Title: From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 24 December 1782
From: Washington, George
To: La Luzerne, Anne-César, chevalier de

                            Sir
                            Head Quarters Newburgh Decembr 24th 1782.

                        I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s Letter of the 18th of this Month with one
                            for the Marquis de Vaudreuil which was sealed and forwarded by express immediately, and I am exceedingly obliged to your
                            Excellency for the communication of its contents—As the Marquis informs me he should sail the 22d. I am fearfull that Baron
                            Fuchs who passed this place the 23d in the morning will not arrive in time.
                        The British have a Packet arrived which left England the 3d or 4th of November, the papers published since
                            her arrival give us nothing new. with much esteem—I have the honor to be Your Excellencys Most Obedt humble Servt

                            Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Philippe-André-Joseph de Létombe, 24 December 1782
From: Létombe, Philippe-André-Joseph de
To: Washington, George

                            Monsieur,
                            Boston 24. decembre 1782. Le vent étant fait et très favorable. à 3 heures 1/2

                        Jai l’honneur d’informer votre Excellence que l’heure vient de mettre à la Voile.
                        Monsieur Le Baron de Viomenil et Monsieur Le Marquis de Vaudreuil m’ont chargé de les rappeller
                            particulierement au souvenir de votre Excellence et de Vous présenter, Monsieur, Leurs obéissances et Leurs Compliments. Je suis infiniment flatté, Monsieur, de trouver cette occasion de Vous offrir Les hommages les Sentiments et
                            le Respect avec Les quels je Suis, Monsieur, de Votre Excellence Le très humble et très obéissant Serviteur

                            deletombe

                            P.S. Monsieur le Mis de Vaudreuil demande Les  votre Excellence  le Paquet ci-inclus.


Title: From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 24 December 1782
From: Washington, George
To: Lincoln, Benjamin

                            Sir
                            Newburgh Decr 24 1782

                        As it was your opinion when you honored the Army with your presence in Octr last, and as it was clearly mine,
                            that the two Regiments of New Jersey and New Hampshire & the Regiment of Rhode Island, had better remain entire
                            Corps until the States to which they respectively belonged should (on application being made to them) determine whether
                            they would recruit those Corps to the number required by Congress, or not; and as the States of New Jersey & New
                            Hampshire, have resolved to recruit their said Regts to 500 Rank & File each—I am now more fully convinced that we
                            ought at least to wait the issue of these measures, before a reduction shall take place.
                        Policy, true interest, and every other consideration point so strongly to the expediency of this, that I hope
                            there can be no hesitation in complying with it—To you Sir, who know the disadvantages of broken Corps, especially haw
                            expensive they are, how impracticable it is to establish good oeconomy in them, to keep up a proper police, & preserve them
                            from mouldering away, no Arguments can be necessary, and I persuade myself, on your representation of the matter.
                            Congress will suffer them to remain & take the chance of recruiting.
                        At all events, in the present temper of the Army, there appears to have been good policy in postponing the
                            reduction of these Regts untill the derangement of the larger Lines was effected—In the Lines of Massachusetts &
                            Connecticut, (where the reduction could be made without involving the evil of broken Corps), the arrangement has taken
                            place—the ten Regts of the former having been reduced to eight, the five of the Latter to three. I have the honor to be
                            with perfect esteem Sir Your Most Obedt Servt

                            Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Jeremiah Olney, 24 December 1782
From: Washington, George
To: Olney, Jeremiah

                            Dear Sir
                            Head Quarters Decr 24th 1782

                        In answer to your favor of the 14th enclosing an application from Lieut. Greene of your Regt to retire from
                            service, I have to inform you, that (by the explanation of the Secretary at War) the Emoluments of the Act of Congress of
                            the 19th of Novr last, were not intended to extend to any Officers except such as belong to the Lines which are
                            reduced—therefore the request respecting Lieut. Greene, however deserving he may be, cannot be complied with, unless a
                            derangement should take place in your Corps; and this you know will ultimately depend upon the States compleating or not
                            compleating the Regt to the proposed establishment of 500 Rank & File—Perhaps Mr Greene had better wait the event,
                            and if the reduction should be carried into execution avail himself of it; otherwise it will be at his option to make his
                            resignation at any time. I am, with great esteem Dear Sir Your Most Obedt Servt

                            Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 24 December 1782
From: Washington, George
To: Pickering, Timothy

                            Sir
                            Head Quarters Newburgh Decr 24. 1782

                        The bad state of affairs in your Department, is such as makes your presence indispensably necessary with the
                            Army; The complaints of all, from the Major General to the lowest Staff Officer entitled to keep a Horse, are agravated to
                            the highest possible degree, on account of the continual want of Forage—As a specimen of the distress, which has fallen
                            under my own observation, you may be assured, my Horses have been four days without a handfull of Hay & three of
                            the same without a mouthfull of Grain; since which I have been induced to order forage to be purchased with my own private
                            Money at any expence, rather than see them perish before my eyes—but I am now informed it is fourteen days since the
                            Horses of the Army have had either long or short feed of any kind whatever—All business which ought to be performed by
                            Officers serving on horseback must cease to be done—Some of the General Officers have sent away every Horse; others have
                            notified me that it will not be possible for them to attend at Head Quarters on any occasion, even the most pressing, their
                            Horses being too weak to carry them, and they unable to walk so great a distance: Nor can I expect the field Officers of
                            the day to perform their duties any longer.
                        There is another public inconveniency which will probably happen, and of which it will be proper to give the
                            Post Master Genl timely notice, that is, the total incapacity of the Dragoon Horses destined to escort, or rather to carry,
                            the Mail, to proceed any longer; he must therefore expect that in which this Letter goes, to be
                            the last which will be received from the Eastward thro’ this mode of conveyance, until new Arrangements shall take place;
                            as the Dragoons were obliged to bring the last Weeks Mail from Morris Town, a considerable part of the distance on their
                            backs, and as their Horses have had no forage from that day to the present—How far these evils are absolutely irremediable
                            I do not undertake to decide, but if they can be avoided, I am certain I need not, in addition to all the other ill
                            consequences, attempt to enforce the ill oeconomy which must result from this unparralled scarcity, by an example which
                            General Gates has just mentioned, that for want of forage to the value of five pounds he has lost a public Team of Horses
                            worth more than One hundred Pounds.
                        My principal objects, Sir, in giving you this detail of particulars, are, to convince you that the distresses
                            and clamours for want of Forage have never been so great at any former time as at the present Moment, to request you will
                            lay a state of the matter before the Superintendant of Finance, and after making the best arrangements in your power to
                            procure a future supply, that you will proceed without loss of time to join the Army. I am Sir Your Most Obedient humble
                            Servant

                            Go: Washington


Title: General Orders, 25 December 1782
From: Washington, George
To:

                            Head Quarters Newburgh Wednesday Decr 25th 1782
                            Parole Groton
                            Countersigns Haverhill, Ilchester.

                                For the day tomorrow

                                Lt Colonel Cochran, Major Lansdale.

                                For duty tomorrow

                                the 1st Newhampshire regiment

                        Untill further orders the old and New field officers of the day and commanding officers of Patrolls are to
                            meet every morning at 10 o’clock on the left of the third Massachusetts brigade; when the officers to be relieved will
                            make their reports and communicate every material occurrence to those who relieve them; The field officers for the day
                            will at the same time regulate the routs for the Patrols and give the officers commanding them their instructions.
                        The General highly approves the proposal made by the Revd Doctr Evans for erecting a public Building and
                            consents to the General & field officers meeting to determine on the situation and plan for it: the Doctor
                            therefore requests that those who are desirous of promoting so usefull a Scheme will be pleased to meet at Major General
                            Gates’s quarters tomorrow morning ten o’clock.


Title: To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 25 December 1782
From: Boudinot, Elias
To: Washington, George

                            Dear Sir,
                            Philadelphia 25th December 1782

                        I was honored by your Excellency’s letter of the 16th instant, which I laid before Congress.
                        It is with great pleasure that I congratulate your Excellency and the Army, on the admission of our
                            Independency and national Character by the Court of Great Britain; in the issuing a Commission under the Great Seal to Mr
                            Oswald, now at the Court of Versailles, for treating with any Commissioner or Commissioners of the Thirteen United States
                            of North America; a copy of which I do myself the honor to enclose for your Excellency’s information. There was a prior
                            commission to the same person to treat with the Thirteen Colonies &c. but our Commissioners refused to negoceate
                            under it, which produced this more explicit power.
                        Although there is great doubt yet, whether a peace will ensue, yet in case of a continuance of the War this
                            admission must have beneficial consequences.
                        The following Extracts contain the residue of our public intelligence.
                        "From several Asiatic accounts there is great probability that Madrass has been taken by the French Troops,
                            which have landed at Porto Neuvo, and the Army of Hyder Ally, with whom they have made a junction; but no official account
                            has come to hand, and this intelligence cannot be given as a certainty."
                        From Mr Adams.
                        "We have at length the consent of all the Cities and Provinces, and have adjusted and agreed upon every
                            article, word, syllable, letter and point in the Treaty of Commerce, and Clerks are employed in making out fair copies for
                            signature, which will be done this week. Amidst the innumerable crouds of Loans which are opened in this Country, many of
                            which have little success, I was much afraid that our’s would have failed. I have however the pleasure to inform you that
                            I am at last One Millions and an half of Florins, or Three Millions of Livres, in Cash, which will aid the operations of
                            our Financier."
                        Some of the foreign letters to Gentlemen of Consequence here mention a belief at the Court of France, that
                            both Charles Town and New-York would be evacuated this Fall.
                        Your Excellency’s private favour of the 14th instant, also came safe to hand by Colo. Tilghman. The benevolent
                            subscription of twenty Guineas with which your Excellency honored the attempts to raise a provision for the truly unhappy
                            Family of the late Revd Mr Caldwell, was of special service to those destitute Orphans by so excellent an example. I have
                            hitherto had the sole care of these helpless Children, and whenever it will perfectly coincide with your other affairs, I
                            will gratefully accept this instance of your generous attention in their behalf.
                        Genl du Portail is arrived in the Frigate that brought our dispatches referred to above.
                        Mrs Boudinot and Miss Susan join me in the most affectionate compliments of the Season to Mrs Washington and
                            your Excellency. I have the honor to be, with very great respect and esteem, Your Excellency’s Obedt & very humb.
                            Serv

                            Elias Boudinot

                     Enclosure

                                 21 September 1782

                            George the Third by the Grace of God, of Great Britain France and Ireland, King &c.
                            To our truly and well beloved Richard Oswald, of our City of London, Greetings—Whereas by virtue of an
                                Act passed in the last Session of Parliament, entitled "An Act to enable his Majesty to conclude a peace or truce with
                                certain colonies in North America therein mentioned," it is noted that it is essential to the
                                interest, welfare and prosperity of Great Britain and the colonies or plantations of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts
                                Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsa The three lower counties in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, N.
                                Carolina, S. Carolina & Georgia in North America, that peace, intercourse, trade & Commerce should be
                                restored between them: Therefore and for a full manifestation of our earnest wish & desire and of that of our
                                Parliament, to put an end to the calamities of War, it is enacted, that it should and might be lawful for us, to
                                treat, consult of, agree and conclude with any Commissioner or Commissioners named or to be named, by the said
                                Colonies or Plantations, or any of them, respectively, or with any Body or Bodies corporate or politic, or any Assembly
                                or Assemblies or description of Men, or any person or persons whatsoever, a peace or truce with the said colonies or
                                plantations or any of them, or any part or parts thereof, any Law, Act or Acts of Parliament, matter or thing to the
                                contrary in any wise notwithstanding: Now Know Ye, that we reposing special trust in your wisdom, loyalty, diligence
                                & circumspection in the management of the Affairs to be hereby committed to your charge, have nominated
                                & appointed constituted and assigned, and by them present do nominate and appoint, constitute &
                                assign, you the said Richard Oswald to be our Commissioner in that behalf, to use and exercise all and every the
                                powers and authorities hereby intrusted and committed to you the said Richard Oswald, and to do, perform and execute all
                                other matters and things hereby enjoined and committed to your care during our Will &
                                Pleasure and no longer, according to the tenor of those our letters Patent; And it is our Royal Will and pleasure, and
                                we do thereby authorize, empower and require you the said Richard Oswald to treat, consult of & conclude with
                                any Commissioners or Persons vested with equal powers by and on the part of the Thirteen United States of America viz.
                                New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey Penna Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North
                                Carolina South Carolina, & Georgia in North America, a peace or truce with the said Thirteen United States,
                                any Law, Act or Acts of Parliament, matter or thing to the contrary in otherwise notwithstanding; and it is our
                                further Will and pleasure, that every regulation, provision, matter or thing which shall have been agreed upon between
                                you the said Richard Oswald and such Commissioners or persons or aforesaid with whom you shall have judged meet
                                and sufficient to enter into such Agreement, shall be fully and Intimately set forth in writing and authenticated by
                                your hand and seal on one side and by the hands & seals of such Commissioners or persons on the other; and such
                                Instrument so authenticated shall be by you transacted to us through one of our principal Secretaries of State, and it
                                is our further Will and pleasure that you the said Richard Oswald shall promise and engage for us and in our Royal
                                name & word that every Regulation, provision matter or thing which may be agreed to and concluded by you our
                                said Commissioner, shall be satisfied & confirmed by us in the fullest manner and extent, and that we will not
                                suffer them to be violated or counteracted either in whole or in part by any person whatsoever; and We do hereby
                                require and command all our Officers civil and military, and all others our loving subjects whatsoever, to be aiding
                                and assisting unto you the said Richard Oswald in the execution of this our Commission and of the powers and
                                authorities herein contained: Provided always, and We do hereby declare and ordain that the several Offices powers and
                                authorities hereby granted shall cease and determine and become utterly null & void on the first day of July
                                in the year of our Lord 1783, although we shall not otherwise in the mean time have worked and determined the same:
                                And Whereas in and by our Commission & Letters Patent under our Great Seal of Great Britain bearing date the 7
                                day of Augst last, we nommated & appointed constituted and assigned you the said Richd Oswald to be our
                                Commissioner to treat consult of agree & conclude with any Commissioner or Commissioners named or to be named
                                by certain Colonies or plantations in America therein specified, a peace or truce with the said Colonies or
                                plantations: Now Know Ye that we have revoked & determined, and by these present do revoke and determine our
                                said Commission and of this Patent, and all and every power article and thing therein contained. In witness whereof we
                                have caused these our Letters to be made Patent.
                            Witness ourselves at Westminster, the 21 Day of Sept. 1782 in the 22 year of our reign. By the King
                                himself

                                Yorke

                                Paris 1 Oct. 1782 Certified &c. by

                                Richard Oswald


Title: To George Washington from Joseph Chandler, 25 December 1782
From: Chandler, Joseph
To: Washington, George

                            May it Please your Excellency
                            Bethlehem 25th of Decemr 1782

                        The third day of July last Mr Abner Hitchcock made complaint on oath that on Or about the twentyfirst day of
                            march last Lieut. Nathaniel Stone of the Masechusetts line in Colonel Voses regiment did wilfully Murder his Brother Captn
                            Luke Hitchcock of the Said regiment; Praying the law might be put in Execution against the Said murderer: in consequence
                            of which I issued a warrant to apprehend the Said Lieut. Stone And convey him to goal to be delt with according To the law
                            of this State, The constable repaired to West point where the Said Stone was at that Time, a coppy of whose proceedings
                            given under oath Is herewith transmitted No. 1 Immediately After the Said Stone left camp as i was informed And was absent
                            for Some time, dureing which time I was frequently called upon to demand him of the Officer that had engaged to deliver
                            him up to the Civil authority, at length i was informed that he Was doing duty at Verplanks point, On the Fourteenth day
                            of September last i wrote to Genl Paterson who i was informed was a Major Genl And the proper officer to demand the Said
                            Stone off; A coppy of which and his answer are marked No. 2. and 3. which is also here inclosed.
                        Your Exellency is not insensible That my office obliges me to exert my Self to Prosecute the affair, So that
                            not only the Frequent Solicitations of the relations of the deceased and others, But the laws of this State Conspire to
                            make it my duty: And as his Superiour officers seeme not inclined To deliver him up to the civil authority and He going
                            armed in Such a manner that No Civil officer can with Safety apprehend him. I am therefore under the disagreeable Necessity
                            of looking up to your Exellency for Redress. Which from your well known Regard to Justice and disposition to Support The
                            good and wholsome laws of these States, I doubt not you will cherefully grant, (if in your Power.) By ordering the Said
                            Lieut. Stone to be delivered up to the proper Civil officer. From your Excellencys Most Obedient Humble Servant.

                            Joseph Chandler Justice


Title: From George Washington to Moses Hazen, 25 December 1782
From: Washington, George
To: Hazen, Moses

                            Sir
                            Head Quarters Decr 25. 1782.

                        I have sent orders to Colonel Humpton in Philadelphia, to send on immediately all the recruits who have been
                            inlisted from among the Prisoners of War—Colonel Humpton is to send them as far as Princeton and I must desire to send a
                            sufficient number of Officers to meet them there and conduct them to this place—their numbers I believe amount to about
                            120 or 130. Provision is to be furnished them at Philadelphia to bring them to Pompton & the necessary Waggons to
                            convey their Provision and baggage to the Army.
                        You will please to give the necessary Instructions to the Officer who is to take charge of them, recommending
                            the strictest regularity during the March—Colonel Humpton is to advise you by express the day they are to arrive at
                            Princeton.


Title: From George Washington to Richard Humpton, 25 December 1782
From: Washington, George
To: Humpton, Richard

                            Sir
                            Hd Qrs Decr 25 1782

                        The Recruits raised from among the Prisoners of War are to be sent on as soon as possible to the
                            Army—Immediately therefore on the Recet of this you will please to have them put under the direction of a proper number of
                            the most prudent Officers you have under your Command, and sent to Princeton, where Officers will be orderd to attend and
                            bring them forward.
                        As I believe there is no issuing Store between Philadelphia and Pumpton you will have them furnished with
                            Provision to carry them to the latter place, and you will apply to the Quarter Mr General or his Deputy for the necessary
                            assistance to convey their Provision & baggage to the Army.
                        Previous to their March you will send an Express to General Hazen who commands at Pumpton acquainting him of
                            the time they will arrive at Princeton that he may order the Officers who are to take charge of them from that place to be
                            there in proper time.
                        You will give the necessary instructions to the Officer you send to observe the Strength Regularly on the
                            march and to take any precaution against desertion.


Title: From George Washington to Robert Morris, 25 December 1782
From: Washington, George
To: Morris, Robert

                            Sir
                            Head Quarters Newburgh, Decr 25th 1782

                        I have received the Two Letters you did me the honor to write on the 17th inst.
                        By the enclosed Return of Horses to which Forage was issued a few days since, you will be convinced the number
                            is much smaller than ever was kept with an Army of equal strength before—Sensible of the difficulty of procuring large
                            supplies in the vicinity of the Cantonment, I had directed all but those Horses I judged essential to the service to be
                            removed from the Army; that Order was punctually executed, and I flattered myself the Remainder might be subjected without
                            difficulty—But, Sir, you will be informed by the Qr Mastr Genl (to whose representation I beg leave to refer you) that the
                            contrary has happened, that the Officers are greatly perplexed, and the service extremely embarrassed on account of the
                            unparallelled deficiency of the Article.
                        Requesting your earliest attention to an object which I consider of very great importance. I remain with
                            perfect esteem &c. Sir &c.


Title: From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 25 December 1782
From: Washington, George
To: Randolph, Edmund

                            Dear Sir,
                            Newburgh 25th Decr 1782

                        By the last Post I recd a letter from Mr Lund Washington (who lives at my Seat, & takes care of my
                            business in Virginia) Inclosing a Letter from Jno. Francis Mercer Esqr. to him, with a decree of the High Court of
                            Chancery in Virginia ordering the Bonds &ca in my hands to be delivered to the Said Mr Mercer who was required to
                            give Bond & sufficient Security to comply with certain Provisos. in the Decree. Mr Washington never having heard
                            from you on the Subject; nor having—I presume—any official, or authentic notice that the requisites of the decree had been
                            complied with on the part of Mr Mercer refused to deliver the Bonds till he had my orders for it. As it is much my wish to
                            get quit of this business, I have, by this Post, directed him to give up the Bonds. &ca agreably to the Decree if
                            you should inform him that Security has been given, and should advise him thereto.
                        I have now, My dear Sir, to request the favor of you to give your Sentiments to Mr Lund Washington on these
                            points, by the first Post after this reaches your hand, who is directed to govern himself by them that as little
                            interruption as possible may be given to the business. If they are to give up the Bonds &ca be so good as to let
                            Mr Jno. Mercer (if he should be at Richmd from whence his Letter to Mr L. W—n was dated) know it that no delay that can
                            be avoided may take place. With the greatest esteem & regard I am—Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt & Affecte Hble
                            Servt

                            Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 25 December 1782
From: Smith, William Stephens
To: Washington, George

                            Sir
                            Dobbs’s Ferry 25th Decr 1782 12 at night

                        I have been honor’d with your Excellency’s Dispatches, in reply to my last, and shall act upon the several
                            Matters therein contain’d agreable to your directions. I have this Instant return’d with Capt. Pray from near Kings-Bridge
                            where we have been to meet, by appointment a Person from the City, who informs, that the fleet mention’d in my last,
                            sailed on the 23d having on-board  Merchants & Inhabitants with their Invalid and disabled Soldiers, he could not
                            learn whether they had embark’d any public- Stores but the opinion is still in force, with respect to their evacuation
                            early in the spring, and there is some talk of another fleet preparing to sail soon. Inclosed are the last Papers,
                            notwithstanding the many Puffs respecting Gibraltar they have still their doubts with regard to its Fate. They Seem
                            anxious to bring the affairs of the Refugees to a Point and to secure as many of them in service as possible having
                            notified the officers that regular Commissns will be made out for them upon application and their Men received as soldiers
                            upon the Establishment, that those who do not chuse to be considered on this footing will be disarmed and the allowance
                            they have hitherto received as soldiers be stopt. to-morrow is the period fixed for the conclusion of
                            this Business—It is supposed the fleet that is preparing to sail will convey to Nova Scotia a Number of families who have
                            agreed to Settle in that Place.
                        When I came to this Post I did not expect to remain but a short Time, and consequently brought nothing more
                            with me than what would answer for present Use; But as it is your Excellency’s Pleasure that I shall remain; I must
                            request permission to bring down the remainder of my Cloathing, Papers &c. I shall spend as little time as
                            possible in the performance of this Business and not leave the Post untill an officer appears who I think capable of
                            discharging the duties of it, during the short Period of my Absence. The Arrangements to be made with the Qr Master
                            &c. with regard to the necessary supplies will perhaps render a personal Interview with him necessary.
                        If your Excellency should think proper to indulge me in this request, I shall defer giving my opinion with
                            respect to the checking the present Injurious Communication with the Enemy, untill I have the Pleasure of waiting on
                            you—If not—I shall forward my Ideas on the Subject when I am acquainted with your Pleasure.
                        The Officers at Kings ferry when I have directed Letters to them, requesting they may be forwarded with
                            dispatch to your Excellency have in some Instances not comply’d, but obliged the Soldiers, tho’ fatigued, to proceed this
                            occasions unnecessary Delay’s and may be in some instances Injurious, If proper, I wish Instructions may be given to them
                            upon this Subject. Wishing you and your Lady the Compliments of the Season, I am Your Excellency’s Most Obliged Humble
                            Servt

                            W.S. Smith Lt Colo.


Title: From George Washington to Thaddeus Burr, 26 December 1782
From: Washington, George
To: Burr, Thaddeus

                        Sir
                            Head Qurs Newbg Decr 26th 1782

                        In compliance with the request of the Civil Authority and Select Men of the Town of Fairfield communicated in your Letter of the 23d of Novr I have sent the Infantry of Sheldon’s Legion under the Orders of Major Tallmadge to take Quarters in that place.I beg, Sir, you will be assured nothing could be more agreeable to me, than your laudable exertions to prevent that pernicious intercourse with the Enemy, which has become some extensive & alarming; and that I am with great esteem Sir Your Most Obt Servt.


Title: From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 26 December 1782
From: Washington, George
To: Tallmadge, Benjamin

                            Sir
                            Head Quarters Decr 26th 1782

                        As a reward for the signal gallantry of Captain Caleb Brewster of the 2nd Regt of Artillery, and the
                            Officers & Men under his command, in capturing on the Sound two Armed Boats then in the service of the King of
                            Great Britain and commanded by Captains Hoit & Johnson; you are hereby
                            authorised to cause the said Boats with all the property taken therein, to be disposed of for the benefit of the Captors,
                            and duly shared amongst them. I am Sir Your Most Obedient Hble Servant

                    Go: Washington


Title: General Orders, 27 December 1782
From: Washington, George
To:

                            Head Quarters Newburgh Friday December 27th 1782
                            Parole Newport
                            CounterSigns Oysterbay. Pompet

                                For the day tomorrow

                                Colonel Vanscaick Major Fish.

                                For duty tomorrow

                                the 7th Massachusetts regiment.

                        Commanding officers of Brigades and Regiments are desired to meet the Contractors, who are to supply the army
                            with Provisions from the first of January, at Majr General Howes Quarters, on Sunday next, at 11 o’clock A.M. in order to
                            agree upon some points relative to the issues.
                        Regulations for the Quarter Master Generals Department.
                        By the United States in Congress Assembled October 23d 1782.
                        Resolved That the establishment of the Quarter Master Genls Department by the resolutions of Congress of the
                            15th July 1780 be, from and after the first day of January next repealed, and the following Regulations then adopted in its
                            stead.
                        Resolved That there be one Quartermastergeneral, the present Qr Master genl to be continued in office; and
                            hereafter as Vacancies arise, to be appointed by Congress. That the Quarter Master Genl with the approbation of the
                            Commander in chief, appoint the following officers for the Armies of the United States vizt.
                        For the Main Army.
                        One Deputy Quarter Master
                        One Waggon master
                        One Commissary of Forage
                        One Director and one Sub. Director of a Company of Artificers.
                        For the Southern Army
                        One Deputy Quarter Master.
                        One Deputy Commissary of Forage
                        One Deputy Waggon Master
                        One Director, and one Sub Director of a Company of Artificers. And as many Assistants as the Service may
                            require in the Main and Southern army, to perform the duties of Quarter Masters of brigades, Store keepers, Clerks and
                            such other duties in the Quarter Masters departments as the service may require and also as many waggon Conductors.
                        That the pay per month of the officers in the Quarter master Generals Department, including their pay in the
                            line of the Army shall be as follows:

                                Dollars
                                Ninetyck

                                Quarter Master General
                                166
                                60

                                Deputy Qr Mr with the Southern Army
                                125
                                —

                                Deputy Qr Mr with the Main army
                                75
                                —

                                Waggon Master
                                60
                                —

                                Commissary of Forage for the main army
                                60
                                —

                                Do for the Southern army
                                60
                                —

                                Deputy Waggon Master for the Southern Army
                                50

                                Assistants in the Quarter Mastr Depart. each
                                30

                                Waggon Conductors, each
                                20

                                Directors of Artifices each
                                40

                                Sub. directors of ditto each
                                26
                                60

                        That the following be the proportion of Waggon & Bat. horses to the different ranks of officers;
                            unless otherwise directed, in special cases by the Commander in chief, or Commanding officer of the Southern army.
                        The Commander in Chief, and Commanding officer of the Southern army, for their own accomodation, and for
                            their families as many Baggage Waggons and Bat. horses as they may think necessary.
                        Major General & family, one covered four horse waggon, and one two horse Waggon.

                        Brigadier General & family one covered four horse Waggon.
                        Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, & Major one covered Four horse Waggon.
                        Captains & Subalterns of a regiment for their baggage one covered four horse Waggon.
                        Surgeons Paymaster, Adjutant, & Quarter Master, regimental staff, one covered four horse waggon.
                        Brigade Quarter Master one Bat. horse.
                        For the Tents of a regiment, for every seventy five men (but this to be varied according to the weight of the
                            tents & State of the roads) one open four horse waggon.
                        Quarter Master General, for his baggage, according to his rank: for his books, papers &c. as many as
                            he shall find necessary.
                        Deputy Quarter Master with the Main Army or with a seperate Army, for his baggage and for his books papers
                            &c. as one covered four horse Waggon.
                        Commissary of forage with the Main army his Clerks and Assistants, one covered four horse waggon.
                        Deputy Commissary of forage with a seperate Army, one two horse waggon.
                        Waggon Master and Clerks one covered four horse waggon.
                        Deputy Waggon master with the Southern army, his Clerks and Assistants, one two horse waggon, or two Bat.
                            horses.
                        Inspector General, for his Baggage according to his rank; and for his papers as the Commander in chief may
                            direct.
                        Inspectors, one two horse waggon.
                        Adjutant General, two covered four horse waggons—For the Baggage of his Assistants, Clerks & official
                            papers, one two horse Waggon.
                        Judge Advocate one two horse waggon.
                        Deputy Judge Advocate for the Southern army, one two horse waggon.
                        Commissary of Prisoners, one two horse waggon.
                        Deputy Commissary of Prisoners, southern army one two horse waggon.
                        Provost martial with the prisoners, and guards one open four horse waggon.
                        Field Commissary of Military stores & his Deputy, with the Main and Southern army, each one Bat.
                            horse.
                        Deputy Pay Master with the Main and Southern Army, each one two-horse Waggon.
                        Field Postmaster one Bat. horse.
                        Provided, that if the number of waggons stated above should prove insufficient, the Quarter Master Genl may
                            occasionally furnish such additional Carriages as the Commander in Chief or Commanding officer of a seperate army; or the
                            Secretary at War may direct.
                        That a ration of forage per day shall consist of fourteen lbs. hay & Ten quarts of oats for each
                            horse.
                        That there be issued to the Commander in Chief, and to the Commanding officer of a seperate army, and those
                            of their suite as many rations as the service may require.
                        That there shall be allowed for Saddle horses.

                                Rations

                                To a
                                Major General & family
                                7

                                Brigadier General & family
                                5

                                Colonel of Infantry or Artillery
                                2

                                Lt Colonel do
                                2

                                Major
                                2

                                Chaplain
                                1

                                Surgeon
                                1

                                Adjutant
                                1

                            Quarter Master1Brigade Quarter Master1

                                Quarter Master General
                                as the service may require.

                                Deputy Quarter Master with the Army
                                2

                                Captain of Engineers
                                1

                                Commissary of Forage
                                2

                                Deputy with the Southern army
                                2

                                Waggon master & Clerks three
                                 3

                                Deputy waggon Master, seperate army
                                2

                                Inspector General agreable to rank.

                                Inspecter in addition to what he draws in the Line
                                1

                                Adjutant General
                                4

                                Deputy with a seperate army
                                3

                                Each Assistant
                                2

                                Commissary of Prisoners
                                2

                                Deputy with a seperate army
                                2

                                Judge Advocate
                                2

                                Deputy with a seperate army
                                2

                                Judge Advocate
                                2

                                Deputy with seperate army
                                2

                                Deputy paymaster
                                1

                                Provost martial
                                1

                                Field Comy of Mility Horses
                                2

                                Deputy with seperate army
                                2

                        Officers of Cavalry to be allowed to draw forage for the following, number of Horses provided they actually
                            keep the same.

                                Colonel

                                three

                                Lieutenant Colonel

                                two

                                Major

                                two

                                Captain

                                two

                                Lieutenant

                                one

                                Cornett

                                one

                                Exclusive of allowance as officers in the Line each one

                                Paymaster

                                one

                                Quarter master

                                one

                                Adjutant

                                one

                                Surgeon

                                one.

                        That any of the officers entitled to Forage, who shall keep their horses, at their own expence, shall be paid
                            therefor by the Quartermaster General, at the average price given by him for the forage of the army.
                        Resolved That the Quarter Master General with the approbation of the Secretary at War shall appoint so many
                            Assistants to reside in the several States as the public service may require.
                        That all officers in the Quarter Master Generals Department of whatever denomination, shall take the Oaths of
                            Allegiance and the Oaths of office prescribed by Congress before they enter on business.
                        That the Quarter Master General make a return of the names and station of each person to be appointed in his
                            Department.
                        That in sittling the accounts of officers in the said Department, no pay or allowance whatever be granted to
                            any person employed therin, when name and employment, together with a certificate of his having taken the aforesaid Oaths
                            shall not have been returned within two months after his acceptance of such office.
                        In Congress October 29th 1782
                        Resolved That the Quarter Master General be allowed, fifteen rations per day.
                        That the Deputy Quartermaster with the Southern Army be allowed twelve rations per day.That the Waggon master, Commissary of Forage for the Main army, and the Commissary of Forage for the Southern
                            Army be each of them allowed five rations per day.
                        That the Deputy waggon master with the Southern army be allowed four rations per day.
                        That all assistants in the Quarter masters Department be each of them allowed two rations per day.
                        That the waggon Conductors be each of them allowed a ration and a half per day.
                        That the Directors of the Artificers be allowed, each of them three rations per day, and the Sub. directors,
                            each of them two rations per day; and that the foregoing rations shall be inclusive of what the several officers aforesaid
                            may be entitled to draw in the Line of the army.


Title: To George Washington from Andrew Billings, 27 December 1782
From: Billings, Andrew
To: Washington, George

                            Sir,
                            Poughkeepsie Decr 27th 1782.

                        We the Master, Wardens and Brethern of Solomon’s Lodge, are highly sensible of the honour done to Masonry in
                            general, by the countenance shewn it by the most dignified Characters.
                        We esteem it a peculiar honour to us in particular that at this Time we may with one Heart, congratulate your
                            Excellency on your arrival here, by the appellation of Brother. Gratitude on this, as well as on all other occasions is
                            ready to burst forth in a Torrent of acknowledgments to your Excellency, not only as the Patron of Masonry, but as the
                            Deliverer (under Providence) of our common Country.
                        Permit us to assure your Excellency that no event could have given equal Joy to the present; and that with an
                            Ardor equal to Enthusiasm we pray for your Excellency’s future welfare.
                        We beg your Excellency to accept our best wishes as a tribute to the most exalted Merit.

                            Signed by Order of the Lodge
                            Andw Billings Mastr


Title: To George Washington from Robert Hoakesly, 27 December 1782
From: Hoakesly, Robert
To: Washington, George

                             27 December 1782

                        The Memorial of Robert Hoakesly of the City of New York Merchant Sheweth
                        That your Memorialist Sail’d from here in the Ship General De Riedesel in the Month of March 1781—With a
                            Considerable Sum of Money in Specie, and a Large Quantity of Goods & Stores for the Saratoga Convention Troops.
                        After the Surrender of York in Virginia, to the united arms of America And France, it was Suggested that the
                            Said Ship General De Riedesel had been Laden With Articles for purposes incompatible with the Intentions for which the
                            Flag had Been Granted—Your Excellency was pleased to Appoint a Board of General Officers to Enquire into the Matter, who
                            Reported on the 24th November 1781, "that it appeared Clearly To the Board, that the protection Due to the Flag was Lost,
                            by the Application of the Goods, That the Vessel was Laden for a purpose Opposite to those, for which the Flag Was
                            Granted, and that Consequently all the Public property Became forfeited, and that they thought the private Merchandize
                            Brought to York in the Said Vessel stood in the Same predicament."
                        Your Memorialist will not presume to Call in Question the Justice of, or the Principles upon which the Said
                            Report is founded; but he begs Leave with Great Deference to Suggest, that in the Confusion Incident to that period of
                            time, the General Officers who Composed the Board proceeded upon Exparte Evidence; for though your Memorialist was so
                            Deeply Concerned in the Enquiry, yet he had no Opportunity Given of Being heard in his Defence—That your Memorialist upon
                            Being favour’d with a Coppy of the Said Report he Intimated to Major Genl St Clair that some part of the private property
                            blonging to him, and Supposed, by the Board, to have Been part of the Cargo Belonging to the Ship General De Reidesel,
                            were actually and Bona fide, Goods and Stores he had Shiped in the Sloop Convert Captn Wm Burges Master, and which he
                            Could Clearly and Incompatibly make Appear, if he had been allowed some time to procure The proofs General St Clair was
                            pleased to say, that when such proofs were Adduced to your Excellency, he had no Doubt But that adequate Relief would be
                            Given to the Memorialist.
                        That as your Memorialist has Been injured by having his property taken away (Secured to him by Capitulation)
                            and as he Can make it Evident by the Cleared Vouchers, that his property, supposed to have come to York in the Said Ship,
                            actually was Delivered out of Another Vessel, he therefore humbly prays your Excellency will be pleased to take his
                            particular Situation under your wise consideration And Grant him Leave to Come Within Such parts of the American Lines, as
                            may be judgd propper, to the End that the Memorialist may produce the Necessary Vouchers to Support his Claim, or such
                            other Relief as to your Excellency shall seem meet. And your Memorialist will Ever pray

                            Robt Hoakesly


Title: To George Washington from Robert Morris, 27 December 1782
From: Morris, Robert
To: Washington, George

                            Sir
                            Office of Finance 27 Decemr 1782

                        I am duly honored with your Excellency’s Favor of the seventeenth Instant. Previous to the Receipt of it
                            Admiral Digby had transmitted the polite Application of which a Copy is enclosed. In Answer to it I wrote a Letter of
                            which a Copy is also enclosed and which I think Consists with your Excellency’s Sentiments. As this Letter involved
                            Engagements which were of an extensive Nature whether considered in a pecuniary or political Point of Light I thought it
                            best to submit it to Congress, more especially as it militated in some Degree with their Resolutions. To avoid the tedious
                            Discussions which might have attended any Resolution as well as to leave it on the Basis of a mere ministerial Act in
                            which the Sovereign Authority might not be compromised in any supposable Case, I desired the President to read it and take
                            the Sentiments of Congress without a formal Minute that so their Approbation or Disapprobation might be verbally
                            expressed. This was done and the Letter was approved. What may be it’s Fate with the Enemy I know not but hope it may
                            prove agreeable to our Wishes. With perfect Respect & Esteem I have the Honor to be Sir your Excellency’s most
                            obedient & humble Servant

                            Robt Morris

                     Enclosure

                                Sir
                                New York 3d December 1782

                            As I understand you have the Management of the Marine Department, I must desire you to order the Seamen
                                you have Prisoners in Philadelphia Goal and those in the Jerseys to be sent into New York. Surely Sir you cannot mean
                                to detain these poor People after receiving above a thousand Prisoners well cloathed from England in Addition to a
                                Debt of about Seventeen Hundred. There are a Number at Trenton and Brunswick that have been offered to the Commissary
                                of Prisoners for particular Persons here, by a Lieutenant Colonel John Taylor. If he is an Officer he must be under
                                Command. Your new Commissary of Prisoners has also given Certificates of Exchange to some of the Prisoners I have
                                indulged with Paroles Home, and Paroles to Others to effect an Exchange here or to return. This cannot be allowed whilst
                                you are in Debt near three Thousand, and if continued can only be done to check my Indulgencies to your own People.
                                What can be the Reason you have not on your Side accepted the Offer made to receive Soldiers for Sailors—those
                                Soldiers not to serve for twelve Months? I cannot conceive—If every other Motive was extinct, Gratitude and Humanity
                                should plead the Cause of these poor People, as well as of those confined here. Can it be necessary to appoint
                                Commissioners to pay an acknowledged Debt? Is he an honest Man who owes a Thousand Pounds, and because he is not
                                possessed of Specie, will not pay in other Commodity? And will you murder your own People Prisoners, by letting them
                                remain without Cloathes during the Winter, because there are not so many as you have of our Soldiers, in order to gain
                                What? To defraud the British of a Debt accumulated by giving Way to Humanity and the Sufferings of our Fellow
                                Creatures. I have directed a great many to be paroled, and shall probably parole more as it is the only Means left of
                                giving them Relief. I must beg your Answer soon, as the chief Object of this Letter is, to enable
                                me to extend Indulgencies to Others, which I cannot do consistent with my Duty, ‘till those Seamen Prisoners in your
                                Possession are returned. I am Sir Your very obedient Servant

                                Robert Digby

                     Enclosure

                                Sir,
                                Marine Office 18th December 1782

                            I have received your Letter of the third Instant. If you had been perfectly acquainted with the
                                Principles which actuated my Conduct you would undoubtedly have spared both your Reasonings and Reflections. If you
                                will take the Trouble to apply to your marine Commissary he will inform you from Captain Turner’s Correspondence that
                                I am perfectly disposed to do you Justice as well as to relieve the Prisoners both british and american.
                            There has been so much of Complaint upon this Subject on all sides that every Body must wish a final
                                Settlement. To effect it I will now make you a plain and simple Proposition. Let us liberate all marine Prisoners on
                                both Sides taking proper Receipts. Let us come to a Settlement of the Account as speedily as possible. If the Balance
                                is against us I will pay you in Money immediately according to the Terms of Cartel existing between England and France
                                Provided you will agree to do the like.
                            In the mean time I shall be glad to have your Permission to send in some Wood which I am told the
                                Prisoners want. If you agree I will load one or more Vessels and send them in under the Protection of Flags with my
                                Passports. You will cause the Vessels to be searched and if there be any thing on Board of contraband I shall not
                                object to their Confiscation. The wood I shall deposit in the Care of some Person with you for the Purpose of
                                supplying the Prisoners and with Direction to sell a Part if necessary to purchase Cloathing and other Necessaries for
                                them, as I presume that fuel is scarce with you, this is an object which may minister to mutual Convenience.
                            I shall not make a vain Boast of Liberality either to elevate or depress any Character. You shall judge
                                from the Face of these Propositions whether my Disposition is such as tends to cultivate the Principles of Benevolence
                                and to extend the Acts of Beneficence to those who are in Distress. I am Sir Your most obedient and humble
                            Servant.


Title: From David Humphreys to New York Officer Commanding at Kings Ferry, 27 December 1782
From: Humphreys, David
To: Officer Commanding at Kings Ferry, New York

                             27 December 1782

                        It is the Order of His Excellency the Commander in Chief, that the Commanding Officer at
                            Kings Ferry forward immediately to Head Quarters by a trusty non Commissioned Officer or Soldier, all Dispatches he may
                            receive which shall be directed to be forwarded & franked by Lt Colonel Smith Commanding at Dobbs Ferry—This to be
                            considered as a standing Instruction. Given at Head Quarters Newburgh this 27th Decr 1782

                            D. Humphrys
                            Aide de Camp


Title: From David Humphreys to William Stephens Smith, 27 December 1782
From: Humphreys, David
To: Smith, William Stephens

                        Dear Smith

                            Head Quarters Dec. 27th 1782

                        The Commander in Chief who has just gone to Poughkeepsie, has left it in charge with me to acknowledge the
                            receipt of your Letter of the 25th and to inform you that he has no objections to your coming to the Army for the
                            purposes you Mention; at which time your friends will be very happy to see you at Head Quarters—Mrs Washington (who
                            desires me to present her Complts to you) has often expressed a wish to that effect since her arrival.
                        Orders will be lodged by this conveyance at Kings Ferry to forward your Dispatches. I enclose a number of late
                            Papers for your amusement & remain with great sincerity, Your friend & Hble Servt

                            D. Humphrys A.D. Camp

                            P.S. The Genl desires you will forward the Letter to Sir Guy Carlton by Flag.


Title: General Orders, 28 December 1782
From: Washington, George
To:

                            Head Quarters Newburgh saturday Decr 28th 1782
                            Parole Quebec,
                            Countersigns Rutland, Stockbridge.

                                For the day tomorrow

                                Colonel Putnam Major Oliver

                                For duty tomorrow

                                the 4th Massachusetts regiment.

                        The Superintendent of Finance and the Secretary at war having taken into consideration, the difficulties
                            which have arisen in the modes of Issuing Provisions under the Contracts and also the intricases which have taken place in
                            the stating and setling of accounts by reason whereof the Army have been in some instances injured; and if timely remedy
                            be not provided, frauds might be committed. for the prevention whereof in future, they have determined on the following
                            Plan.

                            Officers

                        The Superintendent will put into the hands of the Paymaster Genl the full amount of the Subsistance money
                            allowed by Congress of which a List is annexed, either in money or notes, payable at a month from the time of delivery,
                            and the Paymaster shall cause to be paid to every officer, the amount of his subsistance money at the commencement of
                            every month in advance for that month, so that the officer may be furnished with the means of supplying himself according
                            to his rank—the Contractors shall receive those Notes as Cash, and shall furnish the Articles of the nation at the prices
                            stipulated in their Contracts respectively to the officer for such Notes, or money, subject nevertheless to the conditions
                            which may be expressed in their Contracts, of consequence no rations will be drawn by the officers.
                        Non-commissioned & Privates
                        To obviate any difficulties which may arise on this subject it is to be considered as a general rule that the
                            Contractors issue Provisions on Returns in the form for that purpose annexed marked No. 4A, provided they be seigned by a
                            Commissioned officer, who after his name shall specify his rank and the regiment or corps to which he belongs, and if
                            under the rank of a Feild officer the Company also: and provided that the regiment or Corps and the several dates be
                            inserted in the proper blanks left for that purpose, that the names of the companies, the number of days drawn for, and
                            the number of rations drawn by each company be also inserted in the proper Columns; and that the whole number of rations
                            drawn be written at length in the order for Provisions at the bottom of the return, on which return shall be a receipt by
                            the person receiving them, specifying the place and time of the issue, the Contract under which it was made, and the
                            number of rations delivered, which last shall be written at full length.
                        But for the greater order regularity and simplicity in conducting the business, Provision returns of the
                            whole regiment or corps are to be made out together wherever circumstances will permit, and countersigned by the
                            Commanding officer of such corps, the above regulation for Issuing on the Order of every commissioned officer being made
                            to provide for the contingencies of service and from a conviction that no officer will draw provisions improperly—But for
                            the better prevention of those frauds which a variety of signatures might give occasion for, If any of the Issuers of
                            Provision or others should be tempted to commit them; the Contractors must make out, from these returns, a Monthly
                            Abstract of the Issues, in the form annexed marked No. 4B, this abstract is to exhibit to the Commanding officer of the
                            regiment or corps, who is to compare it with the returns and receipts and if supported by them to sign the Certificate
                            (any over issues notwithstanding, and retain the several vouchers), but it be his duty to examine
                            whether more provisions have been drawn for than are allowed, and if so to call the delinquents to account in such manner
                            as by General orders shall be from time to time provided; and in order that the most clear and certain rules may be
                            established, it is further provided that, on every fifteen men actually in a regiment or corps, there shall be allowed a
                            draught for sixteen rations, so as to supply the women of the regiment or corps, that is to say the rations drawn may
                            exceed the number of Noncommissioned & privates one fifteenth. The Commanding officer of the regiment, will
                            apportion this excess as circumstances shall require.
                        It is further to be observed that the men in Hospital are to be provided there, that the Servants not bearing
                            arms are to be provided by their Masters, to whom an adequate allowance of subsistance money is made for that purpose, and
                            that men employed in the civil departments, are to be drawn for in those departments. for these
                            therefore, as well as for the absent on furlough, no rations are to be drawn in the manner prescribed for Noncommissioned
                            & Privates. When a Detachment from any regiment or corps is marched beyond the limits of the Contract, in which
                            the commanding officer is stationed, the officer of the Detachment is to certify to him the number of days drawn for and
                            under what Contracts, so that the monthly Abstract may be checked by such certificates a copy whereof, seigned by the
                            Commanding officer of the corps is to be transmitted to the war office, to check the accounts of the Contractors against
                            such Detachment, Officers commanding regiments, will observe that the care of public property is by this regulation
                            confidentially committed to them, and they will undoubtedly justify this confidence by their vigilence and attention.
                        Civil Departments
                        The rations to be drawn for in the Quartermasters Commissary of Military stores, and Hospital Departments
                            shall be according to the form annexed No. 5A, the several blanks are to be filled up as is already mentioned under the
                            title of Noncommissioned and privates; and further the name of the Departmt, the particular denomination of persons
                            employed in it, and the number of such persons are to be inserted in the proper places as well as the number of days and
                            rations; and also the regiments and companies to which any soldiers belong who may be employed in such department The
                            Returns for the Quarter Masters Department are to be seigned by the Quarter or Deputy Quarter Master General, Waggon master
                            or his Deputy—Commissary or Deputy Commissary of forage, Director or Deputy Director of a Company of Artificers—those for
                            the Commissary of Military stores department are to be seigned by the principal officer at that post or place—and those
                            for the hospital Department by the principal Medical officer at the port or place, and every person seigning a return is
                            to add his rank station or employment.
                        From these returns respectively and the receipts thereon, the Contractors are to make out a monthly abstract
                            for each Departmt in the annexed form No. 5B, in which is to be inserted the number of soldiers employed, and the
                            regiments to which they belong, but not the companies, These abstracts are to be compared, examined and certifyed by the
                            principal of the respective departments, within the limits of the Contract, whose duty it will be to retain the Vouchers
                            and compare them with the state of his department; and if any frauds have been committed, to detect and report them.
                        Sick and Convalescents
                        Provisions and stores for the sick and Convalescents are to be drawn on returns of which duplicates shall be
                            seigned by the principal Medical officer of the hospital at which they shall be—of which returns the Contractors shall
                            reserve the original to support his accounts, and shall transmit the duplicate to the director of the hospitals. These
                            returns shall be in the annexed form No. 6, in which shall be inserted the place at which the hospital is kept, the
                            Contract under which the draught is made, and the dates within the blanks left for that purpose: within the proper columns
                            shall be inserted the rank of the persons, the Company and regiment to which they belong, the number of days drawn for,
                            the number of sick and the number of Convalescents and, in the Collumns for that purpose designated shall be inserted, the
                            quantities of the several articles of Provisions and stores drawn for, and on each of these returns shall be given a
                            receipt by the steward of the hospital, for all the articles actually drawn, containing the quantities of each in words at
                            full length.
                        Prisoners
                        Full rations for Prisoners are to consist of the following articles of the Soldiers rations—Bread, Beef or
                            Pork, soap, salt and vinegar these are to be drawn on returns in the annexed form No. 7.—in the first Collumn is to be
                            inserted the rank, in the second the number of persons in the third the proportion of the ration (whether the whole or
                            only a fractional part) in the fourth the number of days and in the fifth the number of full rations—these are to be
                            seigned by the intendent of Prisoners, and by some Commissioned officer in the British service and counterseigned by the
                            Commanding officer at the post—The receipt indorsed on the return is to contain the quantities of the Articles actually
                            issued in words at full length—When prisoners shall be at places where there is no intendent, the American officer who
                            has the care of them shall countersign the return which shall be seigned by some British Commissioned officer; and when no
                            British officer is present, the American officer shall certify that there is not, and the Return shall be seigned by some
                            other of the prisoners.
                        Contractors
                        The Contractors shall issue Provisions & Stores in the manner herein before mentioned, but they are
                            not to expect any allowances for issues on informal or defective returns or receipts—these accounts shall be made out as
                            follows from the abstracts in the form annexed No. 4B, and No. 5B, shall be made out the account of rations in the annexed
                            form No. 1 which shall contain in the first Collumn the names of the regiments or corps and of the Departments, in the
                            second the number with which they shall have indorsed the abstracts by which the account is supported and in the third
                            Collumn the number of rations vouched by the particular abstract referred to; from the returns, in the form annexed No. 6,
                            shall be made out the account of Provisions and Stores issued to the sick and Convalescents in the annexed form No. 2 in
                            the first Column of which shall be inserted the name of the Hospital for which the issues were made, in the second the
                            number indorsed by them on the returns by which the account is supported, and in the succeeding Column the several
                            articles vouched by the particular returns referred to, from the returns, in the form annexed No. 7 shall be made out the
                            account of Provisions issued to Prisoners of war in the annexed form No. 3 in the first column of which shall be inserted
                            the name of the place at which the issues were made, in the second the number indorsed by them on the returns, and in the
                            succeeding columns, the several articles vouched by the receipts on the particular Returns referred to—From the three
                            subordinate accounts last mentioned made out in the forms annexed No 1. 2. & 3 shall be made out the general
                            account in the form annexed for that purpose, which general and subordinate accounts, with the several vouchers to support
                            them shall be exhibited in an orderly and regular manner to the Treasury for settlement. The Contractors are on no account
                            to issue any due bills—they are to provide the articles contracted for and where that shall not be in their power, the
                            deficient articles, if not otherwise provided at the expence of the Contractors, shall be paid for in money at the
                            Contract price.

                            here follows a series of charts


Title: To George Washington from William Livingston, 28 December 1782
From: Livingston, William
To: Washington, George

                            Sir
                            Trenton 28th Decr 1782

                        I have been favoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 17th instant.
                        I am greatly obliged to your Excellency for offering to write to General Haldeman respecting the release of
                            Mr Roading tho’ you have no correspondence with him; or to forward a Letter from me to him on that subject. The first I
                            can’t prevail upon myself to desire, considering that General Haldeman has not thought proper to answer the only Letter
                            which your Excellency has ever written to him; & the latter has so little prospect of success that I think not
                            worth attempting.
                        Our Legislature rose last thursday without making the least provision for compleating our Battalion,
                            & without even passing the tax bill, which was negatived by the Council for want of public faith in not sinking
                            the proportion of the State bills annually to be sunk Especially to the Act by which they are omitted. With the greatest
                            esteem I have the honour to be Your Excellencys most humble & most obedient Servt

                            Wil: Livingston


Title: From David Humphreys to Timothy Pickering, 28 December 1782
From: Humphreys, David
To: Pickering, Timothy

                            Sir
                            Head Quarters Decr 28, 1782

                        There is a french Officer returning Express from Boston to Philadelphia, who wants Horses to carry him to
                            Chester, (where his own remain) if they can be furnished by the public, it is much the General’s wish they may be—if you
                            have it not in your power, His Excellency desires you will hire tem for the Gentleman, who (if necessary) will pay the
                            Money on his arrival at Chester. I am Sir Your Most Obedt Servt

                            D. Humphrys A.D.C.

                            P.S. One Horse & some person to bring him back is all that is required—and this without
                                delay—The Gentleman mentioned to me he would pay 4 dollars if necessary.


Title: General Orders, 29 December 1782
From: Washington, George
To:

                            Head Quarters. Newburgh Sunday December 29th 1782
                            Parole Turnbridge.
                            Countersigns Utrecht, Woodford

                                For the day Tomorrow

                                Lieutenant Colo. Mellen.

                                Major Trescot

                                For duty tomorrow

                                the 3d Massachusetts regiment.

                        A General courtmartial whereof Colonel Putnam is appointed President, will assemble at the Presidents
                            quarters tomorrow morning for the trial of Major Reid and such persons as may come before them; Lieutenant Colonel
                            Hull—Major Lansdale—Two Captains from the Jersey: Two from the York, one from the Hampshire, two from the 1st
                            Massachusetts two from the 2d and one from the 3d Brigades to attend as members.
                        After orders
                        Major Gibbs is appointed officer of the day tomorrow vice Lieutenant Colonel Mellen.


Title: From George Washington to William Barber, 29 December 1782
From: Washington, George
To: Barber, William,Cogswell, Thomas

                            Gentlemen
                            Head Quarters Newburgh Decr 29th 1782

                        You are hereby particularly appointed to inspect the Horses of Sheldon’s Legion; for which purpose you will
                            repair as soon as may be to the Quarters of that Corps at Danbury & the adjacent Towns—It is much my wish that
                            your inspection & examination into the state and quality of the Horses should be as accurate as possible—And you
                            are authorized & directed to Suffer only those to continue in the Corps, which in your judgment will be fit  that the Public may not be burthened with unnecesy expence for the Dragoon service
                            the next Campaign all the others, that is, such as in your opinion will be unfit for that service, you will discriminate
                            accordingly, and having mustered them out, will cause them to be delivered to the Qr Mastr Genl to be sold, or otherwise
                            disposed of in such manner as he shall think proper.

                            P.S. After having compleated the business committed to you; a Report is to be given in full to Head
                            Quarters.


Title: To George Washington from Cleland Kinloch, 29 December 1782
From: Kinloch, Cleland
To: Washington, George

                            Sir,
                            New Bridge december 29 1782

                        Your goodness and humanity will I hope exercise the liberty, that I really am reduced to take, of adressing
                            myself to You—I am a native of George Town district in South Carolina, and while yet a child was sent to England for the
                            benefit of Education; Upon becoming of age, in the year Eighty One, I returned to Charles Town, where refusing to sign any
                            certificates of allegiance to the British government, I was not permitted to go without their lines but under certain
                            restrictions—I at length resolved to go back to England, and return by Amsterdam. Ostend, or by some port or other in
                            France; it was my misfortune to meet with a variety of obstacles, such as being captured, recaptured, and detained for
                            several months in the West Indies; after my arrival in England, I was assured that persons as exceptionable as myself were
                            daily permitted to leave the British lines, at New York I was advised to take that route myself, and not being able to
                            reject the advice of those to whom I was indebted for the immediate means of support sat out from Falmouth in the last
                            packet and arrived at New York the 20th instant—No sure mode offerd of conveying letters to my friends, and the accounts I
                            heard, of the etiquettes lately established by Your Excellency being various and opposite I have ventured to come this
                            far, where I am now detained untill I can be honored by Your Excellency’s passport to Philadelphia, which I humbly trust
                            You will not refuse me, seeing that tho’ I have not yet renderd any services to my country, I have not however done any thing that can deserve the misfortune of being
                            disown’d—I have the honor to be with the warmest and sincerest Respect Your Excellency’s Most Obedient And Attached Humble
                            Servant

                            Cleland Kinloch


Title: From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 29 December 1782
From: Washington, George
To: Pickering, Timothy

                            Sir
                            Head Quarters Decr 29th 1782

                        You will please to take immediate measures to dissolve the chain of Dragoons, and discharge the Expresses
                            stationed between this and Boston; assuring them and the People who have furnished Provisions & Forage that the
                            Accounts will be paid as soon as they can be sent to Philadelphia and the Money obtained—Sheldon’s Dragoons are to join
                            their Corps.
                        An accurate state of the Expences properly attested will be wanted immediately to be transmitted to the
                            Minister of France. I am Sir Your Most Obedient Servant

                            Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to John Pierce, 29 December 1782
From: Washington, George
To: Pierce, John

                            Sir
                            Head Quarters 29 Decr 82

                        The bearer Mr James Catterline has my Warrant on you for forty dollars which he is to Receive for
                            transporting the Cannon presented by Congress to Count Rochambeau from this place to Philadelphia.
                        If it should happen that you have no money in hand to answer the contingent Expences of the Army I must
                            request you to call on Mr Morris for so much as will answer the present purpose. I am Sir &c.


Title: From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 29 December 1782
From: Washington, George
To: Rochambeau, Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de

                        My dear Sir

                            Head Quarters Newburgh December 29th 1782

                        It is with infinite satisfaction I embrace the earliest opportunity of sending to Philadelphia the Cannon
                            which Congress were pleased to present to your Excellency in testimony of their Sense of the illustrious part you bore in
                            the capture of the British Army under Lord Cornwallis at York in Virginia.
                        The Carriages will follow by another Conveyance; but as they were not quite ready, I could not resist the
                            pleasure, on that account, of forwarding these Pieces to Your Excellency previous to your departure, in hopes the
                            Inscriptions and Devices as well as the Execution may be agreeable to your Wishes. With Sentiments of perfect respect and
                            Esteem I have the honor to be—Sir Yr Excellencys Most Obedt Servt

                            Go: Washington


Title: General Orders, 30 December 1782
From: Washington, George
To:

                            Head Quarters Newburgh Monday Decr 30th 1782
                            Parole Armiens.
                            C.signs Brest, Claremont.

                                For the day Tomorrow

                                Col. Cortlandt Major Darby.

                                For duty tomorrow

                                the 6th Massachusetts regiment.


Title: From David Humphreys to Samuel Loudon, 30 December 1782
From: Humphreys, David
To: Loudon, Samuel

                            Sir
                            Head Quarters Decr 30. 1782

                        His Excellency the Commander in Chief directs me to inform you, that the Dragoon Horses will not be able to
                            proceed any longer with the Mail, on account of the total want of forage—And therefore it will be necessary for you to
                            procure a Rider to carry the next Mail without an escort & to continue the conveyance in the same mode, or it
                            cannot be forwarded—The General has some days ago desired Colo. Pickering who is in Philadelphia to acquaint the Post
                            Master General this would be the case, unless an alteration in the arrangements for forage immediately took place: There
                            is now absolutely no alternative left, the Dragoons are ordered to join their Corps—I am with due regard Sir Your very
                            Hble Servant.

                            P.S. If you will send Mrs Washington, Watts’s Psalms & Hymns with the price, the Money will be
                                remitted to you.


Title: To George Washington from John Nicholson, 30 December 1782
From: Nicholson, John
To: Washington, George

                            Sir
                            New Bridge 30th Decemr 1782

                        Col: Vose will have the Honor to inform your Excellency, the disagreeable Necessity we were under of coming
                            here, which I hope will sufficiently apologize for any seeming Impropriety.
                        The inclos’d Letters to Col: Barber & Major Reid will point out to your Excellency the Reason of my
                            leaving Virginia which I did in November last under a Flag of Truce—the Season of the year & my ill State of
                            Health absolutely precludes my returning to the State of Virginia by Sea, & I therefore hope your Excellency’s
                            Goodness will allow me to go by Land, by the Way of Philadelphia. I have the Honor to be with the greatest respect Your
                            Excellencys most obedt & very humble Servant

                            John Nicholson


Title: To George Washington from John Sullivan, 30 December 1782
From: Sullivan, John
To: Washington, George

                            My Dear General
                            Durham December 30th 1782

                        I again take the liberty of troubling Yr Excellency with a Letter for Colo. Holland which incloses a Resolve
                            of our assembly rescinding a former one respecting his wifes admittance to visit her Children in this State—& beg
                            Your Excellency will please to forward it by a flag to New York. I have the honor to be with the most perfect Esteem Dear
                            General Your most obedt & very humble Servant

                            John Sullivan


Title: To George Washington from Joseph Vose, 30 December 1782
From: Vose, Joseph
To: Washington, George

                            Sir
                            Newbridge 30th Decr 1782

                        A flagg arived at the lines last evening. inform me that they could not cross at Dobbs ferry, I had a scout
                            below under Command of Captain Marshell whom they came up with for fear of being plundered by the Skinners, as it is
                            conterary to orders for flagg’s to come any other rout but Dobbs ferry I have detained them at the lines and furnish’d
                            them with a guard to protect their property untill I know your Excellency’s pleasure, the flagg consists of two Gentlemen
                            from Virginia and one from Carrolina. I have permitted one of them to wate on your Excellency, if I have done ronge I begg
                            your Excellency will pardon me. Mr Lewis who wates on your Excellency will inform you the circomstance of the affair. I am
                            sir your Excellencys most Obdt Humble servant

                            J. Vose Colo. Commandg at the Lines


Title: General Orders, 31 December 1782
From: Washington, George
To:

                            Head Quarters Newburgh December 31st 1782 Tuesday
                            Parole Dieppe.
                            C. signs England-Fishkill.

                                For the day tomorrow

                                Colonel H. Jackson

                                Major Graham

                                For duty tomorrow

                                the 2d Massachusetts regiment.

                        The Contract of Messrs Duer and Parker for furnishing the Army with rations of Provision is to take place
                            tomorrow. The Officers and Contractors, convened at Major Genl Howes Quarters, the 29th instant in consequence of the
                            Commander in chiefs order have agree’d that to accomodate service, the officers will for the present apply to their
                            respective Commissaries on the after-noons of Tuesday, thursday, and saturday in every week, commencing their draught for
                            the first of January on tuesday the 31st instant, which rule will be observed except on special occasions, when for the
                            convenience of officers in that situation the Contractors have agreed to dispence with it.
                        A return of the number of women in the several regiments which compose this army, certified by the Commanding
                            officer of the corps they respectively belong to, is to be given in at the Orderly office on thursday the second of
                            January next.
                        The second Jersey regiment will march for the relief of the first Massachusetts on the Lines on thursday the
                            second of January next.
                        After orders
                        The Notes for the subsistance of officers not having arrived, the Contractors are to proceed in issuing to
                            them in the same manner as was practiced under the former Contract, untill further orders.


Title: To George Washington from Horatio Gates, 31 December 1782
From: Gates, Horatio
To: Washington, George

                            Ellison’s 31st December 1782

                        Agreeable to Your Excellency’s approbation of Doctor Evans’s proposal for erecting a public building
                            communicated in the general orders of the 25th instant—The commanding officers of brigades, and regiments, assembled at my
                            quarters, on friday last-- and directed a committee from their body, to fix upon a proper place for the Scite thereof, and to
                            report on monday; when the officers were desired to meet again—The day being stormy, but few of the Gentlemen appeared—to
                            these Major Rochfontain, Engineer, delivered, an estimate of the timber and Shingles each of their Corps are to Supply—and
                            to those who were absent. the letter, of which the enclosed is a copy, with their respective estimates, were sent by me—I
                            conclude from hence, that the instant the materials are collected the work will be proceeded upon, and continued, until
                            properly finished.

                            Horatio Gates
                            Maj. Gen.


Title: From George Washington to Moses Hazen, 31 December 1782
From: Washington, George
To: Hazen, Moses

                            Sir
                            Head Quarters Decr 31st 1782

                        I have received your Letter of the 26th. The matter respecting Capt. Duncan may remain as at present, until
                            further directions. I am Sir Your Most Obed. &c.

                            P.S. All Deserters who come to your Cantonment are to be sent to Head Quarters—they may draw
                                provisions sufficient to bring them there.