The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 1 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and PrivateJefferson, Thomas
History
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 1 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private
Jefferson, Thomas
United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783; United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1865
SIR,--I was honored, yesterday with your Excellency's favor enclosing
the resolutions of Congress of the 8th instant, for removing stores and
provisions from the counties of Accomack and Northampton. We have there
no military stores, except a few muskets in the hands of the militia.
There are some collections of forage and provisions belonging to the
Continent, and some to the State, and the country there, generally,
furnishes an abundance of forage. But such is the present condition of
Chesapeake Bay that we cannot even get an advice boat across it with
any certainty, much less adventure on transportation. Should, however,
any interval happen, in which these articles may be withdrawn, we shall
certainly avail ourselves of it, and bring thence whatever we can.
If I have been rightly informed, the horses there are by no means such,
as that the enemy could apply them to the purposes of cavalry. Some
large enough for the draught may, perhaps, be found, but of these not
many.
I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, your Excellency's
most obedient and most humble servant.
TO HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL WASHINGTON.
RICHMOND, April 23, 1781.
SIR,--On the 18th instant, the enemy came from Portsmouth up
James river, in considerable force, though their numbers are
not yet precisely known to us. They landed at Burwell's ferry,
below Williamsburg, and also a short distance above the mouth of
Chickahomony. This latter circumstance obliged Colonel Innis, who
commanded a body of militia, stationed on that side the river to cover
the country from depredation, to retire upwards, lest he should be
placed between their two bodies. One of these entered Williamsburg
on the 20th, and the other proceeded to a ship-yard we had on
Chickahomony. What injury they did there, I am not yet informed. I
take for granted, they have burned an unfinished twenty-gun ship we had
there. Such of the stores, belonging to the yard as were movable, had
been carried some miles higher up the river. Two small gallies also
retired up the river. Whether by this, either the stores or gallies
were saved, is yet unknown. I am just informed, from a private hand,
that they left Williamsburg early yesterday morning. If this sudden
departure was not in consequence of some circumstance of alarm unknown
to us, their expedition to Williamsburg has been unaccountable. There
were no public stores at that place, but those which were necessary
for the daily subsistence of the men there. Where they mean to descend
next, the event alone can determine. Besides harassing our militia with
this kind of war, the taking them from their farms at the interesting
season of planting their corn, will have an unfortunate effect on the
crop of the ensuing year.
I have heard nothing certain of General Greene since the 6th instant,
except that his head-quarters were on Little river on the 11th.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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