GRAYSON, WILLIAM (continued): an English fleet of merchantmen. Col. Febiger's zeal in procuring clothes and tents attended with only moderate success. Afraid army will be distressed for woollen clothing and blankets. Will squeeze out about 500 suits for the Virginia line. Blames Virginia for not properly clothing her troops. N. B.-Gen. Greene to command to the southward. Parsons promoted to rank as Major-General. Heath commands at West Point. No. 45. 1781. April 24. War Office.-Warning him of the reported embarkation of Gen. Clinton for the southward with 3000 men. Believes they meditate immediate descent on Virginia to coöperate with Cornwallis for the conquest of that State and North Carolina. Has private intelligence that French fleet destined for America has not yet sailed. Wayne to set out in a day or two. Scarcity of cash the reason for his delay. Maryland dragoons in want of everything. Dutch have closed with Great Britain as to hostilities. Major Anderson of Virginia and several other officers exchanged by Gen. Moultrie. Cornwallis' threat to send all American officers to Jamaica. P.S.-In future will not sign his name to any letter, as the British make a point of seizing post-riders and publishing the letters. No. 86. 1781.-May 29. Philadelphia.-Detailed account of arms ready to be sent on, and those in preparation. No money in Virginia to buy anything, and no credit. Wayne on his way to Fredericksburg. Six hundred new levies expected from Maryland and Delaware. With Moylan's horse and Steuben's 1200 cannot Cornwallis be faced? Evacuation of New York not so improbable. Conjectures concerning the destination of the last detachments from New York. Advices from Europe most hopeful. No. 95. 1781.-June 5. Philadelphia.-Desires more particular intelligence concerning the Marquis' whereabouts, and the number of his (Gen. Weedon's) own force. By July 1, there will be sufficient arms in Virginia for every purpose. Three battalions of militia ordered from Maryland and four from Pennsylvania. Incloses list of arms sent on. Will send by every post further GRAYSON, WILLIAM (continued): details. Will push hard to get leave to go to Virginia, after arranging matter of arms. No. 106. 1781.-June 5. Philadelphia.-Asking that an officer may be sent to Noland's Ferry, who shall remain until July 1, to direct the waggoners where to take the arms. No. 108. 1781. June 12. Philadelphia. -Acknowledging letter of 5th inst. List of arms sent. Upwards of 200 muskets repaired daily. Swords and pistols not so numerous, but promises a certain number. Has informed the Marquis of these matters and has suggested the propriety of collecting and stationing a body of volunteers at Leesburgh. Heard that the Duc de Lauzun's corps were at Lebanon, but uncertain whether their destination is Virginia. Advises skirmishes, but no general No. 120. action. 1781.-June 18. Philadelphia.-Acknowledging letter, and glad to hear that matters are not so desperate. Fears the Marquis will risk a battle. Great superiority of the enemy's cavalry. Mentions various reinforcements if only the Marquis will wait for them. Assembly of Pennsylvania doing nothing, still debating the advisability of sending troops to Virginia's aid. Convulsed by faction and ruled by Republican party. President of the State desires the measure, and also the command of the troops, if they march. News of arrival of ships at Boston containing 1200 recruits and military stores for French army at Rhode Island. Also news too good to be true of the arrival in Boston of the Alliance and Lafayette with food and clothing. Difficulty in getting waggoners to carry the arms, several of them having been taken by the enemy. No. 129. 1781. June 26. Philadelphia.-Clothing and 200,000 cartridges despatched to the Marquis, also arms, which were repaired. Moylan will leave Lancaster in two days with 60 dragoons. well accoutred. Arrival of Capt. Barry at Boston in the Alliance. Parted, at sea in a gale, with the Lafayette, containing all the arms and clothing. Safety of this vessel of more importance than three victories. Pennsylvania doing well. Reasons for thinking Gen. Weedon ought not to join the Marquis. Desires his opinion of rampart arms. List of arms ordered. No. 140. GREENE, NATHANAEL (Gen.): 1777.-February 24. Basking Ridge, N. Y.-Acknowledging letter of 23d inst. Ignorant who gave Col. Guyger orders to come to his department, but will arm them. Col. Piper's detachment to join Gen. Putnam. Attack made on foraging party of enemy, from Amboy, 4000 strong. Enumerates casualties on both sides. Col. Johnson, with party of Maryland militia, attacked enemy, but, just as they were in his power, his party cowardly deserted him. Will send prisoners, taken by Gen. Warner, to Morristown. N. B.-Enemy killed two of the inhabitants because they did not assist them to carry off their dead. No. 2. 1782.—April 22. Headquarters near Dorchester.-First part of letter personal and amusing. In latter part, speaks of ragged and destitute condition of the army. Complaints of officers and men. Not a good condition in which to face a superior No. 142. enemy. Not a drop of spirits in camp. 1782.—October 1. Headquarters.—Congratulations on the approaching peace. Evacuation of Savannah and Charleston, old news. Refugees embarking for St. Augustine—no greater punishment. Their situation there deplorable: no shelter, no food. Resentment of people too strong to admit pity. Expects whole British army to be gone by the 12th or 15th. His work being completed, hopes to go North. Took pride in getting rid of enemy without foreign aid. Prospects flattering, but vigilance still needed. Meeting of officers to be held in January to learn their wishes in respect to returning from, or continuing in, service. For himself, desires, above everything, to be a private citizen. Particulars about Col. Washington's and Lt. Col. Lee's marriage. Remembrances HENDRICKS, JAMES (Col.): 1781.-May 15.—Alexandria.-Reporting unnecessary delay in the carrying of a letter from the Marquis to Gen. Wayne. Desires the matter to be looked into and the delinquent punished. 1781.-June 19. No. 93. Alexandria.-Acknowledging letter of 17th inst. Capt. Moore, commanding Volunteer Light Horse at HENDRICKS, JAMES (continued): Georgetown, does not think he is justified in moving without the Governor's instructions. Such punctilios a pity. Hears the Executive of Maryland has never been called on, officially, for her aid; if true, wishes the Marquis would call on them. Can find no shoes in town. Must get County Commissioner's assistance to procure vinegar and spirits. Will do all in his No. 133. power. HOLMES, JOSEPH: 1781.-June 5. Winchester.-Acknowledging letter of 2d inst., concerning the guarding of prisoners. Renders account of the prisoners, their number and rank. JEFFERSON, THOMAS: No. 105. No date.-Executive will impress necessary boats. Light boats. being built but not to be depended on. No. 30. 1780.-July 28. Richmond.-Asks for duplicate certificates, setting forth at what time the regiments were taken on the Continental establishment, whether armed by the State, and how many arms they carried. No. 32. 1780.-October 22. Richmond.-Received this day certain information of the arrival of a considerable fleet of the enemy in the bay, and of their intended debarkation. Measures taken to oppose them. His (Gen. Weedon's) presence needed to aid in the command, also Gen. Muhlenberg's, Gen. Nelson's and Gen. Stevan's. No. 43. 1780.-November 3. Richmond.-State of magazine renders it essential that not a single arm shall be lost. No militia man who has received a public arm shall be discharged from duty until he has returned it, or given a satisfactory account of it. If he omits to do this, he shall be declared a deNo. 52. 1780.-November 6. In Council.-Every kind of necessary in future to be impressed according to the directions of the invasion law. One hundred copies of this clause to be printed. The State Quartermaster directed to spare to Mr. Southall two of the three wagons he has. Question as to who has the right of appointing the surgeon and the surgeon's mate. Encloses £125 new money, only kind issued from the treasury, equal to serter. JEFFERSON, THOMAS (continued): £5000 old money. Offers any aid in their power to promote Discusses No. 64. 1780.-November 7. In Council.-Encloses Militia Commission to Mr. Triplett, to enable him legally to impress provisions and necessaries. No. 56. 1781.-March 31. In Council.-Statement of the number of militia needed to relieve those first called upon. speediest way of obtaining reinforcements. Master Alexander Frazier Gregory to be permitted to land and proceed to Urbana, on account of services rendered Gen. Woodford by his father. Encloses letters to be delivered to the Flag vessel in James river. 1781.-April 3. In Council.-Desiring him to see that the militia, ordered to relieve those long in service, proceed to Gen. Muhlenberg's headquarters. Part of Gen. Muhlenberg's forces, having been three months from home, are very impatient. Thinks it wise not to hazard his (Weedon's) detachments more than is necessary. Scouring parties still keep up spirits of the people, protect them from depredation, and, if withdrawn of nights, will, perhaps, be safe. Disposition of vessels containing stores. P. S. Very particular attention to be paid to the returning of public arms and ammunition. No. 72. 1781.-April 4. In Council.-Acknowledging letters of 1st, 2d, 3d inst. Impossible to send additional arms at present. Any men from the counties destined for the present tour, who cannot be armed, may be sent to Gen. Muhlenberg, whose rifle. men will not stay until reliefs arrive. Encloses resolution of Council concerning exchange of prisoners under general rules, the advantage of which will result equally to the lowest and highest citizen. Right of turn an insuperable obstacle to every proposition for the exchange of Col. Curle. Desires Col. Curle's enlargement may be obtained on such a parole as a man of honor could sign. Our kindness to captive English officers should render refusal difficult. Encloses list of prisoners for exchange, soldier for soldier, sailor for sailor, etc. No. 73. |