Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General Edward Hand, 29 March 1779
From: Hand, Edward
To: Washington, George

Sir
Minisink [N.Y.] 29th March 1779
Since mine of the 20th I have been honoured by the receipt of your Excellys favours of the 21st and 24th Current—that of the 16th has not come to hand.
I cant at present give you any other Acct of the Country between Chemung & the Seneca Settlements than my letter of the 20th Affords. I every hour Expect an Officer from Wyoming who was taken on the Susquehannah Above that place & Carried to Niagara & from thence to Albany to be Exchanged—Also an Old Gentn of good Character who lives in Northampton County Penna this last [war] liv’d three years at Chemung—As a Treader, has frequently Hunted with the Indians, & been at All their Towns. has Also been Across from Chemung to the Alleganey Waters for Skins—but as it is 20 Years Since, perhaps they have moved their Settlements, at Any rate he must be Acquainted with the Face of the Country—when I examine him & the Lt if I find them Intelligent will Send them to your Excy for your greater satisfaction—have Written to Col. Butler Concerning Job. Chillaway—but believe it will be to no effect, as I passed Job. in Connecogeague the latter end of last August on his way to the Ohio—when at Fredericksburg last October I saw an Indian Cald Shawanese John, who was bred on the Susquehannah—perhaps he may be acquainted with the Country of the Senecas—when I last saw John he belonged to one of the Pennsylvania Regiments—he went to Cambridge in 1775 in the Northumberland County Company of Rifle Men—& Served a Year in that Corps—I believe he is now in Captn Doyles Compy—John must be Cross examin’d as he is much given to lying.
Your Excy has Inclosed the Proceedings of a Court Martial held on the Prisoners reported in my last, your Excy will please to Inform Lt Col. Lindsley of Col. Spencers Regt of your Sentiments thereon.
I have tried every method to get somthing out of them to no purpose—Land is not Acquainted in the Seneca Country, & Hicks, tho he has been from Wyaloosing to Niagara & Back, affects total Ignorance of the Country.
Spencers Corps Shall Move immediately to the Mouth of Mohocomac—the Church mentioned is within 3 or 400 yards of the place where Coles Fort stood. there is Scarcely the Smalest Vestage of it now remaining—as Schotts & Part of Armands Corps are above the Mouth of Mohocomac—Spencers May with Safety go to work—the Mouth of Mohocomac is about 7 miles higher than Wells’s Ferry where the Upper Road to Wyoming leaves the River—Troops Coming from the North River must Cross at the Mouth of Mohocomac, or at Wells’s Ferry; at any rate they must come as low as the latter before the River Hills are pasable on the Pennsylvania Side.
The Most distant part of my Present Cantonement from the Mouth of Mohocomac is About 9 Miles—I may Say it is the Center, Dewitts Fort being 9 miles East, & the lowest Troops on the Jersey Side of Delaware 9 Miles South of it.
For the Difft Routes you desire See the Inclosed List.
From Chemung to Niagara is Generally traveled in 12 or 13 days—from Chemung to Anaquaga is 60 miles, from this last, the Genl Route to Niagara is by Chemung—they Always come down the Susquehannah as far as the Mouth of Owegy Creek which is about 20 Miles above Chemung, Connedesega, & Genesio lie on Difft Routes to Niagara—I cant learn how far these places are apart—I believe by the way of Connedesega is the best, & dryest, & most Settled I believe—Genesio is about 70, or 80 miles from Chemung.
The Women brought down the River Say the Tories & Indians threaten to fall on the Frontier Early in April and if the Inclosed Acct from Captn Spalding be true it is like they mean to be as good as their Word—I every hour expect a return Messenger from Wyoming.
The Snow has falen as deep in this Country last Week as at any time during the Winter which Still keeps back the reconnoitering Party, they Shall be Sent out as Soon as that Obstacle is removed—the Pennsylvania Sergt is to be of the Party—he is a Good Woods Man and an intelligent Fellow—he shall wait on your Excy on the return of the Party.
Captn Schott will wait on your Excy with A return of the Stores & Cloathing wanted for the Troops here.
I Yesterday recd the Money Borrowed for the Legion.
Spencers, Schotts, & Armands Corps are directed to make the Returns Cald for by Congress.
I am Infinitely Obliged to your Excy for yr Permission to Accompany Mrs Hand to Lancaster—will take Head Quarters in my way—& have not the most distant wish to outstay the time I mentioned—I mean to Set out this Week—I have Order’d the German Regt & Spencers to call in their men On Furlough immediately—they Say the time for which they were furloughed is nearly expired—the Commanding officer of the German Regt when he Arrived here told me he had your Excys Permission for the Great Number he furloughed, on their reinlisting.
As the Dragoons of Armands Corps were moved to Fishkill, as I mentioned to yr Excy & I believe was noted on the return, I judged them too remote to be comprehended in this Command—and Apprehended they would be returned by the Commanding Officer in that Quarter, therefore Omited them. this makes the difference in the Total of that Corps I am sir with much respect your Excys most Obedt Hble Servt
Edwd Hand


Title: From George Washington to John Jay, 29 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Jay, John

Sir
Head Quarters Middle Brook 29th March 1779
I do myself the honor to transmit the inclosed extract of a letter which I have just received from General Maxwell. Whether the Report that the expedition from the East End of Long Island is laid aside, is true or false, I will not undertake to determine. I also inclose the latest New York paper. I have the honor to be with the greatest Esteem Your Excellency’s Most obt Servt.


Title: From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 29 March–1 April 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Maxwell, William

Sir.
Head Quarters Middlebrook 29th March[-1 April] 1779:
I received your favor of the 28th Inst. with the New-York paper which it inclosed.
Upon application of commissary Beatty you will give permission to him to send into New-York, about 40 bls flour, eight quarters beef and four or five cords of wood, for the use of our prisoners within the enemies lines.
I have ordered a party of ten with a subaltern, from the Maréchose light dragoons, for your particular command. As it is our interest to bring our cavalry into the field in as good condition as possible, this will point out to you, the precaution of employing them only on such occasions, as are absolutely necessary for the security of the post.
To prevent them from being used on common affairs, the quarter master has orders to provide you with an express rider, which with the one you have, I suppose will be sufficient. I am sir Your most hble servt.

         sir.
         April 1st

      I have been favored with your letter of the 31st Ulto and the two News-papers—You will continue your exertions in obtaining intelligence from the enemy. I am sir Your most hble servt.


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 29 March 1779
From: Parsons, Samuel Holden
To: Washington, George

Dear General
New London [Conn.] 29th March 1779
I was last Week on my return from this Place to Camp; but on receiving Inteligence of the Enemy’s moving toward this Place have returnd. the Commander in Chief of the Enemy’s Forces is said to be at Southampton, a Fleet of Thirty Sail of Ships and other Vessels have arrivd at Sagg Harbour through the Sound. Thirty Ships have arrivd Yesterday at Newport; a Fleet of Twenty five Vessels left Newport last Week for Sagg Harbour about One half which were lost in a Storm. the Enemy’s Forces at Southampton, Sagg Harbour & the Country about that Place amount to about 2500 Men; Troops are said to be on Board the Fleet, the Numbers variously reported from 2000 to 6000 Men; on Long Island the Object in their View is New London. under these Circumstances I have concluded to remain here with the few Troops orderd to this Post by General Putnam until I receive further Orders from him.
the Continental Troops here are about 200 Rank & File the Militia will be orderd in; your Excellency’s Information will better enable you to judge of the Designs of the Enemy and their Strength at these & other Places than I can possibly be possesd of; and whither so great a Part of their Troops are now imployd in this Quarter as will indanger their capital Post if a Mov’ment should be made against it is Subject I cannot judge of; but I would propose to your Excellency whither some Progression towards New York, will not tend to prevent any Descent on our Coast; and as Genl Clinton is here in Person, whither General Putnam with his Troops ought not to be orderd to this Post. I am with Esteem & Regard yr Excellencys Obedt Servt
Saml H. Parsons


Title: General Orders, 30 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To:

Head-Quarters Middle-Brook Tuesday March 30th 1779.
Parole Falkland—C. Signs Farnham. Ferrol—

Major Generals Greene and Lord-Stirling and Brigadiers General Smallwood, Knox, and Muhlenberg are requested to meet at General Greene’s quarters on thursday next at ten ôClock in the morning to take into consideration a dispute of rank between Majors Mentzges, Murray and Nichols of the Pennsylvania line—They are to make report to the Commander in Chief.
The General Court Martial of the line whereof Colonel Williams is president is dissolved and another ordered to sit next thursday 10 ôClock A.M. at the usual place to try all such persons as shall come before the Court.
Colonel Butler to preside.


Title: To George Washington from Burwell Bassett, 30 March 1779
From: Bassett, Burwell
To: Washington, George

        Letter not found: from Burwell Bassett, 30 March 1779. GW wrote Bassett on 22 April: “I have just received your favor of the 30th Ulto” (DLC:GW).


Title: To George Washington from the Board of War, 30 March 1779
From: Board of War
To: Washington, George

        Letter not found: from the Board of War, 30 March 1779. GW wrote in his first letter to the Board of War of 4 April: “I have had the Honor to receive your favors of the 30th & 31st Ulto and two of the 1st Inst.—with the several papers to which they refer.”


Title: To George Washington from William Livingston, 30 March 1779
From: Livingston, William
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Persippeney [N.J.] 30 March 1779
I had the honour of your Excellency’s favour of the 23d instant on the subject of fixing signals, and appointing convenient posts for the militia to assemble at for orders. If my approbation of the plan pointed out by your Excellency, could impart to it any additional weight or importance, I do most heartily approve it. But having no authority since the expiration of the Council-of-Safety-Act, to order the former, I intend to advise on the Subject with the privy Council, which I have called, for that & some other purposes. Not that their consent will render it legal, or entitle me, either to draw upon the Treasurer for the expences attending it, or warrant the occupying the lands, or cutting the woods of the Proprietors. But the thing being so manifestly for the public safety, and the expeditious collecting of the Militia of so great moment, as all the success that the Enemy can promise themselves must depend upon the rapidity of their progress, that with such consent, I shall cheerfully risque the matter.
Our Generals at present are, Major General Dickinson, And Brigadiers Winds & Heard. General Dickinson I believe statedly resides in Maryland, but has expressed his readiness to repair to this State upon the first intelligence of its being invaded. General Winds lives at Rockaway in the County of Morris; and General Heard at Rocky-hill in Sommerset. I have the honour to be with the highest esteem & respect, & the warmest wishes for your happiness & success Dear Sir your Excellency’s most humble & most obedient Servt
Wil: Livingston


Title: To George Washington from George Measam, 30 March 1779
From: Measam, George
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Boston 30th March 1779
Your Excellency’s letter of the 10th I had the honor to receive the 25th Instant acknowledging the receipt of my Return of Cloathing in Store at Springfield: Since which I have at sundry times forwarded from the several Agents here, to the Store at Springfield with orders to my Assistant, as they should arrive, to divide and forward about one third of them to Head Quarters, and the other two thirds, to Fish Kill (it being most centrical to the apparent necessities and Quarters of the Army) about 3200 Shirts 5104 prs Hose, 7100 prs Shoes, 1060 prs Mittens, Sixty two watch Coats, 400 Caps 500 Uniforms and 418 Blankets which I hope have regularly arrive⟨d⟩ but the Uniforms not ordered for any particular Corps, to remain in the Store ⟨a⟩t Springfield untill further Orders from Your Excellency: And have prevailed on Messrs Otis and Henly (who were without particular orders) to make up the course linens, not fit for Shirts, in to Overalls, of which they have in hands, and ready meade about 20,000 pairs; besides which, they will have about 7,000 Riffle Frock and about 4,000 Shirts; but they Advise me their Shirt linen is out, and have only coarse linen sufficient to make about 3000 prs Breeches. I intend to see the linen and if it will possibly do for Shirts, to advise them to make them into Shirts in preference to Breeches. They have next to no Shoes or Ho⟨se⟩, p⟨ants⟩ etc., no Blankets, nor prospect of any. Shoes may be procured at about 8 Dollars, perhaps 71/2 ⅌ pair. And linen may be had for Shirts, and Hats may be made but it will take time; I have urged the necessity of these articles all in my power, but they complain much the want of money, and that they have no orders from the board of war to purchase; I have advised the Board of it in time, but if your Excellency should think proper to represent this matter to the Board, the Army may be well provided, but not under this exhorbitant price, without a change in public affairs.
I have learnt that there are a quantity of taned Hides in the hands of sundry Tanners in this State given out by the late Col. Trumbull or his Deputies, and Mr Winship late Dy Commissry of Issues at Albany, now fit for use but unapplied to the service of the Public. I represented this matter to General Gates commanding immidiately here, and have obtained his Order to have them delivered into the hands of Mr Robt Lamb Commissry of Hides in this State, to be by him exchanged for, and made up into Shoes for the Army, as he is directed by the Board of War of the United State under whose authority he holdes his Office, and I hope to be able to obtain a few thousand pairs more, but how many, cannot yet be assertained.
The shoes mentioned by your Excellency to have been forwarded by me and stoped at Danbury, I presume must be ⟨illegible in⟩formation to your Excellency; for I sent no Shoes that rout, nor any without Conductors specially provided by the Quartermasters. I imagin these, and the other Articles mentioned by your Excellency to have been discovered by General Putnam are the contents of some packages of Cloathing I discovered last Fall and advised your Excellency of them; the discription was thus. Danbury Septr 26th I examined the Stores and found in the charge of Mr Wood late A. D. Qr Mr General a parcel of Cloathing belonging to Col: Bradford’s Regiment and Col. Webb’s Chs Webb’s; they had been a year in Store. Also I found in another of the Qr Mr’s Store (I believe not immediately in the Charge of Mr Wood) 2 Casks and one large Case marked No. 2 B. T. delivered in by Lt Fox of the Guard at that place the 21st of July. 2 Hhds no mark belonging to Col: Willis’s Regimt turned in the 3d of July, in the charge of Serjt Steel. And 2 Hhds marked Å (i.e. Otis & Andrews) Brewer No. 410: 416. turned in Septr 26th—The particular contents of the several packages I did not examine because they belonged to sundry Regiments, and as the Army lay near there I judged they were known to the Commanding Officers of the Regiments they belonged to, and would be made proper use of; but I believe there has been neglect, which your Excellcy will doubtless take proper notice of. Every part of your Excellency’s letter shall be particularly attended to, and to the utmost of my abilities, perfectly completed. I have the Honor to be, Sir, Your Excellency’s Most Obedient and most humble Servt
Geo. Measam
P.S. Since writing the foregoing, I have seen Messrs Otis and Henly, and learn that the linen mentioned to be on hand for about 3,000 pr Breeches, is Ravens Duck, and Flams, and is too Strong for Shirts as I proposed. And I find their calculation of the Number of Shirts on hand (altho’ they have given it me in writing) is by no means exact, and I hope they will turn out to be considerably more than 4000.
5488 pairs of the Shoes I have forwarded, as mentiond in the former part of this Letter, were imported for Congress and came to the Navy Board here, as did the 4104 pr Hose. Neither this Board nor Mr Fletcher have more Cloathg on hand than 500 Uniforms which will shortly go to the Store at Springfield. I find no Blankets now at Market if the Agents had money.
The roads are, and have been for some time impassable for heavy loaded Teams, prevents a large number of the above Overalls and other Cloathing setting off, but so soon as the Qr Master can get teams to undertak the Journey they will set off, as will upwards of 2000 pr more shoes from the Commissry of Hides Mr Lamb: And so soon as this is done I purpose returning to Springfield, and unless I meet ⟨o⟩ther Orders from Your Excellency there, I purpose coming on to Fish Kill and Head Quarters. I have the honor to be as before Your Excellency’s most Hble Servt

Geo: Measam


Title: To George Washington from Joshua Mersereau, 30 March 1779
From: Mersereau, Joshua
To: Washington, George

Rutland [Mass.] March 30—1779
I herewith present my best respects To your Excelency—inclose you, all the News papers I can Collect, and 6 lemons—Wish it Was 600 as its all I am at present master of; hope it Will be Acceptable.
The Hon: genl Gates informd me your Excely had Wrote me, respecting the Prisoners—Which I have not had the Honor to receive, I have Wrote Col. Beaty, for some germain papers, Which, agreeable to your Excelencys (former) requests—I hope to make good Use of; as the Germains Still retain the Same good opinion of me, and put Great Confidence in me; Saying I am Their Father, and The best man in the World; I have got them to believe, that they are neglected & Dispisd by the British, Which retards thier Exchange, this raises their resentment greatly, as Well officers as men.
Col. Ormong [Armand] proposes coming here to inlist men, I Disapprove of the mode, Unless its your Exelencys Commands, the fairer I Stand With them in publick, the more its in my power, to answer our, purposes—I have indulgd the prisoners, to have 6 lb. Sope for 100 men per Week, to keep them Clean, and Continud their rations, at 12 Ozs. Bread & beaf per Day, hope your Excelency Will approve of it, Shall be happy in Obeying your Exelencys Commands, When ever in my power. I have the Honor to be your Exelencys most Obedt and Very: Hum: Servt
Joshua Mersereau
Some of the Germains drinckd Success to your Exelency—and Where highly pleasd that Land &c. Was Offerd them, if they returnd after being Exchangd Which many have agreed to Comply With—I had a man With them, in their retreat thro Jersey, Who says he Executed his orders and Causd that Desertion; Which he refers me, to A Gentleman on long Island for proof of his Conduct, I Shall make your Excelency more aquainted With my engagements When I have the Honor to See you.
J: M:
P.s. pray take off my signature or Commit this to the flames.


Title: To George Washington from Captain Nathan Strong, 30 March 1779
From: Strong, Nathan
To: Washington, George

May it Please Your Execellency.
Blooming Grove Orange County [N.Y.]March 30th 1779
I beg Leave without offence to Represent to Your Honour my Present Circumstances.
I Have the Honour to wair a Captains Commission In the Service of the United States in the 4th New York Regt Since November 1776, and think I have Served them to the best of my Power and understanding and without Contempt.
But Sensible that Your Execellency will Not Incest on any officer Continuing in the Service whoes Circumstances will Not Admit, I hope with the Following Reasons to obtain Liberty to Resign.
Near the Close of the Last Campain I was Taken with A Sevear fit of Sickness which Confind me to my bed for Some months. and have Know but Jest Got about again. which has Left me so week and my Constitution So much brok that I think myself Not fit for a Campain. and have been Advised by Severel Ficisions Not to undertake.
These together with the Death of my Brother who was Murdered in his own Hous by the Torys and the Circumstances of his Family who has No one to take Care of them. but myself and a Large Family of my own & No way to mantain them but by my Pay. Has Determined me to Quit the Service If I Can have that Liberty.
I thearfore beg your Execellency to Take these matters into your Consideration and Grant me Liberty to Resign my Commission.
I am Sorry to troble Your Execey with these matters but being unfit for Service I am Loath to take the Publicks mony for No Services.
I[f] your Execellency Cold see fit to Take these into Consideration and Send me an Answer by the barer I shall be in Duty Ever bound to Serve. Your Excely Most Obedt & Very Hume Servant
Nat. Strong Capt. 4th New York Regt


Title: General Orders, 31 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To:

Head-Quarters Middle-Brook Wednesday March 31st 1779.
Parole Granada—C. Signs Groll. Georgia.

Lieutenant Abraham Maury is appointed Adjutant and Lieutenant Nathaniel Terry Quarter Master in the 10th Virginia Regiment.
Major General Greene being called from camp on duties of his department, the board of General Officers directed in yesterdays orders to meet at his quarters tomorrow are to meet at Major General Lord-Stirlings and to proceed on the business for which they were appointed.


Title: To George Washington from the Board of War, 31 March 1779
From: Board of War
To: Washington, George

        Letter not found: from the Board of War, 31 March 1779. GW wrote in his letter to the Board of War of 10 April: “I have been duly honored with your favour of the 31st of, March, which, through hurry of business has been hitherto unanswered. From the relation in several respects between the duties of the office of Adjutant General and those of the Inspectorship; I pe[r]ceive advantages that would result from uniting them in a certain degree; but I am induced notwithstanding to recommend, that nothing final may be done ’till the Baron arrives in camp” (DLC:GW).


Title: To George Washington from the Massachusetts Legislature, 31 March 1779
From: Massachusetts Legislature
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Council Chamber Boston March 31st 1779.
The Congress having by a Resolve passed the Ninth inst. recommended to the several United States to make up and Compleat their respective Battalions to their full complement by Draft or in any other manner they shall think proper, We therefore request that Your Excellency would issue your orders to the Muster Master General to furnish us, as soon as possible with an authenticated Return of the respective Numbers the fifteen Battalions raised in this State, at present consist of, in order that the General Assembly at their approaching Session may take the Necessary measures to compleat the same, and to have their Quota’s of Deficiences ready to take the Feild as early as possible. In the Name & behalf of the Council, I am with respect, Your most huml. servt
Jere. Powell Presidt


Title: To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 31 March 1779
From: Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, baron von
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philadelphia 31st March 1779
In my last I had the honor of informing your Excellency that the Regulations would be printed by the middle of April, till which time I proposed staying here in order to hurry the Work as much as possible.
I did not then foresee a Thousand little things that retard the progress of the work & which now convince me it will be the last of April before it can be finished, I have therefore prevailed on Colo. Pickering to take charge of Correcting the Sheets as they are printed and intend by the 15th next month to have the honor of receiving your Excellencys orders for the Execution of the new System. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Your Excellency’s most Obedient & very hum. servt
Steuben


Title: From George Washington to James Warren, 31 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Warren, James

Dear Sir,
Head Quarters Middlebrook Mar. 31st 1779
I beseech you not to ascribe my delay in answering your obliging favour of the 16th of Decr to disrespect, or want of inclination to continue a corrispondance in which I have always taken pleasure, & thought myself honored.
Your letter of the above date came to my hands in Philadelphia, where I attended at the request of Congress to settle some important matters respecting the Army and its future operations; and where I was detained till sometime in Februy—during that period my time was so much occupied by the immediate and pressing business which carried me there, that I could attend to little else; & upon my return to Camp I found the ordinary business of the Army had run so much behind hand, that, together with the arrangement I had to carry into execution no leizure was left me to indulge myself sooner in making the acknowledgment I am now about to do, of the pleasure I felt at finding, that I still enjoyed a share of your confidence & esteem—and now & then would be informed of it by letter—believe me Sir when I add, that this proof of your holding me in remembrance, is most pleasing & acceptable.
Our conflict is not likely to cease so soon as every good man would wish. The measure of inequity is not yet filled—and unless we can return a little more to first principles, & act a little more upon patriotic ground, I do not know when it will—or—what may be the issue of the contest—Speculation—peculation—engrossing—forestalling—with all their concomitants, afford too many melancholy proofs of the decay of public virtue; and too glaring instances of its being the interest & desire of too many, who would wish to be thought friends, to continue the War.
Nothing I am convinced but the depreciation of our currency proceding in a great measure from the foregoing causes—aided by stock jobbing & party dissentions—has fed the hopes of the enemy & kept the Arms of Briton in America untill now. They do not scruple to declare this themselves—and add that, we shall be our own conquerors. Cannot our common Country (America) possess virtue enough to disappoint them? Is the consideration of a little dirty pelf, to individuals, to be placed in competition with the essential rights & liberties of the present generation, & of millions yet unborn? shall a few designing men for their own aggrandizement, and to gratify their own avarice, overset the goodly fabric we have been rearing at the expence of so much time, blood, & treasure? and shall we at last become the victems of our own abominable lust of gain? Forbid it heaven! forbid it all, & every state in the union! by enacting & enforcing, efficatious laws for checking the growth of these monstrous evils, & restoring matters in some degree to the pristine state they were in at the commencement of the War. Our cause is noble. It is the cause of Mankind! and the danger to it springs from ourselves—Shall we slumber & sleep then while we should be punishing those miscreants who have brought these troubles upon us, & who are aiming to continue us in them? While we should be striving to fill our Battalions—and devising ways and means to appreciate the currency—On the credit of which every thing depends? I hope not—let vigorous measures be adopted—not to limit the price of articles—for this I conceive is inconsistent with the very nature of things, & impracticable in itself—but to punish speculators—forestallers—& extortioners—and above all—to sink the money by heavy Taxes—To promote public & private Œconomy—encourage Manufactures &ca—Measures of this sort gone heartily into by the several states will strike at once at the root of all our misfortunes, & give the coup-de-grace to British hope of subjugating this great Continent, either by their Arms or their Arts—The first as I have before observed they acknowledge is unequal to the task—the latter I am sure will be so if we are not lost to every thing that is good & virtuous.
A little time now, must unfold in some degree, the Enemy’s designs—Whether the state of affairs in Europe will permit them to augment their Army with more than recruits for the Regiments now in America, & therewith attempt an active & vigorous campaign—or whether with their Canadian & Florida force they will aid & abet the Indians in ravaging our Western Frontier, while their Shipping with detachments harrass (and if they mean to prosecute the predatory War threatned by Administration through their Commissioners) burn & destroy our Sea-coast—or, whether contrary to expectation, they are more disposed to negotiate than to either is more than I can determine—The latter will depend very much on their apprehensions of Spain, & their own foreign alliances—At present we seem to be in a Chaos but this cannot last long, as I presume the ultimate determination of the British Court will be developed at the meeting of Parliament after the hollidays.
Mrs Washington joins me in a tender of cordial wishes & best respects to Mrs Warren—she would have done herself the pleasure of writing but the present conveyance by Capt. Gilman to Boston was sudden. I am with sincere esteem & regard Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Ser.
Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from John Augustine Washington, 31 March 1779
From: Washington, John Augustine
To: Washington, George

        Letter not found: from John Augustine Washington, 31 March 1779. GW wrote to his brother on 12 May: “Three of your Letters are before me, and I believe unacknowledged, the first is of decr 12th—the 2d March 31st (by Mr Muse),” (DLC:GW).


Title: From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Weissenfels, 31 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Weissenfels, Frederick

Sir
Head Quarters Middlebrook 31st March 1779.
I received your letter of the 9th Inst.; and should have acknowleged it sooner, had I not been prevented by a variety of business; and a report of your having gone to Philadelphia.
As the arrangement is not yet completed, I cannot say who it is will take the command of late Levingstons regiment. But Agreeable to the principles of rank recommended it can only be the oldest Lt Colonel.
In determining the matter on this ground, I would flatter myself that you will not find yourself in the least injured—or deprived of any rank to which you may be intitled.


Title: To George Washington from a Board of General Officers, 1 April 1779
From: Board of General Officers
To: Washington, George

Sir
Camp Middle Brook April 1st 1779.
The board of General Officers to whom your Excellency referr’d the settlement of the rank of Majors Mentges, Murray, & Nicholls, beg leave to report.
That from an examination of the parties it appears, That the Committee of Arrangement from Congress at White plains assisted by B. G. Wayne did arrange the above Gentlemen as follows Viz.
Mentges
Murray
Nicholls
That it also appears by a certificate produced by Major Nicholls sign’d P. Scull secretary to the board of War, “That Lt Colonel Nicholls’s Commission in an arrangement Sent to his Excellency the Commander Cheif is dated October 1778.” Major Nicholls asserts the promotion was made by the board of War. Major Mentges denies it, and asserts The board of War inform’d him they knew nothing of the alteration, and that it was not made by them.
The board of General Officers beg leave to recommend to your Excellency to write to the board of War and inquire by whom the Arrangement made at White plains was alter’d, upon what principle, and by what authority the promotion was made.
Stirling, M.G.W. Smallwood B.G.H. Knox B.G. ArtilleryP: Muhlenberg B.G.


Title: To George Washington from the Board of War, 1 April 1779
From: Board of War
To: Washington, George

War Office [Philadelphia] Ap⟨ril 1 1779⟩
⟨mutilated⟩
The Board have agreed upon the enclosed Regulations for the Engineering Department in Addition to those made by Congress & in Consequence of their Orders. We have the Honour of enclosing a Copy of them to your Excellency previous to their being printed that if any Additions are to be made the whole may be struck off together.
We thought it best to leave the Points of travelling Charges & Horses undetermined as we understood some Regulation would be speedily adopted by Congress affecting all Officers sent on at a Distance from Camp or Quarters. The Engineers will shar⟨e⟩ in this general Allowance with other Officers ⟨mutilated⟩ if there are any special Reasons for Extra Advan⟨ces⟩ the Quantum had better be determined by the particular Occasions than that there should be a larger Allowance made to Engineers by a general Regulation which would be a Source of Jealousy. As perhaps it will not be necessary to provide Horses (except on particular Occasions) for future Engineers we were of Opinion that any thing on this Subject had best be omitted & left as it has been heretofore to the Discretion of your Excellency or the Commanding General of a Detachment. We have given an Order for as many Horses as General Du Portail informed us were necessary at this Time ⟨mutilated⟩ of them as were appropriated for the Officers to be of ⟨mutilated⟩ better Kind than they have heretofore had as they complain heavily on this Score. We have reported to Congress as to their Pay & when the Report is acted upon no Doubt your Excellency will be informed of it. We have the Honour to be with the greatest Respect your very obedt Servants
Richard Peters By Order
The Board will be obliged to your Excellency for Information respecting the German Battallion which they have heard is annexed to Maryland & a Claim of the State of Pennsilvania to Part of this Regt is now before ⟨the⟩ Board for their Report thereupon ⟨whic⟩h we cannot make until properly ⟨mutilated⟩ed of Facts.


Title: From George Washington to Colonel Zebulon Butler, 1 April 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Butler, Zebulon

Sir
Head Quarters Middlebrook 1st April. 1779.
I received your letter, comprehending the transactions at your post from the 23d to the 28th Ulto.
Considering the importance of the place I have ordered up the German regiment, Armands and Schotts corps, as a reinforcement. therefore You will take the necessary precautions for their barracks—and give proper notice to the commissaries to increase or proportion their supply to your numbers.
I need not recommend to you that watchfulness and discipl[in]e in your patroles and scouting parties, which can alone give security to the garrison, as well as prevent a surprize on their own part; or to your giving that protection to the Country consistent with your orders & force.
On examining the return I was surprized to find on furlo⟨ugh⟩ 13 men from Capn Spauldings compa⟨ny⟩ altho’ it has been expresly raised for the defence of the frontier. You will be pleased to call in all who are on furlough as soon as possi⟨ble⟩. I am sir &c. Your &c.
G— W—


Title: From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 1 April 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Hand, Edward

Sir
Head Quarters Middle Brook 1st April 1779.
Since mine of the 24th I have recd a letter from Colo. Butler dated the 28th March, by which I find, that a Body of the enemy, consisting of Indians and others, had made their appearance at Wyoming, and had destroyed several Houses and Barns in the neighbourhood, but had been unsuccessful in their attempt upon the fort—This indication of the enemy’s being in motion upon that quarter makes me anxious to have the post at Wyoming secured as speedily as possible. I must therefore desire you to order the German Regiment, and Armands and schotts Corps to march to that place with the utmost expedition. I cannot point out their Route, but you are to direct them to that which shall be deemed most safe, and which will afford the best Road for the troops to march. The commanding Officer of the detachment should have the strictest order to keep the Men together upon the march, and to use every precaution against suffering the Enemy to lead him into any Ambuscades or to come upon him by surprize. Upon this head I would have you to be very pointed, as I do not think it improbable, if the enemy are out in that quarter, that they may attempt to intercept the detachment. I would advise that what Baggage they may be under a necessity of carrying should be kept as much upon the left as possible, by which means it will be covered by the line of march—These troops will find Barracks at Wyoming ready for the greatest part of them.
I have given orders for Cols. Malcoms and Pattons Regiments to move immediately over from the North River to Minisink—The former will be, upon a junction of the troops, incorporated with Spencers and the latter with Hartley’s. I am Sir &c.
P.S. should General Hand have left Minisink the Commanding Officer is to put the troops, ordered to Wyoming, in motion as quick as possible. It appears by consulting the Maps, and from information, that the Baggage should go by what is called the lower Road by Fort Penn.


Title: From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 1 April 1779
From: Washington, George
To: McDougall, Alexander

Dear sir
Head Quarters Middlebrook 1st April 1779.
Be pleased upon the receipt of this to order Colonel Malcoms and late Pattons Regiments to march as soon as possible to the Minisink settlement, and upon their arrival there to take their orders from General Hand, or the commanding officer. Their most expiditious route will be to New Windsor by water, and from thence across to Minisink, which is not more than 40 miles.
When the corps march, let an offic[e]r belonging to one of them, come down to me with exact returns of the strength of each. I shall have occasion to send him up to Minisink with dispatches. I am sir, your most hble servt
Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 1 April 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Putnam, Israel

Dear Sir
Head Quarters Middle Brook 1st April 1779.
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 28th of March giving me information of such of the movements of the enemy as had come to your knowledge. The real design of their preparations upon the sound being as much a secret as when I wrote to you upon the 27th ulto, I can only repeat to you now what I thought most advisable then, which was, to keep the detachment of Continental troops at New London, and call in a reinforcement of Militia to remain there untill the views of the enemy are disclosed—From some circumstances I am inclined to think that the expedition, whatever it may have been, is laid aside—the following are the principal reasons—Sir Henry Clinton is returned to New York—Admiral Gambier, by a letter from General Maxwell, is come back to Sandy Hook, and accounts from New York mention that troops have been relanded upon Long Island which are thought to be those which went Eastward. But except there should be certain intelligence obtained from Long Island that the matter which has been in agitation is intirely over, the indications which I have mentioned should not put the Garrison of New London and the Militia in its Vicinity off their guard.
It seems generally agreed, that the destruction of the armed Vessels in New London Harbour and perhaps those in Connecticut River are the principal inducements to the enemy to make a descent upon the Coast. If the ships cannot be got out of port, I think policy points out the necessity of lightening them of their Guns and Stores, stripping them of their sails, and rigging which may be conveyed to places of perfect safety and floating the Hulls as far up the Rivers as the Navigation will admit—there to remain untill an opportunity offers of getting them to sea—I would wish you to suggest this measure to those who have the care of our marine affairs in the ports where the Vessels are.
I forward by this Conveyance the Commissions for all the Connecticut Regiments except the 2d. As soon as the matter respecting Capt. Beebes Rank is settled, the Commissions for that Regiment will be filled up and forwarded likewise—The Board of War wait for the dates of the Commissions of Lieut. Colonels Johnson and Grosvenor—to enable them to make them out. I am Dear Sir Yrs &.


Title: General Orders, 2 April 1779
From: Washington, George
To:

Head-Quarters Middle-Brook Friday April 2nd 1779.
Parole Ilchester—C. Signs Ilmen—India—

William Nelnet a Corporal now in Captain Mott’s company of Colonel Lamb’s Regiment of Artillery is claimed by the 11th Pennsylvania Regiment—Two subalterns from each of said regiments, a Captain from the latter to preside, will meet next tuesday 11 ôClock at the Orderly-Office to inquire into the claim and report to which of right he belongs.
The General Court Martial whereof Coll Butler was appointed President to meet tomorrow morning ten oClock.
Colonel Butler having obtained leave of absence Lieutenant Colonel Harmar will preside in his room; Major Lee to attend as an additional member.
The Court Martial appointed to try Colonel Ogden charged with—1st—Neglect of duty in general—2nd—Repeated frauds against the Public and also the officers and soldiers under his command. 3rd— Cowardice—4th—Gaming, have declared it their opinion, “That he is not guilty of the 1st charge, that he is not guilty of the second, and are unanimously of opinion that he is not guilty of the 3rd charge & have unanimously acquitted him with honor.”
“They are unanimously of opinion that he is guilty of the 4th charge, being a breach of the Commander in Chief’s orders dated the 8th of January 1778—and have sentenced him to be severely reprimanded in general orders.”
The General approves the sentence of the Court and it gives him pleasure to find that Colonel Ogden of whom he always entertained a high opinion has been acquitted of the three first charges exhibited against him; He also would have been happy if there had been no circumstances to justify the fourth and last; but he is under the painful necessity of observing—that there are circumstances, and such too as most fully authorize the sentence of the Court. The General is sorry that a Gentleman at the head of a Regiment who both in practice and precept ought to shew the most pointed attention and adherence to all orders, to influence and determine the conduct of those, acting in subordinate stations to him, should be among the first to break them.
The officer who acts thus, countenances a relaxation of discipline and the introduction of disorder, and cannot prevent, much less punish, offences in others which he himself commits.
All General Orders are in force ’till they are set aside or altered by subsequent ones issuing from proper authority or ’till the occasion ceases which produced them—Coll Ogden knows this and he must have known also that the particular order which was the subject of the Court Martials’ consideration of the 4th charge against him, remained unalter’d and the infraction of it is more censurable, if possible, than that of any other, inasmuch as the order was intended to prevent the most pernicious Vice that can obtain in an Army, the vice of gaming!


Title: From George Washington to Maria Farmer, 2 April 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Farmer, Maria

Madam.
Head Quarters Middlebrook 2 April 1779.
Were there no resolve of Congress, making it necessary to obtain the governors concurrence, when an inhabitant of any of the States is desirous to pass into the enemy’s lines—I should have been happy in complying with your request.
But as there is such a resolution Governor Livingstons consent becomes a requisite, you will therefore be pleased to procure this, when, you shall have my immediate permission, to return to New-York. I am Madam, with much respect, Your most hble servt.


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General John Glover, 2 April 1779
From: Glover, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
Providence 2nd April 1779.
I this day was Honor’d with your esteemed favor of the 11th Ulto inclosing a Resolve of Congress directing your Excellency to indulge me with a Furlough for such time as may be necessary to my private Affairs.
This is what I did not expect, nor even Wish for, I flatter’d myself the Reasons offer’d for asking a Dismission were of such weight as would most assuredly have produced it. Thus disappointed, & it being absolutely necessary for me to attend to my Domestic concerns, I accept of the Furlough & leave Camp the 20th when I shall endeavour to put my Affairs in such a Situation (if possible) as to return to my Brigade in the Course of two months. but should I find them much embarrass’d, I must then renew my Request for a Discharge. This I hope will not be the Case, as I feel a Reluctance to leave the Service at this Stage of the War, although I know I must make a Sacrifice of the remains of my Fortune if I continue.
Your Excellency’s Letter of the 19th to General Sullivan respecting the Arrangment of Col. Jackson’s Regt I received, with yours of the 25th inclosing a Resolve of Congress respecting the Artillery, & some of the Corps of Infantry, which I have Communicated, & requested Returns to be made agreable thereto. I beg Leave again to remind your Excellency, I have not receiv’d any Commission since my appointment as Brigadier. I have the Honor to be, Dear sir, Your Excellency’s most Obedt hume servt
John Glover B. General


Title: From George Washington to John Jay, 2 April 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Jay, John

Sir
Head Quarters Middle Brook April 2d 1779
I have had the Honor to receive Your Excellency’s two Favors of the 24th Ulto, with their Inclosures.
I am much obliged by Your Excellency’s attention, in communicating the Act for supplying the Oneidas and Other friendly Indians with provision. Matters, in consequence, I flatter myself, will be so conducted, as not to disorder or injure our other arrangements in this Article.
The Act recommending a day of fasting—humiliation and prayer shall be duly attended to. With respect to the Cloathing department, the compleat arrangement of it is so very interesting and important, that, I persuade myself, the Board of War will not delay their report of the salaries for the Officers a moment longer than what the subject may require; and I should hope, that the respective states, after receiving the proceedings of Congress, will make the earliest appointment of the sub-cloathiers; and that their choice will be directed to persons well qualified to fill the Office.
I would take the liberty to mention that the state of the Regiments of Cavalry seems to merit attention. At this time there is nothing fixed respecting them. It appears material that it should be determined, whether they are to be recruited, as they are very deficient both in Men & Horses—or whether they are to remain as they are; or whether they are to be incorporated. Whatever regulation may be thought most eligible, the sooner it is adopted the better. The first mode will be attended with great expence, if practicable in the execution, and yet great advantages will be derived from a respectable Cavalry—& particularly if the Enemy should act in the Southern States and they can be subsisted.
I am informed by a Letter from General Putnam that he had received accounts, that fourteen Empty transports in their passage from Rhode Island to Sag Harbour were driven on shore on Gardner’s Island in the late storm. I transmit Your Excellency a York paper of the 29th Ulto, which is the latest I have received from thence. I have the Honor to be with the greatest respect & esteem Yr Excellency’s Most Obed. sert
Go: Washington
P.S. I shall thank Your Excellency for sending the inclosed to Baron Steuben.


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 2 April 1779
From: Maxwell, William
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Elizth Town [N.J.] 2d April 1779
I have now inclosed to Your Excellency Yesterdays New York paper. There has been much firing to day by the Shiping in the narrows supposed to be discharging the old loaded Canon of the Fleet, lately come in. Admiral Gambier’s own ship is come into the narrows. I believe there is not the least doubt, that the whole of the Vessels, and Troops, on the Expedition to the Eastward, is returned again. and before the Troops was all landed, or the Vessels all returned; they immediately give it out, that there was an other expedition on foot; so that they think to keep them selves secure by alarming us. A letter from General Clinton acompanys this. You may depend on it, that I shall take good care of the light Horse and am Your Excellency Most Humble Sert
Wm Maxwell


Title: To George Washington from John Mehelm, 2 April 1779
From: Mehelm, John
To: Washington, George

Dr sir
Bound Brook [N.J.] April 2d 1779
Agreeably to your Excellency’s request I beg leave to state some of the Objections that I have to Issueing Hides to the Commandants since the General Order of the Seventh of February.
My first and principle Objection to Issueing Hides upon the Officers Orders since that date, is, that I am afraid the Board of Warr will not pass the Accompts or Acknowledge their Receipt—The following Objections may verry Naturally Occur.
The General Order of the Seventh of February having suspended the Order that required me to Issue Hides to the Commandants, Why did I continue to Issue them?
If I answer that the Officers had made Contracts that must be fulfill’d It may be reply’d That Justice required no more of me than to pay the Due-Bills, in hides, given by the Officers for Shoes delivered them before the Genl Order of the 7th of February, and that the Officers could have refer⟨r’d⟩ the persons with whom they had Contracted to Me for the fulfillmen⟨t⟩ of the Remainder—a Mode that seems to be Suggested to them in the Conclusion of the Genl Order iself.
2d If I continue to Issue Hides on the Orders as Usual it may defeat the design of the General Order Affd, which was I Apprehend to put the Business back into the hands of the Commisaries, who are made Accountable for the public property put into their hands, and to release the Officers of the line Entirely from the trouble of it; but if the Contracts must be complied with by Issueing Hides to them upon their Orders, such Contracts, may be so Numerous and Extensive that that design may not be Effected for years to come.
3d If the fulfillment of the Contracts are not referr’d to the Comy’s it will be in the power of the Officers to receive as Many* Boots as they please upon Such Contracts and the Army thereby become Greatly Necessiated for Shoes.
4th If the Afforesaid mode of Issuing the Hides is persued there will be a verry Unequal distribution of Shoes and Boots both, as some have made large Contracts and Some Smaller ones and Some None.
5 The Contracts may be made upon verry unequal Terms (as the directions of the board of Warr on that head will not probably be sent to the Officers of the Line) which has been the Case Already in One or two Instances that have come to my Knowledge.
6th Near two Months is elapsed since the Genl Order Affd and the Orders from Officers Continuing there is no knowing where or when they will end, whereas they should have sent in an Account of the Contracts they had made Immediately upon the publication of the Genl Orders of the Seventh of February.
7th While Matters are in this situation it is unsafe for the Comsys to make any Contracts Whatever—as payment may be put out of their power by prior Contracts Appearing If Genl St Clair had been Commander in Chief at this post I should not have hesitated a Moment to have delivered any Quantity of hides on his order, but as that is not the Case, I know not how to Account for some Hundreds the Genl has Already received, unless by your Excellency’s Order, or a receipt from the Clothier Genl to me for a Number of Shoes Equal to the Quantity of hides he has received. I am your Excellency’s most Obedt & Verry hbl. Servt
John Mehelm
P:S. One of the Young Men who has the Care of the Business at this post waited upon the Adjutant General last night to request an Order for two or three Soldiers to be employed as labourers in curing the Hides and trying the Tallow, Who Informed him, that he could not give such an order without your Excullencys permission—There is a great deal of public property in those Articles that will be in danger of being lost if labourers cannot be got to save it and I find it will be almost Impossible at this Season of the Year to get them unless it be in that way—besides a Verry Material difference to the Public in the Expence as Soldiers will willingly work for less than one Quarter that other hands will Ask.

J: M.


Title: From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 2 April 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Putnam, Israel

Dear Sir
Head Quarters [Middlebrook] 2d April 1779.
I am this moment favd with yours of the 30th March. My letters of the 27th ulto and 1st instant, to which I refer you, went fully into the subject of that which I have just recd and recommend the measures which I still think, all circumstances considered, ought to be pursued—The Messenger who brought your letter, having mentioned his orders to return to you as expeditiously as possible I have not given him the least detention. I am &.


Title: To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 2–5 April 1779
From: Reed, Joseph
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
[2–c.5 April 1779]
I beg you to accept of my Thanks for your Favours of the 28th & 29th Ult. & the Intelligence inclosed. I shall esteem such Communications a particular Mark of your Regard, & if you could occasionally mix your own Sentiments as to the Measures most adviseable it would add to the Favour. My Ideas upon the Subject so perfectly correspond with yours that I shall take every possible Measure to put the Militia in the best Posture of Preparation, tho’ the unhappy Disputes of the State have made Government less vigorous than it would otherwise have been, However I have the Satisfaction to remark that they decline hourly, & of Consequence the Power of Governmt will revive with renew’d Strength. I hear from good Authority that the Inhabitants of the Country are very unanimous in their Opinion against the Measures of Opposition—and as it has not become personal at least on my Part, I shall chearfully overlook the Abuse which has been attempted towards me & make every Advance towards Peace, Harmony, & mutual Civility. I beg Leave to mention a Matter which has given some Concern to the Council as well as several Members of the Assembly & in which it is supposed some Persons have not dealt candidly with you. I mean the Appointment of a Capt. Patterson of the back Country to some important Command. Col. Smith of the Council authorizes me to say that his Character is not even doubtful—but well known to be unfriendly to the true Interests of America—and that he is universally regarded in this Light by all the well affected of the back Country. He lays under very strong Suspicions of holding an Intercourse with the Enemy last Winter & his present Appointment will have a very discouraging Effect upon the People of the back Counties. Our very great Respect for every Thing which comes from you will doubtless induce us as well as every other Person under our Influence to acquiesce in any Appointment & to give our fullest Concurrence to the Business in which he is employed but we esteem it our Duty to represent to your Excelly the Consequences & Facts as we are perswaded that some Mistake has happened. I have only to add on the Subject that what Col. Smith said was in Council & confirm’d by another Member (Mr Hambright) who both spoke from personal Knowledge.

Inclosed I send your Excelly Gen. Potter’s last Letter—the Accts from Wyoming which Col. Butler has transmitted to you will doubtless bring to your Mind the unhappy Situation of our Frontiers. From the Communications you were so good as to make me at Head Quarters I have without descending to particulars encouraged our Settlers in Westmoreland, Bedford, & Northumberland to stand their Ground & have ordered 250 Militia from the inner Counties to march for their immediate Protection & in the mean Time the Assembly has given such farther Encouragement as we hope will give Spirit to the recruitg Service of the 5 Companies proposed. But as your Excelly well knows the Delays that sometimes happen in the Execution of Orders, I hope you will not think me troublesome in requesting they may be repeated if necessary. Expecting that Gen. Hands Detachment would effectually cover Northumberland & that a Draught of Militia to that Quarter would only consume the Provisions I did not order any Militia thither & I fear this late Movement will occasion an Evacuation of that Country unless Gen. Hand has moved a Part or the whole of his Troops thither—I must also request you would direct the Fragments of Corps attached to Col. Hartly’s Regt to Join as I fear they have not paid due Attention to your former Directions on this Subject. I hope we shall have the River in a good Posture—Gen. D. Portail seems very well pleased & all the necessary Orders are given.
I do not think a little Apprehension will do us any Harm & have therefore made such a Use of your Letter as may awaken tho not Alarm our People to a Sense of their true Situation. A sordid Spirit of Gain a Spirit of Animosity & Selfishness was too prevalent for any Thing but an Idea of Danger—I can only lament that even good Minds are in some Instances too much tainted. call a Thing Trade & let it be ever So seemingly unfair & really prejudicial to the common Interest it will make its Way. Every Arrival depreciates our Currency & I cannot learn that effectual Measures ar⟨e⟩ taken on this Subject or indeed any. Some of our principal People seemed to think all Danger over, & they must recover lost Time & Profits—hence all the Passions of Avarice & Ambition were let loose, & they will scarcely believe that the Day of our Redemption is not at Hand, & all farther Efforts unnecessary. You will see by our Proclamation of this Day that we think very differently & that while we hope, we tremble too. We are therefore resolved to pursue vigorously your Advice to be prepared for the worst, and should it be necessary to call forth the Militia of this State, I shall think it my Duty to partake of the Fatigues & Dangers, & yield a chearful & happy Obedience to your Orders—Yesterday Mr Peales Performance was placed with due Respect in the Council Chamber & an elegant one it is. He seems to have profited by his Subject & never did any Thing more to his Honour as an Artist.

Since I wrote the above a joint Committee of Council & Assembly met a Committee of Congress on the Affairs of this State & with a View of removing Jealousies & Misunderstandings which have too much prevailed of late. I have the Pleasure of informing you that there is an Appearance of perfect Harmony being restored notwithstanding the utmost Efforts of some Gentlemen in Congress to prevent it. It is really melancholy to see with what unceasing Perseverance some Gentlemen endeavour to promote a Breach between this State & Congress. A Transaction this Morning seems to confirm Suspicions taken up formerly. Mr Clymer who is full in Opposition here & of the Party with the commercial Gentlemen of Congress introduced a Sett of Resolves to some Gentlemen of the Assembly expressing the Sense of the State that the Delegates should agree to any Terms of Peace securing Independence & consistent with Treaties with foreign Powers, by no Means insisting upon Acquisitions of Territory or any splendid Advantages—It appeared to me that our Enemies would take so much Encouragement from Overtures of this Kind as tending to shew the Sense of one State & our Weariness of the Hour as might have fatal Effects. I have therefore used my Influence against it. My Opinion clearly is that Congress ought to have the sole Power of settling this Business & that it will be dangerous for any State to interpose its particular Decision. But alas—we thirst after Trade & Luxury—& many wish to see their banished Friends return in Triumph. I beg Pardon for this tedious Scrawl & am with the greatest Respect Dear Sir Your very Obed. & Aff. Hble Serv.
J. Reed.


Title: General Orders, 3 April 1779
From: Washington, George
To:

Head-Quarters Middle-Brook saturday April 3rd 1779.
Parole Jutland—C. Signs Jersey—Jamestown—

The contracts for shoes (in exchange for hides) made by officers commanding brigades in consequence of Lord Stirling’s orders of the 1st of January and previous to the suspension thereof on the 6th of February are to be immediately reported to the Adjutant General with the greatest exactness—These reports are to comprehend the names and places of residence of the Persons with whom the Contracts were made; the precise number of shoes contracted for and the terms on which they were to be furnished; The number of shoes received in consequence of the contract and the quantity of hides delivered towards the payment.


Title: To George Washington from Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 3 April 1779
From: Brodhead, Daniel
To: Washington, George

Dear General—
Fort McIntosh [Pa.] April 3rd 1779.
On the 28th of last Month I was honored with your Letter Dated at Head Quarters Middle Brook 5th March 1779.
I have the highest sense of the Hono⟨r done⟩ me by your appointment and I sincerely Wish to merit a Continuance of your good Opinion of me, but can only promise that my best exertions shall not be wanting to answer your most sanguine expectations of the Army in this Department, so soon as General McIntosh shall please to signify that the Command has devolved on me, which by his Letter of the first instant he has informed me shall be done.
Your Instructions of the 31st of January & 12th of Feby last to General McIntosh, he put into the Hands of Colonels Gibson & Crawford to read. I mention this circumstance to avoid sensure should the contents transpire. I have not heard of any persons being employed to explore the Country or examine the Navigation; therefore I fear you will receive but imperfect accounts Concerning them, untill I can procure such as may be more satisfactory, which I will do as soon as I am fully Authorized.
There is a prodigious deficiency of Clothing & Money in this Department, some Cloth has indeed been purchased in the State of Virginia, but the means of making it up are not provided; Shoes and Linnen cannot be had at any rate unless they are sent up by the Clothier Genl and I am wearied with making fruitless applications to him and the Board of War, although the Troops are full of Vermin.
All the Money lately brought up by the Deputy Pay Master General is insufficient to discharge the Arrearages of the Troops, therefore no recruiting Officers can be sent out untill a sufficient Sum for that Purpose is sent up by the Board of Treasury, And as the Deputy Paymaster (Mr Baynton) declines that service, I shall be Oblidged to send an Officer express to Philadelphia to bring it up.
My Son has suffered a long and painfull Captivity, And I am informed remains at Philadelphia inactive, having no Command. He is very desirous as well as myself of an interview and I beg your Excellency will permit him to Come to this Department, where I conceive he may be usefully employed in the Service of his Country.
The Delaware chiefs informed me in a conference Yesterday that four British Officers & sixteen Privates in an Armed Vessel arrived at Sandusky a few Days ago, and brought with them a great quantity of Liquor & Goods to ingage the Indians to go with them to Fort Laurens. They are to proceed to Kyahaga, thence up that River to a carrying place about five Miles from the head of Tuscarawas, and make a road that distance for some artillery, thence down the Tuscarawas to Fort Laurens & besiege it. The Indians say this is practicable & have offered me two of their best young Men to go & watch the Enemy, and bring me intelligence of their approaches. The Delaware chiefs seem desirous to do us every Service that will not involve them in a war with People of their own colour, and as their intelligence has chiefly been true, I cannot now despise it.
The Loss or evacution of Fort Laurens would greatly encourage the Enemy, at the same time it would discourage our Inhabitants.
I have taken the liberty to inclose two Speeches one from me to the Delaware Chiefs, the other is their answer Also Copies of Letters from Mr Hackenwelder to Colo. Gibson & from Major Vernon to myself.
I conceive that 1,000£ worth of Indian Goods at the former cheap rates would save a great many Thousands in this department, if properly applied in gaining intelligence, engaging some Indians in amity with us to act as Scouts & Guides, & finally as Warriors.
Our Provisions are very low at present and the Delaware Chiefs with their attendants of Men Women & Children amounting to sixty seven in number have lessened it considerably, but it is necessary to put the best Face on our Circumstances, as the Enemy constantly endeavour to p⟨er⟩sua⟨d⟩e them we are very indigent.
A Deputy Adjutant Genl, Deputy paymaster Genl, Muster Master & Inspector, will be necessary in this Department, And it would afford me great satisfaction could my Son be appointed to one of these, particularly one of the first mentioned. The Muster master appointed by General McIntosh was a Lieutt in my Regt and resigned upon a supposition that he was reduced to an Ensigncy by the late Arrangement. He is a very young Man and it is now clear that he has lost nothing of his rank, therefore I cannot conceive why he should be aversed to joining his Regt.
General McIntosh has appointed several Ensigns to my Regiment as well as Colo. Gibsons, And a number of promotions have otherwise taken place, The Officers are very anxious to have their Commissions and I should be much Oblidged for a few blanks if there be any at Head Quarters and leave to fill them up. I am very sensible of the necessity of using the utmost diligence in procuring Craft, and on receipt of your Instructions gave immediate Orders to the Quarter Master to engage six persons capable of superintending & directing the Building & making them, And to the Superintendant of the Works here to take the Names of all the Handy Craftsmen in the 8th Pensa & 13th V. Regts as well as the Independant Companies that might be employed in that Service. And as no perfect account is yet obtained of the Navigation of the different Waters you have directed to be examined, they will be chiefly employed in making large Canoes, of which a great number may be made up Yoghegania River. Mr John Dodge informs me that there is often a very high Swell in lake Erie. I am informed that the Mingoes living up the allegheny at a place called Connewago are much reduced by the small pox. Should the intelligence respecting the Enemies design against Fort Laurens prove groundless, I have thought of taking some Circuitous route to attack a small Town on the river La Beuf because the Indians there have been remarkably hostile.
I shall be happy to hear from you as often as Convenient and receive Instructions; nor will I fail to transmit to your Excellency every interesting Account that may Occur, although Expresses (considering the enormous expence of traveling) ought not to be multiplied.
Every sentence you have or may hereafter think proper to communicate to me will remain a profound secret. With the greatest regard & most perfect esteem I have the Honor to be your Excellency’s most Obedt most Humble svt
Daniel Brodhead Colo. 8th P. Regt


Title: From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Aaron Burr, 3 April 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Burr, Aaron

Sir
Head Quarters Middlebrook 3d April 1779
I have to acknowlege your favor of the 10th Ulto.
Perfectly satisfied that no consideration save a desire to re-establish your health could induce you to leave the service, I cannot therefore withold my concurrence.
But in giving permission to your retiring from the army, I am not only to regret the loss of a good officer, but the cause which makes his resignation necessary.
When it is convenient to transmit the settlement of your public accounts it will receive my final acceptance. I am Sir &c.


Title: To George Washington from William Fitzhugh, 3 April 1779
From: Fitzhugh, William
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from William Fitzhugh, 3 April 1779. GW wrote Fitzhugh on 25 June: “I have accidentally looked over a former letter of yours of the 3d of April wherein a Mr Arthur Harriss (formerly of Hartley’s Regiment) is recommended by you for an Ensigncy” (NHi: George and Martha Washington Papers).


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General James Hogun, 3 April 1779
From: Hogun, James
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philadelphia 3d April 1779
I take this early opportunity of informing your Excellency of the present weak state of this garrison, & the prospect of its soon being still weaker by the discharge of the draughts in the 3 No. Carolina Battn whose term of service expires the 20th Inst.—Our whole strength present fit for duty by the last returns amounts to 165 rank & file—Our daily guards consist of 82 rank & file, so that we have barely one releif—Colo. Proctors regiment were orderd down to Billingsport a few days since—where I expect they’ll stay dureing the summer, I shall be glad of your Excellys directions with respect to manner in which the draught are to return to their own state & wether It woud not be necessary to send them in detachments under proper Officers, they are very sickly, & I suppose it will be some time before they can all be sent off, One company of the regiment are Station’d at Trenton as a guard to some stores if your Excelly thinks proper to order them releiv’d, you’ll much Oblige Your Excellys Most Obt & Very Hume Servt
James Hogun B.G.


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General Lachlan McIntosh, 3 April 1779
From: McIntosh, Lachlan
To: Washington, George

sir,
Fort Pitt [Pa.] 3d April 1779.
Since I had the Honor of writing to your Excellency the 19th March. I received your Letter of the 5th ditto Just as I returned from Fort Laurens to Beaver with the Inclosures which I delivered immediately to Colo. Brodhead.
My Intention when I set off was, if the Indians did not Meet me at Tuscorawas to proceed to sandusky & Destroy the Wyandot Towns, & if we could get any Supplys there proceed farther, and if Fortune favored us perhaps finish the Matter at once in that quarter by such an Unexpected push. when I arrived at Fort Laurens I immediately disclosed this, & Consulted the field Officers & principle Men of each County who were with me upon it, and they were Unanimously against it at that time. Giving the following Reasons, that it was too early in the season, that great part of the Road was yet under water. that the Little Forage we could bring was already Exausted, & the Grass would not Support our Horses yet. and that the Small quantity of Provision we had, which would serve the Garrison of 100. Men in Fort Laurens above two Months would only last us Ten or Twelve Days, & must be Evacuated for want of Provision whether we Succeeded or not, which probably would Unite All the Indians to a Man against us, & drive all the Inhabitants over the Mountains, & that the plan could at any time be Executed with more favourable Circumstances while Fort Laurens was kept up & Supported in the Heart of their Country, which the Savages Saw into themselves, & kept them puzzled & Counciling Since its first Establishment. these reasons weighed so much with me that I returned to Beaver, & it was happy I did, our Men as well as Horses tired, & we were six Days coming a Journey we made out in little better than three.
I intended setting off to Morrow for Head quarters, but am informed Some of the Delaware Chiefs are on their way up to this place agreeable to an Invitation I gave them when last at Fort Laurens to See me before I went, or accompany me down while I was there, I heard there was a Grand Council of all the Nations held at sandusky, the result of which I am now informed is that the Wyandots are inclined to make peace with us. which I Judged would be the Case, or that they would remove over the Great Lakes.any further information I receive Shall be Communicated to your Excellency when I have the pleasure of Seeing you. I have the Honor to inclose you the last Letter I recd from Mr Heckenwelder one of the Moravian parsons at Coochauchking. I am with the greatest respect Your Excellys most obt Hble servt
Lachn McIntosh. Comg W. Dept
P.S. I inclose a Letter I Just received from Major Vernon, Commandt F. Laure⟨ns.⟩


Title: To George Washington from William Patterson, 3 April 1779
From: Patterson, William
To: Washington, George

Sir
Cumberland County [Pa.] April 3d—1779
This day Hicks returned from Shamong, where he met with Twenty five of the Troops in pay of Britain, & about thirty warriors of the Mingo, Munsey, & Tuskaroro Tribes, The whites were commanded by a Serjet who Told Hicks the Officer was gone to the lake to meet a reinforcmt of Troops, The Serjt said he knew but little more than there was an Expedition talked of among the Officers. & Indians, That the six Nations and their dependants were all preparing for war, those at Shamong live on Corn, Sugar, & wild Meat No publick Stores there—he Hicks Saw sundrie empty Pork and flour Barrels & a few prisioners, he dilevered the letters to the Serjt who said he dare ‘ot Oppen but promised to forward them to his Officer, The Indian chief of the Town pointed out a path of Safety for the conveyance of an answer. or continuance of a correspondence, The whites & Indians objected to Hicks’s carrying the letters thro’ their Country which Ocasioned his quick return.
from every thing Hicks cou’d hear he thinks Shamong and the other Town’s nearest will soon be evacuated and their inhabitants take shelter under the Bark of the Senekee Country at & near a Town call’d the big Ax on the watters of Lake Ontaria about sixty. or seventy Miles from Shamong—the distance between the Navigable watters of the Alegeny & Cayuga branch for small Boats about thirty five Miles, the Country leavel but in part Swampey Beetchland.
I Just now recived a letter from Captn Bush commandg at Sunbury says that on Sunday last was a week a large party of Indians attacked a party of our Troops on the Wyoming plains near the Fort commanded by Colo. Butler, but did not give the particulars of that days affair, that on the Tuseday following they attacked the Fort & kept firing the most of that day, afterwards retired taking with ’em 100 head of Black Cattle & 30 Horses, Tho’ your Excellency will have the particulars of this affair I cant but mention it with pleasure & rejoice that the Enimy attacked Wyoming instead of Fort Wallis which place might have fell into their hands; with Captn Bushes letter came one for the Captn of a few light Hor. At York Town, seeing it wrote on publick service I forwarded by express immediately after it came to hand—In my letter to General Green of the 28th of March last I mentioned that I cou’d not find a trusty Hand willing to undertake the Journey with Hicks. But unexpected I met with an Honest man of good charactor & fortune who offered his service in case your Excellency think proper to have further discoverys attempted, I shall wait your approbation before I put the publick to more expence on this Busness.

I gave Hicks three Hundred dollars, & paid his expences, keep his wife & two Children in my family to have him under my Eye ready for the same services, he says the Enimy treated him rough at first, but, in the end kind, That the party attacked Wyoming were Not from Shamong, but thinks they came from Chananga, & Chewnote, That he went undiscovered until within half a Mile of Shamong & kept the com[mo]n road all the way, That on his return he Tracked warriors at the head of Munsey Creeck steering their course towards Sunbury, on his way up heard several Guns fired near Wyalusing, there is a small Stokade a little below Shamo[n]g but no one in it, he further says there are several empty Houses in the Town appears to have been long evacuated as they used them for Cow Stables and quantities of dung lie in them—I Just now heard that on wednesday last a party of Indians Murdered a family 10. in Number about twelve Miles from Sunbury. I am Your Excellencies Obedient Huml. Servent
W: Patterson


Title: To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 3 April 1779
From: Schuyler, Philip
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Albany April 3d 1779.
Your Excellency’s Favor of the 25th Ult. I had the Honor to receive on the 31st.
Having entertained an Idea that it was intended to attack the Indians with the principal Force, from this Quarter, my Enquiries were not so pointed with Regard to the Navigation of that part of the Susquehanna below Tioga—I am happy to find it is so good, because the Reasons your Excellency adduces for prefering a penetration to the Senecas by that River rather than by the Mohawks are so weighty as to leave not a Doubt on my Mind of the propriety of carrying on the Operations by the Rout you mention in preference to the one I suggested. I fear however that the Force from this Quarter will not amount, if composed of the New York Corps only, to the Number you mention; unless other Troops are sent to relieve the posts they now occupy, as the Enemy’s Attention from the preparations in this Quarter and the Hints given will, in all probability, be pointed to Lake Champlain and expose the Northern Frontiers to their Ravages, if the small Force now there is called away or indeed if it is not augmented.
Inclose your Excellency a Letter and Sketch of Mr Deane’s relative to the upper Country—He has mistaken my Question as to the point of Debarkation, and answers as if I had asked where the Enemy from Canada coming to the Support of the Indians would debark.
Your Excellency will percieve that the several Distances from Fort Schuyler to the Oneida, Tuscarora, Onandaga, Cayuga and Northern Seneca Villages are noted on the Sketch—The Distance from the German Flatts to Fort Schuyler is about thirty five Miles—It is not more from the former place to Oneida—The Roads from thence to Fort Schuyler and Oneida are much alike, thro’ a level Country, but rather deep until the latter End of Summer—In my Letter of the 2d January I gave a Description of the Country thro’ which the Road to Niagara runs, which I shall beg Leave to repeat, having received no Information since to induce me to believe it to be erroneous.
“From Fort Schuyler to Onondaga about 50 Miles thro’ a good dry Country, not very thickly wooded from thence to Cayuga about 60 or 65 Miles[”] (Mr Deane makes this not more than 50 Miles—I have Reason to believe he is mistaken) “very mountainous and swampy with great Difficulty to be passed by a Man on Horseback, from thence to the most Easterly Seneca Village about thirty Miles—Three more Seneca Villages intervene before you reach their Capital, which is about seventy Miles from Cayuga—Great part of the Distance is thro’ a level Country, interspersed with Hillocks, and altho’ in some places the Woods are very close, yet in general it is rather open and the Bottom firm and dry.”
Captain Bleeker, who commanded the party to attempt the Destruction of the Vessels on Ontario marched from Fort Schuyler, and the second Day opened his Orders to the Indians, who accompanied him—A Squaw they had in Company, returned, and soon after a Messenger was sent from Oneida who overtook and advised him not to proceed; as the Creeks were all open and that the Ice had left the Lake at Dear Island—he however entreated the Indians to proceed, but as they refused he was under the Necessity of returning. If what they alledged was true, which had some Countenance, from the exceeding Mildness of the Winter, I am not sorry they have returned.

Inclose your Excellency Copy of a Letter and Return of the D. Commissary General of purchases in this Quarter—It confirms the Idea you have of the Scarcity of Flour in this State and adds to the Necessity of making the Movement against the Indians in the Manner you propose—I have long since called for this Return as I apprehended there would be a Deficiency in the Article of Flour, and that I might be enabled to advise your Excellency thereof, if so.
General Clinton is to be with me to Day that we may consult and determine on the most proper Measures to carry into Execution the proposed Attempt on Onondaga—I have great Hopes of Success.
I have not latterly heard any Thing more of the intended immediate Excursion of the Enemy on the Western Frontiers—I have however advised that two hundred of the Militia from the Southern part of this County should be called out. so as to be here about the Time the Troops march from Fort Schuyler that they may be at Hand in Case of any Disaster—Those in the Western part of this County and the County of Tryon to be in Readiness to march at a Moment’s Warning.
I have lately found amongst my papers a Map of Quebec and its Environs, on which are delineated the Approaches made by General Wolfe in 1759 and the Fortifications erected by the French to oppose him—If you are not possessed of such a Map I shall do myself the pleasure to transmit it to you.
I have directed all the preparations in this Quarter, which had been entered into in Consequence of your Excellency’s former orders to be suspended and the Materials so disposed of that they may be ready when called for.
On the 18th Ult. Congress passed the following Resolution.
“That the president be directed to acquaint Major General Schuyler that the Situation of the Army renders it inconvenient to accept his Resignation and therefore Congress cannot comply with his Request.” Some of my Friends in philadelphia think that as I was deprived of my Command in the Army before Congress knew what Crime to charge me with, and as they continued to keep me out of the Army during the active part of one and the whole of another Campaign the Resolution ought to have been so worded as to afford me some Reparation for the Injury—I am perfectly in Sentiment with them and have therefore entreated Congress to reconsider the Resolution—I take the Liberty to mention this to your Excellency as an Apology for not immediately joining the Army, and to entreat that I may not be called on for the present as a few Weeks will probably determine whether I am still to have the Honor of serving under you, or of retiring to private Life. I have the Honor to be Dear Sir with every Sentiment of Affection Esteem & Respect Your Excellency’s most obedient humble Servant.
Ph: Schuyler


Title: From George Washington to Lund Washington, 3 April 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, Lund

Dear Lund,
Middle brook April 3d 1779.
Your letter of the 24th Ulto reached me yesterday—all that Frazer says about the Clarett are in the following words
“As Captn Sanford passes by your house, I have sent you a Hhd of the best Bordeaux Claret in bottles, I hope it will come safe to hand.”
Whether under the circumstances to write to him for the acct of cost, & direction to whom to pay the amount; or to remit him something of equal value without doing this, I am at a loss—perhaps your enquiry of Sanford may enable you to form a better judgment of the matter than I can. You must make my acknowledgments to the owners of the Vessel for their politeness in refusing to receive freight & take an occasion of giving the Vessel some fresh stock at her departure for another voyage. I would not wish you to make use of this clarett but upon extraordinary occasions.
Mr Mercer may do as he pleases with respect to the discharge of his fathers bonds, now due to me—with respect to the open acct between us, I know too little of the matter to give any directions concerning it—He may settle the acct himself—less than three hundred pounds will discharge the Bonds for more than £3000—I do not recollect whether my bond was given for his Moiety of the four Miles run tract, but think it was to go in discharge of his debt to me. the sum I believe was £400, the same that Blair was to get for Colo. Mercers Moiety—nor can I recollect whether all my charges have been extended (out of my Memorandum book) into my ledger nor is it indeed of much consequence, as a pound will scarcely fetch a shilling—Colo. Mercers acct is distinct from this, & undoubtedly must be paid if the other is received—the charges against his Estate on Acct of Waggonage is very proper, for if my memory serves me, I was to give him a certain price for his Wheat delivered at my Mill, & was requested to pay (& charge to his Acct) the Cost of getting it there.With respect to the money due Blair (as Attorney of Colo. Mercer) I am easy what is done, so that by no neglect of mine the land is endangered.
In order to gratify Jack you may bring Sylla up again, & in lieu, send one of my mothers own fellows down—the greatest Rogue of the two—I am sorry to hear of your loss in fruit.
Have you trimmed the locusts at the North end of the House in the manner formerly directed? have you opened the Visto to Muddy hole? have you planted Trees on the Mill race? &ca &ca &ca—Unless you keep some kind of a summary, or memorandum of these request, they will be forgotten, & pass of[f] unnoticed—& many of them if not attended to in due Season must pass over to the next—I forgot till now, & now it is too late, to desire that you would propogate (by cutting off twigs, & setting them) the Weeping & yellow Willow—I also wanted to have a good deal of apple pummice sowed last Fall for gr⟨a⟩fting on—by yr acct I fear it will be out of your power to do this in the present year. desire Bateman to propogate the English Mulberry for me. & if you could give my friend Colo. Mason a genteel hint, that I should not be offended if he was, at a proper Season for removing them, to bestow a few young Trees of Cherries—Plumbs—Nectarines—Pears &ca there would be no harm done.
Nothing of much moment has happened either here, or within the Enemys lines, since my last—an Expedition which seemed to be in agitation from the East end of long Island supposed generally to be against New london, where there were some Continental & other Armed Vessels is either laid aside, or suspended for the present. the storms that happened about the equinox drove 14 empty transports (belonging to the Enemy) on shore on Gardeners Island, near the East end of long Island, where it was immagind they would be lost. it also drove three other transports of theirs on the Jersey shore, one of which contained between 150 & 200 Soldiers all (I believe) of whom perished. Mrs Washington joins in best wishes to you & Milly with Dr Lund Yr Affecte
Go: Washington


Title: General Orders, 4 April 1779
From: Washington, George
To:

Head-Quarters Middle Brook sunday April 4th 1779.
Parole Koningsburgh—C. Signs Kola. Kanton.


Title: From George Washington to the Board of War, 4 April 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Board of War

Gentlemen
Head Quarters Middle Brook 4th April 1779.
Capt. Schott waits upon you with a Return of Arms and Cloathing wanting for the several Corps therein mentioned which are ordered over to Wyoming. The Cloathing could have been furnished from hence, but it will be so much more convenient to send it from Philada to Esterton upon the Susquehannah and from thence to Wyoming by Water, where it will meet the Troops, that I have directed Capt. Schott to proceed to Philada.
I imagine the Arms and Accoutrements had better be ordered from the Magazine at Carlisle, as the distance from thence to Susquehannah is so much shorter than from Philada or should there be a sufficiency in the hands of the Armourer at Lancaster it will be more convenient still—Capt. Schott will take the order and see that the Articles are safely conveyed to Susquehannah. I am &.


Title: From George Washington to General Henry Clinton, 4 April 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Clinton, Henry

Sir
Head Quarters Middle Brook 4th April 1779
I had not the honor to receive your Excellency’s letter of the 31st ulto before yesterday evening. From this circumstance and some others that have occurred, I am sorry to inform you that the proposed meeting of Commissioners cannot take place at so early a day as you have mentioned. I am under the necessity of requesting that it may be deferred ’till Monday the 12th instant, when Colonel Davies and Lieutenant Colo. Harrison will meet Colo. Hyde and Captain André at Amboy in the Forenoon.
Those Gentlemen, I am persuaded, will enter upon business with the most liberal and generous dispositions—and from thence, I am happy to conceive, with you, the most favorable expectations. You will however suffer me to observe, that should the intended negociation answer our wishes, yet it will not flow from that partiality which you have been pleased to suppose.
Our Commissary of prisoners will attend at Amboy during the Commission, and I shall also order an Escort consisting of an Officer and six Dragoons. I have the honor to be with due Respect Your Excellency’s most obedient Servt
Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 4 April 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Hand, Edward

Sir
Head Quarters Middle Brook 4th April 1779
The Arms, Cloathing and Camp Equipage for Colo. Spencers and the German Regiment and for Armands and Schotts Corps, of which Capt. Schott brought down a return, will all be sent up the Susquehannah to Wyoming, at which place the troops ordered to march thither will meet them—As Colo. Cortlandts Regt will not be employed upon the same service, the necessary Cloathing and Camp equipage for it will be provided from another quarter—I have given you this information lest the Corps ordered to Wyom⟨ing m⟩ight have waited for Capt. schotts return before they marched—which should they not have done when this reaches you, you w⟨i⟩ll immediately put them in motion. I am Sir Your most obt Servt
G: Washington
Be pleased to forward the inclosed to Colo. Cortland.


Title: From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 4 April 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Maxwell, William

Sir
Head Quarters Middlebrook 4th April 1779.
I duly received your favor of the 2d Instant.
You will be pleased to transmit by flag as early as possible the letter which I herewith send for Sir Henry Clinton; and that to his commissioners, who are to meet ours on the subject of an exchange of prisoners, and who probably it will find on Staten Island.
I have nothing more in particular—command—and am sir &.
G. W——n


Title: General Orders, 5 April 1779
From: Washington, George
To:

Head-Quarters Middle-Brook Monday April 5th 1779.
Parole Lithunia—C. Signs Lisbon. Lynn.

All officers who have drawn money for the reinlisting service are desired to prepare their accounts for a settlement with the Auditors.


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Burke, 5 April 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Burke, Thomas

Sir
Head qrs [Middlebrook] April the 5th 1779
I had not the Honor to receive Your Letter of the 22d Ulto ’till this morning. By some means or other it had taken a circuitous route by the way of pecks Kiln most probably through the inattention of the person to whom it was delivered in the first instance.
With respect to the subject of your Letter, after thanking you and Your Colleag⟨ues⟩ for your polite attention in referring the matter to me previous to your acting in it, lest it might contravene some general plan of mine, I beg leave to observe, that if the Three hundred dollars bounty ⅌ man voted by the State is to ⟨be⟩ given, it had better be, as you suggest, in addition to the bounty allowed by Congress—and only to such Men as will inlist during the War. To give it for a shorter term of inlistment wo⟨uld⟩ be impolitic in the extreme, in my opinion, as the consequences which must evidently flow from it, will be exceeding⟨ly⟩ injurious—and will greatly overbala⟨nce⟩ any present relief that the measure can produce. For my part—I am most clearly convinced of the impolicy of State bounties in all cases. A more pernicious system never was adopted and a more pernicious one cannot be persevered in. It has occasioned a thousand ills and infinite discontents. Men who inlisted at early & at intermediate periods for the War for moderate bounties have become disatisfied at seeing such enormous sums paid for short services—and there are numbers on this account, under this description, that are trying by every possible artifice to prove that their engagements were only temporary. Though they should not succeed in this—it is certain there will be great desertions—murmurings—perhaps what will be worse. Upon the whole, I do not know, that an offer of the bounty, even to encourage inlistmentsfor the War, will be by any means adviseable. I have the Honor to be with respect & esteem sir Yr Most Obedt servant
Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to George Clinton, 5 April 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Clinton, George

Dr Sir.
Head Quarters Middlebrook. 5th April 1779.
The time not being very remote, in which our intended operations must commence—it is necessary to put some of the troops designed for the expedition in motion, to the several points from whence they are to operate. In consequence of this—the troops now at Minisink will be immediately ordered from that post. As this circumstance may create apprehensions in the minds of the people for their safety; and of course check the spirit of agriculture; I would submit to your Excellencys consideration, the precaution of keeping up a proper confidence, by means of a small party of Militia.
Although the country will, in effect, derive greater security and protection, in the removal of the troops, than by their continuance; yet as it may not be altogether politic to make a whole frontier sensible of this, you will judge of the propriety of the measure for avoiding it.
I have written to Governor Livingston on the subject, submitting to his discretion the calling in a party of Militia, on the troops leaving the Minisink.
I would just beg leave to observe, that I have not received your sentiments on my letter of the 15 & 16th Ultimo, and am—Dear sir your most hble servt
Go: Washington

P.S. After closing the above I had the pleasure of your two favors of the 18th & 21st of March Ulto.


Title: To George Washington from General Henry Clinton, 5 April 1779
From: Clinton, Henry
To: Washington, George

Sir,
New York April 5th 1779
In my Letter of the 31st of last Month, I acquainted you that, in consequence of the proposal made to me in yours of the 14th, I should send down Colonel Hyde and Captain André to Staten Island this day, as Commissioners on my part, to meet the like number on your’s, for the purposes therein mentioned, either at Amboy, or Elizabeth Town, as you might wish; But as one of the Gentlemen has been taken ill, I am under the necessity of postponing the meeting until Wednesday next, at which time they shall certainly attend, if no unforeseen accident should prevent it. I have the honor to be, With due respect, Sir, Your Excellency’s Most obedient Servant
H. Clinton


Title: From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 5 April 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Greene, Nathanael

Sir
Head Quarters Middlebrook 5th April 1779.
I wish to know, how many horns have been delivered to your department, in consequence of the general orders for that purpose; and that you would take measures to have a sufficient number of them converted into the common powder flasks for the proposed expedition—And that the whole may be under your view.
You will also be pleased to give directions for the necessary complimentary shot pouches. I am sir Your most hble servt.


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General Edward Hand, 5 April 1779
From: Hand, Edward
To: Washington, George

Sir
Minisink [N.Y.] 5th Apl 1779
I recd your Exceys favour of the 1st Instant yesterday. the Troops ordered to Wyoming have recd their Orders, and will move to day. the Upper Road is Certainly the best & Shortest could there be a Boat in readiness to Cross the Wallinpepae But as that is not the Case, & the Garrison at Wyoming is too weak to detach to take up or Cover one, I think it Best to direct the March by Fort Penn, Scarcity of Forage & Horses will prevent the Troops Carrying any Baggage but what their Knapsacks will hold—the rem[ainde]r may Stay at Fort Penn untill a more convenient opertunity, and Untill this reinforcement may put Wyoming Garrison into a Condition to reconnoitre the Country. I will leave a Small Guard with the Baggage, and the Troops Shall have the necessary orders & Instructions to prevent a Surprise. Major Burchardt of the German Regt will Command them.
Your Excy favr of the 16th Ultim: I recd the 3d Instant, via Rochester—I believe I have Already Seen the three men referd to, but to very little purpose. Lt Jenkins the Officer I expected from Wyoming has been here two days, he will proceed this day with the return express. I intended to have gone on to day my self but will now wait ’till the Troops are fairly on their March—Lt Jenkins gives the best Acct I have heard of the Seneca Country—has been to Niagara from the Susquehannah thro Connedesega, & to Fort Schuyler from Niagara thro the Same place. from his Acct the Country is Most Accessable from the Susquehannah. I am sir with much respect your Excys most Obedt Hble Servt
Edwd Hand

Job Chillaway is not now on the Susquehannah—Spencers regt had the Care of Land & Hicks, both in Irons, yet they Contrived to let Hicks escape the Night of the 31st Ultimo.


Title: From George Washington to William Livingston, 5 April 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Livingston, William

Dear Sir
Head Quarters Middle Brook 5th April 1779.
I have been honored with yours of the 30th March.
As I shall be very soon under the necessity of removing the troops at present at and in the neighbourhood of the Minisink settlement, I thought it advisable to give this notice to your Excellency, that you may, if you judge proper, order some Militia to occupy their posts. I have wrote to Govr Clinton upon the same subject. Altho’ the move which the troops are about to make will in fact give as much security to the frontier as by remaining where they are, yet perhaps the inhabitants cannot be made sensible of it, and as the re-settlement and cultivation of that fine Country ought by all means to be encouraged, I submit it to your Excellency’s judgment, to determine, whether any measure will so effectually answer those desirable ends as ordering a few Militia to give the inhabitants protection. I am &.