The Peregrine Fitzhugh letters

Village historian Bruce Farrington introduces letters of Peregrine Fitzhugh, Washington’s aide-de-camp who settled at Troupville in 1803, long believed lost in an 1846 fire.

George Washington’s April 5, 1780 letter informing Peregrine Fitzhugh, captured at the Baylor Massacre in 1778, that he was being paroled in exchange for British prisoners.

Peregrine Fitzhugh’s April 24, 1781 letter thanking George Washington for his promotion and an offer to join Washington’s headquarters staff, where he became an aide-de-camp.

Peregrine Fitzhugh’s July 10, 1786 letter to George Washington, offering 20 to 30 ewe lambs from his father’s Maryland estate for 12 shillings, 6 pence each.

Peregrine Fitzhugh’s March 25, 1797 letter to Thomas Jefferson, sending corn seed in hopes of French peas and voicing concern about James Madison’s stance on treaty making.

Thomas Jefferson’s April 9, 1797 reply to Peregrine Fitzhugh, sending French peas in return for Cumberland corn seed and easing Fitzhugh’s concerns about James Madison.

Peregrine Fitzhugh’s May 19, 1797 letter to Thomas Jefferson about French peas and corn seed, James Madison’s views on treaty-making and the war between England and France.

Thomas Jefferson’s June 4, 1797 reply to Peregrine Fitzhugh, thanking him for corn seed, weighing several newspapers and sharing worries about anti-French feeling in Congress.

Peregrine Fitzhugh’s June 20, 1797 letter to Thomas Jefferson on staying neutral in the war between England and France, federal tax collection and the story of Logan.

Peregrine Fitzhugh’s September 15, 1797 letter to Thomas Jefferson and the public, denying a claim used to defame Jefferson over something he supposedly wrote about Adams.

Peregrine Fitzhugh’s October 15, 1797 letter to Thomas Jefferson on the Yellow Creek Massacre, a misused Jefferson letter, events in France and a damaging drought.

Thomas Jefferson’s February 23, 1798 letter to Peregrine Fitzhugh on politics, the war in Europe and the Constitution, closing with condolences on the death of Fitzhugh’s father.

Peregrine Fitzhugh’s December 2, 1807 letter warning President Thomas Jefferson that poorly defended Troupville could be burned, and pleading for gunpowder, rifles and troops.