Title: From George Washington to Henry Knox, 29 August 1783
From: Washington, George
To: Knox, Henry

                            Dear sir
                            Rocky Hill 29th Augt 1783

                        Upon considering the state of facts reported in your Letter of the 26th I think it expedient that a stop
                            should be put to the movement of the Troops & Stores which were destined for the Western Posts; You will be
                            pleased to give directions accordingly and to transmit the Letter herewith to the Quartr Mastr Genll as it relates to the
                            same subject. I am dear sir with the greatest regard Your Most Obedient Servant

                                Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to William Duer, 29 August 1783
From: Washington, George
To: Duer, William,Parker, Daniel

                            Gentlemen
                            Rocky Hill near Princeton Augt 29th 1783.

                        Some circumstances having intervened that render it impracticable during this fall, for us to take possession
                            of the Posts now occupied by the British on the Western Waters; for the Garrisons of which, the Provisions mentioned in my
                            Letter to you from Saratoga were designed, and which will therefore become in a manner useless to the public, if they
                            cannot be relinquished or disposed of. My design in addressing you, Gentlemen, at this time is to give information of the
                            before mentioned unexpected Event, and to desire that all purchases for this purpose may be suspended, and that in case any
                            Articles have been procured, the Bargains may be given up if possible, or the Provisions otherwise disposed of, if it can
                            be done without considerable loss to the United States. To prevent which, such articles as cannot be returned or vended,
                            had better be stored at the Garrison of West Point. I am Gentlemen With due regard &c.

                            G. Washington


Title: From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 29 August 1783
From: Washington, George
To: Pickering, Timothy

                            sir
                            Rocky Hill 29th Augt 1783

                        In consequence of intelligence just received from the Northward, that General Haldimand would not enter into
                            any negociations with the Baron Steuben for delivering up the Western Posts, I find it proper to put a stop to all
                            operations which are carrying on for the purpose of transporting Garrisons & Stores to them, this Fall; You will
                            be pleased therefore to give directions for suspending all preparations, and for preventing as much as possible the
                            expences which would have been incurred in your Department, desisting from making any farther Contracts for Boats, and
                            relinquishing those already entered into, if practicable. No other supplies will now be wanting from you, except such
                            Materials as may be necessary for erecting the Store House and small Buildings at Fort Schuyler, respecting which Colo.
                            Willet has my Instructions, and which it is my wish may yet be effected. I am sir with great regard Your Most Obedient
                            Servant

                            Go: Washington

                            P.S. Since writing the foregoing, I have received your favor of the 26th by Colo. Villefranche, and am
                                happy to find you have in a great measure anticipated my wishes.


Title: To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 29 August 1783
From: Pickering, Timothy
To: Washington, George

                            Sir,
                            Newburgh Augt 29. 1783.

                        The chain at West-Point has already suffered considerably by the rust, and will be daily growing worse. If it
                            is to be kept for future use, it cannot too soon be housed; and in this case it is said it may be preserved from rust by
                            painting. If it is not necessary to keep it, the sooner it is sold the better. It would probably fetch about two thirds
                            the price of bar iron. The chain contains from fifty to sixty tons. I beg to be favoured with your Excellency’s orders
                            concerning it. I have the honour to be with great respect your Excellency’s most obedt servant

                            Tim: Pickering
                            Q.M.G.


Title: To George Washington from John Langdon, 30 August 1783
From: Langdon, John
To: Washington, George

                            Dear General
                            Portsmouth N. Hamps. Aug. 30th 1783

                        I was happy enough to receive your Kind favour of the 4th Inst. by the Count Del Verme who did me the Honor
                            to put up with me for a few Days. I am highly pleased with this Nobleman & think myself under great Obligations to
                            your Excellency for his acquaintance. I shall always think myself highly Honored in shewing every civility in my Power to
                            such Gentlemen as you are pleased to Introduce.
                        Let me add Sir that it would give me the highest pleasure & satisfaction to have the Honor of waiting
                            on your Excellency at my Habitation, should it ever happen that you come this way (which I most earnestly hope for) pray
                            be so good as to make my House your Home. Wishing you every happiness this World can afford you & most heartily
                            Congratulating you on our Glorious success, beleive me with every sentiment of Regard & Respect Your Excellency’s
                            Most Obliged Humle Servt

                            John Langdon


Title: From George Washington to Robert Morris, 30 August 1783
From: Washington, George
To: Morris, Robert

                            Sir
                            Rocky Hill Augst 30th 1783.

                        I take the earliest opportunity of informing you, that the Baron Steuben has returned from Canada without
                            being able to accomplish any part of the business he had in charge. In consequence of which and of the late Season of the
                            Year, I have judged it impossible to take possession of the Western Posts this fall and have ordered a Stop to be put to
                            the movement of Troops and Stores and to the preparations which were making to that purpose: of which I have given notice
                            to the Qr Mr Genl & to the Contractors & have taken every other precaution in my power to prevent the
                            accumulation of unnecessary expences. I have &c.

                            G. Washington.


Title: From George Washington to Robert Howe, 31 August 1783
From: Washington, George
To: Howe, Robert

                            Dear Sir,
                            Rocky hill Augt 31st 1783

                        I have been favored with your private letter of the 21st, & should have given it an acknowledgement
                            sooner but thought a few days would have let me more into the views of Congress with respect to the Peace Establishment
                            than I had any knowledge of at the time of its receipt—I am as much in the dark now as ever, and as unable to guess at the
                            number of Troops which may be retained or raised for this Service—I am inclined to think however the force (if any) will
                            scarcely amount to a Major Generals Command—If it sh’d, as the appointment of Officers will be with Congress or the
                            Secretary at War, (and not with me even if I should be here) I will give in your name & wishes with others who
                            have written or spoken to me on the same Subject. wishing very sincerely it was in my power to oblige all; & to
                            put them in a way to receive compensation for the losses they have sustained in Service, by adhering to the Interest of
                            their country. With great esteem & regard I am. Dr Sir Yr most Obt Hble Sert

                            Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Robert Howe, 31 August 1783
From: Howe, Robert
To: Washington, George

                            Dear Sir
                            philadelphia 31st Augst 1783

                        By Doctor Craik I had the honour to write a few lines to your Excellency & having now nothing new to
                            communicate I only repeat that nothing shall be wanting to finish all matters here when I flatter myself it will appear
                            that invention or delay have not been among my faults with Every Respect I am Dear Sir your Excellency’s most obt hum.
                            servt

                            Robt Howe


Title: From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 31 August 1783
From: Washington, George
To: Lincoln, Benjamin

                            Sir
                            Rocky Hill Augst 31 1783

                        I enclose you the Copy of a Letter from Captn Segond in behalf of himself & Lieut. Boulieu, the only
                            remaining Officers of Pulaski’s Legion—if the peculiar circumstances of those Gentlemen, are such as will exclude them
                            from emoluments to which they ought to be intitled in common with other officers, and if it shall not be in your power to
                            give adequate relief, I must request you will be pleased to lay their case before Congress & take the orders of
                            that Honble Body on the subject—I judged this the proper channel of application & have referred Capt. Segond to
                            you accordingly; informing him at the same time that he must be under a mistake as to the obligations of his Parole, from
                            which I conceived him to be wholly & absolutely liberated—I have the honor to be &c.


Title: From George Washington to Robert Morris, 31 August 1783
From: Washington, George
To: Morris, Robert

                            Sir
                            Rocky Hill August 31st 1783.

                        I send you herewith the Estimate and requisition of Pay for the Writers employed under Colo. Varick’s
                            direction, and hope he will be enabled, by the time they have completed their Work, to make a settlement with them. I have
                            the honour to be Sir &c.

                            G. Washington


Title: From George Washington to John Moylan, 31 August 1783
From: Washington, George
To: Moylan, John

                            Sir
                            Rocky Hill Augst 31st 1783.

                        I have received your Letter of the 18th, also the duplicate inclosed in yours of the 24th.
                        If the Articles should not have been forwarded you will be informed by the Superintendant of Finance, that
                            the immediate necessity of incurring the expence of transportation has ceased to exist, I am however pleased with your
                            exertions on this, as well as former occasions. The reasons you have given for your detention in Phila., have always
                            appeared satisfactory, and I have the pleasure to assure you, the business of your department with the Army has been
                            conducted by your Assistant Mr Brooks entirely to my satisfaction. I am Sir, Your Most Obt Servt

                            G. Washington


Title: From George Washington to Jacques-Marie-Blaise, Chevalier [de] Segond de Sederon, 31 August 1783
From: Washington, George
To: Segond de Sederon, Jacques-Marie-Blaise, Chevalier [de]

                            Sir
                            Rocky Hill Augst 31st 1783.

                        I consider the War Office to be the proper channel of Application for the redress of any hardships under
                            which you and Lieut. Boulieu may labour, from the peculiarity of your circumstances. I have therefore referred your Letter
                            to the Honourable the Secretary at War, with a request, if he should not have it in his power to give adequate relief,
                            that he would lay your case before Congress and take the Orders of that Honble Body on the subject. In the mean time, I
                            have the pleasure to acquaint you that the arrangements which have been made for the liberation of Prisoners are of such a
                            nature, as will totally exonerate you from the obligations of your Parole, and leave you at liberty to act in every
                            respect as tho’ you had never given it. I am with great regard & esteem &c.

                            G. Washington


Title: To George Washington from Bezaleel Howe, July 1783
From: Howe, Bezaleel
To: Washington, George

                                August-October 1783

                                An Accoumpt of the Expences of His Excelency—the Commander in Chiefs
                                    Table and Money Payd to his Servants By Lieut. Bezl Howe in the Month of august 1783

                                Dates

                                Dols.
                                & 90th

                                17th

                                to Water Millions

                                1

                                20th

                                Cabage & Beanes

                                2

                                27th

                                thirty one Lb. of Gammon

                                4
                                15

                                to two Gallons of Rum

                                1
                                54

                                Do

                                thirty Pounds of Lamb

                                1
                                60

                                to one Dozn of Fowls

                                1
                                54

                                29th

                                to Eight Quarts of Damsons

                                32

                                to 100 Lymes

                                2
                                36

                                to two Duzn & two Fowls

                                3
                                62

                                to 28 Lbs. Butter

                                3
                                86

                                30th

                                to 24 Lbs. Gammon

                                3
                                18

                                to 30 Lbs. Lamb

                                1
                                60

                                to 1/2 Bushil Pairs

                                     24

                                    27

                                    51

                                Payd to the Servants

                                34

                                Payd for Locks & keys

                                2
                                45

                                My own Expence with the Servants from

                                Newburg to Princetown

                                    12.

                                Total Money Payd

                                77
                                6

                                Receivd of Capt. Coalfax

                                173

                                on hand

                                96

                                An Accoum. of the Expences of His Excellency the Commander in Chiefs
                                    Table for the Month of Sepr 1783

                                dates

                                £
                                S.
                                D.

                                1st

                                twenty fore Lb. Lamb at 6d.—12/ 2 Bushl

                                1.
                                2.

                                oysters 5/—10/

                                Carots 4/ one Lock 3/3 one Barrel Cyder 7/6

                                14.

                                2d

                                100d. limes 17/ 20 lbs. Butter at

                                3.
                                7.

                                1/6—30/ 40 Lb. Lamb 6—20/

                                Two Ducks 4/ 6 Water Millions 3/

                                thirty two Lb. Lamb 6

                                1.
                                5.

                                6th

                                22 Lb. Veal 6d.—11/ 36 Lb. Bass 6—18/

                                94 Lbs. Gammon 1/2

                                6.
                                19.
                                8

                                one Pair Shoes 10/ to Carots & Bates 7/6

                                17.
                                6

                                8th

                                Mending Shoes 3/8 1 Chaire 4/2 36 Lbs.

                                Lamb at 6d.—18/

                                1.
                                5.
                                10

                                Eight Lbs. Butter at 1/4—10/8 8 yards

                                Linning at 1/6—12/

                                1.
                                2.
                                8

                                one Quarter of Lb. Endigo 4/ 13 Dozn

                                Eggs at 10d.—10/10

                                14.
                                10

                                9th

                                one pigg 7/6 100 Limes 7/6 1/2 Bushl

                                Potatos 6/

                                1.
                                1.

                                25 lb. Butter 1/6—33/4

                                1.
                                13.
                                4

                                10th

                                200 Lbs. Gammon at 1/—£10 55 Lb. Butter

                                at 1/—£2.15

                                12.
                                15.

                                one Pigg 7/6—7 Bushel oysters

                                at 5/—3.5/2 Lb Cake 3/

                                2.
                                5.
                                6

                                13th

                                one Pigg 6/ 36 Lb. lamb at 6d.—18/

                                9 yards Lining 1/8d.—15/

                                1.
                                19.

                                15th

                                10 Lb. Butter 1/6d.—15/ 12 Fowls

                                12/—Six Bushl Oysters 30/

                                2.
                                17.

                                55 lbs. Mutton at 6d—27/6 one Cagg

                                of Pickels 30/—2 doz. Eggs

                                2.
                                19.
                                6

                                17th

                                38 lbs. Mutton at 6d.—19/

                                22 Lbs. Gammon 22/

                                2.
                                1.

                                18th

                                6 lbs. Buttor 1/6—9 / 48 lbs.

                                Mutton 6d.—24/

                                1.
                                13.

                                19th

                                3 Baskets 6/ 5 Bushl oysters 25/

                                4 Bushl Potatos 16/

                                2.
                                7.

                                22d

                                Eighteen Ducks 1/3—22/6 one Cloas Line

                                4/2. 18 lb. Butter 27/

                                2.
                                13.
                                8

                                thirty Six lb. Mutton 6—18/

                                7 Dozn Eggs 7/

                                1.
                                5.

                                24th

                                7 Bushel oysters 35/ 3 Dozn Lemmons

                                and 25 limes 22/6

                                2.
                                17.
                                6

                                25

                                45 Lbs. Mutton 22/6—14 lbs. Butter 21/

                                7 & 1/2 lb. Reisens 7/6

                                2.
                                11.

                                A String of Pike 3/9 A baril of Cider-

                                35/7 8 yd Lining 12/

                                2.
                                10.
                                9

                                one Barril Cider 10 1 Cagg do 4/6

                                Mutton 28/

                                2.
                                2.
                                6

                                a String Pike 3/9 Lump Clay 1/6

                                Bees Wax 2/

                                7.
                                3.

                                65 Lbs. Mutton 28/ 70 Lbs. Butter

                                93/4 3 lbs .Cake 5/6

                                6.
                                5.
                                0

                                1/4 Cinnamon 18/ 1/4 Mace 15/

                                3 Dozn Crabs 4/6

                                1.
                                17.
                                6

                                Mending table Cloaths 5/

                                Phisie 15/ Piggy 11/8

                                1.
                                11.
                                8

                                Payd to addam 7/6 Mr Winters Bill

                                £9.1.6

                                9.
                                9.
                                0

                                Eight turkeys 3/6 a peece 4 Quire

                                Paper 4/8

                                1.
                                12.
                                8

                                to two Nights horskeeping for Carlton 5/

                                5.
                                0

                                45 Lbs. Mutton 22/6 1 Tin kittel 5/

                                1/2 Tea 2/2

                                     1.

                                     9.

                                     8

                                Total

                                34.
                                15.
                                11

                                I Received

                                123.
                                10

                                on hand

                                38.
                                14.
                                1

                                An Account of moneys Expended for his Excellency the Commander in
                                    Chief’s Family, by Capt. Bazl Howe for the Mot. of Octr 1783

                                1st

                                To 3 Nutmeg’s 3/5. To 36 lb. Soap 1/2—42/

                                 2.
                                 5.
                                 5

                                2

                                To 1 1/2 Bushels Corn 9/. To 2 Bushels

                                Oysters 10/

                                19.

                                To 50 lb. Mutton 25/ (3d) To 83 lb.

                                Butter 124/6

                                 7.
                                 9.
                                 6

                                To 1 Turkey 4/. To 6 1/2 Dozn Eggs 6/6

                                10.
                                 6

                                To 6 Fowles 4/6. To 5 Bushels

                                Oysters 25/

                                 1.
                                 9.
                                 6

                                5

                                To 3 Dozn Lemmons 21/. To 4 Fowls 4/.

                                 1.
                                 5.

                                To 36 lbs. Mutton 18/. To 1/2 Carrets 2/6

                                     1.

                                     0.

                                     6

                                14.
                                19.
                                 5

                                7

                                To 9 Dozn Eggs 9/. To 24 lb. Gammon 24/

                                 1.
                                13.

                                To 22 lb. Soap 22/. To 1 Turkey 3/9

                                 1.
                                 5.
                                 9

                                To 1 Goose 3/9. To 48 lb. Mutton 24/.

                                 1.
                                 7.
                                 9

                                9

                                To Beets 4/6. To 7 Dozn Eggs 7/.

                                To Cash pd a beggr 7/6

                                19.
                                 0.

                                10

                                To 5 1/2 Nutmegs 30/. To 4 Fowles 4/.

                                 1.
                                14.

                                To Cash pd Peggy 22/. To Ditto

                                pd Dady 15/

                                 1.
                                17.

                                To Ditto pd Warmsley 30/. To 4 Fowles 4/

                                     1.

                                    14.

                                10.
                                10.
                                 6

                                13

                                To 4 Doz Eggs 4/. To 45 lb. Mutton 22/6

                                 1.
                                 6.
                                 6

                                15

                                To 1 Kegg Beer 7/6. To 2 Turkeys 7/6

                                15.

                                To C. lb. Hunney 7/6. To 2 Fowles 2/.

                                 9.
                                 6

                                To 12 lb. Butter 18/. To 1 Bushel

                                Beets 5/6

                                 1.
                                 3.
                                 6

                                To 1 B. Potatoes 3/6. To 5 Bushels

                                Oysters 22/6

                                 1.
                                 6.

                                To 52 lb. Bread 18/. To 55 lb.

                                Mutton 27/6

                                 2.
                                 5.
                                 6

                                To Joseph Skeltons Acct rendds for

                                     8.

                                    15.

                                     8

                                16.
                                 1.
                                 8

                                17

                                To 22 lb. Gambone 22/6. To 65 lb.

                                Bread 22/6

                                 2.
                                 5.

                                18

                                To 2 Turkeys 7/6. To 2 Meats Tongues 2/6

                                10.

                                To Six fowles 4/6. To 16 lb. Butter 29/4

                                     1.

                                    13.

                                    10

                                 4.
                                 8.
                                10

                                20

                                To 56 lb. Mutton 28/. To 15

                                Doz. Eggs 15/

                                 2.
                                 3.

                                To 12 lb. Butter 22/. To 55 lb.

                                Mutton 27/6

                                 2.
                                 9.
                                 6

                                24.

                                To 44 lb. Butter 77/. To 3 Dozn

                                Fowles 27/

                                 5.
                                 4.

                                23.

                                To 1 Turkey 3/9. To 6 quire Rapping

                                paper 3/

                                 6.
                                 9.

                                24

                                To 23 lb. Gammon 23/ To 1 Goose 3/9

                                 1.
                                 6.
                                 9

                                To Bushel Potatoes 3/9. To 1 pigg 5/6

                                     9.

                                     3

                                    11.

                                    19.

                                     3

                                £
                                57.
                                19
                                 8


Title: To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 1 September 1783
From: Smith, William Stephens
To: Washington, George

                     Sir
                     New York 1st Septr 1783

                  Inclosed I have the honor of transmitting to your Excellency the last Papers.
                  The New Corps are to embark on Wednesday for Nova Scotia, and agreable to the Adjutant Generals returns there remains only ten thousand Inhabitants to be removed—Sir Guy Carleton in withdrawing his Troops from the upper Part of Long Island to their present Encampment between New Town and Bedford has left the Country from which he retired unprotected by the Military and destitute of the benifits arising from a Civil Establishment, in consequence of which the Inhabitants are exposed to insult and injury both in their Persons, and Property.  who conceive it impracticable in consequence of the violence of a certain Class of Men to establish a Police without military aid—I have had several of the People with me upon this Subject, and have recommended them to apply to His Excellency Govr Clinton, who perhaps will have it in his power to furnish or procure for them a small military Force to assist the Civil Magistrate in the establishment of Goverment in those Parts from whence the British Troops retire—This (with submission) appears to me a System which in general must be adopted, for the warmth of the times is such, that unless the Civil Magistrate is particularly aided by the Military I foresee nothing but Anarchy and Confusion and unless check’d in its earliest budd, the consequences must prove disagreeable and perhaps, blast for a very considerable Time the Benifits we expect to derive from the Revolution—if it is once permitted to burst forth in this City, it will I fear prove a violent Flame, which cannot be so soon quenched, as it might have been, whilst it was but a smothering Fire.
                  In the course of the last week the riots about Huntington had rose to such a considerable Height, that Sir Guy Carleton detach’d from the Camp a regt of Cavalry and a few flank Companies to suppress it—several Persons are taken up and confined, and are said to be on their way here for tryal by Court-Martial—I have my doubts—but perhaps the Circumstances of the Case may justify Sir Guy in marching his Troops in a hostile Manner into a Country from whence he had retired in consequence of the preliminary Articles of a Peace—but I am confident he might be saved that trouble in future by small parties of our Troops, possessing the Country as it becomes necessary for the British to withdraw—The Inhabitants would by the adoption of this mode not only be protected from being plundered by Stragglers from the British Camp, but be Shelter’d from the rage of party Zeal, which at present threatens to blaze with an alarming Fury.  I have the Honor to be with great respect—Your Excellency’s Most Obliged Obedt Servant

                     W.S. Smith


Title: To George Washington from Robert Howe, 2 September 1783
From: Howe, Robert
To: Washington, George

                     Dear Sir
                     Sept. the 2d 1783—Philadelphia

                  I have the Honor to inclose your Excellency a Copy of my Letter to the President of Congress from which you will see the Measures I have pursued upon an Occasion perplexing & intricate—& if in the Course of it I have so conducted Matters as not to merit your Excellency’s Disapprobation it will make me happy.
                  I conceived that your Excellency would not wish to be Troubled with the Proceedings of the Court Martial upon the Persons arraign’d & therefore I have not laid them before you—if in acting Thus I have done wrong be pleas’d to impute the Omission to the Motives from which it sprang—a Desire to avoid giving your Excellency Trouble, & a firm Persuasion that you would not choose to have the Matter referred to you.
                  In Regard to the March of the Troops now remaining your Excellency will determine whether it ought to be done before I receive the ultimate Determinations of Congress as to the Proceedings I have Transmitted to them.  With Every Respect & Regard I am Dear Sir your Excellency’s most obedient Humble Servant

                     Robt: Howe

                Enclosure

                        Sir
                        Philadelphia 2d of Sept. 1783

                     The whole Proceedings of the general Court martial were put into my hands this Day—I detain’d them no longer than to read them & now do myself  the Honor to Transmit Them to your Excellency—The Sentences pass’d upon the Officers I have left unratified until the Pleasure of Congress shall be had Thereupon—Those against the Soldiers have been ratified but the Executions have been stag’d agreeable to Resolves of that honorable Body—Their final Directions they will please to honor me with as early as they shall think proper.
                     Among many other Measures that have been pursued to obtain an Insight into this Mutiny & the Causes of it I immediately upon my Arrival, convened all the Officers of the Pensylvania Line who had been in the City at the time it happen’d—except those under Arrest—explain’d to them the Intentions of Congress in sending me up, & in the strongest Expressions I was Master of requested & claim’d their every Information, Assistance & Exertions for carrying into the fullest Execution the Purposes of my Command.
                     When the Judge Advocate arrived I again instantly convened & met them with him—required & injoin’d them to yield him the same Aid I had ask’d of them for myself—& though no very important Information have been given yet I cannot suppose any have been withheld—The more especially when I consider that my own unceasing & earnest Efforts seconded by those of the Judge Advocate have met with so little success.
                     That the ultimate Ends aimed at by the capital Formenters of this horrid transaction were of greater magnitude & of deeper Dye than as yet can be made app I think may be concluded—That so little has develop’d demonstrates the Knowledge of their principal Views to have been confined to a very few indeed, for the generality concern’d in the Matter appear to have been managed by Capt. Carborough—Lieut. Sullivan & their prime Agents Robinson & Townsend—& seem rather to have been employ’d by them than trusted—If any other Characters either in civil or military Line have been deeply interested in the Matter (which I hope for the sake of Humanity has not been the Case) the Escape of the four Persons mention’d leaves the Secret with themselves—Carborough, Sullivan & Robinson have demonstrably sail’d for Europe   &  Townsend many think has also left the Continent—to have advertised the three first would have been as ostentatious as unavoidable &I had strong Reasons to induce me to omit advertising the Letter—I had Agents watching for him at every Place remote from this City towhich he probably would resort—& as he kept a Tippling House in Town, was in a good Way & had a Wife & Brother here, there was great Reason to imagine they had Access to him, or he to them—Their Walks therefore were narrowly watch’d that if they went to him his Concealment might be traced out, & Trusty Persons were constantly on the Look out for him at his own House—To have advertised him therefore would have only served to put him upon his guard & counteract measures which in my Opinion were more likely to succeed.
                     For the Time I detain’d the whole of the Troops I brought up with me I had Reasons that operated with Influence upon me—some of these Reasons were assign’d to the Secretary of War & appear’d to meet his Approbation & had as I imagined been submitted to Congress—The Troops remaining in the Barracs—those at Lancaster & those momentarily expected & since arrived from Carolina amountedto more Effectives than I had with me, & though the Spirit of Mutiny seem’d to have subsided, what a Turn Things might have taken upon the Arrival of those from Charlestown or after that at the Time when they were to be discharged it was not possible for me to devise—& I should have been deem’d incurable & would have deserved it had Coercion become necessary if I had divested myself of the Means of it—& by so doing have made the Views of Congress & the Purposes of my Command the sport of Contingencies—the more especially as I had not been without Intimation that a Communication had taken place betwixt them.   & them expected to this I could add many other Reasons  it necessary that forcibly operated upon me.
                     If it should be thought that too much Time has been taken up by this Enquiry let it be considered that the Objects were important & to pursue them thro’ every Intricacy was my Duty—That if This was possible at all it was in its Nature exceedingly difficult—That Means which promis’d Success (tho’ they might frequently disappoint me) it was incumbent upon me to adopt—That Circumstances might lead to a Belief that particular Characters remote from this Place could throw Light upon the Matter & that Time was requisite to call them up or to commune with them—& above all as it was the express Direction & Wish of Congress that every Effort should be made to develop an Affair so highly criminal in itself & which might have been so fatal in its Consequences that the Pursuit ought not to have been discontinued until no further Methods of Elucidation could be fallen upon, & when added to this the Proceedings of the Court Martial are taken into Consideration the Imputation of Inaction or Delay will not in any Case I persuade myself appear to have been deserved—I have through the whole of this Affair lamented with very great Anxiety that in an Occurrence where so much appears to have been intended by the principal mutineers, so little Means of Investigation could be obtain’d—but conscious as I am that my whole Time & Attention have been devoted to the Purpose of my Mission—& that no Methods my poor Abilities could suggest having been left unasuag’d to probe this untoward Matter to the Bottom I can face no Regret upon the Occasion but that my Efforts have not been attended with all the Success I wish’d.
                     I think it Justice to Col. Humpton to say of him that he has been ready to execute what I desired & appear’d to be desirous of giving me Information & Assistance—& I take Pleasure in expressing myself to be obliged by Col. Butler—not only for his Attention to my Requests upon all Occasions, but by his exerting himself to forward the Ends we were pursuing.
                     The Judge Advocate has not only by his Attention to those Duties immediately official deserv’d my Approbation, but that by his Activity to investigate the Matters that have been before as he merits my particular Applause.My Command Sir by many Circumstances I shall not take up the Time of Congress to enumerate has been rendered more intricate, perplexing & less efficacious than I hoped it would have been—but if at last my Endeavours to do my Duty should meet the Approbation of Congress I shall deem myself happy. I have the Honor to be with the greatest Respect Sir Your Excellency’s most obedient Humble Servant
                     Copy

                            signed  Robt Howe


Title: To George Washington from Robert Morris, 2 September 1783
From: Morris, Robert
To: Washington, George

                     Sir
                     Office of Finance 2nd Septr 1783

                  I received your Excellency’s favors of the twenty fifth and thirtieth of last Month the latter was by far the more agreable for I confess to you Sir that I beheld the attempt to Garrison the Western Posts with Pain and went into so much of it as concerns my Department with infinite Reluctance.  I perswade myself that the only effectual means of getting a good American Establishment of any Kind is to be so long without it that a Sense of the want shall stimulate the States into the means of forming it—At present all we can do is to close the past Scene if possible with Reputation. I am very sincerely your Excellency’s most obedient & humble Servant

                     Robt Morris


Title: To George Washington from John Polson, Jr., 2 September 1783
From: Polson, John, Jr.
To: Washington, George

                     Sir
                     Knole near Bristol 2d Septr 1783

                  That your Excellency may know who takes the liberty of Addressing you I am a Brother to Capt. William Polson who was killed in the Service of Virginia in 1756 and the same that received Seven wounds in the Action in which my Brother lost his life, and for whom Your Excellency were pleased to obtain an Ensigncy in the Regimt you raised in Virginia after General Braddocks defeat, in which Regt I had the honor to Serve untill I was appointed to the 44th Regt.
                  About the year 1770 or 1771 your Excellency was pleased to write to my Father (who was then living in Georgia) that the Heir at Law to the abovemention’d Capt. William Polson was intittled to a certain quantity of Land in the Dominion of Virginia, and I believe you recommended Mr Alexr Craig of Williamsburg as a proper person to manage the business, in consequence of which my Father wrote me to Niagara to send Mr Craig such Instructions as I thought proper.  In Novr 1772 I Embarked with the 60 Regt for the west Indies, and never since returned to the Continent, but kept up a Correspondence with Mr Craig untill the beginning of 1775 and remitted him money from time to time to pay my proportion of the Expences of geting the Grant & Surveying a Tract of 51102 Acres of Land on the Great Kanhawa which was to be divided between a number of Officers of the Virginia Regt, 6000 Acres of which came to my share as Heir to my Brother William Polson.  In 1774 I sent Mr Craig a Letter of Attorney to Sell, improve, or Lease in whole or any part of my said Lands, but the ruinous War which soon after commenced put an end to our Correspondence, and tho’ we are now blessed with Peace I am at a loss to know whether my friend Mr Craig is living and where.  I therefore hope your Excellency will pardon the liberty I take of puting a letter for him under a Cover for you which I request you to forward to him if he is living.  But if you hear he is Dead or not in a Capacity to Act as my Attorney you will confer a very great Obligation on me if you will be so good as to Recommend me to a proper person who will Accept of a Power of Attorney from me to take care of my property in the State of Virginia, or Sell the whole if it should be thought Adviseable, and if your Excellency will condescend to give me your Advice whether to Sell my Lands now or keep them for a few years It will be Adding to the many obligations already confer’d on me And shall be gratefully acknowledged bySir Your Excellencys Most Obedient and most Humble Servant

                     Jno. Polson

                Enclosure

                        Dear Sir
                        Knole near Bristol 2d Septr 1783

                     I Congratulate you on the Return of Peace after a long and Ruinous War, and I most Sincerely wish to hear that you have escaped the Calamities of it, but its impossible but you must have had your share.
                     Being uncertain whether you are alive or where you may be if alive, I take the liberty of puting this letter under a cover to General Washington to whom I am under many Obligations.
                     I sent you a Power of Attorney from Jamaica in 1774 to Sell, improve or Lease my 6000 Acres of Land in the great Patent on the Kanhawa.  But the War that commenced soon after I suppose put it out of your power to do any thing in that business.  I am now Anxious to Sell the whole immediately unless that by keeping the Lands two or three years longer you think they wod Sell much higher than at present, and that they can be kept without paying heavier Taxes for them. I am not in a Situation to Advance much Money to preserve them, and therefor if I can get a tolerable good price for the Lands I wod Sell them immediately. I beg your Advice on this head, and please inform me If the power I already sent you is Sufficient for Selling, or whether I must send you another, and if so, Whether the Seal of the Corporation of Bristol or Bath being put to it will be a proper Manner of Authenticating it in your State.  If not, please tell me what form is requisit.  I hope you have no Objection to Act for me in this business; The friendship you formerly Show’d my Deceased Brother and Sister, and the trouble you took in my own Affairs encourages me to hope for your good Offices.  You wrote me in 74 or begining of 75 that you expected to get me another Grant of 2000 Acres of Land.  Pray did you get it?
                     To give you some Account of myself I remained in Jamaica from March 1773 to Augt 1781 Excepting a few Months that I was on the Spanish Main.  I Arrived in this Country from Jamaica in Novr 81 And was soon after Appointed Major in the 92d Regt which Commission I Sold And I am now a Private Country Gentleman And passes most of my time in this Place with my Brother, where we should be very happy to see you if your business calls you to this part of the World.  I need not tell you that I shall be very glad to hear from you as soon as convenient after the receipt of this, and that you will give me every information you can about my affairs, which will very much oblige Dear Sir Your most Obedt Hum. Servant

                        Jno. Polson


Title: From George Washington to Annis Boudinot Stockton, 2 September 1783
From: Washington, George
To: Stockton, Annis Boudinot

                     Rocky Hill Septr 2nd 1783

                  You apply to me, My dear Madam, for absolution as tho’ I was your father Confessor; and as tho’ you had committed a crime, great in itself, yet of the venial class—You have reason good—for I find myself strangely disposed to be a very indulgent ghostly adviser on this occasion and, notwithstanding "you are the most offending Soul alive" (that is if it is a crime to write elegant Poetry) yet if you will come & dine with me on Thursday, and go thro’ the proper course of penetence which shall be prescribed, I will strive hard to assist you in expiating these Poetical Trespasses on this side of Purgatory—Nay more, if it rests with me to direct your future lucubrations, I shall certainly urge you to a repetition of the same conduct, on purpose to shew what an admirable knack you have at confession & reformation—and so without more hesitation I shall venture to commend the Muse not to be restrained by its grounded timidity, but to go on and prosper.
                  You see Madam, when once the Woman has tempted us, & we have tasted the forbidden fruit, there is no such thing as checking our appetites, whatever the consequences may be. You will, I dare say, recognize our being the genuine descendants of those who are reputed to be our great Progenitors.
                  Before I come to the more serious conclusion of my letter—I must beg leave to say a Word or two about these fine things you have been telling in such harmonious & beautiful numbers—Fiction is to be sure the very life & Soul of Poetry—All Poets & Poetesses have been endulged in the free and indisputable use of it, time out of Mind—and to oblige you to make such an excellent Poem, on such a subject, without any materials but those of simple reality, would be as cruel as the Edict of Pharoah which compelled the Children of Israel to Manufacture Bricks without the necessary Ingredients.
                  Thus are you sheltered under the authority of prescription, and I will not dare to charge you with an intentional breach of the Rules of the Decalogue in giving so bright a colouring to the Services I have been enabled to render my Country; tho’ I am not conscious of deserving any thing more at your hands, than what the purest & most disinterested friendship has a right to claim; actuated by which you will permit me, to thank you in the most affectionate manner for the kind wishes you have so happily expressed for me & the partner of all my Domestic enjoyments—Be assured we can never forget our friend at Morven; and that I am, My dear Madam, with every sentiment of friendship & esteem Your Most Obedt & obliged Servt

                     Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 3 September 1783
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

                     Sir
                     West Point 3d Septemr 1783

                  I received your Excellency’s favor of the 29th directing a suspension of the troops and stores destined for the Western Posts.  The light Infantry company which came from the Lines have returned, & I directed that the clothing drawn by them and the Artillery men to be redelivered to the Clothier.
                  There are certain french refugees in this vicinity under the direction of a Major Merlet, who have drawn about one hundred rations per day for men women and children—It appearing from the Certificate of a Mr Forbes issuing commissary at Newburgh that it was in consequence of your Excellency’s orders, particularly for last month. I ventured to give the order for the present month.
                  Major Gibbs with the 2d Massachusetts regiment will arrive here to day—He has left more than eighty sick upon his route—I shall send a vessel for those at Brunswick.
                  Enclosed are the last monthly returns of the troops.  I have the honor to be with great Respect your Excellency’s Most Obedient Servant

                     H. Knox


Title: To George Washington from Arthur St. Clair, 3 September 1783
From: St. Clair, Arthur
To: Washington, George

                     Sir
                     Prince Town Septr 3d 1783

                  In case that Congress should think proper to direct a Peace Establishment there are some Gentlemen of the Pennsylvania Line who wish to be employed and have requested me to mention them to your Excellency.  They are Colonel Richard Butler; Lieut. Colonels Harmer; and Mentges; Major Moore Capt. Bowen and Capt. Zeigler of the Infantry; and Captain Armstrong of Lee’s Legion.  The Characters of the Feild Officers your Excellency is perfectly well acquainted with—the Captains Bowen and Zeigler are both old Officers, and have served, without  Reproach, thro the whole of the War (Capt. Bowen is I believe one of the oldest of that Rank in the Army) and their particular Circumstances lead them to wish to continue in the Army having little prospect of getting into any eligible way in civil Life.
                  I mentioned Capt. Armstrong to your Excellency Yesterday, and have since informed myself about the Circumstance you was then in doubt about.  Capt. Armstrong was never tried in any Case—his Reputation stands high as any Mans can with the Corps; and I found him very much esteemed by general Greene as a gallant and intelligent Officer—The Person your Excellency alluded to was probably Capt. Gun who had been tried on a charge brought against him by Colonel White, and the Court Martial was sent to the Secretary at War.
                  I hope your Excellency will excuse my giving you this Trouble—it probably the last and was what I could not refuse—A few Weeks will I hope see me a private Citizen, but I cannot go away without taking a very affectionate Leave of your Excellency and assuring you that the Countenance I have received from You as it has been very honorable to me so it has been one of the most pleasing Circumstances in my Life and I shall ever cherish the Remembrance of it.  I wish you all the Happiness and Honors that your own Virtues merit and that a grateful Country can bestow and am with sincere Respect and Esteem Sir Your most obedient Servant

                     Ar. St Clair


Title: To George Washington from Aloys Friedrich, Graf von Brühl, 4 September 1783
From: Brühl, Aloys Friedrich, Graf von
To: Washington, George

                     Sir
                     London Septr the 4th 1783

                  In forwarding the inclosed Letter from one of the most experienced Generals of the Elector my Master I cannot prevail upon myself to forego so favourable an opportunity of testyfying to your Excellency the high Admiration I share in common with every body Living of the great talents by which you have distinguished yourself in the Course of a long & to all appearance very unequal Contest.  Your Excellency enjoyed the singular good fortune of having build your Fame upon the Establishments of Rights dear to mankind in general which may be truly called Monumentum are perennius.  I shall therefore only add that if you think proper to comply with the Request of our old Gl I shall be ready to answer for all expences attending the accomplishment of his Wishes, having the honour to be with great respect, Sir Your Excellency’s most obedient humble Servant

                     the Count de Bruhl


Title: From George Washington to Elias Boudinot, 4 September 1783
From: Washington, George
To: Boudinot, Elias

                     Sir
                     Rocky Hill Septr 4 1783

                  By the arrival of the Baron Steuben I have received the Letter from General Haldemand alluded to in my last communication to your Excellency; a Copy of which I take the first occasion of laying before Congress.  With perfect respect I have the honor to be Your Excellency’s Most Hble Servt.


Title: From George Washington to James McHenry, 5 September 1783
From: Washington, George
To: McHenry, James

                     Dear Sir
                     Rocky Hill 5th Sept. 1783

                  I have thrown together the following sentiments on the papers you put into my hand yesterday.
                  Brevets which have been given with conditions annexed, ought, undoubtedly, to have the conditions fulfilled; because it is a contract between the Parties.
                  Simple Brevets, must be determined by the usage & Custom of other Armies, if there is no established rule for considering of them in our own; I never considered them in any other light than as confering Rank without pay or emoluments; and this I believe (& indeed am almost sure) is the view of them in the British Service.  They are intended generally as a Compliment, they give command—& place an Officer in the Road of permant Promotion.
                  I cannot see how Brevets considered in these lights, or indeed in any other, can have a disagreeable operation in the promotion of Officers of a certain standing, a grade higher, when the proposition was express that no emoluments should be annexed, nor the Public burthened in the leat degree. if however the Public have any suspicions that the Officers thus promoted will avail themselves of it to enhance their emoluments, the Secrety at War may be directed to inform the pay Master Genl that such promotions do not intitle them to pay, or emoluments—which will sufficiently check any evils the Government may fear, & supercede the necessity of any explanitory Resolution, which might perhaps injure the feelings of those Officers whom Congress in this instance wish to gratify.


Title: To George Washington from Robert Morris, 5 September 1783
From: Morris, Robert
To: Washington, George

                     Dear Sir
                     Philada Septr 5th 1783

                  Mrs Morris & myself accept most chearfully, the polite & Friendly invitation with which Mrs Washington & you are pleased to honor us, it is our intention to pay you a visit in a short time unless Congress should prevent it by removing themselves & You to this City previous to our journey.
                  One part of our business at Prince Town is to entreat in person that our House may be Your’s whenever business or any occasion whatever shall bring you to this City, We have room enough & I persuade myself that Mrs Washington & yourself are perfectly Convinced how happy we shall be in the enjoyment of your Company  Mr G. Morris will deliver this and to him I beg leave to refer your Excelly for such information as you may wish from this quarter.  Mrs Washinton & you will accept our best wishes & Compliments, and in the expectation of soon taking you by the hand.  I remain Dear Sir Your most Obedient & humble Servant

                     Robt Morris


Title: To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 5 September 1783
From: Smith, William Stephens
To: Washington, George

                     Sir
                     New York 5th Septr1783

                  I received your Excellency’s Letter of the 31st Ulto & am always rendered particularly happy, whenever my conduct meets your approbation.
                  I must acknowledge myself obliged by the advice contain’d in the latter part of the Letter relative to granting Passports to Persons going into the Country—protections I never presumed to give and generally informed the persons that the passes were not given with that intent and that their protection rested entirely upon their own Conduct—I should think myself inexcusable where I to attempt to hold up the Ideas of protection to these People any further than I conceive the dignity of Government requires.
                  Both in private and public Conversations I have always held it as rediculous for Individuals to be fishing for the opinion of their friends respecting their Stay in this Country, asserting that by applying to their own Minds, they must be able to determine—that I was confident that every Person found within those lines formerly occupied by the British Troops would be entitled to and receive the protection of the Goverment at least from Injury & Insult of the People, untill a proper investigation can be made respecting their Conduct when if it appears that they have in any instance run counter to the laws of their Country or extended their actions further than the perfect Rights of Individuals would justify & what was due to the Goverment under which they resided, they must expect punishment addequate to the Crime, which I was confident would never be inflicted but in cases which justice would warrant, and which upon examination would tend to confirm and render respectable, rather than injure our national Character—that the Gent. holding the reigns of Civil Goverment, have a perfect Idea of the rights of the Citizen and are attached to the Laws and Constitution of their Country, but at the same time that they would exert the powers of Government to shelter the meanest Character from personal injury, the most exalted need never flatter himself that his wealth or station can effect the opperation of the Laws provided by his Conduct he has exposd himself to their Lash, whenever I enter into political conversations relative to the situation of these people this is my foundation, but I have been particularly careful in avoiding them, considering it as a subject which in general ought to be handled with great delicacy—particularly by Military Characters in my Situation.
                  By the Bearer Ensn Shyber late of the German Troops, I send the Caps for the Boy’s, should they prove too large—small cushons within the Crown will make them fit &  setteasier than without.  The aforemention’d Gentleman was A.D. Camp to Lt Genl De Knoblock has obtain’d a very honourable dissmission and intends settling in this Country.  I am with great respect Your Excellencys most obliged Obedt Servt

                     W.S. Smith


Title: To George Washington from William Irvine, 6 September 1783
From: Irvine, William
To: Washington, George

                     Sir
                     Fort Pitt September 6th 1783

                  My letter of the 18th of July to the Honorable the Secretary at War, (which he promises to shew your Excellency) will I hope explain to your satisfaction my reason for not writing you frequently: Since that time the Virginia Troops at this Post by order of General Lincoln have been discharged & paid four months agreeable to a Resolution of Congress of the 26th of May, without the most distant hint to me why the rest of the Troops composing this garrison were not also paid Furloughed, or discharged—nor have I yet learned what the reasons are, tis true that the Secretary at War, in his letter of the 4th ultimo to me, mentions his having written on the 23d of June, by the Officer who Commands a Detachment for the purpose of relieving the present garrison, but as neither that Officer nor the letter have arrived, I am persuaded some unexpected matters have intervened to prevent the intended measure being carried into effect, by which the expence to the public must be unnecessarily increased—In order to obviate and put things out of doubt I have sent Lieutenant Rose my Aid de Camp, who will wait on your Excellency to give you such information of the Occurrences in this quarter as you may think proper to require and to bring your Excellencys, or the Secretary at War’s Instructions to me. I have the honor to be Sir Your Excellencys Most Obedient & Humble Servant

                     Wm Irvine


Title: From George Washington to Robert Lewis, 6 September 1783
From: Washington, George
To: Lewis, Robert

                     Gentn,
                     Rocky Hill, near Princeton 6th Septr 1783

                  In Bradfords Paper of the 30th Ulto I perceive an anonymous advertisement of a person who wants employment as a miller, referring to you for his character.  If this is such, as in all points of view I could approve, it is very likely I might employ him at my Mills in Virginia (ten miles from Alexa.). My present miller who has lived with me thirteen or fourteen years; & who perhaps understands the manufacture of wheat, as well as any miller upon the Continent; and who I believe is also an honest man; is become so unfit for the trust reposed in him by his addiction to liquor, which not only keeps him intoxicated many days upon a stretch, but absent also from the Mills, that however reluctantly I do it, I shall be induced to part with him, if I can meet with a man who could bring me ample testimonials of his skill, his honesty, his sobriety & Industry.
                  These qualities must be well ascertained before I would employ any man; as I have no other objection, than what I have mentioned to my present miller; who, besides being an excellent miller, is equally a good Millwright, & Cooper.
                  I work two pair of Stones, one pair of which are French-burr, employed in the merchant business. The Mill house is of Stone, large & commodious—the dwelling house, which is convenient, is within thirty yards of it; & has a Garden enclosed adjoining—A Cooper’s Shop is also near, & the whole convenient to tide water.
                  Having been thus particular, with respect to my Mills & my Wants, I shall thank you Gentn for a full & unreserved character of the anonymous advertiser, & the terms on which he would engage.  If you think this man wou’d not answer my purpose, or shou’d he be engag’d, do you know of any one who, from what I have here said, would?  Your answer to this letter as soon as convenient will very much oblige. Gentn, Oour most Obt Servt

                     G: Washington


Title: From George Washington to James Duane, 7 September 1783
From: Washington, George
To: Duane, James

                     Sir
                     Rocky Hill Sep. 7th 1783

                  I have carefully perused the Papers which you put into my hands relating to Indian Affairs.
                  My Sentiments with respect to the proper line of Conduct to be observed towards these people coincides precisely with those delivered by Genl Schuyler so far as he has gone in his Letter of the 29th July to Congress (which, with the other Papers is herewith returned)—& for the reasons he has there assigned; a repetition of them therefore by me would be unnecessary.  But independant of the arguments made use of by him the following considerations have no small weight in my mind.
                  To suffer a wide extended Country to be overrun with Land jobbers—Speculators, and Monopolizers or even with scatter’d settlers is, in my opinion, inconsistent with that wisdom & policy which our true interest dictates, or that an enlightned People ought to adopt; and besides, is pregnant of disputes, both with the Savages, and among ourselves, the evils of which are easier, to be conceived than described; and for what? but to aggrandize a few avaricious Men to the prejudice of many and the embarrassment of Government.  for the People engaged in these pursuits without contributing in the smallest degree to the support of Government, or considering themselves as amenable to its Laws, will involve it by their unrestrained conduct, in inextricable perplexities, and more than probable in a great deal of Bloodshed.
                  My ideas therefore of the line of Conduct proper to be observed not only towards the Indians, but for the government of the Citizens of America, in their Settlement of the Western Country (which is intimately connected therewith) are simply these.
                  First and as a preliminary, that all Prisoners of whatever age or Sex, among the Indians shall be delivered up.
                  That the Indians should be informed, that after a Contest of eight years for Sovereignty of the Country G: Britain has ceded all the Lands of the United States within the limits discribed by the  arte of the Provisional Treaty.
                  That as they (the Indians) maugre all the advice and admonition which could be given them at the commencemt; & during the prosecution of the War could not be restrained from acts of Hostility, but were determined to join their Arms to those of G. Britain and to share their fortune; so, consequently, with a less generous People than Americans they would be made to share the same fate; and be compelld to retire along with them beyond the Lakes.  But as we prefer Peace to a state of Warfare, as we consider them as a deluded People; as we perswade ourselves that they are convinced, from experience, of their error in taking up the Hatchet against us, and that their true Interest and safety must now depend upon our friendship.  As the Country, is large enough to contain us all; and as we are disposed to be kind to them and to partake of their Trade, we will from these considerations and from motives of Compn, draw a veil over what is past and establish a boundary line between them and us beyond which we will endeavor to restrain our People from Hunting or Settling, and within which they shall not come, but for the purposes of Trading, Treating, or other business unexceptionable in its nature.
                  In establishing this line, in the first instance, care should be taken neither to yield nor to grasp at too much.  But to endeavor to impress the Indians with an idea of the generosity of our disposition to accommodate them, and with the necessity we are under, of providing for our Warriors, our Young People who are growing up, and strangers who are coming from other Countries to live among us.  and if they should make a point of it, or appear dissatisfied at the line we may find it necessary to establish, compensation should be made them for their claims within it.
                  In establishing this line, in the first instance, care should be taken neither to yield nor to grasp at too much.  But to endeavor to impress the Indians with an idea of the generosity of our disposition to accommodate them, and with the necessity we are under, of providing for our Warriors, our Young People who are growing up, and strangers who are coming from other Countries to live among us.  and if they should make a point of it, or appear dissatisfied at the line we may find it necessary to establish, compensation should be made them for their claims within it.
                  It is needless for me to express more explicitly because the tendency of my observns evinces it is my opinion that if the Legislature of the State of New York should insist upon expelling the Six Nations from all the Country they Inhabited previous to the War, within their Territory (as General Schuyler seems to be apprehensive of) that it will end in another Indian War.  I have every reason to believe from my enquiries, and the information I have received, that they will not suffer their Country (if it was our policy to take it before we could settle it) to be wrested from them without another struggle.  That they would compromise for a part of it I have very little doubt, and that it would be the cheapest way of coming at it, I have no doubt at all.  The same observations, I am perswaded, will hold good with respect to Virginia, or any other state which has powerful Tribes of Indians on their Frontiers; and the reason of my mentioning New York is because General Schuyler has expressed his opinion of the temper of its Legislature; and because I have been more in the way of learning the Sentimts of the Six Nations, than of any other Tribes of Indians on this Subject.
                  The limits being sufficiently extensive (in the New Ctry) to comply with all the engagements of Government and to admit such emigrations as may be supposed to happen within a given time not only from the several States of the Union but from Foreign Countries, and moreover of such magnitude as to form a distinct and proper Government; a Proclamation in my opinion, should issue, making it Felony (if there is power for the purpose and if not imposing some very heavy restraint) for any person to Survey or Settle beyond the Line; and the Officers Commanding the Frontier Garrison should have pointed and peremptory orders to see that the Proclamation is carried into effect.
                  Measures of this sort would not only obtain Peace from the Indians, but would, in my opinion, be the surest means of preserving it.  It would dispose of the Land to the best advantage; People the Country progressively, and check Land Jobbing and Monopolizing (which is now going forward with great avidity) while the door would be open, and the terms known for every one to obtain what is reasonable and proper for himself upon legal and constitutional ground.
                  Every advantage that could be expected or even wished for would result from such a mode of proceedure our Settlements would be compact, Government well established, and our Barrier formidable, not only for ourselves but against our Neighbours, and the Indians as has been observed in Genl Schuylers Letter will ever retreat as our Settlements advance upon them and they will be as ready to sell, as we are to buy; That it is the cheapest as well as the least distressing way of dealing with them, none who are acquainted with the Nature of Indian warfare, and has ever been at the trouble of estimating the expence of one, and comparing it with the cost of purchasing their Lands, will hesitate to acknowledge.
                  Unless some such measures as I have been taken the liberty of suggesting are speedily adopted one of two capital evils, in my opinion, will inevitably result, and is near at hand; either that the settling, or rather overspreading the Western Country will take place, by a parcel of Banditti, who will bid defiance to all Authority while they are skimming and disposing of the Cream of the Country at the expence of many suffering Officers and Soldiers who have fought and bled to obtain it, and are now waiting the decision of Congress to point them to the promised reward of their past dangers and toils, or a renewal of Hostilities with the Indians, brought about more than probably, by this very means.
                  How far agents for Indian Affrs are indispensably necessary I shall not take upon me to decide; but if any should be appointed, their powers in my opinion should be circumscribed, accurately defined, and themselves rigidly punished for every infraction of them.  A recurrence to the conduct of these People under the British Administration of Indian Affairs will manifest the propriety of this caution, as it will there be found, that self Interest was the principle by which their Agents were actuated; and to promote this by accumulating Lands and passing large quantities of Goods thro their hands, the Indians were made to speak any language they pleased by their representation; were pacific or hostile as their purposes were most likely to be promoted by the one or the other.  No purchase under any pretence whatever should be made by any other authority than that of the Sovereign power, or the Legislature of the State in which such Lands may happen to be.  Nor should the Agents be permitted directly or indirectly to trade; but to have a fixed, and ample Salary allowed them as a full compensation for their trouble.
                  Whether in practice the measure may answer as well as it appears in theory to me, I will not undertake to say; but I think, if the Indian Trade was carried on, on Government Acct, and with no greater advance than what would be necessary to defray the expence and risk, and bring in a small profit, that it would supply the Indians upon much better terms than they usually are; engross their Trade, and fix them strongly in our Interest; and would be a much better mode of treating them than that of giving presents; where a few only are benefitted by them.  I confess there is a difficulty in getting a Man, or set of Men, in whose Abilities and integrity there can be a perfect reliance; without which, the scheme is liable to such abuse as to defeat the salutary ends which are proposed from it.  At any rate, no person should be suffered to Trade with the Indians without first obtaining a license, and giving security to conform to such rules and regulations as shall be prescribed; as was the case before the War.
                  In giving my Sentiments in the Month of May last (at the request of a Committee of Congress) on a Peace Establishmt I took the liberty of suggesting the propriety, which in my opinion there appeared, of paying particular attention to the French and other Settlers at Detroit and other parts within the limits of the Western Country; the perusal of a late Pamphlet entitled "Observations on the Commerce of the American States with Europe and the West Indies" impresses the necessity of it more forcibly than ever on my Mind.  The author of that Piece strongly recommends a liberal change in the Government of Canada, and tho’ he is too sanguine in his expectations of the benefits arising from it, there can be no doubt of the good policy of the measure.  It behooves us therefore to counteract them, by anticipation.  These People have a disposition towards us susceptible of favorable Impressions; but as no Arts will be left unattempted by the British to withdraw them from our Interest, the prest moment should be employed by us to fix them in it, or we may loose them forever; and with them, the advantages, or disadvantages consequent of the choice they may make.  From the best information and Maps of that country, it would appear that from the Mouth of the Great Miami River wch empties into the Ohio to its confluence with the Mad River, thence by a Line to the Miami Fort and Village on the other Miami River whch empties into Lake Erie, and Thence by a Line to include the Settlement of Detroit would with Lake Erie to the No. ward Pensa to the Eastwd and the Ohio to the Soward form a Governmt sufficiently extensive to fulfill all the public engagements, and to receive moreover a large population by Emigrants, and to confine the Settlement of the New States within these bounds would, in my opinion, be infinitely better even supposing no disputes were to happen with the Indians and that it was not necessary to guard against those other evils which have been enumerated than to suffer the same number of People to roam over a Country of at least 500,000 Square Miles contributing nothing to the support, but much perhaps to the Embarrassment of the Federal Goverment.
                  Was it not for the purpose of comprehending the Settlement of Detroit within the Jurisdn of the New Governmt a more compact and better shaped district for the line to proceed from the Miami Fort and Village along the River of that name to Lake Erie leaving In that case the Settlement of Detroit, and all the Territory No. of the Rivers Miami and St Josephs between the Lakes Erie, St Clair, Huron, and Michigan to form, hereafter, another State equally large compact and water bounded.
                  At first view, it may seem a little extraneous, when I am called upon to give an opinion upon the terms of a Peace proper to be made with the Indians, that I should go into the formation of New States; but the Settlemt of the Western Country and making a Peace with the Indians are so analogous that there can be no definition of the one without involving considerations of the other.  for I repeat it, again, and I am clear in my opinion, that policy and oeconomy point very strongly to the expediency of being upon good terms with the Indians, and the propriety of purchasing their Lands in preference to attempting to drive them by force of arms out of their Country; which as we have already experienced is like driving the Wild Beasts of the Forest which will return us soon as the pursuit is at an end and fall perhaps on those that are left there; when the gradual extension of our Settlements will as certainly cause the Savage as the Wolf to retire; both being beasts of prey tho’ they differ in shape.  In a word there is nothing to be obtained by an Indian War but the Soil they live on and this can be had by purchase at less expence, and without that bloodshed, and those distresses which helpless Women and Children are made partakers of in all kinds of disputes with them.
                  If there is any thing in these thoughts (which I have fully and freely communicated) worthy attention I shall be happy and am Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt

                     Go: Washington

                     P.S.  A formal Address, and memorial from the Oneida Indians when I was on the Mohawk River, setting forth their Grievances and distresses and praying relief, induced me to order a pound of Powder and 3 lbs. of Lead to be issued to each Man, from the Military Magazines in the care of Colo. Willet; this, I presume, was unknown to Genl Schuyler at the time he recommended the like measure in his Letter to Congress.

                     G.W.


Title: From George Washington to Nicholas Covenhoven, 8 September 1783
From: Washington, George
To: Covenhoven, Nicholas

                     Sir
                      8 September 1783

                  Through Dr Witherspoon I have received your Memorial with the enclosed Certificates; but so much time has elapsed Since the period you allude to, in which you say you promised to perform particular services for me, that I have not the least remembrance of any circumstance of the kind; but this however, I recollect, that the morning on which General Howe moved with the British Army from the place he first landed at on Long Island, you came to my Quarters & gave me information of it—and I have very frequently heard from the American Officers who have been prisoners on Long Island, that on all occasions you was their friend, and had generously supplied them with Money and every conveniency your situation would afford.
                  From the Account of your supplies of Money which have been made to the State & to individuals, I am fully persuaded that the Government of New York will give a favorable attention to your case, and regard the certificates of which you have furnished me with Copies, as a strong evidence of your Inclination to support the American cause, at the same time that it furnishes instances of yr humanity in relieving the distresses of suffering Prisoners.


Title: To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 8 September 1783
From: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de
To: Washington, George

                     My dear General
                     Nancy September the 8th 1783

                  Your wished for and Most Heartly wellcome favours Have not this long while Reached me, and I most warmly Request You, my dear General, not to forget writing to a friend who loves you with a Filial and Unbounded Affection.  this letter is Going By the September Packet, and Hereafter there will Be one Sailing Every month, By Which, While in Europe, I Shall most Exactly Advise my dear and Respected General—Along with My dispatches, You will Receive the definitive treaty—  ince I Have Returned from Spain (which Affair By the Bye has Been Too much Neglected) I was not Much Consulted Upon Politics by the Commissionners—What I know of the Subject is, that After Many Earnest, and long deluded Hopes to Get Much, from England in Definitive and Commercial Arrangements, the last Answer Has Been that the preliminary Articles were Sufficient to Make up a definitive treaty.
                  Inclosed, my dear General, you will find a Copy of My Letter to Congress whereby You May judge Both of the Political Situation of Affairs, and of the Mercantile American Concerns that for the present detain me in Europe—As to the first, My Private Opinion is that a War Betwen Russians and Turks is Unavoidable—that the Emperor Will Take a part in it, and that Much depends Upon the King’s of Prussia Determination to Become Either an Opponent, or partaker to the division of the ottoman european provinces—As to france, the Revolution Cannot But Greatly Hurt Her Trade, But if She Can Help it She will Not middle with those wars—England is Much embarassed in Her finances, But tho’ She May loose a little, will Rejoice at Every Event Which Affects France with a Greater loss—Such at least, is My private opinion in this Affair.
                  As to the American trade, it Has Been Represented that My presence Here Might Serve The United States, and to me, that Consideration Shall Ever Be a determining one—I hope My dear General will Approuve My Conduct, Which Approbation, I Confess, in Every instance will Ever prove Necessary to My Happiness and Self satisfaction—But I Grieve to Be so long from You, Such a distance, such an interval of Time Cannot Agree with the Tender feelings of a Heart who Had taken the Happy Habit to Live in your family, among My American Friends, who, in Any part of the world, never felt Himself So much at Home, as When he was at Head Quarters—Untill I Return to America, My dear General, Untill I See You and our Fellow Supporters of our Noble Cause, My Mind Cannot Be properly Easy, and Every Mention, Every Rememberance of America makes me Sigh for the Moment When I May Enjoy the Sight of our free and Independant Shores.
                  Many Months Ago, My dear General, I did myself the Honour to write you on the subject of the Bust the Assembly of Virginia Have Voted—Not knowing if My Thanks Ever Reached them, But knowing You Have Mentionned them My Uncertainty, I don’t think I Can Do any thing Further on the Subject, as it Would not Become me to Send to the Assembly House (and to keep for me a Copy of) the Bust Which they Have been pleased to Adorn with Honourable inscriptions—So that I imagine Some Minister Here will be Charged with the direction of that Monument of their Satisfaction, Which, I Confess, fills my Heart with a pleasing Sense of pride and Gratitude.
                  From My letters to Congress, You will see I am Asking for their orders—While in Europe, I think I May Serve them in the Way of information and Advice—the More So, if they Confine themselves to the sending of Consuls—I may also on other Accounts prove Useful, But I must Anew Receive direct orders from them to that purpose—Never Shall I more glory, and Better Enjoy Myself than in the title of an Essential Servant to the United States.
                  By the Next packet, My dear General, I will tell you what Commercial Arrangements Have taken place, and Also What are My own Motions—But Should I Receive the least Hint, or See Myself that, by the Situation of affairs, Every Good Man’s influence is wanting upon the Spot, then, My dear General, No public Affair (for My own are out of the Question) No Season of the Year, no impediment in the World Can prevent my flying to a Beloved Country Whose Happiness, Glory, and liberty, are dearer to me than My own life.
                  Your Circular letter, My dear General, as well as Your Modest Retirement, Have Had the universal Applause of Europe, and my Heart Has Been a partaker in the Glory of My dear General from Whom Every thing that is Great and Good So Naturally flows that it gives a good grace to His Heroic Actions.  Should you think of Coming to Europe, of Seeing a Country Where Your Name is adored, I Need not tell you What Unexpressible Happiness I Would feel in Receiving You Under My Roof, in Making My House Yours, as Yours Has Been and for Ever I Hope will Be Mine, and I flatter Myself I would know it timely Enough Not to Embark myself in Any Journey, or Voyage to America, that Might prevent the Happiness I would derive from Your friendly, and thousand times wellcome Visit.
                  Mde de lafayette and My Three Children are Well and all the family join in their Respectfull and Affectionate Compliments to You and Mrs Washington Whom I Beg You will present with My Most tender Respects—tell her She ought to pay us a Visit along with You, and to Come in compagny with Her Grand Children—My Affectionate Compliments wait Upon George, all the family, and all our friends—please to Remember me to Mr and Mrs lund Washington and to the Young Lady.
                  it is Said in England Your Retirement is Owing to Ambitious Views, and that You intend Soon to Appear Again Upon the Stage.
                  Adieu, My dear General, My Heart is So well known to You that I need not telling You How Tenderly How Respectfully I shall Ever Be untill My last Breath, My dear General Your most obedient Humble servant and Most Obliged Affectionate friend

                     lafayette

                     Our ideas Respecting the Federal Union and the Army so Much Coincide with Each other, that Nothing Needs Being said Betwen us Upon those important Matters.


Title: To George Washington from Sivetau de Lepinay, 8 September 1783
From: Lepinay, Sivetau de
To: Washington, George

                     Sir
                     at Mr Greenhough Mercht Phila. 8 Septr 1783

                  I with pleasure took charge of sundry papers committed to my care by a Magistrate whose Name and talents are well known at St Domingo, in the Government of Port au Prince, I did propose to have the honor to deliver them myself but understanding that Congress made their Residence at Prince town—I thought I could not better answer the views of my employer than in transmitting them by the Post—I beg you to approve this step and to be persuaded of the Zeal with which I shall receive your answer if you shall judge proper to require any further explanation from my friend on the subject which he communicates to you as the friend of the United States of America.  I have the honor to be

                     Siveteau de Lepinay


Title: From George Washington to John Witherspoon, 8 September 1783
From: Washington, George
To: Witherspoon, John

                     Sir
                     Rocky Hill 8th Septr 1783

                  I enclose to your care a Letter to Mr Cowvenhoven in answer to his Memorial & request, and his Letter to you & the President of Congress.
                  In the course of Mr Cowvenhoven’s Memorial he takes occasion to mention his assistance to one Mr Wyckhoff, who, he says, was employed by Governor Clinton & me to bring Money from Long Island; all the agency I had in this matter, was giving an Order, at the request of Governor Clinton, to the Officer Commanding our out Post, to permit Mr Wyckhoff to pass to Long Island, being a public Agent appointed by the Governor to transact some business for the State, which the Legislature had directed—I thought it necessary to give you this information, to prevent any false impressions that might be made in your mind, on the reading of Mr Cowvenhoven’s Memorial, which may convey an Idea, that I had been concerned in a sinister intercourse, with the Enemies of my Country. he nor no other person, directly or indirectly was ever employed by me on such business.


Title: From George Washington to Robert Howe, 10 September 1783
From: Washington, George
To: Howe, Robert

                     Dear Sir,
                     Rocky Hill Sep. 10th 1783.

                  As there is but one Regiment at Philadelphia to March to West Point, and the Troops when they get there take their Orders from the Commanding Officer of the Garrison (agreeably to the Original disposition of them) till Congress shall have determined upon a Peace Establishment; there can be no necessity for your Marching with your present command, in its reduced state to that place.  I mention the matter to you therefore at this time, that you may be at perfect liberty to move with it, or not, as you may find it most convenient & agreeable to your own Inclination.
                  A Committee of Congress have, for some days past, had the Peace Establishment under consideration, but I do not know whether they have come to any resolutions thereupon, or not.  I am—Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt

                     Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 10 September 1783
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

                     Sir
                     West point 10th Septr 1783

                  I have the honor to enclose the weekly return of the troops.  On the 7th instant the remainder of the 3d Massachusetrs regiment arrived from the southward in a pretty healthy state, having left but few upon the road.
                  The troops having been uncommonly sickly for this place, and a malignant putrid fever being among their disorders, I have fixed upon the barrack at Constitution Island as an hospital, and to remove entirely the hospital from New Windsor.  There being a number of patients in that hospital, who labour under such complaints as to afford no prospects of any duty from them, I have upon the recommendation of Doctor Eustis discharged those who had about six months to serve, and furloughed those who had a longer term.
                  It being decided by the Minister of War that we could have no artificers to erect new Magazines, it remains only to make the best arrangements with the old ones.  We therefore are levelling the south curtain of the exterior of Fort Clinton which covers the Magazine, and shall build up a dry stone wall and point it with mortar outside.  Windows or openings are to be made upon principles of security to admit a circulating air, by which we hope to expel tha damp air that has always remained in it for the want of openings opposite to each other.
                  We have had cold unpleasant weather since the commencement of the present month, which has greatly affected the troops, as they have only the remains of their under cloaths which they purchased in the Spring.  If there should be a probability of the men being detained untill the first of November it would be absolutely necessary that some woolen waistcoats and overalls should be furnished them if in store or possible to be obtained.
                  The Officers in general are exceedingly anxious to have some final arrangement made.  They see an uncheary wind advancing fast upon them without having the power in their present situation of making adequate preparations against its inclemencies.  If they should be held untill the winter arrives and then be disbanded, their misery would be extreme.  They can have little hopes of assistance from those who ought to be their friends.  It is apparent from the foul, illiberal spirit manifesting by many parts of Connecticut, that their hands are out stretched against the Officers.  I mention these matters not with a view to accelerate arrangements which must in some measure depend upon the British evacuating New York, but merely to shew the anxiety of the Officers to be liberated from a service that appears to have no object.
                  The ordnance and stores in the posts upon the Mohawk River, although not very numerous are of some value.  The services of the company of Artillery which was stationed there, expired with the rout of the Army, and there are there illegible
                      an Officer of Artillery and three or four men.  I have not furnished others in their place from an expectation that some final arrangements would take place, but as this is not the case, I have to request your Excellency’s directions whether I shall send to those posts an Officer and fifteen or twenty Artillery men.
                  I am apprehensive that the preparations which have been made at this point to celebrate peace, have been made in vain.  A little further advance of the season will render our bowers uncomfortable places of festivity.  The fireworks indeed might with great care, and a good Vessel be transported down the river by water, but they cannot admit of land transportation.  I have the honor to be with the highest respect Your Excellencys Most obedient servant

                     H. Knox


Title: To George Washington from Robert Morris, 10 September 1783
From: Morris, Robert
To: Washington, George

                     Sir
                     Office of Finance 10th Septr 1783

                  I have received your Excellency’s Letter of the thirty first of last Month enclosing a Copy of that of the eighteenth from Colo. Varick.  I know do myself the Honor to enclose Notes for eighteen hundred Dollars and am to request that when this Service shall have been compleated Colo. Varick will be directed to transmit his Accounts with proper Vouchers that they may be passed at the Treasury.  With perfect Respect I have the Honor to be Sir Your Excellency’s most Obedient and Humble Servant

                     Robt Morris


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Paine, 10 September 1783
From: Washington, George
To: Paine, Thomas

                     Sir,
                     Rocky Hill Septr 10th 1783

                  It is sometime since I was favored with your Letter of the 22d of July—not however by the Gentleman for whose benefit it was written—him I have not yet seen—when I do, I shall take pleasure in shewing him every civility in my power agreeably to your wishes.
                  But for an expression in your letter which led me to expect that another on a more interesting subject would soon follow (but which is not yet come to hand) I should have acknowledged the receipt of it long ago.  I have learnt since I came to this place that you are at Border Town; whether for the sake of retirement or oeconomy I know not, be it either for both or whatever it may, if you will come to this place & partake of my Board I shall be exceedingly happy to see you at it.  Your presence may remind Congress of your past Services to this Country, & if it is in my power to impress them, command my best exertions with freedom, as they will be rendered chearfully by one who entertains a lively sense of the importance of your works & who with much pleasure subscribes himself Your sincere friend and Most Obedt Hble Servt

                     Go: Washington