h e descrip­ tion of the offence which is the subject of the A c t , is in these words: *if a man do levy w a r against this Commonwealth within the Same, or be adherent to the enemies of the Commonwealth within the same, giving to them aid or Comfort in the Commonwealth or else­ where &c. thereof be legally convicted, &c. &c.' T h e situation in which you were placed by the landing of the enemy at Westover was undoubtedly difficult. Whether you may have been able to steer with Precision between the w i l l of those in whose Power you were, and the L a w s of your Country is a Question on which the laws have not made me the Judge. T h e Letter which you mention to have written while the enemys Fleet lay at Westover being thought to contain the acknowledgement of an offence against the Commonwealth, was put into the Hands of the Executive officially and by them remitted to the Attorney General, with instructions to proceed as the L a w s should require. I believe it is his Idea that these proceedings must be as for a misdemeanor. T h e y w i l l prob­ ably take place immediately under the Directions of a late act which ordains pleadings in certain Cases from D a y to D a y till final De­ cision, and I hope w i l l furnish you an ample occasion of Justifica­ tion. T h e F l a g having come on a Permission from Baron Steuben given before the Determination to discontinue that kind of inter­ course, we referred the whole of that matter to h i m , save only that his promise having been to admit an identical Restitution of Slaves and the flag instead of that bringing a Compensation in Merchan­ dize, were of opinion and determined that this could not be admitted to be received, as, allowing the same indulgence equally it would immediately become regular Commerce. T h i s was the only order or resolution formed by the Executive on any T h i n g relative to this F l a g or to yourself so far as connected with her. M r . Hare was thought to have conducted himself with great Impropriety, yet a desire to afford no Colour of precedent for violating the sacred Rights of a F l a g has I believe induced Baron Steuben to remit M r . Hare and his vessel again to his Commander. T h o ' my office requires that I should be divested of private esti­ mations, yet I must be permitted to assure you that it w i l l give me [31]

1

MARCH

1781

very real Pleasure to know that the Issue from this troublesome Business is perfectly to your satisfaction, and that I am, &c. & c , T.J. FC (Vi). A INGS

L A T E

A C T W H I C H

I N CERTAIN

ORDAINS

CASES

FROM

PLEAD­ D A Y T O

D A Y : T h i s was the Act passed at the Oct. 1780 session amending the Act "for giving farther powers to the governour and council," under which, in case of invasion or insurrection, the gover­

nor with the advice of council was au­ thorized to constitute special courts for the trial of "all treasons and misprisions of treason, and also all offences against an act" of May 1780 "affixing penalties to certain crimes injurious to the inde­ pendence of America but less than trea­ son'" (Hening, x, 268-70, 386-9).

To the County Lieutenants of Prince George and Other Counties SIR

In Council Mar 1st 1781

It being necessary that a reinforcement be sent immediately to General Muhlenburg you will be pleased to order of your Militia to be at his head quarters on the 5th or at furthest the 6th. instant. They will there receive arms. This number must be sent fully. I am Sir, & c , & c , T.J. 1

F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "Letter to the County Lieutenants of Prince George, Sussex, Southampton, Isle of Wight, Nansemond, Surry, Charles City, New Kent." T h i s order, no doubt, was prompted by the fact that T J had just learned of the intended expedition against Ports­ mouth (see T J to Lafayette, 12 Mch.

—second letter of that date). i Below the text in F C there is the following list of counties with the num­ bers to be inserted in the letter to each at this point: "Prince George 125, Sus­ sex 175, Southampton 219, Nansemond 161, Isle of Wight 150, Surry 95, Charles City 7 1 , New Kent 104."

T o James Innes SIR

In Council March 1st. 1781

On revising the orders I inclosed you for Militia to supply the Place of yours when discharged, I find I omitted Williamsburg. I now inclose you an order for a fourth of their militia. Baron Steu­ ben informed me to Day of the order he had given you to carry your Men across the River. I have stated to him the little prob­ ability of effecting it in their present Temper. It must therefore be rested on your Discretion whether to attempt it or not. I have taken measures on a Supposition that they cannot be carried and have given orders for 800 to proceed (in their Stead) from Southamp[32]

1

M A R C H

1 7 8 1

ton, Isle of W i g h t , Nansemond, S u r r y , Charles City, and N e w K e n t . , I am &c. & c , T.J. FC (Vi).

T o the Speaker of the House of Delegates SIR

I n Council March 1 . 1 7 8 1 .

I t is with great reluctance that after so long and laborious a Session as the last I have been again obliged to give you the trouble of convening in General Assembly within so short a time and in so inclement a season. B u t such was the situation of Public Affairs as to render it indispensable. T h e six millions of pounds ordered to be emitted at the last Ses­ sion of assembly, the four millions which the Executive were per­ mitted to issue i f necessary, and the money for the purchase of 1 5 0 hhds of tobacco estimated to be one million, one hundred and twenty five thousand pounds have been all dispensed in paiment of public debts, in present defence, and preparation for the ensuing cam­ paign, as fast as they could be emitted: and the calls uncomplied w i t h appear to be numerous and distressing. One army of our enemies lodged within our Country, another pointing towards it, and since in fact entered into it, without a shilling in the public coffers, was a situation in which it was impossible to rest the safety of the State. T h e invasion which took place on the close of the last session of assembly having necessarily called for the attendance of a number of M i l i t i a in the field, interrupted of course the execution of the act for recruiting our quota of troops for the Continental army. Sensible that this would be the consequence, we endeavoured to restrain the calls of Militia to as few Counties as possible, that the residue might proceed undisturbed in this important work. B u t such has been the course of events as to render indispensible subsequent applications to many other Counties. So that while in some Counties this law is in a regular train of execution, in others it is begun and proceeding under great obstacles and doubts, and in others it has been wholly suspended. T h i s last measure the Executive themselves were obliged to recommend or approve in some instances from a convic­ tion that they could not otherwise draw forth the force of the Coun­ ties in the particular point in which that force was wanting. Accidents derived from the same movements of the enemy de­ layed the promulgation of the A c t for supplying the army with [33}

1

M A R C H

17 8 1

cloths, provisions and waggons, until it became evident that the times of execution would be elapsed before the laws could be re­ ceived i n many counties. I undertook nothwithstanding to recom­ mend their execution at as early a day as possible, not doubting but that the General Assembly, influenced by the necessity which in­ duced them to pass the A c t , would give their sanction to a literal departure from it, where its substance was complied With. I have reason to believe that the zeal of the several Counties has led them to a compliance w i t h m y recommendation, and I am therefore to pray a legal ratification of their proceedings, the want of which might expose the instruments of the law to cavil and vexation from some individuals. These were the subjects which led immediately to the calling of the General Assembly. Others, tho' of less moment, it is m y duty also to lay before you, being now convened. A s the establishment of your regular army w i l l of course be under consideration, while amending the late law for raising regu­ lars, I beg leave to lay before you a letter of the Honble Major General Baron Steuben on that subject, and the proceedings of a convention of Commissioners from the States of N e w Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode island, Connecticut, and N e w Y o r k held at Hartford, as likewise a proposition from Colonel Spotswood for raising a legionary Corps for the defence of the State. Whether it be practicable to raise and maintain a sufficient number of regulars to carry on the w a r is a question. T h a t it would be burthensome is undoubted, yet it is perhaps as certain that no possible mode of carrying it on can be so expensive to the public and so distressing and disgusting to individuals as by militia. T h e approach of the british army under L d . Cornwallis having rendered supplies of horses for the purpose of mounting our dra­ goons indispensably necessary for the reasons set forth in the in­ closed extract of a Letter from Geni. Greene, and it being apparent that horses, in the route of their march i f not used for us would be taken by them and used in subduing us, I undertook to recommend to Geni. Greene the applying to the use of his dragoons horses so exposed, first ascertaining their value by appraisement; and beg leave to rest the justification of the measure on the appearance of things at that moment, and the sense of the General Assembly of it's necessity. Could any further means be devised for completing those corps of horse it might have the most important effects on the Southern operations. I am desired to lay before the General Assembly the resolutions [34]

1

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of Congress of Feby 5. and 7. 1 7 8 1 which accompany this, as also the representations of our officers in captivity in Charles T o w n in favor of General Mcintosh. I likewise beg leave to transmit you the advice of Council for reforming the 1st. and 2d. State regi­ ments, the State Garrison regiment and regiment of artillery. M r . E v e r a r d having declined resuming the office of auditor to which the General assembly had elected h i m , the Executive have appointed Boiling Stark esqr. in his room to serve till the meeting of Assembly. Not doubting but that the General Assembly would w i s h to be informed of the measures taken by the Executive on the invasion which happened at the rising of the last session of assembly as well as on the one lately made on our Southern frontier, I shall take the liberty of giving them a succinct State of them. H a v i n g received information on Sunday the last day of Decem­ ber of the appearance of 27 Sail of Vessels in our bay, which whether friendly or hostile was not then known, we got the favor of General Nelson to repair immediately to the lower country with instructions to call into the field such a force from the adjacent counties as might make present opposition to the enemy, i f it proved to be an enemy, according to an arrangement which had been set­ tled in the preceding summer; waiting for more certain and precise information before we should call on the more distant part of the Country: and in the same instant stationed expresses from hence to Hampton. I took the liberty of communicating this intelligence to the General Assembly on their meeting the next morning. No further information arrived till the 2d. of J a n . when we were as­ sured that the fleet announced was hostile. W e immediately advised with Major General Baron Steuben, the commanding Officer in the State, on the force he would wish to have collected, and in the course of the day prepared letters calling together one fourth of the M i l i ­ tia from the Counties whose turn it was to come into Service, or whom vicinity rendered it expedient to call on, v i z . B r u n s w i c k , Mecklenburg, Lunenburg, Amelia, Powhatan, Cumberland, P r . E d w a r d , Charlotte, Halifax, Bedford, Buckingham, Henrico, Ches­ terfield, Dinwiddie, Sussex, Southampton, Goochld., Fluvanna, Albemarle, Amherst, Rockbridge, Augusta, Rockingham and Shenandoah amounting to 4650 men and directing them not to wait to be embodied in their Counties but to come in detached parties as they could be collected. I at the same time required the Counties of Henrico, Hanover, Goochland, Chesterfield, Powhatan, Cumber­ land, Dinwiddie, and Amelia to send the half of their militia intend1

[35]

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ing to discharge what should be over their equal proportion as soon as those from the more distant counties should arrive, and in the morning of the 4th. finding the enemy were coming up James river, I called for every man able to bear arms from the Counties of Henrico, Goochland, Powhatan, Chesterfield and Dinwiddie. Nevertheless so rapid were the movements of the enemy and so favorable to them the circumstances of wind and tide that they were able to penetrate to this place and Westham on the 5th., to destroy what public Stores we had not been able to get away, to burn the public buildings at W e s t h a m and some occupied by the public at this place, and to retire to their shipping before such a force had assembled as was sufficient to approach them. I have the pleasure however to inform you that we were enabled to withdraw almost the whole of the Public Stores so as to render our loss in that Article far less than might have been expected from the rapidity of the movements of the enemy and the difficulty of procuring suddenly any considerable number of waggons and vessels. General Nelson having collected and drawn towards the enemy a body of M i l i t i a on the north, and Baron Steuben done the same on the South side of the river, the enemy withdrew making de­ scents and committing depredations at places till they reached Portsmouth, where they have since remained environed by the M i l i t i a of this State and of North Carolina. O n receiving intelligence of the advance of the B r i t i s h army under L d . Cornwallis through N . Carolina, we directed one fourth of the M i l i t i a of Pittsylvania, Henry, Montgomery, Washington and Botetourt to march immediately to reinforce General Greenes army, but learning very soon after that the enemy were already arrived at or very near the D a n river we ordered out all the M i l i t i a who had arms or for whom arms could be procured of the Coun­ ties of Lunenburg, B r u n s w i c k , Amelia, Dinwiddie, Chesterfield, Powhatan and Cumberland. Colonel L y n c h , who happened to be here when the intelligence was received, was instructed to carry on immediately the M i l i t i a of Bedford: W e at the same instant received notice that the M i l i t i a of Prince E d w a r d and Mecklenburg were already embodied and we knew the Counties of Halifax and Char­ lotte to be so immediately under the approach of the enemy as that they must be embodied under the invasion law before our orders could reach them. T h e Counties below these on the South side of James river we thought it expedient to leave as a barrier against the army within Portsmouth. T h e very rapid approach of the enemy obliged us in this instance to disregard that regular rotation of duty [36]

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1781

which we w i s h to observe in our calls on the several Counties, and to summon those into the field which had Militia on duty at the very time. However the several services of these as well as of the other Counties shall be kept in view and made as equal as possible in the course of general service. I have the honor to be with the highest esteem and respect, S i r , your mo. ob. & mo. hble Servant, T H : JEFFERSON R C ( V i ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed and corrected by T J ; docketed, in a later hand: "Communications from Thomas Jefferson Esqr Governor of Vir­ ginia to the General Assembly"; the docketing by the clerk of the House of Delegates for this letter appears on the verso of the Advice of Council (see en­ closure 7, below): "[Go]vernors Letter Stating sundry Matters March 2d: [ i . e . , the day i t was r e a d i n the H o u s e ] 1781 Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Common­ wealth." F C ( V i ) . Enclosures: ( 1 ) Let­ ter of Steuben (not identified) on the subject of the establishment of a regu­ lar army (see Steuben to T J , 5 Mch. 1781, in which he refers to "several memorials I have already presented"). ( 2 ) Proceedings of the Hartford Con­ vention of Nov. 1781 ( V i ; printed as an enclosure to William Bradford to T J , 22 Nov. 1780, q.v.). ( 3 ) Proposition of Alexander Spotswood (missing; but see T T to Spotswood, 31 Jan. 1781 and note there). ( 4 ) Extract (Vi) of Greene to T J , 15 Feb. 1781, paragraph begin­ ning: "Cavalry are so essential . . ."; see also TJ's letter to Greene 19 Feb. 1781). ( 5 ) Resolutions of Congress of 5 [ i . e . 31 and 7 Feb. 1781 ( V i ; see Samuel Huntington to T J , 8 Feb. 1781). ( 6 ) Petition of Captured Officers of the Vir­ ginia Line in Favor of General Mcin­ tosh, 20 Sep. 1780 ( C S m H , printed

above, q.v.). ( 7 ) Advice of Council re­ specting Consolidation of the State Regiments, 6 Feb. 1781 ( V i , printed under that date, q.v.). The Assembly met on 1 Mch. in ac­ cordance with T J ' s Proclamation but adjourned to the following day, lacking a quorum. On 2 Mch., a sufficient num­ ber being present, the House proceeded to business and elected Richard Henry Lee Speaker, in the absence of Benja­ min Harrison, who had gone to Phila­ delphia on business for the state. Lee laid T J ' s letter and its enclosures before the House, which, being read, were re­ ferred to a committee of the whole House on the state of the common­ wealth. On 21 Mch. the Assembly passed an "Act to remedy the inconveniencies arising from the interruption given to the execution of two acts passed at the last session of assembly, for recruiting this state's quota of troops to serve in the continental army, and for supplying the army with clothes, provisions, and waggons," and ordered that copies be printed immediately "for the use of the several Counties" (Hen­ ing, X , 393-5; J H D , Mch. 1781, V a . State Libr., B u l l , 1928, p. 6-7, 48-9, 51). i F C adds the following at this point: "in pursuance of the resolution of As­ sembly which it recites."

From George Muter, with Reply [ R i c h m o n d ] 1 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Requests information concerning the proper officer to discharge the eight-months' men whose term of service is expired and the manner in which they are to be paid. Has written Mr. Blakey to report to the Council on the business for which he was em­ ployed; fears "he has done but little, and cannot be depended on." E n ­ closes a letter from Smith respecting the quarter master at Winchester; had notified Smith, in pursuance of directions from the executive, that the quarter masters to the westward were to be discontinued under "a different plan in concert with Geni. Clarke." Has certain information of [37}

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Col. Porterfield's death which makes the appointment of a quartermaster general for the state necessary. Reply follows: " I n Council Mar. 1. 1781. T h e eight months men being regular souldiers are to be discharged and paid as other regulars. T h e Western quarter masters having been discontinued as said, it seems proper that the subsequent furnitures to militia should be settled with the Auditors. T h : Jefferson." R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; endorsed; reply, in T J ' s hand, is written below Muter's letter. Enclosure ( V i ) : Granville Smith to Muter, 1 Mch. 1781. On 28 Feb. Muter wrote to Smith B L A K E Y requesting him to engage with

E d w a r d Simpson of Fredericksburg for making cartouche boxes ( W a r Office Letter Book, V i ) . See Simpson's letter on this subject, quoted in the note on the (missing) letter from Muter to T J , 3 Mch. (second letter).

From George Muter [Richmond, 1 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Minute in W a r Office Journal ( V i ) under this date: " A letter to the Governor inclosing a list of the Officers of the second State Regiment." Muter's letter and the enclosed list of officers have not been located.]

From Charles Scott Charles Town March 1st: 1781 I wrote your Excellency by Major Croghan who went from this in the return F l a g from V i r g i n i a . I then informed you we met many Difficulties in Negotiating the B i l l s owing to the want of the T h i r d sett. Since w h i c h I have been able to dispose of them, P a r t at P a r r , which is to be taken in Goods, and the remainder at I V 2 ^ c t : Discount, which has enabled me to pay the Officers in Cash % of a Months P a y , the Additional pay to the Supernumerary Staff excepted. A s I thought it highly improper to give the Soldiers Money (their present Situation considered) I therefore furnished them i n L i e u thereof with such Articles of Cloathing as they stood most in Need of to the full Amount of their proportion, w h i c h I hope w i l l meet w i t h your Excellencies Approbation. Since Obtain­ ing permission for Tobacco being sent for our use, I have been able to procure Credit for such articles as the Officers were truly Distressed for, and to a Considerable Amount; which Contract is to be punctually comply'd w i t h , within Sixty D a y s from the date of this, or it may add much to my already unhappy Situation. I mentioned in my last the Supplies I had furnish'd Previous to this. I f it should be Convenient (not knowing how long m y stay in this [38]

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situation may b e ) to send a few Hhds. of Tobacco for my own particular use, I shall be exceedingly thankfull and have no doubt that I shall render you on sight a V e r y Satisfactory Account. A s a number of the Officers have sent to their Friends for a private supply of Tobacco I am fearfull it may take up too much room in the Publick F l a g and therefore beg your Excellency's permission that a Vessel may be Chartered by such person as we may appoint, and that a F l a g be granted for that purpose at our own Expence. P r a y D i s patch the third Sett of B i l l s by the Earliest Opportunity possible, as they are also to be delivered in Sixty Days from this. A s I am sure you cannot be unmindfull of our Disagreable situation, and the length of time It's likely to continue, it would be needless for me to decend to particulars. I have no Doubt every thing Possible w i l l be done in order to make Captivity as easy as the Nature of things w i l l Admit. I have the Honour to be Your E x c y s . Obt. Servt, CHS.

RC

SCOTT

(PHi).

Memoranda of Needs Submitted by Steuben Notes que J ' a i donné au Gouverneur pour les quelles J ' a i désiré son Assistence [ca. 1 Mch. 1781] 1. d'avoir au moins 40000 Rations collecte a Williamsbourg ou Environs, vers le 7 de ce mois, pour l a subsistence des trouppes Venant avec le Marquis de l a fayette. 2. Quii y aurat au moins autant des Rations p r e p a r é a Suffolk, pour la Milice sous les Ordres du General Muhlenberg. 3. Que les affûts pour les 4 Canons de 18, et les deux mortier seront achever au Moins le 7 de ce mois, et que les Vaisseaux seront p r ê t pour Recevoir, avec tout les autres articles dont Capt. Prayer a une note de moi. Que ces Vaisseaux decenderont J'usqu'a L'Embouchure de Chickahominy R i v e r , pour attendre des ordres U l t é r i e u r e . 4. Que les Vaisseau Marchand dans james R i v e r decenderont pour ce trouve le 6 de ce mois opposé du fort a Hoods, pour recevoir des ordres U l t é r i e u r e . 5. Que les Onze cens Milicie destine pour Completter le nombre necessaire au General Muhlenberg seront tout au plus tard le [39]

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6 a Suffolk pour être incorporé les Corps ou ils doivent servir. 6. S ' i l est possible d'appeller un Corps de 40 Cavallerie Volontair pour servir pendant L'Expédition, pour renforcer notre cavallerie trop foible en nombre. M S ( N H i ) ; in Steuben's hand; at foot of text is the following: "Marquis 1200 Infant Reg: Gen. Weedon 800 Milice Coll Parcker 1400 Gen. Steuben 2500 Cavallerie 120 6020." Steuben was in Richmond on 1 Mch. 1781 and very probably handed a copy of this memorandum to T J ; on that day he wrote Washington: " I came here this morning to take the necessary measures with Government and I shall set off to-

morrow for Williamsburg to be near the Marquis and the Fleet. I have dispatched the pilots for Möns. T i l l y and have sent him a letter by M r . Pontier who will acquaint [him] with our situation and wishes" (Steuben to Washington, 1 Mch. 1781, NHi; actually, it was T J who took the step of providing pilots —see his letter to the officer commanding the French Naval force, 28 F e b . ) . For T J ' s reply to the present memorandum, see notes concerning preparations for the expedition against Portsmouth, printed under date of 3 Mch. 1781.

Memorial of British Prisoners Richmond 1st March 1781 T h e Memorial of Lieut. Vernon, Quartr. M r . Embree, Volunteer W i l l e t t of the B r i t i s h Legion, and Joshua Hamilton Store Keeper to the Provincial Forces. Sheweth that your Memoralists was taken Prisoners by the Providence and Ranger Sloops of W a r in J a n u a r y 1780 and brought into Charles T o w n , but Geni. Lincoln Understanding that an Expedition was coming against that place thought proper to send us to George T o w n . F r o m George T o w n we was sent to Willmington. F r o m W i l l m i n g t o n to Newbern, from Newbern to Halifax, and after remaining in Halifax upwards of S i x Months, we was ordered for this place and Understanding that we are still to proceed further, we beg to lay before your Excellency the disagreeable situation to which we are reduced to. Thirteen Months and upwards we have been prisoners not one farthing of Substance has been sent us. T h e different Marches we have had has destroy'd the little Necessaries that was left us, so that we are at this present Moneyless and without Necessaries, not fitting to appear i n the Charactor we would w i s h at all times to support. T h e r e fore we beg of Y o u r Excellency to Parole us into G e n i . Arnold and we give our word of honour that Officers of the same rank shall be sent out in our room till regular[ly] exchanged. I f this favour cant be granted, that Subsistence may be advanced to us and an order for the same we w i l l give on the P a y Master of the Forces in [40}

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Charles T o w n which w i l l be paid immediately on demand. W e likewise inclose an order we received from Govr. N a s h to the Coun­ cil in Halifax to supply us with money, but it being of no value to us on account of leaving that State we was obliged to march with­ out the least supply. Therefore we hope Your Excellency w i l l con­ sider us, i f the former request cant be granted, that the latter may be considered and your Memoralists in duty bound w i l l E v e r pray. N. V E R N O N .

THOS. E M B R E E

s. w i L L E T T JOSHUA

Lt. B. L .

Qr.Mr. B . L .

Volunteer B . L .

HAMILTON

R C ( V i ) ; addressed: "His Excellency Govr. Jefferson"; endorsed: "Memorial of Prisoners."

From John Dixon SIR

March 2d. 1781

I take the liberty to inform your Excellency, that the exposed situation of Gloster County from the extensive water courses, and the frequent depredations of the E n e m y in small plundering par­ ties, determined me, with the approbation of the County Lieuten­ ant, to raise a Troop of Horse, consisting of thirty two exclusive of Officers; which I have compleated, with Men of Property and repute; those who cannot Mount and equip themselves, I have undertaken to furnish at my expence. W e wish to be allowed only forage and rations when in actuall service, wages we wou'd not accept, and the sanction of the Executive to obtain temporary Com­ missions for the Officers, that i f the chance of W a r shou'd throw them into the Enemy's hands, they may have the advantages other Officers are entituled to. T h e articles of enlistment I w i l l transmit to your Excellency i f wanted. I have the honour to be w i t h great respect Y o u r Excellency's most Obt. Servt., J . DIXON RC

( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed: "Jno. Dixons Letter March 2d. 81 A D . "

From Samuel Huntington, enclosing a Resolution of Congress Adopting the Articles of Confederation SIR

Philadelphia March 2. 1781

By the Act of Congress herewith enclosed your Excellency will be informed, that the Articles of Confederation and perpetual [41 }

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Union between the thirteen United States are formally and finally ratified by all the States. We are happy to congratulate our Constituents on this important Event, desired by our Friends but dreaded by our Enemies. I have the Honor to be with every Sentiment of Esteem & respect your Excellency's most obedient humble Servant, S. H U N T I N G T O N President E N C L O S U R E

In Congress March 1. 1781 According to the order of the day the honble John Hanson and Daniel Carrol two of the delegates for the State of Maryland in pursuance of the act of the legislature of that State entitled "An Act to empower the delegates of this State in Congress to subscribe and ratify the articles of confederation" which was read in Congress the 12th. of February last and a copy thereof entered on the minutes did in behalf of the said State of Maryland sign and ratify the said articles of confederation by which act the confederation of the United States of America was completed each and every of the thirteen United States from New Hampshire to Georgia both included having adopted and confirmed and by their dele­ gates in Congress ratified the same. Extract from the minutes. C H A THOMSON

secy.

R C ( V i ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by Huntington; at head of text: "Circular"; endorsed. F C ( D L C : P C C , No. 1 5 ) . Enclosure ( V i ) : Extract of minutes of Con­ gress, in the hand of Charles Thomson, printed above.

To James Innes SIR

Richmond March 2nd. 1781

After writing the inclosed I had further Conversation with the Baron who desires as your militia are not going over to the South Side of the River that you will have their Arms carried to General Muhlenburgs head Quarters where they will be wanting by the 6th instant, and that you will have measures taken to bring Arms from Gloucester for the Militia of the adjacent Counties who are called in to take the place of those now under your Command. As the French Squadron will restrain the Enemy within Elizabeth River there will probably be little to do on the North Side of James River. These Arrangements will take a very short Time, and I hope therefore they will not be the means of detaining [you] from the Assembly. I am, &c. T.J. F C (Vi). Enclosure: Probably T J ' s letter to Innes of 1 Mch., q.v.

[42}

To Lafayette SIR

Richmond March 2nd. 1 7 8 1

I was two days ago honoured w i t h your Letter and that of Gen­ eral Washington on the same Subject. I immediately transmitted by Express the one accompanying it to the Commanding Officer of the N a v a l Force of his Most Christian Majesty in our B a y , and took measures for providing pilots. Baron Steuben w i l l communi­ cate to you the Arrangements he proposes, which I shall have the pleasure of forwarding with every aid in m y power. I hope that when you shall arrive at the point of Action every T h i n g w i l l be found in readiness. I think the prospect flattering of lopping off this B r a n c h of the B r i t i s h Force and of relieving the Southern Operations by pointing all their Efforts to one Object only. T h e relief of this State being the most immediate effect of the enterprize, it gives me great Pleasure that we shall be so far indebted for it to a Nobleman who has already so much endeared himself to the Citi­ zens of these States by his past Exertions and the very effectual aids he has been the means of procuring them. I have the Honor to be w i t h Sentiments of the most perfect Gratitude and respect Sir Y o u r s , & c , T.J. FC (Vi). YOUR LETTER A N D THAT OF GENERAL

On 21 Feb. both Washington and Lafayette had written to T J concerning the plan to capture the British troops at Portsmouth. At the time WASHINGTON:

that T J was writing the present letter, Washington had known for several days that the French ships had already returned to Destouches' command (Washington, W r i t i n g s , ed. Fitzpatrick, x x i , 313).

From Charles Magill SIR

Head Quarters Gilford Cty. March 2d. 1 7 8 1 .

Agreeable to the direction received from your Excellency I pro­ ceeded with the utmost expedition to the Head Quarters of the Southern A r m y . On my arrival I found that the Policy of the A r m y , would not permit me to penetrate into the secret reason's that had actuated Geni. Greene in its different movements, that nothing had unfolded itself worth communication; and thought it adviseable to defer writing for a few D a y s when there was a propability of having it in m y power to write w i t h some degree of confidence, and to furnish you w i t h some interesting intelligence. L o r d Cornwallis, upon losing sight of his favorite objects, (the retaking the P r i s ­ oners Captured at Tarltons Defeat, and the destruction of the [43}

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Southern Army) immediately retreated to Hilsborough and erected the Royal Standard. A number of the dissafected, actuated by a desire to Plunder, and distress, their fellow Countrymen, under the Command of a Colo. Piles, on their way to Hilsborough fortunately fell in with a body of our Light Troops under the Command of Geni. Peckins and Colo. Lee, were dispers'd after leaving one Hun­ dred dead upon the field the Commanding Officer among the num­ ber; this timely check made a number more who no doubt would have Copied after the first example set them, secret themselves; and instead of taking that active part on the side of Government ex­ pected, sink into their primative Indolence. His Lordship after making all the Havoc in his power, at Hilsborough, moved down upon the Haw River. It was then conjectured, that his intended Route was by Cross Creek but his Conduct since has been so very equivocal, that it is not possible to determine what his intentions are. A General Action, though reputedly fond of Fighting, it is supposed he wishes to avoid; protecting the Friends of Govern­ ment, procuring shoes for his Army which at present they are much in want of; and collecting provisions seems to actuate his Lordships Conduct in some Measure. General Greene is at present within Six Miles of the British Camp, this holds out a specious appearance, but in my opinion should Cornwallis be ever so desir­ ous, Policy would prevent a General Action. A plan seems to be adopted, which I hope will be attended with the happiest conse­ quences; our Superiority in Cavalry, not in numbers, but in the goodness of Men, and Horses, can easily prevent his Lordships making any rapid movements to our Prejudice, and gives every opportunity of Cutting of[f] his detached Parties. Fighting them by detail, at present is all that may be expected; at all events, con­ fident I am that a general Action well not be risk'd unless success is in some Measure insured. Colo. Campbell is to day expected reports say with Eleven Hundred Men, the number is exagerated, and from some information this moment received, his numbers dont exceed Six Hundred. Major Lynch from Bedford, with three Hun­ dred is shortly expected. Colos. Preston and Crockett, from Boutetourt, join'd yesterday with four Hundred, the whole Riflemen. General Stevens has about Seven Hundred Virginia Militia under his Command. The number North Carolina has in the field is out of my power to ascertain. The Army has been much in want of Provision, their future prospects of Supplies are by no means prom­ ising tho the Soldiers bear all the Vicissitudes of a Military Life without repining The Army move immediately, and the Express [44 ]

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that takes this hurries me. I shall do myself the honor to write your Excellency the first halt we make, opportunity offering. Colo. E l l i o t could give me no information where the Expresses were Stationed further than T a y l o r s ferry which put it out of m y power to regulate them as expected. I have the Honor to be Y o u r Excellencys most Obedient and very humble Servant, CHAS

R C ( V i ) ; addressed; endorsed. On 18 Feb. T J sent Magill as per­ sonal representative to Greene's head­ quarters (see T J ' s letters to Magill and to Greene, 18 F e b . ) ; it is obvious from the present letter and from the blunt terms of Greene's letter to T J of 28 Feb., q.v., that Magill was not admitted to Greene's councils and that his being sent by T J may even have been resented by the general. In January Steuben had requested T J to appoint someone who would "be of his family" and who would act as liaison officer (see T J to John Walker, 18 Jan. 1781). Though

M A G I L L

the circumstances were different, this earlier case may have prompted T J to think of sending an intermediary to Greene's headquarters. A brief sum­ mary of the principal points in the pres­ ent letter appeared in V a . Gaz. ( D & N ) , 10 M c h . ) . T h i s summary omitted all reference to the possibility of a general action and, in the part concerning the Virginia militia, the report was altered to read as follows: "a large body of troops from Virginia had joined General Greene, and a great many more were on their march to join him."

From George Muter [Richmond, 2 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Minute in War Office Journal ( V i ) under this date: "Letter from the Governor desiring a return of the State Artillery Regiment, as well as of the 1st. and 2d. State Regiment, and State Garrison Regiment." Not located.]

From George Muter SIR

War office March 2d. 1781

M a j r . General Baron de Steuben has this day publickly accused me of having neglected m y duty, so as materially to injure the United States, and declared that he had the proofs in his possession. T h o ' I am conscious of having in every instance done m y duty to the utmost of m y power; yet as m y character may be injured by such a public accusation's being thrown out against me, I must request that your Excellency w i l l be pleased to order such an en­ quiry into m y conduct, as may set it in it's true light; and that you w i l l take such measures as you think most proper; to have the proofs the Baron alledges he has against me, produced to such Gentlemen, as you think proper to authorize for the purpose of enquiring into m y conduct. I must further beg of your Excellency, [45]

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17 8 1

that you w i l l be pleased to direct, that I may be furnished w i t h a copy of the proofs the Barron says he has against me ( i f you think it proper) as soon as may be convenient. I have the honour to be Y o u r Excellency's Most h i servt., GEORGE MUTER RC ( V i ) ; F C ( V i ) . See T J ' s reply, following; Muter to T J , 12 Mch. 1781, and references there.

To George Muter SIR

I n Council March 2nd. 1781

T h e Board has considered your request that they should make an E n q u i r y into your Conduct as Commissioner of the W a r Office. No Complaint having been lodged w i t h them on the Subject, No Prosecutor offering himself, no Witnesses pointed out, nor even Charges specifyed, they do not know that they can w i t h either propriety or practicability enter on such an enquiry; the more espe­ cially as they know no instances themselves in which you may be justly charged w i t h Inattention to the Duties of your Office. W e found on enquiry that the Battery Carriages now on H a n d have been from the Beginning directed by a Continental Officer, we wished therefore not to interrupt them; but rather as more are wanting and without Delay to avail ourselves of Captain Roane's Assistance by ordering a separate Set of Hands to go to work im­ mediately under his Direction: by which means we may hope to have mounted in time the full number of Cannon wanted. I am, & c , T.J. F C ( V i ) . T r in W a r Office Letter Book ( V i ) . There is no evidence that T J and the Council took any part in pressing Steu­ ben's charges against Muter which led to Muter's dismissal. On 3 Mch. Muter

wrote to John Walker who had been attached to Steuben's staff as special consultant and aide ( T J to John Walk­ er, 18 Jan. 1781); Muter's letter to Walker and his reply were enclosed in Muter's letter to T J of 12 Mch., q.v.

Notes concerning Preparations for the Expedition against Portsmouth [ca. 3 March 1781] T h e Commissary undertakes w i t h confidence that the number of rations required shall be in readiness at W m s b u r g . and Suffolk by the time required. [46]

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Capt. I r i s h is about the mortars. Capt. Bohannan w i t h four car­ penters are engaged in making cannon carriages: we are setting Capt. Roane w i t h some others about others of the cannon. T h e Smith thinks his part w i l l be in readiness by the 7th. inst. Vessels we are assured w i l l be ready to transport the whole when prepared. 1

T h e assembly shall be instantly applied to for authority to impress vessels. T h e orders for the 1100 militia went out on the evening of the 1st. inst. to the counties of P r . George 1 2 5 , Sussex 1 7 5 , Southampton 2 1 9 , 1 , of W i g h t 1 5 0 , Nansemond 1 6 1 , S u r r y 9 5 , Charles City 7 1 , New K e n t 104, to be at Geni. Muhlenberg's camp by the 5th. or at furthest the 6th. inst. T h e transportation of the shells from Newcastle is in the hands of the Continental Q. M . M i l i t i a are ordered from James City, W m s b u r g , Y o r k , W a r w i c k and Elizabeth city to guard the neck with the arms from Gloucester. Cartouch boxes are in Capt. Irishe's possession. M S ( N H i ) ; entirely in T J ' s hand, except for last line. Endorsed: "Prepara­ tions by Government." This undated memorandum was pre­ pared after the evening of 1 Mch. when the orders for militia were sent out and not later than 3 Mch. when T J requested the Assembly to grant au­ thority to impress vessels (see below); it was probably written early on 3 Mch. Its presence in the Steuben Papers and its endorsement indicate that it was sent or handed to Steuben. T J received Washington's and Lafayette's letters of 21 Feb. outlining the proposed expedi­ tion against Portsmouth on 28 Feb. (see T J to Lafayette, 2 Mch. 1781). On 2 Mch. George Muter wrote to C A P T . R O A N E "requesting him to take charge of the mounting some Cannon" ( W a r Office Journal, V i ) ; on the same day he

wrote James Anderson, "The carriages now in hand are immediately wanted, and I expect will be ready for some of the Iron work (perhaps) to-day. 'Tis necessary the Iron work should be got ready for them as quickly as possible, and his Excellency proposes to go him­ self to procure forges in town (if yours is not sufficient) and to impress them, if 'tis absolutely necessary to do so" (same); Muter also wrote on the same day to the state commissary of military stores that "Capn. Irish's Clerk in­ formed me last evening that he had part of the Cartouch boxes, and per­ haps might be able to supply the whole" ( same ) . i Instead of the phrase "Vessels . . . will be," the sentence originally read: "A vessel is lying here ready" &c.

To Edward Carrington SIR

I n Council March 3d 1781

I have received your Letter wherein is this paragraph, 'the sum indeed mentioned in your Excellency's Letter is excessive and I am not surprized it should be so, when I find by a State of your affairs [47]

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sent to General Greene, you have magnifyed the estimate in one article ten fold and perhaps the same Circumstance attends the esti­ mation on some of the other articles. I estimated for fifty thousand Bushels of grain: in your Excellency's State to Geni. Greene it is called five hundred thousand. I should be glad the Executive would revise their Estimation, and perhaps after correcting these E r r o r s , &c. &c.' I trust you would have been more choice in your T e r m s had you revised the estimate yourself as recommended to us. I send you a Copy of it wherein you w i l l find the quantity of Corn or Oats ex­ pressed in these Figures and Letters ' 5 0 0 0 0 0 Bushels.' On a former estimate given in some D a y s or perhaps W e e k s before this, the quantity required was 'for 2 3 2 6 draft Horses and 7 7 9 saddle Horses till the 1st of August was 2 8 2 , 4 9 0 Bushels.' I did not there­ fore magnify the Article to General Greene, and your now speaking of 5 0 . 0 0 0 bushels as the Quantity required shews that I had reason to intimate to the Geni, the necessity of a new Calculation on the true Number of Horses connected w i t h the Southern army and the proportion of this, which on view of actual Circumstances we ought to furnish. I believe the estimate at 5 0 : 0 0 0 Bushels to be as far wrong as that at 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 . W e shall be governed by neither, but w i l l furnish as much as we shall be able. I t w i l l probably be short of the middle Quantity; should you have represented this Article to General Greene to have been magnified by us, I shall expect from your Justice that you w i l l be equally ready to correct as to commit an E r r o r and that you w i l l take the trouble to inform h i m that I had not been so deficient in respect either to h i m or myself as to magnify things of which I undertook to give h i m representa­ tion. Major Claiborne had the half million of Pounds which we promised h i m of the late Emission. W h e n the T r e a s u r y is replen­ ished he shall again have a due Proportion to enable h i m to procure such P a r t of the Estimate as he thinks proper. I am, & c , T . J . FC

( V i ) . Enclosure missing. L E T T E R : Carrington to T J , 24 Feb. 1781. Carrington's E S T I M A T E , a copy of which T J enclosed in this letter, has not been located, but see Richard YOUR

Claiborne to T J , 11 Feb. 1781. A F O R ESTIMATE: Probably that transmitted by Claiborne 7 Feb. 1781 (also missing-). See Carrington's apology in his letter to T J , 31 Mch. MER

From James Innes SIR

Williamsburgh. March 3d. 1781

I have obtained the favor of Major Turberville to wait upon your Excellency to request your opinion and advice on the Subject of [48]

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the Detention of Lieut. Hare for having violated the flag of T r u c e he bore and of the seizure of the flag vessel for having on Board articles of merchandize intended for the purpose of carrying on illicit and clandestine commerce with the Citizens of this State. Major Turberville w i l l inform you minutely of every Circumstance relative to this affair, and I have no Doubt but that your Excellency w i l l give proper directions to enforce the L a w s and protect the Dignity of this Commonwealth. I have the honor to be very re­ spectfully y r Excellencys most obt Sevt., JAS: INNES R C ( V i ) ; addressed: "His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Richmond Major T u r ­ berville"; endorsed. It is probable that the information communicated by Turberville led to the action taken by the Council on 5 Mch.: "Whereas it hath been represented, and there appears cause to suspect, that Mrs. Mary Byrd hath, during the present in­ vasion, committed an offence coming within the meaning of the Act of As­ sembly entituled 'An Act to revive and

amend the Act for giving further powers to the Governor and Council,' T h e Gov­ ernor is advised to issue a Commission of Oyer and Terminer, directed to the Judges of the General Court, authoriz­ ing them, or any three of them, to meet at the Court house in the town of Rich­ mond, on Thursday the 15th of this in­ stant (March) for the trial of the said Mrs. Byrd according to law" ( V a . C o u n ­ c i l Jour., n, 302-303). See Turberville to T J , 15 Feb. and references there.

From Lafayette SIR

Head of E l k March the 3d 1781

T h e A r r i v a l of a french Squadron in the B a y w i l l Have for some days Raised Y o u r Excellencys Expectations, and Y o u Have, I Hope, Received a Letter from me wherein I informed Y o u r E x c e l ­ lency that I was Coming to V i r g i n i a with A Continental detach­ ment, and that the Commander in Chief H a d been pleased to Give me the Command of an Expedition Against Portsmouth. Since that time our troops Have Marched with A n E x t r e m e Rapidity, thirty Miles Sometimes in a day, and through the Most Heavy Rains and difficult Roads they are A r r i v e d at Head of E l k this Morning which is three days sooner than was Expected. F r o m this Circumstance our Vessels Have not Been found in Readiness and M y Best Exertions are Employed in procuring them and em­ barking our Stores and Men as fast as possible. W h e n Y o u r E x c e l ­ lency Receives this W e shall B e very Near i f not quite R e a d y . B u t the Return of M ö n s , de T i l l y to Rhode island Must Have Relaxed the Preparations Against Portsmouth. I t is with the Highest Satisfaction that I Can Impart to Y o u r Excellency a News which Has Been Communicated B y General Washington. T h e Necessity of Keeping it from E v e r y Body's Knowledge is obvious. I t is that M ö n s , de T i l l y H a v i n g taken the 1

[49]

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MARCH

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Romulus a B r i t i s h fifty gun Ship, this Vessel w i t h the Frigates W i l l Be sent into the B a y to Protect our Operations. T h i s H a s Been Said to me Most Confidentially. I n Consequence of this the Commander in chief Orders me to E m b a r k as Soon as Possible and B e Ready to Sail W h e n I Hear of the A r r i v a l of french ships in the B a y . He also directs that I w i l l send instructions to the Commanding officer in V i r g i n i a for to Make E v e r y Preparation to A Speedy and Powerfull Cooperation. I A m told that Baron de Stubens does not Command any More about Portsmouth and Has joined General Greene. I therefore Request that Y o u r Excellency B e pleased to Send the inclosed to the Com­ manding officer W h o m I am to join, and I B e g Y o u w i l l add such instructions and orders as W i l l forward our Preparations. T h e first article is of Course to Collect Militia. Our operation must B e Short. Arnold is ReEntranched. T o r i e s , Sailors, and per­ haps Negroes W i l l B e added to H i s Regular troops. Some W o r k s Must B e made against H i s fortifications, and for all this Y o u r Excellency w i l l B e Sensible of the Necessity to Have a large Corps of Militia. T h e detachment now at this place is of 1200 M e n . A s to the disposition to B e made of the Militia, the first point is to guard the passes and Cut off all possibility of Escaping B y A n y Bold or forced push, the second to Avoid Being too M u c h Exposed Before we Come, and to B e in a Good Situation to form a junction. Provisions, A r m s , &c. for this M i l i t i a w i l l Require Y o u r E x c e l ­ lencys Attention, and as no Horses Can B e E m b a r k e d at this place a Great quantity of them principally for the Artillery w i l l B e Requisite. I B e g Leave to Suggest to Y o u r Excellency the Propriety of H a v i n g some Heavy pieces and Ammunition to A d d to our train of Artillery. Boats to land our troops and scows for the Cannon w i l l Be much wanting, and the greater abundance of Boats we C a n Collect the Nigher to the E n e m y W e M a y venture to land. I t w i l l also B e very important to add to the Squadron as M a n y public or private armed vessels as Can B e Collected. I wish Some Could Have Been Sent up for our Security during the passage of the B a y down to the Mouth of James R i v e r where I expect the french ships w i l l Be Ready to Cooperate as much as it is in their power. I n d é p e n d a n t of the A r m e d Vessels, it W i l l B e very important to Have Galleys that may enter the Rivers and perhaps Annoy the Ennemy's flanks. T h e Advantage of H a v i n g Good pilots for the Rivers W i l l Appear obvious. G i v e me Leave to Request Y o u r Excellency to B e pleased to [50]

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direct that the fort at Y o r k B e put in the Best State of defense. T h e Safety of the french Squadron W h o l l y depends upon this point, and W e Have Assured them that this fort would B e particularly attended to. May I take the Liberty of Advising Y o u r Excellency on a Subject Highly interesting to me. I t is to B e pleased to furnish me W i t h the Best Maps of that part of V i r g i n i a , and the Most Accurate A c counts that M a y B e in Your Excellency's or any Body's possession. T h i s Article is V e r y Essential. I B e g Y o u r Excellency w i l l excuse the liberty I take to B e so very Particular and Engross your time B y the Most Minuted details. B u t I know that Y o u r Excellency's Authority and Personal influence Can alone procure us the M a n y articles Necessary to our Succès. A large Body of M i l i t i a Collected in the Shortest time is absolutely essential. These Considerations, S i r , Have emboldened me to the liberty which I Have presumed to take. Humbly Requesting that Your Excellency B e pleased to answer to me, Both at Head of E l k , and B y the Commanding officer Near Portsmouth in Case Y o u r letter Comes Here too late, I have the Honor to B e with the Highest Respect Y o u r Excellency's Most Obedient Humble Servant, L A F A Y E T T E

R C ( V i ) ; received by T J 7 Mch. (see T J to Lafayette, 8 M c h . ) . Enclosure ( N H i ) : Lafayette to the commanding officer of Virginia, transmitted in T J ' s letter of 7 Mch., q.v.; a portion of the letter is printed in Charlemagne Tower, T h e M a r q u i s de L a Fayette i n the Amer-

ican Revolution, i i , 233.

2d. ed., Phila., 1901,

i The words "if not quite" are interlined, a fact which clarifies the meaning of the awkward phrase "near if not quite ready."

T o the Speaker of the House of Delegates SIR

In Council March 3d 1781

It is thought that the present Situation of the E n e m y in this State affords an opportunity of undertaking Some military operations of Importance. T o enable the Commanding Officer to carry them on, an additional Force on the W a t e r is necessary. There are in James and Appamattox Rivers vessels of private Property suited and sufficient for the Purpose as is believed. I shall be glad to have the sanction of the General Assembly if they approve of it for impressing such vessels, their T a c k l e and crews for this particular Purpose and for a short T i m e only, a measure which I hope would not be disagreable to the owners i f their vessels be ensured with whatever they may have on Board and a reasonable P a y allowed. [51]

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A n immediate Determination would be necessary i f the measure be approved. I have the Honor to be with very great Respect, S i r , your, & c , T.J. FC (Vi). T J " s letter was not read in the House until Monday, 5 Mch. and then "order­ ed to lie on the Table." Immediately, however, a resolution was moved to grant the power requested and to ap­ prove the "conduct of the Governor in heretofore impressing such Vessels and Crews"; the resolution was adopted and sent to the Senate at once, but that body did not give its approval until 13 Mch. A copy of the resolution, dated 5 Mch.,

and signed by John Beckley, clerk of the House (Executive Papers, V i ) may have been transmitted to T J and put into effect before the Senate concurred in the House's action; indeed, T J issued a commission to William Lewis on Sun­ day, 4 Mch., q.v., even before his re­ quest had been read to the House ( J H D , Mch. 1781, V a . State Libr., B u l l , 1928, p. 9-10, 2 3 ) . See also T J to the Com­ manding Officer of the French Squad­ ron, 4 Mch.

From M. Marston Richmond, 3 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Major Claiborne has gone to Fredericks­ burg; believes he paid some of his assistants "at 100 Dollars for one"; his employees have "the choice of settleing thier Wages agréable to the price of Tobaco" or in continental or state currency at the above rate; when Claiborne returns he will explain. R C ( V i ) ; 2. p.; signed " M . Marston A. D . Q. Master."; addressed and endorsed. Marston, who has not been further identified, is apparently answering a (miss­ ing) letter from T J to Richard Claiborne; but see Muter to T J , 28 Feb.

From George Muter [Richmond, 3 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Minute in the War Office Journal ( V i ) under this date: "Letter to the Governor respecting Mr. Simpson's pro­ posals for making Cartouch boxes, and inclosing the proposals." Muter's letter and the enclosed proposals have not been located, but see TJ's reply, following.]

To George Muter In Council, March 3, 1781 T h e Board w i l l approve of a Contract for 3 0 0 0 Cartridge boxes, to hold 23 rounds, with a bag, a large strong flap to cover the B a g and box, and a buff belt with a Buckle, to be Completed by the last of M a y @ 75 wt. tobacco each, or its value in money, according to the estimate of the G r a n d J u r y next preceding payment; the 2 0 0 said to have been delivered are not to be counted as part, unless [52]

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they have been delivered to our Qr. M r . The Board have no author­ ity to exempt the workmen in this case from military Duty of any sort. They would choose to reserve a right also to discontinue the contract at the end of the first or second thousand, giving due notice beforehand. T H JEFFERSON T r in W a r Office Journal ( V i ) .

From George Muter [Richmond, 3 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Minute in War Office Journal ( V i ) under this date: "A letter to the Governor informing that Mr. Simpson refuses the terms offered by the Executive; but that he will make the boxes, provided he can be paid 15/. each, at the exchange usually paid for hard money." Muter's letter has not been located. The final entry for 3 Mch. in the Journal records "A letter rec'd from Mr. Simpson, in­ forming that he will be ready at his shop in Fredericksburg; to make Cartridge boxes for the public, if his terms be agreed to, and not other­ wise." The letter to which Muter undoubtedly refers in this last entry is in Vi. It is addressed to "Mr. Hunter" and reads as follows: "Sir, I have Concluded on Returning home. Therefore Leaves the Letters for Petersburg which I gott at Your Office. I also Leave one for Major Call of the Light Dragoons which I beg youll forward with the others. The Coppy of the Councels Resolve is quite Imaterial to me as I Do not Accept it nor will I Ingage on Any other terms than them I offered. I Shall be Ready at my Shop in Fredg. to Contract if they Chose to Come to my Terms. I beg throug you to Return Coll. Muter Thanks for His Polite Behavour to me. . . . E d . Simpson."]

From Duncan Rose Petersburg, 3 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . "When Brigadeer General Morgan went to the Southern army last fall, he carried along with him a Mare to dispose of in order to defray his Expences." Rose purchased the horse and pay­ ment is now due. His only means of paying is an order on the auditors out of the balance due him from the public. "Geni. Morgan's Family is distressed for the money" and Rose hopes an order will be given "imme­ diately to relieve a Brave Officer's Family who has rendered such Essen­ tial Services to his Country." R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; addressed and endorsed.

To the General Assembly of North Carolina In Council March 3d 1781

G E N T L E M E N

I had the Honor of receiving your joint Letter of the 14th ult. I assure you that we have been so very far from entertaining an Idea [53]

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of witholding Succours from you on account of the Invasion of our State that it had been determined that the regular Troops raised and not at that T i m e marched should nevertheless proceed to your assistance and that we would oppose the A r m y in our own Country with Militia. F o r the same reasons we still mean that the new Levies now raising and which w i l l be rendezvoused mostly within the pres­ ent Month, shall be marched on to your Assistance, being convinced that that is the only permanent and effective A i d we can give you. M i l i t i a do well for hasty Enterprizes, but cannot be relied on for lengthy Service and out of their own Country. I am truly sorry it is not in our Power to furnish you w i t h a single stand of A r m s : those we sent the last year for the use of your State and in the hands of our own M i l i t i a made a very considerable Proportion of our whole Stock. T h r e e successive Invasions since have obliged us so often to arm large Bodies of M i l i t i a , and on every issue of arms to M i l i t i a the Loss is great. W e are now unable to do more than arm the Force lying before Portsmouth. T h e W a n t of A r m s was the only Circumstance which restrained the Numbers lately collected against L o r d Cornwallis. I shall be happy to give you every Proof which shall be in our Power of the Cordiality and Zeal w i t h w h i c h to aid you under every Difficulty. Circumscribed Abilities unhappily render these Aids much less than we are disposed to make them, to which C i r ­ cumstance alone I beg you to ascribe whatever we fall short of your actual W a n t s . I have the Honor to be w i t h Sentiments of the highest respect, Gentlemen, your, & c , T.J. F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "To the Speakers of the General Assembly of North Carolina."

From George Weedon DR. SIR

Fredericksburg March 3d. 1781.

I had the honor of addressing your Excellency the 28th. U l t o . T h e tedious delay of the Fauquier and Loudoun M i l i t i a has kept me here ever since in a very disagreeable situation. Notwithstand­ ing your Excellencies Orders, and my letters to the County L i e u ­ tenants pressing them to Exertions, they have not yet joined. I am informed however they are now on their M a r c h , so that hope to be on my rout towards W m s b g . in two or three days more. P r a y re­ member the A r m s I mentiond to your Excellency i n m y last. [54]

4 M A R C H

1781

L e t me Congratulate your Excellency on Count-de-Estaing's important blow! H e fell in w i t h 9 S a i l of the line, S i x Frigates and a large Fleet of Transports of the W e s t e r n ] Islands, has taken 7 of the line 3 Frigates and 45 of the Transport Ships. T h i s comes from the W a r Office in Boston, to the Delegates in Congress for Masachusites B a y . M r . Henson [Hanson] and M r . Carroll Mem­ bers for the State of M a r y l a n d communicated Coppies of that L e t ­ ter to Governor L e e from whom we have it. A s it comes from so good Authority take the Liberty of handing to you, not Doubting in the least of its being Authentick. I have the honor to be w i t h high Esteem & R g d . Y r . Excellencies Most Obt Servt., G. W E E D O N 1

R C ( P H i ) ; addressed. T r ( N H i ) ; extract, lacking only place, date, salutation, and complimentary close, enclosed in T J to Steuben, 5 Mch. 1781. i Portion in brackets supplied from T r .

From William Call P r i n c e George, 4 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . In spite of numerous applications for negroes to work at Hood's, has secured the promise of only two; fears he cannot secure them unless he engages tradesmen and pays accord­ ingly. "Those who do not spare their Labourers from principle will not for hire." R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. See T J to Turner Southall and others, 15 Feb. 1781.

To the Commanding Officer of the French Squadron SIR

Richmond March 4th 1781

On Supposition that the armed vessels of private Property may some of them be usefully employed against the E n e m y for two or three W e e k s to come I have directed all such as are at all fit for that Purpose in James and Appamattox Rivers to be impressed. A s yet I have a Report of four only. A s it is possible there may be others in these as well as the other rivers of this State and that they may be endeavouring to pass out, I would take the liberty of author­ izing you to detain any such which you shall think may be useful against the enemy. T h e masters may be informed that their Vessels and loading while so detained are ensured by the State, and that a reasonable daily H i r e shall be paid them. I trust that your Zeal for [55]

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1781

the common Cause of [. . . ] w i l l frame my apology for taking the Liberty of proposing this Trouble to you, and have the Honor to be w i t h very great Respect S i r your & c , T.J. F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "To the Officer command the Naval Force of his Most Christian Majesty on the Coast of Virginia."

From Samuel Huntington SIR

Philadelphia March 4. 1781

Y o u r Excellency w i l l be informed by the enclosed A c t of the third Instant of the Measures Congress have adopted for the re­ moval of the Convention Troops into the State of Pennsylvania. T h e like Information is transmitted to Governor L e e , and the Presi­ dent of Pennsylvania. I have also informed Governor L e e , that should your Excellency find it necessary to order the Prisoners taken at Cowpens to move Northward through V i r g i n i a , as intimated in your late Advice to me, H e (Governor L e e ) must consider them as included w i t h the other Prisoners and give Orders accordingly. I t is necessary that the Executive of Maryland, or the Command­ ing Officer have seasonable Notice that they may be prepared to receive the Prisoners when they arrive on the Borders of Maryland. I have the Honor to be with very great respect your Excellency's most obedient & most humble Servant, SAM. H U N T I N G T O N President R C ( V i ) ; endorsed: "Pt. of Congress Letter March 4th 81 S. Huntington." F C ( D L C : P C C , No. 1 5 ) . Enclosure (Vi). As the result of Benjamin Harrison's negotiations with Congress concerning the removal of the Convention prisoners from Virginia, Congress, on 24 Feb., ordered the Board of W a r to remove the prisoners to "some State more norther­ ly." On 26 Feb. the Board of W a r re­ ported to Congress that they were un­ able to execute the order "for want of means." T h e report of the Board, to­ gether with the postscript of T J ' s letter to Huntington of 17 Feb., was referred to a committee which reported on 3 Mch. On consideration of the commit­

tee's report Congress adopted the reso­ lution enclosed in this letter which di­ rected that the British prisoners be sent to York and the Germans to Lancaster, Pa.; that the state of Virginia be re­ sponsible for their "removal, safe keep­ ing and supply" to the borders of Mary­ land; that the state of Maryland be re­ sponsible for their conduct thereafter to their new locations, the supplies to be furnished by Pennsylvania after they entered that state; and that the Board of W a r be responsible for their "future security and supply" ( T J to Benjamin Harrison, 29 Jan.; T J to Samuel Hunt­ ington, 17 Feb.; J C C , xix, 195-6, 22930;

[56]

C V S P , I,

553).

To William Lewis SIR

Richmond March 4 1781

I t having been found necessary to engage voluntarily or to im­ press all the armed vessels of private property which can be had immediately, together with their crews, arms & c , and the crews of other vessels as far as necessary to man these, you w i l l be pleased to take such of them as are lying at Ozbornes; and fall down im­ mediately to Hood's, taking with you such other of the said ves­ sels as you may find in the river on your w a y down. These vessels are to be under your command until you join any superior officer. Y o u w i l l endeavour to be at Hood's on the 6th instant, and there to await orders from Baron Steuben, or the Commanding officer of the French Squadron. T h e Vessels and their loading are ensured by the State, a reasonable hire to be allowed, the usual share of captures and plunder, and they w i l l be detained but a very short time. I am S i r Y o u r most obed. Servt, THOS. J E F F E R S O N T r ( V i ) ; at head of text: "Copy of a Letter from Govr. Jefferson, addressed to Cap. Willm. Lewis of the ship Re­ nown"; for the documents accompany­ ing the T r see below. A copy of T J ' s letter, together with his subsequent letters to Lewis of 8, 11, 18 and 29 Mch. 1781 ( q . v . ) , and copies of letters of Steuben to Lewis of 8 Jan., 9, 14, 17 Mch., and 24 Apr. 1781, was submitted by John Ball, principal owner and sole agent of the ship Renown, in support of a petition presented to the General Assembly on 9 Dec. 1785, requesting payment for the ship and her cargo and for her serv­ ice to the state. I n his petition Ball states that in 1781 he was a resident of the West Indies and "had been for a very considerable Time a Subject of the United Provinces of Holland"; that the Renown, Captain William Lewis, "a Dutch Bottom and under Dutch Col­ ours," arrived in James River prior to Arnold's invasion and suffered "con­ siderable loss in her Cargo by the praeditory devastations of General Arnold"; that on 4 Mch. 1781 the ship was load­ ed with tobacco and 198,496 pounds of crop was ready to sail when T J "medi­

tating a Descent upon the British Gar­ rison of Porstmouth . . . issued an Order for engaging voluntarily or impressing all the armed Vessels of private prop­ erty"; that Lewis obeyed the impress; that the ship remained in state service for 26 days; that during that time the ship had opportunities to clear the ene­ my and sail; that during its impress­ ment a British fleet arrived; and that, consequently, the Renown was captured by the British in April 1781. T h e com­ mittee of claims, to which the petition was submitted, reported to the House on 31 Dec. 1785 that they found it would have been impossible for the Re­ nown to clear the British ships in the harbor when she was ready to sail and that similar claims for other ships had been rejected. T h e House therefore re­ jected the claim for the ship and her cargo but allowed the claim for the hire of the ship when she was in public service (petition of John Ball to the General Assembly [ V i ] ; J H D , Oct. 1785, 1828 edn., p. 80, 134; see also William Lewis to T J , 5 Feb. 1781; Commission to William Lewis, 4 Mch., following).

£57]

Commission to William Lewis T H E COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA TO WILLIAM GENT.

LEWIS

GREETING.

K n o w you that from the special trust and confidence which is reposed in your fidelity, courage, activity and good conduct, our Governour with the advice of the Council of state doth hereby constitute and appoint you the said W i l l i a m L e w i s a captain of an armed vessel in the service of this Commonwealth so long as you shall remain within the bays, rivers or other waters of this Commonwealth. I n testimony whereof these our letters are sealed with the seal of the Commonwealth and made patent. Witness Thomas Jefferson esquire our said Governour, at Richmond on the fourth day of M a r c h in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty one. T H : J E F F E R S O N M S ( D L C : P C C , No. 59, 1 1 ) ; entirely in T J ' s hand, with seal; endorsed, in an unidentified hand: "Commission from the Commonwealth of Virginia to William Lewis 1781."

To Marbois SIR

Richmond Mar. 4 . 1 7 8 1 .

I have been honoured with your letter of Feb. 5. M r . Jones did put into m y hands a paper containing sundry enquiries into the present state of V i r g i n i a , which he informed me was from yourself, some of which I meant to do myself the honour of answering. Hitherto it has been in m y power to collect a few materials only, which m y present occupations disable me from compleating. I mean however, shortly, to be in a condition which w i l l leave me quite at leisure to take them up, when it shall certainly be one of my first undertakings to give you as full information as I shall be able to do on such of the subjects as are within the sphere of m y acquaintance. On some of them however I trust M r . Jones w i l l engage abler hands, those in particular which relate to the commerce of the state, a subject with which I am totally unacquainted, and which is probably the most important in your plan. I have the honour to be w i t h sentiments of the highest esteem & respect S i r your most obedient & most humble sert., T H :

RC (Bibl. Nat., Paris); endorsed, later, by Marbois: "M Jeffrerson Presidt. Virg relativi, a une Serie de questions

J E F F E R S O N

qu. je lui adressai et qui donnèrent occasion a son livre Notes on V i r g i n i a . " Dft ( D L C ) ; lacking the complimentary

[58]

4 MARCH close; endorsed: "Monsr. de Marbois Secretary to the embassy of his most X n . majty. at Philadelphia." Marbois' L E T T E R O F F E B . 5 has not been found. M R . J O N E S . . . A P A P E R : Marbois' Queries concerning Virginia, printed under 30 Nov. 1780, q.v. I MEAN

. . .

TO BE . . .

A T LEISURE:

Al­

though T J ' s letters to John Page are missing, it is obvious from Page's re­ plies of 22 Sep. and 20 Oct. 1780 (qq.v.)

17 8 1

that T J contemplated retiring from the governorship at the end of his second term, M Y F I R S T U N D E R T A K I N G S . . . F U L L I N F O R M A T I O N : T J not only ful­ filled his promise to Marbois, transmit­ ting his replies to the queries on 20 D e c , but also envisaged his larger proj­ ect of preparing his Notes on V i r g i n i a ( T J to Marbois, 20 Dec. 1781; to Charles Thomson, same date; Marie Kimball, Jefferson: W a r and Peace, ch. IX).

To Timothy Pickering SIR

Richmond March 4th 1781

I am very sorry that the appointment of Deputy Quarter Master in this State has been so managed as to produce Difficulty. Y o u w i l l be pleased to observe that after I wrote to Major Forsythe to know whether he would accept of it, I waited upwards of a Month and received no answer. T h e Business of transportation suffered greatly for want of a head to the several Deputies and much distressed the Southern A r m y . A t the end of that period I received a Letter from Major Forsythe taking no notice of the appointment of Deputy Quarter Master which had been tendered h i m and showing that he was acting under a new appointment of Deputy Commissary Gen­ eral to the Southern A r m y or of the Southern Department I forget which. F r o m this it was supposed that he declined undertaking the Office of Deputy Quarter Master and the papers were put into the hands of Baron Steuben and a new appointment made as has been formerly explained to you. A t the T i m e we proposed Major For­ sythe as Deputy Quarter Master his former Office of Deputy Com­ missary of Purchases in this State was become a nullity, because we had undertaken to provide by agents of our own the Specifics required by Congress which were to be delivered to Storekeepers under the direction of the Quarter Master. T h e r e was therefore nothing to be done by a Continental Commissary of Purchases within the State. T h e present appointment however of Major For­ sythe as Deputy Commissary General to the Southern A r m y w i l l require his Attendance on that A r m y , w i l l occupy his T i m e fully in procuring Provisions to subsist the army during the Intervals which the irregularities of the specific Supplies by the several States w i l l necessarily occasion, and therefore seems not to leave it in his Power to perform the Duties of your Deputy in this State. I have the Pleasure however to inform you that Major Forsythe t59]

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expresses himself perfectly satisfied and does not propose to urge a right to the Appointment. Major Claiborne being at first utterly unknown to me I was afraid to do more in my former Letter to you than to hand to you what was said of him by others. T h e Duties of his Office giving me daily occasion to judge of h i m from m y own Observation, I think he is exceedingly attentive, discreet, w i t h Talents not inferior to the office, and upon the whole that he w i l l give you Satisfaction. I have the Honor to be with great Respect S i r Y o u r & c , T . J . FC (Vi). See Pickering's letter of 3 Feb. 1781, to which this is a reply, and references there; also Carrington to Pickering, 30 Apr. 1781, below. In view of the fact that T J had not known Claiborne pre­ vious to his appointment and had come to have a good opinion of him, whereas Steuben, under Greene's insistence, had pressed for his appointment and was soon to reach an open break with him, it is worth noting that Claiborne on 5 Feb. 1781 wrote Pickering in part as fol­ lows: "When I took up the business, I found it almost without existence, and it is as much as I can say there was a department. It was without System, without officers, without money; and what was still worse, public credit al­ most exhausted. I n this situation Baron Steuben and Colonel Carrington pro­ posed my present office to me, unsolicit­ ed for, and at a time when the idea of such a thing never occured to me. I viewed all the difficulties before me which I have mentioned, and also that the Commission was offered to Major Forsyth, and declined undertaking the business; but the Baron and Colo. Car­ rington assured me of their friendship

and assistance, and that the Major was appointed Commissary General of Pur­ chases for the Southern Army. Not thinking that two offices so incompatible as that of Commissary General of Pur­ chases for the Southern Army and Dep­ uty Quartermaster for the State of Vir­ ginia, would be held by one person at the same time, I undertook to serve in the latter" ( D N A : R G 9 3 ) . On 4 Apr. 1781 Greene wrote to Pickering: " I am sorry for the embarrassments which took place from the appointment of Major Claiborne. I have a high esteem for both him and Major Forsyth. I did not think of recommending the former, because he was but little known in Vir­ ginia, and I considered that as essential to the discharge of the duties of his ap­ pointment. However, I believe no dif­ ference has taken place respecting For­ syth's appointment, and Major Clai­ borne succeeds in business as well as can be expected where he is so much dependent upon a legislature who it is difficult to impress with the importance of giving aid timely as well as effectu­ ally" (Greene to Pickering, 4 Apr. 1781, CSmH).

To Richard Claiborne [Before 5 March 1781] [ W i l l i a m ] Boswell one of the Southern riders stationed at A b r a m Mitchell's within 15 Miles of T a y l o r s ferry. H e had letters for G e n i . Greene which had gone from hence to his station in 48 Hours. H e had then had them 6 hours when M r . [John] Jones saw h i m , and ensisted on M r . Jones's taking the letters (tho' an utter stranger to h i m ) and tho' he was not going to Taylor's ferry. M r . Jones took them, the rider assuring h i m he had not a horse to carry h i m . M r . [60]

5

17 8 1

MARCH

Jones thinks he was appointed merely to save h i m from the draught. T h e r e are two brothers of them, both stationed riders, their father, a man of property. T h e y are appointed by [Richard] Lambe who married their Sister. ( A C o p y ) T r ( V i ) ; enclosed in Richard Clai­ borne to T J , 24 Mch. 1781, q.v. T h i s is obviously an extract or sum­ mary of T J ' s letter to Claiborne which was acknowledged by the latter on 6 Mch., q.v. Claiborne describes this M S in his letter to T J of 24 Mch., with which it was enclosed, as: "a copy of

the charges given by Colo. Jones, and written by your Excellency." It must have been written shortly before 5 Mch. because on that day Claiborne wrote about Boswell to George Elliott, a copy of which was also enclosed in Claiborne to T J , 24 Mch.

To the Judges of the High Court of Chancery SIR

Richmond March 5th. 1781

T h e Executive (on the publick account) are under a Difficulty which w i l l be sufficiently explained by the within Paper. Y o u w i l l perceive by that that we propose to refer the Matter to Arbitration in another State: nevertheless we suppose the only question which occasions a Doubt (that is whether i f M r Nathan took up the B i l l s bona Fide as he alledges, he is entitled to a paiment in hard Money at p a r ) must have been frequently decided, and in such Case we should be unwilling to show such Ignorance of the L a w as to re­ quire an award on a clear point. I am therefore desired to beg your advice on that Point, assuring you that it shall not come in Ques­ tion before you judicially; i f you shall be of Opinion that we ought to pay at par we shall do it; i f you think otherwise, it shall be re­ ferred as you see by the paper has been agreed on. I am only to trouble you farther for an immediate answer i f you w i l l be so good as to oblige us. I am w i t h very great Esteem, your most obt. Servt., T.J. F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "To the Honble Judges of the High Court of Chancery." Enclosure (missing): Prob­ ably a statement by the Council on the case of Simon Nathan. For the claims of Simon N A T H A N against the state of Virginia see T J to the Board of Trade, printed under 18

Mch. 1780 (first letter to the Board), and references there; see also Edmund Pendleton's reply to this letter, 7 Mch.; George Wythe's reply, 9 Mch.; T J to the Virginia Delegates, 15 Mch. 1781; and T J to Benjamin Harrison, 22 Sep. 1782.

T o the Speaker of the House of Delegates SIR

I n Council March 5th. 1781

Baron Steuben has sent to this Place a number of the Levies raised under the act of assembly passed at the Session of M a y 1 7 8 0 , [61]

5 MARCH

17 8 1

whom he declines retaining as unfit for Service. I t was his Desire that it should be made known to the assembly. I therefore take the Liberty of inclosing to you his Letter. T h e Discharge of these men w i l l on the one H a n d lose the Bounty the public: on the other the retaining them brings on the additional loss of pay, Clothing, and Subsistence: unless it should be disapproved by the assembly, we shall direct them to be immediately discharged. I have the honor, &c, T.J. F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "Speaker of the House of Delegates." Enclosure (missing): Letter from Steuben to T J , date undetermined. On 6 Mch. the House adopted the following resolution (agreed to by Sen­ ate 19 M c h . ) : "Resolved that if the Soldiers returned by Major General Steuben as unfit for service can be ad­ vantageously employed in Garrison duty

or in the Laboratory that they ought to be retained; but if they cannot be employed in such service that the Gov­ ernor be desired to discharge them" (attested copy, dated 19 Mch. and signed by John Beckley, clerk of the House, and William Drew, clerk of the Senate, V i ; J H D , Mch. 1781, V a . State L i b r . , B u l l . , 1928, p. 10, 3 8 ) .

From Charles Magill SIR

Head Quarters near Gilford Court House March 5th 1781.

In my Letter dated the 2d. Instant, I had the honor to inform your Excellency of the difficult movements of the Army, and other occurences, since my Arrival. Our Light parties are constantly har­ rasing the Enemy, a party composed of Lees Corps; and a Com­ pany of Riflemen, under the Command of Colo. Lee, upon moving towards the Lines, were fired upon by a large party of the Enemy, posted in Ambuscade for the purpose. The firing was so warm, that part of the Riflemen were prevented from dismounting; a Retreat was ordered, and performed in good order. Our loss was three killd and T e n wounded. Colo. Lee, in his Letter to Geni. Greene, mentions that from the best accounts he can collect, the Enemys loss was seven killed, and forty or fifty wounded. On the night of the 3d. Instant a detachment of Light Troops surprised a Picket of the Enemys plac'd in front of the 71st. Regiment; Bay­ oneted several of the Guard, and brought of [f] one Prisoner. A party of Tories, on their way to join the British Standard, were fired upon by a timid Picket, and upon halting to consider what was best to be done upon so alarming an occasion, were Charged by the British Legion, under the Command of L t . Colo. Tarlton. Those that did not immediately disperse were Cut to Pieces. Tarlton, upon perceiving his error, sent a party of Horse to collect those that had dispersed, this he found impracticable. [62]

5 M A R C H

17 8 1

General Sump ter is at present upon the Congaree in South Caro­ lina, w i t h a Body of Militia. No Official accounts having been lately received, it is imposible to have any certain intelligence from that Quarter. I n m y last Letter mention was made of a handsome rein­ forcement expected by General Greene from Washington County, under Colo. Campbell; whether to attribute it to dissafection or some other cause I know not, but every obstacle was by the County Lieutenant thrown in the w a y to prevent the mens coming; and the considerable reinforcement expected had dwindled almost into noth­ ing. Discipline makes but slow advances among the M i l i t i a , in spite of every exertion made by General Stevens for that valuable pur­ pose. Those from V i r g i n i a are tolerably well A r m e d , the greater part I believe their own private property. I cannot omit mentioning a recent instance of B r i t i s h barbarity, which comes so well authenticated as scarcely to admit of a doubt. Colo. B r o w n of the Georgia Loyalists, and Commadent at Augusta, upon some late occasion Captured Seven of our unfortunate friends. These cruel Policy prompted h i m to deliver up to the Indians, and afterwards to be a Spectator of every Species of Barbarity that could be invented by those Savages. L o r d Cornwallis has lately expected an attack. H i s Troops have been under A r m s this two nights past. T h i s , his Lordship would wish, and affects upon every occasion to treat M i l i t i a with the utmost Contempt. Desertion, I am informed, has taken place among the B r i t i s h . Several have come i n , and numbers are taken up and carried back by the Tories. F o r this piece of Service they receive two Guineas ^ M a n . I flatter myself the next opportunity to communicate some more pleasing Intelligence. I n that expectation, I have the honor to be Y o u r Excellencys Most Obedient Humble Servant, CHAS

R C ( V i ) ; addressed, in part: "W E x ­ press"; endorsed. It may have been Magill's letter that was referred to in the communication from William Davies to Steuben, in part as follows: "An express arrived a little while ago with a large packet from the Southern Army inclosing a number of letters, as he informed me and as I could feel. Expecting some myself and think­ ing it probable there might be some for the Governor and others in Richmond on public business, which perhaps might be delayed and possibly injured, if the

M A G I L L

packet was permitted to go down to you, without examination, I therefore took the liberty of opening it and after sealing the inclosed which was the only letter for you, I forwarded on the others to Richmond, being all of them directed to private characters at that place and Baltimore except one to the Governor in a hand I am not acquainted with. I hope under these circumstances to be pardoned for the liberty I have taken" (dated at Chesterfield, 11 Mch. 1781, NHi).

[63]

From Hudson Martin Charlottesville, 5 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Prompted by the great need of Col. Taylor's regiment of guards for want of money and Taylor's request to secure it (or any part of i t ) as soon as possible, inquires when it can be procured. "The Sudden march of the German Troops into another Quarter" has raised their needs; believes "the whole Garrison had not 100 Dollars with them when Ordered to march." He will come to Rich­ mond by 20 Mch., or sooner, if money is to be had; requests reply by return of messenger. "This subject has been so frequently mentioned" that he fears it has "become Tiresome and dissagreeable" but hopes the needs of the regiment will "plead an Excuse" for mentioning it again. R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; addressed, in part: "favd. by M r . Beckley"; endorsed. See Francis Taylor to T J , 8 Feb., and references there; T J to Taylor, 14 Mch. 1781.

From James Maxwell SIR

Back River March the 5th. 1781.

I am to inform Y o u r Excellency that I embarked in Company w i t h the Barons aid, from Y o r k on Saturday Morning, in A State Boat belonging to Anapolis who had also dispatches on board from the Marquis de la Fayte to the French N a v a l Commanding Officer. A t the time we left Y o r k the wind was fair for the Capes but hazey, which in the Afternoon clear'd up, when we discoverd two large Sloops from Hampton road in chase of us, and came up w i t h us very fast, and Obliged us to take shelter in this place. A n d from our situation here we have an opportunity of observing evry thing that comes into the Capes and should I find it safe w i l l take the earliest opportunity of stretching out from hence to sea in search of the French Ships which am in hopes are not far of[f] (but have not been seen, since they left t h i s ) . T h e B r i t i s h have A Number of Cruisers out, up the B a y as well as down to the Capes, on a Contin­ ual look out. A n d Yesterday went from Hampton Road the Geni. Monk and Hope Sloops of W a r and the Swift B r i g , down to the Capes. T h e latter return'd in the E v e n i n g and the 2 former beleive Anchor'd in Lyn-haven in such A situation as to repeat Signals to each other. I have engaged about 10 Pilots at Hampton, and i f more should be wanted think I can get them at Y o r k and Gloucester. I can only A d d that I shall do all in m y power to have the dispatches I am intrusted with deliverd as soon as possible. I have the Honour to be most Respectfully Y o u r Excellency's Most Obedt: & Most humble Servt., JAS. M A X W E L L [64]

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M A R C H

R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. The

DISPATCHES

I

A M

INTRUSTED

have not been identified, but were probably T J ' s letters of 2 and 4 Mch. to Lafayette and to the commanding officer of the French squadron; the aide-decamp accompanying Maxwell was Capt. De Pontière, who carried a letter from Steuben to De T i l l y requesting him to send a frigate up Chesapeake Bay to meet Lafayette. Writing to Lafayette from Yorktown, Steuben reported that his attempts to send dispatches to the French fleet had been frustrated and that he was much concerned about Col. Gouvion and Capt. De Pontière who

WITH

1

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had gone out on different boats on the preceding day to deliver letters to the commandant of the fleet, for "Mr. de Ponthiere . . . a été rechassé deux fois" already by enemy cruisers; Steuben was equally concerned about establishing communication with Lafayette, and added: "J'Expédie deux batteaux d ici pour vous faire connoitre notre situation, pour que vous puisses prendre vos precautions" (Steuben to Lafayette, "York ce 7 [Mch.] a dix heures le matin," N H i ; see also note to Steuben's memorandum of needs for the expedition against Portsmouth, 1 Mch. 1781).

From George Muter, with Reply [Richmond, 5 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Minute in War Office Journal ( V i ) under this date: "A letter to the Governor, respecting the 200 Cartouch boxes he required me to collect, informing that the State's Cartouch boxes at Petersburg had been sent to Chesterfield Courthouse by order of Baron Steuben, before Capn. Browne's messenger got there, and asking if an Order shall be issued for 50 boxes from Col. Goode's that are lodged in his care." Another minute, same day: "Answer from the Governor to the letter respecting cartouch boxes. He directs that those wanted shall be sent for to Col. Goode's. Directed the Commissary of Military Stores accordingly." Muter's letter and TJ's reply have not been located.]

From George Muter SIR

War Office, March 5, 1781

The allowance of £ 8 0 - 6 for a Coat, waistcoat, hat, a pair of Breeches, 2 shirts, 2 pair stockings and 2 pr. shoes, and £ 3 . for a blanket to the soldiers to whom such articles are due, having become, by the Depreciation, infinitely below their value; I beg leave to solicit your Excellency in behalf of the poor men, that application be made to the Assembly, to increase that allowance to something more adequate to the value of their Clothing. I have the honor to be, Y r . Excelly's. most hble servt, G E O : M U T E R , Com. FC (Vi).

To Steuben SIR

Richmond March 5th. 1781.

I inclose you extracts from two Letters received from General Weedon. I fear his arrival will be so late as to disturb your plans. C65]

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I have urged h i m to expedition and been obliged further to let h i m know it is not in your power to furnish h i m arms or Cartouch boxes. Y o u desired us to collect our powder. I trust that i f you wish it at any particular place, you w i l l notify it with an appointment of time and place. I am with very great respect S i r your mo: ob: & mo: hble Servant, T H : J E F F E R S O N 1

R C ( N H i ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed and addressed by T J : "The honble Majr. Geni. Baron Steuben Williamsburg-"; endorsed, in part: "Recvd 7th." F C ( V i ) . Enclosures ( N H i ) : Extracts from Weedon's letters to T J of 28 Feb. and 3 Mch. 1781, qq.v.

i Both the R C and the F C read "your," but it is possible that T J intended to say "our." See T J to Weedon of 5 Mch. and note concerning the contradictory passages in T J ' s letters to Steuben and Weedon.

From Steuben SIR

Chesterfield Co. Ho. 5 March [ 1 7 8 1 ]

T h e danger which th[r]eatend the State has occasioned the calling together the Legislature, and as I have no doubt but that the principal object of their attention w ill be the security of the State I take the liberty of submiting to your Excellency, some observations, which I think worthy their attention. However happy a turn Affair[s] may take it is not to any Efforts of ours, but to the imprudence of the E n e m y , it must be attributed. Had the Post at Portsmouth been reinforced from N e w Y o r k , w i t h only 2,000 Men, all the force we could have opposed would not have prevented them from forming a junction with Cornwallis at Taylor's ferry. T h e unhappy consequences that would have at­ tended such an event are too evident to need mentioning. Situated as we are at present two objects seem to call our imme­ diate attention. T h e first is to remove the seat of w a r from the frontiers of the State, by enabling General Greene to make head against the E n e m y . T h e second object is to make some arrangement for the Defence of this State in particular. I t would be unnecessary to repeat to your Excellency the recom­ mendations of Congress, the requisition of Geni. Greene or the different applications I have made to government, on the subject of Supporting the Southern A r m y . B y these the Legislature are minutely acquainted with every article that is wanted. I lament that it has been so little in their power to furnish them. Since the last session of Assembly, with all the trouble that cou'd be taken, I have not been able to clothe a Detachment of 4 0 0 Men; who have r

[66]

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MARCH

17 8 1

lain naked and perishing at Chesterfield, at a time when their Services were so much wanted, at the A r m y . H a d not a transport of Clothing arrived from Philadelphia, they had been still there. B u t by that fortunate arrival I was enabled to send them off the 2 5 t h Ulto. T h e last invasion unhappily occasioned a delay of four weeks in assembling the Recruits. T h e time is now approaching for their coming i n . B u t I am very apprehensive that a want of many articles necessary to equip them w i l l delay their departure for the A r m y . I have already furnish'd your Excellency with a L i s t of the articles that w i l l be necessary and must repeat my request that there be no delay in procuring them. T h e tents, Cartrigeboxes and Saddles require much time and many hands to make them and ought there­ fore to be begun immediately. One of the most essential Articles is horses, of these a consider­ able number w i l l be wanted, not only for the Cavalry, but for the Commissary's and Quartermaster's Departments. T h i s state has two Regiments of Cavalry for its own quota, and it is in this state only, that horses are to be procured. T h e price of horses here is three times as dear as they are in Pennsylvania. T o such an extravagant price have the speculators or the Enemies to the Country raised them, that the Thirteen United States are not rich enough to remount the two Regiments of this State, for at least 2 8 0 horses are wanting for the purpose. H o w these are to be procured is a question I must leave to your Excellency to determine. T h e L a w requiring horses, taken for the service, to be valued by two Citizens has given rise to the most extravagant abuses, and has been one means of raising horses in this State, to the enormous price they now are. There have been many instances of horses being valued in this way, at three times the price they might have been bought at. T h i s is evident from a late instance of some of the Inhabitants refusing to take back their horses when it was found the service did not require them. T h i s object w i l l require the immediate attention of the assembly as it is absolutely necessary the Cavalry should be immediately compleated. T h e particular defence of this State demands not less the imme­ diate attention of the Legislature. I must refer to several memorials I have already presented your Excellency on this Subject. T h e only fortification I would propose are Batteries for the Defence of the Rivers, each coverd by a Small [67}

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Redoubt, with a Block house. T h e defence of each w i l l require from 6 0 . to 8 0 . Men. Hoods and Newport News on James R i v e r , and Y o r k , on Y o r k R i v e r , are the places at which I would erect these Batteries. B u t as these works alone could not resist long, against a vigorous attack, I would recommend a Magazine being established, within 8 or 10 Miles of each place, containing 8 0 0 . Stand of A r m s , with Accoutrements, and two field pieces, w i t h the necessary amunition, that on the least alarm, the M i l i t i a of the neighborhood should immediately rendezvous at the Magazine, arm themselves and march to the support of the W o r k . Prince George Courthouse might be a Rendezvous for the support of Hoods. Experience has sufficiently evinced, during this Invasion, that M i l i t i a L a w s are very imperfect. Others must therefore be made, and the more simple they are the better. T h e Invasions we have to guard against are of the E n g l i s h , on our Coasts. There then the first resistance w i l l be required and there every Citizen should be provided with a good Musket, Bayonet, Cartrigebox and 5 0 Rounds of Amunition always ready i n his house. B u t as in our present circumstances it would be impossible to A r m all the Citizens of this State, I take the Liberty of proposing the following plan. T h a t 8,000 good Muskets with Bayonets, as many Cartridge boxes, 8 Field pieces and the necessary amunition be immediately provided. T h a t the counties in the State be divided in parallels begining with those on the Sea Coast. T h a t 4 , 0 0 0 A r m s be distributed to the Militia in the first paralell, which M i l i t i a shall form 10 Regiments of 4 0 0 Infantry each, and 4 Troops of Cavalry of 50 each, the whole formed in two B r i ­ gades, each Company, Regiment and Brigade to have its particular place of Rendezvous where they are to assemble on the first Signal. T h e other 4 , 0 0 0 Stand of A r m s , with the 8 Field pieces, to be deposited, in the Magazines abovementioned for the support of the Forts, 8 0 0 in each Magazine. T h e more distant Counties w i l l send their proportions to the Rendezvous appointed, where they w i l l form in Companies of 5 0 Men and march to the Coasts to relieve those, who were first under A r m s , so that when all the Counties arrive, each w i l l have only its proportion in the field, and a Corps of 4,000 Infantry and 2 0 0 Cavalry w i l l be always in the field. T h i s advantage w i l l also result from this plan, that of the M i l i ­ tia of the 1st. Parrelell, carrying their A r m s w i t h them even when [68]

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relieved, w i l l always be ready on any extraordinary occasion; many w i l l A c t as volunteers, even when it is not their turn. T h e whole number of M i l i t i a in V i r g i n i a is at least 4 0 , 0 0 0 M e n . 4 , 0 0 0 w i l l therefore be only one tenth part. T h i s tenth part I would desire should be chosen every year to turn out, on every A l a r m , during that year, and remain out as long as the E n e m y should remain in the State. T h e Militia, whose T o u r it is for that year, should Assemble twice every month by companies, and twice a Year by Regiments, to be reviewed and instructed in their Duty. I t w i l l also be necessary that the Officers of these two Brigades should be chosen by Government and considered as always in service. T h e r e are a great many good Officers in the Militia. F r o m these and the supernumerary Continental officers, an Excellent Corps of Officers may be chosen. T h i s Corps should consist of 1 Major General, 2 Brigadiers, 10 Colonels, 2 0 Majors, 80 Cap­ tains, 124 Subalterns, from which must be drawn 2 Aids for the Major General, and one for each Brigadier, and a Adjutant and Quarter Master for each Battalion. E a c h Regiment w i l l be divided into 2 Battalions, each commanded by a Major and divided into four Companies, consisting of a Captain, Lieutenant, 4 Sergeants, 1 D r u m and fife and 50 R a n k and file. Besides this each Regiment should have a troop of 20 horse, commanded by a Lieutenant, when the Brigade joins the whole Cavalry w i l l form two troops each of 50 horse. T h e Cavalry w i l l have two Majors 4 Captains and 10 Lieuten­ ants, two of which w i l l do duty of Adjutants. A Company of Artillery is the only permanent force that the State w i l l have to keep up. These may be employed in the Labo­ ratory and w i l l always be ready for the 8 pieces of Cannon in case of an Invasion. A n active Officer, with the R a n k of Colonel, should be appointed Inspector General and Adjutant General. He should have under him two Captains as Inspectors of Brigades, whose duties w i l l be similar to those of that R a n k in the A r m y , to instruct the troops in their Manoeuvres, Review them, visit the Magazines, keep ac­ counts of every thing and make exact Returns every three Months to the Governor. T h i s is nearlv the plan I think the most proper for the defence of the State, without keeping any permanent force. Should it meet the approbation of Government, and they should be inclined to adopt such an arrangement, Colonel E v e r a r d Meade shall be [69]

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charged w i t h a more particular plan, of which he has the outlines. T h i s Gentleman I would propose for Inspector General; from his Ability, Zeal, and real Military merit, I can answer for Success. I have the honnor to be with the greatest esteem your E x c e l ­ lency's most Obedient Servant, S T E U B E N M a j : Geni. R C ? ( M i U - C ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by Steuben; address leaf lacking. T h e presence of this letter in the Greene Papers suggests the possibility that it is a signed copy sent by Steuben to Greene, rather than an R C . T J transmitted this letter to the Assembly with his letter to the Speaker, 6 Mch., q.v.

From Steuben's Aide-de-Camp SIR

Chesterfield Co. Ho. 5 Mar [1781]

T h e General has set out this morning for W i l l i a m s b u r g h . H e desired me to write your Excellency acquainting you that he had received a Letter from Capt. E d d i n s , the commanding Officer of artillery at Y o r k , Mentioning the great want of powder, there not being more than one B a r r e l l and a half at the post. I t is the Baron's w i s h that your Excellency w i l l take measures to have some powder sent there, likewise a quantity put on board a Vessell and sent to College Creek as soon as possible. I have the honor F C ( N H i ) ; in the hand of Major W i l liam North, who probably signed the (missing) R C . There is also an F C in the Steuben Papers ( N H i ) which bears the heading "The Govr and Capt. Prior 5 Mar [probably John Pryor, field commissary of military stores]." T h i s letter transmits Steuben's order that Pryor is to send all the musket cartridges he has

to College Creek, and then adds: " I have writen to his Excellency Governor Jefferson requesting some powder to be sent on board a Vessel at the same place. Perhaps you may put your Cartridges in the same Vessel. I f you can it will be well, if not one must be pro­ cured at all events." Captain Samuel E D D I N S was captain of the first Continental artillery (Heitman).

To George Weedon SIR

Richmond March 5th. 1781

Y o u r Letters of February 28th and M a r c h 3d were received yesterday and this D a y . I t is utterly out of our Power to send the A r m s and Cartouch Boxes to Hanover Courthouse w h i c h you desire. E v e r y one fit for Service has been delivered out. Y o u w i l l certainly get such of your men armed below as shall be without arms, as there are spare arms under the orders of Baron Steuben drawn down to the place to which your militia w i l l proceed. T h e A m m u n i 1

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tion w i l l in like manner be issued there. F o r God's sake lose not a moment, (indeed I am sure you w i l l not) in getting on. E v e r y instant is critical and may have great effect on operations which perhaps are not yet communicated to you. I sincerely rejoice at the great event you were so kind as to communicate to me and am with much Respect S i r , Your & c , & c , T.J. F C ( V i ) . R C ? , L . S., 2 p., sold at Anderson Galleries (Howard K . San­ derson Sale, 1 May 1916), lot 470. i On this same date T J had written to Steuben: " I have . . . been obliged further to let him know it is not in your power to furnish him [Weedon] arms or Cartouch boxes." T h i s is clearly contradictory to what T J told Weedon above. One possible explanation of this

contradiction is that given above in the note to T J to Steuben, 5 Mch.—that is, that T J intended to say to Steuben: " I have . . . been obliged further to let him know it is not in our power to fur­ nish him," &c. See Steuben to T J , 9 Mch., in which Steuben indignantly re­ fused to arm a handful of militia from New Kent, and Weedon to T J , same date, by which it appears that Weedon was able to obtain arms en route.

From James Wood SIR

Winchester 5th. March 1781.

I have Divided the German Troops between this Place and the W a r m Springs in Berkeley, and am J u s t now Seting Off to Fred­ erick T o w n , from whence I shall Proceed to Congress, i f I do not receive their Instructions where to fix them. A Number of the Regi­ ment of Guards who were enlisted D u r i n g the Stay of the Conven­ tion Troops at the B a r r a c k s in Albemarle, insist On their D i s ­ charges. I shall be M u c h Obliged to Y o u r Excellency to give your Instructions On this Subject to Colo. T a y l o r as soon as Possible. Captain Reads Troop are here, the Men Almost Naked, and the Horses in B a d Order; as there is little Occasion for them at this Post, I think it wou'd be a proper Measure to Order them to Shanandoah, where there is a Considerable Quantity of Public Forage, to Put their Horses in Order for Service. I Communicated the Contents of Y o u r Letter to Colo. Mingen, who w i l l write by this Opportunity; he wishes the Money to be sent here as soon as Possible, but has not ascertained the sum they w i l l want. T h e Commissioners in this County and Berkeley, are altogether unac­ quainted with the Provision L a w , as they have never seen it, Or received any Instructions. I beg that you w i l l be so Obliging as to give them Instructions by the first Opportunity. I am with Great respect S i r Y r Excellency's V e r y Obt Servt., J. WOOD R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

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From Richard Claiborne Richmond, 6 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Has made repeated endeavors to correct abuses among the express riders and in every other branch of his depart­ ment, but "many evils have taken such deep root that it is tedious de­ stroying them." Thanks T J for the information respecting Boswell and has directed Mr. Elliott to exclude him from public employment. Has not made this an individual matter but has long since given general directions and will again write the assistant deputy quartermasters. R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; endorsed, in part: "concerning abuses of Express Riders." See T J to Claiborne, printed under 5 Mch., above; and Claiborne to T J , 24 Mch. (Claiborne's second letter of that d a y ) , 1781.

To William Davies SIR

I n Council March 6th. 1781

I inclose you a Letter from Colo. Waggoner and Depositions on the Subject of Mattenly's Complaint on which I had written to h i m : T h e y appear to justify his Conduct. T h e Tobacco note which Mattenly supposes should have been given h i m has been returned by Colo. Waggoner to the Auditors. I am, & c , T.J. F C ( V i ) . The enclosed letter from Col. Peter Wagener and the depositions have not been found.

From Samuel Huntington SIR

Philadelphia March 6. 1781

I have been honored with your several Favors of the 8th, 17th, and 26th. Ulto., And have it now in my Power to inform you, that Monsr. Tilly with the small Squadron under his Command has left the Bay and arrived at New-Port the 24. Ulto, on his Passage having captured the Romulus, a 44 Gun Ship but pierced for 50, and carried her into Newport. And you may daily expect a Reinforcement in the Bay both of Troops and Ships, W i n d and Weather permitting; but this Should remain a Secret until they arrive. The Delegates from Virginia it is presumed, will give your Excellency more particular Intelligence of this Reinforcement. I have the Honor to be with great respect Sir your Excellency's most obedient Servant, S. H U N T I N G T O N R C ( P H i ) ; endorsed.

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From James Innes SIR

Williamsburgh. March 6th. 1781.

I n obedience to your orders I had discharged the militia from Albemarle and fluvanna which were stationed at this post, and had circulated your letters for calling in the militia of the adjacent Counties to take their places before the Barons orders to cross James R i v e r arrived. Upon receiving the Baron's letter, I wrote to Colo. Dabney near Hampton to suppress the orders I had given h i m to discharge his militia, and immediately to move them up to Y o r k . I have written to Dabney to Endeavor to persuade them to Cross the R i v e r , and i f I find it can be effected without coercive measures I shall immediately order them to join General Muhlenburg. T h e Remnant of a Regiment Stationd at Sandy point is also here, which I shall endeavor to annex to Dabneys. Should the men still remaining under my Command be Governable, I shall have it in my power to reinforce Muhlenburg w i t h a very respectable detachment. B u t should they again demonstrate that mutinous spirit which has so often characterized them this Invasion, I shall discharge them and dispose of their arms as you have directed. T h i s afternoon I shall send off a schooner with four hundred stands of good arms to Smithfield under Convoy of a galley. T h e want of waggons compelled me to adopt that mode. However, I have taken effectual measures to make it a safe one. I shall apprize General Muhlenberg of their destination by Express, that there may be some person ready to receive them on their arrival. I have written to Gloster for two hundred stands of A r m s . I have for answer that they shall be sent over so soon as they can be collected from the Hands of the militia among whom they have been distributed. On the 2d Instant a midshipman and seven seamen deserters from the british navy at portsmouth came to this T o w n . I give you their Informations literally, vizt. T h e Charon, the Commodores ship was stationed at Crany Island with vessells prepared to be sunk to impede the navigation of Elizabeth R i v e r . Besides these, there were at the same place three fire ships and two floating Bat­ teries. T h a t half allowance had been introduced into the navy for a Considerable time. T h a t there were very great desertions both from the army and navy. T h a t a Quarrell had happen'd between Arnold and Commodore Symmonds relative to the Division of Tobacco and other articles taken by the navy while the army was embarked. T h a t Arnold was not on speaking terms with the officers of the N a v y , and much detested and suspected by the officers of the army. [73]

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B y three Deserters from Robinson's Regiment of loyal pro­ vincials who left portsmouth on Wednesday night Feby. 28th. I am informed that the E n e m y apprehensive of an attack on their lines were employed night and day in making them as strong as possible. T h a t they extended back of portsmouth from Gosport Creek to a creek which Empties itself below portsmouth. On these waters are mounted a great many Cannon. T h e r e are no cannon mounted towards the R i v e r . T h e Ships of war lie from T u c k e r s point up to Gosport. Dundass and Arnold have had a violent Quarrell. T h e british officers take part w i t h Dundass. T h e provincial officers adhere to Arnold. A contagious Distemper had spread among the Negroes which swept off numbers every D a y . Provi­ sions of every kind were extremely scarce and that the horses were starving for want of Forage. Colo. Govion Engineer General in the Continental A r m y and annexed for the intended Enterprize to the Marquis Fayette's de­ tachment, arrived here yesterday, with Dispatches from the M a r ­ quis and the French minister for Commodore T i l l y . Capt. K e l l y has also arrived from Philadelphia with an answer to a Letter he carried to the french minister from the Commodore of the french Squadron. I f I find it impracticable to march over the troops at present embodied here, to join General Muhlenberg, after executing your last orders I w i l l immediately repair to the assembly. B u t i f I for­ tunately can have Influence enough to cross the men over the R i v e r , I shall prefer the Service of the field to that of the Senate. I con­ gratulate you on the glorious victory obtained by Count D ' E s t a i n g over Commodore Hood, the particulars of which have doubtless ere this reached you. I have the honor to be w i t h every sentiment of respect y r Excellency's Most obt Servt, JAS INNES Colo: RC (Vi). For the conflicting orders of T J and Steuben see T J ' s letters to Innes of 1 and 2 Mch. C O L . G O V I O N : Jean Baptiste Obrey de Gouvion (Heitman). On the same day Innes wrote Steuben that he had already sent the 400 stand of good arms to Muhlenberg d u r i n g the m o r n -

ing, "And if I should not be fortunate enough to march over the militia at present embodied here who have received the promise of a discharge from the Governor, I shall send as many more in a day or two" (Innes to Steuben, Williamsburg, 6 Mch. 1781, N H i ) .

From Lafayette SIR

E l k March 6th 1781.

On m y arrival at this place I did myself the honor of w r i t i n g to your Excellency and I hope my letter has been safely transmitted. [74]

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1781

A number of vessels have come up the river and as our prepara­ tions are going on with the greatest alacrity, I think the troops may be embarked to-morrow, so that i f we hear from the French squad­ ron we shall immediatley sail for Portsmouth. H a d vessels been in readiness we might have been embarked two days ago; and as soon as a sufficient number of them comes within our reach, you may depend upon our celerity to forward the expedition. T h e articles I had the honor to mention to your Excellency are of great importance to our success; and from a firm confidence in the power and exertions of the State of V i r g i n i a I calculate m y arrangements on an expectation to obtain what I have taken the liberty to request. A r m e d vessels and gallies (those in the Potomack Rapahanock and Y o r k R i v e r might join us on our passage) w i l l not only increase our safety, but may be employed to a vast advantage in the course of our operations. A sufficiency of boats to land about 1500 men and scows for the heavy artillery, an addi­ tion to our train of battering pieces, a good quantity of amunition and stores, a collection of pilots, Maps, lookout boats, and horses are articles which I had the honor of mentioning to your Excellency and which appear to be very important for our expedition. H a v i n g directed that a return be made of articles wanting in the quarter master and Engineer departments I have the honor to inclose it in this letter, and I am obliged to request your E x c e l ­ lency's aid in order to make up the deficiency. F r o m accounts received I should think that Arnolds force must be fifteen hundred regulars, some tories and about 6 0 0 sailors from the frigates. H i s position is strong and he has had time to fortify it. Under these circumstances the attack of the post requires a great superiority of forces. T h i s detachment is excellent but small and when formed con­ sisted of 1200 men. Some diminution must be expected and your Excellency may judge how large a body of militia w i l l be neces­ sary. Great exertions are requisite for our success and they must be made with the more activity as maritime superiority is always precarious. Provisions are an article that demands m y utmost attention, and upon which I w i l l presume to trouble your Excellency. Independent of those which must be calculated upon the number of militia that the State w i l l collect, 9 0 0 barrels of bread, 3 0 0 barrels of meat and a proportion of r u m w i l l be necessary to furnish this detach­ ment alone for one month and I beg leave to request your E x c e l ­ lency's aid on this matter. Should the State be able to furnish the [75]

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detachment with live cattle during the operation, and to have a store ready on their arrival it would be of great advantage. W e shall re­ turn such as remain in store. I beg your Excellency's pardon for troubling you w i t h so re­ peated and so w a r m applications. B u t the affair is so important and military operations can be defeated by so many chances that I think it m y duty to be very particular in mentioning every article which can promote the success of the expedition. W i t h the highest respect I have the honor to be, S i r Y o u r E x c e l ­ lency's most obt. & hble Servt., L A F A Y E T T E R C ( N H i ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by Lafayette; addressed by the clerk, with the following notation on the ad­ dress leaf by Lafayette: "Express to Ride Day and Night with the greatest dispatch. Lafayette M . G . " Following notation appears below the address in

an unidentified hand: "Recvd. at Balti­ more 8th March 1781 12 O'Clock A : M . " T h e letter was received by T J at Richmond on 12 Mch. (see T J to Maxwell of that date). Enclosures miss­ ing.

T o the Speaker of the House of Delegates SIR

I n Council Mar. 6. 1 7 8 1 .

I beg leave to lay before the General assembly the inclosed letter from the honble. Majr. Geni. Baron Steuben containing some prop­ ositions for the internal defence of our state. I have the honour to be w i t h very great respect S i r your most obedt & most humble servt, T H : J E F F E R S O N R C ( V i ) ; addressed; docketed: "Gov­ ernors Letter enclosing Baron Steubens plan for the internal defence of the State. March 6th: 1781. Referred to Mr. Henry, M r . Steven, M r . Taylor, Mr. Peachey, M r . Richeson & M r . Holmes. March 8th: 1781. Commee appd. as above discharged and this Let­ ter &c. Referrd to next Session of As­ sembly." Enclosure ( V i ) : Steuben to T J , 5 Mch. 1781, q.v. On 3 Mch. the V i r g i n i a Gazette (Dixon & Nicolson) made the follow­ ing comment upon the need of a re­ form of the militia laws and at the same time set forth apparently the first de­ mand for an investigation of the causes of the collapse of the defense system: "It is much to be hoped, that the pres­ ent General Assembly, avoiding the fatal ill policy of temporary expedients, pursued by former Assemblies, will now devise a permanent system of defence, and that while we see them amending

the late recruting law by voting their full quota of men required by Congress during the war, without admitting an alternative, we shall see them equally attentive to the internal defence of the state, and the restoration of publick credit. That a reform in the finances will take place, and an enquiry be set on foot, as to the cause of our late losses and disgrace." However, the House took no other action on Steuben's proposal in this session than that set forth in the docketing noted above ( J H D , Mch. 1781, V a . State Libr., B u l l . , 1928, p. 12, 1 7 ) . One reason for this was undoubtedly the prevalent feeling in some Virginia quar­ ters that the Northern states had failed to support those in the South when the theater of war moved to that region. T h i s feeling was reflected in the ap­ pointment in Mch. of a committe of the House of Delegates to draw up a pro­ test to Congress. T h e committee con­ sisted of Patrick Henry, John Taylor of

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6 M A R C H Caroline, and John Tyler and the Re­ monstrance, drawn by Taylor, read in part as follows: " E r e the war began, we heard the cries of our brethren at Boston and paid the tax due to their distress. W e accompanied our Northern allies during almost every progressive stride it made where danger seemed to solicit our ardor. W e bled with them at Quebec, at Boston, at Harlaem, at White Plains, at Fort Washington, at Brandywine, at Germantown, at Mud Island, at White Marsh, at Saratoga, at Monmouth and at Stony Point. W e almost stood alone at Trenton and Princeton, and during the winter cam­ paign which followed. But when we came to look for our Northern allies, after we had thus exhausted our powers

17 8 1

in their defence, when Carolina and Georgia became the theatre of the war, they were not to be found. W e felt that they were absent at Stono, at Savannah, at Charleston, at Monk's Corner, at Buford's defeat, at Lanneau's Ferry» at Camden, at King's Mountain, at the Cowpens, and at Georgetown" (Tyler's Q u a r t . , X I I , 4 0 ) . T h e Remonstrance, containing exaggeration and inaccu­ racies, was not adopted, partially, no doubt, because the approach of Lafa­ yette's army made some of its state­ ments obsolete. T J sent an urgent re­ quest to the Assembly for a revision of the militia laws when that body recon­ vened in May ( T J to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 10 and 28 May 1781).

To Thomas Sim Lee SIR

Richmond March 6th. 1781

I had the Honor of receiving yesterday your Excellency's Favour of February 27th. and had just before received the resolutions of Congress of February 20th which were the Subject of the Letter. I think that we ought not to expect any Cooperation in this B u s i ­ ness from North Carolina and that we should be disappointed were we to expect it. A State in the midst of which are several different Armies of Foes and of Friends as destructive from necessity as Foes, which has been consumed by their ravages near a twelvemonth, is not in a Condition to give but to expect assistance. I t must be evi­ dent that from the Presence of our Armies in that State she must furnish more than her Quota for supplies, because she makes up the Failures of all other States; for on these Failures of supply the army w i l l not go to take from the State failing, but takes it's neces­ sary Subsistence from that in which they are. I think then that of the States named in the resolution of Congress the object of the resolution rests fairly on Delaware, Maryland, and V i r g i n i a , and I shall be very happy to concur with them in such equal measures as w i l l effect the intentions of Congress. I do not apprehend it was intended by your Excellency when you proposed to deposit your Quota of Specifics at Alexandria that the Burthen of Transporting it thence to North Carolina should be left on us solely, because as on the same plan we should be entitled to deliver our Quota on our Southern Boundary which would bring up our Share of Burthen to an equality with yours; W e r e we moreover to transport your

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quota and that of Delaware across our Country it would be so much more than equality. I take the Liberty of mentioning this because your Excellency's proposition has been I think misunderstood in this particular. T h e Desire of Congress that we should settle an arrangement for procuring supplies for the Southern army in the States most convenient for replacing those supplies from other States, and for transporting the whole—All this supposes a joint Concern. I should think therefore it ought to be executed jointly, or i f divided that the division of the whole, that is of the procuring Supplies in one Place replacing them by others and transporting both, should be equal, by which I mean proportioned to our abili­ ties as rated in the Continental Scale. T h i s may be done in several different w a y s : 1st. by dividing among us the L i n e of Transporta­ tion into such parts as when combined with the quantity to be transported along each part w i l l produce a total duly proportioned between us; 2d by putting into the hands of a Quarter Master due Proportions of Money or means of Transportation to be by h i m employed in carrying on our Specifics from their respective States; 3d F o r each State to appoint it's own agent and to procure their quota of Specifics as near as they can to the army replacing their money by Sale of such Specifics as might be raised within their State by Taxation. T h e first and second model are liable to this Objection that the Transportation w i l l cost very considerably more than would purchase the articles in the Vicinities of the A r m y . Should these nevertheless or any other mode which can be thought of be more agréable to your Excellency and the President of Delaware we shall be ready at any T i m e to proceed to settle the arrangement or as the settlement of it by W a y of Letter might draw it to a great Length, I would propose to refer it to be done by the Delegates from the respective States in Congress. Should the third mode suggested above be preferred as it would be carried into separate Execution, no Reference would be requisite. I have the Honor, &c. & c , T.J. FC (Vi). T J enclosed a copy of the present letter in his letter to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 8 Mch. 1781.

From George Muter SIR

W a r office March 6th. 1 7 8 1 .

I n consequence of the manner in which the Auditors construe the act of Assembly for allowing certain sums of money to the [ 7 8 ]

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officers as part of their depreciation ( w h i c h I am far from insisting is a wrong one ) they have refused to grant me a warrant for the sum I think I have a right to under that act. T h e y think it extends only to such officers as are actually at this time drawing pay as officers, and therefore that I am not entittled, because I draw no pay as an officer, and receive only a sallary as commissioner of the w a r office. I beg leave to observe to your Excellency, that when I ac­ cepted of my appointment as Commissioner of the w a r office, I expressly stipulated ( w i t h the Honl. M r . D i g g e s ) that I shou'd retain my commission, and with it, every right and privilege be­ longing to it, the current pay, rations, forage and other lucrative emoluments only excepted; and tho' from the wording of the act of assembly authorising the appointing a commissioner of the w a r office, it might be a disputable point, liable to be settled in future by the Assembly, whether I was not entittled to the abovementioned emoluments as a Colonel, as well as to the sallary, I freely gave up the whole of these emoluments and made no claim to any farther reward for my services as Commissioner of the w a r office, than the naked sallary. T h i s I was induced to do, from the consideration, that there was no opportunity, nor likely to be soon, of m y being able (from want of m e n ) to have any command as a Colonel, and I rather chose to act under the appointment, where I cou'd render some service to the State, than to draw from m y commission, when I cou'd render no service at all. I beg leave to add that I had then a view of the depreciation's being made good to the officers, and was possessed of such a state of the advantages arising from m y com­ mission and appointment as I have now the honour of inclosing; which shews plainly the advantage to be on the side of the com­ mission with respect to gain. T h e construction of the Auditors may most materially affect me in another instance, I mean the right to half pay and land granted by the Assembly to their officers. I must therefore beg of your E x ­ cellency, that you w i l l please to lay this matter before the Assembly, as I cannot have a doubt of the fullest justice being done me by that Honourable body. Permitt me to observe S i r , that my case is a singular one: every officer employed in any w a y out of the line, has an addition to his pay, by w a y of sallary for such extra services, which, is supposed fully to preserve his rights as any officer; and indeed does so in the present instance. A l l officers employed in the staff, all supernu­ meraries, and officers with the most extensive leave of absence, are [79]

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considered as entitled to their depreciation, and actually get their warrants as fast as they apply for them. One thing farther I beg leave to observe, my services commenced with the very first of the dispute with Britain, before it could be called a war; and my appointment as Commissioner took place the 17th of July last. And the depreciation is intended to extend to the first of August last only. I have the honour to be your Excellencys Most obedient humble servant, G E O R G E M U T E R C. R C ( V i ) ; addressed; endorsed, by Muter: "6 March. 81 Govr. Jefferson My letter to him respecting: my depre­ ciation money &c Mems. enclosed." T h e address leaf also has the following; memorandum: "1826 December 16th. Question by M r . Bryce chairman of the Committee of Claims to Major William Duval. Do you believe the signatures of Colonel George Muter and that of Thomas Jefferson on the paper, to be in

their hand writings respectively. An­ swer. I do believe those gentlemens sig­ natures to be in their respective hand writing." T J ' s reply, following, is writ­ ten below Muter's letter. F C ( V i ) . E n ­ closures not found. A C T O F A S S E M B L Y : A n Act for mak­ ing good the future pay of the army, and for other purposes, passed in the Oct. 1780 session (Hening, X , 373-5).

To George Muter In Council Mar. 6. 1781. The board acknowlege that the manner in which Colo. Muter has stated his acceptance of the appointment as a Commissioner of the W a r office, is just. They think that if any doubt arises on the act or resolution of assembly, the application to explain it should be, as the law directs, to the Attorney general, or to the General court; and that if by the act or resolution Colo. Muter is excluded, it would be proper that any application on the subject to the General as­ sembly, should be made by himself. T H : J E F F E R S O N R C ( V i ) ; written below Muter's letter to T J , preceding, q.v. T r ( V i ) .

From George Muter, with Reply [Richmond, 6 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Minute in the War Office Journal ( V i ) under this date: "A letter to the Governor inclosing a Morning Return of the State Garrison Regiment, Stationed at Richmond, and inquiring if the orders for powder from below shall be obeyed in their fullest extent, or first submitted to his Excellency." Another minute of the same date: "The Governor's answer respecting the Delivery of powder. 'It would be better to apprise us of any large Demands. Tho. Jefferson.' " Muter's letter and TJ's reply have not been located.] [80]

To George Muter [Richmond, 6 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Minute in the War Office Journal ( V i ) under this date: "An order from the Governor to order the Delivery of 1000. wt. Cannon powder for York, and 6000 wt. of Cannon powder to be sent down the river to Mr. Tho. Smith." Not located.]

From the Virginia Delegates in Congress SIR

Phila: 6th. Mar: 1781

The Minister of France having imparted to M r . Jones as Chair­ man of a Committee appointed to confer w i t h h i m on some secret matters the intentions of C t . Rochambeau and M r . Destouches explained in the inclosed note, we thought it of such consequence that your Excellency should be certainly apprized of them, that notwithstanding the probability of the communication being made through some other channel we determined to guard against all risk of failure by despatching one of the established Expresses. A s the success of the Enterprize depends much on secrecy of prepara­ tion, and celerity of execution, we beg leave to intimate to your Excellency, that it is the wish of the Minister that no persons should be admitted to a knowledge of it, from whom it can be justifiably concealed, and that such military stores, particularly heavy cannon and mortars, as are in the hands of the State and w i l l be wanted for a siege may be in readiness to go forward at a moments call. T h e Minister also wishes that some supplies of provision, of beef espe­ cially, for the French troops may be included in your general prepa­ rations. W e are with great respect Y r : E x c e l y s . obed. hum. Servts., Jos. JAS.

R C ( D L C : P C C , Portfolio 103); in the hand of Joseph Jones, signed by Jones and Madison; addressed and en­ dorsed. T h e place and date are written at the end of the text of the letter. At the bottom of the second page T J wrote, probably much later: "this prob­ ably should have been dated the 5th. or 6th. Mar. 1781."; he then deleted this notation. Enclosure not found. On 2 Mch. L a Luzerne wrote to the President of Congress informing him that De Tilly had left Chesapeake Bay

[81]

JONES MADISON

Junr.

and that he had captured the British ship Romulus-, and requesting that Con­ gress appoint a committee "to whom he will have the honor of communicating some further information relative to these operations." On the same day Congress appointed a committee of five, including Jones, to confer with the French minister (Wharton, D i p l . C o r r . A m . Rev., I V , 271; J C C , x i x , 224-5; Huntington to T J , of this date; see also T J to James Maxwell, 16 Feb. 1781, and references there).

From George Carrington, Jr. SIR

Cumberland county 7th March 1781.

The enclosed copy of a letter from Colo. Downman respecting the militia from this county under his command came to my hand on Monday last. B y the absence of Col. Skipwith (who I am in­ formed is on his way to head quarters ) the command of the militia in this county devolves on me. You will see by the copy enclosed that the militia from this county under the command of Col. Downman expect a releif. On examining the invasion and militia laws I cannot find that any particular time is mentioned for militia called out to continue in service or that the commanding officer can send any militia out of his county but by order of the executive except in case of invasion in his own, or some adjacent county. By the late call for militia from this county to join General Greene the number now within the county is not sufficient to releive all those under Col. Downman without calling on some of those who marched at the same time with those now with him on duty who were some time since discharged. I am desirous to do my duty as far as in my power and hope to proceed in such manner as shall be justifiable. I have therefore in­ closed a copy of Colo. Dowmans letter not doubting but you will give such order and direction touching the premises as shall appear necessary. I am your humb Serv., G. CARRINGTON J R . R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. Enclosure ( V i ) : Copy of a letter from Rawleigh P. Downman to "Colo. George Carrington or Henry Skipwith," 25 Feb. 1781, requesting information concern­ ing the discharge of a number of men from Cumberland co. who were called

into service "at the beginning of the invasion," and stating that "The many complaints and apparent uneasiness of the men are really distressing to the feelings of an officer who can only at­ tend to them without having the power of releiving them."

From Richard Claiborne SIR

Richmond 7th. March 1781.

I feel so much concern about the horses that are to be impressed for the expedition against Portsmouth, that I beg leave to propose to your Excellency a method which may very possibly answer our wishes as the manner which has been practiced for two days past has proved ineffectual. Impresses cannot be made in a Country which has for a long time, in repeated instances, suffered from the conduct of persons [82]

7 MARCH

17 8 1

who take upon themselves the priviledge to distrain from Individ­ uals without proper authority, unless a party of men are detached upon the business. These w i t h the W a r r a n t from your Excellency and the instructions from myself wou'd be able to execute the duty with Justice to the Public and satisfaction to the People. I have now in m y Possession sixteen or twenty Continental horses which may be had at any moment. W e r e men mounted upon these with an Officer to command them they might proceed through the Country to W i l l i a m s b u r g and obtain a considerable Portion towards the Number wanted. Tomorrow the time w i l l expire in which this collection was to have been made but still the business must be done. I f this Proposal meets with the approbation of your Excellency and you w i l l be pleased to order an officer and twenty men to be sent to me for the purpose the instructions shall be ready for h i m immediately. I have the honor to be with great respect Y o u r Excellency's Most Obedient Humble Servant, RD. C L A I B O R N E DQMr. R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed; T r (NHi). T r (DNA: R G 93). On the same day Claiborne wrote Steuben ( V i ; printed in C V S P , I , 559) stating- that he had "applied a third time to the Governor" for aid in impressing horses; that the "matter is now reduced to this—that I can get no men from the Executive, nor will any hire them­ selves for fear of offending their neigh­ bors. T h e Governor thinks that it is not just to carry on an impress here, giving as a reason, that the people have been distressed in that point already, and thinks that the horses may be more easily procured in the lower Counties." Claiborne added a postscript to his let­ ter to Steuben "For a further proof" of his "disagreable siuation," enclosing a letter from Stephen Southall to Clai­ borne, 7 Mch. (Vi; summarized in same, p. 5 5 8 ) , asking to be excused from serv­ ing because of the impending death of a parent. I n another letter to Steuben the same day Claiborne enclosed a copy of the present letter to T J and also a copy of a letter from Benjamin Greene, who at Claiborne's request "had waited on his Excellency for an answer to my proposition for obtaining the Horses . . . by which you will perceive that it is out

of my power to get any assistance from that Quarter" (Claiborne to Steuben, 7 Mch. 1781, N H i ) . Benjamin Greene's letter, dated 7 Mch. at Richmond at "1/4 past 5 o Clock p.m.," reads in part: " I waited on him [ T J ] for an Answer [to yours to him containing the above proposal] which he returned ver­ bally in person to this effect, 'that he thought the men could not possibly be had, for that it was with the greatest difficulty he could procure three today to Guard some powder down the River a little way,' he also said he believed the Horses might be procured easier than the men" ( N H i ) . A month earlier Clai­ borne had written Timothy Pickering: "The Property of Individuals in this state is so often subjected to impresses and abuses by every order of men in public employ, that whatever is obtain'd from them, and left to others who are in the same situation to value, they will establish it to three or four prices; every­ one will view his own as liable to be taken as another's, and will appraise from partial or interested motives" (Claiborne to Pickering, 5 Feb. 1781, D N A : R G 9 3 [not the letter of this date from Claiborne to Pickering, cited above in note to T J to Pickering, 4 Mch. 1781]).

[83]

To Joseph Holmes SIR

In Council March 7th 1781

As we have at present a great superiority of Prisoners of war in our hands, and artificers and manufacturers are very much wanting in the different parts of the Country, we are of Opinion it will be advantageous to the State to permit such artificers and manufac­ turers as may be useful to settle in the Country restraining them to some particular County subject to the orders of the County Lieu­ tenant, and retaining their names in the Calendar of Prisoners and the Places to which they are permitted to go, that they may be called for if any future event should render it necessary: they should be allowed no rations during their absence. If you approve of this I could recommend it to you to act accordingly, exercising your Discretion as to the Counties to which they are permitted to go. It does not seem proper that they should be in the Counties near Tide-water or near the armies of the enemy. The County Lieuten­ ant should moreover be attentive that they do not escape, take measures for their Recovery whenever they do and notify it to you. I am, & c , T.J. FC (Vi).

From Joseph Holmes SIR

Richmond March 7th. 1781

On my return from the last Assembly, On hering our Country being invaded, immediatley March'd W i t h a Number of Volunteers for this place, but hering the enemy had return'd down the river we changed Our route for Fredericksburg, where we remained some time before the Commanding Officer thought proper to dis­ charge U s . T h i s delayed the building the Cabbins Ordered by Y o u r Excellency for the reception of the Prisoners kept at Winchester. T h e two Gentlemen with Myself who were Appointed to look out for a sutable Place for the Purpose, Rented from M r . Mathias R u s h Merchant in Philada. 525 Acres of land about four Miles from Winchester, Agreeing in every part W i t h the Instructions given us (exceeding Healthy Situation, aboundance of W o o d and Plenty of Good W a t e r ) at T w e n t y Pounds Y e a r l y rent, with liberty to cut what wood we should want for building without any Consideration, the fuel by the Cord at Sixpence in specia, Or the Value thereof in Paper Money. I have got built thirty of the Cabbins, the H a u l i n g [84]

7 M A R C H

178 1

Cuting raising M a k i n g doors, hinges, &c. compleat, cost three hundred pounds each, as this Number is not Near Sufficient to con­ tain all Expected, I give Orders for ten More to be built On the same P l a n , 14 feet Squair in the Clear. A further sum of money W i l l be W a n t i n g to pay at least the balance. T h e few Prisoners who could do A n y thing in W o o d I had Orders, previous to begining the Cabbins, to send on to New Y o r k for Exchange, therefore no A s ­ sistance was received from the Prisoners but the craming between the loggs. T h i s Moment received Y o u r Excellencies letter relative to indulging Prisoners of W a r W h o A r e Artificers to reside i n particular Counties. I should be G l a d the useful part of them Could with propriety be employ'd in such places as were Convenient for Me to C a l l for them when Wanted, T h o ' experience has convinced Me that this indulgence has Offten been Attended w i t h bad conse­ quence. T h e y have frequent Opportunities of M i x i n g w i t h the Ignorant part of M a n k i n d who harkens w i t h too M u c h Attention to their prejudiced Stories in favour of their Country, besides a greater Opportunity of M a k i n g their Escape to the enemy by being able to procure Country Cloathing, and in many instances, friends. L e t the County Lieutenant be ever so W a t c h f u l its impossible for him to gaurd against the above. Whatever place Y o u r Excellency should see fit to point Out, and the persons to intrust them with, I shall Cheerfully Agree too, and give the necessary instructions and receive the Bonds ( w h i c h in such cases we have A l w a y s Made it a rule to take ) from the Persons whom employ them to deliver the Prisoners W h e n Call'd for. A n y that has been let out heretofore never received A n y Rations. I am with the Highest sentimts. of respect Y o u r Excellencies Most Obt. Servant, JOSEPH H O L M E S Continental D C G of P r i s r s R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

From Thomas Sim Lee SIR

I n Council, 7th. March. 1781.

T h e Marquis Fayette has requested this State to furnish armed Vessels, for the Protection of the Transports and Troops under his Command, and destined for the Expedition against the E n e m y at Ports mouth. W e have only been able to procure a B r i g of fourteen four Pounders and a Schooner of eight three Pounders, and a Sloop [85]

7 MARCH

17 8 1

loaded and bound to Sea, of ten three Pounders. F r o m various A c ­ counts we are apprehensive this Force is inferiour to the Enemies Privateers in the B a y . W e have wrote to the Commander of the Ships of our A l l y at the Capes and i f he cannot spare one of his Vessels to convey the Marquis, you w i l l see the Necessity of your State's immediately procuring a Force which in Conjunction w i t h our's, would certainly be superiour to the Enemies Cruisers. T h e Marquis w i t h the Troops Cannon and Stores are now at the Head of E l k . W e have impressed and sent to h i m every Vessel at B a l t i ­ more and this Place and fear they w i l l not be sufficient. T h e M a r ­ quis has requested us to procure Boats to land the Cannon and Troops, which w i l l not be in our Power but we hope you w i l l be [able to] obtain any Number he may want. General W a y n e w i t h a second Detachment from the Pensylvania L i n e is soon expected at the Head of E l k , and he is to join the Marquis as soon as Vessels can be procured to transport h i m to Ports mouth. W e have there­ fore thought proper to give you this Information, and at the same T i m e beg Leave to suggest the Propriety of your strengthening the Convoy. F C ( M d A A ) . Received by T J 11 Mch. (see T J to Lee, 12 M c h . ) .

T o Charles Magill [Richmond, 7 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . On 13. Mch. Nathaniel Pendleton, aidede-camp to Nathanael Greene, wrote to L t . Col. William Washington in part as follows: " B y a letter from Governor Jefferson we are in­ formed that a report prevails at Philadelphia, that Count d'Estaing has taken off the western Isles, 7 out of nine ships of the line and three frigates convoying a number of transports to the West Indies of which 45 are taken. The report comes by the way of Cape François and the Havanna to Boston and is mentioned by Mr. Motte at Philadelphia in a letter to Geni. Huger" (dated at "Duns Bridge," 13 Mch. 1781, CSmH; also, see Weedon to T J , 3 M c h . ) . T J ' s letter to Magill has not been found, but it was acknowledged by Magill on 13 Mch. as having been received "last Evening." I t is worth noting that information as im­ portant as this should have been sent by T J to a major in the Virginia line rather than to the commander of the Southern army, a fact that further evidences the absence of close or even effective communication between T J and Greene; no letter from T J to Greene is known to have been written between 18 Feb. and 24 Mch.; see T J to Greene, 18 Feb. and Greene's cool reply printed under 28 Feb., above.]

[86]

From George Muter, with Reply SIR

W a r office March 7. 1781.

Colo. Senf says that a very considerable number of entrenching tools w i l l probably be wanted below, and informs me that there are a considerable number at Fredericksburgh, which he wishes to have sent down forthwith to Y o r k . I have no knowledge of any tools belonging to the state being at Fredericksburgh, but as I cou'd w i s h to have Colo. Senfs desire complyed with, I have taken the liberty of mentioning this matter to your Excellency. I have written to the quarter master general for the state, to have all the entrenching tools in his possession, helved as quickly as possible, that they may be ready for use. D r . Dixon of the state garrison regiment is here. He has lately been employed in Charles City in curing the militia that were wounded there and he wishes to be informed, i f your Excellency intends he shall act as surgeon to the regiment to be formed of the state troops. I have the honour to be your E x c y s . Most hbl Servt., GEORGE MUTER.

C.

In Council Mar. 7. 1781. The Intrenching tools at Fredericsburg are Continental property; I cannot therefore doubt but that Baron Steuben has ordered them down w i t h Geni. Weedon i f wanting. T h e order to our Quarter Master is proper. I t is apprehended that the Surgeon should be chosen by the officers of the regiment as the law directs. TH:

JEFFERSON

R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed by Muter; T J ' s reply is written on verso of Muter's letter. T r of T J ' s reply in W a r Office Journal ( V i ) . DR. D I X O N : Anthony Tucker Dixon, surgeon in the Continental Line (Blanton, M e d i c i n e i n V a . i n the 1 8 t h . Cent., p. 4 0 4 ) .

From Edmund Pendleton SIR

Edmundsburg, March 7, 1781.

Relying on the honor of government to keep the case on which my opinion is required out of our Courts of Justice, I see no im­ propriety in giving it, as you have done me the honor to request: the ground on which it is supposed a Court of E q u i t y might relieve against that acceptance which made a new contract between the [87]

7 MARCH

1781

Executive and M r . Nathan, i s , that the drawers allege the bills on the Governor and treasurer of V i r g i n i a were payable i n paper money, and in consequence a value was received for them only according to the then depreciation of that paper; on w h i c h head a very proper inquiry seems to be, whether the bills themselves pointed out the sort of money that was to be paid for them or the specific value received? I suppose neither, as that would neither have escaped M r . Nathan in his purchase, nor the Executive i n their acceptance, and that the bills were in the usual and general form, requiring the payment of so many dollars for value received; in which case the bills drawn in the wilderness, and circulated through one Spanish government into another, gave no clue to M r . Nathan to suppose that any other than silver dollars were intended, so as to put h i m on his guard. A g a i n , he might very properly say, I run no risk in allowing specie value for the bills, since i f it should prove otherwise, and that any other mode of payment should be proposed by those on whom they are drawn, I can declare the proposition, procure a protest of the bills, and have recourse for my money to the endorser from whom I purchase. H e accordingly pays full specie value, and presents his bills, which are accepted, and a mode of payment fixed to the satisfaction of both parties; a large payment is accordingly made, and near a year elapsed before any notice is given to M r . Nathan that government had any objec­ tion to the payment as stipulated. T h e Executive were deceived in­ deed, but by whom? Not by M r . Nathan, who, as he paid the same he demanded, was an innocent and fair purchaser; I w i l l not say that those worthy gentlemen who drew the bills were guilty of deceit or neglect in the mode of drawing the bills, or in not giving timely notice of the different value got for them, since I impute these to the hurry they were i n , and the difficulty of conveying timely intelligence; but surely the present difficulty is derived from that source, and it is more just that the State should bear the loss than that it should fall on a man who has the law on his side, is in no fault at a l l , and who has now lost that advantage a protest at first would have entitled h i m to, of recurring for his money to the man of whom he purchased the bills. T h u s you discover, Sir, m y opinion to be in favor of M r . Nathan, an opinion however, drawn from general principles, and not from any determination I recollect on the subject. Y o u and the Council w i l l judge of the reasoning, and afterwards perhaps it may give the public more satisfaction to have the matter arbitrated in the w a y [88]

7

MARCH

1781

you proposed, than to have it rest on my judgment. I have the honor to be, the Council's and your excellency's most obedient servant, EDMUND MS not located. Text from J o u r n a l of the H o u s e of Delegates, May 1783, 1828 edn., p. 74-5, where it is printed as a part of the report of a committee on a petition of Simon Nathan. T h i s letter, together with that of

PENDLETON

George Wythe of 9 Mch., was written in reply to T J ' s letter of 5 Mch. to the Judges of the High Court of Chancery; both were enclosed by T J in his letter to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 15 Mch. 1781 (qq.v.).

To Steuben SIR

Richmond Mar. 7. 8. o'clock P . M .

T h e inclosed came to hand this moment. A s I make no doubt it communicates what was mentioned i n a letter from the Marquis to me received at the same time, I shall not trouble you with it. Scows which the Marquis desires for the transportation of cannon cannot venture into the wide waters over which they w i l l be to be transported, as I apprehend. Flats ( w h i c h abound in Y o r k r i v e r ) are the best vessels for this purpose as I am informed. Y o u may have the best information on this head at Y o r k , and I must trouble you to order flats or whatever other vessels w i l l best answer to be pro­ cured. T h e Marquis is very anxious to have the works at Y o r k put into proper order. I hope Geni. Nelson's influence may have enabled him to procure hands for this business. T h e four battery peices with their carriages, and one mortar with it's bed are got on board to-day. T h e other mortar, without a bed, w i l l be on board this evening, with 6 0 0 0 l b of powder and they w i l l fall down to Hood's where the armed vessels were directed to, there to await your orders. W e found that there were iron beds at Cumberland for the mortars; these I ordered down with the shells which were to go thence. 1000 î b of powder set out for Y o r k this morning. B y a letter from Geni. Weedon I find the numbers he w i l l actually bring w i l l be but about 7 0 0 . Capt. Smith gave me hopes that he could raise 3 0 horsemen, but did not seem positive. I have not heard from h i m lately. I have the honor to be w i t h much respect S i r your most obedt. humble servt., T H : JEFFERSON R C ( N H i ) ; endorsed. Enclosure: Lafayette to the commanding officer of Vir­ ginia, 3 Mch. 1781, which was sent by Lafayette to T J in his letter to T J of the same date, q.v.

B Y A LETTER FROM GENL. WEEDON:

has not been located.

[89]

Weedon's letter to T J

From Steuben SIR

Williamsburg 7 March 81

I arrived here yesterday E v e n i n g and am sorry to inform your Excellency that there has been no appearance of the French Fleet since they went out—on the contrary the B a y is full of B r i t i s h Cruizers and three Vessells lay i n Lynhaven bay. T h e Dispatches your Excellency and myself sent had not left Y o r k Yesterday. I must request your Excellency to provide four Surgeons and 4 Mates with proper Instruments and Bandages for the Troops on the south side the River. T h e r e is a probability of their being wanted in the course of the Expedition. A n Officer with four pieces of Artillery was ordered to remain at Richmond but contrary to m y orders has I am informed gone to Chesterfield. I must beg your Excellency to direct one of the Ves­ sells to take i n these cannon. Colo. Davis w i l l correspond w i t h you on the subject. T h e Powder must be shipped on board the Vessells w h i c h are to come down. F C ( N H i ) ; endorsed. T H E DISPATCHES . . . SENT:

See T J

to Lafayette, 2 Mch. and to the Com­ manding Officer of the French Squad­ ron, 4 Mch. 1781. For the movements of the French fleet see T J to James Maxwell, 16 Feb. 1781, and references there, S U R G E O N S A N D . . . M A T E S :

On

8 Mch. Matthew Pope wrote William Davies ( R C : V i ) asking: Davies' assist­ ance in procuring; the surgeons and mates which T J and Steuben had re­ quested to be sent to join Gen. Muhlen­ berg, stating that experienced men of this profession were difficult to find on short warning. Steuben, during these early days of March, plunged vigorously into the preparations for the expedition

against Portsmouth. On 28 Feb. he was in Chesterfield and the next two days in Richmond; 5 Mch. he was back in Chesterfield drawing up his somewhat unrealistic plan for the defence of the state (Steuben to T J , 5 M c h . ) ; on 6 Mch. he arrived in Williamsburg and by mid-morning of the 7th he was in Yorktown, returning to Williamsburg on the 8th. ( T h e present letter, there­ fore, was evidently written in the early morning of the 7th.) S U R G E O N S : On 19

Mch. Matthew Pope wrote Steuben that he had "complied with your request to his Excellency the Governor for a num­ ber of surgeons and mates to attend you wherever and whenever you may want them" ( N H i ) .

From William Davies SIR

Chesterfield March 8. 81.

I gave immediate orders to Captain B r o w n of the artillery, and he w i l l instantly set out for Hood's. B y some mismanagement the orders for Captain Brown's continuance at Richmond are now somewhere in that town, and he knew nothing of them till he came here. I am under obligations to your Excellency for your ready atten-

[90]

8 MARCH

17 8 1

tion to m y information on the complaint of Mattinly. T h e papers you have inclosed to me, seem to justify the county lieutenant's conduct. I beg leave to detain them, as the soldier not only must be punished for his misrepresentation, but is liable to serve two days for one for his delinquency in absenting himself on the one year's draft. He marched from this place to the southward about ten days ago, but I shall take the necessary steps to have h i m brought to account. Inclosed I forward to your Excellency a letter I have just re­ ceived from the County Lieutenant of Hanover. I submit it to you whether his proposal can be approved as either an honorable or a legal expedient for exempting his county from furnishing their equitable quota of men. I think there is a law subjecting a militia officer to penalties for conniving at the residence of deserters within his jurisdiction: from Col. Syme's letter it seems he knows of some, and consequently he must be thought to be at least so far guilty, as to attract some kind of notice from his superiors. I f your Excellency, in the present critical situation of affairs, could spare a leisure moment to order the state agents to procure more leather for our shoe factory, it would be advantageous. W i t h two more setts of tools we should make 15 pair of shoes a day; for want of them we make no more than from 10 to 12 pair a day. Our taylors make from 50 to 60 regimental coats of a week. T h e y are kept close at work, and I beg they may have some attention paid them with regard to the regular payment of their wages. I have the honor to be, sir, most respectfully, your most obedt W I L L I A M DAVIES

servt, R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. Enclosure ( V i ) : Probably John Syme to Davies, 7 Mch. 1781, "Rockey Mills," in which Syme wrote with obviously guarded language: "It has been propos'd to me, to Receive some Men, that were pointed out, about 4 or 5 Y r s ago, by a L a w , that I never could Consider, but in an unjust Light. I am in Doubt whether to receive them or Not, and should be glad of a Line from you on the Occasion"; the law that Syme ob­ jected to may have been that part of the

Act passed at the Oct. 1777 session "for speedily recruiting the Virginia Regi­ ments on the continental establishment" which provided that any single man who apprehended and delivered a de­ serter to his county lieutenant should thereupon be exempted from the draft (Hening, I X , 3 4 4 ) . T h e same Act (and other enactments) provided penalties, as Davies remembered, for harboring deserters or conniving at their conceal­ ment.

To Samuel Huntington Richmond, 8 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . T h i s letter is virtually identical with the first part of T J ' s letter to Washington of this date. For variations in the text see note to that letter. [91]

8 MARCH

1781

R C ( D L C : P C C , No. 7 1 , n ) ; 3 p.; Trumbull, 16 Mch. 1781, printed in in a clerk's hand, with complimentary Burnett, Letters of Members, v i , No. close and signature in T J ' s hand; en3 0 ) . T r , in French (Arch. Aff. E t r . , dorsed, in part: "read. 15th." F C ( V i ) . Paris, Corr. Pol., E - U , vol. 15); at T r ( D L C : T J Papers). T r ( C t ) , in head of text: "Philadelphie, avec la Trumbull Papers; at head of text: " E x dépêche [of L a Luzerne] No. 127. du tracts from Gov. Jefferson's letter Dated 14 Mars. Copie d'une Lettre de M r . March 8th 1781"; endorsed: "Extract Jefferson Gouverneur de Virginie au Govr. Jeffersons Letter from Mr. Root" Président du Congrès: en datte du 4. (enclosed in Jesse Root to Jonathan [sic] Mars 1781."

To Lafayette SIR

Richmond March 8th 1781

I had the pleasure of receiving last night your Letter of the 3d instant and of learning your arrival at the Head of E l k three D a y s sooner than General Washington had given us reason to expect. I n the mean T i m e I hope you w i l l have received my answer to your first Letter which I forwarded by Express to the Head of E l k and which is of greater Importance a Letter from Baron Steuben, who commands in this State explaining to you what he proposed. T h e Number of M i l i t i a desired by the Baron w i l l be provided, though not quite so early as had been proposed, so that your Delays at the head of E l k w i l l not produce any inconvenience. Arnold's Retreat is at this T i m e cut off by L a n d . Provisions and A r m s for the Troops are in readiness and the Quarter Masters are exerting themselves to get Horses. T h e i r success is slow and doubtful. Oxen I apprehend must be used in some measure for the Artillery. W e have no heavy field Artillery mounted. Four battering Cannon ( F r e n c h 1 8 l b s ) with two 12-Inch Mortars fall down from this place this evening. Scows I am afraid cannot be used for the T r a n s portation of your Cannon on the wide W a t e r s where your Operations w i l l be carried on. W e shall endeavour to procure other vessels the best we can. T h e total Destruction of our T r a d e by the E n e m y has put it out of our Power to make any great Collection of Boats. Some armed vessels of public and some of private property are held in readiness to cooperate, but as they are in James R i v e r they cannot venture down 'til the Command of the W a t e r is again taken from the E n e m y . Baron Steuben is provided w i t h the most accurate drawings we have of the vicinities of Portsmouth: they are from actual Survey of the L a n d and as to information of the navigation the most authentick w i l l be obtained from the pilots in that neighbourhood, ten of the best of which are provided. I shall continue to exert my best endeavours to have in Readiness what yet [92]

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remains to be done, and shall with great pleasure [meet] your desires on this important business, and see that they be complied with as far as our Condition w i l l render practicable. On this and every other occasion I w i l l take the liberty of begging the freest Communications w i t h you and that you w i l l believe me to be w i t h the highest esteem and respect, S i r your, & c , T.J. FC

(Vi).

M Y ANSWER . . . YOUR FIRST L E T T E R :

TJ's

letter to

Lafayette

of 2 Mch. in reply to Lafayette's of 21 Feb. 1781.

T o the Speaker of the House of Delegates Richmond, 8 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . This letter is identical with the first part of the letter sent to George Washington, same date, q.v. F C ( V i ) ; 2 p. T J ' s letter was presented to the House the same day and was "ordered to lie on the table" ( J H D , Mch. 1781, V a . State Libr., B u l l . , 1928, p. 1 6 ) .

To William Lewis SIR

In Council March 8th 1781

I am informed that the several persons whose Services we desire to avail ourselves of on this occasion, wish an authentic assurance of what before I had communicated to you verbally. You are there­ fore authorized to inform them that their vessels and their Loading shall be ensured by the State, that a reasonable hire shall be paid for their vessels and men, and the usual share of prize and plunder allowed. I have reason to believe that the British are at present at Liberty to come out of Elizabeth River, but this will not long be the Case. You will lie close at Hood's 'til you receive further orders as before directed. I am, & c , T.J. 1

F C ( V i ) . T r ( V i ) ; enclosed with petition of John Ball (see T J to Lewis, 4 Mch. 1781). i F C reads " I have no reason to believe," & c , but this is clearly a clerical error; the reading as here given is from T r .

From Charles Magill SIR

Camp near Haw River March 8th. 1781.

T h i s Accompanies a Letter from Colo. Davie, Commissary Gen­ eral for the Southern A r m y , containing a requistition of L i v e Stock from the State of V i r g i n i a . [93]

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Colo. Davie wishes to be informed who is appointed Superin­ tendant of the Provision Supplies for the State of V i r g i n i a , as it is necessary the Person appointed should keep up a regular Corre­ spondence with the Commissary General of the Southern A r m y , giving h i m information of what Supplies are on hand, and what his future prospects are. On the Sixth L o r d Cornwallis, with the main Body of the B r i t i s h A r m y , moved to high Rochford. A Body of Riflemen covered by our Horse Skirmished w i t h his Lordship for three or four Miles, and by information received from P r i s ­ oners and Deserters, kill'd and wounded upwards of a Hundred M e n . A Party of Colo. Washingtons Regiment, the same Night, fell in with twenty five Tories, driving in Beeves for the B r i t i s h Troops, and kilPd twenty three of the number. L o r d Cornwallis, in taking his present Position, seems to have two objects in view— T h e cutting off Supplies from V i r g i n i a , at least making them take a more Circuitous Route. T h e other to bring our A r m y to a Gen­ eral Action, before any number of the M i l i t i a can possibly join us. General L a w s o n , from V i r g i n i a , and General Caswell, w i t h a P a r t y of North Carolina M i l i t i a , may soon be expected. Neither of their numbers are at present ascertained. T h e A r m y are at present Paraded, and ready to M a r c h , occa­ sioned by some late Manoeuvre of the B r i t i s h . Should it be of any importance I shall take the earliest opportunity to communicate it. I have the honor to be Y o u r Excellency's most Obedient Humble CHAS MAGILL

Servt, R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. T r of extracts ( D L C : P C C , No. 7 1 , n ) , enclosed in T J to Huntington, 19 Mch. 1781. Another T r of same extracts ( D L C : T J Papers). T h e extract of Magill's letter of 8 Mch. relates to the

skirmish between the riflemen and CornwalhV force and to the killing of 23 tories; that from Magill's letter of 10 Mch. pertains to the meeting of commissioners to settle an exchange of prisoners.

From James Maxwell SIR

York March the 8th: 1781

Since m y last of the 5th: I now take the liberty of informing Y o u r Excellency of the occurencys here since that time. T h e Boat we embarked in not sailing so well as I could w i s h , and hereing the Boat Liberty was arived at Y o r k , ordered her immediately to J o y n us here which she accordingly did on the evening of the 6th: and we were then determined to go to Cape Charles with both Boats as soon as the weather in the Morning would permit us that we might 1

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take evry oppertunity of stretching out to Sea in search of those vessels that are not within our Capes, that Night being dark and very Rainey. W e were Alarm'd about 7 in the Morning of the 7th: with 8 of the E n e m y s arm'd Boats as they were returning from plundering up B a c k R i v e r , and immediately boarded and took the Liberty, she being then aground. T h e E n e m y plundered her of her sails and Military stores, and left her, taking the Master of her, Gibson, and 8 Men who am well informed did all that their situation would permit them, and being very usefull people, should be glad if an oppertunity offers to have them exchang'd. T h e other boat was got up a Creek, sunk and the people on board took post on shore to defend her, which the E n e m y discovering made no Atempt upon. Since which she has been got up, and Arived safe here; and am in hopes of geting the Liberty also here very shortly, as I left her a float last Night. T h i s Plundering detatchment was Commanded by C o l : Dundas, with about 300 Regulars, besides the sailors who row'd the Boats, being 13 Boats in Number, who about 2 in the Morning of the 7th: row'd up B a c k river, and then divided in 2 divisions, the One w i t h the troops to one Shield's whome they took prisoner and kept as A guide to carry them to the halfway house (being about 2 Miles distant from his plantation); the other to Major Holier's whome they also took prisoner and discharg'd again, and proceeded immediately to driveing of[f] Cattle which they K i l l ' d and loaded [on] their Boats, which then proceeded to Newport News where 2 B r i g s and one Sloop Anchor'd that Morning, and fir'd 3 Guns as a signal, I beleive to C o l : Dundas, to inform h i m they were there. On the Boats return to the Vessels, one landed at B u c k - R o w ( a place of Colo: Seldons) where they K i l l ' d and Carried of[f] a Cow, several shoats, T u r k e y s &c: I must also beg leave to inform Y o u r Excellency that I never saw people turn out with A greater willingness than those here to Oppose there E n e m y , who but few of them had A r m s and those short of Ammunition, and of which the following list may be a proof. T h e E n e m y when at the half way house, am inform'd, destroy'd about 70 Musquetts, Ammuni­ tion &c: and A thousand weight of Beef, and at that time were driveing a Number of Cattle which in the scrimage they had about 2 Miles from that place ( a l l dispers'd). I n the E v e n i n g about 5 O Clock the E n e m y pass'd Armsteads M i l l on their w a y to New­ port News, and where [were] soon followed by Major Callis and L i e u t : Allen with About 20 Volunteers who were fireing on them in there Rear. T h e E n e m y by evry Report since have got safe on [95]

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board about 9 that E v e n i n g and proceeded to Portsmouth M i s i n g I think in a great measure of their principal A i m which was stock. Y o u w i l l S i r pardon this tedious narative, and shall only A d d that I w i l l use evry endeavor in my power to have my Dispatches de­ livered and have the Honour to be verry Respectfully Y o u r E x c e l ­ lencys Most Obed and Most humble Servt., JAS. M A X W E [ L L ] A list of the K i l l ' d wounded and prisoners [taken at] Racepaths about 8 Miles from Hampton in the Scrim[age] of the 7th: of M a r c h with about 40 Malitia against 300 B r i t i s h troops and Sailors, Commanded by C o l : Dundas. Colonel Malory Henry K i n g W i l l i a m Bushill W i l l i a m Bean ^ Kill'd John B a l y John L a n g l y John Fraizer T h o s : Pearce Wounded and a prisoner C o l l : C u r l Commander of our party a prisoner W i l l i a m and Robert Armsteads Do: Gibson Master of the Boat Liberty and 7 M e n Prisoners On the E n e m y s side. Lieut. Salsbury (of the Charon) K i l l ' d 2 Wounded, and believe prisoners taken about 5 or 6 C o l l : Dundas had his Horse K i l l ' d under h i m R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed (in part): "His Excelency the Governor of Virginia. T o be forwarded by M r . Reed at Williamsburg." An account of this raiding party ap­ peared in V a . G a z . ( D & N ) , 10 Mch., and was probably summarized from Maxwell's letter. It includes an account

of the capture of Col. Curie. i Thus in M S . T h i s may have been an error, since the date-line and the context of this sentence do not seem to support the statement that the "Liberty was ari ved at Y o r k . "

From George Muter [ R i c h m o n d ] 8 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Has a letter from Col. Dabney informing him that Dabnev's commission is dated 11 June 1777. The man who contracted smallpox is dead, and Mr. Rose thinks the negro who cared for him must be furnished with clothing "that his own may be de­ stroyed"; encloses order for clothing for TJ's approval. Capt. Irish "pro­ poses throwing a shell about 4 or 5 o'clock this afternoon to prove the mortar bed he has made." Encloses an order to the person in charge of [96]

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state arms to deliver them to Capt. Brown and another to the commis­ sary at Petersburg to furnish provisions to the persons engaged by Brown. R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; addressed and en­ dorsed. Enclosures (missing): ( 1 ) Or­ der for clothing, noted in the W a r Of­ fice Journal ( V i ) : "Ordered, that the Commissary of Stores, deliver to Mr. William Rose, or to his order, a Jacket with sleeves, a pair of Breeches, a Shirt, and a pair of Stockings, to fur­ nish a negro employed in taking care of a Soldier who had the Smallpox"; ( 2 ) order for delivery of arms, noted in the Journal: "Order to Mr. George E l ­ liott, or the person having the State Arms, &c. in his possession at Peters­

burg, to deliver them to Capt. Browne, or to his order"; (3) order for provisions, noted in the Journal: "Order to the Commissary General to issue provisions to Capt. Browne's order, as Commis­ sary of Military Stores, for the people he has hired to work for the State, near Petersburg"; ( 4 ) order, noted in the Journal: "An order to Mr. Anderson to deliver nail Rod to make 2000 lOd. and some smaller nails, for the use of the western army under General Clarke's command."

From William Phillips SIR

New York March 8h. 1781.

F r o m the following E x t r a c t of a Letter I received from General Washington, and which I inclose for your information, I have rea­ son to conclude that Your Excellency is doubtless apprised of a F l a g of truce Vessel, laden with Stores and refreshments for the use of the Troops of Convention, being expected to arrive in James River. T h i s F l a g has now orders to proceed, and upon its arrival i n James R i v e r I hope it w i l l be allowed to fulfill the purposes of its destination; that you w i l l please, S i r , to give such directions upon the subject as shall appear most expedient, and that w i l l enable Captain Gerlach Deputy Quarter Master General to the Troops of B r u n s w i c k , who attends on the Cloathing and Stores for the service of those Troops, to pursue the most expeditious mode of having them conveyed to Albemarle Barracks. I shall be glad that you w i l l , S i r , permit the F l a g to proceed to such convenient Port in the Chesepeak as w i l l be best adapted, from its proximity to Maryland, to admit of an easy transportation by land of the Stores designed for the B r i t i s h Troops of Convention at present stationed at Fredericktown in that Province. I am de­ sirous of obtaining your acquiescence to this measure from being extremely solicitous that the Troops should receive as soon as pos­ sible their Necessaries and Cloathing which, by recent reports, I find they are in great want of, and from a reasonable conclusion that the F l a g w i l l sooner be able to fulfill the object of its Commis1

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sion by the mode now proposed than it appears to me could be done by any other method. I embrace this opportunity of assuring you that I retain a par­ ticular remembrance of the Civilities I received when in Virginia from you, Sir, and Mrs. Jefferson to whom I request my Compli­ ments. I am Sir your most Obedient humble Servant, W P H I L L I P S R C ( P H i ) ; in a clerk's hand, except last paragraph, complimentary close, and signature, which are in Phillips' hand. T r ( D L C : P C C , No. 7 1 , n ) . Another T r ( D L C : T J Papers). E n ­ closure ( T r , D L C : P C C , No. 7 1 , I I ; another T r , D L C : T J Papers): Extract of Washington to Phillips, 8 Jan. 1781, stating that he had written T J to re­ quest that the flag ship be allowed to proceed to a convenient place to unload supplies for Fort Frederick (see Wash­ ington to T J , 9 Dec. 1780; Washing­

ton's letter of 8 Jan. to Phillips is print­ ed in W r i t i n g s , ed. Fitzpatrick, x x i , 71-2). Phillips' letter was enclosed in T J to Samuel Huntington, 31 Mch. 1781, q.v. i T h e extract enclosed with R C is missing; but in both the T r ( D L C : P C C ) and the T r ( D L C : T J Papers) the extract precedes Phillips' letter, which begins: "From the above ex­ tract," &c.

To Steuben Richmond, 8 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . This letter is virtually identical with the first part of TJ's letter to George Washington, same date. For variations in the text see note there. R C ( N H i ) ; 3 p.; in a clerk's hand, signed and addressed by T J : "The Honble Major General Baron Steuben Williamsburg 3$ Express."

From Steuben SIR

Williamsburg 8th March 81

From the first moment I was informed of Lt. Hares arrival with a Flag I declined all transaction with it and referd it wholly to the Civil Authority, for as the purposes for which he came out were by no means of a Military nature it seemed to me subject only to their decision. The Officers of Militia who have acted in this affair have doubt­ less considered it in this point of View. They acted without my orders and reported their proceedings to Government alone. The only order I gave to send Lt. Hare and the Vessell back, was dis­ obeyed and an Open Letter of mine in answer to Mr. Hare is de­ tained by Mr. Tuberville. It is with pleasure I adopt the idea of not considering these trans­ actions as Military. Otherwise I should have been obliged to Arrest [98]

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M r . Tuberville for the irregularity of his conduct in the course of this affair. E v e n Colo. Innes must have answered for his disobedience of orders in not sending back the F l a g without taking upon him to judge of the propriety of my Conduct. Before I gave this order Capt. W a l k e r m y A i d D e Camp had the honour to communicate to your Excellency in Council m y Opinion with respect to this flag and it was not till after he had assured me of the approbation of Government that I ventured to give Colo. Innes orders to send it back. F u l l y Satisfied w i t h the part I have acted in this affair I now solemnly declair that all the irregular and shamefull proceedings that have taken place have been without m y knowledge and contrary to m y orders. I had no hand in the detention of the Vessell or of L t . Hare nor i f the Vessell is Condemnd w i l l I share in the P l u n der. T h e Gentleman is now confined to his room in this place and I shall be carefull how I give orders for his release since it is not by my order he is confined. 1

A l l that I take upon me is to object to his being sent back at this juncture when any intercourse whatever w i t h the E n e m y would be improper and is prohibited. T h e final decision of this affair I shall expect from Government —whose orders I am ready to execute—tho' I should be more pleased i f they were addressed immediately to those who have hitherto thought proper to take upon themselves to manage it as they please. I however Complain to Government of the detention of a Letter of mine to L t . Hare and I beg your Excellency that M r . Tuberville may be called to account by the C i v i l Authority for detaining in his hands the Letter not of a General Commanding in the state but of an honest M a n , who is above the suspicions of a M r . Turberville. I flatter myself your Excellency w i l l see that I have just Satisfaction for the disagreeable scenes to which this affair has exposed me. F C ( N H i ) ; heavily scored out and corrected; endorsed: "Copy to Gov. Jefferson, 8 Mch." Dft ( N H i ) ; in Steuben's hand; in French. See George Lee Turberville to T J , 15 Feb. 1781, and references there. T h i s indignant letter from Steuben may have been provoked by the fact that Turberville, with the approval of Col. James Innes, went to Richmond to lay before T J a minute account of this af-

fair (see Innes to T J , 3 Mch. 1781). i T h e corresponding paragraph in Dft reads: "Sans quoi je serai obligé par devoir d'arrêter Major Turberville et de le mettre devant un Conseil de Guerre pour rendre comte de L'irreguliarite de sa conduite en general. E t m ê m e collonel Innes serait responsable d'une disobeissance d'ordre, de ne pas avoir immédiatement renvoyer la flagge, sans examine si ma demarche était propre ou non."

[99]

From Francis Taylor SIR

Winchester March 8. 1781.

T h e German Troops arrived here the 5th. instant, T h e Bruns­ w i c k Regiments are for the present quartered in this town, but are rather too much crowded unless they should be removed soon. T h e i r number (including officers) is 9 3 4 . T h e Hesse Hanau Regi­ ment, near 3 0 0 . are sent to the T o w n of B a t h , w i t h part of the Guards. T h e purchasers of Provision and Forage inform me those articles have risen considerably in price since we got here, and there is but small stores of either at present on hand. Capt. Read's Troop of Dragoons are here, the men are very bare of Cloathing and the horses in bad order. T h e y are of no service at present, and I think might be sent to Shenandoah to be put in good order. I am informed a quantity of Forage is there, sufficient to last them a month or two, which was purchased when the B r i t i s h marched from the Barracks. M u c h the greatest part of the noncom­ missioned officers and Soldiers of the Regiment of Guards claim discharges, on their removal from Albemarle Barracks, being en­ listed to serve only at that place. T h e y appear willing to stay until it is determined where the Germans w i l l be fixed, and perhaps may be prevailed on to guard them to any place out of this State, i f not very distant. Our officers are greatly distressed for want of money, not having sufficient to pay for washing or common necessaries. W e are sufferers by the depreciation of money from the time it has been due us [to] now, and have been formerly, at present above seven months are in arrear. M r . M a r t i n informed me the Auditors dis­ puted to grant W a r r a n t s on Our orders for the money voted by the last Assembly, to be paid the Officers for depreciation of their pay. I have conversed with several Gentlemen of the Assembly who all of them said the Officers of the Regiment of Guards were included in the B i l l . I t would be treating them with injustice i f they were not, as the depreciation has chiefly arisen since they have been in service. A member of the House of Burgesses immediately after the B i l l passed, obtained a warrant for one of our officers who has since received the money from the T r e a s u r y . I hope your excellency w i l l direct that money to be sent us, and the Regiment to be paid as early as possible. Our Paymaster, M r . M a r t i n , could he have notice when to apply, would immediately do it, and bring us the money. I have formerly mentioned the bare situation of our Soldiers, and flatter myself i f cloathing should arrive that they w i l l not be 1

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forgot. I believe there may be procured a plenty of Flour at this place. Beef I fear w i l l not be got so easily, and as I mentioned be­ fore, the people in this neighbourhood have raised the prices since our arrival. I shall send a Dragoon with this tomorrow morning. B y his return please send me such directions and orders as you shall think necessary. I am with the highest respect, Y o u r E x c e l ­ lencys Obedient humble servant, FRAS T A Y L O R E S . I believe C o l . Mengen has wrote by some person since Colo. W o o d wrote his letter. R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

M O N E Y VOTED B Y T H E

LAST ASSEMBLY:

An Act to adjust and regulate the pay and accounts of the officers and soldiers (Hening, x, 402-8). C O L O , WOOD'S L E T T E R : Wood to T J , 5 Mch. 1781. i Thus in M S .

To the Virginia Delegates in Congress GENTLEMEN

I n Council March 8th. 1781

The inclosed papers so fully explain themselves, that I need say nothing more to apprize you of the Subject. Should the Governor of Maryland and President of M a r y l a n d not close with m y third proposition, you are hereby authorized to treat with the Delegates of those two States or any other Person appointed by the States and to settle the best method of availing the Southern A r m y of their Supplies. T h e proposition from Govr. Lee nor any thing like it can possibly be admitted on our part. I have the Honor to be with great respect & esteem Y o u r , & c , T.J. 1

F C ( V i ) . Enclosures (missing): Doubtless copies of Thomas Sim Lee to T J , 27 Feb. and T J to same, 6 Mch. 1781, qq.v. i T h u s in F C , which, of course, should read: "President of Delaware."

From John Walker SIR

Wms.burg 8th. March 1781.

The Baron has desired me to send you the inclosed papers i n order to shew you and the Legislature the Necessity of giving more E n e r g y to the M i l i t i a L a w s of this State. W e are told from good A u ­ thority that out of 104 Men ordered from the County of N e w kent, only 28 could be prevailed on [to] set off, and of these perhaps one half w i l l desert before they reach the place of destination. T h e reason they assign for their refusal is that many others have de[101]

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serted with impunity and untili those are punished they w i l l do no duty. I am likewise informed that many of the Inhabitants of the Counties below this place, on being applyed to, to take the Field on the late Incursion of the E n e m y to the half w a y house, have refused, alledging that they were on Parole. Unless some vigorous measures are taken to prevent such shameful proceedings it w i l l be utterly impossible to concert any Measures of offence or defence w i t h any probability of Success. T h e Baron observes that should he be disappointed in the Rein­ forcement destined for Geni. Muhlenburg he can not be answerable for the Consequences, and as there is so great a deficiency from the County of N e w kent it is not improbable that the other Counties may likewise fall short of their respective Numbers. I have the honor to be S i r Y o u r obedt. huml. Servt., JN. WALKER P : S : T h e Baron desires me also to inclose you some letters just received on the subject of impressing horses &c. H e desires me to inform you that he w i l l give no Future orders for impressing horseses or any thing else, as he would not chuse to incur the whole odium attending this business. He begs the inclosed papers may be returned after perusal. Yours J.W. R C ( M i U - C ) ; addressed; endorsed: "Deld. at two o'Clock 8th: March P:M:." Enclosures (missing) have not been identified, but see Richard Claiborne to T J , 7 Mch. 1781, and references there.

T J no doubt transmitted Walker's letter (or a copy of it) to the Assembly on 9 Mch. in his letter to the Speaker, 9 Mch.; see also T J to Speaker, 10 May 1781.

To George Washington SIR

Richmond March 8. 1781.

I had the pleasure of receiving a Letter from General Greene dated H i g h Rock ford February 2 9 . (probably M a r c h 1 ) who in­ forms me that on the night of the 24th Colo. M c C a l l surprized a subaltern's guard at Hart's m i l l , killed 8 and wounded and took 9 prisoners, and that on the 25th Geni. Pickens and Lieutenant Colo. L e e routed a body of near 3 0 0 tories on the H a w river, who were in arms to join the B r i t i s h army, killed upwards of 100 and wounded most of the rest, which had had a very happy effect on the disaffected i n that country. [102]

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MARCH

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B y a Letter from Major M a g i l l an officer of this state whom I had sent to Geni. Greene's head quarters for the purpose of giving us regular intelligence dated Gilford county M a r c h 2d. I am i n ­ formed that L d . Cornwallis on his retreat erected the british stand­ ard at Hillsborough, that a number of disaffected under the com­ mand of a Colo. Piles were resorting to it when they were inter­ cepted by Geni. Pickens and L t . Colo. L e e as mentioned by Gen­ eral Greene, and that their commanding officer was among the slain, that L o r d Cornwallis after destroying every thing he could at H i l l s ­ borough moved down the H a w river, that Geni. Greene was within six miles of h i m , that our superiority in the goodness tho not the number of cavalry prevented the enemy from moving w i t h rapidity or foraging. H a v i n g desired Major M a g i l l to be particular in in­ forming me what corps of militia from this state joined General Greene he accordingly mentions that 700 under General Stevens and 4 0 0 from Botetourt had actually joined General Greene, that Colo. Campbell was to join him that day with 600 and Colo. L y n c h with 3 0 0 from Bedford were shortly expected; the last three num­ bers being riflemen. Besides these mentioned by Major M c G i l l Geni. L a w s o n must before that time have crossed Roanoke with a body of militia the number of which has not been stated to me. Report makes them 1 0 0 0 but I suppose the number to be exagger­ ated. 4 0 0 of our new levies left Chesterfield court house on the 25th of February and probably woud cross the Roanoke about the first or second of M a r c h . I was honoured with your Excellency's letter of Feb. 2 1 . within seven days after it's date. W e have accordingly been making every preparation on our part which we were able to make. T h e militia proposed to operate w i l l be upwards of 4 0 0 0 from this state and 1 0 0 0 or 1200 from Carolina said to be under Geni. Gregory. T h e enemy are at this time in great measure blockaded by land, there being a force on the east side of Elizabeth river. T h o they have a free exit from Elizabeth river, T h e y suffer for provisions, as they are afraid to venture far enough to marode in any great degree, lest the french Squadron shoud be in their neighbourhood and come on them. W e r e it possible to block up the river, a little time woud suffice to reduce them, by want and desertions and woud be more sure in its event than an attempt by storm. I shall be very happy to have it in my power to hand you a favorable account of these two armies in the south. I have the honour to be with the greatest esteem & respect Y o u r Excellency's most obedient & most hble servant, T H : J E F F E R S O N 1

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9 M A R C H R C ( D L C : Washington Papers); en­ dorsed: "Richmond 8h. March 1781 from Govr. Jefferson Ansd. 21st." F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "General Wash­ ington, President of Congress, Baron Steuben, Spkr of the house of Dele­ gates"; at foot of text: "NB the Letter to the three last extends only to the end of the sixth Line in this Page" (see note 1, below). T J sent almost identical letters to Huntington, R . H . Lee, and Steuben; it is probable that he also sent a copy of the same letter to Thomas Sim Lee (see the latter's letter to T J of 15 Mch. 1781, acknowledging one from T J of 8 Mch.). i T h e letters to Huntington, Lee, and Steuben ended at this point. A sum­ mary of the first two paragraphs of this letter appeared in Va. Gaz. ( D & N ) ,

1781

10 Mch., in which the language so closely parallels that of the present let­ ter as to rule out the possibility that the editor of the Gazette relied upon the letters of Greene and Magill; this summary must therefore have been sup­ plied by T J or by someone in the Gen­ eral Assembly who had access to one of the various letters T J dispatched on 8 Mch. Since a letter identical with the present (except as noted) was sent to R. H . Lee, it is possible that John Beckley, clerk of the House of Delegates, furnished the editors with an extract from T J ' s summary of the letters of Greene and Magill. I f so, it is probably the earliest example of the sort of selfassumed liaison activity between T J and the press that Beckley was to en­ gage in for the next quarter of a cen­ tury.

From John Banister D i n w i d d i e co., 9 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . He has, in accordance with orders, arrested Overby and Wells, and bailed them in good security to appear for trial when called on. Their arms have been deposited in a magazine previously established. He expects to complete a third of the militia (233 in number), by subscription. Desires instructions as to the trial of the two men arrested. M S not found; text of summary from I , 565, where this letter is re­ corded as to an unidentified recipient. There can be no doubt, however, that it was written by Banister to T J , for ( 1 ) it is a reply to T J ' s letter to the CVSP,

county lieutenants of Dinwiddie and Essex, 5 Feb. 1781, and ( 2 ) it was answered by T J under date of 13 Mch. 1781, qq.v. Banister was county lieu­ tenant of Dinwiddie.

To the County Lieutenants of Chesterfield and Dinwiddie SIR

I n Council March 9th. 1781.

I t being absolutely necessary to send an immediate Reinforce­ ment of M i l i t i a to General Muhlenburg's Camp, I am to desire you without Delay to send effective men from your County to h i m . I w i l l assure you that they shall be detained but a few D a y s , which considering the Shortness of T i m e they were out on the last C a l l w i l l not more than make their T i m e s of Service equal to those of the other Counties on the South Side of James R i v e r , all of whom have men now i n the field either w i t h the Southern A r m y or at [ 104]

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Suffolk. B e pleased to notify to me the T i m e of their march. I ap­ prehend they w i l l find A r m s at General Muhlenburg's Camp, but still would advise that they carry what good muskets they have. I am with great respect S i r , Your & c , T.J. FC (Vi). The number of militia to be sent by each county is not indicated in the F C . However the following appears in the proceedings of the Council for 9 Mch.: "The Board advise that there be ordered

from the County of Chesterfield 164 men and from the County of Dinwiddie 187 men to reinforce General Muhlen­ berg" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., I I , 305; see also T J to R . H . Lee and to Steuben, both under date of 10 M c h . ) .

T o the Speaker of the House of Delegates SIR

I n Council Mar. 9. 1781.

I think it my duty to communicate to the General assembly the inclosed papers giving information of the refusal of considerable numbers of militia within certain counties to come into the feild, and the departure of some others in defiance with their arms. T h e crisis at which these instances of disobedience to the laws have appeared, may bring on peculiar i l l consequences. I have taken the liberty of mentioning it to the general assembly as it may perhaps suggest to them some amendments of the invasion law, or as they might w i s h to advise the proper measures to be taken on the present occasion. I have the honor to be with the highest respect S i r your most obedt. & most humble servt., T H : JEFFERSON R C ( C t Y ) . F C ( V i ) . The enclosures cannot be precisely identified. They must have included John Walker's let­ ter (or a copy of it) to T J of 8 Mch. (q.v. ) and some, if not all, of its en­ closures. See also George Carrington's letter to T J of 7 Mch. and that of James Innes of 6 Mch. which may have been enclosed with this letter. T J ' s letter and its enclosures were presented to the House the same day and were referred to a committee with instructions to "prepare and bring in a Bill or Bills to amend the Act for pro­

viding against Invasions and Insurrec­ tions." On 13 Mch. a bill was presented "to amend the Acts for regulating and deciplining the Militia and for provid­ ing against Invasions and Insurrec­ tions." The bill was read the second time on the same day and referred to a committee of the whole. It was amended in committee and amendments agreed to on 16 Mch.; and on 17 Mch. was read the third time and defeated by a vote of 27 for and 32 against its passage. ( J HD, Mch. 1781, V a . State Libr., B u l l . , 1928, p. 17, 26, 30, 3 1 , 34, 3 5 ) .

T o the Speaker of the House of Delegates SIR

I n Council Mar. 9. 1781.

T h e Executive were informed during the last summer or F a l l that the Accomack and Diligence gallies were deserted by officers Í

105 ]

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and men, and left open to be plundered of their guns and furniture. Orders were immediately given to Commodore Baron to arrest the officers, to have the men sought for and taken, one of the gallies brought round to the Bayside of the Eastern shore and manned with the same men and the other to be brought to the Western shore to be repaired. The bay being infested with privateers at that time prevented the immediate execution of the orders, and the subsequent invasions which took place in October and December have continued the interruption of our intercourse with that shore. In the mean time we learn that the vessels have been much plundered and their hulls so injured as to render it doubtful whether worth repairing. We have taken and shall continue to pursue measures for punish­ ing those who have thus abused the public, and recovering indemni­ fication: but should it be most expedient to dispose of the hulls, the sanction of the General assembly, if they approve of it, would be necessary. I have the honor to be with great respect Sir your most obedt. humble servt., T H : JEFFERSON R C ( C t Y ) ; addressed and endorsed. FC ( V i ) . T J ' s letter was read in the House on the same day; on 13 Mch. a resolution was agreed to by the House authorizing the Governor to sell or dispose of the two galleys and to appoint a commis­

sion to enquire into the damage sus­ tained and to ascertain the persons re­ sponsible therefor (copy of resolution, Vi; J H D , Mch. 1781, V a . State Libr., B u l l . , 1928, p. 19, 24, 3 2 ) , on 22 Mch. James Henry, Thomas Bailey, and James Arbuckle were appointed { V a . C o u n c i l Jour., I I , 315).

From George Muter [Richmond, 9 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Minute in War Office Journal ( V i ) under this date: "A letter to the Governour respecting Sumersall (who is en­ gaged to work 6 Months with Mr. Jas. Anderson) paying ferriages crossing the River to Manchester, to his Family." Not located.]

From Steuben 9 Mch

SIR

I have received a Letter from General Muhlenberg dated the 7th. Inst, informing me that the Reinforcement which was to have Joined him the 5th. inst. had not then arrived and consequently he was prevented from detaching the 800 Men destined to Join Gen­ eral Gregory and to secure the passage of the great Bridge. At the same instant arrived Twelve Men being all of the 104 who were orderd from New Kent. They are unarmed and demand my orders. [106]

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MARCH

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I am extremely sorry to declare I shall give neither A r m s nor Orders. On the Assurances I received from Goverment by Colo. W a l k e r I had the Weakness to write Geni. Washington and M a r ­ quis De l a fayette that every thing was ready for the Expedition; my Credulity, however, is punished at the expence of my honor and the only excuse I have is my Confidence in Government. T h e Quarter Master writes me that he has in vain implored the Assistance of Government in procuring Horses for the Expedition. I n fact i f the powers of Government are inadequate to the furnish­ ing what is indispensabbly necessary the Expedition must fail. I n this Situation I am determined to suspend giving any orders till I receive your Excellencys answer to this, which answer I w i l l lay before the Marquis and the Commander of the french fleet that they may not engage too far in an Enterprize which there is no prospect of carrying through. I beg your Excellency to lay this Letter before the Assembly. I am &c. F C ( N H i ) . T r (in French; N H i ) ; this is probably the draft of a copy sent to Lafayette. See John Walker to T J , following, which probably accompanied this let­ ter. T J enclosed a copy of Steuben's let­ ter in his to the Speaker and to Lafa­ yette of 10 Mch. Steuben could not have known that, on the day before he wrote this angry letter, Muhlenberg had detached almost a thousand men "destind for the Great Bridge" (Muhlen­ berg to T J , 10 M c h . ) . On 9 Mch. Steu­ ben also wrote to Muhlenberg: "My last inclosed you a list of the counties which were to reinforce you by the 5th inst. T h i s was promised me by Government, but I am sorry their promises are so lit­ tle to be depended on. . . . 1 have dis­ patched an Express to the Governor and must wait his Answer; in the meantime I would have you draw together all your force including those at Cabbin Point" ( N H i ) . And on 10 Mch. he wrote to Nelson, who was ill at the time: " I am in want of everything and Government have not the power to assist me, in con­ sequence of which I am disappointed in the most essential arrangements. . . . Here we have a pleasing prospect before us. W e may I think be certain that a fleet will come to cooperate with us and in that case the grand Traitor cannot escape" ( N H i ) . I H A D T H E W E A K N E S S TO

WRITE

GENL.

WASHINGTON:

On

1

Mch. Steuben wrote from Richmond, saying that he had continued his prepa­

rations and would deliver Arnold to the Marquis; Washington acknowledged this 21 Mch. and thanked Steuben for "making the necessary preparations with so much celerity and judgment, for co-operating in an attack on . . . Ports­ mouth" (Washington, W r i t i n g s , ed. Fitzpatrick, x x i , 346-7). But perhaps Steuben's judgment of T J ' s efforts ex­ pressed after the expedition had been abandoned may be nearer the truth than his remarks thrown off in the midst of his strenuous exertions, in which "The difficulties and embarrasments . . . per­ haps transported him beyond the bounds of moderation" (Walker to T J , follow­ ing); writing to Washington on 14 Apr., Steuben said (what he would never have admitted to T J ) : "The Expedition against Portsmouth having failed, my first care was to save those articles which had at so much trouble and expence been collected for that purpose, and here I must do justice to the Gov­ ernment for their great Efforts on the occasion. I can with truth say that every possible preparation was made and noth­ ing on our part wanting to ensure the stroke" (Steuben to Washington, 14 Apr. 1781, N H i ; an identical letter was sent to the Board of W a r ) . T h i s , too, as with all of Steuben's opinions uttered when personal or professional interests were involved, needs modification; but as a judgment expressed after the event it was a more just appraisal than the

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M A R C H

remarks thrown off in a fit of anger when Steuben feared that he would be frustrated in what seemed at the mo­ ment to be a glorious opportunity for achieving military fame. An even more telling fact is that the Virginia govern­ ment had assembled 4,000 armed mili­ tia by the time the British fleet under Arbuthnot and Graves arrived in midMarch. Lafayette, who expressed pro­ found regret that the state had been put to so much trouble and expense for an

17 8 1

abortive expedition and who, no less than Steuben, was disappointed in the failure of the plan, wrote T J that, save for support from the French fleet, "we have been perfectly ready" (Lafayette to T J , 27 Mch. 1781); Steuben himself, just after Lafayette's arrival, reported to Greene: "J'ai la satisfaction de vous dire que tout mes préparatifs était fait avant son arrive" (Steuben to Greene, 17 Mch. 1781, N H i ) .

From John Walker SIR

[Williamsburg, 9 March 1781]

The difficulties and embarrasments, that have been thrown into the Baron's way in the course of this Bussiness, have perhaps trans­ ported h i m beyond the bounds of moderation; but were you ac­ quainted with them all, you would make great allowances on ac­ count of his situation. ' T i s fortunate that the Assembly is now sitting. T h e y surely w i l l fall on some Expedient to remedy those crying E v i l s , in such manner as to prevent the loss of this golden, glorious opportunity of perhaps exterminating the E n e m y in this Country. I well know your situation is not less disagreable than that of the Baron and therefore rejoice that the Legislature is at hand to lend their aid at this interesting Period. I have the honor to be, your Excellency's most obedient Humble servt. MS not located. Text from C V S P , I , 565, where it is printed with the caption: "M. Walker to Gov: Jefferson."

From George Weedon DEAR SIR

Hanover Town March 9th. 1781

This will be delivered you by my Aid-De-Camp, Major Robert Carter Page, who your Excellency was so Obliging as to Appoint my Additional Assistant on the 8th. of Novr. last. This Gentleman from that time to the present, has been mostly employ'd in Public Business and has discharged it so much to my Satisfaction as to induce me to mention his situation to your Excellency. W e are now in Expectation of somthing Serious. I cannot therfore think of tak­ ing young Gentlemen with me who Act in such important Depart[108]

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ments, without a Signature of Authority, would therfore beg your Excellency to grant h i m your Commission for his Appointment, which in case of a Misfortune w i l l be useful. Major Daniel Fitzhugh has also been with me as a Volunteer A i d , since the first of Leslies Invasion. I find those Appointments Exceeding Useful in M i l i t i a Service, and were I not afraid of intruding too far on the Politeness of the Honorable Executive, would also Solicite a like Commission for h i m . T h i s Gentlemans Expences, I have bore out of m y own Pocket since October to the present time. T h e difference between his being an Aid-de-Camp or M i l i t i a man, w i l l not I hope Operate so forcable as to discontinue him, and would therefore A s k the same Appointment for him; with Rations and pay as in the first Instance, which w i l l enable h i m to keep the Feild, on his own A c ­ count. I would wish these Gentlemen to stand on the same ground with respect to their duty, which may be considered in times of Invasion only, or in a more Extensive light as your Excellency pleases. A distinction of one day in the dates of their Commissions, may be Necessary for the sake of Precedence. M r . Fitzhugh was with me before your Excellency was pleased to Appoint M r . Page. I am honored with your Excellencies favor 5th. Inst. M y being partly in the Secret, has been no small reason of great Anxiety. T h e Tardiness of Loudoun has delayed my M a r c h Exceedingly, A m however this far on my way. Inclosed I have the honor of transmiting you returns of the men under my Command. B y that you w i l l see from whence the de­ ficiency arises, and make no doubt of your Excellencies firmness in bringing the Delinquents to such punishment as the law directs, for be Assured m y dear Governor Lenity in those cases w i l l have an E v i l tendency. I have reason to believe P . W i l l i a m and Fairfax w i l l send forward their full Quota. I have wrote the Commanding Officers on that Subject, and have received their Answer. I n conse­ quence of the disappointment from Loudoun, have been able to put Musquets in the hand of all those on the march. Some Catouch boxes and Bayonetts are wanting to Compleat them for Service which I am in hopes may be got below. Fearful of a want of Catouch boxes, had taken the Liberty of Ordering 200 to be made sometime ago, which were Compleated and delivered by a M r . E d w a r d Simp­ son. T h e Troops are also furnished with a Camp Kettle to every 8 men and two Axes to each Company, upon the whole they are tolerable Equipt, all to Covering. Have we got his Lordship yet? I hear nothing from the South. U09]

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Have the honor to be w i t h high respect & Esteem Y r . Excellencies Most Obt Servt., G . WEEDON R C ( P H i ) ; addressed, in part: "by Major Page A . D . C " ; endorsed. Enclosure missing. See T J ' s reply to Weedon, 10 Mch. 1781, and note there.

From George Wythe Williamsburg, March 9th, 1781. Notwithstanding those to whom the bills were drawn imme­ diately payable, could not have been entitled to more than the value received for them, I think that M r . Nathan, the endorsee, i f he were not privy to that transaction, and actually paid cash, or an equiva­ lent for them at par when he took them up, may equitably, as well as legally, insist upon the assumpsit; because the terms of the con­ tract between the drawers and original holders not appearing in the bill, as I suppose, it could bind only themselves and such as had notice of the terms, and the contract between h i m and the drawers was entered into without any deception which could make it appear unfair on his part. I f he were not privy to the contract between the drawers and original holders, and had not mentioned any thing of what he paid for the bills, he might have been irreprehensible; but having in­ formed the Executive that he had taken them up at par, i f he do not prove that fact, for otherwise the contrary is presumable, because it is in his power to do it, and the other party probably cannot dis­ prove it; I think equity w i l l relieve against the assumpsit upon this principle, that there was a suggestio falsi on his part, and an ad­ vantage gained by it. I f he knew of the contract between the drawers and original holders, as he did not mention it to the E x e c u ­ tive, although what he said of taking them up at par be true, it seems a disputable question whether there can be any relief. I t would be going too far to say that in every bargain one party should disclose to the other whatever the former knows and it is the interest of the latter to know: a total silence, i f the dealing in other respects be fair, may be innocent; but i f one disclose part only of what he knows, and concealing the rest, by that means gain an unconscienable advantage, this seems a culpable suppression of the truth, be­ cause the other party confided in h i m , and that confidence was abused by not relating the whole truth. Frivolous as this might appear in a matter of light moment; in this case, I suspect the gain to have been enormous, and suppose M r . Nathan to have been well [110]

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apprised of the difference between paper bills, the only money which circulated in this Commonwealth, and gold and silver, I think it a good foundation for controverting his demand. G. W Y T H E M S not located. Text from J H D , May 1783, 1828 edn., p. 75, where it is printed as a part of the report of a com­ mittee on a petition of Simon Nathan. T h i s letter, together with that of E d ­ mund Pendleton of 7 Mch., was written

in reply to T J ' s letter of 5 Mch. to the judges of the High Court of Chancery, and was enclosed by T J in his letter to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 15 Mch. 1781 (qq.v.).

From Nathanael Greene DR. SIR

High Rock ford, March 10th 1781.

1

I did myself the honor to address your Excellency on the 28th of February. W e were soon obliged to change our possition after the departure of my letter by a sudden Manoeuvre of the Enemy towards this place. A small skirmish happened in consequence of it near Whitesyls Mill; and as they were chiefly rifle-men who en­ gaged them in it, I make no doubt but the Enemy suffered consid­ erably, tho' our loss was very trifling. The object of the Enemy in this move, I suppose was to intercept our stores moving in that direction, or to surprise and cut off our Light Infantry from the main Body of the Army then advanced upwards of seven Miles. I f it was either, they were disappointed; and they being sensible of it have changed their direction, and have retired towards Gilford Court House. My force has never been during any stage of the Campaign equal to any decicive efforts. When the Enemy first took their departure from the Dan., they had every prospect of great reinforcements from the Tories; and I reflected that if they were permitted to roam at large in the State that it would indubitably impress the idea of con­ quest on the minds of the disaffected and perhaps occasion those who were wavering in their sentiments to take an active and de­ cicive part against us. I instantly determined, as the most effectual measure to prevent it, to advance into the State without waiting for those reinforcements that the spirit of the Virginians seemed to promise me at the time. It was necessary to convince the Carolinians that they were not conquered, and by affording immediate protec­ tion to their property engage the continuance of their confidence and friendship. I trust the efforts that have been made have in a great measure had that effect. Every Day has filled me with hopes of an augmentation of my 2

3

4

5

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force; the M i l i t i a have flocked in from various quarters, but they come and go in such irregular Bodies that I can make no calcula­ tions on the strength of m y A r m y or direct any future operations that can ensure me success. A t this time I have not above 8 or 9 0 0 of them in the field, 30 of which only are Carolinians. Notwith­ standing there have been upwards of 5 0 0 0 in motion within the course of 4 W e e k s . A force fluctuating in this manner can promise but slender hopes of success against an E n e m y regulated by disci­ pline and made formidable by the superiority of their numbers. Hitherto I have been obliged to practice that by finesse, which I dare not attempt by force. I know the People have been in anxious suspence waiting the event of a general action, but let the conse­ quence of censure be what it may, nothing shall hurry me into a measure that is not suggested by prudence or connects w i t h it the interest of the Southern department. General Caswell is on his w a y with a considerable force of the Carolina Militia, and Colo. Campbell w i t h the V i r g i n i a Regulars I expect w i l l be up in a few D a y s . W h e n this force arrives I trust I shall be able to mark the limits of the Enemies depredations and at least dispose of the A r m y in such a manner as to encumber them with a number of Wounded M e n . I have been very much disappointed in the reinforcement that I expected from Washington County under Colo. Campbell. Only 60 have joined our A r m y , whereas I had strong expectations of receiv­ ing at least one thousand. I cannot pretend to account for this de­ ficiency or direct the steps necessary to find out the cause. 6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

Dft ( M i U - C ) ; in the hand of W i l ­ liam Pierce, with numerous deletions and corrections; endorsed. T r ( D L C : P C C , No. 7 1 , I T ) , enclosed in T J to Huntington, 19 Mch. T r ( D L C : Wash­ ington Papers), enclosed in T J to Wash­ ington, 19 Mch. T r ( D L C : T J Papers). P r C ( D L C : T J Papers); incomplete. T r ( C S m H ) . T h e last is the only one of the several copies listed that agrees with the phraseology of Dft ( M i U - C ) and therefore must have been copied from it. T h e three T r s and the incomplete P r C all agree with each other except for trivial differences in capitalization, & c ; since the text from which these copies derive was the (missing) R C that came to T J , it is obvious that Greene made a number of changes in the text after the Dft had been com­ pleted. Some of these changes are noted below, along with alterations that took place while Dft was being composed.

It seems clear from these alterations that Greene used more than ordinary care in drafting the letter. In the fol­ lowing notes all references to T r should be understood as including all of the T r s (and the P r C ) , except T r ( C S m H ) which agrees with the present text. i T r reads: "Near the High Rock ford, March 10th. 1781" and has the following caption: "Copy of a letter from Geni Greene to Govr Jefferson." T r differs in phraseology of preced­ ing two sentences and omits reference to the loss sustained by Greene's army. T r reads: "are now retirine:"; this change in tense does not mean that Dft Weis composed after T r ; see note 13 below. 4 T r reads: "from the Tories of Caro­ lina." s "Country" is deleted in Dft and "property" interlined.

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2

3

1 0 M A R C H T r reads: "Every Day has given me hopes of being stronger, but I have been as constantly disappointed." 7 Dft deletes "& seemed to promise everything" and T r adds at this point: "and seemed to promise me as much as I could wish; but they soon get tired out with difficulties and go and come," &c. T r reads: "the means of success." T r reads: "a few Weeks." T r reads: "A force fluctuating in this Manner can only serve to destroy the Wealth of our Country without promising the most distant hope of suc­ cess when opposed to an Enemy regu­ lated by discipline," &c. 11 Deleted in Dft: "filled with ex­ pectation, & may wonder perhaps that I have not given Cornwallis a blow be­ fore this." 1 T r reads: ". . . the interest of the department which I have the honor to command." 6

8 9

1 0

2

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13 T r reads: " . . . I expect will join the Army tomorrow." It is clear from this change that Greene must have re­ ceived definite information from Camp­ bell after Dft was written. 14 T r reads: "When this force ar­ rives, I am in hopes to dispose of my Troops in such a manner as to be able to encumber the Enemy with a number of wounded Men." Greene must have known that Cornwallis had little means of transporting wounded. Actually, the British commander was obliged after the battle of Guilford Court House to leave about seventy of his critically wounded soldiers under protection of a flag of truce and to commend them to Greene's care ( C . L . W a r d , T h e D e l a ­ ware Continentals, Wilmington, 1941, p. 4 2 2 ) . Thus what Greene had hoped would be an additional burden for Corn­ wallis became one for him.

To Lafayette SIR

Richmond March 10th. 1781

Intending that this shall await your arrival in this State, I with great joy welcome you on that Event. I am induced to it from the very great Esteem I bear your Personal Character, and the Hopes I entertain of your relieving us from our E n e m y within this State. Could any Circumstance have rendered your Presence more desireable or more necessary, it is the unfortunate one which obliges me to transmit you the inclosed Papers. I trust that your future Acquaintance with the Executive of the State w i l l evince to you that among their faults is not to be counted a want of disposition to second the Views of the Commander against our common E n e m y . W e are too much interested in the present Scene and have too much at Stake to leave a doubt on that Head. M i l d L a w s , a People not used to w a r and prompt obedience, a want of the Provisions of W a r and means of procuring them render our orders often ineffectual, oblige us to temporize and when we cannot accomplish an object in one way to attempt it in another. Your knowledge of the Circumstances with a temper accomodated to them ensure me your Cooperation in the best w a y we can when w e shall not be able to pursue the W a y we would wish. I still hope you w i l l find our Preparations not far short of the Information I took the Liberty of giving you in my Letter of the 8th. instant. I shall be very happy to receive your freest ApplicaT

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tions for whatever may be necessary for the Public Service, and to convince you of our Disposition to promote it as far as the abilities of the State and Powers of the Executive w i l l enable us; and have the Honour to be with the Highest Esteem & Respect S i r Y o u r , & c , T.J. F C ( V i ) . Enclosures (missing): I n Lafayette's reply to this letter dated 16 Mch., q.v., he refers to "the two Copies which your Excellency Has Been pleased to inclose." It is apparent from this that T J must have sent to Lafayette copies of Steuben's letter to T J of 9 Mch. and of T J ' s reply of 10 Mch., qq.v. It is also apparent that he must have in­

tended by so doing to anticipate Steu­ ben's threat to lay T J ' s answer "before the Marquis and the Commander of the french fleet that they may not engage too far in an Enterprize which there is no prospect of carrying through." T J also sent a copy of the present letter to Head of E l k on 12 Mch. (see T J to Lafayette, 12 M c h . ) .

T o the Speaker of the House of Delegates SIR

In Council Mar. 10. 1781

At the request of Major General Baron Steuben expressed in the inclosed letter, I take the liberty of laying it before you. T h e number of Militia necessary to be called into the field, and time of their being there, we begged the Baron to advise. He did so. Appre­ hending deficiencies, we ordered a considerably larger number. As soon as we received the Letters informing us of the deficiencies from New Kent, and desertions from Cabin point, finding, that with those of Loudoun, the number would be reduced below what he desired, we ordered 351 from the counties of Chesterfield and Din­ widdie. The time fixed by the Baron, for the first reinforcement was the 6th instant. Our orders were that they should be there on the 5th or 6th at furthest; they were not there it seems on the 7th. A Number of Horses were required for special purposes. W e furnished the Quarter Master with impressing powers. He applied for militia to aid him in the execution of the powers. W e knew that an armed force to impress horses was as unnecessary as it was new. The fact has been, that our Citizens, so far from requiring an armed force for this purpose, have parted with their Horses too easily by delivering them to every man who said he was riding on public business and assumed a right of impressing. When therefore the militia have on their Hands a sufficiency of real calls to duty, we did not think proper to harrass them in cases where we had reason to believe they were not wished by the Quar­ ter Master as Militia but as Servants. It was mentioned to the Quar[114]

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ter Master that in our opinion he could and should do but little in this neighborhood, and that of Petersburg, which had been drained by constant impresses; nevertheless we furnished him with blank powers to be exercised where he pleased. I have the honor to be w i t h very great respect S i r your most obedt. & most humble servt., T H : JEFFERSON R C ( P P A P ) ; in a clerk's hand with complimentary close and signature in T J ' s hand; addressed by the clerk; en­ dorsed. F C ( V i ) . Enclosure: Steuben to T J , 9 Mch. 1781, q.v. DEFICIENCIES

FROM N E W KENT:

See

John Walker to T J , 8 Mch. 351 F R O M . . . C H E S T E R F I E L D A N D DINWIDDIE:

TJ

See

to the county lieutenants of those

counties, 9 Mch.

HORSES . . . R E Q U I R E D :

See Richard Claiborne to T J , 7 Mch.,

and references there; also Claiborne to T J , 11 Mch. 1781. There is no record in the proceedings of the House that this letter was read or that action was taken on it ( J H D , Mch. 1781, V a . State Libr., B u l l . , 1928). On 7 Mch. the House had adopted resolutions concern­ ing abuses in the impressment of horses under an impress warrant granted by T J to Greene (see T J to Speaker of the House, 10 May 1781 and notes there).

From Charles Magill SIR

Head Quarters near the High Rock ford March 10th

I had the honor to forward a Letter from Colonel Davie, Com­ missary General, to your Excellency, on the 8th. On the same day, L o r d Cornwallis, with the B r i t i s h main body, moved near Gilford Court House; and the American A r m y took Post, near the high Rock ford; distance from the Court House about 17 Miles. No material movement has since taken place, the B r i t i s h keep close within their Lines; that spirit of enterprize which Tarlton formerly posess'd, has entirely deserted him, ever since the affair of the Cow Pens, and a check given him by Colo. L e e , on the rapid advance of the B r i t i s h . A new Arrangement of the L i g h t Infantry has taken place, more to the satisfaction I hope of the Militia; Colo. Washington, sup­ ported by a body of Riflemen, under the command of Colo. Camp­ bell, commands on the R i g h t , and Colo. L e e , supported by Colo. Preston upon the left of the L i n e . T h e Infantry belonging to the Maryland, and V i r g i n i a , Lines, draughted for the L i g h t Corps, are to rejoin their Regiments. On the late Skirmishe of which an ac­ count was given in my last, the Riflemen complained that the bur­ then, and heat, of the D a y was entirely thrown upon them, and that they were to be made a sacrifice by the Regular Officers to screen their own Troops. F u l l of this Idea, the greater number left the L i g h t Troops. Some rejoin'd their Regiments with the main Body and others thought it a plausible excuse for their return home. [115]

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Colo. W i l l i a m s an excellent Officer, who Commanded the Corps, immediately declined the Command, and in order to give more satisfaction, Geni. Greene made the Judicious Arrangement above recited. T h e A r m y wait with the utmost impatience for the arrival of the Regular Troops from V i r g i n i a under Colo. Campbell, and Geni. Lawsons Brigade of Militia. Upon the arrival of the Rein­ forcement, there is a probability of the two Armies being nearer neighbours. A t the request of L o r d Cornwallis, Commissioners have met at Geni. Butlers from both Armies to settle the terms of an exchange, the result is not as yet known. General Sumpter, by information received, is on the South side of Nelsons F e r r y , upon the Santee, with a body of the Southern Militia, and General M a r i a n , with another body, lower down upon the same R i v e r . T h e M i l i t i a are daily joining but heretofore in no regular Bodies, a number from different Counties, who turned out Volunteers on the first approach of the B r i t i s h , finding the life of a Soldier by no means an agreeable one, thought proper to take a hasty leave of their brother Sufferers. T h e Troops at present indulge the most pleasing expectations, and anticipate the happiness they hope to enjoy by making the British shortly retreat before them w i t h pre­ cipitation. I have the hon[or to be] Y o u r Excellencys Most Obedient H u m ­ CHAS. M A G I L L

ble Servt,

R C ( V i ) ; addressed; endorsed. Extract ( D L C : P C C , No. 7 1 , n ) ; enclosed in T J to Huntington, 19 Mch., q.v. Another T r of extract ( D L C : T J Papers).

From J . P. G. Muhlenberg SIR

Camp Suffolk March the 10th. 1781

Major Hamilton a Captain in Colo. Gibsons Regiment wishes to retire from the Service, as the present State of the Regiment ex­ cludes all hopes of his being enabled to render his Country present services. He wishes to obtain some employment in the State untili he can again serve with Credit. I take the Liberty to introduce h i m to Y o u r Excellency as a Gentleman of Merit, and one who has servd with great reputation. I have just received information that two large Ships appear in the B a y , but whether French or Brittish is not yet ascertaind. Colo. Parker and Colo. Meade left the Cross roads, two Mile below Halls, Yesterday Morning, with the detach­ ment destind for the great Bridge consisting of near 1000 in the whole, which w i l l compelí me to remain inactive for some days, [116]

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untili I get the promisd reinforcements which are just beginning to come i n . I have the Honor to be w i t h great respect Your Excellencys Most Obedt hble Servt., P. M U H L E N B E R G R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. On the case of M A J O R H A M I L T O N , see also George Gibson to T J , 19 Mch. 1781.

To Granville Smith SIR

In Council March 10th 1781

A very great and important [need] has arisen for 130 Waggon Horses and 50 Saddle Horses. The Call is as immediate as it is important. I must therefore desire you to employ proper Persons to proceed without a moments Delay to procure them as far as it can be done by voluntary Purchase. That mode is to be preferred. But as Time urges I fear that much must be supplied by Impress. This method is exceedingly disagreeable to us as well as to the Holders of Horses. However if there ever was an Occasion whereon they would willingly let their Horses go into the public Service it should be the present, which bids fair to rid them of much future trouble and expence. The Horses will be wanting a few Days only and for a very slight Service, and may be identically returned to their owners wherever desired. These Horses must be delivered at General Muhlenburg's Head Quarters by Half dozens as fast as they are procured and at farthest by the 20th instant. I am & c , T.J. FC (Vi). T h e draft and saddle horses had been requested by Lafayette and the number had been fixed by Pickering (see T J to Muhlenberg, 13 M e n . ) .

To Steuben SIR

In Council March 10. 1781

I received your favour of the 8th. instant and am sorry to find that this distressing flag is not yet off our Hands. I sincerely wish that by the perplexities she has introduced, she may not be more ef­ fectually working for our Enemies than i f she had pursued their original Purpose. T h i s can only be avoided by candid explanation and dispassion­ ate Judgment. T h e line of Conduct which the Executive meant to pursue as to this F l a g cannot be more pointedly declared than in [117]

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the Letter of the 20th of Feby. w h i c h I had the Honour of writ­ ing you, a Copy of which I take the liberty of inclosing. T h e y con­ sidered her from the Beginning as within the military L i n e ; they never proposed to make nor ever did make a single order on the Subject, or come to a Resolution except that w h i c h is declared in my Letter of Feby. 2 2 d . a Copy of which is also inclosed whereby they laid down a general R u l e that Compensations for plunder shall not be received from the E n e m y . I n the Conversation which I had w i t h Captain W a l k e r wherein he mentioned your Sentiments and Purposes as to the person of M r . Hare and his vessel, I declared to h i m my Sense of the extreme impropriety of M r . Hare's Conduct: T h a t had I been [the] Officer to whom he had come I would have refused to do Business w i t h h i m and have sent h i m back his Purposes uneffected, but that I would not for such a Cause have brought the sacred rights of the flag into Question, and that I concurred w i t h you in Opinion that they should be dismissed. T h e officers immediately connected w i t h her did make some R e ­ ports to the Executive but they were in every instance and imme­ diately transmitted and referred to you for Orders, one instance only excepted, which was the following. Some few D a y s ago, I re­ ceived a letter from Colo. Innes desiring my opinion as to what should be done w i t h M r . Hare and the vessel; T h i s conveyed to me the first notice that your order had not been obeyed, and that the vessel was drawn into a Court of Justice. I wrote in answer to Colo. Innes, as well as I can recollect for I write this from memory, that whatever Powers the Executive might have possessed over these Subjects, they had delegated them to you, that I doubted whether the Delegation had added any T h i n g to your power as I conceived them before competent to the Subject, that as to M r . Hare particu­ larly whether considered as a Conductor of a F l a g a Prisoner of W a r or a Spy he was subject to your order. T h a t indeed as to the vessel since she was withdrawn into the possession of a Court being much unacquainted w i t h the Subject, I would take the Attorney Generals Opinion on it and transmit it to him. I did so. I did not send these papers to you because I knew or believed you to be on the road to W i l l i a m s b u r g where I took for granted the whole matter would be laid before you. A s to M r . Hare's Person therefore the Executive can w i t h T r u t h disclaim having ever given an order on the Subject and i f you had supposed, as we are afraid from your Letter you do, that any T h i n g which has been done was in Consequence of an order, advice or 1

2

[118]

10

17 8 1

M A R C H

Recommendation from us we do affirm that it was not; A s little has the Detention of the vessel proceeded from the Executive. She is indeed in the Hands of the State, but it is of the judiciary branch of Government, which is as independent of them as is the supreme Court of any other Country. W e are sorry the officers who transacted Business with M r . Hare should have failed in obedience to your orders, and would do any T h i n g in our Power to support and manifest your authority, were any T h i n g wanting, but nothing can be added to the provision which the military Institutions have made to enforce Obedience and it would be presumption in us to say what is that Provision to you. These put into your own Hands the Satisfaction which you desire government to procure you. E v e n your Letter to M r . Hare which we must suppose Major Turberville to have so improperly retained, it is not in our Power to require authoritatively: to such an order no obedience would be exacted by the L a w s . Nevertheless he shall be written to on the subject as we cannot conceive but that, sensible of the Impropriety of such a detention, he w i l l not need Compulsion to return it. 1

I must again express my uneasiness at the unfortunate Conse­ quences which may flow from the Conduct of the Gentlemen who have managed this Business; however zealous may have been their Intentions, I fear I foresee evils more lasting and weighty than the good which w i l l result from them. I trust I shall not fail of having your Concurrence in endeavour­ ing to avoid them as far as shall depend on us. I have the honor to be w i t h great respect S i r your most obedt. & most humble sert., TH:

JEFFERSON

R C ( N H i ) ; endorsed; complimentary close in T J ' s hand. F C ( V i ) . Enclosures: Copies of T J ' s letters to Steuben of 20 and 22 Feb. 1781, qq.v. 1

Preceding two words in T J ' s hand.

2

Date is in T J ' s hand.

T o Steuben SIR

I n Council March 10th. 1781.

Since writing my letter of this day's date, yours of yesterday has come to hand. T h e orders to the Counties which were to reinforce General Muhlenberg were that their detachments should be with him 'on the fifth or at farthest the sixth.' On receipt of the Letter of the 8th. informing us of the almost total deficiency of New-Kent, we ordered 164 men from Chesterfield and 187 from Dinwiddie to [119]

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be immediately assembled and marched to General Muhlenberg's head-quarters. W e can only be answerable for the orders we give, and not jor their execution. If they a r e disobeyed f r o m obstinacy oj spirit or want of coercion i n the laws i t is not our f a u l t . W e have done what alone remained for us to do i n such case. W e have or­ dered other M i l i t i a f r o m other Counties. T h e Quarter-master applied to us on the subject of Horses re­ quired. He was furnished with impressing powers. H e again ap­ plied for M i l i t i a to aid h i m in the execution of the powers. W e did not think proper to resign ourselves and our Country implicitly to the demands of a Quarter-master, but thought we had some right of Judgment left to us. W e knew that an armed force to impress horses was as unnecessary as it was new. T h e fact has been that our Citizens have been so far from requiring an armed force for this purpose, that they have parted with their Horses too easily by de­ livering them to every man who said he was riding on public busi­ ness and assumed a right of impressing. W h e n therefore the militia have on their hands a sufficiency of real Calls to duty, we did not think it proper to harr ass them in Cases where we had reason to suspect they were not wished by the Quarter-master as M i l i t i a , but as servants. I t was mentioned to the Quarter-master that in our opinion he could and should do but little in this neighbourhood and that of Petersburg, which had been drained by constant impresses; nevertheless we furnished him with blank powers to be exercised where he pleased. I have laid your letter before the Assembly ac­ cording to your desire. 1

1

I have the honor to be with very great respect S i r your most obedt. humble servt., T H : JEFFERSON R C ( N H i ) ; in a clerk's hand with complimentary close and signature in TJ's hand; endorsed: "Governor Jeffer­ son 10 March Recvd 11th." F C ( V i ) . See T J to R . H . Lee of this date and references there. It is clear from Steu­ ben's peremptory orders to Claiborne of 10 Mch. (enclosed in Claiborne's to T J of 11 Mch. q.v. ) that T J ' s stand, which obviously was based on his concept of militia and on his fear of the dangers inherent in the system of impressment, could not prevent militia officers from giving aid to quartermasters when they so desired. Evidence of this is to be found in a letter dated at Petersburg 11 Mch. 1781 and addressed to a colonel of militia (unidentified), which reads in part as follows: " I received direc­ tions a few days ago to Have Imprest

for the use of Baron Stuben Seventy Horses. I have usd my Every Effort but am Yet far Short of the Number wanted having No proper Men to assist Me. M jr. Claiborne has directed me to apply to the Nearest Commanding Of­ ficer for assistance . . . therefore Be kind enough to send me a good Sergt: and Six active [Men?]. B y the Inclosd youll see I have sadels as well as horses to git the same way. T h e people I am shore will fight for there Saddels as they must afterwards ride bare backt" (Vi; signed "Geo: Elliott A D Q M G " ) . i T h i s passage was not underscored in F C . It is possible, therefore, that Steuben or an aide-de-camp may have done so.

[120]

From Steuben SIR

Wmsbg 1781 10th March

A number of boats are absolutely wanting. T h e r e are only seven in Colledge Creek and those without oars. T h e Quarter Master informs me Your Excellency w i l l not give him M i l i t i a for the purpose of impressing boats, when they can not be procured by any other means. T h e want of them is alone suf­ ficient to put an end to the Expedition. T r ( N H i ) ; endorsed. T J nevertheless issued warrants for IMPRESSING

BOATS:

On

12

Mch.

Capt.

John Pryor wrote Steuben from Rich­ mond: "Agreeable to your orders I de­ livered your Letters to the Governor and Major Claiborne, with the messages, in consequence of which Major Claiborne sets out this morning for Williamsburg. His Excellency the Governor has fur­ nished the necessary Warrants for im­

pressing all the Boats on this as well as York River. Major Claiborne appoints persons to collect them. . . . [After giv­ ing some necessary orders,] I shall im­ mediately set off down this River and render every assistance in my power in collecting the Boats and have them sent down with all possible Expedition to the College creek as you have directed" ( N H i ) . Also, see Claiborne to T J , 11 Mch. 1781 and note.

To George Lee Turberville SIR

I n Council March 10. 1781

I am sorry to find that your detaining some Letter from Baron Steuben to Lieutenant Hare has been viewed by him in an offensive L i g h t insomuch as that he has made it the Subject of Part of a Letter to me. A s I am satisfied you would not mean to keep it with this V i e w , I w i l l take the liberty of requesting you to return it to him by a safe Conveyance. Y o u r own understanding w i l l I am sure naturally lead [you] to accompany it with such an Apology as the Respect due to the Barons Character and command w i l l suggest to you. Engaged in a Contest wherein Dissensions would be so fatal, we cannot be too studious how to remove every Cause which may give rise to them. I am & c , T.J. FC (Vi). See Turberville to T J 15 Feb. 1781 and note there. Turberville may have had more than official reasons for being so greatly concerned in the Westover affair. When Gen. Alexander Leslie's force landed in Virginia in the preced­ ing autumn, such amenities as were ob­ served between the British and Mrs. Mary Willing Byrd did not obtain be­ tween Leslie's soldiers and Turberville's

mother. On the earlier occasion the V i r ­ g i n i a Gazette ( D & N ) for 27 Sep. 1780 reported: "We hear from authority, that may be relied on, that the enemy sent three armed boats yesterday morn­ ing, to the house of M r . George T u r ­ berville on Potomack, carried off three negroes, his plate, and stripped the house of every thing they could lay their hands on, even the rings from Mrs. Turbervilles fingers."

[121]

To George Weedon SIR

In Council March 10th 1781

I have laid before the Board your Letter of yesterday handed me by M r . Page. T h e y are sorry it is not in their power to do what you desire as to M r . Page and M r . Fitzhugh, but on révisai of the law they find that their powers do not extend to it. On the embodying the M i l i t i a the law authorises the Executive to appoint General Officers. Nothing is said about their A i d s , which therefore are we suppose to be appointable only according to the Continental regu­ lations, which prescribe both their number and rank. I n like man­ ner the giving military Commissions is restrained by the L a w s to the Cases of actual Command in some one of the established Bat­ talions. On a former occasion when the Board wished to give a brevet Commission they were obliged to apply to the assembly who authorized it in that special Case. Apprehensive therefore that what they did in the same way in the invasion under Lessly was perhaps going too far, they think it proper for them not to repeat it. Other­ wise they are exceedingly disposed to furnish every possible facility to those in Command as well as to nourish the laudable Spirit which has induced the young Gentlemen to offer their A i d to their Coun­ try at this T i m e . I have the Honour to be & c , T.J. 1

FC (Vi). See Weedon to T J , 9 Mch. On 17 Mch. the Speaker presented to the House a letter from Gen. Weedon on the same subject. T h e letter was read and ordered to lie on the table. No action was taken on it in the March

session ( J H D , Mch. 1781, V a . State Libr., B u l l . , 1928, p. 3 5 ) . i That is, in the obsolete sense of the word, meaning to review or look over again.

From George Weedon DEAR SIR

Williamsburg March. 10. 1781

T h e deranged situation of our defence in this Quarter makes it absolutely necessary more Men should be call'd from above. I find from Baron de Steuben's situation, that the Militia in the neighbour­ ing Counties are more backward than I could at this T i m e of alarm [have] expected. T h e Baron has therefore desired me to call for some more from the upper Counties, and as his intended operations w i l l not admit of delay it is presumed the Counties most likely to turn out with alacrity should be directed to come forward. F r o m my Knowledge of Culpepper, I would recommend it to your E x c e l [122]

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lency to order Col. Barber out with one fourth of his M i l i t i a , which w i l l I expect make 4 0 0 . T h e y in general are fine M e n and have an Independent Spirit. I have addressed a Letter to Col. Barber and Col. Thornton i f your Excellency approves of this request, be pleased to send it forward with your Orders. I am, with high Esteem, Y o u r Excellencies Most Obt Servant, G

WEEDON

B

G

E S . Caroline County has done very little service this Invasion. R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. Weedon's letters to James Barbour and William Thornton (enclosed in the prèsent letter) have not been found. C O L . B A R B E R : James Barbour, co.

lieut. of Culpeper co. (see Barbour's letter to T J , 27 Mch. 1781). C O L . T H O R N T O N : William Thornton, colonel of the Culpeper militia ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., II, 2).

From James Callaway SIR

Bedford March the 11th. 1781

I n Consequence of your Excellencys Instructions of the second of January last, Near 4 0 0 of the M i l i t i a of this County Marched to Petersburgh (now near Portsmouth) who are Becomeing V e r y Uneasy for Relief, they Generally being Poor men, and many of them haveing large F a m i l y s , whose Subsistance Totally Depends on their Labour, and the Season of the year far Advanced. Y o u r Excellency I hope, w i l l Please to Consider them, and Order such Relief as you may think Proper. Near the same Number of men are now in Service with General Green, in Consequence of a Request upon this County by him, together with the Encouragement given Colo. L y n c h . These Calls upon Our M i l i t i a has Prevented any Considerable Progress in the Makeing this Countys Quota of Regular Troops agréable to the late act of Assembly. A s M a n y of the Districts are now in Service no Draughts have been made. I shall take Particular Care to Return the E x a c t Strength of Our M i l i t i a , as Soon as the Draughts can be made and I Collect the Returns from the Captains. I am Y o u r Excellency's V e r y Humble Servant, JAMES

CALLAWAY

R C ( V i ) ; addressed, in part: "On Publick Service . . . $ George Young E x press"; endorsed.

[123]

From Richard Claiborne, enclosing a L e t t e r from Steuben SIR Richmond. 11th. March 1781. I do myself the honor to inclose to your Excellency a copy of a letter which I have J u s t received from Baron Steuben. I beg for an answer as Speedily as the importance of the matter requires; imme­ diately upon the receipt of which, I shall Issue my orders in conse­ quence, and repair to W i l l i a m s b u r g without a moments loss of time. Y o u r Excellency cannot be a stranger to the dispatch, which is Necessary, therefore I have directed M r . Green to wait for an answer. I have the honor to be your Excellencys most obedient Humble Servant, RD. CLAIBORNE DQMr. S.V. E N C L O S U R E

SIR Williamsburg. 10th. March 1781 Want of Boats and horses is of itself sufficient to ruin the enterprize now in hand. I have made frequent representations to Government on the Subject, have given you repeated orders, have sent you those of Colo. Pickering, and have myself imploy'd officers to collect the boats in James River all which have answer'd no end. You tell me you have been refused the assistance of Government and ask mine knowing at the same time that I have no powers but what I get from Government. You ought then to make your demands to the same source to obtain the troops you want to procure the Articles in your department. I have only 7 boats chiefly without oars down here and there ought to be at least 20. I order you in the most strict terms to demand a Sufficient force from the Governor to seize all the boats at Manchester belonging to Mr. Mayo, and all boats whatever on the James, Chickahominy, and appomattox rivers. I know that there are [some] which have not been pressed, one at Maycox and 2 at Shirly. Men must all be had to Conduct them. All the large vessells shou'd come to Hoods and the boats to College Creek, and as it is impossible for me to do the functions of every de­ partment, I order you Sir to come immediately here. The object is too important to be neglected. If the horses for the Artillery are not ready when the Marquis arrives, you shall be Answerable. It is not sufficient to give orders. You must see that they are executed. Captain Pryor will deliver you this and will assist you. I expect to see you here quickly and that my orders will be executed. I'm Sir your most Obedient S T E U B E N Majr. Geni. R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. Enclosure (Vi; T r in N H i ) . On 12 Mch. the Council "advised" the Governor "to empower Major Claiborne to impress a num­ ber of boats agreeable to the request of Baron Steuben" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., i i , 3 0 6 ) .

[124

3

From William Davies Chesterfield, 1 1 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Forwards a number of letters taken from a packet addressed to Steuben; Steuben's letters have been forwarded by express. Some time ago replied to TJ's inquiry concerning dressing deer skins that this could be done but has heard nothing further con­ cerning them. A greater quantity of leather and two sets of shoemaker's tools are needed. The clothier contracted for 400 shirts and agreed to pay for them on delivery, which will be in a fortnight. "He has advanced his own money on several occasions, and has not yet been paid: he has it not in his power to advance this sum without injury to himself." Urges that $10,000 be spared him on this emergency. "With this supply we shall be able to make the Virginians under General Greene much more comfortable." Encloses a letter to be forwarded to Col. Darke; it was written by the General's orders, "is of some consequence and relates to the Assembly and forwarding the new levies." R C ( V i ) ; 3 p.; addressed and endorsed. Enclosures have not been identified, but see note to Magill to T J , 5 Mch. 1781. Neither T J ' s inquiry about deer skins nor Davies reply to it has been found.

From William Lewis SIR

Renown of[f] osbornes. March. 11th. 1781

Capt. Marsenburg [Massenberg] came here last evening and Informs Me that all the Vesels below have taken the advantage of Hampton roads being clear and have gone out. I am sorrv that no step has been taken below to stop those Ves­ sels, as they would have certainlv been servie able and I think that no one Individual ought to take the benefit of an opening Espetialy those belonging to the State and my Vessie being D u c h [Dutch] property my owners may think V e r y hard of me by saying that I had the same opportunity to get out as other Vessels. Y o u r E x c e l ­ lency w i l l not think from this that I shall be backward in putting any orders in force that you have been pleased to honour me with and shall W a t e A t hoods for your further orders. T h e delay of the Artilery above has keept me here but shall go to day as fair as turkey Island till they all come down. I am S i r your Most Obedt WILLIAM LEWIS RC

( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

MY

VESSLE BEING

DUCH

PROPERTY:

See T J to William Lewis, 4 Mch. 1781, and note there, S H A L L W A T E A T HOODS:

On 9 Mch. Steuben had written to "the Commander of the Fleet lying at Hoods": "The Bay and Rivers being

entirely commanded by the British Vessells, you will by no means proceed lower down in the River than Hoods, but remain there with all the Vessells that come down 'till further Orders, taking every precaution to prevent your being surprized" ( T r : V i ) .

[125]

To William Lewis SIR

March 11 1781

I cannot certainly say that any Vessels which may have gone down w i l l not get out, but I hope they w i l l not. T h e Dispatches which I sent to the French Commodore were by Capt. M a x w e l l . T h e Commodore having gone to cruize out of the Capes, the B r i t i s h had ventured out of Elizabeth river and were near taking Capt. M a x w e l l , which prevented my letter being conveyed to the Commo­ dore at that time. I have reason however to believe that he w i l l with­ out receiving that Letter stop those vessels. I hope that the patienc[e] of the masters and men w i l l not be worn out, every hour gives us a right to expect the appearance of our friends. I pray for and confide in your best exertions to retain every thing in readiness. I shall be very happy to be informed by you when you get alto­ gether at Hood's, and to know what force you muster. I am S i r Y o u r very humble servt. T H JEFFERSON T r ( V i ) ; at head of text: "Copy of a Letter from Govr. Jefferson dated March 11 1781" (for the documents accompanying this letter see T J to Lewis, 4 Mch. 1781).

From John Syme Rocky M i l l s , 1 1 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Has been informed that the Assembly contemplates prolonging the "time of Draft for those Countys whose Militia are in Service"; requests information thereon in order that he may give notice at his general musters "Tomorrow and Wednesday." R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; addressed, in part: "By N . Syme"; endorsed.

From John Allen SIR

Hoods Garrison 12th March 1781

Colo. Senf not returning, agreeable to his promise to me which was the 21st Ulto., I am much at a Loss how to proceed. I under­ stand that there's a quantity of B r i c k s belonging to Colo. Benjamin Harrison of Brandon which Colo. Senf engaged, also a quantity of T i m b e r of Major James Cocke of this County. Y o u w i l l pleas to furnish me with your orders for the B r i c k s L i m e and T i m b e r . B r i c k L a y e r s , House Carpenters and Sawyers, has been apply­ ing to me for work, please Say what wages I am to A l l o w them. [126}

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M A R C H

17 8 1

I am in present want of two waggons with four good horses to each waggon, also a C a r y log. I have Engaged three Vessells to transport the B r i c k s and L i m e . Say where I am to gett the L i m e ; I t is high time they were on the Spott. T h e Number of Men at work in T h i s Garrison are three white Carpenters 1 Negroe Carpenter from Richmond. T h e Number of Negroe Labourers as follows 1 Negroe Labourer from Richmond hyred by the State 3 Negroes belonging to Charles Carter of Shirley, C City 1 Negroe R i c h a r d Randolp Henrico 1 Negroe Archbald C a r y Chesterfield 1 ditto Henry Randolph ditto 1 ditto Thomas Randolp, T u c k o . .Henrico 2 ditto R i c h a r d Randolph ditto 2 ditto Reyland Randolph ditto 2 ditto William Murray Charles City 2 ditto George Minge Charles City 2 ditto Robert Good Chesterfield 18. hands, which Number is not E q u a l l to the works to be Car­ ried on here, Not one Negroe from Dinwiddie or Prince George Countys. T h e Carpenters and Labourers has petitioned me to Men­ tion to your Excellency to allow them Some R u m or Brandy, and if you think proper, I Should be allowed my Rations I n R u m . I wrote Colo. Senf a few days agoe for Some Articles that I am I n immediate want. I directed m y Letter for h i m to the Care of Colo. George Muter, but as I understand, he is not at Richmond, have presumed to Annex them here. I am S i r Y o u r most obedient Servant, JNO. A L L E N . a grind stone Vz doz. hand saw files y doz. X Cutt Saw ditto Vz doz W h i p S a w ditto 6. quire writing Paper

2 . good stock L o c k s 5 0 0 0 . l O d . Nails 5 0 0 0 20d. ditto 1 doz Camp Kettles

2

R C ( V i ) ; addressed (in part): "favoured by Cap. Richard Ballinger"; endorsed (in part): "reed. 15 March." There is the following minute in the W a r Office Journal ( V i ) under 15 Mch. 1781: "A letter received by the Governor from Capt. Allen at Hood's referred to me [Muter]." On the same day Muter wrote to the state quartermaster general, ordering two wagons and four horses to be sent to Hood's immediately and requesting that a person from that

department, "active careful and punctual," be sent there at once; and to W i l Ham Armistead, commissary of stores, asking him to collect the list of articles wanted (both letters were countersigned by T J ) . Muter also wrote to John Allen on 15 Mch., enclosing orders to Benjamin Harrison for bricks and to James Cocke for timber and plank (both orders countersigned by T J ) ; he informed Allen that the articles requested had been ordered, giving him a

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MARCH

list of prices allowed to artificers, and informing him that "No liquor is al­ lowed to Carpenters or labourers at this place, unless they are obliged to work exposed in rainy weather or in cases

178 1

where, from necessity, they are obliged to undergo uncommon fatigue" (copies of the above letters are in the W a r Of­ fice Letter Book in V i ; see Muter to T J , 26 F e b . ) .

To the County Lieutenants of H a n o v e r a n d C e r t a i n O t h e r SIR

Counties

In Council March 12th 1781

Y o u w i l l be pleased to send effective men of your militia immediately to W i l l i a m s b u r g under proper officers. I would advise that they carry what good firelocks they have. Deficiencies I expect may be supplied. I must beseech you to lose no T i m e in executing this order as the aid of these men is immediately wanting. Should the Call of such a Proportion of your militia render the prosecution of your Draught impracticable, you w i l l be pleased to suspend the Draught until further Orders. I must expect your exertions to see that the full number be sent and that you inform me of it and the T i m e of their march. I am & c , T.J. 1

F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "To the County Lieutenants of Hanover, Caroline, Spotsylvania & K i n g William." i Below the text of F C there is the following list of the counties with the num­ bers to be inserted in the letter to each at this point: "Hanover 245, Caroline 260, Spotsylvania 120, K i n g William 55."

To Joseph Holmes SIR

In Council March 12th 1781

I inclose you an E x t r a c t of a Letter from the President of Con­ gress directing that the Prisoners of war taken at the Cowpens shall be moved Northwardly by the W a y of Knowlands F e r r y . T h e y w i l l thence be subsisted and guarded by the State of Maryland. I accordingly apprized the Governor of Maryland of their Approach. Y o u w i l l be pleased to move them on immediately, calling for a proper guard on the County of Frederic. I am & c , T.J. F C ( V i ) . Enclosure (missing); Extract of Samuel Huntington to T J , 4 Mch. 1781, q.v.

[128}

To Lafayette SIR

Richmond March 12th 1781

T h e inclosed is a Copy of a Letter which was intended to have awaited you in V i r g i n i a . B u t as there seems to be a probability that you w i l l be detained at the Head of E l k longer than you could have expected, I have thought it best to send a Copy there also. A n Idea having unfortunately got abroad that the militia now called on are intended to storm the Enemy's works at Portsmouth, the numbers which actually march from the several Counties are so far short of what we ordered as never happened before, and as to have baffled our Calculations on probable Deficiencies. A s these have become further known and expected we have ordered in addi­ tional numbers. F r o m this Cause I am informed the Blockade of Arnold on the Norfolk Side has not taken place as I had reason to believe when I wrote to you on another Occasion. B y the best accounts I can get the E n e m y have three vessels of Force in the B a y in addition to those Arnold had before. W h a t few armed vessels we could get are in James R i v e r , and cannot be got out nor, could we get them out, are they of force sufficient to ven­ ture up the B a y . Should a French naval Force superior to that of the enemy arrive in the B a y , I make no Doubt you w i l l still think it necessary to be assured that there are not in the upper part of the B a y vessels of the E n e m y sufficient to do you Injury. I fear the number of Boats requisite for landing your men and Cannon w i l l be very defective. Baron Steuben thinks 20 necessary, but there cannot be half that number procured. T h e boats built for use in the upper part of James river cannot navigate the lower parts of it nor can any be brought round from the other rivers. Perhaps it w i l l be in your power to bring a number of boats with you. W e have every instrument in motion which can avail us on this most interesting Occasion, but a want of means circumscribes our Exertions. I think it proper there­ fore to reduce your expectations from what should be ready to what w i l l probably be ready, and even calculating on probabilities I find it necessary to reduce m y own expectations at T i m e s . I know that you w i l l be satisfied to make the most of an unprepared [people] who have the w a r now for the first T i m e seriously fixed in their Country, and have therefore all those Habits to acquire which their Northern Brethren had in the year 1776 and which thev have pur­ chased at so great an expence. [129]

12

M A R C H

178 1

I have the honor to be with Sentiments of very particular esteem & respect S i r Your & c , T.J. F C ( V i ) . Enclosure (missing): Copy of T J to Lafayette, 10 Mch. 1781, q.v.

To Lafayette SIR

Mar. 12 [1781]

Since writing the preceeding I have been honoured w i t h your Letter of the 6th. T h e first notification of this Enterprize came to me in the night of the last D a y of February. W e were informed there were few or no armed vessels in the three Northern rivers and supposed i f there were any they could not be impressed, manned, and brought into place by the T i m e at which it was then thought they would be wanting. W e confined ourselves therefore to James river. I t is now certainly too late to attempt the other rivers. W e had but one Galley in order. She went down the river some time ago and having never been heard of since we fear some accident has happened to her. W e had before sent down 6,000 l b of Cannon powder and now order 4 0 0 0 l b more which goes very deep into our present Stock. T e n Pilots are provided. I w i l l lodge some maps for you so as that they shall be delivered to you on your arrival. I now give orders for look out boats to be ready in Rappahannock, Piankatank and Y o r k rivers. I cannot say what may be expected from them. T h e articles wanting in the Quartermaster's and E n g i ­ neers departments as stated in their Invoice, w i l l most of them be got, as the orders for them go out to D a y , only they w i l l of Course be rather late. I send off to the neighbourhood of the intended opera­ tions to procure the plank. I expect it w i l l not be very easily or speedily provided. A s to the Artificers required I can give you but little Hope. T h e y are exceedingly scarce in this Country. Endeav­ ours shall not be wanting but still they must not be counted on. Provisions w i l l be in readiness. T h i s is a summary view of what is done, may be done, is doubtful or desperate on the several Articles enumerated in your Letter. I pray you to make no Difficulties in communicating freely what may be wanted for the Service. Being desirous of contributing every T h i n g which our State can do or produce for the successful prosecu­ tion of the Enterprize and confiding that you w i l l put the most candid Constructions where we fail, as you w i l l too soon find a full Compliance beyond the reach of our abilities, I again take the 1

[130]

1 2 MARCH

17 8 1

Liberty of subscribing myself with very great esteem & regards Sir Y o u r & c , T.J. FC (Vi).

1

F C reads: "done wanted," obviously a clerk's error.

To Thomas Sim Lee SIR

In Council March 12th 1781

T h e prisoners of Convention and those taken at the Cowpens having been ordered on the late Approach of L o r d Cornwallis to move on to our Northern Boundary, while Congress could be con­ sulted as to what should be done with them, I have received a Letter from the President from which the inclosed is extracted. T h e y have I believe reached as far as Winchester from which place they are now ordered to move into Knowlands ferry, where the president in another letter informs me your Excellency w i l l have made Pro­ vision for subsisting and guarding them further on. According to the Desire of Congress expressed in the presidents Letter, I have taken the Liberty of communicating this to your Excellency. I have the Honour to be with sentiments of the highest respect S i r Your &c, T.J. F C ( V i ) . Enclosure (missing): Extract of Huntington's letter of 4 Mch , q v.

To Thomas Sim Lee SIR

Richmond March 12th 1781

Y o u r Excellency's Favor of the 7th. came to H a n d last night. W e have been endeavouring to procure what armed vessels we could, but they are in James river and of Course cannot possibly get out of that R i v e r , but under Countenance of a N a v a l power superior to that of the E n e m y ; and indeed they are so trifling that they could not venture up the B a y were they out of James R i v e r . F r o m the best accounts I have received the E n e m y have three ships of Force within the B a y in addition to those which Arnold had before. T h e French Squadron has withdrawn from the B a y some considerable T i m e . W e are doing our utmost to procure the boats necessary for landing the Cannon and Troops, that is we are taking every one on James R i v e r but they w i l l fall very far short of what Baron Steuben deems necessary. T h e Boats in the upper part of the river cannot navigate the lower Parts, nor can any be carried round [131]

12

M A R C H

17 8 1

from the other Rivers. W e feel ourselves so much interested in the Enterprize in Contemplation that we have set every Instrument into motion which can possibly avail us. Our Exertions are much circumscribed by the want of means. I have the Honor to be with sentiments of the highest Respect, your Excellencys most obt hble Servant, T.J. FC (Vi).

To James Maxwell SIR

Richmond March 12th 1781

A s you have been so unluckily delayed about the Delivery of the Dispatches to the French Commodore and you are exceedingly wanting above I must beg the favour of you to engage some trusty Person to deliver the Letters, finish whatever you have to do, and serve as a guide and advisor to the Gentlemen who were to have gone on Board the French Commodore. Inform that Person in Con­ fidence that the French Commodore is returned to Rhode Island and therefore that he need not attempt to search for h i m out of the Capes, the only Consequence of which would be his certain Capture. I have my Information from the Marquis Fayette, but it must not be communicated farther than to the Gentlemen who were to have gone on Board with you. No Attempt must be made to carry my Letter out till a French naval Force is actually known to be in the Bay. I would w i s h you immediately to come up to the Shipyard, there see that the Jefferson and such other public vessels as can be in readiness be prepared and either proceed to Hoods or to such other Place as you shall think best to carry into Execution such orders as shall be given by the Continental Commanding Officer or myself. Men must be impressed. Y o u w i l l also be pleased to proceed to Hoods or wherever else in James River you shall find the private armed vessels which are taken into the public Service, and are under the Direction of Captain Mitchell and Captain L e w i s , and take such measures as may still be necessary to have them in Readiness for Cooperation. I have sent an order to the person superintending at the Ship yard to furnish Major Claiborne with whatever Boats and Oars he has and to make what other Oars he wants immediately. I am & c , T.J. P S . H a v i n g just received a Letter from the Marquis desiring some good Look out Boats, you w i l l be pleased to provide them ready at [132]

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M A R C H

178 1

Y o r k to join the Marquis when he comes down. One to lie in Piankatank would be proper also and one in Rappahannock. T h i s you can effect by proper agents and use Force where the Consent of the Owner cannot be obtained. L e t these also join the Marquis as he comes. T.J. FC

(Vi).

A LETTER

FROM THE

M A R Q U I S : See

Lafayette to T J , 6

Mch.

From George Muter, enclosing an Exchange of Letters w i t h J o h n W a l k e r SIR W a r Office, March 12, 1781. I have the honour of inclosing to your Excellency the Copy of a letter I wrote to M r . W a l k e r , together with his answer to me, on the subject of Baron Steuben's accusing me of neglect in my duty. Permit me to express m y w i s h to your Excellency, that this matter may be fully and speedily inquired into; and to observe, that a long attendance on the Baron's leisure, w i l l certainly be exceedingly dis­ agreeable, and may be very injurious to me. I n full confidence that your Excellency w i l l do whatever is proper on this occasion, I beg leave to add, that I have the honour to be, Y r . Excellency's most obedient hble servant, G E O : M U T E R . Cr. E N C L O S U R E S

i . George Muter to J o h n W a l k e r SIR W a r Office (Richmd) March 3, 1781 Baron de Steuben yesterday, at his lodging, publickly accused me of having materially injured the United States by neglect in my duty as Commissioner of the W a r Office for this State, and declared that he had the proofs thereof in his possession. I n consequence of which, I first personally, and afterwards in writing, applied to his Excellency the Governour to order an enquiry into my Conduct, as Commissioner of the W a r Office, and to call for the proofs the Baron declared were in his possession. T o which his Excellency returned the following answer. [ T T s letter to M u t e r of 2 M c h . 1 7 8 1 is here quoted i n full by M u t e r . ] Thus, Sir, the matter at present stands. No accusation has been yet (that I know of) given in to the Council, and I must still suffer the un­ easiness arising from a severe accusation being thrown out against me, in harsh terms, without an opportunity of Vindicating myself, unless the Baron mentions the Circumstances on which he founds his accusa­ tion, to the Supreme Executive. My request to you is, that you will be so obliging as to apply to the Baron, to transmit to the Supreme Executive as quickly as possible, the particulars of neglect of Duty which he has to lay to my charge. T h i s [133]

12

MARCH

17 8 1

I have a right to expect he will most certainly do. Justice to the public, as well as to me, absolutely requires it. I must beg to hear from you as soon as possible, and am, with the highest respect, Sir, yr. most hum­ ble servant,

G E O R G E M U T E R , Comr.

2 . J o h n W a l k e r to G e o r g e M u t e r SIR Wmsburg. 8th March, 1781. I communicated your letter to the Baron; he says that as soon as he has leisure he intends to exhibit his charges against you, before the Supreme Executive of the State. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, JN. WALKER F C ( V i ) . Enclosures: ( 1 ) F C ( V i ) . ( 2 ) T r in W a r Office Letter Book ( V i ) . There is no record in the Council Journal that any action was taken on this letter. On the same day (12 Mch.) the House of Delegates agreed to the following resolution: "From the repre­ sentation of Major General Baron Steu­ ben that only four thousand stands of small arms, belonging to this State, are fit for service, and from the disorderly situation in which the Ordinance, Am­ munition, Bombs, Shells, and Cannon Balls appear to be, it is necessary and expedient to enquire into the causes of such shameful neglect. Resolved that a Committee be appointed to confer with the Commissioner of the W a r Office, upon the causes of the aforementioned abuses; and also to examine into the State of all Military Stores within this Commonwealth and that they make a special report of their proceedings with their opinion thereupon to the present Assembly." I n accordance with the reso­ lution a committee was appointed, head­ ed by Mann Page ( J H D , Mch. 1781, V a . State Libr., B u l l . , 1928, p. 2 2 ) . Mann Page wrote to George Muter ( R C , V i ) , "March 12th. 1781 12 o'Clock," that the committee would meet with him "at five o'clock this Eve­ ning." T h e committee did not report to the House until 20 Mch. On that day the report was read, amended, and agreed to, stating in part: "In short the whole Business of the W a r Office ap­ pears to be entirely deranged arising from the following causes, the loss of the Papers belonging to the Office, the want of a sufficient number of Assist­ ants and the irregular manner in which

the Business seems heretofore to have been conducted. Resolved that George Muter Esqr. the present Commissioner of the W a r Office is not qualified to fill that important Office and ought to be discharged therefrom" ( M S , V i ; J H D , Mch. 1781, p. 4 1 , where the report is printed in full). It appears, therefore, from the extant records, that T J and the Council took no part in the proceed­ ings against Muter and that Steuben presented his case against Muter direct­ ly to the legislature. I n consequence of the action by the House, Muter resigned as commissioner on 22 Mch. (see his letter to T J of that date). See also Muter to T J , 6 Mch. 1781, and note there; and Davies to Steuben, 20 Mch. Walker arrived in Richmond on 11 Mch. to make representations to the General Assembly in Steuben's behalf; he re­ ported on 12 Mch. that he had already talked with some members about his mission, that they had taken the militia law under consideration, and that they would with all possible expedition do everything that could be desired to give vigor to the military operations. Walker could give no assurances when the busi­ ness would be finished, but added: " I hope our affairs shortly will be so ar­ ranged as to give you less trouble and better prospects of success" (Walker to Steuben, 12 Mch. 1781, N H i ) . While this letter seemed to indicate that Walk­ er's mission involved a revision of the militia laws, his presence in Richmond on the day that the House appointed a committee to investigate Muter may sug­ gest that Steuben's hostility to the com­ missioner of the war office was a prin­ cipal part of his business.

[134}

To Thomas Newton, Jr. SIR

In Council March 12th 1781

M r . Rowland comes down on a Business of very great and press­ ing Importance which he w i l l communicate to you. I have too often experienced your readiness in aiding the public operations and therefore with the more freedom recommend him to you and solicit your Cooperation and utmost exertions. I am, & c , T.J. FC (Vi).

To the Superintendent of the Shipyard SIR

Richmond March 12th 1781

Captain M a x w e l l being absent, I am at a loss to know what is doing with the State vessels. He was desired to have them fitted for immediate Service, and I think said that the Jefferson one of the Gallies and, i f I mistake not, the Tempest would be in order. B e pleased to see that this work be carried on with all possible Dispatch, and that the vessels be in readiness to execute the Orders of the Continental Commanding Officer. L e t me hear from you im­ mediately that I may know the present State of things. W h e r e is Commodore Baron? I f I knew where to send to him, I should require his assistance. I am & c , T.J. F C ( V i ) . Caption at head of text is same as that given above.

To the Superintendent of the Public Vessels a n d W o r k m e n at the S h i p y a r d o n C h i c k a h o m i n y SIR Richmond March 12th 1781 Be pleased to deliver to Major Claiborne Continental Deputy Quartermaster General whatever Boats are at the Ship yard or else­ where in your Custody and which he shall think fit for Transporta­ tion across the Rivers. Also deliver to h i m whatever Oars you have and make immediately such number as he shall direct. I f you have any of the Seamen or mariners at the yard which belong to the Public vessels and are not employed in those ordered into immediate Service, let h i m have them to navigate the Boats. I am &c, &c, T.J. F C ( V i ) . Caption at head of text same as that given above.

[ 135]

To James Wood SIR

I n Council March 12th 1781

I inclose you a Copy [of a resolve] of Congress directing that the Convention prisoners shall be moved Northwardly by the w a y of Knowlands ferry. T h e i r ultimate destination is Lancaster in Pensylvania. F r o m Knowlands F e r r y they are to be guarded and sub­ sisted by the State of Maryland. I accordingly have apprized that State of their approach. Y o u w ill be pleased to move them on im­ mediately. I am, & c , T.J. T

F C ( V i ) . Enclosure (missing): An extract from the resolution of Congress en­ closed in Huntington to T J , 4 Mch. 1781, q.v.

To John Banister SIR

I n Council March 13th 1781

W e think it certain that Overby and W e l l s may be tried by a Court M a r t i a l at Camp, but doubtful whether they can in the County. T h e i r T r i a l there w i l l be more likely to be supported by proper evidence and w i l l have a better effect by w a y of example. For these reasons we w i l l desire the favor of you to send them to General Muhlenburg's Headquarters. I am, & c , T.J. F C ( V i ) . See Banister to T J , 9 Mch. 1781, and note there.

From Richard Claiborne SIR

Williamsburg 13th March 1781

I do myself the honor to inform your Excellency that Baron Steuben has this moment left this to meet the Marquiss Delafayette at Yorktown. Part of the troops have landed. I t is probable the Marquiss w i l l be in W i l l i a m s b u r g to-night. T h e necessity of ordering all the Vessels to be at Hoods without loss of time, your Excellency w i l l judge of and direct accordingly. I have yet had no direction respecting the shipping, therefore am a stranger to their situation in either of the Rivers. T h e horses come in much to my satisfaction. However I cannot say there w i l l be enough at present. Y o u r Excellency shall hear frequently from me. I have the honor to be with much respect & esteem y r . Excellency's most obt. Servt, R R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

[136]

CLAIBORNE

To the County Lieutenants of Accomac and Northampton Counties SIR In Council March 13th 1781 On further Consideration of the paragraph in my Letter of J a n u ­ ary 19th requiring the public A r m s in the Hands of the People to be sought for and collected together we are of Opinion it w i l l be better to dispense with it in the two Counties on the Eastern Shore. Y o u w i l l therefore be pleased to consider it as dispensed with. I am, &c, T.J. FC (Vi). T h i s suspension of part of the orders of 19 Jan. was undoubt­ edly taken in response to the emphatic letter and threat of resignation from George Corbin, county lieutenant of Accomac (see Corbin to T J , 28 F e b . ) .

To William Davies SIR

Richmond March 13th 1781

Your favors of M a r c h 8th and 11th. have remained so long un­ answered from a constant H u r r y of Business, but orders were im­ mediately given for executing your requisitions as far as could be. M r . Armistead tells me he has procured you one set of Shoe­ maker Tools, being the whole to be found here which now go to you; He sends also the Deer skins which on receipt of your Letter on that Subject I had ordered to be sent by a return waggon from your post. I am now told she could not take them in which had I known a waggon should have been immediately sent express. I am much afraid we shall find great Difficulty in procuring Leather. I w i l l send to the B a r r a c k s to know i f there be any ready there, 'tho by the account I had of our last supply from thence it was so i l l in quality as not to be worth sending for. I shall not fail to have other resources for Leather tried also. T h e ten thousand Dollars you desire shall be furnished whenever you shall direct it to be called for. T h e warrant is lodged with M r . Armistead. Have you found yet our regulations for the Clothiers Depart­ ment? I shall be glad to receive them i f you have and to be informed if you think you shall not be able to find it. I am, & c , T.J. F C ( V i ) . The (missing) R C contained a "superscription" to explain its delay in reaching Davies; see T J to Davies, 19 Mch. 1781.

I 137]

From Charles Magill SIR

Head Quarters March 13th 1781

I received your Excellencys Letter dated the 7th. Inst, last Eve­ ning. After visiting the Station'd line of Expresses as by you di­ rected as far as Taylors Ferry, no information could be given me where the stations were between that and Head Quar[ters.] On the 26th. I joined the Army and found no Express there station'd but under the direction of the Quarter Master General. These were to be furnished by Geni. Greenes order. Anxious to give the earliest intelligence, I applied to General Greene and was by him informed that an Express would set of [f] for Richmond in two Days at the utmost. Some interesting movements afterwards being like to take place it was posponed, till the 2d. Inst. Since the first Express, two others have been sent by the way of Prince Edward Ct. House. I have wrote by both and a private con­ veyance. Your Excellency might justly accuse me with negligence were it not for the above reasons. Since the arrival of a Detachment of North Carolina Militia, those under Geni. Lawson, and the Regulars under Colo. Camp­ bell, nothing is talkd of but a general Action and apparently every prepariton is making, the Militia form the front Line supported by the Horse on each flank. Lord Cornwallis finding Geni. Greene serious in his intentions, filed of[f] from Gilford Ct. House down the Hilsborough road, and seemingly is Manoeuvering for a favor­ able opportunity to make an Attack. I hope the Militia will wipe of[f] those stains cast upon them at Camden. Every opportunity I shall embrace to communicate intelligence. I have the honor to be yr. Excellencys Most Obedient Humble Servt, CHAS M A G I L L R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed ( in

part):

TJ's LETTER

DATED

T H E 7 T H INST.

T r of extract

has not been found. Magill's letters B Y

P C C , No. 7 1 , n ) , enclosed in

B O T H A N D A P R I V A T E C O N V E Y A N C E are

T J to Samuel Huntington, 19 Mch. 1781. Another T r ( D L C : T J Papers).

presumably his letters of 5, 8, and 10 Mch., qq.v.

(DLC:

Express."

To James Maxwell SIR

I n Council March 13th 1781

B e pleased to procure immediately a pilot Boat to go as a F l a g to Charles T o w n for the Conveyance of a Letter and to let me know where she shall be ready. I am, & c , T.J. FC (Vi).

See T J to David Ross, 13 Mch.

[138]

T o J . P. G . Muhlenberg SIR

Richmond March 13th 1781

T h e Marquis Fayette having desired a number of waggons and Saddle Horses and Colo. Pickering fixing the number of the former at 130 and of the latter at 5 0 , W e authorized the Continental Quar­ termaster to procure them. Lest he should fail however the State Quarter master is ordered to get as many as he can and to send them to be kept at your Camp under some careful person to be appointed by himself till the arrival of the Marquis. I am to beg the favor of you to aid him with your authority so far as necessary for foraging and safe keeping the Horses. I am &c, &c, T.J. FC (Vi).

From George Muter [ R i c h m o n d ] 13 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . "Mr. Mauzey ( a chair maker in town)" will make carriage wheels, provided the men whose names are on a list, enclosed, can be taken from the militia to assist him. Mr. Scherer, who is "ordered on the militia himself," is in the same position. RC

( V i ) . Enclosure missing.

From George Muter, with Reply SIR

W a r office March 13. 1781

I have the honour of inclosing to your Excellency, a note to M r . Ross to furnish sundry articles to M r . Mayes who is employed in the Countrys service by Capt. B r o w n , i f you approve it. M r . Ross's furnishing the articles at Petersburgh, which I understand he can do, w i l l save the expence of transportation from hence. T h e r e is also inclosed a certificate from Capt. Browne respect­ ing M r . Mayes's drawing provisions; i f your Excellency approves of it, it is to be delivered to him. I have the honour to be Y o u r most GEORGE MUTER.

h i servt.

C.

In Council Mar. 13. 1781. W e have no right to order a Continental Commissary to furnish provisions to a state artificer. T h e State Commissary must take measures for furnishing them. T H : JEFFERSON R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. TJ's reply is written in his hand on

verso of Muter's letter. Enclosures missing.

[139]

1 3 M A R C H Brown's certificate has not been found, but there is in V i a letter from Captain Winsor Brown to Muter dated 13 Mch. 1781, as follows: "The Bearer Mr. Mayes informs me he cant Carry on his Business for the want of some Materials such as Iron, Steel and Files. Mr. Ross of Petersburg he thinks could furnish those Articles. Dont you think it would be best for his Excellency the Govr to give him an order to Mr. Ross for them? Mr. May's has engaged a Compleat Gun Stocker on the same

17 8 1

T e r m the other Artificers were. I think it a pity that so many good Workmen should be kept idle for the want of Materials. For my part it cant be sup­ posed that I have Money or Interest to get them on my own Account." There is a minute in the W a r Office Journal, 13 Mch., the following: "An order to the State Commissary to furnish M r . Matthew Mayes, and six hands under him, with Provisions regularly, they having engaged to work Six Months for the Publick. Sent to the Governour."

From George Muter [Richmond, 13 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Minute in W a r Office Journal ( V i ) under this date: " A letter to the Governour, requesting he will furnish me with a memorandum of the Artillery, &c. at Newcastle, as Col. Syme has acted under no orders from me, or made me any Return." Not found.]

To George Muter SIR

I n Council, March 13. 1781.

On the first of the present invasion, I desired Col. Syme to super­ intend the removal of the Stores from Cumberland T o w n to New­ castle; as soon as we found that the enemy had fixed themselves at Portsmouth, as there was but little land carriage saved by bringing them to Newcastle, we discontinued it. C o l . Syme never made me a report of the Articles which he had removed actually. Perhaps it may therefore be better to State those stores which were at C u m ­ berland at the time of the invasion, as now under the joint head of Cumberland and Newcastle. I am, S i r , Y o u r very hble servt., TH: T r in W a r Office Journal ( V i ) . Muter's request of T J on 13 Mch. (the preceding letter which has not been found) was undoubtedly inspired by the investigating committee headed by Mann Page that called on him on the afternoon of 12 Mch. (see notes to Muter to T J , 12 M c h . ) . There is a M S in D L C : T J Papers signed by Muter and headed "Memorandum of what is now at the Foundery 13th March 1781" which sets forth the following tabula­ tion: "16 Ship Cannon, 6 pounders, fit for use. 18 Swevels 3000 6 pound Ball. 2000 4 pd. ditto

JEFFERSON

35 Cannon, of which 27 are rendered useless. 8 Cannon, 6 pounders, to a. Box 3 51 Cannon, Total 6 Cannon 6 Pounders at Rich­ mond, made at the Foundery. The six Cannon at Richmond are sold to Benjamin Harrison, E s q . ; Twelve of those at the Foundery were made for Mr. William North, & with each of them a proportion of Ball is also disposed of. And a set of Guns for the State's brig Jefferson were in­ tended also." T h i s inventory was probably compiled by Muter at the request of the investi­ gating committee.

[ 140]

To David Ross SIR

I n Council March 13th 1781

General Scott has obtained Leave to receive Tobacco from this State for the Support of our Prisoners in Charlestown. A s the easiest w a y of cloathing them w i l l be to remit them their P a y in hard money to be procured there with Tobacco to be sent h i m hence, Y o u w i l l be pleased to procure them 300 Hogsheads of Tobacco which amount to about three months P a y . I am sending a flag pilot Boat there to bring a regular passport which the General failed to send me, on the Return of which it would be proper that a vessel should be ready to go with the Tobacco. I am, & c , T.J. FC (Vi).

To George Weedon SIR

Richmond Mar. 13. 1781.

W e apprehended Culpeper was too distant and it appeared too detached from the other counties we were to call on, as we must have passed over some uncalled to get at that. W e have therefore required Hanover, Caroline, Spotsylvania and K i n g W i l l i a m to send militia immediately. Below is a state of the several counties and the numbers called for. These are exclusive of what are in camp with Geni. Muhlenberg. I am with much respect S i r your most obedt. sevt., TH: R C ( A Midwestern Collector, 1945). Name of addressee assigned from in­ ternal evidence (see Weedon to T J , 10 Mch. 1781). This letter is not tran­ scribed in the Executive Letter Book. On the recto T J listed twelve counties and the number of militia in each "orig­ inally called in"; these totalled 2,190. This tabulation was followed by a list­ ing of six counties with the number of

JEFFERSON

"supplementary" militia called from each, totalling 1,031 and including the four counties whose men had been or­ dered out immediately. T h i s tabulation is not given here since the same data may be found in T J ' s letter to Lafa­ yette, 19 Mch., q.v., together with a list of the ships in service. See T J to county lieutenant of Culpeper, 22 Mch. 1781.

From John Banister March 14th. 1781. Col: J . Banister to the Governor: by D a n i : Dodson, who goes to Richmond to get his pay for valuable services rendered the State; hopes he may not be disappointed, as the money is not now one [141]

14

M A R C H

17 8 1

fifth the value it was at that time. He i s , w i t h great difficulty col­ lecting the M i l i t i a , who having so lately been in service, and did not expect to be called on again. W i l l use every effort to conciliate them, and deliver the command over to C o l : Faulkner, as soon as a suf­ ficient number are collected. Begs the money he has advanced "for the Country" be refunded, as he is in great need of it. MS not located. Text of the present summary is from C V S P , I , 571. On 17 Mch. the Council directed the auditors to issue "a Warrant for Six thousand & sixty pounds, upon acct.; to

settle with Colo. Bannister for monies advanced by him to Daniel Dodson, John Stewart and F k Bonner, for serv­ ices rendered the Country" ( V a . C o u n ­ c i l Jour., n, 311).

From Richard Claiborne SIR

Williamsburg. 14th. March 1781

A s the intelligence which I conveyed to your Excellency last evening respecting the arrival of the Marquis and his Troops was not delivered to me officially, I hope it w i l l apologize for my not being more particular. T h e Baron has now returned from Y o r k town and informs that a party of thirty men arrived at that place who left the Marquis and his troops a little below the mouth of Patuxen the night before last, that they had been put to considerable inconvenience on account of the heavy winds, but were making all the dispatch possible. I have the honor to be y r . Excellency's most obt. Servant, R R C ( V i ) ; Addressed, in part: "Mr. Nichols Exps."; endorsed, in part: "deld. at six o'Clk. [p.m.? See T J to Lafayette, 14 Mch.] 14th. March." THE

A R R I V A L O F T H E M A R Q U I S : Lafa­

yette arrived at Yorktown, without his troops, before T J received this letter.

CLAIBORNE

On 14 Mch. he wrote to Steuben from that place announcing his arrival and expressing his eagerness to talk with Steuben (Charlemagne Tower, T h e M a r a u i s de L a F a y e t t e , 2d ed., Phila­ delphia, 1901, I I , 243, where Lafayette's letter to Steuben is printed in f u l l ) .

From Joseph Crockett SIR

Shephards Town 14th March 1781

B y Orders received from C o l . C l a r k , we have J u s t return'd from Frederick T o w n to this Place in hopes to get the Regiment equip'd for the westren expedition. I must beg leave once more to mention to your Excellency the great distress the Regiment is in for want [142]

14

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of cloathing, the Soldiers being almost naked for want of L i n e n , and intirely with out Shoes. C o l . C l a r k informs me he expects a Considerable quantity of linen at Winchester, of which we shall have a part. A s for Shoes, I know not where to apply. T h i s w i l l be handed your Excellency by Capt. Cherry, Pay­ master to the westren Battalion, who w i l l wait on the Treasurer, for a S u m of money due the Officers, agreeable to a late act of A s ­ sembly, and also w i l l with Cheerfulness obay any Command your Excellency may please to lay on him, in order to serve the Regi­ ment in forwarding Cloathing Money &c. I Have the Honour to be your E x c l l y [ s ] . most Obdt. & very JOSEPH CROCKETT

Hble Servt.,

Referred to Colo. Davies. L i n e n was sent on. TH: R C ( V i ) ; T J ' s reference to Davies, in his hand, is written below Crockett's letter. Addressed, in part: "Favd by Capt. Cherry."; endorsed: "Col. Crocket's L . Governor. Mar. 14 ref. Col. Davies 28 March 1781." On 29 Mch. Davies issued a "War-

JEFFERSON

rant to Capt. William Cherry, for one hundred and seventy five thousand, six hundred and eighty pounds, on account, to pay Col. Crocket's regiment, destined for the western expedition" ( W a r Office Journal, V i ) .

From Beesly Edgar Joel SIR

State Yard March 14th. 1781.

I have the honor to inform you, I have for this three W e e k s past, been cruising in the Louis Galley F r o m Newport News to W a r r e squeak B a y . B y carrying away my fore yard I was obliged to run up to Chicohomini but shall tomorrow resume my station; on which I have reason to expect I have allready prevented many slaves from forming a Junction with the E n e m y . Y o u w i l l see the propriety of my requesting an order from you to command the Galley pro tempora as it is impossible to forsee what accident may befall me in the Execution of my duty. Do not immagine by this I either request rank, or P a y for my service. I t is only to secure me should any misfortune happen. A n d now S i r , my duty to this Country, my wish for its good, and my respect for you, enduces me to point out a circumstance which is highly prejudicial to the public service. A t this time when men are of such importance I could undertake to raise many men for the navy was I not dis­ couraged by the situation in which I find those allready in it. I [143]

14

178 1

M A R C H

have now men on board who have neither cloaths to cover them, or even the necessaries of L i f e , alltho 7 A n d more months pay due. Believe me S i r this information proceeds from my anxiety for the public good, and I am informed by an officer that a certain person, has at this instant a large sum of money in his hands for the purpose of paying off the N a v y , while the Men are labouring under circum­ stances truly shocking. I am with the highest respect your Obedient B. EDGAR. J O E L R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. Shortly after this the adventurer Joel was given his majority. T h e effect that this had upon some of the Virginia of­ ficers may be indicated by the mordant comment of that extraordinarily graphic commentator, Capt. Henry Young: "A little fellow by name Joell, and a de­ serter from the British with a full stock of impudence and with some little knowl­

edge in drawing like Coll. Senf has pro­ cured himself the command of the first Troop in Brents Corps. I dont know what they call them, perhaps waisters of the public stores. T h i s Joell will have the rank of Majr. I think the time will shortly come when it will be disgraceful to rank above a Captain" (Henry Young to William Davies, 21 May 1781, V i ) .

To Lafayette SIR

I n Council March 14th 1781

W e just receive the pleasing Information of your safe arrival at Y o r k yesterday. M y Letters of the 12th, which were sent to the Head of E l k (Duplicates of which accompany t h i s ) w i l l inform you that we were endeavouring to accomplish your several Requisi­ tions. I now inclose you a L i s t of Articles actually procured which w i l l go from this place this evening, most of them in waggons to General Muhlenburgs Headquarters. Some heavy Articles particu­ larly about 1500 Gallons of R u m , some flour and the 20 seasoned Oak Planks go in a vessel down the river. Four Smiths go w i t h the Waggons. T h e articles not stated in the inclosed Paper, w i l l I am in Hopes be procured by an Agent I have sent to the neighbourhood of Suffolk, who w i l l also engage what Artificers can be found. I am informed that there w i l l be ready at the public Shipyard on Chickahominy on F r i d a y next 4 Boats well fitted for your Pur­ pose, others are collecting in the rivers to rendezvous at Hoods. T h e Galley I mentioned in my Letter of the 12th is at the same ship­ yard and another is got ready. T h e y are very light and want men as do two armed vessels belonging to the State at the same place. I have desired Captn. M a x w e l l (at present I believe at Y o r k ) who [ 144 }

14

MARCH

17 8 1

in Consequence of former orders has I expect provided men to come to the Ship yard and see these several vessels put into motion. I have the pleasure to inclose you herewith a small map of the vicini­ ties of W i l l i a m s b u r g , Y o r k , Hampton and Portsmouth done on a scale of 5 miles to the inch which may serve for Pocket Purposes, and a larger one of the vicinities of Portsmouth on a scale of a mile to the inch which may be resorted to where greater accuracy is requisite. T h e y are both from actual surveys and are the best in our power to provide for you. T h e larger one is a Copy of original draughts, the smaller is very carefully reduced from them. Pro­ visions cannot fail i f the Commissaries look forward. I must beg the favor of you to give strict orders to the issuing Commissary to give me very timely notice when anything like want shall be ap­ proaching, because T i m e is requisite in this State to comply with any C a l l . T h e State purchasing Commissary was ordered by me besides the Bread and animal Food to lay in at Geni. Muhlenburg's Camp or at a proper place in it's neighbourhood a hundred thousand rations. I have the Honor, & c , T.J. F C ( V i ) . Enclosures not located. T h i s letter must have been written after T J hnd received Claiborne's letter of 13 Mch. and before the receipt of Claiborne's of 14 Mch., which therefore presumably arrived at six p.m. ( see note

to Claiborne's letter of this date), The maps that T J enclosed were presumably those that Col. Senf had copied or made in the preceding autumn (see T J to Gates, 4 Oct. 1780).

From Hugh McGavock SIR

Shephards Town 14h March 1781

I am sorry to trouble your Excellency at this T i m e concerning my R a n k ; but as Major W a l l s Claims the R a n k for his Son in Preference to any other E n s i g n , from his appointment, as it came from the Executive Power, which i f it was their Intention I w i l l chearfully submit to. F o r my Part I conceiv'd that the Preference was only to old officers, that those who never were in the Service should not take R a n k of those who had Served their Country from the Commencment of the W a r , which was not the Case with E n s i g n Peter Moore and Thomas W a l l s , as this is the first Commission either of them ever Held; M r . W a l l s is a very Young L a d not ex­ ceeding Fourteen or Fifteen Years of Age. I was appointed an E n s i g n by the Field Officers of Montgomery County and had T e n Men raised by the 2 2 d August 1 7 7 9 , which Men I March'd to [145}

14

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Albemarle B a r r a c k s . I hope your Excellency w i l l Settle our R a n k as you in your W i s d o m shall think proper. I am your Excellencies most Obt. Servt. to Command, HUGH MCGAVOCK ENS. W. RC

B.

( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

To Robert Mitchell or William Lewis SIR

In Council March 14th 1781

I have the pleasure to inform you of the arrival of the Marquis De L a Fayette at Y o r k . Whether a N a v a l Force is come yet or not, I have not heard. I hope this w i l l find you at Hoods w i t h your little Fleet. Should it not I must request you to fall down there immedi­ ately w i t h all the vessels. A vessel w i t h some provisions for the A r m y and other articles goes from hence this evening. B e pleased to receive her under your Care. Y o u may hourly expect Orders from the Marquis Fayette. I am very desirous to know what force you have. I am & c , T. J . F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "Mr Robert Mitchell or Captn William Lewis." The news of the arrival of Lafayette was premature; see T J to Lewis and Mitchell, 18 Mch.

To the State Naval Officers [Richmond, ca. 1 4 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Extract from V a . C o u n c i l Jour., I I , 308 (14 M c h ) : "The Board when formerly considering the Act of General Assembly for the defence of the Eastern Frontier of this Com­ monwealth, having come to a resolution that the ratio at which current money should be received by the several naval officers in lieu of the Duties in specie imposed by the said Act should be the same as should have been fixed by the Grand Jury of the General Court next preceding paiment between Tobacco and current money, the entry of which reso­ lution was lost with the journals of the board. I t is now resolved that the said former resolution, in substance as before recited, be notwithstand­ ing in force, and that a Copy of this resolution be transmitted to each Naval Officer in the State." No letter from T J to the naval officers trans­ mitting the above resolution has been found.]

[146]

To Francis Taylor SIR

I n Council March 14th 1781

Before this comes to H a n d Colo. W o o d w i l l have received Orders to carry on the Conventioners to Knowlands F e r r y , thence to be guarded by the State of Maryland. A t that Place therefore you w i l l please to discharge such of your regiment as were enlisted to serve only during the Continuance of the Conventioners in Albemarle or in this State. Be pleased on their discharge to have their dues of pay and cloth­ ing settled and let every man be furnished with a Certificate of his own Dues and a general State of them be returned to me. T h a t M r . Martin did not receive money to pay them off out of the last Stock proceeded from the accident of the removal of the T r e a s u r y just at the time of his application. T h e y shall be paid off out of the emission now under Contempla­ tion of the Assembly. T h e Auditors inform me that they at first apprehended your officers were entitled to the Depreciation money and prepared several warrants but that on more mature Considera­ tion they changed their Opinion and revoked the warrants. I t w i l l be necessary therefore for you to make application as the law directs to the Attorney General or the General Court, or, i f you be clearly out of the purview of the resolution to petition the assembly. Orders went ten D a y s ago for Captn. Reads Troop to come here. Clothes are preparing for them and i f their Horses be too poor for Service, they may be sent to some of the places nearer this where Stores of Forage are provided, and from which we can call them into service at the Point of time when exigencies require it and their Condition w i l l admit. General Hamilton refuses at present to credit any advances to the Convention Officers which are not made in Specie, which deprives us of the mutual Convenience which would have arisen from Colo. M i n gen's acceding to m y proposition. B e so good therefore as to return my T h a n k s to that Gentleman and inform h i m of this. I am, &c, T.J. FC (Vi).

William Cole to George Muter, with Jefferson's Instructions to Muter State Yard, 1 5 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Requests arms and ammunition "by return of State sloop"; the skipper will await reply. T J ' s instructions follow: t 147]

1 5 MARCH

17 8 1

"In Council, March 19, 1781. It is the opinion of the Board that the arms and ammunition desired by Mr. Coles for the safety of the Ship­ yard, should be sent. T h Jefferson." R C ( V i ) ; 3 p.; addressed; endorsed: "Letter from W m Coles at the State Shipyard, requesg. 25 muskets, & pow­ der and ball, dated 15th March 19th March 1781." T r of T J ' s Instructions to George Muter in W a r Office Jour­ nal ( V i ) . The letter from George Muter to T J ,

transmitting William Cole's letter, has not been found. However, there is the following minute in the W a r Office Journal ( V i ) under date of 19 Mch: "A letter to the Governor on the sub­ ject of M r . Cole's letter, in which his letter is inclosed."

Petition of Brewer Godwin and Others [Before 15 March 1781] T o his Excellency Thomas Jefferson E s q r . Governor of the Commonwealth of V i r g i n i a . T h e Petition of the Inhabitants of the County of the Isle of W i g h t humbly Sheweth, T h a t while the E n e m y were Quartered at Smithfield, and rav­ aging that part of said County, it was the misfortune of James Pedin, Jonathan Godwin, John Godwin, John Whitfield, Josep[h] Brantley and Chs. Buttler to fall into their hands, and being all of them persons of large families, were under the necessity of taking paroles as prisoners of W a r in prefference to being confined on board the Prison Ship untili exchanged, A n d from a long and intimate acquaintance with those Gentlemen, we beg leave to in­ form your Excellency that we know them to be persons, who, always heretofore whenever called on, have by their ready and spir­ ited behaviour testified a firm and Zealous attachment to the liber­ ties of America, A n d even since the present Invasion have volun­ tarily exertted themselves, and each of them been, in some instances particularly, serviceable to the Troops on duty, A n d not being taken in A r m s , by order of a proper Officer agreeable to a proclamation, since, issued by your Excellency, I t is supposed that they are not to be considered as legal prisoner[s] of W a r , nor can we (for the reasons above mentioned) think they can with propriety come under the denomination of those who enter into engagements w i t h the Publick E n e m y in order to withold their services from their Country, K n o w i n g that the situation of the Ground they were on, and other particular circumstances, made it in a great measure impracticable to avoid being taken in the manner they were. T h e Prayer of your Petitioners is therefore that your Excellency would be pleased to permit those Gentlemen (whose fidelity and [ 148 ]

1 5 MARCH

17 8 1

attachment to their Country we are well assured of) to continue on their parole untili legally exchanged, and Y o u r petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray, &c. &ca., B R E W E R GODWIN JAMES WILLS

Lt.

Majr.

EMANUEL WILLS

Capt.

THORP REYNDER

Let.

JACOB

DICKINSON

JOSIAH: R C ( V i ) ; endorsed: "Memorial of Brewer Godwin & others March 16. 81." The date in the endorsement re­ fers, of course, to the time at which the petition was considered by the

C.

Let.

PARKER

Council (see T J ' s reply, following). PROCLAMATION . . . ISSUED B Y YOUR

E X C E L L E N C Y : See T J ' s proclamation concerning paroles, 19 Jan. 1781.

To Brewer Godwin SIR

I n Council March 15, 1781

I received and laid before the Board your application in Favour of James Pedin and others. T h e y would have wished extremely to have had it in their Power to comply w i t h your Desire as well from an Inclination to shew their respect to yourself and the several other Gentleman whose names are subscribed, [as] on account of the former meritorious Conduct of those Persons as represented by you, but they are of opinion it is utterly inconsistent with the Proclama­ tion. T h e Principle which that establishes is that no Citizen taken on his farm, not in A r m s , nor acting under the immediate orders of his Commanding Officer can according to the L a w of nations be deemed or detained as a Prisoner of W a r . T h e Intention of it was, i f the E n e m y should continue to act in Defiance of the L a w of Nations by obliging them to take w i t h them such pretended prisoners, to put it out of their Power for want of Subsistance and accomodation for great numbers to continue that Practice beyond a certain extent and thus to prevent them from disarming a whole Country which they cannot otherwise subdue. T h e y have conquered South Carolina by Paroles alone. T h e y w i l l conquer us also i f we admit their validity. T h u s you see S i r that [this] application is inconsistent with the immediate Object of the proclamation and cannot be complied [with] without annulling that and in our Opinion expos[ing] our Country to the last of E v i l s . I hope you w i l l consider this as our Apology for not complying with the request presented in your name and that of the several other [149}

1 5 M A R C H

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respectable Gentlemen whose names are joined w i t h yours. I have the Honor to be w i t h much Respect S i r Y o u r & c , T.J . F C ( Vi ) . Although T J ' s letter is dated 15 Mch., he evidently did not present Godwin's petition and his proposed reply to the Council until 16 Mch. On that day the Council took the following action: "A Letter to Colo. Brewer God-

win in answer to an application of himself and others in behalf of James Pedin and others . . . being laid before the board and read, together with the ap­ plication; the same is approved and ordered to be registered" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., ii, 310).

From Thomas Sim Lee SIR

I n Council, 15 March, 1781.

The A r r i v a l of our Express w i t h your Excellency's Letter of the 12th. this Moment received gives us an Opportunity of informing you that all the Transports w i t h the Troops from E l k got safe into Harbour on Tuesday E v e n i n g . T h e next Morning at day L i g h t two Ships apparently B r i t i s h of the rate of eighteen and twenty eight G u n s came to an Anchor opposite to the Mouth of our R i v e r Severn, at 12 oClock they made Sail up the B a y and by the last Account were at Anchor near the north Point of the river Patapsco. W e judged that you would be anxious for the Safety of the Troops but they are fortunately safe and the armed vessels which con­ voyed them down are prepared for Defence. Yours Favors of the 6 and 8th are come to hand, and we thank you for your Intelligence respecting General Greene in that of the 8th. F C (MdAA). Y O U R F A V O R O F T H E . . . 8 T H : N O letter from T J to Lee of 8 Mch. has been found, but see T J to Washington of that date and note there.

From William Lewis SIR

Renown at Hoods March 15. 1781

W e have been here two days W i t h the B r i g g s W i l l i n g L a s s and W i l k e s w i t h two E m p t y sloops and the flatt A n d Sloop W i t h M i l i ­ tary Stores and have J u s t received an order from the Baron to deliver all the Musket Carteriges W h i c h shall comply w i t h . A s the Vessels are lyable to be calld down E v e r y moment I think that the private Property ought to be Valued so that all par­ ties may be satisfy'd and hope your Excellency w i l l give direcktions to people that are Judges and the Soner the better because some Individuals here think it hard that they should proceed before there Property Should be valued. [150}

1 5 M A R C H

17 8 1

W e have never had a drop of Spirits on Board the fleet since we have been taken in States service and seamen are creatures that Must have it espetially when an Expedition of this kind is on foot. T h e r e is not any Comissary at this place for the state. M r . Mitch­ ell lies here and hope has Given your Excellency an account of our Situation. T h e B r i g s that are here are in want of Military stores such as Carterige paper Match rope Powder and Grape shott. I am Sir your Most Obedt WILLIAM LEWIS PS. RC

I have never had it in M y Power to write you before. W.L. ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

From Robert Mitchell SIR

Hoods March 15. 1781

Y o u r favour I Received this day by M r . Pryor. I am Happy to find that T h e Marquis is Safe arrived. I Sat of[f] from Richmond the 12 Inst. W i t h T w e n t y M i l i t i a in a Scow. On our W a y down, I P u t five men on board of a brig, lyeing A t W a r w i c k , Cald the marrs and Gave the Captain orders to make all the despatch I n his power down to this place to Join the fleet, then proceded down The R i v e r in the Scow. T h e W i n d Proving fowl and blowing V e r y H a r d , Could Not Get her any further. I T o o k to my horse and Reachd T h i s place this day. T h e Vessels lyeing Here is the Ship Renown, 16 G u n s . T h e W i l l i n g lass brig, 10 Guns, the B r i g W i l k s , 12 Ditto, and Sundry Small Vessels fitting to C a r r y T r o o p [ s ] , Likewise the T w o Craftes w i t h the Cannon and Morters &c. [are] Safe here. T h e r e are T w o more armed Vessels Expected down here this E v e n i n g to Join the fleet. T h e field pieces that Came from the Northward W i l l be put on board to day. I am much Affraid that proper persons Cant be Got to Vallue the Vessels, and the Captain W i l l Not G o w any lower till that is don[e]. There are No provissions here for T h e Vessels, likewise the Saylors is M u c h Dissatisfyed at there not being Servd Spirrets. M r . B r o w n Commisarrey I T h i n k ought to Appoint a person for that line to Serve out the provissions to the different Vessels, and that Commiserry T o Continue on board the Victueling Vessel Appointed for that purpose. E l s e am affraid a poore account W i l l be Given of them, and Vessels W i l l be alowd to T a k e W h a t the[y] please. Please Excuse Such a S c r a w l . I am Y o u r M o . Obd. Sevt., ROBT.

[151]

MITCHELL

15

MARCH

1781

N B Necessaries W a n t i n g for this Expedition, Grape Shot, Cartrige paper. Y o u have omitted i n your orders to Autherize me to have the different Vessels valued. A s before, R : M . RC

( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

YOUR

FAVOUR:

That

is,

T J ' s letter

to Mitchell or Lewis, 14 Mch. T H E V E S ­ SELS L Y E I N G H E R E :

On 12 Mch. Lewis

reported to Steuben ( R C : N H i ) giving more and somewhat different details about these vessels: the Renown car­ ried 16 6-pounders and was manned by 25 men; the W i l l i n g Lass carried 12 4-pounders artd was manned by 20 men; the W i l k e s carried 12 4-pounders and was manned by 18 men. T H E T W O C R A F T E S W I T H T H E C A N N O N A N D MOR-

T E R S : There is also in N H i "A Return of Ordnance and Military Stores ship'd at Richmond on board a Vessell Commandd. by Capt. Mitchell. Hoods," & c ; this return shows that Mitchell had assembled two 13-inch mortars, four 18-pound cannon, 6,000 pounds of can­ non powder, 55 13-inch "Bomb shells,"

700 18-pound balls, 26,376 musket cartridges, and other stores. On 22 Mch. Mitchell compiled "a list of the Vessels taken in the Service, now Lyeing at Turkey Island" which, in addition to those already mentioned, included the following: "Brig Marrs Capt. Thomas, Mounting 8 four Pounders and 10 men. Brig Morning Starr Capt. Beatey Mount­ ing 2 four Pounders and 13 men. Schooner Heron Capt. Howell mounting three Swivels and 7 men. Sloop E m i ­ nence Capt. Weastcoat. Mounts 1 Howat and 8 men. One Decked and one open River Crafte belonging to Jno. Cooke of Petersburg with 5 Negroes on board. One Decked Craft the property of Capt. Murry [Maury] with three Men on board"; in this list the W i l k e s is de­ scribed as mounting 12 3- and 4-pound­ ers and having 20 men ( M S in V i ) .

To the Virginia Delegates i n Congress GENTLEMEN

I n Council March 15, 1781

A Difference of opinion having taken place between the E x e c u ­ tive of this State and M r . Simon Nathan as to the rate at w h i c h certain B i l l s of exchange should be discharged i n paper money, we have agreed with h i m to refer it to such Gentlemen of Knowledge in the L a w s , of established Character and of any other State, as yourselves shall mutually agree on with him. T h e i r award shall be performed by the State, which means to stand in the place as well of the D r a w e r as Drawee. M r . W i l s o n and M r . Serjeant had been consulted by M r . Nathan. I inclose to you M r . Pendleton's and Wythe's Opinion. Y o u w i l l be pleased to observe that the State of the Case requires from M r . Nathan actual proof that he took up the B i l l s at par. M r . Nathan having agreed with us all the facts as stated, I am to suppose noth­ ing contrary to them w i l l be received. A s his Signature here w a s omitted perhaps it would be best for you to require it before sub­ mission. I t is not our Desire to pay off those B i l l s according to the present Depreciation but according to their actual value in hard money at the time they were drawn w i t h Interest. T h e state having received value so far it is just it should be substantially paid. A l l [152]

1 6 MARCH

17 8 1

beyond this w i l l be plunder made by some Person or other. T h e Executive in the most candid manner departed from the advantage which their Tender law gave them in the beginning. I t seems very hard to make this the means of obtaining an unjust G a i n from the State. I have the Honor to be, & c , & c , T.J. F C ( V i ) . Enclosures: Edmund Pendleton to T J , 7 Mch.; George Wythe to T J , 9 Mch. 1781. Both letters are printed above under their respective dates. See also T J to Benjamin Harrison, 22 Sep. 1782.

From Isaac Avery DEAR SIR

Northampton 16th. March 1781

I have always considered it my duty, while holding an Office civil or military, to render the strictest Obedience in my power to the Laws of my Country and to the orders received from my Superior Officers; and whenever those Laws and Orders are such as my Con­ science will not suffer me to execute punctually and religiously, I have thought it incumbent on me as a Man of honour and integrity to vacate my office. Your Excellencys Requisition of the 19th. of Jany. last, for takeing the public Arms out of the hands of the Mili­ tia, a measure by which my Militia, together with all the provisions, Stock and other Property in the County would be immedeately in the power of the Enemy, The late L a w for Recruiting, which in this County must be attended with a Draft, a mode of impressing more equal I confess, but far less politic, than that some times practiced in England, which hath been always the Subject of great complaint, and which I myself have held both publicly and privately to be in­ consistent with Liberty and free Government—These things have made it my duty to resign my Office of Lieutenant of this County, which my own private affairs also render it out of my power longer to hold. I have therefore enclosed my Commission; and have the pleasure to inform your Excellency that the Lieutenancy will devolv[e] on a Gentleman of worth and integrity, and of known at­ tachment to the American Cause. I have only farther to add, that the total inability of the Inhabitants of this County to pay their Taxes, unless permitted to pay them in Corn or Oats, which are the only produce they make to spare, and which they can not sell on Account of the Embargo, And also the entire Want of every kind of protection here, the Congress having denied us even the small indulgence formerly granted us, of having our own Quota of Troops stationed on the Shore, are subjects perhaps worthy the [153}

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attention of the Legislature and Executive. T h e y certainly are such as greatly depress the Spirits of the People; and i f no steps are taken to redress them, may lead to events that w i l l be productive of the most serious Consequences. I have the honour to be Your Excellency's most Obedt. huml. 1

ISAAC A V E R Y

Sevt., R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. Enclosure not found, i Avery wrote "dedress."

From Humphrey Brooke F a u q u i e r , 1 6 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . The bearer, Joseph Duncan, enlisted with George Slaughter to go to Kentucky as an armorer; was granted leave of absence to see his family; has been informed that "all under his Cir­ cumstances are ordered to Richmond"; is willing to "comply with his engagement" if he is not obliged to return to Kentucky. Duncan is a neighbor of Brooke, who can vouch that he is excellent in making and repairing arms. If he can be employed at Fredericksburg or at some place where he may see his family at times, he will be greatly obliged. R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; addressed and endorsed.

From William Clayton HON BLE. SIR

New Kent March 16th. 1781

I n Order to Justify my conduct ( as also those of our militia ) for not complying fully w i t h the Requisitions lately made on the M i l i ­ tia by your Excellency and General Nelson, I beg leave to lay before you a true State of the whole M e n , taken from the Proceedings of a Court-Martial held yesterday for that purpose. T h e whole num­ ber of Privates are 350—75 of whom were by the Court Adjudged unfit for Duty, 6 Quakers which since the expiration of the A c t of Assembly obliging them to find Substitutes are useless. Those Deductions reduces our Number to 268 Effective. T h e 1st. of J a n y . last I received Orders from Geni. Nelson to send D o w n to W m s b u r g one half of our Militia, which accordingly Met the 4 . of the month, and having then Joined the General at Holts Forge the other half were Ordered into Service by him. T h e latter were on D u t y about 2 0 D a y s . T h e other half continued on D u t y untili Monday last. T h e 23d. of February I received Orders from the General to send down two Company's as a Relief for those then on D u t y . I n consequence I Orderd the Proper Divisions to (make that [154}

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N u m b e r ) appear in Order to march down but a sufficient number not appearing, those that appeared were sent on, and I intended to have calld on another Division to make up the number, but before this coud be put in execution I received your letter of the 1st. of this month Directing Me to send to Geni. Muhlenburgs head Quarters 104 M e n . T h e 3 remaining Divisions, excepting those who were, or ought to be, then on D u t y , were Immediately called on, from which 4 7 men were collected but not completed untili yesterday. I have ordered them D o w n which with 2 3 that are on D u t y in consequence of the Orders received the 2 3 . Feby. from the General make our number 70 that I hope w i l l be D o w n in a D a y or two. I must also Observe to your Excellency that agreeable to your Orders one half of our M i l i t i a were sent on D u t y the 2 6 . of October last and continued untili a few day's before Christmass. I think I can w i t h T r u t h say that the Defect in not sending down the full number required from us does not arise from any disaf­ fection. On the contrary I believe them to be as well affected to the Cause as any Set of Men in the State and have fully complyd with every Requision untili now, and they having been so much on D u t y (tho Necessarily) all this winter is the true cause of our not com­ plying fully with the two last Requisitions. However shoud your Excellency think from what I have said, that the two Requisitions must be fully complyd with you w i l l be Pleasd to Signifie the same to me, and I shall endeavour to have the Men sent. I am with great respect your Excellency's Most Obdt. humle WILL:

Servt.,

CLAYTON

R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

To George Elliott SIR

Richmond Mar 16th 1781

Y o u w i l l be pleased to return the Studd Horses and M a i r s K e p t for breeding of those which have been impressed under the powers given by me in consequence of the Requisitions for the service near Portsmouth, proper Persons shall be Appointed to value the residue According to the Direction of the resolve of Assembly of this day date. I am S i r Your huml Servt., T H : JEFFERSON T r ( N H i ) . Another T r (same). F C (Vi). One T r of this letter in N H i was enclosed in a letter from Elliott to Steuben of 18 Mch. in which he re­

ported that he had been experiencing great difficulties in getting horses and had been "detained some days by the Governour on Acct of High priced horses, in consequence of which I re-

[155]

1 6 MARCH ceived the inclosed instructions which has obliged me to give up most of my very serviceable Nags" ( N H i ) ; see

178 1

Claiborne to T J , 7 Mch. and references there; also, Elliott to T J , 22 Mch.

From Nathanael Greene SIR

Camp at the Iron Works, 10 Miles from Gilford Court House, March 16th, 1781.

Having formed a junction on the 8th with Colonel Campbells detachment of 18 Months Men and a Body of Carolina Militia under the command of General Butler, I determined to advance towards the Enemy and give them Battle upon the first favorable opportunity. On the 14th, we marched to Gilford Court House and took a position within 8 Miles of the Enemies encampment, with a view to attack them the next Morning, but they anticipated our designs and moved down upon us. W e were in perfect readiness to receive them. A severe conflict ensued and after a struggle of near two Hours the Enemy gained the advantage of the field and four pieces of Artillery which could not be brought of[f] for the want of Horses, most of them being killed on the field. Our Army retired in good order to this place, and are now in the most perfect readi­ ness to give the Enemy Action again. The Carolina Brigades of Militia neglected to take advantage of their position, but fled, (at least the greater part of them, without giving more than one fire) and let in the Enemy upon the second Line, which was composed of Virginians under the command of Generals Stevens and Lawson. Here they met with a warm reception and were very much gauled by an incessant fire which lasted for a considerable length of time. Superior discipline at length prevailed, and the Militia were drove back upon the Continental Troops which made the Action general, but the Enemy breaking through the 2d. Maryland Regiment terminated the fortune of the Day in their favor. However, except the honor of the field they have nothing to boast off. Our loss is very trifling, not more than 300 killed, wounded, and taken; that of the Enemys, from a variety of circumstances and the best intelligence I can get, to at least six hundred. Having encumbered them with a number of Wounded Men, I have nothing to lament but the loss of several valuable Officers, killed and wounded. Among the former is Major Anderson, and among the latter Geni. Stevens. It would be ungenerous not to say that the conduct of the Vir­ ginia Militia deserves my warmest approbation. Generals Stevens [156]

1 6 M A R C H

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and L a w s o n w i t h all the Officers under them did themselves great honor. I should be glad i f your Excellency would order some of the stalled Beeves to be sent on immediately to this A r m y , as the Coun­ try about here is almost exhausted of every necessary. I have the honor to be Your Excellencys mo: obt. hble servt., 1

NATH F C ( M i U - C ) , in the hand of William Pierce; endorsed. T r ( C S m H ) . T h i s paragraph, differing in the phraseology of the first sentence, was published in V a . G a z . ( D & N ) for 31 Mch. T h e first sentence, as published under the heading "Extract of a letter from General Greene, to his Execellency the Governour," reads: "It would be ungenerous in me not to acknowledge my approbation of the brave and spir­ ited conduct of the Virginia militia, in the action of yesterday." I n the same issue of V a . G a z . a longer extract of Magill's letter of this date was pub­ lished. A striking commentary upon Greene's failure to keep T J fully in­ formed of occurrences is to be found in the manner in which T J and the rest of Virginia received official and detailed news of the Battle of Guilford 1

GREENE

Court House. Greene's report to Con­ gress, which he forwarded through Steuben, was printed in Philadelphia papers on 2 Apr. T w o weeks later—a full month after the engagement—the V i r g i n i a Gazette was able to copy ver­ batim from that distant source the de­ tailed record of what happened, to­ gether with lists of casualties ( V a . G a z . : D & N , 14 A p r . ) . T h i s was information that would have been far more stimu­ lating to public morale than the brief paragraph from the present letter that T J was able to have published, along with Magill's unofficial account, on 31 Mch. But Greene, through an overzealous desire to observe military pro­ prieties, and Steuben, through what appears to be simple, stubborn failure to cooperate, gave T J far less informa­ tion than he had a right to expect (see note to Greene to T J , 28 F e b . ) .

Joseph Jones to the Auditors, with James Hayes' Account and Jefferson's Memorandum GENT.

Phila: 16th. March 1781

I inclose you an account delivered me by M r . Dunlap for the hire of three waggons to transport the Printing Materials to V i r g i n i a and the amount of 7 dozen Parchment for the use of the Legisla­ ture. M r . Dunlap assures me he engaged the waggons upon the best terms he could. T h e y are to deliver their loads at Richmond and return to Fredericksburg w i t h any loads the State may furnish. F r o m thence they are to come to my House to transport some neces­ saries for my F a m i l y to this place but i f the State can furnish them a back load to Philadelphia this part of the engagement may be void. I f they are to return by my House the Country should be credited for such proportion of the waggonage as may be reason­ able from Fredericksburg to Philadelphia and charged to me. I [157]

1 6 M A R C H

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have desired M r . H a y s to receive the money for the waggon hire and parchment and after furnishing the waggoners what they want transmit the balance to me to settle with them here. I have ad­ vanced them thirty pounds of the new money equal to Specie at the regulated exchange and also twelve hundred dollars V i r g a . State paper or they would not move and M r . Dunlap assured me he could not furnish the money. I am Gent. y r . most obed. Servt., JOSEPH

JONES

E N C L O S U R E

The hire of the three Waggons containing the Printing Apparatus from Philada. for the use of this State is Sixty-five Pounds State Money of Pennsylvania each which amounts to £ 195 Exchange of that @ 75 for one 7 Dozn. Parchment @ 1000 Dollars &c. The Ferriage of the waggons, which by agreement are to be paid exclusive of the above coming and returning

14625 2625 705.10 £17,955.10 £14364.8/

Exch. 20 W Ct. off is J E F F E R S O N ' S

M E M O R A N D U M

The expence of transporting the printing materials of Mr. Hayes from Philadelphia here by land was taken on the state rather than run the risk of their being lost a second time if brought by water, and that to be again made good. TH: JEFFERSON R C in Contingent Fund Vouchers (Vi); addressed: "To Messrs. Archer Wood & Randolph Auditors Richmond Virga." T h e enclosed account of Hayes, with T J ' s Memorandum (without date and written in his hand below Hayes' account) is filed with Jones' letter and is endorsed: "April 5. 1781. Jas. Hayes. £ 1 4 3 6 4 : 8 Contingent." The auditors probably issued pay­ ment to Hayes on 5 Apr., the date in the endorsement, and T J ' s memorandum was, doubtless, written about that time. On 9 Apr. 1781, the proceedings of the Council record the following: "The Board being informed that Mr. Hayes, agent for Mr. Dunlap, is nearly ready to begin the publication of his weekly gazette, which by Contract with the

executive was to consist always of a full sheet of the size and type of Dunlaps Philadelphia paper containing in­ telligence, useful essays and public notifications on the part of government, publishing a separate lief for private advertisements, and it being represented that it must frequently happen that there will not be a sufficiency of I n ­ telligence useful essays and public ad­ vertisements to fill a sheet, do consent that the vacant space in the principal sheet may be filled up with private ad­ vertisements until the board may other­ wise order" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., I I , 3301; see also T J to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 31 Aug. 1780; James Hayes to T J , 18 and 23 Jan.; Jones to T J , 6 Feb.; Virginia Delegates to T J , 20 Feb. 1781).

[158]

From Lafayette SIR

Williams Burg March the 16h 1781

Y o u r Excellency's favors of the 10h, 12h, and 14h insnt. Having Come Yesterday to Hand, I B e g Leave Most Respectfully to offer M y thanks for that part of their Contents which is Personal. T h e Exertions of A n Unbounded zeal, and A Conduct wholly Actuated B y Affection and Respect, w i l l , I Hope, justify in some Measure that Opinion which Y o u r Excellency and the other Citizens of this State Have Been pleased to Entertain. F r o m A n E a r l y period, S i r , I H a d the Honor of Being Admitted into the American Union, when without Means, without foreign A i d , B u t with a determination E i t h e r to Conquer or die, our Noble Contest was Carried through to M a n y dangers and difficulties. L o n g Since Have I Been Used to those inconveniences that are So far Compensated B y the Numberless Blessings of A Popular Governement. Whenever personal labours, or More difficult ways M a y Conduct to the Same purposes of public Good, duty as a Servant of the public and Affection as a Lover of America shall ever prompt me to Adopt E v e r y Measure that Y o u M a y think More suitable to the temper of the people, or the State of our Circumstances. T h e interest Being Common to A l l engaged in this Cause, and the in­ terest of V i r g i n i a Being particularly Concerned in this Expedition, I do not More Question the Good intentions of the State than I do M y own on this Occasion. T o the Exertions that Have Been A l ­ ready Made, I know that New ones w i l l B e added to insure the Suc­ cess of the Operation, and the Respect I Have for the C i v i l Authority in this State Being United to Sentiments of the Most Perfect Con­ fidence I Shall Comply with Y o u r Excellency's desire in L a y i n g Before you the State of our W a n t s , and the Requisite Means for the Progress of our Expedition. I B e g Your Excellency w i l l Receive M y T h a n k s for the Good Maps that Have Been forwarded. T h e y perfectly Answer the Pur­ pose, and M y farther knowledge of the Country Must Come from personal observation. Baron de Stubens H a v i n g told me that G n l . Muhlenberg was ordered to advance H i s position towards Ports­ mouth, I intend to join the troops Under H i s orders, and shall to morrow Set out for H i s Quarters where I M a y Reconnoitre the works of the Ennemy. No disposition Can B e made with A sufficient degree of Certainty, Unless the Commanding officer Has formed His judgement Upon H i s own Observations. I Have Read the two Copies which Y o u r Excellency Has Been [159]

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pleased to Enclose in a Letter of the 10h and A m V e r y Sorry to see that there is such A Cause of disatisfaction. Harmony Being Necessary to the public wellfare, I thought it was Better for me Not to Make A n y Mention of this Affair, B u t A m no less obliged to the Confidence which Has Been put in M e , and w h i c h I am w a r m l y desirous to deserve. The détachement I Brought from W e s t Point is still at Annapolis and Cannot Come unless a Superior N a v a l force is sent for its Pro­ tection. T h e desire of obtaining it, that of taking a local knowledge of our Circumstances, and the intention to improve E v e r y Means that M a y set to Advantage the American Side of the Alliance are the Reasons which Have obliged M e to precede the Continental Troops. T o M y Great disappointement we Have not yet seen the french fleet, B u t they Must B e Hourly Expected. I owe them the justice to Say that from the Begining they Have Expressed A n Ardent and Particular Zeal to B e Serviceable to this P a r t of the Continent. G n l . Stubens H a v i n g Entered into a train of Correspondance w i t h the troops, and M y short stay in this place H a v i n g Not Y e t permitted me to B e thoroughly Apprised of the details of our prepa­ rations, I Must Get Acquainted w i t h the local situation and the Minuted Account of our Affairs Before I Can E i t h e r take the Com­ mand of the troops, or make More particular Applications for our wants. B u t I Hope that to Morrow Before I Leave this place I M a y Be able to write A More Minuted letter to Y o u r Excellency. W i t h the Highest Respect I Have the Honor to B e Y o u r E x c e l ­ lency's Most obedient Humble Servant, LAFAYETTE RC

(Vi).

T H E T W O C O P I E S : See note to T J to Lafayette, 10 Mch.

To Richard Henry Lee SIR

[16 March 1781]

I must beg the favor of you to procure for me the advice of as­ sembly on the inclosed matter on the first meeting this morning. W i l l you be so good also as to intimate to the Speaker of the Senate that immediate dispatch is requisite on any resolution w h i c h the delegates may think proper to send them. I am w i t h much esteem S i r Y o u r obt Sevt., T H J E F F E R S O N P S . T h i s being intended for a private letter I w i l l mention to you [160]

1 6 M A R C H

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that the information of the arrival of the Marquis was premature. 30 of his Men arrived at Y o r k who parted with h i m off Patuxent. T r ( V i H i ) ; at foot of text: "True Copy from the original Chas H McBlair." R C sold at American Art Association, 30 Nov. 1927 (Henry Goldsmith Sale), lot 26. Enclosure: T J to Speaker, same day, following. T J obviously wrote this letter after he had received Richard Claiborne's letter of 14 Mch., q.v. There is no indication in the proceedings of the House

of Delegates that a letter was received from T J on 15 Mch. T h i s letter must, therefore, have been written as a personal letter to Lee to accompany his public letter of 16 Mch., q.v. T J ' s letter to Muhlenberg, which is clearly dated 16 Mch., also indicates that T J did not yet know that Lafayette had, after all, arrived on 14 Mch.

T o the Speaker of the House of Delegates SIR

I n Council March 16th 1781

T h e Marquis Fayette desired me among the articles most essential for an enterprize at the Head of which he is, to procure 130 Draught Horses for Artillery and 50 Saddle Horses for Officers to act on. I gave Power and Instructions to have them procured by Purchase i f possible and i f not by Impress. One of the Quartermasters employed in this Business informs me that he has purchased some and impressed others on valuations by men on oath and deemed honest which are rated as high as £ 3 0 , 0 0 0 , and most of them very much above what is reasonable. These Circumstances are very embarrassing. T o retain the Horses at such enormous prices threatens R u i n on one Hand, on the other to discharge them endangers an Enterprize which i f successful would relieve us from an E n e m y whose Presence is attended w i t h continued Expence, Fatigue and Danger. Under this perplexity I am happy to have it in my power to ask the advice of the General Assembly. T h e Quarter master was under orders from his commanding officer to set out this morning with what Horses he had, but I have detained him till the sense of the General Assembly may be had on the Subject. I have the Honor to be &c T.J. F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "To the Speaker of the House of Delegates." T J ' s letter was laid before the House on 16 Mch. and the following résolutions were adopted at once: "Whereas the excessive valuation which hath been made by Appraisers, of the Horses purchased or impressed, by Order of the Executive, for the Expedition now carrying on, under the Command of Marquis LaFayette, will involve the State in an immense and heavy debt;

And such valuations appear to have been wantonly made: Resolved that the Governor be empowered with advice of Council to appoint two or more persons of discretion and integrity to affix the true value on all such Horses, and where the Horses are unfit for the service that they be forthwith returned to their respective Owners, That the General Assembly will during the present Session make provision for the payment of all Horses so purchased or impressed.

[161]

16

M A R C H

. . . Resolved that his Excellency the Governor, be requested immediately to cause a strict enquiry to be made, into the conduct of the several persons, who have been empowered to purchase or impress Horses, for the use of this State and that he cause the result of such enquiry to be laid before the Gen­ eral Assembly at their next meeting" ( J H D , Mch. 1781, V a . State Libr., B u l l , 1928, p. 32-3, 3 4 ) . A second resolution was introduced but defeated; it reads as follows: "Resolved that this State cannot impress Horses for the use of Officers at large: Since such are not allowed by Congress and if they were they ought to be furnished by the Con­ tinent" (same). See T J to Claiborne and Smith, 24 Mch. These resolutions on the impressment of horses, a subject that aroused intense animosities in Virginia in the spring of 1781, and the defeat by a narrow vote of 40 to 33 of a move to bring in a bill "to amend the Act for the removal of the Seat of Government," another sub­

1781

ject that still agitated the representa­ tives, may have been responsible for the following resolution that was brought up on the same day, 16 Mch.: "Whereas the relation between the representative body and the people renders it essential that the latter should be enabled to get the most authentic information in [on] the manner in which their Delegates vote upon important questions in the Legislature; without which knowledge the people can have small ground for supporting a virtuous conduct by their countenance or for removing from high trust such as may desire [deserve] it by a vicious, weak, or wicked conduct, Re­ solved that hence forward . . . the yea's and nay's and the name of every person as he answers either in the negative or affirmative, shall be called and entered upon the Journal whenever a motion for that purpose shall be made and seconded." This important motion, how­ ever, was defeated ( J H D , Mch. 1781, Va. State Libr., B u l l , 1928, p. 33-4).

From Charles Magill SIR

Camp at the Iron Works Gilford County March 16th 1781

On the 15 L o r d Cornwallis anticipated the design of General Greene (whose intentions were to Attack the B r i t i s h A r m y , the same d a y ) by advancing his main Body to Gilford Court House, where the A r m y had taken post the day before. On the advance Colo. Lee charged Tarltons Legion who were some distance in front of the E n e m y s main Body, cut thro them and put them to the Rout with very considerable loss. T h e B r i t i s h then moved on with the utmost rapidity, and whilst displaying their Column kept up a heavy Cannonade with four Field Pieces upon two posted in the Road under the command of Capt. Singleton who returned it w i t h considerable damage. Immediately on the display of their Column an Attack was made on our Front L i n e composed entirely by Militia, who returned their F i r e , and the greater number from V i r g i n i a behaved in such a manner as would do honor to Veterans, but were at last compell'd to give w a y by Superior numbers. T h e V i r g i n i a and Maryland Brigades that composed the Second L i n e immediately Engaged and after some time the left of the Maryland Troops gave w a y . T h i s and other concurrences gave the E n e m y posession of the ground and four Field Pieces all that were in the Action. Never was ground 1

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contested for with greater Obstinacy, and never were Troops drawn off in better order. Such another dear bought day must effectually ruin the B r i t i s h A r m y . F r o m the nicest calculation Seven hundred of the E n e m y were killd and Wounded. T h e i r best Troops the Guards and 33d. Regiment suffer'd most. T h e loss on our side is inconsiderable when put in comparison, and the Troops now breathe nothing but a desire for a second Action. M y D u t y as A i d De Camp to Geni. Huger, who commanded the V i r g a . Brigade, prevents m y being so very particular as I would wish, the whole of my attention being confined to that L i n e . T h e V i r g i n i a Regulars w i t h a suf­ ficient number of Officers would have done honor to themselves, that deficiency frequently created confusion. A n account is circulating in Camp pretty well Authenticated that General M a r i a n has repuls'd L o r d Raddon [Rawdon] who attackd h i m some place near the River Santee, w i t h a very con­ siderable loss, fu[rther] that Geni. Sumpter has taken a post upon the same River w[here a] Mag[az]ine of Stores were laid up. I have the honor to be Y r . Excellencys Most Obedt. Humble CHAS MAGILL

Servt, R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. All of Magill's letter save the final paragraph and the complimentary close was published in V a . G a z . ( D & N ) , 31 Mch. under the caption: "Extract of a letter from an officer at camp, dated at

the Iron-Works, Guilford county, March 16." The extract in V a . G a z . reads "cir­ cumstances." 1

To J . P. G . Muhlenberg SIR

In Council March 16th 1781

W e have thought it better to change our L i n e of Expresses from hence to your Head Quarters and make it cross the river at Hoods. M r . Kempe comes down with sundry articles procured at the re­ quest of the Marquis and to procure others which could not be got here. These you w i l l be so kind as to have taken Care of to be de­ livered to the particular Order of the Marquis when he shall arrive. I before wrote to ask the favor of you to take measures for the Sub­ sistence and safe Custody of the Horses procured for the Marquis by M r . Smith or his agents. T h e Militia who were first called into Service and still remain are as I am informed impatient to be relieved. T h e y should certainly have been relieved before this, but it cannot be unknown to them that an Enterprize is meditated which may put an end in some [163]

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measure to the necessity of calling them from their Homes in future. I think that a successful attempt on the present A r m y in Ports­ mouth w i l l prevent our enemies from ever trusting another in Chesapeake. T o change the whole militia at such a Crisis would be the most dangerous operation that could be attempted. I w i l l beg you to assure them that the moment this Enterprize is over, and I hope not very many D a y s w i l l be requisite, a Relief shall be ready to take their places i f a relief shall be necessary. I shall be glad to hear from you frequently & am with much esteem S i r Y o u r , & c , T.J. FC (Vi).

To John Banister DR SIR

I n Council March 17th. 1781

M r . Dodson receives his balance of £ 4 4 1 3 . 4 . 1 1 . He also re­ ceives for you £ 6 0 6 0 , but this the board has directed to be [on] account. I t was agreed with General L a w s o n that i f his Troopers could furnish Leather, the State Artificers should assist in making Caps, but it never was agreed or intended that the State should pur­ chase Caps for them, and had the demand been made f [ o r ] them in the first Instance it would have been rejected. However as you have advanced the money on the best of motives out of your own pocket they agree to the paiment supposing the Caps either have been delivered to some proper Officer of the State or that they can be recovered. A s the advance you made was without their order and was such a one as they could not have made; they are in Hopes you w i l l take measures for tracing the Caps wherever they be so that they may be recovered, and this money may not be a clear Loss to the State. I am, & c , T.J. FC (Vi). On the same day T J wrote to the auditors instructing them to issue warrants in the amounts mentioned in this letter; the first "to settle with Colonel Banister for money advanced by him to Daniel Dodson for sundry Services";

and the second "for so much advanced to John Stewart and F k . Bonner for sundry services" ( R C in Contingent Fund Vouchers, V i , in a clerk's hand, signed by T J ; V a . C o u n c i l Jour., n, 311).

From Thomas Gaskins SIR

Northumbld. march 17. 1781.

Joseph Hurst, an old offender, was taken up L a s t night by Capn. M c A d a m who Commands a Troop of Cavalry in this County, [ 164}

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who Received a Letter from John Gordon E s q r . telling h i m to have him Secured and sent down to you. I also Receiv'd a Letter, and warrant, from you some time past to have the Said Jos. Hurst taken and sent under a safe G u a r d to you; but then it was out of m y power to Comply with it in the time mentioned; but I should have been glad to have had something from under your hand at present; but as he seems to bid defiance against all men who are friends to the American cause, and its not worth while to have h i m tried in our County, as the people are so much poisoned by h i m and others of the same stamp, and there many ought to sheare the same fate, I hope he may be safely keep and not sent to the E n e m y , as he may insist on it by haveing a parole from them, which he has taken the opportunity of Boarding every Vessell he could, and, it [ i s ] thought, giving a l l the intelligence he could to the enemy. I f he should be permited to return home he may be worse than i f noth­ ing had been done, for our L i v e i n g depends i n a great measure on his been Secured, not so much as to my Self, as to the trade; but i f he comes back he w i l l boast more than ever and take up more of the people than before, for we are much divided and i f we could get shut of a few more it would be much the better for our place. I f he should be permited to return, hope he may be confind to a place of safety or secured at his own home, and not be permited to board any Vessell. I am S i r y r . most Obedient & V e r y H u m b l Servt., THOS. R C ( V i ) ; addressed in part: " $ Capt. John Mcadams"; endorsed. There is also on the address leaf a rough map of what appears to be a village or small settlement, with a network of roads leading off in one direction. There is no indication of what this represents. T h e names "Jacques L e Maire" and "George Woodson" are also written on the ad­ dress leaf.

GASKINS

Westmoreland, Northumberland, and Lancaster, and also that the guard who brought the said Hurst to this place be required to attend . . . to give evidence to the board, touching the conduct of the said Hurst." At the hearing evidence was produced to show that Hurst's "character is universally that of a per­ son disaffected to the United States"; that he was a source of disaffection in The LETTER AND WARRANT from the county; that he had kept up com­ T J to Gaskins authorizing him to ar­ munication with the enemy; and that rest J O S E P H H U R S T have not been found, he had acted as pilot for British ships "in their Depredations." On the basis but on the general state of disaffection of these findings the Council sentenced in Northumberland, of which Gaskins Hurst to "be continued in close jail, was county lieutenant, see Gaskins to T J , 23 Feb. and note there. On 20 Mch. until two responsible and well affected persons shall become sureties for his Hurst was committed to jail in Rich­ faithful conduct towards this State; and mond and at the same time the Council restraining himself within such bounds directed that he "be heard in his de­ as shall be prescribed by the Executive" fense tomorrow 10 oClock And that the ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., I I , 312, 3 1 4 ) . favor be asked of the Delegates from

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To Samuel Griffin, James Southall, and Robert Anderson GENTLEMEN

I n Council March 17th. 1781

A number of Horses having been impressed for the use of the army collecting before Portsmouth and having been valued in the ordinary w a y to such prices as no State could pay nor should any man w i s h to receive, the General Assembly have come to the reso­ lution now inclosed. T h e Executive for the Purpose of carrying it into Execution beg the favor of you or any two of you to undertake the valuation of the Horses collected at W i l l i a m s b u r g and a parcel under Colo. Elliott which w i l l be at B u r well's ferry tomorrow evening impressed under the Powers recited in the resolution and any others of the same description w h i c h may be in the neighbour­ hood of W i l l i a m s b u r g now or hereafter. I t w i l l be necessary that Major Claiborne the Quarter Master [be furnished?] w i t h a distinct Certificate of your valuation for every Owner so far as shall relate to his own Horses, and that you be so good as to return to me a L i s t of the Certificates stating every owners name, the number of his Horses and S u m due. T h a t you may go on sure Ground we think it adviseable that the valuation should be in Tobacco dischargeable in Paper money at the rate fixed by the G r a n d J u r y next preceding paiment. I am, & c , T . J . F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "Colo Griffin, Colo Southall & M r Anderson." E n closure: Resolution of Assembly of 16 Mch. 1781 (see T J to Speaker, 16 Mch., and note there). The first names of the addresses of this letter have been established from the following entry in the proceedings of the Council for 17 Mch.: "The

Board, on consideration of a Resolution of Assembly of the 16th instant, advise that Colonel Samuel Griffin Colo. James Southall and Mr. Robert Anderson of the City of Williamsburg, be appointed to affix the true value on all horses purchased or impressed by order of the Executive for the expedition carrying on under the Command of the Marquis Fayette" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., n, 310).

From Lafayette SIR

Williams Burg March the 17th 1781

F r o m a Conversation w i t h the Quarter Master of this State, I find that there w i l l B e A Great deficiency of Horses, and that None of those which Have Been Procured Can Serve for the purposes of our Artillery. Under these Circumstances, and in the full Convic­ tion that a transportation of Heavy Artillery and Stores W a s Neces­ sary to the Expedition, I thought that Oxen M i g h t in Some Cases [166]

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Render the Same Services, and the Quarter Master was of opinion that the impressing of them Could B e more E a s i l y done. I Have therefore given to H i m a Return of Saddle Horses, field artillery Horses, and Horse Waggons that Cannot Absolutely B e dispensed with, and instead of the large Number of draft Horses that w ere Necessary Both for our Heavy Ordnance and that of the french, I Have Requested H i m to impress 200 oxen. I A m V e r y U n H a p p y , S i r , to think that M y A r r i v a l in this State is accompagnied with a Necessity to distress its inHabitants. B u t Your Excellency w i l l judge that A Siege operation Cannot B e Car­ ried without Great Expences and Great Means of transportation. I t is with the Greatest Reluctance that I Sign any impressing war­ rant, B u t I Hope M y delicacy in this Matter w i l l B e such as to Render me worthy of the approbation of the State. Inclosed Your Excellency w i l l find Copies of letters Relating to an affair which I am very little Acquainted with. I B e g leave to ask your Excellency's opinion upon the Conduct I am to Hold in this instance, and should B e glad to Have a Complete Set of the M i l i t i a or other laws of this State that I may not interfere with the Rights of or through ignorance B e deficient in Respect to the C i v i l Authorr

W i t h the Highest Respect I Have the Honor to B e Y o u r E x c e l ­ lency's Most obd H u m Servt., LAFAYETTE E S . I Request Y o u r Excellency to Return me the letter and Copy. R C ( V i ) ; endorsed. The enclosures (missing) have not been precisely identified, but they were doubtless letters concerning the case of Turberville and Hare (see T J ' s reply of 19 Mch. and also Appendix I , Vol. 5: "The Affair of Westover."

T o the Speaker of the House of Delegates SIR

I n Council Mar. 17. 1781.

T h e inclosed act of Congress w i l l inform you of the final ratifica­ tion of the Confederation of the thirteen United states of America. I beg leave to congratulate the General assembly on this very im­ portant event, by which a firm bond of Union is drawn on these states, our friends enabled to repose confidence in our engagements, and our enemies deprived of their only remaining hope. I have the honor to be w i t h sentiments of the highest respect & esteem S i r Your most obedt. & most humble servt., TH:

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JEFFERSON

1 7 M A R C H R C ( N N P ) i addressed: "The honble Richard Henry Lee Speaker of the House of Delegates"; endorsed: "Gov­ ernors Letter March 17th: 1781. en­ closing Act of Congress ratifying the Confederation to lie on the table." F C ( V i ) . Enclosure ( V i ) : Extract of min­ utes of Congress, 1 Mch. 1781, printed as an enclosure to Samuel Huntington to T J , 2 Mch. 1781, q.v. On Friday, 16 Mch., the House of Delegates had proceeded to consider the choice of a delegate to Congress to take the place of James Henry who had re­ signed, but had resolved that the selec­ tion be "put off 'till Monday sevennight." When, however, the House received T J ' s communication with its important

17 8 1

enclosure, the following resolution was immediately adopted on Saturday, 17 Mch.: "Whereas the ratification of the confederation of the thirteen United States of America, being notified to this House since the Order of Yesterday for postponing their choice of a Delegate to Congress renders it essential to the interests of this State that its repre­ sentation in Congress shall be complete. Resolved that this House will on Mon­ day next proceed by Joint Ballot with the Senate to the choice of a Delegate"; in consequence of this resolution, Ben­ jamin Harrison was elected on 19 Mch. ( J HD, Mch. 1781, V a . State L i b r . , B u l l . , 1928, p. 33, 35, 3 9 ) .

T o the Speaker of the House of Delegates SIR

I n Council March 17th. 1781

I take the liberty of inclosing to the General Assembly the within Proposition from M r . Ross the Commercial Agent for the State as the Legislature alone can carry it into Effect, should it meet with approbation. I have the Honor to be w i t h very great respect S i r Your, & c , T.J. F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "To the Speaker of the House of Delegates." Enclosure: David Ross to T J , same date, q.v. T J ' s letter and enclosure were read on 17 Mch. and referred to a committee of the whole House; on 21 Mch. a bill was brought in and passed "for giving

certain powers to the Commercial Agent." However, the House and the Senate disagreed on amendments made by the Senate and further consideration of the bill was postponed to the next session of Assembly ( J H D , Mch. 1781, V a . State Libr., B u l l . , 1928, p. 36, 45, 48, 5 1 ) .

From Thomas Sim Lee SIR

I n Council. Annapolis 17th. March 1781

W e beg Leave to refer your Excellency to our Letter of Yester­ day, giving a short Account of the Transports and Troops from the Head of E l k , being safe in this Harbour. W e shall adopt such Measures to guard and subsist the Conven­ tion Troops and B r i t i s h Prisoners captured in the Action of the Cowpens, on their M a r c h through this State, as may be necessary and consonant to a Resolution of Congress of the 3d. Instant, and such as the Means in our Power may afford. W e have wrote to the President of Pennsylvania fully on the Subject of the M a r c h of these Troops. [168]

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Matters remain in the same State as Yesterday, respecting the British Ships and the Forces here. W e are extremely Anxious to hear from the Marquis and the Situation of the Southern Army. W e have the Honor to be with great Consideration Your Excel­ lency's Mo. obed. & mo. Hble Servt., T H O . S. L E E R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. F C ( M d A A ) . OUR L E T T E R OF YESTER­ D A Y : Probably an erroneous reference to Lee's letter of 15 Mch., q.v.

From George Muter [Richmond, 1 7 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Minute in War Office Journal ( V i ) under this date: "A letter to the Governor, inclosing my memorandum to O. Clarke, a Bricklayer, with his answer; and informing that I can go no farther with him till I know the extent of the works intended. Clarke is to call again on Monday or Tuesday next. Informing that another man has broke out with the smallpox, which renders it sus­ picious that others may be infested and consequently (perhaps) the providing a fitter place to send the disordered to, than the one now used, necessary. And requesting to be informed in what manner and when he would wish the State officers to be informed that they are supernumeries." Muter's letter and the enclosed exchange of letters with Clarke have not been located.]

To George Muter In Council, March 17, 1781 Col. Senf alone can say the extent of the works at the Fork and Westham. I f it be possible to provide a better Hospital for the smallpox, it will be approved. I think the state Officers should be immediately informed of their discontinuance and orders issue to those who remain, to receive the Command. T H JEFFERSON T r in W a r Office Journal ( V i ) .

From David Ross SIR

Richmond March 17th. 1781

As there are no Vessels at present belonging to the Public ready for Sea and fit for carrying on their Trade, and the present great Consumption of Military Stores requires that every Effort should be made to make speedy Importations, I take the Liberty to recom­ mend to you as very necessary at this Time, that the Merchant [169]

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Vessels belonging to Citizens of the State and others be obliged to take on Board a certain Proportion of their Loading upon Account of the Public at the customary Freights, and should the vessels return to V i r g i n i a that the Agent for the Public abroad have Liberty to ship a like Proportion of the Return Cargo. I would be sorry to require any thing that would burthen or discourage the T r a d e , but I conceive it would be no Injury to the private T r a d e r to take one eighth or one tenth of his Cargo for the States Agent upon Freight, more especially as the Agent would have it in his power to dispense w i t h it under some Circumstances, where it would be particularly injurious. Should a Regulation of this kind take Place, several Advantages may be expected from it. T h e Public w i l l be accomodated w i t h Freight, the Risque of their Shipments greatly lessened by being thus divided and th[ey] w i l l have the Chance of private T r a d e r s in Imports and Exports, but what is most essential, it w i l l enable the State to make some Importations much sooner than they other­ wise could. I do not w i s h that it should be put in the Power of the Agent to interfere so far as to controul the Voyage or retard the Dispatch of Merchant Vessels. I t may be necessary to exempt the Ships of France but not those of other Countries. T h e Subjects of Holland and America are often Owners of the same Vessels. T h e Naval Officers with very little additional Trouble can enforce such a Regulation. T h e Passports mentioned Yesterday are wanted as soon as they can be got ready. T h e r e is often considerable Delay in getting the Stores that are Purchased forwarded to this Place. I have thought it the D u t y of the Quarter Masters to provide Waggons for this Purpose, but as I am as yet a Stranger to the several Arraingments, I shall be glad to know i f this is proper. T h e Article of Leather seems to be much wanted and as it ap­ peared Yesterday to be the Sentiments of the Board that the T a n W o r k s come within the T r a d i n g Department it would appear that my Interference must descend to the Persons who receive the Hides from the A r m y . I shall be glad to be informed of this Arrangement as 'tis necessary to take a full view of the whole as well to give proper Directions about T a n n i n g as to be able to judge what Stock of Leather may be depended upon. I must take the Liberty to observe that altho' I received an Order for the T h e t i s yesterday, I considered her under the Care of Capt. M a x w e l l and his Agents until I can employ a proper Person and 1

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Hands to superintended the fitting her out. I am S i r w i t h great Regard Your most H u m b l Servt., D A V I D Ross R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. T r ( V i ) ; it was this T r (which ends at the point indicated below) that T J transmitted to the House (see second letter Speaker of this date). The PASSPORTS referred to are the thirty blank passports that the Coun­ cil authorized T J to furnish to the "Commissioner of trade . . . to be trans­ mitted to his Agent in the Bermuda islands, for such vessels as shall come thence for this State loaded with Salt . . . which passports shall be lodged here on their arrival, and others fur­ nished for their protection while here and on their return; that he be author­ ized to contract for the delivery of salted Pork in part paiment for the said Salt, not exceeding 15 barrels to the

1000 bushels of Salt; but that it be recommended to him not to engage any if it can be avoided"; at the same time the agent was authorized to export 3,000 barrels of flour "to the French islands, on public Account . . . not­ withstanding the embargo; & to have returns made in Taffia principally; with so much Molasses, sugar, & Coffee as may be necessary for the use of the Hospital." At the same time the Coun­ cil authorized the T H E T I S to be trans­ ferred to "the trading department" and be "immediately brought up James riv­ er & compleated" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., I I , 310-11). The T r noted above ends at this point. 1

To David Ross SIR

In Council March 17th 1781

I have laid before the General Assembly your proposition for giving the State a privilege of exporting and importing in all private vessels to a certain Extent. T h e Quartermaster for the State is bound to convey any Stores you may provide to any place you direct. I inclose you an order on the State Commissary for all Hides which now are or may hereafter be in his Possession. A s to those in possession of the Continental Commissary, I have no Doubt he w i l l deliver them to you chearfully on your crediting the Continent for their value. Should he have any hesitations we w i l l recommend it to him. T.J. FC (Vi).

From Edward Travis SIR

State Yard 17th March 1781

The distressd situation of Officers and seamen obliges me as one of their Comanders to call on your Excellency for Redress. I can asure you S i r it is w i t h greatest unesiness I undertake the disagree­ able task of writeing to you on [a] Subject so distressing to every friend to his Country, and particularly to your Excellency under whome we fight and whome we look up to for Justice. T h i s is the

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first time I ever presumed troubling you w i t h a complaint, being determined to submit to all inconveniences with respect to myself rather than be thought troublesome. Therefore I hope S i r you w i l l consider me W r i t i n g in behalf of the Honest seamen whose Melan­ choly situation w i l l sufficiently plead m y excuse. I have the Honour to Comand the Jefferson at present, and under me there are several Young Officers of known Honour and courage. These injured Gentlemen have not clothes Sufficient of any kind to defend them from the enclemency of the weather—and to m y knowledge frequently shun company not being able to appear as an officer. T h e inconveniences, great as they were, they bore without murmuring, flattering themselves that one time or other the state would make them Compensation. B u t to their Mortification, they heard of the partiality of the last Assembly, Advancing four months pay w i t h the depreciation to the land officers while at the same time those in the N a v y their pay w as doct one fifth, and this S i r is the greatest injury ever offer'd the Navy and in m y oppinion ought to be resented w i t h the resignation of the whole line, and I make no doubt would have been the case had not the Noble spirit of serv­ ing their Country got the better of their resentment. T

T o paint the situation of the men now in service I must refer you to the slaves whose inhumane Masters obliges them to w o r k i n frost and Snow without a Shoe shirt or any Covering but rags. A n d add to this their pay has been withheld from them several Months. M r . Fields, a Lieutenant in the Service, Confidently Affirms that the Treasurer inform'd h i m that the paymaster received from h i m a large sum of Money, which he says he lay'd out in clothes for the Seamen. I should esteem it as a Singular feavour i f you would give orders for the Matter to be inquired into and have the Money or clothes sent down as soon as possible. I am w i t h the greatest respect your Excellencies obt. & very H I . EDWD.

Servt.,

TRAVIS

R S . I would esteem it as a favour i f your Excellency would take the trouble to lay before the Legislative the Above pointed partial­ ity. R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. T h e General Assembly adjourned on 22 Mch. and, as T J received Travis' letter "the moment of the rising of Assembly," he was not able to lay the complaint before that body (see T J to Travis, 23 M c h . ) .

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From John Walker DEAR SIR

Williamsburg, March 17th.

T h e French Fleet is not yet arrived, but the whole of it is ex­ pected w i t h 1800 land forces. T h e y w i l l not leave to us alone, the honor of taking Arnold. I have enquired of the M a r s h a l of the Admiralty, and he tells me, that the vessel on board of which Hare came, is not libeled. I mention this, that you may know what meas­ ures to take. T h e vessels at Hood's are ordered back to T u r k e y Island, in consequence of what you said to me on that subject. T h e Baron is in perfect good Humor, and extremely sorry for his late conduct in respect to you, and says he w i l l write you an apology, which I hope w i l l be satisfactory. W i t h respectful compts. to M r s . Jefferson, I am, m y dear S i r , your most obt Servant. M S not located. Text printed from C V S P , I , 576. H I S L A T E C O N D U C T : See Steuben to T J , 9 Mch. and Walker to T J , 9 Mch. So far as is known, Steuben did not write an apologry to T J .

From William Davies SIR

Chesterfield. Mar. 18. 1781.

I had the honor of addressing your Excellency in two letters last week upon the subject of some supplies in the cloathing depart­ ment. I have not yet been favored w i t h your answer, altho' Captain Peyton informs me you have been kind enough to give the neces­ sary orders for the money, and that one sett of shoemakers' tools are procured. I would w i s h to be informed of your Excellency's intentions about the deerskins. I have detained a very honest man and good workman to attend to that business, but i f they are sent some where else, I shall send h i m on w i t h the next detachment that marches, as he is a Serjeant of much merit. I would w i s h to be in­ formed as soon as it is convenient, that he may prepare himself either for one thing or the other. F r o m the open toleration, I might justly say, protection which is afforded to deserters, and from the ruinous fondness the Assem­ bly have always shewn for short enlistments, enlisting and desert­ ing have become the professed employment of numbers of men in this state. I have received nine recruits under the late law, two of them deserted before dark, and three others were preparing, but I was beforehand w i t h them as I suspected it; they w i l l soon, how[173]

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ever, forget their punishment and take themselves off, I have no doubt. I f every draft in future raises one third soldiers and two thirds deserters, the latter w i l l soon become too formidable to be meddled with. T h i s was the case with the last draft and I fear w i l l be the case w i t h the present; and i f some method is not speedily adopted, w i l l soon be past all remedy. T h e misconduct of masters of vessels, the frauds practised by the divisions as well as the want of pay and cloathing, all tend to produce this evil. I would therefore submit it, whether it would not be attended with a good effect for grand juries to be sworn to present all persons harboring deserters as w e l l as to inform against all deserters themselves; would it not be advantageous i f the militia officers were sworn at every court martial to give similar information, that measures might be speed­ ily adopted for apprehending the culprits? A n d as for the frauds practised by the persons employed by the divisions to recruit for them, there w i l l never be an end to them, unless some more sum­ mary mode of legal process against the offenders is established. T w o or three likely recruits were brought to me last week, but I refused them, as they had not received a third of their bounty, but had come with an expectation I would let them go back to get the remainder, or had trusted to a deceitful promise of having their money sent to them. I f , however, they shall not have obtained their bounty by the time their county's quota is completed, and they are delivered to me by the county lieutenant or his order, I shall then hold myself obliged to receive them, altho' I know from experience, many of them w i l l on that account desert; and the consequence w i l l be, that the division for whom they were enlisted and by whom they were defrauded, w i l l feel a kind of interest in countenancing the desertion, as it w i l l be a security against any demand in future for the remainder of the bounty (and probably the greater part of it too) which they had engaged to pay them. Indeed, I know not of any method so likely to remedy this evil, as to make each divi­ sion answerable for one or two years that their recruit should not desert; i f he did, they should then be called upon for another man to supply the place, which might be done without much difficulty as there would be few or none to bid against them. Since w r i t i n g the above, one Littleton Adams from Southampton has been de­ livered to me by order of the Lieutenant of that county. H e con­ firms the Observations I have expressed before. T h i s man was en­ listed by a division in his county; they paid h i m part of the money, but he refused to come till he had the whole, of course he became a deserter; the division refused to pay it, till he should have given [174]

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himself up to me; thus it became their interest to countenance his absence; and had not the county been under the command of a dili­ gent Lieutenant, the public would have lost the service of a very likely soldier, two divisions; for the county of B r u n s w i c , without the least justice in the world that I could discover, had apprehended this same man for desertion under some former engagement and had exempted one of their divisions by h i m , altho' they must have known he had enlisted in Southampton, before they took h i m up. Unless the divisions, therefore, are held accountable for some limited period for the conduct of their substitute in this particular, there w i l l be difficulty in checking the abuse. I t would be wrong, however, to make a division answerable more than one or two years as its circumstances might be so changed, as to make it the height of oppression for them to replace their man; and I think it would be equally wrong to require it of them for any other deficiency than what should be the result of a voluntary act of criminality by their substitute; I would confine it to desertion only. I enclosed to your Excellency some time ago a letter from the county lieutenant of Hanover; I have not yet been favored w i t h your directions respecting the receipt of such men in part of the quota of that county, as he proposes. I n two or three days I propose to send forwards to General Greene a considerable supply of cloathing made chiefly at this post. W e endeavor to make the suits as compleat as possible; and I could sincerely w i s h that all issues in future might be compleat, and nothing delivered by piece meal. T h e plan for the cloathier's de­ partment which your Excellency was pleased to submit to m y in­ spection I found yesterday and have inclosed it. I f the Executive have adopted any plan, I should think it would be proper to direct the Cloathier to act accordingly to it, in the issues which are now to be made in the southern army to the V i r g i n i a troops. Capt. Peyton w i l l go himself, and w i l l set out this week. I beg pardon for detaining your Excellency so long. I must, how­ ever, add one observation upon the desertion law. B y that l a w , deserters, who should surrender themselves in two months, should be pardoned but should serve two years more than they were en­ gaged for; if, however, they do not surrender themselves and are taken after the expiration of the w a r , they are then liable to serve five years; but there is not a syllable said about the penalty, should they be taken before the expiration of the w a r . Perhaps the l a w should be made more full. T h e courts martial here have judged by [175}

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implication, and sentenced the delinquents to serve five years, tho' taken d u r i n g the w a r . I have the honor to be, w i t h the greatest respect, your E x c e l ­ lency's most obedt. hble Servt., W I L L I A M DAVIES R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. Enclosure (missing): Plan for the cloth­ ier's department; see T J to John Peyton, 21 Mch. A few days before writing this let­ ter Davies had expressed to Steuben some of the same ideas here presented to T J concerning the evils of desertion: "The toleration and even protection," he wrote Steuben, "that desertion meets with thro' the state appears to me to be a most dangerous and alarming mis­ chief"; he proposed to draw up an al­ phabetical list of deserters, have it printed, "and put three or four copies in the hands of each Assembly man, to be published and advertised at the Courthouses, Churches, and other places of resort." Steuben was immediately and favorably impressed by Davies' pro­ posal and wrote him as follows: "With respect to the Desertion of the Men I must beg you my D r Col. to take every means in your power not only to stop it but to recover those who are already gone. Draw up a Memorial on this Sub­

ject to be laid before the Assembly that some laws may be made to remedy this evil. I will myself write to the Gover­ nor on the Subject." On 20 Mch. Davies wrote to Steuben substantially as in the present letter, and concluded: "As I have no weight with the legislature I could not think a Memorial from me on the subject of desertion would be either well received or attended to" (Davies to Steuben, 10 and 20 Mch.; Steuben to Davies, 12 Mch., all in N H i ) . And at Williamsburg on 26 Mch. General Weedon published in his orders of the day, along with an account of the battle of Guilford Court House and of the naval engagement between the fleets of Destouches and Arbuthnot, the names of those who had deserted, in order to "discriminate the wicked from the virtuous, that the latter may not bare an equal proportion of blame with the former" ( V a . G a z . , D & N , 31 M c h . ) . A L E T T E R FROM T H E COUNTY L I E U T E N A N T O F H A N O V E R : See Davies to T J , 8 Mch.

1781.

To William Lewis SIR

Richmd March 18 1781

I have written to Capt. Mitchell about having the Vessels and property valued. I hope you w i l l be able to find judicious persons convenient, to do it. Being unacquainted in the neighborhood of Hoods, I am unable to point them out. I have also inclosed h i m an order for a hogshead of Spirits out of a vessel which left this place yesterday. I took for granted M r . B r o w n had provided in the most effectual manner that you should not want provisions. I w i l l i m ­ mediately see that he supplies you and replaces any you may have used of your own stock. I shall also give orders as to the military stores wanted. T h e account of the taking St. E u s t a t i a is now con­ firmed. W e learn that Great Britain declared W a r against the D u t c h States on the 3d of J a n y : and that A d m l . Rodney took pos­ sesion of St. E u s t a t i a on the 6th of Feby. and detatched a squadron to seize on Curacoa, only one of 4 5 American vessels escaped from St. Eustatia, which first brought the Account to Carolina, and a [176]

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subsequent vessel from St. Croix confirms it. M y information of the arrival of the Marquis was premature. I am S i r Your very huml. Servt., T H JEFFERSON T r ( V i ) ; at head of text: "Copy of a Letter from Govr. Jefferson, addressed to Capt. Willm. Lewis, Ship Renown, Hoods, dated Richmd March 18 1781" (for the documents accompanying this letter see T J to Lewis, 4 Mch. 1781, and note there).

From William Lewis SIR

Renown at Hoods. 9 oClock 18 March. 1781

Baron Steuben by order this Morning Received has orderd all the Vessels up to turkey Island, which order shall Imediately put in Execution. I wrote your Excellency w i l l please order some pro­ visions, as we shall be without after tomorrow. I am S i r your Most WILLIAM

Obedt R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. On 17 Mch. Steuben had written Lewis to order the vessels at Hood's to Turkey Island because Hood's was not safe "Whilst the Enemy command the Water." John Walker also wrote to Lewis on 17 Mch.: "It is by Advice of

LEWIS

his Excellency the Governor that Baron Steuben has directed the removal of the Vessels under your command to Turkey Island" (copies of both letters were submitted with the petition of John Ball; see T J to Lewis, 4 Mch. 1781, and note there).

To Robert Mitchell Richmond March 18th 1781 T h e Information I received of the A r r i v a l of the Marquis F a ­ yette was premature. One of his Transports arrived at Y o r k w h i c h left the Marquis and the rest of the Fleet off the mouth of Patuxent. I said nothing in my Powers to you about valuing the vessels as the L a w of itself directed it. I am in Hopes you w i l l be able to get some proper Judges to do this. I am too much a stranger to those in that T r a c t of Business to point out any. I think the valuation had better be in Tobacco dis­ chargeable at the rates affixed by the G r a n d J u r y next preceding paiment. T h e Capture of St. Eustatia is now confirmed. W e learn that Great Britain declared w a r against the Dutch States on J a n u ­ ary 6th. and that A d m i r a l Rodney took Possession of St. Eustatia February 3d, and detached a Squadron to seize on Curacoa. Per­ haps the event w i l l render the Detention of the vessels less incon­ venient. I much wonder that M r . B r o w n should have suffered the vessels to be out of Provisions after the Directions I gave h i m and what he told me. He is not in T o w n at this T i m e , but I w i l l have [ 177]

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the matter immediately remedied. I inclose you an Order for a Hogshead of Spirits to be taken out of a vessel which falls down to Hoods with Flour, Spirits and military Stores for the Army col­ lecting before Portsmouth. The Order extends to flour also. I will give orders for Grape Shot and Cartridge paper to be sent you. T.J. F C ( V i ) ; enclosures not located.

To William Davies SIR

Richmond March 19th. 1781

My Letter of the 13 will have answered your former Letters and part of your last and the superscription will explain to you why it was so late coming. One article I omitted to answer, that is whether you should receive Deserters from Colo. Syme in Lieu of the Levies under the last law. The Description in the act of those who are to be received is that they be recruits fit for present Duty, between 18 and 50, of able body and sound mind, who is neither a Prisoner of war, a Deserter from the enemy, nor engaged &c. The term recruit seems clearly to exclude one who, tho' a Deserter, is still belonging to the Army. Deserters would not have been received under the former law instead of recruits had it not been expressly provided in the L a w and such proviso being omitted in the L a w now under a Course of Execution, I should suppose they should not be received. Never­ theless the receiving Officers and not the Executive are the proper Judges of this matter. I am, & c , T.J. FC (Vi). See Davies to T J , 18 Mch., for some of the difficulties that had been ex­ perienced with deserters. On the qual­ ifications of recruits, the following: ex­ cerpt from Davies' letter to Steuben of 10 Mch. is enlightening: "The new Recruits are coming in daily, and since

the treatment the two men from Bruns­ wick met with, the people seem afraid to bring in the little dwarfs and child­ ren they formerly counted upon. Those that have been lately brought me are tolerably likely, but they all expect to get furlouehs from me, which I in­ variably refuse" ( N H i ) .

From George Gibson MAY I T P L E A S E Y O U R E X C E L L Y .

Petersbg. 19th. March 81.

Major Hamilton who hath served upwards of four Years as Cap­ tain in the Regiment w i t h me and who preserved the Reputation of A Brave Officer and Gentleman wishes to have the Indulgence of retiring on the Same footing with myself. Some time since, M a j r . [178]

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G e n i . Greene and the Baron Steuben assured me that all Officers in the Continental L i n e shou'd have the privilege of retiring on half pay if they did not choose to continue in the service and the Baron desired me to inform the Officers of the State Regiments that the same privileges wou'd be extended to them. I n consequence of which many of the Gentlemen unable to support the Character which their R a n k in the A r m y requires from them, had made their arrangement to quit the Service. M a j r . Hamilton is in this Predica­ ment. I f therefore he can be indulged it W i l l Give much satisfac­ tion to the Officers in General and w i l l be doing h i m that Justice his Services Merit. I have the Honor to be W i t h great respect Y o u r E x c e l l y s . Obedt. G E O : GIBSON

Servt., R C ( V i ) ; addressed.

To Samuel Huntington Richmond, 1 9 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . This letter is virtually identical with TJ's letter to George Washington of this date, q.v. R C ( D L C : P C C , No. 7 1 , l i ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by T J ; endorsed, in part: "Read 27." F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "To the President of Congress & General Washington." Enclosures: Copy of Nathanael Greene to T J , 10

Mch. ( D L C : P C C , No. 7 1 , n ) ; extracts of Charles Magill to T J , 8, 10, and 13 Mch. 1781 ( D L C : P C C , No. 7 1 , n ) ; the letters of Greene and Magill are printed above under their respective dates.

To Lafayette SIR

Richmond March 19th. 1781

Y o u r Letters of the 16th. and 17th. inst. came to H a n d at Noon of this D a y . I beg leave to inform you that for the Purpose of speedy Communications between the Executive and the Command­ ing Officers expresses are established from this place through W i l ­ liamsburg to Hampton every fifteen miles Distance, and that a Quartermaster is now employed in establishing a similar L i n e from hence to the A r m y before Portsmouth, crossing James R i v e r at Hoods. These Expresses are ordered to ride D a y and night. Y o u w i l l be pleased to set the L i n e into motion whenever you think proper. Besides the exertions of the Continental Quarter Master to procure Horses, we instructed the State Quarter master to send out agents on the same Business in Order to ensure the number required by Colo. Pickering which was 50 Saddle Horses, and 130 [179]

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Draught Horses. W h a t his agents could procure we ordered to be at General Muhlenburgs Head Quarter's by the 20th. I shall order him to continue his Efforts in aid of the Continental Quartermaster ten D a y s longer. I n a Country whose means of paiment are neither prompt nor of the most desirable K i n d , impressing property for the public use has been found indispensible. W e have no fears of Complaint under your exercise of those powers and have only to ask the favor of you to instruct those employed in impressing to furnish the party whose property is taken with a proper Certificate of the Articles and value and that they make regular returns to Government of the Certif­ icates they have given, stating in such return the Date of the Cer­ tificate, owners name, article taken, and Price. T h i s has been re­ quired of Course from all impressing Officers as a Check on Coun­ terfeited Certificates. T h e Conduct of Captn. Turberville has come to the Knowledge of the Executive in detached Parts only. H i s permitting L t . Hare to pass his post to Westover was deemed by us improper. W e under­ stood also that he did not obey a positive Order from Major Gen­ eral Baron Steuben for discharging M r . Hare and the flag; and the Baron complained to us that an open Letter of his to M r . Hare was detained by Captain Turberville. W e could do no less than observe to the Baron that the military institutions had put into his Hands the Powers of vindicating the military authority. A n E n ­ quiry or T r i a l before a military Court is certainly proper, but Captn. Turberville cannot and I dare say w i l l not expect or desire it but when full evidence can be obtained. I f it be necessary that it should await the papers which were transmitted me, they are now in the Hands of the Attorney General to support a civil prosecution and cannot probably be for many Days withdrawn. Captn. Turberville is an essential Witness in this prosecution which is to be heard on the 2 3 d inst. and w i l l then have the means of knowing when the papers can be spared. A s a complete Collection of our militia and other L a w s is very difficult to be procured and would be troublesome for you to consult I have ordered the militia L a w s to be copied together and w i l l transmit them to you in a few D a y s . Captain Turberville's Connection w i t h M r . Hare's flag gives me occasion to mention that matter to you. On m y hearing (several D a y s after it happened) that such an Officer and vessel had come up James river, I took the liberty of mentioning it in a Letter to Major General Baron Steuben, of asking the favor of his attention [180]

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to it, and informing that as it was more immediately within the military L i n e was under rules and usages with which he was much better acquainted than we were, we wished to leave it to h i m alto­ gether to have done whatever was right. I t was his Opinion and it was and is ours that notwithstanding the Indecencies and Irregu­ larities of M r . Hare's Conduct he and his vessel should have been discharged. He accordingly ordered it: but his order was not obeyed as to M r . Hare's person till so much time had elapsed as to render the discharge dangerous. I t was therefore countermanded. A s to the vessel, an Idea arose I know not on what grounds that she was drawn into litigation before a Court of justice. T h i s I am now in­ formed is not the Case. A s we have never meddled with her we w i s h not to do it, but to leave with yourself to discharge both Officer and flag whenever you shall think it proper to do so. I n the mean T i m e I doubt not you w i l l think proper attention should be paid to the safe Custody of the vessel, the persons, and property belong­ ing to her and that she be kept under the military Power and clear of the civil. I send you subjoined a state of the militia called to the South side of James river. I f I understood Baron Steuben's plan he wished to have 800 V i r g i n i a M i l i t i a to operate on the Norfolk Side with the Carolinians and 2260 on the Portsmouth side to operate with the regulars, making in the whole 3060 militia. I n our first C a l l expecting deficiencies we much exceeded these numbers taking into the Account the M i l i t i a then in the field under General Muhlenburg, but finding these deficiencies greater than could have been expected we afterwards considerably augmented our Calls. I also state the armed vessels now at Hoods under the Direc­ tion of Captains Mitchell and L e w i s , subject to your Order. T h e y are private property. Those of the Public in Chickahominy want men, to supply which Orders have been sent to Captain M a x w e l l . I have the Honor to be & c , T.J. Loudoun 436 Fauquier 269 Prince William . . 1 8 5 Fairfax 200 New Kent 104 Charles City 71 Prince George . . .125 Surry 95 Sussex 175 Southampton 219 Isle of Wight . . . 150

161 2190 Originally called for Chesterfield 164 Dinwiddie 187 Hanover 245 Caroline 260 Spotsylvania . . . . 120 K i n g William . . . 55 1031 Supplementary

Nansemond

3221 £181]

1 9 M A R C H Ship Brig Brig Brig

Renown Wilkes Mars Willing Lass

16 12 8 10

.

Ship Tempest 16 Guns Brig Jefferson 14 . 4 îbrs

striarci

178 1

4 and 61brs 4 îbrs 4 îbrs 4 îbrs

Hood's

Chickahominy

} Small Gallies

FC (Vi).

T o the Speaker of the House of Delegates SIR

In Council March 19th. 178.1

Not doubting but the General Assembly w i l l be glad to be in­ formed of the Occurrences in the Carolina's, I take the liberty of transmitting to them a Letter I have received from General Greene and some extracts from Letters received from Major M c G i l l who is w i t h the Southern A r m y . I have the Honor to be, & c , T.J. R S . I must take the liberty of begging a return of G e n i . Greene's Letter when communicated to both Houses. F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "To the Speaker of the House of Delegates." Enclo­ sures (missing): Nathanael Greene to T J , 10 Mch.; extracts of Charles Magill's letters of 8, 10 and 13 Mch. (see T J to Washington, same date); the letters are printed above under their respective dates.

From Charles Magill SIR

Head Quarters Parsons Iron Works Gilford County March 19th. 1781

A favourable opportunity offering on the 16th Inst. I gave your Excellency the exactest account of the general Engagement the day before that could be collected from the different Corps engaged, and what I was an E y e witness of. I have now the additional Satis­ faction to inform your Excellency that the E n e m y s loss is much more considerable than at first expected. T h e i r movements since have plainly evinced it. T h e y have nothing but the ground to boast of, and that L o r d Cornwallis thought prudent to leave Yes­ terday, and take the road towards Salisbury. Colo. Lees Legion have march'd towards the E n e m y to day. Should his Lordship retreat, by hanging upon his rear the B r i t i s h w i l l be exceedingly gall'd. [182]

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I am sorry to inform your Excellency that a number of the V i r ­ ginia M i l i t i a have sully'd the L a u r e l s reap'd in the Action by mak­ ing one frivolous pretence and another to return home. A number have left the A r m y very precipitately. T h e best Men from Augusta and Rockbridge have been foremost on this occasion. Should noth­ ing decisive take place in a few D a y s my Service in this quarter can easily be dispens'd with. Sorry I am that it has not been in my Power to render a greater. I have the honor to be Y o u r Excellencys Most Obedient Humble Servt, CHAS M A G I L L P S . Since w r i t i n g the above an account is received from Doctor W a l l a c e who went in with a F l a g to dress the Wounded that Geni. O H a r a , who commanded the Brigade of Guards, w i t h several other Officers of distinction are Mortally Wounded. T a r l t o n has lost two of his Fingers, and L o r d Cornwallis had three Horses kilPd under him. Our Wounded in their hands are about Seventy five. C M RC

( V i ) ; addressed, in part:

Express"; endorsed, T H E B E S T M E N

FROM

A U G U S T A A N D R O C K B R I D G E H A V E B E E N F O R E M O S T O N T H I S O C C A S I O N : T h a t is, fore-

most in returning homewards; these two counties were centers of disaffection and of opposition to the draft law.

From Littleberry H . Mosby, with Jefferson's Instructions P o w h a t a n , 1 9 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Has recruited "forty odd Men"; intended marching "on Sunday next, but hearing this day at our Court House, that the Enemy were approaching, thought it advisable to proseed as soon as possible." The bearer has been sent to procure arms as they are not to be had in the county. [In m a r g i n , i n 7V's h a n d : ] "Referred to Colo. Davies as to arms. I am uninformed as to the arms of Armand's corps as also what we have. I f no others can be procured I imagine the militia cavalry must have the Grenedier swords. T h : J . " R C ( V i ) ; addressed; endorsed: "Letter from Capt. Mosby. respecting Volunteer horse men he recruited 19th March 178[1] Refd to Comr of war." Muter did not resign as commissioner of the war office until 22 Mch.; hence T J ' s marginal note must have been added after that date.

To George Muter [Richmond, 1 9 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Minute in W a r Office Journal ( V i ) un­ der this date: " A letter from the Governor respecting ammunition &c. required by Cap: Mitch [Mitchell]. Waited on the Governor in conse­ quence of it. And sent off the following letters containing orders for the ammunition, &c. immediately. A letter to Cap. Browne, State Commis[183]

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sary of Military Stores. T o Cap. Irish. T o Mr. Moody, and to the Com­ manding officer of the State Garrison Regiment. And an order to the Quarter Master to furnish a Waggon to carry the ammunition, &c. to Turkey Island." T J ' s letter has not been located. Copies of Muter's let­ ters to the persons mentioned above are in War Office Letter Book ( V i ) . ]

From Riedesel SIR

Brooklyn March 19. 1781

I send by permission and with proper passports of General W a s h ­ ington Captain Gerlach, Deputy Quartermaster General of his Serene Highness the Duke of Brunswic troops, to Lieutenant Colo­ nel de Mengen with Money, great and small Uniforms, and re­ freshments for the said Troops together with some baggage for the Officers: He has m y orders to deliver himself the money into the hands of Lieutenant Colo, de Mengen and to make the usual Settle­ ments w i t h the different paymasters. A l l his Despatches are left open for your Excellency's inspection, and I beg leave to request, Sir, you w i l l permit Captain Gerlach to go to Lieutenant Colonel de Mengen disembark the baggage and Stores, he has under his directions, and convey them to wherever the troops may be: I have given h i m orders to put himself entirely under your Excellencys directions so long as his business may detain h i m in V i r g i n i a ; and he w i l l accept and strictly observe such parole as your Excellency may think proper to prescribe to h i m for that time. A s there are several Invalids among the German Troops of the Convention of Saratoga incapable of every kind of service, for whom humanity demands that repose people in their Situations are in need of, I presume to ask your Excellency to allow such of them as are properly certified by the Physicians of the hospital, or in their absence, the Surgeons of the regiments, to embark on board the flag of truce vessel and come to N e w Y o r k from whence it w i l l be in m y power to send them home. Captain Gerlach begs me to interest myself for h i m w i t h your Excellency as he is excessively sick at Sea, to permit h i m to return to this place by L a n d so soon as his affairs are settled; i f this requi­ sition can be approved by your Excellency, I shall acknowledge it as a further continuance, sir, of your goodness to allow it merely for the relief of his health. 1

Madame de Riedesel, who never can forget the esteem and friendship she has so justly consecrated to M r s . Jefferson, desires me to insert her sincerest compliments both to her and your E x c e l [ 184]

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1781

lency. Permit me to add my respects, and to assure you, sir, of the most perfect personal esteem w i t h which I have the honor to be, Sir, Y o u r Excellency's most obedient and Humble Servant, RIEDESEL T r ( D L C : P C C , No. 7 1 , n ) ; en­ closed in T J to Samuel Huntington, 31 Mch. 1781, q.v.; at head of text: "Copy of a Letter from General Riedesel dated Brooklyn March 19. 1781 to Governor Jefferson." T r ( D L C : T J Papers). A portion of the text has been supplied from T h e A m e r i c a n H i s t o r i c a l Record, I ( 1 8 7 2 ) , 30, where it is printed from a copy, doubtless the R C , submitted by

J . Wingate Thornton. R C owned by a private collector and at present (1951) unavailable. T h i s letter was transmitted to T J by Heinrich Gerlach in his letter of 27 Mch. 1781, q.v. i Both T r end at this point. T h e re­ mainder of the text has been supplied from source cited.

To George Washington SIR

Richmond, Mar. 19th. 1781

I have the honor of inclosing your Excellency a copy of a letter from Geni. Greene with some other intelligence received, not doubt­ ing your anxiety to know the movements in the South. I find we have deceived ourselves not a little by counting on the whole num­ bers of militia which have been in motion as if they had all remained with Geni. Greene, when in fact they seem only to have visited and quitted him. The Marquis Fayette arrived at York on the 15th. His troops still remained at the head of the bay till the appearance of some force which should render their passage down safe. I have the honor to be with sentiments of the highest esteem & respect, your Excellencys most obedt. & most hble Servt., TH: R C ( D L C : Washington Papers); endorsed, in part: From Virginia March 1781 "Govr. Jefferson with [Letters from?] Geni. Gre[ene] Majr: McGill Ansd. 4: April." F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "To the President of Congress & General Washington." P r C ( D L C : T J Papers). Enclosures: Nathanael Greene

JEFFERSON

to T J , 10 Mch. ( D L C : Washington Papers); extracts of Charles Magill to T J , 8, 10 and 13 Mch. 1781 (not located in Washington Papers; T r in D L C : T J Papers, sent either to Washington or Huntington). T h e letters of Greene and Magill are printed above under their respective dates.

From George Weedon DEAR SIR

Williamsburg March 19th 12 OClock

I have this moment returned from reconnoitreing the lower Country; while in the Neighbourhood of the H a l f way House be­ tween york and Hampton received the inclosed Intelligence last [185]

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night 11 OClock. From the Demonstrations of the Enemy Yester­ day, and Saturday, I am prity certain they are our Allies. A large Ship hove in Sight on the 17th., soon after a Vessell from portsmouth went down, Shewed a Signal which was not Answered, fired a gun, and returned to her Station. Yesterday the two hulks was brought down, and Anchored of Crainy Island, and seventeen other Vessells were in motion falling down the River. I was fearful the noted Benedict was moving of. His whole Fleet however re­ turned in the Evening, and this morning I am informed one of the hulks is sunk. T h e Marquis and Baron are both on the other side J : River. I have relieved the Militia that was stationd below under Colo. Innis. None of those CalPd out since I marched down, are yet come to Town. I am wth. Great Respect, Y r . Excellencies Most Obt Servt.,

G WEEDON

R C ( P H i ) ; addressed and endorsed. Enclosure not identified.

To James Barron SIR

I n Council March 20th. 1781

Not having heard from Captn. M a x w e l l for a considerable T i m e we are become apprehensive he may have been taken by the E n e m y in the execution of a Business put into his charge by the Executive. T h e Bearer goes express to find him i f within the State, but i f taken then to proceed with this to you. I n this event I must desire your attendance at the Ship yard to have the public armed vessels fit for Service immediately, equipt, manned either by impressing or by Enlistment general or special, and joined to the private armed ves­ sels in James River taken into public Service: the whole to be sub­ ject to the Orders of the Continental Commanding Officer; and as there is reason to apprehend the enemy intend should any oppor­ tunity offer to destroy the vessels and Stores w h i c h shall be re­ maining at the yard, I am to desire you w i l l immediately withdraw the T h e t i s and other public vessels from thence and such Stores as are valuable up James R i v e r to some safe and proper place. Both these Businesses should be executed with the greatest D i s ­ patch. I shall be glad to be informed from time to time of the prog­ ress made in them. I am S i r Your &c, T.J. FC (Vi).

1186]

From James Barron SIR

Hampton March 20. 1 7 8 1

Yesterday Morning twelve large Ships Came within the Capes and Anchord, Sent up one Frigate this Morning under E n g l i s h Colours, W h i c h proves them to be a B r i t i s h fleet. T h e Frigate lays Now in Hampton road with Arnolds Ships. T h e other Ships are still in the B a y at Anchor. I take them all to be Menawar A n d No transports Among them. I Have the Honour, to be S i r Y r . Excellencys Mo. Obed. Hble JAS:

Sevt.,

BARRON

R C ( V i ) ; addressed; endorsed in part: "Thos. Dawson Express V2 after seven OClock." T r ( D L C : P C C , No. 7 1 , 1 1 ) , enclosed in T J to Huntington, 21 Mch. T r (DLC: Washington Papers), enclosed in T J to Washington, same day. T r ( M d A A ) , enclosed in T J to T . S. Lee, same day. T r ( C t ) . T r ( D L C : T J Papers).

From Abraham Buford SIR

March the 20th 1 7 8 1

I am informed from good authority that Epafroditus Rudder, Cornett in Baylors Regiment of horse, did impress the stud Horse of D a v i d Deardins (of Mecklenburg County) Cal'd Romulous which was apprais'd to £ 7 5 0 Specie, that horse he has since swoped w i t h C o l . George Gibson for a gelden and gets T w o Hogsheads of tobacco to boot. A BUFORD I am informed the within by Cornett Rudder, Frances RufHn of Mecklenburg County and by Col. Gibson. A BUFORD R C ( V i ) ; endorsed: "Colo. Bufords information." See White to T J , Apr. 5. There was a horse named Romulus, by Mark An­ thony out of Pompadour, that belonged to John Tyler in 1776, but that Romu­ lus may not have been the one involved in this impressment; W M Q , 1st. ser., x i ( 1 9 0 2 ) , 93.

C O R N E T T R U D D E R : It does

not seem likely that the name Epaphroditus Rudder could be confused with another, but the reference to his being a cornet is puzzling. There was an Epaphroditus Rudder who was second lieutenant in the 1st Virginia State

regiment in 1777; first lieutenant from April 1778 to October 1779 in the same regiment; and lieutenant in the 1st Continental Dragoons, 1780 (Official Letters, I I , 4 2 1 , note). If this was the same Rudder referred to in the present letter, it is difficult to account for his being a cornet, except on the ground of his having been broken—a plausible as­ sumption in view of the nature of the matter discussed in the present letter and in Davies' reply, 21 Mch.; see also T J to White, 24 Mch. and Greene to T J , 30 Apr. 1781.

[187]

From Miles K i n g SIR

Hampton March 20th. 1781.

On Sunday last there appeared Several large Ships J u s t within the Capes and from their Movements and the different dispositions of the Enemies Vessells in Hampton Road we had all the Reason to believe they were a French Fleet. B u t to our great disappoint­ ment this Morning we find them to be a B r i t i s h Fleet, Supposed to come from the W e s t Indies Consisting of at least 12 large Ships, some persons say there is 20 Ships, but the Weather being very thick the Number cannot w i t h Certainty be Assertained. T h e y still lie near the Capes and only one Frigate has Come up from there. Whether they intend up or not remains a doubt but some good Judges incline to think their Stay here w i l l be but Short. T h e r e is no Small Vessells in this Fleet which is very uncomman. Should any thing turne up in favour of us I w i l l give you the earliest I n ­ formation A n d A m w i t h the greatest Respect Y o u r Excellencys most Obt & V e r y H u m servant, MILES KING R C ( V i ) ; addressed, in part: "To be Forwarded by Colo. Inniss by Express"; endorsed.

From Lafayette DEAR SIR

Camp Near Sleepy Hole March the 20h

On M y A r r i v a l at Suffolk, I found that G n l . Muhlenberg H a d Marched down to this place, and was in Hopes to B e Enabled to Reconnoitre the Ennemy's works, which I think to B e a Necessary Measure Before A n y plan C a n B e settled for a Cooperation. B u t to M y Great disappointement there was No Ammunition in Camp, and (tho it H a s Been sent for seven days ago) I Have not Y e t Been able to L e a r n when we are to get this indispensable Article. T h e only thing I Could do was to go down with such Riflemen and M i l i t i a as H a d a few Cartridges. B y this a trifling skarmish was Brought w i t h the loss of one private killed one officer and one pri­ vate wounded on our side, and About twenty (four of whom taken) must Have Been lost for the E n n e m y . B u t I Could not Reconnoitre farther than the position to B e taken at the time of operations, and the situation of the shipping, as want of Ammunition Rendered it imprudent to Engage. T h e Ammunition that is Expected from Hood[s] w i l l B e in­ sufficient even for temporary purposes, and I Hope we M a y soon [188}

20

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M A R C H

get a part of what Baron de Steuben H a s prepared for the Coopera­ tion. A s to Provisions the Baron said to me that Hundred thousand Rations were Ready in intermediary Magazines which would B e successively Reimplaced from its large deposites. I Have Requested H i m to Have the Magazines Most particularly E x a m i n e d as this is a matter of Great importance. Should Y o u r Excellency Have any doubt on the sufficiency of our provisions, I would B e g leave to Request that immediate Measures B e taken for a Collection of flour and live Cattle, H a r d Bread and salt Meat. T h e Baron Has also assured me that a sufficient Quantity of forrage would B e sent down the R i v e r as soon as the french fleet Comes i n . I shall How­ ever Make Bold to Recommend the affair of our stores and supplies to Y o u r Excellency's attention and Patronage. Necessity w i l l some times oblige me to take the Unpopular Method of impress, and for fear of loosing a precious time I ordered the State Quarter Master to Make use of H i s pork W a r r a n t for the Getting of oxen and Horses. B u t should B e very Happy to Receive from Y o u r Excellency A n y directions or powers that Y o u r E x c e l ­ lency would think the Most suitable to the laws of this state or the sentiment of its inhabitants. W i t h the Highest Respect I Have the Honor to B e , Y o u r E x c e l lencv's Most obedient Humble Servant, LAFAYETTE Some Month Ago, S i r , when I intended a journey to the South­ ward, I was Honored with A letter of introduction to Y o u r E x c e l ­ lency from General Washington. I am too proud of H i s friendship, and too desirous to obtain A n intimate acquaintance w i t h your Excellency not to inclose the Letter under this Cover. R C ( V i ) ; endorsed. Enclosure: George Washington to T J , 8 Dec. 1780, q.v., printed under that date.

To James Maxwell SIR

I n Council March 20th. 1781

Not having heard from you for a considerable T i m e nor know­ ing where you are, and the matters under your Care at the Shipyard requiring your Presence extremely, the Bearer is sent E x p r e s s to find you with this Letter. I t being necessary that the public armed vessels at the Shipyard fit for Service should be immediately manned; I must desire you to repair them and have them manned by impress or by enlistment either general or special, equipped for immediate service and joined to the private vessels taken into public [189]

20

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Service under the Care of Captns. Mitchell and L e w i s and sub­ jected to the orders of the Continental Commander. I t seems proper that Commodore Baron should take Charge of the whole vessels. Y o u w i l l therefore be pleased to send on the Bearer to h i m w i t h your requisition to attend. A n d as there is reason to apprehend the enemy intend, should any opportunity Offer, to destroy the vessels and Stores which shall be remaining at the Shipyard, I am to desire you w i l l immediately withdraw the T h e t i s and other public ves­ sels from thence and such Stores as are valuable up James R i v e r to some safe and proper place. Both these Businesses should be executed with the greatest dispatch. I shall be glad to be informed from time to time of the progress made i n them. I am &c, T.J . FC (Vi).

From J . P. G . Muhlenberg SIR

Camp near Sleepy Hole March 20th. 1781

Yesterday I was Honor'd with Y o u r Letter relative to the express riders. I shall do myself the pleasure to communicate to Y o u r E x ­ cellency any thing material that may happen in this Quarter. W e have just received intelligence of the arrival of a Fleet in the B a y , whether French or Brittish is yet uncertain. Yesterday we marchd about 5 0 0 Men to the E n e m y s Lines accompanyd by the Marquiss de la Fayette and Baron Steuben, in order to view the W o r k s . W e drove in the Picketts, killd 9. took four and wounded severall, but were prevented from viewing the works, by the want of Cartridges, which rendered it imprudent to risk any thing like a General Action. I have the Honor to be with great respect Y o u r Excellencys Most Obedt hble. Servt., P: MUHLENBERG R C ( P H i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

From George Muter SIR

W a r office March 20. 1781.

One W i l l i s Hargrave a prisoner is at present in this town on parole from the prison ship, and I have the honour of enclosing a small memorandum to your Excellency respecting h i m . M r . Rollings (of this town) informs me that Hargrave was taken off from his house in Nansemond County during S i r George [190]

20

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178 1

Collier's invasion, and that he learnt from some prisoners that had belonged to a vessel of Goodrich's he saw at this place, that H a r r grave had been sent in a vessel of Goodrich's, w i t h an intention to be sett ashore at the Cape, that he might return to his family, but that that was neglected, and the vessel he was in taken. He says that Hargrave's principles by some people have been suspected; but at the beginning of the w a r he understood that he behaved as a w a r m friend to the cause of America. I have the honour to be Y o u r Excellency's Most h i servant, GEORGE MUTER. R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. Enclosure ( V i ) : Statement of Robert Rollings and Thomas Granbery that they will be security for Willis Hargraves if he is allowed to return on

C.

parole to his family in Nansemond co. The invasion under Sir George Col­ lier took place in May 1779; Official Letters, n , 14, note.

From Edmund Pendleton, Jr. SIR

Caroline March 20th. 1781.

I received your Orders on T h u r s d a y E v e n i n g last for two hun­ dred and sixty of the Militia of this County to be sent immediately to W m s b u r g under proper Officers. Nothwithstanding the greatest exertions in m y power only one hundred and ninety of the Number appear'd yesterday at the place of Rendezvous, w hich I put in mo­ tion in the E v e n i n g . A considerable number I expect w i l l join on the way, and the delinquents must be dealt with as the L a w directs. T h e unfavourable Season of the year I believe was the true Cause why so many disobey'd Orders. I am with due Respect Y o u r E x ­ cellency's Most Obed Servt., EDMD. PENDLETON JR. T

RC

( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

To David Ross SIR

I n Council March 20th. 1781

The Superintendance of the lead mines having been formerly in the Board of T r a d e devolves of Course on yourself as succeeding to their Duties. I mention this matter now particularly because our Stock of L e a d being very low and the Demand great we wished the mines to be worked to their greatest extent. I must therefore beg the favor [191]

20

M A R C H

1781

of you to endeavour to engage as many Hands immediately as may be employed to advantage in order to push this most essential W o r k . I am & c , T.J. F C ( V i ) . See T J to Huntington, 21 Mch. 1781, and to Charles Lynch, 19 J a n . 1781.

George Twyman to Nicholas Lewis and Isaac Davis, with Jefferson's Instructions to William Davies D E A R SIRS

March the 20th 1 7 8 1

T h e Sixth of October last I Delivered to M r . Joseph H a w k i n s Comasery at the B a r r a c k s 1 3 9 l b . of mutten at 4 . Dollars pr. pound, which I agree'd w i t h him for a few D a y s before, for which I took a receit of M r . John Tomas his assistant, M r . H a w k i n s being some-where about T h e Store. I wated w i t h patience as no money was to be had, and between the 5th. and 10th. M a r c h notis was given F o r E v e r y body haveing Such receits to Come and assign like Receits. B u t when I went to Settle as they Called it, I Found it Entered in the Book twenty-Seven Shillings pr. pound. I Said but little, but told M r . T o m a s (as he was to Settle) to Scratch out the 4 Dollars in my receit and Make it like the Book, twenty Seven Shillings which he D i d . A n d now Gentlemen I fear you'l blame m[e] F o r neglect in Delay, ( w h i c h I Some Deserve) B u t hope you'l Excuse me haveing many reasons, (as nothing has moved me to make this information but E q u i t y , Justis, and T h e good of my friends and Country) F i r s t being Some onwell, and 2dly the Com­ mander of the Garison gone who I Understand Complaints are to be lodged with, &c. B u t Conclude it aught to be for your Considera­ tion and redress. I am Gentlemen w i t h all Due respect your H b l Servt., GEORGE

TWYMAN

I n Council Mar. 2 8 . 1 7 8 1 . Referred to C o l . Davies to propo[se a method?] of bringing M r . H a w k i n s to account [ . . . . ] R C (Lloyd W . Smith, Madison, N . J . , 1946); MS mutilated; addressed: "To Coll. Nicholas lewis & Mr. Isaac Davis Colleges. Richmond."; endorsed: "Geo: Twyman. L r . Lewis & Davis, colleagues.

refd. GOVT. & from h[im] to Col. Davies. Comr. 28th Mar. 17[81]." See Davies' letter to T J of 29 Mch.; and T J to James Wood, 31 Mch. 1781.

[192]

From the Virginia Delegates in Congress SIR

Philadelphia March 20th 1781

Since our last nothing new has happend except the Sailing of the French fleet Consisting of (as near as we can obtain intelligence) the Ships and G u n s as ^ list enclosed together w i t h about twelve Hundred of their Chosen troops which we flatter our selves are by this time actively and successfully employd in our B a y ; A n d the departure of the M . de la Fayette w i t h about the same Number of M e n ( and a fine train of artillery ) who we hope is by this time acting in Conjunction w i t h them, against Arnold. W e must add to the above intelligence that a report is Current here and generally believed that the B r i t i s h have taken St. Eustatia and Curassau, with all the Dutch and american Vessels in their Harbors, together with a Dutch L i n e of Battle Ship. T h e A d m i r a l who Commanded her said to be Starn and tis further added that they have saild up the T e x e l and T a k e n a great number of the D u c h trading Vessels. T h i s news comes by a Prize brought in here yesterday from A n t i ­ gua, who has also brought a declaration of Reprisals against Hol­ land by E n g l a n d which we expect w i l l be publishd in the paper of this day. W e are S r . Y r . E x c e l l y s Most obedt. sevts., JAMES MADISON THEOK.

JUNR

BLAND

P S . M r . H a y s set off a few days ago with his printing imple­ ments. W e sent by h i m 50 Copies of the last French Memorial to be distributed as your Excellency thinks best. He has also a num­ ber of Skins of parchment for the Assembly. R C ( P H i ) ; in Bland's hand, signed by Madison and Bland; addressed and signed on address leaf by Madison; endorsed. Enclosure missing.

To Isaac Avery SIR

Richmond March 21st. 1781

T h e arrival of a powerful B r i t i s h fleet in Chesapeake B a y renders me extremely apprehensive that a French fleet expected here not apprized of this Circumstance may run into the mouths of the E n e m y . I must therefore beg of you to procure immediately two good Boats to go out and keep a constant Lookout for the French fleet and to deliver to the Commanding Officer, should they meet with h i m , the inclosed Letter communicating to h i m the State of [193]

2 1 M A R C H

17 8 1

T h i n g s in the B a y . T h i s I think should be continued to the 9th. or 10th. of A p r i l , the expences of which shall be paid by Government. The Importance of this Caution, and the dreadful Change which would be produced in the aspect of the W a r by the Capture of a whole fleet and A r m y w i l l I hope add to that promptness w i t h which you have ever aided the public Operations. Y o u w i l l no doubt caution the masters of the vessels to destroy the Letters in Case of inevitable Capture. I am & c , T.J. F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "Colo Avery." Enclosure ( V i ) : T J to the of­ ficer commanding the French naval force, following. Isaac Avery, county lieutenant of Northampton, had sent T J his resigna­ tion on 16 Mch., q.v., but that com­ munication probably had not been re­ ceived when T J sent the present urgent letter. T h e Council minutes for 21 Mch. contain the following authorization: "the Governor is advised to order two

good boats to go from the Eastern Shore, and keep a constant lookout for the french fleet & give them this in­ formation [of the arrival of the British fleet in the bay]: the Board also advise that the vessels, stores, and public property be removed from the Shipyard, and that fifty men be ordered from the County of Charles City to assist in this important work" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., I I , 314).

To the Officer Commanding the French Naval Force SIR

Richmond March 21st. 1781

The inclosed Letter w i l l inform you of the A r r i v a l of a B r i t i s h fleet in Chesapeake B a y . Lest you should be unapprized of it, I have thought it necessary to order two Lookout Boats from the Eastern Shore of this State to fall in with you and deliver you this notice on which it w i l l be in your power to take such measures as the actual Strength and Circumstances of your fleet shall render necessary. I have the Honor to be & c , T.J. F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "To the Officer commanding the Naval Force of his most Christian Majesty bound to Chesapeake." Enclosure: Doubtless copy of James Barron to T J , 20 Mch. 1781, q.v. T h i s letter and its enclosure were enclosed in T J to Isaac Avery, preceding.

To John Browne SIR

I n Council March 21st. 1781

It is represented to the Board that the inhabitants of Chester­ field have been very peculiarly distressed by Impresses of Pro­ vision made in the ordinary Proportion by your Agents while they in a great measure have the additional burthen of supporting the post at their Courthouse. [194]

2 1 M A R C H

17 8 1

You w i l l be pleased to attend to this and see that the burthen of furnishing provisions to be laid as equally as possible on all the Counties, taking into Consideration as well these Calls which are peculiar on the County as those which are common to all. I am & c , T. J . FC (Vi).

From Richard Claiborne Richmond, 2 1 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Acknowledges T J ' s "favor of this day re­ specting the bad conduct of the Express rider at Burk's bridge"; has dismissed him and will treat other offenders similarly; has given direc­ tions to the line of expresses "towards General Greene." R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; addressed and en­ dorsed. T J ' s F A V O R O F T H I S D A Y has not been

located. Claiborne's handling of the line of expresses extending to Greene's army was one of the causes of Steuben's break with him in mid-April. On 16 Apr. Clai­ borne wrote Steuben that he had heard "Captain Holmes . . . agreeably to your orders . . . has established a chain of express riders from Petersburg towards the Southern army" and inquired wheth­ er he should "dissolve the line to Coles ferry." Steuben wrote the same day that he had been informed the line of ex­ presses from Petersburg to Greene's army had been broken up by Claiborne's orders, and added: "The Governor and myself receiving our dispatches so out of season was the reason of my enquir­ ing into the matter. I ordered them to

be continued and must insist on the matter, leaving to you the regulating the rout, and number of expresses." T o this Claiborne replied early the next day: "The reasons why I directed the line of expresses from Petersburg to Hillsbor­ ough to be discontinued was, that there was a chain extended from this place [Richmond] to Coles ferry. However I wrote Mr. Elliott to forward any par­ ticular dispatches that might arrive. Your orders Sir in this matter shall be implicitly observed. Captain Holmes writes to me that agreeably to your orders he has stationed one at Sturdivants about twenty miles from Peters­ burg—one at Lambs in Brunswick, one at Mitchels in Mecklenburg, one at Tay­ lors ferry on Roanoke, and one at Har­ risburg in North Carolina" ( all in N H i ) .

To the Commanding Officer of the Charles City County Militia SIR

Richmond March 21st. 1781

Certain information of the arrival of an Enemy's Fleet in the Bay renders it necessary that we take immediate measures for with­ drawing the vessels, Stores and Public Property from the Shipyard. T h i s cannot be done without assistance. I must therefore desire you instantly on receipt of this to send fifty militia there to assist under the directions of Captain M a x w e l l in that most important w ork. T h i s Service shall be considered [as] our Calls on your County for militia. I am & c , T.J . T

F C ( V i ) . See note to T J to Isaac Avery, this date.

[195]

To William Davies SIR

I n Council March 21st. 1781

I take the liberty of inclosing to you an Information given in to me by Colo. Buford against Epaphroditus Rudder a Cornet in B a y ­ lors Horse. H i s being now in your neighbourhood induces me to address it to you particularly and to desire you w i l l institute proper proceedings to call h i m to Account. I also beg the favor of you to inform me i f you know what became of the men described i n the inclosed resolution of Assembly. T h e y were paraded here one day but I know not what was done with them afterwards. I am & c , T. J . F C ( V i ) . Enclosures ( V i ) : Abraham Buford to T J , 20 Mch., q.v., above; resolu­ tion of Assembly concerning" soldiers unfit for service, printed in note to T J to Speaker, 5 Mch. 1781, q.v.

From William Davies SIR

Chesterfield March 21. 81.

T h e Commissioner of the provision law, I think he is called, being so exceedingly i l l as to be past the possibility of recovery, I have taken this opportunity of giving your Excellency notice of it, as the arrival of the new levies w i l l occasion a considerable consuption of provision; and we have no great quantity of meat on hand. M r . B a l l is the gentleman who is expected to expire in a few moments: being but little acquainted in the county I know of nobody who would be proper to succeed him. I t is a place, however, of much consequence to the accommodation of this post. T h e bearer w i l l bring any letters your Excellency may have written on the Subject of former applications, to which I have re­ ceived no answer. I have the honor to be, S i r , most respectfully, Y o u r Excellency's most obed Servt., W I L L I A M DAVIES R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. On 21 Mch. Davies also wrote to Steuben: "We are put to much difficulty here for forage and provisions, The Commissioner ( M r . Ball) died this morning. I am now sending expresses to guard against the want of both, and must as soon as possible get the Executive to appoint another Commissioner,

but I fear it will be some time before we get things in a proper channel. What makes the matter somewhat more unfortunate is that the Commissary ( M r . Robinson) has gone to Fredericksburg to settle his account with Major Forsythe, and it will probably be a fortnight before he returns" ( N H i ) .

[196}

From William Davies SIR

Chesterfield March 21. 81.

I have the honor of your Excellency's favors of this date and of the 19th. I have never yet been able to find out where your letter of the 13th. i s , the detention of which you observe the superscrip­ tion w i l l explain. I t has never yet come to hand; and i f this express should reach your Excellency before the bearer of one I wrote you today sets out on his return, I shall be obliged to you to inform h i m where he may get, or I may send for it. A s to M r . Rudder, I could w i s h the information had been com­ municated by your Excellency to Col. W h i t e , under whose particu­ lar command he probably is; and as C o l . W h i t e , I am informed, is in Richmond, perhaps it may not be amiss to signify the matter to him. I shall however, pay immediate attention to your Excellency's letter on this subject, tho' I would beg leave to observe that from the scarcity of officers at this post, it w i l l be impossible to assemble a court martial as speedily as might be washed; and i n the mean­ time the witnesses might be dispersed. T h e r e w i l l not probably be a sufficient number here before the 15th. of next month. I t w i l l be easy, however, to have the depositions taken in the mean time. T h e men, i f they can be called such, described in the resolution of Assembly are not discharged. I prevailed upon the Baron to permit their return, both because several of the boys had been and might be enlisted for the w a r , and serve very well for music till they grow big enough to bear arms; and because we wanted them for the purpose of guarding stores here, in the room of better men who might be sent to the army. I have on two or three occasions sent invalids to the laboratory, (menfitenough for sedentary occu­ pations, but not able to do duty as guards) but upon their being sent back I discharged them altogether. I can always find some hands for the laboratory, and i f they can be comfortably accom­ modated there, they would not be averse to serving. I have this day mentioned i n m y letter the illness of the Com­ missioner. H e is since dead and I must remind your Excellency of the necessity of a new appointment. I have the honor to be, sir, w i t h the highest respect Y o u r E x c e l ­ lency's most obedt. and most humble servt., W I L L I A M D A V I E S RC

( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

On the subject of the recruits D E ­

S C R I B E D I N T H E R E S O L U T I O N O F A S S E M B L Y , see note to T J to Davies, 19 M c h . T H E B O Y S . . . S E R V E V E R Y W E L L F O R M U S I C : T h a t is, they could be utilized as drum­

mers, fifers, &c.

[197)

To Thomas Fletcher SIR

I n Council March 21st. 1781

T h e Executive cannot agree to your return to reside within the State unless you Consider yourself freed from your Parole. Y o u informed me that the B r i t i s h Commanding Officer expressed the Determination to hang any Person who should be found i n A r m s after having given a parole. I f the validity of these paroles were without question under the L a w of nations still that law only punishes a breach of Parole by strict Confinement and does not authorise the inflicting death. S u c h an infliction therefore w i l l be considered as putting prisoners to Death in cold Blood, which we are determined to retaliate by the immediate execution of an equal number of B r i t i s h Prisoners i n our Hands. F o r the sake of Humanity I w i s h the B r i t i s h Command­ ing Officer to be informed that this is our Determination. I am & c , T. J . FC (Vi).

To Samuel Huntington SIR

Richmond Mar. 21. 1781

T h e inclosed letter w i l l inform you of the arrival of a B r i t i s h fleet in Chesapeake B a y . T h e extreme negligence of our stationed Expresses is no doubt the cause w h y as yet no authentic Account has reached us of a general Action which happened on the 15th. inst. about a Mile and a half from Guilford Court House between G e n i . Greene and L o r d Cornwallis. Capt. Singleton an intelligent Officer of Harrison's Artillery who was in the Action is this moment ar­ rived here and gives the general Information that both parties were prepared and desirous for action; T h e E n e m y supposed about 2 5 0 0 strong our A r m y about 4 0 0 0 . ; T h a t after a very w a r m and general Engagement of about an hour and a half, we retreated about a mile and a half from the field in good order, having as he supposes between two and three hundred killed and wounded; T h e E n e m y between five and seven hundred killed and wounded; T h a t we lost four pieces of Artillery; T h a t the M i l i t i a as well as Regulars behaved exceedingly well; T h a t Geni. Greene he believes would have renewed the Action the next day had it not proved rainy, and [198]

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would renew it as soon as possible as he supposes; T h a t the whole of his Troops, both Regulars and M i l i t i a were in high Spirits and wishing a second Engagement; that the loss has fallen pretty equally on the M i l i t i a and Regulars; T h a t Geni. Stevens received a B a l l through the thigh; M a j r . Anderson of Maryland killed, and Capt. Barrett of Washington's Cavalry. Capt. Fauntleroy of the same Cavalry shot through the thigh and left in the field. Capt. Singleton having left Camp the day after the Battle does not speak from particular returns, none such having been then made. I must inform your Excellency from h i m , till more regular ap­ plications can reach you, that they are in extreme want of lead, cartridge Paper and thread. I think it improper, however it might urge an instantaneous Supply, to repeat to you his State of the extent of their Stock of those Articles. I n a former letter I men­ tioned to you the failure of the vein of our lead mines, which has left the A r m y here in a state of equal distress and danger. I have the honor to be w i t h very high respect & esteem, your Excellency's most obedt. & most humbl Servt, T H : JEFFERSON 1

E S . Look out Boats have been ordered from the sea board of the E . Shore to apprize the Commander of the French fleet on its approach of the B r i t i s h being in Chesapeake. R C ( D L C : P C C , No. 168); in a clerk's hand, signed by T J ; endorsed: "Letter from Govr. Jefferson of Virginia March 2 1 . 1781 Read 27 Referred to the board of war to take order." F C (Vi); at head of text: "President of Congress, General Washington & Gov­ ernor Lee." T r ( C t ) . Another T r , fragment ( D L C : T J Papers). T r , ex­ tract ( D L C : Washington Papers), en­ closed in Huntington to Washington, 26 Mch. 1781 ( R C , same). Enclosure (DLC: P C C , No. 7 1 , n ) : Copy of James Barron to T J , 20 Mch. 1781, q.v. TJ's

F O R M E R L E T T E R to

Huntington

mentioning the failure of the vein of the lead mines has not been found; it may possibly have been the letter of "9" Feb. referred to as being read in Congress on 19 Feb. ( J C C , xix, 175; but see T J to Huntington, 8 Feb. 1781 and note there). T J ' s letters to David Ross of

[199]

20 Mch. and to Charles Lynch of 27 Mch., directing these officials to press the work at the mines in anticipation of an urgent need, indicate that the mines were not a total failure but merely that the principal vein had failed. Early in April Greene, Steuben, and others be­ came acutely aware of the need of lead; TJ's letters in mid-march (as well as that to the manager of the lead mines of 19 Jan. 1781) show that in this as in many other instances he anticipated military needs and took steps to meet those needs even before being requested by the military to do so. See T J to Lafa­ yette, 24 Mch. 1781 (second letter) in which he pointed out that the vein had "failed some weeks ago" and that he had "immediately apprized Congress" of that fact. i F C ( V i ) has at foot of text: "This far to General Washington & Governor Lee."

From Samuel Huntington P h i l a d e l p h i a , 2 1 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Encloses proclamation of 20 Mch. rec­ ommending that Thursday, 3 May 1781, be observed as a day of hu­ miliation, fasting, and prayer. F C ( D L C : P C C , No. 15); at head of text: "Circular." T h e enclosed proclama­ tion, attested by Charles Thomson, was printed in V a . G a z . ( D & N ) , 14 Apr.; the text is also printed in J C C , x i x , 284-6.

To Thomas Sim Lee Richmond, 2 1 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . This letter is virtually identical with TJ's letter to Samuel Huntington, same date, q.v., but with the omission noted there. Tr Mch.

( M d A A ) . F C ( V i ) . Enclosure ( M d A A ) : Copy of James Barron to T J , 1781, q.v.

20

T o John Peyton, enclosing Advice of Coun­ cil concerning the Clothier's Department SIR

In Council March 21st. 1781

I inclose to you an advice of Council on the subject of the Cloth­ ier's and Sub Clothier's Duty. Colo. Davies having been so kind as to consider the Subject and furnish us with a Plan and Observa­ tions on the minuter parts of the business I beg Leave to recom­ mend them to your Consideration, as they will furnish you with very useful Ideas on the Details of your office. I am S i r &c., T . J . E N C L O S U R E

The Board taking into consideration the necessity of giving proper instructions to the Sub Clothier for the regular issues of Cloathing, and to the regimental Paymasters for stopping out of the pay of the Sol­ diers the value of the cloathing delivered to them;—advise That the Subclothier furnish the Executive half yearly with a dis­ tinct return of the Cloathing wanted during the ensuing half year, for the respective Virginia regiments in Continental service; upon receipt whereof, proper orders may be issued to the Commissary of Stores— That the Commissary of Stores, when he supplies Articles to the Sub Clothier furnish him with an invoice thereof, stating distinctly therein every article delivered, and charging at the rate of the worth of 100 lb. tobacco, according to the last valuation of the Grand Jury, for every 6/8 sterling prime cost:—That he take the Subclothiers receipt for the articles at the foot of a Copy of the said Invoice, and debit him with the amount:—That the Subclothier, as soon as he is possessed of the Sup[200]

2 1 MARCH

17 8 1

plies either himself, or by his Deputy immediately forward on and deliver them, in due proportion, together with a fair invoice of each parcel, stating the prices as aforesaid, to the regimental clothiers of each Virginia regiment; taking the respective regimental clothiers re­ ceipt at the foot of a copy of the Invoice, countersigned by the Com­ manding Officer of the regiment; which Copy of the Invoice with the said receipt and countersignature annexed, should be produced to and lodged with the Commissary of Stores on the Subclothiers half yearly settlement with him; no less voucher than which will justify the Com­ missary in passing a credit. That the Subclothier appoint a Deputy, if it be necessary, to have such Salary as the General Assembly shall allow; and that either him­ self or his said Deputy, remain at the principal encampment within this State, and the other with the Virginia forces in any other State. That the Regimental Clothier debit the individuals of the Regiment to whom he shall deliver Cloathing, with the amount thereof at the prices so charged, and transmit to the Regimental Paymaster from time to time a state of such debits; who shall stop the same out of their pay, and who, previous to the paying off his Regiment, shall always require from the said regimental Clothier a state of the Debits, so due from the several individuals of the Regiment. F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "Mr. Fran­ cis Peyton Clothier"—an error for John Peyton, who was appointed clothier gen­ eral to the state troops in 1779 (Vol. 3: 167; Gwathmey, H i s t . Reg. of V i r g i n ­ ians i n the R e v o l u t i o n ; C V S P , I , I I , pas­ s i m ) . Francis Peyton was county lieu­ tenant of Loudoun co. at this time (cer­ tificate of Francis Peyton, 19 Mch. 1781, in V i ; C V S P , I I , 4 2 9 ) . Enclosure (no M S located; text from V a . C o u n c i l Jour., I I , 313 under date of 20 M c h . ) : Advice of Council concerning the cloth­ ier's department. Davies' "Plan and Ob­

servation on the minuter parts of the business" was probably enclosed also, but no text has been found. Davies on 3 Feb. wrote to T J , q.v., about abuses in the issuance of clothing for soldiers, but that letter was clearly not the "Plan and Observation" referred to; for the pro­ posals involved here and covered in the Council's advice of 20 Mch. had been submitted to Davies shortly before the Council formally approved them and presumably Davies had developed his comments after he had received those proposals (see Davies to T J , 18 M c h . ) .

From George Lee Turberville DEAR SIR

Rawleigh in WmsBurg March 21st. 1781.

I cannot express myself in terms sufficiently strong to convey to you an Idea of my Gratitude in return for your obliging Letter relative to Baron Steuben, I follow'd precisely its advice, altho Subsequent illtreatment from the Baron has obliged me to act dif­ ferently since, the whole of which I w i l l make known to you the first favorable opportunity. I have only to sollicit Y o u at present to let me know by the first opportunity whether you or the Council have ever informed the Baron that you highly disapproved of my conduct whilst I had the honor to command at Sandy point, as that [201}

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Major Geni, has given information to the Marquiss that it was from the Executive very much disapproving of my conduct, that occasion'd h i m to some Steps w i t h me that have been highly preju­ dicial to my reputation, health, and peace of M i n d . I have the honor to be w i t h real regard & profound respect, Y r Excellency's most Obedt. Servt., GEO L E E TURBERVILLE R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. See Turberville to T J , 15 Feb. and also Appendix I , Vol. 5: "The Affair of Westover."

To George Washington Richmond, 2 1 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . This letter is virtually identical with T J ' s letter to Samuel Huntington, same date, q.v., but with the omission noted there. R C ( D L C : Washington Papers); in a clerk's hand, with complimentary close and signature in T J ' s hand; endorsed, in part: "Ansd. 4: April." F C ( V i ) . E n ­ closure ( D L C : Washington Papers): Copy of James Barron to T J , 20 M c h . 1781, q.v.

From George Washington DEAR SIR

Head Quarters. New Windsor March 21st. 1781

I should have done myself the honor to have acknowledged your Excellency's Letters of the 8th, 12th, 17th, 2 6 t h of February and 8th Inst, at the time they were severally received; had I not been absent from this place on a Journey to the F r e n c h A r m y at N e w Port, from whence I have but just now returned. The transactions and movements you have made me acquainted w i t h in the course of these Letters, were not only important to the Southern States, but even to the whole confederation. A n d the scen[e] becomes every day more interesting. Before this time I cannot but hope our friends have arrived safely in your B a y . I am sure they w i l l meet w i t h every aid and assistance from your State; and I already anticipate the happiest consequences from this co­ operation. I shall remain in the most anxious expectation, until I hear far­ ther respecting the operations in your quarter. I have the honor to be W i t h very great esteem & regard Y o u r Most Obed Servt., Go: WASHINGTON R C ( V i ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by Washington; addressed and endorsed. F C ( D L C : Washington Papers); endorsed.

[202]

To George Weedon SIR

Richmond March 21. 1781

A s I am certainly informed by Commodore Barron that the fleet arrived is B r i t i s h , I become anxious lest the expected French fleet not knowing of this incident may come into the B a y . Should the Marquis Fayette be returned to the North side of the R i v e r , I make no doubt but he w i l l have taken what cautionary measures are i n his power and necessary. Should he not be returned I must beg the favour of you immediately to send off a Vessel from Y o r k to the Eastern shore ( w h i c h is supposed to be practicable) w i t h the inclosed letter to C o l . A v e r y , the purport of which is to send out two good lookout Boats from the Seaside of that shore to apprize the French Commander should he be approaching, of the situation of things here. Y o u w i l l of course caution the Master of the Vessel to destroy the letters confided to h i m in case of inevitable capture. I am w i t h much respect S i r y r mo. obed & mo hb Servt., TH:

JEFFERSON

R C ( A Midwestern Collector, 1945). F C ( V i ) . Enclosure: T J to Isaac Avery, same date, q.v., with its enclosures.

From George Weedon DEAR SIR

Williamsburg March 21st. 1781.

A n Aid-de-Camp of the Marquis's returned last Night from reconnoitreing the Fleet lately arrived, and to m y great Mortification reports them to be British! T h e y consist of 12 heavy Ships all of which he Supposes to be of the line. None of them have been higher up than the Horse Shoe except a Frigate, which was met by a B r i g from Portsmouth. T h e y did not at first understand each others Sig­ nals, but after awhile spoak together, after which the Frigate went up to Portsmouth, and the B r i g down to the fleet. I have sent a lookout over to the Eastern Shore to give Intelligence to the French Fleet should any come from Rhode Island. I have the honor to be w i t h high Esteem y r . Excellencies most Obt Servt., G. R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

[203 ]

WEEDON

To the County Lieutenants of Buckingham and Amherst SIR

I n Council March 22d. 1781

T h e Board approve of your having complied w i t h the C a l l for militia on the Invasion of our Country, tho' that C a l l did not pro­ ceed immediately from the Executive. Necessity obliged us on the first of Arnold's (&c. as i n the Let­ ter to the County Lieutenant of C u l p e p e r ) . 1

F C ( Vi ). T h e remainder of the letter to the two counties was the same as that indicated in the note to the letter to the county lieutenant of Culpeper, following. 1

To the County Lieutenant of Culpeper SIR

I n Council March 22d. 1781

I t being necessary that the militia in Service below should be relieved you w i l l be pleased to send 351 of your militia under proper Officers to W i l l i a m s b u r g . I am informed a portion of your militia are already in motion under a C a l l from General Weedon. Necessity obliged the Executive on the first of Arnold's Invasion and before his Object was fixed to entrust a General Officer w i t h Authority to call for militia; however, as it produces some Con­ fusion in the rotation of D u t y which we w i s h to make as equal as we can on all the Counties, these Calls in the interior parts of the Country especially w i l l go hereafter from the Executive except where Circumstances require an application from one County Lieutenant to another as provided in the Invasion L a w . I am & c , T. J . 1

FC (Vi). T h e preceding communication to the county lieutenants of Buckingham and Amherst was identical with the present from this point to the close. See T J to Weedon, 13 Mch. 1781. 1

T o William Davies SIR

Richmond March 22d. 1781.

Colo. Muter having resigned his appointment as Commissioner of the w a r office, the board have appointed you to succeed h i m w h i c h I have now the pleasure to notify to you. I shall be exceed­ ingly happy should it be agréable to you to undertake the Office, [204]

2 2

M A R C H

1 7 8 1

and i f applications to the Commanding Officer or other Person shall be necessary to reconcile your acting in this Office to the reservation of any other Interests you would wish to retain, I shall readily add m y solicitations to your[s]. I n the mean T i m e I hope it w i l l be i n your power to come immediately to the Office, as its Duties are such as to admit of no Intermission and impossible to be executed by the Executive in addition to their other Duties. T h e Bearer brings this express and by h i m I shall hope your answer. I am & c , T.J . F C ( V i ) . See Muter to T J , 12 and 22 Mch. If factional politics was involved in Muter's resignation and Davies' suc­ cession to the office, it is not apparent from the evidence. T h e change seems to have been based on Muter's proved incompetence and on Davies' well-known qualifications fcr the post. Certainly it would appear that T J and the Council were as anxious to appoint Davies as he was anxious to be appointed. For, while T J in the present letter assured Davies of his willingness to solicit Steuben's agreement to the change, Da­ vies had in fact already appealed to Steuben for support of his candidacy for the office. On 21 Mch. he wrote Steuben as follows: "Some gentlemen have intimated their desire to me that I would offer myself as a candidate for the post of commissioner of the war office in this state. Perhaps I might be of use in it; and at any rate would use my endeavours. I should be glad to be favoured with your interest in the mat­ ter, if you think proper. I wish, how­ ever, this application may be secret and confidential" ( N H i ) . Muter's resigna­ tion and the offer to Davies took place before Steuben could reply; neverthe­ less, Steuben's approval was needed. T h i s he gave, and Davies immediately took up his new duties; on 27 Mch. he wrote Steuben thanking him for agree­ ing in such a "kind and condescending

manner" to permit him to accept the office, and added: "The affairs of the State are strangely confused, and I am sure will continue so, unless a speedy reformation should take place" ( N H i ) . Greene also gave his enthusiastic ap­ proval to Davies' appointment (Greene to Davies, 11 Apr. 1781, C S m H ) . On 1 Apr. Robert Gamble wrote to Davies: " I am happy to hear your post is more independent than was imagined since twill be in your power to render more essential service to your country than could be effected was every order and regulation however trifling to be de­ bated in Council and their approbation obtained previous to its being executed" ( V i ) . It was a fortunate change; Davies was a man of considerable ability, un­ impeachable integrity, and judicious temperament. As one of the few Virginia officers who remained on friendly terms with Steuben at the close of the 1781 campaign—Weedon was the other prin­ cipal one—Davies was an indispensable figure in the difficult period of transition from T J ' s administration to that of Nel­ son. He enjoyed T J ' s full confidence and also that of Greene and Steuben, despite the fact that he had led the pro­ test of the Virginia officers to both gen­ erals against Weedon's coming from retirement to rank above some who had served steadily through the war ( Davies to Steuben, 18 Feb. 1781, N H i ) .

From George Elliott Petersburg March 22d: 1 7 8 1 M A Y I T PLEASE YOUR

EXCELLENCY

I have to Inform you T h a t I have B y the Barons Orders Deliverd in the Neighbourhood of Lyons Creek Near Hog Island T h i r t y two [205 ]

22

MARCH

1781

Good Horses fit* for any Service, to a M a n Appointed to take Cair of them till Call'd for by the Marquis. I Shall Start from Petersburg for the Same Place on Monday Next T w e n t y Odd more but give me leive to Inform you that I think it is Absolutely Necessary for Commissioners to be Appointed to revalue them in the Neighbour­ hood of Petersburg or Lyons Creek as those Horses are Valued to three times their true worth. One G u i l d i n g worth About £ 1 0 , 0 0 0 Valued to £ 3 5 , 0 0 0 and those Horses I fear i f Sent down may be made Use of and Never be revalued. T h e People w i l l Also Complain and think themselves Greatly Injured i f their horses is Carried from B r u n s w i c k to W m s b u r g . or that Neighbourhood, and Aledge the horses w a i r Missused, and I w i s h they might have nothing un­ reasonable to Complain of. T h e y w i l l be on Wednesday at H a r r i ­ sons T a v e r n near Lyons Creek. I was Directed to Receive the waggons Orderd to be furnish'd by the Different Counties for the Use of the Publick One of W h i c h have been Sent in and refus'd not Being fitted as I think Necessary. Another is nearly ready but its a dispute W i t h the People whether I have aright to Receive them or not the L a w Directing them to be deliverd to the Lieutenant Colonel of E a c h County and their Remain for your Particular Order. T h e waggons are fitted w i t h Shuck Collars w h i c h is of Little Use. T h e L a w being Silent in Respect to that Matter, Causes the People to think they are Justifiable in Delivering them w i t h Such. I f you think Proper they Should be received W i t h Such Please to Direct as also G i v i n g me a Proper Authority to Receive them. I am Respectfully y r . Excellencys Obedt. H u m b . Servant, GEO: ELLIOTT R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. T r ( V i ) ; also in Elliott's hand, signed, ad­ dressed, and endorsed; below text: "A Coppy." S H U C K C O L L A R S : That is, horse collars made of woven corn husks.

T o the Speaker of the House of Delegates SIR

I n Council Mar. 2 2 . 1 7 8 1 .

I do myself the honor of inclosing you a letter I received yester­ day evening informing me of the arrival of a B r i t i s h fleet of force in Chesapeake bay. Should this be confirmed beyond all doubt I shall think it proper to discharge the armed vessels of private property which had been impressed into public service. I n the mean time they are coming up to a safer part of the river, and a valuation of them is making so that i f any future events should be thought to [206 ]

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M A R C H

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make the state liable for them, their worth may be precisely estab­ lished. I have the honour to be with very great respect S i r Y o u r most obedient & most humble servt, T H : JEFFERSON R C ( N j P ) ; addressed, by T J : "The honble Richard Henry Lee Speaker of the House of Delegates"; endorsed. F C (Vi). Enclosure (missing): Doubtless a copy of James Barron to T J , 20 Mch. 1781.

The Assembly adjourned on 22 Mch. and there is no record that T J ' s letter was presented to the House before its adjournment ( J H D , Mch. 1781, V a . State Libr., B u l l , 1928, p. 5 2 ) .

From William Greene Mimford Charles City, 22 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . I n compliance with T J ' s orders of 1 5 Feb., delivered to the garrison at Hood's four negro men on 5 Mch. and one on 1 7 Mch., at £ 2 3 4 per month; cannot secure another in the county at that price. R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; addressed and endorsed. See T J to Turner Southall and others, 15 Feb. 1781.

From George Muter SIR

March 22d.

1781.

A resolution of the Honbl. the General Assemby ( I am informed) has passed, requiring that I shall be dismissed from my appoint­ ment as Commissioner of the w a r office. I am of opinion, that after having notice of such a resolution's having passed, it becomes im­ proper for me to act any longer as Commissioner: I therefore must beg leave to resign m y appointment to that office; and request, that your Excellency w i l l be pleased to give orders for the papers belong­ ing to that office, now in my custody, being examined and received by a proper person, authorised for that purpose. Conscious of having ever discharged my duty, as a servant of the State, to the best of my power; I am enabled to bear up, under the pressure of the resolution of the Legislature: and I am induced to assure your Excellency, of my best exertions in the service of the State, in the station m y resignation of the appointment w i l l imme­ diately place me. A s a Colonel of infantry I shall think myself hon­ oured by your Excellencys Commands, and with pleasure and alacrity obey them. Deeply impressed with a sense of the polite treatment I have ever received from your Excellency and the Honbl. Council while acting [207]

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MARCH

178 1

as Commissioner of the w a r office; I beg leave to assure you, that 1 have the honour to be w i t h the highest respect, Y o u r Excellency's most obedient & most humble servant, GEORGE MUTER RC ( V i ) . F C ( V i ) . R E S O L U T I O N O F . . . A S S E M B L Y : See George Muter to T J , 12 Mch. and references there. T h e present letter was

read in Council on 22 Mch., but the journal merely records the fact and does not state whether the resignation was accepted ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., n, 315).

To Thomas Nelson SIR

I n Council March 22d. 1781

A n order and Account of which the inclosed is a Copy being presented to the Board and no advice thereof previously received from you they ask the favour of you to inform them of the particu­ lar Occasion which rendered the order necessary, and (as far as you are able ) to what uses the Horses were applied. I am & c , T .J . F C ( V i ). Enclosure not identified. No reference to an order or account involving horses appears in the proceedings of Council on 22 Mch. or the days immediately preceding that date.

From John? Overton Halfway House, 22 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Accepts offer made in TJ's letter and thanks Council for the appointment; his term of enlistment in Maj. Callis' corps will expire in a few days, when he will "attend at as early a period as possible." R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; signed: " J . Overton, Jr."; addressed and endorsed. There is no record of a letter from T J to Overton or of the appointment referred to. Heitman lists a John Over­ ton who was transferred to the 1st V a .

regiment 12 Feb. 1781 and there was a John Overton who was adjutant of the Hampton and York troops in 1776 ( V a . Council

Jour.,

I I , 472).

H A L F W A Y HOUSE

was in Hampton co., between Hampton and York ( see Dabney to T J , 23 Mch. ) .

From David Ross SIR

Arrowfield 22d. March 1781.

The indisposition of the Gentleman I first intended to employ to the Northward has retarded that business a little, but I hope to have a person ready to sett out by Saturday which w i l l give Colo. Muter longer time to furnish his several Estimates. Finding Our Mercantile plans so much deranged by the Reduc­ tion of St. Eustatias—hence the dificulty of geting M r . Crew [208 ]

22

M A R C H

1781

Convey'd in any Short time to Bermudas, I have been inclind to purchase a very fine Pilot boat burthen about 120 barrels and shall give her such a Cargoe as may probably enable h i m to return a Con­ siderable quantity of gunpowder by the boat. I have engaged an experienced Bermudian to command her and hope she w i l l run clear. T h i s boat is call'd the Washington and w i l l be ready to sail by Sunday. I shall be glad to receive the passports. I am also loading a schooner calPd the Swallow about 3 6 0 bar­ rels burthen for the Island of Hispaniola. She w i l l be clear to sail by Sunday or Monday. I f Y o u thought it proper to address the Governor of that Island for a Small Supply of A r m s I would order her to Cape Francois the place of his residence, otherwise I shall direct her to another port where the produce of the Island can be purchased cheaper. I Have engaged a Capt. K e n t to Superintend the Outfitt. of the Thetis untili a proper Captain and other officers are appointed. I have now sent h i m up with a letter to Cap. M a x w e l l to get the necessary information and to take measures for bringing her round as it seems to be the general opinion she is now at an improper place. W h e n every thing is ready for bringing the Thetis round Y o u l l be pleased to order the A r m ' d Vessels to Convoy her or to lay below the Mouth of Chicahominy for fear of Accidents. B y m y last letters from Philadelphia I find Tobacco is in no demand and that our State money cannot be Negotiated there on any terms. T i s probable Speaker Harrison can furnish me with some usefull hints on this Subject and intend to wait upon h i m tomorrow. I am with great Respect S i r Y o u r very hum Servt., D A V I D Ross R C ( V i ) ; addressed, in part: " $ Cap. Kent"; endorsed. Apparently S P E A K E R H A R R I S O N (who was not Speaker at this time, of course) had no useful hints to offer, for Ross' Philadelphia agent arrived in that city without resources. "Sweet Virginia goes on as usual," William Grayson of the Board of W a r wrote in a private letter to Weedon. "The agent is sent up to

purchase an immense quantity of arti­ cles without a farthing of cash in his pockett: as to the credit of the state, I dont believe anybody would trust her for half a crown" (Grayson to Weedon, 29 May 1781, P P A P ) . T h i s was some­ what exaggerated; the agent, with the aid of the Virginia delegates, succeed­ ed in procuring a number of arms and other resources.

From John Syme SIR

New Castle 22d March 1781.

M r . Daniel Trueheart thinks the Court M a r t i a l of Our County [209]

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M A R C H

17 8 1

Have Done W r o n g , in placing H i m on the present T o u r of Duty. For Certain Reasons, it M a y be impolitick for me to intermeddle w i t h H i s Case, therefore, Hope to be E x c u s ' d by Y o u r Excellency for Referring H i m to Yourself, Being w t h Great Esteem, S i r Y o u r Mo: Obedt. Servt., J SYME R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. Syme was county lieutenant of Cumberland co. One Daniel Trueheart is referred to in the journal of the Coun-

cil on 5 Apr. as having" been given a warrant by T J to impress twenty horses, an authorization that was cancelled on 11 Jan. ( V a . Council Jour., n, 328).

From Isaac and Abram Van Bibber & Company SIR

Baltimore 22d: March 1781.

W e take the liberty to inform your Excellency that Captn. Robert C a r y of V i r g i n i a came express from S i r John Peyton to us, about the 1st: M a r c h , to purchase and forward to V i r g i n i a on account of Said State a quantity of A r m s we had for Sale. Captn. Carys Orders were to hire Waggons and have them carried to Hoes F e r r y and delivered to T h a c k e r Washington on the V i r g i n i a Side, who was to forward them immediately to S i r John Peyton in Glocester County. E v e r y Attempt and Exertion was made by the Captain w i t h our Assistance, but no Waggons could be procured at that time. Captn. C a r y then consulted General G [ i s t ] of this T o w n , and others, and was advized to forward them with the Troops, and did, w i t h the Generals Permission, ship them on board the Schooner Captn. Dushields who saiPd from here when Captn. C a r y set off for V i r g i n i a by L a n d . Y o u r Excellency w i l l direct concerning those A r m s as in your wisdom you may think best. W e have no Orders, or further Power over them. T h e E x p r e s s said the A r m s were much wanted, as 5 0 0 M i l i t i a had been discharg'd for want of A r m s . W e are with due Esteem Y r . Excellencys very humble Servts., ISAAC

R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. Among the Contingent Fund Vouchers ( V i ) there is an order to the Auditors to issue a warrant to David Ross for £ 5 2 , 4 1 6 "upon Account to pay for a

& ABRAM V A N B I B B E R

&

Co.

number of Arms purchased of Messrs. Vanbibbers for the State."

[210]

i Blank in M S .

Invoice of Dixon 8c Nicolson for Printing [23 March-3 April 1781] D r . T h e Commonwealth of V i r g i n i a to Dixon & Nicholson for printing sundries by order of the Governor & Council. 1781 M a r c h 2 3 . Printing 100 Commissions of the Peace 1001b. Tobo. Ditto 100 Commissions of Oyer & Terminer 2 0 0 ft. Ditto 50 Governors letter to Coty. Lieuts. 100ft. 2 9 . Ditto 150 Passports 150ft. Ditto 100 Governors letter to Coty. Lieuts. 2 0 0 ft. Ditto 150 Ditto relative to B r o w n & his deputys 2 0 0 ft. Ditto 80 Ditto to Commissioners 5 0 f t . Ditto 2 5 0 A c t to remedy the incon­ 300ft. veniences &c. 3 1 . Ditto in Gazette a Proclamation for Embargo 100ft. Ditto 80 A c t for assertaining the No. of Militia 50ft. Ditto 80 A c t for exempting Artificers f m Militia 50ft. Ditto 80 Govrs. letter relative to Tobacco tax 100ft. A p r i l 3. Ditto 4 0 0 Passports for Deserters 2 0 0 ft. 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

8

8

10

11

1800ft. Tob. 1 8 0 0 f t . tobacco @ 2 0 / .

£18-0-0

I do certify that the above printing work was done by order of the Executive. A R C H D . B L A I R C.C June 12. 1 7 8 2 . M S ( V i : Contingent Fund Vouchers); in an unidentified hand; at foot of text: "to be signed by M r . Blair." Certifica­ tion and signature are in Blair's hand. Endorsed: "Dixon & Nicholson £ 1 8 - 0 . June 12. 1782 Contingent. [ I n another h a n d : ] 7 April 1781 Hays [James Hayes] commenced public Printer." T h i s paper is printed here, under the

date of its first entry, because it gives information not otherwise available con­ cerning letters and documents issued by T J which were printed for circulation. In some cases a document listed here has been found in only a single printed copy; in others as a M S file copy; and one entry (note 3 below) indicates a probable circular letter by T J not now

[211]

2 3 M A R C H known to be extant in any form. For the sake of clarity, the notes below have been joined by superscript numerals to the entries to which they pertain. 1 Between 24 and 30 Mch. T J ap­ pointed 18 new justices of the peace in Amherst, Buckingham, Halifax, and Loudoun counties (see commission to justices in Amherst, 24 Mch. 1781; V a . C o u n c i l Jour., II, 317, 320, 321, 3 2 3 ) . T h i s was doubtless a reprinting of a regular form used by the Governor and Council. On 5 Mch. 1781 T J was ordered to issue such a commission in the case of Mrs. Byrd (see Appendix I , Vol. 5: "The Affair of Westover." s On 22 Mch. the "Board proceeded to consider the Act of Assembly to 'rem­ edie the inconveniencies arising from the interruption of the draught, and the procuring clothes, provisions and other necessaries for the army,' and advise that the Execution of the Act of Assem­ bly of October 1780, for recruiting this States Quota of Continental troops, be suspended until the further order of the Executive, in the Counties of Amherst, Rockingham, Augusta, R o c k b r i d g e , Green Briar, Buckingham, Bedford, Hal­ ifax, Charlotte, Prince Edward, Cumber­ land, Powhatan, Amelia, Lunenberg, Mecklenburg, Brunswick, Dinwiddie, Chesterfield, Sussex, Southampton, Hen­ rico, Botetourt, Washington, Montgom­ ery, Pittsylvania, Fairfax, Prince W i l ­ liam, New Kent, Charles City, Prince George, Surry, Isle of Wight, Nansemond, Hanover, Caroline, Spotsylvania, and K i n g William; from which a con­ siderable proportion of Militia is absent on service; reserving nevertheless a pow­ er to the field officers of the said Coun­ 2

17 8 1

ties to proceed in the Execution of the said Act, if, from the return of their Militia the progress already made in the execution of the said laws, or other cir­ cumstances, they shall be of opinion that it will be most for the ease of their County to go through with the same now; making report to the Executive that they have thought it best so to pro­ ceed" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., I I , 3 1 6 ) . No copy of T J ' s letter to the county lieu­ tenants advising them of this decision of the Council is known to be extant; but in his letter to James Callaway, county lieutenant of Bedford, 5 Apr., q.v., he refers to "a circular letter . . . from me accompanied by a resolution of Council for suspending your Draft till further order." See Hugh Rose to T J , 26 Sep. 1781, and Greene to T J , 27 June 1781. 4 T h i s entry is for printing passports for vessels engaging in trade with Ber­ muda (see T J to David Ross, 27 Mch. 1781; V a . C o u n c i l Jour., II, 321). s T h i s is evidently T J ' s letter to the county lieutenants of 26 Mch. 1781, q.v. 6 T h i s is probably T J ' s letter to the county lieutenants of 30 Mch. 1781, of which one printed copy has been lo­ cated. 7 Probably T J ' s letter to the commis­ sioners of the tax, 28 Mch., q.v. s These Acts were printed to be en­ closed in T J ' s letter to the county lieu­ tenants of 26 Mch. (note 5 above). No copies of the separately-printed Acts have been found. o On 26 Mch. 1781 T J renewed his embargo proclamation, which was print­ ed periodically in the V i r g i n i a Gazette throughout his governorship. io T h i s letter has not been identified. n No copies found.

From James Callaway SIR

Bedford County Mar. 23rd. 1781.

F r o m the Extraordinary Number of Militia now in Service from this County, I have Omitted the Draught for R a i s i n g our Quota of Troops agreeable to the late A c t of Assembly, in w h i c h I hope I have not done W r o n g , as the Legislature I presume w i l l extend the time, which may give the People an Opportunity of making some Recruits, whereas I conceive had they been D r a w n Regular Soldiers in their Absence, without an Opportunity of avoiding it, It would have Occasioned a General Disturbance. T h e above Rea­ son Prevents my giving your Excellency the number of our Effec[212]

2 3 M A R C H

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tive Militia. I n the meantime I am of Opinion, that Thirteen H u n ­ dred at Least might be Counted upon. A s Soon as it is in my Power it shall be done, together with the Quantity of Publick A r m s ; m y D u t y Requires that I inform your Excellency, that a considerable part of the late Conspirators in this County have Refused to accept the Benefit of the A c t of Pardon intended for them, and that the Conduct of a part of those who have complyed with the L a w , to­ gether with the others, Discover a Disposition to become Hostile, whenever it may be in their Powers, Several Informations having been Lodged with me to this purpose already, Threats have been giving out. I understand they never were oblig'd to their Country for this A c t of Pardon, as they were taught by their Attorneys that they had done nothing Capitol for which they could be Punished, and that they were not in need of such a L a w . I n a Requisition from Geni. Green some time past, he A s k ' d for 5 0 0 Men from this County, part of which I had made upon the Return of Colo. L y n c h from Richmond, when he gave me the Sight of a Letter from you. Colo. L y n c h went on with upwards of 3 0 0 M e n . Since which ( a few Days before the late Battle ) I was Apprehensive from Various C i r ­ cumstances that more A i d was Still Actually necessary, and that as General Green had not been furnish'd with the Number of Men he A s k ' d for, I ventured to call upon the County and Desired the M i l i t i a Generally to attend on Monday next, at a convenient place in Order to make them up [to] 5 0 0 Men i f no more. I n case this or greater Number of Men should at this time M a r c h to the Assistance of Geni. Greene, I hope for your Excellencys Approbation and that you w i l l allow me to G r a n t Credit for T o w e r s to the Men, tho I only mean to keep them from Home one Month (this being so busy a Season of the Y e a r ) , and in Order to know certainly whether the General still stands in need of us, I sent out an Express that w i l l Return to Morrow. Hope your Excellency w i l l Excuse any part of my Conduct that may be amiss and be Assured that every Breach of m y Office or D u t y w i l l be committed through no want of Inclina­ tion to do what is J u s t and R i g h t . Our Situation in this part of the Country having become very A l a r m i n g , w i l l I hope in a great Measure Apologize for any forwardness that I may be Guilty off, with Respect to sending out the M i l i t i a of this County. I have the Honour to be, Y o u r Excellencys V e r y Humble Servt., JAMES

R C ( V i ) ; endorsed. See T J ' s response to this letter, 5 Apr. 1781; Callaway anticipated the Assembly's action on the draft and also

C A L L A W A Y

the Council's determination (see Hening, x, 393-5; V a . C o u n c i l Jour., n , 316; and Dixon & Nicolson's invoice for printing, preceding, note 3 ) .

[213]

T o Christopher Calvert SIR

I n Council March 23d. 1781

I transmitted your Letter w i t h the one inclosed from Capt. H a r d y to the Attorney General for his advice and received the inclosed answer. Y o u w i l l be pleased to supply, by fuller information i f i n your power, the Circumstances w h i c h you may judge of Importance to be communicated to the Attorney whose opinion upon such fuller state, I w i l l obtain and transmit to you for your Guidance. I am Sir & c , T.J. F C ( V i ) . Enclosure missing.

See Calvert to T J , 25 Feb. 1781.

From Charles Dabney SIR

Hampton Halfway House March 23d. 1781

I think it necessary to report to your Excellency Capt. Clopton, L i e t s . W i l k e r s o n and Frazier, and E n s i g n Waddey, M i l i t i a Officers from N e w kent County who have deserted from this post. T h e most of the M i l i t i a that has been called into service from that County has deserted, but as I believe the Officers has been principally to blame, I have not reported the Names of the privates. I beg leave to observe to your Excellency that the two Com­ panies of Amherst M i l i t i a , and the one from Albemarle, now under m y command, has been i n service since the 9th. of J a n r y . M a n y of them are unfit for duty for want of shoes and cloths, and as they have behav'd very well I cou'd w i s h they cou'd get discharged. I have the honor to be Y r . Excellencies Most Obedt. Servt., CHAS.

D A B N E Y

R C ( V i ) ; addressed, in part: "Favor'd by M r . Harvey"; endorsed.

T o George Elliott SIR

I n Council March 23d. 1781

T h e Board w i s h to have all the Horses impressed for the Ports­ mouth Service valued by the same set of Gentlemen, that all may be rated on the same scale. T h e y therefore desire that Colo. Griffin and the other Gentlemen before appointed be applied to, to go to Hog-island when the 2 0 odd Horses get there and value them. Y o u w i l l therefore have them detained there till valued by those Gentle[214]

2 3 M A R C H

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men. M r . B r o w n was instructed to authorize his Agents i n the several Counties to receive the County waggons and to deliver over to the Continental Quartermaster. I am & c , T.J. FC (Vi).

From Nathanael Greene SIR

Camp, at Buffaloe Creek; March 23d, 1781.

A s the M i l i t i a of V i r g i n i a came out only for six W e e k s their times w i l l very shortly expire. I must request of your Excellency to order out 1500 more for three Months, to be sent from those Counties which are best able to arm and equip themselves. T h e i r services w i l l be immediately wanted. E v e r y Hour serves to confirm the severety of the Action on the 15th, and proves the calculations made of the E n e m y s loss to be rather under than over. T h e i r precipitate retreat from Gilford, and the leaving behind our Wounded at the Court House, and seventy of their own at N e w Garden settlement, are circumstances that bear strong marks of distress. Our Troops are in high spirits, and the A r m y in the most perfect readiness for another action. T h e E n e m y are retireing and we ad­ vancing. T h e i r rout is conjectured by some to be towards Cross Creek, and by others towards Pedee. I have the honor to be Y o u r Excellencys most obedient and most humble Servt., N A T H

G R E E N E

P S . I f measures are not taken to furnish us with Provisions imme­ diately we shall be obliged to fall back. R C ( V i ) ; probably in the hand of William Pierce, signed by Greene; ad­ dressed and endorsed. F C ( M i U - C ) . T r ( C S m H ) ; this and preceding F C have the postscript included as the final para­ graph of the letter, indicating that they were made after R C ( V i ) . T r ( D L C : T J Papers). T r ( D L C : P C C , No. 7 1 , n ) ; enclosed in T J ' s letter to Hunting­ ton, 28 Mch. T r ( D L C : Washington Papers); enclosed in T J to Washington, 28 Mch. T h e three preceding copies lack the sentence contained in the post­ script of R C ( V i ) . On 22 Mch. Greene wrote a long let­ ter to Steuben about the state of affairs in the army in which he made the fol­ lowing remarks: "Our force is now small, exclusive of the militia acting

with us, whose times of service are out in less than three weeks. I f therefore the recruits are not likely to join soon, another draft of the militia will be necessary; I have written Governor Jef­ ferson on the subject, and you will from the prospect before you advise the As­ sembly in the matter. Not less than fif­ teen hundred men should be called for, and the militia of the back counties would be most agreeable. . . . I hope you will be successfull in your opera­ tions against Arnold, and reap all the Glory due to your Toils. On this and every occasion, I shall always be ex­ ceeding happy to hear of your success, and to contribute all in my power to promote it" ( N H i ) . A month earlier, at an equally critical juncture, Greene had

[215]

2 3 MARCH taken the unusual step of calling upon Patrick Henry to assist in raising 1,500 troops: "Your influence in Virginia," he wrote, "properly exercised at this im­ portant period may terminate the war greatly to the honor and advantage of the Southern states. I f it is possible for you to call forth fifteen hundred volun­ teers and march them immediately to my assistance, the British army will be exposed to a very critical and dangerous

17 8 1

situation. . . . I must repeat it, the pres­ ent moment is big with the most im­ portant consequences and requires the greatest and most spirited exertions. You I know are equal to them and I trust no step will be neglected that may be nec­ essary to call forth the power of your part of the country" (Greene to Patrick Henry, 10 Feb. 1781, C S m H ; see Greene to T J , 10 Feb. 1781).

From Samuel Huntington SIR

Philadelphia March 23. 1781

Y o u r Excellency w i l l receive herewith enclosed, two Acts of Congress of the 16th and 2 3 d Instant, directing that all Debts liquidated in or contracted for specie Value shall be paid in Specie or other Money equivalent according to the current Exchange com­ pared w i t h Specie. Also recommending to the several States to amend their L a w s making the B i l l s of Credit emitted under the Authority of Congress a legal Tender, so that such B i l l s shall not be a legal Tender in any other Manner than at their current Value compared w i t h Gold and Silver. B u t what more particularly claims the Attention of your Legis­ lature as of great Importance, is, the requisition for six Millions of Dollars, that is, one Million and an half of Dollars, to be paid quarterly, the first quarterly Payment to be made on the first D a y of June next, the Quota of each State being apportioned in the enclosed A c t , and Payment to be made on this requisition as also the several others therein referred to, in Gold or Silver, or B i l l s emitted by any of the States whatever, in Pursuance of the reso­ lutions of the 18th of M a r c h 1 7 8 0 . T h i s Assessment is not to be considered as the Proportion of any State, but being paid is to be adjusted and settled with Interest in Future upon equitable Principles in the Manner expressed i n the Act. I t is w i t h reluctance that Congress are compelled to make the requisition, but the absolute Necessity of the Case w i l l appear so obvious that we presume the respective States w i l l yield a ready and chearful Compliance therewith to the utmost of their Power. I have the Honor to be with great respect & Esteem your E x c e l ­ lency's most obedient & most humble Servant, SAML. H U N T I N G T O N President [216]

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R C ( V i ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by Huntington. F C ( D L C : P C C , No. 1 5 ) ; at head of text: "Circular." Enclosures ( V i ) : Resolutions of Congress of 16 and 23 Mch. 1781 ( J C C , x i x , 266-8, 2 9 9 ) .

From Lafayette SIR

Williams Burg March 23d 1781

I n the Midst of preparations and Sanguine Hopes, intelligence was Brought to our Camp Near Sleepy Hole that the Squadron Some time Mistaken for a French fleet, was Behond any doubt Composed of B r i t i s h Men of W a r . T h e i r Force and Number was still Uncertain, Nor was it possible to know where they Came from. I t was then A general opinion that they H a d troops on Board. T h e Same Night the troops under G n l . M ü l l e m b e r g took A g a i n their old position at Suffolk, and intelligences were Sent to C o l . P a r k e r of our Movement and the A r r i v a l of the Ennemy. Baron de Stubens H a v i n g from the Begining Been directed to Make every prepara­ tion Against the time of our A r r i v a l , I Requested H i m to take Measures for the Security of Such Articles as Might B e Exposed, and He H a d the Honor of writing on that Subject to Y o u r E x c e l ­ lency. F r o m intelligences that Can B e depended Upon, I know that the French fleet, with all the Grenadiers and light infantry and B y the Most favorable W i n d , Have left Rhode island on the 8h Insn. W h a t Became of them Since that time I am not able to Say, Nor Can I get intelligences from the Ennemy's fleet. Spies Have Been Sent on their Board, and on their Return I w i l l Have the Honor to write to Y o u r Excellency. T h e two Boats which I Understand Have Been dispatch'd from the Eastern Shore B y Y o u r Excellency's orders, two others Sent B y G n l . Weedon and one I am Going to order out W i l l insure the French fleet Against any Surprise. Should this fleet B e from G a r d ­ ner's B a y ( w h i c h opinion Seems the Most probable) it is Still to Be Hoped that A n Engagement M a y turn the tables in our favor. I Have Received the dispatches which Y o u r Excellency was pleased to forward and Request you w i l l Receive M y Best thanks. W i t h the Highest Respect I Have the Honor to B e Your Excellency's Most obedient Humble Servant, L A F A Y E T T E R C ( N H i ) ; endorsed: "Marquis Fayette Letter, reed. March 26. 8 1 . [ I n h a n d : ] Copd."

[217]

another

To Sarah Mcintosh Richmond Virginia March 23d. 1781

M A D A M

I do myself the pleasure of communicating to you a resolution of the General Assembly of this State which was formed in Consequence of an application and Information from the Officers of the V i r g i n i a L i n e in Captivity in Charlestown. T h e Executive have ordered ten thousand Pounds of our present money to be paid into the Hands of Colo. Russel for your use. T h e y w i l l be happy in being the further Instruments for administering to your relief according to the wish of the General Assembly, and the poor abilities of the State and therefore beg the favour of you to communicate to them any Circumstances of your present Situation which you may think proper to confide to them and which may be a ground work for their future Discharge of this agréable Duty. I am & c , T.J. F C ( V i ) : at head of text: "Mrs Mcintosh." RESOLUTION OF THE GENERAL

ASSEM-

B L Y : On 21 Mch. the House agreed to the following resolution, which was approved by the Senate on the same day: "Resolved that the Governor with Advice of the Council be desired to assist the Lady and family of General Mcintosh in such manner as their present Circumstances and necessities require—And also to represent the same to Congress

for farther relief." T h e resolution was considered by the Council on 22 Mch., and on the same day T J directed the auditors to issue a warrant to Col. Russell for £ 1 0 , 0 0 0 ( J H D , Mch. 1781, V a . State Libr., B u l l . , 1928, p. 46, 48; V a . C o u n c i l Jour., n, 315; Contingent Fund Vouchers, V i ; see also Petition of Captured Officers of the Virginia Line in Favor of General Mcintosh, 20 Sep. 1780, and references there; Sarah Mcintosh to T J , 23 Apr. 1781).

From Daniel Morgan SIR

Frederick county March 23d. 1781

I was informed, I might, by sending down to Richmond, receive a proportion of depreciation money aloted for the officers of the army. I sent by M r . W i l l i a m D r e w , but the auditors not knowing the date of my commission, thought proper to put me to the expence of sending a special Messenger. I could not see through this matter for i f the money is advanced on account I cannot see the Necessity for the date of commissions and for my part I am in great want of all the money I can get, as my expences I n the army and T a x e s at home have almost reduced me to poverty, and I fear w i l l soon compleat it. I am Informed the supply of cloathing is stoped from the officers. H o w can this matter be setled, as Numbers have received Nearly their full due, and others Not. F o r m y part I have [218]

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Not received a fifth part, and am at this time so bare of cloaths that I am ashamed to be seen, nor should I undertake to appear in T h e charector of an officer, did I not recolect that the disgrace reflected on my keepers and Not myself. A s I have not been supplyd as other officers have been, i f I could with propriety be furnished with some arrears such as a coat L i n n i n g and stockings &c: it would enable me to appear in the field should I recover in a short time, which I am in great hopes I shall, for I am realy not able to furnish myself, having not received any pay this sixteen months. W h e n I arrived at home, I found the people in a ferment about the T a x e s ; and some went so far as to say they would not pay them. I endeavoured to convince them of the danger of such a step, and threatened them should they attemp to fly in the face of the L a w , since which the matter is silenced. T h i s circumstance convinces me that a small force ought to be kept up in each county as well to inforce the L a w s is to defend the States, for had great Britton it in her power to send ever so many men in the field against us, I should still be in hopes to repel them, but when ever I see the L a w s trampled on with Impunity I shall begin to despair. I have proposed a plan for raising a core of cavalry in this county; to be K e p t up during the w a r , which I have sent down to our representatives. I f you approve of it, be kind enough to countenace it. I am very anxious to know what our armies are doing. B y all accounts, we are strong enough for them. I am in hopes by this time m y old friend Arnold is pretty snug. Nothing [out]side of heaven would give me greater happiness then to be able to lend my aid at this critical juncture. I have the Honor to be S i r Y o u r obedt & Hble servt, D A N L MORGAN R C ( P H i ) ; addressed, in part: "favd by M r Stribling"; endorsed by T J ; "reed Apr. 20th." Morgan, suffering from the infirmities described in his letter to T J of 1 Feb., fell ill shortly after the battle of Guilford Court House and went home.

From LeRoy Peachey SIR

Richmd County March the 23d. 1781

T h e M i l i t i a of this County were Drafted on the 12th. of this Instant and this day the Drafts were Ordered to Rendezvous at my F e r r y properly prepared to begin their M a r c h to Chesterfield CtHouse T o morrow, but being Informed by the Collectors, and the two Commissioners who have the Receiving of the Bounty Money [219]

2 3 M A R C H

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that the Collection had been and would be chiefly made in Tobacco, which consequently rendered it necessary to send to the T r e a s u r y for money for the Bounty aforesaid I have Furlough'd the Drafts untili T h u r s d a y the 5th. of next month, and this I did, because I judg'd it to be the intention of the Legislative that they should receive their Bounty before they March'd from their County. I f I have done wrong, be pleas'd to give your Orders and they shall be Obeyed. A n d now I am writing to your Excellency on this Subject I w i l l give you the State of a Case that happened in this County, and beg for your directions how I am to proceed in it. M r . Thomas Beale one of the Commissioners of the Money tax, a Gentleman who hath been afflicted with the Rheumatism for Several years, one E v e n i n g at his own House in conversation w i t h several Gentlemen and myself express'd much uneasiness at the Acts of Assembly for Drafting the Militia, mention'd Several times his Inability to Serve as a Soldier in the Continental A r m y and his having a Year or two before apply'd to a Court M a r t i a l held in the County to be excus'd from M i l i t i a duty. Upon his renewing the Subject Several times that E v e n i n g and appearing to be uneasy I told h i m he certainly cou'd not be deem'd an able body'd M a n and I thought I could venture to insure him for a small consideration from all Drafts while he remaind under his then Infirmity being well acquainted with the kind of Men that were received as Soldiers at the places of Rendezvous. T h i s I said at the time purely to quiet him and thought no more of it untili next morning when he resum'd the Subject and insisted so much upon being made quite easy w i t h his F a m i l y , as he express'd it, that I told him I would comply with my last nights engagement. Upon which he requested M r . R . Parker (one of the Company) to Committ it to w r i t i n g , the Sub­ stance of which was T h a t I should for the Consideration of one Thousand pounds of Tobacco and T e n Barrels of Corn paid A n ­ nually for five years ( H e being at that time 4 5 Years of A g e ) Insure h i m from all Drafts. T h i s happened soon after the Draft made in the Year 1780 and before the L a w made for this last Draft. W h e n the Gentlemen appointed to divide the M i l i t i a Assembled at the place I had appointed according to L a w , the whole of this Matter was related to them by me, and that part of the L a w read which directs that none shall be put on a Division but Such as were thought to be able Body'd and fit for Service. T w o of the Gentlemen thought, as I had insured M r . Beale for a Consideration, altho' a very small one and altho' he was clearly unfitt for a Soldier and did not by any means come under the Description of a Recruit he ought [220]

2 3 MARCH

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to be put into a Division and if Drafted be oblig'd to go or furnish a substitute. T h e first Justice gave no opinion in it neither did M r . Beale or myself being the parties concern'd. After he was fix'd upon a Division in this Irregular manner I apply'd to the Gentlemen to say whether they thought he came under the Description of a R e ­ cruit and whether there had not been many men in the County Excused who were better able to Serve than M r . Beale. T h i s they agreed to but insisted that the private Contract he had made with me Oblig'd him to take a Chance in the present and future Drafts untili the Contract expired, whatever state he might be in i f life remain'd, but i f the Contract was annul'd they should not think M r . Beale a fit person to take a Draft. Upon which I offered to burn it. T h i s However M r . Beale refused to have done, was left upon the 9th. division and drew Service; moreover the Captain in whose Company he Served as a Militia M a n , declared it afterwards (not being present at the time of the dispute ) as his Opinion that M r . Beale by no means fell under the Description of an Able bodied M a n and that he had on account of his Infirmness frequently ex­ cused h i m from standing in the R a n k s on Muster days. I would further Inform Y o u r Excellency that altho' the whole of the Gentle­ men were of Opinion that I was not an able Body'd M a n , Y e t in order to keep the People quiet ( w h o murmur'd greatly at the num­ ber excus'd ) I had myself put into one of the Divisions and took a Chance as the Rest. Now S i r i f upon this true Representation of the Matter you should be of Opinion that M r . Beale is L a w f u l l y Drafted and ought to Serve or find a Substitute I must look out and provide one for him at any price for I am certain I should not be received were I inclin'd to take his place. T h i s transaction may be thought a piece of Inadvertancey in me being commanding Officer of the Militia, but when the different Circumstances are taken into V i e w , I have no Doubt of being acquitted. W e had but Eleven Men in each Division the Adjacent County s 18, 15 and 13. I am Your Excellencys Most Obdt Servt., L E R O Y P E A C H E Y R C ( V i ) ; endorsed: "Colo Peachey 23rd March 1781." It is apparent that the interesting transaction narrated in this letter was not looked upon by Peachey or by his contemporaries as an act of venality. On the contrary, it was regarded simply as a purchase of insurance, Peachey be­ ing the insurer and Beale the insured. It c?n hardly be supposed that Peachey would have disclosed the transaction to

"the Gentlemen appointed to divide the militia" or to T J if he or they had re­ garded the matter as unethical or il­ legal. T h i s interpretation of the trans­ action as a leoral, if unusual, purchase of insurance is supported by the fact that Peachey employs the word "in­ sured" and the justices allude to the "private Contract" between the two par­ ties. Moreover, the consideration was to be paid annually, a fact which gives it

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the aspect of an insurance premium. Peachey does not quote the terms of the written contract, but it appears from his letter that the stated obligation of the insurer was merely to protect Beale "from all Drafts while he remained un­ der his then Infirmity"; it was not an obligation to help him evade the draft law or to procure an exemption through illegal means. Peachey merely found himself in the position of an insurer called upon to meet a claim that he felt was based upon an erroneous interpre­ tation of the law. In the present letter, therefore, he appealed to T J and the executive power to determine whether "Mr. Beale is Lawfully Drafted." There was, of course, nothing in the law to cover such forms of insurance as de­ scribed by Peachey. The Act in ques­ tion stated that no one should be ac­ cepted as a recruit who was not "fit for present duty, between the ages of eight­ een and fifty years, of able body and sound mind, who is neither a prisoner of war, a deserter from the enemy, nor engaged to serve for a longer term than eight months" and, further, that "No man shall be drafted, unless it shall appear to the . . . commanding officer that he comes within the above descrip­ tion of a recruit; neither shall any re­ cruit or substitute be accepted of by him, unless he comes up to such de­ scription" (Hening, x, 3 3 3 ) . Clearly, Beale was not qualified under these terms as a recruit or as a draftee. But, because of Peachey's obligation under the contract, Beale was, in the opinion of "the Gentlemen who were appointed to divide the Militia," subject to the draft law so long as the contract re­ mained in force and, no matter how great were Beale's infirmities, so long as "life remain'd." T h i s presented a nice legal question and it would be interesting to know what T J ' s answer would have been. Unfortunately, there is no evidence that he responded to Peach­ ey's letter or that a ruling on the ques­ tion was made by the Council or by Attorney General Randolph. It is quite certain, however, that Peachey's trans­ action did not have any adverse effect upon his standing in the community. On 2 Apr. the county court of Richmond recommended him to T J for the post of county lieutenant in the place of Francis L . Lee, who had refused to qualify ( C V S P , I I , 3 ) . T J , by advice of Council, issued a commission in com­ pliance with this recommendation, and on 6 May Peachey took the oath of

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office (Gwathmey, H i s t . Reg. of V i r ­ g i n i a n s i n the R e v o l u t i o n ; the Richmond county court's recommendation, attested by Peachey himself as clerk, is in V i and bears this notation: "Issd [issued]" and, in another hand, "by advice of Council"). Certainly if T J , who was extremely sensitive to matters of pro­ priety in official conduct, had regarded Peachey's conduct in this case as venal, he would not have been likely to appoint him to the post of county lieutenant and thereby enlarge his opportunities for venality. It is to be noted, too, that Peachey was acting as commanding of­ ficer of the county at the time of writ­ ing the present letter, for it was the duty of such an officer to call together the "field officers of his county or corpo­ ration, the four senior magistrates, not being field officers, and the commission­ ers of the tax, to meet at such place as he shall appoint" (Hening, x, 330-1); these were T H E G E N T L E M E N A P P O I N T E D TO

DIVIDE T H E MILITIA.

Even so, this question remains: I f Peachey insured Beale only so long as he suffered under an infirmity that ren­ dered him exempt from militia and draft laws, for what contingency did he ac­ cept the "small consideration" if not for such a circumstance as that against which he complains in the present let­ ter? Peachey probably entered into this business in the beginning merely, as he says, to quiet Beale, who may have been either a neurotic or a shrewd bargainer. But the fact is that Peachey accepted a consideration under promise of perform­ ance and thereby rendered himself liable to action for breach of contract if he failed to meet the obligation. Beale, however infirm he may have been, real­ ized this as clearly as did the other justices. Peachey's letter and his offer to burn the contract prove that this form of insurance was unusual if not unique and was produced by a kind of indiscretion scarcely covered by its de­ scription as "a piece of Inadvertancey." If Peachey entered into the contract merely to soothe a nervous man and continued to accept the annual consider­ ation for this humane reason, one may sympathize with him in his ultimate plight when it was plain that, if Beale had been lawfully drafted, Peachey would be obligated to "Serve or find a Substitute . . . at any price." For, a few months later, Peachey wrote to Gover­ nor Nelson that "a Hogshead of paper money would not get a man in this quarter" (Peachey to Nelson, 25 Aug.

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2 3 MARCH 1781; cvsp, I i , 3 5 6 ) . But this sympa­ thetic interpretation may take on an­ other color when it is recognized that Peachey had been paid in substantial amounts of tobacco and corn, not paper

17 8 1

money. Peachey's legal problem may have been solved in his day, but unhap­ pily the records provide no evidence as to what that solution was.

From George Rice Barracks [Charlottesville] 23 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . John Lightfoot, who has served as assistant commissary of hides at Charlottesville since 1 Jan. 1780, has been drafted for 18-month service. Rice is ignorant of the law in this respect, but Lightfoot considers himself unfairly treated and applies for redress. Mr. Marks, the commissary of hides, is in Philadel­ phia on business for the department and his duties fall on Lightfoot. If both officers of that department are absent "the Interest of the Public will be much injured" because leather is needed for the harness factory. R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; addressed and endorsed.

To Edward Travis SIR

Richmond March 23d. 1781

I have received your favor of the 17th. inst. and am sorry there should be so much reason of Complaint both on the part of the Officers and men of the navy. I have not had it in my Power to see the paymaster of the navy but I am pretty certainly informed that he has laid out the greatest part of the money he received in the purchase of Cloathing, which is now in considerable forwardness making up. Orders shall be given for the issuing it as soon as ready, and an enquiry as to any balance unapplied in that way. T h e emis­ sion of a further sum of money voted by the Assembly w i l l put it in our power to pay off the navy which shall be done as soon as the money can be prepared. Y o u r Letter did not come to H a n d till the moment of the rising of Assembly so that it was not in my power to lay it before them. T h e y meet again in six weeks when I think an application for redress from the Officers would be favorably re­ ceived. A n y Assistance which the poverty of the T r e a s u r y w i l l enable us to yield to the Officers or men of the navy w i l l be chearfully done by us. I am S i r & c , T.J. FC (Vi).

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]

From Beverley Winslow SIR

Spotsylvania 23d. Mar. 1781

Agreeable to yours of the 12th. instant, have Ordered 120 effec­ tive M e n properly Officer'd, imediately to repair to W i l l i a m s b u r g . T h e y marched the 21st., except a few whose situation (from so short notice) prevented them a few days. I expect those w i l l join by the time the Detachment arrives at W i l l i a m s b u r g . I f not, proper Notice w i l l be taken of the Delinquents. T h e present call for so large a proportion of the M i l i t i a from this County, I think, renders the Draught (for Continental Service) impracticable. Therefore have suspended the prosecution thereof 'till further Orders. I n consequence of the said Draught being suspended I have received, and delivered, to the proper Officer, sundry recruits, recruited by this Militia to serve during the W a r , and shall continue to receive and deliver all such unless otherwise directed. A s the Clothing to be furnish'd by this County are now ready (and I suppose much wanted) shou'd be glad to be inform'd to whom I shall deliver them. I am very sorry that the late Behaviour of Lieut. Nicholas L e w i s , of our Militia, makes it necessary that a Court shou'd be held to inquire into his Conduct. Y o u w i l l therefore please to order a Court for that purpose, and if, with propriety, it may be done, shou'd be glad general Orders may be given, for T r y a l s in Similar Cases as I am inform'd the Conduct of some others w i l l shortly be brought in question. I am with great respect your Excellencys most Obedt. and very huml. Servt., B E V E R L E Y

R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. YOURS

OF

THE

12TH. INSTANT:

See

T J ' s letter to the county lieutenants of Hanover and certain other counties, 12 Mch. Winslow qualified as county lieu­

W I N S L O W

tenant of Spotsylvania 19 July 1780 (Gwathmey, H i s t . Reg. of V i r g i n i a n s i n the R e v o l u t i o n ) . On the matter of the conduct of N I C H O L A S L E W I S , see T J ' s reply to this letter of 17 Apr.

To Richard Claiborne and Granville Smith SIR

I n Council March 24th. 1781

I n Compliance with a resolution of the General Assembly of M a r c h 16th, I must beg the favor of you as soon as the Impress warrants to which the resolution refers shall have been fully exe­ cuted to procure from the several persons who have been employed in the Execution of them a report of their Proceedings therein which [224]

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may be done by w a y of Calendar under these Heads, to w i t : 1st. T h e Species of Horse impressed, that it, whether a Stone Horse, Gelding, or Brood Mare. 2d. A Description by the Size, A g e , and general Appearance, which latter Circumstance I would only w i s h to have designated by such short T e r m s as these 'fine,' 'Indifferent' &c. 3d. T h e S u m at which they were first valued. 4th. T h e S u m at which they were revalued. 5th. Whose Property. 6th. I n what County Impressed. 7th. B y whom impressed. 8th. T o whom de­ livered. Should any other Circumstances in the Course of these I m ­ presses come to your knowlege which might be deemed repre­ hensible, you w i l l be so good as to communicate them to me. I am &c, T. J. persons empowered to impress horses and submit it to the next session of As­ sembly (printed in J H D , Mch. 1781, V a . State Libr., B u l l . , 1928, p. 32-3). At the foot of the text of the M S copy in V i , there is the following notation in T J ' s hand: "under my warrant: name of owner, where impressed, species of horse, viz stone horse, brood mare, geld­ ing, description, viz. size, age, & form, price, how disposed of. by whom im­ pressed." See T J to Speaker, 16 Mch. 1781 and note.

F C ( V i ) . T r ( V i ) ; at head of text: "The Governor's Letter to Richard Clai­ borne Continental Quartermaster & to Granville Smith State Qr. Master." E n ­ closure ( V i ) : Resolutions of the House of Delegates of 16 Mch., approved by the Senate the same day, authorizing the Governor, with advice of Council, "to appoint two or more persons of dis­ cretion and Integrity to affix the true value" on all horses impressed or pur­ chased for the expedition under Lafa­ yette, and requesting that the Governor make an inquiry into the conduct of the

From Richard Claiborne SIR

Richmond 24. March 1781.

T h e order from your Excellency dated in Council this day, re­ specting the impressed horses, shall meet with m y immediate attention. Copies of the letter, w ith forms and instructions agréable shall be transmitted to Majr. D a y at W i l l i a m s b u r g , and M r . George Elliott at Petersburg, to whom the horses were sent. I beg leave to mention to your Excellency, that owing to some deficiency, either with the County Courts or County Commissioners, there has not yet been received by the Continental Quartermasters, more than seven or eight W a g o n s agréable to the late law. I t con­ cerns me much that I am obliged to mention this to your E x c e l ­ lency; but the pressing calls that I have received lately from the Southern A r m y , for the means of Transportation for provisions and Quarter Masters Stores compel me to it. I beg leave likewise to mention, that I have fearful apprehen­ sions, that the source upon which I principally depended for the T

1

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means of Transportation in this State w i l l fail me. I have conversed with the Commissioner of the provision law upon this subject, but he gives me poor encouragement. Should the orders heretofore issued respecting this matter, from the executive prove ineffectual, w i l l your Excellency and Council be pleased to consider that money w i l l be the only alternative? Formerly the Commissaries were fur­ nished w i t h money to C a r r y on the operations of their department, but now the Transportation which is a heavy branch of business is all thrown upon the Quarter Masters. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Y o u r Excellencys Most obedient Humble servant, R D . C L A I B O R N E D Q M r . S. V . R C ( V i ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by Claiborne; addressed and endorsed. i Opposite this sentence, in the margin and marked by an asterisk, is the

following: "see returns furnd Col. Carrington which says 26 4-Horse waggons then reed. ( 1 7 8 1 ) . " T h i s note seems to be in Carrington's hand.

From Richard Claiborne SIR

Richmond, 24th. March 1 7 8 1 .

I inclose to your Excellency the whole proceedings respecting M r . Boswell the Express Rider who was some time since discharged from the public service. No. 1 is a copy of the charges given by Colo. Jones, and written by your Excellency. No. 2 is a copy of m y Letter to M r . Elliott to discharge M r . Boswell. No. 3 is a Copy of M r . Elliotts answer to my Letter. No. 4 is a Copy of a receipt given by Colo. Jones to M r . Boswell for the Letter. No. 5 and 6 are copies of Letters from M r . L a m b and M r . Mitchell respecting M r . Boswell. A n d No. 7 is a Copy of M r . Boswell's reply to the charges alledged against h i m . F r o m what is said, your Excellency w i l l be able to judge, and determine accordingly. I have the Honor to be with the greatest respect Y o u r E x c e l ­ lency's most Obedient Hble: Servt., RD. C L A I B O R N E D Q M r . S. V . R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. Enclosures ( V i ) : ( 1 ) Extract of a letter from T J to Claiborne, printed above under 5 Mch.; ( 2 ) copy of Claiborne's letter to George Elliott, 5 Mch., enclosing "papers from his Excellency" on the "pernicious practices of some of our Express-Riders" and ordering that the "Fellow mentioned" be "immediately put out of his Post and one who may be depended on procured"; also directing

that any others failing in their duty be made "an example of by an immediate dismission, and never suffering them to be employed in any public business again"; (3) copy of a letter from George Elliott to Claiborne, 22 Mch., stating that the bearer was William Boswell, who insisted on seeing Claiborne "to reinstate his character with you as he thinks himself much injured," and adding: " I can only say as a man employed

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by us he has a right to be heard on the occasion or it will be a reflection on us in the eyes of others we may want, if they are disgraced unheard"; ( 4 ) copy of a receipt, dated "at half after three O Clock," 19 Feb. 1781, from John Jones acknowledging that he had re­ ceived "of William Boswell a Letter to Major General Greene" which he prom­ ised "to deliver to the Geni, tomorrow without fail"; ( 5 ) copy of a letter of 13 Mch. 1781 from Abram Mitchell to George Elliott, with a postscript by Thomas Mitchell confirming the facts set forth in the letter—that is, that when Boswell received the packet of letters his horse was tired, that he tried to ob­ tain another in the neighborhood but without success, and that on his return he "was making complaint of his not having in his power to forward the

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papers for want of a Horse (in presence of Colo. Jones) who very kindly offered to take the papers and deliver them"; ( 6 ) copy of a letter from Richard Lamb to Claiborne, 14 Mch. 1781, denying that he had appointed Boswell to save him from the draft, since even "at this time he is 12 months under age," and stating that Jones' false accusations were only made in "spite and malice against me"; ( 7 ) copy of William Boswell's statement, undated, in part as fol­ lows: " I deny that I insisted on M r . Jones's taking the Letters for it was his own free offer and I knew him very well or else I should not have trusted him with the Letters . . . he told me that he was going strait to Geni Greens head quarters and wou'd see him and deliver the Letters to him the next day without fail."

To the Commanding Officer of the British Force at Portsmouth SIR

In Council March 24th. 1 7 8 1

Some of the Citizens of this State taken prisoners when not in A r m s and enlarged on parole have reported the Commanding Of­ ficer as affirming to them that they should be punished with death if found in A r m s . T h i s has given Occasion to the inclosed resolution of the General Assembly of this State. I t suffices to observe at pres­ ent that by the law of nations a breach of parole (even where the validity of the parole is unquestioned) can only be punished by stricter Confinement. No Usage has permitted the putting to Death a prisoner for this Cause. I would willingly suppose that no B r i t i s h Officer had ever expressed a contrary Purpose. I t has however become m y D u t y to declare that should such a T h r e a t be carried into Execution it w i l l be deemed as putting Prisoners to Death in cold Blood and shall be followed by the Execution of so many B r i t i s h Prisoners in our possession. I trust however that this horrid necessity w i l l not be introduced by you and that you w i l l on the contrary concur w i t h us in endeavouring as far as possible to alleviate the inevitable miseries of w a r by treating Captives as Humanity and natural honour re­ quires. T h e event of this Contest w i l l hardly be affected by the fate of a few miserable Captives in w a r . I have the Honor to be, & c ,

T.J. [227]

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F C ( V i ) . Enclosure (missing): Reso­ lution of Assembly of 21 Mch. 1781. On 21 Mch. the House passed the following resolutions, which were agreed by the Senate on the same day: "Where­ as the Enemy have lately introduced a Practice of paroling Citizens not taken in Arms, but found pursuing their do­ mestic employments, which Practice is not warranted by the usage of Nations and is destructive of those Duties which every Citizen owes to his Country Re­ solved that such Paroles are hereby declared null and absolutely void. And that if the Enemy shall on pretence of such void Paroles treat any Citizen of this Commonwealth ill who shall be found in Arms, called into the Field by legal Authority, that prompt and just Retaliation shall be inflicted on such Persons of the Enemy as have fallen or may fall under the Power of this State. Resolved that the Governor be requested to cause this Resolve to be communi­ cated by flag to the Commander of the Enemies Troops at Portsmouth" ( J H D , Mch. 1781, V a . State Libr., B u l l . , 1928, p. 45, 4 9 ) . T h i s letter and its enclosure were sent in T J ' s letter to Lafayette of the same day, q.v. T J desired that this letter be received by the naval com­ mander or by anyone in preference to Arnold (see T J to Lafayette, 24 M c h . ) . In this he was gratified, for General William Phillips took command of the British forces on 26 Mch., and it was he

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who received it from Steuben, to whom Lafayette had given the duty of trans­ mitting it (Lafayette to T J , 27 Mch.; Phillips to Weedon, 6 A p r . ) . While Phillips indignantly repudiated the no­ tion that a British officer would adopt such harsh measures, Arnold had in actual fact threatened reprisals for vio­ lation of his paroles. There is in N H i : Steuben Papers a copy of one of the proclamations issued by him and ad­ dressed to the inhabitants of the coun­ ties of Princess Anne and Norfolk, di­ recting them to meet on 21 Feb. to con­ cert proper measures with the king's officers "in Order to restore Peace and Tranquillity, by freeing the Country of the Banditti, who threaten and oppress the peaceable Inhabitants." A l l those who had been in arms or who had held office "under the usurp'd Authority of the Rebel Legislatures," were directed to "come in and receive their Paroles from the Officer commanding at Kemps, or Headquarters in Portsmouth, or to apply for Passports to quit the country"; if after six days those who fell under this description had not accepted paroles and continued to "infest the County" in small bands they would be proceeded against "with the utmost Rigour, and Reprisals made upon them and their Families for any Damages the peaceable inhabitants may sustain from their un­ warrantable Proceedings" (dated 17 Feb. 1781, N H i ) .

To the Governor of Hispaniola SIR

Richmond Virginia March 24th. 1781

M r . D a v i d Ross Commercial Agent for this State who as such is entrusted with the Exportation of Commodities on the public A c ­ count, and Importations of necessaries for the A r m y , dispatches a vessel for the Island over which your Excellency presides. T h e extreme distress of this State for A r m s and military Stores, and the union of and Object of his Most Christian Majesty and the North American States in the present w a r against Great Britain embolden me to ask your Excellency's permission to the Agent of M r . Ross to purchase either from private or public Stores within your Govern­ ment and to export such A r m s and military Stores as the proceeds of his Cargo may enable him to purchase. Not knowing whether the Regulations of your Government may admit this without your per­ mission, I have taken the liberty of troubling your Excellency w i t h [228 ]

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this Application & have the Honor to be with Sentiments of the highest respect your Excellency's mo obt & mo hble T.J. FC (Vi).

To Nathanael Greene SIR

In Council March 24th. 1781

I do myself the Honour of inclosing to you some resolutions of General Assembly on the Subject of the Horses procured and to be procured for the 1st and 3d Regiments of Cavalry, in the Execution of which I shall need your Assistance. Representations were made of the Conduct of the Persons who were or pretended to be entrusted with the Execution of the Impress Warrants which I had inclosed to you, very unfavorably to them. They are said to have transgressed extremely not only by exceeding the Tract of Country to which the warrants were restrained, but in the Kind of Horses on which they seised. This produced the reso­ lutions of March 7th., the first of which is no doubt become un­ necessary as I suppose the Departure of the Enemy from this State, and their present Tendency renders nugatory, warrants which were restrained to the neighbourhood and probable route of the Enemy. I should otherwise ask the favor of you to issue your Orders for the Discontinuance of Impresses under those warrants altogether. The second Resolution of the same Date obliges me to trouble you with ordering the several Persons who have been employed in these Impresses to make a report of their Proceedings therein which may be done by W a y of Calendar under these Heads, to wit: 1st. The species of Horse impressed, that is, whether a Stone Horse, Gelding or brood mare. 2d A Description by the size, Age, and general Appearance, which Latter Circumstance I would only wish to have designated by such short Terms as those, 'fine'; 'Indifferent' &c. &c. 3d. The Sum at which estimated. 4th. Whose Property. 5 I n what County Impressed. 6th By whom impressed. 7th. T o what Pur­ poses applied. This I apprehend will answer most of the Purposes which the General Assembly had in view. Should there have been any other Circumstances in the Conduct of these Gentlemen which would become proper Subjects of Enquiry, they can only be gath­ ered from those who would be interested in producing them. On view of such a report yourself also will be enabled to judge which particular Horses according to the same resolution, must be re­ turned to their Owners. [229]

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Before it w i l l be in our power to proceed in the Execution of the resolution of M a r c h 17th., I must give you the Trouble of procuring me Information what Number of Horses w i l l be wanting to fill up the two regiments after withdrawing such of the impressed Horses as are by the resolution before mentioned to be returned. I t would be the w i s h of the Executive to appropriate a certain Portion of the money for the Purchase of these and that this should be laid out by persons of your own appointment i f it would be agréable to you. I am & c , T.J. F C ( V i ) . T r ( V i ) . Enclosures ( V i ) : Resolutions of Assembly of 7 and 17 Mch. 1781 (not to be confused with the resolutions of 16 Mch. concerning: impressment of horses for state use; see T J to Speaker, second letter of 16 Mch.). The first of the enclosed resolutions, adopted by the House on 7 Mch., stated that the officers authorized to impress horses for mounting the 1st. and 3rd. regiments of dragoons had been repre­ sented as committing, under the war­ rant issued by T J to Greene, "great abuses . . . by impressing stallions which as such are unfit for service and by being appraised to enormous sums must incur a debt too heavy to be borne"; directed them in the future not to impress any "Stallions, breeding mares or Geldings above the value of fifty pounds specie"; and required T J to inquire into all abuses committed under the impress warrant granted to Greene, to cause all horses valued at prices above "those proper for dragoons to be disposed of to the best advantage," and to cause prosecutions to be under­ taken against those guilty of "flagrant violations of duty." T h i s resolution was approved by the Senate on 15 Mch., but with the following amendment to which the House agreed: instead of authoriz­ ing T J to dispose of overvalued horses to the best advantage, the amendment directed that such horses should be "re­ turned to their respective owners who shall be paid by the public the damages such Horses may have respectively re­ ceived, the damage being previously as­ certained by appraisers" ( a M S copy of these resolutions as amended, in V i , attested by John Beckley and William Drew, has the following note in T J ' s hand: "reed the above Mar. 20 in the evening"; the text of the resolutions be­ fore amendment is in JHD, Mch. 1781, V a . State Libr., B u l l . , 1928, 1 3 ) . The second of the enclosed resolu­

tions, adopted by the House on 17 Mch. and agreed to by the Senate on 19 Mch., directed the Governor with the advice of the Council "to take the speediest measures by purchase or otherwise to mount such of the Dragoons belonging to the first and third Regiments of Cavalry as are now dismounted, pro­ vided that the price to be given for such Horses, doth not exceed the sum of five thousand pounds each"; to deter­ mine in the best manner "the Executive can do the number absolutely wanting"; to apply for this purpose such propor­ tion of the money emitted at this special session of Assembly "as the Governor with advice aforesaid shall be of opin­ ion can consistently with the other pub­ lic contingencies be spared"; and to appoint some "proper, careful and dili­ gent person with authority to receive all the horses purchased" (same, 36-7, 39). There is an undated order in V i with the caption, "Instructions for Major Jones," endorsed by T J , "Baron Steu­ ben. Horses," and by a clerk, "instruc­ tion pour M a j : Johns pour la reception des Cheveaux," which may have been drawn up by Steuben at about this time to comply with the second resolution of 17 Mch.; or it may have been written in December, and enclosed in an unlocated letter of Steuben in reply to T J ' s letter to him of 23 Dec. 1780, q.v. B y these instructions Jones was ordered to receive "Recruits, Horses, Equipment for men and Horses which this State is to furnish for the two Regiments of Cavalry at the Southward"; to rendez­ vous at Petersburg with the officers and men; to receive the horses at Richmond "from a Person Appointed by Govern­ ment"; to inspect the horses; all horses to be "5 to 9 yrs. old, from 14Vâ to 15 Hands high, well limbed, trotting well, free from Spavin or Blemish in the E y e , no Stallion is to be received but the color matters not, provided the Horse

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is healthy and in good Order" (printed in cvsp, I , 478-9, under January 1781). See T J to Greene, 1 Apr., second letter;

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Greene to T J , 6 and 28 Apr.; T J to Speaker, 10 May.

To Lafayette SIR

Richmond Mar. 24. 1781.

I have the pleasure of receiving in your letter of the 20th. Geni. Washington's of Dec. 8th. W h a t you left beyond and what come to on this side the Atlantic, the services you have rendered there, and those you render here, your personal worth and Geni. W a s h ­ ington's esteem for you, leave no room for addition to the measure of respect and gratitude we owe you. I beg leave also through you to present my respects to the Viscount de Noailles and Count Dames whom Geni. Washington has been so kind as to make known to me in his letter. Should the cares of your command permit, and curi­ osity lead you, to visit this miserable village I shall consider it as a circumstance of equal happiness and honour, as it w i l l be to me an opportunity of attaining personal acquaintance w i t h a character which stands so very high in my estimation, and with the other gentlemen notified in Geni. Washington's letter. I have the honor to be with the most profound respect & esteem S i r Y o u r &c. Dft ( D L C ) ; with numerous correc­ tions and deletions. Gottschalk, Lafayette between Revo­ lutions, p. I l l , note 8, states that there is no positive evidence that T J and Lafa­ yette met before T J went to France in 1784. But there is no doubt that the two men met in Richmond at least as early as 8 May 1781. On that day Lafa­ yette met with the Council, T J presid­ ing, as the following from the board's proceedings indicates: "Intelligence be­ ing received that the British army under

Major General Phillips have landed at Brandon meaning to press southwardly, and that Lord Cornwallis is now ad­ vancing northwardly with a design prob­ ably of uniting their force—the mem­ bers present on consulting with the Marquis Fayette, advise the Governor to order out . . . as many men as can find arms" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., n , 343 ) . See also Lafayette to T J , 27 Apr. 1781, and the postscript to T J to Lafayette, 14 May 1781, below.

To Lafayette SIR

In Council March 24th. 1781

I am honoured w i t h your Letter of the 20th. inst. and am sorry that a want of Ammunition should have abridged your intentions at Portsmouth. I have made enquiry what have been the Issues of ammunition from the State Stores and am informed by returns that there has issued (naming principal Articles only) [231]

24

M A R C H

178 1

T o Thomas Smith acting for Major P r y o r 1,0001b Cannon po[wder] for Y o r k . T o Captn. Bohannon 6,000 ft Cannon Powder T o Major Pryor for Geni. Muhlenburg's Camp 4001b musket powder 2 1 0 0 ft L e a d . T o Captn. I r i s h for the Continental Laboratory 3 5 0 0 f t musket powder and 3 9 0 0 f t L e a d , amounting to 1 0 , 9 0 0 f t powder and 6 , 0 0 0 f t of L e a d . These T h i n g s being put into the Hands of the Continental Of­ ficers, whether made up, forwarded or not are Circumstances not afterwards coming to my knowlege. I asked the favor of Captn. I r i s h to inform me of his issues from the Continental Laboratory to which we sent 19 Hands to aid him in preparing the Ammuni­ tion. He made me the inclosed return. I apprehend a considerable P a r t of what he has issued is still on the road. He has 18,000. Cartridges on H a n d and makes 3 0 0 0 a D a y . I am very sorry to inform you our Stock of L e a d w i l l not employ h i m much longer even at this slow rate. T h e vein of the mine on which we have hitherto depended failed some weeks ago, of this I immediately apprized Congress. Unless some speedy Supplies are sent on, the Southern A r m y as well as ours w i l l immediately fail. I have lately again written to Congress on this Subject and by Captain Rutlege ventured to send a particu­ lar State of the Southern A r m y in this point as reported to me by Capt. Singleton. T h e addition of your application would doubtless have great weight. I t has not been generally expected that individual States should provide more ammunition on their own Accounts than to repel occasional Attacks or to oppose a permanent enemy until Supplies and Support could be forwarded from the Continental Stock. Our State Stores have however been constantly applying to the use of the Southern A r m y from the taking of Charlestown to this T i m e and of our own A r m y from the first of October last. I mention these T h i n g s not with an Idea of withholding as long as we have a grain, but to enable to shew that Aids of military Stores from the Continental Stock are as reasonable as they are necessary. A s to provisions I have been incessant with the Commissary to see that the quantity before ordered be in readiness. He has con­ stantly assured me that he has much more than has been required. W e r e the Articles such as are lodged in Storehouses I would send an Officer to examine his Stores actually, but they consist mostly of stalled Beeves divided among the Counties which it would be im­ proper to bring together till wanted. H e has a vessel under the Care [232]

24

MARCH

178 1

of the armed vessels in this River loaded with Flour which he says contains half the quantity required and the whole may be water borne the moment it is wanted. H e has no hard Bread, but is in­ structed to provide it. I shall not cease to recall his Attention to this Subject. I am anxious to hear from you since the appearance of this B r i t ­ ish fleet. I t is said by a Captn. Reeves who came out of Portsmouth since their arrival that there was a partial engagement between that and the French Fleet off our Capes in which neither party sustained the Loss of any vessel or other considerable damage. Immediately on m y learning their arrival I communicated it by the stationed expresses to Governor L e e , the President of Congress and General Washington. I suppose this w i l l put an end to the Design of Ports­ mouth or place it at a Distance. I n either Case the militia who have had a T o u r of D u t y so unusually long are entitled to be discharged by a special promise so soon as those newly called on shall rendez­ vous in sufficient numbers to replace them. Great Cautions are requisite on the discharge of militia to prevent their carrying away their A r m s and Ammunition. Another Reason induces me to w i s h an Information of your present views, which is that i f there be a probability that the private armed vessels we have impressed may not be wanting, I should be glad to discharge them as they are heavy daily Expence, and risk. 1

I do myself the pleasure of transmitting you the militia L a w s according to your Desire. I w i l l beg the favor to send the enclosed Letter to the B r i t i s h Commanding Officer at Portsmouth by F l a g whenever you shall think proper. Indeed I wish it might suffice to deliver it to the N a v a l Commander, as nothing can be so disagreable to me as to be com­ pelled to a Correspondence with the other. I f it be your opinion that this would equally well answer the Purpose of the Letter I would then ask the Favor of you to send it to the naval Commander. On the resignation of Colo. Muter as Commissioner of the W a r Office, we have appointed Colo. Davies to succeed h i m . T h e due execution of the duties of this Office are of extreme Importance to the State and indeed to the Continent while an A r m y continues either here or in the South. Some Difficulties on the Subject of rank and other emoluments prevent his absolute Acceptance. He has however accepted conditionally and we are applying to Congress to settle the points on which [he] hesitates. I n the mean T i m e as the Duties of the Office do not admit a D a y s Intermission in the present Situation of T h i n g s , give me Leave to sollicit his excuse for quitting [233

]

24

MARCH

178 1

his Charge at Chesterfield Courthouse without awaiting a regular Licence and your permis [sion] to h i m to continue here 'till we re­ ceive the Determination of Congress. I am & c , T.J. F C ( V i ) . Enclosures: Capt. Irish's return of issues and the copy of the militia laws have not been found; the letter from T J to the commanding: officer of the British force at Portsmouth,

24 Mch., is printed above, i T J probably wrote or intended to write "against" instead of "of."

To Abner Nash SIR

Richmond March 24th. 1781

T h e Situation of affairs in our Eastern and Southern quarters rendering peace on our Western frontier extremely desirable, the General Assembly of this State, by a resolution which I do myself the Honor of inclosing to your Excellency, have recommended a Conciliation with the Cherokees in a particular manner. Not know­ ing what is the present Situation of the w a r w i t h that Nation I have given Authority to Colo. Preston and Christian and Major M a r t i n to concur with any Commissioners whom your Excellency may think proper to authorize to treat on the Subject of peace, whenever a proper occasion shall offer. I cannot doubt your Concurrence in Opinion that it is our policy to discontinue the diversion of our Western militia from their attention to the Southern W a r . Should you be pleased to make such an appointment on your part, your Commissioners w i l l be enabled immediately to open a Correspond­ ence with ours, so as to agree on Circumstances, T i m e s , and Places. T h e resolution seems to suppose some Ground of Complaint to exist w i t h the Cherokees as to their Boundary. A s none such of late Date have come to my Knowlege I could only assure the Commissioners that every just Cause of Complaint on that Subject should be re­ moved by us so far as this State is concerned in it. Better Information w i l l perhaps enable you to be more precise in your instructions to your Commissioners. I had the Honor of your Excellencys Letter of the 17th. instant from Granville County. I have given orders to our Commissary to instruct his Agents in Meckenburg and Halifax Counties to pursue the plan your Excellency had begun and to avail himself in the full­ est manner of the resource which the R i v e r and Seasons afford us. He w i l l send out salt for the purpose of curing what fish can be taken there. He apprehends considerable Difficulty in the Article of Barrels. [234]

2 4 MARCH

17 8 1

Y o u w i l l no doubt before this reaches you hear of the A r r i v a l of 12 B r i t i s h Ships in our B a y under Graves and Arbuthnot. Seven of them are of the L i n e , two 50s the others smaller. T h e y are said to have fallen in with the French Fleet destined for the same Place just off the Capes and to have had a partial Engagement in which neither suffered the Loss of a Ship or other material Injury. I appre­ hend our Plans against Arnold w i l l fall to the Ground. I have the honor to be, y r Excellency's most obt. and most hble servant, T H :

F C ( V i ) . R C ? ( D L C ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by T J ; complimentary close and signature have been supplied from this copy, which, despite its pres­ ence in the T J Papers, has every appear­

J E F F E R S O N

ance of being a recipient's copy. E n ­ closure (missing): Resolution of As­ sembly of 20 Mch. 1781 (see T J to William Preston and others, 24 M c h . ) .

Final Settlement of Accounts of Peter Pelham as Keeper of the Public Jail [Richmond, 2 4 M c h . 1 7 8 1 ] Account No. 1 submitted by Pelham in Mch. 1780 for the care and maintenance of 12 prisoners for 653 days at 30 shillings per day from 21 Dec. 1777 to the end of February 1778. The action of Council follows: "In council Mar. 25. 1780. The board allow Mr. Pelham nine pounds of tobacco a day for the above services for each prisoner to be discharged at ten pounds the hundred weight, that having been the market price at the time he received an advance of money to wit in May 1779. T h : Jefferson." Account No. 2 also sub­ mitted by Pelham in Mch. 1780, for the care and maintenance of 307 prisoners and servants from 1 Mch. 1778 to 24 Dec. 1779 (the latter date having been substituted by T J for "17th of March 1780" in Pelham's original statement), together with payments for wood; less credits for a draft on the treasury for £ 5 0 0 , 19 May 1779, and payments for corn and salt. The action of Council follows: "In Council Mar. 24. 1781. This account not having been settled and paid off at the time expected the board have agreed to revise the same and to allow Mr. Pelham at the rate of one thousand pounds weight of tobacco by the month during the time stated in this account, dischargeable in paper money at the rate fixed by the Grand jury at the court next preceeding the date of the warrant. The Auditors will be pleased to see that out of this the public have credit for any monies advanced and not credited in any other ac­ count, valuing such advances in tobacco at the price current at the time of the advance. T h : Jefferson." M S in Contingent Fund Vouchers ( V i ) ; 4 p. Pelham's statements are both countersigned: "Williamsburg April 8, 1780. Sworn before J . Dixon."; the ac­ tion of Council on each account is writ­ ten on the recto of the document in T J ' s

hand. Pelham's statement "No. 1" is endorsed and has miscellaneous calcu­ lations, in an unidentified hand, on the verso of the sheet. Statement "No. 2." has the following action of Council, in T J ' s hand, crossed out (evidently when

[235 ]

24

17 8 1

M A R C H

T J substituted the final orders of 24 Mch. 1781, printed above: "[In] Coun­ cil Mar. 25. 1780. T h e board is of opin­ ion that M r . Pelham being to receive at this time money for the within services should have twenty shillings a day for each prisoner. T h e Auditors being to give the warrant, and being [. . .] of the account of advances which we are not, we beg the favor of them to settle this account. T h : Jefferson." There is also on verso of No. 2 a statement of the general court, which had "the Super­ intendence of the public Gaol from the 25 Decemr. 1779" until 17 Mch. 1780 when the bill was submitted to the Council, deducting an allowance for that period from the original bill. There is no reference in the Council Journals in Mch. 1780 or Mch. 1781 to Pelham's accounts. T h e delay in pay­

ment was due, in part at least, to the fact that the public jail was placed under the supervision of the general court on 25 Dec. 1779. There are two other documents filed with Pelham's statements: ( 1 ) an extract from the proceedings of the general court for 23 Mch. 1781, signed by Adam Craig, a clerk of the court, ordering that Pelham be allowed £ 1 , 5 0 0 "for two months Service to be computed from the twenty fourth Day of December" 1779 to 24 Feb. 1780; and ( 2 ) a revised account, probably prepared in the auditors' of­ fice, including an adjustment of the items mentioned in Pelham's two orig­ inal statements. The latter document is endorsed: "March 30. 1781 Peter Pelham £ 2 2 8 2 0 . 5 / Publick Jail," indicat­ ing, no doubt, the date and amount of the final payment.

To William Preston, William Christian, and Joseph Martin I n Council March 24th. 1781

G E N T L E M E N

I n Execution of the within resolution of Assembly you are hereby authorized whenever a proper Occasion shall present itself to meet with Commissioners from the State of North Carolina to treat with the Cherokee Indians on the Subject of Peace. I have taken the liberty of recommending to his Excellency the Governor of North Carolina to make an Appointment of such Commissioners on his part and have notified to h i m your authority that his Commissioners may be enabled to open a Correspondence with you on the Subject. Our present Situation to the Southward and E a s t w a r d renders peace on our Western Frontier very desirable. T h e Resolution seems to suppose some Grounds of Complaint on the part of the Cherokees, as to their Boundary. A s none such of late Date have come to my Knolege, I can only repeat to you the Assurances of the Legislature, that every just Complaint on that Subject shall be removed. Y o u w i l l be pleased to report to me any proceedings you may have on this Subject. A s Sickness or Accident may prevent the Concurrence of the whole, A n y two of you are hereby authorized to execute this Business. I am & c , T.J. F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "Colo Preston, Colo Christian & Major Martin." Enclosure (missing): Resolution of House of 20 Mch., agreed to by Senate

the next day and reading as follows: "Resolved that the Governor with the advice of the Council be desired to take such steps for conciliating the Cherokee

[236]

24

MARCH

Indians as are conducive to the public good and the Present Circumstances of affairs shall render expedient and that the General Assembly will do whatever Justice shall require with respect to the Boundary Line between this Common­ wealth and that Nation and will remove every Just complaint if any such is made on that Subject, and that the State

178 1

of North Carolina be requested to give their concurrence in similar measures." The Council considered the resolution on 24 Mch. and directed that the above letter be written ( J H D , Mch. 1781, V a . State Libr., B u l l , 1928, p. 44, 48; V a . C o u n c i l Jour., n , 3 1 8 ) . See Christian to T J , 10 Apr. 1781, and note there.

From George Rice SIR

Charlottesville. 24th. March. 1781.

Mr. Thomas Standley, Assistant Deputy W a g g o n Master at this Post, is draughted for Eighteen Months service. I am very Sensible Should he be taken away at this time, it w i l l be attended w i t h very 111 consequences, as there is so many Public Accounts to come through his hands, which cannot with propriety be Settled by any other Person than himself. I f there can be any thing done in this case, you can fully inform h i m , as he is very desirous of waiting on your Excellency Personally for that Purpose; and as a final Settlement w i l l , I expect, in a Short time take place, w i t h the Pub­ lic's Creditors, within m y district, his attendance then w i l l be most undoubtedly indispensably necessary. I have the honour to be w i t h all due respect & regard, Y r . most Obedient & very Humble Servant, G E O :R I C E ADQMr. P S . M r . Standly has kept all the waggon accounts from the Com­ mencement of the Barracks to this time and all Such accounts must be Certified by h i m and at this time I beleive there is 2 0 0 , 0 0 0 £ of accounts Still uncertified. R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. T J must have referred this letter to William Davies because there is in V i the following exchange of letters between Davies and Richard Claiborne referring to the above: ( 1 ) Davies to Claiborne, 28 Mch.: "The case expressed in this letter is a hard one, and I think does not do much credit to the courtmartial that subjected Mr. Standly to a draught. I have therefore sent him to you, to know whether you can employ him under your directions in the continental line in the station he has hitherto acted in. You will oblige me by expressing your answer below, and if you can usefully employ him I will

as a continental officer direct him to put himself under your orders accordingly, as soon as he has finished his present duties"; ( 2 ) Claiborne, to Davies, undated: "Early in my appointment to this Office, I wrote to the Governor and Council respecting the persons in Continental employ being included under the Draught-law; a copy of the letter I inclose to you, and a copy of the Governor's answer. As M r . Stanly is comprehended under the L a w , and has been draughted, I t is not of my power to exempt him. A l l my Officers and men have, and will be draughted, who have not Commissions in the Line."

[237]

To Anthony Walton White SIR

I n Council March 24th. 1781.

Information was sent to me by Colo. Buford of some malversa­ tions by Epaphroditus Rudder a Cornet in your Regiment as to a Horse of public Property which called for public notice. A s he was said to be at that time at Manchester, I communicated it to Colo. Davies and desired him to institute proper Proceedings to bring him to Justice. Since this I learn that you are in this neighbour­ hood. I therefore beg leave to apprize you of the matter and to hope that you w i l l lend your A i d in seeing that a proper E n q u i r y be made into the subject complained of. B y a resolution of Assembly of M a r c h 7th the Impresses of Horses of the value of above 50 pounds Specie were desired to be stopped, and those already impressed were directed to be returned to their Owners. T h i s S u m we estimate at five thousand Pounds paper. A s we are told that there are Persons now engaged in dif­ ferent Parts of the Country in impressing Horses for the 1st. and 3d. Regiments of Cavalry, I must beg the favor of your Interference and that you w i l l be so obliging as to give them Orders to impress no more of higher value than £ 5 , 0 0 0 . Paper money and to return to their Owners all of a higher Price which they have already im­ pressed, taking Care to recall the Certificates they may have given. Iam&c, T . J . FC (Vi). See Buford to T J , 20 Mch.; T J to Davies, 21 Mch.; Davies to T J , 21 Mch.; and White to T J , 5 Apr.

From Richard Barron SIR

Hampton March 26 81

T h i s morning Came to our B a y 15 or Sixteen Sail more vessells which make thirty some odd which I suppose to be all B r i t i s h . T h e y all lay at ancor Near the Cape they might have got up this morn­ ing but L a y fast. T h e r e is one Ship Coming up w i t h a W h i t flag at her Fore T o p mast head but W h a t She is I know not but Sup­ pose her to be B r i t i s h . W e have no accounts what they are but Conjecter them to be some from N e w Y o r k . M y Brother has J u s t Gon over the W a t t e r to the He W h i t e and Desierd me to acquaint your Excellency of all arrivalls of Vessells and those that might Sail from hear. I am S i r your most Obt Ser. R I C H D

[238 ]

BARRON

26 RC ONE

MARCH

( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. SHIP

COMING

UP

WITH

A

WHIT

T h i s was undoubtedly the flag G e n e r a l Riedesel, conducted by Captain

FLAG:

1 7 81

Gerlach under passport from Washington ( see Gerlach to T J , 27 Mch.; the passport is printed in Washington, W r i t i n g s , ed. Fitzpatrick, X X , 4 4 9 ) .

From the Continental Board of War, enclosing a Letter to James Wood SIR

War Office March 26th. 1 7 8 1

Since the Resolution of Congress relative to the removal of the Convention Troops they have been pleased to refer the Matter to this Board to take Order and we have given the enclosed Instruc­ tions to C o l . W o o d who has the Superintendance of those Troops and he is gone forward to put those Orders in Execution which are expressive of the sense of Congress on the Subject. T h e Instruc­ tions w i l l explain themselves and the present Circumstances of Affairs make the Measures therein directed absolutely necessary. W e therefore hope for the Concurrence and Assistance of your Excellency and the Honourable Council in carrying them into effect. W e have the Honour to be with the highest respect Y o u r very obed Servt, R I C H A R D P E T E R S B y Order E

N

C

L

O

S

U

R

E

SIR War Office March 24th. 1 7 8 1 The very considerable desertions, which have prevailed among the Convention prisoners, and the repeated neglect on the part of the British Generals to pay for their support, have long been matters of serious consideration, and furnish undeniable proofs of a System, the evils attendant on which require an immediate remedy. You are therefore hereby directed to cause the Non-commissioned Officers and soldiers of the British Convention Troops to be forthwith closely confined, and effectually guarded so as to prevent them from escaping to the Enemy. It is hoped, that none of their Officers will attempt to hold any correspondence with the Enemy, or take or connive at any steps to promote the escape of the Non commissioned Officers or privates. But should such Conduct be discovered, the Officer or Officers so demeaning him or themselves, are to be deemed and treated, as having broken their paroles. Until you are informed of payment being made for provisions and transport heretofore furnished these prisoners as stipulated in Article 5th. of the Convention, you will issue no more or other provisions to them, than are usually issued to prisoners of war. The Officers of the British are to be put on their parole, and sent to Simsbury in Connecticut, where they can be more conveniently quartered than at present. The Non commissioned Officers and privates, are to [239 ]

2 6 MARCH

17 8 1

remain at Frederick Town in Maryland, and be closely confined. But if there are any other places of security in that State, wherin any part of them may be safely kept, you have liberty of seperating them into such Detachments for this purpose, as you shall think proper. If the Governor and Council of the State of Maryland (with whom you will consult) should deem any other place or places proper, for the confinement of the prisoners within that State, you will accommodate your orders to their views and directions. The German non-commissioned Officers and privates, are to remain near the Town of Winchester in Virginia, and be confined to the Bar­ racks built there by order of the State of Virginia, and their Officers are to be on parole within the County of Frederick in that state, and to be limited to a District not exceeding ten miles in Circumference. No transportation at the expence of the United States is to be here­ after allowed these Troops, and you will take care to limit the number of waggons and Horses to be hired by them for the purpose of transport­ ing themselves or their baggage, and also the number of Horses to be kept by the Officers, and the prices to be by them given for forage for their Horses or provisions for themselves. It has been alledged that the best Horses in the Country have been purchased by the Officers, and on their being exchanged, have been carried in to the Enemy in considerable numbers. This practice has a dangerous tendency, and you will take every measure in your power to discountenance and prevent it. We rely on your discretion for any thing not particularly directed, and make no doubt that you will in concurrence with the Executives of the States of Virginia and Maryland (to whom we shall write on the subject) take the most effectual measures for the Superintendance and safe keeping of the prisoners committed to your care. You will also assemble all the Cowpens and other unconditional prisoners of War in these two States, in some convenient places, and send them under proper Guards to Lancaster in Pennsylvania, where they will be received by a Guard of Militia of that State. It is better for the Virginia Guard to go the whole way, for reasons obvious to you. We are Sir with much esteem & regard Your most obed Hble Servts, RICHARD PETERS

By Order

(Copy)

R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. Enclosure ( V i ) : Continental Board of W a r to James Wood, 24 Mch., printed above.

From Richard Claiborne SIR

Richmond 26th. March 1781.

I do myself the honor to inclose to your Excellency an extract of a letter from Colonel Carrington to me dated the 19th. Instant at the Southern A r m y , respecting the Wagons to come from the dif­ ferent Counties in this State. Frequent representations of one thing, [240]

2 6 MARCH

17 8 1

I have no doubt, is disagreable to your Excellency, but the duty which I owe to my Country and to my office, compel me to it. I beg leave to mention lest a mistake should happen that the uncertain manner in which these wagons w i l l come i n , w i l l afford us but little assistance in the business of Transportation, and that m y only dépendance is on the wagons and teams to be brigaded by the County Commissioners of the Provision L a w , or money to enable us to hire teams. T h e latter mode w i l l be much the best, both for expedition and ease to the people, i f money can be furnished; as it is a tardy and too extensive business to make every County do an equal share of the duty. T h e P l a n may do well enough for the Coun­ ties to severally transport their own supplies for the public to some magazine; but where a large Quantity of Provisions are to be for­ warded from a particular Place it w i l l be too tedious to call for wagons perhaps sixty or seventy miles. I likewise inclose, for the information of your Excellency, an­ other extract from Colo. Carringtons letter concerning horse accou­ trements, and Wagon-harness. T h i s is a matter of such importance, that i f your Excellency and Council have any direction of the Com­ missary of hides for this State, I hope that something speedily w i l l be done to induce and enable h i m to answer m y draughts for leather. He complains much for the want of O i l but it is out of m y power to furnish h i m . I beg likewise to intreat of your Excellency an order for the exemption from Malitia duties all the men that M r . James Hunter shall employ for the Public at his Iron works near Fredericksburg. M a n y of them have left h i m and gone to the G u n factory for pro­ tection, by which means I am deprived of the articles he has agreed to furnish me with, and I have some time since advanced h i m the money to enable him to complete them as soon as Possible. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Y o u r Excellencys most obedient Humble servant, RD CLAIBORNE D Q M r . S. V . R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. Enclosures ( V i ) : T w o extracts of E d ­ ward Carrington's letter to Claiborne of 19 Mch.: ( 1 ) " I suppose you have received mine of the 11th. Instant mak­ ing a new disposition on Dan" and establishing a new post so that supplies can be sent on from "Terry's stores . . . by Public Wagons. These public wa­ gons are to be those we expect from Virginia; you will therefore lose no

time in sending them to the Army"; ( 2 ) "If you are to fall short in any part of the Estimate let it be in Tents, as we have got as many from Philadelphia as puts us in a tolerable situation. Horsemens saddles and Accoutrements are the principal things we are first anxious to get. Waggon-harness will claim your next attention" (both extracts are print­ ed

[241]

in

CVSP, I,

594).

To Certain County Magistrates SIR

In Council March 26th. 1781

M r . John B r o w n who is principally entrusted with the execution of the provision law was some time ago instructed to appoint a Deputy i n each County, who among other articles of D u t y should be directed to receive the W a g g o n to be furnished by his County under the A c t of Assembly for supplying the A r m y w i t h Clothes, Provisions, and Waggons. H e informs the Board that many of those appointments have been made and that he has a Person now going through the several Counties to complete the Business, but is not able to say who has undertaken it in your County, or whether any appointment be yet made. I am therefore to desire that you w i l l be pleased to order the W a g g o n , T e a m , driver and Appendages expected from your County, to be delivered to such his Deputy within the County, i f there be one appointed and i f not then to T h e same Deputy is by Authority given from the Executive to call for the Beeves to be furnished by your County, at such T i m e as w i l l be arranged between M r . B r o w n and his Deputies, for supply­ ing in due order the Armies w i t h Provisions. I am & c , T.J. 1

F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "A Circular Letter to the eldest acting Justice in the Counties of." On 26 Mch. the Council instructed T J "to write to the elder and acting Magistrate in each County, relative to the waggons to be furnished by them; and desiring the same to be delivered to M r . Brown's agents; and acquainting them that the said agents are authorized

to call for the beeves to be furnished by the Counties" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., n, 3 1 9 ) . There is no indication in the F C of this letter, or that following, to which counties each was sent, but the Council evidently intended one or the other to go to all the counties in Virginia. See also, T J to the County Magistrates, 20 J a n . 1781. 1

Blank in M S .

To Certain Other County Magistrates SIR

I n Council March 26th. 1781

M r . John B r o w n &c (as in the preceding letter to the word waggons ) . H e has accordingly appointed to be his Deputy in your County to whom you w i l l be pleased to order the Delivery of the waggon, T e a m , Driver, and Appendages to be fur­ nished by you. T h e same Deputy is duly authorized to call for the Beeves to be furnished by your County, at such T i m e as w i l l be arranged between M r . B r o w n and his Deputies for supplying in due order the Armies w i t h provision. I am & c , T.J. [242 ]

2 6 MARCH

17 8 1

F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "A Circular Letter to the eldest acting Justice in the Counties of." See note to the letter preceding.

To the County Lieutenants SIR

I n Council, March 26, 1781.

I

I N C L O S E you by express, three acts of the last session of Assembly for ascertaining the number of militia in the state; exempting artificers employed at iron works from militia duty, and remedying the inconveniencies arising from the interruption of the draught and the procuring clothes, provisions, and waggons for the army. W E expect to send a vessel shortly with a flag, from this place to Charlestown, with tobacco, to be disposed of for our captive officers and soldiers there. B e so good as to give notice to the friends of any of them within your county, that any articles which they may think proper to send for their relief by that conveyance, shall have a free passage, i f ready to be delivered here by the last of A p r i l , and not too much for the spare room in the vessel. T H E number of deserters from the British army who have taken refuge in this state, is now considerable, and daily augmenting. These people notwithstanding their coming over to us, being deemed in law alien enemies, and as such, not admissible to be citizens, are not within the scope of the militia and invasion laws, under which citizens alone can be embodied. I thought it necessary to observe this to you, lest any errour in this point should creep into practice, by incorporating those persons into the militia of the state. I have the honour to be, with great respect, S i r , Your most obedient, and most humble servant, ¿Tk: fé/ferson

Broadside ( D L C : Broadside Collection); signed by T J ; Swem, " V a . Bibliog." No. 7291. Enclosures (missing): The three Acts of Assembly mentioned were evidently printed by Dixon & Nieolson, though no copies have been found ( see invoice of Dixon & Nicolson, under 23 Mch. 1781, notes 5 and 8; Swem, Nos. 7264-6; the Acts are printed in Hening, x, 393-5, 396, 3 9 7 ) . This prompt printing of the three Acts and also of the session laws may have been in part a result of the action taken by the Assembly on 21 Mch., the day before the special session adjourned. On that day the House resolved "that the Governor with the advice of the Council be desired to adopt the most

speedy and effectual methods to procure the printing and promulgating the L a w s of the last and present Session of Assembly, And for that Purpose to impress any printing Implements Types, Press Materials, and necessaries whatsoever together with Artisans and workmen proper for accomplishing the above Purpose"; the Senate agreed to this resolution the same day ( J H D , Mch. 1781, V a . State Libr,, B u l l . , Jan. 1928, p. 48, 5 0 ) . There is no record that T J found it necessary to invoke this power, but apparently its mere existence was effective, for on 21 Apr. the following notice appeared in V a . Gaz. ( D & N ) : "The laws of October and March sessions of Assembly are printed, and ready to be

[ 243 ]

2 6 MARCH delivered when called for."

DESERTERS

T J himself engaged a deserter to work at Monticello, as the following extract from his Account Book, under date of 3 Apr. 1781, indicates: "sent David Watson a British deserter, house joiner by trade, to work at Monticello @ 3000 ib tobo, a year or it's worth in paper." Watson and another soldier who worked at FROM

THE

BRITISH

ARMY:

17 8 1

Monticello are described graphically by Isaac, one of T J ' s slaves: "Davy Wat­ son and Billy were German soldiers: both workmen, both smoked pipes and both drinkers: drank whiskey; git drunk and sing: take a week at a time drinkin and singin" ( M e m o i r s of a M o n t i c e l l o Slave, ed. Rayford W . Logan, Char­ lottesville, 1951, p. 3 3 ) .

To William Davies, with Reply [Richmond, 2 6 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Minute in War Office Journal ( V i ) under this date: "A letter from the Governor respecting the discharge of sol­ diers for six months, who have no Certificate, nor Witnesses to prove the expiration of their terms of service; and requesting some general plan to be proposed for the regulation of such cases. Answer returned. That in such cases, their oath should be required; but that in future, County Lieutenants should transmit to this office, descriptive lists of all delin­ quents who are subjected to longer terms of service, than the ordinary tours of Militia duty." Neither TJ's letter nor Davies' reply has been located.]

From William Davies SIR

War office March 26. 81.

I beg leave to represent to your Excellency the absolute necessity of appointing one of the officers of the new state regiment to do the duty of Town major at this place. It is impossible for the duties of this office to be done without confusion, if the Commissioner's at­ tention is perpetually distracted with orders for provision for this man, and rum for another, and a pair of shoes for a third. T h e appointment of this officer will take in all the various calls of the garrison, transient troops &c. and it will be sufficient for the com­ missioner of the war office to enquire into his conduct occasionally. This officer can also give us great assistance as a superintendant of public works, and I believe would in the end, if he is well chosen, produce a saving to the state. Captain Hamilton being an old officer and belonging to the new regiment, will, I think, answer both purposes exceedingly well. He now is entitled to Captain's pay and rations. It might be proper, however, to give him so much addi­ tional pay as to make it equal to a Major's. I suppose the article of pay must ultimately be decided by the Assembly, but rations and forage, perhaps, might be ordered immediately to take place, till [244]

26

MARCH

178 1

the Assembly shall fix it themselves. T h i s is the mode in the army, the Commander in chief occasionally exercising a power of that kind till the pleasure of Congress is known, and upon the same principles, I would undertake in virtue of my place as Commissioner to order the necessary rations and forage, unless restricted by your Excellency. Applications are making to me by the paymasters of Taylor's and Crocket's regiments to originate warrants in their favor for gross sums founded upon loose estimates, without producing either muster roll or pay roll. I t appears to me so great an irregularity to issue money in this manner that I cannot consent to it without particular directions from the Executive, especially as I am not informed that the paymasters have ever settled their accounts. I find too that the commanding officers of those two regiments take the liberty of drawing cloathing from the public factories near them, at their own discretion, and occasionally make applications to the clothier besides, and yet never settle any of their accounts. W i t h the permission of the Executive I w i l l i n future put a total stop to these irregularities, and propose that the western army shall have their proportion of the public winter cloathing put into the posses­ sion of their men on the first day of November annually, and their summer cloaths on the first day of M a y : T h a t the southern army shall receive their proportion of winter cloathing on the first day of December and their summer cloathing on the first of A p r i l , that after the present issue to Crocket's regiment, which I hope w i l l be but small, no article of cloathing whatever shall be issued, but certificates in lieu of it, till we can arrange matters more regularly; and that at every issue of winter cloathing the summer articles shall be given up and vice versa. Since writing the above I have received your Excellency's direc­ tions respecting M r . Martin's warrant. I would, however, with great deference state that not a soldier of the continental quota from this state have received a farthing of pay for near 16 months, that the troops who were w i t h General Greene complained exceed­ ingly that they should have served so long i n the field without cloathing or money, when Colonel Campbell's detachment joined them with their new cloaths. I s it not, therefore, a circumstance worthy of attention, considering the mutiny to the northward and the great desertions here, to conciliate the minds of these men by paying them in preferrence to those that have lately joined them, or to these such as Taylor's whose times are now expiring, and whose disappointment, perhaps, may not be so injurious to their country. [245}

26

M A R C H

1781

T h e regiments w i t h General Greene that I speak of are Greene's and Buford's, who have had but little cloathing and not a farthing of money. I enclose your Excellency a return of the cloathing I ordered last week from Chesterfield to the southern army, which I hope w i l l be a great relief. I f the subjects of this letter w i l l admit of a speedy answer, as several gentlemen are waiting, it w i l l oblige your Excellency's most obedt & most hble servant, W I L L I A M DAVIES R C ( V i ) . F C ( V i ) ; dated 28 Mch. A memorandum concerning this letter is also entered in the W a r Office Journal ( V i ) under 28 Mch. It is not possible to tell from T J ' s reply of 28 Mch., q.v., whether Davies' letter was incorrectly dated on the R C or the F C . But in view of the fact that Davies appears to have been interrupted, as appears from the reference to "Mr. Martin's warrant,"

and that he asked for a "speedy an­ swer," it is plausible to suggest that he began the letter on 26 Mch. and did not finish and transmit it until two days later. It is also possible that the letter was written on 26 Mch. and that the clerks in the W a r Office did not get around to transcribing the file copy until 28 Mch. T h e first explanation seems more probable.

From Christian Febiger SIR

Philadelphia March 26th 1781

W h e n Colo. Benjn. Harrison was at this place he inform'd me that he had obtain'd an Order for 5 T o n s of powder for our State, his leaving this before I had T i m e to K n o w where to gett it or to whom to consign it delayd the Bussiness Some. Haveing procur'd Waggons I obtain'd a new Order from the Board of W a r and send by the Bearer M r . John Macklinn W : C : 5 0 Single Bárreles of Cannon powder being half the intended Quantity and have directed h i m to wait on your Excellency and receive your Orders for the Delivery. I n a Short T i m e I shall be able to forward the Rest in Musquett powder, when a particular I n ­ voice of the whole shall be transmitted. I have the honor to be w i t h all due Respect Y o u r Excellencys Most obedient humbl Servant, CHRISTIAN

F E B I G E R

Colo 2nd V a R g t R C ( V i ) ; addressed, in part: "pr. Favour of M r . Macklinn"; endorsed, in part (and then struck out): "reed Api. 25. 8 1 . "

To Samuel Huntington SIR

I n Council Richmond Mar: 26th. 1781.

T h e appointment of Commissioner to the W a r Office of this State having lately become vacant, the Executive are desirous to place [246 }

2 6 MARCH

17 8 1

Colo. W i l l i a m Davies of the V i r g a . Continentals i n that office. T h i s Gentleman however declines undertaking it unless his rank in the army, half pay for life, land and allowance for depreciation of pay can be reserved to him; observing with justice that these emolu­ ments, distant as they are, are important to a person who has spent the most valuable part of his youth in the service of his country. A s this indulgence rests in the power of Congress alone, I am induced to request it of them on behalf of the State, to whom it is very in­ teresting that the office be properly filled, and I may say, on behalf of the Continent also, to whom the same circumstance is interesting in proportion to its reliance on this State for supplies to the Southern war. W e should not have given Congress the trouble of this appli­ cation had we found it easy to call any other to the office who was likely to answer our wishes in the exercise of it. I have the honor to be w i t h Sentiments of the highest respect your Excellency's mo. obt. & mo. hble Servt., T H : J E F F E R S O N R C ( D L C : P C C , No. 7 1 , n ) ; endorsed in part, in the hand of Charles Thomson: "Read April 19. Referred to Mr Sullivan M r Smith M r Mathews."

F C ( V i ) . T r ( D L C : T J Papers), See Virginia Delegates in Congress to T J , 17 Apr. 1781; also J C C , x i x , 367.

From Samuel Huntington P h i l a d e l p h i a , 2 6 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Enclosing resolve of Congress of 24 Mch. and acknowledging TJ's letters of 8, 19, and 21 Mch., with "the Papers to which they refer." R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; endorsed. F C ( D L C : P C C , No. 1 5 ) . Enclosure ( V i ) : Re­ solve of Congress of 24 Mch. 1781 au­ thorizing and requesting the executive of Virginia "to appoint suitable persons to settle the accounts of Colo. Wood re­ specting his command in superintend­ ing the prisoners under the convention of Saratoga and if they shall think it right to allow his reasonable expences

between the two posts which he super­ intends with those for one servant while on that duty." T J laid this resolution before the Council on 4 Apr. and that body ad­ vised that "Doctor Thomas Walker, John Walker & Nicholas Lewis esquires or any two of them be requested to settle the said accounts" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., n, 327).

From John McCoy Staunton, Augusta March 26th. 1781. MAY

I T P L E A S E Y O U R

E X C E L L E N C Y ,

T o permit me to Adress you on a Subject which I do with the utmost Reluctancey Considring what a Situation our Country is i n . But nature prevails over evrey Effort to the Contrary of being able [247]

2 6 M A R C H

17 8 1

to undergo the fatigues of a Campaign. Therefor I humbly Adress you hoping that you would give me leave to Resign my Commission as a Captain in this County M i l i t i a which I have held for the space of F i v e Years and am now aged Fortynine; Nothing would Induce Me to ask such a favour; was it not that I am unable to Discharge M y duty as well as I could w i s h , owing to a Complication of D i s ­ orders which I have had upon Me for Some time. Your Complaying w i t h my Request w i l l much Oblige Y o u r Excellencys most Obt. H u m b l . Servt., J O H N M C C O Y RC

( V i ) ; addressed; endorsed, in part: "Reed April 7th 1781."

Proclamation of Embargo [ R i c h m o n d ] 2 6 M a r c h 1 7 8 1 . A reissue of the Proclamation of 30 Nov. 1779, q.v., extending the embargo "until the end of the next ses­ sion of Assembly." No M S copy of this reissue has been found (see that under 19 Jan. 1781), but the text was printed in V a . Gaz. ( D & N ) , 31 Mch. 1781, T J having been author­ ized by the Council to reissue it on 26 Mch. ( V a . Council Jour., I I , 319).

From John Christian Senf, with Jefferson's Instructions to William Davies SIR

Richmond March 26th, 1781.

B y our present Situation Y o u r Excellency w i l l find it highly Necessary, that all kind of Intrenching Tools, as well for the de­ fensive as offensive Operations, should be got immediatly ready. I take therefore the Liberty to propose what K i n d and Quantity of Tools [there] may be Occasion for, 8 0 0 Spades 4 0 0 Common Axes 2 0 0 Broad and Grubbing Hoes 100 P i c k Axes 3 0 0 Fashine Knifes and smal Hatchets 6 Cross Cut S a w s , w i t h all Necessarys 30 W h e e l Barrows 60 H a n d Barrows Carpenter tools of all K i n d for E i g h t or ten Carpenters T r a c i n g Lines and Nails of the larger Sort [248

]

26

M A R C H

1781

I t w i l l likewise be very proper to have allways a Quantity of all K i n d of Tools in Reserve, exclusive of those mentioned, i n Case of Accident. I took the L i b e r t y some Months ago, to recommend a Company of Pioniers, the great Advantages, which would arise from, I belief, I have sufficiently explained to Y o u r Excellency; but as at present, to put the P l a n into Execution, the time may be to short and may be obstructed by other Circumstances. T h e Garrison orderd for Hoods could be instructed in few Days for the Bussiness as much as may'd be at present necessary to be employed as pioniers i f wanted, till the State could form a Company of Pioniers. A n d besides this Garrison, ten or twelve Soldiers of the State Troops, by all [owing] them a little Addition to their pay, could be, under the Command of a Ser­ geant, send with the Tools, to which I should give immediatly all proper Instructions and use as Pioniers. T h e Place, where those Men with the tools are to go to, w i l l be directed by the Commanding General, but w i l l probably be the Place at Hoods, according to Our Operations, which Place is in m y humble Opinion the only Place, properly situated, and safe for all K i n d of Stores for Our Operations, on Board of Vessels, i f defended and i f those W o r r k s , proposed, are executed. T h e different W o r r k s and Ground w i l l demand a Number of Sand B a g s to be in Readiness, but as Linnen is very scarce, two or three hundred of a Sort of smal Baskets, 14 Inches high and the same Breath at the T o p , and I2V2 at the Bottom, with two handles at the top, would serve in different Respect as Bags. T h e y may be made as rough and as strong as the Size would admit of, but not too heavy. A Quantity of Plancks for Plattforms w i l l be wanted, but may easily be procured nearer the Place, where the Tools w i l l be send to. T h e Plans for the Buildings at the R i v a n n a and Westham, I shall finish as soon as possible. I am with the greatest Respect Y o u r Excellency's most humble and obedt. Servant, S E N F Colo. Engineer I n Council Mar. 26. 1781. Referred to Colo. Davies to give orders for procuring the articles enumerated. M r . Hunter it is said has a considerable number of entrenching tools &c. ready made for the Continent. Perhaps it may be convenient to call for these and get h i m to make a further num­ ber. I t is necessary to collect to proper posts the officers and soul[249]

2 6 M A R C H

17 8 1

diers of the state reg[iment] as now constituted. Hood's is one of the posts at which about 80 men are proposed to be kept. T h e y may now be useful there as well for fatigue as to defend the stores &c. there from a small force. I inclose the last returns on which the consolidation of the regiment was formed. T H : J E F F E R S O N R C ( V i ) ; addressed; endorsed, in part: "Orders issued." T J ' s instructions to Davies are written, in his hand, below Senfs letter. Enclosure not found.

From Steuben SIR

Williamsburg 26th Mch 1781 8 oClock P M

I am this moment informed of the return of the E n g l i s h Fleet into Lynhaven B a y in the night of the 24th. and that this morning Eighteen sail now arrived and Joined them. I t is very probable the last are Transports with the Reinforcements expected from N e w Y o r k . W h e n the Express came from Hampton one Ship was under w a y coming up to Hampton Road. T h e W i n d has not been fair today for the Vessells to come up the R i v e r . W e have no certain intelligence of a Second Engagement be­ tween the Fleets. W i t h great respect I have the honor to be Y o u r Excellencys most Obed Servt., S T E U B E N Maj:Genl R C ( V i ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by Steuben; addressed and endorsed. On the cover, in Lafayette's hand, there is the following memorandum which clearly was written after Steuben's let­ ter had been sealed: "Baron de Steuben Having oppened a letter directed to me Containing intelligence Herein inclosed, He did himself the Honor to write to your Excellency. I will therefore Beg leave to Refer You to what He has com­

municated. L[afayette]." Also, above the address, there is the following writ­ ten in William North's hand: " $ E x ­ press Monday Evening 8 o Clock." F C , in French ( N H i ) . T r ( D L C : P C C , No. 7 1 , i l ) ; enclosed in T J to Huntington, 28 Mch. T r ( D L C : Washington Pa­ pers); enclosed in T J to Washington, 28 Mch. T r ( D L C : T J Papers). Lafa­ yette's memorandum appears only on the R C .

To George Lee Turberville SIR

I n Council March 26th. 1781

I n order that you may know fully how far and in what instances the Executive thought the measures you took w i t h respect to the flag, M r . Hare, and Major General Baron Steuben, improper, and what has passed from the Executive on that Subject, I inclose you extracts from two letters written, the one to Baron Steuben, the other to Marquis l a Fayette. [250]

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Y o u w i l l observe that the acts particularized are 1st. the permit­ ting M r . Hare to pass your post, second the arresting the flag instead of remanding it for the Irregularities of M r . Hares Con­ duct, third not obeying Baron Steubens orders to remand it, and fourth the detention of the Letter complained of by the Baron. I am free to acknolege to you that we considered the two first Articles as E r r o r s of Judgment merely and which could have proceeded from no blameable motive. T h e two last were military Offences which as you w i l l preceive by the Letters we consigned over to the mili­ tary Institutions altogether. I am & c , T.J. F C ( V i ) . Enclosures (missing): No doubt these were extracts of T J ' s letters to Steuben of 10 Mch. and to Lafayette of 19 Mch. 1781, qq.v.

To the Virginia Delegates in Congress G E N T L E M E N

I n Council Richmond March 26th. 1781

I beg Leave to ask your Sollicitations w i t h Congress for Per­ mission to Colo. W i l l i a m Davies of the V i r g i n i a line to accept an Appointment to the W a r Office of this State without prejudice to his rank and right to half-pay for life, L a n d s , and Depreciation of pay. I am in Hopes it w i l l be the more easily obtained as by the Discontinuance of appointing full Colonels in the A r m y Officers of that rank seem not to be deemed essential. W e are told too that instances of similar Indulgence do exist: particularly, that his E x ­ cellency Governor Clinton of N e w Y o r k retains his rank of B r i g ­ adier General, and the honble. M r . M c D o w a l l a Delegate in Con­ gress that of Major General in the Continental A r m y . A speedy answer to our Application is much desired. I have the Honor to be & c , T. J. P S . I w i l l be much obliged to you for the Pensylvania A c t either of Assembly or of the Executive for taking off the Embargo on flour and by the first Conveyance. FC (Vi). M R . M C D O W A L L : Alexander McDougall (see Burnett, of Members, vi, No. 67, note 3 ) .

Letters

From James Barbour SIR

Culpeper March 27th. 1781

I this moment received your Excellencys Orders of the 22d. Inst: M r . Strother who was the Bearer of those Orders says that your [251]

2 7 M A R C H

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Excellency would not have Orderd any men from this County at this time had not you been informed that a part of our M i l i t i a was in motion w h i c h was the case but was in some Confusion, not through disobedience but on Account of both the Draft for the M i l i ­ tia and the Regular Service was on the same day and the officers rather doubting Geni. Weedons Authority to C a l l . I came home, was informed of the Confusion, wrote to the Officer Commanding the Detatchment since he had not Marchd not to march. B u t altho he had marchd out of the County yet he returnd and discharged the men. Our General Muster being on this day makes it V e r y Convenient to put your Excellencys Orders in Execution. I have Orderd the number you wrote for w h i c h w i l l march on Monday next unless forbid by your Excellency. Y o u say nothing of A r m s and indeed we have V e r y few that w i l l answer unless it be Rifles, of w h i c h we can A r m one Company. T h i s Trouble I give your Excellency at the request of M r . Strother which I hope w i l l meet w i t h your Excellencys approbation. I am honble. S i r w i t h the greatest Esteem your Excellencys most obedt. & V e r y hum. Servt., JAS. B A R B O U R N B I f this E x p r e s s can be paid by the publick your Excellency w i l l please order it. J B R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. YOUR

EXCELLENCYS

ORDERS:

See

TJ

to the County Lieutenant of Culpeper, 22 Mch. 1781. In the Contingent Fund Vouchers ( V i ) , there is a bill of John Sloane, dated 31 Mch. 1781, "To riding Express 100 Miles from Culpeper with dispatches from Colo. Barbour to the

Executive" and return, for £ 1 2 0 , with an allowance of 50% "advance thereon," totalling £ 1 8 0 . T J wrote on an attached slip, "The bearer John Sloane came ex­ press from Culpeper on necessary pub­ lic business. T h : Jefferson Mar. 3 1 . 1781."

From George Rogers Clark SIR

Yough [Yohogania]. 27th March 1781

I Received your dispatches by Captn. Sullivan, that part R e ­ specting the B i l l s Countersigned by M a j r . Slaughter and Letters of advice is something curious. I t s supprising to me that M a j r . Slaughter as an officer of the State would suffer those persons to persevear in their V i l l a n y was he as he hints truly sensible of the principal that actuated them. Y o u know my sentiments Respecting Several persons in our Imploy. Those he accuses are generally M e n of fair Characters. I have long Since determined to Conduct my­ self w i t h a particular Rigour towards every person under me. T h e y [252]

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17 8 1

shall feel the stings of Remorse ( i f Capable) or the sweats of publick applause either as they demean themselves, but to Refflect on the steps I have been obliged to make use of to prosecute a w a r for these several years, their is an indignity in it that often H u r t [ s ] me, but a zeal that is unaccountable to me C a r r y [ s ] me to length that I some times Regret. Those Gentlemen M a j r . Slaughter points at w i t h himself may E x p e c t to undergo the strictest scrutiny in a short time, as orders are prepared for that purpose, M r . Jno. Dodge and others of the Illinois also. T h e whole proceedings shall be Transmitted to your Excellency. T h e B i l l s Signed by M a j r . Slaughter I think out [ought] to be paid. Those poor persons may otherways suffer. T h e Estates of those alluded to i f guilty is a Suf­ ficient Security. I have Received Inteligence that Col. Montgomery hath gone of to N e w Orleans on some pretence or other. I have dispatched of Letters to that post desiring h i m to Return to a tryal for his Conduct and desireing no person to Credit h i m on account of the State. I f he should Return by the w a y of Richmond I hope S i r you w i l l put h i m under an arrest and order h i m to the Western Department to answer for those accusations that may be laid to his Charge. Its a very allarming circumstance to me that of the Fred­ erick Berkely and hampshire M i l i t i a being Excused from the West­ ern Service. I make no doubt but that good policy might Require it. I suspected it, but 6 or 7 Hundred men deducted from two T h o u ­ sand is very Considerable. I shall never think otherways than that the M i l i t i a of those Counties would have marched with chearfullness had they not been incouraged to the Contrary. C o l . Gibsons Regiment w i l l make some amends but far from filling up the B l a n k . Perhaps we may do it by Voluntiers from this Quarter. I feel the distresses of my Cuntrey and shall devote m y self to its interest. But sir i f any misfortune should happen I have the Consolation to hope the Cause w i l l not be misplased. M y situation is truly disagreable. T h e most daring attempt would be agréable to me was their nothing but Death to fear, but more I conceive to be Depend­ ing at present, to be flung into m y Situation by a Set of men that are not Honoured with the Sentiments of a Soldier is truly dis agré­ able. I hope those Gentlemen alluded to w i l l live to Repent of their Conduct. Contious[ness] of the Rectitude of the orders of Govern­ ment agravatefs] the G u i l t of those persons in m y Ideas and cannot Refrain from giving those my sentiments though it may Refflect no honour to me. I am flattered by the purchasers in General to believe that their w i l l be a sufficiency of Flower and Boats prepaired though much [253

]

2 7 M A R C H

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later than could be wished for. C o l . Gibsons Regiment is of great worth to us. I am happy in his appointment. I f its in your power to Honour M a j r . Harrisons Draft for money I hope you w i l l do it. T h e Greater our supplies the Greater probability of suckcess. T h e money I brought with me I have yet and could wish to keep it as the last Resource. I hope S i r their w i l l be no disappointment in the Stores ordered for this department as it may be attended w i t h the worst of Consequences. I have the Honour to be w i t h Esteem your very H b l Servt, G

R C ( V i ) ; addressed, in Part: [By] "Lieut. Bradford." In referring to A S E T O F M E N T H A T ARE

NOT HONOURED

WITH

THE

SENTI-

Clark undoubtedly alluded to the county lieutenants of Berkeley, Frederick, and Hampshire

MENTS

OF

A

SOLDŒR,

cos.; see the letter from of Berkeley to T J , 25 letters to the county Berkeley, Frederick, and Feb. See also T J ' s reply Apr. 1781.

R

C L A R K

militia officers J a n . and T J ' s lieutenants of Hampshire, 16 to Clark of 20

To the County Lieutenants of Berkeley, Frederick, and Hampshire Counties SIR

I n Council March 27th. 1781

I t being our D u t y to see that such Proportion of M i l i t i a be called from your County either to the W e s t w a r d or E a s t w a r d as is called from the other Counties, and being uninformed how many of them marched to the W e s t w a r d , I am now to desire you w i l l send men (deducting therefrom the number actually marched to the W e s t w a r d ) together with proper officers to perform a T o u r of D u t y in relief of those from other Counties now below. These having been already three months in service, I must request that your men may march within a week after you receive this Letter along the most direct Road to W i l l i a m s b u r g , carrying w i t h them such good firearms and Accoutrements as they have or can procure. A s the number called for is absolutely requisite you w i l l be pleased to make up all Delinquencies by ordering other men and then to take effectual measures for sentencing those Delinquents to serve as regular Souldiers and sending them to relieve the men ordered in their room, noting particularly to the Commanding Officer who are to be relieved, and they shall thereon be relieved. I am with much respect S i r Y o u r most obedt Servt., T H : J E F F E R S O N 1

2

E S . W e particularly w i s h and expect from your County that all should bring Rifles who have or can procure them. [254

]

2 7 MARCH F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "To the County Lieutenants of Berkely, Fred­ eric & Hampshire." R C ( O H i ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by T J ; addressed: "Commanding Officer of the Militia of Berkley." T r ( W H i ) ; addressed: "Com­ manding officer of militia Hampshire."

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1 Blank in F C ; the following numbers appear at the foot of the text to be in­ serted at this point: "Berkeley 258, Frederic 267, Hampshire 242." R C , above, reads, "258"; T r reads, "242." 2 Complimentary close and signature have been supplied from R C .

To the County Lieutenants of Orange and Certain Other Counties SIR

I n Council March 27th. 1781

Y o u w i l l be pleased to send of your militia under proper Officers to perform a T o u r of D u t y &c. (as in the preceding Letter to the County Lieutenants of Berkeley &c. ) . T.J. 1

F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "To the County Lieutenants of Orange, Stafford, Louisa, K i n g George & Essex." i Blank in F C ; the following numbers

appear at the foot of the text to be inserted at this point: "Orange 140, Stafford 113, Louisa 140, K i n g George 114, Essex 107."

To the County Lieutenant of Shenandoah SIR

I n Council March 27th. 1781

On the invasion which took place in January I called on your County by Letter to you for militia. H a v i n g never received any answer or return from you and knowing that no men from your County have been in the Field, I must suppose that the E x p r e s s to whom we intrusted the Letter has deceived us. Y o u w i l l be pleased now to send 2 1 7 of your militia [&c. as in the preceding Letter to the County Lieutenants of Berkeley ike]. T.J. 1

F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "To the County Lieutenant of Shenandoah." i Brackets supplied.

From William Davies [Richmond, 2 7 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Minute in War Office Journal ( V i ) under this date: "Letter to the Governor, suggesting that although Mr. Anderson claims liberty to contract with persons to wash and cook for his people, there is no such privilege allowed him in his contract, only for nine lads, nailors, and being aware of the danger of setting a bad precedent, requests his advice, whether he shall, or shall not, be allowed to hire, at the publick expence, the cooking and washing for the whole of his hands, or only for the nine lads." Davies' letter to T J is summar­ ized in evsp, i, 598, but has not been found.] [255 ]

From Andrew Donnally SIR

Green Briar 27th. March 1781.

On the 3d. Instant a Party of Indians came to the house of W i l l i a m Meek living at the Mouth of Indian Creek w h i c h empties into N e w R i v e r in this County and took h i m and his F a m i l y P r i s ­ oners, and burnt his House and Corn. A Party of M e n belonging to Capt. Wood's Company happen'd to be rendezvoused i n the Neigh­ bourhood in order to march to join the Troops who are to serve under Geni. Clarke. These w i t h some of the Neighbours pursued the Indians and after a Continued march of near fifty Miles they came up w i t h them killed one Indian and wounded several, recov­ ered all the Prisoners and the Plunder. B y the Prisoners we learn that there was 8 Indians and 2 Canadian French in that Party, and they told them (the Prisoners) that another party of twelve more was to Join them at that place where our Men providentially de­ feated them. Lieut. Woods who Commanded our P a r t y deserves all due praise for his Spirited behaviour and activity on this occa­ sion, and I cannot forbear remarking that had it not been that these men happened to be so Critically imbodied at that Juncture that in all proba[bi]lity those unhappy People wou'd have been carried into Captivity by those merciless Savages. A s I was absent when this affair happened Lieut. Colo. B r o w n ordered so many of the M i l i t i a as cou'd be spared to defend those Stations w h i c h are most Exposed, and I have since continued them, this I thought myself Authorized to do by your Excellency's Letter of the 4th. November last; this Naturally leads me to request your Instructions, as to the Victualling of them, the delay which has happened in paying off the expences incurred in this County last year has been so great, and the depreciation of our Money so rapid that no one w i l l freely Credit the Publick for Provision or other Necessaries. T h e r e is a consider­ able Quantity of Corn i n this County paid by the Inhabitants i n dis­ charge of the T a x on Ennumerated Commodities. I shou'd be glad to know i f you think it proper to employ it this w a y and i f so to only remit me such a sum as you may Judge necessary to purchase beef and other Necessaries and without such remittance I am persuaded they cannot be procured. T h a t part of our Militia which in obedience to your Excellency's order were to be sent to Geni. Clarke, have gone w i t h much alacrity. But I fear the many delays which retard their marching from the place of rendezvouse w i l l damp their Ardor. A s we are extreamly scarce of L e a d in this County and often [256 ]

27

M A R C H

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obliged to buy at a high price, I wou'd be glad of a W a r r a n t to draw 5 0 0 l b weight from the lead mines w h i c h shall be used w i t h the greatest frugality; as none has hitherto been drawn from thence for the use of this County make me hope that the quantity now re­ quired w i l l not be thought extraordinary. A s I am but lately returned home I cou'd not sooner have in­ formed your Excellency of the State of affairs in those parts. I am Sir Y o u r Excellency's Mo Obedt. Hble Servant, ANDW.

RC

D O N N A L L Y

( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

From Heinrich Gerlach SIR

[ 2 7 March

1781]

I beg leave to acquaint your Excellency that I am arrived in the flag of truce Geni. Riedesel from New Y o r k under passports from his Excellency General Washington at Hampton road. T h i s flag contains (refreshments) some stores, Cloathing and money. M a j r . Geni. Riedesel directed me to express to your E x ­ cellency his wishes, that you would permit the Quartermasters, or such other officers as may be thought proper to come to the said Ship to that place how your Excellency directed me to go, and to receive the different articles consigned to them; and that you would have the goodness to allow myself to go to the troops for a short time when your Excellency and the Executive power of V i r g a . shall think proper. I herewith send you some Letters for yourself as also some for the officers of Convention, w h i c h M a j r . Geni. Riedesel has desired me to beg your Excellency to forward by express to the Command­ ing Officer of those troops. And I beg leave to inform your Excellency that I have still a box of Letters in my possession for the Troops of Convention, which with your Excellencys approbation I mean to deliver to a command­ ing officer here, or otherwise dispose of them as you may please to desire. T r ( D L C : P C C , No. 7 1 , n ) ; at head of text: "Copy of a Letter from L t . Gerlack dated on board the Ship Geni Riedesel at Hampton road the 27. March 1781. to Governor Jefferson"; enclosed in T J to Samuel Huntington, 31 Mch. 1781, q.v. T r ( D L C : T J Pa­ pers). Enclosures: Riedesel to T J , 19

Mch. 1781, q.v.; the other enclosures have not been identified. The passport for the flag vessel G e n ­ e r a l Riedesel was issued by Washington on 9 Dec. 1780; see Richard Barron to T J , 26 Mch.; T J to Huntington, 31 Mch. and to Gerlach the same day; Gerlach to T J , 29 Apr.; and Riedesel,

[257}

2 7 MARCH M e m o i r s , n , 265. In the Steuben Papers in N H i there is a letter from Capt. Callis to Weedon, dated at Hampton, 28 Mch., which may partially explain what Gerlach meant by S O M E L E T T E R S F O R Y O U R S E L F . T h i s letter reads in part as follows: " I have just returned from on board a Flag from New York with Cloathing &c. for the Convention Troops. The Accompanying Letters are forward­ ed to you at the instance of Capt. Garlech. . . . There is on board a L a d , the Son of a particular friend of mine, who wishes to reside with his friends at

17 8 1

Urbanns; he has letters from Geni Woodford in his favor, which are in­ closed in the pacquet to our Governour, which letters were obtained in conse­ quence of the polite treatment of the Lads Father to Geni. Woodford: if you will permit him to come on shore and me to send him to his friends you will confer on me a great obligation." Wood­ ford's letter to T J has not been found, but the boy to whom it referred was Alexander Frazier Gregory; see T J to Weedon, 31 Mch.

From Nathanael Greene SIR

March 27th 1781.

I did my self the honor to address your Excellency on the 2 3 d upon the necessity of sending an immediate reinforcement to this A r m y . Since I wrote I find a considerable part of the M i l i t i a claim their discharge at an earlier period than I expected. I thought they w ere to serve six weeks from the time they joined the A r m y but the M i l i t i a insist upon the time commencing on their embodying in the different Counties. T h i s dispute w i l l in a great measure deprive us of the services of the M i l i t i a , for tho a part may be prevailed on to continue, yet it w i l l be upon such a precarious footing as no meas­ ures can be taken with certainty. T h e struggle here is great, the situation of the A r m y precarious. T h e least misfortune w i l l bring the w a r to your doors. Y o u w i l l feel the necessity, therefore of giving me immediate support. T h e reduction of this State is a capital object with the enemy, and L o r d Cornwallis w i l l make every exertion to hold his ground and tho he appears to be a little embarrassed at this time he w i l l soon take measures to give him a superiority. T h e regular forces which are embodied by the late Draft should be sent to the field the moment they are collected at the place of rendezvous. Provisions are not less wanted than M e n and we suffer exceedingly for want of good beef. I f Government put up any to stall feed, agreeable to my requisition, I wish they may be order'd on in droves of about one hundred each. W h i l e I am calling upon V i r g i n i a for support I think m y self bound to acknowledge the exertions that have been made by your State and the good disposition all classes of people discover in aiding the operation of the A r m y . I sensibly feel the loss of Gen­ eral Stevens and am sorry that General Lawson is to leave me so r

[258

]

2 7 MARCH

17 8 1

soon. T h e i r services have been important, and the public are under great obligations to them for their exertions. Since I received your Excellencys letter of inclosing me the state of your line I have not had time to give your Excellency any answer to it nor have I now; and therefore shall only remark that I can not conceive the troops in captivity are to be considera a part of your force, and besides the time of service for the greater part of them is expird, nor can I conceive T a y l o r s Regiment or Nelsons Corps are to be included. T h e detachments also that have been sent on are greatly overrated. A n A r m y on paper w i l l give you no security. I t may serve to effect the ruin of a General officer where the returns hold up to view a force which has no existence but on paper alone. Y o u know my situation. I have committed my life and reputation to your service and tho they are of little impor­ tance to Government yet as the interest of one is connected with the other my misfortune w i l l in some measure become yours. T h i s w i l l be handed your Excellency by M r . Daniel who has been serving with the A r m y ever since the A r m y recrossd the D a n and [he w i l l ] give your Excellency any information you may re­ quire respecting the situation of affairs in this quarter. I am anxious to hear of the progress of the operations against Arnold. W i t h the greatest respect I am your Excellencys Most obedient humble Servt, N GREENE 1

Dft ( M i U - C ) ; endorsed. T r ( C S m H ) . T h e blank appears in both Dft and T r . Greene may have referred to T J ' s letters of 10 or 19 Feb. which may have enclosed returns of the state regiments (see tabulation of returns printed under 6 Feb. 1781). It is possible that there is a missing letter from T J to Greene 1

during Mch., for, while Greene wrote T J on 10, 16, 26, and 27 Mch., there is record of only one letter from T J to Greene—that of 24 Mch. It is more likely, however, that Greene referred to a letter written by T J in Feb., for Greene's rebuff of T J obviously brought about a decrease in T J ' s letters to him in Mch. (see Greene to T J , 28 F e b . ) .

From Herstale [27 March 1781] Your Excellpncy w i l l perceive by the joined Letter from Majr. Geni, de Riedesel that I am lately sent by order of his Serene H i g h ­ ness the Duke of Brunswic to N . Y o r k with the Cloathing for the Convention Troops, now on board the Vessel Geni. Riedesel. A s I never served in America, and being sent here on this only purpose, with orders to return to Europe immediately after my [ 259 ]

2 7 MARCH

17 8 1

return to New Y o r k , I flatter myself, when the vessel has proceeded to her destination, Y o u r Excellency w i l l favor me by granting per­ mission for me to bring myself the baggage to the troops of Con­ vention. T r ( D L C : P C C , No. 7 1 , n ) ; at head of text: "Copy of a Letter from Lieut de Harstall dated on board flag Ship Geni De Riedesel 27th March 1781 to His Excellency Govr. Jefferson."; en­ closed in T J to Samuel Huntington, 31 Mch. 1781, q.v. T r ( D L C : T J Papers). Enclosure (missing): Doubtless a let­ ter from Riedesel to T J , similar in con­ tent to Riedesel's letter of 19 Mch.

transmitted with Heinrich Gerlach's let­ ter to T J of 27 Mch., qq.v. The writer of this letter cannot be definitely identified. The name is vari­ ously spelled (Harstall, Herstale, Her­ tel). T h e spelling here follows the ma­ rine passport issued by Washington, on 9 Dec. 1780, for the flag G e n e r a l R i e ­ desel ( W r i t i n g s , ed. Fitzpatrick, xx, 449).

From Miles K i n g SIR

Hampton 27th March 1781

T h i s Morning we were Alarmed from the Appearance of two of the Enemies Boats near the James R i v e r Shore opposite to Capt. R i c h a r d Barrons and from their Situation and our Information since, we find them to be a part of some Boats full of M e n that Landed at Newport News point last Night and Continued there Undiscovered till this Morning. About Sunrise the Men E m b a r k e d in their flatt Bottom'd Boats Seventeen in Number and Made as fast as they Could for Portsmouth. F r o m their Short Stay at New­ port News and not attempting to go from the Shore they appeared to be Strangers, and from the best Intelligence I can gett it is Sup­ posed their Boats came from Some Vessells that A r r i v e d Yesterday in the B a y which Vessells is J u s t Come into Hampton Road, thirty in Number, Thirteen large Transports w i t h 3 M e n of W a r , amongst the latter a forty G u n Ship. A s to the Number of Troops on Board I must leave to your Judgement but Certain I am it is a Reinforcement to Arnold. T h e large Ships of the L i n e are Still below, and no Appearance of the French Fleet. M u s t not our Situa­ tion be deplorable. T h e only protection is a G u a r d of S i x M e n below Old point Comfort, and a G u a r d of twelve M e n at Newport News w h i c h Suffered 17 Boats full of Troops to L a n d and Make about fifty Fires and let them go of without their discovering of them. H o w sorry I am that we Should have only such M e n to trust to. Our County Men I s as willing as ever to Step forth when A s ­ sisted. T h e Number of the E n e m y dont discourage us, but what we W a n t is Men to Stand by us. T h e late Unfortunate Affair in this County w i l l I hope sufficiently prove the Courage of our County [260]

2 7 M A R C H

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Men. I n that Action M a n y Guns were lost and what Small Quan­ tity of Ammunition the Men had was nearly Expended. W e are now in W a n t of about Sixty Stands of A r m s , flints, powder and B a l l and some men to assist us, and then our County Men w i l l turn out w i t h as M u c h chearfulness as ever. L i g h t Horse are very Nec­ essary for this part of the Country, tho we have only T h r e e . I was J u s t now Informed that forty five Sail of Vessells were counted in the B a y this Morning including the line of Battle Ships. I am w i t h great Respect Y o u r Excellencys most Obt. & h i Sevt., M I L E S

K I N G

E S . Since writing 3 More large Ships is Comeing up which appears to be Transports. M K R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

From Lafayette SIR

March the 27h 1781.

Since the Return of the B r i t i s h fleet in the B a y , W i t h A Number of Vessels supposed to B e transports from Newyork, I Have E n ­ tirely lost E v e r y Hope of A n immediate Operation Against Ports­ mouth. H o w M u c h the disappointement is felt B y me, Y o u r E x c e l ­ lency W i l l Better judge than I Can E x p r e s s . T h i s However M a y Be A satisfaction that On our part, W e Have Been perfectly Ready A n d that W i t h A N a v a l superiority Our Success W o u l d Have Been Certain. Our Allies are I Hope Emploied i n an Expedition w h i c h H a d Been Considered as a Secondary object, and in distressing L o r d Cornwallis M a y still Render them serviceable to the Southern States. I am truly Unhappy that so much trouble, so many Expenses Have Been the only Result of our Enterprise to Relieve V i r g i n i a . B u t knowing that the French fleet and troops were to Sail on Such a day, fully Convinced that on their A r r i v a l Nothing Could prevent our Success, I Could Not B u t B e Sanguine in M y Hopes, and of Course Pressing in our Preparations. Y o u r Excellency's Letter to the B r i t i s h Commander Has Been delivered to Baron de Steuben. I f A Reinforcement is A r r i v e d , Arnold is no more the Commanding officer. Major Tuberville H a v i n g Been Released B y General Stuben I was glad to Have Nothing E l s e to do in that Affair. T h i s of the [261]

2 7 MARCH

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flag I Have E n t i r e l y left into the Hands of Baron de Stuben and Could the Less Middle in it as I was Utterly Unacquainted w i t h Circumstances. I am on M y W a y to Annapolis where I W i l l B e Happy to Hear from Your Excellency and shall Communicate E v e r y intelligence Relating to the further Motions of M y troops. W i t h E v e r y Sentiment of Gratitude and Respect I Have the Honor to B e dear S i r Y o u r Excellency's Most obedient Humble Servant, L A F A Y E T T E R C (Stuart W . Jackson, Gloucester, V a . , 1946); endorsed. YOUR EXCELLENCY'S LETTER TO T H E BRITISH C O M M A N D E R :

See T J to the officer

commanding the British force, 24 Mch.

From Richard Henry Lee M Y

DEAR

Williamsburg March 27. 1781

S I R

I have had an opportunity of conversing with the worthy Baron at this place, and he communicates to me a plan of joining his force w i t h G e n . Greene, or so to cooperate with h i m as to render a junction of the B r i t i s h force with Cornwallis difficult i f not im­ possible. T h e Barons plan appears to me to be one of those Master strokes which are productive of great effects, but which i f neglected lay the train for much future evil. W h e n the Carthagenian General was all powerful before Rome the genius of Scipio carried h i m to Carthage. Comparing small things w i t h great, this plan may save V i r g i n i a , by a previous defeat of Cornwallis. Besides, the Pennsylva. line is coming on. T h e Troops of the Marquis may also be so, and with these no great mischief can happen here, whilst a great stroke may be stricken against the capital foe and the planner of all the southern evils which now distress us. I sincerely w i s h that the Barons plan may be approved. I w i s h you happy and I am most sincerely yours, R I C H A R D H E N R Y L E E R C ( P H i ) ; addressed, in part: "Honored by Baron Steuben"; endorsed. For the action of the Council on Steuben's plan, see T J to the county lieutenants of Montgomery, & c , 29 Mch. and note; see also Weedon to T J , 27 Mch. and T J to Weedon, 31 Mch. T h e collapse of the expedition against Portsmouth because of the arrival of the British fleet caused Steuben on 27 Mch. to unburden himself to Greene in a long letter outlining his proposal. T h i s letter (Dft: N H i ) , dated at Williamsburg,

reads in part as follows: "You know my dear General that agreeably to your orders I was left in this state to accelerate the resources you expected from hence. T h e invasion which followed gave me occupation of another nature, but this however was considered only as a secondary object and my attention was never called from the first. It was not till I received Geni. Washington's orders to prepare for this Expedition that it became a principal Object. I ac­ cordingly made the necessary prepara-

[262]

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M A R C H

tions at an amazing Expence and with the utmost trouble. The Marquis then arrived with a great number of French and American Officers and 40 Men. After four Weeks suspense, our Hopes of doing anything are destroyed and the Marquis returns to the Northward, leaving me exposed to nothing but af­ front, whilst every prospect of Glory was reserved for others. In this situa­ tion I think myself authorized to return to the first Object in doing all in my power to execute the first Orders I re­ ceived from you and to leave the De­ fence of the State to the Militia under the immediate direction of Government. I shall therefore set out this day for Richmond and intend to make the fol­ lowing proposition to Government which if they refuse I shall without delay form the first detachment of Levies and I must beg you my dear General to send me orders by the first express to Join you. We have now about 4000 militia

17 8 1

under Arms and the Enemy with the Reinforcement will have I imagine about 3000 and consequently cannot be pre­ vented from advancing in the Country when they please. Militia alone will ever make but a poor Resistance in Defen­ sive operations. I propose to draw all the Militia together and by forced marches to pass the Roanoke and join you wherever you may direct. If the French are at Cape Fear I don't doubt Baron Wyominy [Viomesnil] will make some diversion with his 1200 Grena­ diers and Light Infantry. In this case I think Cornwallis would be obliged to see his security in Flight and as soon as he begins to retreat part of the Mili­ tia may be sent back. If this is approved I will with great pleasure command the Militia, but to carry on a defensive war with militia alone I cannot consent to. I shall hurry to lay this proposition be­ fore Government and the next express shall inform you of their determination."

To Charles Lynch SIR

I n Council March 27th. 1781

M r . Ross the Commercial Agent having succeeded to the Duties of the Board of T r a d e has of Course the Superintendance of the L e a d mines. W e have instructed him to employ a much larger number of Hands w h i c h w i l l necessarily require an additional manager and he thinks he shall be able to engage one to act under you. T h e extreme want of L e a d both to the Southward and here induce the

Executive

to be very anxious that the mines be worked to the greatest extent they w i l l admit. I am & c ,

T. J.

FC (Vi); at head of text: "Colo Lynch." This letter was inclosed in T J to David Ross, same date, q.v.

From Joseph Reed SIR

I n Council Philada. March 27th. 1781.

Colonel Broadhead, Commanding at F o r t Pitt, has informed us, that being apprehensive of a scarcity of provisions at his Post, he has interfered so far as to restrict the purchases of some articles made by your Excellency's direction for a special purpose, within this state, from passing out of it, and that he thought himself [263 ]

fur-

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ther warranted in the measure by a similar restriction having been laid some time ago on M r . W i l s o n purchasing cattle in one of your frontier Counties, under the Commissary General for the use of Fort Pitt. A s we apprehend such interpositions, attended w i t h mutual in­ convenience, and tend to interrupt the desirable harmony of states bound together in the bonds of common interests and affection, we have signified to h i m our desire, that he would not only take off any prohibition but facilitate the measures directed by your E x c e l ­ lency. A n d that, unless in case of some great and unforeseen calam­ ity or just apprehension of famine he permit your Commissioner freely to execute your orders. A s Colonel Broadhead is an officer of merit, and on this occasion acted with a well meant tho' mistaken zeal for the good of the state, we flatter ourselves your Excellency w i l l excuse the orders he has given, which we are persuaded he w i l l immediately revoke, and conform to your wishes on that subject. A s we doubt not a like friendly disposition prevails i n your Councils, we hope you w i l l as readily remove any obstructions to the purchases which may be necessary for the small garrison at Fort Pitt, in the neighbouring Counties of V i r g i n i a . A n d we beg leave to assure your Excellency we shall take a sincere pleasure in cultivating, by every kind office in our power, the harmony and mutual interests of the two states, and rendering V i r g i n i a every service in the present state of tryal and distress. O f which we gave General Greene the most decisive proof by supplying him with arms and other articles out of our state stores for the use of the Southern A r m y , and which have been extended since, most cheerfully, to the expedition under the Marquiss de Fayette. Most sincerely wishing your Excellency a speedy deliverance from the incursions of the E n e m y and a restoration of peace and tranquillity, I remain, w i t h great respect and consideration, Y o u r Excellency's most obedient and very humble servant, Jos.

R E E D

President FC (NHi).

From David Ross SIR

Richmond 27th. March 1781

I find it w i l l be some time yet before Colo. Davies w i l l have the several Estimates ready and it w i l l then take me a day to examine [264}

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what articles can be furnished in the State, and where the rest can be best procured. F r o m what I can discover a great proportion of the present sup­ plies must come from the Northward. Our State money has no currency there. T h e present Invasion intimidates the Merchants of Philadelphia from buying our Tobacco whilst the demand for it there is lessen'd by the discontinuance of the Embargo upon Flour —So that Tobacco payments I fear cannot be negotiated but upon very injurious terms for the State. A s V i r g i n i a at present bears an over proportion of the expences of the W a r , Cannot your Excellency draw upon Congress or is there not some mode of obtaining from the Continent a proportion of the money now expended by this State in the General deffence. I f any thing of this kind can be done it w i l l be a great Convenience and a considerable saving. I t w i l l not be easy to make purchases from the tradesmen of Fredrick, Lancaster and other Manufactur­ ing towns for Tobacco payments. Considering the L e a d mines and present scarcity of that Article as an object of the first Attention, I intend sending immediately to purchase the straggling parcels of lead in the Neighborhood of the Mines. T h i s w i l l afford an opportunity of obtaining a return of the present State of the W o r k s , the Number of hands &c. I M u s t beg the favour of you to write a few lines to Colo. L y n c h informing h i m the reason of m y application and, i f you think proper, to add that you have given orders for an additional number of labourers to be engaged and another manager to act under h i m . I shall be at due pains to get a person that I judge w i l l not be dis­ agre able to h i m and at same time pay attention to the main point. I am with great respect Y o u r very huml Servant, D A V I D Ross E S . I am going to meet Geni. B a l l this evening and make another effort to get some of his Negroes to send to the lead mines and w i l l be glad of your instructions to Colo. L y n c h . Please to remember the blank Passports which M r . Crew is to carry out w i t h him— immediately wanted. R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. See note to Ross to T J , 22 Mch. 1781.

[265]

To David Ross SIR

March 27th. 1781

A Knolege that Congress do not possess money but occasionally induces us to think it best to desire our Delegates to be on the watch whenever they shall be sending money to the Southward to sollicit the paiment of the S u m there for our use and draw on us for repaiment. I doubt whether this may answer your purpose which is present but we are assured it would be vain to draw on Congress. I w i l l write to the Delegates as above i f you w i s h it. I inclose you a Letter to Colo. L y n c h . I w i s h it were possible for you to import immediately a quantity of L e a d , Powder, and Cartridge Paper from the nearest Port. T h e passports for greater Security were ordered to be printed. T h e Printer says they are not yet ready, but gives reason to Hope for them tomorrow morning. I am & c , T.J . F C ( V i ) . Enclosure: T J to Charles L y n c h , same date, q.v. THE P A S S P O R T S : On the following day (28 Mch.) there is an entry in the Council journal as follows: "Thirty blank passports to vessels agreeable to

the advice of Council on the 16th instant were this day inclosed to M r . Ross" { V a . C o u n c i l Jour., n , 309, 321; see also Bill of Dixon & Nicolson for Printing', under 23 Mch. 1781, note 4 ) .

From the Virginia Delegates i n Congress SIR

Philada. March 27, 1781.

On the receipt of your favor of the 2 2 d of February inclosing the Memorial of M r . Stodder and K e r r with the protests and affidavits annexed, we communicated the matter to Congress, and have ob­ tained an instruction to the Hon'ble M r . Adams to represent the same to the States General of the United Provinces, and to claim such redress for the Memorialists as justice and the law of Nations require. W e have also received your Excellency's favor of the 15th instant relating to M r . Nathan with the several papers under the same cover and shall carry your Excellency's wishes into execution in the best manner we can. Capt. de l a Touche is arrived here from the F r e n c h fleet, . . . . W e have the honor to be w i t h the most perfect respect and esteem y'r Excellency's Obt. and humble Servants, JAMES MADISON T H E O ' K

JUNR.

B L A N D

MS not found. Text printed from Burnett, Letters of Members, v i , No. 44, where it is printed from a partial copy made from the original then in the possession of Stan V . Henkels.

[266]

From George Weedon D E A R

Williamsburg 27 March 1781

S I R

T h e Honble. Major Geni. Baron de Steuben w i l l lay before your Excellency an expedition suggested by himself, which meets the full approbation of a Military Board convened on the occation and which may i f agreed to by the Honble: the Executive, in a great measure terminate the W a r . I conceive it the best Policy in this State to keep the W a r abroad. I n doing that we must make our Objects at a distance. One fixed M a x i m in all Military operations is to support the grand contending Parties: as all other objects are thrown out merely to bring on a diversion and give an advantage to the side they support. W e find the most decisive Strokes have been brought on by a M a n œ u v e r the least suspected and tho' we may for a short time leave our Country much exposed: Our Movements w i l l most assuredly oblige the E n e m y finally to point to the same Quarter, when by forced Marches and vigorous exertions the object of our advance may be compleated and easy Service of course take place w i t h respect to the Posts occupied by the E n e m y in detachments. I therefore give it as my opinion that the Honble. Barons P l a n should be immediately carried into execution keeping up a diversion on our Side, to engage the attention of the E n e m y and to amuse the inquisitive. I have the Honor to be W i t h Esteem & Regard Y o u r most Obt. Servt., G WEEDON B G R C (Lloyd W . Smith, Madison, New Jersey, 1946); mutilated: the date and salutation have been supplied from Dft ( N H i ) . T h e latter is in William North's hand and is endorsed: "Copy from Geni Weedon to the Gov 27 Mch. 1781." T h i s letter was no doubt carried by Steuben and presented with that of R . H . Lee of the same date. T h e MILITARY BOARD consisted of Weedon, Lafayette, and Gouvion; see T J to the county lieutenants of Montgomery, & c , 29 Mch. and note. Steuben probably intended Nelson to join in the

appeal to the Executive, for Weedon wrote to Steuben on 28 Mch. in part as follows: "Geni. Nelson has been with me ever since you went away. He has been exceedingly unwell, and still is much indisposed. He begs his love to you, and requests me to Apologize for his not waiting on you at Richmond, being prevented by sickness" ( N H i ) . For the decision on Steuben's proposal, see note to T J to the county lieutenants of Montgomery, & c , 29 Mch., and for the reason for this decision, see T J to Weedon, 31 Mch.

From Arthur Campbell SIR

Washington March 28th. 1781

Since m y last, about 150 Voluntiers from the Wattago have penetrated the Cherokee middle Settlements, destroyed three princi[267}

28

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MARCH

pal T o w n s w i t h some scattering Villages, killed upwards of twenty Indians, and brought off fifteen Prisoners, mostly Children. Another Body of M e n are now about seting out from this, and Sullivan County to endeavour to drive the enemy from their haunts i n the Cumberland Mountains South of the G a p . I f this party is as for­ tunate in their attempt, as the former, I trust our South-Western Frontier and the Kentuckey P a t h w i l l be less infested the remaining part of the year than they have been for sometime past. General Greene has appointed Commissioners to open a T r e a t y w i t h the Cherokees, and Chichacas, and conclude a Peace under certain limitations, a desirable event I confess, but w h i c h i n m y opinion w i l l be best obtained, by terrifying the perfidious T r i b e well in the first place, which it is to be hoped w i l l be soon effected, by General Pickens and Colo. E . Clarkes movments in the South, together w i t h what we are doing on this Side. I n the mean time, a F l a g is dispatched to Okana-Stote to his new residence in the Moun­ tains; proposing a Conference on the Subject of exchanging P r i s ­ oners, and by the same oppertunity private Messages are sent to some well affected persons, and a Belt to the Chichacas. I am your Excellencies very Humble Servant, A R T H U R C A M P B E L L R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

To the Commissioners of the T a x I n Council March 28th 1781

G E N T L E M E N

T h e L a w requiring that the Tobacco Notes received by you i n Paiment of the two per Cent T a x under the A c t of October 1780 for recruiting our quota of Continental Troops should be trans­ mitted to the Executive, you w i l l be pleased to transmit them ac­ cordingly so soon as they shall be received, the Tobacco being much and immediately wanted to provide Cloathing for the souldiers. A n y deficiency of Bounty money due to the new recruits may be paid at the T r e a s u r v on Demand. I am & c , T.J. F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "Circular T o the Commissioners of the T a x . " At the same time that the council directed that the above letter be written it also ordered that "Messrs. Dixon and Nicholson are directed to prepare and inclose to the Clerk of every County one

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Copy of the Acts of October 1780 which shall be sent by the expresses going to the several Counties" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., n , 321; bill of Dixon & Nicolson for printing, under 23 Mch. 1781, note 7; the Act is printed in Hening, x, 326-37).

)

To William Davies I n Council Mar. 28. 1781. T h e board are of opinion that the proposal of the Commissioner of the W a r office to appoint Capt. Hamilton, an officer of the state regiment to do the duty of Town-major with such rations and forage as shall make those he is already entitled to equivalent to those of a Major, referring h i m to the General assembly to obtain a similar augmentation of pay, be approved. T h e y approve of his proposition contained in the same paper as to the mode of issuing cloathing to the Western and Southern armies: as also that for not issuing pay-warrants but on their producing a proper pay-roll. B u t they think a promulgation of this rule should precede it's rigorous execution, and considering that the paymasters of Crockett's and Taylor's regiments had no notice that such a roll would be required, that one of the regiments is about to be discharged, and the other to remove to such a distance as w i l l render the transmission of their pay very difficult, and that the paying them off need neither to prevent nor retard the paying off the other regiments, they think that sums of money, somewhat within the full sum requisite should be issued to them. T h e board approve of issuing a warrant at the same time for paying the South­ ern army, the money to be drawn out of the treasury immediately, to be ready when payrolls can be produced. T H : J E F F E R S O N E S . T h e r e is a difficulty as to the person who shall be entrusted w i t h money for the Southern troops which the board w i l l be glad to explain to Colo. Davies by a conference. R C ( P H i ) ; without indication of name of addressee; endorsed: "Answer from the Govr. to my letter respecting the appointing a T o w n Major, &c. &c. &c. 28th. Mar. 1781." T r of extract in W a r Office Journal ( V i ) .

To Samuel Huntington SIR

Richmond March 28th. 1781.

I forward to your Excellency, under cover with this, copies of letters recieved from Major General Greene and Baron Steuben which w i l l give you the latest state of the situation of things w i t h us and in North-Carolina. [ I observe a late resolve of Congress for furnishing a number of arms to the Southern States; and I lately wrote you on the subject of ammunition and cartridge-paper. H o w much of this State the [269

]

2 8 M A R C H

17 8 1

enemy thus reinforced may think proper to possess themselves of, must depend on their own moderation and caution 'till these sup­ plies arrive.] W e had hoped to have received by the French Squad­ ron under M ö n s : T i l l y eleven hundred stand of A r m s w h i c h we had at Rhode-Island, but were disappointed. T h e necessity of h u r r y i n g forward the troops intended for the Southern operations w i l l be doubtless visible from this letter. I have the honor to be w i t h the greatest respect Y o u r Excellency's most obedient and most humble Servant, T H : J E F F E R S O N 1

R C ( D L C : P C C , No. 7 1 , n ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by T J ; endorsed, in part: "Read April 7. Referred to the board of war." F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "To the President of Congress & General Washington"; at the foot of text: "NB I n the letter to Geni Washing­ ton omit the the [sic] first paragraph." W h a t was intended by this was, per­ haps, that the first two sentences of the

second paragraph should be omitted; see note 1, below. T r ( D L C : T J Papers). Enclosures ( D L C : P C C , No. 7 1 , n ) : Copies of Nathanael Greene to T J , 23 Mch.; Steuben to T J , 26 Mch. 1781, qq.v.; see Washington to T J , 18 Apr. i T h e passage in brackets (supplied) was omitted in the letter to Washing­ ton.

To Lafayette SIR

I n Council March 28. 1781.

Colo. Senf handed me a list of entrenching tools and other neces­ saries for the operations against Portsmouth. Notwithstanding present appearances, I shall have them procured. I apprehend we shall be obliged to have many of them made at Fredericksburg. M r . W a l k e r delivered me your wish to have seamen procured for manning the armed vessels. I know of no method of effecting this but by draughting from the lower M i l i t i a such men as are used to the water. Should this weaken the body of M i l i t i a too much we can have them reinforced by other militia. B u t perhaps the arrival of the fleet and transports of the enemy may have rendered our plans against Portsmouth desperate, in which case ceconomy would require the immediate discharge of the private vessels now retained at the public expence and risk. I shall discharge all of them except the three largest, and as to them await your opinion. Captain M a x w e l l is at present, and for some time w i l l be at the Ship-yard on Chickahominy endeavoring to withdraw the vessels and Stores from that place into James river. H e w i l l there receive any orders you may w i s h to have executed within the naval Depart­ ment. W h e n he shall have effected the business on which he is there engaged, I w i l l take care to make known to you the Station he takes, and that it be convenient to your situation. [270]

2 8 MARCH

17 8 1

W e are now calling for militia as Stated in the margin to relieve those who have had so very long a tour. T h e y w i l l probably begin to come in within a fortnight and be all in within four weeks. Those of the Counties of Loudoun, Fauquier, P r . W i l l i a m , Fairfax, Spotsylvania, Caroline and Culpeper some of whom are already in and some coming under calls issued some little time ago, are meant to be retained, and with those stated in the margin, to constitute the force of the ensuing two or three months. W e are the more anxious to relieve the militia who have been so long in the field because dur­ ing their absence the act for raising new levies is suspended in their Counties. Captain Reid's troop of horse is just arrived here from guarding the Saratoga prisoners in which business it has been em­ ployed for 18 months past. T h e y came under an order which was meant to carry them into immediate service below, but Capt. R e i d reports them to me as totally unfit for service from poverty, sore backs, and broken saddles. I therefore have thought it best to send them to Portroyal to refit, as there is at that place a plenty of forage which cannot be brought forward for the use of either army, and they w i l l be convenient to Fredericksburg where their equipments may be effected. 1

I have the pleasure to inclose you a Letter of the 2 3 d . from Gen­ eral Greene and am w i t h Sentiments of the highest respect and Esteem Sir your mo. ob. & mo. hble. Servant, T H : J E F F E R S O N R C ( A Midwestern Collector, 1 9 4 5 ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by T J ; without indication of name of addressee. F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "Marquis la Fayette." Enclosure (missing): Copy of Nathanael Greene to T J , 2 3 Mch. 1 7 8 1 , q.v.

T h e list of counties, with the number of militia called from each, is written in the margin of the R C at this point (at end of letter in F C ) and totals 1,598 men from nine counties as called in T J ' s letters of 2 7 Mch., qq.v. 1

From Robert Mitchell SIR

Richmd March 28th. 1781

Y o u r favour I Received and observe its Content. T h e depositions of they Captains of the Vessels, W i l l take, or any others Acquainted W i t h the Case. I W o u l d think i f approved of B y Y o u , that those Gentlemen that appraised they Different Vessels ought to W a t e on the Captains W h i c h W i l l Enable them to make there report, and if the Captain does not appear Condet [content], they ought to be Sworn, and think that all ought to be asserted Under the bill of R e s t i t u t i o n of the Vessels and Cargos W h i c h W i l l appear more regular. Y o u l please W r i t e these Gentlemen on [this] as I find T h e y [271}

2 8 M A R C H

17 8 1

Seem to think too much of a Small Trouble. I Shall Wate on them my Seife. I am Verey Sorry to Give Y o u So much Trouble, W h i c h Youl please E x c u s e . I am S i r Y o u r Obt Servt., R O B T . M I T C H E L L N B I have not let these Gentlemen K n o w The Contents of your letter K n o w i n g one of them W o u l d Give himself as Little Trouble as possible. R M RC 1781.

( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed,

YOUR FAVOUR:

See T J to Mitchell, 28 Mch.

From French Strother SIR

Culpeper March 28th 1781

Before I got home from Richmond the Malitia ordered by Geni. Weedon was discharged and C l a i m it as a T o w e r Notwithstanding they Marched only three Miles out of the County and Shou'd it so be determined it w i l l fall Next on that part of the Malitia which W e n t to Carolina. I did not Conceive from what past between us on the Subject that you woud have Called upon us so soon had not Weedon done it, and as we have had no Information of the Move­ ments below thought it best to send to you for further Instructions, and in the Mean time hold ourselves in readiness. I f you have leisure on your hands Shall be G l a d to hear the Particulars of Greens Affair. You have the power with the Action of Council to Suspend the Execution of all or any part of the recruiting law for a time Should it Appear Reasonable. I Shoud be G l a d so much as respects the marching of the Drafts from this County for ten or fifteen days as it has fallen V e r y hard in M a n y Instances and for W a n t of the Bounty Given by l a w have it not i n their power to Extricate themselves. T h i s Indulgence w i l l Greatly oblige them and by which time their Cloathing W i l l be ready for them. Shall be G l a d to know W h e n the Money Will be ready to pay the D i f ficiencies of the Bounty. Shall be happy to be Informed by the return of the Bearer of the Latest Intelligence. I have the Honor to be W i t h the highest Esteem Y r . Obt Servt., FRENCH STROTHER RC

( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

To George Washington Richmond, 2 8 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . This letter is virtually identical with T J ' s letter to Samuel Huntington, same date, with the exception of one para­ graph in Huntington's letter which was omitted in this. [272]

2 8 M A R C H R C ( D L C : Washington Papers); in a clerk's hand, signed by T J ; endorsed, in part: "Ansd. 18h. April." F C ( V i ) . Enclosures ( D L C : Washington Papers):

17 8 1

Copies of Nathanael Greene to T J , 23 Mch.; Steuben to T J , 26 Mch. 1781, qq.v. For variations from the text of the letter to Huntington, see note there.

From George Weedon DR. SIR

Williamsburg March 28th. 1781

Inclosed I have the honour to transmit to your Excellency a Copy of [a] General Return, by w h i c h you w i l l see how inadequate the Strength of the Troops, under m y Command, must be to the Service expected from them. Y o u r Excellency was pleased to send me a supplementary list of Counties called on, after m y A r r i v a l at this place, of which, only Caroline and Spotsylvania have sent any men; indeed I cannot see how the Country is to be defended, when a C a l l of the Executive is paid as little regard to as it would be from those noways in Authority; and indeed those few that come into the F e i l d , only remain as long as they please, and then go back, some w i t h their Officers at their heads, without consulting the Service or the Officer commanding. I inclose you m y Intelligence from below last night, and leave it to your Excellency to judge of the Propriety of assembling a stronger force than what we at present have. T h e Marquis and Baron both joined me in Opinion that while we were so weak on this side James R i v e r , it would be impossible to cover the Country from hence to Hampton; a Position, that subjected any part of our De­ fence to a Stroke from the E n e m y , without our having it i n our power to support any part. Under these Considerations, strength­ ened by Intelligence that indicated a Blow; the Troops were drawn to a point; and those who had continued in Service from the first of the Invasion were obliged from their distressed situation to be discharged. I would also suggest the propriety of driving off all the Stocks from below W i l l i a m s b u r g , upwards. T h e Country [ I am] informed contains vast Quantities, which no doubt the E n e m y w i l l forrage and support themselves w i t h [our] means. I have the Honour to be with great Respect and Esteem Y o u r Excellency's most Obt. Servt., G.

R C ( V i ) ; endorsed; M S mutilated, some words have been supplied from CVSP, I , 603. Enclosures missing. On this date Weedon wrote Steuben to inform him that he had sent T J a

W E E D O N

general return of militia and had sug­ gested the propriety of driving off the stock from the lower counties; to this he added: " I shall in consequence of your directions yesterday make partial

[273]

2 9 M A R C H Collections but think you and myself had better for our own justification have the Authority of the Executive before we carry the matter into full Execution. I would wish you therefore to impress the Idea on their minds and shall Act accordingly" (Weedon to Steuben, 28 Mch., Williamsburg, N H i ) . I N T E L L I ­ G E N C E F R O M B E L O W L A S T N I G H T : This probably included two letters from James Quarles to Lafayette, both dated 27 Mch. and the first being sent from Hampton at 10 a.m. ( V i ) : from these it appeared that the flag G e n e r a l R i e desel had not yet been identified; that

1 78 1

the enemy had crossed over "with about Twenty Botes with troops on board" and were "strowed along the shore from Newport news to the Mouth of Hamp­ ton Creek"; that they may have landed at Portsmouth, but that no troops op­ posed them anywhere; that the enemy fleet could be counted on the 26th and numbered "Thirty Seven Sail in Whole that was in the Bay," but could not be seen on the 27th "as it is so hasey"; and that, later in the day, the fleet lay off Sewell's Point and numbered "35 Sail, including 5 Manowar."

From John Browne Richmond, 2 9 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Submits a list of commissioners for "sev­ eral counties not included in my former": that is, Lunenburg, Albemarle, Orange, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Southampton. Chesterfield, Hanover, New Kent, Albemarle, Goochland, York, King William, King and Queen, and Charles City have not yet furnished wagons. R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; addressed and endorsed: the list of commissioners is printed in evsp, I , 607. Browne's "former" letter has not been found; but see T J to W . R . Davie, 30 Mch.

From Richard Call SIR

Petersburg 29th March 1 7 8 1

I have received ^ E x p r e s s from Lieut. Colo. Washington one Horseman's sword taken in the late action at Guilford Court House, which he directs me to send M r . Hunter as a pattern and have swords made for the men. B u t the great injury every Mechanic who has done work for the Cavalry sustained by being kept out of his money I am afraid w i l l prevent M r . Hunter from undertaking to make them unless he cou'd be certain of getting paid when they are done. I f Y o u r Excellency w i l l be pleased to give h i m some such assurance it w i l l be greatly encourageing to the Cavalry and finding themselves equally armed w i t h the E n e m y w i l l give confidence knowing that bravery w i l l then ensure success, as the sword is the most destructive and almost only necessary weapon a Dragoon carries. Our mounted men at present have swords but the generality of them are much inferior to the Brittish. I hope Y o u r Excellency w i l l excuse m y troubling you on this subject as the greatest dispatch is necessary and the Powers and [274]

29

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M A R C H

modes of doing business i n the Staff departments so often altered that [ i t ] is difficult for an officer to find out their elusive channels. I applied last week to one of the Honorable Members of Council to know what mode wou'd be adopted for the purchase of horses. T h e Gentleman told that the Board wou'd take it into consideration the next day and that their determination shou'd be reported to me but I came away and have not been informed of it. T h e delay of a single week in getting the Cavalry to Camp might make a material difference and perhaps tend greatly towards determining the fate of the Southern Campaign. T h e delays of purchasers last summer and frequent waste of money on horses by no means fit for service w i l l be a sufficient inducement for me to act in the character of purchaser (provided Y o u r Excellency should think proper to nomi­ nate m e ) rather than see the public money thrown away and the service not benefited. Lieut. Thornton w i l l have the honor of delivering this, by whom I hope to be informed of Y o u r Excellency's pleasure. I have the honor to be w i t h perfect respect Y o u r Excellency's mo. obedt. & huml. servt., R I C H D C A L L M a j r . 3rd regt. L t . Dragoon R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

T o the County Lieutenants of Montgomery and Certain Other Counties SIR

I n Council March 29th. 1781

T h e M i l i t i a from this State with General Greene being entitled very shortly to a Discharge and it being absolutely necessary to support h i m to prevent the Danger of L o r d Cornwallis's turning on him again until the N e w Levies can be got into the field, you w i l l be pleased to send immediately of the M i l i t i a of your County under proper Officers to join General Greene, arming as many as possible w i t h rifles and the rest w i t h the best A r m s that can be got for them by impressing or otherwise. I am w i t h great respect S i r Y o u r most obedt Servt, T H : J E F F E R S O N 1

F C (Vi); at head of text: "To the Coun­ ty Lieutenants of Montgomery, Washing­ ton, Botetourt, Rockbridge, Henry, Pitt­ sylvania, Bedford, Buckingham, Prince Edward, Charlotte & Halifax." R C ( V i ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by T J ; ad­ dressed: "The Commanding Officer of

Militia of Montgomery County"; en­ dorsed. On 27 Mch. Richard Henry Lee and George Weedon wrote letters to T J , qq.v., supporting Steuben's plan to send a body of militia to Gen. Greene. T h e Council considered the plan on 29 Mch.

[275]

2 9 MARCH and the following is their decision: "The Board taking under their most serious consideration the proposition of Major General Baron Steuben for sending im­ mediately into North Carolina a Detach­ ment of two thousand of the Militia now embodied on the south side of James river for the defence of this State against the enemy at Portsmouth are of Opinion that (altho the proposition seems to them to be founded upon very probable principles, yet the number of arms that such Detachment would nec­ essarily carry with them bearing a very great proportion to what will afterwards remain in the State, it will be a measure unjustifiable in the present circum­ stances of Affairs the enemy having lately received a great reinforcement: that altho the Militia at present in serv­ ice may be unable to resist the whole force of the enemy in any quarter yet being strangers to their certain Inten­ tions the Militia may be able to repel the incursions of Detachments which might be otherwise rendered absolutely impracticable for the want of arms. T h e board are further of Opinion that all that can be done in the present exigency is to reinforce General Greene as speed­ ily as possible with the fourth of the Militia from the Counties of . . . [as listed above] as there is reason to hope that such Militia may be able to fur­ nish in great measure their own arms" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., I I , 3 2 2 ) . T h i s de­ cision was a bitter blow to Steuben, who was present at the Council meet­ ing armed with the letter of R . H . Lee and presumably with that of Weedon. On 30 Mch. he reported to Greene that, after writing him on the 27th, he had "immediately set out for Richmond, and on my way met Colo. Morris who in­ formed me fully of your wishes and intentions and I was happy to find they so exactly agreed with the plan I was then going to propose to Government. In order to give more weight to this plan I had taken in writing the Opinions of the Marquis Geni Weedon and Colo. Gouvion who all agreed with me in sentiment. Yesterday Colo. Morris and myself waited on the Executive and laid the plan before them, and as Lord Corn­ wallis had already Marched, I insisted only that I march with 2000 men from Suffolk to Hall if ax . . . Crossing the Roanoke below the falls. Colo. Morris did all in his power to second my propo­ sition and further to persuade them of the necessity of it. I told them I was fully persuaded that the french had de­ barked at Cape fear and that by press­

17 8 1

ing on Cornwallis from three different points we should oblige him to retire towards Cambden. After a debate they came to the Resolution of which I en­ close you Copy—and consequently I have not a word more to say on the subject. I immediately sent a copy of their Resolution to the Marquis at A n ­ napolis and came here to fulfill the first objects for which I was left in this state" (Steuben to Greene, Chesterfield, 30 Mch. 1781, N H i ; a copy of the Council's resolution, dated 30 Mch. and in the hand of William North, is in Steuben Papers, N H i ; Steuben probably forwarded to Greene the attested copy that Archibald Blair, Clerk of the Coun­ cil, had given him on the 29th). T o Weedon Steuben wrote on 1 Apr.: "My last informed you that Government had rejected my proposals; I heartily wish they may not repent it before it is too late"; Steuben therefore concluded there was nothing further for him to do but to "accelerate the departure of the new Levies for the southward" and an­ nounced his intention of going with the first detachment to join Greene and of leaving Weedon and Muhlenberg in command in Virginia (Steuben to Wee­ don, 1 Apr. 1781, N H i ) . Weedon was also bitter: " I was fearful our Scheme would be rejected by the Executive who have not an Idea beyond Local Security. We must therefore content ourselves till a force is raised with which they will have nothing to do in point of direction" (Weedon to Steuben, 1 Apr. 1781, N H i ) . Greene resented the decision on another plane: " I observe your project has failed. . . . One point is absolutely necessary to be settled by Congress which is whether the militia or state troops shall be under the orders of the Continental officers or not. I f the views of a State are opposed to the general plan of operations, and the force in the field can only be employed at such points as they shall think proper, no officer can be safe in his measures: nor can the war be prosecuted upon a gen­ eral scale, where partial views have an undue influence. However Dear Sir when you consider the critical and disagree­ able situation I am in, the little prospect I have of acquiring glory and the almost certain disgrace that has and will ac­ company my manoeuvres from the na­ ture and constitution of our Army and from the difficulties I have to combat and compare your situation with mine, you may think yourself happy that you are not in as perplexing a state as I am"

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29

MARCH

(Greene to Steuben, 6 Apr. 1781, C S m H ) . Greene's general comment was logical and valid, but in this particular conflict between military and civil au­ thorities, events proved that the decision of the Virginia Council was more real­ istic and also more prudent than the course recommended by Steuben and others. T h e Steuben plan was based first of all on the assumption that Arnold's force, together with its recent reinforce­ ment, would not attempt a real invasion of the state: " I am not . . . of opinion that the Enemy will penetrate the Coun­ try on this side, otherwise than a few excursions in search of provisions," Steu­ ben wrote on 1 Apr. 1781. " I rather believe that in a few days they will carry the greatest part of their force round to the support of Cornwallis. I even doubt their intention of keeping Portsmouth. Should this be their plan we have much to fear for Geni. Greene" (Steuben to Weedon, 1 Apr. 1781, N H i ) . Weedon agreed with this: "It was ever my Opinion they would I n deavour to succour Lord Cornwallis by penetrating North Carolina; holding at the same time a strong Post in the lower parts of Virga. to keep us Diverted" (Weedon to Steuben, 3 Apr. 1781; nev­ ertheless, Weedon had some reserva­ tions, for on the same day he wrote to Muhlenberg: "but . . . should they think this part of the Country and our two little Armies an Object worthy their Attention, it will be a bad excuse for us to say 'who'd have thought it' "; both in N H i ) . T h e second assumption on which the Steuben plan was based was that this "project however extraordinary it may appear at first sight would have undoubtedly obliged the Enemy to have flown to the assistance of Cornwallis and thereby have removed the Seat of W a r from this State" (Steuben to Muh­ lenberg, 1 Apr. 1781, N H i ) . Weedon agreed with this also: "You are too well acquainted with war not to guard against the fatal consequences of a Su­ periority [of the enemy] in the South. If our friend Green is supported . . . and his operations successful, the work here will be easy. On the contrary, should the enemy predominate in that quarter, we shall be sadly pressed in Virginia" (Weedon to Steuben, 3 Apr. 1781, N H i ) . Greene's decision to move into South Carolina was also based on the latter assumption. But the command­ ing officers underestimated Cornwallis, who declined to play their game. T h e

178 1

events of April and May proved the fears of the Council to be well grounded: the enemy at Portsmouth invaded Vir­ ginia and Cornwallis, instead of follow­ ing after Greene, allowed him to march off to South Carolina against a series of minor posts while he turned on Virginia, Greene's chief source of supply. Despite this earlier miscalculation, Steuben still believed in early June that Cornwallis would follow him if he led forces away from Virginia and indeed proposed a similar plan under circumstances that would have made its adoption at that time sheer folly, as was delicately point­ ed out to him by one of his own officers ( see Appendix I , Vol. 6 ) . Greene evidently received prompt word of T J ' s action in calling upon these eleven counties, for on 1 Apr. 1781 his aide-de-camp, Nathaniel Pendleton, addressed a circular to the same county lieutenants asking them "to press the necessity of the immediate march of the militia . . . now ordered out by Govern­ ment" and directing them to send the troops to Salisbury, N . C . , "properly armed and accoutered" (Pendleton to "the County Lieutenants in Virginia," giving dates and places of rendezvous, 1 Apr. 1781, C S m H ) . On 7 Apr. Greene wrote to Gen. Lawson: "Inclosed is an order for calling into the field 2200 [militia of the upper counties] which I beg you to take the command of. . . . How or in what manner the militia are organized or officered I am not in­ formed. I beg you will write to the Gov­ ernor upon the subject and get liberty to arrange them as you may think most proper. Let the militia collect at Char­ lotte and give orders for forwarding as much provision as you can. . . . I think we shall vex Lord Cornwallis if not beat him" (Greene to Lawson, 7 Apr. 1781, C S m H ; see also Greene to Stevens, same date, C S m H , and correspondence be­ tween T J and Lawson under dates of 1, 4, 11, 16, and 21 May 1781). 1 Blank in F C ; the following numbers appear at the foot of the text to be in­ serted at this point: "Montgomery 187, Pittsylvania 181, Halifax 285, Wash­ ington 207, Bedford 384, Botetourt 175, Buckingham 156, Rockbridge 156, Prince Edward 115, Henry 2 5 1 , Char­ lotte 156 [ t o t a l ] 2253." T h e R C , above, has: "a hundred & eighty seven," in­ serted in T J ' s hand. 2 Complimentary close and signature have been supplied from R C .

[277]

From the T a x Commissioners of Culpeper County SIR

Culpeper March 2 9 . 1 7 8 1 .

On Settlement yesterday w i t h the Collectors of the Additional T a x , we find the greatest part has been received i n Tobacco and Hemp, only about fifty Thousand pounds in money. T h e Hemp cannot be sold for the price directed by L a w ; you'll please observe this County has to furnish 1 0 6 . M e n some of w h i c h are for the W a r r . M r . Strother informd us you woud order some of the first money for this use. W e have reason to believe there is sufficient i n the hands of the Sheriffs of this County for the Purpose, and beg to obtain an order for it. T h e M e n are exceeding clamorous and refuse marching until they receive their full Bounty, w h i c h has enduced C o l . Barbour to extend their furloughs until we can hear from you—indeed some of them have no other prospect of furnish­ ing a few necessarys. M a n y of them would gladly receive Tobacco at the Publick price i f that coud be admitted of. W e beg your Excellencys advice and instruction in this Matter how we are to Proceed, & are Y r Excellencys Most Obt. & Most Huble Servts., T H E COMISSIONERS O F T H ET A X R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

From William Davies, with Reply SIR

W a r office March 2 9 . 1 7 8 1 .

I find the number of waggons in the Q M G ' s department so utterly inadequate to the wants of the State, that the most common purposes of that department cannot be executed, nor any assistance afforded to the others. A t present, indeed, M r . B r o w n the com­ missary general has the greater part of them employed by h i m . Nothing can be done, therefore, in the collection of military stores without an entirely new arrangement in this particular. I am not w e l l acquainted w i t h the immediate demands of the southern army, but I am persuaded very many waggons w i l l be useless for at least a month at various stations in this state. I would therefore submit it to your Excellency whether it would not be eligible to order at least ten to this station to be under the orders of the State Q M G , till application shall be made for them by the continent. I t is a mat­ ter of real moment to have the cannon, mortar and ball that now lie [278]

2 9 MARCH

17 8 1

below this hill removed to the top of it. Should the enemy pay us another visit, and such a thing is very possible, we shall then sensi­ bly feel the great inconvenience of their present situation, and it w i l l always be easy, should this proposition be accepted, to bring them down the h i l l , i f we should at any time have occasion. T h e scattered state of the military stores in general is a serious circum­ stance, and ought immediately to be attended to. Captain B r o w n could at the same time that he visits the various places where they now lie uselessly dispersed make some engagements for removing them either to this place or others. T h e cannon at South quay and Suffolk w i l l never be fit for service, unless removed; and it w i l l be impossible to accomplish their removal without impressing the horses, cattle and perhaps carriages of the inhabitants. T h e impress­ ment cannot be executed without a force to protect them, especially at South quay where the people are not very well affected. I would therefore submit it whether it would not be proper to authorize Captain B r o w n or such person as he shall appoint to impress every thing necessary for their removal, i f he finds it can be accomplished. I f it should meet the approbation of the Executive, I w i l l write to General Muhlenberg requesting he w i l l send a sufficient number of men to execute the design. Perhaps as the scarcity of tradesmen in the public employ is attended with so much inconvenience, it may be expedient to exempt from the draft, in counties where it has not yet taken place, all such good tradesmen as are willing to enlist as such for three years or perhaps 18 months. I do not [kn]ow whether any difficulty w i l l arise from the l a w , but I think there are many men that would willingly enlist for three years as artificers rather than run the risk of being drafted for 18 months as soldiers. A s to Hawkins's misconduct he ought to be tried by a court martial; i f found guilty he is by the articles of w a r to be cashiered w i t h Infamy and published in the gazettes of the state, and after­ wards ought to account for the money fraudulently obtained, and if any ballance should be due from the public it should be stopped, till the whole of his account is fairly settled. I shall be ready to attend the council and your Excellency, as soon you may be pleased to direct, and am, S i r , most respectfully Y o u r Excellency's most huble servt., W I L L I A M DAVIES I n Council Mar. 29. 1781. T h e board approves of the ordering ten waggons (of those to be furnished by the counties) to this station for getting together the [279

]

2 9 MARCH

17 8 1

stores: and they rather think that the cannon being once got up Shockoe hill had better proceed to the water side at W e s t h a m from whence they may be taken up by water to the F o r k . I f any method of removing the cannon from South Quay can be devised we shall rejoice at it, having been trying the whole of our power near two years to get them removed. W e think it better to purchase oxen or horses than to impress, as being cheaper and less disagreeable: indeed we suppose a number of draught horses in the hands of our Q. M . at Suffolk impressed lately for a purpose for w h i c h they w i l l not now be necessary may be applied to this business. A l l artificers emploied for the public six months are by l a w exempted from draughts. T H : J E F F E R S O N R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed; T J ' s reply, in his hand, is written on the address-leaf of Davies' letter. F C ( V i ) . T r of T J ' s reply is in W a r Office Letter Book ( V i ) ; and a summary is in W a r Office Journal ( V i ) under 30 Mch. HAWKINS'S MISCONDUCT: See T w y ­ man to Lewis and Davis, 20 Mch., a letter which T J referred to Davies on 28 Mch. See also Hawkins to T J , 30 Dec. 1780; Clarke to T J , 8 J a n . and

6 Feb. 1781; and T J to Clarke and also to Hawkins, 7 Feb. 1781. R E M O V I N G THE

CANNON

FROM

SOUTH

QUAY:

On

30 Mch. Davies wrote to Claiborne on this subject, to which Claiborne replied that he had written to Elliott, his "only assistant on the South side of the Riv­ er," to give every aid in his power to­ ward removing the cannon, but he was doubtful of the result (see Claiborne to Davies, Richmond, 31 Mch., V i ) .

From William Harrison [ W i t h o u t place] 2 9 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Sent a sum of money, intended for procuring supplies for Gen. Clarke in the Ohio country, by a Capt. George Berry who promised to deliver the cash with Harrison's instruc­ tions. Berry "altogether neglected" to do this and applied $6,000 of the money "to his own private use and Refuses to Account for the same." Harrison fears this sum will be lost to the state or himself unless "some Meathod more than the ordinary Course of Law" is pursued. Has heard that Berry has obtained warrants on the treasurer for a "Considerable Sum" and requests that this be stopped until an accounting has been made. R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; addressed and endorsed. See Official Harrison and Berry; see T J ' s reply of 20 Apr.

Letters,

I I , 489, for note on

To William Lewis SIR

I n Council March 29. 1781.

T h e A r r i v a l of a B r i t i s h fleet and reinforcement having occa­ sioned a discontinuance of those purposes for which the armed ves[280]

29

M A R C H

178 1

sels were impressed, I have asked the favor of Capt. Mitchell to proceed to their discharge, excepting only the vessels having mili­ tary stores on board and provisions. Y o u w i l l be so good as to see that the Ammunition &c. and other things of public property w h i c h have been put into the vessels be returned. T h i s may be done by lodging them w i t h the military stores on board the other vessels. W e are taking measures to have the daily hire fixed and think it would be proper that some person from every vessel should be authorized to settle and receive what is due. On report of any pro­ visions which may be due, we w i l l have them immediately and specifically repaid. I am S i r with much respect Y o u r most obed. Servt, T H :

J E F F E R S O N

T r ( V i ) . See T J to Mitchell, this date.

From Nicholas Long SIR

Halifax, North-Carolina, March 29th, 1781

Agreeable to an Order you some T i m e ago favoured me w i t h , directed to M r . D a v i d Ross & Co., Petersburg relative to supplying the Quartermaster's Department in this State with B a r Iron, N a i l Rods & c , I received only five Hundred and sixty W t . N a i l Rods. A few D a y s past I wrote for further Supplies of the above Articles, expecting to have received them on the Credit of the same Order, but was informed by M r . Ross that on the Money's being paid for the said N a i l Rods, the Order was returned; Adding a Recommenda­ tion to establish a Credit with you & c , by which I am lead to be­ lieve i f your Excellency w i l l please to issue a general Order in favour of the Public in mine, or at least the Quarter-Master's De­ partment, I should be furnish[ed] by the Company, in which M r . Ross is concerned, w i t h such necessary Articles as may be required. I am, at Present, much in W a n t of B a r Iron and N a i l Rods. I f you think proper to write once more to M r . Ross on the Occasion, w i l l much oblige the Public and S i r Y o u r humble Servt., NICHOLAS L O N G DQMG1. R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

[281 ]

To Robert Mitchell SIR

I n Council March 29th. 1781

T h e A r r i v a l of a B r i t i s h fleet and Reinforcement having occa­ sioned a Discontinuance of those Purposes for which the armed ves­ sels were impressed, I am now to beg the favor of you to discharge the whole of them except those which have the military Stores and Provisions on Board which you w i l l please to have brought to Rockets, there to be kept Waterborne. I must trouble you also to have returned whatever Ammunition & c , or other Public Property has been put into the Vessels to be discharged. W e w i s h to have the daily H i r e fixed and number of Days every vessel has been in Serv­ ice, and that some person from every Vessel be authorized to settle and receive what is due. I wish an exact Report of any provisions which may be due and w i l l have them immediately and specifically repaid. I am & c , T.J. FC

(Vi).

See Official Letters, H , 4 4 1 , note, where Rocketts is identified as "the wharf section of Richmond, named for Robert Rocketts, who BROUGHT

TO

ROCKETS:

had a ferry in that neighborhood as far back as 1730"; Notes on V i r g i n i a is also cited there as locating "Rocket's" "a mile below Richmond."

From Robert Mitchell [ W i t h o u t place or date, after 2 9 M a r c h 1 7 8 1 ] The gentlemen ap­ pointed to value the vessels say that they can easily determine what the vessels and men ought to "have pr day," but cannot "Say Whether the Vessels Could [be] Got out or not after the time the[ey] Was Imprest, As the owners of Some of the Vessels [are] Insisting." They suggest taking depositions and request the "Necessary orders." R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; endorsed: "Robt. Mitchell March 81." For the action of the owner of the ship Renown on this question see T J to W i l ­ liam Lewis, 4 Mch. 1781, note.

From Sir John Peyton SIR

Gloster March 29th. 1781

A t the request of G e n . Nelson I sent to Baltimore for the A r m s as pr. the inclosed account. No Waggons to be had prevented m y geting them brought by land, which was my intentions, and direc­ tions. A t that time the French ships being in the B a y the Gentleman, I sent, thought it safe, and adviseable to ship them. T h e Vessel put [ 282 ]

2 9 MARCH

17 8 1

into Anapolis with the fleet coming from the head of E l k w i t h Soldiers, I have since wrote to get them forwarded from thence by land, hope they may get safe to hand. I am called upon for the Money, and shall be oblige to you to order it to be paid to the bearer. T h e General w i l l inform the circumstances and with great regard, I am S i r Y o u r most Obedt Sevt, J. PEYTON R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. See Isaac and Abram Van Bibber & Co. to T J , 22 Mch. and T J to John Skinker and William Garrard, 14 Apr.

Sir John Peyton was county lieutenant of Gloucester co. and is not to be con­ fused with Capt. John Peyton, clothier general to the state troops (see T J to John Peyton, 21 Mch. 1781).

From George Weedon D E A R

Williamsburg 29 Mar. 1781

S I R

I send you the Prisoners mentioned in Major McLane's Letter, who I conceive are guilty of Piracy, with them is also sent a M r . Glansmiltz who I understand was in partnership with that noted Rascal Shoemaker. Y o u r Excellency w i l l please give your directions respecting them. On the Night of the 27th a Sloop with 1500 Bushells of Salt was drove on Shore between Newport News and Hampton and was boarded by Capt. Davenport. T h e Captain who commanded her gives the following intelligence. T h a t the rein­ forcement lately arrived is commanded by Geni. Phillips. T h a t he has 23 Transports w i t h Men and supposes each to have on board from 150 to 2 0 0 . H e has also E i g h t Square Rigged Vessels with Horse on Board. T h e y were convoyed by the Chatham of 50 Guns, T h e Rainbow 44, T h e Roebuck 44, T h e Hancock 3 2 , and four other Frigates. T h a t Arbuthnot still lays in Lynhaven B a y . Capt. Ross appears to be an Honest Scotchman A n d says he saiPd with them from N e w Y o r k . T h e Object of this reinforcement is supposed to succour the Southern A r m y . T h e y w i l l at any rate keep a strong post at Portsmouth, and w i l l have it effectually in their power to commit depredations unless a force sufficient is called into the Field to oppose. T h e want of A r m s w i l l greatly distress and [ I ] would recommend it to your Excellency to appoint a careful diligent Man in each County and give h i m powers to impress all that are fit for Service and Store them under his own Care that when the M e n from the Counties are call'd on T h e y may be ready to put into their Hands. I am very certain a considerable number of good A r m s may be recover'd in this w a y that belong to the Publick besides those of private property which may be useful. H a d the Officers so appointed [283 }

30

178 1

M A R C H

orders to employ all the Gunsmiths in their County and sett them immediately to W o r k they would no doubt much facilitate our Operations. Enclosed you have a Letter from Major Callis request­ ing the liberty of landing a Son of a Friend of his by which he will become a Citizen to this State. I would therefore w i s h your E x c e l ­ lency would suffer h i m to L a n d agréable to the Major's request. I have the Honor to be & c , & c , G WEEDON RC (Vi); cated. A

LETTER

endorsed. Enclosures not lo­ FROM

MAJOR

CALLIS:

See

Gerlach to T J , 27 Mch., note, where Callis' letter is quoted in part. Callis also, in this same letter, reported the capture of C A P T A I N R O S S , who com­ manded the salt-laden sloop that was driven ashore, but he did not give the details set forth in Weedon's letter. M R . GLANSMILTZ: T h i s was undoubtedly the person referred to in the following action taken by the Council on 6 Apr.: "The Board advise that Charles Clinchsmith (Klansmett) a prisoner, be con­

fined in Hanover Jail until further or­ ders" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., n, 329). THAT

NOTED

RASCAL

SHOEMAKER:

For

a note on Joseph Shoemaker, see T . S. Lee to T J , 5 Jan. 1781 and T J to Lee, 1 Feb.

1781.

T H E P R I S O N E R S : On

1

Apr.

1781 Weedon wrote to Steuben: "The Marquis's Barge made prise of a Ves­ sell as they went down, that had been stole by some Rascals and fitted out on a piratical plan. They had done much Mischief to both shores of Maryland and Virginia. McLane sent them to me, and have forwarded them to the Govr. to meet their just rewards" ( NHi ) .

From Nathaniel Burwell Carter's Grove, James City County, 3 0 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Encloses names of six militia ordered by court martial to serve as regular soldiers for six months and adds: " I expected there would have been more." Three have already gone off, and if there is no objection, "as there are some circumstances that make in Favor of the other three," they will be delivered at the prison, "that by being near their Families they may be of some assistance to them." R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; endorsed, in part: "4th April 1781." Enclosure ( V i ) : T h e list of six names, signed by Burwell, contains this puzzling statement: "the first three were turned over on the 15th. Febr. the other three on the 22d. of the same month." I n all cases the dates are clearly written and, since the endorse­ ment would seem to indicate that the letter was received on 4 Apr., it is prob­ able that the date of 30 Mch. is correct

(though the figure "30" seems to have been written over something else). I f the letter was written on 30 Mch., then the reference to the six soldiers being "turned over" on 15 and 22 Feb. can only be explained on the assumption that these were the dates at which the courts martial delivered them into Burwell's custody. T h i s letter is apparently BurwelPs reply to T J ' s letter of 1 Mch. 1781, q.v.

To Richard Call SIR

In Council March 30th 1781

T h e L a w s of this State rendering it necessary that all purchases of necessaries for the A r m y should pass through the Hands of the [284]

30

M A R C H

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Commercial Agent by whom they may be properly carried into Account, it is impossible for us to take notice of any purchases made by the Continental Staff or other Officers. W e furnish the Staff at such T i m e s and in such Proportions as we are able w i t h money, w h i c h they are to apply according to the Orders they receive. T h i s must be considered as our answer with respect to the Swords to be procured on Continental Account from M r . Hunter. W e mean to direct the Commercial Agent to order 5 0 0 Horsemen's Swords to be made immediately by M r . Hunter on Account of the State. T w o hundred of these w i l l be for General Spotswood's two Legions should they be raised. Of the Residue we shall be as we ever have been ready to accomodate the Continent w i t h what can be spared. W e w i l l direct them to be made by your model. I inclose you an extract of a Letter to General Greene which w i l l inform you what we wait for to begin the purchase of Horses. T h e late Impresses have been so extensive, that 'till we know the Actual State of the Cavalry we cannot possibly conjecture the number wanting, more especially as we have had no return of their numbers at any T i m e past. I am & c , T.J. F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "Major Call." Enclosure (missing): Extract from T J ' s letter to Greene of 24 Mch. 1781, q.v.

From William Churchill SIR

Middlesex March 30th. 1781.

On the 26th Instant there was in Middlesex Court a recommenda­ tion of M i l i t i a Officers to your Excellency in which M a j r . Maurice Smith was not recommended as L t . Colonel according to Seniority but that Capt. Beverley Daniel was nominated in his place which he thinks is not the treatment he deserved as an Officer who has always done his D u t y . I can say w i t h truth that when I had the Honour to Command the M i l i t i a in this County that no Officer did his D u t y better than M r . Smith and I dare affirm that since Colo. James Montague has had the Command of the County he can lay nothing to his charge as being backward in his D u t y as an officer. A n d as to C i v i l matters I do declare upon m y Honour that he is the most punctual Magistrate in the County in attending Courts of Justice, the only thing they had to alledge against was that he was upwards of Fifty Years old but I dare say your Excellency knows that there are many Commanders that are above Fifty who are ca­ pable of Command. I hope you w i l l not think that I mean to direct [285 }

3 0 M A R C H

1 78 1

you or throw any blemish on M r . Beverley Daniels Character, but only to inform you that M r . Smith is the Senior Officer for they are both Gentlemen that I esteem in private and publick life. I am Y o u r Excellency's Most Obt. Servt., W I L L C H U R C H H I L L R C ( V i ) ; endorsed: " W m Churchills Letter April 13th 1781." T h i s , no doubt, is the date of receipt.

To Richard Claiborne SIR

Richmond March 30th 1 7 8 1

The operations against Portsmouth being now discontinued, ceconomy and respect to the rights of our Citizens require that the Horses impressed for that Purpose be returned to their owners. T h i s I know w i l l be a troublesome and expensive undertaking, but it may be effectually done I hope i f every Person who impressed is instructed to look out and return all the Horses impressed by him­ self. Should any of them not have been revalued by Colo. Griffin, Colo. Southall and M r . Anderson, be pleased to collect them in Places convenient to these Gentlemen and get the favour of them to revalue them. I n like Manner I must desire that those formerly revalued by these Gentlemen may be again valued, because i f they have fallen off or been injured, the Damage to be paid the Owner w i l l thus appear. [Be pleased also to take the orders of the commanding Officers, what number and K i n d of Boats shall be retained for passing Troops over James R i v e r occasionally, and return all the rest punc­ tually to their Owners. Particular Attention should be paid to the letting every F e r r y have a good Horse b o a t . ] 1 am &c. 1

T r ( V i ) ; at head of text: "A Copy of a Letter from his Excellency the Gov­ ernour to Major Claiborne." F C ( V i ) . T J wrote a letter identical in substance to Granville Smith on the same day. The principal variation in the text of the two letters is indicated in note 1, below. On 29 Mch. the Council approved TJ's letter to Mitchell of that date "to have the armed vessels lately impressed discharged" and on 30 Mch. took the following action: "The Operations against Portsmouth being now discon­ tinued, the board are of Opinion that the horses impressed for that purpose should be returned to their owners, and advise the Governor to give instructions to the Quarter Masters to have them

returned accordingly" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., I I , 322, 3 2 3 ) . On the same day Steuben wrote from Chesterfield to Clai­ borne in part as follows: "In conse­ quence of the requisitions of the Mar­ quis De L a Fayette and Colo. Pickering Qr Mr Geni, a great number of horses have been impressed for the express pur­ pose of carrying on the expedition against Portsmouth. As this Expedition has failed it is absolutely necessary that these Horses and every other article which has been impressed for the above purpose should be immediately collected and returned to the Owners and this I beg you will see done without loss of time" (Dft in hand of William North, NHi). It is possible that Steuben took this action independently, despite the

[286]

3 0 MARCH fact that his statement of the cause for it is so similar in phraseology to that employed by the Council, for he re­ turned to Chesterfield on 29 Mch., the

17 8 1

day before the Council's action was taken. T h e text in brackets (supplied) does not appear in the letter to Granville Smith. 1

From Richard Claiborne SIR

Richmond 30th. March 1781

I have received your Excellencys directions about returning the horses and boats which have been impressed for the expedition against Portsmouth. I t gives me concern to say that the thing is very impracticable. I n the first place there is nothing obligatory upon the impressors to return the horses or Boats and money w i l l not induce them to undertake the business. I n the next place, the altera­ tion which w i l l undoubtedly be in both w i l l put it out of the Power of those Persons to distinguish whose particular Property they are. I n the third place there has been such a distribution that many of them w i l l never be collected or found. Issues of horses have been made to different People by orders of the Commanders in chief and exchanges and accidents so frequently happen that few or none w i l l ever be returned. Such as remain or can be found shall be collected at W i l l i a m s b u r g and where they shall be ready 1

for the inspection of Colo. Griffen, Colo. Southall, and M r . Ander­ son, but to remove them would be attended with great inconvenience in furnishing Forage and perhaps the loss of several. W i t h respect to the orders given by your Excellency the 24th. Instant, they may perhaps be complyed with, but to return every thing to each Particular owner is impossible. T h e only measure that can be taken in this matter to be any ways effectual w i l l be to have all the horses on the South side of the river collected at and those on the North side at W i l l i a m s b u r g —The Boats at the connection of James and Appomattox Rivers, and advertize for the People to come and take their Property. T h i s shall be done, and every thing else in m y Power to do Justice to the People and to A n s w e r the wishes of your Excellency. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Y o u r Excellency's Most obedient Humble Servant, RD CLAIBORNE DQMr. S. V . 1

R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. SUCH AS . . . C A N BE FOUND:

On

the

preceding day Claiborne inserted an advertisement in V a . Gaz. ( D & N ) for

31 Mch., in part as follows: "Richmond, March 29, 1781. As there is every rea­ son to suppose, that there is a number of publick horses in the possession of

[287]

3 0 MARCH persons within this State who are not entitled to keep them and that many are daily straying, I find it necessary . . . to give this information; that for every publick horse which shall be found not in proper service, and deliv­ ered to Col. James Hendricks at Alex­ andria, M r . Philip Boush at Winches­ ter, M r . Richard Young at Fredericks­ burg, Capt. George Rice at Charlottes­ ville, Capt. Thomas H . Drew at Carter's

1781

ferry on James river, Capt. Charles Russel at Prince E d w a r d courthouse, Mr. William M'Craw at Terry's stores on Banisters river, M r . Stephen Southall at Richmond, Major Benjamin Day at Williamsburg, and M r . George E l ­ liott at Petersburg, the person so deliv­ ering them, shall be liberally reward­ ed " i Blank in M S .

From Richard Claiborne SIR

Richmond 30th March 1 7 8 1 .

The great demands which are made upon me of late for the purchasing department under m y direction, obliges me to beg your Excellency for a W a r r a n t on the T r e a s u r y for the sum w h i c h is to be appropriated for the purpose of the said department, of the late emission of the Assembly. I have lately received an appointment of Quarter Master for the Troops in Continental service in this state. T h i s branch of business w i l l likewise require a considerable sum as the exigencies of the service w i l l render it Necessary to make disbursements to answer the immediate calls or purposes of the A r m y . I beg leave to ask your Excellency how much money you w i l l be pleased to furnish to enable me to discharge the duties of this department? A l l the appointments heretofore made in the field business, cease, unless renewed by me; so that draughts made to the E x e c u ­ tive for any thing to be done in that line except by myself, w i l l not be proper. I shall now have it i n m y Power to Judge of the re­ sources of the one Department, and the Necessities of the other and to act for the good of both. I have the honor to be with the highest respect Y o u r Excellency's Most obedient Humble Servant, R D CLAIBORNE D Q M r . S. V . R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. On 5 Apr. the Council directed the auditors to "issue A Warrant to Rich­ ard Claiborne, D . Q . M . G . for two mil­

lion of pounds, to be charged to the United States" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., II, 327; see also T J ' s letter to Greene of that date).

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To the County Lieutenants SIR

I N C O U N C I L , March 30, 1781.

T

H E act of October 1 7 8 0 , F o r r e c r u i t i n g this staters quota of troops to serve i n the continental army, allowed persons to exempt themselves from certain military duties, by enlisting a sol­ dier after the first day of the ensuing month of A p r i l , to serve dur­ ing the w a r , and delivering h i m to a person authorized by the Gov­ ernour to receive h i m . Sensible that the burthens of your office are sufficiently great, we would not mean to put this duty on you, but beg the favour of you to appoint a proper person to receive such recruits within your county, and to take care of them until they can be delivered to continental officers, who are to be appointed to col­ lect them. M r . B r o w n the commissary, being directed to have a deputy in every county, that deputy is to be applied to for subsistance, and is required to consider this as an order to furnish it. T h e custody of these recruits being a service of a military nature, we mean that you shall consider it as such, and exempt the receiving officer whilst so employed from all militia or military duties, except draughts, and this we expect w i l l be a sufficient compensation for his trouble. I am with great respect, S i r , Y o u r most obedient servant,

Broadside ( D L C : Broadside Collection); signed by T J , and addressed in his hand: "County Lieutenant of Frederick"; endorsed: "Governor Jefferson recruits. I do not recollect that any person was appointed. J . Smith Cy. L t . Fr."; Swem, " V a . Bibliog.," No. 7292. Since the substance of this order and of the Act on which it is based applied equally to all counties, T J no doubt sent a copy to the county lieutenant or commanding officer in each of the counties. However, there is no record of this letter in the Council proceedings and the only copy found is the one described above. There were 150 copies printed (see invoice of Dixon & Nicolson, under date of 23 Mch. 1781, note 6 ) . T h e exemption from military duty referred to above may have been that concerning which Claiborne wrote to Steuben: "In consequence of the conversation which Captain [Benjamin] Walker and myself

had today respecting exemptions of men from Malitia draughts, I do myself the honor to inclose to you a copy of my letter to his Excellency Governor Jefferson, and his answer; which will discover the steps that I took in the matter, and that it was not in the power of the executive to do anything at that time, Since that period I waited upon the Governor in person and he informed me that he was about sending out orders to the different Counties to exempt from Malitia duties those that were engaged i the Continental employ for a certain length of time; but I have discovered very little relief from them. I will write again on the subject and acquaint you t I am able to effect" (Claiborne to Steuben, 18 Apr. 1781, N H i ; the copies f letters that Claiborne enclosed with this are Claiborne to T J , 16 Feb. 1781 and T J to Claiborne, 17 Feb. 1781, qq.v.). n

w n a

0

[289]

To William R . Davie SIR

Richmond March 30 1781

Besides intrusting M r . B r o w n our purchasing Commissary, as I had some T i m e before done to forward to you Droves of Beeves for the use of the Southern A r m y , I desired h i m to write you himself precisely what were his prospects and in future to correspond w i t h you on the Subject of furnishing provision, that you might know w i t h Certainty what to expect from this State. He has written the inclosed Letter. Y o u w i l l doubtless think it is necessary to communicate your wants to h i m from time to time which I would beg the favor to inclose open to me or otherwise make known at the same T i m e that I may be able to have attention paid to them as far as Circumstances w i l l admit. I am & c , T.J. F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "To W m R Davie Esqr. Commissary General of Purchases for the Southern Army." T h e enclosed letter from Browne was prob­

ably not that of 29 Mch. I n that letter Browne refers to "my former" letter (not found) and it may be this "former" letter that T J enclosed to Davie.

From William Davies, with Reply SIR

W a r office March 30. 1781.

T h e General expressed to me yesterday in such strong terms the great importance of the post at Chesterfield, and urged so strenu­ ously his idea of the necessity of m y continuing my superintendance at that place till the march of the new raised troops shall be over, that it was in vain I represented my opinion of the impracticability of discharging m y duty towards it, or the fatigue and trouble to which I should subject myself. I was therefore obliged to consent, and purpose whenever m y business w i l l permit here, to attend at that place on Saturdays after noon and Sundays. T h e duties of this office, i f executed in all its parts and carried to the variety of busi­ ness which I think ought to be [ajllotted to it, w i l l require two clerks. W h a t those duties are I shall take the liberty of respectfully submitting to the consid[er]ation of the Executive whenever I may have time to attend to the stating them: A t present m y w i s h is, that considering the circumstance first mentioned as well as the general duties of the office, I may be allowed to employ another clerk. I would beg leave to add one observation, that I hope I shall be able, during the short period I shall continue m y superintendance at Chesterfield, to afford [considerable assistance to our designs at this place an[d] W e s t h a m , by ordering from that place occasionally [290]

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such numbe[rs] of men on fatigue, as they can spare and we be ab[le] to employ. I have the honor to be most respectfully your most hble servt., W I L L I A M

DAVIES

In Council Mar. 31. 1781. T h e board not possessing the power of establishing new and permanent clerkships, have nevertheless been constrained at times to approve of occasional appointments of additional clerks to the Executive boards, reporting the matter to the succeeding assembly and referring to them for allowance. T h e y w i l l approve such an appointment at present, by Colo. Davies and report it to the Gen­ eral assembly. T H : J E F F E R S O N R C ( V i ) ; addressed; T J ' s reply, in his hand, is written on the verso of Davies' letter.

To Nathanael Greene SIR

I n Council March 30th. 1781

I am to acknowlege the Receipt of your favors of the 16th and 2 3 d instant and to congratulate you on the Effects of the Action of the 15th in which though the field could not be retained yet you have crippled your adversary in such a manner as to oblige h i m ultimately to retire, which best shows which party was worsted. W e have ordered M i l i t i a from the Counties stated in the M a r g i n , to releive those now with you from this State and this without Delay. K n o w i n g that there are always considerable Deficiencies in the Numbers actually marching and desirous you should receive the full number you desired ( 1 5 0 0 ) you w i l l observe we have called for about half as many more. Most of the Counties on the North Side of James R i v e r have now I expect got through the raising their New Levies. W e avoided calling M i l i t i a from them either to Caro­ lina or on our own Invasion that they might proceed in this impor­ tant W o r k . A s soon as our M i l i t i a now with you return we shall get the residuary Counties on the same work except the eleven now called on for you, who must be spared 'till they shall return as the L a w cannot be executed in any County in the Absence of any con­ siderable proportion of its Militia. T h e Commissary expresses apprehensions that the produce of our L a w for bringing in stall fed Beeves w i l l fall far short of Expecta­ tions. 1

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178 1

M A R C H

He has purchased and is feeding upwards of 2 , 0 0 0 . H e assures me has has a large number of Persons employed in procuring them into Droves to be forwarded on to you. I shall give constant Atten­ tion to h i m on this point, that every T h i n g may be carried to you w h i c h can possibly be spared hence. T h i s w i l l be abridged by the Reinforcement the E n e m y have received at Portsmouth and the necessary Augmentation of our numbers in the field. I am & c , T. J . FC (Vi). T h e list of counties, with the num­ bers to be called from each, which is written below the text in F C , agrees with that subjoined to T J ' s letter to the 1

county lieutenants of Montgomery, & c , 29 Mch. (q.v., note 1 ) , with the excep­ tion that Botetourt is listed as sending 187 instead of 175; this is evidently a clerk's error because the total "2253" is the same in both lists.

To Samuel Griffin, James Southall, and Robert Anderson I n Council March 30th. 1781

G E N T L E M E N

I am sorry to be obliged to give you so much Trouble w i t h the Horses lately impressed for operating against Portsmouth. T h a t plan being now discontinued we have thought that (Economy and Respect to the rights of our Citizens required a restitution of all the Horses to their Owners. B u t as they may have fallen off or been injured we w i s h that the whole should be valued by you as they were when impressed so far as you have not already done it, and then that the whole should be valued as they now stand that we may know what Sums should be paid their Owners i n Damages. T h e Quartermasters are desired to collect them in places con­ venient to W i l l i a m s b u r g and to give you notice. I must beg the favour of a report from you of your Proceedings, stating in different Columns, the Horse by a general Description, in what County taken, his Owner, his worth when impressed and his W o r t h now. I am & c , T.J . F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "Colo Griffin, Colo Southall & M r Anderson." See T J ' s letter to the same gentlemen, 17 Mch. 1781.

From Samuel Huntington P h i l a d e l p h i a , 3 0 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Encloses ordinance of Congress "rela­ tive to the Capture and Condemnation of Prizes, and repealing all for­ mer Acts and resolutions" contrary thereto. [292

]

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MARCH

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F C ( D L C : P C C , No. 15); 1 p.; at head of text: "Circular." Enclosure (miss­ i n g ) : Ordinance of Congress of 27 Mch. 1781, printed in J C C , xix, 314-6.

From Daniel L . Hylton, with Jefferson's Instructions to William Davies [ W i t h o u t place] 3 0 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . Mr. Eppes desires him to inform T J that "a Gun Smith up the Country will undertake the Cleaning and repairing Arms. He will also get 3 or 4 Men to Assist him provided they are exempt from Military duty." The arms must be sent up to him. TJ's instructions follow: "Referred to Colo. Davies; Colo. Muter had the name of this man in a note from me. He lives in Cumberland on Appomattox. Th:J." R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; addressed; endorsed: "Note from D L Hilton to the Govr. & re­ ferred to Col. Davies T h e Note to which the Govr. refers to can't be found 31 March, 1781." T J ' s note to Davies is written, in his hand, below Hylton's letter.

From James Innes SIR

York Garrison. March 30th 1781.

In the action of the 8th Inst: between a party of the Elizabeth City Militia and a Detachment of the british army under the com­ mand of Colo. Dundass, Colo. Curie was made a prisoner. He was taken gallantly leading on a handful of resolute troops to oppose six times their number, notwithstanding such Disparity the Enemy were obliged to abandon the cattle and horses they had collected, and retired rather loosers than gainers by their Enterprize. Arnold proposes to exchange Colo. Curie for Elligood. I will not presume to advize your Excellency on this Subject, but will only take Liberty to remark that to my knowledge Curie was the very life and soul of his county, and that I believe his liberation would be of more importance to the public weal than the Detention of ten thousand such traitors as Elligood. I have the honor to be respectfully JAS: I N N E S Colo: R C ( V i ) ; addressed, in part: "[By] Mr. Armistead" (presumably Moss Armistead, who was the bearer of Innes' letter to Steuben described below); en­ dorsed by T J : "Col. Innes." Immediately after the action in which Col. Curie and others were captured, Innes appealed to Steuben and pointed out the "good consequences Colo. Curie's immediate exchange would produce to the Commonweal." Whatever hope I n ­ nes and Armistead (who had two rela­ tives among the captured) may have

entertained from this appeal, it was completely wiped out by Steuben's ex­ plosive reply of the next day which con­ tained a severe reprimand based on the fact that Innes' letter had been dated at "York Garrison." "Whatever tallents you may possess," Steuben wrote, " I must desire an obedience to the orders I have or shall give. Your staying at York after receiving my positive orders to march to the Vicinity of Half W a y house is extremely surprizing to me. A s I expect the strictest obedience to

[293 ]

3 0 MARCH be paid to my orders, so those you give you must see put in execution." About the proposed exchange of Curie, Steuben was equally surprised, "tandis que depuis le 1 de Mars vous avez mon ordre possitif que tout intercourse avec l'Ennemi soit absolument prohibé. . . . I vous répète encore mon ordre de marcher demain . . . à Half-Way house et de suivre votre instruction" (Innes to Steuben, 10 Mch.; Steuben to Innes, 11 Mch. Of the latter there is a draft in French and an unfinished English text which ends with the quotation given; both are in N H i ) . Innes replied on 13 Mch. protesting against the injustice of Steuben's charges, but apparently he made no further effort at this time to effect an exchange. There can scarcely be any doubt that Steuben's feeling against Innes at this time was complicated by their relations in "The Affair of Westover"; see Appendix I , Vol. 5. An account of the engagement in which Curie was captured appeared in V a . Gaz. ( D & N ) , 10 Mch., in part as follows: "In the morning of the 7th instant, a party of the British consisting of about 300 men, under the command of Col. Dundas, came over from Portsmouth to Newportnews in 13 flat bottomed boats. . . . About 40 militia being collected at a place called the race paths (about 8 miles from Hampton) fired upon them, and killed a Lieutenant Salisbury of the Charon, and two others, and took five or six prisoners. Col. Dundas had his horse shot under him. Our loss is Col. Mallory and five others killed, and one wounded. Col. Curie, and William and Robert Armistead taken prisoners." Immediately after this engagement—perhaps independent of I n nés' effort—some of those taken prisoner appealed to the General Assembly. Their petition was drawn up and carried to Richmond with incredible speed, being presented to the House of Delegates on the day following the skirmish. T h e signers pointed out that they were members of the Elizabeth City militia, that they had opposed the enemy in "an attack . . . upon the T o w n of Hampton and being unsupported by the Militia of the adjacent counties were made Prisoners by them, and discharged on Parole," and that according to T J ' s proclamation of 19 Jan. 1781 they would be liable to certain penalties unless relieved by the legislature. T h e petition was referred to a committee of eight, of whom Patrick Henry and John Taylor of Caroline were members. T h i s

17 8 1

committee reported two resolutions the following day: ( 1 ) "that so much . . . as relates to William Hawkins, Pennel Crook, Robert Armistead, John Paul, Samuel Ship, John Banks, William Gooch, Francis Ballard, William Cunningham, Richard Burt, John Seymour, William Harper, Howard Skinner, Michael Counsel, Armiger Webb is reasonable, and that the petitioners ought to be consider'd as prisoners of war, and that the Governor be desired to have them exchanged for any prisoners which now are or may hereafter fall into our hands"; ( 2 ) "that the Governor be desired to appoint Commissioners to inquire into the conduct of Robert Bright, George Latimer, Thomas Latimer, Thomas Allen, George Hope, W i l liam Dunn and William Armistead others of the . . . Petitioners and . . . report of their proceedings to the next Session of the Assembly." These resolutions were ordered to lie on the table. But on 13 Mch. the House took the matter under consideration again, amended the first resolution by inserting the name "Wilson C u r l " before that of Armiger Webb, and adopted both resolutions. Patrick Henry carried the resolutions to the Senate, but that body offered several amendments which were not agreed to by the House. Both the Senate and House stood firm and the resolutions failed. However, on the next to the last day of the session the House passed a general resolution condemning the enemy's practice of issuing paroles to "Citizens not taken in Arms, but found pursuing their domestic employments" and the Senate readily agreed thereto; T J immediately forwarded a copy of this resolution to the commanding officer of the British forces at Portsmouth (see his letter of 24 Mch. 1781 and note there which quotes the resolution in full; J H D , Mch. 1781, V a . State L i b r . , B u l l , 1928, p. 15, 19, 25, 38, 39, 44, 45, 4 9 ) . The failure of this appeal to the legislature no doubt prompted Innes, Weedon, and others to appeal to T J and the Council to authorize Curie's exchange. Apparently also the names of prisoners referred to in Weedon's letter to T J of 2 Apr. 1781 may be equated with those named in the above resolutions. See Weedon to T J , 2 Apr.; T J to Weedon, 4 Apr.; T J to Steuben, 6 Apr.; also, for an earlier proposal to exchange Elligood for Warneck, see Steuben to T J , 15 Feb., and T J ' s reply of 17 Feb.

[294}

From Thomas Jones SIR

March 30th 1781.

T h e bearer Captn. George B l a c k w e l l is one of the draughts for Northumberland County, which he thinks a great hardship upon him, and as he is a stranger to your Excellency, has prevailed upon me to represent his case to you, hoping thro' your means to be re­ dressed. H e was brought up to the Sea, and since the present dis­ turbances has been Master of several Vessells, and has made several successful Voyages to the W e s t Indies and to old France, by which means he acquired a very comfortable subsistence, of which he was deprived by the E n e m y in M a y 1 7 7 9 , by burning his Houses and destroying and taking from h i m most of his property; he now com­ mands a B r i g g in Potomack, which I imagine w i l l Sail in a short time, as she is preparing for her Voyage with all expedition. I f your Excellency thinks Captn. B l a c k w e l l aggrieved, by affording h i m your friendly assistance, you w i l l do great service to a very in­ dustrious worthy honest man, who has no other method of pro­ viding for his W i f e and Children, but by going to Sea. H e is sayed to be a very skilful Navigator, and as this State is in great want of all Seamen, I think such men ought to be encouraged. W h e n he has been on shore, he has upon any alarm, joined the M i l i t i a with the greatest Spirit and chearfulness. M r s . Jones joins me in very respectful Compliments to your L a d y , and hope she is in good health. I am S r . w i t h the greatest respect & esteem Y r . Excellency's most obedt. Servt., THOS: JONES R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. On 22 Mch. the Council had made the following exemption in favor of Blackwell: "The Board considering the excessive losses that Messrs Saml and George Blackwell of Northumberland

County sustained by the depredations of the enemy in June 1779 Advise that they be exempted from the payment of their specific tax in the said County" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., n, 315).

T o J . P. G . Muhlenberg [Richmond, 3 0 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . On 7 Apr. William Constable, Muhlen­ berg's aide-de-camp, writing for Muhlenberg, who was i l l , advised Steuben as follows: "The militia begin to be much dissatisfied. Many of their times are out within two days, and 'twill be impossible to detain them longer. The Govrs. letter of the 30th ulto, has been com­ municated to them promising a speedy relief, but desertion already begins to prevail and I am satisfied that if the other men do not arrive [295

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in a short time our numbers will be reduced to almost nothing" (Con­ stable to Steuben, 7 Apr. 1781, "Camp near Scotts," N H i ) . Letter not found; but see T J to Muhlenberg, 3 Apr. 1781.]

From Catherine Park Richmond March. 30 1781

G E N T L E M E N

I have now finished the Leather at the Barricks, that was on hand when M r : Park Died, and has deliver'd near a Thousand Hides to M r : Marks for the Use of the State. There was two Thousand more Cure'd and Dry'd by M r : Park, which cou'd not be Tanned for want of Bark. Now is the season to get it, but it is out of my Power, as I have not yet Receiv'd any amolument from the yard at the Barricks. It is there compiate with every necessary for carreing on the Buisness, but Bark, and Lime. The Yard can Tann fifteen Hunder'd Hides this Year, which will Require one Hunder'd and fifty Coard of Good Bark. M y Request Gentlemen is, that you will order that quantity to be procure'd. I f you will make me Certain of it, I will write immediately to a Gentleman at the Norward, who has promis'd to procure me a Compiate work man of Carrector, who is Capeble of Carreing it on but I cant ingage him till I am sure of Bark. W h e n I am, I shall Exert every Ability I am Mistress of, to procure p[r]oper Hands. But in Case I am disapointed (which I dont expect) I will take care to inform the Governour and Corni­ seli in time for them to procure Hands, they allowing me a Suf­ ficiency for my Intrest in the yard. M r . Park haveing Expend'd a Lardge sum of money on it, when the Money was of some value, if I C a r r y on the Buisness I will allow the value of the Bark. There is likewise Leather belonging to the Country in my yard here but I have not any oil to finish it. I f you Gentlemen will give orders to furnish me with oil you may have the Leather immediately. I have the Honour to be Gentlemen Y o u r Most Obedt. Humbl Servt., C A T H E N E : PARK R C ( V i ) ; addressed: "His Excellency Governour Jefferson & Honourable Corni­ seli"; endorsed.

To David Ross SIR

In Council March 30th. 1781

Being called on for Swords for General Spotswood's two Legions, and for our Cavalry on Continental establishment, to be procured [296]

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immediately, Y o u w i l l be so good as to order five hundred to be made at M r . Hunters. General Spotswood I suppose w i l l chuse to direct the form of those to be made for his Legions. T h e Residue we would be glad to have made on a model which w i l l be lodged w i t h M r . Hunter by Major C a l l . I am & c , T.J . FC (Vi).

To Granville Smith Richmond, 3 0 M c h . 1 7 8 1 . T h i s letter is identical in substance with T J ' s letter to Richard Claiborne, same date, q.v., except that it lacks the final paragraph of the letter to Claiborne. T r ( V i ) ; 1 p. F C ( V i ) ; printed in Official

Letters,

n , 443.

From George Weedon DR. SIR

Williamsburg March 30th 17[81]

I mentioned a M r . Clansmate in m y letter of yesterday who I supposed was w i t h the other prisoners. Upon inquiry found he had been sent to Gloster on an alarm that happened four days ago. I have got h i m back and Now send h i m up under guard. H i s Crime has never been reported to me officially. No Doubt your E x c e l ­ lency has had some Accounts of his Conduct. I am w i t h high Esteem y r Excellencies Most obt. Servt., G WEEDON R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

From Edward Carrington SIR

H d Qrs. Ramsays Mill Deep river Mch 31. 1781

Y o u r Excellencies letter I had the Honor to receive, and w i t h great pleasure acknowledge the impropriety of mine which gave occasion to it. I find the E r r o r in m y Estimate on the Article of grain happened through the Clerk who copied it in my Office. On seeing your State to Geni. Greene I naturally recurred to the origi­ nal paper in m y own possession and there found it stood in these figures 5 0 , 0 0 0 . I am really sorry that m y letter should have con­ tained any thing disrespectful to yourself or the Executive, and am much obliged to you for the delicacy w i t h which you have taken notice of it. [297]

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A s to the 5 0 , 0 0 0 bushels being too little for the purpose i n ­ tended, the claim for that much on V i r g i n i a was only meant as a Supplement to what Carolina might be able to afford. Major Claiborne writes me that he is fearful the W a g g o n A c t w i l l , i n most instances fall through, owing to the negligence of the Executive hands in the Counties. M y prospects for supporting the army so much depended on the efficcacy of this A c t , that I have much to apprehend from a disappointment in it. I f the army is respectable in Numbers and tolerably supplied I think we may be well assured that the Military operations shall continue on the south side of D a n ; otherwise the Boweles of V i r g i n i a w i l l probably feel the destructive consequences of the immediate presence of two Contending armies. Geni. Greene has given L d . Cornwallis one of those Victories which his Lordship does not at present incline to accept again, and I think one or two repetitions w i l l leave but a small band of his Ravagers. H o w long Geni. Greene w i l l be in a Condition to continue his progress Southwardly depends altogether on the exertions of V i r g i n i a . W e have nothing to expect from N Carolina but very irregular M i l i t i a who in the day of Action Can­ not be depended on for any thing. I have the pleasure to Congratu­ late your Excellency on the great Bravery and Exemplary behaviour of the V i r g i n i a M i l i t i a during this Campaign, and I think their disgraceful behaviour at Cambden must now be obscured under the great brilliancy of their present conduct. Unhappily for us the terms of those valuable men are expiring and we shall be left inferior to the E n e m y . I have the Honor to be w i t h much respect y r . Excellencies M o Ob E D .

R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. YOUR EXCELLENCIES LETTER: TJ's letter to Carrington of 3 Mch. Claihome's fear that the W A G G O N A C T would fail was also expressed in a letter of this date to Davies in reply to Davies' request for wagons to transport hospital stores. Claiborne stated that he could not tell when wagons would be brought

C A R R I N G T O N

together; "All that I can do is to direct them to be hired and without a farthing of money. Shoud they be got in this way, it may not be amiss to inform you, that none will agree to go out of the State, and I have not a Continental Waggon to send" ( Claiborne to Davies, Richmond, 31 Mch., V i ) . These hospital stores were wanted for Greene's army.

From William Davies, with Reply SIR

W a r office March 31. 1781.

Captain Young, the Quartermaster general of the state, who has just arrived, informs me that he saw at Edentown about 3 0 exceed[298 ]

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ing fine cannon of 18s and 24s. H e asked the N a v a l officer, whose they were, who informed h i m they were the property of the State of V i r g i n i a , thrown out of a French vessel, who carried the re­ mainder of them to South quay. A s I have no return of any thing of the kind, I would be glad to be informed whether your E x c e l ­ lency had any account of such cannon. Captain Young thinks they can be removed without danger up Roanoak to Halifax; i f they can, it w i l l undoubtedly be a great advantage to the service; indeed, the removal of those at South quay might perhaps be secured in the same manner by transportation by water. I have the honor to be S i r , your Excellency's most obedt servt, W I L L I A M

DAVIES

I n Council Apr. 2. 1781. T h e cannon at Edenton are not the property of this state but of No. Carolina which purchased a part of the same cargo, of which the residue was purchased by us: their part was landed at Edenton, and ours brought to So. Quay. Under present circumstances it seems eligible to remove the Cannon at So. Quay by water to some safe part of the Roanoke from which they may either be transported across by land to James river or again carried to So. Quay. Blackwater is said to be navigable for flats or batteaux 3 0 miles above So. Quay. T h i s watercourse points directly towards Petersburg. Perhaps when it is considered that there must be one i f not two changes of vessels to carry them up Roanoke, that this is carrying them further from us, and that they may perhaps be transported shortly from the upper landing of Blackwater to a safe part of James river, and in the mean time be in an interior situation, it may produce a doubt whether the moving them up Blackwater would not be preferable. T H : J E F F E R S O N R C (Vi); addressed; endorsed, in part: "Sent S 1st March, 1781—returned 6th April." T J ' s reply, in his own hand, is written at foot of Davies' letter. W i t h the arrival of Capt. Henry Young, Davies gained an able colleague and the documentation of political and military affairs in Virginia in 1781 took on color, pungency, and insight in the remarkable letters that Young wrote. But within a week after his arrival he was so "disheartened at the distraited situation of the affairs of his depart­ ment" that he "declined his appointment as Quartermaster general to the state"; this alarmed Davies, who immediately appealed to Steuben to persuade Young

to remain. "He is so essentially neces­ sary," wrote Davies, "that I must solicit you to represent to him the consequence his acceptance of the office is to the interests of the Southern army. I shall scarcely be able to do anything without him, as I believe everything will run more and more into confusion, unless he steps in to put them into some kind of order"; Steuben wrote a gracious and persuasive letter to Young in conse­ quence, and Young remained in spite of the "amazingly deranged" state of the department (Davies to Steuben, 4 and 7 Apr. 1781; Steuben to Young, 4 Apr. 1781, all in N H i ) . Davies reported to Greene that the C A N N O N A T E D E N T O N

[299 ]

31

MARCH

belonged to North Carolina, whereupon he advised Gen. Caswell to remove them

1781

as far up Roanoke as possible (Greene to Caswell, 11 Apr. 1781, C S m H ) .

From William Davies, with Reply SIR

W a r office March 3 1 . 1781.

T h e equipment of the cavalry is a matter of real consequence to our military operations. T h e enclosed account appears to have arisen from an application to M r . Simpson by the officers of the cavalry for a number of articles the troops were i n want of. H e has applied to C o l . Finnie for payment, who tells h i m he can only give h i m a certificate for what is due h i m . M r . Simpson is very w i l l i n g to engage for the making more of the same articles for the cavalry, if he can be paid for what he has done. He wishes to be allowed no more for what he makes than is charged in Philadelphia. T h i s per­ haps may not be disadvantageous. Not knowing however whether this state had usually advanced money for the continent on such occasions, I thought proper to submit the matter to your Excellency, observing at the same time that the two regiments for w h i c h the work was done, are part of the quota of this state. I have the honor to be, Y o u r Excellency's most hubl servt, W I L L I A M DAVIES. M r . Simpson is now in the house, and w i l l attend you i f called on. I n Council Mar. 3 1 . 1781. Monies paid by the State for the Continent must be paid either to Quarter-masters, Pay-masters or others having general authority to receive and apply monies for the Continent ( and even w i t h these we usually call for w a r r a n t s ) or on special warrant from Congress. T h e board laments the delay of paiment to the public Creditors and particularly that any difficulties should be produced w h i c h may obstruct the future equipment of the cavalry. Y e t they cannot glean up and pay the Continental debts i n this state on vouchers w h i c h they know w i l l be disallowed by Congress. T h e y have long (up­ wards of half a y e a r ) told Colo. Finnie that i f he would obtain war­ rants from Congress to cover our advancing money to h i m we would enable h i m to pay his debts. H i s failing to obtain warrants induces a suspicion that it is not the intention of Congress that we should meddle w i t h his contracts. T H : J E F F E R S O N R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed; T J ' s reply, in his hand, is at foot of text. F C of Davies' letter and T r of T J ' s reply in W a r Office Letter Book ( V i ) . Enclosure not found.

[300]

To Heinrich Gerlach and Herstale SIR

Richmond March 31st 1781

T h e Departure of the German as w e l l as B r i t i s h Troops of Con­ vention from this State is a Circumstance probably unknown to you before your A r r i v a l here. I am not informed to what place they were destined, but believe it was to Yorktown i n Pensylvania, the nearest Navigation to which is the Head of Chesapeake B a y . I have however dispatched the Letters transmitted me by E x p r e s s to Congress for their Determination on the several Articles of your Application and expect an A n s w e r within about a fortnight from this Date which shall be transmitted you the Moment I receive it. I am & c , T.J. F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "Captain Gerlach & L t De Harstall."

From Nathanael Greene SIR

Head Quarters Col Ramseys Deep River March 31st 1781

T h e time of service of the M i l i t i a under General L a w s o n and General Stevens is expird and they are dischargd, having honorably performed their duty agreeable to contract. I t was unfortunate that their term of service expird at the time it did; but we could ask no more of the men than they were bound to perform nor would it answer any purpose as they cannot be prevaild on to continue in a disagreeable service longer than they are bound by agreement. General L a w s o n w i l l do himself the honor to present your E x ­ cellency this letter; and to h i m I beg leave to refer you for the state of all matters in this quarter. I f More M i l i t i a are orderd out, which w i l l be indispensably necessary i f the regular force is not ready to take the field, there is no man has a better claim to the command than General Lawson or Stevens. T h e y are both valuable Officers. I beg your Excellency to pay the greatest attention to the manu­ facturing shoes. More depends upon this than you readily imagine. I am much afraid our supply w i l l be very unequal to our demands. M y greatest d é p e n d a n c e is on V i r g i n i a for support, and without he[r] exertions I cannot keep the field. T h e busine[ss] of transporta­ tion is an important object and [one] on which the whole opera­ tions depend. Unless your State accomodate their L a w s to the demands of the service the A r m y must inevitably fall a sacrafice, [301]

3 1 MARCH

17 8 1

as this State is too much exhausted to give any considerable aid to the A r m y upon the most pressing emergency. I have long en­ deavored to impress upon the different Legislatures the impossi­ bility of accomodating the operations of the A r m y to civil con­ venience; and the more serious they grow the less practicable the measure. Indeed civil polity must accomodate itself to the emergencys of w a r , or the people submit to the power of the enemy. T h e r e is no other alternative. W e have had a great struggle and our prospects are mended i f seasonably supported, without which we shall soon have the same path to tread over again; and I cannot flatter myself w i t h an equal degree of success; nor w i l l the temper of the A r m y under its present difficulties enable me to make equal exertions. Send us M e n and support the different branches of the Staff; and I am not without hopes of keeping the w a r at a distance from you in this quarter. A t least m y endeavors shall not be wanting. I have the honor to be w i t h the greatest respect Y o u r Excellencys Most Obedt humble S v N A T H G R E E N E Dft ( M i U - C ) ; endorsed. R C ( V i ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by Greene; en­ dorsed, in part: "reed Api 25 1781." T r (CSmH). Greene gave a very different picture Of

THE

TEMPER

OF

THE ARMY

Only

a

week earlier; see his letter to T J of 23 Mch. in which he declared that the *Troops are in high spirits, and the Army in the most perfect readiness for another actien." T h e present letter, its tone no doubt determined by the return of the Virginia militia, epitomizes the differences between Greene and T J . One believed the entire civil polity should subordinate and adjust itself to the needs of the military—needs that of ne­ cessity should be decided upon by the military on jthe basis of changing exi­ gencies—otherwise the civil power would lose all that it hoped to achieve through war. T h e other, while conceding the fact that a free government did not need to organize its military arm on

democratic principles, insisted upon the right of the civil power to decide how far its republican principles should be compromised in order to meet military demands; to determine at times even what military strategy ought to be pur­ sued; and to reject or accept military requirements for "accommodation" on the ground that a war to establish a republican society might easily lose its object by conducting that war in such a way as to vitiate republican princi­ ples. T h i s , of course, presented a peren­ nial problem faced at all times by re­ publics, but what made it especially crucial in the spring of 1781 was Greene's tactlessness, his failure to keep T J fully informed, his occasional lec­ tures on the respective spheres of the military and the civil powers, and his fundamental failure to understand T J . On

his

HOPES OF KEEPING THE W A R A T

see note to T J to the county lieutenants, 29 Mch. 1781. A DISTANCE,

To Samuel Huntington SIR

Richmond March 31. 1781.

T h e Letters and papers accompanying this w i l l inform your Excellency of the arrival of a B r i t i s h flag vessel w i t h clothing, [302]

3 1 MARCH

17 8 1

refreshments, money &c. for their prisoners under the Convention of Saratoga. The Gentlemen conducting them have, on Supposition that the prisoners, or a part of them still remained in this State, applied to me by Letters, copies of which I transmit your Excel­ lency, for leave to allow water transportation as far as possible and then for themselves to attend them to the post where they are to be issued. These indulgencies were usually granted them here, but the prisoners being removed, it becomes necessary to transmit the appli­ cation to Congress for their direction. In the mean time the flag will wait in Jas. River. Our intelligence from General Greene's camp as late as the 24th. is that Lord Cornwallis's march of the day before had decided his route to be cross creek. The amount of the reinforcements to the enemy arrived at Ports­ mouth is not yet known with certainty. Accounts differ from 1500 to much larger numbers. We are informed they have a considerable number of horse. The affliction of the people for want of arms is great, that of ammunition is not yet known to them. An apprehen­ sion is added that the enterprize on Portsmouth being laid aside, the troops under the Marquis Fayette will not come on. An Enemy 3000 strong, not a regular in the State, nor arms to put into the hands of Militia are indeed discouraging circumstances. I have the honor to be with Sentiments of the highest respect Your Excel­ lency's mo. ob. & mo. hble Servant, T H : J E F F E R S O N R C ( D L C : P C C , No. 7 1 , n ) ; endorsed, in part: "Read. April 9. [April] 12 Referred to board of War"; see JCC, xrx, 367, 374. F C ( V i ) . T r ( D L C : T J Papers). Enclosures ( D L C : P C C , No. 7 1 , n ) : Copies of ( 1 ) George Washington to William Phillips, 8 J a n . ( W r i t ings, ed. Fitzpatrick, xxi, 71-2); ( 2 )

William Phillips to T J , 8 Mch.; ( 3 ) Riedesel to T J , 19 Mch.; ( 4 ) Heinrich Gerlach to T J , 27 Mch.; ( 5 ) Herstale to T J , 27 Mch. 1781. A l l of the above letters, except ( 1 ) , are printed above under their respective dates, See the letter of the Board of W a r to T J , 12 Apr. 1781.

T o the Rev. James Madison and Robert Andrews SIR

Richmond March 31st. 1781

The principles on which the Boundary between Pensylvania and this State is to be run having been fixed it is now proposed by President Reid that Commissioners proceed to execute the work from the Termination of Masons and Dixons Line to the Completion of the five Degrees of Longitude and thence on a meridian to the Ohio. [303 ]

31

MARCH

1781

We propose that the extent of the five Degrees of longitude shall be determined by celestial Observations. Of Course it will require one set of Astronomers to be at Philadelphia and another at Fort Pitt. We ask the favor of yourselves to undertake this business, the one to go to the one place, the other to the other, meaning to add a Coadjutor to each of you. Good Instruments can be furnished no doubt at Philadelphia; but for the Pittsburg observations we must sollicit the proper Instruments from your Corporation which we will undertake to return in good order, or if injured to replace them. I therefore beg the favor of you to sollicit the Loan of those Instru­ ments. With Respect to yourselves we shall furnish Money for your necessary and comfortable Expences. The covered Waggon which conveys the instruments will take any baggage necessary for your Accommodation. And we will give you moreover 150 ft of To­ bacco a Day each dischargeable in current Money at the rate affixed by the grand Jury at the General Court next preceding paiment. It will be necessary to proceed in this Business as soon as the general Mode shall have been agreed between the two States. Per­ haps a meeting of the Commissioners at Baltimore may be pre­ viously requisite to settle particulars. I am to request an immediate Answer to this as I delay proposing to President Reid this mode of locating the Boundary until I know whether we can get the Execu­ tion of it undertaken by Gentlemen who will do us Credit and Justice. I am &c, T.J. F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "The Rev­ erend James Madison & Robert A n ­ drews." On 31 Mch. the Council took under consideration Joseph Reed's letter to T J of 26 Feb. proposing that Virginia ap­ point commissioners to meet with those designated by Pennsylvania, and there­ upon advised T J to ask Madison and Andrews to serve and to "determine the

extent of the five degrees of Longitude by celestial observations" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., n , 3 2 4 ) . T h e idea of running the line in this manner must have originated with T J , a proposal accepted by Penn­ sylvania "not only as determining the present question with more certainty, but as it tends to solve a problem both useful and curious to the Learned World" (Reed to T J , 14 May 1781).

From Joseph Martin SIR March the 31s 1781 Since Writing last to your Exelleny Colo. Savier Returnd from an Expedition against the Middle Settlements of the Cherokee In­ dians. He Killd about thirty Brought in nine prisoners which he has Given into my Charge, Burnt six Towns and Took about Two hundred horses. I have sent Express to the Nation To Know whither [304]

3 1 M A R C H

17 8 1

they Intend to T r e a t agréable to Geni. Greens Instructions or not. Shall have an answer by the 15 next month. T h e particulars shall acquaint you w i t h as soon as in m y power. I Start Tomorrow against Some small T o w n s below Cumber­ land G a p with T w o hundred men. I f I have Success I make no Doubt of their T r e a t i n g , as they w i l l find we are So far from being Conquered, as they are led to believe we are, that we are able T o attact them on E v e r y quarter. I Expect to be B a c k by the 15th A p r i l , i f any thing particular shall T r a n s m i t the same T o your Excellency as soon as in m y power. Could I perade one hundred men more then what is orderd, Shall Endeavour to Reduce Chuckamagga, with less D u r s t not attempt. I am S r with great Respect your Excellencyes Humble & most obt

Jos

M A R T I N

R C ( V i ) ; addressed, in part: "by M r Latham."

From William Peachey SIR

Richmd. Coty. 31st. Mar: 81

B y a Captain of M i l i t i a of this County (George Sysson by name) who was captured near the Mouth of Rappahanock R i v e r in a R i v e r Craft and who lately made his Escape after some W e e k s detention on board of the Hibernia Sloop privateer from N e w Y o r k , I am inform'd that the E n e m y have adobted a new Mode of getting supplies, w h i c h is by fitting out small Vessels w i t h a few hands and a Cargoe of A l l u m Salt, brown Sugar &c. which they run up the different Rivers and trade, as friends, for flower, wheat Bread, Indian Corn, peas and brandy. Capt. Sysson says that the Shores as well on the Eastern as western sides of the B a y have been lately so well guarded as to prevent the privateers from getting any Sup­ plies, so that they began to be greatly distress'd for both provisions and Spirits. T h e Vessel, on board of which he was kept, went twice into portsmouth Harbour and he understood that the Troops under Arnold were at short Allowance and the Inhabitants of portsmouth almost famished for want of Bread and none of them suffer'd to go out. He says that Keeble (or K i b b l e ) the pilot on Guin's Island, he is satisfied, supplies the E n e m y , has seen h i m on board and he knows that his Son has been employ'd in one of their whale Boats, saw h i m in their Cap and dress on board one at the T a n g i e r Islands: Capt. Sysson further says that i n an Engagement the Hibernia and a [305]

31

MARCH

1781

Schooner had with a baltimore Brigg off the Mouth of Rappahanock, the Officers of the privateers obliged himself and an old pilott of the Name of Boss whom they had taken, to take a muskett in hand and keep the Quarter Deck during the Action. That they grow short of Hands by Deaths, Desertions and Losses both by Water and Land. This Account I thought my Duty to transmit to the Executive. If it will answer any good purpose, I have my Reward. Capt: Sisson, if call'd upon, is ready to make Affadavit thereto. I am Y r Excellency's Most obedt. hum. Servt, W I L L M : P E A C H E Y RC

( V i ) ; endorsed.

CAPT:

SISSON . . .

IS R E A D Y T O

MAKE

There is in V i a deposition sworn to and signed by George Sisson on 3 May 1781, setting forth the fol­ lowing facts: that he was captured on 15 Feb. 1781 by the brig C o r n w a l l i s , "in Currytoman [Currioman?] River," the brig being in company with the sloop H i b e m i a and the schooner T r i m ­ mer, as well as an unnamed schooner; that he was kept on the brig only half an hour and was then sent on board the H i b e m i a , where he remained until 14 Mch.; that on 16 Feb. the H i b e r n i a and T r i m m e r "Attacked a Baltimore B r i g of fourteen or sixteen guns off the Mouth of Rappahannock, the Action Continued a Considerable time very sharp and Bloody before they quitted her and Run"; that during this action he and other prisoners were forced on "the quarter Deck and there Ordered to take up Arms against our Countrymen. We beged and intreated the Capt. to excuse us from a Service of this sort, AFFADAVIT:

but all in vain. He answered it was what all the prisoners should doe taken by him"; that the brig "fairly drubbed them both and Chaised us almost into Hampton Road"; that later they pro­ ceeded up the bay again, where they "fell in with a small Schooner Boat loaded with Allum Salt and Sugar"; that he understood this vessel "was the property of One of my Countrymen whose name I cou'd not learn employ'd by Geni. Arnold and Bound up Rappa. as far as Port Royal to purchase Flour and fresh Provisions. T h e Skipper shewed his Pass from General Arnold and then went off"; that the plan of "Traiding with the inhabitants I understood was greatly practized in divers plans, and . . . the Enemy got great Plenty of Provisions of almost every Kind"; and that during his stay at Portsmouth and on a cruise up the bay he "saw a George Keeble son of Walter Keeble, who ap­ peared an Active man and Acted in Character of a first Lieutenant on board a Whale Boat."

To William Phillips SIR Richmond March 31st. 1781 I have duly received your Favor dated New York March 8th. The Removal of the German Troops of Convention also from this State was a Circumstance probably not known to you at that Date. I am as yet uninformed of the Post at which they have been sta­ tioned, but believe it to be York Town and Lancaster in Pensylvania, the nearest navigation to which is the Head of Chesapeake Bay. The Permissions desired for facilitating the Delivery of the Stores on Board the Flag are consequently no longer within our Gift, but I have forwarded the Applications to Congress and shall [306]

3 1 MARCH

17 8 1

hope shortly to communicate their Consent to the Gentleman con­ ducting the Flag. [General Scott the Commanding Officer of the Virginia Line in Captivity in Charles Town sollicited and obtained from the Com­ mandant there, a License to us to send Tobacco in any Quantity for the Relief of our Officers there. I take the liberty of inclosing to you a Copy of an extract from his Letter on that Subject to the Com­ mandant and the Answer he received as furnished me by General Scott. I do not expect that such a Copy without a Passport or other authentic Document from any British Officer would be sufficient protection to the vessel or vessels which should go charged with this Tobacco. I would therefore beg the favor of you to indulge us with a Passport in which I should not object to the Insertion of caution­ ary provisions rendering the passport invalid if the License should not have been really obtained as the Copy of the Letter imports. All I ask is that the vessel or vessels may be protected to Charles Town and to rest for safety there on what has passed between the Commandant and General Scott.] Being informed that the Com­ mand of the British Land force within this State was in yourself, I am encouraged to make this Application to you. Should it have been made more properly to the Naval Commanding Officer, give me leave to ask the favor of your handing it to him. I am &c, T. J . 1

F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "Major General Philips or other the Commandin g Officer of the forces of his Britan­ nici: Majesty by sea or by land in Vir­ ginia." T r of an extract ( N H i ) ; en­ closed, with an extract of Phillips' an­ swer, in T J to Steuben, 10 Apr. 1781, q.v. Enclosure (missing): Copies of ex­ tracts from the exchange of letters be­

tween Charles Scott and the British Commandant of Charleston, printed above as an enclosure in Charles Scott to T J , 30 J a n . 1781, q.v. i T h e part in brackets (supplied) is the part covered in T r ( N H i ) described above.

From Duncan Rose SIR

Petersburg 31st March 1781

I wrote some time ago to Mr. Sollicitor Wood, recommending the Bearer Mr. John Watkins to be an Assistant Clerk to him, but he was provided with one. He wrote me a few Days ago that Mr. Boush had resign'd his Office of assistant Clerk to your Honble. Board; Mr. Watkins is a young Gentleman that comes so strongly recommended to me by a Friend on whose veracity I can depend, for his Abilities, Integrety, and his giving the Clossest application [307]

3 1 M A R C H

17 8 1

to Business, that I wou'd become his Security for giving entire satisfaction to your Honble. Board as an assistant Clerk after ac­ quiring a little experience, i f you are not already provided w i t h one. I have the Honor to be Y o u r Excellencys Most obedt Servt. D U N :

ROSE

R C ( V i ) ; addressed: "His Excellency T h e Governor in Richmond. Favoured by M r . Jno. Watkins."

T o David Ross SIR

In Council March 31st 1781

W e have great reason now to expect the A r r i v a l of M r . D e Francy's Squadron w i t h 3 0 , 0 0 0 £ sterling's worth of Supplies for your Department. T h e State of the B a y is well known to you. W e recommend that you take measures to keep a lookout for that Squadron and notify the State of things i n the B a y by employing one or more swift sailing pilot Boats at such Place as you shall think best w i t h Letters of notification directed to the principal person who shall be w i t h them. Indeed a general Notification to all friendly vessels bound here would be not only expedient but seems incumbent on us to give. I am & c , T.J. FC (Vi).

To George Weedon SIR

In Council March 31. 1781

T h e great length of time which the M i l i t i a had been i n the field who were first called on, induced us, on the discontinuance of the enterprise against Portsmouth, immediately to call so many M i l i t i a as w i t h those lately called might make up a proper opposing force. I state the whole in the M a r g i n who are to be considered as reliefs to the former M i l i t i a . T h e reinforcement received by the enemy w i l l certainly call for more force on our part. Whether this may be most spedily obtained by requiring more militia or by h u r r y i n g on the new Levies from those Counties which have not been inter­ rupted i n their draught and from w h i c h we have a right to expect 1500 men seems not very certain. T h e latter would be most eligible as the former would be an additional interruption to that important work. Besides those i n the M a r g i n we have been obliged to order [308 ]

3 1 M A R C H

1 78 1

2 2 0 0 to relieve the M i l i t i a w i t h General Greene. T h u s pushed for men, the Baron's proposition was not acceded to as exposing the Country too much. Master Alexander Frazier Gregory is permitted to land and pro­ ceed to Urbanna, solely on the letter he was furnished w i t h by Gen­ eral Woodford in gratitude for services rendered that worthy Of­ ficer by his father. Y o u w i l l be so kind as to transmit the inclosed letters to the flag vessel i n James river. I have the honor to be with the great respect S i r Y r . mo. ob. & mo. hble Servant, T H : J E F F E R S O N R C ( P P A P ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by T J . F C ( V i ) . Enclosures: No doubt this was T J ' s letter to Heinrich Gerlach and Herstale, 31 Mch., q.v. The list of counties, with the number of militia to be called from each, is written in the margin of R C and at foot of text in F C , as follows: Loudoun 168, Fauquier 292, Culpeper 352, Fairfax and Prince William 276, Spotsylvania 120,

Caroline 260, Essex 107, K i n g George 114, Louisa 140, Stafford 113, Shenan­ doah 217, Orange 140, Frederick 267, Berkeley 258, Hampshire 242 — total 3,066. I n R C both Stafford and Orange were omitted through a clerical error but the total of 3,066 was stated cor­ rectly, M A S T E R G R E G O R Y [Gregorie in F C ] : see note to Gerlach to T J , 27 Mch.

To James Wood SIR

I n Council Mar. 3 1 . 1 7 8 1 .

I beg leave to transmit to you the inclosed information of George T w y m a n of Albemarle against M r . H a w [kins] as a matter proper for you to subject to due enquiry. I am w i t h much esteem S i r Y o u r most obedt. servt, T H : J E F F E R S O N R C (Lloyd W . Smith, Madison, N . J . , 1946); without indication of name of addressee, but it can be confidently ascribed to Wood both on the ground of provenance (the letter was sold among other Wood letters and manuscripts) and on the basis of subject matter. E n ­ closure: George Twyman to Nicholas Lewis and Isaac Davis, with T J ' s in­ structions to William Davies, 20 Mch., q.v., and references there.

T J had first sent Twyman's complaint to Davies, who probably returned it to T J in his letter of 29 Mch. in which he recommends that Hawkins be tried by court martial. Since Wood had charge of the Convention troops at the time of the actions complained of, it is natural to suppose that T J would turn over to him the duty of inquiring into Twyman's allegations.

[309)

Recapitulation of Tours of Duty Performed by the Virginia Militia [March 1781]

Accomack Albemarle Amelia Amherst Augusta Bedford Berkeley Botetourt Brunswick Buckingh. Caroline Chas, city Charlotte Chestfd. Culpeper Cumbld. Dinwiddie Eliz. city Essex. Fairfx Fauqr. Fayette Fluvanna Frederic Gloster Goochld. Gr. briar. Greensville Halifx Hampshire Hanover Henrico Henry James city Jefferson Illinois I . of Wight K. George K. & Q. K. Wm. Lancaster Lincoln Loudon

1208 *873 1125 *896 *1375 1535 1100

133 51 65

1200 625 *9039 *286 »625 *655 *1513 *408 750 *182 *468 800 *9078

43 47 101

296 *1143 *850 550 *550

23

1139 1031 980 *619 *1004 *235 400

110

59 97 61 61

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600 »483 500 *436 *273 *1746

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o

y*

Louisa Lunbg Mecklbg Middlsx Monongh Montgomy Nansemd. N. Kent Norf. Northampt Northhumbld. Ohio Orange Pittsylva Powhatan Pr. Edwd. Pr. Geo. Pr. Anne Pr. Wm. Richmd. Rock br. Rockingh. Shenand. Southampt. Spotsva. Stafford Surry Sussex Warwick Washington Westmld. York Wmsbg Norf. bor.

*603

*677 975 210 1000 750 644 418 880 430 *630 600 705 350 *461 500 594 *742 573 625 *875 925 *874 *480 500 *380 700 100 829 *544 244 729

57 53 83

Vi

Carola. Feb. 1781

Relief Virga. Feb. 1781.

Ohio. Mar. 1781.

Cherokees. Jan. 1781.

Invasn. Jan. 1781.

17 8 1

Invasn. Oct. 1780

APRIL Carola. Nov. 1780

Carola. June. 1780

No. of militia

1

Vi Vi M

M

V± /4

Vi

45 52 47 56

M

Vé Vi

Vx

Vi Vi

Mo Mo Mo Mo 83

M Vi Vi "Vi Vi Vi

Vi Vi Vi Vi

Vi M

Vi

M S ( D L C ) ; entirely in T J ' s hand.

From John Fitzgerald SIR

Alexandria April 1st. 1781

Your Excellency's Letter by Mr. Custis covering Tobacco Notes for the Purchase of the Encyclopédie I received. I have made the Purchase agreeable to your directions. I have engaged that the Weights of the Tobacco of 1777 shall be made good. The Box I [311]

Louisa Lunbg Mecklbg Middlsx Monongh Montgomy Nansemd. N. Kent Norf. Northampt Northhumbld. Ohio Orange Pittsylva Powhatan Pr. Edwd. Pr. Geo. Pr. Anne Pr. Wm. Richmd. Rock br. Rockingh. Shenand. Southampt. Spotsva. Stafford Surry Sussex Warwick Washington Westmld. York Wmsbg Norf. bor.

*603

*677 975 210 1000 750 644 418 880 430 *630 600 705 350 *461 500 594 *742 573 625 *875 925 *874 *480 500 *380 700 100 829 *544 244 729

57 53 83

Vi

Carola. Feb. 1781

Relief Virga. Feb. 1781.

Ohio. Mar. 1781.

Cherokees. Jan. 1781.

Invasn. Jan. 1781.

17 8 1

Invasn. Oct. 1780

APRIL Carola. Nov. 1780

Carola. June. 1780

No. of militia

1

Vi Vi M

M

V± /4

Vi

45 52 47 56

M

Vé Vi

Vx

Vi Vi

Mo Mo Mo Mo 83

M Vi Vi "Vi Vi Vi

Vi Vi Vi Vi

Vi M

Vi

M S ( D L C ) ; entirely in T J ' s hand.

From John Fitzgerald SIR

Alexandria April 1st. 1781

Your Excellency's Letter by Mr. Custis covering Tobacco Notes for the Purchase of the Encyclopédie I received. I have made the Purchase agreeable to your directions. I have engaged that the Weights of the Tobacco of 1777 shall be made good. The Box I [311]

1

17 8 1

A P R I L

w i l l have made in a few days and w i l l then take the first Oppor­ tunity of Forwarding them to M r . Hunter. I am very very respectfully Y o u r Excellency's most Obedt: Servt., J O H N

F I T Z G E R A L D

R C ( V i ) ; addressed (in part): "by Post"; endorsed.

To Nathanael Greene SIR

Richmond April 1st. 1781

I am honoured w i t h your Favor of the 27th. by M r . Daniel. I informed you by Colo. Morris of the reinforcement of M i l i t i a ordered to you, but they w i l l not be in T i m e to supply the place of those now w i t h you, i f they leave you so early. Certainly the knowledge that a Relief is coming in w i l l induce them not to leave you in a State which may soon give us a l l to do over again. A P a r t of these M i l i t i a went under the regular orders of Government, and w i l l be deemed Deserters i f they withdraw without orders. T h e whole of them I presume went under orders from their County Lieutenants which are as obligatory as those of the Executive; how far particular stipulations may have been made w i t h them I am uninformed. None could be made w i t h those we ordered out. I shall use every exertion in m y Power to forward on the N e w Levies to you, as I am sensible it is much more practicable to carry on a w a r w i t h M i l i t i a within our own Country than out of it. I wrote you by Colo. Morris on the Subject of Beeves. H e w i l l have given you full information of the Issue of our preparations against Arnold. A n E n e m y 3,000 strong, not a regular within our State, nor A r m s to put into the Hands of the M i l i t i a are Circumstances w h i c h promise Difficulties. Y e t I shall think it essential to do every T h i n g we can for you to prevent the Return of Cornwallis's A r m y . I am &c, T.J. FC (Vi). It is significant that T J made no comment on Greene's sarcastic reference in his letter of 27 Mch. to an "Army on paper" and to his truculent assump­ tion that it was a matter of indifference to the Virginia government that Greene had committed his "life and reputation to your service"; instead he summarized in extreme brevity the capital facts that had altered the strategic situation in Virginia. I W R O T E Y O U B Y C O L O , M O R ­

R I S : Morris had attended the Council meeting on 29 Mch. in company with Steuben ( T J to the county lieutenants of Montgomery, & c , 29 Mch., note) and had returned with T J ' s letter to Greene of

30

Mch.

T H E N E W L E V I E S : On

1

Apr.

1781 L t . Col. Oliver Towles wrote to Steuben from Fredericksburg: "Agree­ ably to my instructions [from Steuben] I applied to the Governor for a List of the Counties assigned to my Rendez-

[312]

1

A P R I L

vous. He returned me for answer that no Counties in particular were or could be assigned to it, that the several County Lieutenants throughout the State were at liberty to send their respective recruits to such rendezvous's as they might think best; from this I judged it unnecessary for me to apply to the commanding officer of any County in particular for his Quota of Recruits. How-

17 8 1

ever, finding that so few came in I have applied to several County Lieutenants, requesting their best exertions on the occasion and shall continue to use every means in my power to enforce a compliance with the law"; Towles reported that only 23 recruits had come in, due to a postponement of the draft in different counties (Towles to Steuben, 1 Apr. 1781, N H i ) .

To Nathanael Greene D E A R

Richmond Apr. 1 1781.

S I R

Obliged in m y public character to be the pipe of communication to the sentiments of others, I must beg leave once to address you as a private man on a subject which has given me uneasiness. M y letter by Colo. Morris inclosed some resolutions of assembly requiring that all horses impressed and valued to more than £ 5 0 0 0 should be returned to their owners. T h i s was i n fact requiring them all to be returned. Should this be complied with fully I apprehend that it must have the most fatal effect on your operations w h i c h depend so much on your superiority i n cavalry. I dare say you w i l l think ( i f it be true that some of our most valuable studd horses were impressed and estimated as has been said to what they were worth as covering horses) that reasonable œconomy requires that they should be restored, and that the taking them was ripping up the hen which laid the golden eggs. B u t as to the great group of those impressed, notwithstanding they may have been valued high, yet they w i l l be cheaply bought i f they enable you to strike your enemy and prevent being stricken by h i m . T o return them, have them revalued as the resolutions propose, and pay the damages to the owners, would subject the public to a great and certain burthen for nothing. Reports w h i c h were circulated that those emploied in impressing had been so indiscreet as to seize the fine covering horses, to castrate some of them ( w h i c h rendered it impossible to use them for the sudden emergence which alone justified impresses ) were probably what in some measure induced the assembly to take up the business. B u t to this I believe an error was added. T h e y entertained an idea that the furnishing horses to our two regiments of cavalry was the separate expence of the state. A very strange error, which I should not have credited had not the Speaker Lee assured me of the fact: the assembly was then up, so that it was too late for me to set them right when I received that information. M y [313]

1

APRIL

1781

purpose in writing thus confidentially is to suggest to you the expediency of your rectifying any abuses which you may find to have been committed by unreasonable and imprudent impresses, and as to the rest, i f you think it inconsistent w i t h the public good, as I expect it i s , to comply w i t h the resolution, that you should take the trouble of remonstrating on the subject, which w i l l give me an opportunity of laying the matter again before the assembly who are [to] meet the first of the next month and who I cannot but believe w i l l be glad to have an opportunity of correcting what they did when the error they were under shall be made known to them. I throw myself on your discretion and shew m y confidence i n it when I thus venture to write in a private character what seems to contradict m y public duty. I wished you to be made acquainted w i t h facts which cannot be always and fully collected from public votes alone. I am &c. Dft ( D L C ) ; endorsed by T J : "Geni Greene." Most of T J ' s letters of this period, though not all, were dictated to or copied by clerks, and file copies were retained in the official records. T h i s draft of a letter on a matter of such importance was, naturally, written by T J himself and no other copy is to be found; Greene may even have destroyed the recipient's copy. But it is of much significance that T J should write such a letter at all. First of all, it is a striking commentary on the view that T J was so passive and so legalistic in his desire not to exceed statutory authority that he was an incompetent administrator. (For a recent and particularly unfair view of T J ' s conduct as governor, see Wallace, T h e M u h l e n b e r g s of Pennsyl­ v a n i a , p. 204, 207, 208, 210, 220.) For in this communication he not only em­ ploys strategy to effect changes in law that he otherwise was bound to execute, but he also inferentially tells us some­ thing about his relations with the legis­ lature—that he was not in practice such an ardent advocate of the principle of separation of powers as he has been generally thought to be in theory. There have been other suggestions of T J ' s influence on legislation while governor (see notes to his letter to Huntington,

17 J a n . ) and his remark in the present letter that "It was too late for me to set them right" is tantamount to an admis­ sion that he would have made his views known if the Assembly had been in ses­ sion, and, therefore, presumably might have on similar occasions done so in the past. Second, the letter may legitimately be interpreted as a somewhat delicate suggestion to Greene, who had been asking Steuben to represent matters to the Assembly. T h i s ineffective and mis­ taken policy—to put no worse construc­ tion on it—may possibly have been in T J ' s mind when he said that he was "Obliged in my public character to be the pipe of communication to the senti­ ments of others." Finally, Greene had conspicuously refused to employ T J as a "pipe of communication," employing Steuben for this purpose and actually going so far as to rebuff T J when he endeavored to improve the situation. The present letter and its contents should have proved to Greene the un­ wisdom if not the incorrect policy he had theretofore shown in more or less ignoring T J except as a source of sup­ plies. His compliance with T J ' s private and confidential appeal is evidence that, in this instance at least, he became aware of the importance of closer co­ operation. See T J to Greene, 24 Mch.; Greene to T J , 6 and 28 Apr.

[314]

From J . P. G. Muhlenberg SIR

Camp near Suffolk April 1st. 1781

Since the arrival of the Fleet on Wednesday last, i n Hampton road, and Elisabeth R i v e r , T h e E n e m y have continued very quiet in Portsmouth; T h e y have since that time permitted no Person, to go i n , or come out of T o w n , so that I have found it impracticable hitherto, to gain any intelligence, relative to what reinforcements the Fleet has brought. F r o m their care to prevent any thing tran­ spiring out of T u r n , I am led to believe they have some Move in contemplation; but as they have given me time to draw off Colo. Parkers Detachment from Princess A n n , I hope I shall have it in m y power to counteract any design they may have formd of pene­ trating into the Country. I must now beg leave to mention to Y o u r Excellency, that the M i l i t i a from Augusta, Rockingham, and Rock­ bridge, expect to be relievd in the 10th. P a r t of the Sussex and B r u n s w i c claim the same, so that unless these troops are replaced by others m y Force w i l l not be adequate to what they were intended for. I have the Honor to be with great respect Y o u r Excellencys Most Obedt hble. Servt., P. M U H L E N B E R G P S . T h e enclosd is this moment come to hand. R C ( P H i ) ; addressed and franked by Muhlenberg; endorsed. Enclosure not found. Muhlenberg's enclosure in this letter was probably a communication from a spy in Portsmouth, for on this date he wrote Steuben shortly before midnight that he had received his first dependable intelligence from the enemy's post since the arrival of the fleet (Muhlenberg to Steuben, 1 Apr. 1781, N H i ) . But the information could not have been very dependable, for a few days later Muh­ lenberg wrote Weedon: "Reports rela­ tive to the Enemy's present designs are so various that no dépendance can be put in them. T h i s much is certain: They are preparing, and nearly ready for a Move; and from the best intelligence I can get, a Junction with Cornwallis is their Main Object, but whether They will attempt it by the way of the Great Bridge, up James River, or round by Cape Fear time only will discover. They insist that but two Regiments came with Geni. Phillips. I f this is the case, let them Attempt to March thro' Virginia if they dare. T h e position I am in at pres­ ent suits me to a Hair" (Muhlenberg

to Weedon, "Camp near Scotts," 6 Apr. 1781, P P A P ; two days later Weedon transmitted the same information to Steuben: "The enemy are making great preparations for a move. It is conjec­ tured a Junction with L d . Cornwallis is the object. Whether they will attempt this by the Great Bridge, Cape Fear or up James River and by Petersburg is un­ certain. Geni. Phillips is honest enough to confess he is coming out, but leaves us to judge to what Quarter he means to point"; Weedon to Steuben, 8 Apr. 1781, P P A P ) . But on S Apr. John Ban­ ister reported to Steuben that "A Friend" in Norfolk who could be absolutely re­ lied on reported that the enemy in Ports­ mouth had been reinforced by 2500 troops, that more were expected, and that there was talk of pushing on with great vigor to meet Cornwallis (Banis­ ter to Steuben, 3 Apr. 1781, N H i ) . COLO PARKERS DETACHMENT joined Weedon on the evening of 31 Mch.: "They marched into the Dismal, part of the way on Loggs and sent their baggage by the upper rout" (Muhlen­ berg to Steuben, 1 Apr. 1781, N H i ) .

[315]

From Steuben SIR

Chesterfd. Court house 1 April 1781

I have this moment received a letter from Colo. Banister inform­ ing that the T i m e s of the Rifle men, and other Troops under Geni. Muhlenberg w i l l expire in ten days. Y o u r Excellency w i l l judge whether it is not necessary to order a relief as soon as may be, that is, i f the present force is intended to be kept up. I f not I wait Y o u r orders to dismiss them. I am w i t h the greatest Respect and Esteem Y o u r Excellency's Most H b l Servt, S T E U B E N M a j . Generi. R C ( V i ) ; in hand of William North, signed by Steuben; addressed and en­ dorsed. F C ( N H i ) .

From John T y l e r SIR

Charles City April 1st 1781

I beg leave to inform you that i n consequence of being solicited to represent this County again, and my consent thereto, I have declin'd taking a Seat in Council. I confess this determination dis­ covers a degree of versatility in me, but since I have not withdrawn my small services from the public, I hope you w i l l not think me reprehensible. I have many good reasons in addition to the above ( w h i c h perhaps have no right to a place here) that induce me to make this resignation of my Seat in Council. I am with due respect y r . Excellency's most obedient Sert: J O H N

R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. T h i s appears to be a resignation of a seat in Council to which Tyler had been elected, not a response to a nomination or invitation to serve. Yet there is no evidence that T y l e r had previously served; nor that he had been elected at

T Y L E R

the March 1781 session of the Assembly (of which he was one of the most active members); nor that the present resignation was acted upon by the Council or replied to by T J . See John Beckley to T J , 12 June 1781; see also Tyler to T J , 3 Feb. 1781.

From Robert Walton SIR

Prince Edward April 1st 1781

T h e Bearer waits on you W i t h a Draught from Geni. Green D r a w n i n m y favour for one Hundred & twenty S i x thousand W e i g h t of James R i v e r Tobo, for Horses Purchasd of me for the use of the Legion, which ware Horses Purchasd up by me for the [316]

1

APRIL

17 8 1

Continental Delegates of the State of Georgia, W h o I expect w i l l be on there w a y in a few days to endeavour to Have themselves R e Elected in their own State when they w i l l expect to receve their Horses of me. Y o u r Draught on the T r e a s u r y for emediate payment in Cash w i l l answer every purpose of the Tobacco as I mean L a y i n g out the Money in Such Horses as w i l l answer the purpose of the Dele­ gates emedeantly. I am Y r . Excellencys Most Obedient Hbble Servant, R O B E R T

W A L T O N

R C ( V i ) ; addressed; endorsed: "Robert Waltons L r e . 10 April 1781." T h e day of the month as given in the endorsement is a misreading of Walton's not very legible dateline; that the letter was written on 1 Apr. is evident from T J ' s reply of 2 Apr., q.v.

From George Weedon D E A R

Willmsburg 1 Ap. 1781.

S I R

I had the Honor of addressing you the 28th Ulto, and then com­ municated the position the Troops had taken that are under m y Command. W h a t gave rise to the change, was Intelligence received of a Boat from Portsmouth, w i t h a B r i t i s h Officer and 16 M e n being on the overnight at M r . Trebells. T h e Officer was very i n ­ quisitive, ask'd where the Marquis was, where the Baron, and where I was; what sort of M e n I commanded, whether M i l i t i a or Regulars and how and where Posted, to which he got evasive answers from the Person, who communicated to us. T h i s indicated a stroke at our Lines w h i c h were at that time exceedingly extended, and as drawing the Troops to a point, gave an opportunity of counteract­ ing in Force, it was thought best to evacuate the Post below and hold ourselves reddy to act in one Body as Service might require, from this Place. Geni. Muhlenburg was informed of what had hap­ pened and had Orders to keep near their L i n e s , and make his ad­ vantages of any embarkation that might take place. H e got infor­ mation of their Boats being in readiness for some secret expedition, but before he knew their designs they embark'd 7 0 0 M e n , crossed over to Newport's News with an evident intention of beating up our Troops at the Halfway House. T h e y finding them withdrawn, Secretly and silently returned, giving out their expedition was in­ tended against W i l l m s b u r g but failed i n consequence of being lost and not landing before day. T h e last intelligence from Portsmouth, is that but 9 of the Enemie's Vessels had got up to T o w n most of [317]

2

APRIL

178 1

them small and in a shatter'd Condition, that i f they brought a rein­ forcement it is but trifling. Enclos'd I send you the examinations of some Deserters for your Excellency's satisfaction. I n consequence of drawing the Troops from below the People murmer exceedingly, and threatin to make their T e r m s w i t h the E n e m y . I am sending down a Detachment for the sake of contentment, but it w i l l not afford Cover to the Country or render any security more than giving Countenance to the People. T h e Officer w i l l be order'd to change his Ground often and to act as a party of observation. I am exceedingly distress'd for A r m s and Accoutrements having several of the few M e n under m y Command without any thing of the sort in their Hands. I have discharg'd all the Vessels in Queens and College Creek that did not bear Stores and Provisions. A small fleet of Boats were drawn to Burwells F e r r y , those have sent up to Sandy P t : leaving a Barge and Horse boat on each Side the R i v e r at James T o w n w i t h an Officer and 2 0 Men to protect them; T h e Oxen and Horses that were impressed in consequ[ence] of a second application are all sent back [to] their Owners, and should be glad your Excell[en]cy would communicate your W i s h respecting the Vessels that have Stores on Board. I am W i t h high Esteem & Regd. Y o u r Excellencies Most Obt Servt., G WEEDON R C ( N N ) ; in an aide's hand, signed and addressed by Weedon in part: "1/2 Past 12 OClock P M April 1st." Enclosures not found.

From James Barbour "Culpepper" 2 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . Has this day received Governor's order to march his militia; "we are now paraded and shall march." Some of the "Divisions" think themselves entitled to a discharge because some of the militia belonging to them who marched to the South engaged while there to serve in Col. [William] Washington's regiment for the war, "which is all the L a w required of them tho they have been drafted." Has not ordered "those of that Discription to march" until he can get Governor's opinion. R C ( V i ) ; 3 p.; addressed in part: "favd. by M r . Fishback"; endorsed. Printed in CVSP, n , 5. See James Barbour to T J , 27 Mch.

From Richard Claiborne SIR

Richmond 2d. April. 1781.

I have looked over my estimates, which I transmitted some time since to the Assistant Quarter Master General, and find that they [318]

2 A P R I L

178 1

Amount to T w o hundred and thirty eight thousand, one hundred and twenty eight Pounds, five Shillings, Specie or other money equivalent; T h i s is for Supplies required for the Southern A r m y , T h e P a y of Persons employed, W a g g o n hire and contingent ex­ penses in this State for the Campaign of 1781. Whether the E s t i ­ mates have been made out in the same manner for the other branches by which the Proportions can be ascertain'd I submit to your Excellency. F o r immediate releif the demands of this department requires for Transportation, say £3000. Wages 2000. Manufactures 3000. Cavalry Accoutrements 3 0 0 0 . Forage 2000. Contingencies 7000. £20,000. Y o u r Excellency w i l l be pleased to observe that the demands of the field business is not included in the above estimate, which w i l l at least amount to T e n thousand Pounds. I have the honor to be with the highest respect Y o u r Excellency's Most obedient Humble Servant, R D C L A I B O R N E D Q M r . S . V . R C ( V i ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by Claiborne; addressed and endorsed.

From Richard Claiborne SIR

Richmond 2d. April 1781.

Yesterday I received an order from Major General Baron Stuben, to immediately get ready Saddles and Accoutrements for 3 0 0 horses; also to lay i n a large Magazine of Forage at Petersburg. A s this Business cannot by any means in m y possession be effected I beg leave to entreat your Excellency again for a W a r r a n t on the T r e a s u r y for the sum you mean to appropriate to m y department. Money is wanted for every Operation, and I shall undoubtedly fail without it. One of m y Assistants is now w i t h me and cannot return to his Post without a supply of Cash. I have the honor to be with great Respect Y o u r Excellency's Most obedient Humble Servt., R D . C L A I B O R N E DQMr.S.V. R C ( V i ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by Claiborne; addressed and endorsed.

[319]

From Linetot a ft. Vincenne L e 2e. avril 1781.

M O N S I E U R

L'honneur de l a Com[mission] dont votre bonté m a pourveu et mon Zele sincere p[our] les E t a t s unies, mont e n g a g é a me transporter dans mon d é p a r t e m e n t le plutôt quii a été possible, pour y maintenir, suivant vos intentions, les nations sauvages dans nos intérêt. J a y réussie a conserver pour quelque T e m p les nations de Ouabache et quelque autre dans notre partie, leurs faisant espérer sous peu quii nous viendra du secoure. Comme vous maviez flatté que Vous fairié tout vos effort pour faire passer aux Isleinois et ft. Vincenne des marchandises, poudres & c , pour le sou[tien?] et sûreté de ce Continent, et encourager les Sauvages nos alliez a nous être fidèle, ne t a r d é plus je Vous Conjure prévoyant limpossibilité de retenir nos amis, qui deviendront nos E n n i m i e j u r é , s i leurs misere dure plus longtemp, et quils se laisseront gagner par Messieurs les anglois qui ne cessent de leurs offrir des q u a n t i t é s de marchandises, et leur reprocher l a misere ou Nous les tenons, pour les engager dans leur partie. Votre grandeur d'ame et l'honneur de l a Virginie ne vous permettront point dabandonner des peuples qui se voyant tout les jours massacrer pour être fidèle aux E t a t s , depourveu du necessaire, sans armes, ny poudres, privé du Bonheur de reccullir le fruit de leurs traveaux pour substanter leurs familles, sans S'exposer a être enlevé par les barbares et l a Victime de leurs fureures. D a i g n é mettre fin aux peines de ses peuples infortuné et Ecouter la prière de celuy qui ne cessera dexposer, sa V i e [et] sa fortune pour L ' a gloire et L'honneur des E t a t s et qui est, avec un profond respect de votre Excellence, Monsieur Votre T r e s humble et T r e s obéissant serviteur, G O D F R O Y L I N C T O T major et agt. gnl. W s t . Dpt. R C ( V i ) ; addressed: "A son Excellence Thomas Jefferson Gouverneur de la Virginie. A Richemon. L e Service Publique." A n abstract in English is printed in C V S P , n , 6. On the same day Linctot addressed a letter "Au Colonel

Slaughter, Commendt. A L a Chute [ t h e

F a l l s of O h i o ] " ; this letter, conveyed by Sergeant Simon Fletcher, reported upon "la situation du pay, et de la disposition des nations"; Linctot warned that if the expedition against Detroit were not immediately undertaken or if aid were not

[320]

sent to those nations that had until then remained faithful, "un peuple sur le point d'éprouver les derniers malheurs" would become enemies instead of friends; an abstract in English appears in C V S P , n , 5, but errs in translating Linctot's remark about the expedition to Detroit (e.g., "The expedition to Detroit was a failure"; italics supplied ) . Linctot's letter to Slaughter is in V i and may have been included in that of Slaughter to T J , 18 Apr.

To Nicholas Long SIR

Richmond April 2d. 1 7 8 1 .

T h e Order we gave you in your favour on M r . Ross for Iron was for a special quantity and not meant to be general. W e furnish Money for the Continental Quarter Master in this State and the Continental Quarter Master for the Southern A r m y . I assure you it is utterly out of our power to extend our Advances further to the Continental Officers acting i n the other States. T h i s prevents us from giving the Credit you desire w i t h M r Ross. Colo. Carrington being furnished by h i m w i t h Iron may perhaps be able to supply you. I am &c, T.J. FC (Vi).

From Mann Page Mann's field April 2nd.

D E A R S I R

1781

I received your Favour of the 28th. ulto, and should have con­ formed to your Opinion of not commencing any L a w Process against M r . B e l l , i f he had not, after being apprized of m y Appli­ cation to you for an Order to recover m y Horse, rode h i m on his own private Business into Orange County. B u t he appeared to have been insolent as well as arbitrary in the Exercise of his Power. I therefore beg the Favour of you to send the enclosed to the Attorney General, whom I have directed to proceed with the utmost Rigor against B e l l . I am, S i r , with the greatest Esteem Y o u r mo: obdt. hble. servt., M A N N

R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. Enclosure not found. TJ'S

FAVOUR

OF

THE

28TH

ULTO.,

which has not been found, was written in response to a letter from Page, also not found, "complaining of the conduct of Lieutenant Henry Bell in impressing a horse of his which was valued at nine thousand five hundred pounds" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., n , 3 2 1 ) . T J laid Page's complaint before the Council on 28 Mch. and the following action was taken, which presumably corresponds to the substance of T J ' s missing letter to Page of that date: "The Board advise

PAGE

that the said Lieutenant Bell and all other persons who are impressing horses for the Dragoons of any corps under colour of a Warrant from the Executive or any other power be required to desist from impressing any horse which shall be valued to more than fifty pounds specie or five thousand pounds paper, and to return to their owner any horses in their possession which shall have been impressed by them and valued at a higher price than the foregoing, tak­ ing in the Certificates which have been given" (same).

[321]

From Absolem Pollard Hood's, 2 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . Wishes to know whether he and his men are to be relieved; their "Tower of duty" expires on 9 Apr.; "their is But very Little use for us at this place"; and the carpenters now at work on the fortifications here are in immediate want of the barracks. R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; signed: "Absolem Pollard Lieut."; addressed (in part): " $ M r . Halton"; endorsed.

From Matthew Pope W i t h o u t place, 2 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . Is at a loss to know how to make out his account to present to the auditors "owing to the several different Orders he has had the Honour to receive from the Board." As things now stand, he would be justified in charging 350 lbs. of tobacco a day for his services, but that is "more than he expects or desires." "He begs leave to repeat or rather explain his meaning in that Memorial (viz.) that either 150 pounds of Tobacco Pr. day with the rations and forages may be allowed him for his services only, and the State pay the Person necessarily and constantly employ'd in the Apothecarys Shop; or 250 Pounds of Tobacco and he pay him out of it." R C ( V i ) ; 3 p.; endorsed: "Doctr. Pope's Memorial." Pope's M E M O R I A L was enclosed in his letter to T J of 22 Jan. On 1 Feb. the Council ordered that Pope be allowed 200 lbs. of tobacco per day, plus "two rations and two forages"; on 9 March the Council directed that "there should be made to the person whom Doctor Pope shall appoint to act at Richmond in his stead during his necessary ab­ sence, an allowance of 50 lb. tobacco per day"; and on 2 Apr., in response to the above letter, the following action was taken: "A misunderstanding hav­ ing arisen on the several orders of the board as to the allowance to D r . Pope as chief Surgeon, the board declare it their intention that he be allowed two hundred pounds of tobacco a day as expressed in their resolve of February 1st and paid as therein provided with two rations and two forages a day . . .

so long as it shall be necessary to con­ tinue an army of militia in the field, or until the further order of the board: that the board by appointing Doctor Pope to this Office did not mean to re­ move him from his former office of Sur­ geon, Apothecary, &c. at Richmond, but required that he should find a substitute to act at that place for him who should be paid by Doctor Pope himself, his former allowance of 100 lb Tobacco by the day being admitted to continue for this purpose exclusively of the allowance of 200 lb by the day as chief Surgeon" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., n, 282-3, 305, 3245 ) . On 3 Apr. T J , on advice of the Council, directed the auditors to issue a warrant to D r . Pope "for thirty thou­ sand pounds upon Account, for the dif­ ferent Hospitals established during the invasion" ( M S : V i ; V a . C o u n c i l Jour., n, 3 2 6 ) .

T o Francis Taylor SIR

Richmond April 2d 1781

Since my letter to you desiring the M e n of your regiment to be discharged at Winchester, it has occured to me that it would prob[322

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ably be more agréable to them and certainly better for the Public that they should be marched back to the Barracks and there dis­ charged. B y this Means their A r m s w i l l be safely returned there. Should you not have discharged them before the receipt of this you w i l l be pleased to change the place of Discharge to the Barracks in Albemarle. I n either E v e n t I am in Hopes you can make it con­ venient to go to the barracks yourself, have an exact report made to us of all Public Property there and have it properly taken Care of till we can give Orders what to have done which shall be in the Instant of receiving your report. I am &c, T.J. FC (Vi).

To the Commissioners of the T a x for Culpeper and Prince William Counties I n Council April 2d. 1781

G E N T L E M E N

Y o u r Application for Money for your New Levies has been laid before the board. T h o ' it does not seem proper to order the Money to be advanced from the T r e a s u r y without the Tobacco being first received, yet such is the emergence and so necessary to have the men in the field that Money would have been sent you had the requisite S u m been specified, but that is not mentioned in your Let­ ter nor any principles furnished on which it can be calculated. Should you find it necessary to send again w i t h a specification of the S u m , you w i l l be so good as to send the Tobacco Notes. T h e Treasurer having found by Experience that Orders on the Sheriffs furnished a Handle for very great Abuses, refuses ever to give another. I am &c, T.J. F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "To the Commissioners of the T a x for Culpepr (& Prince William leaving out the last Paragraph)."

To Robert Walton SIR

I n Council April 2d 1781

T h e General Assembly having directed that no Money should be paid for Horses 'till their Meeting in the ensuing Month puts it out of the power of the Executive to honour General Greene's Draughts for those purposes on Demand. I am very sorry that this Measure [323

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A P R I L

should be likely to involve the Honble. the Delegates of Georgia in Inconveniencies, which it is out of our power to prevent. I am T. J. FC (Vi).

From George Weedon DR SIR

Williamsburg Ap. 2. 1781

M r . Armstead waits on your Excellency for the purpose of Carrying into Effect an Exchange of some prisoners he w i l l have the honor of naming. I f your Excellency approves the measure I shall endeavour to C a r r y it into Execution. I have at this time a F l a g sent to the B r i t i s h w i t h proposals to Exchange the Volunteers taken at Charles City Court House, for an equal number of Marines taken at W a r w i c k . I f the Marines are not sent from Richmond I beg your Excellency w i l l detain them till I can get an answer from the B r i t ish General. I have also granted a F l a g from Hampton requesting a delay of the Ship Sailing for New Y o r k with C o l . C u r l till your pleasure is known respecting an Exchange of H i m for C o l . Allegood. I have the honor to be with Esteem & R g d . Y r . Most Obt Servt, G

Dft ( P P A P ) ; complimentary close and signature supplied from R C ( V i ) , which is in an aide's hand, but signed and franked by Weedon. For the background of this proposed exchange, see note to Innes' letter to T J of 30 Mch., which was also conveyed to Richmond by a M R . A R M S T E A D (no doubt Moss Armistead in the près-

W E E D O N

ent instance, as he certainly was in the former). See also T J to Weedon, 4 Apr., and T J to Steuben, 6 Apr. (second letter of that date). T h e note to Innes' letter also lists the names of prisoners who were presumably the same as those Armistead had "the honor of naming."

To the Auditors I n Council Apr. 3. 1781. T h e board would recommend to the Auditors whenever accounts of the deficiencies of bounty, and orders for them for the new levies are produced as directed by law, that warrants should not be staid because the tobacco notes are not sent, as the men are extremely wanting. T H : J E F F E R S O N R C ( V i ) ; endorsed: "Apr. 1781. Recommendation from the Executive respectg Bounties."

[324]

From Richard Campbell SIR

Camp, Deep River, April the 3d. 1781.

I am under the necessity from m y own feelings to inform your Exelency of the destressed situation of the Soldiers in m y Regi­ ment for want of Cloathing. W h e n I martched from the State of V i r g a . to join the A r m y I received a Pare of Overalls for E a c h Soldier, made of Ozenbrigs which did not last them more than two or three W e e k s , and also a shirt for E a c h Soldier which are intirelv worn out and them distresed for every kind of Cloathing Except Coats. I have obtained leave of Geni. Greene to send an officer to the state of V i r g i n i a , in order to procure such Cloathing as the men stand most in kneed of and Capt. Edmonds is the officer ap­ pointed for that business, who w i l l hand you this, A n d I hope your Excellency w i l l take the matter under your consideration, and send out such Cloathing as Capt. Edmonds w i l l inform you is most wanting. A s for the news of the A r m e y I Refer to the Barer Capt. Edmonds. I have the Honour to be your Excellences most obedt. H b l . Servt., RICHD. C A M P B E L L Col. R C ( V i ) ; addressed (in part): "On publick Servis . . . hond by Majr. Edmon."

From James Madison, enclosing a Communication to L a Luzerne D E A R

Philada. April 3d. 1781.

S I R

I have received your favor of the 2 3 d . of M a r c h . T h e publica­ tion of which you w i s h to have a copy for your private use is not yet finished; as soon as it is I shall take care to provide one for you. I have repeatedly reminded D r . Smith of his promise w i t h respect to the map, but have never obtained any thing more than a repeti­ tion of the promise. H e is at present an inhabitant of Maryland. J u s t before he left this City he assured me that he should soon send me what you wanted. I have not since heard from h i m and have very little hope that I ever shall on that subject. I t is not improbable that he calculates the value of the Chart on its being the single one remaining, and thinks the issuing of copies would depreciate it. T h e genius of the man and the manner of his behaviour i n the course of my applications to h i m justify such a surmize. Notwithstanding the personal advantages which you have a [325]

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1781

right to expect from an emancipation from your present labours and the interest you have given me in your leisure by the promise of your correspondence I cannot forbear lamenting that the State is in the present crisis to lose the benefit of your administration. B u t as you seem to have made up your final determination in the matter and have I doubt not weighed w e l l the reasons on w h i c h it is grounded I shall lament it in silence. T h e letter from the Delegation by the last post informed you of the arrival of the Stores here which were to have been delivered in V i r g i n i a by one of the French Ships. T h e infinite importance of them to the State, especially since the arrival of a reinforcement to Arnold of which we are just apprized by the Marquis has deter­ mined the Delegates to forward them by land without loss of time. T h i s w i l l be attempted i n the first instance in the channel of the Q. Master's department and i f it cannot be effected in that mode without delay we propose to engage private waggons for the pur­ pose on the credit of the State. Should the latter alternative be em­ braced, I find it w i l l be necessary to stipulate instantaneous pay­ ment from the T r e a s u r y on the arrival of the waggons at Richmond in specie or the old Continental Currency to the real amount thereof. I mention this circumstance that you may be prepared for it. T h e expence of the transportation w i l l be between five and six hundred pounds V i r g i n i a Money. T h e exchange between specie and the old paper here at present is about 135 for 1 . T h e Delegates having understood that the Refugees taken by Capt. T i l l y on his return to N e w Port from Chesapeak consisted chiefly of persons who formerly lived i n V i r g i n i a some of whom were traitors who deserved exemplary punishment, and others vin­ dictive enemies to the State thought proper to make the inclosed application to the French Minister. B y conversation I have since had w i t h h i m on the subject I doubt whether it w i l l be deemed con­ sistent w i t h their general rules of conduct to give up to be punished as malefactors any of the captives made by their fleet w h i c h does not serve like their land army as an auxiliary to the forces of the United States. I f these persons had been taken by their land forces which serve as auxiliaries under the Commander i n chief it seems there would have been no difficulty i n the case. However the appli­ cation w i l l certainly prevent the exchange or release to w h i c h it refers, i f the Executive think it expedient to do so. On the least intimation I am persuaded the Apostates would be even sent over to France and secured in the most effectual manner during the w a r . [326]

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Perhaps this would not be amiss as being not our Prisoners no use can be made of them in redeeming our Citizens from captivity. About one thousand of the Pennsylvania line w i l l march in a day or two from Y o r k T o w n for the Southern service. W h e n the re­ mainder w i l l follow them is altogether uncertain. T h e detachment under the Marquis is still at Annapolis. T h e orders of General Washington w i l l govern their movements. Whatever his intentions mig[ht have] been at first, I flatter myself the embarkation at] N. Y o r k of which he must have been soon [informed?] and which is now lodged in Chesapeak has determined] h i m not to withdraw them from a service [in which we are?] now more in need of them than ever. T h e Ordinance published in the Newspaper [of this?] day w i l l be an answer to your request by C o l . Harr[ison. I t contains the?] sense of Congress on one of the subjects to which it rela[tes. T h e ] flagrant abuses which were covered by those indulgences] and the offensive light in which they were justly viewed by our A l l y called loudly for their abolition. I am D r S i r Y r . Sincere friend & servant, J A M E S

MADISON

JUNR.

E N C L O S U R E

SIR Philada. April 2d. 1 7 8 1 The Underwritten Delegates from the State of Virginia have been informed that there are among the refugees taken by Capt: T i l l y com­ manding his M . C . Majesty's ship l'Eveillé on his return to New Port from Chesapeak Bay, a considerable number who were formerly inhabit­ ants of Virginia. A s some of these persons according to the laws of that State fall under the description of Traiterous Citizens and consequently are not proper subjects of exchange, and others, although they do not fall under that description may if exchanged or released be very preju­ dicial to the State during the operations against it by giving information and counsel to the Enemy and by their seductions among the people, the Delegates abovementioned wish that no steps may be taken for exchanging or releasing them untili the fact shall have been communi­ cated to his Excellency the Governor of Virginia. W i t h this view they ask the favor of you, Sir, to intimate this circumstance to the Com­ mander of his M . C . Majesty's Squadron at New Port, and to obtain from him a list of the names of such of his captives as were formerly inhabitants of Virginia. The paper inclosed herewith will inform you of the pretensions of three persons Citizens of the State of Virginia founded on their having been on board the Eveillé in the character of Pilots during her expedi­ tion into Chesepeak bay, in which a number of prizes were taken. W e leave it with you Sir to determine on the justice of them, and to direct the mode in which they ought to be pursued. W e wish to be enabled to [327}

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give the claimants a proper and satisfactory answer, as future opera­ tions may render their services again necessary to us, and the facility of commanding them may depend on the temper in which they are now dismissed. R C ( D L C : Madison Papers); ad­ dressed and franked by Madison; en­ dorsed by T J : "Madison Jas"; also en­ dorsed in another hand. A fragment of the last page of the M S has been torn away, and though the letter has been printed several times, no attempt to pro­ vide a complete (though partly conjec­ tural) text has hitherto been made. E n ­ closures: ( 1 ) Copy in Madison's hand, unsigned, of the communication from the Virginia Delegates in Congress to L a Luzerne, 2 Apr., concerning refugees on board De Tilly's fleet; printed here­ with from the M S in V i ; the paper therein enclosed listing the pilots has not been found. ( 2 ) Presumably a Phil­ adelphia newspaper of the present date containing the text of an ordinance tightening restrictions on American trade with British possessions; this is

missing, but the ordinance, which was moved and drafted by Madison, was adopted by Congress on 27 Mch. and is printed in J C C , xrx, 314-16. YOUR FAVOR

O F T H E 23D.

OF

MARCH

has not been found, but it is clear from Madison's reply that ( 1 ) it was a per­ sonal rather than official letter; ( 2 ) it contained unequivocal evidence of T J ' s determination to retire from office; ( 3 ) it requested that Madison procure for T J ' s personal library some publication then about to be issued in Philadelphia; and ( 4 ) it no doubt asked Madison to renew applications to D r . William Smith for the use of the map in which T J had been previously interested, T H E A R R I V A L O F T H E S T O R E S H E R E : That is, the cargo of L e Comité; see Virginia Delegates to T J , this date.

To J . P. G. Muhlenberg SIR

I n Council April 3d. 1781.

T h e M e n under your Command who have been in the field from the beginning of the Invasion, having served a T o u r of D u t y un­ usually long, I am anxious to have them satisfied of the Accidents w h i c h have as yet prevented their relief. Others would have been ordered into their places long e're this, had it not been for the enterprize meditated against Portsmouth. T h e changing the whole M i l i ­ tia was thought too dangerous an operation at that critical T i m e . T h e y know the Circumstances which occasioned this enterprize to be laid aside. T h e Moment the A r r i v a l of a Reinforcement to the E n e m y obliged us to discontinue our Intentions, a body of M i l i t i a was called for to relieve them from the Counties w h i c h had not yet been i n Service. I state to you in the M a r g i n the whole of them. T h e six Counties first named were called on to aid in the Operations against Portsmouth. I t is meant however that they shall be kept w i t h the nine last named to serve a full tour and constitute the op­ posing force, discharging all others as fast as these come i n , and first those which have been longest in the field. I must sollicit your most exact Attention to the Return of all Public A r m s and Accou­ trements and Ammunition put into the Hands of M i l i t i a , whenever 1

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they shall be discharged. No M a n should be discharged 'till he does this or gives a satisfactory Account of their Loss or expenditure. I think myself very particularly obliged to acknowlege the pa­ tient Service of those who have been so long from Home, and am anxious that they should know that this has not proceeded from any previous Intention in Government, but from the Circumstances before explained. I hope they w i l l be relieved i n a very few D a y s and that in the meantime they w i l l fill up the Measure of Merit by continuing to restrain the Excursions of the E n e m y till others can come to succeed to those Duties. I beg Leave to have these mat­ ters particularly explained to Colo. Matthews and Bowyer and through them to their men who I believe have been longest from Home. I am &c, T.J. FC (Vi). i The following list appears in the margin of the letter: "Loudoun 168, Fauquier 292, Fairfax 200, P William 185, Spotsylvania 120, Caroline 260,

Culpeper 352, Hampshire 242, Berkeley 258, Frederic 267, Shenandoah 217, Orange 140, Stafford 113, Louisa 140, K i n g George 114, Essex 107. [Total:] 3075."

William Phillips to J . P. G . Muhlenberg SIR

Portsmouth 3rd April 1781

I have had reported to me by Brigadier General Arnold that he has made several overtures to the Officers in command of the American troops for an exchange of the Prisoners of W a r made by the B r i t i s h and American Forces in V i r g i n i a , but that these humane propositions have been evaded, counteracted and refused upon various pretences, that notwithstanding General Arnold allowed a number of Prisoners taken in A r m s upon his Expedition up James R i v e r , to go home upon their Paroles, the same indulgence had never been granted to any of the B r i t i s h Prisoners. I apprehend it w i l l be allowed from General Washington to the lowest rank in the American A r m y that I have w i t h unwearied pains promoted the softening the rigors of w a r by procuring, from my Applications to H i s Majesty's Commander in Chief, every possible indulgence to the American Officers Prisoners of W a r and I appeal to several Individuals now in V i r g i n i a upon the occasion. T h e y can inform you, S i r , how much they are indebted, through me, for very many instances of compassion and humanity from H i s Excellency General S i r Henry Clinton. I am desirous and willing, S i r , to pursue the same line of liberal [329]

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conduct while I remain opposed to you in V i r g i n i a , but as I am above duplicity myself I w i l l not become the dupe of it among others. I w i l l not consider you, S i r , in the narrow contracted view in which persons unacquainted with the generous feelings of a Soldier are often seen. I w i l l on the contrary suppose you governed by the openness and candour which usually, and w h i c h ought always to govern M e n in our profession, and under this descrip­ tion I address you. I propose to you, S i r , an exchange of all Officers and Soldiers Prisoners of W a r on both sides, rank for rank as far as w i l l apply, and otherwise by composition upon a T a r i f f from whence a general exchange has lately taken place between the B r i t i s h and American Commissarys General of Prisoners under the consent of H i s E x ­ cellency General S i r Henry Clinton and General George W a s h i n g ­ ton. Brigadier General Arnold has also informed me that, i n com­ miseration of the i l l state of health of Colonel Curies, he had pro­ posed a partial exchange against Colonel Elligood now a prisoner of w a r w i t h you, but it has been refused. T h e present infirm con­ dition of the Gentleman inclines me to make the same offer to you and I have given a liberty to Colonel Curies to represent his situa­ tion to you. Should you, S i r , be under the necessity of retiring from this proposition by a refusal of it, I shall be obliged although I do assure you, very unwillingly, to call i n all Officers who have been made Prisoners of W a r , and are now on Parole, in w h i c h w i l l be included several Gentlemen who have obtained that indulgence through m y application and otherwise from Charles T o w n South Carolina. Solemn Paroles of honor, S i r , are of too serious a nature for Officers to break, and I think I know some among you whom no other Authority could govern under so nice a point, but the recti­ tude and punctilio of their own feelings. I f you w i l l give it to me under your own hand that Colonel E l l i ­ good shall be sent i n , I w i l l immediately send Colonel Curies out, and conceive the Exchange mutual, and the moment the former arrives I w i l l send out a certificate for the latter to have liberty to act as you think proper. I am to beg your answer directly as a ship of w a r w i l l sail this E v e n i n g for N e w Y o r k by which i f Colonel Curies is not exchanged I shall send h i m w i t h the rest of the P r i s ­ oners of w a r to that place. I am, Sir, your humble servant W P H I L L I P S M General

1330]

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APRIL

R C (NHi) ; in an aide-de-camp's hand, signed by Phillips; endorsed. I HAVE GIVEN A LIBERTY TO COLONEL CURLES

TO

REPRESENT

HIS

SITUATION

T O Y O U : Col. William Roscoe Wilson Curie's representation is to be found in a letter to Steuben, in part as follows: " I was made a prisoner [on 7 Mch.], and used very civilly until the 16th; when on Return of General Arnolds F l a g from Hampton (which I learned had been treated with great Improprie­ ty) Messrs. Hurt, Cocke, Carter and Self were carried on Board the Prison Ship, and huddled below without dis­ tinction into the Company of other un­ happy Sufferers; in the whole a moteley crew. Here after being some time I was taken so ill that my Friends earnestly sollicited that I might go on shore. On Report of Doctor Smith I was ordered [to Norfolk] on this side to the General Hospital, from whence in a few days I was removed to private Lodgings, the Place I now write from, somewhat amended but still greatly indisposed"; Curie applied to Col. Dundas and in­ formed him "that an Application would be made to effect an exchange of Col. Ellegood for me. T h i s Gentleman [Dundas] was kind enough to inform me by Letter that Major General Phillips would agree to such Exchange, and that any Letter on my own Business might be forwarded to the nearest Post." Curie felt that if the appeal were denied he would be sent to New York, "a place I

17 8 1 can never reach. Many in my predica­ ment must suffer and I am assured the consequences to my country will be bad as many are actuated by the principle of Self-Preservation" (Curie to Muh­ lenberg, 2 Apr. 1781, N H i ) . From this it is apparent that news of the flag con­ ducted by Lieut. Hare (see Appendix I , Vol. 5 ) had reached Arnold and had aroused his anger over the treatment that had been accorded that unfortunate officer, in consequence of which Curie and others suffered from Arnold's retal­ iatory measures. Muhlenberg forwarded Phillips' letter, along with that of Curie, to Steuben, who apparently failed to acknowledge it, for on 14 Apr. Muhlen­ berg said that he had written Phillips "by returning F l a g that I had sent his letter to you and should transmit him your answer as soon as it came to hand. As the Express by which I sent this letter has never returned, I am afraid it has not come to your hands" (Muhlen­ berg to Steuben, 14 Apr. 1781, N H i ) . But, as a result of Weedon's unauthor­ ized intercession, Phillips countermand­ ed the orders to send Curie and other prisoners to New York ( Phillips to Wee­ don, 6 Apr. 1781) and, though T J denied a special exchange to Curie, he did permit him to be paroled (Weedon to T J , 2 Apr.; T J to Weedon, 4 and 10 Apr. 1781). T h e activity of Weedon and others in this case probably ex­ plains also why Steuben did not answer Muhlenberg's letter.

From Alexander Spotswood SIR

Fredercks. April 3d 1781.

Since I came home, I have contracted w i t h a workman F o r 1200 Catridge Boxes and 1200 Bayonet Belts F o r the use of the two Legions now raising, each B o x to carry 33 Rounds, and to be F i x e d , ( as well as the belts ) in the same manner, as those of the brittish. T h e price agreed on, is 1 5 s / hard money or the exchange, F o r each box and belt. I n 1776 the Same workman received F r o m the state, 2 0 s / F o r each box alone, and those only half leathered, so that (on the side of the state) this contract is good. Should your Excellency approve of m y Conduct, and think it necessary to have any L a r g e r number made for the use of other Troops, I w i l l Contract on the same terms, for any number you may order, and I w i l l not only superintend the workmen and see that they work in propper wood, £331}

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but w i l l superintend the receiveing of them, and Refuse such as are not w e l l leathered, and boored propperly. A s the workman has not a Sufficient Stock of leather on hand, it w i l l be necessary ( i n order to enable h i m to expedite the w o r k ) for to advance h i m a sum of money, on his giveing bond and Security for the faithfull discharge of his contract. A s soon as I can be supplyed w i t h money, for the above purpose, and that of recruiting, I w i l l come myself, or send Colo. T a y l o r down to receive it. I must beg the favor of Y r . E x c e l lency to honor me w i t h a line as soon as possible. I am with esteem y r E x c e l l y M t obdt A SPOTSWOOD B G R C ( P H i ) ; addressed and endorsed. THE

TWO

LEGIONS

N O W

RAISING:

T h e special session of the Assembly passed an Act to raise two legions "to consist each of six companies of infantry and one troop of cavalry, of one hundred men each . . . to serve during the war, but not to take the field or to do duty except in cases of actual òr threatened invasion, during which, they shall continually remain in the field, if

the executive shall think proper" (Hening, x, 3 9 1 ) . On 20 Mch. the House of Delegates' nomination of Alexander Spotswood as brigadier general of the two legions met with the following response from the Senate: "The Senate are satisfied with the nomination . . . and are willing that he be appointed without the formality of a ballot" ( J H D , Mch., 1781; V a . State L i b r . , B u l l . , 1928, p. 4 1 ) .

T o Steuben SIR

I n Council April 3. 1781.

No term having been fixed by the Executive for the Service of the M i l i t i a , I do not know whence it could have been collected that it was within ten days of expiring. Nevertheless it is most certain that they would have been relieved long e'er this had it not been for the enterprize meditated against Portsmouth. I t was thought too dangerous to change the whole Body of M i l i t i a at the critical juncture. T h e Moment that Object was laid aside we called for M i l i t i a from the underwritten Counties, who with those before called from Loudoun, Fauquier, F a i r f a x , Prince-William, Spotsylvania, Caroline and Culpeper were intended to constitute the force acting in the feild the succeeding two or three Months, discharging all others as fast as these should come i n . F r o m these Calls we expected 2 7 0 0 M e n , the number you had desired to be kept up while nothing offensive was meditated. O f all this we gave notice to the Marquis Fayette, the then Commanding Officer. Considering the unusually long tour the Riflemen and other M i l i t i a below have served, I think every Acknowledgment of their patient service just, and every encouragement necessary to keep them contentedly till the arrival of the reliefs ordered. F r o m the Counties undermentioned, I sup1

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pose we are not to expect the M e n till the middle of this Month, and that it w i l l be the last of the Month before all w i l l get i n . W e take for granted you w i l l be pleased always to notify to the Executive the number of M e n you think requisite i n the feild w h i c h may enable them to give orders for them on the proper Counties. I am w i t h much respect S i r Y o u r most obedt Servt, T H :

R C ( N H i ) ; in a clerk's hand, corrected and signed by T J ; endorsed. F C ( V i ) . R C quoted in part in Steuben to Muhlenberg, 5 Apr. 1781 ( N H i ) . 1

J E F F E R S O N

last nine counties (Hampshire through E s s e x ) , with the number of militia from each (total, 1598), in the marginal tabulation in the letter to Muhlenberg of this date; see note 1 on that letter.

A t the foot of the text are listed the

From Francis Taylor SIR

Winchester April 3d. 1781.

T h e German Troops arrived here the 5th ultimo, and Col. W o o d set out that evening from hence to Philadelphia and has not yet returned. On receiving your letter by the Dragoon, I sent an Offi­ cer to the County Lieutenant of Frederick in M a r y l a n d , to have a G u a r d , Waggons &c. ready to proceed w i t h the Troops from Potowmack. H e informed me they should be ready this day, and I marched the 31st last month, and the next day received orders from Colo. W o o d by express from Frederick T o w n to return to this place, where the German Troops now are, and Colo. W o o d informs me they are to remain in this neighbourhood. I have not discharged any of the Soldiers, but intended after having marched to Potowmack to have returned to the B a r r a c k s , and there to have settled their accounts and discharged them. B u t as the Germans w i l l be continued i n the State some time longer, those men who enlisted to serve only i n Albemarle, now insist on being discharged, and I have promised to grant them when Colo. W o o d arrives, w h i c h w i l l reduce the Regiment to considerably less than one hundred men. I should be glad i f the whole could be dis­ charged, as it appears hard on those who w i l l be continued, who have had only the same bounty &c. and are now in a most naked situation, and much in want of money. I think a small M i l i t i a G u a r d would be sufficient over the Germans, who are very orderly and easily governed. T h e A r m s of the Soldiers who w i l l be discharged I shall have stored here, and I think had better be taken down by the Drafts from this place. [333

]

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1781

T h e r e are still at the Barracks i n Albemarle part of the Regi­ ment of Guards. I suppose Colo. W o o d w i l l order those who en­ listed to serve i n this State to this place, and the others to be dis­ charged. I am in hopes M r . M a r t i n has drawn pay for us (of which both Officers and M e n are i n great need) and I am i n hopes cloath­ ing for the Soldiers w i l l be sent them soon, otherwise they w i l l not be able to do duty i n a little time, and most of them are intirely without Shoes. I hope your Excellency w i l l take such steps to have us paid and cloathed as w i l l render us serviceable and I am in hopes the Soldiers may all be discharged, as the few that w i l l be left can be of but little service and w i l l be much dissatisfied. B e pleased to let me be informed what is to be done, and whether the Assembly made any determination at the last meeting i n favour of our Offi­ cers, who think it very partial to be excluded from receiving the advantages of other Officers. W i t h the highest respect I am Y o u r most obedient Hble servant, F R A N T A Y L O R R C ( V i ) ; addressed (in part): "Favoured by M r Bradford"; endorsed ( i n part): "April 11th. 1781," the date of T J ' s answer, q.v. Y O U R L E T T E R B Y T H E D R A G O O N :

See T J to Taylor, 14 Mch. and 11 Apr. 1781.

From the Virginia Delegates in Congress SIR

Philadelphia April 3d 1781

W e have been favord w i t h Y o u r Excellencys enclosing a State of the affair between M r . Nathan and the Commonwealth of V i r ­ ginia which we are endeavoring to put i n train for a decision on the Principles you have been pleased to direct, the event of w h i c h Y o u r Excellency shall be informd of as soon as tis decided. T h e Unfor­ tunate consequences which have attended the N a v a l engagement of Chesapeake on the 16th Ultimo, we feel w i t h unspeakeable regret, as they have snatchd from us the pleasing prospects w e had cher­ ished for some time past, of frustrating the Sanguine project of the E n e m y ( o f subjugating most of the Southern States this Cam­ paign) and thrown our Country into a Situation w h i c h must re­ quire her utmost exertions, w i t h all the aid that can be sent her to extricate her from. T h i s we shall leave no means unessayed to effect, on our parts. T h e same unhappy event, has deprived us of the immediate U s e of the A r m s and Stores, w h i c h were to have gone from Rhode I s ­ land (the Cargoe of the C o m i t é ) on board a french frigate, but we have the satisfaction to Inform your Excellency that they are safe

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arrived at this place, i n the Frigate w h i c h was to have Carried them to V i r g i n i a . W e have orderd them to be landed and have taken the necessary steps to forward them w i t h all possible dispatch by a safe Route to V i r g i n i a , having committed them to the Care of Colo. Febiger, under the direction of the board of W a r but it is w i t h much concern that we find on this as w e l l as on many other occa­ sions where we might yield considerable service to our Country on pressing emergencies, the want of small sums of Money is fre­ quently an insurmountable obstacle to a speedy execution of our intention, and the important matters w h i c h engage our attention in Congress, interferes w i t h the necessary attention required by such objects when the ready means of executing them are [want­ ing?]. T h e Remedies to these inconveniencies we leave to the W i s ­ dom of Y o u r Excellency and the Legislature. W e have the Honor to be Y r . E x c e l l y s Most obedt. Svts., JAMES MADISON J U N R T H E O K .

B L A N D

R C ( V i ) ; in Bland's hand and addressed and franked by him; signed by both delegates; endorsed: "James Madison J r . April 12th. 1781."

From Peter Wagener MAY

I T P L E A S E Y O U R

E X C E L L E N C Y

Fairfax 3d. April

1781

W h e n the E n e m y ' s Vessels were cruising up and down Potowmac the defenceless situation of the T o w n of Alexandria induced me, at the particular request of the Inhabitants of the said T o w n and County to apply to the Governor of Maryland for the loan of some arms and ammunition. H i s Excellency was pleased to lend us two barrels of G u n powder and two nine pounders, which we have got from Anapolis by L a n d at the expence of a few Individuals. W e had before two twelve pounders at Alexandria belonging to this State. F r o m the determined spirit of the People to defend the T o w n , I am satisfied that i f these Cannon were put into proper order that we shou'd be able to prevent any of the small Vessels doing any Damage at Alexandria, and as it is proposed to have the Cannon fixed on travelling Carriages we shall be able to move them to some place of safety i f a superior force shou'd come up. T h e wheels for the Carriages are made to the Iron work which w i l l be completed this W e e k . A s it is impossible to get men to work with­ out money, and it falling very heavy on a few, by Subscription, I am advised to apply to your Excellency for a sum of money from the T r e a s u r y to enable us to carry this usefull work into Execution. [335]

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I have sent by the Bearer, R a l p h Longdon, m y Bond w i t h Security for applying what money you may please to send by h i m to the use of the publick. I have appointed a Company of Artillery at Alex­ andria which w i l l chiefly consist of men that are exempt from M i l i t i a duty. T h e Officers are Capt. Conway, T a y l o r , Harper and Robertson which I hope w i l l meet w i t h your approbation. On the 19th. of M a r c h our Draught took place for furnishing our quota of men. A m o n g others three Classes were drafted. T h e men came i n the next day and they appeared to me to be Invalids and altogether unfit to do the duty of Soldiers. I did not receive the men and accordingly drafted the three Classes over again. T h e men whose lot in these fell on to go, were disatisfied at m y proceedings as they stood the draft the E v e n i n g before. T h e y employed Council and prevailed on a Court M a r t i a l which I had ordered to try some militia deserters to determine the matter. T h e Court were of Opin­ ion that the second Draught was illegal. I have therefore submitted the matter to you and shall be much obliged to you for your Advice how to act, whether I must send on the Invalids that were first drafted, or whether I had a right to proceed to the second Draft, and send on those that were then drafted. Altho I was very particu­ lar in m y Orders to the Captains when the Classes were first al­ l o t t e d ] , not to return those that were Invalids or unfit to do the dutys of Soldiers, stil this mistake has happened. On Monday morning last before D a y a small Vessel came up to Alexandria and attempted to cut out of the Harbour a Baltimore Vessel lying there loaded w i t h Tobacco. T h e y boarded the Vessel and had confined the men but being discovered by another Vessel in the Harbour the T o w n was alarmed which prevented the E n e m y from carrying off the Vessell they had boarded. T h e y took a boat alongside and got into their own Vessel and proceeded down the R i v e r . A Schooner well armed and mand was sent after her and I am this moment informed they over took her at Boyds hole; took her and most of the men. Some made their escape by getting a shore. T h e E n e m y on Saturday morning last burnt M r . Stephen Stuarts House on W e s t R i v e r M a r y l a n d also a twenty gun ship on the stocks, nearly finished. I am yr. Excellency, most obedt. Hble Servt., P E T . W A G E N E R R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. On 6 Apr. T J , with approval of the Council, directed the auditors "to issue to Colo. Peter Waggener a Warrant for

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five thousand pounds upon Account to have the cannon at Alexandria mounted, his bond being first lodged with you" ( V i : Contingent Fund Vouchers).

]

To George Weedon SIR

I n Council April 3. 1781.

I stated to you in a former letter the M i l i t i a ordered into service to relieve those who had been so long i n the feild. T h e y were di­ rected to rendezvous at W i l l i a m s b u r g , but as the Boats have been since ordered up to the Sandy Point, and may perhaps be again shifted, I refer to you the propriety of lodging orders at proper places on the Roads to turn them off from the rout they w i l l be pur­ suing to cross them at such part of James R i v e r as you think best and to proceed to Geni. Mughlenburg's Head Quarters. Proper orders for this you w i l l be pleased to give, as a considerable part of the force under Geni. Mughlenburg has been upwards of three Months from home, are very impatient and w i t h great reason. A n y Men of the Counties meant for the present tour of duty which you have more than you can arm or than you want had better go over to Geni. Mughlenburg. W h i l e you endeavor to keep up the Spirits of the People in the Neck below you are wise in not hazarding your detachments more than cannot be avoided. T h e y would certainly be cut off i f trusted to remain there. Scouring Parties w i l l give Spirits to the People, protect them from depredation, and i f withdrawn of Nights as far up as possible and always to new grounds w i l l per­ haps be safe. Not knowing what are the Stores laden on board the Vessels you mention, I can only desire that i f they be not wanted soon they be sent up the R i v e r to a safe Station, or to this place as you think best, and that such as w i l l be soon wanting be landed where you find it most proper. I am w i t h great respect S i r Y o u r most obedt & most humble servt, T H : J E F F E R S O N P S . I trust that in the discharge of M i l i t i a you see that very particu­ lar attention be paid to the returning the public A r m s and Ammuni­ tion put into their Hands. No M a n should be discharged till he does, or gives a satisfactory account of their Loss or expenditure. R C ( V i ) ; in a clerk's hand, with complimentary close and signature by TJ; endorsed by Weedon. F C ( V i ) .

[337]

From George Weedon D E A R

Williamsburg A p . 3.

S I R

1781.

I was honor'd w i t h your Excellencys dispatches last Night and shall forward those intended for the F l a g Ship this Morning. T h e only certain intelligence from Portsmouth came from G e n i : M u h lenburg to m y Hands last E v e n i n g . T h e General has had a con­ fidential in T o w n for some time who sends h i m the enclosed, w h i c h account seems to corroborate that of Capt. Ross's w i t h respect to the reinforcement. I t has ever been a decided opinion of mine, that they w i l l endeavour to succour L o r d Cornwallis, from Portsmouth penetrating N : Carolina, holding a strong Post i n the lower parts of V i r g i n i a at the same time to divert us. A n d whether it would be more political to support powerfully, Geni. Green, w i t h our R e g u ­ lar Troops as well as the M i l i t i a from those Counties most con­ tiguous to H i m and to act here totally on the defensive, till the event of our operations in that Quarter are known, I leave to your Excellency to determine. I f we are successful there, the W o r k here w i l l be easy. I f on the contrary we should suffer a superiority i n that Quarter, we shall be most sadly pressed in V i r g i n i a . I see your Excellency is using every exertion to keep the W a r abroad w h i c h is certainly prudent, and should not have taken the liberty of men­ tioning a matter you are no doubt aware of but on account of the 1500 Regulars w h i c h I was fearful your Excellency counted on as part of our defences in this State. I am of opinion those Levies should be immediately drawn together and reinforcements got ready for the Southern A r m y , for we certainly can keep the E n e m y from advancing far into our Country by holding embodied a proper force of M i l i t i a and this would be the more easily effected were they arranged into Brigades, so as to relieve each other i n force instead of dropping in from the different Counties, in small Bodies, some one day, some another and frequently W e e k s apart, so that we never have any thing permanent that can be call'd an A r m y . I mentioned in m y Letter of 1st. Inst. our want of A r m s and Accoutrements for the Men under m y Command, and should be thankful to your Excellency for an immediate supply i f to be had. I am w i t h every sentiment of Esteem & Regard Y o u r Excellencies Most Obt Servt, G WEEDON Please keep me advised of the fate of Friend Green. R C ( V i ) ; in aide's hand, signed, addressed, and franked by Weedon; endorsed. Enclosure missing. Dft ( P P A P ) . YOUR E X C E L L E N C Y S D I S P A T C H E S :

identified, but these undoubtedly ineluded T J ' s letters to Gerlach, Herstale, and Weedon of 3 1 M c h . 1 7 8 1 , qq.v.

Not

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]

From Robert Andrews SIR

Wmsburg April 4. 1781

Y o u r Favour of the 31st. U l t . , addressed to M r . Madison and myself, I received yesterday, and shall be prepared to enter on the Business you have been pleased to propose as soon as the necessary Preliminaries are settled. I think no Objection can be made to your Mode of locating the Boundary, as it is the only one which, without infinite Pains and Trouble, can be in any Degree accurate. Before we set out it w i l l be proper to know at what T i m e the Commis­ sioners of Pennsylvania w i l l meet us at Pittsburg; and we would request your Excellency to inform President R e i d that the T i m e fixed on by them shall be observed by us. T h e L o t having decided that I should go to Philadelphia, I shall have Occasion only for two Horses, and I must depend on the Pub­ lic for them, having none fit for such a Journey, or which I could venture to deprive m y F a m i l y of at this T i m e . M r . Reade, the Quarter Master at this Post, on being properly authorised w i l l undertake to furnish them. I am, S i r , w i t h the greatest Respect & Esteem, Y o u r mo. Obedt. & very hble. Servt., R O B E R T A N D R E W S R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

To the Auditors G E N T L E M E N

Api

4.

1781.

Be pleased to issue to M r . John B r o w n [Browne] S i x W a r r a n t s for three hundred thousand pounds each and one for two hundred thousand pounds upon account. B y Advice of Council. T H : J E F F E R S O N 1

R C ( V i : Contingent Fund Vouchers); in a clerk's hand, signed by T J ; en­ dorsed: "4 April 1781 Jno Brown £ 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 [ T h i s figure has been crossed emi and the f o l l o w i n g substituted inanother h a n d : ] 1700000 & 300000 On

Acco. E x d . £ 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 . " i V a . C o u n c i l Jour., n , 326, adds the following: "as Commissioner of the Pro­ vision L a w . "

From Arthur Campbell Washington [County, V a . ] , 4 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . A company to patrol Pow­ ell's Valley was obtained only with difficulty because of the lack of money and the non-payment of the militia for former services. "The Cap[339

]

4 APRIL

1781

tain solicits me to apply for one Months pay for the men." If T J will give an order for payment, "the bearer Capt. Kincaid will give the neces­ sary obligations for its just application." He will also give "What further account may be desired respecting the state of this frontier." R C ( V i ) ; 3 p.; addressed and endorsed.

From Richard Claiborne SIR

Richmond, 4th. April 1781

T h e great demands which are made upon me for things to be furnished from this department, both for the Southern A r m y , and the Troops within this State, alarm me more and more, as I have Not the means to answer any purpose whatsoever. I am called upon by the Commissary General of Purchases, and the Commissary General of Military Stores for Wagons and horses daily, to trans­ port their Stores, and have it not in m y power to procure any. T h e preparations which the Baron directed me to make for the Cavalry and Infantry to be equiped in this State cannot be done, as I have not Money to purchase, and I cannot get Credit for an Article. I am altogether disappointed in the Wagons to come from the Counties agréable to the late law, and get no assistance from M r . Brown's [Browne's] Commissioners. I n short S i r , I plainly foresee, that unless I have great aid from some near resource, the operations of the whole department w i l l stop in a few days. I t is w i t h great con­ cern that I am obliged to mention this to your Excellency, but as timely representations are necessary for the public Interest, and m y own reputation, I am induced to do it. I f Government w i l l do any thing to support me, I intreat that it may be done immediately, but should this application be unsuccessful and the disagreable conse­ quences follow w h i c h I have every reason to expect, I hope your Excellency and Council w i l l bear Witness, that I have spared no time or pains to answer every thing required of me as far as it was in m y power. I take this early opportunity to inform your Excellency that I have resigned the Appointment of Quarter Master for the Troops in this State. I accepted it merely to serve the A r m y and the States, but as the difficulties in public business increase hourly, I am sensi­ ble the T a s k would be too great for me. I t seems very probable that the A r m y w i l l increase rather than decrease, therefore it is highly requisite that an Officer should be immediately appointed to this duty. I n hopes that I cou'd have filled both Offices, I made out full

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17 8 1

Instructions for such persons as I proposed to appoint, and have them now ready. I have informed Colo. Carrington and Baron Steuben of this, and requested that a person may be appointed immediately, to whom I w i l l give every information m y experience has taught me. I am sensible that a large S u m of Money w i l l be necessary for this department, and would beg leave to recommend it to the consideration of your Excellency and Council. M r . Elliott, I believe w i l l return to his Post, as Assistant, Deputy, Quarter Master. I have the Honor to be with the highest respect your Excellency's most Obedient humble Servant, R D . C L A I B O R N E D Q M r . S . V . R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

To William Davies SIR

I n Council Apr. 4. 1781.

There are in the hands of Colo. T a y l o r for the use of his regiment of guards about 5 0 0 stand of arms. T h e regiment having gone to Maryland with the Conventioners was ordered at first to be dis­ charged at Winchester and afterwards to be brought back to Char­ lottesville to be discharged there. I t is therefore uncertain at which place those arms w i l l be deposited. Besides these there were lodged in the hands of the County L i e u ­ tenants in the counties round about the barracks about 150 stand of fine arms to each. T h e counties are supposed to have been Albe­ marle, Orange, Louisa, Goochland, Fluvanna, and perhaps B u c k ­ ingham and Amherst. Our papers being lost we state both the num­ ber of arms and counties from memory only, and it is uncertainly recollected. A r m s being exceedingly wanted we recommend to you to take measures for bringing these into public service as soon as possible. Some of them were lately I beleive ordered into the hands of smiths in that part of the country to be repaired. I am with much respect S i r Y o u r most obedt servt., T H :

J E F F E R S O N

R C ( P H i ) ; addressed by T J : "Colo. Davies"; endorsed. See Taylor to T J , 5 May 1781.

From William Davies [ W a r Office, Richmond, 4 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . A minute in the W a r Office Journal ( V i ) under this date reads as follows: "Letter to the Gover[341}

4 APRIL

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nor, inclosing one from Colonel Muter, respecting supernumeries of the State Garrison Regiment; also one from Mr. William Mann, Asst. Com­ missary of Military Stores, about Cannon, &c. at Newcastle; and sub­ mitting to his decision the arrangement of the state Corps, as several second Lieutenants have applied to be admitted to act as Ensigns; also stating that Capt. Pryor continental Commissary of Military Stores had spent a good deal of his own money about the removal of Cannon, &c. and could not proceed without some assistance, and therefore request­ ing to be furnished with about 8 or 10,000£ on account to be charged to the Continent to defray necessary expences in his department, and desiring to know how provisions are to be had for a small guard at Newcastle, as well as for some men employed by a Mr. Mason in re­ moving Cannon, &c. from Newcastle." Letter not found. The two en­ closures are in V i : ( 1 ) George Muter to Davies, Richmond, 2 Apr. 1781, stating the request of the officers of the state garrison regiment and particularly of Maj. [Charles] Magill, who "is now in town and claims his right," to obtain promotions on account of the death of Col. [Charles] Porterfield, an "unfortunate event (much lamented by them all)"; ( 2 ) William Mann to Maj. John Pryor, Newcastle, 3 Apr. 1781, requesting a guard and money for his work at that place.]

To William Davies [Richmond, 4 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . A minute in the War Office Journal ( V i ) under this date reads as follows: "The Governor's Answer: that as Col. Porterfield's death happened after the Resolution of Assembly directing the state Regiments to be reformed, no promotion on that event can be admitted: That the Executive approves of the 2d. Lieutenants, super­ numeries, acting as Ensigns: That it is Mr. Browne's duty to furnish provisions whenever necessary: And that they have sent a Warrant for the money desired for Capt. Pryor." Letter not found.]

From Nathanael Greene W i t h o u t place, 4 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . Requests payment to Capt. Patrick Fitzpatrick of "fourteen thousand five hundred Dollars for 110 Gallons of Whiskey purchased for the use of the Southern Army." F C ( M i U - C ) ; 2 p.; in the hand of Capt. William Pierce; endorsed by him: "An Order on the State of Virginia. April 4th 1781. entd." A 19th-century T r is in CSmH.

From Lafayette SIR

Annapolis April the 4h. 1781

Before this Comes to Hand Your Excellency W i l l Have Got an Accurate Account of the Action Between the two fleets, where it Appears that Notwistanding their Inferiority Our Allies obtained [342 ]

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the Honor of the day. B u t the Object of the Expedition was Lost, and the A t t a k of Portsmouth Unfortunately Post poned. On the Point of Setting out for the G r a n d A r m y , I w i l l at least do M y Best for the Relief of the troops destined to the defense of the Southern States. I Hear that General Greene is in want of A m ­ munition, and A m going to Send on four field pieces to H i m w i t h twelve Hundred Rounds and Near Hundred thousand Cartridges. Govenor L e e H a s promised to Have them forwarded to Frederickburg, where I Hope they w i l l Meet Horses and Waggons provided B y Y o u r Excellency's orders, as their Speedy A r r i v a l at the South­ ern A r m y M a y prove to B e of Essential Service. Baron de Stubens H a v i n g Received orders from General Greene, Relating to the for­ warding of Military stores to H i s A r m y , I Give H i m Notice of the Measures I Have taken, and B e g Also Leave to Request that Y o u r Excellency B e pleased to forward the Inclosed letters to the South­ ern A r m y . T h i s Harbour is Blockaded B y two A r m e d Vessels of the Ennemy, which Makes it Necessary for a P a r t of the troops to Proceed B y land. Some light Boats and the Siege Artillery (every thing Relating to field pieces and Musketry Being sent to the South­ w a r d ) w i l l B e able to go B y water after the E n n e m y Have Been Removed w i t h some Heavy pieces we are fixing on purpose. B y an intercepted letter from the Captain of these Vessels it Appears that He is Requesting a Reinforcement, and Hopes to destroy the Craft in Y o u r R i v e r s . I A m in Hopes that the french fleet w i l l Soon B e able to put to Sea, and Have also Expectations of their Being Reinforced. Permit me, S i r , Most Respectfully to present Y o u r Excellency w i t h the Assurance of the H i g h Regard and Affectionate Senti­ ments I Have the Honor to B e W i t h S i r Y o u r Excellency's Most obedient Humble Servant, L A F A Y E T T E N . B . T h e Inclosed are Copies of intercepted letters. R C ( V i ) ; endorsed. T h e "Inclosed letters to the Southern Army" have not been found, but the "Copies of inter­ cepted letters" from W . Thomas, writ­ ten on board the H o p e off Annapolis, 20 Mch. 1781, are in V i : ( 1 ) to Messrs. Goodrich & Mackay, Portsmouth, send­ ing "with this" two "small Schooners with oats" and informing them that "Mr. Goodrich's Boat has made a con­ siderable seizure of Goods plate &c from Loyds on the Eastern Shore"; ( 2 ) to Thomas Symonds, commander of H . M . Ship C h a r o n in the Elizabeth River, in­

forming him of the foregoing and that "The Rebell Army landed at Annapolis on Saturday and Sunday; their encamp­ ment are in sight of us"; that his intel­ ligence sources indicate "that they are not prepared for marching by land, and . . . their Baggage Stores &c. is not arrived from the E l k " ; that three de­ serters came from Annapolis on 18 Mch. and reported that "the army in general is much dissatisfied, and think they have nothing but death to expect, they have no provisions but what they collect from the country"; that "on our

[343 ]

4 A P R I L first appearance off here they were in great consternation fearing we should attack them"; that the Surprise and T r i m m e r "spoke us the 18th. and are now up the Bay, they intend to proceed up the E l k " ; that with the addition of two vessels he would not hesitate to proceed as far as Alexandria "which would effectually prevent their crossing that river"; and that the Swift and I n ­

17 8 1 dependence "would be off great service to destroy all the Craft up the Potowmack"; both letters are printed in C V S P , I , 583-4. An extract of that part of Lafayette's letter concerning wagons for transport­ ing ammunition was transmitted by T J to Richard Claiborne in a note of 9 Apr., q.v.

From James Maxwell SIR

State Ship Yard April 4th: 1781

I beg leave to inform Y o u r Excellency that I hope by the latter end of this W e e k all the publick stores w i l l be removed from this place, to A store of C o l : Danderidges, distance by water from the Y a r d About 13 Miles, and since the late reinforcement of the E n e m y have ordered the Ship Tempest and B r i g Jefferson up James R i v e r , to J o y n those private arm'd Vessels that are taken into publick service. T h e boat Patriot and L e w i s G a i l y are stationed by Gen­ eral Wedens directions between Hampton Road and Burwells ferry to give signals to our A r m y on any N a v a l force of the E n e m y ' s comeing up James R i v e r . T h e Ships Thetis T a r t e r and Dragon are not yet got quite to their place of destination. Since m y A r i v a l here we have lost our Builder by Death, and have Employ'd another who apears to be equally capabell. I also expect to be up in Richmond in a few days except you have any further orders to detain me, and I have the Honour to be most Respectfully Your Excellency's Most Obedt: & Most humble Servt:, JAS. M A X W E L L RC

( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

From Thomas Read SIR

Charlotte, 4 April. 1781.

I recieved yesterday by express, your Orders to M a r c h one hun­ dred and fifty S i x of the M i l i t i a from this County Properly officered and A r m e d to join General Greene. I find it impossible to procure A r m s for even a Sergeants G u a r d , the whole of the A r m s of any worth in this County have been given up and impressed to put into the hands of the M i l i t i a who joined General Greene the 20th. of February last and are not yet returned. T h e number of M i l i t i a now ordered I am afraid w i l l be dificult to make, unless your Excellency mean to send the whole from this [344]

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County; presuming that is not intended, I have taken the Liberty to trouble you w i t h a State of the M i l i t i a . General Lawsons V o l ­ unteers being [e]ntitled to one exemption from a T o u r of duty agreeable to a Resolution of the Council board, there w i l l not be a Sufficient Number in the County to make the demand now Ordered, without Calling on those now Returning immedeately from General Greens Camp, shoud your excellency again Repeat the Orders. T h e M i l i t i a of this County have ever paid due respect to all orders and Instructions, but am doubtful whither it w i l l be the Case in this Instance, as they are too Sensible they have more men in duty than any of the Neighbouring Counties, and frequently Complain, alledging they Can't Cultivate their plantations for even a prospect of bread the ensuing Y e a r . T h e young and single men have nearly all turned out Voluntarily, and [are?] in duty; those to be Ordered w i l l be Composed Chiefly of Married M e n . These Considerations have induc'd me to trouble you S i r , with this and the annexed State, w i t h an Expectation that you w i l l take up the matter and give such further Orders as may be thought Suited to these Circumstances, which youl please to forward by M r . Spencer, who waits on you for that Purpose. I am your Excellencys Most obt. Hble St., T H O M A S R E A D State of Charlotte Militia 565. R a n k and file 412. 153. to be order'd ] 142. I n duty at Portsmouth. being the whole 1170. Joined General Greene 2 0 Februof the M i l i t i a J ary. T i m e out and on their w a y • Coming home. 30. Volunteers of Mounted Infantry Joinec G l . Green. Same time to serve 2 342 M o . or their abouts Volunteers under 70. G l . L a w s o n and entitled to an exemption of one T o u r of duty. 412 565. R . and file 342. Now on duty. 223 70. G l . Lawsons Volunteers. 153. Remainder of Charlotte M i l i t i a 156. to be order'd to the So. 3. Short T h o . Read [345]

4 APRIL

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R C ( V i ) ; addressed (in part): "favd. M r . Spencer"; endorsed (in part): "Recd April 7th 1781." T h e "annexed State" of the Charlotte Militia is written on the verso of Read's letter.

From George Rice, enclosing a Petition from the Inhabitants i n the Vicinity of the Albemarle Barracks SIR

April 4th 1781

I A g a i n have the Honour of waiting upon your Excellency to Solicit an Advance of money to discharge the debts that are due from the Quarter Masters Department at the Albemarle B a r r a c k s . M y Creditors Understanding that Another large Emission is di­ rected to take place, now flatter themselves w i t h the most sanguine hopes of receiving payment, and i f they should be refused, I am really apprehensive they w i l l consider such refusali as being T a n t a ­ mount to an absolute extinguishment of their debts, and I beg leave w i t h all due respect S i r , to Submit to the W i s d o m of your Honour­ able Board, what may be the effects of such an opinion, w i t h a set of M e n who have for a great time past considered themselves as much aggrieved by the delay of payment they have already ex­ perienced, and who from thence infer, that they have and w i l l still sustain an unequal exaction in the publick contributions, unless they now receive payment for the Supplies they have so long since fur­ nished, being at this time calPd on by the Collectors for their full proportion of T a x e s , in Common w i t h those who have Advanced Nothing on Credit, to the General use of the publick. T o illustrate this observation they ask i f Specifick Articles were required of three or more Counties, one of which furnished, and the others did not, would it be J u s t or reasonable, on a further requisition, to demand as much of the County contributeing, as of those who were delin­ quent. A n d this they State to be precisely their Situation, for on the faith of Government and the Urgent necessity i n w h i c h the post Generally was, they parted w i t h their Waggons, Forage and Such other Articles as they could spare on the most moderate terms, thinking that therein they were doing their duty, and Serv­ ing the Common interests of their Country. T h i s Voluntary Supply not being Sufficient for the Support of the Troops at that Place, a Seizure for the same purpose was directed by the Authority of Government, and Now they have the Mortification to find that those who afforded their means willingly are left to strugle through a [ 346 ]

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Scene of Difficulties, whilst others from whom Nothing could be drawn but by Compulsion and Seizure, have their Certificates either paid off at the T r e a s u r y or made Dischargeable i n T a x e s . Those people have Generally Supposed that the post at the Albemarle B a r r a c k s , in all matters of Supply was under the entire direction of the executive of this state, as they know that all representations in times of Scarcity w i t h the Troops and Garrison, was made to your Honourable Board, not only by the officers in T r u s t there, but also as they have been told by the Honourable Congress of the United States and the latter i f they are not greatly Misinformed, requested the State to give Support to the post, for w h i c h they Should receive full credit in their proportions of Continental con­ tributions, in Consequence whereof every possible A i d was repeat­ edly afforded by your Authority, and in this light they have reason to Imagine the subject was likewise considered by our Assembly, when they demanded of Congress a discount in the specific Articles required of this Country, for what had or might be delivered to the Convention Troops for their consumption. Under the influence of this opinion, they now look up to your Justice, and not to the R e ­ mote and distant Relief that might possibly be hereafter afforded them by Congress, and they have the fullest confidence of obtaining your Patronage in a matter i n w h i c h they have so wrongfully sufferred. A s reason, E q u i t y , and every Consideration that has W e i g h t upon the H u m a n mind, are Combined to give Additional Strength to the intention of a Subsequent General Recommendation of Congress, to pay off all debts due from their Staff, and particu­ larly as other Departments have received the benefit of such recom­ mendation by Advances that were made to them out of the late Emission, they must again repeat that the publick has been cheaper supplied by them than in any other part of the state, Notwithstand­ ing the great demand that was always on them, and the little faith that has been observed w i t h them by the Chief of the Staff Depart­ ments. Y o u r Excellency w i l l be so Good as to excuse the few Remarks that I have troubled you w i t h from the people on the Subject of my present application. I n Addition to those I think it m y duty as a publick officer to inform your Excellency, that a great part of m y Certificates are for W a g g o n hire, some of w h i c h has been perform'd for T h r e e pounds a day and so Gradually upwards. T h e Waggons also in this Service were assessed contrary to the usage of every other military Post that I was ever acquainted w i t h , and the owners are Now calPd on for the T a x upon such assessment, and to the [347]

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1781

disgrace of m y office and the entire R u i n of Publick Credit I am not able to pay them that Pittance, or even as much as w i l l discharge the Smiths accounts for Shoeing their horses, and they, prompted by the distress ariseing from such m y inability, i n many instances publickly offerr their Certificates to any person for ready Cash at a discount of 5 0 ?P Cent. T h i s S i r keeps the minds of the people in a Continued Irritation, and i f I was to call on them in the extremest want, to Supply me with Waggons or any thing else, they would consider it as an insult, and refuse me w i t h disdain. T h e r e is also much room to apprehend, that the Collection of the T a x e s may meet w i t h some interruption, unless the Publick Set the example of payment. T h u s S i r as is m y duty have I stated the peculiar I n ­ conveniences of my Creditors. I f I am Enabled to pay them off, it w i l l afford me great pleasure. I f I am not, I must change m y Resi­ dence and leave them to some other mode of application. I was requested to deliver into the hands of your Excellency the enclosed petition, and Although it is comparatively signed by only a few, ariseing from its not being Set on foot till a very Short time before I left the B a r r a c k s , yet believe me S i r , it expresses the Sentiments of the whole body of publick Creditors in that depart [ment.] T h e Sum of four hundred Thousand pounds I think w i l l fully pay [ a l l ] debts that I am [ow]ing. I f am favoured with that Advance, it w i l l engross m y Immediate and Constant Attention to settle and pay all the J u s t claims against me. I f any ballance shou'd then be in m y hands, I plight m y honour either instantly to Return it into the T r e a s u r y , or otherwise dispose of it as I shall be directed. I f m y application is propitious, would it be thought too great an Indul­ gence, to direct the Treasurer to Give the warrant some preferrence, as I am told there are other great draughts upon h i m , and it is extremely inconvenient for me to be longer in Attendance, as I have not only to send of [off] the German baggage from the B a r r a c k s , but am also much engaged in provideing for and E q u i p i n g Colo. W h i t e s Regiment of horse again for service. I have the Honour to be Y o u r Excellencys very humle Servt., G E O : R I C E E N C L O S U R E MAY

I T PLEASE

YOUR

EXCELLENCY

The Collection of very heavy Taxes are now proceeding with Vigour throug this State, and every Person who has not made provision for the paiment is threatened with distress of property by the Sheriff. The Inhabitants of the Neighbouring Counties to the Albemarle Barracks have Supplyed on Credit for a great length of Time and on the most moderate terms a Considerable Army, expecting always that such Sup­ plies would enable them to discharge their Taxes and other Debts, but [348

]

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now to their great Mortification and disappointment their Certificates for such Debts are refused by the Collectors, notwithstanding other Certificates from the Commissioners of the Counties for Articles at much more extravigant rates are received in Payment, and in other Cases Debts now Contracted are Paid off whilst those due them some of a Year or two standing are totally neglected. This they conceive to be such an intolerable greviance that they are compell[ed] to Represent it to your Excellency that you may make some Order therein for their Releif, for as Ardent as they are in the Common Cause of their Country they feel most Sensibly the Injury arising from the Neglect that has been shewn them in this Particular and cannot think much longer of Paying a Continental Tax unless in the Collection they have Credit for what is due them from the Public. They have already Suffered too much for want of the Money to be longer easy under these Circum­ stances, and therefore hope this application will meet with your favour and Countenance which will be conferring the highest favour on your Excellency's most Obedient Servants and a Multitude of others who cannot be immediately applyed too to join in this Requisition. William D alt on John Moore Jno. Allphin William Watts Dani Hollenback James McDonald David Ferguson Thos. Standley James Ware Geo. Chamblin Peter Luke William Dickerson Henry Gambill

Matthew Gambill John Ware Federick W . Wills John Dowell James McCray W m Davis Peter Martin Mabre Maden James Stevenson Matt Pollock Robert Armstrong Jno Lightfoot

R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. Enclosure ( V i ) ; in an unidentified hand, signed by the petitioners; an endorse­ ment, evidently in a later hand, reads: "1781 . . . about Feby. 14th."; but with little doubt this is the petition which Rice transmitted in the present letter. On 6 Apr. the Council approved the issuance of a warrant to Rice for £ 4 0 0 , 000 "to pay off the arrearages of the Quarter Masters Department at the Bar­ racks, which Warrant the board advise

Maxcey Ewell [Finnie] Cunningham John Timmons Feilding Ashley Hugh Haye John Davenport T Taliaferro John Beckley Barnard Carter Peter Clarkson James Epperson Charles Goodman

should be put into the hands of Mr. Granville Smith in order that he may obtain the money from the Treasurer and keep it in his possession until the board can procure from Congress their sanction for issuing it to Mr. Rice" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., n, 328-9). However, T J ' s memorandum to the auditors merely directed them to issue the warrant to Rice, and did not stipulate the condition that it should be put into the hands of Granville Smith.

From Steuben [4 April 1781] I am this moment honor'd w i t h your Excellency's Letter of 3d. A p r i l . W h a t has engaged me to mention the Relief of the M i l i t i a [ 349]

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is a Letter from G e n i . Muhlenberg of 30th M a r c h i n w i c h is the following paragraph "Colo. Mathews informed me to day that on the 12 of next month his militia would have Served three months and expect to be dis­ charged on that day and as Colo. Boyers Regiment is in the same predicament I shall be considerably weakend unless measures are taken to make good the Deficiency." I f agreeable to the sentiment of Geni. Weedon, the E n e m y should send the reinforcement, that has arived at Portsmouth, to the Southward, and that, Troops under Arnold, should alone con­ tinue to occupy that post, I am of opinion that 2 , 7 0 0 men w i l l be sufficient to keep them within bounds but I think we ought to wait the confirmation, before we diminish the number we have now i n the field. I remember to have mention'd to your Excellency the begining of last month that the Cavalry on the L i n e ought to be reinforced and i f I recollect well, the third troop of Nelsons Corps was [to] be orderd to join that Remnant of Armands Corps now on the L i n e [which] has been so much harrass'd, as not be in a Condition to keep the field any longer. T h e men are intirely without Clothes. B y an Order from Geni. Greene I must send them into quarters, to recruit themselves, which obliges me to recall that Corps w i t h your Excellencys aprobation to order it to Port Royal, to remain untili the men are clothed and the horses in order. I n this case I believe, that Nelsons Corps alone w i l l be hardly sufficient to perform the Service on the L i n e s . I refer your Excellency to the inclosed Letter which contains [the] last Account that I have received from below. T h i s all confirms m y opinion, that it w i l l be impossible for the Southern A r m y to con­ tinue in the field, without an immediate Succor, and it is w i t h pain that I anounce to your Excellency that the hopes of one's being sent from this place, is very distant. Out of the Number of Recruits that ought to have been at this. Rendezvous the 10th of last month, but 10 have arrived out of which two have allready deserted. I beg your Excellency after perusal to return me the inclosed Letter. Dft ( N H i ) ; endorsed: "Copy to Govr. Jefferson 4 April." Enclosure not found.

[350]

From George Washington SIR

Head Quarters New Windsor 4th: April 1781.

I am to acknowledge the honor of your Excellency's favors of the 19th. and 21st. ulto, and again to thank you, for your uniform and speedy communication of every southern event which comes to your knowledge. I have the pleasure to find, from General Greenes official letter, that L o r d Cornwallis is not likely to reap any great benefits from his late Victory. Indeed, were we certain that he would not soon receive fresh succours, we might hope that he would ultimately be obliged to quit his present ground in consequence of the in­ cumbrance which his wounded must be to h i m . B u t I very much fear, we shall soon hear that General Phillips, who sailed from New Y o r k about a fortnight ago w i t h a detachment said to be 1500 M e n , is bending his course towards his Lordship. Y o u have been, by this time, made acquainted with the unfor­ tunate event which prevented the execution of the plan against Arnold. H a d the French Fleet luckily gained the Chesapeak before they were overtaken by the B r i t i s h , I think we could not have failed of Success. T h e Pennsylvania L i n e w i l l be pushed forward, by detachment, as fast as they can be reassembled or recruited. I hope the 1st. division w i l l consist of five or six hundred, and that they w i l l be soon upon their march. Having heard nothing from them very lately, I cannot ascertain the time, but I am certain that General W a y n e , who w i l l go forward with the first, w i l l be active on the occasion. I have the honor to be w i t h very great Respect and Esteem Y r Excellency's Most obt. and humble Servt, Go: W A S H I N G T O N R C ( C S m H ) ; in Tench Tilghman's hand, signed by Washington. F C ( D L C : Washington Papers).

To George Weedon SIR

I n Council April 4. 1781.

Y o u r Letters of the 1st. 2d. and 3d. instant came to hand this morning. I t is not in our power to send any additional arms to you at this time. I must therefore on this subject refer you to a Letter of mine which you had not then received, desiring that such men from the Counties destined for the present tour, as you have more 1

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than you can arm, may be sent over to General Muhlenberg, who I fear w i l l not be able to keep his riflemen till the reliefs get to h i m . I inclose you a resolution of Council as to the exchange of Citizens formed in general terms, the board being determined that nothing shall ever be done for this or that man particularly but under gen­ eral rules the advantage of which shall result equally to the lowest and highest citizens. [Colo. Curie having been taken i n arms, we think ourselves authorized to exchange for h i m in the military line. But we some time ago proposed Colo. Elligood i n opposition to Colo. Matthews who was taken at the battle of Germ[an]town and to this proposition have not yet received fi[nal] answer. I t would be very unjustifiable therefore to [defeat] Colo. Matthew's right by agreeing to the exchange no[w pro]posed of Elligood for Colo. Curie, nor have we in our po[ssessi]on any other subject of the same rank to propose. Indeed we fear the right of turn w i l l stand as an insuperable obstacle to every proposition for the exchange of this Genti[eman] when we recollect that a whole line stands before h i m in Captivity in Charlestown; and can we get over this without in­ curring the bitterest reproaches for the Gentlemen who would be thus put by, reproaches the more painful to us, as they would be unanswerable. I wish w i t h all m y soul Colo. Curie's enlargement on parole could be obtained. I think our indulgences to the captive officers of the enemy have been so liberal that, Geni. Philips espe­ cially, to whom this is known would not refuse it, particularly i n so cruel an Instance as that of Colo. Curie. W h e n I speak of an indulgence to him on parole I mean such a parole as a man of honour may sign and not one on pain of life and fortune, which could have been framed only by a person insensible of the obliga­ tions of honour. T o tender one of these would be an insult on Colo. Curie, and tantamount to the refusing h i m altogether.] I inclose you a L i s t of the prisoners we have here. A n y exchange of them which you can effect on the rule of Soldier for Soldier, Sailor for Sailor, citizen for citizen shall be confirmed by us. I have the honor to be with great respect S i r Y o u r mo. ob. Hble. Servt., T H : J E F F E R S O N R C ( P P A P ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by T J ; slightly mutilated. F C ( V i ) ; one or two words have been supplied from this text. T r of that part of the text en­ closed in brackets (supplied) is in N H i and was enclosed in T J to Steuben, 6 Apr. 1781, q.v. Enclosure ( P P A P ) : Extract from minutes of Council, at­ tested by Archibald Blair, clerk of Coun­ cil, as follows: "It is the opinion of

the Board that in any exchanges which may be negotiated with the enemy of citizen for citizen, the terms of exchange be strictly adhered to, calling for such citizens of ours first as have been long­ est in captivity. But as no register of captive Citizens has been or could have been kept for want of information, it must suffice that this rule be applied according to the best information at the

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5

time of the exchange. Should the enemy at any time think proper to liberate absolutely any number of captive citi­ zens of this State of which they shall be possessed, an equal number of theirs shall be liberated by us whensoever so many shall be in our possession." On the proposed exchange of E L L I ­ GOOD

IN

OPPOSITION

178 1

A P R I L

T O COLO.

T H E W S , see note to letter from Innes to T J , 30 Mch. i Weedon's letter of S Apr. apparent­ ly arrived after R C was transcribed from F C , for it originally read "1st and 2d instant" (as does F C ) and was then altered to read as above.

MAT­

To James Barbour SIR

I n Council April 5th. 1781.

W e are of opinion that such of the Militia in the South as had enlisted in the regular Service, ought not, had it been known, to have been put on the Draught roll: Because although the L a w required as well the absent as present M i l i t i a Men to be enrolled, yet it required M i l i t i a men only, and a M a n is no longer of the M i l i t i a from the Moment he enlists as a regular. T h a t A c t with­ draws h i m as absolutely from the body of M i l i t i a as Death does. T h a t being put on the Draught roll however, it is to be considered as i f the Name of a dead man had been put on: that i f the L o t fell on the enlisted or dead M a n the rest of the Division was exempted and could not a second T i m e be subjected of drawing, but i f it fell on any other that other is obliged to go. I am & c , T.J. FC (Vi). Although this is written as an opinion in Council, the proceed­ ings of this (or other) date do not record such a letter; see V a . C o u n c i l Jour., I I , 327-8.

To James Callaway SIR

I n Council April 5th. 1 7 8 1

Before you receive this a circular letter w i l l I expect have come to your hands from me accompanied by a resolution of Council for suspending your Draft till further order. I t is intended to be revived when all your M i l i t i a shall be returned. I t is our opinion that such of the Conspirators as knew of the A c t of pardon and failed to comply w i t h the Condition of it by taking the Oath of fidelity before the last D a y of February, and those who did not know of it and on being informed shall refuse to take the Oath ought to be put into a due Course of prosecution. Y o u r proceedings for the Assistance of General Greene meet our highest Approbation. On receiving information from h i m dated [ 353 ]

5

1 7 81

A P R I L

the 2 3 d of the last Month, that the V i r g i n i a M i l i t i a were about to leave h i m , we were obliged to call for more M i l i t i a to go to his A i d . Y o u r County was called on for a fourth of it's M i l i t i a . Those you may have lately sent w i l l be counted as part. I cannot say they w i l l be wanting no more than precisely a Month tho' I do not expect they w i l l . T h e N e w Levies in those Counties which for that very purpose were kept undisturbed 'till they could get through their Draft, and the Pensylvania L i n e may both be expected to join General Greene within a Month. I am &c, T.J. FC (Vi). A CIRCULAR LETTER . . . FROM M E :

No copy of this letter has been found, but evidently fifty copies of it were printed; see invoice of Dixon & Nicolson, under date of 23 Mch. 1781. For the opinion of Council advising such a course, see Va. Council Jour., I I , 316; see also Callaway to T J , 23 Mch. At the Oct. 1780 session of the Assembly an A C T O F P A R D O N was passed stating that "a number of ignorant people in the south western parts of this state have been deluded and misled by the emis­ saries of the common enemy, who have given a fresh proof that they spare no expense, and employ means the most dishonourable for accomplishing their purposes, bribing and seducing where their valour cannot subdue, and impos­ ing by direct falsehoods upon the credu­

lous, ignorant, and unwary, whereby some of the citizens of this common­ wealth have been induced to take an oath of allegiance to the king of Great Britain, and engaged to enlist for or into his service." T h i s Act provided that those who had "not superadded to the taking such oath and enlistment, any overt act criminal by law" and who on or before 28 Feb. 1781 should take the oath of fidelity to the commonwealth should be "fully and absolutely par­ doned . . . for the said offences." I t pro­ vided also that the Governor might par­ don sixteen individuals (all named in the A c t ) who had been imprisoned and who should also comply with the con­ ditions named in the Act (Hening, x, 324-6). T h e counties involved were Henry, Bedford, Pittsylvania, Botetourt, Montgomery, and Washington.

William Cherry's Account of Expenses, with Jefferson's Certification 1781 D r . Capt. Cherry April 3rd. T o 4 To To 5 To To

Richmond T o R i c h d . Hogg

Supper 50 Dollars, lodgn. 10. Breakfast 50 Dinner &c 90 Beer 3 0 lodg. 10. horse 50 dram 10 Breakfast 50 dinner &c 90

60 140 30 70 140 4 4 0 Dolls £132* W

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5

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In Council Apr. 5. [1781] Capt. Cherry has been detained here a day on requisition of the Executive and promise to pay his expences while detained. TH:

MS ( V i : Contingent Fund Vouchers); endorsed: "William Cherry 60. A p i . 5th. 1781 Contingent Exd." T J ' s cer­ tification, in his own hand, is on verso. Captain William Cherry was an offi­ cer in George Rogers Clark's Illinois regiment; Gwathmey, H i s t . Reg. of V i r ­ ginians i n the Revolution. He probably carried to Richmond an unidentified (and missing) letter from Clark to T J ; it could not have been that of 27 Mch., which was borne by L t . Bradford, nor could it have been that of 10 Feb., which was borne by Col. Crawford. No letter from Clark to T J between these dates is known to be extant, but it is very likely that Clark wrote T J during Mch. and that his letter, carried by Cherry, requested money for supplies and that it indicated that the terms of enlistment of some of his men were drawing to a close. For on 3 Apr. the Council directed the auditors to issue to Clark a warrant for £ 2 0 0 , 0 0 0 "upon ac­

J E F F E R S O N

count for the purpose of carrying on the expedition to the Westward and reinlisting such of the Troops in that De­ partment whose terms are near expir­ ing" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., n , 325 ) . T h i s sum of money was carried back to Clark by Capt. Cherry (see T J to Clark, 20 A p r . ) . Since T J detained Clark's officer from Tuesday, 3 Apr. to Thursday morning, 5 Apr., it is very likely that T J gave to Cherry a written reply to Clark; if so, neither the letter nor any record of it has been found. It is pos­ sible, of course, that both Clark and T J on this occasion communicated verbally through Cherry, but this was not a cus­ tomary practice for either when express riders or officers went from one to the other during the months of mounting an expedition that both considered so vital. Inserted in the hand of one of the auditors. 1

From Charles Dick SIR

Fredg. 5th April 1781.

The Bearer of this, Capt. Minor, returns directly. Y o u r E x c e l ­ lency w i l l please issue a W a r r a n t for One Hundred thousand pounds to come by h i m for the use of the G u n Factory; T h e sum sounds high, but it is not near equal to One thousand pounds in good T i m e s , and w i l l soon be out. Workmen's W a g e s are from £ 1 5 to £ 3 5

> . ' { Youner ) t_ • . ( Chesterfield Court House } . . . Captain j H a r d J J who is at jM r T r e n t s a t0 z b o r n e s j to give m the information to some justice of the Peace for the County of Henrico who w i l l thereupon determine the nature of the offence of which Captn. Reeves may have been guilty and put h i m under a due Course of legal Prosecution. T h e sooner this is done the better and [ 369 ]

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I need not observe to you the propriety of your both attending the justice together. I am &c, T.J. FC (Vi). The proceedings of the Council con­ tain no reference to T H E I N F O R M A T I O N AGAINST

CAPTN.

REEVES,

but

the

fol­

lowing note of 7 Apr. is suggestive of the reasons for this and other such omissions in the journal: "The Board, finding it necessary to employ some per­ son to bring up their back proceedings and to register such Letters, fragments of their journals, and other papers as have not been destroyed by the enemy ano! may be collected, do appoint M r . Charles Hay an occasional Clerk for this purpose. M r . Hay attended and took an oath to keep secret the proceedings of the board" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., n, 3 2 9 ) . A more informative comment is contained in the following from Richard Call to Steuben: "Yesterday a Captain

Reeves was taken into confinement by my order. From the accounts of different gentlemen he appears to have been guilty of practices inimical to America. There cannot as yet be any positive proof procured, but as the enemy are in motion, perhaps for this post, I thought my duty as an officer pointed out the necessity of preventing as much as pos­ sible their gaining any intelligence of our situation or at any rate prevent per­ sons of suspicious characters from lurk­ ing about a place where military opera­ tions are carrying on. A Captain Hardy who came round with a flag from Charleston I am informed is acquainted with many circumstances in Reeves' conduct" (Call to Steuben, dated at Petersburg, 20 Apr. 1781, N H i ) .

To Samuel Huntington SIR

Richmond April 7th. 1781.

Hearing that our arms from Rhode island are arrived at Phila­ delphia, I have begged the favor of our delegates to send them on in waggons immediately, and for the conveyance of m y letter have taken the liberty of setting the Continental line of expresses in motion, which I hope our distress for arms w i l l justify, tho' the errand be not purely Continental. I have nothing from Geni. Greene later than the 27th. of M a r c h . Our accounts from Portsmouth vary the reinforcement which came under Geni. Phillips from 2 5 0 0 , to 3 0 0 0 . Arnold's strength before was I think reduced to 1 1 0 0 . T h e y have made no movement as yet. T h e i r preparation of boats is considerable. Whether they mean to go Southwardly or up the river, no leading circumstance has yet decided. I have the honor to be with the highest respect Y o u r Excellency's Most obedt. & most Hble servt, T H : J E F F E R S O N R C ( D L C : P C C , No. 7 1 , n ) ; endorsed in the hand of Charles Thomson: "Letter from Govr Jefferson April 7. 1781 Read 16." T r ( D L C ) .

[370]

From Edmund Read SIR

Port Royal 7th. April 1781

I this morning received a Letter from Colo. Skinker of K i n g George County, informing me that their was two large Sloops and three Small Vessells of the E n e m y , cum up to M r . Hooes F e r r y , landed on the M a r y l a n d Shore did Considerable Mistufe, they then Crosed the R i v e r and Landed at M r . Hooes and has burnt down his Houses last evening, taken off Negroes Stock &c. I thought I t my Indispenceable duty to march down to the Assistance of those People, such of m y Horses as cood by any meens do any Cervice (tho V e r r y P o o r ) Hoping to Drive off those Plunderers with the Assistance of the Gentlemen Vollenteers of this Place. I have the Honour to be S i r w i t h Respect Y r . Mo. Obt H u m b l Servt., E D M D

R E A D

R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

From Thomas Read SIR

Charlotte. 7. April. 1781.

T h e Court M a r t i a l of this County have directed me to lay before your Excellency, a Copy of their Proceedings respecting the M a r c h of their M i l i t i a , Ordered to the Southard to join General Greene, and to await your farther Orders respecting the same. A n d at the same time to Acquaint your Excellency that on the Approach of L o r d Cornwallis to this State, the whole of the M i l i t i a of this County were Ordered to M a r c h to join General Greene with an Expectation, that such who Cou'd not Procure A r m s , would be supply'd by General Greene. A s that was not the Case, as many of the Men as was furnished in the County with A r m s , Marched, the others were sent home by the Orders of General Greene. So the whole of the M i l i t i a of this County have Performed a tour of duty, since those Ordered to Portsmouth, which makes it the T o u r of those Men now at Portsmouth, should your excellency think it Necessary to Repeat the Order for the M a r c h of the 156 Men to the Southard. Cap. W h i t e , who delivers this, w i l l take Charge of any Order you may be pleased to give respecting this Matter. I have the Honour to be S i r Y o u r M o : Obt. Servt., T H O M A S R E A D R C ( V i ) ; addressed (in part): "favr. of Cap. White"; endorsed. Enclosure missing.

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To Thomas Read SIR In Council April 7th. 1781 I am sorry to find that the Order for 156 of your Militia to join General Greene is likely to bear so hard and yet that his Necessities are such as leaves it in our Power to relax somewhat only and not to excuse altogether. The Number 156 was calculated as a fourth of your Militia according to the latest Return we then had. Your present return would reduce the fourth to 141. However instead of that we will require 100 only, and that among these shall be counted such of your Deserters from the Militia Service at Portsmouth or elsewhere as you shall immediately send on, and any of your Militia now with General Greene who will stay as long as the Militia now going out. By a return made to me the last of February you had but 108 Men in Service with the lower Army. The Number is probably since reduced still more by Desertion. From this Service therefore taking immediate and vigorous Measures to sentence and send them on, your number will be considerably eased. And I hope that the dif­ ference may be made up without great Hardships. We keep a very exact Account of the Duties performed by the several Counties and shall attend most pointedly to the equalizing them through the State, so that no County shall have Cause to com­ plain of an unequal pressure of Service. I shall hope you will send on 100 Men as before mentioned with­ out Delay. I am &c, T.J. FC (Vi).

From David Ross Richmond [7] A p r . 1 7 8 1 . Acknowledges a letter of this date "with Geni. Spotswood's letter which is now return'd. In obedience to your reccomendation I have extended the Contract for Catridge Boxes and belts to 2000 More, judging the price reasonable, if the exchange can be adjusted by the price of Tobacco." Has written "to the General" on the subject of the exchange "and allowed him to draw for a part of the Money in terms of his letter"; encloses his letter "to be forwarded when you write to him." R C ( V i ) ; 3 p.; addressed; endorsed: "David Ross Letter. Reed April 7th 1781." G E N L . SPOTSWOOD'S L E T T E R : See Spotswood to T J , 3 A p r . No letter to Ross from

T J of 7 Apr. has been found.

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T a x Commissioners of Lancaster County to the Auditors, with a Note by Jefferson Lancaster, 7 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . If the bearer, Mr. Job Carter, applies for an order on the treasurer for his expenses in carrying dispatches to the governor and treasurer, he is to be given the customary allowance. Reply follows: "In Council Apr. 12. 1781. If the Auditors shall be satisfied that the bearer came for the purpose of bringing the tobacco notes and not on private business, the board are of opinion he should be allowed as an express. T h : Jefferson." R C ( V i : Contingent Fund Vouchers); 1 p.; signed by Henry Towles, James Tapscott, and James Gordon, "Commisrs of T a x . " T J ' s note, in his own hand, is on verso.

To Robert Andrews SIR

Richmond April 8th. 1781.

I n Answer to your favour of the 4 t h instant, I am to inform you that two horses shall be furnished by the Public for your Journey to Philadelphia. M r . Madison having hinted to me that he proposed to be at this Place within a few D a y s , I have urged h i m on that Head, and in the mean time shall defer writing to President R e i d that I may previously obtain ( w h i c h I may do from conversing w i t h M r . Madison) a perfect Idea of the mode of having this B u s i ­ ness done, and drop nothing to President Reid inconsistent w i t h that. I am &c, T.J. FC (Vi).

From Humphrey Brooke F a u q u i e r County, 8 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . Acknowledges a packet by express, but it did not contain the letter T J desired to be sent to the commis­ sioner of the tax. The draft for the Continental army is over, and all the soldiers that could be collected are delivered to Maj. Willis; some who were sick will march as soon as they are able to do so. "The Extraor­ dinary Court for inquiring into delinquents under the act of Assembly for providing Beef Clothes and Waggons will be held for this County the 19th of this month at which time I have great reason to believe every article required of this County will be ready to deliver. . . . The Waggon is sent to the Quarter Master at Fredericksburg." The clothes are ordered to be delivered to L t . Col. John Blackwell, appointed a deputy under "Mr. Brown" [John Browne]. R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; addressed and endorsed.

[373 ]

T o the Rev. James Madison SIR

Richmond April 8th. 1781.

I am authorized to* inform you that a good Horse or two shall be furnished you by the Public for your Journey. I think it would be unreasonable in us to expect the Pensylvania Commissioners to carry a T i m e Piece to Fort Pitt unless we should send one to Phila­ delphia which would be preposterous. I should be very unwilling to admit a Difference to be begun w i t h them on this Subject. I think in my Letter to you I undertook to assure you that i f the T i m e piece of the College should receive such an injury as could be repaired here, it should be repaired at the Public Expence, and i f could not be repaired that the Instrument should be replaced as soon as peace shall have opened Importations to us, but indeed i f carried in a covered W a g g o n which shall be provided, well packed, laid on a feather bed which you may find it necessary to carry for yourself, or otherwise on Straw, or perhaps swung, it cannot receive Injury. W h e n it is considered that this Instrument was given by the Public, that the loan of it is now asked for a Purpose important to the Public Interest and in no small Degree to Geographical Science and that it goes insured by the Public, I hope the temporary Incon­ veniences which may result by possibility w i l l not deprive the State of the Benefit of it. Y o u mention in your Letter a Purpose of coming here shortly. L e t me take the liberty of intreating you to suffer the private Mo­ tives which were leading you here to be inforced by the Public Object and to come immediately. A s I w i s h much to be quite possessed of the Mode and Circum­ stances of transacting this Business, before I write to President R e i d which I shall accordingly defer in Hopes of seeing you, it w i l l probably shorten the business i f I can inform h i m what we have in Idea, what we can contribute &c. Besides this there is another very interesting Subject on which some others as well as myself w i s h a free Conference w i t h you. I n Hopes of seeing you immediately I shall add nothing more than that I am w i t h very great Esteem &c, T.J. FC (Vi). T h i s was in response to a (missing) letter written by Madison in reply to T J ' s letter to him and Andrews of 31 Mch. I n that letter T J asked the two commissioners to solicit the loan of "the proper instruments" for the business, but nothing was said about safeguard­

ing these instruments against injury. It is therefore possible, but not likely, that there were two letters from Madi­ son and one from T J to him (all miss­ ing) between 31 Mch. and the present date; it seems more likely that T J did not remember the precise terms of his letter of 31 Mch. Madison's letter (or

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8 A P R I L letters) no doubt requested "a good Horse or two" and suggested that T J ask the Pennsylvania commissioners to carry a chronometer to Pittsburgh, a suggestion that obviously annoyed the Gov-

17 8 1 ernor. There is no further clue to the VERY INTERESTING S U B J E C T on which T J and others wished to consult Madison.

From Philip Mazzei SIR

Leghorn, April 8. 1781.

A g r é a b l e to what I said in letter 2 3 , dated florence J a n u a r y 5th, I have again the mortification to say, that I am still deprived of the honour of Y o u r commands. I n letter 8. I had desired to have my letters inclosed to my good friend M r . M a r k L y n c h M t . [Merchant] in Nantes, or D r . F r a n k l i n . I n my preceding I desired that you would be pleased to inclose them to the said M r . L y n c h , M r . John Adams, or M r . F a v i , the T u s c a n agent in P a r i s . B u t as M r . Adams is in holland and likely to continue there for some time I now desire that they may be always inclosed to M r . L y n c h , being very easy for h i m to send them to M r . F a v i from whom I have them through a very safe channel. M r . L y n c h is one of the most punctual and serviceable M e n on E a r t h , and can get them from all parts of the coast equally as well as any other; and I have reasons to apprehend that they may be mislead, or at least retarded, i f they are not inclosed to h i m . I beg leave to copy for your perusal part of a letter I wrote to M r . John Adams a few days before the news come of the loss of the D u t c h in the west Indias, as it chifly contains what I think my duty to communicate to Y o u . "Your much esteemed letter, dated Amsterdam January 18, which on account of my late Journeys was sent after me from florence to Pisa, Leghorn, and Genoa, and from Genoa to florence again, Pisa, and Leghorn, has at last found me here. I had imagined that in consequence of Mr. Laurens's misfortune you would of your own accord continue in Holland longer than you at first intended, and am Glad to hear that you have been ordered so to do, as I hope it will be for our Good. A t least, if any Good is to be made of the Dutch, you are in my opinion the properest person to bring them to it. You will probably persuade them to lend us some of their money, but you won't, I am afraid, so easily succeed to rise up their martial spirits. B y Your letter it seems that you have a better notion of their warlike operations, than I have. I f you could tell me any thing agréable on that, or any other account, I wish you woud do it, and I assure you Sir, that I am far from assuming to trouble you to satisfy my curiosity; I am confident that I can turn to good account any information of things which are likely to be of service, directly or indirectly, to our Glorious cause. £375]

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"In answer to your question on the probability of borrowing money in Italy for the United states on the authority of congress, I beg leave to offer to your consideration what I wrote on the subject to my state in letter 21 and 22; the first copies of which I had inclosed to you and were in consequence of your absence forwarded to America by M r . Dana." Here follow the quotations from the 2 . said letters; the contents of which I again recommend to your perusal. "At Genoa I have been eye-witness of the large sums those people have lately imployed in france. They have even put some money in England. They won't keep it unimployed, and have been tempted by the advantagious annuities of france, and the high interest given by the other. I cannot as yet succeed to persuade them, that England cannot continue much longer to pay the interest of such exhorbitant debt. The Virginity of that Government in point of bankerupcy is of so great a service to them, that many people wont open their eyes to look at the impossibility of continuing so, and I dare say You can find many such where you are. " I am of opinion that some money can be borrowed in Italy, notwith­ standing the large quantity, which has been imployed ever since I arrived; but in order that I may persuade them to it, it is requisite that I should be well acquainted, as I have often repeated, with the present system of our finances, and the situation and prospect of our affairs in General. "In mine of the 19 of October I had the honour to inform you, that the people here are inclined to lend their money rather to Congress, than to an individual state; but if I should have the honour of serving the united states in such business, I wish that you woud first undertake to justify my conduct with the executive of Virginia (by whom I was sent chiefly to borrow money for the State. ) Although I have not as yet received the duplicates of my commission &ca." I should really be at the loss what to do, i f I was requested to act for congress, between the Danger of losing the opportunity of serving our common cause, and the possibility of displeasing you if I was to act before I had your leave to do it. T h i s is another rea­ son, in addition to the great many and powerful I already had, to desire that you w i l l honour me with your commands without further delay. Rodney's success against the most vile jews of Europe ( I mean the pusillanimous still unarmed D u t c h ) has afforded matter to the E n g l i s h and their partizans to throw dust in the E y e s of many people, because too few are those who take the trouble, or are able, to penetrate to the bottom of things. T h e Substance of their exagér­ ation and nonsensical assertions is that the E n g l i s h can carry on the w a r for ever, because their credit is good, and they can always [ 376 ]

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have as much money as they want, since when the minister wants 12 millions he finds subscribers for 30; that they carry on the w a r at the expence of others. T h a t the acquisitions made from the D u t c h are and w i l l be so plentiful a harvest, as not to be easily exausted; that though the aquisitions concern only private individuals, and not the publick, it is quite the same while the wealth goes in the Country &c. &c. I have thought proper to show the falsity of such arguments w i t h reasons, which by all unprejudiced people, are judged to be un­ answerable. T h e facts I state are proved, and the consequences are next to a geometrical demonstration. I t may perhaps not be amiss to let our people see some of m y remarks, which might be an­ nounced as translated from an European paper, without mentioning my name; to take away the idea of partiality, often supposed in any thing written by the interested party, though the reasoning be as clear as the moon. A s I have had the advantage of writing in good Italian, and can only translate in broken E n g l i s h that part of m y piece containing facts and reflections, apt to make impression on our people, I must w i s h that somebody w i l l take the trouble of restoring it into good language w i t h clearness, energy, and pre­ cision. I first of all speak of the Dutch, and conclude that their late loss w i l l be an advantage for us, i f capable of shacking them, and put­ ting them i n motion; or, i f they w i l l remain inactive as they were, it w i l l be indifferent. T h e conveniency of a neutral place in those parts was in these times of a greater service to the E n g l i s h contra­ band trade, than to that of all other belligerent Nations, and most part of the goods taken on board the vessels was E n g l i s h property. I t is true that the loss is heavy on the Dutch, and probably the worst for them is to come, but it can never be proportional to their merits. T h e Russian Maritime trade is not worth mentioning; the Russian flag had been respected; and notwithstanding the Empress of Russia was the first to propose the armed neutrality, and had soon 3 0 . ships of the line in readiness. T h e Dutch derive all their wealth and power from the sea; they had almost every thing to lose; they had already lost a great deal; they had received more insults from E n g l a n d than any set of cowards could ever bear; and with all that they were the last to sign it. T h e y did not do it untili they were compelled, and are still unarmed. W i t h them trade is every thing and every thing is to be calculated by profit and loss. However bringing in nothing is nothing; and K i c k s and Slaps are a good article of trade with them i f they bring in a penny; or i f the [377]

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returning the compliment w i l l cost a penny more than the loss attending the receiving them, they are to be put up with. Such is the true character of the Dutch; and it is right that they should feel at last, that the trade of K i c k s and Slaps is not always profitable. Had they had the courage to be at the expence of arming 30 vessels, they not only would have been able to protect their trade and set­ tlements, but woud have been respected. M a n y people have been of opinion that the armed neutrality was a mistery, and pretend now to prove it by the answer of the Empress of Russia to the Dutch; which has been, that they ought to have put themselves in a state of opposing the E n e m y , and not I n t i r e l y depend on the assistance of others. T h e r e may be a mistery, as they say; but that is not proved by the answer, w h i c h is exceedingly proper and J u s t . A s from the said political piece I set down only some observa­ tions taken from different places, I dont mind here the connection of m y discourse, nor am I scrupolous in the translation. F o r exam­ ple, I have not made use in my piece of the Epitets I J u s t l y give the D u t c h in this letter. L e t us now take a view of the E n g l i s h finances. I n the year 6 4 , when the national debt was 140. millions, the famous Grenville said, and with reason, that as long as E n g l a n d could pay the interest of the debt, her credit would be good, and that he coud assure from his own accurate survey into the matter, that she could bear an additional debt of 4 0 Millions. T h e resource of E n g l a n d to pay the interest of a new debt is the creation of new taxes. W h e n the minister last year proposed in Parliament the taxes to pay the interest of the money borrowed, he declared that the produce would overbalance the interest. I t was easy to forsee that there woud be a considerable deficiency, as both reason and experience teach, that the use of things must diminish in propor­ tion to the increase of price and the more or less need the people have of them. Therefore the produce of a tax w i l l always fall short. I f calculated on the presumption that an article newly taxed w i l l be imported, used or manufactured in the same quantity, as it was before the tax was laid upon it, the produce of the tax on glass has been trifling to what the Minister had sat down in his account; the deficiency on the whole amounts to a large sum; and I am glad that I had foretold it to these people, as the Minister has at last thought proper, or necessary, to own it in Parliament. H e has however de­ clared, that the new taxes shall not be onerous to the Nation. T o be sure he must think of L a y i n g them in the Islands discovered by Cook, in order that the nation may not feel the W e i g h t of them. [ 378 ]

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T h e presumption is more childish than impudent. H o w is it possible that a nation, who last Y e a r could not pay 7, w i l l easily pay 8. in this? H e says that he wants better than 14 millions and half, that the money is not easily found, and that the lenders must have 7. per cent. I f even the sum wanting for this year was no more than 14 millions and half, which is not the case, and though one of the 7 per cent may be got by lottery-tickets &ca, and the publick shoud really pay no more than 6, the annual interest w i l l at any rate be near 9 0 0 , 0 0 0 pounds sterling. I t is true that a nation w i l l more easily pay 2 0 when the taxes are properly laid, than 1 7 , or 1 5 . i f they are laid injudiciously; but there is a certain L i m i t in every thing, beyond which is not possible to go. E n g l a n d can no more pay the interest of her debt, the trial is made; new taxes w i l l bring in some thing; but nothing like the sum wanting from them; and even the old taxes must fall short. W h e n the Interest cannot be paid in full without creating new debts bankerupcy is approaching with gigantick steps. T h e wealth imported by plunder is of little service to the publick. T h e Gainers are but few in proportion to the rest, who are sufferers, and the taxes are paid by a l l . T h e gainers may contribute some thing more than they did by the greater con­ sumption, but the sufferers must on the other hand be more sparing. Those who grow rich by plundering their Enemies or their own publick, dont let the publick share with them; they dont even lend their money to the publick at a reasonable interest; the money men on the contrary take the advantage of the publick wants. A s to the pretended florishing trade of E n g l a n d nothing can be more false. T h e truth is that the few goods, which are now exported from E n g ­ land, sell upon average about 2 0 per cent lower than in time of peace, though the quantity manufactured is very small in proportion to what it was, and the necessaries of life are much dearer. I dont need to go out of this place to prove it. I have seen the lists of prices and compared them. Y o u w i l l find here inclosed a list of articles, specifying how much lower every article sells now, than it did in time of peace. T h i s piercing wound to the british manufactures, which by all appearences w i l l be incurable, is however of a very great help to the Ministry to carry on their present extreme efforts, since a great many thousands Journeymen have been obliged to enlist in to the service to avoid starving, besides those who have been tempted by the prospect of gain. Admitting the said facts which cannot be denied, their approaching ruin is unavoidable. T o say that it won't be the case because they go on still, though the general conjecture had not given them so long a life, is the same as [ 379 ]

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to presume that a man i n consumption w i l l be cured, because he did not die last winter, as it had been supposed. A l l unprejudiced men taking the trouble to look into it, w i l l see that the evil is encurable but the exact time of death is not to be predicted. On the same false principle it could be said, that the great financer Grenville was wrong in regard to the 4 0 millions, as the additional debt is already above 60 and they go on still. I t is even to be supposed that Grenville in his calculation considered america as part of the british E m p i r e and that he rated the interest of the 4 0 millions at no more than 4 per cent, which was till then the highest the publick had paid, but all that dont prove that he was wrong. T o be sure he did not pretend to say what could be done in a state of despair. I t is clear that the ministry think only of the present, and disregard intirely what is to come. Not only a nation but even an individual can do wonderfull efforts in any one of his actions, i f he dont care to ruin, or k i l l himself. T h e efforts of a Nation actuated by the enthusiasm of liberty, though it be a mere illusion, w i l l always be a great thing, but it is not possible to continue long in a stretched position. T o deny the approach of national Bankrupcy on the sup­ position that i f it was so no body would lend their money to Govern­ ment, is another false argument. W e must observe that the national faith in money matter is still unstained. T h i s is universally known, but it is not every one who w i l l or can look into the matter deeply enough, as to see the impossibility of continuing so. T h e nature of their Government is likewise very favorable to their credit, as few as yet are those who see the many and great fundamental E r r o r s that are in it. B u t perhaps the high interest is the strongest induce­ ment, as we see dayley in private contracts people blinded by it running the risk of losing the capital, rather than to lend their money at a moderate premium on safe ground. T h e r e is even a very great room to believe a secret understanding between the minister and the few large subscribers, who appear to be w i l l i n g to sub­ scribe for a much larger sum than is required, though in fact they dont run the risk of a farthing, and serve only to bring in a number of fools, to whom they appear to transfer part of their bargain out of mere friendship. I t is certain that the money comes in every slowly, which would not be the case i f the subscription was fair. I n france on the contrary the Credit of the k i n g is as high now, as it was low in the past reign. Necker is the most terrible E n e m y E n g l a n d ever had; and B u r k fortold it in the house of Commons. T h e r e they go to subscribe w i t h the money i n hand, and often have been obliged of late to carry it back. I can assure it, because I have [380]

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seen it. W h i l e I was in P a r i s , one Busoni, a banker, being ordered by his corrispondents in Genoa to take 3 0 0 , 0 0 0 Ecus, that is 900,000 Livres, in a new loan, and knowing the difficulty of getting them, he applied to Marquis Caraccioli, the Napolitan Ambassa­ deur, desiring that he would ask it as a favour of M r . Necker his intimate friend. M r . Necker after having promised, was obliged to beg of the Marquis to return him his word for the half of the sum, a favour he had been obliged to beg, and had obtained from other friends. These are the foundamental points, on which we can w i t h some certainty build our notion of the future, and not certain daily events, often accidental, which cannot bring on material consequences in the present system of things. I dont intertain the least doubt about the perseverance of my country men, and hope that no one of them would ever think of uniting again w i t h a nation, who, in spite of some temporary sparks of fortune, could not help involving us in her ruin and dishonour. Notwithstanding it may not be amiss every now and then to inform our people of the actual situation of affairs, and to help them to conjecture with prudence and discretion. I have the honour to be most respectfully, S i r , Y o u r Excellency's most Obedient & most Humble Servant, P H I L I P MAZZEI T h i s is the demonstration, as mentioned in letter 2 4 . Everlastings 15 amiens 12 Durois 4 2 Y s . L o n g 10 L o n g E l l s 28 Y s . 12 Bibbs Calimancoes 3 0 Y s . 20 Cottins 20 Daffils 20 Plains 16 Long Bays 25 North Cloth, Bristol Middle fine 15 W h i t e Serges 33 Y s . 12 Says only 2 5 y s . L o n g 10 Super fine Says 4 2 ys. long 12 Manchester Manufacture 25 Comelotts 15

16 14 14 14 25 20

14

20

P S. I have omitted in regard to the B r i t i s h finances to take Notice of another observation, which w i t h me is very stricking. Before the W a r r of 56 the 3 ^ Cent had not been lower than 103 and 104, and only fell to 1 0 1 , at the time of the declaration. After so Glorious [381]

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a W a r , so honorable peace, and many advantagious conquests; they had not been before the present war higher than 83 and 84, except for a few months Immediately after the conclusion of the peace. This anecdote considering the difference of the times, Joined to the monstruous increase of the National Debt, offers now a very dismal prospect of the future to any Englishman, who is it not really mad. A General Bankerupcy is unavoidable and many sensible People are of opinion that it will in time give England a new Life. I t is not improbable, but who can forsee the consequences of so terrible a stroke? Certain it is that it must pass a Number of Years for the remedy to produce its good Effects. Here follows a paragraph copied from the Leiden Gazzett. "L'on dit que le Chavalier George Rodney sera elevé a la Pairie sous le nom de lord Rodney. Les tittres de cet admiral a la faveur et á l'Enjouement du Publick, dont il Jouit a present au plus haut degrés, sont d'avoir enlevé avec une flotte de 23 a 25 Vaissaux un convoy Marchand protégé par un seul Vaisseau, d'avoir battu avec L a même flotte un Escadre de 9 Vaisseaux d'avoir enlevé trois petites Iles sans defence et ou il n y avoit pas un seul soldat de Garrison. Mais a forces egales d'avoir été tenu E n Echec par le comte de Guichen dans 3 combats consécutifs, d'avoir été repoussé par une poignée de soldats françois a L'Isle de St. Vincent; d'avoir fait une course inutile a new Yorck, et d'en être revenu &ca." You know, I suppose that the British K i n g wrote him a long letter enumerating his Great services &ca. and that he is puffed up as if he was the Hero of the Age. Nothing can show better that they have nothing to boast of. I n other times an Admiral, who out of Mere good luck had been in circumstances of doing what any common fellow would have done, and had abandoned the field of Battles 3 times to the french in Equal Combates, would not have avoided being burnt in Effigies in every Street of London. N.B. Only 6. Vessels of Langara's squadron were engaged, and not 9. R C ( M i U - C ) ; in a clerk's hand, with salutation, date-line, and complimentary close and signature by Mazzei. A t head of text: "24. 2d. [i.e., 24th dispatch, 2d copy]." Not printed in Marraro's M a z z e i . Mazzei's

PIECE

CONTAINING

FACTS

A N D R E F L E C T I O N S , from which certain passages in the present letter were translated, has not been found. I t seems clear from the context that Mazzei

intended to convey the impression that he was translating from an unpublished rather than published paper. He may, however, have intended the original for publication in Europe, especially in view of the fact that it did not employ "the Epitets I Justly give the Dutch in this letter." L E T T E R N O . 8: See V o l . 3: 460,

note.

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From Joseph Prentis Williamsburg 8th April 1781.

D E A R S I R

The great inconvenience that has arisen to my private avocations from a daily attendance at the Council Board, has impelled me to resign the appointment. I must therefore request the favor of your Excellency to transmit the inclosed Letter of resignation to the Speaker of the House of Delegates. Permit me to tender m y respects to yourself and the Gentlemen of the Board and to assure you that I am w i t h great respect Y r . E x c e l l y s most ob & most humble Sevt., J. PRENTIS R C ( V i ) ; addressed (in part): "favoured by Colo. Curie"; endorsed. E n closure ( V i ) : Joseph Prentis to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, W i l liamsburg, 5 Apr. 1781, resigning from

the Council, Prentis, who had been in fairly constant attendance at the Council meetings, was last present on 22 Mch. ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., ii, 315).

From George Weedon DR. SIR

Williamsburg 8 Ap. 1781.

I am honor'd w i t h a resolution of Council of 4th Inst, and your previous Letter directing the disposal of the M i l i t i a , and have lodged orders at Hanover Court for the Commanding Officers who are directed to cross James R i v e r at Sandy Point and join Geni. Muhlenburg. T h e M e n from Frederick and Berkely have ordered to join me, as from frequent application have been obliged to dis­ charge those Men drawn out from this part of the Country, as also those from Gloster. I have the Honor to enclose your Excellency General Returns by which you w i l l see the Counties that make m y defences on this side James R i v e r . W h e n I wrote the B r i t i s h General at Portsmouth on the subject of an exchange, I did not particularize, or even communicate a W i s h in favor of any Individual, as your Board may see by m y Letter 2nd Inst. Copy of which is enclosed, leaving the L i s t for exchange entirely to the Executive, nor can I with any propriety ask an enlargement for any particular person without incurring the displeasure of those who would remain, as a request of that sort would not only carry marks of partiality with it, but might i f granted be considered by the B r i t i s h Commander as an obligation. I therefore in m y Letter 6th Inst, which accompanied Armistead's F l a g only hinted at the justness of such a favor, it having been in many instances granted the B r i t i s h Prisoners, leaving M r . A r m [383

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8 A P R I L

17 8 1

stead to mention C o l . Curie as the object of the Hint, nor could I dictate a parole to C o l . Curie. I am persuaded he w i l l sign nothing derogatory to his Honor, or the L a w s of the State. I yesterday re­ ceived from Major Geni. Phillips, answer to m y Letter of 2nd by Major Callis, Copy of which have the Honor to enclose. I t would seem by Geni. Phillips Letter, as well as by the resolution of the Executive, that I had officially proposed C o l . Curie against C o l . Allegood. I beg your Excellency however to be satisfied, this was not the case and further that I have not, nor w i l l I concern w i t h matters of this sort, but on a just and liberal Scale first authorized by the Executive or Commanding Officer. I would w i s h at the same time to encourage the reciprocal advantages arising to each Side in L i b e r a l exchanges. I t also seems to be the desire of Geni. Phillips, and as the L i s t sent in by M r . Armstead w i l l not liberate the whole of our prisoners in their Hands, can I not be authorized to assure the B r i t i s h General that on sending the whole of them out that were taken in A r m s , an equal Number shall be sent him as soon as they can be marched from the B a c k Country. T h e E n e m y are making the greatest preparations for a Move. I t is said a Junction with L d . Cornwallis is the Object. I f so the doubt is whether they w i l l attempt it by the Great Bridge, Cape Fear or up James R i v e r and by Petersburg. A l l their ships are gone out except a few that lay in Elizabeth River. I have the Honor to be with [high?] Esteem Y r . Excellencies Most obt. Servt, G WEEDON P S I beg your Excellencies Answer immediately. I t was a doubt w i t h me whether I should send your Letter back that is wrote by Geni. Phillips or whether I should forward it. I t being received by the officer at Hampton Determined me in the latter. G W R C ( V i ) ; in a clerk's hand, with postscript and signature by Weedon; endorsed in two different hands: "Geni Weeden's Letter inclosg Sundrie fm Geni Phillips reed Api 8 1 . Geni Weedon's Letter inclosing Letters from and to General Phillips April 10th 1781." Enclosures: ( 1 ) Returns of militia serv­ ing with Weedon; not found. ( 2 ) Copy of Weedon's letter to Phillips, Williams­ burg, 2 Apr., requesting that "the Ship sailing for New York with American Prisoners may be detained a few days in which time expect to be Authorised to Exchange part of them." ( 3 ) Copy of Weedon to Phillips, Williamsburg, 6

Apr., transmitting the list of British prisoners at Richmond that T J had sent to Weedon in his letter of 4 Apr. (see below). ( 4 ) Copy of Phillips to Weedon, Portsmouth, 6 Apr., printed above under its date. Enclosures ( 2 ) , ( 3 ) , and ( 4 ) are all in V i and are copies in Weedon's hand. Weedon's statement that when he proposed an exchange to Phillips he did not particularize or express a preference for any individual may be technically correct, but there is no doubt that the exchange in view was largely if not wholly determined by the apparently concerted effort to liberate Col. Curie,

[384]

8 APRIL as is made explicit in Weedon's letter to T J of 2 Apr., in Moss Armistead's journey to Richmond with Innes' letter of 30 Mch., and in Armistead's con­ ducting a flag with Weedon's letter to Phillips of 6 Apr. I n the last letter Weedon wrote: " I had the honor of address­ ing you the 2d. Inst, since which have been furnished with a list of British Prisoners now in Richmond who I would willingly exchange for an equal Num­ ber of Americans—Soldier for SoldierSeaman for Seaman—and Citizen for Citizen. M r . Moss Armistead who will deliver you this is Authorised to ratify on my part, the Exchange of any Num­ ber on said list you may please to agree to"; from this it is apparent that Weedon had received the list of prisoners and the authorization for an exchange of them as set forth in T J ' s letter to him of 4 Apr. Weedon also, without mentioning Curie, restated in his letter to Phillips of 6 Apr. the wish T J had expressed for an enlargement of cap­ tive officers on parole: "The Executive of the State have in many instances granted great indulgences to the Cap­ tive officers of the British Army, And I would wish favours of a Similar Nature might be extended to such as are Ob­ jects of enlargement, on Parole, I mean

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those who are infirm and by the chance of war now Seperated from their Fami­ lies" ( V i ; cvsp, H , 1 7 ) . T h i s , as Wee­ don pointed out, left Armistead free "to mention Col. Curie as the object of the Hint." Weedon had reason to believe that "the Hint" would be effective, since Phillips had already declared it would be his policy to agree to a mutual parole of all captive officers (Phillips to Wee­ don, 6 A p r . ) . T h a t "the Hint" took effect is proved by the fact that Col. Curie arrived in Richmond probably by the time Weedon's present explanation of his conduct came to T J (see note to Prentis' letter to T J of this date ) . Y O U R LETTER . . . WROTE BY GENL. PHILLIPS:

This indubitably refers to Phillips' let­ ter of 6 Apr. addressed "To Thos. Jef­ ferson Esqr. American Governor of Vir­ ginia." Weedon's uncertainty as to whether to send this letter back to Phil­ lips or forward it to T J may be ex­ plained in one of two ways: ( 1 ) that Weedon himself felt the style of address improper, or ( 2 ) that he knew T J would resent it. T h e former seems more probable, since, as an American officer at Hampton had already accepted the letter, its return would not have served the same purpose as an original rejec­ tion.

From Robert Wooding, with a Memorandum by Jefferson Halifax County, 8 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . Immediately after his appointment as county lieutenant, Wooding inquired "into the Present State of the Mili­ tia when I found that the Greatest part of the Officers below a Captain, and even some of them, were not Commissioned." The reason, he has been told, is that his predecessor had "no Blank Commissions to fill up for the many New Appointments which was Occasioned by the fre­ quent Removals, Deaths, and Resignations of the Officers in this Coun­ ty." Since in a few days TJ's order for marching part of the Halifax militia to join Gen. Greene will be put into execution, Wooding desires a supply of blank commissions by the bearer. Postscript reads: "We are much straited for Paper in this Quarter." At foot of text: "Mr. Blair will be pleased to inclose two dozen blank commissions to Colo. Wood­ ing. T h : Jefferson." R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; addressed (in part): "By Express"; endorsed. T J ' s note to Archibald Blair is in his own hand.

[385]

Advice of Council respecting James Hayes' Newspaper [9 April

1781]

T h e Board being informed that M r . Hayes, agent for M r . D u n lap, is nearly ready to begin the publication of his weekly gazette, which by Contract w i t h the executive was to consist always of a full sheet of the size and type of Dunlaps Philadelphia paper con­ taining intelligence, useful essays and public notifications on the part of government, publishing a separate lief for private adver­ tisements, and it being represented that it must frequently happen that there w i l l not be a sufficiency of Intelligence useful essays and public advertisements to fill a sheet, do consent that the vacant space in the principal sheet may be filled up w i t h private adver­ tisements until the board may otherwise order. Printed from V i r g i n i a C o u n c i l

Jour­

n a l , n, 330-1, under the date here as­ signed. TJ's Account Book for 1781, under date of 19 Apr., contains the following : "pd Mr. Hayes a year's gazette to com­ mence now £120." On 7 Apr. 1781 Davies wrote Steuben: "The new press will be ready for printing soon. The present printers are employed so fully that your proclamation will not be ready for dispersion before tomorrow" (Davies to Steuben, 7 Apr. 1781; Steuben's "proclamation" may have been a broad­ side containing his general orders of 1 Apr. 1781 ordering all brigadiers to return to the quartermasters every horse, wagon, and "anything else" that had 1

been impressed since 1 Jan. 1781 and declaring that any officer neglecting this order would be "considered acting un­ justly towards the public and citizens of Virginia" and would be "treated ac­ cordingly"; Davies' letter and a draft of Steuben's general orders are in NHi and Weedon's brigade orders concern­ ing impressed horses are in V a . G a z . [D & N ] , 7 Apr. 1781). The arrival of the new press led Davies again to recur to his plan of publishing lists of deserters: "As there is a new printing press set up by Authority, I shall be able to have them [lists of deserters] printed and perhaps dispersed before the new recruits are assembled" ( Davies to Steuben, 10 Apr. 1781, NHi).

To the Auditors I n Council Api

G E N T L E M E N

9.

1781

The exchang[e] between Continental and hard money at K a s kaskias at the Date of the within having been at eight for one be pleased to issue to the bearer James Conand for Geni. Clarke on account a warrant for one thousand and forty Dollars continental money in discharge of this B i l l . T H : J E F F E R S O N 1

1040

Doll.

RC (ICHi); in a clerk's hand, signed by T J , who also added the figure "1040 Doll." below the text. This communica­

tion is on the verso of a sight draft on the Treasurer of Virginia, drawn by William Shannon "Fort Clark in the

[ 386

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9 APRIL Illinois," 25 June 1779, to the order of François Millehome for "the Sum of One Hundred & four Dollars (it being for Services Rendered the Common wealth of Virginia ) "; Shannon's draft is countersigned " G R Clark" and bears on verso an additional note signed by Clark: "Reducing this bill to the value in hard money at the time given the Bearer must be Entitled to the E x change in paper Currency on the day of payment." T h i s is one of three drafts presented by Conand; the other two were as follows: ( 1 ) 17 June 1779 in favor of Anthony Harmand for "three hundred and three & 4 / 5 Dollars"; and ( 2 ) 24 June 1779 in favor of Rago Bovay for "four hundred and forty four and 4 / 5 Dollars." Since the rate of exchange between Continental money and specie "at Kaskaskias at the Dates of the said Draughts" had been "eight for one," the Council ordered warrants issued for the present drafts in the amount, respectively, of $1,040, $3,038, and $4,448 Continental money "in discharge of the said Bills at eighty for one" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., II, 3 3 0 ) . T h i s ratio, of course, seems to be neither 8 to 1 nor 80 to 1, but 10 to 1. The explanation is to be found in the necessity of reducing each of the bills to the original value in hard money ( see Clark's directions quoted above) and then multiplying by eighty, the rate authorized by the Council. Thus Millehome's original account in specie was $13, for which he was "Entitled to the [rate of] Exchange in paper Currency on the day of payment"; hence, at 80 to 1, Conand received $1,040. But the arithmetical explanation is far from being an explanation of the legal ratio that guided the Council "on the day of payment." I n January 1781 Continental bills had stood at 100 to 1 and by May had sunk so low as practically to cease to pass as currency. Virginia paper money in April was in about the same state. T h e Assembly in March had empowered the treasurer to issue treasury notes to the extent of £ 1 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 and, if Continental aids were not forthcoming or emergency demanded, the Governor and Council were authorized to emit an additional £ 5 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 in bills, redeemable in specie at the rate of forty to 1, a clearly unrealistic ratio even at the time the Act was passed (Hening, X , 3 9 9 ) . A t the same time the Assembly endeavored to stem the tide by providing that all paper bills of credit there-

17 8 1

tofore issued or thereafter to be issued, either by Congress or by the Assembly then in session, should "be a legal tender in discharge of all debts and contracts whatsoever," except in such cases where the contract specifically called for payment in specie or in some medium other than paper money (same, X , 3 9 8 ) . T h i s Act, which in effect repealed the Act of May 1779 that had removed the penalty imposed upon anyone who refused to accept bills of credit at face value and on a parity with gold and silver, was opposed in the Senate, where amendments were offered to restore some ratio of depreciation rather than to revert to the earlier and now completely impracticable system of parity of specie and paper money. These amendments were not accepted by the House and in the Senate the bill passed by the narrow margin of 7 to 5. Four of those who had voted against the b i l l Richard Adams, Francis Lightfoot Lee, Nathaniel Harrison, and Henry L e e presented a bitter protest against the Act. Their protest deserves to be quoted in full, particularly in view of the fact that the Senate journal in which it was spread on the minutes is not known to be extant (an attested copy of the proceedings of the Senate for 17 Mch., including the protest, appears in the V a . Gaz., D & N , 31 M c h . ) : "Because making treasury notes a tender for debts formerly contracted, without a due allowance for depreciation, is enabling debtors to defraud their creditors of as much of what they fairly owe, as the real difference may be at the time of tender, between the value of the money tendered, and that for which the contract was made. "Because such a law is authorizing and even enforcing fraud, corrupting the morals of the people destroying all confidence between man and man, and perverting the very end of Legislation; which is to repress wrong and enjoin right. And being directly destructive of justice, subverts one of the most sacred articles of our Bill of Rights, which declares, that no free government or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people, but by a firm adherence to justice. "Because as it is confessed that a law to oblige a man to take one pound for a just debt of one hundred and fifty pounds, is such an outrage upon honesty, that it would be scandalous for any member of the community to avail himself of it: T h e continuing to pass

£387]

9 APRIL laws for such a purpose, is as disgraceful to the Legislature as it is pernicious to the people. "Because by authorizing a fraudulent payment of debts among our citizens, we shall give just cause of complaint to the subjects of our illustrious ally, the K i n g of France, and to all other foreigners who trade among us; by which the commerce of this state must be essentially injured. "Because we cannot assent to what is asserted that the general voice of the people calls for this law; as it would be the highest reflection, upon those we represent, to suppose that they desire that which is apparently unjust; and we are happy to find ourselves confirmed in this good opinion of our countrymen, by the present practice of the jury's, who, actuated by a spirit different from that which prevails in this law, do make allowance for depreciation. But if the people could possibly possess such a depravity of disposition, it would be the indispensible duty of the Legislature to restrain and correct it. "Because it is not enabling the people to pay their debts as is pretended, but evidently empowering a shameless debtor to defraud his just creditor, by not paying his debt. "Because a law evidently tending to corrupt the morals of the people, and exposing orphans, widows, and other helpless persons, who subsist upon the interest of their money, to be reduced to absolute beggary for the benefit of those who are possessed of their property, is a crying sin, that may call down the vengeance of a justly offended Deity upon this unhappy country. "Because the ambiguity of the tender will beget an infinity of law suits, and disturb the peace of the whole community. "Because two amendments were offered to the bill by which the treasury notes to be emitted might have been a tender for their just and real value, or

17 8 1

the interest stopped on refusal; as the former laws more equitably directed, which amendments were rejected, and the full blown evils of the law let loose among the people. "Because we cannot comprehend how making this money a legal tender in discharge of all debts can give it any additional credit, since it is confessed that in its depreciated state no man can tender it without forfeiting all claim to honour and honesty. A quality, which if used, would occasion a total loss of character cannot be of any value." The Assembly in May recognized the situation by providing that the old issue should not be legal tender after 1 July except for taxes, and by autumn paper money was completely valueless, all commerce being transacted in tobacco. Some evidence of the Council's attitude toward the actual, if not legal, ratio early in April is to be found in its order to issue £ 2 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 to Claiborne in response to his request for an urgent and immediate need of £ 2 0 , 0 0 0 in specie or its equivalent ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., n, 327; Claiborne to T J , 2 and 6 A p r . ) . Even so, this was no doubt considerably below the rapidly rising actual ratio. At any rate, the hapless merchant from Kaskaskias who presented the bills that he had discounted received in return a bundle of paper that was certainly worthless, whatever the ratio, before he arrived back in the Northwest. I n this, he was not alone. For a recent study of the effects of inflation in 1780 and 1781 on civil servants, see Elizabeth Cornetti, "The Civil Servants of the Revolutionary Period," P M H B , L X X V ( 1 9 5 1 ) , 15969; see also Bezanson, Prices and Inflation d u r i n g the A m e r i c a n Revolution: Pennsylvania, 1 7 7 0 - 1 7 9 0 (Philadelphia, 1951). T h e name François Millehome is deleted at this point and "James Conand" interlined. Millehome's signature, intended as an endorsement of the draft, is written on verso. 1

To Richard Claiborne I n C o u n c i l , 9 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . This communication consists of an extract from Lafayette's letter Annapolis, 4 Apr., notifying T J that field pieces and ammunition were being sent from Lafayette's army to Gen. Greene. To this T J added the following note: "Majr. Claiborne will be pleased to take measures for the transportation of the above." T r ( V i ) ; 1 p.; at foot of text: "A Copy."

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From Richard Claiborne SIR

Richmond 9th. April 1781.

I have received the extract from the Marquis's letter respecting Wagons to transport ammunition, with an order affixed from your Excellency to take Measures to answer the demand. However easy it was for your Excellency to Issue such an order, the business is attended w i t h so many difficulties that I am very fearful it w i l l not be i n my power to comply w i t h it; I beg leave to recommend to your Excellency my situation. I have failed in all my endeavours towards obtaining the Wagons, agréable to the late provision law, that were to have been in actual service long before this! I am disappointed in the Waggons that were to be Brigaded by the County Commissioners agréable to the orders of the E x e c u ­ tive, and I have not a farthing of money! I t is true that I have ob­ tained a W a r r a n t upon the State T r e a s u r y for a sum, but it has availed me nothing; I have made daily and almost hourly applica­ tions but without success. T h u s circumstanc'd and having no Public Waggons in the State but what are already appropriated, and that very necessarily; I ask Government for aid, or I must decline the attempt, as I have no possible prospect of accomplishing the busi­ ness. I have the honor to be with the highest respect & esteem Y o u r Excellency's Most obedient Humble Servant, RD. C L A I B O R N E DQMr. S.V. R C ( V i ) ; in a clerk's hand; ad­ dressed and endorsed. T r ( V i ) ; enclosed in a letter from Claiborne to William Davies of the same date (also V i ) , ex­ plaining why it is impossible for Clai­ borne to obtain wagons to transport military stores from the Laboratory in accordance with Davies' request. T o this Claiborne added: "It would be the most useless thing in nature to attempt to hire Wagons to go out of the state without the ready money; indeed, I am fearful they could not be induced to go so far as the Southern Army, for any sum that I could offer them." T h e same extract from Lafayette's letter of 4 Apr. 1781, q.v., was sent by Davies to Steu­ ben with the following comment: "This has been communicated to Major Clai­

borne, who informs me he is utterly un­ able to give the least assistance towards bringing on this ammunition, or of sending on any we may have prepared here. I hope something will be done by Captain Young, for with a peculiar de­ gree of absurdity the government had placed the whole department of wag­ gons, teams and forage into the hands of the purchasing commissary of pro­ vision, which I have at length got out of his hands and placed into its proper course"; Davies added that there were some wagons at Muhlenberg's camp that might be used to remove the artillery near Suffolk and that he had heard Weedon had some that could be spared (Davies to Steuben, 10 Apr. 1781, N H i ) .

[389]

From Joseph Clay, enclosing H i s Account against the State SIR

Halifax N.Car. 9th. April 1781

I n the Month of J u l y last I had the honour of waiting on your Excellency with a W a r r a n t of Congress on your State for 1,200,000 Dollars, transmitted me from the P a y Office in Philada. for the purpose of supporting the Southern A r m y , at which time you inform'd me your T r e a s u r y was so drain'd, 'twas not in your Power to take the W a r r a n t up, but assur'd me you wou'd advise me when it was that I might send for it. Under this Assurance I join'd the A r m y then under the Command of Geni. Gates, the distresses of which for want of Money were so great and pressing, as to con­ strain me at the request of Geni. Gates to take the liberty to draw several B i l l s on you in part of the aforementiond W a r r a n t , some of which I advised you of and the motives that induced me thereto; what I did not, I presume Geni. Gates did as I drew no B i l l s but with his knowledge, and in general they were under his W a r r a n t s payable to the several parties in whose favour they were drawn, and who gave me a Receipt for them as for so much Cash; A n d the Amount of the several Drafts on you I transmitted an Account of to the P a y Office at Philadelphia Monthly, in order that the State of V i r g i n i a might be regularly Credited by the United States for the same. T h e whole Amount of the several Drafts drawn on you (particulars as at foot of t h i s ) is 9 4 7 , 2 8 0 Dollars which when paid leaves a Ballance due me on the aforementioned W a r r a n t of 2 5 2 . 720, Dollars, which sum I shou'd be very glad to receive as the A r m y has great occasion for it. I have been lately apply'd to by some of the holders of the B i l l s I drew on your Excellency, informing me they were not paid, and indeed some of them pressed me to take them up, particularly a M r . Geo. Elliott, who is the holder of two Setts [of] B i l l s for 3 2 , 2 5 0 Dollars each, in favour of M r . Morgan B r o w n , both of which are unpaid, and as he ( M r . E l l i o t t ) Says the Payment of them alto­ gether refused. T h i s matter has given me great uneasiness, as it lays me open to be reflected on for having drawn B i l l s were I had no right, and thereby deceived and injur'd individuals, a conduct no one cou'd ever lay to m y charge in a Private Character, and it shall be m y Endeavour not to give any just cause for such a censure in a Public one. I told this M a n that I was sure it must be some mistake, and Promis'd h i m that i f my business did not call me to [390}

9 APRIL

17 8 1

Richmond soon, which I then expected it woud, that I wou'd write to your Excellency on the Subject, and that I wou'd send him word relative thereto as soon as in my Power, and I hop'd to his satis­ faction, which unless your Excellency has any particular reasons to induce you to determine otherwise, I wou'd esteem it a favour to be enabled to inform him that he will be paid his Drafts. I am, with great respect Your Excellency's most Obedt humble Servt, J O S E P H CLAY E N C L O S U R E

Amount of Warrant of Congress on the State of Virginia drawn in favour of Wm. Palfrey Esqr and by him indorsed Payable to Joseph Clay for the Use of the Southern Army Dated the 16th March 1780 for 1,200,000 Dollars List of Bills drawn on his Excellency Govr. Jefferson in favour of sun­ dry individuals in part of the above Warrant: 1780 Augt. 29th.

Dollars in favour of Robert Rowan Esqr. 5 Warrants for. .25,000 Dollars each . . . 7 do for. . 12,500 do

125,000 87,500 212,500

31st. Septr. Ist. 4th. 14th. 19th. Octr.

4th.

2 ditto in favour of M r . Morgan Brown for 32,250 each 1 do. in favour of James Clay 1 do. in favour of P. Mallett Esqr. for . . 1 do. in do. of Col. Kosciusko 1 do. in do. of C . Richmond Esqr 1 do. in do. of W m . Pendergast Esqr l d o . indo ditto 1 do in do ditto

64,500 16,000 250,000 2,000 15,425 55,080 225,000 106,775 947,280 Dollars

Ball an ce due on the above Warrant R C ( V i ) ; endorsed. T h e enclosed ac­ count is on a separate page of Clay's letter. B I L L S . . . I N FAVOUR O F M R . MOR­ G A N B R O W N : On 17 Apr. the Council

took the following action: "The Audi­ tors are directed to issue to Morgan

252,720 Dollars

Brown or order two warrants for thirty two thousand two hundred and fifty Dol­ lars each as of Joseph Clays Draughts, provided that the whole of the President of Congress's warrant of the 16th March 1780 . . . be not already paid" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., H , 336).

From William Davies W a r Office [ R i c h m o n d ] , 9 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . The wooden work for wagons goes forward well at Dinwiddie Courthouse, but there is no blacksmith there to do the smith's work. Mr. Hardaway, who lives three miles from that place, "will undertake that business at 4/ a day, payable at 20/ a hundred for tobacco according to the evaluation of the previous grand jury. He will engage for six months for himself and one hand, and will [ 391 ]

9 A P R I L

178 1

provide himself with everything except iron. I f this proposal is ap­ proved by the Executive, I will contract with him." Note by T J follows: "In Council Apr. 9. 1781. Approved. T h : Jefferson." R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; addressed and endorsed. T J ' s note is in his own hand.

From William Davies [Richmond, 9 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . W a r Office Journal ( V i ) contains the fol­ lowing minute under this date: "Letter to his Excellency the Governor proposing Mr. Gilbert to superintend the public carpenters." Not found. A virtually identical entry appears some pages later in the W a r Office Journal, under the same date but among the May entries; it may be a mere repetition by a careless clerk or it may record a missing second letter on the same subject.]

From Samuel Huntington SIR

Philadelphia April 9th. 1781.

Y o u r Excellency w i l l receive enclosed an act of Congress of the 8th. Instant recommending to the Executives of the States of Dela­ ware, Maryland and V i r g i n i a respectively to take immediate meas­ ures for the removal of all public stores, and also all provisions and forage public and private which w i l l not be necessary for the con­ sumption of the Inhabitants on the Peninsula between the Chesapeak and Delaware B a y s , to prevent such articles falling into the enemy's hands: I should suppose it equally expedient to include valuable horses tho' they are not mentioned in the A c t . T h i s recommendation is in consequence of intelligence received from N e w Y o r k the substance of which is prefixed to the enclosed act, although it is presumed you w i l l have received the intelligence before this comes to hand. A s future events must determine with certainty the designs of the enemy, so future intelligence may influence the measures now recommended, yet it is to be hoped such precautions may be taken as w i l l prevent any valuable supplies of any kind falling into the enemy's hands should they attempt to execute their designs as reported. I have the honor to be with great Respect your Excellencys most obedt. Servt., S A M . H U N T I N G T O N Presidt. R C ( V i ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by Huntington; endorsed. F C ( D L C : P C C , No. 1 5 ) . T h e enclosed resolve of

Congress of 8 Apr. is missing but is printed in JCC, xrx, 367; it was prompted by receipt of "intelligence that an

[392]

9 A P R I L embarkation of a body of troops is in forwardness at New York, the object of which is the taking possession of the neck of land lying between the head of

17 8 1 Chesepeak bay and the river Delaware" (same, p. 3 6 5 ) . For T J ' s answer, see his letter to Huntington, 18 Apr.

From Henry Lee, Sr. SIR

Prince William County April 9th. 1781.

On the first Instant a Small Schoner Vessel tender to the T r i m e r privateer belonging to Goodrichs Company w i t h 2 1 M e n Com­ manded by one Dickson went up to Alexandria and in the Night Attempted to Cut out before the town a Vessel belonging to Balti­ more. Fortunately they were discovered and the wind Changing prevented their Succeeding. T h e y immediately made off down the river and were pursued by two A r m e d Vessels and owing to a favourable North W e s t wind was taken before they got to the T r i m e r which w i t h the Supprise and another Sloop of W a r laid at Cedar point belonging to the same Company. A s soon as the Schoner found she Must be taken the Men took to their boats and landed on the V i r g i n i a Side of the R i v e r . 16 of them were taken by the Inhabitants 8 of whom were sent to Fredksburg from whence I hear they are sent to Winchester. T h e others were sent up in the Vessels that Pursued them to Alexandria and are Confined in that Goal. Among them is Dickson. T h e Privateers as they Came up took thirty Negroes and the Oveerseer from a Plantation of Consellor Carters at Coles point in Westmoreland and have Plundered the Houses of Messrs. G e r a r d Hooe, John Washington and many other persons of all their furniture and other Valuable Effects and taken off some Negroes. On F r i d a y last in the Night ( w e had an Account Yesterday from a M a n from Maryland ) they went up Port Tobacco Creek and there did great damage, Plundered the houses of M r . W a l t e r Hanson [and] M r . Neale, Carried M r . Neale off and also a son of M r . Hanson, Plundered the house of the Preist and many others. M r . George Dents houses they B u r n t and a fine Stal­ lion and two Chair horses suffered in the flames. M r . L a w s o n M a n ­ ager to Colo. Tayloes Neabsco Iron works Near me, lost also a Vessel loaded with 100 barrels of Corn; was taken from N a n j amy. On receiving official Notice from the County Lieutenant of Stafford that the E n e m y were making up the river and the T o w n of D u m ­ fries with the Warehouses on Quantico Creek might be their Ob­ ject and that the Inhabitants might be Secured against these P l u n ­ derers I immediately ordered all the M i l i t i a that Could be A r m e d [393 ]

9 APRIL

17 8 1

to rendezvous at the Mouth of Quantico and there have been these two days about forty there on duty. I f the E n e m y do not appear on the Shifting of the W i n d which being this two days at Northwest and against them, I shall only keep a few lookouts. I f the E n e m y had Succeeded at Alexandria they intended; one of the Prisoners say, to have burnt Geni. Washingtons Houses, Plundered Colo. Mason and myself and endeavoured to have made me a Prisoner. A s the A c t of Assembly impowers you to raise any Number of horse it would be Adviseable to order a few horse to be raised in the different Countys on Potomac and Constantly keep in pay to give Notice of the Movements of the E n e m y from time to time which would be of A m a z i n g Utility and Quiet the Inhabitants in their Possessions and save M a n y familys from being Plundered. I hope to receive your Answer by the return of the Post with such orders as you may Please to give which shall be implicitely Obeyed by Y r Excellencys Most obt. Servt., H E N R Y L E E Coty L t . RC (Vi). T h i s letter was written by Henry Lee of "Leesylvania," near Dumfries, Prince William co., who was the father of Henry ("Light-Horse Harry") Lee. He was county lieutenant of Prince William co.

From Richard Henry Lee [ C h a n t i l l y , 9 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . American Art Association sale catalogue, 11-12 Nov. 1937 (Willets et al. sale), lot 273 (a 1-page A . L . S . , with postscript on address leaf ) : "Mr. Whitlock found me with the Militia on the Shore of Potomac where we had a very warm engagement with a party of the enemy, about 90 men, who landed from two Brigs, a Schooner, and a smaller Vessel under a very heavy cannonade from the Vessels of War—-the affair ended by the enemy being forced to reimbark with some haste. . . . Their Vessels are yet near the Shore, and by a deserter from them during the action, I learn that their Vessels, with a Ship of 20 guns now lying off, are bound up the river, as high as Alexandria to interrupt the passage of Troops across Potomac." Orig­ inal not found.]

From Henry Towles Lancaster, 9 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . Attests the "unexceptionable character" of William Chowning, the person mentioned in the enclosed application for exemption from paying the specific tax. TJ's decision is requested by the bearer, Job Carter. R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; addressed and endorsed. Enclosure ( V i ) : Certificate signed by Henry Towles and dated L a n caster, 8 Apr. 1781, stating that " W i l -

liam Chowning this Day made Oath before me that on the night of the 3d of February he was plundered by the Enemy of part of his Property."

[394]

To the Virginia Delegates i n Congress GENTLEMEN

I n Council April 9th. 1781

Since m y letter of the 6th. I received Information that two Par­ cels of Medicines marked C V ( w h i c h we construed Common­ wealth of V i r g i n i a ) were consigned on private Account to Mon­ sieur Coulaux l a V i g n e , and w i t h other Parts of the Cargo of L e Comité were considered as ours; B e so good as to cause Delivery of them to be made to Monsr. Coulaux l a Vigne, he paying all reasonable Charges. I am & c , T.J. FC (Vi).

From William Christian SIR

Montgomery County April the 10th: 1781.

About the first of M a r c h Major M a r t i n called on me, on his W a y from General Green's Camp to the Great Island, and delivered me a Commission signed by the General, a Copy of w h i c h I now en­ close to your Excellency. Major M a r t i n requested me to write to the W a r r i o r s upon the Subject, w h i c h I did, and we concluded that it would be well for Colonels A r t h u r Campbell, C o l . Shelbey, C o l . Severe, and Major M a r t i n , who all live convenient to endeavour to put the Business in Motion. I have lately received a Letter inform­ ing me that they met at the Island on the 24th. of M a r c h , wrote a Letter to the Chiefs, and sent off an Indian w i t h their Letter and mine; an Answer to w h i c h is expected the latter E n d of this Month. T h e y also wrote to the Chickasaws, and desired an Answer in four Months, but Reports say, we can expect no Peace w i t h that Nation while we Maintain the Post at the I r o n B a n k . Col. Severe w i t h about 180 Men on Horseback from W a s h i n g ­ ton in Carolina made an Incursion into the middle Cherokee Settle­ ments, early in M a r c h ; surprized one Village, at which he killed and took some of their People; and plundered two other Villages, which the People Evacuated. W i t h the Prisoners, perhaps twenty W o m e n and Children, some Horses, and Goods, he hastned back, before the W a r r i o r s could Assemble. About 100 Cherokee F a m i ­ lies, is said to be subsisted in Georgia. People of all R a n k s appear to have a desire to encroach upon the Indian Lands; this w i l l throw great Obstacles in the W a y of a T r e a t y . T h e y have been i l l treated on the one H a n d and caressed on the other, so that I have very little [395]

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Hopes any T h i n g can be done w i t h them. T h e only great Induce­ ments the Indians can have for treating; are for us to do them J u s ­ tice respecting their L a n d and to subsist their Families this Sum­ mer. A s to the L a n d , V i r g i n i a is but little concerned. L a s t Night Y o u r Excellencys Letter was delivered me; and I apprehend some Difficulties may arise in the two appointments, i f the Indians should meet at the E n d of this Month. I f a meeting is brought about great Expences w i l l attend it, and I cant see what w i l l be done without Money, unless your Excellency, has ordered some to be sent up. F o r should but twenty Indians meet they cant be subsisted a D a y upon the Credit of the States. I am Y o u r Excellencys mo. obed. Servant, W M . C H R I S T I A N R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed in part as follows: " ( T h e Commission men­ tioned w i t h i n was given to C o l . C h r i s ­ t i a n to Settle his Acct. w i t h the A u d i ­ tors)." Enclosure is missing, but a T r is in C S m H , Greene Papers, dated 26 Feb. 1781; it was issued to "William Christian, William Preston, Arthur Campbell, and Joseph Martin of the State of Virginia, and Robert Severe, E v a n Shelby, Joseph Williams and John Severe of the State of North Carolina," who were authorized "on the part of the United States, to meet such Com­ missioners as the . . . Indians shall ap­ point on their part . . . for the purpose of treating, or the adjustment of the respective limits of each party, an ex­ change of prisoners, a suspension of hostilities, conclusion of a peace, or any­ thing else for the establishment of har­ mony and good understanding between the contending parties, as to [them]

may seem proper, subject to the con­ firmation of Congress." T h e proceed­ ings of Council under date of 17 Apr. 1781 contain the following reference to this commission: "The Board, on con­ sidering a letter from Colo. Christian enclosing a Copy of a Commission from General Greene appointing him, Colo. Preston, Colo. Campbell and Major Martin Commissioners to treat with the Cherokee Indians, advise the Governor to withdraw the powers formerly given by the Executive on this subject and to desire that the business may be per­ formed on General Greenes plan" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., n , 336; see also T J to Christian, 17 Apr. 1781). Y O U R E X C E L L E N C Y S L E T T E R : T h i s no doubt refers to T J ' s letter to Christian, Preston, and Martin of 24 Mch., q.v., containing what the Council referred to as "the powers formerly given."

From William Davies, with Reply W a r Office [ R i c h m o n d ] , 1 0 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . Many men already dis­ charged from the army have arrears in pay due them. "It is hard upon these men to lose their pay, and it is exceedingly troublesome to this of­ fice, to the Auditors and to your Excellency, for the adjustment of each man's claim to be thrown individually upon us. I would therefore sub­ mit it to your Excellency, whether it will not be eligible to put a gross sum into the hands of some officer, for the express purpose of paying off these arrearages. Captain Hamilton, who has acted as paymaster to some of the regiments, can discharge this duty till some of the officers shall arrive, and I think will not for a while require more than £ 5 0 0 0 for this purpose." Davies wishes directions concerning officers in the "new regiment" who have resigned or accepted appointments under [396 ]

10

APRIL

1781

the Continental quartermaster general. Sends a number of pay war­ rants for services in Southern army and also in Virginia. TJ's answer follows: "In Council Apr. 11. 1781. The board agrees that the officers of the state regiment appointed to the Continental staff shall act in that till their services shall be wanted in their regiment, drawing in the mean time neither pay nor rations from the state. T h : Jefferson." R C ( V i ) ; 3 p.; endorsed. F C ( V i ) . T J ' s reply, in his own hand, is at foot of text. Enclosures missing, but in the Contingent Fund Vouchers ( V i ) is an order from Davies to the Auditors, dated 10 Apr. 1781 and countersigned

by T J , for a warrant of £ 5 , 0 0 0 to be issued to "Capt. Thomas Hambleton, . . . on Account, for the purpose of pay­ ing discharged Soldiers, to whom the Country is in arrears for pay."

From Alexander Dick SIR

Camp Everad's Mill April 10th. 1781

I received a Letter some weeks ago from Col. Muter informing me the three state Regiments were to be reduced into one, and the oldest Officers to take command. I f this arraingment takes place I am entitled to a Command in the said Regiment. I last winter got an order from the Baron for seven Month's pay, which your Excel­ lency informed me I was to Draw from the Continental Pay Master, before I saw him the Enemy came to Richmond and I lost the Order. I apply'd to the Baron for another. He inform'd me he could not grant an order as he had received orders to the contrary but would give me an order for some money to carry me to Camp. I refused receiving such an order, and I hope your Excellency will Allow Major Long to receive my Pay due me from the 1st. of August last. I am obliged to be the expence of double my Pay should I be allow'd the full depreciation. I am Sir Your Excelys. Most Obt. & Very Hum St.

ALEXR. DICK.

R C ( V i ) ; addressed in part: "Hon­ oured by Majr. Long"; endorsed. Steuben's refusal very likely was caused by his anger with Dick over the latter's behavior in front of the enemy during Arnold's raid. I n a draft letter Steuben explained that he had ordered Dick to stay in front of the enemy, harass them along the road, and retire into Richmond in a delaying operation. Steuben charged that these orders had been disobeyed and requested an in­ vestigation (the draft, dated 29 Jan. 1781, is unaddressed, but may have been sent to Muhlenberg; it is in NHi ) . In a long and rather obsequious letter Dick attempted to justify his conduct

on the road to Richmond on 4-5 Jan. by saying that he had met up with Col. Nicholas and some other gentlemen about six miles from town and that, on the basis of information furnished by them, he had concluded that he could not post himself at Four Mile Creek be­ fore the enemy arrived there; with this letter he enclosed copies of letters that Muhlenberg and Weedon had written to Greene in Dick's favor (Dick to Steuben 26 Jan. and also 23 Feb. 1781, N H i ) . There is no evidence that Steu­ ben replied to this communication. See advice of Council concerning consolida­ tion of the state regiments, 6 Feb. 1781.

[397]

From Abner Nash D E A R

Newbern April 10. 1781

SIR

I do myself the Honor of recomending the Bearer G e n i . Jones one of the Council Extraordinary to Y o u r Excellency for a true and particular state of our distresses and to sollicit an A i d from your State of M e n A r m s and Amunition. I shall not enter on particu­ lars as the General is so able to represent to you our infeebled con­ dition. W i t h the highest Esteem & respect I am D r S i r Y r . E x c e l lencys most obed Hble Servt., A NASH R C ( N N ) ; addressed: "His Excellency Governor Jefferson favd. by Geni Jones." G E N L . J O N E S , the bearer of this letter, was General Allen Jones, brother of the more famous Willie Jones, who was a member of the Council o f State at this time.

From William Preston SIR

Inglis's Ferry April 10th. 1781

Yesterday I received your Excellency's Letter w i t h other Papers by W h e e l i n g the Messenger. I was then on my W a y from Mont­ gomery Court House where I had called a meeting of the Officers and Magistrates in order to lay off the County into Districts agree­ able to the act of Assembly for raising Troops for the Continental A r m y ; A n d as I had but J u s t parted with several of the Officers and Justices when your Letter came to hand, I had them again conveened. W e then concluded, to go on w i t h raising our Quota of Troops, as much T i m e had been spent to put the Business in a proper T r a i n : A t the same time I gave the necessary Orders for raising the Number of Men required to Join General Green's A r m y ; but I must confess, I am really affraid of Success herein as our Officers and Men have been so harrassed with hard D u t y for near a Y e a r past that they begin to complain for want of T i m e to attend their F a r m s for the Support of their Families. However nothing in my Power shall be wanting to comply with the Requisition. Should the Cherokees incline to treat, which I much Doubt, it w i l l not be in my power to attend the T r e a t y . T h e great distance to the B i g Island, m y very infirm state of Health, together with the Care of the M i l i t i a , which engrosses far the largest part of my T i m e , w i l l , I hope, excuse my non attendance on that Business, and induce your Excellency to appoint some other Person in m y Room. I shall very shortly make a Return to your Excellency of the Strength of the M i l i t i a of Montgomery, which I am now enabled [ 398 ]

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to do, and at the same time beg Leave, by a few undoubted Facts, to Justify my Conduct in calling out this M i l i t i a to North Carolina in February last, as I understand some illiberal Reflections have been wantonly thrown out against m y Character by several Gentle­ men down the Country, who perhaps were unacquainted w i t h Facts as much as w i t h the Duties of a M i l i t i a Officer. I am Y o u r Excellency's most Obedt and very hble Servt., WM. R C ( V i ) addressed (in part): "Pub­ lic Service . . . $ the Return of the Express"; endorsed. YOUR

EXCELLENCY'S

LETTER

WITH

O T H E R P A P E R S : T h i s was no doubt T J ' s letter of 29 Mch. 1781 to the county lieutenants of Montgomery, &c. and

PRESTON

may have included T J ' s circular to the county lieutenants of 30 Mch. 1781, qq.v. It may possibly, but not likely, have included T J ' s letter of 24 Men. 1781 appointing Christian, Preston, and Martin to treat with the Cherokees.

From Edmund Read SIR

Boyds Hole, on Potowmack, 10 April 81

Since my arival on this R i v e r the E n e m y has not attempted to L a n d on the V i r g i n i a Shoar. T h e y did great damage in many places on the Maryland Side of the R i v e r , burnt and Distroyed whareever they went, took off the whole of the Tobacco at Ceeder Point oppersit Hooes F e r r y . On Sonday evening the E n e m y s Vessills fell down from Ceeder Point about 3 0 Miles. T h e y this morning appeared against M r . Hooes whare I was Posted with my Dragoons and S u m few M i l i t i a , and I Followed them along Shoar to this Place whare the militia of this County ( K i n g George) is Posted. T h e whole of the fleete amounted to two twenty four Guns Shipes, two Eighteen Do. and S i x Transports and Tenders. T h e y seem to be Crouded w i t h men. T h e y made no stop at this Place but stood up the R i v e r for Ellexandery. I think I t my D u t y to L e n d every Assistance in my Power to the militia on the R i v e r and shall Continue with them ( i n as Poar order as my Horses are i n ) untili they are Disbanded or your orders to the Contrary. I beg leave to observe that the M i l i ­ tia Imbodyed at this Place is about two Hundred and 6 0 , only, that has armes. I have the Honour to be your Excellencys most Obdt EDMD

Humle Servt.,

READ

R C ( V i ) ; addressed in part: "On Public Service . . . ^ Express"; endorsed.

[399]

To Thomas Read SIR

In Council April 10th. 1781

A t the time of w r i t i n g your letter of the 7th you had not received my letter in Answer to your former. I n Consideration of the E x e r ­ tions of your County, I am further to notify to you in Addition to what I did in that, that we w i l l not insist on the Number of 100 therein mentioned, so far as to carry any on duty again who are just returned or returning or are still on duty. Send all able to do D u t y who have not performed their T o u r , and all Delinquents w i t h which we shall be satisfied. I am &c, T.J. FC (Vi).

M Y L E T T E R I N A N S W E R T O YOUR F O R M E R : T h a t is, T J ' s letter

to Read of 7 Apr. in reply to Read's of 4 Apr., qq.v.

To Steuben SIR

I n Council April 10th. 1781

General Scott having obtained Permission from the Comman­ dant at Charles T o w n for the shipping of Tobaccos from this State to that Post for the Relief of the Continental Troops there of our L i n e , sent me a Copy of that Permission taken by his Brigade Major. T h i s Paper not being sufficiently authentic to protect from capture Vessels which should go laden with Tobacco's, I wrote to Major General Philips to ask a Passport and received his answer extracts from both of which I now do myself the honour of inclos­ ing to you. B y his Letter you w i l l perceive he proposes that the regulations under which he goes shall be settled between yourself, himself, and the B r i t i s h naval Commander here. General Philips speaks in his Letter of permitting a F l a g Vessel in the singular Number. I t was not my intention in the Application to fix it to a single Vessel. T h e vessels we have it in our Power to employ are so small that one of them laden with Tobacco would carry very little Relief. I t requires 100 Hogsheads of Tobacco a month to pay off the V i r g i n i a L i n e in Charles T o w n and they are a twelve month in arrear, and the Debts that they have contracted are in Proportion to those arrears. W e had proposed to send from six to nine hundred Hogsheads of Tobacco. I wish therefore that the Permission could be regulated rather by the Tonnage than Number of the vessels. Another Circumstance of Difficulty is introduced by his Letter, which is that an Officer from Portsmouth must go in the vessel. T o this we have not the least Objection, but that he might expect to 1

[400]

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A P R I L

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return in her, whereas we can only procure vessels w h i c h would mean to pursue their mercantile Objects to some other Port for Cargoes, asking from Charles T o w n the Protection of the F l a g 'till they should be clear of their Coasts. Should the Restriction to a single vessel however be insisted on by the B r i t i s h Commander, W e should ultimately wish to urge that a Pilot boat may be permitted to attend her for the Purpose of bringing back the Officers who necessarily go to attend the De­ livery of the Tobacco. A s we have every T h i n g in Readiness for sending this Relief to our Prisoners and they are in extreme dis­ tress, I w i l l beg the Favour of as early an Attention to the Settle­ ment of this Matter as your Business w i l l permit you to bestow. I have the Honour to be w i t h great Respect S i r your mo: obt. hble Servant, T H : JEFFERSON R C ( N H i ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by T J ; endorsed. F C ( V i ) . T r ( C S m H ) . Enclosures (missing): Extracts of T J ' s letter to Phillips, 31 Mch., and of Phil­ lips' reply, 6 Apr. 1781, qq.v. GENERAL

SCOTT

HAVING

OBTAINED

P E R M I S S I O N : See Charles Scott to T J , 30 J a n . 1781 and enclosure; see also Steuben to Phillips, 15 Apr. 1781. i Preceding two words supplied from FC.

To Edward Travis SIR

I n Council April 10th. 1781

I am to ask the favor of you to proceed to examine James and Appomatox Rivers for a swift sailing lookout boat and to treat for such one as you find sailed to that purpose. A vessel equipped for instant Service is what is wanting, and we should be glad to take the M e n also into Service, as the Money the T e r m s of purchase be accordingly. B e pleased to report the T e r m s proposed before you conclude them. I am &c, T.J. 1

F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "Captain Edward Travis." T h e copyist here garbled the sense of T J ' s instructions. Perhaps the last clause of this sentence should be omitted entirely. 1

To George Weedon SIR

I n Council April 10th. 1781

W e shall w i t h very great Chearfulness contribute as far as within our power to render the Circumstances of the W a r as little afflicting as possible, more especially by encouraging on just prin[401]

11

A P R I L

1781

ciples and giving Paroles where Exchanges are not subject to our w i l l , but under the American Constitution our powers as to ex­ change extend but to few Subjects. W i t h respect to Officers the right of T u r n in Exchange we consider as sacred, and cannot con­ sent to any T h i n g by which those Gentlemen shall be postponed who have been longest in Captivity, but we freely agree to the paroling them on both Sides. W i t h Respect to privates we think ourselves right when we con­ sider all prisoners of W a r taken by our Militia while no Continental Troops are acting with them as subject to the separate Disposal ot the State until delivered over to the Continental Commissary of prisoners. T h e number of these at present with us is small. I t may or may not increase. W e consent chearfully as far as it extends or shall extend to exchange them for such of our M i l i t i a as have been or shall be taken in A r m s . A s to those which have been put into possession of the Continental Commissary of prisoners, they can only be exchanged under Continental Authority. W e shall certainly do every T h i n g in our power to promote it in the greatest Latitude. I am &c, T.J. FC (Vi).

To the Auditors GENTLEMEN

April 11. 1781.

T h e second of the same tenor and date of the within not being paid, be pleased to issue to David Standeford for James F . Moore, a warrant for nine thousand pounds on Account. B y Advice of Council. T H : JEFFERSON R C ( V i : Contingent Fund Vouchers); in a clerk's hand, signed by T J ; written on verso of "the within," which was a sight draft on the Treasurer of Virginia, signed "Jas. F r s . Moore D . C . Geni.

Purchases Illinois Dept.," countersigned by George Rogers Clark, dated at Louisville, 15 Jan. 1781, and drawn in favor of David Standeford "for a quantity of Beef furnished the Illinois Department."

From James Callaway SIR

Bedford April the 11th. 1781.

I n Consequence of your Excellencys Instructions ( w h i c h have J u s t Reached m y hands) three Hundred and E i g h t y four M i l i t i a of this County are Summoning to attend at Proper Places on the 18th. Instant in Order to M a r c h to General Green. [402]

11

1781

A P R I L

I n the Meantime I beg leave to Trouble your Excellency here w i t h , Submiting it to you, whether the late Change of Circum­ stances are not Sufficient to excuse the M i l i t i a from the Present Service, which would tend Greatly to the Interest of the People as they are Generally Poor men, and any Considerable loss of time at this Season of the year would Undoubtedly Prevent their Makeing Crops. Colo. L y n c h is immediately from General Green at Deep R i v e r about 140 Miles from hence, who informs me that L o r d Corn­ wallis had passed X [Cross] Creek on his w a y to Wilmonton before he left there, and Perswades me that a Short Service from Our M i l i t i a would at this time Render no Essential Good to the Coun­ try, and as the E n e m y are now so Distant, it would Require some time, Only to M a r c h out and Return. T h e M i l i t i a calld upon for the Assistances of General Green, as Mentioned in my last Letter, were Dismissed by Advice of Colo. L y n c h (then at Head Quarters) with the Approbation of the General. I believe I wrote you, that I had sent out to K n o w Cer­ tainly whether such Assistances was Actually Necessary or not. A s the Marching out the M i l i t i a from their Plantations at this Season of the year, is a Matter of much Importance to them, I have Employed M r . Charles E w i n g s as E x p r e s s to wait on your E x c e l ­ lency for your further Advice with Respect to it, and he is to R e ­ turn by the time appointed for the M a r c h of the men; in the Interim every Preparation shall be made, so that this shall be no Hindrance in geting them into Service in case it is your Pleasure they shoud M a r c h . M r . E w i n g s finds himself a Horse and pays his O w n Expences. I w i s h h i m to recive some thing Adequate to his T r o u ­ ble and Expence before he Returns. I have the Honour to be, Y o u r Excellencys V e r y Hble Servt., JAMES R C ( V i ) ; addressed in part: "On Publick Service . . . B y M r . Ewings E x ­ press"; endorsed. YOUR

EXCELLENCYS

INSTRUCTIONS:

See T J ' s letter of 29 Mch. 1781 to the county lieutenants of Montgomery, &c.

CALLAWAY

M Y L A S T L E T T E R : Calloway, in his let­ ter of 23 Mch. 1781, informed T J that he had sent an express to Greene to find out whether the militia were actually needed.

T o the County Lieutenant of Frederick SIR

I n Council April. 11th. 1781

I have received a Letter from Colo. T a y l o r proposing the D i s ­ charge of the regiment of Guards and have directed such P a r t of [403 ]

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it as is entitled to be Discharged, and the Residue to remain to guard the Convention Prisoners. I think it necessary to inform you that it is not intended that the Deficiency shall be supplied by militia. T h e several Duties now lying on the Militia for the Eastern, Western and Southern Service are sufficiently oppressive to them, without harrassing them further w i t h guarding these Prisoners also, in addition to those before stationed at Winchester. O f these General Duties your County w i l l of Course be called on to take its equal Share and as we should not give it Credit for any T o u r per­ formed in guarding the Convention Troops, so justice requires that we should not expect that Service from them. I am w i t h much respect S i r Y o u r mo: obt. Servt., T H : JEFFERSON R C ( V i ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed and addressed by T J : "The County Lieu­ tenant of Frederic"; endorsed: "Governor Jefferson Cy. L t . I cannot inform of the exact Number of Militia but some were ordered on this service. J Smith C[ount]y Lt. F[rederic]k."

From William Davies, with Reply SIR

W a r office April 11. 1781.

The inclosed certificate is produced w i t h a view of obtaining the same quantity of powder that was lent. I t is now wanting for a privateer just going to sea. I beg your Excellency's directions whether the money or the powder shall be paid. I have the honor to be, sir, Your Excellency's most obedt servt., W I L L I A M D A V I E S In Council Apr. 11. 1781. Mr. Elliott having received this powder, not under the orders of the state, but as a Continental Q. Master, he is to pay for it. TH:

JEFFERSON

R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. T J ' s answer, in his own hand, is below the text of Davies' letter. Enclosure missing.

From William Garrard and Other Officers of the Stafford Militia T o his Excellency Thomas Jefferson E s q r . Governor of V i r g i n i a , The Feild Officers and Captains of T h e Stafford M i l i t i a repre­ sent T o your Excellency that as a Number of the Enemies Ships are Ravageing burning and Destroying the property of a l l the [ 404 ]

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People Situated on the W a t e r s , that we have thought it Advisable to detain the M i l i t i a to be Assisting in repelling 'em, hoping it w i l l meet w i t h your Excellencies approbation. Should it not you w i l l Please Advise us; in which we shall be very Particular in Execut­ ing? W e are your Excellencies V e r y Humble Servants W i l l i a m G a r r a r d C[ounty] L i e u t e n a n t ] E l i z a h T h r e l k e l d James G a r r a r d C [ o L ] George Mountjoy W i l l i a m Phillips L i e u t e n a n t ] C[ol.] Mason Pitcher John G r i g g M[ajor.] James P r i m m Geo. Burroughs Capt. E d w a r d Cary R C ( V i ) ; endorsed in part: "Apr. 14th 1781" (date of receipt?). T h i s letter is assigned the probable date of 11 Apr. since on that date Col. Skinker of K i n g George co. wrote to T J to the same effect and T J replied both to Skinker and to Garrard on 14 Apr. Indeed, the proceedings of Council on 14 Apr. refer to the "joint letter" of Skinker and Garrard, "informing that they had been obliged to delay the march of the Militia lately called from their Counties on account of the Depre­

dations committed by the enemy on Potowmack" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., n, 3 3 5 ) . No such joint letter has been found and it is unlikely that one was written in view of the fact that the pres­ ent letter and Skinker's of 11 Apr. fit the description given in the proceedings of Council. T h e probable explanation is that both Skinker's letter of 11 Apr. and that of Garrard and the Stafford officers were carried to Richmond by the same messenger.

From Nathanael Greene DEAR SIR

Head Quarters Little River April 11th 1781

Y o u r Excellencys private letter of the 1st of this instant I have had the pleasure to receive. I am exceedingly obliged by the con­ fidence you shew upon the occasion, and you may rest assured that the hint shall only be improved to promote the public service. B e ­ fore your letter came to hand, I had written pretty fully on the sub­ ject, and not widely different from the plan you propose. However the first opportunity I w i l l address you more fully on the matter, being more and more perswaded, that every measure which is taken to cramp the business of compieating the Cavalry, has a direct tendency to sacrafice the Citizens. W i t h the greatest respect & esteem 1 have the honor to be Y o u r Excellencys Most Obedt humble Sert, NATH GREENE 1

2

R C ( M i U - C ) . Dft ( M i U - C ) . T r of Dft ( C S m H ) . I H A D W R I T T E N P R E T T Y F U L L Y O N T H E S U B J E C T : See Greene to T J , 6 Apr.

1 Preceding four words omitted in Dft and in T r . 2 Dft and T r read: "personal esteem."

[405}

1781.

From John Skinker SIR

Boyds Hole Wednesday April 11th. 1781.

I received your Excellencys Letter by E x p r e s s T h u r s d a y morn­ ing last directing me to send 114 Men from this County to W i l ­ liamburg to perform a T o u r of duty. L a t e the same E v e n i n g I received a Letter from C o l . Stith on Potomack informing me that 3 large Schooners and some smaller Vessels of the E n e m y were opposite Hoes F e r r y . T h e y came too and about 8 o Clock at night landed at M r . G a r r a r d Hoes, plunderd his House and what they could not carry away they utterly distroyd. T h e y also took off 4 of his Negros and set fire to his House w h i c h the Captain of the gang permitted the Overseer to extinguish. T h e y then proceeded a few Miles up the river to M r . Robt. Washingtons where the same horrid scene was again renewd with every agrevating circumstance that can be conceiv'd. T h e y carried off 4 of his Negros and distroyd almost every Article of Furniture that Gentleman was possessd of; they then returnd on board, and the next day landed on the M a r y ­ land shore, and proceeded to M r . Dents where (as we heard a good deal of firing) they were opposed, but without effect as we soon discoverd all that Gentleman's fine buildings in flames. T h e i r next object was the Roman Priests House which they robb'd of every thing they could carry off, and then went to M r . Hansons whom they also plunderd. T h e i r Vessies then returnd down the R i v e r and came too off Cedar point. T h e y landed and were opposed by a small party of M i l i t i a tho' I apprehend without much affect as I am informd they took off most of the Tobacco that was in the W a r e ­ houses at that place. Sunday morning they proceeded down the R i v e r , and I was i n hopes that I should be able to discharge the M i l i t i a and comply w i t h your requisition, but before that took place I read an E x p r e s s from C o l . Jno. Washington, informing me that several large Ships were coming up Potomack. I n a few hours after we coud distinguish 3 lying at Anchor where they continued as the w i n d was strong against them t i l ' yesterday morning when they got under w a y and proceeded up the R i v e r . T h e y consist of 4 Ships none less than 2 0 Guns two B r i g s and two Tenders. A s the wind was fair I do imagine they woud get up as high as Dumfries that E v e n i n g . I t is generally conjecturd Alexandria is their Object. On their return I am apprehensive we shall receive a visit from them, and I am really sorry to inform your Excellency that not 1 third of my M i l i t i a have A r m s fit for service. I t has never been in [406]

11

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my power to procure the 150 G u n s &c. you sent me an order for on the Managers of the Factory at Fredericksg. A s the scituation of the Inhabitants of Potomk. is very alarming and distressing and we have near 3 0 Miles of County to protect from the depredation of these Pirates, I beg your Excellency and the Council would take the matter under consideration, and Countermand the order for sending 114 M e n with G u n s ( w h i c h is impossible to spare) from this County. I am now encampd at this place and shall continue t i l ' the ships return down. W e are endeavouring to secure the public Tobacco which is very considerable, and I think i n great danger, as the Houses are on the edge of the bank, and their Vessels can come within 150 Y a r d s of the shore. I am under the greatest obliga­ tion to Capt. Read and his Troop of Horse, who on m y informing him of our scituation immediately Joind and is now with me, and I do expect i f the E n e m y should land w i l l render us very escential service. I shall be highly obligd to your Excellency to write to me by the return of the E x p r e s s . I am S i r w i t h great esteem your Excellencys Most Obdt. H b b l Servt, J . SKINKER RC

( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

Y O U R E X C E L L E N C Y S L E T T E R : T h i s was

T J ' s letter to the county lieutenants of Orange, & c , 27 Mch. 1781 which requested 114 men from K i n g George co., of which Skinker was county lieutenant. C A P T . R E A D A N D H I S T R O O P O F H O R S E : See E d m u n d Read to T J , 10 A p r . 1781.

From James Slaughter SIR

Pages Warehouse April. 11th. 1781

I n consequence of your Letter to Colo. Barbour I have marched w i t h the number of M i l i t i a you were pleased to order from C u l peper amounting to 3 5 0 rank and file, proper Offercered on my w a y to W i l l i a m s b u r g , where we were ordered to rendezvouse. I this day received instructions from General Weedon to change my rout to Sandy point on James R i v e r , and from thence to General Mughlenburgs Headquarters. A s we are intirely without arms I w i s h your Excellencey to acquaint me where I may expect to be supplied for I conceive it highly necessary W e should be well equipt to march so far through the Country and probably near the enemy. I can assure your Excellencey the Offecers and men under my Command w i s h to pay the most ready and chearfull obedience to any orders from you or any Officer i n Command over them, but they think it absolutely necessary to be made acquainted with the place they can depend on receiving the necessary accoutrements for this expedition. I must beg leave to observe to you i n behalf of [407]

1 1 A P R I L

178 1

the Officers and Soldiers that the present season is the only one for makeing the necessary preparations for raiseing a Crop of Corn for the the support of their famelies and that many of them are obliged to labour, that your Excellencey w i l l endeavour to make our stay as short as possible consistent w i t h the publick good. I shall pro­ ceed to M a r c h to Sandy Point w i t h the greatest expedition where I shall wait your Excellenceys orders. I am Y r . Excellenceys most J A M E S S L A U G H T E R , Colo.

H St.,

R C ( P H i ) ; addressed and endorsed: "Colo. Slaughter's Letter April 11th 1781."

To James Slaughter SIR

I n Council April 11th. 1781.

T h e Orders from General Weedon for your crossing at Sandy Point were in Consequence of Instructions from this board. A s you go to relieve M i l i t i a at General Muhlenburgs Camp you w i l l of Course receive there the A r m s now in their Hands. I n the mean T i m e your M a r c h w i l l be perfectly safe, as you w i l l have General Muhlenburgs Camp between yourselves and the E n e m y . T h e present place of his Encampment is not precisely known to me, but it is 2 5 or 3 0 Miles above Portsmouth. Y o u w i l l know it by E n q u i r y long before you get near it. W e shall pay careful A t ­ tention to the Relief of the M i l i t i a in due T i m e , combining together as w e l l as we can their Conveniences and the general Good. I am &c, T.J. F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "Colo. James Slaughter."

To Francis Taylor SIR

Richmond April 11th. 1781

M y letter to Colo. W o o d by M r . M a r t i n as well as the one by the Dragoon was written under the Idea of the Troops of Convention having left the State. A s they are now ordered to remain our I n ­ structions must be varied. T h e Men who enlisted to serve as Guards only during the Stay of the Troops in Albemarle, are undoubtedly entitled to a Discharge. L e a v i n g therefore all the rest w i t h the Convention troops and w i t h just so many A r m s as are necessary for themselves, be pleased to have those entitled to Discharge marched back w i t h their A r m s [408

]

1 1 A P R I L

17 8 1

to the B a r r a c k s in Albemarle and there paid off and discharged. I wrote Colo. W o o d fully what to have done as to the spare A r m s and Stores. Those Directions continue still proper and the A r m s are extremely wanting for our defence below. M r . M a r t i n received Money to pay the Regiment off; every Effort is exerting to procure Cloathing. W i t h respect to the M i l i t i a G u a r d for the Convention Troops; it is impossible to spare one. So heavy is become the M i l i t i a D u t y by the Demands from General Greene, and to form an A r m y below that not a single County or P a r t of a County can be spared. T h e last Assembly entered on no Business, but of the most in­ dispensable Nature. I before advised you to apply to them by w a y of Memorial on Behalf of the Officers of your regiment which might be determined on at the approaching Session. I am &c, T.J. FC (Vi). MY

L E T T E R T O COLO. WOOD B Y M R .

M A R T I N : T h i s was no doubt T J ' s reply to Wood's letter of 5 Mch. 1781, q.v.; it may have been T J ' s to Wood of 12 Mch., which was concerned with one point raised in Wood's letter—the des­ tination of the Convention troops. But this is not likely; it is more probable that T J here referred to a now missing letter to Wood written toward the lat­ ter part of Mch.; see, for example, Hud­

son Martin's letter to T J of 5 Mch. in which he indicated that he would come to Richmond about 20 Mch. or earlier. TJ'S

LETTER . . .

B Y T H E DRAGOON

is

undoubtedly his letter to Francis Tay­ lor of 14 Mch.; see Taylor's to T J of 8 Mch. in which he said that he would next day send a dragoon to Richmond and requested a reply by the same mes­ senger. I W R O T E

COLO.

WOOD

FULLY:

No such letter to Wood has been found.

From Garret Van Meter SIR

Hampshire 11th. April 1781

T h i s day I was favoured w i t h your Excellency's letters of the 26th. and 27th. Ultimo; the latter requiring 2 4 2 of our M i l i t i a to M a r c h to W i l l i a m s b u r g in consequence of which I have given the necessary Orders; and hope they w i l l be complied with, although from former appearences I have reason to doubt there may be some reluctance. I am sorry to inform your Excellency, that a dangerous insur­ rection has lately arrisen in this County, occasioned by the execu­ tion of the late Acts of Assembly, for Recruiting this States Quota of Troops to serve in the Continental A r m y , and the act for sup­ plying the A r m y w i t h Clothes, Provisions and Waggons, in conse­ quence of w h i c h , the Collector of the T a x under the former act has been opposed in the Execution of his D u t y , and has been obliged [409]

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to desist, from any further proceeding therein, and although every measure that prudence could suggest has been taken to suppress the Riotors, yet it has proved inefectual by reason of their having a superiour force. I therefore thought it m y D u t y to lay this matter before your Excellency, and hope such measures w i l l be taken in consequence of the late act of Assembly for giving your Excellency farther powers and as shall be thought requisite. T h i s day our draught was compleated, and in a few day's shall send your Excellency a full account thereof and every other neces­ sary information requisite. I am very respectfully Y o u r very obt. sevt., G A R R E T V N . M E T E R . C o l . Com[dg.] R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. On the opposition to the draft laws in various parts of the state in April-May 1781, see Moffett to T J , 5 May 1781; McDowell to T J , 9 May 1781; and George Corbin to T J , 31 May 1781.

From George Weedon DR. S I R

Williamsburg Api. 11th. 1781

I have received a report of a small Fleet of the Enemies Vessells being in Potowmac. I t does not come officially to me, but is Com­ municated by a M r . T u r b e r v i l l who lives in the Northward Neck on the River, to his son Major T u r b e r v i l l . I am very Apprehensive they w i l l V i s i t Hunters workes and the G u n Factory in Fredericks­ burg. Those are objects worthy of their Attention, and might at this time be distroyed by T w e n t y men. I would therfore Submit it to your Excellency whether it is prudent to draw the whole de­ fences of the State below, leaving that Country totally uncovered, and protecting one that has no other Object in it more than plunder and which has been Forraged boath by the E n e m y and us. Geni. Phillips is not unacquainted w i t h the importance of these workes to our Operations, and w i l l sooner bend his force that w a y T h a n confining himself to descent here which can A n s w e r no other pur­ pose than distressing the Inhabitants. I would therfore propose some of the Troops shall be marched back, at least such as has but a few weeks to stay before their tour of duty w i l l expire. T h e y could be kept together for the Defence of that Country, but w i l l not I fear for this. Loudoun, Fauquier, Prince W i l l i a m , F a i r f a x talks of their tour being out about the 24th Inst. I t seems they were on duty some time previous to Orders for marching down here, and that those who came forward were the same Divisions that were [410]

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CalPd on in the first of the Invasion. T h e Spotsylvania men might also be spared from the Defences in this Quarter, as I cant think the E n e m y w i l l Neglect real Objects for Temporary ones. M r . Beai has a Quantity of Powder and about 7 0 0 0 w t . of L e a d w h i c h he offers to lend to the public. I know not how our Maga­ zines are furnished, but should think your Excellency had better take it as we may want. I am with high Esteem y r . Excellencies most obt. St., G F C ( P P A P ) ; inserted at head of text, in another hand: "To Geni Washing­ ton." Although this letter has been as­ signed, doubtless at a later date, as be­ ing addressed to Washington, it is ob­ viously Weedon's letter to T J of this date acknowledged in T J ' s reply of 17 Apr., q.v. Weedon also suggested to Steuben that S O M E O F T H E T R O O P S . . . B E M A R C H E D B A C K . On 10 A p r . he wrote:

" I received directions from the Gover­ nor to order the Troops coming forward over to Geni Muhlenberg. I f I can be permitted to carry up the Spotsylvania, Prince William, Fairfax, Loudoun, K i n g George, and Fauquier men, we shall be able to protect the works. Most of those men have not a very long time to stay on their tour, but would cheerfully con­ tinue for the Defence of that Country a longer time was it found necessary. I

WEEDON

beg your immediate answer." Steuben replied the next day that "several rea­ sons concur to prevent my ordering back the militia you mention": ( 1 ) there was no certain account that the enemy actu­ ally were making raids up the Potomac; ( 2 ) even if this were true, their object would be accomplished before militia from Williamsburg could arrive there; ( 3 ) the lower country would by such a move be left entirely defenceless; and ( 4 ) in trying to guard everything, noth­ ing would be defended (Weedon to Steuben, 10 Apr. 1781; Steuben to Wee­ don, 11 Apr. 1781, both in N H i ) . Steu­ ben sent Weedon's letter to T J by Col. Senf and no doubt T J and Steuben dis­ cussed the proposal when the latter was in Richmond on 11 Apr.; at any rate, T J concurred in Steuben's opinion (see T J to Weedon, 17 Apr. 1781).

From George Bird Middlesex, 12 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . W a s appointed with Col. George Daniel a commissioner of the specific tax for Middlesex, "and Agreeable to L a w we appointed commissioners to receive the said Taxes and gave public notice thereof, as also of the places appointed for the People to cary their grain." Daniel and Bird also appointed, among others, Mr. W i l ­ liam Chowning a deputy "for the purpose of seizing Cattle for the Use of the Army." Chowning "did take a Number of Cattle and Agreed with James K i d d to keep and Feed the said Cattle, and told the People of the County to Cary their Grain they intended to pay their Taxes with, to Kidds, which some did, and obtain'd his receipt for it. Others, he suffered the Cattle he had seized to remain in their hands, and directed them to feed the Cattle with the grain they allotted to pay their Taxes. ' The question is put to T J whether either of these groups of people have truly complied with the law and "are to be Cleared by the Commissioners of their Specific T a x , or not." 1

R C ( V i ) ; 3 p.; addressed and endorsed.

[411 )

To Robert Boiling and Others SIR

I n Council April 12. 1781.

Reasons to believe that the enemy intend a movement across the Country towards Carolina have induced M a j r . General Baron Steuben to desire anxiously to have made up of a sudden a body of 200 cavalry. I t is probable they w i l l not be wanting a fortnight, but in any event they shall be discharged at the end of one month from their rendezvousing at Petersburg. Supposing it would be in your power to raise a number suddenly I take the liberty of troubling you as I do several other Gentlemen with the proposition. I t w i l l be necessary for the troopers to mount and equip themselves. Some good Swords it w i l l be in our power to furnish and all of them with a shorter kind. So that the want of that article need not keep them from the field. T h e i r horses and accoutrements shall be ensured by the public against every thing but negligence, and the service shall be counted in lieu of a tour of M i l i t i a duty. W e wish them to ren­ dezvous as they are raised at Petersburg, as the call, should it hap­ pen, w i l l happen in a few days. T h e Commands shall be arranged at the rendezvous. F o r so short a service it is hoped that no difficul­ ties w i l l arise on that head. I am with great respect S i r Y o u r mo. ob. Servt., TH: R C ( D N A : R G 15, Revolutionary W a r Pension Files); in a clerk's hand, signed by T J and with his notation at foot of first page: "Capt. Robt. Boi­ ling." F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "Colo. Meade, Colo. Griffin, Colo. Mosby, M r . Smith, Colo. Goode, Colo. Pleasants, Mr. Boiling, Colo. Southall, & Colo. Dixon." On 12 Apr. the Council took under consideration Steuben's representation of the "necessity of strengthening our army below" and also his "anxious de­ sire to have made up of a sudden two hundred Cavalry." Being "very unwill­ ing to harass the Militia more than shall be absolutely unavoidable," the Council advised T J to write to all coun­ ty lieutenants requiring recruiting offi­ cers (those appointed in consequence of T J ' s letter to the county lieutenants of 30 Mch.) to receive "the Delin­ quents of whatever denomination who have been sentenced to serve in the

JEFFERSON

army, and march them to Richmond and Williamsburg without delay." At the same time the Council advised T J "to write to Colo. Everard Meade and some other gentlemen of activity and influence requesting them to raise a body of volunteer Cavalry agreeable to the Baron's request" (Va. Council Jour., n, 3 3 3 ) . Steuben was in Richmond on Wednesday, 11 Apr. 1781, and attended Council that day. At any rate several important decisions were taken at this time and it is possible that all were done at Steuben's insistence, as one undoubt­ edly was: ( 1 ) the attempt to raise an emergency body of cavalry; ( 2 ) the re­ newal of efforts to complete the defenses at Hood's; ( 3 ) the order to enforce the law against militia delinquents; and ( 4 ) the removal of the suspension of the draft law in those counties whose militia were not in the field ( see T J to Steuben, 19 Apr. 1781).

[412}

To William Call SIR

In Council April 12th. 1781

Y o u are not unacquainted with the Desire which Government has long had of erecting some defensive works at Hoods in your County which might protect so much of the river as lies above that place. T h e late Incursion of the E n e m y up the river, their Acknowl­ edgements of the Obstructions which that Post, well prepared, might have been to their Enterprize, their taking permanent post at Portsmouth, and preparing flat bottomed G u n Boats for ravaging the rivers are so many convincing Proofs of the Importance of this Object. T h e whole W o r k projected required from the first but little labour. I endeavoured by calling on five Counties to furnish on hire six Hands a Piece for a moderate time to effect it's Comple­ tion but in this we failed in a great Measure. E v e r y D a y bringing in new proofs of the necessity of still pressing this W o r k , I am induced to make to you on behalf of your County the following Proposition "that every M a n of your County who w i l l go or send an able labourer to work at Hoods eight Days between this T i m e and the last day of this Month, carrying with h i m an A x e and a Spade i f he has it, or other wise a Hough, shall be exempted from M i l i t i a D u t y out of his County for two Months from this Date." 1

T h e Superintendant at Hoods w i l l receive the Men, direct their labours and give you Certificates of those who shall have complied with the Condition. I must entreat you to give immediate Notice of the Proposition through your whole County. Rations w i l l be furnished them there. T h e y must carry their own Bedding, and such A r m s as they have to prevent Surprise from any small vessel which might run up. B e pleased also to inform me as soon as possible what prospect we have from this proposition and at the Close of the work the Proportion of your M i l i t i a who w i l l have exempted themselves for the above T e r m being called out of the County. I am &c, T.J. R S . I do not mean by this to withdraw from Service the Men now in the field or going there. General Muhlenburgs want of Men renders their Service necessary for the time they were to stay. FC (Vi). T h e quotation follows, with necessary modification, the authorization made by Council on 12 Apr.; the Council, however, did not stipulate that the laborers carry tools or arms with them ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., n, 334). 1

[413]

From Richard Claiborne SIR

Richmond. 12th April 1781

I do myself the honor to inclose to your Excellency an extract of a letter which I have received from Major General Baron Steuben respecting the horses at Petersburg. These are the horses that have been impressed and purchased for the late expedition against Portsmouth and have been collected agréable to the Baron's orders. Some of the owners are willing to take them back and give up their Certificates; this I have directed Capt. Holmes who succeeded M r . Elliott to have done, and to send all the purchased horses to a Pas­ ture near Carters ferry to recruit. Some of the impressed horses w i l l remain on hand perhaps for some time as it is impossible for Captain Holmes to know each mans particular property. W h a t w i l l your Excellency be pleased to have done w i t h them and whether do the directions I have given meet with your approbation? I have the honor to be with the greatest respect & esteem Y o u r Excellencys Most obedient Humble Servant R D . C L A I B O R N E D Q Mr. R C ( V i ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by Claiborne; addressed and endorsed. Enclosure ( NHi ) : Steuben to Claiborne, 10 Apr. 1781, in which Steuben de­ clared that the 120 horses assembled at Petersburg included only 11 fit for cavalry, the remainder being "good for

S.

V

nothing, so starved and poor, that they will not be fit even for Waggon horses this Campaign"; Col. Richard Call found some of these horses fit for his cavalry command, however ( C a l l to Steuben, 4 Apr. 1781, N H i ) .

From the Continental Board of War SIR

W a r office April 12. 1781.

I n answer to your Excellency's letter of M a r c h 31st. referred to the Board by Congress they beg leave to observe, that they think it w i l l be proper for the flag vessel to proceed round from James R i v e r to Potomack, and land their Cloathing, refreshments Money & c , designed for the Prisoners at George T o w n in the State of Maryland; there to be received by two Officers of the Convention Troops and conveyed to the Posts of Winchester and Fort Fred­ erick at their own expence. T h e Board are of opinion that at this particular Crisis, there ought not to be the least communication between the flag Vessel and the Officers of the Convention Troops; the former ought to depart immediately after the Goods are landed. T h e Board have wrote to Colo. W o o d to send forward the Officers, [414]

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who are to receive the Goods and Money for the Prisoners, in company w i t h an American Officer, and it may be expected that they w i l l be at George T o w n by the time of the arrival of the flag Vessel at that Post. T h e Board are very sensible of the want of arms in your State and w i l l use their utmost endeavours to forward on those which have come from Rhode Island; there is no other impediment to their moving immediately but the extreme want of money; there is the same objection to General Wayne's departure with the Penna. L i n e ; he is in Perfect readiness as to every thing else. W i t h respect to the Marquis l a Fayette and the Detachment under his command it is at Present uncertain, whether they w i l l Proceed to the southward or not: this is a matter however which w i l l altogether depend on the Commander in Chief. I have the honor to be Y r . E x c e l l y s . Most Obedt. Servt. B y order W I L L M . GRAYSON

of the Board.

R C ( V i ) ; in a clerk's hand, with complimentary close and signature by Gray­ son; addressed; franked: "War Office"; endorsed: " L r e from Board of W a r April 20th 1781" (date of receipt).

T o the County Lieutenants S I R

H

I n C O U N C I L ; A p r i l 12, 1 7 8 1 .

A V I N G received an application from the Commanding Of­ ficer to strengthen our army below, and being very unwilling to harrass the Militia more than shall be absolutely unavoidable, we are in hopes an immediate and sufficient accession of force may be obtained by application to the several Counties for their delinquents in M i l i t i a duty whom the L a w sentences to six months service. E v e r y County, we are confident, must have a number of these, and the laying them under the penalty is a justice due to the better part of the County, on whom, without a strict execution of the L a w , the whole M i l i t i a duties w i l l fall: These are now become too weighty not to be exacted equally and rigidly from all. Should your delinquents have been not yet sentenced, you w i l l be pleased to call a Court-Martial immediately for their trial. Y o u w i l l consider it as a standing part of the duty of the Officer, whom in my letter of the 30th of M a r c h , 1 7 8 1 , you were desired to appoint for receiving recruits for the w a r , to receive from time to time, all persons of whatever denomination, sentenced to serve in the army, and in­ struct him to march them to this place whenever he shall have such [415]

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17 8 1

a number as the distance and public necessity may render it expedient to march. T h e delinquents now particularly called for he must march immediately on their receipt to W i l l i a m s b u r g . B y executing this requisition, justice w i l l be done to the past services of the worthier part of your County, the tardy w i l l be punished, due obedience to the L a w s insured in future, the military duties equally and justly divided, and the necessity of an immediate call on you for more M i l i t i a prevented. I am, w i t h much respect, S i r , Y o u r most obedient servant, ¿Tk:

Broadside ( V i ) ; signed by T J ; addressed in a clerk's hand: "County Lieutenant or Commanding Officer of Militia [In TV's h a n d : ] Montgomery"; endorsed: "Governours Letter Ap 1781 demands the Delinquents or 6 months

Jefferson

men. None in the County." This broadside is not recorded in the standard bibliographies. F C ( V i ) . This action was authorized by the Council on 12 Apr.; see TJ's letter of this date to Robert Boiling and others.

To the County Lieutenants of King William and Certain Other Counties SIR

I n Council April 12th 1781.

A s your M i l i t i a is now returned or on their return home we have thought it necessary to take off the Suspension of the A c t of October 1 7 8 1 for recruiting this States Quota of Troops to serve in the Continental A r m y and to desire you to proceed to the raising the N e w Levies required from your County by that L a w , and sending them to the Rendezvous as directed in my Letter of January 19th. 1 7 8 1 . 1 am &c, T.J. FC (Vi); at head of text: "The County Lieutenants of King William, Augusta, Rockingham, New Kent, Amherst, Cumberland, Powhatan, Amelia, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Brunswick, Dinwiddie, Chesterfield, Sussex, Southampton, Henrico Charles City, Prince George, Surry, Isle of Wight."

From William Davies, with Reply SIR

W a r office April 12. 1781.

I was desired by the Baron before his leaving town to lay before your Excellency, an extract of a letter from General Greene, w h i c h unintentionally he omitted to present to you yesterday, altho' I think he said he had conversed w i t h you on this subject. H i s great anxiety for an immediate supply of ammunition to be forwarded on to General Greene has induced h i m to press this matter w i t h so [416 ]

Letter to the County Lieutenants, 12 April 1781 [Richmond, Dunlap and Hayes, April 1781]

Plan of the action at Osborne's, 27 April 1781

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much importunity upon you. I cannot well tell what to expect from Major Claiborne with respect to the transportation of the ammuni­ tion at Fredricksburg, as he sometimes tells me, his deputy there can collect what number of waggons he chuses, from the great estimation he is held in by the people, and at other times that noth­ ing can be done for want of money, altho' he confesses that wag­ gons have been received from three or four adjoining counties to that place. A s to the article of lead, w i l l it not be proper to direct the immediate purchase of all that can be got in this part of the country? T h e r e is some at Manchester and probably th[ere m a y ] be some in this town, and no doubt in many other places in the State. I t is of essential moment, and even i f M r . Ross should succeed i n procuring a quantity in the neighborhood of the mines, still the lead can always be sold and the State no loser. A s to the means of transporting it, we had better take the direction of it in a great measure ourselves, as the continental quartermaster's department in this State is too much governed by punctilio and nicety ever to effect much. I f we could at once establish a sadler's shop, enlarge the number of hands of the carpenter's business, and build log houses near W e s t h a m for their temporary accommodation till those nicer buildings projected by Col. Senf, can be executed, we should soon feel the advantage. I have prevailed upon Baron Steuben to consent to m y getting a number of hands for this purpose from Chesterfield; and i f the Government have no objection I w i l l take measures for beginning the business next Monday. I have the honor to be, S i r , Y o u r Excellency's most hbl Servt, WILLIAM

DAVIES

I n Council Apr. 12. 1781. W e w i l l immediately ( i n addition to our former requisitions) desire M r . Ross to extend his endeavors to procure lead over the whole state. T h e board approves of establishing and enlarging the works as proposed by Colo. Davies, and building log houses at W e s t h a m for their temporary accomodation. I shall speak w i t h M a j r . Claiborne and have something final concluded about the bringing [the lead and powder?] from Fredsbg. M r . Ross i f he can­ not bring in his purchases of lead [ w i l l of] course apply to the State Q . M .

T H : JEFFERSON

R C ( V i ) ; addressed. T J ' s reply, in his own hand, is on a blank page of Davies' letter and is endorsed. Presumably Davies enclosed with the present letter "an extract of a letter from Gen-

eral Greene"; this extract was forwarded by T J to the Virginia delegates in Congress in his letter to them of 13 Apr., in which it is identified as an extract of a letter from Greene to Steu-

[417]

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ben. This undoubtedly was taken from Greene's letter to Steuben of 2 Apr. in which the following passage occurs: "Captain Singleton has just returned from Prince Edward, who I sent after more Cannon, and reports that we are in the most disagreeable situation re­ specting Lead. I beg my dear Baron that you will take every measure to get a supply in your power. Write to the Board of War and Congress, and pur­ chase or impress all you can. Also urge the Governor of Virginia to employ as many people as he can to get a Supply from the lead Mines, if the vein is not run out. To be out of ammunition will be ruinous; especially as there will be a great demand for it in all probability" (RC in NHi; T r in CSmH). It is understandable that Steuben should have laid before T J only an extract of Greene's letter rather than the full letter itself. For that letter con­ tained also such expressions as the fol­ lowing: "If you leave Virginia all things will run into confusion. . . . My greatest expectations of support are from Virginia, drawn forth under your regulations and arrangements. If you leave them State policy and partial views will counteract all the support we may expect from that quarter and we shall all fall together to the South­ ward." This no doubt was said partly in order to soothe Steuben, whose bit­ terness over the loss of the opportunity to gain fame by capturing Arnold and whose anger at T J and the Council for rejecting his plan to lead 2,000 militia southward (see T J to the county lieu­ tenants, 29 Mch. 1781 and references there) had caused him to ask permis­ sion to abandon Virginia and join Greene's staff. But it also unquestion­ ably reflects Greene's unshaken confi­

1781

dence in Steuben and his lack of con­ fidence in T J and in the Virginia gov­ ernment; for, despite Steuben's rapidly waning influence among Virginians and despite TJ's repeated demonstrations of the fact that he was the key figure in Virginia's efforts to support the south­ ern army, Greene persisted in pinning all of his hopes on Steuben. It is to his credit, however, that Greene also had a high estimate of the abilities of Dav­ ies as an efficient officer in gathering and forwarding supplies; in a letter to Davies of 11 Apr. 1781 Greene, while approving Davies' going to the War Office, nevertheless could not refrain from a characteristic expression of criti­ cism of Virginia and her government: " I believe no state abounded with such a plenty as Virginia ever experienced such a scarcity for want of order and a proper application of her supplies. From your abilities and application I am in hopes there will be a great reformation. . . . History affords no instance of a nation being so engaged in Conquest abroad as Virginia is at a time when all her powers were necessary to secure herself from ruin at home. If they would seriously contemplate their situa­ tion, they must be convinced that by neglecting the army here they hazard its ruin and perhaps the state also" ( T r in CSmH). Even in his estimate of Davies, however, Greene may have been depending in part on Steuben's opinion, for on 2 Apr. 1781 Steuben wrote to Greene: "As the principal resources for your Army must come from this State I am persuaded much good will result from this Gentleman [Davies] being at the head of that Department which has hitherto been absolutely neglected" (NHi).

From William Davies SIR

War office Richmond Apr. 12. 1781.

F r o m the negligence of C o l . Munford the issuing continental commissary general in this State, there is the most shameful waste of provision and scandalous abuses in that department that can well be conceived. H e has not for many months paid the least atten­ tion to his deputies, and has even refused to appoint the necessary issuers to the troops below. T h e provisions delivered by M r . B r o w n [John Browne] for the purposes of the army in this state are put [418

]

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1781

into the hands of men appointed by any body that chuses to call himself a commanding officer; no account is ever rendered of the issues, nor w i l l the authority of these occasional commandants be acknowledged by Congress, and the receipts of these commissaries acting under these appointments w i l l of course be inadmissible as sufficient vouchers to make the United States chargeable w i t h the provision furnished by the state to their service. Independent of the difficulty which may hereafter arise in the adjustment of the Com­ missary's accounts, I would observe too the amazing waste which results from the relaxed state of that department; and that altho' the resolves of Congress expressly says that there shall be no issu­ ing post of provisions or of forage at any place where there are not continental troops stationed, yet in this state there are these petty commissaries in a variety of little towns where perhaps there w i l l not and have not been 10 continental soldiers in a twelvemonth. I would therefore submit it to the Executive whether it would not be eligible to direct M r . B r o w n to issue no provision after this month to any person but what shall be authorized to receive it, by regular continental authority; and that Baron Steuben be requested to appoint some one to do the duty of continental commissary general of issues, till the proper person to the northward shall appoint one, as M r . Munford is not only inadequate to the business, but has for a long time declined to act in his department, and is now under an arrest. I have the honor to be Your Excellency's most obdt Sert., WILLIAM

RC (NHi); addressed and endorsed. This letter was transmitted by T J to Steuben in a letter of 14 Apr. 1781, q.v. Davies had already made an official complaint to Steuben against Munford for neglecting his duty and failing to visit posts under his direction, "by which means at some of them the most shameful and ruinous waste has taken place"; Davies to Steuben, 3 Apr. 1781,

DAVIES

NHi. Steuben himself was aware of "the partial and improper distribution [of issues] which has hitherto taken place" and thought that this would be elimi­ nated at Petersburg where the cavalry had rendezvoused by the requirement that nothing should be issued but upon Davies' order; Steuben to Greene, 2 Apr. 1781, NHi.

To James Hendricks SIR

In Council April 12th. 1781

I had the Honour of an Application from yourself and others of the T o w n of Alexandria for enabling you to mount some Cannon for the Defence of your T o w n . T h i s Letter was not delivered 'till C419]

12

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1781

after one on the same Subject from Colo. Waggoner had been delivered and answered and the S u m of £ 5 , 0 0 0 . ordered, which I afterwards found was considerably necessary. I t was long ago determined to erect a Battery on each of the four great Rivers at the first Point where the passage of vessels could be prevented. W e begun w i t h James R i v e r but such has been the Impossibility of procuring hands that we never could complete the work there small as it was proposed. T h e r e being no place on Patowmac at which the passage of Vessels could be prevented and Alexandria being the principal post, we fixed on that as the proper place to have a defensive W o r k . A Battery of two Guns to drive off hostile vessels w i t h a redoubt and Block house sufficient for from 50. to 80 Men to defend the Battery, and perhaps too ( i f the Situation should admit) to be some Defence to the T o w n itself, is what we propose. T h e construction of these w i l l require About 10 Artificers (Blacksmiths, Carpenters and bricklayers) and require 4 0 Labour­ ers three Months. W e should rely on the T o w n to man the W o r k s in Case of A l a r m , the State only stationing there a sufficient G u a r d of regulars to keep Centinels on Constant Duty. I shall get the favour of Colo. Senf a skilful Engineer to go to Alexandria, ex­ amine the Ground, and form a P l a n of what can be done in this small W a y to furnish Protection for the vessels of Patowmac, which shall be obliged to run there for refuge. Whether the necessary works may require more or less than I have before supposed he w i l l inform you; A n d I am to undertake for Government that i f the persons interested w i l l furnish or pro­ cure by a fixed D a y the requisite number of Artificers and labourers to continue the requisite T i m e , these shall be paid by the State at the prices below stated w h i c h are what they give in other Cases and that without Delay, and that all other necessaries shall be fur­ nished by the State and a proper person sent to direct the Execution of the W o r k as planned by Colo. Senf who w i l l from time to time visit it himself during its Execution. I t w i l l be the last of the Month before he w i l l be able to go; in the mean time I shall hope to know whether we may undertake this work under an Assurance of its not failing thro' want of Hands. I am &c, T.J. 1

2

3

FC (Vi). The letter from Hendricks and others of Alexandria is missing; see Peter

Wagener to T J , 3 Apr. Hendricks was Mayor of Alexandria, ONE ON T H E SAME SUBJECT FROM

[420]

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COLO. WAGGONER . . . D E L I V E R E D A N D A N S W E R E D : Peter Wagener's letter to

T J of 3 Apr. 1781, q.v., apparently ar­ rived about 6 Apr., for on that date Council authorized a warrant to him for £5000 "to mount the Cannon at Alexandria." T J must have answered Wagener's letter about the same time, but the reply has not been found.

178 1

1 Apparently there is a clerical error in transcription here; T J may have in­ tended to say "inadequate" instead of "necessary." 2 The clerk wrote "Constitution." 3 This list of wages does not accom­ pany FC.

To L a Luzerne SIR

Richmond April 12. 1781.

I have the honour of your Excellency's favor of M a r c h 2 3 d and shall with great pleasure communicate to our Citizens our prospect of A i d from his most Christian majesty to whom we are already so infinitely indebted. I assure you S i r that these Prospects are necessary to inspirit them under the present Aspect of their Affairs. W e suppose one half of the enemys force in the United States to be to the South­ ward. Georgia and South Carolina have been long theirs, and North Carolina however well disposed convulsed by the ravages of two Armies her Citizens are too much engaged in saving their families and Property to join the American A r m y . I believe it may therefore w i t h truth be said that the opposition to the two hostile Armies in North Carolina and V i r g i n i a falls at present on V i r g i n i a only, aided w i t h about 500 Men from M a r y l a n d : W h i l e our Northern Brethren infinitely superior in numbers, in compactness, in strength of Situation, in Access to foreign Supplies of necessaries, possessed of all the A r m s and military Stores of the Continent, opposed by an E n e m y not superior to ours, have the protection of almost the whole of the Continental A r m y , w i t h the very important Addition of the A r m y and fleet of our Allies. A powerful Enterprize meditated by the Northwestern Savages, has obliged this State to have an A r m y of between two and three thousand men collected at this T i m e on the Ohio. T h e Cherokees on our Southwestern Corner take off the A i d of our most valuable Counties i n that Quarter. T o support General Greene and prevent the enemy entering our Country on the South we are obliged to send the whole of our regulars and continual reliefs of M i l i t i a , and on our Seaboard an enemy three thousand strong is firmly posted, has totally shut up the only door we had to Commerce for either private or publick purposes, and lays us under the necessity of keeping up two Armies of M i l i t i a to prevent their ravaging the adjacent Country. Notwithstanding all [421]

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this I believe from what I have lately seen that we should be sub­ stantially safe were our Citizens A r m e d , but we have not as many A r m s as we have Enemies in the State. Under such Circumstances it is not easy to foretell events, and it is natural for our People to ask i f they are to have no help from others. Should any considerable part of the Union be abandoned to the E n e m y , it must be in their hands very formidable to the future Safety of the rest. T h e Interests of our Allies, were an Appeal to that Motive neces­ sary, would place the Southern States in a point of V i e w of some Importance, as presenting to them very fair Objects of Commerce. T h i s Consideration however we are convinced was not wanting to draw to us the A i d of his Most Christian Majesty. T h e late efforts made for us by his fleet and army demonstrate that his A t ­ tention is not partial, and the hope held up in your letter of the 2 3 d is a further proof. T h e Northern States are safe: their independence has been es­ tablished by the joint efforts of the whole. I t is proved as far as testimony can prove any thing that our Enemies have transferred every expectation from that Quarter and mean nothing further there than a Diversion in favour of their Southern A r m s . I t would be unfortunate indeed should it be again proposed to lose a Cam­ paign on N e w Y o r k and to exhaust on that the efforts of the Con­ federacy as those of Spain on Gibralter, to give up Provinces in the South for towns in the North. Should a superiority on the Continental Seas be obtained by your fleet, it w i l l save everything from North to South. I f the Detachments of the B r i t i s h A r m y can once be insulated, they w i l l be whittled down by the militia, by famine, by Sickness and desertion to nothing. I f they can be prevented availing themselves of an army flying on the W i n g s of the w i n d to relieve the labouring post acting in N e w Y o r k , this week, in Portsmouth the next, in Charlestown the third, the face of the Continental W a r would be totally changed, and a single Campaign would strip them of the Labours and laurels of half a dozen. Could the Enemies for instance at Portsmouth be excluded from the water, they might be immediately blockaded by L a n d , and must fall in a due course of T i m e without the Loss of a M a n on our part. I am &c, T.J. FC ( V i ) .

La Luzerne's F A V O U R

OF MARCH

[422 ]

23D has not been found.

From Robert Mitchell SIR

George Town Maryland 12th. Apri. 1781

Yesterday on my A r r i v a l at Alexandria I found the town in much confusion occasioned by a small Fleet that appeared off the T o w n —say, three Ships, two B r i g s and two Schooners. T w o of the Ships appears to me to be of 18 Guns each, the other I cou'd not make out what number of Guns she mounted, but belive her to be a Frigate. T h e Lieutenant of the County expecting a sufficient number of M i l i t i a from the country (before the Shipping could get u p ) to defend the T o w n had the colours hoisted in the Fort, but finding the M i l i t i a did not come I n so fast as he had reason to expect, by the persuasion of the Inhabitants the colours were taken down. Shortly after, two Ships one B r i g , and a Schooner came to an anchor under French colours near the Fort. T h e Ship which was behind comeing up, got ashore, which occasioned those that were at an anchor opposite the T o w n to get under w a y to her assistance in doing which the B r i g run ashore. Colo. Fitzgerald intended getting one of the two twelve Pounders from the F o r t to a point opposite the B r i g , for to play on her. H a d there been any Boats at the T o w n she might have been taken. T o day there has been no News received here from Alexandria further than the M i l i t i a are turning out well. Numbers have gone from this Place. T h e Pennsylvania L i n e consisting of 1200 is expected here tomorrow. F o u r pieces of their artillery: and a large quantity of ammunition is already arrived. I have the honour to be your Excellency's most obt. Hble Serv­ ROBT.

ant,

MITCHELL

P S . Since writeing the above a Gentleman has A r r i v e d from Balto. who says there is certain accounts there of an imbarkation taken place at New-York of 5000 men under S i r Henry Clinton, intended to take post at the Head of Chesapeke B a y between that and the Delaware. RC ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

From John O'Bannon W i l l i a m s b u r g , 12 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . Encloses a recommendation from the officers of the Fauquier militia for the appointment of O'Bannon as [423 ]

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major. Maj. Aylett Buckner, who commanded this battalion on its march from Fauquier, has been obliged to give up the command on ac­ count of poor health. Desires a commission by the bearer. R C ( V i ) ; 5 p., including enclosure; addressed (in part): "favor of M r . Jno James"; endorsed. Enclosure (filed with the letter in V i ) : Certificate, dated W i l ­ liamsburg, 12 Apr. 1781 and signed by Captain John T . Chunn and ten other officers of the Fauquier militia in serv­ ice, stating that "John Obannon Gentle­

man is the Oldest Commission'd Cap­ tain in the said County," that M a j . Buckner has returned home, and that O'Ban non is well qualified to succeed to the command. T h e enclosure is en­ dorsed in part: "April 14th 1781," pre­ sumably the date of receipt.

From Lindsay Opie and James Ball SIR

Northumberland County April 12th. 1781

About ten or twelve daies ago I lost two very valuable Fellows, and M r . James B a l l lost three, which we conjectured were gone on board some of the E n e m y s Vessells, as for some time past, they have been, and still are hovering about the Shores of Potomack, from the mouth of the R i v e r , as high as Alexandria; our conjec­ tures Proved true, for from the information of a young Gentleman, a near Neighbour of ours, who was taken some time ago by the E n e m y and put on Shore yesterday by a F l a g , two of the said Negroes ( w h i c h he well k n e w ) were on board the Sloop of W a r , the T r i m m e r Captain Phillips, and he does not know but the others might be there also, as he did not know them, or on board the Sur­ prize Capt. Ross, ( a Consort to the T r i m m e r ) as there is a con­ siderable number of Negroes on board both Vessells, which loaded w i t h Tobacco in Mariland at Ceder Point Warehouses last week, and are gone to Portsmouth to unload, as it is say'd. T h e reason of our Troubleing your Excellency on this Occasion i s , in hopes you w i l l favor us so far as to grant us a F l a g to go in search of them, as they are valuable young Fellows, and we are not able to bear the loss. Should your Excellency think proper to indulge us, Capt. Samuel Denny, who was brought up in the N a v y , and is a prudent discreet man, has been so kind as promise to attend us. A s these slaves w i l l be a great loss to our Families, we hope it w i l l extend a sufficient excuse for Intruding upon your Excellency. W e are the more entent upon geting these Negroes, as it w i l l deter those we have left. I lost a third Fellow, the best I had when L o r d D u n mores fleet was with us, and the two present ones make it a most feeling loss to me. T h e E n e m y are distressing the People upon the W a t e r in this part of the Countrey exceedingly, by Robing them [424]

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and B u r n i n g their Houses, and we have few good G u n s , and little Amunition to defend ourselves w i t h , which is V e r y dishartning. Col. Gaskins in this County, had his dwelling house burnt to Ashes yesterday Morning by the E n e m y . I f your Excellency w i l l be kind enough to grant us a F l a g , we should be greatly oblige to you to Authorize Capt. Denny to insert the Flagmen. W e are your E x c e l ­ lencys most Obedient & Humble Servants LINDSY

OPIE

JAMES BALL

P S . A s I am i n a very lowe State of health, and know not wheather I shall be able to go with the F l a g , would most humbly thank you to allow me to depute some Gentleman in my [stead] shoud [ I ] not be able to go. L . OPIE R C ( V i ) ; evidently in Opie's hand and signed by him for both writers; ad­ dressed; endorsed in part: "April 16th 1781" (date of receipt). Enclosed in the letter from John Gordon and John Hull to T J , 14 Apr. 1781, q.v. It is clear from the present letter that Council's decision of 3 Feb. 1781 (see Vol. 4: 681) to deny all requests for flags "for the purpose of solliciting a restitution of plundered property from the enemy" did not effectively prevent applications, and the following from Gen. William Phillips to Muhlenberg indicates that it did not forestall actual solicitation: " I must stand excused from suffering Individuals to enter within the outposts of the King's Forces under my Command. T h e requests of persons re­ specting Negroes or otherwise not pro­ ceeding directly from an American Gen­ eral Officer may be sent in writing, to which attention will be given. I must desire of you, Sir, to refer to the ex­

planations already given by Brigr. Geni. Arnold upon the subject of Negroes which seem to me to carry every proper Weight upon the Occasion" (Phillips to Muhlenberg, 7 Apr. 1781, P P A P ) . T h e Council's decision was based on its opposition to Arnold's discrimination in favor of Loyalists, but in one instance a flag was recommended because the ap­ plicant was suspected of disaffection to the American cause: on 6 Apr. 1781 Col. Josiah Parker wrote to Steuben: "Mr. Ron aid s on has been some time soliciting a Flag to remove his family and effects in consequence of the Gov­ ernors Proclamation respecting paroles. He has incommoded himself with a view of going to Bermuda. Many reasons concur to convince me that his going will not be disadvantageous to the publick. I have therefore to request that you will permit him to remove" ( Parker to Steuben, 6 Apr. 1781, N H i ) . See also T J to Wills, 9 May 1781.

From John Christian Senf, with a Note from Jefferson to William Davies SIR

Richmond April 12th. 1781.

I n the Order, Y o u r Excellency pleases to send to the County Lieutnant of Prince George County, may'd be mentioned to send the Hands as soon as possible, and i f they send them by S i x and ten [the 16th], I shall be at Hoods and receive them myself, write down the Date they arrive, and whenever the time, agread on, is [425]

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1 7 8 1

ended, discharge them again. B y those Means, the W o r c k w i l l be advanc'd, without lossing the least time. T h e Tools and H a n d Barrows wanting, may be transported in a row-Boat to Hoods, and a L i s t of it, I shall deliver to Colonel Davis. Not to loss any time, in sending back and forwards, a W a r a n t from Y o u r Excellency would be necessary, to empower me, to hire some W a g g o n , Oxen, Horses or other Necessaries, which should be wanted for Hoods, and that the Certificates, I should give on that Account, should be paid on producing them; of w h i c h Cer­ tificates I shall keep an Account. W i t h perfect Respect I have the honour to be Y o u r Excellency's most obedt. and humble Servant, SENF I n Council Apr. 1 2 . 1 7 8 1 . I t w i l l be more regular for the money desired by Colo. Senf to be furnished by the Q . M . and w i l l be less perplexing to Colo. Senf, who would find it very troublesome to be settling w i t h waggoners &c. W i l l Colo. Davies be pleased to give orders on this head to the Q . M . and to originate a warrant i f that should be necessary? Also an order to the Commissary to lay in 4 0 0 0 rations at P r . Geo. C . H . by the 18th. inst. including what he has at Hood's, as we have proposed to that county that every man who shall go or send an able person to labour at Hood's 8. days between this and the last day of this month shall be exempted from militia duty out of his county three months. T H : JEFFERSON RC ( V i ) ; addressed by Senf and transmitted by T J (whose note on the verso is in his own hand) to Davies, who endorsed the two communications. THE ORDER . . . TO T H E COUNTY L I E U T E N A N T OF PRINCE GEORGE: See

T J to William Call, 12 Apr. Curiously, T J was in error in saying in his note to Davies that the men of Prince George who complied with the proposal were to be exempted from militia duty for "three months"; both the proceedings

of the Council and T J ' s letter to Call state clearly that the exemption shall be only for two months beginning with the date of the Council's proposal ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., i i , 3 3 4 ) . Possibly a threemonths' exemption had been discussed and in the rush of business on this busy day T J confused what had been pro­ posed with what had been authorized. See Call's comment on the inadequacy of a two months' exemption in his letter to T J , 14 Apr. 1781.

From Francis Taylor SIR

Winchester April 1 2 . 1 7 8 1 .

I informed you in m y last, that the major part of the Soldiers belonging to the Regiment of Guards, claimed discharges on being [426]

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removed from the Barracks in Albemarle, and when C o l . W o o d returned the 9th instant, he ordered that a Board of Officers should sit the next day to report those men who had always been mustered to serve only at the Barracks, and that I should discharge such. I n consequence the Soldiers of three Companies were discharged. Another Company whose Muster Rolls could not be produced, generally claimed their discharges, but are ordered to continue till the Rolls are produced. T h e r e are very few but say their enlistment was to serve only as those above mentioned, and are generally dis­ satisfied at being kept longer in service. About T h i r t y have de­ serted, who claimed a right to have discharges. Most of those now with the Regiment have Certificates or say they can produce evi­ dence that they enlisted only to serve at Albemarle Barracks; Desertion prevails so much that I fear in a little time there w i l l not be men to form one Company left, and so naked that (on that ac­ count) they are almost unfit for service. T h e Deserters w i l l be advertised, but I expect hardly any of them w i l l be taken, as they generally claimed discharges, and some of them were intitled. I t is my opinion the remaining men had better be discharged, and I hope your Excellency w i l l direct it. I f you think they ought to be kept in service, it w i l l be necessary to have them immediately clad to be fit for service, and as there w i l l not be a command for all the officers expect some w i l l be permitted to retire, and on account of my i l l state of health I would gladly be indulged, but w i l l cheer­ fully continue to serve i f thought necessary. Although the men who deserted have forfeited their right to the pay and cloathing due them, and acted contrary to their duty, I cannot forbear pitying them who were entitled to discharges. T h e A r m s and accoutrements of the Discharged and Deserters are de­ livered to the Quarter Master of this place. I f One hundred men are to be raised and Stationed at the Barracks in this neighbourhood, I think they w i l l be a sufficient G u a r d over the German Prisoners. I am sorry to mention again to your Excellency the injustice or partiality with which our Officers have been treated by not being allowed to have the depreciation of their pay in common w i t h others. T h e Western Battalion had not been more than half the time in service when the resolution was made, and the Officers belonging to it have Received their money for depreciation. I have conversed with many Gentlemen of the Assembly who all said they were of opinion we were included in the Resolve. I must in behalf of the Officers request Our case may be represented to the next Assembly, and doubt not of having justice done us. [427}

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Inclosed is the Copy of a certificate from which part of Capt. Purvis's Company claim their discharges. Also a Return of the Regiment for the current day. Pray send me such orders as may be necessary how to proceed as soon as possible. W i t h profound respect I am Sir Your obedt. humble servant FRA TAYLOR R C ( V i ) ; addressed; endorsed in part: "April 23d 1781" (date of receipt?). Enclosures missing:. M Y L A S T : See Taylor to T J , 3 Apr.

From Foster Webb SIR

Treasury Office, 12th. Apr. 1781.

W e have no Continental Money on hand, and do not think any can be procured. There stil remains 950 Dollars 1 for 4 0 . 1 imagine Specie could be purchased if you chuse to have it done. I am Your Mo. Obedt. Servt., F .W E B B JR. C.T. [Commissioner of the Treasury] RC

( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

To SIR

In Council Apr. 13. 1781.

The Council having determined that Colo. Elligood should be permitted to go into the enemy's line[s] or to any other part of the Continent in possession of the enemy, I am to ask the favour of you to furnish him with a parole. Colo. Curie will take charge of the parole and find a means of conveying it after signed to you. I am with great respect Sir Your most obedt. servt., 1

TH: R C (Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia); address lacking. It is likely, but not cer­ tain, that this letter was addressed to William Davies, since Davies wrote T J on this date about the form of parole required by the British, q.v. Also Col. Curie was in Richmond about this time (see Prentis to T J , 8 Apr. 1781). See

JEFFERSON

Downie and Thompson to T J , 4 May 1781 and note there. i T h e awkwardly expressed meaning of this final clause becomes clearer when it is realized that the words "after signed" were interlined by T J after the sentence was completed.

From Richard Claiborne SIR

Richmond 13th. April 1781

Mr. Brown informed M r . Parks, that M r . Hay of this town, sent down to Captain Charles Thomas at Warwick four hundred G a l [428 ]

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Ions of Oil; As the Continental Commissary of Hides has not any, will your Excellency be pleased to direct Capt. Thomas to lend us a little for a Short time; as Mr. Marks is gone to Philadelphia re­ specting his department, and will furnish himself so as to be able to return it. W i l l your Excellency be pleased likewise to give me an order for all the grain that is to be collected by tax in the Counties that compose the districts of Charlottesville, Carters ferry and Boyds ferry? I wish to have it collected and formed into Magazines as soon as possible, that the Transportation of it may be regularly going on to the Southern Army. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Your Excel­ lencys Most obedient Humble servant RD. CLAIBORNE DQMr. R C ( V i ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by Claiborne; addressed and endorsed.

From Richard Claiborne Richmond, 13 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . Encloses an extract of a letter from Mr. Young at Fredericksburg. "He mentions nothing of my letter respecting the Waggons to be ready for the Stores that are to come from the Marquis." R C ( V i ) ; 3 p., including enclosure; in a clerk's hand, signed by Claiborne; addressed; endorsed in part: "April 14th 1781" (date of receipt?). Enclosure (filed with the letter in V i ) : " E x tract of a Letter from M r . Young A.D.Q. Master at Fredericksburg dated

10th. April 1781," informing Claiborne that "16 Wagons Loaded with Military Stores, &c. past through Town this evening and 12 more will be here to morrow Loaded with Stores and Cavalry Accoutriment, 14 more will be here in a few days, all from Philadelphia."

From William Davies SIR

War office April 13. 1781.

As it would be proper for us, I suppose, to make use of the same kind of parole that the British require of us, which is very restricted in its terms, I will be obliged to your Excellency to favor me with a copy or the original parole signed by Govr. Hamilton. I am your Excellency's most obdt servt., W I L L I A M DAVIES R C ( V i ) ; addressed; endorsed in part: "April 14th 1781" (date of receipt?).

[429]

From Prévost Deleurieux MESSIEURS

au port-au-prince le 13. avril 1781.

L e S r . M a r y , négociant de cette ville, qui E x p é d i e pour votre province de virginie son brigantin le D a r t h , capitaine D a v i s , avec des D e n r é e s de cette colonie, se propose de charger en retour chez vous des farines et salaisons, nous vous prions instamment de luy accorder cette grace; ce Sera un Service essenciel que vous nous r e n d r é s ayant fait cet armement à nôtre demande pour rapporter des Secours en Subsistance dont nous Sommes dans un pressant besoin, l a Colonie se trouvant entièrement d é p o u r v u e . Ce b â t i m e n t est à l'adresse de M . M . D a v i d , Ross et compagnie que nous vous prions d'Engager à nous E x p é d i e r quelques cargaisons de ces m ê m e s Comestibles. Nous vous en aurons une obligation infinie. Nous sommes avec Respect, Messieurs, Vos très humbles et très PRÉVOST D E L E U R I E U X

obéissants Serviteurs, R C ( V i ) ; endorsed: "Deluereu." T h e spelling of both parts of the signer's name is doubtful. Opposite the signature is a name in another hand: "Vin-

cent." At foot of text on first page is the following: "Mr. Thos. Jafferson Gouverneur de la Province de Virginie."

From Thomas Gaskins N o r t h u m b e r l a n d , 13 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . Encloses an account of the draft in Northumberland county. Only three men enlisted for the war: Thomas Giles, Michael Taylor, and Thomas Harding; sends certificates for these men and wishes them returned by the bearer, together with bounty money for them and for 40 men drafted. "We have great Destruction in and about our place B y the Barberous and Cruel Pirating Vessells B y Stealing our Negros &c. I had my Dwelling house Burnt to ashes on Wednesday morning with Considerable Loss, which you may be fully informed by the Bearer, Mr. Jesse Crowder." R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; addressed (in part): "favd. by M r Jesse Crowder"; endorsed. Enclosures missing.

From George Gilmer DEAR SIR

13 April 1781 Charlottesville

Revolutions indeed. Yesterday George T w y m a n , C . L . L e w i s , James M a r k s , and Isaac Davis mounted the rostrum, the two latter were returned delegates for the once favored County of Albemarle, Colo. Joseph Cabell, Senator for this district. T h i s day a change took place in our Military department. Colo. J o h n Coles [430]

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1 7 8 1

resigned, Capt. John M a r k s promoted. Colo. Nicholas L e w i s re­ signed, T h o s . W a l k e r J u n r . promoted, the first County Lieutenant, second Colonel. T h e courts failing to promote in the line w i l l occa­ sion numberless resignations. Reuben L i n d s a y , John M a r k s and James Minor Commissioners. Happy the man who can feal himself adequate to the rapid changes in his sphere of life, this day moving in the Congregation of groans, the next wishing to become a Legislature. T h e two [who] had Confederated to blend their forces together had the In't [Interest?]. T w y m a n and C . L . L . would have been returned but they could not hang together. Party business seems to be propagating very rapidly. I long to behold the period when you may w i t h propriety retreat to Montchello, but for your Countrys sake I hope you'l persevere to labor for its Salvation in your present Station so long as your country shall have virtue enough to con­ tinue you. T h e envious only hate that excellence they can not reach. Heavens inspire every one w i t h that Laudable ambition of serving their Country as you have done, [without] one self interested motive. Do you ever see Rickman? I s he in office? M y friend M r . Harmer has at M r . Gaits a Chest of books. Should your W a g g o n come up with a light load, at any time you'l oblige h i m and greatly serve me by permitting them to a place. L u c y unites in most sublime Compliments to L a d y & famely w i t h your most Obet. Humble GEORGE

Servant, RC (DLC). For T J ' s action on this highly inter­ esting letter, see his letter to David Jameson, 16 Apr. 1781 and references there. M O N T C H E L L O : Gilmer's spelling of this name is an early and important clue to its pronunciation by residents of Albemarle co. during T J ' s lifetime. It seems unquestionable that T J himself, who chose the name (Italian: "little mountain"), who had some knowledge of the Italian language, and who had numerous Italian friends, intended and always used the Italian form of pronun­ ciation: M o n t i c h e V l o . Partly from the fact that the name has been used else­ where in the United States and—as is usual in place names taken from foreign sources—has been Anglicized or Ameri­ canized as M o n t i s e V l o , usage is now thoroughly divided. ( T h e 1949 U.S. Postal G u i d e lists Monticellos in seven­ teen states besides Virginia.) I n the

GILMER

vicinity of Charlottesville informed per­ sons adhere to the Italian form, and this is probably true throughout the United States when T J ' s home is men­ tioned rather than some other Monticello. In support of this "learned" form, Gilmer's spelling in the present letter may be cited; also the form "Montichello" in James Monroe's letters to T J of 18 June and 1 Oct. 1781, qq.v. Twenty-four years later Meriwether Lewis ( a native and resident of Albe­ marle) wrote T J from Fort Mandan in the Dakota country, 7 Apr. 1805 ( D L C ) : "You may therefore expect me to meet you at Montachello in Septem­ ber 1806." Finally, at least for present purposes, may be cited the explicit statement by John Adams Kasson, a Vermonter who was then tutoring in an Albemarle family, in a letter written back home, 4 Feb. 1843: " I am work­ ing my way round, by the aid of Betty

[431)

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1781

A P R I L

[White] and the rest of the family, into most of the families of this circle which contains, besides those I have before mentioned, a gentleman closely related to Jefferson and brought up at Monticello (President J's seat), the c pro­

nounced like c h i n chair—Montichello" (original in Kasson MSS, ViU; refer­ ence kindly furnished by Francis L . Berkeley, Jr., to whom the editors are indebted for other information in this note ).

From Thomas Hamilton SIR

Richmond 13th. April 1781

Agreeable to your Excellencies Orders I have Allow'd the F o l ­ lowing Prisoners of W a r , the Liberty of the T o w n , V i z t . George Richardson, John A s k i n , R i c h a r d A r i s , John Gibson, Robert T a c k berry, E d w a r d Conner, Jonathan Shaw, John Uree, and R i c h a r d B r a d y . M r . Rose informs me that they were deliver'd to h i m as prisoners of W a r and from examineing them I belive them to be such. Inclos'd vour Excellencv has a list of the Prisoners of W a r remaining in Prison, who wish to experience the same Indulgence as the others. T h e r e is a Capt. Robt. Carre and one D a v i s , who is in Irons says they are Also Prisoners of W a r tho I know not what Charges there is exhibited Aganst them. I am Y o u r Excellencies Most Obt. Hble Servant,

T H O M A S H A M I L T O N T . Majr.

[ T o w n Major] R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. Enclosure missing.

From Joseph Holmes SIR

Winchester 13th. April 1781

I acknowledge the receipt of Y o u r Excellencies Letter by E x ­ press enclosing sundry Matters for the County Lieutenant. H e being absent the business falls upon me to execute. I shall there­ fore immediately give the necessary Orders, and send On the Draughts with as M u c h Expedition as possible. V e r y few, i f any of this County March'd to the westward but have been Obliged to furnish upwards of one hundred M e n lately to guard the Prisoners of W a r to the State of Pennsylvania, some are sent to Philadelphia the rest to Lancaster. I t seems Congress thought proper that the M i l i t i a from this State should go the whole w a y and not call upon M a r y l d . or Pennsylvania, as it would been considered by them as having done a T o u r of duty. T h e convention Troops are now at the B a r r a c k s near this place which w i l l likewise require a G u a r d , as

[432]

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the greatest part of the Guards inlisted i n Albemarle for that purpose are discharged. I w i s h Y o u r Excellency would consider the burden that this County L a y s under, relative to furnishing Guards Over the Prisoners and Order an equal proportion from the Neighbouring Counties. T h e r e Must be at least Sixty Cabbins More built for the reception of the Prisoners at this place. I continued adding to the Number your Excellency first Ordered, but find it impossible to do any More unless I am furnished w ith Money to pay for those Already done. I was under the Necessity of Building a large House with Shingled Roof for a store House, for the Ishuing Commissary A n d Quarter Master. T h e Quarter Master at this post Agreed with W o r k m e n for Sixteen pounds Specie O r the Exchange for the Store House, which they have finished Agreeable to contract, and Are Continually Harrasing me for the money. I am with the Greatest respect Y o u r Excellencies Most Obt. Servt., J O S E P H H O L M E S Coll. F . M . [Colonel Frederick M i l i t i a ] r

RC (Vi); addressed; endorsed in part: "April 19th 1781" (date of receipt?). TJ's L E T T E R B Y E X P R E S S was no doubt that of 30 Mch. to the county lieutenant of Frederick.

From L a Luzerne MONSIEUR

A Philadelphie le 1 3 . A v r i l 1 7 8 1 .

Cette Lettre Vous sera remise par M r . le Camus, Enseigne de Vaisseaux à qui M r . le Chevalier Destouches a donné le Commandement du B r i g de 1 4 . Canons, une des prises faites par l a division aux ordres de M r . de T i l l y . I l est c h a r g é aussi de faire tous ses efforts pour armer une goélette de 1 0 . canons prise par cette m ê m e division. Ces deux Batimens seroient d'une grande utilité à M r . Destouches surtout depuis l a perte que Son Escadre a faite du Cuter l a G u ê p e . J e prie Votre Excellence de vouloir bien accorder ses bontés et ses secours à M r . le Camus et de L u i faire remettre tous les François susceptibles de faire le Service de matelots à bord de ces deux Batimens. S i m ê m e quelques matelots Américains lui Sont nécessaires, j'espere que l'Etat de Virginie voudra bien l'aider à se les procurer. J'espere que Vous voudrés bien aussi l u i procurer les autres secours qui pourront être nécessaires pour l'exécution de l a Commission dont i l est c h a r g é . Nous n'avons jusqu'ici aucune nouvelle d'Europe depuis celles qui nous ont été apportées par Yastrée, et dont j ' a i eu l'honneur de Vous faire part. [433]

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17 8 1

J e suis avec un respectueux attachement, Monsieur, D e Votre Excellence, L e très humble et très obéissant Serviteur, L E CHR DE LA LUZERNE R C ( V i ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by L a Luzerne; endorsed.

To Henry Lee, Sr. SIR

I n Council April 13th. 1781

I am exceedingly sorry to hear that the Counties on Potowmac are so much harrassed by the E n e m y and am very apprehensive it w i l l continue some T i m e untili our Allies can clear us of them which I hope and expect. T h e A c t of Assembly referred to in your letter as authorizing the Executive to raise M i l i t i a Cavalry only gave that Authority where there was reason to apprehend a Mutiny against the late Draught. Upon this Apprehension we authorized the raising a Troop for the two Counties of Northumberland and Lancaster and no where else. W e wish exceedingly that we had a Power of doing it, because it would be the most effective protection to the exposed Counties which could be given them by L a n d . A l l we can venture to do is i f you can make use of a Party of M i l i t i a not exceeding the Number of a Troop as mounted Infantry, finding their own Horses, we may order forage to be found them while on actual D u t y , but in every other Respect they must be considered as M i l i t i a for this Purpose. I inclose you an order to M r . M c M i l l a n Deputy to M r . B r o w n in your County. I am &c, T.J. F C ( V i ) . Enclosure missing.

From Richard Henry Lee DEAR SIR

Chantilly April 13th 1781

Since I had the honor of w r i t i n g to you by the E x p r e s s that brot the acts of assembly, one ship and a brig additional to the enemies force on the day of our rencontre with them, have joined and a l l proceeded together up to Alexandria. W e have heared of their passing by the mouth of Occaquon. Being thus reinforced, it is not improbable, that in resentment for what happened here on the 9th. instant they w i l l attempt to do us injury as they return down the river. Upon this idea, the Officers opinions concurring w i t h m y [434 }

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own, I have sent this Express to solicit ammunition and flints, that we may not be found incapable of making defence. T h e powder and lead that you were pleased to give me an order for in J a n u a r y last, being so far exhausted, that we have not two cartridges a man left, and no flints that are good for any thing. I am informed that there are two or three barrels of powder for sale in this neighbor­ hood which have lately arrived. I f your Excellency w i l l authorize me to purchase and draw upon government for what shall be neces­ sary, you may be assured that the trust shall be executed with dis­ cretion. A n d after this, we shall want lead and Cartridge paper, with which, some of our soldiers can form the cartridges. I expect that the Bearer w i l l be provided with the means of bringing some flints and cartridge paper from Richmond, or flints with ready made cartridges, which latter w i l l suit us well i f the attack should come quickly upon us. B y the number of Vessels that are now here, and by the concurring accounts of deserters and of our own people who have come from the enemy, it appears that Potomac river w i l l be much the scene of their predatory w a r this summer. Robt. Carter esqr late of the council has had 2 5 negroes taken off a few nights ago from a quarter close by the river side, and from Ceder point Warehouse in Maryland they have lately taken a considerable quan­ tity of Tobacco in open day, besides burning a house or two, and plundering largely. I f you have any late news from the south I shall be very thankful for it, as well as for your ordering this Express to be paid what is usual—the distance 74 miles, and two ferries, himself and his horse, the same returning. I n our late brush with the enemy we saw opportunities of doing excellent service with a light piece of cannon or two—even a swivel might have con­ veyed much injury to the enemy. W e have a swivel, but we want ball, grape shot, and powder. A n order for some of these on Fred­ ericksburg w i l l avail us much. I find that M r . Parker has trans­ mitted to M r . W e b b an accepted order of Congress to be applied in purchasing some Tobacco for the relief of his captive sons in Charles T o w n . T h e y are very worthy Officers, and government w i l l of course benefit valuable Citizens i f this order can be so used as to execute the fathers intentions. T h e inclosed advertisement seems to be of a public nature. I f your Excellency should be of that opinion you w i l l order the printer to publish it in the V i r g i n i a Gazette. I have the honor to be S i r your most obedient and very humble RICHARD HENRY L E E

servant,

[435

]

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RC (PHi); endorsed in part: "April 16th 1781" (date of receipt?). Enclos­ ure missing: a search of the V i r g i n i a G a z e t t e has not disclosed such an "ad­ vertisement" as Lee described. Lee's letter BROT T H E ACTS

B Y T H E EXPRESS THAT O F A S S E M B L Y was un­

1781

doubtedly that of 9 Apr. 1781, the original of which has not been located but is partially summarized above under its date. On 14 Apr. the V a . G a z . ( D & N ) announced that "The laws of Octo­ ber and March sessions of Assembly are printed, and are ready to be deliv­ ered when called for."

From John Page DEAR SIR

Rosewell April the 13th. 1781

A s , by the Neglect of our Commissioners, T h e Assessment has not yet been returned we have been prevented from laying off our Divisions for the Draught; and as our County is at present i n a very defenceless State and daily exposed to the Ravages of the E n e m y I must entreat you i n behalf of the County to suspend the Operation of the Act till the Situation of our Affairs m a y render it less allarming and distressing than it might be at present. I con­ ceive that the Assessors w i l l not make their Returns so as to enable us to lay off the Proportion of the Divisions before the 1st. of M a y . I f you w i l l be pleased to suspend the Operation of the L a w till that D a y at Least you w i l l oblige the People of Gloster & Y r . Friend JOHN

& most obedt.

PAGE

RC ( V i ) ; addressed; endorsed in part: "April 18th 1781" (date of receipt?).

From William Preston SIR

Montgomery. April 13th. 1781.

Enclosed I have sent your Excellency a return of the militia of this county, according to the lists delivered by the captains a few days past. I expect the number w i l l encrease fast, as many people have removed and are removing from the troubles of the Southern states, to take shelter here for a time, until the storm blows over. T h i s induces me to hope that your Excellency w i l l order this militia to be divided into two battallions, and send the commissions ac­ cordingly; as it would be a great ease to the officers and men, i n a county so broken w i t h mountains, and so extensive as this i s . A number of blank commissions is much wanted; as many officers have been recommended by court, and have done duty, for whom I have no commissions to fill. Sometime ago, I made application to M r . Rowland Madison, for [436]

1 3 APRIL

178 1

the quantity of powder and the number of Flints, w h i c h your Excellency had informed me, had been ordered up the country by him, for the use of this county. H i s answer was, that he received none but what was for the use of the Western expedition; w h i c h laid me under the necessity of purchasing powder, at a very high price, to supply the militia who were ordered to Carolina. A t pres­ ent we have none; and should the Draughts now ordered to join General Green be raised, I am doubtful their march w i l l be pre­ vented, for want of that necessary article. I am very apprehensive, that the number of men demanded on this occasion cannot be raised. I t is the general opinion of the Officers, as well as m y own opinion, that nearly one half of our M i l i t i a are disaffected, and therefore cannot be drawn into the service either by threats or otherwise; and should they be punished according to L a w , they would either withdraw to the mountains, or embody and disturb the peace of the county. T h i s consideration has prevented the Court martial from putting the L a w in execution against them. A d d to this, that five companies make a frontier of more than eighty miles, who cannot be drawn out, at this season of the Y e a r , without leaving their families exposed to the Savages; who have already committed depredations amongst the Frontier inhabitants. T h u s the defection of many, and the exposed situa­ tion of others have laid the whole Burthen of the Service on less than half the militia; who have suffered therein both in their per­ sons and property. T h i s , S i r , is a just representation as near as I am able to judge. On the 8th of February last I called a number of the Officers together, to consult on a plan for raising a body of men on the Frontiers, for the defence of the country against the Common E n e m y ; at which time intelligence was brought, that the Brittish Troops, under L o r d Cornwallis, were marching up the country towards the Moravian settlements, and that it was more than prob­ able a party would be detatched to destroy the L e a d mines, as the distance was not great, and the confusion of the country beyond description. H a v i n g such early intelligence of the approaching danger, I believed it m y duty to order out all the militia I could raise, without waiting any other call than that of the danger to which the country stood exposed. I n this I was seconded by every Officer present, and in order to encourage old and young to go, who were fit to bear arms, I not only proposed to go myself, but sent for my son, just turned of sixteen, from a school in another county. I went to the L e a d mines, where the militia was to rendezvous, and [437]

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continued there and in the neighbourhood until the 18th., when I marched with about 3 5 0 rifflemen, mostly on horse-back; w i t h them I proceeded by long marches, until I joined Geni. Pickens, by Geni. Green's order, at no great distance from Hillsborough, and within three miles of Tarleton's Legion, who had repassed H a w R i v e r . T h e dissaffected, and some others whom I had drawn out, deserted. W i t h the remainder we did hard duty, under Geni. Pickens, twelve or fourteen days, on the Enemy's lines, greatly straitened for provisions. P a r t of the men were in one action, and the whole in a second; in both overpowered by numbers, and in the last broken and dispersed with the loss of their blankets. After which no arguments that could be made use of by myself, or the other officers, could induce the remaining few to continue another week; the time Geni. Green requested. After staying a few days at the Moravian T o w n , to have the wounded taken care of, Colo. Crocket and myself came home, accompanied by only two or three young men. I t gave me great pain that our M i l i t i a returned so soon; but I w i l l venture to say, they did duty on the Enemy's lines as long as any other that went from behind the mountains, and much longer than some. I obeyed every order that I received either from Geni. Green, G l . Pickens or Colo. W i l l i a m s of the Maryland line; and underwent the same fatigue, watching, fasting and Dan­ ger, that any other militia officer did while I was on duty. I beg, S i r , you w i l l pardon the trouble of this detail of facts, which I lay before your Excellency, to remove any impressions that might be made on your mind, or that of the Honourable board, by idle rumours propogated, I suppose, by the unthinking and inactive part of mankind. I beg leave to observe, that it is not in m y power to get M i l i t i a to guard the Mines. T h a t they are in some danger from the dis­ affected. T h a t the workmen and managers are in great distress for want of meat, and that, they inform me, there is the fairest pros­ pect of Ore they have had [ i n ] a long time; which they believe w i l l turn to a considerable advantage to the state, could they be pro­ tected and supported. Such was their distress lately, that I was affraid the business would be retarded, and therefore advised Colo. L y n c h ' s assistant to purchase a little bacon w i t h lead for the pres­ ent, until Colo. L y n c h would return, or some steps be taken to get a supply. I am your Excellencys most Obedt. & very hble Servt., WM,

[438

]

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R C ( V i ) ; endorsed in part: "April 2 I s t 1781" (date of receipt?). Enclos­ ure missing. The fact that Preston felt it neces­ sary to present such a detailed account of his actions and to state that he had obeyed every order given him by Greene suggests that rumor was active. Indeed, about this time Greene's own concern for his relations with the offi­ cers of Virginia was manifest in the fol­ lowing, taken from a letter by Greene to William Davies, 3 Apr. 1781: "There was three officers which left us at Peedee upon very unjustifiable principles and such as must be looked upon as lit­ tle less than disgraceful. I have not had time to represent their conduct to

1781

the Governor. I am told they were not content with depriving us of their serv­ ices at the most critical moment, but have been endeavoring to instil into the minds of the Virginia line in order to justify their return, that there was great prejudice against them at Head­ quarters. T h e insinuation was as illib­ eral as it was unjust. I defy the most malevolent to produce an instance of an unequal conduct of any part of the army, and nothing but arrogance and ignorance could have given birth to such a sentiment. I encourage and re­ ward merit wherever I find it, and cen­ sure sloth and negligence" ( T r in CSmH).

From George Slaughter SIR

Louisville April 13th 1781

A s the inclosed copy of the proceedings of the Commissioners appointed to examine into the conduct of Captain James Francis Moore purchasing Commissary for this department by which you w i l l observe that I have not proved the charge against that Gentle­ man I have nothing to say in justification of m y conduct more than that I had put too much confidence in the information whom I before thought were men of the strictest Varacity and honour but as I have been inadvertinly led to make those charges, in Justifica­ tion to Capt. Moore's character am in duty bound to make h i m all the satisfaction in m y Power therefore hope that no part of the information recited in my Letter of the 17th. January last respect­ ing that Gentleman w i l l injure h i m in your esteem. I am Y r . Excellency's Mo. Obt H u m l Servt, GEO: R C ( V i ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by Slaughter; addressed and endorsed. Enclosure (filed with the letter in V i ) : Report, captioned as follows: "At a Meeting of the Commissioners appointed by Brigadier General Clark the 13th. day of April 1781. for the purpose of enquiring into the conduct of Capt. William Shannon & Capt. James Fran­ cis Moore, Purchasing Commissarys in the Western Department, on the com­ plaint of M a j . George Slaughter. Pres­

SLAUGHTER

ent John Floyd, Isaac Cox, William Oldham & Robert Todd Gentlemen"; the report is signed by all the commis­ sioners and absolves both Shannon and Moore of the several charges of pecula­ tion brought against them by Slaughter. On the subject of Slaughter's charges, see Slaughter to T J , 17 Jan. 1781; T J to George Rogers Clark, 19 Feb. 1781; and Slaughter to T J , 14 and 18 Apr. 1781.

[439]

To the Virginia Delegates in Congress SIR

I n Council April 13th. 1781

Y o u r letter of the 3d inst. came to hand yesterday. Y o u w i l l by this T i m e have received letters from me desiring you to do what you have done as to the A r m s and in some measure as to the refu­ gees. I t would be more agréable to us that they should be sent to France than delivered up to us. I beg leave to add to the Names of those I before mentioned one Cranmer who is said to be the most mischievous of the whole. T h e r e may be others, whom it would be desireable to have removed w i t h them, were their names known to us. I inclose you a Copy of an intercepted letter from a Captain Thomas of the B r i t i s h in which you w i l l find a Display of the pres­ ent plan of the E n e m y as to Chesapeake B a y and it's waters, and Copies of Letters from Captain Reade, and Colonel R i c h a r d Henry Lee, shewing that the plan is now in a Course of execution. I trou­ ble you w i t h them as they may enable you to avail us of any Oppor­ tunity w h i c h may occur of getting the bay scoured. I also inclose an extract of a letter from General Greene to Baron Steuben, to shew you what are the Apprehensions for the W a n t of lead since the failure of our Mine. I am &c, T.J. FC ( V i ) . The enclosures presumably were copies of the following: ( 1 ) W. Thomas to Thomas Symonds, 20 Mch., originally enclosed in Lafayette's letter to T J , 4 Apr. 1781, q.v., and printed in cvsp, I , 583-4. (2) Edmund Read to T J , 10 Apr. 1781, printed above. (3) R. H. Lee to T J , 9 Apr. 1781; missing, but summarized above under date. (4)

Nathanael Greene to Steuben, 2 Apr. 1781 concerning lead; see note to Dav­ ies to T J , 12 Apr. 1781. L E T T E R S F R O M M E : See TJ's letter to the Virginia delegates of 6 Apr. 1781; he also wrote on 7 Apr. but that letter is missing (it is acknowledged in the delegates' reply of 17 Apr., q.v.).

To John Boush and Nicholas Payne SIR

Richmond April 14th. 1781

W i l l i a m Parker E s q r . Treasurer of South Carolina may prob­ ably have occasion for one or more waggons to carry the Papers and Packages of his office to such Place as he may find most con­ venient. Y o u w i l l be pleased to furnish h i m accordingly w ith such waggons as he shall have occasion for, hiring them i f practicable and i f not then impressing them. Y o u w i l l settle w i t h the Owners for their hire debiting the Continent therewith and taking a proper Certificate from M r . P a r k e r to vouch the Charge. I am &c, T . J . 7

[440]

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17 8 1

A P R I L

F C ( V i ) . At head of text: "Mr John Boush & Nicholas Payne Commissioners of Brunswic & Spotsylvania." From the salutation it is clear that separate letters were sent.

To John Browne SIR

Richmond April 14th. 1781.

M r . Samuel Smith at Baltimore has at that place a quantity of flour belonging to this State. H e offers 75 Barrels at Port R o y a l in the hands of Lindsay and Johnson in exchange for so much and to procure more there in further exchange; as it is more convenient to us at Port R o y a l than Baltimore you w i l l be pleased to take Measures for having it received on Account of the State. I am & c , T.J. FC (Vi).

From William Call SIR

Prince Geo. April 14. 1781.

Y o u r Excellencys Proposition of the 12th Inst, to me in behalf of this county I received yesterday where I had assembled the greater part of the People together to make out the relief going down to Geni. Muhlenbergs head Quarters, which gave me at once an oppertunity of making it known. T h e one fourth of those who are able to do M i l i t i a Service are now going down, and one third being already down, and w i l l be near or quite a week before discharged and get home, when I sup­ pose they must, and w i l l , Plant their corn, as it w i l l be then late in the Season—are obstacles in the w a y , that however desirous they might be of Accepting of the Proposition puts it intirely out of their Power. Such of the others as were Present, and that I have since seen, do not conceive the Proposition to be in their favour, so farr as respects M i l i t i a Service, for it only exempts them for two months from the date thereof from being called out of the county and did not consider that as any peculiar advantage to them, as S i x weeks of that time would expire while the Present tour called for from the county was performing in which they could only be benifited two weeks, before the two months were out, and they called upon to perform their, or a Proportion of them their, tour in course, so that from what I can yet Judge there is but little Probability of any [441 )

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Assistance to be expected therefrom. I f [there] is, I am affraid it will be too trifHing to render much Service towards effecting the Purpose intended, yet shall do every thing in my Power and make the proposition as publick as Possible. I am induced to beli ve from the sentiments of those that I have seen, that had the Proposition have been to have exempted a Man even only Six weeks in his next tour of duty when calPd upon, and the county not to have been calPd upon for others in their room to the amount of the Same number during such exemption, that many would have Sent or gone even for a much longer time then eight days, if it had been requir'd of them. I have the Honour to be with great respect S i r Y r . Excellencys most obt. and very hble. Servt., W M C A L L L t . of P .

Geo.

R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

From Richard Claiborne, enclosing an Extract of a Letter from Joseph Holmes SIR

Richmond 14th April, 1781.

I inclose to your Excellency an Extract of a letter which I have just received from Captain Holmes, who is the Assistant Deputy Quarter Master at Petersburg. I n such cases as this, I beg leave to ask, what I am to do? I have the honor to be, Your Excellency's Most obedient, H u m ­ ble Servant,

R D . C L A I B O R N E D Q Mr. S . V . E N C L O S U R E

Extract of a Letter from the Assistant Quarter Master at Petersburg, dated 13th April, 1781. "It is with much concern I tell you, all my workmen have quit me on account of their not being exempt from militia duty. Several of the Tailors employed in making Marquees are now called down on duty; in consequence of which the whole have quit, as they find they are not to be cleared from duty by working for the public, which was the only motive that induced them to work for us. Mr. Elliott wrote to the Baron yester­ day respecting this matter, but he will not exempt them, and has ordered them down. As this is the case, nothing can be excepted [expected] from me in that business." R C ( V i ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by Claiborne; addressed and endorsed. T h e enclosure is on a separate page; endorsed.

[442 }

T o the County Lieutenants of Fauquier and Certain Other Counties Richmond April 14th. 1781

SIR

of your Militia under proper I am to desire you to send officers w i t h such good A r m s as they have, and especially Rifles, to rendezvous at W i l l i a m s b u r g on the 1st. D a y of M a y and to continue in Service two Months from the time of their getting to the Rendezvous. A s Circumstances may render it necessary to change the Rendezvous, you w i l l be pleased to order them by the way of where they w i l l receive final Orders on that Head. Y o u are at liberty to deduct from the above number any Delin­ quents whom you may send with them under sentence to serve six Months or any longer time for having failed to obey former Calls or deserting from Duty. Should any Individuals you shall call for fail to attend at the T i m e you appoint for their meeting in your County, so as to occasion a deficiency in the above number you w i l l be pleased immediately to call for that deficiency from the next divisions and take Measures for sentencing and sending on such new Delinquents for six Months and so from time to time on every C a l l . I am &c, T.J. P S. to the letters to F a u q u i e r and Loudoun Y o u r Men now in the field below are to be discharged the Mo­ ment those above called for arrive there. P S to the letter to Goochland Y o u w i l l also be pleased to deduct from the above number the 40 Men furnished by your County to guard Prisoners to W i n ­ chester. P S to the Letter to H e n r i c o Y o u w i l l also be pleased to deduct from the above Number so many Men as you have furnished within these two Months as Guards &c. for which we promised you a Credit excepting those also who having been appointed to guard the Boats deserted and lost them. F C ( V i ) . At head of text: "To the County Lietenants of Fauquier, Loudoun, Caroline, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Goochland, and Henrico." A t foot of

text: "Fauquier 252. Loudoun 407. Caroline 245. Albemarle 204. Fluvanna 70. Goochland 129. Henrico 145."

[443 }

To Samuel Cox SIR

Richmond April 14th. 1781

I have received your Application on behalf of the M i l i t i a from the Counties of Loudoun and Fauquier and laid it before the mem­ bers of the Council present. W e are sensible that the Circumstances of hardship therein described are just and have to lament that the Public situation should have called such hardships into Existence, but they must perceive that it w i l l be vain for them to sow or plant and leave the enemy to reap. T h i s w i l l inevitably be the Case unless opposition be made at the Threshold of our Country; L e t the enemy once i n and they add to their Strength whatever they take from us, and multiply our work i f not render it desperate. W e have at pres­ ent no defence [to] rely on but the M i l i t i a and necessity has obliged us to fix their T o u r s to two Months from the time of their joining till they leave the A r m y . W e have called for reliefs from the Counties of Loudoun and Fauquier to be at Head Quarters by the 1st. D a y of M a y . T o dis­ charge the former before the A r r i v a l of the latter you must be sensible would occasion a fluctuation of force which would expose the rest of the A r m y to certain R u i n ; we must therefore require the Continuance of the present force from those two Counties until the A r r i v a l of their Reliefs from their respective Counties, only promis­ ing that they shall be discharged on the 7th. of M a y should those reliefs be not then arrived. I must rely on the zeal and Activity of the officers from those two Counties (to whom you w i l l be pleased to communicate t h i s ) to exert themselves in making their M e n sensible how much their own Good and personal E a s e constrains us to require that each Division shall perform its equal T o u r . I am &c, T.J. FC ( V i ) . THE

Samuel Cox's A P P L I C A T I O N O N B E H A L F O F T H E M I L I T I A F R O M C O U N T I E S O F L O U D O U N A N D F A U Q U D E R has not been found; the present reply

to it was authorized by Council on 14 Apr. ( V a . Council

J o u r . , n, 335).

To Andrew Donnally SIR

Richmond April 14th. 1781

I am sorry to find that the Indians have begun their Hostilities so early: however I hope General Clarke w i l l soon give them em­ ployment nearer home and that you w i l l be thus effectually relieved. I have directed M r . B r o w n the Commissary to appoint a Deputy in [444]

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your County for subsisting any M i l i t i a it shall be necessary to employ, which Deputy w i l l have a Power of using the T a x G r a i n and providing Beef. He accordingly writes by M r . Henderson on that Subject (to M r . A r c h y Matthews I believe). T h e V e i n of lead at the Mine failed some time ago, and all the lead there was sent to the Southern A r m y and to this place, so that at present there is not a Probability of getting a Pound there. T h e y are using their best Efforts to find it again. Should they succeed it w i l l be in our Power to help you to some. I am &c, T.J. FC ( V i ) . At head of text: "Colonel Donnelly"; this officer, however, signed his name as "Donnally"; see letter from the officers of the Greenbrier militia to T J , 29 Jan. 1781.

From John Gordon and John H u l l SIR

Northumbd. 14th April 1781

Inclosed is a letter from Messrs B a l l and Opie requesting the favour of your Excellency to grant them a flag of truce to go on board some of the Enemys vessells in quest of some slaves which they have lost. A s the Representatives of this county we think it our duty to inform your Excellency that they are Gentlemen of unexceptionable characters and have from the earliest period of the revolution displayed the warmest attachment for their country. T h e i r fortunes are but small, and the loss they have now sustained w i l l be severely felt by them. Conscious that your Excellency is ever ready to alleviate the distress, and ease the minds of the people under your goverment, we flatter ourselves that you w i l l comply with their requisition. W e have the honour to be w t great respect Y o u r Excellencey s Most Obt. Hbe. Servts J

GORDON

JNO.

RC ( V i ) ; addressed; endorsed in part: "April ( 1 6 t h ) 18th 1781" (date of receipt?). Also endorsed, in another hand: "Resolution 3d. Febry inclosed to the G[entle]men." This endorsement presumably meant that the resolution was sent to Gordon and Hull, though no covering letter either to them or to Ball and Opie has been found; the reso­ lution of 3 Feb. 1781 embodied the

HULL

unanimous decision of the Council to permit no flags to be granted "for the purpose of sollicking a restitution of plundered property from the enemy." This resolution is quoted in full in the note to Steuben's letter to T J of 21 Feb. 1781 (see Vol. 4: 681). Enclosure: Opie and Hall to T J , 12 Apr. 1781; printed above under its date.

[445]

James Henderson's Account as Express, with Jefferson's Certification at the Swet springs Berton Shavers

...

Mr Tilfords Robt. Steel Widow Estills Leas Wollecer Burd Messeys Ritherfords

£24 21 9 24 9 21 21 4-16 21 3 21 9 30

Mr. Millers

127- 4

expences comg going back

336 214

Total expences £550 18 days riding express 180 £730

£208-16 Apr.

14. 1781

I hereby certify that the bearer James Henderson came express on necessary public business from Greenbriar. TH:

JEFFERSON

MS (Vi: Contingent Fund Vouchers); endorsed: "April 14: 1781 Jas Hender­ son £730. Contingent [In a n o t h e r hand] Entd." TJ's certification to the auditors is in his own hand on a separate slip filed with the Account.

From James Mercer D E A R SIR

Fredericksburg April. 14th. 1781.

It wou'd be an affront to your Excellency's Understanding was I to make an appollogy to the first magistrate of this State, for communicating any Facts, or e v e n H i n t s that might contribute to Your better Information in your public Character. I shall there­ fore without appollogy proceed to inform your Excellency, that from my own knowledge of the Countrey and the uniform opinion of all I have conversed with on the Subject, there is not in this State a place more deserving of public attention than this Town and [. . . its appendage] Mr. Hunters [Iron Works.] I am sure I need not [tell] you that it is from Mr. Hunter's works that every Camp kettle has been supplyed for the Continental and all other [446

]

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Troops employed in this State and to the Southward this year past, that all the Anchors for this State and Maryland and some for Con­ tinent have been procured from the same works, that without these works we have no other resource for these Articles, and that without the assistance of the B a r Iron made there even the planters hereabouts and to the Southward of this place wou'd not be able to make Bread to eat. A s to the T o w n itself I need not inform you that the public Manufactory of A r m s is here, that without it all our A r m s however so little injured wou'd be useless to us; besides the number of new Muskets and Bay[onets] made there, renders that an object worthy our preserving and the Enemy's destruction. T o this however I may add that there is not one spot in the State so generally usefull in our Military operations. F u l l one third of all new Levies rende vous here, all the Troops from North to South and South to North must pass through this T o w n where wagons are repaired, Horses shoed and many other &cas which they cou'd not proceed on without. T h e Troops get Provisions here to the next Stage and no place is so convenient to a very extensive and productive Countrey for the reception of G r a i n and other Articles of Provision. I f this state of Facts is admitted, can it be doubted but that the E n e m y w i l l consider it as one of their first objects, to deprive us of so many advantages to their prejudice. T h e Foundary was thought an object worthy their attention and this from infor­ mation only. B u t how far more certain that this place w i l l be thought so when General Philips has himself been an E y e witness that there are such Advantages here and has so often seen the Conveniences drawn from this place by all our Troops both regular and Militia. I w i l l not say more but to tell you that yesterdays ex­ perience produced proofs of our very alarming situation. S i x A r m e d Vessells went up Potowmack R i v e r on Wednesday night, on T h u r s ­ day] they were said to be nine and more with about five hundred Troops. Colo. T o w l e s the Commanding officer not doubting this to be an object, set himself about its defence with as much vigour as possible but behold not more than eighty muskets cou'd be pro­ cured (and these repaired A r m s and without B a y o n e t s ) . About 60 more Guns of all sorts compose the whole and where are the rest? W i t h our M i l i t i a before Portsmouth and at W i l l i a m s b u r g ! E v e n men are wanting, there being now two Drafts of Militia from Stafford, Prince W i l l i a m , and Fairfax (now the scene of w a r and this county as vulnerable of [as?] those [. . . ] at W i l l i a m s b u r g and other places not near of the consequence to this State as this place is. Colo. Towles writing by the same opportunity w i l l make it un[447]

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necessary for me to say any thing about the want of F l i n t &ca. I write at his desire and am at all times, and w i t h great esteem & respect, your Excellency's most obed. & very huble Servt., Js.

RC ( V i ) ; addressed; endorsed in part: "April 17th 1781" (date of receipt?). MS worn and in places only semi-legible. On the importance of protecting Fredericksburg and on General Phillips' personal knowledge of the value of the gun works there, see Weedon to T J , 11 Apr. 1781. If T J replied to Mercer's earnest appeal, no copy of that reply has been found; but see his letter to Towles on the same subject, 14 Apr. 1781. COLO. TOWLES SAME OPPORTUNITY:

WRITING

BY T H E

There is no record of a letter from Towles to T J at this time, but on 14 Apr. Towles did write Steuben "By Express . . . just setting out from this place" in which he conveyed the following information that must have been very similar if not precisely the same as that transmitted to T J : "the enemy yesterday were at or near General Washingtons seat on Pato wmack. A number of Gentlemen Volunteers on Horses were dispatched from this place to obtain an account of their force and the particulars of their conduct. By Captains Callender and McWilliams who may be depended on I am furnished with the following particulars, viz: On the 12th instant the enemy sent a Flag on the Maryland side where some militia had collected. After some consultation the Flag return'd and immediately embarged about 200 Men in a number of Boats and landed under the cover of their Guns. The Militia after a little resistance retreated on which the Enemy immediately ran up to Colonel Lylers, destroyed it with all

MERCER

the outhouses, they returned then to their ships and lay still that night. Their force are two Ships of 16 Guns one of 18 Two briggs of 12 and one Tender. I cannot discover whether they have Troops on Board or not. It is supposed by some that they only mean to maraud and plunder near the Water on which they have already committed a deal of Mischeif, other conjectures are that they intend on their return to make their inroads as far as Hunters Works and this Town and should they only have as many as 500 men, I suspect much this place and the Works will be attempted. I doubt not your being well acquainted with our defenceless state here, particularly with respect to Arms and accoutrements of every kind. With great difficulty was procured about 120 Musquets without Bayonets or Boxes and for a considerable time we despaired of procuring the necessary number of Flints until at length a Gentleman discovered his having about 100 which we got btft know not where to procure the like or even half of that number, there beïng none in the Magazine. If we mean to defend this Post a quantity of Arms Ammunition and accoutrements &c should be immediately furnished. For my own part I think it à place of as much or perhaps of greater consequence than any in the state. The single circumstance of losing Hunters Works would occasion the most poignant distresses and I leave it to you to determine whether a Body of Troops should not be stationed at or near this place as soon as possible . . ." (Towles to Steuben, 14 Apr. 1781, NHi).

To John O'Bannon SIR

Richmond April 14th. 1781

Y o u r letter on the Subject of the Commission came duly to H a n d but not having a Council it is out of m y Power to have any T h i n g done with it. I somewhat question too whether i f a permanent Commission be expected they would not suppose it necessary to have a [448 }

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resignation from Major Buckner himself. I f only a Commission during the Continuance of Your Men in the field be desired, such a Resignation might be dispensed with. I am &c, T.J. FC ( V i ) . TJ's reply to O'Bannon's communi­ cation of 12 Apr. is puzzling. From April 12 to April 25, excluding Sun­ days, the Council met every day and was attended by T J , David Jameson, William Fleming, George Webb, and Jacquelin Ambler. Webb was not pres­ ent on Saturday, 14 Apr., but the Coun­

cil met that day and transacted busi­ ness. A probable explanation is that O'Bannon's letter did not arrive until after the Council had adjourned on 14 Apr. and, since he had requested the commission to be sent back by the bearer, T J did not think the matter of sufficient importance to be held over until Monday.

From George Skillern SIR

Botetourt Apriel the 14th: 1781

Before your Favour of Febry. the 15th Came to hand I had ordred a Draft of three Hundred and fifty men to the ade of Gen­ eral Green, but Reports prevailing that the E n e m y ware still ap­ proaching Induced me to order the Remaining part of the M i l i t i a to his Assistance also, who ware Imbodied and we Nearly ready to march when your Orders Came to hand, which only Requir'd one forth part, and as I would by No means Exceed your Excellencys orders, I immediately Discharged the L a s t Devision, which I hope w i l l be approved of. Near two hundred and forty Returned without orders. T h e numbers being So L a r g e was Doubtfull that trying them by a Court marshill might be attended with B a d Conse­ quences. I t is true numbers of these men was not provided to Stay Aney time as they ware marchd off in a great hurrey. I was think­ ing that Sending them B a c k to General Green in Consequence of your Late orders to me, or the Next T o w e r [ T o u r ] should they not happen to be wanted this time, it might be Best but at this season of the year Could it be avoided it would be a means of Saving N u m ­ bers of poor men and their famalies from R u i n g . A s meany of them who w i l l Now have to goe has Not a Creature to act for them but a wife and Small Children, unavoidable they w i l l lose their Crops and of Corse thear famaly starve. Should it be your pleasure would w i s h to K n o w how long they are to Continue on D u t y and what pay they A r e to Recieve which would the better Inable me to know how to act with them. Notwithstanding our militia is Returned from the Southward the Execution of the Draft L a w , is Still in­ convenient by Reason of the Late Requisision from this County which Nessarly Accaisions a L a r g e Number to be abstant. F o r this [449]

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and Sundry other Reasons, the field officers with my Self ware of opinion it would be best Not to proceed on the Execution of that L a w untili I Recieved your Excellencys Instructions. ( I have got a fine W a g g o n team and appendages and asson as I Can procure a Driver I w i l l send her to M r . Thomas Mortins in prince E d w a r d as M r . B r o w n has no Deputy here as I know of.) Aney Orders your Excellency may please to send shall be punctually performed. I am your Excellencys most Obedient & V e r y Humble Servt, GEO

SKILLERN

N.B. T h e Return of So many of the men from this County from Gen­ eral Green gave me the greatest uneasiness. Neither C a n I under­ take to say any thing in Vindication of their Conduct, more then I have, but Can Undertake to assure you that it D i d not proceed from any Coolness in the Cause. T h e y have always Discovered the Greatest Alacrity and Zeal in our Cause, and I am Convinced they w i l l on A n y pressing Emergency turn out to a man. I would not undertake to Dictate to your Excellency on this accasion, but the publick good together with the E a s e of my M i l i t a presses me to offer my Sentiments. I n the first place the Season of the year is Such, that to C a l l on men, with Families, and who have no Other possible means to support themselves and Families but by their own Labour, no other alternative but inevitable R u i n , must be the Consequence, for before their Return the season for Sowing and planting w i l l be over. A g a i n should they not be Called out now, I am Convinsed we Can Easely Compleat our Quota of Continental Troops, and when the Season w i l l admit, and Should Necessaty require it, I think I assure you they Chearfully w i l l turn out. Doubtless Imputations and Reflections are Cast on Such of our M i l i t i a as Returned, and it would be too tedious for me to mention their Reasons. I would only observe, that i f their Conduct is not altogether Defensible, it is not so bad but much might be plead in their Excuse. I have Ordred the number you required to be Drafted, and shall wait for your further Orders, being fully sensible that you w i l l Feel for the Distress of the people Should the E x i g e n c y of affairs require that they Should be Called for, and that you w i l l do whatever your prudence and goodness tells you is best. T h e r e is Sum Deserters here and one or too S i x months men. I would w i s h to K n o w where they are to be ordred; I have also a few publick Guns. G.S. [450]

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A P R I L

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R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. See entry for a missing letter from T J to Skillern, 18 Oct. 1780, Vol. 4:44. Y O U R F A V O U R O F F E B R Y . T H E 15TH: That is, TJ's letter of that date to the county lieutenants.

T o John Skinker and William Garrard SIR

Richmond April 14th. 1781

I am exceedingly sorry to learn that the E n e m y are committing such cruel depredations in your part of the Country: however it may tend to produce irremoveable hatred against so detestable a nation and thereby strengthen our Union. Y e t in the mean time it brings afflicting distress on Individuals and by diverting so great a Proportion of our force from their principal object leaves Atchievements in their power which otherwise could not be. W e had thrown the whole Burthen of M i l i t i a duty on the South­ ern Counties, leaving those to the North quiet till they should get through the raising of their New levies. T h a t being done we have set the Southern Counties on the same Business and relied on our Northern Citizens to constitute the Opposition to the hostile army below. T h u s deprived for two Months of the A i d of the Southern Counties and so many of the Northern like to be diverted, our A r m y is reduced to less than a third of the number of our E n e m y who of Course may march wherever they please. Situated as you are we cannot say that the Men before called for must march at all events. W e w i s h you to consider the above Cir­ cumstances and viewing at the same time your own situation, to determine yourself whether the force called for can be spared with­ out endangering your part of the Country. E v e r y part being equally within our Care we wish not to expose one for the defence of another. T h e very important W o r k s at and near Fredericksburg we must recommend to your particular protection as also the saving all public Tobacco within your County. Sir John Peyton for us purchased lately at Baltimore about 2 0 0 Stand of A r m s from Messrs. Isaac and A d a m V a n Bibber and Co: T h e y were brought to Annapolis in the vessels which brought on the Marquis Fayette's Detachment. S i r John Peyton has written to have them brought on by land, but he does not inform me to whom he has written. I t is not in our Power to offer you any other supply of A r m s but this. W e r e you to send a person in quest of these he would probably be able to meet w i t h or find them out and have them forwarded to you. H i s reasonable Expences and those of Transportation shall be paid by the Public and the A r m s when [451]

14

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you get them may be applied under your Care for the Defence of that part of the Country instead of the 150 formerly ordered which you have not received. I inclose you an order for these A r m s . I am &c, T.J. FC ( V i ) . At foot of text: "NB in the letter to Colo. Garrard omit last para­ graph." Enclosure missing. It is evi­ dent from the salutation and the sub­ joined "NB" that separate letters were sent, despite the fact that the proceed­ ings of the Council of this date refer

to "a l e t t e r to Colo. Skinker of King George and to Colo. William Garrard of Stafford in answer to their joint let­ ter . . ." (italics supplied); see note to letter from Garrard and others printed above under date of 11 Apr.

From George Slaughter Salt River, 1 4 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . Encloses a copy of the proceedings of the commissioners to examine into the conduct of Capt. William Shannon, commissary in the western department. Having failed to prove the charges he made against Shannon, Slaughter hopes "that no part of the information formerly given by me, will further injure him in your esteem." RC (Vi); 3 p., including enclosure; addressed and endorsed; text almost identical with Slaughter's letter to T J concerning James Francis Moore, 13 Apr. 1781, q.v. Enclosure (filed with letter in Vi ) : Report of commissioners

to inquire into conduct of William Shannon and James Francis Moore, 13 Apr. 1781; text identical with that of enclosure in Slaughter to T J , 13 Apr. 1781; this copy also signed by four commissioners.

To Samuel Smith SIR

Richmond April 14th. 1781

I t is quite agréable to us to take at Port Royal the seventy five Barrels of flour you have purchased there in Exchange for so much we were to expect at Baltimore and any further Quantity you may procure at the former in lieu of the remaining Ballance at the latter place. M r . John B r o w n Commissa[ry] for this State has orders to call for it and his Receipt w i l l be good. I am & c , T.J. FC ( V i ) . At head of text: "Colo Samuel Smith of Baltimore."

To Steuben SIR

Richmond April 14. 1781.

A s so much of the subject of Colo. Davies's letter as relates to the conduct of the Continental Issuing Commissary General in this [452]

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17 8 1

State lies within your powers of reformation altogether, I take the Liberty of handing on the letter to you. I t is very interesting to us that the provisions issued for Continental use be issued to persons authorized to give proper vouchers for debiting the Continent, and we entertain no doubt but that you w i l l be so kind as to have this branch of business so arranged. I n the mean time it might have an i l l effect to stop the issues at so early a day as the one proposed as within that space it might not perhaps be practicable to have the necessary arrangements made. I also inclose you Copies of Letters just come to hand from the President of Congress. I wish this intelligence may not stop the Pennsylvania line and leave General Greene to depend still on this State and Maryland alone. A s to ourselves it is our wish to act on the defensive only i n this State, and not to stop a single regular till General Greene should be made sufficiently superior to his enemy. I have the honor to be with great respect S i r Y o u r mo: ob. T H : JEFFERSON

Servt.,

P S . I think i n conversation you mentioned that you should store the spare arms and military stores from Geni. Muhlenberg's camp at P r . George Court house. A s the depredations of the enemy on Patowmac have stopped a considerable part of the militia we had relied on to reinforce Geni. Muhlenberg so that we are obliged to call on other counties he w i l l probably continue some time too weak to oppose the enemy. T h i s seems to render it essential that the stores above-mentioned be withdrawn out of their reach. P r . George Court house being but four miles from the river, I submit to you whether, on the prospect of our reinforcements being tardy, a more interior situation would not be better. RC (NHi); in a clerk's hand, with signature and postscript in TJ's hand; endorsed. F C ( V i ) . Enclosures: (1) Davies to T J , 12 Apr. 1781 (second letter of that date from Davies, printed above). (2) Copies of unidentified let­ ters transmitted by Pres. Samuel Hunt­ ingdon (see Hunting-ton to T J , 9 Apr., which, however, was not received until 17 Apr. and was answered on 18 Apr. 1781). M I L I T A R Y S T O R E S . . . A T P R . GEORGE C O U R T H O U S E : Steuben acted at once to remove the stores in compli­ ance with TJ's suggestion. His plans for the disposition of troops and stores di­ rected that all stores at Prince George Courthouse be carried to Petersburg (Dft, dated 17 Apr. 1781, NHi). Al­ most at the same time that T J made his

suggestion, Greene wisely added a post­ script to his letter to Steuben: "Peters­ burg being so accessible to the enemy, I should not think it advisable to make it a great deposit of Stores: indeed very few should be kept there, unless the means to remove them is always at com­ mand" (Greene to Steuben, 15 Apr. 1781, NHi). Steuben took steps to pro­ vide such means by writing Claiborne that, as it was necessary immediately to remove all stores from "Petersburg, Chesterfield, Richmond, or other places contiguous to navigation," wagons for this purpose should be procured (Steu­ ben to Claiborne, 16 Apr. 1781, NHi). T H E MILITIA . . . TOREINFORCE GENL.

On 8 Apr. Muhlenberg wrote urgently to Steuben pressing for

MUHLENBERG:

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A P R I L

the promised reinforcements and add­ ing: "about 100 deserted within two nights out of my camp and this morn­ ing 100 out of Col. Drummons Regt. . . . Colonel Bowyer and Matthews with the Riflemen will march off on Tues­ day." T o this Steuben replied on 11 Apr., promising to "represent the state of your Corps to Government without delay. You will please to order Major Mitchell to loose no time in sending a Return to the Governor of all those Militia, who have left you, as likewise

1781

of those who now remain with you." T w o days later Steuben wrote: " I have represented the state of your corps to the Governor. You may expect some re­ inforcements in a few days. I laid before him also the great necessity of raising some cavalry for the Service of the State without the least delay. He agreed to it, and orders are given for the pur­ pose" (Muhlenberg to Steuben, 8 Apr.; Steuben to Muhlenberg, 11 and 13 Apr. 1781, all in N H i ) . See also Steuben to T J , 17 Apr. 1781.

To Oliver Towles SIR

Richmond April 14th. 1781

T h e same very disagreable Intelligence which you have been pleased to communicate to me of the operations of our savage E n e m y on Patowmac has come to hand from several Parts of that R i v e r . Colo. Skinker particularly had written on the subject of A r m s . T h e Order I inclosed him tardy as the supply may be is the utmost it is in our power to do. F r o m his letter we are to judge about a third of his Militia have Guns. These I suppose not to be very good, but they are unfortunately what we are obliged too generally to have Recourse to: the 2 0 0 Stand from Annapolis for which I gave him an Order are said to be very fine. T h e Defence of Hunters and the public W o r k at Fredericksburg are very im­ portant indeed, and I hope w i l l be very particularly attended to by the adjacent Counties. No Intelligence from Portsmouth gives us Reason to believe that any regular forces have been sent on this expedition; so that we trust it is less formidable than some repre­ sentations make it. T h e worst is that a Country vulnerable in every Point is open to insult and depredation to even the smallest force, yet important points may we trust be guarded. I n effecting this we rely on your Exertions being added as we are assured they w i l l be. I am & c , T.J. FC (Vi). Towles' letter to T J with its "very disagreable Intelligence" has not been found; it could possibly have been the one written presumably on 14 Apr. "by the same opportunity" that James Mercer employed to send his of that date to T J , q.v. If it was, then the date

17 Apr. in the endorsement of Mercer's letter must refer to the date of a (miss­ ing) reply. Towles' letter to Steuben of 14 Apr. 1781, quoted in note to Mer­ cer's letter, must have been substantially the same as that to T J and probably bore the same date.

[454]

From Garret Van Meter SIR

Hampshire April 14th. 1781

Inclosed you have the Return of our T w o Battalions and as I Received instructions from General Clarke not to march the Malitia untili Further Orders, So I have Gave orders for the full of Y o u r Excellencies Demand but am afraid the orders w i l l not B e Comply'd with by Reason of the Disaffected people amongst us ( a Collecter of one of the Divisions for making up the Cloathes and Beef was Interrupted in the Execution of his office. A certain John Claypole Said i f all the men were of his mind they would not make up any Cloathes, Beef or men and all that would Join h i m Should turn out. Upon which he Got all the men present to five or S i x and Got Liquor and D r a n k king George the thirds health, and Damna­ tion to Congress). Upon which Complaint was made to three majistrates upon which there was a warrant Issued for Several of them and G u a r d of Fifty men with the Sherriff. W h e n they Came to the Place they found Sixty or Seventy men Embodied with arms. After Some time they Capitulated. T h e Sherriff Serv'd the precept on the Said John Claypole but he refused to Come with him or Give up H i s arms but agreed to Come Such a time which time is Passt. Inclosed you have a Copy of a Letter they Sent me and the answer I Sent them. I was Informed there was One H u n ­ dred and fifty of them to Gether the next D a y . I am informed there are Several Deserters Amongst those People, Some from the E n g ­ lish Prisoners, Some Eighteen months men and Some E i g h t month men which they Support and Conceal. A s for farther Particulars I Refer you to M r . Woodrow the Bearer Hereof. So Leave it to your Excellencies wisdom to order Such Measures as you think proper. I am S i r Y o u r Excellencies Humble Servt., G A R R E T VAN METER CO

RC (Vi); addressed in part: "pr. favour of Mr. Woodrow"; endorsed. En­ closures (filed with the letter in V i ) : Transcripts, in Van Meter's hand, of a letter from Josiah Osburn to Van Meter, without place, 3 Apr. 1781, re­ porting that it is the desire of "the Majority . . . that their Conduct that has past Lately may be forgiven as a great part of it was Occasioned by Liquor," and that they will pay their several taxes as the laws direct; and of

[455

Com

Van Meter's reply, without place, 4 Apr. 1781, stating that the offenders will be shown "all the Lenity the Cir­ cumstances of the Case will admit of but those Chargable with breaking the Law I Cannot Clear . . . unless they who are in the warrant Comes in and Clears themselves." These enclosures are printed in full in CVSP, n, 40-1; the enclosed "Return of our Two Battal­ ions" has not been found. See further, Van Meter to T J , 20 Apr.

]

To George Weedon SIR

Richmond April 14th. 1781

Immediately on receipt of your Letter of the 9th. by Captn. T r a v i s informing me of the loss of the Boat Patriot, W e engaged Captain T r a v i s to go over to Appamattox, where he procured another Boat (the W a s h i n g t o n ) said to be a better sailor than the Patriot; Being ready manned and equipped for sailing she receives orders today to fall down and take your Commands. I am &c, T.J. FC ( V i ) . Weedon's L E T T E R O F T H E 9 T H has not been found, but it must have been similar to the one Weedon wrote Steu­ ben the same day on the same subject, in which he reported that the P a t r i o t , under Captain Chandler, was captured and that Chandler had been "directed to cruse from Warrasqueak bay as low down as Newport News keeping; the best lookout, and upon the appearance of any Vessells coming up the river he was to fire three signal guns which was to [have] been answered from the Gal­ ley at Mulberry Island, from whence my Pickets were to communicate it. After giving notice of a hostile approach they were both ordered to move up the river alarming the shores and Craft as they went, and for fear of a surprise at night by any of the Privateers, they

[were] ordered to shift their stations frequently and in general terms to act totally on the defensive, instead of which the great Sea officer Mr. Chandler has disobeyed my orders in every respect . . . [and] lost his vessel and crew" (Weedon to Steuben, 9 Apr. 1781, NHi; the capture was reported to Weedon by Capt. Davenport on 8 Apr. and Weedon replied the same day: " I am not more concerned for the loss than I am to find my Orders not Obeyed. Captain Chand­ ler was positively directed not to risque an Action on any Account. More than thrice did I strictly forbid it. Yet he has contrary to all discipline done what no officer having respect to Orders would do, and the Consequence is Obvious for which he must answer"; Weedon to Chandler, 8 Apr. 1781, PPAP).

From George Weedon DEAR SIR

Williamsburg Ap. 14. 1 7 8 1

I am honor'd with the resolution of Council 10th Inst, and as Geni. Philip's Letter dated 6th demanded an answer from me, have confined it chiefly to the very words of the Council, Copy of which have the Honor to enclose. I am desirous of cultivating the L i b e r a l Idea held out by the B r i t i s h General to those who are un­ fortunate, as nothing but reciprocal advantages can result from it. I am happy to find the Honorable Executive w i l l authorize their Officers to nourish it on just and equitable Ground. I was in hopes of getting such as were not exchanged: enlarged on parole by promising that an equal Number should be sent i n as soon as they could be march'd from Winchester and requested in my last Letter on the Subject, leave to make the overture, but as the

[456 ]

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1

Executive have not made any reply to that part, could not say to the B r i t i s h Commander that it should be done. I

am j u s t setting off to Potowmac by order of the B a r o n ,

shall pass through the

Northward Neck. W i l l take the

and

earliest

Opportunity of advising your Excellency of every Hostile Occur­ ence in that Quarter. Major Bradford m y A i d de Camp w i l l have the Honor of delivering you this and w i l l inform you particularly of anything you may w i s h to enquire about in this Quarter to whom I refer you: I would thank your Excellency for a W a r r a n t for about 7 or 8 0 0 0 Pounds on account of m y P a y . I have d r a w n none for upwards of two Y e a r s and am in want of a supply. I have the Honor to be w i t h E s t e e m & R e g a r d Y r . Excellencies G WEEDON

[Most?] Obt Servt., RC ( V i ) ; in an aide's hand, signed by Weedon; addressed and endorsed. Enclosure ( V i ) : Copy of Weedon's letter to Gen. William Phillips, Wil­ liamsburg, 12 Apr. 1781, acknowledg­ ing Phillips' letter to him of 6 Apr. (printed above under its date) and stating the conditions for exchanges as set forth in TJ's letter to Weedon of 10 Apr. 1781, q.v.; this enclosure is printed in CVSP, n , 31-2.

Weedon here acknowledges "the reso­ lution of Council of 10th Inst." and states that his reply to Phillips was confined "chiefly to the very words of the Council." Actually the Council had not adopted a formal resolution on 10 Apr. (as, for example, it had done on 4 Apr. on this same matter of ex­ changes) and the words that he relied upon with such exactitude were those of T J himself. In this minor detail and in more important aspects Weedon's letter to T J creates the impression that he intended a delicate rebuff to T J while framing it in an impersonal re­ sponse to a plural executive. The effort to be precisely literal could be inter­ preted as an evidence of a cautious effort to carry out faithfully the intentions of the government. But another interpre­ tation impresses itself upon the reader when the extent and context of the lit­ eral use of "the very words of the Coun­ cil" are considered. Weedon, as was proper, altered TJ's use of the plural when he came to employ TJ's words in his letter to Phillips; it was no doubt proper for him to have omitted, as be­ ing unnecessary and possibly ambigu­ ous, the following significant sentence in TJ's letter: "under the American

Constitution our powers as to exchange extend but to few subjects"; and his several modifications of phraseology and structure of TJ's sentences may mean nothing more than an attempt at clarity of expression. But Weedon's real intent becomes plain when, having para­ phrased TJ's letter, he concluded his letter to Phillips with these words of his own: "You are too well informed of the Profession of Arms not to know the Military are by no means answer­ able for the Resolution of the Civil, and I shoud be sorry to see the rigour of War extended to the innocent on account of anything done by them, that may or may not be approved. This far, however I think I can venture to say that while a liberal and just conduct is observ'd on your part, the Authority of this State will not be wanting in simi­ lar professions." This remarkable state­ ment must be read in the context of Phillips' letter to Weedon of 6 Apr. 1781 in which he indulged in intem­ perate remarks about TJ's "barbarous" and "insolent" letter to him and threat­ ened to depart from "benevolent prin­ ciples" if the Virginia government adopted the "rash and violent conduct" that he had reason to fear. It must be interpreted, too, in light of the fact that this letter of Phillips to Weedon was an intended affront to T J quite aside from these intemperate expres­ sions, for Phillips was careful to point out that he could not dignify TJ's let­ ter with a direct answer, but that he could confidently communicate with Weedon, from whom he had received "a number of Civilities" while impris­ oned in Virginia. Insulting as it was,

[457]

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APRIL

Weedon accepted this letter from Phil­ lips and transmitted it to T J without a word of censure for the former or sympathetic comment for the latter. More, his concluding remarks to a "brother in arms" imply disagreement with his own government and a sense of harmony with the British officer. It should be noted, too, that Weedon had urged that Steuben's proposal of 29 Mch. should be adopted and the Coun­ cil had failed to follow this advice. Moreover, Weedon had become involved in the Curle-Ellegood exchange and had been rebuffed by Council, though certainly in an impersonal manner. Most of all, perhaps, the action of the Board of Field Officers of Virginia in rearranging the line at Chesterfield in March had rankled with him, as it had also with Steuben and with Greene. See T J to Weedon, 4 Apr. 1781; Steu­ ben to Weedon, 1 Apr. 1781, N H i ; Greene to Davies, 30 Mch. 1781 ( T r in C S m H ) . On 15 Apr. 1781 Weedon also sent Steuben copies of his corre­ spondence with Phillips and added the following comment which contrasts significantly with the present letter to

1781

T J : " I . . . hope [this letter to Phillips] will meet your approbation. I was fear­ ful in assuming thus far of incurring your censure, and should have consulted you previous to my writing had time permitted, but as I have promised noth­ ing further than what the Executive have authorized respecting the State Troops, or assured any thing of a Con­ tinental kind without the Authority of the Commanding Officer first obtained, I hope I have not stept out of my Line. I am exceeding desirous of Cultivating the liberal Idea held out by Geni Phil­ lips to those who are unfortunate as nothing but reciprocal Advantages can result from it" (Weedon to Steuben, 15 Apr. 1781, N H i [ F C in P P A P is mis­ dated 25 Apr.]; Weedon was just set­ ting out for a trip through the Northern Neck that had been planned for some days, and he promised to report on the defences of Fredericksburg, perhaps as a result of Oliver Towles' appeal to Steuben of 14 Apr.; see note to Mercer to T J , 14 Apr. 1781). T J asked the auditors on 17 Apr. to issue to Weedon a warrant for £ 8 0 0 0 ( V i : Contingent Fund Vouchers).

From Samuel Huntington P h i l a d e l p h i a , 1 5 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . Encloses a resolve of Congress of 13 Apr. "directing the Commander in Chief to transmit to the Executives of the several States, Lists of the Names of all the new Levies belong­ ing to each State respectively . . . and recommending it to the said States to cause Payment to be made to the said new Levies agreeable to such Lists, on Account of the United States." F C ( D L C : P C C , No. 15); 1 p. R C ( V i ) ; only the address leaf, franked by Huntington and endorsed with date "April 14th 1781," survives. T h e enclosed resolve of 13 Apr. is missing but is printed in JCC, xrx, 384.

From David Ross Richmond, 1 5 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . The bearer, George Nicolson, "is engaged to go the Northward to try and procure some of the Stores wanted for the Army"; making payment there will be difficult, and Ross would be pleased if T J would write the Virginia delegates in Congress to assist Nicolson. Ross has sent to the back country to obtain a return of the hemp collected under the tax laws. "This is an Article very much in demand at Philadelphia and a valuable Fund as far as it will go, tho a very unweildy one but it must be used." Desires an order sent to "Mr. [458 ]

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1

Brown ' [John Browne] to receive the cargo of the Washington, which consists of pork, flour, peas, ship bread, bacon, and lard. Is just setting out on a trip. "Mr. Nicolson will wait on you tomorrow for your dis­ patches." 1

RC (Vi); 2 p.; addressed and endorsed. Printed in

CVSP,

n, 43-4.

From Steuben 15 A p i 81

SIR

I have already appointed M r . Robinson Deputy Commissary Issues and hope that Department w i l l soon be properly Arranged. Orders are already given to Captain P r i o r for the Removal of the stores from Prince George C t . H o . to this place. I have no doubt it w i l l be done immediately. General Muhlenberg in a Letter dated 14th. informs me that the E n e m y have nearly compleated 2 5 Boats to contain each

100

Men and that it is reported they wait only for them to begin their Operations. I am &c. FC (NHi); in an aide's hand; en­ dorsed: "Copy to Governor Jefferson 15 April." In general orders of 16 Apr. 1781 Steuben directed that no future issues of provisions should be made for more than three or four days at a time with­ out a special order from some com­ manding general or field officer; that a return should be made on or before 15 May 1781 by all commissaries of all issues made since 1 Apr. 1781 and of all stores then on hand; that after 15 May. 1781 no person could act as issu­ ing commissary unless properly author­ ized by "Mr. John Robertson, who is directed to Act as Deputy Commissary General of Issues in this state till a per­ son shall be appointed to that Office by the Commissary General himself." In addition to these directions, which were

issued "To prevent a waste of publick stores, and to establish regularity," Steuben at the same time called for "great ceconomy . . . in the issues of spirituous Liquor" and forbade its be­ ing issued except "on such Occasions only, as fatigues, hard marches, or wet weather" (MS in V i ) . A copy of these orders was sent to Davies by Captain Robert Gamble in a letter dated at Chesterfield, 18 Apr. 1781, which in­ cluded this comment: "The General orders has caused, I understand, some disturbance and uneasiness among the officers. The animosity will perhaps be kept up by some who is generally fond of spending their opinion. At present I believe the Major [Claiborne] is per­ suaded that an indignity is offered him. But the orders in my opinion explains themselves" ( Vi ).

Steuben to William Phillips SIR

[Chesterfield, 15 Apr.

1781]

I had the honor to receive from his Excellency the Governor of this state an extract from your letter to h i m on the subject of a [459]

1 5 APRIL

17 8 1

flag, which he had requested you would permit to pass to Charles T o w n with tobacco for the benefit of the prisoners at that place belonging to this state. I am the more willing to undertake the regulation of this matter with you from the full confidence I repose in the honor and humanity of your character; and from a persua­ sion, of your readiness to cooperate with me in forwarding relief to the unfortunate, I take the liberty to state to you that the pay of the prisoners for more than twelve months past has been in arrears; that not less than nine hundred hogsheads w i l l enable them to dis­ charge their debts, and that a single vessel as proposed by you, w i l l be utterly insufficient for this transportation. I cannot therefore doubt your passports for two or more vessels of sufficient burthen for the purpose w i l l readily be granted. Should you think it neces­ sary to send an officer with the flag we shall have no objections, but after the delivery of the cargo, the object of his charge, the officer it is supposed w i l l take such opportunity of returning, should he chuse it, as your own vessels may afford h i m . I agree that on the flag's arrival at Charlestown, it shall abide by the decision of the Commandant, respecting the propriety or mode of discharging the cargo, after which the flag should have a passport for a sufficient number of days to enable her to get clear of the Carolina coast. Should the tobacco be refused, I shall expect, agreeably to your assurance, a passport w i l l be granted for the safe return of the vessel and cargo. A s the necessities of the prisoners are urgent, I have no doubt of your paying that speedy attention to this matter, which their situation requires, and that after communicating to your naval commanding officer, whatever may be necessary for the accom­ plishment of this benevolent design, you w i l l be pleased to favor me w i t h an early answer. I have the honor to be, S i r , w i t h great respect and consideration, your most obedient and very humble servant, Dft ( N H i ) ; entirely in the hand of William Davies, a fact which virtually grives this letter the status of a com­ munication from the Executive of Vir­ ginia if not from T J himself; also, not even T J himself stated the terms more explicitly—he, for example, "had pro­ posed to send from six to nine hundred Hogsheads of Tobacco" ( T J to Steu­ ben, 10 Apr. 1781). I n view of the statements made in T J ' s letter to Ger­ lach of 3 May 1781 and his letter to the Virginia delegates of 10 May 1781, qq.v., it is especially significant that an

officer of the state government should have drawn up the letter that T J asked Steuben to write. T h i s does not neces­ sarily imply a lack of confidence in Steuben's readiness to accede to the re­ quest, but it does lend support to the assumption that T J did not answer Phil­ lips' letter of 6 Apr., that Phillips in turn did not send T J a response that arrived after 20 Apr. bearing an offen­ sively-addressed cover (see T J to Ger­ lach, 3 May 1781), and that, therefore, the letter from Phillips of 6 Apr. 1781 was the one addressed to "Thos. Jef-

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A P R I L

ferson Esqr. American Governor of Vir­ ginia." Phillips replied to Steuben on 18 Apr., just at the beginning of his expedition up the James: " I have re­ ceived your letter dated the 15th instant this moment. I shall send you, Sir, a full answer to it and I make no doubt but that the vessels may have leave to proceed. But being so many I cannot

1781

venture on my own authority to allow them to sail without a previous per­ mission from His Excellency General Sir Henry Clinton" (Phillips to Steu­ ben, 18 Apr. 1781, N H i ) . See T J to the Virginia delegates, 10 May 1781. T J regarded Phillips' referral of the matter to Sir Henry Clinton as an eva­ sion.

From John Taylor Lancaster County, 1 5 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . Encloses "a list of the number of Men raised in this County for recruiting this States quota of Troops to serve in the Continental Army, likewise a particular number of each Division, and a return of the Militia but not so full as your last instruc­ tions required, as I have not recieved any returns from the Different Captains since." The return of ammunition will show the "great need" of that article in a region "Constantly exposed to invasion." RC (Vi); signed: "John Taylor C[ounty] Lieutenant] L[ancaster]"; endorsed.

From John T o d d M A Y I TPLEASE YOUR E X C E L L E N C Y

Lexington 15th April

1781

Y o u r letter of the 24 Deer, as also that of the 19th J a n y . last inclosing sundry papers came safe to hand a few days ago. B y the best Accounts I can procure from Jefferson and Lincoln the M i l i t i a of the whole three Counties at present amount about 1050—Fayette 156, Lincoln 6 0 0 and Jefferson 3 0 0 . I have just made a Draft of 78 from this County for C o l . C l a r k and i f the other Counties draft proportionally your Demand w i l l be fully satisfied. I hear nothing as yet of Col. C l a r k but I concieve I have just cause of expostulating with h i m on Account of this County its true state being probably unknown to your Excellency when the Draft was required to be proportional to the Militia. Exposed at every Fort and weakened by daily Removals of its Strength to the South side of Kentucky we are Scarcely able to keep our Forts. Should C o l . C l a r k take his Rout by the Shawnese Nation all cause of Complaint must cease as the E n e m y w i l l thereby be drawn off from our Forts. Being unable just now to spare Labourers and Guards at a dis­ tance from our Forts for making Canoes I have sent M r . L i n d s a y to Lincoln for Assistance which I make no doubt of procuring. I fear I shall meet w i t h some difficulties in conveying the Stores at Lexington and Bryants to the Canoes for want of Horses ours being [461 }

15

17 8 1

A P R I L

nearly all taken by the Indians and C o l . Bowman does not prove so friendly as I think he ought to be in giving me necessary Assistance. Our Circumstances have recieved so material a Change within twelvemonths that a Draft of 18 M i l i t i a for the Continental A r m y at present would be singularly oppressive upon Fayette or Jeffer­ son. Happy should we be and readily would we spare them i f our situation were but as the Legislature expected. T h e r e is scare one fort in the County but once a month seems upon the E v e of break­ ing for want of men to defend it. Such Residents as had most prop­ erty and Horses to remove their Effects have retreated to Lincoln, one half of the Remainder are unable to Remove. W e have no T a x Commissioners in the County and almost nothing to tax. A l l which Circumstances plead I hope in Excuse sufficiently for the M i l i t i a at Present. W h e n ever our Circumstances w i l l admit of it the people w i l l I ' m satisfied inlist voluntarily in to the Continental A r m y from a Genius they possess for w a r as well as the Greatness of the Bounty. A Letter sent to your Excellency this W i n t e r mentioned the Strenth of the County. Perhaps it never reached you. Neither did the Requisition mentioned in yours ever reach me. T h e inclosed Draught of the County may better Serve to give you an Idea of our Situation and position with regard to each other than any Descrip­ tion. I also inclose you a letter from M r . Pollock. I still recieve Com­ plaints from the Ilinois. T h a t Department suffers I fear through the Avarice and prodigality of our Officers. T h e y all vent Com­ plaints against each other. I believe our French Friends have the justest grounds of Dissatisfaction. I have the Honor to be with the greatest Respect Y o u r E x c e l ­ lency's Most Obedient & very humble Servant, JNO TODD J R RC (Vi); addressed; endorsed in part: "May 1 7 8 1 " (date of receipt?) and "requires no answer." Enclosures miss­ ing. Y O U R L E T T E R O F T H E 2 4 T H D E C R . AS A L S O T H A T O F T H E 1 9 T H J A N Y . : T J to

the county lieutenants of Fayette, &c,

2 4 Dec. 1 7 8 0 and T J to the county lieutenants, 1 9 Jan. 1 7 8 1 . Todd's L E T ­ TER

SENT

. . . THIS WINTER

has

not

been found and may not have been re­ ceived by T J . T H E R E Q U I S I T I O N M E N ­ T I O N E D I N Y O U R S : see note to Floyd to T J , 1 6 Apr. 1 7 8 1 .

From John T o d d Lexington 15th April 1781 M A Y I T PLEASE YOUR E X C E L L E N C Y

T h e Inhabitants of Fayette County have been so harrassed this Spring by the Indians that I was for some time apprehensive that [462

]

15

1781

A P R I L

the whole County would be evacuated as Panicks of that K i n d have proved very catching and the fate of the Neighbouring Garrisons at L i c k i n g last year was fresh in their Minds. T h e only plan I could devise to prevent it and sufficiently secure the provisions laid up at Bryants and this place was to build a new Fort upon a very advantageous Situation at this place and make it proof against Swivels and small Artilery which so terrify our people. I laid off the Fort upon the simplest plan of a Quadrangle and divided the W o r k equally among four of the most pushing men w i t h a Bas­ tion to each authorizing them to employ W o r k e r s from this and the neighbouring Stations and assuring them of their pay myself. On the Faith of such Assurances considerable Sums of Money have been lent and advanced to the W o r k m e n so that the W o r k in about 20 Days has been nearly completed in a workman like Manner. The Gate is nearly finished and the Magazine contracted for. T h e whole Expence amounts to £ 1 1 , 3 4 1 . 1 0 as w i l l appear by the Account herewith sent. I t is in vain for me to assure your E x c e l ­ lency that Diligence and Oeconomy has been used in this Business as the W o r k so abuntly proves it. I believe four times the Expence never before made for the publick a W o r k equal to this. A n E m u ­ lation among the Overseers and Rewards in Liquor to the Men proved powerful Incentives to Industry. Being a Charge of an un­ common Nature I thought proper to present it to your Excellency and the Council being better Judges of the Necessity and E x ­ pediency of the W o r k than the Auditors, who are probably un­ acquainted with T h e Circumstances of this Country. B y either of our Delegates your Excellency M a y have an Oppor­ tunity of transmitting the Money. I have the Honor to be with the greatest respect your E x c e l ­ lency's M o . obedient and humble Servant, RC ( V i ) ; addressed: "His Excellency Tho. Jefferson Esq; Governour of Vir­ ginia. W Fav. the Fayette Delagates"; endorsed in part: "Not answered. 15th Api. 1782." The date in the endorse­ ment was probably made late in the 19th century when this document was prepared for publication; that it is an error is proved both by the substance of the letter and by the address. Enclo­ sures missing, though both were in the Virginia Archives in 1883 when Vol­ ume III of the C a l e n d a r of V i r g i n i a

State

P a p e r s was published. A note in that publication shows that the fort was an interesting example of the use of rammed-earth construction: "Accom­

[463

JOHN TODD, J R .

panying this letter is a well drawn plan of the Fort, and account current of cost of building—with description thereof as follows: 'Laid down from a Scale of 20 feet to the Inch—80 feet in the clearwalls 7 feet thick of Rammed Dirt, in­ closed with good Timbers 9 feet high only, from 4 feet upwards 5 feet thick —the Top of the Wall is neatly picketed 6 feet High, proof against Small Arms —Ditch 8 feet wide and between 4 & 5 feet deep"' (CVSP, ra, 130). If, as is conjectured by Mr. William J . Van Schreeven, State Archivist, this is an "archival estray," that fact is much to be regretted (communication to the edi­ tors, 11 Oct. 1951).

]

To George Bird SIR

Richmond April 16th. 1781.

Your favor of the 12th. instant has come to hand. M r . Brown [John Browne] has orders on the Commissioners of the specific T a x for all the grain they shall receive. I should suppose that in strictness he could not be authorized to receive it but from them. However as it may be a mutual advantage to the People and Pub­ lic to feed Beeves for the Army at the Planters farms it would seem best to accomodate this point to him, relying that he or his Agents will pay due Attention to prevent the public from Impositions and to redress them where they take place. I am &c, T.J. FC ( V i ) ; at head of text: "Colo George Bird."

To James Callaway SIR

Richmond April 16th. 1781

I am exceedingly sorry that the Public situation has laid us under the cruel necessity of calling our Citizens from their homes at the interesting Season of planting their Crops. But an enemy strongly posted in our Country and another lately driven from us and ready and reinforced to return to the Charge unless strongly opposed have left us under the necessity indispensably of having militia out constantly from half the Counties in the state. A Letter from General Greene of the 6th. instant calls pressingly for Aids and we can send none but Militia till the late law is got through for raising New levies. Under this unfortunate Situa­ tion we are still constrained [to require] the marching of your Militia as formerly directed, and that they continue with General Greene till the last day of June, by which they shall be relieved from other Counties or should the Relief not get there by that day they shall be detained but one week longer waiting for it. It seems vain to plant and sow and leave the Enemy unopposed to reap. Besides I hope that the Peculiarity of the distress of those who are thus obliged to go away before planting their Corn will induce their neighbours to assemble and assist in the planting and per­ forming other necessary offices in the plantation. There never was juster Grounds for displaying a Public and neighbourly Spirit and for associating for this purpose. I should hope every Captain would associate his Company for this Purpose, [464 ]

16

A P R I L

1781

which being known to the People they w i l l go the more chearfully. I am & c , T.J. FC ( V i ) ; at head of text: "Colonel Callaway."

From William Davies SIR

Chesterfield April 16. 1781.

T h e badness of the weather has prevented m y return to R i c h ­ mond today. I am, however, so firmly persuaded of the enemy's intentions up the rivers, that I cannot refrain from renewing m y request for the impressment of a number of waggons not only for the removal of the stores at Petersburg and Chesterfield, which amount to at least 150 waggon loads, but also for the removal of the cannon at Newcastle. I f Captain Young could receive your authority for this purpose, it would greatly facilitate their security: indeed, in my opinion, they w i l l infallibly be lost, unless a step of this kind is immediately adopted. I have the honor to be, sir, most respectfully, Y o u r Excellency's W I L L I A M DAVIES

most obdt servt, RC (Vi); addressed; endorsed in part: "April 17th 1781." On the matter of obtaining waggons for the removal of stores, see Carrington to T J , 31 Mch. 1781; on 16 Apr. Carrington also wrote to Davies: "For transporting supplies from Virginia the Legislature . . . directed that the Ex­ ecutive should make proper regulations for giving us the aid of private prop­ erty waggons when necessary; by the Act the duties of the County Courts were evident. At my suggestion the Executive directed Mr. Brown to have all the private waggons Registered and so arranged as to be at our service when called on. Neither of those duties have been done. Pray is there no means

of bringing to punishment some of those people who abuse the public by neglecting the duties incumbent on them?" ( V i ) . On this same date Clai­ borne wrote Davies from Richmond: " I can only repeat again to you my willingness to aid and assist in every­ thing that is in my power, but as I have not the means of transportation under my direction, it will be impos­ sible for me to remove the stores you mention from Petersburg. A few days since I requested Capt. Holmes to send the superfluous Quarter Master's stores from Petersburg to Carter's ferry, but he writes me that it will be with the greatest difficulty he shall get waggons for those things" ( V i ) .

From John Floyd SIR

Jefferson 16th. April 1781

About the first of January last Commissions were delivered me, one appointing me Colonel of the Militia of this County one other Appointing Isaac Cox Lieutenant Colonel, also a Majors Commis­ sion for W i l l i a m L y n ; five Capt. Commissions together with the [465]

16

APRIL

1781

Commission of the Peace &c. directed to four of the said Officers who are Inhabitants of the County and to three others, one of them being also Appointed Sheriff, the other two being in very distant Countys and who have not been in this since their Appointment. I had some time before the receipt of these Commissions heard of the Appointments and foreseeing the E v i l which must arise from their not being Magistrates in the County to qualify the M i l i t i a Officers wrote to Y o u r Excellency requesting more Justices to be added to the Commission of the peace and that blank M i l i t i a Com­ missions might be sent me: and I repeated this request soon after the receipt of the Commission, but have received none others since; nor did I ever receive a single line from you till the 4th Instant when your two Letters one of the 24th. of December and the other of the 19th. of January were delivered me. I shall always endeavour to perform the duties of any Office which I undertake faithfully; and in this Particular instance have done more than m y duty re­ quired of me. Y o u write me that you had six months before required of me a proper return of the Militia of this County; but as the division of Kentuckey did not take place till November last Y o u r instructions must have been dated before this County took place: B u t had that not been the case, and had Y o u r Letter came to hand it was out of my Power to Comply with it as we have only four Magistrates in the County, one of whom was so infirm that he could not attend Court at all till M a r c h L a s t , and then the Officers could not Qualify, they being the Justices also; nor is this inconvenience likely to be remedied in a short time, as Capt. Sullivan is just returned from Richmond without any Commissions for this County. A n d as the recommendations made by this Court have not yet been sent away I fear we shall not get the Commissions till late in the Summer. A n d untili this happens no regular return can be made for want of Officers; T w o of the Captains who had Commissions sent, refused to accept of them, one other I never Y e t have seen, nor can I get him to Court to Qualify. I have endeavoured to Collect the number of the Militia and find from the best information I can get, they amount to 354 between the ages of Sixteen and fifty including Of­ ficers. Y o u require the act of Assembly for recruiting the States Quota of Troops to serve in the Continental A r m y to be carried into exe­ cution here, but for the reasons before mention'd it must be Post­ poned; and when your Excellency is informed of the true situation of this County, I am Persuaded you w i l l think the L a w ought not [466 }

16

APRIL

1781

to have extended to it. W e are all Obliged to live in forts in this County and notwithstanding all the Caution that we use, forty seven of the Inhabitants have been K i l l e d and T a k e n by the Sav­ ages Besides a number Wounded, since the first of J a n y . last. Amongst the slain is Major W i l l i a m L y n . W h o l e families are de­ stroyed whithout regard to Age or Sex. Infants are torn from their Mothers A r m s and their Brains dashed out against T r e e s , as they are necessarily removing from one fort to Another for safety or Convenience. Not a week Passes and some weeks scarcely a day w i t h out some of our distressed Inhabitants feeling the fatal effects of the infernal rage and fury of those Execrable Hellhounds. Our Garrisons are dispersed over an Extensive County and a large Pro­ portion of the Inhabitants are helpless indigent W i d o w s and Or­ phans who have lost their Husbands and fathers by Savage Hands and left among Strangers without the most Common necessaries of L i f e . Of those who have Escaped many have lost all their stocks, and have not any L a n d of their O w n nor wherewithal to Purchase. Our dépendance to support Our family s is upon getting w i l d meat and this is Procured with great difficulty and danger and should it fall to the Lott of some in this County, who are thus Situated to serve as regular Soldiers according to L a w their familys must inevitably starve. Our Garrison at the falls is made Sufficient to stand an Attack w i t h light Cannon but our numbers which w i l l risk themselves in it, w i l l by no means be Sufficient to defend it from an A r m y which we are frequently threatened w i t h from Detroit; Our Inhabitants being so dispersed that they Could not be Collected to any one Place in the County in less than fifteen days. T h e confidence the People here have in General Clarkes vigilance, his Enterprising Spirit and other Military Virtues to­ gether with their inability to remove, have been hardly sufficient to Keep this County from being left entirely desolate. Major Slaugh­ ter at the Falls of Ohio has about 5 0 0 t b of Powder, and L e a d in Proportion which is all the Publick Ammunition in this County, none of that delivered to Colo. Bowman last W i n t e r having been sent me; and there is V e r y little in the County of Private Property. T h e r e is not at this time I am informed and believe more than fifty thousand fts. of Beef in this County, Fayette and Lincoln, upwards of one Hundred thousand W e i g h t of that laid up in this County being entirely rotten and Lost. Corn is Plenty in Lyncoln, and Fayette, but there is no flour in any of these Counties. T h e men you order for Geni. Clarkes Expedition w i l l be raised without much difficulty notwithstanding all the disadvantages the County [467]

16

APRIL

1781

is under. T h e Canoes also shall be ready in time, tho' one fourth of the M i l i t i a must G u a r d while they are on hand. Salt may be had here sufficient for an A r m y of two thousand men S i x months and Perhaps more. I am Y o u r Excellencys most Obt. Humbe. Servt., JN

RC (Vi); addressed and endorsed. YOU WRITE M E THAT Y O U HAD SIX MONTHS BEFORE REQUIRED OF M E A PROPER RETURN O F T H E MILITIA O F T H I S C O U N T Y : The passage Floyd refers

to comes from TJ's circular to the county lieutenants of 19 Jan. 1781 and reads: "Notwithstanding the requisi­ tion I made you six months ago for a return of your militia, you have not been pleased to comply with it, an in­ attention which cannot be justified on any principle of military subordination, and which cannot again pass unno­ ticed"; Vol. 4:401. This was strong language and Floyd, who was not ap­ pointed county lieutenant of Jefferson until 22 Jan. 1781, was quick to take offense; but he should have noted that

FLOYD

TJ's communication of 19 Jan. was a printed circular. The inapplicability of the passage to Jefferson co. should, no doubt, have been noted by T J on Floyd's copy of the broadside, but un­ der the circumstances that existed in Richmond in January it is not surpris­ ing that such care was lacking. Floyd's letter or letters R E Q U E S T I N G M O R E J U S ­ TICES T O B E ADDED . . . A N D B L A N K M I L I T I A COMMISSIONS have not been

found. The additional justices were added to the Jefferson commission of the peace after T J had left office ( V a . C o u n c i l J o u r . , I I , 351; 23 June 1781). CAPT.

SULLIVAN

IS

JUST

RETURNED:

Sullivan bore to Richmond Floyd's let­ ter to T J of 15 Jan. 1781, q.v.

To David Jameson Apr. 16. 1781.

SIR

T h e day is so very bad that I hardly expect a council, and there being nothing that I know of very pressing, and M r s . Jefferson in a situation in which I would not wish to leave her, I shall not attend to-day. Should there be a board this case requires immediate attention. T h e court of Albemarle on the resignation of John Coles County Lieutenant and Nicholas L e w i s Colo, have passed by Reuben Lindsay who was L t . Colo, and a man of as much worth as any in the county and of a temper fit for conciliating the minds of the people to the many harsh calls now to be made on them, and have recommended (as report sais) John M a r k s to be County Lieutt. who was formerly a very junior captain and retired, not possessing an inch of property in the county or other means of obtaining influence over the people, and of a temper so ungovernable that instead of reconciling he w i l l by his manner of executing revolt the minds of the people against the calls of government, and pro­ duce mutinies and difficulties where others would go thro' smoothly. A s our power of redressing depends on our taking the [468

]

16 A P R I L

1781

start I would recommend if there be a board the inclosed resolu­ tion. I do not know who are the two eldest captains. Reuben Lind­ say I know is the Lt. Colo, and Charles Lilburne Lewis the Major. I am with great esteem your friend & servt, T H : J E F F E R S O N The board should there be one can form their resolution with­ out my being present. If the commissions can be sent me, I can forward them to-day. John Coles County Lieutenant and Nicholas Lewis Colo, of Albemarle having resigned their commissions, the board advise that Reuben Lindsay the present Lt. Colo, be appointed County Lieutenant and Charles Lilburne Lewis the present Major be appointed Colo, of the militia of the said county. RC ( D L C : Stauffer-Morgan set of autographs of Signers of the Declara­ tion of Independence); addressed and endorsed. The resolution was not "in­ closed" but written on the verso of the address leaf. No copy of this letter is to be found in the Executive Letter Book, for obvious reasons. Jameson, whom T J addressed as Jamieson, was senior member of the Council. This letter explains what was evidently TJ's first absence from a meeting of the board since Aug. 1780: the cause is apparent in the allusion to Mrs. Jefferson and in an entry in TJ's Account Book under date of 15 Apr.: "our daughter Lucy Elizabeth died about 10. o'clock A.M. this day." Lucy

Elizabeth was four and a half months of age. The Council resolution, framed as T J drafted it, was adopted 16 Apr. and was the only business transacted (or at least recorded) that day ( V a . C o u n c i l J o u r . , n, 335). On this sub­ ject, see Gilmer to T J , 13 Apr. 1781. T J allowed his hostility to Marks to tempt him into an impulsive action that proved to be too hasty. The commis­ sions for Lindsay and Lewis were made out on 16 Apr. and were dispatched to the former on the same day. But, as T J soon learned, Lindsay had been the Albemarle court's first choice and in­ deed it was he who had recommended Marks; see Lindsay to T J , 25 Apr. 1781.

From Joseph Jones DR. SR. Spring Hill 16th. April 1781 The Alliance of the American States being now compleated by the assent of the State of Maryland to the Articles of Confedera­ tion the future proceedings of Congress must be governed by those Rules and every deviation from them become matter of complaint or jealousy to the States. It would be wise therefore where defects appear to have them supplied in time and while the Temper of the States from recent experience of the want of competent Powers in Congress for the purposes of War disposes them to do so. It appears to me indispensably necessary for the general welfare in time of war that the Congress should be vested with a controuling power over the States sufficient to compel obedience to requisi[469]

16

A P R I L

1781

tions for M e n and Money apportioned agreeable to the Rules laid down. Without a coercive power for these purposes clearly vested in that Body all future wars as the present has done must languish for want of proper authority to call forth the resources of the States. These aids should be as regularly and fully furnished by those States at ease and removed from danger as by those attacked and immediately exposed to it, yet we have found those only where necessity and self preservation impelled them to exertions render­ ing those supplies the interest and safety of the whole required— and while some have strained every nerve and exhausted almost their whole strength in the struggle, others have been negligent and remiss in furnishing the proportions assigned. These delin­ quencies occasion discontents, prolong the w a r , and expose the w i l l i n g and obedient States to hardships, when Justice requires that all contribute their property. H o w this can be effected without a controuling power in Congress for the purpose I know not. Y e t I know that without it we shall be a rope of sand and the Union be dissolved. I t was made a question in Congress before I came away. I expect it w i l l not be determined before I return whether the united States in Congress assembled had such a power; i f not whether it was not necessary they should have it. A s the States have yeilded to that Body the right of making requisitions, does it follow that Congress have the power by implication of enforcing obedience? I f they now have this Power, or not having it, the States should Grant it them, how should the disobedient B e pun­ ished? B y shuting the Ports—by a Body of armed M e n — B y de­ privation of privileges or by what other method. These are nice and tender points to handle, but are unavoidable in the discussion of this question. H o w far it would be prudent to open them to the States I know not. Could the business be effected without coming from Congress by a voluntary declaration of the respective States of their sentiments upon the R i g h t of Congress to exercise such a power it would I think be better; for I suspect such a recom­ mendation coming from Congress would excite fears i n the States, that there was a disposition in Congress to grasp dangerous Powers. I t is certainly a transendent power, never to be used but in cases of absolute necessity and extremity. T h e acknowlegement however of such a power in Congress might possibly supercede the use of it as it would prove a weight impeling the States to action. I f the States are ever to possess a formidable N a v y w h i c h may be serviceable to them in time of W a r , the Power of laying Embargoes during w a r at least, should be vested i n Congress. [470]

16

APRIL

1781

T h i s appears necessary on many other accounts which cannot be unknown to you and I confess myself at a loss to conjecture the reason of its omission in the Articles. I f we are to have our great departments under the superintendence of Ministers accountable for their conduct ( a n d which was agreed upon and some of them chosen when I left Congress but which from a late Letter from Madison w i l l at length I fear be lost) it may be necessary i f any offences they may commit in the execution of their offices shall be punished capitally, to institute a Court and appoint Judges for their trial, as I question whether they could be tried and punished in any of the Courts now in being. A s these officers w i l l act throughout the States and can be resident in one only there w i l l be a difficulty i n bringing them to trial and condign punishment without some special mode prescribed for the purpose. I n this business however a great question arises—can Congress in other than military and Maritime L a w s subject any Citizen to Death or other punishment than the L a w s of the State he belongs to inflict for such offences? I have given your Excellency much trouble in this letter. M y appology is that I desire the sentiments of Gentlemen of respectable abilities belonging to the State I rep­ resent in all very interesting questions to assist my own Judgment and opinion and unless you forbid it I shall take the same liberty on future occasions when they present themselves. W i t h great respect I am D r . S r . Y r . most obed Sert.,

Jos: JONES

P S . I set out this day week for Philadelphia. RC ( D L C ) . In D L C : Madison Pa­ pers, 1:106, there is an unsigned, un­ dated letter in Joseph Jones' hand quite similar in substance to the above and endorsed: "Copy letter to Pendleton Wythe Jefferson." From this endorse­ ment it is obvious that "the sentiments of Gentlemen of respectable abilities" that Jones desired were those of T J and his two distinguished collaborators on the Révisai of the Laws. From the presence of this copy among the Madi­ son Papers as well as from the allusion to "a late Letter from Madison," it would appear that, as Mr. Irving Brant supposes (letter to the editors, 26 Dec. 1950), Jones and Madison were col­ laborating in an effort to obtain TJ's support for the doctrine of implied powers. The fact that Madison wrote T J on the same day about the same subject need not be regarded as any­ thing more than an interesting coinci­ dence. From the vigor of Jones' lan­

guage as well as from the marked dif­ ference of expression between the let­ ter sent T J and the (probably later) draft sent Wythe and Pendleton, it is evident that he fully shared Madison's views as to the need of coercive power in the Confederation. The two men were probably agreed in viewpoint on this fundamental issue before Jones left Philadelphia, but this does not neces­ sarily mean that they had agreed to assault TJ's strict constructionism on the same day. T J in 1775 had re­ marked upon Franklin's Plan of Union that such vague phrases as "the gen­ eral welfare" had no place in such documents; at that date Jones' asser­ tion that it was "indispensably neces­ sary for the general welfare in time of war that the Congress should be vested with a controuling power over the states sufficient to compel obedience to requisitions for Men and Money" would no doubt have met with instant objec-

[471]

16

A P R I L

tion from him. But six years' experi­ ence in Congress, in the House of Dele­ gates, and in the Governor's chair had no doubt prepared him to modify that position. The chief difference between the letter to T J and the copy of that to Wythe and Pendleton which Jones sent to Madison lies in the suggestion in the former that "a voluntary decla­ ration of the respective States of their sentiments upon the Right of Congress to exercise such a power" would be preferable to a recommendation coming from Congress; both forms of the letter insisted that coercive power should be used only for purposes of conducting war. The "letter to Pendleton Wythe Jefferson" also contains an interesting observation not in the above form of the letter as sent to T J : "by a resolu­ tion of our Legislature of the 24th. December 1779 the point of enforcing obedience to requisitions seems to have been agitated and censured." The copy in the Madison Papers con­ tains an addition to the endorsement written by Madison himself: "in the handwriting of Mr. Jos. Jones prob­

1781

ably from Geni. Washington." In the communication from Mr. Brant referred to above, the opinion is advanced that this addition to the endorsement dates from about 1828 and that Madison's error in supposing Washington might have been the writer was owing to the fact that Washington wrote many let­ ters, after Maryland ratified the Arti­ cles of Confederation, urging that ac­ tion as the basis of an appeal for en­ largement of the powers of Congress; one such letter was sent to Jones under date of 24 Mch. 1781 and Jones, in­ deed, sent a copy of it to Madison (see Washington, W r i t i n g s , ed. Fitzpatrick, X X I , 374). Jones may well have sent Madison also at about this time a copy of his letter to a few "Gentlemen of respectable abilities"—a circumstance which would make Madison's error as an old man perfectly understandable. Jones' letter to T J as printed above is the only one of the several he wrote that has been found; the copy in the Madison Papers is printed in M a d i s o n P a p e r s , ed. Gilpin, I , 81-4.

To Richard Henry Lee DR.

SIR

Richmond Apr. 16.

1781.

W e are very sorry that it is out of our power to furnish you w i t h cartridge paper and exhausted

from

our

lead. T h e magazines

former article has by

armies. Y o u r express receives 500

the flints,

Southern and

been entirely and

eastern

should have

had

powder but that we think it better you should purchase the

two

or three barrels you propose and draw on the Executive for

pai-

ment w h i c h shall be made. T h e returns of military stores having been lost, we do not know by recollection that there are either ball or grapeshot belonging to the public at Fredericksburg. I f there be, and you can inform me of it, and in the mean time prevail on the person in whose possession it is to deliver a proper quantity to you, I w i l l send h i m the approbation of the Executive: or i f you can buy, we w i l l pay for it. Our last news from the South was of the 6th. inst. when L d . Cornwallis was near W i l m i n g t o n , and G e n i . Greene setting

out

on his march from Deep river for South Carolina. Phillips com­ mands i n Portsmouth. H i s whole force 2 5 0 0 . I think you [472]

may

16

APRIL

1781

rely from the intelligence we have had that no land force went from thence in the vessels which are distressing Patowmac. I am with much respect Sir Your most obedt. servt, TH:

JEFFERSON

R S . T h e advertisement shall be published. R C ( V i U ) ; addressed by T J : "The honble. Richard Henry Lee Westmoreland"; endorsed in several hands. F C ( V i ) .

From James Madison DEAR SIR

Philada. April 16th. 1781.

The inclosed paper is a copy of a report from a Committee now lying on the table of Congress for Consideration. The delicacy and importance of the subject makes me wish for your judgment on it before it undergoes the final decision of Congress. The necessity of arming Congress with coercive powers arises from the shameful deficiency of some of the States which are most capable of yielding their apportioned supplies, and the military exactions to which others already exhausted by the enemy and our own troops are in consequence exposed. Without such powers too in the general government, the whole confederacy may be insulted and the most salutary measures frustrated by the most inconsiderable State in the Union. At a time when all the other States were submitting to the loss and inconveniency of an embargo on their exports, Dela­ ware absolutely declined coming into the measure, and not only defeated the general object of it, but enriched herself at the expence of those who did their duty. The expediency however of making the proposed application to the States will depend on the probability of their complying with it. I f they should refuse, Congress will be in a worse situa­ tion than at present: for as the confederation now stands, and according to the nature even of alliances much less intimate, there is an implied right of coercion against the delinquent party, and the exercise of it by Congress whenever a palpable necessity occurs will probably be acquiesced in. It may be asked perhaps by what means Congress could exer­ cise such a power if the States were to invest them with it? As long as there is a regular army on foot a small detachment from it, acting under Civil authority, would at any time render a volun­ tary contribution of supplies due from a State, an eligible alterna­ tive. But there is a still more easy and efficacious mode. The situa[473 ]

16

A P R I L

1781

tion of most of the States is such, that two or three vessels of force employed against their trade w i l l make it their interest to yield prompt obedience to all just requisitions on them. W i t h respect to those States that have little or no foreign trade of their own it is provided that all inland trade w i t h such States as supply them w i t h foreign merchandize may be interdicted and the concurrence of the latter may be enforced in case of refusal by operations on their foreign trade. T h e r e is a collateral reason which interests the States who are feeble in maritime resources, in such a plan. I f a naval armament was considered as the proper instrument of general Government, it would be both preserved in a respectable State in time of peace, and it would be an object to mann it w i t h Citizens taken in due proportions from every State. A N a v y so formed and under

the

orders of the general Council of the States, would not only be a guard against aggressions and insults from abroad; but without it what is to protect the Southern States for many years to come against the insults and aggressions of their N . Brethren. I am Dear Y r . sincere friend & obt. servt., J . MADISON

RC ( D L C : Madison Papers); en­ dorsed by T J at head of text: "Madi­ son Jas." Enclosure (missing:): Copy of a report by "the committee appointed to prepare a plan to invest the United States in Congress assembled with full and explicit powers for effectually car­ rying: into execution in the several states all acts or resolutions passed agreeably to the Articles of Confedera­ tion"; this report, drafted by Madison, dated 12 Mch. and submitted to Con­ gress on 16 Mch., proposed authoriz­ ing Congress "to employ the force of the United States as well by sea as by land" whenever necessary to compel the states "to fulfil their federal en­ gagements" (printed in full in J C C , X X , 469-71, under date of 2 May 1781). On Madison's general position at this time see Brant, M a d i s o n , l i , 108ff. There are two important differences to be noted between Madison's observa­ tions and those set forth in Jones' letter of this date: (1) Jones merely raised

JUNR

the question whether Congress had "the power by implication" of enforcing obe­ dience, whereas Madison stated flatly that "there is an implied right of coer­ cion"; and (2) Jones asked how "should the disobedient Be punished" if it were determined that Congress had such a power, whereas Madison affirmed that force should be used, that its exercise in cases of palpable necessity would prob­ ably be acquiesced in, and that the spe­ cific instrument of naval power might be the best means to employ. His con­ cluding argument on the importance of "a naval armament . . . as the proper instrument of general Government" could not have come at a more oppor­ tune moment, for T J was keenly con­ scious at this time of Virginia's open­ ness to invasion and her inability to carry out the expedition against Arnold because of loss of command of her own waters (see his letter to La Luzerne, 17 Apr. 1781).

[474]

To J . P. G . Muhlenberg SIR

Richmond April 16, 1781

I have duly received the letter of the 7th inst. from M r . Con­ stable written by Command from you and am sorry to hear of your Indisposition which I hope this will find you relieved from. I expect 350 men from Culpeper have joined you before this Date. They are to continue till the 14th of June. The Militia from Frederic, Hampshire, Berkeley, Shenandoah, Orange and Louisa ought now to be coming in and are to continue till the last of June with a right to retain them a week longer to await Reliefs. W e have by letters sent by Express yesterday called Militia as follows: Fauquier 2 5 2 , Loudoun 407, Caroline 2 4 5 , Albemarle 204, Fluvanna 70, Goochland 89, Henrico about 100 who are required to be in the field May 1st and to continue there till the last day of June or 7th of July if the reliefs should not arrive sooner. W e are thus endeavouring to get our Militia to a fixed term of 2 Months in the Field to be relieved all together between this and the 1st of May. I cannot but apprehend dangers which are not in our power to prevent. So slow are the Militia in moving that none newly called could be expected sooner than those from Frederick, Hampshire, Berkeley, Shenandoah, Orange and Louisa who were called for March 27th. The Embarkation from New York under Sir Harry Clinton is pretty certainly known to be destined to take post at New Castle on Delaware. I am &c, T.J. FC

(Vi).

L E T T E R S S E N T B Y E X P R E S S Y E S T E R D A Y : Actually the letters to

the county lieutenants of Fauquier and certain other counties were sent 14 Apr.

1781.

From Henry Skipwith C u m b e r l a n d County, 1 6 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . Skipwith's neighbor, John Chap­ man of Amelia co., proposes to undertake the business of repairing public arms. Skipwith can recommend him "as an honest independent Freeholder" and "an uncommon mechanical genius, fully equal to the task of either repairing or making Guns"; he will, moreover, perform his duties with strict fidelity. R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; addressed in part: "by M r . John Chapman"; endorsed. A t foot of text in T J ' s hand: "Referred to Colo. Davies. T h : Jefferson."

[475]

To Charles Thomas SIR

Richmond Apr. 16. 1781.

Being informed you have a much larger supply of oil than w i l l shortly be necessary for your works and the Continent being dis­ tressed at their tannery here for that article, be so good as to lend M a j r . Claiborne so much as he may want and you can spare, which he w i l l replace. I am S i r Y o u r very humble servt., TH:

RC ( V i ) ; addressed by T J : "Captn. Thomas Warwick"; endorsed. This letter was evidently sent to Richard Claiborne for transmission to Capt. Thomas, for below the text of TJ's order is a note signed by Claiborne: "Captain Thomas will oblige Major Claiborne by delivering Mr. Parks, the

JEFFERSON

Asst. Corny, of Hides at this place, the oil mentioned in the above order, and Charge it to the Corny. Geni, of hides, who will replace it." See Claiborne to T J , 13 Apr. 1781. Charles Thomas was in charge of the rope-walk at Warwick; Official Letters,

n, 24 In.

To Arthur Campbell SIR

I n Council April 17th. 1781.

W e are sorry it is not in our power to send you the Commissions desired for two Sets of Field Officers. T h e A c t of Assembly allows this only where there are 1,000 M i l i t i a in a County and the last Return from yours makes them only 8 2 9 . Should they be increased to the number required by L a w we shall be glad on receiving a return thereof to issue the Commis­ sions desired. Captain K i n c a i d receives from us a warrant for £ 5 0 0 0 to be applied to the necessary uses of the Company in Powells valley. I am &c, T.J. FC (Vi). TJ's letter to the auditors asking that a warrant for £5000 be issued to Captain Kincaid is in Vi, Contingent Fund Vouchers.

To William Christian SIR

I n Council April 17th. 1781

Y o u r favour of the 10th inst. has come duly to hand. A t the time we desired to set on foot the negotiations for peace with the Cherokees we were uninformed of the measures General Greene had taken for that purpose. W e think it better that the treaty should be prosecuted on his [476]

17 plan and generally given on Operation

1781

A P R I L

under his Authority which w i l l bind the United States and therefore chearfully withdraw the powers we had that Subject and which might otherwise disturb the of those from General Greene. I am &c, T.J.

FC ( V i ) . T J laid Christian's letter of 10 Apr. before the Council on 17 Apr. and that body advised him "to withdraw the

powers formerly given by the Executive on this subject" ( V a . C o u n c i l J o u r . , ii, 336); see Christian to T J , 10 Apr. 1781.

From Lafayette SIR

Baltimore April the 17h 1781

I Have the Honor to inform Y o u r Excellency that the détache­ ment Under M y orders is on its W a y to Richmond W h e r e I E x ­ pect to Receive directions from General Greene. F r o m the intel­ ligences I get of the Number General Philips's A r m y Consist of, I Aprehend that the State of V i r g i n i a Must Need A n immediate support. T h i s Consideration alone Could induce Me to Advance B y R a p i d and forced Marches w i t h a Part of the détachement, and of Course, to impress a G r a t Number of Waggons and Horses to forward our Movement. T h i s Measure I Reluctantly Have Adopted, B u t as Uncommon dangers Require Uncommon Reme­ dies thought that the State of V i r g i n i a Being so far interested in this Movement, they would put up w i t h Momentary inconveni­ ences provided we Could Rapidly Advance to their succour. I B e g Leave to Request that the inclosed B e sent to General Greene w i t h the Greatest dispatch as the Contents are of an immediate im­ portance. I would B e very Happy, S i r , i f Your Excellency is pleased to send me B y the Road through Alexandria and Frederick B u r g E v e r y intelligence that M a y Relate to L o r d Cornwallis and General Philips. W i t h the Highest Respect I Have the Honor to B e Y o u r E x c e l ­ lency's Most obedient Humble Servant, LAFAYETTE P S . I w i l l do myself the Honor to write to Y o u r Excellency on M y A r r i v a l at Alexandria. RC (Vi); endorsed in several hands: "Marquis Fayette's Lre April 23d 1781 [ d a t e of TJ's a n s w e r , q . v . ] No. 11. Copd." Enclosure not identified.

[477]

To Joseph Reed I n Council, April 17th. 1781.

SIR

I have been honoured with your Excellency's letter proposing the actual extension of our mutual boundary. I presume therefore that the propositions contained in the Resolutions of our Assembly of [ J u l y 4 , 1 7 8 0 ] which I had the honour to communicate to your Excellency have been approved by your State and that the Bound­ aries are to be run on the principles therein proposed. No mode of determining the extent of the five degrees of longitude from Delaware river in the latitude of Mason and Dixons line having been pointed out by your Excellency I shall venture to propose that this be determined by Astronomical Observations to be made at or near the two extremities of the L i n e as being in our opinion the most certain and unexceptionable mode of determining that point which being fixed every thing else w i l l be easy. Should this mode be approved by your Excellency we have appointed the R e v d . James Madison as a Commissioner on our part to execute the work in the Western Quarter and the Revd. Robert Andrews to perform the office at the Eastern end in Conjunction w i t h the Gentlemen whom you have been pleased to appoint or any others on your part. T o those before named we shall add an Associate each, that the work may not be retarded or frustrated by the Sickness of one. 1

W e w i l l send to the W e s t w a r d the most necessary Instruments which we suppose to be a good time piece, Telescopes and a transit Instrument and hope it w i l l be convenient for you to fur­ nish what may be necessary at the Eastern E n d ; Our Commis­ sioners w i l l attend at their respective Stations at any time which your Excellency shall think proper to appoint allowing it to be a month after I shall have received your pleasure on that head. I w i l l observe to your Excellency that the resolutions of our Assembly after laying down the principles on which the boundaries were to be extended gave full powers to the Executive as to time manner and all other Circumstances so that there w i l l be no neces­ sity of awaiting their meeting to lay before them the resolutions of your Council as desired in your letter of February 26th. I am T.J.

&C, F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "President Reid." R C listed in Stan V . Henkels' Catalogue No. 694 (6-7 Dec. 1892), lot 249; a 2-paere letter signed; this text is printed in P e n n a . Archives,

[478

1st ser., ix, 78-9, but the M S has not been found, i Date is left blank in F C and is here supplied from printed text of R C in

]

17

APRIL

P e n n a . A r c h i v e s . The "Resolutions of our Assembly" here referred to are printed under the date 23 June in J H D , May 1780, 1827 edn., p. 60-1; were

1781

adopted 4 July; and were transmitted by T J to Reed in a (missing-) letter of 17 July 1780; see the entry under that date.

From Steuben, with Plan for Defensive Operations SIR

Chesterfield Ct. Hs. April 17. 1781.

Major Mitchell w i l l present to your Excellency a L i s t of the Men now with Geni. Muhlenberg and w i l l inform you of the num­ ber of those who are on the point of leaving him. He w i l l also communicate to your Excellency my plan for defensive Operations, which w i l l require at least the number of Men I have already asked for, and I must again request that this force may be on foot before the E n e m y begin their Operations. Colo. Armands Corps having retired Geni. Muhlenberg is now almost without Cavalry. I have the honor to be with respect Y o u r Excellencys most Obed hum Servt., S T E U B E N M a j : Geni. E N C L O S U R E

Militia to be Continued in the field under the Command of General Muhlemberg. 1st. three Regiments Militia Each 400. men 2nd. three Battalions Riflemen Each 200. men 3rd. four troops horse Each 50. men

April 17th. 1781. 1200. 600. 200. Total

2000.

Should the Ennemy penetraite in the Country, the whole Militia will be turned out, Receive all the Spare arms, and be imbodied in Bat­ talions, Regiments and Détachements as General Muhlemberg thinks proper. Should the Ennemy Dislodge General Muhlemberg from Broad Water his Retreat will be towards Petersburg, from thence his move­ ments must be Such as to enable him to keep the upper Country. Should the Ennemy Direct their March towards North Carolina General Muhlemberg's Corps will still endeavour to keep their Right flanck. At the same time the troops on the other side of the River will follow the Ennemy, march in the rear. In Case the Ennemy should move up James River so far as Richmond General Muhlemberg's first movement will still be to Petersburg, from thence the farther movement of the Ennemy will Regulate or Determine his movement. The Corps under General Nelson will Consist of Eight hundred men infantry, and as many horse as Can be Collected. Should the ennemy Land Below River, this Corps must Cross said River, and govern his Retrete and movements as those of the Ennemy may make it neces­ sary. But as soon as the Ennemy Land on the south side, General Nel[479]

17

A P R I L

1781

sons Corps must indeavor to Cross James River at the most Convenient place in Order to follow their march in the Rear. Should the Ennemy Come up By the Way of York River general Nelson's Corps must act accordingly to Circumstances in order to annoy them. As the fort at hoods is not in a state of Defence and our force in the field insufficient to make the Necessary Resistance so Low Down the River the stores and arms from Prince George Courthouse are Directed to be Carried to Petersburg, from which place the field Commissary of military stores will be Distributed there in the following manner. One hundred stand of arms at Brunswick Court house Catridge Boxes ammunitions and flints in proportion, three hundred Stand arms Catridge Boxes ammunitions and flints to Amilia Court house, the Remaining part of the arms and Military stores to, or in the Vicinity of Powhattan Court house. The spare arms and military stores on the North side of James River must be Carried to Goochland Court house. At Each of three places, will be a Conductor of Military stores with instructions to Deliver the arms to the officers [of] militia who Shall Call for them. Directions have been given to the heads of the Department of Pro­ visions and Quarter Masters to secure their stores as high up in the Country as is Necessary. RC (Frederick M. Dearborn, New York City, 1949); in an aide's hand, signed by Steuben. FC (NHi); in French; endorsed: "Copy to the Governor Api. 16/81," but the date on the face is "April 17./81." The list conveyed by Major Mitchell has not been found, but Steuben's "plan for defensive Opera­ tions" is in NHi. Though technically it cannot be called an enclosure, it is nev­ ertheless, because of its importance and because it was conveyed to T J with this letter, printed here as having the equiva­ lent of that status. M A J O R MITCHELL W I L L P R E S E N T : On

17 Apr. Steuben wrote to Muhlenberg: "J'ai chargé Maj: Micheli de presenter L'Etat de Votre force au Gouverneur, et j'ai reitiré par une Lettre ma de­ mande pour le nombre d'hommes que Vous trouverai dans ma disposition, dont je Vous Envoy copie, en Vous priant Mon cher General de me com­ munique Votre oppinion sur l'Opération que je propose en cas que L'Ennemi marche en avans" (Steuben to Muh­ lenberg, 17 Apr. 1781, NHi). The "dis­ position" of troops and stores that Steu­ ben sent to Muhlenberg with this letter is also in NHi under the same date, and is the P L A N FOR DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

that Steuben sent to T J through Mitch­ ell. COLO. ARMANDS CORPS: A return of Armand's Independent Legion, signed by Major Lomagne, 18 Apr. 1781, showed that it consisted of 58 officers

and men (NHi), on 21 Apr. Davies wrote Steuben: " I am really at a loss what steps to adopt with respect to Armand's corps. Had I your Authority I think I should decide the matter at once. Major Claiborne refuses them for­ age, pretends, I suppose, that it is against the system as he calls it. The officers applied to the Governor; he said he did not chuse to do anything in con­ tinental arrangements, while you were within reach. They applied to me; I de­ sired the state quartermaster to furnish forage for them today, if he had it; and that I would write to you on the sub­ ject and submit the matter to your regu­ lation; as it is not just nor proper that the State should bear the burthen of providing for these men, when there are proper continental officers for that pur­ pose in this place. In the regulations of Congress it is expressed that no forage shall be issued at a post where there are not troops. I suppose this is Claiborne's objections, tho' it is very evident that the arrival of these troops at this place [Richmond, sent there by Steuben's or­ ders] makes this a proper post for the issuing of forage. I will be exceedingly obliged to you to relieve the corps from the present embarrassment by ordering the necessary issues of forage which are thus absurdly refused, as I am per­ suaded you yourself would think it wrong for the State to supply on this occasion. If, however, you will invest

[480]

1 7 APRIL me with authority to decide this matter as a continental officer, I will do it" (Davies to Steuben, 21 Apr. 1781, NHi). The next day Steuben ordered the corps to Port Royal, "they being totally unfit for service"; at the same time he directed Claiborne to provide quarters for them and "to supply them with forage, that the inhabitants may not suffer by their being obliged to im­ press" (Steuben to Claiborne, 22 Apr. 1781, NHi). But before these orders arrived Lomagne wrote Steuben: "je vous prieray Monsieur Le baron, de me

17 8 1

permetre de presser du forage, car il ny en a point dans Le magazin continental. Pour celuy de Letat ceux qui en ont la direction prétendent n'avoir rien a for­ nir a des troupes continentales; veuillez me munir du pouvoir que je vous de­ mande cy dessus; et je reponds davoir dans peu de tems tous mes chevaux en bon ordre" (Lomagne to Steuben, Rich­ mond, 22 Apr. 1781, NHi). But Steu­ ben was too much preoccupied to grive attention to this for some days (see Steuben to T J , 4 May 1781).

From the Virginia Delegates in Congress SIR

Philada. April 17th 1781

The inclosed resolution of Congress answers your Excellency's letter of the 26th ulto., relating to the appointment of Col: Davies to the W a r Office of Virginia. You will observe that it determines his rank in the Army alone, to be the bar to his acceptance of a civil office. Should Col: Davies be willing to give up that, and his place be supplied by one of the supernumerary Colonels, So that no additional expence would accrue to the United States, Congress we beleive would not hesitate to let him retire, without forfeiting any of the emoluments to which he is at present entitled. General McDougal was lately appointed by Congress to a civil Office under the like circumstances with Col: Davies, and as he did not chuse to part with his rank in the Army, the appointment was annulled. W e have been favored with your Excellency's two letters of the 6th and 7th instant. The steps already taken by us and of which you will have been informed, will, we flatter ourselves accomplish your wishes with regard to the Refugees taken on board the Romu­ lus. Your Excellency will also have seen, by our late letters, that we have not been unmindful of the distressed state of Virga., for want of the stores lately brought hither by the French Frigate. W e wish however, that our efforts to forward them had been more success­ ful. Our first plan for the purpose, was the one suggested by your letter. The probable emptiness of your Treasury, and the impos­ sibility of our making our requisite advance to the Waggoners here, led us to substitute the other plan of placing the Stores in the Quarter Masters Channel, and procuring from Congress a warrant for the money necessary for the purpose. He at the same time en­ gaged the attention of Colo. Febiger to the business, who has been [481 ]

17

APRIL

1781

very alert in expediting the supplies for the Southern Service. Notwithstanding these precautions we have the mortification to find, that the stores are not yet on their way. Since the receipt of your letter, we have determined to recur to our first plan. T h e Q. Master and Colo. Febiger assure us that every exertion shall be used to execute it. T h e y say however, it w i l l be several days, before the waggons can possibly be on the road. According to an estimate of the Q. Master, we shall be obliged to draw on your Excellency for near £ 5 0 0 specie or, as much paper as w i l l be equal to it, at the current exchange, to be paid on the arrival of the waggons. T h e only paper they w i l l receive is the old Continental bills. T h e Exchange here is 150 for 1; and the depreciation pro­ gressive. Y o u r Excellency's other requests relating to the debts left by C o l : Finnie in his department, and the accommodation of M r . Ross with funds in this place, shall have all the attention we can give them. T h e E x t r a c t of a letter from G e n i : Washington, herewith enclosed, contains all the Authentic information received since our last, on the subject of another embarkation from N . Y o r k . F o r some days of late the report has died away into a general disbelief. Some persons just come out of N . Y o r k have revived it, with this variation, that it has a Southern object. W e are extremely concerned to inform your Excellency, that the detachment of the Pennsylvania L i n e , on which our expecta­ tions have been so long fixed, are still detained by the want of money. E v e r y expedient within our invention has been tried, with­ out avail, to remove the obstacles to their march; and we have no encouragement that the resources of the State w i l l put them in motion, in less than 8 or 10 days, at the nearest. T h e detachment under the Marquis de l a Fayette, i s , we understand, again moving Southward. B u t we have great reason to apprehend, that the gen­ eral cause of our embarrassment w i l l at least retard their progress. T h e E x t r a c t above referred to, w i l l give an idea, how far the Com­ mander in Cheif is likely to be in a condition to spare other detach­ ments from the Troops immediately under h i m . B y a return lately transmitted to Congress, it appears that he had not received five hundred effective recruits from all the States whose levies were assigned to the Northern Department. I t is pretty certain we believe that the British fleet under Arbuthnot is arrived at N . Y o r k from Chesapeak. T h a t of our A l l y has certainly returned into N . Port [Newport]. On receipt of y r : Excellency's letter of the 8th ult: respecting a [482]

1 7

A P R I L

178

1

plan to be concerted w i t h the States of M a r y l a n d and Delaware, for the transportation of supplies to the Southward, we communi­ cated the matter to the Delegates from those States, but they have never been furnished w i t h any power or instructions relative to it. T h e Acts of this State, taking off the embargo, are under the same cover w i t h this. W e have the honor to be, w i t h sentiments of the highest re­ spect, Y r : Excellency's obt and hble Servants. MS not found. Text from C V S P , n, 50-2; the first paragraph is printed in

Burnett, Letters

of Members,

I I , No.

67 (whence the place and date at head of letter are here printed), with the following note: "Copied from the orig­ inal, then in the possession of Mr. Stan V. Henkels of Philadelphia (signed by Madison, Bland, and Meriwether Smith)." Enclosures ( V i ) : (1) Copy attested by Charles Thomson of a re­ solve of Congress, 16 Apr. 1781, on TJ's letter to the Virginia Delegates dated 26 Mch., stating that "it is in­ compatible with the rules established by the United States in Congress as­ sembled for Colo. Davies to exercise a civil appointment whilst he retains his rank in the Army"; this copy of the resolve may be the one enclosed in Huntington's letter to T J , 18 Apr. 1781. (2) "Extract of a letter from Geni: Washington" (missing): This, no doubt, was taken from Washing­ ton's letter to Congress of 12 Apr. 1781, though the "return lately trans­ mitted to Congress" by Washington was doubtless the one enclosed in his letter of 8 Apr. 1781 (Washington, W r i t i n g s , ed. Fitzpatrick, xxi, 429-31; 448-9). (3) "The Acts of this State, taking off the embargo" (missing): On 27 Feb. 1781 the Pennsylvania legis­ lature repealed the following three

Acts: An Act laying an embargo on exports, passed 28 Feb. 1780 and with the expiration date of 1 Sep. 1780, though it included a proviso that it could be suspended earlier if neighbor­ ing states did not concur in like re­ strictions or if there proved to be no further need for an embargo; an Act reviving and continuing the foregoing, passed 22 Sep. 1780; and an Act to permit the exportation of flour and wheat under certain limitations and re­ strictions

(Penna.

Statutes

at

Large,

eds. Mitchell and Flanders, x, 43-5; 227-8; 244-7; 266-7). Apparently the delegates enclosed only the repealing Act, despite their reference to "The Acts." Congress referred TJ's letter of 26 Mch. to a committee composed of Sul­ livan, Smith, and Mathews, who re­ ported on 16 Apr. ( J C C , xrx, 398; a copy of the report in Sullivan's hand is in P C C , No. 20, I I , 259-60). A recom­ mendation of the committee to the effect that Davies, if he chose, would be permitted to resign his rank in the army "without forfeiting any of the other provisions or Emoluments re­ served to Officers of Equal rank re­ duced by the Late Arrangement" was struck out by Congress. TJ's letter to the delegates of 7 Apr. 1781 has not been found.

To George Weedon SIR

I n Council A p r i l 17th.

1781.

Before the Receipt of your Favour of the 11th. Major General Baron Steuben had through Colo. Senf communicated to me

one

from you to h i m on the same Subject w i t h his opinion in w h i c h we concurred, that before Men

to be marched from

Williamsburg

could possibly get to Fredericksburg the enterprize i f meditated by the E n e m y would be over, and that it would be impolitic to let [483 ]

17

APRIL

1781

them see that detachments of that kind might break off our main Army. I hope the Militia on Patowmac and Rappahannock will be ready to receive the Enemy, who if we may trust our Intelligence have no regulars from Portsmouth with them. The Militia from Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William and Fairfax are to remain in the field till the 7th of May unless sooner relieved, those of Lou­ doun and Fauquier by Men from their own Counties and those of Prince William and Fairfax from other Counties called on to be in the Field by the 1st. day of May. By the same day we have called for a general force which we mean shall remain two Months in the field and thenceforth to relieve regularly once in two Months, reserving the right to keep the men a week longer than their two Months in Case the Reliefs should not be come in. Orders are given for purchasing the pow­ der and lead from M r . Beali, and the latter Article particularly we are desirous of getting wherever to be found. I am &c, T.J. FC ( V i ) .

To Beverley Winslow SIR

I n Council April 17th. 1781.

T h e Clothing to be furnished from the several Counties was by a general regulation to be delivered to the Officer stationed at the Rendezvous for receiving the recruits. Y o u are hereby author­ ized to call a Court M a r t i a l for enquiring into any Conduct of Lieut. Nicholas L e w i s which may render h i m obnoxious to the military rules. I t would have been more agréable had you stated the Charge particularly to us. I am &c, T.J. FC (Vi); at head of text: "Colo Bevy Winslow." Winslow was county lieutenant of Spotsylvania co.; see his letter to T J of 23 Mch. 1781.

From James Wood SIR

Charlottesville 17th. April 1781.

I Make No Doubt but you have heard the Determination of Congress with respect to the Convention Troops, and their I n ­ structions to Me; the Board of W a r Assured M e that you wou'd be furnished w i t h both by the first Post. Y o u r Excellency w i l l recollect that I wrote you in Feby. that I had Assumed the Debts [484]

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A P R I L

1781

of the B r i t i s h Officers, for B i l l s for the Use of the State, I agreed with their Creditors to pay them in two Months i n V i r g i n i a paper at the Exchange when the Money shou'd be paid; the Amount is About 7 8 £ Sterling; and I believe the Exchange here and at W i n ­ chester to be About 130 for One. A s M r . John Gilmer is in R i c h ­ mond, I beg Y o u r Excellency w i l l Please to Order the Money to be sent by him. Colo. Mingen has renewed his Application for Money, and w i l l engage to F u r n i s h B i l l s for the whole sum you formerly Mentioned, the Exchange to be settled every fortnight; if there is still a Demand for B i l l s I think this a very favorable Opportunity of Procuring them. A n Order On the Collectors of the Bounty Money in Frederick wou'd Answer as I am told that About 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 £ w i l l remain after paying the recruits. I wanted much to have mention'd several Other Matters, but M r . Moore being waiting impatiently must refer it to Another Oppertunity, as I shall be Obliged to stay here a week in Order to Adjust M a n y Public Matters, and shall be G l a d of Y o u r Instructions what to do with all the Public Property at the Barracks. I am with Great Respect S i r Y r . Excellency's V e r y Obt Servt., JAMES

WOOD

R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. On 23 Apr. 1781 the Council directed that a warrant be issued to Wood for £ 3 , 0 0 0 ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., n, 340).

Thady Kelly to James Innes SIR

Old Jonsis Wensday [18 Apr. 1781] 10 oClock

T h e r e are four Ships now in sight of this post cuming up the river and a small scuner. I believe you may expect the Hole of the fleet. A Signal G u n was fierd this morning I suppose for Saleing. Since I sot down to write one Ship a sloop and a brig has hove i n sight under fui sale and a fare wind. I am sir your Humble servant, THADY

KELLY

R S . T h r e e more has come round the point and [more?] expected. R C ( N H i ) ; addressed and endorsed; enclosed in Innes to Steuben, 18 Apr. 1781 [4 o'clock P . M . ] . T h i s letter, apparently the earliest ex­ tant report on the start of Phillips' ex­ pedition up the James, was forwarded by Innes to Steuben and was summar­ ized by him in his first letter of this date to T J , q.v. For a detailed British account

of the movements of the invading army up the James and Appomattox during the next two weeks, see John Graves Simcoe, M i l i t a r y J o u r n a l , p. 189-203, where the objects of the expedition are stated as being threefold: ( 1 ) to sur­ prise the Americans at Williamsburg (as Barron surmised; see below) and, in any case, to attack them; ( 2 ) to ob-

£485]

18

A P R I L

tain possession of the battery at Hood's, "to open all obstructions on the James, and to seize the arms said to be at Prince George Court House"; and (3) "to gain Petersburg for the purpose of destroying the enemy's stores at that place." Simcoe endeavored to persuade Phillips to undertake a fourth objective —one that T J and others feared was a primary target of the British: that of assaulting Richmond. Simcoe advised a feint as if Arnold's old route were being retraced and, "while the advance guard moved on towards Richmond and masked the road, the army might . . . by falling into the bye path which Gen. Arnold had formerly been advised

1781

to proceed on, . . . arrive on the plain ground on the heights of Richmond, most probably on the left flank, if not the rear, of Fayette, who would, as it was reasonable to presume, expect the British troops by the route which Gen. Arnold had so recently taken, and whose gasconading disposition and mili­ tary ignorance might possibly tempt him to stay too long in the face of troops, his equal in numbers, and su­ perior in everything else that could form the value of an army" (same, p. 202). Phillips did not follow this plan, in which Simcoe probably overrated his own stratagem as much as he un­ derrated Lafayette's ability.

James Barron to the Commanding Officer at Williamsburg SIR

Blunt point Wedesday Evening [18 A p r i l 1781]

T h e Vesells w h i c h ware bound up J a s . R i v e r are now at A n chore off the mouth of Peggen [ P a g a n ] creek, Consisting of five Ships two B r i g s two Schooners and three Sloopes w i t h thirty flatt Bottomed boats a Stearn the fowey 2 4 G u n Ship i n B u r w i l l s B a y and a B r i g at Anchore. W h a t their intentions are I know not, but it may be proble they intend up i n the night to Supprise W i l l i a m s ­ b u r g . W a s their intention to L a n d

at Smithfield

Should have

thought they would done it Some hours past, as they Anchored there at one OClock to day, two Sloops and a Schooner are horsmen. I am S i r w i t h great respect your most Humble Servt., JAS.

BARRON

Capt. K e l l y s Company are at this place without any other assist­ ance and begs the reliefs m a y not be detaind. RC ( V i ) ; addressed as in caption here used; endorsed: "James Baron's Lre. April 20th 1781." The endorsement is in the hand of one of the clerks of the Council, indicating that the letter was forwarded by James Innes, commanding officer at Williamsburg, presumably in one of his letters of 19

{486

J B

Apr.; the date in the endorsement is certainly that of receipt, though the letter is printed in C V S P , n, 56, under date of 20 Apr.; at 7 P.M. on the 18th Muhlenberg reported to Steuben that thefleetis come too opposite the Mouth of Pagan Creek" (NHi).

]

To William Call SIR

I n Council April 18th. 1781

W e are so exceedingly anxious to get the work at Hoods com­ plete that we w i l l make the proposition to the militia of your County in the form you propose; that is to say every man of your County who w i l l go himself or send an able labourer to work at Hoods twelve days between this time and the sixth of M a y carrying w i t h him an A x e and a Spade, i f he has one or i f he has no Spade then a hough in lieu of it, shall have six weeks Credit in his next T o u r of D u t y out of the County, and the County shall not be called on for others in lieu thereof. W e expect the ten days labour to be completed within the T e r m before mentioned so that they must begin by the 2 2 d instant at furthest. T h a t we may be perfectly understood I w i l l State a Case; Suppose we call on your County hereafter for 95 M i l i t i a to go on Service out of the County. Y o u w i l l then of Course mark off the 95 who stand next on your roll for Service. On examining their names you find that 50 of them have performed the twelve D a y s labour at Hoods above required. W e shall expect then that only the remaining 4 5 shall go and we w i l l not require the deficiency to be made good. T o explain it still further, if the first tour on which these men are called shall keep the party but four weeks upon the next C a l l they shall be consid­ ered as under furlough till the ballance of two weeks is made up. 1

Rations w i l l be furnished them there and they must carry their own bedding and A r m s as desired in my letter of the 12th. I must also now as I did then desire a return of the proportion of your Militia who w i l l have exempted themselves for the above T e r m from being called out of the County and exclude from the proposi­ tion any of those last called on to join Geni. Muhlenburg. I am &c, T.J. FC (Vi). i Thus in F C , though above and be­ low the number is clearly stated as "twelve." It is to be noted that neither number is in accord with "the proposi­ tion . . . in the form" proposed by Call; TJ's original proposal had specified only eight days labor and Call had re­

plied that, if the terms had been roughly similar to those stated in the present letter, he was "induced to be­ lieve . . . that many would have sent or gone even for a much longer time than eight days"; see T J to Call, 12 Apr. and Call to T J , 14 Apr. 1781; see also Senf to Steuben, 20 Apr. 1781.

[487]

To Charles Dick DR. S I R

Richmond Apr. 18. 1781.

Y o u r letter desiring a warrant for £ 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 was handed in to the Council chamber and the warrant made out immediately, but the gentleman never called for it. I t remains in my possession ready to be delivered to your order. I am w i t h great respect D r . S i r Y o u r most obedt. servt, TH: R C ( V i : Contingent Fund Vouchers); addressed by T J : "Mr. Charles Dick Fredsburg" and endorsed in the Audi­ tor's office: "Chas. Dick £ 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 . June 22nd. 1781. On Account." On 9 Apr. 1781 the Council authorized this war­ rant to be issued; the endorsement and the presence of the letter among the Contingent Fund Vouchers suggest that

JEFFERSON

Dick did not obtain the warrant from T J before the latter left office. On 23 June, the day after this letter was en­ dorsed as received in the Auditor's of­ fice, the Council again authorized a warrant to Dick in the same amount, perhaps to replace the missing warrant

( V a . Council

Jour.,

n , 330, 3 5 1 ) .

To Samuel Huntington SIR

In Council April 18th. 1781.

I was honoured yesterday with your Excellency's Favour in­ closing the Resolutions of Congress of the 8th. inst. for removing Stores and Provisions from the Counties of Accomack and North­ ampton. W e have there no Military Stores except a few Musquets in the hands of the M i l i t i a . T h e r e are some Collections of Forage and Provisions belonging to the Continent and some to the state, and the Country there generally furnishes an abundance of Forage; but such is the present condition of Chesapeake bay that we can­ not even get an advice boat across it with any Certainty, much less adventure on Transportation: should however any Interval happen in which these Articles may be withdrawn we shall certainly avail ourselves of it and bring thence whatever we can. I f I have been rightly informed the Horses there are by no means such as that the E n e m y could apply them to the Purposes of Cav­ alry. Some large enough for the Draught may perhaps be found, but of these not many. I have the Honour to be with the greatest Respect Y o u r E x c e l ­ lency's mo: obt. & mo: hble. Servt., T H : JEFFERSON R C ( D L C : P C C , No. 7 1 , n ) ; in a clerk's hand; endorsed: "Letter April 18. 1781 from govr of Virginia Read May 4." F C ( V i ) . T r ( D L C ) ; docketed by T J at head of text: "Pr. Congr."

[488

]

From Samuel Huntington P h i l a d e l p h i a , 1 8 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . Encloses a resolution of Congress stat­ ing that Col. [William] Davies cannot "exercise a civil Appointment while he retains his Rank in the Army." Postscript: " I have been hon­ oured with your several Despatches of the 26, 28, and 31. of March and 7th. Instant." R C ( C t Y ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by Huntington. Address leaf of R C is in V i , franked by Huntington and en­ dorsed: " L r e from Prest, of Congress enclosing Reson. of 16th of April 1781 respecting Colo Davies." F C ( D L C : P C C , No. 1 5 ) . T h e enclosed resolution

of Congress, 16 Apr. (printed in JCC, XIX, 3 9 8 ) , is the same as that enclosed in the letter from the Virginia delegates to T J , 17 Apr. 1781, and the copy noted there may in fact have been the one enclosed in the present letter.

From James Innes DEAR SIR

Wmsburg April 18th. 1781. 4 oClock p.m.

I have this Moment received by Express from Captain K e l l y , stationed a little above Newport News, an Account that eleven Vessels, chiefly Square rigged, have turned Newport News Point on their W a y up the R i v e r . H i s Letter bears Date at 10 this Morn­ ing, so that, the W i n d being fresh at South E a s t , they could with E a s e reach Burwell's F e r r y this E v e n i n g . I am making the best Disposition to receive them, and have ordered the Stores to be removed from this Place. H a v i n g very lately taken the Command, I am not well informed what there are at this Post. I enclose you a Return of the Troops in this Neck, some of which are as low down almost as Newport News. A n y and E v e r y Intelligence of Consequence shall be immediately transmitted to you. I am, dear S i r , with great Respect Y o u r most Obedt. & very hble Servt., JAS I N N E S Since w r i t i n g the above I am informed by the officer at Burwells F e r r y that the van of the fleet is in sight. R C ( V i ) ; in an aide's hand, with signature and postscript in Innes' hand; addressed by the aide, with Innes' nota­ tions: "On Service . . . Express"; sev­ eral times endorsed, including once by T J : "reed. Apr. 19. half after 6. A . M . " In V i is another letter 18 Apr. by Kelly (see Gwathmey, H i s t . Reg. of V i r ­ g i n i a n s i n the R e v o l u t i o n , under both Thaddeus and Thaddy Kelly) from Blunt Point to "Coll. Dani Fisher Greensville," which reads as follows:

"Sir, There is two vessels more in Site. The Foy [Fowey] has wai'd Anker and is standing up the River and it [is] Suposed the hole will bend their Coree that way. This happend since the Comadore wrot. I Should be glad to hear from you that I may know how to act." T h e reference to the letter that "the Comadore wrot" is doubtless to that of James Barron of this date, printed above. Innes wrote a similar letter to Steuben at 4 P . M . ( N H i ) .

[489]

From James Innes SIR

Williamsburg April 18th 1781. Wednesday night 12 o'Clocke

Since writing to you this afternoon at four o'Clocke I have re­ ceived the inclosed Intelligence which I take the earliest oppor­ tunity of communicating to your Excellency. Possibly we may at this post feel the Influence of the E n e m y in their passage yet I am Confident their main operations are intended higher up J a s . R i v e r . I have the honor to be very respectfully y r Excellency's obt JAS. INNES

Sevt, R C ( V i ) ; endorsed. T h e date was corrected by Innes by overwriting from "17th" or "19th" or perhaps from both. Enclosure missing, but its substance can be deduced from a letter (in N H i ) written by Innes at the same time to Steuben, beginning: "Since writing to you this Evening at 4 o'clock, I have

received Intelligence that fourteen Sail of the Enemy's vessells, two of which carry Cavalry are ascending James River and were this Evening several miles advanced up. A t the Stern of the vessells, there are a number of flat bot­ tomed Boats."

To Timothy Matlack SIR

Richmond Apr. 18. 1781

I beg leave through you to return m y most grateful thanks to the American Philosophical society for the honour they have been pleased to confer on me by appointing me one of the Counsellors for that learned corporation. T h e busy scene in which I have the misfortune to be engaged has kept me too long from acknowledg­ ing the receipt of your polite letter notifying this honour to me; and I shall be very happy i f the leisure to which I mean shortly to retire, shall enable me to contribute any thing worthy the accept­ ance of the society. B u t too long detached from those objects w h i c h come more immediately within their plan, it w i l l scarcely be within my power to recover even the little familiarity I once had w i t h them, and which would be far short of rendering the society any service. I can only assure them that I shall not be wanting in every respect and office which I may have an opportunity of rendering, and yourself that I am w i t h very great respect & esteem S i r Y o u r most obedt. & most humble servt, T H : JEFFERSON 1

2

3

R C ( P P A P ) ; endorsed by Matlack: "From His Excy. T . Jefferson. Read May 4. 1781. Complimentary." Dft ( M o S H i ) ; at foot of text: " T i m . Matlack. Secretary to the Philosoph, socie­

ty"; endorsed by T J : "Matlack, Timo­ thy." T J ' s corrections in Dft are noted below.

[490]

i Altered in Dft from "institution."

18

A P R I L

2 Altered in Dft from " I wish it may be in my power." s In Dft T J first wrote "service,"

1781

deleted that and wrote "office" above it, and finally deleted "office" without supplying a substitute word.

From Littleberry Mosby SIR

Powhatan 18th. April 1781

A g r é a b l e to your request I have endeavoured as far forth as lay in my power to comply therewith. I have this day enlisted thirty Six Men to serve the time (on the terms) Specified, and doubt not but by the time we march ( w h i c h is intended on Sunday next) we shall A d d to the number, as our County has often been pillaged of Armes am doubtful we cann't git a supply, and consequently shall depend on being furnished at Petersburg where we expect to arive on Monday next. Should you have any further commands you w i l l please to deliver thim to the bearer. I have the honour to be S i r your most obet. Servt. L l T T . MOSBY RC ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. Y O U R R E Q U E S T : That is, TJ's appeal to Mosby and "several other Gentlemen" to raise a volunteer troop of cavalry; see T J to Robert Boiling, 12 Apr. 1781, and T J to Steuben, 19 Apr. 1781.

To John Page DEAR S I R

In Council April 18th.

1781

Your favour of the 13th. desiring a suspension of the Act for raising new levies has been duly received and laid before the board. They think they cannot with any propriety suspend an Act after the Terms are all past by which it should have been carryed into execution. It would only answer the end of a remission of Penalties which would be an Abuse of the suspending Power given them by the latter Act. T h e Circumstances which produced that L a w were that the militia of half the State had been called from their Counties on the invasion on very distant and long Services. The neglect of the Commissioners which has prevented the Assessment from being returned is a reason which as it did not enter the Ideas of the legislature could by no means justify us in suspending the law. Under these Circumstances I should suppose it best to take up the law as soon as they shall have done their duty and get through it as soon as you can. The Men are exceedingly wanting indeed and if not produced [491]

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1 7 8 1

generally as we had a right to expect it w i l l be impossible for us to enable Geni. Greene to prevent his Antagonist from tredding back his Steps. I am &c, T.J. FC ( V i ) .

To Joseph Reed SIR

I n Council April 1 8 . 1 7 8 1 .

I have had the pleasure to receive your Excellency's favor of M a r c h 2 7 . and am to return you our sincere thanks for your inter­ position in favor of the operations carrying on by General Clarke, operations which I hope w i l l result equally to the benefit of yours as of our State, and which i f successful w i l l give us future quiet in our Western quarter. I beg you to be assured that Colo. Broadhead has been altogether misinformed as to any restriction having been laid on a M r . W i l s o n or any other person i n purchasing within this State cattle for the use of F o r t pitt, or that i f such a restriction actually took place it was a private A c t i n those who presumed to impose it unauthorized by Government and which would have been censured and rectified had it been made known. W e are so sensible of the evils which would result from such a line of conduct, and so sincerely disposed to render the union of the States more perfect, that we shall on all occasions endeavor to render to our neighbors every friendly office which circumstances shall bring within the compass of our powers. I am further to thank your Excellency for the kind dispositions you entertain and the aids you were pleased to render to the expedi­ tion under the Marquis of Fayette which was intended for the immediate relief of this State i n particular, as well as for those furnished to General Greene for the southern service in general. Such is the present aspect of the w a r that it does not seem very probable its circumstances should be so reversed as to place us in a situation of returning the favor in kind. However we trust that while the contest was northwardly our contributions of men, arms and other necessaries were such as to prove we should not be want­ ing to our friends under a change of circumstances. W i t h respect to your State particularly we shall take very great pleasure in cul­ tivating every disposition to harmony and mutual aid. T h a t policy would be very unsound which should build our interest or happi­ ness on anything inconsistant with yours. I have the honour to be w i t h very great respect your Excellency's T H : JEFFERSON

M o : ob. Servt., [492]

18

APRIL

1781

RC (CSmH); in a clerk's hand, signed by T J . FC ( V i ) . T r (NHi: Joseph Reed Papers); misdated 10 Apr. 1781.

From Eleanor Sheed April 18th 1781 Y o u r Excelency w i l l I hope easily pardon this intrusion, when you are acquainted, it is the pen of a female that addresses, and solicites your attention for a few moments—And, who nothing should have tempted Most worthy S i r to this freedom; but my i l l state of health, joined to the absence of my husband, and a hope of your Excelencies permission to leave the State. I have been inform'd a F l a g g is granted by your Excelency and counsel, for the conveyance of M r s . Allagood [Ellegood] down the Country. W i l l you S i r give me permission to go with her?— A s it, is, the only Method or prospect I have at present, of shortly getting to the West-Indias where Doctor Sheed resides. One more request Most W o r t h y S i r and I have done. Should I be so fortunate as to obtain your, and counsel's consent; shall I be permited to take a few Hogsheads of Tobaco with me, as the cur­ rency of the state w i l l not yield me any subsistance else where. I am w i t h Due respect Y o u r Excelencies Most Obdt. Huble. ELEAR.

Patitinor, RC (Vi); addressed; endorsed: "The Petition of Mrs. E Sheed April 1781." There is no further reference to this matter to be found in the usual sources,

SHEED

nor is there any indication in the jour­ nals of the Council that a flag was granted to Mrs. Ellegood (presumably Mrs. Jacob Ellegood).

From George Slaughter SIR

Louisville 18th April 1781

Inclos'd you w i l l recieve sundry Letters and Copys for your perusal, a Copy of the proceedings of the Commissioners against the Commissaries wou'd also been sent but on m y application to Colo. John Floyd by Letter I did not recieve it for what reasons I am at a loss to determine he promising Verbally to wait on me yesterday. T h e Savages have been very troublesome this Spring; almost every other day we have accounts of some one being either kill'd or Captured; upwards of 4 0 M e n , W o m e n and Children have fallen a prey to them within the County of Jefferson in the course of 2 Months past and we have not had the satisfaction of getting but one of there Scalps. [493

]

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A P R I L

1781

W e are here without money, Clothing, or any thing else scarsely to subsist on. B y the fault of the Commissaries, Hunters or I can­ not tell who upwards of One hundred and T h i r t y T h [ o u s a n ] d weight of meat was intirely spoiled and lost. A s to the charge laid against Capt. James Francis Moore, being misinformd it coud not be proven; I therefore think he ought to be honourably acquited. A s to the farther tryal I could by no means procure the Witnesses, Joseph Lindsay of Lexington and M r . [Richard] Masterson of Boonsburg living 120 Miles from the place appointed and but four days allow'd me to summon them which you w i l l observe by the enclosed Letters. Y o u ' l l be kind enough to furnish Lieutenant Saunders with money and Clothing to whom I refer you to for farther Particulars and am Y o u r E x c e l ­ lencys M o Obt H u m Servant,

G E O R G E S L A U G H T E R Commdt

P S T h e Commissioners did not think themselves authorised to set on the tryal concerning the meat. T h e Indians while at this place has behaved so as to give the greatest satisfaction to the inhabitants as well as Y r s . as before, G:S: RC (PHi); addressed and endorsed. Enclosures not certainly identifiable, but with this or an earlier letter from Slaughter to T J were transmitted the following letters ( all in Vi ) : ( 1 ) Rich­ ard McCarty to Slaughter, without place, 27 Jan. 1781, stating that he (McCarty) has been arrested by order of Col. Montgomery and is waiting trial, recalling "with Pleasure the Agré­ able Moments passed in your Com­ pany and a Sett of friends at Cahos," and furnishing news of affairs at Cahokia and St. Joseph's; much of this letter is printed in cvsp, I, 465. (2) Leonard Helm to Slaughter, Fort Jef­ ferson, 14 Feb. 1781, reporting the movements of friendly and hostile In­ dians in his neighborhood; printed in CVSP, I , 516-517. (3) Robert George

to Slaughter, Fort Jefferson, 15 Feb. 1781, recounting his difficulties in pro­ visioning that post and the neighboring Indians, reporting that "The Enemy are approaching the Opost" (i.e., Vincennes), and stating that "In the Month of January I have the Pleasure to in­ form you we were able to drink Brandy, Taffia and Wine and with your good assistance Whisky too, but it has not made us so saucy, but we can drink all the Whisky you can send us"; printed in C V S P , I ,

521.

Slaughter's statement that he could not yet send a copy of proceedings of the commissioners is inexplicable in view of the fact that he had already transmitted copies in his letters to T J of 13 and 14 Apr. 1781.

From George Washington DEAR SIR

Head Quarters New Windsor, April 18th. 1781

I am glad to learn from the Letter of General Greene, a Copy of which Your Excellency did me the honor to enclose on the 28th Ulto, that the Action of the 15th. had been severely felt by the [494]

18

A P R I L

1781

E n e m y , that their retreat bore evident marks of distress, and that our A r m y , in good spirits, were advancing upon them. F r o m V i r g i n i a I have nothing later than Your Letter; and the enclosure from the Baron Steuben. Nor do I know where General Philips is, with his Detachment, at this time. W e have Advices from New Y o r k , thro' different channels; that preparation is now making to embark a considerable Corps of Troops, and that S i r Henry Clinton himself is to go with them. I f this information is true, the weight of the W a r is undoubtedly to be transferred to the Southward; and our exertions, ought to be proportionably great in that quarter. Previous to this intelligence, I had ordered the Detachment under the Marquis De la Fayette to be Marched to the South, and put under the Orders of Major General Greene, to act in V i r g i n i a or under his immediate com­ mand, as the circumstances might require. Since my last of the 4th. in which I informed Y o u r Excellency, that I was in hopes the first Division of Pennsylvanians would consist of five or six hundred Men; I am advised by Major Gen­ eral St. Clair, that Nine hundred and sixty R a n k and F i l e , prop­ erly Officered, would M a r c h , together with a Detachment of Proctor's Regiment and four Peices of Artillery, on the 16th. Instant from Y o r k T o w n in Pennsylvania. General St. Clair had expectations that three or four hundred more of the L i n e might be collected, but in what time was not certain; neither could he tell what further to expect from the success of recruiting. I have the honor to be W i t h great regard & esteem Y o u r E x ­ cellencys Most Obedient Servant, Go: WASHINGTON RC ( V i ) ; in David Humphreys' hand, signed by Washington. Dft ( D L C : Wash­ ington Papers); also in Humphreys' hand.

From Robert Wooding SIR

Halifax County the 18th Apri. 1781

W i t h i n a few weeks Past Geni. Green has sent into this County several Parties of Brittish Prisoners Directed to the Sheriff w i t h Orders for them to be safely conveyed to the Post or such Place i n this state Appointed for their Receiption. I n consequence of which the Sheriff has summond sundry Men, within his B a l i w i c k , of the Militia to Assist him in the safe Conveying the said Prisoners to Albemarle County. These Men consider that service as their T o u r of Duty; and Indeed there is not wanting Gentlemen (whose [495 ]

19

A P R I L

1781

words C a r r y weight, w i t h the People at least) who Consider it as a L e g a l T o u r of D u t y . I f any L a w or Order of Government in sup­ port of that Opinion do E x i s t , I confess it has never Come to

my

hands. I am therefore to ask the

me

favour of Y o u S i r to give

Y o u r Orders upon the Occasion, w h i c h shall be a L a w to me

and

I beleive satisfactory to those Concern'd. I have the Honour to be Y o u r Excellencys Most Obedt. Servt,

Ro. WOODING C.Lt.

RC ( V i ) ; addressed in part: "3$ favor of Mr. Roberts"; endorsed.

To the County Lieutenants of Henrico and Certain Other Counties SIR

Richmond A p r i l 19th.

1781.

H a v i n g received Intelligence that the E n e m y are i n Motion up J a m e s R i v e r and that their vessels were in sight of B u r w e l l s ferry yesterday afternoon and

their destination as yet being unknown

we think it necessary to require you to assemble every man

of

your County able to bear A r m s immediately to repair w i t h proper officers and the best A r m s he has to

and that they do

w a i t to come altogether, but repair here in parties as they can

not be

collected. F o r m e r experience w i l l I hope induce a more prompt Attendance on this Occasion. I am &c, 1

FC ( V i ) ; caption at head of text: "County Lieutenants of Henrico, Prince George & Dinwiddie." This is the mas­ ter text of several orders calling out militia this day; three others appear in the Executive Letter Book with the fol­ lowing captions: (1) "County Lieu­ tenants of Goochland, Hanover & Pow­ hatan"; (2) "County Lieutenants of Cumberland & Amelia"; (3) "County Lieutenant of Chesterfield." These three letters and their prototype contained at the foot of each text an indication of the place of rendezvous for each coun­ ty. These were as follows: Henrico Richmond Prince George .Petersburg Dinwiddie . . . .Petersburg Goochland . . . .Richmond Hanover Richmond Powhatan Manchester Cumberland . . .Manchester Amelia Petersburg Chesterfield . . .Petersburg or Manchester. i The three additional letters were

T.J.

identical with the master text except in the following particulars: (1) The let­ ter to Goochland, Hanover, and Pow­ hatan contained the following addition: "Should a very rapid movement of the enemy render this place unsafe as a Rendezvous, you will then consider the Manakin ferry as the place of Rendez­ vous." (2) The letter to Cumberland and Amelia called for one-half instead of the whole of their militia and con­ tained the same additional sentence as in the preceding but with the alterna­ tive rendezvous omitted and supplied at foot of text: "lower Part of the County on Appomattox river." (3) The letter to Chesterfield is entered sepa­ rately in the Executive Letter Book, but it contains no indicated designation of an alternative rendezvous, nor indeed any other variation between it and its prototype; it is, however, clear from TJ's letter to Steuben of this date that the militia of that county were per­ mitted to rendezvous either at Man­ chester or Petersburg, and it was no doubt this fact that caused Chesterfield

[496]

19

A P R I L

to be entered separately from the mas­ ter text (Chesterfield was grouped with Henrico, Prince George, and Dinwiddie in the resolution of Council of this day; V a . C o u n c i l Jour.,

II, 337).

Since this call was authorized by the Council and since T J received Innes' first communication at 6:30 A.M. (see Innes to T J , 18 Apr. 1781), T J must have called the Council together at once and without waiting for the scheduled

17 8 1

meeting at 10:00 A.M., for, as he later told Innes, the call for the militia was issued "within an hour after receiving your first Notification that the enemy were in movement" ( T J to Innes, 21 Apr. 1781). The county lieutenant of Powhatan received TJ's orders on the evening of the same day they were is­ sued—certainly an indication of prompt action on TJ's part (Littleberry Mosby to T J , 20 Apr. 1781).

To the County Lieutenant of Henrico SIR

Richmond April 19th. 1781

I t being possible that the enemy may be destined for this place we have advised the Auditors, Treasurer, Register, Clerks of the Assembly, Chancery and General Court, the Clothier and Com­ missary of Naval Stores to prepare their Papers &c. for Removal. The same is doing with the Papers of the Council, W a r and N a v y Office. A s no persons can do this but the Clerks of those Offices and their presence with the Papers w i l l be necessary on their Removal, you w i l l be pleased to consider them as permitted by me to attend to those Duties and not to embody w i t h the Militia of the County. I am & c , T.J. FC ( V i ) .

From Samuel Huntington SIR

Philadelphia April 19. 1781

Y o u r Excellency w i l l receive herewith enclosed, an Ordinance for establishing Courts for the T r i a l of Piracies and Felonies committed upon the high Seas, passed in Conformity to the A r t i ­ cles of Confederation. I have the Honor to be with the greatest Respect Y o u r E x c e l ­ lency's most obedient humble Servant, SAM.

H U N T I N G T O N President

E N C L O S U R E

An Ordinance for establishing Courts for the trial of Piracies and felonies committed on the high Seas. Whereas, by the ninth Article of the Confederation and perpetual Union of the thirteen United States of America. I t is agreed that the United States in Congress assembled shall have the sole and exclusive C497)

19

APRIL

1781

right and power (inter alia) of appointing Courts for the trial of piracies and felonies committed on the high Seas. And whereas it is expedient that such Courts should be speedily erected; and it is reasonable that the same mode of trial should be adopted for offenders of this kind on the high Seas as is used for offenders of the like sort upon the land. Be it therefore Ordained, and it is hereby ordained by the United States of America in Congress assembled and by the authority of the same, that all and every person and persons, who heretofore have com­ mitted, or who hereafter shall commit any piracy or felony upon the high Seas, or who shall be charged as accessories to the same either before or after the fact, may and shall be enquired of tried and Judged by grand and petit Juries according to the course of the common law, in like manner as if the piracy or felony were committed upon the land and within some County, district, or precinct in one of these United States; and the Justices of the Supreme or Superior Courts of Judica­ ture, and Judge of the Court of Admiralty of the several and respective States or any two or more of them, are hereby constituted and appointed Judges for hearing and trying such offenders. And be it further ordained, that if any person or persons shall be indicted for any piracy or felony done or hereafter to be done upon the high seas, or as accessories before or after the fact, either on the land or upon the seas, by a grand jury for any County district or precinct within any of these United States, before the Justices of the Supreme or Superior Court and Judge of the Admiralty, or any two of them, that then such order, process, Judgment and execution shall be used had done and made, to and against every such person and persons so being indicted as against robbers murderers or other felons for rob­ bery, murder or other felony, done upon the land within such county district or precinct as by the laws of the said State is accustomed: and the trial of such offence or offences, if it be denied by the offender or offenders, shall be had by twelve lawful men of the said County, Dis­ trict or Precinct and such as shall be convicted of any such offence or offences, by verdict, confession or otherwise in the said Court, shall have and suffer such pains of death losses of lands, goods and chattels or other punishment and by the same authority, as if they had been convicted and attainted of any robbery felony or other the said offences done upon the land and shall be utterly excluded the benefit of Clergy, where the same is taken away or not admitted for such like offences committed within the body of a County or on land where such trial shall be had. And be it further Ordained, that if there shall be more than one judge of the Admiralty in any of the United States, that then and in such case the Supreme executive power of such State, may and shall commissionate one of them exclusively to join in performing the duties required by this ordinance. And, be it further Ordained, that all losses and forfeitures of lands, goods and chattels incurred upon any such conviction and attainder shall go and belong to the State in which the said conviction and attain­ der shall be had. Done by the United States in Congress assembled the fifth day of 1

1

2

[498 ]

19

APRIL

1781

April in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty one and in the fifth year of our independence. attest S A M . H U N T I N G T O N President Chas Thomson Secy RC (MeHi); at head of text: "Cir­ cular"; in a clerk's hand, signed by Huntington. F C (DLC: PCC, No. 15). Enclosure (Vi): Signed by Huntington, attested by Thomson.

1 "Chatties" in MS. 2 The following was struck out in the draft of this ordinance: "towards the support of the government thereof" (DLC: PCC, No. 31; printed in JCC, XIX, 354-6).

From James Innes SIR

Williamsburg, April 19th. 6. o'Clock.

Since I received the enclosed I am just informed by an officer at Burwells ferry, that there are opposite that place 9. flatt bot­ tomed Boats fully manned. T w o armed ships a Brig and a schooner —more in sight. I am preparing to take the most expedient meas­ ures my poor Judgment dictates for the honor and Service of the State. I will not fail to acquaint of every material contingency. I am with every sentiment of Respect yr Excellency's obt Sv:, J A S I N N E S Colo Commt RC ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. Enclosure missing, though it may have been that from Thady Kelly "To Colo. Innis at Williamsburgh or els wher by Express," Blunt Point, 19 Apr. 1781 (Vi), reporting that that morning Kel­ ly had made out a brig and schooner and, at some distance behind them, "upwards of twenty flat bottomed bo^ts" coming rapidly up the river. "The men will Set off from this post in less than an hower. I shal wate my self to See what movements they make"; entire text in CVSP, II, 54. Innes' letter was read in Council on

20 Apr., and "the Board advise that this intelligence be immediately com­ municated to Baron Steuben" ( V a . C o u n c i l J o u r . , II, 338). This letter was doubtless written at 6 P.M., not A.M., for at 2 P.M. on 19 Apr. Innes wrote to Steuben that he had written two letters on the 18th and since the last at mid­ night nothing new had transpired: "The wind and tide having been adverse for several hours past has I suppose pre­ vented the flats moving up" (Innes to Steuben, 19 Apr. 1781, "two o'clock p.m.," NHi).

From John Christian Senf Hoods April 19th. 1781. Afternoon 3 oClock

SIR

J u s t now I received Your Excellency's Letter, which gave me a great deal of Satisfaction. Since Saturday last I have been at this Place, but Nothing heard of Colonel C a l l . T o D a y I received four Negroes from my Neigh­ bours and tomorrow I expect S i x More. [499]

19

A P R I L

1781

T h i s Morning I sent Capt. Allen w i t h a letter to Coll. C a l l and if not at home, to find h i m out, and have his A n s w e r , as I under­ stood, there was some Misunderstanding of Y o u r Letter and then to send his Answer by Express to Y o u r Excellency. T h e 15 hired Negroes; who were here, went home to hold their Holy days, and having no Soldiers here they could not be prevented from, they staa'd four D a y s away, and are all return'd except four. T w o Carpenters, send by Capt. M u d y from Richmond, have return'd the 3th. of this Month to Richmond, under Pretense to settle their Accounts, and never return'd. One Carpenter and two Bricklayers, I had engag'd for this Place, have been draughted, and march'd to Geni. Muhlenbergs Camp. I wish'd, Y o u r Excellency would give Order to Capt. M u d y for the two Carpenters, who went to Richmond, to return to this Place again, as I shall be in W a n t , particulary for One of them. I wrote likewise to D a y to Coll. C a l l to order ten or twelve of the M i l i t i a to this Place, to keep G u a r d over the Provision and tools, till the Garrison for this Place should arrive. Nothing of the Articles, of which I gave a Memorandum to Coll. Davis, is arrived yet. Likewise non of the Provision, Colonel Davis gave Order to the Commissary for. A good Quantity of Shells, to burn L i m e , is wanting very much. I am told, some may be had at Manchester, W a r r i c k and Apomatock R i v e r . A s soon as I find an Alteration in m y Operations, I shall give immediate Notice. W i t h the Greatest Respect and E s t i m e I have the honour to be Y o u r Excellency's most obdt. and humble Servant, SENF RC ( V i ) ; endorsed. TJ's letter to Senf has not been found, but it was probably written earlier than that from T J to William

Call, 18 Apr. 1781, which attempted to straighten out the "misunderstanding" of TJ's letter to Call of 12 Apr.; see Senf to Steuben, 20 Apr. 1781.

To Steuben SIR

Richmond Apr. 19. 1781.

I send you herewith a state of the militia required to come into the feild in which is not comprehended any at present there, except those of Culpeper who having passed Hanover Court house about the 10th. are supposed to have joined Geni. Muhlenberg some time ago. W e are endeavoring to get our militia to the fixed term [500]

19

APRIL

1781

of two months i n the field with a right to retain them one week longer should reliefs be not come i n . Whenever these militia arrive which are called for as by this list, so many of those now in service, who can be spared, may be dismissed, and first those of the coun­ ties which have not yet gone through their draught. Applications to gentlemen to raise horse were made as was concluded in your presence in council. I have received an answer from one of them only, Capt. Mosby who had then raised 3 6 , w i t h whom he would be in Petersburg on Monday next. T h e y w i l l most of them, he says, want arms. I have the honor to be with great respect S i r Y o u r most obedt. humble servt., T H : JEFFERSON R S . Since writing this I have received the information which Colo. Innes probably gives you. W e shall immediately call on the militia of Henrico, Hanover, Goochld. to rendezvous here, those of Cumberland and Powhatan at Manchester, those of Chesterfd. at Manchester or Petersburg, those of Amelia, Dinwiddie and Prince George at Petersburg. Should you chuse to change the rendezvous of any of them you w i l l be pleased to do it. I do not know where the spare arms are. Culpeper

351.

Frederic Hampshire Berkeley Shenando. Orange Louisa

267. 249. 258. 217. 140. 140.

These were called by letter of Mar. 27. They would receive the letters before Apr. 3. and were required to march within a week after receiving them. They are to continue in the feild till June 30.

Fauquier Loudoun Caroline Albemarle Fluvanna Goochland Henrico

252. 407. 245. 204. 70. 80. 145.

These were called for by letter of Apr. 14. Required to be at Williamsburg May. 1. and to continue in the feild till June 30. They were ordered to come by Hanover Court house or Richmond where they should receive final orders whether to go to Williamsburg or where else.

Supposed to have got to Geni. Muhlenburg about Apr. 14. To be discharged June 14.

R C ( N H i ) ; endorsed; postscript is written in margin; tabular "state of the militia" is written on a separate page. F C ( V i ) ; lacks both postscript and table of militia. In his letter to the county lieutenants of 27 Mch. 1781, T J called for 242 (not 249) men from Hampshire; in his letter of 14 April, he called for 129 (not 80) from Goochland. I n the pres­ ent letter T J inadvertently referred to

Littleberry Mosby as "Capt."; Mosby was county lieutenant of Powhatan from 18 May 1780 to 20 June 1781 (Gwathmey, H i s t . Reg. of V i r g i n i a n s i n the R e v o l u t i o n ) . From the postscript it is clear that T J wrote this letter to Steuben in the early morning of 19 Apr., for the information from Innes was received by him at 6:30 A . M . ; see Innes to T J , 18 Apr. 1781 (first let­ ter) and note.

[501]

From Steuben SIR

Chesterfield Court house 19. aprii 1781

I am favored with your Excellency's Letter of this Date. Colonel Innes informs me of some Vessels Being on their way up. T i l l we know their force, which side they Mean to A c t , we can Determine nothing, and till then I approve the Different Rendezvous you have Named. I am only afraid i f their Movements are R a p i d , they w i l l get here Before the militia. I shall Communicate to your Excellency E v e r y intelligence I get and B e g the same from you. W i t h Great Esteem and Respect. Dft (NHi); in an aide's hand; endorsed.

To the Treasurer, Register of the Land Office, Auditors, Commissioner of the Navy, and Clerks of the Assembly, General Court, and Court of Chancery SIR

In Council April 19th. 1781.

W e have received advice this morning that the enemy were in motion up James river in eleven vessels most of them square rigged, the foremost of which was in the afternoon of yesterday within sight from Burwells ferry. T h e i r destination being unknown to us and possibly for this Place we thought it our duty to give you notice of the above, as you may think it adviseable to prepare the papers and other valuable moveable things of your office for removal. I t is not in our power to say we can certainly furnish you with waggons for their removal and would therefore advise your best Endeavours to procure them yourselves. Nevertheless whatever A i d we can fur­ nish shall undoubtedly be furnished to the several Officers. I am &c, T.J. FC ( V i ) . From the salutation and the text it seems clear that separate letters were addressed to the different officials and clerks. In DLC: T J Papers, 7: 1122a there is a clerk's copy of an extract of Coun­ cil minutes of 19 and 21 Apr. 1781 respecting the measures to be taken to protect the various archives of the state. Surprisingly, the Council's advice

of 19 Apr. indicates a greater sense of urgency than does the present letter; it was to the effect that the officers and clerks "be notified of the move­ ments of the enemy and assured that such assistance as can be shall be af­ forded them to remove their papers and records, which the Board recommend to be done as speedily as possible." In view of TJ's sensitiveness over the loss

[ 502]

2 0 APRIL of records during" Arnold's invasion, it is remarkable that he should not have conveyed in this letter the board's recommendation that the papers be re­ moved "as speedily as possible." It is even more surprising that there should be no record of action taken by him on 21 Apr. 1781 in pursuance of the following advice of the Council: "A letter from Colonel Innes dated at Wil­ liamsburg seven o'Clock yesterday [In­ nes to T J , 20 Apr. 1781, first letter] informing of the Enemy's standing up the River being read, the Board advise that the several public boards be noti­ fied thereof in order that they may move off their papers" (DLC: T J Pa­ pers, 7: 1122a; V a . Council J o u r . , II, 339). A probable explanation is that

17 8 1

T J on 21 Apr. notified the officers and clerks as required, either orally or in writing, and that no record of his ac­ tion survived. The Council also, on 19 Apr., advised that "the County Lieu­ tenants [sic] of Charles City be desired to keep best lookout for the enemys ves­ sels and give the earliest intelligence of their movements up the river" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour.,

II, 338), but if T J wrote

such a letter it is apparently not extant. On 21 Apr. Steuben reported to Wash­ ington and Lafayette: "Government is preparing to quit Richmond, from which place as well as from Petersburg many of the Inhabitants have already re­ moved" (Dft of a letter from Steuben to Washington and Lafayette, 21 Apr. 1781, NHi).

To James Barron SIR

I n Council April 20th. 1781.

You w i l l be so good as to furnish to the American Officer ap­ pointed to conduct the B r i t i s h flag General de Riedesel up Patowmac to George T o w n with a Pilot acquainted with that Naviga­ tion. I am &c, T.J. FC ( V i ) . The missing RC was sent to Steuben this day to be forwarded to Barron.

To George Rogers Clark SlR

Richmond April 20th. 1781.

I am happy to find that you are persevering thro' your difficul­ ties and hope it w i l l have a fortunate issue. I think not only our future quiet to the W e s t w a r d but Eastern events also depend much on your success. T h e E n e m y at Portsmouth have received since you were here a reinforcement of 1500 men under Major General Phillips. T h e y are at this time under w a y up James river, but to what place destined we know not. T h e bills mentioned in your Letter are paid on your counter­ signature. W e lately had a great bundle of Draughts from Colo. Montgomery. T h e y were rejected and the holder informed that i f he would satisfy you they were for articles or services really for the State, you would countersign and we pay them, according to their true value at the time of drawing. Y o u w i l l have received the [503

]

20

APRIL

178 1

two hundred thousand pounds sent you by Captain Cherry. W e now send Major Harrison three hundred thousand pounds by L . Bradford. A l l the Stores have gone which were to go for you from this place. A delay was occasioned to the march of the Green B r i a r M i l i t i a by an error in sending some articles hence to Frederic which should have gone to F o r t Chiswell. However they w i l l be i n time I hope for the movements from Fort pitt. I have just received a Letter from the President of Pennsylvania informing me that on learning that Colo. Broadhead had restrained some purchases within their L i m i t s for your troops he had immediately given or­ ders to have the restrictions taken off and that none such should be laid on any future occasion. I hope that an equal liberality on both sides w i l l facilitate the future operations of both govern­ ments. I wish you every success and happiness & am with great esteem & respect S i r Y o u r most obedt. & Mo hble. Servant, TH:

RC (WHi); notation of address added in Lyman C. Draper's hand at foot of text: "Brigr. Geni. Clarke Fort Pitt"; docketed in Draper's hand. FC ( V i ) . L. B R A D F O R D : A Lieutenant Bradford was the bearer of Clark's letter of

JEFFERSON

27 Mch. 1781 (see also T J to Harri­ son, following). He was probably Lt. Charles Bradford, who was an officer in an Independent company commanded by Capt. Henry Heth (Gwathmey, H i s t . R e g . of V i r g i n i a n s i n t h e R e v o l u t i o n ) .

To William Harrison SIR

Richmond April 20th. 1781.

Lieutenant Bradford brings out three hundred thousand Pounds for you. T w o hundred thousand had been sent by Captn. Cherry to G e n i . Clarke just before. Whether he w i l l be able to spare any of that to you I know not. W e had it not in our power to send more at this time. I had inquiry made at the Auditors Office whether Captn. B e r r y had obtained any W a r r a n t for Money there and found he had not. I am &c, T.J. FC (Vi). C A P T A I N C H E R R Y : See William Cherry's account of expenses, under date of 5 Apr. 1781 and note. The reference to C A P T N . B E R R Y may have been a clerical error or it may have indicated one of several captains by that name.

From James Innes, enclosing a Letter from William Davenport to Innes SIR

Williamsburg. April 20th. 1781. 7 o'Clocke

Fourteen flatt bottomed Boats a ship two brigs two sloop's and [504]

20

A P R I L

17 8 1

one schooner heavily manned, have just arrived at Burwells F e r r y . F r o m every appearance I think they mean to land, as they have halted w i t h a favorable T i d e . I believe they wait for nothing but the arrival of two schooners which have their Cavalry on board. These vessells I am this moment informed have just turned M u l l berry Island point. I moved out all the stores at this post last Evening. I have the honor to be respectfully Y r Excellency's most obt J A S I N N E S Colo Com

Sevt, E N C L O S U R E

Five Ships Five briggs three Sloops, four Scouners, are now in my Sight. S i x and Twenty flat Bottom Botes. The Botes one Brigg one Sconer are Standing up the River some of them as high as the point of Hog island. I am Convinced they intend up the River. W M DAVENPORT

I am Y r mo Ob H .

Colo James Innis RC ( V i ) ; addressed: "On Service . . . Express"; endorsed. Enclosure (filed with the letter in V i ) ; without place or date. T r of Innes' letter only (NHi); transmitted to Steuben on the following day (see TJ's first letter to Steuben under 21 Apr.). With little doubt this letter was writ­ ten at 7:00 A.M., for it was quite evi­ dently the first of the three letters writ­ ten by Innes to T J on 20 Apr. It reached T J early in the morning of the 21st ( T J to Steuben, 21 Apr., first let­ ter). The proceedings of Council for the 21st record that "A letter from Colonel Innes dated at Williamsburg seven oClock yesterday informing of the enemys standing up the river being read, the Board advise that . . . a Copy of Colo. Innes's letter be sent to Baron Steuben, and that Colo. Innes be in­ formed that every support within the

power of the Executive shall be af­ forded him" ( V a . C o u n c i l J o u r . , II, 339; extract in D L C : T J Papers, 7: 1122a). Major Lomagne, who was then in Richmond, wrote Steuben: "Le gouv­ erneur vient de recevoir la nouvelle de quinze vaisseaux anglois qui sont a barels ferry; comme ils pourraient dé­ barquer a richmond; jai cru faire mon devoir en vous envoyant un officier pour vous dire que je ne marcherai ny ne deliveray aucun cheval ni aucune arme que par vos nouveaux ordres" (Lomagne to Steuben, "Commandant in chief in Virginia at chesterfield court house," 19 Apr. 1781, NHi; Lomagne must have erred in the date, intending to write 21 Apr.). Muhlenberg reported to Steuben that "The Fleet this morning at 8 o Clock . . . lay at Goosehill three miles above Burwells Ferry" (Muhlenberg to Steu­ ben, 20 Apr. 1781, NHi).

From James Innes SIR

Williamsburg. April. 20th 1781.

I enclose you the latest Intelligence of the movements of the E n e m y . I shall immediately march the troops up the N e w K e n t Road, and take such a position as to enable me, to operate vigor­ ously without exposing m y Rear and F l a n k s . I have the honor to be respectfully Y r Excellency's most obt Sevt., JAS I N N ES [ 505 ]

20

APRIL

17 8 1

N . B . Since w r i t i n g the above, I have received Information that 16 flatt Bottomed Boats are above James T o w n . R C ( V i ) ; addressed: "On Service . . . Express"; endorsed. T r ( N H i ) ; trans­ mitted to Steuben on 22? Apr. Enclo­ sure not identified, though it was pos­ sibly the undated letter from Daven­ port to Innes, now filed in V i as an enclosure in the preceding letter and printed with it above. The receipt of this letter is not re­ corded in proceedings of Council on 21 Apr., where the preceding and follow­ ing letters from Innes to T J of 20 Apr.

are noted. But two letters from Innes are recorded as received on 22 Apr. ( V a . C o u n c i l J o u r . , n , 339); one of these must have been Innes' sole letter of 21 Apr. and the other may have been the present one. I n any event there can be little doubt that the present let­ ter, sent off as Innes was about to leave Williamsburg, was written after the "7 o'Clocke" letter preceding and be­ fore the letter from Allen's Ordinary which follows.

From James Innes SIR

Aliens ordinary, six miles from Williamsburg aprii 20th. 1781.

T h i s D a y at two o'clocke, the E n e m y attempted and made good their L a n d i n g at Burwells F e r r y . A t the same time several armed vessells and 16. flatt bottomed Boats proceeded up to James T o w n where I have been informed they have since Landed. A s soon as I found the Designs of the E n e m y to circumvent me, I moved the troops to this place which is the nearest position to the T o w n that can be taken with safety while the E n e m y are masters of the water. T h e r e was some slight skirmishing between the advance of the E n e m y and our Guards of observation at Burwells ferry. W e have sustained no loss. A l l our Guards have joined the main Body. B y several persons J u s t from W i l l i a m s b u r g I am informed that the british troops were in a mile of the T o w n . Some Hospital stores, about fiftefen] sick men unable to move and some stores belong­ ing to the Commissary's Department to transport which waggons could not be obtained, I have been obliged to leave behind me. The Troops under my Command are extremely harrassed having laid upon their arms for upwards of fifty hours during such time they have received no Sustinance. T h e y discover however a good countenance and I have my hopes that when I can give the E n e m y action on fair terms we shall acquit ourselves honourably. W e suffer extremely for want of provision. I write again so soon as I have leisure. I have the honor to be respectfully, JAS R C ( V i ) ; endorsed: "Col Innes A p 20. reed 21st. 1781 British in W b g . " Tr ( N H i ) ; endorsed in clerk's hand:

[506]

INNES

"N. 2."; transmitted to Steuben on 21 Apr. (see T J ' s second letter to Steuben under that date).

20

APRIL

The proceedings of Council of 21 Apr. record that "Another letter from Colo. Innes [besides I n n e s printed above

the first letter under the

from present

date] dated yesterday, Aliens Ordinary six miles from Williamsburg, being this moment received and read inform­

17 8 1

ing that the enemy yesterday about two oClock landed at Burwell's Ferry and Jamestown and were on their march to Williamsburg The Board advise that this letter be also communicated to Baron Steuben" { V a . Council J o u r . , n, 339).

From Samuel McDowell SIR

Rockbridge April 20th 1781

I received your Excellencys Order of the 29 march last, and ordered the Draft accordingly. T h e Draft is made and the day of Randizvouse is the 26th Inst. But it must Ruin a number of those whose lot it is to march at this time. As most of them were down last fall when Geni. Lesley Invaded this State, by which they were Prevented from Sowing fall Crops; And by going to Join Geni. Green at this time, they will not be able to Raise Spring Crops, and therefore their familys and Stocks must Suffer, as they (Mostly) have not any Person behind them when they are gone from home to work their Small farms. They likewise are of Opinion, I f your Excellency and Councel knew the Duty, this County has done Since last October you would Excuse them at this time and call for men from the Counties which have done less. Numbers of the men now called for, have desiered me to write to your Excellency and the Honorable the Councel, and Represent their, and the Countys case; And they are Persuaded that they will have Eaqual Justice done them. ( I have Stated the Case of the men above.) And this County has in October last, had Capt. James Gilmer and forty odd men in Carolinia under Geni. Morgan for near four months and was at Tarletons Defeat at the Cow Pens in South Carolinia, And there were also three Companies down (when Lessley Invaded this State) their numbers were about 180 men. On Arnolds Invasion Colo. John Bowyer marched with about 200 men down the Country. And when Geni. Green Retreated into Virginia, it was beleived in these Parts, that L d . Cornwallace was in Virginia I marched near 200 men from this County to Join General Green. When we got to Bedford we were informed, that Cornwallace had gone up from Hillsborrough, to Guilford. I with deficualty persuaded the men to cross the Dan into Carolinia, and Joined Geni. Green, Some time before the Battle at Guilford Courthouse; Continued with him till after the [507]

2 0 APRIL

1781

Battle the 15th of M a r c h last, had 1 Captain and 4 Privets killed, two Captains one E n s i g n and Seven Privets Wounded and Majer Stuart and four Privets taken Prisners. F r o m these different calls all the men in this County have been on hard Service E a c h a tour, Since October last and nearly two thirds of them at the Same time. I f Y o u r Excellency and the Honourable Councel could E x c u s e the men of this County at this time from Performing the tour of duty now called for off them, till Some future day, it would much oblige them; and they would be able to raise Bread for their families, for I assure you S i r few of them, have any Person when they are from home to do any work on their farms. T h e Services this County have Performed Since October last, are truly Stated; and I hope your Excellency and the Honorable Councel w i l l Concider the matter and grant Such Releif as in your Power, consistant with the good of the State and beleive me your Excellencys most Obdt most Humble Sert, S A M L : M C D O W E L L RC ( V i ) ; addressed (in part): "Pr Capt James Gilmer"; endorsed: "S. Mc­ Dowell's Lre. April 23d. 1781" (date of receipt? and of answer, q.v.).

From Littleberry Mosby SIR

Powhatan April 20th 1781

H a v i n g orders from the Executive to put the Recruiting A c t in Motion, I appointed F r y d a y last for that Purpose, but on thursday evening Received orders from you to send the whole of our M i l i t i a to Manchester, w h i c h has again put a stop to the Business, and A s it is Uncertain how long the M i l i t i a w i l l be K e p t i n Service shall not appoint a Nother day untili I have further orders. T h e Act to Establish a Corps of Invalids I have Received and Made the E n q u i r y Necessary on the Subject, I find No Invalid i n this county. I have Appointed M r . Robert Smith to Receive the Recruits, a man of good Reputation W h o I doubt not w i l l doe his duty. I am W i t h due Regard your V e r y H . Servt., L . MOSBY RC ( V i ) ; addressed; endorsed. The A C T T O E S T A B L I S H A C O R P S O F I N V A L I D S was passed at the Oct. 1780

session of the legislature (Hening, x, 346-7), but probably not distributed until early Apr. 1781, when the session laws for the Oct. 1780 and Mch. 1781 sessions were printed and sent out (see R. H. Lee to T J , 13 Apr. 1781). The Act establishing a corps of invalids was

passed because of the "great numbers of wounded and other soldiers dis­ charged from the public service as in­ valids, who receive liberal pensions from the community, and who if col­ lected and formed into corps might render good service by doing garrison duty, and thereby compensate for the expense they create," but a secondary purpose of the Act was "that such pen-

[ 508 ]

20

APRIL

sioners may be more amply provided for" (Hening, x, 346). The Act author­ ized the Governor to collect all such pensioned invalids who desired to en­ list, to form them into companies, and

1781

to place them on useful duty; county lieutenants were required "to make dili­ gent enquiry . . . without delay, and re­ port to the governor a list of all such invalids."

From Littleberry Mosby SIR

Powhatan 20th April 1781

I Acknowledge the Receipt of the Advice given by the E x e c u ­ tive to me, to C a l l a Court M a r t i a l for the purpose of punishing the Delinquents W h o has Refused or Neglected to M a r c h when Called Upon Under the Invasion L a w , some few there M a y be in this County, and for the purpose aforesaid I had Appointed F r y day last to hold a Court, B u t the Whole of our M i l i t i a being Caled forth has Rendered it Impossible at present. I am with every Sentiment of Esteem, y r . V e r y H Servt. L.

RC ( V i ) ; addressed; endorsed: " L . Mosby's Lre April 23d 1781" (date of receipt?). Mosby does not make clear how an order calling out the whole of the mili­ tia that was not received until 19 Apr. (see preceding letter from him) could have interfered with a court martial

MOSBY

that had been called to meet on Friday, 13 Apr. The ADVICE E X E C U T I V E (see TJ's

GIVEN

BY THE

circular letter to the county lieutenants, 12 Apr. 1781) was not even issued until the day be­ fore Mosby says he called the court martial to meet.

To William Phillips SIR

In Council Richmond April 20th. 1781

I have this moment received a letter from the board of W a r at Philadelphia from which the inclosed is extracted being so much thereof as related to the flag Geni, de Riedesel. T h e general direc­ tions of the Board of w a r seem to include a dissent to Captn. Gerlach's Application for permission to N e w Y o r k by L a n d and to Lieutenant de Harstalls to visit the Officers of Convention. I f there be any other Indulgencies not inconsistent with these general D i ­ rections or those Cautions which a State of w a r w i l l not dispense with, we shall be happy in allowing them. A n Officer w i l l be ap­ pointed by Major General Baron Steuben to go on board the flag and remain with her till her return to Portsmouth as well as a pilot of our own. I referred also the letter I had the honor of receiving from you in Answer to m y Application for passports for some Tobacco [ 509]

20

A P R I L

1781

vessels to go to Charlestown to Barron Steuben w i t h whom you proposed to settle the necessary regulations. I shall be happy to have these settled as soon as possible, as our officers and Souldiers there are suffering the most real Distress. I am &c, T.J. P S T h e German troops of Convention are at present at Winches­ ter i n this State. FC ( V i ) . Enclosure not copied in Executive Letter Book with FC, but it was an extract of, presumably, the first paragraph of letter from Conti­ nental Board of War to T J , 12 Apr. 1781, relating to the flag G e n e r a l R i e ­ de s e l carrying supplies "for the Prison­ ers at George Town in the State of Maryland." The missing RC of the present letter was enclosed in TJ's let­ ter of this date to Steuben to be by him

forwarded to Phillips. It was addressed, in retaliation for Phillips' style of ad­ dressing T J as "American Governor of Virginia" (Phillips to T J , 6 Apr. 1781): "To William Phillips Esqr. command­ ing the British Forces in the Common­ wealth of Virginia"; see T J to the Vir­ ginia Delegates in Congress, 10 May 1781; T J to Gerlach and Herstal, 31 Mch. 1781; T J to Gerlach, 3 May 1781.

John Christian Senf to Steuben SIR

Petersburg April 20th 1781

Since Saturday last I have been at Hoods, and done as much as possible. Yesterday morning I received an Express from the Governor, who mentions in his Letter, that the first Project he propos'd to the Inhabitants of Prince George had been most likly to fail, but that he now had orderd the whole County of Prince George for each Man to send a hand to Hoods to W o r c k for twelve D a y s , and this twelve Days should exempt them from S i x W e e k s M i l i t i a Duty. T h i s Morning a Number of them were coming i n , but hearing of the A l l a r m , and all the M i l i t i a being orderd to Petersburg, they left the W o r c k s again. I have come this E v e n i n g to T o w n to see the County Lieutenant and see in what Manner this Affair can be settled. The M i l i t i a of Prince George County are all orderd to assemble at this Place by the Governor, which is at the extreme of their County. I f they had been orderd to Blands Ordinary, their W o r c k at Hoods could have been carried on, agréable to the Governor's Proposition, and i f they Ennemies should move higher up the R i v e r , as where they are at present, these M i l i t i a can allways be time enough at Petersburg for any Service requisit. Non of the Men have assembled yet, and as the men now properly are under Y o u r Orders, Y o u may easily order it, i f it meets w i t h Y o u r Apro[510}

20

A P R I L

1781

bation. T h e County Lieut. Coll. C a l l waits for your Orders for the purpose. B y Intelligence G e n i Muhlenberg w i t h his Troops has arrived to D a y at Cabbin Point, and I am told is to march to Prince Georg Courthouse, which w i l l be in my humble Opinion not a good posi­ tion, but i f Hoods were finished, the Place would be very good for Stores. A s long the E n n e m y should not move higher up the R i v e r , then Burwells-Ferry, the best Situation for Geni. Muhlenberg would be at Cabbin point, and should the E n n e m y move up, the Second may'd be to Blands-Ordinary and so to Petersburg. But should we succeed in putting the W o r c k s at Hoods in some Defence, a good Position w i l l be at the Head of W a r t s Creeck. Should they E n n e m y move up the R i v e r , I think it w i l l be neces­ sary, to remove the Stores from Prince George Courthouse, i f there are any, they may'd be in Danger. I was told to D a y at Hoods for Certain, that they E n n e m y had landed some Foot at Burwells B a y Church, a little below M c K a y s house. A n d that their Vessels were only twelve in Number, i f so, they certainly can't do much. Tomorrow I shall return again to Hoods and continue my W o r c k , i f you have no further Orders for me; but should be happy to have, as soon it was convenient to Y o u , an Answer about the Militia of Prince George, that I may'd in­ form the County Lieutenant of it, what to do, by w h i c h means no time w i l l be lost. I have the honour to be w i t h the greatest Respect and E s t i m e , Y o u r most obedt and faithfull Servant S E N F C O L L . Engineer RC (NHi); endorsed. I F T H E Y HAD B E E N ORDERED B L A N D S O R D I N A R Y : See Steuben to

TO

TJ, 21 Apr. 1781; on the same day Steuben wrote Muhlenberg that he had given orders for all of the militia on the south side of the James to rendezvous at Bland's Ordinary and for all of those

rendezvousing at Richmond to remain there or cross the river as circumstances might require, A N E X P R E S S F R O M T H E G O V E R N O R : TJ's letter to Senf, which was written about the time that he wrote Col. Call on 18 Apr., q.v., has not been found, but it must have been very simi­ lar to the letter to Call.

To Steuben SIR

I n Council April 20th. 1781

I take the L i b e r t y of inclosing to you a Letter to Major Geni. Phillips w i t h the Determination of the Board of W a r as to the British F l a g vessel w i t h Necessaries for the Convention Prisoners which I w i l l ask the Favour of you to forward by F l a g . [511]

20

APRIL

178 1

I presume it is necessary Prudence to put an Officer and Pilot of our own on Board. T h i s has been the Practice here and i f you approve of it you w i l l be so good as to appoint an Officer to this Service. T h e inclosed Letter to Commodore Barron the Officer w i l l take with h i m for the Purpose of obtaining a Pilot. I inclose you Copies of Letters which have this moment come to hand. W e can arm about 2 0 0 M i l i t i a here, the rest must depend on the A r m s which have been given i n by the discharged militia. Y o u w i l l be so good as to give orders on this Subject, accomodated to the Several Places of their Rendezvous and determining whether the A r m s shall be brought to the men or they marched to the Arms. I am with great respect S i r your mo. obt Servt., TH:

JEFFERSON

RC (NHi); in a clerk's hand, signed by T J ; endorsed. F C ( V i ) . Enclosures (missing): RC of T J to Phillips, 20 Apr., and its enclosure; copy of T J to Barron, 20 Apr.; and, presumably, copies of Innes to T J , 19 Apr., and its enclosure.

From John Syme New Castle, 2 0 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . Has received TJ's orders "Directing A Court Martial, on the Delinquents, for My County. I understand by it, those that Have faiPd in any Tour of Duty, whatever, Say for 12 Months Back, Or thereabouts." No returns were made by Syme's of­ ficers while he was "at the Springs," but has "now c[all]'d for them, as thinking it, both just and suitable from your Orders, and Every [other] Consideration." The number of militia "falls Greatly Short of two Bat­ talions"; there are consequently some superfluous field officers, and Syme desires instructions "in What Manner to deal out the New Com­ missions." "A Certain Thomas Birch Hulett, by Directions of Mr. Wm. Fontaine (As I understand) Seiz'd two Plow Horses of Mine Not long Since in the Plows, and C[ar]ried them off, for about a Week, Doing them much Injury, and then Return'd them. This [and] the furnishing my Teams for Hailing the Artillery, Stores, &ca:, Horses for my Con­ nections in the Militia Horse Service, and others about a fortnight be­ fore that for the Dragoon Service, is rather too Much, when Other Able People in the County Do nothing at all in that Way." Wishes to know by what authority Fontaine and Hulett acted, so that "In future Accasions of that Sort, I could Place this Disagreeable Business, on an Equitable and Just Footing with Regard to Every Gentleman of the County, for I am against taking the poor Man's Horse at any Rate." RC ( V i ) ; 2 p.; addressed in part: "By Mr. Austin"; endorsed.

[512]

From Oliver Towles Fredericksburg, 2 0 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . "Captain Field carries with him under guard from this place to Richmond Six Prisoners some of whom were taken in K i n g George County that had escaped from on board a vessel called the little Trimmer belonging to the british piratical crew that have been plundering up Patowmack." Asks T J to give orders concerning them. " A considerable sum of money is wanted here" to enlist recruits for the war and for other public purposes; it can be sent by Capt. Field. RC ( V i ) ; 2 p.; signed: "O. Towles Lt. Colo. 5th Virga Regiment"; addressed in part: "favoured by Captn. Field"; endorsed.

From Garret Van Meter SIR

Hampshire County 20th. April 1781

I wrote you on the 14th. Instant, to which refer, and intended to have dispatched the bearer immediatly after. Since then he has had Orders to M a r c h with the M i l i t i a lately Ordered below, but as I conceive he w i l l be the most proper person I can get to go down, for many reasons, have therefore given h i m a furlough for T w e n t y days, before which time is expired he can return, and then join the M i l i t i a and serve his T o u r . I have likewise to inform your Excellency, that the Commissioners of the T a x has sent by h i m for what money they judge w i l l be wanting to pay of the draughts. F r o m the late insurrection's taking place, the Collectors have been in a great measure prevented from executing that duty, and there­ fore they (the Commissioners) cannot possibly ascertain what sum w i l l be ultimatly wanting: but as they judged it of the great­ est importance to have the Draughts ready to M a r c h without any hindrance, they thought it best to send for what money might be necessary to pay all of, and when the whole Collection is finished, they w i l l account for, and refund the Balance ( i f a n y ) to the Treasurer. Since my letter of the 14th. was wrote, I have had no further accounts of the riotors than mentioned, but I have much reason to fear (whatever they may promise to the contrary) they w i l l still stand in opposition, untili a sufficient force is sent against them. I have within these T w e n t y four Hours received authentick infor­ mation that a very considerable number have assembled in another part of the County, determined to stand in opposition to every measure of Government and endeavouring to persuade every one in their neighbourhood to join them in their Treasonable and [513]

2 0 APRIL

1781

destructive measures. F o r this purpose (as I am told) they swear fidelity to each other. T h e i r principal object is to be clear of T a x e s and Draughts. These things S i r are truely alarming, but I am happy in one consolation, that we have a Majority of Friends to our happy constitution, and w i l l spare no pains nor hazard when called on, to render their Country what services in their power. I t has just occured to me, that your Excellency may probably judge it expedient to order some Cavalry to be raised in this County, should such a measure be adopted. I am humbly of opinion, it might be attended with very happy consequences, and should it be so ordered, I would beg leave to recommend to your Excellency, Capt. W i l l i a m Vause, a very active brave officer, at present a supernumary, M r . Solomon Vanmeter, and the bearer, M r . A n ­ drew W o d r o w , who has also served some time as an officer in the Continental A r m y . A l l those Gentlemen have distinguished the most laudable zeal and attachment to their Country's cause and I hope w i l l discharge any trust reposed in them w i t h honour and reputation. T h i s last Gentleman's being draughted, is a singular disadvantage to us, as he does the whole publick business of the County as a Clerk, and has always conducted himself both in his publick capacity and otherwise as a good citizen. I hope m y in­ dulgence to h i m untili he returns from Richmond w i l l not be con­ sidered as any departure from Propriety, as I thought it a matter of very great importance to have the money sent up for the draughts as I am almost certain it w i l l be impracticable to M a r c h them without they are paid off, and the great scarcity of money in the County puts it out of the power of the Divisions to com­ pound with them. I must observe to your Excellency, that at the time of laying of the Divisions in February last, it appeared to the Gentlemen who superintended that business, that Seven of our M i l i t i a , then in actual service in North Carolina, had enlisted for the W a r , and as this had happened subsequent to the passing of the A c t , they were of opinion that those Seven Men should be considered as part of our Quota. Therefore only Fifty Seven have been draughted, which w i t h the other Seven aforementioned make one more than the number required. W h a t ever Measures your Excellency may recommend, shall be complied with as soon as possible, and in every respect for the Interest of the publick, as far as practicable. I have the honor to be w i t h great respect Y o u r very Obedt. hul Servt., GARRET V N :

[514]

METER

21

A P R I L

RC ( V i ) ; endorsed: "Garret Vanmeter's Letter 20th April 27th. 1781" (the second date being the date of TJ's answer, q.v.). WILLIAM V A U S E (also Vance, Voss) is listed as having retired from the Eighth Virginia Regiment, Continental Line (Gwathmey, H i s t . R e g . of Vir­

1781

try any person accused of "Treasons or misprisions of treason or any offences against an Act . . . passed in . . . 1780 entitiled 'An Act affixing penalties to certain crimes injurious to the Inde­ pendence of America, but less than Treason' " ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour.,

n, 350;

the Act cited is in Hening, x, 268-70). The next day, 22 June, the Council, be­ ginians i n the R e v o l u t i o n ) . For TJ's at­ titude toward the insurrectionists in lieving the insurrections "to have been Hampshire co. (Rockingham and Au­ occasioned by the artifice of a few dis­ gusta were also centers of disaffection), affected and designing men," advised see his reply to Van Meter, 27 Apr. Governor Nelson to offer pardon con­ 1781. On 21 June 1781 the Council ditional upon delivery of the ringlead­ took this same subject under consider­ ers and, on refusal, "to call on the ation and advised Governor Nelson, whole strength of the aforesaid Coun­ TJ's successor, to issue a commission ties for apprehending and bringing Jour., II, of oyer and terminer to John Magill them to justice" ( V a . Council and others to meet on 10 July 1781 to 351).

Garret Van Meter and Others to the Auditors, with Andrew Woodrow's B i l l and Jefferson's Certification Hampshire County, 20 Apr. 1781. Garret Van Meter, Abel Randall, James Murphy, and George Beali, Commissioners of the Tax, state that they "have employed the bearer hereof Mr. Andrew Wodrow, to go to Richmond to bring up money, to pay off the draughts for this County, likewise to carry some very important inteligence to his Excellency the Governour" and wish his expenses to be paid. Accompanying this is Woodrow's account against the state: "1781 April. To riding Express from Hampshire to Richmond Two Hundred and Twenty Miles going —and the same returng. 13 day's [£]660." On verso of letter is the fol­ lowing: "Apr. 27. 1781. The bearer Andrew Woodrow came express from Hampshire on necessary public business. T h : Jefferson." RC (Vi: Contingent Fund Vouchers); 2 p.; in Van Meter's hand; at foot of text: "Honble. The Board of Auditors"; TJ's certification on verso is in his own hand; letter is endorsed by an auditor:

"Andrew Wodrow £660. June 20th. 1781 Contingent." Woodrow's statement is on a separate slip and is in Van Meter's hand,

From William Davies, with Reply SIR

W a r office April 21. 1781.

I need not represent to your Excellency the insecurity of this place. W e never can proceed w i t h any degree of certainty in any of our public w o r k s while the enemy command the rivers. T h e state of our arms requires security to the workmen from alarms, [515]

2 1 APRIL

1781

and I am confident we shall never be able to get them repaired, unless some buildings are prepared for them in a safe place above the falls. I have conversed with M r . F o r d and M r . Anderson, and they think the hands can begin the work in ten or twelve days from this time should they be sent up to the point of F o r k , where M r . Anderson is very desirous to go. M r . Gilbert wishes to remove thither too, i f his hands can be usefully employed there, as I have no doubt they can be; but of this I shall make enquiry, and shall consult the Q M G on it. I have not spoken to Moody but I think his hands w i l l be of service there, i f he himself should not. Upon the whole, the defences at Hood's and at W e s t h a m ought to be first built before any thing more is attempted at the foundery: the buildings that are there may serve for occasional purposes; but at present, from the new position the enemy have taken, there can be no safety in this place, unless a considerable force shall be con­ stantly kept up between Richmond and W i l l i a m s b u r g . M a y I hope therefore for the approbation of the Executive in directing all the hands employed on the public works in this neighborhood to re­ move immediately to the point of fork, except only such a number of artificers to be detained at certain places, as the Quartermaster general shall direct for the necessary purposes of the troops? Inclosed I submit to your Excellency a memorandum of articles purchased by this state for the use of the Southern army. Repeated, unsuccessful applications have been made to Major Claiborne for waggons, but none are yet obtained or likely to be obtained. T h i s is one of the i l l consequences of the State's depriving itself of the means of transportation, as it subjects us to the hazard of losing very valuable stores, merely because the continental officers, who have got almost all our waggons, chuse to remove stores of little value that have been delivered to them, in preference to those of great worth which have not been actually delivered to them, altho' purchased expressly and solely for continental purposes. I have the honor to be, S i r , Y o u r Excellency's most obt sert., WILLIAM

DAVIES

I n Council Apr. 21. 1781. T h e board approves of the proposition to remove all the hands employed in the public works in this neighborhood to the fork of T H :JEFFERSON

James river. RC ( V i ) ; addressed; TJ's reply, in his own hand, follows the text of Davies' letter; endorsed by Davies. Enclosure missing.

O U R W A G G O N S : A week after this letter was written, the state wagons were withdrawn from Continental service, On 27 Apr. 1781 Richard Claiborne

[516]

2 1 A P R I L wrote Davies: " I have just received your letter of this day informing me that you have directed the State Wagons to be withdrawn from giving aid to the Con­ tinental service; and that the supplies

1781

for that line devolve upon me to be fur­ nished. The reasons which you have given are no doubt sufficient; therefore I shall endeavour to supply the defi­ ciency by doing all in my power" ( V i ) .

From William Davies SIR

Richmond April 21. 81.

Col. T h . M . Randolph has a large flat or lighter, which he tells me can go sixteen miles above his house. I t would carry off a great deal of stores i f we had it, and I am very apprehensive without it we shall lose a great deal. I am but little acquainted w i t h h i m , otherwise should make the request myself. I would therefore sub­ mit it to your Excellency whether you would think it proper to request h i m to send it down, so as to carry up one load at least. I have the honor to be Your Excellency's most hbl serv., WILLIAM

RC ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. HIS HOUSE: Tuckahoe, on the north side of the James in the southern part of Goochland co. The following letter from Capt. Henry Dudley to Davies, 21 Apr. 1781, may indicate that Randolph's "flat or lighter" was obtained promptly: " I am Remuving the Cannon up The River as fast as possable in flat. As I

DAVIES

conseave the shott and moytr [mortar] beds as of the smallest value shall leave them to the las. I have taken 18 of the Military for that purpose. We are told that the british troops are in Wmsburg. . . ." (Vi; but see note to Syme to T J , 21 Apr. for difficulties between him and Dudley.)

From Charles Dick Fredericksburg, 2 1 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . Wrote "About 3 Weeks ago . . . for a Sum of Money to be brought me for the Use of the Factory by Capt. Peter Minor, who has been some time return'd and brings me no An­ swer about it. My Credit, Word, Honour and every thing mortal can do will not hold out longer with the people unless I am supported with Money. And it is Amazing the quantity of Arms old and New have been drawn from this Place since January last." The bearer, Capt. Abraham Maury, will wait on T J , and Dick begs that the sum of £100,000, earlier requested, be sent by him. RC (Vi);

2 p.; addressed (in part): "favour Capt. Maury"; endorsed. Printed in

CVSP, n, 62.

See Dick to T J , 5 Apr. and T J to Dick, 18 Apr. 1781.

[517]

William Ellzey's Certification of Charles Lee to Practise i n the County Courts [21 A p r i l

1781]

A t the request of H i s Excellency T h o m a s Jefferson E s q r . Gov­ ernor of V i r g i n i a I have examined Charles L e e E s q r . touching his Capacity abilities and

fitness

to practice as an Attorney i n

the

County Courts and do find h i m fitly qualified to practice i n such Courts. Certified under m y hand this 21st. day of A p r i l 1 7 8 1 . W.

MS (Vi); in Ellzey's hand, endorsed in a later hand: "1781 April 21. Cer­ tificate of W. Ellzey. Chas. Lee to prac­ tice law." CHARLES L E E may possibly have been the Charles Lee (1758-1815) who be­ came attorney general under Washing­ ton, though there is apparently no rec­ ord of his having studied law in Vir­ ginia at this time (DAB). The proceed­ ings of Council contain no record of the granting of a license to Lee. TJ's re­ quest of Ellzey to examine Lee was in accord with established practice. Laws regulating the practice of attorneys of 1748, 1761, and their continuations of 1765 and 1769 provided that anyone desiring to practice law should first ob­ tain from the county court or other in­ ferior court where he intended to prac­ tice a certificate of his "probity, honesty, and good demeanour" and that persons learned in the law should be appointed by the general court to examine and license candidates presenting such cer­ tificates (Hening, vi, 140-3; vn, 124, 397-401; vm, 184-5; 385-6). Apparent­

ELLZEY

ly this method was not altered by law, but in practice after 1776 candidates applied to the Governor and Council who appointed examiners and, upon fa­ vorable report by the examiners, grant­ ed the license ( V a . C o u n c i l J o u r . , n, 183, 187, 244, 306, 319, 324, 371). Under Bill No. 97 of the Révisai of the Laws the method of obtaining a license was merely stated to be governed "by the law then in force" (see above, Vol. 2:588); this was enacted into law in 1786 (Hening, xii, 410-11). T J him­ self occasionally acted as examiner; see his certification of William Short as an attorney, 30 Sep. 1781. An interesting example of a case in which T J and the Council granted a license when the ex­ aminers had some reservations about the applicant's practical knowledge of the law is that of John Michie, who was licensed on 10 Mch. 1781 ( V a . C o u n c i l J o u r . , n, 306). The examiners were Ed­ mund Randolph and Henry Tazewell; their opinions are given in full in CVSP, I, 565 (MS in Vi).

From Benjamin Harrison SIR

Chs City Courthouse Saturday 11 O.clock [21 April

1781]

T h e Bearer M r . A c r i l i Cocke this moment inform'd me

that

about three hundred of the E n e m y are landed at Sandy Point, that three Square rigg'd vessels and two Sloops had got up to that place and that he saw one other coming up. I am w i t h great respect BENJA

Y o u r most obedt Servt, RC ( P U ) ; addressed^ "His Excel­ lency The Governor Richmond Ex­ press"; endorsed: "B. Harrison's Lre

HARRISON

April 21st 1781." The original or a copy of this letter was probably trans­ mitted to Steuben in TJ's third letter of

[518]

2 1 A P R I L the present date to Steuben, q.v.; obviously, Harrison wrote at 11:00 A.M. Acrili Cocke lived at Sandy Point,

17 8 1

Charles City co. (VMHB, v [1897-1898], 82-3).

From Benjamin Harrison SIR

[21? April 1781]

T h e main body of the enemy are landed at M r s . Morecock's in this country at the mouth of Chickahominy, supposed to be about twelve hundred. T h e i r object I suppose to be the ships in that river. T h e y came up in the night in about twenty flat-bottomed boats covered by a ship and a brig. I

B . HARRISON

am &c.

T r (NHi); in TJ's hand, headed: "Copy of a letter from Colo. B. Harrison of Chas. City."

From William Hay SIR

Richmond April 21st. 1781

I am this Moment favoured with a Letter from M r . Nicolson from Fredricksburg containing very agreeable Intelligence of which the following is an E x t r a c t , " B y a Gentleman immedeatly from Philada. we have the Agree­ able Information of the A r r i v a l of the second Division of the French Fleet off the Capes of Delaware consisting of 9 sail of the L i n e and 7 Frigates. T h e y were spoke w i t h by a B r i g which is arrived at Philadelphia." I have the Honour to be respectfully S i r Your Excellencys Most Ob. Sert, W M HAY RC ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. TJ's prompt recognition of the im­ portance of this encouraging news and his immediate use of it for the purpose of boosting the morale of Virginia forces at this critical juncture has not, apparently, been noticed. Within twen­ ty-four hours the extract quoted by Hay

was in print and T J was distributing copies to Innes, Steuben, Muhlenberg, and perhaps Weedon; see T J to Innes and to Steuben, 22 Apr. 1781. No copy of the broadside appears to have sur­ vived; it was no doubt printed by the new printer, James Hayes.

From William Hay Richmond, 2 1 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . Difficulties of Hay's brother, whose rheu­ matism prevents him from paying "the least attention to his Bussiness" and whose "two Store Boys are now under Marching Orders, so that [519]

2 1 A P R I L

17 8 1

his Store with a large Quantity of Goods must be left to the Mercy of the Negroes &c. . . . Among the Goods now in the Store there is at least One hundred Pieces of Sail Duck of the best Quality which I conceive ever to be an object of Public Attention. Mr. Nicolson by being Per­ mitted to attend the Store would be able to have them removed." RC (Vi); 2 p.; addressed and endorsed.

From Samuel Huntington SIR

Philada April 21. 1781

T h e United States in Congress assembled, deeming it proper and necessary to communicate to their Constituents in the several States, as fully as can be done, a proper Representation of their national Affairs, the Amount of the public Debts due from the United States, together with the Estimates for the current Year; having examined and agreed to the Report of their Committee on that Subject of the 18th Instant, I do myself the Honor to trans­ mit your Excellency a Copy thereof, A n d am with the highest Respect Y o u r most obedient humble Servant, S.H. FC (DLC: PCC, No. 15). Enclosure ( Vi ) : Copy, attested by Charles Thom­ son, of the report described in Hunting­ ton's letter, read in Congress and agreed to on 18 Apr.; printed in JCC, xrx, 40219. Enclosed in this or in some uniden­ tified letter from Huntington of about this period is an attested copy (Vi) of

a resolution of 20 Apr. 1781 recom­ mending to seven states, including Vir­ ginia, that they "make good the de­ preciation of the Monthly pay of the Officers and Soldiers belonging to Col. Moses Hazen's regiment"; printed in J C C , XIX, 428.

To James Innes SIR

Richmond April 21st. 1781

W i t h i n an hour after receiving your first Notification that the enemy were in movement we issued orders to the M i l i t i a of the Counties of Chesterfield, Prince George, Dinwiddie, Powhatan, Goochland, Hanover and Henrico to assemble immediately every M a n able to bear A r m s , and one half of those of A m e l i a and C u m ­ berland and to bring with them the best A r m s they had. T h e y were to rendezvous at Petersburg and this place. Some volunteer Cavalry were also called for. These Orders were communicated to Baron Steuben and the several letters of Information from you have been regularly and immediately forwarded to h i m . A n d I doubt not the Moment the M i l i t i a come in and can receive (such as are unarmed) the spare A r m s from the Southside of the R i v e r he w i l l order them [ 520]

2 1 APRIL

17 8 1

to your Assistance, now that it appears yours is the Post of their destination. Tho' our Orders for calling the Militia went out on Thursday Morning not a Man is yet assembled here. I am told the Powhatan Militia will be in to day. Certainly those of this County will be as early. This fatal Tardiness will I fear be as unfortunate for W i l ­ liamsburg on this Occasion as formerly it was for Richmond. Be assured that no effort of ours for your Support shall be want­ ing, and that the Resources of the Country as our powers will call them forth shall be applied to the Relief of the part threatened. I must entreat you to let us hear from you daily while the Scene is so interesting. I am &c, T.J. P S . You observe we say nothing of the Militia of the Counties near Williamsburg because we supposed you would of Course call for as many as you could arm. T.J. FC

(Vi).

From James Innes SIR

Hickory neck Church 14 Miles above Wmsburg 21st. April 1781 3 oClock

About 3 oClock Yesterday the Enemy landed at Burwell's Ferry 500 Infantry 50 Horse and 4 Peices Artillery, which with a seem­ ing Intention of landing in force at Jamestown or on some part of the River above us, obliged us to evacuate the Town, and move up to Aliens Ordinary six Miles above, about 12 o'Clock in the Night. Major Armistead with 150 Men and Capt. Kelly with 50 Riflemen were ordered down and had a Skirmish with the Enemy which terminated rather in our favour. We have just now received Information that they are above Jamestown with 14 Square rigged Vessels, and 16 flat bottomed Boats are now in Chickahominy River within 3 Miles of the Ship­ yard, and in our present situation I think, there is no probability of our obviating their Intentions without risqueing every thing. I am Sir yr. Excellency's obedt. Servt., JAS. INNES P S . Since writing the above we have received Information that the Enemy are in Possession of the Shipyard. J.I. R C ( V i ) ; addressed; endorsed: "Jas Innes's L r e April 22d 1781" (date of receipt; see V a . C o u n c i l Jour., n , 339).

T r ( N H i ) ; transmitted by T J to Steuben, 22 Apr. Innes' reports at this time were not

[521]

2 1 APRIL altogether consistent, a fact that is un­ derstandable in view of his having been on exhausting duty almost constantly since the 18th. In his letter to T J of 20 Apr. he reported that the British had landed at Burwell's at two o'clock; in the present letter the time is given as 3 OCLOCK; and in one to Steuben written

1781

at 3:00 P.M. but immediately preceding the present (and giving much the same information), Innes wrote that the Brit­ ish landed at Burwell's "Yesterday about five o'Clock" (Innes to Steuben, same address and time as above, 21 Apr. 1781, NHi).

From Lafayette SIR

Alexandria April the 21st. 1781

M y L a s t Letter to Y o u r Excellency H a v i n g Acquainted Y o u of Our Preparations to Return to the Southward, and H a v i n g Also Mentionned the Reasons which in the present danger U r g e me to Hasten B y forced Marches to the Support of V i r g i n i a , I w i l l only A d d that W e Came in two days from our Encampement Near Baltimore to this place and intend Setting out to Morrow for frederik B u r g . Our Baggage, Artillery and Stores A r e left Behind U s . I n our Absolute W a n t of Shoes and Cloathes of E v e r y K i n d it is impos­ sible for the Men to Make such Rapid Marches Unless we Have A n extraordinary Help of Horses and Waggons. T h i s Method I know to B e B i g g w i t h difficulties. B u t E v e r y letter U r g i n g the Necessity of our Going to the Southward, Representing the V a s t A n d immediate danger which threatens this State, I Have flatterd Myself that H e r inhabitants Could not deny us the Means of A d ­ vancing to their defense, and Have Been Encouraged B y this idea that in the whole d é t a c h e m e n t (considering its Peculiar Circum­ stances) there is Not one soldier B u t who Sacrifices more in this Expedition than W o u l d B e the very loss of the Articles which we Borrow for two or three days. F r o m what is Reported in this town, I am L e d to Believe that General Philips is Expected into the Country A n d that Y o u r E x ­ cellency H a s some Aprehensions of a V i s i t to Richmond. Whatever M a y B e Y o u r intelligences of the Ennemy's intended Movements I B e g Y o u r Excellency w i l l please to G i v e me a full knowledge of them that I M a y , A s far as possible, Endeavour to Check General Philip's plan, and Render our services to this State. M a y I B e g leave to Request Y o u r Excellency that orders B e Given for the Getting of Provisions at Richmond. Backed Bread, fresh and salt Meat, with a Quantity of R u m W i l l B e Necessary. W e are so Entirely destitute of Shoes that Unless a large Number of them is Collected the feet of our M e n w i l l B e So sore A s to

[522]

2 1

1781

A P R I L

M a k e it impossible for them to Advance. W h a t P u b l i c Authority and Private Credit Could do I Have Already tried, but find M y s e l f obliged to trouble Y o u r Excellency w i t h the Care of Remedying our W a n t s . Should the Movements of the E n n e m y alter C i r c u m ­ stances, Y o u r Excellency

Will

determine where our

Provisions

ought to B e Collected. On M y A r r i v a l at A l e x a n d r i a , where I H a d two days Before sent One of M y A i d s de Camp w i t h A n Application to the Authority, I found that Not

One

Civil

Single W a g g o n Could B e

ob­

tained. Under these Circumstances I thought it was Better to Use M i l i t a r y impress. M y A i d de Camp, A V i r g i n i a n , W i t h Non Com­ missioned officers (to B e More Certain of their delicacy towards the

inhabitants)

and

people of the

Country Accompaying them

W e r e intrusted w i t h the Care of Providing Means to C a r r y us to frederic B u r g . I for

Request Y o u r Excellency to B e Convinced that M y Respect the

Rights

and

Conveniences

of

the

Citizens

Cannot

Be

E q u a l l e d B u t B y M y Zeal to forward E v e r y Means of securing their freedom, and that M y Happiness w i l l B e Compleat i f

our

Services may B e Useful to the State of V i r g i n i a . W i t h the Highest Respect I Have the Honor to B e Y o u r E x c e l ­ lency's Most obedient Humble Servant, RC (Stuart W. Jackson, Gloucester, Va., 1946); addressed in aide's hand: "His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esqr. Governor of the State of Virginia at Richmond," to which Lafayette add­ ed the notations "public Service to be forwarded with dispatch By the Chain, l.f." and his frank: "Lafayette M.G."; endorsed by a clerk: "Marquis Fayettes Letter reed Api 25. 81." On the day that Lafayette's letter was received, T J laid it before the Council and "The Board on considering a letter from the Marquis Fayette who is on his march to this Town, do advise that or­ ders be given for a sufficient quantity of rum and provisions to be laid in on James river between the Mann akin-town and Goochland Courthouse—and that an extract of that part of the Marquis's letter which mentions the extreme want of shoes for his troops be sent to Mr. Ross and he desired to procure a suf­ ficient number as speedily as possible" ( V a . Council J o u r . , n, 341 ). If T J wrote Ross in pursuance of this order, as was probable, the letter apparently has not survived, I N T E L L I G E N C E S O F T H E E N NEMY'S INTENDED MOVEMENTS: On

LAFAYETTE

this same day Steuben reported to Lafa­ yette (and to Washington in the same terms): "The preparation of the ene­ my at Portsmouth indicating an inten­ tion of Operating Offensively very soon and the number of militia in the field being too small to afford the least re­ sistance, I thought it prudent to remove every species of public stores to some distance in the Country and accordingly on the 16th Inst. I gave orders for that purpose [see T J to Steuben, 14 Apr. 1781, advising that stores at Prince George be removed to a place of safety]. The 18th fourteen sail of Vessells ap­ peared off Newport News. The next day they advanced as high up as Burwells ferry and yesterday were off James Town. I have no account of the number of troops on board nor can I with any degree of certainty judge of their in­ tentions. Government is preparing to quit Richmond from which place as well as from Petersburg many of the In­ habitants have already removed. The Militia come in very slow. Arms will be wanting for them and swords for the Cavalry which might be assembled. The Battery at Hoods is not half finished.

[ 523 ]

2 1 APRIL Every thing is in the same confusion as when Arnold came up the River. There is not a single Company of regular troops in the state and the militia are

1781

too inexperienced to hope for the least resistance from them" (Dft, Steuben to Lafayette and Washington, 21 Apr. 1781, NHi).

To William Preston SIR

In Council April 21st. 1781

Your favor of the 13th. is come duly to Hand. W e consent to the dividing your Militia into two battalions and will send you Commissions for a second Set of field Officers whenever you will forward to me the Courts Recommendations. Having been obliged by a movement of the Enemy up James River to pack up all our papers for removal, I am unable to send you the blank Commissions desired. They shall be sent by the next opportunity. I inclose you an order for 500 l b . of powder and 500 Flints. I hope your Militia will have gone to the Southward as formerly directed and that this will be the last Call on them to go South­ wardly while Things remain under their present Aspect. As soon as the regulars can be raised under the late Act, which is done or doing in all the Counties except eleven which with yours were re­ quired to aid General Greene, These Regulars will proceed to the Southward and we shall carry on the war in our Country with Militia. I am obliged to you for the Narrative of your Proceedings to the Southward. It was certainly not only justifiable but laudable and even indispensably necessary that you should have proceeded as you did to oppose the Public Enemy without orders from Govern­ ment which it would have been fatal to have awaited. This Case is expressly provided for in the Invasion L a w . This Narrative was not necessary with us for your personal Justification. I wish it were possible for you to enlist a Guard for a twelve­ month for the lead Mines, to receive the pay and rations of regular Souldiers. I f this cannot be done we must still leave it on your Militia till we can get a regular Guard to send up. I am &c, T . J . F C ( V i ) . Enclosure not found.

[524]

To Steuben SIR

Richmond Apr. 21. 1781. 7. o'clock A . M .

I have the honor of inclosing you a letter from Colo. Innes this moment come to hand. T h e circumstance of their halting under a favorable tide seems to shew their destination to be W i l l i a m s b u r g , and that the putting their men into boats is not merely a feint. I am told the Powhatan militia w i l l be at Manchester to-day. Also that a part of Capt. Mosby's new raised cavalry w i l l be there. I t is the desire and expectation of the Executive that the militia after receiving from them their call into the feild, should be subject to your orders altogether; for which reason we issue none to them. I have the honour to be with great respect S i r Your most obedt. T H : JEFFERSON

humble servt,

RC (NHi); addressed by T J : "The honble. Majr. Geni. Baron Steuben Chesterfd. C. house." Enclosure: Innes to T J , 20 Apr. 1781 (first letter from Innes, printed above under that date ) .

To Steuben SIR

Richmond Apr. 21. 1781. 11 o'clock A . M .

T h e inclosed letters No. 1 . are this moment come to hand. T h e public stores at this place are almost wholly removed and by this evening w i l l be as high as the Manakin town ferry. T h e heavy cannon are still here. I understand the Henrico militia w i l l be i n to day. I believe I mentioned i n my letter of this morning that those of Powhatan would be at Manchester to day, with a part of Capt. Mosby's cavalry. I am with much respect S i r Y o u r most obedt. T H : JEFFERSON

servt.,

P S . Since writing the above the letter No. 2 is come to hand. RC (NHi); addressed by T J : "The honble. Majr. Geni. Baron Steuben Chesterfd. C. house"; endorsed: "Gov­ ernor Jefferson 21 April. Reed 4 oClock same day." The enclosures called "No. 1" (the number having been interlined

by T J after he wrote the postscript) cannot be certainly identified; "the let­ ter No. 2," mentioned in the postscript as enclosed, is Innes' third letter to T J printed above under 20 Apr.

To Steuben SIR

Richmond Apr. 21. 1781. half after 7. P . M .

I was informed by a reputable man this afternoon that he saw about 3 0 0 of the enemy land this morning at Sandy point. H e said [ 525 ]

2 1 APRIL

17 8 1

that 2 5 of our guard had crossed the river there last night and carried their boats up a creek on the opposite side: and that the 2 5 which remained on this side retreated. Since this the inclosed let­ ter has come to hand. T h i s account and Colo. Innes's cannot both be right. T h e y seem however to prove that the enemy's object is on the North side James river. I fear that our boats at Sandy point are lost to us. I hope that by tomorrow there w i l l be a respectable body of militia here and at Manchester. I have the honour to be w i t h great respect S i r Y o u r most obedt. T H : JEFFERSON

sert,

RC (NHi); addressed by T J : "The honble. Majr. Geni. Baron Steuben Chesterfd. C. house"; endorsed: "Governor Jefferson 21 Api." Enclosure: Probably Benjamin Harrison's letter to T J of the present date, q.v.

From Steuben [21 April 1781] T h e great distress we are in for A r m s has determined me to deliver out all those we have here that were destined for the R e ­ cruits, excep 150 which I have delivered to the recruits that are here. I have in the same time taken the arms out of the hands of the Artificers, in order that they may be deliverd to the M i l i t i a . Notwithstanding our Distress I find that the 1,000 A r m s which have been distributed to the troops under Geni. Muhlenberg are not in a condition to be used I have orderd Capt. Prior to establish a Manufactory for the reparation of A r m s at Pawhatan Co. H o . I have written to G e n i . Muhlenberg to send the Armorers from Broad water to that place that they may be immediately set to work, but as more hands w i l l be necessary for the reparation of so great a number of A r m s in so short a time, I request your Excellency to furnish as many A r ­ morers as possible, to be Disposed of by Capt. P r i o r . T h e r e is a report that Colo. Simcoe has his Corps of 140 Cavalry in good order. T h i s is the terror of our M i l i t i a and the Consequences w i l l be disagreeable i f we do not take care to have a body of Cavalry, that w i l l at least counter balance this. I have received your Excellencys Letter on the Subject of the flag that is to go up Potowmack. Capt. [. . J Jones of the Cavalry is the only officer I can at present spare for that Commission. I have ordered h i m to this place, but in case he shall not be found I must request your Excellency to make choice of an officer of the State 1

[ 526 ]

2 1 APRIL

1781

Garrison Regiment, to whom I w i l l give the passports for the flagg and the Letter for Geni. Philips. Colo. Davies knows that it w i l l be impossible to spare an of­ ficer from this place, as we have scarcely sufficient to command the few recruits that we have. T h e M i l i t i a assembled at Richmond must remain there till the intention of the E n e m y is more clear, when they w i l l [. . . ] join. Those at Manchester, as soon as they are A r m e d , w i l l march to Petersburg and those at Petersburg w i l l march to Bland's Ordinary. T h e officers of the M i l i t i a must apply to Capt. P r i o r for A r m s . I have thought it necessary to advertise your Excellency of those Arrangements. 2

FC (NHi); endorsed: "To His Ex­ cellency Governor Jefferson 21st April. 1781," whence the date at head of our text is taken. Lacking salutation and dateline, F C may also be incomplete as to text.

to Geni Phillips by Capt Jones," NHi).

1 The initial or initials of Capt. Jones cannot be determined because of suc­ cessive erasures in FC. An apparent "C" and also a " J " or " I " (or perhaps "L") are discernible. The following appear CAPT. JONES may not have been found or the letter from T J to Phillips may to be possibilities: (1) Capt. Churchill have been recalled by T J as indicated Jones, 3rd Continental Dragoons; (2) in his letter to Gerlach, 3 May 1781, Capt. Cadwallader Jones, also 3rd Con­ q.v. But on this same day, perhaps in tinental Dragoons; and (3) Capt. Llew­ ellyn Jones, 1st Continental Dragoons anticipation of Capt. Jones' mission (Gwathmey, Hist. Reg. of Virginians rather than as a result of his being Revolution). found, Steuben wrote Phillips as fol­ i n the lows: "Agreeably to the enclosed Letter 2 One line of text shaved off at foot from his Excellency Governor Jeffer­ of page; see note to Senf to Steuben, 20 son, I have directed Capt. Jones, who Apr. 1781; on 22 Apr. John Pry or wrote will [have] the honor to deliver you this, Steuben: "Agreeable to your orders I to go in the Flag Geni Riedesel and delivered the Letter to his Excellency have furnished him with the proper the Governor and the orders to the Com­ passports for that purpose" (Steuben to manding Officers at Manchester and this Phillips, 21 Apr. 1781, endorsed: "Copy place" (Pryor to Steuben, 22 Apr. 1781, Richmond, NHi).

To John Syme SIR

In Council April 21st. 1781.

T h e Question you propose, whether the second Set of Field Officers be discontinued on the Reduction of the numbers of your M i l i t i a below the legal Number for two Battalions is really difficult. W e certainly shall not give any new Commissions after this, but whether the former ones are vacated or we the proper Judges to determine on it we cannot at present say. A n y Militia necessary for the Removal of Stores you are at liberty to keep. W h e n they shall have done that they must proceed their T o u r , with the A r m y if it be necessary. T h e E n e m y landed yester[day] at Burwells [527]

2 1 APRIL

1781

Ferry and James town. Colo. Innes retreated to Aliens Ordinary. T.J. FC (Vi).

From John Syme SIR

New Castle 21st April 1781.

I am to Ask Your pardon for Omitting the Return I mention'd; I now inclose it. You W i l l Observe, it falls greatly short of two Battalions. Your Excellency does not Direct me, How I am to Act in that Case; I did take notice of it Yesterday; W e think Here, the Court ought to Make the Arrangements, Accordingly, but I W a i t Your Determination. Yesterday Noon I Received Yours, Ordering out my Militia; I Have been as Quick as I Could. Part W i l l be with you this Day. I Have a Troublesome Job on my Hands again, as to the Artillery &cra. which Colo. Davies and Self, Have Concluded to send up the River, as High as Possible. I shall Want some Men About it; How many I can't Exactly say. You tell me Every Able Man of the Militia, but Yet suppose, the few Wanted Here will Scarcely make any Odds; I shall not intrude farther, on Your Excellency's time, & Have the Honor to be, Sir, Your Mo: Obedt. Servt., J

SYME

N B . While I am folding this Letter, The Postmaster informs me, the Enemy are at Wmsburg. R C ( V i ) ; addressed (in part): "By Frank"; endorsed. T h e enclosed return of militia (omitted from Syme's letter of the previous day, q.v.) is missing". T h e plan Davies and Syme had agreed upon to send the artillery up the river is set forth in letters from Syme to Davies of 20, 2 1 , 22, and 23 Apr. 1781 ( V i ) . The first of these may help to explain Davies' comment in his letter of 21 Apr. to T J concerning transportation of Continental stores, for in it Syme said: " I could wish with all my Heart, the Continental and State W a g gons might take up this Business, which seems totally at a stand and Certainly this T r a i n of Artillery is an Object of much importance at any time, more especially at this Crisis of Affairs. . . . I f the Artillery is not to be carried up James River by Water, from Westham, would it not answer to drop it somewhere in the Neighborhood of

Richmond, the Shells and Shott still nearer this place; or could they not be sent up this River by Water to the Fork." Davies replied the same day, to which Syme responded on 21 Apr.: "Yours of yesterday is before me, and am pushing my first Plan of sending the Cannon at least, up the River; the Shott and Shells, &cra. I do not think so very material. Mason is now out after Flat Bottom'd Boats. I f they Can't be Had, will it not be best, to Run the Flatts as High up as possible, and let them remain on Board, or L a n d them in Different and Obscure places. . . . Have mention'd the Artillery Buisness to the Governor." Other difficulties appeared. On 22 Apr. Syme reported to Davies: "Your Superintendent and myself dont understand E a c h Other by any means. You tell me you Rely altogether on me. . . . Therefore you'll be pleas'd to save the publick the Expence of M r .

[528 }

2 1 APRIL [Capt. Henry] Dudley, as he is dissatis­ fied with my orders, and totally un­ acquainted with things here &cra &cra." And again on the next day (after re­ turning to Davies an evidently misdi­ rected and unidentified letter from T J to Davies): " I am told Capt. Dudley is gone to you with Complaints. The Bearer Capt. Stanley will inform you of some particulars relative to him, but the Truth is he wants to Command me &cra &cra." Finally, on 23 Apr.: " I have written you so often of Late, that I am asham'd of it. Nothing but the

17 8 1

Salvation of the stores, could induce me to be thus Troublesome. Capt. Dudley will by no means answer this Business, for reasons inumerable and too Tedious to mention. For particulars I refer you to this Gentleman Wm. Bradford Esq., who comes Express to inform you of it. I can Get Men here acquainted with the River, the people, and that can Write. I beg my Dear Sir, you Let me Conduct this Matter. I am with Great Regard, & much Haste & Perplexity," &c. (see note to Davies to T J , 21 Apr.).

From George Weedon DEAR SIR

Fredericksburg A p i . 21st.

1781

I got here last night from Potowmac. On my leaving W i l l i a m s ­ burg I pushed across the Country into the Northern Neck, and geting Intelligence of the Ships coming down proceeded to Hollis's marsh where a body of M i l i t i a ware drawn together under the command of Colo. Richard Henry L e e . T w o Ships, T w o B r i g s , a Topsail Schooner and two Tenders, lay oposite, at Blackstones Island. T h e whole Fleet that had been up the R i v e r consisted off T h r e e Ships, T h r e e B r i g s , and Seven others of different Sizes. T h e y landed on their w a y up at Stradford near the M a r s h , and ware beat off by the M i l i t i a , this was the only place they landed at on the V i r g i n i a side as they went up the R i v e r . T h e y ware as high up as Geni. Washingtons seat, and some of their small Vessells went to Alexandria, cut out a Tobacco Vessell which however was by the Vigilence of the Inhabitants recovered and part of the pirats taken. A s they came down they landed in Joetank took off several of M r . Washingtons Negroes and did h i m other damage, again they landed at M r . Hoos F e r r y , distroy'd M r . Hooes Furniture, broak his W i n d o w s , and set his House on fire which was happily Extinguished. T h e y are now all gone down. I cannot learn there ware any land forces with them, and am A p t to think it was only a Manoeuvre to draw us from below, and to distract and divert us from succouring Geni. Green. T h e y gave out that they should return, made some enquiries about Hunters workes, which ware words of course. I n Maryland they have Committed Considerable Depredations. T h e Marquis w i t h his Detachment w i l l be here about the 25th. I shall immediately return to W i l l i a m s b u r g unless Baron Steuben directs otherwise. [529]

2 1

A P R I L

1781

I have the Honor to be with much Esteem & Regd. Your E x ­ cellencies Most Obt Most Hble Servt., RC (PHi); addressed and franked by Weedon; endorsed. JOETANK: "The name Chotank or Jotank was that of a Washington plan­ tation, of a creek and of a long stretch of quiet country along the south shore of the Potomac East and West of the creek" (Freeman, W a s h i n g t o n , I , 224). Lund Washington incurred George Washington's wrath by his behavior on this occasion: "It would have been a less painful circumstance to me," he wrote on 30 Apr. 1781 in response to Lund Washington's report of 18 Apr., "to have heard, that in consequence of your non-compliance with their request, they had burnt my House, and laid the Plantation in ruins. You ought to have considered yourself as my representa­ tive, and should have reflected on the bad example of communicating with the enemy, and making a voluntary of­

G WEEDON

fer of refreshments to them with a view to prevent a conflagration. . . . I am thoroughly perswaded that you acted from your best judgment. . . . But to go on board their Vessels; carry them refreshments; commune with a parcel of plundering Scoundrels, and request a favor by asking the surrender of my Negroes, was exceedingly ill-judged, and 'tis to be feared, will be unhappy in its consequences, as it will be a prec­ edent for others, and may become a subject of animadversion" (Washing­ ton, W r i t i n g s , ed. Fitzpatrick, xxii, 14). UNLESS BARON S T E U B E N DIRECTS OTH­

ERWISE: Weedon wrote Steuben an al­ most identical letter except for the fol­ lowing: " I shall return to my command as soon as I remove my Family which I am now about, unless you think proper to direct otherwise" (Weedon to Steu­ ben, 21 Apr. 1781, NHi).

To Robert Wooding SIR

In Council April 21st.

1781

T h e Prisoners of war should properly come addressed to your­ self as County Lieutenant, the office of guarding and conducting them being of a military and not civil nature. I shall therefore be glad you would always receive them, from either the person who brings them, or from the Sheriff, or other to whom they are de­ livered and send them on under a proper Guard to Winchester and not to Albemarle; the latter post has for some time been broke up, a Circumstance probably not known to Geni. Greene. T h i s Duty may perhaps be fairly enough considered as a Tour, as I suppose it generally [to] be a March of a Month. You will be pleased to observe that there is in every County a Deputy Com­ missary to whom it will be proper for you to address orders for the supply of provisions as the Prisoners and guards proceed. W h a t cannot be conveniently got from these Commissaries, must be im­ pressed as directed in the Invasion L a w . I am &c, FC ( V i ) .

[530]

T.J.

From Daniel Fisher SIR

Greenesville April 22d 1781

Y o u r Excellency's circular letter of the 12th instant I have just now recived. T h e reasons therein contained for carrying into execution, the law subjecting the militia delinquents to six months service, are so obvious and cogent, that to reflect a moment on its propriety, would betray a great want of discernment: B u t in this county, our being without commissions for the captains &c. w i l l retard it for some time. W e have had so many resignations, and new appointments, that hardly an officer below the degree of a Major is commissioned. Those now down with the General, are without. Should a court-martial be appointed, the backwardness w i l l be so great in executing the law above aluded to, that the of­ ficers w i l l make any plausible excuse for declining to give sentence against the delinquents. Y o u r Excellency w i l l therefore please to send commissions. T h a t our number of militia, v i z . one fourth, should be w i t h the General, I direct a much greater to rendezvous, out of whom, the releif has been appointed: those who have failed to appear, have as yet, only, been threatned. I have been applied to by Colo. James Mason, who is I am told in the Commissary's department, for discharges for some persons who are said to be in his service. I have refused to grant them any, the consequence is, they have disobeyed orders. I requested M r . Mason to speak to your Excellency on this subject, who promised me so to do; but hitherto I have received no answer. I shall be glad to know your Excellency's pleasure herein. I think it would be most prudent for the Commissaries to procure their assistants, out of those persons who are exempt from militia duty, either by age, or through infirmity, numbers of whom might be easily procured. Y o u r Excellency w i l l observe by the enclosed letter, who the per­ sons are that expect exemption, and the mode intended to be adopted, to effect them, which i f it succeeds, w i l l give great disgust to many of our militia. T h e letter of the 30th. of M a r c h last referred to in your E x c e l ­ lency's to which this is an answer has not yet come to hand. I have the honour to be Y o u r Excellency's most obedient Servt, D

FISHER

RC (Vi); addressed and endorsed. Enclosure missing:. Daniel Fisher was county lieutenant of Greensville co.; see TJ's reply, 24 Apr. 1781.

[531]

To Benjamin Harrison SIR

I n Council April 22d. 1781.

W e thought it best as I informed you in a former letter to call into Service on this occasion the M i l i t i a whose families and prop­ erty were not immediately exposed. Being circumscribed in our number of A r m s it still appears best, that what we have should be put into the hands of those Militia. W e r e we to send any to Charles City, we must dismiss so many M i l i t i a now collected here, and at Manchester; Experience has also shewn it preferable for another Reason to put your A r m s into the hands of those not exposed, be­ cause on the Enemy's coming into the exposed parts of the Country, the M i l i t i a of the Neighbourhood w i l l desert, carry off their A r m s , and perhaps suffer them to be taken off by the E n e m y . W e there­ fore think to retain the M i l i t i a collected and collecting here, who we expect every moment w i l l receive marching Orders from Baron Steuben, and that yours should be permitted to take Care of their families and property. I am informed the E n e m y have got possession of the Shipyard and that by the most unaccountable Inattention the L e w i s and Safeguard Gallies have withdrawn up Chickahominy instead of James R i v e r . I am &c, T.J. FC ( V i ) . TJ's FORMER L E T T E R appears to be

missing-, as is Harrison's letter appeal­ ing for arms and ammunition; the lat­ ter is obviously not one of the letters he wrote to T J on 21 Apr. 1781, as indi­ cated by the following reference to it in proceedings of Council for this date: "A letter was written to Colo. Harrison,

of Charles City, in answer to his appli­ cation for arms and ammunition for his Militia" ( V a . Council

Jour.,

H , 339).

James Innes some months earlier had suggested the kind of policy for calling out militia that would place most reli­ ance on those from a distance; see Innes to T J , 21? Oct. 1780, Vol. 4:55-7.

From James Innes SIR

Frank's Tavern. 24. miles from Williamsburg. April 22d Seven o'clock A . M .

T h e movements of the E n e m y on the Western side of chicka­ hominy R i v e r of which I apprized you yesterday by E x p r e s s has renderd it expedient for me to take m y present position which I think a very defencible one, from which too I can file off towards Richmond without exposing m y flanks or Rear to annoyance. T h e y possessed themselves of the Ship Y a r d about 4 o'Clocke yesterday, and I am apprehensive from the fire discoverd in that Quarter last [ 532 ]

22

APRIL

1781

night they have totally destroyed it. T h e troops by intense fatigues and vigilance and a scarcity of provision are much worn down. These Circumstances increase our number of Invalids daily. I am determined to halt at this place until the M e n can be comfortably recreated. I am sorry to inform you I have in vain called for the aid of the adjacent Counties. I am at present almost totally with­ out Horse. I f I had the power of impressing I should be able to form a very useful Corps of observation. I w i l l immediately order a Return of my strength and Stores and enclose it by the next E x ­ press. I am in want of waggons, provision and allmost every neces­ sary. W h e n I get an hours sleep which I have not enjoyed for upwards of sixty hours, I w i l l write you more fully. I am most respectfully Y r Excellencys most obt Serv., JAS INNES RC (Vi); addressed: "On Service . . . Express"; endorsed. F R A N K ' S TAVERN (the spelling is not certain, for Innes' handwriting in this letter is understandably difficult) is tentatively identified by Mrs. Kimball as "the old whitewashed brick building

still standing in sleepy New Kent Courthouse"; Kimball, Jefferson: W a rand Peace, p. 209. Innes wrote an almost identical letter to Steuben at the same time (NHi). The present letter was received the same day; see V a . C o u n c i l J o u r . , II, 339 and TJ's reply, following.

To James Innes DR SIR

Richmond April 22d. 1781. 8 o'Clock PM.

Y o u r favours of yesterday and to day came to hand about an hour ago. I am equally astonished and concerned to hear of your sufferings for provision. W e w i l l send off four waggons tomorrow with Flour, animal food and Spirit. I inclose you two impressing W a r r a n t s to obtain the means of transporting provisions to your A r m y and i f you w i l l let me know the number of waggons and Carts now belonging to your Corps and what Addition is necessary we w i l l endeavour to supply you. I am in hopes you w i l l give orders to M r . B r o w n ( w h o I expect is w i t h y o u ) to provide small maga­ zines of provisions at such places as you shall think proper. I would willingly have extended the impressing powers to horses for Troopers but that measure on former Occasions has given such Disgust as to induce me to avoid it. T h e r e is a Body of Militia Cavalry forming. About sixty are said to be already collected at Manchester who with the Infantry there and here (about 4 0 0 ) w i l l I expect receive immediate Order from Baron Steuben, to join you. T h i s is the fourth D a y since the Orders for calling in the Militia were issued and those are the whole yet assembled at this place and Manchester. [ 533 ]

22

A P R I L

17 8 1

T h e Account of the A r r i v a l of the second Division of the F r e n c h Fleet having been published here i n a hand B i l l I inclose you

a

number to be circulated among your troops. I had a Letter [to] D a y from the M a r q u i s Fayette dated B a l t i ­ more A p r i l 17th.

in w h i c h he informed me is hastening on

forced Marches to V i r g i n i a . I am &c, FC (Vi). The two enclosed "impress­ ing Warrants" have not been found, but were broad in scope, as indicated in proceedings of Council: "Two im­ press warrants were sent to Colo. Innes for the purpose of procuring waggons, carts, teams and drivers, vessels and their navigators for transporting neces­ saries to the army" ( V a . C o u n c i l J o u r . , n, 339). T J also enclosed copies of a handbill announcing the arrival of the second division of the French fleet in American waters; the text of this hand­ bill must have been that of the extract of the "Letter from Mr. Nicolson from Fredericksburg" quoted in William Hay's first letter to T J under date of 21 Apr. 1781; the printed version is not recorded in the bibliographies, and no copy has been found. There is no ref­ erence to this news of the French fleet in V a . Gaz. (D & N ) for 21 Apr. 1781, though that issue contains an extract "of a letter from Fredericksburg, dated 17 Apr. 1781" concerning the move­ ment of Graves' ships on Chesapeake and a summary of information, based on letters of Innes and others, about Phillips' movement up the James. A BODY OF M I L I T I A CAVALRY FORM­

ING: In addition to those assembled by

by

T.J.

Littleberry Mosby (see Mosby to T J , 18 Apr. 1781), the following proceed­ ings in Council on this day indicate that others had responded to the urgent need: "The Governor informed the Board that proposals having been made to him, out of Council, by Captains White and Webber to raise a troop of Cavalry each—he had accepted of them on the following conditions. They to find their own horses and accoutre­ ments. Their horses to be good. To serve two months. To be subject to rules as Militia. The public to furnish pay, rations and forage. Grenadiers swords ( to be returned ). To ensure their horses against every thing but their own neg­ ligence. To credit this service as a tour of Duty. Commissions to be given to those who raise them: The Board ap­ proves of the conditions" ( V a . C o u n c i l J o u r . , n, 339). White and Webber were not among those to whom T J addressed proposals for a militia cavalry on 12 Apr. 1781 (see T J to Robert Boiling, that date) but the terms agreed upon were substantially the same. Webber may have been Lt. Philip Webber of the Goochland militia; White cannot be identified (see Gwathmey, H i s t . R e g . of

V i r g i n i a n s i n the

Revolution).

Joseph Martin to Arthur Campbell DEAR SIR

Long Island the 22d. A p r i l 1781

I R e t u r n d to this place on friday last after a T o u r of 19 D a y s . I t happend very fortunate our going out at the T i m e we D i d as there was a large Body of Indians Collected in powePs V a l e y w h i c h we should most Certainly have fallen i n w i t h , i f M a j r . L e w i s had

not

alarm'd them. I was at one Camp wheare there could not be less then a hundred. Several other T r a i l s of Smaller parties all makeing T o w a r d s the mouth of powels R i v e r only one partie w h i c h Seemd the freshest w h i c h W e followed about thirty miles below Cumber­ land G a p Came up w i t h them Incampt Surrounded them undis-

[ 534]

22

APRIL

178 1

covered B u t the Camp being so Close we Could not Discover them before they run out. W e fired about thirty Guns on them. Several of them Seem'd to be Badly wounded. T h e Cain was so thick they Could not be presued on horseback. W e got five guns Blankets shot pouches &c. On one of their horses was wrote in full J o h n B r o w n . T h e said B r o w n was K i l l d in Cumberland G a p which Induces me to believe it is the party that always watches that place. B y such a body as was Collecting it appears that they E i t h e r Intended to attack the Stations or strike a heavy B l o w on our frontiers. I made no stay at the Camp but pushed on as fast as possible for about Seventy miles further being still on fresh sign when the men Stopt and Refused to go any further Saying I was T a k e i n g them to Chickamogga that we was T o weak their pro­ visions near out and their horses T y e r d . I D i d E v e r y thing in my power to prevail on them to G o about ten miles further but Could not. I am Convinca we was within a few miles of Some T o w n as I saw whear they T o o k in meat on horseback the blood not D r y on the Bushes. T h e y have T a k e n a number of horses that w a y this Spring. Should write more particular but M r . Price w i l l Deliver this to you who w i l l Give you a particular account of the whole. I n the mean time I B e g leave to inform you that I am very Desirious of go­ ing to the E n d of the path we left if men and provisions Can be had at any Rate as our frontiers must Expect Great Distress from that quarter i f they are not Broke up. M r . Price Says i f he Meets with your approbation he Can Raise 50 men at any time. H e has behaved very well on this T o u r being one of the Spies. Our whole stock of provision of seting out from the Cove was 2Vi of Bacon and half Bushel of Corn pr. man. Our Strenght 65 men Including officers. I am S r . with Great Regard your most obd Sert, Jos

MARTIN

P S T h e Body of Indians Broke on our approach as we saw sign of several small parties makeing home. I Cant hear whether Colo. Savier went to meet the Messenger was sent to the nation or not. I am T o l d there was a woman and Child K i l l d on lick Creek last week. Should any news arrive from the nation shall send you I m ­ mediately. I am very Desirious of hearing the news from Cornwallace. B e g you w i l l write me by the first Opertunity. J M RC ( V i ) ; addressed: "Colo Arthur Campbell Washington [ i . e . , W a s h i n g t o n c o . , V a . ] favourd by Mr [Ben?] Price." This letter was enclosed in Arthur Campbell's letter to T J dated 25 Apr. 1781, q.v.

[ 535 ]

To Steuben SIR

Richmond Apr. 22d.

aft. 5. P . M .

I inclose you two letters from Colo. Innes just received. W e are in very great anxiety for him. H i s force we are told is very consider­ ably reduced by desertion, and he has no Cavalry. I make no doubt you see how far it is necessary to send h i m reinforcements and w i l l order them accordingly. I have no return of the numbers of M i l i t i a here. Indeed it is changing every hour by the arrival of others. Report makes them three or four hundred at this place and M a n ­ chester. T h e new raised Cavalry or a due portion of it might per­ haps be of singular value to h i m . W e have determined to remove our Armourers Shops to the F o r k of James R i v e r immediately. Colo. Davies expects they w i l l be at work there within ten D a y s and that he shall be able to procure a very considerable number of Hands there. Considering the greater Security of that place than Powhatan Court House and the little probabality from Geni. Mughlenburgs letter of removing the Armourers from Broadwater, you w i l l perhaps think it better that our Armourers should all be employed together at the F o r k under Colo. Davies's direction than to send any part of them to Powhatan Court House. W e made a proposition to the M i l i t i a of Prince George which we had reason to believe would have effected the immediate com­ pletion of the W o r k at Hoods: it was that every M a n of that County who would go or send an able Labourer to work there twelve days should have six weeks Credit in his tours of duty out of the County. Unfortunately the Movements of the E n e m y obliged us the very next day to call every M a n into the feild. Nevertheless i f you think it more important, you w i l l be pleased to permit such of them to quit the feild as choose to comply with the proposition. One cau­ tion may perhaps be necessary, that is, to order those M i l i t i a to a seperate position from that of the other Counties before the license is granted them, lest the restraining the Offer to the M i l i t i a of Prince George might produce an idea of partiality and give dis­ satisfaction to the rest. One County w i l l suffice for the execution of this work, and it would be improvident to extend the Proposition to more. I inclose you some intelligence which at this time of depression we thought it would be well to print in hand B i l l s , and communi­ cate to both Armies. I send a parcel to Colo. Innes's and trouble you with those for Geni. Mughlenburg's. I received a Letter from the Marquis Fayette to D a y dated Baiti­ li 536 ]

2 3 A P R I L

1781

more A p r i l 17. H e was then coming on by forced Marches for Virginia. I have the honor to be with great respect S i r Y o u r most obedt. T H : JEFFERSON

Servt., RC (NHi); in a clerk's hand, with dateline, salutation, and signature in TJ's hand; endorsed. F C ( V i ) . Enclosures: Innes to T J , 21 Apr. and 22 Apr., qq.v.; also copies of handbill an-

nouncing arrival of second French fleet in American waters (missing, but see note to TJ's letter to Innes of the pres­ ent date).

From William Davies, with Reply SIR

W a r office April 23. 1781.

F r o m M r . Browne's account it is impossible, I should think, that Col. Innes should be in want of provision. I f he has crossed at Ruf­ fino, as M r . Browne says he has, it would be proper to send to New Castle what stores you may under the present circumstances think necessary to order to h i m . A t present we are in great dis­ tress for want of waggons. E v e r y one of the public offices almost, as the treasury, the land office, the Auditors, the Hospital having waggons waiting and entirely idle. T h i s is really injurious, and I beg your Excellency's directions either that the waggons may immediately take from the public offices whatever can be spared, or that the Quartermaster may have the liberty of employing them otherwise. Some of them have been idle two days. I t is necessary somebody should go up to the counties in the neighborhood of the Barracks, to collect the arms and take [them to] the point of fork. I suppose it w i l l be proper to give a warrant for some money to enable the person to move. I beg to know your Excellency's opinion about the provision and quantity to be sent to C o l . Innes. I am your Excellency's most obedt hble servt, WILLIAM

DAVIES

I n Council Apr. 23. 1781. Colo. Innes's information being that the army under his com­ mand is in the utmost distress for provisions we must suppose it fact and therefore still think it necessary to send h i m the four wag­ gons of provisions as promised h i m : and the rather because of our having promised it. I t does not seem credible he should have crossed at Ruffin's. W e approve of sending a person to collect the arms about the barracks and that money be furnished. [ 537]

23

A P R I L

1 7 8 1

E x p e c t i n g every moment to hear of the movements of the enemy and that this w i l l determine whether a removal of the public papers be necessary we postpone giving any orders about the

waggons

T H : JEFFERSON

at the several offices.

RC (Vi); addressed. TJ's reply, in his own hand, is on a separate page of Davies' letter and is endorsed by Davies. Ruffin's ferry was on the Pamunkey river and Innes had, in fact, crossed it; see his letter of this date to T J , below.

From William Davies War Office [Richmond], 23 Apr. 1781. Encloses an extract of a let­ ter from Gen. Greene "which came to hand this Morning." RC ( V i ) ; 3 p.; addressed and en­ dorsed. The enclosed extract of a let­ ter from Greene to Davies was undoubt­ edly taken from that of 11 Apr. 1781, dated at Little River ( T r in CSmH). The extract was transmitted by T J to Huntington on this date, but it has not been further identified. It may possibly have been that part in which Greene approved Davies' going to the War Of­ fice (a subject on which Huntington had written T J on 18 Apr.). The following sentence in Greene's letter may explain why Davies sent an extract to T J rather than the full let­ ter: " I believe no state abounded with such a plenty as Virginia ever experi­ enced such a scarcity for want of order and a proper application of her supplies. From your abilities and application I am in hopes there will be a great ref­ ormation. . . ." Greene was far from consistent in statements that he made about this subject, and the temper of his remarks seems to have been gauged by the identity of his correspondent. To Washington, with whom Greene was flattering almost to the point of syco­ phancy, he had written on 18 Mch.

1781: "Virginia has given me every support I could wish, or expect, since Lord Comwallis has been in North Carolina; and nothing has contributed more to this than the prejudice of the people in favor of your Excellency, which has been extended to me from the friendship you have been pleased to honor me with" ( T r in CSmH). There is no evidence in actual fact or in Greene's correspondence with T J , Da­ vies, Steuben, or others in the spring of 1781 to justify this extreme statement. His comment to Davies also bears com­ parison with his letter of 7 Apr. 1781 to Thomas Sim Lee, Governor of Mary­ land, which contains a statement that Greene would never have made to the Governor of Virginia: "Had it not been for the very great exertions of Virginia the Southern States must have fallen. But it will be impossible for that State to give effectual aid to this army, while they have such a large body of the enemy in the bowels of the State" ( T r in CSmH). Greene's habitual approach in matters of this sort was to shame, to press, and to harass officials rather than to encourage and to praise.

To Samuel Huntington SIR

Richmond April 23d. 1 7 8 1 .

On the 18. instant the enemy came from Portsmouth up J a m e s river in considerable force, tho' their numbers precisely are not

yet

known to us. T h e y landed at B u r w e l l s ferry below W i l l i a m s b u r g and

near the

mouth of Chickahominy above it. T h i s latter cir[ 538 ]

23

A P R I L

1781

cumstance obliged Colo. Innes who commanded a body of M i l i t i a Stationed on that Side the river to cover the country from depreda­ tion, to retire upwards lest he should be placed between their two bodies. One of these entered W i l l i a m s b u r g on the 20th. and the other proceeded to a Shipyard we had on Chickahominy. W h a t injury they have done there I am not yet informed. I take for granted they have burnt an unfinished 2 0 gun Ship we had there. Such of the Stores belonging to the yard as were moveable had been carried some miles higher up the river. T w o small Gallies also retired up the river. Whether by this either the Stores or Gallies were saved is as yet unknown. I am just informed from a private hand that they left W i l l i a m s b u r g early yesterday morning. I f this sudden departure was not in consequence of some circumstance of alarm unknown to us, their expedition to W m s b u r g has been unaccountable. T h e r e were no public Stores there but those which were necessary for the daily use of the men stationed there. W h e r e they mean to descend next the event alone can determine. Besides harrassing our Militia with this kind of w a r their being taken from their farms at the interesting season of planting their corn w i l l have an unfortunate effect on the crop of the ensuing year. I have heard nothing certain of Geni. Greene since the 6th. instant, except that his headquarters were on little river on the 11th. I have the honor to be with the highest respect Y o u r Excellency's T H : JEFFERSON

mo. ob. & mo. hble. Servant,

R S . Since w r i t i n g the above the within extract of a letter from M a j r . Geni. Greene to Colo. Davies Commissioner of our w a r office, is put into my hands. RC ( D L C : PCC, No. 71, n ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed and with postscript by T J ; endorsed: "Letter 23 April 1781 from Govr of Virginia Read May 4." F C ( V i ) ; lacks postscript. T r

( D L C ) . Enclosure: See note to precedin g letter. An identical letter, except that it lacks the postscript, was sent by T J to Washington this day.

From James Innes DEAR SIR

Camp Ruffin's Ferry, April 23. 1 7 8 1

Having received Intelligence last E v e n i n g that the E n e m y were moving up Chickahominy R i v e r Road with an Intention to attempt a Stroke at the P a r t y under my Command, and had actually ad­ vanced so far up as to be able to compel me to give them Action on the most disadvantageous T e r m s , should I endeavour to retreat by the W a y of N e w K e n t Court house. I n this Situation, encum[ 539 )

23

A P R I L

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1

bered as my L i n e was by upwards of an hundred sick and wounded, without Hospital Stores or Surgeons, burthened too w i t h twenty Waggons loaded with the public Stores, which I had ordered from W m s b u r g and its Environs—considering the fatal Consequences that must result from a Defeat of my Party, by the Loss of the public A r m s in their Hands and the two Field Pieces annexed to it, knowing too the Superiority of the Enemy's Numbers and the Advantage they must derive from having a Body of Cavalry and fresh Troops in acting against my Detachment without one well equipped Horse, and almost worn down with Fatigue and Hunger —influenced by these Considerations and the Advice of all the Field officers, I determined to run no Hazard at such a critical Juncture as the present. I accordingly changed m y Route, and filing off to the R i g h t , passed all the Stores and Troops over P a munkey R i v e r at this Place, where I found, according to Informa­ tion, a very welcome supply of Provisions. I shall now have it in my Power to dispose of the Invalids, give the Troops a little R e ­ freshment, send the Baggage and Stores off to a Place of safety, and either march up towards Richmond with the Troops light, disencumber'd and refreshed, by recrossing the R i v e r and falling into the Road through N . K e n t ; or by continuing up on this side and crossing the R i v e r at Pages Warehouses, which I am told makes only the Difference of 7 Miles. I have sent out to discover the real Designs of the E n e m y ; and the Moment I receive authentic Information, I shall put the Troops in Motion. L a s t Night they destroyed the Vessels and Buildings at the Ship Y a r d and some naval Stores at Diascon Bridge. I am also informed, tho' not of­ ficially, that the Party which moved up the Chickahominy Road have burnt Holt's Forge, and are moving in three Columns towards N K e n t C . House. I n a few Hours I shall know the T r u t h of these Reports. A t all Events I think it would be proper to stop the Pro­ visions you have ordered down on the Road to N . K e n t Court house. I am, dear S i r , with the greatest Respect, Y o u r mo: Obedt. & very hble Servt., JAS INNES R C ( V i ) ; addressed; endorsed: "Colo Innes L r reed Api 25. 81." Received by T J before 7:30 A . M . 24 Apr.; see T J to Steuben, that date.

[540]

To Lafayette SIR

Richmond April 23d. 1781.

I had the pleasure yesterday to receive your favor of the 17th. inst. and am very happy that the Southern States are to have the Benefit of your Aid. On the 18th. inst. the enemy came from Portsmouth &c. (as in the following Letter to the President of Congress to the words Little River on the 1 1 t h . ) W e still consider his [Greene's] as the interesting Scene of action to us. As long as we can keep him superior to his Antagonist we have little to fear in this Country. Whenever he shall be obliged to retire before Lord Cornwallis and to bring him also into this State our Situation will become dangerous. North as well as South Carolina being once in the Hands of the Enemy may become the Instruments of our Subjugation and effect what the Enemy themselves cannot. The British force may harrass and distress us greatly but the Carolinas alone can subdue us. The Militia of North Carolina is very nearly as numerous as that of this State. Out of that our Enemy will be able to raise great Armies. W e therefore think it our first Interest to keep them under in that Quarter, considering the war in our own Country but as a second­ ary Object. For this Reason we mean to send our new Levies for the regular Army to General Greene as fast as they shall be raised, acting with our Militia on the Defensive only in this State. I shall do myself the pleasure of communicating further to you the future movements of the Enemy with us and Occurrences to the Southward also as far as they shall become known to me. I am &c, T.J. 1

FC ( V i ) . In acknowledging the missing RC on 25 Apr., Lafayette refers to this letter as dated "yesterday" (24 Apr.). i That is, in the letter to Samuel Huntingdon printed above under this date.

To Samuel McDowell SIR

I n Council April 23d. 1781

Y o u r Letter of the 20th. has been considered by the Board. W e are exceedingly sorry that the Militia Service of necessity falls so heavily on the Citizens of our State and would gladly embrace every Opportunity of relaxing it. A l l we can do however is to keep the Burthen as equal as possible on all the Counties. W e keep an A c [541]

2 3

A P R I L

1 7 8 1

count of all the T o u r s required by us and the proportions of Men; On view of this it did not appear that your County had been called on more frequently than others. However i n the State you send it appears that they have had one T o u r more than the other Counties ( w h i c h tho' not ordered by us and therefore unknown and unnoted we yet approve o f ) and on this Consideration dispense w i t h their going to General Greene on the present Occasion. T h i s C a l l having been the Cause of our suspending the A c t of October 1 7 8 0 for raising new Levies, on revoking i t , we think it necessary to take off that Suspension and to require that you now proceed in the Execution of that A c t . I am &c, T.J. FC ( V i ) . At head of text: "Colo. Samuel McDowell." The proceedings of Council for 23 Apr. 1781 show that T J laid Mc­ Dowell's letter of 20 Apr. before the

board and he was advised to direct McDowell to proceed in the execution of the Act for raising new levies ( V a . C o u n c i l J o u r . j n, 340).

From Sarah Mcintosh SIR

Mecklenburgh County Apri 23rd. 1 7 8 1 .

I am extremely obliged to your Excellency for your very polite letter, and I return m y most cordial thanks to the state of V i r g i n i a for the seasonable releif which m y distressed famely has lately received thro your Excellency. I hope notwithstanding m y Famely is numerous and small, that the ten thousand pounds which your excellency w a s pleased to send by Colo. Russell, w i l l contribute to Clothe and support us for some time; as I mean to consult all possible Oeconomy i n its ex­ penditure. I have the honour to be with very great respt, S i r , y r . excys. most obt. & most h i . S t . ,

SARH. MCINTOSH

RC ( V i ) ; addressed; endorsed: "Mrs Mcintosh Letter." See T J to Sarah Mcintosh, 23 Mch. 1781 and references there.

To the President of the Board of War SIR

I n Council April 23d 1 7 8 1

Colo. W o o d has applied to us to take Measures for furnishing provisions and building Barracks for the Convention Prisoners at Winchester. Neither of those can be effected without considerable Sums of Money either advanced or to be paid within some reason­ able T i m e and I am sorry to be obliged to inform you it is not i n [542}

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1

our power to do either. Such are the Calls on us for Money for Southern A r m y and for the A r m y in our Country that our

the

Efforts

are exhausted, in complying with a part only of these, and I firmly

am

persuaded that could our Advances and Exertions for

Continent be stated to you, you would be sensible that no

the Call

either for M e n , Money, or provisions on Account of these Prisoners should be made on us. W h i l e we were in tolerable Quiet and

our

neighbours under Difficulties we chearfully took on us the Support and guard of these T r o o p s : but when we have a w a r on our W e s t ­ ern, Southern, and E a s t e r n quarters, w h i c h keeps our

Existence

in daily question we cannot withdraw from that a single exertion, nor deceive you by giving you a hope of our being able to support those Prisoners in w h i c h we should surely fail. I am &c, FC ( V i ) . It is almost certain that Wood made his application in person rather than by letter, for on 23 Apr. 1781 the Council, in addition to directing the Auditors to issue a warrant to him for £3,000, took the following action: "Colonel James Wood having solicited that measures might be taken for furnishing provi­ sions and Barracks to the Convention Prisoners at Winchester; the Board ad­ vise the Governor to write to the Presi­

T.J.

dent of the Board of war informing him of the impossibility of either of these being effected without considerable sums of money, and how impracticable it is for this state to make the advances" ( V a . C o u n c i l J o u r . , n, 340). If appli­ cations or proposals were made by let­ ter, the proceedings of Council usually stated the fact; also, Wood was in Richmond on business on 23 Apr. (see T J to Steuben, 24 Apr. 1781).

From Steuben SIR I

Petersbg 23 A p i 1781 this moment received intelligence from

Gen.

Muhlenburg

which I inclose you. Y o u r letters of Yesterday are received and shall be answered the STEUBEN

first leisure moment Y r E x c e l l c y s Dft (NHi) endorsed: "Copy to Govr Jefferson 23 Api 1781 8 o Clk Pm." Enclosure missing, but from two let­ ters that Steuben wrote to James Innes on the same day it is clear what informa­ tion Muhlenberg had transmitted. ( 1 ) In the first of these letters, dated 23 Apr. "12 o Clk M [noon]," Steuben acknowledged Innes' letter of the 20th and added: " I am of opinion that the Enemy mean for the present but to Occupy the Neck of Land between the York and James River as high up as Williamsburg, and their movement up Chickahominy was such as might be expected in order to oblige our Troops

to remove higher up the Country that they might remain there without being harrassed. . . . I am endeavoring to have the fortification at Hoods put in the best state of defence possible; and making what other preparations in my power, to oppose the Enemy should they advance on this side the James River"; (among these preparations, at the height of an invasion and when the enemy's movements were uncertain, was Steuben's general orders of the day be­ fore which revealed his fundamental quality as a drillmaster: "The advan­ tage disciplined troops have over others is incontestable, and points out the ne-

[ 543 ]

2 3 APRIL cessity of our immediately attending to so important an article. . . . The troops will be exercised in marching in the morning, and the manual in the after­ noon"). (2) But Steuben's first letter had scarcely got off to Innes when in­ formation arrived that put a stop to drilling and threw Steuben's headquar­ ters into feverish activity: at "8 o Clk PM" on the 23rd Steuben wrote Innes: " I have this moment received intelli­ gence that the enemy have left your side and come too at Hoods this after­ noon at three o Clk. This being the case it would be necessary you should approach James river. Should they land on your side a more excellent position can not be found to oppose the enemy than at turkey island. I this day ordered one half the militia assembled at Rich­ mond to that place and the other half to long bridge. You will dispose of the whole according to circumstances; ac­ quaint me by return of express where to find you, and from time to time of your situation." At the same time Steu­ ben issued orders to the commander of militia at Manchester to repair at once to Osborne's; to the commander of mili­ tia at Richmond to divide his force as indicated in Steuben's second letter to Innes; and to his aide-de-camp, Major Pontson, to remove all stores and mili­ tia from Chesterfield to Powhatan court­ house (file copies of all of these orders and of the two letters to Innes are in NHi). Innes, unfortunately, was in no position to approach the James or post himself at Turkey Island: he had crossed the Pamunkey and on 23 Apr. had heard that "A Detachment of the British Army consisting . . . of one thousand men are marching rapidly by the Chas City Road towards Richmond," a report that caused him to give up the idea of recrossing the Pamunkey at Ruffin's (as he had told T J he might do) and instead to march up the north bank of that river for Richmond by way of Page's Warehouse (Innes to Steuben, 23 Apr. 1781, NHi). Two days later, from Page's, Innes further reported to

1781

Steuben: " I advertised you by Express of the reasons which obliged me to take this Route. Fearing that from the care­ lessness of the Express riders, that my Letter may not have reached you, I en­ close a copy of it. In addition to the reasons therein urged, I may add that some of the lower Counties woud not turn out and I was informed by the Governor that the Tardiness of the up­ per counties was such that speedy rein­ forcements could not be expected [see T J to Innes, 21 Apr. 1781]. I shall en­ camp within ten miles of Richmond to­ night in a safe position from whence I can move either up or down as exigen­ cies may require or as my orders desire. . . . I have informed the Governor by Express of my present position, and beg'd to be informed at what place near Richmond the Troops are collected [see Innes to T J , 24 Apr. 1781]" (Innes to Steuben, 25 Apr. 1781; Steuben re­ ceived this letter at 8:00 A.M. on the 26th and replied at once that he had "not the smallest Doubt but that the manuvres you have made were from the Dictates of Reason," NHi). Steuben then ordered Innes to Osborne's, but Innes— who must have been smarting under criticism for having crossed the Pamun­ key, but who had in the past few days exhibited a remarkable degree of vigor­ ous movement—though acquiescing in this command, asked Steuben: "May I be pardoned for wishing to have the honor to be called into immediate and active service? Various reasons both of a p u b l i c and p r i v a t e nature induce me to take the Liberty to express the in­ clinations of myself and of my Corps on this Subject" (Innes to Steuben, 26 Apr. 1781, six miles from Richmond, NHi). Steuben replied that he could not call Innes "into more immediate or more active service than by placing you at Osborns where it is most likely the enemy will attempt something if they come any higher up the river"—an opin­ ion fully justified within a few hours after Steuben had expressed it (Steuben to Innes, 27 Apr. 1781, NHi).

Steuben to William Davies DEAR COLO.

Petersburg. 23 April. 12 oClock

A s I am unacquainted with officers commanding the M i l i t i a at Richmond, and it being m y desire that of those that are A r m e d one [ 544 ]

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1 7 8 1

half shall march immediately to T u r k e y I s l a n d and the other to the L o n g bridge on Chickahominy, I have inclosed the order, w h i c h I request you to communicate. I

only wait the arival of Colo. Senf, to visit hoods and B l a n d s

Ordinary, where I intend m a k i n g the Disposition, to oppose the E n e m y Should [he] come this side the R i v e r . I

am Dear Colo, [ w i t h ] much esteem your most Obed humble S T E U B E N Maj:

Servt, RC ( V i ) ; in an aide's hand, signed by Steuben; addressed: "Colo. Davies at the War Office Richmond"; endorsed by Davies: "Barons orders for the com­ manding officer at Richmond." Enclo­ sure (NHi): See note to preceding let­ ter. The commander of the militia at Richmond was Col. James Wood, who had temporarily relieved Col. Southall. T J , acting partly on the correct assump­ tion that Steuben did not know at the time he issued these orders that Innes had crossed the Pamunkey and was therefore unable to "correspond" with the commanders of the militia at Rich­ mond and Manchester, modified these orders ( T J to Steuben, 24 Apr. 1781). Other orders, which arrived in Rich­ mond at 9:00 A.M. on the 25th, brought forth a response from Wood that could only have filled Steuben with under­ standable dismay and indignation. Wood replied to Steuben immediately that he had only 300 rank and file at Richmond,

Geni:

that the arms were rusty and in a poor state of repair, and that nothing could be attempted with any prospect of suc­ cess by such men. "At the time I was prevailed upon by his Excellency Gov­ ernor Jefferson to take a Temporary Command of militia," Wood added, " I was attending the Executive by order of Congress, on matters respecting the command of which I have been upon for some time past. The peculiar situation of my Post will make it Ruinous for me to be Detained, which I make no Doubt Governor Jefferson has informed you. . . . Congress have directed that the British Officers of Convention shou'd be immediately sent to the State of Con­ necticut, which cannot be complied with till my return. Add to this, the whole Troops of Convention are at this time without Provisions, or money to procure them, and will remain in that Situation until my Return" (Wood to Steuben, 25 Apr. 1781, NHi).

To George Washington Richmond, 23 Apr. 1781. This letter is identical with TJ's letter to Samuel Huntington of this date except that it lacks the postscript. RC (DLC: Washington Papers); 3 p.; in a clerk's hand, signed by T J ; endorsed: "Richmond 23d. April 1781 from Governor Jefferson. Ansd. 16 May." F C ( V i ) . Tr ( D L C ) . Printed in H A W , I , 304-5, and elsewhere.

To George Weedon SIR

Richmond Apr. 2 3 . 1 7 8 1 .

T h e inclosed letter was forwarded to me by B a r o n Steuben. I suppose it contains an answer to the proposition for exchange of prisoners, and am anxious for a communication of it. [ 545 ]

24

APRIL

17 8 1

On the 18th. the enemy came from Portsmouth up James river, their force unknown. T h e y landed in two bodies, the one at B u r well's ferry, the other near the mouth of Chickahominy. T h i s latter circumstance obliged Colo. Innes to retire lest he should be found between the two fires. T h e upper party proceeded to the Shipyard. W h a t injury they did there is not yet known to me. I take for granted they burnt the T h e t i s . T h e stores had been all removed 8 or 10 miles higher up. T h e two small gallies also retired up the [river]. Whether by this they have been saved is not yet known. T h e enemy left W m s b u r g yesterday morning. W h e r e next the event alone w i l l shew. T h o ' this is the 5th day since every man able to bear arms in Hanover, Goochld, Henrico, Chesterfd., Powhatan, Dinwiddie and Prince George and half those of Amelia and C u m ­ berland were ordered to assemble at Petersburg and this place, without waiting to be formed into companies in their own counties, yet we have here only a little upwards of 3 0 0 . H o w many at Peters­ burg I know not, but probably not many more. I am with much respect S i r Y o u r mo. ob. servt., T H : JEFFERSON RC (PPAP); addressed (without place) and franked. Enclosure missing, but the fact that T J assumed it referred to the subject of an exchange and, more particularly, the fact that he declined to open it and yet took for granted that Weedon would communicate its con­ tents to him prove that it was from Wil­

liam Phillips to Weedon. It was ob­ viously Phillips' letter of 12 Apr. 1781, transmitted with Weedon's letter to T J of 25 Apr. 1781, q.v. Steuben does not mention such an enclosure in any of his letters to T J between 12 and 23 Apr. and it may be that he forwarded Phil­ lips' letter separately.

From Rawleigh Colston SIR

Cape François Apr. 24th 1781.

Presuming that your State may Stand in need of cloathing for the Soldiers, I take the liberty of acquainting you that I have lately received a consignment of about one thousand Joannes's prime cost of woolens containing between 1 1 and 12 thousand E l l s w h i c h are extremely well adapted for that purpose amongst them a quan­ tity of blanketing stuff all which I could furnish you w i t h on very moderate terms. I f a vessell could be dispatched immediately, w i t h a cargo of the best Superfine Flower, in neat casks of 180 or 1 9 0 f t . nett, it would be attended with Great profit to the State, as that article w i l l at present command 2 5 0 livres per barrell. I thought it m y duty to make your State a tender of these articles i n preference to any other, and shall wait a reasonable time for an answer. I have also on consignment a quantity of R u s s i a D r i l l [546]

24

APRIL

1781

proper for Summer cloathing. I beg your Excellencys excuse for troubling you on this Subject. I should have addressed myself to the board of trade, had I been certain that it still existed. I have the Hon. to be Your Excellency's Mo. Obt. Servt RAWLEIGH

RC ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. On Rawleig'h Colston, a Williams­ burg and West India merchant, see VMHB, XXV (1917), 279-82, where other letters from him and a good biographi­ cal note will be found. Ironically, at the time this letter was written the British

COLSTON

forces under Phillips were engaged in destroying flour "destined for the Span­ iards" that had been stored and could not be shipped because of the enemy's control of the Virginia capes (John Graves Simcoe, M i l i t a r y J o u r n a l , p. 201-202).

To Daniel Fisher SIR

Richmond April 24th. 1781

Your Letter was handed me at a Time when I was much engaged in preparing to render a visit then expected from the Enemy as little prejudicial as possible. The Act of Assembly having not exempted the Commissaries from Militia Duty, we do not chuse to give them a formal Exemption. Yet their Exertions are so essential for subsisting the Army when assembled that it is impos­ sible for them to be better employed and we should certainly con­ sider a commanding Officer as in the right who should view their Services as of an actual military nature. Indeed the Staff is as much a part of an Army as the Line and they seem to be in constant per­ formance of a Tour. I inclose you a Letter of March 30th, an extract from another and a dozen blank Commissions. I am &c, T.J. FC (Vi); at head of text: "Colo. Fisher." Enclosures not found; one of them must have been a copy of TJ's circular to the county lieutenants dated 30 Mch. 1781.

From John Floyd Jefferson [ C o u n t y ] , 2 4 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . " I wrote to you about eight days ago upon the Subject of our affairs in this County, but as many acci­ dents may happen to prevent the conveyance of Letters such a dis­ tance, I have taken the liberty to trouble you with a second." The sub­ stance of what follows is the same as that in Floyd's letter of 16 Apr., q.v., though in the present letter he adds that he believes "the last report" of an invasion of this country by a British and Indian force from Detroit may be true, "as not an Indian has made his appearance in thise Counties for ten days past, which is very uncommon, and which our informer observed would happen some Weeks before a General [ 547}

24

1 7 8 1

A P R I L

Invasion of our Country." Hopes, however, that "General Clarks prepa­ rations at Fort Pitt will prevent our little Settlements from being de­ stroyed. . . . The last recommendation made by this Court for Officers and Majistrates being but lately sent away, I fear we shall be in the same situation for several months to come. Mr. Willis Green the only representative from this County can inform your Excellency how much I am in want of Officers properly Authorized to act, and of several other things which I may have omitted." RC ( V i ) ; 4 p.; addressed and endorsed. Printed in G e o r g e R o g e r s C l a r k P a p e r s , 1 7 7 1 - 1 7 8 1 , p. 541-3.

From James Innes SIR

Camp two miles from Page's. April 24th 1 7 8 1 . 7 o'Clock at night.

I have this moment arrived at this place—ana shall loose no time. I beg to recieve your orders as I am Ignorant of the Situation of Richmond. I would write more explicitly but for prudential Rea­ sons of which your Excellency w i l l easily Concieve. I am most respectfully Y r Excellency's most obt. Sert., JAS INNES E S . I hope to hear from you by the D a w n of D a y . RC ( V i ) ; addressed: "On Servive His Excellency Thos Jefferson Richmond Ex­ press"; endorsed by T J : "reed 25th. half aft. 8 [A.M.]"; also endorsed in a clerk's hand.

From Edmund Read Port Royal [ C a r o l i n e co.], 2 4 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . Returned here two days ago "with my Troop from Potowmack River." The enemy's ships have all gone down, but "Since my leaving Boyd's Hole a Small boat came up and Burnt down the Houses there, except the Ware Houses." On account of "the Rapid Depresiation of our Money," has never been able to obtain the boots for his troop for which T J gave him a warrant in February; has now "agreed with a man to make me the thirty five Pair for five hundred & fifty Pounds a Pair, the lowest Price they can be had for"; to pay for these will require an additional £ 8 , 7 5 0 . Encloses two letters, "one from Colo. Davies to Maj. Hunter, the Other from Mr. Simpson. The former Could not be Cumplyed with, Maj. Hunter not having Hands to C a n y on that Business." Read then applied to Simpson to do the work required; his answer is the letter enclosed. These repairs are of the utmost necessity to enable Read's troop to take the field, there being "Scearse a W e l l back" among his horses. Desires T J to assure Simpson he will be promptly and fully paid; otherwise Read will find it impossible to move from here. [548

]

24

APRIL

RC ( V i ) ; 2 p.; endorsed. Enclosures: ( 1 ) William Davies to James Hunter, War Office, 29 Mch. 1781, ordering Hunter to repair Capt. Read's cavalry equipment and to furnish him with such articles as are needed by his troop (missing; T r in War Office Letter Book, V i ) . (2) Edward Simpson to Capt. Edmund Read, Fredericksburg, 23 Apr.

17 8 1

1781 ( V i ) , declining to repair and out­ fit Read's cavalry troop as requested unless he can be assured of payment in hard money or tobacco "on Delivering in my Account"; bitter experience in doing work for the United States and for Virginia compel him to make this condition.

To Steuben SIR

Richmond Apr. 24. Y2 aft. 7. A . M .

I have information this morning from Capt. M a x w e l l on his own view that the enemy landed at Westover yesterday evening. I f it be impossible that he should have been deceived, it is equally unaccountable that we are uninformed of it from the Videts sent. T h e movements of the enemy up Chickahominy obliged Colo. Innes, incumbered w i t h 2 0 waggons with stores, and 100 sick to cross Pamunkey at Ruffin's ferry. A s soon as he has disposed of those, he w i l l endeavor, i f the movements of the enemy render it proper, to retire towards this place. T h e r e are here about 2 0 0 militia armed and 3 0 0 unarmed. A t Manchester there is I am told a larger number armed, but of this I have no proper information. T h e militia of several counties being here, I gave Colo. W o o d the command till you should be able to have them arranged as you should chuse. H e happened to be here on business and it w i l l be inconvenient to h i m to continue any time.—Can the object of the enemy be our vessels at Osborne's? T h e r e are no public stores here, and they have shewed that private depredation is not within their views. Colo. Southall shewed to Colo. W o o d and myself your orders of Yesterday for the militia to divide into two parties and go to the L o n g bridge and T u r k e y island, and to correspond w i t h Colo. Innes. B u t the enemy having as is supposed landed at Westover, and Colo. Innes crossed Pamunkey it was thought adviseable that Colo. W o o d should await your orders on those new circumstances, supposed to be unknown to you at the date of your order.—As soon as it be known that the enemy are landed at Westover, and my presence here no longer necessary I shall cross the river either here or at Tuckahoe and keep in the neighborhood on the other side. I shall be ready and happy to give you every aid from the [ 549 ]

24

APRIL

1781

civil power which may be necessary. I have the honor to be with great respect Sir Your most obedt servt,

T H : JEFFERSON

P S . A r m s are much wanted here. and 13 topsail vessels. As he watched, the fleet stood up the river towards City Point, but kept him in doubt as to which YOUR ORDERS OF YESTERDAY: See side they would debark. That evening, Steuben to Davies, 23 Apr. 1781. At however, the enemy landed their entire this critical moment on the day before force at City Point, "which removed all the battle of Petersburg uncertainty pre­ doubt but that Petersburg was their vailed in the minds of almost everyone object." Consequently, Steuben "made as to the location and intent of the ene­ choice of Blandford for the place of my, and even as to the location of the defence, and the Bridge of Pokohuntas American units: Innes did not know for our retreat. The Troops were dis­ where the American or British troops posed in Consequence and passed the were, Steuben and T J did not know pre­ night under Arms." On the 25th the cisely where Innes was, and there was enemy came in sight towards noon, faulty communication even between "formed themselves and displayed to Richmond and Manchester. On the 23rd their left, but it was three o'clock before John Pryor wrote Steuben: "We have the firing commenced, which continued no certain account where the Enemy from post to post till past five when the are, the last say, they were at the ship superiority of the enemy and the want yard, and some of their shipping up as of ammunition obliged me to order the high as Cannons this morning. This retreat and to take up the Bridge which place [Richmond] is much alarm'd at was executed with the greatest good present with the thought that the Ene­ order. Notwithstanding the fire of the my will be in Town tonight" (Pryor to enemy cannon and musketry, the troops Steuben, 23 Apr. 1781, "8 o Clock with the same good order retreated P.M.," NHi). From "Manchester 24th about ten miles on the road leading to 5 O Clock" and in great haste Pryor Chesterfield Courthouse. . . . I have the reported further: "Accounts were re­ pleasure to say that our troops disputed ceived this morning that the Enemy the ground with the enemy i n c h by i n c h landed last night at Westover and were and the maneuvres were executed with on their march to Richmond. The Mili­ the greatest exactness" (Dft, Steuben's tia at that place are not arranged and report of Petersburg engagement to many wanting arms. Am afraid confu­ Washington, Greene, and the Board of sion will ensue. . . . I have heard that War, undated, NHi). Steuben later re­ Colo Innes has retreated over into King ported that "of all the stores collected Wm. at Ruffins Ferry" (Pryor to Steu­ at Chesterfield Courthouse and Peters­ ben, 24 Apr. 1781, NHi). On the after­ burg . . . not the least article fell into noon of the 24th Steuben reconnoitred the Enemy's hands" (Steuben to Wash­ the enemy fleet as it lay opposite Westington, 5 May 1781, NHi). over; there were 23 flat bottomed boats

RC (NHi); addressed by T J to Steu­ ben at Petersburg; endorsed.

From the Virginia Delegates i n Congress SIR

Philadelphia April 24th: 1781

W e were yesterday Honord with your Excellency's of the 13th Inst. with its enclosures. You may be assured that our utmost endeavors have been exerted in forwarding the arms and stores mentiond in our last, but insurmountable difficulties have pre­ vented their seting off untili now, but we are happy to inform you that the first of them will go on to day as the Quarter Master as[ 550]

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178 1

sures us. W e have anticipated the circumstance mentiond in the E x t r a c t of Geni. Greenes letter to the Baron, by urging the board of W a r with every argument for the necessity of a speedy supply which they are taking measures to procure but I fear with little prospect of immediate effect. Neither theirs nor our exertions w i l l be slackend on that head but we cannot advise a reliance on the success. Y o u r desire concerning the Prisoners, has been communi­ cated to the Minister of France who has expressed his fears that such a step could not be Justified on the Common principles adopted by European nations at W a r , but at the same time thinks there w i l l be no difficulty of complying w i t h your desire signified in your last letter ( 1 3 t h ) now before us. A late letter from the Commander in Chief, gives us some reason to think that the B r i t i s h have a serious intention of makeing a descent in Delaware B a y at least to forage, and secure all the Provision they can on the Peninsula that lays below new Castle and the head of E l k i f Possible. I n Consequence of which measures have been taken to remove all the flower, Cattle and short forage on that Peninsula calld the Eastern shore, out of their Reach, and also from the Jersey shore Border­ ing on Delaware B a y , for which purpose the Board of W a r are vested with powers by Congress, and the Executives of Jersey, Pennsyvania, Delaware, Maryland and V i r g i n i a are request to send their assistance to aid in the execution of this necessary meas­ ure. Authentic Accounts have arrived here that Don Galvez has enterd the B a y of Pensacola w i t h a considerable sea and L a n d force, has made good his landing, and been Joind by a large body of troops on the 25th of M a r c h , and there is little doubt but that important place w i l l soon be in the hands of Spain. B y the same account we are informed that a detachment of Rodneys fleet con­ sisting of seven ships were seen standing towards that place and immediately the Spanish A d m i r a l P u t to sea from the Havannah with sixteen 16 sail of men of W a r of the line and five or six thousand land forces to intercept the B r i t i s h and secure success to the assailants. A report prevails here which gains credit that the fleet from Corke consisting of two or three men of W a r and 120 ships under their Convoy, had fallen in with a french Squadron of twelve or fourteen ships of the line, and that very few of the Con­ voy escaped falling into the hands of our A l l y , and a Vessel from Cadiz informs us that W a r was declared by that nation against the B r i t i s h and that a Manifesto had been Publishd by Holland at that Port authorizing the Dutch to make reprisals on the E n g ­ lish Nation before he left Cadiz. [551]

25

1781

A P R I L

W e have the honor to be w i t h sentiments of the highest respect & esteem Y r . E x c e l l y ' s Most ob & h u m : servts., J . MADISON THEOK.

JUNR

BLAND

E S . W e are happy to inform Y r . E x c y . that a large detachment of the Pennsylva. line are at length i n motion towards V i r g i n i a and we hope w i l l arrive in time to Check the Progress of the E n e m y in that State. W e have accounts that the Confederacy is taken by the Roebuck and Orpheus off this Coast. R C ( D L C : P C C , Portfolio 103); in Bland's hand and signed by him and Madison; endorsed: "Virga Delegates Letter 24th. Apri reed May 8 1 . " A L A T E L E T T E R FROM T H E COM-

MANDER I N C H I E F : Probably Washington to the President of Congress, 16[-19] 1781 (Washington, Writings, ed. Fitzpatrick, x x i , 474-5).

From Arthur Campbell SIR

Washington April 25th. 1781.

I inclose for your Excellencys information a Letter just received from Colo. M a r t i n and another from Major L e w i s whom I had instructed to drive off the Indians from their haunts near Cumber­ land G a p . I have no hopes now that the Cherokees w i l l sue for Peace whilst Augusta in Georgia is in the enemies hands and they can receive supplies from thence; several hundred of the Indian W o m e n and Children being now subsisted in that State by the B r i t i s h . Colo. E l i j a h Clarke, has by meeting with Major Dunlop and his corps of partizans on this side the Savannah R i v e r , failed giving the blow that was intended. T h e Northward Indians has visited us three different times this Season with small parties, in all killing one person, captivating two, and wounding two or three. These different parties came up Sandy R i v e r , and the last time penetrated into the settlement on Holstein, making prisoner a son of Capt. Bledsoes. These troubles at home, and the apparent continuance of them, induced a number of the Officers of this County to apply to me, to request that the Executive would countermand the Order of the 29th. of M a r c h last for sending T w o hundred M i l i t i a out of the County to join the Southern A r m y ; or at least, that the number might be lessened. T h e Men in general at present are unable to fit themselves for so distant a T r i p , having received no pay for their different exertions last year. T h e Executive I trust w i l l direct some [552

]

25

APRIL

1781

regular mode for supplying w i t h Stores the Company that Ranges in Powells-Valley. A s to Lieutenant Colo. Martins Proposition, I am satisfied of the good effects it would have, could it be put into execution; but I suppose the pressing calls from other quarters w i l l prevent it, a force of at least two hundred M e n being neces­ sary, as a defeat in the enemies Country might be the cause of our being overwhelmed suddenly. I am w i t h Respect Y o u r Excellencies most Obedient Servt, ARTHUR

RC (Vi); addressed; endorsed in part: "reed May 81." Enclosures ( V i ) : Jo­ seph Martin to Arthur Campbell, 22 Apr. 1781, printed above under date; Aaron Lewis to Arthur Campbell, Pow­ ells Valley, 13 Apr. 1781, reporting that with about 40 men he had ranged down the Valley from "the Station" to a point "about 30 Miles below the Gap" and had pursued a party of In­

CAMPBELL

dians a long distance, "but finding a large body of Indians had pass'd up the Valley we returnd" to find that the In­ dians in their turn had retired; Lewis is sorry to hear that Col. Martin is dis­ pleased with their having made this ex­ pedition. For further references on matters dis­ cussed in Campbell's letter, see Wise. Hist. Soc, Colls., XXIV, 391-2.

From Lafayette SIR

Frederic Burg April the 25th

Y o u r Excellency's Letter of Yesterday H a s found me A t this place where we A r r i v e d this After Noon After A M a r c h of twenty five Miles which the Extreme Heat of the day A n d Absolute want of Waggons for the transportation of the Men Have Rendered V e r y fatiguing. W a n t of Waggons Has Also detained our Ammunition which Cannot B e Here U n t i l i to Morrow. A s soon A s we get this Necessary Article the détachement w i l l Rapidly proceed to R i c h ­ mond, A n d Notwistanding the fatigues of the M a r c h w i l l on their A r r i v a l B e Ready for Serious Operations. H a d the people Been willing to Afford us the Ressources of the Country, we M i g h t Have Advanced More Rapidly. B u t on our Approach, Waggons and Horses Have Been Sent out of the W a y , and the troops Being obliged to M a r c h without Relief the Celerity of our Movements tho' less Rapid than it would other wise Have Been Must B e attended with a Considerable degree of fatigue. Our Artillery, Baggage, Spare Ammunition A r e Coming B e ­ hind us, B u t in the present Emergency I Cannot think of waiting for them and However Unprovided M a y B e the détachement I Aprehend Its A r r i v a l at Richmond w i l l B e of Great Service. A s soon as I Have fixed Matters for the M a r c h of this Corps, I shall Myself Hasten towards Richmond where I C a n Get intelli[ 553 ]

25

APRIL

178 1

gences Relating to the Situation of the E n n e m y A n d that of the Country A n d where I M a y Better form a plan for the Cooperation of the M i l i t i a w i t h the Continental troops. I w i l l to morrow E v e ­ ning B e at the Bowlen Green or Hanover Court House where I shall B e Happy to Hear from Y o u r Excellency. I also B e g leave to Request that this journey of Mine B e kept Secret and i f possible that Some Horse Could B e at Hanover Court House for our Escort. Upon Y o u r Excellency is all our dépendance for provisions. U n t i l i the Continental force Arrives I think it is Better Not to R i s k the M i l i t i a i n A General Engagement w h i c h i f Unsuccessfull would disgust them. B u t they A r e to Annoy the E n n e m y and Retard H i s Movements. However A s Matters Cannot B e fore­ seen at Such a distance I E n t i r l y R e l y on the Exertions of Baron de Steuben to W h o m I Request the inclosed M a y B e immediately forwarded. T h e difficulties W e Meet w i t h in the Road do not Surprise M e as in our Circumstances they Must B e Expected. W h e n we A r e not able to do what we W i s h , we Must do what we C a n . I n Expecting the Honor of Seeing Your Excellency I Have that of B e i n g w i t h Great Respect Y o u r Excellency's Most obedient LAFAYETTE

Humble servant,

I think the Movements of the d é t a c h e m e n t must B e kept as Se­ cret as possible. T h e provision of the Stores is an important Article. RC (PHi). Enclosure missing. YOUR E X C E L L E N C Y ' S L E T T E R OF YESTERDAY: Lafayette probably meant that TJ's

letter arrived on 24 Apr.; it was, of course, written on 23 Apr.

From Reuben Lindsay SIR

Albemarle 25th. April 1781

Your favor of the 16th. Instant came to hand covering the Inclosed Commission and one for Major Charles L . Lewis, the receipt of which I most thankfully Acknowledge—but being consious of my inability to execute an Office of that importance at Present, must beg leave to return the Commission. That fill'd up for Major Lewis I have delivered him, which he told me he would Qualify too the first Opportunity. I am persuaded the Executive was not fully inform'd respect­ ing the recommendation of Officers at our Last Court—particu­ larly respecting myself—for I believe the Court would have recommended me to the Commission of County Lieutenant, had [ 554]

25

1 7 81

A P R I L

I not told them I would not serve, and beg'd they would think of some one else, and did myself propose Capt. John M a r k s , who was recommended by a great Majority of the Members then Present. I shall continue to act under m y former Commission until Other Officers are Appointed and do Qualify, which I w i s h should happen as soon as possible. I am S i r , w i t h much respect Y o u r V e r y Hble Servt., RN.

RC ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. Enclosure missing. YOUR FAVOR OF T H E 16TH. INSTANT:

This letter, which has not been found, enclosed the commissions ordered by the Council on 16 Apr. 1781 in pursuance of TJ's letter to David Jameson of that date, q.v. On 25 Apr. 1781 Lindsay also wrote William Davies about public arms, some of which he had sent

LINDSAY

to Point of Fork to be repaired, and concluded: "The resignation of Colo. Coles a few days ago, who held the

Commission of County Lieut, and the imperfect returns made by the different Capts. of their Companys, makes it impossible for me at this time to send you a proper State of the Militia of the County, but be assured I will do so as soon as its in my power" ( V i ) .

From George Weedon DEAR SIR

Fredericksburg A p . 2 5 . 1 7 8 1 .

I have the honor to enclose your Excellency Copy of G e n i : Phillip's Letter of 12th Inst. also Copies of his returns of P r i s ­ oners, and m y answer of this date. General Phillips seems from the Complexion of his Letter to complain of an enfringement on the sacred rules of Flags and mentions that borne by M r . A r m stead; I n justification of myself, I enclose your Excellency Copy of M r . Armstead Credentials; M y Letter to the B r i t i s h General on this subject had the honor of transmitting you Copy of, dated 6th Inst. I know not who M r . Armstead has taken w i t h h i m under the sanction of his Mission and have therefore enclosed Geni. Phillips a Copy of m y F l a g with the persons names and Business they went on. O n perusing the L i s t of Prisoners, your Excellency w i l l judge how far an Exchange for them can be carried into Execution with propriety. I would only add that if we have any, not already given up to the Continental Com­ missary of Prisoners I think they had better be order'd to a Convenient place for Exchange. I t would give contentment to the Militia and would be a means of stimulating them to more ready Exertions, when they found the attention of the Executive not wanting to serve them. T h e r e are some few i n this T o w n and I make no doubt but we have several i n Winchester, indeed 1

[ 555 ]

2 5 I

A P R I L

17 8 1

should judge it right to order down as many as would E x ­

change all those actually taken i n A r m s , c a r r y i n g this as far into execution as possible, w i t h such as have not been deliver'd over to the Continental Commissary of Prisoners and obtaining B a r o n de Steuben's Order for as many as would make up the deficiency. W e have a number of Prisoners there, that are, I fear little attended too, and should for m y own part be for liberating as many of our Countrymen w i t h them, as the just rules of W a r would authorize. T h e M a r q u i s is now crossing the R i v e r . I understand the Frederick and B e r k e l y M e n were to M a r c h last Monday, they are not how­ ever yet arrived. I am w i t h perfect E s t e e m & R e g d . Y o u r Excellencies Most Obt G

Servt., RC (PHi); in an aide's hand, signed by Weedon; endorsed. Dft (PPAP). En­ closures: (1) Copy of Phillips to Wee­ don, 12 Apr. 1781, missing. (2) Copy of Weedon to Phillips, 25 Apr. 1781, missing. ( 3 ) Copies of Phillips' returns of prisoners. These may have included a "List of Prisoners on board the Prison Ship, Portsmouth," dated 23 Feb. 1781 (see below) and embracing 22 names (NHi); the two lists of British and German prisoners referred to in the note to T J to Steuben, 6 Apr. 1781, q.v.; and possibly other unidentified returns. (4) Copy of credentials of Armistead, missing. On 26 Apr. Weedon wrote Steuben: " I was yesterday favored with a second letter [the first being that of 6 Apr.] from Geni Phillips inclosing returns of the American prisoners of war in his hands as also a list of some British and German prisoners of war in our pos­ session. Copies of his letter with the returns and my answer of this date have the pleasure to transmit. On perusing the several Documents you will judge on the propriety of carrying this mat­ ter Generally into Execution. My first views were nothing further than a par­ tial transaction, which might, or might not be improved, and if I may be al­ lowed to give my opinion, I would now close with General Phillips so far in a General Exchange as to liberate all our Countrymen in their possession who ware actually taken in Arms, beginning with all those first, who have not been delivered over to the Continental Com­ missary of prisoners of which we have several in this state and Ordering down as many of the Exchangeable lines as

WEEDON

would compleat any deficiency in that of Soldier, Sailor, or Citizen. It would give contentment to the Militia and would be a means of stimulating them to more ready exertions when they found the Authority of the commanding officer interposed in their behalf. We have a great number of prisoners in Winchester who are at liberty to range at large, many of whom I dare say find means to make their escape. Would it not therefore be better to Exchange them on a liberal plan, than suffer them to get from us, and our men to remain on Board a prison ship in Captivity? I have informed Geni. Phillips that anything considered in a general way of Ex­ change must be first approved by you, and woud therefore submit it whether a letter from you to the British Geni, on the subject might not be necessary" (Weedon to Steuben, 26 Apr. 1781, NHi). So far as is known, Steuben did not write to Phillips in response to Weedon's suggestion. On the day that Weedon wrote, Steuben was much en­ gaged with Phillips in another kind of exchange—the battle of Petersburgout of which came one of Phillips' typically irritating letters. On the day following the battle Phillips wrote Steu­ ben that a servant of one of his aidesde-camp had been taken and requested that he be sent back as soon as possible. " I conceive," Phillips added with illbecoming sarcasm, "nothing but the little hurry of yesterday could have pre­ vented this being done without applica­ tion, as I imagine you are a Gentleman who perfectly understands those civili­ ties, which have been practiced by the King's Officers on all occasions, par-

[556]

26

APRIL

ticularly in the instance of General Stu­ bens Servant and others taken by Lieu­ tenant Colonel Simcoe in the last ex­ pedition, who were sent back immedi­ ately" (Phillips to Steuben, 26 Apr. 1781, NHi). Steuben replied coldly: "Before I received your letter . . . rela­ tive to your Aide de Camps servant, orders had been given to send him in. Be assured sir that I know and that I wish to observe that politeness from Gentleman to Gentleman and from Of­ ficer to Officer. If I was deficient in not sending him in the same day he was taken, yourself have been happy enough to find my Excuse—a Retreat from be­ fore three times my number, command­ ed by General Phillips, certainly de­ manded all my attention. When my aide-de-camps servant was taken, I wrote politely by a flag to Colo. Simcoe for his exchange and he was polite enough to grant my request. You Sir cannot be more inclined than I am to alleviate the misfortunes of war by admitting every mutual good office that the most liberal customs will allow"; Steuben did not underscore the word "politely" though his repetition of the word in the same sentence had that effect (Steuben to Phil­ lips, 30 Apr. 1781, NHi). By an ironic circumstance that must have filled Steu­ ben with chagrin, orders concerning the

178 1

aide-de-camp's servant were not carried through; for Robert Gamble reported on 2 May: "The Waiter belonging to Geni Phillips Aid de Camp instead of going in has been sent here, I suppose thro' mistake. He is sent down to the Marquis accompanied with the waiter belonging to Lieut. Lalor of the Queen's Rangers" (Gamble to Steuben, Cum­ berland Old Courthouse, 2 May 1781, NHi ). In view of this contretemps, it is very doubtful whether Steuben could have brought himself to carry forward Weedon's suggestion of a general ex­ change even if he had approved it. THERE ARE SOME F E W I N THIS T O W N :

There is in NHi, dated 20 Apr. 1781, "A Return of the British Prisoners at Richmond," numbering twenty-three and including two whom T J subsequently paroled—Captain William Thompson "of a privateer on parole near this place" and James Downie (see Downie and Thompson to T J , 4 May 1781); from this it is evident that the prisoners in Richmond on 20 Apr. must have been transferred to Fredericksburg before 25 Apr. and must have been those al­ luded to here. i Deleted in R C : "has taken with him."

From James Maxwell, with a List of Armed Vessels Richmd: the 26th: of Apri: 1781 A List of the Arm'd Vessels at Coxes dale with there Force and present Compliment of Men. Tempest 16 Six pounders . 6 Jefferson 14 four pds: 23. Renown 16 Six do: 23. Apollo 18 Six do: 5. Willing Lass . . 12 four 13. Wilks 12 do 5. Mars 8 four & Six pds: 3. Guns

96

Men . . 7 8

Men. Complimt. 120 when Compt. do: 70 do: 120 do: 120. do: 60 do: 60 do: 40 Full Complimt:590 78

No: of Men wanted . . . . 512 American Fabius perc'd for 18 Guns 120 Morning Star . . . . do 12. do 60 [ 557 ]

2 6 In

A P R I L

1 7 8 1

conjunction w i t h the Captains of the Vessels have fixed on

the above place and this day expect they w i l l be ranged in A Semi­ circle, haveing A M a r s h on the So: Shore and an extensive plain on the N o : Shore w h i c h there Canon w i l l Command, and they being i n want of Carteridg paper and some other stores w h i c h I shall immediately send them, and B a r r o n Stuben, being at head quarters have sent A Copy of the Above Arangment to h i m this M o r n i n g from Osborns by an Officer. I

have the honour

of being Y o u r

Excellency's JAS.

Humble Servt., RC ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. Maxwell's report was made in pur­ suance of the following order recorded

Most

Obedt:

MAXWELL

the Virginia navy were at COXES DALE

(Coxendale, Coxesdale, Cox and Dale, named from the seat of the Osborne in V a . C o u n c i l Jour., II, 341, under family and very frequently called "Os­ date of 25 Apr.: "Baron Steuben hav­ borne's") on the south side of the James ing expressed a desire that all the pub­ about halfway between City Point and lic and private vessels within our power Richmond. Crossing the Appomattox and should be manned and sent down to returning to the James from Peters­ attack the enemy's shipping at City burg, on the 27th, the British attacked Point—The Board advise that, previous the Virginia vessels with cannon and to the undertaking such an enterprise, musket fire, and succeeded in captur­ Captain Maxwell should be requested ing or destroying all of them. For a to go down and examine our strength graphic account of this action, see John and that of the enemy and make report Graves Simcoe, M i l i t a r y J o u r n a l , p. to the Executive and Baron Steuben." 198-201, whence is taken the accom­ On 24 Apr. Phillips and Arnold dis­ panying illustration, Lt. G. Spencer's embarked their troops at City Point "Sketch of the Action at Osburns, April (on the south side of the James at its 27th. 1781." Another lively account, junction with the Appomattox) and on written many years later, is Richard the following day marched them into O'Brien's letter to Andrew Monroe, action at Petersburg. The remnants of Feb. 1822, in Randall, Life, n, 324-5.

To

Read

SIR I

Richmond April 26th. 1 7 8 1 have advised w i t h the Members of the Council present, and

they are of Opinion that Captn. Reed be permitted to

purchase

four horses for his T r o o p instead of the four w h i c h were to have been purchased by the Quarter Master and one other instead of the one lately dead, governing himself by the price limited i n the Order to the Quarter Master. I am & c , FC ( V i ) ; at head of text: "Lieu­ tenant Read." The recipient may be the same as the recipient of TJ's letter to Reid of 2 Jan. 1781, but this cannot be established. The CAPTN. REED mentioned in the

present letter is certainly Edmund Read (so spelled by himself in his letter to

T.J.

T J , 24 Apr. 1781); see T J to Lafa­ yette, 28 Mch. 1781. The MEMBERS O F T H E COUNCIL PRESENT were, in addi­

tion to T J , David Jameson and George Webb; during the period between 25 Apr. and 7 May there was usually only one member in attendance in addition to T J .

[ 558 ]

T o Steuben SIR

Richmond Apr. 26.

1781.

M r . M a u r y , owner of the Brigantine A l e r t , engaged and

fitted

as a flag for c a r r y i n g tobacco to Charles town waits on you to see whether a permit can be obtained for her. Y o u w i l l be pleased to follow your own judgment whether the time be proper to negotiate on this subject. Whenever you think it so, I am of opinion it would be expedient to send the single vessel as first agreed to by

Geni.

Phillips and by her return we can have the passport from Charles town which I much apprehend w i l l be refused from N e w

York.

M r . M a u r y w i l l render any services he can on this occasion

and

merits confidence. I

cannot but

congratulate you on the

initiation of our

militia

into the business of war. General actions I dare say you w i l l think should not be risked but w i t h great advantages, but the more the militia are employed in the small w a y , the more contentedly they w i l l remain, and they w i l l improve the more. I am w i t h very great respect S i r Y o u r most obedt. humble servt, RC (NHi); endorsed. THE

INITIATION

OF OUR M I L I T I A :

This refers to the action at Petersburg on 25 Apr.; see a British account in John Graves Simcoe's M i l i t a r y J o u r n a l , p. 195-8, with map; and the following American accounts: Edmund Pendle­ ton to James Madison, 30 Apr., Mass. Hist. Soc, P r o c s . , 2d ser., xix (1905), 130; T J to Washington, 9 May; and especially John Banister to Theodorick Bland,

16 May

1781

(Bland

Papers,

n, 68-70). Pendleton's subsequent let­ ters (in the source cited) deal inform­ atively with military events in Vir­ ginia during late April and May. In V a . Gaz. ( D & N ) for 19 May 1781, summarizing events in Virginia since 21 Apr. when the last preceding issue was published, Steuben's general orders were published thanking the officers and men who "very much distinguished themselves in defending the post of Pe­ tersburg." He particularly thanked Muh­ lenberg "for his gallantry and good dis­ position [of the troops]." Simcoe, how­ ever, thought that the "disposition of the enemy was not such as marked any ability in those who made it" ( M i l i ­ tary J o u r n a l , p. 198). A F L A G FOR CAR­ RYING TOBACCO: The context of the

present letter shows that Steuben had informed T J of his letter to Phillips of

T H : JEFFERSON

15 Apr. and of Phillips' reply of 18 Apr. 1781. On the present date David Ross wrote to Steuben: "Some time ago I was directed by the Governor and Council to provide 600 hhds Tobo, to be sent to our prisoners in Charles Town, Geni Scott having obtained per­ mission for that purpose from the Com­ mandant there. The desire I had to con­ tribute anything in my power to admin­ ister to the wants of our suffering pris­ oners induced me to engage Vessels ready loaded with Tobacco in hopes that they would have liberty to proceed im­ mediately, amongst others a vessell be­ longing to this bearer, Mr. Maury. I am informed the British Commanders here have raised some difficulties about per­ mitting the Vessells to pass and that you and Geni Phillips have had some cor­ respondence upon the subject. I take the liberty to recommend Mr. Maury to you as a proper person to go in the Flag and to ask the favor of you to renew your treaty with G. Phillips, so soon as it can be done with propriety. The Gov­ ernor has also wrote to you upon the Subject" (Ross to Steuben, 26 Apr. 1781, NHi). The A l e r t was taken by Phillips' forces at the engagement at Osborne's; see depositions concerning the alleged violation of her flag, printed below under date of 2 May 1781.

[559]

T o Steuben SIR

Richmond Apr. 27 [i.e., 26, 1781]

One half the Cumberland militia and of those of Amelia were ordered down. Some of the former are come i n . I have ordered them to go to you, but what should be done with such of them as have no arms I think doubtful. W e have found by experience that the men of those counties where the enemy are, cannot be kept in the field. T h e y desert and carry off their arms. I t also seems rea­ sonable that such should be permitted to go to their homes, to withdraw or otherwise take care of their families and property. Under this view it would seem right that as unarmed militia come in from other counties we should discharge those of Prince George, Dinwiddie and Chesterfeild; next to these the militia of Powhatan; and lastly Henrico, Hanover, Goochland. Indeed those of Amelia and Cumberland were only meant to be kept in the feild till those whom I formerly stated to you as intended for the service of M a y and June should come i n . I would observe to you that Prince George, Dinwiddie, Chesterfeild, Powhatan, Amelia and Cumber­ land have not got through the raising their new levies. These observations w i l l suffice to posses you of the general views of the Executive, and you w i l l be pleased to regulate by them the dis­ charges of militia as far as circumstances w i l l admit. I am with much respect S i r Y o u r most obedt. servt, TH:

RC (NHi); addressed by T J : "The honble. Majr. Geni. Baron Steuben"; endorsed: "Gov Jefferson 27 Api." F C (Vi). Despite the date at the head of text, in the endorsement, and in the F C , this letter was indubitably written on the 26th. Its contents, in part at least, were superseded by TJ's second "letter of this date on the same subject," q.v.,

JEFFERSON

folio wing. That letter was mistakenly placed first in the Executive Letter Book by the clerk (Official L e t t e r s , n, 498); its RC bears a correction from "27th" to "26th"; and the clerk copied the cor­ rected date in the Executive Letter Book, but failed to correct the date of the hastily-written earlier letter.

T o Steuben SIR

Richmond April 26th. 1781.

A n Officer from Cumberland having called on me this morning to direct what should be done w i t h his unarmed M e n , I took the L i b e r t y by h i m of stating to you the order in which I thought the M i l i t i a should be discharged. I did this hastily while he was wait­ ing and must now on more mature Reflection beg leave to correct [560]

2 6 A P R I L

1781

in some Degree what I then wrote and to take up the whole sub­ ject. Fauquier, Loudoun, Caroline, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Gooch­ land, Henrico, Culpeper, Frederic, Hampshire, Berkeley, Shenan­ doah, Orange and L o u i s a are Still relied on for the Service of M a y and June as I informed you in a Letter of the 19th. instant, as is also Spotsylvania which at the T i m e of writing that Letter we expected would have been stopped by the enemy going up Potowmac. These being not come in and the enemy approaching, we called for the whole of Prince George, Dinwiddie, Chesterfield, Powhatan, Henrico, Hanover, Goochland and half of Cumberland and Amelia to form an Opposition until the Counties first named should get i n . Whenever therefore the Business of discharging may be commenced the following is the order in which we would w i s h Discharges to be given, first Prince George, Dinwiddie and Chesterfield because exposed and their Draught not over. Next Powhatan because somewhat exposed and their draught not over. T h e n Cumberland, Amelia and Hanover because their Draught is not over, lastly Henrico and Goochland except the fourth meant to be kept during the Months of M a y and June. I must beg the Favour of you to consider this as altogether superseding my first letter of this Date on the Same Subject. I t is possible that a Change of Position by the enemy, by exposing Counties now considered as safe and rendering those safe which are now exposed, may induce a Change in this Arrangement. Should this happen, I w i l l take the Liberty of noting it to you. 1

I am very sorry that we have discharged several hundreds of the Hanover militia before we had considered the subject and settled the order in which Discharges should be given; A s it so happened, we think it better not to recall them. I have the Honour to be with great Respect S i r Y o u r most obedient Servant, TH: R C ( N H i ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by T J ; endorsed: "Govr Jefferson April 26." F C ( V i ) . T h e date in R C has been corrected, with some empha­ sis, from "April 27th." to "April 26th." ( T h e date in F C stands as

JEFFERSON

"26th" without correction.) See note on preceding letter. I n F C this list of counties is pre­ ceded by the phrase "One fourth of the Militia of the Counties of." 1

From Joseph Woodson W i t h o u t place, 2 6 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . "After the Fatted Beefs are Consum'd a Call may take Place to Collect Bacon." I f this happens, Woodson [561]

2 7 APRIL

1781

desires to be excused from that duty, "as many Publick Stores are Stationd with me, and the absolute Necessity of Being at home as a publican &c." Eight to nine thousand bushels of wheat for flour will be collected in this county. RC ( V i ) ; 2 p.; addressed in part: "favor of Capt. Bohan" [Bohanan?]; endorsed: "Jno Woodson's Lre April 27 1781" (date of receipt?). Letter is signed "Jos. Woodson," and the en­

dorsement is therefore in error; Joseph Woodson was a quartermaster and commissioner of the provision law in a county not specified ( Gwathmey, H i s t . R e g . of V i r g i n i a n s i n t h e R e v o l u t i o n ) .

From Samuel Huntington, enclosing a Letter from Ebenezer Hazard SIR

Philadelphia April 27. 1781

I do myself the Honor of transmitting to your Excellency the enclosed Copy of a Letter from Ebenezer Hazard. You will observe by the Journals of Congress under the 20th of July 1778, Encouragement given to this Gentleman to collect Materials for a History, and a Recommendation to the several States to aid and assist him in such Collection. If any of the Manuscripts &c. to which his Letter refers, will in your Excellency's Opinion be useful or worthy of Notice in the Pages of History, I am perswaded you will be so kind as to for­ ward them agreeable to his Desire, whenever Leisure from more important Concerns shall permit. It may be proper to send them under Cover addressed to the Secretary of Congress, as M r . Haz­ ard, being Surveyor of the Post for the eastern Department, is rather an itinerant than a Resident in any particular Place at present. I have the Honor to be with the highest Respect, Your Excel­ lency's Most obedt. & most hbble. Servant, SAM.

HUNTINGTON

E N C L O S U R E

Ebenezer Hazard to Samuel Huntington SIR Plymouth April 7. 1781 I am induced to trouble your Excellency at this Time by the following Paragraph in Colonel Campbell's Report of the Expedition against the Cherokees. "We found in Okanastota's Baggage which he left behind in his Fright, various Manuscripts, Copies of Treaties, Commissions, Letters, and other Archives of the Nation." Your Excellency need not be informed, I presume, that Congress on the 20th. July 1780 [ e r r o r for 1 7 7 8 ] , recommended, in the warmest [562]

27

APRIL

1781

Terms of Approbation, my Design of a Collection of American State Papers, and will immediately see that the Manuscripts above mentioned fall within the Limits of my Plan; will you therefore give me Leave Sir to request your Influence to procure those Papers for me; that I may be able to add such of them to the Collection as are suitable for that Pur­ pose. I would not give your Excellency that Trouble did I know how to procure the Manuscripts in any other Way: pray be kind enough to excuse it, and believe me to be very respectfully Your Excellency's most obedient & very humble servant, RC (PHi); in Ebenezer Hazard's hand, signed by Huntington. Enclosure (PHi); "Copy," also in Hazard's hand. At foot of text of enclosure, in TJ's hand: "May 23. 1781. wrote to A. Campbell for the above"; this letter from T J to Campbell has not been found. On Hazard's DESIGN O F A C O L L E C ­ TION OF AMERICAN STATE PAPERS and

TJ's particular connection with it, see Hazard to T J , 23 Aug. 1774; T J to Hazard, 30 Apr. 1775. In a letter dated Philadelphia, 11 July 1778 ( D L C : United States Revolution, iv; photostat in T J Editorial Files), Hazard ap­ pealed to Henry Laurens, then presi­ dent of Congress, for official "Patron­ age and Assistance" in his undertak­ ing. "The Design of it," he wrote, "is to furnish Materials for a good His­ tory of the United States, which may now be very well done; for so rapid has been our political Progress that we can easily recur to the first Step taken upon the Continent, and clearly point out our different Advances from Perse­ cution to comparative Liberty, and from thence to independent Empire. In this Particular we have the Advantage of every Nation upon Earth, and Grati­ tude to Heaven and to our virtuous Fathers, Justice to ourselves, and a becoming Regard to Posterity strongly urge us to an Improvement of it, be­ fore Time and Accident deprive us of the Means. The Undertaking will ap­ pear, at first View, to be too great for an unassisted Individual; and Experi­ ence has convinced me that although several Years incessant Application has produced an important Collection, yet, so numerous are the Materials, and so much dispersed, that a whole

E B E N HAZARD Life would be insufficient to compleat it in the Way in which I have been obliged to proceed. I now propose to visit each State for that Purpose, and must request of Congress a Certificate of their Approbation of my Design, should they approve of it, and a Rec­ ommendation to the several Governors and Presidents to grant me free Access to the Records of their respective States, and Permission to extract from them such Parts as may fall within the Limits of my Plan." Hazard's letter was read in Congress on the day it was written and there­ upon referred to a committee of three, for which R. H. Lee reported a series of resolutions that Congress approved, 20 July 1778, complying with Hazard's request and advancing him $1,000 for his expenses in collecting documents ( J C C , X I , 682, 705-6). In his present letter to Huntington, Hazard was in­ quiring for the Cherokee archives men­ tioned in Arthur Campbell's letter to T J , 15 Jan. 1781; Campbell's letter had evidently been transmitted to Congress (see T J to Huntington, 17 Feb.) and had subsequently been published, prob­ ably in a newspaper. At TJ's request, Campbell forwarded these papers in a letter of 20 June 1781, q.v., and later that year T J sent them on to Congress; see T J to McKean, 20 Dec. 1781. The original Cherokee papers are preserved in DLC: PCC, No. 71, I I , 143-221. For James Madison's warning that Hunting­ ton's transmittal of Hazard's request was a private matter, was not approved by Congress, and might have been in­ spired by something deeper than a love of history, see Madison to T J , 26 Mch. 1782.

[ 563 }

From Lafayette SIR

Bowlen Greene April the 27th 1781

Captain North from Baron de Stüben's Camp H a s Been with Me last E v e n i n g and was directed B y the Baron to Give me E v e r y intelligence Relative to the Situation. F r o m what H e says I think the Baron is B y this time [at] Chesterfield Court House, A n d Con­ sider Richmond as the Present object for Both Parties. E v e r y Boat that is in the R i v e r should B e Collected Above the falls B y which Means A Communication C a n B e Secured. Those that A r e for the present with the Vessels are of N o use to them and w i l l B e of Great Service to us. I w i s h it was possible to fix some Heavy Cannon Upon small vessels So as to make floating Batteries or Galleys. I Have lately tried the Experiment at Annapolis A n d Could derive Great A d ­ vantages from it. T h i s E v e n i n g or to Morrow Morning I Hope to B e w i t h Y o u r Excellency, and B e g leave to Request Y o u w i l l Honor me w i t h a letter that w i l l Meet me on the Road and let me know H o w Mat­ ters are. W i t h the Highest Respect I Have the Honor to B e Y o u r E x c e l ­ lency's Most obedient Humble Servant, RC ( V i ) ; addressed; endorsed: "Lre from Marquis Fayette April 28th 1781 [In a n o t h e r h a n d : ] Copd." (the date is that of receipt). THIS E V E N I N G OR TO MORROW MORN­ ING I HOPE TO B E W I T H YOU: Lafayette's

troops only arrived at Hanover Court­ house late in the afternoon of 28 Apr.; from that place they marched at day­ light on the 29th and "arrived at Rich­ mond about 5 o'clk p.m. where the troops were quartered in the rope walks which are at the east end of the town" (Ebenezer Wild, J o u r n a l , quoted in Bennett Nolan, L a f a y e t t e i n A m e r i c a D a y by D a y , 170). On the 27th Wee­ don wrote to Spotswood: "The Marquis Fayette writes me very pressing for a few Horse to protect him till his rein­

LAFAYETTE

forcements all get up; he is gone on to Richmond where there is not a man in arms" (Weedon to Spotswood, 27 Apr. 1781, PPAP). From this it is apparent that Lafayette preceded his men into Richmond and it was probably, there­ fore, on 28 Apr. 1781 that he first met T J (see T J to Lafayette, 14 May 1781 and note there). Indeed, Washington had suggested this: "It will be well to advise Governor Jefferson of your in­ tended march thro' the State of Vir­ ginia, or perhaps it might answer a good purpose were you to go forward to Richmond yourself, after putting the troops in motion and having made some necessary arrangements for their prog­ ress" (Washington to Lafayette, 6 Apr. 1781, W r i t i n g s , ed. Fitzpatrick, X X I , 422).

From Thomas Sim Lee SIR

I n Council, 27th. April, 1781.

G e n i . Hamilton has informed us that a F l a g w i t h Cloathing and [ 564]

2 7 APRIL

17 8 1

Money for the late Convention Troops stationed in V i r g i n i a and Maryland has arrived at Hampton and requested Permission to land them at George T o w n in M a r y l a n d , which we have granted so far as concerns the Troops in Maryland under certain restric­ tions and referred h i m to your Excellency as to the Necessaries for the Troops in V i r g i n i a . W e w i s h that the enclosed Letter for M r . Hoakesly may be sent on Board the F l a g in such Manner as you may think proper to direct. FC ( Md A A ). A partial text from the (now missing) RC is printed in CVSP, n, 75. The "enclosed Letter for Mr. Hoakesly" (a British commissary of prisoners on board theflag-of-truceves­ sel) was a letter from Brig. Gen. James Hamilton, commanding the Convention troops at Frederick, Md., transmitting instructions relative to landing and transporting the goods brought in the vessel; see Hamilton to Gov. Lee and Council, 15 and 20 Apr. 1781 ( M d . Archives,

XLVii,

189,

199),

and

the

Council's replies, 18 and 22 Apr. 1781

(same, XLV, 403-4, 410). Hamilton's letter to Gov. Lee of 15 Apr., mentioned above, refers to a letter from Hamilton to T J which has not been found: "Before I left Virginia I wrote his Excellency Thomas Jefferson that on the arrival of the flag I hoped he would allow her to proceed through such part of his Government as was necessary to reach the most convenient port in Maryland to where the Troops might be station'd which request on Governor Jefferson's part I make no doubt will be granted."

T o Steuben SIR

Richmond April 27. 1781

W h e n we desired the resigned and supernumerary officers to come into command, we took the liberty, after establishing the rules by which they should be given, to ask the favor of you to arrange the Commands accordingly. A s the gentlemen are likely to be exposed in action with the enemy, and i f taken would have no commissions to produce, circumstances which give them un­ easiness, I w i l l ask the favor of you to inform me of the commands you have given or may now think proper to give them, on receipt of which commissions shall issue. I have the honour to be w i t h great respect S i r Y o u r most obedt servt,

T H : JEFFERSON

RC (NHi); endorsed. F C ( V i ) .

T o Garret Van Meter SIR

Richmond April 27th. 1781

I have directed M r . Woodrow to furnish Money for the Bounty of the N e w Levies out of what was put into his hands for the re­ moval of your M i l i t i a to Pittsburg. [ 565 ]

27

APRIL

178 1

I am sorry such a Spirit of Disobedience has shewn itself in your County; it must be subdued. L a w s made by common Con­ sent must not be trampled on by Individuals. I t is very much the Interest of the good to force the unworthy into their due Share of Contributions to the Public Support, otherwise the burthen on them w i l l become oppressive indeed. W e have no power by the law of raising Cavalry in the Counties generally, but on some similar Occasions we have recommended to the County L i e u ­ tenants, who have the power of forming their M i l i t i a Companies as they please, to form into one Company such Individuals of their M i l i t i a as w i l l engage to mount and equip themselves and to serve as mounted Infantry and we give Commissions to the Officers in the ordinary Stile. These may be used as effectually as Cavalry, and men on horseback have been found the most certain Instru­ ment of public punishment. T h e i r best w a y too perhaps is not to go against the mutineers when embodied which would bring on perhaps an open Rebellion or Bloodshed most certainly, but when they shall have dispersed to go and take them out of their Beds, singly and without Noise, or i f they be not found the first time to go again and again so that they may never be able to remain in quiet at home. T h i s is what I must recommend to you and therefore furnish the Bearers with the Commissions as you desire. I f you find this Service considerable you w i l l of Course give the Individuals Credit for it as a T o u r of Duty. I am &c, T.J. FC ( V i ) . Enclosures not found.

From the Virginia Delegates in Congress P h i l a d e l p h i a , 2 7 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . "Having discovered that there were a considerable number of Rampart Arms belonging to the U : S . at this place, which have long lain dormant, (having been supposed useless for the Field,) we have found on enquiry that with a small alteration, and fixing Bayonettes to them they are capable of being renderd exceed­ ing good Field Arms." The Delegates undertook to arrange for their alteration and transportation to Virginia, there to be offered to the state, by "some Virginia Merchants who had money in this City"; but the sum asked in order to realize a profit "greatly exceeded any allowance we thought ourselves Justifiable in agreeing they should receive, especially when we considered the low condition of the treasury of the State. . . . This determined us to embrace an Alternative, which we hope in the End will prove more Eligible; we have . . . procured an Order of Con­ gress to the board of W a r to have two thousand stand immediately [566]

2 8 APRIL

1781

altera and fitted up for field Service, to be forwarded with all possible expedition to Virginia and the remainder to be sent to Maryland and North Carolina. In order to accelerate this operation, we must entreat your Excellency to devise some means of furnishing to the amount of 1,300 Pounds hard money or its Value in Paper, such as will Circu­ late in this State; without which we find it will absolutely be impractible to carry into execution a measure which will be productive of the greatest advantage to the Southern States." The lack of a fund on which to draw in Philadelphia in the interest of Virginia has often "greatly embarrassed" the Delegates. They therefore think it would be "highly proper to fix an Agent for the State in this City, to be furnished with remittances for such purposes, and to transact many other usefull pieces of Business for the State which not only lays greatly out of the line of the delegates duty but frequently prevents them from bestow­ ing the necessary attention to the more important interests of the State and of the Union in general." A postscript states that "a Copy of the agreement we have been necessitated to enter into" is enclosed. RC (PHi); 3 p.; in Bland's hand and signed "James Madison Junr. Theok. Bland M[eriwether] Smith." Printed in Burnett, Letters

of Members,

vi,

No.

81. Enclosure ( V i ) : Copy of "Memo­ randum of an agreement" between Ebenezer Cowell of Philadelphia and the three delegates who signed the cov­ ering letter, dated same day, whereby Cowell engages to "Cut and put in good repair" 2,000 rampart arms at the rate

of 7/6 hard money; 1,200 are to be ready in fourteen days; the delegates agree to pay the full sum in sixty days from date, or the remaining 800 arms (or as many of them as necessary) are to be sold to satisfy the demand of said Cowell under the terms of this agree­ ment (CVSP, II, 75; according to Bur­ nett, Letters

of Members,

vi, No.

81,

note 3, MS of original contract was sold at auction by Stan V. Henkels).

From Nathanael Greene SIR

[28 April 1781]

Since I wrote your Excellency in answer to the resolutions of your Assembly relative to the conduct of the Cavalry Officers, and the measures pointed out to supply this A r m y in future w i t h Horses, I have been considering more fully the tendency and consequences that would attend it. I t is to be lamented that Officers w i l l not exercise more discre­ tion and prudence when entrusted with the execution of an order which seems to invade the rights of a Citizen not perfectly con­ formable to the L a w s and constitution of the L a n d . A n d it is equally to be lamented that a Legislature should from a resent­ ment for the misconduct of a few individuals, bring upon an A r m y employed in their service inevitable ruin, and upon the community disgrace and distress. I was very particular in giving my orders to guard against the evils complained of, a copy of w h i c h is inclosed, and I have no [567]

2 8 APRIL

17 8 1

wish to screen a single Officer who has wantonly invaded the prop­ erty of the People, or offered any insult to the Inhabitants; but I wish the improper conduct of a few Officers may not be made to operate as a punishment upon the whole A r m y . Particular situa­ tions and particular circumstances often make measures necessary that have the specious shew of oppression, because they carry with them consequences pointed and distressing to individuals. I t is to be lamented that this is the case, but pressing emergencies make it political and sometimes unavoidable. W h e n we retired over the D a n our force was too small to stop the progress of the E n e m y , or mark the limits of their approach. W e appealed to the only means left us to save your Country, and prevent the destruction of a virtuous little A r m y . M e n were called for, they turned out with a spirit that did honor to themselves and their Country; Horses were wanted to mount our Dragoons, they could not be procured but by virtue of impress W a r r a n t s . Y o u was convinced of this fact and therefore furnished me w i t h the W a r r a n t s for the purpose. I took the most adviseable, and as I thought the most effectual means to have the business conducted w i t h propriety; and I cannot but think the Gentlemen generally who were entrusted with the execution of my orders, were gov­ erned entirely by a principle of public good. Some mistakes and several abuses appear to have happened in impressing Studd Horses instead of geldings, but those mistakes arose from the necessity of mounting our Dragoofns] in such a manner as to give us an immediate superiority over the E n e m y , as well in the quality of the Horses as their number. T h e People complained, I was w i l l i n g to redress their grievances; some of the most valuable covering Horses w ere returned, and I shall direct some others to be restored notwithstanding the great inconvenience which must inevitably attend this A r m y by it. T h e Assembly of your State appear to have taken up the matter from a principle tho' acknowledged to be virtuous, yet from its tendency must be allowed to be impolitic. T h e rights of Individuals are as dear to me as to any M a n , but the safety of a community I have ever considered as an object more valuable. I n politic's as well as every thing else a received and established axiom is, that greater evils should in every instance give w a y to lesser misfortunes. I n W a r it is often impossible to conform to all the ceremonies of L a w and equal justice; and to attempt it would be productive of greater misfortunes to the public from the delay than all the inconveniencies w h i c h individuals may suffer. r

[ 568 ]

28

APRIL

1781

Y o u r Excellency must be sensible of the innumerable inconveniencies I had to labor under at the time, and the variety of dif­ ficulties that still surround us. Nothing but light Horse can enable us, with the little A r m y we have, to appear in the field; and noth­ ing but a superiority in Cavalry can prevent the E n e m y from cut­ ting to pieces every detachment coming to join the A r m y or em­ ployed in collecting supplies. F r o m the open State of this Country their services are particularly necessary, and unless we can keep up the Corps of Cavalry and constantly support a superiority it w i l l be out of our power to act or to prevent the E n e m y from overruning the Country, and commanding all its resources. T h e Assembly I fear by their resolves have destroyed my hopes and expectations on this head. Under the L a w as it at present stands it is certain nothing can be done. B y limitting Dragoon Horses to the narrow price of five thousand Pounds it amounts only to a prohibition, and cuts off the prospect of any future sup­ plies. A t this moment the E n e m y are greatly superior to us, and unless V i r g i n i a w i l l spring immediately to the most generous exer­ tions they w i l l indubitably continue so. I t is in vain to expect pro­ tection from an A r m y which is not supported, or make feeble efforts upon narrow principles of prudence or ceconomy; they only serve to procrastinate the W a r , and tire out the patience of the People. Already have we experienced in many instances, the i l l consequences of neglecting the A r m y when surrounded with difficulties and threatened with ruin. Great expence of blood and treasure have attended this policy, and to redress the grievances of a few Individ­ uals when it w i l l entail calamity upon the Community, w i l l be neither political or just. I f Horses are dearer to the Inhabitants than the lives of Sub­ jects or the liberties of the People there w i l l be no doubt of the Assembly persevering in their late resolution, otherwise I hope they w i l l reconsider the matter and not oblige me to take a measure which cannot fail to bring ruin upon the A r m y , and fresh misfor­ tunes upon the Country. FC ( M i U - C ) ; in Capt. William Pierce's hand; endorsed in part: "Used April 28th. 1781," whence the assigned date at head of letter is taken. Enclo­ sure not found. Greene's letter, written in response to T J ' s private request of 1 Apr. 1781, was transmitted by T J to the speaker of the House of Delegates on 28 May; see also T J to Greene, 24 Mch.; T J to speaker of the House, 10 May; and

Greene to T J , 6 and 11 Apr. Greene's need for cavalry was so urgent that he offered a reward of "Twenty Spanish Milld Dollars or its equivalent" for every horse taken from the enemy that was fit for cavalry (Order Book, headquarters "before Camden," 23 Apr. 1781, CSmH: HM683). In view of this need and of Greene's constant demand for more and better horses, it is puzzling to note that, early in Mch. 1781, he

l 569 ]

2 8 APRIL caused his aide-de-camp, Capt. Pierce, to write the following: "The great num­ bers of horse already in the army make it very unwieldy in its movements and destroy so much of the forage of the country that in the course of a little time we shall scarcely be able to subsist an army. Yesterday we dismissed near one thousand and the General desires us to inform you that all such of yours who are not properly equipped with swords &c. be immediately dismounted and the horses sent to their respective homes" (Pierce to Gen. John Butler, 4 Mch. 1781; CSmH: GR1051). The fact that men "properly equipped with swords &c." were excepted from this order proves that some, at least, of the horses regarded as superfluous were useful as mounts. It suggests also that it was not merely the problem of forage and sub­ sistence that caused Greene to take the surprising action of dismounting so large a number of men and that a fuller explanation lies in his conception of the proper use of cavalry. Greene had stud­ ied the methods of Frederick the Great, possibly because of Steuben's influence, and his use of cavalry was in the classic European tradition—for reconnaissance, for surprise, for flanking movements, for pursuit, &c. But fighting in the Carolinas in the last months of the war was very different from the art of war as practiced in Prussia two decades earlier. King's Mountain had proved that. It was a method of fighting that Greene distinctly disliked. "There is a great spirit of enterprise prevailing among the militia of these Southern states, especially with the volunteers," he wrote soon after taking command. "But their mode of going to war is so destructive, as well as uncertain, that it is the greatest folly in the world to trust the liberties of a people to such a precarious tenure" (Greene to Varnum, 24 Jan. 1781; CSmH: GR914). Thus

178 1

the lesson of King's Mountain was lost upon him and he persisted in opposition to the idea of mounted militia coming in on a sudden emergency, dismounting to fight, and then evaporating. He pre­ ferred instead to rely on well-planned strategy carried out by foot infantry (regulars), supported by magazines strategically placed, by an ample num­ ber of baggage wagons, and by such splendid cavalry outfits as those of Lee and Washington. But under the condi­ tions of fighting surrounding him in 1781, Greene's reliance on this policy was dangerous and more than once his encumbrances of magazines and bag­ gage trains threatened him with ruin. In the two weeks following Cowpens he spent much time asking for more wag­ ons and magazines, complaining that Cornwallis' relentless pressure would not give him time to mount a proper campaign. This response to the news of Cowpens is instructive; Cornwallis' re­ action to that event stands in marked contrast. On hearing of Tarleton's de­ feat, he immediately burned his bag­ gage wagons, converted to light infan­ try, and, in the midst of a hostile coun­ try, began his almost reckless pressure on Greene. This may have been inspired in part by indignation, but the fact is that Cornwallis with his European train­ ing had improvised to match backwoods' methods of improvisation; Greene, on the other hand, clung to a European military tradition that almost proved fatal in an alien environment. It was not until two weeks after Cowpens, with Cornwallis on his heels, that he sent a desperate appeal to Shelby and Camp­ bell asking for the immediate assistance of their mounted volunteers that had won the day at King's Mountain (Greene to Shelby, 30 Jan. 1781, CSmH: GR928; to Campbell, without place or date but undoubtedly written at the same time; same, GR929).

From Beesly Edgar Joel [28 April 1781] I have this instant received notice that the E n e m y appears to be again in motion at Osburn's. I have dispatch't a Vidett to recoinoitre them, and am collecting some negroes to hew down T r e e s and be ready to take up the different Bridges in their rout. T h e r e is [ 570]

28

APRIL

178 1

no Officer on this side but myself. I desire to know i f you have any commands. I am S i r & c ,

B

RC ( V i ) ; without place or date; addressed: "Governor Jefferson"; en­ dorsed: "Lre. from Capt Joel April 28th. 1781," which is probably the date both of writing and of receipt. The significance of the initials following Joel's signature (which may be "B.M.") is not known. T H E R E IS NO OFFICER ON THIS SIDE

BUT M Y S E L F : I.e., the south side of the James. Simcoe's M i l i t a r y J o u r n a l , p. 201-2, gives the following account of the movements of the British force at this time: "The troops remained in this vicinity [Osborne's, where the action against the V i r g i n i a naval force had oc-

ED. JOEL.

B:N

c u r r e d o n t h e 2 7 t h ] till the 29th, when they proceeded towards Manchester. The bridge at Robert's mills, which had been destroyed, was repaired, and the army encamped near Cary's house: next morning they marched to Man­ chester, from whence they had a view of M. Fayette's army, encamped on the heights of Richmond: on the evening they returned to Cary's. . . . The troops proceeded by Osborne's to the Bermuda Hundreds: a quantity of cattle was col­ lected for them, by a detachment of the Queen's Rangers the next day; and the whole army embarked on the 2d of May."

From Thomas Read, enclosing a Resolution of the Charlotte County Militia Officers C h a r l o t t e C o u r t House, 2 8 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . Encloses a resolution of the militia officers of this county and is "directed to mention to you Sir, that Arms are dificult to be procured in the County, not having been Recovr'd since Sent out with the Militia under General Green." Am­ munition is also wanting. Asks where the men, if ordered out, are to march, and would be glad to have the six weeks term reduced if a shorter period would "Answer the Present Emergency"; enlistments would thus be expedited, "as the Men who are to be depended on to engage in this Service have but just Returned from Geni. Green." The bearer will take charge of any letters T J is pleased to send. E N C L O S U R E

At A meeting of the Militia Officers of Charlotte County on Saturday the 28th. day of April 1781. Present Thos. Read County Lieut., Col. Watkins, Lieut. Col. Morton. Captains W . Morton, White, Barksdill, Ja. Morton, Gaines, Spencer. Halloway, Wallace and Jameson. The members having just received authentick information of the Enemies having advanced to Petersburg, And they wishing to render every essential Service in their power to their Country, do Resolve, that a person be employed to wait on his Excellency the Governour, with an Offer of the Service of 100. or more of the Militia of this County Of­ ficered to serve 6 weeks from the time of embodying to March on the present emergency. The said Court think it practicable to raise the aforesaid number of Volunteers, Notwithstanding nearly the whole of the Militia have just returned from A Tour of Duty. And the County [571]

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A P R I L

1781

Lieut, is empowered to represent the said Resolution together with A State of the Arms &c. to his Exelency. Copy.

W I L L I A M J A M E S O N Clk

RC ( V i ) ; 1 p.; addressed in part: "fav Lt. Madison"; endorsed in part: "April 30th 1781" (date of receipt). Enclosure filed with letter in Vi; presumably in Jameson's hand.

From Charles Bellini Dall' Università in James-City 29 Aple 1781. Sigre. Tommaso Amico e P[ad]rone Stimatissmo. Non o potuto resistere alla tentazione di scriverle, e toglierle in conseguenza un poco del tempo da L e i destinato agli affari in queste calamitose circostanze. J o non so cosa i ' m i sia, n è che cosa sia per esser di me se io resto p i ù qui; m i pare per altro ch'io sarò Suddito non p i ù alle leggi di questo Stato, m a a quelle d'un Quadrumvirato. Questa idea solamente è p i ù che bastante a rendere i miei giorni infelicissimi, e s'io non avessi l a certa Speranza che E l l a non v o r r à m a i scordarsi di me n é mancare d'assistermi, io vorrei certamente finir la faccenda con una tazza di T è . Poche delle Sue parole i n un pezzo di foglio potrebbero, per ora, rimettere i l mio Spirito in calma. L a m i a moglie desidera vivamente che l a S u a Sigra. Sposa non si scordi di N o i . O h ' Se l'università potesse convenientemente rimuoversi in Albemarle, che bella cosa! I o lo desidero ardentemente, e frattanto io m i protesto con l a p i ù perfetta Stima e rispetto Suo Divotmo. Obblmo. Servitore, C.B. RC ( D L C ) . The editors are indebted to Professor A. T . MacAllister, Jr., Princeton University, for a transcription of this letter and for a translation on which the following" summary is based. Writing from the College of William and Mary, Bellini tells his "Friend and Most Esteemed Patron" that he could not resist the temptation to write and thus "take from you a little of the time intended by you for business in these calamitous circumstances." He does not know what will become of him if he stays here longer; "it seems to me, however, that I shall no longer be subject to the laws of this State, but to those of

a Quadrumvirate." If he were not comforted by the thought that T J will not forget or fail to assist him, " I should certainly end matters with a cup of tea." Desires T J to write him. His wife hopes Mrs. Jefferson has not forgotten the Bellinis. "Oh, if the university could conveniently move to Albemarle, what a fine thing it would be!" For an entertaining glimpse of the Bellinis and their longing for Italy at this time, see Peter S. DuPonceau's "Autobiography," PMHB, L X i n (1939), 317-18. DuPonceau, later a distinguished Philadelphia attorney and man of learning, was at this time on the staff of Steuben.

[572}

From Vivian Brooking A m e l i a , 2 9 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . Encloses "a Return of Men and Arms sent from this County to join Geni. Green in Feby. last." Brooking having been sick at the time, the return is signed by Col. [James] Jenkins. The enclosed Return, dated 24 Feb. 1781 and signed "J Jenkins Colo. 2 B, A[melia] M[ilitia], lists 222 officers and men, 204 guns, 32 bayonets, 21 lbs. of powder, 24 lbs. of lead, 14 cartridge boxes, 3 wagons and teams. R C ( V i ) ; 4 p., including enclosure; addressed in part: dorsed. Enclosure filed with letter in V i .

W m . Arnold"; en­

From Heinrich Gerlach SIR

on Board Flag of Truce Geni. Riedesel Hampton Road 29 April 1781.

I have been Waiting with grate anxiety to receive Your Excel­ lency answer to my Letter of the 27th. March last, which Your Excellency was pleasd to inform me You had forwarded to Con­ gress for their Determination. I beg leave to Inform Your Excellency I am verry desirous to get the Bussiness of the Flag of Truce Settled as soon as possible, and to propose if it can be done without any Trouble to His Excellency, or the executive Power of Virginia permission to go from this Place with the Flag of Truce to the Head of Chysapeak Bay, or to the nearest Place which His Excellency thinks proper and there wait the Determination of Congress, and that His E x ­ cellency will be pleasd to give Directions to render me everry propre Assistence and to prevent all possible Delay's. I have the Honor to by Sir Your Excellency Most Obedient and most Humble Servant, H G E R L A C H Capitaine R C ( N N ) ; endorsed. T h i s letter was enclosed in Miles King's letter to T J , Apr. and was answered 3 May 1781.

30

From Churchill Gibbs " P o h a t t i n [ P o w h a t a n ] C o u r t hous" 2 9 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . On 27 Apr. five prisoners under Gibbs' care at this place escaped from jail, and "from Every Circonstance we [have] Reason to Believe the Sentinals which ware on their Post At that time ware pryvy to it." The sentinels have therefore been jailed but are not yet tried. RC

( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

[ 573 ]

From John Rogers Harodsburg, 2 9 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . Since arriving at the Falls of Ohio, Rogers has "been much Surprised to find that some Persons have wrote aspersions against my Character during the time of my Command at the Illinoys last Winter. Richd. Winston and Richd. McCarty I am informd are the Persons." T J should know that McCarty "has ever since Septr. last been under an Arrest for Treason," and Winston, though he was deputy county lieutenant for Illinois, "opposed me in all my de­ mands for provisions for my Men and encoraged the Inhabitants at all times to refuse my requests notwithstanding my repeated applicasions for that purpose tho my Men were even dying for want." " I was under the Necessity of killing now and then a Beast for their support," but the men were kept from starvation largely through the efforts of Mr. [Thomas] Bentley of Kaskaskia, who is now on his way to Richmond and whom Rogers commends to government. The expedition under Gen. Clark being on foot prevents Rogers from waiting on T J to clear his character, "which I flatter My self I can do and doubt not but you will anticipate my Innocence as was the case with reguard to Colo. Callaways Charge in 1779. . . . I am informed they Charge me with haveing shot down and barbigued the Cattle on the Commons—a Charge no less villinous than false." Rogers sends by Capt. Dodge part of the documentary evidence refuting this charge and can furnish more. It is his "positive opinion the People of the Illinois and Post Vincenes have been in an absolute State of Rebellion for these several Months past and ought to have no further Indulgence shewn them and such is the Nature of those People the more they are indulged the more turbulent they grow, and I look upon it that Winston and McCarty have been principle Instruments to bring them to the Pitch they are now at." Desires T J to question all persons who come from Illinois respecting Rogers' conduct, and to send to Gen. Clark copies of all letters containing charges against Rogers. RC ( V i ) ; 3 p.; addressed in part: "® Capt. Dodge"; endorsed: "Jno Rog­ ers's Letter respectg Bentley." Printed

in George

Rogers

1 7 8 1 , p. 545-6.

C l a r k Papers,

1771-

On the factional strife raging in the Illinois settlements at this period, see the petition of the inhabitants of Kas­ kaskia, 4 May 1781, and references there.

Edward Carrington to Timothy Pickering Camp 13 Miles from Camden So Carolina DR SIR

Api 30th. 1781.

Upon receiving the Honor of an appointment of Deputy Quarter Master General to the Southern A r m y from General Greene, dated the fifth of December last, I , immediately, according to the Generals Orders, repaired to Richmond in V i r g i n i a to Arrange the business in that State, as the principal support of the service [ 574]

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APRIL

178 1

under the present circumstances of the Carolina's must be drawn therefrom. Immediately on my A r r i v a l I wrote the Assistant Quar­ ter Master General, a general letter on the subject of the depart­ ment, and after I had Arranged the business in V i r g i n i a under the direction of Major Claiborne wrote him particularly of the dispo­ sitions I had made there, together with similar Arrangements transmitted to the deputy for Maryland and Delaware, to be put into practice, so far as they might not be inconsistent with any given by you. These letters I requested Colo. Pettit to transmit for your inspection that you might countermand any of them, dis­ agreeing with your general plan, which the L o c a l circumstances of the Southern states did not justify. These letters Colo. Pettit writes me you have had a view of, and it w i l l afford me pleasure to find they have met your approbation. I t was my wish that you should, as early as possible, be pos­ sessed of a State of the department, and therefore directed the deputies for the different States to transmit you seperate returns, as soon as they had Compleated their Arrangements, to prevent the delay which must have attended their coming through me. A return of the business in the field I should have done myself the pleasure to transmit you before this, but the continual move­ ments ever since I joined the A r m y , on the 8th. of Feby. have prevented my doing so. I found the business in great confusion, and few persons employed fit for any kind of business. W i t h those, the business was rather to be carried on in the best manner it could, than Arranged and established. Permanent appointments to improper persons, are not to be given and, in this department, the want of Money and credit make it extremely difficult to get good Men to engage in business, or w i l l they, at any rate, on the terms held out in the plan for regulating the Quarter Masters department. O f stores of every kind there never was an A r m y more destitute, [n]or have we been able to put ourselves in a M u c h better situation by the A r r i v a l of a large Number of Waggons sent from Philadelphia in the Course of last W i n t e r . T h e sudden Movements of the two Armies through North Carolina obliged us to send those Waggons to Prince E d w a r d Court House to be un­ loaded, and the Stores adjusted, so as to be forwarded as we should have occasion for them, but many of the most Material Articles are so totally unfit for service, that they w i l l never be of any use to us. T h e Horsemans Saddles and Accoutrements, and W a g g o n Gear were in this Situation. I shall get a thorough State of those Stores, and transmit it to you. [575

]

30

178 1

A P R I L

I must beg leave to observe to you also our situation w i t h re­ spect to Artificers. T h e A r m y was totally without any till those detatchments from Baldwins Regiment arrived. M a n y of them we are obliged to discharge as having served their terms, and I w i s h the Officers had been chosen with more circumspection than they were, there is not a good Officer amongst them. I submit it to you whether Major B r u i n might not with propriety be detatched from the Regiment to Command the Companies serving here. I hope by the first of June to be able to transmit you a return of the department as to the Field, that w i l l be tolerably satisfactory, but untili the A r m y becomes less Active than it has been ever since I joined it, I shall not be able to render one so perfect as I w i s h . I observe by a letter of yours to general Greene that you view my extending my measures beyond the duties of the Field as im­ proper and inconsistent with my appointment. W h a t the words of the appointment literally construed, might express, I own I did not critically examine. I n accepting it, I was influenced by the public objects which claimed Attention, and the consequence due to the rank I hold in the A r m y . Whether, in confining myself to the Field duties of an A r m y either of those circumstances would have been duly attended to, I think I may venture to submit to your own determination on Mature reflection, and I hope I shall at least stand exempted from an intentional departure from the limits of my office, as General Greenes orders for me to proceed to, and arrange the business in V i r g i n i a , gave me every reason to suppose he considered my powers equal to such a step. A s to Major Claibornes appointment contrary to that of Major Forsythe, I am convinced, that, circumstanced as General Greene was, I should have been very justly considered as triffling away m y time, had I waited in V i r g a . on the precarious expectation of Forsythes A r r i v a l and accepted till the time at which he came, es­ pecially as he had never intimated to the Governor or myself any­ thing whatever on the Subject. I take the liberty of Stating to you the circumstances, and w i l l submit them to your own considera­ tion. About the 13th. of Deer. I arrived at Richmond in conse­ quence of the Generals orders to repair thereto and arrange the business in the State as quickly as I could, that I might come to the A r m y where m y presence was much wanted. H e had also informed me that Major Forsythe was probably appointed. O n m y arrival I called on his Excellency Governor Jefferson to be in­ formed of his prospects with respect to the deputy for the State without whom it would be impossible to put the business in any [576

]

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178

1

k i n d of order. H i s Excellencies reply was that Major Forsythe had been written to on the subject and that he was surprised at having heard nothing from h i m , as a considerable time had elapsed since the date of the letter. I waited t i l l about the first of J a n y . , when a letter came from M a j r . Forsythe to a M r . Southal informing h i m of his appointment as D . C . P . for the Southern department. W e had therefore two good reasons, I thought, for supposing he declined the

appointment as State Quarter Master, first,

had

having

Neglected to answer the Governors letter, secondly his acceptance of an appointment w h i c h was in m y opinion incompatible w i t h it. T h e Governor agreed w i t h me, and concluded it was time to

ap­

point some other person. I n this case I thought from the extent of my powers the choice was w i t h me. T h e Executive objected thereto, and, as I was not disposed to dispute for form, where I could gain the

point otherwise, I recommended and

they appointed

Major

Claiborne. G e n i . Greene has written you fully on the subject of my situa­ tion to w h i c h I shall be obliged to you to give an early answer. I n my next I shall write you very fully on the subject of the business here. I am w i t h much respect D r S i r Y r M o Ob RC (DNA: R G 93). MAJOR BRUIN: Probably Major Peter

Bryant Bruin of the Seventh Virginia Regiment, Continental Line. On the whole tangled business of the ForsythClaiborne appointment, see Pickering to T J , 15 Dec. 1780; Carrington and Claiborne's plan for the quartermaster's department in Virginia, 1 Jan. 1781; Claiborne to T J , 12 Jan. 1781; T J to Pickering, 15 Jan. 1781; Pickering to T J , 3 Feb. 1781. TJ's account of the appointment of Claiborne as given in his letter to Pickering of 15 Jan. 1781 is substantially in agreement with the present account by Carrington, but with one important difference, noted below. But Greene's readiness to accuse T J of dilatoriness in making an appointment and Claiborne's belief that T J had not acted promptly in Dec. 1780 because he and Forsyth were not on good terms take on different meaning when it is considered that T J acted immediately on Greene's suggestion of Forsyth and, after waiting a reasonable time for For­ syth to accept, yielded to Greene's pres­ sure and agreed to the appointment of Claiborne by Steuben. The following facts will help to clarify the matter: ( 1 )

E D CARRINGTON

immediately on arrival in Richmond in Nov. 1780, Greene wrote to Pickering that the quartermaster's department in Virginia was "altogether deranged" and that a deputy would have to be ap­ pointed: "The Governor appointed one but he would not accept, nor do I be­ lieve it will be in your power to get one upon the condition of the system. I have advised the Governor to appoint Major Forsyth if he will accept. The Governor says Finney has absolutely refused. For­ syth is an active fine young fellow, and if he undertakes you will have to ac­ comodate his reward to his expences. . . ." (20 Nov. 1780, CSmH: GR737). This was written the same day that Greene outlined to T J his needs for the southern army and called attention to the need for appointing a DQMG for Virginia (see Vol. 4:130-4). (2) On 4 Dec. 1780 Greene wrote Carrington from Charlotte asking him to become DQMG for the Southern Department and to repair to Richmond at once in order to arrange with the deputy there for expediting supplies from the north on their way through Virginia; if no deputy had been appointed, Greene added, "tell the Gov. that I think it

[577]

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APRIL

indispensably necessary that one be ap­ pointed immediately. I have written to the Governor of your appointment [Vol. 4:184; actually Greene wrote T J two days later] and desired him to give the same credit and attention to your appli­ cations as my own. . . . You will en­ quire of the Governor what steps have been taken by the Assembly to furnish the artificers and waggons required by me of the state, and press their imme­ diate compliance. For without artificers we cannot aid the transportation. For­ ward all the stores coming from Phil­ adelphia and allow none of them to be stopt in Virginia unless it is for corps that are to march immediately to the Southward, and are in perfect readiness in all other respects. I have written the Governor again respecting the maga­ zines to be formed upon the Roanoke [perhaps referring to requisition of 20 Nov. 1780, Vol. 4:133; no letter from Greene to T J between that date and 6 Dec. has been found]. I wish you to confer with him upon this business and have the counties fixed upon which are to furnish the provisions" (CSmH: GR756). (3) T J wrote Forsyth imme­ diately upon receiving Greene's recom­ mendation, not later than 21 Nov. 1781 (see Vol. 4: 521). Forsyth was in Philadelphia during the latter part of Nov. and at least until the middle of Dec. (see Vol. 4:182-3; 285-8, 374; 521). (4) Claiborne wrote to Steuben on 28 Nov. 1780, stating that Forsyth had not returned from Philadelphia and adding: "neither have I heard anything from the Governor respecting the ap­ pointment of Quarter Master for this State: The Governor may have written to Major Forsyth on the subject from the recommendation of General Greene and yourself: but I am afraid it is a matter of little consequence with the

1781

Governor whether Major Forsyth ac­ cepts the Appointment or not, as there is not a good understanding between [them]. . . . I know of no one in the state who it would be so proper to ap­ point as Major Forsyth" (CSmH: HM8099). (5) Though T J had already consented to Claiborne's being appoint­ ed, Greene wrote to Steuben (to whom T J granted the right to make the ap­ pointment; see Vol. 4: 374) on 29 Dec. 1780: " I hope you will not forget to have a deputy QM General appointed for Virginia. Give the Governor no rest until it is done. Should there be any clothing in Virginia coming to this army, pray hasten it on, as the soldiers are really indecent in their appearance, besides being rendered entirely incapa­ ble of doing any kind of duty" (CSmH: GR832). (6) Finally, on the next day, Greene wrote to Pickering himself: say­ ing that he had not heard anything of the appointment of a DQMG for Vir­ ginia and adding: " I wish you would press it upon the Governor, as I have done more th?n once." Pickering was understandably disturbed over this dou­ ble tender of office by T J (see Vol. 4: 521-2), but it is clear that the latter was endeavoring promptly to meet Greene's wishes and yielded as readily as he did because of insistent pressure from the commander of the Southern

Department, T H E EXECUTIVE . . . AP­ POINTED MAJOR

CLAIBORNE:

This

is

incorrect; T J agreed to permit Steuben to make the appointment (see his letter to Pickering, 15 Jan. 1781); Steuben's Journal for Dec. 1780-Jan. 1781 (NHi) has the following under 29 Dec. 1780: "Sworn Colo. Carrington and Major Claiborne, the former as Deputy Quar­ termaster General for the Southern army, the other as Deputy Quarter Mr Geni for the State of Virginia."

From Nathanael Greene SIR

Camp at Rughlys Mill April 30th 1781

I have been honord with your Excellencys letter of A p r i l the 5th and with the enclosures respecting the misconduct of L t . Rudder. I consider it a public misfortune that such hot headed Youth, have it in their power to injure the public by such imprudent conduct. L e t h i m and every other Officer who misbehaves be subject to such punnishment as they merit. Y o u may depend upon it that no Of[ 578 ]

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A P R I L

1 7 81

ficer shall recieve countenance from me in either insulting Govern­ ment or its Inhabitants. I have the honor to be with great respect Y o u r Excellencys Most Obedt humble Svt, N GREENE FC (MiU-C); endorsed.

From Miles King H a m p t o n , 3 0 Apr. 1 7 8 1 . Bearer brings a letter from Capt. Gerlach of the flag vessel from New York, who is very desirous of knowing "where his Ship is destined for." T J ' s orders may be sent by the bearer. RC ( V i ) ; 3 p.; addressed; endorsed. The bearer was one Bryan, to whom there is a note by King on the cover of King's letter to T J ordering Bryan "to proceed to Richmond with the Inclosed two letters for his Excellency the Gov­ ernor and in Case he is not at Richmond and you Cant gett any of the Council

to do the Business you are in that Case desird to proceed to the Governor and bring back an Answer to the letters as soon as Possible." One of the two en­ closures in King's letter to T J was Heinrich Gerlach's, dated 27 Apr.; the other has not been identified.

From Boiling Stark H O N O R A B L E

Fairfield April. 30th. 1 7 8 1 .

S I R

It is probable your Excellency may have heard that I reached Cumberland old Court house on Wednesday last with the books and papers belonging to Your's, and the other public-boards, where I judged they would be perfectly secure from the enemy, but on Saturday, we were alarmed with an account of their having pene­ trated the country as far as chesterfield Court-house, at which place they had destroyed every house &c. [and] that General M u h lenburg conscious of his inferiority was retreating before them. T h i s disagreeable piece of intelligence determined me to re-cross James-river, and thinking the papers were to be more secure at a private than a public-house, I have taken the liberty of throwing myself and them upon the hands of my old acquaintance and rela­ tion Colo. John Boiling where they w i l l remain until it becomes safe to return them to Richmond; unless Y o u r Excellency thinks it necessary to remove them to some other place. W e receive every day vague reports of the conduct of our cruel foe, but can't tell what degree of credit to give thereto. I f you can spare so much time, I should be extremely obliged in receiving from Y o u r Excellency by the return of the bearer an account of the

[ 579 ]

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APRIL

1781

present situation of both armies, the strength of each, the probable designs of the E n e m y , our loss in the action on Appomattox, the particular depredations and injury done at and in the vicinity of Petersburg and at Osbornes, and in short every other interesting circumstance, for I had rather know the worst that can have hap­ pened than continue any Longer in a state of suspense and un­ certainty. M r s . Jefferson and your little family were very well yesterday at E l k - h i l l , and were endeavouring to procure a vessel to cross over the river to M r . C : Harrisons, but I doubt they would find it dif­ ficult, for the Q: Master had the day before collected all the canoes in the neighbourhood and sent them down the river loaded w i t h grain for the use of the army. I am with the most perfect esteem Your Excellency's obedient BÖLLING STARK

humble servt., R C ( V i ) ; addressed; endorsed: " B . Starke Letter."

Henry Young to William Davies DR. S I R

Richmond 30th. Api 81

T h e plan propos'd by M r . Ross for the building of M r . Ander­ sons shop I think a good one. W o u ' d not 20 insted of 28 feet [be] wide enough? I dont know whether it wou'd not be best to have a store house at one end of the Shop. T h e r e is but one reason can operate against it, that is fire. M r . F o r d informs me that you w i l l be at the point of fork this evening. W i l l you be so good as to take this matter under your consideration and give direction accord­ ingly? I wish I may not be troublesome to you. I wou'd have been up m y self was not m y intintions ingrossed here. T h e W a r e houses up the other side are on fire this moment. T h e E n e m y dont appear to be in fource at Manchester, 'tis impossible to determine. T h e Boats being so intirely ingaged I fear M r . Anderson w i l l want Coales. F o u r of the best Boats by night, w i l l be removed from this place to West-ham. E i g h t Prisoners were brought in just now. T h e y were taken on the other side by a party of M i l i t i a . I think we only want A r m s to make the defence of this place sure. I am m y dear sir respectfully your servant, H YOUNG T h e E n e m y have not landed on this side. R C ( V i ) ; addressed: "Colo. William Davies Point of fork"; endorsed: "Henry Young April 1781."

T h e British occupied Manchester on the morning of 30 Apr., "from whence they had a view of M . Fayette's army

[580]

1

M A Y 1781

encamped on the heights of Richmond" (Simcoe, M i l i t a r y J o u r n a l , 201). Davies at this time was on his way to Point of Fork; he stopped at Powhatan Court­ house and wrote Steuben that he found "notwithstanding your intentions and mine the whole of the stores from Peters­ burg and Chesterfield collected here." He thereupon directed them to proceed to Cumberland Old Courthouse (Davies to Steuben, 29 Apr. 1781, NHi). From Cumberland Old Courthouse on 2 May

Robert Gamble reported that "all the stores and baggage as well as that be­ longing to the militia are at this place 40 miles distant from Manchester. We are just loading to set out for Carter's ferry 12 miles from this and 12 or 13 below the point of Fork. This last is the place where I understand Colo. Davies intends for the reception of all the artif­ icers both state and continental, and possibly for the general Rendezvous" (Gamble to Steuben, 2 May 1781, NHi).

To the Auditors May. 1. 1781. W m . Brackenridge came express from Botetourt on necessary public business and was detained in Richmond three days. TH:

380 miles @ 2tb Tobo is 780 Tobo. @ £ 7 5 Ferriages Expences 3 days in Richmond

JEFFERSON

£585 1: 4 181:16 768

RC (Contingent Fund Vouchers, Vi); endorsed: "16 June 1781. Wm. Brack­ enridge £768 Contingent." TJ's orders to the auditors are written on the verso of a memorandum of George Skillern,

county lieutenant, stating that Bracken­ ridge "thinks he ought to be paid for thirteen Days as he found a horse and boar his own Expences" and that "the wether was bad and waters high."

From Richard Claiborne SIR

Richmond. 1st. May 1781

This day the Marquis de la Fayette has given me orders to purchase Sixty good horses for Continental Service, to mount Major Nelsons Corps, and the Field Officers of the Continental detach­ ment from the Northward. I have employed Gentlemen for this purpose, and given them very pointed instructions. I n consequence they assure me that the business shall be done without delay; and, that the horses shall be agreeable to the discription; or by the obligations which they have laid themselves under, such as shall be different will be turned upon their hands. This mode will relieve one part of the inhabitants whose property has been impressed, but it will involve many more unless some timely measures are [581]

1

M A Y 1781

encamped on the heights of Richmond" (Simcoe, M i l i t a r y J o u r n a l , 201). Davies at this time was on his way to Point of Fork; he stopped at Powhatan Court­ house and wrote Steuben that he found "notwithstanding your intentions and mine the whole of the stores from Peters­ burg and Chesterfield collected here." He thereupon directed them to proceed to Cumberland Old Courthouse (Davies to Steuben, 29 Apr. 1781, NHi). From Cumberland Old Courthouse on 2 May

Robert Gamble reported that "all the stores and baggage as well as that be­ longing to the militia are at this place 40 miles distant from Manchester. We are just loading to set out for Carter's ferry 12 miles from this and 12 or 13 below the point of Fork. This last is the place where I understand Colo. Davies intends for the reception of all the artif­ icers both state and continental, and possibly for the general Rendezvous" (Gamble to Steuben, 2 May 1781, NHi).

To the Auditors May. 1. 1781. W m . Brackenridge came express from Botetourt on necessary public business and was detained in Richmond three days. TH:

380 miles @ 2tb Tobo is 780 Tobo. @ £ 7 5 Ferriages Expences 3 days in Richmond

JEFFERSON

£585 1: 4 181:16 768

RC (Contingent Fund Vouchers, Vi); endorsed: "16 June 1781. Wm. Brack­ enridge £768 Contingent." TJ's orders to the auditors are written on the verso of a memorandum of George Skillern,

county lieutenant, stating that Bracken­ ridge "thinks he ought to be paid for thirteen Days as he found a horse and boar his own Expences" and that "the wether was bad and waters high."

From Richard Claiborne SIR

Richmond. 1st. May 1781

This day the Marquis de la Fayette has given me orders to purchase Sixty good horses for Continental Service, to mount Major Nelsons Corps, and the Field Officers of the Continental detach­ ment from the Northward. I have employed Gentlemen for this purpose, and given them very pointed instructions. I n consequence they assure me that the business shall be done without delay; and, that the horses shall be agreeable to the discription; or by the obligations which they have laid themselves under, such as shall be different will be turned upon their hands. This mode will relieve one part of the inhabitants whose property has been impressed, but it will involve many more unless some timely measures are [581]

1

M A Y 17 8 1

taken to pay off the account. Upon as low a Calculation as I can make, considering the Quality of the horses; at least Four hundred thousand Pounds w i l l be necessary to discharge the debt. I t has become necessary for me to inform your Excellency, that the demands of the Quarter Masters department w i t h the A r m y w i l l require a large sum of money. I beg leave to ask for this branch S i x hundred thousand Pounds which added to the four hundred thousand for the horses w i l l make one Million. I can assure your Excellency that this is a very reasonable request compared to the great demands that w i l l be made. I find it Necessary to inform your Excellency likewise that the unsafe situation of my Manufactures at the T o w n s upon Naviga­ tion, and the manner in which they have been unfixed in conse­ quence of the enemy, has obliged me to look out for some retired part within the State where such business may be conducted w i t h ease. I fixed upon the point of F o r k , and acquainted your E x c e l ­ lency with m y intentions, which was requisite from a principle of respect, and public peace, as I would not do a thing which would produce any disagreeable consequences; but your Excellency was pleased to decline that approbation which I was in great hopes to have had. However as I have reconsidered the matter and cannot find that the duties of Continent or State w i l l by any means inter­ fere, agreeable to the opinion of M r . Ross the Proprietor of the land and many others, I have written to Major D r e w my Assistant in that district to get some reputable Gentlemen to examine and make their reports in writing. These I shall lay before Y o u r E x c e l ­ lency, and hope that their opinions w i l l not be disagreeable to you as the principle upon which I have acted is candid, and to facilitate the business of the department under m y direction. I have the honor to be with the highest respect & esteem Y o u r Excellencys Most obedient Humble Servant, RD. C L A I B O R N E D.Q.Mr. S.V.

P S . I beg your Excellency for a W a r r a n t for the one Million requested in this letter. R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. On 7 May 1781 the Governor and Council directed the Auditors to issue a war­ rant to Claiborne for £1,000,000 ( V a . C o u n c i l J o u r . , n, 343).

[582]

From John Dixon SIR

Gloucester May the 1st. 1781

I received your favor of the 12th. Ulto, requesting Cavalry to be raized to join M a j r . Geni. Baron Steuben, and was anxious to have comply'd therewith, but the Executive appearing to dis­ courage my plan of raising and equiping a Troop of Horse, it has effectually prevented the Gentlemen from being equip'd in any manner to answer the purpose for which they were calFd. A few indeed have acted from necessity as light Horsemen, and have been for some weeks on duty endeavouring to put a stop to the daily ravages committed by the E n e m y since the A r m s have been taken from our Militia. I am with great respect your Excellency's J . DIXON

Most Obt. Servt.,

RC (Vi); addressed; endorsed in part: "May 5th 1781." YOUR FAVOR OF T H E 12TH. ULTO.: That is, TJ's letter of that date to Robert Boiling and others.

From Robert Lawson SIR

Prince Edward May 1st. 1781.

I t gives me great concern to find that the M i l i t i a from many Counties go forth to join General Greenes A r m y with the greatest reluctance. Indeed there are many Counties very deficient in send­ ing the quota calPd for—some of them send none at a l l . M r . B u s h waits on your Excellency with M r . Henrys Letter, from Henry County, representing the difficulty of sending the number of Men call'd for from that County. I am told this is not the only applica­ tion made of this kind. W h a t number of men I may calculate on, I can not pretend to determine, but I begin to be seriously impress'd with an idea, that a number of those whose duty it is to turn out on this occasion, w i l l withhold their services under various pre­ tences, which altho' they may be applicable to their private affairs, are not admissible under the idea of public duty. I regret the neces­ sity which presses them to the feild, at a season which calls for their attention to their F a r m s , but our Armies must be equal to the task of preventing the E n e m y from over-runing the Country, with impunity, or our Efforts have been, and w i l l be in vain. I have expected daily to be honor'd with Your Excellencys com­ mands: but I fear that the movements of the E n e m y have been such as to discomfit your honorable board. I have not been able to collect [583 ]

1

MAY

1781

any certain accounts of the movements of the Brittish since I return'd home, and w i l l esteem it a favor i f your Excellency would be so good as to write me any Accounts that you may concieve material, either from General Greenes, or our A r m y here. I am much at a loss to advise any measure which may effectually remove the present unwillingness of the M i l i t i a to go to General Greenes A r m y , but I think I have discover'd, that they generally suppose, that altho' they go to the Southern A r m y , still they w i l l be equally subject to the draft on their return, set on foot to obtain the eighteen months men. Whether any thing can now be done to obviate this objection I leave to your Excellency. I mention'd the expediency of having blank commissions for the Officers who go out w i t h me. I hope they w i l l be sent up, when I am honor'd w i t h your dispatches. I hope I may stand excus'd for giving it as my opinion, that Indulgence to many of the Counties, who claim it for their M i l i t i a , may be attended with bad consequences. Among some reasons that occur to me, I assign this only that when one County obtains an indulgence everyone expects it unless they discover, that from a dissimilarity of cases, they are not justifyd in such an expectation. I have the honor to be with great respect S i r , Your Excellencys, Ro. LAWSON

Most obedt. & very hum. Servt., RC ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. MR. H E N R Y S L E T T E R has not been found. It was doubtless one transmit­ ting- an undated letter from Abraham Penn to Patrick Henry ( V i ) , setting forth the difficulties of furnishing mili­ tia for Greene from Henry co., 70 of them being already in that service, and suggesting that, if Henry considered an application to the Governor advis­ able, he "forward Mr. Bush" in the way he thought best. This letter from Penn is endorsed in part: " I would recom­ mend Capt. Thos. Bush for Capt. and he appoint his officers. A Penn." An additional endorsement, signed by John Salmon, clerk of the Council, indicates

that the Council approved a proposed substitution of fifty horse for the call on the militia: "Memo, not omit com­ plying with the Governors orders In rendezvouse the Militia in order to march. That if should be found Adviseable from the Governor &c. to direct 50 horse instead of the militia now ordered and such Orders received in time to Justifie the Commanding officer of this County will be agreeable to the Coun­ cil now se tin g which is ordered to be Certified" (the first part of this other­ wise confusing endorsement may be a clerk's summary of Henry's letter). But T J rejected the proposal; see his letters to Lawson and Penn, 4 May 1781.

From James Madison DR. SIR

Philada. May 1st. 1781

On the receipt of your request as to the map I procured a copy with one of the pamphlets and have put it under the care of C o l . [584]

1

MAY

1781

Febiger who w i l l have it conveyed. I t is effectually secured against injury on its passage. I inclose your Excellency a letter from Mazzei although indeed its contents are of no great moment. I have not received the antecedant one referred to in it. T h e Executive have probably received more particular information from h i m relative to the object of his mission. Congress have received a good deal of information from Europe within a few days past. I can only say in general that it is favorable. Indeed whatever consideration the powers of Europe may have for us, the audacious proceedings of our E n e m y in all quarters must determine them to abridge a power which the greatest dangers and distresses cannot inspire with moderation or forbearance. I hope your Excellency has received my letter inclosing a copy of a plan reported to Congress for arming them with co-ercive authority. Y o u r first leisure moments w i l l I flatter myself favor me with your idea of the matter. W i t h great respect I am D r S i r Y r . Ob friend & servant, J MADISON

RC ( D L C : Madison Papers); en­ dorsed by T J : "Madison Jas." Enclos­ ure (missing): Probably Mazzei's letter to Madison of 30 Nov. 1780, printed in WMQ, 2d ser., x x m (1943), 317-19. YOUR REQUEST AS TO THE M A P : TJ's

letter has not been found, but in his Account Book under date of 7 Apr. 1781 he entered the following: "inclosd to Jas. Madison Philada. to buy Hutchens's map £150." The pamphlet may possibly have been Samuel Whar­

JUNR

ton's P l a i n F a c t s : B e i n g a n e x a m i n a t i o n i n t o the rights of the I n d i a n N a t i o n s of A m e r i c a to t h e i r respective countries; a n d a v i n d i c a t i o n of the G r a n t f r o m the Six U n i t e d N a t i o n s of I n d i a n s , to the proprietors of I n d i a n a , against the de­ cision of the L e g i s l a t u r e of V i r g i n i a ; together with authentic documents, proving t h a t the t e r r i t o r y , westward of the Allegany M o u n t a i n , never belonged to V i r g i n i a , &c. (Philadelphia: Robert

Aitken, 1781).

T o the Members of Assembly for Fluvanna and Certain Other Counties SIR

Richmond May 1st. 1781.

W e deferred changing the place of calling the Assembly, in hopes that every D a y would give us a prospect of getting r i d of the enemy in the neighbourhood of Richmond. T h e A r r i v a l of the Marquis Fayette with a detachment of Con­ tinental Troops, and the junction of our whole force together with his, has put these cowardly plunderers under w a y down the River, and renders this Place perfectly secure, so long as the A r m y retains its present position. Nevertheless as we know that Rumours have [ 585 ]

1

MAY

1781

gone abroad very generally that the enemy are in possession of Richmond, and the T i m e of the meeting of Assembly is too near to admit these to be corrected, I take the liberty of particularly sollicking so many members of the nearer Counties as w i l l suffice to make a House for adjourning from D a y to D a y , to attend punc­ tually on the D a y of meeting, lest this general Rumour of Danger should prevent the meeting of a sufficient number for Adjournment, which would bring on a Dissolution of the present Assembly and leave the State without one until the next regular Period of E l e c ­ tion appointed by the Constitution. I hope that these reasons w i l l excuse m y earnest Sollicitation to you personally to attend on the first D a y of the Session. I am & c ,

T H O JEFFERSON

FC ( V i ) ; at head of text: "To the members of the General Assembly for the Counties of Fluvanna, Albemarle, Louisa, Caroline, King William, New Kent, Charles City, Prince George, Dinwiddie, Amelia, Cumberland, Powhatan, Gooch­ land, Henrico, Hanover, Chesterfield."

From the Virginia Delegates i n Congress SIR

Philada. May 1st. 1781

W e enclose herewith a letter from Oliver Pollock E s q r . w h i c h w i l l inform your Excellency of a very large claim w h i c h may soon be expected on the T r e a s u r y of V i r g i n i a . M r . Nicholson Agent for M r . Ross arrived here yesterday. W e fear it w i l l not be possible for h i m to get some of the most essential articles even i f an exchange of his funds can be negociated, and that the difficulty of such an exchange w i l l be a great obstacle to his getting such articles as are to be had. A s far as our efforts can avail h i m they w i l l not be spared. W e had previous to his coming taken some measures which we flatter ourselves w i l l yield about 2 0 0 0 good muskets in about two weeks. T h e transportation is not included otherwise than by a naked order of Congress and must now be referred to M r . Nicholson. T h e 1100 Stand belonging to the State have at length gone for­ w a r d , w i t h most of the other Articles brought hither w i t h them. T h e 8th. of this month is the day fixed we understand for the march of the Pennsylvania line from Y o r k T o w n . T h e report from N . Y o r k is that Clinton is disembarking his troops. W e also inclose herewith an extract of a letter from G e n i . W a s h ­ ington which needs no comment. [ 586 ]

2

MAY

17 8 1

W e have the honor to be w i t h the highest respect & regard Y r . J . MADISON JUNR.

E x c e l l y s obt. & hmble Servts.,

THEOK. M.

RC ( V i ) ; in Bland's hand; signed by the three delegates; endorsed in part: "Letter from Delegates 1 May 1781. Not answerd." Enclosures not found: The extract of the letter from Washing­ ton may have been taken from his of 25 Apr. 1781 to the president of Congress (Washington, W r i t i n g s , ed. Fitzpatrick, XXI, 503-504). Pollock's VERY LARGE C L A I M was con­

sidered by the Council on 21 July 1781, when Daniel Clark presented a draft on Virginia "by Oliver Pollock esqr of New Orleans, for the sum of fifty four thou­ sand nine hundred and eighty one milled Dollars." The Council pointed out that Pollock had never been authorized to draw on the state except for bona fide and actual expenditures for supplies bought in behalf of the state, and on "an account of particulars first rendered and approved by the Executive"; the commercial agent of the state (David Ross) was therefore advised to accept the draft on the express condition "that payment shall be made to him of what­ ever balance shall be found due to Mr. Pollock from the State, on a final set­

BLAND

SMITH

tlement of his accounts by the Commis­ sioners appointed for liquidating all claims against the State in the Western country; provided the said balance does not exceed the draft now produced by Mr. Clark." This, however, did not sat­ isfy Clark, who had advanced money to Pollock for "no other motive than to serve the State" and who asserted that he would be reduced "to the greatest difficulties" if he did not receive at least part of the sum due; whereupon the Council directed Ross to pay Clark "the sum of ten thousand Milled Dollars, or the value thereof in any commodity as may be agreed on" provided Clark gave bond to make a refund in case it should turn out that the state did not owe the money to Pollock. ( V a . C o u n c i l J o u r . , n, 362-3; see also 353 and 364-5 for related orders; for an account of Pol­ lock's self-sacrificing advances of funds in behalf of Virginia and of the state's long delay in making settlement, see James A. James, O l i v e r P o l l o c k , N.Y. and London, 1937, and the sketch in DAB by the same author. See also T J to Bernardo de Gálvez, 8 Nov. 1779.)

From James Barbour SIR

Culpeper May 2.

1781

F r o m the many Applications I make free to Address your E x ­ cellency once more i n behalf of the Detatchment of M i l i t i a from this County now on a T o u r of duty who are very uneasie as w e l l on account of a Shocking Fever now Rageing i n this County as the P l a n t i n g their Crops. T w e n t y persons have D i e d i n about ten days within five miles of m y house, but V e r y fortunate they are mostly such as are no L o s s to the P u b l i c k . I have done all i n m y Power to get the Crops of Corn planted of those now on duty but we have such a number of poor distress'd F a m a l y s in this County that I fear we shall not be able to Accomplish it. Could they w i t h Pro­ priety be relieved w i t h drafts of other M i l i t i a ( i f necessary) from this or any other County I should be V e r y glad as I Promised to [ 587 ]

2 M A Y 17 8 1 Solicit in favour of them and I ' m the more inclined to do so as I hear they have had an Action and behaved well. I am Honble S i r your most Obedt. H u m . Servt., JAS.

BARBOUR

RC ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

T o the County Lieutenants of Elizabeth City and Certain Other Counties SIR

Richmond May 2d 1781

Y o u are desired immediately to embody so many of your M i l i t i a as you can arm from your County and have them marched under proper officers to join Colo. Innes at such place as he shall direct. I

THO.

am & c ,

JEFFERSON

FC ( V i ) ; at head of text: "County Lieutenants of Elizabeth City, Warwick, York, James City, King & Queen and of Williamsburg."

T o the County Lieutenant of Gloucester SIR

Richmond, May 2d 1781

Y o u are desired immediately to embody so many of your M i l i t i a as you can arm, i f Colo. Innes shall require so many for the P u r ­ pose of defending the Battery at Gloucestertown, and to march them there immediately under proper officers. I am & c , THO.

JEFFERSON

FC ( V i ) .

Depositions Concerning the Flag Ship A l e r t [2 May 1781] T h e Depositions of sundry Gentlemen respecting E d w a r d W o n eycott Master of the F l a g of T r u c e B r i g , Alert, lying at a Place called Cock and Dales, in what manner he conducted himself dur­ ing the T i m e since the B r i g was chartered to go to Charles T o w n as a F l a g to carry Tobacco for the Use of the American Officers there. Capt. John H a r r i s , being first sworn on the holy Evangelists of A l m i g h t y G o d , deposeth and saith, that, in the Engagement on the 27th. Ulto. Capt. Woneycott behaved in every Respect agree[588

]

2 M A Y 17 8 1 able to the Rules prescribed for Flags and that he did not fire any kind of fire arm from on Board his Vessel, and that there were no Militia Men or any other Soldiers suffered to go aboard, and that upon Application made to h i m for necessarys during the Engage­ ment, he repeatedly refused, upon the whole he verily believes that he has conducted himself with the Utmost Propriety since the B r i g was chartered to go to Charles T o w n , and further this De­ JOHN

ponent saith not &c.

HARRIS

Capt. John Thomas, being first sworn on the Evangelists of Almighty God, deposeth and saith, T h a t altho the F l a g was lying exposed to the F i r e in the Engagement of the 27th. he is sure that there was not a G u n or any other fire arm fired from on Board the F l a g , and verily believes that he had no arms on Board. T h a t upon his Applying to Capt. Woneycott for his Spy Glass, he absolutely refused to lend it, alledging that he could not consistently with the Rules of a F l a g lend any Assistance, A n d further this Deponent JNO.

saith not. &c.

THOMAS

Capt. Thomas W i l l i a m s , being first sworn on the Holy E v a n ­ gelists of Almighty God deposeth and saith, that he was on Board the F l a g about a fortnight before the Engagement, and then all kind of A r m s and Military Stores had been sent on shore, and every necessary Preparation making for her proceeding on her voyage as a F l a g to Charles T o w n , that during the Engagement there was not even a Musket discharged on Board of her. T h a t on Saturday the D a y after the Engagement Capt. Eastwood applyed to Capt. Woneycott for his Boat to go Aboard of him. H e refused it saying it was more than he dared to do while he continued a F l a g . He further declares that Capt. Woneycott and all his Crew have behaved as becomes a F l a g ever since the B r i g Alert was Chartered and further this Deponent saith not, &c. THOS. WILLIAMS Capt. George Batie, being first sworn on the Evangelists of Almighty God, deposeth and saith that he had been informed and verily believes that every thing of a warlike Nature was removed from on Board the F l a g B r i g Alert some T i m e before the Engage­ ment, that Capt. Woneycott walked the Deck during the Engage­ ment, quite unconcerned at what happened or without taking any part in the Defence of the Vessels that were engaged, and further declares that no M a n could behave in similar Circumstances w i t h more propriety and further saith not &c. G E O . BATTY The

above Deponents Capt. H a r r i s , Capt. Thomas, Capt. W i l [ 589 ]

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MAY

1781

liams and Capt. Batie made oath before me, one of the Common­ wealth Justices of the Peace, to the T r u t h of their respective Dep­ ositions, at Richmond this 2d. D a y of M a y A n n . D o m : 1 7 8 1 . W.

FOUSHEE

T h e deposition of M r . James M a u r y part owner of the brig Alert being first sworn on the holy Evangelists, deposeth and saith that on the 8th. of A p r i l 1 7 8 1 he chartered the brig Alert to D a v i d Ross esq. Commercial agent for the Commonwealth of V i r g i n i a for the purpose of proceeding with a flag to Charlestown to carry tobaccoes for the V i r g i n i a officers and souldiers in captivity there. T h a t he immediately on the same day went to Fourmile Creek and directed Capt. Woneycott to unship all the arms and military stores and send them to Richmond; that they accordingly arrived at Richmond on the 14th. of A p r i l , to w i t 8 four pounders with their carriages, two muskets, and powder and ball, one or at most two muskets and some powder having been reserved on board for the purpose of kindling fires. T h a t the said brig had on board one hundred and twenty hogsheads of tobacco and her sea-stores. T h a t he has been informed by several captains of vessels and others lately come from Coxendale or it's neighborhood where the said vessel laid that notwithstanding her flag she has been taken by the B r i t i s h troops under command of Major Geni. Phillips and is car­ ried away with the other vessels captured by them, and further this JAMES

deponent saith not.

MAURY

Henrico county to w i t Sworn to before me W i l l i a m Foushee a justice of the peace for the Commonwealth of V i r g i n i a this 2d. day of M a y in the year of our lord 1 7 8 1 and of the Commonwealth the fifth. W: MS (Vi); the depositions of John Har­ ris, John Thomas, Thomas Williams, and George Batty, together with their authentication, are in an unidentified hand, signed by the deponents and by Foushee; the deposition of James Maury and its authentication are in TJ's hand, signed by Maury and Foushee. See David Ross to T J , 5 May; T J to the Virginia Delegates 10 May 1781. COCK AND D A L E S : See Maxwell to T J ,

26 Apr. 1781. It is possible that T J di­ rected the taking of these depositions and that he did so in order to lay foun­ dation for a claim against the enemy for its action in seizing the A l e r t (see T J to the Virginia delegates, 10 May

FOUSHEE

1781). It is more likely, however, that they were taken as a result of Gen. Phil­ lips' letters of 28 and 29 Apr. to Lafa­ yette. In that letter Phillips wrote: " I have now a charge of the deepest nature to make against the American arms: that of having fired upon the king's troops by a flag of truce vessel; and, to render the conduct as discordant to the laws of arms, the flag was flying the whole time at the mast head, seeming to sport in the violation of the most sacred laws of war. You are sensible, Sir, that I am authorized to inflict the severest punishment in return for this bad conduct, and that towns and vil­ lages lay at the mercy of the king's

[590]

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MAY

troops, and it is to that mercy alone you can justly appeal for their not being reduced to ashes. . . . I shall willingly remit the infliction of any redress we have a right to claim, provided the per­ sons who fired from the flag of truce vessel are delivered into my possession, and a public disavowal made by you of their conduct. Should you, sir, refuse this, I hereby make you answerable for any desolation which may follow in con­ sequence" (Phillips to Lafayette, "Brit­ ish Camp, at Osborn," 28 Apr. 1781,

printed in M e m o i r s , Correspondence and Manuscripts of G e n e r a l Lafayette,

London, 1837, I, 412). The next day Phillips sent an even more intemperate letter to Lafayette: "When I was at Williamsburg, and at Petersburg, I gave several inhabitants and country people protections for their persons and prop­ erties. I did this without asking, or even considering, whether these people were either friends or foes, actuated by no other motive than that of pure human­ ity. I understand, from almost undoubt­ ed authority, that several of these per­ sons have been taken up by their mali­ cious neighbours, and sent to your quar­ ters, where preparations are making for their being ill treated. . . . I shall insist upon my signs manual being held sa­ cred, and I am obliged to declare to you, sir, that if any persons, under the de­ scription I have given, receive ill treat­ ment, I shall be under the necessity of sending to Petersburg, and giving that chastisement to the illiberal persecutors of innocent people, which their conduct shall deserve. And I further declare to you, Sir, should any person be put to death, under the pretence of their being spies of, or friends to, the British gov­ ernment, I will make the shores of James River an example of terror to the rest of Virginia. It is from the violent meas­ ures, resolutions of the present house of delegates, council, and governor of Vir­ ginia, that I am impelled to use this language, which the common disposi­ tion of my temper is hurt at. I shall hope that you, sir, whom I have under­ stood to be a gentleman of liberal prin­ ciples, will not countenance, still less permit to be carried into execution, the barbarous spirit which seems to prevail in the council of the present civil power of this colony" (Phillips to Lafayette, also dated at Osborne's, 29 Apr. 1781; same, I, 413-4). In his reply, Lafayette acknowledged three letters from Phil­ lips, dated 26, 28, and 29 Apr. The first

1781 of these was to Steuben and concerned the capture of a servant of Phillips' aidede-camp; Lafayette sent it on to Steu­ ben, but could not refrain from pointing out to Phillips that the "mode of your request has delayed the civility that had been immediately intended" (see quo­ tation from Phillips' letter of 26 Apr. to Steuben in note to Weedon to T J , 25 Apr. 1781). In replying to the letters of 28 and 29 Apr. addressed to himself, Lafayette wrote: "From the beginning of this war, which you observe is an un­ fortunate one to Great Britain, the pro­ ceedings of the British troops have been hitherto so far from evincing benevo­ lence of disposition, that your long ab­ sence from the scene of action [Lafa­ yette's allusion to Phillips' being cap­ tured at Saratoga was probably pro­ voked by that general's rudeness to Steuben in the letter of 26 Apr.] is the only way I have to account for your panegyrics. I give you my honour, sir, that the charge against a flag vessel shall be strictly inquired into, and in case the report is better grounded than the contrary one I have received, you shall obtain every redress in my power, that you have any right to expect. This complaint I beg leave to consider as the only part of your letter that requires an answer. Such articles as the requiring that the persons of spies be held sacred, cannot certainly be serious. The style of your letters, sir, obliges me to tell you, that should your future favours be wanting in that regard due to the civil and military authority in the United States, which cannot but be construed into a want of respect to the American nation, I shall not think it consistent with the dignity of an American officer to continue the correspondence" (Lafa­ yette to Phillips, 30 Apr. 1781; same, I, 414; Phillips' impugning the motives of T J and the civil government of Vir­ ginia, as set forth in his to Lafayette of 29 Apr., was far less intemperate than the comparable statement in his letter to Weedon of 6 Apr., but whereas Lafa­ yette instantly rebuked Phillips and threatened to break off the correspond­ ence, Weedon not only continued his own exchanges with Phillips, but made no allusion whatever to Phillips' im­ proper language). Lafayette must have communicated these letters to T J (see T J to the Virginia delegates, 10 May in which T J points out that Phillips' letters to Steuben and Lafayette had been in a style "intolerably insolent and

[591]

2

M A Y

haughty"), but no copies or covering letters have been found. Nevertheless the depositions printed above must have been taken as a result of the transmittal of Phillips' letters and T J must have sent copies of these depositions to Lafa­ yette, for on 3 May Lafayette wrote Phillips: "Your assertion relating to the flag vessel was so positive, that it be­ comes necessary for me to set you right in this matter. Inclosed I have the hon­ our to send you some depositions, by which it is clearly proved that there has been on our side no violation of flags" (Lafayette to Phillips, 3 May 1781, same, I, 415); copies of Phillips' letters and of Lafayettes replies were forward­ ed by Lafayette to Washington, who was informed that Phillips' had received the replies "with a degree of politeness that seemed to apologize for his unbe­ coming style"; Lafayette to Washing­ ton, same, I, 410). Phillips' surprising threat concerning treatment of spies may possibly have been occasioned by report of a court martial held in April at Chesterfield,

17 8 1 presided over by Lt. Col. Thomas Gas­ kins under orders from Steuben. At that trial William Matthews was "Charged 1st with being a Spy and 2dly attempt­ ing to Convey a Letter and Intelligence to the Enemy." In the testimony which followed it was made clear that Mat­ thews was the one who had been appre­ hended the preceding autumn in an at­ tempt to convey from Gen. Leslie to Cornwallis the letter "wrote on a small piece of paper remarkably thin and in­ closed in a thin Bladder" (see repro­ duction of this intercepted letter, Vol. 4:91). The court martial found Mat­ thews not guilty of being a spy (the words "being utterly incapable of such an office" were struck from the verdict), but guilty of the second charge of trans­ mitting intelligence to the enemy (MS record of proceedings of the court mar­ tial, April 1781, in NHi). It is also pos­ sible that Phillips was merely antici­ pating the actions against disaffected persons such as T J outlined in his let­ ter to Innes of 2 May 1781.

T o James Innes SIR

Richmond May. 2d.

1781

A s it may be necessary to reestablish the Batteries at Gloucester and Y o r k T o w n , and for this Purpose to transport thither Cannon from other Places, w h i c h probably cannot be effected but by im­ pressing W a g g o n s , T e a m s and D r i v e r s , Boats or other vessels and their navigators, you

are

therefore hereby empowered to

make

impresses of the said Articles for the purposes aforesaid, having them appraised as the

L a w s require, and giving to the

interested, Certificates of the

Persons

Articles impressed, their worth

hire as established by Appraisement or Agreement, and

or

where

they shall be injured, or lost in the use, stating that also in the same or a subsequent Certificate. I am further to desire that you cause an exact list to be returned to the Auditors of all Certificates you shall give, stating the Parties, names, A r t i c l e , appraised or agreed value or hire, and any other Circumstances necessary as

a Check on

Counterfeits or THO

C l a i m s . I am & c , FC ( V i ) .

[ 592 ]

unjust

JEFFERSON

T o James Innes SIR

Richmond May 2d. 1781

H a v i n g received information that divers Citizens of this Com­ monwealth in the Counties of James City and Y o r k , have lately committed Acts, some of which amount to high Treason, and others to Misprision of Treason; and that some, tho' they have been able so to disguise and conceal their Transactions as that legal evidence cannot be obtained by which they might be subjected to prosecution for treason or a Misprision of Treason, in a due Course of law, yet have so conducted themselves as to furnish the most pregnant Circumstances of Suspicion that they have been guilty of those offences or are disaffected to the Independence of the United States, and w i l l , whenever they shall have opportunity, aid or advise the Measures of the Public E n e m y , which persons, in the present critical Situation of this Commonwealth, it is indis­ pensably necessary to punish for their Crimes by w a y of Example to others, or to disable from doing Mischief: I must therefore, as you are proceeding to that part of the Country, desire and authorize you to make enquiry into the premises, and where you shall have probable Cause to believe that any persons have been guilty of Treason or Misprision of Treason, that there is legal evidence to convict them thereof, and that an examining Court can be had on them in the County where the offence was committed before there shall be any Danger of a Rescue by the E n e m y , you have them delivered to the W a r r a n t of a Justice of the Peace, in order that they may be prosecuted in the usual Forms of the law, and be aid­ ing in their safe Conveyance to the Public J a i l in Richmond, i f they be ordered to be so conveyed: B u t where you shall be of Opin­ ion that legal evidence cannot be obtained, that an examining Court can not be procured in the County before there w i l l be Danger of a Rescue by the E n e m y , and that there are pregnant Circumstances of Suspicion that they have been guilty of the offences of treason or Misprision of Treason, or where there shall be pregnant Causes of Suspicion that persons in those Counties are disaffected to the Independence of the United States, and w i l l , when Occasion serves, aid or advise the Operations of the E n e m y , that in those Cases you apprehend such Persons and send them in safe Custody to the J a i l of this County reporting to the Executive the facts and Circum­ stances of Suspicion whereon you proceed. I n the execution of these Powers, I must recommend to you that [593

]

3

MAY

1781

you have no Retrospect to any fact prior to the 17th of April last, being the Day the Enemy embarked at Portsmouth, that you single out only those who have been foremost or most daring in their offences, and that even these be treated by those into whose hands they shall be committed with no Insult or Rudeness, unnecessary for their safe Custody. I am & c , THO: JEFFERSON FC (Vi).

From Richard Claiborne, enclosing an Extract of a Letter from William Claiborne Richmond, 3 M a y 1 7 8 1 . Encloses an extract of a letter from William Claiborne, "one of the Gentlemen employed to purchase horses for the use of the Continent, by order of the Marquis"; and inquiring how and when the money will be advanced. E N C L O S U R E

Extract of a letter from Mr. William Claiborne dated 3d. May 1781 "In the Marquis's letter to you I observe he says that the Governor has given his promise that the money shall be advanced out of the Treasury of Virginia for the paiment of those horses but he dont say when it shall be advanced. For the want of a time being fixed for the paiment people are loth to sell as they have been so often disappointed in getting money for Certificates and by being kept out of the money so long that when received it's worth nothing. I expect the Governor means to pay it immediately. If so, would he certify as much to me, it would expedite the business very much and give entire satisfaction to the people at large who sell horses. Without something of this sort from the Governor no person will sell voluntarily as they apprehend the money will not be paid until it's worth little or nothing. If anything can be done in the matter I wish to have it sent to me by express, tomorrow, and the next morning I can purchase of two gentlemen not far from me Twelve very fine horses. The gentlemen have promised to keep them for me until Saturday morning." R C ( V i ) ; 2 p.; addressed and endorsed. T J ' s reply of 4 May 1781 is written on address leaf of Claiborne's letter. Enclosure is in V i .

T o William Davies [Richmond, 3 M a y 1 7 8 1 . ] "The army is in extreme want of car­ tridges. If you can by any means expedite the making them it will be very salutary. The enemy embarked at the Hundred last night and are supposed to be gone down today." [594]

3

M A Y 1781

MS not located. Extract printed from Anderson Galleries Catalogue ( J . H. Manning Sale, 19-20 Jan. 1926), lot 376, where the letter is listed as a 1-

page A.L.S., dated 3 May 1787. The date has been corrected to 1781 in a marked catalogue in M W A , with a note that it was purchased by H. F . Smith.

T o Heinrich Gerlach SIR

Richmd May. 3. 1781.

I am very sorry for the delay which has happened in sending the passport. I received it the 20th. of A p r . and sent it the [same] day to M a j r . Geni. Baron Steuben to be forwarded. H e immediately delivered my letter covering it to an officer with orders to proceed. The papers being directed to Geni. Phillips the officer was uncer­ tain whether he was at Portsm. or with the B r i t i s h army then coming up the river, and the movements here since prevented his going on w i t h the letter. He w i l l set out I am in hopes this day. A letter from G l . Phillips to me with a very improper address, come to hand since the 20th. of A p r . , obliged me on seeing the officer to-day to recall my letter of that date which was written in the stile I had always used towards h i m and to put the passport under an address adapted to that which he had been pleased to use towards me. I shall be sorry i f this shall prevent your being availed of the passport, as it w i l l produce an eternal bar to the passage of any thing thro' this state to the Convention troops. I have had yet no reason to repent the services I have endeavored to render the G e r m a n part of the Convention officers and souldiers, and for them only feel concern should they be cut off from supplies by that want of [tem]per and decency which seems to be introducing on the part of our enemies in this state. T o yourself personally I w i s h to give every assurance of regard & that I am with much respect Sir Y o u r mo. ob. & mo. hble servt. 1

E S. T h e German Convention troops are stationed at Winchester in this state which has occasioned the passport to be made out for Alexandria, that being equally convenient to both the German and B r i t i s h troops. Dft ( D L C ) ; at foot of text: "Capt Gerlach on board the flag vessel Geni. Riedesel, Hampt. road"; also endorsed by T J : Gerlach Capt." I RECEIVED I T T H E 20TH.: Permission from the Continental Board of War was received on that day by T J (see the board's letter of 12 Apr. 1781). T J for­ warded the passport to Steuben on 20

Apr. T J must have been mistaken in thinking that Phillips' letter with the improper address came "to hand since the 20th. of Apr."; that letter was un­ doubtedly Phillips' communication to T J of 6 Apr. 1781 which T J received on 10 Apr. and forwarded the same day to Steuben, with the request that Steuben proceed with the matter in accord with

[ 595 ]

3 M A Y 1781 conditions laid down by Phillips. There is no indication that T J acknowledged Phillips' letter of 6 Apr. other than in his letter to Phillips of 20 Apr. 1781 and apparently that was the last letter that Phillips addressed to T J . In ac­ cordance with TJ's request, Steuben (i.e., Davies) wrote Phillips on 15 Apr. 1781 to which Phillips replied on 18 Apr. T J may possibly have been think­ ing of Phillips' reply to Weedon of 12 Apr. 1781 which Weedon transmitted to T J in his of 25 Apr., q.v. There is no need, however, to question TJ's as­

sertion that it was on this date that he recalled his letter of 20 Apr. and readdressed it; possibly he gave it a new cover because of the "intolerably inso­ lent and haughty" letters from Phillips to Lafayette of 28 and 29 Apr. which evidently came to TJ's notice on 2 May (see depositions concerning the flag A l e r t ) . But see T J to the Virginia dele­ gates, 10 May 1781 and note there. i MS mutilated so that one word is lost, but the above facts make it clear that the reading is "same."

From Sir John Peyton SIR

Gloucester May 3d. 1781

I n consequence of our exposed situation, I have to beg our draught may be suspended. T h i s county having upwards of two hundred miles on navigable water courses, altho our guards are small, yet it takes a number of men to act as guards, and in spight of all our efforts the enemy take the Inhabitants, even out of their bed's. A Captain of the M i l i t i a and a M a n who was active in col­ lecting the guards to the Captain's Assistance were taken off last night. T h e y have been over at my house upon the same business, but fortunately, I happened from home. I make this petition S i r , not in behalf of myself, but for my County, and the publick good, who most Respectfully am S i r Y o u r Obedt H b l Servt., J.

PEYTON

RC ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed.

T o Richard Claiborne May 4. 1781. Y o u shall receive the money necessary for the purchase of the horses as fast as it can be prepared and as shall be practicable in concurrence with other pressing claimants. Y o u know how difficult it is to fix on precise days for the treasury. Therefore all I can say with precision is that it shall be paid out of the present emission. Dft ( V i ) ; written by T J on address leaf of Claiborne's letter of 3 Mch.; at head of text: "Answer to Majr. Claiborne."

[ 596 ]

From James Downie and William Thompson, with Jefferson's Instructions SIR

Hanover Court House 4th. May 1781.

A s prisoners of W a r on parole at this place we beg leave to address the Executive, hoping no offence w i l l be given. W e were Commanders of Privateers and taken some time past in Hampton Road, since which part of the time we have been in close Confinement. T h e request we have to make is that our paroles may be extended and permitted to go to New Y o r k where our families and Connections are, either by the w a y of Portsmouth or any other w a y as w i l l be most agréable. W e are induced to make this Request as we are informed a greater part of the Officers taken by Generals Phillips and Arnold have received general Paroles to go where they pleased. Our situation is still more disagreable, being detached from our friends, living at an amazing expence, and scarcely any Cloaths but those on our B a c k s . Should your Excellency be pleased to indulge us, be assured we shall strictly Comply with the Tenor of our Paroles and return when called for. W e are S i r Y o u r M o . Obedt & very hble Servants, JAMES WILLM.

DOWNIE THOMPSON

P S . I f this Request is denied us, paroles only to Portsmouth would be more agréable than our present situation. T o be paroled to Portsmouth RC ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. TJ's instructions are in his hand. In pursuance of TJ's authorization, Davies wrote Downie and Thompson that the Governor had indulged their request and that "As the British have required from the American prisoners paroles similar to the inclosed, I have

TH:

J

tho't it proper to require the same from you, to which I do not presume you will have any objection and you will accordingly proceed by the nearest and most direct rout to Portsmouth" (Davies to "Capts. Thomson & Downie," 8 May 1781, War Office Letter Book, V i ) . See also Davies to T J , 13 Apr. 1781.

T o Robert Lawson SIR

Richmond May 4. 1781.

Y o u were here when our council was broke up by the departure of Colo. Fleming since which we have had no board, and at pres[ 597 ]

4 M A Y 17 8 1 ent there is but a single member. W h e n I shall have a board I cannot foresee, but as soon as I have your matter shall be certainly deliberated on. Henry is the 7th. of the eleven counties ordered to reinforce Geni. Greene w h i c h has applied to be excused. B u t it is impossible. W e excused Rockbridge on supposition that they had performed a tour more than any other, and we relaxed a little in favor of Charlotte. W e might have accepted from Henry two thirds of the number required; but a proposition to furnish 50 cavalry in lieu of 2 5 0 infantry could not be accepted. T h e enemy embarked at the Hundred and the last vessel got under way down the river about two o'clock yesterday. T h e Marquis Fayette w i t h the army moved yesterday to Bottom's bridge: Ï am w i t h great respect, S i r , Y o u r most obedt. Servt., T H : JEFFERSON RC (NcD); addressed by T J : "General Lawson Prince Edward"; endorsed. Fleming attended a meeting of the Council on 25 Apr. 1781 and the next meeting subsequent to that date, at which a quorum was present, was on 7

May ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour., n, 341-2). YOUR MATTER: See Lawson to T J , 1

May 1781, and T J to Lawson, 4 and 11 May. See also Greene to T J , 27 Mch. 1781 and note to T J to the county lieutenants, 29 Mch. 1781.

T o Abraham Penn SIR

Richmond May 4th. 1781.

I am exceedingly sorry that the public Situation should be such as to render it necessary to call our Citizens from their farms, at this interesting Season of the year. B u t the enemy w i l l not suspend their Operations till we can sow or reap, so that we must have an A r m y on foot as well at these, as the other Seasons of the year. W e have called on eleven Counties to furnish a reinforcement to General Greene and hope it w i l l be the last T i m e we shall have occasion to require our M i l i t i a to go out of their own Country, as we think it most adviseable to put that distant disagreable service on our Regulars, and to send them forward as fast as raised, and to employ our M i l i t i a on Service in our own Country; A n d I am confident that i f the Reinforcement of M i l i t i a now under Orders to join General Greene is marched, and serves the two Months w i t h him w h i c h is intended, that by that T i m e he w i l l be so reinforced by Regulars as to retain Possession of North, and the greatest P a r t of South, Carolina, and thus to keep the W a r at a Distance from us. On the contrary i f he is not supported by M i l i t i a 'till the Regulars can get to him, he w i l l be driven back and we shall have the whole W a r on us. [598]

4 M A Y 17 8 1 Of the eleven Counties called on, seven have applied to be ex­ cused. Y o u will immediately see Sir what would be the Conse­ quence of complying with their Request. T h e Executive have therefore been obliged to insist on their Requisition. M r . H e n r y has written on the same Subject as to your County, but the Grounds on which a Relaxation of the order is proposed, being such as every other County has, or as would go to a perpetual exemption from M i l i t i a Duty, we cannot withdraw the C a l l . Captain Boush has engaged fifty horse to go for three Months, but this is no equivalent for 250 Infantry, to serve two Months. I must therefore, S i r , rely on your zeal and Activity to carry the former requisition into Execution. It is probable you may have among you some Delinquent M i l i ­ tia, who should by L a w serve six Months, as a punishment for their Delinquency. These i f sent w i t h the M i l i t i a might be counted THO:

as part. I am & c ,

JEFFERSON

FC ( V i ) . MR. HENRY HAS WRITTEN: Patrick Henry's letter has not been found, but see Lawson to T J , 1 May 1781.

Petition from the Inhabitants of Kaskaskia Kaskaskias, 4 M a y 1 7 8 1 . Humbly profess their loyalty and services to George Rogers Clark, against whom they have no complaint, though the paper money with which he paid them has been found valueless. But Col. John Montgomery, who succeeded him, was not satisfied with the 60,000 lbs. of flour furnished by the inhabitants for his 38 troops between the fall of 1779 and May 1780, ordered his men to seize more by force, and even caused the inhabitants' stock in their own yards to be killed. To protests and even a court summons, he replied only with insults and threats of more force. Upon Montgomery's departure Col. John Rogers assumed command and, in concert with Mr. Dodge, has reduced the inhabitants to a worse condition, killing their animals, burning their fences ( p i e u x ) , and throwing some of them into jail without cause. He also protected Thomas Bentley from prosecution by the court; this Bentley has refused to take the oath of loyalty to the state. Rogers and Dodge have accused the Kaskaskians of a crime for writing to the French minister in Philadelphia to solicit his interest with Congress in order to put a stop to the wrongs they endure from the Virginia troops. These acts of tyranny have caused many of the best inhabitants to take refuge in the Spanish settlements, since they prefer Spanish law to American despotism. The petitioners request that their unhappy condi­ tion be looked into and that justice be done them for the wrongs they have suffered. Petition is signed by 58 residents of Kaskaskia and certified as "Enregistré au greffe du district des Kaskaskias en la [599]

4

MAY

comtée des Illinois dépendance a la 1781, by Carbonneaux, clerk. MS (IHi); 7 p.; in French; in an unidentified hand, signed by the petitioners; printed in K a s k a s k i a R e c o r d s (111.

Hist.

Colls.,

V ) , p. 233-240, ac-

companied with an English translation and with signatures in facsimile. In DLC: PCC, No. 48 (Memorials from Inhabitants of Illinois, Kaskaskia, and Kentucky), are two transcripts of this Petition: (1) located at p. 1-4, captioned "Copie d'une Requeste Enregistrée au folio 49 du Registre de KasKaKias en forme de plainte être addressee au Gouvr. de Virginie en 1781," certified at Kaskaskia, 3 Sep. 1787, by P. Langlois "Nt. [Notaire] Ëtgreffier de Comté"; (2) located at p. 5-8, captioned "Extrait du Registre de KasKaKias folio 59" and certified by the same, 28 Aug. 1787. Both transcripts, which differ with one another only in punctuation and spelling, contain additional matter relating to the arrest at Kaskaskia of Richard Winston by John Dodge in Apr. 1782; these added copies of docu-

17 8 1 province de la virginie," 4 May ments are printed from this source by Alvord in K a s k a s k i a R e c o r d s , p. 272-4. According to Alvord, who discusses at length the background of the Kaskaskians' complaints' against the American officers and agents (Montgomery, Rogers, Dodge, and Bentley) in his Introduction to the C a h o k i a

Records

(III.

H i s t . C o l l s . , n), p. xcv-ciii, the present petition never reached Virginia. ( In any event it would have arrived too late for TJ's consideration as governor.) Undoubtedly the transcripts now in DLC: PCC were transmitted to Congress by Bathélemi Tardiveau, who in 1787 became the Kaskaskians agent to Congress; see K a s k a s k i a R e c o r d s , p. 440ff., and Howard C. Rice, Jr., Barthélemi Tardiveau,

A

French

Trader

i n the

W e s t , Baltimore, 1938, p. 7ff. A similar petition was sent to the Virginia government by the inhabitants of Vincennes, 30 June 1781 (printed in cvsp, II, 192-3). See also John Rogers' letter to T J , 29 Apr. 1781.

From David Ross SIR

Point Fork 4th. May

1781.

I Have just now the Pleasure of receiving your letter of yesterdays date. I

am happy in having it in my power to inform you that there

is at present the prospect of a very abundant Supply of L e a d from the Mines. I have this day received a letter from thence advising me there would be from 4 0 to 50 ton made in a Short time. A t present I hope there w i l l be no distress for the article. 1 M lb

was

brought up from W m s b u r g in Colo. Innes's W a g g o n s . I expect every moment about S i x from So. Quay to be delivered at this place and Colo. L y n c h hath bought some in Consequence of m y instructions to h i m . T h i s w i l l be Sufficient 'till they get to w o r k at the Mines. Besides this I believe there is a good deal at Carter's F e r r y and some of the other Store houses. Y o u may depend from the great anxiety you expressed on account of this article the

Lead

Mines shall be pushed w i t h Spirit. I am S i r Y o u r Most Ob.

Serv-

DAVID

ant,

ROSS

R C (Vi); endorsed. The name of the addressee not indicated on R C and the letter is summarized in CVSP, n, 86, as to an unidentified recipient; but the fact [

600]

5

M A Y 17 8 1

that it was addressed to T J is proved by Ross' additional letter of 5 May 1781, q.v. YOUR L E T T E R : No letter from T J to Ross of 3 May 1781 has been found.

From Steuben [ C a m p Bottom's Bridge, ca. 4 M a y 1 7 8 1 . I n a letter to Major Lo­ magne, replying to an urgent appeal for forage, Steuben wrote: "Orders are given to provide Forage and Provision for your Corps and a good Pasture to refresh the Horses. I have wrote to the Governor to procure the necessary Cloathing for the men whilst in Quarter. What may be necessary for the Campaign must not be furnished till the Corps are ready to take the field. . . . I give you permission to go to Phila­ delphia and to the Commander in Chief to represent the State of your Corps" (Dft, Steuben to Lomagne, 4 May 1781, N H i ) . Steuben's letter to T J has not been found, but see note to Steuben to T J , 17 Apr. 1781.]

T o the County Lieutenants of Henrico and Certain Other Counties SIR

Richmond May 5th. 1781.

T h e Executive, having determined that future T o u r s of Militia Duty should be of two months length after joining the A r m y , had called in a proper Complement to serve from the 1st. D a y of M a y to the last D a y of June; proposing by that T i m e to relieve the whole by calling in others: T h e military officers have however rep­ resented that it w i l l be more eligible to change one half monthly, than the whole at the end of every two months, which we have accordingly concluded to do. Some irregularity w i l l arise on our getting out of one method into the other, as half of those meant for the months of M a y and June must either be discharged the last of M a y or kept till the last of J u l y . W e think the former preferable. I am therefore to inform you that the M i l i t i a of your County last ordered into Service w i l l be discharged the last D a y of the Month, and to desire that you have a Relief from your County of the same number, that is to say men actually with the A r m y by that D a y , to continue in Service two Months. A n y six Months Men whom [you] shall send with them may be accounted in part of the number. Y o u w i l l do well to point out immediately the Individuals who are to come, and notify them of it, that they may have T i m e to arrange their domestic Affairs, and to equip themselves lest the full Quota should fail to march, w a r n in a number sufficiently 1

[601 }

5

MAY

17 8 1

larger, that the Deficiency may be made up on the Spot. Should this occasion the meeting of a greater number than you want, you can easily discharge the Supernumeraries. C a v a l r y in a due proportion [&c. as i n the preceding Letter to the County Lieutenants of L u n e n b u r g and o t h e r s . ] 1 am & c , 2

THOMAS

FC ( V i ) ; at head of text: "County Lieutenants of Henrico, Goochland, Louisa, Caroline, Fluvanna, Albemarle & Shenandoah." T H E E X E C U T I V E . . . HAD C A L L E D I N A

PROPER COMPLEMENT: See TJ's letter

to the county lieutenants of Fauquier, &c, 14 Apr. 1781, in which was set forth the policy superseded by the pres­ ent and subsequent communications. 1 At the foot of the text in FC there is the following list of numbers to be in­ serted in each letter at this point: "Hen­ rico 145, Goochland 129, Louisa 140, Caroline 245, Fluvanna 70, Albemarle 204, Shenandoah 217." 2 Brackets supplied. The paragraph intended to be added here appears in TJ's letter to the county lieutenants of Lunenburg, &c, dated 8 May 1781, which, although it has a later date, is entered in the Letter Book ahead of the present letter. A plausible explanation

JEFFERSON

is offered by H. R. Mcllwaine to account for the presence of this paragraph con­ cerning cavalry: ". . . the clerk failed to copy this letter of the 5th into the letter book until several days later, when he was copying the large number to county lieutenants dated the 8th, into which had to be inserted this para­ graph in reference to the cavalry, and that he mechanically put it in this let­ ter also" (Official L e t t e r s , I I , 505). This is probably what happened, and Mcll­ waine was only making a just observa­ tion when he added: "This clerk was not absolutely careful, and he did not clean up his work each day. He appar­ ently copied the letters into the letter book as opportunity offered. Consider­ ing this practice and the general ex­ citement and commotion of the times, it is not strange that this letter hook­ as was the case with its predecessorshould have in it many palpable errors and lie under suspicion of containing others."

T o the County Lieutenant of Culpeper SIR

Richmond May 5th

1781

I am to inform you [&c. as in the preceding Letter of M a y I

THO

am &c.

5th]

1

JEFFERSON

FC ( V i ) ; at head of text: "County Lieutenant of Culpeper." Brackets supplied. The "preceding letter" refers to the letter preceding here, also. Below the text is written, "Culpeper 351," the number of militia to be called. 1

From James Madison DEAR SIR

Philada. May 5th.

1781

I n compliance w i t h your request I have procured and now send you a copy of the

Constitutions &c. published by order of

Con­

gress. I know not w h y the order in w h i c h they stand in the Reso[ 602 ]

5

M A Y

1 7 8 1

lution was varied by the Committee in binding them up. T h e en­ comium on the inhabitants of Rhode Island was a flourish of a Delegate from [that] State who furnished the Committee with the account of its Constitution, and was very inconsiderately suffer[ed] to be printed. I am Dear sir, y r sincere friend, J.

RC ( D L C : Madison Papers); /ad­ dressed in part: " p r i v a t e . " T H E CONSTITUTIONS & C : T h e C o n ­ stitutions of the Several Independent States of America; the D e c l a r a t i o n of Independence; the Articles of Confeder­ ation between the said States; the T r e a ­ ties between H i s Most Christian Majesty and the United States of America (Phil­

adelphia: Francis Bailey, 1781); pub­ lished in accordance with a resolve of Congress of 29 Dec. 1780 that "a com­

MADISON

JUNR.

mittee of three be appointed to collect and cause to be published 200 correct copies of the declaration of independ­ ence, the articles of confederation and perpetual union, the alliances between these United States and his Most Chris­ tian Majesty, with the constitutions or forms of government of the several states, to be bound together in boards" ( J C C , X X I , 1200, No. 364; same, xvm, 1217).

From George Moffett SIR

Augusta. May the 5th 1 7 8 1

Agreeable to last Octbr. act of assembly for Recruiting this States Quota of troops to serve in continental army, the M i l i t i a of this County was laid off into Districts for Raising their proportion of Said troops. T h e 26th of last M a r c h was the day appointed for the Districts to assemble at Staunton and Deliver their Recruits and those that failed were then to be allotted. I had not Returned from G n l . Greens Head Quarters in No. Carolina (to which I had gon w i t h a number of the militia of this County) in time to attend. Colo. T h o s . Huggart and I believe L t . Colo. Jno. McCreery of the 2d. battalion attended as they were the only Field officers in the County that was not on D u t y . B u t as I am Informd Receiving Information from M r . Johnston ( A Deligate for this County who was lately come from the assembly) that the law in that matter was Suspended in Regard to Augusta County, put a Stop to any farther proceedings at that time. A s there would have been between the number of two or three Districts lost by the late A c t for Exempt­ ing artificers at Ironworks, and those that were killed and taken at the late battle at Gilford No. Carolina Made it highly necessary that the Districts Should be again laid off, though nothing was Done till the Receipt of your Excellencys orders of the 22d. of M a r c h when I again proceeded to have the Districts laid off. T h e Officers and those by law Required (Agreeable to m y orders) as[603

]

5

M A Y 17 8 1

sembled on the 30th. ult. at the house of Robert Mckitrick, Jenings Gap, and after taking the Oath by law prescriba, and going to proceed to business, the House Crowded full of people and one of them handed in a paper Signed by a large Number, the purport of which was that we Should Desist from laying off the Districts untili they Could again petition the Assembly. W e told them they had mistaken our authority, that what they W a n t e d was not in our power to Grant. T h e y Seemd very uneasy and much out of humour, and told us they would pay the fines we might be Sub­ jected to i f we would G r a n t their Request. Otherwise they were Determined to prevent us from laying off any Districts. E v e r y Reasonable Argument that could be thought of was used and much pains taken to bring them to a Sense of their 111 Con­ duct and the E v i l that would attend it both to themselves and the County in General. B u t all to no purpose. A number of armed men, who till then had not appeared in the House, rushed through the Crowd Come Round the table where we Sat, Demanded the lists or Roles from the Captains, Snatching up E v e r y paper on the table that they thought made for their purpose and became Exceedingly Insolent, which Effectually put a Stop to any farther proceedings. T h e y complained they were Imposed upon and Said they were Cheerfully willing to Spend their hearts blood in Defence of the Cuntery. Y e t they would Suffer Death before they would be Drafted 18 months from their famelies and made Regular Soldiers of. I am truly Sorry that I have the occation of Giveing your E x ­ cellency So Disagreeable a piece of Inteligence. Y e t this must be Said in their favour, they are Good Soldiers, they w i l l fight as Brave as any men and I believe they are intentionally Good W h i g s and in General Despize the name of a tory. B u t by some means I believe they have had 111 advice and are out of their proper Reason. But Still I hope when they Reflect on what they have Done they w i l l be Sorry for it and Return to the [ir] Duty. I am Convinced they w i l l petition the assembly for a Redress of their Supposed Grievance. M a y God in this day of Distress Direct to Such meas­ ures as may best contribute to his glory the peace hapiness and safety of the State. W i t h due Respect I am your Excellency obt. H b l . Servt, G E O . M O F F E T T Colo. RC (NN). On the insurrections in Rockingham, Hampshire, and Augusta, see Garret Van Meter to T J , 14 and 20 April and references there. A traveler in 1810

gave the following description of J E N NING'S GAP, where this turbulent meet­ ing of the militia took place: "From Mc­ Dowell's to Cloverdale the road through Jenning's Gap is one of the most un-

[604]

5 M A Y 17 8 1 pleasant, dreary roads I ever saw. You're surrounded on every side by the North mountains (which are of considerable height), and they approach so near together that there is just space enough for a rough, stony, and circuitous way through them. There are very few houses, and scarce a single verdant field to cheer the eye of a solitary traveller" ("Memoranda made by Thomas R. Joynes on a Journey to the States of Ohio and Kentucky, 1810," W M Q , 1st ser., X [1902], 149; see also McDowell to T J , 9 May and Commissioners for Accomac to T J , 15 May). On 18 May

1781 Thomas Posey wrote to William Davies that the draft had not yet taken place in any of the back counties: "The people seem much averse to it in Au­ gusta, and Rockbridge, but it dont amount to a Majority I beleave. How­ ever a considerable number met at the places apointed for laying of the Dis­ tricts, and in a very bold and daring manner, seased the papers, and de­ stroyed them. I dont know where this may stop, if there is not a timeous check, in Hanging a few, for examples to the rest" ( V i ) .

From George Muter SIR

Richmond May 5. 1781.

M y application to the Honbl. M a j r . Geni, the Baron Steuben (the nature of which Y o u r Excellency is acquainted w i t h ) not having produced me any command, and the enemy having gone down the river again, I intend going up the country for some time, or 'till I am honoured with a command. I beg leave to inform your Excellency, that I intend to go from hence to the Point of F o r k , and thence to Colo. J n o . Coles's i n Albemarle (where I shall principally reside) and to assure you that I shall exert myself to the utmost i n the service of m y Country, whenever I am honoured with a command. I have the honour to be, with the highest respect, Y o u r E x c e l ­ lency's most humble Servant,

G E O R G E M U T E R Col. S. G . R .

R C ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. On the same day Muter wrote Davies a similar letter, but with this difference: " I have at present no command, nor likely to have one soon . . ." ( V i ) .

T o Sir John Peyton SIR

Richmond May 5th. 1781.

I am honoured with your letter of the 3 d . instant desiring a suspension of the Draught law. I have at present no Council before whom I can lay it, but as the same Application had been made before by Colo. Page, and had been declined by the Council on the general principle that the suspending Power given them was i n ­ tended to be exercised only where such a proportion of Militia had been withdrawn from the County, as rendered the execution of the [ 605 }

5 M A Y

1781

law impracticable, and as the two members present are of Opinion that the Draught should not be suspended in the present Instance, I apprehend that this may be considered still as the sense of the Executive, and that the Draught should proceed. I am & c , THOMAS JEFFERSON

E S . Y o u r Letter on the Subject of the A r m s is referred to the Commercial Agent, w i t h Instructions to settle and pay the Account in State money according to the current exchanges between Specie and Continental and State money. T h e Gentleman's refusing to receive the money before has brought on us the loss between the exchange of that and this D a y , which w i l l not be allowed again. T.J. FC ( V i ) . YOUR LETTER ON THE S U B J E C T OF THE ARMS: This ÌS no doubt a missing letter to T J on the same subject as that from Peyton to T J , 29 Mch. 1781, the bearer of which must have been the one who refused payment earlier.

From David Ross SIR

Point Fork 5th. May 1781

I D i d my self the pleasure of w r i t i n g to you yesterday by Colo. Davies advising you of the flattering prospect we have at the L e a d mines of a plenty full supply of that article in a very short time. M r . M a u r y has just now calPd upon me and am sorry to learn the fate of his vessell. I t would appear from M r . Phillips's letters and conduct in other respects that he is somewhat intoxecated w i t h the Booty he's got and the small oposition he met w i t h . Perhaps on reflection he w i l l see the particular circumstances of this vessell in a diferent point of view. M r . M a u r y is very anxious to apply himself, i f he can be indulged w i t h a F l a g . I am persuaded your Excellency feels very sensably for our Prisioners at Charlestown and the embarassments thrown i n your w a y of relieving them is most vexatious. M r . M a u r y mentions his going to Charlestown w i t h a F l a g i n order to have this matter put upon a proper footing. I am of opinion the matter must be finally adjusted at N Y k with S i r H . Clinton. A t the same time I think it had better originate at Charlestown where the Commandant is in some measure engaged to the T r a d e r s who have credited our Prisoners in expectation of being paid by remittances in Tobacco. N o w i f a Pilot Boat could be sent to Charlestown and the Agent fully authorized to proceed from [606]

5

M A Y

1 7 8 1

thence to N Y k in order to have the matter fully settled we should then be upon a certainty and either have it in our power to send regular supplys to our Prisoners or know that they could not be supply'd in that w a y at all. So far as it would fall within my prov­ ince to employ M r . M a u r y I should think him unexceptionable and that his missfortunes entitle him to Countenance. I Expect some Goods from So. Quay also a quantity of Blankets and Canvass from Maryland. So soon as I take proper measures for the reception of them I shall wait upon you at Richmond. I am with the greatest respect Your most obedient Servant, DAVID

Ross

RC ( V i ) ; addressed in part: "Favoured by Mr. Maury"; endorsed. On the fate of Maury's vessel, see depositions concerning the flag A l e r t and also T J to the Virginia delegates, 10 May 1781.

From Francis Taylor SIR

Winchester May 5 . 1 7 8 1 .

Before I had received your letter of 1 1 A p r i l I had discharged part of the Regiment Guards at this place and delivered their A r m s to the Quartermaster here. Most of the returned arms, and those now in possession of the men, want repair. T h e M i l i t i a of Albe­ marle drew some of the A r m s sent to the Quartermaster at the B a r r a c k s , about four hundred was delivered Col. Muter last Octr. and some were boxed and left at the Barracks when I marched, which were to have been delivered to some persons i n Fluvanna to be repaired, but not having our Quartermasters books here I cannot be exact in the number. I expect Colo. W o o d has represented our situation, and hope you have given instructions what is to be done with the remaining part of the Regiment of Guards. I think it would be safe to permit the German Soldiers to hire themselves to Farmers and others within a limitted distance, on the hirers becoming security to return them when demanded, far the greater part would hire themselves, which might save the expence of a G u a r d , as well as for provisions, and their labour would benefit the people around who seem desirous to hire them. T h e Regiment have just received their pay at forty for one, but it is of little value to them. E v e r y Merchant here refuses to receive it for Goods, and those persons who w i l l take it demand T h r e e hundred or more for one. I t is distressing and very alarming. I I 607 )

5

M A Y 17 8 1

fear I t s credit is destroyed, but hope the Legislative w i l l adopt some method to support it. W i t h much respect, I am S i r Y o u r obedt. humb. Servt., FRA RC ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. Tr of first paragraph ( V i ) ; endorsed in part: "9th. May 1781." The first paragraph of this letter is repeated in substance in a letter that Taylor wrote to William Davies on this date, to which Taylor added that Davies had been misinformed "as to the Arms now in possession of the Guards, or that ever were" ( V i ) ; this was no doubt written in response to Davies' letter to Taylor of 4 Apr. 1781 in part as fol­ lows: "The Government are anxious im­ mediately to secure the arms that were in their hands, to the number of 500

TAYLOR

stand compleat, as the Executive in­ forms me. . . . I must however entreat for the earliest information; the affairs of the country will not dispense with the absence of so great a number of muskets from service. I have no doubt you will pay particular attention to this matter, as it is an object the Government have much at heart. You will take every step to forward them on safely and ex­ peditiously to this place, that they may be distributed according to the wants of the service" (Virginia War Office Letter Book, Vi; see T J to Davies, 4 Apr. 1781).

From the Virginia Delegates in Congress SIR

Philadelphia May 5th. 1 7 8 1 .

The Executive of New Jersey in consequence of authority vested in them by the Legislature for that purpose by an Act of the 27th. Ulto, established the rate of exchange between the old Continental currency and the bills issued pursuant to the Act of Congress of the 18th. of March 1 7 8 0 . to be 150 for 1. The speculation arising from this measure to the prejudice of this State with the other reasons stated in the inclosed publication by the Executive Council led to their act of the 2d instant therein referred to declaring the rate between the two kinds of money abovementioned to be 175 for 1. The effect of this declaration has been a confusion among the people of this City approaching nearly to tumult, a total Stop to the circulation of the old money, and a considerable stagnation and increased depreciation of the new. The difference between the latter and hard money is at present vibrating from 4 to 1 down­ wards. Should the circulation of the former therefore revive, its value cannot exceed 1/700 of that of hard money. T h e opportunity which this circumstance gives and which we have reason to beleive many are already taking measures to improve, of fraudulent specu­ lation not only on the Citizens of Virginia, but on the State itself, is so obvious and alarming that we thought it our duty to set an Express in immediate motion to put you on your guard against the mischief. [ 608 ]

5

M A Y 1781

T h e inclosed list of prisoners taken by Capt: T i l l y has been communicated to us by the Minister of France in consequence of our application. W e shall select such of the names as have already been mentioned by your Excellency as obnoxious and dangerous to the State, and put them into the hands of the Minister, who as well as the French Commander is entirely disposed to secure the State from all further apprehension from their malice. I f there are any other names which you would wish to add to your former list we beg to be informed of them by the first opportunity. I f there are any of the Prisoners who are not considered as objects of much dread, particularly of those who hold commissions we beleive our Allies would chuse not to be deprived of the use of them as sub­ jects of exchange. W e have the honor to be with the highest respect & esteem Y r . Excellency's obt. & humble Servts., ( B y order of the Delegation) J . MADISON RC ( P H i ) ; endorsed. Enclosures (missing): ( 1 ) A handbill issued by the Executive Council of Pennsylvania explaining their "motives and reasons" for establishing the new official rate of exchange (see Burnett, Letters of M e m ­ bers, v i , No. 9 2 ) ; ( 2 ) list of refugees taken by De Tilly; see Madison to T J , 3 Apr. 1781 and also note below. For communications from Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer and others respect­ ing these actions of New Jersey and Pennsylvania and the danger that pri­ vate speculators would take advantage of individuals in Maryland and Virginia, see Burnett, Letters of Members, vi, Nos. 92, 93, 95-8. CONFUSION . . . AP­ PROACHING NEARLY TO T U M U L T : On 12 May 1781 Rivington's Royal Gazette ( N . Y . ) gave the following description of events in Philadelphia two days after the present letter was written: "By a person arrived from Philadelphia, we are informed that last Saturday [7 Apr.] a large body of the inhabitants with paper dollars in their hats by way of cockades, paraded the streets of Phila­ delphia, carrying colours flying, with a DOG TARR'D, and instead of the usual appendage and ornament of feathers, his back was covered with the Congress's paper Dollars, this example of disaffec­

[609

JUNR.

tion immediately under the eyes of the rulers of the revolted provinces in sol­ emn session at the State House assem­ bled, was directly followed by the Jailor, who refused accepting bills in purchase of a glass of rum, and afterwards by the traders of the city, who shut up their shops, declining to sell any more goods but for gold or silver; it was declared also by the popular voice, that if the opposition to Great Britain was not in future carried on by solid money in­ stead of paper bills, all further resist­ ance to the mother country were vain and must be given up. T h e above is the most accurate account of the annihila­ tion of the Congressional currency that we have yet been able to obtain." I n the same issue "A Jerseyman" proposed that the states of Pennsylvania and Vir­ ginia be exempted from joining with other states in observing the fast day set for 3 May, since "They have both established iniquity by law, in their late unjust and cruel Tender Acts: Their prayers therefore must be a pub­ lic affront to the God of Justice, and Cannot fail of adding greatly to the sins, which have drawn down the vengeance of heaven upon our country" ( J C C , xrx, 284-5).

]

From Benjamin Franklin DEAR SIR

Passy, May 6.

1781.

T h i s w i l l be delivered to your Excellency by M r . Grieve, who goes to America w i t h a V i e w of establishing himself in the State of V i r g i n i a , where he has also some Business in which your Coun­ tenance and Protection may be of great Service to h i m . I beg leave to recommend h i m to you as a Gentleman, who has always been a Steady and serviceable Friend to our glorious Cause, and who w i l l I doubt not make a valuable Citizen of the State over which you so worthily preside. Permit me by this Occasion to mention again the Case of M r . Paradies who married a Daughter of the late Col. L u d w e l l . H i s affairs still detain h i m in E n g l a n d with his W i f e ; but their Inten­ tion is to go to V i r g i n i a as soon as possible; and as they have ever been firm in the Sentiments of good Americans, I hope their A b ­ sence w i l l not be prejudicial to them. W i t h the greatest Esteem and best W i s h e s for your Health and Happiness, I have the honour to be, S i r , Y o u r Excellency's most obedient and most humble Serv­ 1

ant,

B

RC (NNP). Dft ( D L C : Franklin Papers). MR. GRIEVE: Probably George Greive, who signed an oath of allegiance to the United States at Passy on 29 Apr. 1781 (Cal.

Franklin

Papers,

iv, 3 1 9 ) . T H E

CASE OF MR. PARADIES (i.e. John Paradise): Franklin evidently had written an earlier (and missing) letter to T J

FRANKLIN

concerning Paradise; he also wrote to T J on the same subject on 15 July 1782, q.v. (see also Archibald B. Shepperson, J o h n P a r a d i s e a n d L u c y L u d -well, Richmond, 1942, p. 145). Franklin in Dft first wrote "Citizen of the United States." 1

T o Lafayette SIR

Richmond May 6th. 1781

T w o Persons have applied to me on Behalf of a certain J o h n Allison, a Citizen under Confinement, as they say, at Camp for some offence. T h o ' perfectly satisfied that nothing w i l l be done under your order but what is right, and assuring them of the same, yet I have not been able to get clear of their sollicitations without a letter to you, asking the favor of a Communication of the Case and pro­ ceedings before any punishment should take place. I am sorry to add this to the many Troubles you have, but they have urged it to [610}

6 M A Y 17 8 1 me on the footing of D u t y so as to put it out of m y power to de­ THOMAS

cline it. I have the honor & c ,

JEFFERSON

FC ( V i ) .

From Joseph Reed SIR

Philad: May 6. 1781.

Y o u r Excellencys Favours of the 1 7 . and 18. U l t . have been duly received and claim our particular Acknowledgments as well for the Readiness which has been shewn i n concurring with our Proposition of running the L i n e , as the friendly Sentiments express'd towards this State which I am happy i n assuring your Excellency are perfectly reciprocal. A F a m i l y E v e n t having last F a l l estrang'd me from publick Business for some T i m e I fear a Mistake has happened i n not for­ warding the Accession of this State to the T e r m s proposed by V i r g i n i a i n their Resolves of the 2 3 d . June last, or it has miscar­ ried. I have now the Honour to inclose it and make no Doubt it w i l l be perfectly satisfactory. T h i s Opportunity just presenting itself I am obliged to defer answering the Particulars of your Excellencys Letter which respect the Mode of running the L i n e , as I had no Opportunity to confer w i t h the Gentlemen here on the Subject. B u t I shall do myself the Honour of writing again by the next Post. I n the mean T i m e as the Season is fast advancing I would submit to your Consideration whether we may not fix on the 12. June as the T i m e of the Com­ missioners Meeting on the Business and the Detail may be adjusted in the intermediate Space. I am with much Respect and Regard, Y o u r E x c e l l y s . most obedt. Hble Serv., J o s : R E E D Presidt. RC ( Vi ) ; endorsed in part erroneous­ ly: "reed. June 22d 81 Boundary Line"; the letter was actually received on 21 May (see T J to Reed, 22 May 1781). T r (NHi). Enclosure (missing): Reso­ lution of the General Assembly of Penn­ sylvania, 23 Sep. 1780, agreeing "to the conditions proposed by the State of Virginia, in their Resolves of the twenty third of June last," printed in P e n n a . A r c h i v e s , 1st ser., viri, 570-1; the Vir­ ginia resolutions were transmitted in a

(missing) letter from T J to Reed of 17 July 1780 (see Vol. 3: 489). The F A M I L Y E V E N T was the death on

18 Sep. 1780 of Reed's wife, Esther DeBerdt Reed, who became a victim of the "autumnal fever," perhaps as a re­ sult of having overtaxed herself in war work ( E . F . Eilet, T h e W o m e n of t h e A m e r i c a n R e v o l u t i o n , I , 1848, p. 36-56; L. H. Butterfield, "General Washing­ ton's Sewing Circle," A m e r i c a n H e r i t ­ age, li, 1951, 7-10, 68.

[611]

T o the County Lieutenants of Charles City and Certain Other Counties SIR

Richmond May 7th. 1781

I am to desire you to send immediately of your M i l i t i a to join the A r m y under the Marquis Fayette and to continue in Service two Months from the T i m e of their joining h i m . Lest the full quota [&c. as in the Letter of M a y 5 t h . ] 1 am & c , 1

2

THOMAS

F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "County Lieutenants of Charles City, King & Queen, Essex, Hanover, King William." i The number of militia to be called from each county is not given in F C . On 7 May the Council advised the Gov­ ernor "to call in from the County of Charles City 71 men, from the County of King and Queen 125 men, from the County of Essex 117 men, from the County of King William 109 men, and

JEFFERSON

from the County of Hanover 200 men to join the army under the command of the Marquis Fayette to remain two months in service; and as Cavalry is much wanted one tenth of the men from each county are allowed to equip themselves as horsemen" ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour.,

II, 343).

2 Brackets supplied; see T J to the county lieutenants of Henrico and cer­ tain other counties, 5 May 1781.

From James Hendricks SIR

Alexandria 7th. May 1781

I had the honour of Your Excellency's letter of 12th. U l t . on the subject of Building a Fort and Blockhouse at this Place and am in­ structed by the Common Council to inform you that a Consider­ able part of the work which they conceive necessary towards the Completion of the Battery is already excuted, and one Nine and T w o Twelve-pounders mounted on travelling Carriages at the expence of a few of the inhabitants who Voluntarily advanced their money for that Service expecting to be reimburs'd by Government; we intended to have made a Platform with P l a n k and to have mounted another Nine pounder but cou'd not carry this design into execution for want of more Cash. W e thank you for your proposal of Sending Colo. Senf to ex­ amine our Situation and we have not a doubt but we Shall be able to furnish the necessary Number of W o r k m e n , Carriages, &c. for to accomplish this design. I wou'd not w i s h to enlarge upon our distress'd Situation at present. I shall only observe that our Militia are now on duty be­ low, that we have Cheerfully contributed on all occasions towards [612]

8 MAY

1781

the common Cause and that in addition to this, we have been oblig'd to keep a constant guard in our T o w n for these Several weeks past to protect the Ammunition we have collected and guns mounted at our own expence, without which Some designing persons might in a few Minutes destroy what we have with so much labour and expence been Collecting, this Service operates extremely Severe on the few who have Voluntarily turn'd out on this Occasion. T h i s picture we are induced to think w i l l turn your Excellency's Attention towards us, relying on this Assurance, we Shall expect Colo. Senf as Soon as he can call upon us and i f it were possible a few thousands wou'd be well apply'd in finishing what we have begun. I have the Honour to be wt. much respect Y r . Excellency's Obedt. JAMES HENDRICKS

Hble servt., RC (Vi); addressed and endorsed.

T o Robert Lawson SIR

Richmond May 8. 1781

L d . Cornwallis being on his march for V i r g i n i a and Geni. P h i l ­ lips setting out from Brandon to join his forces to those of the former, obliges us to call every man into the feild for whom arms can be procured, and to require the reinforcements of militia from below the Blue ridge intended for Geni. Greene or such of them as have not actually marched to rendezvous at Prince E d w a r d C . H . or Taylor's ferry, so that they may join in the opposition to L d . Cornwallis or go on to Geni. Greene as exigencies shall require. I cannot yet get a council, so that it is out of m y power to advise your conduct tho' I thought it m y duty to notify this determination as to the rendezvous of those militia. Should they have actually marched it is not our intention to recall them. I am with great respect S i r Y o u r most obedt. servt, T H : JEFFERSON RC (Mrs. Henry P. DuBois, Pasa­ dena, Calif., 1947); without indication of addressee, but may be confidently ascribed to Robert Lawson for the fol­ lowing reasons: (1) Lawson was at Prince Edward awaiting orders from T J ; (2) he acknowledged TJ's "favor of the 8th instant" in one that he wrote T J on 11 May, q.v.; (3) the substance of the present letter is in accord with information set forth in TJ's letters to Lawson of 4 and 11 May and in Law-

son's to T J of 1 and 11 May; and (4), though this would not necessarily be significant unless accompanied by the foregoing, TJ's letters to Lawson (see those of 8 and 11 May) were usually in his own hand and end with the same distinctive complimentary close, " I am with great respect Sir," &c. I C A N N O T YET GET A COUNCIL:

TJ

had already, in his letter of 4 May, in­ formed Lawson that his "matter" would be taken up as soon as there was a Coun-

[613}

8 MAY

1781 ity of a regular board" were read and approved ( V a . C o u n c i l J o u r . , II, 344). The full Council did not meet again be­ fore TJ's retirement from the gover­ norship. This letter may have been sent out before the members of Council who were present on 8 May consulted with Lafayette ( see TJ's letters to the county lieuten ants, f olio win g ).

cil. The last full meeting had been held on 25 April. On 7, 8, and 9 May Dudley Digges, David Jameson, and George Webb met with T J and unofficially transacted business. On 10 May they were joined by Jacquelin Ambler, mak­ ing a full board. At this time the proceedings "which have been done (through necessity) without the formal­

T o the County Lieutenants and Others VIRGINIA TO WIT

[8 May

1781]

T h e bearer hereof Colo. Senf being sent by M a j r . G e n i . M a r ­ quis Fayette to have the bridges and boats and other vessels de­ stroyed which might otherwise facilitate the passage of the enemy across the rivers Blackwater, Nottoway, Meherrin and Roanoke and to collect vessels for transportation of our own troops, a l l County Lieutenants and other militia officers and their militia are hereby required on his application to lend all possible aid in effect­ ing the said work and to assemble in arms for the protection of those so engaged, also to be aiding in communicating intelligence from Colo. Senf to the Marquis Fayette. Given under m y hand at Richmond this 8th. day of M a y 1 7 8 1 . TH:

MS (NNP); entirely in T J ' s hand, presumably the copy given to Senf. This order to destroy boats and other vessels helps to explain the fact that, on the same day, Capt. Henry Young requested William Davies to order Capt. Maxwell or the person having charge of the ship carpenters in Virginia serv-

JEFFERSON

ice to send such a number to Point of Fork "as you may think sufficient to build Batteauxs." In that letter Young added: "Perhaps this Order wou'd come more propporly from the Governor. You can determine" (Young to Davies, 8 May, Vi; see T J to Lafayette, 14 Apr.).

T o the County Lieutenants of Lunenburg and Certain Other Counties SIR

Richmond May 8th. 1781

T h e B r i t i s h A r m y under Major Geni. Phillips having landed at Brandon, and meaning to press Southwardly; and L o r d Cornwallis being now advancing Northwardly with a Design probably of unit­ ing their force, it behoves us immediately to turn out from every County as many men as there are A r m s to be found in the County, [614]

8 M A Y

1781

in order to oppose these forces in their separate State i f possible, and i f not, to do it when combined; Y o u w i l l therefore be pleased with the Assistance of the Captains and Subalterns to collect im­ mediately every fire A r m in your County in anywise fit for mili­ tary Service, and to march so many men with these A r m s in their hands to Prince E d w a r d Courthouse or to Taylors ferry or Roanoke as shall be most convenient, having Respect to what you shall hear of the movements of the hostile Armies and of our army under Major General Marquis Fayette: T h e Object of your Detachment being to join the latter, and keep clear of Danger from the former. W h e n you shall be possessed of the A r m s , I think those men should be called on whose regular tour it is to go, unless any should offer voluntarily, in which Case the Service should be accounted to them as a T o u r of Duty. T h e Person who receives any fire A r m must be noted by you and held accountable to the Owner for its safe Return, in which he w i l l not be obstructed when he shall be discharged. W h e n the Discharge w i l l take Place we cannot undertake to say. I t is fixed that no tour shall exceed two months in the field, but our expectation is that the present Crisis w i l l be over in a much shorter T i m e , and whenever it is over they shall be discharged.* I t is probable that this order w i l l put it out of your power to pro­ ceed with your Draught: I f so, be pleased to suspend it in it's pres­ ent State, and to take it up again where you left off as soon as your Men shall Return. Cavalry in a due proportion, being as necessary as Infantry, you w i l l be pleased to permit and even to encourage one tenth part of those who are to come into Duty, as above required, to mount and equip themselves as Cavalry. T h e y must not be received however unless their Horses are good and fit for Service. A short Sword can be furnished them by the State, tho' i f they can procure a proper one w i t h other Equipments themselves they had better do it. T h e i r Horses and Accoutrements shall be ensured by the Public against everything but their own negligence, and they shall be allowed forage for them in addition to their own P a y and Rations. T h e future Movements of the E n e m y being uncertain, it is neces­ sary for me to give general Direction to see that all horses fit for Cavalry which shall be at any time within twenty Miles of the E n e m y , and all other horses which shall be directly in their Front be removed by their Owners; or i f they shall refuse or delay to do it, that then you have them taken by such persons as you shall ap­ point, and carried to our Camp, giving the Owners a Receipt and Description of them. I need not urge to you that the greatest Events [615]

8 M A Y 1781 hang on the Dispatch which is used in getting the M i l i t i a into the T H O JEFFERSON

field. I am &c. & c ,

* I n the Letters to Amelia, B r u n s w i c and Greensville add 'Besides those whom you can arm send eighty more, for whom we can find Arms.' F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "To the County Lieutenants of Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Greeneville, Brunswic, Amelia & Cumberland." When part of the Council met on 8 May, the following action was taken: "Intelligence being received that the British army under Major General Phil­ ips have landed at Brandon meaning to press southwardly, and that Lord Corn­

wallis is now advancing northwardly with a design probably of uniting their force—The members present on consult­ ing with the Marquis Fayette," instruct­ ed the Governor to order out the militia from the counties to which this letter and the following variations of the let­ ter were sent ( V a . C o u n c i l J o u r . , H , 343).

T o the County Lieutenant of Spotsylvania SIR

Richmond May 8th. 1781.

T h e B r i t i s h [&c. as in the preceding letter to the words com­ bined.] T h i s movement of the enemy frees your part of the Coun­ try of every probability of Molestation, except from Privateers, against which the Counties uncalled on w i l l be a sufficient Defence. Y o u w i l l therefore be pleased [ & C . ] to Richmond where they w i l l receive orders to join Major General Marquis Fayette. W h e n you shall be possessed [&c. to the e n d . ] 1 am & c , 1

1

1

THO

JEFFERSON

F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "County Lieutenant of Spotsylvania." i Brackets supplied; for the portions of the text to be supplied here see the preceding letter to the county lieutenants of Lunenburg, &c.

T o the County Lieutenants of Louisa and Certain Other Counties SIR

Richmond May 8th 1781

T h e B r i t i s h A r m y [&c. to the words Svith these arms i n their hands'] to Richmond or Prince E d w a r d Courthouse as shall be most convenient [ & C . ] A n d whenever it is over they shall be dis­ charged except the number called for by my letter of the 5th inst who w i l l be retained to perform a full T o u r . Cavalry in a due proportion [&c. to the e n d . ] 1 am & c , 1

1

1

THO

[616]

JEFFERSON

8 M A Y

1781

FC ( V i ) ; at head of text: "County Lieutenants of Louisa, Caroline, Fluvanna, Albemarle & Orange." Brackets supplied; for the portions of the text to be supplied here see TJ's letter to the county lieutenants of Lunenburg, &c, this date. 1

T o the County Lieutenants of K i n g William and Hanover SIR

Richmond May 8th. 1781.

T h e B r i t i s h [&c. to the words Svith these A r m s i n their hands'] to Richmond where they w i l l receive orders to join Major General 1

Marquis Fayette. W h e n you shall be possessed [ & C . ] Whenever it 1

is over they shall be discharged except the number called for by m y Letter of yesterday who w i l l be retained to perform a full tour. I t is probable [&c. to the e n d . ] 1 am & c , 1

T H O JEFFERSON

FC ( V i ) ; at head of text: "County Lieutenants of King William & Hanover." i Brackets supplied; for the portions of the text to be supplied here see TJ's letter to the county lieutenants of Lunenburg, &c, this date.

T o the County Lieutenants of Henry and Certain Other Counties Richmond May 8th. 1781 T h e B r i t i s h A r m y [&c. to the words 'keep clear of Danger from the former.'] Should the M i l i t i a before ordered to join General Greene be not actually marched we should approve of these A r m s being put into their hands, and that they proceed to one of the Rendezvouses beforementioned instead of taking a direct Route to General Greene as formerly ordered. T h e person who receives 1

THOMAS

[&c. to the e n d . ] 1 am 1

JEFFERSON

FC ( V i ) ; at head of text: "County Lieutenants of Henry, Pittsylvania, Bedford, Buckingham, Prince Edward, Halifax and Charlotte." i Brackets supplied; for the portions of the text to be supplied here see TJ's letter to the county lieutenants of Lunenburg, &c, this date.

[617]

T o the County Lieutenant of K i n g and Queen SIR

Richmond May 8th. 1781

T h e B r i t i s h [&C.] A n d whenever it is over they shall be dis­ charged except the number called for in my letter of yesterday who w i l l be retained to perform a full T o u r . [&c. to the E n d . ] 1 am 1

1

THOMAS JEFFERSON F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "County Lieutenant of K i n g & Queen." i Brackets supplied; for the portions of the text to be supplied here see T J ' s letter to the county lieutenants of Lunenburg, & c , this date.

T o the County Lieutenants of Chesterfield and Dinwiddie SIR

Richmond May 8th. 1781

T h e r e are a very considerable number (about 1 6 4 ) of your M i l i t i a who have been on D u t y near two Months; B e pleased to fix on so many of the rest of your County whether now in the field or at Home, whose regular T o u r it i s , to go and relieve the 164 first mentioned. W e shall call on other Counties immediately to relieve the whole of yours as soon as they can get i n . I am & c , 1

THOMAS JEFFERSON FC (Vi). T h e number 164, of course, applied only to Chesterfield; there were 187 from Dinwiddie (see T J to the county lieutenants of Chesterfield and Dinwiddie, 9 Mch. 1781). 1

From William Davies, with Reply SIR

W a r office May 8. 1781.

One of the Assistants of the Quartermaster general is going over to the Eastern Shore. I t appears to me an opportunity, which ought not to be neglected, of disposing and securing the public stores of every kind that are there. A great deal has been lost, a great deal more is in danger, and I submit it to the decision of your Excellency whether it w i l l not be proper to sell what cannot be immediately secured. I have the honor to be, most respectfully, Y o u r Excellency's very W I L L I A M DAVIES

hbl Servt.,

I

618 ]

8 M A Y

1781

I f Colo. Davies w i l l be pleased to originate instructions for the above I w i l l countersign them. T h e r e have been some partial orders given on the subject, so that the new instructions should be so framed as not to interfere with them. T H : JEFFERSON RC ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed; TJ's reply is written, in his hand, be­ low Davies letter. COLO. DAVIES . . . INSTRUCTIONS:

See

the letter following. No PARTIAL ORDERS . . . ON T H E SUBJECT given by T J are

known to have been preserved; indeed, three weeks earlier T J had informed the president of Congress that British con­ trol of Virginia waters made it difficult even to get an "advice boat" across to

the Eastern Shore (see T J to Hunting­ ton, 18 Apr. 1781). This was written in response to Congress' specific request that the supplies from Accomac and Northampton be removed and, since that letter was scarcely on its way before T J became engrossed in preparations to meet Phillips, it seems unlikely that he had had an opportunity to issue partial orders after 18 Apr. for this purpose.

From William Davies to the Commissioners of Accomac and Northampton Counties SIR

W a r office Richmond May 8, 1781

T h e unsecure situation of the publick Stores in your County makes it necessary that Steps should be immediately taken to put them out of the power of the enemy. T h e grain perhaps, it would be better to sell, the cattle possibly might be driven to Wilmington or Philadelphia but an escort ought to be sent with them till they shall have passed Worcester and Sussex Counties. T h e preservation of the salt is of the greatest importance. I f it can be effected it should be sent over in the fastest going boats to the safest and most convenient places on the Western Shore and notice immediately given the County Lieutenant and Commissioner of its arrival and requesting their immediate attention to the removal of it to places of greater security. I n the whole conduct of this affair secrecy and dispatch w i l l be immediately necessary. Y o u w i l l be pleased to con­ sult with the Commissioners of the other Counties on your Shore that you may act in conjunction and apply to your County L i e u ­ tenants for every assistance and support which there can be no Doubt they w i l l chearfully afford. T h e r e have been orders before given by the executive with respect to some of the above articles. Should these be in a train of execution it is not intended that it shall be interrupted, but that you should proceed as to all others. Y o u w i l l be pleased to give me the earliest information respecting the conduct of this business. I am & c , W M . DAVIES [619]

8 M A Y 17 8 1 FC ( V i ) . There is no indication on the F C that T J countersigned this letter but he doubtless did so on the RC in accordance with his expressed willingness in his reply to Davies' letter, preceding.

From the Virginia Delegates i n Congress SIR

Philadelphia May 8th. 1781

H a v i n g so lately and so often wrote to your Excellency we have little new to Communicate at present; the confusion respecting money still continues in this City, tho w i t h less commotion than could be expected as in a few days the old Continental money has depreciated from two hundred to seven, eight, and some say nine Hundred for one, the new money has of course sufferd i n propor­ tion. W h a t this Convulsion w i l l end i n , it is difficult to Surmise. I n the mean time we are in infinite distress as may be easily sup­ posed; the Currency of the old money has been stopp'd for some days past and it is said to day that the new is about to share the same fate. I n the midst of these misfortunes we have the pleasure to transmit to Y o u r Excellency a Copy of a letter from G e n i . Cornell one of the members of the board of W a r , who has been directed by Congress to visit the Magazines, and i f possible to send to the Southward such A r m s Cloathing and M i l i t a r y stores as we are i n want of. T h e E x t r a c t is as follows "Inclosed is a return of Clotheing now on the Road and orderd to be sent immediately from this Place to the care of the board of W a r , for the U s e of the Marquises detachment and the Southern A r m y , to which may be added one thousand Stand of good small arms orderd forward immediately by the Commander in Chief for the use of the M i l i t i a of the Southern States as the board of W a r shall direct. E a r l y to Morrow morning I shall go to fish K i l l w i t h General K n o x from which Place the General thinks two or three thousand Cartouch Boxes can be movd. I f so they w i l l be forwarded Immediately to the Southward. I Expect to be able to forward for the same Purpose two thousand Small A r m s from Springfield exclusive of the Rampart Muskets, m y prospects at present are better than I expected. N e w W i n d s o r A p r i l 30th 1 7 8 0 . " Copy. W e have also the pleasure to acquaint your Excellency that about three thousand Suits of Cloathing are safely arrived at Boston from Spain, which our Friend the K i n g of Spain has E n C 620]

9 M A Y 17 8 1 abled our Minister at that Court to procure. W e are w i t h the greatest respect Y r . Excelly's most obedt. Servts, M.

SMITH

THEODK:

BLAND

N . B . About 4 0 0 of the Rampart arms to be made into good M u s ­ kets and fixd w i t h Bayonettes for the State as advised in ours of last week are finishd and w i l l be sent forward immediatedly and the others are finishing w i t h all possible Expedition. RC (PHi); written and franked by Bland, signed by Smith and Bland; ad­ dressed and endorsed. On 21 Apr. 1781 Congress directed that "Ezekiel Cornell, one of the com­ missioners of the Board of War, have leave of absence for six weeks agreably to his request . . . to visit the military

stores and laboratory to the eastward, in the department of the commissary of military stores, and to take measures for removing arms, ammunition and stores from thence to the main army, or to the southward. . . ." ( J C C , xix, 434; Burnett, L e t t e r s of M e m b e r s , VI, No. 72.)

T o Samuel Huntington Richmond, 9 M a y 1 7 8 1 . This letter is virtually identical with T J ' s letter to George Washington of the same date, q.v. Tr (DLC: Washington Papers). An­ other T r (PHi). FC (Vi). The first two are in the hand of Richard Peters. TJ's letter was read in Congress on 14 May 1781 and referred to the board of war (JCC, XX, 499). A letter from the board of war to Washington (DLC: Washington Papers) transmitted a copy of TJ's letter to Huntington and stated in part: "General Wayne's march (from the situation of the public finances) has been hitherto unfortunately delayed;

The Board however have wrote to him to-day to press his departure in the strongest manner; and they hope that his difficulties are so far surmounted, that he will immediately set out with his detachment." The board's letter to Washington is dated 13 May (doubt­ less an error for 14 May, the day TJ's letter was referred to them; see Wash­ ington's reply, 29 May, W r i t i n g s , ed. Fitzpatrick, xxii, 129).

From Samuel McDowell SIR

Rockbridge May 9th 1781

The A c t of October last, for raising this States quota of troops for the Continental A r m y , came to this County i n due time. T h e Districts were laid off, two or three of the Districts Procured their men for the W a r ; a day was appointed for the Draft, but before the day came, your Excellencys letter allowing a Suspension of that A c t , i n this County, came to hand, and before your E x c e l ­ lencys letter arrived, for taking off that Suspension, the day ap­ pointed for the Draft was Past. On receiving your last letter, Some [621]

9 M A Y 17 8 1 of the field officers were of Opinion the Districts Ought to be laid off anew, for Some reasons; and a D a y was appointed to meet to lay them off i f it was (on consideration) found necessary. T h e People in this County, (hearing that they of Augusta had Pre­ vented laying off the Districts there) met (to w i t ) about a hundred of them, and Seeing Colo. Bowyer geting the lists from the Cap­ tains; of the Strength of their Companies, and Supposing it was to lay off the Districts anew, got into the Court House Seased the table, carried it off in a Roiatous manner; and Said no Districts Should be laid off there, for that they would Serve as M i l i t i a for those months and make up the Eighteen months that w a y , but would not be Drafted for Eighteen Months and be regulars. M u c h was Said to them to Deswaid them from Such an Exceeding i m ­ prudent A c t , and one that must be attended with Such dredfull consequences to themselves, to the State, and to the Continant, but all to no Purpose. T h e y tore the Papers and after some time begun to go off. However the field officers on talking over matters, were of Opinion that the Devisions (as they were laid off according to the A c t ) Ought to Stand as they were, and Accordingly appointed the twentieth of June for the D a y of D r a w i n g . I have heard that they Say they w i l l Prevent the Draft, but how that may be I know not, for Some of them Said they could not be hurt for Preventing the laying off the Districts, as the L a w Stands, for it only Punishes those who make roiets or Stop the Execution of the A c t , on the D a y of Draft. I understand Such Ideas have been held out by a member of the House of Delegates to the People of Augusta but how true that i s , I know not, but i f true I am Sory to know that any man who acts in Publick Character Should by any means E x c i t e the People to resist the L a w s ; for in that case all Government is destroyed and we are intierly ruined. A few lines from your Excellency by way of Advice how to A c t , as they did not Prevent laying off the Districts and the D a y of Draft is not yet come, w i l l much oblige your Excellencys most obedt Humble Sevt., S A M L . M C D O W E L L R C ( V i ) ; addressed in part: "pr favr. of William McDowell"; endorsed. T H E Y O F AUGUSTA HAD PREVENTED L A Y I N G O F F T H E DISTRICTS: See George Moffett to T J , 5 May 1781. See also Garret Van Meter to T J , 14 and 20 Apr. and Commissioners for Accomac to T J , 15 May. SUCH IDEAS HAVE B E E N H E L D OUT BY A M E M B E R OF T H E HOUSE OF DELEGATES: On 31 May 1781 Thomas Hughes represented to the House of Delegates that "an opposition

has been made by some of the people of Augusta in arms, to a law passed by the last Assembly, and that Zachariah Johnston, a member for that county, hath been the principal instigator of such opposition." T h e House thereupon resolved that an inquiry be made into the charges, "that the persons most likely to give the necessary informa­ tion, be called upon to attend on the eleventh day of next month," and that the committee on privileges and elee-

[622]

9 MAY tions should make the investigation and report, having power "to send for per­ sons, papers and records for their in­ formation." Patrick Henry was chair­ man of the committee and on 14 June reported that, "from the testimony of various witnesses . . . Zachariah John­

1781 ston hath uniformly recommended to the people of the county of Augusta, an obedience to the law 'for recruiting this State's quota of troops' . . . and did by no means instigate them to an opposi­ tion to the said law" (JHD, May 1781, 1828 edn., p. 8, 17).

T o George Washington SIR

Richmond May 9th. 1781.

Since the Letter which I had the Honor of last addressing to your Excellency, the military movements in this state have scarcely merited Communication except a very late one. T h e E n e m y after leaving W i l l i a m s b u r g came directly up James River and landed at City point being the point of L a n d on the Southern Side of the Confluence of Appomattox and James Rivers; they marched up to Petersburg where they were received by Major General Baron Steuben w i t h a Body of M i l i t i a somewhat under 1000, who 'tho the E n e m y were 2 3 0 0 strong disputed the Ground very handsomely two Hours during which time the E n e m y gained one mile only and that by inches. Our Troops were then ordered to retire over a Bridge which they did in perfect good Order. Our Loss was between sixty and seventy killed wounded and taken: the Enemy's is unknown but from Circumstances of Prob­ ability it must have been equal to ours; for their own Honour they must confess this, as they broke twice and run like Sheep till sup­ ported by fresh Troops. A n Inferiority of Number obliged our Force to withdraw about 12 Miles upwards, till more M i l i t i a should be assembled. T h e E n e m y burnt all the Tobacco in the W a r e ­ houses at Petersburg and its Neighbourhood: they afterwards pro­ ceeded to Ozbornes where they did the same and also destroyed the Residue of the Public armed Vessels and several of private Prop­ erty, and then came to Manchester which is on the H i l l opposite to this Place. B y this T i m e Major General Marquis Fayette having been ad­ vised of our Danger had by forced Marches got here with his Detachment of Continental Troops and Reinforcments of M i l i t i a having also come in the E n e m y finding we were able to meet them on an equal footing thought proper to burn the Warehouses and Tobacco at Manchester and retire to W a r w i c k where they did the same. I l l armed and untried M i l i t i a who never before saw the Face of an E n e m y have at times during this W a r given Occasion of 1

1

[ 623 ]

9 M A Y 17 8 1 Exultation to our Enemies, but they afforded us while at W a r w i c k a little Satisfaction in the same w a y . S i x or eight hundred of their picked M e n of the light Infantry with General Arnold at their Head having crossed the R i v e r from W a r w i c k fled from a Patrole of 16 Horse every man into his boat as he could some pushing North and some South as their Fears drove them. T h e i r whole force then proceeded to the Hundred being the Point of L a n d within the Confluence of the two Rivers, embarked and fell down the R i v e r . T h e i r foremost Vessels had got below Burwells F e r r y on the 6th. instant when on the A r r i v a l of a Boat from Portsmouth and a Signal given the whole crouded Sail up the R i v e r again w i t h a fair W i n d and tide and came to Anchor at Brandon; there six D a y s Provision were dealt out to every M a n ; they landed and had orders to march an Hour before D a y the next Morning. W e have not yet heard which w a y they went or whether they are gone but having about the same time received Authentic Information that L o r d Cornwallis had on the 1st. instant advanced from W i l m i n g ­ ton half w a y to Halifax we have no Doubt putting all Circum­ stances together but that these two Bodies are forming a Junction. W e are strengthening our Hands w i t h M i l i t i a as far as A r m s either private or public can be collected, but cannot arm a force which may face the combined Armies of the E n e m y . I t w i l l there­ fore be of very great Importance that General W a y n e ' s Forces be pressed on with the utmost Dispatch. A r m s and a naval force how­ ever are what must ultimately save us. T h i s movement of our Enemies we consider as most perilous in its Consequences. Our latest Advices from G e n . Greene are of the 2 6 t h U l t . when he was lying before Cambden, the works and Garrison of which were much stronger than he had expected to find them. I have the Honour to be with great Respect Y o u r Excellency's 1

2

3

1

1

T H : JEFFERSON

most obt & mo: hbl Servt, RC ( D L C : Washington Papers): in a clerk's hand, with several insertions and signature in TJ's hand; endorsed in part: "Ansd. 8. June." F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "President of Congress and General Washington." T r ( D L C : T J Papers). T J sent a virtually identical letter to Huntington on the same day, which may clarify the otherwise surprising fact that he should have taken the lib­ erty to explain to Washington, who knew the James quite as well as he did, where City Point, Manchester, and the

Hundred were; T J probably wrote to Huntington first (see caption on F C above) and then the clerk copied from this master text the letter intended for Washington, including the gratuitous geographical information. The V a . G a z . (D & N ) for 19 May contained an ac­ count of the British army's activities subsequent to 18 Apr., but this account varied in some particulars from that given here by T J and it may be pre­ sumed that he did not write it (as he did, for example, on the occasion of the January invasion): Muhlenberg is giv­ en as the commander at Petersburg, the

[ 624 ]

9

MA'

American force there was put at "about 1200 militia," the casualties were said to be "about 40 killed and wounded," the defeat of the "six or eight hundred of their picked Men" was not mentioned. On the other hand, the phrase "Man­ chester opposite this place" and one or two other similarities of phrase suggest that T J may possibly have given the substance of his narrative to the printer of the Gazette, OUR LATEST ADVICES FROM GENL. GREENE: In NHi: Steuben

Papers there is a transcript of a letter without date, place, signature, or name of addressee, but with this endorsement: "Copy from Geni. Greene to the Govr." This is an error that must have arisen from the reference to "Your Excel­ lency." It is a variant of the letter that Greene wrote on 27th Apr. 1781 to Samuel Huntington and to George Washington (RC in PCC, No. 155, ii, p. 47-50 and in DLC: Washington Pa-

17 8 1 pers; transcript in CSmH: Greene Pa­ pers, dated "April 27th 1781" and with addressee indicated as "To the Presi­ dent of Congress & General Washing­ ton"; see Washington's acknowledge­ ment of Greene's of the 27th, W r i t i n g s , ed. Fitzpatrick, xxii, 146). The copy in the Steuben Papers must have been the source of TJ's information, for (1) Greene habitually relied on Steuben to transmit information from the Southern Army to T J ; (2) on no occasion did Greene give T J such an account of an engagement as in this official report of the engagement at Hobkirk's Hill, 25 Apr. 1781. 1 This word inserted in TJ's hand. Preceding five words interlined in TJ's hand. 3 Preceding four words interlined in TJ's hand. 2

T o John Scarsbrook Wills SIR

Richmond May 9th.

1781

B r i s t o l B r o w n and T h o m a s K e m p inform us that their Families, Cloth[es] and Household furniture are i n Portsmouth, and desire a flag to go in for them. T h e true and sacred objects of F l a g s have been so much abused, that it is w i t h Reluctance we allow one,

but

in Cases of real Importance. W e think one may be admitted in this instance, provided a vigilant officer can be sent to conduct it, and to see that nothing but their families, and such Clothes and house­ hold furniture as they had before the

coming of the

enemy, be

brought away. B y this we mean particularly to guard against an illicit Commerce. Y o u w i l l be pleased, taking such time and oppor­ tunity as w i l l best suit your Situation, to let them [have] a flag w i t h a vigilant officer to conduct it for the purpose above expressed. I am

T H O JEFFERSON

&c,

FC (Vi); at head of text: "Colo. John Sek Wells" (John Scarsbrook Wills who represented Isle of Wight co. in the House of Delegates from 1776 to 1786 and in the Senate from 1787 to 1793.

See Swem and Williams, "Register of the General Assembly of Va.," p. 446; Swem, I n d e x ) . See Opie and Ball, 12 Apr. 1781.

[ 625 ]

T o the Speaker of the House of Delegates SIR

I n Council at Richmond May. 10. 1781.

I have the Honour to communicate to the General Assembly an Ordinance of Congress of the 5th. D a y of A p r i l last for establish­ ing Courts for the T r i a l of Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas; also certain Resolutions of Congress of the 16th. and 2 3 d . of M a r c h on the mode of paying Debts and [furnishing] Sup­ plies of Money and of the 20th. of A p r i l relative to that P a r t of Colo. Hazen's Regiment which belongs to this State. I n Compliance with the Desire of Assembly expressed in their Resolutions of M a r c h 7th. I wrote to the honble. Major General Greene inclosing the said Resolution, and asking the Favour of h i m to have such Reports made to me as would enable me to proceed in the Execution of the Resolution. Copies of m y Letter and of his on the same Subject I now inclose, together w i t h Copies of m y Letters to the Continental and State Quarter Masters who were employed in impressing Horses for the Enterprize meditated on Portsmouth; on the Discontinuance of that Enterprize most of the Horses were returned to their Owners, so that I am in Hopes the inconveniences which that important Attempt had rendered neces­ sary are now reduced within very narrow L i m i t s ; full Returns are not yet made so as to enable us to state what the Public stands engaged for on that Account. T h e Injuries which have been sustained both Public and Private on the late Incursion of the E n e m y have been every considerable. T h a t they were stopped in their Progress before they had com­ pleted the Circle of Depredation which they had meditated, we are indebted to the spirited Opposition made by our M i l i t i a , w h i c h obliged the hostile A r m y to be cautious and slow in it's Movements and ultimately to the great Exertions of the honble. Major General Marquis de la Fayette, who being informed of our Danger, pressed forward by very great and rapid Marches and arrived at this Place with his Detachment of Continental Regulars when the E n e m y were already on the opposite H i l l s . On the Junction of his Force with that which we had assembled they thought proper to retire. T h e i r Approaches had occasioned a total Removal of public Stores from this Neighbourhood. T h i s Circumstance with the Disorder into which they have of Necessity been thrown renders impracti­ cable at this T i m e a Compliance w i t h the Desire of Assembly ex­ pressed in their Resolution of M a r c h 21st. that the Condition of [626]

10

M A Y 17 8 1

the Department of the W a r Office should be laid before them. T h e Commissioner of that Office is using his Endeavours to have them stored and arranged at a more interior Situation, which done he may be enabled to procure accurate Returns of them. How these Insults and losses are to be prevented in future or whether they can be prevented are Questions fit for the wise Dis­ cussion of the General Assembly. A Country so intersected with navigable waters can be defended by naval Force alone; and where the Resources of a Nation are not equal to the Equipment of a respectable N a v y , perhaps nothing better can be devised than Gallies constructed on plans approved by Experience, but an A s y l u m for these Gallies seems as necessary as the Gallies them­ selves during the T i m e of their Construction as well as after it. A Battery on each R i v e r at a proper position protected by such works as would require a Garrison of a single Company only would, in the Opinion of the most respectable military Characters among us, protect our vessels and in a favorable Position would stop the Pas­ sage of an E n e m y so long as to give T i m e for the assembling mili­ tia or marching an A r m y to the Support of the Post. These small W o r k s are certainly within the Compass of our Finances. Y e t we have in vain attempted to have such erected on each R i v e r . I t has been found that Money w i l l not procure Labourers. A militia of Freemen cannot be easily induced to labour in W o r k s of this K i n d . Slaves are by the laws excluded from the Militia and wisely as to the P a r t of a Souldiers D u t y which consists in the Exercise of A r m s ; but whether male Slaves might not under proper Regula­ tions be subjected to Rotines of D u t y as Pioneers and to other mili­ tary Labours can only be determined by the W i s d o m of the Legis­ lature. V e r y great Misfortunes are likely to be brought on us by the Tardiness of our Citizens in driving off their Stocks of Cattle and still more their Horses on the Approach of an E n e m y . T h i s Negli­ gence has enabled the E n e m y to take Possession of some of the most valuable Horses in the Commonwealth, and to establish a Corps of Horse which from their Numbers and quality may become very formidable to this State. I think it necessary to inform the General Assembly that the State is at present without an Engineer. L t . Colo. W a r n e c k who formerly acted in that Capacity was made Prisoner by the E n e m y at Westham and should he be exchanged, it w i l l remain question­ able whether he shall resume his Office. W e have it in our Power at present to engage Colo. Senf, a Gentleman eminent for his S k i l l [ 627]

1 0 M A Y 17 8 1 as an Engineer, his Zeal and activity. But holding the Rank, Com­ mand and Emoluments of a Colonel in another State with an As­ surance that his Office shall not be discontinued with the W a r , it is not expected he would relinquish these, but on the Offer of equal Terms from this State which under the act of Assembly of October 1776 the Executive are not authorized to engage. I cannot but add that I think he will be a valuable Acquisition and such a one as if lost will not easily be replaced. Among the Losses which were sustained on the Expedition of the Enemy to this Place in January last was that of all the Certifi­ cates of British sequestered Property and Payments of British Debts, which were kept among the Papers of the Council. T h e Entries in the Books of the Auditors will doubtless supply them, but lest any Accident should happen to these, perhaps the General Assembly may think it prudent to direct the Certificates to be re­ newed under such Cautions as may be necessary to guard against duplicate Certificates. The Executive according to the Desire of a former General As­ sembly having appointed M r . Alexander Stewart to revise and report on the Books of the late Colo. William Aylett, he has made a Report which I have now the Honour to inclose. I am desired by M r . Tyler to inform the General Assembly that he declines accepting the Office of a Counsellor and by the honble. Mr. Prentis to inclose to you his Letter of Resignation. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect & esteem, Sir your most obedt. & most humble servt., RC ( V i ) ; in a clerk's hand, with place, date, complimentary close, signa­ ture, and several minor corrections in the text in TJ's hand; in the margin, opposite the listing of enclosures, there is a series of capital letters, "A" through " I , " possibly in TJ's hand; endorsed: "Governors Letter of May 10th: 1781. Stating Sundry Matters. May 28th: 1781. Referred to the Committee of the whole House on State of the Common­ wealth." FC ( V i ) ; at head of text: "The Speaker of the House of Delegates." Enclosures (now separated from RC and corresponding to the alphabetical designations in the margin ) : ( 1 ) Ordi­ nance of Congress of 5 Apr. ( V i ) , for establishing courts for the trial of pira­ cies, enclosed in Samuel Huntington to T J , 19 Apr. 1781, q.v. (2) and (3) Resolutions of Congress of 16 and 23 Mch. ( V i ) , concerning the manner of paying debts, enclosed in Huntington

TH:

JEFFERSON

to T J , 23 Mch. 1781, q.v. (4) Resolu­ tions of Congress of 20 Apr. ( V i ) , con­ cerning the depreciation of pay of of­ ficers and soldiers in Col. Hazen's regi­ ment, probably enclosed in Huntington to T J , 21 Apr. 1781, q.v. (5) copy of TJ's letter to Nathanael Greene of 24 Mch. (Vi); and (6) copy of "his on the same subject" (not Greene's reply of 28 Apr.) of 6 Apr. ( V i ) , qq.v. under their dates. (7) Copies of TJ's letters of 24 and 30 Mch. to Richard Claiborne and Granville Smith ( V i ) , qq.v. under their dates. (8) Report of Alexander Stewart on the books of William Aylett (not found). (9) John Tyler to T J , 1 Apr. 1781 ( V i ) , printed above under that date. When T J wrote this letter he doubt­ less expected that it would be read in the House on the same or the following day. However, the Assembly, which had adjourned in March to meet again on

[ 628 ]

10

MAY

7 May, lacked a quorum on 7, 8, and 9 May. On 10 May the members pres­ ent adopted the following resolution: "Information being given to the House, of the approach of an hostile army of the enemy towards this place, from whose operations the deliberations of the General Assembly may be greatly interrupted, impeded or totally prevent­ ed; . . . That this House be adjourned until Thursday the 24th instant, then to meet at the town of Charlottesville. . . ." The members reconvened in Char­ lottesville on 24 May, but a quorum was not obtained until 28 May, at which time Benjamin Harrison was elected speaker and TJ's letter, as indicated in the endorsement, was laid before the House and referred to a committee of the whole House. On 29 May the House resolved itself into a committee of the whole and agreed to the following reso­ lutions: (1) that the Governor be de­ sired to call "with all possible expedi­ tion" sufficient militia "to oppose the enemy with effect"; ( 2 ) that he call into service other militia "from time to time" to relieve those in service; (3) that a committee be ordered to prepare an ad­ dress to Congress representing "the present distressing situation of affairs" and requesting aid; (4) that all horses "taken under impress warrants granted to . . . General Greene, and all horses and other necessaries impressed for the

17 8 1 forwarding the enterprize meditated against Portsmouth, which have not been returned to their respective owners, ought to be paid for"; (5) that, the prices allowed by the last Assembly for mounting the first and third regiments of dragoons being insufficient, the reso­ lution be repealed and the Governor authorized to take measures to mount the regiments (this resolution was first tabled and not agreed to until 31 May; two MS copies of it are in Vi: one dated 31 May, certified by John Beckley for the House; and the second by Beckley and by Drew for the Senate on 14 June); (6) that a bill be drawn to estab­ lish martial law in the territory sur­ rounding the American and British forces (the bill was not passed by the House until 15 June and not approved by the Senate until 18 June); (7) that an address be sent to Maryland and Pennsylvania asking for aid; (8) that the new levies collected at Albemarle for the southern service be detained for the defense of the state; (9) that public arms be also detained for the same purpose. A resolution authorizing the Governor to appoint an engineer for the state with the rank and emoluments of a colonel was rejected ( J H D , May 1781, 1828 edn., p. 4, 5-6, 9, 18, 21; Hening, X , 411, an Act establishing martial law within twenty miles of the American Army).

From Richard Henry Lee SIR

Chantilly May 10.

1781

A letter from G e n . Weedon of the 10th. instant giving us rea­ son to expect the enemies army presently in this quarter, has been the subject of consideration in a council of our M i l i t i a Officers,

and

it has called our attention closely to the singularity of our situa­ tion, w h i c h exposes us an easy prey to such a force as lately visited James river. T h i s has produced the inclosed determination, w h i c h I have now the honor to inclose your Excellency by order of

the

Council. W e pray your attention to it, as thereby a T r a c t of coun­ try an hundred miles in length and abounding w i t h Slaves, Stocks, and much Tobacco both public and private may be saved from the hand of ravage and destruction. I f you w i l l please to cast your eye upon the Map you w i l l see how easy a matter it is for those who command the W a t e r , w i t h 2 0 0 0 Men to sweep expeditiously from [629 ]

10

M A Y 17 8 1

Fredericksburg to Fleets B a y , whilst the people inclosed on this ground are in a manner cut off from the assistance of their friends and not even possessing the means of escaping from a superior E n e m y . T h e M i l i t i a appear willing to defend themselves, but the means are wanting, as is truly stated in the inclosed paper. So long only as there is just cause to apprehend the hostile visit do we wish for the residence of a General Officer and a few regular Troops as a body to Countenance and for the M i l i t i a to resort to. B y the advice of Geni. Weedon we are forming a Body of Horse, and expect to collect about 50 in this County. W e wish to know i f they may expect to be found forage by the public for their horses in case of actual service, and whether the specific provision may not be used by the M i l i t i a when in such service. I lately wrote to your Excellency informing you that I had purchased some powder for the use of the M i l i t i a of this county agreeable to your desire. I t is by no means a sufficient quantity, and as yet I have been able to get but little L e a d . Soon I hope to purchase some more of this latter Article. I requested that you would be pleased to send me some blank M i l i t i a Commissions for Officers of different ranks, I have again to repeat that request. I n the Y e a r 1775 I was ap­ pointed Lieutenant of this County being the oldest Colonel after the death of my late Brother Colo. P h i l . L u d . L e e . B y the frequent moving of m y Papers to get out of the w a y of the E n e m y whilst I was at Congress m y commission has been mislaid, and as occasion for taking the field seems to be approaching, when a Commission may be necessary in case of falling into the enemies hands, I beg the favor of you to send me one. T h e r e may possibly be some dif­ ficulty about the date, which being of the present time might expose me to be commanded by some very weak brother of late creation. W h a t can with propriety be done on this occasion I am sure you w i l l do. I should suppose that there would be no incon­ gruity in this case, i f it bore date from the first of your administra­ tion which w i l l be long after I was actually in the Office. T h i s I leave to you with pleasure, the principal consideration being a Com­ mission in case of coming under the power of the E n e m y . I am with great respect and esteem, S i r , Y o u r Excellency's most RICHARD HENRY L E E

Obedient Servant,

P S . M a y not G e n . Spotswood be sent to these lower parts of the Northern Neck so long as there is cause to apprehend the enemies army coming to Potomac? R. H. L E E [ 630]

10

M A Y 17 8 1

RC (PHi); addressed and endorsed. Enclosure not found. I L A T E L Y WROTE TO YOUR E X C E L L E N C Y : This was, no doubt, a letter written

by Lee in response to TJ's of 16 Apr. 1781, q.v.; it has not been found.

From Thomas Nelson DEAR SIR

4 Mile Creek May 10 1781 9 o clock p m

I am just returnd from Malern [Malvern] H i l l s from whence we could discover the E n e m y s Boats lying off City point. F r o m the smoak on that side of the R i v e r I conclude they have encamp'd at some small distance from the R i v e r . A party of their Horse were last night at Petersburg. None have landed on this side, some sailors excepted, who landed i n the lower part of Charles City and took off a quantity of Corn from M r s . Minzies I am informed that the light Horse under Colo. C a l l are to be discharge i n eight days from this time, which w i l l put us entirely i n the power of the E n e m y , already an overmatch for us i n Cavalry, unless others can be induc'd to enter from the Counties whence the reliefs of M i l i t i a come. I mention this matter that measures may be adopted to remedy the great inconveniency that w i l l arise from the discharge of the present Corps. I

am Dear S i r Y o u r Obedt Sert,

THOS NELSON J R .

I t w i l l be impossible to give you frequent intelligence of the movements of the E n e m y without more Cavalry or Expresses. T h e Cavalry that we have are oblig'd to be constantly on the Enemy's lines. RC (MeHi); addressed in part: "[Favo]red by D. Jameson"; endorsed.

Order i n Council concerning the Copying of Public Records [10 May 1781] T h e letters and other Papers of the Council having been de­ stroyed i n the expedition of the enemy to the T o w n of Richmond in the month of January last, and it being of general importance that memorials of public events be preserved, and particularly in­ teresting to those having a share i n the administration that the records of their proceedings should under every possible circum­ stance guard them against misrepresentation and mistake and the board being of opinion that copies may be obtained of many letters [631]

10

M A Y 17 8 1

and other papers of considerable importance by application to those to and from whom they have been written, Advise that a proper person be appointed to execute this business, that he be instructed particularly to go to Congress and to General Washington in order to obtain permission to copy the letters which have passed between them and this board previous to the commencement of the present year—that he also apply to the Clerk of the House of Delegates for leave to copy the letters which have been written to the General Assembly within the same period and collect however else he can such resolutions, minutes, letters or other papers of the Council lost as aforesaid and enter them in a book making thereto Indexes Alphabetical and Chronological and that while employed in the said work he be allowed his reasonable expenses, a horse and seven­ ty five pounds of tobacco by the day or its worth in current money as estimated by the grand j u r y . T h e Board further advise that M r . Granville Smith be appointed to execute the preceding resolution that he be desired to proceed thereon forthwith. Text printed from V a . C o u n c i l J o u r . , II, 344-5. There can be little doubt that T J was the author of this resolution. Nothing seems to have been done in consequence of it, however; the transcripts of letters to Huntington and Washington that are now in D L C : T J Papers were made at a later date, since (1) they are press copies and ( 2 ) none of the letters in the Continental Congress Papers for

1779 and 1780 (which Smith was spe­ cifically authorized to copy) are present in T J Papers or in Vi. See T J to Hunt­ ington and to Washington, this date; no RC of either of these letters has been found, nor is there evidence that Wash­ ington acknowledged the letter to him. Hence it is probable that Smith did nothing about the matter, which is un­ derstandable in view of the situation of affairs in Virginia in May 1781.

To the Virginia Delegates in Congress GENTLEMEN

In Council May 10th.

1781

A small Affair has taken Place between the B r i t i s h command­ ing Officer in this State ( G e n i . P h i l l i p s ) and the Executive which as he may endeavour to get R i d of through the medium of Con­ gress, I think it necessary previously to apprise you of it. General Scott obtained Permission from the Commandant at Charlestown for vessels with necessary Supplies to go from hence to them, but instead of sending the Original sent only a Copy of the Permission taken by his Brigade Major. I applied to Geni. Phillips to supply this Omission by furnishing a Passport for the vessel. H a v i n g just before taken great Offence at a T h r e a t of R e ­ taliation in the Treatment of Prisoners he inclosed his answer to [ 632 ]

10

M A Y 17 8 1

my Letter under this Address ' T o T h o s . Jefferson E s q r . American Governor of V i r g i n i a . ' I paused on receiving the Letter and for some time would not open it. However when the miserable Condi­ tion of our Brethren in Charlestown occurred to me, I could not determine that they should be left without the necessaries of L i f e while a Punctilio should be discussing between the B r i t i s h General and myself: and knowing that I had an Opportunity of returning the Compliment to M r . Phillips in a Case perfectly corresponding, I opened the Letter. V e r y shortly after I received as I expected the Permission of the Board of W a r for the B r i t i s h F l a g vessel then in Hampton Road with Cloathing and Refreshments to proceed to Alexandria. I inclosed and addressed it ' T o W i l l i a m Phillips E s q r . commanding the B r i t i s h Forces in the Commonwealth of V i r g i n i a . ' Personally knowing Phillips to be the proudest man of the proudest Nation on E a r t h I well know he w i l l not open this Letter; but having Occa­ sion at the same T i m e to write to Capt. Gerlach the F l a g master, I informed h i m that the Convention Troops in this State should perish for want of necessaries before any should be carried to them through this State till Geni. Phillips either swallowed this P i l l of Retaliation or made an Apology for his rudeness. A n d in this, should the matter come ultimately to Congress, we hope for their Support. He has the less right to insist on the expedition of his F l a g because his Letter instead of inclosing a Passport to expedite ours, contained only an Evasion of the Application by saying he had referred it to S i r Henry Clinton and in the mean time he has come up the river and taken the vessel with her Loading which we had chartered and prepared to send to Charlestown and which wanted nothing but the Passport to enable her to depart. I would further observe to you that this Gentleman's letters to Baron Steu­ ben first, and afterwards to the Marquis Fayette, have been in a stile so intolerably insolent and haughty, that both these Gentle­ men have been obliged to inform h i m that i f he thinks proper to address them again in the same spirit all Intercourse shall be dis­ continued. I am with very great Respect & Esteem Gentlemen Your mo: T H : JEFFERSON

obt. Servt, RC ( D L C : PCC, No. 71, n ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed and addressed by T J ; endorsed in part: "Read 29 Referred to the board of War" ( J C C , xx, 571). FC ( V i ) . T r (DLC: T J Papers). On this episode, see Charles Scott to

T J , 30 Jan. 1781; T J to Phillips, 31 Mch. and 20 Apr.; Phillips to T J , 6 Apr.; T J to Gerlach, 3 May; and the depositions concerning the A l e r t , 2 May 1781. Several assertions by T J make it seem apparent that the letter from Phil-

[ 633 ]

10

M A Y

lips bearing an offensive address could not be that of 6 Apr. 1781. These are: (1) that Phillips' offensive letter came "to hand" after 20 Apr. ( T J to Ger­ lach, 3 May 1781); (2) that T J paused "on receiving the Letter and for some time would not open it," but finally permitted humanitarian reasons to prevail over punctilio; ( 3 ) that "very shortly" after this he received permis­ sion to let the flag G e n e r a l R i e d e s e l proceed and enclosed the passports in a letter bearing a retaliatory address; (4) that, at the same time, he wrote to Ger­ lach; (5) that Phillips' letter, instead of enclosing a passport, contained only an evasion to the effect that it was nec­ essary to refer the problem to Sir Henry Clinton; and (6) that "in the m e a n t i m e " (italics supplied) Phillips had come up the river and taken the A l e r t . But these assertions, which seem to point to a missing letter from Phil­ lips to T J written sometime between 10 and 18 Apr. as the one that bore the offensive address, are either mis­ taken or contradictory. For there is no evidence that T J received any letter from Phillips after 20 Apr. or that he answered Phillips' letter of 6 Apr. ex­ cept insofar as his letter of 20 Apr. is an answer—and that letter could not have preceded or have produced Phil­ lips' offensive address since it was not dispatched until 3 May. In the second place, T J was wrong in thinking he had delayed opening Phillips' letter. It is true that he delayed a direct re­ sponse until 20 Apr., but on 10 Apr., immediately on receipt of Phillips' let­ ter of 6 Apr., he forwarded it to Steu­ ben and asked that the matter be car­ ried forward according to the stipula­ tions that Phillips had set forth. This Steuben did, writing to Phillips on 15 Apr. (the letter was actually written by William Davies) and Phillips replied on 18 Apr. just as he was setting out on the expedition up the James, saying that the matter would have to be re­ ferred for decision to Sir Henry Clinton.

1781

Third, the assertion that T J received the passport for the flag G e n e r a l R i e ­ d e s e l "very shortly" after he had opened the offensive letter is in contradiction to the assertion that that letter had come to hand after 20 Apr., for the passports arrived on 20 Apr. Fourth, the statement that he wrote to Gerlach at the same time that he wrote to Phil­ lips is erroneous in implying that his letter to Phillips with the retaliatory address was written on 3 May, the date of the letter to Gerlach, for T J had written Phillips on 20 Apr. and "re­ called" it in order to re-address it on 3 May. Fifth, Phillips' statement that it was necessary to refer the matter to Sir Henry Clinton may have been an evasion, but it was made in his letter to Steuben of 18 Apr. and there is no reason for believing that he wrote a letter to T J containing such a state­ ment. Finally, the phrase "in the mean­ time" seems to point to the fact that Phillips' letter was written some time before 18 Apr., which would have been quite unlikely in view of the fact that Phillips had not by that date received an answer from T J to his letter of 6 Apr. Considering these evidences, it seems conclusive that the letter whose address gave T J offense was that of 6 Apr.—the last that Phillips' addressed to him. On the "intolerably insolent and haughty" letters from Phillips to Lafa­ yette and Steuben, see notes to Weedon to T J , 25 Apr. and to the depositions concerning the A l e r t , 2 May 1781. The passports were not granted nor tobacco shipped to Charleston until after T J had left office and Phillips had died; Cornwallis speedily effected a matter that had been in train for several months (David Ross to William Da­ vies, 4 Aug. 1781; CVSP, n, 291);

and

within two weeks after the present let­ ter was written, Lafayette had forward­ ed to Cornwallis the passport for the flag R i e d e s e l (see James Maury to David Ross, 24 May, enclosed in Ross to T J , 26 May).

T o George Washington and the Virginia Delegates in Congress SIR

I n Council May 10th. 1781.

The papers of the Executive having been almost wholly lost in the visit which was made by General Arnold to this place, we are [634]

1 1 M A Y 178 1 endeavouring to procure Copies of as many of them as we can. A s the Correspondence with your Excellency is among the most im­ portant I am to solicit the Favor of you to permit the Bearer hereof M r . Granville Smith to take Copies of any Letters with which y o u have been pleased to honour the Executive or have received from them previous to the Commencement of the present year. Besides the General Importance of preserving the Memorial of Public Events it is natural for those who have had a share in the Admin­ istration to wish that under every possible Circumstance the records of their proceedings may guard them against Misrepresentation or Mistake. M r . Smith has been particularly chosen to execute this Office because of his approved Discretion, and we think ourselves safe in assuring you that he may confidentially be relied on. I have 1

2

3

T H O JEFFERSON

&c,

FC ( V i ) ; at head of text: "His Excel­ lency General Washington & the Honble Virginia Delegates in Congress"; at foot of text: "In the Lre to the Dele­ gates alter as in the margin." For the alterations in the text of the letter to the Virginia delegates see below.

1 "Congress" substituted for "your Excellency" in the letter to the dele­ gates. "secure permission [for]" substi­ tuted for "permit." s "they or you" substituted for "you." 2

From Miles King SIR

Hampton 11th May 1781

A s the Pasport is not A r r i v e d for Capt. Garlach and he very Uneasy at being detaind, at his request M r . Hunt goes Express to you in order to Obtain the pasport i f it C a n be had without going through the Hands of General Phillips. I n your last to Capt. G a r ­ lach I find i f the F l a g Ship discharges her Cargo it w i l l be at Alexandria and as I expect there w i l l be an Officer or some Person to be Appointed by you to attend the Ship while the Goods is dispatchd to the Troops, I w i l l Undertake to see it done i f agreeable to you and any Orders you give shall be punctually attended to. T h e r e is a M r s . Cowling in this T o w n that has a Husband in the T o w n of Portsmouth and wants to go to h i m . She is not the least Advantage to us and the Inhabitants w i l l be glad to gett Clear of her. Shall be glad you w i l l give leave to the Commanding Officer of our Milittia to grant her a F l a g g . W e have no News here, very few Vessells in the Road. T h e r e has none A r r i v e d for M a n y days. A n d A m S i r with due respect Your V e r y H u m : Servt, MILES

[ 635 ]

KING

1 1 M A Y 17 8 1 N B . T h e F l a g g has been furnished with a small Quantity of Such Provisions. Please to say i f they C a n have more should they want. RC ( V i ) ; addressed; endorsed in part: "reed May 81."

T o Robert Lawson SIR

Hors du monde May. 11. 1781.

T h e Council have reconsidered the military appointments and authorized me to make out for you a Brigadier's commission. I could not do it then because the clerk had left Richmond w i t h the great seal. I w i l l take care to make it out on m y return. T h e y think they cannot consistently with the constitution] repeat the instance of separating fro[m the executive power the appointment o[f militia] officers for the subordinate commands: [but] i f you think proper to recommend they w i l l pay particular respect to your recommendations and especially as to the officers you had w i t h you before. I am with great respect S i r Y o u r most obedt. servt., TH:

RC (NcD); addressed: "Brigadr. Geni. Lawson Prince Edward"; en­ dorsed; MS mutilated; reading estab­ lished by Lawson's reply, 16 May. T J apparently paid for the expenses of the express rider who carried this letter, for his Account Book under date of 11 May 1781 has the following: "pd. Da­ vid Burton expences to Geni. Lawson £60." A BRIGADIER'S COMMISSION: On

10

May the Council ordered that "Edward Stevens and Robert Lawson esquires be appointed Brigadier Generals of Militia during the present invasion; and that a

JEFFERSON

Commission issue to Alexander Spotswood esquire as Brigadier General of the Two Legions directed by the As­ sembly to be raised: The Commissions to the aforesaid gentlemen to bear date the day General Spotswood was appoint­ ed by the Assembly" ( V a . Council

Jour.,

n, 344). Lawson's commission (NcD), signed by T J , with seal attached, is dated 20 Mch. 1781, the date of Spotswood's appointment by the Assembly ( JHD, Mch. 1781, Va. State Libr., B u l l . , 1928, p. 41). HORS DU MONDE: T J was

at Col. Henry Skipwith's (see Lawson to T J , 16 May).

From Robert Lawson SIR

P . Edward May 11th. 1781.

I have been honor'd to day with the reciept of your favor of the 8th. Inst. and the one of the present date. T h e farther instance which your Honorable board has been pleas'd to hold out to me, of their confidence still i n m y poor exertions to serve m y Country excites m y most gratefull acknowledgments; and Heaven knows how much it is m y fix'd determination, to do all i n m y power to [ 636 ]

12

MAY

1781

prevent our E n e m y s carrying into execution their horrid designs against the Liberty, and Independence of America. T h e prospect of a certain junction of Cornwallis's forces w i t h those of Phillips in this State, I own is to me alarming: because we cannot immediately collect a force equal to the task of curbing their licentious cruelty to the unhappy friends to Liberty, who fall within their power. B u t I am nevertheless consoled with an opinion, that a short time w i l l produce such a force in the field, as w i l l con­ fine them to narrow bounds, i f not expelí them from this State. I am truly sensible of the honor done me by your Honorable board in confiding to me the recommendations of my Officers and I as­ sure your Excellency, that respect to the small reputation I have acquired in the military line, added to the great inclination I have to obtain into m y Brigade good Officers, w i l l prevent me from recommending any Gentlemen but those, I have much cause to hope well of. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect, S i r , Y o u r E x ­ cellencys, Most obedt. and much obliged Servt., R o : L A W S O N R C ( V i ) ; addressed: "His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esqr; Hors du monde"; endorsed.

From William Langborn SIR

Tuckaho May 12th. 1781

I arrived here last evening in hopes of having the honor of seeing your Excellency. T h e reinforcements that you expected we should receive from Fredericksburg, and the Counties adjacent, have not arrived, nor have we reason to expect but a very small part of them shortly, from Geni. Wedons letter, which I inclose. T h e Marquis requests that you would please inform h i m of the number called i n , the rifle men, the deficiency of A r m s , when you think they may arrive, what number of mounted militia, all the Reinforce [ment] the General requests may be immediately ordered by your Excellency to rendezvous at Richmond. I think it necessary to forward a letter which was yesterday received from Geni. Nel­ son. I n consequence of it the Marquis would beg leave to suggest to your Excellency the propriety and necessity there is for having immediately brought i n , all horses that can possibly fall into the Enemies hands, he is informed that the Country exposed to the E n e m y on the south side of appamattox abounds in the best horses of this Country. Should all those fall into their hands they w i l l [ 637]

12

M A Y 17 8 1

have Cavalry almost equal to our little A r m y . I have directed M a j r . Claiborne to hold i n readiness four Quarter masters who w i l l be furnished w i t h a small force of Cavalry, and proceed on that business as soon as they can obtain your Excellencys W a r r a n t . T h e Boats which was directed to be built are not yet about. I doubt not but your excellency is sensible of the importance of them, and have given every necessary order relative to them. Tools seems to be wanting. I am informed that there are many men w i t h Tools at the point of F o r k , who are engaged to build storehouses, those men could be of infinite Service to us at this Critical time, should your Excellency think so, we may promise ourselfs a speedy supply of Boats and many other conveniencies which we can not do without. Our A r m y are at present near K i n g ' s land, the E n e m y from the latest accounts remain at Petersburg, except a Small party that advanced up the river for six or seven miles. G e n i . Nelsons Brigade of M i l i t i a w i l l very soon expire, and w i l l go home, unless they can have assurances of a relief. I have the Honor to be Y r . Excellencys most Obt Srvt, W M . L A N G B O R N aide, de Camp RC ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. Enclosures: (1) Weedon to Lafayette, undated but acknowledging Lafayette's of "7th Inst." and endorsed "Geni Weedons Letter reed May 81," hence writ­ ten between 7 and 12 May 1781; prom­ ises to exert every possible means to re­ inforce Lafayette, but is sorry to inform him that the want of energy in the mili­ tia laws renders it impossible to say what force may be expected—"for In­ stance, Shanandoah was ordered by his Excellency the Governor to send 217 men. The whole that has come from that County as yet, are those sent with Major Galvan amounting to 60. Frederick was ordered to send down 267. All that I have got of them is 123. Barkley and Hampshire have not yet sent their men down. I have sent expresses after them, and I have also wrote the colonels of the other Counties for their deficiency. The Counties of Barkley and Hampshire

are to send 500. I wish the half may ar­ rive. I will however leave no stone un­ turned to get them. . . . We are totally destitute of arms in this part of the Country tho' have hopes of eleven hun­ dred stand in a few days. They left Phila. the 1st Inst. . . ." (PHi). (2) Nelson to Lafayette, missing; it w as probably dated 10 May and must have contained information similar to that in Nelson to T J of that date, q.v. r

T H E MARQUIS REQUESTS . . . T H E R I F L E M E N : On 9 May 1781, Lang-

born, writing Steuben from Osborne's at "3 oClock P.M." said: "The mar­ quis requests that you will forward on to this place all the riflemen that was expected at Richmond by the Governor, and any other militia that may arrive. Should there be any good armourers in amongst the new levies the Geni begs you will send three or four with what tools they can collect" (NHi).

[ 638 ]

From Jacques L e Maire MAY

I T PLEASE TO YOUR

EXCELLENCY

SIR

Boston, may the 12th. 1781.

H a v i n g received one of the most violent stroke of Fortune, my affairs have again brought me over here a second time since my departure from V i r g i n i a . I flatter myself that after having remem­ bered myself, and presented my respects to your Excellency; you w i l l not think it presumption, should I trouble you with a request to favour the petition I send the honourable Council. T h e State of V i r g i n i a has been pleased to grant me by resolve for that pur­ pose, two thousand acres of land: I could wish that an act might be passed confirming my title, that at my arrival in France, I may forward it to the french Ministry, as an Invincible proof, that I have bore arms, with honour, Satisfaction, and Gallantry, i n the American cause: how far it w i l l advantage me w i l l appear from this alone, that the K i n g of France, I n testimony of his regard to the American Cause has resolved and promised, that the Services rendered by each French officer, to the American States, shall meet with equal approbation as though they were rendered and done within his own Realms. I doubt not but the Kindnesses of your Excellency, w i l l favour my wishes, and Soon furnish me with this act. I have no other inducement to Stay in this place, but to have the honour of an answer from your Excellency: when I shall immediately embark for France. I am W i t h the greatest respect O f your Excellency T h e most humble Most obedient, and Devoted Servant, RC ( V i ) ; endorsed. For Le M aire's claims see T J to Ben­ jamin Harrison, 29 Oct. 1779, and ref­ erences there. Le Maire prepared three documents to the same effect, all dated at Boston on 12 May 1781: (1) the present letter to T J , which included a copy of the resolution of Council of 9 Nov. 1779 granting Le Maire 2,000 acres of land; (2) another letter to T J stating the same facts but including the following not in the present letter: "The so many Kindnesses you have often shewn to me, and to every friend of this country, Give me hopes that you are still willing to do the same favours to me, as you did hitherto, in so generous a manner. I have but one request, and this is, to obtain for me, from the hon­ ourable Council an act that confirms my

L E MAIRE

title, to the two thousand acres of land they have granted to me, as a Public acknowledgment, of the Services I have rendered to the State . . . but what is very Grievous to me, is that I have already wrote to his Excellency and to their honours without being answered. I send a new petition again, and a copy of the resolve"; (3) the "new petition," addressed "To Their honours the hon­ orable Council of Virginia" and repeat­ ing in substance the facts set forth in the letters. All three of these documents are in Vi, though why Le Maire should have sent such a repetitive appeal is difficult to explain. Perhaps he intended to substitute the second and third docu­ ments for the first, and then through error dispatched all.

[ 639 }

T o Col. William Fleming SIR

Richmond May 13th. 1781

T h e General Assembly have adjourned themselves to meet at Charlottsville on the 24th. instant at which T i m e I am desirous of having a Board of Council. Colo. Digges, M r . Prentis and M r . T y l e r having resigned you w i l l see the necessity which impels me to ask the favor of your Attendance to make a Board. I am with much Respect S i r Y o u r 1

T H : JEFFERSON

mo: obt Servt. R C ( D L C ) ; in a clerk's hand, with one insertion in the text, signature, and address in T J ' s hand; addressed: "The honble William Fleming Botetourt"; endorsed: "Received May 19 12 oClock."

F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "Colo Fleming and General Lewis." i Preceding three words inserted in T J ' s hand in R C ; not in F C .

T o Andrew Lewis Richmond, 13 M a y 1 7 8 1 . This letter is identical with T J ' s letter to William Fleming, preceding. F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "Colo Fleming and General Lewis."

From Mann Page, enclosing Court Proceedings against a Slave, together with Jefferson's Reprieve DEAR SIR

Mann's field May 13th. 1781

A s one of Colo. Tayloe's Executor's I take the Liberty to solicit you on Behalf of B i l l y , a Negro M a n belonging to that Estate, who is now under Sentence of Death, by the Judgement of the Court of Prince W i l l i a m County. T h e Crime for which he is condemned, and the Proceedings of the Court w i l l be made known to you by the enclosed Papers. Not entertaining a Doubt myself of the I l ­ legality of the Sentence of the Court I earnestly entreat you ( i f it can be done) to grant a Pardon to the Fellow, but i f that cannot be done, to repreive him. I have the Honour to be with great Respect S i r Y o u r mo: obdt. MANN

hble. Servant,

A reprieve till the last day of June to be made out. [640]

PAGE

TH:J.

13

MAY

1781

E N C L O S U R E

Prince Wm. County to wit. Cuthbert Bullitt Attorney for the commonwealth for the County aforesaid giveth information to the Court that Billy alias Will alias William late of the parish of Dettingen in the County aforesaid a mulatto slave belonging to John Tayloe Esqr. late of Richmond County in the Commonwealth aforesaid upon the second day of April in the year of our Lord 1781. at the said parish of Dettingen in the County of Prince Wm. aforesaid with force and arms, &c. did feloniously and traitorously adhere to the Enemies of the Commonwealth and gave them aid and comfort and upon the said second day of April at the said parish of Dettingen in the County of Prince William aforesaid did in company of and conjunction with divers enemies of the common­ wealth in an armed vessel feloniously and traitorously wage and levy war against the Commonwealth to the great danger of subverting thereof and against the act of assembly in such case made and provided and the peace of the said Com[m]onwealth and the dignity thereof. C.

BULLITT.

At a Court of Oyer and terminer called and held at the Court house of Prince William County the 8th. day of May 1781. for the trial of Billy alias Will alias William a mulatto Slave the property of John Taylor Esqr. for Treason. Present. HENRY L E E

WILLIAM

FOUSHEE TEBBS

RICHD.

WILLIAM TEBBS.

WILLIAM

CARR

GRAHAM

\

Gentlemen Justices

BRENT.

The said Slave Billy alias Will alias William late of the said County of Prince Wm. being brought to the bar of the Court and indicted for treason in joining the Enemies of this Commonwealth, upon his arraign­ ment says he is not guilty. Upon hearing the several witnesses, It is the opinion of the Court that he is guilty and that he suffer death and be executed agreeable to the act declaring what shall be treason And that the Sheriff of the said County on the twenty fifth of this Instant be­ tween the hours of Eleven and two of the same day do execution thereon at the common gallows of the said County by causing the said Slave to be hanged by the neck until dead and his head to be severed from his body and stuck up at some public cross road on a pole. And the said Court do say that the said Slave is worth twenty seven thousand pounds current money. Copy test R O B T . G R A H A M Clk. Cur. May 11th. 1781 We set on the trial of Billy a Mulatto slave belonging to John Tayloe Esqr. who was Convicted and Condemned by the Court for High Treason by four of the Judges. We were against his Condemnation because a slave in our opinion Cannot Commit Treason against the State not being Admited to the Priviledges of a Citizen owes the State No Allegiance and that the Act declaring what shall be treason cannot be intended by the Legislature to include slaves who have neither lands [ 641 }

1 3 M A Y 17 8 1 or other property to forfiet and there was no Positive Proof before the Court that the said Slave went Voluntarily On board of the Enemys Vessel and took up Arms; there was Proof that he was taken in Com­ pany of Part of the Crew of the said Vessel on shore who made their Escape on being pursued by An Armed Vessel from Alexandria. On his defence he says he was taken in an Oyster boat and forced on board against his will and that he never took up Arms against the Country and no Positive Proof that he Certainly did Aid or Assist the Enemy of his own free will. H: LEE WILLIAM

RC ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed; TJ's instructions are written in his own hand on the address leaf of Page's let­ ter. Enclosures ( V i ) : (1) Indictment and transcript of record are in hand of Robert Graham; (2) statement of Lee and Carr is in hand of Carr and signed by both. The sentence of the court THAT HE ...

BE EXECUTED AGREEABLE TO THE

ACT was not in accord with the Act of 1776 "declaring what shall be treason" (Hening, x, 168), which merely pro­ vided that one convicted of treason should suffer death without benefit of clergy and forfeit lands and chattels; there was nothing in it concerning the manner of execution or authorizing dis­ memberment (the summary of the in­ dictment in CVSP, n, 90, omits the part of the sentence about decapitation). Moreover, the sentence violated a pro­ vision of the Act of Oct. 1777 for estab­ lishing a General Court which provided that, when sentence of death was passed on any prisoner, at least one calendar month should elapse between judgment and execution (Hening, ix, 417). TJ's bill for proportioning crimes and pun­ ishments of 1779 had provided that one convicted of treason should "suffer death by hanging" and that execution should "be done on the next day but one after such sentence" (Révisai of the Laws, Bill No. 64, Vol. 2: 493-7). The Ré­ visai of the Laws also contained a bill governing the method of trying slaves charged with treason; it provided that at least five justices of the county court should sit as a bench and try the case "without juries, upon legal evidence" and that no slave should be convicted except by unanimous decision of the judges (same, Vol. 2: 616-17; this last proviso was changed to three-fourths of the sitting justices by the Act as adopted in 1786; for an instance of a court's judgment in such a case being passed in violation of this proviso, see

CARR

CVSP, n, 622). TJ's REPRIEVE was man­ datory. The Act of 1776 provided that the Governor could "in no wise have or exercise a right of granting pardon" to any person convicted of treason, but could only suspend execution of sen­ tence "until the meeting of the general assembly, who shall determine whether such person or persons are proper ob­ jects of mercy or not" (Hening, rx, 168). Even this was probably more than T J thought proper, for in his draft Constitution for Virginia of 1776 he had provided that there should be no "power any where to pardon crimes or to remit fines or punishments"—a re­ striction that may have arisen from the emphasis T J placed upon the doctrine of the separation of powers of govern­ ment (Vol. 1: 359, 360, 365 note 4). But in 1782 an interesting case arose in which Edmund Randolph advised Governor Benjamin Harrison that the express prohibition of right to pardon in treason convictions would not bar his prerogative of pardon before t r i a l of one charged with treason; this extraor­ dinary opinion was no doubt due to the fact that Harrison had already issued a passport to one William Andrews, a Loyalist, presumably without knowing that he lay under suspicion of treason and this, as Randolph pointed out, re­ duced the issue to one of expediency and made it "a political rather than a legal inquiry" (CVSP, m, 193-4). TJ's reprieve was probably extended to the end of June because (1) he was not certain whether the assembly would actually meet late in May or even in June and (2), in that event, his suc­ cessor as Governor would have an op­ portunity to extend the reprieve to the time of meeting of the legislature. As a matter of fact, it was not until 7 June 1781 that Mann Page presented to the House of Delegates a petition for the pardon of John Tayloe's Negro slave Will. His petition was referred to the

[ 642 ]

1 3 MAY committee for courts of justice and on 9 June the following report of the committee was read and agreed to by the House: "It appears to your committee, from the record and proceedings of the court of Prince William county, that Billy, alias Will, alias William, a mulatto slave belonging to the estate of the said John Tayloe, deceased, was, before the said court, indicted for treason and sentenced to be hanged. It also appears . . . that upon application being made to his excellency Thomas Jefferson, Esq., the then Governor of Virginia, a reprieve was obtained for the

1781

said slave till the last day of the present month. It farther appears . . .that the indictment and proceedings thereon against the said slave were illegal. . . . Resolved,

that

i t is the opinion

of

this

c o m m i t t e e , That the petition . . . is reasonable"; the House thereupon ordered the committee to bring in a bill pursuant to this resolution, but apparently the matter was settled by joint resolution rather than by bill, for on 14 June the Senate agreed to the resolution of the House (JHD, May 1781, 1828 edn., p. 11, 12, 17).

Nathan Reid to William Davies New L o n d o n , 13 M a y 1 7 8 1 . "Since my arivel at this place I have had a very easy time of it, not more than seven soldiers has been delivered to me, and two of them has deserted. It is uncertain what time the draughts will take place, in the Counties that are to Randezvous at this place and I dont know what Counties the[y] are, as the Governor did not give me a list of them. I would be much oblig'd to you to write to him for a List, and send it by the bearer." Has heard "that Arnold and his crew has burnt all the Hütts at Chesterfield C. House and I am afraid has took my Portmanteau and cloaths, which I left at Mr. Balls. If the[y] are gon I wish the first man that puts any of them on may brake his neck." Requests that news and information concerning the location of the general rendezvous be sent by the bearer who will return in seven or eight days. RC ( V i ) ; 2 p.; endorsed; printed in part in CVSP, n, 93.

Henry Young to William Davies Richmond, 13 M a y 1 7 8 1 . Disapproves of continuing the work at Point of Fork; suggests Staunton as a more secure location. " I wish you cou'd be every where, the Governor does not stay here, your presence is much wanted. . . . The Governor is the best man in the world and, if I mistake not, open to conviction. Were you to use your influence with him I think he might be prevailed on to give up this Point of Fork that will one day damn the exertions of the State." RC ( V i ) ; 6 p.; addressed and endorsed; printed in CVSP, n, 94-5. THE GOVERNOR DOES NOT STAY HERE:

TJ's Account Book for 1781 shows that he paid ferriage and expenses at Goochland Courthouse on 13 May and "gave

Zach. at Tuckahoe £4-10s" on 14 May. He was in Richmond on the 14th expecting to go to Monticello that evening, but delayed going in order to visit Lafayette's headquarters on the 15th; see T J to Lafayette, 14 May.

[ 643 ]

From Dudley Digges SIR

Richmond May 14th. 1781.

M y family and m y affairs are so circumstanced as to render it absolutely impossible for me, any longer, to continue in the execu­ tive department: I do therefore resign my Office as one of the privy Council of this State, and beg your Excellency w i l l be pleased to inform the General Assembly of this my resignation as soon as possible. I have the honor to be, with every sentiment of respect & es­ teem, S i r , Y o u r most humble and most obedient servant, D U D L E Y

DIGGES

RC (Vi); addressed and endorsed. The day of the month was left blank and "14th" inserted by T J ; Digges had resigned, or had informed T J that he would, as early as the 13th.

T o Lafayette SIR

Richmond May 14th. 1781

I was sorry that the Situation of my family had occasioned my absence from this place when you were pleased to send Captn. Langborne to me. I inclose you a State of the Counties who have been called on to come into the Field, some of them to perform a full T o u r of D u t y and others to make a present Opposition to the Junction of the two hostile Armies. T h e Delay and Déficiences of the first are beyond all expectation and i f the Calls on the latter do not produce sufficient Reinforcements to you, I shall candidly acknowledge that it is not in m y power to do any thing more than to represent to the General Assembly that unless they can provide more effec­ tually for the Execution of the L a w it w i l l be vain to call on Militia. I could perhaps do something by Reprimands to the County L i e u ­ tenants by repeating and even increasing the Demands on them by way of penalty, i f you would be so good as to have returns made to me once a week or at any other stated periods of the particular number of men from each County. Without these we can never know what Counties obey our Calls or how long your men are to continue with you so as to provide in time. F r o m Hampshire and Shenandoah we expected many Riflemen. F r o m Berkeley and Frederic some, and a few from Culpeper, Orange, Loudoun and Fauquier, but what numbers may be ex­ pected I cannot even conjecture. One T e n t h of the whole Force [644]

14

MAY

1781

(except from the Counties of Frederic, Hampshire, Berkeley, Shen­ andoah and Orange who were called on before we had concluded on this measure ) were desired to come prepared w i t h Horses to do D u t y as Cavalry. T h e militia which were called to do a full T o u r were to join the A r m y wherever it should be. Those Counties called on to send as many men as they could send armed were to rendezvous at Richmond, Prince E d w a r d Court House and T a y ­ lors F e r r y on Roanoke as should be most convenient where they were given to believe Orders would be lodged from you for their future movements. These men are collecting to the places of Ren­ dezvous, so that they w i l l need immediately such Orders as you shall be pleased to give them. I have the pleasure to inclose to you the four Impress W a r r a n t s desired by Captn. Langborne. Captain M a x w e l l called on me the 10th. inst. and informed me he was building a few Boats at the Ship yard on Chickahominy. I desired him to send a good Batteau Builder to Colo. Davies to superintend and direct a number of hands whom he would imme­ diately put under h i m for building Batteaux for the River above the F a l l s , and that he would set all the rest of his people to build­ ing Boats for navigating the lower parts of the river, but so light and of such a F o r m as that they might be moved on Wheels, and that these should be built either here or above the Falls as Safety and Convenience should Dictate. He left me w i t h a promise to do so, and I expect he is engaged in the Execution. H i s Hands being to remove from the Shipyard that w i l l of Course occasion some Delay. T h e General Assembly having determined to meet at Charlottes­ ville on the 24th Inst. renders it necessary for the Executive to prepare for removing there and particularly for myself to go and see that provision be made for the Reception of the Public Boards and Bodies. I shall therefore leave this place this E v e n i n g . A s a very frequent Communication between yourself and the Executive w i l l be necessary I have directed the State Quarter Master to station a L i n e of Express Riders from your Camp to Charlottesville by whom you w i l l be so good as to communicate your W a n t s from T i m e to T i m e under full Assurance that nothing in my power Shall ever be wanting to supply them. Interesting Events w i l l always be acceptable whenever you shall have T i m e to add them to a Letter or make them the Subject of a special one. I have the honor to be & c , T H O M A S J E F F E R S O N [ 645 ]

14

M A Y 17 8 1

P S Lest any T h i n g should suffer which it is i n m y power to prevent, I have concluded to stay here this E v e n i n g and to do myself the pleasure of calling on you at your Quarters tomorrow morning. Counties and numbers called on to be in the F i e l d the 1st D a y of M a y and to continue two months from the T i m e of their joining the A r m y . Frederic Fluvanna 70 267 242 Goochland 89 Hampshire Berkeley 258 Henrico 100 Spotsylvania 120 Shenandoah 217 Charles City Culpeper 352 71 K i n g and Queen 125 Orange 140 Louisa Essex 140 117 Fauquier 252 Hanover 200 Loudoun 407 Caroline 245 3616 Albemarle 204 Counties required to send one fourth of their militia to Geni. Greene but afterwards ordered to send them to T a y l o r s F e r r y or P . E d w a r d Courthouse unless already marched. Henry Prince E d w a r d Pittsylvania Halifax Bedford Charlotte Buckingham Counties required to send every man whom they could arm im­ mediately to T a y l o r s F e r r y , P . E d w a r d Courthouse or Richmond to aid in the present Crisis. Lunenburg Fluvanna Mecklenburg Albemarle Greensville Orange Brunswic Spotsylvania Amelia Hanover Cumberland King William Louisa K i n g & Queen Caroline Essex F C ( V i ) ; at head of text: "Marquis De la Fayette." T h e enclosed STATE OF THE COUNTIES is written below the text of F C as printed here. MY ABSENCE: On T J ' s movements 13-14 Apr., see note to Henry Young:

to William Davies, 13 Apr. T J acted promptly in the matter of the boats; on 15 May Young wrote to Davies from Richmond: " I have orders for assisting; in the Building: a number of Boats—they are to be light and to move with the

[646]

14

M A Y 17 8 1

army" ( V i ) . As early as Nov. 1780 Washington had suggested that, so long as the enemy remained in Virginia, it would be a good plan to have a num­ ber of flatboats constructed on travel­ ing carriages in order to accompany the army and had pointed out that Gen. Greene was "perfectly acquainted with the kind of Boats I have mentioned" (Washington to T J , 8 Nov. 1780, Vol. 4: 105). But as late as June 1781 even so able a person as William Davies had to confess, in writing Weedon about

boats required by Lafayette: " I am really at a loss what size they should be of, as I do not now remember the dimensions of those we had to the northward. They probably should be 30 or 35 feet long, perhaps 40, with both ends sharp and about seven feet wide, as light as possible and so fixed as to be removeable on waggon wheels" (Davies to Weedon, 25 June 1781, PPAP). The present letter is in an­ swer to questions raised in Langborn to T J , 12 May 1781, q.v.

From George Mason SIR

Fairfax County, Gunston-Hall, May 14th: 1781.

T h e Order for seizing live Cattle for the Supply of the A r m y is like to produce much Confusion and Oppression in this P a r t of the Country, from the vague, and (as I apprehend) illegal I n ­ structions of M r . B r o w n to his Deputies; who are acting very dif­ ferently in the different Countys, according to each Man's Inter­ pretation of Instructions which no M a n understands. T h i s , if not timely prevented by clear and precise orders from the Executive, w i l l in many Instances, occasion Law-Suits, and in some, most probably Violence. T h e Instructions I have seen from M r . B r o w n direct his Depu­ ties to take a tenth P a r t of every M a n ! s Stock; the true Construc­ tion of this I take to be a tenth Part of every Man's Stock, i n Quantity and Q u a l i t y ; but it wou'd be a wanton waste of Cattle: in some Countys they estimate the Value of a Man's whole Stock, and take the tenth P a r t of that V a l u e , in Beef-Cattle; in other Countys (particularly in t h i s ) the Deputy Commissary thinks himself authorised to take i n B e e f C a t t l e , the tenth P a r t of the Number of each Man's Stock; which wou'd generally be near half the V a l u e of the whole; and as upon the common average of Stocks, there is not a tenth P a r t of them Beef Cattle. I f the measure was to be executed, thro' out the State, in this Manner, every F a m i l y wou'd be left without Beef, T a l l o w , or Leather, for the ensueing Year, the Quantity of Cattle immediately taken wou'd be enor­ mous, not less, upon a moderate Computation, I conceive, than forty or fifty thousand Beeves, and there wou'd not be a Beef left to supply the A r m y another Campaign. T h e only L a w s , I know of, upon which this Power of Seizure is founded, are the two Acts passed in the last M a y Session, one "for procuring a Supply of [ 647]

14

M A Y 17 8 1

Provisions, and other Necessarys for the A r m y " empowering the Governor and Council to appoint Commissioners for seizing cer­ tain enumerated Articles at fixed Prices, and the other "an A c t for giving further Powers to the Gouvernor and Council" extending the Powers given by the former A c t to the obtaining so many live Cattle as may be wanted for supplying the Militia or other Troops &c. to be valued and appraised by two disinterested persons upon Oath & c , "Provided always that not more than one half of the Bullocks and barren-cows belonging to any Person, fit for Slaugh­ ter, shall be subject to such Seizure." These two Acts are continued by a subsequent Session, with only an Augmentation of the Prices enumerated in the first A c t , occasioned by the Depreciation of money in the mean time; but, I think, nothing is therein said about the Price of live Cattle, it being unnecessary, as the Price had not been ascertained by the former Acts, and the Cattle were to be appraised at the T i m e of Seizure: the words fit for Slaughter can hardly be literally conformed to, at this Season of the Y e a r , and may reasonably be extended to such Cattle as are fit to fatten for Slaughter, but certainly the Power is limitted to the half of such Cattle belonging to any one Person; and any Commissary presum­ ing to exceed it, w i l l act contrary to L a w , and distress the People unnecessarily; as the one half of such Cattle w i l l afford more than an ample Supply. T h e r e are also Doubts with Respect to draughtOxen; which I am sure it was not the Intention of the Legislature to seize for Beef, nor do they come within the Description of the L a w . T h e People might as well have their W a g g o n or ploughHorses taken from them as their draught Oxen. Another Subject of Dispute is the Price of the Cattle. B y a Vote of both Houses in Novemr. last the Executive is empowered to pursue such Measures as to them appear practicable and effectual for the laying in such Quantity of Beef, and Salt, as shall be neces­ sary for supplying the A r m y ; allowing for Grass-Beef 2 4 / per pound, and for Salt £ 7 0 . per Bushel; and altho', from the whole Tenor and Style of the said Vote, it is evident that it relates only to the Supply of the A r m y during the then Slaughter-Season, and not at all to the Powers, Prices, or Valuations described in the before mentioned Acts; yet some of the Deputy-Commissarys apply it to the present Seizure of live-Cattle, and instead of Appraise­ ment, the weight is judged by two men upon Oath, and Certificates given at 2 4 / per pound; for which they say they have late Instruc­ tions. I n some Countys the Judges fix this at what they think the nett weight of the Cattle in their present poor Condition; in other [ 648 }

14

M A Y 178 1

Countys at what they think wou'd be the nett weight, i f the Cattle were fat, and fit for Slaughter, or what they wou'd weigh in the Slaughter-Season next F a l l , as in the mean time they wou'd not cost their owners a Penny. A Grass-Bullock which wou'd have weigh'd 4 0 0 last Novemr. w i l l not at this time weigh 2 0 0 lbs. so that in some Countys the People w i l l get less than half what their Neighbours receive, or of the real Value of their Cattle, besides the Loss by Depreciation since last Novemr. T h e Commissary in this, and some other Countys is, by these Difficultys, prevented from proceeding; whereupon I promised to lay the Matter before Y o u r Excellency and the Council-board, and to communicate to them the Result. Sensible of the important Objects in which the T i m e of the Executive is now taken up, I shou'd not have troubled them with this, i f I did not foresee that the Purposes of the L a w w i l l be in a great Measure defeated, and great Confusion ensue; unless prevented by speedy and precise Instructions to the Deputy Commissarys, so as to put this Business upon a just and equal Footing. T h e People in this P a r t of V i r g i n i a are well disposed to do every thing i n their Power to support the war; but the same Principles which attach them to the American Cause w i l l incline them to resist Injustice or Oppression. I wou'd further beg Leave to suggest that it might be better to take, now, only such a Num­ ber of Cattle as are wanted for immediate Use, and suffer the others to remain longer upon their own Pastures; where, at this Season of the Y e a r , they w i l l thrive faster, upon Grass alone, than fed with Corn, collected in Numbers in strange Pastures; and a great Expence be saved to the Public. I t w i l l be necessary also to order that the Cattle be collected in Places out of the Reach of the E n e m y , where the Situation of the County w i l l admit it. I am bid to mention this last Circumstance, from my knowing that the Place pitched upon in this County is so near the R i v e r , that a Party from a single Vessel might carry off the Cattle in two or three Hours; altho' a considerable P a r t of the County is out of the Reach of the E n e m y , except in great Force. I beg the Favour of an Answer by the first Post, or other safe Conveyance; and remain, with the greatest Respect, S i r , Y r . most obdt. Hble Servt., G MASON RC (Lloyd W. Smith, Madison, N.J., 1946).

[ 649]

From Joseph Reed SIR

In Council Philadelphia May 14th. 1781

Since I had the honor of addressing your Excellency on the sixth Instant, we have conferred with the Commissioners, who settled the agreement entered into at Baltimore i n August 1779, A n d we fully concur in the method proposed by your Excellency of set­ tling the extent of the five degrees of Longitude, by Astronomical observation, not only as determining the present Question w i t h more certainty but as it tends to solve a Problem both useful and curious to the Learned W o r l d . B u t as we are sorry to find that it is the opinion of our Gentlemen of science that the season w i l l be too far advanced before the observations can commence and more especially as the principal Astronomical Instruments in this City, are so scattered and out of Repair, as to require a Considerable time to put them in order, F o r these reasons, tho' with great reluctance we have thought it best after expressing our full acquiescence in the mode suggested by your Excellency, to propose the first of M a y next to run the line by Astronomical observations. B u t in the mean time, for the sake of settling the minds of the People and pre­ venting disputes among the borderers, to have a temporary line run by common surveyors from the termination of Mason and Dixons line to the Ohio, or i f that should not be agreeable to extend it twenty three Miles from the end of Mason and Dixons line, that being the extent of five Degrees according to common computation. I n this case we only propose to mark the trees, avoiding as much as possible unnecessary expence. W e hope this last proposition in which we have no other intentions than to quiet the minds of the People, and compel M i l i t i a services, w i l l be acceptable to your Excellency, as the best and indeed the only expedient w h i c h can now be adopted. I am with great Consideration and respect Your Excellencys most obedient and very humble servant, J o s : R E E D President R C ( V i ) ; in a clerk's hand, signed by Reed; addressed and endorsed. T r ( N H i ) .

T o the Virginia Delegates i n Congress Richmond May 14th. 1781

G E N T L E M E N

I have received your Favor of the 5th. Inst. and am obliged to you for the notification of the State of the Continental Money of [ 650]

15

M A Y 178 1

which we shall endeavour to avail ourselves to prevent Loss to the State. W e are much obliged to his Excellency the Chevalier de l a Luzerne for his Readiness to secure us against the malice of the prisoners taken on Board the Romulus. W e would beg Leave to add the name of Jonathan Eelbeck to the others whom we consider as capable of doing us particular Mischief and would not lessen further the Subjects of Exchange in the Hands of our Allies. T h e movements of the enemy in the neighbourhood of this place not admitting of that quiet necessary to the Deliberations of Public Bodies, the General Assembly have adjourned themselves to meet at Charlottesville on the 24th inst. I rather expect that the want of Accomodations there w i l l oblige them to adjourn again to some other place. I am & c , THO JEFFERSON FC (Vi). Jonathan Eelbeck (or Eilbeck) was a Loyalist whose estate was confiscated ( V a . Council Jour., n , 212).

From Henry Young [Richmond?, before 1 5 M a y 1 7 8 1 . Extract of a letter from Henry Young to William Davies, Richmond, 15 May 1781 ( V i ; printed in C V S P , i l , 96-7): " I propos'd to the Governor to order twelve militia men from hanover to assist in removing the Cannon. I have received no answer. Recourse must be had to hire, which is difficult and expen­ sive." Young's letter, if the proposal was a written one, has not been found.]

From the Commissioners for Collecting Taxes i n Accomac County SIR

Accomack May 15th. 1781.

May it please your Excellency W e the Commissioners for the Collection of the T a x e s in this County think it our duty to inform your Excellency of the disorders and confusion which at this time prevail here which impedes i f not totally prevents the collection of the said T a x e s , which we do as well to justify ourselves and to make it appear that we have not been remiss in our duty, as to give timely information to your Excellency that some speedy and effectual remedy i f possible may be applied to put a stop to the said disorders. W i t h respect to the 90 ^ Cent T a x laid last M a y Session, a

[651]

1 5 MAY

1781

suspending clause prevented the operation thereof until your E x ­ cellency (having received advice that a majority of the other States had acceded to that resolution of Congress ) should issue a procla­ mation commanding the same to be put in execution. T h i s County being at so great a distance from the seat of Gov­ ernment and the enemy last fall infesting the bay i n such a manner that our Representatives could not attend the Assembly we never received intelligence whether such proclamation had issued or not, until the 3d. day of Deer, last, the communication between the shores been almost entirely cut off. I n consequence of the information received the Assessors were immediately summoned to attend and a meeting was held on the sixth day of the same month, the assessors returns of the first payment were made to us on the 30th. day of January following and not before. W e then held a Court for the purpose of redressing Grievances agreeable to L a w , and the Clerk was ordered to record the same and draw up a list for the Sheriff, to make his collection by. Before this could be finished about the 16th. or 17th. of Feby. the A c t of Assembly came to hand laying an additional T a x of two ^ Cent on all property taxed in specie. W e then ordered the Clerk to make up (as speedily as possible from the Assessors returns) lists of the T w o ^ Cent tax which were finished, given into the Collectors hands and Bonds taken according to L a w by the 8th. day of M a r c h last, while we in conjunction w i t h the four senior Magistrates and field Officers on the second, third, fifth and Sixth days of same month classed the Militia. T h i s Business prevented the lists of the first payment of the General T a x from being got ready for the Sheriff until the 10th. of M a r c h . T h e collectors were immediately ordered on the execution of their office and forty days the utmost limits for their returns to be made i n . T h e y proceeded at first without interruption and al­ though the people complained that they were not equally treated w i t h the rest of the State not having it in their option to pay the principal produce of their lands (to w i t Corn and Oats) i n dis­ charge of their T a x e s , yet fair promisses were given and no ob­ struction or opposition to the L a w was apprehended. I n such a Situation were our affairs when a set of M e n in the County of Northampton undertook to oppose the Draft, which they effected. F r o m that time i f not before a number of People in this County had it in contemplation to oppose the same here and [652]

15

M A Y

1781

consequently thought it unnecessary to pay the T a x . On the 2 3 d . of A p r i l the day appointed to put the Draft A c t in execution there assembled at the Court house to the amount of 150 or 2 0 0 Men armed w i t h Clubs to oppose it. George Corbin E s q r . who acted as County Lieutenant endeavoured strenuously to appease the people by the most soothing and powerful arguments but could not alter their intentions. Colo. Corbin ordered the Clerk to look on the list for a Class who then appeared and produced to h i m a M a n hired for the W a r . W h i l e the Clerk in the Court house was searching the list and having found the Class laid the list on the table before h i m , one of the Mob snatch'd up the list, put the same in his pocket, telling the others, who by this time had crowded into the Court house, that i f they approved of what was done to signify the same by three Cheers which was accordingly complied with. Colo. Corbin endeavoured to prevail on them to return the list but i n vain, and heavy threatnings were denounced by them should any set of Men attempt to draw lots. T h e Colonel, together with the other Gentlemen who presided over the business, having held a consultation and thinking it impossible to carry the law into execution that day but supposing they might do it at some future opportunity when men had time to reflect again on the consequences of opposing the laws of their Country, they thought it most pru­ dent to postpone the same until the T h u r s d a y following, the Clerk having taken care to preserve a duplicate of the list which the mob had deprived h i m of. T h u r s d a y the same set of Men appeared (some few excepted who pretended they were convinced by the Gentlemens arguments and being men of property did not appar­ ently head the Mob but were generally believed to act behind the Scene) armed with Clubs swords guns and pistols and took pos­ session of the Court house at the door of which they placed a sentinel with his Musket. Colo. Corbin went and talk'd to them moderately endeavouring to diswade them from such an unlawful act, but they all unanimously declared they were determined to oppose the Draft at the hazard of their lives and that it was in vain for h i m to attempt to alter their resolution. T h e Colonel told them he should be oblig'd to take an account of their names and ordered the Clerk who stood by him to note them down accordingly. T h i s did not at all intimidate them neither was it possible to carry the L a w into execution. Next day a Court Martial was summoned and held at Onancock where those who appeared to the said Court Martiall the most culpable were deemed Soldiers for the time [ 653 ]

1 5 M A Y

1781

prescribed by L a w whose names w i l l doubtless be transmitted to your Excellency officially by Colo. Corbin. These lawless proceedings have thrown the County into the greatest confusion imaginable. People begin to publish, propagate and avow the most dangerous doctrines, sentiments and opinions. Gentlemen from whom better things might be expected have gone so far as to tell the people they have no occasion now to pay the two ^ Cent T a x . Some of the Collectors themselves have large sums of money in their hands which they w i l l not pay to the Com­ missioners but declare to the people they w i l l return them their money. One set of collectors have already settled with us, others have paid about one half, one third, &c. Those people who have already paid complain loudly that they are hardly dealt with; some having paid and others not, some Collectors don't chuse to collect and others are threatned i f they attempt it, and Anarchy, confu­ sion and disorder reigns triumphant amongst us. W e understand there is a Petition on foot to be sent to the Assembly praying to be exempted from a draft. W e know not what may be the event of that petition nor do we know how to conduct ourselves in this delemma. I t is not in our power to enforce the collection in the situation our affairs are at this present. W e know there is a positive act of Assembly requiring the same but we want the ability, not the inclination, to put the same in execu­ tion. W e hope and humbly beg your Excellency w i l l take the matter into consideration and condescend to inform us in what manner to act in this very singular and extraordinary occasion. W e are Y r . Excellency's Most Obedt. hble Servts., JAMES

A R B U C K L E

CHAS.

B A G W E L L

D:

B O W M A N

P S . W e have transmitted to your Excellency Tobacco Notes to the Amount 3 0 , 1 2 2 N as you'l see by the enclosd, w h i c h is all we have as yet collected. RC ( V i ) ; addressed in part: "Favd by Mr. Outten"; endorsed. THE 90 ® CENT TAX: On the Act

adopted at the May 1780 session in pur­ suance of the resolution of Congress of 18 Mch. 1780, see Huntington to T J , 20 Mch. 1780, and references there (Vol. 3: 321-2). Actually this Act lev­ ied a 30 per cent tax, which was in­ creased to 90 per cent by a further Act

"to explain and amend the act for call­ ing in and redeeming the money now in circulation, and for emitting and funding new bills of credit according to the resolutions of congress of the eight­ eenth of March last" (Hening, x, 244; 322). The PROCLAMATION announcing that a majority of the states had agreed to the new plan of finance was issued by T J on 28 Aug. 1780 (Vol. 3: 565-6).

[ 654]

1 5

M A Y

THE TWO ^ CENT TAX was provided for in the Act for recruiting troops for the Continental army, copies of which were transmitted by T J to the county lieu­ tenants in his letter of 19 Jan. 1781 (Vol. 4: 400-403; Hening, X, 328). On

1 7 8 1

the subject of riotous opposition to the draft, see Garret Van Meter to T J , 14 and 20 Apr.; George Moffett to T J , 5 May and Samuel McDowell to T J , 9 May.

T o James Monroe D E A R

Richmond May 1 5 . 1 7 8 1 .

S I R

I have lodged w i t h M r s . Sherrar a small box of books contain­ ing Chandler's debates of the lords and commons (one volume lost) and the Historical register of which I beg your acceptance. I am just now setting out to Monticello where I shall be happy to see you at all times, should health or curiosity lead you thither or a willingness to give that pleasure to D r . S i r your friend & hum­ ble servt, T H : J E F F E R S O N RC (Anonymous, 1949): without indication of name of addressee, which has been assigned from internal evidence (see T J to Monroe, 5 Oct. 1781).

T o Those Appointed by Lafayette to Re­ move Horses out of the Route of the Enemy SIR

T h e r e being reason to apprehend that the two hostile Armies under L o r d Cornwallis and Geni. Phillips w i l l form a Junction and for that Purpose pass through this State along the Road from Petersburg to Halifax, I instructed the Lieutenants of the Counties lying in that Route to give notice to the Inhabitants to remove all Horses fit for Cavalry within twenty Miles of an Enemy's A r m y and all Draught Horses lying in their Front and within the same Distance and, i f they fail'd, to take possession of them and send them to the A r m y within this State. T i m e having been now given for the Execution of this Business lest there should be a Failure in the People or in the County L i e u ­ tenants you are hereby authorized to proceed and to take such Horses described as aforesaid as you shall find within the L i m i t s specified, and moreover to proceed along the whole Route from Petersburg to Halifax as far as it lies within this Commonwealth and to require a Removal of all such Horses within twenty Miles of that Route and on Failure of the Owners to comply w i t h your [ 655 ]

16

M A Y 17 8 1

Requisition within a short and reasonable T i m e to take such Horses and retain them either for Public Service or to be returned to the Owners as shall be hereafter directed. Should the Route of the E n e m y be different from that expected as before mentioned, you w i l l be pleased to do in the Vicinities of that Route what is pre­ scribed before as to the other, for all of which this shall be your W a r r a n t . Given under m y hand and the Seal of the Commonwealth at Richmond this 15th. D a y of M a y 1 7 8 1 . T H O M A S

FC ( V i ) ; at head of text: "Circular Letter to the Persons appointed by the Marquis Fayette to remove Horses out of the Route of the enemy." This action may have been initiated by Thomas Nelson, who apparently sug­ gested it in a letter to Lafayette (see Langborn to T J , 12 May 1781). T J , however, had already called the matter to the attention of the Assembly before

J E F F E R S O N

Nelson's letter was forwarded to him ( T J to Speaker, 10 May). Such an ac­ tion by the Governor was in effect an exercise of martial law and may have been in part responsible for the Act sub­ sequently passed by the Assembly es­ tablishing martial law within twenty miles of the American army or of the enemy's camp (Hening, x, 411).

From Carter Braxton DR

May 16. 1781

S I R

I am this moment informed that our County Lieutenant has orders to post fifty Men at W t . [ W e s t ] point by w a y of G u a r d , this it is suggested is done on the remonstrance of M r . W m . Frazer, who is alarmed for his Situation twelve Miles above and therefore would place us on the disagreable footing of having our places of abode within a Garrison and liable to the depredations of the soldiery. I f there was any real occasion for this it would be to m y Interests to promote it, but as the E n e m y lie below Y o r k which is 30 Miles from W t . point, and two guards below, one on N e w K e n t side the other on Gloster, from whom timely notice would be given to summon the Militia, I concieve the Stationing such a party at W t . point at present altogether useless and taking the People from Home unnecessarily. I t w i l l subject the few People in the little Village to much disquiet and Insult and oblige m y F a m i l y to re­ move in quest of a House which at this time is not to be had. I n the Names therefore of all the Inhabitants I am to request your Excellency and the Council w i l l be pleased to postpone the execu­ tion of the order untili there appears more necessity, of which you may rely I w i l l furnish such Notice as w i l l enable you to order whatever Succour the place and County may require. Not a tender has appeared in Y o r k R i v e r , the fort at Y o r k is [ 656 ]

1 6 M A Y

1781

repairing and w i l l keep the E n e m y s small Vessells below. T h e r e are about ten of us in W t . point well armed who have upon one or two A l a r m s turned out and w i l l do it on any Emergency which we w i l l prefer greatly to having fifty M e n posted there who must destroy all we have about us. I beg your pardon for this trouble and w i l l only farther ask the favor of what News you have and then subscribe myself your excellencys hum Sevt., C A R T E R B R A X T O N RC (PHi); addressed and endorsed. WEST POINT, in King William co., was at the head of the York river and was the point of land formed by the confluence of the Pamunkey and the Mattaponi; it was named for the West family and was an important customs office, inspection point, and warehouse

deposit. The order to post fifty men at West Point was not contained in the Council's directions of 7 May calling out 109 men from King William and was not indicated on the file copies of letters to the county lieutenant of King William of 7 and 8 May 1781 ( V a . C o u n c i l J o u r . , I I , 343).

From Robert Lawson SIR

P r . Edward May 16th. 1781.

Y o u were pleas'd in your favor of the 11th. Inst, from Colo. Skipwith's, to inform me, that altho' the Executive could not con­ stitutionally repeat the instance of seperating from their authority, the right of appointing the Officers for the respective commands in the militia; that they would nevertheless do me the honor to attend to the recommendations I might make of such Gentlemen as I wish'd to have as m y Feild Officers. I have taken the liberty therefore of recommending agreeably to the inclos'd L i s t and shall think myself very happy in having those Gentlemen in m y command: the whole of whom, three ex­ cepted were out w i t h me on the former occasion, and a few in­ stances excepted, held rank consistent w i t h what I now w i s h your honorable board to confer. Some of these Officers when appointed must be sent on to take charge of the militia already marched to Salisbury, as no Feild Officers have yet been sent to that Post. T h i s is undoubtedly neces­ sary whether those militia advance farther into the South, or return to this State, as General Greene shall order. F r o m your Excellencys assurance to me I have ventured to tell all of those Gentlemen, that they would recieve appointments agreeably to the rank respectively annex'd to their names. I have the honor to be w i t h the greatest respect, S i r , Y o u r E x ­ cellencys Most Obedt. hum. Servt., Ro: LAWSON B.G.M. RC (Vi); endorsed in part: "reed June 81." Enclosure not found.

[657]

From Reuben Mitchell SIR

Hanover Court House May 16th. 1781

T h i s is the sixteenth day that I have been confin'd in the Pro­ vost G u a r d , without any kind of tryal (except before Geni. Nel­ son; who said my case did not come under his cognizance) and as a free man and Citizen of the State, who has complyed with every L a w and regulation from the beginning of the W a r ; I think I have a right at least to a hearing before I am condemned to an imprisonment, in the same House, with a parcel of Murderers and Felons, which to a man of common feelings must be worse than an honourable death. I have never yet been able to get a copy of the charge lodged against me. T h o ' have been inform'd the first charge was, that I gave the E n e m y intelligence at Petersburg, at which time I can prove by many witnesses, that I was on board my Brigantine (the W i l k e s ) endeavouring to save her from the E n e m y . T h e circum­ stances of my suddenly going from Richmond, and that in a very unseasonable hour, I must own gave too great a handle to the malicious and illdispos'd to injure my character: and as your E x ­ cellency has perhaps never had the particulars from any but my accusors; I must beg leave to transgress so far on your E x c e l ­ lency's patience as to trouble you with a concise narrative of my proceedings in that affair. On Wednesday the 25th. U l t . in the evening, a M r . Sadler, from W a r w i c k , inform'd me that the sailors had all left the Brigan­ tine W i l k e s , and that she was oblige to remain at Osbornes for W a n t of hands to work her, and at the same time he offered me a passage as far as W a r w i c k in Captn. Johnsons Boat, which I ex­ cepted. [ I ] went immediately and gave my keys to M r s . Gautier (as she swore before Geni. Nelson) and went down to W a r w i c k that Night, after dark in Cap. Johnson's boat, (he in company) where I stay'd all Night; and in the morning set off down to look for m y Brigantine, with six hands that Cap. Johnson was so good as to lend me, to get her up to W a r w i c k ; where I intended to strip her, carry her sails and rigging into the Country, land her Cargo and sink the H u l l . Between the hours of 12 and 1 oclock I got to the Fleet at Cox and Dales: and found, by enquiery, that my B r i g lay opposite M r s . Coxes new buildings, between the Fleet and Osbornes. A n d as I was on the south side of the R i v e r , which was the worst w a y , I got a push over the R i v e r and went down to M r s . [ 658 ]

1 6 M A Y

1781

Coxes, where I found the Goochland and Henrico Militia. A n d after talking with a Number of my acquaintances from both Counties, I went on Board: but as there was a smart current in the R i v e r and the W i n d right ahead, I never got under w a y until late in the Afternoon, after a Thunder storm, when the W i n d served. I got into the Fleet a little before sunset, and as I had a fair wind, in­ tended up to W a r w i c k that Night; but was not allowed to leave the Fleet, altho three men and two boys was the whole of my crew, besides the six hands I had borrowed, which were to leave me as soon as I came to Anchor. On F r i d a y morning I went up to Richmond again w i t h two hands to get down a boat and some provisions as we had none; and to get Waggons to get the sails and rigging immediately away. B u t before I could procure either, heard of the attack, and soon after of the loss of the Fleet. Since then I remaind at my store in R i c h ­ mond, untili I was put in the G u a r d House; by the accusation of a rascal whose courage never yet carried h i m , in a hostile manner, in two G u n shott of the E n e m y , unless the R i v e r was between h i m and them. I have only to beg your Excellency to bring me immediately to a tryal, where I have not a doubt of clearing up my Character, and convincing your Excellency and the rest of my Country Men of the malice of my accusors. I am told that not taking the Oath of Allegiance is also a part of the charge against me. Altho' I said I had not taken it, for rea­ sons which I w i l l inform your Excellency of, at my tryal. I have taken the Oath &c. in due time, as directed by L a w ; and has the Certificate now in my possession. I am with due respect Your Excellency's Most Obt. H u m l . Servt., R E U B E N

RC (Vi); addressed; endorsed: "Reu­ ben Mitchells Letter 16 May 1781 not determined on." The fact that his case was "not determined on" was no doubt due to TJ's absence and to the failure of the Council to meet for the transac­ tion of business between 15 May and 12 June. But T J did, in fact, parole Mitchell once. For on 12 Mch. 1782

M I T C H E L L

Mitchell, still in prison, appealed to Gov. Harrison asking that he be brought to trial or discharged and stat­ ing that he had been a prisoner since 1 May 1781, had once been paroled by T J , and had made several ineffectual efforts to obtain a copy of the charges against him (CVSP, m, 98).

[659]

From David Ross, enclosing Account of Loss of Goods at Petersburg SIR

Richmond 16 May 1781

Inclosed I send you letter which I have just now received from Philadelphia by a Vessell that was bound to V i r g i n i a . I am Sorry to inform you that by the villiany of the W a g g o n Master and the folly of one of our L i g h t horse Sent to So. Quay to Conduct the Goods from thence to the Forks they Suffered the whole to fall into the hands of the enemy. I shall lay a particular State of this matter before you that the offenders may be brought to punishment. M y agent at Philadelphia writes me the 2,000 Stand of A r m s w i l l be ready this W e e k . He was obliged to engage hemp to pay for the repairs and has no encouragment from Congress that they can do any thing for him in money matters. Tobacco w i l l not do there and we have nothing to depend upon but our hemp. E x c u s e haste & believe me w great regard Your very huml Serv, DAVID

Ross

A M a n to be depended upon just now informs me Cornwalis Crosst the R i v e r on Saturday, 1500 foot, near 2 0 0 horse. Phillips I believe is dead. E N C L O S U R E

Representation of the circumstances attending the loss of the Goods at Petersburg. Having a quantity of cloth canvass and lead coming from So. Quay to Richmond about the time of the Enemy's approach to Petersburg a few hours after the action that happened there, I applied to Col. Call who commanded the Light Draggoons for one of them to go down ex­ press to South Quay and conduct the waggons to the Fork by the upper road. Col. Call refered it to General Mughlenburg. I applied to him and received for answer that the horsemen were much wanted and that he did not think there was much danger of any thing at South Quay, having left 400 men to cover that place, but on my insisting on the necessity of sending some person immediately he desired me to send one of the volunteer Light Draggoons. I accordingly employed John Baird of Capt. Boiling's company, a man of fair character who was well mounted and armed. I gave him his instructions that night, which was in substance to proceed immediately to South Quay (unless he met the waggons with the goods) and conduct the said stores by the upper road to the Fork of J ames River, taking the utmost care to avoid the Enemy, and to apply to the militia Officers for assistance when necessary. [ 660]

16

MAY

1781

Bairds' account of the matter That he proceeded as far as Sussex and met the waggons, he conducted them to Denwiddie Courthouse, and left one Lanier with them to conduct them to Namoseen bridge; that he went on before in order to provide forage at that place, and to procure information if the Enemy had out any parties on that road; that he waited there a sufficient time for the waggons, and as they did not arrive, he returned again to look after them; that he was informed by Lanier, one Bonner the owner of the waggons had come after them and contrary to his orders had carried them to his own house 8 miles below Petersburg; that the goods remained safe there, till General Phillips left that place and went down the river. The goods were then brought to Petersburg, application was made to Davis, the Quarter Master, for waggons to remove the stores to the Fork, but he excused himself from furnishing any at that time, but promised to represent the matter to Mr. Holmes his superior. Another of those under Quarter masters sent him, the said Baird, to So. Quay for the shoes for the Marquisses troops, promissing to have the above stores removed, and in his absence the Enemy returned, and no part of the stores were removed. Thus, the Public lost about 200[0] yards of blue white and scarlet Cloth, near 4000 yards of Canvass and a ton of Lead. Davis and Bonner are within the Enemy's lines. This matter requires that particular enquiry should be made into the conduct of the several persons concerned. RC ( V i ) ; addressed and endorsed. The enclosed letter from Philadelphia has not been identified; the other en­ closure is in Vi and both the representa­

tion and Baird's account are in Ross' hand. MY

AGENT

A T PHILADELPHIA:

See

Virginia Delegates to T J , 1 May 1781.

From Francis Taylor SIR

Winchester May 16. 1781.

A Board of Officers, who sat this day by order of Colo. W o o d , to enquire into the claims of the Soldiers of the Regiment of Guards; from the certificates produced by the Soldiers, and the Muster-rolls, Reported T h a t all the Soldiers belonging to said Regiment, except a few belonging to Capt. Purvis's company, are entitled to dis­ charges. Y o u w i l l discover by the inclosed return the small number who are now returned for the stay of the Convention Troops in this State. I t appears strange that the Returns formerly made should differ so widely from the present; when they were made, I recollect a number of the men denied that they enlisted to serve out of Albemarle, and have since produced certificates from the Officers who enlisted them or other evidence, that they were only to serve during the stay of the Convention troops in Albemarle. Colo. W o o d has applied to the Lieutenant of Frederick for a M i l i [661}

1 6 M A Y 17 8 1 tia G u a r d of Fifty men, and directed me, when they are ready, to discharge those soldiers of the Guards who are entitled, and I hope your Excellency w i l l order the few remaining to be discharged. I shall return to the Quarter master at this Post, T h e A r m s &c. of the Regiment when I discharge the men. I am sorry they are not in good order. I believe more than half when delivered us at first, were unfit for use. B e pleased as soon as possible to inform me what w i l l be done with the Officers and few Soldiers remaining w i t h the Regiment. I cannot help wishing they may be discharged as their number is too trifling to be of much service. Colo. W o o d informs me the M i l i t i a G u a r d is to be raised for two weeks, in that time it is expected orders w i l l arrive from the Executive what method to take for Guarding the Troops after­ wards. W i t h great respect, I am, S i r Y o u r obedt humble Servant, FRA

RC (Vi); addressed; endorsed in part: "Fras Taylors Letter 16 May 1781 not yet answrd." Enclosure ( V i ) : " A Re­ turn of Colonel Taylors Regiment of Guards," Winchester, 16 May 1781, re­ porting 12 commissioned officers, 1 non­ commissioned officer; and of the rank and file, 6 "Present for duty," 98 "En­ titled to be Discharged," 74 "Dis­ charged," 31 "Deserted," and "2 Pri­

T A Y L O R

vates reinlested During war of those entitled to discharges." On the address leaf, without date, there is a note of Thomas Nelson, re­ questing William Davies to "inquire into the state of the regiments referred to . . . and if the Men are not to be dischargd having serv'd their proper time, that he will order them into service."

From George Washington D E A R

S I R

Head Quarters New Windsor 16th: May 1781.

I have been honored with your Excellency's favor of the 2 3 d . ulto. I have since seen by the prints that the enemy had reached Petersburgh after being opposed in a spirited manner by the M i l i ­ tia under the command of the Baron Steuben. I hope the advance of the Marquis de la Fayette with the choice Body of Continental troops under his command w i l l check the progress of General P h i l ­ lips. A variety of circumstances retarded the march of the 1st. divi­ sion of the Pennsylvania line much beyond the time expected. I however hope that they have moved from the place of rendezvous before this day. I have very good reason to beleive that another detachment of between 1500 and 2 0 0 0 M e n sailed from N e w Y o r k last W e e k . T h e i r particular destination I have not yet learned. I should sup[662}

1 7 M A Y 17 8 1 pose it is for V i r g i n i a or Carolina, tho' they have industriously reported in N e w Y o r k that it is for Delaware. I shall set out in a day or two to meet Count de Rochambeau who has received late despatches from the Court of France. A t that interview I shall be informed of the expectations from Europe, and we shall then probably settle a plan of Campaign. I can only assure you at present that every attention shall be paid to the relief and support of the southern States. I have the honor to be &c. Dft (DLC: Washington Papers); in the hand of Tench Tilghman; endorsed. On the night of 13 May, at New Windsor, Washington received dis­ patches from Rochambeau and the Count de Barras requesting an inter­ view as soon as possible; Washington responded the next day and designated 21 May as the date and Wethersfield, Conn., as the place for the fateful con­ ference at which the American and

French commanders agreed on plans that led ultimately to the shifting of both armies from the north to Virginia and to the surrender of the forces of Cornwallis (Washington, W r i t i n g s , ed. Fitzpatrick, xxii, 86-7). In the present letter Washington gives T J one of the earliest intimations, though veiled, of his intentions. See also Washington to T J , 8 June 1781.

From James McClurg Wmsburg May 17. 1781

DEAR S I R

I am extremely flatter'd with your condescending attention to me, and recieve with the utmost sensibility this new mark of your friendship, which it w i l l always be my ambition to deserve. Nor can I help being prepossess'd in favour of your advice, which I know to have been dictated merely by the kind concern you take in my welfare. I t is true that I have leizure enough, at present, to apply to the Science you recommend; but it is not that tranquil leizure which is best suited to study, nor have I the necessary books at my command, or the means of obtaining them. T h e L a w is, I believe, a rich field, but there are in it a multitude of labourers, whose genius, Industry, longer application, as well as natural Interest in the Country, must enable them easily to outstrip me, and bear off the best fruits of the harvest. Y e t I confess I do not see how I can better employ much superfluous time, which passes along heavily enough at present, than in attempting to qualify myself for some participation in those advantages, in any future fortunate conjuncture. I w i l l entreat you therefore, when you have leizure, and are inclin'd to favor me with a L i n e , to furnish me with a little Sketch of the best method of prosecuting this study which w i l l be a fresh occasion of gratitude to Dear S i r Y o u r much obliged hble servt., JAS M C C L U R G [ 663 ]

1 7 M A Y 17 8 1 RC (MHi). Dr. James McClurg was at this time professor of medicine at the College of William and Mary; he wrote later that his practice of medicine did not support

his family (Blanton, M e d i c i n e i n V a . i n t h e 1 8 t h C e n t u r y , 331-2) and he may have been considering, with prompting by T J , the field of law at this time.

From Matthew Pope H O N B L E

Richmond May 17th. 1781

S I R

I was this day called by the Marquiss l a Fayette to attend h i m at W i l t o n the result of which was to provide at a proper distance a general Hospital for the reception of the Sick and wounded i f we should be obliged to fly from the E n e m y . I told the Marquiss and Geni. Mulenburg who was present that I knew of no place nor had I power to take a place i f I could find one at such distance as they would recommend proper for the purpose. A Church was men­ tioned near around Squirril Bridge or in that Neighbourhood but I am not authorised to take one could I find one convenient or one that would answer the purpose. A C h u r c h alone w i l l not do. T h e r e must be a House or two near it. I shall be extremely happy and esteem it a singular favour i f your Excellency w i l l instruct me how to proceed and send me such orders as you shall think fit. I am to beg your Excellencys forgiveness if I trouble you still farther. I am left here alone, no one to instruct or direct me how to proceed and deprived of every means of executing my office by the removal of all the public Stores and find it in vain to send after them: indeed no one w i l l obey any orders from me unless authorised by a higher power or such power vested in me. I am away from all the General Officers and i f I was not in many instancies their orders would avail nothing. I have taken the liberty, S i r , to inclose you a list of necessarys I am in immediate want of for the Hospital department and knowing no other mode of obtaining them than this I hope I shall be excused. Y o u S i r can order the packages to be opened and the inclosed articles sent down in a Cart or W a g g o n which are so much wanted and w i l l give so much releif not only to the sick and wounded but to Honble S i r Your most obet. & Respectful Sevt., M A T H W . P O P E RC ( Vi ) ; addressed; endorsed in part (and no doubt in error, since T J an­ swered the present letter on 21 May 1781): "reed June 81." The enclosed list of articles needed for the hospital

has not been found, but see Pope to T J , 31 May 1781 and enclosure. Lafayette's camp at WILTON was on the north side of the James eight miles below Richmond.

[ 664 ]

From Benjamin Blunt [Southampton County] 1 8 M a y 1 7 8 1 . Returned "some time since" a state of the militia in Southampton co.; fears it has miscarried and en­ closes another return, dated 26 Mch. 1781, at which time there were 56 commissioned officers, 723 privates over 18 years of age and 71 under 18 in the militia of that county. RC ( V i ) ; 2 p.; endorsed. Enclosure ( V i ) .

From Richard Claiborne, enclosing a List of Articles to be Furnished to Steuben and Lafayette SIR

Richmond 18th May 1781

I inclose to your Excellency a Memorandum of what Major General the Marquis de l a Fayette and Major General the Baron de Steuben have required of me and the Stated periods for their delivery. A s the resource from which I have derived m y support ever since I have been in the department is the only one to which I can have recourse in this matter I beg leave to trouble your Excellency for the aid of Government again. I t is w i t h much satisfaction I acknowledge the receipt of the several W a r r a n t s for money from the Executive; but as I have been disappointed in obtaining the cash from the T r e a s u r y in the ample manner which the exigencies of the service required, owing to the manner in which that Office with all others in the lowers parts have been drove about, I am fearful that it w i l l still be deficient from the large draughts that w i l l be made by the several different de­ partments, and therefore am induced to propose that the Wagons, horses, gears, drivers and oarsmen be procured in some manner different from purchasing or hiring for immediate Payment as your Excellency thinks best. W i t h respect to the Boats, Carriages, Oars, Horse accoutrements and Camp equipage I Shall endeavour to furnish them with what money I may get from the treasury upon the W a r r a n t s which I have already in possession, and when they are out shall beg leave to ask for others. A s your Excellency must be well inform'd of the necessity of dis­ patch in what I am directed to do, I beg leave to ask for an answer of precision, that I may report accordingly but should it be too [ 665 ]

1 8 M A Y 1781 tedious to adopt a mode other than by purchasing w i l l your E x c e l ­ lency direct that money shall be immediately advanced to enable me to comply with the requisitions? I have had no Assistance but from the Government of V i r g i n i a neither do I expect any thing shortly. I have the honor to be with the highest esteem & respect Your Excellency's Most Obedient Humble Servant, RD. C L A I B O R N E DQMr E N C L O S U R E

Memorandum of articles to be furnished by the Deputy Qu. Master for the State of Virginia. By whose order. Majr. General the Marquis de Lafayette

Articles. I A t what time 70 Wagons, with four good horses, & gears, and a Driver to each Immediately, 50 Good draught horses for ditto contingencies 25 Boats to be built & ditto mounted on Carriages 100 Good draught horses for ditto the Boats 25 Sets of gears complete for ditto ditto 25 Drivers to be engaged for ditto ditto 150 Oarsmen to be engaged ditto for ditto 150 Oars with stuff to muffle ditto them 25 Carriages, with four wheels, for ditto, to be ditto built

Majr. General the Baron Steuben

100 dragoons horses to be purchased & completely accoutred with saddles, B y the 1st. of &c. June. 100 ditto ditto By the 1st. of Tents, Camp kettles, Axes, July Hatchets, 10 wagons, with four horses each, and driv­ ers, 1,000 wooden Can­ teens, Knapsacks, Havresacks, Bags, and Portman­ teaus for a detachment to be equiped at Albemarle old Courthouse for the By the 1st. of Southern army. June. [ 666 ]

1 8 M A Y 17 8 1 RC (Vi); addressed; endorsed in part: "reed June 81." T r (NHi). Enclosure (Vi); in an unidentified hand, endorsed by Claiborne. On this date Claiborne wrote Steu­ ben enclosing "No. 5" which, he said, "contains a memorandum which I shall lay before the Governor and request him for the aid of Government, as it would be Chimerical in me to attempt to execute it without. I have made every tryal in my power to procure horses and everything else by Certifi­ cates and employing Gentlemen of in­ terest and influence, but they assure me that there is such a General dissatis­ faction and Suspicion among the people that they are determined not to suffer themselves to be deceived any longer, by being connected with contracts on public account. I can assure you, Sir, that faith in general among the people towards the Public is totally lost and that nothing is to be had unless neces­ sity obliges them to it, without the cash or some personal private obliga­ tion is rendered to them" (Claiborne to Steuben, 18 May 1781, NHi). Steu­ ben's pressure on the Virginia govern­ ment to provide arms and supplies for the recruits being assembled was in­ creased rather than diminished with the news that Cornwallis had turned back northward and was about to effect a junction with the British forces in Virginia. For he had just received Greene's letter of 1 May 1781 ordering him southward: ". . . it is my wish that you should march with all the Virginia drafts that are fit to take the field as soon as you can. . . . Our situa­ tion requires immediate support. I beg you to get the best state of the stores you can and bring with you, and write to the board of war our deplorable con­ dition respecting arms. Unless a new supply can be had, or larger Armories established for their repairs, we cannot keep the field. I beg you to take every possible measure to improve both. Bring forward all the Cavalry with you, that is fit for duty, ours being much broke down and the Enemy having two to our one. . . . I find myself so beset with difficulties that I need the Council and assistance of an officer educated in the Prussian school, and persuade myself that I shall have in you both the friend and the General I want" (Greene to Steuben, 1 May 1781, NHi). But the officer of the Prussian school was having his own difficulties

in Virginia. In order to facilitate the equipment of the recruits preparatory to their march to join Greene, Steuben moved his headquarters to Charlottes­ ville (Claiborne, circular to deputy quartermasters, 10 May 1781, NHi; it may have been at this time that T J made the following note in D L C : T J Papers, 7: 1195: "6. chairs, 2. dining tables lent to Q.M. (Southall) for Baron Steuben"; this memorandum is on the verso of the end of an otherwise missing letter from James Madison which, in addition to the signature and complimentary close, contains only these words: "than by employing them there" ). Steuben had also, with Lafayette's ap­ proval, fixed the general rendezvous at Albemarle Barracks. "Against this," he reported to Greene, "the wise men of this state have cried out loudly. . . . We have as yet only 440 Recruits as­ sembled, unarmed, unequipped, and without cloaths. . . . In fact if with our greatest efforts we get a Thousand men from Virginia, it will be the ut­ most. Notwithstanding this, my care to keep together and Equip the few we have got, has not failed to draw on me the censure of many of the great men here, who pretend that these Recruits ought to be sent immediately into the Field and relieve so many of the Mili­ tia. Other wise ones ridicule the dis­ tance from the Enemy to which I have sent them. . . . I must give you this notice, my dear General, that from the many Difficulties which daily occur and of which I have only mentioned part, my presence in this state has be­ come useless. I shall with pleasure fly to put myself under your orders and I beseech you . . . to call me as soon as possible, for be assured I am heartily disgusted at the Conduct and proceed­ ings in this Quarter" (Steuben to Greene, 14 May 1781, NHi). On this same day Greene was writing to Steu­ ben expressing the belief that Corn­ wallis would turn southward again, in which case Steuben was ordered to bring the Virginia recruits to join Greene (Greene to Steuben, 14 May 1781, NHi). But by the present date Steuben had received Greene's letter of 1 May and his spirits rose at once in anticipation of leaving Virginia: "Im­ mediately on receipt of your Letter," he wrote Greene, " I repeated my for­ mer orders for them [the officers under Col. Gaskins, who was in charge of the new recruits] to lose not a moment

[667}

1 9 MAY in Disciplining the men and Equipping them with every necessary for the March. I at the same time dispatched Expresses to all the Rendezvous to for­ ward on immediately all the Recruits they had. Tomorrow I shall set out myself in order to expedite matters. . . . I have consulted with the Marquis and it is agreed that I shall march the moment I can equip the recruits we have and this I am in hopes will be in about 8 or 10 days" (Steuben to Greene, 18 Apr. 1781, NHi). There is no evidence that Steuben wrote directly to T J at this time, but he did press

1781

Claiborne to write the present and fol­ lowing letters and he also wrote Da­ vies: " I have received letters from Geni. Greene beging in the most ear­ nest manner that the recruits may be armed immediately. To a person of Colonel Davis' enlarged ideas, the good of the country is the good of this state. I therefore request in the most press­ ing terms that you will collect all and every persons that can be of any serv­ ice in repairing the arms" (Steuben to Davies, 17 May 1781, NHi); but see T J to Davies, 2 5 May 1781.

From Richard Claiborne SIR

Richmond. 19th May 1781

Major General Baron de Steuben has made a requisition for twelve Wagons, with teams, harness, and drivers complete, to attend his detachment to the Southern A r m y . A s it is totally out of m y power to procure them to go further than the verge of the State, I beg leave to ask your Excellency for advice and authority in the case. T h e only step which I could take of myself in the mat­ ter would be to hire, but such an attempt would only be a loss of time as I find few w i l l come out to the assistance of the A r m y without being forced. I have the honor to be w i t h the highest respect Your Excellency's Most obedient Humble servant, RD. C L A I B O R N E DQMr. RC ( V i ) ; addressed: "His Excellency Governor Jefferson Charlottesville. $ Ex­ press." T r (NHi).

From Samuel Huntington SIR

Philada May 19. 1781

Y o u r Excellency w i l l receive enclosed, the Copy of a Resolve of the 17th Instant, recommending to the several Legislatures to enact L a w s making further Provision (as specified in the Resolve) to guard against the Abuses and deceitful Practices of the B r i t i s h , by making Use of Papers and Clearances they may take in A m e r i ­ can Vessels. T h e Measures recommended in this and the former Resolve of the 11th of November 1780 become the more necessary, as our Allies have not only suffered by the Deception of the B r i t i s h , but in [ 668 ]

20

1781

M A Y

several Instances our own People in the W e s t Indies have also suf­ fered from the French, under the Apprehension that they were B r i t i s h , for W a n t of Evidence and proper Documents to evince the contrary. I have the Honor to be & c , S.H. FC (DLC: PCC, No. 15); at head of text: "Circular." Enclosure (missing): Resolve of Congress of 17 May, request­ ing that the state legislatures enact laws "ordering the naval officers in their re­ spective ports, to require the master and chief mate of all vessels, unarmed, as well as armed, which shall be des­ patched from their respective ports, to undersign their clearances in the pres­ ence of the naval officer of the port; who is also to insert on the back of the clear­

ance, a minute description of the per­ sons of the master and his mate, with their age, stature, complection, &c. re­ spectively, and to certify the same under his signature and seal of office" (printed in JCC, XX, 513-14). RESOLVE OF T H E 1 I T H OF NOVEMBER

1780: The former resolution of Con­ gress was dated 10 Nov. 1780 and was transmitted by Huntington in his letter to T J of 13 Nov. 1780, q.v. This reso­ lution applied only to armed vessels.

From Richard Claiborne SIR

Richmond 20th May 1781.

T h e total disappointment which I have met with in support from Philadelphia obliges me to repeat to your Excellency that my sole dépendance is upon the T r e a s u r y of this State for money for the Quarter Masters department. I can affirm to your Excellency that ceconomy has been used in expending what I have received and that none has been disbursed except in cases of the most neces­ sary nature; but the public debts are increasing so fast, which demand paiment from me that I am fearful of the consequences, should there not be some speedy supply of cash furnished to pre­ vent them. T h e difficulty of getting money upon the W a r r a n t s which I have received has occasioned me, with all m y Assistants to run largely in debt on public account by personal private obli­ gations and have no hope for relief but from the resources of Government. W e have absolutely remained without our pay, which we had a right upon every principle to take monthly, rather than the service should be retarded or the people not be compensated; but this seems to have answered little or no purpose as we find daily that applications increase. Debts are not only made in the department by the persons engaged in it but are heaped on by impresses which have been carried to an intollerable degree. E v e r y one who furnishes a W a g o n , horse, or any thing else for Conti­ nental service and gets only a Certificate for it calls on the Quarter Master's, who for want of means are obliged to evade the payment and the person returns disappointed and discontented. T h e consei 669 ]

2 0 M A Y 17 8 1 quence is, that all faith in the public Agents is lost and the Citizen w i l l do nothing without being compeled by Military force. I f impresses are to be established for the support of the A r m y and nothing else is to be depended on it had better be communicated to the Commanding General in the State and let h i m have an im­ press Master appointed and proper persons to aid him; but on the contrary money must be advanced to pay of old debts and the hire as it becomes due or we shall most undoubtedly fail. T h e public is by far the greatest looser unies it is determined the people shall not be paid for their property, for long experience has taught me that not more than two thirds of the things that are procured in this manner are returned to the owners and because they have no public brand on them they are lost. B y frequent letters from my Assistants they assure me the de­ preciation increases so fast and public credit is reduced so low that it is a matter of doubt with them whether the present Currency in the State w i l l pass much longer or that the People w i l l trust either the public or individual, as there is no trade and no w a y by which they can profit better than by realizing and keeping what they have now on hand by them. I can assure your Excellency that for what is now due and what is indispensably necessary to be procured immediately either by hire or impress, five Millions of Pounds are absolutely requisite; this would, I think, place us in a tolerable easy Sphere by enabling us to discharge our duties towards the A r m y and quiet the minds of the People. Colonel Hendricks who is the Assistant Deputy Quarter Master at Alexandria acquaints me that he can purchase in his district T e n thousand yards of good Stuff for tents if he had Tobacco. W i l l your Excellency be pleased to give me an order in favor of the Continent on the Counties of Fairfax, Prince W i l l i a m , Stafford, K i n g George or Spotsylvania, for as much Tobacco as w i l l make the purchase? T h i s is an Article of such Material consequence that it would be a great loss not to procure it. I have the honor to be w i t h the highest esteem and respect Your Excellencys Most obedi­ ent Humble Servant, RD. C L A I B O R N E D.Q.Mr. RC (Vi); addressed: "His Excellency Governor Jefferson Charlottesville $ ex­ press." Endorsed: "Richd Claibornes Letter. 20th May 1781 Not yet considerd, to Governor Jefferson."

[670]

Appendix I "The

Affair of Westover''

The episode set forth in a number of documents printed above and in those that follow has been mentioned many times in publications on Virginia history, but accounts of it have never been fully presented or well documented. Chastellux in 1782 had the following to say about Mrs. Mary Will­ ing Byrd and the suspicions that fell upon her: "She is about two-andforty, with an agreeable countenance, and great sense*. . . . Her care and activity have in some measure repaired the effects of her husband's dissipation, and her house is still the most celebrated, and the most agreeable of the neighborhood. She has, however, experienced fresh misfortunes; three times have the English landed at Westover, under Arnold and Cornwallis; and though these visits cost her dear, her hus­ band's former attachment to England, where her eldest son is now serv­ ing in the army, her relationship with [Benedict] Arnold, whose cousin german she is, and perhaps too the jealousy of her neighbors, have given birth to suspicions, that war alone was not the object which in­ duced the English always to make their descents at her habitation. She has been accused even of connivance with them, and the government have once put their seal upon her papers; but she has braved the tem­ pest and defended herself with firmness; and though her affair be not yet terminated, it does not appear as if she was likely to suffer any other inconvenience than that of being disturbed and suspected." "It need not surprise you," Arthur Lee wrote to Theodorick Bland in a letter 1

2

1 The documents printed above con­ sist of letters to or from T J referring to the "Affair of Westover"; they are: Turberville to T J , 15 Feb.; Nelson to T J , 18 Feb.; Nicholas to T J (two) and T J to Steuben, 20 Feb.; Innes to T J , Steuben to T J , and T J to Nelson and Steuben, 21 Feb.; T J to Innes and Steuben, 22 Feb.; Mary Willing Byrd to T J , 23 Feb.; Steuben to T J , 24 and 25 Feb.; T J to Mary Willing Byrd, 1 Mch.; Innes to T J , 3 Mch.; Steuben to T J , 8 Mch.; T J to Steuben (first let­ ter) and T J to Turberville, 10 Mch.; Lafayette to T J and Walker to T J , 17 Mch.; T J to Lafayette, 19 Mch.; Tur­ berville to T J , 21 Mch.; T J to Turber­ ville, 26 Mch.; and Lafayette to T J , 27 Mch. 1781. The title of this Appendix is taken from TJ's letter to Innes of 22 Feb., which is a reply to one from Innes of 21 Feb. wherein Innes called it "the black affair at Westover." 2 Chastellux, T r a v e l s i n N o r t h - A m e r ­ i c a , Dublin, 1787, ii, 162-6. Chastellux's account of Mary Willing Byrd is on the whole so accurate that one is

tempted to believe T J may have fur­ nished some information when Chas­ tellux visited him at Monticello. Chas­ tellux errs, however, in thinking that it was Mary Willing Byrd's son who was serving in the British army; that was a son of her husband by his first wife. For a biographical account of William Byrd I I I , see VMBH, xxxvn (1929), 301-15. Byrd's first wife died in 1760 and some years later he wrote in the family Bible: " I was married on the 27th of January 1761 to Miss Mary Willing of Philadelphia, daugh­ ter of Charles Willing, Esq. of that city and his lady, Ann, daughter of Joseph Shippen, Esq. of the same place. A lady whose eminent virtues and oblig­ ing behaviour render her beloved by all who know her, and the joy of her husband, children, servants and neigh­ bors. This dear lady was born on the 10th day of September, 1740" (VMHB, XXXVIII [1930], 53). William Byrd III died on 1 Jan. 1777, leaving his widow with five daughters and three sons (Chastellux erred in thinking there were only four daughters).

[671]

"THE

AFFAIR

OF

W E S T O V E R "

published in 1860 in Campbell's History of V i r g i n i a , "that Arnold, with a handful of bad troops, should march about the country, take and destroy what he pleased, feast with his tory friends, settle a regular correspondence with them, which he carried on for some time in vessels sent up the river and unnoticed, till one happening to run aground discovered Mrs. Byrd's correspondence, which, however, will produce neither good to us nor injury to her. I have reason to think she will not be tried at all, means having been taken to keep the witnesses out of the way." In the V i r g i n i a H i s t o r i c a l M a g a z i n e for 1899, the following comment prefaced the publication of the remarkable will of Mrs. Mary Willing Byrd: "There can be no doubt that many persons at the time thought she was guilty of treasonable correspondence; but she denied, with indignation, the charges against her; and Lossing, in his F i e l d Book of the Revolution, states that it was discovered that she was certainly innocent. In February, 1781, all of Mrs. Byrd's letters and papers were seized by the American officers." In a tantalizingly undocumented statement, made in the index of his Campaign in Virginia, 1 7 8 1 , B. F . Stevens identifies Westover as "the property of Mrs. Byrd, who furnished supplies to the British troops. Her claim for compensation as a loyalist amounted to £ 6 , 6 0 0 and her case was afterwards warmly recommended to the Lords of the Treasury by Cornwallis when in India." Finally, in the V i r g i n i a M a g a z i n e of History and Biography in 1930, she was described as "a woman of great intellectual powers, of warm affections, and a kind heart. . . . During the Revolution Mrs. Byrd suffered great privations, from her negroes being enlisted by the British, being cut off, too, from her friends in Philadelphia, and from 3

4

5

3 Lee to Bland, 21 Mch. 1781, quoted by Campbell, p. 711-12; Lee's letter was then in Campbell's possession. He was wrong, of course, in thinking that Mrs. Byrd's correspondence with the enemy was discovered because one of the vessels happened to run aground; Lieutenant Hare's flag vessel was stopped by being fired upon and boarded by men from Major Turberville's command at Sandy Point (see Innes to Steuben, 27 Feb. 1781). Campbell may have confused this incident with the earlier episode when Hare was seized at Hampton (see Nelson to Steuben, 3 Feb. 1781). 4 "The Will of K r s . Mary Willing Byrd," V M H B , V I (1899), 346-58. ß B. F . Stevens, ed., T h e C a m p a i g n i n V i r g i n i a , 1 7 8 1 (two vols., usually cited

as

Cllnton-Cornwallis

Contro-

v e r s y ) , London, 1888. Search has been made among the Loyalist Transcripts in the New York Public Library (for which the editors are indebted to Mr. Robert W. Hill, Keeper of Manuscripts), among the Carleton manuscripts in the Archives of Colonial Williamsburg, Inc. (for which they are obligated to Mr. Lester W. Cappon,

Archivist), and among the manuscripts of the William L . Clements Library (through courtesy of Mr. Colton Storm) for Mrs. Byrd's statement of losses and Cornwallis' supporting statement, but without success. Stevens' assertion seems credible and its being inserted in the index but not in the text itself lends support to the assumption that he may have discovered, after the text had been written, some documentary evidence for it. Through the kindness of Mr. Lionel Robinson of the firm of William H. Robinson, Ltd., extensive search has been made in the Public Record Office but with similar lack of success. No evidence of Mrs. Byrd's claim or of Cornwallis' supporting letter has been found in the published index of references to Loyalist claims in Treasury records ( L i s t s and I n d e x e s , No. X L V i

[1921], 105), in the type-

script indexes to Loyalist claims in the Audit Office papers, in the register of the Treasury for 1783 recording correspondence of the Royal Commissioners, or in Cornwallis papers in the Public Record Office (communication of Lionel Robinson to the editors, 29 Mch. 1951).

[ 673 ]

APPENDIX

I

her resources generally. She was forced to cut up the curtains for dresses for her children, and the linings for underwear. . . . When Westover was occupied by the British forces, Mrs. Byrd's nursery was actually converted into a stable for Lord Cornwallis' horses. Poor Mrs. Byrd was persecuted by friend and foe, for she was unjustly accused of treason to the Continentals." In all of these accounts there is some truth, some conjecture, some gossip, and some misinformation. This fact alone would scarcely justify an attempt to assemble all extant documentation on the subject. Nor would the nature of Mrs. Byrd's actions provide justification; even if she had been charged with treason (and she was not) or had been proved guilty of illegal communication with the enemies of the American cause ( and she was ) , hers would still have been only another understandable instance of conflicting loyalties duplicated so many times in the Ameri­ can Revolution and in every other civil conflict as to require no further illustration. But there are several reasons why it is important to gather and present here the extant documents concerning this episode: ( 1 ) Mary Willing Byrd was unquestionably an able, cultivated, and charm­ ing person who found herself the center of an embittered conflict in the spring of 1781 and, because of this, charges touching her honor and loyalty have been made which need to be faced with candor; ( 2 ) the correspondence on the subject between Jefferson and Mrs. Byrd, Steuben, Innes, Turberville, and others—all of it printed above—-would be misleading or incomplete if unaccompanied by letters on the same subject neither to nor by Jefferson; (3) the conflict of personalities, the course of events, and the trivial and inconsequential matters ex­ hibited in this little drama require being set forth in the words of the actors themselves in order that, finally, the most important aspect of the episode may be properly delineated—that is, the way in which, in time of war, great issues sometimes stand in danger of being in­ fluenced or even determined by trivialities. The comment that Jeffer­ son himself made to Steuben is the best perspective from which to view this affair: " I must again express my uneasiness at the unfortunate consequences which may flow from the Conduct of the Gentlemen who have managed this Business; however zealous may have been their Intentions, I fear I foresee evils more lasting and weighty than the good which will result from them." Even so, the letters to or from Jefferson printed in regular sequence above and others printed below do not represent the full documenta­ tion. The most important letter of all is lacking—the one written by Mrs. Byrd to Lieutenant Charles Hare of H.M.S. Swift in January 1781 that was described by Colonel Nicholas in terms that do credit both to his patriotism and to Mrs. Byrd's charm. The two important documents referred to by B. F . Stevens—Mrs. Byrd's claim for com­ pensation as a Loyalist and the letter written by Cornwallis to the Lords of the Treasury in support of her claim—have not come to light. Nor is there known to be in existence any record of the proceedings of the court martial of Major George Lee Turberville on the six charges 6

7

8

6 VMHB, xxxvm (1930), 53-6. T J to Steuben, 10 Mch. 1781. 7

8 Nicholas to T J , 20 Feb. 1781 (first letter).

[674]

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preferred by Steuben, assuming that he was brought to trial. Finally, the invoices, accounts, and other papers seized at Westover by Major Turberville, which presumably were placed in the hands of Attorney General Edmund Randolph, apparently have not survived. Never­ theless, enough remains to make clear the main outlines of the story and even to portray strikingly, if unflatteringly, some of the colorful personages participating in it. A concise narrative, together with some comment upon the persons and issues involved, may be helpful by way of preface to the documents. 9

10

The background of the affair involves the customs and usages gov­ erning the conduct of vessels employed as flags of truce, not perhaps as these existed in theory at international law but as conceived and prac­ ticed in Virginia in 1781. All of the principals in this episode—Steuben, Arnold, Hare, Jefferson, and others—spoke feelingly of the "sacred rights" of flags; perhaps one of Steuben's most humiliating incidents in his none-too-happy sojourn in Virginia occurred when Benedict Arnold accused him of failing to understand or to respect the sacred status of flags. But these rights involved obligations and depended upon mutual confidence between belligerents that flags would not be abused for the purpose of gaining military advantage or for private or trivial or extraneous objectives. A flag was completely neutral and existed for the necessary object of communication between belligerents. In respect to the legitimate function of flags an elaborate code of eti­ quette had been evolved and, since the nature of a flag involved at bot­ tom the concepts of justice and honor, military and civil officers were usually extremely careful to observe this code and were correspondingly sensitive to any charge of disrespect for lawful flags or of a lack of understanding of their exalted status. An illuminating instance of the rigorous neutrality practiced by a punctilious conductor of a flag occurred when, during the engagement at Osborne's on 27 Apr. 1781, the commander of the A l e r t refused to allow a fellow American officer on a neighboring vessel to make use of his spyglass on the ground that such an action would violate the neutral character of a flag. But the numerous waterways of tidewater Virginia and the plunder­ ing excursions carried out by Arnold's forces brought about an inevi­ table laxness in such matters. The former made it comparatively easy to "sport" with flags and the latter caused American military officers to be besieged by "the repeated solicitations of many good and well affected people" (and, of course, by some who were not so well affected) for private flags addressed to the enemy so that slaves and other prop­ erty could be recovered. This problem arose pressingly and was dealt with firmly by Jefferson early in January while the army of Arnold was still encamped at Westover. At that time Jefferson fixed upon the general policy that such inter­ course with the enemy would be discouraged but not prohibited so long 11

12

13

9 See list of charges, below, under date of 17 Mch. 1781; it is very un­ likely that Turberville was tried (see T J to Lafayette, 19 Mch., and Lafa­ yette to T J , 27 Mch. 1781). 1 0 Innes to Steuben, 27 Feb. 1781.

n Arnold to Muhlenberg, 14 Mch. 1781. 12 See depositions concerning the Alert, 2 May 1781. is Nicholas to T J , 10 Jan. 1781.

[ 675 ]

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I

as it was "conducted on principles which are fair and general." This was not effective, for Arnold had adopted the particular kind of dis­ crimination in the return of slaves and other private property that Jef­ ferson had anticipated and had prohibited—that is, "that none will be returned to persons in Arms, or Office, in which class I consider all per­ sons in the Militia liable to be called forth to Arms. When Widows, Orphans, or persons not under the above description, wish to have their Negroes returned, it will be necessary for them to have their property ascertained . . . under oath, which authenticated Certificate being sent in by any person with a Flag, who can fix upon the Negroes claimed, they shall be immediately delivered up." This called forth an Order in Council of 3 Feb. 1781 which declared that Arnold's discrimination between citizens would lead to "the most dangerous and fatal conse­ quences" and "that no flag for the purpose of solliciting a restitution of plundered property from the enemy, shall be again permitted." But even this unanimous and flat declaration of policy was not effective. Applications from private individuals for flags for the recovery of property continued to plague civil and military authorities. A n ex­ ception was occasionally made to the rigorous policy, but Jefferson declared in May that "The true and sacred objects of Flags have been so much abused, that it is with Reluctance we allow one. . . . B y this we mean particularly to guard against an illicit Commerce." Illicit commerce was not the only kind of violation, of course. I t was reported in the summer of 1781 that it was common practice for. flags to come out from British posts "upon trifling pretences" and no doubt for spying, gathering produce, or engaging in private business. And by 1782 "the secret artifices and machinations of the enemy" in the use of flags for espionage and for "secret emissaries . . . employed to delude and deceive" the people led Congress to recommend to the states that "it be enjoined on all officers of departments charged with persons coming from the enemy under protection of flags of truce, to take especial care that such persons do not abuse their privileges." I n response to this Virginia promptly passed an Act declaring that "all private and indirect communication with the common enemy, not compatible with public negotiations under lawful authority, ought to be prevented." T h i s Act stipulated that whenever any flag from the enemy arrived, immediate notice should be given to the governor by the officer commanding at the post or port approached by her; that the Governor with the advice of Council should then appoint "a discreet civil or military officer" as superintendent; that without this officer's "express permission in writ­ ing, expressing the nature of the business, and length of time neces14

15

16

17

18

19

14 T J to Nicholas, 10 Jan. 1781. is Arnold to Muhlenberg, 23 Feb. 1781, NHi. 1 Va. 6

Council

Jour.,

n,

285;

see

also note to Steuben to T J , 21 Feb. 1781, above. 17 T J to John Scarsbrook Wills, 9 May 1781. is LeRoy Peachey to Thomas Nel­ son, 25 Aug. 1781, CVSP, II, 356.

19 JCC, xxm, 639. Flags travelling

between different states, of course, re­ quired approval by Congress; applica­ tions were normally referred to the Board of War for decision as to wheth­ er passports should be granted or not (same, xxi, 1033; see also TJ's letter to Huntington, 31 Mch. 1781 and the reply of the Board of War, 12 Apr. 1781, concerning the application of the flag R i e d e s e l for a passport).

[ 676 ]

"THE

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sary for transacting the same," it should not be lawful for anyone to go on board or to land from the flag; and that such permission should be granted "for public business only." The penalties for violation of these regulations were £ 2 0 0 fine and three months' imprisonment for citizens and jailing as prisoners of war for British subjects. But this culmination of policy was the result of a long series of events of which that involving Mrs. Mary Willing Byrd's private flag was one of the first, one of the most interesting, and potentially one of the most damaging in its effects on the American cause. We do not know precisely when Mrs. Byrd applied for a flag for the ostensible purpose of recovering slaves taken by the British from Westover, though it was obviously granted after 10 January and before 3 Febru­ ary 1781. Benedict Arnold had already hinted at his policy of dis­ crimination in favor of Loyalists, widows, and others, and Jefferson had already prohibited the granting of flags except on a non-discrimina­ tory basis when Steuben granted a flag to Mrs. Byrd. He had known her only a few weeks, but clearly both Steuben and members of his official family were welcome guests at Westover. Indeed, Steuben and Mrs. Byrd were upon such friendly terms with each other that she felt free to request that a family connection, Lieutenant Charles Hare, an officer on board H.M.S. Swift at Portsmouth be allowed to conduct her plundered slaves back to Westover. Hare was a young man of twentyfive who had been with the army at Westover in January and who was the brother of Robert Hare of Philadelphia, husband of Mrs. Byrd's sister, Margaret Willing. Mrs. Byrd's connections naturally laid her under suspicion of being Loyalist in sympathy. She was the daughter of Charles Willing of Philadelphia and his wife Anne Shippen. Through her mother she was first cousin to Margaret Shippen, wife of Benedict Arnold to whom her flag was addressed. Her uncle, Edward Shippen, was a moderate Loyalist. Her brother was Thomas Willing, who had voted against independence and who remained in Philadelphia throughout the British occupation. One of her sisters married Captain Walter Ster­ ling of the British navy. Samuel Inglis, partner of her brother Thomas Willing, was a warm opponent of independence. She was the second wife of William Byrd, I I I ( 1729-1777), who was certainly sympathetic to the Loyalist point of view, but who "committed no open act of re­ sistance to the Revolutionary government in Virginia and lived at 'Westover' undisturbed until his death on January 1, 1777." One of 20

21

22

23

24

25

26

20 Hening, xi, 136-7; passed at the Oct. 1782 session of the General As­ sembly. One pressing reason for the strict terms of the Virginia statute was that flag vessels were bringing Loyal­ ists back to the state; in the summer of 1782 Attorney General Randolph had declared, even before the resolu­ tion by Congress was adopted: " I have often thought that these cases deserved legislative attention" (Randolph to Governor Benjamin Harrison, 5 Aug. 1782,

C V S P , in, 250-1).

21 Steuben to T J , 21 Feb. 1781;

Mary Willing Byrd to T J , 23 Feb. 1781; Nicholas to T J , 10 Jan. 1781. 22 Communications of Nicholas B. Wainwright to the editors, 29 and 31 Jan. 1951. 23 V M H B , X X X V I I I (1930), 53-6. 24 D A B .

25 Campbell,

History

of

Virginia,

Philadelphia, 1860, p. 712. 26 David Meade of Maycox, across the James from Westover, who knew both William Byrd I I I and his wife well, declared that Byrd had engaged "in all the gayeties, prodigalities and

[ 677 ]

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I

Byrd's sons by his first wife served as a captain in the British army during the Revolution. Though some of her kin also served on the American side, Mrs. Byrd's connections were predominantly neutral, Loyalist, or actively hostile. In view of this and of her close relationship with Benedict Arnold's wife, it is difficult to explain why Arnold allowed his forces to seize slaves and other property at Westover. One explanation is that Arnold was so avaricious by nature that neither patriotic impulses nor family loyalty could interpose an effective barrier to his acquisitiveness. Another, equally probable, is that by plundering Westover in the same manner that he was plundering other tidewater plantations, Arnold would remove from Mrs. Byrd the suspicion of being the object of favoritism. Whatever the reason, some of Mrs. Byrd's slaves were taken; she later stated that forty-nine had been seized, together with three horses and two ferry boats. She requested the return of this property, and on 10 Feb. 1781 Lieutenant Hare came up the James in a flag vessel, without the slaves but with one of the horses. He was stopped by force at Sandy Point, a few miles below Westover and just above the mouth of the Chickahominy. Presumably the messages or credentials that he bore were sent to Steuben in accordance with orders issued by the Baron on 1 February, and Hare with his vessel was detained at Sandy Point for several days by the commandant of the outpost there, Major George Lee Turberville, whose superior officer, Colonel John Nicholas, was apparently absent at the time. Turberville was only twenty, but not without experience. He was a son of George and Martha Lee Turberville of Hickory Hill, Westmoreland county. He had been schooled in England, at Winchester, and had served as aide-de-camp to General Charles Lee. But he was certainly quick to anger and the affair of Lieutenant Hare and the flag rapidly deteriorated into a personal issue between him and Steuben. As Mrs. Byrd commented later, Turberville and his fellow officers had "acted . . . confusedly" in the matter of Hare, one moment caressing him and the next treating him with the utmost rigor. This may have been due to Turberville's inexperience in such matters or to the Order in Council of 3 February which induced a sense of caution in handling flags or to a conflict between his own impulses and the orders of his superior 27

28

29

30

dissipations to which young men of rank and fortune were addicted," but that he was nevertheless "in some respects the superior of General Washington, and in none his inferior." He also said that Mrs. Byrd "possessed a mind of powers superior to the generality of her sex, and a most generous benevolent and charitable heart" ( T h e Chaumière Papers, ed. Henry J . Peet, Chicago, 1883, quoted in VMHB, x x x v n [1929], 310-13). 27 Campbell, H i s t o r y of Virginia, Philadelphia, 1860, p. 712; another, Otway Byrd, served in the American army.

28 Carl Van Doren's Secret History of the A m e r i c a n R e v o l u t i o n , 1941, fully documents the record of Arnold's greed. 29 See her letter below, presumably to Nelson, 10 Aug. 1781. so Turberville was born 7 Sep. 1760; he married Betty Tayloe Corbin, served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1785 to 1789, and was sheriff of Richmond county in 1798; he died at Epping, Richmond county, 17 Mch. 1798 ( E . J . Lee, Lee of V i r g i n i a , 93-4; VMHB, XXI [1913], 199; x x v r a [1920], 368-9).

[678 ]

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officers. At any rate, on 15 February Turberville made the mistake of permitting Hare to go by carriage to Westover, accompanied by Otway Byrd, son of William Byrd I I I by his first wife. Within an hour Tur­ berville had evidently decided that this was an imprudent step and ordered Hare back. It was presumably after Hare's return to Sandy Point that Turberville wrote his letter of 15 February informing Jef­ ferson that a flag was being detained for Steuben's orders. He had cer­ tainly informed Hare before the latter went to Westover that "no partial return of any articles taken by the British should be received," but in his letter to Jefferson of that day he stated that Hare was "very anxious to see your determination in regard to the restitution of prop­ erty" and had come on that mission. Hare's sudden recall to Sandy Point had several results. First, Mrs. Byrd at once dispatched a letter to Steuben in which she joined Hare in the remarkable request that he be permitted "to make a visit to Westover by land if it is not agreeable that he should come by water." Mrs. Byrd's willingness to assume responsibility "for his having no intentions that are not perfectly honorable" was somewhat irrelevant in view of the fact that neither the rights of a flag nor any other rules of belligerency could authorize an enemy officer to make social calls within the lines of his opponent. It is not known what Steuben replied to this perhaps innocent request, though in any event he could not properly have granted it. But the most important part of Mrs. Byrd's letter is its casual statement that Arnold still intended to send her slaves back and had sent Hare only to inform her that he would keep his promise about them. She asserted that she would not accept her daughter's riding horse and the "few articles, in return for some losses . . . sus­ tained" that Hare had brought unless the Governor and Council ap­ proved. She made no mention in this or any known subsequent letter of a similar attitude respecting the return of slaves, though her letter of 15 February to Steuben proves that she knew at that time of the Order in Council of 3 February forbidding the return of property on the con­ ditions imposed by Arnold. So late as 10 Aug. 1781 she was still appealing for a flag for the recovery of her slaves. In this, of course, she was far from being alone, for many Virginians continued to re­ quest private flags for a similar purpose, despite the prohibitory Order in Council. A second result of Hare's being recalled to Sandy Point was that it caused Hare himself some anguish. To be snatched from the cultivated atmosphere of Westover and the charming company of Mrs. Byrd's daughters and to be forced to spend long winter hours among the militiamen at Sandy Point was not calculated to soothe his feelings. In consequence, he began to talk angrily, to threaten that in time the British would lay waste the whole Virginia countryside, and to assert that Jefferson and other leaders were receiving British gold and would, he implied, soon desert the ship of rebellion just as Arnold had. In brief, Hare's comments on Americans in general and Virginians in 31

32

33

31 Mary Willing Byrd to Steuben, 15 Feb. 1781. 32 Turberville to T J , 15 Feb. 1781; italics supplied.

33 See, for example, Opie and Ball to T J , 12 Apr. 1781, and T J to Wills, 8 May 1781.

[679]

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I

particular must have been characterized, as Colonel James Innes ex­ pressed it, "by every mark of Impropriety, Indecency, and rudeness." These taunts and threats led to investigation. Hare refused "an officer admittance in the cabbin of the vessell, to search for papers," but the militiaman forced his way in, "found several packages of papers in flames and other evident marks of letters, which had been destroyed." This caused Colonel Innes to order Turberville "by force of Arms to take Lieut. Hare and the Vessell into Custody—to seize on Mr. Hare's papers, and search into the contents of the vessell." This must have been soon after Hare's return to Sandy Point—perhaps on the 16th or 17th. For on 18 February General Nelson at Williamsburg transmitted some of the papers to Jefferson and spoke of the circumstance of the militia officer's seeing something "in the Fire [on board the flag] which had the appearance of Letters just consumed." But the officer who forced his way into Hare's cabin found not only papers, but also "several Articles of merchandize, such as Brandy, porter, port wine, China, Linnen, Broad Cloth, &c &c &c" which Lieu­ tenant Hare described, without convincing anyone, as "sea stores." Meanwhile, Colonel John Nicholas resumed command of his battalion at Sandy Point and, in going through the seized papers, found one written by Mrs. Byrd to Hare. This he at first decided to send to Jef­ ferson under cover of a letter he wrote on 20 February. Unhappily, he had scarcely finished writing when "many others from Mrs. Byrd" turned up. This caused him to hold the intended enclosure and at the same time to "send Major Turberville to Westover that all property presents &c. &c. from the enemy may be returned to the Vessell and the whole Correspondence between that Lady and the Enemy be [fair]ly investigated." This order Major Turberville carried out in a raid on Westover in the early morning hours of Wednesday, 21 February, that Mrs. Byrd described with all of the indignation and eloquence of a truly outraged person. Her letters describing this event are obviously the product of a strong mind and of a person capable of vigorous defense of her own actions. Yet, moving though they are, they invite critical comment. First, it is to be noted that Mrs. Byrd waited from early on the 21st to sometime on the 23rd to protest to Jefferson and Steuben on the treatment she had received. Second, her letter to Jef­ ferson, whom she had known as a friend for a long time and who was the authority to whom an appeal on a civil breach should have been addressed, was distinctly different in tone and in substance from the letter of the same day addressed to Steuben: it was Steuben rather than the Governor who was the object of her decision "to fix on a Gentleman . . . to ask protection of." Her letter to Steuben was a long, detailed account of Turberville's raid; her letter to Jefferson was concerned with Hare as conductor of a flag and with the letter found among his papers. Finally, in these two letters Mrs. Byrd failed to answer or even to raise the most pertinent question of all—what was the object of Major Tur­ berville's raid and what had he found at Westover? It is plausible to 34

35

36

37

38

34 Innes to Steuben, 27 Feb. 1781. 35 Nelson to T J , 18 Feb. 1781. 36 Innes to Steuben, 27 Feb. 1781. 37 Nicholas to T J , 20 Feb. 1781

(second letter). 38 Mary Willing Byrd to T J and to Steuben, 23 Feb. 1781.

[ 680]

Mary Willing Byrd. Portrait by Cosmo Alexander

I s

I

•

! S ! I

" T H E

AFFAIR

OF

W E S T O V E R "

suppose that Turberville chose the early morning hours of 21 February for his descent on Westover for the same reason that he had forced his way into Hare's cabin—to forestall possible destruction of papers that would prevent "the whole Correspondence between that Lady and the Enemy" from being investigated. Whether this is a correct assumption or not the fact is that incriminating documents were found at Westover. These included "Invoices and Bills of Cost Corresponding with the Articles of Merchandize on Board" the flag vessel, thus, as Colonel Innes remarked, "clearly demonstrating the clandestine and illicit Com­ merce which was in agitation." The "sea stores" that Lieutenant Hare had brought in violation of the duties of a flag were obviously not the objects of a commerce carried on for profit; they were such as any mistress of a plantation house needed or desired. This was not treason­ able, but unquestionably it was illegal traffic with the enemy. And the fact that, in this instance, the enemy was a detested traitor makes the indignation of many of Mrs. Byrd's fellow Virginians understandable. Meanwhile, on 19 February, Jefferson and Steuben had had a conference in Richmond and Jefferson had turned over to him some papers pertaining to the flag vessel—that is, the papers sent by Nelson on 18 February which arrived in Richmond next day. Considering the question of the flag as a military matter, Jefferson turned the entire problem over to Steuben "to have done what is right." Steuben assured Jefferson during the conference that he considered "Mr. Hair . . . as no flag, but a prisoner." However, neither Steuben nor Jefferson knew at that moment or for several days the full justification for regarding Hare as liable to arrest for violating a flag of truce. On his return to Chesterfield Steuben concluded that, despite the impropriety of Hare's conduct, he had "not given sufficient warrant for making him a Pris­ oner." He hinted that Mrs. Byrd ought to be permitted to keep the goods, citing European precedent, but left the decision up to the civil authorities. If the decision were favorable, Hare would be permitted to take his vessel to Westover; if not, he would be ordered "down the river." On 22 February the Council decided that goods brought in compensation for goods taken could not be permitted, for, Jefferson wrote, "Let the instances be multiplied, and a very small metamorphosis in the nature of the transaction degenerates it into commerce." This policy was decided upon independently of the news of Mrs. Byrd's correspondence with the enemy which the Executive had just learned about through Nicholas' letters of 20 February. These letters Jefferson transmitted to Steuben with the request that he give "any orders which may be rendered necessary by this new matter." But Steuben declined giving any orders respecting Mrs. Byrd, save to reprimand Colonel Innes for the raid on Westover and to order him to place a guard there for Mrs. Byrd's protection at any time she should request it. So far as there were grounds for charges against Mrs. Byrd for illegal traffic with the enemy, Steuben insisted that responsibility for pressing such charges lay with the civil government. 39

40

41

42

43

44

89 Innes to Steuben, 27 Feb. 1781. 40 T J to Steuben, 20 Feb. 1781. 41 T J to Nelson, 21 Feb. 1781. 42 Steuben to T J , 21 Feb. 1781.

43 T J to Steuben, 21 Feb. 1781. 44 Steuben to Mary Willing Byrd, 23 Feb. 1781; to Innes, 25 Feb. 1781; to Nicholas, 23 Feb. 1781.

[681]

APPENDIX

I

But Hare's conduct as a flag was a military affair and Steuben on 23 February sent an officer to Sandy Point to investigate, ordering Nicholas to confine Hare and secure his vessel pending the outcome of the investigation. The investigating officer was Colonel Richard Kidder Meade, brother of David Meade who lived at Maycox across the river from Westover and who was a guest of Mrs. Byrd at the time of Turberville's raid of 21 February. Meade left Chesterfield on Friday, 23 February, apparently spent Saturday at Sandy Point, and reported back to Steuben on Sunday. Nicholas and Turberville, of course, had in hand at the time of Meade's investigation the letters retrieved from the cabin of Hare's vessel and the documents seized at Westover, clearly establishing that the flag had been engaged in clandestine traf­ fic and providing far better grounds to justify her seizure, if not the arrest of her conductor, than General Phillips had in the case of the A l e r t a few weeks later. Yet Steuben, while admitting that Hare's con­ duct justified his detention, ordered Innes to withdraw the guard over the vessel, to conduct Hare aboard, and to permit him to return to Portsmouth. He wrote a curt note to Hare the same day, suggesting that Hare's irregular conduct had been responsible for his own deten­ tion and for the unhappy consequences to Mrs. Byrd. To Jefferson he merely reported that he had not found sufficient reasons to detain Hare any longer, but Jefferson, in informing Mrs. Byrd of this decision, said that he presumed Steuben was moved by "a desire to afford no Colour of precedent for violating the sacred Rights of a Flag." If this was Steuben's true motive, it was futile, for the action of the Virginia mili­ tia officers in detaining Hare and his vessel gave Arnold a pretext for accusing the Americans, in extremely harsh terms, of violating the rights of flags. On Monday the 26th Mrs. Byrd wrote Steuben that she felt sure "the Gentlemen below . . . will not, like you, see things through a proper medium" and that "If the flag is a prize, I am the innocent cause of it." In this she was correct. For on the preceding Saturday, Colonel Innes had taken drastic measures respecting the vessel. Perhaps he foresaw the result of Colonel Meade's report, but at any rate he ordered Captain Edward Travis of the state navy to carry the vessel to the ship yard in the Chickahominy river, judging her subject to libel. Captain Travis, accompanied by Major Turberville, hauled down the vessel's flag and set out to conduct her up Chickahominy preparatory to being libelled. But the unfortunate vessel was blown downstream and ran aground. Lieutenant Hare, with some justice, felt that hauling the 45

46

45 Steuben to T J , 24 Feb. 1781. Colonel Richard Kidder Meade served as Washington's aide-de-camp from 1777 until the autumn of 1780 when he returned to Virginia (Gwathmey, H i s t . Reg. of V i r g i n i a n s i n the Revo­ l u t i o n ' , Washington, W r i t i n g s , ed. Fitz­ patrick, XX, 2 2 9 ) . 46 T h e statement that Steuben made to T J may have been amplified orally, for Steuben later said that his aide-de­ camp, Capt. Benjamin Walker, had had

"the honor to communicate to your Excellency in Council my Opinion with respect to this flag and it was not till after he had assured me of the appro­ bation of Government that I ventured to give Col. Innes orders to send it back" (Steuben to T J , 8 Mch. 1781). See also Steuben to Hare and to Innes, 25 Feb. 1781; T J to Mary Willing Byrd, 1 Mch. 1781; T J to Steuben, 10 Mch. 1781; and Arnold to Muhlenberg, 14 Mch. 1781.

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flag down before the vessel was libelled was contrary to all good prece­ dent, and he was indignant over what he called "the utmost damage" that had resulted both to the vessel and to his own effects. But Colonel Innes, responding to Steuben's order of the 25th, asserted (mistakenly, as it turned out) that the vessel "is now within the Jurisdiction of the Court of Admiralty, from whence she can not be taken but by legal Acquittal." Innes agreed, nevertheless, to obey that part of Steuben's orders respecting Lieutenant Hare and to have him returned to Ports­ mouth as expeditiously as possible. Hare, however, was becoming increasingly angry at Sandy Point and on the 28th wrote to Steuben narrating the seizure of the vessel and the misfortune that had come to her. He pointed out, significantly, that Colonel Meade had informed him Steuben "only waited to know the nature of the Flag" and added that from the moment Meade had made this assertion he considered himself "no longer a prisoner." But Colonel Innes, meantime, had changed his mind about obeying Steu­ ben's order: he not only did not send Hare back to Portsmouth but instead, on 3 March, dispatched Turberville to Richmond to lay the whole matter before the Governor. His object in doing so was to obtain advice on the detention of Hare for having violated his flag and on the seizure of the vessel for carrying on an illicit commerce. Jefferson replied, in a missing letter, that Hare was subject to Steuben's orders, whether he was the conductor of a flag, a prisoner, or a spy; that all responsibility for him had been delegated to Steuben; and that since the vessel was "withdrawn into the possession of a court," he would refer the matter to Attorney General Randolph and transmit his opinion to Innes. 47

48

49

47 Innes to Steuben, 27 Feb. 1781. 48 Innes to T J , 3 Mch. 1781. Steu­ ben, though angry with Innes, made Turberville the chief object of his hos­ tility for this disobedience of orders. Innes, too, had been one of Washing­ ton's aides-de-camp and had been pres­ ent at Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth. He had studied law under George Wythe and as an orator he was compared with Patrick Henry: "There were those, who, fascinated by the graces of his manner, by his overwhelming action, by the majestic tones of his voice, and by his flowing periods, thought him more eloquent than Henry" (Hugh Blair Grigsby, T h e H i s t o r y of the Vir­ ginia

Federal

Convention

of 1 7 8 8 , I,

324-8). At the time of this episode he was twenty-seven and was a man of commanding presence—Grigsby stated that he was "believed to be the largest man in the State"; he and Turberville died in the same year (1798). Innes, perhaps as a means of con­ ciliating Steuben, took occasion to show the Baron that he could also disregard an order from T J . Writing from Wil­

liamsburg on 1 Mch. 1781 he informed Steuben: "Previous to the receipt of your letter of the 24th Ulto [. . .] and to call on the Counties adjacent to this place for a sufficient number of men to replace them, to do duty at and in the vicinity of this post until relief should come from the upper counties, Yet as I had not put these orders into train of execution when I received your march­ ing orders, I thought it expedient to conceal the Governors Directions, and had put the troops in motion according­ ly, and did not until this morning, in­ fluenced by orders from General Nel­ son and a second letter from the Gov­ ernor on the subject, discharge the militia which were stationed at this town. Notwithstanding this most mor­ tifying and unfortunate circumstance, I am not without my hopes but that I will be able to collect a respectable body of troops to join General Muhlen­ berg" (Innes to Steuben, 10 p.m., 1 Mch. 1781, NHi; the two letters of T J referred to were those to Innes of 24 Feb. and 1 Mch. 1781). 49 To this statement T J added, in his letter to Steuben of 10 Mch. 1781:

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Steuben, of course, was infuriated with Major Turberville for hav­ ing carried the matter to government, but most of all he resented the fact that his order had been disobeyed and that Turberville, going far beyond mere insubordination, had intercepted and detained an open letter of his addressed to Lieutenant Hare. These affronts he vigorously protested to Jefferson, intimating that he would give no further orders for Hare's release and, in effect, washing his hands of the whole affair. This was written on 8 March and Hare was by then in Williamsburg. Jefferson replied that government had issued no orders on the subject save that compensations for plunder could not be received from the enemy; that he regretted the disobedience to Steuben's orders on the part of the militia officers; that, however, government could do nothing to sustain Steuben's authority in such cases, since "the Military institu­ tions . . . put into your own hands the satisfaction which you desire government to procure you"; that the Executive could do nothing about the vessel, since she was in the hands of the judiciary "which is as inde­ pendent of them as is the supreme court of any other Country"; and that there was no law by which government could compel Turberville to return Steuben's letter. The inference was plain: in the Governor's view, Hare was still subject to Steuben's orders, and so were Innes and Turberville. It was also plain that, with prospects daily becoming brighter for capturing Arnold and with Lafayette's force on the way, Jefferson was greatly concerned lest this relatively trivial matter jeop­ ardize objects of greater moment. He implied as much in his letter to Steuben. On the same day Jefferson wrote Turberville requesting him to return the Baron's letter and prompting him to accompany it "with such an Apology as the Respect due to the Barons Character and command will suggest to you." To this request Turberville acceded by sending a handsome apology to Steuben, promising to return the detained letter. He also declared his intention of calling upon Steuben in person. It would have been better, perhaps, if he had not done so. For in the ensuing meeting, which presumably took place at Williamsburg on 15 March, the Baron's pent-up feelings must have been released with some warmth, whereupon Turberville evidently proceeded to the Raleigh Tavern and composed a letter that completely nullified any good effects of his apology. Steuben's reply to this, which is missing, evoked a hot response: Steuben apparently had told Turberville he would not arrest him, and the twenty-year old major concluded his angry reply by threatening the fifty-one-year old major general with a challenge to a duel. The arrest was ordered, probably at once, and one of the charges, at least, would seem to be well-founded: "for disrespectfull and provoking behaviour to his Commanding Officer." There is no evi50

" I did so." This probably means that T J obtained Randolph's opinion and forwarded it to Innes, not merely that he had referred the matter to the At­ torney General. If this interpretation is correct, then the following (missing) documents were probably written: T J to Randolph, covering Innes' letter and

perhaps other papers as well; Randolph to T J giving his opinion on the case; and T J to Innes enclosing that opinion —all of which would have been dated between 3 and 10 Mch. 1781. so Turberville to Steuben, 16 Mch. 1781.

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dence that a court-martial was ever held. Turberville had already been removed from command, and soon he returned once more to retirement in Westmoreland. A further and undated letter of apology may have been written subsequent to his violent exchange with Steuben in Wil­ liamsburg, possibly at the suggestion of older and cooler heads. As for Hare, he was probably not allowed to return to Portsmouth until the end of March. As it happened, his vessel had not been li­ belled, despite Innes' stout declaration to Steuben in his letter of 27 February, and both the lieutenant and the vessel were no doubt safe in Portsmouth by the first of April. Arnold, early in March, had sent out another flag to discover what had become of Hare, and Muhlen­ berg had forwarded his message to Steuben. Steuben naturally forbade Muhlenberg to communicate with the enemy at the time, for Lafayette was momentarily expected and all was in readiness for the assault on Portsmouth. Arnold retaliated vigorously for this and it is very likely that much of the marauding and plundering expeditions loosed upon the Chesapeake littoral in the ensuing weeks was due to the detention and treatment of Hare. Colonel William R. W . Curie, imprisoned at Norfolk early in April, made the following comment on Arnold's reaction to the Hare episode: " I was made Prisoner [on 7 March], and used very civilly until the 16th; when on Return of General Arnolds Flag from Hampton (which I learned had been treated with great Impropriety), Messrs. Hurt, Cocke, Carter and Self were carried on board the Prison Ship, and huddled below without distinction into the Company of other unhappy Sufferers; in the whole a moteley crew." As for Mrs. Byrd, her trial was apparently never held. It had been scheduled for 15 March and then was postponed until the 23rd. "Capt. Turberville," Jefferson wrote to Lafayette, "is an essential Witness in this prosecution." Two days later Arthur Lee wrote that he had reason to think that Mrs. Byrd would not be brought to trial, "means having been taken to keep the witnesses out of the way." What Lee's reason was he did not reveal, and there is no evidence to show that any official, military or civil, connived at keeping "witnesses out of the way." But Turberville evidently did retire to Westmoreland when released by Steuben sometime before 27 March and Mrs. Byrd's trial was never 51

52

53

54

prosecuted.

55

On 21 April there appeared the following advertisement

in the V i r g i n i a Gazette which may indicate that she was determined to leave Virginia: "FOR S A L E . W E S T O V E R , containing upwards of 1000 acres of land, of which 365 acres is reclaimed meadow, and about 100 acres of unimproved swamp. For terms apply to the subscriber. M. BYRD." But it is unlikely that there were any prospective pur-

51 T J to Lafayette, 19 Mch. 1781. 52 This, of course, could not have been Hare's vessel; Curie probably meant that the flag that had been sent to discover the cause of Hare's deten­ tion had returned. 53 Curie to Steuben, 2 Apr. 1781, NHi. 54 T J to Lafayette, 19 Mch. 1781; Lee to Bland, 21 Mch. 1781, in Camp­ bell, H i s t o r y of V i r g i n i a , Philadelphia,

1860, p. 712. 55 Lafayette to T J , 27 Mch. 1781. The case of Mrs. Byrd would have been tried under a special commission of oyer and terminer in the General Court ( V a . C o u n c i l Jour.,

il, 302-03 ) and the

records of this court are not extant (communication to the editors from William J . Van Schreeven, Virginia State Archivist, 7 Feb. 1951).

[ 685 ]

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I

chasers, for by that date Virginia was in the throes of another invasion and a few weeks afterward Cornwallis' army itself was encamped at Westover. Shortly after Nelson had succeeded Jefferson as Governor Mrs. Byrd again asked for a private flag for the purpose of recovering her slaves, and in 1783 she applied to Sir Guy Carleton for compensa­ tion for the damages that she said had been promised to her by Arnold, Phillips, and Cornwallis. While B. F . Stevens may have assumed that Mrs. Byrd solicited compensation to the extent of £ 6 , 6 0 0 "as a Loyal­ ist," it would be unfair, in the absence of the documents on which he must have based his statement, to assert more than that such an appeal must have been couched in terms similar to those addressed to Sir Guy Carleton. Even so, the following conclusions are inescapable: ( 1 ) Mrs. Byrd was in correspondence with the enemy early in 1781 for some purpose only partly disclosed; (2) contrary to the declared policy of the government—of which, on her own admission, she was fully aware —she continued to solicit the return of some of her property (slaves), at the same time that she declared she would refuse to accept other property that the government's policy did not permit her to receive (the goods found on board the vessel); and ( 3 ) , long after the ille­ gality of these transactions had been made apparent, she continued in a private manner to solicit from the enemy compensation for losses that she had sustained. 56

56 Mary Willing Byrd to Sir Guy Carleton, 5 June 1783.

Steuben to J . P . G . Muhlenberg Richmond 1 March [February] 1781 . . . As I find the practice of Flags being sent to the Enemy prevails to much and are attended with pernicious consequences, I must in the strongest terms positively P R O H I B I T any going to them on any pre­ tense whatsoever and request you to issue your Orders to prevent it on the South side of the River. Should the Enemy send one to any post under your Command, you will receive the Dispatches and discharge the flag immediately and send the letters unopened to me. Mr. Dunlap is not to be Permitted to go with a Flag. Dft (NHi); in hand of William North; endorsed: "To Geni Muhlen­ berg Feby 1st." The fact that Steuben (or North) made an error in the date * is proved by Muhlenberg's acknowl­ edgement: " I was last evening Honord with Your favors of 1st. 2d. & 3d. and have wrote to General Lawson this Morning to prevent any Flagg being sent to the Enemy for the future. Mr. Dunlap was gone off before Your Or­ ders arrived" (Muhlenberg to Steuben, Cabin Point, 4 Feb. 1781, NHi). MR. DUNLAP was probably John Dun­ lap who must have been soliciting a

flag for the purpose of recovering the printing press that had been captured by the enemy the preceding year (see Vol. 3: 580). On 2 Feb. Steuben added the following postscript to his letter to Lawson: " I wish to have as little com­ munication with the Enemy by flags as possible. You will please not to suffer any to go in from your Command, and if any come out let the Officer be sent back and the dispatches be sent to me" (Steuben to Lawson, 2 Feb. 1781, NHi).

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Steuben to Thomas Nelson GENERAL Richmond, Feby 1 . 1 7 8 1 Upon very warm solicitations from many Inhabitants of this State I have been induced to grant Flaggs for the purpose of recovering property. I now find the practice is to be attended with dangerous consequences and must in the most positive terms forbid any Flaggs going to the Enemy in future, on any pretext whatsoever, you will please to issue your orders for that purpose, and have them strictly complied with. Should the enemy send Flags to any of your posts you will receive their Dispaches which you will send unopened to me, and discharge the Flagg immediately. I am with esteem, Your most obedt.

DEAR

Dft (NHi); in William North's hand; endorsed.

Steuben to Thomas Nelson Richmond, 2nd. Febry. 1 7 8 1 On receipt hereof you will immediately move a Battalion consisting of 1 Field Officer 4 Captains 8 Subalterns an adjutant and quarter­ master and 200 Rank and file to march and take post at Sandy point always to have three days Provision before hand and to be ready to march at a moments Warning. I must desire you not to suffer any flags to go to the Enemy and if any come out send the dispatches to me.

DEAR GENERAL

FC (NHi); in William North's hand; endorsed.

Thomas Nelson to Steuben Williamsburg Febry. 3 . 1 7 8 1 . I am just favored with a Number of Letters from you, containing a Variety of Matter, Part of which embarrasses me exceedingly. But before I enter on that Subject, I am to thank you for the agreeable Intelligence of our Success to the Southward, which you have been pleased to communicate. The Stroke was brilliant, and will be produc­ tive of great Effects. Your Orders respecting Flags shall be strictly adhered to. A Lieut. Hare from the Swift, British Man of W a r , has been detained at Hampton, who came ashore with a Flag, but without proper Credentials. . . . But what most distresses me is your Order to detach a Battalion to Sandy Point. Our force here, which I believe was rather over-rated in my Letter of Yesterday, is now insufficient for the Protection of this Neck; which I would beg leave to observe ought to be particularly attended to, both on account of the advantages which the Enemy would derive from the Possession of it, and the peculiar situation of Many of the Inhabitants, whose Attachments to and Con­ fidence in their Country have induced them to destroy their Paroles. I shall, however, Order Colonel Nicholas's Battalion to march from this

DEAR SIR

1

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Post to Morrow Morning for Sandy Point, to which place they will pro­ ceed unless countermanded by you. This Battalion is entirely composed of Hanover and Henrico men, who, together with all the Troops under my Command, are such as I am directed to discharge. . . , 1

THOS. NELSON

JR.

B.G.

RC (NHi); endorsed. i Omissions concern militia officers under his command and complimentary close.

Mary W i l l i n g B y r d to Steuben Westover February 15th 1781 The extreme politeness I have experienced from Baron Steuben induces me to give him the trouble of this address. Mr. Hare agreeable to your permission Sir, was on his way to Westover with a flag, when he was brought too, at Sandy point, and there detained till last night, being informed, that no partial return of any articles taken by the British should be received. Mr. Otway Byrd saw him there, and brought him up to Westover in a Carriage this morn­ ing at ten oclock, before eleven, a Messenger came from Major Turber­ ville ordering him back instantly; this is a great mortification to him. If there is no impropriety, he joins me in intreating the favor of your leave that he may make a visit to Westover by land if it is not agree­ able that he should come by Water. I will answer for his having no intentions that are not perfectly honorable. I learnt the few minutes he stayed, that my people finding a flag was to come up, had hid them­ selves, and tho searched for, seven days, could not be found. The Gen­ eral determined to send up without them, to convince me, his inten­ tion was to comply with his promise. He sent my daughters riding Horse; and a few articles, in return for some losses I have sustained, which if not agreeable to the Executive, I have not the least inclination to receive. Indépendant of my people, they would not pay me for one sixth of the loss I have sustained. The General still purposes sending out my people if found, which he expected would happen as soon as Mr. Hare left Portsmouth. My Daughters join me, in our respectful salutes to you, and all your agreeable family. Your little Aid-de-camp presents his duty, to the Baron; whom he wishes much to see. I have the honor to be Sir Your most obedient humble servant M BYRD RC (NHi); endorsed: "Mrs. Byrd 15 feby."

Charles H a r e to Steuben [ca. 20 Feb. 1781] I have the honor to acknowledge your very polite and obliging Letter, but at the same time cannot but lament I had not known your sentiments prior to my leaving Portsmouth, as it would have been the SIR

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means of preventing many disagreeable circumstances which have since ensued. You must be convinced Sir, nothing but my esteem for Mrs. Byrd, and a wish to render that Lady some little service, induced me to come on this Duty. I have therefore to request you will be so obliging as to give the necessary Orders to the Officer at this Post, for the withdraw­ ing the Party from on board the Vessell and likewise for my release as I cannot consider the Vessell a flag of Truce whilst there are twenty four armed men on board who have to all intents and purposes the command of her. The Zeal that I have for the service to which I belong and a wish to maintain that honor which is invested in me by my Com­ mission makes me not doubt you will applaud my conduct in this trans­ action. It would concern me to a degree should I be the means of pre­ venting that friendly intercourse of Flags which has hitherto sub­ sisted. How far any treatment I may receive may effect it, its impos­ sible for me to determine. I have the honor to remain Sir with the greatest respect Your very humble Servant C H A R L E S H A R E Lieut P. S. I have no doubt but the return of the Express will bring the necessary Passports for my joining Commodore Symmons agreeable to his original order, which I have enclosed, and which I beg may be returned by the same conveyance. RC (NHi); addressed: "The Honl. Major General Baron de Stuben Com­ mander in Cheif &c &c &c"; endorsed: "Lt. Hare of the British." Enclosure missing. Steuben's VERY POLITE AND OBLIGING LETTER has not been found; it was probably written soon after the Baron received Mrs. Byrd's letter to him of 15 Feb. The date of Hare's letter can­

not be fixed precisely, but it was cer­ tainly after the seizure of his vessel which took place about 20 Feb. It must also have been written before 24 Feb. when the vessel was conducted to the shipyard by Captain Travis. It was certainly written before 25 Feb., for in his letter to Hare of that date Steuben stated that he was returning "Capt. Symonds orders."

M a r y W i l l i n g B y r d to S t e u b e n Westover February 23d, 1781 Conscious of my innocence, I dare address once more a Gentleman, whose judgment must be approved of by every Body. One whose honor, impartiallity, and humanity, I shall with pleasure rely on. Think not worthy Sir, I speake the language of a base flatterer, be assured I speake from my heart now, what I have spoken of you, to every person I have seen since I first had the honor of seeing you. I should not now write in the stile I do, but to account for my choosing to fix on a Gen­ tleman, who was till within a few Weeks an intire stranger to me, to ask protection of. Good God what a situation am I in. I have paid taxes, during a tedious War; and now am not protected by my Countrymen. The British are suffered to land on my Territory's, to use, and destroy, my property, for which I am condemned by my Countrymen, tho none have told me so, on the contrary, I have been told by all I have seen, that I have done right. Privately an attempt has been made to ruin me, by setting fire to my house, this not succeeding, I am doomed to a [ 689 ]

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harder fate. (Where it [is] in the power of Man to injure me) I am to lose my reputation. "He that steals my purse, steals trash, twas something, tis nothing, twas mine, tis his; and has been slaves to thousands. But he that filches from me, my good Name, robs me of that, which not inriches him, and makes me poor indeed." But it is a great blessing, to have maintained such a Character in life, as to make it necessary for my enemy's to have recourse to falsehoods to blacken it. I have another happiness; that I dont know my enemy's; or am I known by them. Your great politeness, and humanity, leads me hope you will pardon this intrusion, and protect the helpless from in­ sults they do not merit. D i d I not know myself innocent of the smallest intention of injuring my Country, I would not presume to ask your friendly assistance; be assured Sir, no charge can be supported against me. M r . Hare has been imprudent in suffering his passion, to get the better of his reason. I am told he has forfeited his Flag, and in consiquence of it, is made a prisoner; on his papers being searched, a letter written by myself, during the stay of the fleet at Westover was found and sent to Williamsburg, and an order, sent up to Major Turberville to come in the Night with a sufficient party of armed Men to Westover if he thought it necessary; to surround my houses if necessary; to break open my doors; make me his prisoner, and search for my papers. Major Turberville with six Men, accompany ed, by a Company of Light I n ­ fantry, came Wednesday Morning before day to Westover, made pris­ oners of my whole family, including the Speakers Lady—Mr Meade and his family; by artifice got into my house, sent for Mr. Meade, who conducted him to my Chamber. ( T h e alternative was that he, or a Serv­ ant was to perform this service) which he instantly entered, notwith­ standing my two eldest daughters were a sleep in one bed, and myself in another. This surely can not be stiled liberty. I t was Liberty that Savages would have blushed at These Gentlemen used many civil expressions, but I think indecent actions. However, I think myself greatly obliged to them, as I am convinced, they stoped short of a great deal of severity, which they conceived their power Authorized. When I came down stairs, I found two Gentlemen at the foot of them with drawn Swords. I desired them to sheath, their Swords, and preserve them for better purposes, than to attack a defenceless Woman, who could not injure her Country. Indeed, Sir it is out of my power to injure the State; I owe too much to my honor to betray my Country, I may perhaps have the power of serving it, it was what I always had in view, but I can not injure it. I dont recollect the letter I wrote Mr. Hare; but am easy about it, as I know my heart, never dictated aught, that was dishonorable. I most sincerely wish your business may soon lead you this way; it would be a real happiness to see you. I hope I shall have an opportunity of acquiting myself, at least to you; whose Judgment in these affairs, must be greater, than any persons in this State. When I speak of the indecent actions of these people, I only mean [690]

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such as I have already mentioned, of coming into my Bed Chamber, and flourishing drawn swords on defenceless people. They beged me not to be uneasy, I assured them my uneasiness was for them, I was sorry to see my Countrymen act a part they must blush at; what a contemptable figure did they make. Some of these Men are amiable Men, I dare believe; what a pitty they should be so badly imployed. You see, I presume on that friendship you have so kindly offered, be assured I value it highly, and will never presume to ask its aid, when my heart does not merit it. I have tired your patience, tho I am not tired of conversing with you, with what pleasure could I unbosom myself to you, who see every thing through a proper medium. I have the honor to be Sir Your most obedient humble servant M

BYRD

A poor unfortunate Mad Woman whom I gave shelter too, for Five Months, in a Mad fit, went off the 26th of November. She was lately taken up as a Spy, and searched. I hear by a Mr. Woodson, and Mr. Armstead of Hampton, and two of my letters found on her, one written by myself. If she has letters of mine, She has stole them, and I do not miss any; however, I will answer for it, if She has, they contain nothing but what is inoffensive. I should esteem it a particular favor, to be allowed a sight of them. MB RC (NHi); addressed: "Major General Baron Steuben at Head Quaters Chesterfeild"; endorsed: "Mrs. Byrd feby 23d."

S t e u b e n to M a r y W i l l i n g B y r d [23 February 1781] I am this moment honor'd with your letter of this day. Be assured Madam that this affair which gives you so much trouble has also been productive of much uneasiness to myself both on account of yourself and your amiable family, and I should be still more unhappy if you would have the least reason to suppose I had any part in what has passed. It has been wholly without my Orders, nor could I have been capable of giving such, as have been executed in your House. Every account I have received of this affair has been so confused that I ordered Colo. Meade to Sandy point to examine into the motives that in the first Instance induced a detention of Mr. Hare. I however confirmed his detention till I could hear further. His Conduct has I believe been imprudent, but if there is nothing against him but the indecent Expressions respecting myself which have escaped him per­ haps in a moment of passion, be assured I shall pay no regard to them. The title of your Friend is sufficient to prevent his experiencing the least inconvenience on that account. On his conduct in general I am not yet able to pronounce. With respect to your Letter to Mr. Hare, it has not yet come to my knowledge nor do I pretend to take notice of it. It is not for me or any other Military Officer to Judge of the propriety of your Correspondents.

MADAM

[691]

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As a citizen you are answerable for your Conduct to the Civil power only and to them I desire the letter may be sent. I shall give the strictest orders to the Commanding Officer at Wil­ liamsburg not to suffer you to be again insulted in your House and should you ever think a Safe Guard necessary it shall be granted for your protection. By the Laws of your Country alone you are to be Judged. Against every other power I will with pleasure afford you every protection I am able. I beg you Madam to believe me with the greatest respect. Dft (NHi); in hand of William North.

Steuben to John Nicholas SIR Cfhesterfield] Ct.Ho. 23 Feb. [1781] The Conduct of Mrs. Byrd is entirely a civil matter and that of Mr. Hare as a flag a military one. The Different reports which I have re­ ceived of his detention, are not sufficiently explicit, for me to take the proper steps yet. Nevertheless it is necessary to have Mr. Hare detained untili this affair is strictly examin[ed] into, till which I desire you [to] confine him to a house with an officer and a proper number of men as a guard. At the same time its my direction that he be treated with all possible civillity. You will likewise have his vessell properly secured. You will please to give to Colo. Meade (who is sent for the purpose) an exact detail of all that has passed with regard to Mr. Hare, and what was the original cause of his being made a prisoner of. Dft (NHi); in hand of William North; endorsed: "Copy to Colo. Nicholas 23 Feby."

Steuben to James Innes SIR Chesterfield Co.Ho. 25 Feby. [1781] I have not yet had the pleasure of a line from any body on the other side since the detention of the Flag, nor have I been informed of the reasons for such a step. I have however been informed that a party of Armed Men has been sent to Mrs. Byrd's House for the purpose of seizing herself and papers. This I cannot but disapprove. It is not for the Military to take cog­ nizance of the Conduct of a Citizen, unless directed by the Civil power to whom such affairs must always be left. I desire you to prevent as much as in your power Mrs. Byrd from suffering any insults in her house and should she ever think a Safe Guard necessary to protect her It is my positive order that on her in­ timating it to the Commanding Officer, it be immediately granted for her protection. 1

Dft (NHi); endorsed: "Copy to Colo. Innes. Feb. 25." i Dft originally read "it belongs only to the Civil power and to them must the matter be referred."

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Steuben to James Innes SIR

Chesterfd. 25 Feby. [ 1 7 8 1 ]

Colo. Meade whom I had sent to Sandy point to examine the cause of L t . Hares detention has just returned. This Gentlemans conduct has been such as to justify the detention he has suffered. However, you will please to discharge him on receipt of this, ordering an Officer to conduct him on board the Vessell and withdraw the Guard. The Goods he brought up must also be returned with the Flag. I am Sir your very huml Servt Dft (NHi); in William North's hand; endorsed: "Copy to Colo. Innes 25 Feby."

Steuben to Charles Hare SIR Head Quarters 25th Feby 1 7 8 1 Without making you any reproaches I leave it to yourself to judge if the irregularity of your own conduct has not been the sole cause of your detention and the disagreeable consequences that have ensued to Mrs. Byrd. As Government do not approve Mrs. Byrds acceptance of the Articles brought out for her, they will be returned with the Flag. I inclose Capt. Symonds orders to you, with my passport for your return and having given orders for an Officer to conduct you on board the Flag Vessell and withdraw the Guard. I am Sir Your very hum Servt S T E U B E N Majr. Geni. RC (NHi); in a clerk's hand, signed by Steuben; addressed: "Lieut. Hare of the British Navy." Dft (NHi); in a clerk's hand; endorsed: "Copy to Lt. Hare of the British feby 25." There are slight verbal differences between RC

and Dft. Since the RC of this letter is now in the Steuben papers in NHi, it is almost certainly the letter that Turberville de­ tained and later returned.

Mary Willing Byrd to Steuben Westover February 26th. 1 7 8 1 Strongly impressed with sentiments of gratitude and esteem, permit me to thank you for your friendly letter, and most obliging promise. To the civil power I will be answerable for my conduct. I have in no respect violated the laws of my Country. And am most fully convinced that you have not been, in any degree instrumental in the unjust steps taken against me. If Major Turberville had told me, that the proceed­ ings were by your order, I should have disbelieved him. I knew you were incapable of giving such orders. You may depend on it Sir, that Mr. Turberville's conduct has been full of inconsistency's. Were I to know that Mr. Hare had injured me, I would endeavour to follow your great example and forgive him; but if he spoke with indecency of you Sir, I can not excuse him. [693 ]

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I dont know if you have seen Colo. Symph since he was down. I wish much to see him; I should rely on his representation of the affair, as an impartial Judge. No doubt you expected I should have interested myself in behalf of my friend. I have not done it with you Sir, because I was disgusted with his being out of humour with you, and should have been ashamed to have said one word in his favor; altho I am greatly concerned for him, and extremely sorry if he has done any wrong. If the flag is a prize, I am the innocent cause of it. And I have not said one word for him, to the Gentlemen below, because I am sure they will not, like you, see things through a proper medium, and all I could say would injure, instead of serving Mr. Hare, who has not I verily believe had justice done him, by the Officers at Sandy point, who I imagine to cover their own imprudence use him ill. Major Turberville told me, that he was, afraid he should be broke for letting Mr. Hare come up, but as he had made a prisoner of him he was safe enough. One minute he has caressed him, another treated him with rigour. I particularly wished Mr. Hare to be the person sent. Having a very high opinion of his honor, I knew him to be a passionate Man. But had not an idea, that anything could happen to call forth his passions and verily believe that if an experienced Officer had been at that post noth­ ing would have happened amiss. No part of the whole affair has given me so much pain I do assure you on my honor, as his not treating you with the respect I think your due. I wrote to him informing him who you were, that honored him with a letter, and Colo. Symph whom he would in a few minutes see, and I hoped properly receive, but he was not permited to get my letter before he saw Colo. Symph tho my Steward rode fifty miles with no other business. Mr. Hare declared he had no idea that it was Colo. Symph, he took him for a french gentleman. I flatter myself that nothing decisive can happen, without your voice; and am as well satisfied that you will pass an honorable sen­ tence; as that I am in my own house at present. My whole family with unfeigned attachment, tender their Compli­ ments, and good wishes, for health, and safety, ever to attend You. I have the honor to be Sir with the highest respect Your most obedi­ ent & very humble servant M BYRD RC (NHi); addressed: "Major General Baron Steuben Head Quarters." C O L O , S Y M P H : Colonel Senf.

James Innes to Steuben SIR Williamsburg Feby 27th. 1781 I am honored with your Letter on the Detention of Lieut. Hare, and the violences offered to Mrs. Byrd. To each of these Subjects, I shall take Liberty to give a full answer. Representation having been made to me, by the Commandant at Sandy point, that a vessell bearing a Flag not addressed to any person capacitated to receive one—its [694}

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ostensible object too of an illegal nature—had attempted at an unrea­ sonable hour of the night, to pass by the posts on James River, refused to come to when hailed and fired upon by the Guards, and was stoped by being actually Boarded by a party of Armed Men. Under these suspicious Circumstances, I directed Major Turberville not to permit the officer or vessell to proceed further, without having previously obtained permission from you, or his Excellency the Governor. Not long after this, Mr. Turberville informed me, that Lieut. Hare had endeavored to circulate a report among the militia, that our Supreme Magestrate was in british pay—that he had declared he would take the earliest opportunity of laying the Country in ashes—that he had refused an officer admittance in the cabbin of the vessell, to search for papers—that the officer on forcing in, found several packages of papers in flames and other evident marks of letters, which had been destroyed —that he had refused to come on shore when politely required and bid Defiance to any force which might be sent against him—in short, that Mr. Hares Conduct was characterized by every mark of Impropriety, Indecency, and rudeness. On this state of matter, I ordered Major Turberville by force of Arms to take Lieut. Hare and the Vessell into Custody—to seize on Mr. Hare's papers, and search into the Con­ tents of the vessell. Among Hare's papers was found the enclosed let­ ter from Mrs. Byrd which induced Major Turberville, without my order, or knowledge, to make a visit to Westover, for the purpose of securing any suspicious papers, which might be found there. I n the vessell were discovered several Articles of merchandize, such as Brandy, porter, port wine, China, Linnen, Broad Cloth &c &c &c. These Mr. Hare asserted to be sea stores, but upon Examination Invoices and Bills of Cost Corresponding with the Articles of Merchandize on Board were found upon Mrs. Byrd, clearly demonstrating the clandestine and illicit Commerce which was in agitation. B y the Resolutions of Congress and the Laws of this Commonwealth, which I shall ever make the Guides of my Conduct, the vessell was subject to Seizure. She has been seized accordingly and is now within the Jurisdiction of the Court of Admiralty, from whence she can not be taken but by legal Acquit­ tal. How consistent Mr. Hares Conduct has been in this Affair, with the sacred character of a flag of Truce, I submit to your superior Judge­ ment to determine. This is not the first time that this Gentleman has sported with flags. I t is scarcely twenty [days] since I made him a prisoner of W a r at Hampton, for coming in shore under the semblance of a flag, without any credentials designating the objects of his Busi­ ness, and exchanged him under a License you gave to General Nelson, for a Capt. Barron of this state's Navy. I n obedience to your Orders however, I will take measures to have him returned to Portsmouth, as expeditiously as possible. As to Mrs. Byrd, I assert upon my honor, that I never gave any orders impliedly, or positively, relative to her person, property, or papers. Nor did I know, that a single armed man had been to Westover, until Major Turberville informed me by Letter of his having searched for, and found on Mrs. Byrd several papers of an illicit nature; none of which, have I yet seen. I t would give me pain to believe you [ 695 ]

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could suppose me capable of treating Mrs. Byrd, or any of her defense­ less sex, with the smallest Degree of Asperity. I shall take pleasure in obeying your orders to ward off every Insult from her and to place a Guard for her protection, whenever she may require it. I have never presumed to sit in Judgement on her Conduct-—that, I leave to the Civil Magestrate. I compassionate her Imprudence, and sincerely wish it may have a favorable Issue. I intended several Days ago to have made a full Report of this mat­ ter to you, and waited only for some Depositions relative to this sub­ ject, which I had directed Major Turberville to have taken, and for­ warded to me. I f I have been unhappy enough in the transaction of this disagreeable affair, to adopt any measure meriting your Disappro­ bation, I beg you will not conceive it, to have originated from Design, or want of proper Respect for your Character. I have the honor to be with high Esteem Your most obt sert J A S : I N N E S Colo. RC (NHi); endorsed: "Colo. Innes 27 Feby Reed 1 Mch." Enclosure not found. THIS GENTLEMAN HAS SPORTED WITH FLAGS: See Nelson to Steuben, 3 Feb. 1781.

Charles Hare to Steuben SIR Sandy Point Febry 2 8 1 7 8 1 I am induced to trouble you once more on the subject of my present situation which I am confident you will pardon when you reflect how much I am interested in the event which is to take place. On Saturday last a Capt. Traverse of the State Navy came from Williamsburg with orders to haul down the Flag, and convey the Ves­ sell to Chicehomeny creek which was accordingly attempted but un­ fortunately failed, Capt. Traverse and Major Tuberville being carried down to James Town and there remained till the next Day. You must be convinced Sir this is a proceeding as the annals of this W a r can not produce—The Flag hauled Down, myself confined, my Sword taken from me, and treated in every other respect like a criminal more than a prisoner of war, but by whose order this mode of proceeding has been observed I can not say. I am convinced it is contrary to your approba­ tion. I can assure you Sir the moment I was informed by Col Mead you only waited to know the nature of the Flag that moment I considered myself no longer a prisoner as I had and still have the most flattering prospect of a speedy release from you[r] knowledge in the etiquette of Military service you must likewise be convinced T o the moment Captn Traverse and the Party with him entered the Vessell they no longer conceived her in any other light than their Prize of course not only my property but the Vessell itself has received the utmost damage beside that of running her on shore a circumstance of the most serious nature; these are facts Sir which I am confident the moment you hear you will condemn and I trust will take the necessary steps to remedy. I fancy Sir it is almost unprecedented to haul down the Flag before the Vessell is condemned a Lawful prize. I shall trouble you no m[ore] till I have the honor of hearing from [you] which I trust will be as early as p[os[ 696 ]

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sible and?] convenient. I have the honor to [be] Sir with the greatest re[spect] your most humbl Servant CHAS HARE RC (NHi); addressed: "The Honble Majr. Genr. Steuben Commander in Chief &c &c &c." Slightly mutilated.

Steuben to J . P . G . Muhlenberg GENERAL Chesterfield Co.Ho. 2d March [1781] The abuses committed by the Enemy under the pretence of Flags of Truce and other considerations induce me to discontinue all intercourse of that nature with them, and you will immediately give orders to the Officers Commanding at your outposts not to receive any Letters or Messages from the Enemy but to send back immediately any Flag that may come out. On your part I desire that no flag may be suffered to go in till further Orders. I must desire that orders be given to the advanced posts to be ex­ tremely Vigilant in preventing any person from passing in or out of our Lines—that all intercourse whatever with the Enemy may be stopped. I am &c. DEAR

Dft (NHi); in hand of William North; endorsed: "Copy to Geni Muhlenbg & to Colo. Innes. 2 March 81 respecting flags, &c." See Steuben to Nelson, 1 Feb., and Nelson's reply, 3 Feb.

J . P . G . Muhlenberg to Steuben Camp near Suffolk March 13th 1781 Enclos'd I have the Honor to transmit You a Letter from General Arnold, relative to the detention of his Flag at Westover. I must take the Liberty to request Your Answer that Arnold may be satisfied on that head. No Cartridges are yet come in. I have the Honor to be with great respect Dear General Your Most obedt Servt. P MUHLENBERG DEAR GENERAL

RC (NHi); addressed: "Honble Ma­ jor General Baron Steuben Williams­ burg." Steuben's reply of the same date is written on the address leaf of Muh­

lenberg's letter. Enclosure missing, but it was unquestionably Arnold's letter to Muhlenberg of 8 Mch. 1781 (see Arnold to Muhlenberg, 14 Mch. 1781).

Steuben to J . P . G . Muhlenberg [Williamsburg 13 March 1781] I cannot now enter into a Detail of the reasons that have induced a detention of the Flag of Truce sent to Westover. My conduct in this affair can be fully Justified. At this time, however it is highly improper that any intercourse [ 6 9 7 ]

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whatever should be kept up with the Enemy, more so that an Officer who has been 3 Weeks in the Country should now be permitted to return, and I must again insist that no Flags may be sent in or received. Dft ( N H i ) ; in hand of William North; written on verso of Muhlenberg's letter to Steuben of this date. There is also another draft of a similar letter at the foot of Muhlenberg's and still an­ other on verso of its address leaf. Both of these have been crossed out. T h e first reads as follows: "In answer to your Letter of I am to inform you that in our present situation it is high­ ly improper that any intercourse what­ ever should be kept up with the Enemy, much more so that an Officer who has been three weeks in the Country should be permitted to Return." T h e second reads: "In answer to your letter of

I must inform you that the flag of truce in question came out some time since for the purpose of transacting business with the Inhabitants, who, on suspicion of some illegal practices be­ tween the Officer and some Individual Citizens of the State have (seized the Vessell a n d C o n f i n e d the Officer) thought proper to detain ( t h e F l a g ) both him and the Vessell. T h i s is the result of an enquiry I made on being informed of the affair. A s the flag came out to the Inhabitants and was not addressed to any Military Officer whatever, I have not thought proper to interfere with the Civil power on this occasion."

George L e e T u r b e r v i l l e to Steuben SIR March 14th [13?] 1781 I have this moment received a letter from the Governor in which he informs me that you are much displeased with me for detaining a letter by you directed to Lieut. Hare, and that you conceived it an intentional insult. Believe me Sir I never meant to insult any man breathing least of all yourself. I shoud deem myself far unfit to enjoy that Liberty I prize so much more than my Life if I intentionally even offended a man who has left his native country, his ease, his dignity, to make our cause his own. I am only sorry that I never have been applyed to before this or I cou'd with ease I think have acquitted myself. You must very well remember Sir that those Letters came to me thro' the channel of Colo. Innes. That Gentleman desired me to use them at discretion but by no means to discharge the Flag. He also sent me to the Governor. That very night I received your orders from Major Fairlie to move to Burwells Ferry. In consequence of this I sent Mr. Hare to Wmsburg, since which Period I have never seen Mr. Hare. Major Fairlie informed me that the troops then under my command were to be in Suffolk the 5th and his opinion coinciding with my own I came on this side since which I have never till today heard one Syllable from the other side. The Letter in question I left at Sandy Point with all public papers. It shall be returned directly. I flatter myself Sir you will not permit any partial prejudices to arise against me till I have the pleasure of seeing you which will be early tomorrow. I have the honor to be with much respect Sir, &c. &c. GEO: L E E T U R B E R V I L L E Major March 13th 1781 R C ( N H i ) ; addressed: "The honble Major Geni. Baron Steuben Williams[698

burg"; endorsed: "Major Turberville 14 March 1781." Turberville dated his ]

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south side of the James and was ex­ pecting to go to Williamsburg on the day following.

Benedict Arnold to J . P. G . Muhlenberg SIR Head Quarters Portsmouth March 14th 1781 I wrote you the 8th Inst. by Lieutenant Heron respecting the deten­ tion of a Flag of Truce, which left this place on the 10th of February, with my permission to go to Westover, to which I beg leave to referr, and to which I have not received an answer. I have therefore sent Lieut. Learmonth with a Flag for an answer to my letter referred to, and expect as you are a Gentleman, that an explicit and not an evasive answer will be returned me. The violation of a Flag of Truce is so unprecedented among civilized, nay among Savage Nations, and calls so loudly for redress or retaliation, that I esteem it my duty to demand to know for what reasons mine has been violated in the instance of Lieutenant Hare, and that the Vessel and people should be immediately released, and returned to me. If I receive not a satisfactory answer or you persist to act in defiance to the Law of Nations, I shall be under the necessity of taking such measures however disagreeable, and which I have hitherto avoided, as will teach a proper respect to Flags of Truce, and will convince those in power among you that I am not to be trifled with. I beg you to remember that I have hitherto spared your defenceless Towns and private property. I wish not to be forced into acts of severity, at which the humane heart must recoil. I beg leave also to observe (in compassion to your people Prisoners with me) that I have either received none, or evasive answers to every proposal I have made for an Exchange of these unhappy people. I have the honor to be Sir Your obedient humble Servt. B. A R N O L D B Geni RC (NHi); endorsed: "Geni Arnold Portsmo. 14 March 1781 ansd."

George Lee Turberville to Steuben The Rawleigh 8 O clock at night SIR [Williamsburg, ca. 15 March 1781] Will you permit me to interrupt your repose for five minutes? Cer­ tainly the Baron Steuben will not disdain to appropriate that trifling period of his time to render a small retribution to a person so greatly injured as I am. Need I again mention the Lines (the wide extended lines) that mark the limits of my distresses? Yes, perhaps the living testimony may be better understood better attended to, than the transient passing of a verbal recitation. I will enumerate the crimes. A permission is granted to a flag Officer [699]

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to proceed to Westover from Sandy point, horrid impropriety!—but Stop, is it the action or the prior acting intention that stamps malignity? certainly the intention else what creates the difference between acci­ dental and willfull murder? Now pray Sir what private or sinister view coud possibly have actuated me? does not the tenor of my conduct from that actual zeal give rise to all my motives? In the next place, just as fortune had open'd a feild for me to gain some little reputation in you order me up, deprive me of command and reduce me to the absolute necessity of quiting the service, for what? for retaining a letter which was given me to act with according to my discretion. But ah! this is not all. I have been represented to the Governor in a light which I by no means deserve, which your own conscience must tell you is wrong. From this letter the council with the Governor have great reason to deem me culpable, how am I to clear my character since you deny me a court? Now Sir, I shall conclude with observing that in the first instance you censure me for being imprudently overzealous, in the next you condemn me unmeritedly in the last you damningly punish me un­ deservedly. To your own candour, to your honor, to your virtue, to your superior knowledge I appeal, and ask whether I have deserved the many injuries I have received. I must further sollicit you to give me in writing the crimes that you have punished me thus severely for, that I may shew them to the Mar­ quis to whom I mean to apply for command. Give me leave to add Sir that I shoud be happy if you wou'd with candour give me your opinion in what manner I may receive redress? I flatter myself that you will not conceive that I meanly kneel to superior power for favors. Bred in and actuated by the real principles of patriotic Liberty, I woud disdain to kiss the feet of pageant Pomp for that which my Personal merits might deny me. I have the honor to be &c. G E O L E E TURBERVILLE RC (NHi); addressed: "the honble Major Geni, baron Steuben"; endorsed: "Respecting" the Flagg-." The date is uncertain, though undoubtedly after Turberville's letter to Steuben of 13 (or 14) Mch. and probably before his of 16 Mch. In the former letter Turber­

ville stated that he expected to see Steu­ ben the next day (that is, the 14th or 15th); this personal interview may have prompted the present letter, to which Steuben sent a brief reply (see letter following).

George Lee Turberville to Steuben SIR The Rawleigh [Williamsburg] March 16th. 1781 The brevity of your last night's answer to my letter assured me of what I had long before surmised. I conceive that my supposed little­ ness must have been the cause of your acting in a manner so totally derogatory to ev'ry principle of Justice with me. But least this shou'd be the case I must beg leave to assure you that altho' I may not have [700]

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seen so many campaigns as you have altho the Rules and particular punctilios of War in dispotic States may not be so familiar to my under­ standing, Still Sir I conceive myself by no means your Inferior in prin­ ciple personal courage or real integrity. Like you I equally feel the galling sting of intentional insult. Like you I possess a Spirit to resent an ill when an Established tribunal may refuse me satisfaction. I have (much to the injury of my internal feelings) made greater concessions crouched more for favor to you than even the greatest or the most divine of Mortals cou'd have expected. Contumely, excessive contempt, and Manifest injury has been the gratitudinal returns I have received. A just reward for the insignificant meanness that I had offer'd such adoration to a man as the God of Nations alone had a right to demand from me. I am excessively sorry to find that you shou'd conceive Sir I meant to sollicit a new command from you. Some very cogent reasons must operate with me against that Idea the first the most material is that you have none I wou'd receive, or else I never would have given up one, which you cou'd not have taken from me. Another is that the Marquis is the present commandant in the State and certainly I shoud apply first to the Fountain head. The last reason is very striking. Shou'd I not deserve to be deem'd the prince of Blockheads, if / ever intrusted my invaluable reputation again under the command of a man who refuses me, that which the commander in chief wou'd be happy to bestow on any individual private namely Justice. Now Sir I must sollicit your final determination. You yesterday eve­ ning told me you woud not arrest me. Your letter seems to specify an arrest, whether must I conceive myself so or not? If I am arrested there are Officers enough in town to try me. I am prepared and request a trial tomorrow. If I am not arrested I shall repair to Colo. Innes. After having thus repeatedly applyed for trial I must as a man, a freeman, a V I R G I N I A N , demand categorically your Answer and your Motives for denying me that justice which I have an undoubted right to demand. Yr humble Servant GEO:

L E E TURBERVILLE

RC (NHi). Addressed: "the honble Major General Baron Steuben." LAST NIGHT'S ANSWER: Steuben's letter of 15 Mch. has not been found.

YOUR

L i s t of C h a r g e s against G e o r g e L e e T u r b e r v i l l e [Williamsburg, ca. 17 Mch. 1781] Major Tuberville is Arrested on the following Charges— 1st. For having without proper Authority given permission to an Officer belonging to the Enemy, to pass thro' the Country to Westover. 2d. For having violated a Flag of Truce by confining the Officer searching his papers and by force of Arms Seizing the Vessell which carried the flag. [701]

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3d. For having made false reports relating to the Flag of Truce. 4th. For having without proper Authority sent a Detachment of Armed Men to the House of Mrs. Byrd and seized her papers. 5. For detaining a Letter wrote by me to L t . Hare and for quitting his Post without orders and carrying the Letter to Richmond. 6 For breaking his Arrest and for disrespectfull and provoking behaviour to his Commanding Officer. Dft ( NHi ) ; in William North's hand; endorsed: "Copy of the Charges against Major Tuberville." There is no date, but the charges were probably drawn up shortly after Turberville's letter to Steuben of 16 Mch. which concluded

with a thinly-veiled threat of a challenge to a duel. Compare the present list with the four charges against Turberville that T J considered valid ( T J to Turberville, 26 Mch. 1781).

George L e e T u r b e r v i l l e to Steuben SIR [Before 27 March 1781] Upon recollecting what has past between us I conceive that as a Soldier I may have said what might be esteemed improper, and as I wou'd wish to act according to the strictest rules of propriety in ev'ry deportment I am sorry that my conduct may have infringed on the Respect due to your Character as a Major Geni. I am willing in that Line to make such concessions as the affair may demand. I am with respect &c. &c. &c. G E O L E E TURBERVILLE RC (NHi); addressed: "The honble Major Geni. Baron Steuben." The date is uncertain, but no doubt the letter was written about the time that Turberville was released from custody by Steuben, which was certainly before 27 Mch. (see Lafayette to T J , 27 Mch. 1781).

Charles H a r e to Steuben SIR [Williamsburg, ca. 28 March 1781] I should ever be sorry to betray the least want of respect by my frequent applications; but I am confident your natural politeness will pardon any little trouble the finally adjusting my business will create, when you reflect on my very delicate situation. You must be convinced Sir, as I have before observed, nothing but my very great esteem for Mrs. Byrd induced me to come on this service, the event has proved how disagreeable a one it has been to me! very different from what I expected. I have now only one wish remaining that is for your approbation for my joining my commanding Officer immediately. I have therefore to request you will suffer me to proceed to Hampton agreeable to the first orders which I find are since countermanded and orders given for my return to Williamsburg. I am convinced Sir it will make no dif­ ference to you whether I go by the way of Hampton or any other route, but will make a very material one to me. I have already met with dis[702]

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appointments enough without that of delaying my return any longer. My Baggage is now on its way to Hampton where I beg I may remain till it arrives and then proceed agréable to the first intention. I have the honor to remain Sir with the greatest respect your very humble Servant C H A R L E S H A R E Lt P.S. I am informed by Collo Innes I am indebted to you for an answer to my former Letters which I have never received. RC (NHi); addressed: "The Honorable Major General Stuben."

Steuben to Charles Hare SIR [ca. 28 March 1781] The Flag you came with not being addressed to any Military Officer and the purposes of the flag being entirely of a Civil Nature I did not interfere with Government in this affair till I perceived you was de­ tained longer than was necessary. From that moment I have done every thing in my power to accomodate the matter and am happy to inform you, that you are now at liberty to go on board your Vessell, hoist your flag, and proceed with the inclosed passport to Portsmouth, Orders having been given to withdraw the Guard. I am with much esteem Dft (NHi); in hand of William North; endorsed: "Copy to Lt Hare of the British Navy." The date is uncer­ tain; both Hare's letter preceding and the present were apparently written some days after Steuben's letter to Muhlenberg of 13 Mch. 1781. At that time there was still every reason to be­ lieve that the attack on Portsmouth

would be launched forthwith; hence, as Steuben pointed out, it would have been unwise to permit an enemy officer who had been "three weeks" behind the American lines to return to his post. Moreover, Lafayette's letter of 27 Mch. to T J seems to indicate that the matter of the flag had not then been disposed of.

Mary Willing Byrd to [Thomas Nelson?] SIR [Westover, 10 Aug. 1781] Mr. Southall waits on you, to inform you of my situation, with re­ spect to four Horses now in my possession, and to take your directions respecting them. As I have intruded on your leisure, Sir, permit me to engage your attention a little longer. I am greatly injured; to you I beg leave to apply, for an opportunity of being redressed. This claim I surely have a right to make as a female, as the parent of eight children, as a vir­ tuous citizen, as a friend to my Country, and as a person, who never violated the laws of her Country, either by mistake, or intentionally. No person with principles of honor, or any other virtue that can grace humane nature, will contradict my assertion. I am told that I have some enemys left. If I have, I know them not, nor am I known by them. No person who knows me can be my enemy, for I am at least an inoffensive person. I wish not ill to the meanest creature on earth. If I were con[ 703 ]

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vinced that your ear had been abused with respect to me, I would immediately wait on you and convince you, that I am as inocent of the charges made against me, as you are yourself. I owe too much to my honor to betray my Country. No person breaths whose reputation is dearer to them than mine is to me. You have been so good Sir, as to assure me, it would give you the greatest pleasure to grant me a flag. I hope it is now convenient; I have lost 49 of my people, 3 fine Horses and two fine Ferry Boats, all of which Lord Cornwallis promised me should be returned me. Other people have had flags granted them; the Baron assured me I should have one, whenever the enemy were in­ clined to deliver me my people. I flatter myself you will excuse my being thus troublesome. I hear repeatedly of the death of my people, some who wished much to return; others are gone to New York. I f I do not recover my people, my family are ruined, and this, worthy Sir, you have the power of preventing. Shall it be said, because I am a stranger in the Country, that I am not to have justice in any line. I have sent my Soldier, who had lost his life in the Service of my Country. I have paid my taxes and have not been Personally, or Virtually represented. M y property is taken from me and I have no redress. I have the honor to be Sir, your most obedient humble Servant Text from C V S P , n, 312-13, where it is plausibly conjectured that it was ad­ dressed to Governor Thomas Nelson, despite the fact that Lafayette was in com­ mand of the military forces and was operating in the vicinity.

Mary W i l l i n g B y r d to S i r G u y Garleton SIR Westover June 5th. 1783 I flatter myself you will pardon the liberty I take in this address, the duty I owe my family will not permit my remaining an idle spectator, and partaker, of their distress. I am fully sensible you must have met many disagreeable applications, perhaps of a similar kind; tho I hope from my heart none have experienced such direful effects from the operations of the British as myself: and sincerely lament, that I should be added to the number of those who have distressed you, not doubting you possess all those finer feelings of humanity; that adorn the well bred Gentleman, and the Man of honor. I am Sir the Mother of eight children, five females, and three little helpless Boy's, brought up with the most flattering expectations by the most indulgent, and amiable father; they are now deprived of the support he left them; fallen from a state of affluence to know the want of many of the necessaries of life. Nothing short of this would have tempted me to apply for that relief I have been so repeatedly promised, (by General Phillips and Lord Cornwallis). Having been told you intended leaving the Continent, and having the most perfect reliance on the promises of his Lordship, that the ingagements of his Majesty's Commanders in Virginia should be fully complyed with, I have used the freedom of transmiting you, by M r . Francis a state of the losses I have sustained. I have omited many articles to a considerable amount. [704]

" T H E

AFFAIR

OF

W E S T O V E R "

As far as I have enumerated them, they are right; the account delivered to General Arnold was drawn out by his own Officers at his request; and being done in haste, it was impossible they could obtain a knowl­ edge of the whole; and I could not at that time, have told to the best of my knowledge, and belief, its amount was two hundred pounds ex­ clusive of the Cattle and Boat. Lord Cornwallis, General Phillips and General Arnold promised me most faithfully that all my people should be returned. The two last mentioned Gentlemen assured me that not one single Vessel should be allowed to depart this river untili they had undergone a search for my people, and every soul of them returned me. Lord Cornwallis treated me with great civility; and in terms most polite insisted on my making out an account of all my losses, which I should be fully paid for—that his Coffers were nearly empty at that time, and could furnish but a small supply; quite inadequate to the injuries he knew I had received. From York I received a message from his Lordship, that he was not then in a situation to make restitution, but that I might depend on his leaving such notice in the proper Office in New-York, as to secure it most effectually. At the same time one of his Aids requested my Steward to leave with him a memorandum to shew my claim. He replyed he could not there make out a proper account. He assured him it was not necessary to have a full account; that the payment should not be made according to that account, his Lordship being determined I should not suffer the smallest loss by the operations of the British Army. Your character has incouraged me to hope you will pardon this intrusion from a stranger. I have the honor to be Sir, with sentiments of the highest respect and esteem, Your most obedient humble servant M. B Y R D RC (ViWC); address leaf lacking, but there is no doubt that this letter was addressed to Sir Guy Carleton. The FIVE FEMALES, AND THREE LIT­ TLE HELPLESS BOY'S were, in the order of their births, Maria Horsmanden, Anne Willing, Evelyn, Abigail, Rich­ ard, Charles, Jane, and William. Their exact ages are not known, but the eldest was twenty-two at this time and the youngest was perhaps eight or nine ( R e c o l l e c t i o n s of J o s h u a F r a n ­

cis F i s h e r , privately printed, Boston, 1929, p. 103-104). MR. FRANCIS: Prob­ ably Tench Francis, who married Anne Willing, Mrs. Byrd's sister (same, p. 87). THE ACCOUNT DELIVERED TO GEN­ ERAL ARNOLD: This has not been found and it is not known when it was de­ livered, though, since it was "drawn out by his own Officers . . . in haste," it may have been prepared while the army was encamped at Westover be­ tween 4 and 10 Jan. 1781.

[705]

Preliminary indexes will be issued periodically for groups of volumes. A comprehensive index of persons, places, subjects, etc., arranged in a single consolidated sequence, will be issued at the conclusion of the series.

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Composed and printed by Princeton University Press. Illustrations are reproduced in collotype by Meriden Gravure Company, Meriden, Con­ necticut. Paper for the series is made by W . C. Hamilton & Sons, at Miquon, Pennsylvania; cloth for the series is made by Holliston Mills, Inc., Norwood, Massachusetts. Bound by the J . C. Valentine Company, New York. DESIGNED

B Y P. J .

CONKWRIGHT