Skip to main content

Full text of "The writings of George Washington;"

See other formats 


Google 


This  is  a  digitaJ  copy  of  a  book  that  was  preserved  for  generations  on  library  shelves  before  it  was  carefully  scanned  by  Google  as  part  of  a  project 
to  make  the  world's  books  discoverable  online. 

ll  has  survived  long  enough  for  the  copyright  to  expire  and  the  book  to  enler  Ihe  public  domain.  A  public  domain  book  is  one  that  was  never  subject 
to  copyright  or  whose  legal  copyright  term  has  expired.  Whether  a  book  is  in  the  public  domain  may  vmy  country  to  country.  Public  domain  books 
are  our  gateways  lo  the  past,  representing  a  wealth  of  history,  culture  and  knowledge  that's  often  difficult  to  discover. 

Marks,  notations  and  other  niaiginalia  present  in  the  original  volume  will  appeal'  in  this  file  -  a  reminder  of  this  book's  long  journey  from  Ihe 
publisher  to  a  library  and  finally  lo  you. 

Usage  guidelines 

Google  is  proud  to  partner  with  librai'ies  to  digitize  public  domain  materials  and  make  them  widely  accessible.  Public  domain  books  belong  to  the 
public  and  we  Lue  merely  Iheir  custodians.  Nevertheless,  this  work  is  expensive,  so  in  order  lo  keep  providing  this  resource,  we  have  takeD  steps  to 
prevent  abuse  by  commercial  parties,  including  placing  technical  restrictions  on  automated  querying. 

We  also  ask  that  you: 

+  Make  non-commercial  use  of  the  files  We  designed  Google  Book  Search  for  use  by  individuals,  and  we  request  that  you  use  these  files  for 
personal,  non-commercial  purposes. 

+  Refrain  fivm  aiftomated querying  Do  not  send  automated  queries  of  any  sort  to  Google's  system;  If  you  are  conducting  research  on  machine 
translation,  optical  character  recognition  or  other  areas  where  access  to  a  laige  amount  of  text  is  helpful,  please  contact  us.  We  encourage  Ihe 
use  of  public  domain  materials  for  these  purposes  and  maybe  able  to  help. 

+  Maintain  attribution  The  Google  "watermark"  you  see  on  each  file  is  essential  for  informing  people  about  this  project  and  helping  them  find 
additional  materials  through  Google  Book  Search.  Please  do  not  remove  ll. 

+  Keep  it  legal  Whatever  your  use,  remember  that  you  are  responsible  for  ensuring  thai  what  you  are  doing  is  legal.  Do  not  assume  Ihat  just 
because  we  believe  a  book  is  in  the  public  domain  for  users  in  the  United  States,  that  the  work  is  also  in  the  public  domain  for  users  in  other 
countries.  Whether  a  book  is  still  in  copyright  varies  from  country  lo  country,  and  we  can't  offer  guidance  on  whether  any  specific  use  of 
any  specific  book  is  allowed.  Please  do  not  assutne  that  a  book's  appearance  in  Google  Book  Search  meatis  it  can  be  used  in  any  manner 
anywhere  in  the  world.  Copyright  infringement  liability  can  be  quite  severe. 

About  Google  Book  Search 

Google's  mission  is  to  organize  Ihe  world's  information  and  lo  make  it  universally  accessible  and  useful.  Google  Book  Search  helps  readers 
discover  the  world's  books  while  helping  authors  and  publishers  reach  new  audiences.  You  can  search  tlirough  the  full  text  of  this  book  on  the  web 


at  lilitp  :/  /books  .  google  .com/ 


THE  WRITINGS 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


VOL.  IX. 


1 780-1 782 


Of  this  Letter-press  Edition 
•jso  Copies  ma  ve  been  Printed  for  Sale 


No. 


^C?^^  fu2t4a^*^U^9-tm^ 


March,  iS^i 


THE  WRITINGS 


or 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


COLLaCTBO   AKD  EDITED 

WORTHINGTON   CHAUNCEY  FORD 


Vol.  IX. 


1 780-1 782 


NEW  YORK  AND  LONDON 

G.   P.   PUTNAM'S    SONS 
189 1 


Vn%t  of 


G.  P.  Putsam's  Sons 

New  York 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  IX. 


i;8o. 


rAoa 


To  Governor  Reed,  October  19th        ....  I 

No  distinction  as  to  prisonen  of  war — Not  belonging  to  Siftte 
— Cases  of  Simcoe  and  Cono]]jr — Ciliieni  and  militaty  prisoners. 

To  Major  Lee,  October  20th 4 

Proposed  attempt  to  capture  Arnold — He  most  be  brought 
in  alive — To  be  made  a  public  example. 
To  Major-General  Heath,  October  2lst      ...  5 

Disposition  of  troop.t  at  West  ^n^Rcmoval  of  stores — 
The  French  minister. 

To  the  President  of  Congress,  October  21st       .        .  6 

The  British  in  Carolina  and  at  the  north — Situation  of  Fort 
Pitt — Measures  for  its  relief — Moremeiils  of  the  English  from 
Canada. 

To  Major-General  Greene,  October  22d      ...  9 

Instructions. 
To  George  Mason,  October  22d  ....         12 

j/'     InlroduciDg   Major-Geaeral  Greene — The    distress   of    the 
l/'^     army — Living  upon   expedients — False  hopes  end  temporary 
devices — A  new  plan  essential — Details  of  the  reform. 

To  Major-General  Gates,  October  22d        .        .        ,        15 

Announcing  the  appointment  of  Greene — The  inquiry  into 
his  conduct. 

To  the  Board  of  War,  October  25th  ....         16 

Sospidons  of  (reason  to  be  cautiously  follovFed — Doubts  on 
the  good  motives  of  the  deserter. 
To  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  October  30th      ,  17 

Means,  not  wishes,  to  be  considered— An  enterprise  on  New 
York  not  warranted — Lack  of  intelligence. 
To  Governor  Nash,  November  6th     ....         18 

Thanking  him   for  intelligence — Enemy  xa3.y   suffer  in  the 
/  southern  colonies — Their  detachments  and  objects — No  aid  con 

be  sent  from  the  main  army. 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  IX. 


1/ 


To  Robert  Carter  Nicholas,  November  7th 

Lcgiilation  iigtinit  loyalute — The  ciue  of  Col.  Fiirfax. 

To  the  President  of  Congress,  November  7th     .         .         2tl 

,-         Opmiiont   in  ihc   nonh — Reinfnnctnenig  »rat  finm  West 

tjr       Point   10  Albany — Liltle  ptos[i(fcli   of   migatinet — Enemy   in 

(r  New  Vork  well  supplied — Neccuily  (or  Inwi   BgsinM   loiling 

wilh  the  enemy — Exchange  of  piisunenefTCTtcd — Funhec  proper 

Btion*  made — The  <onvenlion  troops. 

To  Major-Gcncral  Greene,  November  8th  . 

Finitncial  dcpicsiion — CcmHraction  ol  flit-bottomed  boats — 
A  »ub»cript>on  luggealcd — l'oi»er  10  enthBiijje  piisoncrv — lin|K>t> 
able  to  lupply  nnni — Movements  of  Ihc  attnles. 

To  William  Fitzhugh,  November  8th 

Prcupect  of  a  favorable  campaign  vmliheJ — Accounu  from 

the   South — Kegulaliug  and    conipleliiig  [he  anny — Enorinoun 
expense  ruinoui, 
To  Governor  Jefferson,  November  8th 
.  ,      ARain  to  the  southward— The  convention  troops — Flat  boats 
r     to  be  provided. 

Tlo  Major-General  Heath,  November  i6th 
\\  Conduct  of  a  foi«ee  to  cover  another  movenieoi. 

[o  John  Sullivan,  November  20th     ....        ja^ 

Reform  of  the  army — The  call  upon  the  Slates  for  specific 
Bupplie> — Multiplicity  of  busincu  in  Con^rcui  an  obstacle  to 
improvemcnl — Executive  mnlten«liuuld  be  commiltc'l  to  board* 
or  Individual! — Problem  of  clothing  the  men — A  (cmedy  thiown 
out — A  (iicci^ii  loan  indiipenuble — The  (hifti  of  the  \tM  cam- 
paign cnnnot  be  tcpeuted — I'he  leliof  of  Ihc  tuulhcrn  Staui. 

To  Sir  IIenr>'  Clinton,  November  20th       .         .         .         37] 
PropositioDs  (or  an  exchange  of  ptiionere. 

To  John  Sullivan,  November  2Sth      ....         39] 
PioDiotiona  and   the  catc  of   Knox — Irreeulitr  ptmnotioni 
work  a  permanent  injury. 

To  the  President  of  Congress,  November  28th  .         .         40! 
Winter  quarters  at  New  Windsor — General  diiposilion  of  the 
army — The  rciiignallon  of  Col.  Scunmell — Tallmadcc's  exploit. 

To  the  Marquis  tie  I-afayette,  December  8th     .         .        43J 
Hit  depgLtlure  for  the  touth— Should  depend  upon  the  news 
ftooi  Europe. 


i/ 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  IX.  vii 


MOB 

To  Gouvemeur  Morris,  December  loth      ...         45 
Eoterprtse  tgunstNeirYork — Force  of  the  enemy  u)d  of  tlie 

AmericaD  army — Not  moDCf  or  credit  to  bay  boardi  for  doon 
'^       to  hats — No  money  for  bis  table — Ad  attempt  considered  and 

abandoned — DifEcult  eren  to  move  anny  to  caatonment*. 

To  Count  de  Rochambeau,  December  10th       .        .        47 

French  visitors — Approves  quartering  troops  in  Connecticut 
— lalellieence  from  New  York. 
To  Major-General  Lincoln,  December  lith        .         .        49 
M  isfortnaes  of  ■  temporary  army — Places  of  deposit  for  provi- 
■ioos — Default  on  the  part  of  some  of  the  States — Wan  t  of  clothing. 

To  Major-General  Greene,  December  13th  .         .         52 

His  new  knowledge  of  the  complicated  difficulties  of  the 
army — Nothing  to  apprehend  on  the  score  of  public  dissatisfac- 
tion— Mrs.  Greene — Discharge  of  the  levies — The  o&cc  of 
Adjutant-Gener«1 . 

To  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  December  14th   .         .         54 
No  money  for  expresses — His  command  over  the  French  at 
Rhode  Island  very  limited — Best  to  postpone  a  cotreipondence 
with  Spanish  generals — The  Spanish  manixavres  important — 
Exchange  of  Colonel  Neuville. 

To  Count  de  Rochambeau  and   the  Chevalier  de 

Temay,  December  15th 57 

An  embarkation  of  IheBritish— Importance  of  driving  British 
from  the  south — No  prospect  of  obtaining  men  there — An 
expedition  by  Spain  against  Florida — Proposes  to  co-operate 
with  the  Spanish — General  outline  of  his  plan — Reasons  why 
the  Spaniards  should  enter  into  the  co-operation. 
To  Governor  Trumbull,  December  17th  ...  62 
Interference  by  a  State  with  ihe  cantonraent  of  troops. 

To  John  Sullivan,  December  17th      ....        63 

On  promotions — Sometimes  one  army,  sometimes  thirteen 
armies — Lineal  promotion  tlie  most  equitable  and  satisfactory 
mode — The  want  0/  6ied  principle  the  cause  of  difficulty  and 
discontent^ — His  efforts  to  destroy  State  distinctions — Under 
prevailing  ideas,  promotions  should  be  lineal  in  each  State  to 
the  rank  of  brigadier — The  appointment  of  brigadieis — Of 
Dajor-gencrals — Present  system  regimental  to  captains,  and  in 
the  line  of  the  State  beyond  that — The  case  of  the  Jersey  line — 
The  propriety  of  new  appointments — The  less  the  States  have  to 
do  with  men  in  the  field  the  better. 


^ 


/: 


To  the  President  of  Congress,  December  2oth  . 

.  /    On  prouialiont — Agcnent  rule  proposed— RcmlUofiTTCf^lu 
r    proanotioiu — Bricidiec>     >ad     mijor-gnicrslt — Senioriljr    tnd 
Sulci. 

To  Benjamin  Franklin,  December  20th      ■        •        *        73 

Ctuuicl lux— Forced  iiuclioti  of  the  inny—OpcMlioiis  to  iKe 
toutfaward. 

To    Lieutenant-Colonel     David     Humphreys,     De- 
cember 35d 

Instructions. 

To  James  Duane,  December  26th      .... 

Gttatcf  powcn  in  Congrcsi.  and  more  rtsponsibility  ind 
permanency  In  the  cxccutire  bodies — Wani  of  dolbing— 
NKCHily  alone  can  juilify  pmcnt  modeof  obtaining  lupplio— 
An  example— On  promotion— Difficnlly  of  rentedying  ui 
tmgiiiar   promotion — General  Knox, 

To  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  December  26th  .         .         78 
Hi^  icrving  in  llie  loulhcrii  army — Inlelligvacc  Irom  France 
— Movements  of  the  British. 

To  Governor  Jefferson.  December  28th     .         .  .         81 

'Hie  reduction  of  Detroit  impnitsol — No  Continental  tore* 
can  be  leol.  but  Continental  »tor«  mny  be  ustd — The  men  at 
Fort  Pitt  aiulLiblc — OHicen  in  State  service  recommended  for 
Continental  commitaiont. 

1781. 

To  the  President  of  Congress,  January  2d 

The  cue  of  General  .Starii — A  raccasoiEor  Colonel  Scaumdl 
^-A  tiriilih  detachment  to  the  froutb. 

To  Brigadier-General  Wayne,  Janviary  3d  .         .        .         87 
Meeting  u(  Ihe  I'eniitylvnnia  line — Opposition  may  drive  th« 
men  to  the  enemy— A  removal  of  ConEreM. 

To  the  New  England  States  January  5th.         ,        . 
Circulir  letter  on  the  mutiny. 

To  the  President  of  Congress,  Januar>'  6th 

The  progrcaa  of  the  nintiny — Adviied  not  to  leave  head* 
\\A    lU'ff"*^''""''' CI'"""  ready  lo  call  out  militia — CircoUr 
M       teller   to  the  Eatlem  Stalct—Dangerout  lo  further  tot  the 
{latiencc  of  the  army. 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  IX.  ix 


To  Br^dier-General  Wayne,  January  8th  .         .         g(S 

Hi*  decision  to  remain — Troops  with  him  quiet — Jnttice  lo 
mntiDeers,  and  ■  certain  degree  of  generosity  may  conciliate  or 
divide  Ihein — Not  to  be  driven  to  enemy  or  dispersed. 

To  Major<General  Greene,  January  9th       ...         98 
Sympathy  for  his  difficulties — No  clothing  from  Prasce — 
Diipnte  between  Baron  Steuben  and  General  Smallwood  about 
rank — PrepoiEerons  conduct  in  releasing  pritonen. 

ToMajor-General  St.  Clair,  January  I2th  .         .         .       roo 
/j/[       DeSant  attitnde  of  the  mutineers — To  contolt  on  the  meM- 
1      an*  to  be  taken. 

To  Lieutenant-Colonel  John  Laurens,  January  15th  .  102 
Stale  of  American  affairs — Succor  from  abroad  indispensable 
—The  "  want  of  wealth  "  the  true  cause  of  embarrassment — 
Restontion  of  the  credit  of  the  currency — Specific  supplies 
ineffectual  and  burthensome — Resource  of  domestic  loans  in- 
considerable— Patience  of  the  army  is  exhausted — Heavy  taxa- 
tion may  not  be  endured — An  aid  of  money  essential,  and  aa 
active  campaign  of  vast  importance — A  naval  superiority  on  the 
coast  the  most  interesting  object — Reinforcement  of  troops 
desirable — But  money  more  important — The  credit  of  America 
— Several  refieciions. 

To  the  President  of  Congress,  January  isth       .         .       no 
On  the  expediency  of  removing  the  French  troops  to  Virginia 
— Reasons  for  not  going  to  the  Pennsylvania  line — A  reserve 

magazine. 

To  Mrs.  Sarah  Bache,  January  15th   ....       113 
Acknowledgment  of  the  patriotic  exertions  of  the  women  of 
Philadelphia. 

To  Count  de  Rochambeau,  January  20th  .         .         ,       1 14 
Causes  of  the  mutiny — In  a  train  of  being  settled — Visit  of 
.   .  some  Frendi  gentlemen — Chain  of  expresses — Unable  to  visit 

/  '  Newport  at  present — Enemy  ready  lo  lake  advantage  of  any 

disturbances — Colonel  Laurens  to  confer  with  him. 

To  the  Executives  of  the  States,  January  22d  .         .       117 
Revolt  of  the  Jersey  line — Sharp  measures  taken  to  suppress 
it — Weakness  of  the  garrison  had  prevented  such  action  with 
the  Pennsylvania  as  the  circumstances  called  for — The  settle- 
ment will  have  a  pernicious  influence — Call  for  supplies. 


cojvrsjvrs  of  vol.  ix. 


To  the  officer  commanding  the  British  fleet  at  New 

York,  January-  25th 

Suifcting  o[  American  naval  priiotiera  at  New  Vork — An  «• 
•minatioii  into  ilieir  ci^ndiliun  ctctiEicd. 

To  the  Commissioners  for  redressing  the  grievances 
of  the  New  Jersey  line,  January  27th  , 

Determined  to  suppress  disorder — ^tc«^U[^■«  i»fcen — In  doing 
justice  Co  ibcir  ccmpliintt  cnution  neeeuary  aboul  enliitmenlB 
— Ermr  in  treating  with  die  Pcnmiylvuiian*. 
To  Major-General  Howe,  January  2gth 
Tnxips  lo  remain  near  the  Jcrx?  bri(;Mil«. 
To  Robert  R.  Livingston,  January  31st      . 

Complaints  of  the  ciliient  of  New  Voric  State — CommStlcct 
m^  proceed  too  f»r — Change!  in  adminirtrfttive  lyMem  required. 
To  the  President  of  Congress,  I-'cbruary  3d 

Winl  of  ■  pcopei  griilaliun  of  puiiihhtnentft — A  ereal  part  of 
the  vices  of  our  diidptine  due  (0  thai — Captl^l  punisHnienl  loo 
//        frequent — Chnngei  suggested^ — Thein-.reaseol  arbitrary  paDiib- 
Rients — The  £r:tiitiiig  ol  furloughh  and  discliargct. 

To  Major-Genera]  St.  Clair,  February  3d    . 

Recniiling  the  PetmiylvanlK  )in« — Initnictioni  for  recuiting 
i(;enlii — Fiamlulcnt  discharge) — Should  be  treated  a>  deserters. 
To  John  Sullivan,  February  4th  .... 

Appuintineiit  of  miiiiKters — Colonel  Hamilton — Improper 
inaiiagemeiit  Ihe  cauiie  of  discmoet — Accessiun  of  Maryland  to 
the  Confederation — Giant  of  Virginia — Scheme  to  borrow  coined 
(pccle  and  plale — Traffic  with  New  York  enomiouii — Men  of 
all  dotcriptioni  engaged  in  it — Incniate  the  powers  of  Congress. 
To  Governor  Jefferson,  February  6th 
.  Briiiih  incursion  inlo  Virginia — Importance  of  sending  a  re- 

\^^  infotcement  from  Virginia  to  tlic  southern  army — Objecli  of 
Arnold'*  operation* — 1'hc  Britith  Heet  hai  suffered  through  a 
ttonn. 

To  Mrs.  Francis,  Mrs.  Hillegas,  Mrs.  Clarkson,  Mrs. 
Bachc,  and  Mrs.  Blair,  February  13th  . 

The  contribution  for  the  army. 
To  Count  dc  Kochambcau,  February  i^th 

The  Chetapeake  npediiion — A  land  forte  ewentlal— Ha* 
pol  under  marching  orders  a  deiacbincnt  of  troop* — Arnold's 
lotce — Importance  of  his  capture. 


119 


121 


126 


13s 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  IX. 


zi 


To  Brigadier-General  Knox,  February  l6th       .         .       144 

PiivBte  inttrnctioiu. 
To  the  President  of  Congress,  February  17th     .         .       145 
DanECT  of  too  grot  confidence  in  the  tontheni  States — AitC- 
^^    leiy  for  an  attempt  upon  New  York, 
To  Abraham  Skinner,  February  17th  .         .         .       147 

Ezdiange  of  oScen  of  the  ConTentJon  traopi — The  exchange 
of  BuTgOToe — Piisoners  taken  by  State  militia — Retumi  for 
Governor  Livingston — Desires  him  to  reside  near  headqai.tteti. 

To  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  February  20th    .        .       149 

Initnictions. 

To  Elbridge  Gerry,  February  20th      ....       152 
/         .    Hurt  by  the  general  complexion  of  Mr.  Lovell's  letter — It* 
C^'  publication  by  the  enemy  anfoitunate. 

To  Governor  Jefferson,  February  21st         .         .         .       153 
Expedition  of  Destouche« — March  of  Lafayette — Pilots. 

To  Governor  Trumbull,  February  21st       .         .         .       iJS 
Clothing  for  recruits — Neglect  of  recniiting  i^ents. 

To  Major-General  St.  Clair,  February  22d  .        .        .       156 

Pennsylvania  troops  for  the  south — Tbeir  transport. 

To  Major-General  Parsons,  February  22d  .  .       158 

Tories  in  Stratford  and  Fairfield  couotie* — A  dangerous 
association. 

To  the  Chevalier  Destouches,  February  22d      .        .      159 

The  Virginia  expedition — Hope  of  blocking  Arnold. 

To  Count  de  Rochambeau,  February  24th  .         .       161 

A  prospect  of  an  end  to  the  war-^Anniverssry  of  his  birthday 
— His  visit  to  Rhode  Island. 

To  Governor  Clinton,  February  24th         .        .        .       163 

.On  leaving  two  regiments  in  the  Stale— Cannot  grant  the 
wish — Detachments  from  the  army  make  an  increase  necessary. 

To  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  February  25th     .         .       164 
IntcUigence  from  New  York — Increase  of  the  British  fleet  at 
Gardiner's  Bay  checks  operations  of  French — Boats  for  debark- 
ing troops — Provisions — Movements  at  the  south. 

To  John  Mathews,  February  26th       ....       167 
Southern  prisoners — Exchange  of  civil  prisoners  difficult  to 
eSect. 


XII 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  IX. 


1/ 


To  the  President  of  Congress,  February  26th    . 

SituKtion  in  (he  H>utli  alinning — Puliealu  sumcsms  luve 
prejudiced  gentral  and  sulislanli»l  prinvigilcs — The  ¥noA 
iiK>vc(n«nI  ibandoQcd— The  pUn  lo  c>pliii«  Amoid— Entptojr- 
iit«nl  of  American  vnuU. 

To  Major-Geneial  Lincoln,  February  27111 

Lad  rent'  departuro^PAjmiGat  ol  inrtlidi — Advice*  (lom 
General  Greene — Patdon  (m  dcsctting  an  encooragtment. 

To  the  Marc|uis  de  Lafayette,  February  27th     , 
DiicctioM  tor  hit  openiiant. 

To  John  Parke  Custis,  February  28th         .         .        . 
Shonld  not  be  di«EUKteii  when  nuitrn  aic  not  lo  hU  liking — 
Indicpenable  dutjr  of  a  patriot — Xeccsiity  of  •  pctmanont  force 
— The  power*  of  Coogrcis — Ablett  men  thouU  be  in  Congraa 
— A  nominal  hcail  no  longer  of  ivaiJ. 

To  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette.  March  tst    . 

The  French  plan — Pieparationi  for  recei>ing  the  Bret — Lett 
Arnold  may  etcape,  i;reateT  latitude  gircn. 

To  Governor  Hancock,  March  i/th    .... 
Kcsreti  hii  inability  to  visit  Bositon — Want  of  rcinforcenienu. 

To  Benjamin  Harrison,  March  2lst    .... 
The  pr«paiiiion  to  peniioo  hii  mother. 

To  Major-Gcncral  Heath,  March  2(st 

Complidni*  of  the  Maukchiuctu  ficld-ofliccn — Reasoni  for 
the  chan);e)  in  officers— Need  of  ficld-officerv — No  intended 
•light. 

To  William  Fitzhugh,  March  25th      .... 

political  meaiuiet — Shoit  mliktmeola — Powen  ol  Congret* 
—Southern  aSairt — The  failure  of  the  expedition  to  Virginia. 

To  M^joi'-Gencral  Armstrong,  March  26th 

Vim  ei)>«ri«ace  a  Eutd«  10  fnture  action — Inleipodtioni  of 
divine  government — Backwardneii  of  the  Stale*. 
To  Benjamin  Harrison,  March  27th    .... 
EHoriE  to  protect  the  (ouihem  State* — General  iitualii>n  m 
to  men.  amis,  and  clothin|>. 

To  the  Board  of  War,  March  30th      .... 

t  ConifainBlkin  of  departmcntt^Danger  atlending  a  ctiango 

at  the  opening  of  a  oampugti — Criticiimi  on  the  ccheme. 


l/- 


iti 


170 


177 


■ 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  IX.  xiii 


To  Major-General  Lincoln,  April  4th  .         .         .       200 

1^      ESoTU  of  the  enem)'  to  be  concentrated  igaiml  the  sonth — 
Reinforcements — The  collection  of  militia. 
To  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  April  6th     .         .         .       202 
I         Reinforcing  Greene's  command — Reasons  for  recalling  bit 
I    detachment  and  fonniog  another — Gimat  and  Galvan. 
To  Count  de  Rochambeau,  April  7th  .         .         .       205 

Junction  shoald  be  deferred — French   troops   not  essential 
until  an  attack  on  New  York  is  determined — Intelligeace  will 
dedde. 
To  the  President  of  Congress,  April  8th     .         .         .       207 
Uigent  calls  [or  recruits  disregarded — Reported  recourse  to 
I  diort  enlistments — Fnture  operatioiis  in  consequence  uncertain 

— Lafayette  ordered  lo  join  Grecae — The  Pennsylvania  corps — 
Dissatisfaction  in  the  New  York  line  for  want  of  pay. 

To  Colonel  John  Laurens,  April  gth  ....      209 

Interesting  events  since  his  departure — The  intended  opera- 

-  (ton  to  the  south,  and  its  failure — At  this  hour  snipended  in  the 

^'         balance — Deliverance  mnst   come   now   or   never — Operatiotis 

practically  suspended  for  want  of  money. 

To  Cotint  de  Rochambeau,  April  loth        .         .         .       213 

The  Penobscot  expedition — Circumstances  to  be  considered. 

To  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  April  i  ith  .        .  216 

His  movements — Disaffecli  on — No  operation  intended  aj^ainst 
New  Voiic — The  New  Jersey  line  stands  next  for  detachment. 

To  the  President  of  Congress,  April  i6th  .        .        .      218 

Exchange  of  Burgoyne. 
To  Major-General  Greene,  April  18th         .         .         .       220 
His  policy  commended — The  position  of  Steuben — Thanks  lo 
troops — The  Pennsylvania  mutiny — Good  words  spoken  for  him. 

To  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  April  2 1  St    .         .         .       223 

Wishes  him  to  return  to  the  main  army. 
To  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  April  22d     .         .         .       224 

The  question  of  his  retam — His  private  letter  to  Lund  Wash- 
ington— RivingtoD  not  to  be  trusted — The  Hamilton  incident. 

To  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  April  22d     .         ,         .       227 
CoDcemed  at  the  temper  of  his  detachment,  and  the  deser- 
tions— Defence  of  southern  States  committed  lo  Slates  south  of 
Pennsylvania — The  altempt  upon  New  York— General  situation 
and  prospects. 


XIV 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  IX. 


To  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hamilton.  April  27th    .  229 

Embarraaed  bjr  bis  ie<]«ai — Ha  lavit  anl  kbtlttj  bajood 
dispute. 

To  Count  dc  Rochambcau,  April  30th       .        .  231 

Ilii  inUKcpied  letttf — Hu  no  oopr,  tad  kttcs  nty  have 
bMn  changed  by  di«  atwviT — Tt*  gcnenl  iNtp«tt — L«ucr  • 
prvraie  ooc — Hi*  intention. 

To  Major  Benjamin  TaHmadge,  April  jotb        .        .      234 

InldUgcncc  (nsm  itw  Calpen. 
To  Lund  Washington.  April  30th       ....       236 
Conocmeii  that  he  ihonld  nipptj  lh«  monr  with  proruMBt 
— Bid  ci>n|iJc  ilun  Mt — A  rclnial  (mlr  ika«U  b«  |j*«n — Pr^ 
pared  (or  the  lots  tA  ki*  ncgreca  and  dotraction  of  hi*  Iwaae. 

To  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  May  4th      .        .        .      238 

LbiuI  Wuhingtoii's  coadact  condcniDcd — Hii  JBdgment  mit- 
Icd — I^pcn  wanted. 

To  the  President  of  Congress,  May  8th      .        .        .      240 

jf     The  ia^iiiij  into  Gates'  caiapaign — DiitTtn  of  the  am^  tor 

^/^    p«xmdaii»— Atannikg  itliutiMi  ai  evety  p«t — Steps  uketi  to 

procure  ftoor — Soppliet  (or  iKc  Ftcncl)  iroofM — Ilcavr  ca>iion. 

To  John  Sullivan,  May  itth 244 

Priadpla  o(  pivmoiian  iiil]  auicted  vpoa  by  Coagrei* — 
Absolute  neecBtly  o(  detctsilning  nine  nl^The  ease  of  Teod 
TIl(bai»n — Apf>o«nlaeBi  a[  oxccuiivc  officen — Th<  want  a(  a 
iBBodcT  ol  chaiadtr. 

To  Philip  Schuyler,  May  t4th 246 

latcIligmce^Dupoaitiom  o[  llic  VcriBooten — At  prcMnt  ft 
dcftd  wcifht,  but  may  be  ro»dc  tA  wmoe — Want  o(  provisions 
■t  (ronbcr  potti — Heath  tent  lo  tlic  taalern  Statea. 

To  the  President  of  Congress,  May  17th     .         .         .       250 
An  intcrrinw  lo  be  held  wiih  the  Froocb  <»nini«nden — Sur> 
ptiM  <>(  an  adranced  pest. 

Substance  of  a  conference  between  General  Washing- 
ton and  Count  de  Rochambcau  at  Weathersficid, 
22d  May,  1781 251 

To  the  Chevalier  de  la  Luzerne,  May  23d  .  254 

Intended  march  o(  the  Fteoch  araiy — The  object  lo  be  New 
York — The  Weit  India  fleet — Needed  in  the  propoied  opera- 
tkins. 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  IX.  xt 


Grcular  Letter  to  the  States,  May  24th     .        .        .      256 

To  the  President  of  Congress,  May  27th     .         .         .       259 
The  Weathenfield  conference — Outline  of  (he  coDclnnoiit — 
The  bftiultoni  to  be  completed — Nothing  but  the  mott  vigonnu 
eicitions  will  mffice — Invasion  of  the  northern  f rontiei — ETmcn- 
ition  of  Fort  Schnjrler. 

To  John  Sullivan,  May  29th 262 

Hit  plui  impracticable — The  WeathenCeld  ichetne  of  opera- 
thnw— The  execntive  oScen. 

To  Major-General  Greene,  June  1st    ....       265 
Hi*  diCGcolt  opeiatioii*  will  increase  bis  repntatioti — The 
combined  plan  of  operation — Some  British  tent  to  the  *onth — 
Recmili  for  hii  armj. 

To  Count  de  Rochambeau,  June  4th ....       268 
Proposed  alteration  of  plan — The  bubor  of   Boston  safer 
than  that  of  Newport — Call  for  militia — Importance  of  haUeoing 
the  division  agsinlt  New  York. 
To  the  President  of  Congress,  June  6th      .         .         .       271 
The  convention  troops — Objection  lo  their  beins  exchanged 
— General  Gates'  position — Rule  of  promotion — The  capture  of 
letters. 

To  John  Mathews,  June  7th 273 

Hopefnl  in  spite  of  adverse  circumstances — The  appointment 
of  Hoiris — American  prisoners  at  Charleston — Difficnitietin  the 
way  of  an  exchange. 
To  Governor  Jefferson,  June  8th        ....      274 

Pnrposes  of  the  enemj  in  Virginia — His  presence  at  the 
tkOTth  etiential — Southern  States  to  be  relieved  b^  an  operation 
against  New  York — Enemjr  mnst  be  followed,  if  a  move  to  the 
sonth  is  made. 
To  Col.  William  Crawford,  June  9th  ....  277 
His  western  lands — Land  grabber*  in  possession — How  to  be 
dealt  with— Simpson. 

To  Count  de  Rochambeau,  June  13th        .        .        .      280 

The  second  council  of  war — Urges  that  there  be  no  deUy  in 
his  march — Intelligence  from  the  south — Count  de  Gcaste  and 
his  movements — The  attempt  upon  New  York. 
To  Governor  Clinton,  June  21st  .         ,         .  284 

The  incorsion  from  Canada — The  recall  of  the  Continental 
troop* — Militia  lo  take  their  place — Brigadier'^ieneral  Stark. 


XVI 


COjVTSJVTS  of  vol.  IX. 


To  President  Rccd.  June  14th 2: 

Need  of  riflemen — Eipeiue  to  be  Contincnlal — Conttitation 
«f  the  <Dip«. 

To  Cotjnt  de  Rochambciti,  June  30th 

F»viirablc  opiiortunily  lo  Mrikc  tc  Now  Yo*k — Mcuurtt  to 
be  tiken— Sutpiise  of  Dckncey — Secrecy  enjoined. 

To  Major-Gcncral  Lincoln,  July  ist   .        .        .        .      2g\ 

llutnictioiu. 

To  the  President  of  Congress,  July  6th 

March  of  thcanny — Atieupt  npou  DclNncey'scorp»— RetnltK 
giuned — The  lervice  of  the  French. 

To  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  July  13th    . 

Favorable  tum  lo  the  touthwjuil — A  matter  of  importance 
to  be  coinmunicatcd — Mea»urt»  to  augment  his  lorce — Chain  of 
eiprcues. 
To  the  Superintendent  of  Finance,  July  13th     .  30^ 

Subiiiting  the  army — Meat  and  rum — Fuluie  suppUei. 

To  Lord  Stirling,  July  14th 303,_ 

lD<mction«. 

To  Richard  Henry  Lee,  July  15th      .        .     *  . 

No  change  of  lenllnienli  lo«-»rd»  him— His  plan  for  idicr- 
ing  Virginia  imprailicable — KruoiiiL  againtl  it— Rtsnlli  of  hi* 
intended  operationa— Suto  of  the  anojr — A  nioriJ  tiipecmacy 
eucniial. 

Questions  of  Rochambcau  and  Washington's  Replies, 

July  igth 3 

To  Brigadier^General  Waterbury,  July  2Ist        ■        .      3K 

A  movement  to  be  made  by  the  army — His  direction!  and 
■nalniclioDk. 

To  Thomas  MfKciin,  July  2ist 31< 

Intercepted  letlen — Hii  elcclion  ai  Frctidcnt  of  CoDgi*!*^ 
Foreign  lnteili|[eacc  requested — Pknliful  crop*. 

To  John  Parke  Custis,  July  25th         ....       JlJ 
Alnandct'ii  {irojiohitlonii — Pipei  money  and  tu  depreciation 
— Pew  in  VirE>Dia  joined  the  enemy — Hia  rcoonnoltrc 

To  Major-Gcncral  Greene,  July  30th  .        .        •        • 

Approval  of  hit  military  conduct — Eflccli  of  faii  moliont  ncair 
New  York— The  condition  of  affain  in  South  Carolina. 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  IX.  xvii 


Tothe  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  July  30th     .         .         .       321 
Hit  wish  to  be  with  maia  army — A  possible  change  of  oper*- 
doDi — Moving  the  &niiy  to  the  south — Tnining  and  fonning 
the  militia — Impoituice  of   cavaliy — Return  of   British  from 
Virginia — His  command — Intelligence  for  General  Greene. 

To  the  President  of  Congress,  August  2d  .        .        .      324 

Ann;  no  tlronger  than  when  it  moved  from  winin  quarter* 
— HeasDi«s  taken  to  complete  it — Little  success  attending  the 
teqnisitions — The  general  retnru. 
Crcular  Letter  to  States,  August  2d  .         .         .         .       329  / 
To  the  Superintendent  of  Finance,  August  2d  .        .      330 

Intended  movements — Shipping  at  Philadelphia. 
To  the  President  of  Congress,  August  8th  .         .         .       332 

Exchange  of  Biugojne — Exchange  of  full  colonels  by  com- 
position. 
TaUie  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  August  15th         ,         .       334 

New*  of  De  Grasse — Position  to  be  taken. 
To  the  Count  de  Grasse,  August  17th        .        .        .      336 

Change  of  intended  operations — Aimy  to  move  to  the  south 
— Contingencies  that  may  arise  and  observations  upon  them — 
Vast  importance  of  Charieaton — Shipping. 

To  the  Superintendent  of  Finance,  August  17th       .      341 

ProvisioDs — Vessels  on  the  Delaware — One  month's  pay  in 
specie  for  the  anny. 
To  Major-General  Heath,  August  19th       .         .  343 

Instructions. 

To  Robert  Morris  and  Richard  Peters,  August  2ist  .       347 
Scheme  for  reducing  the  anny — Not  expedient  at  present — 
Officers  and  recruiti. 

Circular  Letter  to  the  States,  August  21st         ■        .      352  ,■■ 
To  the  Superintendent  of  Finance,  August  27th       .      353 

Transportation  of  troops  by  water  to  the  southward — De- 
posits of  provisions — One  month's  pay  in  specie  for  the  army. 

To  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  September  2d      .         .       356 
Prospects  for  having  enough  men  fair — Ordnance  and  pro- 
visions— The  French  Seets. 

To  the  President  of  Congress,  September  isth  .         .       359 
Arrival  at  Williamsburg — Junction  of  the  fleets — March  of 
the  army  and  supplies. 


xnu 


<^NTENTS  OF  VOL.  JX. 


To  the  Count  de  Grasse,  September  ISth  . 

CotigniaUtioiB  on  kii  uitra]  tnd  jkoctwa  witli  But*^— 
Wul  of  timniipoTli — Dairev  >b  lolerriew. 

To  Major-General  St.  Clair,  September  15  th 

PcaBijrlTMiii  traofit  to  be  Mnt  on. 

Questions  and  Answers,  September  I^tli    . 

To  the  Count  de  Grasse,  September  3;th  .  .  .  36^ 
Urtw  p^jicTeiUKc  in  ite  pUn  deieniii»t>J  npoa — The  ai- 
loprae  •£>iBH  Vori  certain — To  fnuinie  llwte  (iratpveu 
would  tnnlTB  diignai  sod  toM^lmporunn  of  lu*iiig  a  B«vl 
in  the  Chciapcalic — An  ■ItcrotiiTe  scbeine — The  BKiuli  ftdroinl 
doc*  iMi  intend  lo  Aj^ht. 

To  the  President  of  Congress,  October  ist 

The  •mlcs  b«(on  Yoik — QatpoMs  •facaslcd  bj  tbc  Britith 
ud  oocwpied  bjr  the  Aiaericati* — InTwtmcnt  of  the  cmcidj 
pricticaliy  coniplclc. 
To  the  Count  dc  Grasse,  October  ist  ...       37J 

Sutkm  of  ihc  Fren<h  Acct— Some  veucb  seeded  above  the 
CiMinT'i  pOBb  on  York  River — Objects  lo  be  Monvd — Jubm 
Rirer  tecur^— Little  eflect  of  Und  baiieriet — Ptrc  tfaipK. 
To  Major-General  Greene,  October  6th       .        .         .       3; 

Coaimcndt  lib  victur^— The  .M>r<iai> — t.itlle  ditteteact*  of 
wbich  tbe  world  will,  be  hopci,  >«|uit  him — Baroo  Steuben. 

To  Don  Francisco  Rendon,  October  1 2tb  ...      33 
DiipoiitioN  of  G*Iv«t — Cuinoi  pto|ia«e  anjr  operation — Tke 
piMpecta  of  cajTjing  ibe  war  into  South  Carolina  and  Coorgiia 
— B«M  plan  va  move  acainat  East  (lorida. 
To  the  President  of  Congress,  October  I2th 
l_  The    6nl    parallel   opened — Subvqueni   opemioai — Ships 

Mid  Iniuponi  bumcd  —  Acknowledcnienu  to  llie  French— 
Create*!  hannonr  exi»t>  between  tbe  two  ajiniei. 

To  the  President  of  Congress,  October  16th 

J.-  The  leoond  parallel  completed^Diipoiition  (or  an  aMautt — 
Succca*  atteadlni;.  il— Importance  o(  the  po^tioiis  captsicd  and 
prMpecit — A  >urti«  by  the  enemy. 

To  Lord  Comwallis,  October  18th     ....      3! 

^-      G«noi«l  buii  on  which  a  capitulation  mual  lake  place. 

To  the  President  of  Congress,  October  19th      .        .      38 

Snneoder  o(  Comwallii — Emnktion  of  the  whole  armj — 
The  French  arni;  and  fleet  commended — Praiic  of  individnnl*. 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  IX.  xtx 

rAOB 

To  the  Count  de  Grasse,  October  20th       .        .        -38' 

Further  co-openCion  again  suggested — Charleston — For  the 
French  (o  tenninate  the  war  and  dictate  a  peace — Wilmington 
an  altenutive — A  reinforcement  to  be  sent  to  Greene, 

To  David  Ross,  October  Z4.th 392 

Disposition  (o  be  made  of  sUvea  retaken  from  the  enemj. 

To  the  President  of  Congress,  October  27th       .         ,       393 
Returns  of  captures  at  York  and  Gloucester — Disposition  to 
be  made  of  the  troops — Reasons  for  his  determination — Every 
axtaDgcmcnl  should  be  made  for  an  early  campaign. 

To  the  Count  de  Grasse,  October  28th        .         .         ,       398 
Outline  for  operations  in  May. 

To  Major-General  St.  Clair,  October  29th  .        .        .      400 

InttmctionB. 
To  Major-General  Lincoln,  October  29th   .         .         .       402 
Inxtmctions. 

To  the  President  of  Congress,  October  31st        .         .       403 
Respecting  General  Dupoitail — Knox's  claims  to  promotioa. 

To  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  November  15th  .         .       405 
Death  of  John  Parke  Custis — Testimon)'  of  his  high  regards 
— Fntnre  operations  depend  entirely  upon  a  naval  force — Con- 
gress to  determine  the  land  force. 

To  the  President  of  Congress,  Kovember  15th  .        .      409 

Has  done  only  his  duty — The  hand  of  Heaven  conspicnooj 
in  the  result. 

To  Benjamin  Dulany,  November  17th       .        .        .      410 

The  sale  of  Manley's  tract — Reasons  why  he  desires  to 
purchase. 

To  George  Plater  and  Thomas  Cockey  Dey,  Novem- 
ber 22d 415 

Answer  to  an  address  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Maryland. 
To  Governor  Trumbull,  November  28th  .       416 

Fears  thai  a  spirit  of  remissness  may  seize  upon  the  States. 

To  James  McHenry,  December  nth.        .        ,        .      418 

His  entrance  into  dvil  life — To  secure  a  good  peace,  we 
ought  to  be  well  prepared  to  carry  on  the  war— No  want  of    C^'' 
disposition   in  Congress — The   States  must   determine   future 
operations. 


XX 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  IX. 


To  Major-Gcncral  Greene,  December  i  sth 

Evtcmtlion  ol  Novlh  Caralin*  by  ihe  BrilUli — Tlie  rc«aa- 
BCndation  of  CoJnnel  WDU>id»— Po«*ilit«  xtioa  o(  Ui>  BritiA 
\m  KkK  (ouiheni  State* — Pruonen  lod  r«laliaiioa. 

To  the  President  of  Congress.  December  27lh  . 

Tbc  Auoculed  Lo}-alHU  In  New  Voile— Aconinti  o(  aaral 
pritooon — Proepccl*  of  •Muring  llicir  rcle«M — Rewltt  of  tlw 
waul  of  ijTMeiB. 


4zt 


i;82. 


To  Thomas  Chittenden,  January  ist  . 

Seettraeali  u  an  iodmdmal— CUbu  of  the  Vermont  people 
— A  polilkal  nanoniTM — Iraposianccof  ilic  i|u<cliiw — Coercion 
on  lti«  port  of  Coigrav*  to  b«  dreaded — Nt^tiatJoei  with  the 
eBcmy. 

To  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  January  4th 

EHortt  cA  Conpca  (or  a  vigorout  cani]jiii|pi — MoDcj'  and 
■aval  aaiiMaKC  wwtnl  of  fraDco— iatelliKence— ReaohUioiu  of 
Vtf0iiia. 

To  Colonel  Christian  Fcbiger.  January  12th      . 

Refnul  o(  Ibc  Viipnia  dctacfanent  lo  mafcli — Iinpropriet)r  of 
iBCti  a  tlcp—IndcpCMdesce  not  etlablitbod — Mtaxnie*  of  rcBet. 

Circular  Letter  to  the  States,  Januar)'  22d 

Circular  Letter  to  Some  of  the  States,  January  31st, 

To  Major-General  Schuyler.  February  6th 

IIU  Idler  to  Suit — Hn  ardent  with  lo  condbatc  all  coaten- 
lioa — Cannot  recoomcod  panicuUr  nMdnof  accomoMdalioa — 
VeiBoat  leadt  aeents  t«  Pliiladdpliia. 

To  the  Count  de  Rocharabeau,  February  9th    . 

Reloforceaiesl  tor  (iicen« — Pr*>«ntalioo  of  two  licU-piMM 
b]r  CoDgren— VirjinU's  gn;iind( — Exchange  of  Lord  Rcwdon. 

To  the  President  of  Congress,  February  i8th    ,        , 

Exdiaageof  LMrenaandCQuiMfalli*— Propodllontoe»A«iige 
Briiiah  toldlcH  (or  Amcricaa  Kssica. 

To  Lieutenant-Colonel  John  Laurens,  February  iSth, 
Anotbet  proof  of  Greene's  iin{a1a(  abilittey—  Rcuiforte  taeiti 
fram  lb*  French— RepoiUd  actiniy  ol  iIm  EngJbiL 


X 


43 
43fi 

43' 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  IX.  xxi 

To  theTresident  of  Congress,  February  2oth     .         .      447 
f'      Public     ind     secret    resolvei    on     prisoners — The     secret 
[y     onbuTBSseE    him — Expense    of    sapporting    priEoaers — Com- 
missioiicrs  >boat  W  meet — Effect  of  the  secret  resolve — To 
retain  Comwallis  would  prevent  ■  cartel. 

To  Major-General  Heath,  February  28th   .         .         .       452 
Clothing  for   the    annr — Contrsct    of    the    Finandei    and 
neaxores  to  carry  it  into  operation. 

Circular  Letter  to  the  Eastern  and  Middle  States, 

March  5th 454 

To  Brigadier-General  William  Irvine,  March  8th        .       455 

InstmctioBS. 
To  Brigadier-General  Knox  and  Gouvemeur  Morris, 
.    March  nth 456 

InitmcliODS. 
To  James  McHenry,  March  12th        ....       459 

Never  were  TigDnnii  meosaresmoreconsonaDt  to  sound  policj 
than  at  present — Ministers  intent  apon  continuing  the  war — 
States  may  be  blamed  if  the  contest  is  prolonged — Volantarj 
enlistments  impracticable — Qassingthe  people  makes  every  man 
a  lecmiting  officer — Affairs  in  the  West  Indies. 

To  Major-General  Greene,  March  i8th  .         .       462 

JeaJoDsy  of  partial   treatment — No  reinforcement  from  the         ^^^ 
French — An  evacuation  by  the  British  of  the  EOuthem  States  /'^ 
piobable-^Moveihcnt  ffom  New  York. 

To  Brigadier-General  Knox  and  Gouverneur  Morris, 

March  28th 465 

No  persons  from  the  enemy  to  be  aUowed  to  land — Reason* 
for  declaring  territory  neutral — Goods  for  the  n*e  of  their 
prisoners. 

To  Colonel  Matthias  Ogden,  March  28tb  .         .         ,      466 
Instructions. 

To  the  General  Officers,  April  15th    ....      467 

Inquiries  upon  future  operations. 

To  John  Lewis,  April  17th 470 

Disposal  of  lands  in  which  he  is  interested — General  descrip- 
tion of  the  Carolina  lands. 


xxii  CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  IX. 

To  the  General  and  Field  Officers,  April  igth  .        .      472 
Tbe  oue  of  Ciptoin  Jc«bii«  Hnddjr. 

To  Bartholomew  Dandridge,  April  20th    .  .      473 

Guudtui  for  Costis'  childrm — Reasons  for  his  declining  the 
office — Sends  accoants  with  remarks — Power  of  individuals  to 
recover  debts  in  Virginia — Paper  money. 

To  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  April  21st       .        .        .        .      478 

Demands  that  Lippincot  be  given  ap. 
To  Major-General  Greene,  April  23d  ....       479 
No  detachment  from  New  York  probable — Progress  of  enlist- 
ments— Reinforcements  must  depend  upon  European  in  tell^ence 
'        — Must  be  content  with  confining  the  enemj'  to  their  lines  and 
prevendiig  ravines. 

To  the  Secretary  at  War,  April  27th  .         .         .         .       481 
Suggests  that  the  German  prisoners  be  taken  into  the  service 
— Should  be  recruited   for  tlie    continent — Details  and  con. 
-■     sequences. 

To  the  Chevalier  de  La  Luzerne,  April  28th     .        .      48} 

Acknowledgments — Aid  from  the  court  of  France — His 
present  force — Opinion  of  militia — The  soathem  armj — Strength 
of  the  enemj — Distribution, 

To  the  President  of  Congress,  April  30th  .         .         .       488 
Commissioners  report  on  exchange — Wishes  instructions  for 
future  condact — The  pardon  of  refugees  recommended. 

Plan  of  Campaign,  May  tst 490 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


TO    GOVERNOR    REED. 

Head  Quarteks,  Passaic  Falls. 
ig  Oclober,  1780. 

Sir, 

With  respect  to  prisoners  of  War  mentioned  in 
your  Excellency's  Letter  of  the  3d.  Inst,  I  beg  leave 
to  observe  that  it  has  been  my  wish  from  the  begin- 
ning of  the  contest  to  the  present  day,  that  no  dis- 
tinction should  exist  with  respect  to  them  ;  that  the 
whole  should  be  considered  on  one  general  and 
liberal  scale  as  belonging  to  the  States,  and  not  to 
this  or  that  State ;  be  exchanged  according  to 
their  rank  and  the  order  of  their  captivity — and  that 
all  military  prisoners  taken  from  the  Enemy,  no  mat- 
ter where  or  by  whom,  should  be  deemed  as  belong- 
ing to  the  public  at  large,  and  be  applied  generally 
for  the  release  of  those  in  the  Enemy's  hands.  This 
has  been  my  wish,  because  it  appeared  to  be  just  the 
only  principle  which  could  give  general  satisfaction. 
In  conformity  to  it,  all  exchanges  in  the  course  of 
the  War,  resting  solely  with  me  and  made  by  my 
directions,  have  been  conducted ;  and  it  has  been  my 
constant  direction,  where  the  point  depended  wholly 
on  me,  that  the  prisoners  with  the  Enemy  were  to 
be  exchanged  agreeable  to  it.     Particular  cases,  how- 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[■tH 


I 


ever,  may  arise,  where  it  may  be  proper  to  depart 
from  the  principle  ;  but  these  can  be  but  rare,  and  the 
principle,  where  the  business  was  entirely  with  me, 
has  never  been  deviated  from  in  a  single  instance. 

As  to  the  case  of  Ll  Colo.  Simcoe,  and  Lt.  Colo. 
Conolly : — the  former  was  captured  by  the  Jersey 
Militia  before  the  Resolution  passed  which  you  in- 
close ;  was  confined  by  the  State,  who  also  made  his 
exchange  ;  the  exchange  of  the  latter  was  directly  in 
consequence  of  a  requisition  by  the  State  of  Mary-' 
land,  who  claimed  him  to  the  Honble.  the  Board  of 
War.  who  thought  their  claim  was  first.  This  State^^ 
claimed  it  on  the  examples  and  practise  of  some" 
other  States  in  like  cases,  who  had  made  exchanges 
without  the  interference  or  consulting  any  but  theii 
own  authority. 

When  I  received  the  Board's  Letter  upon  the  sul 
ject — 1  informed  ihem,  (tlio  1  directed  the  exchange  foi 
the  reasons  1  have  mentioned  and  the  considerations 
subjoined)  "  that  previous  to  their  letter  I  had  sup- 
posed that  Citizens  or  Inltabiiants  captured  by  th< 
Enemy  were  the  objects  to  whom  the  .-^ct  meant'' 
a  preference  should  be  given  ;  and  thai  all  titers 
in  captivity  were  to  stand  upon  a  common  footing 
to  be  released  on  the  principle  of  priority  of  cap- 
ture." But  as  the  terms  of  the  Act  were  not  entirely 
explicit,  and  the  opinion  of  the  Board  via&  in  favor  — 
of  the  claim,  the  sentiments  I  entertained  of  LL-fl 
Colo.  Ramsay's  merit  and  indeed  the  recollection  of 
the  day  of  his  capture,  his  conduct  upon  the  occasion 
and  the  whole  circumstances  by  which  he  was  place 


[es 

% 

for* 

IS 


i78o]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  j 

in  a  situation  that  exposed  him  to  more  than  a  com- 
mon risk  of  falling,  or  being  taken,  determined  me 
not  to  oppose  the  measure.  I  have  upon  the  present 
occasion  attended  minutely  to  the  Act — and  I  am 
fully  persuaded  from  a  recurrence  to  some  of  my  cor- 
respondence on  the  subject  of  it,  long  previous  to  its 
being  passed,  that  my  ideas  of  it  were  right,  and  that 
the  construction  and  operation  I  supposed  it  should 
have,  was  the  true  one.  The  Draft  of  it  I  find  was 
in  my  possession  for  consideration,  so  far  back  as  the 
Summer  '79,  as  a  Regulation  intended  for  placing 
the  business  of  prisoners  and  their  exchanges  upon  a 
different  footing  from  what  it  then  was  ;  and  I  re- 
turned it  with  this  observation,  that  the  Regulations 
appeared  judicious  and  proper — such  as  I  had  a  long 
time  wished  to  see  take  place ;  adding,  that  it  ap- 
peared to  be  the  intention  to  make  a  distinction 
between  prisoners  and  prisoners  of  War,  which  was 
no  doubt  a  proper  and  necessary  one.  Under  the 
first  I  meant  to  comprehend  Citizens  and  Civil  Char- 
acters, not  usually  considered  or  made  prisoners  of 
exchange,  but  whom  nevertheless  the  Enemy  were 
seizing  and  taking  whenever  they  could,  in  order  to 
release  their  ofilicers  in  our  hands.  Under  the  last. 
Officers  and  Soldiers  of  the  Army  or  Militia  actually 
taken  in  Arms.  It  was  the  practise  of  the  States  to 
exchange  the  former  for  military  prisoners  and  par- 
ticular officers  out  of  the  order  of  their  captivity,  for 
officers  they  had  taken,  that  excited  the  clamor  and 
dissatisfaction  among  the  officers  in  general,  who 
were  prisoners.     I  think  there  should  be  no  prefer- 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1780 • 


ence  under  the  idea  of  State  captures,  with  respect 
to  the  exchanges  of  Military  prisoners.  The  terms 
of  the  act  seem  to  require  it.  I  think  it  was  the 
intention  ;  and  if  it  should  have  a  different  operation 
it  does  not  remove,  at  least  but  in  a  very  remote  and 
partial  degree,  the  causes  which  were  complained  of, 
and  which  appear  evidently  on  examination  from  the 
introduction  to  have  been  the  mischiefs  intended  to 
be  remedied ;  but  on  the  contrary  it  would  sanction 
partial  or  State  exchanges  of  ofificers,  and  only 
change  the  mode  of  carrying  the  business  into  exe- 
cution by  placing  it  in  the  hands  of  the  Continental 
Commissary,  instead  of  the  Commissaries  of  the 
Individual  States.  And  I  am  to  observe  further  that 
the  Resolution  of  Congress,  by  which  I  am  author- 
ized to  go  into  exchanges  now  in  contemplation  to 
be  carried  into  effect,  points  out  and  directs  priority 
of  capture  as  a  governing  principle, 

1  have  been  thus  particular  for  your  satisfaction. 


TO  Major  lee. 


-,' the  outlines  of 


Dear  Sir, 

The  plan  proposed  for  taking  A 
which  are  communicated  in  your  letter  which  was  this 
moment  put  into  my  hands  without  a  date,  has  every 
mark  of  a  good  one.  I  therefore  agree  to  the  prom- 
ised rewards,  and  have  such  entire  confidence  in  your 
management  of  this  business  as  to  give  it  my  fullest 

•  AriMld. 


i78o]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  5 

approbation  ;  and  leave  the  whole  to  the  guidance  of 
your  own  judgment,  with  this  express  stipulation,  and 

pointed  injunction,  that  he,  A d,  is  brought  to  me 

alive.  No  circumstance  whatever  shall  obtain  my 
consent  to  his  being  put  to  death.  The  idea  which 
would  accompany  such  an  event  would  be  that  Ruf- 
fians had  been  hired  to  assassinate  him.  My  aim  is 
to  make  a  public  example  of  him — and  this  should 
be  strongly  impressed  upon  those  who  are  employed 
to  bring  him  off.  The  sergeant  must  be  very  circum- 
spect— too  much  zeal  may  create  suspicion — and  too 
much  precipitancy  may  defeat  the  project.  The 
most  inviolable  secrecy  must  be  observed  on  all 
hands.  I  send  you  five  guineas  ;  but  I  am  not  satis- 
fied of  the  propriety  of  the  sergeant's  appearing 
with  much  specie — this  circumstance  may  also  lead 
to  suspicion  as  it  is  but  too  well  known  to  the 
enemy  that  we  do  not  deal  much  in  this  article.  The 
Interviews  between  the  party  in  and  out  of  the  city, 
should  be  managed  with  much  caution  and  seeming 
indifference,  or  else  the  frequency  of  their  meetings 
&c,  may  betray  the  design  and  involve  bad  conse- 
quences.    »     »     * 

TO    MAJOR-GENERAL    HEATH. 

Head.Quartbrs,  31  October,  1780. 

Dear  Sir, 

I  have  reed,  your  favor  of  the  20th.  The  disposi- 
tion you  have  made  of  the  troops,  at  and  near  West 
Point,  is  agreeable  to  me.  The  two  small  Regiments, 
at  present  at  King's  Ferry,  were  purposely  stationed 


J 

> 


there,  because  they  could  not  be  brigaded  with  con- 
venience. They  are  shortly  to  be  reformed  and  in- 
corporated, and  therefore  had  best  remain  where 
they  arc  until!  that  time.  Genl.  Greene  had  pro- 
posed to  remove  every  superfluous  store  from  those 
posts,  so  that,  in  case  of  necessity,  they  might  b< 
evacuated  with  little  loss.  He  was  of  opinion,  that 
the  enemy,  would  if  they  came  up  seriously,  run  an 
armed  Vessel  or  two  above  them,  and  render  the 
removal  of  the  stores  by  water  impracticable.  This 
seemed  so  probable  a  conjecture,  that  1  desired  himfl 
to  strip  them  of  all  but  very  few  Stores.  You  wUI 
be  pleased  to  follow  that  method. 

The  Minister  of  France  may  soon  be  expectecjl 
from  the  Eastward.  Should  he  take  you  in  hi.s  way,l 
or  should  you  hear  certainly  of  his  approach,  bel 
pleased  to  give  me  notice  of  it  by  Express.  I  am,| 
&c. 


TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

HKAI>.QDAIt'T1CltI.  XKAK  PAMAIC  FaLU, 

Silt  11  Octubrr.  t^SO, 

I  have  been  honored  with  your  Excellency's  favor 
of  the  loth  and  14th  Instants— The  advance  of  th< 
British  army  towards  the  borders  of  North  Carolina 
is  an  alarming  circumstance,  more  especially  as  there 
is  every  reason  to  believe,  that  the  force  which  lately 
sailed  from  New  York  is  intended  to  cofiperate  with 
them.'     The  enemy,  by  several  accounts,  received  a 

'  Gencikl  Leilic  lailed  (roin  New  Vork  on  the  ibth  o(  October,  wjdi 
thrac  ihouMiid  imopf.     H«  wu  tnttnicted  lo  ent«r  the  C)iMapr*ke  •nd  i 


I 


reinforcement  frum  Europe  in  the  last  fleet.  It  is 
said  by  some  to  consist  of  two  British  regiments, 
about  seven  hundred  German  recruits,  and  some 
from  Scotland.  If  so.  this  new  accession  is  nearly 
equal  to  their  late  detachment  :  but  others  again  say 
the  reinforcement  consists  wholly  of  rixniits,  I  have 
heard  nothing  directly  from  the  northward  since  my 
letter  of  the  [6th.  There  are  reports,  that  the 
enemy  retired  after  destroying  Fort  Anne.  Fort 
George,  and  burning  some  houses.  It  is  thought 
and  perhaps  not  without  foundation,  that  this  incur- 
sion was  made  upon  a  supposition,  that  Arnold's 
treachery  had  succeeded.' 

Colonel  Brodhead  has  in  many  of  his  late  letters 
expressed  his  apprehension  of  the  consequences, 
which  may  result  from  the  want  of  provisions,  should 
the  enemy,  agreeably  to  their  threats,  invest  the  post 

Ibh  a  port  on  Eluabelh  RiTcr,  with  lh«  dcrign  of  cmling  a  iliTnnoD  in  faTor 
M  Lord  Comwailii'  operation*  In  NorUi  Carolina,  (icnenl  Lnlir  wai  to  be 
'  the  commatiil  ol  l.oi'l  CoitiwiiIKn.  and  in  acl  on  Janie«  KifM  louiknlt 
Roanoke,  lint  nol  to  poxi  Ihii  latter  river  wilhoul  niden  from  his  com- 
Sboold  Lard  Comvallis  meet  with  icrioui  oppcuitian  in  croHlng  the 
ITtilklti,  It  wah  rc<umn>en<te<I  to  Gcnoai  I.ctlic  lo  move  upon  Cape  Fear 
Rirer.  but  tUi  wai  left  to  hh  'liscrelion.  Sliuui'l  >  post  be  nlabli^cil  on  the 
□icupeakc,  it  wai  Sir  Ilciuy  CEinion'i  iotenlioD  to  rtinfoice  it  with  more 
traopa.  "  B«l  while  Wathington  remain*  tn  lucJi  force."  aald  he,  "  and  the 
Fi«BCh  coatitmc  at  Khod<  1tlnii4,  1  An  iiol  think  it  ■ilvisaVik  to  weaken  N<w 
Vork.  If,  hoftrvt.  he  ihouM  lend  any  iletachiaenU  to  the  touthward.  I  ihaJI 
1  likclj  da  the  tame." — AfS.  titter /rem  Sir  Hfnry  CUittm  lo  Lord  Gnrgt 

rmaiiu,  November  lolh. 

'  Eaity  in  October  the  Biitiih  *dTanccd  upon  Lake  Champlain.  October 
uxb.  Fort  Ann  nx  inveiled  and  mrrendercd,  and  three  dayi  later  Fori  George 
eafatnlatvd.  After  dctlruyin)'  Mme  propert]'  in  King*  and  Qntcntboroagh 
ttnraildp*,  they  tt^ired  to  Ticonderoga.  where  they  remained  until  the  Sid. 
■hen  an  advance  toward*  St.  John  wat  begun,  but  taipended.  probably  be- 
CMM  of  Ihc  propotibon*  tor  an  ex>:h*ri|:c  of  priMncra  niaile  by  Vttniont. 
(Sec  ute  to  tVaikiHgtnt  U  Stkuyltr.  t4  May,  itBi.  f^t. 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[ijfo 


of  Fort  Pitt  this  winter.  But  by  a  letter  from  him  of 
the  14th  of  September,  matters  had  proceeded  to 
such  extremities,  that  the  garrison,  headed  by  the 
non-commissioned  oflficers.  had  waited  upon  him.  and 
he  says  in  a  decent  manner  remonstrated  upon  the 
hardship  of  having  been  without  bread  for  five  days. 
Upon  being  told  that  evcrj'  thing  would  be  done  to 
relieve  them,  they  retired  in  good  order.  Colonel 
Brodhead  adds,  that  the  country  is  not  deficient  in 
resources,  but  that  public  credit  is  exhausted,  and 
will  no  longer  procure  supplies.  Congress  will  there- 
fore see  the  necessity  of  either  furnishing  the  com- 
missary to  the  westward  with  a  competent  sum  of 
money,  or  of  obtaining  from  the  State  of  Pennsyl- 
vania an  assurance,  that  the  part  of  the  quota  of 
supplies  demanded  of  her  by  the  requisition  of  Con- 
gress of  February  last,  and  directed  to  be  deposited 
in  the  magazines  to  the  westward,  which  were  in- 
tended for  the  support  of  Fort  Pitt,  shall  be  imme- 
diately laid  in,  if  it  has  not  been  already  done.  The 
importance  of  that  post  to  the  whole  western  frontier 
is  so  great,  as  not  to  admit  of  its  being  left  to  any 
risk,  if  it  can  be  avoided.     •     *     • 

Since  I  began  this  letter,  I  have  received  advices 
from  Governor  Clinton  at  Albany,  who  mentions 
that  a  party  of  the  enemy,  which  came  from  the 
northward,  had  retired  by  the  way  of  Lake  George  ; 
but  that  another  party  from  the  westward  had  pene- 
trated as  far  as  Schoharie,  which  valuable  settlement 
they  had  destroyed.  The  Governor  himself  was 
going  to  Schenectady  to  make  a  disposition  of  the 


1780]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  9 

force  in  that  quarter.  I  have  sent  up  two  Conti- 
nental regiments  to  his  assistance,  which  I  hope  will 
be  sufficient  to  repel  the  enemy,  as  they  are  not 
represented  as  very  numerous.  Fort  Schuyler  is 
well  garrisoned,  and  has  forty  days'  provision  in  it. 
I  therefore  hope  no  great  danger  is  to  be  appre- 
liended  from  the  present  incursion. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c." 


to  major-general  greene. 

instructions. 
Sir. 

Congress  having  been  pleased,  by  their  resolution  of  the  5th 
instant,  to  authorize  me  to  appoint  an  officer  to  the  command  of 
the  southern  army,  in  the  room  of  Major-General  Gates,  till  an 
inquiry  can  be  had  into  his  conduct  as  therein  directed,  I  have 
thought  proper  to  choose  you  for  this  purpose.  You  will,  there- 
fore, proceed  without  delay  to  the  Southern  army,  now  in  North 
Carolina,  and  take  the  command  accordingly.  Uninformed  as  I 
am  of  the  enemy's  force  in  that  quarter,  of  our  own,  or  of  the  re- 
sources, which  it  will  be  in  our  power  to  command  for  carrying 
on  the  war,  I  can  give  you  no  particular  instructions,  but  must 
leave  you  to  govern  yourself  entirely  according  to  your  own  pru- 

'  "  I  h»ie  reed,  your  favora  of  the  18th  and  aad  of  September  and  3d  in. 
nant.  I  un  obliged  bjr  the  eiertioDS,  yoa  had  been  making  to  throw  a  present 
mpply  of  provisions  into  Fort  Schuylei ;  and  congraluUte  yoa  upon  your 
*occes»  kgaiiut  the  party  of  savages,  which  opposed  you  in  your  march  up.  A 
company  of  artillery  from  Colonel  Lamb's  regiment  is  ordered  to  relieve  Cap- 
tain Brown's.  Wnmer's  regiment  will  be  incorporated  the  isC  January.  It  will 
noi,  therefore,  be  worth  while  to  remove  it  from  its  present  siaiion,  as  its  time 
of  existence  will  be  so  short.     Spencer's  will  also  aDdergo  the  same  reform. 

"  I  am  not  sufficiently  acquainted  with  the  situation  of  the  country  above, 
to  give  an  opinion  upon  the  propriety  of  evacuating  Fort  Schuyler,  and  estab- 
Usliing  a  port  lower  down.  At  any  rate,  this  could  not  be  done  before  the  new 
post  was  in  sufficient  forwardness  to  receive  the  garrison  immediately  upon  the 
«Taciiati<ni  of  the  old  ;  and  this,  I  take  it,  under  our  present  circumstances, 


lO 


THE  W&ITINGS  OF 


[1780 


deuce  and  judgmcot.  and  the  circumstances  in  which  you  find 
yourself.  I  am  aware,  that  the  nature  of  the  command  will  offer 
you  embarrauments  of  a  sin^^ular  and  complicated  nature  ;  but  I 
rely  upon  your  abilities  and  exertions  for  every  thing  your  meant 
will  enable  you  to  cflfcct.  I  give  you  a  letter  to  the  Honorable 
the  Congress,  mforming  them  of  your  appointment,  and  request- 
ing them  to  give  you  such  powers  and  such  support,  as  your  situa* 
lion  and  the  good  of  the  service  demand.  You  will  take  their 
Ofdern  in  your  way  to  the  Southward. 

I  also  propose  to  them  to  send  the  Baron  de  Steuben  to  the 
Southward  with  you.  Mis  talents,  knowledge  of  service,  teal, 
and  activity  will  make  him  very  useful  to  you  in  all  respects,  and 
particularly  in  the  formation  and  regulation  of  the  raw  troops, 
who  will  principally  compo.ie  the  Southern  army.  You  will  give 
him  a  command  suited  to  his  rank,  besides  employing  him  as 
Inspector-General  If  Congress  approve  it,  he  will  take  your 
orders  at  Philadelphia.  I  have  put  Major  Lee's  corps  under 
inarching  orders,  and.  as  soon  as  he  is  ready,  shall  detach  hiu 
to  join  you. 

As  it  is  necessary,  the  inquiry  into  the  conduct  of  Major-Gen- 
eral  Gales  should  be  conducted  in  the  quarter  in  which  he  has 
acted,  where  all  the  witnesses  are,  and  where  alone  the  reqtiisite 
information  can  be  obtained,  I  have  to  desire,  as  soon  as  the  situa- 
tion  of  atfairs  will  possibly  permit,  you  will  nominate  a  Court  of 
Inquiry  to  examine  into  this  case,  agreeably  to  the  aforemen- 
tioned resolution  of  Congress.    Major-Gcncral  the  Baron  dc  Stcu- 

woald  b«  a  wmk  ol  coniidenble  line.  It  it  ■  nutter,  which  will  much  depend 
l^on  the  prevailinx  icnlimcnl  in  the  Sutc,  wlikh  ji  more  immediately  iotet- 
Wttd  In  the  measure ;  ind.  >>  yi^u  have  mentioned  ynur  uplnioii  ujHia  the  tub* 
jcct  to  Hii  Eic«ll«ncy  the  Governor,  he  wilt.  1  imagine,  take  the  iiec««ai7 
tiepi  to  haTp  the  meaiuie  idoplci.  ihoiilci  il  be  deemed  eligible." —  W^hing. 
Ivn  Iv  C^nil  WtUiam  Mali^m.  Id  Oelobcr,  t78i>. 

On  the  18th  oJ  October.  Btij^adiei-Gcnen]  Jamet  Qiolon  wu  pUotd  ia 
command  of  A]b«Ry,  and  iniliucled  ta  foUowt : 

"  Yon  will  be  particularly  attentive  to  the  pMl  of  Fori  lichuyler,  and  do 
cmy  thing  in  youi  power  to  have  it  tnipplied  with  a  good  alock  of  provuion 
Uid  alOTct ;  and  you  will  take  every  other  pteuulion.  which  the  means  at  youi 
command  will  permit,  lor  the  iwcuiiiy  of  the  (rondei,  ([ivin^  me  the  moti  early 
•dTice  of  any  inconions  of  the  cn*my." 


1780]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  11 


ben  will  preside  at  this  Court,  and  the  members  will  consist  of  such 
General  and  field  officers  of  the  Continental  troops,  as  were  not 
present  at  the  battle  of  Camden,  or,  being  present,  are  not  wanted 
as  witnesses,  or  are  persons  to  whom  Major-General  Gates  has  no 
objection.  I  wish  this  affair  to  be  conducted  with  the  greatest 
impartiality,  and  with  as  much  despatch  as  circumstances  will 
permit  You  will,  on  your  arrival  at  the  army,  take  the  sense  in 
writing  of  the  General  Officers  and  other  principal  officers,  con- 
cerning the  practicability  of  an  immediate  inquiry.  If  they  judge 
it  practicable,  on  the  principles  of  these  instructions,  you  will  have 
it  carried  into  execution  If  they  do  not  think  it  can  take  place 
immediately,  you  will  inform  General  Gates  of  it,  and  transmit 
to  me  their  determination  ;  and  you  will  from  time  to  time  pur- 
sue the  same  mode,  that  any  delay  which  may  happen  may  appear, 
as  I  am  persuaded  it  will  really  be,  unavoidable.  The  Court 
need  not  consist  of  more  than  five,  nor  must  it  consist  of  less 
than  three  members ;  and  in  all  cases  there  must  be  three  general 
officers.  Should  General  Gates  have  any  objection  to  the  mode 
of  inquiry,  which  he  wishes  to  make  to  Congress  or  to  me,  you 
will  suspend  proceeding  in  the  affair,  till  he  transmits  his  objec- 
tion, and  you  receive  further  orders.  You  will  keep  me  con- 
stantly advised  of  the  state  of  your  affairs,  and  of  every  material 
occurrence.  My  wannest  wishes  for  your  success,  repuUtion, 
health,  and  happiness  accompany  you.  Given  at  Head  Quarters 
Preakness,  October  22d,  1780.' 

'  "  I  beg  leave  to  mention  Geoeral  Greene,  upon  this  occftsiOD,  to  Congreu 
u  ■□  Officer  in  whose  abilities,  fortitude  and  integrity,  from  a  long  and  inti- 
nate  experience  of  them,  1  have  the  most  entite  confidence. — In  the  command 
ke  ii  going  into  he  will  have  every  disadvantage  to  struggle  with.  The  confi- 
dence and  inpport  of  Congress,  which  it  will  be  his  ambtlion  to  merit,  will  bo 
enential  10  his  success.  The  defect  of  militaiy  resources  in  the  Southern  de- 
partment— the  confnsioa  in  which  the  aSain  of  it  must  (or  some  time  be, 
Tcqoire  thai  the  Commanding  Officer  should  be  vested  with  extensive  powers. 
I  dare  say  Congress  will  take  their  measures  in  a  manner  suited  lo  the  exigency. 
— Genera]  Greene  waits  upon  ihem  (or  their  orders. — 

"  Aa,  in  *  great  measure,  a  new  Army  is  to  be  formed  to  the  Southward,  the 
presence  of  the  Baron  de  Steuben  will  in  my  opinion  be  of  more  essential 
Qtilityin  that  quarter  than  here,  where  through  the  ensuing  Campaign,  we  shall 
have  the  greatett  part  of  onr  force  raw  Recruits,  yet  as  we  are  organised  and  in 


ta 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1780 


TO    GEOKGF.   MASON.* 

Hbad^Quaktru,  Pasmic  Falls, 
33  October.  itSo. 

Deak  Sir, 

In  consequence  of  a  resolve  of  Congress  directing 
an  enquiry  into  the  conduct  of  General  Gates,  and 
authorizing  me  to  appoint  some  other  ofHcer  in  his 
place  during  the  enquiry,  I  have  made  choice  of 
Major-Genera!  Greene  who  will,  I  expect,  have  the 
honor  of  presenting  you  with  this  letter. 

I  can  venture  to  introduce  this  Gentleman  to  vou 
as  a  man  of  abilities,  braverj'  and  coolness.  He  has 
a  comprehensive  knowledge  of  our  afTairs,  and  is  a 
man  of  fortitude  and  resources.  1  have  not  the  small- 
est doubt  therefore  of  his  employing  all  the  mcansj 

vtmt  oriel,  ilie  »ub.in>.|)«cioti  will  suffice  (or  the  purpoies  of  ihe  dcpoMoieol. 
I  Iharefora  tubniil  to  Coii|;nst  tlie  propHcly  ol  ^sI1llin)■  On  Buon  dc  Steuben 
to  the  Souihem  Army.  The  sooner  ihey  ore  pleMcd  to  announce  their  pleanic 
on  ili»  )ica4  (lie  liclter." — ll'aiAii^Am  le  lit  PrtiiJfnl  t/  Cmgrta,  2»Oelobtt, 
17IU.     To  Sicuben  Waihington  wrote  on  the  ume  day : 

"  Though  I  am  tennble  hov  impoitanl  your  terricea  wJU  be  In  tUt  quftrtcr, 
;c(,  ■«  to  the  Smithward  there  it  aii  army  lo  be  created,  tha  mM*  of  which  it 
■I  preicnl  without  any  fonnition  .-it  all,  yinir  ictvicn  there  will  be  ttUl  niore 
e»ential  ;  and.  ai  1  am  pcniudcd  thni  ynur  inclinlllon  it  to  be  uhercvcr  yon 
can  be  inoai  u>e(u>,  I  have  rcconimcndoit  it  to  C^ngreu  to  tend  ynu  wiih  Gen- 
eral Greene  to  the  Southern  army.  If  Congnss  approve,  you  will  lake  hii 
ordcn  and  proceed  u  cpecdily  »  pouible.  I  with  you  m*y  have  been  able 
previoutly  to  obtain  a  utislacloiy  citablishmotii  of  your  dcpnrtmcnt,  which,  in 
your  absence,  will  become  more  neccuaty  thsa  it  hai  been  heretofore.  Bnt, 
fl  it  ia  not  done,  I  would  not  have  It  detain  you." 

CongrOH  tiy  a  format  rcMilrc  approred  (he  appointm«it  of  Maiori.GFn<f«l 
Greene,  and  inteiced  him  with  all  tbe  powcn  {ormcrly  confeficd  on  Cene««] 
Catet,  and  the  additional  one  of  neco[iat!ii|;  an  eichnn(;c  of  pfiuonera.  Hit 
cummand  included  all  llic  (ct^ular  troopi  raised  at  the  loulh.  from  the  SlAM  «( 
Delaware  to  Georgis  indmive. — ytmmah.  October  30th. 

Cot.  Charter  Wait^tati  wat  ordereil  (o  (o  with  Greene  10  lake  coramaad  ol 
he  arlitlcfy, 

■  A  limilar  letter  was  written  to  Archibald  Cai-y.  Edmund  Pcndlelott,  Benja- 
min HarrJHOQ,  and  Batihw.  Daadridge. 


3 


I 

I 


which  may  be  put  into  his  hands  to  the  best  advan- 
tage— nor  of  his  assisting  in  pointing  out  the  most 
likcty  ones  to  answer  the  puq>oses  of  his  command. 
With  this  character,  I  take  the  liberty  of  recommend- 
ing him  to  your  civilities  and  support,  for  I  have  no 
doubt,  from  the  embarrassed  situation  of  Southern 
affairs,  of  his  standing  much  in  need  of  the  latter 
from  every  gentleman  of  influence  in  the  Assemblies 
of  those  States. 

As  General  Greene  can  give  you  the  most  perfect 
information  in  detail  of  our  present  distresses,  and 
future  prospects.  1  shall  content  myself  with  giving 
the  aggregate  account  of  them.  And  with  respect  to 
the  first,  they  arc  so  great  and  complicated,  that  it  is 
scarcely  within  the  powers  of  description  to  give  an 
adequate  idea  of  them — with  regard  to  the  second, 
unless  there  is  a  material  change  both  in  our  military 
and  civil  policy,  ic  will  be  in  vain  to  contend  much 
longer. 

We  are  without  money,  and  have  been  so  for  a 
great  length  of  time  :  without  provision  and  forage, 
except  what  is  taken  by  impress  ;  without  cloathing, 
and  shortly  shall  be  (in  a  manner)  without  men.  In 
a  word  we  have  lived  upon  expedients  till  we  can  live 
no  longer,  and  it  may  truly  be  said  that  the  history 
of  this  war,  is  a  history  of  false  hopes  and  temporary 
devices,  instead  of  system,  and  oeconomy  which 
results  from  it. 

If  we  mean  to  continue  our  struggles,  (and  it  is  to 
by  hoped  we  shall  not  relinquish  our  claims)  we  must 
do  it  upon  an  entire  new  plan.  Wc  must  have  a  per- 
manent force,  not  a  force  that  is  constantly  fluctuat- 


THB  WRITINGS  OF 


Ci7< 


ing  and  sliding  from  under  us  as  a  pedestal  of  k 
would  do  from  a  statue  in  a  summer's  day,  involvinj 
us  in  cxpcnce  that  bafHes  all  calculation — an  expence] 
which  no  funds  are   equal    to. —     Wc  must  at   the' 
same  time  contrive  ways  and  means  to  aid  our  Taxes 
by  Loans,  and  put  our  5nances  upon  a  more  certain' 
and  stable  footing  than   they  are  at  present.     Our| 
civil  government  must  likewise  undergo  a  reform — 
ample  powers  must    be  lodged   in   Congress  as  the 
head  of  the  Federal  union,  adequate  to  all  the  pur-i 
poses  of  war.     Unless  these  things  are  done,  our 
efforts  will  be  in  vain,  and  only  serve  to  accumulated 
expence.  add  to  our  perplexities,  and  dissatisfy  the 
people  without  a  prospect  of  obtaining  the  prize  in 
view.      But  these  sentiments  do  not  appear  well  in  a1 
hasty  letter,  without  digestion  or  order.      1  have  not 
time  to  give  them  otherwise, — and  shall  only  assure 
you  that  they  are  well  meant,  however  crude  they 
may  appear.     With  sincere  affection,  &c.' 

■*'  I  hopcUw  AnembliA  tlui  ue  now  ntcing,  or  are  about  to  nt,  will  not) 
lill  lht7  pul  ihrce  thlnuii  in  a  loir  U  proper  train. 

"  Kin),  10  (;ivr  lull  & complclc powcri  lu  Con^^n  compslciit  tu  all  purpOMt' 
of  war. 

"  SecoDdly,  by  l.oaiis  &  1'ax«k,  lu  put  out  Hnantei  od  a  more  rckpcdaU*  J 
loulin|-  llian  Ihey  are  at  frracnl,  and 

"  Thirll; ,  that  ihcy  will  endeavor  lo  ettablUh  a  penuBnenl  force — Tbcae  | 
thing*  will  »t<urc  onr  Indepradcucy   bdyonil  OUpol* — bul  In  ko  on  in  our  J 
pmcnt  lytlem — Civil  as  well  ax  mtlilorr — is  an  ukIm*  and  vain  altempi — II 
i>  idle  (0  (uppou  Ihat  raw  iiid  niidiicigillncd  Men,  arc  (il  to  oppaie  regular  I 
Troops— «nd  if  Ihcjirvrc,  uur  p[w«nt  MilitarySTMvm  iiloo  rxpenilTv  for  any 
fund  CKoqit  (hat  ot  an  Eastern  Nabob — ind  in  the  Civil  line,  inMnd  o(  one 
head  and  director,  wc  have,  »r  vttta  will  li.tve,  iliirlccn,  which  i:  as  mnch 
a  nii>i>«l«  in  pnUllclu  as  il  wouM  bi-  in  the  humaji  [orm — Our  prcu.  dimreuck, 
and  future  prospects  of  dtsliest,  anting  Irom  tbctc  and  similar  caa>»,  is  [tckI. 
beyond  the  powcrti  of  deurlptinn,  and  without  aehnngcaiutt  end  in  ouirain." 
—  ff BKiin^ton  It  William  FinAmgk.  aa  October.  17B0. 


i78o]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  15 


TO   MAJOR-GENERAL  GATES. 

HSAD-QUAKTBKS,  FRBAKNBSS, 

Sir,  a»  October,  1780. 

I  enclose  you  a  resolution  of  Congress  of  the  5th 
instant,  directing  me  to  order  a  court  of  inquiry  to  be 
held  on  your  conduct,  as  commander  of  the  southern 
army,  and  to  appoint  an  officer  to  command  that 
army  in  your  room,  until  such  inquiry  be  made.  In 
obedience  to  this  order,  I  have  appointed  Major- 
General  Greene  to  the  command  ;  and  i  have  in- 
structed him  respecting  the  inquiry,  in  the  manner 
which  the  enclosed  extract  from  his  instructions  will 
show.  It  appeared  to  me,  that  the  business  could  be 
nowhere  so  properly  conducted  as  with  the  army, 
where  the  transactions,  which  will  enter  into  the 
inquiry,  took  place,  and  where  every  kind  of  light  can 
with  the  most  facility  be  obtained.  1  could  not, 
however,  order  it  immediately  to  commence,  because 
it  is  possible,  that  the  situation  of  alTairs  might  render 
it  impracticable ;  but  I  have  endeavored  to  take 
every  precaution  to  prevent  delay,  if  it  is  not  unavoid- 
able. Should  you  have  any  objection  to  the  mode 
proposed,  I  shall  be  obliged  to  you  to  communicate 
it  to  me,  with  your  reasons ;  in  the  fullest  assurance, 
that  it  is  my  aim  to  execute  the  orders  of  Congress 
in  the  manner  most  consistent  with  justice  to  the 
public  and  to  you.  In  this  case.  General  Greene  will 
suspend  proceeding,  till  1  receive  your  objections, 
and  send  him  further  instructions.     I  am,  &a' 

'  When   General  Greene  joined  the  loutbeni  mm;,  il  was  General  Gatei' 
wish  that  ihc  court  of  inquiry  might  be  immediBtely  convened,     *'  It  is  true," 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1780 


TO  THE    BOARD   OF   WAR. 

ItKAD-QUAKTEU,  35  October,  i7Sa 

Gentlemen, 

I  am  honored  with  your  letter  of  the  1 8th.  The 
enemy  seem  to  be  practising  the  arts  of  corruption 
so  extensively,  that  1  think  we  cannot  be  too  much 
upon  our  guard  against  Its  effects,  nor  ought  we  to 
neglect  any  chics  that  may  lead  to  discoveries ;  but, 
on  the  other  hand,  we  ought  to  be  equally  circumspect 
in  admitting  suspicious  or  proceeding  upon  them 
without  sufficient  evidence.  It  will  be  the  policy  of 
the  enemy  to  distract  us,  as  much  as  possible,  by 
sowing  jealousies,  and,  if  we  swallow  the  bait,  no 
characters  will  be  safe.  There  will  be  nothing  but 
mutual  distrust  In  the  present  case,  from  every 
thing  I  have  heard  of  your  informant.  I  should  sus- 
pect him  of  the  worst  intentions  ;  and.  notwithstand- 
ing what  we  are  told  about  the  motives,  which  obliged 
him  to  leave  the  enemy,  \  still  think  it  probable  he 
came  out  as  a  spy,  and  that  the  assigned  causes  are 
either  altogether  fictitious,  or,  being  real,  were  made 
the  inducement  with  him  for  undertaking  the  errand 
to  avoid  punishment,  as  well  as  obtain  a  rcwarxi. 
The  kind  of  information  he  is  willing  to  give  may  be 

Mid  Iw,  "  there  are  Mme  erldcnee*  I  could  widi  were  here,  th±t  cannot  al 
|iTC*en(  be  ptocaml  ;  but  innocence  and  integri1)r  induce  me  to  be  coDfid«nl. 
Uial  the  hoaoi  and  jiulicc  of  the  court  of  inquiry  will  moiie  every  allowattoe  for 
Uiat  deficiencj."  A  oouncll  of  general  nITici-n.  ilrciileit,  however,  (h«l  fn  the 
fUM  of  the  army  nt  Ihal  time  ii  wiu  nnl  praclitible  for  a  court  to  bennnmoncd. 
Ti  woald  interfere  "ilh  importinl  opcmliom,  and  render  ii  neceuary  lo  call 
Banm  Steuben  from  Virginia,  where  hiii  servlccn  were  cucniial.  The  lime  of 
aucnililiiig  I  he  courl  ii«s  accortlingly  defemd,  and  General  G«le  retired  tohb 
rMidence  in  the  county  of  Berkeley  in  Virginia 


.78o] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


»7 


received  ;    but  in  my  opinion  it  would   be  a  very 
improper  foundation  for  an  inquiry,  unless  the  cir- 
p       cumstances  of  it  have  much  more  weight  than  the 
character  of  the  witness.     I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c 


TO   THE   MARQUIS   UC   LAFAVETTE. 

H£Ai>-(JttARTeas,  30  Oclobet,  ijSo^ 

It  is  impossible,  my  dear  Marquis,  to  desire  more 
ardently  than  I  do  to  terminate  the  campaign  by  some 
happy  stroke  ;  but  we  must  consult  our  means  rather 
than  our  wishes,  and  not  endeavor  to  better  our 
affairs  by  attempting  things,  which  for  want  of  suc- 
cess may  make  them  worse.  VVc  arc  to  lament,  that 
there  has  been  a  misapprehension  of  our  circumstances 
in  Europe  ;  but,  to  endeavor  to  recover  our  reputa- 
tion, we  should  take  care  that  we  do  not  injure  it 
more.  Ever  since  it  became  evident,  that  the  allied 
arms  could  not  co-operate  this  campaign,  I  have  had 
an  eye  to  the  point  you  mention,  determined,  if  a 
favorable  opening  should  offer,  to  embrace  it ;  but. 
so  far  as  my  information  goes,  the  enterprise  would 
not  be  warranted.  It  would  in  my  opinion  be  impru- 
dent to  throw  an  army  of  ten  thousand  men  upon  an 
island  against  nine  thousand,  exclusive  of  seamen  and 
militia.  This,  from  the  accounts  we  have,  appears  to 
be  the  enemy's  force.  All  wc  can  therefore  at  pres- 
ent do.  is  to  endeavor  to  gain  a  more  certain  knowl- 
edge of  their  situation  and  act  accordingly.  This  I 
have  been  some  time  employed  in  doing,  but  hitherto 
with  little  success.     I  shall  thank  you  for  any  aids 


you  can  afford.  Arnold's  flight  seems  to  have  fright- 
ened all  my  intelligencers  out  of  their  senses.  I  am 
sincerely  and  affectionately  yours.' 


TO  ABNER  NASH,  GOVERNOR  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

HBAIl>QtfARTEICS,  PAJSAIC  FaUA. 
6  Noveniber,  176a. 
SiK, 

I  had  the  honor  yesterday  to  receive  your  Excel- 
lency's letter  of  the  6th  of  October,  and  am  extremely 
obliged  to  you  for  the  intelligence  contained  in  it.  It 
is  of  so  great  importance,  that  the  earliest  and  best 
intelligence  of  all  the  great  movements  and  designs 
of  the  enemy,  as  well  as  of  the  situation  of  our  own 
affairs,  should  be  obtained,  that  1  must  entreat  you 
will  be  so  good  as  to  favor  me  with  such  communica- 
tions, as  may  have  any  influence  on  our  militarj-  ar- 
rangements and  operations. 

While  I  sincerely  lament  the  distressed  and  ex- 
hausted situation  of  the  southern  States,  1  cannot  but 
hope  the  enemy  have  committed  themselves  so  far  as 
to  be  made  to  repent  their  temerity  ;  especially  since 
I  have  received  information,  of  a  more  recent  date  than 
your  letter,  of  the  success  of  the  militia  against  Colo- 

'  The  Msr([ui<  dc  La(>ifclle.  Ijcing  now  in  coniinand  ol  Ihc  six  li.ittalion*  o( 
light  infanti]-,  ilaliontd  in  advance  of  the  m«bi  arm}",  wai  eitremclr  ■nxioui 
to  eltcci  tome  tmportitiit  cmcrpriic  before  ihc  campaign  tliauM  be  broufhl  to  > 
clasc.  A  ritscent  ujion  Suiimi  KUml  IihiI  hrm  jimjcctccl.  vhith  wt*  lo  be 
condlicteil  by  hitn  ;  bul  il  mu  imdcrcd  impcacljoble  by  ihc  want  of  boatt  ao<I 
of  other  ncceuary  prepBriiliont.  He  hod  nrillcn  ■  letter  la  (icnctsl  Waibing- 
lim,  10  which  the  above  w4h  a  [eg>ly.  otjinK,  (of  various  political  rcaMiia,  an 
attack  upon  the  upper  part  of  New  York  liiand. 


i78o] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


'9 


\ 


nel  Ferguson.  This  I  flatter  myself  will  give  a 
better  aspect  to  your  affairs,  and  will  awaken  more 
extensively  that  spirit  of  bravery  and  enterprise, 
which  displayed  itself  so  conspicuously  on  the 
occasion. 

The  enemy  seem  again  to  have  adopted  the  same 
system  of  policy  they  have  before  presented  with  but 
too  much  success,  of  making  detachments  to  the 
southward  at  a  time  when  our  army  is  greatly  reduced 
by  the  expiration  of  the  services  of  the  levies,  who  were 
raised  for  the  campaign  only.  Besides  the  detachment 
under  General  Leslie,  which  has  landed  in  Virginia,  it 
is  reported  another  embarkation  is  taking  place  at  N. 
York.  But  1  have  great  confidence  in  the  exertion 
of  the  southern  Stales,  when  their  all  is  at  stake,  and 
in  the  abilities  of  General  Greene  to  call  forth  and 
apply  the  resources  of  the  country  in  the  best  and 
most  effectual  manner  to  its  defence.  Major-General 
the  Baron  Steuben,  who  accompanies  him,  possesses 
the  most  distinguished  military  talents,  and  has  ren- 
dered signal  service  to  this  army  as  inspector-general. 
Major  Lee  has  also  marched  to  Join  the  southern  army 
with  his  legion.  The  arrival  of  a  reinforcement  in 
New  York,  nearly  equal  to  the  !ate  detachment,  and 
the  incursion  of  a  large  force  (of  which  1  have  just 
received  intelligence),  from  Canada  on  the  northern 
and  western  frontiers  of  the  State  of  New  York, 
where  great  devastation  has  already  been  committed, 
will  I  fear  render  it  impossible  to  make  any  further 
detachments  from  this  army  to  the  southward.  I  have 
the  honor  to  be,  &c 


to 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


['78c 


TO    ROBERT    CARTER    NICHOLAS. 


HxAD-QuARTSRt,  Pamaic  Falls, 

Dear  Sir,  7  Norcnher.  itbol 

I  am  perswaded  that  the  letters,  of  which  the  in- 
closed are  copies,  never  reached  your  hands.  I  take 
the  liberty  of  fonvarding  a  duplicate  of  the  last  and 
triplicate  of  the  first — with  the  inclosures  it  refers  to. 

Since  mine  of  March  to  you,  I  have  been  favored 
with  a  third  letter  from  our  good  friend  Colonel  Fair- 
fax, copy  of  which  1  also  send,  and  should  be  happy 
in  knowing  that  you  had  accepted  the  appointment  he 
mentions,  In  order  that  1  might  direct  all  his  Papers 
to  be  carefully  packed  up  and  sent  to  you. 

I  hope,  I  trust,  that  no  act  of  Legislation  in  the 
State  of  Virginia  has  affected,  or  can  affect,  the  prop- 
erty of  this  gentleman,  otherwise  than  in  common 
with  that  of  every  good  and  well  disposed  citizen  of 
America.  It  is  a  well  known  fact  that  his  departure 
for  England  was  not  only  antecedent  to  the  present 
rupture  with  Great  Britain,  but  before  there  was  the 
most  distant  prospect  of  a  serious  dispute  with  that 
country',  and  if  it  is  necessary  to  adduce  proof  of  his 
attachment  to  the  interests  of  America  since  his  resi- 
dence there,  and  of  the  aid  he  has  given  to  many  of 
our  distressed  countrymen  in  that  kingdom,  abundant 
instances  may  be  produced,  not  only  by  the  Gentlemen 
alluded  to  in  his  letter  of  December  5,  1 779,  but  by 
others  that  arc  known  to  me,  and  on  whom  justice  to 
Col.  Fairfax  will  make  it  necessary  to  call,  if  occasion 
should  require  the  facts  to  be  ascertained. 

About  the  time  of  my  writing  to  you  in  March  last, 


1780]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  31 

I  communicated  the  contents  of  Col.  Fairfax's  letter 
of  the  3d  of  August,  1 778,  to  Col.  Lewis,  and  received 
for  an  answer,  that  the  bad  state  of  his  health  would 
render  it  impossible  for  him  to  discharge  the  trust 
Col.  Fairfax  wished  to  repose  in  you,  or  him,  in  a 
manner  agreeable  to  himself,  and  therefore  could  not 
think  of  engaging  in  it  if  you  (to  whom  I  informed 
him  I  had  written)  should  decline  it ;  but  he  recom- 
mended in  case  of  your  refusal,  Mr.  Francis  Whiting 
(the  former  manager  of  Cols.  Henry  and  William 
Fitzhugh's  Estate)  as  a  person  most  likely,  in  his 
opinion,  to  discharge  the  trust  with  punctuality. 

My  best  respects  attend  your  lady  &  family,  &c. 


TO    THE    PRESIDENT   OF    CONGRESS. 

HbaD'Quabteks,  7  November,  1760. 

Sir, 

I  have  been  honored  with  your  Excellency's  favor 
of  ist  and  am  happy  to  find  that  my  appointment  of 
Major-General  Greene  to  the  command  of  the  South- 
em  Army  meets  the  approbation  of  Congress.  *  *  * 
By  letters  from  Governor  Clinton  I  find,  that  the 
enemy  have  gone  off  for  the  present  from  the  Mo- 
hawk River,  after  totally  destroying  the  Country  as 
low  down  as  Schoharie.  Those  upon  the  North- 
ern quarter  had  repassed  Lake  George,  and  were 
again  proceeding  towards  St.  John's,  but  suddenly 
returned  with  a  reinforcement,  and  were,  by  accounts 
from  Genl.  Schuyler  of  the  ist  instt.,  assembled  in 
so  considerable   force  at  Ticonderoga,  that  I   have 


33 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[.780 


thought  proper  to  send  up  the  remainder  of  the  New 
York  Brigade  from  West  Point  to  Albany,  that  they 
may  be  ready  to  act  as  circumstances  may  require. 
The  destruction  of  the  Grain  upon  the  Western 
Frontier  of  the  State  of  New  York  is  likely  to  be  at- 
tended with  the  most  alarming  consequences,  in 
respect  to  the  formation  of  Magazines  upon  the 
North  River.  We  had  prospects  of  establishing  a 
very  considerable  Magazine  of  Flour  in  that  quarter, 
previous  to  the  late  incursion.  The  settlement  of 
Schoharie  only  would  have  delivered  eighty  thousand 
Bushels  of  Grain,  but  that  fine  district  is  now  totally 
destroyed.  1  should  view  this  calamity  with  less 
concern,  did  I  see  the  least  prospect  of  obtaining 
the  necessary  supplies  of  flour  from  the  States  of 
Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  and  Maryland,  previous  to 
the  interruption  of  transportation  by  frost  and  bad 
roads.     •     *     • 

While  our  Army  is  experiencing  almost  daily  want, 
that  of  the  enemy  at  New  York  is  deriving  ample 
supplies  from  a  trade  with  the  adjacent  States  of  New 
York,  New  jersey,  and  Connecticut,  which  has  by 
degrees  become  so  common,  that  it  is  hardly  thought 
a  Crime.  It  is  true  there  are,  in  those  States,  Laws 
imposing  a  pcnaltj'upon  this  criminal  commerce;  but 
it  is  either  so  light  or  so  little  attended  to.  that 
it  docs  not  prevent  the  practice.  The  Markctts 
of  New  York  are  so  well  supplied,  that  a  great  num- 
ber of  mouths,  which  would  otherwise  be  fed  from 
the  public  Magazines,  arc  now  supported  upon  the 
fresh    Meats  and  flour  of  the  Country,   by  which 


i78o] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


«3 


means  the  enemy  have  been  often  enabled  to  bear  the 
disappointments  of  the  arrival  of  their  provision 
Fleets  without  much  inconvenience  ;  and,  if  report 
be  true,  they  would  at  this  very  time  experience  dis- 
tress for  want  of  their  long  expected  Irish  Fleet,  if 
the  resources  of  the  Country  were  effectually  cut  off 
from  them.  This  cannot  be  done  by  military'  meas- 
ures alone,  except  in  cases  of  Blockade  or  Seigc,  and 
much  less  will  it  be  in  my  power  to  do  it  with  our 
Army  in  the  weak  state  it  is  verging  to.  I  believe 
that  most  nations  make  it  capital  for  their  subjects  to 
furnish  their  enemies  with  provisions  and  Military 
Stores  during  the  War. — Was  this  done  by  the  sev- 
eral States,  and  the  laws  rigidly  put  in  execution  in  a 
few  instances,  the  practice  would  be  stopped.  With- 
out something  of  the  kind,  the  enemy  will,  while  they 
have  a  species  of  money  of  superior  value  to  ours, 
find  little  difficulty  of  making  up  the  losses,  which 
they  ever>'  now  and  then  meet  with  at  sea,  and  which 
would  verj'  much  embarrass  their  operations,  had 
they  no  immediate  mode  of  making  good  the 
deficiency. 

1  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  Congress,  that,  at  the 
late  meeting  of  the  respective  Commissaries,  the  ex- 
changes of  about  one  hundred  and  forty  of  our  ofliicers, 
and  all  our  privates  in  New  York,  amounting  to  four 
hundred  and  seventy-six,  were  effected.  Among  the 
former  are  Major-General  Lincoln,'  Brigr. -Generals 

* "  I  b«Te  BOW  the  pIcAanre  lo  congratulate  jrou  upon  youT  exchange.  .  ,  . 
I  donol  naanby  thUnolic*  icihattrn  your  return  lothe  Army  ;  for  that,  alu  I 
unpontheefcofitiuuiualdiuoliitiaa;  canseigueiill}' of  the  enemy's  attvaatagei. 


Thompson,  Watcrbury,  and  Duportail,  and  Lt.-Colo. 
Laurens.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  having  made  a  pro- 
posal of  exchanging  a  further  number  of  the  Conven- 
tion Officers,  without  attaching  men  to  them,  I  have 
acceded  to  it,  by  which  we  shall  liberate  ail  our 
officers  in  this  quarter,  except  one  brigr.-general 
(Irvine),  Nine  Colonels,  one  Captain,  and  thirty-nine 
I^ieutenants.  An  offer  is  made  by  Sir  Henrj'  Clin- 
ton to  exchange  all  those,  for  a  division  o(  the  Con- 
vention Troops,  by  Composition  where  Rank  will 
not  apply.  To  this  I  have  refused  to  accede,  unless 
Lieutt.-General  Burgoyne  is  taken  into  the  account.  If 
they  will  agree  to  this,  he  alone  will  liberate  nearly 
the  whole  of  them.  They  have  further  proposed  a 
general  exchange  of  the  Convention  Troops,  Officers 
and  men,  for  our  prisoners  of  War  at  the  Southward. 
I  have  not  thought  proper  to  enter  at  all  upon  the  busi- 
ness of  southern  prisoners,  because  I  have  but  a  very 
imperfect  stale  of  them,  and  because  1  perceive  by 
the  powers  granted  to  Major-Gen  era!  Greene,  that  he 
is  at  Liberty  to  negotiate  the  exchange  of  prisoners  in 
that  quarter.     *     *     • 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.' 

I  km  of  opinion,  Ihat  your  Influence  and  cxerlLon  in  pcocuring  ihe  Slate's  qaata  of 
TroopE  for  Ihc  war,  pruviding  funds  for  llie  tulwitloncD  of  Uirni,  MB(|;)i«nct,  let., 
wHl  be  of  infiniiely  more  importance  in  your  own  Sule  this  Wbter,  llurn  il  «lii 
be  to  liecomc  x  inGrr  hgicoulot.  nr  fellow  huflerer  ol  t]ie  hunger  Rnit  cold,  frtiiB 
•canlinen  of  Pn^ritiun  and  Cloalhing.  whidi  t  expvcl  llip  ttoM  romainn  of  our 
tttuf  will  have  to  encounter  in  a  icry  ihort  lime,  and  more  than  piotwbljr  to 
eODtcnd  withduriii);  I  lie  wliil.'c.  Kul  al  tUr  haiiielime  1  |i;ivc  lliinnaan  opIniOD  ; 
and  I  lenTt  jroa  at  full  liberty  to  punae  the  bt-ni  uf  your  in  i:  linn  lion  and  judg- 
ment."— Waikin/^eti  t«  MaJt'r.Grirral  Lini«lii,  i  November.  1780, 

'  RmmI  In  Congicv>.  November  ijih.     Referred  to  Iluane.  Henrf,  iDd  Cor- 


J 


i7«o] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


«S 


TO  MAJOR-GENERAL  GREENE. 

UsAD-QtiARms,  yeAK  PAtiAic  Falu, 
Dear  Sir,  8  Nox-«nbM.  178a 

I  am  favored  with  your  letter  of  the  31st  of  Octo- 
ber, and  am  glad  to  find  your  Appointment  so  agree- 
able to  the  views  and  wishes  of  Congress.  So  fully 
sensible  have  I  long  been  of  the  distressed  situation 
of  the  army,  not  only  in  this  quarter,  but  also  to  the 
Southward,  and  of  all  our  great  Departments,  from 
the  embarrassed  stale  of  qwx  finaiues,  that  it  has  been 
not  only  a  constant  subject  of  representation  in  the 
strongest  terms  to  Congress  and  to  the  States  indi- 
vidually, but  particularly  so  to  the  M  inister  of  France 
at  our  last  interview ;  and  that  a  foreign  Loan  was 
absolutely  necessary  to  retrieve  our  affairs.  My  ideas 
therefore  must  have  been  exceedingly  misapprehended 
by  him,  or  his  by  the  Baron  Steuben. 

I  entirely  approve  of  your  Plan  for  forming  a  flying 
Army.  And  in  addition  to  this,  (if  the  Enemy  should 
continue  to  harass  those  parts  of  Virginia,  which  are 
intersected  with  large  navigable  Rivers,)  I  would 
recommend  the  building  a  number  of  flat-bottomed 
Boats,  of  as  large  a  construction  as  can  be  con- 
veniently transported  on  Carriages.  This  I  conceive 
might  be  of  great  utility,  by  furnishing  the  means  to 
take  advantage  of  the  enemy's  situation  by  crossing 
those  Rivers,  which  would  otherwise  be  impassable. 
1  have  also  written  to  Governor  Jefferson  on  the  Sub- 
ject. If  a  spirit  of  Patriotism,  or  even  a  true  policy, 
animates  the  merchants  and  Men  of  Property  in  the 
Southern  States,  a  subscription  may  be  attended  with 


a6 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[i78» 


success ;  at  least  the  experiment  can  do  no  injury. 
General  Knox  has  received  directions  to  send  forward 
the  Compy.  of  Artillery.  An  order  will  be  given 
for  the  thousand  stand  of  Arms.  Since  writing  the 
above  I  have  received  your  favor  of  the  3d  Inst. 

Lieutenant-Col.  Laurens  will  have  heard  of  his  ex- 
change before  this  time,  and  is  at  liberty  to  go  to  the 
Southward  if  he  thinks  proper.  With  respect  to  the 
power  Congress  have  invested  you  with,  to  make  ex- 
changes. 1  should  suppose  it  regarded  the  Prisoners^ 
taken  in  the  Southern  Department  on  the  usual  prin- 
ciples, without  involving  the  Convention  or  any  other 
Troops  to  the  Northward.  A  pretty  extensive  ex- 
change has  just  taken  place  in  this  quarter.  It  is 
impossible,  from  the  non-arrival  of  the  French  Arms, 
and  the  scarcity  in  the  Eastern  States,  to  furnish  those 
requested  by  you.  Nor  do  I  think  the  Legion  of  the 
Duke  de  Lauzun  can  be  detached  from  the  French 
army.  The  fleet  of  Arbuthnot.  which  still  blockades 
that  of  France  in  the  harbor  of  Newport,  effectually 
precludes  the  execution  of  the  other  plan.  Our  last 
advices  from  the  Northward  mentioned  another  in- 
cursion of  the  Enemy  from  Canada  in  greater  force; 
in  consequence  of  which  the  remainder  of  the  York 
Brigade  is  ordered  thither.  There  are  reports,  that 
an  embarkation  is  about  to  be  made  at  New  York ; 
but  the  accounts  are  vague  and  contradictor)',  and  the 
fact  not  yet  ascertained.  I  have  to  request  you  will 
be  phiased  to  send  by  a  flag  of  truce  the  enclosed 
Letter  to  Brigadier-Genl.  Duportail,  who  is  exchanged. 
I  am,  dear  Sir,  &c. 


«78ol 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


»7 


TO   WILLIAM    FITZHUGH. 


Dear  Sir. 
•    «     * 


llEAI>>QirARTBU.  PASUIC  FALL». 
S  Novcniber,  1780. 


The  favorable  prospect,  which  at  one 
stage  of  the  campaign  was  held  up  to  view,  has  van- 
ished like  the  morning  dew,  leaving  scarce  a  trace 
behind  it,  but  the  recollection  of  past  distresses  on 
the  score  of  Provisions,  the  want  of  which  continues 
to  threaten  us. 

Our  accounts  from  the  Southward  are  vague  and 
uncertain,  but  agreeable.  If  it  be  true  that  a  body  of 
French  and  Spanish  Troops  have  landed  in  South 
Carolina,  it  may  aid  in  the  total  destruction  of  Com- 
wallis'  Army.  Another  Embarkation  is  talked  of  at 
New  York — but  this  also  is  a  matter  suggestion^ not 
certainly  as  to  numbers. 

It  is  devoutly  to  be  wished  that  the  late  resolves  of 
Congress  for  regulating  the  Army  and  completing 
the  Regiments  for  the  War  may  receive  all  the  ener- 
getic force  of  the  respective  States.  Certain  I  am 
that  if  this  measure  had  been  adopted  four,  or  even 
three  years  ago,  that  we  might,  at  this  time,  have  been 
sitting  under  our  vines  and  fig-trees  in  full  enjoyment 
of  Peace  and  Independence.  To  attain  which,  the 
delay  of  the  measure  is  unfortunate,  it  does  not  make 
it  too  late,  but  more  necessarj'  to  enter  upon  it  vigor- 
ously at  this  late  hour. 

An  Army  for  the  war,  proper  magazines,  and  suffi- 
cient powers  in  Congress  for  all  purposes  of  war  will 
soon  put  an  end  to  it — but  the  expensive  and  ruinous 
system  we  were  pursuing  was  more  than  the  friends 


w6 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


Vn 


of  any  Nation  upon  Earth  would  bear,  and  served  to 
increase  the  hopes  of  the  enemy  in  proportion  as  the] 
minds  of  our  people  were  depressed,  by  a  boundless 
prospect  of  expencc,  which  was  increasing  as  it  rolled 
on  like  a  snow  ball.     *    *     » 


TO  GOVERNOR    JEFFERSON. 

Huu-QuAHTKHS,  Passaic  Falu. 
B  Kovcmtxr,  1780. 

Sir, 

1  have  been  honored  with  Your  Excellency's  favors] 
of  the  22d.  25th.  and  26th  ulto.  We  have  already 
had  reporM,  that  the  enemy  left  Portsmouth  pre- 
cipitately a  few  days  after  landing.  I  shall  be  happy  I 
to  hear  it  confirmed,  as  well  as  the  cause  to  which 
their  hurry  is  attributed,  that  of  the  appearance  of  a-j 
French  or  Spanish  fleet  upon  the  coast  of  Carolina. 
Should  the  account  be  premature,  and  should  they 
establish  a  post  in  Virginia,  1  think  it  will  be  good 
policy  to  remove  the  troops  of  convention  to  a  greaterH 
distance  from  them.  General  Phillips  has  applied  ™ 
for  passports  for  a  flag-vessel  to  proceed  to  James 
River  as  heretofore,  with  clothing  and  other  neces- 
saries for  those  troops.  This  will  be  granted  ;  and, 
should  they  be  removed  from  Charlottesville,  your 
Excellency  will  be  pleased,  upon  the  arrival  of  the 
vessel  in  James  River,  to  give  directions  for  her  to 
proceed  to  the  most  convenient  place  of  debarkation, 
relatively  to  where  the  troops  may  be.  ^M 

I  am  glad  to  hear  that  you  have  permitted  Gov-  " 
ernor   Hamilton  and   Major   Hayes  to  go  to  New 


i78o] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


»» 


York  ;  while  they  remain  there  upon  parole,  they 
wilt  be  less  capable  of  concerting  mischief  than  in 
Virginia,  and  it  will  deprive  the  enemy  of  a  pretext 
for  complaining  that  they  are  treated  with  rigor. 
Another  embarkation  is  said  to  be  preparing  at  New 
York,  and  I  think  it  a  very  probable  circumstance, 
considering  the  situation  of  the  enemy's  affairs  in 
South  Carolina  and  ours  in  this  quarter.  They  are 
well  acquainted  with  the  expiration  of  the  times  of 
the  better  half  of  our  army  the  latter  end  of  Decem- 
ber, and  they  know  they  may  safely  detach  equal  to 
the  number  we  disband,  from  this  time  to  the  month 
of  May  or  June  next,  which  is  as  soon  as  we  generally 
get  our  recruits  into  the  field.  Should  the  enemy 
continue  in  the  lower  parts  of  Virginia,  they  will  have 
every  advantage  by  being  able  to  move  up  and  down 
the  rivers  in  small  parties,  while  it  will  be  out  of  our 
power  to  molest  them  for  want  of  the  means  of  sud- 
denly transporting  ourselves  across  those  rivers  to 
come  at  them.  This  might  be  in  a  very  great  degree 
obviated,  and  they  kt^pt  in  check,  if  we  had  a  number 
of  (say)  Hat-boats  upon  travelling  carriages  attending 
the  army  collected  to  watch  their  motions.  We  could 
then  move  across  from  river  to  river  with  more 
rapidity  than  they  could  go  down  one  and  up 
another,  and  none  of  their  detachments  would  be 
ever  secure  by  having  the  water  between  them  and 
us.  Major-General  Greene  is  perfectly  acquainted 
with  the  kind  of  boats  I  have  mentioned,  and  with 
the  mode  of  fixing  them.  He  will  give  the  proper 
directions  for  having  them  constructed,  should  your 


30 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[>78fl 


Excellency  approve  the  plan.  Newcastle  I  think 
from  it5  situation  would  be  a  good  and  safe  place  to 
build  the  boats.     I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 


TO   MAJOR-GENERAL    HEATH. 
Dear  Sir  HEAii^QiiAitTERS,  i6Novenibci,  1780. 

Your  forage  will  be  made  to  subser\'e  a  project 
I  have  in  view,  the  success  of  which  depending  upon 
a  concurrence  of  things  and  upon  causes  that  are 
unalterable.  1  have  to  request,  that  matters  may  be 
so  ordered  by  you,  as  that  the  detachment  employed 
on  this  occasion  may  be  at  White  Plains,  or  as  low 
down  as  you  mean  they  shall  go,  by  two  o'clock  on 
Thursday  the  23d  instant.  They  will  remain  there 
that  night  upon  their  arms ;  and,  as  it  is  not  unlikely 
that  the  enemy,  (if  they  are  in  force  at  Kingsbridge,) 
may  attempt  to  surprise  them,  a  vigilant  lookout  is  to 
be  kept,  and  small  parties  of  Horse  and  foot  em- 
ployed in  patrolling  the  different  Koads  leading  from 
the  Enemy's  lines. 

It  is  my  earnest  wish,  that  you  make  your  foraging 
party  as  strong,  and  have  it  as  well  officered,  as  pos- 
sible. 1  am  of  opinion,  that  you  may  trust  the  several 
works  (as  it  will  be  for  a  few  days  only,  and  this  body 
will  be  in  advance  of  them)  to  the  Invalids,  and  to 
such  Troops  as  are  rendered  unfit  for  the  field  on 
accL  of  cloathing.  The  guard-boats  should,  upon 
this  occasion,  be  uncommonly  alert.  They  should 
proceed  as  low  down  as  they  can  with  safety,  and  so 


itSo] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


3» 


dispose  of  themselves  as  by  signals  to  communicate 
the  quickest  intelligence  of  any  movements  on  the 
River.  A  chain  of  expresses  may  also  be  fixed  be- 
tween the  foragers  and  yr.  Quarters,  for  the  purpose 
of  speedy  information  of  any  extra  event  or  occurrence 
below. 

It  is  unnecessary  to  be  more  explicit.  Your  own 
judgment  and  conviction  of  the  precision,  with  which 
this  business,  especially  in  point  of  time,  should  be 
executed,  will  supply  any  omission  of  mine.  This, 
that  is  the  time  of  being  at  the  White  Plains  in 
force,  under  the  appearatue  of  a  large  forage,  if  you 
cannot  make  it  real,  is  the  first  object  to  be  attended 
to,  I  dare  not  commit  my  project  to  writing,  for  fear 
of  a  miscarriage  of  my  letter  ;  but  it  is  more  than 
probable,  that  between  this  and  the  day  of  execution 
I  shall  send  an  officer  to  you  with  a  detailed  acct.  of 
if  *  *  •  Sosoonas  this  comes  to  hand.  I  beg  of  you 
to  send  by  water  five  Doats  of  the  largest  size  that  can 
be  conveniently  transported  on  Carriages  to  the  Siote 
above  Dobbs's  Ferr)',  where  1  will  have  them  met  by 
carriages,  l-ct  there  be  five  good  watermen  from 
the  Jersey  line,  if  they  have  them,  allotted  (with  their 
arms  and  accoutrements)  to  each  boat,  under  the 
care  of  an  active,  intelligent  Subaltern,  who  is  also  a 
good  Waterman.     If  there  should   be  any  Armed 


'  Ttiis  project  wai  an  attack  on  ibe  posts  in  the  nurtlicm  part  of  New  Votlc 
liland.  Tbc  foixginj;  parly  wu  intended  to  operate  u  ■  feint,  and  la  divert 
■br  altrntioo  ol  the  cneniy  in  Bnoihcr  direction  al  tl>e  lime  of  the  attack. 
CcnenU  SUik  commanded  the  detachment,  consisting  of  two  Ihouwnd  five 
kiiBdi«d  aaeu,  destined  (or  thii  ob)ccl.  He  leli  We*l  Toint  on  the  Iitl.  ftiid 
mirchcd  to  Wliila  l*lain>. — fftatk'i  Mrmairt,  p.  sb^. 


33 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1780 


Vessels  in  the  River  above  Dobbs's  Ferry  let  me 
know  it,  that  I  may  order  the  Carriages  to  King's 
Ferry.  The  officer  and  men  are  to  attend  the  boats 
by  land  as  well  as  by  water,     *    ♦     • 


TO  JOHN   SULLIVAN,    IN  CONGRESS.' 

I1i>.-Qbs.,  Passaic  Falls.  30  Novenbet.  1780. 
Dr.  Sir. 

You  have  obliged  me  very  much  by  your  friendly 
letter  of  the  12th,  and  I  can  assure  you  that  I  shall 
be  very  happy  in  a  continuation  oi  them.  You  are 
too  well  acquainted  with  my  course  of  business  to 
expect  frequent  or  long  letters  from  me,  but  I  can 
truly  say  that  1  shall  write  to  none  with  more  pleas- 
ure, when  it  is  in  my  power  to  write  at  all,  than  I  will 
do  to  you.  The  determination  of  Congress  to  raise 
an  army  for  the  war,  and  the  honorable  establishment 
on  which  the  officers  are  placed,  will,  I  am  persuaded, 
be  productive  of  much  good.  Had  the  first  measure 
been  adopted  four,  or  even  three  years  ago,  1  have 
not  the  smallest  doubt  in  my  mind  but  that  we  should 
at  this  day  have  been  sitting  under  our  own  vines  and 
fig-trees  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  Peace  and  Indepen- 
dence ;  and  I  have  as  little  doubt,  that  the  value  which 
I  trust  officers  will  now  set  upon  their  commissions 
will  prove  the  surest  basis  of  public  oeconomy.  'T  was 
idle  to  expect,  that  men  who  were  suffering  every 

'  General  Sullivui.  hiving  r«iigned  hii  comnuisioii  in  the  >nDf.  Mid  been 
•p|Mini^  >  ilrtcuMe  to  Conjpcu  from  New  Munpthirc.  took  hii  mkI  in  Uut 
bodj  on  Ui«  1 1th  of  Saptnnbot. 


1780]  GEORGE  WASBIXGTOX.  33 

species  of  present  distress,  with  the  (wospect  erf  in- 
evitable ruin  before  them,  coold  bear  to  hare  the 
cord  of  discipline  strained  to  its  {»oper  tune;  and 
where  that  is  not  the  case,  it  is  no  diAtcult  matter  to 
form  an  idea  of  the  want  of  order,  or  to  conTiDce 
military  men  of  its  consequent  evils. 

It  is  to  be  lamented,  that  the  c^  upon  the  States 
for  specific  supplies  should  c»me  at  this  late  hour, 
because  it  is  much  to  be  feared  that,  before  those  at  a 
distance  can  be  furnished  with  the  resolves  and  make 
their  arrangements,  the  season  for  Salting  Provisioa 
will  be  irretrievably  lost :  and  this  leads  me  to  a 
remark,  which  1  could  wish  nes'er  to  make,  and  which 
is,  that  the  multiplicity'  of  business,  in  which  Congress 
are  engaged,  will  not  let  them  extend  that  seasonable 
and  provident  care  to  many  matters,  which  private 
convenience  and  public  ceconomy  tndispensabl)'  call 
for,  and  proves,  in  my  opinion,  the  evident  necessity 
of  committing  more  of  the  executive  business  to  small 
boards  or  responsible  charairters.  than  U  practised  at 
present ;  for  1  am  ver\-  well  con^-inced.  that,  for  want 
of  system  in  the  execution  of  business,  and  a  proper 
timing  of  things,  that  our  public  expenditures  are 
inconceivably  greater  than  thej-  ought  to  be. 

Many  instances  might  be  given  in  proof,  but  I  will 
confine  myself  to  the  article  of  cloathing,  as  we  are 
feelingly  reminded  of  it.  This,  instead  of  Ixring 
ready  in  the  Fall  for  deliver\%  is  then  to  be  pr'>vid';d, 
or  to  be  drawn  from  the  Lord  knows  whith*rr;  and. 
after  forcing  many  Soldiers  from  the  fieM  for  want  fA 
it,  is  eked  out  at  different  periods,  as  it  can  1^  had 


34 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[,780 


through  ye  winter,  till  spring,  and  in  such  a  piecemeal 
way,  that  the  Soldr.  dcrivg.  little  comfort  from  it,  is 
hurt  both  in  appearance  and  pride,  while  the  recruit- 
ing Service  is  greatly  injured  by  it.  Were  this  the 
result  of  necessity,  not  a  word  would  be  said  ;  but  it  is 
the  effect  of  a  dividd.  attentn.,  or  overmuch  business ; 
for,  at  the  periods  of  the  extreme  suffering  of  the 
army,  we  can  hear  of  cloathing  in  different  places 
falling  a  prey  to  moths,  and  canker-worms  of  a  worse 
kind  ;  and  I  am  much  mistaken,  too,  if  the  cloathing 
system  (if  ours  can  be  called  a  system)  does  not 
afford  a  fruitful  field  for  stockjobbing,  &c. 

It  may  be  asked  what  remedy  I  would  apply  to 
these  evils  ?  In  my  opinion  there  is  a  plain  and  easy 
one.  It  will  not,  I  acknowledge,  give  relief  to  our 
immediate  and  pressing  wants,  no  more  than  order 
can  succeed  confusion  in  a  moment ;  but,  as  both 
must  have  a  beginning,  let  Congress  without  delay 
(for  this  is  the  season  to  be  lookg.  forwd.  to  the  sup- 
plies for  another  year)  employ  some  eminent  mer- 
chant of  approved  integrity  and  abilities,  to  import. 
(in  his  own  way,)  materials  for  the  annual  cloathing 
of  officers  and  men,  agreeably  to  estimates  to  be  fur- 
nished by  the  Cloathicr-Gcneral.  Or,  if  ikey  prefer 
it,  let  these  imports  be  made  by  a  committee  of  their 
own  body.  When  a  stock  is  once  obtained,  discon- 
tinue all  Continental  agents  and  State  agents  for 
Continental  purposes,  and  confine  the  business  of 
cloathing  the  army  wholly  to  the  Importer,  Clothier- 
Genl.,  and  regimental  cloathiers.  This  would  be  easy 
and  simple,  and  would  soon  extricate  that  department 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


\ 


from  those  embarrassmenls  and  imposilions,  which 
have  a  tendency  to  distress  individuals  and  load  the 
public  with  an  enormous  expense.  At  present  we 
do  not  know  where  or  to  whom  to  apply.  I  have 
made  the  distresses  of  the  army  known  to  Congress, 
the  Board  of  War.  and  the  States  individually,  with- 
out learning  from  whence  the  supplies  are  to  come, 
and  can  without  the  aid  of  a  perspirctive  sec  a  very 
gloomy  prospect  before  us  this  Winter  on  the  score 
of  cloathing. 

1  have  two  reasons  for  preferring  the  materials  for 
cloathing  to  ready  made  cloathcs ;  first,  because  1 
think  we  can  have  them  made  by  the  regimental 
Taylors  to  fit  each  man.  and  to  suit  the  fashion  of 
each  RegimL  ;  and,  secondly,  because  the  materials 
will  always  be  a  more  ready  sale,  if  Peace  takes 
place  and  the  Troops  are  disbanded,  than  ready-made 
doathes.  They  wd.  attract  less  notice,  too,  at  the 
places  of  Export.  Another  question  may  arise  here; 
Where  are  the  means?  Means  must  be  found,  or 
the  Soldiers  must  go  naked.  But  I  will  take  the 
liberty  in  this  place  to  give  it  as  my  opinion,  that  a 
foreign  loan  is  indispensably  necessary  to  the  con- 
tinuance of  the  war.  Congress  will  deceive  them- 
selves, if  they  imagine  that  the  army,  or  a  State  that 
is  the  theatre  of  war,  can  rub  through  a  second  cam- 
paign as  the  last.  U  would  be  as  unreasonable  as  to 
suppose,  that,  because  a  man  had  rolled  a  snow-ball 
till  it  had  acquired  the  size  of  a  horse,  that  he  might 
do  so  till  it  was  as  large  as  a  house.  Matters  may  be 
pushed  to  a  certain  point,  beyond  which  we  cannot 


i« 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[ijSo 


move  them.  Ten  months'  pay  is  now  due  to  the 
army.  Everj*  departmt.  of  it  is  so  much  indebted, 
that  we  have  not  credit  for  a  single  Express ;  and 
some  of  the  States  are  harassed  and  oppressed  to  a 
degree  beyond  bearing.  To  depend,  under  these 
circumstances,  upon  the  resources  of  the  Country, 
unassisted  by  foreign  loans,  wil],  1  am  confident,  be 
to  lean  on  a  broken  Reed. 

The  situation  of  the  southern  States  is  very  embar- 
rassing, and  I  wish  it  were  in  my  power  to  afford 
them  rchef  in  the  way  you  have  mentioned,  but  it  is 
not.  The  very  measure  you  suggest,  /  urged  as  far 
as  decency  and  policy  would  permit  me  to  do  at  the 
Interview  at  Hartford,  but  to  no  effect.'  I  cannot 
be  more  particular  on  this  subject,  and  what  I  now 
say  is  in  confidence. 

The  report  of  Sir  Henr)'  Clinton's  going  to  the 
southward  was  groundless,  and  i  believe  few  Troops 
have  left  New  York  since  those  under  Leslie.  I 
set  out  with  telling  you  that  1  could  not  write  long 
letters,  but  have  ended  with  a  flat  contradiction  of  it. 
I  am,  with  much  esteem  and  regard,  dear  Sir,  &c.' 

*  Gencnl  SuUiran  hud  lusgcuted  Ibe  «spedienc)r  o(  ordering  the  French  fl««t 
Irom  Newport  lo  BMIon,  where  Jt  migjht  remain  bccuic  till  iclnfor<c'l,  anti  u( 
caQin);  (he  French  Iro<i|i4  lo  hr^-i|uum^.  Such  aii  .imnftfineiit  mould 
excite  Sir  Hrnry  Clinlon'i  (eart  (or  the  nfetjr  o(  New  York,  atiil  prevent  liii 
lending  detachment*  to  the  (oulheni  Staler,  This  mcaMirc  wat  preuiMi  upon 
Ihe  Frencli  oflicrrt  ■[  (he  conlar«^cc  in  Harlfunl,  anil  it  would  neein  tu  hai« 
been  the  beii  that  could  be  adopkd,  for  the  troops,  who  were  dctadied  from 
New  Vork  during  the  nintcr.  constituted  in  eMenlla]  part  of  the  BdlUb 
Huihira  army. 

'  On  th«  aiit  of  November  Wuhinglon  had  rancuted  his  plan*  for  an  iludc 
npon  New  York,  ind  begin  to  iuue  Ihe  orden  neccuary  to  effect  it.  Colonel 
(><niTioti  wM  directed  to  rcccinnoltre  Ihe  cnemf't  work*  from  Foil  Wuhington 


1780]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  37 

TO  SIR   HENRY   CLINTON. 

Hbad^uakteks,  ao  November,  t7So. 

Sir, 

I  am  authorized  by  Congress  to  propose  a  meeting 
of  commissioners,  for  the  purpose  of  effecting  an  ex- 
change of  all  Continental  prisoners  of  war  now  in  your 
possession,  and  of  the  hostages  given  in  Canada,  as 
well  as  of  all  officers  on  parole,  and  officers  violators 
of  parole,  and  militia  actually  taken  in  arms  and  re- 
maining prisoners  of  war,  for  an' equal  number  of  the 
convention  troops,  and  other  prisoners  in  our  hands, 
rank  for  rank  ;  and,  where  similar  rank  will  not  apply, 

opvuds,  and  make  ever;  observatioD  essential  for  fanning  a  pUa  for  turprixing 
tbem  b7  a  night  attack.  (31  NoTcmber.)  Moylan  wai  ordered  to  parade  hi( 
regimeDt  at  Totawa  Bridge,  at  nine  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  t4tll, 
detactuDg  parties  to  secure  all  the  croating- places  on  the  Hackensack  River, 
and  prerentiiig  any  person  (torn  going  with  intelligence  to  the  enemy.  Major 
GoetKhins  vas  to  patrol  from  the  New  Bridge  downward*,  lor  ibe  auiie  pnr- 
poae.  (ai  NoTcmbei.)  Brigadier-General  Wa^oe  waa  to  march  on  the  Mma 
day  to  a  mile  belo*  Acqnaqoenoc  Bridge,  advancing  a  regiment  tuwarda  New- 
ark,  halting  in  about  tnat  position  for  farther  ordeti,  bat  id  the  meanliDM 
loraging.  (31  November.)  To  Pickering  wai  ialroMed  the  laik  of  Irantport' 
ing  boati  from  the  Notch  to  Acqoaqneooc  Bridge,  and  bit  pcrvwal  atlcntina 
enjoined.  (33  Novembet.)  Lientenant-O^nel  Hnmphnys  waa  despautiad 
to  Wc>t  Point  to  inform  Heath  of  the  iatcoded  moveneal,  aoA  ibai/jt  ttt 
White  Plains,  a-herc  a  detachment  la;  that  wai  U>  move  "  preciiely  •!  t'mt 
o'clock,  and  commence  a  alow  and  regaiar  march  towarda  Kingabiidgc."  oali) 
ptcnmcerted  s^nals  should  direct  then  to  prcic  forward  with  "  the  greaten 
iBpidity."  Knoi  waa  to  have  iiis  park  of  amOrTy  naAf  <m  Friday  "  Ia  ciw«r 
a  body  of  troops  in  thcit  f— "Tc"  "^"f^  *  river,"  while  HhM'jn'*  tegnB^nl 
and  the  Coonecticat  State  troop*  were  to  csl  ofl  Frog't  Nedi.  *tA  tbe  rrf«];a( 
cops  at  Manisania.  To  ilajai  Crane  was  acfgErtH  the  ;j<WBiAiitT  lA  thr'/WMf 
a  body  of  troops  tiwiAitrttwrrr^.  ij^  tLe  iuasid. 

The  intenliao  tailed  si  the  lae  m>DB«E'-  "  Tut  <l'jmma*Aa-^iJl^lM  f/Ott 
a  ^lolc  campaign  in  tipeaiae  this  yrjjoa.  b'jact,  tbvuitiM  'm  t/av<>iu^''.*r- 
riagei,  were  kept  cosfUztiv  wi^JL  li«  aron.  lit  Uar'^ca  -^t  Ijalajt^M,  ai  iLc 
head  of  the  Ligh:  IkUzot.  vai  vj  h*ie  marie  U<e  te-'-v^  n.  Uit  k,^^  Mb  f  4«1 
WashingtoB-     Tike  pc»«f  cb>kes  i'x  llua  aejo^eiut  waa  Uw  very  Vmut,  WIM* 


to  pursue  the  exchange  on  the  footing  of  composition, 
according  to  the  valuation  or  tariff  agreed  on  by  the 
commissioners  at  Amboy  in  March  last.  In  this  busi- 
ness will  of  course  come  into  contemplation  an  equita- 
ble adjustment  and  payment  of  the  accounts  of  the 
convention  troops.  I  think  it  necessary  to  apprize 
you  of  this  circumstance,  that  there  may  be  no  mis- 
apprehension, and  that,  if  the  commissioners  meet, 
they  may  come  clothed  with  proper  powers  to  render 
the  meeting  effectual.  I  request  your  speedy  answer ; 
after  which,  the  time  and  place  of  meeting  may  be 
regulated.     * 


«  1 


the  uDiy  Here  in  break  up  iheli  c&inp  nnd  nurch  iiiti>  iviniei-cjuarlen :  «o  that 
the  Comnianitci-iii-Ctuet,  moring  in  the  iluik  of  the  evening,  would  hare  been 
on  ihebanki  of  ihelludioD,  with  Iiii  whole  force,  (o  support  the  ■iinck.  Never 
WHS  u  iilnii  bcllcr  uniiigeil.  ftiicl  never  did  circumotuices  proiniK  more  ture  or 
complele  success.  The  British  were  doI  oriljr  unikimed,  but  our  own  troop* 
were  likewise  entirety  mlngulded  In  the [r  expectations.  The  accidental  inter- 
venlion  of  some  vesseli  prevenled  at  Ihii  time  Ihe  nllcmpl.  which  waa 
more  thui  once  rcsumcil  aflcrwaidi.  Noiwiih&ianding  this  favoiilc  project 
•raa  not  nltimalcly  eflected,  it  was  evidciilty  nul  Jcu  bold  ia  conception  or 
(eaaibi*  in  accompHsbment.  than  that  attemjilcd  so  successful!)'  at  Trenton. 
or  than  thai  which  wu  brought  lo  so  glorious  an  issue  in  the  successful 
litge  at   Voilttowiu" — Ltiltr  ef  CebntI  Humphreys,   lift  »f  Putnam,  pp. 

IJ.  15- 

Woihingion  merely  wrote  lo  each  of  the  commanding  officcn  that  "  dtentn- 
itances"  had  remtereil  the  prosEcutiun  oF  the  dekign  "  lnei|)edient." 

The  foraging  npedidon  was  prosecuted,  however,  by  General  Stark  near  the 
enemy's  lines,  and  with  considerable  success. 

'  Sir  Henty  Clinton  ns^entcd  to  the  proposition  contained  in  ihia  Utter,  but 
auggested  thai  the  adjuttraenl  of  accounts  should  not  be  limited  lo  the  conven- 
tion troops,  but  eilend  lo  all  the  prisoners  that  had  been  made  on  both  sides 
durinj;  Ihe  war.  an  well  Elriiihh  ax  Arnerican,  Concerning  ihiK  poinl  Watliing- 
loD  replied  that  he  had  written  to  Congress  on  the  snbject ;  but,  since  il  would 
take  much  time  to  collect  and  arrange  the  accounts,  he  thought  U  not  licit  to 
appoint  commistioncra  (or  (he  purpose  till  this  should  be  done.  In  the  mcan- 
liine  the  business  of  exchange  might  go  forward,  according  to  the  principle* 
upon  whicli  both  parties  were  agreed. 


i7«o] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


39 


>R.  Sib. 


TO  JOHS    SULLIVAN,    IN  CONGRESS. 

IlKAO-QUARinU.  I'AfUIC  Pau,*, 
gj  Novvmbar,  178a 

*  «  *  *  • 


I  intended  in  my  last  (but,  having  spun  my  letter 
to  an  enormous  length,  deferred  it)  to  have  obscr%'cd, 
that,  as  Congress  had  made  one  or  two  late  promo- 
tions from  brigadiers  to  major-generals,  apparently 
on  the  principle  of  a  State  proportion  (which  by  the 
way.  if  made  a  general  rule,  I  am  persuaded  will  be 
found  hurtful),  an  idea  has  occurred  to  mc,  that  pos- 
sibly from  the  same  principle,  on  a  future  occasion, 
one  might  take  place  which  would  be  particularly 
injurious.  I  mean  with  respect  to  General  Knox. 
Generals  Parsons  and  Clinton  have  been  superseded 
by  Smallwood.  Parsons  is  since  restored  to  his  rank. 
Except  Clinton.  Knox  now  stands  first  on  the  list.  If 
from  the  consideration  I  have  mentioned,  or  from  his 
being  at  the  head  of  the  artiller)',  he  should  be  over- 
looked, and  a  younger  officer  preferred,  he  will  un- 
doubtedly quit  the  service ;  and  you  know  his  usefulness 
too  well  not  to  be  convinced,  that  this  would  be  an 
injur)'  difficult  to  be  repaired.  1  do  not  know,  all 
things  considered,  who  could  replace  him  in  his 
department.  1  am  sure,  if  a  question  of  this  kind 
should  be  agitated  when  you  were  present,  this  inti- 
mation would  be  unnecessary  to  induce  you  to  inter- 
pose ;  but,  lest  you  should  be  absent  at  the  time, 
I  think  it  would  be  advisable  to  apprize  some  other 
members,  in  whom  you  have  confidence,  to  guard 
against  it.     Perhaps  indeed  for  sores  reed,  by  irregu- 


40 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


[1780 


lar  promotions  or  mistakes,  tho'  they  may  afterwards 
receive  a  plaister,  does  not  always  meet  a  cure,  but 
proves  that  inattention  or  want  of  information  was  the 
cause  of  the  wound. 

If  the  sentiments  contained  in  my  letter  to  Con- 
gress of  this  date  respecting  the  Inspectorate  depart- 
ment are  happy  enough  to  coincide  with  yours,  I  have 
no  doubt  of  your  giving  them  a  proper  support — To 
me  it  appears  a  matter  of  importance  to  keep  the 
present  Inspectors  in  office  ;  and  sure  I  am,  that  it  is 
the  true  interest  and  policy  of  Congress,  to  make 
these  oflices  more  the  object  of  desire  by  the  ofBcers 
who  fill  them  than  of  favor  from  tliem.  In  the  one 
case  the  duties  will  be  discharged  properly  ;  In  the 
other  they  maybe  slighted  or  not  executed  at  all — the 
additional  pay  necessary  to  make  it  adequate  to  the 
trouble  and  confinement  incident  to  the  office,  would 
be  very  trifling — and  the  future  one  nothing,  as  they 
will  not  burthen  the  half  pay  list,  being  officers  in  the 
line,  and  receiving  half  pay  accordingly,  and  no  other. 

With  great  &c.' 

TO  THE    PRESIDENT    OF  CONGRESS. 
Sj[{  Morris  Town,  iS  Norembei,  1780. 

I  arrived  at  this  place  to-day,  having  yesterday 
broke  up  the  Camp  near  the  Passaic  Falls,  and  de- 
tached the  Troops  to  their  different  places  of  Canton- 
ment.   I  shall  repair  to  New  Windsor,  where  I  purpose 

*  In  ■  letter  t«  the  Prendent  of  ConKre»,  dated  the  36tb  of  November,  Gcn- 
Wtl  Wuhinfton  Mid  :  "  1'he  death  »!  (hitl  uhcful  «t>il  valu*bl«  nficw,  Mr. 
Xnkine,  g««p«pli«t  lo  the  irm;.  makn  it  i«<|uiiite  ihni  a  iui!cc«or  ibould  b* 
•pfMHntcd.     I  bi^  leave  lo  recommend  Mr.  Sineoiii  Dewiti.     Hu  being  in  the 


I 


ij8o] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


to  establish  my  Winter-Quarters,  after  having  made 
some  necessary  regulations  here  and  visited  the  Hos- 
pitals. 

The  following  will  be  the  general  position  of  the 
army  during  the  Winter.  The  Pennsylvania  line 
about  four  miles  from  hence  in  part  of  the  huts,  which 
were  occupied  by  the  Troops  last  Winter  ;  the  Jersey 
line  at  Pompton,  with  a  detachment  from  thence  to 
secure  the  entrance  of  the  Clove  near  Suffran's,  (the 
design  of  these  is  not  only  to  cover  the  Countrj'  and 
our  communication  with  the  Delaware,  but  as  much 
as  possible  to  ease  us  in  the  article  of  transportation.) 
The  Connecticut,  New  Hampshire,  and  Rhode  Island 
lines  in  the  Highlands,  upon  the  East  side  of  Hud- 
son's River ;  the  Massachusetts  line  at  West  Point, 
Moylan's  regiment  of  horse  at  Lancaster  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  Sheldon's  at  Colchester  in  Connecticut 
One  Regiment  of  New  York  is  in  Ciarrison  at  Fort 
Schuyler,  and  another  is  at  Saratoga ;  but  to  give 
more  effectual  security  to  the  Northern  and  Western 
Frontiers,  which  are  both  much  exposed  and  har- 
rassed,  I  propose,  if  provision  can  be  had.  which  is 
exceedingly  doubtful,  to  send  the  remainder  of  the 
line  to  Albany  and  Schenectady,  where  it  will  be 
ready  to  act  as  occasion  may  require,  and  the  officers 
will  have  it  more  in  their  power  to  arrange  themselves 
agreeably  to  the  New  Establishment. 

I  have  lately  had  a  very  pressing  application  from 

d«pwtnent  gives  tilin  >  prcicniiooi.  md  liib  iblUties  txt  still  belicr.  From  the 
chuacter  Mf.  Enkiac  liways  g>vc  of  him.  «n[l  from  whai  I  liave  seen  of  hii 
p«rionBMC«i,  he  wemi  to  be  exlremcly  well  quatilicd."  In  compliance  with 
tlu>  reooinm«DdalioD,  Mr.  DcwItI  wat  appoinled  geogrtpticr  to  the  army. 


4» 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[i7to 


Colo,  Scammell  for  liberty  to  resign  the  office  of 
Adjutant-General,  and  resume  the  Command  of  his 
Regiment.  Finding  him  determined  upon  the  meas- 
ure, 1  thought  it  my  duty  to  cast  about  for  a  proper 
person  to  succeed  him  in  so  important  an  office,  before 
I  mentioned  his  request.  The  Gentleman  !  would 
recommend  is  Brigadier-General  Hand,  who  I  have 
sounded  upon  the  occasion,  and  who  I  find  will  accept 
the  appointment,  should  Congress  think  proper  to 
confer  it  upon  him.  His  rank,  independent  of  his 
other  qualities,  is  a  circumstance  of  consequence. 
Besides  giving  weight  and  dignity  to  the  office,  it  will 
take  off  any  uneasiness,  which  might  have  arisen,  had 
an  officer  younger  than  any  of  the  present  Inspectors 
been  appointed ;  because  by  the  Regulations  the 
Adjutt.-Genera]  is  Assistt.  Inspector-General,  and  of 
course  commands  the  others  in  that  Department.  I 
shall  very  reluctantly  part  with  Colo.  Scammell.  as  he 
has  constantly  performed  his  duty  to  my  entire  appro- 
bation, and  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  army  ;  but  his 
reasons,  (which  1  should  have  transmitted  at  length, 
had  I  not  sent  up  his  letter  among  my  papers  to  New 
Windsor,)  were  such  as  I  could  not  oppose,  without 
requiring  him  to  make  greater  sacrifices  than  he 
assured  me  his  fortune  would  afford.' 


'  EMtrail  frem  0>lantt  Stammill't  UUer  :  "ConBTCM  luivjni;  put  ihe  wgi- 
nenE  in  |>oint  of  numben  ■nd  (onii  of  «crvict  i>ii  a  irp^Ulilc  fiiMiiii:.  *ni]  Iieing 
lo  much  itduced  in  property  u  noi  to  be  able  to  equip  mytflf  for  the  office  I 
*l  ptetcnt  have  the  honat  lo  hold.  I  bee  youi  Excellency  will  pleiielo  granl  ot 
obtain  Iravc  fnc  mc  (»  trliie  fram  [hetialT  ikjmilmcnt,  ami  rejuin  my  tf|;iiiienl 
by  llie  111  of  January  next :  that  1  may  have  an  early  opportunity  la  attend  lo 
the  inlenial  police  and  iccnilling  o(  il.  anil  my  iucceuoc,  o(  gaining  a  perfect 
koQwIedsc  ol  UiG  buiincu  of  the  dIScg  prtviout  lo  lh«  commencement  of  the 
nut  campaign." — November  t6th. 


«7«oJ 


GKOItG£  WASHINGTOIf. 


43 


Having  received  information,  through  Major  Tall- 
madge  (of  the  2d  Regiment  of  Dragoons,)  that  the 
enemy  had  collected  a  valuable  Magazine  of  Forage 
at  Coram  upon  Long  Island,  the  destruction  of  which 
he  at  the  same  time  offered  to  attempt  with  my  per- 
mission, (which  he  obtained,)  I  do  myself  the  honor 
to  enclose  a  copy  of  his  report  by  which  Congress 
will  perceive  how  very  handsomely  he  acquitted  him- 
self in  the  execution  of  his  whole  plan.  There  can  be 
no  stronger  proof  of  the  gallant  behavior  and  good 
conduct  of  the  Major  and  his  Officers,  and  of  the 
rbravery  and  fidelity  of  his  men,  than  the  recital  of  the 
'  circumstances  attending  the  affair  throughout  its 
progress.  With  great  respect  I  have  the  honor  to 
be.  Ac' 


TO  THE  MARQUIS  DE    LAFAYETTE. 

New  Wihuor,  B  December,  I7»* 

Mv  Dear  Marquis, 

Since  mine  of  yesterday  by  the  Count  dc  Custinc,' 
another  opportunity  has  offered  of  writing  to  you 
more  leisurely  :  and.  as  your  departure  for  the  south- 
ward, if  that  ultimately  should  be  your  determination, 
may  be  incommoded  by  delay,  I  have  taken  the  lib* 
erty  of  facilitating  your  journey  by  the  enclosed 
flispatches.* 

'  Read  ia  C«nei«H,  t^MCmbcT  4A.     Rtfencd  W  SDDlTan,  Cornell,  ud 
Jlkthcm. 

'  The  CounI  de  Cuitine  wa*  in  command  o(  ihe  regiment  of  Sainlonge- 

'  Wlicn  ibe  inny  w«n(  tnto  winler-i|iiartert.  the  1>i;lit  Infanliy  corps  "hich 

I'bd  been  commiuidtd  bjr  Ivofajrclle,  wax  broken  up,  and  ibo  diflcrenl  parli 

fMfotaed  the  Una  uul  reeimenti  to  which  lh<}'  originally  belonged.     Seeking 

•dirilr  tad  opportuailiM  for  diMin^iiiBhiDg  himwH,  l.aliyetle  had  fomcd  a 


44 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[178c 


I  beg  you  to  be  persuaded,  however,  that  I  do  not 
mean  by  this  to  fix  your  determination  of  serving  in 
the  Southern  Army.  It  is  my  earnest  wish,  (as  1 
mentioned  at  Morris  Town,)  that  you  shd.  be  gov- 
erned in  this  matter  by  European  and  Southern 
advices,  wch.  ought  &  alone  can  determine  you  with 
propriety — These  you  are  more  in  the  way  of  receiv- 
ing than  I  am.  if  there  is  a  prospect  of  a  naval 
superiority  in  these  Seas,  and  an  augmentation  of  the 
(French)  land  force  at  Rhode  Island,  1  shall,  with 
the  freedom  of  a  friend,  give  it  as  my  opinion,  that 
your  going  lo  the  Southern  Army,  (if  you  expect  a 
command  in  this,)  will  answer  no  vahiable  purpose, 
but  must  be  fatiguing  to  yourself,  and  embarrassing 
to  General  [Greene.]  as  it  may  contravene  a  perma- 
nent arrangement,  to  the  disgust  of  those,  who,  con- 
sidering themselves  as  belonging  to  that  army,  may 
be  hurt  by  disappointments.  On  the  other  hand, 
if  we  are  likely  to  remain  in  a  state  of  inactivity  in 
this  quarter,  your  seeking  ser\'ice  to  the  Southward, 
where  there  is  a  more  fruitful  field  for  enterprise,  is 
not  only  an  evidence  of  your  zeal,  but  will  be  sup- 
ported by  every  rule  of  military  reasoning.  Hence  it 
is,  I  again  repeat,  that  circumstances  should  alone 
decide.  In  all  places,  and  at  all  times,  my  best  wishes 
for  your  health,  honor,  and  glory  will  accompany  you. 
With  much  truth  I  can  add.  that  1  am.  my  dear  Mar- 


qu 


IS, 


&c. 


proj«ct  «f  irsnitfcrriiii;  hit  nrvic«t  lu  the  loutheni  wmjr  nntUr  Geiwral  GnmM 
during  ilic  winict,  and  had  ukcd  Gcnciil  Wuhinglan'i  ■itvjce.  Ltf«yelu  nru 
wtm  in  Philadelphia,  having  gone  thither  iniineUlaicljr  alter  ihc  KiiamiDii  ofhia 
(Utachmcnl  of  light  inlaiitrr. 


i7«o] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


45 


TO   GOUVERNEUR    HOKRIS. 

New  WiMiMoa,  lo  DeeoDber,  iTta 

De.\r  Sir, 

Your  letter  of  the  28th  ult  I  met  with  on  my  way 
to  these  quarters,  where  I  arrived  on  the  6th  insL 
The  suggestions  x:ontained  in  it  required  no  apology, 
as  it  gives  me  pleasure  at  all  times  to  know  the  senti- 
ments of  others  upon  matters  of  pubHc  utility.  Those, 
however,  which  you  have  delivered  relative  to  an 
enterprise  against  the  enemy  in  New  York,  exhibit 
strong  evidence  how  little  the  world  is  acquainted 
with  the  circumstances  and  strength  of  our  army.  A 
small  second  embarkation  took  place  about  the  mid- 
dle of  last  month ;  if  another  is  in  contemplation,  to 
take  effect  at  the  reduction  of  our  force,  (which  I 
think  exceedingly  probable.)  it  is  too  much  in  embryo 
to  form  more  than  conjectural  opinions  of  it  at  this 
time.  But  I  will  suppose  it  large,  and  that  not  more 
than  6000  regular  troops  will  be  left  behind.  Where 
are  the  men?  Where  are  the  provisions?  Where 
the  clothes,  the  everything  necessary  to  warrant  the 
attempt  you  propose  in  an  inclement  season  ?  Our 
numbers,  never  equal  to  those  of  the  enemy  in  New 
York. — our  State  lines,  never  half  complete  in  men, 
but  perfectly  so  in  every  species  of  want,  were  dimin- 
ished in  the  field  so  soon  as  the  weather  began  to 
grow  cold ;  near  2000  men  on  account  of  clothes, 
which  I  had  not  to  give,  nor  ought  to  have  given 
(supposing  a  surplusage.)  to  the  levies  whose  dismis- 
sion was  near  at  hand.  And  now,  to  prevent  the 
man  who  is  a  permanent  soldier  from  starving,  I  am 


46 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1780 


obliged,  in  place  of  calling  in  the  aid  of  militia  for 
new  enterprises,  to  diminish  the  levies  on  account  of 
the  provision.  Under  this  description  of  our  circum- 
stances, (which  is  not  high-coloured,)  and  when  it  is 
added  that,  instead  of  getting  lumber  from  Albany 
for  building  barracks  on  York  Island,  in  the  manner 
and  for  the  purpose  you  mention,  that  we  have 
neither  money  nor  credit  adequate  to  the  purchase 
of  a  few  boards  for  doors  to  our  log  huts  ;  when 
every  ounce  of  forage  that  has  been  used  in  the 
latter  part  of  the  campaign,  and  a  good  deal  of 
the  provision,  has  been  taken  at  the  point  of  the 
bayonet ;  when  we  were  from  the  month  of  May 
to  the  month  of  September  assembling  militia  that 
ought  to  have  been  in  the  field  by  the  middle  of 
July,  and  then  obliged  to  dismiss  them  for  want 
of  supplies  :  when  we  cannot  despatch  an  officer  or 
common  express  upon  the  most  urgent  occasion,  for 
want  of  the  means  of  support ;  and  when  I  further 
add — but  this  is  a  matter  of  trivial  concern,  because 
It  is  of  a  present  nature — that  I  have  not  been  able 
to  obtain  a  farthing  of  public  money  for  the  support 
of  my  table  for  near  two  months,  you  can  be  at 
no  loss,  as  I  have  before  observed,  to  discover  the 
impracticability  of  executing  the  measure  you  sug- 
gested, even  supposing  the  enemy's  numbers  were 
reduced  to  your  standard,  but  which,  by  the  way. 
neither  is  nor  will  be  the  case  till  the  reduction  of 
our  army  takes  place,  the  period  (or  which  they 
know  as  well  as  we  do,  and  will.  1  have  little  doubt, 
govern  themselves  accordingly.      An  earnest  desire. 


t78o]  GEOMGE  WASBIXGTOX.  4T 

however,  of  doang  tbe  campaign  with  edai,  led  me 
to  investigate  the  means  most  tfaonw^faly  ol  dotng 
it ;  and  my  wishes  had  so  far  got  the  better  tA  my 
judgment,  that  I  had  actually  made  sane  prect)'  con- 
aderable  advances  in  the  proseoiticHi  of  a  plan  for 
the  purpose,  when,  alas  \  1  found  the  means  inade- 
quate to  the  end.  and  that  it  was  with  difficulty 
I  could  remove  the  arm)-  to  its  respective  places  of 
cantonment,  where  it  would  be  wdl  for  the  troops  if, 
like  chameleons,  they  could  live  upon  air.  or,  like  the 
bear,  suck  their  paws  for  sustenance  during  the  rigor 
of  the  approaching  winter.     1  am,  &c. 


TO   COL'XT    DE    KOCHAMBEAl'. 

HfAD-QcAcm^  New  Wdomok. 

Sir, 

I  have  received  Your  Eascdlencj's  favors  of  the 
14th,  16th.  24th,  27th  November  and  ist  of  this 
month.  In  apology  for  suffering  so  many  of  your  let- 
ters to  remain  so  long  unanswered,  1  must  assure  you, 
that  I  have  been  constantly  employed,  ^nce  I  broke 
up  my  camp  near  Passaic  Falls,  in  \-isiting  the  winter 
cantonments  of  the  army  between  Morristown  and 
this  place.  1  have  experienced  the  highest  satisfac- 
tion in  the  visits,  which  Chevalier  Chastellux,  Vis- 
count Noailles,  Count  de  Damas,  Count  de  Custine. 
and  the  Marquis  de  Laval  have  done  me  the  honor 
to  make  me.'     1  have  only  to  regret,  that  their  stay 

■  Tboe  gotkaea  wen  oflkas  in  the  Ftcadi  umj  uder  Cooot  de  Rocham- 


48 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1780 


with  me  was  so  short.  I  unfortunately  missed  seeing 
the  Count  de  Deuxponts,  who  had  left  my  quarters 
on  his  way  to  Philadelphia  before  I  arrived  at  them.  I 
however  flatter  myself,  that  1  shall  have  the  pleasure 
of  seeing  him  on  his  return, 

I  very  much  approve  of  your  intention  of  quarter- 
ing the  second  division  in  Connecticut,  rather  than 
in  Massachusetts.  The  troops  will  certainly  be  more 
convenient  to  the  probable  scene  of  operations.'  I 
shall  withdraw  the  chain  of  our  dragoons,  and  shall  in 
future  send  my  despatches  to  the  Duke  de  Lauzun  at 
l-cbanon,  as  your  Excellency  desires.  1  wish  it  were 
in  my  power  to  furnish  your  Excellency  with  the  New- 
York  papers :  but  as  our  communication  with  that 
place  is  vcrj'  irregular,  I  only  obtain  them  accident- 
ally. I  now  enclose  you  one.  which  contains  nothing 
material,  but  the  account  of  the  late  dreadful  hurri- 

'  The  wciiiid  di*iiion  o(  the  French  iroopi  destined  (or  Aincrica.  which  bad 
been  bleck>iled  in  the  hsrlioc  of  Brtst.  wu  expeclcil  daily  on  the  caiut.  Counl 
dt  RocbHinlicau  hnil  vitiicil  New  I.onitiiii,  Norwich,  Lehanon,  WintJhasi,  >i>d 
ether  townt,  and  luettuneil  that  the  Iroopi  might  be  well  prcmded  ioi'va  thoce 
l>Ucc«.  .\i^  ihi(  diviiion  nercr  aniTed.  there  wu  nu  tKXMinn  (or  (unhei  pTe[>- 
KTttions.  The  French  tirmy  rcni*incd  during  the  winter  x\  Neirpofi,  except  the 
Dake  de  Lauiun'i  legion,  which  wai  canioned  *l  Leb«non,  not  fu  from  the 
mldcncc  of  Governor  TnimbuU,  where  a  tupply  «(  longe  oould  tie  ciiil) 
obtained. 

The  ion  <A  Count  de  Rochambeau,  then  *  c«1one)  Jn  the  timjr,  wa*  teal  to 
France  with  dupolches  conulnlni;  the  retuitt  ol  the  Gan(erenee  *X  Harlfonl. 
and  parlitiilarly  a  memoir  Kiting  forth  the  u-anli  of  the  Americans  in  men. 
(hips,  and  money.  In  ease  the  vcmcI  iJiould  be  in  danger  of  capture,  Colonel 
Kocliamlieau  wa»  mtiruetcil  \a  tink  hit  pajicrt,  and  make  a  verbal  communka- 
tioD  o(  their  oonlenis  la  Ihe  miniiter.  La  Peronie  commanded  the  frigaU. 
which  wai  lent  with  the«e  dciiMtches.  To  ctcape  the  Riitith  fleet.  Chen  block- 
ading Ihe  baibor  of  Newport,  he  want  to  tea,  on  the  sSrh  of  Ocloliei,  In  a  rlo- 
lent  gale  of  wind,  and  paued  snharmed  through  the  Brilish  squadron.  Ha 
wai  chafed,  and  hit  (tigalc  wai  diunaxted,  bul  not  till  it  had  |;ot  beyond  the  reach 
a(  the  vnemjt. — Mrmnm  4l  Reckamirau,  lom,  i.,  p,  3J6. — ^arkt. 


i7So] 


GSOMG£  WrASB/JfGTOJr. 


cane  in  the  West  Indies.  I  take  the  0[^>ortuntt\'  of 
sending  this  by  Colooel  Flean*.  who  returns  to  yottr 
army.  I  was  made  very  h^tpy  in  ^ain  seeing  that 
amiable  and  valuable  officer,  whose  services  I  have 
experienced  upon  so  many  occasions.'  I  have  the 
honor  to  be.  &c 


TO   MAJOR-GEVERAL    UKCOUt. 

'Sam  WmisoK.  iiA  Pilm^u.  ■}•&. 

Mv  Dear  Sir, 

I  have  received  your  favors  of  the  25th  and  28th  of 
last  Month,  and  it  g^vcs  mc  vcrj-  great  pleasure  to 
find  that  you  are  apfK>inted  10  a  Committee  the  sub- 
ject of  whose  deliberations  you  arc  so  well  acquainted 
with — and  it  adds  not  a  little  to  my  satisfaction  to 
hear,  that  it  is  generally  composed  of  Gentlemen  re- 
markable for  their  good  sense  &  patriotism,  at  a 
time  when  there  never  was  greater  occasion  for  men 
of  those  qualifications. 

The  general  good  disposition  prevailing  in  the 
State,  to  promote  measures  of  public  utility,  is  also  a 
happy  presage  that  matters  will  mend,  in  your  quarter 
at  least —  But  how  unfortunate  is  it,  that  the  fatal 
system  of  temporary  enlistments  should  still  have 
such  an  influence,  as  to  have  prevailed  upon  your 
Legislature  to  adopt  the  measure  of  raising  their  re- 
cruits for  three  years  only  ?  which  in  other  words,  is 
nothing  more  nor  less,  than  an  inducement  to  the 
enemy  to  prosecute  the  War  three  years  longer. 

'  Cslmd  Flcnt^.  lO  nwch  .Usliiigiiiilicd  (oi  bU  brsvciy  al  Fort  Mifflin, 
StoBjr  Pirint.  anil  nthtr  ptaow,  \t*A  Uii  ibc  Amcricau  Mrviea,  and  wu  now  m 
eer  in  ilic  maj  ol  Cooni  dc  Roduunbean- 

4 


so 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


rt7«o 


You  have,  to  your  cost,  been  a  witness  to  the  per- 
nicious consequences  attending  a  temporal^'  army, 
and  have  therefore  the  better  right  to  point  out  to 
your  fellow  Citizens  what  may  be  expected  while  the 
system  is  pursued. — I  wil!  still  hope  that  they  will 
upon  a  reconsideration  of  the  matter,  and  conform- 
ably to  the  requisition  of  Congress,  determine  upon 
raising  their  men  for  the  War  only. 

I  have,  by  this  opportunity,  transmitted  to  his 
Excellency  the  Governor  an  acct.  of  the  places  which 
will  be.  in  my  opinion,  most  convenient  &  proper  for 
the  deposit  of  Salt.  Salt  meat,  &  Rum —  The  Weekly, 
or  Monthly  supplies  of  Beef  Cattle.  &  the  places  at 
which  they  are  to  be  delivered,  will  be  pointed  out 
occasionally  by  the  Commissary  General — He  is  not 
at  present  with  the  Army—  I  can  therefore  only  say, 
that  if  he  has  given  no  directions  to  the  contrary,  the 
present  Monthly  demand  should  be  complied  with. — - 
Should  it  amount  to  more  than  the  consumption  the 
best  can  be  Salted  down  on  tht^ir  arrival  here. — 

Your  remarks  on  the  last  clause  of  the  act  of  requi- 
sition are  undoubtedly  very  just,  and  I  am  confident 
it  will  be  found  upon  examination  that  some  States 
have  been  largely  deficient  in  their  specific  supplies ; 
otherwise  we  should  not  at  this  alarming  period  of 
the  year,  be  destitute  of  l*'lour  for  which  1  sec  no 
other  chance  of  a  supply  than  the  state  of  New  York 
being  obliged  to  take  measures  that  will  be  very  dis- 
agreeable, &  most  oppressive  to  individuals. — It  is  a 
matter  of  delicacy  with  me  to  complain  to  Congress 
of  the  default  of  any  of  the  States,  or  to  criticize  upon 
their  own  acts.      And   I   should  therefore  be  very 


t78»] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


Si 


happy  to  sec  any  of  the  Legislatures  take  the  matter 
up,  &  point  out  the  dangers  arising  from  such  a 
latitude  as  is  given  in  the  case  to  which  you  allude. 

To  add  to  our  other  difficulties,  the  situation  of 
the  Army  in  respect  to  cloathing,  is  really  distres- 
sing.— By  collecting  all  our  remnants,  and  those  of  a 
thousand  colors  &  kinds,  we  shall  scarcely  make 
them  comfortable.  Uniformity,  one  of  the  essentials 
of  discipline,  &  every  thing  in  the  appearance  of  a 
Soldier,  must  be  dispensed  with  ; — and  what  makes 
the  matter  more  mortifying  is,  that  we  have,  I  am 
positively  assured  Ten  thousand  compleat  suits  ready 
in  France  &  laying  there  I>ecause  our  public  agents 
cannot  agree  whose  business  it  is  to  ship  them — a 
quantity  has  also  lain  in  the  West  Indies  for  more  than 
Eighteen  Months,  owing  probably  to  some  such  cause. 

You  tell  me  there  is  cloathing  enough  lately  arrived 
in  private  bottoms  to  supply  the  army. — This  my  dear 
Sir  is  only  tantalizing  the  Naked — such  is  the  miser- 
able stale  of  Continental  credit  that  we  cannot  com- 
mand a  yard  of  it. — Some  of  the  States  may,  A  I 
hope  will  derive  an  advantage  from  it,  in  which  case 
I  hope  they  will  attend  to  the  colors  proper  for  their 
uniform — I  informed  them  ail  very  lately,  to  what  a 
miserable  condition  the  Troops  would  be  reduced  ex- 
cept they  would  lay  themselves  out  for  Cloathing^ 
I  am  certain  that  had  our  supply  of  that  artical  been 
ample  we  could  have  enlisted  a  great  proportion  of 
the  Levies  who  would  for  the  sake  of  Cloaths  have 
dispensed  with  the  money  bounty  for  the  present. 

With  every  Sentiment  of  regard  &  affection  I 
am,  &c. 


»» 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1780 


TO    MAJOR-GENERAL   GREENE. 
DBAR    Sir  "**  Wmoso*.  ij  December.  1780, 

It  gives  me  much  pleasure  lo  hear,  that  my  letters 
of  introduction  were  serviceable  to  you.  1  am  per- 
suaded there  is  not  wanting  a  disposition  in  Congress, 
or  the  individual  States  to  the  Southward,  to  afford 
you  every  support  the  unhappy  state  of  our  finance 
(which  seems  to  be  the  source  from  whence  flows  all 
our  difficulties)  will  admit ;  but  if  any  thing  in  my 
power  can  give  a  spring  to  their  exertions,  every  mo- 
tive, which  can  flow  from  public  and  private  consid- 
erations, will  urge  me  to  comply  with  y'r  wishes.  You 
have  no  doubt  an  arduous  task  in  hand  ;  but  where  is 
the  man  charged  with  conducting  public  business  in 
these  days  of  public  calamity,  that  is  exempt  from  it  ? 
Your  difficulties  I  am  persuaded  are  great;  they  may 
be  insurmountable ;  but  you  see  them  now  through  a 
different  medium  than  you  have  ever  done  before, 
because  the  embarrassment  of  every  department  is 
now  concentred  or  combined  in  the  commanding  offi- 
cer, exhibiting  at  one  view  a  prospect  of  our  compli- 
cated distresses. 

Your  friends,  and  the  great  public,  expect  every 
thing  from  your  abilities,  that  the  means  which  may 
be  put  Into  your  hands  are  competent  to ;  but  they 
both  know  full  well  the  deranged  situation  of  our 
Southern  affairs  ;  and  neither.  1  trust,  are  so  unreason- 
able as  to  expect  impossibitities.  1  therefore  think, 
that  you  have  nothing  to  apprehend  on  the  score  of 
public  dissatisfaction  ;  on  the  contrary,  that  you  may 
gain  but  cannot  lose  in  your  military  reputation. 


I7S0] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


5J 


I  will  put  your  letter  under  cover  to  Mrs.  Greene. 
and  request  her  to  make  use  of  the  same  channel  o( 
conveyance  back.  I  shall  take  much  pleasure  in  for- 
warding  the  letters  to  and  from  her  and  think  it  the 
best  medium  of  conveyance  for  safet>'.  I  have  the 
pleasure  to  inform  you  that  I  learned  by  GenL  Vamum 
(who  went  on  to  Congress  yesterday)  that  Mrs. 
Greene  and  your  family  were  well  when  he  left  Rhode 
Island.  GenL  McDougall  talks  of  setting  out  for 
Congress  the  beginning  of  next  week.  but.  if  he 
reaches  Phila.  by  the  opening  of  next  campaign  it 
will  be  as  much  as  1  expect  from  his  despatch. 

We  reached  our  Winter-qrs.  about  the  beginning  of 
this  month,  and  I  have  been  driven  by  necessity  to 
discharge  the  Levies.  Want  of  cloathing  rendered 
ihem  unfit  for  duty,  and  want  of  Flour  would  have 
disbanded  the  whole  army,  if  I  had  not  adopted  this 
expedient  for  the  relief  of  the  Soldiers  for  the  war. 
Without  knowing  that  Colo.  Hamilton  e\'er  had  an 
Eye  to  the  office  of  AdJt.-GeneraL  1  did,  upon  the 
application  of  Colo.  Scammell  to  resign  it.  recommend 
Genl.  Hand  for  reasons  which  may  occur  lo  you.' 
One  of  them,  (and  not  the  smallest. )  was,  by  having  an 

'  GcMra)  Gf«en«  had  eipwri  •  Jeiw  U*t  Hiwilloa  Mifki  rMdw  A« 

lappolalBeiU  of  •dJMiaf.fcansL     "rnliiMt  Tr  ■■■■!!."  mU  he,  "pedMf* 

*{Q  be  pniawMod  M  lfc«  nak  nf  bripdiw.     At  )m«  If  k>t  been  talked  <d. 

Should  this  uke  pliM.  a  new  •diauni.feacnl  *iD  b«  aeceauy :  sad  I  ht% 

leiTe  to  I  m<  II  tlM  prapriet;  of  x^vlac  this  appVMtMcat  MColond  H««1Id«. 

Ha  ■errin*  wxj  >ot  be  tra  tsponast  to  foat  ExnOcacr  !•  r««r  liKDy  bwi- 

■SI,  if  be  only  «aip(o7»  *  ^cpatf  \.\mam€\mMf :  aad  I  vm  [iuia»1wf  iW 

(■PTilwnnmi  will  be  ncttKid  atib  ^ac  gatiiuit,  m  I  tm  oaaidesl  U  b  kk 

IwSib.  br  vhal  be  Hid  WBM  <^m  bafara  I  Ml  ta^'—Othmtrnd,  Sanmbm 

ttqib.     See  LcOcr  to  Co^tcn,  Kovcaber  iMk.     LafsfMU  aad*  tbe  —mm 

MgCMtlML 


54 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1780 


officer  of  rank  appointed,  to  guard  against  the  discon- 
tents, which  would  have  arisen  In  the  Inspectorate 
department,  if  a  junr.  officer  to  the  present  Sub-In- 
spectors had  been  appointed  ;  for  you  know,  that,  by 
the  present  establishment  of  the  Inspection,  the  AdjL- 
Genl.  for  the  time  being  is  the  Second  officer  in  that 
line.  It  would  have  been  disagreeable  therefore  to 
the  present  Sub-Inspectors,  some  of  whom  are  full 
Colonels,  to  have  had  a  Lt. -colonel  put  over  them. 
With  much  sincerity  1  am,  dear  Sir,  &c. 


TO    THE    MARQUIS    DE    LAFAYETTE. 

New  WrKDEOK.  14  December,  17S0. 

Mv  Dear  Marquis, 

Soon  after  despatching  my  last  letter  to  you,  your 
favor  dated  at  Paramus  was  put  into  my  hands  by 
Colo.  Gouvion.  Yesterday  brought  me  your  letters  of 
the  4th.  5th,  and  5th  in  the  evening,  and  this  day  I 
have  received  another  of  the  gth.  The  Chevr.  de  la 
Luzerne's  despatches  came  in  time  for  the  po.st,  which 
is  the  only  means  left  me  for  the  conveyance  of  let- 
ters, there  not  being  as  much  money  in  the  hands  of 
the  Q.-M.-Genl.  (I  believe  I  might  go  further  and  say, 
in  those  of  the  whole  army),  as  would  bear  the  ex- 
pense of  an  express  to  Rhode  Island.  I  could  not 
get  one  the  other  day  to  ride  so  far  as  Pompton  ! 

I  am  now  writing  to  the  Count  de  Rochambeau  and 
the  Chevr.  de  Ternay  on  the  subject  of  your  several 
letters.  When  their  answer  arrives,  I  will  communi- 
cate the  contents  to  you.  You  must  be  convinced, 
/rom  what  passed  at  the  interview  at  Hartford,  that 


i7&>} 


GEORGE  WASSiNGTON. 


ss 


my  command  of  the  Fremk  Troops  ai  K.  Id.  stands 
upon  a  vet}'  limited  scale,  and  that  it  would  be  im- 
politic and  fruitless  in  me  to  propose  any  measure  of 
codpcration  to  a  third  power  without  their  concur- 
rence; consequently  an  application  from  you  ante- 
cedently  to  an  official  proposition  from  his  Excellency 
the  minister  of  France,  the  Gento.  at  the  head  of  the 
French  armament  at  Rhode  Island,  the  Congress,  or 
myself,  cou'd  only  be  considered  as  coming  from  a 
private  Gentn.  It  is  therefore  my  advice  to  you  to  post- 
pone your  correspondence  with  the  Spanish  genets., 
and  let  your  influence  come  in  hereafter,  as  auxiliary 
to  something  more  formal  and  official.  I  do  not  hesi- 
tate in  giving  it  clearly  as  my  opinion  to  you  (but  this 
opinion  and  this  business  should  be  concealed  behind 
a  curtain),  that  the  favorable  moment  of  the  Spanish 
operations  in  the  Floridas  ought  to  be  improved  to 
the  utmost  extent  of  our  means ;  provided  the  Span- 
iards, by  a  junction  of  their  maritime  force  with  that 
of  his  Most  Christian  Majest)'  under  the  command  of 
the  Chevalr.  de  Ternay,  will  give  us  a  secure  convoy, 
and  engage  not  to  leave  us  till  the  operations  of  the 
Campaign  are  at  an  end,  or  it  can  be  done  by  consent 
of  parties. 

I  am  very  thankful  to  the  minister  for  permitting, 
and  to  you  for  communicating  to  General  Greene,  the 
Intelligence  of  the  Spanish  movements  towards  the 
Floridas.  It  may  have  a  happy  influence  on  his 
measures ;  it  may  be  equally  advantageous  to  the 
Spaniards.  Your  expressions  of  personal  attachment 
and  affection  to  me  arc  flattering  and  pleasing,  and 


sfi 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1780 


fill  me  with  gratitude.  Tt  is  unnecessary,  1  trust,  on 
my  part,  to  give  you  assurances  of  mutual  regard, 
because  I  hope  you  are  convinced  of  it ;  and,  as  I 
have  already  put  it  absolutely  in  your  own  choice  to 
go  to  the  southern  army,  or  to  stay  with  this,  circum- 
stances and  inclination  alone  must  govern  you.  It 
would  add  to  my  pleasure,  if  I  could  encourage  your 
hope  of  Colo.  Neville's  exchange.  L  refused  to  inter- 
est myself  in  the  exchange  of  my  own  aid.  Genl. 
Lincoln's  were  exchanged  with  himself;  and,  upon 
that  occasion,  (for  I  know  of  no  other,)  Congress 
passed  a  resolve  prohibiting  exchanges  out  of  the 
order  of  captivity. 

Under  one  general  head  1  shall  express  my  concern 
for  your  disappointment  of  letters,  our  disappoint- 
ment of  cloaths,  and  disappointment  in  the  mode  of 
raising  men  ;  but  I  shall  congratulate  you  on  the  late 
change  of  the  administration  of  France,  as  it  seems 
to  be  consonant  to  your  wishes,  and  to  encourage 
hope.'  I  am  much  pleased  at  the  friendly  disposition 
of  I'ortugal.  Much  good.  I  hope,  will  result  from 
the  combination  of  the  maritime  powers.  I  am  in 
very  confined  quarters  ;  little  better  than  those  at 
Valley  Forge :  but  such  as  they  are,  I  shall  welcome 
into  them  your  friends  on  their  return  to  Rhode 
Island.     I  am,  &c. 

'  M.  d«  Sartin«,  the  French  Miniiirr  of  Marine,  bed  tciired,  fttid  been  sti» 
ceedcd  by  [he  Marqui*  dc  Cattriei.  whom  Lifjijeilc  tepreicntcd  w  "  ■  man  of 
greet  wnrth,"  Hho  would  like  >  more  lively  Interctt  In  the  affaln  of  hU  office, 
and  ad  Rith  norf  eflidriK'yilian  hii  pmlrGfuor.  Count  ilc  Koihemlieail  alio 
(kid  :  "  He  ii  one  of  our  beit  lieuienanl-gcncrals.  and  a  most  firm  man."  B7 
the  Kcench  ciAven  ceiieially,  (he  change  aeemi  ti>  have  been  coniideted  auipi- 
cioui  for  the  opcraiiona  tn  America. 


nsc] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


57 


TO   COUNT   DE   ROCHAMBEAU   AND   THE   CHEVALIER 
I>E  TERNAV. 

Nbw  WinmoK.  15  Deccmbef.  \ita. 

Gentlemen, 

Two  days  ago  I  did  myself  the  honor  to  inform 
his  Excellency  the  Count  de  Rochambeau,  that  Sir 
Henr>'  Clinton  was  making  another  embarkation. 
This  is  since  confirmed  by  other  accounts ;  but  I 
have  received  none  yet.  which  fix  the  particular  corps 
or  numbers  with  certainty,  though  al!  agree,  that  this 
detachment  is  intended  as  a  reinforcement  to  Lord 
Comwallis,  that  it  is  to  consist  of  about  two  thousand 
five  hundred,  and  that  it  is  the  intention  of  the  enemy 
to  push  their  operations  to  the  southward  this  winter 
in  the  most  vigorous  manner.  Official  information  is 
likewise  lately  received,  that  this  is  the  resolution  of 
the  British  cabinet,  and  that  for  this  purpose  a  pow- 
erful reinforcement  is  to  be  sent  to  America  with  all 
possible  despatch. 

When  it  is  considered  how  essential  it  is  to  the 
independence  of  the  United  States,  and  how  import- 
ant to  the  interest  of  their  allies,  that  the  common 
enemy  should  be  obliged  to  relinquish  their  conquests 
in  South  Carolina  and  Georgia,  your  Excellencies  will, 
I  am  confident,  agree  in  opinion  with  mc,  that  no  means 
ought  to  be  left  unessaycd  to  endeavor  to  dislodge 
them  in  the  course  of  this  winter  and  next  spring. 

It  is  needless  for  me  to  enter  into  a  detail  of  the 
situation  of  our  affairs  to  the  southward.  Your 
Excellencies  must  know,  that,  from  the  great  loss  of 
men,  artillery,  and  stores  in  Charleston,  and  from  the 


s« 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


tnso 


defeat  of  our  army  near  Camden,  we  can  only  hope 
to  reassemble  such  a  force,  and  that  chiefly  of  raw 
troops,  as  will  prevent  the  enemy  from  extending 
their  conquests  over  North  Carolina.  To  attempt 
the  reduction  of  Charleston,  supposing  we  had  men 
sufKcient  for  the  purpose,  is  a  thing  impracticable, 
while  the  transportation  of  artillery  and  all  kinds  of 
stores  proper  for  a  siege  must  be  made  from  hence 
by  land. 

I  am  informed  by  the  Marquis  de  I^afayette,  who 
is  still  at  Philadelphia,  that  a  vessel  had  just  arrived 
at  that  place  from  L'Orient.  which  port  she  left  the 
middle  of  October ;  but  as  he  makes  no  mention  of 
the  second  division  of  land  and  sea  forces,  expected 
in  America  to  reinforce  the  army  and  navy  at  pres- 
ent under  your  Excellencies'  respective  commands, 
I  am  led  to  believe,  that  the  much  desired  event  is 
more  remote  than  under  present  circumstances  is  to 
be  wished. 

A  piece  of  intelligence,  which  has  been  communi- 
cated to  mc  in  confidence  by  His  Excellency  the 
Minister  Plenipotentiary  of  France,  has  turned  my 
attention  towards  a  new  object,  and  brought  into  my 
mind  the  outlines  of  a  plan,  which,  if  it  can  be  acceded 
to  by  the  parties  necessary  to  its  execution,  may  be 
attended  with  the  most  solid  and  permanent  advan- 
tages. The  communication  of  Mis  Excellency  the 
minister  is,  that  the  court  of  Spain  have  in  contem- 
plation two  expeditions  against  the  British  settlements 
in  the  Floridas,  Pensacola  and  St.  Augustine.  The 
first,  consisting  of  four  thousand  men  convoyed  by 


•  780] 


GSORGE  WASHWGTQN. 


S9 


eight  ships  of  war,  had  sailed  from  Havana  the  i6th 
of  October.  The  force  destined  against  the  last  was 
Fclvc  ships  of  the  line,  besides  frigates  and  bomb- 
cetches,  and  ten  thousand  men.  These  were  to  leave 
the  llavana  some  time  in  the  present  month.  The 
plan,  with  which  I  am  impressed,  and  which  I  would 
submit  to  your  Excellency's  consideration,  is,  the 
propriety  of  attempting  to  combine  oiir  force  with 
that  of  Spain  for  the  purpose  of  totally  subduing  the 
common  enemy,  not  only  in  the  Floridas.  but  in  the 
States  of  South  Carolina  and  Georgia. 

It  is  not  for  me.  at  this  moment,  to  enter  upon  a 
detail  of  the  business.  My  general  ideas  are,  that  a 
proposition  or  request  should  be  made  to  the  general 
and  admiral  of  the  Spanish  forces  (and  through  them 
to  the  governor  of  the  Havana,  if  they  are  not  them- 
selves at  liberty  to  accede  to  the  proposal,)  to  cooper- 
ate conjunctively  or  by  diversion  for  the  purpostis  1 
have  mentioned.  In  case  they  do  accede,  their  ships 
of  war  arc  to  be  sent,  as  soon  as  they  have  made  good 
the  debarkation  of  their  troops  at  St.  Augustine,  or 
at  any  other  given  point,  to  form  a  junction  with  the 
squadron  of  his  Most  Chri.stian  Majesty  at  Rhode 
Island,  and  take  under  their  convoy  the  French  and 
American  troops,  destined  for  the  expedition  against 
Charleston  ;  the  first  of  which  will  be  embarked  at 
Newport,  the  last  at  Philadelphia.  I  should  make 
such  drafts  from  this  army,  as  would  amount  to  two 
thousand  men  at  least.  His  Excellency  the  Count 
de  Rochambeau  would,  1  should  hope,  be  able  to  de- 
tach double  that  number,  and  leave  a  sufficiency  with 


6o 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1780 


the  militia,  who  might  be  called  in  upon  the  occasion, 
to  give  security  to  your  works,  hospitals,  and  spare 
stores,  should  you  choose  to  leave  the  two  last  behind 
you.  These  corps,  and  the  troops  who  will  be  col- 
lected under  the  command  of  General  Greene,  in 
conjunction  with  the  force,  which  may  be  furnished 
by  the  Spaniards  in  the  manner  aforementioned,  will 
form  an  army  not  to  be  resisted  by  any,  which  the 
British  can  draw  together  in  that  quarter,  and  capable 
of  effecting  the  utmost  wishes  of  the  allied  powers. 

It  is  unnecessary  for  me  to  remark,  that  the  basis 
of  my  plan  and  propositions  is,  that  the  combined 
fleets  shall  be  decidedly  superior  to  that  of  the  enemy, 
and  that  they  shall  cooperate  to  the  completion  of  the 
enterprise,  or  until  it  shall  be  abandoned  by  general 
consent.  To  ensure  so  essential  a  point  as  that  of  a 
naval  superiority,  the  propriety  of  a  further  requisition 
to  the  admiral. commanding  his  Most  Christian  Majes* 
ty's  fleet  in  the  West  Indies,  is  submitted  to  your 
Excellencies'  judgments. 

I  persuade  myself  that  your  Excellencies  will  view 
these  propositions  with  an  eye  to  all  their  conse- 
quences, and  candidly  approve  or  reject  them  as  they 
appear  to  you  practicable  or  proper.  In  making  them 
I  am  solely  influenced  by  motives  of  general  good, 
and  would  not  wish  them  carried  into  execution, 
unless  they  shall  be  deemed  as  conducive  to  the  inter- 
ests of  the  powers,  who  have  generously  stepped  in  to 
our  relief,  as  to  those  of  the  United  States. 

Should  the  plan  happily  meet  your  Excellencies 
approbations  I  have  to  request,  that  the  Chevalier 
de   Ternay  would   be  good  enough   to  despatch  a 


■  780] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


6i 


.frigate,  if  one  can  be  spared,  with  the  substance  of 
lese  propositions  to  the  generals  of  his  Most  Catho- 
lic Majesty ;  duplicate  and  triplicate  of  which  I  will 
sndeavor  to  forward  via  Philadelphia.      If  the  com- 

^munication  is  to  be  made,  no  time  should  be  lost  in 
doing  it,  and  procuring  an  answer.  I  think  I  could,  in 
a  month  after  hearing  of  the  proposition  being  agreed 
to  on  the  part  of  Spain,  be  ready  to  embark  at  Philadel- 
phia, if  thi:  state  of  the  River  Delaware  will  admit  of  it. 
1  cannot  conclude  this  letter,  without  mentioning 
an  argument,  which  in  my  opinion  ought  to  induce 
the  Spaniards  to  accept  of  these  propositions.  The 
force,  which  the  British  will  be  able  to  draw  together 
in  Soijth  Carolina  and  Georgia,  will  be  so  much 
superior  to  the  American,  that  they  may.  without 
putting  matters  to  the  risk,  leave  small  garrisons  in 
Savannah  and  Charleston,  and  throw  such  a  reinforce- 
ment into  St.  Augustine,  a  very  strong  fortification, 
as  will  in  all  probability  defeat  the  enterprise;  where- 
as, if  they  find  that  measures  are  pursuing  to  divest 
them  of  those  acquisitions,  which  I  am  convinced  they 
mean  to  make  the  basis  of  a  negotiation,  1  think  it 
more  than  probable  that  they  will  abandon  the  Flori- 
das  to  their  fate,  and  exert  themselves  to  the  utmost 
to  retain  the  only  apparent  compensation  for  tlieir 
vast  expenditure  of  blood  and  treasure.  Besides  this. 
the  Spaniard  ought  to  reflect,  that,  while  Britain  is  in 
possession  of  Georgia  and  South  Carolina,  he  must 
hold  ye  Floridas  by  a  very  precarious  tenure  or  by  a 
very  expensive  one.     1  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.' 


■  Tld*  pJsn  WM  aol  Kfi^iaicA  hy  Couni  tie  Kuchiimbcnii.     Ntwi  hkd  Itlelj 
,  afmcd  of  (he  Kpfminlnicnt  of  ■  new  Minister  of  Marine,  of  the  pr«|>um1ion  of 


6a 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1780 


TO    GOVERNOR    TRUMBULL. 

IlKADQUAiiTtitti.  New  Wiku<iur, 
gl)(  ■  17  December.  1790. 

I  submitted  to  the  Interference  of  the  State  of 
Connecticut  last  year,  with  respect  to  the  cantonment 
of  the  Horse  without  any  animadversion  or  remark, 
because  I  was  hopeful  that  the  impropriety  of  it 
would  appear  to  them  and  prevent  the  like  in  future. 
1  shall,  (as  it  is  the  rt;quest  of  the  State,  and  because 
it  is  my  wish  to  harmonize  as  much  as  possible,  with 
the  civil  authority,  in  the  prosecution  of  a  cause  in 
which  we  are  all  equally  interested)  send  Sheldon's 
regiment  this  winter  to  the  State  of  Massachusetts; 

■  grand  annsmenl  M  Bren,  txtA  ihe  mcmbl!n|t  nf  >  \xr^  Spunlth  force  at 
radii,  which  it  v-ununori'd  n-ould  be  under  I  he  command  of  Counl  d'Eslnng  ; 
anil  there  wu  evciy  piobability.  in  Ihe  opinion  of  Couni  de  Rochambeiu,  thiti 
despatches  from  Ihe  Fionch  miQisUy  woulit  rrry  loun  arnvo.  u-hich  would  cod- 
laln  a  plin  of  operations.  In  ihii  view  he  could  not  with  propriely  engage  in 
anjr  nirasurtx,  which  iiiighl  thwart  Much  a  (ilan.  It  waH  inuriovcr  hU  belief, 
ihal  the  Spanish  commonder  in  the  Weil  tndieii  hud  hit  coune  of  action 
inarkcd  oul  by  dchnilc  initiuctioni,  And  would  not  auume  ihe  responsbilily  of 
lending  a  si|iiadn,in  In  lrans|H}rt  llie  French  and  Anirricun  troojn  (•>  (he  Hnitb. 
A|^in,  the  Chevalier  dii  Monieil,  the  French  admifiil  commanding  in  Iho  Wctt 
Indict,  had  only  a  iniall  force  in  those  scat  nnce  the  dcpailure  ot  M.  de 
UnichrD  (or  Europe,  au'l  would  not  be  able  \o  furnitli  luch  a  number  of  vundi 
from  hit  xqtudfon,  •*  would  eniute  a  naval  sttperiorily  on  lh«  American  coasL 
The  Chevalier  de  Temay  died  at  Newport,  on  Ihe  Ijth  of  I>ecember.  after  a 
short  illnrta,  Ho  w«>  •tivcerded  in  llic  command  of  Ihe  flc«t  by  the  Gbrvalter 
netiDUcha,  who  replied  to  the  above  letter  in  relation  to  his  depatlment,  that 
the  kcaton  waa  eitreinely  unfavorable  to  the  projecl  in  qoetllon.  The  notlh- 
culerly  windi  were  so  prcialcnt  and  Mnmg.  Ihal  ho  did  not  think  the  Spanish 
venels  could  lie  »l  anchor  off  Rhode  Island.  And  he  also  agreed  »-ith  Count 
d«  Rochamlieaii  in  liellcving,  ihal  [he  Spanish  ofliccis  would  coiinidcr  iheniKlvci 
so  rigidly  bound  by  their  inilnictiont,  ai  10  drier  Ihem  from  liiltning  to  pro- 
po«U  that  would  diveit  them  from  the  enterprise  in  which  they  were  engaged. 
Ha  added,  ihat  hit  own  tquadron  irould  not  be  put  into  a  condition  lo  depart,  by 
resson  of  a  deficiency  in  the  jupplita  of  hard  bread. — MH,  Ltlttref  XttiamtfaM 
aiiJ  DrsMitAtt.  I>ecembcr  lad.— ^rjtt. 


■7««] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


«3 


but  1  cannot  help  remonstrating  very  pointedly  against 
a  repetition  of  the  practice,  in  future,  for  the  follow- 
ing reasons : — Four  things  have  always  Influenced  me 
in  the  distribution  of  the  troops  to  their  winter  can- 
tonments,— security  of  our  capital  posts,  which  makes 
it  necessary  that  they  should  have  such  a  relative 
situation  to  each  other  as  to  afford  the  necessary 
succor :  cover  to  the  Country  ;  their  own  convenience ; 
and  the  convenience  of  the  inhabitants  where  the  two 
last  were  not  incompatible  with  the  two  first — 

It  is  unnecessary',  I  am  persuaded,  for  me  to  remark 
that  if  any  one  State  can  or  will  undertake  to  point 
out  a  cantonment  for  one  part  of  the  Army,  another 
may  with  equal  propriety  do  it  for  another  part ;  and 
that  upon  the  same  principle,  and  by  the  same  parity 
of  reasoning,  that  Connecticut  undertakes  to  advise 
or  direct  Sheldon's  Morse  to  Massachusetts,  Massa- 
chusetts may  order  them  to  New  Hampshire,  and 
New  Hampshire  to  some  other  Stale.  !n  a  word,  il 
is  striking  at  the  most  essential  privilege  of  the 
Commander  in  Chief,  and  is  pregnant  with  every 
mischief  that  can  be  conceived.  I  have  the  honor  to 
be.  &c. 


TO  JOHN   SULLIVAN,   IN   CONGRESS. 

Naw  WiMinuK,  17  December,  17S0. 

Dear  Sir, 

Your  letter  9th  is  safe  at  hand  and  propounds  a 
question  respecting  promotion,  which  1  candidly  ac- 
knowledge I  am  puzzled  to  answer  with  satisfaction 
to  myself.     If  in  all  cases  ours  was  ofu  army,  or  M/V- 


«4 


TJTE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1780 


teen  armies  allied  for  the  common  defence,  there 
would  be  no  difficulty  in  solving  your  question  ;  but 
we  are  occasionally  both,  and  I  should  not  be  much  out 
if  I  were  to  say,  that  we  are  sometimes  ntiiher,  but  a 
compound  of  both. 

If  we  were  considered  in  every  point  of  view  as  one 
army,  lineal  promotion,  as  well  from  as  to  the  rank  of 
colonel,  would  undoubtedly  be  the  most  equitable  and 
satisfactory  mode  of  rising  ;  and  no  possible  objection 
could  be  made  to  it  by  any  State,  or  the  Troops  of  a 
State  ;  or.  if  Congress,  having  regard  to  the  number 
of  Troops,  which  each  State  is  to  furnish  to  the  Con- 
federated Anny,  were  to  allow  the  number  of  General 
officers,  which  should  be  thought  competent  ihereto, 
there  would  be  no  difficulty  here  neither,  because  the 
promotion  would  be  lineal  in  each  State  ;  and.  though 
it  might  fall  hard  upon  the  Colonels  of  such  States  ps 
only  furnish  one  regiment  for  Continental  Service,  it 
would  be  incidental  to  their  State  quotas,  and  must 
be  submitted  to ;  as  the  annexation  of  their  Regi- 
ments to  other  State  Troops,  also,  must  be,  to  form 
Brigades.  Hut  it  is  our  having  no  fixed  principle, 
that  /  know  of,  and  sometimes  acting  upon  one  and 
then  the  other  of  the  cases  before  mentioned  (as  it 
happens  to  suit  an  individual  State,  or  particular  char- 
acters,) that  creates  our  difficulties  and  the  discontents 
that  prevail. 

It  is  well  known,  that  in  the  early  stages  of  this 
war  1  used  every  means  in  my  power  to  destroy  all 
kinds' of  State  distinctions,  and  labored  to  have  every 
part  and  parcel  of  the  array  considered  as  Continental, 


itSo] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON, 


«5 


TTic  steps,  which  have  led  to  a  different  scntimt.  and 
to  our  present  system  of  politics,  you  are  not  to  be 
informed  of.  We  must  take  things  as  they  are. 
And  therefore,  under  the  ideas  that  prevail,  and  our 
general  practice,  I  am.  though  puzzled,  more  inclined 
to  let  all  promotions  be  lineal  in  each  State,  to  the 
rank  of  Brigadr.  inclusive  (where  there  is  more  than 
one  regiment),  than  to  any  other  mode ;  because  it  is 
more  consonant  to  the  expectation  of  the  Army  than 
any  other ;  and  because,  under  it.  I  believe  a  newly 
appointed  brigadr.  from  the  Southern  Troops  would 
at  this  day  be  disagreeable  to  an  Eastern  Brigade, 
and  vice  versa.  How  far  State  promotions  beyond 
the  Rank  of  Brigadrs.  arc  eligible  or  not,  is  a  matter 
on  which  much  may  be  said  on  both  sides.  On 
the  one  hand,  it  may  be  urged  that  the  State, 
whicli  sends  more  than  a  Brigade  into  the  Field. 
has  as  good  a  right  to  accompany  them  with  a  Majr. 
Gcnl.  as  yc  middling  State  has  to  furnish  a  Brigr.,  or 
the  smallest  a  Colo.,  because  neither  has  more  than 
its  due  proportion  of  officers.  On  the  other  hand,  it 
may  be  observed,  that,  as  officers  advance  in  rank 
and  acquire  that  general  knowledge,  which  is  neces- 
sary to  qualify  them  for  extensive  command,  their 
feelings  are  more  hurt,  and  the  Service  more  injured, 
by  placing  juniors  over  them,  than  when  it  happens 
to  inferiors ;  though  the  same  principle,  which  bars 
the  rise  of  a  Colo,  where  there  is  but  one  regiment, 
will  apply  to  a  Brigadr.,  where  the  State  only  furnishes 
a  brigade.  At  prest.  we  want  no  new  Majr.-Generals, 
(having  rather  a  surplusage)  ;  but  may  not  the  follow- 
s 


66 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[ijSo 


ing  expedient  answer  in  future,  at  least  in  a  degree, 
the  views  of  all :  namely,  to  suffer  the  larger  States 
to  have  Majr.-Genls.  of  their  own  line  proportioned  to 
the  number  of  their  Troops,  and  the  other  Majr.- 
Genls.  to  be  promoted  from  Brigadiers  according  to 
seniority  ?  This,  at  the  same  time  that  it  yields  com- 
pliance to  the  views  of  the  large  States,  does  not  pre- 
clude the  Brigadiers  of  the  smaller  from  promotion, 
as  there  must  be  Major-Generals  for  se|)arate  comds., 
and  for  the  wingn  of  the  army,  &c..  wch.  cannot  be 
supplied  by  the  -State  quotas  of  Troops,  where  there 
is  no  more  than  a  just  proportion  of  officers  to  men. 

Our  present  mode  of  promotion  is  regimentally  to 
Captns.  inclusively,  and  in  the  Line  of  the  State  after- 
wards. But  I  am  convinced,  as  well  from  the  reason 
and  justice  of  the  thing,  as  from  several  conversations 
1  have  held  with  some  of  the  most  judicious  officers 
of  the  army,  that  it  would  be  more  agreeable  to  tt. 
that  all  promotion  should  be  lineal,  instead  of  Regi- 
mental, in  every  State  line ;  for  which  reasons  I  shall 
recomd.  the  measure  to  Congrs.  to  take  place  with  the 
New  Establishnit.  of  the  army. 

What  I  have  here  said  with  respect  to  promotion  is 
general ;  but  there  is  a  case  before  me  in  the  Jersey 
line,  which  makes  me  wish  that  Congress  would  fix 
their  principle.  This  State  has  three  Regiments, 
which  are  to  be  reduced  to  two.  Dayton  is  the  Senr. 
Colonel,  and  among  the  oldest  of  that  rank  in  the 
whole  army,  a  valuable  officer,  and  does  not  want  to 
leave  the  Service.  Shrcve  is  the  next  oldest  Colo,  in 
Jersey,  and  will  net  go  out     His  character  you  are  as 


i7te] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


«T 


well  acquainted  with  as  1  am.  Ogden  is  the  youngest 
and  extremely  desirous  of  staying,  but  cannot  continue 
if  Colonel  Dayton  remains  in  Service  in  his  present 
rank.  The  matter,  therefore,  (as  it  is  related  to  me,) 
is  brought  to  this  Issue,  that  Dayton  or  Ogden  is  to 
go  out,  unless  the  former  can  be  promoted,  which 
would  remove  every  difficulty,  and  be  agreeable  to 
the  prest.  system  of  Slate  policy,  as  there  is  no  Genl. 
officer  in  that  line ;  but  if  the  promotion  is  delayed 
till  after  the  first  of  Jany.,  or.  in  other  words,  till  after 
Dayton  or  Ogden  is  deranged,  the  remedy  will  come 
too  late  ;  because  wc  shall  have  sent  out  a  valuable 
officer  upon  half-pay,  and  will,  if  Dayton  is  the  per- 
son that  goes,  have  a  person  to  promote.  Who  ? 
But  here  I  drop  the  curtain.  It  may  suffice  to  say, 
that,  if  the  State  of  New  Jersey  is  to  be  allowed  a 
ibrigr.,  it  ought  to  be  granted  before  the  first  of  Janu- 
'ary  for  more  reasons  than  that  of  (Economy. 

That  you  may  have  some  data  to  judge  of  the  pro- 
priety of  new  appointments.  1  shall  take  the  liberty  of 
observing,  that  the  Stales,  from  New  Hampshire  to 
.Pennsylvania  inclusively,  with  Hazen's  RegimL,  make 
>y  the  last  requisition  29  battalions  of  Infantry. 
That  three  of  these  Battns.,  according  to  the  present 
establishmt.  of  the  army,  will  make  as  large  a  Brigade 
as  four  of  the  old,  and  that  the  number  of  Brigadiers 
in  the  States  I  havtt  mentioned  amounts  at  this  time 
to  no  more  than  eight,  viz.,  Stark,  of  N.  Hampshire, 
Glover  and  Paterson  uf  Massachusetts,  Huntington 
of  Connecticut,  Clinton  of  New  York,  and  Wayne, 
Hand,  and  Irvine  of  Pcnnsylva. ;  and  these  may  be 


68 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[178c 


reduced  to  Seven,  if  Hand  should  be  placed  in  the 
StafT,  I  am  most  firmly  of  opinion,  that,  after  the 
States  have  brought  their  Troops  into  the  Field,  the 
less  they  have  to  do  with  them,  or  their  supplies  of 
Cloathing.  &c..  &c.,  the  better  it  will  be  for  the 
common  Interest;  for  reasons  which  manifest  them- 
selves more  and  more  every  day,  and  for  the  clearest 
evidence  of  public  ceconomy.  I  am,  dear  Sir,  with 
much  esteem,  &c. 


TO  THE   PRESIDENT  OK  CONGRESS. 

Nkw  WiNDHiit,  30  Docembor,  i;8o. 

Sir, 

At  a  time  when  the  Army  is  about  to  undergo  a 
material  change— when  Congress  and  the  States  indi- 
vidually, are  disposed  to  establish  it  upon  the  best 
principles  for  the  equal  administration  of  justice,  and 
the  preservation  of  the  rights  of  the  Officers.  I  am 
persuaded  it  will  not  be  deemed  presumptuous  in  me 
to  offer  any  opinion  which  in  my  judgment,  may  serve 
to  promote  either  of  these  ends  and  render  our  Mili- 
tary system  as  unexceptionable  as  possible — upon  this 
ground  therefore,  I  take  the  liberty  of  observing, 

That  promotion  in  our  Army  according  to  the 
custom  which  prevails  at  present,  is  regimental  to 
the  rank  of  Captain — thence  in  each  State  line  to  the 
grade  of  Colonel — both  inclusive.  I  do  not  at  this 
time  recollect  the  inducements  which  led  to  the  regi- 
mental promotion,  but  as  it  has  been  found  productive 
of  many  hard  cases  injurious  to  the  feelings  of  Officers. 
1  would  propose  that  all  promotion  in  the  respective 


I 


■ 


tysa} 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


State  lines,  lo  the  rank  of  Colonels  inclusive  should 
be  lineaL — This  may  disappoint  the  hopes  of  a  few 
Subalterns,  who  perchance  stand  high  in  the  Regi- 
lenis  they  arc  newly  arranged  to,  but  can  do  no 
'injustice  to  any  of  ihem,  and  will  remedy  the  evils 
complained  of  as  every  vacancy  will  then  be  filled  by 
the  senior  Officer  of  the  next  grade  where  there  is  no 
interposition  in  favor  of  extra  merit,  or  exclusion  for 
want  of  iL 

A  regulation  like  this  is  so  consonant  to  the  prin- 
ciples of  justice,  and  so  agreeable  to  the  wishes  of  the 
Army  in  general  (as  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  collect 
the  strntimcnts  of  it)  that  1  think  there  can  be  no 
possible  objection  to  the  alteration  proposed. 

By  resignations  (chiefly),  deaths  and  other  casual- 
ties, we  have  instances,  and  not  a  few  of  them  Ser- 
geants, even  in  one  regiment  coming  to  the  command 
of  Companies,  before  Lieutenants  in  another.  This, 
though  submitted  lo,  has  been  the  cause  of  much  dis> 
content,  as  it  always  hurts  the  feelings  of  an  Officer 
to  obey  those  whom  he  has  commanded. 

The  Artillery  and  Cavalrj'  have  heretofore  been 
considered  in  the  same  light  as  the  line  of  a  State, 
and  rose  accordingly  ;  that  is  regimenially  to  the  rank 
of  Captn.  and  in  their  respective  lines  afterwards  ; 
and  this  mode  I  presume  must  still  be  continued,  or 
their  rise  made  wholly  regimental  (as  the  regiments 
are  from  different  States)  otherwise  the  Officers  of 
different  States  would  very  soon  get  blended  together 
which  does  not  seem  to  be  the  intention  of  Congress 
by  their  apportioning  of  them  to  particular  States, 


J« 


TME  WS/TiifGS  OF 


[1780 


nor  do  I  believe  it  to  be  the  wish  of  the  Officers. 
But  to  avoid  discontent  and  the  disputes  which  will 
arise  from  clashing  interests,  it  is  indispensably  neces- 
sary to  lay  down  some  principle  of  promotion,  de- 
claring it  to  be  lineal,  or  regimental  wholly  or  partly, 
as  is  mentioned  before. 

It  is  more  difficult,  and  may  be  more  delicate  for 
me  to  express  a  sentiment  respecting  the  promotion 
of  Colonels,  and  General  Officers ;  but  as  the  good  of 
the  Service  and  the  peace  of  the  Army  require  that 
some  principle  should  be  established  by  which  these 
promotions  should  be  governed,  1  have  no  doubt  of 
its  being  done. 

The  custom  of  appointing  the  .Senior  Colonels  in 
each  State  line  to  be  Brigadiers  (where  the  number 
of  Regiments  are  sufficient  to  form  a  Brigade,  or 
more)  has  obtained  consistency  and  gives  general 
satisfaction — but  the  appointment  of  Major  Generals 
seems  to  be  under  no  fixed  government ;  for  it  some- 
times happens  by  seniority,  at  other  times  by  State. 
— and  has  been  a  source  of  much  discontent ;  threat- 
ning  the  loss  of  very  good  Officers.  I  sec  but  two 
ways  by  which  the  promotion  of  Major  Generals  can 
take  place  upon  any  fixed  or  satisfactory  ground, — and 
there  is  not  a  known  rule  for  it,  and  if  irregular  promo- 
tions happen,  the  Service  I  am  certain  will  be  injured 
by  it ;  because  Officers  of  their  rank  will  not,  nor  can- 
not submit  to  a  junior,  unless  there  is  some  estab- 
lished principle  to  reconcile  it  to  their  feelings — The 
one  is  by  seniority  wholly — the  other  by  seniority 
and  Stales  jointly — As  thus  : — 


i78o] 


GHORGE  WASHINGTON. 


71 


If  Congress  shall  judge  it  consistent  with  justice 
and  policy  to  allow  Major  Generals  to  the  State 
which  have  more  Brigades  than  one  in  the  field,  let 
them  rise  in  their  own  Slate  line  by  seniority  as  other 
'Officers  do.  and  as  this  will  not  furnish  a  sufficient 
number  for  the  Ser\-ice  (as  there  will  be  wanting  for 
separate  commands — for  the  wings  of  the  Army. — 
light  Infantry,  &c)  let  the  deficiency  be  taken  from 
the  Senior  Brigadiers  of  the  whoU  line,  to  be  suc- 
ceeded by  the  oldest  Colonels  of  the  Stale  lines  from 
whence  they  are  taken — The  first  mode  gives,  in  all 
cases,  the  Senior  Brigadier  for  Major  Generals — The 
second  allows  each  State  a  compleat  Corps  of 
Officers  to  its  quota  of  Men— and  entitles  every 
Brigadier  in  the  line  besides,  to  promotion,  accord- 
ing to  the  date  of  his  Commission. 

Which  of  these  modes,  or  whether  either  of  them 
will  bt:  adopted  by  Congress  is  submitted  to  their 
better  judgment — all  I  aim  at  is  to  have  some  system 
established  by  which  we  may  harmonize;  for  there 
is  nothing  more  certain  than  that  the  promotion  of 
junior  Officers  over  the  heads  of  Seniors,  unless  it  is 
agreeable  to  some  known  and  established  principle, 
never  fails  to  produce  a  great  deal  of  discontent,  iU- 
blood — and  party,  which  are  always  injurious. — 

As  I  have  gone  so  far  into  this  subject  of  promo- 
tion, there  is  one  point  more  I  would  beg  leave  to 
touch  ujwn — and  that  is  with  respect  to  the  Colonels 
of  the  smallest  States,  whose  quota  of  Troops  does 
not  entitle  them  to  a  Brigadier,  and  who  without 
some  relief  are  not  only  cut  of  from  all  hope  of  pro* 


7* 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1780 


motion — the  object  of  a  Soldier's  desire — but  after 
years  of  faithful  service,  experience  the  frequent  mor- 
tification of  seeing  themselves  passed  by — this  must 
be  exceedingly  grating  to  a  deserving  officer,  and  is  a 
personal  injury,  because  the  State  having  but  one 
Regiment  can  have  no  claim  to  a  Brigadier — For  rem- 
edy however  of  the  evil — and  the  sake  of  justice  I 
would  with  all  due  deference  suggest  the  propriety 
of  promoting  them,  and  others  in  like  circumstances 
to  the  Rank  of  Brigadiers  whenever  they  shall  be- 
come the  Senior  Colonels  of  the  whole  line,  and 
Brigadiers  are  wanting,  which  may  often  be  the  case 
for  extra  service — command  of  the  light  Infantry,  &c. 

Congress  will  readily  perceive  that  all  these  are 
expedients  to  accommodate  matters  (in  the  best  man- 
ner the  nature  of  the  case  will  admit  of)  to  the 
system  of  State  Troops — for  if  we  were  one  Army 
instead  of  a  confederated  Army  lineal  promotion  by 
the  common  course  of  succession — where  merit  or 
demerit  did  not  interfere — would  be  the  easiest  sim- 
plest and  most  equitablf:  of  any  ;  but  as  this  is  not 
the  case,  and  we  are  considered  as  a  fcedcral  body, 
we  have  three  interests  to  attend  to  viz  : — the  com- 
mon interest — State  interest — and  individual  interest. 
— Whether  any  of  the  expedients  1  have  proposed 
are  likely  to  answer  the  ends  in  view,  is  submitted 
with  all  possible  deference,  and  without  further 
apology  by  your  Exy's  &c — 

P.  S.  26th.  This  letter  has  been  unavoidably  de- 
layed for  want  of  a  conveyance.' 

■  Read  in  Congno,  Jtnuaiy  lit.    Ref«ncd  to  Sullivnn,  Varnam,  Bland,  Mtd 
WcDou|t>II. 


«7«o] 


GEOJiGE  WASHINGTON, 


n 


TO   BENJAMIN    FRANKLIN,    MINISTER    PLENIPOTENTIARY 
AT   THE   COURT   OF    VERSAILLES. 

Hd.<Qm.,  Nbw  WtNDSOk.  30  D«c«nil>CT.  1780^ 

Sir. 

A  few  days  since,  by  ye  Chevr.  de  Chatelleaux,  I 
had  the  honor  to  receive  your  favor  of  the  iQih  of 
March  introductory  of  him  ;  and  thank  you  for  bring- 
,  injj  me  acquainted  with  a  gentln.  of  his  merit,  knowl- 
edge, and  agreeable  manners.  I  spent  several  days 
very  happily  with  him  at  our  camp  near  the  Great 
Falls  of  Passaic  in  New  Jersey,  before  the  army  sepa- 
rated for  its  cantonments,  the  principal  of  which  is  at 
West  point  in  the  vicinity  of  this  place,  where  I  make 
my  own  Quarters. 

Disappointed  of  the  second  division  of  French 
troops,  but  more  especially  in  the  expected  naval 
superiority,  which  was  the  pivot  upon  wch.  e%'cry 
thing  turned,  we  have  been  compelled  to  spend  an  in- 
active Campaign,  after  a  flattering  prospect  at  the 
opening  of  it,  and  vigorous  struggles  to  make  it  a 
decisive  one  on  our  part.  Latterly  we  have  been 
obliged  to  become  spectators  of  a  succession  of  de- 
tachments from  the  army  at  New  York,  in  aid  of  Lord 
Cornwallis,  while  our  naval  weakness,  and  the  politi- 
cal dissolution  of  a  large  part  of  our  army,  put  it  out 
of  our  power  to  counteract  them  at  the  southward,  or 
take  advantage  of  them  here. 

The  movements  of  Lord  Cornwallis  during  the  last 
month  or  two  have  been  retrograde.  What  turn  the 
late  reinforcements,  which  have  been  sent  to  him, 
may  give  to  his  affairs,  remains  to  be  known.  1  have 
reinforc'd  also  principally  with  Horse,  but  the  length 


74 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


tl78c 


of  the  march  is  so  much  opposed  to  the  measure,  that 
evy.  corps  is  in  a  greater  or  lesser  degree  ruined  that 
encounters  it.  I  am  happy,  however,  in  assurg.  you, 
that  a  better  disposition  never  prevailed  in  the  Legis- 
latures of  the  several  States,  than  at  this  time.  The 
folly  of  temporar)'  expedients  are  seen  into  and  ex- 
ploded, and  vigorous  efforts  will  be  used  to  obtain  a 
permanent  army,  and  carry  on  the  war  systematically, 
if  the  obstinacy  of  Great  Britain  should  compel  us  to 
continue  it.  We  want  nothing  but  the  aid  of  a  loan 
to  enable  us  to  put  our  Finance  into  a  tolerable  train. 
The  Countr)'  does  not  want  resources,  but  we  the 
means  of  drawing  them  forth. 

It  is  unnecessary  for  me  to  go  into  a  more  detailed 
acct.  of  our  affairs,  as  you  are  doubtless  officially  ad- 
vised of  every  material  occurrence.  1  shall  therefore 
only  add  my  Compliments  to  Mr.  Adams,  and  the 
strongest  assurances  of  being,  with  the  greatest  esteem 
and  respect,  dear  Sir.  yours,  &c. 


TO   UEUTENANT<OLONEL   DAVID    HUMPHREYS.' 


rNsr  RUCTIONS, 
Sir, 

You  will  take  command  of  such  of  the  Detachments  of  Water 
Guards,  now  on  the  River,  as  you  may  think  necessary,  and  with 
them  attempt  (o  surprise  and  hria|[  o9  Genl.  Knyphausen  from 

'  Colonel  Ilumphrcyt  was  jirovided  with  two  whale-boau  and  a  b«rse.  «od 
•CCOinpxniEd  b]r  CipUin  WcIIh.  I.ieiilcnaiit  Hart,  and  iwcnt;-el|>hl  other  pei- 
tont,  inctudmf;  non^ammivnoned  oRic«n  and  privilei.  Thvy  left  l)«  Amert- 
can  jKMi  at  Dobb'i  Fcriy  in  the  evening  of  Uie  flsth,  having  agreed  on  dio 
waiehwnrd  "  Succcu,"  and  inicndlni;  to  rtiutn  ihc  tiine  nmhi.  The  vmd  rai 
•o  high  during  U<  nighl,  that,  not  being  abl«  to  land,  thejr  were  (lriv«n  b*kMr 


Morris's  House  on  York  Island,  or  Sir  Hcniy  Clinton  from  K«ii- 
nedy's  House  in  the  City,  if.  from  the  Tide,  Weather,  and  other 
Circumstances,  you  shall  judge  (he  Enterprist^  to  be  practicible. 
In  the  execution  of  it,  you  will  t>e  guided  by  your  own  diKcrelion  ; 
and  1  havt:  only  to  suggest,  that  secrecy,  rapidity,  and  prudence 
in  tnaking  good  your  retreat,  will  be  indispensably  necessary  to  in- 
sure success.     Given  at  Head-Quarters,  13d  of  December,  17S0. 


TO  JAMES  DUANE. 

Sew  Windmk,  36  Decnnber.  1780, 

My  Dear  Sir, 

I  received  with  much  thanlcfulni:s.s  your  confidential 
letter  of  the  9th.  Inst.,  and  am  greatly  obliged  by  the 
affectionate  expressions  of  personal  regard  which  are 
contained  in  it.  An  unreserved  communication  of 
sentiments,  accompanying  such  information  as  you 
are  at  libertj'  to  give,  will  ever  be  pleasing  to  me. 
and  cannot  fail  of  being  useful.  In  this  light  I  view 
and  value  your  last  letter,  some  parts  of  which  are 
new,  agreeable  and  instructive — while  that  part  of  it 

which  relates  to  the  transaction  at  the  Ct.  of  V , 

is  wonderfully  astonishing. 

There  are  two  things  (as  I  have  often  declared) 
which  in  my  opinion,  arc  indispensably  necessary  to 
the  well  being  and  good  Government  of  our  public 
affairs  ;  these  are,  greater  powers  to  Congress,  and 
more  responsibility  and  permanency  in  the  executive 

tbe  city.  Oac  o(  the  bonu  w^t  forced  nearly  <lown  to  Sandy  Hook.  Anoibet 
CM  Mhon  oa  Sutrn  Iiland.  Tliejr  were  «II  ii  len^di  lakin  lo  Bninivric, 
wkcnoe  Colonel  Humphccyt  «nd  hit  patty  [tiumed  lo  the  army.  Th«  detaiU 
of  tltit  attcinpl  mere  tominiinicaUil  by  a  "  gcenera!  olTicer"  lo  a  Bnliih  ipy, 
who  fftrt  (beni  to  the  Brilith  early  in  Vthru»iy.~~AfagatiHt  ef  AmrHton  HU- 
tfry.  «-.  41).  414. 


76 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[.780 


bodies.  If  individual  States  conceive  themselves  at 
liberty  to  reject,  or  alter  any  act  of  Congress,  which 
in  a  full  representation  of  them  has  been  solemnly 
debated,  and  decided  on  ;  it  will  be  madness  in  us,  to 
think  of  prosecuting  the  war.  And  if  Congress  sup- 
pose, that  Boards  composed  of  their  own  body,  and 
always  fluctuating,  are  competent  to  the  great  business 
of  war.  (which  requires  not  only  close  application, 
but  a  constant  and  uniform  train  of  thinking  and 
acting),  they  will  most  assuredly  deceive  themselves. 
Many,  many  instances  might  be  adduced  in  proof  of 
this,  but  to  a  mind  as  observant  as  yours,  there  is  no 
need  to  enumerate  them.  One,  however,  as  wc  feel- 
ingly experience  it.  I  shall  name.  It  is  the  want  of 
cloathing,  when  1  have  every  reason  to  be  convinced 
that  the  expence  which  the  Public  is  run  to  in  this 
article  would  cloath  our  army  as  well  as  any  troops 
in  Europe — in  place  of  it  we  have  enumerable  objects 
of  distressing  want. 

Necessity  alone  can  justify  the  present  mode  of 
obtaining  supplies,  for  besides  the  hazard  and  difficulty 
we  meet  with  in  procuring  them.  I  am  well  convinced, 
that  the  public  is  charged  with  double  what  it  receives, 
and  what  it  receives  is  doubly  charged,  so  expensive 
and  precarious  is  the  present  system.  When  the 
army  marched  \illegible\  for  winter  Quarters.  I  visited 
the  Hospitals  and  back  communication  from  Pcnsa. 
to  this  place.  In  the  neighborhood  of  Pittstown  I 
fell  in  with  a  parcel  of  cattle  that  were  going  to  be 
slaughtered  and  salted,  and  can  assure  you  upon  my 
honor,  that  besides  being  immensely  poor,  they  were 


so  small  that  1  am  convinced  they  would  not  average 
1 75  lbs.  the  4  nett  quarters — some  couM  not  exceed 
one  hundd.  weight,  and  others  were  mere  calves. 
These  pass  by  the  head,  and  the  State  or  States  that 
furnish  them,  will  have  the  reputation  of  supplying 
that  number  of  merchantable  bullocks,  when  the  fact 
is  that  next  summer  a  starving  man  would  scarce  eat 
the  beef  they  were  about  to  put  up)  after  the  salt  had 
extracted  the  little  fat  and  juice  that  were  in  it. 
There  were  about  roo  in  the  drove  I  saw,  and  my 
information  extended  to  about  8  or  900  more  of  the 
same  kind,  in  the  neighborhood.  1  directed  the 
Commissary  to  select  the  best  for  salting,  and  let  the 
others  be  eaten  fresh,  as  it  would  be  a  waste  of  salt, 
barrels,  and  time  to  put  it  up.  I  relate  this  as  a 
matter  coming  under  my  own  observation.  Many 
other  instances  of  a  similar  nature  might  be  given 
from  information,  but  I  avoid  it. 

This  letter  will  accompany  one  to  Congress  on  the 
subject  of  promotion.  That  of  lineal,  instead  of 
regimental,  1  am  perswaded,  as  well  from  the  opinions 
I  have  heard,  as  from  the  reason  and  the  nature  of 
the  thing,  will  be  the  most  consistent  with  justice, 
and  most  pleasing  to  each  state  line.  With  respect 
to  the  rise  of  Colonels  and  promotion  of  General 
officers.  I  have  no  wish  to  gratify,  except  that  which 
I  have  expressed  in  my  public  letter,  of  fixing  some 
principle  to  avoid  discontent  and  the  consequences 
which  flow  from  it.  Irregular  promotion,  unless  there 
is  obvious  cause  for  it,  is  not  only  injurious  in  any 
service,  but  in  ours  is  derogatory  of  the  dignity  of 


78 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1780 


Congress,  for  the  officer  who  is  superceded,  and  aCler- 
wards  restored,  is  hurt  by  the  first  act,  and  docs  not 
feel  himself  obliged  by  the  latter  (considering  it  as  an 
act  of  justice  only) ;  while  the  two  acts  stand  as  an 
undeniable  proof  on  record,  that  there  is  an  established 
principle  wanting,  or  that  there  is  a  want  of  informa- 
tion, or  a  want  of  firmness  in  Congress  to  resist 
importunity,  because  the  restoring  act.  as  I  have 
observed,  is  an  incontestable  proof  of  one  or  the 
other  of  these  three  things. 

At  present  we  are  in  no  want  of  Major  Generals — 
in  this  part  of  the  army  at  least.  But  while  I  am  on 
the  subject  of  promotion,  and  while  the  thing  is  in 
my  mind,  I  will  beg  leave  to  mention,  that  if  at  any 
time  hereafter  there  should  be  a  brigadier  junior  to 
Gen'l  Knox  promoted  before  him,  he  will  be  lost  to 
the  service,  tho'  he  should  thereafter  be  restored  to 
his  place.  1  mention  it  because  under  the  idea  of 
State  promotion  he  can  never  rise,  and  because  1  am 
well  perswadcd  that  the  want  of  him  at  the  head  of 
the  artillery,  would  be  irrepairablc.     *     •     « 


TO  THE    MARQUIS   DE    LAFAYETTE. 

Nvw  WlHDtoR,  36  December,  1780. 

Mv  Dear  Marquis, 

Since  my  letter  of  the  t4th  Instt.  by  Majr.  Franks 
(for  the  Post  once  a  Week  &  travellers  accidentally 
— are  all  the  conveyances  1  have)  your  favors  of  the 
1 6th  &  19th  are  both  come  to  hand. 

My  sentiments,  respecting  your  serving  in  thcSouth- 


rf 


i7Sol 


G^>RGE  WASHINGTON. 


79 


ern  Army  this  winter,  were  fully,  though  concisely, 
explained  in  my  lasL  If  I  were  to  add  aught  to  the 
opinion  therein  given,  it  should  be  to  wait,  (as  we  are 
hourly  expecting  it,)  something  more  explicit  from 
France.  It  is  impossible  for  us  to  remain  much 
longer  in  uncertainty,  with  respect  to  the  second 
division  of  French  troops.  Vessels  daily  arriving 
from  that  Kingdom,  tho'  they  may  not  bring  us  offi- 
cial advices,  must  realize  or  destroy  our  hope  of  an 
early  succor.  In  a  letter,  which  came  to  my  hands 
a  few  days  ago  from  Count  de  Rochambeau,  dated  at 
Boston  the  13th  InstL,  are  these  words. 

"On  arriving  at  thU  place,  I  found  very  interesting  news, 
brought  by  an  ameiican  VencI,  which  left  the  river  of  Naniz  on 
(he  4ih  of  Novr.  She  has  given  me  the  annexed  lift  of  vc§sels, 
which  arc  coming  from  Brest,  destined  for  America,  with  a  con- 
voy which  is  preparing  at  Brest.  She  tell.i  me,  that  there  is  a 
change  in  our  Ministry  ;  that  Mr.  Sartine  rctircit,  and  that  Monsr. 
dc  Castries  succeeds  him  ;  that  Ihc  MaiK.  an  American  vessel  of 
twenty  guns,  would  dcpan  a  little  while  after  her,  charged  with 
deapalchea  for  u».  Although  there  is  something  extraordinary  in 
all  this  nen-s,  it  appears  to  me  so  circumstantial,  that  it  gives  an 
air  of  truth  to  what  regards  the  annamcnl."  He  adds,  ihal  "  all 
Ihc  other  vessels  had  rejoined  the  Spaniards  at  Cadiz,  to  atlcmpl 
the  reduction  of  Gibraitar,  which  was  short  of  Provisions." 

I  have  received  no  letter  yet  from  the  Count, 
in  answer  to  mine  respecting  the  Expedition  of  the 
Spaniards  to  the  Southward.  The  Chevr.  de  Ter- 
nay,  to  whom  my  letter  was  equally  addressed,  is 
dead,  as  you  will  have  learnt  from  the  despatches, 
which  I  forwarded  to  the  Minister  a  few  daj-s  ago. 
If  circumstances,  which  you  can  easier  explain  than  I 


flo 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[17S0 


conjecture,  should  make  a  visit  from  me  to  Rhode 
Island  necessary.  I  certainly  should  be  most  happy  in 
your  company.  But  do  not  let  this  influence  your 
determinations." 

The  light  Infantry  and  Grenadiers,  who  were  under 
orders  for  Embarkation  at  New  York,  and  had  actu- 

'  Lafayette  ab.iiidDticil  his  idea  oi  going  to  the  Wutb,  which  will  be  CXplaiiMd 
bjr  the  loItowJDg  extracts  from  his  tellers : 

"  I  most  hcartilf  thank  you  for  the  kind  and  friendly  lellen  you  have  been 
ploMtl  to  tend  Hie.  I  am  no  happyin  your  fri«nd*liiii,  thai  every  mark  of  yoor 
■ffectian  for  me  gjvei  me  a  degree  of  pleaiure  greater  than  I  can  eIpm^, 
There  it  JntelliEcnoe  of  ihjpi  and  troopt  hanng  been  put  in  rcadine»  at  lircu. 
A  Spanish  ofTiccr  may  |)oii»ibly  wait  011  you  to  convert  a  cofipetation.  We  tie 
al«i>  to  expect  tiewii  from  my  Itiend  the  new  minister  of  Itie  French  navy,  and 
before  ihej  arrive  you  would  not  like  my  departure.  Two  other  rcaioni  alio 
h»ve  weight  with  me,  Kirvt.  if  the  enemy  make  thil  dctachmeiil,  without 
which  nothing  maletial  will  happen  in  the  south,  and  if  the  inielltgence  be  tnie 
about  the  fast  recruiting  of  Ihe  kIx  monthi'  men,  tometbin);  may  pouibly  be 
done  in  ihiii  iiuarler.  Seconilly,  for  rcMOns,  whtth  1  will  explnin  to  you  whea 
we  meel.  a  visit  ftom  yoa  lo  Ihe  French  umy  it  much  to  be  wished,  and  in  thi» 
case  you  will  be  glad,  ihac  1  may  accompany  you." — Pkiiadt^kia,  Deccmba 
I6th. 

"Colonel  Lauicni.  hiving  been  appointed  to  go  10  France  and  tolidl  ■Oc- 
cam (or  Ihe  iieil  caiiipaijjii,  \\t  \\ia  aUo  been  directed  to  take  youi  ordcn  at 
htad.quattets.  t  nm  by  order  of  Coogrc^i  lo  hare  a  conference  with  him,  and 
I  inlcnd  giving  him  many  letlctt  for  France.  Ai,  in  giving  yout  instrucliemi 
10  Laurcrih,  the  prekenceof  ■>ne  who  knuwt  the  |)eop1e  may  be  agreeable  10  you, 
1  shall  del  oul  for  head-tjuarien  on  Friday  or  Saturday  morning.*' — December 
96di. 

In  a  letter  front  Colond  Laurcnii  himacH,  thU  wbjeet  la  mentioned  tu 
follow*  : — "  Your  Gacellency  will  be  not  a  little  lurpriied  to  1mm,  thai  Cod- 
gicu  have  been  determined  to  tend  mc  lo  France,  for  the  special  purpose 
of  rcpieirenting  the  pretont  ktale  oJ  our  afltutt  and  aollclting  Ihe  ncMMuy 
(uccoun.  I  was  in  great  hopes,  that  Congress  would  have  iTailcd  ihrmtelvr* 
of  the  ahilities  of  Colonel  Hamilton  for  these  imporlanl  objects,  and  that 
I  (huuld  have  been  tuffored  to  peidOTT*  in  a  line  of  duty,  10  which  I  feel  my- 
self mote  adequate.  But,  unfortunately  (or  America.  Colonel  Hamilton  wat 
not  tulTiciently  known  to  Congress  lo  unite  iheu  satTmges  in  his  favor,  and  I 
wa*  iHurcd  that  there  temained  no  other  alirtnatSve  than  the  total  failure  of 
the  bnnnesB.  Thus  circumsiinccd,  I  was  induced  to  sobmil.  and  renounce  my 
pltD  «(  fMtticipating  in  Ihe  kouthern  campaign." — Philadtifhia,  December  syl. 


: 


•78o] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


8i 


ally  prepared  for  it,  were  countermanded,  and  other 

Troops  sent  in  their  place  ;  but  whether  Knyphauscn 
goes  or  not,  since  this  change  has  taken  place,  1  am 
not  able  to  say.  A  confirmation  of  the  British  Fleet 
in  the  Channel  having  suffered  by  a  storm,  and  of  the 
African  Princes  having  excluded  the  British  arm'd 
vessels  front  their  ports,  as  also  of  Tarleton's  defeat, 
would  be  most  welcomely  reed.  I  had  the  pleasure 
of  the  Chcvr.  dc  Chastcllcaux's  company  on  his  way 
to  Albany  ;  but  the  Viscount  de  Noailles  and  Count 
Damas  passed  on  the  other  side  of  the  river  without 
calling.  Mrs.  Washington  &  Tilghman,  (who  is  the 
only  person  of  my  family,  that  is  with  me  at  present) 
join  in  best  wishes  to  you. — Please  make  an  offering 
of  my  respectful  complimts,  to  the  Chevr.  de  la  Luzerne 
&  Mr.  Marbois  &  believe  me  to  be,  as  I  really  am,  &c. 


TO  GOVERNOR  JEFKERSON, 
C, „  N«w  WiKOSOi.  »8  tkccmUr,  1780. 

Your  Excellency's  favor  of  the  13th  reached  me  this 
day.  I  have  ever  been  of  opinion,  that  the  reduction 
of  the  post  of  Detroit  would  be  the  only  certain  means 
of  giving  peace  and  security  to  the  whole  western  fron- 
tier, and  1  have  constantly  kept  my  eye  upon  that 
object ;  but,  such  has  been  the  reduced  state  of  our 
Continental  force,  and  such  the  low  ebb  of  our  funds, 
especially  of  late,  that  1  have  never  had  it  in  my 
power  to  make  the  attempt  1  shall  think  it  a  most 
happy  circumstance,  should  your  State,  with  the  aid 

6 


of  Continental  stores  which  you  require,  be  able  to 
accomplish  it.  I  am  so  well  convinced  of  the  general 
public  utility  with  which  the  expedition,  if  successful, 
will  be  attended,  that  I  do  not  hesitate  a  moment  in 
giving  directions  to  the  commandant  at  Fort  Pitt  to 
deliver  to  Colonel  Clark  the  articles  which  you  re- 
quest, or  so  many  of  them  as  he  may  be  able  to 
furnish.  I  have  also  directed  him  to  form  such  a 
detachment  of  Continental  troops  as  he  can  s.ifely 
spare,  and  put  them  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
Clark.  There  is  a  Continental  company  of  artillery 
at  Fort  Pitt,  which  I  have  likewise  ordered  upon  the 
expedition,  should  it  be  prosecuted.  The  officers  of 
this  company  will  be  competent  to  the  management 
of  the  mortar  and  howitzers. 

1  do  not  know  for  what  particular  purpose  Colonel 
Clark  may  want  the  six-pound  cannon  ;  but,  if  he 
expects  to  derive  advantage  from  them  in  the  reduc- 
tion of  works  of  any  strength,  he  will  find  himself 
disappointed.  They  are  not  equal  to  battering  a 
common  log  blockhouse,  at  the  shortest  range.  This 
we  have  found  upon  experience.  1  would  therefore 
advise  him  to  consider  this  point,  and  leave  them 
behind,  except  he  sees  a  probability  of  wanting  them 
in  the  field.  1  have  enclosed  the  letter  for  Colonel 
Brodhead  commanding  at  Fort  Pitt,  which  Colonel 
Clark  may  deliver  whenever  he  sees  fit.  It  is  possible, 
that  some  advantage  may  arise  from  keeping  the  true 
destination  of  the  expedition  a  secret  as  long  as  cir- 
cumstances will  admit.  If  so,  the  fewer  who  are 
entrusted  the  better. 


i 


»78*] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


«3 


Since  1  began  this  letter  I  have  been  furnished  by 
GcnI.  Knox,  commanding  officer  of  the  Artillery,  and 
by  the  Qr.  Mr.  Genl.  with  Returns  of  the  stores  in 
their  several  departments  which  are  at  Fort  Pitt,  and 
I  find  they  fall  very  far  short  of  your  Excellency's 
requisition.  I  have  therefore  formed  my  order  to 
Co!o.  Brodhead  in  proportion  to  the  stock  in  his 
hands.'  There  is  no  mortar  at  Fort  Pitt,  but  the  8  Inch 
Howit7cr  will  answer  the  purpose,  and  is  more  con- 
venient for  transportation.  The  \ntutilaied\  two  of 
each. 

The  matter,  which  the  house  of  delegates  have 
referred  to  my  detennination.  stands  thus.  A  board 
of  general  officers  in  the  year  17  78  determined,  that 
officers  bearing  Continental  commissions  should  take 

'  "Vonr  good  lentM  viU,  I  un  convincod,  miaIc  you  view  thi*  inaller  In  lu 
trac  ligtil.  'ni«  inabitity  a\  the  Continent  to  nndcciakc  ihc  r^ductiuii  ot 
Detroit,  wluch.  wliile  in  continun  in  poueujon  of  the  enemy,  will  be  ■  con. 
•unl  *ource  o(  tronhle  ID  the  whole  Weitem  frontier,  ha*  of  neceuily  impotcd 
Ihc  laJi  upoo  the  State  ot  Virginia,  hikI  of  conhtquencc  m^ke*  it  eipcllctii  to 
cootcr  the  oomnund  ui>on  an  offitTr  of  (liic  State,  'Wvt  tieinj'  lhi<  cate.  1  do 
nM  think  the  chit|[e  of  the  cnlcrprise  could  have  been  conimitled  to  better 
haada  thtn  Colo.  Cluk't.  1  have  not  the  ptcuurc  of  knowing  the  Gentleman  : 
but,  independent  of  the  proofi  he  ha>  (^reii  of  Ida  activiiy  and  addreu.  the 
iiiiboBnd«l  confidence,  which  I  am  told  the  Western  people  repote  in  him,  \% 
■  aatter  of  rut  importmec  :  as  I  inuipiie  a  toniideriible  pntt  n(  hin  force  will 
coAiiat  of  Volunleen  and  Militia,  who  ate  not  to  lie  govrrned  by  military  laws, 
Imii  BSil  he  held  by  the  tici  of  coiitidcnce  and  affection  to  their  leader. 

"I  AbD  conclude  wiih  rteomme'idinj;  ti.  you,  in  |i;eiierat,  In  ^-ive  every 
countenance  and  auittance  to  ibii  enterprise,  ihould  no  drcnmilances  intervene 
to  prevent  iti  eiecullon.  One  ihinjj  you  may  ml  atiuied  of.  and  that  ii.  thai, 
while  oSeniire  opctaliout  aie  C*'"!!  (orwd.  aijainit  Detroit  and  Ihc  Indiana  in 
■niaiKe  with  the  Britiih  in  Ihnt  iiuatler,  your  I'usts  with  imall  Garriioii*  in 
■hem  and  proper  vigilance  will  be  perfectly  lecure.  For  thia  reason,  and  the 
capeitilioii  depcniting  upon  the  >up)i]iei>  here  rci|d..  I  nhall  expect  a  punctual 
camplianoe  with  thii  order,  and  am,  with  rra]  esteem  and  tegaid.  &c." — 
Waikiitgt»H  te  Colrnfl  BraJJuad,  zg  December,  1780. 


84 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1780 


rank  of  those  having  State  commissions  only  while 
their  regiments  continued  upon  a  State  establishment ; 
but  that,  when  such  regiments  became  Continental, 
the  officers  should  be  entitled  to  receive  Continental 
commissions  from  the  date  of  their  State  appoint- 
ments. Thus  you  see.  it  is  not  in  my  power  to  rec- 
ommend them  to  Congress  for  Continental  commis- 
sions, while  in  .State  regiments,  without  infringing  an 
established  rule.  As  to  the  second  point,  "  Whether 
such  officers  shall  take  promotion  in  the  line,  or  be 
confined  to  the  saJd  two  regiments,"  I  think  that 
they  had  best,  for  the  sake  of  peace  and  harmony,  be 
confined  to  the  two  regiments.  For  many  of  those 
officers  left  the  Continental  line  in  very  low  ranks, 
and  obtained  very  high  in  that  of  the  State.  This 
created  much  uneasines.s  when  the  troops  came 
together  in  service ;  and  it  was  with  difficulty  that 
many  of  the  Continental  officers  could  be  made  to 
brook  being  commanded  by  those,  who  had  been 
their  inferiors  the  preceding  campaign.  1  am  there- 
fore of  opinion,  that  an  attempt  to  introduce  those 
gentlemen  now  into  the  Continental  tine  would  create 
a  source  of  infinite  discontent  and  uneasiness,  more 
especially  as  you  have  a  sufficient  number  of  officers, 
at  home  and  in  captivity  (and  vacancies  ought  in 
justice  to  be  reserved  for  such  of  the  latter  as  wish  to 
serve  again),  for  the  quota  of  Continental  troops 
assigned  to  the  State  by  the  last  establishment.  I 
have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.' 


' "  The  llonhlc.  IhcConjcicu  hnviii);.  in  order  lo  remove  allotUMof  joloaijr 
and  ditcoDtent  bclwc«ii  the  Slate*  of  PcniurWania  and  Connccticui,  directed 


TO  THE    PRESIDENT  OP  CONGRESS. 

Nxw  WlNDioR,  3  Jnnuiiy,  1781. 

Sir, 

I  have  been  honored  with  yoUr  Excellency's  favor 
of  the  2 1  St  ulto.,  in  which  Congress  have  been  pleased 
to  refer  the  propriety  of  granting  Genl.  Stark's  re<iuest 
to  them,  to  me.  His  health  is  undoubtedly  so  much 
impaired,  that  he  has  been  able  to  do  but  very  little 
duty  the  preceding  Campaign,  and  retirement  for  a 
time  seems  therefore  necessary.  Congress  will  either 
direct  his  return  to  the  Army  at  a  certain  period, 
or  they  will  leave  it  at  large,  as  they  may  judge 
proper.  I  beg  leave  to  call  the  attention  of  Congress 
to  my  letter,  of  the  28th  Novcmr.  last  from  Morris 
Town  in  which  1  mentioned  Colo.  Scammell's  desire 
to  quit  the  Office  of  Adjutant-General.  I  had  not  at 
that  time  his  letter  on  the*  subject  with  me.  I  now 
enclose  a  Copy  of  it,  in  which  his  reasons  for  wishing 
to  return  to  the  line  are  fully  set  forth.  I  find  him 
still  determined  in  his  resolution,  and  1  shall  there- 
fore. I  hope,  be  excused  for  pressing  Congress  to 
appoint  a  successor. 

1  have  at  length,  thro'  a  Channel  on  which  I  can 

otc  to  vlibdMir  Ihe  ptctenl  C>rri'iOn  uf  Wyoming,  and  10  replace  them  with 
Iroop*  tiom  the  Continental  Arm)-,  not  belonging  to  the  line  of  I'ennsjrlvani* 
:  Ownecticui,  of  Citi«n»  o(  either  of  the  Mid  State*,  I  have  for  that  puqioM 
red  Capt.  Mitchell  o(  Ihe  Jerney  line  to  tellcve  yoH,  Von  will,  therefore, 
I  hit  ■rrival.  ilcliviT  u|>  the  pml  tu  liim.  and  maroh  i in nicd Intel y  with  all 
^Ihe  men  ai  pmcnl  unticr  yotir  comtnand  and  join  the  Aim}'  in  the  neighbor- 
I  at  Ihi.1  place.  .  ,  .  Vnu  will,  before  you  march,  give  Captain  Mitchell 
ttj  nnanary  informaliun  mi>evliiig  Ihe  (ilualion  uf  the  Counlry.  ami  make 
him  ai;qnainted  with  thotc  chanicien,  upon  whom  he  can  depend  for  advice 
And  iotclllgence,  in  cite  of  nn  lncur>ien  of  the  Enemy." — IVoiiiHglsn  A> 
t/  Zttitlm  BuUtT,  9i)  December,  1780. 


S6 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


t>78> 


depend,  gained  an  account,  as  accurate  as  circum- 
stances will  admit,  of  the  embarkation  which  sailed 
from  New  York  on  the  20th  ulto.  It  consisted  of 
about  sixteen  hundred  Men,  and  was  chiefly  composed 
of  detachments  from  the  British.  German,  and  pro- 
vincial Corps.  The  Queen's  Rangers  are  said  to  be 
the  only  intire  Corps.  Arnold  commands,  which,  my 
informant  says,  gives  disgust  to  many  of  the  other 
officers.  The  destination  was  not  reduced  to  a  cer- 
tainty, but  from  the  preparations,  and  the  Refugees 
who  embarked  in  the  fleet,  it  was  generally  thought  to 
be  to  the  southward.     I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.' 


'  In  eDn»<|uence  of  the  memorable  dc/eai  of  the  Britiih  delnchincnt  under 
Colonel  Ferguwn  >l  King's  Mountnin,  l^ril  K«v(ilim,  by  order  ol  l.oni  Cora- 
wallii,  wrol«  to  General  Ledie.  Ihen  in  Ihe  Chenpi^nke.  jugg^ling  lh<  exp«> 
diency  of  hit  ii(lvancin)[  to  North  Carolm*.  "  No  fotcc  hAi  prcientcd  itaelf  to 
111,"  Mill  Lurd  Ktwdon,  "  wbow  oppiHitSou  could  b«  thought  leriouf  to  Ihb 
Army  ;  but  then  wc  have  little  ^opct  of  ever  brinein£  the  alTaii  la  *n  action. 
Tlw  enomj  *rc  mvili)'  mounlcd  milili*.  not  lo  be  avciuken  \if  our  mfjiiilry, 
nor  10  be  ufely  pumed  in  tbis  iimng  country  by  our  ovalr;.  Our  fetr  it, 
that,  initead  of  meeting  ui,  they  would  d.ip  by  us  into  this  province  were  we  to 
proCMtl  far  from  it.  and  inl^ht  again  slimulale  (he  diuflecltd  lo  teriout  ln«Dr- 
rrctioQ.  This  apprehension  must  gtcally  circumscribe  oar  elTorti." — Lard 
Jiawdi>H  IB  Gmeral  /.iiHf,  October  a4:h.  For  these  reaioni  n  speedy  co^pcta. 
tion  wan  dckircd.  but  not  orilered.  It  was  Icfl  wholly  lo  Ibe  ditcrction  ol  G«n< 
eral  Leilie.  who,  on  reci'iiinj;  this  tetter,  reiolred  lo  move  ai  loon  u  poiol^Je 
by  water  to  Cape  Fear  River.  That  his  purpose  mighl  be  uiuutpected,  he 
engaged  pllatt  for  Jamei  Klver,  and  nobody  but  liiiniKcK  and  two  officer*  were 
entnibled  with  the  iccrel  of  hii  destination.  He  left  the  Chesapeake  on  the 
34tb  of  November,  and  weni  lo  tea.  He  did  not  itop  at  Cape  Fear,  at  he  ftl 
fint  proponed,  but  arrived  in  Chitleiion  on  the  Ijlh  of  Dvrcmlier,  after  a  tem- 
paluouK  voya(;c  ;  and  marched  thence  with  a  \mrji/e  part  of  hit  force  lu  form  a 
junction  with  Lord  Comwallii. 

'   In  tonuijuence  of  (hia  niovcmetit  of  General  l.calie,  it  wat  rewlved  to  »end 
another  body  of  ttoopi  lu  the  Chriiapeake. 

"  Thii  detachment."  laid  Sir  Henry  Clinton  tn  a  letter  lo  Lord  Gcors^  Ger- 
■naine,  "  i>  under  the  command  of  General  Arnold,  with  whom  I  ihou(;hi  it  right 
to  lend  Colonels  Dandaa  and  Simcoe.  u  bein(;  oRicen  of  experience  and  much 


■78i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


87 


P.  &     Capt.  Mitchell  of  the  Jersey  line  has  marched 
with  a  Company  to  relieve  Colo.  Butler  at  Wyoming." 


TO   BRIGADIER-GENERAL   WAV.VE. 

Mv  Dear  Sir.  Nkw  wixi,«.i..  3  j.nn«i7.  «jSi. 

!,  to^ay,  at  Noon  reed,  yours  of  the  2d  in  the 
morning  by  Majr.  Fishbourn  who  has  given  me  a  full 
account  of  the  unhappy  and  alarming  defection  of  the 
Pennsylvania  line.  The  officers  ha%'e  given  convin- 
cing proofs,  that  every  thing  possible  was  done  by 
them  to  check  the  mutiny  upon  its  first  appearance, 
and  it  is  to  be  regrctntd,  that  some  of  them  have 
fallen  sacrifices  to  their  zeal.    I  very  much  approve  of 

in  iDj  eonSdencv.     The  objects  of  thii  expedition  are  nearly  the  laine  x)  those 

I  «f  tbe  one  under  Major-Gcncral  LmUc,  but  rather  more  potitiTC  u  to  the  eslab- 

[lUhaeal  of  *{>0«l  U  PorUmOUIh  ui)  the  Kli»il)c(h  Ktvnr.      I  have  alg»  tliretled 

Genenl  Arnold  to  |>Rp*re  maierioli  for  building  a  number  of  bonis,  that  we 

May,  u  MMMi  u  pouible,  hive  a  naval  force  In  Albemarle  Sound,  which  force, 

wfacn  ibt  anson  it  Km  far  sdonccd  (or  [i  to  ftctj  in  thont;  u-aiirTs,  may  be  em- 

f  jAoyed  la  great  idTantage  in  the  riren  of  the  ChcMpeake." — MS.  Ltiitr, 

Deeenbci  (6,  1780. 

The  eupMiti'in  cviDMsttd  of  wntcni  iiiinilred  mn!  nine  effectives.     \  stvere 
gale  lepanted  the  fleet  on  the  a6th  and  ayih  of  December,  but  n  reunion  *a» 
I -aiBectoil  al  ibe  ('apet  of  the  Chesapeake,  sikI  the  fleet  entered  Hampton  Roads 
on  tlw  Joth,  eKOtjit  Ihroc  traniports  and  one  armed  vessel,  with  upu-iids  uf  (our 
bondred  men  00  board.     These  arrived  on  the  4th  of  January.     Half  of  the 
cavalry  bonet  were  loal,  and  Mveral  Kunt  were  thrown  overboard.    Arnold  wat 
I  tnitTuct«d  to  Urike  al  the  magatines  of  the  Americans,  shontd  an  opjiortunity 
L«(  doing  il  withont  rifk  offer  itielf ;  and  to  ouemble  and  arm  (he  loyaliiti.  but 
I  'WM  to  encoufa|>e  any  to  join  him,  till  there  waii  the  faiicil  firii^pect  of  protec- 
ting them.     In  alt  ciks  Arnold  wax  to  con<iu]l  Dundaii  and  Simcoe,  before  un. 
dcTUkiof;  any  impotUni  meaiurc,    lie  wa»  to  coKipetate  with  Lord  Cornwallii, 
(boald  It  be  the  united  opinion  of  thoac  two  ofliccrx,  or  thould  he  receive  n  poii- 
tiva  onl(T  from  Lord  CorawilliH  to  that  effect,    The  whole  tenor  of  the  insiruc- 
[  tionc  diom  a  dutnul  of  Arnold,  and  a  nricl  ira,tchfulneu  over  hit  Mndnct. — 

'  Raad  in  Consres),  January  8th. 


ss 


THE  WRITINGS  OJf 


l«78" 


the  determination  of  yourself,  Colo.  Richard  Butler, 
and  Colo.  Waller  Stewart,  to  keep  with  the  troops,  if 
they  will  admit  of  it,  as.  after  the  first  transports  of 
passion,  there  may  be  some  favorable  intervals,  which 
may  be  improved.  I  do  not  know  where  this  may 
find  you  or  in  what  situation.  1  can  therefore  only 
advise  what  seems  to  me  most  proper  at  this  distance, 
and  upon  a  consideration  of  all  circumstances. 

Opposition,  as  it  did  not  succeed  in  the  first  in- 
stance, cannot  be  effectual  while  the  men  remain 
together,  but  will  keep  alive  resentment,  and  may 
tempt  them  to  turn  about  and  go  in  a  body  to  the 
Enemy,  who,  by  their  emissaries,  will  use  everj-  argu- 
ment and  mean  in  their  power  to  persuade  them  that 
it  is  their  only  asylum  ;  which,  if  they  find  their  pas- 
sage stopped  at  the  Delaware,  and  hear  that  the 
Jersey  militia  are  collecting  in  their  rear,  they  may 
think  but  too  probable.  I  would  therefore  recom- 
mend it  to  you  to  cross  the  Delaware  with  them, 
draw  from  them  what  they  conceive  to  be  their  prin- 
cipal grievances,  and  promise  faithfully  to  represent 
lo  Congress  and  to  the  Stale  the  substance  of  them, 
and  to  endeavor  to  obtain  a  redress.  If  they  could 
be  stopped  at  Bristol  or  G.  T.  the  better.  I  look 
upon  it,  that  if  you  can  bring  them  to  a  negotiation, 
matters  may  be  afterwards  accommodated  ;  but  that 
an  attempt  to  reduce  them  by  force  will  cither  drive 
them  to  the  Enemy,  or  dissipate  them  in  such  a 
manner,  that  they  will  never  be  recovered.'     Major 

'  On  January  6ih.  ClinioD.  who  received  in(elliE«nce  of  ih«  revolt  al  Iht 
wtms  hour  a  Wuhinglon.  nrni  ilioui  five  iliouund  men.  under  the  cammand 
of  General  Robetiian.  to  Sialcn  Iiiand.  to  rccoivs  and  |irotTC(  (he  madneen 
ihould  thcjr  tcck  to  join  the  Bhtiih. 


Fishbourn  informs  me,  that  GcnI.  Potter  and  Colo. 
Johnston  had  gone  forward  lo  apprize  Congress  of 
this  unfortunate  event,  and  to  advise  them  to  go  out 
of  the  way  to  avoid  the  first  burst  of  the  Storm.  It 
was  exceedingly  proper  to  give  Congress  and  the 
State  notice  of  the  affair,  that  they  might  be  pre- 
I>ared ;  but  the  removal  of  Congress,  waving  the  in- 
dignitj',  might  have  a  verj'  unhappy  influence.  The 
Mutineers,  finding  the  Body  before  whom  they  were 
determined  to  lay  their  grievances  fled,  might  take  a 
new  turn  and  wreak  their  vengeance  upon  the  per- 
sons and  property  of  the  Citizens ;  and,  in  a  town  of 
the  size  of  Philada.,  there  arc  numbers  who  would 
join  them  in  such  a  business.  I  would  therefore  wish 
you.  if  you  have  time,  to  recall  that  advice,  and  rather 
recommend  it  to  them  to  wait  and  hear  what  proposi- 
tions the  Soldiers  have  to  make. 

Immediately  upon  the  receipt  of  your  letter,  I  took 
measures  to  inform  myself  of  the  temper  of  the  troops 
in  this  quarter,  and  have  sent  into  the  Country  for  a 
small  Escort  of  Horse  to  come  to  me  ;  and  if  nothing 
alarming  appears  here,  and  I  hear  nothing  farther 
from  you,  I  shall  to-morrow  morning  set  out  towards 
Philadelphia,  by  the  Route  of  Chester,  Warwick, 
Colonel  Seward's,  Davenport's  Mill,  Morristown. 
Somerset,  Princeton,  Trenton,  on  which  route  you 
will  direct  any  despatches  for  me.  As  I  shall  be  ex- 
ceedingly anxious  to  hear  what  turn  matters  have 
taken,  or  in  what  situation  they  remain,  you  will  be 
pleased  to  let  me  hear  from  you.     I  am,  &c.* 

'  Tbc  Pcantytvanfi  line,  hy  the  new  arraiijEemeni  of  the  army,  hid  been  re- 
daeed  (ram  el«r«ti  lo  lii  regimeni*.     These  weie  lUtioned  !•»  ih«  winter  in 


»o 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[i78t 


P.  S.  yanuary  4/A,  seven  o'clock,  a.  m.  —  Upon 
Second  thoughts  I  am  in  doubt  whether  I  shall  come 
down,  because  the  Mutineers  must  have  returned  to 

the  hut»  neir  Mofriiitown,  which  had  been  occupied  bjr  the  army  as  wintei- 
■{uarlen  Ihe  prccedinif  year.  The  regitncnls  were  undet  the  iminediMe  coin- 
mand  of  (rcneral  Wnjiiie,  who  wrote  as  followi  in  Ihc  leller  of  which  Hajoi 
PUbbourn  was  ihe  beater. 

"  A  mndt  i^Acral  and  unhappy  niiiljny  su'ldenly  look  place  in  Ihe  reonsyU 
vania  tine  about  nine  o'clock  last  night,  A  great  proportion  of  the  troopii,  with 
wme  ailillery,  are  marching  towards  Philadelphia.  Every  exertion  hai  be«n 
inftde  by  the  officers  lo  divide  (hem  In  Iheir  dclcrminalion  to  revolt.  Il  ha& 
tucceeded  in  a  temporary  manner  with  neu  one  half.  Hou'  long  it  wQl  la>t. 
God  knows. 

"  I  have  ordered  the  Jeney  brigade  to  Chatham,  where  Ihe  mlUila  are  tI*o 
asteiDhting,  le»[  llie  enemy  tliould  Okc  advantage  of  Ihii  alarming  crisit.  In* 
deed,  the  alnrm.gnni  have  been  lired,  and  the  beaconi  kindled  towardi  Eluoi- 
bclhlown  ;  peihapi  occacioned  by  our  unhappy  affair.  I  am  thii  moment,  with 
CoioneU  Butler  and  SlewHrl,  taking  lior-ie  lo  try  la  halt  them  on  their  march 
lowvd*  Princeton.  At  a  U&l  resort,  I  am  idviied  lo  colled  them,  and  move 
alowly  towaidii  Pennsylvania.  What  their  temper  may  be,  1  cannol  tell.  We 
had  an  escape  last  nighl.  Perhaps  we  may  be  equally  fortunate  to-day.  Cap- 
tain BLillngii  U  killed  ;  Capialn  Talbot  mortally  wounded  ;  tome  other*  are  *lao 
hurt." — January  ad.  nine  o'clock  A.M. 

General  Wayne  overlook  the  mutincen  the  tame  day  on  their  march  low. 
aiiln  PHncctoii.  lie  wak  adviwd  not  lo  go  amung  lliem  ;  but.  when  they 
hailed  for  Ihe  nighl,  he  >ent  lu  them  and  requnlrd  ihil  one  icrgcani  or  more 
ftoa  each  rtctmcnt  should  be  delegated  to  mcci  al  hii  quarlen,  and  make 
known  (heir  grlevancet.  Thit  mat  done,  mil  among  ihe  others  came  a  »et- 
geani,  one  Williamn,  l  "  |Kiur  creature  or  fond  of  liquor."  and  a  deserter  from 
the  British,  having  been  taken  priioner  al  Princelon,  enlisted  in  De  [.nncey's 
battalion,  and  (leierled  al  IC in gt bridge,  whom  the  mutineers  had  ch<scn  to  be 
their  commander.  Their  complain ti  were,  that  many  toldien  hod  been  detained 
beyond  the  term  of  their  enliitmeni ;  ihal  Ihe  arreartgct  of  pay  and  the  de- 
preciation had  niit  been  made  up ;  and  that  they  were  auflerfng  every  privation 
for  want  of  mono)-  and  clothet.  A  mode  of  redreu  was  pointed  out  by  Gen- 
eral Wayne  and  the  ColoneU,  which  leemed  lo  iitiafy  the  deleealed  teif  eanti, 
and  they  agieed  to  uae  ihcii  efloni  (i>  bring  aver  the  mlndt  of  the  other*. 
But  the  attempt  wat  ineflectnat,  and  they  all  marched  the  next  day,  January 
4lh,  to  Princelon.  Those  who  were  well  dUposed.  Bod  willing  to  leparate 
from  the  mntineerx.  were requCMled  by  ihe  officer*  to  march  in  the  name  body, 
ai  it  was  hoped  their  presence  and  infiurnce  might  stive  lo  moderate  lbs 
violence  of  Ihe  leaders,  and  check  the  contagion  of  iheir  eiample. — Sfarkt. 


their  duty,  or  the  business  be  in  the  hands  of  Con- 
gress, before  1  could  reach  yon,  and  because  1  am 
advised  by  such  of  the  General  Officers,  as  I  have 
seen,  not  to  leave  this  post  in  the  present  situation  of 
things,  temper  of  the  troops,  and  distress  of  the  Gar- 
rison for  want  of  Flour,  Cloathing,  and  in  short 
every  thing.  


TO   THE    NEW    ENGLAND   STATES. 

Hbad-Qcahtkrs,  Nkw  Windmm, 
Sm  5  Januiry,  i;8l. 

It  is  with  extreme  anxiety  and  pain  of  mind,  I  lind  myself  con- 
strained to  inform  yoti,  that  the  event  I  have  long  apprehended 
irould  be  the  consequence  of  the  complicated  distresses  of  the 
Anny,  has  at  length  taken  place. — On  the  night  of  the  ist  instant, 
a  mutiny  was  excited  by  the  non-commissioned  officers  and  pri- 
vates of  the  Pennsylvania  line,  which  soon  became  so  univetsa) 
as  to  defy  all  opposition.  In  attempting  to  (]ticll  this  tumuli  in 
tbe  first  instance,  some  officers  were  killed,  others  wonnded,  and 
the  lives  of  several  common  soldiers  lost.  Deaf  to  the  argu- 
ments, entreaties,  and  utmost  efforts  of  all  ihtir  offi.<ers,  to  stop 
them,  the  men  moved  off  from  Morristown,  the  place  of  their 
cantonment,  with  their  arms,  and  six  pieces  of  Artillery :  and 
from  accounts  just  received  by  General  Wayne's  Aid  de  Camp, 
they  were  still  in  a  body,  on  their  march  to  Philadelphia,  to  de- 
mand a  redress  of  their  grievances.  At  what  point  this  defection 
will  stop,  or  how  extensive  it  may  prove,  God  only  knows ;  at 
present  the  troops  at  the  important  posts  in  this  vicinity  remain 
quiet,  not  being  acquainted  with  this  unhappy  and  aJarming 
affair.  How  long  they  will  continue  so,  cannot  be  ascertained,  as 
they  labor  under  some  of  the  pressing  hardships  with  the  troops 
who  have  revolted. 

The  aggravated  calamities  and  distresses  that  have  resulted 
from  the  total  want  of  pay,  for  nearly  twelve  months,  the  want  of 
cloathing  at  a  severe  season,  and  not  unfrcqucntly  the  want  of 


99 


THE  WRJTtNGS  OF 


[1781 


provisions,  are  beyond  description.  The  circumstances  will  now 
point  out  much  more  forcibly  what  ought  to  be  done,  than  any 
thing  that  can  possibly  be  said  by  me,  on  (he  subject. 

It  is  not  within  the  .iphere  of  my  duty  to  make  refiuixitions 
without  the  nulhority  of  Congress  from  individual  states  ;  but  at 
such  a  crisis  as  this,  and  circumstanced  as  we  arc,  my  own  heart 
will  acquit  me,  and  Congrcsii  and  the  Sutes  (eastward  of  this) 
whom,  for  the  salcu  of  despatch,  I  address,  I  am  persuaded  will 
excuse  me  when  once  for  all  I  give  it  decidedly  as  my  opinion, 
that  it  is  vain  to  think  an  army  can  be  kept  together  much  longer, 
under  such  a  variety  of  sufferings  as  ours  has  experienced  ;  and 
that  unless  some  immediate  and  spirited  measures  are  adopted  to 
furnish  at  lea&l  three  months  pay  to  the  troops,  in  money  which 
win  be  of  .tome  value  to  them — and  at  the  sxtae.  time  way«  and 
means  arc  devised  to  clothe  and  feed  them  better  (more  regularly 
I  mean),  than  they  have  been — the  worst  that  can  befall  us  may 
be  expected. 

I  have  transmitted  Congress  a  copy  of  this  letter,  and  have  in 
the  most  pressing  terms  rccjucsted  them  to  adopt  the  measure 
which  1  have  above  recommended,  or  something  similar  to  it,  and 
as  I  will  not  doubt  of  their  compliance,  1  have  thought  it  proper  10 
give  you  this  previous  notice,  that  you  may  be  prepared  to  answer 
the  requisition. 

As  I  have  used  every  endeavor  in  my  power  to  avert  the  evil 
that  has  come  upon  us,  so  will  1  continue  to  exert  every  mean  1 
am  possessed  of,  to  prevent  an  extension  of  the  mischief,  but  I 
can  neither  foretell  or  be  answerable  for  the  issue. 

That  you  may  have  every  information  that  an  officer  of  rank 
and  abilities  can  give,  of  the  true  situation  of  our  affairs,  and  the 
condition  and  temper  of  the  troops.  1  have  prevailed  upon  Briga- 
dier General  Knox  to  be  the  bearer  of  this  letter ;  lo  him  1  beg 
leave  10  refer  you,  for  many  matters,  which  would  be  too  tedious 
for  a  letter.' 

'  "VoD  will  proceed  with  (he  deipatchot,  whb  whicli  yon  are  charged,  to 
■ha  [iKrmnn  >>(  ilie  Siiici  tA  (Connecticut,  Khndc  I>>Iinil,  MaiAtchuwita,  and 
10  the  jjmidcnt  of  New  llampihite.  V'ou  ^re  Mquainted  wtih  ihr  sabject  ol 
(hose  <l«>.patches,  in  which  the  (>callein«n  to  whom  ihcy  mc  addrcued  ue  re- 
(MT«d  to  Tou  (or  mar*  ;)irticu1ar  tccouRl  of  the  lilustion  of  (h«  Araiy,  tb« 


i;80 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


93 


TO   THE    PRESIDENT   OF   CONGRESS. 


Hkad-Qvaktbks,  Niw  Wihdsok, 
Sir,  *  J«io«y.  I7«i. 

Congress  must  have  been  long  ere  this,  informed 
by  General  Wayne  of  the  Mutiny  of  the  Pennsylva- 
nia Troops  on  the  ist  instant,  and  I  have  no  doubt 

caaae*  of  di*malent  in  il,  uid  the  probable  iiMaiu  of  Eiviiig  ntiifaction  to  dw 
■Soldlerjr.  Upon  Ihe  fmi  Xviq  head*,  you  hare  no  need  of  any  loilnicIiMU. 
What  iftaix  to  ma  nMit  vMcniUlly  n<cnn*ry  lo  anhwci  the  mil  of  (be  ihtnl.  U 
■n  inntedMle  rapply  of  Money  and  ClaAlhing  ;  of  tbe  fitil  a  sum  cqunl  lo  three 
moaUu'  pay  M  lei^l  o(  ihe  new  emUuon,  or  tome  other  ai  eqiut  vkliie  ;  of  ihe 
■  lut  •  conpleal  Soil  of  Ctolhn,  nol  only  for  llic  Mcu  non'  in  MTvice,  bnl  for 
■lie  member  of  Recruiti  who  ue  lo  join. 

"  Thai  yon  tnay  be  able  lo  «pe>k  fatly  npon  ibe  Article  of  Cloalhlng,  I  will 
•  infcnn  you  minulcly  of  uur  preivn!  supply  and  fulurc  pnispcctK.  The  few 
Men.  »ho  remain  in  lemrc.  wUl  wilh  diffitulty  find  ■  luffiiiency  of  Shirti, 
Vcilk,  Brcrclm,  and  SiockinKn  to  carry  lliciti  iliro'  the  winter.  Of  Coan 
se  are  very  de6dcat.  When  tbose  which  am  in  the  hands  of  tbe  Agenit  are 
btoughl  forwaid,  there  will  not  be  more  than  one  thinl  of  whal  are  wanling. 
Tbn  yon  perceiv*.  that  the  old  Soldicn  will  have  ocraiion  for  i  full  lupply  of 
Ctoathing  when  they  laltc  Ihe  tield,  and  that  Ibe  Recrnili,  except  they  ore  fni- 
Biihvd  by  their  lopeclive  Stktr*.  niu«i  tw  ahiiuluiel}  desiiiuie.  Wc  may 
oliuin  vraue  ntppliet  from  France  between  Ibis  time  and  the  Spring,  but  ve 
have  been  k>  often  diiappoinled  from  that  quaxtei.  that  prudence  dictate*  Ihe 
impolicy  of  placing  itejicndcnor  upon  il. 

"  I  hare  been  spraking  of  the  Nurlhcm  Army  only.  Central  Greene  reprc- 
acnta  Ihe  aouthem  at  lileiilly  naked,  and  thcicfore,  thould  there  be  an  arrival 
fr(>m  Europe,  a  great  pan  mnbl  be  applied  to  that  Army,  at  the  tout  hem  Slate* 
haTc  not  tcMWCe*  within  ihcm.  I  .have  hitherto  only  ipoken  of  •  mm  of 
moitay  equal  to  three  montha'  pay  ;  but  it  Ji  pouiblc  that  a  further  mm  may  be 
neccaory.  and  thai  of  ii>ecie,  lo  give  now  Bountiri  tu  Ihoie  Soldian,  who  were 
esrif  ealtiUsd  (or  the  Wat  upon  very  low  terma.  There  can  no  ill  result  froin 
MCuHag  wch  a  fund  ;  (or.  if  it  thoold  not  be  warned  for  that  purpose,  It  may 
be  applied  usefully  tu  a  thoiirand  ulhert." — iHtlTuilium  la  BrigaJiir.Otmrat 
AWjt,  7  Jarinniy,  1781. 

Oa  ibc  rcprrteiilallona  made  by  General  Knoi,  Ihe  Icjiitlaturel  ot  Mai- 
HcbaaMts  and  New  Hampshire  votcl  to  lend  forward  imincdiatdy  lu  the 
•ray  a  graCniiy  of  twenty-four  dollars  in  hard  money  for  each  of  the  non-com- 
minioMd  olBcora  and  »oldier»  belonging  to  thoae  States,  who  were  eneaged  to 
•en^e  duing  the  war. 


94 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[.781 


but  he  has  kept  them  regularly  advised  of  what 
happened  afterwards.  I  have  heard  nothing  particu- 
lar from  those  troops  since  they  reached  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Somerset  Court  House,  at  which  place 
they  shewed  some  signs  of  a  better  disposition  than  at 
first.  The  only  favorable  circumstance  is.  their  not 
having  attempted  to  make  a  push  for  the  Enemy,  i 
should  have  immediately,  upon  the  receipt  of  this 
alarming  intelligence,  proceeded  to  Morristown,  and 
from  thence  to  wherever  the  troops  might  be.  had 
matters  been  in  such  a  situation  here,  as  to  have  jus. 
tified  my  leaving  these  important  posts,  without 
being  well  assured  of  the  temper  and  affections  of  the 
Garrison,  who  labor  under  nearly  the  same  distresses. 
and  have  in  some  degree  the  same  cause  of  complaint 
as  the  Pennsylvanians,  and,  more  especially  as  the 
Officers  had,  a  little  time  ago,  acquainted  mc,  that 
they  had  discovered  some  symptoms  of  a  similar  inten- 
tion. Luckily,  however,  no  such  disposition  has  yet 
appeared.  But  as  the  distresses  of  the  Troops  for 
Flour  and  for  some  species  of  Cloathing  are  great, 
and  they  may  only  want  some  plausible  pretext  for 
breaking  out,  I  am  strongly  advised  by  the  General 
Officers  present,  not  to  leave  this  place,  particularly 
as  the  River  is  intirely  free  of  Ice,  and  therefore 
favorable  for  the  enemy  to  take  advantage  of  such  an 
event  should  it  unfortunately  happen. 

General  Wayne.  Colo.  R.  Butler  and  Colo.  Stewart 
will  keep  with  the  Line,  and  as  they  are  extremely 
popular  officers,  they  will  I  think  have  every  possible 
effect  upon  the  Men.  I  wrote  to  General  Wayne 
upon  the  subject  of  what  appeared  to  me  the  proper 


I78i] 


G&ORGE  WASHINGTON 


95 


mode  of  conducting  himself  and  desired  him  to  for- 
ward a  copy  of  my  letter  to  Congress. 

I  ever)'  moment  Kxpcct  further  intcllifjcncc  from 
below,  and  should  matters  seem  indispensably  to 
require  my  presence  I  will  set  out.  His  Kxcelly. 
Govt.  Clinton  is  here,  and  will  remain  in  the  neigh- 
borhood, ready  to  call  in  his  Militia  should  there  be 
any  defection  in  the  Continental  Troops. 

I  do  myself  the  honor  to  enclose  the  Copy  of  a  let- 
ter which  I  have  written  to  the  four  Eastern  States, 
preparatorj'  to  the  requisition,  which  I  most  earnestly 
intreat  Congress  may  make  upon  them  and  the  others 
for  an  advance  of  pay  and  supplies,  if  the  public  funds 
are  not  in  condition  to  furnish  what  is  necessary  for 
the  purpose.  Matters  are  now  come  to  a  Crisis,  and  I 
should  be  wanting  in  duty  to  my  Country,  and  unwor- 
thy of  that  confidence  which  Congress  have  been 
pleased  in  so  many  instances  to  repose  in  me  were  I 
to  hesitate  in  giving  it  as  my  opinion  that  altho' 
the  other  troops,  who  are  more  generally  composed 
of  Natives,  and  may  therefore  have  attachments  of  a 
stronger  nature,  may  bear  their  distresses  somewhat 
longer  than  the  Pen  nsy  Ivan  ians,  yet.  that  it  will  be 
dangerous  to  put  their  patience  further  to  the  test. 
They  may,  for  what  I  know,  be  only  waiting  to  see  the 
efTects  of  the  Pennsylvania  insurrection  ;  and  it  will 
be  therefore  far  better  to  meet  them  with  a  part  of 
their  just  dues,  than  to  put  them  to  the  necessity  of 
demanding  them  in  a  manner  disreputable  and  preju- 
dicial to  the  service,  and  the  Cause,  and  totally  sub- 
versive of  all  military  discipline.     * 


« I 


'  Rml  in  Congrcii,  JaDusiry  I5lh. 


96 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[i;8i 


to  bkcgadier-general  wayne. 

Dear  Sir, 

I  have  received  your  favor  of  the  4th  with  the  en- 
closures by  the  Express  the  Evening  before  last.  I 
had  been  deliberating  in  my  own  mind,  whether  to 
continue  at  this  place  or  set  out  for  Prince  Town  ;  but 
am  advised  by  the  Governor  of  this  State,  and  the 
General  Officers  with  me,  (and  which  seems  to  be  con- 
sonant to  your  opinion  also,)  to  remain  here,  as  the 
ultimate  measures  might  probably  be  taken  before  I 
could  arrive  ;  and  as  the  personal  influence  of  yourself 
and  the  Gentlemen  with  you,  together  with  that  of  the 
Governor  and  Council  of  the  State,  might  effect  what- 
ever could  be  done  in  that  way. 

I  am  now  happy  to  inform  you,  the  Troops  at  the 
several  Posts  in  this  vicinity  continue  still  quiet,  with- 
out giving  indications  of  outrage  or  defection.  At 
this  distance,  and  under  your  present  circumstances, 
it  is  impossible  to  recommend  (if  advice  could  reach 
you  in  time)  any  particular  line  of  conduct,  but  only 
in  general  to  observe,  that  such  measures  founded  in 
justice,  and  a  proper  degree  of  generosity,  as  will 
have  a  tendency  to  conciliate  or  divide  the  men,  ap- 
pear most  likely  to  succeed.  Certain  it  is,  that,  should 
they  finally  be  driven  to  the  Enemy,  they  will  be  a 
considerable  augmentation  of  strength  against  us ;  or. 
should  they  be  dispersed,  their  loss  to  the  service  will 
be  severely  felt.  Both  these  evils  are  therefore  to  be 
avoided,  if  there  is  any  proper  ground  on  which  it 
can  be  done.     The  circumstances  of  the  moment  will 


• 


»t8»l 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


W 


point  out  the  measures  necessary  to  be  pursued, 
taking  into  view  at  the  same  time  the  consequences 
which  will  be  involved,  with  respect  to  other  Troops, 
who  arc  nearly  in  the  same  situation. 

I  have  such  entire  confidence  in  the  zeal,  ability, 
and  inBucncc  of  the  Gentlemen  concerned  in  the 
negotiation  ;  let  the  issue  be  what  it  may.  I  shall  have 
the  consolation  of  believing,  that  whatever  could  be 
done  on  the  occasion  has  been  faithfully  and  strenu- 
ously attempted.     1  am,  dear  Sir,  &c.' 

'  WIicD  the  news  of  the  ravcll  reached  Philadelphia,  a  commitlca  waa  ap- 
pointed br  CoRRTea.  ai  ax  o'clock  on  Janaary  3d.  consisting  o(  Ceneril  SulU- 
««n,  Mr.  W ilhenpaon,  and  Mr,  Mathcwa,  »ho  were  initnielcd  to  confei  with 
tbs  fKMCVtive  of  PenQsylvania  on  iho  tubtccl.  'I'hii  oimuiilter.  and  Governor 
Reed  o«  the  pnrt  of  the  Council  of  Pcnniylvania,  lei  off  to  meet  the  iroopt. 
Ob  tbe  51I1  Mr.  Bland  and  Mr.  Alice  were  added  to  the  congrcuianal  eom- 
■littc«.  Moaaltme  General  Waynr  remaincil  wilb  Ihcni  x\  Prineclun.  It  vcm 
•KcriaiDcd  thai  overtures  were  aboui  to  be  made  to  the  itmitgcnii  by  the 
cncraif.  to  which  il  «*»  feared  Ihey  would  hkteii,  and  for  two  »i  ihice  dtyi,  the 
«Aoen  were  in  a  «tMe  of  extreme  anxiety.  They  were  aomtwhal  retirred  bjr 
AM  tnddcnl,  which  ii  ihns  related  in  a  letter  from  (icneral  Wapic  : 

"  Alioal  (onr  o'clock  y«lTriUy  moriiirij;  we  were  wakrd  hy  two  >ier|;eanl«, 
who  produced  a  letter  from  the  eaemy.  encloied  in  a  tmall  piei'v  of  tfa-ttcit. 
Tliey  alM  btonght  under  guard  tu'o  caitilTi,  who  undertook  to  deliver  it  to  the 
leaden  o(lli«maI(cunienlit.  One  of  ih«iiecnl(>rity«ityi-hcisaicr)ieant  in  Odcll'a 
newlf  raited  eotpi,  and  «u  ptomiied  n  comidcrablc  reward  un  bringing  back 
■B  amwcr.  The  loldicre  in  general  aRecl  lo  ipum  at  the  idea  of  Intning 
ArnoUi.  B»  tticyeipnn  it.  We  iiaireiiws!  every  address  to  ln(l«mc  their  minds 
against  wtelchci.  vho  wovLd  dare  lo  imult  thmi  by  imaf-ining  Ibem  Iraitori  ; 
for,  bad  the}  tbought  ibcm  rlrtuoiu,  they  would  not  have  carried  those  over- 
IKTc*." — PrimrlrM.  January  Sib.  The  "two  caitiffk"  were  John  Miuun  and 
J«ne«  Ogden  (of  Scrath  River).  Clinton'*  metsage,  addtesMd  ■'  lo  the  person 
I  sppodDlod  by  the  Penniylvania  Line  lo  lead  thetn  in  their  prueot  struggle  (or 
their  liberty  and  righl*,"  offered  (be  proleelioii  of  the  British  Govenimcnt,  a 
free  poidan  (or  ill  former  offences,  and  the  pay  that  waadue  Ihem  by  Congress, 
«itlio«t  eapeetalion  of  mllitdry  lervice. 

Uovemot  Re«d  arriied  ai  I'rincelon,  and  the  eomrnittee  of  Congteu  at  Tren- 
ton.    Tbe  following  proposaU  were  offered  to  the  mutineer* : 

"  t.  To  dUcharge  all  thote,  who  had  enliited  indtjimltly  lot  three  yt*x%.  or 
) 


9« 


THB  WRITINGS  Of 


£1781 


TO   UAJOR-CENERAL   GREENE. 

HlAD   QUAITHlt,  NKW    WlXDlOK. 

•  9  Janasrx,  17O1. 

Mv  Dear  Sir, 

I  have  been  duly  favored  with  your  letters  of  the 
7th  and  8th  of  Deer.,  together  with  the  returns  of  the 
army  under  your  command. 

It  is  impossible  for  anyone  to  sympathize  more 
feelingly  with  you.  in  the  sufferings  and  distresses  of 
the  troops,  than  1  do ;  and  nothing  could  aggravate 
my  unhappiness  so  much  as  the  want  of  ability  to 
remedy  or  even  alleviate  the  calamities,  which  they 
suffer,  and  in  which  we  participate  but  too  largely. 
None  of  the  clothing  so  long  expected  from  France 
has  yet  arrived.  We  are  compelled  therefore  to  have 
recourse  to  the  States,  and  the  supplies  are  ver)'  inade- 
quate to  our  wants.  Should  the  French  clothing  be 
brought  in,  you  may  depend  upon  having  a  full  pro- 
portion of  it.  You  will  be  persuaded  in  the  mean 
time,  that  1  am  perfectly  sensible  of  the  innumerable 
embarrassments  and  hardships  you  have  to  struggle 

during  the  war :  Ili«  fuel  lo  b«  inquired  into  by  tbrae  caanint»i«ner>  to  b«  ap- 
pointed bj  ihe  cxecatJTc.  ftnd  to  be  uccruincd.  where  (he  unKin')  cn]i«lin<ni 
could  not  lie  prmluueit,  l>j-  the  o»lh  ol  (he  lolJior. 

"  3.  To  giTe  immediaie  cenitit^la  for  tbe  depredation  on  Ihcir  pay,  and  lo 
Kttle  average)  u  toon  ■*  circiint>>iancci  would  admit. 

"  3.  To  furiiUli  them  immcliately  with  certain  tpecified  article*  of  (lathing, 
which  were  greatly  wanted." 

Thcic  lermi  were  accepted,  and  reiulied  In  the  dubandinj;  ol  a  very  lar)[c 
portion  of  the  inio|it.  aiid  a  icmpurary  dinolnlion  of  ihc  line. 

Theeminarin,  or  ipiei,  mere  given  up,  tried  by  acoaii'iniirlial,  and  executed 
on  the  I  llh  of  Janaati".  A  full  collection  of  the  iilKtial  l>at<er*  ciucemini;  lt>* 
revolt  of  the  Pciini}rlvanla  line  iit  puUiihed  in  the  iccond  volume  of  Itaiard'a 
RtgiiUr  •/  PtnmylvoHio.  See  alao  Marahall't  Uft  of  Waikmgl9n,  »oL  i»,, 
PP-  393-403.— Sit  Henry  Clinton's  itaiement  cA  the  affair  may  t>e  (ounil  in  lite 
Rrmrm^ratutr.  vol.  xl.,  p.  I4S 


I78i] 


GEOSGE  WASHINGTON. 


99 


with,  in  such  an  exhausted  country,  and  that  I  should 
be  happy  to  be  able  to  afford  the  wished  relief.  The 
brilliant  action  of  General  Sumpter,  and  the  stratagem 
of  Colonel  Washington,  deserve  great  commendation. 
It  gives  me  inexpressible  pleasure  to  find,  that  such  a 
spirit  of  enterprise  and  intrepidity  still  prevails. 

I  was  much  surprised,  that  any  dispute  about  rank 
was  like  to  arise  between  Baron  Steuben  and  General 
Smallwood ;  nor  can  I  conceive  upon  what  principles 
the  latter  can  found  his  claim  of  seniority.  For,  if  the 
date  of  his  commission  is  to  be  carried  back  to  any 
given  period  previous  to  his  appointment,  it  may 
supersede  not  only  that  of  the  officer  now  in  question, 
but  many  others,  and  indeed  derange  and  throw  into 
confusion  the  rank  of  the  whole  line  of  major-generals. 
But  as  the  services  of  the  Baron  may  be  extremely 
necessary  in  Virginia,  it  may  not  be  amiss  for  him  to 
continue  there,  till  the  principles  of  Major-General 
Smallwood  on  the  subject  are  more  clearly  ascertained, 
and  a  decision  is  made  by  Congress,  if  the  dispute 
cannot  be  otherwise  determined. 

The  preposterous  conduct  of  those  concerned  in 
releasing,  instead  of  exchanging,  the  prisoners  lately 
taken  to  the  southward,  is  really  astonishing.  1  had 
entertained  hopes,  that  a  considerable  number  of  our 
prisoners  in  Charlestown  might  have  been  obtained 
for  them.  In  this  quarter  an  extensive  exchange  has 
taken  place.  We  have  few  officers  and  no  privates 
remaining  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  I  advised 
you  on  the  2nd  insL  of  the  sailing  of  a  fleet  from 
N.  York,  with  about  1600  troops  on  board,  nothing 
has  been  heard  respecting  it  since.     *     *     • 


lOO 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


tij8i 


TO   MAJOR-GENERAL  ST.   CI.AIR. 

HSAU  Quarters.  N«w  WiNti9f>«, 
t>J«nuir]',  ijai. 

Dear  Sir, 

The  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the  gth.  enclosing  one 
from  General  Wayne,  has,  if  possible,  added  to  my 
embarrassments.  I  had  heard  from  General  Sullivan 
and  Lord  Stirling,  that  the  mutineers  had  delivered 
up  the  British  emissaries  immediately  upon  their 
arrival  in  Princeton.  From  this  I  was  in  hopes,  that 
they  had  precluded  themselves  from  all  assistance 
from  that  quarter,  and  that  the  reduction  of  them  by 
force,  should  matters  come  to  extremities,  would  not 
be  diflficult.  But  now  their  conduct  appears  to  me  in 
this  light ;  they  have  made  known  the  propositions 
ofTered  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton  only  by  way  of  threat, 
and  seem  to  say,  if  you  do  not  grant  our  terms,  we 
can  obtain  them  elsewhere." 

At  the  meeting  with  the  general  and  field  officers 
yesterday,  it  was  almost  a  universal  opinion,  that  their 

*  "  I  thiDk  it  appears  by  the  Icllor,  which  hat  faU«a  into  jout  htndi.  that 
there  hai  not  bcm  much  if  any  intctcaune  between  Ihe  mulineen  and  Sii 
Henry  Clinton  :  and,  if  the  fulnie  cnrrcspaiidcncc  c:iin  be  inircrciited.  It  will 
«mbKrr»u  (he  Brili-Ji  and  (he  Itoopa.  Ymi  will  have  been  Ihe  bnt  jud^  of 
the  kind  of  anawCT,  which  it  would  be  proper  to  give  (o  Sir  Henry '»  menage  ; 
but  ai  we  had  not  force  i.u(iicicnt  ti>  with  \a  ilrcoy  him  nul.  pefhapk  it  wilt 
have  bceri  mi^iti  pnidcal  to  antwet  him  in  the  negative.  1  am  certain,  that,  ib 
coDBcquence  of  my  letter  of  the  8th  to  General  Wayne,  ereiy  offer  that  could 
with  propriety  be  made  hat  been  made.  Whil  (urihet  iii  to  be  done  can  be 
belter  iudftcd  by  yiiu  on  the  »put,  than  by  me  at  a  diitanct.  The  itepi  you 
have  hilhetto  taken  are  judjcioui  and  tiriclly  proper.  Be  pleated  to  ihank  the 
Marquti  and  Colonel  Laurent  lor  ihelr  lellcn,  which  a  pro*  nf  buhitint  pte- 
T«nta  me  from  antweritij;." — IVtuiin/^aii  It  St,  Clair,  lo  January,  ITS  I. 

St.  Clair.  lAfaycllc.  and  I.auren(  had  gone  to  Princeton  to  arj^e  with  tlia 
matioecn.  but  wen  not  allowed  to  communicate  wilh  Ihem,  and  ordered  to 
leave  Ihe  place. 


men  might  be  depended  on.  I  therefore  gave  direc- 
tions (or  a  detachment  of  one  thousand  to  be  pre* 
pared  and  held  in  readiness.'  If  things  are  in  a  train 
of  negotiation,  as  would  seem  to  be  the  case  from 
General  Wayne's  postscript,  to  move  a  force  between 
Trenton  and  the  enemy  might  create  suspicions  in 
the  minds  of  the  mutineers,  and  make  them  fly  to  the 
enemy  for  safely.  I  do  not  think  it  prudent  to  write 
to  the  committee  of  Congress,  to  Governor  Reed,  or 
to  General  Wayne,  lest  my  letter  should  be  stopped. 
1  think,  therefore,  from  a  consideration  of  the  subject 
in  every  light,  tliat  it  will  be  bt^it  for  you  to  go  down 
to  the  Pennsylvania  side,  opposite  Trenton,  and  send 
for  some  of  the  gentlemen  over.  There  inquire 
minutely  into  tlie  situation  of  affairs,  and  if  there  are 
no  hopes  of  a  reasonable  compromise,  get  from  them 
an  opinion  of  what  ought  ultimately  to  be  done.  If 
force  should  b<;  determined  upon,  the  governors  of 
Pennsylvania  and  Jersey  should  instantly  make  ar- 
rangements for  bringing  out  as  many  of  their  militia 
as  can  be  follected,  while  the  detachment  above  men- 
tioned is  marching  from  hence,  that  the  intercourse 
between  Trenton  and  this  place  may  be  as  expedi- 


I  Ft**  hMlalians,  (oat  be!ag  New  Bngbnd  Itdo|>*.  »a4  ihe  6((h  made  np  of 
Eluea'i  coups,  were  drawo  out  on  mucliing  onlere,  to  ba  cummmniUd  bf 
li^^r-Geoienl  Robcn  Howe. 

"  M«JM.<^iMral  llowo  •jipliad  to  in«  ywlcriUx  for  the  camnund  of  the  de- 
tadment  In  point  of  rifht  he  ought  lo  have  it ;  bnl  in  point  of  paiiey  it 
Dugbt  lie  belter  to  give  il  to  cither  General  Taitont  or  Gcoeral  Glover  ;  and 
tbU  I  told  tuB.  twl  nltinuiely  dtkirtd  liiea  to  fix  Die  mailer  with  fou,  and  tb« 
other  two  fcntleinen.  who  might  be  more  competnol  judgM  o(  the  weight  of 
my  ohwrratioot  to  him  than  I  could  be  taj*e\l.  Oetenaine  ai  yon  will ;  I 
ttHU  be  uliifiad."—  U'aikiHxttn  ta  Htatk,  la  Jaonai;,  1781. 


lOS 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[178" 


tious  as  possible.  Desire  Colonel  Nelson  to  fix  a  re- 
lay of  expresses  from  the  neighborhood  of  Trenton  to 
Morristown,  and  let  the  quartermaster  at  Morristown 
continue  them  from  thence  to  this  place. 

1  am,  dear  Sir,  &c.' 


TO   LIEUTENANT-COLONEL   JOHN    LAURENS.* 

Dear  Sir.  '*■*  w«dso«.  •$  J«.u«y.  1781. 

In  compliance  with  your  request  1  shall  commit  to 
writing  the  result  of  our  conferences  on  the  present 

'  In  ■  letter  from  Genetal  W»yne,  of  the  »roe  d«t<  «i  the  ibove,  he  »)«: 
"  Tlie  condition*  now  maile  anit  *giceil  to  kk  the  )oiiit  act  d(  Ihc  commiltcc 
«f  CoDgm*  md  the  governor  of  I'cnni^lvaniii,  to  whom  Ihc  fiirmer  <lelc](tlcd 
dw(r  pmren.  The  routineers  m  yet  hold  command,  but  we  have  expecialioni 
of  raclaiminjj  it.  in  ap|jeanince  al  Icxht,  cither  ihit  evening  or  lo-roomnv  mom- 
ing.  Howerei.  1  believe  it  will  be  the  mui^l  advi^alile  nmrnirc  to  diMoIvc  th« 
line,  and  collect  ii  anew,  ai  well  and  eipeditiouily  as  we  c«n.  The  »pi« 
were  eieculed  yevlenlajr  puisiunt  to  thcii  mntcncc." — Trittlan,  January  oib. 

Ciencnl  Ilcalh  hftd  taken  Mtne  indirect  moaxum  to  aacertain  Ihr  Aentimcnti 
of  the  toldlen,  ai  to  the  conduct  of  the  Pennsylvania  line.  paiticuJatly  of  ihoM 
conttilnting  the  detachment  ordtred  to  be  in  rcadincM  lo  march.  A  womui 
ms  tent  into  one  regiment  to  lixen  to  Ihe  conversation  of  the  men,  ami  >Im 
beaid  Ihcm  uiy  Ihai  they  vould  have  no  hand  in  pniling  down  the  Penniyl- 
luiUat.  The  reprctcntaiioni  of  ■  t«r)>eant  had  Ijeen  recei>'ed'>nd  credited  in 
inotfaercw*  ;  utd  General  Keith's  steward  told  him  that  be  had  heard  the 
men  declare  that  they  would  not  naich  froro  West  Point  till  they  were  pnid 
and  clothed, 

"  The  subject  of  yours  ol  yesterday  is  of  to  dclii:otc  a  nature,  thai  I  am 
■Imott  afraid  it  will  be  productive  of  ill  coniequenccs  (o  have  it  handled  even 
by  Ihc  iiioit  pruiUnt  oAicvi*.  in  the  moM  cautioua  manner.  To  teem  to  draw 
into  question  the  fidelity  and  firmnen  of  Ihe  soldiers,  or  even  to  cipren  a 
doubt  of  their  obedience,  may  occaaon  snch  a  relaxation  of  ditcipiine,  at 
would  not  oihenvikc  exist.  I  could  wlih  lo  have  thr>ic  maitert  treated  wlUi 
Ihe  gteaiesi  prudence  by  the  ollicen,  and  not  conversed  upon  before  their 
d»mr»tics,  at  1  am  apprelieni^ivc  has  sometimes  incaolicnisly  been  practised. " 
—  Waikiiii;l->n  le  HtaOi.  14  January.  I7S(. 

'  In  cocformiCy  with  Ihe  insttuiiiuns  from  Congras  to  Colonel  I^aotens,  that 
be  ihould  cumuli  General  Washington  on  Ibe  objects  of  his  mitsioo  before  his 


>78iJ 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


103 


state  of  American  affatni,  in  which  1  have  given  you 
my  ideas  with  that  freedom  and  expiicitness.  which 
the  objects  of  your  commission,  my  entire  confidence 
in  you,  and  the  exigency  demand.  To  me  it  appears 
evident : 

■St.  That,  considering  the  diffused  population  of 
these  States,  the  consequent  difficulty  of  drawing 
together  its  resources,  the  composition  and  temper  of 
a  part  of  the  inhabitants,  the  want  of  a  sufficient 
slock  of  national  wealth  as  a  foundation  for  revenue, 
and  the  almost  total  extinction  of  commerce,  the 
efforts  we  have  been  compelled  to  make  for  carrying 
on  the  war  have  exceeded  the  natural  abilities  of  this 
country,  and  by  degrees  brought  it  to  a  crisis,  which 
renders  immediate  and  efficacious  succors  from  abroad 
indispensable  to  its  safety. 

2dly.  That,  notwithstanding,  from  the  confusion 
always  attendant  on  a  revolution,  from  our  having 
bad  governments  to  frame  and  every  species  of  civil 
and  military  institutions  to  create,  from  that  inexperi- 
ence in  affairs  necessarily  incident  to  a  nation  in  its 
commencement,  some  errors  may  have  been  committed 
in  the  administration  of  our  finances,  to  which  a  part 

deputDfe  (or  France,  he  proceeded  to  head-quarlen  for  thai  purpoce.  The 
MbttasM  ti  ihclr  cnnRulUlioiit  was  embodied  in  the  fomi  n(  ■  l«t(er,  which  it 
'U  inltiidtd  Colonel  Laurens  should  use  in  sach  ■  manner  as  he  might  ibink 
pcoper.  He  inlroduccd  copious  eiimcu  from  it  into  a  memorint,  whidi  he 
pTCtcnted  to  Couiil  Jc  Vef^ennes.  ami  which  is  coniained  in  the  Jiiftamati' 
CfTrftpirnd(*<t  ef  Ihf  Amtriian  Rrpaluliiin,  vol.  ii.,  p.  111.  Those  eitracU 
dificr  ID  Miinc  ilighi  parliculon  from  ihe  copy  here  prinicd.  which  a  lAlccn 
(romOeneial  Wahhlnglon'*  Islter-booki.  The  oHginal  Iclter.  in  Ihc  handwrlling 
of  Ocseral  Waihingkui,  was  liktrwise  lenl  lo  Count  de  Vei^cnnei.  by  Colond 
LxiirMi*  at  Dr.  FisskltD,  and  ii  sitll  preserved  unong  the  Americati  Papen  in 
dM  ArcUre*  of  Poraifpi  Aflain  in  Parit. — Xfiarti. 


104 


TSE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


of  our  embarrassments  arc  to  be  attributed  ;  yet  they 
are  principally  to  be  ascribed  to  an  essential  defect  of 
means,  to  the  want  of  a  sufficient  stock  of  wealth,  as 
mentioned  in  the  first  article,  which,  continuing  to 
operate,  will  make  it  impossible  by  any  merely  interior 
exertions  to  extricate  ourselves  from  those  embarrass- 
ments, restore  public  credit,  and  furnish  the  funds 
requisite  for  the  support  of  the  war. 

3dly.  That  experience  has  demonstrated  the  im- 
practicability long  to  maintain  a  paper  credit  without 
funds  for  its  redemption.  The  depreciation  of  our 
currency  was  in  the  main  a  necessar)'  effect  of  the 
want  of  those  funds  ;  and  its  restoration  is  impossible 
for  the  same  reason,  to  which  the  general  diffidence 
that  has  taken  place  among  the  people  is  an  addi- 
tional and,  in  the  present  state  of  things,  an  insuperable 
obstacle. 

4thly.  'l"hat  the  mode,  which  for  want  of  money 
has  been  substituted  for  supplying  the  army,  by 
assessing  a  proportion  of  the  productions  of  the  earth, 
has  hitherto  been  found  ineffectual,  has  frequently 
exposed  the  army  to  the  most  calamitous  distress, 
and,  from  its  novelty  and  incompatibility  with  ancient 
habits,  is  regarded  by  the  people  as  burthensome  and 
oppressive,  has  excited  serious  discontents,  and  in 
some  places  alarming  symptoms  of  opposition.  This 
mode  has,  besides,  many  particular  inconveniences, 
which  contribute  to  make  it  inad(K]uate  to  our  wants, 
and  ineligible  but  as  an  auxlliar)'. 

5thly.  That,  from  the  best  estimates  of  the  annual 
expense  of  the  war  and  the  annual  revenues  which 


178.] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


105 


these  States  are  capable  of  affording,  there  is  a  lar^e 
balance  10  be  supplied  by  public  credit.  The  resource 
of  domestic  loans  is  inconsiderable,  because  there  are 
properly  speaking  few  moneyed  men.  and  the  few 
there  are  can  employ  their  money  more  profitably 
otherwise  ;  added  to  which,  the  instability  of  the 
currency  and  the  deficiency  of  funds  have  impaired 
the  public  credit. 

6thly.  That  the  patience  of  the  army,  from  an 
almost  uninterrupted  series  of  complicated  distress,  is 
now  nearly  exhausted,  and  their  discontents  matured 
to  an  extremity,  which  has  recently  had  very  dis- 
agreeable consequences,  and  which  demonstrates  the 
absolute  necessity  of  speedy  relief,  a  relief  not  within 
the  compass  of  our  means.  You  are  too  well  ac- 
quainted with  all  their  sufferings  for  want  of  clothing, 
for  want  of  provisions,  for  want  of  pay. 

7thly.  That,  the  people  being  dissatisfied  with  the 
mode  of  supporting  the  war,  there  is  cause  to  appre- 
hend, that  evils  actually  felt  in  the  prosecution  may 
weaken  those  sentiments  which  began  it,  founded,  not 
on  immediate  sufferings,  but  on  a  speculative  appre- 
hension of  future  sufferings  from  the  loss  of  their 
liberties.  There  is  danger,  that  a  commercial  and 
free  people,  little  accustomed  to  heavy  burthens, 
pressed  by  impositions  of  a  new  and  odious  kind,  may 
not  make  a  proper  allowance  for  the  necessity  of  the 
conjuncture,  and  may  imagine  they  have  only  ex- 
changed one  tyranny  for  another. 

8th!y.  That,  from  all  the  foregoing  considerations 
result,  1st,  absolute  necessity  of  an  immediate,  ample, 


io6 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[.781 


and  efficacious  succor  in  money,  large  enough  to  be 
a  foundation  for  substantial  arrangements  of  Bnance, 
to  revive  public  credit,  and  give  vigor  to  future  oper- 
ations ;  2dly,  the  vast  importance  of  a  decided  effort 
of  the  allied  arms  on  this  continent,  the  ensuing 
campaign,  to  effectuate  once  for  all  the  great  objects 
of  the  alliance,  the  liberty  and  independence  of  these 
States.  Without  the  first  we  may  make  a  feeble  and 
expiring  effort  the  next  campaign,  in  all  probability  the 
period  to  our  opposition.  With  it,  we  should  be  in  a 
condition  to  continue  the  war,  as  long  as  the  obsti- 
nacy of  the  enemy  might  require.  The  first  is  essen- 
tial to  the  latter ;  both  combined  would  bring  the 
contest  to  a  glorious  issue,  crown  the  obligations, 
which  America  already  feels  to  the  magnanimity  and 
generosity  of  her  ally,  and  perpetuate  the  union  by  all 
the  ties  of  gratitude  and  affection,  as  well  as  mutual 
advantage,  which  alone  can  render  it  solid  and  indis- 
soluble. 

Qthly.  That,  next  to  a  loan  of  money,  a  constant 
naval  superiority  on  these  coasts  is  the  object  most 
interesting.  This  would  instantly  reduce  the  enemy 
to  a  difficult  defensive,  and,  by  removing  all  prospect 
of  extending  their  acquisitions,  would  take  away  the 
motives  for  prosecuting  the  war.  Indeed,  it  is  not  to 
be  conceived  how  they  could  subsist  a  large  force  in 
this  country,  if  we  had  the  command  of  the  seas,  to 
interrupt  the  regular  transmission  of  supplies  from 
Europe.  This  superiority,  (with  an  aid  in  money,) 
would  enable  us  to  convert  the  war  into  a  vigorous 
offensive.     I  say  nothing  of  the  advantages  to  the 


I78i] 


GEOUGE  WASHINGTON. 


107 


trade  of  both  nations,  nor  how  infinitely  it  would 
facilitate  our  supplies.  With  respect  to  us,  it  seems 
to  be  one  of  two  deciding  points  ;  and  it  appears,  too, 
to  be  the  interest  of  our  allies,  abstracted  from  the 
immediate  benefits  to  this  countr)-.  to  transfer  the 
naval  war  to  America.  The  number  of  ports  friendly 
to  them,  hostile  to  the  British,  the  materials  for  re- 
pairing their  disabled  ships,  the  extensive  supplies 
towards  the  subsistence  of  their  fleet,  are  circum- 
stances which  would  give  them  a  palpable  advantage 
in  the  contest  of  these  seas. 

lothly.  That  an  additional  succor  in  troops  would 
be  extremely  desirable.  Besides  a  reinforcement  of 
numbers,  the  excellence  of  French  troops,  that  perfect 
discipline  and  order  in  the  corps  already  sent,  which 
have  so  happily  tended  to  improve  the  respect  and 
confidence  of  the  people  for  our  allies,  the  conciliating 
disposition  and  the  zeal  for  the  service,  which  distin- 
guish every  rank,  sure  indications  of  lasting  harmony. 
— all  these  considerations  evince  the  immense  utility 
of  an  accession  of  force  to  the  corps  now  here.  Corre- 
spondent with  these  motives,  the  enclosed  minutes  of 
a  conference  between  their  Excellencies  the  Count  de 
Rochambeau,  the  Chevalier  de  Ternay,  and  myself 
will  inform  you.  that  an  augmentation  to  fifteen  thou- 
sand men  was  judged  expedient  for  the  next  cam- 
paign :  and  it  has  been  signified  to  me.  that  an  appli- 
cation has  been  made  to  the  court  of  France  to  this 
^effect.  But  if  the  sending  so  large  a  succor  in  troops 
should  necessarily  diminish  the  pecuniar>'  aid,  which 
our  allies  may  be  disposed  to  grant,  it  were  preferable 


io8 


THE  WRITINGS  OP 


[1781 


to  diminish  the  aid  In  men  ;  for  the  same  sum  of 
money,  which  would  transport  from  France  and 
maintain  here  a  body  of  troops  with  all  the  necessary 
apparatus,  being  put  into  our  hands  to  be  employed 
by  us,  would  serve  to  give  activity  to  a  larger  force 
within  ourselves,  and  its  influence  would  pervade  the 
whole  administration. 

iilhly.  That  no  nation  will  have  it  more  in  its 
power  to  repay  what  it  borrows  than  this.  Our  debts 
are  hitherto  small.  The  vast  and  valuable  tracts  of 
unlocated  lands,  the  variety  and  fertility  of  climates 
and  soils,  the  advantages  of  every  kind  which  wc 
possess  for  commerce,  insure  to  this  country  a  rapid 
advancement  in  population  and  prosperity,  and  a 
certainty,  its  independence  being  established,  of 
redeeming  in  a  short  term  of  years  the  compara- 
tively inconsiderable  debts  it  may  have  occasion  to 
contract. 

That,  notwithstanding  the  difficulties  under  which 
wc  labor,  and  the  inquietudes  prevailing  among  the 
people,  there  is  still  a  fund  of  inclination  and  resource 
in  the  country,  equal  to  great  and  continued  exertions, 
provided  we  have  it  in  our  power  to  stop  the  progress 
of  disgust,  by  changing  the  present  system,  and  adopt- 
ing another  more  consonant  with  the  spirit  of  the  na- 
tion, and  more  capable  of  activity  and  energy  in  public 
measures ;  of  which  a  powerful  succor  of  money  must 
be  the  basis.  The  people  are  discontented  ;  but  it  is 
with  the  feeble  and  oppressive  mode  of  conducting 
the  war,  not  with  the  war  itself.  They  are  not  un- 
willing to  contribute  to  its  support,  but  they  are  un- 


.78.] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


109 


willing  to  do  it  in  a  way  that  renders  private  property 
precarious;  a  necessary  consequence  of  the  fluctua- 
tion of  the  national  currency,  and  of  the  inability  of 
government  to  perform  its  engagements  oftentimes 
coercively  made.  A  lai^  majority  are  still  firmly 
attached  to  the  independence  of  these  States,  abhor 
a  reunion  with  Great  Britain,  and  are  affectionate  to 
the  alliance  with  France  ;  but  this  disposition  cannot 
supply  the  place  of  means  customary  and  essential  in 
war,  nor  can  we  rely  on  its  duration  amidst  the  per- 
plexities, oppressions,  and  misfortunes,  that  attend 
the  want  of  them. 

If  the  foregoing  observations  are  of  any  use  to  you, 
I  shall  be  happy.  I  wish  you  a  safe  and  pleasant 
voyage,  the  full  accomplishment  of  your  mission,  and 
a  speedy  return  ;  being,  with  sentiments  of  perfect 
friendship,  regard,  and  affection,  dear  Sir,  &c' 

'  In  tnuoducins  Col.  Ldoreni  lo  rnnklin.  Wuhiiifton  wrole  ; 
"  The  pnscfil  inliniiely  critical  poinire  of  our  iffain  mode  ii  uscnliil.  iti 
the  opinraa  of  Congnu.  lo  iciid  (roiii  bcnce  a  jicnon.  who  hail  heen  an  eye- 
witkc»  of  lh«il  progrea,  and  who  was  capable  of  placing;  (hem  litforc  the  court 
of  Prance  In  a  eoore  full  and  linking  poinl  of  iijiht,  than  vr»  proper  or  even 
pnclicaM(  by  any  wiiitcii  vommunication.  It  wat  bIw>  juilged  of  k^M  im- 
portaoce.  ihAI  the  perioii  should  be  ililc  to  give  a  militU7  vie^v  oE  (hrm.  anil  to 
enter  ieto  miliUry  deiaiU  and  arrange menli.  The  choice  hu  fallen  upon  Colo- 
nel LaurenK,  %\  a  genilcmxn  wlio  unites  ill  ihetc  atlvaniagCH.  and  Hd<!>  to  ihcm 
an  ialcgiily  and  an  independence  of  character,  which  render  him  mperior  lo 
•By  iptrii  of  pi'ly- 

"  What  I  hare  ul<t  lo  him,  I  beg  le«va  lo  repeal  lo  you,  that  10  me  nathlng 
BppeMi  more  erndeoi,  than  thai  the  period  of  our  o[ipaiiIiim  will  very  shortly 
sirinc,  if  oui  ollict  cannot  afford  ut  that  effecluil  aid.  puiicularly  in  money, 
>ad  in  a  aaval  npcriorily,  which  are  now  Rnliclicd.  Colonel  I^uien>  (a  m 
folly  pcEuetsed  of  my  ideas  of  our  litualion  and  wants,  and  hat  hitntrlf  ao  thor- 
'  oa(b  ■  knowledge  of  tbcm,  that  I  should  irouble  you  to  no  purpoie  by  enlarging. 
Voa  may  place  entire  conlidenc*  in  hitn,  aini  in  the  aMutiiice  that  I  am,  with 
Ihe  warmest  veotimenti  of  respect  eiteem,  and  regard,  dear  Sir,  Ac' 


I  to 


TS£  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


TU  THE   PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

Nsw  Windsor,  15  Januiiy,  lyti. 

Sir, 

The  unhappy  mutiny  of  the  non-corad  [officersj 
and  Privates  of  the  Pensylvania  line,  the  perplexed 
state  of  affairs  in  this  quarter,  the  distressed  condi- 
tion of  the  Troops  at  West  Point  and  in  the  vicinity 
of  it,  on  acct.  of  Provision  and  ■iome  essential  articles 
of  cloalhing,  combined  with  other  embarrassments  of 
less  importance,  have  engrossed  my  whole  time  and 
attention,  and  must  be  offered  as  an  apology  for  not 
complying  sooner  with  the  order  of  Congress  of  the 
1st  inst.,  enclosed  in  your  Excellency's  Letter  of  the 
Second,  relative  to  the  expediency  of  removing  the 
French  Troops  to  Virginia. 

Congress,  being  no  strangers  to  the  blockade  of 
the  French  Squadron  at  Rhode  island,  must  have  had 
in  contemplation  a  land  march  of  the  French  army  to 
the  above  State  ;  to  which  the  season,  length  of  the 
way.  badness  of  the  roads,  difficulty  of  Transporta- 
tion, and  possibly  want  of  covering  in  a  good  Military 
position  when  there,  the  expectation  of  the  second 
division,  and  the  arrangements  which  are  made  in 
consequence  by  the  French  General,  might  be  offered 
as  weighty  objections  by  Auxiliary  Troops  against 
the  measure.  But,  as  Congress  have  been  pleased  to 
ask  my  opinion  of  the  expediency  of  it,  1  think  it  a 
duty  incumbent  on  me  to  add,  that  it  is  not  agreeable 
to  the  sentiments,  (perhaps  to  the  orders,)  of  the  offi- 
cers commanding  the  Land  and  Naval  force  at  Rhode 
Island  to  separate,  white  the   latter   is  awed   by  a 


1780 


GEORGE  WASH/NGTON. 


■  II 


superior  Marine.  The  experiment  has  already  been 
tried.' 

i  shall  act  to  the  best  of  my  judgment  in  a  further 
exchange  of  prisoners ;  and  will  carry  the  views  of 
Congress  into  effect,  as  far  as  1  am  able. 

In  my  last  of  the  6th  1  communicated  the  reasons 
which  prevented  my  departure  for  Morris  Town  upon 
the  first  information  1  received  of  the  revolt  of  the 
Pensylvania  line,  and  the  contingencies  on  which  my 
going  thither  then  depended.  1  found,  notwithstand- 
ing my  utmost  exertion  and  all  the  aid  I  could  derive 
from  the  Governor  of  this  State,  that  I  could  only 
supply  the  garrison  from  day  to  day  with  Provisions  ; 
that  it  was  a  doubtful  point,  the'  the  Troop.s  appeared 
tolerably  quiet  in  this  quarter,  how  far  they  were  to 
be  depended  ujjon,  in  a  serious  and  spirited  attempt 
to  quell  others,  whose  declared  intention  was  to  seek 
redress  of  those  grievances,  of  which  they  themselves 
participated,  and  were  constantly  complaining  ;  while 
the  propriety  of  weakening  the  Garrison,  supposing 
the  utmost  reliance  was  to  be  had  on  them,  without 
Provisions  in  the  Magazine  or  Works,  was  not  less 
questionable.  On  the  other  hand,  all  authority  in  the 
Officers  of  the  Pensylvania  line  over  their  Men  being 
at  an  end,  and  the  influence  of  those  who  remained 

'  **  TtiCM  i*  ft  cooln»i  lietVfccn  Wulihicton  And  M.  de  Rocbunbeau  ;  Ihi 

ilttf*ciiern  \%  00  the  pirt  of  (he  American  Cenenl,  ourt  it  ignorant  of  th« 

I  rcMon.     He  hai  ^ven  mc  orders  to  go  willi  a  letter  (rotn  him  and  to  mform 

Vjrtelf  o(  the  reatoD  lor  hia  diiconteol,  to  hoi  the  liTcath  if  posulilc.  or  U 

rilw  affair  be  more  %t%y<  to  report  to  him  the  Caute." — /■'rrstn.  tt  in  Fatktr,  14 

I'JkiMat)',  17S1.     A  lcil«T  flam  Rochambeau  to  Wixhington.  dated  13th  Jano. 

uy  Introduces  the  Count  de  Chartut.  ion  of  the  Mmquia  de  Catlrlea,  but  tlier* 

it  no  hint  of  diSarenca.     Ilia  noit  it  dated  the  tQlh. 


113 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[•7*1 


with  them  employed  to  no  purpose,  I  was  convinced 
that  the  unhappy  precedent  they  had  set,  and  the 
shock  which  discipline  had  received  by  the  revolt, 
would  only  be  increased  by  my  appearance  among 
them,  without  the  means  of  enforcing  obedience  ;  the 
necessity  of  doing  which,  for  the  support  of  Military 
authority,  was  so  essential  as  to  be  attempted  at 
almost  every  hazard.  But  to  choose  for  the  best,  in 
such  perplexing  circumstances  t  was  driven  to,  was 
not  very  easy.  Ultimately,  however,  I  determined  to 
prepare  a  detachment  of  a  thousand  men,  and  directed 
Genera!  St.  Clair,  (who  was  at  Morristown.)  to  pro- 
ceed immediately  to  the  Committee  of  Congress  at 
Trenton,  and,  if  matters  were  not  settled,  or  in  their 
opinion  in  a  favorable  train  for  it,  to  make  the  ulte- 
rior arrangements  for  Militia  with  Mr.  President  Reed 
and  Governor  Livingston,  that,  with  their  assistance, 
the  detachment  from  hence  might  be  enabled  to  act 
effectually.  Thus  the  matter  stood  when  a  letter 
from  the  Comee.  advised  me  that  the  business  was 
likely  to  be  accommodated  to  mutual  satisfaction. 

It  would  be  happy  for  us,  and  favorable  to  the 
probable  operations  of  the  next  Campaign,  if.  instead 
of  living  chiefly  upon  the  Supplitrs  of  this  State,  they 
and  those  of  Jersey  could  be  held  as  a  kind  of  reserve 
Magazine.  Proper  attention  has  been  paid  to  such 
officers  of  the  Continental  lines  under  my  immediate 
command,  as  now  are  or  have  been  prisoners  with  the 
enemy,  in  making  the  new  arrangement  of  the 
army  ;  and  1  have  no  doubt  but  equal  regard  will  be 
had  to  those  in  the  southern  army.     I  shall  write  to 


i7StJ 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


113 


General  Greene  on  this  head,  and  will  transmit  to 
him  a  copy  of  the  resolve  explaining  the  sense  of 
Congress  on  this  matter.      1  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.' 


TO    MRS.   SARAH    BACHE.* 

New  WiNDiiOR,  tj  January,  ■;&■, 

Dear  Madam. 

I  should  have  done  myself  the  pleasure  to  acknowl- 
edge the  receipt  of  the  letter  you  did  me  the  favor  to 
write  on  the  26th  of  December,  at  the  moment  of  its 
receipt,  had  not  some  affairs  of  a  very  unusual  nature 
(which  are  too  recent  and  notorious  to  require  expla- 
nation), engaged  my  whole  attention.  I  pray  you 
now  to  be  persuaded,  that  a  sense  of  the  patriotic  ex- 
ertions of  yourself  and  the  ladies,  who  have  furnished 
so  handsome  and  useful  a  gratuity  for  the  army,  at  so 
critical  and  severe  a  season,  will  not  easily  be  effaced, 
and  that  the  value  of  the  donation  will  be  greatly  en- 
hanced by  a  consideration  of  the  hands  by  which  it 
was  made  and  presented. 

Amidst  all  the  distresses  and  sufferings  of  the  army. 
from  whatever  sources  they  have  arisen,  it  must  be 
a  consolation    to    our  virtuous   coutilry women,    that 

'  Read  is  Congress,  Jatiuacy  ijit. 

*  Mn.  Bacbe  wis  on«  of  itic  ladici  who  (upFrintcmdod  ttiE  mntriliutiont  in 
^hllatlclphia  (ot  Iht  bencAi  of  ihe  soldicB,  She  wrote  lo  Gencfml  Waihing- 
"loo  :  "  Wc  packed  u|>  llic  lliins  In  three  lii^tes,  and  ilctivereii  ihcm  lo  Colonel 
HUes,  willi  a  Te<)ucst  that  h«  would  lend  thvm  lo  Trenton  immcitiiilcly,  lest  tho 
river  dHMiId  clou :  where  ihej  now  »-»it  your  Eicellcncy's  orclctv  There  are 
two  tbooauid  viil  live  iii  nuniher.  They  would  have  been  a1  camp  long  before 
tbik,  had  DOt  the  gen«nJ  ucknc>«  giieventcd.  W«  wish  ihem  to  be  worn  with 
•*  much  pleaiDic  ai  Ihey  were  made." 


V* 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


C1781 


they  ha%'e  never  been  accused  of  withholding  their 
most  zealous  efforts  to  support  tht:  cause  we  are  en- 
gaged in,  and  encourage  those  who  are  defending 
them  in  the  field.  The  army  do  not  want  gratitude, 
nor  do  they  misplace  it  in  this  instance. 

Although  the  friendship  of  your  father  may  oblige 
him  to  see  some  things  through  too  partial  a  medium, 
yet  the  indulgent  manner  in  which  he  is  pleased  to 
express  himself  respecting  me  is  indeed  very  pleasing  ; 
for  nothing  in  human  life  can  afford  a  liberal  mind 
more  rational  and  exquisite  satisfaction,  than  the  ap- 
probation of  a  wise,  a  great,  and  virtuous  man.'  Mrs. 
Washington  requests  me  to  present  her  comphments 
to  Mr.  Bache  and  yourself,  with  which  you  will  both 
be  pleased  to  accept  of  mine,  and  believe  me  to  be, 
with  great  consideration  and  esteem,  dear  Madam.  &c. 


TO  COUNT   DE    ROCHAMBEAU. 

HKAU.Q(IAKTtlil.,  Ntw  WDOttOK. 
so  January,  17B1. 

Sir, 

I  should  have  done  myself  the  honor  of  writing 
sooner  to  Your  Excellency,  on  the  late  disturbance  in 
the  Pensylvania  Line,  had  I  not  relied,  that  General 
Knox  first,  and  afterwards  Count  des  Ueux  Ponts. ' 

'  Mn.  [I.ichc  w»  llic  ilaughlei  ot  Dr.  Fianklin,  aixl  slic  hml  uicl :  "  My 
(ather,  in  one  of  his  Iwi  Icttcn,  »»y».  '  !f  you  »ee  Gcnctnl  Washington,  auure 
Um  oi  my  veiy  great  and  alncere  rexpect,  and  (cU  him  Thai  aJI  Ihe  old  j^nerali 
h<N  asiutc  IhetiiMlvM  in  itudying  ilic  iici;iiuiiia  uf  hiv  i)|>rratioa*,  and  approv* 
hil^y  of  hiii  condtKt.'  " 

'  Two  colofflcb  of  ihii  name  were  wiib  Ihe  Freni:li  umy,  Coont  Cbrulita  and 
Conol  Culllaume. 


would  give  you  the  most  accurate  account  of  this  affair 
— and  had  I  not  been  watting  to  hear  the  event  of  it 
and  collect  the  particulars  to  enable  me  to  give  you  a 
more  perfect  idea  of  it.  The  causes  of  complaint  of 
this  line,  mostly  composed  of  foreigners,  and  having 
even  some  British  deserters,  must  in  great  part  be 
known  to  your  Excellency.  The  absolute  want  of  pay 
and  cloathing — the  great  scarcity  of  provisions  were 
too  severe  a  trial  for  men,  a  great  proportion  of  whom 
could  not  be  deeply  impressed  with  the  feelings  of 
citizens.  Some  cause  of  complaint  as  to  their  inlist- 
ments  and  perhaps  the  instigations  of  internal  enemies 
added  to  their  discontents  and  contributed  to  bring 
them  to  so  disagreeable  an  issue.  The  beginning  of 
the  disturbance  you  had  from  General  Knox  and  the 
subsequent  proceedings  have  no  doubt  been  related 
to  your  Excellency  by  the  Count  des  Deux  Fonts, 
who  being  an  eye  witness  had  an  opportunity  of 
knowing  all  circumstances.  1  shall  therefore  content 
myself  with  adding  that  the  civil  authority  having  un- 
dertaken to  settle  the  dispute  there  would  have  been 
an  impropriety  in  my  interfering  in  their  conciliatory 
mea.surcs,  which  would  not  have  suited  the  principles 
of  military  discipline  ; — and  that  the  matter  is  in  a 
train  of  being  terminated  as  well  as  the  manner  in 
which  il  was  taken  up  gave  us  reason  to  expect. 

It  is  somewhat  extraordinary,  that  these  men,  how- 
ever lost  to  a  sense  of  duty  had  so  far  retained  that 
of  honor,  as  to  reject  the  most  advantageous  proposi- 
tions from  the  enemy.  The  rest  of  our  Army  (the 
Jersey  troops  excepted)  being  chiefly  composed   of 


ti6 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


1 1 781 


natives,  I  would  flatter  myself,  will  continue  to  strug- 
gle under  the  same  difficulties,  they  have  hitherto 
endured,  which  I  cannot  help  remarking  seem  to  reach 
the  bounds  of  human  patience. 

I  had  last  evening  the  pleasure  of  seeing  at  my 
quarters  Count  de  Charlus — Count  de  Dillon '  and 
Monsr.  Du  Mat*  The  first  of  these  Gentlemen 
acquainted  me  with  the  object  of  his  journey  to 
Philadelphia,  which  he  is  preparing  to  pursue  agree- 
able to  your  desire. 

I  cannot  forbear  lamenting.  Sir,  that  the  absolute 
want  of  money,  an  evil  too  well  known  in  our  army. 
obliged  me  to  interrupt  the  chain  of  communication. 

But  the  conveyance  by  the  post  is  so  dilatory,  and 
it  is  so  important  we  should  speedily  hear  from  each 
other,  that  1  am  going  to  renew  the  chain  from  this 
place  to  Hartford  and  propose  to  you  the  expediency 
of  having  it  continued  to  Rhode  Island. 

Nothing  could  give  me  greater  pleasure  than  to 
have  the  honor  of  waiting  on  you  at  New  Port  and 
improving  the  opportunity  to  make  a  more  extensive 
acquaintance  with  the  troops  under  your  orders.  Be- 
sides the  satisfaction.  1  should  feel  in  seeing  you  again 
I  think  it  very  useful  that  we  should  have  a  further 
conversation  on  our  affairs,  in  which  I  may  avail  my- 
self of  your  opinion.  But  our  circumstances  have 
been  such,  that  it  has  hitherto  been  out  of  my  power 
to  execute  this  favorite  project  of  mine.  The  moment 
I  do  not  think  my  presence  at  West  Point  essential, 
shall  be  devoted  to  a  visit  to  your  Excellency. 

'  Count  Arltini  DUton,  of  Lauiun**  t«flon. 
*  M.  Uumas.  one  of  Koctumbau'i  >idt. 


The  reduction  of  my  family  by  various  contingen- 
cies, so  that  I  had  for  some  days  hut  a  single  Aide — 
and  the  additional  weight  of  business  which  of  course 
devolved  upon  mc,  have  prevented  my  writing  to 
your  Excellency  lately  as  often  as  I  wished. 

By  intelligence  from  New  York,  we  hear  the  en- 
emy have  collected  transports  on  the  North  River — 
It  is  probable  that  hearing  of  discontents  among  our 
troops,  ihey  mean  to  be  in  a  situation  to  improve  any 
opening  that  may  offer. 

Li.  CoL  Laurens  one  of  my  Aide  dc  Camps  having 
been  appointed  by  Congress  to  repair  to  the  Court  of 
France,  to  negotiate  matters  relative  to  our  finances, 
as  well  as  to  other  articles  of  great  importance  to 
our  Army,  they  have  directed  him  to  confer  before 
his  departure  with  your  Excellency  and  Monsieur 
Destouches. 

In  consequenceof  his  instructions,  I  expect  he  will 
be  shortly  at  New  Port,  where  he  will  both  receive 
your  orders  for  France  and  avail  himself  of  any 
advice  your  Excellency  may  be  pleased  to  favour 
him  with. 

With  sentiments  of  the  most  perfect  regard  and 
attachment,  I  have,  &c. 


TO   THE    EXECUTIVES  OF   THE  STATES.' 

HSAD  QUARTCKS,  Nbw  Windsor, 
Sir:  ujanu«y.  1781. 

I  have  (cceivcd  the  disagreeable  intelligence,  that  a  part  of  the 
Jersey  line  had  followed  ihe  example  of  that  of  the  Pennsylvania ; 

'  New  Hampibire,  Muuichuietti,  Conn«cticul.  Rhode  IiUnd,  and  N«tr 
York.     The  leiien  were  iliflcieni  in  unlmjioilaiit  detiiU. 


n8 


THE  WRITINGS  OP 


[i7«i 


and  when  the  *dvicM  came  away,  it  wascxpcctcd  ihe  revolt  would 
be  general.  The  precise  intention  of  the  mutineers  was  not 
known,  but  their  complaints  and  demands  were  similar  to  those 
of  the  Pcnnsylvanians. 

Persuaded  that  wiihotit  some  decisive^  effort,  at  all  hazard's,  to 
suppress  this  dangerous  spirit,  it  would  speedily  infect  the  whole 
army,  I  have  ordered  as  large  a  Detachment  as  we  could  spare 
from  these  posts,  to  march  under  Major  General  Howe,  with  or- 
ders to  compel  the  mutineers  to  unconditional  submission — to 
listen  to  no  terms  while  they  were  in  a  state  of  resistance,  and  on 
their  reduction,  to  execute  instantly  a  few  of  the  most  active,  and 
most  incendiary  leaders.  1  sxa  not  certain  what  part  the  troops 
detached  for  this  purpose  will  act,  but  I  flatter  myself  they  will 
do  their  duty.  I  prefer  any  extremity  to  which  the  Jersey  troops 
may  be  driven  to  a  compromise.' 

The  weakness  of  the  garrison,  but  still  more  its  embarrassing 
distress  for  want  of  provisions,  made  it  impossible  to  prosecute 
such  measures  with  the  Pcnnsylvanians,  as  the  nature  of  the  case 
demanded— and  while  we  were  makini^  arrangements,  as  far  a« 
practicable  to  supply  these  defects,  an  accommodation  took  place 

'  Waiihini;ti)n  rewivcd  (rom  CeJ,  Slireve  intelli^niir  of  i*wilt  of  (he  J«wy 
line  >i  lu  o'clock  on  the  night  of  the  list,  tad  ordered  Heath  lo  molce  >  de- 
Uchmcnl  of  live  or  til  hundred  men  from  the  {;Rrriu3in  of  XVmi  Folnl,  "uflh« 
DKMt  tnbuM  «nd  lieni  cloxheil,  properly  officered  and  provided."  He  wrote 
that  he  would  lie  nl  the  foint  in  the  morning.  He  wrote  lo  Shteve,  should  he 
bave  lufiicienl  lotce,  lo  "  compel  the  niulinecrv  lo  iincundilional  lubminion. 
The  mote  •leclMvcly  you  arc  able  to  act  (he  boiler."  To  Co).  FrelinghuirMii : 
"  I  mutt  entreat  yon  lo  employ  kU  your  innuenoe  lo  Iniplie  the  militia  with  a 
dtipoiilion  to  eoapcraie  with  ui,  by  repreMniltiK  liic  fatal  coniequeacta  of  th« 
pment  temper  of  llic  wldicry  not  only  lo  military  luboidination  but  lo  dvjl 
liberty.  In  reality  both  Eire  fundamentally  ilrack  al  by  their  unilFrtikin);  in 
•rmt  10  dictate  lerms  lo  (heir  country. " — 31  January'.  I7S(.  And  to  (iovemor 
I.lviniftion  ;  "  I  doubl  not  we  thall  derive  e*ery  aid  from  the  good  people  of 
your  suie  in  tupprciung  this  mniiny,  not  only  from  a  con  vied  on  of  ihc  dan|[<r> 
«□>  tendency  of  «ich  procecdin)[t  to  clli-rt  ihe  entire  diuulution  of  the  army, 
bal,  an  >l  ni»y  (Hcd  civil  vt  well  at  military  authort(y  to  have  a  rediru  of 
£riFvaDc«s  demuidcd  with  armi,  and  alio  fruin  a  )>eni«  of  (he  uiimK)nabl« 
tonducl  of  (he  Jcney  iroop*  in  rcvoliliig  al  a  lime  when  the  $(ate  waseserting 
itMlf  to  redxeuaU  llicir  rsa]  Erievaac«."^33  January,  lySi. 


I78ll 


GEORGE  WASHJNGTON. 


ti5 


: 


vliich  will  not  only  subvert  the  Pennsylvanu  line,  but  have  anrjr 
pernicious  inllucncc  on  the  whole  anny.  I  meAn  howevtt  \ff 
these  rcmnrks,  only  to  give  xri  idea  of  the  miserable  situation  we 
arc  in,  not  to  blame  a  mcAsure  which  perhaps  in  our  circum- 
stances was  the  best  that  could  have  been  adopted.  The  same 
em barras&naenfs  operate  against  coercion  at  thin  moment,  but  not 
in  so  great  a  degree  ;  the  Jersey  troops  noi  being,  from  theii 
DiimbcTS,  so  formidable  as  were  the  FennsylvanUns. 

I  dare  not  detail  the  risks  wc  run  from  the  scantiness  of  sup- 
plies. We  have  received  few  or  no  calitc  (or  some  lime  past,  nor 
do  know  of  any  shortly  to  be  expected.  The  salted  meat  we 
ought  to  have  reserved  in  the  garrison,  is  now  nearly  exhausted. 
1  cannot  but  renew  my  solicitations  with  your  state  to  every 
expedience  for  contributing  to  our  immediate  relief, 

With  perfect  respect,  &c. 


TO  THE  OFFICEK  COMMANDING  THE   BRITISH    FLEET  AT 

NEW  YORK. 

HttAO-QuARTEIlS,   Naw  WlMDHOI, 

Sir.  a5j»n.i.ty.  1781. 

Through  a  variety  of  channels,  representations  of 
too  serious  a  nature  to  be  disregarded  have  come  to 
us,  that  the  American  naval  prisoners  in  the  harbor 
of  New  York  are  suffering  all  the  extremities  of  dis- 
tress, from  a  too  crowded  and  in  all  respects  disagree- 
able and  unwholesome  situation,  on  board  the  prison- 
ships,  and  from  the  want  of  food  and  other  necessaries. 
The  picture  given  us  of  their  sufferings  is  truly  calami- 
tous and  deplorable.  If  just,  it  Is  the  obvious  Interest 
of  both  parties,  (to  omit  the  plea  of  humanity,)  that 
the  causes  should  be  without  delay  inquired  into  and 
removed  ;  if  false,  it  is  equally  desirable,  that  effec- 
tual measures  should  be  taken  to  obviate  misappre- 


I30 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[»78» 


hensions.  This  can  only  be  done  by  permitting  an 
officer,  of  confidence  on  both  sides,  to  visit  the  pris- 
oners in  their  respective  confinements,  and  to  examine 
into  their  true  condition.  This  will  either  at  once 
satisfy  you,  that,  by  some  abuse  of  trust  in  the  persons 
immediately  charged  with  the  care  of  the  prisoners, 
their  treatment  is  really  such  as  has  been  described  to 
us,  and  requires  a  change  ;  or  it  will  convince  us,  that 
the  clamors  are  ill  grounded.  A  disposition  to  ag- 
gravate the  miseries  of  captivity  is  too  illiberal  to  be 
imputed  to  any  but  those  subordinate  characters,  who, 
in  every  service,  are  too  often  remiss  or  unprincipled. 
This  reflection  assures  mc,  that  you  will  acquiesce  in 
the  mode  proposed  for  ascertaining  the  truth,  and 
detecting  delinquency  on  one  side,  or  falsehood  on 
the  other. 

The  discussions  and  asperities,  which  have  had  too 
much  place  on  the  subject  of  prisoners,  are  so  irksome 
in  themselves,  and  have  had  so  many  ill  consequences, 
that  it  is  infinitely  to  be  wished,  that  there  may  be  no 
room  given  to  revive  them.  The  mode  I  have  sug- 
gested appears  to  me  calculated  to  bring  the  present 
case  to  a  fair,  direct,  and  satisfactory-  issue.  I  am  not 
sensible  of  any  inconveniences  it  can  be  attended  with, 
and  I  therefore  hope  for  your  concurrence.  I  shall 
be  glad,  as  soon  as  possible,  to  hear  from  you  on  the 
subject.     I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.' 

'Thit  l«t(«r  wuuiiwcitd  by  Admiral  Arbnthnoi,  throe  monttiiafiMUxlai*, 

aifbllowi: 

"  RovAL  Oak,  orv  New  Vokk.  si  April,  1781. 
"Si«. 

"  t(  I  h«'l  not  been  veo'  hxxvj,  wlion  I  trccivcd  your  trllrr  listed  the  35lh  of 
Jaauwy  lut,  complaining  uf  [he  tmLtmcui  of  the  naval  prisonrn  at  thii  place. 


'J8ij 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


\i\ 


TO  THE  COMMISSIONERS   FOR    REDRESSING   THE 
GRIEVANCES  OF  THE  NEW  JERSEY    LINE. 

Gentlemen,  ringwood.  aj  January.  17B1. 

The  fatal  tendency  of  that  spirit,  which  has  shown 

itself  in  the  Pennsylvania  and  Jersey  lines,  and  which 
derived  so  mucii  encouragement  from  impunity  in 
the  case  of  the  former,  determined  me  at  atl  events  to 
pursue  a  dtfTerent  conduct  with  respect  to  the  latter. 
For  this  purpose  I  detached  a  body  of  troops  under 
Major-Gcncraj  Howe,  with  orders  to  compel  the 
mutineers  to  unconditional  submission,  and  execute 
on  the  spot  a  few  of  the  principal  incendiaries.  This 
has  been  effected  this  morning;  and  we  have  reason 
to  believe  the  mutinous  disposition  of  the  troops  is 
now  completely  subdued,  and  succeeded  by  a  genuine 
penitence.' 

I  certainly  ithonld  have  answered  it  liefore  ihli,  lime  ;  and,  nniwithdcantling  I 
then  thought,  ta  I  now  do,  that  my  own  l»limony  would  have  lieen  fuffidcDt 
ta  pal  the  mth  pMt  a  doubt,  I  ordered  the  ilriclcM  scrutiny  to  be  mode  into 
IIm  eOfidutt  of  all  pattle*  concerned  in  the  Tieiu^Kng  and  treaimeni  of  IhoM 
safoTtunBie  people.  Their  Kreral  tntimonici  you  rauil  have  icen.  and  1  give 
you  my  hooor,  that  the  iranuclion  was  conducted  with  luch  alrict  catu  and 
UnpMiialily,  that  you  may  rely  on  Us  validity. 

"  Pennit  ■<  now.  Sir,  to  rcqueil.  thai  you  wfll  tilt«  the  proper  ttc[ii  locauu* 
l(t.  Bradford,  your  commiiury,  and  ihe  Jailor  nt  Philadelphia,  to  abate  that 
t&hoaianily.  which  they  exercise  iixllki^rimlnalcly  upnii  all  people,  who  are  to 
nnforlunato  m  lo  be  curried  into  thai  place.  I  will  nut  trouble  you.  Sir.  wilh 
k  cntalogtie  of  grieranccs,  further  than  to  rcquect.  that  Ihe  anfortunnie  may 
(nl  at  lillle  of  the  hevcrllick  of  uar,  at  (he  circumslances  of  the  [lin<  will  |ier- 
■lit.  that  in  future  they  may  ntit  be  fed  in  winter  with  sailed  clanu,  and  Ihal 
they  may  be  afforded  aiuflicienc)'  of  fuel." 

'  "  The  ninlinecrt  were  uneipedcdly  tuirounded  and  awed  Into  an  uncondi- 
tional nirrendfr  with  liltle  heMlalion  and  no  teiislance.  Two  of  the  principal 
acton  were  eiecuteJ  on  the  ipot.  ihe  reil  pardoned.  The  spirit  of  mutiny 
M<mi  now  to  have  cum]jlr(ety  tululdcd,  and  lo  have  pven  place  lo  a  genuine 
repcBti»c«.     Thit  was  ver;  far  from  being  the  cue  previout  to  this  ilep,  not' 


taa 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[•r8« 


But  having  punished  guiit  and  supported  authority, 
it  now  becomes  proper  to  do  justice.  I  therefore 
wish  the  commissioners,  as  soon  as  convenient,  to 
enter  upon  the  objects  for  which  they  have  been 
appointed.  Bui  I  think  it  my  duty  to  observe  to 
them  the  necessity  of  the  greatest  caution  in  discuss- 
ing one  article,  the  terms  of  the  enlistments  of  the 
troops.  In  transacting  this  with  the  Pennsylvanians, 
for  want  of  proper  care,  the  greater  part  of  the  line 
has  been  dismissed,  though  only  a  small  proportion 
was  entitled  to  a  dismission.  Authentic  and  unequivo- 
cal proofs  have  been  since  found,  that  a  majority  of 
the  discharged  men  were  fairly  and  explicitly  enlisted 
for  the  war.  This  evil  arose  from  admitting  the  oaths 
of  the  individuals  themselves,  before  the  vouchers 
could  be  assembled.  From  the  temper  of  the  sol- 
diery, who  will  avoid  no  means  of  getting  rid  of  the 
service,  it  becomes  necessary  to  admit  none  but  the 

wilhstanding  [h«  apparent  tubmisiian  which  lh«  a^nnnces  of  redren  had 
produced  :  they  slill  conlinucd  insolent  and  lefnictuij,  and  disobedienl  lo  (he 
cnmmandii  of  llieir  nf)icCT>,  A  general  paidon  was  pramUed  by  Colonel  Day- 
Ion,  on  tondition  o(  an  immediate  and  fiilt  iriuin  In  duly.  This  conditioD  vu 
not  perfiirmeil  on  the  pan  of  the  inutinccn,  and  <A  cnune  they  were  tiot 
enliilcd  In  tlir  bonefil  o(  eIip  ptomise.  bnidet  which  the  exislence  of  the  atnj 
alltd  for  an  example." —  WaikiHgloH  to  Cfft^fmer  Liviitgilei,  17  January.  17B1. 
The  two  pcrioni  eieculed  were  iJaiid  (iiltnnre  of  the  Somertcl  County  i^i- 
Bicnl,  and  liaac  TuttU  of  the  Motrit  County  r«gitnenl.  The  matiiiccn  were 
taid  to  have  been  led  by  one  Geoige  GibdI.  a  icrgeant-miior  of  the  3d  New 
Jeisey  rej[imenl.  and  a  dewrtet  (lucn  the  Briltsh. 

Tlic  conduct  of  (he  detachment  under  General  [lo^e  drew  out  high  praiia 
Erom  Washington.  "  I  cannot  omit  doing  juilicc  10  the  detachment  whkb  wat 
•cm  on  thii  tervloe.  There  wan  in  ilt  behavior  every  mark  of  fidelily,  <^edl- 
cnce.  diiapprohation  of  the  conduct  of  the  mulineen,  and  a  conviction  of  the 
neceuity  of  bringing  them  to  tubmii&inn  and  punishment.  They  made  a  long 
march  over  mouniainnut  roadh  and  through  a  deep  innw  with  the  greaical 
patience,  and  obeyed  every  order  with  alactitj,"— Wwii'uf^wi  to  iftihHh 
WMrf,  January,  17S1. 


ilSi] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON, 


>»3 


■ost  unsuspicious  evidence  in  their  favor.     Generally 

OD  investigation  the  complaints  on  this  head  have 

appeared   ill   founded  ;    and  as  the   presumption  is 

strong  against  the  soldier,  the  proofs  of  an  unfair 

detention  ought  to  be  equally  strong.     Men  are  ex- 

Ercmely  wanted,     it  is  at  an  infinite  expense  that  they 

are  procured,  and  they  ought  not  lightly  to  be  released 

from  their  engagements.' 

Whenever  a  complaint  has  been  made  to  me,  1  have 
invariably  directed  an  inquiry  ;  for  I  have  ever  con- 
sidered it  as  not  less  impolitic  than  unjust  in  our 
service  to  use  fraud  in  engaging  or  retaining  men. 
But  as  I  mentioned  above,  the  complaint  has  much 
oftener  been  found  to  originate  in  the  levity  of  the 
soldier  than  in  truth.     I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c 


TO    MAJOR-GENERAL    HOWE. 

New  Windsor,  aq  Janurj.  1781. 

Dear  Sir, 

I  have  received  your  letter  of  this  day  with  the 
papers  accompanying  it.  For  fear  of  a  revival  of  the 
discontents  in  the  jersey  line,  1  think   it   advisable 

'  "  Von  will  havi?  tic&rd  of  Ch«  defection  of  the  I'^nniylrania  line,  and  the 
dlfagrcc*ble  compconilw  made  wllh  them.  It  hat  ended  in  it  lemparmry  dlsM- 
hiliDn  of  the  line.  One  half  hu  liocn  ■hsolutely  iliKlil[];e(! ,  unit  the  remiindet 
tMTc  liecn  [iirloughed  to  rca«enibl«  in  the  beginning;  of  A|ml,  The  oilhs  c4 
(Iw  men  tctpeclinu  the  letiiit  of  ihdt  enllatmctilt  were  precipitately  admitted 
bafuie  the  document!  could  be  produced  ;  by  which  it  »fleTwir<l»  appmred. 
that  the  grealet  p«tl  had  perjured  ihemsclvei  to  get  tidof  the  serrice.  Weh«d 
h  MM  In  oui  pawet  to  cniploj'  coenion  in  the  Rm  Innutnce,  ovine  '"  '^^  ^'*- 
UBca  ihfjr  vate  from  the  miin  ninijr,  and  ■  variety  of  other  impediment*, 
wbich  jtcm  will  eaiiily  conceive.  I  am  told  the  line  will  »oon  be  re-«liblisht4 
oa  a  better  tootini;  by  new  cnliattncnlg.  Fortuiiatnly  a  part  of  the  Jeney  tine 
lines  lolloved  their  example,  and  gave  ui  an  opporliinil^.  after  comprlling  all 
the  iDDtiDcen  to  an  unconditional  tutrendei,  to  make  exunplci  of  two  of  the 


••4 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[ijSi 


there  should  remain  near  them  other  troops  on  whose 
fidelity  we  can  more  perfectly  rely.  On  this  account 
I  approve  the  detention  of  the  New  Hampshire  de- 
tachment and  the  aniller)',  till  we  hear  something 
more  of  the  movements  on  Staten  Island.  Perhaps 
on  receiving  intelligence  of  what  has  happened  in  the 
Jersey  line,  General  Robertson'  may  desist  from  his 
supposed  intention.'  To  march  the  jersey  troops 
alone  to  Morristown  might  only  be  one  temptation 
the  more  ;  and  to  harass  other  troops  with  that  march 
in  the  present  state  of  things  would,  in  my  opinion, 
be  inexpedient  on  more  accounts  than  one.  If  the 
Massachusetts  detachment  is  prett>'Commodiously  sit- 
uated, it  may  remain  where  it  is  till  we  receive  further 
intelligence ;  if  not,  let  it  return  to  West  PoinL  In 
this  case  you  will  yourself  also  return.  Signify,  if  you 
please,  to  Colonel  Barber  my  approbation  of  his  keep- 
ing the  New  Hampshire  detachment  and  the  artillery 
till  further  orders.     I  am,  with  great  regard.  Sir,  &c. 


TO   ROBEKl    R.    LIVINGSTON. 

Dear  Sir,  ^''"'  w'i»i>»o«,  ji  j»na»fT.  »78i- 

The  disagreeable  events  wch.  have  taken  place  in 
the  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey  tines,  the  general 

xaa%\  sclivo  leadfn.  The  perfect  lubmiioiaii  and  penitence,  which  •pf>e>ra), 
made  it  unailviBble  to  extend  the  leeerily.  1  believe  we  ihall  have  no  mora 
tioubie  at  pieient  (toro  a  iplril  of  ihii  kind." —  Waikit^en  te  Sttttitn,  6  Feb- 
tiwrj,  1781. 

'  Wuhinglon  wrote  Reiiiuan, 

*  General  Robcnion  wu  on  Stalen  IiJand  wllh  ■  lar^e  detachment  of  Brititll 
Iroopt.  walehing  the  movcincnCl  !n  Jenej'.  and  prepued.aiit  <rai  tup)io*Mi,  to 
nuke  an  incunioa  for  the  purpoie  cither  of  drmwing  over  the  malecoDteDti,  oe 
al  Mijklag  ■  blow  in  thai  quarter,  aa  circiimAABce*  ini)>hi  leem  to  warranL 


I>»l] 


GEORGE  WASHryCTON. 


"5 


discontent  of  the  army  for  want  of  pay,  doathing. 
and  Provisions,  added  to  the  usual  course  of  business 
(which  increases  with  our  perplexities)  will,  I  am 
persuaded,  be  admitted  as  a  sufficient  apology  for  my 
not  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  your  confidential 
and  obliging  letter  of  the  8th  till  now. 

To  learn  from  so  good  authority  as  your  informa- 
tion, that  the  distresses  of  the  citizens  of  this  State 
are  maturing  into  complaints,  which  are  likely  to 
produce  serious  consequences,  is  a  circumstance  as 
necessary'  to  be  known,  as  it  is  unpleasing  to  hear, 
and  I  thank  you  for  the  communication.  The  com- 
mittees now  forming  are  at  this  crisis  disagreeable 
things :  and  if  they  cannot  be  counteracted,  or  diverted 
from  their  original  purposes,  may  outgo  the  views  of 
the  well-meaning  members  of  them,  and  plunge  this 
Country  into  deeper  distress  and  confusion,  than  it 
has  hitherto  experienced ;  though  1  have  no  doubt 
but  that  the  same  bountiful  Providence,  which  has 
relieved  us  in  a  variety  of  difficulties  heretofore,  will 
enable  us  to  emerge  from  them  ultimately,  and  crown 
our  struggles  with  success. 

To  trace  these  evils  to  their  sources  is  by  no  means 
difficult ;  and  errors  once  discovered  are  more  than 
half  corrected.  This  I  hope  is  our  case  at  present ; 
but  there  can  be  no  radical  cure  till  Congress  is 
vested,  by  the  several  States,  with  full  and  ample 
Powers  to  enact  Laws  for  general  purposes,  and  till 
the  executive  business  is  placed  in  the  hands  of  able 
men  and  responsible  characters.  Requisitions  then 
will   be  supported   by  Law.     Jealousies,  and  those 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


l'78l 


ruinous  delays  and  ill-timed  compliances,  arising  from] 
distrust  and  the  fear  of  doing  more  than  a  Sister] 
State,  will  cease.  Business  will  be  properly  arranged  ;| 
sj-stem  and  order  will  take  place  ;  and  ceconomy  must ' 
follow  ;  but  not  till  we  have  corrected  the  fundamental 
errors  enumerated  above.  I 

It  would  be  no  difificult  matter  to  prove,  that  less 
than  half  the  present  expenditures,  (including  certifi- 
cates,) is  more  than  sufficient,  if  we  had  money,  and , 
these  alterations  in   our   political   movements  were] 
adopted,  to  answer  all  our  purposes.     Taxes  of  coursej 
would  be  lessened,  the  burden  would  be  equal  and 
light,  and  men  sharing  a  common  lot  would  neither, 
murmur  nor  despond. 

The  picture  you  have  drawn  of  the  distresses  of 
the  People  of  this  State  I  am  persuaded  is  true ;  and 
I  have  taken  the  liberty  in  a  late  letter,  and  in  as 
delicate  terms  as  I  could  express  my  sentiments,  to 
hint  lo  Congress  the  propriety  of  the  policy  of  leaving 
the  resources  of  this  State  and  the  Jersey  as  a  kind 
of  reserve  More  than  this  might  bring  on  me  the 
charge  of  an  intermeddler,  till  I  could  speak  decisivelyj 
from  my  own  knowledge.     ♦     ♦     • 


TO  THE    PRESIDENT  OK   CONGKESS. 


Hbap  Quartrrs.  Ni:w  Wihi»o«, 


Sir, 

1  have  on  different  occasions  done  myself  the  honor' 
to  represent  lo  Congress  the  inconveniences  arising 
from  the  want  of  a  proper  gradation  of  punishments 


I7«t] 


GEOSG£  IVASffJNGTON. 


"7 


V 


» 


I 


in  otir  military  code;  but.  as  no  determination  has 
been  communicated  to  me,  I  conclude  a  multiplicity 
of  business  may  have  diverted  their  attention  from 
the  object.     As  1  am  convinced  a  great  part  of  the 
vices  of  our  discipline  springs  from   this  source,   1 
lake  the  liberty  again  to  mention  the  subject.     The 
highest  corpora)  punishment  wc  are  allowed  to  give 
is  a  hundred  lashes ;  between  that  and  death  there 
are  no  degrees.    I  nstances  dayty  occurring  of  offences 
/or  which  the  former  is  entirely  inadequate,  Courts- 
Martial,  in  order  to  preserve  some  proportion  between 
the  crime  and  the  punishment,  are  obliged  to  pro- 
nounce sentence  of  death.     Capital  sentences  on  this 
account  become  more  frequent  in  our  service,  than  in 
any  other :  so  frequent  as  to  render  their  execution 
in  most  cases  inexpedient ;  and  it  happens  from  this, 
that  the  greater  offences   often   escape  punishment, 
while  lesser  are  commonly  punished  ;  which  cannot 
but  operate  as  an  encouragement  to  the  commission 
of  the  former. 

The  inconveniences  of  this  defect  are  obvious. 
Congress  are  sensible  of  the  necessity  of  punishment 
in  an  army,  of  the  justice  and  policy  of  a  due  propor- 
tion between  the  crime  and  the  penalty,  and,  of 
course,  of  the  necessity  of  proper  degrees  in  the 
latter.  I  shall  therefore  content  myself  with  ob- 
serving, that  it  appears  to  me  indispensable  that 
there  should  be  an  extension  of  the  present  corporal 
punishment,  and  also  that  it  would  be  useful  to 
authorize  Courts-Martial  to  sentence  delinquents  to 
labor  at  public  works;  perhaps  even  for  some  crimes. 


138 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[iy8i 


particularly  desertion,  to  transfer  them  from  the  land 
to  the  sea  service,  where  they  have  less  opportunity  to 
indulge  their  inconstancy.  A  variety  in  punishment 
is  of  utility,  as  well  as  a  proportion.  The  number  of 
lashes  may  either  be  indefinite,  left  to  the  discretion 
of  the  Court  to  fix  or  limited  to  a  larger  number.  In 
this  case  t  would  recommend  five  hundred. 

There  is  one  evil,  however,  which  I  shall  particu- 
larize, resulting  from  the  imperfection  of  our  regula- 
tions in  this  respect.  It  is  the  increase  of  arbitrarj' 
punishments.  Officers,  finding  discipline  cannot  be 
maintained  by  a  regular  course  of  proceeding,  axe 
tempted  to  use  their  own  discretion,  which  sometimes 
occasions  excesses  ;  to  correct  which,  the  interests  of 
discipline  will  not  permit  much  rigor.  Prompt  and 
therefore  arbitrary  punishments  are  not  to  be  avoided 
in  an  army  ;  but  the  necessity  for  them  will  be  more 
or  less,  in  proportion  as  the  military  laws  have  more 
or  less  vigor. 

There  is  another  thing  in  our  articles  of  war,  which 
I  beg  leave  to  suggest  to  Congress  the  propriety  of 
altering,  it  is  the  2d  article  of  the  4th  section,  allow- 
ing commanding  officers  of  corps  to  fuHough  their 
soldiers.  This  privilege,  if  suffered  to  operate,  would 
often  deprive  the  army  of  more  men  than  it  could 
spare.  It  has  been  attended  with  abuses,  it  is  dis- 
agreeable for  a  general  order  to  restrain  the  exercise 
of  a  privilege  granted  by  authority  of  Congress.  To 
prevent  uneasiness  and  discussion,  it  were  to  b* 
wished  Congress  would  think  proper  to  repeal  this 
article,  and  vest  the  power  of  designating  the  mode 
of  granting  furloughs  in  the  Commander-in-chief,  or 


.J8i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


139 


commanding  officer  of  a  separate  army.  It  would 
perhaps  be  useful  to  prescribe  a  printed  form,  for 
which  purpose  I  have  taken  the  liberty  to  enclose 
one.  This  would  hinder  counterfeits  and  impositions. 
On  the  same  principle  I  enclose  the  form  of  a  dis* 
H  charge.  It  would  in  my  opinion  be  a  good  regula- 
"  tion,  that  a  soldier  returning  home,  either  on  furlough 
or  dischai^ed,  who  did  not  in  ten  days  after  his  re- 
turn produce  to  the  nearest  Magistrate  his  printed 
certificate,  should  be  apprehended  by  the  magistrate 
as  a  deserter,  and  through  the  governor  be  reported 
to  the  general  officer  commanding  in  the  State  or 
^department.  This  regulation,  published  in  the  army 
^fand  in  the  sevenil  States,  would  have  a  tendency  to 
I  discourage  desertion.  Something  of  this  kind  has 
been  lately  adopted  in  Virginia,  and  I  doubt  not  will 
have  a  good  effect.  It  were  to  be  wished  its  utility 
may  become  general.  If  Congress  approve  1  wish 
the  Board  of  War  may  be  directed  to  have  a  number 
^^of  printed  copies  made  of  the  furloughs  and  passes. 
Hi  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 

^"  P.  S.  I  have  just  received  the  agreeable  account 
contained  in  a  letter  from  the  Count  de  Rochambeau 
of  which  the  enclosed  is  a  copy.' 


^■Oear  Sir, 

^P      The  unexpected  reduction  of  the  Pennsylvania  line, 

^from  the  unfortunate  affair,  adds  to  the  necessity  of 


TO  MAJOR-GENERAL  ST.  CLAIR. 

Nkw  WlNtlsoR,  3  February,  178I. 


'  R«ad  ill  CongKU,  Pebtuaiy  tfia. 
SttUivui. 


Rcrcrred  to  Jone»,   McDougall,   uid 
9 


ISO 


THE  WRITINGS  OP 


[178, 


the  greatest  attention  to  improve  the  measures 
adopted  for  recruiting  it  I  do  not  know  precisely 
what  these  are ;  but  I  am  informed  in  general  that 
money  is  raising  for  the  purpose,  and  that  the 
recruiting  ser\'ice  goes  on  with  success.  In  order  to 
have  it  conducted  with  regularity  and  activitj',  I  am 
to  request  you  will  undertake  to  superintend  it,  and 
make  your  arrangements  with  the  State  accordingly. 
Enclosed  you  will  find  a  copy  of  the  instructions  to 
the  recruiting  officers  of  the  other  parts  of  the  army, 
which  will  also  be  proper  for  the  government  of 
those  of  your  State.  We  have  found  from  ex- 
perience, that,  by  some  means  or  other,  numbers  of 
men  are  lost  between  the  place  of  enlistment  and 
the  place  of  rendezvous.  To  prevent  this,  as  far  as 
possible,  will  be  worthy  your  particular  attention.  I 
have  permitted  General  Wayne  to  retire  for  a  while. 
General  Irvine  will  immediately  assist  you  in  the 
execution  of  the  business. 

It  seems  a  great  part  of  the  soldiers  of  your  line 
have  fraudulently  procured  a  discharge,  by  the  pre- 
cipitate admission  of  their  oaths  before  the  papers 
relative  to  their  enlistments  could  be  produced.  In 
right,  this  cannot  exempt  them  from  their  engage- 
ments, and  after  what  has  happened,  if  it  were 
thought  expedient  to  compel  the  return  of  such,  as 
being  explicitly  engaged  for  the  war,  have  thus  per- 
jured themselves,  I  should  have  no  doubt  of  its  jus- 
tice ;  and  would  take  the  most  effectual  and  convenient 
measures  to  notify  them,  that  if  they  did  not  immedi- 
ately return  to  their  duty,  they  should  be  considered 


I 


1780 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


13 1 


and  treated  as  deserters.  I  perceive  there  are  objec- 
tions to  the  measure,  and.  unacquainted  as  I  am  with 
all  the  circumstances.  I  cannot  competently  judge  of 
its  propriety.  I  therefore  shall  be  obliged  to  you  for 
your  opinion.  Let  me  hear  from  time  to  time  of 
your  arrangements  and  progress.  I  am.  with  great 
esteem  and  regard,  &c. 


TO  JOHN   SULLIVAN.    IN   CONGRESS. 

New  Windsob,  4  Febnwiy,  1781. 

Dear  Sir, 

Colo.  Armand  delivered  me  your  favor  of  the  agth 
ulto.  last  Evening,  and  I  thank  you  for  the  sevl.  com- 
munications contained  in  it.  The  measure  adopted 
by  Congress  of  appointing  Ministers  of  War,  Finance, 
and  for  Foreign  Affairs,  I  think  a  very  wise  one.  To 
give  efficacy  to  it,  proper  characters  will,  no  doubt, 
be  chosen  to  conduct  the  business  of  these  depart- 
ments. How  far  Colo.  Hamilton,  of  whom  you  ask 
my  opinion  as  a  financier,  has  turned  his  thoughts  to 
that  particular  study,  I  am  unable  to  ansr.,  because  I 
never  entered  upon  a  discussion  of  this  point  with 
him.  But  this  I  can  venture  to  advance,  from  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  him,  that  there  are  few  men 
to  be  found,  of  his  age,  who  has  a  more  general 
knowledge  than  he  possesses;  and  none,  whose  soul 
is  more  firmly  engaged  in  the  cause,  or  who  exceeds 
hira  in  probity  and  sterling  virtue.' 

'  Id  rcptjr  to  ihi*  puMg«  Geocnl  Sullivan  ^aid  :  "  I  am  glad  to  lin<],  that 
j«a  entoUia  the  tame  tenliments  o(  ibc  virtue*  and  abiliiiei  of  Colonel  Ham- 
ihoa,  aa  I  karc  ever  done  inytlf.    After  I  w«iir,  I  loiiml  llie  tyca  o(  Cont^ss 


'3* 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[«78i 


I  am  clearly  in  sentiment  with  you,  that  our  cause 
only  became  distressed,  and  apparently  desperate, 
from  an  improper  management  of  it ;  and  that  errors 
once  discovered  are  more  than  half  mended.  I  have 
no  doubt  of  our  abilities  or  resources,  but  we  must 
not  slumber  nor  Sleep  ;  they  never  will  be  drawn  forth 
if  we  do ;  nor  will  violent  exertions,  which  subside 
with  the  occasion,  answer  our  purposes.  It  Is  a  prov- 
ident foresight,  a  proper  arrangement  of  business, 
system  and  order  in  the  execution,  that  is  to  be  pro- 
ductive of  that  ceconomy,  which  is  to  defeat  the 
efforts  and  hopes  of  Great  Britain  ;  and  I  am  happy, 
thrice  happy,  on  private  as  well  as  public  accts.,  to 
ftnd,  that  these  are  in  train.  For  it  will  ease  my 
shoulders  of  an  immense  burthen,  which  the  deranged 
and  perplexed  situation  of  our  affairs,  and  the  dis* 
tresses  of  every  department  of  the  army,  which  con- 
centered in  the  Com r, -in-chief,  had  placc<l  upon  them. 

1  am  not  less  pleased  to  hear  that  Maryland  has 
acceded  to  the  confederation,  and  that  Virginia  has 
relinquished  its  claim  to  the  Land  West  of  the  Ohio, 
which,  for  fertility  of  Soil,  pleasantness  of  clime,  and 

Iiu-ncil  upon  Robert  Momt  m  (iDUicior,  I  did  not  therefoic  nomimlc  Colonel 
Himilton,  lb  I  forctiiw  ir  would  be  a  vun  fttlcin|it." — March  Qlh,  A  tew  dajrt 
adcnvartli,  Robrn  Morrii  wai  chotco,  Samuel  Adnmi  ind  (Jencml  Wwd,  tA 
the  Muutcliutells  dclc|>jili>n,  drc-liiiiiig  to  bailiil. 

Uvncnl  Sullivan  aJilcd  :  "  The  choice  of  a  minister  of  w>r  it  ptntponrd  (o 
the  III  of  October.  Thii  wos  i  mantruvrc  oJ  Samuel  Aduni  and  otbctt  from 
the  north,  forini:  that,  ><  I  wai  in  nomiiiutimi,  the  choke  would  fall  on  me, 
who,  hiTing  aputit.iliicd  frum  llie  true  New  Kngland  failli  bytometiDKn  volin); 
with  the  lomhem  Suies,  am  not  eligible.  They  were  not,  however,  acijuainled 
irilh  all  the  clrcunidancrt.  t  wah  iiominatcil  at^nkl  nty  will,  and,  if  choten, 
thould  not  bivo  iicceplcd.  General  McDougnll  ii  appointed  miciiilcT  of 
marine." 


other  natural  advantages,  is  equal  to  any  known  tract 
of  Country  in  the  Universe,  of  the  same  extent,  tak- 
ing the  great  Lakes  for  its  northern  boundary.' 

I  wish  most  devoutly  a  happy  completion  to  your 
plan  of  finance,  (which  you  say  is  near  finished,)  and 
much  success  to  your  scheme  of  borrowing  coined 
specie  and  plate.  But  in  what  manner  do  you  pror 
pose  to  apply  the  latter  ?  As  a  fund  to  redeem  its 
value  in  Paper  to  be  emitted,  or  to  coin  it?  If  the 
latter,  it  will  add  one  more  to  a  thousand  other 
reasons,  wch.  might  be  offered  in  proof  of  the  neces- 
sity of  vesting  legislative  or  dictatorial  powers  in 
Congress,  to  make  Laws  of  general  utility  for  the 

*  "  I  un  equally  w«Il  pIcMcd  at  the  rclioqniihintnt  at  tlte  claim  o(  Vii^nU 
to  the  liod  irc^l  of  Ohio,  Inillvldual.  ts  welt  at  ijcneril  poUcf,  tn  my  opinion, 
rtqnind  it  ol  her  ;  tot  I  am  burc  the  atvti  could  goicm  the  settlen  u/  that 
csieniive  country.  1  hope  the  reservitliont  arc  not  eicepiionatile  onc»," — 
WiuAiiigtni  to  yirin  Malkrait,  14  Fcbr\i«ry.  1781. 

"  It  ii  with  peculiar  plcuure  I  bear  that  Maryland  ha*  acceded  to  the  Con- 
tcdicratian,  and  ilut  Vi^nia  has  yielilcci  h«r  rUim  to  the  country  west  of  the 
Ohio,  (itcai  pmA.  I  h<>pc.  will  remll  fiom  tlic>e  nieoture*.  The  lint  wtU, 
ludoabtcdly  enable  Congresi  to  ipc«k  with  mote  Ucdsion  in  ihdr  [cquiiitioni 
sA  ibc  ropcclivc  State:^ — wiihciui  whlth  it  ii.  phjrticnlly  inijioiAlblc  to  piOMCute 
the  war  with  nicccBi,  (crcal  »s  out  eipencei  are.  1'he  other  will  smooth  the 
way  &  aid  taitdon  by  reconciling  jaTiing  inleieiii.  removing  jealousies,  and 
olabliibing  1  fund. 

"  There  ire  Mhet  measures  lately  aduplcd  iti  Congieu  with  which  I  am 
bigbty  pleiBrd — the  niabliihing  of  minivers  (in  place  of  Boaidi)  for  the  dcpitn- 
nenla  of  War,  Finance,  and  foreign  .ifTalts — Proper  I*owera  to  and  a  judicioui 
choice  of  men  to  Gil  thete  de|>artnipntB.  wilt  toon  leail  us  to  Hyitmi,  order,  & 
geooiwmy — vithout  which  our  aBain.  alrcndy  on  the  brink  of  ruin,  would  loon 
hsve  been  pasted  rcdeiit|iti(in.  I  enjoy  liy  antldpaiion  the  benelii  ol  these 
retolrea — I  hear  with  infinite  pleaiure  (lliuugh  no  nomination  has  yet  taken 
place)  that  you  ate  generally  ipoken  of  for  the  dcpattmcnl  of  War.  At  the 
uune  lime  I  Icani  with  pain  from  Colo.  Hamilton  that  your  acceptance  of  it  il 
donbtfvl  if  the  choice  ihould  Call  on  you. 

"  t  am  perfccity  awnre  of  alt  your  objections  1  [eel  their  lattx,  but  they 
oqfilit  not  to  prerail.  Our  aflain  are  brought  to  an  :iwlu1  cHHii.  Nothing  wilt 
raoover  Ibem  but  the  rigorous  ciertions  of  men  of  abilitiei,  who  know  our 


IJ4  THE  WSITINGS  OF  [1781 


I 


purposes  of  war,  so  that  they  might  prohibit,  under 
the  pains  and  penalty  of  death,  specie  and  provisions 
from  going  to  the  Enemy  for  Goods.     The  Traffic 
with  New  York  is  immense.     Individual  States  will 
not  make  it  felony,  lest,  (among  other  reasons.)  it 
should  not  become  genl. ;  and  nothing  short  of  it  will 
ever  check,  much  less  stop  a  practice,  which,  at  the 
same  time  that  it  serves  to  drain  us  of  our  Provision 
and  Specie,  removes  the  barrier  between  us  and  the      , 
enemy,  corrupts  the  morals  of  our  people  by  a  lucra-  ■ 
live  traffic,  by  degrees  weakens  the  opposition,  affords  ~ 
a  means  for  obtaining  regular  and  perfect  intelligence 
of  every  thing  among  us,  while  even  in  this  respect 

waoti,  &  th«beitm«uis  a\  nipptying  them — (hue,  sir,  withoal  •  complnnenl, 
I  think  -joa  |M)iseui.  Why  then.  Ihc  dcparlmenl  being  necctatiy,  thould  yofl 
*hrink  tniin  llic  diiiieiol  it?  Tht  i-reatcr  the  i-li»t«.  tin;  RrcWcr  will  \m  yont 
merit  in  bringing  forth  oiilei— and  to  aipect  to  (read  the  dillcrent  mJlu  of 
public  life  without  envy  ^nd  iu  mnconiiiantt,  is  more  lli*ii  lian  yet  f*llen  t» 
the  lot  of  human  kind." — Waihiagtfn  lo  PhUif  StMiyler,  ao  Febnaary.  1781. 

"  1  cannot  mpp«e,  although  «>mc  may  mention  me  for  the  office,  that  Cott- 
gjCM  will  be  *o  iBipru<leni  wllh  itspecl  10  thrmtclvcM.  or  indrllcaic  in  rexanl  (ft 
me.  at  lo  oRer  il.  unce  I  hive  explicitly  on  another  occasion,  and  ia  writing. 
declared  my  inienlion  never  to  bold  any  oHicc  uiidei  Ihcm,  nnlcu  acrampanied 
with  a  rektoralion  of  my  military  rank  ;  and  I  ciiiulldly  pointed  at  the  incoo- 
renieiiGct,  whidi  would  rcauli  to  ibcmselves  from  sudi  a  reitoiatiun,  •>  it  not 
neceiMrily  give  umbrage  to  many  officers.*' — Srkuyler  M  WaiMngtvti,  3;  Fd>- 
mary,  1781. 

In  March  Waihinglon  wm  informed  that  "  by  a  manceuvre,  looprotoand  for 
my  undentanding.  if  it  ii  intended  for  the  public  good,  the  choice  of  a  minister 
of  war  la  jMMl)M>neil  lill  October.  I  bnvc  heard  no  itaaon  auigncd  lor  it,  aad 
am  UDchiritable  enough  to  believe,  that  no  geo4»iu  can  be  given.*' —  H'aihimg^ 
ton  to  SckKyUr,  13  March,  1781. 

"  The  motivcx,  which  led  CnngrcM  lo  potipone  iillinK  Ihe  war  deparliaaBt, 
have  leaded  out,  and  been  comrauni(:ated  to  me.  General  Gates  waa  in  bomI- 
nation  :  but  bis  friends  reDeclini;.  that  the  impropriety  of  appointing  him, 
liefore  he  had  exculpated  himself  fioiii  the  iiiiputntiuci  nf  nil*condiicl  ia  hit 
mmmand.  uruuld  bo  too  gUrin);  an  abuie  of  poser,  deferred  it  in  hopci  ihftt 
by  an  acquittal  the  public  confidence  will  be  rulorcd  to  hiro." — SiAmyltr  It 
Washineltn,  j  April,  17S1. 


« 


4 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


•35 


we  benefit  nothing  from  a  fear  of  discovery.  Men  of 
ail  descriptions  are  now  indiscriminately  engaging  in 
it.  Whig,  Tory,  Speculator.  By  its  being  practised 
by  those  of  the  latter  class  <n  a  Manner  with  impu- 
nity, men,  who  two  or  three  yrs.  ago  would  have 
shuddered  at  the  idea  of  such  connexions,  now  pursue 
it  with  avidity,  and  reconcile  it  to  themselves  (in 
which  their  profits  plead  powerfully)  upon  a  principle 
of  equality  with  the  Tor)',  who,  being  actuated  by 
principle  (favorable  to  us),  and  knowing  that  a  for- 
feiture of  the  Goods  to  the  Informer  was  all  he  had 
to  dread,  and  that  this  was  to  be  eluded  by  an  agreemt. 
not  to  inform  against  each  other,  went  into  the  meas- 
ure without  risk. 

This  is  a  digression  ;  but  the  subject  is  of  so  serious 
a  natureandsointerestingtoourwellbeingas  a  nation, 
that  1  never  expect  to  see  a  happy  termination  of  the 
war,  nor  great  national  concerns  well  conducted  in 
Peace,  till  there  is  something  more  than  a  recommen- 
datory power  in  Congress.  It  is  not  possible  in  time 
of  war,  that  business  can  be  conducted  well  without 
it.  The  last  words  therefore  of  my  letter,  and  the 
first  wish  of  my  heart,  concur  in  favor  of  it  I  am 
with  much  esteem  and  respect,  &c. 


TO  GOVERNOR  JEFKERSON. 

Nbw  WiKDSOB,  6  FebniMy.  1781. 


I  am  much  obliged  to  your  Excellency  for  your 
letter  of  the  loth  of  January,  giving  me  an  account 
of   the  enemy's  incursion   into   your  State.     Baron 


136 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


I178. 


i 


Steuben  has  informed  me  of  their  successive  opera- 
tions to  five  miles  below  Hood's.    It  is  mortifying  to  ^ 
see  so  inconsiderable  a  party  committing  such  exten-H 
sive  depredations   with   impunity  ;  but.  considering " 
the  situation  of  your  State,  it  is  to  be  wondered  you^J 
have  hitherto  suffered  so  Httle  molestation.     I  amfl 
apprehensive  you  will  experience  more  in  future  :  nor 
should  1  be  surprised  if  the  enemy  were  to  establish  a 
post  in  Virginia,  till  the  season  for  opening  the  cam- 
paign here.     But  as  the  evils  you  have  to  apprehend 
from  these  predatory  incursions  are  not  to  be  com- 
pared with  the  injury  to  the  common  cause,  and  with 
the  danger  to  your  Slate  in  particular,  from  the  con- 
quest of  the  States  to  the  southward  of  you,  1  am 
persuaded  the  attention  to  your  immediate  safety  will 
not  divert  you  from  the  measures  intended  to  rein- 
force the  southern  army,  and  put  it  in  a  condition  to 
stop  the  progress  of  the  enemy  in  that  quarter.     The 
late  accession  of  force  makes  them  very  formidable  in 
Carolina,  too  powerful  to  be  resisted  without  pow- 
erful succors  from  Virginia;  and  it  is  certainly  her 
policy,  as  well  as  the  interest  of  America,  to  keep  the 
weight  of  the  war  at  a  distance  from  her.     There  is 
no  doubt  that  the  principal  object  of  Arnold's  opera- 
tions is  to  make  a  diversion  in  favor  of  Cornwaliis  ; 
and  to  remove  this  motive,  by  disappointing  the  in- 
tention, will  be  one  of  the  surest  ways  for  removing^ 
the  enemy.  ^ 

We  have  just  received  an  account,  that  the  enemy's 
fleet,  employed  in  blockading  that  of  our  allies  at 
Rhode  Island,  has  lately  suffered  severely  by  a  storm. 


I78i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


■37 


One  seventy-four  is  said  to  have  been  stranded  and 
entirely  lost  on  the  cast  end  of  Lon^  Island,  another 
(some  accounts  say  two  others)  dismasted  and  towed 
into  Gardiner's  Hay.  and  a  ninety-g\in  driven  to  sea 
in  great  distress.  1  expect  every  moment  a  confirma- 
tion of  this  agreeable  intelligence,  and  the  particulars. 
1  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.' 

'  The  Brilbh  ujuadion,  tmplojrcd  in  bli>ckading  the  French  fleel  at  New- 
pon,  wu  xlatloncd  iluiint;  Ihe  winlcr  in  Gardiner**  Biy  al  llic  can  end  of  Lonj; 
Idsnd.  The  vonels  tint  anchored  in  a  line  Iielwecn  Gardiner'i  liUnd  anil 
Phtm  Itland.  Th«  nan)  foix«  kcpl  on  thu  •(ntion  woi  of  coune  i>uperior  to 
that  of  the  Pnnch  at  Newport,  ll  conkSslcd  of  one  hlit]>  o\  ninrtj  kiiin,  (our 
o(  temitjr.foar.  three  of  sixtjr-fcnir.  one  of  fifl;.  and  two  or  three  (rigalea. 

On  the  loth  of  Januar)-  two  French  frteala  and  a  tranipoil,  lailen  with 
rariaiM  luppUn  for  the  Heel,  ^1  kiill  from  Bo>it»a  hartinr.  Tlioy  wrived  safely 
al  Newpoil.  after  eii«ninlcring  three  severe  galea.  The  cominander  of  the 
Briliah  iquadton  hail  ([tlncd  inielUgcnee  of  their  depaiturc  from  Itiwlcin.  nnd 
(«nl  oni  two  line^f-battle  t,hi(>ii  md  two  frigsteB  lo  intrrtr]il  Ihem,  Thew 
«wmIs  *«r«  driven  b.ick  tiir  the  violence  of  the  vindi,  and  in  the  night  of  the 
ssd  Biacb  damOj^  wa*  tualained  l>y  the  ItriiiNh  fleet  in  Uanliner'*  ll«y.  When 
Ihe  monting  dawneil,  a  lixtjr-four  was  discovered  sLanding  to  the  south  of 
MoHtauk  Poinl  under  jnn'.ninili  :  the  Culhiirti,  icventy-four.  wax  on  n  reef 
new  Catdioci'i.  [kland  ;  and  the  BfJ/erJ,  teveniy-fout,  w»»  oil  New  l.unilon. 
■U  htr  Biasti  having  be«n  carried  auay  and  her  npjier  tier  o(  guns  thrown  over- 
board. The  Cmlladtn  ira<  finally  IihI,  hut  her  ni^sla  and  C"nK  were  used  to 
repair  the  two  other  >>hi|i«.  The  Amerirn.  »  siily-four,  wai  driven  out  lo  »r«, 
and  was  su)>posed  at  &rsl  to  be  lost ;  but  ihe  returned  on  ihe  Sih  of  Fcbmaiy 
witbottt  injury. 

At  MOn  at  the  newt  of  thia  diuttor  reached  M.  Dctluuohet,  he  despatchoil 
«n  al&c«i  to  Plum  Island,  to  observe  the  condition  of  the  British  fleet,  intend- 
tB]l  to  go  out  with  all  his  force  and  allack  it.  nhoulii  eircuRi)iIftii>.'cs  encourage 
Oi*  alicmpl.  By  the  olfioer'n  report,  however,  the  fleel  appeared  too  strong, 
nolwiihstandicg  iti  recent  injuries,  and  the  anchorage  loo  judiciously  chosen 
between  the  iilandt,  lo  render  an  attack  ndvi^lile. 

M.  DeMouchcs  immediately  reiolveil  on  anolher  scheme,  which  the  present 
state  of  aflain  enabled  him  to  cieculc.  The  tThevalicr  dc  la  Luientc,  at  the 
■oMdlaiton  of  the  governor  of  Virj-lni.-i  ami  of  C»ngrvu,  h«<l  rci)ursle(l  ihni  if 
possible  a  »hip  of  Ihe  line  and  some  Irigite*^  might  be  tent  into  the  Chesapeake 
Bay  lo  oppose  Arnold.  The  lirilith  force  wa»  so  much  welliened  by  the 
doffla^e  done  to  tile  Ihrccahipt,  lliut  M.  Ue^loucbo  toulil  now  wilhoul  homd 


138 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


r>78i 


TO     MRS.     FRANCIS,     MR&     tllLLEGAS,     MRS.     CLARKSON. 
MRS.     BACHE,    AND    MRS.     BLAIR. 

New  WiNDSok,  13  FebruMy,  17B1. 

Ladies. 

The  benevolent  office,  which  added  lustre  to  the 
qualities  that  ornamented  your  deceased  friend."  could 
not  have  descended  to  more  zealous  or  more  deserv- 
ing successors.  The  contributions  of  the  association 
you  represent  have  exceeded  what  could  have  been 
expected,  and  the  spirit  that  animated  the  members 
of  it  entitles  them  to  an  equal  place  with  any.  who 
have  preceded  them  in  the  walk  of  female  patriotism. 
It  embellishes  the  American  character  with  a  new 
trait,  by  proving  that  the  love  of  country  is  blended 
with  those  softer  domestic  virtues,  which  have  always 
been  allowed  to  be  more  peculiarly /(Jwr  own. 

You  have  not  acquired  admiration  in  your  own 
country'  only  ;  it  is  paid  to  you  abroad,  and,  you  will 
learn  with  pleasure,  by  a  part  of  your  own  sex,  where 
female  accomplishments  have  attained  their  highest 
perfection,  and  who  from  the  commencement  have 
been  the  patronesses  of  American  liberty.  f 

The  army  ought   not   to   regret  its  sacrifices  or 

ipare  a  correipondlng  deUchnicnl  from  his  own  Heel.  He  dctcnoincd,  there- 
fore, to  Mnd  a  lixty-Iour  and  (wo  (Hi;atck  10  ihc  CliCM|ic*kc  fnr  the  piirpoM 
of  blocking  np  Amold'i  KjniJron,  nnd  of  co-opcialing  »-ilh  the  Amcrioii 
troopt  on  land.  This  detachment  wai  cinnm«nd«d  bj  M.  dc  Tilly,  and  Mlled 
from  Newport  on  the  qth  of  >'«bru»ry.  Count  ile  Knchamlieiiu  olTcrtd  10  fur- 
nlih  a  iljvikion  of  land  fotcet ;  but  thii  wai  thouf-ht  anneceuary  and  inex- 
pcdioni,  t»  the  movement  wat  intended  to  be  rapid,  and  only  to  cut  oB 
Arnold's  communication  by  water,  il  being  ptcmmcil  thai  (he  Continental 
Ifoopt  and  miiiiio  in  Virginia  were  igifioicnt  to  operate  igainit  htm  by  Land. — 
ftfthambtau'i  MS.  Lttltri,  Januaiy  39th.  February  3d,  Sih.  tllh. — Sfarki. 

'  Mn.  Keed  of  fhllvielphia.  who  hail  liccn  principally  active  in  originalinf 
the  Auociation  of  Indict  for  collecting  conliibutions  to  aid  of  the  toldien. 


■7Si] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


»39 


sufferings,  when  they  meet  with  so  flattering  a  reward, 
as  in  the  sympathy  of  your  sex  ;  nor  can  it  fear  that 
its  interests  will  be  neglected,  while  espoused  by 
advocates  as  powerful  as  they  are  amiable.  I  can 
only  answer  to  the  sentiments,  which  you  do  me  the 
honor  to  express  for  me  personally,  that  they  would 
more  than  repay  a  life  devoted  to  the  service  of  the 
public  and  to  testimonies  of  gratitude  to  yourselves. 
Accept  the  assurances  of  the  perfect  respect  and 
esteem,  with  which  I  am.  Ladies,  vour  most  obedient, 
&c. 


TO   COUNT    DE    ROCHAMBEAU. 

Nbw  WiKDSOK,  IS  Kcbmirr,  17S1. 

Sir. 

The  Count  de  St.  Maime  '  last  evening  did  me  the 
honor  to  deliver  me  your  letter  of  the  3d  instant'    It 

>  H.  d«  Saint  Mmne  uru  «olon«l  of  Ibe  SonwninM*  r^ment. 

'Thete  •ciTicci  "■cfr  from  Count  de  Rochambcau,  daicil  Febniary  31I,  h!ni- 
iDg  at  X  pinn  |>ni|)(i>crl  liv  M ,  Drslouvhcii  (or  dcapatchiiig  llim  ut  four  lenels 
o(  bb  iqufldtun  to  the  ChcMpcukc.  u  mt^ntioncd  hctttnforc.  The  idea  «p- 
pediFod  in  v>  favoraUi!  a  lighi  lo  Wuliinglan,  tlial.  ^llioui^h  be  ivM  nn  the  eve 
o(  a  d«]i*rture  for  Nnrport.  tie  delayed  hit  (ourney  lo  iirtpaie  (01  sending 
*  dMoclmcnl  of  land  foTMi  to  co-operate  with  luch  an  cKpcdilion. 

"SoMe  advices,  wlilch  I  have  tcr-civol,  tvlll  ilculn  me  here  longer  than  I 
■kpWUd-  I  am  lo  •)e<ire  you  mill  immcdinlcly  have  a1)  Ihe  lighl  cumpaniet  of 
■be  lioofH  under  your  command  completed  to  6f(y  rnnk  and  Iilc  each,  and  will 
Bwcral>Ie  the  irhole  wilhoui  delay  al  I'eeki^Jiill.  They  mutt  be  completed  with 
thoM,  and  Ik  far  ai  |io>»ihIc  with  alt  cilher  noceiaarict  for  a  niari-h  in  Mnrrii- 
tovn.  Aa  it  will  be  a  prcltj-  expeditious  one,  it  is  ao  addiiional  reawn  Ita 
having  Ihe  men  roliutl.  and  In  other  reiipecU  well  choaen.  The  adlulant- 
gcncnl  mutt  carefully  inkpcci  tliein  when  (tinnrd,  mid  eichange  all  whom  lie 
(kw*  not  approve,  t  wish  Ibe  light  troopi  10  be  ready  lo  match  from  Peekikill 
b]r  the  iqlh  at  (anh»L  I  thall  initrucl  the  (tuArtermailet-jfeneral  to  prepare 
w*g^t.  The  olfi<on<  miikl  take  ihcir  li^ht  l'agK-''K**  "'■''  'here  niual  be  a 
•erseant  added  lo  each  company." — W-tihin^n  It  Mojar-Gftttrai Iltath,  \% 
Febnuiy,  1781. 


I 


I40 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[.78. 


appears  by  the  report  of  the  naval  officer,  that  the 
enemy  were  inferior  to  the  Chevalier  Destouches, 
and,  from  the  situation  of  the  Bedford  and  the 
America,  would  probably  remain  so  for  some  time. 
It  appears  also  to  have  been  your  Excellency's  expec- 
tation, that  M.  Destouches  would  either  go  with  his 
whole  fleet,  or  send  a  detachment  to  Chesapeake  Bay 
in  quest  of  Arnold. 

There  are  a  variety  of  positions  where  Arnold,  by 
putting  his  vessels  under  protection  of  land  batteries, 
may  defy  a  naval  attack,  and,  by  collecting  the  pro- 
visions with  which  the  country  abounds  and  raising  a 
few  works,  may  remain  in  security  till  the  enemy,  by 
repairing  their  damaged  ships,  should  regain  their 
superiority  at  sea  and  come  to  his  relief.  Portsmouth, 
where  he  was  by  the  last  accounts,  is  particularly  fa- 
vorable to  his  security  in  this  view.  Unless  therefore 
the  ships,  which  M.  Destouches  may  have  sent, 
should  by  good  fortune  suddenly  fall  in  with  him, 
embarked  and  moving  from  one  place  to  another, 
they  will  have  little  prospect  of  success. 

From  these  considerations,  if  the  object  is  judged 
of  sufficient  importance,  it  is  in  my  opinion  essential 
that  there  should  be  a  codperation  of  land  and  naval 
forces,  and  that  M.  Destouches  should  protect  the 
expedition  with  his  whole  fleet.  How  far  this  will 
be  safe  or  advisable,  he  can  best  judge ;  but  it  has 
appeared  to  me  probable,  that  he  would  prefer  going 
with  his  whole  fleet,  to  a  separation  ;  as,  by  making 
a  detachment  he  would  lose  his  superiority  and  would 
give  Mr.  Arbuthnot  an  opportunity  to  escort  his  dis- 


^ 


abled  ships  safe  to  New  York,  and  follow  his  detach- 
ment with  the  remainder. 

Imagining  it  to  be  not  unlikely,  that  he  may  think 
it  advisable  to  employ  his  whole  fleet  upon  the  occa- 
sion, and  that  your  Excellency  would  approve  a  co- 
operation with  3  part  of  your  army,  the  propriety  of 
U'hich,  for  want  of  a  knowledge  of  your  local  situa- 
tion, I  cannot  judge ;   to  give  the  enterprise  all  pos- 
sible chance  of  success.  I  have  put  under  marching 
orders  a  detachment  of  twelve  hundred  men,   which 
will  proceed  in  a  few  days  towards  the  Head  of  Elk 
River,  there  to  embark  and  proceed  to  a  co5pcration. 
I  did  not  delay  the  march  of  this  detachment  till  1 
could  hear  from  M.  Destouches  and  you.  as  there  is 
not  a  moment  to  be  lost,  if  the  expedition  is  to  be 
undertaken  :   and  the  inconvenience  of  moving  the 
troops  to  no  purpose  will  be  small,  in  comparison 
with  the  advantage  of  gaining  time.       I  should  have 
made  it  more  considerable,  could  I  have  spared  the 
troops.      It  may  arrive  at  its  destination  of  operation 
in  about  four  weeks  from  this  time. 

If  the  Chevalier  Destouches  and  your  Excellency 
should  approve  the  project  of  a  cooperation,  in  which 
the  whole  fleet  shall  be  employed,  it  will  be  desirable 
that  you  could  embark  about  a  thousand  troops  on 
board  the  ships,  and  as  many  pieces  of  siege  artillery, 
with  the  necessary  apparatus,  as  you  will  think 
proper.  This  will  give  a  degree  of  certainty  to  the 
;nterprise,  which  will  be  precarious  without  it, 
Arnold's  force  consists  of  about  fifteen  hundred 
As  these  will  be   in  intrenchments,  (though 


i4a 


THE  WRITINGS  OP 


[i7«» 


I 


not  formidable,)  an  inferior  regular  force  with 
militia  will  find  it  difficult  to  reduce  them  ;  but,  with 
the  addition  of  the  detachments  I  have  proposed  tof 
you  to  send,  the  affair  would  soon  be  terminated.  This 
addition  is  of  importance  ;  but  the  sending  of  artil- 
lery is  absolutely  necessary,  as  it  would  be  productive 
of  too  much  delay  and  expense  to  send  heavy  pieces 
with  their  stores  from  hence  by  land  at  this  season. 

As  by  this  movement  the  troops  will  be  exposed 
to  a  disagreeable  march,  and  some  expense  will  be  h 
incurred.  I  shall  be  glad  that  both  inconveniences  B 
may  cease  as  soon  as  possible,  if  the  project  is  not 
carried  into  execution  ;  and  I  therefore  request  yourfl 
Excellency  will  favor  me  with  an  immediate  answer. 
The  capture  of  Arnold  and  his  detachment  will  be  an 
event  particularly  agreeable  to  this  country,  a  great 
relief  to  the  southern  States,  and  of  important  utility 
in  our  future  operations." 

I  regret  that  the  present  prospect  will  compel  me 
to  postpone  setting  out  for  Rhode  Island  till  I  hear 
from  you,  and  will  deprive  me  still  longer  of  the 
pleasure,   for  which    I    impatiently  wish,  of  seei 
your  Excellency  and  the  army.     I  am,  &c 


I 


'  Ai  Coanl  de  Rochambciu  liid  n<>l  receive  IhU  letter  till  the  tgih,  Hhidi 
Kit  dsfs  oficrr  the  departure  of  M.  de  Tllty'i  dctuchment,  It  wu  iioi  ihcn 
licible  for  him  aixl  M.  Heilourhn  to  unito  in  <nn7ing  the  plan  lirce  mggviled 
into  effect:  mncc  tspccinlly  u  the  firitiih  bloduding  tqundroD  bad  been 
ttreDgthcnctl  by  repRirinE  the  duttbled  Tcueln.  &nd  thai  of  M.  OtxiouctiM  wu 
weakened  by  the  thncncc  of  ihtac  of  his  tliipt.  in  IhJK  slate  of  thioga  tbera 
wonlil  b«  loo  grcit  a  riik  in  going  lo  tea  with  •  fcice  m  much  inferior.  Connt 
de  Rochambefto  wratc.  that,  if  the  above  plan  had  i^oine  Iq  hit  handabefoie  (h« 
Miling  ol  the  ileucbtiictii  to  Vir|;iiiia,  il  was  piobabl«  M.  Dnloucbe*  wonld 
have  dctemuncd  lu  go  out  with  hii  whole  fleet,  and  in  thai  cate  hodioald  ba<r« 
tpored  one  thouund  land  troops  for  the  enlerjiiiM. 


I 


il8i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


MS 


February    i^h. — The    destruction    of   the   corps 
under  the  command  of  Arnold  is  of  such  immense 
importance  to  the  welfare  of  the  southern  States, 
that  I  have  resolved  to  attempt  it  with  the  detach- 
ment I  now  send,  in  conjunction   with   the  militia, 
even  if  it  should  not  be  convenient  to  your  Excel- 
lency to  detach  a  part  of  your  force,  provided  M. 
Destouches  is  able  to  protect  our  operation  by  such 
a  disposition  of  his  fleet,  as  will  give  us  the  command 
of  the  Bay,  and  prevent  succors  being  sent  from  New 
York.       By  a  letter  I  have  just  received  from  Major 
General  the  Baron  de  Steuben,  who  commands  in 
Virginia,  it  appears  we  may  expect  every  thing  from 
the  temper  of  the  militia,  of  which  militia  are  capable ; 
but  an  additional  regular  force  to  that  I  am  sending 
would  no  doubt  make  the  success  much  more  prompt 
and  certain.     If  M.  Destouches  should  send  any  ships 
into   the   Bay,  on  the  principle  of  a  co-operation,  it 
r    Vfill  be  necessary  that  a  light  frigate  should  come  up 
^■0  the  Head  of  Elk  to  protect  the  passage  of  the 
Hp-oops  across  the  Bay.     I    impatiently  wait   to   be 
Favored   with   your    Excellency's    answer  on    these 
points.     With  the  truest  respect,  &c.' 

■  When  lliit  Idler  wu  written,  the  departure  of  M.  de  Tnijr'*  little  tqutdron 
(cv  the  CbtMpnke  •ccms  aot  in  Iiavc  bcrn  kiiiTwn.  lithoiigh  it  took  plue  ten 
Axf*  before  ;  but  th<  intcUis«t)CB  must  hav«  come  quickly  after  wrilmi;  the 
letler,  »i  it  a  meotioneil  b  the  inkiructinns  to  Lafayette  the  next  day.  M.  de 
Ttlty  lelunted  (■>  Newjiort  on  %\\e  J.|lli  «l  FehniHrj.  having  been  ahhcnt  only 
fitteeo  4»y%.  Near  th«  enirance  of  the  Chrupeake  Bay  he  cultured  the 
Jt*tmmiiu.  •  Britiih  frit[>ic  of  forty- four  guns.  He  iIm>  took  two  privateers, 
one  of  eighteen  and  the  otlier  of  fouitci^Ti  guns,  sent  (our  prijct  la  Vorktawn. 
Mid  bnml  fotir  otlicrv  About  five  hundred  prtiuners  were  tnkcn.  Admiral 
AibnlhiiiOt  had  tent  a  mcuenger  to  .Vrnold,  giving  lnIcUigence  of  the  approach 
el  lbs  F[«Dcli  fijaaiiKiii,  *nd  had  thus  put  liiin  on  bii<  guard.      He  had  with- 


144 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


TO    BRICADIEK-CENBRAI.    KNOX. 


ijsT^ 


PRIVATE   INSTRUCTIONS. 

Hbau  Quarters.  16  Febniuy.  13 
In  the  conference  between  the  Count  de  Rochanibeau  and' 
myself,  it  was  agreed,  Ibal  if  by  the  aid  of  our  Allies,  ne  can 
have  a  Naval  Superiority  tlirough  the  next  Campaign,  and  an 
army  of  thirty  thousand  men  (or  double  the  force  of  the  enemy 
&  it«  dependencies)  early  enough  in  ihe  season  to  operate  in 
that  quarter,  we  ought  to  prefer  it  to  evry  other  object,  as  the 
most  important  and  decisive,  and  applications  have  been  made 
to  the  Court  of  France  in  this  spirit  vrhtch  it  is  to  be  hoped  will 
produce  the  desired  effect.  ^k 

It  is  therefore  incumbent  upon  us  to  make  evry  necessary*' 
preparation  on  our  pari  for  the  Siege  of  New  York  as  far  as  our 
funds  and  meanit  render  practicable — Applications  have  been 
also  made  to  Ihe  Court  of  France  for  a  large  supply  of  powder, 
amis,  heavy  cannon,  and  several  other  essential  articles  in  your 
Department— But  we  cannot  ascertain  the  extent  of  the  success 
these  applications  will  meet  with,  and  as  they  only  go  to  such 
articles  as  are  less  within  the  compass  of  our  own  internal  means, 
we  ought  not  to  neglect  any  exertion  in  our  power  for  procuring 
within  ourselves  those  things  of  which  we  shall  stand  in  need. 

drawn  hi*  frigauc,  one  of  forty-four  and  two  oUi«n  of  ihirty-Iwo  guns  «adi,  m> 
tu|[h  dp  itic  Klliabeih  Rii'cr.  Uial  lliey  could  not  be  tpprtucbcil  by  the  EvHIU, 
the  largest  Ftnich  vvsicl  :  kiitl  »nc  ol  (lie  Frcncli  frigaiot,  the  Surwiilaiilf,  ran 
aground  in  that  river,  and  Han  |^l  ciS  oiil;>  by  taking  ont  her  sum  and  cukt  of 
water.  All  extract  from  M.  de  Till]r'>  letter  10  the  Chevalier  de  la  Interne  will 
nplain  his  BiliutiOTi  and  the  inulivct  for  hi»  iclum.  ^H 

■'  Whatever  dciire  I  may  hat-e,"  tald  he.  "  to  comply  with  the  wiihei  of  11."^^ 
Uctluuchet,  anil  irani-porl  mytclf  to  all  ihe  parti  of  the  Chetapeak«  Bay,  Into 
which  the  forci-iof  Arnold  could  be  withdrawn,  it  is  not  pcmiblo  for  m«  with 
my  veiiiel  to  penetnie  to  the  retreat  in  which  he  hoi  taken  ihcllet.  The 
shalluwnCM  of  the  water  doei'  not  allow  me  to  akccnd  nearer  to  him  than  wilbin 
about  four  leagues.  I  ihoulil  run  Ihe  haiard  of  being  blockaded  mywlf,  if  I 
were  to  remain  long  here  ;  and,  without  a  hope  of  doing  hann  10  the  enemy,  I 
should  enfeeble  ihe  force  al  Newport.  The»e  consideration*,  and  the  npint 
ordcn  of  M.  Destouohet  10  employ  no  more  lime  in  the  expedition  than  would 
ba  abaolulely  neocuary,  haTe  determined  me  to  pul  lo  tea."— J/.S'.  jjltrr,  Fet>- 
ruaiy  iiib,.—S^kt. 


1  give  you  ihis  communicatjon  of  what  is  in  prospect  that  you 
nayiake  your  measuret  accordingly  by  making  «uch  estimates 
and  demands,  and  other  arTangmcnls  a^  may  appear  to  you  best 
cilculatcd  lo  produce  what  wc  want— And  you  may  rely  upon  all 
the  support  it  will  be  in  my  power  to  give— In  your  calculalions, 
you  will  estimate  the  force  on  our  side  at  about  twenty  thousand 
men  ;  the  remainder  with  a  proper  liege  and  field  apparatus  are 
lo  be  supposed   lo  be  furnished   by  our  allies — You  are  well 
icfjiiiintcd  with  New  York  and  its  defences,  and  you  can  there- 
fore judge  of  the  means  requisite  for  its  reduction  by  a  Siege. — 
Tbe  general  idea  of  the  plan  of  operations  is  this  (if  we  are  able 
10  procure  the  force  we  count  upon)  to  make  two  attacks,  one 
against  the  works  on  York  Island  and  the  other  against  the  works 
of  Brooklyn  on  Long  Island — the  latter  will  probably  be  conducted 
by  our  Allies — ulterior  operations  must  depend  on  circumstances 
— If  wc  should  find  ourselves  unable  to  undertake  this  most 
capita)  expedition,  and  if  wc  have  means  equal  to  it  we  shall 
attempt  a  secondary  object,  the  reduction  of  Charles  Town— 
Savanah,  Penobscot  may  successively  come  into  contemplation — 
Your  dispositions  will  have  reference  to  these  different  objects 
though  indeed  a  preparation  for  Ibc  principal  one  will  substan> 
tially  comprehend  every  lesser — These  instructions  would  have 
l>eeii  earlier  given  to  you — but  for  the  commotions  in  the  army 
which  suspended  my  attention. 


TO  THE    PRESIDENT  OF   CONGRESS. 

N«w  WiNnsos,  17  Fcbrttary,  1781. 

[         I  have  been  honored  with  your  Excellency's  favors 

I      of  the  9th  instant. 

General  Morgan's  signal  victory  over  Colo.  Tarleton 
with  the  flower  of  the  British  army  reflects  the  highest 
honor  upon  our  Arms,  and  I  hope  will  at  least  be 
attended  with  this  advantage,  that  it  will  check  the 


offensive  operations  of  the  Enemy,  untill  General 
Greene  shall  have  collected  a  much  more  respectable 
force  than  he  had  under  his  command  by  the  last  ac- 
counts from  him.  I  am  apprehensive,  that  the  Southern 
States  will  look  upon  this  victory  as  much  more  deci- 
sive in  its  consequences  than  it  really  is,  and  will  relax 
in  their  exertions.  It  Is  to  be  wished,  that  the  Gentle- 
men of  Congress,  who  have  interest  in  those  States, 
would  remove  such  ideas,  if  any  such  should  be  found 
to  exist,  and  rather  stimulate  them  to  redouble  their 
efforts  to  crush  an  enemy,  pretty  severely  shaken  by 
the  two  successful  strokes  upon  Ferguson  and  Tarle- 
ton.     *     •     * 

1  shall  not  fail  to  communicate  to  Major-General 
Parsons,  and  the  Officers  and  Men  who  were  under 
his  command,  the  very  flattering  notice  which  Con- 
gress has  been  pleased  to  take  of  their  expedition  to 
Morrisania." 

Upon  General  Knox's  return  from  the  Eastward,  1 
desired  him  to  form  an  Estimate  of  the  Artillery  and 
Ordnance  Stores  necessary  for  an  operation  upon  the 
largest  scale,  which  would  bt:  that  against  New  York. 
He  has  accordingly  furnished  one.  Copy  of  which  1 
do  myself  the  honor  to  enclose  for  the  information  of 
Congress,  and  that  application  may  be  made  in  time 
to  the  States  possessed  of  the  heaviest  Cannon  for 
the  loan  of  them  and  other  Stores,  should  they  be 
wanted,  and  that   directions  may  be  given  to   the 

*  A  deuchm«nt  under  Bri)[adier-GeaeT>l  Pmonf  and  Colonel  Hull  bad  M^H 
■tn>yt>I  ill*  liamckt  miil  wiue  Itn-ni:  at  Murriiiariii.  ticloncinj;  ti>  Delinccy't 
corps,    taken   Hfty-ino  priioiiin,   brou^jhl   off  tome    hurici  and    catllt,  and 
dutroyed  a  bridge  acroi*  the  ilailcm.    Theenicrpiite  was  efleclcd  on  the  night 
ol  January  3it1,  and  mehtcd  [bo  "  liighni  praise." 


nil] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


M7 


Board  of   War,  and   to  those   Boards  whose    Busi- 
ness it  is  to  provide  Ammunition,  &c.,  to  endeavor  to 
procure  the  deficiency  of  the  estimate.     We  ought 
wilhout  doubt  to  be  prepared  for  an  operation  against 
New  York.     Should  circumstances  make  it  requisite 
to  lessen  the  object,  the  overplus  Stores  would  never- 
iheless  form  not  only  a  valuable  but  such  a  Magazine 
as  we  ought  ever  to  have  in  reserve.     The  impossi- 
bility of  crossing  the  North  River  with  Horses,  and 
some  unforeseen  Business,  have  hitherto  prevented 
ray  journey  to  Newport,  and  makes  the  time  of  my 
setting  out  precarious. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.' 


I 


TO    ABRAHAM    SKINNER. 

Hkad  Quarters,  Nkw  Winusos, 
t;  February,  1781. 

You  are  informed  of  a  number  of  officers  of  the 
Convention  troops,  who  have  been  ordered  to  Eliza- 
beth Town  for  the  purpose  of  going  into  New  York 
to  be  exchanged.  1  am  now  to  direct  you  will  ex- 
change them  in  the  following  manner :  Ail  those  who 
have  no  similar  ranks  in  possession  of  the  enemy,  you 
will  place  against  such  of  our  colonels  as  have  been 
longest  in  captivity,  the  others,  you  will  exchange 
against  an  equal  number  rank  for  rank. 

But  as  two  thirds  of  the  ofificers  of  the  Convention 
troops  arc  now  nearly  exchanged,  the  enemy  are  bound 
on  their  own  principles  to  let  hint*  enter  into  imme- 

'  Read  in  Coiigres*.  Febiuaiy  aOlIi.     Referred  to  ihe  Board  of  W«. 
'  Tlie   tetter   U   thui  warded,  but  Ihe  scnie  U  Incoiaplete.      Uurguyne  is 
probably  intended. 


148 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[i?8« 


diate  contemplation  for  exchange  ;  and  we  ought  iatj 
justice  to  ourselves  to  insist  upon  it. 

Besides  Lt.  General  Burgoyne  the  enemy  owe  us 
for  three  or  four  hundred  private  men  who  may  now 
be  applied  in  conjunction  with  General  Burgoyne  to 
the  exchange  of  all  our  officers  remaining  on  Long 
Island. 


« 


I 


You  will  therefore  immediately  make  the  following 
proposition  to  the  enemy — to  place  Lt.-General  Bur- 
goyne, the  officers  of  Convention  on  their  way  to 
Elizabeth  Town  and  the  above  mentioned  privates, 
in  opposition  to  our  officers  prisoners  in  this  quarter ; 
— the  ballance  which  will  be  due  us  to  be  paid  by  the 
release  of  such  officers  of  the  Southern  prisoners  as^ 
wc  shall  name  to  the  amount  of  that  ballance.  ^| 

This  proposition  is  so  reasonable  that  I  dare  say  it 
will  be  readily  complied  with  by  the  enemy  ;  especially 
as  they  must  be  sensible  that  the  continuing  to  make 
any  difficulties  about  Lt.  General  Burgoyne  will  neces- 
sarily operate  to  the  prejudice  of  future  exchanges. 

It  is  not  however  to  prevent  the  immediate  eX' 
change  of  the  officers  on  their  march  as  this  is  a  point 
already  agreed  upon. 

Governor  Livingston  has  represented  to  mc  that 
some  dissatisfactions  have  arisen  about  the  manner  of 
disposing  of  the  prisoners  made  by  the  militia  of  the 
State.     You  are  to  observe  the  following  rule  : 

To  put  all  the  persons  taken  in  arms  by  the  militia 
in  a  common  stock  to  be  exchanged  indifferently  for 
any  prisoners  of  war  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy 
whether  Continental  troops  or  Militia  according  to 
priority  of  capture. 


I 


To  exchange  all  mere  citizens,  persons  not  taken 
ID  arms  for  the  citizens  of  the  State  whose  militia  has 
captured  them. 

The  equity  of  the  first  rule  must  be  obvious,  as  all 
the  prisoners  made  by  the  Continental  troops  are 
applied  indifferently  to  the  exchange  of  themselves 
and  the  Militia  taken  in  arms  by  the  same  rule  of 
priority  of  capture ;  and  without  reciprocity  there 
would  be  an  evident  disadvantage  on  the  side  of  the 
Continental  troops. 

As  the  Governor  also  mtintions  some  inconvenience 
for  want  of  information  on  these  points,  1  am  to 
desire  you  will  make  him  monthly  reports  of  all  ex- 
changes of  the  Militia  and  citizens  of  the  State  made 
by  you  and  of  the  prisoners  made  by  the  Militia 
who  have  come  into  your  hands. 

I  wish  you  too  immediately  to  give  him  an  account 
of  what  has  been  done  in  these  respects  since  you 
have  been  in  the  department  that  he  may  see  the 
State  is  not  injured  by  our  arrangements. 

I  am  frequently  at  a  loss  for  want  of  your  presence 
at  Head  Quarters. — I  am  therefore  to  desire  you  will 
reside  constantly  near  it.  When  any  particular  busi- 
ness calls  you  else  where  you  will  represent  it  at 
Head  Quarters.     I  am,  &c 


TO  THE  MARQUIS  DB   LAFAVETTE. 

INSTRUCTIONS. 


■    StR, 

H        I   have  ordered  a  detachment  to  bi:  made  at   this  post,  to 

™    rendezvous  at  Pcekxkill  ihe  19th  in&tant,  which,  together  with 

XDOthcr  to  be  formed  at  Morristown  from  the  Jersey  troops,  will 

UQOunt  to  about  twelve  hundred  rank  and  file.     The  destination 


15© 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


<A  this  detachment  is  to  act  against  the  corps  of  the  enemy  now  " 
in  Virginiii,  in  conjunction  with  the  militia,  and  some  ships  from 
the  fleet  of  ttie  Chevalier  Destouches,  which  he  infonns  me  sailed 
the  9th  instant  from  Newjiori, 

You  will  take  the  command  of  this  detachment,  which  you  witt,fl 
in  the  first  instance  march  by  battalions  towards  Pompton,  there 
to  rendezvous  and  afterwards  proceed  with  all  possible  despatch 
to  the  Head  of  Elk     Vou  will  make  your  arranneroenls  with  (he| 
qu a rtemi aster-general  concerning  the  route  you  are  to  take,  con- 
cerning transportation,  tents,  intrenching  tools  and  other  article*'^ 
in  his  departmcni,  of  which  you  may  stand  in  need  :  with  the 
commi»ary-);enera!  concerning   provisions  ;   with   the  clothier 
concerning  clothes,  shoes  &c. ;  and  with  General  Knox  con-l 
cerning  the  artjllcr)-  and  stores  you  will  want  for  the  expedition.] 
The  result  of  these  seveiaJ  arrangements  you  will  report  at  head- 
quarters. 

When  you  arrive  at  Trenton,  if  the  Delaware  is  open  and  boat 
arc  readily  to  be  had,  you  will  save  time  by  going  from  thenc 
by  water  to  Christiana  Bridge,  Marcus  Hook,  or  Chester ;  if  yoa^ 
cannot  avail  yourself  of  this  mode,  you  must  proceed  by  land,  by 
the  route  which  (he  quartermaster  and  commissary  may  designate 
as  most  convenient  for  covering  and  supplies.  You  are  not  to 
suffer  the  detachment  to  be  delayed  for  want  of  cither  provision, 
forage,  or  wagons  on  the  route  Where  the  ordinary  means  will 
not  suffice  with  certainty,  you  will  have  recourse  lo  military 
impress.  Vou  will  take  your  measures  with  the  quartermaster-^— 
general  In  such  a  manner,  that  vessels  may  be  ready  by  youi^| 
arrival  at  the  Head  of  Klk  to  convey  you  down  the  Bay  to 
Hampton  Roads,  or  to  the  point  of  operation  ;  and  you  will 
open  a  previous  communication  with  the  ofRccr  commanding  the 
ships  of  his  Christian  Majesty,  to  concert  your  cooperations,  and 
10  engage  him  to  send,  (if  it  can  be  spared,)  a  frigate  up  ihe  Ba| 
lo  cover  your  passage,  without  which,  or  some  other  armed 
vessels,  might  be  otherwise  insecure. 

When  you  arrive  at  your  destination,  you  must  act  as  your  owl 
judgment  and  the  circumsiances  shall  direct.    You  will  open 
correspondence  with  the  Baron  de  Steuben,  who  nnw  command! 
in  Virginia,  informing  him  of  your  approach,  and  requesting  him 


78i]  CEOXGE  WASHINGTON.  151 

to  have  a  sufficieni  body  of  militia  ready  to  act  in  conjunction 
with  your  detachment.  It  will  be  advisable  for  him  to  procure 
persons  in  whom  he  can  confide,  well  acquainted  with  the  coun- 
try at  Portsmouth  and  in  the  vicinity  ;  some,  who  are  capable  of 
giving  you  a  military  idea  of  it,  and  otherx  to  serve  as  guides. 

Vou  should  give  the  earliest  attention  to  acquiring  a  knowledge 
of  the  different  rivers,  but  particularly  James  River,  that  you  may 
know  what  harbors  can  best  afford  shdtcr  and  security  to  the  co- 
operating squadron,  in  case  of  blockade  by  a  su]>erior  force. 
You  are  to  do  no  act  whatever  with  Arnold,  that  directly  or  by 
implication  may  screen  him  from  the  punishment  due  to  Ms 
treason  and  desertion,  which,  if  he  should  fall  into  your  bands, 
you  wiil  execute  in  the  most  summary  way. 

Having  recommended  it  to  Count  de  Rochambeau  to  detach  a 
land  force  with  the  fleet,  that  it  may  be  destined  for  the  Chesa- 
peake Bay  (though,  from  the  disposition  which  has  already  taken 
place,  it  is  not  probable  that  land  force  will  be  sent  yet),  if  the 
recommendation  should  be  complied  with,  you  will  govern  your- 
self in  coiiperating  with  the  oRieen  commanding  the  French 
troops,  agreeably  to  the  intentions  and  instructions  of  his  Most 
Christian  Majesty,  of  which  you  were  the  bearer,  and  which,  being 
still  in  your  possession,  it  is  unnecessary  for  me  to  recite. 

Vou  will  keep  me  regularly  advised  of  your  movements  and 
progress :  and,  when  the  object  of  the  detachment  is  fulfilled 
(or  unfortunately  disappointed),  you  will  return  with  it  by  the 
same  rout,  if  circumstances  admit  of  it,  and  with  as  much 
expedition  as  possible  to  this  post.  I  wish  you  a  successful 
issue  to  the  enterprise,  and  all  the  glory  which  I  am  persuaded 
yon  will  deserve.  Given  at  Head-Quarters,  New  Windsor,  Feb- 
ruary 30(b,  1781.' 

'  Tlii»  lejicr  was  iKompanicd  by  ihe  following  nolE :  "  The  cnclotcd  are 
jroar  inhtmcliiiiu,  in  the  |nx4ea)liiiD  of  wliirh,  ■(  yuu  bhould  itttivc  antheiitie 
inteUiKCDC?  of  (h«  eiwmy'i  having  l«lt  Viisinia,  at,  by  advene  fortune,  the 
deuchincni  itma  Monileut  Dcttouchct  hu  lost  ili  tuperioriijr  in  Ihat  State, 
and  i)  diwbiocl  ilieicby  to  Lo^pc-ralv.  you  will  roluiii  witli  (he  dotachmvot  iiuder 
your  conunand,  .11  the  enemy  cannot  be  nftected  by  ii  while  they  have  the  com- 
mand of  tbc  walcit ;  but  ihe  detachmcol  may  be  uijiilally  injuicd  by  committing 
lueU  <m  Ibc  mi«r." 


»5* 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


TQ   ELBKIDGE   GERRY. 

New  WntDSOn,  so  February.  1711. 

Dear  Sir, 

The  mail  of  last  week  brought  me  your  letter  of 
the  7th. 

Never  having  entertained  a  doubt  of  your  friend- 
ship, the  trouble  you  have  taken  to  remove  a  supposed 
suspicion  of  it  would  have  given  me  concern  were  It 
not  overbalanced  by  the  pleasure  I  feel  at  receiving 
in  the  same  instant  fresh  assurances  of  your  esteem 
and  regard  for  mc  Declarations  thereof  on  your 
part  require  candor  &  confidence  on  mine.  I  do 
not  scruple  therefore  to  confess,  that  I  was  not  a  little 
hurt  by  the  implications,  and  the  general  complexion 
of  Mr.  Lovell's  letter, — and  was  not  a  little  embar- 
rassed in  determining  upon  a  line  of  conduct  proper 
for  me  to  observe  on  the  occasion. 

Conscious  that  (neither  directly  nor  indirectly)  no 
act,  word  or  thought  of  mine  had  given  birth  to  the 
motion  transmitted  you,  it  was  not  a  very  pleasant 
thing  to  see  a  letter  published,  the  natural  interpre- 
tation of  which,  held  out  very  different  ideas. 

The  paragraph  immediately  following  the  motion 
is  perfectly  enigmatical  to  an  uninformed  mind  ;  but 
from  the  context  and  other  circumstances,  must  be 
supposed  to  relate  to  the  same  person  and  subject. 
I  have  heard  it  did  not,  but  the  combination  was 
remarkable,  and  its  failing  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy,  and  being  exposed  to  public  view,  unfortu- 
nate.' 


'  ThU  matter  li  mentioned  In  AuiHn.  Lift  e/  E^riigi  Gtnjr,  f..  337-J44. 


TO   GOVERNOR   JEFFERSON. 


Sir. 


HKAn-QuARTKiu,  N«w  WtKDWK. 
21  Febniuy,  i;Si. 


I  do  myself  the  honor  to  communicate  to  your 
Excellency  a  circumstance,  which  I  hope  will  be  fol- 
lowed by  the  most  salutary'  consequences  to  the  State 
of  Virginia  in  particular,  and  which  may  ultimately 
have  the  happiest  effect  upon  the  interests  of  America 
in  General.  The  Chevalier  dcs  Touche  commanding 
his  Most  Christian  Majesty's  Squadron  in  the  Har- 
bour of  New  Port,  fmdinjj  himself  enabled,  since  the 
late  misfortune  which  happened  to  the  British  Fleet 
in  Gardener's  Bay.  to  make  a  detachment,  has  dis- 
patched a  ship  of  the  Line  of  64  Guns  and  three 
Frigates  to  Chesapeak  in  hopes  of  finding  there  and 
destroying  the  Fleet  under  the  direction  of  Arnold. 
The  French  Ships  sailed  the  9th  instant  from  New- 
port with  a  fair  Wind — They  have  taken  on  board  a 
quantity  of  Arms  and  Cloathing  which  had  arrived 
there  on  account  of  the  State  of  Virginia. 

It  is  more  than  probable  that  these  Ships  will  have 
arrived  in  the  Chesapeak  before  my  letter  reaches  you, 
but  should  they  be  retarded  by  adverse  Winds  or 
other  accidents,  your  Excellency  need  not  be  told 
that  the  most  profound  secrecy  will  be  necessary  on 
such  an  occasion,  for  should  the  least  hint  escape, 
and  Arnold  come  to  the  knowledge  of  it,  he  would 
not  hesitate  to  take  the  opportunity  of  pushing  out 
of  the  Bay.  The  Ships  once  arrived  at  their  stations 
— the  Matter  becomes  of  public  Notoriety  without 
aay  disadvantage. 


»S4 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


From  an  apprehension,  that  the  Enemy  may  take 
such  a  position,  as  will  enable  them  to  defend  them- 
selves and  their  shipping  without  a  land  co-operation, 
and  knowing  that  militia  cannot  be  depended  on  for 
the  vigorous  measures  that  it  may  be  necessary  to 
pursue,  I  have  put  a  respectable  detachment  from 
this  Army  in  motion.  It  is  commanded  by  Major 
General  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette.  It  will  proceed 
by  land  to  the  Head  of  Elk,  at  which  I  calculate  it 
will  arrive  by  the  6th  of  March  at  farthest,  and  will 
fall  down  the  Chesapeak  in  Transports. 

I  have  written  to  the  Baron  de  Steuben  by  this 
conveyance — given  him  the  foregoing  intelligence, 
and  some  directions  relative  to  the  position  which  he 
is  to  take  with  the  Militia — collecting  magazines,  etc. 
It  will  be  highly  necessary  that  an  immediate,  safe 
and  expeditious  communication  should  be  opened  be- 
tween the  commanding  officer  of  the  French  Squad- 
ron and  the  commanding  officer  on  Shore — In  this, 
and  every  other  measure  tending  to  promote  the 
public  good,  I  am  con6dent  of  your  Excellency's 
assistance,  and  I  have  desired  the  Baron  to  make 
application  to  you  in  every  case  where  your  counte- 
nance may  be  wanting.  The  Marquis  de  la  Fay- 
ette, who  is  the  Senior  officer,  will  take  the  command 
upon  his  arrival — I  recollect  but  one  thing  further 
which  will  require  your  Excellency's  more  immediate 
attention,  and  that  is  the  Business  of  providing  the 
most  experienced  and  trusty  Bay  and  River  Pilots 
(should  it  not  have  been  done  before  this  reaches 
you)  and  sending  them  to  the  commanding  officer 


to  be  forwaided  to  the  Fleet  This  trouble  must 
necessarily  devolve  upon  your  Excellency  or  some 
Gentlemen  appointed  by  you,  because  our  officers, 
being  strangers,  might  be  imposed  upon  in  this  most 
material  point — I  have,  &c. 

P.  S.  Should  you  have  occasion  to  write  to  the 
Marquis  de  la  Fayette  let  your  first  letter  go  by 
land  under  cover  to  the  Quarter  Master  at  the  Head 
of  Elk,  and  subsequent  ones  by  Boats  to  the  same 
place,  because  they  will  meet  the  transports  in  the 
Bay—  

TO  GOVERNOR   TRUMBULL. 

HicAi>gi.'AKTKKs.  New  Wikdsor, 
31  Febniaiy.  1781. 

Dear  Sir, 

Having  been  obliged  to  make  a  very  considerable 
temporary  detachment  from  the  army,  1  am  under 
the  necessity  of  immediately  calling  in  what  recruits 
may  be  raised  in  the  neighboring  States  to  replace 
it,  I  have  directed  the  superintending  officers  at  the 
different  places  of  rendezvous  to  do  this,  but  I  must 
request  your  Excellency,  if  it  possibly  can  be  done, 
to  furnish  them  in  whole  or  in  part  with  clothing,  as 
1  do  not  believe  our  whole  stock  on  hand  consists  of 
more  than  waist  coats  and  breeches  for  2000  men. 
If  the  recruits  could  be  made  tolerably  comfortable 
they  might  do  garrison  duty  which  is  what  they  will 
be  employed  in  until  the  Spring. 

I  cannot  avoid  mentioning  a  matter  to  your  Ex- 
cellency which  is  well  worth  your  attention  and  that 


iS6 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


of  the  Legislature.  It  is  the  shameful  neglect,  not 
to  call  it  worse,  of  those  persons  appointed  by  law  to 
muster  and  pass  the  recruits.  General  Parsons  in- 
forms that  the  first  which  came  from  your  State 
seven  in  number,  were  all  totally  unfit  for  service. 
He  has  sent  them  to  Hartford,  that  the  Legislature 
may  themselves  be  witnesses  of  the  imposition  which 
has  been  put  upon  the  public  and  which  will  be  prac- 
tised in  numberless  instances,  while  any  but  military 
men,  interested  in  having  healthy  sound  soldiers,  are 
to  be  judges  of  the  sufficiency  of  the  recruit.  To  en- 
deavor to  remedy  this  evil.  I  have  ordered  a  good  field- 
officer  to  be  stationed  at  each  place  of  rendezvous, 
and  if  any  man  is  brought  in  not  qualified  for  the 
service,  he  is  to  refuse  receiving  him  and  to  send  him 
Immediately  back  to  the  town  which  furnished  him. 

I  had  the  honor  of  receiving  your  Excellency's 
favor  of  the  5th  by  the  Duke  de  Lauzun.  The 
Corps  of  Invalids  are  stationed,  by  order  of  Congress, 
at  Philadelphia  and  Boston,  and  it  is  not  therefore  in 
my  power  to  send  the  invalids  of  the  army  to  any 
other  places  except  by  the  authority-  of  Congress. 

I  have  honor  to  be,  &c 


TO    MAJOR-GENERAL   ST.    CLAIR. 


Nkw  Windsor,  13  F«btnuy,  1761. 


Dear  Sir. 

You  will,  by  the    time   this  reaches  you,  be 
quainted  with   the   destination   of  the  detachment 
under  the  command   of  the  Marquis  de   Lafayette. 


ixSi] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


"57 


» 


I 
I 


which,  though  as  large  as  could  be  aiforded  from  the 

troops  in  this  quarter,  is  not  so  competent  to  the  cer- 

lain  completion  of  the  object  in  view  as  I  could  wish. 

By  some  accounts  from  Philadelphia,  I  am  led  to 

hope  that  further  assistance  may  be  derived  from  the 

Pennsylvania  line.    M  you  find  it  practicable  to  form  a 

battalion  of  eight  companies  of  fifty  rank  and  file  each, 

three  officers  to  a  company,  and  two  field-officers  to  a 

battalion,  in  such  time  as  the  Marquis  shall  think  will 

answer  his  purpose,  you  will  be  pleased  to  do  it,  and 

put  it  under  his  command.     The  detachment  will  be 

but  temporar)'.    The  nomination  of  the  field-officers  I 

leave  to  you. 

It  is  possible  that  the  battalion  may  be  formed, 
but  not  in  time  to  embark  at  the  Head  of  Elk  with 
the  other  troops.  This  will  not  be  so  material,  pro- 
vided it  can  be  done  in  a  short  time  afterwards. 
That  time  you  and  the  Marquis  will  determine.  If 
the  companies  cannot  be  completed  to  fifty  each,  I 
would  take  them  at  forty  rather  than  lose  the  rein- 
forcement, or  even  half  a  battalion  of  two  hundred 
under  the  command  of  one  field-otificer  rather  than 
none.  Transports  can  be  provided  and  held  ready  at 
the  Head  of  Elk.  should  they  not  embark  with  the 
other  troops.  The  places  of  rendezvous  of  the  first, 
second,  fifth,  and  sixth  battalions  are  none  of  them 
very  distant  from  Elk.  and  I  should  imagine  the  de- 
tachment would  be  most  readily  and  conveniently 
formed  from  them.  But  this  I  leave  to  your  judg- 
menL     f  am.  &c.* 

'  "  Counts.  0*  fou  will  tutTc  been  informed,  have  determined  that  (be  Peitn- 
qrlv*ala  line  «h>tl  comjia^c  jmri  of  (lie  Muihera  *n&y.  ami  have  oMered  ii  lo 


I5«  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [178' 


TO    HAJOR-GENEKAL   PARSONS. 

Nrw  WixmoN,  31  FebruuT,  tjti. 
SiK, 

Captain  Walker  has  communicated  to  me  some 
discoveries  made  of  a  plot  among  the  Tories  of  Strat- 
ford and  Fairfield  county,  of  which  1  have  directed 
him  to  give  you  the  particulars.  It  seems  a  clue  has 
been  found  to  it.  which,  if  rightly  improved,  will  ena- 
ble us  to  detect  the  affair  in  all  its  extent,  and  punish 
the  principals  and  their  accomplices.  I  need  not 
observe  to  you,  of  how  dangerous  a  tendency  com- 
binations of  this  nature  are,  nor  of  how  much  im- 
portance it  is  to  put  an  effectual  stop  to  them.  Your 
knowledge  of  the  country  and  characters  of  the  people 
will  enable  you  best  to  conduct  the  investigation  ; 
and,  as  you  live  in  one  of  the  counties  where  it  seems 
to  originate,  you  may  do  it  with  the  less  risk  of 
suspicion. 

I  am  therefore  to  request,  you  will  undertake  the 

proceed  lo  Vuginia  in  deuehmenu,  u  they  mity  lie  in  Tcailinc»  lu  mtrch.  I 
have  iprcn  Oencral  Si.  Clair  direclions  lo  carry  th«  tc&olvc  Into  exccnlJOD  ki 
Gxpciiiliuuilf  »  potniblc.  1  think  iteucntiKl.  that  oneof  the  hrlgadlcnBhonlil 
procccrd  with  (he  fan  delachnieiii,  ihui  hr  mny  tic  x\  hinil  lu  rccH*e  anil  form 
the  reiDRindcr  as  they  irrive.  Tliis  iDiy  bt?  the  more  ncvcuaiy,  as  the  preiKncc 
ul  an  officer  of  authoric)'  and  rinlc  may  lie  requmiie  la  r«<lcirc  ihat  ilJKipline, 
which  the  laic  convuUion  will  hi«e  In  some  degree  dosiroyed.  Gener«l  Inine 
being  employed  U|n>n  ihc  rcurvilin);  buunni.  this  duly  of  Connie  devolvct  ujioii 
yoa. 

"  I  have  adriied  General  .St.  Clair,  il  drcumitancet  will  itdmit  of  tlie  dciach- 
ment  under  ihec^mimnd  odho  Manjuii  going  down  the  Ch4iii|>eake  by  water, 
lo  endcuvor  lo  lalic  the  opportunity  o(  Mnding  at  many  men  as  poiiible  by  ihe 
lime  conveyance.  Voa  will,  in  iliat  case,  cither  make  me  of  the  water  paMag*, 
or  proceed  liy  lanil  aiir]  meet  the  troops  at  their  place  oi  debaikalian.  u  yon 
may  think  beat.  But  1  imiEine  you  will  prefer  the  former,  when  ibe  Matqutt 
informi  you  of  the  objccl  of  the  delachoiGnt."— ffo/Aii^m  i» 
Ctntral  \V»ynt,  36  February,  1781. 


aiTair  in  the  manner  you  think  most  hkcly  to  succeed, 
aod  will  set  about  it  immediately.  You  may  want  a 
party  of  men,  when  you  have  matured  the  discovcrj', 
10  seize  the  persons  concerned.  These  you  may 
take  from  the  Connecticut  line,  as  a  guard  to  the  part 
of  ihe  country  where  they  will  be  necessary.  In  the 
present  state  of  our  force  they  cannot  exceed  a  sub- 
altern's command.  The  two  points  most  essential 
will  be,  to  detect  any  characters  of  importance,  who 
maybe  concerned  in  it,  and  if  possible  to  get  into  our 
hands  the  register  of  the  associators'  names.  The 
person,  who  will  serve  you  as  a  spy.  must  be  assured 
of  some  generous  compensation,  such  as  will  be  an 
object  to  his  family,  and  secure  his  fidelity.  This  I 
leave  to  you  to  manage. 

I  am,  with  great  regard,  &c. 


I 


TO   THE   CHEV.A,LIER    DESTOOCHES, 

Hd-Qks.,  Nkw  WiKDSDi.  H  FtHiTUaiy,  1781. 

I  received  two  days  since,  the  letter  which  you  did 
me  the  honor  to  write  me  of  the  i  7th  instant. 

The  desire  you  express  of  being  useful  to  these 
States,  evinced  by  the  measure  you  have  taken  to  rid 
the  coasts  of  Virginia  of  very  troublesome  and  de- 
structive neighbors,  has  a  title  to  our  acknowledg- 
ments. I  hope  the  ships  you  have  sent  will  meet  with 
immediate  success  ;  but  I  am  rather  apprehensive  the 
enemy  will  be  able  to  secure  their  vessels  under  the 
protection  of  land  batteries. 


i6o 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


The  Count  de  Rochambeau  will  have  communi- 
cated to  you  my  proi>ositions.  The  detachment 
mentioned  to  him  has  marched,  and  may  arrive  at  the 
Head  of  Elk  by  the  5th  or  6th  of  March,  to  proceed 
thence  by  water  to  the  point  of  operation.  The  in- 
formation you  were  pleased  to  give  me.  that  you 
held  the  remainder  of  your  fleet  ready  to  protect  your 
expedition  in  the  Bay,  was  a  motive  (or  accelerating 
its  motions.  If  you  have  it  in  your  power  to  block 
up  Arnold  in  the  Bay,  and  make  such  a  general  dis- 
position with  your  Beet,  as  will  at  the  same  time 
prevent  succors  going  from  this  quarter  to  him,  I 
shall  flatter  myself  that  this  cooperation  will  effect  the 
reduction  of  the  corps  now  in  Virginia,  and  the  ships 
will  then  of  course  fall  into  your  hands.  I  am  sensible 
the  safe  return  of  the  America  may  make  a  material 
difference  in  your  arrangements ;  but,  however  this 
may  be,  1  wait  your  determination  to  regulate  my 
ulterior  measures. 

If  the  late  important  and  agreeable  intelligence  of 
the  success  of  Count  d'Estaing  is  confirmed,'  we  may 
flatter  ourselves  that  it  will  at  once  lead  to  a  decisive 
and  glorious  issue  to  the  war.  I  am  impatient  to  have 
it  in  my  power  to  congratulate  you  on  its  certainly. 
With  sentiments  of  perfect  consideration  and  attach- 
ment, I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.' 

'  Rfport  <>r  ft  nara]  eiigagsmcnt  between  Coiint  cl'Ettaing  aad  AdminI  Hoed 
in  the  West  lodio.  which  proved  nol  lo  be  w«ll  founded. 

*  Immediately  aftct  the  return  of  the  ihice  vessels  from  the  (rhesapealce,  M. 
Deitouchci  revolved  lo  tet  un  (nol  anolher  npedlliun  with  his  irholo  naral 
force. 

"Th«  kucn,"  taid  Count  de  Rochambeau,  "  found  on  board  the  vecMla 
Uk«D  by  M.  d«  Tilly,  havcdeeided  M.  D»loueh<a  totoUow  in  full  lh«  plan 


1781] 


GBORGB  WASHINGTON. 


t«i 


TO  COUNT   DE   ROCHAMBEAU. 


I 


,^^^  N«w  WiKsxoii,  94  Febrnuy,  1781. 

Sir, 

]  am  honored  with  Your  Excellency's  letters  of  the 
8th.  1 2th  and  i8th  since  mine  to  you  of  the  19th. 

The  important  intelligence  you  do  me  the  favor  to 
communicate  comes  so  many  ways,  and  with  so  many 
marks  of  authenticity,  that  we  have  the  greatest  rea- 
son to  hope  it  is  tnic.  If  so,  without  the  interference 
of  other  powers,  of  which  there  seems  to  be  no  prob- 
ability, 1  think  we  may  regard  it  as  an  event  decisive 
of  a  speedy  and  glorious  termination  of  the  war,  and 
that  his  Britannic  Majesty,  in  sptte  of  his  last  speech, 
will  be  obliged  to  receive  the  law.     In  mine  of  the 

givea  \ff  jrout  EiccUency,  and  to  risk  every  thing  to  hinder  Ainoid  from  rstib* 
tiihiDi;  hitiiicit  al  Porlimoulb  iii  VifEin'".  M .  Dntiiuchm  U  arming;  with  llie 
ErcMntdiUccncc  the  fortf-faur-gun^hip  that  wm  taken,  and  hehopei  Ihal  this, 
with  lbefh|[alei.  will  faoblclogo  up  EJUabclh  River.  Ife  will  pralcct  lhi>  eipe- 
<Illioa  with  hit  whole  Heel,  Vour  ExcL-llency  li^iHp>-cn  mo  orders  to  jnin  thereto 
one  thouMndmcn.  I  wiil  send  eleven  liundrcd  and  iwenty.  All  mjr  gctna- 
(Uenand  chastcun  wilJ  be  ihcre.  The  cnrpi-  will  be  commanded  by  the  BMon 
daViinn^U.  I  will  add  (our  {our-pouniterit.  fdur  Iwclve-poundsrs,  anil  loor 
phuirn.  The  navjr  will  famish  iwenty .four-pounder»  if  ncceuary,  but  it 
U  pnauBleil  that  *|[aiii«l  earthen  intrenchmentii  the  twclvc-pounden  will  be 
■dflciaiil. 

"  A*  to  loving  our  road  and  harbor  without  defence,  though  1  shall  have  a 
great  many  tianapoita  to  ptolecl,  and  very  llllte  artillery  of  a  lonj;  reach,  with 
•boat  tw«aly-fi*a  hondrtd  men  under  atm»,  1  u  ill  do  my  bett  lu  prevent  our 
Iniupott*  at  roa£uinet  from  rcceiviag  any  damage.  1  propose  asking  the 
Stale*  of  Mauachntellk  and  Rhode  Klaiid  to  trnd  tne  lea  that  \n\i\iix  two 
Ibonaand  miiilta,  to  ttay  bent  while  this  expedition  may  last.  1  hope  jour 
Excelleocy  will  appirove  of  my  making  use  of  your  name,  in  my  demand  to 
llic  goTCRion  of  both  of  these  .Slates.  The  great  conjequence.  that  your 
ExcsUvBcy  icenied  to  attach  to  the  eslablishment  of  Arnold  at  Fortimouth, 
hu  determined  M.  Dniouchet  to  sActilice  every  other  object  to  this  one.  1 
CXpcO  tiX  thit  armament  to  \x  ready  eight  dayi  hence." — AtS.  IjtUr  of  Ctunt 
dt  Xttiamifau,  Februaty  )S(b> 


1 6a 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[i78t^ 


19th  I  informed  you  of  my  ultimate  determination, 
respecting  the  detachment  from  this  army.  The  en- 
closed for  the  Chevalier  Destouches,  (which,  after 
perusal,  I  beg  you  to  seal  and  transmit.)  communi- 
cates its  march,  the  time  of  its  expected  arrival  at  its^ 
destination,  and  my  present  views. 

There  are  rumors  from  New  York,  that  Sir  Henry] 
Clinton  had  received  orders  to  concentre  his  force  atl 
one  point,  but,  as  they  come  through  a  suspected' 
channel,  I  give  them  no  credit ;  yet.  if  the  enemy 
have  received  the  blow  of  which  our  West  India 
accounts  speak,  this  would  be  a  natural  consequence.  M 

The  flattering  distinction  paid  to  the  anniversary'^ 
of  my  birth-day  is  an  honor  for  which  I  dare  not  at- 
tempt to  express  my  gratitude.     I  confide  in  your 
Excellency's  sensibility  to  interpret  my  feelings  for 
this,  and  for  the  obliging  manner  in  which  you  are 
pleased  to  announce  it.     The  measures  we  have  been 
taking  for  the  expedition  to  Virginia  will  delay  some     . 
time  my  visit  to  Rhode  Island.     1  wait  to  see  whctherfl 
Sir  Henry  Clinton  may  form  any  new  project  in  con- 
sequence.    When  this  is  ascertained,  and  the  addi- 
tional precautions  we  are  taking  for  security  here  are  j 
completed.  I  shall  yield  to  my  impatience  for  testify-W 
ing  personally  my  attachment  to  your  Excellency  and 
your  army.     1  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.' 

'  A>viB  Cevnl  dt  RiHhamteau'i  reply :  "  I  li»vc  n!C»i*cd  y<Mi  Esodloiej'l 
f»fot  of  the  X4th  initaiii.  All  lliai  regards  tlis  Un<l  foiwi  wilt  be  wAj  in 
iwcnty-tour  hourt,  bul  the  nftvy  ma/  yd  be  ei^hl  Unyti  licforc  cvety  lIuBg  w3l 
be  ready  ou  her  [itiit.  I!c  mural,  that,  on  my  part.  notlitii|[  ihall  be  waaltaf . 
Id  nuke  the  greatcil  diligence." — February  17lh. 

Tkrtt  t'(U(k,  P.  M.—"  I  have  ihiii  monieni  received  an  exprcsa  from 
too,  with  the  good  neirs,  that  the  frigate  Attree,  commanded  by  M.  d 


New  WiNUMiR,  14  FctiRuty.  I7lt. 
Slk, 

In  answer  to  your  Excellency's  letter  of  the  14th 
I  wrote  fully  on  the  19th,  since  which  I  have  had  the 
honor  to  receive  your  favor  of  the  20th.  The  reit- 
erated request  of  both  Houses  of  Assembly,  to  leave 
the  two  regiments  of  the  State  in  the  quarter  where 
they  now  are,  places  me  in  a  delicate  and  painful 
situation.  I  have  already  assured  your  Excellency, 
and  through  you  the  legislature,  of  my  perfect  dispo- 
sition to  comply  with  the  wishes  of  the  State,  as  far 
as  I  have  the  means,  to  which  indeed  its  exertions 
entitle  it ;  but,  as  an  officer  intrusted  with  the  gen- 
eral interest  of  the  confederacy,  in  expectation  of  an 
offensive  campaign,  under  engagements  which  1  shall 
at  any  rate  find  it  difficult  to  fulfil,  I  cannot,  in  policy, 
in  justice  to  the  United  States,  in  good  faith  to  our 
allies,  consent  to  divest  myself  of  so  considerable  a 
part  of  my  efficient  force,  as  the  two  regiments  in 
question.  The  good  of  the  ser\'ice,  joined  to  my 
regard  for  the  State,  will  always  prompt  me,  as  it  has 
heretofore  done,  to  every  effort  in  my  power  to  pre- 
vent or  repel  attacks  upon  it ;  but  to  give  an  assur- 

P^roitte,  has  jnit  am*ed,  and  Ihat  ihc  brings  mooqr  *itd  despatches  ftom 
Cosil,  anil  thxt  ihe  ^apliin  was  [o  land  them  (he  next  ilay." 

ManA  /It. — "  I  tend  an  ciliscl  from  (ha  niinisteriBl  l(tl«n.  which  I  have 
fcceivcd  by  the  Irignie  eomniandcU  by  M.  do  la  Ferouse.  Voii  will  tee  that 
my  iKia  h»*  htajed,  by  order  o(  hit  MajcMy,  !■>  wnii  (urt)ic  rtsuU  nf  «  defiiiitivo 
project.  By  private  leUets  Irom  Versailles  we  learn,  thai  the  t'riace  de  Mont- 
barrey  hat  given  in  his  le&ignation.  and  is  succeeded  by  the  Marquii  dc  ScgUT 
one  oi  our  moit  ditllngulihcd  liculenaiil-j'cnGtaU,  sii  iiitimste  ul  the  MnrquU 
de  Castries,  and  that  there  are  great  movements  in  the  mintitry." 


"64 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


ance,  that  its  troops  shall  remain  as  a  cover  to  the 
western  and  northern  frontier  from  an  apprehended 
invasion,  ts  more  than  I  could  answer,  while  our  views 
extend  beyond  a  mere  defensive. 

Other  applications  similar  to  that  from  this  State 
have  been  made  to  me,  a  compliance  with  which 
would  leave  us  without  a  competent  garrison  for  the 
defence  of  West  Point.  A  heavy  detachment  from 
this  part  of  the  army,  for  an  important  service,  has 
obliged  me  to  draw  in  all  my  outposts,  and  to  call  six 
companies  of  the  York  line  from  Albany,  as  the 
smallest  possible  number  necessary  for  the  security 
of  West  Point. 

While  I  am  compelled  to  deliver  these  sentiments, 
I  entreat  your  Excellency  to  assure  the  Assembly, 
that  it  is  impossible  to  feel  more  than  I  do  for  the 
distresses  of  the  State,  and  that,  as  far  as  it  can  be 
made  consistent  with  my  general  duty,  no  person 
will  do  more  to  serve  it     I  have  the  honor  lo  be,  &c. 


TO   THE   MARQUIS   DE   LAKAVETTE. 

New  Wi.si>mn.  >s  Febrauy,  itSi. 

Mv  Dear  Marquis, 

I  have  received  your  favors  of  the  i%d.  from  Pom|>* 
ton  by  Captn.  Castaign.  You  may  make  yourself 
perfectly  easy  as  to  ships  of  the  line  being  at  New 
York.  The  Iris  and  the  others  mentioned  by  Hag- 
erty  are  frigates.  This  man  relates  a  circumstance 
to  me.  that  he  does  not  seem  to  have  informed  you 
of.     It  is,  that  a  reinforcement  of  six  hundred  men  is 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


preparing  for  Arnold,  and  that  the  convoy  is  to  be 
the  Farges  Indiaman,  which  ts  6tting  up,  but  that  she 
will  not  be  ready  till  the  end  of  this  week.  I  do  not 
give  much  credit  to  any  thing  he  says  ;  but,  if  it  is 
so,  Colonel  Dayton  will  probably  be  able  to  gain 
some  knowledge  of  it. 

The  return  of  clothing  wanting  for  the  detachment 
was  so  long  coming  to  hand,  that  I  had  directed  the 
clothier  to  despatch  a  parcel,  which  he  did  some  days 
ago,  and  I  am  glad  to  find  that  the  essential  articles 
all  exceed  your  demand.  It  will  be  too  late  to  send 
a  further  supply  of  shoes  from  hence.  You  must 
endeavor  to  get  them  in    Philadelphia.     *     •     * 

The  America  of  sixty-four  guns  had  got  into  Gar- 
diner's Bay,  after  being  long  out.  The  Bedford  was 
remasted.  This  again  gives  Admiral  Arbuthnot  the 
superiority,  and  puts  it  out  of  M.  Destouches's  power 
to  give  us  any  further  assistance.     *    *     * 

I  have  already  hinted  to  you  the  necessity  of  hav- 
ing a  number  of  Boats  for  debarking  the  Troops  at 
the  point  of  destination. — This  is  a  matter,  to  which 
the  Qr.  Mr.  Genl.  must  pay  particular  attention  to. — 
I  therefore  repeat  it. — It  is  also  of  essential  import- 
ance to  keep  fast  Sailing  Vessels  (Pilot-Boats  would 
be  best)  plying  from  the  Hd.  of  Elk  to  Hampton 
Road  for  the  purpose  of  corresponding  with  the 
French  Commodore,  or  to  apprize;  you  of  any  danger, 
which  may  arise  from  a  change  of  circumstances  ;  as 
I  am  not  without  apprehensions,  that  the  detachment 
from  Monsr.  Destouches's  squadron  will  be  followed 
by  a  superior  one  from  Gardiner's  bay,  as  soon  as 


1 66 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[.781 


the  destination  of  the  former  is  known. — This  evinces 
strongly  the  necessity  of  despatch,  which  depends 
upon  great  exertion  in  providing  the  Transports. 

With  the  Comy.-Genl.  of  Issues,  as  I  mentioned 
in  a  former  letter,  or  his  Deputy  at  Phila.,  and  Colo. 
Pickering,  you  will  make  the  necessarj'  arrangemt. 
for  Provisions  for  your  Corps.  If  it  could  be  done 
solely  with  the  latter,  the  business  would  be  in  fewer 
hands. — As  your  march  will  be  rapid  to  the  head  of 
Elk.  leave  good  officers  to  bring  up  the  tired,  lazy, 
and  drunken  soldiers. 

February  i^tk.' — I  do  not  think  it  verj'  probable, 
that  three  hundred  dragoons  will  trust  themselves  in 
the  heart  of  Connecticut,  with  a  superior  regular 
corps  and  the  force  of  the  country  to  oppose  them, 
but  I  have  nevertheless  given  the  intelligence  to  the 
Duke  de  Lauzun.' 

Upon  your  arrival  in  Philadelphia,  if  not  before, 
you  will  hear  that  a  body  of  men,  supposed  to  be 
a  reinforcement  under  General  Provost  from  Europe, 
had  landed  at  Cape  fear,  in  consequence  of  which 
the  whole  Pennsylvania  line  are  ordered  to  the  south- 
ward.*    1  have  therefore  directed  General  St  Clair, 

<  A  icpanite  lell«r,  accenting  lo  the  ^raft. 

'  Inlelllgence  had  come  finm  New  Vntk  thai  three  hundied  honcnten  had 
crowtd  over  to  Long  Islam)  kiid  procndcd  ratlward,  ind  thai  boatt  liai)  at  Iha 
Mroe  time  be«n  sent  np  ihc  Sound.  Jt  wai  inferred  that  this  party  woald  pus 
fram  Long  Iiland  ioConnct:licDt,and^Bllcmpt  to  Intercept  General  WMlun£loa 
on  hih  way  ti>  Mcwpori,  u-.  it  vtn  Knp|iOMd  his  intended  joumanr  itm  known  10 
the  enemy.  Lafayette  lugccsieil.  thai  ihe  Duke  de  Lautun  should  be  informed 
o(  ihit  movement  as  soon  ii  poisible,  that  he  miKhl  be  prepnied  wiih  hit 
cavalry,  then  dalloned  at  Lebanon,  to  repel  the  invkden. 

'  The  party  which  landed  at  Cape  F<«i  contitted  of  Ihite  hundred  men 
detached  from  Charlolon  nndei  Major  Craig. 


m 


instead  of  confining  himself  to  a  single  battalion,  to 
send  as  many  as  he  can  down  the  Chesapeake  with 
your  detachment,  if  circumstances  should  admit  of 
your  embarkation. 

If  the  troops  landed  at  Cape  May  are  from 
Europe,  I  do  not  imagine  their  convoy  is  more  than 
a  frigate  or  two.  Will  it  not  be  weil,  when  matters 
are  ripe  for  discovering  your  object,  to  endeavor  to 
get  the  Ariel,  the  Taimbull.  and  any  other  public 
vessels  of  war,  which  may  be  in  the  Delaware,  to  go 
round  to  the  Chesapeake  ?  A  combination  of  vessels, 
though  of  unequal  rate,  might  perplex  and  distress 
the  small  squadron  of  our  ally.  This  you  can  urge 
to  the  gentlemen  of  the  marine  department.  If 
nothing  unforeseen  occurs,  I  shall  set  out  for  Rhode 
Island  when  General  Duportail  arrives  here.  I  think 
I  may  expect  him  about  the  ist  of  next  month.  I 
am,  &c. 


TO  JOHN   MATHEWS,    IN  CONGRESS. 

H&ADQUARTERS    NRW   W1»DS0K, 

s6  Fcl)ni»«y,  1781. 

Dear  Sir. 

Your  favor  of  the  15th  was  not  received  until  this 
morning.  I  am  so  totally  unacquainted  with  the 
state  of  the  southern  prisoners,  that  I  did  not  clioose 
to  enter  into  a  negotiation  with  Sir  Henry  Clinton. 
on  the  idea  of  a  general  exchange,  although  liberty 
was  given  me  by  Congress.  Nothing  particular  has 
therefore  been  done  respecting  the  gentlemen,  who 
are  confined  at  St.  Augustine  ;  as  it  could  not  be 


■68 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


IijS. 


supposed,  that  the  enemy  would  consent  to  a  partial 
exchange  of  persons  of  the  most  considerable  influ- 
ence in  the  southern  States,  and  who,  besides,  are 
pretended  to  have  rendered  themselves  obnoxious. 
Indeed,  whenever  a  negotiation  is  entered  upon.  I 
foresee  difficulties  in  procuring  the  liberation  of 
those  gentlemen,  who  arc  must  of  them  of  eminence 
in  the  civil  line,  as  we  have  none  of  similar  rank  In 
our  possession  to  exchange  for  them.  However, 
whenever  the  matter  is  gone  into,  you  may  be 
assured  that  all  possible  attention  shall  &e  paid  to 
them,  not  only  from  my  own  inclination  to  serve 
them,  but  in  obedience  to  an  act  of  Congress,  which 
directs  that  particular  regard  shall  be  had  to  them  in 
the  negotiation  of  the  exchanges  of  southern  pris- 
oners. The  interest  you  take  in  them  will  be  an 
additional  consideration.  1  have  the  honor  to 
be,  &c,  

TO  THE   PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRES& 


Hkad  Qu Altos.  New  Wikdiok, 
Sir  '^  FcbniaiT,  vf^t, 

I  had  the  honor  of  receiving  last  night  your  Ex- 
cellency's two  letters  of  the  30th  instant  one  of  them 
in  Congress,  with  their  Inclosures. 

The  situation  of  the  southern  States  is  alarming ; 
the  more  so,  as  the  measure  of  providing  a  regular 
and  permanent  force  was  by  my  last  advices  stilljl 
unattempted.  where  the  danger  was  most  pressing 
and  immediate.  Unless  all  the  states  enter  in  good 
earnest  upon  this  plan,  wc  have  little  to  expect  but 
their   successive  subjugation.      Particular  successes. 


ijSil 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


169 


obtained  against  all  the  chances  of  war,  have  had 
too  much  influence,  to  the  prejudice  of  general  and 
substantial  principles. 

In  obedience  to  the  orders  of  Congress,  I  have 
imparted   their  wish  to  His   Excellency   the   Count 
de  Rochambeau.   informing  him  that  the  proposal 
was  made  on  the  presumption  of  a  naval  superiority. 
But.  as  this  superiority  has  ceased  by  the  safe  return 
of  the  America,  a  sixty-four,  which  was  missing  and 
supposed  to  be  dismasted,  and  by  a  detachment  of 
one  vessel  of  the  line  and  two  or  three  frigates  into 
the  Chesapeake  Bay,  it  will  of  course  be  out  of  the 
power  of  our  allies  to  transport  the  whole  or  any 
pari  of  their  troops  to  the  succor  of  the  southern 
States.     Besides  this  obstacle,   the  present  instruc- 
tions and  expectations  of  the  French  General  and 
naval    commander    are   opposed    to  an   immediate 
change  of  position. 

The  order  for  the  Pensylvania  line  to  march  to 
the  Southward  interferes  with  the  conditional  ar- 
rangements of  the  next  campaign  ;  but  in  the  present 
exigency  of  accumulating  danger  in  that  quarter.  I 
am  entirely  of  opinion  that  these  troops  ought  to  be 
detached. 

On  the  first  notice  of  tlie  storm  and  its  ill  effects, 
I  intimated  to  the  French  general  the  possibility  and 
importance  of  improving  the  opportunity  in  an  at- 
tempt upon  Arnold.  When  1  received  a  more  dis- 
tinct account  of  the  damage  sustained  by  the  British 
Heet,  (which  was  a  long  time  coming  to  me,)  I  im- 
mediately put  in  motion  as  large  a  part  of  my  small 
force  here,  as   I  could  with  any  prudence  spare  to 


lyo 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


I1781 


proceed  under  the  command  of  the  Marquis  de  La-  1 
fayette  to  the  Head  of  Elk,  and  made  without  delay 
a  proposal  for  a  cooperation  in  the  Chesapeake  Bay 
with  the  whole  of  the  fleet  of  our  allies  and  a  part  of 
their  land  force.  Before  my  proposition  arrived,  in 
consequence  of  an  application  to  him  through  the 
Chevalier  de  la  Luzerne,  Mr.  Destouches  had  sent  | 
the  force  I  have  already  mentioned  to  Chesapeake 
Bay.  This  separation,  and  the  return  of  the  America, 
prevented  the  execution  of  my  plan  ;  but  the  Marquis 
de  Lafayette  still  continues  his  march  to  attempt 
whatever  circumstances  will  permit.  ^1 

It  is  probable  Congress,  before  this  reaches  them, 
will  have  heard  of  the  arrival  of  the  ships  in  the  Bay  ; 
but,  if  they  should  have  met  with  any  delay.  1  need 
not  observe  how  necessary  it  will  be  to  conceal  our 
expectations  ;  as  the  only  chance  of  success  to  a 
merely  maritime  operation  depends  on  surprise.  1 
take  the  liberty  to  suggest,  that  the  American 
frigates  in  the  Delaware  may  perhaps  at  this  junc- 
ture be  usefully  employed  in  Chesapeake  or  Cape 
Fear.  The  latter  may  be  preferable,  but  secrecy  and 
despatch  will  be  essential.    *    *    • 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c' 


TO  MAJORKJENERAL  LINCOLN, 
y.,  c-  New  Wikdsob,  97  Febniiiy,  ijBi. 

Dear  Sir, 

I  have  received  your  favor  of  the  15th  ;  I  am  glad 
to  hear  of  Colonel  Lauren-s's  departure.  He  wrote 
to  me  a  few  days  before  he  sailed,  and  mentioned  in 

'  Read  in  Congreu,  March  ad. 


•78'] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


iji 


the  warmest  manner  your  exertions  to  get  the  ship 
manned.  The  few  Continental  soldiers  you  spared 
on  the  occasion  were  well  bestowed,  considering  the 
importance  of  Colonel  Laurens's  mission.' 

By  a  resolve  of  Congress  of  the  4th  of  January 
the  Board  of  War  seemed  to  have  the  payment  of  the 
invalids  ;  the  resolve  is  as  follows:  "  That  the  Board 
of  War  draw  no  more  warrants  on  the  Paymaster 
except  for  the  invalid  Regiments  and  the  regiment 
of  artificers  in  the  Department  of  the  Commissary 
General  military  stores  until  the  further  order  of  Con- 
gress." From  this  I  should  imagine  the  commanding 
officer  at  Boston  should  regularly  transmit  his  muster 
rolls  and  abstract  to  the  Board  and  obtain  a  warrant. 

The  late  Lt.  Colo.  Loring's  case  is  referred  to  me 
by  Congress  and  I  shall  take  it  into  consideration. 

Our  last  advices  from  General  Greene  are  of  the 
31st  of  January.  Lord  CornwalHs.  with  twenty-five 
hundred  men  entirely  divested  of  baggage,  had  made 

'  On  tbc  knital  tA  Colonel  Laurcni  in  BoMon,  Janiuiy  sjlli.  he  fonad  thai 
Itic  Alliuce  \aA  noi  compldeil  her  ciew,  and  thai  the  pracpcci  ot  moo  dmng 
it  <rai  vilmmcljt  anfavuisblv.  The  UaMacIiuiclls  N»7  Bcaril  enconrageil 
bio)  to  b«IicTc  that  the  power  of  improiing  seimcn  foi  this  special  Krrice 
night  lie  (ibiaincd  from  Ihc  iq^liJatiuc;  and,  while  Ihc  Bo«rd  wtu  punsiaK 
th<  apptication,  he  made  a  thort  nsil  toCouni  dr  KuchambMu  il  N«a-poTl, 
iibn«D  it  WIS  imfmrtanl  (or  him  to  coiuuJt  on  Ihc  mbjccl  or  his  minion.  Th« 
lc(ltlatiire  (k-i:llnc<l  Kranling  ihc  povei  lo  iitiprcu.  and  ihc  mmot  that  such  a 
thioE  was  in  agitation  had  avai*nc«(l  llio  Milon.  thai  »oine  coiic*^i1c<l  theinulvct, 
and  otben  ft«d  from  the  town.  Whtn  Colontl  Laurens  rctumnl,  thBmfore, 
leiy  Itlitc  progrcu  hud  been  maile  in  oblainine  men.  The  Iqpilattire  offctcil 
an  in'ritami  bounty  iiut  of  (heir  <>n-n  chtM.  with  pmtlutoo  to  cnlltl  State 
troops  then  on  duty  at  the  C«st]«.  Several  lecruitB  were  thut  procnml  ;  !)ut 
uiU  there  was  a  delidcn>:<r,  which  General  Lincoln  made  up  by  tAking  men 
from  the  Continnnial  trqojw,  who  ircce  qualifitxl  (oi  the  marine  kcrvice.  Colo- 
nel Laureai  vent  to  tea  on  the  ijth  ol  February,  after  having  been  win'l-bouml 
for  Kereral  days  in  Nsniukci  Road.— jV5.  Lttttri  rf  UncflK  anJ  /jutreni, 
Fcbnwry  4<l>  and  (Sih,— Jj»iwi<. 


ija 


THE  WRf  TINGS  OF 


[1781 
ecov-^ 


a  push  against  General  Morgan,  and  was  near  recov- 
ering the  prisoners  taken  upon  the  17th  of  Januarj*; 
but  General  Morgan  got  them  off,  and  they  had 
crossed  the  Yadkin  on  their  way  to  Virginia.  Lord 
Cornwallis  was  still  advancing,  and  General  Greene 
studiously  avoiding  an  engagement,  except  he  could 
draw  together  a  greater  force  of  militia  than  he  had 
much  prospect  of.  I  am  very  anxious  for  the  issue 
of  this  manceuvre,  which  may  be  productive  of  the 
most  important  consequences.  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Lee  with  his  legion  had  surprised  Georgetown.  I 
have  not  many  particulars.  He  took  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Campbell  and  several  other  officers  prisoners, 
and  killed  a  Major  I  rvine.  A  good  many  privates  were 
killed  ;  few  taken.  Our  loss  one  killed,  two  wounded. 
I  have  tried  the  efficacy  of  proclamations  of  par- 
don to  deserters  so  often,  and  havt:  found  so  tittle 
good  resulting  from  them,  that  1  am  inclined  to  think 
desertion  is  rather  encouraged  than  remedied  by  a  fre- 
quent repetition  of  them.  The  soldier  goes  ofT,  remains 
at  home  after  a  furlough,  and  looks  for  a  proclamation 
as  a  thing  of  course.      I  am,  &c. 


TO  THE  MARQUIS  DE  t-AFAVETTE. 

Naw  Windsor,  8  o'clock.  P.H.. 

Mv  Dear  Marquis.  aj  Kebn..r7. 1781. 

I  have  this  moment  received  a  letter  from  the  Count 
de  Rochambeau  with  intelligence,  of  which  the  en- 
closed is  a  copy.  By  this  it  appears,  that  the  first 
squadron  had  returned  to  Newport ;  but  that  M.  Des- 
touches  was  6tting  up  the  Romulus  with  an  Intent  to 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


'73 


^ 


despatch  her,  and  I  suppose  the  frigates,  for  Chesa- 
peake, as  bein^  of  better  construction  for  the  navi- 
gation of  that  Bay,  than  the  ships  which  were  before 
there.  I  have  written  to  Count  de  Rochambeau  and 
to  M.  Destouches,  and  have  informed  them,  that  you 
are  prosecuting  your  march  to  the  Head  of  Elk, 
that  you  will  embark  there  and  wait  only  for  a  certain 
knowledge  that  the  French  squadron  is  again  in  the 
Bay  of  Chesapeake,  to  determine  you  to  proceed  to 
a  cO(3peraiion.  1  hope  the  squadron  will  have  again 
sailed  before  my  letter  reaches  Newport 

Upon  your  arrival  at  the  Head  of  Elk,  you  will 
immediately  embark  the  troops  if  the  transports  are 
ready,  that  not  a  moment's  time  be  lost,  after  you  re- 
ceive certain  advices  that  our  friends  are  below.  But 
until  that  matter  is  ascertained  beyond  a  doubt,  you 
will  on  no  account  leave  Elk  River.  You  will  write 
immediately  to  the  Baron  Steuben,  and  infonn  him 
that  he  may  expect  the  return  of  the  squadron,  and 
that  he  is  to  continue  every  preparation  and  make 
every  arrangement  before  directed  for  the  prosecu- 
tion of  the  cooperation. 

With  the  warmest  attachment.  I  am.  &c. 

P.S.  You  will  readily  perceive  the  propriety  of 
keeping  parts  of  this  letter  and  intelligence  secret 


TO  JOHN    PARK   CUSTIS. 

Dear  Custis,  ''**'  ^^'"™«'"'  "*  Fet>f"*n'.  't*«- 

If  you  will  accept  a  hasty  letter  in  return  for  yours 
of  last  month,  1  will  devote  a  few  moments  to  this 
purpose,  and  conhne  myself  to  an  interesting  point 


■T4 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


or  two.  I  do  not  suppose,  that  so  young  a  senator 
as  you  arc,  little  versed  in  political  disquisitions,  can 
yet  have  much  influence  in  a  populous  assembly, 
composed  of  Gentln.  of  various  talents  and  of  differ- 
ent views.  But  it  is  in  your  power  to  be  punctual  in 
your  attendance  (and  duty  to  the  trust  reposed  in 
you  exacts  it  of  you),  to  hear  dispassionately  and  de- 
termine coolly  all  great  questions.  To  be  disgusted 
at  the  decision  of  questions,  because  they  are  not  con- 
sonant to  our  own  ideas,  and  to  withdraw  ourselves 
ftom  public  assemblies,  or  to  neglect  our  attendance 
at  them,  upon  suspicion  that  there  is  a  party  formed, 
who  are  inimical  to  our  cause  and  to  the  true  interest 
of  our  country,  is  wrong,  because  these  things  may 
originate  in  a  difference  of  opinion  ;  but.  supposing 
the  fact  is  otherwise,  and  that  our  suspicions  are  well 
founded,  it  is  the  indispensable  duty  of  every  patriot 
to  counteract  them  by  the  most  steady  and  uniform 
opposition.  This  advice  is  the  result  of  information, 
that,  you  and  others  being  dissatisfied  at  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  Virginia  Assembly,  and  thinking 
your  attendance  of  little  avail  (as  there  is  always  a 
majority  for  measures,  which  you  and  a  minority 
conceive  to  be  repugnant  to  the  interest  of  your 
Country),  are  indifferent  about  the  Assembly. 

The  next  and  f  believe  the  last  thing  1  shall  have 
time  to  touch  upon,  is  our  military  establishment ; 
and  here,  if  1  thought  the  conviction  of  having  a  per- 
manent force  had  not  ere  this  flashed  upon  every 
man's  mind,  1  could  write  a  volume  in  support  of  the 
utility  of  it ;  for  no  day  or  hour  arrives  unaccompc 


178.] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


i;s 


vrith  proof  of  some  loss,  some  expense,  or  some  mis- 
fortune consequent  of  the  want  of  it.  No  operation 
of  war,  offensive  or  defensive,  can  be  carried  on  for 
anylength  of  timewithout  it.  No  funds  arc  adequate 
lo  the  supplies  of  a  fluctuating  army,  tho'  it  may  go 
under  the  denomination  of  a  regular  one  ;  much  less 
are  they  competent  to  the  support  of  militia.  In  a 
word,  for  it  is  unnecessary  to  go  into  all  the  reasons 
the  subject  will  admit  of,  we  have  brought  a  cause, 
which  might  have  been  happily  terminated  years  ago 
by  the  adoption  of  proper  measures,  to  the  vci^e 
of  ruin  by  temporary  enlistments  and  a  reliance  on 
militia.  The  sums  expended  in  bounties,  waste  of 
arms,  consumption  of  military  stores,  Provisions,  and 
Camp  utensils,  to  say  nothing  of  cloathing.  which 
temporary  soldiers  are  always  receiving  and  always  in 
want  of,  arc  too  great  for  the  resources  of  any  nation, 
and  prove  the  fallacy  and  danger  of  temporary  ex- 
pedients, which  are  no  more  than  mushrooms,  and  of 
as  short  duration,  but  leave  a  sting,  that  is,  a  debt 
(which  is  continually  revolving  upon  us)  behind 
them. 

It  must  be  a  settled  plan,  founded  in  system,  order, 
and  occonomy,  that  is  to  carry  us  triumphantly 
through  the  war.  Supineness  and  indifference  to  the 
distresses  and  cries  of  a  sister  State,  when  danger  is 
far  off,  and  a  general  but  momentarj'  resort  to  arms 
when  it  comes  to  our  doors,  are  equally  impolitic  and 
dangerous,  and  prove  the  necessity  of  a  controlling 
power  in  Congress  to  regulate  and  direct  all  matters 
of  general  concern — without  it  the  great  business  of 


176 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[178. 


war  never  can  be  well  conducted,  if  it  can  be  con- 
ducted at  ail,  while  the  powers  of  Congress  are  only 
recommendatory.  While  one  State  yields  obedience, 
and  another  refuses  it,  while  a  third  mutilates  and 
adopts  the  measure  in  part  only,  and  all  vary  in  time 
and  manner,  it  is  scarcely  possible  our  affairs  should 
prosper,  or  that  any  thing  but  disappointmt.  can  fol- 
low the  best  concerted  plans.  The  willing  States  are 
almost  ruined  by  their  exertions;  distrust  and  jeal- 
ousy succeeds  to  it  Hence  proceed  neglect  and  ill 
timed  compliances,  one  State  waiting  to  see  what 
another  will  do.  This  thwarts  all  our  measures,  after 
a  heavy  tho'  inefTeccual  expense  is  incurred.  ^1 

Does  not  these  things  show,  that  in  ye  most  strilc^ 
ing  point  of  view,  the  indispensable  necessity,  the 
great  and  good  policy,  of  each  State  sending  its 
ablest  and  best  men  to  Congress ;  men,  who  have 
a  perfect  understanding  of  the  constitution  of  their 
Country,  of  its  policy  and  interests;  and  of  vesting 
that  body  with  competent  powers?  Our  Indepen- 
dence depends  upon  it,  our  respectability  and  conse- 
quence in  Europe  depends  upon  it,  our  greatness  as 
a  nation  hereafter  depends  upon  it.  The  fear  of 
giving  sufificient  powers  to  Congress,  for  the  purposes 
I  have  mentioned,  is  futile,  without  it  our  Indepen- 
dence fails  and  each  Assembly,  under  its  present 
constitution,  will  be  annihilated,  and  we  must  once 
more  return  to  the  Government  of  G.  Britain,  and  be 
made  to  kiss  the  rod  preparing  for  our  correction. 
A  nominal  head,  which  at  present  is  but  another 
name  for  Congress,  will  no  longer  do.     That  honor- 


•78'] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


'77 


able  body,  after  hearing  the  interests  and  views  of 
the  several  States  fairly  discussed  and  explained  by 
their  respective  representatives,  must  dictate,  and 
not  merely  recommend  and  leave  it  to  the  States 
afterwards  to  do  as  they  please,  which,  as  I  have 
observed  before,  is  in  many  cases  to  do  nothing  at 
all. 

When  1  began  this  letter.  I  did  not  expect  to  have 
filled  more  than  one  side  of  the  sheet,  but  I  have  run 
on  insensibly.  If  you  are  at  home,  give  my  love  to 
Nelly  and  the  children  ;  if  at  Richmond,  present  my 
complimts.  to  any  inquiring  friends.  I  am  sincerely 
and  affectionately,  &c. 

P.  S.  The  Public  Gazette  will  give  you  all  the 
news  of  this  quarter — our  eyes  are  anxiously  towards 
the  South  for  events. 


TO  THE   MARQUIS   DE    LAFAYETTE. 
H  -  HeAi>-Qu*t'T<iis,  I  Marck.  ijlt. 

V  Dear  Marquis. 

I  have  just  received  letters  from  the  Count  de 
Rochambeau  and  the  Chevalier  Destouches,  informing 
me  of  their  intention  to  operate  in  the  Chesapeake 
Bay  with  their  whole  ticct,  and  a  dctichmcnt  of  eleven 
hundred  French  troops,  grenadiers  and  chasseurs  in- 
cluded. The  Chevalier  expected  to  sail  the  5th  of 
this  month,  so  that  you  will  arrive  at  the  Head  of  Elk, 
before  he  appears  in  the  Bay.  He  seems  to  make  a 
difficulty,  which  I  do  not  comprehend,  about  protect- 
ing the  passage  of  your  detachment  down  the  Bay ; 


■  78 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[i7«i 


but,  as  it  is  entirely  without  foundation,  I  take  for 
granted  it  will  cease  on  his  arrival.  It  is  of  the  great- 
est importance  to  the  expedition,  as  well  as  for  the 
honor  of  our  arms,  that  you  should  be  on  the  spot  to 
cooperate. 

The  Count  de  Rochambeau  requests  me  to  send 
an  aid-de-camp  to  the  commanding  officer  in  Virginia, 
to  assemble  the  militia  and  have  every  thing  else  ready 
against  the  arrival  of  the  fleet.  You  know  all  the 
necessary  directions  have  been  given  ;  but,  to  gratify 
the  Count,  I  am  to  desire  you  will  send  Colonel 
Gouvion  without  delay  to  the  Baron  De  Steuben  to 
communicate  this  latter  intelligence,  and  press  the 
preparations,  directing  the  Baron  on  the  arrival  of 
(he  French  troops  to  enter  immediately  into  their 
views.  You  know  the  infinite  value  of  secrecy  in  an 
expedition  circumstanced  like  this.  The  Baron  de 
Viom^nil  will  command  the  French  detachment.  1 
set  out  in  the  morning  for  Rhode  Island,  where  I 
hope  to  arrive  before  the  fleet  sails,  to  levfl  all  diffi- 
culties and  be  in  the  way  to  improve  circumstances. 

Since  writing  the  above.  I  have  received  a  letter 
from  General  Greene,  by  which  it  appears,  Corn- 
wallts,  with  twenty-five  hundred  men.  was  penetrating 
the  country  with  great  rapidity,  and  Greene,  with  a 
much  inferior  force,  retiring  before  him,  having  deter- 
mined to  pass  the  Roanoke.  This  intelligence,  and  an 
apprehension  that  Arnold  may  make  his  escape  before 
the  fleet  can  arrive  in  the  Bay,  induce  me  to  give 
you  greater  latitude  than  you  had  in  your  original 
instructions.     You  are  at  liberty  to  concert  a  plan 


•»«0 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


•79 


with  the  French  general  and  naval  commander  for  a 
descent  into  North  Carolina,  to  cut  off  the  detach- 
ment of  the  enemy,  which  had  ascended  Cape  Fear 
River,  intercept  if  possible  Cornwallis,  and  relieve 
General  Greene  and  the  soiithern  States.  This, 
however.  I  think  ought  to  be  a  secondary  object,  and 
only  attempted  in  case  of  Arnold's  retreat  to  New 
York,  or  in  case  you  should  think  his  reduction  would 
be  attended  with  too  much  delay,  and  that  the  other 
enterprise  would  be  more  easy.  and.  was  from  circum- 
stances, more  necessary.  There  should  be  strong 
reasons  to  induce  a  change  of  our  first  plan  against 
Arnold,  if  he  is  still  in  Virginia.  With  a  view  to  the 
second  enterprise,  you  must  be  making  your  arrange- 
ments for  transportation  and  supplies,  and  must  en- 
deavor to  gain  all  the  information  you  can  about  the 
country,  which  may  be  the  scene  of  your  operations. 
Your  continuing  your  march,  after  the  fleet  had 
withdrawn  itself  from  the  Bay,  may  excite  suspicions 
of  their  intended  return.  You  can  cover  your  design 
by  saying  you  are  going  to  the  assistance  of  General 
Greene.  You  will  remember,  that  your  corps  is  a 
part  of  this  army,  and  will  let  this  idea  have  proper 
weight  in  your  determinations.     I  am,  &c.' 

■  GMienI  Wtuhinelon  lefi  hctd.qu*rteK  en  the  id.  "  Thft  1I17  [fith]  Gen- 
nal  Wuhlnglon,  whn  wu  cxiiedrd,  arrived  \ti\  Newport]  abnui  iwo  o'clock. 
lie  fir»l  went  to  the  Dm  .ii  BurgogHt,  where  bU  our  generals  were.  He  then 
landed  ;  *]1  the  tioopa  were  iiniler  armi ;  [  wu  piesentcil  In  him.  IIU  (ace 
b  haDdiomc,  noble  wiA  mild.  Kv  ii  tiil  fat  llir  kul,  live  (eet,  eight  iiithet). 
!■  the  cTtninn,  I  wu  ui  sup[>er  with  him.  1  murk  as  a  fortunate  iaf,  ihit 
In  which  I  have  beta  atile  to  licbold  a  man  (i>  liuly  Great." — yoitrital  t/ 
ClaitJt  Blititiard,  tfy  Tlie  land  forcei  weto  embarked,  and  the  Hcct  uilcd 
on  the  evening  o(   the  Sih.   and  on  the  lolh  (be  Britith  fleet  tailed  from 


i&>  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1781 


I 


TO  GOVERNOR   HANCOCK. 

IlAKTroKii.  17  Mwdi.  17S1 


Sir, 

It  would  have -afforded  me  the  greatest  pleasure, 
had  I  been  able  lo  have  extended  my  late  visit  to 
Newport  as  far  as  Boston  ;  but  the  important  opera- 
tions, which  may  be  expected  at  the  southward, 
made  it  necessarj'  for  me  to  return  as  soon  as  possi- 
ble to  the  North  River,  that  I  might  be  more  imme- 
diately in  the  way  of  receiving  intelligence,  and 
communicating  any  which  might  be  essential  to  the 
common  interest  to  Count  de  Rochambeau.  The 
present  is  a  most  important  moment.  The  success 
of  the  expedition  now  in  agitation  seems  to  depend 

Gardiner's  B»y.  (i>(  llie  Cl>cs«pcakc,  He  reiiiBinei]  fovrml  dny*  tt  Neirport, 
and  nude  such  amngemcnti  with  Count  dc  Rochambeaa  (or  ihc  opet^ttiont  of 
th«  cainpait^i,  .u  ihi:  pitiient  slate  vE  >ilair«  would  waiianl.  lie  wjit  *b- 
Mnl  ninrleeti  days  from  New  Windsor,  during  which  lime  General  Hexh 
commtnded. 

The  day  after  the  fleet  went  lo  sea  frotn  ti*rdinet't  Bay,  Admiral  Arbuthnot 
wrote  SI  follows  lo  Sir  Henry  Clinton:  "  Before  Ibii  time  yon  will  have 
rceeived  the  intelligence  of  the  French  having  quilted  Rhmle  loland  with  their 
thlpt  and  troopt,  suppoied  for  Ihe  Chcmpeske.  and  thst  they  have  ditmantled 
their  furti.  I  detached  Ihc  Pearl  and  Isi*  two  da)-t  ago,  to  reconnoitre  New- 
port harbour.  They  rejoined  me  ycMeidny  momingt,  and  icqualiited  me,  thai 
none  of  the  enemy't  ships  remain  there.  In  eonxi^ucDcc  oi  which  I  proc<«d 
in  qucit  of  tbeni  directly  (or  Ihe  Chesapeake  with  the  unnoil  expedition  ; 
Captain  Hudson's  veucts  beinn  sntScient  tn  ctcori  any  troops  you  may  in<)ine 
■o  detach  after  me  to  r«in(arcE*Ucneral  Arnold  in  Virginia." — MS.  Lttler.ol 
int.  March  nth. 

The  tlntemcnl  about  diimojiiUng  the  forts  It  of  connc  an  error,  ai  only 
between  eleven  and  lwcl*e  hundred  of  the  French  troopt  accompanied  the 
expedition. 

(General  rhilUjis  commanded  the  detachmeni  tent  to  coApetatc  with  Arnold 
in  Virginia.  All  the  troops  tn  that  quarter  were  intended  to  act  in  concert 
with  the  plans  of  Lord  ComwallJs.  By  hit  initmctiont  General  Phillipn  vaa 
directed,  in  case  I.(ird  CumwatliH  thoiilil  be  tucctMful  in  the  Carolina*,  lo 
move  up  the  Chesapeake  wiih  a  large  force  lo  Baltimore ;  and  to  i*k«  poet 


upon  a  naval  superiority,  and  the  force  of  the  two 
fleets  is  so  equal,  that  we  must  rather  hope  for,  than 
entertain  an  assurance  of  victor)'.  The  attempt, 
however,  made  by  our  allies  to  dislodge  the  enemy 
in  Virginia,  is  certainly  a  bold  one.  and.  should  it 
fail,  will  nevertheless  entitle  them  to  the  thanks  of 
the  public. 

The  army  under  my  immediate  command  is  so 
much  reduced  by  the  detachment,  which  1  have 
made  to  cooperate  with  the  French  troops  in  Vir- 
ginia, that  I  have  been  under  the  necessity  of  calling 
for  the  recruits,  which  are  raised  in  the  neighboring 
States.  Few  have  yet  come  in ;  and  I  plainly  per- 
ceive, that,  unless  very  vigorous  exertions  are  made. 

Mat  the  SaH]uch«iiiu,  and  on  the  «uteni  Aon  of  the  Gicsip«>1(e  Bay, 
when  tb«  loyiliw*  vera  uiJ  la  he  numciaun.  Tbe  nlttinkte  object  wu  to 
fctie  apon  the  xtorci  and  »niuin«nti  in  Pcnnxrlvuiia.  and  to  obstruct  the 
Indc  of  tbe  nclawarc.  "I  am  prcporinj:."  aajd  Sir  Henry  Clioton,  "for 
trtrf  «xertion  within  Ihfl  cump«»  oi  my  very  reduced  tons,  wMch,  after  the 
,itre»l  Iari£e  ddadiments  tent  to  th«  loudiward,  unoantt  to  no  more  than 
6tTS  anxiliaty  tioopa.  4597  regular  Britith,  anO  906  ProvindaU.  ready  (or  tb« 
the  &c\A."—ifS.  Ltiltr  to  Ltr4  Gnrgf  Crmaiat.  A>»  Yivt,  April  Slh. 

Acain.  Sii  IIcDiy  Clinton  wrote  to  General  Phillips :  "  The  lecurity  of  th« 
Caioltnai  >*  of  the  ^mtcst  mnintnl,  bui  the  ticti  con>c(|ucncct  may  be 
npccled  frocn  an  operation  up  the  Chesapeake-  1^1  itie  lame  cxpoiimcni  be 
tried  IhCTc.  which  hat  hitherto  been  «a  unincccuful  at  the  MUth.  Virginia 
kai  been  locdced  upon  «>  aiuTcmlly  hoitiU  ;  Marylaiul  tcu  *o,  but  haa  not 
beca  tried  :  but  in  Penniylvania.  on  both  sides  ȣ  ihc  Susquehanna,  and 
belvecn  th«  Cheupeake  and  Delaware,  the  friendt  of  the  King't  inierot*  are 
Mid  to  be  Dumeroui.  Support  tbould  be  rcndorcl  to  ihcra,  and  means  of 
prvring  that  fidelity  put  into  their  hands.  If  Lord  Comwallis  can  ipnie  such 
part  of  bi*  forces  aa  to  effect  this  movement,  it  is  f'rcaily  to  be  dciired." — -MS. 
UUer.  April  llth. 

At  the  same  lime  I.«rd  Comwallii  wrote  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton;  "  1  cannot 
help  expressing  my  wUhes.  thai  the  Chesapeake  may  becyme  the  leal  of  war. 
e<ien,  if  aeetnary.  at  the  eipenie  of  abandoning  New  York.  Until  Virginia 
it  in  •  naBDcr  fulidued,  our  hold  upon  the  Carolinu  muil  be  difficult  if  not 
precariom.*' — Wilmingien,  April  lotb. 


(8i 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[i78r 


the  quotas  of  the  several  States  will  be  not  onlyj 
short,   but   exceedingly  late   in   the   field.     I    must 
therefore  entreat  the  interference  of  your  Excellen- 
cy's countenance  and  authority  with  the  persons  in 
the  different  townships,  whose  business  it  may  be  to  ^ 
procure  the  levies,  not  only  to  send  forward  those  tofl 
the  places  of  rendezvous,  which  have  been  raised, 
hut  attend  to  completing  the  deficiencies  where  anyfl 
may  have  happened.      There  is  the  greater  necessity^ 
for  a  strict  compliance  with    the    number  of    men 
required    by    Congress,    as    the    Pennsylvania    linejf 
which  was  to  have  composed  part  of  the  northern 
army,  has  lately  been  ordered  to  the  southward.     Aj 
regular  and  full  compliance  with  the  specific  requi-^ 
sition  of  provision  is  a  matter  of  equal  importance 
with  the  foregoing,  to  which  I  beg  leave  to  call  youi^ 
Excellency's  attention  also.     I  have  the  honor  to  be, 
with  most  perfect  respect  and  esteem.  &a 


TO    BENJAMIN    HARRtSON. 

New  WmosoK,  ii  MMth,  1781. 

My  Dear  Sik, 

Upon  my  return  to  this  place  last  night,  I  met 
your  private  and  friendly  letter  of  the  25th  of  Feb- 
ruary. I  do  not  delay  a  moment  to  thank  you  for 
the  interesting  matter  contained  in  it,  and  to  express 
surprize  at  that  part  which  respects  a  pension  for  my, 
mother.  \ 

True  it  is,  I  am  but  little  acquainted  with  her/f«> 
ent  situation  or  distresses,  if  she  is  under  any.     As 


I78i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


■83 


true  it  is,  a  year  or  two  before  1  left  Virginia  (to 
make  her  latter  days  comfortable  and  free  from  care) 
I  did,  at  her  request,  but  at  my  own  expencc,  pur> 
chase  a  commodious  house,  garden  and  Lotts  (of  her 
own  choosing)  in  Fredericksburg,  that  she  might  be 
near  my  sister  Lewis,  her  only  daughter, — and  did 
moreover  agree  to  take  her  land  and  negroes  at  a 
certain  yearly  rent,  to  be  fixed  by  Colo.  Lewis  and 
others  (of  her  own  nomination)  which  has  been  an 
annual  expence  to  me  ever  since,  as  the  estate  never 
raised  one  half  the  rent  I  was  to  pay.  Before  1  left 
Virginia  I  answered  all  her  calls  for  money ;  and 
since  that  period  have  directed  my  steward  to  do  the 
same.  Whence  her  distresses  can  arise,  therefore,  I 
know  not,  never  having  received  any  complaint  of 
bis  inattention  or  neglect  on  that  head  ;  tho'  his 
inability  to  pay  my  own  taxes,  is  such  I  know,  as  to 
oblige  me  to  sell  negroes  for  this  purpose — the  taxes 
being  the  most  unequal  (I  am  told)  in  the  world — 
some  persons  paying  for  things  of  equal  value,  four 
times,  nay  ten  times,  the  rate  that  others  do, — But 
putting  these  things  aside,  which  I  could  not  avoid 
mentioning  in  exculpation  of  a  presumptive  want  of 
duty  on  my  part ;  confident  I  am  that  she  has  not  a 
child  that  would  not  divide  the  last  sixpence  to 
relieve  her  from  real  distress.  This  she  has  been 
repeatedly  assured  of  by  me ;  and  all  of  us  I  am 
certain,  would  feel  much  hurt,  at  having  our  mother 
a  pensioner,  while  we  had  the  means  of  supporting 
her;  but  in  fact  she  has  an  ample  income  of  her  own. 
I  lament  accordingly  that  your  letter,  which  con- 


i84 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


rae  toV 

ms,  if     j 


veyed  the  first  hint  of  this  matter,  did  not  come  to 
my  hands  sooner ;  but  I  request,  in  pointed  terms,  if 
the  matter  is  now  in  agitation  in  your  Assembly,  that 
all  proceedings  on  it  may  be  stopped,  or  in  case  of  a 
decision  in  her  favor,  that  it  may  be  done  away  and 
repealed  at  my  request 

I  must  defer  answering  your  public  letter  till  the 
next  post.  This  is  written  in  much  haste  to  go  by 
the  present  mail,  which  is  on  the  point  of  closing. 
The  measures  I  had  taken  previous  to  the  date  of 
your  letter  (for  the  reduction  of  Arnold's  corps) 
were,  you  may  be  assured,  every  thing  that  was 
possible  in  my  circumstances  to  do.  If  the  States 
will  not,  or  cannot  provide  me  with  the  means,  it  is 
in  vain  for  them  to  look  to  me  for  the  end  and 
accomplishment  of  their  wishes.  Bricks  are  not  to 
be  made  without  straw.  As  our  eyes  are  turned  to 
your  quarter  for  interesting  events,  we  have  few 
occurrences  of  moment  here,  none  pleasing.  I  shall 
only  add  an  expression  of  my  sincere  concern  for  the 
damage  and  losses  I  hear  you  have  sustained  by  that 
arch  traitor  Arnold,  and  my  assurances  of  being.  &c' 

'  "■I  »mTtiJ,  my  dear  Chevalr,,  nt  tliwe  my  Qunrlcm  in  tW  forenoon  ol 
yeittrday.  iftct  poiidns  ovei  very  bad  road*,  and  riillng  thro'  very  (onl 
sveaiher  withiiut  any  dfti>ia|;c.  .  .  .  G.  Britain  it  at  war  willi  Ihe  Dutch. 
Tlw  maniftrtio  and  deciaraiion  ai  thai  conit  I  have  dene  myiell  ihe  honi.  to 
trantmil  to  the  Count  de  Rochambcau.  We  have  Jl  by  rrferi,  thai  Artml. 
Dcttoachet  i«  hair  arrived  in  Hampton  Koad.  A  uiunber  of  militia  under  the 
conuoand  of  Baron  dc  Sleiiben  wtr*  hoiveiing  round  Amolil.  ready  to  co- 
operate with  (ienl.  Viom^nil  and  (he  Marqa.  At  I.a(ayett«.  in  the  momenl 
uf  lh«ir  ilcliarkaiinn  ;  (he  Ulicr  of  whom  had  advanced  hit  delafhmeDt  to 
Annapolu.  lo  receive  more  readily  (he  protection  and  convoy  of  the  Frigate* 
of  M.  DealFin[hes."~ffiijAiaj-A»>  tf  lie  Cli-ntiii'T  Jt  Cikaittilax,  ai  M 
ij8i. 


4 


TO  ma;or<gen'eral  heath. 


I 


I 


Nbw  Windsor,  ii  March.  1781. 

)ear  Sir. 

Upon  my  arrival  at  this  place  yesterday.  I  found 
your  letter  of  the  2d.,  enclosing  the  complaint  of 
Sundry  field-officers  of  the  Massachusetts  line'  It 
is  a  painful  rcHcction,  that  the  best  meant  endeavors 
to  promote  the  service  is  subject  to.  and  often  meets 
with,  the  most  unfavorable  constructions ;  and  that 
the  numerous  embarrassments  which  the  distressed 
situation  of  our  affairs  unavoidably  involves  us  in. 
should  be  increased  by  ill-founded  jealousies  and 
groundless  suspicions. 

If  the  Gentn..  who  addressed  you,  on  the  27th 
ulto.  were  hurt  at  the  appointment  of  Colo.  Jamat 
[Gimat]  and  Major  Galvan,  to  command  in  the 
lietachmt.  which  marched,  and  which  I  presume  to 
be  the  case,  a  candid  investigation  of  the  cause  would 
have  evinced,  in  a  moment  the  principle  and  that  it 
was  not  a  prcdiliction  in  favor  of  those  gentn.,  or 

'  Tb«  p*pcr  conlaining  ih«  complaint  wm  triKned  tiy  mtch  ficld-officmt^ 
After  tpeakiog  a(  their  wTvk«i  and  sacHficn  in  the  army,  siid  thctr  tlvvolcd- 
■ea  10  ihe  cause  of  tlieir  coiinlry,  they  odd  .  "  \Vc  flaiicr  ouriclvct,  that  wr 
terc  gaionl  amt  poKicvi  thf  alTei'liuii  •>!  our  u^Micty.  VVc  litvc  certainly  so 
amcb  confidence  in  them,  that  ve  are  willing  10  aco'>inpany  them  not  only  on 
(Min  ol  kooor,  but  10  eocounlcr  willi  Ihciii  (alijinc-'  and  ilxii^cr.  whidi  «rc 
thiali  wc  have  a  rij-hi  tu  exjiccl.  Hut  uc  urc  \0Tty  to  lioic  hi  far  lt»t  the  con- 
lidcnce  of  onr  general  officer*,  that,  when  coniiilernbly  mere  than  one  half  of 
on  men  hare  been  dctacbed  for  command,  one  ficld-olliccr  only  front  (he  lino 
bw  been  permilled  to  attend  tlirm.  while  nine  remain  lo  endure  the  sentible 
mortification  at  comnundinE  between  them  a  !ct>  iinmliet,  ihc  grealer  part  of 
tthon  arc  on  detached  and  extra  tErrlt-e.  'rhln|;A  thus  clrciitiiH(aiii:cd  niu»t 
pointedly  wound  the  (nlintpi  oif  n  Diilitnr}'  charaticr.  ami  they  do  certainly 
moit  senifbly  outs."  ThU  complaint  wb»  preienlcd  10  (icncnll  llcfilh,  and 
*»■.  lorwariled  by  him  to  the  Commander-ln-eliief. 


i86 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


t'7«i 


a  want  of  confidence  in  the  complainants,  but  the  ' 
peculiar  circumstances  of  the  army  that  gave  birth  i 
to  the  measure.  dl 

At  the  time  the  detachment  was  ordered,  there 
was  not,  by  the  adjutant's  return  (and  it  was  called 
for  on  purpose),  but  two  rej;iments  if  my  memory 
serves  me.  in  camp,  that  had  more  than  one  field- 
ofificer,  namely  Hazen's  and  Webb's.  Nothing  there- 
fore but  necessity  could  have  justified  my  leaving 
a  regiment  without  one,  at  a  time  when  the  new 
levies  were  ordered  to  join,  and  momently  expected 
from  every  State,  and  when  an  equal  and  impartial 
distribution  of  them  was  to  be  made,  and  the  whole  j 
to  be  provided  for.  Under  such  circumstances,  no 
one.  I  am  persud..  who  considers  the  good  of  the 
service  and  the  consequences  of  such  <i  want,  can  I 
blame  me  for  taking  officers,  who  were  eligible  to 
command  and  unoccupied  by  other  duties,  to  accom^H 
pany  the  detachment.  ^ 

These,  and  these  only  were  the  reasons,  why  no 
more  than  one  field-officer  was  taken  from  the  line 
of  Massachusetts  bay.  and  not  as  I  have  said  before 
from  a  want  of  confidence  in  them  or  because  I  pre- 
ferred those  that  did  go.  Thus  much  justice  has 
dictated  and  I  insert,  to  remove  the  idea  which  these 
Gentn.  seem  to  have  imbibed  of  an  intended  slight, 
but  they  must  excuse  me  for  adding,  that  I  concieve 
it  to  be  a  right  inherent  with  command  to  appoint 
particular  officers  for  special  purposes. 

That  part  of  your  letter,  wch.  seems  to  respect 
yourself  personally,  needs  no  explanation  ;  (or  I 
never  can  suppose  that  you  deem  it  a  slight,  not 


to  have  been  taken  from  thr  comd.  of  the  most 
important  post  in  America  wt.  4.000  men.  to  head 
a  detachment  from  that  Post  of  only  80a  If  this 
is  not  your  allusion.  I  am  ignorant  of  your  mean* 
ing ;  but  shall  take  this  occasion  to  observe  once  for 
all,  that  I  am  not  conscious  of  exercising  a  partiality 
in  favor  of  one  line,  one  Corps,  or  one  man,  more 
than  another;  and  that  where  appearances  have  been 
Dlhttrwise,  in  the  eyes  of  those  who  were  unac- 
quainted with  all  the  circumstances,  I  could  easily 
have  explained  them  ;  that  I  never  did,  nor  never 
will  hurt,  intentionally,  the  feelings  of  any  deserving 
officer  unless  1  can  be  justified  upon  genl.  principles 
and  good  is  to  result  from  it — but  if  officers  will  not 
see  into  the  political  motives  by  which  I  am  some- 
times governed  in  my  appointments,  and  which  the 
good  of  the  common  cause  renders  indispensably 
necessary,  it  is  unfortunate ;  but  cannot,  because  It 
ought  not,  divert  me  from  the  practice  of  a  duty, 
which  I  think  promotive  of  the  interest  of  the  united 
States,  and  consistent  with  the  views  of  that  power 
under  which  I  act 

1  have  been  thus  particular  because  it  is  my  wish 
to  convince  every  officer  over  whom  I  have  the  honor 
to  be  placed  of  the  sincerity  of  niy  disposition  to 
make  him  as  happy  as  the  times  and  our  circum- 
stances will  admit  of ;  and  that  can  be  done  consist- 
ent with  the  observance  of  that  steady  line  of  con- 
duct I  ever  have  and  mean  to  pursue.  1  am,  with 
esteem,  &c.' 

'  Tlie  tetult  of  tiiU  UD«aam«*a  in  Ibc  afficcn  irnt  the  tuddsn  del  erm  I  nation  on 
At  put  at  WMMn^toe  10  RCill  [he  dclnchmenl  under  Lafsyoll*  in  thr  tooth. 


iSS 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[»7«l 


TO   WILLIAM    FITZHUGH. 

Dear  Sir  n^wWixihok.  as  M>rcb,  1781. 

A  few  days  ago  brought  me  the  honor  of  your  favoi 
of  the  7th  from  Marlborough.     Your  other  letter  o 
Jany.  the  20th  came  duly  to  hand — for  both   I  thank 
you ;  without  offering  an  apology  for  suffering  the 
Utter  to  remain  unacknowledged  till  this  time,  b< 
cause  I  am  satis5ed  you  will  attribute  my  silence  t 
any  cause  rather  than  disrespect,  and  to  none  soone; 
than  the  true  one— vizt.,  the  load  of  business  whic 
continually  presses  upon  me.    It  was  with  sincerecon- 
cem  that  I  heard  of  the  injury  you  sustained  in  you 
property  at  the  mouth  of  the  Patuxent,  but  it  is  only 
adding  another  specimen  to  the  catalogue  of  British 
clemency  and  wasted  generosity. 

wtA  tofomi  *  nc*  not  which  «'oulil  dclcrmlncr  ihe  gricvani-ch.  Thr  ittattkm' 
of  Gnese,  bowerer,  led  to  n  change  of  onlen.  S«  Wathitigten  to  La/ayetu, 
ft  April,  1781. 

la  •  printc  letter  to  Biron  Steuben  WMhingluii  wrote  on  April  jotb  : 
*'  At  ikii  noMeQI.  I  will  frankly  contet*  lo  you.  I  am  eilreniely  perplexed  and 
tUitietIM  llw  i)ne9.tlRcu  &:  diicontenl  which  prevoif  amnngatl  iheOdicenortlie 
R<(*l  ot  Lt.  InfiQtry  lo  which  Miijor  G&lilii  it  now  animrit,  willi  rcNpectlo  the 
caalbiKt  of  ikii  (ienltcman— Krom  tbciricmominuicct,  and  the  Unirertol  report, 
It  kpfwan  Ihil  ht^  lirliavior  \vif  tiecn  ui  untonarti  &  <li«ibll|[in|;,  a*  to  create 
itM  gttalcst  i!ii)[uit  in  all  thr  Ciirpt,  &  »  will  trail  euieiilially  lo  injure  ihe  ler- 
«i(« — T*if,  logtlher  tviih  hit  having  be«n  in  the  Ughi  Corps,  the  Um  Canv- 
fMipi,  WMihl  iiMtuce  me  Ii>  otiti  him  lo  be  relteved.  If  ihe  eoiiiiidcraiion  vJ  \A 
btang  ■  foi«l|;ncT  (to  whom  you  know.  1  wiih  cT«ry  niilalile  altenlion  jt  encouik 
a^auttA  to  b«  paid),  an  Idea  of  hU  pereonal  abilitjet  ft  rctpectablc  oonncclioni, 
4U  Ml  prentit. 

"  Knowing'jaar  (rWndUitp  for.  &  influence  wiihMajorGoIvaniabevenr 
liilmalilc,  t  ancenly  with  him.  thro  jou,  lo  be  pcniuadcd  in  ailopt  kuch  a  li 
oicoMdactaiwill  make  him  moie  agreeable  to  tbeCorpt  at  well  a<  more  tcrvicca 
ble  ra  Ike  PnUic — Olherwiw,  however  tpjendid  Mi  abililici^  $  military  talenl* 
way  be.  they  will  be  enlitely  nielev  to  bimtalf  &  the  world— Anil  in  tbc  iiaao, 
I  (car,  1  >hall  be  coiii|>tlled  lo  ^upenede  him,  in  order  to  )irevent  i)ic  mo)t  d» 
i^neable  c<in*eiqu«nce«." 


1 


I78i] 


GEORGE  iVASlflJVGTON. 


1S9 


The  accession  of  Marj^land  to  the  confederation — 
and  the  relinquishment  of  the  claim  of  Virginia  to 
the  Lands  west  of  Ohio,  are  e%'ents  which  are  exceed- 
ingly pleasing  to  me.  but  1  am  not  sufficiently 
acquainted  with  the  powers  of  civil  government 
under  the  present  constitutions  of  the  several  States 
to  determine  how  far  they  are  able  to  obtain  men  for 
the  war,  or  for  three  years  by  coercion — nor  am  I 
enough  acquainted  with  the  abilities  of  them  to  de- 
clare what  sums  they  ought  to  have  given  to  soldiers 
under  this  description,  in  preference  to  a  draft  of  men 
for  a  shorter  term  ;  this,  however,  I  am  decided  in, 
that  the  latter  is  the  most  expensive,  &  least  effectual 
mode  that  ever  was  devised  to  carry  on  a  war  which 
is  like  to  become  a  war  of  finance — and  that  no  funds 
within  our  reach  can  support  it  long.  I  speak  upon 
the  best  ground  when  I  assert  this,  because  no  day 
nor  hour  arrives  without  bringing  with  it  some  evi- 
dence in  support  of  the  truth  of  the  observation.  To 
this  cause  also  the  prolongation  of  the  war,  the 
wretched  state  of  our  finances,  and  every  capital  mis- 
fortune that  has  befallen  us  may  be  traced. 

I  as  little  scruple  to  add.  that  unless  the  powers  of 
Congress  are  made  competent  to  all  the  purposes  of 
war  we  are  doing  no  more  than  wasting  our  time  & 
spending  our  treasure  to  very  little  purpose,  for  it  is 
impossible  to  apply  the  strength  and  resources  of 
this  country  while  one  State  complys  with,  another 
rejects,  and  the  majority  of  them  change  or  muti- 
late the  requisitions  of  that  body — hence  the  willing 
States  are  capitally  injured,  if  not  mined — hence  pro- 


190 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


ceed  distrust,  jealousy,  &  dissatisfaction,  and  the 
unpossibilit>' of  either  projecting  or  executing  (with 
certaintj')  any  plan  whatsoever — hence  proceed  all 
those  delays,  which  to  people  at  a  distance,  and  un- 
acquainted with  circumstances,  are  altogether  unac- 
countable— and  hence  it  is  we  incur  useless  expence, 
because  we  do  not  bring  our  force,  and  means,  into 
operation  at  the  same  time,  some  being  exhausted, 
before  others  are  obtained.     •     •     « 

We  wait  with  much  solicitude  advices  from  the 
southern  army ;  our  last  accounts  from  that  quarter 
were  less  gloomy  than  the  former,  but  not  less  equivo- 
cal &  distressing.  I  have  heard  nothing  from  Gcnl. 
Greene  since  the  28th  of  Feb'y.  nor  of  him  (with  pre- 
cision) since  the  2d  InsL  Matters  were  so  critically 
circumstanced  at  that  time  as  to  add  pain  to  Impa- 
tience. Equally  ignorant,  and  equally  anxious  am  1. 
with  respect  to  the  French  fleet  under  the  command 
of  the  Chevr.  Destouches — no  accounts  of  whom 
have  I  received  (but  vague  ones  through  the  channel 
of  Rivington's  Paper)  since  he  left  Newport.  At 
York  Town  in  Virginia  there  was  no  intelligence  of 
him  on  the  15th. 

Private.  It  is  to  be  lamented,  greatly  lamented, 
that  the  French  commanders  at  Newport  did  not 
adopt  the  measure  of  sending  the  Fleet  and  a  detach- 
m't  of  their  land  force  to  Chesapeake  bay  when  I 
hrst  proposed  it  to  them  (in  the  moment  I  received 
the  first  cert'n  information  of  the  damage  done  to  the 
British  at  Gardiner's  bay).  Had  the  expedition  been 
undertaken  at  that  time,  nothing  could  have  saved 


I7«i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


191 


Arnold's  corps  (during  the  weakened  state  of  the 
British  ships)  rrom  destruction.  Instead  of  this,  a 
small  detachment  oniy  was  sent  from  the  fleet,  which, 
as  1  foretold,  would  have  returned  as  they  went,  had 
it  not  been  for  the  accidental  meeting  of  the  Romu- 
lus, and  the  vessels  under  lier  convoy.  But  as  there 
is  no  rectifying  past  errors — and  as  it  is  our  true 
policy  to  stand  well  with  friends  on  whom  we  so  much 
depend,  I  relate  this  in  confidence.' 

*  S«e  WathingUm  le  Reckamifau  ja  April.  17S1. 

OnMaTch30th,W»hineti>nreceJvedalcItcr  written  byChevnlier  D«itcnicbei 
on  ihc  IQlIi.  Elcuribmi;  AB  cn{;a|;tii)ciil  bclwccii  )ii»i  I1«et  anit  Admlnd  Arbulh- 
■K>l'iflc«<  on  the  l6th.  Thi-  British  comptiicd  tight  shipi.  and  lhr«c  frigatcn, 
,  whiletbe  Frcftch  had  the  same  number  of  thipK.  but  ■■etc  infrrior  in  weight  of 
neui.  The  enGa^einci]|  lie|;]|ii  at  two  o'clock  in  the  afirmoon.  and  Inslcd  for 
mora  than  an  houi.  ThcEngtiih  then  ilrtw  oil.  and  the  Frctidi  liTiilin^  one  of 
that  ihipi  id  I  dibtre&scti  conililioii.  diil  nol  punue,  ami  decided  thai  ii  would 
be  ineipcilienl  10  cnniinne  to  Vir);ii<ia,  whither  the  KngiKh  hnil  gone.  Claude 
BUncfaud.  the  French  comniiuiiry,  who  accompanied  ihii  dctachmenl  wrote 
of  this  naiftl  cnf^enKni;  *'  What  h  certain  ih  thai  the  Engliiih  had  the  worn 
im  lUs  kSaii,  hjr  which,  nererthelecs,  we  did  nol  profil.  because  ihe  Conquerant 
'  ecmtd  not  repair  her  damage  quickly  enough.  The  capt.tin  of  thit  ihip  alH> 
ttlde  toooe  mlxtakcs  in  manceuffting,  nnd  lastly,  M.  Ilestouchct.  who  was  in 
eMMBBDdfor  the  lint  time,  and  who  had  been  unexpectedly  calleil  t"  ihia  pO'R 
by  IIm  death  of  M.  de  Temay,  wa,s  afrmid  of  the  court,  and  did  not  display  all 
the  enerjcy  chat  wat  requlalte."  Wai^hinglon  took  hit  dinappoinlmenl  with 
eoolneuaod  good  iudgmenl.  irriling  to  Ilcsloudies  on  Ihe  jial : 

"  Though  you  have  nol  been  able  to  accomplish  the  object,  which  you  had 
in  view,  you  have  merited  the  ihanlit  of  every  American  tiy  the  bnldneu  of  Ihe 
atlempt,  and  by  the  gallantry  and  good  conduct  ditplnyrd  through  the  wholB 
couKC  of  the  ensageroeni.  I  will  confcu  to  yon.  Sir.  1  was  never  nnguine  in 
my  ci|>ectalion]i,  aflci  1  saw  Ihe  British  fleet  follow  you  so  clonely  finm  Gardi- 
ner's Bay.  I  knew  that  the  sncoen  of  the  expedition  de|«nde<l  ainiuti  entirely 
■poo  your  arrivai  in  the  Cheiapeake  before  Admiral  Aibuthnot.  a  citcumstanee 
in  which  the  windinnd  weuther  had  more  inllucnce  ihan  valor  or  tkill.  Had  il 
dipendcd  upon  the  laller,  I  should  have  had  perfect  conlidence,  and  the  event 
las  justified  my  opinion." 

"  I'he  attempt  of  the  Chcvr.  1  >eslouchei  at  ihe  lime  he  tailed  ua*  liold  and 
Htlecpriting.  F'or  Ihii  and  political  rt.-ison«,  and  because  I  know  it  will  be 
ftttcfnl  lo  the  French  General  and  admiral,  1  take  the  liberty  of  hinting  10  you 


Mrs.  Washington  makes  a  tender  of  her  compli- 
ments to  yourself  and  Mrs.  Fitzhugh  to  which  please 
to  add  those  of.  Dear  Sir,  &c. 


TO   MAJOR-GENERAL    ARMSTRONG. 

Nkw  Windsor,  tb  Marcb.  ij8i. 

Dear  Sir. 

*  *  *  I  received  with  much  pleasure  the  ac- 
count of  your  recovered  health,  and  sincerely  wish  it 
may  be  of  long  continuance  and  much  usefulness  to 
yourself  and  country-. 

We  ought  not  to  look  back,  unless  it  is  to  derive 
useful  lessons  from  past  errors,  and  for  the  purpose 
of  profiting  by  dear  bought  experience.  Toenveigh 
against  things  that  are  past  and  irremediable,  is  un- 
pleasing;  but  to  steer  clear  of  the  shelves  and  rocks 
we  have  struck  upon,  is  the  part  of  wisdom,  equally 
as  incumbent  on  political  as  other  men,  who  have 
their  own  little  bark,  or  that  of  others,  to  navigate 
through  the  Intricate  paths  of  life,  or  the  trackless 
ocean,  to  the  liavcn  of  security  and  rest. 

Our  affairs  are  brought  to  an  awful  crisis,  that  the 
hand  of  Providence,  1  trust,  may  be  more  conspicu- 
ous in  our  deliverance.  The  many  remarkable  inter- 
positions of  the  divine  government,  in  the  hours  of 
our  deepest  distress  and  darkness,  have  been  too 
luminous  to  suffer  me  to  doubt  the  happy  issue  of 

llie  |>rupticly  (if  it  It  nal  alreadj  done)  of  Congress  pAftaE  diesi  «  conplUDtnt 
on  the  occasion.  Il  m.ijr  be  n  li»|)t)}  rflsi.1.  whii^  U  ihc  oa\]r  tfoiagf  I  CM 
oHtt  (or  Ihe  lieedom  of  ragi^iiiiii;  ii," —  H-'aiiiiigUti  c-  Alrtan.{n-  iltDtmgall, 
31  March,  17&I.     Tlie  French  flecl  rciurned  lo  Ncvponon  the  36th. 


ijSi] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON, 


193 


the  present  contest";  but  the  period  for  its  accom- 
plishment may  be  too  far  distant  for  a  person  of  my 
years,  whose  morning  and  evening  hours,  and  ever)' 
moment  (unoccupied  by  business),  pants  for  retire- 
ment, and  for  those  domestic  and  rural  enjoyments, 
which  in  my  estimation  far  surpass  the  highest  pa> 
geantry  of  this  world.     *     *     • 

I  am  sorry  to  hear,  that  the  recruiting  business  in 
your  State  is  clogged  with  so  many  embarrassments. 
It  is  perhaps  the  greatest  of  the  great  evils  attending 
this  contest,  that  States  as  well  as  individuals  had 
rather  wish  well,  than  act  well ;  had  rather  see  a  thing 
done,  than  do  it,  or  contribute  their  just  proportion 
to  the  doing  it.  This  conduct  is  not  only  injurious 
to  the  common  cause,  but  in  the  end  most  expen- 
sive to  themselves ;  besides  the  distrusts  and  jeal- 
ousies, which  are  sown  by  such  conduct  To  expect 
brick  without  straw  is  idle,  and  yet  I  am  called  upon, 
with  as  much  facility  to  furnish  men  and  means  for 
every  service  and  ever)'  want,  as  if  every  iota  required 
of  the  States  had  been  furnished,  and  the  whole  was 
at  my  disposal :  when  the  fact  is.  I  am  scarcely  able 
to  provide  a  garrison  for  West  Point,  or  to  feed  the 
men  that  are  there.  This,  and  ten  thousand  reasons, 
which  I  could  assign,  prove  the  necessity  of  some- 
thing more  than  recommendatory  powers  in  Con- 
ress.  If  that  body  is  not  vested  with  a  controuling 
rpower  in  matters  of  common  concern,  and  for  the 

*  **  We  liare,  u  jron  very  justly  i>!ivervc.  abundant  re*>«iis  to  Uiank  Provi. 
dence  for  i\■^  many  (aTOrnblc  inttrpusilion*  in  our  hehalf.     Ii  has  at  timev  been 
my   only   dependence,  far  all  oibcr  [dources  wetnod  lo  tiavc  (aUcil  ii»." — 
fVaihiHgten  to  Wiliiam  Gtrthm.  9  March,  1781. 
"3 


•94 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


great  purposes  of  war,  I  do  not  scruple  to  give  it  de-] 
cidedly  as  my  opinion,  that  it  will  be  impossible  tQJ 
prosecute  it  to  Ttny  good effecl.     Some  States  are  capi-| 
tally  injured,  if  not  ruined,  by  their  own  exertions 
and  the  neglects  of  others ;  while  by  these  irregulari- 
ties the  strength  and  resources  of  the  country  never 
are,  nor  can  be,  employed  to  advantage.     But  I  have 
exceeded  the  bounds  of  a  common   letter,  and  shall 
trespass  no  longer,  than  while  I  can  assure  you,  that 
I  am,  with  every  sentiment  of  esteem,  regard,  and 
affection,  &c. 


TO    BENJAMIN    HARRISON.'    ' 

Head  Quarters.  New  Wir<i>K», 
a?  March.  178I. 

Dear  Sir, 

On  my  return  from  Newport,  I  found  your  favor 
of  the  1 6th  of  Febriiarj'  with  its  inclosures,  at  Head 
Quarters.  I  regret  exceedingly  that  I  could  not  have 
the  pleasure  of  seeing  you,  not  only  from  personal 
motives,  but  because  I  could  have  entered  upon  the 
subject  of  your  mission  in  a  much  more  free  and  full 
manner  than  is  proper  to  be  committed  to  paper. 

I  very  early  saw  the  difficulties  and  dangers  to 
which  the  southern  States  would  be  exposed  for  want 
of  resources  of  cloathing,  arms  and  ammunition,  and  fl 
recommended  magazines  to  be  established,  as  ample 
as  their  circumstances  would  admit.  It  is  true  they 
are  not  so  full  of  men  as  the  northern  States,  but 
they  ought  for  that  reason  to  have  been  more  assidu- 


I78i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


'95 


ous  in  raising  a  permanent  force,  to  have  been  always 
ready,  because  they  cannot  draw  a  head  of  men  to- 
gether as  suddenly  as  their  exigences  may  require. 
That  policy  has  unhappily  not  been  pursued,  cither 
here  or  there,  and  we  are  now  suflfering  from  the 
remnant  of  a  British  army  what  they  could  not  in  the 
beginning  accomplish  with  their  forces  at  the  highest. 

As  your  requisitions  go  to  men, arms,  ammunition 
and  cloathing,  I  shall  give  you  a  short  detail  of  our 
situation  and  prospects,  as  to  the  Brst,  and  of  our 
supplies  and  expectations  as  to  the  three  last. 

Men.  By  the  expiration  of  the  times  of  service  of 
the  old  troops,  by  the  discharge  of  the  levies  engaged 
for  the  campaign  only,  and  by  the  unfortunate  dissolu- 
tion of  the  Pennsylvanian  line.  I  was  left  previous 
to  the  march  of  the  detachment  under  the  command 
of  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette,  with  a  garrison  barely 
sufficient  for  the  security  of  West  Point,  and  two 
regiments  in  Jersey  to  support  the  communication 
between  the  Delaware  and  North  River.  The  York 
troops  I  had  been  obliged  to  send  up  for  the  security 
of  the  frontiers  of  that  State.  Weak,  however,  as 
we  were.  I  determined  to  attempt  the  dislodgment  of 
Arnold  in  conjunction  with  the  French  fleet  and 
army,  and  made  the  detachment  to  which  I  have 
alluded. 

In  my  late  tour  to  the  eastward.  1  found  the  ac- 
counts 1  had  received  of  the  progress  of  recruiting  in 
those  States,  had  been  much  exaggerated  ;  and  I  fear 
we  shall,  in  the  end,  be  obliged  again  to  take  a  great 
proportion  of  their  quotas  in  levies  for  the  campaign. 


■96 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[17S1 


instead  of  soldiers  for  three  years  or  for  the  war. 
The  regiments  of  New  York  having  been  reduced  to 
two.  they  have  but  few  infantry  to  raise.  Jersey  de- 
pends upon  voluntary  enlistments  upon  a  contracted 
bounty,  and  I  cannot  therefore  promise  myself  much 
success  from  the  mode.  The  Pennsylvania  line  you 
know  is  ordered  to  compose  part  of  the  southern 
army.  General  Wayne  is  so  sanguine  as  to  suppose 
he  will  soon  be  able  to  move  on  with  1000  or  1200 
men.  but  I  fancy  he  rather  overrates  the  matter. 

You  will  readily  perceive,  from  the  foregoing  state, 
that  there  is  little  probability  of  adding  to  the  force 
already  ordered  to  the  southward.  For  should  the 
battalions  from  New  Hampshire  to  New  Jersey  inclu* 
sive  be  compleated  (a  thing  not  to  be  expected)  we 
shall,  after  the  necessary  detachments  for  the  frontiers 
and  other  purposes  are  made,  have  an  army  barely 
sufficient  to  keep  the  enemy  tn  check  at  New  York. 
E.xccpt  this  is  done,  they  will  have  nothing  to  hinder 
them  from  throwing  further  reinforcements  to  the 
southward,  and  to  be  obl^ed  to  follow  by  land  every 
detachment  of  th^r  army,  which  they  always  make 
by  sea.  will  only  end  10  a  pointless  dissipation  of  what 
mfty  now  be  called  Uk  oorthcni  army.  You  may  be 
assured  tluu  ^e  most  powerful  diversion  that  can  be 
miKic  in  favor  of  the  southern  States,  will  be  a  re- 
specUtble  force  in  Uie  neighborhood  of  New  York. 
I  hftve  hitherto  been  speaking  of  our  own  resources. 
SboiM  *  rewlofcaftent  arrive  to  the  French  fleet 
mid  Anny,  dM   face   of   matters    may   be   entirely 


I78i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


'« 


Arms.  I  do  not  find  that  we  can.  at  any  rate, 
have  more  than  3000  stand  of  arms  to  spare,  perhaps 
not  so  many  ;  (or  should  the  battalions  which  are  to 
compose  this  army  be  compleat.  or  nearly  so,  they 
will  take  all  that  are  in  repair  or  repairable.  The 
2000  stand  came  in  the  Alliance  from  France,  and  I 
keep  them  apart  for  an  emergency. 

Ammunition.  Our  stock  of  ammunition,  though 
competent  to  the  defensive  is,  by  a  late  estimate  of  the 
commanding  officer  of  artillery,  vastly  short  of  an 
offensive  operation  of  any  consequence.  Should  cir- 
cumstances put  it  in  our  power  to  attempt  such  an 
one.  we  must  depend  upon  the  private  magazines  of 
the  States,  and  upon  our  allies.  On  the  contrary 
should  the  defensive  plan  be  determined  upon,  what 
ammunition  can  be  spared  will  be  undoubtedly  sent 
to  the  southward. 

Cloathing.  Of  cloathing  we  are  in  a  manner  ex- 
hausted. We  have  not  enough  for  the  few  recruits 
which  may  be  expected,  and  except  that  which  has 
been  so  long  talked  of  and  looked  for  from  France 
should  arrive,  the  troops  must  next  winter  go  naked, 
unless  their  States  can  supply  them. 

From  the  foregoing  representation  you  will  per- 
ceive that  the  proportion  of  the  Continental  army, 
already  allotted  to  southern  service  is  as  much  as, 
from  present  appearances  can  be  spared  for  that 
purpose,  and  that  a  supply  of  arms,  ammunition,  or 
cloathing  of  any  consequence,  must  depend  in  a  great 
measure  upon  future  purchases  or  importation. 

Nothing  which  is  within  the  compass  of  my  power 


'^ 


nmtrrjTGs  of 


[.7«. 


to  ^iw  support  to  the  southern 
lar  readily  conceive  how  irksome 
^to  me  CO  be  called  upon  for  assist- 

noc  the  means  of  aifording  it.      I 


TO  THE.  aOAKD    OT   VIAtL 

Hud  QUABTKHk  'sw  WnuMds. 
30  Kafdu  tTli. 

E  iiave  bees  honored  with  your  favor  of  the  22d 
THBCBg  inchwing  the  heads  of  two  plans  for  the  incor- 
pmBOamvi  the  depaitiuents  of  quamrmnster  general 
aad-Ciiiiwiiiii  iiii  1  General  of  Purchases  and  Issues 
3bL  Tibat  at  the  Commissary  of  Prisoners  in  some 
degitje.  the  whole  CO  be  under  the  direction  of  the 
General.  If  there  is  an  absolute 
for  such,  a  reform.  I  do  not  hesitate  in  pro* 
in  favor  of  the  second  plan,  because,  by  it 
cffc  three  gccsT  departments  are  united  under  one 
whereas  by  the  first,  the  commissa- 
ia  some  measure  exists,  which  would  lead  to 
.and  intricacy  in  transacting  the  business. 
Tbe  Bosrd  are  very  jnsdy  pleased  to  observe  that 
**-ail  changes  ore  not  reformations,  and  that  great 
eotcton  'ihould  be  ased  in  making  them.  €sp<ciaUy  at 

\  iMMs^  JtmirpiT*  lir  tb*  Bnii*!^  mkI  phatcd  in  dw  Srm  Y»rk  OunXr, 
lt«Sl>lMb«(v<Biiliiilb«i4inaia/X<fufiv,  17S1. 

UttB-  allMded  to,  Mid  Cobt  vtiIUb  bjr  mc  Id  a  i^title- 
t  MqtpoM  mtA  b**«  beca  aa  oOcia]  one  •ddmwd  W 
ai  Uh  Aanahlr  o<  Vuxioia.  to  winch  mr  (Itnation  in  ounjrrwpMU 
l>ki«l;  iMinwrfit.  bul  fos  may  be  awtrcd  tbcra  wnv  idcu  beld  «p 
>  itM  I«^««^£h  ■«•  br  no  neaoB  sntatnt  lo  Ibe  encmjt.  wbich  h«ve  embai- 
'^^it  tfaM  inwilinl|.  and  wUck  wjll  be  ■  loAektil  reuoa  10  prevent  (heir 
iB  of  it  at  big*  lo  the  wocM." — W»ikiMft»»  tt  Gmml 


1781]  GEORGE  WASHIXGTCX.  19, 

th€  opening  of  a  CampmigmS'  CoL  Pxieri=g  has^  I 
should  suppose,  informed  hissse^'  of  ibe  scni^mepis 
of  his'deputies  upon  the  |^aa  !k  hxs  prcocsed.  otber- 
wise,  should  it  be  adopted,  h  w£Z  be  5=  ekEt  pewrr 
to  Bx  terms  for  themselves,  oc  comfssSas  vczjc  i-mme- 
diately  ensue  by  the  rc^iuiSot]  oc  al  litosc  -v^ 
would  not  undertake  an  addiricmil  Trosrie  of  cSsx 
without  an  addition  c^  salaiy.  Tbe  eSec:  of  -rnSc^  ai 
the  present  advanced  seascoi  max  easLT  be  ccocerred 
CEconomy  is  undoobittilT  -dsit  swe  mccrrt  sac  end 
of  the  plan  proposed.  Xcw  if  ma:  r^-n-.n?  be  iniro- 
duced,  and  in  a  very  extensr^  iraj  rop.  h  inll  be  Tell 
to  consider  whether  we  had  -do:  best  begin  by  lie 
uniting,  as  fonnerlv,  the  dejiartmems  cf  pnmiasmg 
and  issuing  cnnuni^ary  onder  ome  sei  cc  ocbcers  :  far 
as  the  Board  hare  again  ol»ta-red.  double  sete  of 
officers  have  been  fonnd  prodncti-pe  of  esjtenoe.  but 
little  or  no  cJieck  upon  each  odier.  By  rbe  second 
plan,  an  officer  noderiike  dxaraner  of  superintendeni. 
who  win  be  something  santilar  in  dut}-  id  tlie  commis- 
sary of  pnnJiascs  ai  present,  is  insajtuied  He  must 
be  allowed,  it  ispiesnined.  a  certain  number  of  clerks 
or  as^stants.  The  Quarter  Iij^ster  Genera]  is  also 
to  be  allowed  a  suitable  number  of  cko'ks  to  enable 
him  to  transact  tbe  addiidonal  load  of  business  throwii 
apOD  him.  Now  before  a  deJ^rmination  is  formed. 
let  a  caknlalian  be  made  of  -^at  difference  of  expence 
between  a  Cammissaiy  General  '.rf  Purchases,  widi 
his  awi*Jaiitt>,  &c,  both  al  fixed  posts  and  v-itb  the 
army,  and  a  siqtenDtendent  of  proi-isions,  with  his 
clerls  and  aasistants.  and  tbe  additional  nimiber  of 
deria  acocBary  to  tbe  Quartermaster  General,  ^ould 


:tbe  management  of  all  the  departments. 
IFi^e  anniig  co  the  public  should  not  appear  very 
by  the  abolition  of  the  commissariatc 
will  it  be  worth  while  to  risque  the  mis- 
«bich  may  arise  from  an  attempt  unknown  in 
ices  ?  or  will  it  be  worth  while  to  add  for  a 
to  the  load  of  business  which,  in  the  embar- 
sQtc  of  our  affairs,  presses  upon  the  Quarter 
?  For  although,  as  he  observes,  he  already 
care  and  trouble  of  drawing  from  fixed  maga- 
all  the  provision  deposited  at  them,  yet  he 
vrould  6nd.  upon  experiment,  a  thousand  little  per- 
ptexittcs  incident  to  the  Commissarj''s  department,  of 
\llltkh.  perhaps,  he  is  not  aware.  While  I  applaud 
the  motives  on  which  he  offers  to  undertake  the  busi- 
MSs^  I  cannot  help  expressing  my  fears  that  he  is 
oJbout  to  undertake  too  much  :  for  I  ver)'  well  know, 
tibstt  when  our  public  affairs  were  in  better  train,  the 
Qijartermastcr  General  found  it  sufficiently  difficult 
to  execute  the  civil  and  military  duties  of  his  office, 
Aad  an  active  campaign  will  give  htm  much  more  of 
■the  latter  than  he  has  yet  experienced,  or  may  have 
Alt  idea  of  from  the  inactivity  of  the  last.     »    •    • 


TO   MAJOR-CBNERAI.    LINCOLN. 

New  WptoMR.  4  April,  17S1. 

Drar  Sir. 

Every  day  convinces  me,  that  the  enemy  are  de- 
(rrmined  to  bend  their  force  against  the  southern 
States,  and  that  we  must  support  them  powerfully 


■780 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


from  this  quarter,  or  they  will  be  lost.  Except  such 
support  is  given  in  time,  it  will  be  ineffectual.  The 
enemy  will  not  only  have  established  themselves  in 
posts,  but  in  the  affections  of  many  of  the  people. 
The  Pennsylvania  line  is  already  ordt;red  to  the 
southern  army,  and  will  march  thither  in  detaclimt^nt, 
as  it  is  reassembled  and  recruited.  I  should  not 
hesitate  immediately  to  order  a  further  reinforce- 
ment, could  I  do  it  with  prudence  :  but  we  are  so 
extremely  weak,  (not  more  than  four  hundred  recruits 
from  all  the  States  having  yet  come  in,  about  ont: 
hundred  of  which  from  Massachusetts.)  that,  although 
the  enemy  have  lately  sent  off  another  detachment  of 
at  least  fifteen  hundred  men  under  the  command  of 
General  Phillips,  I  do  not  think  myself  justifiable  in 
doing  it  under  present  circumstances.  But.  that  the 
measure  may  be  adopted  as  early  as  possible,  I  must 
desire  and  call  upon  you,  in  the  most  positive  man- 
ner to  send  forward  every  man  from  Massachusetts 
that  you  can  collect.  The  urgency  of  the  times  re- 
quires that  every  exertion  should  be  made  to  check 
the  enemy  in  the  rapidity  of  their  progress  to  the 
southward. 

You  will  have  heard  of  the  disappointment  in  the 
expedition  against  Arnold.  General  Greene  has  had 
a  general  engagement  with  I-ord  Cornwallis,'  from 
which,  though  he  suffered  a  defeat,  he  might  ulti- 
mately derive  advantages,  had  his  Lordship  no  pros- 
pect of  fresh  succors.      But  1  have  scarcely  a  doubt, 

'Tbebuiteof  GailfnrdCoDn-IIouM,  in  Nonh  CitoliDa,  fonghltm  Uie  ijlh 


302 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


that  the  detachment  under  General  Phillips  is  \i 
tended  for  that  quarter.  Should  they  form  a  junc- 
tion, and  1  see  nothing  to  hinder  it.  General  Greene's 
present  force  will  not  enable  him  to  give  any  eflTectual 
opposition.  He  had  two  hundred  and  ninety  out  of 
his  small  body  of  Continental  troops  killed,  wounded, 
and  missing  in  the  late  action."  You  very  well  knoxv, 
that  the  collecting  militia  depends  entirely  upon  the 
prospects  of  the  day.  If  favorable,  they  throng  in  to 
you  ;  if  not,  they  will  not  move.  _ 

I  perceive  that  you  have,  by  a  late  public  order.V 
detained  all  the    Massachusetts   officers,  who   were 
then  in  the  State  ;  I  suppose,  that  they  might  assist 
in  bringing  forward  the  levies.      You  will  keep  onljn 
as  many  as  are  absolutely  neccssarj'  for  that  purpose," 
and  send  the  others  to  their  regiments.     They  are 
exceedingly  wanted,  there  being  scarcely  a  sufficient 
number  in  camp  for  ordinary  duties.     I  am,  &c 


TO  THE   MARQUIS   DE   LAFAYETTE. 

New  Wiki>»ok.  6  April,  t] 

Mv  Dear  Marquis, 

Since  my  letter  to  you  of  yesterday.  I  have  atten- 
tively considered  of  what  vast  importance  it  will  be 
to  reinforce  General  Greene  as  speedily  as  possible  ; 
more  especially  as  there  can  be  little  doubt,  but  the 

'  Thin  Dumber  Included  only  ihe  wililien.  By  llic  :iJiutnm">  celnin  Ibere 
were  Ato  lhir1ir-i>DF  officm,  <omini>GiDDed  and  non-coinmiuicaievl.  nnil  eight 
drummen  ind  tifcti.  imong  Ihc  killed,  wonniled,  and  miulni;. 

Ocner>]  Greene'*  oDicial  Idler  to  Co.-i)>rCMt  clm-ribin^-  thUaclkm  vt  c 
in  th«  Kmrmhranttr,  vol,  xli.,  p.  ]J, 


ifSi] 


GEOUGE  WASHINGTON. 


ao3 


detachment  under  General  Phillips,  if  not  part  of 
that  now  under  the  command  of  General  Arnold, 
will  ultimately  join  or  in  some  degree  codperate  with 
Lord  Comwallis.  I  have  communicated  to  the  gen- 
eral officers,  at  present  with  the  army,  my  sentiments 
on  the  subject ;  and  they  are  unanimously  of  opinion, 
that  the  detachment  under  your  command  should 
proceed  and  join  the  southern  army.  Your  being 
already  three  hundred  miles  advanced,  which  is 
nearly  half  way,  is  the  reason  which  operates  against 
any  which  can  be  offered  in  favor  of  marching  that 
detachment  back  and  forming  another — a  plan  which 
I  once  had  in  my  own  mind,  as  it  was  hastily  formed 
and  neither  officers  or  men  might  have  imagined 
they  were  to  leave  their  corps  for  so  great  a  length 
of  time,  but,  as  matters  are  circumstanced,  private 
inconveniences  must  give  way  to  the  public  good 
and  you  will  therefore,  immediately  upon  the  receipt 
of  this,  turn  the  detachment  to  the  southward.  In- 
form General  Greene,  that  you  are  upon  your  march 
to  join  him,  and  take  his  direction  as  to  your  route, 
when  you  begin  to  approach  him.  Previous  to  that, 
you  will  be  guided  by  your  own  judgment,  and  by 
the  roads  on  which  you  will  be  most  likely  to  find 
subsistence  for  the  troops  and  horses.  It  will  be 
well  to  advise  Governor  Jefferson  of  your  intended 
march  through  the  State  of  Virginia ;  or  perhaps 
it  might  answer  a  good  purpose,  were  you  to  go  for- 
ward to  Richmond  yourself,  after  putting  the  troops 
in  motion  and  having  made  some  necessary  arrange- 
ments for  their  progress. 


204 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


You  will  now  take  the  light  artillery  and  smallest 
mortars,  with  their  stores  and  the  musket  cartridges, 
with  you.  But  let  these  follow  under  a  proper  escort, 
rather  than  impede  the  march  of  the  detachment, 
which  ought  to  move  as  expeditiously  as  possible 
without  injury  to  them.  The  heavy  artillery  and 
stores  you  will  leave  at  some  proper  and  safe  place, 
if  it  cannot  be  conveniently  transported  to  Christien 
River,  from  whence  it  will  be  easily  got  to  Philadel- 
phia. You  may  leave  it  to  the  option  of  Lieutenant* 
Colonel  Stevens  to  proceed  or  not,  as  he  may  think 
proper.  His  family  are  in  peculiar  circumstances, 
and  he  left  it  in  the  expectation  of  being  absent  but 
a  short  time.  Should  there  be  other  ofificers  under 
similar  circumstances,  you  may  make  them  the  same 
offers,  and  they  shall  be  relieved. 

I  will  now  mention  to  you  in  confidence  the  reason, 
which  operated  with  me  more  than  almost  any  other, 
in  favor  of  recalling  your  detachment  and  forming 
another.  It  was  the  uneasiness  occasioned  among 
the  field-officers  of  those  reg<menls  which  furnished 
the  men,  upon  the  appointment  of  Colonel  Gimat 
and  Major  Galvan  to  commands  in  the  corps.  They 
presented  a  memorial  to  me  upon  "the  subject,  and  I 
gave  them  the  true  reason,  which  was,  that  the  regi- 
ments in  their  lines  were  so  extremely  thin  of  field- 
officers  of  their  own,  that  necessity,  if  nothing  else, 
dictated  the  measure.  I  have  heard  nothing  of  the 
discontent  lately ;  but,  should  I  find  it  revive  again, 
upon  its  being  known  that  the  corps  is  to  continue 
together,    1    shall    be    obliged,    for   peace'    sake,    to 


i78i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


v»% 


relieve  those  two  gentlemen  by  officers  properly 
belonging  to  the  lines  from  which  the  regiments 
are  formed.  You  will  therefore  prepare  them  for 
such  an  event,  and  tell  them  candidly  the  reasons, 
founded  principally  upon  their  having  already  had 
their  tour  in  the  infantry.  Should  they  be  relieved, 
they  will  probably  incline  to  continue  with  the 
southern  army.  There  is  as  much  or  more  proba- 
bility of  their  finding  employ  there,  than  with  us.  as 
we  shall  from  all  appearances  remain  inactive. 

I  am.  my  dear  Marquis.  &c 


TO  COUKT   ROCHAMBEAU. 

Head  Quarters,  Nkw  Winokor, 
7  April,  1781. 

Sir, 

I  have  been  honored  with  your  Excellency's  favor 
of  the  31st  ulto.  Your  remarks  upon  the  uncertainty 
of  operations  which  depend  upon  a  combination  of 
Land  and  Sea  forces,  except  there  is  a  decisive 
superiority  over  the  enemy  as  to  the  latter,  are  judi- 
cious, and  consonant  to  the  Ideas  which  I  had  ever 
entertained  upon  the  subject. 

Upon  maturely  considering  the  offer  which  your 
Excellency  has  been  pleased  to  make  of  marching  all 
your  force  to  this  place,  except  1200  Men  to  be 
aided  by  3000  Militia  for  the  security  of  the  Fleet,  I 
am  of  opinion  that  it  ought  under  present  circum- 
stances and  appearances  to  be  deferred,  as  it  would 
be  putting  you  perhaps  to  an  unnecessary  trouble, 


io6 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


['7«> 


and  would,  besides  the  expences  incident  to  calling 
out  so  large  a  body  of  Militia  tend  to  injure  the  con« 
pletion  of  the  Continental  Battalions  by  recniits,  a^ 
the  Militia  service  is  preferred  by  the  pcasantrj-  to 
the  Continental,  the  pay  being  greater  the  duly  less 
— and  the  discipline  more  relaxed.  My  reasons  for 
waving  your  Excellency's  offer,  at  the  present  time 
are  briefly  as  follow.  I  do  not  look  upon  the  French 
troops  essentiaity  necessary  at  this  place  untill  an 
operation  against  New  York  shall  have  been  dctet^ 
mined  upon,  or  untill  we  shall  have  been  obliged  to 
make  so  large  detachments  to  the  Southward  that 
we  shall  have  occasion  for  them  to  assist  in  securing 
the  post  of  West  point  and  its  dependencies — the 
communication  from  the  Delaware  to  the  North 
River  and  affording  cover  to  the  Countrj-  within 
reach  of  the  enemy's  marauding  parties.  Altho'  l_ 
have,  upon  finding  that  the  enemy  have  sent  a  reiti^ 
forcement  of  about  1500  to  the  Southward,  ordered 
the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette  to  proceed  with  the 
detachment  under  his  command  and  join  General 
Greene,  1  hope  I  shall  be  able,  with  my  remaining 
force  and  the  Recruits  which  now  begin  to  come  in, 
to  effect  the  latter  purposes  more  especially  as  I  can 
upon  an  emergency,  suddenly  call  in  a  respectable 
Body  of  Militia  from  the  Adjacent  Country.  It  does 
not  appear  to  me  that  an  enterprise  so  weighty  as 
that  against  New  York  can  be  decided  upon  untill 
we  hear  what  reinforcements  of  Men  and  Ships  may 
be  expected  from  Europe.— I  therefore  think  that 
the  troops  under  your    Excellency's  command  may 


tjh] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


107 


% 


remain  in  their  present  position  iintill  the  arrival  of 
the  Viscount  de  Rochambeau,  which  I  hope  may  be 
soon,  or  some  other  intelligence  from  Europe,  or  till 
Ehe  situation  of  our  Southn.  Affairs  become  yet  more 
critical. — But  as  it  may  have  an  efTect  upon  the  fears 
of  the  enemy  in  New  York,  and  hinder  them  from 
making  further  detachments  to  the  Southward  I  beg 
your  Excellency  to  circulate  a  report  that  you  are 
soon  to  join  this  Army,  and  to  make  some  demon- 
strations of  preparing  for  a  march. 

Indeed  the  approaching  season — if  it  should  not 
be  our  unhappy  lot  to  spend  another  inactive  cam- 
paign— will  wel!  warrant  every  necessary  preparation 
lor  the  field  be  the  theatre  of  Action  where  it  may ; 
which  will  not  only  countenance  the  report  but  ac- 
tually facilitate  the  measure  if  events  should  render  it 
necessary  to  carry  it  into  execution  which  is  by  no 
means  improbable     *    •    • 


• 


TO    THE    PRESIDENT    OF   CONGRESS. 

HbarQuaiitkrs,  New  Winixor, 
8  April,  1781. 

The  enclosed  return,  made  up  to  the  first  of  the 
month,  will  show  the  number  of  recruits,  which  have 
joined  this  part  of  the  Continental  army  since  the 
formation  of  it  upon  the  new  establishment.  My  re- 
(juesis  to  the  executives  of  the  several  States  have 
been  earnest,  and  my  orders  to  the  officers  in  them 
have  been  pointed  and  posiiive.  to  send  forward  the 
recruits  as   fast   as   possible.     What  to  expect,  or 


3oB 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


t<y«i 


rather  to  apprehend,  from  these  delays.  Congress  can 
more  easily  conceive  than  I  can  describe.  Some 
States,  I  am  told,  despairing  of  getting  their  quotas 
for  the  war.  or  three  years,  are  resorting  to  the  old 
expedient  of  temporarj'  enlistments,  while  impedi- 
ments of  another  kind  withhold  the  recruits  from  the 
army  in  others. 

The  bare  relation  of  these  facts,  without  combining 
other  circumstances  of  equal  magnitude  and  uncer- 
tainty, or  adding  to  them  the  difficulties  with  which 
we  are  surrounded  for  want  of  money,  will  convince 
Congress  of  the  impracticability  of  my  fixing  at  this 
time  on  any  definitive  plan  of  campaign,  and  of  my 
inability  to  carry  into  effect  those,  which  have  here- 
tofore been  the  objects  of  contemplation.  They  will 
readily  see,  that  our  future  operations  depend  upon 
contingencies,  and  that  our  determinations  must  be  the 
result  of  the  moment,  dependent  upon  circumstances. 

In  this  view  of  matters  here,  the  progress  of  the 
enemy  under  Lord  Cornwallis,  and  in  consideration 
of  the  reinforcement  which  has  lately  gone  to  him,  I 
have  judged  it  expedient  to  order  the  Marquis  de 
Lafayette  to  proceed  with  his  detachment  to  the 
southern  army,  and  put  himself  under  the  orders  of 
Major-Gcneral  Greene.  The  greatest  objection  1 
had  to  the  measure,  circumstanced  as  tilings  now  are. 
was,  that  the  detachment  was  not  formed  for  the 
campaign,  or  for  so  distant  a  service  as  that  on  which 
they  are  now  ordered  ;  consequently  neither  officers 
nor  men  were  prepared  for  it ;  but  the  urgent  calls 
for  succor  to  the  southern  States,  the  proximity  of 
this  corps  to  them,  the  expedition  with  which  it  can 


178.] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


ao9 


join  the  southern  army,  and  the  public  expense  that 
will  be  saved  by  its  advance,  have  overcome  all  less 
considerations  in  deciding  upon  it.  I  wish  the  march 
of  the  Pennsylvania  troops  could  be  facilitated,  and 
that  Moylan's  cavalry  could  be  recruited,  equipped, 
and  marched  without  delay ;  for  every  judicious  offi- 
cer I  have  conversed  with  from  the  southward,  and 
all  the  representations  I  received  from  thence,  con- 
firm mc  in  the  opinion,  that  great  advantages  are  to 
be  derived  from  a  superior  cavalry.  Without  maga- 
zines, and  with  an  interrupted  communication,  1  do 
not  see  how  Lord  Cornwallis  could  have  subsisted  his 
army,  had  we  outnumbered  him  in  horse. 

I  think  it  my  duty  to  inform  Congress,  that  there 
is  great  dissatisfaction  at  this  time  in  the  York  line 
for  want  of  pay.  Near  sixteen  months',  I  am  told,  is 
due  to  it.  If  it  were  practicable  to  give  these  and  the 
Jersey  troops,  if  they  are  in  the  same  predicament,  a 
small  portion  of  their  pay,  it  might  stop  desertions, 
which  are  frequent,  and  avert  greater  evils,  which  are 
otherwise  to  be  apprehended.  The  four  eastern 
States  have  given  a  temporary  relief  to  their  troops, 
which  makes  the  case  of  the  others,  those  of  York 
particularly,  appear  more  distressing  and  grievous  to 
them.      I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.' 


TO  COLONEL  JOHN    LAURENS,    AT   PARIS. 

Nkw  WiNnsoR,  I]  April,  1781. 

Mv  Dear  Laurens. 

Colo.  Armand,  who  was  charged  with  the  delivery 
of  many  letters  to  you  from  the  Marquis  de  Lafay- 

*  Rtad  in  Con|;re»!:,  Tl  April,  17S1. 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[178. 


ette,  imparting  to  his  friends  and  the  ministry  of 
France  your  mission,  unfortunately  arrivedat  Boston 
after  you  had  Sailed.  By  him  I  gave  you  an  acct  of 
the  revolt  of  part  of  the  Jersey  Troops,  Arnold's 
Expedition  to  Virginia.  Leslie's  arrival  at  Charles 
Town,  and  such  other  matters  as  occurred  after  your 
departure. 

Since  that  period  several  interesting  events  have 
happened  ;  some  favorable,  others  adverse.  Among 
the  first  may  be  reckoned  Morgan's  brilliant  action 
with  Tarleton ;  among  the  latter,  the  advantages 
gained  by  Lord  Cornwallis  over  General  Greene. 
The  official  accts.  of  these  I  enclose  to  you.  Corn- 
wallis, after  the  defeat  of  Tarleton.  destroyed  his 
wagons,  and  made  a  violent  effort  to  recover  his 
prisoners,  but,  failing  therein  moved  equally  light 
and  rapidly  against  General  Greene,  who.  (though 
he  had  formed  a  junction  with  Morgan.)  was  obliged 
to  retreat  before  him  into  Virginia.  Whether  from 
despair  of  recovering  his  prisoners,  of  bringing 
Greene  to  a  general  action,  or  because  he  conceived 
his  own  situation  critical,  I  do  not  take  upon  me  to 
determine ;  but  the  fact  is.  that  here  commenced 
Cornwallis'  retrograde  movements,  and  Greene's 
advance  from  the  Roanoke  to  the  place  of  action. 

On  the  first  notice  of  the  storm,  which  happened 
on  the  32d  of  jany.,  and  of  its  effects,  I  intimated  to 
the  French  Genl.  the  possibility  and  importance  of 
improving  the  opportunity  in  an  attempt  upon  Ar- 
nold. When  I  received  a  more  certn.  acct  of  the 
total  loss  of  the  Cullodcn,  and  the  dismasting  of  the 


Bedford,  two  74-gun  ships  belonging  to  the  British 
Fleet  at  Gardiner's  Bay.  I  immediately  put  in  motion, 
under  thecomd.  of  ye  Marqs.  de  Lafayette,  as  large  a 
part  of  my  small  force  here,  as  I  could  with  prudence 
detach,'  to  proceed  to  the  Head  of  Elk,  and  made 
with  all  expedition,  a  proposal  to  the  Count  de  Ro- 
chambeau  and  the  Chevr.  Destouches  for  acofiperation 
in  Virginia  with  the  whole  of  the  fleet  of  our  allies 
and  a  part  of  their  land  force.  Before  my  proposi- 
tion arrived,  in  consequence  of  an  application  to  him 
from  Philadelphia,  the  Chevr.  Destouches  had  sent  a 
ship  of  the  line  and  two  or  three  frigates  to  Chesa- 
peake Bay,  which  not  only  retarded  the  plan  I  had 
proposed  (by  awaiting  their  return),  but  ultimately 
defeated  the  project :  as  the  enemy  in  the  mean  time 
remasted  the  Bedford  with  those  taken  out  of  the 
Culloden,  and,  following  the  French  fleet,  arrived  off 
the  Capes  of  V^irginia  before  it ;  where  a  naval  com- 
bat, glorious  for  the  French,  who  were  inferior  in 
ships  and  guns,  but  unpro6tabIe  for  us.  who  were 
disappointed  of  our  object,  was  the  issue. 

T/te  failure  of  this  expedition,  whichwas  most  fiat- 
tering  in  the  commencement,  is  much  to  be  regretted ; 
because  a  successful  blow  in  that  garter  would,  in  all 
pro6a6ility,  have  given  a  decisive  turn  to  our  affairs 
in  all  the  Soutltcrn  Stales ,-  because  it  has  been  at- 
tended with  considerable  expense  on  our  pari,  and 
much  inconvenience  to  the  State  of  Virginia,  by  the 
assembling  of  its  militia :  because  the  world  are  disap- 
pointed at  not  seeing  A  mold  in  Gibbets  ;  and,  above  all, 

'  Tbe  iulicut«d  p«rt»  of  Ihi*  leltsr  w«re  written  in  CTphcr. 


1 


319 


THE  WRtTINGS  OF 


[«78i 


because  we  stood  in  need  of  something  to  keep  us  afioat-, 
till  the  resitlt  of  your  mission  is  known ;  for,  be  as- 
sured, my  dear  Laurens,  thai  day  does  nolfoUow  night 
more  certainly,  than  it  brings  with  it  some  additional 
proof  of  the  impracticability  of  carrying  on  the  war 
without  t/ie  aids  you  were  directed  to  solicii.  As  an 
Iwncst  and  candid  man,  as  a  man  whose  all  depends  on 
the  final  and  hap^  termination  of  the  present  contest, 
I  assert  this,  while  I  give  it  decisively  as  my  opinion, 
that,  without  a  foreign  loan,  our  present  force,  (which 
is  but  tlu  remnant  of  an  army,}  cannot  be  kept  to^^ 
gether  this  campaign,  much  less  will  it  be  increased  and 
in  readiness  for  another.  ^ 

The  observations  contained  in  my  letter  to  you  of  th^^ 
i$th  of  yanuary  last  are  verified  every  moment;  and,  if 
France  delays  a  timely  and  powerful  aid  in  this  critical 
posture  of  our  affairs,  it  will  avail  us  nothing,  should 
she  attempt  it  hereafter.  IVe  are  at  this  hour  suspended 
in  the  Halle. ;  not  from  choice, but  from  hard  and  absolute 
necessity  ;  for  you  may  rely  on  it  as  a  fact,  that  we  cannot 
transport  the  provisions  from  the  States  in  which  they 
are  assessed  to  the  army,  because  we  cannot  pay  the  team- 
sters, who  will  no  longer  work  for  certificates.  It  is 
equally  certain,  that  our  Troops  are  approaching  fast  to 
nakedness,  and  that  we  have  nothing  to  cloatke  them 
toith  :  t/iat  our  Hospitals  are  without  medicines  and  our 
sick  without  nutriment  except  such  as  well  men  eat  ; 
That  all  our  public  works  are  at  a  stand,  and  the  artifi- 
cers  disbanding.  But  why  need  I  run  into  the  detail, 
when  it  may  be  declared  in  a  word,  that  tue  are  ai  the 
end  of  our  tether,  and  thai  now  or  never  our  deliverance 


178"] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


ai3 


must  come.  While,  alas,  how  easy  would  it  he  to  retort 
the  enemy's  own  game  upon  them,  if  it  could  be  made  to 
comport  with  the  gent,  plan  of  the  xuar  to  keep  a  superior 
Fleet  always  in  these  Seas,  and  France  would  put  us  in 
a  conditn.  to  be  aetlve  fy  advancing  us  money.  The  ruin 
(^  t/ie  enemy's  schemes  would  t/ien  be  certain;  the  bold 
game  they  are  noiv  playing  wou/d  be  the  mean  to  effect  it  ; 
for  they  would  be  reduced  to  the  necessity  of  concentring 
itheir  force  at  capital  points,  thereby  giving  up  all  the 
adoantages  they  liave  gairud  in  the  Southern  States,  or 
be  vulnerahle  everywltere. 

Such  of  the  Pensylvania  line,  as  had  reassembled 
and  were  recruited,  say  about  i,ooo,  were  ordered, 
the  middle  of  Feby.,  to  join  the  Southern  army ;  and 
since  the  disappointment  of  oiir  enterprise  against 
Arnold,  I  have  directed  the  detachment  under  the 
comd.  of  the  Marqs.  de  Lafayette  to  proceed  thither ; 
hut  how  either  can  march,  without  money  or  credit,  is 
more  than  J  can  tell.  With  every  wish  for  your 
success,  and  a  safe  and  speedy  return,  and  with  every 
sentiment  of  esteem  and  affection,  I  am,  dear  Sir, 
&c     •     •    * 


TO  COUNT  DE   ROCHAMBEAU. 

Hbad  Quakteks,  Nbw  Win»»oii. 
5m  lo  April,  17S1. 

I  had  the  pleasure  of  receiving  your  Excellency's 
letter  of  the  6th  instant  only  two  hours  ago.  We 
are  greatly  indebted  to  the  Chevalier  Destouches  for 
the  disposition  he  shows  to  undertake  the  expedition 
to  Penobscot,  and  to  you  for  your  readiness  to  fur- 


»I4 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[ijSi 


ntsh  a  detachment  of  troops  for  the  same  purpose.B 
The  object  is  certainly  worth  attention,  and  if  it 
can  be  effected  will  be  ver>'  agreeable  to  the  States, 
particularly  to  those  of  the  East.  M.  Destouches 
can  best  judge,  from  the  situation  of  the  enemy's 
fleet,  how  far  it  may  be  attempted  with  prudence ; 
and  your  Excellency,  from  the  information  you  have 
recently  received,  what  number  of  troops  will  be 
sufficient  for  the  enterprise.  I  am  persuaded  it  will 
be  calculated  how  far  it  is  probable  the  enemy  may 
follow  with  a  part  of  their  fleet ;  whether  the  post 
can  be  carried  by  a  coup  tie  main,  or  may  require  so 
much  time  as  to  make  it  likely  the  operation  will  be 
interrupted  before  its  conclusion,  in  case  of  a  superior 
squadron  being  sent  by  the  enemy  ;  what  possibility 
there  is  of  protection,  or  a  safe  retreat  for  the  ship$,fl 
and  even  for  the  land  force,  through  an  unsettled 
countr)'.  All  these  are  points  too  important  not  to 
Iiave  been  well  weighed,  and  your  conversations  with 
the  Massachusetts  deputies  will  have  been  able  to 
enlighten  you  upon  them.  ^| 

The  confidence  I  have  in  your  judgment  assures 
to  you  the  concurrence  of  my  sentiments,  in  what- 
ever you  may  do  on  the  occasion.  I  will  only  take 
the  liberty  to  remark  two  things ;  one,  that  it  ap- 
pears to  me  frigates,  without  any  ships  of  the  line, 
will  answer  the  purpose  as  well  as  with  them,  ands 
less  will  be  risked  by  dividing  the  body  of  the  fleet.S 
Frigates,  (including  the  forty-fours,)  will  afTord  a 
safe  escort  to  the  troops  against  any  thing  now 
those  seas,  and  with  respect  to  a  detachment  fro 


I 


I 


the  enemy's  fleet,  it  would  always  be  proportioned 
to  the  force  we  should  send,  and  if  we  have  two 
sixty-fours,  they  would  even  be  an  object  for  their 
whole  fleet.  The  other  observation  I  would  make  is 
that  as  despatch  is  essential  to  success,  it  will  in  my 
opinion  be  advisable  not  to  depend  on  any  coopera- 
tion of  the  militia,  but  to  send  at  once  such  a  force 
from  your  army,  as  you  deem  completely  adequate 
to  a  speedy  reduction  of  the  post 

The  countrj'  in  the  neighborhood  of  Penobscot  is 
too  thinly  inhabited  to  aflbrd  any  resource  of  militia 
there ;  and  to  assemble  and  convey  them  from 
remote  places  would  announce  your  design,  retard 
your  operations,  and  give  leisure  to  the  enemy  to 
counteract  you.  Indeed,  I  would  recommend,  for 
the  sake  of  secrecy,  to  conceal  your  determination 
from  the  State  itself.  These  hints  you  will  be  pleased 
to  make  use  of  only  so  far  as  they  appear  to  be  well 
founded.     1  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.' 

P.  S.  I  enclose  a  piece  of  intelligence  just 
received  from  the  President  of  Congress. 

'  Tbc  BrilUh  had  cooirived  to  keep  a  fotlificd  poii  at  Penobicot,  which  >l 
lltii  lime  conUincd  *  fpLfiinoa  of  about  Ihiee  hundred  and  fifty  men.  The 
Counci]  of  HiMachukcttt  thought  n  good  opporEuniiy  now  prctcntnl  itielf, 
wUIe  the  Britiih  fleet  woi  in  the  Chesapeake,  lo  employ  the  idle  hour*  of  the 
Frcn^  in  an  enterprise  a)(Unit  I'cnobtcot.  Ptoposub  to  that  eHecl  were 
made  Uiniugh  a  Jeputalion.  :tn(l  acccpleil.  M.  Dcoouohn  agreed  to  fuiniih 
two  ilily.foBn,  iwo  frigates,  and  a  smaller  vesiel,  nnd  prepantiont  were 
inmoiliatcly  bq^un.  A  land  force  of  nt  hundred  men  wu  offered  by  Count 
it  Rochantbeau.  and  also  four  raortan,  and  (our  twenty- ton r-poundi^n.  The 
Chevalier  de  Chaitellux  wu  to  cummand.  At  Bitt  it  uai  expected  that 
Ussuchuieltk  wouhl  fiimlKh  militia  ;  but  thii  part  nf  the  plan  was  (riven  up, 
aad  Count  de  Rochambeaii  proposed  lo  cnlaige  hi-i  force  to  eight  hundred  men. 
After  an  the  arrangemenli  had  been  put  in  train,  the  project  was  Gnally 
■fcaadooed,  in   conneijuence  «l   the  apprehenaiou  of   M.  Detloucbe*.  that   a 


3l6 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[17S1 


TO  THE   MARQUIS   DB    LAFAYETTE, 


IlKAD  Ql^AXTBRS,  NKW  WinDMW, 

It  Apnl,  1781. 

Mv  Dear  Marquis, 

Your  favor  dated  at  Elk  the  8th  instant  reached 
me  at  ten  o'clock  last  evening.  While  I  i,'ive  you 
credit  for  the  manceuvre  by  which  you  removed  the 
British  ships  from  before  Annapolis,  1  am  sorry,  as 
matters  are  circumstanced,  that  you  have  put  your- 
self so  much  further  from  the  point,  which  now  of 
necessity  becomes  the  object  of  your  destination. 
Whether  General  Phillips  remains  in  Virginia  or 
goes  further  southward,  he  must  be  opposed  by  a 
force  more  substantial  than  militia  alone :  and  you 
will  for  that  reason  immediately  open  a  communica- 
tion with  General  Greene,  inform  him  of  the  num- 
bers, situation,  and  probable  views  of  the  enemy  in 
Virginia,  and  take  his  directions  as  to  marching  for- 
ward to  join  him,  or  remaining  there  to  keep  a  watch 
upon  the  motions  of  Phillips,  should  he  have  formed 
a  junction  with  Arnold  at  Portsmouth. 

Everj-'  difficulty,  so  far  as  respects  the  wants  of  the 
officers  and  men,  and  the  uneasinesses,  which  might 
arise  upon  their  being  ordered  upon  a  more  distant 
ser\'ice  than  they  expected,  were  foreseen,  and  would 
have  been  removed  by  recalling  the  detachment  and 
forming  another,  had  not  the  reasons  of  a  public  na* 
ture,  which  were  mentioned  in  my  letter  of  the  6thi 
outweighed  all  private  considerations. 

'upcrinr  Brilibh  iiaml  force  wnulil  come  u|)i>ii  hoine  p«rt»  of  tib  aqnaibM 
while  in  ■  Jividcil  Mate. — MS,  ttUrri  9/  Katiamtfau  a»4  Deiltmhti,  April 
6lh,  7th.  i;th. 


I 


la. 

t 


I 
I 


p 


You  must  endeavor  to  get  shoes  which  will  be  essen- 
tially necessary  before  you  can  move  from  Philadel- 
phia; and,  if  you  will  cause  a  return  to  be  made  of 
such  articles,  as  will  probably  be  wanting  in  the  course 
of  the  campaign,  I  will  endeavor  to  fonvard  them  from 
hence,  with  a  proportion  of  any  stores,  which  may  have 
been  sent  on  by  the  States  for  their  troops.  If  the 
officers  will  write  back  lo  their  friends  here  for  any 
additional  baggage,  of  which  they  may  stand  in  need, 
it  shall  be  forwarded  under  careful  conductors.  The 
difficulties,  which  you  will  experience  on  the  score  of 
provision  and  transportation,  would  have  been  com- 
mon to  any  other  body  of  troops.  They  will  I  know 
be  great,  but  I  depend  much  upon  your  assiduity  and 
activity. 

Had  I  have  had  the  most  distant  prospect  of  such 
an  operation  as  you  speak  of,  I  should  have  looked 
upon  your  detachment  as  essential  to  the  undertak- 
ing;  but  I  can  assure  you,  without  entering  into  a 
detail  of  reasons,  which  I  cannot  commit  to  paper, 
that  I  have  not  at  present  an  idea  of  being  able  to 
effect  such  a  matter.'  This  had  very  considerable 
weight  in  the  determination  of  the  general  officers 
and  myself ;  for  we  would  have  been  very  happy  in 
an  opportunity  of  succoring  the  southern  states  by  a 
diversion,  could  it  have  been  attempted  with  any 
tolerable  hope  of  success. 

The  small  remains  of  the  Jersey  line  seem  neces- 
sary to  form  a  head,  to  which  the  recruits,  if  any  are 
obtained,  may  unite  themselves.     That  line  stands 

'  An  allcmiil  upon  New  York, 


ii8 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[ij8i 


next  for  detachment,  and  therefore  it  is  more  than 
probable  that  it  may  soon  become  necessary  to  send] 
the  whole  to  the  southward.  But  the  reason,  whic 
I  have  just  mentioned,  operates  in  favor  of  kcepin 
the  remainder  as  long  as  possible.  I  shall  be  glai 
to  hear  from  you,  the  time  of  your  setting  out' 
from  Elk,  your  prospects  of  getting  on  and  the 
temper  of  the  troops ;  and,  above  all,  I  shall  ever 
be  happy  in  knowing  that  you  are  well,  and  that 
every  thing  contributes  to  your  happiness  and 
isfaction,  being  very  truly  and  sincerely,  my  d 
Marquis,  &c. 

P.  S.  You  seem  aware  of  the  danger  of  attempting 
a  passage  down  the  Chesapeak  by  water.  I  will  add 
my  opinion  that  it  is  not  on  any  account  to  be 
attempted. 


:hatH 
sat-l 
leaifl 


TO  THE   PRESIDENT   OF  CONGRESS. 

New  Windsor,  i6  April.  17B1. 

Sir. 

Previous  to  the  receipt  of  your  letter,'  I  had  directed] 
the  commissary  of  prisoners  to  renew  a  proposal, 
which  was  some  time  since  made  to  the  enemy,  forj 
exchanging  General  Burgoyne,  and  a  balance  of  prt> 

'  Prttiitnl  ef  Cmigrrii  ft»  Gfiurol  tVaskiigMit  .•  "  I  h«»e  the  honor  of 
tnnnniltinE  lo  yout  Eicell«acy  ibe  cndoted  raalve  o(  the  yA  Intilml,  direcb. 
ing  lh«  r«ctI1  of  I.ietiteiianl.Gcnenl  Burgoyne,  and  all  otfarr  officm.  piiionen 
of  wai.  now  abtcnl  on  Iheir  patolti  from  AmCTiei.  to  ictiun  inuncdialcly. 

"  ll  fi  proper  to  inform  your  FjccUency,  Ihnt  thit  icKilulioa  U  Kloptcd 
ill  con*et|U«nvc  ol  informitiloii,  Ihat  the  Utc  Pmiilml  Lnurcni  is  confined  in 
Ih«  Tower  of  London,  .l^  a  ilaie  criminal,  under  ptciexl  of  hii  bcbg  enilty  ol 
ircatonable  practices.     Should  ihit  re*o1ulion  cmbairaai  or  imptij«  any  oiMh. 


I 


tijSil 


GEORGS  WASHINGTON. 


119 


vate  prisoners  due  to  us,  for  the  residue  of  our  officers 
on  Long  Island,  and  as  many  of  the  southern  officers 
as  would  make  up  the  difference.  My  motives  for 
this  proposal  were  these.  General  Burgoync  is  said 
to  be  in  ill  health ;  his  death  would  deprive  us  in 
exchanges  of  the  value  of  one  thousand  and  forty 
private  men,  or  officers  equivalent,  according  to  the 
tariff  which  has  been  settled.  I  thought  it  advisable 
not  to  risk  so  considerable  a  loss,  when  his  exchange 
would  give  relief  to  a  number  of  our  officers  in  cap- 
tivity, and  disembarrass  the  public  of  the  incon- 
venience of  maintaining  them  there. 

The  moment  1  received  your  letter.  I  wrote  to  Mr. 
Skinner,  countermanding  his  instructions.  1  believe 
the  countermand  will  arrive  before  he  has  done  any 
thing  in  the  matter ;  but  if  it  does  not,  I  am  per- 
suaded the  enemy  will  again  reject  the  proposal.  As 
soon  as  I  hear  from  him,  if  things  are  situated  as  I 
expect,  I  will  execute  immediately  the  order  for  the 
recall  of  General  Burgoyne.  To  the  best  of  my 
recollection,  all  the  officers  in  Europe  on  parole  have 
been  exchanged.     I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 

im  jrour  Eicclleacy  may  lnvt  Klopletl  tclali>s  or  piepantlory  tu  a  ([eneral 
achan)>c  o(  pritonen.  ii  is  utken  for  granicd  thai  yon  wUl  pleotc  to  repfcseni 
lit*  Mflic  lo  Congrcu,  prtvionhly  (n  any  pracreilingk  for  orrytng  the  rmolvc 
iMo  ex  Nation ." — A[iril  Jth. 

Nttticc  of  the  ftbCfTe  nquintion  wu  act^ordin^ly  cDinmuniMIcd  lo  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  by  G«nenl  Wiiihingian,  wiili  n  ie<]uc<t  ihai  (lie  nvccssnty  >\tfi,  might 
be  taken  for  a  tpecdy  ctnn  pi  ionic  with  il.  In  tun  sequence  of  the  fact  made 
kiuvn  hy  Gcnerjil  Wuhingion,  that  he  had  proposed  an  e»ch»nge  for  Gen- 
eral Burijoyne.  C»ngrei<>  [ttHndeit  iheir  tetolve  teyjieelln^  his  recall,  and 
•Mborucd  lli«  eichange  <o  be  compleied. — SrtTrt  ymintah.  April  sjd.  Uen- 
eral  Clinton  wai  then  rc(|Ueite>t  lo  connlemiand  the  order,  il  tl  had  already 
ti*rn  tratURiltted  tn  Bneland. 


320 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


["78. 


TO   MAJOR-GENERAL  GREENE. 

Nkvf  Winusos,  iS  April,  1781. 


Mv  Dear  Sir, 

Your  private  letter  of  the  i8th  ulto.  came  safe  to 
hand."  Altho"  the  honors  of  the  field  did  not  fall  to 
your  lot,  I  am  convinced  you  deserved  them.  The 
chances  of  war  are  various,  and  the  best  concerted 
measures,  and  the  most  flattering  prospects,  may  and 
often  do  deceive  us  ;  especially  while  we  are  in  the 
power  of  militia.  The  motives  wch.  induced  you  to 
seek  an  action  with  Lord  Cornwallis,  are  supportable 
upon  the  best  military  principles ;  and  the  conse- 
quences, if  you  can  prevent  the  dissipation  of  your 
Troops,  will  no  doubt  be  fortunate.  Every  support, 
that  it  is  in  my  power  to  give  you  from  this  army, 

^ Frvm  GrtteraiCrtfHf'i  Ltltrr :  "Out  (orcc,  a»  you  will  icc  by  Ac  returat, 
wai  retpcctable.  anil  Ihe  )>iobahiliiy  a(  noi  hriti);  ntilr  (o  kc«|>  A  long  in  t)i« 
Gtld.  incl  the  difficulty  of  nibiLiliiig  men  in  Ibit  nhauiied  ccmntty,  together 
with  the  jcrcit  adv«jita|[e*  which  uould  rciull  from  ihe  action.  If  wc  wecc  vlc- 
torioiii^.  >ii>1  the  Utile  Injury  11  otherwise,  (1rirrmlne<l  mc  to  bring  on  >d  action 
Bi  toon  ■!  puuible.  When  both  parliei  aie  agtppd  in  a  mutter,  al!  obitaclet 
are  loon  lemoved.  I  ihought  the  detenniiutrion  wimoted  by  Ihe  toundcil 
principles  of  gaoA  policy,  and  t  hope  the  event  will  prove  it  mi,  though  w« 
were  unfortunnlf .  1  regret  nothing  to  much  u  the  Ioh  of  my  utiUciT'.  though 
it  was  of  Utile  me  to  ui.  Dor  can  it  be.  in  this  ({Teal  wildcmeu.  However,  1 
the  enemy  lia*e  il.  wc  murt  «1»0. 

"  t  am  happy  to  hear  the   Martjuii  de  Lafayette  ix  tmnin^  lo  Virsinui  ^ 
though  I  am  afraid,  from  a  hint  in  one  of  Baion  Steuben'*  letlen.  that  he  will 
think  hl[n<irll  iniiired  iu  beinit  iu[ivrM'di-d  m  (he  command.   Could  the  Marqni* 
join  ui  at  tbii  moment,  we  should  have  ■  glorious  campaign.     It  would  piH 
Lord  Cornwallis  and  hit  whole  army  Into  our  hanila, 

"  I  nm  aUo  happy  to  hear  that  the  I'ennsylvania  line  is  coming  to  the  loalb- 
ward.  The  mutiny  in  that  line  was  a  very  eitraordlnary  one.  It  U  reported 
Jiete  to  have  proceeded  from  the  freat  ciucliy  of  the  oRicen.  A  noiebn  el 
Congr«9B  writM  ihi> ;  but  I  belice  it  to  be  10  (at  from  Uie  (ruth,  that  I  an 
pemiaded  it  originated  tntber  through  indulgence,  than  la  any  other  cauae."- 
MS.  Lttttr,  Ciimf,  Un  Mihi /rem  (Suiljtrd  Ciiurt.Hma,  M»rcfa  i8tb. 


I 


shall  chearfully  be  afforded  ;  But  if  I  part  with  any 
more  Troops,  I  must  accompany  them,  or  have  none 
to  command,  as  there  is  not  at  this  moment  more 
than  a  garrison  for  West  Point,  nor  can  I  tell  when 
there  will  be. 

I  am  much  pleased  to  And  by  your  letter,  that  the 
State  of  Vii^inia  exerts  itself  to  your  satisfaction. 
My  public  and  private  letters  strongly  inculcate  the 
necessity  of  this;  and  I  have  again  urged  Congress 
to  use  ever)'  possible  mean  in  their  power  to  facilitate 
the  march  of  the  Pensylvania  line ;  as  also  to  recruit, 
equip,  and  forward  Moylan's  Dragoons  to  you  with 
despatch. 

I  should  be  very  sorry  on  any  occasion  to  hurt  the 
feelings  of  the  Baron  de  Steuben,  whom  I  esteem  as 
a  very  valuable  officer.  But  in  the  instance  you  have 
mentioned,  there  is  no  cause  of  complaint;  for,  if  he 
will  advert  to  his  own  letters  to  me,  he  will  find  that 
there  was  a  great  probability  of  his  having  marched 
with  a  detachment  to  reinforce  you.  Besides  which 
there  was  a  necessity  for  sending  a  Genl.  officer  with 
the  detachment  from  hence,  and  political  considera* 
tions,  as  it  was  to  be  a  combined  operation  (depend- 
ing upon  critical  circumstances)  with  a  French  land 
and  sea  force,  pointed  to  the  Marquis.  Add  to  this 
I  know  that  the  French  Troops  were  to  be  com- 
manded by  an  officer  of  senior  rank  to  either  the 
Baron  or  Marquis,  These  are  the  facts,  the  knowl- 
edge of  which  must,  I  am  persuaded,  satisfy  the 
Baron. 

1  am  truly  sensible  of  the  merit  and  fortitude  of 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[178. 


isfl 


the  veteran  bands  under  your  Command,  and  wis 
ye  sentiments  I  entertain  of  their  worth  could  be 
communicated  with  the  warmth  I  feel  them.  It  was 
my  full  intention  to  have  requested  you  to  thank 
Morgan  and  the  gallant  Troops  under  his  commd. 
for  their  brilliant  victory  ;  but  the  hurry,  in  which 
my  letters  are  too  often  written,  occasioned  the 
omission  at  the  time  I  acknowledged  the  official 
account  of  that  action.  ^ 

Your  conjecture  respecting  the  cause  of  the  P. — ^ 
M — y  ■  has  more  substantial  ground  for  its  support, 
than  the  letter  of  the  m.  of  C. ;  and  I  am  mistaken 
if  the  licentious  conduct  of  that  line  was  not  more 
the  effect  of  an  overcharge  of  spirits,  on  the  ist  of 
January,  than  of  premeditated  design. 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  tell  you,  that,  as  far  as  I  am 
acquainted  with  the  opinion  of  Congress  with  respect 
to  your  conduct,  it  is  much  in  your  favor.  That  this 
is  the  sentiment  of  all  the  Southern  delegates  1  ha%-e 
great  reason  to  believe,  because  I  have  it  declared  to 
me  in  explicit  terms  by  some  of  them.  Since  writing 
the  above  I  have  reed,  a  letter  from  Mr.  Custis.  dated 
the  29th  ulto.,  in  which  are  these  words.  "Genl. 
Greene  has  by  his  conduct  gained  universal  esteem, 
and  possesses  in  the  fullest  degree  the  confidence 
of  all  ranks  of  people."  He  had  then  just  returned 
from  the  Assembly  at  Richmond.  1  hope  the  dis- 
order, of  which  you  complained,  in  your  letter  of  the 
1 8th  was  no  other  than  the  effect  of  over  fatigue,  and 
that  you  are  now  perfectly  well.    That  success  equal_ 

'  Mutiny  of  th«  Penntylnnia  lin«. 


to  your  merits  and  wishes  may  attend  you,  is  the 
ardent  desire  of,  dear  Sir,  &c. 

P.  S.  Mrs.  Washington  and  the  rest  of  the  family 
present  their  best  wishes  to  you,  and  I  have  the 
pleasure  to  tell  you  that  Mrs.  Greene  and  your  chil- 
dren were  well  lately.  Your  letters  to  her  under 
cover  to  me  are  regularly  forwarded  by  the  Post. 


TO   THE    MARQUIS    DE    LAFAYETTE. 

Hkai>.Quaktsr9,  at  April,  1781. 
Mv  Dear  Marquis, 

Though  the  situation  of  southern  affairs  would  not 
permit  me  to  recall  your  corps  to  this  army,  yet  it 
was  with  great  reluctance  1  could  resolve  upon  seeing 
you  separated  from  head-quarters.  My  friendship  for 
you  makes  me  desirous  of  having  you  near  me,  and 
there  will  occur  frequent  occasions  in  cooperative 
measures  in  which  it  would  be  of  the  greatest  utility 
I  should  have  it  in  my  power  to  consult  you.  These 
motives  would  have  induced  me  to  propose  to  you  to 
return  personally  to  head-quarters,  had  I  not  believed 
you  would  not  have  chosen  to  quit  your  corps,  and 
had  1  not  foreseen  a  difficulty  in  giving  you  a  com- 
mand in  the  remaining  troops.  A  select  corps  you 
could  not  have,  and  there  are  so  many  major-generals, 
who  conceive  themselves  in  a  manner  wedded  to  the 
different  lines,  and  who  are  to  be  provided  for.  that 
it  would  not  be  easy  at  present  to  accommodate  mat- 
ters to  your  having  a  command  in  the  line.  But  this 
difficulty  might  be  overcome,  and  I  cannot  forbear, 


224 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


late  as  it  is,  leaving  it  at  your  option  to  proceed  with 
your  corps  or  return  personally  to  head-quarters.  If 
the  last  should  be  your  choice,  you  will  give  orders  to 
the  officer  you  leave  in  command  to  march  with  all 
the  necessary  precaution,  and  take  the  orders  of  the 
Baron  de  Steuben.  You  will  at  the  same  time  write 
to  the  Baron,  communicating  to  him  your  instructions, 
and  to  General  Greene,  informing  him  of  your  return. 
If  you  resolve  to  proceed  forward,  I  shall  have  one 
consolation,  which  is,  that  from  the  present  aspect  of 
things  it  is  perhaps  most  probable  the  weight  of  the 
war  this  campaign  will  be  in  the  southern  States,  and 
it  will  become  my  duty  to  go  there  in  person,  where 
I  shall  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  again.  Of 
this  I  would  not  have  you  to  say  any  thing.    * 


TO  THE  MARQUIS   DE   LAFAYETTE. 

Nbw  Wikcmob,  n  April, 

My  Dear  Marquis: 

Since  writing  the  enclosed  your  several  letters  (ac- 
knowledged in  my  public  one  of  this  date)  are  come 
to  hand — all  of  them  except  that  of  the  12th  arrived 
at  Hd. -Quarters  within  the  course  of  one  hour.  The 
reasons  assigned  in  some  of  your  letters,  and  others 
which  have  occurred  to  me,  chiefly  of  a  political 
nature,  assure  me  that  great  advantages  will  be  de- 
rived from  your  being  wherever  the  French  army  and 
the  American  head-Quarters  are.  I  therefore  not 
only  repeat  the  offer  contained  in  the  enclosed  letter, 
but  accompany  it  with  a  wish,  that  you  may  return. 


.78.] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


»«5 


if  you  can  consistently  with  your  own  inclination  re- 
linquish your  present  command  for  the  prospects  I 
have  mentioned ;  not  else,  as  it  always  has  been  and 
ever  will  be  my  wish  to  make  things  as  agreeable  to 
you  as  the  nature  of  the  service  will  admit.  To  recall 
the  detachment  I  cannot,  for  reasons  which  in  my 
judgment  are  conclusive.  The  accidents  to  which 
letters  are  liable  forbid  me,  unless  I  could  write  to 
you  in  cipher,  to  go  into  a  full  explanation  of  some 
matters,  wch.  you  seem  not  to  be  well  informed,  and 
wch.  I  wish  to  set  you  write  in  ;  but  I  dare  not  at- 
tempt it  in  a  common  letter,  nor  will  there  be  any 
necessity  for  it  if  you  return. 

I  am  very  sorry,  that  any  letter  of  mine  should  be 
the  subject  of  public  discussion,  or  give  the  smallest 
uneasiness  to  any  person  living. '  The  letter,  to  which 
I  presume  you  allude,  was  a  confidential  one  from  me 
to  Mr.  Lund  Washington,  (with  whom  I  have  lived 
in  perfect  intimacy  for  near  20  Years.)  1  can  neither 
avow  the  letter,  as  it  is  published  by  Mr.  Rivington, 
nor  declare  that  it  is  spurious,  because  my  letter  to 
thisgentn.  was  wrote  in  great  haste,  and  no  copy  of  it 
taken.  All  I  remember  of  the  matter  is,  that,  at  the 
time  of  writing  it.  I  was  a  good  deal  chagrined  to 
find  by  your  letter  of  the  15th  of  March,  {from  York 

'  LafeytHi  Af  Waikingten  :  "  A  Idler  fram  you.  relaling  lo  the  (kliyt  of 
the  French,  makes  t  grcttl  noise  at  Philaiielphta.  tndetd,  it  gives  me  pain  on 
fnuiy  polllica.!  accounts.  There  uc  many  coniidenllal  communications,  which 
>ou  unce  requested  from  me.  and  uhich  my  peculiar  ;ilu.il>nn  wilh  holh  si'lcs 
o(  the  al!i»nee  would  enable  me  to  mnke  :  but  having  been  ordered  from  you. 
uid  many  ihingt  1  had  loiay  not  being  o(  a  nature,  which  would  render  it  pru- 
dent lo  commit  them  to  paper.  Ihcte  personal  wrviccA  muni  lie  out  of  ihc  i|ue»- 
lion  so  long  B>  the  war  continues  in  Carolina." — SasqHriantta  Ftrry,  April  ijih. 

"i 


336 


THE  WRf  TINGS  OF 


[.78. 


Town  in  Vii^inla,)  that  the  French  fleet  had  not  a' 
that  time  appeared  within  the  Capes  of  the  Chesa- 
peake ;  and  I  meant  (in  strict  confidence)  to  expre: 
my  apprehensions  and  concern  for  the  delay.  But  as 
we  know  that  the  alteration  of  a  single  word  does 
oftentimes  divert  the  sense,  or  give  force  to  expres- 
sion, unintended  by  the  letter-writer,  I  should  not  be 
surprised  at  Mr.  Rivington,  or  the  Inspector  of  his 
Gazette,  having  taken  this  liberty  with  the  letter  in 
question  ;  especially  as  he  or  they  have.  I  am  told, 
lately  published  a  letter  from  me  to  Govr.  Hancoc 
and  his  answer,  which  never  had  an  existence  but  i 
the  Gazette.  That  the  enemy  fabricated  a  number 
of  Letters  for  me  formerly  is  a  fact  well  known  ;  that 
they  are  not  less  capable  of  doing  it  now.  few  will 
deny.  As  to  his  asserting,  that  this  is  a  genuine  copy 
of  the  original,  he  well  knows  that  their  friends  do 
not  want  to  convict  him  of  a  falsehood,  and  that  ours 
have  not  the  opportunity  of  doing  it,  though  both 
sides  are  knowing  to  his  talents  for  lying.' 

The  event,  which  you  seem  to  speak  of  with  regret, 
my  friendship  for  you  would  most  assuredly  have 
induced  me  to  impart  to  you  in  the  moment  it  hap- 
pened, had  it  not  been  for  the  request  of  H .  who 

desired  that  no  mention  might  be  made  of  it.     Wh 
this  injunction  on  me,  while  he  was  communicatin 


I 


I 

o 

i 


>  A  mail  had  liccii  inieTC*i>(cd  and  curicd  into  New  Voik.  in  which  wu  i 
prinlc  lettir.  tialoil  March  sSth.  Erom  General  Wuhtngtou  to  Lund  Waih- 
inglon  It  Mouni  Vcraon.  That  IcKcr  nai  printed  in  Kiviiigtun'i  C^ulU, 
4  April,  17S1.  The  paiaeraph  complained  of  was  subilantialty  thai  contained 
In  (he  letler  lo  Wilham  Fitthugk,  15  Match,  1781,  aHtt,  and  occuis  in  a  Dum- 
ber of  Wiahtngton'i  letten  to  hi*  hiendi. 


ijSil 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


aa; 


it  himself,  is  a  little  extraordinar>'.     But  I  complied, 
and  religiously  fulfilled  it.'     With  ever)' sentiment  of 
faffectionate  regard,  I  am,  &c. 

This  letter  wch.  you  say  has  made  much  noise,  I 
enclose  you  lest  you  may  not  have  had  it  from  any 
other  Quarter. 


: 


TO  THE    MARQUIS   DE    LAFAVETTE. 

Hui>  QuARTUs.  Nkw  Winvsok, 
32  April,  17S1. 

Mv  Deak   Marquis, 

X  have  received  your  several  letters  of  the  I  ith, 
I2th,  two  of  the  13th,  and  two  of  the  15th.  1  am  ex- 
tremely concerned  at  the  temper  of  your  detachment, 
and  the  desertions  that  are  taking  place.  I  imagine 
however  that  these  would  have  been  nearly  as  great 
in  any  other  corps  that  might  have  been  sent,  and, 
after  the  Pennsylvania  line,  I  think  it  would  be  ineli- 
gible to  detach  any  other  State  line.  We  find  by 
experience,  that  they  are  not  only  dissipated  on  the 
march,  but.  being  at  a  great  distance  from  their 
States,  are  almost  entirely  neglected.  Few  recruits 
arc  raised  for  them,  and  these  few  are  lost  on  the 
way.     We  see  how  totally  the  Maryland  line  has  de- 

'  Allwiint;  to  a  )ieiv>iiHl  illffcience  Ihat  had  nccum^d  belireen  Wuhiiiglan 
•ndhu  ude-dc-camp  Colonel  Hamilloii.  Tlie  |iuTticiiIui  niij  b«  tc«u  in  lli« 
WtAiof  AUxamite  Hamilton  (Lodgc'i  edilion),  vni.,  35. 

Frvm  LafayrlU't  Lftltr  :  "Coiuidcrlni;  the  (oollnij;  1  am  upon  with  jour 
EidllcDcjr,  i<  would  p«rliiips>ppearto  yoD  itraagc,  thai  I  never  ni<ntiuii«il  • 
(iicuaiiAiicc,  whith  lately  ha[ipencd  In  your  rimily.  I  wa,i  ih«  firil  who  kncvr 
oHl.  tad  (toid  that  niomtnt  exortoil  c««ry  luMiii,  in  my  power  lo  preveni  »  »e|v 
intiun.  which  I  knevH-tt  not  agrecaliU  to yeur  Excellency,  To  thit  mcatiir^  I 
mpionipied  t>y  aftcciion  for  you  ;  bnt  1  thought  It  wm  imptDper  10  tneniion 
"Jthing  about  it.  until  ymi  wcr«  pl*M«cl  (o  imjiart  it  la  me." — April  isth. 


338 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


dined,  and  how  little  is  doing  to  reestablish  it ;  a  line 
formerly  among  the  most  numerous  and  respectable 
in  the  army.  Our  plan  at  present  appears  to  me  to 
be  to  commit  the  defence  of  the  southern  States  to 
the  Stales  as  far  as  Pennsylvania  inclusive,  and  to 
make  up  any  additional  succors,  that  may  be  neces- 
sary by  detachment.  We  must  endeavor  to  com- 
pensate these  detachments  for  the  loss  of  State 
supplies  by  giving  them  a  larger  proportion  of  Conti- 
nental. On  this  principle  I  am  sending  you  articles 
mentioned  in  the  enclosed  list ;  twelve  hundred  shirts, 
twelve  hundred  linen  overalls,  twelve  hundred  pairs 
of  shoes,  twelve  hundred  pairs  of  socks,  and  one 
hundred  hunting-shirts,  which  set  out  two  days  ago 
from  this  place.  I  have  also  urged  the  Board  of 
War  to  do  their  best  for  you.     •     *    • 

It  appears  to  me  extraordinary,  that  your  advices 
should  have  given  you  an  idea  so  different  from  the 
whole  complexion  of  the  intelligence  I  had  received, 
concerning  the  probability  of  a  certain  event.'  This, 
and  the  situation  of  our  own  force,  have  induced  me 
to  regard  it  as  barely  possible  ;  too  precarious  to  enter 
far  into  our  dispositions;  possible  only  in  a  case, 
which  we  are  not  authorized  to  expect  will  happen.* 
I  dare  not  trust  the  details  on  which  this  opinion  is 
founded  to  paper. 

'  An  aitukupon  New  York.  Colonel  Iauriw  wrote  from  Pmic,  on  tbetilk 
of  Apiil.  thai  "Uie  mlnlilry  did  not  Mrm  to  tpiirovc  o(  (he  d^e  of  New  Voi% 
u  >n  Mpciaiioii  l»r  iha  enauing  campiign."  The  Icltci  con  lain  iag  Ihii  intelli- 
gence tould  nol  hare  been  received  by  Waahington  at  ihc  date  of  tbe  abof«  to 
LAfayelte. 

*  The  coming  of  tbe  lecond  Franch  division. 


ft 
ft 


The  danger  to  the  southern  States  is  immediate 
and  pressing.  It  is  our  duty  to  give  them  support 
The  detachment  with  you,  all  circumstances  consid- 
ered, was  the  most  proper  for  the  purpose.  The 
project  General  Greene  has  lately  adopted,  adds  a 
particular  motive  to  continuing  its  destination.  It 
is  essential  to  him,  that  Phillips  should  be  held  in 
check  ;  and  we  cannot  wholly  rely  on  militia  for  this. 
As  to  a  transportation  by  water,  while  the  enemy 
commands  the  Chesapeake  and  Cape  Fear.  I  do  not 
see  how  it  is  practicable.  The  only  cause  of  hesitation 
in  my  mind,  about  sending  your  corps  to  the  south- 
ward, was  a  separation  from  you.  I  refer  you  to  private 
letters  accompanying  this,  one  written  previous  to  the 
receipt  of  your  last,  the  other  subsequently.  As  to 
our  force  here,  you  know  what  it  was  when  you  left 
us.  and  you  will  know  what  it  is  now.  when  I  tell 
you  that  we  have  as  yet  received  but  few  recruits. 
The  enemy's  present  force  of  regular  troops  at  New 
York  is  near  seven  thousand.  I  shall  recommend 
Major  Macpherson,  as  you  request,  to  General  Greene. 
Present  my  warmest  thanks  to  that  officer  and  assure 
him  of  the  sense  I  have  of  his  services.     •     •    • 

I  am,  my  dear  Marquis.  &c. 


TO   UEUTENANT-COLONEL   ALEXANDER   HAMILTON. 

Dear  Sir  *'**  wwuKm.  17  Apni,  1781. 

I     Your  letter  of  this  date  has  not  a  little  embarrassed 
me.'    You  must  remember  the  ferment  in  the  Penn- 


Hating  received  >  commisiion  in  the  samy  o(  ih*  Uniied  States,  in  CMue< 


»3° 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


sylvania  line  the  last  campaign,  occasioned  by  the  ap- 
pointment of  Major  Macphcrson,  and  you  know  the 
uneasiness  which  at  this  moment  exists  among  the 
eastern  troops  on  account  of  the  commands  conferred 
upon  Colonel  Gimat  and  Major  Galvan,  although  it 
was  the  result  of  absolute  necessity. 

Should  circumstances  admit  of  the  formation  of 
another  advanced  corps,  of  which  I  see  verj"  little 
prospect  from  present  appearances,  it  can  be  but 
small,  and  must  be  composed  almost  entirely  of  east- 
ern troops  :  and  to  add  to  the  discontents  of  the  of- 
ficers of  those  lines  by  the  further  appointment  of  an 
officer  of  your  rank  to  ye  command  of  it,  or  in  it, 
would,  I  am  certain,  involve  me  in  a  difficulty  of  a 
very  disagreeable  and  delicate  nature,  and  might  per- 
haps lead  to  consequences  more  serious  than  it  is 
easy  to  imagine.  While  I  adhere  firmly  to  the  right 
of  making  such  appointments  as  you  request,  I  am  at 
the  same  time  obliged  to  reflect,  that  it  will  not  do  to 
push  that  right  too  far.  more  especially  in  a  service 
like  ours,  and  at  a  time  so  critical  as  the  present. 

I  am  convinced,  that  no  officer  can  with  justice  dis- 
pute your  merit  and  abilities.  The  opposition  here- 
tofore made  has  not  been  for  the  want  of  those 
qualifications  in  the  gentlemen,  who  .ire  and  have 
been  the  objects  of  discontent.  The  officers  of  the 
line  contend,  without  having  reference  to  particular 
persons,  that  it  is  a  hardship  and  reflection  upon  them 
to  introduce  brevet  officers  into  commands,  (of  some 

qucDW  d(  ■  itvolulion  of  Congct-o  (or  cranliog  commisaion*  10  aida-dc.c«inp. 
Colonel  Xnmilton  ftpjdicd  (or  ACIual  cmploymenl  In  a  light  ciir]it.  He  w>»  nol 
now  ui  ■l(le-dc-cdni;i. 


permanency),  in  which  there  are  more  opportunities  of 
distinguishing  themselves,  than  in  the  line  of  the  army 
at  Jarge.  and  with  the  men  they  have  had  the  trouble 
to  discipline  and  prepare  for  the  field. 

My  principal  concern  arises  from  an  apprehension, 
that  you  will  impute  my  refusal  of  your  request  to 
other  motives,  than  those  I  have  expressed  ;  but  I 
beg  you  to  be  assured  1  am  only  influenced  by  the 
reasons  which  1  have  mentioned.  I  am,  dear  Sir, 
&c. 


TO   COUNT    DE     ROCHAMBEAU. 

Hud  QoARTEas.  New  Winosos, 
30  April,  1781. 

Sir, 

I  assure  your  Excellency,  that  I  feel  extreme  pain 
at  the  occasion  of  that  part  of  your  letter  of  the  26th 
instant,  which  relates  to  an  intercepted  letter  of  mine 
published  by  the  enemy.'     I  am  unhappy  that  an  ac- 

■  Afi«r  quotinf;  the  extract  tiom  the  letter  Ui  Lund  Wuhinpon.  Count  d( 
Rochambou  Mid  : 

"  If  this  wu  EciUy  written  by  your  EicclIcDcy.  1  shall  beg  lotve  10  otucrre, 
ihti  the  muliof  thU  leHedlnn  wouM  tccnt  to  he,  thni  we  have  had  httt  the 
cboicc  ol  two  cxpeilitiooE  propoMd,  and  that  we  haie  preferred  Ihc  l«a  to  • 
mora  cooddctable  nnderttking.  which  your  Eictllvncy  dciitcd.  If  luch  U  the 
mianinj.  I  beg  your  Excellency  to  cMI  lo  mind,  that  the  line-of-balllc  Mfi 
•nd  the  lira  frigatn  went  out  of  Newport  un  the  ijth  uf  February,  on  a  demand 
inatle  byConjjicu  and  the  State  of  Virginia  to  the  LhcvaUer  Desloudiet ;  that 
youi  Icltei,  wilh  the  plan  (or  the  going  mil  uf  the  whole  Heel  with  a  dctachinenl 
of  one  iliouiand  Frenchmen  to  act  conjointly  with  llie  Mnn^uis  de  Lafayette, 
tiearv  date  the  i  jlh  :  that  I  did  not  receive  it  till  (he  igth  ;  that,  having  given 
aa  ioBlant  communicalioo  uf  il  to  M.  IlcMouche^,  1  had  llic  honor  on  the  3oth 
tOKndhii  aniwer  to  youi  Excellency  :  and  Ihal.  no  Liter  than  the  day  nfterthe 
Calc  oi  wind,  which  weakened  the  British  fleet  towotdi  the  end  of  January,  by 
the  lost  o(  (h«  Cullnden.  I  atfered  alt  the  land  forces  thai  cifuld  poxtibly  bo 
buupotted  by  the  Davy,  and  have  not  ceued  lo  do  U  lioce.     I  thall  not  men- 


2^2 


THE  WJilTINGS  OF 


[1781 


cident  should  have  put  it  In  their  power  to  give  to  the 
world  any  thing  from  me,  which  may  contain  an  im- 
plication the  least  disagreeable  to  you,  or  to  the  Chev- 
alier Destouches.  I  assure  you  sincerely,  that  I  have 
no  copy  of  the  original  letter  in  my  possession,  so 
that  1  am  unable  by  a  comparison  to  determine  how 
far  the  publication  may  be  just.  The  enemy  have 
fabricated  whole  letters  for  me,  and  even  a  series  of 
letters  ;  and  it  is  not  improbable  they  may  have  given 
a  different  turn  to  some  of  my  expressions  in  the 
present  instance.  It  would  however  be  disingenous  in 
me  not  to  acknowledge,  that  I  believe  the  general 
import  to  be  true.  The  copy,  however,  which  your 
Excellency  has  sent  to  me.  differs  in  some  respects 
from  that  which  the  enemy  has  published,  as  you  will 
perceive  by  the  enclosed  Gazette.     Whatever  con- 


l<an  V>  fou  ihc  leuoni,  that  delayed  ihc  dcparlUK  of  M.  DenoucbM't  iqiud- 
ron,  UccnuM  llicy  Aa  not  come  under  my  oogniinncc.  I  only  iiUte  thcM  (acli 
to  call  lo  your  mind  thete  daln.  ivhich  I  licg  you  (n  verify  liyyour  vorrcitpoiicl. 
encc,  «h«l  you  may  be  entirely  persuided,  that  there  vrill  never  be  the  Icml 
delay  in  wlial  concern'  Ihc  lioop»  whom  I  commnnd.  in  ihc  execution  of  your 
Olden,  at  soon  M  I  «h«ll  receive  them." — MS.  Ijtttr,  April  abth. 

The  following  ii  an  extract  from  the  instruction<t  sent  by  the  Miniitet  of  War 
to  Count  de  Kochnmbeau.  dated  Ver!«ille>,  March  ylh, 

"  I.  tl  JK  the  intent  ion  of  his  Majesty,  that  you  do  not  Hhamlon  Khnde  Iklaiid, 
if  the  squadron  deilincd  lo  act  in  concert  with  you  itn  iti  defence  cinnot  retire 
lo  Roiilon  without  haiard.  or  before  it  thall  be  relieved  from  its  defensive  pac- 
tion at  Khwte  hlnod  by  a  suftrior  navn!  fon:e. 

"  >.  I  will  inform  you,  that,  in  the  month  of  July  ur  Au^u&t.  the  luperioi 
naval  (otce  of  which  yop  have  juti  rccdved  notice,  will  withdraw  (he  squjdron 
of  M.  dc  Dairatfrom  the  harbour  uf  Khodc  laland  :  and  yon  will  carefully  Te< 
lervc  lo  yourtelt  the  Icouw ledge  of  thi>i  arrangement,  which  mxy  be  accelerated. 

"3.  H.byunloreieBn  event*,  or  any  cauie  whatever,  the  army  ot  Washington 
fehoutd  be  broken  up  and  dispened.  it  ii  the  Intentiim  uf  the  King.  that,  under 
Ibcae  circumBlnncet,  you  thould  decline  acceding  to  any  ordrn  or  rrqueili  af 
■hat  general  to  penetrate  into  the  interiot  of  the  conlinem ;  oc  in  that  caic  it 


I 


struction  it  may  bear.  I  beg  your  Excellency  will 
consider  the  letter  to  a  private  friend,  a  gentleman 
who  has  the  direction  of  my  concerns  at  home,  totally 
unconnected  with  public  alTairs,  and  on  whose  dis- 
cretion I  could  absolutely  rely.  No  idea  of  the  same 
kind  has  ever  gone  to  any  public  body. 

When  !  say.  that  I  believe  the  general  import  of 
the  publication  to  be  true.  I' mean  it  In  this  sense, 
that  there  did  appear  to  me  a  degree  of  delay  in  exe- 
cuting the  enterprise  suggested  by  me,  with  the 
causes  of  which  I  was  not  well  apprized,  and  an  Idea 
of  this  kind  was  probably  expressed  in  my  letter  to 
Mr.  Washington.  As  to  the  apparent  insinuation, 
that  the  first  expedition  had  been  preferred  to  the 
one  proposed  by  me,    I   could  not  have  intended  to 

would  be  piudcntlo  reserve  ;ourte|[.  unil  lo  retire  to  the  AntUletif  pouible,  gr 
lo  St.  Domingo,  acoonliiif;  lo  lh«  teaaon. 

"4.  If,  OD  lh«  oantiary,  th«  Am(ric>ii  mrin}'  rvinaiim  in  itiprcsonl  tUli:,  iihI 
yrt  urilhoul  being  able  to  unileriake  aiif  combined  openlion  with  the  sij unci ron  ; 
and  if  thii  Uller  >hou1tI  «liciii|>l  any  olhrc  enlerpni-i-,  ivhere  the  concurrence  of 
a  Mitain  iiumbcT  !>(  luiul  toit*\  mould  lie  tcqnireil,  the  Kill)*  ien*cs  it  in  yuut 
power  lo  (urnish  them,  provided  thai  the  plan  be  concerted  with  the  American 
ECoeraL 

"  5.  Should  Ihcti'  be  un  u[}|>utlunily  for  the  !K|uadruii  .i[  Khaile  liUmI  [uuct 
iadeprndently  of  the  Anicrican  armj-,  you  arc  an-ue  thai  the  naval  force*  of  the 
King  ihonld  concur  in  all  operation!,  which  are  considered  advanlageout  lo  Ihc 
Munnion  raute. 

"6.  Vou  are  alio  nwnte,  that,  u  long  u  ihe  Ktn&'s  troop*  occupy  Rhode 
Island,  the  iransporu  destined  10  tcceii'cthe  trnopt  nre  10  be  kept  there  ;  when, 
un  Ihc  cnntrarf.  the  army  under  your  cuminind  ihiill  (wnelraie  into  the  country, 
and  the  Hjiutdron  abandons  Rhode  Uland.lhiiiquadroiiinll  proceed  to  BoMon, 
and  lake  with  It  the  transports  >hil  have  been  tclalncd, 

"  7.  If,  from  the  difftrrnt  cauie\  mentioned,  yon  should  remain  in  your  pon- 
tioB  at  Rhode  Iiland,  and  a  luperior  naval  force  of  the  Kinfihould  iriihdraw 
the  squadron  which  ik  in  that  pott,  1  give  you  niitH'e,  thai  the  Count  de  OtMic 
haa  orders  (o  leave  with  you  two  veueln  lo  defend  Ihe  port,  and  the  Innaporls 
necewary  for  your  army." 


334 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[178 


1 


convey  it,  in  its  fullest  latitude,  because  it  would  have 
been  unjust.  I  could  not  but  have  recollected, 
that  my  formal  proposal  did  not  reach  you  till  after 
the  departure  of  the  first  squadron,  though  the  sug- 
gestion of  it  was  previous.  My  letter  however  was 
written  in  haste,  and  might  have  been  inaccurately 
expressed.  I  have  lately  learnt,  (though  not  offi- 
cially.) that  the  cause  of  the  delay  1  have  alluded  to 
was  a  want  of  supplies  for  the  fleet.  Impressed  with 
a  real  esteem  for  and  confidence  in  the  Chevalier  De; 
touches.  I  heard  this  circumstance  with  satisfaction. 

With  this  explanation,  I  leave  the  matter  to  his 
candor  and  to  yours,  and  flatter  myself  it  will  make 
no  impressions  inconsistent  with  an  entire  persuasion 
of  my  sincere  esteem  and  attachment.  I  have  the 
honor  to  be,  with  perfect  respect,  &c.' 


^ 


TO    MAJOR    BENJAMIN    TALLMADGE. 

HKAD QVARTUtS,  NSW  WlNIMOK, 

joApiril,  I78i. 

Deak  Sir, 

Your  two  favors  of  the  24th  and  asth  have  been 
duly  received.  gik 

Fully  impressed  with  the  idea  of  the  utility  ot 
early,  regular,  and  accurate  communication  of  the 
kind  in  contemplation,  I  shall  make  no  difficulty  in 
acceding  to  the  proposal  contained  in  your  private 

'  In  M.  de  RocbAmbcan'i  reply  to  (he  abovt.  h«  etpr««cd  liimiclf  endKiy 
MtMied.  "an  t.  further  explanation  In  the  note  ipiiendeil  to  the  lettn  lo  Gen- 
eral Schujier,  M«n.'b33t]  ;  iiul  in  ilic  lvt[>.'rl'>  the  Mu>|ui!i  dc  LaUyelie,  Apdl 
lid. 


«78«I 


GEORGE.   WASHINGTON. 


a3S 


letter  from  Newport.  But  at  the  same  time  that  I 
am  engaging  in  behalf  of  tlie  United  States  a  liberal 
reward  for  the  services  of  the  C s.'  of  whose  fidel- 
ity and  ability  I  entertain  a  high  opinion,  it  is  cer- 
tainly but  reasonable,  from  patriotism  and  every 
other  principle,  that  their  exertions  should  be  pro- 
portionably  great,  to  subserve  essentially  the  interest 
of  the  public.  All  llie  interior  and  minute  arrange- 
ments of  the  correspondence  I  request  you  will  settle 
with  them  as  expeditiously  and  advantageously  as  may 
be,  and  especially  that  you  will  urge,  in  verj'  forcible 
terms,  the  necessity  of  having  the  communications  as 
circumstantial,  frequent,  and  expeditions  as  possible. 

The  great  objects  of  information  you  are  very  well 
acquainted  with :  such  as  arrivals,  embarkations, 
preparations  for  movements,  alterations  of  positions, 
situations  of  posts,  fortifications,  garrisons,  strength 
or  weakness  of  each,  distribution  and  strength  of 
corps,  and,  in  general,  every  thing  which  can  be  in- 
teresting and  important  for  us  to  know. 

Besides  these,  you  are  also  sensible  that  there  are 
many  things  upon  a  smaller  scale,  which  are  necessarj' 
to  be  reported,  and  that  whatever  intelligence  is  com- 
municated ought  to  be,  not  in  general  terms,  but  in 
detail,  and  with  the  greatest  precision.  At  present  I 
am  anxious  to  know  (for  the  reports  have  been  very 
numerous,  vague,  and  uncertain),  whether  another 
embarkation  is  preparing,  and.  if  so.  to  what  amount, 
and  where  destined  ;  what  the  present  force  of  the 
enemy  is,  particularly  on  Long  Island,  in  New  York, 

'  Cnlper,  Sr.,  and  Culper,  Jr. 


236 


THE  WRITfNGS  OF 


t'7« 


and  at  Kingsbridgc  ;    what  corps  are  at  the  latter 
place,  how  strong,  and  where  posted  exactly ;  an(^H 
indeed,  what  the  situation,  prospects,  and  designs  of^ 
the  enemy  are,  so  far  as  they  can  be  penetrated  into. 
I  ani,  &c. 


TO   LUND    WASHINGTON,    AT  MOUNT    VERNON. 

Nsw  Windsor,  30  April.  i?tl.' 

Dear  Lund. 

Your  letter  of  the  1 8th  come  to  me  by  the  last  Post. 

I  am  very  sorry  to  hear  of  your  loss.  I  am  a  littU 
sorry  to  hear  of  my  own  ;  but  that  which  gives  me  most 
concern  is.  that  you  should  go  on  board  the  enemy's 
vessels,  and  furnish  them  with  refreshments.  It 
would  have  been  a  less  painful  circumstance  to  me  to 
have  heard,  that  in  consequence  of  your  non-compli« 
ance  with  their  request,  they  had  burnt  my  House 
and  laid  the  Plantation  in  ruins.  You  ought  to  have 
considered  yourself  as  my  representative,  and  should^ 
have  reflected  on  the  bad  example  of  communicating 
with  the  enemy,  and  making  a  voluntary  offer  of 

'  Gcnenl  Wiuhb^Iun  Mmmencod  a  Diary  on  the  1st  o(  Msy,  lo  wbidi  I 
prefixed  tlie  fallowing  tcmurki. 

"  To  have  ft  cleiuer  undenlonding  of  ihe  entries,  which  may  follow,  jl  wo 
l>c  proper  to  recite  iii  iteliil  iiur  wanli  and  our  proipects  ',  but  this  alon*  wo 
be  a  work  ot  much  time  and  great  miE"it'"'e.  It  mny  Hiffitc  lo  give  the  inm 
of  (hem.  which  1  iholl  da  in  a  (cw  wordt,  ImlraJ  o(  havlni;  maj^Inct  TiIlMl 
with  piavi&ionj,  hc  liave  ■  iciniy  pittance  icaiteicd  here  and  (here  in  the  dif- 
ferent Stitn  ;  inileod  of  hiving  our  nnenals  well  cuppl led  with  mltilary  Mora, 
tiMy  3re(>o»rIy  ptuvl'led  and  the  workmen  all  leaving  them  ;  initratl  of  hBTtog 
the  varioui  articln  of  Hetd-equipa^  in  readiness  lo  be  dclivend,  Ihe  qonner- 
nuuter-Kcncrsl,  at  ihc  dernier  rciort,  accnrdinji  to  hi*  account,  it  but  now  ap- 
plying to  the  tevcnl  Stales  lo  pioiide  thne  Ihingi  for  their  troop)  retpeclively ; 
initead  of  having  a  regular  *y*lcm  of  traniportatton  establithed  npoa  credit,  i 


i78i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


"J7 


freshments  to  them  with  a  view  to  prevent  a  confla- 
gration. 

It  was  not  in  your  power,  I  acknowledge,  to  pre- 
vent them  from  sending  a  flag  on  shore,  and  you  did 
right  to  meet  it ;  but  you  should,  in  the  same  instant 
that  the  business  of  it  was  unfolded,  have  declared 
explicitly,  that  it  was  improper  for  you  to  yield  to  the 
request ;  after  which,  if  they  had  proceeded  to  help 
themselves  by  force,  you  could  but  have  submitted ; 
(and,  being  unprovided  for  defence.)  this  was  to  be 
preferred  to  a  feeble  opposition,  which  only  serves  as 
a  pretext  to  burn  and  destroy. 

I  am  thoroughly  persuaded,  that  you  acted  from 
your  best  judgment,  and  believe,  that  your  desire  to 
preser\'e  my  property,  and  rescue  the  buildings  from 
impending  danger,  were  your  governing  motives,  but 
to  go  on  board  their  vessels,  carry  them  refreshments, 
commune  with  a  parcel  of  plundering  scoundrels,  and 
request  a  favor  by  asking  a  surrender  of  my  negroes, 
was  exceedingly  ill  judged,  and,  't  is  to  be  feared,  will 
be  unhappy  in  its  consequences,  as  it  will  be  a  prece- 


'  fttiMli  In  the  quKrtermuter'c  hinds  to  dcfraj'  the  contingent  expenim  of  it,  w« 
h&ve  n«iih«r  the  one  nor  the  other,  and  all  that  basintsi,  or  a  gteat  part  ai  it, 
being  done  by  military  imj>Tesk,  we  are  daily  and  hourly  opprei-ilng  the  peo- 
ple, lourmg  (heir  tempers,  and  alienating  llieir  afleclioni  ;  instead  of  haring 
the  regimenti  completed  to  the  new  edabliihiDcat,  which  ought  lo  have  been 
4on<  agreeably  to  the  Kquisitiont  olCongrew,  scarce  any  Scale  In  the  Union 
bai  at  Ihit  hour  an  eighth  part  of  iti  quota  in  the  Geld,  and  little  prospect  that 
1  can  tee  of  ever  gelling  more  than  half ;  in  a  word,  inttcod  oif  having  ever; 
ihlnc  in  teadinctt  to  take  ihe  field,  we  have  nothing  ;  and.  \i\f,\c*A  a\  having 

rflie  prospect  o[a  glorioui  offensive  campaign  before  vn,  we  have  a  bewildered 

i  iBd  gloomy  dcfentivc  one.  unleu  we  ihould  receive  a  powerful  aid  of  ihips. 
bad  Iroopa.  and  money  from  our  gcncroua  alliu,  and  ilieae  at  preient  aic  too 

I  BoadnBeat  to  build  upon." 


a38 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


11781 


dent  for  others,  and  may  become  a  subject  of  ani- 
madversion. 

I  have  no  doiibt  of  the  enemy's  intentron  to  prose- 
cute the  phmdering  plan  they  have  begun  ;  and  unless 
a  stop  can  be  put  to  it.  by  the  arrival  of  a  superior 
naval  force.  I  have  as  little  doubt  of  its  ending  in  the 
loss  of  all  my  negroes,  and  in  the  destruction  of  my 
Houses  ;  but  I  am  prepared  for  the  event ;  under  the 
prospect  of  which,  if  you  could  deposit  in  safety  at 
some  convenient  distance  from  the  water,  the  most  val- 
uable and  least  bulky  articles,  it  might  be  consistent 
with  policy  and  prudence,  and  a  mean  of  preserving 
them  hereafter.  Such  and  so  many  things  as  are  ne- 
cessary for  common  and  present  use  must  be  retained, 
and  run  their  chance  through  the  fier>'  fial  of  this 
summer.     I  am  sincerely  yours. 

Mrs.  Washington  joins  me  in  best  and  afTectionate 
regard  for  you.  Mrs.  Washington  and  Miily  Posey. 
I  do  not  know  what  negroes  they  may  have  left  yoti, 
and  as  I  have  observed  before  I  do  not  know  what 
number  they  will  have  left  me  by  the  time  they 
have  done — but  this  much  I  am  sure  of,  that  you  shall 
never  want  assistance  when  it  is  in  my  power  to 
afford  it     I  am,  &c. 


■ 


TO  THE   MARQUIS  DE   LAFAYETTE. 

Nku-  WiKDioit.  4  May,  1781. 

Mv  Dear  Marquis, 

The  freedom  of  your  communications  is  an  evi- 
dence to  me  of  the  sincerity  of  your  attachment ;  and 
every  fresh  instance  of  this  gives  pleasure  and  adds 


»78i) 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


*39 


Strength  to  the  bond,  which  unites  us  in  friendship. 
In  this  light  I  view  the  intimation  contained  in  your 
letter  of  the  23d  ultc,  from  Alexandria,  respecting 
the  conduct  of  Mr.  Lund  Washington.  Some  days 
previous  to  the  receipt  of  your  letter,  which  only 
came  to  my  hands  yesterday,  I  received  an  acct.  of 
this  transaction  from  the  Gentleman  himself,  and 
immediately  wrote  and  forwarded  the  answer,  of  which 
the  enclosed  is  a  copy.  This  letter,  which  was  written 
in  the  moment  of  my  obtaining  the  first  intimation 
of  the  matter,  may  be  considered  as  a  testimony  of 
my  disapprobation  of  his  conduct,  and  the  transmis* 
sion  of  it  to  you,  as  a  proof  of  my  friendship  ;  because 
1  wish  you  to  be  assured,  that  no  man  can  condemn 
the  measure  more  sincerely  than  I  do. 

A  false  idea,  arising  from  the  consideration  of  his 
being  my  Steward,  and  in  that  character  more  the 
trustee  and  guardian  of  my  property  than  the  repre- 
sentative of  my  honor,  has  misled  his  judgment  and 
plunged  him  into  error,  (upon  the  appearance  of  de- 
sertion of  my  negroes,  and  danger  to  my  buildings  ;) 
for  sure  I  am,  that  no  man  is  more  firmly  opposed 
to  the  enemy  than  he.  From  a  thorough  conviction 
of  this,  and  of  his  integrity,  I  entrusted  every  species 
of  my  property  to  his  care,  without  reservation  or 
fear  of  his  abusing  it.  The  last  paragraph  of  my  let- 
ter to  him  was  occasioned  by  an  expression  of  his  fear, 
that  all  the  Estates  convenient  to  the  river  would  be 
stripped  of  their  negroes  and  movable  property. 

I  am  very  happy  to  find,  that  desertions  had  ceased, 
and  content  had  taken  place,  in  the  detachment  you 


J40 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


commanded.'  Before  this  letter  can  have  reached  you, 
you  must  have  taken  your  ultimate  resolution  upon 
the  proposal  contained  in  my  letters  of  the  21st  and 
22d  of  last  month,  and  have  made  the  consequent 
arrangements.  I  shall  be  silent,  therefore,  on  the 
subject  of  them ;  and  only  beg,  in  case  you  should 
not  return  to  this  army,  and  the  papers  were  not  lost 
with  your  other  baggage  (on  which  event  give  me 
leave  to  express  my  concern),  that  you  would  permit 
Mr.  Capitaine  to  furnish  me  with  copiesof  the  drafts, 
and  remarks  of  the  Pilots  (taken  at  Colonel  Dey's) 
on  the  entrance  of  the  harbor  of  New  York.  It  is 
possible  they  may  be  wanted  ;  and  I  am  not  able  to 
furnish-them  without  your  assistance. 

Mrs.  Washington,  and  the  rest  of  my  (small)  fam- 
ily, which  at  present  consists  only  of  Tilghman  and 
Humphreys,  join  me  in  cordial  salutations  ;  and,  with 
sentiments  of  the  purest  esteem  and  most  affectionate 
regard.  I  remain,  my  dear  Marquis,  &c 


TO  THE    PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 


HKAD  QVAKTItlls,  NlW  WiNIXOt, 
8  May.  1781 


lIR 


I  have  been  honored  with  your  Excellency's  favors 
of  the  26th  and  29th  ultimo.,  with  the  inclosures  to 
which  you  refer — They  shall  be  duly  attended  to. 

Under  cover  of  the  letter  of  the  26th  is  one 
from  General  Gates  to  Congress,  indorsed   by  the 

>  L>(af «|« obulned  umeeloiMng  for  hUiioopt  bjr  pledgiiiEbltown  crtdll. 


17«"] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


*4* 


Secretary  "  Ordered  to  be  transmitted  to  the  Com- 
mander in  Chief,"  without  any  particular  directions 
respecting  the  subject  of  it  Congress  have  been 
informed  of  the  instructions  which  have  been  given  to 
General  Greene  relative  to  bringing  on  the  enquiry 
upon  General  Gates  as  early  as  circumstances  would 
admit,  and  they  have  been  advised  that  it  was  deemed 
impracticable  at  the  time  to  hold  a  Court  at  the 
Southern  Army,  for  the  reasons  given  to  General 
Greene  by  the  Board  of  General  and  Field  Officers 
consulted  upon  the  occasion.  General  Gates  has  also 
been  furnished  with  these  Reasons.  There  remain 
but  two  methods  of  determining  the  matter  speedily, 
in  a  military  way — directing  General  Greene  to  order 
a  Court  of  Enquiry  immediately,  and  at  all  events  ; 
or  taking  depositions  at  the  Southward,  and  bringing 
them  Ijefore  a  Court  in  this  Army. 

I  am  sorry  that  I  am  obliged  so  often  to  wound  the 
feelings  of  Congress  with  Accounts  of  our  distressed 
situation  on  the  score  of  provisions,  but  duty  calls 
upon  me  to  represent  what  it  is  not  in  my  power,  by 
my  utmost  exertions,  to  prevent.' 

Your  Excellency  will  perceive,  by  copies  of  letters 
from   General  Heath  of   the  6th  instant  and  from 


*  "  1  hav«  b«#n  obligetl,  from  the  dislress  lo  which  we  were  reduced  for  want 

[proiriiion.  (o  appljt  9.000  dolUn  of  the  new  emiiiion,  of  the  money  wnt  by 

.  die  Stale  of  Mai^uchuMttiL  for  the  paTincnl  of  her  1'roapi^.  lo  the  u>e  of  the 

QiuncT  Mtfller'i  (le|i«ilni<-nt.  lo  enable  hitn  to  tiring  fur>>an]  Hour  Itom  Jcr. 

tcj-uidialt  MMtfrom  Conoecticut.     Before  1  would  coni>cQi  (o  ibii  eipcdienl. 

I  NU  driven  to  thcneceatlty  of  consuminj;  every  ounce  ofprovltion  which  had 

I  bMD  k«pt  as  a  merre  m  the  Garritvoiiof  Wctt  point,  and  I  had  drained  impren 

flijf  MiUtaiy  force  10  thai  lengih,  thai  I  ircmbied  for  the  con»Fqu«ncr  of  th< 

CMeiUlOB  of  every  WarranI  which  1  granted  for  the  piirpote — «o  much  arc  the 

t6 


343 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


Briga.  Genl.  Clinton  of  the  30th  of  April  and  4th 
instant,  to  what  an  alarming  situation  we  are  reduced 
at  these  posts  and  upon  the  Northern  Frontier. 
Upon  the  receipt  of  Genl.  Clinton's  letter  of  the 
30th  ulto.  I,  upon  the  5th,  sent  off  34  Barrels  of 
Beef,  which  was  every  ounce  in  the  Magazine  and 
50  Barrels  of  Flour  to  Albany.  I  am  now,  upon 
receiving  the  letter  of  the  4th  sending  off  roo  out 
of  131  barrels  in  the  Magazine.  Of  meat  I  have  not 
a  Barrel  to  send.  The  Quarter  Master  is  unable  to 
transport  what  is  at  the  distant  Magazines,  and  the 
States  neither  do  that,  or  send  on  Beef.  Cattle  agree- 
able to  requisition. 

I  have  written  most  pressingly  to  the  Pre.sident  of 
Pennsylvania  for  a  supply  of  Flour,  and  that  nothing 
may  be  left  unessayed  on  my  part,  I  am  going  to  send 
Major  General  Heath  to  the  Eastern  States  purposely 
to  represent  our  distresses  for  Meat  in  their  true 
colors,  and  to  point  out  to  them  the  inevitable  conse- 
quences of  a  failure  in  the  non-comp1ian(;e  with  the 
requisitions  upon  thtrm.  Whether  this  will  have  any 
better  effect  than  my  frequent  applications  by  letter, 
I  cannot  say  ;  but  of  this  I  am  certain,  that  if  there  is 
not  a  very  great  and  sudden  change  of  measures  it 
will  be  next  to  impossible  to  keep  the  Army  together. 


people  irritated  hf  the  frequeni  eaJIt  which  have  been  mule  ii|)on  them  bi  ibai 
way.  If  ii  lie  pEMtiibIc  lo  furnlili  (he  Quarter  Ma.-.[cr  with  but  ■  liltic  tnoncjr 
to  enable  him  lo  pay  part  for  traniportaiion,  I  miAX.  eamcitly  reciueii  It 
Duy  be  done,  oi  I  am  conlidcnt  the  meatunt  we  have  hillicrlo  bceii  pumiiac, 
cannot  be  much  Icm^r  made  uu  aX  without  imminent  dui£«T  of  briiiiciiig 
the  people  to  an  open  r«i»tance." —  Washington  W  ihi  PrttiJntl  af  C»Hgt»n, 
I  May,  1781. 


i78i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


«« 


To  add  to  our  present  embarrassments,  application 
has  just  been  made  to  me  by  Colonel  Menonville. 
who  is  sent  forward  by  Count  Rochambeau,  to  know 
in  what  manner  it  will  be  most  convenient  to  us  to 
make  payment  for  a  very  large  quantity  of  provisions, 
with  which,  Doctor  Franklin,  in  behalf  of  the  United 
States,  has  contracted  to  supply  the  French  Army. 
Colonel  Menonville's  instructions  have  reference  to 
Resolves  of  Congress  and  letters  which  have  passed 
between  your  Excellency  and  Count  Rochambeau 
on  the  subject,  but  as  I  am  totally  a  stranger  to 
the  whole  transaction,  I  have  been  under  the  neces- 
sity of  referring  him  to  Congress,  and  have  taken 
the  liberty  to  give  him  letters  of  introduction  to  your 
Excellency. 

As  Colonel  Menonville  was  very  pressing  with  me 
to  know  whether  1  could  give  him  any  assurances  of 
the  provision  being  furnished,  and  at  what  places  it 
would  be  most  proper  to  deposit  it,  I  could  only  tell 
him,  that  none  of  what  had  been  required  of  the  States 
for  the  subsistence  of  the  Army  could  possibly  be 
spared,  because,  the  requisitions  were  they  fully  com- 
plied with,  would  not  be  more  than  adequate  to  our 
own  wants,  I  gave  him  my  opinion  as  to  the  proper 
places  of  deposit,  in  as  particular  a  manner  as  the  un- 
certainty of  our  plan  of  operations  would  admit. 

Colo.  Menonville  is  likewise  charged  by  the  Count 
Rochambeau,  to  solicit  some  heavy  Iron  Cannon  for 
the  works  at  Newport,  in  place  of  the  Brass  Batter- 
ing Cannon  which  are  at  present  in  them,  and  which 
there  will  be  a  necessity  of  removing  should  the  Army 


"44 


THE  WRITINGS  OP 


f.78. 


remove.  When  I  told  him  that  I  knew  of  none  be- 
longing to  the  Continent  but  what  were  in  use,  he 
informed  me  he  understood  that  there  were  some  in 
New  Hampshire  which  had  been  imported  for  the  74 
Gun  ship  now  upon  the  stocks.  Upon  this,  I  prom- 
ised him  to  mention  the  matter  to  Congress,  and  to 
recommend  a  compliance  with  his  request,  if  the  Can- 
non should  be  there  and  can  be  spared  without  incon- 
venience.     I  have,  &c.' 


TO  JOHN   SULLIVAN,    IN   CONGRESS. 

Nkw  Wdtdbor,  11  Mijr.  1781. 

Dear  Sir. 

Not  having  seen  or  heard  of  any  resolve  in  Con- 
gress for  establishing  the  principles  of  promotion  in 
the  army,  I  am  apprehensive  that  the  report  of  the 
committee,  who  had  this  matter  under  consideration, 
is  now  sleeping  In  Congress.  This,  and  a  recent  in- 
stance in  the  Pensylvania  Regiment  of  artillery  in 
proof  of  the  absolute  necessity  of  adopting  some 
mode,  by  which  the  whole  army  may  be  bd.,  and  a 
stop  thereby  be  put  to  those  disputes,  which  keep  it 
in  a  continual  state  of  distraction  and  discontent,  are 
the  reasons  for  my  troubling  you  again  on  this  sub- 
ject, and  praying  that  some  decision  may  be  come  to 
by  Congress.  It  is  much  easier  to  avoid  disagree- 
ments than  to  remove  disconts. ;  and  I  again  declare, 
that  if  my  differing  in  sentiment  from  the  opins.  of 

'  Rud  in  CoognM.  May  ifth.     Rcfcired  to  Sullivan,  Varnam  and  Mont- 
gom«iy.    On  the  tstb  rcfenedio  Bl*nd,  Canoll,  and  Wiihcnpoon. 


'780 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


»4S 


the  Comee.  in  some  points  has  been  the  occasion  of 
delay,  I  would,  rather  than  have  the  matter  lie  over 
a  moment,  yield  a  free  assent  to  all  their  propositions  ; 
for  any  principle  is  better  than  none.  1  also  wish, 
though  this  is  more  a  matter  of  private  than  public 
consideration,  that  the  business  could  be  taken  up  on 
acct  of  Mr.  Tilghman,  whose  appt.  seems  to  depd. 
upon  it ;  for,  if  there  are  men  in  the  army  deserving 
the  comn.  proposed  for  him,  he  is  one  of  th(-m. 

This  gcntn.  came  out  a  captn.  of  one  of  the  light 
Infy.  Companies  of  Phila.,  and  served  in  the  flying 
Camp  in  1 776.  In  August  of  the  same  year  he  joined 
my  family,  and  has  been  in  every  action  in  which  the 
main  army  was  concerned.  He  has  been  a  zealous  ser- 
vant and  stave  to  the  public,  and  a  faithful  assistant  to 
me  for  near  five  years,  great  part  of  wliich  time  he  re- 
fused to  receive  pay.  Honor  and  gratitude  interest 
me  in  his  favor,  and  make  me  sollicitous  to  obtain 
his  Commission.  His  modesty  and  love  of  concord 
placed  the  date  of  his  expected  comn.  at  the  ist  of 
April,  1 777,  because  he  would  not  take  rank  of  Ham- 
ilton and  Meade,  who  were  declared  aides  in  orders, 
(which  he  did  not  choose  to  be)  before  that  period, 
altho'  he  had  joined  my  family,  and  done  all  the 
duties  of  one,  from  the  ist  of  Septr.  preceding. 

My  public  letters  to  Congress  will  have  informed 
you  of  the  situation  of  this  army,  and  I  have  no  scru- 
ple in  giving  it  as  my  decided  opn.,  that,  unless  a  capi- 
tal change  takes  place  soon,  it  will  be  impossible  for 
me  to  maintain  our  Posts,  and  keep  the  army  from 
dispersing. 


>4« 


THE  WRITiNGS  OP 


I1781 


The  resolution  of  Congress  to  appoint  ministers  of 
war,  foreign  aflairs,  and  finance,  gave,  as  far  as  I  was 
able  to  learn  the  Sentiments  of  men  in  and  out  of  ye 
army,  universal  satisfaction.  Postponing  of  the  ist, 
delaying  of  the  2d,  and  disagreeing  about  the  %A  have 
had  the  direct  contrary  effect ;  and  I  can  venture  to 
assure  you,  not  from  random  guess  or  vague  informa- 
tion, that  the  want  of  an  able  financier,  and  a  proper 
plan  for  the  disposition  of  foreign  loans  will  be  a 
greater  bar  to  the  obtaining  of  them  than  perhaps 
Congress  are  aware  of.  I  could  say  more  on  this 
subject,  were  I  at  liberty ;  but  I  shall  only  add,  that 
there  is  not  in  my  opinion  a  moment  to  be  lost  in 
placing  such  a  character  as  the  world  conceives  an 
opinion  of  at  the  head  of  your  finance,  that  he  may 
as  soon  as  possible  enter  upon  the  duties  of  his  office. 
I  am,  &c. 


TO    PHILIP    SCHUYLER, 

Hud  Qi'Axi  kks.  New  Wikimor, 
14  May,  1781. 

Dear  Sir. 

The  letter  which  you  did  me  the  favor  to  write  on 
the  4th  instant  has  been  duly  received. 

I  am  glad  to  find,  that  yovi  have  received  the  neces- 
sary papers,  and  are  entering  upon  the  measures  for 
intercepting  the  enemy's  communications.  I  hope 
you  will  be  enabled,  by  the  assistance  of  the  person 
proposed,  if  he  is  found  sufficiently  faithful  and  intel- 
ligent, to  prosecute  those  measures  to  good  effect ; 
because  I  think  the  intelligence   obtained    through 


«78i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


■47 


that  channel  may  be  depended  upon,  and  will  even- 
tually be  of  very  great  consequence  to  us.  Much,  I 
apprehend,  is  to  be  dreaded  from  the  predator^'  incur- 
sions of  the  enemy  this  campaign.  To  be  apprized 
of  their  designs,  and  guarded  against  them  at  all 
points,  as  far  as  possible,  will  tend  most  essentially  to 
disconcert  their  plans  and  protect  our  frontiers.  As 
to  the  disposition  of  the  Vcrmontese.  I  know  nothing 
of  it,  but  from  report.  At  present  they  are  at  least 
a  dead  weight  upon  us.  It  is  greatly  to  be  regretted, 
that  they  are  not  by  some  means  or  other  added  to 
our  scale,  as  their  numbers,  strength,  and  resources 
would  certainly  preponderate  very  considerably,  and 
make  the  enemy  extremely  cautious  how  they  ad- 
vanced far  in  that  quarter.  The  bulk  of  the  people,  I 
am  persuaded,  must  be  well  affected.  Should  it  be 
otherwise  with  any  of  the  individuals,  I  ardently  wish 
they  may  be  delected  in  their  villany,  and  brought  to 
the  punishment  they  deserve.' 

'  The  wp«ration  o(  Vermont  frnm  New  Vork  auggentril  to  Gennaine  *ii  ad. 
TUIase  lor  the  British,  for  he  infonncd  General  Haldimsnd  Ihal  he  should  give 
dte  tohabitanti  rc«u»i  to  eipcct  th«  king  would  erect  their  country  into  \  lep. 
arate  piov{nce(}  Match,  1779).  A  year  later  Col.  Beverly  Rohtnaoii,  truiiiin|;to 
llie  ill  feeling  engendereil  by  the  supposed  neglect  of  Vermont,  uked  Ethan 
Allen  to  »tatc  "  wiihout  reserve  whatever  proposals  joa  would  with  lo  make  " 
■oSfr  Henry  Clinton,  iiitimaiiii);  ihni  he  ivould  be  re'jvarded  by  a  <>eparBir  </,oi- 
tfDBieal  under  Ihe  king  mid  consiilutioii  of  England  <jo  Min^h,  1780). 
Allen  received  thi»  Idler  in  July,  showed  it  to  the  ijovcmor  of  Vcrmonl  and 
anumtwirof  ihelcadcrt  In  the -State,  mid,  on  their  ail  vict.  ret urnBt  no  answer.  In 
September  a  cotieipondencc  was  opened  with  Hakltmand  for  the  eiehange  of 
priionen,  an  application  through  Washington  hating  failed,  and  the  BiJilah 
commander  not  nnly  accciUH  to  nei^tiate  an  exchunge.  but  propoicd  a  trace 
(October  11),  and  appointed  commiwoners.  Schuyler  at  once  wrote  to  Woih- 
ington  .  "Sending  a  flog  10  Vcrnoii  (or  the  purpose  of  exchanging  pri toners 
apjican  to  mc  only  a  cover  lu  lorne  drsi|;n  of  Ihe  enemy,  and  gives  me  much 
BacAiincw.  ctpecially  as  rumors  prevail  that  liiftrsen,  whom  your  excellency 


*48 


THE  WRITINGS  OP 


[1781 


I  have  been  exceeding  distressed  by  the  repeated 
accounts  I  have  received  of  the  sufferings  of  the 
troops  on  the  frontier,  and  the  terrible  consequences 
which  must  ensue,  unless  they  were  speedily  supplied. 
What  gave  a  particular  poignancy  to  the  sting  I  felt 

<*M  informod  to  have  been  In  Kr«  Vork  in  July  l«tt  negolialing  iillh  Ihe 
encmjr.  luii  been  in  New  York,  but  I  caniial  leun  Ihal  any  one  ean  potilirtljr 
MKeruin  cilhcr  of  Ihnc  facU  '*  (October  31 1.  Ii  was  &lso  nimoted  that  tke 
ptrien  had  been  In  QatmAk  abcml  lix  weeki.  before.  W»hin|non  rei>lieil  an 
tha  6th  tA  Niivembct : 

"  I  confeu.  all  circumiuncci  and  prcvjoui  information  contidered,  ikat  niat- 
tcrv  in  a  certain  quarter  carry  a  very  sniplclouaface.  Should  ll  appear,  upon  a 
further  tnxatigation,  thai  ihera  are  good  groimdi  for  ptvMnt  Mnpiciona,  jni 
will  concert  meaiurei  wiih  BritEadier-Gencral  Clinton  do  "'horn  f  have  wtilleB 
U|ii>n  Ihe  uibjcci,  wilhoat  menlioniue  uaniesl.  to  Eeit«  and  krcare,  with  at  much 
iccTCcy  and  a*  tuddcnly  a^  powblc.  Ihe  prTton  in  •^uenlion  with  liik  paf«r>. 
Vou  know  how  very  delicate  a  bunncu  ihi*  a.,  and  t  theiefon  trust  10  your 
(iriiilcnce  In  the  eiecntion  of  it.  Nothing  but  llie  mocl  palpable  prooft  ou|;ht 
lu  wansni  the  tcituta  uf  hi»  perKin,  But  a  variety  of  means  may  be  fallen 
upon  to  circumvent  stnd  defeat  iheit  pknt.  when  tou  have  a  regnlor  force  to 
depend  upon." 

The  luipvcted  penion  was  Ethan  Allen.  CharRei  wtre  exhibited  againil 
him  in  the  (leacral  Aiiembly.  and  u]>on  inVEsiii>aIioD  hik  retig^alion  a&  Brii^a- 
(lier-tieneral  wju  acceptci!.  Si'huyler,  in  writing;  10  Watbinj-ton  un  the  illh, 
aanounccil  Allen 'ii"  di<imiiii>al,"and  added:  "  That  a  certain  petM>n  ii  engaged  in 
the  encmy'i  intcreili  I  make  Utile  doubt  of.  but  I  do  out  think  it  cither  pru- 
dent or  politic  tbal  he  thoald  be  nciied  al  pieicnl  ;  a  little  time  will  probably 
tumiah  u«  wilh  viitfidrnl  tCHlimony  (or  a  conviction." 

The  truce  thu«  granted  to  Vermont  awakened  many  tuipiciom  of  a  Ireokona- 
ble  connection  between  the  Briciib  and  tome  Vermont  leaden.  The  State  had 
applied  to  Congreaa  for  admiminn  into  the  ConfcJBmlion,  and  receiving  no 
reply,  an  alliance  wilh  the  other  New  England  Siatei  wai  proposed,  because, 
it  wu  ouerted,  Vermont  was  kepi  out  of  the  Union  throni^h  ihc  undue  influence 
of  the  eontii^aut  Statm.  •:Uiming  jiirimliciion  (la  December.  17S0).  A  d«> 
Mand  had  been  made  of  New  York  for  ii  rcUnquiikineDt  of  iti  cUimi.  and  in 
Fcbmnry.  the  New  Vork  Senate  rciolved  10  appoint  commiuionen  to  i^etlle  ihe 
Itrmiion  which  New  Vork  would  accede,  hut  the  lluu>*  wcic  prevented  from 
coniiderins  thii  retolulion  "  by  a  inreat  of  the  go\*cmorto  prturuGur  the  General 
A«embly."  Schuyler  was  strongly  in  favor  of  an  immediate  acknowledjcment 
of  their  Independence,  that  they  "  ini|>ht  l>c  madniicfiil  lu  ihc  common  cauM^" 
But  Ginton  did  not  wiih  aclion.  u  the  iflair  had  been  rcfened  lo  the  dedilon 
o(CoiigTC*(. 


':8iJ 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


«« 


on  die  occasion  was  my  inability  to  afford  relief. 
Such  partial  supplies  however  as  were  on  hand,  to 
the  very  last  barrel  of  meat,  I  ordered  instantly  to  be 
sent,  and  have  promised  General  Clinton  what  further 
succor  the  States  will  enable  mc  to  j^vc.    Major-Gen- 


tn  Dacraibri,  17S0,  Hatdimaiid  drew  up  hu  instracHoiu  foi  hit  commisnun- 
en,  ud  inaened  ihe  ofiei  of  (icrmaine,  ad<iln|;  ■  pcoiniu  that  Allen  knd  Chli- 
lenrfcn  thiiaM  be  ptwiiUd  with  comiiiandk.  In  Kcbriiarj ,  Ucverly  Kubniuoii 
acain  wmte  Allen,  rencwini'  Iiii  prapaiilioii,  i.viA  Allen  Mnl  both  uf  Koliinxn't 
Idlert  l»  tbc Coniiucntal  ConEreis.  In  April  Allen  wat  chosen  a  Btif^ller- 
Gcncral  \r)  th*  State,  anil  HalrliuiniKl  wcitc  (.Icrtnaiiie  ctpKMing  hit  nupU 
cioni  that  Allen  vat  endoavonn);  to  deoeivr  lioth  Con^^H  uid  him  (]0  Aptil). 
Tbc  tnspiidooi  of  Schuylcf  increaiol,  And  he  urate  to  W&ihineion  : 

"Th«  (»ndact  o(  ih*  Vonnunlmr  is  niyvlerioiik,  and  if  the  rcpotlh  which 
(netallf  preiatl  are  ircll  founded,  their  menHirc*  »ill  certainljr  he  attended 
witb  )laii|[ciou>  ctii»>c>|iien<es  111  thik  and  the  other  United  Slita.  I  cannot 
hcnrmr  beliei-c  that  Ilic  bulk  uf  the  people  am  in  the  leiret.  I  nithet  cimjcc- 
nm  thu  the  pcnoD  whom  we  in*peol«d  tail  yeartohave  been  in  Nen  York,  and 
■Miiic  othm,  are  ihe  only  culpable  onei,  and  Ihtl  Ihcf  amuxe  the  people  with 
mailing  ibcm  beliete  that  the  whole  of  Iheir  negotiation  with  (ieneral  Ilaldi- 
naad  h  merely  calculated  to  |[ivc  Con|[reai  and  thit  State  ihe  alarm,  (hat  the 
indepcndenve  iiF  Vcttnuiii  may  li«  ackaowtodiced,     ,     .     . 

"  I  auccrvly  with  theylCongrai]  wotild  tpeedily  decide,  acltnowlwlge  them 
Independent,  and  admit  them  into  the  union.  If  Ihii  wai  inilantly  dome,  Ihe 
ravauirsa  of  Iheir  leaden  wuuld  be  bruuglil  to  the  Ie«l.  and  we  should  knov  If 
they  had  only  tended  to  bring  about  their  In  dependence,  or  to  coancci  Iheni' 
fclTea  with  the  enemy.  But,  nnlewt  Conjiieu  arc  |iu<iheil  to  a  den»«ii.  I  be- 
lieov  Ihoy  will  do  nothing  in  it :  hut  who  in  lu  urge  them.  I  Icimw  not.  'rhe 
fDvetsor  cannot  do  it  officially,  and  our  delenalei.  1  believe,  will  not.  unlt» 
they  bcllcTC  that  the  decidon  will  (^  agninhl  the  Verinnnlcte." — LrlCer,  Sara- 
Hf».  May  4lh. 

On  May  lit,  Ira  Allen,  the  only  representative  of  VcttnonI  in  the  negotin- 
lion*  for  a  cartel,  tet  out  (or  liili^  aut  Noii  to  meet  the  Rriiikh  comniii.>ioner>, 
and  his  ciKi(ereni;e  extended  (lum  the  Stb  till  ihe  3;lh.  The  cnrlel  wa«  coin, 
pieied  and  an  attempt  made  lodelenninelhccoDditioni  under  which  Vermont 
wonM  join  the  Brilihh,  hut  thi<.  came  to  naught.  Wai.hington  wrote  to  Briga- 
diei-Geneml  jam»  Clinton  im  JliIv  gth  :  "I  Lan  give  no  cuunienancc  to  any 
canti  which  may  hare  been  settled  between  the  people  nl  Vermont,  and  th« 
govetvot  of  C;inada.  and  so  1  lately  informed  Mr.  Chittenden. 
I  with  there  may  not  be  other  liuilncki.  iraiiiaLied  under  Ihe  cover  of  a  Hag  (rotn 
VtnBoat  lo  Canada  brndett  theetchange  of  pris<iD*n>" 


«5o 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[178. 


eral  Heath  hath  gone  to  the  several  eastern  States,  to 
enforce  my  pointed  representations,  rouse  them  to 
more  vigorous  exertions,  and  to  make  arrangements 
for  supplies  during  the  whole  campaign.  I  cannot 
but  hope  this  measure  will  be  attended  with  success. 
1  am,  &c. 


TO  THE   I'RESIDENT  OF  CONCRESa 

Hrab  Qvakteks,  Nkw  Wihdsui, 
17  May.  1781. 

Sir, 

His  Excellency  the  Count  dc  Rochambeau  having 
received  despatches  from  the  court  of  France  by  his 
son,  the  Viscount  de  Rochambeau.  who  arrived  at 
Boston  in  the  frigate  la  Concorde,  the  6th  instant, 
has  requested  an  interview  with  me.  I  have  ap- 
pointed the  place  of  meeting  at  Weathersfield,  on 
Monday  next,  for  which  purpose  1  shall  set  out  to- 
morrow from  hence.  I  am  in  hopes,  wc  shall  be  able, 
from  the  intelligence  received,  to  settle  a  definitive 
plan  of  campaign. 

I  am  sorry  to  inform  your  Excellency,  that  a  part 
of  our  advanced  troops  were  surprised  on  Monday 
morning  nearCroton  River,  by  about  sixty  horse  and 
two  hundred  foot  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
Delancey.  Colonel  Greene,  who  commanded  our 
parly,  was  mortally  wounded  in  his  quarters.  The 
enemy  attempted  to  carry  him  off,  but  he  died  upon 
the  road.  Major  Flagg  was  killed.  The  loss  of  these 
officers  is  to  be  regretted,  especially  the  former,  who 
had   upon   several   occasions  distinguished   himself. 


I78r] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


151 


particularly  in  the  defence  of  the  post  at  Red  Bank. 
in  1777.  whrn  he  defeated  Count  Donop.  I  enclose 
a  return  of  our  loss  upon  the  lace  occasion. 

The  enemy  on  their  return  fell  in  with  Captain 
Fog  of  the  New  Hampshire  line,  who  was  patrolling 
near  the  White  Plains.  They  attempted  to  surround 
him,  and  cut  him  off  by  dint  of  superior  numbers  ; 
but  the  captain  made  so  good  a  disposition  of  his 
small  force,  that  he  brought  ihcm  off  with  the  loss  of 
two  men  only.  The  enemy  had  a  captain  and  several 
men  killed  in  the  attack.  I  have  the  honor  to  be, 
&c.- 


SUBSTANCE      OF      A      CONFERENCE      BETWEEN      CENEltAL 

WASHINGTON    AND     COUNT     DE     ROCHAMBKAU 

AT  WEATHERSFIELD,   23    MAV.   1781.' 

KiKHAMRKAU. — Concerning  a  project  of  employing  the  si|uad- 
FOD  at  Newport  to  transport  the  French  army  to  ihc  Chesapeake 
B«y,  he  consulted  Count  dc  Barras,  who  deemed  it  impractica- 

'  R«ad  in  Congrtas.  April  3 III. 

*  GMtcnh  Knox  and  Duportiil  had  acc<>ni|>!inled  th«  Commander-in-chief 
to  Weithcniiclil.     Tlir  (allowing  'm  an  cxtni't  (mm  Wwhinglon't  Diary. 

"May  \%lk.  Set  oul  ihii  day  (orthe  inlerricw  nl  Wcalhenficld  with  Ihe 
Countde  Rocbambcau  and  AdmiraJ  Barrav.  HcAclicd  M»r£in'i>  Tavern,  (arl]r> 
ibntr  tnilet  (mni  Kitlikill  l.anrlin^,  ifler  diiiiii^  >I  Ciilcictrl  VandcbtrrghV 

■■  19/A.  Brraltf ajicd  al  t.itchtield ;  dined  at  Kamiington  ;  and  lodged  at 
Wealhenlicld,  Bl  the  hnuiieof  Mr.  Jowpli  Weliti. 

"  valk.  Had  Sj-ixMl  iltat  ofpHvttn  crtnvcmliaii  willi  Ciiiv^nior  Trumbull, 
will)  8i<r«  il  to  me  ai  hii  opinion,  thai,  if  an^  imporuni  olI«ntive  operation 
iihoold  be  uniterlaken,  he  bad  little  doubt  o(  out  obtaining  men  and  provljJoD  ad- 
■i^yillo  l»o<>r  vvaiils.    In  lliis  o|riniuii  Colonel  WadMvorlli  snil  oll1er^  concurred, 

"  SI*/,     Count  d«  Rochambeau,  with  the  Chevalier  ile  ChAitellui,  urived 
aboal  noon.     The  appearance  of  Ihc  Brillth  fleet,  under  Adminl  Arbulhnol, 
oir  Block  I»lin<1,  ;>rcvenlcd  the  .illondancc  o(  Ihp  Couiil  de  Barrai, 
'Vtd.     Filed  with  Count  dc  Rochambcau  ibc  plan  o(  cunpaign. 

"  131/.    Count  de  RochaitilieaukCt  oul  1111  hittelurn  10  Newport,  while  1  pre- 


»5« 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


ble,  chiefly  on  account  of  the  inferiority  of  the  naval  force  lo  that 
of  the  enemy.     The  objections  were  mentioned  in  detail.' 

(«.  Washington. — "However  destiablc  such  an  went  might 
have  been,  the  reasons  assigned  by  Count  de  Barran  are  aufScient 
to  prove  its  imprncticabiltty." 

Roc HAMBE A u.— Should  thc  Frcnch  army  march  to  the  North 
River,  will  ihc  squadron  be  safe  at  Newport  under  a  guard  of 
militia  ?  By  secret  instructions  he  is  not  permitted  to  sepa* 
rate  hi»  army,  except  fur  detachments  of  a  short  duration.  Count 
dc  Barras  thinks  thc  squndion  would  not  be  secure,  if  thc  enemy 
should  take  possession  of  Rhode  Island  ;  and,  moreovcT,  he  has 
been  instructed,  thai,  in  case  thc  army  should  march  into  the 
country,  his  Heet  should  proceed  lo  Boston. 

id,  WASHisr.TON  — "  [t  IN  Gcnl,  Washington'*  opinion,  thatthc 
plan  of  Campaign  will  render  it  necessary  for  thc  French  army 
lo  March  from  Newport  towards  the  North  River  as  soon  as  possi- 
ble, aad  that  consequently  it  will  be  advisable  for  the  Count  de 
Barras  (agreeable  to  hi.s  instructions  in  that  case  provided)  to 
teek  the  first  favorable  moment  of  removing  the  squadron  under 
his  command  to  Boston." 

RocKAMBEAU. — In  that  case  what  does  General  Washington 
propose  about  Rhode  Island  ?  Does  he  intend  it  should  be  kept 
by  a  general  officer  and  a  body  of  American  militia  f  It  is  to  be 
observed,  that  if  in  (he  hurricane  months  the  French  fleet  should 


pared  and  rorvtarded  deipatdica  lo  the  ptvvrwxt  of  the  fonr  New  England 
Sutci.  calline  on  ihem  in  comcM  and  iioimed  Icrm*  lo  comi'lctr  their  Conti- 
iicntsJ  hKiixlii>ii)  (or  the  iaiii|i»i|;n  nl  IcnM,  if  it  could  nol  be  done  lor  the  rar 
or  threv  yean  ;  to  bold  a  body  of  mflitia,  according  to  Ihc  pto^iortion  {iven  Ut 
Ihcm,  read}'  to  match  in  one  neck  after  beln|>  called  for ;  and  lo  a4opl  soma 
elTeclual  mode  in  hujiply  (lie  iroupt  irheii  aueobled  wilh  provitJons  and  the 
mf«nt  of  Irampodalion.  [  dlio  solicited  the  EOTemon  of  Mauachuielts  and 
Connecticut  camciily  for  a  lonnof  powder, 

"  14'*.  Set  out  on  my  return  to  New  Windsor.  Dined  al  FaimioBton  aad 
lodged  at  Liichlidd. 

"  15/4.  Brcikfattcd  at  Coggiwdl'c ;  dined  at  Colonel  Vandebcrg't ;  and 
arrived  it  litad-iguaitert  shout  lunMI." 

'  The  nibitancc  only  of  Count  de  Rodurnbcan'*  propoiitlont  tnd  qneriei 
i>  here  stated.  Thc  icpliu  anil  tcuiarkt  of  Wuhlngton  are  printed  in  full,  at 
iranKritwd  (ron  the  rccordt. 


i7«i] 


G£OXG£  WASHJ.VGTOy, 


«ss 


come  to  the  cout,  the  harbor  oC  Rhode  Islud  nt^  be  of  me 
lo  the  opentiofts  of  the  u}iMdn»n,  ehfaer  for  a  ttnioa  to  act 
against  New  York,  or  a*  a  place  of  retreat  in  case  of  raUfbmne. 

3d.  Washikctok. — "As  the  harbor  of  Rhode  Island  may  be 
useful  to  the  fleets  of  his  Most  Christian  Majcstj-.  it  isGenl.  Wash- 
ington's opinion,  that  a  force  should  be  left  for  the  security  of 
Newport ;  but,  aa  the  Eneny  will  not  be  in  a  conditioD,  from  the 
present  drcMtnttanceK  of  their  affairn,  to  detach  any  coRsiderabte 
body  of  men  to  rc-posscss  the  Island,  it  is  agreed  between  Hi* 
Excellency  Count  dc  Rochambcau  and  GcnI.  Washington,  that 
500  Militia  under  a  good  officer  will  be  sufficient  for  the  Guards 
for  the  worki ;  but,  in  case  of  an  enterprise  against  them,  a  greater 
force  should  be  called  for  their  defence." 

RocHAMBEAO. — If  General  Washington  resolves  that  Rhode 
Island  shall  be  left,  and  the  works  destroyed,  docs  he  consider 
the  siege  artillery,  powder,  magazines,  and  heavy  stores,  which 
cannot  follow  the  French  army  in  a  land  march,  as  aafe  at  Provi- 
dence under  the  two  hundred  French  troops  and  the  militia  i  For 
such  an  object  the  English  may  attempt  an  enterprise  to  sciie  these 
stores.  Would  they  not  be  more  secure,  if  taken  with  the  fled  to 
Boston  ? 

4th.  Washington. — "  In  the  former  communications  between 
His  Excellency  Count  dc  Rochambcau  and  Gent,  Washington,  it 
was  understood,  that  the  French  Fleet  was  to  have  remained  in  the 
harbor  of  Newport  after  the  removal  of  the  army ;  and  there- 
fore Trovidcnce  was  fixed  upon  as  a  safe  and  proper  deposit  of 
the  heavy  artillery  and  spare  stores. — It  now  being  determined, 
that  the  fleet  shall  embrace  the  first  opportunity  of  going  round 
to  the  Harbor  of  Boston,  it  is  lo  be  wished,  that  the  heavy  ar- 
tillery and  spare  Stores  should  be  sent  round  also.  Hut  <!cnl. 
Washington  being  informed  by  His  Excellency  Count  de  Rodiam- 
bcau,  that  they  have  been  already  deposited  at  Providence,  and 
that  it  will  be  impossible,  under  the  present  circumstances  of  the 
Fleet,  and  want  of  Transportation,  to  remove  them  to  Uoslon,  he 
is  of  opinion,  that  they  may  safely  remain  there  under  the  guard 
of  zoo  French  Troops,  who  will  be  aided  by  the  Militia  of  (he 
Country  in  case  of  need.  The  possession  of  Newport  will  add  to 
tbeii  security." 


«54 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


f.781 


RocKAUBEAU. — Should  the  squadron  from  the  West  Indies  ar- 
rive in  these  seas,  an  event  that  will  probably  be  announced  by  a 
frigate  beforehand,  what  Ojterations  will  General  Washinglon  have 
in  view,  after  a  union  of  the  French  army  with  his  own  ? 

5th.  Washington. — "The  Enemy,  by  several  deUchmcnts 
from  New  York,  having  reditced  their  force  at  that  Post  to  less  than 
one  half  of  the  number,  which  they  had  at  the  lime  of  the  former 
conference  al  Hartford  in  September  last,  it  is  thotighi  advisa- 
ble to  form  a  junction  of  the  French  and  American  Armies  upon 
the  North  River,  an  soon  ai;  possible,  and  move  down  10  the 
vicinity  of  New  York,  to  be  ready  to  take  advantage  of  any  op- 
portunity, which  the  weakness  of  the  enemy  may  alTord.  Should 
the  West  Indies  Fleet  arrive  upon  the  Coast,  the  force  thus 
combined  may  cither  proceed  in  (he  operation  against  New  Yk.. 
or  may  be  directed  against  the  enemy  in  some  other  quarter,  as 
circumstances  shall  dictate.  The  great  waste  of  men,  (which 
we  have  found  from  experience)  in  long  marches  to  the  Southern 
Slates,  the  advanced  season  now  to  commence  these  in,  and  the 
difficulties  and  expense  of  Land  transportation  thither,  with  other 
considerations  too  well  known  to  His  Bxcellcncy  Count  dc  Ro- 
chambeau  to  need  detailing,  point  out  the  preference,  which  sa 
operation  against  New  York  seems  to  have  in  present  circum- 
itances  over  an  attempt  to  send  a  force  to  the  southward." 

Answer  to  the  P.  S. : 

"  The  observation  upon  the  4th  head  tufiiciently  answers  this. 
U  the  numerals  500  militia  proposed  to  be  stationed  at  Newport 
may  be  disposed  of  in  any  manner  which  His  Excellency  Count 
de  Rochambeau  may  think  proper."  Wcathcrslield,  33d  May, 
1781. 


TO  THE  CHEVALIER    DE    LA    LUZERNE. 

WxATiia*sFiK].D,  aj  May.  1781. 

Sir. 

The  letter,  which  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  from 
the  Count  de  Rochambeau,  will,  I  irtiagine.  inform 
you  of  the  intended  march  of  the  French  army  tow- 


I78i] 


GEORGE  WASHTNGTOIf. 


»5S 


ards  the  North  River,  and  of  the  destination  of  the 
King's  squadron  now  in  the  harbor  of  Newport,  (if 
circumstances  will  admit  of  the  respective  move- 
ments.) I  should  be  wanting  in  respect  and  confi- 
dence, were  I  not  to  add  that  our  object  is  New  York. 
The  season,  the  difficulty  and  expense  of  land  trans- 
portations, and  the  continual  waste  of  men  in  every 
attempt  to  reinforce  the  southern  States,  are  almost 
insuperable  objections  to  marching  another  detach- 
ment from  the  army  on  the  North  River ;  nor  do  I 
see  how  it  is  possible  to  give  effectual  support  to 
those  States,  and  avert  the  evils  which  threaten  them, 
while  we  are  inferior  in  naval  force  in  these  Seas. 

It  is  not  forme  to  know  in  what  manner  the  Fleet 
of  His  Most  Christian  Majesty  is  to  be  employed  in 
the  W.  Indies  this  summer,  or  to  inquire  at  what 
epocha  it  may  be  expected  on  this  Coast ;  but  the 
appearance  and  aid  of  it  in  this  Quarter  are  of  such 
essential  importance  in  any  offensive  operation,  and 
so  necessarj'to  slop  the  progress  of  the  enemy's  arms 
to  the  southward,  I  shall  be  excused,  I  am  persuaded, 
for  endeavoring  to  engage  your  good  offices  in  facili- 
tating an  event  on  which  so  much  depends.  For  this 
I  have  a  stronger  plea,  when  I  assure  you,  that  Gen- 
eral Rochambeau's  opinion  and  wishes  concur  with 
mine,  and  that  it  is  at  his  instance  principally  I  make 
to  you  this  address. 

If  we  are  happy  enough  to  find  your  Excellency  in 
sentiment  with  us,  it  will  be  in  your  power  to  inform 
the  Count  de  Grasse  of  the  strength  and  situation  of 
the  enemy's  Naval  and  land  force  in  this  Country, 


«s« 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[tjSi 


the  destination  of  the  French  squadron  under  Admi- 
ral Barras.  and  the  intention  of  the  Allied  arms  If  a 
junction  can  be  formed.  At  present  the  B.  Fleet 
lyes  within  Block  Island,  and  about  five  leagues  from 
Point  Judith. 

The  Count  de  Rochambeau  and  the  Chevr.  Clias- 
tellux  agree  perfectly  in  sentiment  with  me,  that, 
while  affrs.  remain  as  they  now  are.  the  West  India 
fleet  should  run  immediately  to  Sandy  Hook  if  there 
are  no  concerted  operations,  where  they  may  be  met 
with  all  the  information  requisite,  and  where  most 
likely  it  will  shut  in.  or  cut  off,  Adml.  Arbuthnot, 
and  may  be  joined  by  the  Count  de  Barras.  An 
early  and  frequent  communication  from  the  Count 
de  Grasse  would  lead  to  preparatory'  measures  on  our 
part,  and  be  a  means  of  facilitating  the  operation  in 
hand,  or  any  other,  which  may  be  thought  more 
advisable.  I  know  your  Excellency's  goodness  and 
your  zeal  for  the  common  cause  too  well,  to  offer  any 
thing  more  as  an  apology  for  this  liberty  ;  and  I 
persuade  myself  it  is  unnecessarj*  for  me  to  declare 
the  respect  and  attachment,  with  which  I  have  the 
honor  to  be.  &c. 


CIRCULAR    I.FTTER    TO    THE   STATES. 


I 


WBATNeKSFIRLn.  14  May,  I7S1. 


Sir, 

[fi  con«<;(]uencc  of  a  conference  held  between  the  Count  dc 
Kochamlteau  and  myself  at  this  place,  the  French  army  will 
march,  as  soon  as  circum^anccs  mil  admit,  and  form  a  junction 
with  (he  American  upon  Uic  North  River.  The  accomplishment 
of  the  object,  which  we  have  in  contemplation,  is  of  the  utmost 


I78i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


ni 


importance  to  America,  and  will,  in  all  probability  be  attained, 
unless  there  should  be  a  failure  on  our  part  io  the  number  of 
men,  which  will  be  required  for  the  operation,  or  the  enemy 
should  withdraw  a  considerable  part  of  their  force  from  the  south- 
wKid.  It  is  in  our  own  power,  by  proper  exertions,  to  prevent 
the  lirst ;  and,  should  the  last  take  place,  wc  shall  be  amply  repaid 
our  expenses,  by  libernting  the  southern  Slates,  n-herc  we  have 
found  by  experience  we  are  only  vulnerable. 

Upon  the  cnlcuIation»,  that  I  have  been  able  in  concert  witli 
some  of  the  most  experienced  French  and  American  officers  to 
form,  the  operation  in  view  will  require,  in  addition  to  the  French 
army,  all  the  Continental  battalions  from  New  Hampshire  to  New 
Jersey  inclusive  to  be  completed  lo  their  full  establishment.  You 
must  be  sensible,  that  the  measures  taken  for  that  purpose,  in 
consequence  of  the  last  requisition  of  Congress,  have  been  very 
far  from  answering  the  end  ;  as  feu-  recruits,  comparatively 
•peaking,  have  yet  been  sent  forward,  and  of  those,  many  have 
been  discharged  on  account  of  inability.  Vou  must  also  lalcc 
into  consideration,  that  a  number  of  those  men,  who  were  returned 
when  the  requisition  was  made,  have  since  been  taken  olT  by  the 
various  casualiies  incident  to  an  army  ;  1  estimate  about  one  sixth 
of  the  number,  therefore  provision  must  at  this  time  be  made  to 
replace  them. 

From  what  has  been  premised,  you  will  perceive,  without  my 
urging  further  reasons,  the  necessity  I  am  under  of  calling  upon 
you  in  the  most  earnest  manner,  to  devise  means  to  send  into  the 
lield  without  delay  the  number  of  men,  which  have  been  already 
voted  for  the  completion  of  the  battalions  of  your  State,  and  the 
further  deficiency  of  one  sixth  just  mentioned.  The  term  of 
three  years,  or  for  the  war,  would  undoubtedly  be  preferable  to 
any  shorter  period  :  but  if  they  cannot  be  obtained  on  (hose  con- 
ditions, necessity  must  oblige  us  to  take  them  for  the  campaign 
only,  which  ought  to  be  reckoned  to  the  last  of  Uecember.  t 
should  hope,  that,  by  proper  exertions  in  collecting  and  sending 
forward  the  men  thai  have  been  already  raised,  and  compelling 
by  vigorous  and  decisive  methods  the  delinquent  towns  to  fur- 
nish their  quotas,  the  greater  part  of  the  men  may  be  collected 
by  the  ist  of  July. 
I? 


'58 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


Arguments  xttreljr  cannot  be  vanting  to  impress  the  lefpslature 
with  3.  true  sense  of  the  obligation,  which  they  are  under,  of  fur- 
nishing the  means  now  called  for.  The  enemy,  counting  upon  our 
want  of  ability,  or  upon  our  want  of  energy,  have,  by  repeated  de- 
tachments to  the  southward,  reduced  themselves  in  New  York  lo 
a  situation,  which  invites  us  to  take  advantage  of  it  ;  and,  should 
the  lucky  moment  be  lost,  it  is  to  be  feared  that  they  will,  after 
subduing  the  southern  States,  raise  a  force  in  them,  sufficient  to 
hold  them,  and  return  again  to  the  northward  with  such  a  num- 
ber of  men,  as  will  render  New  York  secure  against  any  force, 
which  we  can  at  this  time  of  day  raise  or  maintain.  Our  allies  in 
this  country  expect  and  depend  upon  being  supported  hy  us  in 
the  attempt,  which  wc  are  about  to  make,  and  those  in  Europe 
nrill  be  astonished,  should  we  neglect  the  favorable  opportunity, 
which  is  now  offered. 

As  it  is  probable,  that  some  militia,  in  addition  to  the  full  com- 
plement of  Continental  troops,  may  be  necessary  to  support  com- 
munications  and  other  purposes,  you  will  be  pleased  to  direct 
'  ■  "  ■  men  to  be  held  in  readiness  to  march  within  one  we«k 
after  I  shall  call  for  them,  to  serve  three  months  after  they  have , 
Joined  the  army.  And  I  would  lake  the  liberty  of  requesting,  that 
the  executive  may  be  vested  with  full  powers,  during  the  recess, 
to  comply  with  any  further  requisition  I  may  make  for  men,  pro- 
visions, or  for  the  means  of  transportation,  which  last  may  be 
most  essential  in  the  course  of  our  operations,  should  it  become 
necessary  to  bring  provisions  or  stores  from  a  distance. 

I  shall  be  glad  10  be  favored  with  an  answer  as  soon  as  possi- 
ble, with  an  assurance  of  what  I  may  depend  upon  ;  that,  if  I  do 
not  clearly  see  a  prospect  of  being  supported,  I  may  turn  my 
views  to  a  defensive  instead  of  an  offensive  plan,  and  save  the 
States  and  our  allies  the  expense,  which  would  be  needlessly  in- 
curred by  any  but  an  ample  and  effectual  preparation. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.' 

'  The  number  of  iniliiU  requciled  (ram  Mauachuteiit  wu  iwij  thousand  two 
huDdccil,  Irom  Cuiiiicctlfut  tiftccti  huadi«d,  fruin  Pinntylvaiiia.  sitlceii  hun- 
dred, from  Nen  llsmpihjro  Tour  hundred,  and  ffom  New  Jericy  live  hundred. 
At  the  defeiKC  of  Ncwpoct.  after  the  French  umy  xhould  leave  il,  w«>,  10 
bconlTuircd  to  the  miticia  o(  Khodc  Itluiil.  nu  tiiitllia  were  tcquirtd  (lom  that 


i78i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


•59 


TO  THE   PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

IlKADQuANTni,  Nkw  Wiitdsoi, 
Sir,  .7  May.  .78.. 

I  do  myscU  tKe  honor  to  inform  Congress,  that  I 
returned  from  Weathersfield  on  the  evening  of  the 
35th.  I  met  only  the  Count  de  Rochambeau  at  that 
place,  accompanied  by  the  Chevalier  de  Chastellux. 
The  British  fleet  having  appeared  off  Block  Island, 
the  Count  de  Barras  did  not  think  it  prudent  to  be 
absenL  In  consequence  of  the  measures  concerted 
at  the  late  interview,  all  the  French  troops,  except 
about  two  hundred  to  be  left  as  a  guard  otfer  their 
heavy  stores  and  baggage  at  Providence,  are  to  march 
as  soon  as  circumstances  will  admit,  and  form  a  junc- 
tion with  mc  upon  the  North  River.  Five  hundred 
militia  are  to  be  stationed  upon  Rhode  Island  for  the 
preser%'ation  of  the  works,  which  have  been  erected, 
and  for  the  security  of  the  harbor. 

Upon  a  full  consideration  of  afTairs  in  every  point 
ot  view,  an  operation  against  New  York  has  been 
deemed  preferable  to  making  further  detachments  to 
the  southward,  while  they  can  only  be  sent  by  land. 
The  principal  reasons,  which  induced  to  this  determi- 
nation, are  as  follows  :  the  difficulty  and  expense  of 
transportation,  the  lateness  of  the  season,  which 
would  throw  the  troops  into  the  extremity  of  the  heat 
of  summer ;  the  gfeat  waste  of  men,  which  wc 
have  ever  experienced  in  so  long  a  march  at  the 

Sttte  to  r«ni  tlw  ixm^.  Sood  aher  PcaM^lraKia  wa*  ealad  apM  u  fcndJi 
two  ■."T"--'  fitekaddrcd  «c*  (or  the  «oulhtra  vmj,  tmA  iti  q*ota  vadcr  thr 
■bove  call  waa  allaaad  la  dw  odwr  Suu*. 


»6o 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[>?«' 


healthiest  season ;  and,  above  all,  a  strong  presump- 
tion, that  the  enemy,  weakened  as  they  now  are  by 
detachments,  must  either  sacrifice  the  valuable  post 
of  New  York  and  its  dependencies,  or  recall  a  part 
of  their  force  from  the  southward  to  defend  them. 

The  Continental  battalions,  from  New  Hampshire 
to  New  Jersey  inclusive,  (supposing  them  complete.) 
aided  by  four  thousand  French  troops,  and  such  a 
reinforcement  of  militia  as  the  operation  after  its 
commencement  may  seem  to  require,  have  been 
deemed  adequate  to  the  attempt  upon  New  York 
with  its  present  garrison.  But,  as  the  battalions  of 
those  States  are  still  considerably  deficient.  I  have 
written  in  the  most  pressing  manner  to  the  respec- 
tive legislatures,  to  make  up  such  deficiencies  with 
men  for  the  campaign  only,  if  they  cannot  be  ob- 
tained for  a  longer  term,  and  have  desired  the  gov- 
ernors to  hold  certain  numbers  of  militia  ready  for 
service,  should  I  have  occasion  to  call  for  them.  I 
am  however  determined  to  require  no  more,  than  are 
absolutely  necessary.  I  shall  also  call  on  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania  to  hold  sixteen  hundred  militia  in 
readiness. 

Congress  have  been  made  so  fully  acquainted  with 
the  difficulties  of  every  kind,  under  which  the  military 
department  labors,  that  they  must  be  sensible  that 
nothing  but  the  most  vigorous  exertions  on  the  part 
of  the  States  to  supply  men,  provisions,  and  the 
means  of  transportation,  can  enable  me  to  prosecute 
to  effect  the  operations,  which  1  have  agreed,  in  con- 
junction with  the  army  of  our  ally,  to  undertake,  or 


ij8i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


s«i 


indeed  any  other.  At  the  time  I  made  my  requisi- 
tions upon  them,  I  summed  up  ever)' argument  in  my 
power  to  induce  a  compliance  ;  but,  should  I  find  any 
hesitation,  I  shall  hope  for  the  countenance  and  sup- 
port of  Congress. 

I  am  very  apprehensive  of  a  formidable  invasion 
of  the  northern  frontier,  as  the  enemy  from  Canada 
are  undoubtedly  collecting  in  considerable  force  at 
Crown  Point.  Should  this  be  the  case,  it  will 
cause  a  very  unfortunate  diversion,  and  be  very  em- 
barrassing just  at  this  time,  when  our  whole  force  will 
be  required  here.  The  necessity,  which  I  clearly  fore- 
see we  shall  be  under,  of  carrying  every  man,  who 
can  be  spared  from  other  duties,  into  the  field,  induces 
me  to  request  an  order  for  such  men  of  the  invalid 
corps  at  Boston  and  Philadelphia,  as  are  fit  for  garri- 
son duty,  may  be  ordered  to  march  to  West  Point, 
where  their  services  will  be  the  same  as  those  upon 
which  they  are  now  employed,  and  where  they  may 
be  ver>'  useful. 

There  has  been  a  necessity  of  abandoning  the  post 
of  Fort  Schuyler,  and  removing  the  garrison  and  stores 
to  the  German  Flats.  The  barracks  had  been,  the 
beginning  of  this  month,  consumed  by  fire,  and  the 
works  so  exceedingly  damaged  by  the  heavy  rain 
storm  that  they  were  rendered  indefensible ;  nor 
could  they  be  repaired  in  any  reasonable  time  by  the 
number  of  men,  who  could  be  spared  as  a  garrison. 
Brigadier-General  Clinton  recommended  th^  evacua- 
tion of  the  post,  as  the  only  alternative,  to  which  I 
the  more  readily  consented,  as  it  had  been  for  some 


a6a 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


time  past  the  opinion  of  the  officers  best  acquainted 
with  that  part  of  the  country,  that  a  post  at  the  Ger- 
man Flats  would  be  more  easily  supported,  and 
equally  advantageous  to  the  security  of  the  frontier. 
Upon  my  return  I  found  your  Excellency's  favors  of 
the  17th  and  20th.  and  Mr.  Secretary'  Thomson's  of 
the  loth.  I  shall  pay  due  attention  to  their  contents. 
I  am,  &c 


TO  JOHN    SULLIVAN,    IN  CONGRESS. 

HBAD  QUARini*,  NKW  WlKDtOK, 

39  May.  i;Si, 

Dear  Sir, 

1  have  been  favored  with  your  two  letters  of 
the  2d  &  17th  of  May;  the  former  reached  meat 
Weathersfield  after  I  had  met  the  Count  de  Rocham- 
beau  at  that  place,  from  which  time  to  the  present 
moment  my  whole  attention  has  been  so  occupied  by 
a  variety  of  concerns  that  I  have  been  hitherto  invol- 
untarily prevented  from  doing  myself  the  pleasure 
of  writing  to  you. 

No  Arguments  were  necessary  to  convince  me  of 
the  very  great  public  utility,  which  would  result  from 
the  success  of  the  plan,  you  proposed  laying  before 
Congress. — Had  1  been  unapprised  of  the  advantages, 
which  might  be  derived  to  our  cause  from  a  success- 
ful attempt,  or  even  a  powerful  diversion  in  that  quar- 
ter, the  reasons  you  have  offered  would  have  carried 
irrefragable  demonstration  with  them,  and  induced 
me  to  be  of  your  opinion.  But  the  perplexed,  dis- 
tressed and  embarrassed  state  of  our  affairs,  on  ac- 


'78'] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


.63 


count  of  supplies,  (with  which  you  arc  well  ac- 
quainted,) the  languid  efforts  of  the  States  to  procure 
men,  and  the  insuperable  difficulties  in  the  way  of 
transportation,  would,  I  apprehend,  have  rendered 
the  scheme  (however  devoutly  to  be  wished  and  de- 
sired) abortive  in  the  first  instance  And  I  must  inform 
you,  that  there  is  yet  another  obstacle,  which  makes 
the  attempt  you  have  suggested  absolutely  impractica- 
bU  with  the  means  you  propose,  but  which  I  dare 
not  commit  to  paper,  for  fear  of  the  same  misfor* 
tune,  which  has  already  happened  to  some  of  my 
letters. 

You  will  have  seen  before  the  receipt  of  this,  by 
my  public  letter  to  Congress  of  the  27th  instant,  the 
result  of  the  deliberations  of  the  Count  de  Rocham- 
beau  and  myself  at  Weathersfield.  That  plan,  upon 
the  maturest  consideration,  and  after  combining  all 
the  present  circumstances  and  future  prospects,  ap- 
peared, (tho'  precarious,)  far  the  most  eligible  of  any 
we  could  possibly  devise,  whilst  we  are  inferior  at  sea. 
The  object  was  considered  to  be  of  greater  magnitude, 
and  more  within  our  reach,  than  any  other.  The 
weakness  of  the  garrison  of  New  York,  the  centrical 
position  for  drawing  together  men  and  supplies,  and 
the  spur,  which  an  attempt  against  that  place,  would 
give  to  ever)-  exertion,  were  among  the  reasons,  which 
prompted  to  that  undertaking,  and  which  promised 
the  fairest  prospect  of  success,  unless  the  enemy 
should  recall  a  considerable  part  of  their  force  from 
the  southward.  And  even  in  this  case,  the  same 
measure,  which  might  produce  disappointment  in  one 


•C4 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[178' 


quarter,  would  certainly  in  the  event  afford  the  great- 
est relief  in  another.  While  an  opportunity  presents 
itself  of  striking  the  enemy  a  fatal  blow,  I  will 
persuade  mysplf,  the  concurring  exertions  of  Con- 
gress, of  the  several  States  immediately  concerned, 
and  of  every  individual  in  them,  who  is  well  affected 
to  our  cause,  will  be  united  In  yielding  every  possible 
aid  on  the  occasion.  At  this  crisis,  while  1  rejoice  at 
the  appointment  of  the  minister  of  finance,  1  have 
sincerely  to  regret,  that  the  ministers  of  the  other 
departments  have  not  also  been  appointed,  especially 
a  minister  of  war.  At  the  same  time  I  am  happy  to 
learn,  the  mode  of  promotion  is  on  the  point  of  being 
finally  established.  With  the  highest  sentiments  of 
regard.  I  am.  &c.' 

'  This  letter  wm  intctccpled  by  the  enemy,  lenl  to  Ihe  Britiah  miniitry,  ind 
pnbl!ih«d  In  IhaZvni/iHi  Cautlt  on  ilic  14th  ol  Jdy.  Otben  of  t  RimlUr  irn«t 
wn««lio  iDlercepltd,  ind  Sir  Henty  Clinton  leemi  lo  have  coniidered  them 
u  written  (ot  that  purpose,  and  designedly  pul  in  the  way  at  bcin);  taken.  Ii 
hatbcen  lald  that  he  believed  [hey  wctr  iricanC  (nilecaJTe,  and  tliil  Wailiin^;- 
ton'i  plant  wne  aclually  the  r«v«ne  of  thost  mentioned  in  ihe  lettetv  Britiib 
hittoriani  have  adopted  thii  idea,  and  conimcnded  ii  at  .in  evidence  al  well- 
timed  addreuonlhe  pan  of  Ihe  AmcHcan  geneial.  Annanl  Ktgiilrr  far  ijSt, 
p.  lij. — ANDREWS.  Hiilrry  af  ikt  Lait  War,  vol.  iv.,  p.  igS.  It  ii  certain, 
howrevei  ibai  do  luch  deception  wu  intended,  and  that  the  letieiii  exprooed 
the  real  deiigni  of  the  Conimati<ler-iii-<hief.  The  Tint  imprenioni  of  Sir 
Henry  Clinton  oti  lbs  tubjeil  were  con(irni«d  by  a  confidential  letter  from  the 
Muquii  de  Chaitellui  lo  Ihe  Chevalier  de  la  l.merne,  inteiccpleil  nearly  al  the 
Mine  time,  in  which  Ihe  writer  ataicd  ihai  a  combined  al'ockun  New  York  had 
b*«n  deiorminei!  ujion,  and  look  to  himself  much  credit  for  bringing  over  Count 
d«  Rochambcau  to  General  Woihinglon'i  opinion.  The  lelict  aI«o  contained 
free  remailu  on  the  deportment  of  th«  f^rench  cmninander,  and  (he  reierve  in 
which  he  held  hiniicll  u  to  eoniiulling  with  hii  lubordinate  officer*.  A  copy 
ol  thii  letter  wax  carefully  tranimitled  from  New  Vnik  10  Count  de  Rocham- 
heau.  il being  doubtleii. deemed  weM  »u<lcd  lobMtil  BlrKe  in  ihe  French  c«mp. 
It  had  noi  Ihii  elTecl.'but  il  woi  rceeivcd  with  difpleaanic  by  Count  de  Kocham- 
beau.    "  I  tent  for  the  Maninis  d«  ChMietlnx."  aaid  h«  ;  "I  ihovred  him  tht 


i78r] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


26s 


TO    MAJOR-CHNEBAL   GRB8NB. 

HIAD  QUARIKM,  NBW  WlNDSOK, 

I  June,  iTBt. 

Mv  Dear  Sir, 

I  have  received  yoiir  favor  of  the  22d  &  271I1  of 
April,  inclosing  copies  of  your  letters  to  Congress. 

The  difficulties  which  you  daily  encounter  and  sur- 
mount with  your  small  force,  add  not  a  little  to  your 
reputation  ;  and  I  am  pretty  well  assured,  that,  should 
you  be  obliged  finally  to  withdraw  from  South  and 
even  from  North  Carolina,  it  would  not  be  attributed 
to  your  want  either  of  abilities  or  of  exertion,  but  to 
the  true  cause,  the  want  of  means  to  support  the 
war  in  them.  I  feel  for  your  mortification  at  the 
loss  of  the  day  before  Camden,  after  it  seemed  so 
much  in  your  favor;  but  I  hope  you  will  have  found, 
that  the  enemy  suffered  severely,  as  in  their  publi- 
cation of  the  affair  in  the  New  York  paper  they 
confess  the  loss  of  two  hundred.  The  reduction  of 
Fort  Watson  does  honor  to  General  Marion  and 
Colonel   Lee. 

I  have  lately  had  an  interview  with  Count  de  Ro- 
chambeau  at  Weathersfield.  Our  affairs  were  very 
attentively  considered  in  every  point  of  view,  and  it 

letter ;  I  ihen  threw  il  Into  Ihe  fire,  and  lell  Mm  ft  prey  lo  his  own  reflections." 
— MAneirti  de  Rethamheau,  loiii.  i..  p.  374. — !^rla. 

"  I  hai«  already  given  you  m)  upinion  (in  tome  late  I.eileti)  with  mpecl  to 
mf  Moveable  PrDpeily— iflci  removing  Ihe  moil  valutlile,  and  leail  liiilky  trti- 
dn — the  reii.  with  the  BuiMii'i"*  musi  take  their  Chame. — I  .im  pri-giared  (or 
Ihe  worst  Ihat  can  happen  la  th«m,  !■>  hear  (hetefoip  of  their  bi:ing  ptunderrd. 
or  burnl.  will  be  no  Surprise  lo  me.— In  ci»»e  a  Body  of  Troopi  >hauld  come 
into  lh«t  P«rt  of  the  C'nuntry  tbcIoiii[inK  10  the  r'leiny)  pulilic,  M  irell  t»  pri. 
v«ie  conndera lions,  require  that  Horm  and  Stock  of  all  hind*  should  be  driven 
out  of  their  reach."—  IVaiHitfMr  U  Lund  WashiHgUn,  31  May,  1761. 


366 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


was  finally  determined  to  make  an  attempt  upon  New 
York  with  its  present  garrison,  in  preference  to  a 
southern  operation,  as  we  had  not  the  decided  com- 
mand of  the  water.  You  will  readily  suppose  the 
reasons,  which  induced  this  determination,  were  the 
inevitable  loss  of  men  from  so  long  a  march,  more 
especially  in  the  approaching  hot  season,  and  the  dif- 
ficulty. I  may  say  impossibility,  of  transporting  the 
necessary  baggage,  artillerj-,  and  stores  by  land.  I 
am  in  hopes,  if  I  am  supported  as  I  ought  to  be  by 
the  neighboring  States  in  this,  which  you  know  has 
always  been  their  favorite  operation,  that  one  of 
these  consequences  will  follow,  that  the  enemy  will  be 
expelled  from  the  most  valuable  position  which  they 
hold  upon  the  continent,  or  they  will  be  obliged  to 
recall  part  of  their  force  from  the  southward  to 
defend  it.  Should  the  latter  happen,  you  will  be 
most  essentially  relieved  by  it.  The  French  troops 
will  begin  their  march  this  way  as  soon  as  certain 
circumstances  will  admit.  I  can  only  give  you 
the  outlines  of  our  plan.  The  dangers,  to  which 
letters  are  exposed,  make  it  improper  to  commit 
to  paper  the  particulars  ;  but  as  matters  ripen  I 
will  keep  you  as  well  informed  as  circumstances  will 
allow. 

A  detachment  of  between  fifteen  hundred  and  two 
thousand  men  sailed  from  New  York  about  the  13th 
of  May.  I  advised  Baron  Steuben  of  this,  and  de- 
sired him  to  communicate  it  to  you.  I  presume  they 
will  either  stop  in  the  Chesapeake  Bay  or  in  Cape 
Fear,  except  the  operations  of  the  Spaniards  in  the 


■78il 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


>67 


Floridas  should  call  for  reinforcement  to  that  quar- 
ter. But  I  can  hardly  flatter  myself,  that  they  will 
attend  to  the  preservation  of  St  Augustine.  Pensa- 
cola,  we  are  told,  has  fallen. 

The  Marquis  de  Lafayette  informed  me.  that  about 
eight  hundred  recruits  would  be  ready  to  march  from 
Virginia  the  latter  end  of  May.  I  have  no  certain 
accounts  from  Maryland  lately  ;  but  1  was  told  by  a 
gentleman  from  thence,  that  about  four  hundred 
might  be  expected  to  march  in  April.  I  make  no 
doubt  but  you  are  kept  regularly  advised  by  the 
superintending  officers.  I  have  not  heard,  that  Gen- 
eral Wayne  had  left  Yorktown.  but  I  have  reason  to 
believe  he  has  gone  before  this  time.  If  no  fresh 
discontents  arise  among  those  troops,  the  detachment 
with  Wayne  will  be  a  most  valuable  acquisition  to 
you.'  They  are  chiefly  the  old  soldiers,  and  com- 
pletely furnished  with  every  necessary.     I  am.  &c 

'  Wayne't  deuclimeii I  marchcil  from  Voiktivwn,  in  P«nnsy]T>n!a,  on  'Cb,% 
36lh  of  May. 

"  There  ha*  been  a  muliny  in  the  Pennsylvania  line  at  Vork  Town  prcvioui 
lo  Ihcif  marchh);.  Waj-iie  like  a  |."Di"l  ofliMr,  (juelleil  il  won,  Twcitt  of  th« 
fellonri  iKpp«d  oul  and  |)pr>iiB'lecl  tlie  line  lo  rcftue  to  micvli  in  conicquence 
<A  the  piomiw*  made  them  not  bciiie  complied  with.  Wiyne  told  them  of  the 
diiKracs  tlicy  hrouRlii  on  llie  American  aiim  utiile  in  Jerwy  In  )^iienil,  and 
tbeiotelvM  in  particular :  that  the  fMtingi  of  the  oflicen  on  thai  occauon  irere 
M  vonnded  thai  they  had  determined  never  lo  cipcrience  the  tike,  and  Ihil  he 
beg'd  they  would  now  fire  either  on  him  ami  them,  or  on  thme  villains  in  front. 
He  (hen  catlnl  on  luch  a  platoon.  They  presented  at  the  word,  fired  and 
killed  liix  of  the  villnink.  One  of  the  others,  badJy  wounded,  he  ordered  to  be 
bayonnctted,  Thv  toliliei  on  wliiim  he  cnlted  to  ito  il.  recavcted  h!)  piece,  and 
xaid  he  conld  not  for  he  was  hit  toinrade.  Wayne  then  drew  a  pistol  and  laid 
he  would  kill  him.  The  fellow  then  advanced  and  bnyanneiied  him.  Wayne 
then  marched  the  line  by  divikion*  around  ilie  dcud.  and  [he  rcHi  o(  the  (cUuwa 
are  ordered  la  be  hanged.  The  line  matched  the  next  day  louthward  mule  at 
a  feA>."~Wm.  y.  LivingiloH  tt  Cot.  WM.  iS  May.  tjti. 


368 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


TO    COUNT  DB   ROCHAMDEAU. 

HNAD  Ql-AKTCB*.  NkW  WIKUM&, 

4  Jun«,  17$I. 
SiH, 

I  had  last  evening  the  honor  of  receiving  your 
favor  of  the  31st  of  May  by  the  Duke  de  Lauzun, 
who  informs  me,  that  he  is  authorized  by  your  Excel- 
lency and  Count  de  Barras  to  enter  into  a  free  com- 
munication with  me  upon  the  subject  of  the  council 
of  war  held  on  board  the  Due  de  Bourgogne,  and  to 
request  my  opinion  upon  the  propriety  of  their  de- 
termination,' 

'  lotcUigence  had  been  brought  lo  Coant  d«  Ri>ch«,mbmu  by  liii  *on  and 
Count  dc  Baintt,  that  %  '•Irang  armament  had  deported  from  Brcu,  or  would 
immcdialeljr  depttl.  under  CuunI  <to  Graittc,  (or  the  Wcit  Indin ;  knd  that, 
■(lei  he  had  paued  the  Ator«s.  Count  de  Gnuc  would  detach  a  convoy  viih 
lUmowhat  muie  ihitn  %\i.  hunilietl  rectullt.  etcorlcd  hy  tlic  armed  vcuct  Sagit- 
laire.  and  dettined  to  unite  with  the  French  ariuy  at  Newport,  Money 
lor  the  army  and  navy  wai  alto  lo  be  hrought  liy  the  Sagit&tirf.  The 
news  was  likewise  cniruKted  lu  Count  dc  Kochamlwau  alone,  that  Count  de 
Graue  had  orden  lo  lail  wiih  hii  fleci  to  the  coail  o(  the  United  Slatn  in  the 
month  of  July  or  Augu<l,  to  relieve  the  tquadron  □[  M.  de  ItarrM  :  and  in  caM 
M.  dc  Kochamlieau  should  raati'Ii  front  Newport  lo  unite  with  Genera]  Waih. 
liiglon  before  the  aniTol  o(  Count  de  Graue't  fleet,  then  the  iquadron  of  Bar- 
ru  wat  to  rcllre  lo  ihe  haibor  of  Dmlon  for  (ccuiily,  >i  It  wm  tuppoKil 
that,  without  thv  protection  of  the  l-'rcnch  aimy  on  ihoro,  the  veaeli  would  be 
In  danger  of  a  naval  attack  from  the  enemy  with  ■  luperioc  force. — Mtmtirt* 
di  Ftihamtfati,  torn.  i,.  p.  370. 

It  having  been  decided  at  ihe  conference  he[w«en  the  American  and  Ft«n«b 
commanderc.  held  at  We-ilhcrtfjeld,  thai  the  French  army  should  leave  New- 
l>orl  and  mardi  to  llic  Nofih  Kivet,  ihr  manner  ol  dihpoKini;  oF  the  French 
dect  was  token  inio  cunsidctalion  immediately  after  the  tetutn  of  Count  de 
Kochambcau.  The  reiult  i>>  explained  in  the  following  eilraci  from  a  IclIM 
written  by  him  to  (.lencral  Wahhinglon  : 

"  The  Count  de  Barras.  iiutead  of  going  to  Boston  according  t«  his  orden, 
haa  held  a  council  ol  war,  Ihe  result  of  which  I  aend  here  enclosed.  I  hope 
youi  Excellency  wllla>i«ooii  as  pomihle  irnd  an  order,  thai  Ihe  militia,  who  ar* 
to  be  tiationed  on  this  Island,  be  raised  to  the  number  of  one  thoutand.  I'hey 
will  be  joined  liy  (our  hundred  men,  whom  I  iJialt  teaie  under  the  orden  of 
M.  d«  Choisy,  a  br>t[adicr-)[eneral.  and  a  very  good  officer,     I  ihink  ihal  lh< 


1780 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


>69 


1  must  confess  to  your  Excellency,  that  there  is 
weight  in  the  reasons,  which  are  offered  for  the  deten- 
tion of  his  Majesty's  fleet  in  the  harbor  of  Newport, 
in  preference  to  its  going  round  to  Boston  ;  but  as  I 
cannot  think,  that  it  will  be  as  safe  in  alt  possible 
cases  in  the  harbor  of  Newport,  after  a  greater  part 
of  the  French  army  has  been  withdrawn,  as  it  would 
be  In  the  harbor  of  Boston.  I  must  adhere  to  my 
opinion,  and  to  the  plan  fixed  at  Weathersfield,  as 
most  eligible,  all  circumstances  considered.  I  would 
not.  however,  set  up  my  single  judgment  against  that 
of  so  many  gentlemen  of  experience,  more  especially 
as  the  matter  partly  depends  upon  a  knowledge  of 
marine  affairs,  of  which  I  candidly  confess  my  igno- 
rance. 1  would,  therefore,  in  order  to  avoid  delay, 
rest  the  matter  upon  the  following  footing.  If  your 
Excellency,  the  Count  de  Barras,  and  the  other  gen- 
tlemen should,  upon  a  further  consideration  of  the 
subject,  aided  by  any  new  informations,  which  you 
may  have  received,  still  think  it  most  advisable  to 

Suie  of  MuHchtueItt  may  fnrnUh  ihe  fire  handred  mm.  that  haT«  been  de- 
tnMdad  \fj  Ui«  coKiici)  »'  war  (ot  (he  tuiciy  of  the  ttjuaijron,  ami  thai  \\  U 
mitable  thai  j-ouc  Ki^cllency  ihoiiltt  letid  to  M.  dc  Cboisy  aii  order  lo  conveDS 
a  |[tcalc>  number  in  ciue  of  need,  And  letters  lot  the  govemon  <A  the  St*le*«( 
HanachutelU  aiiil  Kliode  Island. 

"  It  ii  useleB  lo  uy  to  your  Eicellencjr,  that  ona  of  the  chief  reatoni.  that 
decided  the  countil  of  war  to  Veep  ihe  iqundion  al  Rhode  Idnnd.  ww  Ihe  (ear 
1n(  America  Khoiild  look  ujion  ihit  change  from  Newport  to  Ko^tnii  martlrcni. 
The  dcitre  to  be  nearer  for  our  future  ojicraliotiH.  when  the  superior  naval  force 
expected  In  Ihe  couise  of  the  lummer  ihall  arrive  in  iheic  teu.  has  been  another 
reason.  Your  t^xccllency  kiiowi  that  the  harbor  of  Hniton  tk  very  unfavorabU 
U  thii  Mason,  on  account  of  the  luuth-urott  wind),  that  blow  almoul  contina< 
Ally.  The  junction  of  M,  de  Borru  with  the  forces  that  might  come,  voald 
perhaps  be  <lel*ytd  for  a  iiionlh.  und  coiuiequcnlly  all  the  operatlont  depend- 
ing on  iu" — MS.  Lftter,  Newport.  Ma;  ]  1st. 


*70 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


adhere  to  the  former  resolution  of  the  council,  you 
may  make  use  of  the  enclosed  letters  to  the  govern- 
ors of  Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island,  which  are 
left  open  for  your  inspection.  If,  on  the  contrary, 
you  should  change  your  opinions,  the  letters  may  be 
destroyed,  as  that  which  was  written  by  me  to  the 
governor  of  Rhode  Island  from  Weathersfield  will 
be  sufficient  for  the  purpose  of  calling  out  five  hun- 
dred militia  for  the  present,  and  such  further  numbers 
as  exigencies  may  require. 

At  any  rate,  I  could  wish  that  the  march  of  the 
troops  might  now  be  hurried  as  much  as  possible. 
The  strides,  which  the  enemy  are  making  to  the 
southward,  demand  a  collection  of  our  force  in  this 
quarter,  that  we  may  endeavor  to  commence  our  op- 
eration. I  know  of  no  measure,  which  will  be  so  likely 
to  afford  relief  to  the  southern  States,  in  so  short  a 
time,  as  a  serious  menace  against  New  York.  This 
your  E.xcellency  may  remember  was  a  principal  in- 
ducement for  our  undertaking  that  operation,  in  pref- 
erence to  the  other,  which  was  spoken  of ;  and  1 
assure  you  the  calls  upon  me  from  the  southward  arc 
so  pressing,  that  nothing  but  seeing  our  preparations 
against  New  York  in  some  degree  of  forwardness 
will  content  them,  or  convince  them  that  they  are 
likely  to  derive  any  advantages  from  the  force,  which 
they  see  detained  here.  I  have  forwarded  your  Excel- 
lency's despatch  to  the  Minister  by  a  Gentleman  in 
the  Quarter  Master's  department. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.' 

***1  few,  from  Uie  purport  of  the  1«ti«T  you  did  roe  the  honor  to  wriMftonH; 


■78.] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


«JI 


TO   THE    PRESIDENT  OF  CONGKESS. 


Sir. 


Htwi>  Quarters.  Nbw  Wiwdsor. 
6  Jun«.  1781, 


I  have  been  honored  with  your  Excellency's  favors 
of  the  28th  May  with  their  several  enclosures. 

I  have  written  to  the  Board  of  War,  on  the  sub- 
ject of  the  removal  of  the  convention  troops,  and 
have  given  it  as  my  opinion,  with  my  reasons,  that 

Port  on  the  ^ih.  that  1117  xentlFnenu  retjwcling  the  conndl  of  war  held  on 
board  (he  l>uk<  ilr  Kutgognp  Iho  ]i»t  uF  Ma^,  have  been  niiK'iiiiceiv'il.  >ni]  I 
duUl  be  ttiy  uiUuppy  if  they  tcctive  »n  intetpreUlion  iliSctcni  from  the  true 
tntcnt  tnd  nie«iiin([  of  thcni.  If  thtt  U  ibc  ca»,  it  can  only  he  aiiriliuied  lo 
tar  °ot  uinlMsUiulini;  ibe  biuincu  of  the  Uukr  <Ie  I.*iuun  pcrftcily.  I  will 
rely  Ihocfareonyonrgoodncu  and  candor  toetplain.  and  icciify  themiatake, 
if  any  hat  happened.  My  wiihn  perfectly  coincided  with  the  delennJnatio«i  of 
the  Boird  of  War  10  continue  the  Ficel  at  Rhode  Itlaad,  provided  it  could  rv- 
main  ihcrein  safety,  with  the  (orvc  required,  and  did  noi  impede  the  march  of 
tb«  Army  lowttds  the  Noilh  River.  Kiit  when  Dake  l.autun  informed  me, 
thU  mj  ojnnioti  ot  Uie  propriety  and  ufety  of  thii  meatute  woi  required  by  the 
BtMtd,  and  that  he  came  hither  ni  the  particular  desire  ol  the  Cnunik  Kocham- 
bean  and  <le  Barras,  to  obtain  it,  I  wi>  reduced  10  the  painful  neceiaity  of  deliv. 
eriag  ■  lentiment  iliilereiil  from  that  of  a  moit  retpectabU  Board,  or  of  (orfeit- 
iilKall  prcteniiniia  to  candor  by  thccfincealmenlof  it.  Upon  lhi(|£round  itwaa  I 
wtolc  to  the  (ionerali  lo  lh<  effect  1  did.  and  nol  becaute  I  wa>.  dinaliificil  al 
the  alteritioa  of  the  plan  agreed  la  at  Weathcniield.  My  fean  for  the  laEety 
ot  the  Fleet,  which  1  am  now  prnwadcd,  were  c:airieit  tiio  far,  were  {iroduciive 
ot  a  belief  tiiil  the  Getieralt,  vhec  leperatcd,  might  feel  uneaiy  at  erery  miile- 
tioui  prepiiration  of  the  enemy,  and  occaiion  a  frcih  call  for  mililta — this  had 
iome  weight  in  my  (telcrminalion  to  ^ive  Kotton  (where  1  wai  ture  no  daiiijcr 
could  bo  cncDuiilored  bul  thai  of  a  blotkade)  a  preference  to  Newporl,  where 
under  iimu  artumslanus,  though  not  »uch  a*  were  likelj-  lo  happen,  something 
mijfhl  be  cntcrpriMil. 

"  The  Fleet  being  al  Rhode  Island  it  attended  certainly  with  many  advanlagei 
in  the  operaliom  propo'icd.  ind  I  entreat  you,  and  the  Genilemen  who  were  of 
opinion  thai  il  ought  10  tie  riaqued  there  for  ihcK  purpotei,  will  be  auured 
Ihal  I  have  a  hi);h  trnie  ut  lh<  obligation  you  mean  to  confer  i>n  America  by 
thai  loolve,  and  that  your  leal  to  promote  the  common  cause  and  xaj  aniiely 
for  the  aafely  of  10  valuable  a  Heel  were  (he  only  motivet  which  gave  birth  la 
lb*  apparent  difference  in  our  opinions,*' — Waihtngtsn  It  Ikt  CMrfulirr  tit 
CItailtlluz,  13  June.  17S1. 


aja 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


they  had  best  for  the  present  be  halted  in  Pennsylva- 
nia. An  exchange  of  those  troops,  upon  proper 
terms,  would  certainly  be  a  desirable  thing ;  but 
under  present  circumstances  I  do  not  think  it  would 
be  advisable  to  give  the  enemy  any  reinforcement  of 
privates.  Every  man  they  get  adds  immediately  to 
their  force.  Many  of  those,  whom  we  obtain  in  ex- 
change, are  out  of  their  term  of  service,  and  conse- 
quently lost  to  us. 

It  is  as  much  my  wish,  as  it  can  be  your  Excellen- 
cy's, that  General  Gates's  affair  should  be  brought  to 
a  decision.  You  must  be  convinced,  that  'nothing 
has  been  left  undone  by  me  to  effect  that  purpose. 
General  Gates  informs  me,  that  he  cannot  think  of 
serving,  until  the  matter  shall  have  been  properly 
investigated,  and  that  he  shall  retire  in  the  mean  time 
to  Virginia.  I  see  no  probability  of  any  thing  fur- 
ther being  done  until  there  shall  be  some  reccM  in 
southern  operatians. 

I  hope  the  rules  of  promotion,  which  Congress 
have  been  pleased  to  establish,  will  be  generally  sat- 
isfactory. Individuals  may  be  affected  by  the  change 
of  mode,  but  it  will  be  impossible  to  devise  a  plan, 
which  will  not  interfere  in  some  degree  with  particu- 
lar interests.  I  send  your  Excellency  by  this  convey- 
ance duplicate  of  my  letters,  the  original  was  taken  in 
last  week's  mail.  The  communication  by  the  post  from 
hence  to  Philadelphia  has  become  so  dangerous,  that 
1  cannot  in  future  trust  any  despatches  of  importance 
by  him,  and  I  beg  you  will  observe  the  same  rule. 
The  parties  which  are  sent  out  know  the  exact  time 
at  which  he  may  be  expected,  and  cannot  fail  of  secur- 


>;Si] 


GSOSGB  WASHINGTON 


■W 


iog  hioL  They  have  not  the  same  opponuaity  of 
iniercepdng  expresses,  as  their  times  of  riding  are 
uncertain.     I  have  the  honor  to  be.  &c.' 


TO   JOHN    MATHEWS,    IK   CX)NCRES& 

Dear  Sir,  n«w  wwusoe.  j  jtw*.  >i«». 

•  *•••• 

The  freedom  of  your  communicaiions  is  highly 
pleasing  to  me.  The  portrait  you  havedrawo  of  our 
affairs  is  strictly  agreeable  to  the  life,  and  you  do  me 
but  justice  in  supposing,  that  my  mind  is  fortified 
against,  or  rather  prepared  for,  the  most  distressing 
accts.  that  can  be  given  of  them.  It  would  not  be 
the  part  of  friendship,  therefore,  to  conceal  any  cir- 
cumstance, from  an  unwillingness  to  give  pain,  espe- 
cially as  the  knowledge  of  them,  to  a  man  determined 
not  to  sink  under  the  weight  of  perplexities,  may  be 
of  the  utmost  importance.  But  we  must  not  despair  ; 
the  game  is  yet  in  our  own  hands  ;  to  play  it  well  is  all 
we  have  to  do,  and  I  trust  the  experience  of  error 
will  enable  us  to  act  better  in  future.  A  cloud  may 
yet  pass  over  us,  individuals  may  be  ruined,  and  the 
Country  at  large,  or  particular  States,  undergo  tem- 
porary distress ;  but  certain  I  am,  that  it  is  in  our 
power  to  bring  the  war  to  a  happy  conclusion. 

My  public  letters  to  Congress,  and  in  a  more  es- 
pecial manner  my  private  communications  to  Gov- 
ernor Rutledge,  will  bring  you  fully  acquainted  with 
the  situation  of  things  in  this  quarter,  and  the  pros- 
pects before  us.     How  far  we  shall  be  able  to  extri- 


i« 


'  Kekd  ID  CoDKicii.  June  izih. 


374 


■  THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[lyS. 


cate  ourselves  from  the  first,  and  realize  the  latter, 
time  oniy  can  shew,  I  have  great  expectations  from 
the  appointment  of  Mr.  Morris,  but  they  are  not 
unreasonable  ones ;  for  I  do  not  suppose,  that  by  art 
magick  he  can  do  more  than  recover  us  by  degrees 
from  the  labyrinth  into  which  our  finance  is  plunged. 
1  am  very  sorry  for  the  disagreeable  situation  of 
our  suffering  soldierj'  at  Charles  Town,  and  wish  they 
could  be  relieved  without  adding  to  the  pressure  under 
which  we  at  present  groan.  How  far  it  is  in  General 
Greene's  power  to  liberate,  by  exchange,  our  prison- 
ers in  that  quarter  I  know  not ;  but  all  the  authority 
I  can  give  to  do  this,  he  has,  reserving  the  Troops  of 
convention  from  his  disposal.  With  these  I  have 
plague  enough.  In  a  late  inter\'iew  between  the  two 
Commissaries  of  Prisoners,  Mr.  Loring  refused  to 
Exchange  General  Burgoyne,  unless  the  prisoners 
taken  at  the  Cedars  are  allowed  for.  which  is  opposed 
by  a  resolve  of  Congress ;  and  has  actually  refused  to 
pay  a  debt  of  privates,  which  three  months  ago  he 
promised  to  do.  Mrs.  Washington,  who  has  been  very 
unwell  for  some  time  past,  joins  me  in  respectful 
complimts.  to  Mrs.  Mathews. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c 


. 


TO    GOVERNOR   JEFFERSON. 
r^  „  Nkw  Windsor,  B  J«n«,  1781. 

Dear  Sir, 

I  have  had  thehonorof  receivingyour  Excellency's 
favors  of  the  9th  and  28th  May. 

The   progress,    which  the  enemy  are  making   in 


»78i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


'75 


Virginia,  is  very  alarming,  not  only  to  the  State  imme- 
diately invaded,  but  to  all  the  rest ;  as  I  strongly  sus- 
pect, from  the  most  recent  European  intelligence, 
they  are  endeavoring  to  make  as  large  seeming  con- 
quests as  possible,  that  they  may  urge  the  plea  of 
uti possidetis  in  the  proposed  mediation.  Your  Ex- 
cellency will  be  able  to  judge  of  the  probability  of 
this  conjecture  from  the  circular  letter  of  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress  of  the  ist  instant.' 

Were  it  prudent  to  commit  a  detail  of  our  Plans 
and  expectations  to  paper,  I  could  convince  your  Ex- 
cellency by  a  variety  of  reasons,  that  my  presence  is 
essential  to  the  operations,  which  have  lately  been 
concerted  between  the  French  commanders  and  my- 
self, and  which  are  to  open  in  this  quarter,  provided 
the  British  keep  possession  of  New  York.  There 
have  lately  been  rumors  of  an  evacuation  of  that 
place,  but  I  do  not  place  confidence  in  them.  Should 
1  be  supported  by  the  neighboring  States  in  the 
manner  which  I  expect,  the  enemy  will,  I  hope,  be 
reduced  to  the  necessity  of  recalling  part  of  their 
force  from  the  southward  to  support  New  York,  or 
they  will  run  the  most  imminent  risk  of  being  ex- 
pelled, with  a  great  loss  of  stores,  from  that  post, 
which  is  to  them  invaluable  while  they  think  of  prose- 
cuting the  war  in  America  ;  and  should  we,  by  a  lucky 
coincidence  of  circumstances,  gain  a  naval  superior- 
ity, their  ruin  would  be  inevitable.  The  prospect  of 
giving  relief  to  the  southern  States,  by  an  operation 
in  this  quarter,  was  the  principal  inducement  for  un- 

'S«e  tbi* l«II«r in tb«  Sitrrt  y»umal «/ Cfngreii,  ttA.  i,  p.  Wi, 


«76 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


dertaking  it.  Indeed  we  found,  upon  a  full  consid- 
eration of  our  affairs  in  every  point  of  view,  that, 
without  the  command  of  the  water,  it  would  be  ncxC 
to  impossible  for  us  to  transport  the  artillery,  bag- 
gage, and  stores  of  the  army  to  so  great  a  distance  ; 
and,  besides,  that  we  should  lose  at  least  one  third 
of  our  force  by  desertion,  sickness,  and  the  heats  of 
the  approaching  season,  even  if  it  could  be  done. 

Your  Excellency  may  probably  ask  whether  we  arc 
to  remain  here  for  the  above  reasons,  should  the 
enemy  evacuate  New  York,  and  transfer  the  whole 
war  to  the  southward.  To  that  1  answer  without 
hesitation,  that  we  must  in  such  case  follow  them  at 
every  expense,  and  under  every  difficulty  and  loss  ; 
but  that,  while  we  remain  inferior  at  sea,  and  there  is 
a  probability  of  giving  relief  by  diversion,  (and  that 
perhaps  sooner  than  by  sending  reinforcements  im- 
mediately to  the  point  in  distress.)  good  policy  dic- 
tates the  trial  of  the  former. 

Give  me  leave,  before  I  take  leave  of  your  Excel- 
lency in  your  public  capacity,  to  express  the  obliga- 
tions I  am  under  for  the  readiness  and  zeal  with 
which  you  have  always  forwarded  and  supported 
every  measure,  which  I  have  had  occasion  to  recom- 
mend through  you,  and  to  assure  you,  that  1  shall 
esteem  myself  honored  by  a  continuation  of  your 
friendship  and  correspondence,  should  your  country 
permit  you  to  remain  in  the  private  walk  of  life.  I 
have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.' 

*  ll  wu  ihe  (Irong  deiire  of  the  peaiile  u(  Virginia,  Ihal  Wubin^on  would 
take  coninunil  u[  the  u-my  in  [hnl  SUIe.  In  Ibe  lclt«r.  to  wbjcb  Uie  kbove 
wua  reply.  Mr.  Jcfienoa  bad  wrilten  : 


I 


i78i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


»77 


TO  COLONEL  WILLIAM  CRAWFORD. 

New  WiNi>50>,qJiiiie.  ijSi. 

Dear  Sir, 

Mr.  Randolph  delivered  me  your  letter  of  the  23d 
ulto. — and  sometime  ago  I  was  favored  with  another 
from  you.  Give  me  leave  to  thank  you  most  sin- 
cerely for  your  kind  attention  to  my  interests,  and  to 
assure  you  that  I  shall  ever  hold  in  grateful  recollec- 
tion your  friendly  endeavors  to  serve  me.  My  whole 
time  is,  and  has  been  since  1  came  into  the  service, 
so  much  engrossed  by  the  public  duties  of  my  sta- 
tion, that  I  have  totally  neglected  all  my  private  con- 
cerns, which  are  declining  every  day,  and  may,  pos- 
sibly, end  in  capital  losses,  if  not  absolute  ruin, 
before  I  am  at  liberty  to  look  after  them. 

"  We  are  loo  far  removed  from  the  other  scenes  of  war  to  say  whether  the 
main  (orce  of  the  enemy  be  within  lliU  Slate ;  but  I  sappose  tfwy  cmnot  eny- 
wlicte  «p«rc  so  gceal  an  arniy  fni  the  opcnllon*  <>(  the  fietd.  Were  It  pouililft 
ior  this  circumstaDce  to  justify  in  yuur  EKccllency  a  detemiiniliun  to  lend  ua 
yonr  personal  aid,  it  is  evident  from  the  unirenal  voice,  that  the  presence  of 
iheit  bi^loveil  couolryinaii,  whoHC  talent*  have  been  so  lon^  iuccc»(ully  em- 
ployrd  in  ntablishing  Ihe  frceduin  of  kindred  Slatc».  to  who»c  prrMin  I  hey  have 
attU  flattered  themselvci  they  rctAincd  some  right,  and  have  ever  looked  up  a* 
(heirdeciilcr  resort  in  dittrcHH.  that  yi'iur  appearance nmon|[  llitm,  I  say.  would 
rctCorc  full  conlidence  of  salvation,  and  would  rcndci  Ihcrn  equal  lowhatover 
U  not  impossible.  I  cannot  underiike  to  foicsee  and  obviate  the  dilfi cullies, 
which  stand  in  (he  way  of  Huch  a  resolution,  The  whole  subject  is  bcfoie  you, 
of  which  1  see  only  det.ichcd  paiLs,  and  your  judgmcnl  will  be  formed  In  view 
of  the  whole.  Should  thedanger  of  this  Stale,  and  iti  corucqoence  to  ihe  Union, 
be  such  ak  (o  render  il  \x\K  fur  ihc  vrhole  that  you  should  repair  In  its  assisl- 
auuc,  Ihe  difficulty  would  Ihen  be  how  lo  k(«p  mcu  out  o\  the  field. 

"  I  have  undertaken  to  binl  this  matter  to  your  Excellency,  not  only  on  my 
own  sense  of  its  iinpanancc  to  us.  but  at  the  lollcilalions  of  nuny  members  of 
w(ii);hi  in  oiir  kgiilalnre,  not  yet  ai-yetnbled  lo  speak  their  own  dctires.  A  few 
days  will  bring  lo  me  that  period  of  relief,  which  the  constilntion  has  prepared 
f  or  I  hose  nppiutcd  with  thr  labois  of  tny  olTKe  ;  and  a  lung  declared  rcioluiion 
of  rclinqaishtng  il  to  abler  hands  has  prepared  my  way  fur  rclircnienl  lo  a  ])ri- 
vaic  station.     Still,  however,  is  an  individual  ci lues  I  should  Itel  the  com{oTta< 


978 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[.781 


With  respect  to  the  round  bottom.  I  can  give  you 
little  or  no  information — as  far  as  a  bad  memory 
serves  me  (for  I  have  no  papers  by  me  to  refer  to),  I 
located  it  in  the  office  of  Mr.  Thorn's  Lewis,  sur- 
veyor of  Augusta,  and  laid  some  rights,  which  1  had 
purchased,  upon  it.  to  the  amount  of  the  contents  of 
your  survey,  but  what  has  been  done  in  the  matter 
since,  I  know  not, — nor  am  I  quite  certain  that  all 
that  I  have  here  said  was  actually  done.  If  without 
giving  yourself  much  trouble  you  could  enquire  into 
this  matter,  and  pursue  the  necessary  measures  to 
secure  this  Land  for  me,  I  shall  acknowledge  it  as  an 
act  of  kindness,  will  repay  any  expen.se  you  may  be 
run  to  in  the  prosecution  of  the  business,  and  make 
grateful  returns  when  it  is  in  my  power  to  do  so.      I 

bio  effects  of  your  prcsrace.  and  have  (whal  I  thought  could  not  have  been)  an 
additional  motive  (or  that  craiimdc.  e.'tecm.  and  letpeet.  wtih  whUti  I  have  th* 
honw  to  be.  «i;."— ChjiriollrNvillc.  May  aSlli. 

la  vritiD);  to  Mr.  Jonei.  a  delegate  in  Cangren  from  Virpnia.  on  the  uma 
nibjcct,  Wuhinjflon  said:  "  NoboiJy,  I  pcisuade  myicK,  can  doubt  m^  tn- 
cliniliun  ti>  br  iiumediately  emiilujrcd  in  Ihc  defence  of  (h>i  comilcy  wlier«  all 
to,f  property  Kid  coonexioDi  are,  but  there  are  powerful  objectioni  to  xay  Inv- 
ioE  tJila  army.  Neither  rime  not  prudence  will  alloir  me  to  go  into  a  detail  of 
them  on  (lapct.  One  onlj  I  will  nanie,  whicli  i*,  (hil  no  cilhcr  |:er<iOn  hat 
power  lu  command  (he  F'rmch  ttoops,  who  are  now  nbout  to  form  a  junction 
with  thii  army.  Let  il  lufficc  (or  me  to  odd,  thai  I  am  acting  on  i  great  scale  ; 
that  lemporory  cviU  tnud  be  endured,  where  (here  it  no  remedy  at  hind  ;  that 
I  am  not  without  hope*  that  the  lahlen  may  bo  turned  :  but.  these  being  con* 
linsent.  1  eno  promiic  no  more  than  my  mmoM  eiettiona." — J  one  yih. 

"  Vour  prcaence,  my  dear  General,  would  do  a  great  deal.  Should  theic 
ilelachmcnta  be  increawd  to  three  or  tour  IhuuTOnd,  and  Ihc  French  army  coma 
thi«  way,  leaving  one  of  our  generah  at  Rhode  Iilaud,  and  two  or  three  about 
New  York  and  in  Ihe  Jeney>>,  you  might  be  on  the  offensive  in  Ihli  ijuarler.  and 
lh*r*  would  be  a  southern  army  in  Carolina.  \'our  presence  would  do  immcnw 
good,  but  1  should  with  you  to  havea  large  force.  General  Washingtun,  belora 
he  pcrwnally  appcart,  should  beitrong  enough  to  hopciucceo."— /^/•ijW/i' <« 
Wathingten,  Camp,  between  ihe  Rappahannock  and  North  Anna,  June  3d. 


■78'] 


GEOJtGE  WASHINGTON. 

% 


«79 


could  wish  to  obtain  a  Patent  for  it,  after  obviating 
other  claims,  for  1  have  heard  I  think,  that  there  is 
a  caveat  to  prevent  my  obtaining  a  patent. 

Can  you  tell  me  how  matters  stand  with  respect  to 
my  Racoon  Tract  ?  Are  the  People  who  live  on  it 
still  unconvinced  of  my  having  a  Patent  for  it?  If 
on  the  contrary  they  know,  or  believe  that  I  have 
such  a  Patent,  what  do  they  propose  to  do  in  that 
case?  It  is  hard  upon  me  to  have  property  which 
has  been  fairly  obtained  disputed  and  withheld.  On 
the  other  hand,  if  the  settlers  on  the  Land  either 
through  ignorance  or  disbelief  of  its  being  mine,  have 
made  improvements  of  value  thereon,  and  wish  to 
live  on  and  enjoy  them,  I  would  agree  that  they 
should  remain  seven  years  longer  upon  their  respect- 
ive Plantations,  on  terms  which  should  in  their  own 
eyes  appear  moderate  and  easy,  even  if  it  amounted 
to  nothing  more  than  a  bare  acknowledgment,  subject, 
nevertheless,  at  the  expiration  of  that  term  to  such 
reasonable  Rents  as  the  Land  and  Improvements  are 
worth ;  and  shall  be  adjudged  just  for  both  Landlord 
and  Tenant.  Upon  these  terms  I  would  give  Leases 
for  lives,  or  a  great  length  of  years,  provided  also  (in 
the  latter  case  especially)  some  mode  can  be  adopted 
to  let  the  value  of  the  Rents  every  seven  or  ten  years, 
be  so  raised  as  to  bear  some  proportion  to  the  in- 
creased value  of  the  Land. 

I  shall  thank  you  for  giving  me  information  respect- 
ing this  matter — and  the  round  bottom,  and  in  gen- 
eral, what  situation  my  landed  affairs  in  that  country 
are  in,  it  not  being  impossible,  nor  yet  very  unlikely 


i8o 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[.781 


(as  I  can  give  no  attention  to  them  myself)  that  my 
other  Patented  Lands  may  be  settled  upon  and 
claimed  in  the  same  way  as  that  is  on  Racoon.  I 
pray  you  also  to  be  so  kind  as  to  let  me  know  how 
Simpson  employs  his  time,  his  force,  and  my  mill. 
He  has  not,  that  1  can  hear  of,  rendered  any  account 
or  paid  one  farthing  for  the  profits  of  my  mill  or 
share  of  the  Plantation,  since  he  has  been  on  the 
Land,  which  is  poor  encouragement  for  me  to  leave 
my  property  in  his  hands.  Does  the  boundary  as  it 
is  now  settled  between  Virginia  and  Pensylvania 
affect  the  property  of  these  Lands  which  were  sur- 
veyed and  Patented  in  Virginia,  but  which  by  the  late 
line  are  thrown  into  Pensylvania  ?  This.  I  believe, 
is  the  case  with  respect  to  my  tract  on  Racoon  creek, 
if  no  more  of  it.     *     *    * 


TO   COUNT   DE    ROCHAMBEAU. 

HlAIt  QUARTKttS,  NaW  WtHDSOR, 

Sir, 

I  am  honored' by  your  Excellency's  favors  of  the 
9th  and  loth  instant,  and  with  their  very  interesting 
communications,  which  you  may  be  assured  will  be 
kept  perfectly  secret.  I  flatter  myself,  that  the  whole 
convoy  will  arrive  in  safety  in  some  of  the  eastern 
ports,  as  I  believe  the  British  ships  are  all  cruising 
off  the  Hook.' 

■Thi*waithecoaTO)rofFr«i)CliveMcIs,wilh  recruits  sent  by  CounI  doGntMe, 
undct  the  ucorl  of  a  fi(iy-|;un  «)ii|i,  and  menljoactl  inanot«  to  the  letter  above, 
(Ititcd  ]un<4th.  Two  thirds  of  the  convoy  and  thexhip  had  arrived  at  Bostan  ; 
the  otherlbird  had  b«ea  dupctieil  In  a  gal«  near  the  coatt, 


.78.) 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


281 


The  Count  de  Barras  has  furnished  me  with  the 
result  of  the  second  council  of  war,  I  have  so  high 
a  respect  for  the  opinions  of  the  gentlemen,  who 
composed  it,  that  I  should  have  been  satis6ed  had 
they  barely  mentioned  their  adherence  to  their  for- 
mer determination  ;  but  the  new  arguments,  which 
have  been  introduced  in  favor  of  the  detention  of  the 
fleeV  at  Rhode  Island,  leave  me  no  room  to  doubt  the 
propriety  of  the  measure. 

I  am  so  fully  convinced,  that  your  Excellency  will 
make  no  unnecessary  delay  in  your  march,  that  I  have 
only  occasion  to  repeat  my  former  request,  that  it 
may  be  commenced  as  soon  as  circumstances  will 
admit.  My  last  accounts  from  the  Marquis  de  La- 
fayette were  of  the  3d  of  June.  The  British  army, 
in  very  considerable  force,  were  then  between  Rich- 
mond and  Fredericksburg  ;  their  destination  was  un- 
certain ;  but  from  their  superiority  they  were  at  full 
liberty  to  go  wherever  they  pleased.  The  enclosed 
copy  of  a  letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to 
mc  will  give  your  Excellency  the  latest  intelligence 
from  South  Carolina. 

Your  requisitions  to  the  Count  de  Grasse  go  to 
every  thing  1  could  wish.  You  cannot,  in  my  opin- 
ion, too  strongly  urge  the  necessity  of  bringing  a 
body  of  troops  with  him,  more  especially  as  I  am  very 
dubious  whether  our  force  can  be  drawn  together  by 
the  time  he  proposes  to  be  here.  Now  /our  ihou- 
sand  or  five  thousand  men,  \\\  addition  to  what  we 
shall   certainly   have   by   that  time,    would,   almost 

'  Wotdi  in  iulici  were  written  la  cypher. 


aSa 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


Uiti 


beyond  a  doubt,  enable  us  with  the  assistance  of  the 
fieet  to  carry  our  object.  It  is  to  be  regretted,  that 
the  Count's  stay  upon  the  coast  will  be  limited.  That 
consideration  is  an  additional  reason  for  wishing  a 
force  equal  to  giving  a  speedy  determination  to  the 
operation.' 

Your  Excellency  will  be  pleased  to  recollect,  that 
New  York  was  looked  upon  by  us  as  the  only  practica- 
ble object  under  present  circumstances  ;  but  should  we 
be  able  to  secure  a  naval  superiorly,  we  may  perhaps 
find  others  more  practicable  and  equally  advisable. 
If  the  frigate  should  not  have  sailed.  I  wish  you  to 


'  Couni  (le  GtaMe  wrote  as  follow*  to  Coaat  dc  Kochftmbou : 

"  Hit  Majrlfly  \\i  vaxranXriX  mr  witli  th«  cumiaand  of  Ihr  naial  force  At^ 
lined  (or  the  protection  of  hi>  poucuiont  in  South  America,  ttni)  those  of  hU 
&1llet  In  North  America.  The  force,  whicli  1  coinniaii4,  U  tulfii:ient  i<i  fulfill 
the  oflen»ive  plans,  vrhich  it  ii  the  intereil  of  the  ailied  poweti  to  execute,  th»t 
they  may  secure  an  honorable  peace.  It  the  men -of- war  are  neccatary  tor  ful- 
liliing  Ihir  project*,  which  you  have  in  view,  it  will  be  uiieful  to  the  terrice.  that 
M.  de  liairna  or  M.  Dertouchci  be  appritcd  of  il,  and  ihal  pilots  be  seiil  tons 
(kill  fill  and  well  iiihtruited.  ai  the  French  <>hlg»  have  a  larger  itralt  of  water  than 
(he  KritiHli.  Il  will  not  he  till  the  >5th  of  July,  at  the  soonest,  that  I  sh-ill  be 
on  the  coail  of  North  America ;  but  it  will  be  necesiary.  by  reaion  of  the  short 
lime  that  I  have  to  May  in  thalcauncry  (aUo  lictng  obliged  to  leave  it  on  account 
of  the  »ca*on),  that  every  Ihiii);  occc^»ary  for  llic  tuccriaof  your  projecti  should 
be  in  readinew.  that  not  a  moment  for  action  may  be  losL" — JUS.  teller,  dated 
at  Sea,  March  19th, 

The  above  letter  wa*  tent  by  theconvoy.  Count  ilr  Kociumbean  ilnpatched 
a  vcstol  immediately  for  the  West  Indiei,  with  full  intelligence  to  Count  de 
Graue  concemiojc  che  plant  In  view,  and  alto  the  utrenKlh,  tilualion,  and  ap- 
parent deiJ)[n><  of  the  enemy.  He  recommended  to  him  to  enter  the  Chon- 
pnke  on  ha  way.  ai  there  might  be  an  opportunity  of  itrtking  an  important 
atrokc  there,  and  then  to  proceed  Immediately  to  New  Vork.  and  be  leady  10 
co-operate  with  the  allied  arniick  in  an  attack  upon  ihnt  city.  He  likewJHO 
reqimled,  that,  it  poaible.  five  or  ria  thouaand  laud  troops  might  be  bronght 
fnnn  th«  West  Indies. 

He  wrttet  thus  to  (rcneml  Waahin|;ton  ;  bnl  In  hlh  Alimairti  he  taken  iom«- 
what  mocvcrcdit  tohimiclf  rnpectinglhcprupotedopcntionin  theCheupeak«, 


ijSi] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


»83 


explain  this  matter  to  the  Count  de  Grasse ;  as,  if  I 
understand  it,  you  have  in  your  communication  to 
him  confined  our  views  to  Ntw  York  alone.  And, 
instead  of  advising  him  to  run  immediately  into  the 
Chesapeake,  will  it  not  be  best  to  leave  him  to  judge, 
from  the  information  he  may  from  time  to  time  re- 
ceive of  the  situation  of  the  enemy's  fleet  upon  this 
coast,  which  will  be  the  most  advantageous  quarter 
for  him  to  make  his  appearance  in?  In  the  letter, 
which  was  written  to  the  minister  from  Weathersfield, 
in  which  he  was  requested  to  urge  the  Count  to  come 
this  way  with  his  whole  fleet,  Sandy  Hook  was  men- 


"I  prawDtcd  to  H.  dc  Urauc/'tays  he,  "a  picture  oi  the  iliHiretM*  of  Uie 
fOtllh«rn  Stala,  and  above  all  of  Virginia,  which  had  nothing  tur.|>pusc  Ihc  in- 
KMcts  of  I.ard  CoTni>'alIi&  bul  a  small  hody  of  troops  under  Lafayette,  who  vu 
Mutained  only  by  hm  yuod  coatluci  and  (he  Qntiue  of  Ihc  country  iiilericctcd 
by  many  rivere.  I  Irantmided  la  M.  de  Gnusc  ihe  arlklei  oE  the  conference 
at  Weathenfield.  1  abgerved  lo  him,  that  lie  ooghi  to  know  teller  ihaii  myielf 
the  pouibility  of  forcing  a  passage  into  the  harbor  of  Ne«  York,  since,  in  cir- 
cumitancet  ncitly  similar.  M.  d'Estaing,  under  whose  orders  he  had  served,  had 
made  an  iiieffeclual  proposal  to  the  pilots,  in  oHeting  tliem  an  eiiormcius  miin  lo 
take  hii  vessels  aeros  the  bar,  which  they  liid  not  venture  to  aitempl.  In 
iihoil,  I  rcprcicnted  lo  htm,  as  my  private  opinion,  that  an  enterprise  in  the 
CheMjreHke  its)'  a^ainM  Lord  Cornwall  in  wuuld  lie  the  mott  pmcliciblr,  and  the 
kiBt  eipecled  by  the  enemy,  who  counted  on  our  distance  from  thai  quoHer.  I 
requetlcd  him  to  solicit  iticnuously  from  the  ]>ovcrn»r  of  St.  Domingo  the  u>c 
i/ca  thfte  muiitliH  ,A  ibc  F'rcneh  b[i);a<lc  under  M.  do  Si.  Simon,  which  was 
dmincd  lo  act  with  the  Spaniards,  who,  it  appeared  lo  me,  would  have  no  em- 
ployment for  it  during  the  campaign.  Idciired  him,  also,  to  effect  a  loan  in 
our  coloniet  of  twelve  hundred  ihouaand  franca,  which  michl  insure  Ihe  success 
of  Ihii  operation.  1  concluded  by  entreating  him  [o  dispatch  to  me  a  frigate 
•1  soon  OS  possible,  with  Ms  answer,  that  I  might  artanec  with  General  Wash- 
ini^on  our  match  by  land  lu  join  him  at  ilic  point  auigncil  in  the  Chesapeake." 
— MAniirti,  torn,  ii..  p.  3^^. 

These  schemes  of  Count  dc  Rochambeau  do  not  appear  In  hU  letters  to  Gen- 
eral Waahin|>lnn.  There  are  several  inilicalionx,  thai  he  did  not  uppi»ve  an 
slUck  upon  New  York,  and  only  yielded  hii  asent  to  what  he  di>cov«t«d  lo  be 
die  wish  of  the  American  commander. — Sparki. 


384 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[178. 


tioned  as  the  most  desirable  point ;  because,  by  com- 
ing suddenly  there,  he  would  certainly  blotk  up  any 
fleet,  which  might  be  within  ;  and  he  would  even  have 
a  very  good  chance  of  forcing  the  entrance,  before 
dispositions  could  be  made  to  oppose  him.  Should  the 
British  fleet  not  be  there,  he  could  follow  them  to  the 
Chesapeake,  which  is  always  accessible  to  a  superior 
force.     I  am,  &c. 


TO   GOVERNOR   CLINTON. 

Hkad  Quartbrb.  Nbw  Wind*ok, 
21  Juuc,  i;8i. 

Dear  Sir, 

I  have  just  received  a  letter  from  Brigadier-Gen- 
eral Clinton,  of  the  15th,  enclosing  the  examination 
of  two  prisoners  who  were  taken  lately  by  one  of  his 
scouts ;  from  whence  it  appears  the  enemy  in  Canada 
have  not  made  any  movements  in  force,  or  prepara- 
tions for  an  incursion  ;  and  indeed  this  intelligence 
corresponds  so  exactly  with  that  which  has  been 
received  through  other  channels,  that  I  cannot  but 
regret  having  SL-nt  the  reinforcement  to  the  north- 
ward, at  a  time  when  the  aid  of  every  man  was  so 
essential  to  the  success  of  the  operations  in  contem- 
plation. 

As  it  will  be  indispensably  necessary,  when  we  ad- 
vance towards  the  enemy's  lines,  to  withdraw  the 
regular  force  from  the  northward,  I  have  thought 
proper  to  advise  General  Clinton  and  your  Excellency 
of  it,  that  provision  might  be  made  as  far  as  practi- 
cable to  replace  these  troops  with  the  men  engaged 


■78'1 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


«8S 


for  the  campaign  and  the  three  years'  service.'  At 
the  same  time  that  I  express  my  unhappiness  at  being 
forced  to  the  measure,  and  assure  your  Excellency, 
that  nothing  but  necessity  could  induce  me  to  recall 
the  Continental  troops,  I  wish  it  may  be  under- 
stood, that,  when  the  moment  of  operating  arrives, 
there  is  not  any  consideration  which  can  persuade 
me  to  counteract  the  plan,  that  has  been  concerted 
between  the  Conut  de  Rochambeau  and  myself. 
But  lest  the  enemy  should  attempt  to  take  advan- 
tage of  their  absence,  to  make  inroads  on  the 
frontier,  in  order  to  distract  our  attention  and  cause 
a  diversion  in  favor  of  their  most  important  post,  I 
beg  leave  to  recommend  in  the  strongest  terms,  that 
every  means  in  your  power  should  be  made  use  of  to 
guard  against  such  an  event. 

1  will  also  take  the  liberty  to  suggest,  whether  an 
additional  security  might  not  be  afforded  to  those 
posts,  which  are  exposed  to  the  ravages  of  the  enemy, 
by  my  sending  a  Continental  officer  to  assist  in 
rousing  and  assembling  the  force  of  the  country,  and 
to  put  himself  at  the  head  of  such  militia  and  volun- 
teers, as  might  be  drawn  together  on  an  emergency 

'  In  place  □(  th«  ContinenUl  (orce  Ihut  wiihdmwn,  six  hundred  ntjlitu  friMii 
(he  Cuunlics  of  Uerkhhlrc  nnJ  IJampkhite  were  ordered  there,  willi  ihe  New 
York  mill  tin.  The  commaad  wnt  given  to  Bri|pidict-Gcncnl  Sluk.  wilh  tn> 
(trucdoni  (d«ted  June  a^lh)  (a  opprae  any  JiKurtioo  of  the  enemy  *iid  protect 
thcfrantJO'.  "  1  rely  upon  It,  that  yau  will  uk  your  utmoit  exertloni  to  diair 
fmUi  Uie  (orce  of  ih«  country  [rum  Iho  Green  MounUint,  and  all  tbo  conlign- 
oai  lerrilory  :  (nd  I  doubt  not  yourrciiuiutioni  will  be  ntieoded  wilh  lucccu, 
U  your  (lertonal  iiillucnce  mutt  be  unlimited  amonipt  llioee  [iri>|>le.  a(  wlioie 
hpad  you  lure  lurmtrly  (ouglil  and  cunquercd  wilh  so  much  reputation  and 
glory."  Co!.  Willett  was  to  remain  in  command  on  the  Mohawk  Kiver,  "  a* 
hU  popularity  in  thftteoDnliy  will  enable  him  to  render  estenlial  iK/viceitheie." 


a86 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


from  the  district  of  country  called  Vermont ;  and 
whether,  in  that  case.  Brigadier-General  Stark  would 
not  be  a  proper  character  to  employ  on  this  service, 
especially  as  he  has  already  obtained  a  reputation 
from  his  successes  in  that  quarter,  is  undoubtedly  a 
man  of  bravery,  and  has  been  accustomed  to  com- 
mand irregular  troops  in  action.  It  appears  to  me,  a 
popular  officer  in  that  situation  would  be  extremely 
advantageous  on  many  accounts.  Whether  there 
may  be  reasons  of  state  against  it,  I  know  not.  I 
have,  therefore,  submitted  it  to  your  consideration. 
I  beg  your  opinion  freely  on  the  subject,  and  have 
the  honor  to  be  with  great  respect,  &c. 


TO   PRESIDENT   REED. 

Hkai>Quakt»u,  NkwWimdsok, 
24  June,  1781. 

Dear  Sir, 

In  the  course  of  our  expected  operations  we  shall 
stand  in  need  of  a  species  of  troops,  which  are  not  at 
present  to  be  procured  either  in  this  army  or  in  any 
of  the  States  to  the  northward  of  Pennsylvania. 
They  are  expert  Rifle  Men.  The  use  of  these  men 
will  be  to  fire  into  the  embrasures  and  to  divide  the 
enemy  from  their  parapets  when  our  approaches  are 
carried  ver>'  near  to  their  Works,  Without  this  can 
be  done,  our  loss  will  be  immense  when  we  shall 
come  within  Musquct  Shot — General  Lincoln  informs 
mc  that  the  enemy  made  use  of  this  mode  at  the 
Siege  of  Charlestown,  and  that  his  Batteries  were  in 


I78i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


88t 


a  manner  silenced,  untill  he  opposed  the  same  kin<l 
of  troops  and  made  it  as  dangerous  for  the  enemy 
to  shew  their  men  as  it  had  been  before  for  him  to 
expose  his. — The  number  which  we  shall  want  will 
be  about  three  hundred,  and  I  shall  be  exceedingly 
obliged  to  your  Excellency  if  you  will  endeavor  to 
procure  so  many  from  the  Frontier  of  Pennsylvania. 
Had  the  Quota  of  Militia  from  your  State  have 
come  to  this  army.  I  should  have  endeavored  to  have 
selected  the  required  number  from  among  them.  But 
that  not  beeing  the  case — I  think  it  but  reasonable 
that  the  expence  of  raising  the  Rifle  Men  should  be 
Continental.  I  have  written  to  this  effect  to  Con- 
gress and  have  requested  the  president  to  signify 
their  approbation  to  Your  Excellency  if  they  think 
proper  to  accede  to  it. — 1  would  wish  the  Corps  to  be 
formed  into  Six  Companies  of  50  each  under  the  com- 
mand of  a  Captain  and  two  Subs — the  whole  to  be 
commanded  by  a  Major — The  term  of  service 
to  the  ist  day  of  January  next.  The  choice  of  the 
officers  I  shall  leave  to  your  Excellency.  If  Major 
Parr  formerly  of  the  7th  Penna.  Regt.  would  engage 
in  such  a  service  a  better  officer  could  not  be  found 
for  the  purpose.  The  Bounty  cannot  now  be  deter- 
mined, and  therefore  it  will  be  with  you  to  procure 
them  on  as  low  terms  as  possible.  But  that  the  busi- 
ness may  not  be  retarded  for  want  of  proper  encour- 
agement, I  would  wi.sh  you  to  make  yourself  ac- 
quainted with  the  Sum  which  will  most  probably 
engage  them,  and  offer  that,  whatever  it  may  be. 
One  of  the  terms  should  be  that  they  are  to  find  their 


own  Rifles,  as  we  have  none  in  Store — I  shall  be  glad 
to  hear  as  soon  as  possible  what  probability  there 
will  be  of  succeeding  in  this  undertaking.  The 
greater  part  of  the  men.  must  be  with  the  Army  by 
the  ist  of  Augt.,  or  their  services  will  be  useless 
afterwards.      I  am,  &c 


TO  COUNT   DE    ROCHAMBEAU. 

HKAD  QUAftrKRS.    NEAK  PUSKSKILL, 

30  June,  1781. 

Sir. 

1  had  last  evening  the  honor  of  your  Excellency's 
favor  of  the  28th,  with  a  postscript  of  the  2gth. 

The  enemy  by  sending  a  detachment  into  Mon- 
mouth County  in  jersey  to  collect  Horses,  Cattle 
and  other  plunder,  have  so  weakened  their  posts  upon 
the  North  end  of  York  Island,  that  a  most  favorable 
opportunity  seems  at  this  moment  to  present  itself  of 
possessing  them  by  a  Coup  de  maine,  which,  if  it 
succeeds,  will  be  of  the  utmost  consequence  to  our 
future  operations.  I  have  for  this  reason  determined 
to  make  the  attempt  on  the  night  of  the  ad  of  July. 
But  as  we  cannot  with  the  remainder  of  our  own  force 
maintain  the  advantage  should  wc  gain  it,  I  must  en- 
treat your  Excellency  to  put  your  first  Brigade  under 
march  tomorrow  morning,  the  remaining  Troops  to 
follow  as  quick  as  possible,  and  endeavor  to  reach 
Bedford  by  the  evening  of  the  2d  of  July,  and  from 
thence  to  proceed  immediately  towards  Kingsbridge, 
should  circumstances  render  it  necessary.  Your 
Magazines  having  been  established  on  the  Route  by 


ijSi] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


389 


Crompond  it  may  perhaps  be  out  of  your  power  to 
make  any  deviation,  but  could  you  make  it  conven- 
ient, you  would  considerably  shorten  the  distance  by 
marching  from  Ridgeburg  to  Salem  and  from  thence 
to  Bedford  leaving  Crompond  upon  your  right.' 

There  is  another  matter  which  appears  to  me  ex- 
ceedingly practicable  upon  the  same  night  that  we 
attempt  the  works  upon  York  Isld.  and  which  I  would 
wish  to  commit  to  the  execution  of  the  Duke  de 
Lauzun  provided  his  Corps  can  be  brought  to  a  cer- 
tain point,  in  time. — It  is  the  surprise  of  a  Corps 
of  light  Troops  under  the  command  of  Colo.  Delancey 
which  lies  at  Morrisania  without  being  covered  by 
any  Works.  To  effect  this,  the  Duke  must  be  at 
Bedford  on  the  2d  of  July  by  12  o'clock,  if  possible, 
where  he  will  be  joined  by  Colo.  Sheldon  with  200 
Horse  and  Foot  and  on  his  march  from  thence  by 
about  400  Infantry,  both  Officers  and  Men  perfectly 
acquainted  with  the  Country — Upon  a  supposition 
that  the  Duke  may  be  at  Bedford  at  the  above  men- 
tioned time — and  that  he  will  be  ready  to  carry  the 
design  into  execution,  he  shall  be  met  there  by  par- 
ticular instructions  from  me  and  will  find  good 
guides.  At  any  rate,  1  must  request  your  Excellency 
to  send  orders  to  the  Duke  this  evening  to  continue 
his  march  tomorrow  morning  and  to  reach  Bedford 
by  the  Evening  of  the  2d  of  July  if  he  cannot    be 

'  TI1C  Fnnch  ixta^  began  il>  movoingiil  for  the  Ilnikon  oii  Juno  totli, 
Rochambcau  received  (our  hondred  recruits  at  Proviiipncc,  and  resumed  hi> 
ttaiebon  the  iSlli.  On  Ibc  13d  hcwaiat  Hurtloid,  where  he  wrote  to  Wuh- 
inglon  that  h«  expected  to  be  at  Newtown  on  the  aSth.  On  lii«  port  Wuh- 
Ington  moved  Hit  Bimf  lowardt  PcekikiU. 
'9 


•90 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[lySi 


there  by  noon.  In  this  latter  case  the  enterprise 
against  Delancey  must  probably  be  laid  aside  and  the 
Legion  with  the  first  Brigade  of  your  Army  will  be 
at  hand  to  support  the  detachment  upon  York  Island 
should  they  succeed — I  shall  move  down  with  the 
remainder  of  this  Army  towards  Kingsbridge  and 
shall  be  ready  to  form  a  junction  with  your  Excel- 
lency below  at  some  point  which  shall  be  hereafter 
agreed  upon. 

I  am  certain  I  need  not  recommend  the  proper 
degree  of  secrecy  to  your  Excellency — One  reason 
which  makes  it  more  than  commonly  necessary  in 
the  Country  where  you  are,  is.  that  the  enemy  will 
have  emissaries  in  your  Camp  in  the  Garb  of  peasants 
with  provisions  and  other  matters  and  will  be  atten- 
tive to  every  word  which  they  may  hear  drop. 

You  will  much  oblige  me  by  letting  me  know  in- 
stantly by  return  of  the  line  of  Expresses  whether 
your  first  Brigade  and  the  Legion  can  march  tomor- 
row morning  and  whether  the  Duke  can  be  at  Bed- 
ford by  the  time  first  proposed  (the  ad  of  July)  at  noon. 

Under  the  foregoing  circumstances  it  becomes  neces- 
sary for  me  to  march  from  hence  on  Monday,  and  I 
therefore  submit  it  to  your  Excellency  whether  it  will 
not  be  more  convenient  to  both  of  us  to  defer  our 
interview  untill  the  Armies  shall  have  proceeded 
lower  down.  I  shall  take  care  to  establish  a  proper 
communication  between  the  Columns  and  to  see  that 
a  junction  is  formed  before  there  shall  be  any  danger 
of  an  attack  from  the  Enemy.     I  have,  &c' 

<  Tliii  l*tl«TCol.  Cobb  wu  to  dslivsr  to  Kochunbcau  and  Impreit  upon  that 


i78i] 


GEOJtGE  WASHINGTON. 


391 


TO  UAJOR-CENERAL  LINCOLN. 


instructions, 
Sir, 

The  object  of  your  present  command, — consisting  of  two  regi- 
ments, (fonned  into  four  battalions,)  under  the  command  of 
Colonel  Scamiocll  and  Licutcoant-Coloncl  Sprout,  of  a  detach- 
ment of  artillery  under  the  command  of  Captain  Burbeck,  of  the 
corpa  of  watermen  under  the  command  of  Major  Darby,  and  the 
waterguard  under  the  command  of  Captain  Pray,— i«  to  attempt 
the  surprise  of  the  enemy's  posts  upon  the  north  end  of  York 
Island. 

My  ideas,  as  to  the  most  probable  mode  of  attaining  this  object, 
have  been  minutely  detailed  in  the  several  conversations  which 
we  have  had  upon  the  subject,  and  you  have  been  furnished  with 
such  papers  as  I  have  been  able  to  collect,  and  upon  which  my 
judgment  has  been  formed.     But  it  is  not  my  wish,  or  desire, 

cammanckr  ihc  importaiKc  of  mttking  the  attack  on  Ihc  noilh  end  of  New  York 
hlftnd,  anil  on  Helanccy'K  corpR.  On  Ihc  joth  Drigaiiiei  Genera]  Waterhury 
wu  oRlercd  to  collect  sll  the  men  ho  could,  and  m.trching  tight  and  with  (otu 
Axji  picivUion,  fonn  a  juiiclion  with  Colonel  Sheldon,  at  Clnpp't  in  King 
Strtet.  on  ihe  3d  of  Julv.  by  «iin!iet.  He  would  there  he  joined  alw  I17  the 
French  legion,  "imdei  the  ccnnmand  of  the  Duke  ile  Lauiun.  who  is  n  bri^- 
dier  in  the  service  of  hit  Moii  Chrittian  Mxjetty.  ind  an  officer  of  distinction, 
longb«rvice.  and  merit.  The  DukeiHtocnmtnnndatl  the  lroo[M  that  will  be unem- 
bled  at  (he  point  mentioned."— M'aj*inf*ii  «  BrigadUr.Gmrrai  tfaUrtury, 
30  June  and  I  July.  tjSi.  Colonel  Dayti>n  wat  ordered  to  collect  all  the  troopa 
of  his  brigadr,  ctcepi  the  vumpany  at  Wyamin)*.  and  march  11  li^ht  ah  potii- 
ble  townrdi  Kingibridge  fjo  June).  The  three  eompanio  of  New  York  Stale 
tioopi  were  diiccled  to  auembic  at  Bedford  on  July  IM,  and  put  thcni>clv» 
under  the  command  of  Colonel  Sheldon.  On  the  30lh,  Governor  Clinton  wat 
informed  of  the  intended  movement ; 

"In  fullcti  coniidencc  I  inform  you,  that  I  intend  to  make  ait  attempt 
hy  luipriw  upon  the  enemy's  posln  on  the  north  end  of  York  Iiland,  ou  Mon- 
day night.  Should  we  be  happy  enough  to  sui:cccd.  and  be  able  to  hold  onr 
conqncil,  the  advantigct  will  he  tireater  than  can  be  well  imagined.  But  I 
cannot  flnlln  myself,  thai  llic  enemy  will  permit  the  latter,  unlc»  I  nin  tud- 
denly  and  coniidembly  reinforced.  1  ihall  march  down  the  remainder  of  thi* 
army,  and  I  have  hog>ci-  that  the  t'lench  (•iivcwill  l>c  neat  at  hand  by  that  time. 
But  I  thall.  notwithstanding,  direct  the  alutm-guns  and  beacons  to  be  fiml  in 
c«*e  of  incces* :  and  1  have  to  request,  that  your  Excellency  will,  upon  dipialt, 


»9» 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


that  these  should  b«  any  restraint  upon  you.  Vour  ovn  observa- 
tion and  the  circumstances  of  the  moment  must  in  a  great  de- 
gree govern  yoti. 

The  success  of  your  enterprise  depending  absolutely  upon  se- 
crecy and  surprise,  it  will  be  wrong  to  prosecute  it  a  moment 
after  you  are  discovered,  unless  the  discovery  is  made  so  near  the 
works,  that  you  may,  by  a  rapid  movement,  gain  them  before  the 
enemy  have  lime  to  rc-coilect  and  put  themselves  in  a  posture  of 
defence.  Fort  George,  upon  Laurel  Hill,  ought  to  be  your  pri- 
«i«ry  object,  because  success  at  that  place  will  open  a  communi- 
cation with  the  main,  afford  an  asylum  to  the  troops,  who  may 
be  diAuppointed  in  other  attacks,  and  secure  a  retreat  in  case  of 
necessity  to  the  main  body  of  the  army. 

Should  you  carry  Fort  Knyphausen  and  Fort  Tryon  only,  you 
caonot  without  infioite  risk  hold  them,  as  we  shall  not  be  in  a 
situation  to  support  you  from  without.     I  would  therefore  recom- 

communicslc  the  meining  of  (hem  to  the  mililiii.  >□<!  put  yourself  >t  ihe  Kcad 
of  ihem.  and  much  with  the  uimcst  expeditioo  towanji  Kingsbiidge,  briagiDg 
vith  jrou  ihrcc  w  lout  it>}V  prnvUion  «i  IciLtl.  In  that  lime  I  think  we  ihall 
have  to  auangcd  matter*  u  to  have  Utile  need  eA  the  militU  suddenly  called 
out.  I  h.ivc.  iipDii  «  hope  that  we  >hall  succeed,  ordetcd  Biijiitdier-GcneTa] 
Clinton  to  send  down  the  regular  Itoopi  immediately,  iihould  circnmuancM 
mike  it  neceuaiy,  1  can  countctmand  the  order. —  Waskm^n  Is  Gavtmtr 
CKKIIm,  JO  June,  1781. 

"  The  \Latmy\  ipptchenuon  of  our  Jtilenlions  &  Ihc  prolMbllitf  I  tud 
Rcftion  lo  apptehend  thai  iheli  Force  would  be  colleclcd  to  the  North  End  of 
(ho  laland  on  their  receiving  Infonnalion  of  our  A]>]iro*ch,  were  amorg  the 
Rouons  that  indnced  me  10  laJl  upon  this  Enterpriie  S:  ■dtleil  to  othrr  Kca- 
»on&  (01  the  neceiiiiy  of  iti  luddrn  Enecutian  the  prcienl  >ta£e  of  the  Moon 
operated  f^'ir  tiiine  ihe  Time  I  mentioned — the  tucccts  of  the  Enlaprue 
depending  on  a  Middrn  lUrprize  of  the  PoMs  which  mutt  be  atleinjiled  by 
Nl)(hl  Operaliont  when  the  Approach  can  only  be  concealed.  A  delay  to  a 
luUci  Time  of  the  Moon  which  would  greatly  expose  our  Dctachmenti  to  a 
Diicorery  could  not  be  admittDd.  Then  Rcuons  I  hope  will  npo1of;iic  to 
yonr  EiEcIlency  for  my  DoJrc  to  hailen  the  March  of  yaarTroopi.  which  must 
be  fatigued  with  their  tonu;  march  which  they  have  Jreiuty  pcrdinned. 

"  Sboinld  we  bo  10  happy  as  lo  succeed  tn  this  .attempt  it  would  give  us  cx> 
CMding  great  Advantage  In  our  future  Operalions — &  indeed  tAvc  us  perhaps 
the  Time  of  goiid  Pan  of  Ihc  .Season  to  eslablinli  •  coinniunlcation  with 
York  IiJand. — I  am  obliged  howe^'cr  to  confess  to  your  Excolleiicy,  that  I  an 
not  highly  sanguine  in  my  Eipcclationa,  altho'  I  think  there  is  a  good  ProbabiU 


.78.] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


*93 


mmd  your  damapng  (hem  as  much  as  you  possibly  can  upon 
a  sudden  and  relinquishing  them.  The  artillery  •men  will  be 
proportionably  divided  to  the  three  attacks  ;  each  party  will  be 
provided  with  two  lanterns  and  two  rockets,  oae  of  which  is  to 
be  fired  in  each  work  as  soon  as  it  is  carried. 

If  complete  success  should  attend  the  enterprise,  not  a  mo- 
ment's  time  should  be  lost  in  drawing  the  boats  across  the  Island 
from  the  North  River  into  Haerlem  Creek,  and  securing  them 
under  the  guns  of  Fort  George,  if  circumstances  will  admit  of  it. 
But  in  case  of  a  disappointment,  and  being  obliged  to  retreat  by 
water,  and  not  being  able  to  pass  the  enemy's  ships  and  boats, 
the  dernier  resort  must  be  a  push  over  to  the  Jersey  shore,  and 
an  abandonment  of  the  boats,  if  they  cannot  be  drawn  up  the 
bank  and  carried  off  on  carriages.  It  will  be  very  essential,  that 
I  should  be  made  acquainted  as  early  as  possible  with  your  sue- 

itf  of  nicceeiting — so  great,  thai  I  havetho'I  It  expedient  to  put  the  Alicmpt  it 
hamrd. 

"  From  mjr  tate  Infotmation  howevn'.  &  that  I  may  not  Riiqae  loo  mucb,  I 
bavc  directed  (he  OHicer  commilg.  the  r>elachmcnl  (Mnjr.  GenL  I.Encoln,  who 
will  Tomorrow  be  in  i  Poiilion  for  ihc  Purpose)  thai  he  ihnll  in  Pcnon  r«coii- 
Roiire  ihe  iliumion  of  ihc  Rncmy, — &  inform  himself  by  any  Meant  in  bin 
Power  of  their  probable  Sicengib  &  Numhcri;  from  whence  he  will  be  able  to 
determine  the  Praclicabiltty  of  acco«np1ishg.  his  Aim — On  this  Ground  the  At- 
tempt will  be  rciluued  lo  s  Coniingenry, — (Icnl.  Lincoln  having  my  Inslnic- 
liontto  conduct  himself  eventually  agreeable  to  hUown  DSacoveries&  his  Judg- 
ment of  His  probable  Sorccsi  or  FnUuie — Should  he  obtain  su<h  Information 
of  Ihe  [Enemy's  foEition  &  Strength  is  lo  oblige  him  to  decline  the  Bllem[il 
on  their  Post) — he  wilt  then,  agrcenblc  (ohi«  Instnictiont  throw  himnclf  into  > 
Situation  In  form  a  Coveting  Party  to  Ihe  Enlerpriie  lo  b«  condvcted  by 
Ihe  Duke  Ijiniun." — IftuAinxfaii  l<i  tCm^mtitau,  3  July,  I78r. 

On  July  ad  Washington  wrote  to  Kochamboiu : 

"  I  have  this  morning  received  your  Excellency's  favor  of  last  evening.  I 
Ihinit  it  will  he  very  well  fo(  your  Eiccllency  to  |>rocced  to-morrow  to  North 
Culle,  where  you  will  continue  until  you  atMmbIc  your  whole  force,  unlrw  yoti 
ihould  hear  from  mc  within  that  time.  Being  at  North  Castle  will  put  you  in  a 
direct  route  to  icceireyourprovialonH  from  Crompond.  and  It  will  be  In  a  direct 
way  for  your  troopi  to  advance  to  White  Plains,  or  say  othsr  pirint  briciw,  la 
clicuiuitances  shall  tp{«ar  lo  demand." 

The  scheme  failed,  as  n  dctailcil  In  the  letter  lo  Con(;reu,  July  6th,  foil. 
The  Briliih  had  received  information  of  the  attempt  in  tim*  to  provide  a^^ainnt 
It. — iiagatim  ff  Amtriean  Hiitery,  Jane,  1SS4- 


■94 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[■7«i 


c«M,  «n<)  the  eximi  of  il  If  coaplete,  jroa  will  anwrwrf  it  by 
the  Aring  of  ihlncea  caanoo,  «t  one  Bisatc's  tnteml.  after  aO 
l«Mcr  firing  md  co»f«Bo«  hsve  ccaaed.  If  Fon  George  obIt' 
li  LJifricd,  lix  c«nioa  nc  to  be  fred  n  tbe  sme  ataaiMr.  For 
Port  KnjrpluuMii,  Trfon,  or  both  o<  tben,  yoa  need  dm  fire  itf- 
nalii,  becanse  jon  ue,  as  before  dtreded,  iiminiliinlj  to  reKv 
fjuiitli  (bein. 

'1*hc  foregoing  is  npon  a  oippoMtioik,  that  dw  priacips]  object; 
the  atunpt  upon  the  worfcc  on  York  ttland,  is  canied  iaco  cxeco- 
IJOD  ;  bat,  Aould  fon,  upon  reconnoitring  the  eaenf  to-Dwrtow, 
And  it  unadncaUc  to  proMCiite  the  plan,  or  ihovld  foo  be  obHged 
to  ((ive  it  over  on  account  of  an  early  ducorerj-  bjr  the  enemy's 
•MppJog  or  boat!,  I  would  tben  bare  jrocr  tnm  your  alteotioD  to 
tbe  lapport  of  an  aitrnipt,  which  is  alto  to  be  made  on  the  mom- 
ing  of  the  jd  by  the  I  )Tikc  dc  Lauzan  apoo  Oclaaceir's  corps  lyiac 
at  Morrisania.  To  effect  this,  yoa  will  Uad  yoar  men  ai  anjr 
convenient  place  abore  the  mouth  of  Spiten  DertI  Creek,  and 
march  to  the  high  grounds  in  front  of  Kingsbridge,  where  j-on 
will  lie  concealed  iinlil  the  Duke's  attack  is  announced  by  firing 
or  other  means.  You  may  then  dispose  of  your  force  in  such  a 
manner,  in  view  of  the  enemy,  as  to  make  them  think  your  party 
larger  than  it  is,  whicli  may  have  the  double  effect  of  preventing 
them  from  coming  over  the  bridge  lolum  the  Duke's  right, and  alKi 
of  preventing  any  of  Delanccy's  party  from  escaping  that  way. 
Your  further  operations  must  depend  upon  the  movements  of 
the  enemy  and  other  circuro stances. 

I  expect  I  shall  be  myself  in  the  neighborhood  of  Kingsbridge 
early  in  the  morning  of  the  jd,  with  the  remainder  of  ihc  army. 
I  shall  as  soon  as  possible  open  a  communication  with  yon,  and 
give  you  such  orders  as  the  general  state  of  matters  may  require. 
If  you  land,  send  an  officer  and  small  party  up  the  main  road  to  meet 
me  In  caso  you  land  u^xm  the  ea$t  ^ide  of  the  river,  ahovo  the 
mouth  of  Spiten  Devil  Creek,  you  will  send  your  Ik»U  up  along 
the  cast  shore.  If  Major  Darby  receives  no  particular  directions 
from  mc,  he  will  proceed  with  them  to  King's  Ferry,  (liven  at 
Head-Quaners,  near  Peekskill,  this  ist  day  of  July,  1781.' 

'  "Count  l-'cnen  will  dome  th«  favor  to  deliver  thti  lo  yam  Excellency.  The 
opcratlonii  ofihii  (Ifty  ate  over,  and  I  am  toiry  loMj,  thai  I  have  not  had  itie 


i78ij 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


»« 


TO  THE   PRESIDENT  OF  CONCKESS. 

Head  Qitaktus,  hbab  Dobbs's  Fbrbv, 
6  July.  1781. 

Sir, 

I  do  myself  the  honor  to  inform  your  Excellency, 
that  the  army  marched  from  their  camp  near  Peeks- 
kill  on  the  morning  of  the  2d,  without  either  tents  or 
baggage,  and  reached  Valentine's  Hill,  about  four 
miles  on  this  side  of  Kingsbridge.  a  little  after  day- 
light the  morning  following. 

General  Lincoln,  with  a  detachment  of  eight  hun- 
dred men,  fell  down  the  North  River  in  boats,  landed 
near  Phillips's  House  before  daylight  on  the  morning 
of  the  3d,  and  took  possession  of  the  ground  on  this 
side  of  Haerlem  River,  near  where  Fort  Independence 
formerly  stood.     This  movement  was  principally  in- 

h*ppin«ai  to  succeed  ■□  my  wishes.  allhoDgh  t  think  vei;  Moential  bencfil  •riU 
icrnilt  to  onr  future  njicraiions  fmiii  llie  opfiorlunlty  I  have  hitd.  in  >  very  foil 
manner,  to  toconnoilie  the  poulion  and  works  of  ihf  eiiomy  uii  ihc  north  lud 
o(  York  IjUnd.  The  p«riicu!«r  events  of  the  day  \  shall  da  myscll  (h«  honor  to 
comuiumciile.  when  [  hitTc  ilic  pleasure  to  jokii  your  RxceUency. 

"The  Ainencm  army  and  thrjlegion  of  (he  Uuke  do  Lnuiun  will  march  to- 
morrow to  White  Plains.  If  ii  will  be  convenient  to  you,  I  shall  be  happy  to 
receive  your  Ciceilcncy  with  your  lroo(i»  »I  ibal  place  theday  after  lo-morrow. 
When  I  shall  have  an  opportunity  to  converse  with  your  Exc«llenL-y,  I  conceivB 
I  shall  be  able  to  give  you  huch  rea^icmtt  (or  (onnin£  yaui  junction  at  White 
Plains  in  the  Hut  instance,  ai  will  satisfy  you  of  ihc  lilllily  and  iilncu  of  the 
poiiiiaii  (or  commencing  Che  prepftrations  for  onr  conc«rl«1  uperuliuns  u(  the 
campaign."— /('ii/Ai«f /.IB to AV«A(imiAiii,  jjuly.  t78i. 

*'  The  Cummindcr-in.chief  lake*  the  rarlicnl  opportunity  of  expicatlni; 
hia  Itiaiiks  to  the  Duke  de  I.aujun,  his  officers  and  men,  for  the  very  cxlraoi- 
dinary  «al  nianifesled  by  i  he  in  in  (he  rapid  performance  of  their  mnrch  to 
joiii  the  American  army.  And  the  General  also  takes  oicatioci  to  ihank  the 
affic«rs  and  men  of  the  American  army,  for  the  alacrity  with  which  th«y  have 
sup|»>rled  t h em selvei  under  Iho  (ali^in);  mtLrcli  of  yetterday  and  lost  night. 
The  troops,  who  were  engaged  to-day,  ntcrtt  his  paiU'cnlat  thank*."— (>«**// 
Beei,  July  Jd. 


>96 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


tended  to  support  and  favor  an  enterprise,  which  I 
had  projected  against  a  corps  of  refugees  under  the 
command  of  Colonel  Delancey  at  Morrisania,  and 
other  light  troops  without  the  bridge,  and  which  was 
to  have  been  executed  by  the  Duke  de  Lauzun  with 
his  own  legion.  Colonel  Sheldon's  regiment,  and  a 
detachment  of  Stale  troops  of  Connecticut  under  the 
command  of  Brigadier-General  Waterbury.  The 
Duke,  notwithstanding  the  heat  of  the  day  of  the  2d. 
marched  from  Ridgbury.  in  Connecticut,  and  reached 
East  Chester  very  early  the  next  morning ;  but.  upon 
his  arrival  there,  finding  by  the  firing  that  General 
Lincoln  had  been  attacked,  and  the  alarm  given,  he  de- 
sisted from  the  further  prosecution  of  his  plan  (which 
could  only  have  been  executed  to  any  effect  by  sur- 
prise), and  marched  to  the  General's  support,  who 
continued  skirmishing  with  the  enemy  and  endeav- 
oring to  draw  them  so  far  into  the  country,  that  the 
Duke  might  turn  their  right  and  cut  them  off  from 
their  work  on  the  east  side  of  Hacrlem  River,  and 
also  prevent  their  repassing  that  river  in  boats. 
General  Parsons  had  [possessed  the  heights  imme- 
diately commanding  Kingsbridge,  and  could  have 
prevented  their  escape  by  that  passage.  Every  en- 
deavor of  this  kind  proved  fruitless ;  for  [  found,  upon 
going  down  myself  to  reconnoitre  their  situation,  that 
all  their  force,  except  very  small  parties  of  observa- 
tion, had  retired  to  York  Island.  This  afforded  Gen- 
eral Duportail  and  myself  the  most  favorable  oppor- 
tunity of  perfecting  reconnoitring  the  works  upon  the 
north  end  of  the  Island,  and  making  observations. 


178.] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


»97 


which  may  be  of  very  great  advantage  in  future. 
Finding  nothing  further  could  be  done,  I  returned 
the  day  before  yesterday  to  this  ground,  where  I  ex- 
pect to  be  joined  this  day  by  his  Excellency  the 
Count  de  Rochambeau,  who  reached  North  Castle 
the  ad  instant. 

J  cannot  too  warmly  express  the  obligations  I  am 
under  to  the  Count,  for  the  readiness  with  which  he 
detached  the  Duke  de  Lauzun,  and  for  the  rapidity 
with  which  he  pushed  the  march  of  his  main  body, 
that  he  might  have  been  within  supporting  distance, 
had  any  favorable  stroke  upon  the  enemy  below  given 
us  an  opportunity  of  pursuing  any  advantage,  which 
might  have  been  gained.  General  Lincoln  had  five 
or  six  men  killed  and  about  thirty  wounded  in  his 
skirmish. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &a' 

'  Kciil  in  Conj^resa.  July  totti. 

Tbe  [oilowing  ntracl  from  Genenl  Wuhinglon*s  Diary  will  more  fully  ex- 
plain the  recent  opcntions. 

"  yulyiJ,—Oi:betii\  Lincoln's  ilcUchmtnt  ambuked  la«1  n^ht  after  dark,  at 
or  neu  ToiI«r'i  Point  ;  and,  bb  hi>  operations  were  \a  be  the  movementt  of  two 
nifihlt,  be  wat  dctircd  to  repair  to  Fort  I-ee  Ihik  ilay.  and  reconnoitre  the  en- 
emy'* wnrh«,  pmiiion,  and  Mrcn(;i)i,  .i«  well  »  lit  ponkibly  could,  and  txico  his 
ultimate  determination  from  appcarancB  ;  Ihat  is,  (o  attempi  the  lurpriie,  if 
the  prospect  wai  favorable,  or  to  rctinquUh  it.  If  It  wa)  not :  ami  in  the  latter 
caMlulftnd  above  the  niooth  of  Spitni  Devil,  and  cover  the  Diike  de  Latituii 
in  hit  opcrniion  on  Detancey'i  corps.  At  three  o'clock  this  morning  I  com- 
meotfed  xaj  luaich  with  the  Continental  anny,  in  order  lo  cover  the  deinehcd 
Irooptand  iiiipruvi-  sny  ad  van  luce «,  which  mit-bt  be  i^ined  Irj'thoni.  I  made 
B  imall  halt  ai  the  Nevr  Bridge  over  the  Crolon  abool  nine  miles  from  rcekskill. 
another  al  the  church  by  Tarrylown  till  dnsk  (nine  nitlei  more),  and  completed 
llw  [«in*ini'iK  pari  of  the  march  in  (h«  ni^liI,  arriving  .11  Valentine's  Hill  (at 
Mile  Square}  about  sunriic.  Our  baggage  and  lenti  were  left  standing  at  the 
campal  reckakill. 

"  ^ — The  length  of  the  Duke  de  Laainn'*  mirch,  and  the  fatigue  of  hit 
corps,  prevented  hii  coming  lo  the  point  of  action  at  the  hour  appointed.    In 


3^8 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


TO  THE   MARQUIS   DE   LAFAVETTE. 

Head-Quaktims,  mkar  Doom's  Fkikt, 

My  Dear  Marquis, 

Since  my  last  1  have  received  your  letters  of  the 
loth,  18th  and  38  of  June. 

I  sincerely  congratulate  you  on  the  favorable  turn 
of  affairs  announced  in  your  last,  and  1  hope  you  will 
be  enabled  to  maintain  that  superiority,  which  you 
seem  to  be  gaining  ever  Lord  Cornwallis.  We  have 
had  a  variety  of  reports  of  General  Greene's  further 
successes  in  South  Carolina.  By  some  we  are  told, 
that  both  Augusta  and  Ninety-Six  have  fallen,  but  in 
a  letter,  which   1  have  just  received  from  Monsieur 

tba  nkMn  time  Gcii«ral  LJncolii's  puty,  who  were  orderol  to  iircrent  the  re< 
Dot  o(  Delanccy's  corpt  by  the  wty  of  Kingsbridgc,  anil  prevent  succon  by 
that  rDUl«.  w«rt  Bltack«d  by  the  Vagen  andolhon;  but,  on  the  match  olthc 
trmy  fromValcnline't  Ilill,  they  retired  to  the  liland.  Being  diiappoinied  in 
both  objects,  fruin  iha  caimmncntioned.  I  did  not  raie tu  (ati^c  thetroopi  any 
more,  but  luRered  them  to  remain  on  their  irmi,  while  I  spent  a  good  part  o[ 
the  il*y  iti  icconnoilrinj[  the  encmy't  work^.  In  the  adclnoan  we  retired  to 
Valentine'i  Hill,  and  lay  upon  our  >nn>.  The  Diikc  de  Lsuiuii  and  (;«^eral 
Wateibury  Uy  on  the  eail  lide  o(  the  Bninx  Rirec  on  the  Ea«  Cheitcr  roid. 

"4/it — Miircheil  and  inok  apoi^ltlnn  a  little  lo  the  left  of  Dnbbk't  Fcny,  and 
marked  a  camp  for  the  French  army  upon  uur  led.  The  Uuki  do  Lautnn 
matEhcd  to  While  Plaint,  and  Walcrbury  to  Horieneck. 

"%lk. — Visited  the  French  army,  wlikh  had  arrived  at  North  Cattle. 

'•6rt.— The  French  army  formed  the  junction  wtih  (he  American  on  the 
groundi  marked  out.  The  legion  of  l.auiun  took  a  podtion  in  advance  of  the 
Plaint  on  Chatlcrlon'i  ItiU.  west  of  the  River  Brum.  ThU  day  alia  the  minli- 
ter  of  France  arrivcil  in  camp  front  Fhiladelphia.'* 

The  Americati  army  was  encamped  in  i«o  linci,  with  the  right  rcning  on  the 
Hudion  River  iic»r  Dobbs't  Ferry.  The  French  army  wat  ttationed  on  the 
hilliai  the  left,  in  annsle  line  reaching  to  the  Droni  RWer.  There  woaaral. 
ley  of  conkidcialik  extent  between  the  two  armie*. 

From  Clinton'*  intelligence  we  Icam  that  Waihinglon'*  Ho»d-Ouaner»  were 
at  Job:  AppTeby'i,  "on  the  Saw  Mill  Road,  about  a|  milo from  Hammond'i," 
On  the  7th  ho  ahiried  hit  ^uartM»  from  Appleby'i  W  "  Thoa.  Tompkina,  9| 


1780 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


399 


Marbois,  he  says  that  Augusta  has  been  taken,  and 
the  siege  of  Ninety-Six  raised.  Count  de  Rocham- 
beau  formed  a  junction  with  me  at  this  camp, 
(about  twelve  miles  from  Kingsbridge,)  a  few  days 
ago.  We  are  waiting  for  reinforcements  for  the 
Continental  line,  and  of  militia,  and  are  in  the  mean 
time  establishing  our  communication  at  Dobbs's 
Ferry. 

I  shall  shortly  have  occasion  to  communicate  mat- 
ters of  very  great  importance  to  you.  so  much  so.  that 
I  shall  send  a  confidential  officer  on  purpose  to  you. 
You  will  in  the  mean  time  endeavor  to  draw  together 
as  respectable  a  body  of  Continental  troops  as  you 
possibly  can.  and  take  every  measure  to  augment 
your  cavalry.  Should  the  enemy  confine  themselves 
to  the  lower  country,  you  will  no  doubt  pay  attention 
to  the  formation  of  magazines  above.  These  will  be 
in  every  case  essential,  whether  the  war  continues 
in  Virginia,  or  whether  it  will  still  be  carried  on  in 

miles  Ihii  i\iit  of  Voiing'i  ho<u«.  on  (h«  direct  road  "  ;  nnd  co  the  loth  he  wu 
reported  10  be  »1  Ilummond't.  Appleby'*  wu  aim  deicribcd  u  being  "on 
the  Manor  ol  PhilipAburgh," 

From  Iht  OrJtrly  Beak, yiUyfah. — "  The  CommandtT-in-chkf  with  pleaiUTe 
embiaces  the  eailicii  public  nppnrlunlty  of  cipreuiiig  his  Ihanlu  to  hU  Excel- 
lency, the  Count  d«  Ruchamhcau,  lor  the  unrprnittiii);  ical  with  which  hr  hxi 
pioiecuted  hii  maivh.  in  order  10  (orm  the  long  viihed.foi  jniiction  between 
the  Crriich  and  Ameticnn  fDrcei ;  an  event,  which  muit  aRord  the  hlgheki  de- 
gree of  pleaiuie  10  every  friend  of  hti  cuunlry,  and  from  which  (ho  h»ppi«at 
conneiguenccs  are  to  he  expected.  The  General  entreati  hi>  Excellency,  (he 
Count  lie  Kochatnlioau.  ta  convey  in  the  ofliccn  and  toldicn  under  hU 
immediflle  command  the  gmteful  seme  be  entertains  of  the  choerfulncss,  with 
which  Ihey  have  performed  )o  long  and  laboriont  a  march  at  thii  hot  seaion. 
The  lociment  of  S,iiiii{>ii^c  i»  cntiitetl  lo  pcciillar  achnwledgnienli  tor  the 
ipirit,  with  which  they  continued  and  supported  theii  nonh  without  one  day't 
respite." 


300 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[t78i 


South  Carolina.  Should  General  Greene  come  into 
Vii^inia  in  person,  you  will  be  good  enough  to  com- 
municate the  foregoing  to  him. 

In  the  present  situation  of  aflTairs,  it  is  of  the  ut- 
most importance  that  a  communication  by  a  chain  of 
expresses  should  be  opened  between  this  army  and 
that  in  Virginia.  They  are  already  established  from 
hence  to  Philadelphia,  and  if  there  is  none  from 
you  to  Philadelphia,  you  will  be  pleased  to  take 
measures  for  having  it  done.  You  will  also  endeavor 
to  establish  such  a  communication  with  the  coast,  as 
to  be  able  to  know  whether  any  troops  are  detached 
by  sea  from  Lord  Cornwallis's  army ;  for  it  is  more 
than  probable,  that,  if  he  finds  himself  bafHed  in  at- 
tempting to  overrun  Virginia,  he  will  take  a  strong 
post  at  Portsmouth,  or  Williamsburg,  and  reinforce 
New  York  or  South  Carolina.  Should  any  detach- 
ment be  made,  you  will  transmit  to  me  the  earliest 
intelligence.  What  you  say  in  confidence  of  the 
conduct  of  a  certain  officer  shall  be  kept  a  profound 
secret,  and  I  will  contrive  means  of  removing  him 
from  the  quarter  where  he  is  so  unpopular. 

The  Rhode  Island  regiment  is  so  thinly  officered, 
that  Colonel  Olney  wishes  one  of  the  subs,  of  the 
light  company  may  be  suffered  to  return,  when  Cap- 
tain Olney  joins.  You  will  act  in  this  as  circum- 
stances may  permit.  You  have  the  compliments  and 
good  wishes  of  all  your  friends  in  the  French  army. 
Those  of  the  American  are  not  behindhand  with 
them.  With  the  warmest  affection  and  esteem,  I 
am,  &c. 


i78i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


301 


TO  THE  SUPERINTENDENT  OF   FINANCE. 

Hrad-Quarters,  neas  Dobbs's  Fbbkv, 

Dear  Sir,  uJ^iy.  ^TSt. 

Your  favors  of  the  2d  and  5th  instant  have  afforded 
me  infinite  satisfaction,  as  the  measures  you  are  pur- 
suing for  subsisting  the  army  perfectly  accord  with 
my  ideas,  and  are,  I  am  certain,  the  only  ones,  which 
can  secure  us  from  distress  or  the  constant  apprehen- 
sions of  it'  Had  magazines  of  any  consequence 
been  formed  in  the  different  States,  in  pursuance  of 
the  late  requisitions  of  Congress,  the  disposal  of  the 
articles  collected  at  a  distance  from  the  army  would 
have  merited  your  attention  ;  but  so  little  has  been 
done  in  that  way,  that  I  imagine  you  will  not  think 
the  matter  worthy  of  notice,  when  1  inform  you  of  the 
trifling  quantities  which  remain  on  hand.  Of  flour 
no  magazines  have  been  formed  at  any  place.  Of 
salt  meat  none  was  put  up  in  Pennsylvania.  Jersey, 
or  New  York.  There  had  been,  by  estimate,  seven 
or  eight  thousand  barrels  of  meat  and  fish  put  up  in 
Connecticut,  of  which  between  two  and  three  thou- 
sand have  come  forward,  and  the  remainder  is,  I  be- 
lieve, in  motion.  Massachusetts  put  up  very  little 
salt  meat,  and  most  of  it  has  been  consumed  upon 
the  communication  by  the  recruits,  or  transported  to 

'  By  ircs'ilvoof  Cungrcn,  Robert  Morrit,  M  SupciiDlendn«t  of  Finance,  iru 
v«s(i:d  irith  powers  la  diipoie  of  iiie iff ei/it suf flic i,  which  had  been  required 
to  be  famUhed  by  the  several  Sutci,  in  luch  luHnncr  u  he.  wiili  the  kiIvIcc  oI 
the  Coinniuiider-in-chiel,  thoultl  judge  bcii  iiuitcd  lu  promote  the  putilii:  inter- 
ert,  and  anmo  the  purpoiei  of  ihe  pteient  eimpaign. — yearaali,  June  4ih. 
It  was  the  opinion  of  M  r.  Morris  ihftt  ill  these  xuppliei  tboald  be  told  on  the 
bcsl  terink  ihtt  cuutU  lie  oblaiiicil.  am)  Ihal  the  *tmj  hliuukl  in  future  be  iup< 
pliodby  contncls. 


3oa 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


Albany.  Rhode  Island  purchased  one  thousand  bar* 
rels,  of  which  about  six  hundred  remain  at  Provi- 
dence, and  I  would  wish  them  to  be  still  kept  there 
for  a  particular  purpose:.  I  could  never  learn,  with 
certainty,  how  much  was  put  up  in  New  Hamp- 
shire ;  but  I  have  directed  all  that  was  at  Portsmouth 
to  be  transported  by  water  to  Providence,  as  I  wish 
to  form  a  small  magazine  of  salt  provision  at  that 
place,  as  I  mentioned  before,  for  a  particular  purpose. 
No  magazines  of  rum  have  been  formed.  We  have 
been  in  a  manner  destitute  of  that  necessary  article, 
and  what  we  are  now  likely  to  draw  from  the  several 
States  will  be  from  hand  to  mouth.  From  the  fore- 
going state  of  facts  you  will  perceive  in  how  small  a 
degree  the  requisitions  of  Congress  have  been  com- 
plied with,  and  may  form  a  judgment  of  the  misera- 
ble manner  in  which  the  army  has  been  subsisted. 

Having  lately,  at  the  request  of  the  Board  of  War, 
furnished  them  with  my  opinion  of  the  quantity  of 
provision,  which  ought  to  be  laid  up  at  the  several 
posts,  they  will  be  able,  at  the  interview  which  you 
propose  to  have  with  them,  to  lay  before  you  my 
ideas  upon  the  subject  of  a  contract  for  supplying  the 
army.  I  beg  you  to  be  assured,  that  I  never  can 
think  your  correspondence  tedious  or  troublesome. 
Duty  as  well  as  inclination  will  always  prompts  mc  to 
listen  with  pleasure  to  your  obser\'ations  upon  the 
state  of  our  public  affairs ;  and  1  shall  think  myself 
happy,  if  1  can  in  any  manner  contribute  to  assist 
you  in  the  arduous  task  you  have  undertaken.  I 
shall  ver)'  anxiously  wait  for  the  visit,  which  you 


178'] 


GEOSGE  WASHINGTON. 


303 


promise  to  make  me.    I  am,  with  very  sincere  respect 
and  esteem,  &c. 

P.  S.  Will  it  be  possible  upon  a  sudden  emer- 
gency to  procure  from  2.000  to  2,500  barrels  of  salt 
beef  or  pork  at  Philadelphia,  in  such  case  what  may 
be  at  Providence  or  New  Hampshire  maybe  disposed 
of  and  go  towards  payment  of  that  in  Philadelphia. 
We  have  no  news  of  the  ship  Lafayette  ;  about  3,000 
suits  of  clothes  have  arrived  at  Boston  from  Spain, 
but  unfortunately  the  coats  are  scarlet. 


TO   MAJOR-GENERAL   LORD  STIRLING. 

instructions. 

Head  Qdaktsile,  kkar  Dobbs's  Fbkrv. 
14  July,  17B1. 
Mv  Lord, 

While  I  am  with  Ihe  detachment  of  the  army  below,  you  will 
remain  in  command  here.  Your  principal  attention  will  be  paid 
to  the  good  order  of  the  camp,  and  the  security  of  Ihe  baggage 
and  stores  left  in  it.  There  will  be  no  need  of  advanced  pickets, 
OS  you  will  be  fully  covered  in  front.  The  camp  guards  should 
be  vigilant,  and  the  officers  commanding  them  see  that  ihe  men 
are  not  permitted  to  straggle,  or  to  plunder  the  baggage  of  the 
officers  and  soldiers. 

The  greatest  harmony  having  hitherto  subsisted  between  the 
French  and  American  soldiers,  your  Lordship  will  be  partica- 
tarly  careful  10  see  that  it  it  not  interrupted  by  any  act  of  impru- 
dence on  our  part ;  and.  as  Major-Gcneral  the  Baron  Viom^nil, 
who  will  command  the  French  line,  is  older  in  commission  than 
your  Lordship,  you  will  take  the  parole  and  countersign  from  him 
daily.  It  is  scarcely  probable  that  the  enemy  will  make  any  attempt 
uponibecamp,  while  so  respectable  a  force  is  near  their  own  lines. 
Should  they  do  it,  it  must  be  by  water.     The  officer  command* 


ja*  rWfr  T3?r73r<25r  JF^  [r7«i 


-n  ^tw-^^gTT  -£: 


■-Tiur  .tfECer  ^t  tw-  :rci  tjctl     -'■'"*  u  Ts:n>f.  -ipt  -im-- 

■««En-   u    ir*   avvr.  arst  jieai  ss  ai  i°gnse  5zc  —j 
ssi«ic;  ^  rem.    ..  iTcgiggrcus  ^  isr-n^  ^r^^er  yztz  ^r^sz 

^c:<>    i^t:  HJt    «!f  isLiar?  inr  nrrvics  .:>rz-^=cei 


i78i] 


GSOXGE  WASHINGTON. 


305 


That  this  has  been  the  case  in  an  eminent  degree 
for  some  time  past  a  Gentleman  so  well  acquainted 
with  public  matters  as  you  are,  need  not  be  told.  The 
distresses  of  Virginia  I  am  but  too  well  acquainted 
with ;  but  the  plan  you  have  suggested  as  a  relief  for 
it  is,  in  my  judgmt.,  a  greater  proof  of  your  unbounded 
confidence  in  me,  than  it  is.  that  the  means  proposed 
would  be  found  adequate  to  the  end  in  view,  were  it 
practicable  to  make  the  experiment,  which  at  present 
is  not,  as  there  are  insuperable  obstacles  to  my  re- 
moving from  the  immediate  command  of  the  com- 
bined troops. 

'I"he  reasons  for  this  opinion  I  cannot  entrust  to 
paper,  at  all  times  liable  to  miscarriage,  and  peculiarly 
so  of  late,  1  am  fully  persuaded,  however,  (upon  good 
military  principles,)  that  the  measures  I  have  adopted 
will  give  more  efTectual   and  speedier  relief  to  the 

which  is  employed  in  the  public  service,  and  hu  (or  it*  object  the  public 
good.  ...  It  wou)d  be  ■  thing  for  angels  to  weep  over  if  the  goodly  fabric  of 
buman  rrccdom,  wliich  you  have  10  well  Uborad  to  rtsr,  should  in  one  unlucky 
nonenibe  levelled  with  the  dnst.  There  is  nothing  t  think  mote  certain,  than 
thAt  your  perwnnl  call  would  bring  into  immediate  eic-rlion  the  force  and  (he 
moutca  of  thii  State  and  the  neighboting  one*,  which,  tiirecltd  gt  Ihey  would 
be,  will  cRectually  diuip|>oinl  and  bafHe  the  deep  laid  ichcmci  of  the  enemy." 
— Riikord  HtHry  Ijt  tit  If'iiiiiiigliiii,  Cliantitly,  June  19th. 

In  this  letter  Mr.  Lee  cncloied  a  copy  of  one  which  he  Iind  written  to  some 
of  the  meoibcn  of  CoDgreu,  and  in  which  he  had  expreued  himself  as  follows : 

"  I.CI  General  Waiihingion  be  Snimcdiaicty  sent  10  Virginia,  with  two  i>r 
three  ihouiand  good  Itoopi,  Let  Congreis,  as  ihc  head  of  the  federal  union, 
in  thii  ctiiii  direct,  that,  until  a  lefpslaturc  can  convene  and  ■  governor  be  ap- 
pulutcd,  the  Ccnsral  be  yiotwa*<\  of  dictatorial  powert,  and  that  it  be  htrongly 
recomoiended  tothc  Aiiembly,  uhen  convened,  to  continue  those  powers  for 
kit,  ci|;ht,  or  ten  months,  as  the  case  maybe  ;  and  that  the  General  maybe  de- 
tired  inntinlly  on  hit  arrival  in  Vir^iuiu  lu  summon  the  tiicniber^  of  Loth 
House)  lo  meet  where  he  ihall  appoint,  to  organise  and  t«*etlle  their  govcra- 
nent," 
30 


3o6 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


State  of  Virginia,  than  if  I  was  to  march  thither  with 
dictatorial  powers,  at  the  head  of  every  man  1  could 
draw  from  hence,  without  leaving  the  important 
posts  on  the  North  River  quite  defenceless,  and  these 
States  open  to  devastation  and  ruin.  When  I  say 
this,  I  would  be  understood  to  mean,  if  I  am  properly 
supported  (and  I  have  asked  no  extraordinary  suc- 
cors) by  the  States  Eastward  of  Jersey  inclusive  My 
present  operation,  and  which  I  have  been  preparing 
for  with  all  the  zeal  and  activity  in  my  power,  will. 
I  am  morally  certain,  if  I  am  properly  supported, 
produce  one  of  two  things ;  either  the  fall  of  New 
York,  or  a  withdrawal  of  the  Troops  from  Viginja 
excepting  a  Garrison  at  Portsmouth,  at  which  place, 
I  have  no  doubt  of  the  enemy's  intention  to  estab- 
lish a  permanent  post.  A  long  land  march,  in 
which,  we  have  never  failed  to  dissipate  half  our 
men,  the  difficulty  and  expense  of  transportation,  and 
other  reasons  not  less  powerful,  but  wch  1  dare  not 
commit  to  writing,  decided  me  in  my  present  plan ; 
and  my  hopes,  I  trust,  will  not  be  disappointed. 

In  half  an  hour's  conversation  I  could,  I  flatter  my- 
self, convince  you  of  the  utility  of  my  meases. ;  but, 
as  I  have  before  obsen'ed,  I  dare  not  attempt  it  by 
letter,  because  I  have  already  had  two  or  three  im- 
portant ones  intercepted  in  the  mails,  the  sight  of 
which,  I  am  persuaded,  occasioned  the  retrogade 
movemts.  of  Lord  Cornwallis,  and  will  be  the  means 
of  bringing  part  of  his  force  to  New  York,  to  the  ac- 
complishment of  one  part  of  my  plan.  The  fatal  policy 
of  short  enlistmts.  (the  primary  cause  of  all  our  mis- 


ijSil 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


307 


fortunes — the  prolongation  of  the  War — and  the 
source  of  the  immense  debt  under  which  we  labor — ) 
is  now  shedding  its  baneful  influence  upon  our  meas- 
ures and  I  am  laboring  under  all  the  disadvantages  and 
evils  which  result  from  them  and  the  want  of  men. — It 
can  be  no  News  to  tell  you,  that  by  the  expiration  of 
the  terms  of  enlistment  I  was  left  last  Winter  with  a 
force  so  much  reduced  as  to  be  scarcely  able  to  gar- 
rison West  point ;  but,  it  may  be  News,  and  is  not 
less  true  than  surprizing  to  you  to  hear  that  not  half 
the  men  which  were  required  to  be  with  the  Army, 
as  recruits  for  the  Continental  Battns.,  by  the  first 
day  of  Jany.  last  are  yet  arrived — and  of  those  asked 
by  me  from  the  Militia  not  one  is  come. 

But  a  few  words  more,  and  1  will  put  an  end  to 
this  long  letter. 

No  endeavors  of  mine  have  been  wanting  to  obtain 
a  naval  superiority  in  these  seas,  nor  to  employ  that 
which  we  have  to  valuable  purposes.  How  far  I 
have  succeeded  in  the  latter  is  but  too  obvious  ;  how 
far  I  may  see  my  wishes  accomplished  in  the  former, 
time  must  discover.  With  great  esteem  and  regard, 
I  am.  dear  Sir,  &c.' 


QUESTIONS  AND  REPLIES. 

Questions  by  Rochamucau.  Akswers  nv  G.  W. 

The  Count  de  Barras  in  bis  It  is  next  to  impossible  at 
Letter  of  the  13th  instant,  and     this  moment,  ci re li instanced  as 

'  On  t!ic  AniX  of  thii  letter  Waihing'""  l""  noted  thil  io  the  t»ir  copy  wme 
uiilencci  wetc  trantpoted,  xtA  >lt«ntii>nt  »n<l  conecliom  made,  bul  Ih«  Kit- 
limenti  ware  the  Mme. 


3o8 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


['78' 


Mr.  De  ChoUy,  in  hU  Letter  of 
the  isth  dcmnnd  both  of  them, 
Mr.  De  Choisy  by  the  desire  of 
the  Count  dc  Barras,  What  is  to 
be  the  definitive  plan  o(  opera- 
tions that  his  Excellency  Gen- 
eral Washington  has  fixed  on 
that  they  may  make  it  known 
to  the  Count  dc  Crassc.  on  his  ' 
anrival  in  these  Seas,  and  so,  en- 
ableof  him  lo  concur  with  us.  I 
beg  of  his  Excellency  to  fix  on 
the  answer  that  I  am  to  tend 
to  them  and  at  the  same  time  it 
will  enable  me  to  make  before- 
hand the  necessary  piepara- 
tions  for  the  corps  of  Troops 
tliat  1  command. 


Let  us  suppose  that  the  Count 
dc  Giasse  docs  not  took  on  it  as 
practicable  to  force  Sandy  hook, 
and  that  he  does  not  bnng  with 
him  any  Land  troops  : 

In  these  two  cases  which  ap- 
pear very  likely,  because  on  one 
hand,  the  Seamen  look  on  San- 
dy hook  bar,  as  impossible  to 
force,  and  on  the  other  hand  be- 
cause the  Court  of  France 
makes  no  mention  of  any  troops 
to  be  brought  here  by  the  Count 
dc  Grasse,  in  the  Letters  that  in- 
form us  of  his  arrival  here — in 
these  two  cases,   Does  his  £x- 


we  are  &  laboring  under  un- 
certainties, to  Ax  a  definitive 
plan  for  the  Campaign — defin- 
itive measures  must  depend  up- 
on circumstances  at  the  Time 
of  the  Arrival  of  the  Count  de 
Grasse,  —  particularly  on  the 
following — 

ist.  The  situation  of  the  En- 
emy at  that  moment. 

xd.  On  the  succors  he  shall 
bring  with  him  —  or  on  the 
Force  we  shall  have  collected 
by  that  Period. 

3d.  On  the  Operation  &  Ad- 
vantages wch.  may  be  gained 
by  the  Fleet  in  the  moment  of 
its  Arrival. 

and  4th.  On  the  Contiauaace 
of  tlie  Fleet  upon  &  probabili- 
ty of  its  maiDiaing.  its  decisive 
Superiority  whilst  il  is  here. 

If  the  Fleet  of  Count  de 
Grasse  should  be  late  in  it  ar- 
riving to  this  Coast — if  the 
Count  should  not  think  it  pru- 
dent to  attempt  forcing  the 
Passage  of  the  Hook — or  fail 
in  making  the  Altcmpl — if  he 
should  bring  no  land  Troops 
with  him,  &  the  American 
Force  should  not  be  consid- 
erably augmented  —  I  am  of 
Opinion,  that  under  these  Cir- 
cumstances wc  ought  to  throw 
a  sufficient  Garrison  into  W. 
Point,  leave  some  Continental 
Troops  &  Militia  to  cover  the 


i78i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


309 


cellency  think  thai  with  an 
Army  which,  joined  to  the 
French  corps,  will  not  be  much 
more  numerous  than  the  Troops 
that  defend  New  York,  it  will 
be  possible  to  undertake  with 
success  something  against  that 
place. 


If  his  Excellency  does  not 
look  on  it  as  practicable  to  risk 
it, could  not  the  operationsbe  di- 
rected against  Virginia,  Mr.  de 
Grasse  be  sent  to  Chesapeak 
bay  and  bring  there  the  detach- 
mcnt  of  Mr.  De  Choisy,  and  a 
part  of  his  Excellency's  army 
OT  the  French  corps  march  as 
far  as  Elk  river,  where  the 
Count  de  Grasse  being  master 
in  Chesapeak  bay  would  come 
to  convoy  hira  ?  Would  not  we 
be  then  in  a  condition  to  under- 
take with  Success  on  Lord 
Cornwallis  and  force  him  to 
evacuate  Virginia.  That  march 
of  the  French  troops  would 
need   to  be   prepared   before- 


Country  contiguous  to  N.  York, 
&  transport  the  Remainder 
(both  French  &  American)  to 
Virginia,  shovild  the  Enemy 
still  keep  a  Force  there.  The 
Season  &  other  Circum- 
stances will  admit  of  late  Op- 
erations in  that  Quarter.  To  he 
prepared  for  such  an  Kvent,  I 
think  it  highly  expedient  that 
Mr.  Barras  should  hold  all  his 
Transports  in  the  utmost 
Readiness  to  take  the  Detach- 
ment under  Mr.  De  Choisy  & 
the  heavy  Artillery  at  Provi- 
dence on  Board,  &  sail  with 
them  to  meet  the  Troops  either 
in  Delaware  or  Chesapeake,  as 
may  be  ultimately  agreed  upon. 

But  should  the  Fleet  arrive  in 
Season — not  be  limited  to  a 
short  stay  &  should  it  be  able 
to  force  the  Harbor  of  N.  York, 
tt,  in  addition  to  all  these,  should 
find  the  British  Force  in  a  di- 
vided Stale, — i  am  o(  Opinion 
that  the  Enterprise  against  N. 
York  &  its  Dependencies  shou'd 
be  our  primary  object. 

To  prevent  the  Enemy  from 
a  possibility  of  formg.  a  Junc- 
tion &  to  lay  a  Foundation  for 
their  Ruin,  I  was  anxious  that 
Count  de  Barras,  if  he  tho't  the 
Departure  of  the  Royal  Oak 
had  given  him  naval  superior- 
ity, should  sail  for  Chesapeak, 
an  Event  if  the  Sttfieriority  it«n 


3IO 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[i7«i 


hand.  It  would  be  necessary 
that  Count  dc  Barrss  carry  with 
him  our  Siege  Artillery,  and 
bring  with  him  all  the  Trans- 
ports neceitsary  to  Ihe  passage 
of  the  FrcDch  corps  in  the  Bay 
o(  Chesapealc 

Lb  Ct.  de  Rochambeau. 


kit  Side,  I  devoutly  wish  as  I  ara 
of  Opinion  that  much  Good  & 
no  Evil  can  result  from  it. — 
The  Reasons  vrhich  induce  the 
Count  [Q  decline  that  Meaittire, 
have  been  communicaied  by 
him  to  your  Excellency  &  to 
me  by  Letter. 

Upon  the  whole  1  do  not  sec 
what  more  can  be  done  than  to 
prosecute  the  Plan  agreed  to  at 
Weathcrsfield  —  &  to  recom- 
mend it  to  the  Count  de  Grasse 
to  come  immediately  to  Sandy 
Hook  &  if  postible  pos«e»M  the 
Harbor  of  N.  York  at  the  Mo- 
ment of  his  Arrival  and  thea 
form  a  full  View  &  Considera- 
tion of  the Circumsiances  which 
exist  form  a  definitive  plan  of 
Campaign  upon  the  surest 
grounds. 

Go.  W. 
Camp  at  Dobbs'  Ferry, 
July  19,  17S1. 


TO    BRIGADIER-GENERAL   WATERBURV. 

IIkad-Qiiabtxre,  atjulv,  1781. 

Sib, 

The  army  will  make  a  movement  this  evening. 
You  will  march  your  corps  on  the  same  route,  and  in 
such  time  and  manner  as  to  be  at  East  Chester  be- 
tween daybreak  and  sunrise,  as  directed  in  my  letter 
of  the  14th,  Your  troops  should  be  supplied,  (if  pos- 
sible,) with  three  days'  cooked  provisions;  and  the 


178>J 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


3" 


movement  of  the  army,  as  well  as  of  your  troops, 
must  be  kept  a  secret  until  the  moment  you 
march.' 

In  order  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  obtaining  any 
intelligence  whatever  from  us.  I  have  ordered  small 
parties  to  waylay  all  the  roads  from  the  North  River 
to  East  Chester.  I  must  request  you  will  send 
an  active  subaltern  and  twenty  men  with  good  guides 
early  this  afternoon  across  the  fields  and  woods  from 

'  With  a  fkiv  q1  mcertaiiiiiig  the  ei»cl  poHilion  kA  the  enrmy  on  thf  north 
end  of  Npn-  York  Istani}.  General  Wa^hinglon  rnolvei]  to  reconnoitre  their 
posts  from  the  wcslern  shoic  of  ihc  Hudson.  For  this  purpose,  on  the  lEtli 
of  July,  he  er*wc<l  the  river  at  tJobb^  Fctry,  nceompanieil  hf  Count  tie  Ro. 
chambMQ,  General  de  Beville,  ind  General  Duporlul.  They  were  ailended 
bf  an  cicorl  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  from  the  Jeney  troopi,  then  Ma- 
tioner]  on  the  wctl  liile  of  the  river.  The  day  wMfpmt  In  rcvonnoitring  from 
the  high  grounds  between  Dobbi  Ferry  and  Fort  Lee.  He  dined  nt  one 
William  Day's,  near  ForC  l.ce.  The  KUhtrquenl  matifruvrcl  nenr  Kin^hrid|>e 
■re  briefly  sketched  In  the  following  exlracl  fium  hii  DUiry. 

"  Jiilyml. — I  ordered  about  five  thoutanci  men  to  be  reidy  to  march  at  eight 
o'clock,  for  the  purjiosc  of  reconnoitring  Ihecnemy'i  poithac  Kinicabridgc,  and 
of  culling  oO,  if  possible,  rach  of  Ilelanccy't  corpi  >v  should  be  found  irrlh< 
out  their  lines.  At  Ihc  hour  appointed  the  tnnrth  commenced.  In  four  column*, 
on  dtflenni  roAds.  Major-General  farsana  with  the  Conneclicnl  tionpi,  and 
twenty-live  of  Sheldon's  hone,  formed  the  right  column,  with  two  field-p^ecn, 
on  the  North  River  toad.  The  other  two  divliioni.  under  Major-GeneraU 
Ljscoln  and  Huwe,  l(if;elhci  with  the  corpt  nf  tapper*  and  nilneri,  and  four 
fl«1d-piecci,  formed  the  next  column  on  the  Saw-mill  River  road.  The  Kght 
colninn  of  the  French,  on  our  left,  conusled  of  the  brigade  of  liourhonnoii, 
with  tlie  battalion  of  crenadlera  and  chaeienn>,  two  rield-piecctL,  and  two  twelve^ 
pounder*.  Their  left  column  was  composed  of  Ihc  legion  of  Lauiun.  one  bat. 
tidion  of  cfcnndlers  and  chaueurs,  the  regiment  of  Soti«onnoii,  two  6eld- 
piecM.  and  two  howiuert.  (jmcra!  Watcrbury,  with  (he  mlUtla  and  Stat* 
troops  of  Connecticut,  was  to  march  on  the  EaalCholrrrDad.  and  to  be  jnineil  at 
that  place  by  the  cavalry  of  Sheldon,  (or  the  purpose  of  icouring  Frog's  Neck. 
Sheldon's  infantry  wa>  lo  join  Ihe  lci:inn  of  l.auiun  and  tcour  Morrlkania,  and 
to  be  covered  by  Scammell's  light  infantry,  who  weir  to  adtance  through  ill* 
fitld).  waylay  the  roada,  >.iop  nil  communication,  and  prevent  intelligence  from 
getting  to  the  enemy,  At  Valentine'*  Hill  the  left  column  of  the  American 
troops  and  right  of  the  French  formed  their  junction,  as  did  the  left  of  the 


3'* 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


I1781 


your  encampment  to  some  good  position  for  an  am- 
buscade,  on  the  side  of  the  road  leading  from  New 
Rochelle  to  East  Chester,  as  near  the  latter  as  may 
be  without  hazard  of  discovery.  This  party  must 
remain  perfectly  concealed,  with  orders  to  apprehend 
all  persons  going  towards  Kingsbridge.  It  is  essen- 
tial that  your  party  should  not  be  seen  by  any  in- 
habitant, as  this  might  frustrate  the  very  object  of 
our   precautions.     You  will   be  convinced.  Sir,  by 

French  alio,  by  mitlalu,  ai  it  wax  inlcnded  il  iliauld  crou  ihc  Bmnx  by  Gam- 
ncaa'tand  recro»  il  at  Williami'E  Bridge.  The  whole  unny  (PaiiDnv'ii  iliiiilon 
fintlitrrivcil  HI  Kini;ahri<tcT  Alimit  (Inylijjhi.  .ind  funned  on  llit  lieighit  back  cf 
Fort  Independence,  exlending  (owoidt  DeUncer's  MilU ;  while  Ihe  legion  tA 
Lauiun  anil  Walcrbuiy't  corpt  proceeded  totcour  Mnrritnnii  and  Frog't  NkIi 
tolitlle  eltect.  u  moil  of  tlir  Kotugcet  bnd  llc'1,  and  hid  ihenmeNeii  in  tuvh  ob- 
KUte  plac«s  tA  not  la  be  discoc«rad  ;  and  by  itenlth  got  over  [•>  the  idandt 
adjacent,  and  10  Ihc  enemy'i  ihippine.  which  lay  in  Ihe  Eaat  River.  A  few, 
however,  were  caughl,  and  Home  c*Illc  and  hoii»  brought  oH, 

"July  I3i/.— The  enemy  did  not  appear  ta  have  had  Ihe  lean!  Intdll|[enc« 
of  onr  muvcmenl,  oi  I0  know  we  wrr«  u|H>n  the  licighii  oppoHite  lo  them, 
till  the  whole  army  was  ready  to  diiplay  iiiflf.  After  haWng  luced  upon  tbc 
•^und,  an<1  formed  our  line,  I  began  with  General  Rochambeau  and  the  en- 
ipown  to  reconnoitre  llic  i:iieniy'«  po»lli«n  and  work*  ;  and  firil  (rum  Tip|icl'» 
Hill  oppoiite  to  their  U-fl.  From  thence  tl  tru  e^-iden1.  thit  ihe  imnll  redoubt 
(Fort  Charles)  mar  Kingsbridge  would  be  absolutely  at  the  command  of  a  bat- 
tery, which  ntigbl  hr.  eieclrd  thereon.  It  also  appeared  equally  trident,  that 
the  fori  on  Cox'i  Kill  wns  in  bid  repair,  snd  little  dependence  placed  In  it. 
There  i«  neither  ditch  not  friexine.  and  Ihe  narlheait  corner  appemquilccMjr 
of  accna,  occasioned  ns  it  would  s«rm  by  a  rock.  1'1ie  approach  from  th«  in- 
ner point  is  secured  by  n  ledge  of  rocks,  which  would  conceal  a  party  from  ob- 
aervation,  till  It  not  within  about  one  hundicd  yards  of  the  fort,  around  which, 
for  thai  or  a  gmler  ditiancc.  the  giound  ha*  tiltlc  covering  of  t>uthet  upon 
it.  There  ia  a  house  on  thin  side  under  Tippet's  Hill,  but  out  of  view,  I  con- 
ceive, of  the  crauing-placc  moil  favorable  ton  pariiian  stroke.  From  ihii  view, 
and  every  other  (  could  pet  of  Forik  Ttyon.  Knypliauscn,  and  Laurel  Hill, 
the  works  are  formidable.  There  are  no  barracks  or  huts  on  the  east  aide  of 
the  hill,  on  which  Forts  Tryon  and  K  nyphait&en  tUnd.  nor  are  there  any  on  Ihe 
hill  oppoaite.  eicopt  ihoao  by  Fort  tieotg*.  Near  the  Blur  Bell  lltort  iaa  nuin- 
bei  of  house*,  but  they  have  more  the  appearance  of  stables  than  bamuki. 
Ill  the  hollow,  near  the  hanjetgate,  are  about  fourteen  01  fifteen  tenti.  which 


17*0 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


3*3 


your  own  experience  and  good  sense,  that  the  pro- 
foundest  secrecy  is  absolutely  necessary  in  all  mili* 
lary  matters,  and  in  no  instance  more  indispensably 
so,  than  in  movements  towards  the  enemy's  lines. 
I  am,  &c. 

P.  S.  After  you  have  given  all  the  necessary 
orders,  I  could  wish  you  would  come  to  head-quar- 
ters and  dine  with  me,  as  I  may  have  many  things  to 
communicate  personally  to  you. 

■le  lh«  only  cncamtitnenl  I  could  see  withoul  the  line  of  pgJiMilea.  A  con- 
tinued hill  from  Che  creek,  east  of  Haerlem  River  and  n  little  below  Morri.i's 
While  House,  has  from  every  pirt  of  ii  the  eomnmnd  of  Ihc  opposite  shore,  and 
■11  the  I'liiii  mijolninu  is  uirhin  range  of  kliiit  fti>ni  liiillerieit.  «!iicli  ni:iy  lic 
erected  thereon.  The  general  width  of  the  river,  along  thin  range  of  hjlli,  ap* 
pean  to  be  from  one  hundred  to  two  hundred  yards.  The  opposite  ihore, 
though  more  or  lew  inanliy,  doe*  not  seem  mity,  inJ  the  l^anln  ate  very  ea^y 
ofnccets.  How  far  the  boltery,  under  cover  of  the  blockhouie  on  the  hill  north* 
WC4I  of  Haertem  town,  l>>  capal>le  of  scouring  the  plain,  1>  dtflicull  to  dcleimlne 
IrotD  this  tide  ;  but  il  iroald  ixtva  t»  if  the  distanor  were  too  t^eal  l'>  be  within 
the  range  of  ttishot  on  that  part  of  the  plain  nearert  the  ereelt  before  mentioned, 
txA  (riileh  is  alsi>  neatest  the  helghK  back  of  our  old  linn  Ihrown  up  In  the 
year  \T)b.  Il  unfortunately  liapprns,  that,  in  the  rear  of  the  continued  hill 
before  menlioncd.  there  is  *  deep  swamp,  and  the  grounds  weil  of  that  iwamp 
ai«  not  w  high  as  the  heights  iiciu  UAcilein  Riirr.  In  the  r«ar  of  ihiit  again 
it  the  Bnina,  which  ii  not  to  be  ctoued  without  bouti  below  Delancey's  Mills. 

•'Jufys^d. — Went  upon  Ftog'i  Neck  to  see  what  communication  could  be 
had  with  Long  IiJand,  ami  the  enginEcnfttienilci)  with  instruments  to  measure 
Ihe  distance  across.  Having  finished  the  reconnoitre  without  damage,  a  few 
harmlct'  shot  only  being  lircd  al  us.  we  matched  back  about  six  o'clock  by  the 
>amc  routes  wc  wrnt  <lowii,  bill  In  a  rcvcned  order  of  march,  and  arrived  at 
c*rap  about  midnight." 

Supposing  it  probable,  thai  Count  deGmsae  would  thott);  appear  oft  Sandy 
Hook  with  ihi)  llect.  General  Washington  wrote  to  him,  on  Ihe  aiti  nl  July, 
idCoudI  de  Kochambeiu's  cipher,  acquainting  him  with  the  junction  of  tha 
allicdannici.  their  poiilinn  and  iticngih.  and  Ihe  force  of  the  cnemT  :  and  also 
explained  the  plant  then  in  view  as  to  future  operaiiiinii.  This  letter  wn  sent 
under  cover  to  Col.  Jonathan  Fonnan,  at  Monmouth,  with  a  request  that  he 
would  keep  loDk.ouls  on  Ihe  heights,  and,  as  toon  as  the  fleet  should  approach, 
ff>  00  board  tlic  ficn  in  per«on  and  deliver  the  leltcr  lo  Count  de  Otaate. 


3*4 


THE  WRITINGS  OP 


[178. 


TO  THOMAS   McKEAN.  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS.' 

HeaD'QUAKTBKS,  «KAR  DoBBrs  FZKItY, 

ai  July,  1781. 

Sir. 

I  have  been  honored  by  your  Excellency's  three 
letters  of  the  14th  and  17th  of  this  month,  with  the 
several  resolutions  of  Congress,  and  the  extracts 
from  intercepted  letters  enclosed.  I  am  much  obliged 
by  your  attention  in  the  communication  of  the  ex- 
tracts, although  I  had  been  favored  with  them 
through  another  channel,  previous  to  the  receipt  of 
your  favors.  The  intelligence  to  be  collected  from 
them,  if  properly  improved,  1  think  may  turn  greatly 
to  our  advantage.' 

1  take  this  opportunity  most  sincerely  to  congratu- 
late you,  Sir,  on  the  honor  conferred  upon  you  by 
Congress,  in  being  elected  to  preside  in  that  most 
respectable  body.  Happy,  as  I  expect  to  be  in  your 
correspondence,  I  dare  say  I  shall  have  no  reason 
to  complain  of  the  mode  of  your  conducting  it.  as 
from  a  knowledge  of  your  character  1  flatter  myself  it 
will  ever  be  performed  with  great  propriety.  I  take 
the  liberty,  however,  to  request  as  a  particular  favor, 
that  you  will  be  so  good  as  to  convey  to  me,  as  you 
have  opportunity,  any  interesting  intelligence,  which 
you  may  receive  either  from  Europe,  or  respecting  our 
Continental  aRair.s.  Your  situation  will  put  it  par- 
ticularly in  your  power  to  oblige  me  in  this  request, 

'Chosen  Pt«Eid«nlo(Cangms<  on  llic  lothofjulr,  oinucceuot  to  Ur.  Hun- 
ttngton.  who  had  reugnecL  Samuel  Johnson.  d(  North  Carolina,  wu  fint 
chOMD.  t>uE  he  declined  acccptin);  the  appointment. 

*  Eilractt  (rum  inUrcopt«d  lateen. 


and  be  assured.  Sir,  that  a  greater  obligation  cannot 
be  conferred ;  since,  for  want  of  communication  in 
tliis  way.  I  have  often  been  left  in  the  dark  in  mat- 
ters, which  essentially  concern  the  public  welfare,  and 
which,  if  known,  might  be  very  influential  in  the 
government  of  my  conduct  in  the  military  line. 

I  am  very  happy  to  be  informed,  by  accounts  from 
ail  parts  of  the  continent,  of  the  agreeable  prospect 
of  a  very  plentiful  supply  of  almost  all  the  produc- 
tions of  the  earth.  Blessed  as  we  are  with  the  boun- 
ties of  Providence,  necessary  for  our  support  and 
defence,  the  fault  must  surely  be  our  own,  (and  great 
indeed  will  it  be,)  if  we  do  not  by  a  proper  use  of 
them  obtain  the  noble  prize  for  which  we  have  been 
so  long  contending,  the  establishment  of  peace.  liberty 
and  independence.     1  am,  dear  Sir,  &c 


TO  JOHN   PARKE  CUSTIS. 

Dovns's  Fkbiiv,  July  as,  ijflt. 

Dear  Custis, 

Your  letter  of  the  i  ith  covering  certain  proposals 
which  were  made  by  you  to  Mr.  Robl.  Alexander 
came  safe  by  the  last  Post.  I  read  the  letter  with 
attention,  and  think  they  are  founded  on  principles 
of  liberality  and  Justice  as  far  as  I  can  form  a  judg- 
ment without  seeing  the  mortgage,  or  having  recourse 
to  the  original  agreement,  and  the  missives  which 
may  have  passed  between  you. 

How  far  the  purchase  on  your  part,  and  the  sale 
on  Alexander's,  was  a  matter  of  speculation  at  the 


3i6 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


(1781 


time  of  bargaining,  you  yourselves  and  the  nature  of 
the  agreement  can  alone  determine.  If,  from  the 
tenor  of  your  contract,  you  were  to  pay  paper  money 
— if  this  paper  money  was  at  that  time  in  a  depre- 
ciated state,  and  the  difference  between  it  and  specie 
fixed  and  known, — and  if,  moreover,  Alexander.  like 
many  others,  entertained  an  opinion  that  it  would 
again  appreciate,  and  a  paper  dollar  become  equal 
in  value  to  a  silver  one — it  might  be  more  just  than 
generous,  (as  the  money  is,  in  fact,  worth  little  or 
nothing  now)  to  let  him  abide  the  consequences  of 
his  opinion  by  paying  him  in  depreciated  paper ;  be- 
cause the  presumption  is  that  he  would  have  made  no 
allowance  for  appreciation,  tho'  the  former  should  be 
of  equal  value  with  the  latter,  pound  for  povmd.  But 
this,  as  I  have  before  observed,  depends  upon  the 
nature  of  the  bargain,  and  the  light  in  which  the  mat- 
ter was  understood  at  the  time  it  was  made  by  both 
parties. 

If  the  bargain  was  unaccompanied  by  particular 
circumstances,  had  no  explanatory  meaning,  but  sim- 
ply imported  that  so  much  money  was  to  be  given  for 
so  much  land,  to  be  paid  on  or  before  a  certain  period. 
it  is  certainly  optional  in  you  to  discharge  it  at  any 
time  you  please  short  of  that  period.  But  I  conceive 
that  this  can  only  be  done  by  an  actual  tender  of  the 
money,  and  that  there  is  no  legal  obligatn.  or  tye 
upon  Alexr.  to  take  your  bond  (with  any  security 
whatever)  but  the  fear  of  losing  the  original  debt,  or 
the  Interest  of  it,  by  refusing  the  tender  you  propose 
to  make  him  of  ;^4S,ooo  at  this  time ;  because  I  hold 


i78i] 


GEORGE  WASJilNGTON. 


3»» 


it  as  a  maxim  that  no  man  can  be  compelled  to 
change  the  nature  of  his  debt,  or  alter  the  security  of 
it.  without  his  own  consent. 

I  have  before  said,  that,  for  want  of  the  mortgage, 
and  a  knowledge  of  all  the  circumstances  attending 
your  bargain,  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  give  a  de- 
cided opinion.  Your  proposals  appear  to  be  fair  and 
equitable  :  but  what  views  Alexander  may  have  had, 
and  how  far  he  is  prepared  to  support  himself  in  those 
views,  by  written  or  other  valid  proof,  I  am  unable  to 
say.  As  an  honest  man,  he  ought  to  be  content  with 
justice,  and  justice  I  think  you  have  offered  him. 

You  may  recollect  that  I  disliked  the  terms  of  your 
bargain  when  they  were  ist  communicated  to  me.  and 
wished  then  that  you  might  not  find  them  perplex- 
ing and  disadvantageous  in  the  end  ;  as  I  now  do,  that 
you  may  settle  the  matter  with  honor  and  satisfac- 
tion  to  yourself. 

It  gave  me  pain  to  hear  that  you  had  been  so  much 
afflicted  with  sickness  among  your  People,  and  that 
you  thought  your  son  in  danger.  It  would  give  me 
equal  pleasure  to  learn  that  he  and  the  rest  of  your 
family  were  restored  to  perfect  health.  That  so  few 
of  our  countrymen  have  joined  the  enemy  is  a  cir- 
cumstance as  pleasing  to  me  as  it  must  be  mortify- 
ingly  convincing  to  them  of  the  fallacy  of  their  asser- 
tion, that  \  of  the  people  were  in  their  Intert.  and 
ready  to  join  them  when  opportunity  offered.  Had 
this  been  the  case,  the  marquis's  force,  and  the  other 
\,  must  have  abandoned  the  country. 

I  am  much  pleased  with  your  choice  of  a  governor. 


3>8 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1780 


He  is  an  honest  man — active,  spirited,  and  decided, 
and  will,  I  am  persuaded,  suit  the  times  as  well  as 
any  person  in  the  State.'  You  were  lucky,  consider- 
ing the  route  by  which  the  enemy  retreated  to  Wil- 
liamsburg, to  sustain  so  little  damage.  I  am  of 
opinion  that  Lord  Cornwallis  will  establish  a  strong 
post  at  Portsmouth,  detach  part  of  his  force  to  New 
York,  and  go  with  the  residue  to  So.  Carolina. 

I  returned  yesterday  from  reconnoitring  (with 
Count  de  Rochambeau  and  the  engineers  of  both 
armies)  the  enemy's  works  near  Kingsbridgc;  wc  lay 
cloae  by  them  two  days  and  a  night,  without  any  at- 
tempt on  their  part  to  prevent  it.  They  kept  up  a 
random  cannonade,  but  to  very  little  effect.  I  am 
watting  impatiently  for  the  men  the  States  (this 
way)  have  been  called  upon  for,  that  I  may  deter- 
mine my  plan  and  commence  my  operations. 

My  best  wishes  attend  Nelly  Custis  (who  I  hope 
is  perfectly  recovered)  and  the  little  girls.  My  com- 
plimts.  await  inquiring  friends,  and  I  am. 

Sincerely  and  atTectionately.  &c. 


TO   MAJOR-CENERAL  GREENE. 

HEAI>.QlTAKTBaS,  NUK   DoBBS'a  FUKY, 

30  July,  1781. 

Mv  Dear  Sir, 

With  peculiar  satisfaction  I  do  myself  the  honor  to 
acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  several  favors,  of  the 
loth,  14th  and  16th  of  May  last,  with  that  of  the  22d 

'  Thomia  Nelson. 


June,  and  to  assure  you  at  the  same  time,  that  it  is 
with  the  warmest  pleasure  I  express  my  full  approba- 
tinn  of  the  various  movements  and  operations,  which 
your  military  conduct  has  lately  exhibited :  while  I 
confess  to  you  that  I  am  unable  to  conceive  what 
more  could  have  been  done  under  your  circumstances, 
than  has  been  displayed  by  your  little  persevering 
and  determined  army.  Lord  Rawdon's  reinforce- 
ment from  England  was  a  most  untoward  circum- 
stance ;  but  even  this,  I  hope,  will  soon  be  surmounted 
by  your  good  fortune. 

You  will  be  informed  from  the  Marquis,  of  every 
circumstance  that  has  taken  place  in  Virginia.  A 
detachment  from  the  army  of  this  brave  and  fortu- 
nate young  nobleman  will,  I  hope,  soon  arrive  to 
your  assistance  in  Carolina. 

By  our  movements  in  this  quarter,  and  the  main 
army  taking  a  position  near  to  New  York,  and  mak- 
ing evcrj-  preparation  for  a  serious  attempt  upon  that 
place,  we  have  already  produced  a  happy  effect,  that 
of  a  withdraw  of  considerable  part  of  the  troops 
under  the  command  of  Lord  Cornwallis  as  a  rein- 
forcement to  their  garrison,  which  has  been  some 
time  past  closely  confined  to  York  Island.  This  with- 
draw will  probably  disappoint  their  views  of  conquest 
in  Virginia,  and  will  exceedingly  embarrass  the  pros- 
pects of  the  British  ministry  in  the  proposed  treaty 
opened  at  Vienna.'     This  is  a  very  great  object,  even 

'  Condiliontil  inMnictiont  had  been  wnt  from  Sir  tlenry  Cliiilon  to  Lard 
ComwRlli),  thai  Ihc  loiter  xhonld  despatch  to  New  York  •  dttachmenc  from  hit 
tnay,  u  WOO  *a  U«  ihuuld  hive  csKblUhfd  hlmtclf  In  ■  fortified  pott  neat  the 


3=0 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[i;8i 


should  any  thing  prevent  our  obtaining  further  suc- 
cess in  our  operations  against  New  York. 

The  operating  force  of  the  enemy  in  the  southern 
States  beingconfined  in  all  probability  to  South  Caro- 
lina, will  leave  the  other  States  in  a  condition  to 
afford  you  such  succors  as,  with  the  atd  of  the  Mar- 
quis's detachment,  will,  I  hope,  enable  you  to  fulfil 
your  hopes  and  wishes  in  their  utmost  extent  in  your 
command.  Should  this  event  take  place,  you  may  be 
assured,  that,  added  to  the  consideration  of  the  pub- 
lic good  which  will  result  therefrom,  honor  that  will 
be  thereby  reflected  on  your  own  person,  will  afford 
me  the  highest  satisfaction.  I  sincerely  wish  we  had 
the  means  of  communicating  more  frequently  with 
each  other  than  has  been  lately  experienced.  Be 
assured,  Sir,  my  concern  for  your  honor  and  welfare 
interests  me  most  particularly  in  every  event  which 
attends  you. 

A  particular  reason,  which  cannot  at  this  lime  be 
communicated,  induces  me  to  request  that  you  will  be 
pleased  to  give  me  the  earliest  and  most  minute  in- 
formation of  every  event,  that  takes  place  with  you, 
and  a  circumstantial  detail  of  the  present  situation 
of  the  State  of  South  Carolina,  its  strength  and  opera- 
tive force,  with  its  resources  for  the  support  of  an 
army,  and  the  extent  of  those  resources,  with  the 
places  where  they  may  be  collected  and  secured  ;  also 

Cheiitpcakc.  Thdr  departure  wb»  delayed,  however,  till  die  Frttich  feci  ar- 
rived in  ilie  Cli«a[>eali«,  unil  In  rcallly  no  putt  of  Lord  Cocnwallis'i  urmy  left 
Virginia  (or  the  purpose  <A  reinforcing  Sir  Kcnrjr  Clinton. — See  ihc  Mtreipond- 
ence  in /.^n/  CaritvMiliu' i  Amiti/rr  t»  Sir  Umry  CitHbm' i  "/ifarrAiit^"  ^i., 
pp.  J(>-i88. 


.78x1 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


3*' 


the  strength,  position,  and  circumstances  attending 
the  enemy's  force.     I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.' 


TO  THE    MARQUIS    DE    LAFAYETTE. 

Hkad  Qvaxteils,  kkar  DonBl  FkMTi 
30  July.  it8i. 

My  Dear  Marquis, 

I  take  your  private  letter  of  the  20th  of  this  month 
in  the  light  which  you  wish  it,  that  of  an  unreserved 
communication  from  one  friend  to  another ;  and  I 
should  be  wanting  in  candor,  were  I  not  to  expose 
my  sentiments  to  you  in  as  free  a  manner.  I  am 
convinced,  that  your  desire  to  be  with  this  army 
arises  principally  from  a  wish  to  be  actively  useful. 
You  will  not,  therefore,  regret  your  stay  in  Virginia 
until  matters  are  reduced  to  a  greater  degree  of  cer- 
tainty, than  they  are  at  present,  especially  when  I 
tell  you,  that,  from  the  change  of  circumstances  with 
which  the  removal  of  part  of  the  enemy's  force  from 
Virginia  to  New  York  will  be  attended,  it  is  more 
than  probable,  that  we  shall  also  entirely  change  our 
plan  of  operations.  I  think  we  have  already  effected 
one  part  of  the  plan  of  the  campaign  settled  at 
Wcathersfiekl ;  that  is,  giving  a  substantial  relief  to 
the  southern  States,  by  obliging  the  enemy  to  recall 
a  considerable  part  of  their  force  from  thence.     Our 

'  from  lie  Ordtrfy  B«ok.  Jftljr  31st—"  Th«  light  companiei  o(  Ihe  first  and 
tecond  TeKimentKof  New  York  (upon  ihdr  arrivid  in  camp),  with  the  twocom- 
pftnin  of  Vcirk  levin  under  the  coinniiiid  of  CaptaliK  Sackeit  >ii<l  Willbmt, 
iiiU  form  ■  battalion  under  the  command  of  Lieuteu:int-Colon«l  Hamilton  and 
Mijoi  Pitii,  Aflet  the  (ormalion  of  the  ballalion,  LicaienanE-Coloncl  Ilam- 
illon  will  jmn  the  advanced  corps  und«i  the  ordcn  ol  Colonel  Scammell." 
SI 


3*3 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[.781 


views  must  now  be  turned  towards  endeavoring  to 
expel  them  totally  froni  those  States,  if  we  6nd  our- 
selves incompetent  10  the  siege  of  New  York.  The 
difficulty  of  doing  this  does  not  so  much  depend  upon 
obtaining  a  force  capable  of  effecting  it,  as  upon  the 
mode  of  collecting  that  force  to  the  proper  point,  and 
transporting  the  provisions,  stores,  &c.,  necessary 
for  such  an  operation.  You  are  fully  acquainted 
with  the  almost  impracticability  of  doing  this  by 
land ;  to  say  nothing  of  the  amazing  loss  of  men 
always  occasioned  by  long  marches,  and  those  tow- 
ards a  quarter  in  which  the  service  is  disagreeable. 
I  should  not,  however,  hesitate  to  encounter  these 
difficulties,  great  as  they  arc,  had  we  not  prospects  of 
transporting  ourselves  in  a  manner  safe.  easy,  and  ex- 
peditious. Your  penetration  will  point  out  my  mean- 
ing, which  I  cannot  venture  to  express  in  direct  terms.' 
I  approve  of  your  resolution  to  reinforce  General 
Greene,  in  proportion  to  the  detachment  which  the 
enemy  may  make  to  New  York.  Let  your  next  at- 
tention be  paid  to  training  and  forming  the  militia, 
with  which  you  may  be  furnished,  and  disposing  of 
them  in  such  a  manner,  that  they  may  be  drawn  at 
the  shortest  notice  to  whatever  point  the  enemy  make 
their  capital  post,  and  which  I  conclude  will  be  at 
Portsmouth.  The  establishment  of  magazines  at  safe 
deposits  will  be  in  all  cases  necessary  ;  but,  above  all 
things,  I  recommend  an  augmentation  of  your  cavalry 
to  as  great  a  height  as  possible.  It  may  happen,  that 
the  enemy  may  be  driven  to  the  necessity  of  forcing 

'  Alluding  to  the  «>p«cled  airival  of  Couni  de  Gnsse  with  ■  French  licet. 


■?80 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


333 


their  way  through  North  Carolina  to  avoid  a  greater 
misfortune.  A  superiority  of  horse  on  our  side  would 
be  Fatal  to  them  in  such  a  case. 

The  advantages  resulting  from  a  move  of  the 
Frtmch  Heet  from  Newport  to  Chesapeake  were  early 
and  strongly  pointed  out  to  Count  de  Barras,  and  I 
thought  he  had  once  agreed  to  put  it  into  execution  ; 
but,  by  his  late  letters,  he  seemed  to  think  that  such 
a  manoeuvre  might  interfere  with  greater  plans,  and 
therefore  he  declined  it  It  would  now  be  too  late 
to  answer  the  principal  object,  as,  by  accounts  from  a 
deserter,  the  troops  arrived  from  Virginia  last  Friday.' 

Should  your  return  to  this  army  be  finally  dster- 
mined,  I  cannot  flatter  you  with  a  command  equal  to 

'  "  I  have  no  doubt  but  the  icaxon*  vhich  induce  ;ciu  10  decline  the 
Kinoval  of  tlic  equadron  ondet  youtcommiiid  tolhe  Chi'sapcakc  at  Ihis  time  arc 
{ouad«d  in  prapriciy  ;  but  I  «m  cetuin,  that,  could  Ihe  meuurc  have  taken 
place,  It  would  have  liecn  nltetided  with  maw  valuable  consciueacn.  more  «*• 
livciatly  ai,  from  report*  and  appeaiancei.  the!  enemy  arc  about  to  bring  port  tA 
tbeittroopi  ttDm  Vir|[inia  10  New  Valk,  Allhnu^^h  the  detachments  from  your 
Reel  under  the  ciminaml  of  the  Karon  d'Anj-rly  did  mil  «iicL'«e>l  ni  Kunlin^lon. 
we  are  not  the  1«»  obliged  to  jrour  Eieellmcy  (or  direciing  the  attempt  to  be 
made.  If  that  poil  ii  niaintainod,  1  think  an  opportunity  of  Kriklnj;  ll  In 
adiania^  ni^ty  Mill  l>e  fi»iiid,  and  I  doubt  nut  but  fon  will  readily  embrace  it." 
—  WaiktHgteit  tif  CeHHlifi  Barras.  *l  Juljr,  ijSt. 

The  reftton  luigiied  by  M.  de  Bamu  for  ten>ainin|{  at  Neu|>ai(  wa.i,  that 
b<  ibought  it  impTudccit  tu  riak  any  new  onlrrpnM,  wtiich  might  cunlm 
veoe  the  geneml  plan  of  opetalioni.  and  relard  hii  junction  with  Count  de 
Gractc.  A  few  dayi  afterwudi  (July  ]o).  General  Wathingian  wroie  in  h!a 
Diary,  ihUdiaM  <lc  Hanu.*  had  eiprcstod  bimhcK  iiiftill  ttronger  (vimt  against 
■  removal  from  Newport  "  Thia  induced  me,"  said  he.  "'  todeiiil  from  further 
rcprcKnling  the  Rdvanlil{;ci,  which  would  reiull  from  preventing  li  Junction  of 
lh«  cneniy'a  fotc«  at  New  York,  and  blockio);  up  llionr  now  in  Vir{^nij  :  leal  in 
the  attempt  any  dituter  should  happen,  and  the  loei  of  oir  dorna^  to  hit  fleet 
khould  be  Moibed  to  my  obitlnacy  in  urginic  a  measure,  to  which  liis  own 
judgment  wm  opposed,  and  tlie  eiccutiuo  uf  which  might  impede  lii»  juncliun 
with  the  Wcct  Indin  fleet,  and  ihwati  the  riem  of  the  Count  de  Gnuc  upon 
ihitcoML" 


J>4 


THE  WHITINGS  OF 


[1781 


your  expectations  or  my  wishes.  You  know  the  over 
proportion  of  general  officers  to  our  numbers,  and 
can  therefore  conceive  where  the  difficulty  will  lie. 
General  McDougall  is  not  yet  provided  for.  and  the 
Jersey  and  York  troops  are  reserved  for  him.  They 
are  promised  to  him,  though  they  have  not  yet  joined. 

In  my  letter  to  General  Greene,  which  I  beg  the 
favor  of  you  to  forward,  I  have  hinted  nothing  of 
what  1  have  said  to  you,  for  fear  of  a  miscarriage. 
You  will  probably  find  a  safe  opportunity  from  your 
army  to  him.  and  you  will  oblige  me  by  communicat- 
ing the  part  of  this  letter,  which  relates  to  my  expec- 
tation of  being  able  to  transport  part  of  the  army  to 
the  southward,  should  the  operation  against  New 
York  be  declined. 

I  wish,  as  1  mentioned  in  my  last,  to  send  a  con- 
fidential person  to  you  to  explain  at  large  what  I 
have  so  distantly  hinted ;  but  I  am  really  at  a  loss, 
for  want  of  knowing  the  officers  belter,  to  find  one 
upon  whose  discretion  1  can  depend.  My  own  family, 
you  know,  are  constantly  and  fully  employed.  I  how- 
ever hope,  that  I  have  spoken  plain  enough  to  be 
understood  by  you.  With  everj-  sentiment  of  affec- 
tion and  regard,  1  am,  &c. 


to  the  president  of  congress. 

Hud  Quartxiu.  aeak  Dubbs  Fbkkv, 
gllf  s  AbkiwI,  17S1. 

Congress  will  readily  conceive  the  disagreeable  sit- 
uation in  which  I  find  myself,  when  they  arc  informed, 
that  I  am  not  stronger  at  this  advanced  period  of  the 


I7«i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


.I'S 


Campaign  than  when  the  Army  first  moved  out  of 
their  Winter  Quarters.  Justice  to  my  own  feelings 
and  Character  requires  that  1  should  lay  before  that 
Honorable  Body  a  summary'  of  the  measures  I  have 
taken  to  obtain  reinforcements,  and  inform  them, 
likewise,  of  the  little  success  with  which  my  requisi- 
tions have  hitherto  been  attended. 

I  shall  not  go  back  to  the  date  of  the  Requisition 
of  October  last  to  the  several  States,  which  was  made 
in  consequence  of  the  new  regulation  of  the  Army, 
and  went  to  the  number  of  men  called  for  by  that 
arrangement.  It  will  be  sufficient  to  say,  that  the 
Recruits  sent  in  were  comparatively  small  in  pro- 
portion to  the  deficiencies,  as  may  be  seen  from  the 
Returns  which  I  have  from  time  to  time  transmitted 
to  Congress. 

I  will  begin  with  the  transactions  subsequent  to 
the  Conference  I  had  with  Count  de  Rochambcau  at 
Weathersfield  in  May,  when  a  plan  of  operations  was 
concerted,  and  the  inclosure  No.  i  written  to  the 
States  of  New  Hampshire— Massachusetts  Bay — 
Rhode  Island  and  Connecticut.  Letters  similar  to 
the  foregoing  were  written,  upon  my  return  to  New 
Windsor,  to  the  other  States  as  far  as  Pennsylvania 
inclusive,  from  which  last,  1600  Militia  were  required. 
But  it  having  been  found  that  that  State  had  been 
called  upon  by  Congress  to  send  3400  Militia  to  Vir- 
ginia, 1  withdrew  my  request,  and  apportioned  the 
number  asked  of  them  to  the  other  States — requiring 
only  a  Corps  of  300  Riflemen  from  Pennsylvania. 

Being  very  desirous  of  getting  my  force  (especially 
the  Continental  Troops)  together  as  soon  as  possible. 


or  in  other  words,  by  the  time  I  could  prepare  Boats, 
collect  Stores,  &c..  I  wrote  the  letter  No.  2  to  the 
Stales  of  New  Jersey — Connecticut — Massachusetts 
and  New  Hampshire,  with  this  variation  in  respect  to 
Connecticut ;  that  I  desired  800  of  her  Militia  might 
be  sent  without  loss  of  time  to  Westpoint,  that  t 
might  be  thereby  enabled  to  withdraw  part  of  the 
Continental  Garrison  from  that  post  for  Field  Ser- 
vice— and  as  I  found  that  I  should  be  under  the  abso- 
lute necessity  of  calling  down  Hazen's  and  the  two 
Continental  Battalions  of  New  York,  which  had  been 
sent  up  for  the  security  of  the  Northern  Frontier, 
1,  upon  the  25th  of  June,  wrote  to  His  Excellency 
Govr.  Hancock,  and  to  the  officers  Commanding 
the  Militia  in  the  Western  parts  of  Massachusetts, 
and  requested  that  600  (part  of  the  quota  asked 
for)  might  be  marched  without  loss  of  time  to  Albany 
to  replace  the  Continental  Troops  drawn  from  that 
Quarter.  Notwithstanding  this,  by  my  last  letters 
from  Brigr.  Genl.  Clinton  dated  at  Albany  the  20th 
ulto.  not  a  single  Man  had  come  in  from  Massachu- 
setts, and  by  a  Return  from  General  McDougall  com- 
manding at  Westpoint.  only  176  from  Connecticut 
had  arrived  at  that  post  yesterday.  In  short,  not  a 
single  Militia  man  from  any  State  has  joined  the 
Army,  except  the  few  just  mentioned — about  80  Line 
of  New  York  and  about  20O  State  Troops  of  Connec- 
ticut, both  of  which  were  upon  the  Line  previous  to 
my  leaving  our  Winter  Cantonment 

The  inclosure  No.  3  exhibits  a  Return  of  all  the  Re- 
cruits which  have  joined  the  Continental   Battalions 


178'] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


327 


in  this  Army  since  the  rearrangement  of  them.  The 
numbers  which  have  joined  in  the  course  of  last 
month  are  particularly  designated. 

The  General  Return  for  June,  which  I  have  lately 
sent  by  Capt.  Roberts  to  the  Board  of  War,  fur- 
nishes a  state  of  the  Army  up  to  the  ist  of  July. 
To  this  is  to  be  added  the  Recruits  which  have 
joined  since — and  a  deduction  is  to  be  made  for  the 
Casualties  of  July. 

For  the  better  understanding  the  General  Return, 
it  may  not  be  amiss  to  remark,  that  the  Light  Infantry 
with  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette  are  included  in  the 
Column  "  upon  Command."  As  are  the  Boatmen — 
Waggoners — extra  Artificers — small  detached  Guards 
for  various  purposes — Waiters  and  Laborers  in  the 
Quarter  Master's  and  Commissary's  departments,  in 
the  same  Column,  and  that  designated  on  "extra  ser- 
vice." All  which  being  deducted  from  the  total  exhibits 
an  Army  upon  paper,  rather  than  an  operating  Force. 

I  have  in  vain  endeavored  to  remedy  this  Mon- 
strous deduction  :  But  the  Civil  departments  having 
been  totally  destitute  of  Money,  have  been  unable  to 
hire  or  pay  the  Men  necessary  for  their  uses,  and  I 
have  therefore  been  obliged  to  spare  them  from  the 
Line  to  prevent  a  total  stagnation  of  business. 

While  1  think  it  my  duty  faithfully  to  draw  this 
picturt!,  disagreeable  as  it  is,  both  for  the  full  infor- 
mation of  Congress  and  my  own  justification,  it  be- 
comes incumbent  upon  me  to  add,  that  I  shal!  exert 
my  utmost  abilities  so  to  improve  the  means  with 
which  I  maybe  furnished,  that  the  present  Campaign, 


3»8 


THE  WRfTTNGS  OF 


[1781 


if  not  decisive,  may  be,  not  inglorious,  but  in  some 
degree  advantageous  to  America. 

1  have  ^;ain  written  in  the  most  pressing  manner 
to  the  States  as  your  Excellency  will  find  by  the  in- 
closure  No.  4,  of  equal  date  with  this.  I  flatter  myself 
it  will  have  some  avail,  but  I  am  at  all  events  happy  in 
thinking,  that  one  of  the  ends  proposed  by  the  plan  of 
operations  concerted  at  Weathcrsficld  will  take  effect 
— that  of  obliging  the  enemy  to  recall  a  considerable 
force  from  the  Southward  to  support  New  York. 

It  is  with  pleasure  I  assure  your  Excellency  that, 
by  great  exertions  and  powerful  aids  from  the  States 
of  Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island,  the  heavy  Artil- 
lery— Stores.  &C,,  many  of  which  were  also  lent  by 
those  States,  have  come  on  to  the  North  River  in  a 
manner  beyond  my  expectation.  Those  from  Penn- 
sylvania are  halted  at  Philadelphia  till  my  prospects  of 
obtaining  Men  are  more  encouraging.  I  thought  it 
best  to  do  this,  that  1  might  not  to  have  to  transport 
them  back  again,  or  be  encumbered  with  them  here, 
should  we  not  be  able  to  prosecute  offensive  operations. 

I  have  also  the  pleasure  to  inform  you,  that  vigor- 
ous exertions  are  making  by  the  four  New  England 
States  to  furnish  a  competent  supply  of  Beef  Cattle. 
I  have.  &c 

P.  S.  I  informed  your  Excellency  in  my  last,  that 
by  the  account  of  a  Deserter,  part  of  the  Troops  had 
arrived  at  New  York  from  Virginia.  This  is  contra- 
dicted by  others  who  have  come  out  since,  who  say 
that  troops  are  expected  from  that  quarter," 


'  Read  in  Congrets  AnguBt  6lh. — Referred  to  Bknd,  Boudinot,  and  Vftmum. 


•;8i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


3»9 


CIRCULAR  LETTER  TO  STATES. 


Hud  Qoartbu,  krak  Dokbs'  Fsrkv. 
9  August,  i7Si. 
Sir, — 

1  regr«t  being  obliged  to  inform  you,  that  I  find  myself,  at  this 
talc  period,  very  little  stronger  than  I  was  when  the  army  lirst 
moved  out  of  their  quarters.  Of  the  militia,  which  were  rcq\iircd 
of  the  Slate  of  New  Ilampshire,  and  which  were  lo  have  joined 
me  by  the  14th  of  last  month,  none  hav«  come  in,  and  of  the 
levies  for  the  conlinenlal  battalions,  only  thirteen  in  thecouneof 
the  last  month.  The  reinforcement*  from  the  other  States  have 
been  vciy  inconsiderable. 

I  leave  you  (o  judge  of  the  delicate  and  embanaBscd  situation 
in  which  I  stand  at  this  moment.  Unable  to  advance,  with 
prudence,  beyond  my  jiTesent  position,  while,  perhaps,  in  the 
genera)  opinion,  my  force  is  equal  to  the  commencement  of 
operations  against  New  York,  my  conduct  must  appear,  if  not 
blanieablc,  highly  mysterious,  at  least.  Our  allies,  with  whom  a 
junction  has  been  formed  upwards  of  three  weeks,  and  who  were 
made  to  expect,  from  the  engagements,  which  1  entered  into  with 
them  ,it  Weathers  field  in  May  la«t,  a  very  considerable  aiigmen- 
pition  of  our  force  by  (his  lime,  instead  of  seeing  a  prospect  of 
Ivancing,  must  conjecture,  upon  good  grounds,  that  the  cam- 
Ugn  will  waste  fruitlessly  away.  I  shall  just  remark,  that  il  will 
be  no  small  degree  of  triumph  to  our  enemies  and  will  have  a 
vtry  pernicious  influence  upon  our  friends  in  Europe,  should  they 
find  such  a  failure  of  resource  ;  or  such  a  want  of  energy  to  draw 
it  out,  that  our  boasted  and  expensive  operations  end  only  in  idle 
parade. 

I  cannot  yet  but  persuade  myself,  and  I  do  not  discontinue  to 
encourage  our  allies  with  a  hope  that  our  force  will  still  be  suf- 
ficicnt  to  carry  our  intended  operation  into  effect,  or  if  we  cain- 
nol  fully  accomplish  that,  to  oblige  the  enemy  to  withdraw  part 
of  their  force  from  the  southward  to  support  New  York,  and 
which,  as  \  informed  you  in  my  letter  from  Weathersfield,  was 
part  of  our  plan. 

You  must  be  sensible,  Sir,  that  the  fulfllmcnt  of  my  engaf;e- 


3i° 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[ij8. 


roenis  must  depend  upon  the  <icgrc«  of  vigor  with  which  the  ex- 
ecutives of  the  several  States  exercise  the  powers  with  which  they 
have  been  vested,  and  enforce  the  taw.s  lately  passed  for  filling 
lip,  and  supplying  the  army-  In  full  contidence  that  the  means 
which  have  been  voted  will  he  obtained)  I  shall  continue  my 
preparations  :  but  1  must  take  the  liberty  of  informing  you  that 
it  is  essentially  acccisary  I  should  be  made  acquainted  immedi- 
ately on  the  receipt  of  this,  of  the  number  of  coDliacnial  levies 
and  miliiia  which  have  been  forwarded  and  what  are  the  pros> 
peels  of  obtaining  (he  remainder. 

I  will  further  add,  that  it  will  bt:  cqualty  necessary  to  see  that 
the  monthly  quota  of  provisions  stipulated  at  the  meeting  of  the 
commissioners  at  Providence  is  reguUrly  complied  with.  I  am, 
ftc. 


TO  THE    SUPERINTENDENT  OF  FINANCE. 


Dear  Sir. 


Hkad-Quarters.  Dent's  Fekrv. 
3  Augntt,  1781. 


The  expectation  of  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  has 
prevented  me  hitherto  from  making  a  communication 
of  a  most  important  and  interesting  nature.  But 
circumstances  will  not  admit  of  further  delay,  and  I 
must  tnist  it  to  paper.  It  seems  reduced  almost  to 
a  certainty,  that  the  enemy  will  reinforce  New  York 
with  part  of  their  troops  from  Virginia.  In  that  case, 
the  attempt  against  the  former  must  be  laid  aside,  as 
it  will  not  be  in  our  power  to  draw  together  a  force 
sufficient  to  justify  the  undertaking.  The  detach- 
ment, which  the  enemy  will  probably  leave  in  Vir- 
ginia, seems  the  next  object  which  ought  to  engage 
our  attention,  and  which  will  be  a  verj-  practicable  one. 


•78'] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


S3I 


should  we  obtain  a  naval  superiority,  of  which  I  am 
not  without  hopes,  and  be  able  to  carry  a  body  of  men 
suddenly  round  by  water.  The  principal  difficulty, 
which  occurs,  is  obtaining  transports  at  the  moment 
they  may  be  wanted  :  for,  if  they  are  taken  up  before- 
hand, the  use  for  which  they  are  designed  cannot  be 
concealed,  and  the  enemy  will  make  arrangements  to 
defeat  the  plan. 

What  I  would  therefore  wish  you  to  inform  your- 
self of,  without  making  a  direct  inquirj-.  is  what 
number  of  tons  of  shipping  could  be  obtained  in 
Philadelphia  at  any  time  between  this  and  the  20th 
of  this  month,  and  whether  there  could  also  be  ob- 
tained at  the  same  time  a  few  deep-waisted  sloops  and 
schooners  projier  to  carry  horses.  The  number  of 
double-decked  vessels,  which  may  be  wanted,  of  two 
hundred  tons  and  upwards,  will  not  exceed  thirty.  I 
shall  be  glad  of  your  answer  as  soon  as  possible, 
because,  if  it  is  favorable.  I  can  direct  certain  prepa- 
rations to  be  made  in  Philadelphia  and  at  other 
convenient  places,  without  incurring  any  suspicions. 
There  certainly  can  be  no  danger  of  not  obtaining 
flour  in  Philadelphia  ;  and  as  you  seem  to  have  doubts 
of  procuring  salt  meat  there,  1  shall  direct  all  that 
which  is  at  tht:  eastward  to  be  collected  at  places  from 
whence  it  may  bt;  shipped  upon  the  shortest  notice. 
You  will  also  oblige  me  by  giving  me  your  opinion  of 
the  number  of  vessels,  which  might  be  obtained  at 
Baltimore,  or  other  places  in  Chesapeake,  in  the  time 
before  mentioned  or  thereabouts. 

1  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 


33- 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


TO  THE   PRESIDENT  OP  CONGRESS. 

IlRAU-QlTARTiniS,  DOBRS's  FRRXV, 

Sir  e  Augasi.  itsi. 

I  do  myself  the  honor  to  inform  Congress,  through 
your  Excellency,  that,  at  a  late  meeting  between  the 
American  and  British  commissaries  of  prisoners,  it 
has  been  proposed  by  the  latter  to  go  into  a  full  ex- 
change of  Lieutenant-Gencral  Burgoyne  and  all  the 
remaining  officers  of  convention  (by  composition 
where  ranks  will  not  apply)  for  the  remainder  of  our 
officers  in  this  quarter,  and  after  them  for  those  taken 
at  the  southward.  One  of  the  terms  insisted  upon 
is,  that  the  prisoners  surrendered  by  the  capitulation 
of  the  Cedars,  to  the  amount  of  four  hundred  and 
forty-three,  shall  be  allowed. 

I  have  not  thought  myself  at  liberty  to  accept  of 
these  proposals  without  the  concurrence  of  Congress, 
for  the  following  reasons ;  that  1  imagine  our  minis- 
ter at  the  court  of  Versailles  has  been  already  directed 
to  propose  the  exchange  of  Lieutenant-General  Bur- 
goyne  for  the  Honorable  Mr.  Laurens';  that  I  do 
not  know  whether  it  would  be  agreeable  to  Congresis 
to  release  the  whole  of  the  convention  officers,  be- 
fore they  have  obtained  a  settlement  for  the  subsist- 
ence of  those  troops ;  and  lastly  because  the  refusal 
of  the  ratification  of  the  convention  of  the  Cedars  has 
never  been  repealed. 

1  would  beg  leave  to  remark  on  the  two  last,  that 
the  exchange  of  our  full  colonels  can  never  be  ob- 

'  As  inter«(ting  nole  «o  ibi*  matter  may  be  fou»d  in  FrankUn'i  IfVAf 
(BiKrloW't  ('(HUon),  »ti..  303. 


i78r] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


m 


tained  but  by  composition,  and  that  it  is  better  to 
effect  this  by  a  composition  for  inferior  officers  than 
for  men.  because  the  enemy  gain  no  reinforcement 
by  such  mode.  To  relieve  the  full  colonels  in  this 
quarter  only,  &  who,  all  but  one,  have  been  prisoners 
since  1777.  would  take  seven  hundred  privates. 
Should  the  security  for  the  convention  debt  still  be 
urged,  1  would  answer,  that  we  may  perhaps  deceive 
ourselves  in  supposing  that  the  balance  upon  a  gen- 
eral settlement,  for  the  subsistence  of  all  prisoners 
since  the  commencement  of  the  war,  will  be  much  in 
our  favor.  I  am  inclined  to  think  we  shall  find  it  the 
contrary,  and  owing  to  this,  the  British  have  con- 
stantly kept  their  accounts  with  accuracy,  and  have 
vouchers  ready  to  support  them.  We,  on  the  other 
hand,  shall  be  found  very  deficient  on  that  score ;  in- 
deed, I  fear  almost  totally  so,  except  in  the  instance 
of  the  convention  troops  and  prisoners  of  war  latterly. 
Congress  will  judge  of  the  expediency  of  repealing 
their  act  respecting  the  convention  of  the  Cedars 
upon  the  present  occasion.  Mr.  Skinner,  the  com- 
missary-general of  prisoners,  will  have  the  honor  of 
delivering  this  to  your  Excellency.  I  shall  be  obliged 
by  an  answer  to  several  points  contained  in  it,  at  his 
return,  that  I  may  instruct  him  accordingly. 

1  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.' 


'  Rend  in  Conglftt  Auguiit  iTlh.  RefoTcd  to  Bnudinol,  VwDum,  and  Sher- 
man. "  Vou  anloinstitiipan  Iho  rs1e*M<if  iohabllanltukinoulfif  uni<i,  irith- 
oat  any  compeiuwtion.  Voa  may  inform  Mr.  Loring.  that  I  would  not  vbh  to 
be  obligC'l  to  mIm  |irivalc  petsaiK  lo  dblBUi  the  [clicf  of  ihote  who  arc  now  in 
Nvw  Vork.  I  liaiT  it  at  thit  lime  in  my  power  id  iccur«  every  loyKliin  in  the 
wotero  part  of  Contvccticut,  in  the  oonnly  of  Wesicheatet.  and  in  great  port 


;g«.  ?2^  :v3:r7iJf'^  -i^ 


%7  tjrua  K-tacTTH. 

t  iw*  ^vjtsvid  jnor  jgiera  ir  ^e  rxci  ant  a:%i 
■i(xSau%  nui    ;«  3i.«snz:.     I    rsmnic  lesra   rrsr    inr 

ir-Vif*  vjC  ^i*t  art  ^aci  zr.  z^  rf^ffsan  r-cmis  frc»ar 
fcir'ift  Tit  Giacncae  5r%3rs:  iaa  ^-Ii-sf  iE  Xcw^- 
j**;*?  frioiBi  Ovittt  ot  Gra^K.  H*  -was  e3  jsav;  Sc 
IVxRttiij'V  cJwt  3^  rrf  ri[j»  Jtcnrir.  »in.  a.  ieec  of  re- 
tar-jtft  Vmixtj'^cft  aatf  tw>?atT-a£ae  sfl  cc  ae  I£z«. 
a<Kj  4  C4(bu>ii>:rtbie  fcoCT  OT  grrrf  forces.  Ha  desd- 
A»t«ir>n  n  i(naKr£a£i!iy  for  tbe  Cvresapraicr :  so  chat 
Ik  win  ^TtfKT  {>!:  tii«Te  Lt  die  tme  tits  readies  voa. 


iW  >!II4)W ;  MT  I  'lai  (  me  iiii  mii  i)|iiif  i  jrr'""-"  s^jEJt  !  J«H.  nscccaocd  as 

fiklmivr,  X  A-t^.wr  i;^(, 

.V"   »-i'V.»>/ivl   V.  (V  ..it/i  a  f  iH  *a^;saa^  i^'  'jesc;^!  Enry:T3«  «»:  »Z  km  re- 
MMovt-Af  'After*  '^  '!>!  VAMaij-ic  -,(    ■arar'-p  ;  i=i^  ■;».  liai  i«  fziiocen 

ft**  »>jfwv^».  >^  mi^«  f-*  iei«nl  Ca.-j.tUa  oficers  :itf3  bj  :be  ARCckasi  a: 

V,  /'**'«  »fti^  '.fa*i»'Aw,  I'V)  lent  i*tr>  i:  Briiiih  Ka^  on  pai^dc  in  I774, 
Uitt'^tmnii  wr^iv.  •rv.tangf  liicte  bad  been  adi'pvte. — y-.itrmjii.  A>£«M  Jlst. 
"  )  •«!  •\f.>t\j \u  Kolimen:  "ilh  j'jO,  thai  »!!  cmitaooiof  pirc  ibooct  od^I 
l/(  V  m*!,'.''  >'•*  lapT^me  4ii  f.x'uin  Ui  gi>e  it  >  pirjper  uucina,  uid  univenal 
'  i'4il  ;  >i,'t  iha*  K'^f-I  ■nd  lore  (nn-it  ^uxiM  be  appropnateil  for  the  redemp- 
tl'/ii  'rf  It-  -t>>><  in  thit,  »  in  m'tt  other  miKen,  the  Stales,  indiridiullf,  Iutc 
■/t«'l  vr  )n'l<!|r<n>lenll]'  'i(  each  other,  ai  It  liecnme  >o  madi  a  rope  of  sand  as 
I'l  tiitl'i  vfKiti  Ihr  irtink  of  roin,  when  ihe  Indepenilency  of  tbem,  by  the  re- 
VfMrUi  irlii'Ji  havt  l>e«n  actually  ilrawn  ftom  them  had  been  applied  to  great 
frfi)*'  I*  \ty  'nm  unnin'm  Iicail,  houU  have  Ifeen  as  Dnshakeii  ai  Moaat  Atlas 
am)  ■•  r«Kar<lleM  <if  llrilain'* effort*  do  deitroy  it.aii^^  is  of  the  tempests  that 
pnm  iittr  \utt."—  tVaihingUH  la  iVilliam  Filthugh,  SAi^gutt,  1781. 


i78i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


335 


or  you  may  look  for  him  every  moment.  Under 
these  circumstances,  whether  the  enemy  remain  in 
full  force,  or  whether  they  have  only  a  detachment 
left,  you  will  immediately  take  such  a  position  as  will 
best  enable  you  to  prevent  their  sudden  retreat 
through  North  Carolina,  which  I  presume  they  will 
attempt  the  instant  they  perceive  so  formidable  an 
armament.  Should  General  Wayne,  with  the  troops 
destined  for  South  Carolina,  still  remain  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  James  River,  and  the  enemy  should  have 
made  no  detachment  to  the  southward,  you  will  detain 
those  troops  until  you  hear  from  me  again,  and  in- 
form General  Greene  of  the  cause  of  their  delay.  If 
Wayne  should  have  marched,  and  should  have  gained 
any  considerable  distance,  I  would  not  have  him 
halted. 

You  shall  hear  further  from  me  as  soon  as  I  have 
concerted  plans  and  formed  dispositions  for  sending 
a  reinforcement  from  hence.  In  the  mean  time,  1 
have  only  to  recommend  a  continuation  of  that  pru- 
dence and  good  conduct,  which  you  have  manifested 
through  the  whole  of  your  campaign.  You  will 
be  particularly  careful  to  conceal  the  expected  arrival 
of  the  Count ;  because,  if  the  enemy  arc  not  apprized 
of  it,  they  will  stay  on  board  their  transports  in  the 
Bay,  which  will  be  the  luckiest  circumstance  in  the 
world.  You  will  take  measuresforopening  acommu- 
nicalion  with  Count  de  Grasse  the  moment  he  arrives, 
and  will  concert  measures  with  him  for  making  the 
best  uses  of  your  joint  forces  until  you  receive  aid 
from  this  quarter. 


336 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


ti7S» 


P.  S.  I  would  not  wish  you  to  call  out  a  large 
body  of  militia  upon  this  occasion,  but  rather  keep 
those  you  have  compact  and  ready  for  service.  I  am, 
&c.' 


TO  THE  COUKT   DE  GRASSE.' 

Camp,  AT  PiiiujPSBVKn,  17  Ai^^i,  1781. 

Sir, 

In  consequence  of  the  despatches  received  from 
your  Excellency  by  the  frigate  La  Concorde,  it  has 
been  judged  expedient  to  give  up  for  the  present  the 

'  "  A  coiretpandent  of  mtne,  ■  wtrtiit  tn  Lord  ComwtQIs,  wriict  on  tha 
96lh  ol  July  at  PortUBOutb,  nnd  st.yt.  his  tnatlr^.  Turlcton,  and  Simuue  an  Mill 
in  town,  but  Expecl  lo  mor*.  The  giefticr  pan  of  ihe  itmy  is  cmbafkcil. 
There  vet  in  Hamplon  Raul  one  fifiy-pm  Nlii|i,  iwo  (hlrty-iiix  j^n  (liKstc*, 
and  eighleen  iJoojm  laad«d  with  honci.  Thcr«  remiin  but  nine  vetMU  ia 
Portimouili,  which  appearto  be  seeling  ready.  My  Lord's  baGgagc  ti  yet  in 
(otrn.  His  Lordship  U  so  »hy  of  hi*  jinper»,  Ihai  oiy  honral  frieod  sayK  he 
canaotget  at  thvai.  There  ii  a  large  (jiutntityof  negroct.  very  vnluabl«  iude«d, 
but  no  teisel  i(  leemi  10  lake  them  off.  What  (pirrison  ihey  have,  I  do  nol 
Itnov.  1  shall  lake  care,  ailcMt.ti)  kcap  them  within  boundt.  CencTBl  Muh- 
lenberg, with  a  curpKuF  lightinfaniry  and  hone,  is  moving  lowanlsPortimmih: 
but,  aliliuughldo  nol  think  they  are  Euingup  the  river  tir  ihebay,  thclcssso  •• 
they  have  made  a  pniade  of  taking  piluta  on  hoard,  I  hid  rather  act  on  Ihe 
caullouxiidc,  and  by  keeping  a  luppurtingpoiition  leave  no  chance  [•>  Iiiii  Lord- 
•bip  10  out-manceuvTe  ut.  Should  a  French  fleet  now  conic  into  Hamplon 
Road,  the  British  atmy  would,  1  think,  In:  <iun. 

"  lungoiiii:  10  tend  *  flag  to  Lord  Curnwallii.  I  owe  him  the  jn*tic«  tony, 
thai  his  conduct  to  me  has  beeu  peculiarly  polite  ;  and  many  differences  be> 
twcen  commi«arles  have  been  very  |rrii.'iou«ly  adjusicd  by  him  to  my  satisfac- 
lion." — Iji/ayelte  ta  fVaiiiagton,  Malvern  Hill.  July  Jlst. 

Corawallis  look  poss<«ion  of  Voik  and  Cloucetlcr  on  the  itl  and  »d  ol 
Au|[i»I,  and,  havinit  removed  with  tn  much  ei|}nlition  aa  potsibte  all  hia  axm,j 
liom  PorUinaoth.  commcnceil  fortifying  thoie  posC^■ 

'  Rochambeou  wrote  a  letter  to  Barru  on  Aupiit  1  jib.  to  which  VVMhington 
added  the  following  potlscripi ;  *'  The  yenltinenit  conlAinril  in  the  fore^iof 
teller  pi'cfMtly  accord  with  my  opinion,  and  1  am  more  inclined  toadopt  ihcin 
u  we  baire  *ecn  in  the  Bridth  Goxettet  accounts  of  a  Dqiudran  undef  the  coca- 


(enterprise  against  New  York,  and  turn  our  attention 
towards  the  south,  with  a  view,  if  we  should  not  be 
able  attempt  Charleston  itself,  to  recover  and  secure 
the  States  of  Virginia,  North  Carolina,  and  the  coun- 
try of  South  Carolina  and  Georgia.  We  may  add  a 
further  inducement  for  giving  up  this  first-mentioned 
enterprise,  which  is  the  arrival  of  a  reinforcement  of 
near  three  thousand  Hessian  recruits.  For  this  pur- 
pose we  have  determined  to  remove  the  whole  of  the 
French  army,  and  as  large  a  detachment  of  the 
American  as  can  be  spared,  to  Chesapeake,  to  meet 
your  Excellency  there. 

The  following  appear  to  us  the  principal  cases, 
which  will  present  themselves,  and  upon  which  we 
shall  be  obliged  ultimately  to  form  our  plans.  We 
have  therefore  stated  them  with  a  few  short  observa- 
tions upon  each.  Your  Excellency  will  be  pleased  to 
revolve  them  in  your  own  mind,  and  prepare  your 
own  opinion  by  the  time  we  shall  have  the  pleasure 
of  meeting  you  in  Virginia. 

First,  What  shall  be  done,  if  the  enemy  should  be 
found  with  the  greater  part  of  their  force  in  Virginia, 
upon  the  arrival  of  the  Frencli  fleet  ?  Second,  Should 
only  a  detachment  be  found  there  ?  Thirdly,  Should 
the  British  force  be  totally  withdrawn  from  thence  ? 

mRitd  of  Admiml  Di^tby  wd  to  be  intended  to  reinforce  the  Britiib  fleeU  in 
ihcte  MM.  Should  thin  hiuu'lruri  •ctttally  arrive,  form  a  junction  with  Ad- 
miral Rodney  &  Grava,  and  nnd  the  French  naval  force  wp&mled,  it  inigbl 
evcntualljr  prove  fatal  to  the  tlccii  of  hii.  matt  Chtiitiin  Mijeitjr,  commanded 
bj  Ihe  Coiini  lie  Grawc  ami  yourscU.  1  onnol  avoid  repeating  Ihcrefotc  in 
parncil  Icrms  the  rcqtmt  of  the  Count  <Ie  RDchuiibeau.  thai  }-oti  wouH  form 
the  junction,  and  u  Koon  u  po»ihle,  with  the  Count  de  Gtnise  in  Che»p«ake 
Bay.- 

*9 


338 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


["781 


Upon  tKe  first,  it  appears  to  us,  that  we  ought, 
without  loss  of  time,  to  attack  the  enemy  with  our 
united  force. 

Upon  the  second,  it  appears  proper  to  destine  such 
part  of  our  force  as  will  be  amply  sufficient  to  reduce 
the  enemy's  detachment,  and  then  determine  what 
use  shall  be  made  of  the  remainder.  And  here  two 
things  present  themselves  for  our  consideration. 
The  enemy  will  either  have  sent  a  greater  part  of  their 
force  from  Virginia  to  New  York  or  to  Charleston. 
If  to  New  York,  (which  is  the  least  probable  under 
present  circumstances,)  Charleston  will  have  but  a 
moderate  garrison,  and  it  may  be  possible  to  attack  it 
to  advantage.  If  to  Charleston,  then  the  enemy  will 
be  so  superior  to  General  Greene,  that  they  will  be  able 
to  regain  the  whole  of  the  State  of  South  Carolina,  and 
of  consequence  Georgia,  We  therefore  think,  that,  in 
this  latter  case,  such  a  force  at  least  should  be  de- 
tached to  South  Carolina,  as  will  enable  us  to  keep 
the  field  and  confine  the  enemy  in  or  near  to 
Charleston. 

In  the  third  case,  which  we  stated,  we  mean  that, 
of  supposing  the  enemy  should  have  totally  evacuated 
Virginia,  it  appears  to  us  necessary  to  make  a  solid 
establishment  at  Portsmouth,  or  any  other  place  if 
more  proper.  In  order  to  render  a  fleet  in  Chesapeake 
Bay  entirely  secure,  and  to  employ  the  remainder  of 
our  land  force  and  such  vessels  as  may  be  proper  for 
the  service,  as  has  been  explained  in  the  preceding 
article ;  that  is,  either  in  the  siege  of  Charleston,  if 
the  garrison  shall  be  found  sufficiently  weak  to  war- 


i7Si] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTOM. 


S59 


rant  the  attempt,  or  to  cover  and  secure  the  country, 
should  it  be  found  otherwise. 

Returning  back  to  the  enterprise  against  New 
York  will  depend  on  a  number  of  circumstances,  the 
discussion  of  which  we  will  leave  until  we  have  the 
happiness  of  a  conference  with  your  Excellency. 
We  have  only  to  observe,  that  the  execution  of  all  or 
any  of  the  plans,  which  we  have  proposed,  go  upon 
the  supposition  of  a  decided  naval  superiority  ;  except 
that  of  marching  a  reinforcement  into  South  Carolina. 

We  would  beg  leave  to  take  up  so  much  of  your 
Excellency's  time,  as  to  point  out  to  you  the  vast 
importance  of  Charleston,  and  what  advantages  the 
enemy  derive  from  the  possession  of  it.  It  is  the 
center  of  their  power  in  the  south.  By  holding  it 
they  preserve  a  dangerous  influence  throughout  the 
whole  State,  as  it  is  the  only  port,  and  the  only  place 
from  whence  the  people  can  procure  those  articles  of 
foreign  produce,  which  are  essential  to  their  support ; 
and  it  in  great  measure  serves  to  cover  and  keep  in 
subjection  the  State  of  Georgia.  From  thence  the 
enemycanalsoestablish  small  posts  in  North  Carolina; 
and,  if  they  maintain  a  post  in  Chesapeake,  they  keep 
up  the  appearance  of  possessing  four  hundred  miles 
upon  the  coast,  and  of  consequence  have  a  pretext 
for  setting  up  claims,  which  may  be  very  detrimental 
to  the  interests  of  America  in  European  councils. 

We  are  not  sufficiently  acquainted  with  the  posi* 
tion  of  Charleston,  neither  is  it  necessary  at  this  time 
to  enter  into  a  detail  of  the  proper  mode  of  attacking 
it,  or  of  the   probability  which  we  should  have  of 


340 


THB  WRITINGS  OF 


[.;8i 


succeeding.  For  these  we  will  refer  you  to  Briga- 
dier-General Duportail,  commander  of  the  corps  of 
engineers  in  the  ser^-ice  of  the  United  States,  who 
will  have  the  honor  of  presenting  this.  This  gentle- 
man, having  been  in  Charleston  as  principal  engineer 
during  the  greater  part  of  the  siege,  and  in  the 
environs  of  it  as  a  prisoner  of  war  a  considerable 
time  afterwards,  had  opportunities  of  making  very 
full  observations,  which  he  judiciously  Improved. 

A  variety  of  cases,  different  from  those  we  have 
stated,  may  occur.  It  is  for  this  reason  that  we  have 
thought  proper  to  send  General  Duportail  to  your 
Excellency.  He  is  fully  acquainted  with  every  cir- 
cumstance of  our  affairs  in  this  quarter,  and  we 
recommend  him  to  your  Excellency  as  an  officer 
upon  whose  abilities  and  in  whose  integrity  you  may 
place  the  fullest  confidence.  We  would  observe,  that 
it  will  be  very  essential  to  the  despatch  of  the  busi- 
ness in  contemplation,  for  you  to  send  up  to  Elk 
River,  at  the  head  of  the  Chesapeake  Bay,  all  your 
frigates,  transports,  and  vessels  proper  for  the  con- 
veyance of  the  French  and  American  troops  down 
the  bay.  We  shall  endeavor  to  have  as  many  as  can 
be  found  in  Baltimore  and  other  ports  secured,  but 
we  have  reason  to  believe  they  will  be  ver)'  few.  We 
have  the  honor  to  be,  with  the  greatest  respect, 
attachment,  esteem,  &c.' 

'  Thii  l«ticr  wu  ligned  jointly  b)p  Geoenl  Wuhinglon  and  Count  <le  R»- 
chiunbcaii. 

Diary,  July  ■4th. — '*  Kcceivtd  dFtpalchei  frcnn  th«  Count  <le  Bu'ras.  &ii> 
naancing  the  intended  departure  of  Count  de  Grnaac  from  Cape  Fraii^oit  witli 
bttwten  twcnif-five  and  twenty-olna  Mil  o(  ih«  lino,  anil  ilu«t  iIiouudiI  two 


I78i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


341 


TO  THE  SUPERINTENDENT  OF   FINANCE. 

HifAH-QL-AKTEiis,  DoBHS't  Fnxv, 

■7  Au|ru»,  IfBl. 

Dear  Sir, 

I  have  in  confidence  imparted  to  you  the  alteration 
of  our  late  plan,  and  made  you  acquainted  with  our 
intended  operations.  Besides  the  provisions  neces- 
sary at  the  Head  of  Elk  to  carry  the  troops  down  the 
bay,  a  very  considerable  quantity  will  be  wanted  in 
Virginia.  I  should  suppose  three  hundred  barrels  of 
flour,  as  many  of  salt  meat,  and  eight  or  ten  hogsheads 
of  rum  would  be  sufficient  at  Elk.  For  what  wiil  be 
consumed  in  Virginia.  I  imagine  the  order  must  be 
general,  as  we  can  neither  ascertain  the  number  of 

huiulr«ii  land  troopa,  on  ihe  jil  tnalant,  for  ihe  diempMb*  Ba<r ;  and  the  mi> 
lety  «( the  Utter  to  have  evety  thing  in  the  most  perfect  rciilines  to  comroenet 
001  operatioii<t  at  the  niomeiil  of  bit  irrival,  as  he  Blionld  be  uni]«r  Ihe  neces- 
tlly.  from  poiticoUr  «ngagecnents  with  (he  SpanianU,  to  he  in  the  Weil  Indict 
by  the  Bildillc  of  October.  The  Count  dc  Bamu  at  the  ume  lime  iiiliinalod 
his  tntcnlioni  uf  an  cnier|>iU«  a|;ainti  Newfouiidlanil  ',  in  upputilJun  tu  which 
both  Count  de  RochamLiau  and  mpelf  remonil rated,  ai  being  laipolitie  and 
dan^ierotit  under  the  probability  of  Rodney')  coming  on  ihit  cnatt. 

"  Mniten  hai^n);  now  vttmr.  [o  a  irihlt,  and  a  decided  plan  to  be  delctmJned 
on,  I  wa*  obliged,— from  the  shorlneia  of  Count  de  Graue't  promised  way  on 
thii  coMI,  the  apparent  ditinclination  o(  (lieir  naval  olTicm  to  fon«  the  har- 
bor of  New  York,  and  the  feeble  conipllHiicc  of  the  Slatei  with  my  requiif- 
tioni  Ua  men  hitherto,  and  the  little  prospect  of  grtAtei  exertion  in  future, — 1« 
give  up  all  iiieat  o!  attacking  New  Vork,  and  inaiead  ihereof  to  remove  the 
French  troopi  and  a  dtlaciiinrnl  from  the  Americ.in  army  to  the  fleail  of  Elk, 
(o  be  trantponed  to  Virginia  for  the  purpote  of  co^peiallng  with  the  forca 
from  the  Wott  Indies  against  the  troopt  In  that  !>t;ite." 

In  Ihe  letter  which  accompanied  the  despa<ch«i  above  meniioned.  Count  de 
Bam«  Mid  ihat  Count  de  Cri<nr  did  not  require  him  la  form  a  junetiiiii  with 
Ibe  Wett  India  «iuadiori.  but  left  him  at  libtity  to  underuke  any  other  enter- 
prbe  which  he  might  think  pioper.  In  conformity  nitb  ihii  pcnniiiion,  and 
with  Ihe  tpirit  of  Ihe  original  but  contingent  Initrnclionii  fiom  the  mlnlslers.  he 
prapoied  an  expedition  to  Newfoundland,  and  aid  ho  ihould  with  to  take  with 
him  the  land  fotcei  thai  had  been  left  at  Newport  under  M.  de  Choiiy.     This 


34' 


THE  WRITINGS  OP 


[1781 


men,  which  will  be  drawn  together,  or  the  time  they 
will  be  employed 

I  have  written  to  ,the  Count  de  Grasse,  and  have 
requested  him  to  send  up  his  light  vessels  of  every 
kind  to  Elk;  but  1  would  nevertheless  wish  to  have 
all  that  may  be  at  Baltimore  and  the  upper  parts  of 
the  bay  secured.  1  shall  therefore  be  obliged  to  you 
to  take  measures  at  a  proper  time  for  that  purpose. 
When  that  time  will,  be,  and  when  you  shall  give  or- 
ders for  the  deposit  at  Elk.  I  will  hereafter  inform 
you.  I  shall  direct  the  quartermaster  in  due  season 
to  take  up  all  the  small  craft  in  Delaware  for  the  pur- 
pose of  transporting  the  troops  from  Trenton  to 
Christeen.  Should  he  have  occasion,  for  advice  or 
assistance  from  you  upon  this  occasion,  I  must  recjucst 
you  to  give  him  both.  I  am  confident  it  will  be  neces- 
sary to  give  the  American  troops,  destined  for  south- 
ern services,  one  month's  pay  in  specie.  This  will 
amount  to  about  dollars.     If  tt  will  be  possible 

ttep  wai  !>t[oa(;tr  4fM|9nvtd  tiy  both  Genenl  WadiIii)(lon  >mI  Coiut  i»  R^ 
chamlicfiu  :  and,  h  moh  tm  b«  raceived  th«ir  lemonstrincc  as'i'"!  >!■  Counl  dc 
Birnti  retalvcd  lo  prOMcd  to  the  ChcMpc*k«. 

It  »pT0b>b1«,  likcH-iM,  llMt  toine  d«gr«co(  p«nun*l  feeling  had  ili  inSueoce 
on  the  wahes  ol  Count  dr  Bixni.  In  the  council  ol  war.  whidi  wns  held  some 
time  Ixfnie.  letiicctintc  the  removil  of  the  fleet  to  BoMoii.  alter  a  debate  iiiJi- 
caling  n  tilllr  wannth  jmong  the  oflivers.  Cuunl  de  Kochatnbcau  rcpments  M. 
de  Borias  u  uiing  the  (oUDiiring  Unguogc.  "  No  ptnon  U  more  JotcTctie^ 
ihan  1  am  in  (lie  arrival  of  M.  de  Citaue  In  [hcM  «at.  Hewat  mjr  junSor  ;  fae 
has  Jutt  beoD  appointrd  Hculeiianl-gcncrnl.  Al  the  mcini«nt  bit  approach  is 
nade  known,  I  ihall  Mi  uU  to  put  myieU  andn  his  orden.  I  vill  ijnith  ttila 
campaifn  ;  I  will  never  make  anolher.'* — M^-'irti  dt  SotAamttau.  Tom.  i. , 
p.  S76.  Hoiice  il  ajipcan  Iliac  the  two  naval  commandcn  stood  in  a  dclicale 
tclatioD  to  each  othei :  and  it  may  be  prciumed  that  this  vru  the  reason  whf 
Couul  de  Grasse  left  Count  de  Ititras  at  liberty  lo  join  him  or  not,  as  he  should 
be  inelinad  ;  and  alto  why  the  latter  preferred  a  aeparale  irntorpriw. — ^arki. 


i78i]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  343 


for  you  to  procure  this  sum,  you  will  infinitely  oblige 
me  and  will  much  benefit  the  service.  I  shall  also 
stand  in  need  of  a  sum  of  specie  for  secret  services,  I 
suppose  about  five  hundred  guineas.  I  am,  dear 
Sir,  &c.' 


to  major-general  heath. 

instroctions. 
Sir, 

You  are  to  lake  command  of  all  th«  troops  remaining  in  this 
department,  consistinR  of  the  two  regiments  of  New  Hampshire.ten 
of  Massachusetts,  and  five  of  Connecticut  infantry,  the  corps  of 
invalids,  Sheldon's  legion,  the  third  regiment  of  artillery,  together 
with  all  such  State  troops  and  militia,  as  are  retained  in  service, 
of  those  which  would  have  been  under  my  own  command. 

The  security  of  West  Point  and  the  posts  in  the  Highlands 
is  to  be  considered  the  first  object  of  your  attention.  In  order 
to  cEfccl  this,  you  will  make  such  dispositions  as  in  your  judgment 
the  circumstances  shall  from  time  to  time  require  ;  taking  care  to 
have  as  large  a  supply  of  salted  provisions  as  possible  constantly 
on  hand  ;  lo  have  the  forlilications,  works,  and  maf aiines  repair* 

'  To  this  r«qvMt  for  a)on«7  Mr.  Morrldn^dc  iKiyillMonrtclagnply,  Mat* 
ing  that  he  hadaoiw.bat  woultl  nuk«  «very  poiiiMc  cxrrliun.  SMtutUiwer 
in  ihc  Diplemalie  Cprrtifondrmt,  \ai.  xL,  p.  431. 

On  the  i7<li  Wuliiiigtun  mapped  out  (he  following  Bnc  o(  BMch  for  the 
French  irmy  : 
Suni5ay,  tgUi,  lo   North  Culle,  14  niila 
Mondiijr,  aolh,  to  King'*  Frrry,  iB  inil<4 

Allowing  for  the  common  chniic«i  of  windt  and  weitfacr  it  nuy  take  lUI 
Thunday,  Mil,  to  cidm  Ihe  North  Ritcr 
Friday,  jjd,  lo  SuSninK.  16  mile* 
Sttinrday,  34th.  to  Pnmpton  Mc«('g  H'te,  M  milts 
SuDiliy,  aslh,  lo  Wliippwiy,  IJ 
Monday,  ibth,  to  Bulliun'i  Tavern,  ij 
Tuddny,  37th,  lo  Somerset  Court  House,  14 
Wednenlsy,  aSth.  to  Krioeclon,  14 
Thundiy,  39ih,  to  Trenlon,  la. 


544 


THE  WRF  TINGS  OF 


[1781 


ed  and  perfected  n,s  far  as  may  b<^ :  to  have  the  garrison  at  least 
in  all  CAscs  kept  tip  to  its  present  strength  ;  to  have  the  tniouter 
at  ran  cements  and  plans  for  the  defence  and  support  of  this  im- 
portant post  perfectly  understood  and  vigorouiily  acted  upon,  in 
case  of  any  attempt  againxt  it  Ample  magazines  of  wood  a.nA 
forage  arc  to  be  laid  in  against  the  approaching  winter.  The 
former  should  1>e  cut  on  thi:  margin  of  the  river,  and  transported 
by  water  to  the  garrison  The  latter  ought  to  be  collected  from 
the  country  below  the  lines,  in  the  greatest  quantities  possible, 
and  deposited  in  such  places  at  you  :cha1I  judge  proper. 

The  force  noiv  p;il  under  your  orders,  it  is  presumed,  will  be 
sufficient  for  all  the  purposes  above  mentioned  ;  as  well  as  to 
yield  a  very  considerable  protection  and  cover  to  the  country, 
without  haxarding  the  safety  of  the  posts  in  the  Highlands.  This 
is  to  be  esteemed,  as  it  re«pects  the  friendly  inhalntaiiU  and 
resources  of  the  country,  an  extremely  interesting  object ;  but, 
when  compared  u-ith  the  former,  of  a  secondary  nature.  'I'hc 
protection  of  the  northern  and  western  frontiers  of  the  Stale  of 
New  Vorlt,  as  well  as  of  those  parts  of  that  and  other  Slates  most 
contiguous  and  exposed  to  the  ravages  and  depredations  of 
the  enemy,  will  claim  your  attention.  But,  as  the  contingencies, 
which  are  to  be  expected  in  the  course  of  the  campaign,  may  be 
»»  various,  unforeseen,  and  almost  infinite,  that  no  particular  line 
of  conduct  can  be  prescribed  for  them,  upon  all  .tuch  occasions 
you  will  be  governed  by  your  own  prudence  and  discretion,  in 
which  the  fuUest  confidence  is  placed. 

Although  your  general  nilc  of  conduct  will  be  to  act  on  the 
defensive  only,  yet  it  is  not  meant  to  prohibit  you  from  striking 
a  blow  at  the  enemy's  posts,  or  detachmentji,  should  a  fair  op|ior- 
tiinity  present  itself. 

The  mo^l  eligible  position  for  your  army,  in  my  opinion,  will 
be  above  (i.  e,  on  the  north  side  of)  the  Croton  ;  as  well  for  the 
purpose  of  supporting  the  garrison  of  West  Point,  as  annoying 
the  enemy,  and  covering  the  country,  as  for  the  security  and  re- 
pose of  your  troops.  Waterbury's  brigade,  which  may  be  posted 
towards  the  Sound,  Sheldon's  corps,  the  Stale  troops  of  New 
York,  and  other  light  parties,  may  occasionally  be  made  use  of 
to  hold  the  enemy  in  check,  and  carry  on  the  petite  guerre  with 


178.] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


345 


them  ;  but  I  would  recommend  keeping  your  force  as  much  col- 
lected  and  as  compact  as  the  nature  of  (be  service  will  admit,  doing 
by  corps  instead  of  detachments  whenever  it  is  practicable,  and 
above  all  exerting  yourself  most  strenuously  and  assiduously, 
while  the  (roops  arc  in  a  camp  of  repose,  to  make  them  perfect  in 
their  exercise  and  maniEiivres,  and  to  establish  the  most  regular 
system  of  discipline  and  duty  The  good  of  the  service  and 
emulation  of  corps  will,  I  am  persuaded,  prompt  the  officers  and 
men  to  devote  their  whole  time  and  attention  to  the  pleasing  and 
honorable  task  of  becoming  masters  of  their  profcssioti.  The  uo- 
cerlainty,  which  the  present  movement  of  the  army  wiU  probably 
occasion  with  the  enemy,  ought  to  be  increased  by  every  means 
in  your  power,  and  the  deception  kept  up  as  lung  as  possible. 

It  will  not  be  expedient  to  prevent  the  militia  which  were  or- 
dered from  coming  in.  until  the  arrival  of  the  Count  dc  Grassc. 
or  something  delinite  or  certain  is  known  from  the  southward  ; 
and  even  then,  circumstances  may  (but  of  this  you  wilt  be  ad- 
vised) render  it  advisable  to  keep  the  enemy  at  New  York  In 
check,  to  prevent  their  detaching  to  reinforce  their  southern  army, 
or  to  harass  the  inhabitants  on  the  scacoast. 

The  redoubt  on  the  east  side  of  Dobbs's  Ferry  is  to  be  disman- 
tled and  demolished,  the  platforms  to  be  taken  up  and  trans- 
ported  up  the  river,  if  il  vjtsi  conveniently  be  done.  The 
blockhouse  on  the  other  side  to  be  maintained,  or  evacuated  and 
destroyed,  as  you  shall  think  proper.  The  water-guards  and 
other  precautions  to  prevent  a  surprise,  you  will  be  pleased  to 
take  into  your  consideration,  and  regulate  in  such  a  manner  as 
you  shall  judge  most  expedient.  Vou  will  be  pleased,  alto,  to 
keep  me  regularly  advised  of  every  im|iortant  event,  which  shall 
take  place  in  your  department.  Given  under  my  hand  at  Hcad- 
Quarters,  this  ■9th  day  of  August,  1781. 

P.  S.  By  the  act  of  Congress  of  the  3d  of  October,  17S0,  a 
return  is  to  be  made  to  thera  annually  on  or  before  the  ist  of 
September  of  the  troops  belontilng  tn  the  several  states  that 
requisitions  may  be  made  for  completing  the  same,  This  you 
will  be  pleased  to  have  done  by  Che  troops  under  your  command. 
The  preservation  of  the  boats  is  a  matter  of  very  great  importance 
to  which  you  will  attend.     Let  all  the  new  boats  and  such  otheiit 


346 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


['78' 


as  arc  not  ^solutely  necessary  and  allotted  to  the  service  of  the 
garrison,  be  hauled  tip  and  put  under  the  care  of  a  guard  so  that 
the  person  to  whom  ihry  are  committed  shall  be  accountable 
for  every  host.  The  abuses  committed  by  people  belonging  to 
commissioned  whale  boats  on  Long  Island  ought  to  be  enquired 
into  and  supprc^cd  espectally  as  Congress  have  ordered  those 
commissions  to  be  revoked.' 


I  "  1  bavc  the  plettuTD  lo  inform  jrour  BxccllvDcy,  that  my  Iroopi  tntvtd  U 
Ihc  fKiDg*9]  Fcrrjr  yciterduy.  ind  began  to  pou  the  ritcr  at  tm  o'clock  in  th« 
morning,  and  by  sunritc  of  ihU  day  they  were  nil  completely  on  Ihit  ilde  iif  the 
Hver.  I  hope  your  army  will  bo  cnnblnl  to  cion  >ritli  llic  ii»ni«  facility  wlicn 
they  arrive." — WaikingMt  ta  ftvckemieai,  ai  Aueml.  ijSi. 

The  French  army  marc  hedby  ihi'  way  of  While  Plains,  \orth  Caillc,  Pine'* 
tiriilge.  anil  Cronipt>nd.  and  croticd  the  river  with  all  tbcir  baggage  and  storec 
between  the  std  and  15th.  The  two  armie.  imnued  tbcir  march  to  Trenton 
by  diflereni  rnutet ;  one  column  pMsing  throusli  Chaibntn.  Kprin|;field,  and 
Bniiuwick.lor  lite  purpow  of  keeping  up  ai  long  ai  pofiible  an  npprarance 
of  thrcalcninic  Staten  ttknd,  or  of  marching  round  to  Sandy  Hook  lo  facilitate 
the  entrance  of  the  Krencli  ^t*i  into  ilic  liarlior.  A  Pr«nc!i  liakcty  wai  ilaa 
oitabliiihed  at  Chatham,  a*  a  blind  to  the  enemy,  which  should  strengthen  the 
opnition  that  operalioni.  wetr  inlCTidcil  in  ihit  <|iLirle>.  (General  W.ikhiniflon 
rtmaEncil  wtlli  the  anny  till  the  joth,  when  he  anil  Count  de  Rucliambcau  set 
off  lor  Philadelphia,  and  arrived  there  the  next  day.  He  immediately  applied 
him>clf  lo  provide  veuieta,  aiid  otlier  racana  »(  iranitportini;  the  army,  bacgage, 
and  >lom  From  Treniun  lo  the  Head  of  Elk.  So  few  veBeli  could  be  found, 
that  one  regiment  only  went  by  water,  with  Ihe  ilorca,  down  the  Delaware  and 
up  Chruliana  Creek.  All  the  remaining  iioopt  marched  by  land,  and  paued 
through  I*hiladelphia.  G«nera]  Lincoln  had  Ihe  immedialv  command  of  the 
•my  in  it»  ptogre»»  southward. 

An  extract  from  Atr.  MorriitMJiiiTy,  containing  an  animated  account  of  Gen- 
eral Waehington'i  reception  in  I'hSadelphiB  on  this  occaaiott,  may  l>«  «t«n  ia 
the  Dif-lomvHf  Ca^rtifeti4im<t  voL  at.,  p.  46s. — Sfarkt. 

"  A|rTeeably  in  my  Intentions  communicated  to  you  on  the  15th  ln> 
slant,  the  truopi  deilined  for  the  southern  quarter  arc  now  tn  molion. 
The  American  detachment  I*  already  on  the  west  tide  of  the  IlBdson.  Tbe 
French  aimy  1  raped  will  rtach  the  Ftiry  ihE»  day.  Our  match  will  be  coa- 
liuued  with  all  the  dispatch  that  out  circumstances  will  admit.  As  ii  will  ba 
of  great  imporUncc  iowajd&  the  kucceM  of  our  prcMrni  enterprise,  thai  the 
enemy  on  ihc  arrival  of  the  Ae<rt  thuuM  rmi  hjivc  it  in  their  power  to  effect 
their  retreat,  1  cannot  omit  to  repeat  to  you  my  most  earnest  wish,  that  the 
land  and  naval  forces,  which  you  will  have  with  you,  may  so  combine  their 
eperalloiw,  (hat  the  British  army  may  mit  be  able  to  escape.  Tlio  particular 
'  mode  of  dmng  this  1  aboil  not  at  tbit  distance  attempl  to  dictate." —  W^hing- 
im  ta  La/aytttt,  3\  August,  1781. 


• 


iy8i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


347 


TO   ROBERT   MORRIS   AND    RICHARD   PETER&' 

IIkau  QtTASTXai,  KiKc'f  Fiititv 
31  AuguEi,  1731. 

Gentlemen, 

I  have  devoted  the  first  moment  of  my  time,  which 
I  could  command  (while  the  troops  are  halted  for  the 
French  army  at  this  place),  to  give  my  sentiments 
unreservedly  on  the  several  matters  contained  in  your 
favor  of  the  13th  instant.  This  I  will  attempt  to  do 
with  all  that  frankness  and  sincerity,  which,  from 
your  own  candor  in  your  commimications,  you  have 
a  right  to  expect,  and  for  doing  which  with  the  greater 
freedom  the  importance  of  the  subject  will  be  my 
apology.  Persuaded  that  we  are  influenced  by  the 
same  motives,  and  anxious  in  pursuit  of  the  same 
object,  1  am  only  unhappy,  that  I  should  be  forced 
to  dissent  in  a  single  instance  from  the  opinion  of 
those,  for  whose  judgment  and  ability  I  have  the 
highest  deference,  respecting  the  surest  and  best 
mode  for  attaining  that  object. 

But,  being  at  the  same  time  fully  sensible  of  the 
necessity  of  prosecuting  the  war  with  as  much  vigor 
as  our  circumstances  will  admit,  and  of  using  the 
strictest  economy  in  the  prosecution  of  it ;  upon 
these  verj'  principles,  I  beg  leave  to  give  it  as  my 
opinion,  that  a  reduction  of  the  number  of  officers 

'  Mr.  Morris,  u  siijiarintcndciit  of  fintiic*,  and  Mr.  I'etrri,  u  n  mcmbei  of 
the  Board  of  W«r.  hod  bnn  nppoinled  commiuionEn  by  Congrcii  to  proceed 
(0  head-quaiten,  and  conmlll  (he  Commaitilri-in-cliit-f  ruper.ling  llie  irranijlk 
iDonl  and  numlient  of  the  army  tor  the  cncnillE  yvar. — yaarHals,  July  Jlsl. 
Tbejr  had  rec«niiy  been  io  the  camp  for  that  pnrpou,  and  hod  addiwcd  a  Ici- 
t«  to  Genera!  Wathinginn  conUinln|;  tevefal  qutrlei  nn  Ihal  tiubjeci.  See  ihe 
letter  in  llic  VifUmiuit  Corrnfondtncf,  vol.  x\.,  p.  436.  The  tiahU  of  tUetr 
•diemc  was  a  reducrion  o(  Oie  army. 


348 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


and  men  as  fixed  by  the  last  arrangement,  or  any 
material  alteration  of  the  establishment  of  the  army 
for  the  next  campaign,  would  not  in  the  present 
situation  of  afTairs  be  expedient,  for  the  following 
reasons. 

In  the  first  place,  because  the  enemy  must  resolve 
to  prosecute  the  war.  or  be  disposed  to  make  a  peace  : 
in  cither  of  which  cases,  a  respectable  army  in  the 
field  on  our  part  will,  I  conceive:,  more  than  compen- 
sate the  expenses  of  it,  and  will  eventually  be  the  best 
and  most  economical  system  of  policy  we  can  possi- 
bly act  upon.  For,  should  the  enemy  still  be  deter- 
mined to  carry  on  the  war  with  obstinacy,  not  only 
policy,  but  even  necessity,  would  urge  us  to  keep  up 
a  superior  army,  as  the  surest  and  only  means  of 
forcing  them  to  a  peace,  and  freeing  us  from  the 
calamities  and  expenses  of  the  war  ;  as  it  is  evident 
from  many  circumstances,  that  they  have  relied  more 
for  success  on  our  want  of  exertions,  than  upon  their 
own  military  prowess  or  resources,  and  that  this  has 
been  one  principal  inducement  of  their  persevering 
hitherto.  But,  on  the  other  hand,  should  they  be 
inclined  to  a  pacification,  a  powerful  and  wel!  ap- 
pointed army  would  both  enable  us  to  dictate  our 
own  terms  at  the  negotiation,  and  hasten  the  com- 
pletion of  it. 

In  addition  to  this,  whoever  considers  how  much 
more  expensive  and  less  serviceable  militia  are  than 
Continental  troops,  how  heavy  and  repeated  a  burden 
on  the  public  their  bounties  are.  when  they  are  hired  ; 
when  drafted,  how  disagreeable  and  frequently  dis* 


I78r] 


GEORGH  WASHINGTON- 


349 


tressing  for  them  to  be  torn  from  their  families  to  a 
life  with  which  they  are  totally  unacquainted  ;  how 
precarious  and  uncertain  the  aid  is,  which  may  be 
expected  from  them  in  such  cases ;  what  glorious 
opportunities  have  been  lost  by  us,  and  what  almost 
niinous  advantages  have  been  taken  by  the  enemy  in 
times  of  our  weakness,  for  want  of  a  permanent  force 
in  the  5eld, — will,  I  am  persuaded,  be  convinced,  that 
we  ought  to  have  constantly  such  an  army  as  is  suffi- 
cient to  operate  against  the  enemy,  and  supersede  the 
necessity  of  calling  forth  the  militia  except  on  the  most 
extraordinary  occasions.  1  will  also  beg  leave  to  re- 
mind you,  Gentlemen,  of  the  great  reduction  of  the 
number  of  regiments  on  the  Continental  establish- 
ment, viz.,  from  one  hundred  and  sixteen  to  fifty  since 
the  year  1777,  and  to  observe,  in  consequence,  that, 
in  my  opinion,  we  do  not  find  the  enemy  so  much  ex- 
hausted, or  their  strength  so  debilitated,  as  to  warrant 
any  farther  diminution  of  our  established  force.  By 
one  of  the  late  intercepted  letters  from  Lord  George 
Germaine.  it  appears  the  enemy  considered  the  num- 
ber of  men,  in  their  provincial  corps  only,  greater 
than  the  whole  number  of  men  in  the  service  of  the 
continent.  Since  which  time  the  reinforcements  that 
have  arrived  from  Europe  amount,  by  the  best  ac- 
counts 1  have  been  able  to  obtain,  to  at  least  four 
thousand  men. 

That  the  Slates  are  able,  by  proper  exertions,  to 
furnish  the  number  of  men  required  by  the  last 
arrangement  of  the  army,  may  I  think  rationally 
be  supposed  ;    as  the  population  in  many  of   tliem 


350 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[17S1 


has  rather  increased  than  diminished  since  the  com- 
mencement of  the  war  :  and  as  the  greater  part  of 
them  do  actually,  when  called  upon  in  an  emergency, 
give  a  sufficient  number  of  men  for  services  of  short 
duration  to  complete  their  Continental  regiments. 
That  the  country  abounds  with  supplies  of  all  kinds 
is  acknowledged  from  all  quarters.  Whether  the 
men  can  be  obtained,  or  the  resources  drawn  forth, 
is  more  than  I  will  presume  with  certainty  to  de- 
termine ;  but  one  thing  is  certain,  that  it  is  idle  to 
contend  against  great  odds,  when  we  have  it  in  our 
power  to  do  it  upon  equal  or  even  advantageous 
terms. 

There  are  also  several  arguments,  which  I  omit  to 
enforce,  that  might  be  adduced  particularly  to  prove 
the  impropriety  of  reducing  the  number  of  officers,  or 
making  any  considerable  alteration  in  the  system  ; 
such  as  our  having  found  by  experience,  that  the 
proportion  of  officers  is  not  too  great  for  the  number 
of  men ;  that  the  same  or  a  greater  proportion  has 
been  esteemed  necessarj'  in  other  more  ancient  ser- 
vices :  and  that  the  full  complement  is  more  indis- 
pensably requisite  in  ours,  because  there  are  a  larger 
number  of  levies  and  recruits  to  train  and  discipline 
annually  than  is  to  be  found  in  the  regiments  of  other 
nations  ;  and  because  a  greater  number  of  officers  are 
taken  from  the  line  to  perform  the  duties  of  the  staff", 
than  in  most  other  services.  It  is  likewise  an  estab- 
lished fact,  that  everj'  alteration  in  the  military  sys- 
tem, or  change  in  the  arrangement,  unless  founded  in 
the  most  obvious  principles  of  utility,  isattended  with 


,,8i] 


GEORGE  WASH/tVGTON^. 


35" 


uneasiness  among  the  officers,  confusion  with  regard 
to  the  disposition  of  the  men,  and  frequently  with 
irregularities  and  disagreeable  consequences  before 
it  can  be  carried  completely  into  execution.  Perfect 
order  throughout  the  whole  army  has  but  just  been 
restored  since  the  last  arrangement  took  place.  An- 
other innovation  in  the  present  situation  might  be 
more  mischievous  in  its  effects. 

Thus  I  have.  Gentlemen,  from  a  desire  of  faithfully 
performing  my  duty,  from  the  experience  (of  what- 
ever degree  it  is)  which  I  have  acquired  in  the  service 
of  my  country,  and  from  the  knowledge  1  have  of  the 
present  state  of  the  army,  given  my  sentiments  on  the 
first  of  your  queries,  which  likewise  involves  the 
answer  to  your  second.  With  regard  to  the  third,  I 
am  of  opinion,  that  the  recruits  ought  if  possible  to 
be  engaged  for  the  war,  or  three  years ;  but,  if  this 
cannot  be  done,  that  the  community,  district,  or  class, 
furnishing  a  man  for  a  shorter  term  of  scr\'ices,  ought 
to  be  compellable  to  have  him  replaced  by  the  period 
when  his  time  of  service  expires ;  and  that  funds 
ought  to  be  established,  if  practicable,  for  recruiting 
the  men  engaged  for  short  services,  while  they  con- 
tinue with  the  army,  as  it  is  found  by  experience  that 
they  may  be  enlisted  with  more  facility  and  less  ex- 
pense, than  under  any  other  circumstances.  With 
respect  to  the  fourth,  fifth,  and  sixth  queries,  I  am  in 
doubt  whether  any  alteration  can  be  made  on  those 
subjects,  which  shall  tend  essentially,  (all  things 
considered,)  to  the  public  good.  I  have  the  honor 
to  be,  &c." 


CIRCULAR   LETTER  TO  THE   STATES. 


Sir, 


HKAi>Qi;ARTXRt,  KiNc's  FtRKV, 
tut  Atigait,  t7Si. 


1  feci  mj'setf  unhappy  in  being  obliged  to  iaform  you  that  the 
circumstances,  in  which  !  find  inyxelf  at  this  laie  period,  have  in- 
duced me  to  make  an  alteration  of  the  main  object  which  waa  at 
(irtt  adopted,  and  has  hitherto  been  held  in  viev,  for  the  opera- 
tions of  this  campaign.  It  gives  me  pain  to  say  that  the  delay  in 
the  several  slates  to  comply  with  my  requiaiiioDs  of  ihc  24th  of 
May  last,  on  which  in  a  great  measure  depended  the  hopes  of 
our  success,  in  that  attempt,  ha»'been  one  great  and  operative 
reason  to  lead  to  this  alteration.  Oihcr  circumstances,  it  is  true, 
have  had  their  weight  in  this  determination,  and  it  may,  in  the 
course  of  events,  prove  happy  to  the  states,  that  this  deviation 
from  our  main  design  has  been  adopted. 

The  fleet  of  the  Count  de  Gra**c,  with  a  body  of  French  troops 
on  board,  will  make  its  firxt  appearance  in  the  Cheasapeak,  which 
thould  the  time  of  the  fleet's  arrival  prove  favorable,  and  should 
the  enemy  under  Lord  Comwallis  hold  their  present  position  in 
Virginia,  will  give  us  the  fairest  opportunity  to  reduce  the  whole 
British  force  in  the  «ouih,  and  to  ruin  their  boasted  expectations 
in  that  quarter : — to  effect  this  desirable  object,  it  has  been  judged 
expedient,  taking  into  consideration  our  own  present  circum- 
stances,  with  the  situAiion  of  the  enemy  in  New  Vork,  and  at  the 
southward,  to  abandon  the  seige  of  the  former,  and  to  march  a  body 
of  troops,  consisting  of  a  detachment  from  the  American  army, 
with  the  whole  of  the  French  troops,  immediately  to  Virginia 
With  this  detachment,  which  will  be  vcrj'  considerable.  I  have  de- 
termined to  march  myself.  The  American  troops  arc  already  on 
the  west  »ide  of  the  Hudson,  and  Ihc  French  army  will  arrive  at 
King's  Ferry  this  day.  When  the  whole  are  crossed,  our  march  will 
be  continued  with  as  much  despatch  at  circumstances  will  admit. 

The  American  army  which  will  remain  in  this  department,  ex- 
cepting  two  light  comi)anies  and  some  lew  detachments,  consists  of 
the  two  New  lUmpshire  regiments,  ten  of  Massachusetts  and  five 
of  Connecticut  infantry,  with  Sheldon's  legion.  Crane's  artillery, 
the  state  troops  and  militia,  which  with  proper  exertions  of  the 
states,  will,  it  is  expected,  be  sufficient  to  hold  the  enemy  in 


■78'] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


353 


check  at  New  Yorlc,  and  prevent  their  ravages  on  the  frontiersi. 
The  comniand,  during  my  absenc:;,  is  given  to  Major-General 
Heath,  who  will  have  the  honor  to  communicate  with  the  States, 
on  every  occ.ision  which  maj-  require  their  attention. 

As  the  enemy's  force  io  New  York  has  been  for  some  time  past 
very  considerable,  and  il  is  reported  with  a  good  degree  of  cer- 
tainty, that  ihey  have  lately  received  a  very  considerable  rein- 
forcement of  German  recruit*,  from  Europe,  it  will  be  necessary 
still  to  send  forward  a  great  pan,  if  not  the  whole  of  the  milltta 
requested  from  your  state,  in  the  same  manner  as  though  no 
alteration  had  taken  place  in  our  measures.     You  will  therefore 

continue  to  send  on  at  least men  from  your  State  to  the 

orders  of  General  Heath,  with  as  much  despatch  as  possible, 
unless  you  should  be  informed  from  him  that  this  number  need 
not  be  completed. 

On  this  occasion  I  cannot  omit  to  repeat  to  you  my  opinion, 
of  the  absolute  importance  of  filling  your  continental  battalions 
to  their  complete  numbers,  for  the  war,  or  three  years.  Nol  only 
our  past  experience  for  a  course  of  years,  but  our  present  situa- 
tion, should  strongly  enforce  the  necessity  of  this  measure. 
Every  campaign  teaches  us  the  incrcasinK  difficulty  and  expcncc 
of  procuring  short-termed  levies,  and  their  decreasing  utility  in 
the  field.  The  large  reinforcements  which  the  enemy  have  this 
campaign  sent  to  America,  strongly  indicate  their  expectations 
of  the  continuance  of  the  war.  Should  this  be  the  case,  the  best 
way  to  meet  them  is  certainly  with  a  permanent  force,  but  should 
the  war  be  drawing  towards  a  close,  a  permanent  and  respectable 
army  will  give  it:t  the  happiest  prospects  of  a  favorable  peace.  In 
every  view,  a  permanent  army  should  be  the  great  object  of  the 
Slates  to  obtain,  as  they  regard  sound  policy,  prudence  or 
economy.     I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 


TO   THE    SUPERINTENDENT   OK    FINANCE. 
Dear  Sir.  Chatham. a? Ao«uft  1781. 

Accounts  brought  by  several  vessels  to  Philadel- 
phia and  to  the  eastward  leave  Httle  doubt,  that  the 
Count  de  Grasse  must  have  already  arrived  in  the 


354 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[178. 


Chesapeake,  or  that  he  must  be  very  soon  there. 
The  Count  de  Rochainbeau  and  myself  have  there- 
fore determined  that  no  time  ought  to  be  lost  in  mak- 
ing preparations  for  our  transportation  from  Trenton 
to  Christiana,  and  from  the  Head  of  Elk  down  the 
Chesapeake  I  have  written  by  this  opportunity  to 
Colonel  Miles,  and  have  directed  him  immediately  to 
engage  al!  the  proper  kind  of  craft  for  the  navigation 
of  the  Delaware,  which  can  be  found  in  Philadelphia 
or  in  the  creeks  above  and  below  it ;  and,  as  your 
advice  may  be  useful  to  him,  more  especially  so  far 
as  respects  procuring  the  vessels  at  a  distance  from 
Philadelphia,  I  have  desired  him  to  wait  upon  you  for 
that  purpose.  I  shall  also  be  obliged  to  you  for  using 
your  influence  with  the  gentlemen  of  Baltimore,  to 
permit  any  vessels  that  may  be  in  that  port  to  come 
up  to  Elk  and  assist  us  in  transportation.  I  have 
little  doubt,  from  the  cheerfulness  witli  which  they 
furnished  the  Marquis  last  winter,  but  they  will  com- 
ply with  your  requisition  on  the  present  occasion. 
But,  lest  there  should  be  a  necessity  for  the  interfer- 
ence of  the  executive  of  the  State,  I  have  written  to 
Governor  Lee  upon  that  and  other  matters.  I  en- 
close the  letter  under  flying  seal  for  your  information, 
and  you  will  be  good  enough  to  forward  it  by  a  chain 
of  exjjrcsses  which  is  established.  Any  vessels,  which 
may  be  procured  in  the  Chesapeake,  should  rendez- 
vous as  soon  as  possible,  in  Elk  River. 

You  will  be  pleased  to  make  the  deposit  of  flour, 
rum,  and  salt  meat  at  the  Head  of  Elk.  which  I  re- 
quested in  a  former  letter.  I  am  very  fearful  that  about 


i78il 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


3SS 


fifteen  hundred  barrels  of  salt  provisions,  and  thirty 
hogsheads  of  mm,  which  1  directed  to  be  sent  from 
Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island  under  convoy  of  the 
Count  de  Barras.  would  not  have  been  ready  when 
the  fleet  sailed  from  Newport.  Should  that  have 
^  been  the  case,  the  disappointment  will  be  great.  1 
would  wish  you  to  see  whether  a  like  quantity  of 
those  articles  can  be  procured  in  Philadelphia  or  in 
Marj'land.  if  we  should  find  that  they  have  not  gone 
round  from  the  eastward. 

I  must  entreat  you,  if  possible,  to  procure  one 
month's  pay  in  specie  for  the  detachment,  which  I 
have  under  my  command.  Part  of  those  troops  have 
not  been  paid  any  thing  for  a  very  long  time  past,  and 
have  upon  several  occasions  shown  marks  of  great 
discontent.  The  service  they  are  going  upon  is  dis- 
agreeable to  the  northern  regiments ;  but  I  make  no 
doubt  that  a  douceur  of  a  little  hard  money  would 
put  them  in  proper  temper.  If  the  whole  sum  can- 
not be  obtained,  a  part  of  it  will  be  better  than  none, 
as  it  may  be  distributed  in  proportion  to  the  respec- 
tive wants  and  claims  of  the  men.  The  American 
detachment  will  assemble  in  this  neighborhood  to- 
day ;  the  French  army  to-morrow.  I  have  the  honor 
to  be,  &c.' 

'Tbe  pnmura  lor  money  lo  paf  the  ironp*  via  in  fKiri  rrlicvcJ  by  %,  Inool 
twcill]r  tiiouuind  liinl  doUiis  fiDoi  Counl  <1a  Koclismbcau,  whkii  Mr.  Monit 
engaged  la  icplace  by  the  i((  of  Oeioba. — Diplomatic  Cftrtsfiaadtiiti,  lol.  xi., 
p.  463.  Colonel  Liuient  Airlrcil  in  Dimiod  itfita  lilt  miMion  in  Knncc  on  (he 
351b  of  August,  bringing  with  iiim  in  casb  two  miUitmi  and  ■  balf  of  livro, 
bcincpKct  odhe  donalion  of  lii  mfllionc,  which  bud  been  recently  (rtTcn  to  the 
Unilfd Stain  bf  ihc  Kinj;  nf  France.  Thl»  wi*  a  kcuonaUc  kuppljr,  and  «nB> 
bled  the  superintend enl  of  linance  to  fulfil  hit  engagccnsnl. 


556 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[.781 


TO   THE   MARQUIS   DE   LAFAVETTE. 

PHiLADeLniiA,  a  September,  1781. 

Nothing,  my  Dear  Marquis,  could  have  afforded 
me  more  satisfaction  than  the  information,  commu- 
nicated in  your  two  letters  of  the  21st  and  24th  ulti- 
mo, of  the  measures  you  had  taken,  and  of  the  arrange- 
ments you  were  making,  in  consequence  of  the 
intelligence  I  had  given  you.  Calculating  upon  the 
regular  force  under  your  immediate  orders,  the  mili- 
tia which  have  already  been  called  for.  and  may 
be  expected  in  the  field,  the  whole  of  the  French 
army,  and  the  American  corps  now  marching  with 
Major-General  Lincoln  from  the  northward,  in  addi- 
tion to  the  land  forces  expected  on  board  of  the  fleet, 
I  flatter  myself  we  shall  not  experience  any  consid- 
erable difficulties  from  the  want  of  men  to  carry  our 
most  favorite  projects  into  execution.  The  means  for 
prosecuting  the  siege  with  rapidity,  energy,  and  suc- 
cess, and  of  supplying  the  troops  while  they  arc  en- 
gaged in  that  ser\'ice,  as  they  arc  more  precarious. 
have  been  and  still  continue  to  be  the  great  objects 
of  my  concern  and  attention. 

Heavy  cannon,  ordnance  stores  and  ammunition, 
to  a  pretty  large  amount,  are  now  forwarding. 
General  Knox,  in  whose  immediate  province  these 
arrangements  are,  who  knows  the  whole  of  our  re- 
sources, is  making  every  exertion  to  furnish  a  compe- 
tent supply,  and  will  be  on  the  spot  to  remedy  every 
deficiency,  as  far  as  the  circumstances  will  possibly 
admiL  Having  also  from  the  first  moment  been  ex- 
tremely anxious  respecting  the  supplies  of  the  army,  (in 


1780 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


357 


which  I  comprehend  not  only  provisions  of  the  bread 
and  meat  kind,  &c.,  but  also  forage  and  the  means  of 
transportation.)  I  had  written  pressingly  to  the  gov- 
ernors of  Maryland  and  Virginia  on  that  subject  pre- 
vious to  the  receipt  of  your  favor  of  the  21st  of 
August.  I  have  since  reiterated  my  entreaties,  and 
enforced,  in  the  strongest  terms  I  was  capable  of 
using,  the  requisitions  for  specific  supplies  made  by 
Congress,  and  now  again  called  for  by  the  superin- 
tendent of  finance  from  the  states  of  Jersey,  Delaware, 
and  Marj'land  ;  as  to  the  supplies  of  Pennsylvania,  wc 
are  to  look  for  them  from  the  financier  himself.  I 
hope  and  trust  the  efforts  of  these  States  and  of  Vir- 
ginia will  be  uncommonly  great,  and  proportionate 
to  the  magnitude  of  the  object  before  us. 

In  order  to  introduce  some  kind  of  system  and 
method  in  our  supplies,  to  know  with  certainty  what 
may  be  depended  upon,  and  to  put  the  business  in 
the  best  possible  train  of  execution.  I  shall  send  for- 
ward the  heads  of  departments,  as  soon  as  their  pres* 
ence  can  be  dispensed  with.  I  have  spoken  to  the 
surgeon-general  respecting  hospital  stores  and  medi- 
cines. All  that  can  be  done  will  be  done  in  that 
department.  As  to  clothing  I  am  sorry  to  inform 
you,  little  is  to  be  expected,  except  in  the  article  of 
shoes,  of  which  a  full  supply  will  be  sent  on. 

In  my  progress  to  the  southward,  I  shall  take  care, 
as  far  as  practicable,  to  make  all  the  arrangements 
necessary  for  the  operation  in  view,  and  to  impress 
the  executives  with  an  Idea  of  the  absolute  necessity 
of  furnishing  their  quotas  of  supplies  regularly ;  as 


358 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


we  have  no  other  resources  to  rely  upon  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  army,  and  especially,  as  1  am  very  appre- 
hensive, that  a  quantity  of  fifteen  hundred  barrels  of 
salted  provisions,  which  I  had  ordered  to  be  shipped 
under  convoy  of  the  Count  dc  Barras,  did  not  arrive 
in  time  for  that  purpose. 

But.  my  dear  Marquis,  I  am  distressed  beyond  ex- 
pression to  know  what  has  become  of  the  Count  de 
Grasse,  and  for  fear  that  the  English  fleet,  by  occu- 
pying the  Chesapeake,  (towards  which  my  last  ac- 
counts say  they  were  steering,)  may  frustrate  all  our 
flattering  prospects  in  that  quarter.  I  am  also  not  a 
little  solicitous  for  the  Count  de  Barras.  who  was  to 
have  sailed  from  Rhode  Island  on  the  23d  ultimo, 
and  from  whom  I  have  heard  nothing  since  that  time. 
Of  many  contingencies  we  will  hope  for  the  most 
propitious  events.  Should  the  retreat  of  Lord  Corn- 
wallis  by  water  be  cut  off,  by  the  arrival  of  eithttr  of 
the  French  fleets,  I  am  persuaded  you  will  do  all  in 
your  power  to  prevent  his  escape  by  land.  May  that 
great  felicity  be  reserved  for  you.' 

'  On  tlic  ad,  tbe  Counl  de  Cratie  in(orm«d  Wuhington  ot  bia  airivm]  in  lli» 
Cbeuipcalic.     In  reply  Woihini^an  urotc  on  ihc  6l)l : 

"  £i|)«cliiig  10  Iiair«  (lie  lioiiur  »(  x  prrvonal  inlrrvlew  wilh  your  EKcdlencjr 
almoR  ni  won  >i  Ihii  will  teach  your  h.ind,  I  tball  nol  gtte  jrou  ihc  ironbia  In 
wrilinic,  of  ■  pirtkulii  deUiil  in  my  dciigni.  1  will  only  inform  you  Ihat  the 
van  n(  the  two  armiri.  tlir  French  nnil  AmRHont,  conkUiing  of  about  two 
thouuitiil  men,  (then  not  being  Iraopons  for  Iha  whole)  will  b«  cmbatkcil  in 
about  two  da}-t,  and  irill  fall  do>n  the  ChBiipciikc  to  rorm  a  jitnctivn  with  the 
troop*  nitder  th«  comniand  «( the  Coust  de  St.  Simon,  and  Ihc  M arquii  de  La- 
fayette, and  to  <o-opemle  in  blocking  sp  I,d.  Comwallis  in  York  Rivet,  and 
preicntintc  him  tomakchii  retreat  by  land,  or  collecling  any  lupplieilrom  Iha 
countiy,  ThI*  juncilun  of  the  van  of  our  iiuopi  is  propoted  to  be  made  in 
Jamea  Ri*«T,  unlevi  yuiu  I^iccllrncy  and  the  ctitnnianders  of  the  land  troops 
ihould  judge  tome  other  point  of  debarkation  lo  be  more  favorable  to  uurlotcn- 


ijSi] 


GEOSGE  WASHINGTON, 


359 


You  see  how  critically  important  the  present  mo- 
ment is.  For  my  own  part,  I  am  determined  still  to 
persist,  with  unremitting  ardor,  in  my  present  plan, 
unless  some  inevitable  and  insuperable  obstacles  are 
thrown  in  the  way.  Adieu,  my  dear  Marquis  if  you 
get  any  thing  new  from  any  quarter,  send  it  1  pray 
you,  OK  the  spur  of  speed  for  I  am  almost  all  im- 
patience and  anxiety,  at  the  same  time  that  I  am,  &c. 

P.  S.  Since  writing  the  above  I  have  received 
your  favor  of  the  25th.  Col.  Laurens  has  just  arrived 
in  this  town  from  France  via  Boston,  but  I  know  not 
yet  what  intelligence  he  brings. 


TO  THE   PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

WiLUAMSBUKO,  IJ  September,  i;Si.' 

Sir, 

I  have  the  honor  to  inform  Congress,  that  I  arrived 
at  this  place  last  evening ;  that  soon  after  my  arrival, 
I  received  the  pleasing  intelligence,  that  the  Count 

tiODS;  in  whiclicthc  you  will  be  iilcMcd  to  meet  the  mmporu  while  on  their 
way,  with  onlcn  to  proceed  to  any  other  point  which  nmy  be  dxed  on. 

"  The  Temaindcr  c>(  the  Iroopi  frain  hence  will  be  forwirded  with  tdl  the  ex- 
pedition iiiir  dreiimht>iic<*  will  ailmil.  In  the  incnn  limr.  ilk  il  will  be  o(  (he 
gnateit  imporlance  to  prevmi  the  etcapi  uf  hii  Loidship  from  bis  piestnt 
p<iutitin,  I  am  permadcd  that  evcly  meuuic,  which  prudence  can  diclille,  will 
be  improved  lor  that  piitpoie,  until  the  arrival  of  out  coniplric  force,  when  I 
hope  hi*  Lordihip  will  be  compelled  to  yield  hti  (;round  to  Ibe  superior  power 
of  oar  combined  forcci." 

'  "We  ire  thus  far  on  our  way  10  you.  The  Count  de  Roehamheau  has  juit 
arrived.  Oeneral  ChaMcIliu  will  be  here,  and  wc  prapuw.  after  rettin);  lo- 
morrow,  lobe  nl  Fiederickiburg on  the  nieht  of  the  IStU.  The  ijih  wc  shall 
teach  New  Castle  :  and  the  next  day  we  cipect  to  have  the  pleasure  of  teeing 
you  at  yaut  encampment.  SlioiiUI  there  b«  any  daii|;cr  3it  we  appioacli  you,  I 
tbuuld  be  obliged  if  you  will  tend  a  party  of  lione  toward*  New  Kent  Coiut* 


Sfio 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[lySt 


de  Grasse,  who  had  put  to  sea  on  the  5th  in  pursuit 
of  the  British  lleei,  had  returned  to  his  former  station 
at  Cape  Henry,  having  driven  the  British  from  the 
coast,  taken  two  of  their  frigates,  and  effected  a 
junction  with  the  squadron  of  the  Count  ^^  Barras. 
In  consequence  of  my  having  been  informed  of  the 
sailing  of  the  fleet  from  the  Capes,  and  being  appre- 
hensive that  we  were  not  assured  of  the  security  of 
our  navigation  in  the  bay,  I  had  ordered  the  troops, 
who  were  embarked  at  the  Head  of  Elk.  to  stop  until 
we  had  further  intelligence.  Orders  are  this  morning 
gone  on  to  press  them  forward  with  evcrj^  despatch 
possible.'  I  am  distressed  to  find,  that  the  supplies 
of  the  army  collecting  here  are  on  too  precarious  a 
footing.  Already  a  want  of  provisions  has  been  ex- 
perienced. Every  measure  is  taking,  that  is  in  my 
power,  to  be-  better  assured  of  our  supplies  in  future. 
How  far  I  shall  succeed  in  my  endeavors,  lime  must 
discover.     1  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 

tlooM  to  meet  ■ai."-~WMtltiiii£loH  fa  La/aytttt,  MonnI  V«nion,  10  September, 
1781- 

Tli«  MIowinB  were  IhediRerenlitBges  and  halting-placM  lot  theta^abyand 
(»mi :  Bild'i  Frion.  ihcilM  lo  Bush,  Rallinxite,  Klk  Ridge  Landing,  Slidenx- 
burj;.  Georifelown,  Itoiii  (hence  (o  FalK  ol  R*i>pabannoGk,  (■voUlingOcco'iuaii 
Kerry),  C»TO!ir;r  CoiitI-Hdum.  New  Ciitl*,  WUIinmsbore-  For  the  French, 
Ihe  iaWtming  cou»« :  Lcwcr  ferry,  on  Susquehannah.  Ballimore,  Elk  Ridge 
Landing.  BlaitenibDrg.  CeorKetnwn,  Fr«Ierifksburg  ["to  a»<riil  in  iiie<m»en. 
Unt  ferry  vtvi  Occuiguan  and  Rappahannock  rivet  at  the  town  of  Frcdencks. 
bai£.  The  former  may,  t  believe  be  forded  at  Falmouth  <two  mila  abore 
Frcdeitck(bar|^.  and  the  latter  by  iMvinc  llie  common  rout  a  little  to  lfa«  left 
from  Gcorgelown."],  (.'iroline  Court^House,  and  New  Cattle. 

'  On  hit  pasiage  ttom  th«  Wmi  Indies  to  the  Cheupeake,  Count  de  Oraue 
captured  a  Dritiiih  armed  vessel,  liuuml  from  Charletlon  to  New  Vork.ln  which 
wu  Lord  Kawdon,  who  wat  lakes  pritopcr  and  brought  into  the  Cheuiprake. 

*  "  Erery  day  we  now  l<i*c  i*  companttiTely  an  ac^-  ^^  *'>°"  oi.  it  ii  in  out 
power  with  safety,  we  ought  lo  lake  our  pmitlon  near  the  enemy.     Hurry  «a 


ir8i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


S«i 


TO   THE  COUNT   DE  CRASSE. 

tllCAtl.QVARTIIIIS,  W|LUAM<>R(;Rc. 
Sir,  'S  SeplMnber.  17B1. 

1  had  the  honor  to  receive  your  Excellency's  letter 
of  the  4th  of  this  month  soon  after  the  arrival  at  this 
place.  I  am  at  a  loss  to  express  the  pleasure,  which 
I  have  in  congratulating  your  Excellency  on  your  re- 
turn to  your  former  station  in  the  bay.  and  the  happy 
circumstance  of  forming  a  junction  with  the  squadron 
of  the  Count  de  Barras.  I  take  particular  satisfac- 
tion in  felicitating  your  Excellency  on  the  glory  of 
having  driven  the  British  fleet  from  the  coast,  and 
taking  two  of  their  frigates.  These  happy  events, 
and  the  decided  superiority  of  your  fleet,  gives  us  the 
happiest  presages  of  the  most  complete  success  in 
our  combined  operations  in  this  bay. 

It  is  with  much  regret,  that  I  find  the  want  of 
transports  in  the  bay  has  retarded  the  coming  on  of 
the  troops  expected  from  the  northward.  If  it  is 
possible  for  your  Excellency  to  give  us  any  assistance 
in  this  distress,  it  will  be  attended  with  inexpressible 
advantage  to  the  prosecution  of  our  measures,  and 
will  be  acknowledged  with  the  highest  gratitude. 
Such  of  our  troops,  as  could  not  be  embarked  at  the 

then,  nijr  dear  Sir,  with  your  troop*  on  the  wingi  of  spenl.  The  went  of  our 
IMn  knd  ttoret  I*  now  ill  tliii  retirdt  our  immeJUle  operallonii.  Lord  Com- 
watlli  U  improving  tvciy  moiii«ni  lo  the  best  B'Jvanla^c  ',  and  every  day  that 
i»  giTcn  bun  [o  nuk«  hU  prepnrationx  may  cott  lu  many  lii«s  to  encounter 
them. 

"  I  am  very  tennitilc  o[  your  rigil^nce  and  activity.  My  {mpatrencv.  howrvcr, 
to  oommence  our  operationi  impeU  me  to  write  ai  1  have  done.  Von  will 
cotne  with  your  iroopn  to  the  College  [.inding  in  Jamet  Hiver,  where,  unlet* 
jou  r«veiTc  other  orders,  yoa  wilt  dobark." — WvMt^ftt  la  mo/tT'Ctiural 
I.innla,  WillJamibntE.  Ij  September,  iTlr. 


S6t 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


Head  of  Elk,  are  inarching  to  Baltimore,  where  tliey 
are  to  be  put  on  board  such  transports  as  may  be 
collected  at  that  place. 

It  is  very  much  the  wish  of  the  Count  dc  Rocham- 
beau,  as  well  as  myself,  to  have  the  honor  of  an  in- 
terview with  your  Excellency ;  but  our  particular 
circumstances  render  us  dependent  on  your  goodness 
for  the  means  of  conveyance.  If  your  Excellency 
could  despatch  some  fast-sailing  cutter  to  receive  us 
on  board,  and  will  inform  us  your  time  and  place,  wc 
shall  be  very  happy  to  attend  you,  at  the  earliest  mo- 
ment you  shall  fix.  Count  Person,  an  aid  to  Count 
de  Rochambeau.  is  sent  on  to  hurry  down  the  troops 
embarking  on  the  Bay.  If  your  Excellency  can  fur- 
nish him  the  means  of  proceeding  up  the  bay,  it  will 
be  very  agreeable.     I  am,  &c. 

P.  S.  Since  writing  the  above,  I  am  informed 
with  much  pleasure,  that  your  Excellency  has  antici- 
pated my  wishes  in  sending  transports  up  the  bay.' 


TO   Ma;OR-C£NERAL  ST.  CLAIR. 

WiLUAHSBORC.  1$  September,  ijSl. 

Dear  Sir, 

I  have  to  request  you,  in  the  most  earnest  manner, 
to  send  forward  all  the  recruits  that  are  furnished  by 
the  State  of  Pennsylvania  for  their  line.  Let  it  not 
be  said,  that  those  troops  are  kept  from  service  for 

'  On  ibe  lOtl)  of  AoKutt,  Count  (1«  Bmtm  Mrircd  (n  tlie  OtCMpulic,  witl)  tba 
gquulion  from  Rhode  Island,  the  French  (i«ge  ortUlciy,  and  the  bud  forcw 


«78»] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


363 


want  of  a  few  articles,  which  ihey  could  wish  to 
be  furnished  with,  when  other  troops  doing  duty  in 
the  field  are  combating  almost  everj' distress  imagina- 
ble in  the  want  of  almost  every  necessary.  If  any 
thing  in  the  power  of  the  State  can  be  instantly  done 
towards  their  equipment,  I  wish  the  authorities  to  be 
called  upon,  and  hope  ihey  will  furnish  what  they  can 
without  delay.  It  is  the  highest  absurdity  in  the 
world  to  keep  those  troops  in  a  state  of  idleness  at 
great  expense, and  at  the  same  time  forwant  of  them 
to  put  the  public  to  the  same  or  much  greater  charge, 
by  calling  In  the  aid  of  militia,  which  we  are  now 
obliged  to  do.  I  beg  you,  therefore,  to  hurry  on 
those  troops,  with  all  the  expedition  in  your  power, 
by  water  down  the  Chesapeake,  embarking  at  Balti- 
more, where  craft  can  doubtless  be  found  by  taking 
the  proper  precaution,  and  their  transportation  will 
be  perfectly  secure,  so  long  as  the  Heet  maintains  its 
present  station.  The  place  of  debarkation  will  be  in 
James  River,  probably  at  the  College  Landing,  unless 
further  orders  shall  be  given  to  carry  them  to  some 
other  place  nearer  the  point  of  our  operations.  I 
am,  &c.' 

under  M.  ik  Cholty.  Ten  traii^iiOTUlTom  thiit  viiin<lraii,  iwo  fiiK^le*  lutely 
captURd  from  ihe  enemy,  and  other  prue  vcbselE,  were  immediately  despatched 
Up  rhc  luy  io  receive  on  boatd  the  trench  troop*,  who  could  not  find  meaixt  of 
tTamportatioin  from  the  Ileid  uC  Hlk  and  Ballimorc.sndbait  putjuedlhcirrouta 
by  Iftnd.  They  embuked  at  Annapolii,  and  proceeded  by  wfttcr  to  Jam»  Kivcr. 
'  Fremlht  Diary,  Scptcmljcr  I7lh. — "  In  company  with  Count  dc  Rocham- 
buu.  the  ChcTilicr  de  Chastelltix.  (ieneral  Knoi,  andUcucraJ  Uuportail,  I  feet 
out  [or  an  interview  with  tbe  admiril,  and  arrived  om  board  the  Ville  de  Paris 
(off  Cape  Henry)  the  next  day  about  noon  ;  .tnil,  havlnf;  «clltcd  meal  painU  with 
him  to  my  latiifaclion,  except  not  obtaining  an  asiuiance  uf  aendiU);  ship* 
above  Votk,  I  embarked  on  board  of  Qoecn  Cborlotte,  tbe  veM«l  I  went  down 


sH 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


QUESTIONS   AND    ANSWERS. 

The  noble  and  generous  Support  which  is  given  to  (bis  Coun- 
XTj  by  His  Most  Chrisliao  Majesty,  docs,  as  it  ought,  fill  the 
brexHt  of  every  American  with  gratitude  &  Love  ; — The  zeal  and 
alacrity  with  which  His  Officers  strive  lo carry  His  Royal  intentions 
into  execution,  merit  our  highest  admiration  &  applause,  a  recent 
instance  of  this  it  now  before  us  :  But  the  distressed  and  unfor- 
tunate circuiRstAHces  of  these  United  States,  and  the  dispersed 
situation  of  their  Troops,  are  such,  as  do  not  admit  their  military 
operations  to  be  carried  on  with  that  celerity  which  could  be  wish- 
ed, nor  place  them  on  that  advantageous  ground,  from  which  they 
may  reap  all  that  benefit  from  this  generous  Aid,  that  in  other  cir- 
cumstances ihey  might  expect  to  receive, 

The  measures  which  arc  now  persuing  are  big  with  great 
events ;  the  Peace  &  Independence  of  this  Country,  and  thegea- 
eral  tranquillity  of  Europe  will,  it  is  more  than  probable,  result 
from  our  Complcat  success  ; — disgrace  to  ourselves,  Triumph  to 
the  l^ncmy,  and  probable  Ruin  to  the  American  cause,  will  fol- 
low our  disappoiniment. 

The  first  is  certain,  if  the  powerful  Fleet,  now  in  Chesapealc 
Bay  or  such  part  of  it  as  will  be  competent  to  the  purpose,  can 

In  ;  but,  by  rcMoii  of  liarJ  blowinj;  and  coniniy  wlndc,  1  did  not  imicIi  Wil- 
[■■m»burg  again  lill  th«  33d." 

Count  detiruse  also  gave  notice  that  hii  fleet  could  not  continue  on  thw  Ita- 
lian beyond  DiB  ttt  uf  NotcmbcT. 

Inielligence  wai  received  on  the  »d  thai  Admiral  I>igbr  had  airived  at  N«w 
Vork  with  >  reinforcement  of  tix  thipt  of  the  line. 

Major -Cenaral  How*  Qxpreised  a  Utdc  fectin);  al  not  beine  caU«d  to  lh« 
southern  arm  jr.  In  reply  Wuhinflon  wrote:  "General  Eleaih  itood  6nt,  and 
therefore  look  the  command  he  now  ha^.  l^^rd  Sterllnn;,  who  came  next  In 
comtnanc!,  from  his  ngt  aijid  infirm[liai,  I  vibweJ  untqiial  to  tbp  toUi  aivl  (a- 
tiguei  of  the  mirch.  and  consequent  hard  duiiei  of  the  expedition  ;  on  which 
ground,  and  a  candlil  repronitallan  of  it  to  hl>  l.ardihi]>,  he  perfectly  aci^nj* 
Mced.  Oencral  Lincoln  wai  the  oBxt  major-general  un  I  he  list.  For  him  oo 
excute  could  be  formed :  be  therefore  61led  the  command  that  was  necesuiry, 
under  chii  view  of  the  cue.  your  good  tcnic,  with  your  knowledge  of  military 
daly  and  trrvice.  t  dare  my,  will  make  you  euy  with  your  present  lot  ;  allho' 
you  Diigfai  eiteem  yourself  loorc  happy  in  another  liiuation." — 34  September, 
I7»i. 


1780 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


365 


remain  to  the  close  of  a  regul&r  operntion,  which,  from  various 
unforeseen  causes,  may  be  protracted  beyond  our  preseot  expec- 
tations,— The  second  is  much  to  be  apprehended,  if  from  the  fear 
of  loosing  the  Aid  of  the  Fleet,  the  operations  by  Land  are  pre- 
cipitated faster  than  a  necessary  prudence  &  regard  to  the  lives 
of  men,  will  warrant— the  first  may  be  slow,  but  sure^— the  second 
must  be  bloody  &  precarious. 

Under  this  state  of  matters.  General  Washington  begs,  that  the 
Count  de  Grasse  will  have  (he  goodness  to  ^ve  him  a  Resolution 
of  the  following  Questions — Viz  ; 


QUESTIONS. 

ist.  Is  your  Excellency  re- 
stricted to  any  certain  time  for 
the  continuance  of  the  Fleet 
Upon  this  Coast  ?  If  any  time  is 
fixed,  beyond  which  your  orders 
will  not  warrant  your  stay  in 
this  Bay,  or  if  the  persuit  of 
any  other  object  should  more 
attract  your  attention,  —  be 
pleased  to  name  the  day  to 
which  your  departure  is  deter- 
mined ? 

3d.  If  your  Excellency 
should  find  yourself  under  a 
necessity  to  return  the  Troops, 
under  the  Command  of  the 
Marquis  de  Si.  Simon,  to  the 
West  Indies,  (however  to  be 
lamented  such  circumstance 
must  be)  may  I  not  be  assured 
that  a  detachment  of  the  Fleet 
may  be  employed  as  a  Convoy 
to  those  Troops,  and  that  the 
Main  Fleet  may  remain  in  the 
Bb7  to  fonn  8  auBicient  cover 


ANSWERS. 

I  St.  The  Instructions  of 
Count  de  Grasse  fix  his  de- 
parture to  the  15th  of  October, 
and  some  engagements  which 
he  has  made  for  other  opera- 
tions oblige  him  to  be  punctual ; 
But  having  already  taken  much 
upon  himself,  he  will  also  en- 
gage to  SUy  to  the  end  of  Oc- 
tober. 


ad.  The  Troops,  under  the 
orders  of  Marquis  de  St.  Simon, 
have  a  particular  destination, 
and  I  am  not  altogether  at  Lib- 
erty to  dispose  of  them  ;  Bui 
as  my  Vessels  will  not  depart 
before  the  ist  of  November, 
you  may  count  upon  those 
Troops  to  that  i)criod,  for  the 
Reduction  of  York. 


^^^H        366                            THE  WRITINGS  OF                       [1781          1 

^^^^^1        to  our  operations  against  the 

■ 

^^^^^H        Enemy — to  prevent  their   k- 

3 

^^^^^H        c«iving  supplies  by  water,  and 

d 

^^^^^H         to  prolccl  us  from  any  attempt 

■ 

^^^^^K        from  the  liiitish  to  give  relief 

■ 

^^^^^H        to  Lord  Cornwalli^  and  raise 

■ 

^^^^^1        our  siege  ;— and  their  Fleet  to 

■ 

^^^^^H        remain  uniill  the  close  of  our 

■ 

^^^^^H 

^^^^^H            3d  Will   it,  in  youi  ExceU 

3d.  The  thing  is  not  impos- 

^^^^^H        lency's  opinion,  be  practicable 

sible  with   a  good   Wind  and 

^^^^^H         lo  force,  with  your  Ships,  the 

favorable  Tide ;  But  I  do  not 

^^^^^H         poxtiagc  of  the  York  River,  so 

find  that  operation  very  useful. 

^^^^^H        as  to  Ket  above   the  enemy  ? 

Our  communication  can  be  cs- 

^^^^^H         This  measure,  if  effected,  will 

tablislied,  and   our  provisions 

^^^^^1         be  attended  with  almost  infinite 

drawn  from  the  East  side  of 

^^^^^H         ftdvantages,  not  only,  as  it  will 

York  River  without  requiring 

^^^^^H         secure  our  Communication  to 

the  men   &   Vcssells  in   their 

^^^^^1         both  sides  of  the  River,  which 

passage  between  the  Batteries  ; 

^^^^^1         otherwise  must  be  very  lengthy 

But   I   suspend   my   definitive 

^^^^^H         nnd   tedious,  but  will   give  us 

answer  until  I  can  reconoitre 

^^^^^H        the  Navigation  of  the  River,  and 

the  local  situation  and  force  of 

^^^^^H         enable  us  to  draw  the  supjilies 

tlie   Enemy  ;   I   shall  certainly 

^^^^^B         of  the  Country  throughout 

do  every  thing  in  my  power. 

^^^^^H         whole  extent  ; — and   will    also 

^H 

^^^^^H        form  the  compleat  investiture 

™ 

^^^^^1        of  the  Enemy's  Posts 

^^^^^1            4th.  So  long  as  the  Enemy 

4th.   I  have  offered,  and   1 

^^^^^H         possesses   both    sides    of    the 

again  offer  1800  or  9000  men 

^^^^^1         River,  it  will  be  necessary  to 

from  my  Ships ;  But  I  wiBh 

^^^^^H        keep  up  our  force  on  both  sides. 

that  these  Troops  may  not  be 

^^^^^H        —to  aid    our    efforts          this 

employed  but  in  a  Coup   de 

^^^^^1         operation,  will  it  be  in  your 

Main.                                              ^^| 

^^^^^H         Excellency's  power  to  spare  us 

^H 

^^^^^H         any  number   of  men   from  on 

^H 

^^^^^1         board  the  Fleet,  to  continue  so 

■ 

^^^^^H         long  as  this  measure  is  necct* 

^^^^^^        sary  ?  if  any,  what  number  ? 

■7«>1 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


367 


5ih.  If  in  the  prosecution  of 
our  operations,  our  prospects 
of  success  should  wear  a  fa- 
Torable  aspect,  I  shall  be  glad 
to  be  decided  whether  your 
Excellency  wilt  be  able  to  de- 
tach some  suitable  vessels  from 
your  Fleet,  sufficient  to  block 
in  the  British  Troops  at  Wil- 
roingtoD,  and  to  possess  the 
Harbour  of  Charlcsiown  ? 

6th.  If  our  operations  should 
be  of  Euch  a  nature  ax  to  re- 
quire it,  will  your  Excellency 
be  able  to  lend  us  some  heavy 
Cannon  and  other  Artillery, — 
powder  also — and  in  what  num- 
ber and  (juantity  ? 

Go.  Washinctom. 

'  SepL  17.  I78i. 


Sth.  The  form  of  ray  Vesselt 
do  not  admit  of  the  enterprise. 


6th.  I  can  give  some  Cannon 
and  ponder. — The  two  Corns. 
(?)  which  [  have  had  admit  of 
my  sparing  but  a  small  quantity 
of  the  latter. 


Le  Comte  oe  GkaSSI. 


TO  THE  COUNT  DE  ORASSE. 

WuxtAUrainto,  a$  Sq>temba'.  i;Bi. 

Sir, 

I  cannot  conceal  from  your  Excellency  the  painful 
anxiety  under  which  I  have  labored  since  the  receipt 
of  the  letter,  with  which  you  honored  tne  on  the  23d 
instant.  The  naval  movements,  which  your  Excel- 
lency states  there  as  possible,  considering  the  intel- 
ligence communicated  to  you  by  the  Baron  deClosen, 
make  it  incumbent  upon  me  to  represent  the  conse- 
quences that  would  arise  from  them,  and  to  urge  a 
perseverance  in  the  plan  already  agreed  tipon.  Give 
me  leave,  in  the  first  place,  to  repeat  to  your  Excel- 


368 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


ti78i 


lency,  that  the  enterprise  against  York,  under  the 
protection  of  your  ships,  is  as  certain  as  any  military 
operation  can  be  rendered  by  a  decisive  superiority 
of  strength  and  means ;  that  it  is  in  fact  reducible  to 
calculation  ;  and  that  the  surrender  of  the  British  gar- 
rison will  be  so  important  in  itself  and  its  conse- 
quences ;  and  that  it  must  necessarily  go  a  great 
way  towards  terminating  the  war.  and  securing  the 
invaluable  objects  of  it  to  the  allies. 

Your  Excellency's  departure  from  the  Chesapeake, 
by  affording  an  opening  for  the  succor  of  York,  which 
the  enemy  would  instantly  avail  himself  of,  would 
frustrate  these  brilliant  prospects ;  and  the  conse- 
quence would  be.  not  only  the  disgrace  and  loss  of 
renouncing  an  enterprise,  upon  which  the  fairest  ex- 
pectations of  the  allies  have  been  founded,  after  the 
most  expensive  preparations  and  uncommon  exertions 
and  fatigues,  but  the  disbanding  perhaps  of  the  whole 
army  for  want  of  provisions. 

The  present  theatre  of  the  war  is  totally  deficient 
in  means  of  land  transportation,  being  intersected  by 
large  rivers,  and  its  whole  dependence  for  interior 
communication  being  upon  small  vessels.  The  coun- 
try has  been  so  much  exhausted  besides  by  the 
ravages  of  the  enemy,  and  the  subsistence  of  our 
own  army,  that  our  supplies  can  only  be  drawn  from 
a  distance,  and  under  cover  of  a  fleet  mistress  of  the 
Chesapeake.  I  most  earnestly  entreat  your  Excel- 
lency farther  to  consider,  that,  if  the  present  oppor- 
tunity should  be  missed,  that  if  you  should  withdraw 
your  maritime  force  from  the  position  agreed  upon, 
that  no  future  day  can  restore  to  us  a  similar  occasion 


.78.] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


3^9 


for  striking  a  decisive  blow  ;  that  the  British  will  be 
indefatigable  in  strengthening  their  most  important 
maritime  points ;  and  that  the  epoch  of  an  honorable 
peace  will  be  more  remote  than  ever. 

The  confidence,  with  which  1  fee!  myself  inspired 
by  the  energy  of  character  and  the  naval  talents, 
which  so  eminently  distinguish  your  Excellency, 
leaves  me  no  doubt,  that,  upon  a  consideration  of 
the  consequences,  which  must  follow  your  departure 
from  the  Chesapeake,  that  your  Excellency  will  de- 
termine upon  the  possible  measure,  which  the  dearest 
interests  of  the  common  cause  would  dictate.  I  had 
invariably  flattered  myself,  from  the  accounts  given 
me  by  skilful  mariners,  that  your  Excellency's  posi- 
tion, moored  in  the  Chesapeake,  might  be  made 
so  respectable  as  to  bid  defiance  to  any  attempt  on 
the  part  of  the  British  fleet,  at  the  same  time  that  it 
would  support  the^ operations  of  the  siege,  secure  the 
transportation  of  our  supplies  by  water,  and  econo- 
mize the  most  precious  time  by  facilitating  the 
debarkation  of  our  heavy  artillery  and  stores  con- 
veniently to  the  trenches  in  York  River.  It  is  to  be 
observed,  that  the  strength  of  the  enemy's  reinforce- 
ment announced  under  Admiral  Digby,  as  we  have 
the  intelligence  from  the  British,  may  not  only  be 
exaggerated,  but  altogether  2.  finesse  ;  and,  supposing 
the  account  consistent  with  truth,  their  total  force,  it 
was  hoped,  would  not  put  them  in  condition  to  attack 
with  any  prospect  of  success. 

If  the  stationary  position,  which  had  been  agreed 
upon,  should  be  found  utterly  impracticable,  there  is  an 
alternative,  which  however  inferior,  considered  rela- 


37» 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[«78i 


tively  to  the  support  and  facility  of  our  land  operations, 
would  save  our  affairs  from  ruin.  This  is,  to  cruise 
with  your  fleet  within  view  of  the  Capes,  so  as  effect- 
ually to  prevent  the  entrance  of  any  British  vessels. 

Upon  the  whole,  I  should  esteem  myself  deficient 
in  my  duty  to  the  common  cause  of  France  and 
America,  if  I  did  not  persevere  in  entreating  your 
Excellency  to  resume  the  plans,  that  have  been  so 
happily  arranged  ;  and,  if  invincible  maritime  reasons 
prevent,  I  depend  as  a  last  resource  upon  your  Ex- 
cellency's pursuing  the  alternative  above  mentioned, 
and  rendering  the  Chesapeake  inaccessible  to  any 
enemy's  vessel. 

However  the  British  admiral  may  manoeuvre,  and 
endeavor  to  divert  your  Excellency  from  the  object 
in  view,  I  can  hardly  admit  a  belief,  that  it  can  be 
his  serious  intention  to  engage  in  a  general  action 
with  a  fleet,  whose  force  will  be  superior,  supposing 
the  most  flattering  accounts  for  the  British  to  be 
true  ;  past  experience  having  taught  them  to  engage 
with  caution,  even  upon  equal  terms,  and  forced  from 
them  acknowledgments  which  prove  the  respect  with 
which  they  have  been  inspired.  Let  mcadd.  Sir,  that 
even  a  momentary  absence  of  the  French  fleet  may 
expose  us  to  the  loss  of  the  British  garrison  at  York ; 
as  in  the  present  state  of  affairs.  Lord  Cornwallis 
might  effect  the  evacuation  with  the  loss  of  his  artil- 
lery and  baggage,  and  such  a  sacrifice  of  men  as  his 
object  would  evidently  justify. 

The  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  who  does  me  the  honor 
to  bear  this  to  your  Excellency,  will  explain  many 


«78i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


37' 


particularities  of  our  situation,  which  could  not  well 
be  comprised  in  a  letter.  His  candor  and  abilities  are 
well  known  to  your  Excellency,  and  entitle  him  to  the 
fullest  confidence  in  treating  of  the  most  important 
interests.  I  have  earnestly  requested  him  not  to 
proceed  any  farther  than  the  Capes,'  for  fear  of  acci- 
dents, should  your  Excellency  have  put  to  sea.  In 
this  case  he  will  despatch  a  letter  to  your  Excellency 
in  addition  to  this.     I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.' 

'  TbiB  lellar,  auBltincd  b^  ths  cx)]lanations  ind  argumcnU  at  ll>«  Marqsit  da 
Lafafcllc.  prodnccd  a  change  tn  lh«  schemct  of  Count  dc  Craue ;  and  he 
•^iced  Id  remain  wllhin  Ihc  Ctpci,  and  blockade  ihe  bay  during  the  ilegc.  lie 
laid  the  matter  b«(ore  >  couiidl  of  w»r.  "The  reiiilt  hn*  been."  wij  he  in  hi* 
reply.  "  thai  the  plan  I  had  iugg«il«d  wu  Ihe  moat  brilliaol  and  jlotitiui,  but 
it  would  ncil  {iilfil  Ilie  viewt  we  had  proposed.  It  itconiequently  dcdded,  that 
a  large  part  ol  Ihi;  fleet  shall  anchor  in  Viirh  Kirer,  iliat  (ou>  or  five  vcMcti 
^all  b«  iiationed  lo  ai  lo  pan  up  and  down  in  Jamo  River,  and  Ihal  you  shall 
aid  ui  with  the  meant  lo  eiecl  c  battery  on  Poinl  Comfort,  where  we  can  plftM 
cannon  and  mortars.  We  shall  immediately  proceed  lu  cxei'ule  thin  arrango- 
meni,  and  I  hoi^ten  !□  give  yon  notice,  that  we  may  act  in  concert  for  the 
advancement  of  our  opcialion«." 

* ''  The  tetolulions  thai  you  have  taken  In  our  circumtlancts  prove,  that  a 
ereat  mind  knowi  how  to  make  pcnonal  tacrilicM  to  iccure  an  imporlant  gen* 
«ral  good.  tuJIy  aenKihlc  of  ihiiw,  which  yoa  have  made  on  Ihe  pr«ent 
occaiion,  I  Batter  myself  Ihal  the  mull  of  the  operaltors,  vundueted  iindef 
your  auspices,  will  compensate  them  by  its  utility  to  the  common  cauic.  Voor 
Excellency  may  depend  on  every  eiAidance,  that  the  allied  armlci  can  give, 
relatively  In  Ihe  battery  which  you  propose  at  Point  Comfort,  and  thai  our 
almost  eicilions  will  be  used  in  hostening  Ihc  investment  of  the  enemy." — 
Waihincten  to  Ctunl  <tf  Grant,  37  Seplemher,  17S1. 

Near  the  British  works  at  Gloucester  were  alalioncd  llic  legion  ul  ihc  Duke 
de  Lauiun,  and  the  Virginia  militia  oadcr  GenemI  Wecdon.  These  oSic«n 
reprcsenteil,  that,  conaiderinj;  the  nature  of  chcE^und,  their  (Ircnph.  and  the 
facility  with  wliicti  the  enemy  might  reinforce  that  posi,  an  augmentation  of 
Iheit  numbcis  woi  indiipemable,  both  to  enable  them  to  occupy  a  good  defon. 
aive  position,  and  to  confine  the  enemy  within  their  liiiea.  General  WuhinEton 
applied  lo  Count  de  Grasse  for  a  delnchment  of  six  or  eight  bundiril  marine* 
to  be  sent  from  his  ships  On  ihii  service.  M.  de  Choisy  was  (he  bearer  of  Iha 
letter  iiiakinK  the  reciuetl.  The  iroopt  were  obtained,  though  Count  de  Gtasse 
•pared  lh«m  with  reluctance,  and  desired  ihal  no  future  requisiilion  <A  the  kind 


3J» 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


TO   THE    PRESIDENT  OP  CONGRESS. 

Bead  Quaktirh,  Camf  vtaaxiL  York, 
c.f.  I  October.  1781. 

Last  evening  I  was  honored  with  your  Excellency's 
favor  of  the  21st  ulto.,  with  its  enclosure.  The  intel- 
ligence it  contains,  respecting  the  British  fleet  is  very 
agreeable,  and  will  be  immediately  transmitted  to  the 
Count  de  Grasse.  In  my  last  which  bore  date  the 
23d  ultimo  I  informed  that  our  preparations  for 
a  near  investment  of  the  enemy  at  York  were  fast 
ripening  to  a  point.  I  have  now  to  acquaint  your 
Excellency,  that  I  marched  from  Williamsburg  with 
the  whole  army  on  the  28th,  and  approached  within 
about  two  miles  of  the  enemy,  at  York,  at  which  dis- 
tance a  show  was  made  of  some  opposition  on  our 
left ;  but,  upon  the  Count  de  Rochambeau,  who  com- 
mands that  part  of  the  army,  his  moving  a  few  pieces 
of  field-artillery  under  direction  of  the  Baron  Viom^ 
nil,  and  giving  a  few  shots  the  enemy  retired.  On 
the  29th,  the  American  troops  moved  for»'ard,  and 
took  their  ground  in  front  of  the  enemy's  works  on 
their  left ;  no  opposition,  except  a  few  scattered  shots 
from  a  small  work  by  Moor's  Mill,  on  Wormleys 
creek  and  a  battery  on  the  left  of  Pigeon  Quarter. 
A  small  fire  all  day  from  our  riflemen  and  the  enemy's 
Yagers.  30th  in  the  morning,  we  discovered  that  the 
enemy  had  evacuated  all  their  exterior  line  of  works, 
and  withdrawn  themselves  to  those  near  the  body  of 

ml)[hl  be  Bade  upon  him,  u  hit  ijtuitlon  wnx  critical,  and  he  w»  unwilling  to 
haw  h<«  men  »a  divided  m  to  hubjcci  him  lo  cmbxTiUMnenl  in  caw  of  a  con- 
tingency. The  American  and  French  Itoopi  at  Glouctiler  woe  put  under  the 
coinniAtid  of  M.  de  Choiiy,  who  wot  a  bri)[adiei.Kencral  in  the  French  service. 


lySi] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


373 


the  town.  By  this  means  we  are  in  possession  of 
very  advantageous  grounds,  which  command  in  a  very 
near  advance  almost  the  whole  remaining  line  of  their 
defence.  All  the  expedition,  that  our  circumstances 
will  admit,  is  using  to  bring  up  our  heavy  artillery  and 
stores  and  to  open  our  batteries.  This  work  I  hope 
will  be  executed  in  a  few  days,  when  our  fire  will  begin 
with  great  vigor. 

The  investment  of  the  enemy  is  fully  completed 
and  drawn  verj'  near  to  their  lines,  except  on  the 
river  above  the  town  where  their  communication  is 
still  open.  To  prevent  this  and  to  complete  the 
blockade,  a  request  is  gone  to  the  Count  de  Grasse, 
desiring  him  to  push  if  he  thinks  it  practicable  one  or 
more  ships  above  the  town  ;  this,  if  effected,  will  an- 
swer many  very  valuable  purposes.  The  position  of 
the  Count  de  Grasse  is  judiciously  taken,  the  main 
fleet  keeping  their  station  in  Lynnhaven  Bay.  and 
detachments  made  to  secure  the  rivers  ;  the  determi- 
nation of  the  Count  is  favorably  disposed  to  comply 
with  our  wishes  in  every  necessary  coHDperation.  I 
shall  continue  to  keep  Congress  advised  of  such 
occurrences  as  are  worthy  the  communication. 

1  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c 


TO  THE  COUNT  DE  GRASSE. 
Sji;  BBroKE  Voxx.  t  Octoba,  17S1. 

I  should  have  had  the  honor  of  acknowledging 
sooner  the  note,  which  your  Excellency  transmitted 
by  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  but  an  expectation  of 
being  able  to  accompany  my  answer  with  interesting 


374 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[178. 


intelligence  induced  me  to  defer  it  to  the  present  mo- 
ment. With  regard  to  the  station,  which  your  Excel- 
lency has  determined  for  the  main  fleet,  the  reasons, 
which  you  are  pleased  to  communicate,  prove  that  it 
unites  all  advantages,  and  inspire  the  greatest  confi- 
dence in  the  accomplishment  of  its  object. 

I  have  only  one  proposition  to  submit  to  your 
Excellency  on  the  subject  of  naval  dispositions,  and 
the  objects  of  it  are  too  essential  not  to  be  exposed 
to  you  in  their  fullest  light.  I  mean  the  stationing 
two  or  three  ships  above  the  enemy's  posts  on  York 
River.  For  want  of  this  only  means  of  completing 
the  investment  of  their  works,  the  British  remain 
masters  of  the  navigation  for  twenty-five  miles  dis- 
tance above  them,  and  have,  by  their  armed  vessels, 
intercepted  supplies  of  the  greatest  value  on  their 
way  to  our  camp.  The  loss  is  redoubled,  by  dimin- 
ishing our  means  and  augmenting  those  of  the  enemy 
at  a  most  critical  time.  We  are  even  necessitated, 
for  the  protection  of  Williamsburg  and  the  magazines 
in  our  rear,  to  leave  a  post  of  seven  or  eight  hundred 
men  in  that  quarter;  a  diminution  of  our  force  that 
in  present  circumstances  we  can  but  illy  support. 
But,  unless  this  detachment  is  made,  the  enemy  might 
in  the  greatest  security  land  above  Queen's  Creek  to 
cover  his  left  fiank,  and  by  a  very  short  march  effect 
the  most  destructive  purposes;  while  the  circuitous 
march  which  we,  from  the  nature  of  the  country, 
should  be  obliged  to  make,  would  render  it  impossible 
to  arrive  in  time  to  prevent  or  punish  him.  We  are 
besides  reduced  to  the  impossibility  of  concerting 


■ 


178'] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


375 


measures  with  the  corps  of  troops  at  Gloucester, 
being  obliged,  in  order  to  communicate  with  them,  to 
make  a  circuit  of  near  ninety  miles,  whereas  in  the 
other  case  it  would  be  both  easy  and  expeditious. 
But  what  is  a  still  more  decisive  consideration  is, 
that  Lord  CornwaMis  has,  by  the  York  River,  an 
outlet  for  his  retreat,  and  that  he  may,  by  embracing 
a  leading  wind  and  tide  and  stealing  a  march,  proceed 
immolested  to  West  Point,  where,  upon  debarking  his 
troops,  he  will  have  the  Pamunky  on  one  flank  and 
the  Mattapony  on  the  other;  and  that  finally  he  may, 
by  mounting  the  greatest  part  of  his  men,  and  succes- 
sive forced  marches,  push  his  way,  with  a  compact, 
disciplined  army,  through  a  country  whose  population 
is  too  scattered  to  be  collected  for  sudden  opposition, 
and  make  it  impossible  for  us  to  overtake  him.  Many 
people  are  of  opinion,  that  Lord  Cornwallis  will  em- 
brace this  as  the  only  means  of  safety ;  and  it  is  cer- 
tain, that,  unless  the  investment  is  completed  as  above 
mentioned,  he  will  have  it  in  his  power  either  now  or 
in  a  last  extremity. 

The  present  position  of  the  fleet  and  army  perfectly 
secures  us  against  every  enterprise  on  the  part  of  the 
enemy  in  James  River. 

Upon  the  whole,  I  can  assure  your  Excellency,  that 
this  seems  to  be  the  only  point  in  which  we  are  de- 
fective. The  enemy  has  already  abandoned  all  their 
exterior  works,  and  withdrawn  himself  altogether  to 
the  body  of  the  place,  and  given  us  great  advantages 
for  opening  the  trenches.  The  engineers  have  had  a 
near  and  satisfactory  view  of  the  works,  without  in- 


376 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


terruption,  and  wc  have  most   to  apprehend  Lord 

Cornwallis's  escape. 

For  these  reasons  I  earnestly  entreat,  that  your  Ex- 
cellency will  be  pleased  to  authorize  and  enjoin  the  com- 
manding officer  of  the  ships  in  York  River,  to  concert 
measures  with  mc  for  the  purpose  above  mentioned. 
In  this  case  an  additional  ship  may  be  necessary  to 
remain  at  the  mouth  of  the  river.  The  Experiment 
and  two  frigates,  if  your  Excellency  thinks  proper, 
would  be  best  calculated  for  the  station  above. 

If,  upon  mature  examination  of  the  passage,  it 
should  appear  too  great  a  risk  for  the  ships,  I  would 
at  least  solicit  your  Excellency,  that  the  vessels 
might  advance  higher  up  the  river,  and  take  a  more 
menacing  position  with  respect  to  the  enemy  on  our 
right  But  I  must  confess,  to  your  Excellency,  that 
1  am  so  well  satisfied  by  experience,  of  the  little  effect 
of  land  batteries  on  vessels  passing  them  with  a  lead- 
ing breeze,  that,  unless  the  two  channels  near  York 
should  be  found  impracticable  by  obstructions,  I 
should  have  the  greatest  confidence  in  the  success 
of  this  important  service. 

Your  Excellency's  approbation  of  this  measure 
would  supersede  the  necessity  of  a  defence  against 
6re-ships.  But  the  nature  of  the  river  besides  ren- 
ders it  physically  impossible  to  form  any  obstructions 
of  the  kind  proposed.  I  entreat  your  Excellency  to 
accept  the  sentiments  of  respectful  attachment,  with 
which  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.' 

'  The  Ktiempt  to  p***  up  York  Rivet  wu  dceUiifd  bjr  Conni  da  GnuM,  bM 
becuK  he  lhou|-ltl  (he  worki  al  Vnrk  ■nd  Gli>uccit«t  would  praunt  serioM 
o^ilarl"',  but  bei;!!]**  be  brlicnd  bit  iBfje  vcm*U  would  nol  be  tecure  10  tbu 


178.] 


GEORGE  WASHfNGTON. 


377 


TO    MAJOR-GBKERAL  GREENa 

Mf.  c-  Camp,  hkfoue  York,  6  Oclob«r,  1781. 

V  Dear  Sir, 

How  happy  am  I,  in  at  length  having  it  in  my 
power  to  congratulate  you  upon  a  victory  as  splen- 
did as  I  hope  it  will  prove  important.  Fortune  must 
have  been  coy  indeed,  had  she  not  yielded  at  last  to 
so  persevering  a  pursuer  as  you  have  been.  I  hope, 
now  she  is  yours,  that  she  will  change  her  appellation 
of  fickle  to  that  of  constant 

I  can  say  with  sincerity,  that  I  feel  with  the  high- 
est degree  of  pleasure  the  good  effects,  which  you 
mention  as  resulting  from  the  perfect  good  under- 
standing between  you,  the  Marquis,  and  myself.  I 
hope  it  will  never  be  interrupted,  and  I  am  sure  it 
never  can  while  we  are  all  influenced  by  the  same 
pure  motive,  that  of  love  to  our  country  and  in- 
terest in  the  cause  in  which  we  are  embarked.  I 
have  happily  had  but  few  differences  with  those,  with 
whom  I  have  the  honor  of  being  connected 'in  the 
service.  With  whom,  and  of  what  nature  these  have 
been,  you  know.  I  bore  much  for  the  sake  of  peace 
and  the  public  good.    My  conscience  tells  me,  I  acted 

ttfttlam.  The  enemy  h«<l  a  (rreai  number  of  boitt  and  nnall  cMft.  Rnd  with 
these  t)iry  CDulil  easilv  biinfi  liro-Bh!ps  in  (he  n%lit.  fr^>m  which  hit  veMsb 
would  be  eipoied  to  immineni  duger,  confined  in  the  nitre™  channel  of  k 
rivei ;  eipecially  u  he  had  not  in  his  whole  fleet  a  lufTicient  number  of  row- 
boili  and  light  craft  for  dcFence  in  such  a  »ltu«(ion,  even  i(  they  could  all  ba 
iranspoiled  up  the  river  in  *a(ety.  This  objection  he  deemed  iniupenble.  and 
the  proiecl  was  laid  atide.  It  wai  revived  ajcain.  however,  a  few  days  aftei^ 
wanls.  The  panage  led  the  rirer  above  Vork  were  leeonnoiltcd  by  a  Fieneh 
officer,  and.  upon  his  repteientation,  Gonnt  de  Gra^ie  agreed  10  tend  up  lome 
of  hia  veuelt.  provided  General  Wuhinglon  would  (umith  luch  a  number  of 
row-hojttt  la  would  ptotcci  them  (toRi  the  5ic-«h!p«.  This  wai  about  to  \m 
oaccuted  when  Lord  ComwaUit  piopmed  leim*  of  *nrrciid«r. 


378 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[.78. 


rightly  in  these  transactions ;  and,  should  they  ever 
come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  world,  I  trust  I  shall 
stand  acquitted  by  it 

The  Baron,"  from  the  warmth  of  his  temper,  had 
got  disagreeably  involved  with  the  State,  and  an  in- 
quiry into  a  part  of  ins  conduct  must  one  day  take 
place,  both  for  his  own  honor  and  their  satisfaction. 
I  have  for  the  present  given  him  a  command  in  this 
army,  which  makes  him  happy.  I  shall  always  take 
pleasure  in  giving  Mrs.  Greene's  tetters  a  convey- 
ance; and,  should  she  persist  in  the  resolution  of  un- 
dertaking so  long  a  journey,  as  that  from  New  Eng- 
land to  Carolina,  I  hope  she  will  make  Mount  Vernon, 
where  Mrs.  Knox  now  is,  a  stage  of  more  than  a  day 
Or  two.  With  much  esteem  and  regard,  I  am,  dear 
Sir,  &c.»  

TO   DON    FRANCISCO    RENDON.* 

HuD-QuARniis.  BSFORB  YoRX, 
SlK  la  October.  1781. 

I  was  yesterday  honored  with  your  favor  of  the  2d. 
It  gives  me  pleasure  to  find  so  good  a  disposition  in 
Don  Bernardo  de  Galvez*  to  concert  his  operations 

■SWttbcn. 

'"CoL  Morriiwillinfona  Genenil  Urovnc  in  the  *!nc«n«t  mniiiier  thai  lli«r« 
■M  but  lwom<jlive(which  can  possibly  induce  Gcal.  W —  touke  tile  command 
lolh«  Mulhwird  :  one,  tlie  unier  of  C —  en  rcpiir  tKilhcr ;  the  other,  the  French 
army  goine  there.  Itilhe  lut  case  Count  R —  would  coinmiintl  If  (>cnl.  W— 
did  not  £o  in  fienon.  General  W»hint[ton  withet.  not  only  from  liii  pentonal 
racard  to  Genl.  Greene,  bul  from  priiiclplet  of  (eneioiltj  and  justice,  to  kcc 
hint  crowned  with  those  Unrtli  which  from  hit  unpuallelcd  ci«rtiont  he  ao 
ridily  iKt/trvti."—MtmaratiJun  ta  Col,  Ltwit  Mmfrit,  ta  te  dtifnytd  *4  toot 
at  he kai tammilttdiktm  ttmtmory.     6  October,  J781. 

'  Agent  in  the  United  Statei  from  the  Spanish  govemmcnl. 

*  Commander  of  the  Spanith  farca  in  Louiiiana  and  Florida. 


I 


lySi] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


379 


in  such  a  manner  against  the  common  enemy,  that 
the  interests  of  His  Catholic  Majesty  and  those  of 
ourselves  and  our  ally  may  be  mutually  benefited. 
You  must  be  sensible,  that,  in  the  present  political 
situation  of  afTairs,  I  cannot,  with  any  degree  of  pro- 
priety, in  behalf  of  the  United  States  propose  any 
joint  plan  of  operations  to  Don  Galvez.  though  I 
flatter  myself  that  difficulty  will  be  ere  long  removed. 

Neither  can  I  at  this  time  determine  whether  Vk-e 
shall  be  able  to  act  offensively  against  the  enemy  in 
South  Carolina  and  Georgia.  That  will  in  great 
measure  depend  upon  the  naval  assistance  we  shall 
be  able  to  derive  from  our  ally.  Of  this  you  may  as- 
sure Don  Galvez.  that,  should  any  offensive  plan  be 
formed,  which  is  to  be  undertaken  by  the  allied  arms, 
I  will  use  my  influence  with  the  French  commanders 
to  give  him  due  notice,  should  1  not  be  able  to  open 
acorrespondence  with  him  myself.  In  the  mean  time 
you  may  inform  him,  that  he  cannot  make  a  more 
powerful  diversion  in  favor  of  the  southern  States, 
than  by  pushing  his  arms  against  East  Florida. 

I  am  obliged  by  the  extract  of  Don  Galver's  letter 
to  the  Count  de  Grasse,  explaining  at  large  the  ne- 
cessity he  was  under  of  granting  the  terms  of  capitu- 
lation  to  the  garrison  of  Pensacola,  which  the  com- 
mandant required.  I  have  no  doubt,  from  Don 
Galvez's  well  known  attachment  to  the  cause  of 
America,  that  he  would  have  refused  the  articles, 
which  have  been  deemed  exceptionable 
not  been  very  powerful  reasons  to  inc' 
ance  of  them.     •    •    • 


jtfe  THE  WJUTJXGS  OF  [1781 

TO  THE  PRESIDENT   OF  CONGRESSl 

laOoober,  17:1. 

Sir. 

My  last  despatch  co  your  Excellenc}'  was  of  the 
6th.  I  then  iafonned  you.  that  we  should  opea 
trenches  on  that  aight.-  We  did  so.  and  estab- 
lished our  first  parallel  wichm  six  hundred  j-ards  of 
the  enemy's  wx?rfcs.  w::ii  the  loss  of  only  one  officer 
of  the  Freaci  irrlllcry  wouaded.  and  sixteen  privates 
killed  and  w.?c2ie-i.  the  greater  part  of  which  were 
of  the  Frecch  !:::e. 

The  7th  izii  5:i  we  were  employed  tn  conipledng 
the  firsc  ponllel.  iz-i  :-i  erecdn;^  batteries  somewhat 
advaacec  ci  i-  T*:ie  cch  ar  x  o'clock  in  the  afternooa 
the  F^fTcii  Barter.-  cc  the  left,  of  four  ti-pounders, 
six  aiorctrs  x-Tvi  H  .-winers  ccened — and  at  5  o'clock 
the  Anwr^oi;;  Sansr.-  ~c  the  righc  of  six  iS-  and  2+- 
peu:ioers — ;■*■-    :r:','T::irs.  i-ic  r»ro   Howitzers  opened 

3i5C. 

Wi --r-™  ::.'L-re-i.  -'i:  'iir  shells  did  ccnsidera- 
hie  t\-"C--rc.:  .'  :.-■;  rjv:.  ijicve  ccuid  perceive  that 
,>ur  s-K-c,  ■*Tc-^  ^-st;  i;.-*,-r*i  oi^nsc  the  enemy's 
eittCi -t*^ -^cs.     --.  -  ~,-i    I'^cn    Tniich.       The    icth.    two 

■i  ,-,   u    v   -     '.--i     i"-..— ■;— .-    -.    :»  :si  aiiacL, '*e 'ave'^cen  fmpioimi 

a   »;  .       -ft,    "^   ■.^...    .  »^.^>  ....-:    "■^■■.r  !i;ll.  irii  a  :3DiCiii<.-nii^ iiev  ji. 

;i'.>ih>,     ..    ».     ■.  ■■         ""^ —   •    ■  -K'-v     ■•  C'  -o^'irt*  "o  mr  Toop»  'o  '""■^"■g 

Lii*..'  ^    ..~^N^     »     '.i-c   >.•■•  ji.._i.i.?.i  jB.i-.-ve-i  a -aaiLiB^  iisaaea  lad 

^.■h:  •.   -1         —  «>->  ■   ■:>    ■.     ii>«  .3i;-Aii.  svnin.  uni  ^lona  irom  Tre- 

b-'-->   •     '*i  ...^v.,»  ^  .     TiiE-ii-  ~-!t  rv   -vr!:;«*ni     juc,  .l  nun^  die  iiniuan 
.■•    *«■    ■■».■  "'-^     '■"   ■-   "*■•    "■"=   '  ^  I'. !<■■!. -t-.-t.<   ■-■  .--.■mmencs  jpen.t:oB>, 


ijS.] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


3«i 


French  batteries,  one  of  ten  eighteen  and  twenty-four 
pounders,  and  six  mortars  and  howitzers,  the  other 
of  four  eighteen-pounders,  opened,  as  did  two  more 
American  batteries,  one  of  four  eighteen-pounders, 
the  other  of  two  mortars.  The  fire  now  became  so 
excessively  heavy,  that  the  enemy  withdrew  their 
cannon  from  their  embrasures,  placed  them  behind 
the  merlins,  and  scarcely  fired  a  shot  during  the  whole 
day.  In  the  evening  the  Charon  frigate  of  forty-four 
guns  was  set  on  fire  by  a  hot  ball  from  the  French 
battery  on  the  left,  and  entirely  consumed.  Her 
guns  and  stores  had  been  taken  out.  By  the  report 
of  a  deserter,  our  shells,  which  were  thrown  with  the 
utmost  degree  of  precision,  did  much  mischief  in  the 
course  of  the  day. 

Yesterday  morning  two  of  the  enemy's  transports 
were  fired  by  hot  shot  and  burnt  This  has  occa- 
sioned them  to  warp  their  shipping  as  far  over  to 
the  Gloucester  shore  as  possible.  We  last  night 
advanced  our  second  parallel  within  three  hundred 
yards  of  the  enemy's  works,  with  little  or  no  annoy- 
ance from  them.  Only  one  man  was  killed,  and 
three  or  four  wounded.  I  shall  think  it  stranee 
indeed,  if  Lord  Cornwallis  makes  no  vigorous  exer- 
tions in  the  course  of  this  night,  or  very  soon  after. 

I  cannot  but  acknowledge  the  infinite  obligations 
I  am  under  to  His  Excellency,  the  Count  de 
Rochambeau,  the  Marquis  St.  Stmon,  commanding 
the  troops  from  the  West  Indies,  the  other  general 
officers,  and  indeed  the  officers  of  every  denomina- 
tion in  the  French  army,  for  the  assistance  which 


J 


3«» 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[ij8i 


they  afford  me.  The  experience  of  many  of"  those 
gentlemen,  in  the  business  before  us,  is  of  the  ut> 
most  advantage  in  the  present  operation.  And  I 
am  sensible  it  must  give  your  Excellency  and  Con- 
gress the  highest  pleasure  to  know,  that  the  greatest 
harmony  prevails  between  the  two  armies.  They 
seem  actuated  by  one  spirit,  that  of  supporting  the 
honor  of  the  allied  arms,  and  pushing  their  ap- 
proaches with  the  utmost  vigor.  I  have  the  honor 
to  be,  &c. 


TO  THE    PRESIDBNT  OF  CONGRESS. 

IlKAD.QUAItTBftS,  BEFOIE  VoKK. 

Sllt^  16  October.  n%\. 

I  had  the  honor  to  inform  your  Excellency  in  my 
last,  of  the  1 2th  instant,  that  we  had  the  evening 
before  opened  our  second  parallel.  The  13th  and 
14th  we  were  employed  in  completing  iL'  The 
engineers  having  deemed  the  two  redoubts  on  the 
left  of  the  enemy's  line  sufficiently  injured  by  our 
shot  and  shells  to  make  them  practicable,  it  was 
determined  to  carry  them  by  assault  on  the  evening 
of  the  14th.  The  following  disposition  was  accord- 
ingly made.  The  work  on  the  enemy's  extreme  left 
to  be  attacked  by  the  American  light  infantry  under 
the  command  of  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette ;  the 
other  by  a  detachment  of  the  French  grenadiers  and 

'  "  In  doing  wUch  v«  experieac«d  mor«  lir«  Erom  lh«  enemy  than  had  beton 
been  ([Wen  ut,  piindpaltjr  (rum  theji  waiXi  ihellt,  which  |[ttve  ui  vnne  annoy- 
ance, and  tiltic  Ion  ol  life." — Waiiingtcn  la  Majrt'Gftutal  Htalh,  i6 
Oclobtf,  1781. 


I 


I78il 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


3»% 


chasseurs,  commanded  by  Major-General  the  Baron 
Viom^nil.  I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  your  Ex- 
cellency, that  we  succeeded  in  both.  Nothing  could 
exceed  the  firmness  and  bravery  of  the  troops. 
They  advanced  under  the  fire  of  the  enemy  without 
returning  a  shot,  and  effected  the  business  by  the 
bayonet  only.  The  reports  of  his  Excellency  the 
Count  de  Rochambeau,  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette, 
and  Lieutenant'Colonel  Hamilton,  copies  of  which  I 
enclose,  enter  more  particularly  into  a  detail  of  the 
mode  in  which  the  attacks  on  the  parts  of  the 
French  and  American  columns  were  conducted.  We 
made  prisoners  in  both  redoubts,  one  major,  two 
captains,  three  subalterns,  and  sixty-seven  privates. 

The  works,  which  we  have  carried,  are  of  vast 
importance  to  us.  From  them  wc  shall  enfilade  the 
enemy's  whole  line,  and  I  am  in  hopes  we  shall  be 
able  to  command  the  communication  from  York  to 
Gloucester.  I  think  the  batteries  of  the  second  paral- 
lel will  be  in  sufficient  forwardness  to  begin  to  play  in 
the  course  of  this  day.  The  enemy  last  night  made  a 
sortie  for  the  first  time.  They  entered  one  of  the 
French  and  one  of  the  American  batteries  on  the  sec- 
ond parallel,  which  were  unfinished.  They  had  only 
time  to  thrust  the  points  of  their  bayonets  into  four 
pieces  of  the  French  and  two  of  the  American  artillery, 
and  break  them  off;  but  the  spikes  were  easily  ex- 
tracted. They  were  repulsed  the  moment  the  sup- 
porting troops  came  up,  leaving  behind  them  seven 
or  eight  dead,  and  six  prisoners.  The  French  had 
four  officers  and  twelve  privates  killed  and  wounded. 


384 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[17S1 


and  we  had  one  sergeant  mortally  wounded.  I  en- 
close your  Excellency  a  return  of  the  killed  and 
wounded  of  both  armies  up  to  the  present  time.  It 
is  smaller  than  might  have  been  expected.'  I  have 
the  honor  to  be,  &c' 


TO    LORD  CORNWALLtS. 

HSAD  QOAKTEKS,  SBTOCK  VOKK, 

My  Lord,  '*  Oefi*".  'r8i- 

To  avoid  unnecessary  discussion  and  delays  I  shall 
at  once,  in  answer  to  your  Lordships  letters  of  yester- 
day, declare  the  general  basis  upon  which  a  de6nitive 
treaty  and  capitulation  must  take  place.'  The  garii- 
sons  of  York  and  Gloucester,  including  the  seamen, 
as  you  propose,  will  be  received  Prisoners  of  War. 
The  condition  annexed,  of  sending  the  British  and 

'  According  to  thii  r«tiini,  u  copied  from  Wuhinglon'*  Diary,  the  Ameri- 
cani  had  lot)  twenty  killed,  tnd  fi(ty-)lx  wounded  ;  tke  French,  fifty-two 
lulled,  and  one  huodrtd  and  Ihirly-four  wounded. 

•  R««d  in  Congrew.  October  jjlh.  Referred  to  Rindolpb.  Boudiaot,  Vir- 
1111R1,  and  Carroll. 

'  "  I  (Id  myKlf  the  tiimar  to  irktisnilt  the  copy  of  >  Idler,  which  I  have  ]u»t 
teoeived  from  Lord  Corcwallis.  I  have  infonntd  him  in  uitwei  thctcto.  that 
I  with  him,  previous  to  the  meeting  of  the  commiisionen,  to  »end  hii  pn>- 
potala  III  wrltln){  to  (he  Anierican  litiea,  (or  which  porpoae  a  ccMatlon  of 
hoslilitirt  (01  two  houm  will  bo  alloHcd. 

"  I  ihodd  be  aniious  to  have  the  honor  of  jrout  Excclteacy'i  patticipatioo 
In  the  treaty,  which  will  accoitUng  to  prctent  appeannce  ihoilly  take  place. 
1  need  not  add  how  happy  it  will  make  me  (o  welcome  your  Excellency  in  Iha 
itame  of  Ameriu  on  thi*  thotc,  and  embrace  you  upon  an  oocaaian  m  adTan* 
tai;eou>  to  the  Inlcmta  of  the  common  eaute,  and  on  which  tl  ia  to  mucb 
indebled  lo  you. 

**  Should  naval  r«aioD»  deprive  me  of  this  happinen,  by  reqairing  yoor 
Eiceltency'K  pietcoce  on  board,  I  entreat  that  you  wilt  be  pleased  to  appoint 
xa  oflicci  to  repreaent  you,  and  take  charge  oE  the  capitulation  to  be  (igned  by 
your  Excellency." —  Waikirngtan  ta  Ctmitl  dt  Gfottt,  17  Oclob«r,  lyti. 


ij8i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


38s 


German  troops  to  the  parts  of  Europe  to  which  they 
respectively  belong,  is  inadmissible.  Instead  of  this 
they  will  be  marched  to  such  parts  of  the  Country  as 
can  most  conveniently  provide  for  their  subsistence, 
and  the  benevolent  treatment  of  Prisoners,  which  is 
invariably  observed  by  the  Americans,  will  be  extend- 
ed to  them.  The  same  honors  will  be  granted  to  the 
surrendering  Army  as  were  granted  to  the  Garrison 
of  Charlestown.  The  shipping  and  boats  in  the  two 
harbors,  with  all  their  Guns,  Stores,  Tackling,  furni- 
ture and  apparel,  shall  be  delivered  in  their  present 
state  to  an  officer  of  the  Navy,  appointed  to  take 
possession  of  them. 

The  Artillery,  Arms,  Accoutrements,  Military 
Chest,  and  public  stores  of  every  denomination,  shall 
be  delivered,  unimpaired  to  the  heads  of  departments 
to  which  they  respectively  belong. 

The  officers  will  be  indulged  in  retaining  their  side 
arms,  and  the  officers  and  soldiers  may  preserve  their 
baggage  and  efTects,  with  this  reserve,  that  property 
taken  in  the  Country  will  be  reclaimed. 

With  regard  to  the  individuals  in  civil  capacities 
whose  interests,  your  Lordship  wishes  may  be  attend- 
ed to ;  until  they  are  more  particularly  described, 
nothing  definitive  can  be  settled. 

I  have  to  add  that  I  expect  the  sick  and  wounded 
will  be  supplied  with  their  own  Hospital  Stores,  and 
be  attended  by  British  Surgeons,  particularly  charged 
with  the  care  of  them. 

Your  Lordship  wilt  be  pleased  to  signify  your 
determination  either  to  accept  or  reject  the  ils 


386 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


['781 


now  oflered  in  the  course  of  two  hours  from  the 
delivery  of  this  letter  that  Commissioners  may  be 
appointed  to  digest  the  articles  of  capitulation,  or  a 
renewal  of  hostilities  may  take  place.  I  have  the 
honor.  &c.' 


TO  THE   PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 


Sir, 


HUD-QUARTKItS,  NBAS  VORK, 

■9  Oclobcr,  mu 


I  have  the  honor  to  inform  Congress,  that  a  reduc- 
tion of  the  British  army,  under  the  command  of  Lord 
Cornwallis,  is  most  happily  effected.  The  unremitted 
ardor,  which  actuated  every  officer  and  soldier  in  the 
combined  army  on  this  occasion,  has  principally  led  to 
this  important  event,  at  an  earlier  period  than  my  most 
sanguine  hopes  had  induced  me  to  expect 

The  singular  spirit  of  emulation,  which  animated 
the  whole  army  from  the  first  commencement  of  our 
operations,  has  filled  my  mind  with  the  highest  pleas- 
ure and  satisfaction,  and  had  given  me  the  happiest 
presages  of  success. 

On  the  1 7th  instant,  a  letter  was  received  from 
Lord  Cornwallis,  proposing  a  meeting  of  commission- 

'  "  I  have  the  honor,  with  many  congT«lulationfi,tofn(o«m  you  thai  one  o'clock 
tliti altrmiMn  is sppoinlcd  tor  the  ilelivrry  of  [wool  Iheonemy'iirduubisoa 
die  Gloocnlcr  aide  ;  oat  loadctachmeni  of  FrciKh,  the  otber  to  a  dciochmeiil 
tA  American  lroi>pi>.  The  fjarriiion  it  to  march  oul  at  ihiec  o'clocli  (with  thoul* 
dcrcd  anni,  dniTnt  bcatin(>  a  British  or  Gomnn  march,  the  cavalry  niih  their 
swordi  drawn,  and  llic  colon  of  the  whole  caied,)  to  a  place  which  you  will  be 
•ogood  u  la  appoint,  in  front  of  the  poaU,  where  ihey  will  jfrounil  ilirti  am*, 
md  afterwaidt  rclurn  to  Iheir  cniracnpmenl.  You  will  be  so  good  as  to  con- 
municale  thi*  to  General  Weedoo,  and  to  make  the  ncecssarj  unngenieiita, 
and  de*ire  him  to  ttLe  every  precaution  rn  |u«tcdi  the  Iom  or  embniJcmcnt  of 
th*  sraa." —  IVBihinitm  tt  Brigadier  Central  ChHty,  19  October,  1781. 


.78.] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


387 


ers  to  consult  on  terms  for  the  surrender  of  the  posts 
of  York  and  Gloucester.  This  letter  (the  first  which 
had  passed  between  us)  opened  a  correspondence,  a 
copy  of  which  I  do  myself  the  honor  to  enclose ;  that 
correspondence  was  followed  by  the  definitive  capitu- 
lation, which  was  agreed  to  and  signed  on  the  igth,  a 
copy  of  which  is  also  herewith  transmitted,  and  which, 
I  hope,  will  meet  the  approbation  of  Congress. 

I  should  be  wanting  in  the  feelings  of  gratitude, 
did  I  not  mention  on  this  occasion,  with  the  warmest 
sense  of  acknowledgment,  the  very  cheerful  and  able 
assistance,  which  I  have  received  in  the  course  of  our 
operation  from  his  Excellency  the  Count  de  Rocham- 
beau  and  all  his  officers  of  every  rank  in  their  respec- 
tive capacities.  Nothing  could  equal  the  zeal  of  our 
allies,  but  the  emulating  spirit  of  the  American  offi- 
cers, whose  ardor  would  not  suffer  their  exertions  to 
be  exceeded. 

The  verj-  uncommon  degree  of  duty  and  fatigue, 
which  the  nature  of  the  service  required  from  the 
officers  of  engineers  and  artillery  of  both  armies, 
obliges  me  particularly  to  mention  the  obligations  I 
am  under  to  the  commanding  and  other  officers  of 
those  corps. 

I  wish  it  was  in  my  power  to  express  to  Congress, 
how  much  I  feel  myself  indebted  to  the  Count  de 
Grasse  and  the  officers  of  the  fleet  under  his  com- 
mand, for  the  distinguished  aid  and  support  which 
has  been  afforded  by  them,  between  whom  and  ih 
army  the  most  happy  concurrence  of  seniim' 
views  has  subsisted,  and  from  whom  evi 


388 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[.781 


cooperation  has  been  experienced,  which  the  most 
harmonious  intercourse  could  afford. 

Returns  of  the  prisoners,  military  stores,  ordnance, 
shipping,  and  other  matters,  I  shall  do  myself  the 
honor  to  transmit  to  Congress,  as  soon  as  they  can 
be  collected  by  the  heads  of  the  departments  to  which 
they  belong. 

Colonel  Laurens  and  the  Viscount  de  Noailles,  on 
the  part  of  the  combined  army,  were  the  gentlemen 
who  acted  as  commissioners  for  forming  and  settling 
the  terms  of  capitulation  and  surrender,  herewith 
transmitted,  to  whom  I  am  particularly  obliged  for 
their  readiness  and  attention  exhibited  on  the  occasion. 

Colonel  Tilghman,  one  of  my  aids-de-camp,  will 
have  the  honor  to  deliver  these  despatches  to  your 
Excellency ;  he  will  be  able  to  inform  you  of  every 
minute  circvim stance,  which  is  not  particularly  men- 
tioned in  my  letter.  His  merits,  which  are  too  well 
known  to  need  any  observations  at  this  lime,  have 
gained  my  particular  attention,  and  I  could  wish 
that  they  may  be  honored  by  the  notice  of  your 
Excellency  and  Congress. 

Your  Excellency  and  Congress  will  be  pleased  ta 
accept  my  congratulations  on  this  happy  event,  and 
believe  me  to  be,  with  the  highest  esteem,  &c. 
Though  I  am  not  possessed  of  the  particular  returns 
yet  I  have  reason  to  suppose  that  the  number  of 
prisoners  will  be  between  five  and  six  thousand  ex- 
clusive of  seamen  and  others.' 


'  This  ktl«r  WIS  rafrrrc'l  on  the  a4[h  lo  a  «>iainiltfc  of  Con^'rcM  (Kindolph, 
Bondiuot,  Vtrniun.  uid  Carroll),  who  reported  ft  tenet  □(  roalvec.  wfaicfa  w«rc 


I78i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON, 


3»9 


TO  THE  COUNT    DB  CRASSE. 

HsAO-QUAKTEKS.  10  October,  17S1. 

Sir, 

The  surrender  of  York,  from  which  so  much  glory 
and  advantage  are  derived  to  the  allies,  and  the  honor 
of  which  belongs  to  your  Excellency,  has  greatly  an- 
ticipated our  most  sanguine  expectations.  Certain 
of  this  event,  under  your  auspices,  though  unable  to 
determine  the  time,  I  solicited  your  attention,  in  the 
first  conference  with  which  you  honored  me.  to  ulte- 
rior objects  of  decisive  importance  to  the  common 
cause.  Although  your  answer  on  that  occasion  was 
unfavorable  to  my  wishes,  the  unexpected  prompt- 
ness, with  which  our  operations  here  have  been 
conducted  to  their  final  success,  having  gained  us 
time,  the  defect  of  which  was  one  of  your  Excel- 
lency's principal  objections,  a  perspective  of  the  most 
extensive  and  happy  consequences  engage  me  to  re- 
new my  representation. 

Charleston,  the  principal  maritime  jiort  of  the  Brit- 
ish in  the  southern  parts  of  the  continent,  the  grand 
deposit  and  point  of  support  for  the  present  theatre 
of  the  war,  is  open  to  a  combined  attack,  and  might 

adopltd.  The  thank*  of  Congrni  were  voted  to  General  Waihinelon,  Counl 
de  Kochnmbcnn,  anil  Coonl  dc  Cnuxe  topedivdy,  and  nlto  \a  all  the  offleen 
•nd  (olillcn.  Two  «und»  o(  colon,  ukcn  si  Vorhtown,  wor«  pmciilcd  10 
General  Washington ;  two  piecM  of  ficld>aid nance  ts  Count  Rocliimbeau ; 
and  a  klntllar  ttibule  to  Count  de  Graae.  A  hone,  properly  capariioncd,  and 
•n  clc|;uit  Bwoid.  were  given  to  Colonel  TiI(>Iun>n.  who  Imil  l>rcii  llie  bcart* 
of  the  deipniches  containing  the  newi  of  the  capiluiation.  It  naialio  reiolved 
■hat  Con|;reui  would  came  10  be  erected  at  Vorklown  a  marble  column, 
■domed  wilh  cmlilem^  of  the  altiincc  betwtcn  the  Unilcil  Suiet  and  Knitic*^ 
•nd  Jntcribed  with  a  luccincl  natnttre  of  the  events  iif  the  ticge  and  cajntnl*- 
tion. — ^urtMlt,  October  39th. 


3So 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[,781 


TO  THB   PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

HVAD-Qt/ARTd:*,  BKFOKK   VOKK, 

ilOctobvr.  1761. 
SlK. 

My  last  despatch  to  your  Excellency  was  of  the 
6th.  1  then  informed  you,  that  we  should  open 
trenches  on  that  night.'  We  did  so,  and  estab- 
lished our  first  parallel  within  six  hundred  yards  of 
the  enemy's  works,  with  the  loss  of  only  one  officer 
of  the  French  artillery  wounded,  and  sixteen  privates 
killed  and  wounded,  the  greater  part  of  which  were 
of  the  French  line. 

The  7th  and  8th  we  were  employed  in  completing 
the  first  parallel,  and  in  erecting  batteries  somewhat 
advanced  of  it.  The  9th  at  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon 
the  French  Batter>'  on  the  left,  of  four  12-pounders, 
six  mortars  and  Howitzers  opened — and  at  5  o'clock 
the  American  Battery  on  the  right,  of  six  i8-  and  24- 
pounders — two  mortars,  and  two  Howitzers  opened 
also. 

We  were  informed,  that  our  shells  did  considera- 
ble execution  in  the  town,  and  we  could  perceive  that 
our  shot,  which  were  directed  against  the  enemy's 
embrasures,    injured   them  much.      The   loth,   two 

'  '"Since  mine  ti>}'aut  Eicellency  of  Ihc  t«  iastaiil.  we  li«ve bten employed 
ia  repairing  tlu  enemy's  works  upon  Pigeon  Hill,  and  in  comtructing  ■  new  in- 
tcniiediate  redoubt.  Th«ie  will  acrve  lo  give  lecuritp  to  our  iriMpt  in  making 
ifaeli  •pproacht*.  We  have  been  &»iilaouil)r  employed  in  ntiking  fucinet  and 
fabions,  and  in  traniporling  our  heavy  cannon,  mottan.  and  ttom  from  Tro- 
bell'*  Landing,  on  Jainei  Kivcr.  In  the  laxl  we  maile  ilow  pri^reit,  aniit  lb« 
arrivalot  lh*w)(on*and  team*  fromlhe  northward  ;  but.  it  tieint;  the  opiaion 
of  the  rngineeri,  that  irr  now  have  a  sullicicnt  stock  lo  commence  opcralioni, 
we  shall  lhl»  nighlopea  trenches." — Woihiaiten  ttthi  PrtiUenl  «f  CtnsriSt, 
6  October,  1781. 


I78il 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


38" 


French  batteries,  one  of  ten  eighteen  and  twenty-four 
pounders,  and  six  mortars  and  howitzers,  the  other 
of  four  eigh teen-pounders,  opened,  as  did  two  more 
American  batteries,  one  of  four  clghteen-pounders, 
the  other  of  two  mortars.  The  fire  now  became  so 
excessively  heavy,  that  the  enemy  withdrew  their 
cannon  from  their  embrasures,  placed  them  behind 
the  merlins,  and  scarcely  fired  a  shot  during  the  whole 
day.  In  the  evening  the  Charon  frigate  of  forty-four 
guns  was  set  on  fire  by  a  hot  ball  from  the  French 
battery  on  the  left,  and  entirely  consumed.  Her 
guns  and  stores  had  been  taken  out  By  the  report 
of  a  deserter,  our  shells,  which  were  thrown  with  the 
utmost  degree  of  precision,  did  much  mischief  in  the 
course  of  the  day. 

Yesterday  morning  two  of  the  enemy's  transports 
were  fired  by  hot  shot  and  burnt.  This  has  occa- 
sioned them  to  warp  their  shipping  as  far  over  to 
the  Gloucester  shore  as  possible.  We  last  night 
advanced  our  second  parallel  within  three  hundred 
yards  of  the  enemy's  works,  with  little  or  no  annoy- 
ance from  them.  Only  one  man  was  killed,  and 
three  or  four  wounded.  I  shall  think  it  strange 
indeed,  if  Lord  Cornwallis  makes  no  vigorous  exer- 
tions in  the  course  of  this  night,  or  very  soon  after. 

I  cannot  but  acknowledge  the  infinite  obligations 
I  am  under  to  His  Excellency,  the  Count  de 
Rochambeau,  the  Marquis  St.  Simon,  commanding 
the  troops  from  the  West  Indies,  the  other  general 
officers,  and  indeed  the  officers  of  every  denomina- 
tion in  the  French  army,  for  the  assistance  which 


38' 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


they  afford  me.  The  experience  of  many  of*  those 
gentlemen,  in  the  business  before  us,  is  of  the  ut- 
most advantage  in  the  present  operation.  And  I 
am  sensible  it  must  give  your  Excellency  and  Con- 
gress the  highest  pleasure  to  know,  that  the  greatest 
harmony  prevails  between  the  two  armies.  They 
seem  actuated  by  one  spirit,  that  of  supporting  the 
honor  of  the  allied  arms,  and  pushing  their  ap- 
proaches with  the  utmost  vigor.  I  have  the  honor 
to  be,  &c 


TO  THE   PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 


Sir, 


Hea&.Quaktxu,  bbfors  Vokk. 
16  Oclober,  tjSi. 


I  had  the  honor  to  inform  your  Excellency  in  my 
last,  of  the  1 2th  instant,  that  we  had  the  evening 
before  opened  our  second  parallel.  The  13th  and 
14th  we  were  employed  in  completing  it.'  The 
engineers  having  deemed  the  two  redoubts  on  the 
left  of  the  enemy's  line  sufficiently  injured  by  our 
shot  and  shells  to  make  them  practicable,  it  was 
determined  to  carry  them  by  assault  on  the  evening 
of  the  14th.  The  following  disposition  was  accord- 
ingly made.  The  work  on  the  enemy's  extreme  left 
to  be  attacked  by  the  American  light  infantry  under 
the  command  of  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette;  the 
other  by  a  detachment  of  the  French  grenadiers  and 

I  "  In  doing  whidi  w«  exptrinDcnl  more  fit«  from  Ihtenem]'  ihui  had  bvfon 
been  given  us,  princjpnlly  from  thdr  aaall  iliclli,  which  g»t  u(  some  annoir- 
kncc,  nnil  littlo  to«t  of  Uf«." — WatktngUH  It  \lojtr-<2rnrrnt  Htatk,  t6 
October,  1781. 


i78i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


383 


chasseurs,  commanded  by  Major-General  the  Baron 
Viom^nil.  I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  your  Ex- 
cellency, that  we  succeeded  in  both.  Nothing  could 
exceed  the  firmness  and  bravery  of  the  troops. 
They  advanced  under  the  fire  of  the  enemy  without 
returning  a  shot,  and  effected  the  business  by  the 
bayonet  only.  The  reports  of  his  Excellency  the 
Count  de  Rochambeau,  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette, 
and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hamilton,  copies  of  which  I 
enclose,  enter  more  particularly  into  a  detail  of  the 
mode  in  which  the  attacks  on  the  parts  of  the 
French  and  American  columns  were  conducted.  We 
made  prisoners  in  both  redoubts,  one  major,  two 
captains,  three  subalterns,  and  sixty-seven  privates. 

The  works,  which  we  have  carried,  are  of  vast 
importance  to  us.  From  them  we  shall  enfilade  the 
enemy's  whole  line,  and  I  am  in  hopes  wc  shall  be 
able  to  command  the  communication  from  York  to 
Gloucester.  I  think  the  batteries  of  the  second  paral- 
lel will  be  in  sufficient  forwardness  to  begin  to  play  in 
the  course  of  this  day.  The  enemy  last  night  made  a 
sortie  for  the  first  time.  They  entered  one  of  the 
French  and  one  of  the  American  batteries  on  the  sec- 
ond parallel,  which  were  unfinished.  They  had  only 
lime  to  thrust  the  points  of  their  bayonets  into  four 
pieces  of  the  French  and  two  of  the  American  artillery, 
and  break  ihem  off;  but  the  spikes  were  easily  ex- 
tracted. They  were  repulsed  the  moment  the  sup- 
porting troops  came  up,  leaving  behind  them  seven 
or  eight  dead,  and  six  prisoners.  The  French  had 
four  officers  and  twelve  privates  killed  and  wounded, 


A8« 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[,781 


they  afford  me.  The  experience  of  many  o^  those 
gentlemen,  in  the  business  before  us.  is  of  the  ut- 
most advantage  in  the  present  operation.  And  I 
am  sensible  it  must  give  your  Excellency  and  Con- 
gress the  highest  pleasure  to  know,  that  the  greatest 
harmony  prevails  between  the  two  armies.  They 
seem  actuated  by  one  spirit,  that  of  supporting  the 
honor  of  the  allied  arms,  and  pushing  their  ap- 
proaches with  the  utmost  vigor.  I  have  the  honor 
to  be,  &c. 


TO  THE   PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

HBAl>-Ql7AK'n>S,  BEPORK  YOXK, 
gilt  16  October,  17B1. 

I  had  the  honor  to  inform  your  Excellency  in  my 
last,  of  the  12th  instant,  that  we  had  the  evening 
before  opened  our  second  parallel.  The  13th  and 
14th  wc  were  employed  in  completing  it.'  The 
engineers  having  deemed  the  two  redoubts  on  the 
left  of  the  enemy's  line  sufficiently  injured  by  our 
shot  and  shells  to  make  them  practicable,  it  was 
determined  to  carry  them  by  assault  on  the  evening 
of  the  14th.  The  following  disposition  was  accord- 
ingly made.  The  work  on  ihe  enemy's  extreme  left 
to  be  attacked  by  the  American  light  infantry  under 
the  command  of  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette ;  the 
other  by  a  detachment  of  the  French  grenadiers  and 

'"In  doing «bidiir«  eipcri«oc«d  more  fire  from  dwencmjrlbm  \iaA  b«foa 
bMn  (;ivcn  ui,  principollji  from  their  imtll  lihelli,  which  c^ve  □(  tome  ftnnojr- 
BDCc,  and  tiltU  Ion  of  Life." — Waikinglai  ta  Majtr-Gmtral  Healk,  |A 
October,  1781. 


«7«il 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


IH 


chasseurs,  commanded  by  Major-General  the  Baron 
Viom^nil.  I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  your  Ex- 
cellency, that  we  succeeded  in  both.  Nothing  could 
exceed  the  firmness  and  bravery  of  the  troops. 
They  advanced  under  the  fire  of  the  enemy  without 
returning  a  shot,  and  effected  the  business  by  the 
bayonet  only.  The  reports  of  his  E.\cellency  the 
Count  de  Rochambeau,  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette, 
and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hamilton,  copies  of  which  I 
enclose,  enter  more  particularly  into  a  detail  of  the 
mode  in  which  the  attacks  on  the  parts  of  the 
French  and  American  columns  were  conducted.  We 
made  prisoners  in  both  redoubts,  one  major,  two 
captains,  three  subalterns,  and  sixty-seven  privateii. 

The  works,  which  we  have  carried,  are  of  vast 
importance  to  us.  From  them  we  shall  enfilade  the 
enemy's  whole  line,  and  I  am  in  hopes  we  shall  be 
able  to  command  the  communication  from  York  to 
Gloucester.  I  think  the  batteries  of  tl)e  second  paral- 
lel will  be  in  sufficient  forwardness  to  begin  to  play  in 
the  course  of  this  day.  The  enemy  last  night  made  a 
sortie  for  the  first  time.  They  entered  one  of  the 
French  and  one  of  the  American  batteries  on  the  sec- 
ond parallel,  which  were  unfinished.  They  had  only 
time  to  thrust  the  points  of  their  bayonets  into  four 
pieces  of  the  French  and  two  of  the  American  artillery, 
and  break  them  off;  but  the  spikes  were  easily  ex- 
tracted. They  were  repulsed  the  moment  the  sup- 
porting troops  came  up,  leaving  behind  them  seven 
or  eight  dead,  and  six  prisoners.  The  French  had 
four  officers  and  twelve  privates  killed  and  wounded. 


»fi 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


['781 


State  with  his  troops  for  the  winter,  at  any  rate  six 
weeks  to  refresh  them.  Upon  a  full  consideration  of 
the  reasons  ofTered,  I  flatter  myself,  that  my  conduct 
will  stand  approved  in  the  judgment  of  Congress, 
whose  approbation  I  shall  ever  be  solicitous  to  obtain. 

1  enclose,  also,  for  the  observation  of  Congress,  a 
copy  of  my  letter  to  the  ministers  of  the  United 
States  at  the  courts  of  Europe,  conveying  to  them 
the  intelligence  of  our  success  against  the  enemy  in 
this  State.  The  reasons  for  my  conduct,  as  stated 
in  that  letter,  I  must  rely  upon,  as  my  justification 
with  Congress  for  the  liberty  taken  in  that  commu- 
nication. 

Unacquainted  with  the  state  of  politics  between 
Congress  and  the  courts  of  Europe  respecting  future 
negotiations,  whatever  our  prospects  from  that  quar- 
ter may  be,  I  cannot  justify  myself  to  my  own  mind 
without  urging  Congress  in  the  warmest  terms  to 
make  every  arrangement  that  may  be  found  neces- 
sary, for  an  early  and  efficacious  campaign  the  ensu- 
ing year.  Arguments,  I  flatter  myself,  need  not  be 
adduced  to  impress  on  Congress  the  high  importance 
of  this  idea.  Whatever  may  be  the  events  of  the 
coming  winter  or  ensuing  summer,  an  effectual  and 
early  preparation  for  military  operations  will  put  us 
upon  the  most  respectable  footing,  either  for  war 
or  negotiation  ;  while  a  relaxation  will  place  us  in  a 
disreputable  situation  in  point  of  peaceful  prospects, 
and  will  certainly  expose  us  to  the  most  disgraceful 
disasters,  in  case  of  a  continuance  of  the  hostile 
disposition  of  our  enemies.     1  do  myself  the  pleasure 


i78i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


397 


to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  Excellency's  sev- 
eral letters  of  the  loth,  13th,  and  14th  insts.,  and 
thank  you  for  the  intelligence  communicated  in  them. 
Nothing  is  yet  heard  of  Admiral  Digby,  with  his 
fleet,  near  these  coasts.  Whatever  may  be  his  inten- 
tions. Count  de  Grasse,  I  believe,  is  ready  to  meet 
him. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 

P.  S.  October  29th.  At  the  moment  of  closing 
my  despatch,  I  am  favored  with  the  definitive  deter- 
mination of  the  Count  dc  Grasse  respecting  the 
troops  I  hoped  to  have  transported  to  Wilmington 
by  water.  The  Admiral's  ideas  are  communicated 
in  his  letter  to  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  a  copy 
of  which  is  herewith  transmitted.'  In  consequence  of 
this  resolution,  and  having  no  transports,  I  am  obliged 
to  send  on  the  troops  destined  for  the  southern  dis- 
trict by  land.  They  will  commence  their  march  in 
a  few  days,  under  the  command  of  Major-General 
St.  Clair.  The  command  of  the  expedition  against 
Wilmington  had  been  committed  to  the  Marquis, 
upon  the  contingency  of  the  troops  being  transported 

'  CeuHldi  Cmiit  tt  Lafaytllt. — "  The  more  1  reflect  on  lh«  plan  whicli  yon 
mentioned  to  mc,  the  more  I  we  the  impmubUity  of  ondenaking  lo  innipon 
iroops,  b.'itCC'K*'  uiiillciy.  mil  immuiiiiion.  My  utitiidr  opcndoiDi  rrquir* 
iny  return  lo  ud  appainled  place  at  ■  liied  day.  That  day  approaches,  and  it 
<TMiy  be  imposiible  (or  tne  lo  break  my  cneaEcmeiit  voluntarily.  The  puiage 
from  hence  lo  Cftpc  Ke*t  itiay  pouibly  be  accoinpllatiod  in  two  dayk,  hiil  it  may 
alio  require  mote  than  iifleeo.  The  debaikatioo  of  troops  and  stotci  may  be 
allended  uith  deltyt,  and  cxpoM  roe  to  censure.  Beudei,  it  inigbt  happen, 
that,  from  an  olivtinate  tuecMtlon  of  MUlhcrly  wtndt,  I  thoold  he  obliged  i» 
take  the  resolution  of  repairing  (o  my  rendeivom.  '  t 

neceuily  of  cauying  wiib  lae,  duriDg  tlM  ' 
troopa  UMfu)  to  th«  Conlincnl,  of  whCeh 


39* 


THE  WRrTTlfGS  OP 


[i7»i 


by  water.  On  failttrc  of  this  event,  the  Marquis 
does  not  proceed  with  the  rcinforcenicnL  My  pres- 
ent despatches  being  important,  I  have  committed  to 
the  care  of  Colonel  Humphreys,  one  of  my  aids-de- 
camp, whom  for  his  attention,  fidelity,  and  good 
services,  I  beg  leave  to  recommend  to  the  notice 
of  Congress  and  your  Excellency.' 


TO  THE  COUNT  DE  GRASSE. 

Head^vaktbxs,  s8  October.  1781. 

Sir, 

Your  Excellency  did  me  the  honor  to  mention,  io 
one  of  your  letters,  and  subsequently  in  the  note 
transmitted  by  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  that,  from 
a  desire  to  serve  the  United  Stales,  your  Excellency 
would  enter  into  engagements  for  such  cooperations 
the  next  campaign  as  should  not  be  incompatible 
with  the  orders  of  your  court.  This  offer  is  too 
essential  to  the  interests  of  the  common  cause,  not  to 
be  embraced  by  me  with  the  greatest  eagerness,  while 

h.  Thit*,all  ihfti  I  c«n  do,  1*  Io  pronilw  to  ctcori  «i  trdl  bh  I  mi  lh«vc*MU, 
ibfti  may  lw*«  troops  on  board  ;  bul  il  n-iU  br  iiaponiLik  for  tn«  to  remain  on 
iha  eoul  bcyontl  ibc  Sth  ai  ncul  month ;  Biid  eien  Ihii  dcUy  muU  be  repaired 
00  my  pan  by  ihr  cmieM  activdy.  If  you  arc  ckricieni  in  ihe  nxant  of 
culiaiking  or  dubarking,  lei  us  Ihink  ni>  more  of  ihe  meaturt.  But  do  not 
attHbulc  my  refuul  Io  xnjr  thing,  but  the  impouibiliiy  of  exccntinE  ■  malltr 
thai  wa»  agraeabU  (o  yon."— jV.VI  Lrtttr,  October  a6lh. 

A  liMig  letter  wu  likewue  writlen  by  Count  d«GraueioGenn«l  Washington 
on  the  nubiect,  tiallnj:  the  »ine  objeclioni,  and  cxprcuing  hii  regret  Ihal  the 
ordin  he  wu  bound  Ici  follow,  and  Ihe  eni;a([eiu«iits  he  had  made  to  be  in  tb« 
Wot  Indio.  prerenied  him  from  cu-operalinj^  in  thia  enltiprtie,  which  held 
oul  the  falrctt  jiroipccti  o(  (ucc«u. 

'  Knd  in  CongrcM,  Novembei  3d.  Relcried  to  Raiulolph,  Boudlaol, 
Vuniun,  and  CarroJI. 


ij8f] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


399 


it  claims  my  warmest  acknowledgments  for  the  con- 
tinuance of  your  friendly  disposition  towards  America. 
As  it  is  impossible,  at  this  distance  of  time,  to  deter- 
mine whether  it  will  be  most  advantageous  for  the 
allies  to  open  the  campaign  with  the  siege  of  New 
York,  and  thence  proceed  to  that  of  Charleston,  or 
make  Charleston  the  leading  operation,  I  take  the 
liberty  of  proposing  to  your  Excellency  the  following 
general  disposition,  as  equally  applicable  to  either ; 
namely,  that  your  Excellency  would  assemble  a  de- 
cisive nava!  superiority  in  the  Bay  of  Chesapeake, 
toward  the  end  of  May,  from  which  central  position 
wc  might  easily  transport  ourselves  for  a  reunion  of 
our  means  against  whichever  of  the  maritime  points 
above  mentioned  circumstances  should  render  it  most 
advisable  to  attack  first  With  your  Excellency, 
I  need  not  insist  cither  upon  the  indispensable  neces- 
sity of  a  maritime  force  capable  of  giving  you  an 
absolute  ascendency  in  these  seas,  nor  enlarge  upon 
the  advantages,  which  must  be  derived  from  antici- 
pating the  Britishin  opening  the  campaign,  next  to  the 
immediate  prosecution  of  our  present  successes  with 
the  union  of  superior  means  now  in  our  power,  and 
which  would  infallibly  terminate  the  war  at  one  stroke. 
The  plan,  which  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  to 
your  Excellency,  is  that  which  appears  to  me  most 
likely  to  accomplish  the  great  objects  of  the  alliance. 
Your  Excellency  will  have  observed,  that,  whatever 
eiTorts  are  made  by  the  land  armies,  the  navy  must 
have  the  casting  vote  in  the  present  contest.  The 
court  of  France  are  convinced  of  it.  anH  ' 


400 


THE  WRJTINGS  OF 


t'78' 


dared  their  resolution  to  give  this  indispensable 
succor.  The  triumphant  manner  in  which  your 
Excellency  has  maintained  the  mastery  of  the  Ameri- 
can seas,  and  the  glory  of  the  French  flag.  lead  both 
nations  to  look  to  you  as  the  arbiter  of  the  war. 
Public  and  private  motives  make  me  most  ardently 
wish,  that  the  next  campaign  may  be  calculated  to 
crown  all  your  former  victories.  I  entreat  your 
Excellency  to  be  persuaded  of  my  attachment  to 
your  glory,  and  of  the  sincere  friendship  with  which 
I  shall  invariably  continue,  my  dear  General,  &c.' 


TO    UAJOR-GENERAL   ST.    CLAIR. 


instructions. 
Sir. 

The  detachment,  of  which  you  will  have  the  comnnuid,  for  the 
Southward  is  to  consist  of  the  Pcnsylvania,  Maryland,  and  Vir- 
ginia Conlmental  Troops.  You  will  march  them  by  the  most 
convenient  rout,  and  in  the  most  expeditious  manner,  (without 
fatiguing  the  Troops,)  toward*  Wilmington  In  North  Carolina,  or 
other  Posts  in  that  State  ;   of  which  you  will  endeavor  to  dJs- 

'  In  his  reply  Conni  de  Gtisie  said  that  he  thautd  comtnunicate  Gcecral 
Ws&hinglon*!  propoial  lo  (lie  Fimch  court,  and  doubl«dnol  that  <T<T]tlbiDgiii 
their  (lower  would  be  done  id  promote  his  views,  aad  cilabluh  AtDerimi 
liberty.  Si.  Sitnon  emliarlccd  hi&  tioopt,  and  ihe  licet  tailed  oui  <A  the  Cheak- 
peake  on  Ihe  41I1  ol  Novcmbrr  for  tlia  WtsI  Indies.  Ceneial  Wubinglon 
presenled  to  Count  de  Cnu»e  two  honei,  which  were  sent  off  (o  the  fleet. 

The  French  army  remained  in  Vitijima  till  the  toUowlng  mmmer.  Tlw 
Iwadrfjaartcn  of  CoudI  dc  Rocbamheau  wcie  at  William tburs. 

"  Acieeable  to  what  I  informed  yoa  umr  itme  ago,  il  hai  been  agitated  with 
Iha  French  Admiral  to  tramjiorl  by  water,  under  hi>  convoy,  u  tu  ai  Cape 
Fear,  the  rtinforctmciil  dc»Iincc!  for  )«ur  aid,  and  on  thai  conlingency,  t1  waa 
In  oontetaplatioD,  wiih  thete  itoopa,  to  attempt  by  couiwle.Riain,  lo  carry  Ike 
mmy'a  po*t  of  Wllininglon— an  altenipt  which,  wilh  Ihe  aid  ol  the  Aeel,  waa 
inilced  la  be  practicabls,  and  ihe  accom^lahaieDl  ol  wliSi:b,  bown«T  amall  iIm 


fj8i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


40( 


possess  the  enemy,  if  their  situation,  from  the  intelligence  you 
shall  receive  as  you  advance,  shall  in  your  judgment  render 
it  practicable  and  sdvisabtc.  If  it  does  not,  you  will  continue 
your  march  to  the  Southern  army,  and  put  yourself  under  the 
command  of  Majr.-Gcnl.  GrecDe. 

As  Wilmington  and  other  places  in  No.  Ca.  may  c[e]ase  to 
be  objects,  from  a  change  of  circumstances  in  the  States  to  the 
southward  of  this,  it  will  be  necessary  for  you  to  open  an  imme- 
diate communication  by  Letter  n-ith  General  Greene,  and  govern 
yourself  by  his  advice  and  orders  ;  and  it  may  be  well  to  com* 
municate,  (in  confidence,)  to  the  Executive  of  the  State  of  North 
Carolina  ihc  entcrprite  against  Wilmington,  that  you  may  procure 
such  information  and  aid  as  it  may  be  in  their  power  to  give. 
For  Ordnance  and  Stores,  and  for  the  means  of  transportation 
and  other  matters  in  the  Quarter  Master's  depariroeni,  you  will 
consult  General  Knox  and  Colonel  Pickering,  and  will  make  your 
arrangements  with  the  Commissary,  or  State  agent,  for  supplies 
of  i'rovision.  Given  at  Head-Quarters,  near  York  in  Virginia, 
this  a^th  day  of  October,  1731. 

P.  S.  If  there  are  any  men  upon  detachment,  they  are  to  be 
called  in  and  marched  with  their  regiments.  A  sufficient  number 
of  officers  must  be  left  to  curry  on  the  sick  and  invalids  as  fast  as 
they  recover.  Some  good  fictd-ofliccrs  should  remain  to  super- 
intend this  business. 


object  in  itself,  wauM  be  of  etmI  imparlance  tn  the  icale  cf  fatnra  negotiation, 
ui  il  wnulil  111  effecl  be  (he  llbcrailon  of  analhcr  >l«le. 

"  After  fome  <tByi  of  nupencc  I  hive  ju»t  now  rci'ctved  fioni  the  Count  de 
Gt*»e  ■  negative  ileciiioti  upon  ihit  propoM)  :  in  consequence  of  which  my 
Tcwiuiionk  Are  iltercil.  anil  the  Iroopi  will  go  on  by  Und. 

"  Every  uguinenl  and  penuaiion  bad  beon  u»cd  with  the  Krencli  admiral  to 
induce  him  to  aid  ih«  combined  army  in  an  operation  against  Charinlown :  but 
the  advanced  ncMon,  the  orden  of  hU  coon,  and  hit  owo  cn^'S'i''^'"^  ^^  ^^ 
punctual  lo  a  certain  lime  6xed  on  for  his  ulterior  operations,  all  (oibid  bi* 
compliance,  uid  I  am  ol>li2ed  to  subniiE.  Nothing  iheicfoie  remains,  but  lo 
IjSve  you  a  rcipcdable  Ninfaicemcni,  and  to  rctam  my>«U  to  the  nwlhwaid 
with  the  remaiadn  of  the  iroopi,  for  which  arrangemeni  e*ery  prepanlioo  ta 
now  nuking  with  ail  pouible  dci|>atct."— (fWAw/Mi*  t»  Mafor-Gmtrai 
Grttut,  %\  Oct«b«r,  1731, 


402 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[.781 


TO  ma;or-(;ene;kal  Lincoln. 


INSTRUCTIONa 

Sir, 

All  the  Troops,  who  are  about  to  return  to  the  noitliward,  will 
be  under  your  Command  ;  and  I  cnitcat  you  to  itsc  every  means 
in  your  power  to  hasten  them  forward  by  Land  or  water,  or 
partly  by  both,  as  circumstances  may  require.  The  Ordnance, 
and  Stores  of  every  kind,  must  be  despatched,  or  in  such  train 
for  it,  as  lo  need  no  lunher  cover  or  aid  from  the  Troops,  'ere 
they  can  move  from  iheir  prest  Encampment.  The  Ordnance 
Vessels,  and  Vessels  carrying  stores  of  every  other  kind,  should 
receive  of  sick,  Invalids,  and  weak  men,  as  many  as  they  can 
transport  with  safety  and  convenience  ;  after  which,  if  there 
is  not  water  tran^portulion  for  the  remainder,  they  roust  be 
marched  by  Land,  on  the  Rout  the  cavalry,  teams,  &c.,  came 
from  the  Head  of  Elk  to  this  place. 

For  the  reputation  of  the  Troops,  and  preservation  of  property, 
you  will  use  your  utmost  exertions  to  prevent  every  species  of 
abuse  on  the  march.  Destruction  of  fences  is  too  often  among 
the  wanton  injuries,  which  are  committed,  A  few  axes,  and 
strict  attention  of  the  ofRccrs,  will  infalhhly  prevent  this,  and 
I  trust  it  will  be  done.  You  will  be  able,  after  iofoTraing  your- 
self of  the  extent  of  the  water  Iransporlaiion,  to  determine  on  the 
number  of  men,  which  must  march  by  land,  and  make  your 
arrangements  with  the  Quarter-Master- General  accordingly.  If 
there  arc  any  men  upon  detachment,  Ihey  are  to  be  called  in  and 
marched  with  their  regiments.  A  sufficient  number  of  ofhccrs 
must  be  left  to  carry  on  the  sick  and  invalids,  as  fast  as  they 
recover.  Some  good  field-officer  should  remain  to  superintend 
this  business.  Given  at  Head -Quarters,  this  19th  day  of  October, 
1781.' 

'  Tlie  troopt  were  irutspcned  by  water  to  the  Head  oJ  Elk,  and  they 
mirchnl  Ihcnuc  by  Unit.  TIm'  New  JcTMy  ttoopt  wet*  *tiiiJonod  for  [h« 
winltr  ncu  Mciriilown.  and  llie  mo  Nntr  York  rtgimenli,  under  Gcntni 
]>mu  Clinlon.  tX  Pomplon.  All  ihe  oihcn  proceeded  lo  the  N'onh  River, 
wheie  Iha  ISgbt  cr>ni|iani«s  ji^ined  (h^ir  rtH|>ectiv«  rtnltnenit.  H>i«n'f  regU 
nent  «««  ordered  to  L*nca*ler,  in  Penniylrani*. 

Tfa«  Britixh  prltonen  were  maiclied  lo  Winchettet,  in  Vitj^nia,  sod  l«  Fori 


i7Si] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


403 


TO  THE    PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 


Sir, 


IIkad-Quartkks,  NVAk  Vork, 
31  October,  1781. 


I  do  myself  the  honor  of  transmitting  to  your  Ex- 
cellency a  letter  from  General  Duportail,  in  which  he 
explains  the  motives  of  an  intended  application  to 
Congress  for  permission  to  go  to  France,  and  for  the 
promotion  of  himself  and  other  officers  of  his  corps. 
I  should  conceal  sentiments,  with  which  I  am  very 
strongly  impressed,  and  do  injustice  to  very  conspic- 
uous merit,  if  I  did  not  upon  the  present  occasion 
offer  my  testimony  to  the  distinguished  abilities  and 
services,  both  of  General  Duportail  and  Colonel 
Gouvion.  Their  claim  to  the  particular  attention 
of  Congress  at  this  juncture  is  founded  upon  the 
practice  of  Europe  :  sieges  being  considered  as  the 
particular  province  of  the  corps  of  engineers,  and  as 
entitling  them,  when  attended  with  a  success  impor- 
tant in  itself  and  its  consequences,  to  the  great  mili- 
tary rewards.  These  officers,  besides,  are  supported 
by  a  series  of  conduct  in  the  line  of  their  department, 
which  makes  them  not  depend  merely  upon  the 
present  circumstances. 

For  these  reasons.  I  am  induced  to  recommend 
General  Duportail's  memorial  to  Congress  for  the 
promotions  which  he  specifies,  and  the  leave  of  ab- 

Fiederic  and  Ficdericktown,  in  MiryUnd.  The  b*inick*  U  Fort  Frederic 
were  (ound  in  be  in  tuch  «  tUlo  of  deo)'  thst  th«  divuion  of  the  prisoners  in- 
lrnd«d  for  ihnt  plnce  wbi  itiiiwncd  *l  Fredericktuwo.  Ai  Ihcu  priaonen  were 
froirdcd  only  hy  milliia,  many  differenw*  occurred,  •nil  oevasionnlly  Kcrioai 
(ju*mlt,  tietwccn  Ihcm  >nd  lli«  inhibitants;  and  tbey  wen;  nibsequcnUjr 
removed  lo  l.aacutcr,  in  Pennxylvania,  and  Kiurdetl  by  ContinenlBl  Iroopt. 


4»4 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


sence ;  the  latter  being  by  no  means  incompatible 
with  the  good  of  the  service  at  the  present  period, 
as  I  am  reduced,  notwithstanding  all  my  efforts,  to 
the  necessity  of  retiring  into  winter-quarters.  The 
same  principles  as  those  above  mentioned  forbid  me 
to  be  silent  on  the  subject  of  General  Knox,  who  is 
closely  united  with  General  Duportail  in  the  merit  of 
the  siege  ;  being  at  the  head  of  the  artillery,  which 
is  the  other  principal  instrument  in  conducting  at- 
tacks. The  resources  of  his  genius  have  supplied, 
on  this  and  many  other  interesting  occasions,  the 
defect  of  means.  His  distinguished  talents  and  ser- 
vices, equally  important  and  indefatigable,  entitle 
him  to  the  same  marks  of  the  approbation  of  Con- 
gress, that  they  may  be  pleased  to  grant  to  the  chief 
engineer.     I  am,  &t' 

'  Read  in  Congrcu,  November  9tk,  Kelerred  lo  Viruita6,  MontGomery, 
mnd  LovdI. 

Ctriifitau. — *■  G«n«n1  Duportail,  eennmandini  of  the  corpi  of  engineen, 
having  signllietl  hit  deiire  o(  obuimng  love  10  go  ti>  France  (or  Ihe  airaiige- 
invtil  ol  hitdamctUc  kflair*,  it  i*  with  ths  creaiett  i-aliifaclion  I  cmlxacs  Ihi* 
opportunity  of  teilifjring  the  seni«.  which  1  enicrtain  of  hi>  dittitif^iihed  talcoti 
and  urvicea.  HU  )acl|[rRenl  in  council  and  well-conducted  valor  in  the  Geld 
cliim  ilichigheK  appl*us«.  amlbtve  tecurcd  10  him  the  ctteemand  conficleoc* 
of  the  army.  Hii  plan  and  coniJuct  of  ihe  niiacki  in  the  late  impartaiit  and 
fuccetiful  iie£e  of  York,  where  he  ci>nim!tnded  iKc  coipi  of  CRjrineen.  afford 
brilliinl  proaft  of  hU  militiry  ((Ctiiiu,  and  tet  tlie  teal  lu  liit  reputation  :  while 
they  entitle  him  to  my  wann«st  Ihanki.  Given  at  HeacUjuartm,  jitt  Octo- 
ber. 1781." 

General  Ihiportail  waa  promotcil,  on  th«  t6i1iol  November,  according  lo  ibe 
above  Tccom me ndalion,  but  General  Knoi  wai  paued  om.  There  wai  a  te> 
riout  diRicuIiy  in  the  ca«e,  owing  to  th«  local  parliality  of  aome  of  the  memben 
ol  CoofiTcti,  and  (o  the  opinion  of  olhera  that  Renctsl  principltk  khouM  be 
adhered  lo.  The  comminion  of  Knox  ai  brtgadiei  bore  a  lubietjuent  data  lo 
lha»c  of  Jame*  Clinton,  Mouliric,  and  Mclnioih.  The  member*  from  New 
York,  South  Carolina.  aiidGrnr];ia  wniiM  not  aj-rre  lo  the  pminoiion  uf  KniHi. 
unleta  thoie  officer*  were  promoted  at  the  aame  time ;  and  a  vote  for  the  whole 


• 


178.] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


405 


TO  THE   UARQUIS   OE  LAFAYETTE. 

Mount  VasNcm,  Vircima, 
■  5  NomnboT,  i;8l. 

Not  till  the  5th  instant,  my  dear  Marquis,  was  I 
able  to  leave  York.  Engaged  in  providing  for  the 
detachment  that  was  to  go  Southerly,  embarking 
the  Troops  that  were  to  go  northerly,  making  a  dis- 
tribution   of  the   Ordnance  and  Stores  for  various 

purposes,  and   disposing  of  tlie  officers  and  other 

— ■ ' ^^» ■ — 

could  not  lie  orrlerl.  Several  Irtilx  weie  mnde,  >nd  GcnernI  WuhJDf  Ion  vu 
consulled  on  the  »ui>jccl  ■f<«iliia  arnval  in  I'liiladclpliia.  [.incoln  had,  on 
the  30th  ot  Ocioba,  been  choiea  Secreury  o(  War,  and  to  him  Waihiag- 
lon  wrote  on  December  Jlh  :  "  Fiom  the  tenor  of  your  private  letter  of  this 
dale.  I  presume  you  arc  una^iiiainitij  wiih  my  recommendation  o(  (.iciieral 
Knox  to  CongrcH.  at  the  time  Gmer.il  Dupartail  u-a«  mentioned  to  thai  body 
by  me.  If  my  cxpreuiona  in  hii  favor  were  tint  warm  and  full,  the;  fell  u  far 
(linrt  of  my  intention  tk  of  bit  nicril.  anil  did  injiitlice  to  both  :  because  I  ab- 
solutely refaied  10  recommend  the  l.iitcr  without  the  former,  whom  I  thought 
equally  at  Imll  entitled  upon  every  principle  to  promotion.  If  any  thing  fur- 
ther can  be  done  by  mc,  it  must,  I  conceire,  be  obtnincd  by  lome  oihei  mean* 
than  1  direct  application  to  Congrcu.  In  the  mean  lime  1  hope  (>cneral  Knox 
will  take  DO  huty  retolulion,  01  at  kait  <u<pend  the  execution  of  it,  if  h* 
ihonld."  To  Mr.  Bee,  a  delegate  from  South  Carolinn.  he  wrote  as  (ollowi, 
on  the  Sih  of  March  ;— 

"lam  clearly  of  opinion,  tor  ronioni  which  I  had  the  honor  of  detailing  to 
you  ywlerday,  that  the  promotion  of  General  Knox  ilngly  will  involve  fewer 
ditacreeibte  con>e(]uences.  than  any  other  me'liod.  which  1  have  ycl  heard  pro- 
potcil  :  foe  I  nin  penuatled  that  no  ofFicfr,  lenior  lohimsrlf,  as  well  acquainted 
ai  I  am  with  his  eitnoidinaiy  eicrtiona  to  prepare  without  proper  roeana  the 
tiege'.artillery  for  the  la)tcamjiai|>n,  the  detpalch  with  wliich  he  Irantpotled  It, 
and  hi»  uncommon  aatiduily  and  gouil  mana^mcnt  of  it  at  Yorktowo.  wouM 
think  hitpromotioa  aa  improper  reward,  or  any  reflection  upon  hit  own  merit. 
If  extraordinary  exertion*  do  not  meet  with  particular  attention,  there  la  no 
•timului  (n  action,  and  an  officer  haii  little  more  to  do  than  to  ataer  clntr  «f 
court; -martial." 

The  reproenlationi  of  the  Commander-in-chief  at  1a»t  prevailed,  and.  on  the 
33dof  March,  Knox  wa»  promoicd  to  the  rankof  major-general,  andhiicoinini*. 
lion  was  ordered  10  be  dated  on  the  t  jih  of  the  preceding  November,  thereby 
giving  him  precedence  of  General  Duportiil  and  advancing  hiiu  over  th« 
above-men  Clan  «l  brigulier*. — Sfatkt. 


4o6 


THE  WRITTNGS  OF 


[17S1 


prisoners  to  their  respective  places  of  destination,  I 
could  not  leave  that  part  of  ye  country  sooner. 

On  that  day  I  arrived  at  Eltliam,  (the  Seat  of 
Colonel  Bassctt.)  time  enough  to  see  poor  Mr.  Cus- 
tis  breathe  his  last.'  This  unexpected  and  afrecting 
event  threw  Mrs.  Washington  and  Mrs.  Custis,  who 
were  both  present,  into  such  deep  distress,  that  the 
circumstance  of  it,  and  a  duty  I  owed  the  deceased 
in  assisting  at  his  funeral  rites,  prevented  my  reach- 
ing this  place 'till  the  13th;  and  business  here  and 
on  the  road  will  put  it  out  of  my  power  to  arrive  at 
Philadelphia  before  the  last  days  of  the  prest.  month. 

As  this  may  extend  to  a  later  period  than  your 
business  in  that  city  may  require,  I  owe  it  to  friend- 
ship and  to  my  affectionate  regard  for  you,  my  dear 
Marqs..  not  to  let  you  leave  this  Country,  without  car- 
rj'ing  with  you  fresh  marks  of  my  attachment  to  you, 
and  new  expressions  of  the  high  sense  I  entertain  of 
your  military  conduct  and  other  important  services  in 
the  course  of  the  last  campaign,  altho'  the  latter  are 
too  well  known  to  need  the  testimony  of  my  approba- 
tion, and  the  former  I  persuade  myself  you  believe  is 
too  Well  riveted  to  undergo  diminution  or  change. 

As  you  expressed  a  desire  to  know  my  Sentiments 
respecting  the  operations  of  the  next  Campaign,  be- 
fore your  departure  for  France,  I  will  without  a  te- 
dious display  of  reasoning  declare  in  one  word,  that 
the  advantages  of  it  to  America,  and  the  honor  and 
glory  of  it  to  the  allied  arms  in  these  States  must  de- 
pend absoluttly  upon  the  naval  force,  which  is  employ- 

<  Jobn  TMke  Cbmu. 


,78.] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


407 


ed  in  these  Seas,  and  the  time  oC  its  appearance  next 
year.  No  land  force  can  act  decisively,  unless  it  is 
accompanied  by  a  maritime  superiority;  nor  can  more 
than  negative  advantages  be  expected  without  it  For 
proof  of  this,  we  have  only  to  recur  to  the  instances 
of  the  ease  and  facility  with  which  the  British  shifted 
their  ground,  as  advantages  were  to  be  obtained  at 
either  extremity  of  the  continent,  and  to  their  late 
heavy  loss  the  moment  they  failed  in  their  naval  su- 
periority. To  point  out  the  further  advantages,  which 
might  have  been  obtained  in  the  course  of  this  year, 
if  Count  de  Grasse  could  have  waited,  and  would 
have  covered  a  further  operation  to  the  southward, 
is  unnecessary  ;  because  a  doubt  did  not  exist  nor 
does  at  this  moment,  in  any  man's  mind,  of  the  total 
extirpation  of  the  British  force  in  the  CaroHnas  and 
Georgia,  if  he  could  have  extended  his  cooperation 
two  months  longer. 

It  follows  then  as  certain  as  that  night  succeeds 
the  day,  that  without  a  decisive  naval  force  we  can  do 
nothing  definitive,  and  with  it  every  thing  honorable 
and  glorious.  A  constant  naval  superiority  would 
terminate  the  war  speedily  ;  without  it,  I  do  not  know 
that  it  will  ever  be  terminated  honorably.  If  this 
force  should  appear  early,  we  shall  have  the  whole 
campaign  before  us.  The  months  of  June  to  Sep- 
tember inclusive  are  well  adapted  for  operating  in 
any  of  the  States  to  the  northward  of  this  ;  and  the 
remaining  months  are  equally  well  suited  to  those 
south  of  it :  in  which  time,  with  such  means,  I  think 
much,  I  will  add  every  thing,  might  be  expected. 


4oS 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[i78t 


How  far  the  policy  of  Congress  may  carry  them 
towards  fining  their  Continental  battalions  does  not 
lay  with  me  to  determine.  This  measure,  before 
and  since  the  capitulation,  has  been  strongly  recom- 
mended by  me.  Should  it  be  adopted  by  that  body, 
and  executed  with  energy  in  the  several  States,  I 
think  our  force,  (comprehending  the  auxiliary  troops 
now  here,)  will  be  fully  competent  to  all  the  purposes 
of  the  American  war,  provided  the  British  force  on 
this  continent  remains  nearly  as  it  now  is.  But  as 
this  is  a  contingency,  which  depends  very  much  upon 
political  manceuvres  in  Europe  ;  and.  as  it  is  uncertain 
how  far  we  may  be  in  a  state  of  preparation  at  the 
opening  of  the  next  Campaign,  the  propriety  of  aug- 
menting the  present  army  under  the  Comd.  of  Count 
de  Rochambeau  is  a  question  worthy  of  considera- 
tion ;  but,  as  it  lyes  with  Congress  to  determine,  I 
shall  be  silent  on  the  subject' 

If  I  should  be  deprived  of  the  pleasure  of  a  per- 
sonal interview  with  you  before  your  departure,  permit 
me  my  dear  Marquis  to  adopt  this  method  of  making 
you  a  tender  of  my  ardent  Vows  for  a  propitious 

' "  I  shil)  rcmkin  bul  a  f<w  dayt  here  [Mount  Vnnan],  ind  chatl  proceed  to 
FliHadelphta.  whca  I  ihall  sticmpl  to  ttimuUic  Congiai  lo  Ihc  best  improve 
mtnl  ot  iiur  Ule  iii«e»»,  liy  taking  ihe  mwt  vlgotiiuH  »n<!  f  ffeciuat  mcMiim  to 
be  (eidy  for  on  cAcIy  Hud  drciiivc  cnmpaisn  (he  next  year.  My  gitaieiti  fear 
(t,  thai  Cnnj;reia.  viewing  Ihit  tlioke  ia  too  iroponanl  a  point  ol  ligbt,  may 
think  our  work  loo  neaf  tjr  closed,  and  ^ill  fall  into  a  ttalc  of  Unj;uoi  and  leU 
Aiation.  To  (wevcal  ihii  error,  t  ihall  employ  emy  meatu  in  my  power,  and 
i(  unhappily  wc  ainh  into  ttiil  fatal  mittake,  no  part  of  th«  blame  ihill  be  mine. 
Whaiflfcr  may  be  llie  winter  [Kilitin  of  EuroptMi  CouR*.  ll  U  clearly  my 
opinion,  that  our  jjrand  object  it  lo  be  prepared  in  every  point  for  wai — not 
thai  we  ni(h  itt  conllnuanc:.  but  that  wc  may  be  in  the  bett  utuation  lo  meet 
every  avont." —  Waikingtin  tf  Sla/fr-Gnural  Grrtm,  16  NoTembet,  tySl. 


178'] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


409 


voyage,  a  gracious  reception  from  your  Prince,  an 
honorable  reward  of  your  services,  a  happy  meeting 
with  your  lady  and  friends,  and  a  safe  return  in  the 
spring  to,  my  dear  Marqs.,  your  affectionate  friend, 
&c. 

P.  S.  1  beg  you  to  present  my  best  respects  to 
the  Viscount  de  Noailles  and  let  him  know  that  my 
warmest  wishes  attend  him. 


TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

Moutrr  Vbrson,  is  November.  1781. 

Sir, 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of 
your  favor  of  the  31st  ultimo,  covering  the  resolu- 
tions of  Congress  of  29th,  and  a  proclamation  for  a 
day  of  public  prayer  and  thanksgiving,  and  have  to 
thank  you,  Sir,  most  sincerely  for  the  very  polite  and 
affectionate  manner  in  which  these  enclosures  have 
been  conveyed.  The  success  of  the  combined  Armies, 
against  our  enemies  at  York  and  Gloucester,  as  it 
affects  the  welfare  and  independence  of  the  United 
States.  I  viewed  as  a  most  fortunate  event.  In  per- 
forming my  part  towards  its  accompliaiiment,  I  con- 
sider myself  to  have  done  only  my  duty,  and  in  the 
execution  of  that  I  ever  feel  myself  happy ;  and  at 
the  same  time,  as  it  augurs  well  to  our  cause,  1  take 
a  particular  pleasure  in  acknowledging,  that  the  inter- 
posing hand  of  Heaven,  in  the  various  instances  of 
our  extensive  preparations  for  this  operation,  has 
been  most  conspicuous  and  remarkable. 


4to 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[.J8i 


After  the  receipt  of  your  favor,  I  received  official 
information  through  the  secretary  of  Congress,  of  the 
new  choice  of  their  president.  While  I  congratulate 
you,  Sir,  on  a  release  from  the  fatigues  and  troubles 
of  50  arduous  and  important  a  task,  I  beg  you  to 
accept  my  sincerest  thanks  for  the  pleasure  and  satis- 
faction, which  I  have  received  in  the  correspondence 
with  which  you  have  honored  me.  and  the  many 
interesting  communications  of  intelligence  with  which 
you  have  favored  me.      I  am,  dear  Sir.  &c.' 


TO   BENJAMIN    DULANY. 

MoitKT  VenNON,  ij  NoTeinbCT,  1781. 

Sir, 

I  learn  from  Mr.  Lund  Washington,  that  the  land 
formerly  belonging  to  Mr.  Manley'  is  again  about  to 
be  offered  for  sale,  and  that  you  and  I  are  Hke  to  be 
the  only  competitors  in  the  purchase  of  it.  That  I 
often  treated  with  Mr.  Manley  in  his  lifetime,  and 
since  his  death  with  his  executors  for  that  tract  is  a 
fact  which  cannot  be  unknown  to  you  ;  equally  true 
is  it,  that  if  the  Land  is  exposed  to  public  sale,  I 
shall  bid  for  it,  as  far  as  /  think  it  is  worth,  but  no 
farther,  and  as  men  set  different  values  upon  the  same 
thing  according  to  the  lights  in  which  it  strikes  them, 
and  their  own  mode  of  estimating  its  value,  it  is  not 

'  PtDtiilent  M<:Kcan.  be[i<i;  Chief-Jufitlce  ol  Ihe  RUtle  of  PcBniyUinii.  htm 
obliged  to  Rlite  from  CongrtB  for  a  time  to  allend  to  (he  dutict  of  that  oSce- 
Mr.  John  Hinion.  of  MAryUnd,  wu  chotco  to  ncCMd  hlw  m  I'rcHdeat  si 
Congren  on  llic  5lh  of  Novcnber. 

•  HarrifOD  Huilejr. 


178'] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


41 1 


at  all  unlikely  but  that  you  may  be  the  purchaser. 
In  the  present  case,  however,  I  ever  was,  and  still  am 
willing  to  give  the  Cull  value  of  the  land  ;  and  as  a 
proof  of  it,  should  have  no  objection  to  the  price 
being  fixed  by  three  honest  and  judicious  men,  to  be 
indifferently  chosen.     This  I  wou'd  give. 

Having  premised  this  thing,  the  intention  of  this 
letter  is  to  make  you  a  proposition,  and  explain  my 
motives  for  it ;  which,  if  acceded  to,  may  smooth 
every  difficulty,  and  prove  convenient  and  beneficial 
to  all  parties.  It  is  to  purchase  the  reversion  of  your 
land  in  this  neck,  at  the  same  time  I  make  that  of 
Mr.  Manley's.  if  it  is  for  sale.  You  are,  doubtless,  well 
acquainted  with  the  circumstance  of  this  tract,  held 
by  Mrs.  French  ;  but  as  no  man  can  have  a  more 
perfect  knowledge  of  it  than  I  have,  I  think  myself 
fully  warranted  in  asserting  that  in  less  than  ten 
years  from  this  date,  there  will  be  no  support  to  the 
plantation,  and  that  without  the  aid  of  my  woodland, 
it  cannot  be  maintained. 

If  my  reasons  are  asked,  I  will  add  :  that,  to  say 
nothing  of  the  Plantation  itself,  great  part  of  which 
is  old  and  much  worn,  the  present  fencing  cannot  last 
long  ;  that  one  half  of  the  plantation  at  this  moment 
is  dependent  upon  me,  for  the  means  of  enclosing  it ; 
that  though  I  have  not  a  disposition  to  be  unneigh- 
borly,  by  depriving  Mrs.  French,  or  you,  of  the  use 
of  my  fences,  yet  this  may  not  be  the  case  with  those 
who  follow  me  ;  that  the  woodland  for  fire  and  tim- 
ber, bears  no  proportion  to  the  quantity  of  cleared 
land  :  and.  as  has  been  observed  before,  will  not  sup* 


4" 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[.781 


port  the  plantation  in  these  articles  but  a  few  years 
longer,  cspcciaUy  if  all  those  long  lines  of  fencing 
which  are  furnished  by  me,  should  be  shifted,  as  is 
very  commonly  the  case  where  fields  are  changed  ; 
and.  that  to  depend  upon  the  fencing  of  another  for  in- 
closures.  is  working  land  upon  a  very  uncertain  tenure, 
and  at  too  great  a  hazard  to  be  warranted  by  prudence  ; 
as  ill-nature,  or  even  necessity  may  expose  the  crops. 

That  these  are  facts  uncontrovertible,  and  the  rea- 
soning upon  ihem  conclusive,  none  can  deny.  I 
mention  them  to  prove,  first,  that  at  the  same  time  I 
discover  an  inclination  to  purchase  the  reversion  of 
your  land,  I  know  what  value  to  set  on  it ;  and  sec- 
ondly, as  an  indisputable  evidence  that  sooner  or 
later  (if  you  cannot  get  some  of  my  woodland)  you 
will,  for  want  of  timber  and  firing,  be  obliged  to  part 
with  it  to  those  who  have  it.  And  that  this  must  be 
done  to  a  very  great  disadvantage,  when  the  period 
of  that  necessity  is  absolutely  felt,  and  the  land  is 
more  exhausted,  is  evident  to  common  sense. 

It  may  be  asked,  why,  under  these  disadvantages, 
I  would  choose  to  be  the  purchaser  ?  The  answer  is 
plain,  and  I  shall  candidly  give  it  to  you  :  For  besides 
having  timber  to  supply  all  the  wants  of  your  land,  it 
is  my  wish,  altho'  it  shou'd  not  fall  into  my  hands 
immediately,  to  have  in  expectation,  by  reversion,  all 
the  lands  in  this  Neck,  that  I  may  without  loss  of 
time,  proceed  to  the  enclosing  of  it  by  a  large  ditch, 
and  strong  post  rail  fence  on  the  outer  boundary  of 
it.  This,  Sir,  and  the  prospect  of  having  the  exclu- 
sive possession  of  the  whole  neck,  1  declare  to  you 


ijSi] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


413 


upon  my  honor,  arc  my  motives  for  buying.  It  is 
not  the  real  want  of  land  (for  I  have  already  more 
than  I  have  hands  to  work)  nor  the  extraordinary 
value  of  this  tract  that  prompts  me  to  the  measure. 
From  a  full  conviction  that  I  cannot  in  the  course  of 
nature,  remain  long  upon  this  theater.  1  have  a  desire 
to  see  such  things  as  are  within  my  reach,  accom- 
plished as  soon  as  possible.  On  this  principle  it  is, 
I  shall  go  as  far  to  purchase  Mr.  Manley's  land  as  I 
can  conceive  it  is  worth.  If  the  prospect  of  long 
life  was  before  me,  and  I  had  a  mind  to  play  the  poli- 
tician, it  would  be  my  interest  to  let  Mr.  Manley's 
land  fall  into  your  hands  without  a  single  bid  for  it 
on  my  part ;  because  having  a  scarcity  of  fencing 
yourself,  and  his  land,  I  believe,  not  a  stick  of  timber 
upon  it,  it  would  so  much  increase  the  demand  upon 
the  little  you  have,  as  to  involve  at  an  earlier  period, 
the  consequence  I  have  foretold. 

Having  dealt  thus  freely  and  frankly  in  describing 
the  true  situation  and  circumstances  of  these  lands, 
and  my  motives  to  purchase  them,  I  shall  conclude 
with  repeating  that  I  will  take  the  land  of  Mr.  Man- 
ley  at  the  price  any  three  honest  and  judicious  men, 
indifferently  chosen,  shall  fix  upon  it.  That  I  will 
do  the  same  thing  with  respect  to  yours,  if  you 
incline  to  sell,  or  if  you  will  6x  the  price  yourself 
(having  a  just  regard  to  the  quality  and  circum- 
stances of  the  land)  I  will  give  it,  withont  haggling; 
an  allowance  being  made  by  men  of  judgment,  con. 
versant  in  these  things  for  Mrs.  French's  life,  if  she 
chooses  to  hold  it 


4'4 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


(1781 


I  shall  offer  no  apology  for  making  you  these  pro- 
posals.    My  meaning    is   good,  and  my  offers  are 

generous.  They  will  stand  the  test  of  examination  ; 
and  it  is  my  wish,  that  all  the  parties  concerned  (vizt. 
Mrs.  Dulany,  Mrs.  French,  and  Mr.  Triplet,  executor 
of  Mr.  Manley)  may  be  consulted.  If  my  proposals 
and  observations  are  good,  they  will  be  struck  with 
the  force  of  them ;  if  they  are  not.  my  mistake 
arises  from  viewing  things  in  a  wrong  point  of 
view. 

I  persuade  myself  that  there  is  too  much  liberality 
in  your  way  of  thinking  to  suppose,  that  because  I 
have  frankly  declared  my  motives  for  making  these 
proposals,  and  have  made  generous  offers  towards 
purchasing  your  land,  that  I  shall  set  no  bounds  to 
my  prices,  in  order  to  obtain  El  I  as  frankly 
declare,  that  this  is  not  my  intention.  I  will  give 
the  full  value,  but  no  more.  The  whole  tenor  of  my 
conduct  hitherto  in  this  business  must  have  evinced 
this,  and  will  more  than  probably  convince  Mr.  Barry 
(or  rather  Mr.  Wren  his  oracle)  who  was  ever  afraid 
to  accept  the  price  that  was  offered  for  his  land,  lest 
more  could  be  had. — of  the  folly  and  impolicy  of  a 
narrow  way  of  thinking,  and  give  him  cause,  if  I 
should  withhold  the  same  offer  in  future,  to  accom- 
pany it  with  repentance.     I  am  &c' 

*  Although  Ui«  off«c  appears  to  h«*e  been  aecepied,  ui4  thr««  EeBtlcMM 
■ppd&ud  Vi  irbilralon,  it  wu  not  onttl  Jinutry.  ITS7,  lh*(  1  find  a  tramfer 
to  Wnihington  by  William  Triplrt,  eieculor  ot  Hanuon  Mauley,  wl  149 
acra,  purchased  *t  Ci  ■'■c  nctc.  In  January,  ■7S6,  Dvlany  became  ■  tenant 
of  W»ihiri|>ton,  I1111  WMliiajjiiui  paid  to  Mn.  Pcitl.  Krencb,  in  the  yvar  178;,  t, 
lent  ■>(  j£i36  toi  her  plantation  anil  n«gro«i.  and  the  nn«  r«aUl  <ra*  paid  in 
■76S,  17S9,  and  itqol 


i78i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


41$ 


TO   GEORGE    PLATER,    PRESIDENT  OP  THE   SENATE,    AND 

THOMAS  COCKEY    DEV,  SPEAKER  OF  THE   HOUSE 

OF  DELEGATES,  OF    MARYLAND. 

Anhapolis,  33  November,  17S1, 

Gentlemen  : 

I  ver)'  sensibly  feel  the  honor,  which  has  this  (la]r  been  con- 
ferred upon  me  by  the  vote  of  thanks  of  so  respectable  z  body, 
as  that  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Ststc  of  Maryland.  The 
regard,  which  they  have  been  pinsed  to  express  for  mc  person- 
ally, the  delicate  manner  in  which  they  have  recalled  10  view 
those  distant  events,  which  in  some  degree  led  to  our  present 
happy  situation,  and  the  general  approbation,  which  they  have 
generously  bestowed,  upon  the  whole  of  my  conduct,  must  ever 
secure  to  them  my  warmest  esteem,  and  must  at  the  same  time 
operate  as  fresh  incentives  to  merit  (heir  future  good  opinion. 

It  is  with  the  highest  degree  of  pleasure  1  observe,  that  a 
proper  allowance  has  been  made  for  the  capital  share,  which  the 
land  and  sea  forces  of  our  great  and  good  ally  had  in  the  reduc- 
tion of  the  common  enemy  at  York  in  Virginia.  I  should  deem 
myself  unpardonable,  were  I  not  upon  every  occasion,  more 
especially  upon  such  a  one  as  the  present,  lo  declare,  that  to  the 
sound  counsels  and  vigorous  exertions  of  their  E^tccllencies 
Count  dc  Rochambcau  and  Count  de  Grassc  much,  very  much, 
was  owing. 

While  I  agree  in  sentiment  with  the  honorable  bodies  over 
which  you  preside,  that  we  may  entertain  a  rational  ground  of 
belief,  that,  under  the  favor  of  Divine  Providence,  the  freedom, 
independence,  and  happiness  of  America  will  shortly  be  estab- 
lished upon  the  surest  found.ition,  I  think  it  a  duty  incumbent 
upon  mc  10  observe,  that  those  most  desirable  objects  arc  not  to 
be  fully  attained  but  by  a  continuance  of  those  exertions,  which 
have  already  so  greatly  humbled  tlie  power  of  our  inveterate 
enemies.  Relaxation  upon  our  part  will  give  them  time  to  recol- 
lect and  recover  themselves  :reas  a  vigorous  prosecution  of 
the  war  must  inevitably  cr  remaining  force  in  these 
States,  or  put  Ihcm  to  thi  of  entirely  witlidrawing 
tbemselvm 


416 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


I  cannot  conclude  without  cxpreuing  my  wannest  wishes  for 
the  prosperity  of  a  State,  which  has  ever  stood  among  the  fore- 
mosl  in  her  £U[>port  of  the  common  cause.  I  contest  myself 
under  particular  obligations  for  the  ready  attention,  which  I 
have  ever  experienced  to  those  requisitions,  which,  in  the  course 
of  my  duty,  I  have  occasionally  been  under  the  necessity  of  malt- 
ing.    I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.' 


TO  GOVERNOR  TRUMBULL. 

PuiLADKLPHU,  sS  Nov«nber,  1781. 

Dear  Sir, 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  your  favor  of  the 
6th  instant,  and  to  thank  your  Excellency  with  great 
sincerity  for  the  very  cordial  and  affectionate  congrat- 
ulations, which  you  are  pleased  to  express  on  our  late 
success  in  Virginia. 

I  most  earnestly  hope,  that  this  event  may  be  pro- 
ductive of  the  happy  consequences  you  mention  ; 
and  I  think  that  its  good  effects  cannot  fail  to  be  very 
extensive,  unless,  from  a  mistaken  idea  of  the  magni- 
tude of  this  success,  unhappily  a  spirit  of  remissness 
should  seize  the  minds  of  the  States,  and  they  should 

'  Centra]  WuhmEl°n  arrived  in  Phllidclphli  on  (he  17th  o(  November,  and 
the  ncxi  day  be  ailended  Cungrra,  being  inltoducod  inlo  ihe  hnll  br  iwo  mcm- 
Ixra.     He  was  addieiied  by  the  president  ai  followi. 

"  Sir  -.  Congreu,  •!  all  timet  happy  la  Mvlng  your  Exeellency,  feel  p^nien- 
l«  pl«anii«  In  your  pretence  at  thii  lime,  after  the  Rlorioiu  tucccMof  thi 
■Itied  ■nn*  in  VirpDia.  It  is  thdr  fixed  purpoic  to  draw  every  advantage 
from  it.  by  exhorlinK  the  Slates  in  the  ilrongctl  terma  to  the  moil  vlgoroai  ami 
Umely  excillonii.  A  committr*  hat  Bccordin^ly  been  appointed  l«  it*l*  ib» 
re^uiiitioM  necciiary  to  be  made  for  the  establish  men  i  of  Ihe  umy,  and  they 
ate  InMincled  to  confer  with  you  upon  that  huhject.  It  it,  therefore,  the 
cipeclalion  of  Congren,  thai  your  Eiceilcncy  woald  remain  for  Mme  time  t& 
rhiUdelphia,  Ihu  they  may  avail  tbemtelvei  of  yoat  aid  in  tUs  imponant 


ijSil 


GEORGE  WASHINGTOIf. 


4«7 


set  themselves  down  in  quiet  with  a  delusive  hope 
of  the  contest  being  brought  to  a  close.  I  hope 
this  may  not  be  the  case.  To  prevent  so  great  an 
evil  shall  be  my  study  and  endeavor ;  and  I  cannot 
but  flatter  myself,  that  the  States,  rather  than  relax 
in  their  exertions,  will  be  stimulated  to  the  most 
vigorous  preparations  for  another  active,  glorious, 
and  decisive  campaign,  which,  if  properly  prosecuted 
will.  I  trust,  under  the  smiles  of  Heaven,  lead  us  to 
the  end  of  this  long  and  tedious  war,  and  set  us  down 
in  the  full  security  of  the  great  object  of  our  toils, 
the  establishment  of  peace,  liberty,  and  indepen- 
dence. 

Whatever  may  be  the  policy  of  European  courts 
during  this  winter,  their  negotiation  will  prove  too 
precarious  a  dependence  for  us  to  trust  to.  Our 
wisdom  should  dictate  a  serious  preparation  for  war, 
and  in  that  state  we  shall  find  ourselves  in  a  situation 
secure  against  every  event     *    *    * 


buQD»t,  and  thot  yau  ma;  enjoy  ft  Ktpite  from  the  fotigUM  tA  ««r,  u  fu  h 
it  contiiiiciil  wilh  Ihe  iicrvice." 

To  lliia  ftddicsi  GsncnJ  Waihington  replicil : 

"  Hr.  Preridcnl :  1  feci  Tciy  tcnubly  the  tavotnble  dedfttnlitm  of  CongTMS 
eiprcuwd  by  your  Excellency.  Thi*  (r«ih  proof  of  ihitr  »|iprob»tion  onnol 
fall  of  making  >  deep  impresiion  upon  me  :  and  my  ttudy  shill  be  lo  deterr* 
■  coniinimncc  of  it.  It  U  with  pcculjai  pleunre  I  beat,  tbai  it  ii  Ihe  lixcd 
purpoM  of  Congress  to  cihori  the  !iuic»  lo  (he  mokt  vigotouH  and  timely  cier- 
tiont.  A  oompliancc  on  their  pari  will,  I  peisoade  myielf,  be  producttte  of 
the  moil  happy  conicquencet.  I  ihall  yield  a  ready  obedience  to  ihe  cipecta- 
tion  of  CongreM,  and  give  every  aKiislaiice  in  my  power  to  llicir  c:»niniiuec. 
I  ani  obliged  by  the  goodneu  of  Congress  in  miking  my  penoiial  case 
and  convenience  a  part  of  their  concern.  Should  the  lervicc  require  mjf 
allendance  with  the  army  upon  ibc  North  Kivor.  or  elacwhrrc,  I  ahall 
icpaix  lo  whatever  place  my  duly  calls,  with  the  sninc  [>lcatut«  that  I  mnoin 
in  tbit  city." 
a? 


4'8 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


ti;8i 


TO  JAMES  McHENRV. 


Dear  Sir, 
1  havt 


Philaduphia.  II  Dec«nbcM7Si. 


favor  of  ihe 


inclosi 


/e  received  your  _  _ 

your  Resignation  which  I  have  delivered  in  to  the 
Secy,  at  War.  I  am  convinced  your  transition  from 
the  Military  to  the  Civil  Line  will  be  attended  with 
good  consequences,  as  you  will  be  able  to  communi- 
cate that  kind  of  information  to  the  Body  of  which 
you  are  now  a  member,  which  they  often  stand  in 
need  of  in  times  like  the  present — and  as  you  seem 
of  opinion  that  my  sentiments  on  public  affairs  will 
give  weight  to  your  endeavors,  I  with  great  pleasure 
open  a  correspondence  on  that  subject. 

You  know  it  is  an  old  and  true  Maxim  that  to  make 
a  good  peace,  you  ought  to  be  well  prepared  to  carry 
on  the  War.  This,  the  sentiment  of  our  Ally,  is  not 
only  strongly  pressed  upon  Congress  by  his  Minister 
here,  but  by  the  Gentlemen  at  the  heads  of  our  three 
great  departments — Finance,  Foreign  Affairs  and 
War.  My  stay  in  Town  is  merely  to  assist  in  and 
forward  the  several  arrangements  which  are  upon  the 
carpet,  and  I  believe  you  are  sufficiently  acquainted 
with  me  to  suppose  that  1  do  not  fail  to  ui^e  vigorous 
measures.  I  am  happy  in  finding  no  want  of  dispo- 
sition in  Congress  to  adopt  the  measures  recom- 
mended by  their  Committees  and  their  executive 
officers — The  requisitions  which  they  have  made  and 
which  they  will  shortly  make  upon  the  States  will 
evince  this — It  will  afterwards  lay  with  the  States  to 
determine  whether  we  are,  early  in  the  next  Cam- 


i78i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


4'9 


paign,  to  take  advantage  of  what  we  have  gained  this, 
or  whether  we  are  as  usual  to  suffer  the  enemy  to  bring 
their  reinforcements  from  Europe  before  we  draw 
ours  from  the  neighborhood  of  the  army  as  it  were. 

1  need  not  say  more  to  you  at  this  time — indeed  I 
hope  you  wil!  have  no  occasion  to  make  use  of  the 
hints  I  have  given — For  I  have  the  highest  opinion 
of  the  good  will  and  Vigor  of  your  Legislature. 

1  am  &c. 


TO    MAJOR-GENERAL    GREENE. 

Mv  Dear  Sir,  phii.*i.«i.phia.  is  D««.b«.  mi. 

I  have  successively  received  your  favors  of  the  30th 
of  October  and  2d  and  21st  of  November. 

I  thank  you  for  your  kind  congratulations  on  an 
event,  which  is  certainly  most  important,  considered 
in  a  public  view,  and  which  adds  to  my  personal 
satisfaction,  by  finding  that  it  in  some  degree  relieves 
you  from  that  load  of  difficulty  and  distress,  with 
which  you  had  .so  long  been  contending.  The  evacu- 
ation of  the  State  of  North  Carolina  is  another  very 
fortunate  circumstance.' 

I  presented  your  recommendation  of  Colonel  Wil- 
liams to  Congress,  backed  by  my  own  ;  the  expediency 
of  filling  up  the  vacant  brigadierships  is  among  other 
matters  now  under  consideration  ;  and,  if  thought 
proper  at  this  time,  there  is  no  doubt  of  Colonel 
Williams  being  promoted.* 

'  The  Brilith  had  recenlly  rcliicd  from  Wilminpon, 

'  As  General  Smaltwciod  hod  been  promoled  to  Ihe  rank  of  mijor.^cnenl, 
Colniicl  Otho  H.  Williaiim  w>!i  r«conincnd«d  lijr  Ctnoral  Urecnc  to  roppljr  hit 
pUce  u  biisodin  in  the  Maryland  line. 


430 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


(1781 


I  hope  General  St.  Ciair  has  before  or  by  this  time 
joined  you.  The  enemy  have  sent  no  reinforcement 
from  New  York  to  Charleston,  nor  do  I  learn  that 
any  preparations  are  making  for  such  a  measure.  If 
it  should  be  the  opinion,  that  the  British  force  in 
South  Carolina  is  adequate  to  the  maintenance  of 
Charleston,  I  should  not  be  surprised,  if  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  was  to  content  himself  with  acting  upon  the 
defensive  in  that  quarter,  at  least  until  the  pleasure 
of  the  ministr)'  can  be  known  ;  because  an  additional 
force,  sufficient  to  regain  and  make  establishments  in 
the  country,  is  more  than  can  well  be  spared  from 
New  York.  I  am  informed,  the  English  prints  of  a 
late  date  speak  of  a  reinforcement  preparing  from 
thence  for  Carolina  and  Florida ;  and  I  think  it  not  at 
all  improbable,  for  I  fancy  Lord  Cornwallis's  private 
despatches,  after  the  battle  of  Guilford,  painted  his 
affairs  in  no  very  favorable  light. 

1  am  apprehensive  that  the  States,  elated  by  the 
late  success,  and  taking  it  for  granted  that  Great 
Britain  will  no  longer  support  so  losing  a  contest, 
will  relax  in  their  preparations  for  the  next  campaign. 
I  am  detained  here  by  Congress  to  assist  in  the 
arrangements  for  the  next  year;  and  I  shall  not  fail, 
in  conjunction  with  the  financier,  minister  for  foreign 
affairs,  and  secretary  of  war,  who  are  all  most  heartily 
well  disposed,  to  impress  upon  Congress,  and  get 
them  to  impress  upon  the  respective  States,  the 
necessity  of  the  most  vigorous  exertions.  I  am 
sorry  that  Major  Hyrne's  indisposition  has  prevented 
the  transmission  of  the  lists  of  prisoners,  as  the  Com- 


I78i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


411 


missary  General  who  is  now  at  Elizabethtown  nego* 
tiating  an  exchange  may  find  himself  at  a  loss  for 
want  of  them.  He  is  proceeding  upon  a  return  which 
Genl.  Moultrie  furnished  and  which  I  believe  was 
taken  from  Major  Hyrne's  books.  Should  it  appear 
that  any  characters  have  been  omitted,  it  can  easily  be 
rectified  as  wc  shall  have  a  considerable  balance  of 
officers  remaining  in  our  hands. 

I  really  know  not  what  to  say  on  the  subject  of  re- 
taliation. Congress  have  it  under  consideration,  and 
we  must  await  their  determination.  Of  this  I  am 
convinced,  that  of  all  laws  it  is  the  most  difficult  to 
execute,  where  you  have  not  the  transgressor  himself 
in  your  possession.  Humanity  will  ever  interfere 
and  plead  strongly  against  the  sacrifice  of  an  inno- 
cent person  for  the  guilt  of  another ;  and.  as  to  de- 
struction of  property  within  the  enemy's  lines,  it  is  in 
fact  destroying  our  own.  It  will  be  to  the  eternal 
disgrace  of  the  nation,  which  drives  us  to  the  dis- 
agreeable necessity  of  thinking  of  means  to  curb 
their  barbarity.'  I  am  with  the  warmest  sentiments 
of  esteem,  &c. 


TO  THE    PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

PiiiuADn.PHiA,  aj  Detembot.  ij8i. 

Sir. 

I  have  been  honored  with  the  resolve  of  the  zoth 
instant,  directing  me  to  make  inquiry  into  the  powers 
and  conduct  of  the  Board  of  Directors  to  the  Asso- 

'  On  (hcie  (Dpla  Ccnenl  Greene  had  written  :  "  Before  an  exchange  i*  son* 
fully  into   I  with  lumcthing  dwiaiva  may  bo  done  rupcctfng  Colonel  Hayna. 


4)2 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


ciated  Loyalists  in  New  York.'  I  shall  pursue  such 
steps  Eis  will  be  most  likely  to  promote  the  ends 
which  Congress  have  in  view. 

I  have  taken  the  liberty  of  enclosing  the  copies  of 
two  letters  of  the  23d  and  24th  instant  from  the  com- 
missary-general of  prisoners,  setting  forth  the  debt, 
which  is  due  from  us  on  account  of  naval  prisoners, 
the  number  remaining  in  captivity,  their  miserable 
situation,  and  the  little  probability  there  is  of  pro- 
curing their  release  for  want  of  proper  subjects  in  our 
hands. 

Before  we  proceed  to  an  inquiry  into  the  measures, 
which  ought  to  be  adopted  to  enable  us  to  pay  off  our 
debt,  and  to  effect  the  exchange  of  those,  who  still 
remain  in  captivity,  a  matter  which  it  may  take  up 
some  time  to  determine,  humanity  and  policy  point 
out  the  necessity  of  administering  to  the  pressing 
wants  of  a  number  of  the  most  valuable  subjects  of 
the  republic     Had  they  been  taken  in  Continental 


Ak  Tcoliatlan  neccuanly  involi>e«lhe  whale  Cant! nmt,  1  nlth  -jtaa  Kirrllrncy's 
oitlei  niiit  the  onlcr  ul  CongTCi>i  (hrraou.  Tlic  tallci  hitc  lignilinl  th«ir 
approbation  of  the  muiurci  1  look.  Hut.  u  reiaUBtion  did  noi  lake  pbcc  im- 
medialelj.  nor  did  1  think  myiclf  >I  libctiy  to  act  on  a  tnalter  uj  luch  m^at- 
tudc  bill  [Mill  (he  niuvl  prrmini;  ticcciMiy.  anil  .11  iho  cncmjr  di'l  not  repeat  ike 
offence,  I  have  been  at  a  lou  hoir  to  act  vith  lapcct  to  tbe  original  one,  aot 
having  an]r  olficei  of  cqasl  rank  with  Colonel  Hayne  in  my  poMMtion.  I  am 
i«uly  to  CMCulv  whtlrver  may  be  llioughl  a'.lvUablp.  It  would  be  happy  for 
America,  if  mmithinE  could  be  done  to  put  a  »lop  to  the  pracliM  of  burning. 
both  In  the  nonhern  Slalei  and  here  alK> ;  anil,  to  prevent  It  licie,  1  wrote  to 
U>c  enemy  >  Idler  on  the  tubjovt,  a  cupy  <A  which  i  encloie;  and  if  they 
do  not  deiisi,  1  will  put  the  wm  on  the  footing  I  mention.'  —'SfS.  Lrtl^,  No- 
vember 3tal. 

'  11ii«  board  wRii  esublikhed  (o  guperintend  the  affairs  of  the  Refusee*, 
or  Lo}ralisu.  William  Franklin,  iomerl;  govenior  ot  New  Jcrwy,  wat  iln 
proideni. 


i78i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


4»3 


service,  I  should  have  thought  myself  authorized,  in 
conjunction  with  the  minister  of  war.  to  have  applied 
a  remedy  ;  but  as  the  greater  part  of  them  were  not 
thus  taken,  as  appears  by  Mr.  Skinner's  representa- 
tion, I  must  await  the  decision  of  Congress  upon  the 
subject.  Had  a  system,  some  time  past  planned  by 
Congress  and  recommended  to  the  several  States, 
been  adopted  and  carried  fully  into  execution,  I 
mean  that  of  obliging  all  captains  of  private  vessels 
to  deliver  over  their  prisoners  to  the  Continental 
commissaries  upon  certain  conditions,  I  am  per- 
suaded that  the  numbers  taken  and  brought  into 
the  many  ports  of  the  United  States  would  have 
amounted  to  a  sufficiency  to  have  exchanged  those 
taken  from  us;  but,  instead  of  that,  it  is  to  be  feared, 
that  few  in  proportion  are  secured,  and  that  the  few, 
which  are  sent  in,  are  so  partially  applied,  that  it 
creates  great  disgust  in  those  remaining.  The  con- 
sequence of  which  is,  that,  conceiving  themselves 
neglected  and  seeing  no  prospect  of  relief,  many  of 
them  enter  into  the  enemy's  service,  to  the  very 
great  injury  of  our  trading  interest  Congress  will, 
therefore,  I  hope,  see  the  necessity  of  renewing  their 
former  or  making  some  similar  recommendation  to 
tile  States. 

In  addition  to  the  motives  above  mentioned,  for 
wishing  that  the  whole  business  of  prisoners  of  war 
might  be  brought  under  one  general  regulation,  is 
another  of  no  small  consideration,  which  is,  that  it 
would  probably  put  a  stop  to  those  mutual  complaints 
of  ill  treatment,  which  are  frequently  urged  on  either 


4 '4 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


['78= 


part.  For  it  is  a  fact,  that,  for  about  two  years,  we 
have  had  no  reason  to  complain  of  the  treatment  of 
the  Continental  land  prisoners  in  New  York,  neither 
have  we  been  charged  with  any  improper  conduct 
towards  those  in  our  hands.  I  consider  the  sufferings 
of  tlie  seamen  for  some  time  past,  as  arising  in  a  great 
measure  from  the  want  of  that  general  regulation, 
which  has  been  spoken  of,  and  without  which  there 
will  constantly  be  a  great  number  remaining  in  the 
hands  of  the  enemy.     I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.' 


TO  THOMAS  CHITTBNDEN,    VERMONT.* 

pHtiJiD&LPHiA,  I  Juiuity,  1783. 

Sir, 

I  received  your  favor  of  the  14th  of  November,  by 
Mr.  Brownson.  You  cannot  be  at  a  loss  to  know 
why  1  have  not  heretofore,  and  why  I  cannot  now,  ad- 
dress you  in  your  public  character,  or  answer  you  in 
mine  ;  but  the  confidence,  which  you  have  been 
pleased  to  repose  in  me.  gives  me  an  opportunity  of 
offering  you  my  sentiments,  as  an  individual  wishing 
most  ardently  to  see  the  peace  and  union  of  his  coun- 
try preserved,  and  the  just  rights  of  the  people  of 
every  part  of  it  fully  and  firmly  cstabhshed. 

It  is  not  my  business,  neither  do  I  think  it  neces- 
sary now,  to  discuss  the  origin  of  the  right  of  a  num- 
ber of  inhabitants  to  that  tract  of  country,  formerly 

'  Read  in  CooEms,  Decembot  aStb.  Reterr«d  lo  Clymer,  Cniroll.  and  Law, 
*  Ur.  Chlllenilen  had  been  choicii  Cnvernor  of  Vermont  !>}'  the  (leople  of  titkt 
Iwritory,  in  Kcbrunry,  1778,  and  be  acted  as  lach  daring  (lie  Rovululion. 


I78i] 


GEORGE  WASfl/iVGTON. 


4»5 


distinguished  by  the  name  of  the  New  Hampshire 
Grants,  and  now  known  by  that  of  Vermont.  I  will 
take  it  for  granted,  that  their  right  was  good,  because 
Congress  by  their  resolve  of  the  7th  of  August  imply 
it,  and  by  that  of  the  21st  are  willing  fully  to  confirm 
it.  provided  the  new  State  is  confined  to  certain  de- 
scribed bounds.  It  appears  therefore  to  me,  that  the 
dispute  of  boundarj*  is  the  only  one  which  exists,  and 
that,  this  being  removed,  alt  further  difficulties  would 
be  removed  also,  and  the  matter  terminated  to  the 
satisfaction  of  all  parties.  Now,  I  would  ask  you 
candidly  whether  the  claim  of  the  people  of  Vermont 
was  not  for  a  long  time  confined  solely,  or  very 
nearly,  to  that  tract  of  country  which  is  described  in 
the  resolve  of  Congress  of  the  21st  of  August  last, 
and  whether,  agreeably  to  the  tenor  of  your  own  let- 
ter to  me,  the  late  extension  of  your  claim  upon  New 
Hampshire  and  New  York  was  not  more  of  a  politi- 
cal manoeuvre,  than  one  in  which  you  conceived  your- 
selves justifiable.  If  my  first  question  be  answered 
in  the  affirmative,  it  certainly  bars  your  new  claim  ; 
and,  if  my  second  be  well  founded,  your  end  is  an- 
swered and  you  have  nothing  lodo  but  withdraw  your 
jurisdiction  to  your  old  limits,  and  obtain  an  acknowl- 
edgment of  independence  and  sovereignty,  under  the 
resolve  of  the  21st  of  August,  for  so  much  territory 
as  does  not  interfere  with  the  ancient  established 
bounds  of  New  York.  New  Hampshire,  and  Massachu- 
setts. I  persuade  myself  you  will  see  and  acquiesce 
in  the  reason,  the  justice,  and  indeed  the  necessity 
of  such  a  decision. 


426 


THE  WJilT/.VGS  OF 


[178a 


You  must  consider.  Sir.  that  the  point  now  In  dis- 
pute is  of  the  utmost  political  importance  to  the 
future  union  and  peace  of  this  great  country.  The 
State  of  V'ermont,  if  acknowledged,  will  be  the  first 
new  one  admitti,-d  into  the  confederacy,  and,  if  suf- 
fered to  encroach  upon  the  ancient  established  boun- 
daries of  the  adjacent  ones,  will  serve  as  a  precedent 
for  others,  which  it  may  hereafter  be  expedient  to  set 
ofi",  to  make  the  same  imjustifiable  demands.  Thus, 
in  my  private  opinion,  while  it  behoves  the  delegates 
of  the  States  now  confederated  to  do  ample  justice 
to  a  body  of  people  sufficiently  respectable  by  their 
numbers,  and  entitled  by  other  claims  to  be  admitted 
into  that  confederation,  it  becomes  them  also  to  at- 
tend to  the  interests  of  their  constituents,  and  see, 
that,  under  the  appearance  of  justice  to  one,  they  do 
not  materially  injure  the  rights  of  others.  I  am  apt 
to  think  this  is  the  prevailing  opinion  of  Congress, 
and  that  your  late  extension  of  claim  has,  upon  the 
principles  I  have  above  mentioned,  rather  dimin- 
ished than  increased  the  number  of  your  friends,  and 
thatj  if  such  extension  should  be  persisted  in,  it  will 
be  made  a  common  cause,  and  not  considered  as 
only  affecting  the  rights  of  the  States  immediately 
interested  in  the  loss  of  territor}',  a  toss  of  too 
serious  a  nature  not  to  claim  the  attention  of  any 
people. 

There  is  no  calamity  within  the  compass  of  my 
foresight,  which  is  more  to  be  dreaded,  than  a  neces- 
sity of  coercion  on  the  part  of  Congress ;  and  conse- 
quently every  endeavor  should  be  used  to  prevent  the 


1782] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


427 


execution  of  so  disagreeable  a  measure.  It  must  in- 
volve the  ruin  of  that  State  against  which  the  resent- 
ment of  the  others  is  pointed. 

I  will  only  add  a  few  words  upon  the  subject  of 
the  negotiations,  which  have  been  carried  on  between 
you  and  the  enemy  in  Canada  and  in  New  York.  I 
will  take  it  for  granted,  as  you  assert  it,  that  they 
were  so  far  innocent,  that  there  never  was  any  serious 
intention  of  joining  Great  Britain  in  their  attempts 
to  subjugate  your  country  ;  but  it  has  had  this  certain 
bad  tendency  ;  it  has  served  to  give  some  ground  to 
that  delusive  opinion  of  the  enemy,  upon  which  they 
in  a  great  measure  found  their  hopes  of  success,  that 
they  have  numerous  friends  among  us,  who  only  want 
a  proper  opportunity  to  show  themselves  openly,  and 
that  internal  disputes  and  feuds  will  soon  break  us  in 
pieces ;  at  the  same  time  the  seeds  of  distrust  and 
jealousy  are  scattered  among  ourselves  by  a  conduct 
of  this  kind.  If  you  are  sincere  in  your  professions, 
these  will  be  additional  motives  for  accepting  the 
terms,  which  have  been  offered,  and  which  appear  to 
me  equitable,  and  thereby  convincing  the  common 
enemy,  that   all  their  expectations  of  disunion  are 

'  "  I  wu  induMd  10  lake  the  matin  ttp  juti  now  {toin  an  apprehemjon  that 
(hjii|[i  ml);h(  be  carried  10  eiltcmet,  and  from  harin|>  received  Intrty  >  very  con- 
fid«ii(i*l  kllor  (rom  litm.  in  wliii:li  he  ditcloici  all  their  pulilical  cnamituvm. 
which  h«  protctti  have  been  in  tcalily  mnooent  and  only  nrnnl  to  alarm  (be 
Mhcrttalei.  ThU  teller  I  have  theuin  10  >.  numhcr  al  my  (ri<nil»,  nirmticn  of 
Congrtkn  •nd  olhcn.  and  they  Iiave  odtiied  me  lo  irrite  to  Mr.  Chilienden,  in 
my  printc  character,  givr  him  my  opinion  of  (he  anjuiiifialileneai  nf  Ihc  extcn- 
tiOQ  of  ihcir  claim,  and  idvite  him  to  accept  th«  teniiH  iifferrd  hy  Ihc  rMolve 
o(  the  3It1  of  latt  Auguil.  'I'his  I  hare  done  (ulty  and  forcibly,  and  pcrhapt 
i(  may  hav«  lomc  eSect  upon  Mr.  Chidcnden  and  the  leader*  in  Vermont." — 
Waihingtvn  ta  Mapr-Grntrai  Sckuylrr,  8  January.  ijSa. 


4»8 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[178a 


vain,  and  that  they  have  been  worsted  in  the  use  of 
their  own  weapon, — deception.' 

As  you  unbosomed  yourself  to  mc,  I  thought  I  had 
the  greater  right  of  speaking  my  sentiments  openly 
and  candidly  to  you.  I  have  done  so ;  and  if  they 
should  produce  the  effects,  which  I  most  sincerely 
wish,  that  of  an  honorable  and  amicable  adjustment 
of  a  matter,  which,  if  carried  to  hostile  lengths,  may 
destroy  the  future  liappiness  of  my  country.  I  shall 
have  attained  my  end,  while  the  enemy  will  be  de- 
feated in  theirs.  Believe  me  to  be,  with  great  respect, 
Sir.  &c.' 


TO  THE   MARQUIS   DE  LAFAYETTE,    AT   PARIS. 

PHIUDELPHIit.  4  ]al>««r]r.  I7S3. 

Mv  Dear  Marqs., 

I  cannot  suffer  Colonel  Gimat  to  leave  this  city  for 
France  without  a  remembrance  from  me  to  you.  I 
have  remained  at  this  place  ever  since  you  left  it,  and 
am  happy  in  having  discovered  the  best  disposition 
imaginable  in  Congress  to   prepare  vigorously  for 

■  "  I  im  in  poucuion  of  1  dol  of  intelligence  rimlUc  to  tbit  fumithed  b]> 
Capt.  E(l)(»r.  an<l  am  At  «  lonk  lo  Lilow  wlicllitr  the  VrrinoiUr>c  are  playln);  x 
merely  potiiktl  or  a  guilty  game,  t  have  msoti  to  think  ihv  (orrocr.  1  ain 
now  endeavoring  lo  gel  all  our  piisonen  in  Canada  CKclian|[cd,  and  if  any  of 
thBm.  ■(tcrlticrait  rcle«Mi1,  «>n  lliiow  li^lit  upon  •  number  ai  Inmtaeiioiia, 
whtcb  1  confeu  are  myiterioui.  the]'  will  be  made  use  o(  for  that  purpoM." — 
IV^kintt^n  lo  Major-Gfatral  Ilmtk.  15  December,  1781. 

'  "  Every  iiiforinatlon  tciiillnj;  to  ]>rovc.  that  the  aflair*  mpeciing  the  Granu 
may  be  ipeodily  and  happily  accommodalvd,  givca  mv  lini^lac  utialaciion.  I 
will  flatter  myiclf.  that  both  the  attide*  of  inlelltKeoce  you  haT«  reoeiTed  are 
arcil  )>iannd«d,  and  iliat  ti  will  be  the  unicmlitln|[  cllorl  of  every  one,  who  i* 
well  efie<(ed  lo  the  general  L'auie.  to  preveol  the  hotron  of  vitil  diKMil  in  any 
part  ol  the  United  State).     It  h«x  been  Itttimaicd.  thai  >one  of  the  enemy't 


I7M 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


439 


another  campaign.  They  have  ressolved  to  keep  up 
the  same  number  of  corps  as  constituted  the  army  of 
last  year,  and  have  urged  the  States  warmly  to  com- 
pleat  them.  Requisitions  of  money  are  also  made  ; 
but  how  far  the  abilities  and  inclinations  of  the  States 
individual  to  tax  heavily  to  coincide  with  the  views  of 
Congress,  is  more  than  I  am  able,  at  this  early  period. 
to  inform  you.  A  further  pecuniary  aid  from  your 
generous  nation,  and  a  decisive  naval  force  upon  this 
coast,  in  the  latter  end  of  May  or  beginning  of  June, 
unlimited  in  its  stay  and  operations,  would,  unless  the 
resources  of  Great  Britain  are  inexhaustible,  or  she 
can  form  powerful  alliances,  bid  fair  to  finish  the  war 
in  the  course  of  next  campaign,  with  the  Ruin  of  that 
People. 

The  first,  that  is  an  aid  of  money,  would  enable  our 
Financier  to  support  the  expenses  of  the  war  with 
ease  and  credit,  without  anticipating  or  deranging 
those  funds,  which  Congress  are  endeavoring  to 
establish,  and  which  will  be  productive,  though  they 
may  be  slow  in  the  establishment.  The  second,  a 
naval  superiority,  would  compel  the  enemy  to  draw 
their  whole  force  to  a  point,  which  would  not  only 
disgrace  their  arms  by  the  relinquishmt.  of  Posts  and 
the  States  which  they  affect  to  have  conquer'd,  but 
might  eventually  be  fatal  to  their  army ;  or,  by  at- 


shipping  and  trmed  vcise]*  have  been  detained  by  the  ice  in  Lake  ChnmpliiQ 
In  8uth  %  mnnner.  Iliai  ihfy  mi(;hl  bo  dritroycd  and  the  eannon  &c.  brought 
off.  If  the  fad  i*  m.  1  will  Ihank  yon  for  aa  early  and  expltcii  infonniiion  a« 
poisible,  Ihm  incabaKS  ma;'  be  token  accordingly.  The  (lettruction  of  Ihcoo 
vcHcU  would,  I  ihink,  greatly  iin|icde  any  fulufc  incimiont  from  that  q)}jfc. 
tw." — Washington  la  thUip  Sthnyltr.  Vf  January,  1781. 


450 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[i78« 


tempting  to  hold  these  posts,  might  be  cut  off  in 
detail ;  so  that,  in  either  case,  the  most  important 
good  consequences  would  result  from  the  measure. 

General  Lincoln  has  accepted  his  appointment  of 
sccretarj'  at  war.  Proper  plans  of  ceconomy  are 
adopting  in  every  department,  and  I  do  not  despair 
of  seeing  ere  long  our  affairs  under  much  better  man- 
agement than  they  have  been  ;  which  will  open  a  new 
field  productive,  it  is  to  be  hoped,  of  a  fruitful  harvest. 
As  you  will  have  received,  in  a  more  direct  channel 
than  from  hence,  the  news  of  the  surprise  and  recap- 
ture of  St.  Eustatia  by  the  arms  of  France,  I  shall 
only  congratulate  you  on  the  Event,  and  add,  that  it 
marks  in  a  striking  point  of  view  the  genius  of  the 
Marquis  de  Boullie  for  Enterprise,  and  for  in- 
trepidity and  resources  in  difficult  circumstances. 
His  conduct  upon  this  occasion  does  him  infinite 
honor. 

1  shall  be  impatient  to  hear  of  your  safe  arrival  in 
France,  and  to  receive  such  communications  as  you 
know  will  be  interesting  to  the  cause  we  espouse,  and 
in  which  we  are  actors.  Though  unknown  to  Madame 
Lafayette,  I  beg  you  to  present  me  to  her  as  one  of 
her  greatest  admirers.  Be  so  good  also  as  to  make  a 
tender  of  my  best  wishes  to  Duke  de  Lauzun.  and 
other  gentlemen  of  the  army  of  Count  de  Rocham- 
beau.  who  may  be  in  the  circle  of  your  friends,  and 
with  whom  I  have  the  honor  of  an  acquaintance. 
With  sentiments  of  purest  affection  and  most  perfect 
regard,  I  am,  my  dear  Marquis,  your  assured  friend, 


"7«»] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


43' 


P.  S. — yany.  %th.  Since  writing  the  foregoing,  I 
have  had  the  letter  and  resoivcs,  herewith  sent,  put 
into  my  hands  by  the  Delegates  of  Virginia  in  Con- 
gress. I  have  a  peculiar  pleasure  in  becoming  the 
channel  through  which  the  just  and  grateful  plaudits 
of  my  native  State  are  communicated  to  the  man  1 
love. 

By  advices  just  received  from  South  Carolina,  the 
Enemy  have  evacuated  all  their  Posts  in  that  State, 
and  have  concentred  their  whole  Force  in  Charles- 
town.  Wilmington  is  also  evacuated,  and  North 
Carolina  is  freed  from  its  encmys.  The  disaffected 
part  of  the  State  are  suing  for  mercy,  and  executing, 
it  is  said,  some  of  their  own  leaders  for  having  mis- 
guided them. 


TO  COLONEL  CHRISTIAN    FEBICER. 

Crn  [■HIUUKLntlA,  II  jAiiuary,  I73s. 

I  was  much  surprised,  on  receiving  a  letter  from 
Genl.  St.  Clair  dated  at  Taylor's  ferry  on  the  26th 
of  November,  to  find,  that  instead  of  being  joined  by 
a  detachment  of  the  Virginia  line,  he  had  received  a 
letter  from  you  inclosing  a  representation  from  the 
officers  assembled  at  Cumberland  Court,  amounting 
to  a  positive  refusal  to  march  except  certain  terms 
were  complied  with  by  the  State' — The  impropriety 
of  such  conduct,  to  give  it  no  harsher  name,  is  so 
glaring,  that  I  am  in  hopes  the  Gentlemen  will  upon 

'  This  nprcMiitilioiib  printed  in  (he  Cakndar  »f  Virpma  Siati  P^*rt,\\., 
609. 


43« 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[.78. 


cool  reflection  condemn  it  themselves — What  can 
they  expect  from  their  soldiers,  when  they  themselves 
strike  at  the  Root  of  Authority  and  discipline  ? 
That  they  have  reason  to  complain,  in  common  with 
their  Brethren,  of  the  hardship  they  have  endured, 
and  the  difficulties  they  labor  under  for  want  of  their 
pay,  I  am  ready  to  allow ;  but  they  are  mistaken  if 
they  think  they  are  the  only  stiflTerers.  There  are 
Corps  in  the  Army  belonging  to  no  particular  States, 
the  officers  and  men  of  which  have  derived  no  as- 
sistance from  any  quarter — Some  States  may  have 
done  more  than  others  for  their  Troops,  but  of  this 
I  am  confident,  that  all  are  yet  much  in  arrears  in 
fact,  as  the  principal  satisfaction  that  has  ticen  made, 
has  been  a  liquidation  of  accounts  and  Certificates 
granted  for  the  amount  due. 

There  is  one  reason  urged  in  the  representation 
which  I  am  sorry  to  sec  given  by  officers  and  those 
too  of  my  own  Country,  that  they  look  upon  our  In- 
dependence as  established,  and  that  therefore  their 
quitting  the  service  can  be  no  public  disadvantage. 
Do  they  think  the  remaining  force  of  the  enemy  is  to 
be  crushed  by  Words  or  Blows.  I  should  suppose  by 
the  former,  or  they  would  never  have  started  an  Idea 
not  only  ridiculous  but  of  dangerous  tendency. 

While  I  think  it  my  duty  severely  to  censure  the 
conduct  alluded  to,  I  think  I  am  bound  to  endeavor 
to  obtain  reasonable  redress.  I  have  for  that  purpose 
written  to  His  Excellency  the  Governor  and  have 
requested  him  to  use  every  exertion,  so  to  provide 
for  and  equip  the  detachment  which  is  ready,  that 


ijSa] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


433 


both  officers  and  men  may  be  enabled  to  go  upon 
service  with  some  tolerable  degree  of  comfort.  This 
I  hope  he  will  do — after  which  I  expect  and  insist, 
in  the  most  positive  manner,  that  the  detachment 
shall  march.  The  officers  must  and  do  ver>'  well 
know  that  it  is  not  in  the  power  of  the  State  to  pay 
them  up  in  good  money.  If  therefore  they  continue 
to  make  that  a  pica,  I  shall  take  it  for  granted  that 
disinclination  to  the  service  upon  which  they  are 
going  is  the  real  motive — I  shall  be  very  anxious  to 
hear  from  you  on  this  subject — for  you  must  suppose 
my  feelings  are  particularly  wounded  on  the  occasion. 
When  asked  whether  any  and  wliat  reinforcements 
have  marched  from  Virginia,  I  shall  blush  when  I  say 
none,  and  more  so  when  I  assign  the  cause.    I  am.  &c 


CIRCULAR  LETTER  TO  THE  STATES. 
fttiLAOiwiiiA,  33  J*au>fy,  ij8a. 

Sitt, 

Ahhough  it  may  be  somewhat  out  of  my  province,  to  addrcM 
your  Excellency  on  a  subject,  not  immediately  of  a  military 
nature,  yet,  1  consider  it  so  nearly  connected  with,  and  so  essen- 
tial to  the  operations  under  my  direction,  that  I  flatter  myself, 
my  interference  will  not  be  deemed  impertinent, 
(Upon  applying  to  the  superintendent  of  finance,  to  know  how 
I  might  depend  upon  him  (or  the  pay,  feeding,  and  clothing 
of  the  army,  for  the  current  year,  and  for  the  sums  necessary  to 
pnt  it  and  keep  it  in  motion,  he  very  candidly  laid  open  to  me 
the  state  of  our  moneyed  affairs,  and  convinced  me,  that  although 
the  assistances  wc  had  derived  from  abroad  were  considerable, 
yet  ihey  would  be  by  no  means  adequate  to  our  expenses.  He 
informed  me  further,  that  to  make  up  this  deficiency,  the  A' 
had  been  called  upon,  by  Congrews,  for  eight  miUions  of 


434 


THE  WRITilfGS  OF 


ri7«» 


for  ifac  service  of  the  year  1783,  and  aJieired  me  ibe  copj-  of  > 
circular  letter  froca  himself  to  the  Mrvenl  legttlatnro,  to  which 
be  had  so  (uUy  and  deatljr  pointed  OQt  Ihc  necessity  of  a  com- 
pliance iriih  the  re<itiitilions  that  it  is  needless  for  me  to  say  more 
on  thai  head  than  thai  I  entirely  concar  with  hint  in  opinion,  so 
far  as  be  has  gone  into  the  tnalter.  Bui  there  are  other  reasons 
which  could  not  be  so  well  known  to  him.  as  they  are  to  me,  as 
having  come  under  my  immediate  observation,  and  which,  there- 
fore, 1  shall  take  the  liberty  lo  mention. 

Yoar  excellency  cannot  but  remember  the  ferment  into  which 
Ihc  whole  army  was  thrown,  twelve  months  ago,  for  the  want  of 
pay  and  a  regular  supply  of  clothing  and  provisions,  and  with 
faow  much  difikculty  they  were  brought  into  temper,  by  a  partial 
supply  of  the  two  first,  and  a  promise  of  more  regular  supplies 
of  all  in  future.  Those  promises  the  soldiery  now  begin  to 
claim,  and  although  wc  shall  be  able  to  satisfy  them  tolerabljr  in 
respect  lo  clothing,  and  perfectly  in  re^^ard  to  provisions,  (if  the 
financier  is  enabled  to  comply  with  his  contracts,)  yet  there  is 
no  prospect  of  obtaining  pay  until  part  of  the  money  required 
of  the  slates  can  be  brought  into  the  treasury. 

You  cannot  conceive  the  uneasiness  which  arises  from  (he  total 
want  of  so  essential  an  article  as  money,  and  the  real  difhculties 
in  which  the  officers  in  particular,  are  involved  on  that  account 
The  favorable  aspect  of  our  affairs,  and  the  hopes  ihat  matters 
are  in  a  train  lo  aSord  them  relief  contribute  to  keep  them  quiet ; 
but  I  cannot  answer  for  the  ejects  of  a  disappointment. 

Enabling  the  financier  to  comply  with  his  contracts,  is  a  matter 
of  (he  utmost  consequence — the  very  existence  of  the  army  de- 
pends upon  it.  Should  he  fat)  in  his  payments,  the  contract 
ceases,  and  there  is  no  alternative  left,  but  to  disband,  or  liv« 
upon  the  seizure  of  the  neighboring  property.  The  saving  to 
the  public  by  feeding  an  army  by  contract  is  too  well  known  to 
need  any  illustration,  and  that  alone  ought  lo  be  sufficient  induce- 
ment to  the  states,  to  find  the  means  of  adhering  to  it. 

It  will,  perhaps,  be  urged  that  the  sum  called  for  is  immense, 
and  beyond  the  ability  of  the  country  to  pay.  There  is  one 
plain  answer  to  that  objection,  should  it  be  made — It  is,  that  if 
the  war  is  carried  on,  a  certain  expense  must  be  incurred,  and 
that  such  expense  must  be  drawn  from  the  people,  either  by  s 


i78a] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


435 


p&rtial,  cntcl,  sad  I  may  say  illegal  sciiurc  of  that  propcity  which 
lays  most  convenient  to  the  anoy,  or  by  a  regular  and  equitable 
tax  Id  money  or  specific  articles. 

Money,  if  it  can  be  procured,  is  to  be  preferred,  because  it  is 
neither  liable  to  vr.-uie,  nor  is  it  cKpensive  in  the  mode  of  collec- 
tion or  transportation.  Whereas,  I  think  I  may  venture  to  say 
that  a  great  proportion  of  the  specific  articles  have  been  wasted 
after  the  people  have  furnished  thero,  and  that  the  transportation 
alone,  of  whai  have  reached  the  army,  has,  in  numberless  ia- 
stances,  cost  more  than  the  vdue  ol  the  articles  ihera.ielves. 

To  bring  this  war  (o  a  speedy  and  happy  conclusion,  must  be 
the  fervent  wish  of  every  lover  of  his  country,  and  sure  t  am,  that 
BO  means  are  so  likely  to  effect  these,  as  vigorous  preparations 
for  another  campaign.  Whether  then  we  consult  our  true  inter- 
est, substantial  economy,  or  sound  policy,  we  shall  find,  that 
lelaxation  and  languor  are,  of  all  things,  to  be  avoided.  Con- 
duct of  that  kind,  on  our  pan,  will  produce  fresh  hopes  and  new 
exertions  on  that  of  the  enemy  ;  whereby  the  war  which  has 
already  held  beyond  the  general  expectation,  may  be  protracted 
to  such  a  Icngih,  that  the  people,  groaning  under  the  burthen  of 
it,  and  despairing  of  success,  may  think  any  change,  a  change  lo 
the  better. 

I  will  close  with  a  request,  that  your  Excellency  wilt  be  good 
enough  lo  take  the  first  opportunity  of  laying  these,  my  senti- 
ments, before  the  legislature  of  your  state.  I-'rom  the  attention 
they  have  ever  been  pleased  lo  pay  to  any  former  requisitions  or 
representations  of  mine,  I  am  encouraged  to  hope,  that  the 
present,  which  is  equally  important  with  any  I  have  ever  made, 
will  meet  with  a  favorable  reception 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  Excel* 
lency's  most  obedient  and  humble  BcrvanI, 


P.  S.  The  return  of  troops  called  for  by  resolve  of  the  loth  of 
December,  is  collecting,  and  will  be  forwarded  very  soon.  The 
remote  situation  of  some  of  the  corps  has  made  it  a  tedious  busi- 
ness, but  such  is  the  nature  of  it,  that  an  accurate  return  cannot 
be  digested  until  the  returns  of  all  the  legionary  corps  and  those 
of  anillery  arc  obtained,  that  credit  may  be  given  for  the  men 
serving  in  them. 


43* 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[178a 


CIRCULAR   LETTER   TO  STATES.' 

Jl  J«nn«r7.  178s. 

Sib.— 

I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  herewith  returns  of  the  Num- 
ber of  men  now  actually  in  service,  from  your  state,  in  order 
that  measures  may  be  adopted  for  coin)jletinf[  the  regiments  to 
the  ftill  establishment  agreeably  to  the  resolution  of  Congress  of 
the  lolh  of  December.  I  cannot  omit  so  favorable  an  opportunity 
of  expressing  to  you  my  sentiments  on  this  subject,  and  of  en> 
trcatinR  in  the  roost  earnest  manner,  that  there  may  be  a  speedy, 
pointed,  and  ellectual  compliance  with  those  requisitions. 

It  will,  I  flatter  myself,  be  unnecessary  to  recapitulate  all  the 
arguments  I  made  use  of.  in  the  circular  letter  I  had  (he  honor 
to  address  to  the  several  states,  at  the  close  of  the  campaign  of 
1780,  in  which,  it  must  be  remembered,  I  took  the  liberty  to 
urge,  from  the  knowledge  I  had  of  our  alfairs,  and  a  scries  of  ex- 
perience, the  policy,  the  expediency,  the  necessity  of  recruiting 
the  army  as  the  only  probable  means  of  bringing  Ihe  war  to  a 
speedy  and  happy  conclusion  ; — if  these  arguments  had  any  in- 
fluence at  that  time — if  the  consequent  exertions  were  crowned 
with  any  success — if  the  present  crisis  exhibits  new  and  more 
forcible  inducements  for  still  greater  elTorts ;  let  me  point  you 
and  your  legislature  to  these  considerations,  and  especially  let 
me  recommend,  in  the  warmest  terms,  that  all  the  fruits  of  the 
successes,  which  have  been  obtained  the  last  campaign,  may 
not  be  thrown  away  by  an  inglorious  winter  of  languor  and 
inactivity. 

However,  at  this  advanced  stage  of  the  war,  it  might  seem  to  be  an 
insult  upon  Ihe  understanding  to  suppose  a  long  train  of  reasoning 
necessary  to  prove  that  a  respectable  force  in  the  field  is  essential 
to  the  establishment  of  our  liberties  and  indcpcndcDce  ;  yet.  as  I 
am  apprehensive,  the  prosperous  issue  of  the  combined  operation 
in  Virginia,  may  have  (as  is  too  common  in  such  cases)  the  per- 
nicious tendency  of  lulling  the  country  into  a  lethargy  of  inac* 
tivity  and  security  :  and  as  I  feel  my  own  reputation,  as  well  ai 

■  New  Himpifaiic,  CoanccUcul.  MutMboMItt,  Rhode  Uland,  New  Vorll^ 
and  New  Jertey. 


the  interest,  the  honor,  the  glory,  and  the  happiness  of  my 
country,  mlitnately  concerned  in  the  event,  I  will  ask  the  iodtil- 
gcnce  to  s{)calc  the  more  freely  on  those  accounts,  and  to  make 
some  of  those  obsetvalions,  which  the  present  moment  seems  to 
suggest ; — that  the  broken  and  perplexed  state  of  the  enemy's 
affairs,  and  the  successes  of  the  last  campaign,  on  our  part, 
ought  to  he  a  powerful  incitement  to  vigorous  preparations  for 
the  next — that,  unte5«  we  strenuously  exert  ourselves  to  profit  by 
these  successes,  we  shall  not  only  to:te  all  the  solid  advantages 
that  might  be  derived  from  them,  b^t  we  shall  become  con- 
temptible in  our  own  eyes,  in  the  eyes  of  our  enemy,  in  the 
opinion  of  posterity,  and  even  ia  the  estiraatioD  of  the  whole 
world,  which  will  consider  us  as  a  nation  unworthy  of  prosperity, 
because  we  know  not  how  to  make  a  right  use  of  it — that,  although 
we  cannot,  by  the  best  concerted  plans  absolutely  command 
success ;  although  the  race  is  not  always  to  the  swift,  or  the  battle 
to  the  strong,  yet  without  presumptuously  wailing  for  miracles  to 
be  wrought  io  our  favor,  it  is  our  indispensable  dutj-,  with  the 
deepest  gratitude  to  Heaven  for  the  past,  and  humble  confidence 
in  it^  smiles  on  our  future  operations,  to  make  use  of  all  the 
means  io  our  power  for  our  defence  and  security — that  this 
period  is  particularly  important,  because  no  circumstances  since 
the  commencement  of  tlie  war,  have  been  so  favorable  to  the 
recruiting  service  ;  and  because  it  is  to  be  presumed,  from  the 
increase  of  population,  and  the  brilliant  prospect*  before  us,  it  is 
actually  in  our  power  to  complete  the  army  before  the  opening 
of  the  campaign — that  however  flattering  the  prospects  may  be, 
much  still  remains  to  be  done,  which  cannot  probably  be  effected 
unless  the  army  is  recruited  to  its  establishment  ;  and  conse* 
qucntly  the  continuance  or  termination  of  the  war  seems  princi- 
pally to  rest  on  the  vigor  and  decision  of  the  states  in  this 
interesting  point.  And  Anally,  that  it  is  our  first  object  of 
policy,  under  every  supposible  or  possible  case,  to  have  a  power- 
ful army  early  in  tUe  field  :  for  we  must  suppose,  the  enemy  are 
cither  disposed  "  to  prosecute  the  war,"  or  "  to  enter  into  a  nego- 
ciation  for  peace  " — there  is  no  other  alternative.  On  the  formcT 
supposition,  a  respectable  army  becomes  necessary,  to  counteract 
the  enemy  and  to  prevent  the  accumulating  expences  of  a  lioger* 


438 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[178. 


ing  war ;  on  the  UlUr,  nothing  but  a  decidedlj  superior  force 
can  enable  us  boldly  to  cl-iim  our  rights,  and  dictate  the  law  at  the 
pacification. — So  that  whatever  the  disposition  of  the  enemy  may 
be,  it  is  evidently  our  only  interest  and  economy  to  act  liberally 
and  exert  oiirxclves  greatly  during  the  present  winter,  to  cut  off 
at  oncf  all  the  cxpence*  of  the  war,  by  putting  a  period  to  it. 

And  soon  might  that  day  arrive,  soon  might  we  hope  to  enjoy 
all  the  blessings  of  peace,  if  we  could  see  again  the  same  anima- 
tion in  the  cause  of  our  country  inspire  every  breast,  the  same 
passion  for  freedom  and  military  glory  impel  our  youths  to  the 
field,  and  the  &ame  disinterested  patriotism  pervade  every  rank 
of  men,  as  wax  conspicuous  at  the  commencemeni  of  this  glorious 
revolution  ;  and  I  am  persuaded,  only  some  great  occasion  was 
wanting,  such  as  the  present  moment  exhibits,  to  rekindle  the 
latent  sparks  oi  that  patriotic  fire  into  a  generous  flame,  to  rouse 
again  the  uncon<)uerable  spirit  of  liberty,  which  has  sometimes 
seemed  to  slumber  for  a  while,  into  the  full  vigor  of  action. 

I  cannot  now  conclude  this  letter,  without  cxpresiing  my  full 
expectation,  that  the  several  slates,  animated  with  the  noblest 
principle*,  and  convinced  of  the  policy  of  complying  faithfully 
with  the  requisitions,  will  be  only  emulous  which  shall  be  fore- 
most in  furnishing  its  quota  of  men  ;  that  the  calculation  of  the 
numbers  wanted  li>  fill  the  deficiency  may  be  *o  ample,  as  (allow- 
ing for  the  casualties  and  deductions)  will  be  sufficient  certainly 
to  complete  the  battalions ;  that  the  measures  for  this  piiri'osc, 
may  be  so  explicit,  pointed  and  energetic,  as  will  inevitably 
furnish  the  recruits  in  season  ;  and  that  such  checks  may  be 
established,  to  prevent  imposition  as  to  the  quality  of  the  men, 
that  no  rccniits  may  be  accepted,  but  those  who  arc  in  fact  able- 
bodied  and  effective.  Should  any  of  a  different  description  be 
sent  to  the  army,  they  must  be  rejected,  the  cxpences  thrown  away, 
and  the  service  injured,  though  others  are  required  to  supply 
their  place:! ;  for  it  is  only  deceiving  ourselves,  with  having 
a  nominal  instead  of  a  real  force,  and  consuming  the  public 
provisions  and  clothing  to  no  effect,  by  attempting  to  impose 
decrepit  and  improper  men  or  boys  upon  us  as  soldiers. 

The  returns  before  alluded  to,  being  but  this  moment  col- 
lected, 1  regret  that  it  was  not  possible  they  should  have  been 


ijM 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


439 


foTwnrdcd  sooner;  to  prevent  a  niiscarriKge  or  delay,  in  so 
important  a  communication,  1  have  committed  tbcm  to  — ^— 
who  will  have  the  honor  of  delivering  these  despatches,  and 
explaining  my  ideas  very  perfectly  ;  as  he  is  charged  solely 
with  this  businen  he  will  return  as  soon  us.  it  is  negociaied,  but 
he  i«  instructed  to  wait  until  he  can  bear  »Hch  official  accountu 
from  you  to  mc,  as  will  fully  inform  me,  what  aid  may  absolutely 
t>c  relied  upon  from  your  state,  which,  in  conjunction  with  the 
other  reports  of  a  similar  nature,  must  serve  as  a  basis,  on  which 
we  may  build  our  final  plans  and  arrangements  for  the  ensuing 
campaign.' 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  ficc. 


TO  MAJOR-GENERAL  SCHUYLER. 

I^ttLAnEi.rtiM,  6Fcbratr7,  1781. 

Dear  Sir, 

I  have  received  your  favor  of  the  2 1  st  of  J  any.,  en- 
closing the  copy  of  your  Letter  of  the  22  of  Octr.  to 
Major-General  Stark,  which,  agreeably  to  your  de- 
sire, I  return  by  this  conveyance — the  arguments  and 
reflections  respecting  the  dispute  of  the  Vermontese, 
made  use  of  in  that  Letter,  appear  so  just  as  well  as 
political,  as  to  be  particularly  calculated  to  heal  the 
unhappy  disturbances  and  produce  a  reconciliation  : 
This  is  one  of  the  many  proofs  you  have  given  of 
your  ardent  desire  to  put  a  period  to  internal  conten- 
tion, and  unite  all  the  separate  and  jarring  interests 
in  prosecuting  the  great  common  cause  of  America. 

I  have  shewed  yours  of  the  2jst  ulto.  to,  and  con- 
ferr'd  with  the  Minister  of  Foreign  Affairs — My  sen- 

'  ThUlul  iwagrmpb  wuomStltd  in  Ihc  Icliir  i"  M-i-»i»'hutclu.  Ttic  bcuct 
of  the  letter  differed  (ot  eacb  lUtc.  Col.  Dcirborn  look  thai  for  New  H*in|>> 
iKlic,  ind  Lt..C»1.  OIney  iIiaI  (or  Rhode  IUriuI, 


440 


THE  WRITINGS  Of 


t>7«« 


timenis.  in  general,  respecting  the  necessity  of  per- 
fect unanimity  among  ourselves  in  order  to  give 
energy  &  decision  to  our  collective  efforts  against  the 
Enemy,  arc  too  well  known  to  be  insisted  upon  ;  for 
I  have  had  frequent  occasion  to  repeat,  that  it  was 
my  most  fervent  wish,  that  all  grounds  of  jealousy 
and  dispute  between  any  districts  of  the  Inhabitants 
of  the  United  States,  which  were  at  variance  might 
be  removed  by  an  amicable  adjustment  of  their  dif- 
ferences, and  that,  in  my  opinion,  moderate  measures 
(so  long  as  they  can  be  adopted  with  propriety)  are 
much  more  likely  than  violent  ones  to  produce  such 
a  salutary  effect — if  therefore  my  public  advice  in  my 
late  circular  Letter,  or  my  private  opinion,  which  has 
been  given  without  reserve  on  every  occasion  can  be 
of  any  avail.  I  am  confident  the  consideration  of  all 
other  matters  would  be  swallowed  up  in  or  made 
subservient  to  the  general  good  of  the  whole — but  as 
it  has  ever  been  a  point  of  delicacy  with  me,  while 
acting  only  in  a  militarj'  character,  not  to  interfere  in 
the  civil  Concerns  of  the  Continent  or  the  Legisla- 
tures, except  where  they  are  intimately  connected 
with  Military  matters,  I  should  not  think  myself  at 
liberty,  without  deviating  from  that  rule,  to  Intermed- 
dle so  far  as  to  dictate  particular  modes  of  accommo- 
dation (however  earnestly  I  desire  it  may  be  effected) 
especially  on  a  subject  which  has  been  under  the 
immediate  consideration  of  Congress  itself ;  whose 
directions,  it  is  my  duty  as  well  as  inclination  to  be 
guided  by. — 

I  am  informed  Mr.  Ira  Allen  and  Mr.  Fay  have 


■780 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


441 


arrived  in  this  Town  from  Vermont,  on  some  public 
business  to  Congress  ;  whattheobject  of  their  Mission 
is  I  know  not.  Should  any  thing  interesting  trans- 
pire I  shall  communicate  it  to  you. — 

Mrs.  Washington  joins  me  in  presenting  her  Com- 
pliments to  Mrs.  Schuyler  and  yourself.     1  am.  &c. 


To  THE  COUNT  DE  ROCHAMBEAU. 

PhI1>I>BU-HIA, 9  February,    (78*. 

Sir, 

I  have  been  honored  with  your  Excellency's  favor 
of  the  12th  and  22d  ultimo,  the  last,  enclosing  copies 
of  General  Greene's  letter  to  you  and  your  answer. 
After  informing  you  that  I  concur  with  you  in  opin- 
ion, that  it  would  not  be  politic  at  this  moment  to 
move  a  detachment  from  your  main  body  to  the 
southward,  permit  me  to  assure  you.  that  I  very  sensi- 
bly feel  your  goodness  in  determining  to  advance  the 
legion  as  soon  as  possible  to  the  frontiers  of  North 
Carolina.  I  have  only  to  request,  that  the  command- 
ing officer  may  have  orders  to  proceed  further  or  not 
as  circumstances  may  require.  The  move  of  the 
legion  wiil  be  perplexing  to  the  enemy  ;  and,  as  it 
has  been  heretofore  the  advance  corps  of  your  Ex- 
cellency's army,  you  may,  1  think,  give  out,  (and  it 
will  carry  with  it  strong  marks  of  probability,)  that 
your  whole  army  is  to  follow,  as  soon  as  the  weather 
will  admit  of  the  march.  Supposing  the  enemy 
should  receive  the  reinforcement  from  Ireland,  1  do 
not  imagine  that  he  will,  after  the  many  severe  blows 


44« 


THS  WRITINGS  OF 


[i78> 


he  has  felt  from  phmging  himself  into  the  country, 
march  to  any  great  distance  from  Charleston  ;  espe- 
cially if  he  consider,  that,  while  France  has  a  nava] 
superiority  in  the  West  Indian  or  American  seas,  a 
body  of  troops  might  be  easily  thrown  in  between 
him  and  the  town,  whereby  his  ruin  would  be 
inevitable. 

It  would  certainly  be  our  tnie  interest,  if  it  could 
be  done,  to  give  General  Greene  such  a  force,  that 
he  should  be  able,  under  all  circumstances,  to  keep 
the  enemy  confined  to  their  posts  upon  the  coasts  of 
South  Carolina  and  Georgia ;  but,  should  your  excel* 
lent  and  valuable  body  of  men  be  made  use  of  for 
that  purpose,  it  might  possibly  interfere  with  the  plan 
of  campaign,  which  we  may  shortly  expect  from  your 
court.  Those  States,  whose  troops  compose  the 
southern  army,  will  be  pressed  to  send  forw'ard  rein- 
forcements to  General  Greene  as  early  and  as  expe- 
ditiously as  possible. 

I  am  apprehensive  your  Excellency  will  think  me 
unmindful  of  a  most  agreeable  piece  of  duty,  which  1 
have  been  directed  to  perform  by  Congress.  It  is 
the  presentation  of  two  of  the  field-pieces  taken  at 
York,  with  an  inscription  engraved  on  them  expres- 
sive of  the  occasion.  I  find  a  difficulty  in  getting  the 
engraving  properly  executed.  When  it  will  be  fin- 
ished. I  shall  with  peculiar  pleasure  put  the  cannon 
into  your  possession. 

In  an  addresis,  which  1  have  lately  received  from 
the  Senate  of  the  State  of  Virginia,  on  account  of  the 
surrender  of  York  and  Gloucester.  I  am  desired  to 


fj««l 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


443 


make  their  most  grateful  acknowledgments  to  your 
Excellency  and  to  the  officers  and  men  under  your 
command,  for  your  eminent  services  upon  that  occa- 
sion, and  to  assure  you,  that  they  see  with  pleasure 
the  harmony,  which  subsists  between  the  inhabitants 
of  the  State  and  their  generous  allies,  I  take  the  first 
opportunity  of  makingthis  agreeable  communication. 
In  my  letter  of  the  14th  of  January,  1  requested 
that  Lord  Rawdon  might  be  exchanged  for  Briga- 
dier-General Moultrie  of  South  Carolina,  in  prefer- 
ence to  any  of  the  colonels  mentioned  by  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  ;  it  being  more  conformable  to  our  prac- 
tice than  to  make  exchanges  by  composition.  I  now 
take  the  liberty  of  confirming  that  request.'   I  am.  Stc 


TO   THE    PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

Piiii.ADKi.riiiA,  iS  Kebnijtry,  \^%^. 

Sir, 

I  do  myself  the  honor  to  enclose  copies  of  the 
reports  of  the  commissary-general  of  prisoners,  who 
has  just  returned  from  New  York,  with  copies  of  the 
papers  to  which  he  refers.  Your  Excellency  will 
perceive  thereby,  that  the  restriction  upon  the  ex- 
change of  Lieutcnant-General  Earl  Cornwaltis  oper- 
ates against  the  liberation  of  Brigadier-General 
Scott,  seven  colonels  and  two  lieutenant-colonels, 
who,  upon  the  principles  of  the  tariff  established 
between  us  and  the  enemy,  are  equivalent  to  his 
Lordship  in  value. 

'  Lord  Rawdon  wis  laici  exchanged  fnr  Ccnsral  Scad. 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


t'78t 


1  also  enclose  the  copy  of  a  letter  from  Sir  Henry 
Clinton,  by  which  it  would  appear  the  exchanjje  of 
Mr.  Laurens  might  be  effected  for  Earl  Comwallis, 
should  Congress  think  proper  to  accede  to  the  proj 
posal.     I  beg  leave  to  remark  upon  that  letter,  that' 
there  has  been  some  misconception  either  on  the  part 
of  Colonel   Laurens  or  Lord  Cornwallis,  as  to  what 
passed  on  the  subject  in  Virginia.     Colonel  Laurens 
asked  me.  whether,  supposing  an  exchange  could  be 
eflfected  between  his  father  and  his  Lordship.  I  should 
have  any  objection  to  it.     I  answered,  none  person- 
ally, and  that,  as  Congress  had  made  no  difficulty  in 
offering    General     Burgoyne    for    Mr.     Laurens.    I 
thought  they  might  now  probably  offer  Lord  Com- 
wallis. but  that  the  matter  did  not  depend  upon  me. 
This  I  find  has  been  construed  into  an  absolute  con- 
sent on  my  part.' 

With  respect  to  the  policy  of  prohibiting  the 
exchange  of  Lord  Cornwaliis,  1  will  not  pretend  to 
determine.  I  cannot,  however,  help  observing  that 
it  operates  disagreeably  in  giving  uneasiness  to 
those  officers  of  ours,  who  can  only  be  exchanged  by 
composition,  and  who  are  by  the  enemy  set  against 
him,  and  that  it  may  be  considered  as  a  departure 
from  the  spirit  of  the  terms  of  the  capitulation  of 
York. 

Mr.  Sproat's  proposition  of  the  exchange  of  Brit- 
ish soldiers  for  American  seamen,  if  acceded  to,  will 

*  Wli«D,  in  November,  CoDffrcH  wm  called  upon  to  niifjr  the  ducharge  of 
CornwaDi*,  llftmiltoii  mciilioneil  u  an  xguineiil  in  bvor  of  >  nllbcalion,  that 
"  xam«  InliniAlionii  had  Iwen  givm  by  Colonel  tjuircni.  with  Ibo  privity  of 
General  Washinglon.  to  CoinvoUit,  prei^out  to  hit  cnpiluUtion.  that  he  mi^lit 
b«  cichunccd  (or  hit  father,  Ihen  In  Ihc  Toirer." — Madiitn  Faftri,  i.,  906. 


immediately  give  the  enemy  a  very  considerable 
reinforcement,  and  will  be  a  constant  draft  hereafter 
upon  the  prisoners  of  war  in  our  hands.  It  ought 
also  to  be  considered,  that  few  or  none  of  the  naval 
prisoners  in  New  York  and  elsewhere  belong  to  the 
Continental  service.  I  however  feel  for  the  situation 
of  these  unfortunate  people,  and  wish  to  see  them 
released  by  any  mode,  which  will  not  materially  affect 
the  public  good.  In  some  former  letters  upon  this 
subject  1  have  mentioned  a  plan,  by  which  I  am  cer- 
tain they  might  be  liberated  nearly  as  fast  as  cap- 
tured. It  is  by  obliging  the  captains  of  all  armed 
vessels,  both  public  and  private,  to  throw  their  pris- 
oners into  common  stock  under  the  direction  of  the 
commissary-general  of  prisoners.  By  these  means 
they  would  be  taken  care  of  and  regularly  applied  to 
the  exchange  of  those  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 
Now  the  greater  part  are  dissipated,  and  the  few  that 
remain  are  applied  partially.  I  shall  be  obliged  to 
your  Excellency  for  obtaining  and  transmitting  me 
the  sentiments  of  Congress  upon  these  subjects  as 
early  as  convenient.     I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c' 


TO  UEU TENANT-COLONEL  JOHN   LAURENS.' 

Mv  DEAR  Laurens,  p«ilad«.pk.a.  .8  FAn.^or.  ,78a. 

I  have  had  the  pleasure  to  receive  your  favor  of 
the  loth  of  December,  and  also  the  report  of  the 
judicious    and     successful    movement    of    General 

'  Read  in  CongrcM,  Frtirvary  loth.     Referred  lo  Rouiiinot,  Comell  tod  Rm. 
'  ColMinl  Lauieni  joined  the  southern  army  shortlj'  after  the  ca|Mtulitiain  al 
VorktMra. 


446 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[i78» 


Greene,  by  which  he  compelled  the  enemy  to  aban- 
don their  out-posts.  This  brilliant  nian(i:uvrc  is 
another  proof  of  the  singular  abilities  which  that 
officer  possesses. 

Since  my  last  despatches  from  South  Carolina  I 
have  been  informed,  via  Vii^inia,  of  the  intelligence 
General  Greene  had  received,  that  a  reinforcement 
was  expected  from  Ireland,  of  the  application  he  had 
made  in  consequence  to  the  Count  de  Rochambeau. 
and  of  the  resolution  the  Count  had  taken  of  detach- 
ing the  legion  of  Lauzun  to  his  aid.     I   hope  this 
force,  together  with  the  corps  of  Armand,  will  givo^ 
such  a  decided  superiority  of  cavalry,  as  will  prevent' 
the  enemy  from  reoccupying  and  ravaging  the  coun- 
try again,  should  the  whole  reinforcement  from   Ire- 
land arrive.     And  I  must  confess,  I  cannot  entirely 
rely  upon  it,  as  I   have  not  heard  the  intelligence 
from  any  other  quarter,  although  a  frigate  has  just 
arrived  at    New  York  with   the  King  of  England's 
speech,  and  despatches  from  administration.     Noth- 
ing however  has  transpired  except  the  speech,  from 
the  complexion  of  which  no  decisive  opinion  can  be 
formed. 

But  I  think  a  little  time  will  disclose  what  the 
enemy's  intentions  are,  (should  they  still  persist  in 
the  prosecution  of  the  war.)  whether  they  mean  to 
occupy  the  two  great  posts  of  New  York  and  Charles- 
ton, or  concentrate  the  whole  of  their  force  together. 
In  the  former  case,  reinforcements  may  undoubtedly 
be  expected ;  and  1  know  of  nothing,  which  can  be 
opposed  to  them  with  such  a  prospect  of  success,  as 


•7«»1 


GEORGE  WASmNGTON. 


447 


the  corps  you  have  proposed  should  be  levied  in 
Carolina.  To  make  the  campaign  decisive  is  our 
great  object.  1  wish  that  the  States  might  be  im- 
pressed with  the  necessity  of  taking  their  measures 
accordingly,  and  that  the  war  might  not  be  procrasti- 
nated by  want  of  exertion  on  our  part.'  Believe  me. 
my  dear  Laurens,  I  am  convinced,  under  all  circum- 
stances, of  your  unbounded  zeal  in  the  service  of 
your  country.  That  success  may  ever  attend  you  in 
the  pursuit  of  personal  glory  and  public  felicity,  is  the 
eaniesl  wish  of  your  affectionate  friend,  &c. 

P.  S.     The  Gentlemen  of  the  family  request  their 
affectionate  regards  may  be  presented  to  you. 


TO  THE   PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

C,,,  PhILA^A.,  30  Kebruaij,  1781. 

Since  my  letter  to  your  Excellency  of  the  l8th 
Inst,  I  have  been  honored  with  the  public  and  .secret 
Resolves  of  Congress  of  the  same  date  ;  the  first  em- 
powering me  to  appoint  commissioners  for  the  pur- 

'  Gmtrat  Waskingten  tt  Gnural  Grrmf. — "  A  frigale  liM  }a*t  »m*e<l  ■! 
Vtm  Vovk  from  England.  She  nu  dctpitchcd  immccHnlel/  ftflci  Ihe  new!  of 
'-ComiMllis'  surrenilfr.  1  hnvc  seirii  the  Nr»  York  prinis,  nnd  no  mention  ii 
rnidc  of  any  tcinforcraicnt  hainng  uilcd  for  Amrricn  :  x  drcuiniUDCc.  whltli, 
bud  il  hippcDcd.  I  think  would  nol  have  liecn  omiEIni  al  lliia  time,  when  lli« 
Inyklitt*  tjt  ilciirandin);,  mid  liicikin^  uiioii  Ilieiu»clvrs  M  IuhI  nnd  unsupportsd. 
Tht  reinforeemcnl  [torn  New  York  wai  nol  more  ihnn  «x  ot  leren  hundred 
men.  The  King'*  tpeech  at  Ihe  opening  of  Ihe  Sriliih  Partlnmeat  In  firm.  in4 
•  BHUlifrtts  I  detcrmmation  to  cunlinuc  the  wnr,  tilthou|;li  llierc  i*  no  appeunooe 
r-hi*  bavins  i>i*<)c  any  alliances.  Tbii  1  hope  will  prove  to  the  Suiei  the 
Beucatlty  of  coinplyini;  with  the  requiKJlloni  upon  them  ftii  men  anit  >U[>p)let. 
'Every  aii^ninent  thai  I  couJd  intent  to  inducu  Ihcm  to  il.  has  been  made  use  of 
by  ue  in  two  *eU  ot  druular  lellers.      No  part  of  the  intclli£eBce  brnughl  by 


448 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[178. 


poses  therein  mentioned,  the  last  prohibiting  the 
exchange  of  Licutt.-General  Lord  Cornwallis  by  com- 
position, which  is  the  only  mode  by  which  he  ever 
can  be  exchanged,  except  for  Civil  characters,  wc 
having  no  military  Grade  answerable  to  his.' 

I  find  myself  so  exceedingly  embarrassed  by  the 
operation  of  the  secret  Resolve,  that  I  hope  Congress 
will  excuse  me  for  pointing  out  the  difficulties  in 
which  it  involves  me  personally,  and  the  manner  in 
which  It  affects,  as  1  conceive,  the  public  good.  By 
the  public  resolve  all  former  restrictions  are  taken 
off,  and  I  am  at  liberty  to  go  into  a  general  exchange 
without  limitation.  When  it  therefore  shall  be  found, 
that  Lord  Cornwallis  is  still  detained,  those  officers 
of  ours  (particularly  our  full  colonels,  most  of  whom 
can  only  be  exchanged  on  composition),  who  will  be 
sufferers  on  that  account,  will  naturally  apply  to  me 
for  the  reasons.     I  must  either  submit  to  their  opin- 

the  frigate  hu  yt\  gone  abroad.  Il  ii  no  doubt  of  conicqac nee.  If  nnjr  altenu 
lloa  1(  to  be  nud«  In  (he  dUpotltlon  of  Ihc  forrx  Tcmuning  in  America,  h  mmt 
K>on  brcomc  visible.  Until  wo  lintr  from  ihe  cuuti  o[  Krsiicc.  wc  can  only  be 
making  general  prepanciont.  Men  are  ihc  moit  malerialof  oil;  and  I  cannot 
(ay  (hut  Ihc  mciim  of  oblalnlng  Iheni,  lo  fai  ai  I  have  yet  hcud.  arc  c&o- 
cioul." — February  l8th. 

*  By  llie  rcaolvec  here  referred  lo,  Congten  invested  General  Waihingtoa  i 
wit!)  poweti  lo  neg^iatc  sn  cxehanQc  or  pruonen  on  ibc  broaden  leilc.  add  to ' 
Uk«  meiuurei  far  settllnj;  all  accuunit  rci|>cclini:  prUi^nen  ;  but  theac  r«Mtv«a 
were  accompanied  with  a  "  itfrtt  intlnt<Han"  thai  nothing  eontainod  thcreui 
"  ibauld  be  connracd  (o  auihoriie  the  eichiDse  of  Lieu  tenant-Gen  end  Corn- 
wallU  by  compoticion."  Il  appcan  lo  have  been  Ihe  ubjecl  of  thit  reterv^tioii 
to  secure  the  releaic  of  Mr.  Laureni,  who  waa  yet  retained  a  prisoner  in  Et^ 
land,  and  had  been  for  note  Uibq  ■  year  shut  up  in  the  Tower  of  Londoa. 
The  aoutlicrn  membcrk  were  particularly  tiUmuoua  on  Iliit  ixiint,  at  Hr«U  »i  Id* 
dignanl  .-it  llie  mode  ndopled  by  Loid  Comirallii  in  proieculing  Ihe  wot  at  the 
toutli.  For  B  renuikable  eiprcoiion  of  the  feelinei  of  the  delegale*  fnnn  South 
Carulina  and  Georgia  on  lliit  tubjcel,  lec  JaimiaU,  February  Ijd. 


ij8a] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


449 


ions  on  a  conduct  so  apparently  strange,  or,  to  justify 
myself,  must  be  under  the  necessity  of  betraying  a 
secret  vote  of  Congress. 

In  order  more  clearly  to  point  out  the  manner,  in 
which  the  secret  resolve,  if  adhered  to.  will  operate 
against  the  public  interest,  I  must  beg  leave  to  re- 
quest the  attention  of  Congress  to  a  short  recital  of 
the  reasons,  which  induced  me,  at  this  particular  time, 
to  propose  a  meeting  of  commissioners  to  the  British 
Commander-in-chief. 

On  my  return  from  Virginia,  the  superintendent  of 
Finance  informed  me,  that  the  subsistence  of  the 
prisoners  of  war  had  now  become  so  serious  a  matter, 
that  there  was  an  absolute  necessity  of  endeavoring 
to  obtain  payment  of  the  money  already  due  to  us  upon 
that  account,  and  at  all  events  to  fix  upon  some 
certain  and  regular  mode  of  payment  for  their  main- 
tenance in  future.  In  order  to  effect  these,  he  ad- 
vised my  making  propositions  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton 
to  appoint  commissioners,  not  only  to  liquidate  the 
accounts  of  prisoners,  but  to  endeavor,  by  the  es- 
tablishment of  a  permanent  Cartel  (a  matter,  which 
we  have  never  yet  been  able  to  obtain),  to  adjust  a 
number  of  points  relating  to  the  exchanges  and 
accommodation  of  Prisoners,  and  for  want  of  which, 
individuals,  as  well  subjects  of  the  United  States  as 
those  of  Great  Britain,  are  daily  suffering. 

Sir  Henr>'  Clinton,  after  several  letters  had  passed 
upon  the  subject,  acceded  to  the  proposition  in  the 
most  extensive  sense.  Commissioners  were  named, 
and  1  only  waited  for  the  authority  of  Congress  to 

S9 


4SO 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[«7»» 


enable  mc  to  invest  the  Commissioners  on  our  part 
with  proper  powers.     This  by  the  public  resolve  of 
the   1 8th  is  amply  granted,  but  by  the  subsequent 
secret  resolve  in  a  manner  done  away.     The  powers 
of  our  commissioners  can  only  have  reference  to  the 
public  resolve,  and  whatever  stipulations  arc  entered 
into  will  be  upon  a  confidence,  that  no  further  ob- 
structions will  be  thrown  in  the  way.     The  exchange 
of  Lord  Cornwallis  (as  heretofore)  would  be  one  of 
the  first  things  demanded ;  and.  should  that  be  re- 
jected, as  it  must  be,  the  enemy  would  not  only  have 
it  in  their  power  to  tax  us  with  breach  of  faith,  but 
they  might  recede  in  turn   from  any  part  of  their 
agreements ;  and  it  is  to  be  feared,  that  they  would  pitch 
upon  that  respecting  the  payment  for  the  maintenance 
of  their  Prisoners,  as  it  will  be  a  weighty  matter  to 
them,  and  one  which  they  can  evade  with  less  incon- 
venience than  almost  any  other,  as  we  have  a  very 
great  number  of  theirs  to  support,  and  they  few  of 
ours. 

In  addition  to  what  I  have  said,  I  have  only  further 
to  remark,  that  the  Gentlemen,  who  have  been  named 
by  me  to  execute  the  Commission,  have  objections  to 
going  upon  it,  except  they  can  meet  those  from  the 
British  on  fair  and  open  terms.  This  can  only  be 
done  either  by  withdrawing  the  secret  vote  entirely, 
or  by  adhering  publicly  to  the  resolution  of  detaining 
Lord  Cornwallis,  and  trying  what  can  be  efTected 
under  such  circumstances.  The  last  would  remove 
my  personal  scruples,  (if  it  should  not  be  deemed  a 
violation  of  the  capitulation) ;  but  I  fear,  as  I  before 


<782] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


45  » 


mentioned,  that  the  general  interest  would  suffer  by 
the  measure.  We  never  can  expect  that  such  a  car- 
tel, as  will  be  really  beneficial  to  us,  will  be  acceded 
to  while  an  officer  of  Lord  Cornwallis's  high  rank 
and  Family  influence  is  excepted,  nor  indeed  while  a 
power  is  reserved  or  implied  of  being  able  to  deprive 
of  the  right  of  exchange  any  other  officer,  who  may 
hereafter  as  a  Prisoner  of  war  become  entitled  to  the 
advantages  of  a  stipulation  of  such  a  nature  as  a 
Cartel.' 

I  ever  with  diffidence  enter  into  discussions  of  the 
above  kind,  and  I  am  now  more  than  commonly  ap< 
prehensive,  that  my  conduct  may  appear  reprehensi- 
ble, as  Congress  have  been  pleased,  upon  several  late 
applications,  to  adhere  to  their  former  opinions  re- 
specting Lord  Comwallis.  Had  I  not  foreseen  new 
difficulties  arising  from  restricting  his  exchange,  I 
should  have  deemed  myself  as  inexcusable  in  further 
controverting  the  will  of  Congress,  as  I  should  have 
been,  had  I  remained  silent  when  I  thought  my  voice 
might  have  conduced  to  the  general  good.  That  that 
has  been  my  only  motive  for  taking  up  so  much  of  your 
time  I  beg  you  will  believe,  as  sincerely  as  that  I  am, 
with  the  utmost  respect,  &c.* 

>  On  •  contldentton  nf  thin  lellcr,  il  wu  rciotved  by  ConercM,  "  Th*t  th« 
C<MiiBiBii<Ur-iii-chie[  Iw  aulhoriieJ  10  >grcc  to  ihc  exchange  of  Earl  Cornwallis 
by  conpontiori ;  provided  that  the  Honorable  Hcnrjr  Laurens  be  libcj-cted  and 
propa  auurnncci  be  oblaincil,  thai  alt  eccounti  loi  the  (upport  (i(  tlie  vonT«n> 
iloa  pd«oncri>,  and  all  oihcr  pritoiionot  w»r,  aliall  be  opvoililr  •etiled  ami  di»- 
charged,"— yourxa/j.  February  Jjd, 

*  Read  inCongreu,  Febnury  int.    Refeircd  to  Boudlnot,  Carroll,  and  Bc«. 

"  I  h*v«  appoinlcd  ih«  inceline  ofouireiipcclivecoininliiaioiicntabot  Bltt> 
•bethtownOD  IheiSthoC  next  munlli.     If  I  hear  nothing  [nrtbcrfrom  your^ 


452 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[178a 


TO    MAJOR-GENERAL    HEATH. 

•  *  *  Had  the  valuable  storeship  the  Marquis 
la  Fayette  arrived  safe  from  France,  we  should  have 
had  it  in  our  power  to  have  supplied  the  officers  with 
the  necessary  Articles  of  Cloathlng  out  of  the  public 
Magazine ;  but  she  unfortunately  miscarried.  The 
Financier  upon  being  informed  of  this  and  knowing 
the  distress  of  the  greater  part  of  the  officers,  who 
had  now  no  right  to  place  any  further  dependence 
upon  their  States,  they  being  called  upon  for  a  sum 
equal  to  the  whole  expences  of  the  war.  immediately 
set  about  devising  a  plan  by  which  he  could  afford 
relief  to  their  wants,  without  involving  himself  deeper 
in  those  difficulties  with  which  he  is  perplexed  by  the 
scantiness  of  public  funds. 

Upon  enquiry  he  found  Gentlemen  of  extensive 
commercial  Credit  (Messrs.  Sands  &  Co.)  willing  to 
supply  a  quantity  of  goods  proper  for  the  Army  at 
their  places  of  Cantonment  upon  a  credit  of  six 
months  and  upon  as  low  terms  as  they  could  be  pro- 
cured else  where.  He  therefore  fixed  upon  the  measure 
which  is  now  about  to  be  adopted,  that  of  giving  each 

cellcDCy.  I  b)is11  uke  it  [ijr|[ninlnl,  Ibit  you  iicoeda  to  lh<  time  and  place.  And 
I  would  propose,  as  ia  unul  in  luch  caici,  thai  a  ccuation  «( boililitiet  thould 
Ulie  place,  durine  the  mecIinE.  from  Ambay  10  Newark,  both  Included. 

"  Aa  my  oommiuioncn  will  )■')  InWy  aulhoritcd  to  treat  of  the  eichanKts  of 
I-ori  ComwaHii  and  the  Honorable  Mr.  Lautcn*.  I  hare  no  oocaiioa  lo  be  par- 
ticular in  my  answer  to  your  Eiccllcncy'i  IilleT  on  that  mbject.  I  iluU  only 
obserrc.  that  I  ■pprelicml  Lortl  Ccmwillii  niMnderalood  Colonel  Lauicni,  In 
the  conveiulioD  Ihey  hud  upon  that  maUra  in  Viij^Dia.  I  could  never  have 
(^nn  an  BHurance,  that  hji  Locdihip  ihould  be  oclunfied  lot  Mr.  L«iuei», 
the  falhri  of  the  colonel,  is  I  had  no  authiirily  to  make  any  tach  (ilpvlaiion." 
—  WvAinsleit  »  Sir Hmry  OinUn.  i6FebniBi7,  1J»». 


1783] 


GEOXGE  WASHINGTON. 


453 


officer  a  note  for  a  certain  sum  payable  in  6  months, 
which  the  owners  of  the  goods  will  receive  in  pay- 
ment. But  there  is  no  obligation  upon  any  officer  to 
take  these  notes,  or,  after  he  has  received  them,  to 
purchase  Cloathing  of  Mr.  Sands.  Should  he  have 
supplied  himself  before  hand,  he  may  keep  them 
untill  the  time  of  payment,  which  will  be  punctually 
complied  with — he  may  discount  them — or  he  may 
lay  them  out  in  any  kind  of  Stores  for  the  Campaign. 
The  great  object  was  to  procure  a  supply  of  Cloath- 
ing  of  which  the  bulk  of  the  officers  were  undoubt- 
edly in  want.  Mr.  Morris  very  prudently  foresaw, 
that  the  end  would  not  be  answered  except  a  person 
could  be  procured  who  would  engage  to  furnish  a 
quantity  of  goods  and  to  take  the  promissory  notes 
at  their  full  value.  In  this  I  (latter  myself  he  has  suc- 
ceeded, as  I  am  informed  by  those  Gentlemen  who 
have  taken  up  Goods  from  Mr.  Sands  that  they  have 
been  perfectly  satisfied  with  his  prices. 

It  is  to  be  hoped  if  the  States  comply  in  any  degree 
with  the  requisitions  upon  them,  that  we  shall  be 
able  to  put  both  officers  and  men  upon  as  good  and 
regular  a  footing  for  pay  as  they  are  now — for  Cloath- 
ing  and  provision,  to  which  it  was  certainly  wise  first 
to  attend — The  new  taxes  cannot  be  expected  to 
come  into  use  for  some  time,  and  therefore  the  kind 
of  anticipation  which  the  Financier  has  hit  upon  was 
a  matter  of  necessity,  not  of  choice,  and  as  such,  I 
hope  it  will  be  received  by  the  Gentlemen  of  the 
Army,  who  will  be  certainly  benefitted  by  it 

I  am,  &C. 


454 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


r,78a 


CIRCULAR  TO  THE  EASTERN    AND  MIDDLE  STATES. 


Sia, 


PiitLADCUiiM,  5  Mmtdt.  lySa. 


Tlie  operation!!  of  next  Campaign  being  conringenl — depend- 
ing in  3  gre^t  degree  upon  measures  which  are  not  within  my 
controut — nnd  very  much  upon  the  plans  of  the  Enemy  &  their 
efforts  to  carry  them  into  cxcctiiion — it  \%  imposKihle  for  me,  at 
this  time  to  say  whether  any,  or  hovr  many  mililin  ye  States  in 
this  part  of  the  Continent  may  be  called  upon  to  furnish  for  the 
purposes  of  (he  Ensuing  Campaign  :  hut  as  I  persuade  myself  it 
is  the  wish  of  every  one  of  them  to  see  a  vigorous  offensive  plan 
prosecuted  with  a  view  of  terminating  the  war  honorably  and 
speedily  ;  it  becomes  my  duty  to  inform  them  that,  ihe  Continen- 
tal force,  (admitting  the  Battalions  should  be  compleated)  aided 
by  any  Auxiliary  Troops  that  I  have  any  expectations  of,  is  to- 
tally inadequate  to  the  first  &  great  object  which  presents  itself 
lo  our  view  and  therefore  it  may  be  essential  to  my  future  plans 
that  the  Executive  powers  of  the  Slates  should  be— if  they  arc 
not  so  already — vested  with  sulVicient  Authority  to  call  forth, 
properly  equipped,  such  a  body  of  Militia  as  the  Migeoccs  of 
Service  may  require — the  demand  will  not  be  made  but  in  case 
of  necessity — and  will  be  postponed  as  long  as  possible— the  con- 
sequences therefore  of  a  want  of  such  powers,  or  of  the  delay, 
occasioned  by  calling  an  Assembly,  on  such  an  emergency,  might 
prove  fatal  to  our  operations — and  injurious  to  our  cause. 

I  need  not  add  how  much  tt  is  my  wish  and  dcstTc,  and  how 
much  the  public  interest  will  be  promoted  by  it,  that  the  Conti- 
Dcnial  Regiments  should  be  complcated — every  man,  of  which 
these  are  deficient,  will  add  to  the  draught  of  Militia;  and  doubly 
to  the  public  expences  while  tlie  Troops  will  not  be  so  compe- 
tent to  ihe  purposes  for  which  they  are  wanted,  to  say  nothing  of 
the  disadvantages  which  Agiictilture  and  Manufactures  will  sus- 
tain, by  having  the  laborers  and  artisans  called  off  from  their 
work. — I  would  beg  leave  to  suggest  that  the  longer  term  militia 
can  be  drawn  out  for,  the  more  beneficial  and  less  expensive  will 
their  Services  be,  and  that,  in  case  of  a  siege,  they  ought  lo  be 
engaged  during  the  continuance  of  it,  or  until  relieved  by  an 
equal  number  so  that  the  operating  strength  may  not  be  dimin> 
ished  at  a  critical  moment  whun  it  may  be  most  wanted. 


I78s] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


455 


TO   BRIGADIER-GENERAL   WILLIAM    IRVINE. 


instrvct10n3. 
Sir, 

Vou  will  proceed  with  nil  convenient  despatch  to  Fort  Pitt, 
the  object  of  your  command,  and  you  will  lake  such  measures 
for  the  security  of  that  post  and  for  the  defence  of  the  western 
frontier,  as  your  Continental  force  combined  with  the  militia  of 
the  neighboring  couniry  will  adroit  of.  Under  present  appear- 
ances and  circumstances,  I  can  promise  no  further  addition  to 
your  rc^lar  force,  than  a  proportion  of  rccruttK  for  the  Virginia 
and  Pennsylvania  regiments,  which  are  already  upon  the  western 
station  ;  consequently  offensive  operations,  except  upon  a  small 
scale,  cannot  just  now  be  brought  into  conlcroplation.  You  may, 
however,  still  continue  to  keep  yourself  informed  of  the  situation 
of  Detroit,  and  the  strength  of  the  enemy  at  thai  place. 

With  respect  to  tlic  subject  of  the  letters,  which  you  have 
lately  received  from  Colonel  Gibson,  I  can  only  repeat  what  I 
have  said  to  you  personally.  You  must  endeavor  to  convince 
both  officers  and  men,  thai  measures  are  actually  taking  to  put 
them  upon  such  a  fooling  with  regard  to  their  provisions,  cloth- 
ing,  and  pay,  that  it  is  to  be  hoped  ihcy  will  ere  long  have  no 
reason  to  complain.  They  will  have  already  found  the  differ- 
ence between  their  past  and  present  mode  of  obtaining  provi- 
sions and  clothes ;  and  they  cannot  therefore  doubt,  that  the 
only  remaining  difficulty,  (which  is  on  account  of  pay,)  will  be 
removed  as  soon  as  the  financier  can  reap  the  advantages  of  the 
taxes  for  the  current  year,  which  are  but  juHt  laid,  and  cannot 
therefore  come  yet  into  use.  The  officers  and  men  must,  upon  a 
moment's  rcficction,  be  convinced  of  the  wisdom  of  applying  the 
public  money  in  hand  to  procuring  victuals  and  clothes.  They 
cannot  be  dispensed  with  even  for  a  day ;  and  when  both  are 
assured  that  certifjcaies  of  pay,  due  to  the  ist  of  the  present 
year,  will  be  given  with  interest,  and  that  pay  thenceforward  will 
be  more  regular  and  as  frequent  as  the  public  treasury  will  admit) 
they  ought  to  be  satisfied. 

Should  the  troops  composing  the  western  garrisons,  be  discon- 
tented with  their  situation,  and  think  that  they  arc  partially  dealt 
by,  you  may  make  ttiem  an  offer  of  being  relieved  and  of  taking 


45« 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[178.1 


their  chsnce  of  the  emoluments,  which  they  may  suppos9J 
accrue  to  those  servinft  with  either  the  northern  or  southern 
armies.  There  m.iy  be  [loltcy  in  this  offer,  bcoiuse,  if  I  sm  not 
mistaken,  most  of  the  men,  who  have  connexions  in  the  up]>cr 
country,  would  rather  remain  there  at  some  disadvantage  than 
be  brought  away  from  their  families.     *    •    *  8  March,  178a. 


TO  BRtGADlEK-GENERAL    KNOX    AND 
GOUVEKNEUR    MORRIS. 

IN3THUCTI0M3. 
Gent  LEU  EN, 

The  jKiwera  of  equal  date  herevriih  nuthorize  you  to  proceed  to 
Elixabcthtown,  in  the  Slate  of  New  Jersey,  in  order  10  meet  com- 
miSBioners  on  the  part  of  the  enemy,  on  Friday,  the  isth'  instant, 
for  the  purposes  in  the  powers  fully  recited. 

You  will  consider  the  settlement  of  accounts  for  the  subsistence 
of  prisoners  of  all  descriptions  from  the  commencement  of  the 
war  to  ;  obtaining  payment,  or  security  for  the 

payment,  of  the  large  balance,  which  it  ii  presumed  was  due  to 
the  United  Stiites  at  that  period,  and  establishing  some  certain 
arrangements  for  the  regular  payment  of  the  subststance  of  pris- 
oners from  that  time  forward  as  the  principal  objects  of  your 
commission. 

From  the  want  of  an  appointment  of  a  commissary  of  prison- 
ers until  some  time  after  the  commencement  of  the  war,  from  the 
variety  of  hands  to  which  the  charge  of  prisoners  was  committed, 
and  from  the  little  attention,  which  was  for  a  long  time  {>aid  to  the 
sums  expended  for  their  support,  I  fear  i:  will  be  diflScult  for  yoa 
to  collect  the  maieriab  necessary  to  form  an  account  sufficiently 
accurate  to  satisfy  yourselves,  or  to  gain  credit  with  the  commis- 
sioners on  tlie  pan  of  the  enemy.  And  it  is  also  probable,  that 
the  accounts,  which  will  be  produced  by  them,  will  be  alike  sub* 
jcct  to  many  objections  for  want  of  proper  vouchers  and  other 
causes. 


'  Tbe  comminionen  did  nut  merland  exchange  pow«n  till  iho  jlatoEMudi, 
the  time  hiving  bc«ii  dcftrred  nl  the  rcquetl  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton. 


1 78a] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


457 


You  are  therefore  al  liberty,  i(  you  find  no  probability  of  being 
able  to  make  a  regular  settlement,  to  compound  the  matter,  by 
fixing  upon  such  a  sum  as  shall  appear  (o  you  reasonable,  which 
Eum  shall,  upon  payment,  be  looked  upon  as  a  full  and  final  dis- 
charge of  all  demands  on  the  part  of  the  United  States  from  the 
commencement  of  tlie  war  vo  the  time  which  you  shall  xpeeify. 
You  arc,  then,  in  order  to  prevent  all  future  disputes,  to  deter- 
mine, to  what  a  ration  for  the  support  of  a  prisoner  of  war  shall 
mutually  consist ;  the  value  of  that  ration,  not  only  in  whole,  but 
in  its  component  parts;  what  vouchers  shall  be  esteemed  mu- 
tually valid  ;  and  obtain  and  give  proper  assurances  for  the  regu- 
lar monthly,  quarterly,  &c.,  payments  of  the  balances,  as  they 
may  respectively  become  due. 

Before  you  proceed  to  the  negotiation  of  exchanges,  you  will 
pay  due  regard  to  the  resolve  of  Congress  of  the  ajd  of  Febru- 
ary last,  (with  copy  of  which  you  are  furnished,) which  authorizes 
the  exchange  of  Lieutenant-Gen eral  Earl  Cornnallis  only  upon 
certain  conditions  therein  specified.  By  the  word  Hberattd,  in 
the  resolve  referred  to,  it  is  not  to  be  understood,  that  Mr.  Lau- 
rens is  lo  be  given  up  without  any  equivalent.  At  what  the 
enemy  will  rate  him  is  uncertain.  Congress  once  oHered  a  lieu- 
tenant-general for  him ;  and,  if  the  same  should  be  demanded 
now,  and  insisted  upon,  you  arc  at  liberty  to  comply.  If  circum- 
stances should  render  the  exchange  of  Lord  Comwallis  impracti- 
cable, the  respective  commissaries  of  prisoners  may  proceed  to 
the  exchange  of  other  officers ;  and,  if  the  enemy  should  persist 
in  their  resolution  of  detaining  a  certain  number  of  our  officers 
of  rank,  as  a  counter  security  to  our  detention  of  Lord  Corawal- 
lie,  it  may  be  submitted  to,  upon  the  following  principle,  that  it 
will  be  be  better  for  four  or  five  gentlemen  (the  number  who  wilt 
be  involved)  to  remain  in  captivity,  than  the  whole,  amounting  to 
considerably  above  one  hundred.' 

'  "  I  have  received,  buicg  my  arrinl  ■!  Iheie  Cjuirten,  your  favor  of  llir  I31h 
of  Feby.,  mpceting  the  cicbanse  of  your  Honbl«.  fnlhcr  tor  Lord  Comwal- 
lis.  I  am  tony  lo  Snlorni  you,  Ihal,  upon  my  arrival  al  Philadelphia,  and  far 
a  long  lime  afioi  I  had  been  llwrr,  I  oKperiunued  the  (■rtaint  diahicliiintion  lii 
CongreiB  to  the  cxchaaec  of  Lord  CornwtlU*  upon  any  lenns ;  and  that  it  u-ai 
not  till  after  I  had  combated  their  objecliont  in  dlffercBl  wayc,  and  Al  lereral 


458 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[178a 


Id  compliance  nith  a  resolve  of  Congress  of  the  xoth  of  De- 
cember last,  (copy  of  which  and  some  papers  relating  to  it  you 
have  herewith,)  you  will  enter  into  a  discussion  with  the  British 
commis.tionent  ujion  the  power*  and  conduct  of  the  Board  of  Di- 
rectors to  the  AsKociaied  LoyalistN  in  New  York,  and  you  will  en- 
deavor to  devise  some  means  for  the  prevention  of  that  kind 
of  depredation,  which  is  complained  of.  On  this  subject  you 
will  do  nothing  conclusive,  but  report  to  me  the  substance  of  the 
measures,  which  may  have  seemed  to  the  British  commissioners 
and  yourselves  most  likely  to  answer  the  end. 

1  recommend  to  your  particular  atteniion  the  case  of  one  Sum- 
mers, a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  taken  in  t77S,  and  yet  detained 
apon  Long  Island,  notwithstanding  every  reasonable  offer  has 
been  made  to  procure  his  exchange.  The  commissary  of  pris- 
oners can  inform  you  fully  of  his  situation  and  circumstances. 

Should  you  enter  into  cither  a  general  or  special  cartel,  you 
will  endeavor  to  stipulate,  that,  in  future,  citizens  not  in  arms 
shall  not  be  considered  as  subjects  of  capture,  but  in  particular 
cases,  such  as  for  instance  for  guides,  for  intelligence,  and  such 
like  purposes :  and  that  they  shall  be  well  treated,  and  discharged 
after  the  ends  for  which  they  were  captured  arc  ansircrcd. 

Should  the  admiral  accede  to  my  proposition  of  sending  com- 
mbsioners  to  meet  you,  on  the  subject  of  the  treatment  and  ex- 
change of  marine  priHOners,  you  will  endeavor  in  the  first  place 
to  obtain  a  change-  in  the  mode  of  keeping  our  seamen  confined. 
The  daily  complaint  of  the  miseries  incident  to  confinement  on 
board  prison-ships  will  authorize  you  to  remonstrate  warmly  on 
that  head,  and  to  insist  upon  an  alteration  of  conduct.  In  respect 
to  the  support  and  mode  of  payment  for  the  subsistence  of  sea- 
men, you  will  be  guided  by  the  instruction  relating  to  the  rations 
of  soldiers. 

Rioelingi  »(  tlidi  commlllcci,  tltai  I  f;<i(  the  matter  giUced  upon  inch  a  footing, 
at  Ki  leave  mc  at  lihrciy  la  nvgolialc  the  exchmge  of  thai  officn  al  any  lale. 
The  pcincipal  diflimltiei  att  ixnr  w  far  rcmored,  at  to  admit  commiaiioiicn 
OB  each  dde  lo  ntcet,  (and  they  urc  now  tilling  ai  Elluibclb  Town)  lor  Ihc 
paipoMof  cxchiitgcH,  ill  which  Mr.  LnuirnB't  it  puiiciiUrly  (jflven  ineharge, 
farMlltini;  of  accoanti,  &c;  and  I  hope,  unlcM  lome  nniowanl  impedimeni 
ihd.  itilcrvene  in  Ihe  prateCDlion  of  this  badaeM,  that  yau  will  loon  meet  the 
M>co«nplI»hiiKD(otj«arwiih«*.''—Ifit/i/iiv<Mi  "£<''>£•'•"''<"•  93  April,  17S3. 


■78'] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


459 


You  are  acquainted  with  the  diBicultics  under  which  wc  labor, 
ai  to  the  means  of  procuiing  the  exchange  of  the  American  sea- 
men, who  full  into  the  hands  of  (he  enemy.  It  but  rarely  hap- 
pens, that  those  caplured  by  private  vessels  of  war  are  given  up 
to  thcContincntal  commissaries.  Snmearetaken  into  our  service, 
many  escape  through  negligence,  and  therefore  it  is  that  the  bal- 
ance of  marine  prisoners  has  been  generally  greatly  against  us. 
The  mode  proposed  by  Admiral  Digby  of  giving  up  land  prison- 
ers for  seamen  is  a!  together  madmissihle.  It  would  prove  a  con- 
stant source  of  reinfon:ement  to  the  enemy.  Under  pretcnt  cir- 
cumstanccs  I  do  not  sec,  that  you  can  come  to  any  final  determi- 
nation upon  the  mode  of  exchanging  or  liberating  seamen.  Should 
commissaries  meet  you  on  thai  subject,  you  will  in  conjunction 
with  them  form  a  plan,  which  may  be  deemed  mutually  equitable 
and  convenient,  and  report  upon.it. 

You  have  herewith  ihe  copies  of  the  letters,  which  have  passed 
between  the  Briii.ih  general  and  admiral  and  myself  upon  Ihe 
subject  of  your  commission.  The  superintendent  of  finance 
will  furnish  you  with  materials  for  stating  our  claims  for  subsist- 
ence of  prisoners,  so  far  as  he  has  been  able  to  obtain  them  ; 
and  the  commij.Kary  of  prisoners  will  furnish  you  with  any  oflicial 
papers,  which  may  be  in  his  possession,  and  which  may  be  found 
necessary  to  the  accomplishment  of  a  general  or  special  cartel. 
Given  under  my  hand  and  seal,  at  Philadelphia,  the  i  ith  day  of 
March,  17S2. 

P.  S.  Since  the  above,  I  have  been  furnished  by  Congress  with 
a  number  of  representations  respecting  the  treatment  of  our 
marine  prisoners.  I  have  thought  it  proper  to  put  them  into 
your  hands,  that  you  may  make  the  necessary  use  of  them. 


TO  JAMES  McHEKRV. 
MV    DEAR  Sir.  Phii.ao«j-i.ia.  13  Msrch.  17SS. 

The  fair  hand,  to  whom  your  letter  of  the  20th  of 
January  was  conimitted.  presented  it  safe,  and,  as  you 
very  truly  observed,  the  value  of  it  was  enhanced  by 


460 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


iL  Good  laws,  ample  means,  and  sufficient  powers, 
may  render  the  birth  of  your  intendant'  a  public 
benefit ;  and,  from  the  spirit  of  your  people,  I  hope 
these  are  provided.  Without  them,  the  appointment 
must  be  nugatory.  Never,  since  the  commencement 
of  the  present  revolution,  has  there  been  in  my  judg- 
ment a  period,  when  vigorous  measures  were  more 
consonant  to  sound  policy  than  the  present.  The 
speech  0/  the  British  King,  and  the  addresses  of  the 
Lords  and  Commons,  are  proofs  as  clear  as  Holy 
Writ  to  me  of  two  things  ; — their  wishes  to  prosecute 
the  American  war,  and  their  fears  of  the  consequen- 
ces. My  opinion,  therefore,  of  the  matter  is,  that 
the  minister  will  obtain  supplies  for  the  current  year, 
prepare  vigorously  for  another  campaign,  and  then 
prosecute  the  war,  or  treat  of  peace,  as  circumstances 
and  fortuitous  events  may  justify ;  and  that  nothing 
will  contribute  more  to  the  first,  than  a  relaxation  or 
apparent  suppineness  on  the  part  of  these  States. 
The  debates  upon  the  addresses  evidently  prove, 
what  I  have  here  advanced,  to  be  true  ;  for  according 
to  the  explanation  of  them,  [they]  are  meant  to  answer 
any  purpose  the  ministers  may  have  in  view.  What 
madness  then  can  be  greater,  or  policy  and  economy 
worse,  than  to  let  the  enemy  again  rise  upon  our  folly 
and  want  of  exertion  ?  Shall  we  not  be  justly  charge- 
able for  all  the  blood  and  treasure,  which  shall  be 
wasted  in  a  lingering  war,  procrastinated  by  false  ex- 


'  An  ofEccr  Kcenlly  appoinled  by  Ih«  legislature  of  Mar^'luid,  and  "  vested 
wilh  powers  to  dcMroy  Ihnl  dlaonier  in  llie  aflain  of  tlie  Slate,  which  had  arfien 
chitfly  Ironi  liad  money  and  vraal  of  mnney." 


i78a] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


46» 


pectations  of  peace,  or  timid  measures  for  prosecut- 
ing the  war  ?  Surely  we  shall ;  and  much  is  it  to  be 
lamented,  that  our  endeavors  do  not  at  all  times 
accord  with  our  wishes.  Each  State  is  anxious  to 
see  the  end  of  our  warfare,  but  shrinks  when  it  is 
called  upon  for  the  means  to  accomplish  it;  and 
either  withholds  altogether,  or  grants  them  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  defeat  the  end.  Such,  it  is  to  be  feared, 
will  be  the  case  in  many  instances  respecting  the 
requisitions  of  men  and  money. 

I  have  the  pleasure,  however,  to  inform  you,  that 
the  Assembly  of  this  State, '  now  sitting,  have  passed 
their  supply-bill  without  a  dissenting  voice,  and  that 
a  laudable  spirit  seems  to  pervade  all  the  members  of 
that  body ;  but  I  fear,  notwithstanding,  they  will  be 
deficient  of  their  quota  of  men.  It  is  idle  at  this  late 
period  of  the  war,  when  enthusiasm  is  cooled,  if  not 
done  away,  when  the  minds  of  that  class  of  men,  who 
are  fit  subjects  for  soldiers,  are  poisoned  by  the  high 
bounties  which  have  been  given,  and  the  knowledge 
of  the  distresses  under  which  the  army  has  groaned 
is  so  generally  diffused  through  ever)'  State,  to 
suppose  that  our  battalions  can  be  completed  by 
voluntary  enlistment.  The  attempt  is  vain,  and 
we  are  only  deceiving  ourselves  and  injuring  the 
cause  by  making  the  experiment  There  is  no  other 
efifectual  method  to  get  men  suddenly,  but  that  of 
classing  the  people,  and  compelling  each  class  to  fur- 
nish a  recruit.  Here  every  man  is  interested  ;  every 
man  becomes  a  recruiting  officer.      If  our  necessity 

'  FeoiDylranm. 


462 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


Ii78« 


for  men  did  not  press,  I  should  prefer  the  mode  of 
voluntary  enlistment  to  all  others ;  but  as  it  docs,  I 
am  sure  it  will  not  answer,  and  that  the  season  for 
enterprise  will  be  upon  us  long  ere  we  are  prepared 
for  the  field. 

The  anxious  state  of  suspense,  in  which  we  have 
been  for  some  time,  and  still  remain,  respecting^  the 
naval  engagement  in  the  West  Indies  and  the  attempt 
upon  Brimstone  Hill  in  the  Island  of  St.  Kitt's,  is 
disagreeable  beyond  description.  The  issue  of  these 
events  must  be  very  interesting,  and  may  give  a  very 
unfavorable  turn  to  affairs  in  that  quarter,  and  on  this 
continent  in  consequence  of  it. 

Mrs.  Washington  joins  me  in  comp'ts  to  the  good 
ladies  of  your  acquaintance  and  to  yourself.    I  am,  &c. 


TO  MAJOR-GENERAL  GREENE. 
Mv   DEAR  Sir,  Piuuu>tij'HiA.  i8  M««h,  178a. 


I 


It  gives  me  the  more  pain  to  hear  of  your  dis- 
tresses for  want  of  clothing  and  other  necessaries,  as 
you  are  at  so  great  a  distance,  that  you  cannot  be 
suddenly  relieved,  even  if  we  had  the  means.  I  am 
not,  however,  without  hopes,  that,  should  the  war  be 
continued  to  the  southward  (of  which  I  have  my 
doubts,  for  reasons  which  I  shall  presently  give), 
matters  will  be  put  into  a  much  better  train  than 
they  have  hitherto  been.  The  arrangements  made 
already,  by  the  superintendent  of  finance,  have  been 
attended  with  infinite  public  advantages,  and  he  is 


'78'] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


463 


extending  those  arrangements  as  fast  as  circum. 
stances  will  possibly  admit.  I  am  sjoiry  to  see  a 
jealousy,  arising  from  a  supposition  there  has  been 
a  partiality  of  conduct.  I  am  certain  that  there 
has  been  no  such  intention,  and  that,  instead  of  a 
charge  of  having  done  too  little,  it  will  soon  be  a 
matter  of  wonder  how  Mr.  Morris  has  done  so  much 
with  so  small  means.  As  I  know  he  corresponds 
with  you  on  the  affairs  of  his  department.  I  shall 
content  myself  with  saying,  that,  before  Colonel  Car- 
rington  leaves  town,  measures  will  be  taken  to  enable 
him  to  make  provision  in  future  for  the  ready  trans- 
portation of  stores,  and  for  the  accommodation  of 
troops  moving  to  the  southward.  It  is  agreed  that 
the  elaboratory  shall  be  removed  from  Richmond  to 
New  London. 

In  my  former  letters  upon  this  subject.  I  acquainted 
you  with  the  reasons,  which  operalKd  against  Count 
de  Rochambeau's  detaching  more  than  ihe  legion  of 
Lauzun  towards  South  Carolina,  upon  your  requisi- 
tion for  a  reinforcement.'"  Although  my  instructions 
to  you  did  not  mention  a  power  to  call  upon  the 
Count  for  assistance,  yet  I  look  upon  it  as  implied 
in  my  desire  to  you  to  correspond  with  him.  The 
circumstances  of  the  moment  must  determine  whether 
any  or  what  can  be  spared  by  him. 

By  late  advices  from  Europe,  and  from  the  declara- 
tions of  the  British  ministers  themselves,  it  appears, 

'  A  (IctBchmenl  from  the  French  urmy,  under  the  commRod  of  ChoUy.  and 
bcladliif;  tbe  \a^oi\  of  Liuiun,  had  bmn  onlvrnl  to  juii)  Greene  ;  hut  bcliev. 
Ing  that  ihe  English  vere  tboDt  to  evacuate  the  Can^iuu.  Choiity  wm  directed 
to  itop  At  Chulotte  Court-HouM,  Vlr^nia. 


464 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


fi78» 


that  they  have  done  with  all  thoughts  of  an  excursive 
war,  and  that  they  mean  to  send  small,  if  any  further 
reinforcements  to  America.     It  may  be  also  tolerably 
plainly  seen,  that  they  do  not  mean  to  hold  all  their 
present  posts,  and  that  New  York  will  be  occupied 
in  preference  to  any  other.     Hence,  and  from  other 
indications,  I  am  induced  to  believe  that  an  evacua- 
tion of  the  southern  States  will  take  place     ShouldJ 
this  happen,  we  must    concentre  our    force    as    the' 
enemy    do   theirs.     You   will,    therefore,   upon    the 
appearance  of    such   an  event,   immediately    make 
preparations  for  the  march  of  the  army  under  your 
command  to  the  northward.     What  troops  shall,  in 
that  case,  be  left   in  thr  southern   States,  will  be  a 
matter  of  future  discussion.* 

No  other  reinforcement  went  from  New  York  to 
South  Carolina,  than  that  of  the  four  hundred  who 
had  arrived.  Letters,  which  you  had  not  received 
when  you  last  wrote,  will  have  informed  you,  that 
our  first  intelligence  respecting  the  number  of  men 
embarked  were  false.  With  the  highest  sentiments 
of  esteem,  I  am,  my  dear  Sir,  &c 

'  "  It  hu  been  my  uniform  opinion  tince  the  capllulallon  ol  York  Town, 
thftl,  luilen  the  enemj'  can  Mnd  tuoli  reinfOTCpmniti  to  this  couliDenl.  u  vitt 
in  their  jodgncnt  plue  ihcir  two  principil  Poiti  ai  New  York  and  Chnla 
Town  in  a  luie  of  perfect  wcuiily,  oi  ifaey  itc  (ure  of  hiivin)[  a  naval  npcti- 
ority  on  this  Conil  during  llic  opcrstiona  ot  the  Ctmptign.  thry  will  ooncentra 
iheii  force  il  one  o(  tliojte  points ;  and  farther  it  hu  at  invariably  bee*  iny 
opinion,  thai  New  York  will  be  the  lail  hold  iKey  will  quit  in  llic  Uftlled 
Stitei.  If  I  a-iD  niikiAkun  in  llic  lint,  I  «hall  liolievc,  thai  •  nc(ottatian  of 
Peace  of  a  Ttuoc  it  near  at  hand,  and,  that  they  haiard  much  for  the  uii  fatti' 
Jilii.  which,  from  pment  appearances,  and  my  conception  of  the  vicn  of  tbe 
Britiih  GoiTrnmriit,  I  Iiave  not  Ihc  tmallou  fdMiOf ;  I  bmm  p«ae«  thi«  year." 
—  IVtuiimgMt  la  C«L  Lairtm,  as  April.  n%i. 


178a] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


^H 


TO  BKIGADIER-GENERAL  KN'OX  AND  GOUVEKNEUR  MORRIS, 
AT  ELIZABETHTOWN, 

Gentlemen,  mor«i«town,  js  Mwch.  n%i. 

I  have  had  intimations,  that,  under  the  idea  of  the 
cessation  of  hostilities  within  certain  limits,  a  number 
of  people  intend  to  come  over  from  New  York  to 
our  lines.  To  prevent  all  intercourse  of  this  kind  is 
the  principal  design  of  this  letter.  Sir  William  Howe, 
on  a  former  occasion,  proposed  that  a  neutrality  should 
take  place  to  a  certain  distance  from  the  spot  where 
our  commissioners  were  to  assemble,  in  order  that 
they  might  not  meet  with  any  interruption  in  the 
transaction  of  their  business,  from  the  hostilities  and 
alarms,  which  might  otherwise  have  happened  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  them.  It  was  upon  this  principle, 
and  for  this  reason,  that  the  present  proposal  was 
made  on  my  part ;  nor  was  it  indeed,  or  could  be 
construed,  to  extend  any  farther. 

It  is  therefore  my  particular  desire,  that  no  persons 
coming  from  the  enemy  may  be  permitted  to  land, 
except  the  commissioners  and  those  immediately  con- 
nected with  them.  And,  as  1  think  it  expedient,  not 
only  to  prevent  new  channels  of  communication  with 
the  enemy  from  being  opened,  but  as  far  as  practica- 
ble to  shut  the  former,  1  could  wish  you  would  take 
the  trouble  to  inform  yourselves  of  the  practice  of 
sending  and  receiving  flags  on  the  lines,  and  point 
out  such  alterations  and  regulations  as  you  shall  deem 
proper  to  prevent  the  evils,  which  have  been  com- 
plained of,  as  resulting  from  too  frequent  an  inter- 
course  with  the  enemy. 

30 


466 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


['78» 


I  have  been  informed  by  the  commissary  of  prison- 
ers, that  the  enemy  are   preparing;  to  send    out  a 
considerable  quantity  of  goods,  under  the  sanction  of 
passports  granted  by  me  for  bringing  out  clothing, 
necessaries  &c  for  the  use  of  their  prisoners.     This 
is  BO  contrarj'  to  my  intention,  and  may  be  productive 
of  such  ill  consequence,  that  I  have  sent  Colonel  Smith 
to  explain  the  matter  to  you,  and  to  request  you  will 
examine  the  list,  and  signify  what  articles  should  be 
considered  as  necessaries,  and  what  quantity  ought  to 
be  permitted  to  be  sent  out.     Mr.  Skinner  is  directed 
to  give  you  the  necessarj'  information.     He  will  also 
explain  to  you  the   mode,  which  has  prevailed,   of 
making  partial  exchanges.     This  subject  I  need  not 
recommend  particularly,  as  it  is  comprehended  within 
the  limits  of  your  commission.     I  have  the  honor  to 
be,  &C.' 


TO  COl^NEL   MATTHIAS  OGDEN. 


INSTRUCTIOKS. 

Sw, 

The  spirit  of  enterprise,  so  conspicuous  in  your  plan  for  sur- 
prising in  their  quarters  and  bringing  off  the  Prince  William 
Henry  and  Admiral  Digby.lnerits  applause;  and  you  have  my 
authority  to  make  the  attempt,  in  any  manner,  and  at  such  a  time, 
as  your  own  judgment  shall  direct.  1  am  fully  persuaded,  that 
it  is  unnecessary  to  caution  you  against  ofTeiing  insult  or  intlig- 
nity  to  the  persons  of  the  Prince  and  Admiral,  should  you  be  so 
fortunate  as  to  capture  them  ;  but  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  press 

■CDiKiftI  WuhinKinn  left  Philadelphia  on  lh«  ajd  of  March,  havli^  \»mm 
there  (out  months ;  vaA  aflrr  (topping  >  day  ot  two  at  HoCTidown,  he  pnK 
cceded  lo  NewbuT);.  where  he  UTivcd  on  ihe  itt  of  April,  ■nd  cilaUUhcd  his 
head-quarten  *l  ihal  pUcc. 


i78i] 


GEORGE  WASffJXGTON. 


467 


the  propriety  of  a  proper  line  of  conduct  upon  the  paitj  yon 
command. 

In  C3.sc  of  success,  you  will,  as  soon  as  you  get  them  to  a  place 
of  safety,  treat  them  with  all  possible  respect ;  but  you  are  to 
delay  no  lime  in  conveying  ihem  to  Congress,  and  reporting  your 
proceedings  with  a  copy  of  these  orders.  Take  care  not  to  touch 
upon  Ibc  ground,  which  is  agreed  to  be  neutral,  namely,  from 
Newark  to  Rahway  and  four  miles  back.  Given  at  Head-Quar- 
ters [Morristown]  this  iSlh  day  of  March,  1783/ 


TO  THE  GENERAL  OFFICERS. 

Nbwbokoh.  15  April,  178*. 

The  Coramanderon^Chief  states  to  the  General  Officers, 

That,  from  the  best  information  he  has  been  able  to  obtain,  the 
regular  force  of  the  enemy  in  New  York,  at  Ms  time,  including 
their  established  Provincial  Corps,  amounts  at  least,  to  oine 
thousand  men. 

That  the  City  Mtlitia,  Volunteer  Companies,  Rangers,  and 
■ome  other  small  Corps  in  the  Town,  amounted  by  a  report 
made  to  the  Secretary  of  State  in  the  Winter  of  1780  {when  the 
enemy  apprehended  an  attack  on  N.  York  &  were  preparing  for 
defence)  to  3390  Men,  exclusive  of  Sailors  &  Marines — and  that 
this  is  the  best  criterion  by  which  he  can  form  judgment  of  their 
present  strength. 

That  the  enemy's  force  in  Charles  Town  by  the  last  informa- 
tion &  estimation  of  it  consisted  of  .1300  Men. 

That  the  Garrison  of  Savanna,  in  Georgia,  he  conceives,  can 
not  be  less  than  700  Men. 

That  even  among  men  of  political  knowledge  &  judgment 
a  diversity  of  sentiment  prevails  respecting  the  evacuation  of  the 

■  Wa*hia|[Ion  wrote  on  April  3S(h  tliKt  he  hxl  iiitelltBcnce  that  the  "  Mntrtot 
at  th«  doors  of  Sir  Mcnry  Clinton'i -quarters  nitre  doubled  it  eight  o'clock  every 
night,  from,  the  apprchcniion  of  nn  allempl  to  surprise  him  in  them.  If  this 
be  true,  it  If  mnic  ih;ui  probable  tltr  same  prceinttoii  eitends  to  tlArr  penon- 
«g<s  in  the  cilf  ol  New  Voik— a  circuin>l*nc«  1  thoaght  it  prupor  for  you  to 
be  MdvertiMd  o(." 


468 


TME  WRITINGS  OF 


[178* 


Southern  Staica. — Th«t  if.  this  event  should  take  place  &  the 
whole  force  of  the  enemy  shd.  be  concentrated  at  New  York  it 
will  sixnd  thus  : 

Kvgr.  I'roops  now  at  N.  Yk.  .  .  9>ooo 
From  Charles  Town  ....  3,300 
Savanna 700 


Militia  &c.  at  N.  York 


Regrs. 


13,000 


Total  16,300 

Under  this  state  of  the  Enemy's  force  the  Commander-in-Chief 
requests  the  opinion  of  the  GcnL  Officers  sepcrately  &  in  writing 
upon  the  following  hypothetical  questions. 
First. — Supposing  the  Enemy's  force  at  Kew  York  to  be  ss 
above  —  That  tlicy  retain  possession  of    the  Harbor  of 
New  York — and  that,  they  have  a  naval  superiority  upon 
this  Coast. 
Secondly— Supposing  the  same  force— that  they  keep  posses- 
sion of  the  harbor — but  loose  their  superiority  at  sea. 
Thirdly. — Thai  they  shall  have  the  same  force  in  the  City — 
but  shall   loose  the  command  of  the  Water  both  in  the 
harbor  &  at  Sc3. 
Is  there,  it  is  asked,  a  probability  in  all  or  either  of  tliese  cases 
that  we  shall  be  able  to  obtain  Men,  &    means   sufficient    to 
undertake  the  seige  o(  New  York  ? 

What  efficient  force  will  be  necessary  for  the  enterprise  in 
the  cAKes  wch.  may  be  deemed  practicable  \  And  what  number 
of  Militia  ought  to  be  demanded  to  secure  this  force? 

If  the  enemy  should  not  reinforce  New  York  with  their 
Southern  Troops — and  none  should  arrive  from  Europe,  their 
force  at  that  place  will  then  be 

Regulars 9,000 

Militia  &c 3>390 

Total  13,390 

The  Commander-in-Chief  propounds  the  same  questions — 
identical!)- — on  this  number  ox  he  did  on  the  larger  one  (of 


m 


i7«»] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


469 


16,390)  &  requests  that  ihey  may  be  answered  accordingly — num- 
ber* only  making  lh«  difFerence  of  Ihe  cases. 

That  every  information  may  be  received  which  is  in  the  power 
of  the  General  lo  give  to  form  a  judgmt.  on  these  questions — 
heard 

That  the  Northern  Army  will  {at  jncscnt)  be  composed  of  the 
Regiments  from  New  Hampshire  to  New  Jersey  inclusive — 
also  of  Haien's;  Lamb's  &  Crane's  Rcgiraenls  of  Artillery  and 
Sheldons  Legionary  Corps 

That  the  total  number  of  the  R.  &  File  in  the  above  Regi- 
ments of  Infantry,  by  the  last  Genl.  return  in  his  possession 
amounts  to  8,005— but  from  (his  the  deductioDS  incident  to  all 
services  &  peculiar  to  ours,  are  to  be  made,  to  come  at  Ehe 
efficient  strength. 

That  it  is  not  in  bia  power  to  inform  what  strength  these  Regi- 
ments will  be  brought  to  in  season  for  an  Operation  against  New 
York. — he  can  only  say  that  every  argument  he  was  master  of 
has  been  urged  to  the  respective  Slates  to  have  Ihcm  complcated 
to  their  full  establishment. 

That  in  case  the  enemy  shd.  evacuate  the  Sonthcm  States,  the 
Conlinenlal  Troops  in  that  Qr.  as  far  at  least  as  North  Carolina, 
will  be  ordered  to  rejoin  the  Main  Army  ;  but  their  numbers 
being  small,  and  the  March  great,  the  support  from  them  cannot 
be  much — 3500  Men  is  the  most  that  can  be  expected. 

That  in  the  month  of  March  last,  he  apprised  ihc  States  from 
Delaware  Eastward,  that  the  Plnns,  &  operations  of  the  Cam- 
paign might  require  a  considerable  aid  of  Militia  ;  &  entreated 
that  the  Executive  of  each  might,  to  avoid  delay,  be  vested  with 
sufficient  powers  to  ordei  them  out  for  three  month*  Service,  to 
commence  on  their  joining  the  Army — and 

1'hat  the  Trench  force  on  the  Continent  at  this  time,  does  not, 
he  believes,  exceed  4000  effective  Men — whether  any  or  what 
further  succors  arc  to  be  expected  from  our  allies  is,  as  yet, 
unknown  to  him. 

The  Commander-in-Chief  concludes  ihe  above  state  of  matters 
with  the  following  obscrt'ations,  that  offensive  operations  of 
whatever  kind  they  may  be  (being  generally  (he  result  of  choice) 
ought  lo  be  undcnaken  with  due  consideration  of  all  circum- 


47© 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[178* 


stances  &  s  moral  certainty  of  succeeding  ;  for  besides  involving 
the  Public  in  a  heavy  expence,  wch.  the  situation  of  our  afTairt 
can  illy  afford.  di.igra<:e  &  cenxure  scarce  ever  fail  to  attend 
uDsuccessftiil  Plans — while  the  entimy  acquire  spirits  by  and 
triumph  at  our  misfortunes. 


TO  JOHN  ^Ewis  (Fredericksburg). 

N'EWkUROH.  t;  April.  178K. 

Dear  Sir, 

I  have  heard,  and  sincerely  lament,  the  death  of 
your  Father;  and  my  concctTi  is  increased  by  the  in- 
formation in  your  letter  of  the  24th  ulto.,  of  his  dying" 
much  indebted. 

So  far  as  I  am  interested  in  the  Lands  which  he 
has  directed,  by  his  will,  to  be  sold,  I  consent  to  the 
disposal  of  them  on  twelve  months  credit.  The  ne- 
cessity however  of  selling  them,  at  this  time,  is  to  be 
regretted  ;  as  Lands,  except  such  as  happen  to  be 
under  peculiar  circumstances  must  sell  to  a  disadvan- 
tage when  they  are  not  in  general  demand,  and  when 
there  is  a  dearth  of  money, — especially  those  which 
have  been,  and  may  again  be  exposed  to  the  inva- 
sions of  the  enemy,  as  is  the  case  of  the  lands  pur- 
chased by  Doctrs.  Wright  and  Jones.  I  mean  this 
as  a  general  observation,  not  to  oppose  it  to  the  sales 
you  have  in  contemplat'n.  For  I  am  convinced 
from  experience,  that  Lands  far  removed  from  the 
Proprietors  of  them — however  valuable  in  themselves 
— are  very  unprofitable, — and  because  I  as  well  as 
your  Father's  estate,  stand  in  need  of  the  money 
which  my  part  of  them  will  fetch.     When  I  say  this. 


178*] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


471 


I  take  it  for  granted,  that  you  do  not  mean  to  sell 
these  Lands  unless  you  can  get  the  value  of  them,  or 
near  it ;  because  this  would  not  only  defeat  the  end 
you  have  in  view,  but  do  injustice  to  Doct'r  Walker 
and  myself. 

I  have  not  a  sufficient  recollection  of  them  (es- 
pecially the  Tracts  in  which  Doctr.  Walker  holds  a 
share)  to  describe  any  of  them  accurately.  With 
respect  to  Norfleet's,'  it  is  in  No.  Carolina  near 
the  line,  and  upon  the  great  road  leading  from  Suf- 
folk to  Edenton — ab't  16  miles  from  the  former; 
which  is,  or  was,  a  place  of  very  extensive  trade — 
there  ought  to  be  (if  my  mcmorj'  serves  me)  upwards 
of  a  thousand  acres  in  the  tract,  for  which.  I  think, 
we  gave  j^iaoo,  and  sunk  a  great  deal  more  by  keep- 
ing it  two  or  three  years  in  our  own  hands.  The 
Land  is  level,  and  I  believe  well  timbered — capable 
of  great  improvement,  there  being  upw'ds  of  400 
acres  of  exceeding  rich  and  open  meadow  ground 
belonging  to  the  Tract — a  great  part  of  which  is,  or 
was  ditched,  and  in  grass,  and  other  kinds  of  cultiva- 
tion. The  Lands  purchased  of  Jones  &  Doct'r 
Wright  lye  between  Norfolk  &  Suffolk,  6  or  8  m. 
from  the  latter,  &  on  or  near  Nansemond  River. 
They  are,  if  I  recolle:ct  right,  well  timbered  and  of 
good  quality — level  (as  all  the  Land  thereabouts  is) 
and  capable  of  being  rendered  exceedingly  valuable. 
I  do  not  remember  what  kind  of  buildings  are  on  the 
last  mentioned  Tracts — the  other  (Norfleet's)  had  a 
good  dwelling  House  &  Kitchen  with  Brick  Chim- 
'5m  Vol.  II.,  J).  jg5. 


47» 


THE  WHITINGS  OF 


[•78» 


nies,  &  a  Barn  ;  but  as  it  is  at  least  ten  or  twelve 
years  since  I  have  been  in  tliat  part  of  the  Country, 
great  changes  may  have  taken  place  since.  A  large 
slipe  of  the  Meadow  land  has.  I  am  told,  been  taken 
from  us;  whether  by  legal  process,  or  not,  I  am  un- 
able to  say.     •    *    • 


TO  THE  OENEKAL  AND   FIELD  OFFICERS 
OF  THE  ARUV. 

Head  Quaetku,  April  19,  1789. 

The  CoRimander-id'Chicf  submits  the  papers  accompanying 
this,  cont;iining  the  ciisc  of  CiiptAin  Joshua  Huddy.  lately  hanged 
within  the  county  of  Moomouth  in  New  Jersey  State  by  a  party 
of  the  enemy,  to  the  considcialion  of  the  general  officers  and 
command's  officers  of  brigades  and  regiments,  and  ihereuiion  re- 
quests from  them,  separately  and  in  writing,  1  direct  and  laconic 
reply  to  the  following  queries,  viz.: 

r.  Upon  the  state  of  facts  in  the  above  case,  is  retaliation  jus- 
tifiable and  expedient  ? 

3.  If  justifiable,  ought  it  to  take  j)Ia<:e  immediately,  or  should  a 
previous  representation  be  made  to  Sir  Henry  Clintoit,  and  satis- 
faction be  demanded  from  him  ? 

3.  In  cose  of  rep rcsenia lion  and  demand,  who  should  be  the 
person  or  persons  to  be  required  ? 

<(.  In  case  of  refusal,  and  retaliation  becoming  necessary,  of 
what  description  shall  the  officer  be,  on  whom  it  is  to  take  place ; 
snd  how  shall  he  be  designated  for  the  purpose." 


'  Whila  cominmnding  a  mdoII  body  of  Uoopt  ■(  >  pott  on  Ton*)  R!vcr  Is 
Monmouth  Coanty,  New  Jersey,  Captain  Huddy  hod  been  attacliDd  by  a  party 
of  nlu^cct  from  New  York,  and  lakcn  piikonei  after  a  calUnt  defence,  lie 
irai  Gonrcycd  to  Neir  York  and  put  in  close  coulincnicnl.  On  the  I3lh  of 
April  he  B'Ai  lent  out  of  the  city,  in  the  chatge  of  a  number  of  rBluewi.  com- 
manded by  Captain  Llpplncott,  and  handed  on  the  hdghu  near  Uiddletowo. 
Tlie  people  in  lh<  neighborhood  were  exiremoly  rsat^raled  at  thla  act  ol 
B-nnton  barbarity ;  uid,  at  their  lolicilution.  General  Formno,  Bho  resided  at 


i78»l 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


473 


TO   BARTHOLOMEW   DANDRIDGE. 
Dear   Sir,  NKwnumiH.  aoApnl,  1791. 

Since  my  last  to  you  from  Philadelphia  I  have  been 
favoured  with  your  Letter  of  the  20th  iilto.  from  New 
Kent. 

How  far  it  is  proper  or  improper  to  delay  the  ap- 
pointment of  a  Guardian  or  Guardians  to  Mr.  Custis's 
children  I  shall  not  take  upon  me  to  decide,  but  this 
I  am  clear  in,  and  beg  leave  again  to  urge  it,  that 
whenever  the  necessity  for  it  arrives  you  shou'd  take 
upon  yourself  the  trust.  I  confess  to  you  candidly, 
that  I  see  very  little  prospect  of  the  War's  ending 
with  this  Campaign,  or  if  it  does  that  1  shall  have 
leizure  to  engage  in  New  Matters.  My  own  affairs 
will,  I  am  convinced,  be  found  in  a  very  perplexed 

MoMRiouth,  obloined  sffidaviu  and  ■  proper  ita(Bin«nt  of  facis,  wilh  which  he 
lint  went  to  Eliiabeihtowa,  where  the  American  commiuaoneK,  General  Knos 
and  Gouveiiieur  Moirik.  were  then  attcRijiiitig  to  iicf>utial?  an  exchange  oE 
prisonen.  and  laid  tho  matter  ticfort  ihrm.  By  Iheir  adiite  he  proceeded  to 
Genera]  Waihingtori'i  heid-quarteis,  and  hii  statement  and  the  popen  of  which 
he  wat  Ihc  bEorer  were  lubmlltcd  to  the  cmiklderalion  of  ihe  i^utal  and  field 
olficm. 

Twenty-five  officers  wnc  onitren  to  the  above  queiiei  ui  writinf;.  1  hey 
were  uiianlmouk  In  the  opinion,  (hat  tclillatjnn  waa  juiiliriablc  and  expe- 
dient ;  that  the  leader  ol  the  parly,  who  murdet«d  Captain  Huddy,  wai  the 
pcrxon  who  ought  to  snl!n  :  and  that,  in  com  he  could  not  be  obtained,  an  offi- 
cer equal  in  rank  to  Captain  Huddy  hhould  he  t«]cclcd  hy  Inl  (toin  Ihc  Britiih 

k'f  riconan,  Tirnily.tvto  of  Ihe  Amciican  oflicen  agreed  in  the  dediiun.  that  * 
Kpres«ntalion  ihould  finl  be  maiie  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton  and  Mtitfactton 
dcmftnided  ;  the  oilier  three  thon{>ht  ihxt  the  lawH  of  war  and  tl)c  cnonnity  Of 
the  alienee  juttified  an  immtdiale  execution,  withonl  previoiu  notice  to  the 
Britiih  conunander. 
The  officcrti  auembled  at  the  ([uartert  nf  General  Heath,  who  vlaled  to  them 

'  ihs  qaaitions.  He  v»ji  they  were  urdctcd  not  la  converse  logethct  on  the 
aubjcct,  [ill  each  one  hod  written  hit  opinion,  leolcd  it  up,  and  icnl  il  to  the 
Cnntmander-in-chief. — HKATit's  Mrmairi,  p.  3J5.     H  thi«  order  wm  litetally 

l«bcycd.  the  unanimity  001  only  in  Iheit  lentiinenti,  but  in  the  mantMr  of 

Impreuing  them,  wu  remarkable.— .S/«r,6i. 


474 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[i78« 


condition.     AH  my  Book  Acc'ts,  Bonds,  &c.,  stand  as 
I  left  them  (except  those  which  have  been  dischar^fed 
with  depreciated  notes)^Biit  this  is  not  all — matters 
which  relate  immediately  to  myself  is  the  least  of  my 
concern.      Unfortunately   for  me,    I   became,   much 
against  my  inclination,  but  at  the  earnest  request  of 
Colo.  Thos.  Coivill,  one  of  his  Executors  to  an  Es- 
tate which  was  left  under  the  most  peculiar  circum- 
stances imaginable,  as  St  was  intricately  involved  with 
an  Estate  of  his  Brother's  (who  had  died  before  him) 
— and  in  Legacies  to  people  in   England — not  by 
name,  hut  by  dttscription   and  descent  almost   from 
Adam ;  who  had  given  infinite  trouble  before  I    left 
Virginia  by  their  claims,  unsatisfactory  proofs  of  thetr 
descent,  discontents,  &c.      The  other  Executor — a 
Mr.  West — whom  it  was  intended  by  the  Testator 
should,  and  who  ought  to  have  had  all  the  trouble, 
died  three  or  four  years  ago  ;    and  from  an  Indolence 
of  disposition,  inattention  to  business,  and  bad  acc'ts, 
has,  I  fear,  made  that  which  at  best  would  have  been 
exceedingly  troublesome  in  a  great  degree  perplexing 
and  difficult,  so  that  I  have  not  only  all  these  difficul- 
ties to  encounter,  but  shall  think  myself  verj'  fortunate 
if  I  escape  without  loss.     Besides  this  business  I  stand 
alone  in  another  which  is  also  under  very  peculiar  cir- 
cumstances—I  mean  my  transactionsunderapowerof 
attorney  from  Colo.  Geo.  Mercer,  and  his  mortgages 
to  Colo.  Tayloe  and  myself;  in  which  1  disposed  of 
his  Estate  to  the  Am't.  of  ;^i4,ooo.  payable  the  Nov'r. 
succeeding  my  leaving  home,  and  left  the  business 
with  Colo.  Tayloe  to  finish ;  but  this  Gent'n  never 


•78'] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON- 


175 


took  one  single  direct  or  proper  step  in  it  while  he 
was  in  a  condition  so  to  do.  and  died  insane;  so  that, 
that  matter  stands  on  a  most  wretched  and  ruinous 
footing.  Add  to  this,  that  yielding  to  the  pressing 
solicitation  of  my  neighbor  Colo.  Fairfax,  when  he  was 
about  to  leave  the  Country',  I  accepted  of  a  power 
of  attorney  authorising  me  to  direct  his  business, 
which  when  I  left  Virginia,  was  (after  selling  good 
part  of  his  personal  Estate)  left  at  sixes  and  sevens. 

In  a  word,  I  see  so  many  perplexing  and  intricate 
matters  before  me,  which  must  be  the  work  of  time 
to  arrange  and  bring  to  a  conclusion,  that  it  would 
be  injurious  to  the  children,  and  madness  in  me,  to 
undertake,  as  a  principle,  a  trust  which  I  could  not 
discharge.  Such  aid  however,  as  it  ever  may  be  with 
me  to  give  to  the  children,  especially  the  boy,  I  will 
afford  with  all  my  heart,  with  all  my  soul,  and  on  the 
assurance  of  it  you  may  rely. 

Inclosed  you  have  a  copy  of  my  AccL  with  Mr. 
Custis,  settled  by  Colo.  Mason  as  the  mutual  friend 
to  us  both.  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  every  Article 
of  Debit  and  Credit  contained  in  it,  is  right ;  but  that 
there  is  a  dificiency  in  the  acct.  is  obvious  from  the 
face  of  it,  when  compared  with  known  facts.  This 
acc'L  carries  with  it,  the  appearante  of  a  final  settle- 
ment—comprehending all  our  dealings  up  to  the  date 
— towit,  the  28th  of  June,  1778.  Whereas  the  fact  is, 
that  all  articles  of  charge,  or  credit  between  that 
period  and  the  scttlem't,  with  the  Gcn'I  Court  on  the 
4th  Nov.,  1773,  are  omitted  ;  many  of  which  tnay  be 
important,  one  I  know  to  be  so,  and  that  is  the  rent 


47* 


THE  WRi  TINGS  OF 


[178. 


of  the  dower  Estate  near  Wmsburg.  during  that 
Interval.  This  imperfection  in  the  settle't  I  can  only 
acct.  for  by  their  having  (as  I  directed  for  Colo. 
Mason's  satisfaction)  recourse  to  certified  copies  of 
the  last  settled  acc'U  as  Vouchers  with  the  Gcn'l 
Court,  and  their  not  attending,  or  perhaps  knowing 
of  the  open  one  on  my  Books,  by  which  means  the 
whole  of  it  is  excluded.  I  shall  write  to  Mr.  L.und 
Washington  (by  this  conveyance)  for  a  copy  of  the 
open  acc't  subsequent  to  the  date  of  that  settled  with 
the  Court,  and  previous  to  my  leaving  Virginia  in 
May.  1775,  as  also  for  any  acc'ts  which  he  on  my  be- 
half may  have  raised  since,  and  will  send  them  both,^ 
to  you. 

You  also  have  inclosed,  a  Copy  of  Mr.  Custis's 
Bond  to  and  Agreement  with  me.  at  the  time  I  re- 
linquished all  my  right  to  and  property  in  the  Dower 
Estate  except  the  Negros  under  that  description 
which  I  had  on  my  Estate  of  Mount  Vernon.  At 
the  lime  of  Bargaining,  1  gave  him  all  the  Horses 
and  implements  of  Husbandry  at  the  Plantation  ;  but 
he  was  to  pay  for  the  slock  of  every  kind  which 
should  be  found  thereon,  at  such  rates  as  Colo.  Bas- 
sett  might  affix  to  them ;  47  of  the  cattle,  however, 
he  removed  to  his  seat  in  Fairfax  before  any  valua- 
tion was  made ;  the  remainder  was  appraised  by 
Colo.  Bassett  on  the  21st  of  December  in  that  year 
(1778),  in  the  manner,  and  to  the  amount  of  the  in* 
closed  list — the  47  head  also  included  in  this  list  was 
valued  the  September  following  at  the  rate  of  /^40 
pr.  head  by  Colo.  Bassett — in  consequence  I  suppose^ 


178*] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


411 


of  the  depreciation:  but  to  this  Mr.  Custis  objected 
on  account,  he  alletlgal,  of  the  extravagant  price 
which  by  the  by  appeared  only  so  in  sound.  How- 
ever, as  I  wanted  nothing  more  than  the  real  value, 
and  was  persuaded  he  meant  to  do  me  justice,  I  wrote 
him  that  the  matter  might  be  settled  in  any  manner 
consistently  with  these  views — so  the  matter  (I  be- 
lieve) has  rested  ever  since. 

Thus,  my  dear  Sir,  have  I  given  you  ever>'  infor- 
mation in  my  power  respecting  the  State  of  my 
Acc'ts  with  Mr.  Custis.  When  I  get,  and  can  send 
you  the  Acc'ts  which  I  am  now  writing  to  Mr.  Lund 
Washington  for,  you  will  have  the  whole  Matter  as 
fully  before  you  as  it  is  in  my  power  to  place  it. 

If  the  Legislature  of  Virga.  will  not  put  it  in  the 
power  of  Individuals  to  recover  Debts,  it  would  be 
extremely  hard  upon  Mr.  Custis's  Heirs  to  have  their 
property  sold  to  discharge  his  ;  when  there  are  such 
ample  means  to  do  it  without ;  if  they  could  be  got 
at,  and  when,  if  property  was  to  be  sold  on  credit, 
there  might  be  the  same  difficulty  to  obtain  the 
money  arising  from  the  Sales  as  there  is  to  come  at 
tJtai  which  is  already  due.  As  the  Assembly  has 
called  in  all  the  Paper  Money,  it  can  no  longer  I  pre- 
sume be  a  tender,  but  if  the  case  had  been  other\vise 
the  mere  attempt  to  do  It  is  so  incompatible  with  my 
ideas  of  common  honesty,  and  is  of  so  fraudulent  a 
nature  that  I  should  have  advised  the  refusal  of  it  in 
every  instance.  The  Articles  which  you  propose  to 
sell,  to  wit — Horses  and  Mares,  can  well  be  spared; 
for  I  think  they  contribute  more  to  the  amusement 


478 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[■78s 


than  pro5t  of  the  raiser  at  any  time,  and  without  the 
latter,  there  can  be  no  plea  for  the  former  in  the  In- 
stance before  us.  Without  the  Household  furniture 
Mrs.  Custis  cannot  do  ;  this  therefore  ought  not  to  be 
sold. 

I  had  no  particular  reason  for  keeping  and  hand- 
ing down  to  his  son  the  Books  of  the  late  Colo.  Cus- 
tis, saving  that  1  thought  it  would  be  taking  the 
advantage  of  a  low  appraisement  to  make  them  my 
own  property  at  it ;  and  that  to  sell  them  was  not  an 
object,  as  they  might  be  useful  to  him.  How  far 
these  considerations  should  weigh  at  a  time  when 
Money  is  wanting,  you  are  the  best  judge  of.  1  am 
exceedingly  glad  to  hear  that  you  found  your  family 
well  on  your  return  from  Fairfax,  and  that  yr.  own 
health  was  improved  by  the  Trip.  Your  Sister  joins 
me  in  the  most  Affecte.  Manner  to  all  Friends,  &  I 
am,  &c 


TO  SIR   HENRY  CLINTON. 

Head-Qua KTBXS,  si  April.  1789. 

Sir, 

The  enclosed  representation  from  the  inhabitants 
of  the  county  of  Monmouth,  with  testimonials  to  the 
facts  which  can  be  corroborated  by  other  unquestion- 
able evidence,  will  bring  before  your  Excellency  the 
most  wanton,  unprecedented,  and  inhuman  murder, 
that  ever  disgraced  the  arms  of  a  civilized  people. 

I  shall  not,  because  I  believe  it  to  be  altogether 
unnecessary,  trouble  your  Excellency  with  any  ani- 
madversions upon  this  transaction.   Candor  obliges  me 


I7M 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON, 


479 


to  be  explicit.  To  save  the  innocent,  I  demand  the 
guilty.  Captain  Lippincot,  therefore,  or  the  officer 
who  commanded  at  the  execution  of  Captain  Huddy, 
must  be  given  up  ;  or,  if  that  officer  was  of  inferior 
rank  to  him,  so  many  of  the  perpetrators  as  will,  ac- 
cording to  the  tariff  of  exchange,  be  an  equivalent 
To  do  this,  will  mark  the  justice  of  your  Excellency's 
character.  In  failure  of  it,  I  shall  hold  myself  justifi- 
able, in  the  eyes  of  God  and  man,  for  the  measure  to 
which  I  shall  resort. 

I  beg  your  Excellency  to  be  persuaded,  that  it  can- 
not be  more  disagreeable  to  you  to  be  addressed  In 
thLs  language,  than  it  is  to  me  to  offer  it ;  but  the 
subject  requires  frankness  and  decision.  I  have  to 
request  your  speedy  determination,  as  my  resolution 
is  suspended  but  for  your  answer.     I  am,  Sir,  &c.' 


TO    MAJOR-CENEKAL   GREENE. 

Hkad  QVAKTKXti,  NrwnoM), 

Dear  Sir,  aj  April,  ntt. 

Your  favor  of  the  8th  of  Feby.  was  acknowledged 
in  mine  of  the  i8th  of  March. 

I  have  now  received  yours  of  the  9th  ultimo  from 
Pompton,  covering  the  correspondence  you  have  had 
with  the  Count  de  Rochambeau,  and  a  general  return 
of  your  Army. 

'  Sir  H^nry  Clinton'*  Muwer  to  thU  letter,  •n<i  *ome  other  p«rti  o(  the 
cnrrctiKindeiice  between  Getiernl  Wishington  knd  th«  Brilish  cormniandcn, 
respecting  the  cua  of  Captain  Huddy  and  Captain  Ai|[ill.  iren  published,  and 
ate  eontnincd   in   Iho  Rtmtmbranetr.  vol.  kit.,  pp.   144,  IJ5  ;  vol.  xv.,  pp. 


4^0 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1781 


Your  apprehensions,  in  consequence  of  the  move- 
ment of  the  legion  of  Lauzun,  need  not  be  much 
alarmed  ;  the  present  situation  of  Ike  enemy  in  New 
York,  I  am  persuaded,  iviJl  not  afford  any  reinforce^ 
ments  to  your  quarter. 

The  recruits  raising  in  the  States,  from   whence 
your  army  is  composed,  are  completing  as  far  as  cir- 
cumstances will  admit,  and,  if  needed,  will  be  ready  to 
go  to  you  as  early  as  the  operations  0/  the  campaign 
are  decided ;  which,  at  present,  from  a  variety  of  cir- 
cumstances, {among  which  a  want  of  inteUigetiee  from 
Europe  is  not  the  least,)  are  held  in  a  state  of  uncer- 
tainty.    The  State  of  Marj'Iand  had  some  time  ago 
about  three  hundred  men  enlisted,  and  waiting  only  for 
their  clothes,  which  have  been  sent  on  from  Philadel- 
phia.    A  number  also  is  collected  in   Pennsylvania. 
But,  until  our  Information  respecting  the  enemy's  In- 
tentions, and  their  future  mode  of  war,  is  more  clearly 
ascertained,  as  well  as  our  knowledge  of  the  support 
and  assistance,  which  we  e.xpect  from  our  ally,  //  *nay 
not  be  well  to  hasten  on  the  recruits  to  your  army.     Vou 
an  not  insensible  of  the  disadvantages  we  liave  ever 
experienced  in  attetnpts  to  reinforce  at  your  distance 
by  land  ;  it  having  hitherto  proved  a  weakening  of  the 
main  army,  wit/toul   any   essential  augmentation  to 
yours. 

In  present  circumstances,  tvithout  the  aid  of  naval 
forces  and  water  conveyance,  your  oxon  experience  and 
the  general  knowledge  you  have  of  the  country  will 
readily  decide  upon  the  impraetieability  of  transporting 
by  land  such  heavy  stores  and  artillery,  as  would  be 


178.] 


GEOJiGS  WASHINGTON. 


481 


necessary  ftyr  great  operaiioKs.  So  that  you  have  only 
to  content  yourself  vfith  such  a  force  as  will  be  compe- 
tent  to  tlu  purpose  of  confiHing  the  enemy  to  their 
lines,  and  preventing  them  from  carrying  their  ravages 
into  tlie  country.  I  wait  with  impatience  for  ititelti- 
gence,  which  will  decide  the  intentions  of  the  enemy, 
and  fix  the  operations  of  the  eam/>aign  on  our  part. 
This,  1  hope,  is  not  far  distant.    I  am,  &c.' 


TO  THE  SECRETARY    AT   WAR. 

Hbad  Qcaktb&s,  NewBUXG, 
Dear    Sik,  a?  April.  lySa. 

Finding  the  commissioners  appointed  to  liquidate 
the  accounts  of  moneys  due  for  the  maintenance  of 
prisoners,  and  make  permanent  provision  for  their 
future  support,  have  separated  without  accomplishing 
any  thing,  I  think  it  highly  expedient,  that  measures 
should  be  adopted,  at  this  moment,  for  taking  the 
German  prisoners  of  war  into  our  service.  As  this 
measure  has  been  considerably  agitated,  I  shall  not 
amplify  upon  the  justice  and  propriety  of  it.  which  to 
me  sreem  very  obvious.  I  am  equally  well  persuaded 
of  the  policy  there  will  be  in  augmenting  every  com- 
pany with  at  least  ten  of  these  men,  or  more  if  they 
can  be  obtained ;  for  I  am  convinced,  that,  by  such 
an  incorporation,  they  will  make  exceedingly  cheap 
and  valuable  recruits,  and.  being  able-bodied  and  dis- 
ciplined men,  will  give  a  strength  and  solidity  to  our 
regiments,  which  they  will  not  otherwise  acquire  this 

'  Such  p«c[t  ol  Ihis  Ititer  »  are  prinled  iii  italic*  were  ••  cillun  c]iph(r. 
31 


483 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[178a 


campaign.  All  my  accounts  respecting  the  recruiting 
service  are  unfavorable  ;  indeed,  not  a  single  recruit 
has  arrived,  (to  my  knowledge,)  from  any  State  ex- 
cept Rhode  Island,  in  consequence  of  the  requisitions 
of  Congress  in  December  last. 

Should  the  plan  be  adopted  by  Congress,  the  sooner 
it  is  carried  into  execution  the  better.     In  that  case. 
I  think  the  men  ought  to  be  recruited  for  the  conti- 
nent, and   not   carried    to  the  credit  of  the  States' 
quotas   with    whose  lines    they    are  to  serve.      For, 
without  making  any  alteration  in  the  establishment, 
they  may  be  annexed  to  the  regiments  in  such  a  man- 
ner, as  that  they  can  be  formed  into  distinct  corps 
whenever  their  fidelity  and  attachment  shall   be  suffi- 
ciently evinced,  if  circumstances  should  then  require. 
All  the  matters  of  bounty  and  encouragement  being 
arranged  with  the  financier,  and  the  particulars  of  the 
scheme  adjusted,  as  soon  as  provision  shall  be  made 
for  their  subsistence  on  the  journey,  I  would  detach 
a  captain  and  subn.  from  every  regiment,  to  receive 
and  conduct  them    to    the  army,  so  that  they  may 
certainly  join  the  respective  regiments,  at  farthest,  by 
the  1st  of  June.    In  the  interim,  I  would  beg  leave  to 
propose,  lest  the  enemy  should  attempt  to  counteract 
the  design,  that  the  business  should  be  kept  secret, 
until  it  is  ripe  for  execution  ;  and  then  be  negotiated 
by  some  gentleman  of  address  appointed  for  the  pur- 
pose.    I  request  an  answer  as  speedily  as  possible.    I 
have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 

P.  S.     I  am  just  favored  with  your  letters  of  the 
20th  and  23d  instants — I  think  it  would  be  well  to 


i78»] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


483 


permit  such  of  the  prisoners  mentioned  by  you  to 
return  to  their  Reg^  as  can  procure  testimonials  in 
their  favor — I  submit  the  matter  to  your  discretion. 


TO  THE  CHEVALIER  DE  LA  LUZERNE. 

NiwvuRO,  April  s8.  i78». 

Sir. 

I  receive  with  much  gratitude  the  remembrances 
and  compliments  of  the  principal  officers  of  the  French 
army  in  Virginia,  and  thank  your  Excellency  for  the 
trouble  of  being  the  bearer  of  them  to  me,  and  the 
letter  from  Count  de  Rochanibeau. 

With  equal  sensibility  and  pleasure  I  received  and 
do  now  acknowledge  my  obligations  to  your  Excel- 
lency for  the  communications  from  your  Court ;  which 
tho  not  decisive,  are  nevertheless  important.  The 
late  instance  of  their  generous  aid,  hinted  at  by  your 
Excellency  and  particularized  by  Mr.  Morris,  is  one 
among  a  variety  of  important  considerations,  which 
ought  to  bind  America  to  France  in  Bonds  of  indeli- 
ble friendship  and  gratitude,  never,  I  hope,  to  be 
sundered.'  Induced  by  that  entire  confidence,  which 
I  repose  in  your  Excellency,  and  a  full  conviction 
that  a  nation,  which  combines  her  force  with  ours  for 
purposes  of  all  others  most  interesting  to  humanity, 

t  Alluding  10  1  loan  of  iLx  milliani  of  IJvret.  which,  tfler  h«arins  of  Um 
capilulilion  at  Voiklown,  the  King  of  Fiance  hud  rc&olved  to  nuke  to  (he 
Unileit  SUte«  within  ihe  corning  year ;  Although,  prcviouslj'  (■>  lint  ewnt.  M, 
de  la  Liucme  had  b«en  instniclnl  [o  infaim  Congicts  in  positive  term*.  Ihat 
DO  mote  monej  coald  he  exj>eclcd  liom  France.  Il  wot  though)  eipedieol  not 
to  XM}tn  this  iatcllipDce  public  fur  a  time,  lest  it  should  diminish  Ihe  effort* 
of  Ibe  people  in  pravidiiig  for  the  continuance  of  the  wu. 


484 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


E»78s 


ought  not  to  be  deficient  of  any  information  I  can 
give  to  point  objects  to  means,  that  an  accordance  of 
them  may  be  inseparable,  I  shall  without  hesitation 
give  you  the  state  of  our  present  force,  and  my  ideas 
of  the  increase  of  it  by  recruits,  from  the  best  view 
of  it  which  lyes  before  me. 

It  can  scarcely  be  necessary  to  inform  yr.  Excellency 
that  our  militar)'  establishment  for  the  present  year 
consists  of  4  Regiments  of  Artillery,  4  Legionarj'  and 
two  partisan  corps,  and  50  Regiments  of  Infantry, 
besides  the  Corps  of  Invalids  ;  or  that  Congress  have 
called  in  pointed  terms  upon  each  State  to  compleat 
its  Regiments  to  the  establishment,  the  aggregate  of 
which,  if  complied  with,  would  amount  to  34,308  men, 
exclusive  of  commissioned  officers,  sergeants,  and 
music,  Hazen's  Regiment,  and  the  corps  of  Invalids. 
Of  this  force,  one  Legionary  Corps,  two  regmts.  of 
artillery,  and  22  of  Infantrj'.  besides  Hazen's  Regt. 
and  the  Invalids,  compose  the  northern  army.  But 
as  Hazen's  regiment  is  fostered  by  no  State,  discour- 
aged from  recruiting  by  all,  and  without  funds,  if  the 
case  was  otherwise  it  must  soon  dwindle  to  nothing, 
(being  now  very  weak). 

The  present  totality  of  the  Rank  and  File,  exclu- 
sive of  sergeants,  of  these  Regimts.  wliich  compose 
the  northern  army,  amounts  to  9,146.  From  this 
number  the  Sick,  men  in  different  branches  of  the 
stafT  department,  and  such  as  are  employed  on  other 
extra  duties,  (which  the  peculiarity  of  our  circum- 
stances compels  me  to  furnish  from  ye  army.)  being 
deducted,  will  reduce  the  efficient  operating  force  of 


i78a] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


485 


these  corps  to  7,553  Rank  and  file  ;  and  I  should  be 
uncandid  if  I  was  not  to  acknowledge,  that  1  do  not 
expect  it  will  be  increased  by  recruits  in  the  course  of 
the  campaign  to  more  than  10,000  fit  for  Duty  in  the 
Field.  This,  Sir,  in  my  opinion,  will  be  the  full 
amount  of  the  established  Regts.  of  the  Slates  East  of 
Pensylvania.  To  ascertain  the  number  of  Militia, 
which  may  be  assembled  for  occasional  oHensive 
operations,  is  more  than  I  can  do.  The  general 
opinion  is,  that  there  will  be  no  want  of  militia  for 
any  enterprise  we  can  have  In  view.  Be  this  as  it 
may.  this  one  thing  is  certain,  that  this  class  of  men 
are  not  only  slow  in  their  movements,  but,  undertak- 
ing to  judge  also  of  the  propriety  of  them,  in  point  of 
am'nt  will  wait  till  the  necessity  for  it  strikes  iketn ; 
which,  in  most  cases,  is  as  injurious  to  the  Service  as 
inability  or  want  of  inclination ;  disappointment  being 
the  consequence  of  delay.  This  observation  1  could 
not  refrain  making,  because,  in  all  combined  opera- 
tions, especially  those  which  may  depend  upon  the 
Season  or  a  limited  period  for  their  execution  it  is  of 
the  utmost  importance  to  be  known. 

The  enclosed  return,  wch.  is  a  copy  of  the  last  State 
of  the  force  under  the  orders  of  Majr-Genl.  Greene 
(wch  has  come  to  my  hands,)  will  give  your  Excel- 
lency every  information  in  my  power  respecting  the 
Stale  and  condition  of  that  army  ;  which  was  to  be 
augmented  by  the  Partisan  Corps  of  Colo.  Armand, 
consisting  of  about  200  horse  and  foot.  Independent 
of  those,  there  are  two  small  regts.  at  Fort  Pitt,  one 
from  ye  State  of  Pcnsylva.,  the  other  from  Vli^, 


486 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[178. 


which  are  included  in  the  general  establishmt.  of  the 
army ;  but  no  partr.  return  is  here  given  of  them. 

What  measures  are  adopted  by  the  States  of  Geor- 
gia and  No.  and  So.  Carolina  to  recruit  their  bat- 
talions, I  know  not.     Virginia  marched  abt.  400  men 
the  latter  end  of  Feby.  for  the  southern  army,  and 
by  an  act  of  the    Legislature   passed   at  their  last 
Session,    resolved  to   raise  more  ;  but   in  what  for- 
wardness they  are.  or  what  is  to  be  expected   from 
the  act,    I  am  equally   uninformed.     Maryland  and 
Pcnsylvania  depend  upon  vohintar)*  enlistments,  and 
are  proceeding  very  slow  in  the  business  of  recruit- 
ing, especially  the  latter.     It  is  impossible  for  me. 
therefore,  to  say  to  what  number  that  army  will  be 
increased. 

This,  Sir,  is  an  accurate  state  of  the  force  we  have 
at  present,  and  my  expectation  of  what  it  may  be, 
independent  of  militia. 

The  enemy's  Force,  from  the  best  information  I 
have  been  able  to  obtain  of  it,  may  stand  thus.  At 
New  York,  Regulars,  incKidg.  their  established  corps 
of  provincials.  Rank  and  File,  nine  thousand  ;  militia 
of  the  city.  Refugees,  and  Indepl.  Companies,  4,000  ; 
sailors  and  marines,  accordg.  to  the  No.  of  ships, 
whch.  may  be  in  the  harbr.,  and  this  being  uncertn., 
no  numbr.  is  given  now  in  N.  Y.  13.000;  Charleston 
abt.  3.300;  Savannah  abt  7001  In  Canada,  includ- 
ing British.  German,  and  Established  Provtnls., 
5,000;  Penobscot  abt.  500;  Halifax  and  its  depen- 
dencies, uncertain,  but  say  3.500  ;  In  all,  26,00a 

The  above  estimate,   so   far  as  it  respects   New 


■ 


i78»] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


487 


York,  Charleston,  and  Savannah,  is  I  believe  to  be 
depended  upon.  The  force  of  Canada  by  some  accts. 
is  more,  by  others  less,  than  5,00a  The  regular 
British  and  German  Troops  in  that  country  cannot 
exceed  4,000  ;  but,  in  addition  to  these,  are  the  corps 
of  Sir  John  Johnson  and  others,  which  I  am  told 
have  been  considerably  increased  by  the  disaffected 
of  this  and  other  States,  who  have  (led  to  Canada. 
But  it  is  to  be  obser\'cd,  that  this  force,  be  it  what  it 
may,  is  employed  in  the  oteupaiion  of  posts  between 
Quebec  and  Michilimackinac.  and  on  Lake  Cham- 
plain,  through  an  extent  of  not  less  than  7  or  800 
miles,  and  that  all  these  Posts  are  dependent  upon 
the  former  for  provision  and  supplies  of  every  kind. 
I  am  leas  certain  of  the  Enemy's  force  in  Nova 
Scotia  than  elsewhere.  The  number  here  given  is 
not  from  recent  intelligence,  and  may  be  erroneous, 
as  their  garrisons  are  weakened  or  strengthened 
according  to  circumstances.  Cumberland.  Windsor, 
Annapolis,  and  St.  John's  River.  &c.  arc  posts  de- 
pendent on  Halifax,  and  included  in  the  3.500  men 
here  mentioned. 

If  this  stale  of  matters  be  satisfactory  to  your 
Excellency,  or  useful  in  the  formation  of  any  plans 
against  the  common  Enemy,  I  shall  be  very  happy  in 
having  given  it 

Permit  me  now.  Sir,  to  express  the  high  sense  I 
have  of  the  honor  you  have  done  me  in  communicat- 
ing the  favorable  opinion  entertained  of  my  conduct 
by  the  Court  and  nation  of  France,  and  to  acknowl- 
edge my  obligation  to  those  officers,  who  have  in- 


4«8 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


\^^Z^ 


Spired  these  Sentiments.  To  stand  well  in  the  eye 
of  a  nation,  whch.  I  view  as  one  of  the  first  in  the 
world,  and  in  the  opinion  of  a  monarch,  whom  I  con- 
sider as  the  supporter  of  the  rights  of  humanity,  and 
to  whom  I  am  personally  indebted  for  the  command 
he  has  been  pleased  to  honor  me  with,  is  highly  flat- 
tering to  my  vanity,  at  the  same  time  it  has  a  first 
claim  to  all  my  gratitude.'  It  is  unnecessary.  I  hope, 
to  add  fresh  assurances  of  the  respect  and  esteem, 
with  which  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 


TO  THE    PKESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

Head  QVAkTEktt  30  April,  178a. 

Sir, 

I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  to  your  Excellency 
copies  of  the  minutes  of  proceedings  and  reports  of 
my  commissioners  appointed  to  meet  commissioners 
on  the  part  of  the  British  general.  Sir  Henry  Clinton, 
for  the  purposes  mentioned  in  their  instructions 
(copy  of  which  is  herewith  communicated).*    A  pri- 

'  Frem  At,  ttt  la  Imuth/i  Liltrr.—"  I  cannot  deny  myself  (he  pkuuic  of 
infonning  yuu  of  the  sonliments.  with  which  tho  toporit  of  the  Frcnd  afficen 
on  thcit  return  toVcrutUcs.  inspired  the  cootl  mid  nation  tVHrdt  yo\a  EitMl< 
lency.  Their  lutlmony  c&n  add  nothing!  to  the  unircntl  opinion  respcctitig 
the  great  terriiTEt,  which  you  have  rcndotecl  t<>  your  country  ;  but,  to  tbe 
e»teem  and  adniintion  of  the  French,  will  heocetorih  be  added  ■  Matimtnl  o( 
■ffectlon  and  attachment,  which  ik  a  jukt  leturn  far  the  atlcntioiu  a«l  officer* 
bate  tecdTWl  Irom  you,  aiid  li>r  tlio  |>ruf:re>»l)icy  hive  made  in  thdrpcofcMlon 
by  letving  under  your  otden.  "—April  i8th. 

<  The  Hrliiih  ciiiamiuloneit  wer«  General  Dalrymple  and  Mr.  Andrew  Elliot. 
Three  principal  poiiils  w«ic  brought  into  ditcuuion  ;  a  caticl  for  •  |[eiieral  ex- 
change of  priionen ;  •  li(|uid«tioD  ol  all  accounts  on  both  nid«*  (or  tbe  matn* 
Icnancc  of  priionert ;  and  proviiion  lor  tlicir  future  tupport.     In  Sir  Henrr 


ijSa] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


489 


vate  letter  from  my  commissioners,  and  a  letter  from 
Sir  Henry  Clinton,  both  written  in  consequence  of 
this  negotiation,  arc  also  enclosed  for  the  observation 
of  Congress. 

After  this  display  of  the  subject  it  is  unnecessary, 
and  it  might  be  improper,  for  me  to  make  any  obser- 
vations on  these  papers.  I  submit  them  to  the 
wisdom  of  Congress,  and  have  only  to  beg  for  my 
own  direction,  that  I  may  be  early  informed  of  their 
determination,  how  far  any  future  exchanges  of 
prisoners  of  war  shall  be  continued,  under  the  prac- 
tice which  has  been  formerly  adopted  for  that  pur- 
pose, I  beg  leave  to  point  the  attention  of  Congress 
particularly  to  that  p-irt  of  the  commissioners'  letter 
to  me,  which  mentions  the  extension  of  a  pardon  to 
the  refugees  in  service  of  the  enemy.  Their  ideas  on 
this  subject  are  so  perfectly  consonant  to  my  own, 
formed  on  the  principles  of  policy  and  expediency, 
that  I  cannot  omit  to  notice  it,  and  to  submit  to  the 
consideration  of  Congress,  whether  the  adopting  this 
measure  under  proper  restrictions  may   not  be  at- 

Clinton's  lellCT  ti>  Wathiii^on,  tUtiiiK  llic  rexuliiiflf  thencgolUtlon  u  repofled 
bf  his  cotnmiBiJoaers.  lie  coinplaini  that  lh«  American*  maclv  unrmanalile 
(temitnils  .  liiil.  in  lequiiing  him  to  agree  to  an  cxchftnge  of  priioner*  in  all 
jitns  of  the  world,  whrreat  it  waj  kiiinvii  thxi  hU  pi>wer«  eiiciidcil  10  wch 
only  ai  had  been  captured  in  America  ;  sccomtly,  in  &n  exorbitant  requisiiian 
o(  two  hundred  ihouiand  pound>  MeiltDg.  oi  the  balance  due  10  the  United 
State*  lor  Ili<  maintenvice  ol  Brili«h  pri«i)nert  fioni  tlie  t>eginnlnK  of  hontill- 
tiei  lo  that  lime,  whcieoi.  in  Sii  Henry's  opinion,  ibe  balann  waa  greatly  in 
bii  favor ;  and  thiTdly.  in  demmding  thai,  (or  the  future,  proriiioni  should  not 
be  purchoted  in  ihc  Untied  ^tatc*  (or  ibc  (uppori  n(  Rritixh  priaotirni,  but 
thould  be  sent  to  them  (rum  the  Britiih  posts.  On  tbew  euenlial  pointa,  as  well 
XA  on  many  othen  o(  leu  momenl.  the  diSercncc  of  opinion  iru  lo  great  thai 
no  arrangement  could  h«  eflectcil. — See  Si' ark*'  Lift  a/  Getntrninr  Merrii, 
vol.  i.,  p.  143. 


49« 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


fi782 


tended  with  happy  consequences  to  our  cause,  and 
be  equally  productive  of  ruin  and  confusion  to  the 
British  interests  in  America.  Lamenting  that  the 
benevolence  of  my  intentions  has  been  so  totally 
defeated,  by  the  unhappy  and  fruitless  issue  of  this 
negotiation,  I  have  only  to  add,  that,  with  the  most 
perfect  regard,  I  am,  &c. 


PLAN   OF  CAMPAIGN. 


I 


Nkwhuiiuii.  I  Mtf,  1783. 

Unacquainted  wittf^thc  determinations  of  the  Court  of  France 
respecting  the  succor  which  may,  in  their  extensive  arrangements 
for  the  Campaign  of  1 73a,  be  generously  extended  to  the  Semce 
of  America,  or  indeed  knowing  what  to  expect  from  the  Slittcs.  in 
coitsequcoce  of  the  requisitions  of  Congress  for  Men  and  Sup- 
plies ;  it  is  impossible  to  point  operations  to  particular  obiects. 
But  as  it  may  give  facility  to  future  determinations,  to  take  a 
comprehensive  view  of  the  Enemy's  strength  in  different  parts 
of  America,  and  sec  with  what  force  and  means,  in  what  manner, 
and  with  what  prospect,  it  can  best  be  assailed,  the  following 
statements  are  made,  and  thoughts  result : — 

The  enemy's  effective  force  in  America,  from  the  best  infor> 
mation  that  has  been  received  of  it,  may  be  estimated  as  follows, 
vir  : — 

First,  at  New  York  and  its  Dependencies  Rane&Ftlb. 

Regulars,  including  the  established  Provinc.  Corps,   9,000 
City  Militia,  Independent  Companies  and  Refugees,  4,000 
Sailors  and  Marine:!,  as  these  depend  upon  circura- 
slans.  none  will   be  put  down.  t^fiioxi 

Suond,  Southern  States 

Charles  Town 3,300 

Savanna 700  4,000 


I78a]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  491 

Third,  Canada 
Regulars  and  established  Provincials 5,000 

Fourth,  Hallifax  and  Penobscot 

Hallifax  and  its  Dependencies 3i5oo 

Penobscot 500    4,000 

Total afi.ooo 

The  foregoing  estimate  exhibits  four  distinct  objects  to  view ; 
each  of  which  tho'  in  diGFerent  degrees,  is  important,  and  worthy 
of  consideration. — 

The  first  is,  undoubtedly,  of  the  greatest  magnitude  ;  and  the 
most  beneficial  consequences  will  result  from  a  successful  opera- 
tion against  it.  Consequently  it  is  to  be  preferred,  if  our  force 
and  means  are  adequate  to  the  enterprise  and  the  season  should 
favor.  These  are  matters  of  very  serious  consideration,  as  a  dis- 
appointment would  not  only  disgrace  our  Arms,  but  would  in- 
volve the  States  in  a  heavy  and  ruinous  expcnce. — 

Whether  the  second  or  third  should  claim  our  next  attention 
(if  we  are  unable  to  prosecute  the  first,)  is  a  matter  of  serious 
enquiry,  and  can  best  be  determined  by  a  comparative  and  im- 
partial view  of  the  advantages  of  each,  which,  as  far  as  my  knowl- 
edge of  them  extend,  I  will  state  in  favor  of 

Carolina  and  Georgia.  Canada, 

The  wishes,  the  feelings,  the  The  Annexation  of  so  cap- 
long  sufferings,  and  the  dis-  itol  a  Province  as  this  (Canada) 
tresses  of  the  Southern  States  to  the  Federal  Union,  the  con- 
in  general,  and  these  two  in  par-  sequent  subduction  of  all  the 
ticular,  especially  in  the  depri-  Northern  and  Western  Indians, 
vation  of  their  Capitols,  their  and  the  restoration  of  Peace 
trade,  (which  is  of  such  a  na-  and  quietness  to  such  an  exten- 
ture  as  to  make  favorable  re-  sive  Frontier  as  we  have  from 
mittances  for  continental,  as  the  River  St,  John's,  in  the  Bay 
well  as  local  purposes) — and  of  Fundy,  to  the  Holstein  in 
the  principal  Gentlemen  of  the  No.  Carolina,  are  matters  of 
Country  of  their    homes,   and  great  moment,  and  worthy  of 


493 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[178* 


the  comforM  of  life,  must  have 
grcitt  weight  in  this  scale — 

Especially  vhcn  ic  is  consid- 
ered, what  effect  the  disap- 
pointment might  have  upon  the 
minds  of  a  people  who  have  al- 
ready conceived  themselves 
neglected — and  who,  jiist  be- 
ginning to  immergc  from  the 
deplorable  situation  into  which 
their  country  had  been  thrown 
by  the  cruel  invasion  of  it,  are 
now  cxeiting  themselves  to  sup- 
pott  (he  common  cause,  in  high 
expectation  more  than  proba- 
ble, of  being  speedily  cmanci- 
pated  from  the  force  which  at 
present  possesses  their  Capi- 
tols. 

Under  these  circumstances, 
it  may  be  difficult  10  bring  to 
their  view  lemotc  advantages, 
tbo'  ever  so  important,  upon  the 
large  Ot  general  scale  ;  and  if 
disgust  and  resentment  should 
be  the  consequence  of  disap- 
pointment, it  may  have  an  un- 
happy influence  on  our  Plans, 
ia  our  councils,  and  upon  our 
public  measures  in  general. 

Besides,  there  is  one  power- 
ful argument  ia  favor  of  the 
Southern  Expedition  (if  we  can 
be  effectually  covered  by  a  fleet, 
without  which  it  is  folly  even 
to  think  of  one)  and  that  is,  a 
moral  certainty  of  success,  for 


the  most  serious  attention.    Es- 
pecially too,  when  il  is  consid- 
ered, that  in  ihccasc  of  Charles 
Town  and  Savanna,  if  the  en- 
emy can   be    confined    within 
their  lines,  the  Inhabitants  of 
So.  Carolina  and   Georgia  ore 
suffering  a  temporary  suspen- 
sion oniy  of  their  i>ropcrty  in, 
and    the    inconveniences     of, 
those  Towns,  and  some  impedi> 
menu  to  their  Trade.     Where- 
at in  the  other  case,  multitudes 
of  helpless  families  (which  it  is 
impossible  to  protect)  arc  daily 
murdered,  or  carried  into  hope- 
less  captivity  by  the  Savages  ; 
whole   settlements  destroyed  ; 
and  our  Northern  and  Western 
frontier  of  more  than  a  thou- 
sand miles  in  extent,  continu- 
ally retreating  before  a  cruel 
and    bloodlhirsiy  enemy,  who 
desolate  as  they  go. 

Besides  these,  an  expedition 
into  Canada  would  at  once  de- 
velop the  mysterious  conduct 
of  the  people  of  Vermont  ; 
bring  them  to  an  explanation 
in  a  manner  of  all  others  the 
most  advantageous  to  us,  and 
unexceptionable  to  themselves ; 
disconcert  the  projects  of  the 
enemy  if  they  are  in  league 
with  the  rulers  of  these  people : 
and  turn  the  arms  and  resources 
with  which  they  were  flattered. 


i78a] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


493 


knowing  the  number  of  the  en- 
emy which  compose  the  Gtrri- 
sons  of  Chnrles  Town  and  Sa- 
vanna, and  the  strength  of  their 
works ;  and  that  they  have  no 
exterior  resources,  wc  can  ad- 
duce such  a  force  8s  cannot 
upon  the  common  rules  of  cal- 
culation, fail  to  insure  success. 

Whereas  many  unforeseen 
difficulties  may  c;isl  up  in  Can- 
ada.— We  may  find,  notwith- 
standing the  flattering  acc'ts  of 
(he  friendly  disposition  of  its 
Inhabitants,  and  their  wishes  to 
be  released  from  the  yoke  of 
British  tyranny,  that  a  hostile 
disposition  may  appear  in  many 
of  them,  whilst  a  painful  neu- 
trality pervades  the  rest. 

Add  to  these  reasons,  that 
under  the  most  favorable  cir- 
cumstances thai  can  reasonably 
be  expected,  —  one  campaign 
can  do  little  more  than  give  us 
a  firm  establishment  in  the 
country — and  perhaps  posses- 
sion of  their  upper  Posts — To 
expect  the  conquest  of  Quebec 
the  same  season,  unless  by  the 
dispersion  of  the  force  in  Can- 
ada, and  the  impracticability  of 
assembling  it.  we  should  find 
Quebec  weakly  Garrisoned,  illy 
provided  with  provisions,  or 
Military  Stores,  or  a  disposition 
in  the  Country  to  rise  as  one 


against  them.  For  the  Vcr- 
moDtesc  having  often  soUicit- 
ed  an  expedition  into  Cana- 
da, with  strong  assurances  of 
support,  duTst  not  refuse  their 
aid  if  called  upon,  when  a  heavy 
body  of  Troops  were  marching 
through  their  Country,  avow- 
edly, and  apparently  to  remove 
the  source  of  the  evils  they  have 
complain'd  of,  and  which  has 
been  the  ostensible  reason  as- 
signed fOTlheirlemporizlngcon- 
duct  with  the  enemy  in  Canada. 

To  these  considerations  may 
be  added,  that  an  expedition 
into  that  Country-,  if  undertaken 
with  sufficient  means,  and  in  a 
proper  season  and  manner,  will 
cost  very  little  more  than  the 
expensive,  but  ineffectual 
modes  which  are  now  pursuing 
by  the  Continent  agregately 
and  the  States  individually,  for 
defence  of  them  ;  while  the  lat- 
ter is  an  annual  expcnce  under 
all  the  disadvantages  and  evils 
here  enumerated ;  and  the 
other,  by  putting  the  axe  to  the 
root,  would  remove  the  cause, 
and  make  a  radical  cure. 

I  shall  say  nothing  of  the 
benefits  which  America  would 
derive,  and  the  injury  Great 
Britain  must  sustain,  by  the 
Fur  and  other  trade  of  Canada 
shifting  hands.    Nor  of  the  ira- 


494 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[lj85 


Han,  to  exterminate  the  British 
force,  would  exhibit  greater 
pioofn  of  a  Hangutiie  temper 
than  a  dclilwralc  judgment. 


mense  importance  it  must  be  to 
the  future  peace  and  quiet  of 
lliese  Stales,  especially  the 
Western  parts  of  them,  to  an- 
nihilate the  British  Interest  in 
that  country ;  thereby  putting 
a  stop  to  their  intriguing  after 
Peace  sliall  be  established. 
These  are  loo  obvious  to  stand 
in  need  of  illustration — they 
will  speak  for  themselves. 

To  all  which  may  be  added 
by  way  of  questions,  proper  for 
Gent'n  of  the  Navy  to  resolve 
—■Whether  a  Fleet  sufficient  to 
protect   the  siege    of    Charles 
Town  can  lye  there  in    safety 
during  the  operation  ?  Whether 
Chesapeake  Bay,  which   is  the 
nearest  port  for  Ship*   of    the 
Line,   would    afford    sufficient 
cover,  and  give  proper  securi- 
ty to  the   Besiegers  and   their 
convoys  during  the  Siege  ?  and 
what  will  be  the  probable  con* 
sequences  of  the  enterprise,  tf 
both  these  questions  should  be 
resolved  in  ilie  negative. 


Halufax — 

With  which  I  connect  Penobscot— is,  of  the  four  Statements, 
least  important,  considered  in  a  separate  point  of  view ;  but 
if  our  force  should  be  unequal  to  the  enter^mse  against  New 
York  ;  or  other  circumstances  should  render  the  attack  of  that 
place  unadvi sable, and  we  could  nevertheless  combine  these  with 
Canada,  and  carry  on  both  expeditions  at  once  with  a  probabil- 
ity of  success ;  it  would  add  more  weight  to  the  reasons  given  in 


178.1 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


49S 


support  of  an  Expedition  into  that  Country  ;  and  in  case  of  suc- 
cess, would  be  of  the  utmost  importance,  as  it  would  add  much, 
not  only  to  the  security  of  the  trade  of  Canada,  but  the  United 
Stales  in  General ;  give  a  well  grounded  hope  of  rescuing  the 
iMshcries  from  Great  Britain,  which  vrill  most  essentially  injure 
her  Marine  ;  while  it  would  lay  a  foundation,  on  which  to  build 
one  of  our  own — It  would  confine  the  enemy  to  one  harbor — and 
if  that  (New  York)  should  be  taken  from  them,  deprive  them  of 
«ver)'  port  in  America;  thereby  adding  greatly  to  the  security  of 
our  shipping  upon  this  Coast — They  would  in  thai  case  have  no 
Port  in  which  they  cd.  heave  down  and  rcfii  their  hca\7  ships  ; 
their  West  India  Islands  (if  any  should  remain  to  ihcm)  would 
be  considerably  distressed  in  the  article  of  Lumber — and  lastly, 
another  Province  (Nova  Scotia),  which  sometime  ago  was  very 
desirous  of  it,  would  be  added  to  ihe  Federal  Union. — 

Having  given  these  general  ideas  respecting  the  objects  which 
invite  to  Military  enterprises,  I  will  next  make  an  estimate  of  the 
force  which,  in  my  judgment  is  necessary  to  each.  But  it  must 
be  established  as  positions  : — 

Fifit. — That  to  undertake  the  reduction  of  New  York,  upon  a 
well  grounded  plan,  indeed  with  any  hope  of  success,  we  must 
not  only  have  a  superior  Naval  force,  but  a  moral  certainty  of 
maintaining  ii.  And  that  that  force,  or  part  of  it,  ought,  if  pas- 
situ,  to  be  in  possession  of  the  harbor,  to  cover  the  Besiegers, 
secure  their  communications,  and  facilitate  transportation  ; — at 
the  same  time  that  the  enemy,  thereby,  are  effectually  deprived 
of  Succors  and  Supplies. 

Sttond. — That  to  undertake  the  reduction  of  Charles  Town— or 
Haltifax,  without  having,  and  holding,  such  Naval  Force,  would 
te  folly  in  the  extreme. 

Third. — That  tho'  a  Naval  force  would  be  advantageous  and 
might  greatly  facilitate  the  entire  conquest  of  Canada,  It  is  not 
absolutely  neccssar)' to  the  establishment  of  a  force  in  the  heart  of 
ihc  Country.  In  a  Siege  of  Quebec— for  the  purpose  of  convoy- 
ing Ordnance,  Stores  and  Provisions  proper  for  it — and  depriv- 
ing  the  Enemy  of  all  succor  by  sea,  a  few  ships  in  the  St.  Lau- 
rence (Frigates  might  answer)  would  be  highly  necessary. 


49* 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[.78J 


The  above  being  the  Basis  on  which  either  of  the  Enterprises 
here  mcntioDcd  ihoald  be  underiulcen,  I  [hink  upon  every  rule 
of  Military  propriety  wc  should  have  for  the  attempt  agsinut 

New  York 

Three  limes  the  force  which  compose  the  Garrison  of  it,  to 
enable  ii«  to  carry  on  the  Siege  with  spirit  and  vigor,  and  to  give 
a  well  grounded  hope  of  a  siicce^ul  issue.  Less  tlian  this  nam* 
ber,  considering  the  Posts  wc  shall  have  to  occupy,  and  commu- 
nications to  establish,  would  reduce  us  to  one  point  of  attack  ; 
or  subject  us  to  the  hazard  of  being  beaten  in  detail  if  we  at- 
tempted two ;  when  the  propriety  of  approaching  the  City  by  the 
way  of  Brooklyn  and  York  Island  at,  or  about  the  same  time,  is 
so  obviously  necessary  to  a  vigorous  siege,  that  nothing  but  ina- 
bility should  dispcnce  with  it.  Upon  this  calculation  then.  New 
York  will  require — 39,000  Men.  But  as  it  may  be  difficult  to 
obtain  these,  as  a  le^s  number  in  a  greater  space  of  time  majr, 
effect  the  reduction  of  the  place,  and  as  an  attempt  (even  unde 
these  disadvantages)  may  be  preferable  to  any  other  enterprise' 
it  may  be  asked. — 

/"//-//— Wliat  is  the  smallest  number  of  men  with  which  the 
Siege  of  N.  York  can  be  undertaken  under  these  circumstances  ? 

Seeonti — To  how  late  a  period  of  the  Campaign  can  tlie  com- 
mencement of  the  operations  be  delayed,  without  hazarding  a 
defeat  from  the  cold  of  the  Autumn  ? 

T'A/fi/— Whether  we  may  rely  absolutely  upon  the  support  of 
the  Fleet  during  the  operation,  be  it  long  or  short — early  or  late, 
in  the  season  ? 

The  orders  of  the  Court  of  France,  or  the  admiral,  alone  can 
determine  the  last ;  but  with  respect  to  the  other  two,  I  think 
15,000  effective  men.  fifteen  thousand  of  which  to  be  regular 
Troops,  have  a  tolerable  good  chance  of  reducing  the  Post  in 
less  than  three  months — consequently,  the  commencement 
ought  not  to  be  delay'd  beyond  the  first  of  September — as  the 
difficulty,  proceeding  from  the  want  of  wmxl aJane  will  be  found 
almost,  if  not  quite  insurmountable,  especially  upon  York  Island 
(where  there  is  not  a  stick)  unless  wc  can  secure  the  navigation 


I 


i78a] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


497 


of  the  No.  River,  by  passing  a  Frigate  or  two  above  the  Enemy's 
Works.— 

Charles  Town  and  Savanna 

Are  here  classed  together,  because  there  can  be  little  doubt  of 
the  latter's  being  united  to  the  fonncr,  upon  the  first  appearance 
of  a  movement  that  way  if  it  can  be  done.  For  this  service,  I 
should  suppose  S.ooo  men  in  addition  to  the  regular  force  with 
Gen'l  Greene,  and  such  aids  as  the  Country  can  throw  in,  if  neces- 
sary, will  be  fully  competent  to  the  enterprise,  which  cannot,  on 
acc't  of  the  heal,  and  sickly  season,  be  comrocDced  before 
October.— 

Canada. 

If  the  Expedition  is  sufBctently  masked  it  will  not  require 
(to  march  by  Land)  more  than  8,000  men  ;  for  allho'  some  Ac- 
counts make  the  force  of  the  enemy  in  that  Country  equal  to  this 
number,  yet  dispersed  as  it  is,  and  so  far  apart,  if  the  intention 
is  concealed  till  the  moment  of  execution,  and  the  movements 
arc  then  rapid,  it  will  be  impossible  to  assemble  it  in  time  to 
oppose  such  a  body.  Two  thousand  in  addition  to  these,  to  go 
round  by  watcras  has  been  already  mentioned,  and  for  the  purpose 
expressed,  would  make  a  firm  esublishment  in  the  heart  of  that 
Country,  and  very  probably  reduce  every  Post  in  it  by  January, 
except  Quebec  ;  the  conquest  of  which,  as  has  been  observed  be- 
fore, depends  upon  contingencies. 

If  the  Expedition  is  wholly  conducted  by  Land,  about  the  first 
of  September  will  be  the  best  time  to  begin  the  march,  on  ac- 
count of  the  Roads,  the  waters,  and  the  Provision  ;  for  harvest 
being  then  over.  Bread  and  Forage  will  be  plenty  on  the  Routes 
the  Army  will  move  ;  and  in  Canada  ;  and  it  will  be  too  late  for 
the  enemy  to  send  reinforcements,  or  supplies  into  that  Country. — 

If  it  is  to  be  by  Land  and  Water,  the  sooner  perhaps  it  com- 
mences the  better,  because  a  supply  of  Provisions  can  be  sent 
round  in  Che  Transports  ;  and  the  .ships  of  war  will  cut  of  all 
succor  to  the  Enemy  ;  and  their  supplies  of  every  kind. 

Halufax 
I  can  say  less  to  than  any  other  object,  having  no  Inte  acc'ts  of 

the  strength  of  the  Works,  number  of  the  Garrison,  or  temper  of 
31 


498 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


E«7«> 


(he  Inhabitants.  [By]  (he  b«st  infomutioo.  however,  which  I 
have  been  able  to  obtain,  the  first  has  been  cncreased,  and  coa- 
sidcrnbty  strengthened  within  the  last  two  or  three  years  :  the 
second  may  be  about  what  I  have  estimated  them  at ;  and  with 
regard  to  the  third,  nothing  decisive  can  be  said.  The  whole 
amount  of  the  Militia  of  that  Govcmmcnt  is  about  5,000  ;  and 
some  time  ago  they  were  very  desirous  of  being  united  with  the 
Conftderated  States  of  America  ;  but  what  changes  or  revolutions 
may  have  taken  place  in  their  system  of  Politicks,  from  the  little, 
or  no  prospect  of  emancipation  held  up  to  them,  I  cannot  ua- 
dcrlalcc  to  determine. — Under  the  best  view  of  the  matter  I  have, 
I  should  think  less  than  8,000  men  would  be  inadequate. 

ButtUUDA 

Being  rather  extraneous,  was  not  taken  into  the  general  view  ; 
but  as  it  is  a  harbor  from  which  many  Privateers  are  sent  to 
annoy  our  Trade,  as  great  part  of  the  Inhabitants  are  well  aEfected 
to  the  American  cause, — nish  to  be  connected  with  us,  and  de- 
pend in  a  very  great  degree  upon  America  for  subsistence,  it  may 
not  be  amiss  to  give  it  some  consideration,  as  circumstances  in 
the  course  of  the  Campaign  may  lead  to  the  Conquest  of  this 
Island,  without  incurring  much  expence,  or  interfering  with  other 
Plans — Policy  in  this  case  may  invite  the  measure  whether  it  is 
adopted  with  a  view  of  retaining  or  ceding  the  Island  by  way  of 
composition  at  a  general  pacification. — 

The  force  on  the  Island,  by  the  best  accounts  I  have  had  theoce 
does  not  exceed  three  or  400  Invalids,  tn  unimportant  Works 
commanded  by  higher  ground  within  a  short  distance. 

One  50  Gun  .thiji  and  three  or  four  Frigates,  with  about  f,ooo 
Land  Troops  (to  be  transported  in  the  Prigates)  would  be  com- 
petent, it  is  conceived,  to  the  reduction  of  this  Island ;  if  the 
Enterprise  is  properly  conducted  and  accompanied  in  the  first 
instance  with  such  offers  as  will  be  pleasing  to  the  Inhabitants. 

Having  in  the  preceding  pages  pointed  to  the  different  objects 
which  present  themselves  to  view,  the  strength  of  each,  and  the 
force  requisite  for  its  subduction  ;  I  shall  next  give  my  ideas  of 
the  mode  of  attacking  them — or  such  of  them — as  my  knowledge 


• 


I78.J 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


499 


of  their  sitiution  will  enable  me  to  fonn  a  judgment  upon.    And 
fintof 

Nbw  York. 

The  mode  of  attacking  this  place  must  depend,  in  a  great 
measure,  upon  a  pretty  accurate  knowledge  of  what  our  Force 
will  be  at  the  time  fixed  upon  for  the  commencement  of  the 
operations.  For  if  it  should  be  adjudged  competent — and  the 
measure  in  its  nature  practicable  without  considerable  lou,  we 
ought,  in  my  opinion,  to  make  two  approaches  at,  or  about  the 
game  lime.  If  it  U  not,  the  principal  part  of  our  force  must  be 
conducted  to  one  point ;  and  the  attack  must  succeed,  instead  of 
being  combined  with  each  other.  In  cither  case,  the  approaches 
may  diSer ;  the  fairest  way  therefore  of  determining  upon  the 
best,  is  to  consider 

First. — The  present  situation  of  the  force  we  are  actually  pos- 
sessed of. 

Stcond. — From  whence  our  succors  arc  to  come. 

Third. — The  points  from  whence  our  Provisions,  Siege  Artil- 
lery, Military  Stores,  Boats  and  other  supplies  are  to  be  drawn, 
and 

Fourth. — Which  is  essentially  necessary — whether  possession 
of  (he  interior  Harbor  of  New  Vork  by  the  French  Fleet  can  be 
so  far  depended  upon  as  to  warrant  anterior  movements  which 
may  prove  pernicious  if  ihis  event  should  not  happen. — And  above 
all,  whether  it  will  engage  to  co-operate  to  the  end  of  the  Siege, 
be  it  long  or  short. 

With  respect  to  the  first,  it  is  very  immaterial  so  far  as  the 
Continental  Troops  are  concerned,  because  they  can  be  moved 
I  to  any  point  with  almost  equal  convenience — but  if  the  French 
Army  is  to  march  by  Land  from  Virginia,  their  going  to  Stalea 
Island  (one  of  the  approaches  to  Brooklyn),  or  to  Westchester, 
will  make  a  difference  of  ten  days,  allowing  for  the  passage  of 
the  North  River. 

As  I  shall  include  Maryland  among  the  States  which  will  be 
called  upon  for  Militia — and  New  York  is  nearly  as  convenient 
to  one  point  as  another  H^hs  of  the  whole  requisition  will  be  de- 
manded  of  Connecticut,  and  the  Slates  Eastward  of  it ;  if  ths  of 


Soo 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[«j8a 


New  Jersey  2nd  tho«e  South  of  it ;  and  the  remaining  A*''*  *'*" 
come  from  New  York — which  is  full  information  respecting  the 
second  article  of  succors. — 

With  respect  to  the  third,  the  greatest  pan  of  the  Siege  Artil- 
lery, a  large  proportion  of  Shott,  Shells  and  other  Military  Stores, 
lay  at  Philadelphia;  and  in  the  Jerseys.  The  Boats  are  in  the 
North  River  and  Eastward  of  it ;  and  a  good  deal  of  the  Powder 
is  deposited  at  West  Point,  snd  in  the  vicinity  of  it — The  Flour 
is  to  be  transported  principally  (rom  New  Jersey  and  the 
States  Southward  of  it— and  the  Beef  will  conic  on  foot  from  the 
Eastward. — 

On  ih%  4th  Article  lean  form  no  decisive  opinion.  But  full  and 
absolute  possession  of  the  hnrbor  is  of  such  immense  importance 
in  an  attack  upon  New  York,  and  will  contribute  so  much  to  the 
security  of  our  communications,  safety  of  our  convoys,  and  speedy 
reduction  of  the  Garrison,  that  no  means  ought,  in  ray  opinion, 
to  be  left  unessayed  to  accomplish  it.  And  in  the  weak  and  de- 
fenceless state  the  harbor  is  in  at  present,  nothing  would  be  more 
cosy  and  certain,  than  to  effect  this  by  surprize,  if  the  Squad- 
ron destined  for  this  coast  could  detach  previous  to  its  Sailing 
from  the  West  Indies,  a  few  Ships  to  gain  possession;  thereby 
facilitating  the  entrance  of  the  others  ;  which  mi^t,  and  indeed 
ought,  speedily  to  follow. — 

The  Lines  on  York  bland,  and  the  Works  at  Brooklyn  are  the 
two  avenues  to  the  Town.  To  arrive  at  the  first,  there  is  but 
one  way,  except  it  can  be  done  by  stratagem  (which  is  too  preca- 
rious to  be  admitted  into  any  Plan,)  and  that  is  by  forcing  the 
passage  of  Harlacm  River — The  approach  to  the  second  may  be 
either  by  Stalen  Island  or  Frogs  Neck,  (if  it  should  be  preferred 
to  Morrissania) ;  each  of  which  supposing  the  Fleet  to  be  in  pos- 
session of  the  Bay,  which  is  to  be  considered  as  a  Basis,  lias  its 
advantages  as  follows — 


Staten  Island 
Would,  in  the  very  commence- 
ment of  our  movements  to  In- 
vest New  York,  give  us  all  the 
advantages  of  a  full  intercourse, 


Frog's  Nkck  or  MoRftiESANiA 
Is  equally,  indeed  more  con- 
venient,  to  the  Continental 
Troops  and  York  Militia,  than 
Slatcn  Island;  and  is  much  more 


«7M 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


SOI 


Kod  perfect  co-operation  with 
the  Fleet ;  would  afford  pro- 
tection to  it  under  all  circum- 
stances, and  at  all  seasons ; 
even  supposing  it  to  be  block* 
Jed  by  a  superior  Navy ; 
rould  be  convenient  to  the 
French  Troops  marching  from 
Virginia— more  convenient  to 
any  which  may  arrive  in  the 
Fleet  to  debark  at,  than  any 
Other  place :  more  advanta- 
geous on  account  of  the  heavy 
Artillery,  Stores,  &c.,  which  may 
come  in,  or  belong  to  the  Fleet ; 
or  which  shall  be  transported 
from  Phita.  or  Virginia  by 
Water ;  and  much  more  con- 
venient to  all  such  as  shall  be 
transported  by  Land  from 
cither  of  these  places,  or  the 
Furnaces  in  N.  Jersey, 
— It  will   be   nearer  to  our 

^tupplies  of  Bread  and  Flour  ; 
more  contiguous  to  Brooklyn 
and  much  more  so  to  Dcrgco 
and  Paulus  hook. 

— It  cuts  off  (with  the  assist- 
ance of  a  ship  or  two  in  the 
Sound)  every  possibility  of  a 
retreat  of  the  Enemy ;  and, 
more  than  probably,  would  pos- 
as,  unexpectedly,  the  Forage 

'  and  other  resources  which  they 
may  be  holding  in  reserve  on 
Staten  and  Long  Inland  ;  while 
they  attempt  to  forage,  or  de- 
stroy  the  Grain  and  Crass  ia 


sototheMilitia  Eastward  of  the 
North  River.  It  is  more  con- 
venient on  account  of  the  Boats, 
and  our  Beef  Cattle.  It  will 
alsobean  advantageous  position 
so  soon  as  a  force  sufficient  to 
maintain  it,  can  be  as-tcmbled. 
— It  looks  equally  to  York  and 
Long  Island,  and  may  have 
works  thrown  up  to  facilitate 
the  passage  to  cither,  or  both, 
as  circumstances  may  point, 
— while  the  Enemy,  by  being 
suspended  between  the  two, 
will  either  neglect  one  or  weaken 
both.  The  communication  be- 
tween the  main  and  Long 
Island  may  be  rendered  easier 
and  more  secure  ;  contetiuent- 
ly,  a  retreat  in  case  of  a  disas- 
ter, safer  by  the  way  of  Frog's 
Neck  or  Morrissania  than  by 
that  of  Staicn  Island  ;  because 
in  the  first  case,  there  is  only 
one  water  to  cross,  which  may 
be  covered  by  Ilatterics — and 
in  the  other,  two  ;  one  of  which 
(from  Statcn  to  Long  island) 
is  rather  difficult  and  uncertain; 
and  should  we  not  possess,  or 
by  any  mischance  loose,  the 
command  of  the  Bay  between 
the  Narrows  and  the  city  might 
become  very  dangerous. — On 
the  other  hand,  our  I>and  com- 
munioation  from  the  place  of 
disembarkation,  will,  when  we 
arc  established  before  Brook- 


W«itchestcr,  with  a  view  of 
depriving  us  of  them.  Besides 
the  reasons  here  given,  we 
should  he  mote  convenient  to 
the  forage  of  Jersey,  and  the 
Slates  South  of  it ;  front  whence 
the  greater  part  of  this  article 
rouse  come,  and  it  might  act  as 
a  stimulus  to  tlie  militia  of 
tliose  StateH,  as  their  march 
would  be  shortened  by  it. 


lyn,  not  only  be  much  shorter 
by  the  way  of  Statcn  Island, 
but  more  secure  than  the  other 
by  Frogs  Neck  or  Morrissania ; 
as  the  first  may  be  reduced  to  . 
about  two  miles  of  good  roadi 
with  a  covered  Flank — the  tat- 
ter will  be  at  least  twelve,  of 
rugged    road,    with    a    Flank 
exposed    to   Parteian    strokes  i 
of  the  enemy  from  New  York! 
the  greatest  part  of  the  way. 
Under  this  state  of  matters,  it  is  not  easy  to  determine  on  which 
side  to  incline. — To  approach  by  the  way  of  Westchester,  seems 
to  be  the  safest ;  by  Staten  Inland,  the  most  convenicnL     If  the 
latter  should  be  adopted,  it  will,  more  than  probable,  draw  the 
principal  part,  if  not  the  whole  of  the  enemy's  force   from 
the  North  end  of  York  Island  to  the  city— but  whether  it  does 
or  not,  there  should  be  a  body  of  live  or  6000  Militia  and  a  (cw 
Continental  Troops  in  the  vicinity  of  Kings  bridge,  to  complete 
the  Investiture  of  the  Island,  establish  communications,  and  be 
ready  to  take  advantage  of  circumstances.     If  the  former  should 
be  preferred,  the  effect  will  be  reversed ;  and  except  the  Guards 
which  may  be  necessary  for  the  city,  and  the  stores  that  are  in  it, 
the  whole  force  of  the  enemy  will,  1  expect,  lake  a  po*ilion  at 
McGowans  heights  ;  where  the  Island  being  narrow,  and  ground 
commanding,  they  could  maintain  themselves  in  the  Works  they 
now  have,  or  could  soon  throw  up,  against  numbers  much  supe- 
rior to  their  own  ;  and  would  only  be  drawn  from  it  by  a  move- 
ment  to  Brooklyn,  by  way  of  Morrissania  or  Frog's  Neck. 

Upon  the  whole,  if  our  force  was  such  as  to  enable  us  to  make 
two  attacks,  and  each  division  was  decidedly  superior  to  the 
enemy's  whole  force,  I  should,  in  that  case,  be  of  opinion  : — 

That  we  bad  better  approach  New  York  by  the  way  of  Staten 
Island  and  Wettlchester  at  the  same  time,  because  by  beginning 
at  the  two  extreme  points,  we  shall  distract  the  enemy  and  oblige 
them  to  give  up  one,  or  weaken  themselves  at  both  ends  of  York 
Island.     If  it  is  not  sufficient,  I  then  think— 


i73i] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


503 


That  the  safety  of  operating  by  the  way  of  Westchester,  the 
advantages  of  looking  to  two  points — vw — York  and  I-ong  Island 
at  the  same  time,  and  of  assembling  oiir  force,  and  advancing  as 
we  acquire  strength,  and  can  do  it  with  safety,  is  to  be  preferred 
to  the  convcniency  of  Staten  Island— especially  as  the  propriety 
of  approaching  by  the  latter,  depends  upon  the  position  of  the 
French  Fleet,  of  which  we  can  have  no  previous  assurance. 

Charles  Town. 

If  Charles  Town  should  be  the  object  of  the  Campaign,  the 
French  and  other  Troops  destined  for  this  Service  must  be  trans- 
ported by  water — so  must  the  Siege  and  other  Artillery,  ordnance 
and  other  Stores,  Flour,  Salt  ProviHon,  salt  and  Spirits  A  Land 
Transportation  of  Artillery  and  Military  Stores  adequate  to  the 
Siege  of  this  place,  would,  in  our  circumstances,  be  found 
impracticable.  And  to  march  men  thither  by  Land,  would, 
(as  we  have  too  often  experienced  already)  dissipate  half  of 
them  by  sickness,  desertion  and  Other  causes.  The  Artillery 
and  Saddic  Horses  might  go  by  Land,  and  by  preceding  the  em- 
barkation of  the  Troops,  reach  some  given  point  by  the  lime  the 
Transports  arrive  at  the  Post  to  which  they  ate  destined. — 

For  the  Voyage,  and  support  of  the  Troops  in  the  fir^t  stages 
of  the  Siege — till  the  resources  of  the  Country  can  be  collected 
^we  ought  to  go  provided  with  at  least  two  Months'  Provision — 
three  would  be  sttll  better. 

Philadelphia,  under  present  cireumslances  and  appearances, 
seems  best  adapted  for  the  Ivmbarkation  ;  at  a  sufhcicnl  number 
of  Transports  may  probably  be  had  there;  and  any  number, 
if  brought  there,  can  be  fitted  for  the  accommodation  of  Troops. 

The  most  convenient,  and  advantageous  place  to  debark  at 
would  be  Stone  Inlet ;  provided  the  Itanks  of  the  River  bearing 
thai  name  (and  seperaling  Johns  and  James  Inlands)  are  not  pos- 
sessed and  fortified  by  the  Enemy. — This  Inlet,  while  that  of 
Charles  Town  is  in  possession  of  the  enemy,  not  only  affords  the 
best  Harbor  for  the  Transports,  but  is  the  most  convenient 
approach  from  tlie  sea  to  the  City ;  the  most  advantageous  for 
forming  a  junction  with  the  Troops  under  the  command  of  Majr. 


Genl.  Greene  ;  and  for  cuttiog  off  the  rctrcAt  of  the  Garrison  of 
Savanna  to  Charles  Town.  And  tncasufcs  must  be  previously 
token  by  Genl.  Greene  to  pieveni  their  doing  it  to  St.  Augustine, 
by  I  jnd  : — 

To  go  into  a  minute  deuil  of  the  approaches  from  the  place  of 
debarkation  to  the  Enemy's  Unes  before  Charles  Town,  is  more 
than  I  aro  able  to  do.  But  Charles  Town  Neck  must  be 
sessed  in  force  ;  and  to  do  it,  the  Ashtc}'  river  must  be  ctdssc 
as  near  their  Works  as  it  can  be  done  with  Safely.  Our  princif 
operation  will  be  on  this  neck,  between  (he  Rivers  Ashley  and 
Cowpcr,  and  a  secure  communication  must  be  established  by  the 
nearest  convenient  route  from  hence  to  the  shipping  in  Stone 
Inlet ;  which,  as  it  will  lye  exposed  to  the  Enemy's  whole  force, 
will  be  a  good  deal  exposed  while  they  have  the  command  of  the 
harbor  of  Charles  Town. 


Cahai>a. 

If  an  Expedition  into  this  country  should  be  adopted,  from 
choice  or  necessity — it  must  be  conducted  either  by  Land  wholljr] 
or  by  Land  and  Water  conjointly,  according  to  circumstaBces. 
The  last  is  to  be  preferred  but  the  former  may  do — I  shall  poiot 
to  the  Measures  which  to  me  appear  necessary  in  both  cases — 
and  first  by 

Land. 

The  Array  should  commence  its  march  in  the  Cc^umns— the 
right  column  to  proceed  by  the  way  of  Connecticut  River,  Co'os 
and  Hazen's  new  Road.  The  left,  by  Albany.  Bennington,  Man- 
chester, Shrewsbury,  and  Otter  Creek,  keeping  Lake  Chaniplaia 
on  the  Left,  and  the  Green  Mountain  on  the  right,  till  the  junc- 
tion is  formed ;  which  should  be  about  the  River  Michiscone, 
live  or  6  miles  from  the  Canada  line,  and  may  be  (by  bringing 
them  together  more  at  right  angles)  st  the  River  A  La  Moellc,  if 
circumstances  should  require  the  Junction  sooner,  or  if  it  should 
be  conceived  more  beneficial,  on  acc'l  of  water  carriage,  and  the 
communications  which  may  be  useful  hereafter  (in  case  we  should 
obtain  the  command  of  Lake  Champtain,  which  we  ought  never 


i7«il 


GEORGE  WASHlNGTOir. 


S05 


to  lose  sight  of) — the  left  column  may  advance  by  the  way  of  Fort 
Edward,  Fort  Anne,  South  Bay  and  Ticondcroga  to  the  other 
Road  by  Bennington,  and  form  a  junction  with  it  or  Otter 
Creek. 

The  March  of  the  two  columns  shou'd  be  so  ordered,  as  that 
each  may  arrive  at  the  place  destined  for  the  junction  at  the  same 
time;  and  for  this  piirpotie  the  best  judgment  of  the  March  of 
each  should  be  previously  formed  ;  and  a  mode  of  corresponding 
fixed  on,  to  regulate  the  advances  by,  afterwards.  The  left 
column,  as  it  will  be  more  exposed  than  the  right,  will  have  the 
most  extensive  communication  and  the  greatest  difficulty  to  open 
and  secure  it,  should  consist  of  5,000  men  ;  the  otl«r  of  3,000 — 
both  ought  to  have  French  Troops  in  them,  that  the  Canadians 
in  any  stage  of  the  march,  may  have  ocular  proof  of  our  Alliance 
with  France,  and  their  co-operation  with  us.  Some  Cavalry 
should  march  with  each  column  ;  and  all  the  Indians  that  can  be 
obtained. 

The  object  of  this  Expedition,  should  be  masked  as  long  as  the 
nature  of  the  movements  can  possibly  conceal  it,  and  the  march 
afterwards  should  be  with  as  much  celerity  as  it  can  be  per- 
formed without  injury  to  the  Troops. 

The  first  object  of  the  Troops,  should  be  to  penetrate  into  the 
Heart  of  the  Country  before  the  enemy  can  assemble  their  scat- 
tered forces;  and  take  such  a  position  as  will  prevent  the  junc- 
tion of  them  afterwards,  The  Country  of  St,  Denis,  between  the 
Sorrel  and  St.  Lawrence,  seems  well  situated  to  answer  this  end. 
To  effect  this,  and  prepare  for  the  Winter  Cantonmenu  and  sub- 
sistence of  the  Army,  is  all  that  can  be  counted  upon  without 
Heavy  Artillery — to  transport  which,  and  the  stores  necessary  to 
it  by  Land,  would  be  next  to  impossible.  But  when  the  Frost 
closes  the  Lake  Chamn.,  the  Enemy's  armed  vessels  therein  must 
be  possessed,  or  destroyed  ;  or  if  neither  of  these  can  be  done, 
nor  the  Post  at  St,  John's  reduced  ;  then  to  establish  one  at  the 
Isle  aux  Noix,  that  we  m.iy,  by  cutting  the  enemy  off  from  Lake 
Charaplain  open  a  communication  by  water  for  our  Siege  Artil- 
lery, and  heavy  stores  in  the  Spring. 

If  any  thing  further  is  undertaken  in  the  Course  of  the  Winter, 

must  be  from  the  circumstances  of  the  Moment ;  and  not  con- 


So6 


THE  WJilTIAaS  OF 


[178^ 


sequential  of  any  general  and  preconcerted  plan — one  or  two 
Armed  Boatx  with  saits,  should  be  built  in  the  course  of  the 
Winter  at  a  Post  which  may  be  established  at  the  South  end  of 
Lalcc  Champlain  (Fort  Anne  for  Instance),  and  a  .tuflicient  nnm- 
ber  of  Balteaux  should  be  transported  from  the  North  River  to 
the  same  place,  while  the  sledding  is  favorable.  This  Season 
should  also  be  embraced  for  transporting  the  heavy  Aniltery, 
stores,  and  Provisions  from  the  one  water  to  the  other. 

In  the  first  instance,  our  Provision  of  the  meat  kind  will  trans* 
port  itself ;  and  it  is  expected  that  the  upper  parts  of  Connecti- 
cut River  and  the  New  Hampshire  Grants  (or  Vermont  as  it  is 
called) ;  with  such  aid  as  Canada  can  afford,  will  supply  the 
Flour.  Our  Baggage  should  be  light,  and  as  Field  Artillery  only 
will  be  taken,  our  movements  may  be  quick. 


Land  and  Watbr. 

The  only  difference  between  this  and  the  last  is  that  our  heavy 
Artillery,  Provisions  and  Stores,  may  go  in  the  first  instance  by 
water ;  with  such  an  additional  force  as  will  enable  us  to  com- 
mence  the  Siege  of  Quebec,  or  some  other  Capital  post,  imme- 
diately ;  and,  that  the  Expedition  may  be  undertaken  without  a 
moment's  unnecessary  delay — and  the  earlier  the  better, — as  the 
French  fleet  in  the  St,  Lawrence  will  intercept  succors  and  sup- 
plies by  water  to  the  enemy,  if  any  should  be  attempted — whereas 
if  it  is  confined  to  a  Land  operation  altogether,  it  must  be  delayed 
(ill  August,  on  acct.  of  Harvest,  and  because  it  may  be  too  lata 
after  that  for  the  enemy  to  reinforce  till  next  Vear. 


HALtlPAX. 


I 


Provisions,  and  every  article  necessary  for  the  Si^e,  must  b« 
transported  thither  with  the  force  destined  for  the  Expedition,  as 
there  can  be  no  dependence  upon  the  Country,  The  best  place 
to  debark  the  troops  at,  is  Sambro  Bay,  by  the  Light  House, 
about  15  miles  from  Hollifax  ;  and  to  march  by  Jerusalem  to  the 
reverse  of  the  Town  ;  which  it  more  accessabic,  and  was  least 
fortified.    How  it  may  be  now,  I  cannot  say. 


I78a]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  507 

Penobscot 

Alone,  is  scarcel]^  an  object ;  but  might  be  visited  en  passant, 
in  the  Expedition  to  Hallifax,  or  Canada  by  water  ;  and  would 
give  some  eclat  to  either  of  those  enterprises,  for  the  fall  of  it  can 
scarcely  be  doubted,  if  attempted. 

If  the  enterprise  is  unconnected  with  any  other  object,  1,500 
men  will  be  sufficient  to  employ  on  the  Expedition. 

Bermuda. 

Some  good,  and  no  bad  consequences  can  result  from  an  at- 
tempt to  take  this  Island  by  Surprise.  To  effect  it,  the  ships 
destined  for  this  Expedition  should  hoist  British  colors  as  soon 
as  they  get  in  sight  of  Land  ;  and  adopt  every  other  means  to 
carry  on  the  deception  untill  proper  Pilots  are  procured  at  the 
West  end  of  the  Island.  The  ships  should  next  pursue  their 
course  as  near  the  South  side  of  the  Island  as  prudence  will  ad- 
mit When  they  arrive  opposite  the  mouth  of  Castle  Harbor, — all 
except  one  or  two,  should  immediately  enter  and  begin  the  attack 
on  the  Castie  without  loss  of  time  ;  the  other  ships  should  con- 
tinue their  course  a  few  miles  further,  and  bring  to  about  a  mile 
distance  from  the  Mouth  of  St.  George's  Harbor,  to  prevent  the 
escape  of  any  Vessels  from  thence.  If  this  could  be  done  in  the 
night,  and  troops  landed  under  that  cover,  it  is  more  than  prob- 
able the  Castle,  and  consequently  the  Island,  might  be  carried 
without  much,  if  any  opposition  ;  for  it  is  presumed  very  little 
would  come  from  the  Inhabitants  who  have  often  expressed  a 
wish  to  be  united  with  America  and  enjoy  the  benefits  of  its 
support.' 

'  This  pl«n  of  campugn  wtts  drawn  up  by  Washington  himself,  eveiy  line 
of  the  muiuscript  being  ia  bis  own  hand. 


END  OF   VOL.   IX. 


iz?  ■:■:  ■:-} 


ji«* 


J*  t-v 


<i«Vi,  .. 


■1 


Stanford  University  Library 

Stanford,  California 


In  order  that  others  may  use  this  book, 
please  return  it  as  soon  as  possible,  but 
not  later  than  the  date  due.