United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783

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Can't persuade troops to remain at New Rochelle in face of superior forces--troops not enlisting, army weak--few [English] troops left in New York--he holds two men who ran off to British, then came back to help a widow escape to New York.

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Military intelligence--reports movement of British fleet and army in New York.

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John Parke Custis, stepson of George Washington, wrote to George Washington who was at Valley Forge about various aspects of the war. He notified him that the Virginia legislature passed bills to help raise troops, the arrival of a French ship carrying uniforms and military supplies, and a note to his mom. Docketed by George Washington. Autograph letter signed, 3 pages.

Scope and Contents Exchange of Adams and Matthews land still not settled--much alarm in Alexandria, expecting an attack from 5 large ships reported to be off Cone [mouth of Potomac]--river now blocked with ice but women and children evacuating and moving goods--they will fight to defend town--he thinks the ships more apt to be oyster boats--packing Washington's china and glass into barrels and then would be able to move things at short notice to Mrs. Barnes and to Morris' barn--rum and wine to be moved...

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Hopes Washington will come to Mt. Vernon while troops in winter quarters--no crop for sale this year--wheat destroyed, mill idle, short crop of corn--gives corn crop yields from each farm--many visiters and horses cause great use of crops--also 24 of own horses--wants to try making rum, sugar, and molasses from Indian corn stalk for money crop.

Scope and Contents Breeding mare--Weaver captured deserter, thus is exempt from serving in army, but he's been let go because of high wages demanded--bargain with Triplett--Blair's bond--money put in Continental Loan office--rents collected from tenants in Loudon and Fauquier--Sam[uel W-n] collected some in Westmoreland--will come to camp after shad is put up for coming year--will send Washington's accounts by Col. Fitzgerald if he leaves first--covering horse thin--progress made on privateer "General...

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Informing Washington of affairs at Mt. Vernon, the condition of the negroes, advising some improvements to Mt. Vernon, and information about the movements of the British.

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Incloses Philadelphia paper announcing news of a victory in the south [King's Mountain ?].

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Stewart is writing about the conduct of some of the soldiers and the need of supplies.

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The letter is a request to "his most Christian Majesty" for help to secure the Chesapeake from British naval raids that had rendered it impossible to export the "Tobacco, flour and other produce of this State and Virginia". The senders may possibly be Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, George Plater, President of the Senate and William Bruff, Speaker of the House. The recipient is not identified other than as the Minister of France. 4 pages.

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George Walton, signer of the Declaration of Independence, writes to Major General Benjamin Lincoln seeking his help regarding sums for the military being misapplied by citizens [Georgia] and hung up in the Department of the Army resulting in shortages for the troops in the Georgia militias. Autograph letter, signed. 2 pages.

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Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Mounted on cardstock. Washington gives orders for the removal of suspected loyalists to New Rochelle. He warns against any injury to persons or property but insists they be kept “at a distance from the Enemy of whom it is suspected they are favourers and are carrying on correspondances dangerous to the United States of America.

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Autograph letter signed. Blindstamped "Archives de Chastellux." Rochambeau writes about Washington's plans for the 1782 campaign and news from Europe.

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John Witherspoon, signer of the Declaration of Independence, writes to William Livingston, Governor of New Jersey, regarding the safe passage of a British deserter, Humphrey Belcher, through American lines. Autograph letter, signed. 1 page.

Scope and Contents Letter from Josiah Bartlett to William Whipple regarding the movement of American and British forces in New York and New Jersey. He outlines the many challenges that the revolutionary cause faced in New York, New England, and generally, including supply and money problems, the health of the troops, and the persistence of divided loyalties in the aftermath of the Americans declaring independence. Bartlett signed the Declaration of Independence and served as governor of New Hampshire during...

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Lafayette writes to George Augustine Washington. Autograph letter, signed. 1 page.

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Lyman Hall, Governor of Georgia and signer of the Declaration of Independence, writes to Mrs. Street (possibly his sister) regarding health and life post Revolutionary war. Autograph letter, signed. 1 page.

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A.L.S. 1 page. Monticello. Lafayette expresses his affection for Nelly and her brother G.W.P. Custis -- and says he share more when he travels near her at the end of the month -- [This letter is also quoted by Nelly in letter of Nov. 22 to Eliz. Bordley Gibson]. Autograph letter signed, integral cover, postmarked "Char. Va. Nov. 10", laminated, red seal with device blurred, watermarks. Name on original manuscript appears as "Lafayette."

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Letter or journal entry written from Montreal, Canada on May 24, 1776 with sketched map of Lake Champlain on the back. Describes movement and condition of troops and arms of the Northern Department, some have smallpox and fever. It is unknown who the creator is but was at one time attributed to David Avery. References Benedict Arnold.

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Patrick Henry writes to the unidentified 'County Lieutenant of Berkely [Berkeley].' He writes "You are hereby directed to furnish General Hand with the numbers of men he may call from your militia to defend the frontier or challenge the Indians." Autograph letter, signed. 1 page.

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Samuel Huntington, President of the Continental Congress and signer of the Declaration of the Independence, writes to Jabez Huntington, regarding preparations being made to prepare for the invasion of the British Navy. Letter mentions William Williams, another signer of the Declaration of Independence and Esek Hopkins, Commander of the Continental Navy. Autograph letter, signed. 2 pages.

Scope and Contents Thomas Jefferson writes, while he was the U.S. Minister to France, to William Gordon about the actions he has taken to assist Gordon's efforts to write a history of the American Revolution, and conveys his thoughts on what market may exist for the publication in France. Gordon conducted part of his research for his history at Mount Vernon. Gordon published The History of the Rise, Progress, and Establishment, of the Independence of the United States of America: Including an Account of the...

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Thomas Nelson, signer of the Declaration of Independence and brigadier general in the Continental army, writes to General George Weedon, of Richmond, updating him on the mobilization of Virginia's defenses against a British incursion in the Hampton Roads area. Autograph letter, signed. 1 page.

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Letter from George Washington to Arthur St. Clair regarding instructions for handling British soldiers without assistance from other divisions. Uncertainty over British movements and intentions prevented St. Clair from settling on a course for his division.

Abstract Written from Newburgh while facing a mutiny due to a lack of soldier's pay and supplies, George Washington appealed to Virginia's governor, Benjamin Harrison, for financial support of his troops. Referencing an earlier letter, he began, “About the first of this Month I wrote you along letter. I touched upon the state of the Army. …I little expected at the time of writing that letter, that we were on the eve of an important crisis to this Army; when the touch stone of discord was to be...

Abstract Written from Philadelphia on June 19, 1775, George Washington announced to Burwell Bassett (Martha's brother-in-law) that he has just been unanimously elected by the colonies as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. Washington eloquently expressed, "I am now Imbarkd on a tempestuous Ocean from whence, perhaps, no friendly harbor is to be found." He had humbly accepted this responsibility and stated, "I can answer but for three things, a firm belief of the justice of our Cause - close...

Scope and Contents Letter in Alexander Hamilton's hand, signed by Washington. Washington issues orders for Colonel Christopher Greene's First Rhode Island Regiment, which included formerly enslaved African American soldiers, to march from Newport to West Point under Rochambeau. Washington writes, "only come on with such officers as are to remain in service on the new arrangement and such men as engaged for the war, or at least for a term, that will last through the next campaign. The other men you may dismiss,...

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Letter, 1777 March 12, in Alexander Hamilton's hand, from George Washington, Morristown, N.J., to Lt. Col. David Grier of the 7th Pennsylvania Regiment ordering him to submit a complete return of his regiment and to take new recruits who have not had smallpox to Philadelphia where they would be inoculated against the disease.

Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed. Washington writes about the sorrow he felt when Chastellux departed to return to France: "A sense of your public services to this country, and gratitude for your private friendship, quite overcame me at the moment of our separation." Washington adds, "I truly say, never in my life did I ever part with a man to whom my soul clave more sincerely than it did to you." Washington hopes that, after the war, he can accompany Chastellux on a tour of North America. In the...

Scope and Contents General Washington writes from Fishkill [N. Y.] to New York governor George Clinton. Abuse of citizens in this state by army officers -- ordered boat containing Mr. Cuyler's family and belongings to be stopped short of Fishkill -- those aboard shouldn't be permitted to review the works at West Point -- sends by express packets addressed to Clinton and [government of N. Y.], sent down by flag -- they contain extraordinary Manifesto and proclamation -- if boat with Cuyler's effects is to...