Memoirs, Correspondence And Manuscripts Of General Lafayette - free ebook by Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier Lafayette

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Memoirs, Correspondence And Manuscripts Of General Lafayette

Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier Lafayette

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MEMOIRS CORRESPONDENCE AND MANUSCRIPTS OF GENERAL LAFAYETTE

MEMOIRS CORRESPONDENCE AND MANUSCRIPTS OF GENERAL LAFAYETTE

Respectfully to collect and scrupulously to arrange the manuscripts of which an irreparable misfortune has rendered them depositaries, have been for the Family of General Lafayette the accomplishment of a sacred duty. To publish those manuscripts without any commentary, and place them, unaltered, in the hands of the friends of Liberty, is a pious and solemn homage which his children now offer with confidence to his memory....

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GEORGE WASHINGTON LAFAYETTE.

GEORGE WASHINGTON LAFAYETTE.

It was the desire of the late General Lafayette, that this edition of his Memoirs and Correspondence should be considered as a legacy of the American people. His representatives have accordingly pursued a course which they conceived the best adapted to give effect to his wishes, by furnishing a separate edition for this country, without any reservation for their own advantage, beyond the transfer of the copyright as an indemnity for the expense and risk of publication. In this edition are insert

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NOTICE BY THE EDITORS.

NOTICE BY THE EDITORS.

Under the title of Revolution of America , are comprised eight years of M. de Lafayette's life, from the commencement of 1771 until the end of 1784. His three voyages to the United States divide those eight years into three periods: 1777, 1778; 1779-1781; and 1782-1784.~{1} 1st. Circumstantial Memoirs, written for his friends after the peace of Versailles, and which were to have extended to 1780, open this collection. 2nd. These are continued and completed by two detached relations, composed bet

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TO THE READER.~{1}

TO THE READER.~{1}

When, devoted from early youth to the ambition of liberty, I beheld no limit to the path that I had opened for myself, it appeared to me that I was sufficiently fulfilling my destiny, and satisfying my glory, by rushing incessantly forward, and leaving to others the care of collecting the recollections, as well as the fruits, of my labour. After having enjoyed an uninterrupted course of good fortune for fifteen years, I presented myself, with a favourable prospect of success, before the coalitio

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MEMOIRS WRITTEN BY MYSELF,~{1} UNTIL THE YEAR 1780. TO MY FRIENDS.

MEMOIRS WRITTEN BY MYSELF,~{1} UNTIL THE YEAR 1780. TO MY FRIENDS.

If I were to confound, as is too often done, obstinacy with firmness, I should blush at beginning these memoirs, after having so long refused to do so, and at even increasing their apparent egotism by my style, instead of sheltering myself under cover of the third person; but I will not yield a half compliance to the request of that tender friendship which is far more valuable to me than the ephemeral success which a journal might obtain. It is sufficient for me to know that this relation, inten

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"LAFAYETTE."

"LAFAYETTE."

6. A place in the household of a prince of royal blood. The Marshal de Noailles wished for this arrangement. To prevent it without openly opposing the will of those he loved, M. de Lafayette took an opportunity of displeasing, by a few words, the prince, to whose person they were desirous of attaching him, and all negotiations on the subject were thus broken off. We do not believe that since that period a reconciliation has ever taken place between him and Louis XVIII. 7. In 1828, Mr. Jared Spar

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FRAGMENTS EXTRACTED FROM VARIOUS MANUSCRIPTS.~{1}

FRAGMENTS EXTRACTED FROM VARIOUS MANUSCRIPTS.~{1}

Endnote: 1. We have already mentioned these manuscripts. The one we term Manuscript No. 1 , consists of a rapid sketch of the American life of General Lafayette; the other one, or Manuscript 2 , is entitled, Observations on some portion of the American History, by a Friend of General Lafayette . Both appear to have been written about the period of the empire. Fragment A is drawn from the Manuscript No. 2....

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A. — DEPARTURE FOR AMERICA IN 1777.

A. — DEPARTURE FOR AMERICA IN 1777.

The histories of the American war and revolution are, generally speaking, very favourable to M. de Lafayette; the life of Washington, by Mr. Marshall, is especially so. There is one phrase, however, (page 410 of the third volume of the London edition,) which requires some explanation. " He left France ostensibly in opposition to his sovereign ." This circumstance is treated in a more lucid and exact manner in the following works:— The History, etc., by William Gordon, D.D. , vol. ii., pages 499

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B. — FIRST INTERVIEW BETWEEN GENERAL WASHINGTON AND GENERAL LAFAYETTE.

B. — FIRST INTERVIEW BETWEEN GENERAL WASHINGTON AND GENERAL LAFAYETTE.

The appearance of the two brothers Howe before the capes of the Delaware had given rise to the supposition that it was upon that side they intended to land. General Washington repaired with his army towards the neighbourhood of Philadelphia. That army had been recruiting during the winter. Washington went to Philadelphia to attend a public dinner given in honour of him. It was then Lafayette was introduced to him. This young foreigner had travelled by land over the southern states, and had made

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C. — ON THE MILITARY COMMANDS DURING THE WINTER OF 1778, AND THE FRENCH IN THE SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES.

C. — ON THE MILITARY COMMANDS DURING THE WINTER OF 1778, AND THE FRENCH IN THE SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES.

Amongst the various means employed to deprive the general-in-chief of his friends, attempts were made to awaken the ambition of Lafayette, who already enjoyed much popularity in the army and in the country, and who besides appeared to the enemies of Washington, from his relations with Europe, one of the men whom it was most important to draw into their party. They fancied they should gain him over by offering him the government of the north, which Gates had just quitted, and by the hope of an ex

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D. — RETREAT OF BARREN-HILL.

D. — RETREAT OF BARREN-HILL.

As the English army was preparing to evacuate Philadelphia, Lafayette was sent, with a detachment of two thousand chosen men, and five pieces of cannon, to a station half-way betwixt that city and Valley-Forge; this was Barren-hill. A corps of militia under General Porter had been placed on Lafayette's left wing; but he retired farther back, and the English took advantage of that movement to surround Lafayette's detachment. General Grant, with seven thousand men and fourteen pieces of cannon, wa

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E. — ARRIVAL OF THE FRENCH FLEET.

E. — ARRIVAL OF THE FRENCH FLEET.

The treaty with France became known a short time before the opening of the campaign. The national enthusiasm for the Americans had much increased, but the ministry was afraid of war. Necker, in particular, did all he could to prevent the court of France from espousing the American cause, which may serve as an answer to the accusations of revolutionary ardour that were made against him by the aristocrats in France. Maurepas was very timid, but the news of the taking of Burgoyne inspired him with

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F. — DISSENSIONS BETWEEN THE FRENCH FLEET AND THE AMERICAN ARMY.

F. — DISSENSIONS BETWEEN THE FRENCH FLEET AND THE AMERICAN ARMY.

The history of Dr. Gordon, that of Ramsay, and of Mr. Marshall, give a detailed account of the arrival of Count d'Estaing at the entrance of the Delaware, his arrival at Sandyhook, and the expedition against Rhode Island. Lafayette conducted thither, from White Plains, two thousand men of the continental troops. He made that journey (two hundred and forty miles) very rapidly, and arrived before the remainder of the troops under Sullivan were in readiness. It is to be lamented that the latter gen

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TO THE DUKE D'AYEN.~{1}

TO THE DUKE D'AYEN.~{1}

London, March 9,1777. You will be astonished, my dear father, at the news I am on the point of giving you: it has cost me far more than I can express not to consult you. My respect and affection for you, as well as my great confidence in you, must convince you of the truth of this assertion; but my word was given, and you would not have esteemed me had I broken it; the step I am now taking will at least prove to you, I hope, the goodness of my intentions. I have found a peculiar opportunity of d

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LAFAYETTE.

LAFAYETTE.

I have arrived, for one moment, at Paris, my dear father, and have only time to bid you again farewell. I intended writing to my uncle~{2} and to Madame de Lusignem, but I am in such haste that I must request you to present to them my respectful regards. Endnotes: 1. Jean Paul Francois de Noailles, Duke d'Ayen, afterwards Duke de Noailles, died a member of the House of Peers, in 1824, and was, as is well known, father-in-law to M. de Lafayette, who had been, we may say, brought up in the hotel d

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TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

On board the Victory , May 30th, 1777. I am writing to you from a great distance, my dearest love, and, in addition to this painful circumstance, I feel also the still more dreadful uncertainty of the time in which I may receive any news of you. I hope, however, soon to have a letter from you; and, amongst the various reasons which render me so desirous of a speedy arrival, this is the one which excites in me the greatest degree of impatience. How many fears and anxieties enhance the keen anguis

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TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

June 19th, 1777, Charlestown. If my last letter, my dearest love, written five or six days ago, was closed hastily, I hope at least that the American captain, whom I then believed to be a French one, will remit it to you as soon as possible. That letter announced to you that I had landed safely in this country, after having suffered a little from sea-sickness during the first weeks of my voyage; that I was staying with a very kind officer, in whose house I was received upon my arrival; that I ha

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TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

Petersburg, July 17th, 1777. I am very happy, my dearest love, if the word happiness can truly be applied to me, whilst I am separated from all I love; there is a vessel on the point of sailing for France, and I am enabled to tell you, before setting out for Philadelphia, that I love you, my dearest life, and that you may be perfectly tranquil respecting my health. I bore the fatigue of the journey without suffering from it; although the land expedition was long and wearisome, yet the confinemen

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TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

July 23rd, 1777. I am always meeting, my dearest love, with opportunities of sending letters; I have this time only a quarter of an hour to give you. The vessel is on the point of sailing, and I can only announce to you my safe arrival at Annapolis, forty leagues from Philadelphia. I can tell you nothing of the town, for, as I alighted from my horse, I armed myself with a little weapon dipt in invisible ink. You must already have received five letters from me, unless King George should have rece

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TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

Philadelphia, September 12th, 1777. I write you a line, my dearest love, by some French officers, my friends, who embarked with me, but, not having received any appointment in the American army, are returning to France. I must begin by telling you that I am perfectly well, because I must end by telling you that we fought seriously last night, and that we were not the strongest on the field of battle. Our Americans, after having stood their ground for some time, ended at length by being routed: w

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TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

October 1st, 1777. I wrote to you, my dearest love, the 12th of September; the twelfth was the day after the eleventh, and I have a little tale to relate to you concerning that eleventh day. To render my action more meritorious, I might tell you that prudent reflections induced me to remain for some weeks in my bed, safe sheltered from all danger; but I must acknowledge that I was encouraged to take this measure by a slight wound, which I met with I know not how, for I did not, in truth, expose

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TO M. DE VERGENNES, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

TO M. DE VERGENNES, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

Whitemarsh Camp, October 24, 1777. SIR,—You were formerly annoyed, much against my wish, by the part you were called upon to take in my first projects; you will, perhaps, also feel annoyed by the attention I take the liberty of requesting you to give to the objects I have at present in view. They may appear to you as little worthy as the first of occupying your valuable time; but in this case, as in the previous one, my good intentions (even should they be ill-directed) may serve as my apology.

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LAFAYETTE.

LAFAYETTE.

If this letter should weary you, Sir, the manner in which it will reach you may be deemed perhaps but too secure. I entrust it to M. de Valfort, captain of the regiment of Aunis, with the commission of colonel in our islands, whom his talents, reputation, and researches, have rendered useful in this country, and whom the wishes of General Washington would have detained here, if his health had not rendered it absolutely necessary for him to return to France. I shall here await your orders, (which

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TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

The Camp near Whitemarsh, Oct. 29th, 1777. I send you an open letter, my dearest love, in the person of M. de Valfort, my friend, whom I entreat you to receive as such. He will tell you at length everything concerning me; but I must tell you myself how well I love you. I have too much pleasure in experiencing this sentiment not to have also pleasure in repeating it to you a thousand times, if that were possible. I have no resource left me, my love, but to write and write again, without even hopi

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TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

Camp of Whitemarsh, November 6th, 1777. You will perhaps receive this letter, my dearest love, at the expiration of five or six years, for I am writing to you by an accidental opportunity, in which I do not place great trust. See what a circuit my letter must make. An officer in the army will carry it to Fort Pitt, three hundred miles in the interior of the continent; it will then embark on the great Ohio river, and traverse regions inhabited only by savages; having reached New Orleans, a small

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(ORIGINAL.)

(ORIGINAL.)

Haddonfield, the 26th November, 1777. Dear General,—I went down to this place since the day before yesterday, in order to be acquainted of all the roads and grounds around the enemy. I heard at my arrival that their main body was between Great and Little Timber Creek since the same evening. Yesterday morning, in reconnoitering about, I have been told that they were very busy in crossing the Delaware. I saw them myself in their boats, and sent that intelligence to General Greene as soon as possib

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LAFAYETTE.

LAFAYETTE.

I must tell, too, that the riflemen had been the whole day running before my horse, without eating or taking any rest. I have just now a certain assurance that two British officers, besides those I spoke you of, have died this morning of their wounds in an house; this, and some other circumstances, let me believe that their lost may be greater than I told to your excellency. Endnotes: 1. All the letters addressed to General Washington, as well as to other Americans, were written in English. Sinc

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TO THE DUKE D'AYEN.

TO THE DUKE D'AYEN.

Camp Gulph, Pennsylvania, Dec. 16th, 1777. This letter, if it ever reaches you, will find you at least in France; some hazards are averted by this circumstance, but I must not indulge in many hopes. I never write a letter for Europe without deploring before hand the fate most probably awaiting it, and I labour, undoubtedly, more for Lord Howe than for any of my friends. The bad season is fortunately drawing near; the English ships will be obliged to quit their confounded cruising stations; I may

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(ORIGINAL)

(ORIGINAL)

Camp, 30th December, 1777. MY DEAR GENERAL,—I went yesterday morning to head-quarters with an intention of speaking to your excellency, but you were too busy, and I shall lay down in this letter what I wished to say. I don't need to tell you that I am sorry for all that has happened for some time past. It is a necessary dependence of my most tender and respectful friendship for you, which affection is as true and candid as the other sentiments of my heart, and much stronger than so new an acquai

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(ORIGINAL)

(ORIGINAL)

Head-quarters, December 31st, 1777. MY DEAR MARQUIS,—Your favour of yesterday conveyed to me fresh proof of that friendship and attachment, which I have happily experienced since the first of our acquaintance, and for which I entertain sentiments of the purest affection. It will ever constitute part of my happiness to know that I stand well in your opinion; because I am satisfied that you can have no views to answer by throwing out false colours, and that you possess a mind too exalted to condes

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(ORIGINAL.)

(ORIGINAL.)

Valley Forge, December 31st, 1777. My Dear General,—I should have much reproached myself the liberty I took of writing to your excellency, if I had believed it could engage you in the trouble of answering that letter. But now, as you have written it, I must tell you that I received this favour with the greatest satisfaction and pleasure. Every assurance and proof of your affection fills my heart with joy, because that sentiment of yours is extremely dear and precious to me. A tender and respectf

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Camp, near Valley-Forge, January 6th, 1778.

Camp, near Valley-Forge, January 6th, 1778.

What a date, my dearest love, and from what a region I am now writing, in the month of January! It is in a camp, in the centre of woods, fifteen hundred leagues from you, that I find myself enclosed in the midst of winter. It is not very long since we were only separated from the enemy by a small river; we are at present stationed seven leagues from them, and it is on this spot that the American army will pass the whole winter, in small barracks, which are scarcely more cheerful than dungeons. I

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(ORIGINAL.)

(ORIGINAL.)

DEAR GENERAL,—I shall make use, in this particular instance, of the liberty you gave me, of telling freely every idea of mine which could strike me as not being useless to a better order of things. There were two gentlemen, same rank, same duty to perform, and same neglect of it, who have been arrested the same day by me. As I went in the night around the picquets, I found them in fault, and I gave an account of it the next day to your excellency. You answered, that I was much in wrong not to ha

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York, February 3rd, 1778.

York, February 3rd, 1778.

I shall never have any cause to reproach myself, my dearest love, with having allowed an opportunity to pass without writing to you, and I have found one by M. du Bouchet, who has the happiness of embarking for France. You must have already received several letters in which I speak of the birth of our new infant, and of the pleasure this joyful event has given me. If I thought that you could imagine the happiness I feel at this event had been at all diminished because our Anastasia is only a dau

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(ORIGINAL.)

(ORIGINAL.)

Hemingtown, the 9th February, 1778. Dear General,—I cannot let go my guide without taking this opportunity of writing to your excellency, though I have not yet public business to speak of. I go on very slowly; sometimes drenched by rain, sometimes covered by snow, and not entertaining many handsome thoughts about the projected incursion into Canada; if successes were to be had, it would surprise me in a most agreeable manner by that very reason that I don't expect any shining ones. Lake Champlai

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Albany, the 19th February, 1778. Dear General,—Why am I so far from you and what business had the board of war to hurry me through the ice and snow without knowing what I should do, neither what they were doing themselves? You have thought, perhaps, that their project would be attended with some difficulty, that some means had been neglected, that I could not obtain all the success and the immensity of laurels which they had promised to me; but I defy your excellency to conceive any idea of what

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON (ORIGINAL)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON (ORIGINAL)

The 23rd February, 1778. DEAR GENERAL,—I have an opportunity of writing to your excellency which I will not miss by any means, even should I be afraid of becoming tedious and troublesome; but if they have sent me far from you, I don't know for what purpose, at least I must make some little use of my pen, to prevent all communication from being cut off between your excellency and myself. I have written lately to you my distressing, ridiculous, foolish, and, indeed, nameless situation. I am sent,

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(ORIGINAL.)

(ORIGINAL.)

Head Quarters, 10th March, 1778. MY DEAR MARQUIS,—I have had the pleasure of receiving your two favours of the 19th and 23rd of February, and hasten to dispel those fears respecting your reputation, which are excited only by an uncommon degree of sensibility. You seem to apprehend that censure, proportioned to the disappointed expectations of the world, will fall on you in consequence of the failure of the Canadian expedition. But, in the first place, it will be no disadvantage to you to have it

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(ORIGINAL—A FRAGMENT.)

(ORIGINAL—A FRAGMENT.)

Albany, March 12th. Permit me to express my satisfaction at your having seen General Washington. No enemies to that great man can be found except among the enemies to his country; nor is it possible for any man of a noble spirit to refrain from loving the excellent qualities of his heart. I think I know him as well as any person, and such is the idea which I have formed of him; his honesty, his frankness, his sensibility, his virtue, to the full extent in which this word can be understood, are a

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FRAGMENT OF A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. (ORIGINAL.)

FRAGMENT OF A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. (ORIGINAL.)

Albany, 20th March, 1778. ... His Excellency General Washington will, I believe, mention to congress that, at the request of the commissioners of Indian affairs, I send Colonel Gouvion, and have given proper directions for the building of a small fort, which they and myself have thought very necessary to be granted to the Oneydas. The love of the French blood, mixed with the love of some French Louis d'or , have engaged those Indians to promise they would come with me.~{1} As I am very certain t

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Albany, 25th March, 1778. Dear General,—How happy I have been in receiving your excellency's favour of the tenth present; I hope you will be convinced by the knowledge of my tender affection for you. I am very sensible of that goodness which tries to dissipate my fears about that ridiculous Canadian expedition. At the present time we know which was the aim of the honourable board, and for which project three or four men have rushed the country into a great expense, and risked the reputation of o

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TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

Valley Forge Camp, in Pennsylvania, April 14th, 1778. If thirty opportunities were to present themselves at once, my dearest love, you may rest assured that I would write thirty letters; and that, if you do not receive any news from me, I have nothing, at least, to reproach myself with. This letter will be accompanied by others, saying nearly the same things, and having nearly the same date; but accidents are unfortunately very common, and by this means, some letters may reach you safely. Respec

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TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

Germantown, April 28th, 1778. I write to you, my dearest love, by a very strange opportunity, since it is an English officer who has taken charge of my letter. But your wonder will cease, when you hear that that officer is my friend Fitz-Patrick.~{1} He is returning to England, and I could not resist my wish of embracing him before his departure. It was the first time we had met unarmed in America, and that manner of meeting suits us both much better than the hostile appearance which we had, unt

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Valley Forge Camp, the 19th May, 1778. MY DEAR GENERAL,—Agreeable to your excellency's orders, I have taken the oath of the gentlemen officers in General Woodford's brigade, and their certificates have been sent to the adjutant-general's office. Give me leave, now, to present you with some observations delivered to me by many officers in that brigade, who desire me to submit them to your perusal. I know, sir, (besides I am not of their opinion in the fact itself) that I should not accept for you

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(ORIGINAL.)

(ORIGINAL.)

Camp, 17th May, 1778. DEAR SIR,—I received yesterday your favour of the 15th instant, enclosing a paper subscribed by sundry officers of General Woodford's brigade, setting forth the reasons for not taking the oath of abjuration, allegiance, and office; and I thank you much for the cautious delicacy used in communicating the matter to me. As every oath should be a free act of the mind, founded on the conviction of its propriety, I would not wish, in any instance, that there should be the least d

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TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL—INSTRUCTION.)~{1}

TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL—INSTRUCTION.)~{1}

SIR,—The detachment under your command, with which you will immediately march towards the enemy's lines, is designed to answer the following purposes; namely, to be a security to this camp, and a cover to the country, between the Delaware and the Schuylkill, to interrupt the communication with Philadelphia, to obstruct the incursions of the enemy's parties, and to obtain intelligence of their motions and designs. This last is a matter of very interesting moment, and ought to claim your particula

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TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

Valley Forge Camp, June 16, 1778. Chance has furnished me, my dearest love, with a very uncertain opportunity of writing to you, but, such as it is, I shall take advantage of it, for I cannot resist the wish of saying a few words to you. You must have received many letters from me lately, if my writing unceasingly, at least, may justify this hope. Several vessels have sailed, all laden with my letters. My expressions of heartfelt grief must even have added to your distress. What a dreadful thing

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TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL—INSTRUCTIONS.)

TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL—INSTRUCTIONS.)

Sir,—You are immediately to proceed with the detachment commanded by General Poor, and form a junction, as expeditiously as possible, with that under the command of General Scott. You are to use the most effectual means for gaining the enemy's left flank and rear, and giving them every degree of annoyance. All continental parties that are already on the lines, will be under your command, and you will take such measures, in concert with General Dickinson, as will cause the enemy the greatest impe

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON (ORIGINAL.)

Ice Town, 26th June, 1778, at a quarter after seven. Dear General,—I hope you have received my letter from Cranberry, where I acquaint you that I am going to Ice Town, though we are short of provisions. When I got there, I was sorry to hear that Mr. Hamilton, who had been riding all the night, had not been able to find anybody who could give him certain intelligence; but by a party who came back, I hear the enemy are in motion, and their rear about one mile off the place they had occupied last n

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LAFAYETTE.

LAFAYETTE.

The road I understand the enemy are moving by, is the straight road to Monmouth....

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FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

Cranberry, 26th June, 1778. My Dear Marquis,—General Lee's uneasiness, on accouut of yesterday's transaction, rather increasing than abating, and your politeness in wishing to ease him of it, have induced me to detach him from this army with a part of it, to reinforce, or at least cover, the several detachments at present under your command. At the same time, that I felt for General Lee's distress of mind, I have had an eye to your wishes and the delicacy of your situation; and have, therefore,

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FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE.~{1} (ORIGINAL.)

FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE.~{1} (ORIGINAL.)

White Plains, 22nd July, 1778. Sir,—You are to have the immediate command of that detachment from this army, which consists of Glover's and Varnum's brigades, and the detachment under the command of Colonel Henry Jackson. You are to march them, with all convenient expedition, and by the best routes, to Providence, in the state of Rhode Island. When there, you are to subject yourself to the orders of Major-General Sullivan, who will have the command of the expedition against Newport, and the Brit

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FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE (ORIGINAL.)

FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE (ORIGINAL.)

Head Quarters, White Plains, 27th July, 1778. DEAR MARQUIS,—This will be delivered to you by Major-General Greene, whose thorough knowledge of Rhode Island, of which he is a native, and the influence he will have with the people, put it in his power to be particularly useful in the expedition against that place, as well in providing necessaries for carrying it on, as in assisting to form and execute a plan of operations proper for the occasion. The honour and interest of the common cause are so

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Providence, 6th August, 1778. DEAR GENERAL,—I have received your excellency's favour by General Greene, and have been much pleased with the arrival of a gentleman who, not only on account of his merit, and the justness of his views, but also by his knowledge of the country, and his popularity in this state, may be very serviceable to the expedition. I willingly part with the half of my detachment, though I had a great dependence upon them, as you find it convenient to the good of the service. An

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FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

White Plains, 10th August, 1778. My Dear Marquis,—Your favour of the 6th instant, which came to my hands yesterday, afforded a fresh proof of the noble principles on which you act, and has a just claim to my sincere and hearty thanks. The common cause, of which you have been a zealous supporter, would, I knew, be benefitted by General Greene's presence at Rhode Island, as he is a native of that state, has an interest with the people, and a thorough knowledge of the country, and, therefore, I acc

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.~{1} (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.~{1} (ORIGINAL.)

Camp before Newport, 25th August, 1778. MY DEAR GENERAL,—I had expected in answering your first letter that something interesting would have happened that I might communicate to your excellency. Every day was going to terminate our uncertainties; nay, every day was going to bring the hope of a success which I did promise myself to acquaint you of. Such was the reason of my deferring what my duty and inclination did urge me to do much sooner. I am now indebted for two favours of yours, which I be

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FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

White Plains, September 1778. MY DEAR MARQUIS,—I have been honoured with your favour of the 25th ultimo by Monsieur Pontgibaud, and I wish my time, which at present is taken up by a committee at congress, would permit me to go fully into the contents of it; this, however, it is not in my power to do; but in one word let me say, I feel everything that hurts the sensibility of a gentleman, and consequently, upon the present occasion, I feel for you and for our good and great allies the French. I f

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FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO MAJOR-GENERAL SULLIVAN. (ORIGINAL.)

FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO MAJOR-GENERAL SULLIVAN. (ORIGINAL.)

Head Quarters, White Plains, 1st September, 1778. Dear Sir,—The disagreement between the army under your command and the fleet, has given me very singular uneasiness: the continent at large is concerned in our cordiality, and it should be kept up, by all possible means, consistent with our honour and policy. First impressions, you know, are generally longest remembered, and will serve to fix, in a great degree, our national character among the French. In our conduct towards them we should rememb

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(ORIGINAL.)

(ORIGINAL.)

Head-quarters, White Plains, 1st September, 1778. DEAR SIR,—I have had the pleasure of receiving your several letters, the last of which was of the 22nd of August. I have not now time to take notice of the arguments that were made use of for and against the count's quitting the harbour of Newport and sailing for Boston: right or wrong, it will probably disappoint our sanguine expectations of success; and, what I esteem a still worse consequence, I fear it will sow the seeds of dissension and dis

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Tyvertown, 1st September, 1778. MY DEAR GENERAL,—That there has been an action fought where I could have been, and where I was not, is a thing which will seem as extraordinary to you as it seems so to myself. After along journey and a longer stay from home, (I mean from head-quarters,) the only satisfactory day I have, finds me in the middle of a town. There I had been sent, pushed, hurried, by the board of general officers, and principally by Generals Sullivan and Greene, who thought I should b

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Camp, near Bristol, the 7th September, 1778. My Dear General,—I cannot let M. de la Neuville go to head-quarters without recalling to your excellency's memory an inhabitant of the eastern Rhode Island, those who long much to be again reunited to you, and conceive now great hopes, from Sir Henry Clinton's movement to New York, that you will come to oppose him in person. I think if we meet to oppose the enemy in this quarter, that more troops are absolutely necessary, for we are not able to do any

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TO THE DUKE D'AYEN.

TO THE DUKE D'AYEN.

Bristol, near Rhode Island, September 11th, 1778, I have already endeavoured to describe to you some part of the pleasure your last letter gave me; but I cannot write again without repeating my assurance of the delight I derived from its perusal. I have blessed, a thousand times, the vessel that brought that letter, and the favourable winds that blew it, to the American shore. The kindness and affection you express have sunk deeply into a heart which is fully sensible of all their value. Your pa

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LAFAYETTE,

LAFAYETTE,

Endnote: 1. M. de Tesse, first squire to the Queen, had married Mademoiselle de Noailles, daughter of the Marshal, and aunt to Madame de Lafayette; M. de Neuilly was attached, under the Marshal's orders, to the stables of the Queen; M. de Mun, father to M. de Mun, peer of France, was intimate with the whole family; M. Senac de Meilhan has been named comptroller general....

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TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

Bristol, near Rhode Island, Sept. 13th, 1778. If any thing could lessen my pleasure in writing to you, my dearest love, it would be the painful idea that I am writing to you from a corner of America, and that all I love is two thousand leagues from me. But I have reason to hope that the actual state of things cannot subsist for any length of time, and that the moment appointed for our meeting is not very far removed. War, which so often causes separation, must reunite us; it even secures my retu

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PRESIDENT LAURENS TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE.~{1}

PRESIDENT LAURENS TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE.~{1}

Philadelphia, 13th September, 1777. Sir,—I am sensible of a particular degree of pleasure in executing the order of congress, signified in their act of the 9th instant, which will be enclosed with this, expressing the sentiments of the representatives of the United States of America, of your high merit on the late expedition against Rhode Island. You will do congress justice, Sir, in receiving the present acknowledgment as a tribute of the respect and gratitude of a free people. I have the honou

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RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS.

RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS.

Resolved:—The president is charged with writing to the Marquis de Lafayette; that congress conceives that the sacrifice he made of his personal feelings, when, for the interest of the United States, he repaired to Boston, at the moment when the opportunity of acquiring glory on the field of battle could present itself; his military zeal in returning to Rhode Island, when the greatest part of the army had quitted it, and his measures to secure a retreat, have a right to this present expression of

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MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE TO PRESIDENT LAURENS.

MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE TO PRESIDENT LAURENS.

Camp, 23rd September, 1778. Sir,—I have just received your favour of the 13th instant, acquainting me with the honour congress have been pleased to confer on me by their most gracious resolve. Whatever pride such an approbation may justly give me, I am not less affected by the feelings of gratefulness, and the satisfaction of thinking my endeavours were ever looked on as useful to a cause, in which my heart is so deeply interested. Be so good, Sir, as to present to congress my plain and hearty t

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LAFAYETTE. TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

LAFAYETTE. TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Warren, 24th September, 1778. MY DEAR GENERAL,—I am to acknowledge the reception of your late favour. Your excellency's sentiments were already known to me, and my heart had anticipated your answer. I, however, confess it gave me a new pleasure when I received it. My love for you is such, my dear general, that I should enjoy it better, if possible, in a private sentimental light than in a political one. Nothing makes me happier than to see a conformity of sentiments between you and me, upon any

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FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

Fredericksburg, 25th September, 1778. MY DEAR MARQUIS,—The sentiments of affection and attachment, which breathe so conspicuously in all your letters to me, are at once pleasing and honourable, and afford me abundant cause to rejoice at the happiness of my acquaintance with you. Your love of liberty, the just sense you entertain of this valuable blessing, and your noble and disinterested exertions in the cause of it, added to the innate goodness of your heart, conspire to render you dear to me;

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.~{1} (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.~{1} (ORIGINAL.)

Camp, near Warren, 24th September, 1778. MY DEAR GENERAL,—I am going to consult your excellency upon a point in which I not only want your leave and opinion, as the commander-in-chief, but also your candid advice, as the man whom I have the happiness to call my friend. In an address from the British commissaries to congress, the first after Johnstone was excluded, they speak in the most disrespectful terms of my nation and country. The whole is undersigned by them, and more particularly by the p

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TO LORD CARLISLE.~{1}

TO LORD CARLISLE.~{1}

I expected, until the present moment, my lord, to have only affairs to settle with your generals, and I hoped to see them at the head only of the armies which are respectively confided to us; your letter to the Congress of the United States, the insulting phrase to my country, which you yourself have signed, could alone bring me into direct communication with you. I do not, my lord, deign to refute your assertion, but I do wish to punish it. It is to you, as chief of the commission, that I now a

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LAFAYETTE.

LAFAYETTE.

1. This letter was written in French....

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Boston, 28th September, 1778. DEAR GENERAL,—The news I have got from France, the reflections I have made by myself, and those which have been suggested to me by many people, particularly by the admiral, increases more than ever the desire I had of seeing again your excellency. I want to communicate to you my sentiments, and take your opinion upon my present circumstances—I look upon this as of high moment to my private interests. On the other hand, I have some ideas, and some intelligence in ref

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FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

Fishkill, 4th October, 1778. MY DEAR MARQUIS,—I have had the pleasure of receiving, by the hands of Monsieur de la Colombe, your favour of the 28th ultimo, accompanied by one of the 24th, which he overtook somewhere on the road. The leave requested in the former, I am as much interested to grant, as to refuse my approbation of the challenge proposed in the latter. The generous spirit of chivalry, exploded by the rest of the world, finds a refuge, my dear friend, in the sensibility of your nation

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MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE TO PRESIDENT LAURENS. (ORIGINAL.)

MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE TO PRESIDENT LAURENS. (ORIGINAL.)

Philadelphia, 13th October, 1778. SIR,—Whatever care I should take not to employ the precious time at congress in private considerations, I beg leave to lay before them my present circumstances, with that confidence which naturally springs from affection and gratitude. The sentiments which bind me to my country, can never be more properly spoken of than in the presence of men who have done so much for their own. As long as I thought I could dispose of myself, I made it my pride and pleasure to f

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LAFAYETTE. PRESIDENT LAURENS TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

LAFAYETTE. PRESIDENT LAURENS TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

Philadelphia, 24th October, 1778. SIR,—I had the honour of presenting to congress your letter, soliciting leave of absence, and I am directed by the house to express their thanks for your zeal in promoting that just cause in which they are engaged, and for the disinterested services you have rendered to the United States of America. In testimony of the high esteem and affection in which you are held by the good people of these states, as well as in acknowledgment of your gallantry and military t

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Philadelphia, the 24th of October, 1778. My Dear General,—You will be surprised to hear that I am yet in this city, and that I could never get out this time. My own business was immediately done, and I received from congress all possible marks of kindness and affection; but public affairs do not go on quite so fast, and I am detained for the expedition of projects, instructions, and many papers which I am to carry with me. The zeal for the common cause prevents my leaving this place before I am

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LORD CARLISLE TO M. DE LAFAYETTE.

LORD CARLISLE TO M. DE LAFAYETTE.

Sir,—I have received your letter by M. de Gimat; I own it appears to me difficult to make a serious answer to it; the only one that can be expected from me in my capacity of commissioner of the king, and which is one you should have foreseen, is, that I look upon myself, and shall always look upon myself, as not obliged to be responsible to any individual for my public conduct and mode of expression. I am only responsible to my king and country. In respect to the opinions or expressions containe

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MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE TO PRESIDENT LAURENS. (ORIGINAL.)

MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE TO PRESIDENT LAURENS. (ORIGINAL.)

Philadelphia, 26th October, 1778. SIR,—I have received your excellency's obliging letter, enclosing the several resolutions congress have honoured me with, and the leave of absence they have been pleased to grant. Nothing can make me happier than the reflection that my services have met with their approbation; the glorious testimonial of confidence and satisfaction repeatedly bestowed on me by the representatives of America, though superior to my merit, cannot exceed the grateful sentiments they

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LAFAYETTE.

LAFAYETTE.

FRAGMENT OF A LETTER FROM THE FRENCH MINISTER, M. GERARD, TO COUNT DE VERGENNES. October, 1778. —I ought not to terminate this long despatch, without rendering to the wisdom and dexterity of the Marquis de Lafayette, in the part he has taken in these discussions, the justice which is due to his merits. He has given most salutary counsels, authorized by his friendship and experience. The Americans have strongly solicited his return with the troops which the king may send. He has replied with a du

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FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

Philadelphia, 29th December, 1778. MY DEAR MARQUIS,—This will be accompanied by a letter from congress, which will inform you, that a certain expedition, after a full consideration of all circumstances, has been laid aside. I am sorry, however, for the delay it has occasioned you, by remaining so long undecided. I am persuaded, my dear marquis, that there is no need of fresh proofs to convince you either of my affection for you personally, or of the high opinion I entertain of your military tale

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(ORIGINAL)

(ORIGINAL)

Philadelphia, 28th December, 1788 SIR,—The Marquis de Lafayette, having served with distinction as major-general in the army of the United States for two campaigns, has been determined, by the prospect of a European war, to return to his native country. It is with pleasure that I embrace the opportunity of introducing to your personal acquaintance a gentleman, whose merit cannot have left him unknown to you by reputation. The generous motives which first induced him to cross the Atlantic; the tr

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Boston, 5th January, 1779. DEAR GENERAL,—In my difficult situation, at such a distance from you, I am obliged to take a determination by myself, which, I hope, will meet with your approbation. You remember, that in making full allowance for deliberations, the answer from congress was to reach me before the 15th of last month, and I have long since waited without even hearing from them. Nay, many gentlemen from Philadelphia assure me, congress believe that I am gone long ago. Though my affairs ca

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

On board the Alliance , off Boston, 11th Jan., 1779 The sails are just going to be hoisted, my dear general, and I have but time to take my last leave of you. I may now be certain that congress did not intend to send anything more by me. The navy board and Mr. Nevil write me this very morning from Boston, that the North River is passable; that a gentleman from camp says, he did not hear of anything like an express for me. All agree for certain that congress think I am gone, and that the sooner I

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HISTORICAL MEMOIRS OF 1779, 1780, & 1781.~{1}

HISTORICAL MEMOIRS OF 1779, 1780, & 1781.~{1}

Lafayette, who quitted France as a rebel and fugitive, returned there triumphant and in favour. He was scarcely punished by a week's arrest for his disobedience to the King, and that was only after he had had a conversation with the first minister, Maurepas. Lafayette found himself the connecting link between the United States and France; he enjoyed the confidence of both countries and both governments. His favour at court and in society was employed in serving the cause of the Americans, in des

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TO THE EDITOR OF THE EVENING POST.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE EVENING POST.

New York, August 10, 1802. Sir,—Finding that a story, long since propagated, under circumstances which it was expected would soon consign it to oblivion, (and by which I have been complimented at the expense of Generals Washington and Lafayette,) has of late been revived, and has acquired a degree of importance by being repeated in different publications, as well in Europe as America, it becomes a duty to counteract its currency and influence by an explicit disavowal. The story imports, in subst

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A. HAMILTON.

A. HAMILTON.

The circumstance alluded to in this letter has been related in the Life of Hamilton, published by his son. A short time before the taking of Yorktown, a Colonel Scammell, surprised by the English whilst reconnoitring, had been taken prisoner and dangerously wounded. When the redoubt was taken, and Colonel Campbell, who commanded, advanced to give himself up, a captain, who had served under Scammell, seized a bayonet, and was on the point of striking him; Hamilton turned aside the blow, and Campb

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1779-1781. TO COUNT DE VERGENNES~{1}

1779-1781. TO COUNT DE VERGENNES~{1}

Paris, 24th February, 1779. SIR,—A desire to render an exact obedience to the orders of the king, impels me to take the liberty of importuning you to let me know what is my duty. The prohibition which the Marshal de Noailles has put upon me, makes no exception as to one, whom I do not think, nevertheless, I should be forbidden to visit. Dr. Franklin was to have met me at Versailles this morning, if I had been there, to communicate to me some affairs of importance, as he said. I have informed him

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ROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE.~{1} (ORIGINAL.)

ROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE.~{1} (ORIGINAL.)

Camp, at Middlebrook, 8th March, 1779. My Dear Marquis,—I am mortified exceedingly, that my letter from Philadelphia, with the several enclosures, did not reach Boston before your departure, from that port. It was written as soon as congress had come to a decision upon the several matters, which became the subject of the president's letter to you, and was committed for conveyance to the messenger, who was charged with his despatches to that place. Monsieur la Colombe did me the honour of deliver

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TO M. DE VERGENNES.

TO M. DE VERGENNES.

Paris, April 1st, 1779. Sir,—From what M. de Sartine said to me, I requested M. de Chaumont yesterday to send for Captain Jones, and although the place of his present residence be unknown, our messenger will do all that can be done to bring him immediately to us. I gave him an urgent letter for Jones, and as Dr. Franklin was not at home, I left one also for him, in which I expressed our desire to see the captain, rather as if to consult him, than as if we had formed any definite project. The tim

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TO M. DE VERGENNES.

TO M. DE VERGENNES.

Paris, April 26th, 1779. Sir,—Allow me the honour of proposing to you a plan, the success of which, uncertain as it now is, will depend perhaps upon your approbation. As your means of attack or defence depend on our maritime force, would it not be doing a service to the common cause to increase for a time that of our allies? To purchase vessels would be too expensive for a nation so destitute of money; it would answer all purposes to hire them, and would enable, us to make such diversions, or to

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TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. (ORIGINAL.)

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. (ORIGINAL.)

St. Jean d'Angely, near Rochfort, June 12, 1779. Sir,—How happy I shall think myself whenever a safe opportunity of writing to congress is offered, I cannot in any way better express than in reminding them of that unbounded affection and gratitude which I shall ever feel for them. So deeply are those sentiments engraven on my heart, that I every day lament the distance which separates me from them, and that nothing was ever so warmly and passionately wished for, as to return again to that countr

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

St. Jean d'Angély, near Rochefort harbour, June 12,1779. My Dear General,—Here is at length a safe opportunity of writing to you, and I may tell you what sincere concern I feel at our separation. There never was a friend, my dear general, so much, so tenderly beloved, as I love and respect you: happy in our union, in the pleasure of living near to you, in the pleasing satisfaction of partaking every sentiment of your heart, every event of your life, I have taken such a habit of being inseparable

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TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES.

TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES.

Havre, 30th July, 1779. Sir,—I have received the letter which you have had the goodness to write to me, and in which you promise me another after having read to M. de Maurepas the paper which I addressed to you.~{1} It is shewing me a great favour to employ, in answering me, a part of your time, which is so precious; and I remain in eager expectation of your second letter. Being convinced that there is no time to lose in adopting the measures which I propose, my love for my country makes me feel

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TO M. DE VERGENNES.

TO M. DE VERGENNES.

Paris, Monday morning, August, 1779. It is not, sir, to the king's minister that I am now writing, but my confidence in your kindness makes me hope that I am addressing a man whom I may safely call my friend, to whom I am merely giving an account of all that is most interesting to me. You may confer a great obligation upon me, (and render one perhaps to the public,) by employing in a less useless manner the few talents a soldier may possess, who has been hitherto rather fortunate in war, and who

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DR. FRANKLIN TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

DR. FRANKLIN TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

Passy, 24th August, 1779. Sir,—The congress, sensible of your merit towards the United States, but unable adequately to reward it, determined to present you with a sword, as a small mark of their grateful acknowledgment: they directed it to be ornamented with suitable devices. Some of the principal actions of the war, in which you distinguished yourself by your bravery and conduct, are therefore represented upon it. These, with a few emblematic figures, all admirably well executed, make its prin

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B. FRANKLIN.

B. FRANKLIN.

P.S. My grandson goes to Havre with the sword, and will have the honour of presenting it to you....

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TO DR. FRANKLIN. (ORIGINAL.)

TO DR. FRANKLIN. (ORIGINAL.)

Havre, 29th August, 1779, Sir,—Whatever expectations might have been raised from the sense of past favours, the goodness of the United States to me has ever been such, that on every occasion it far surpasses any idea I could have conceived. A new proof of that flattering truth I find in the noble present, which congress has been pleased to honour me with, and which is offered in such a manner by your excellency as will exceed everything, but the feelings of an unbounded gratitude. In some of the

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FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

West Point, 30th Sept., 1779. MY DEAR MARQUIS,—A few days ago, I wrote a letter in much haste; since that, I have been honoured with the company of Chevalier de la Luzerne, and by him was favoured with your obliging letter of the 12th of June, which filled me with equal pleasure and surprise; the latter at hearing that you had not received one of the many letters I had written to you since you left the American shore. It gave me infinite pleasure to hear from your sovereign, and of the joy which

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.~{1} (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.~{1} (ORIGINAL.)

Havre, 7th October, 1779. My dear general—From those happy ties of friendship by which you were pleased to unite yourself with me, from the promises you so tenderly made me when we parted at Fishkill, gave me such expectations of hearing often from you, that complaints ought to be permitted to my affectionate heart. Not a line from you, my dear, general, has yet arrived into my hands, and though several ships from America, several despatches from congress or the French minister, are safely broug

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TO M. DE VERGENNES.

TO M. DE VERGENNES.

Versailles, February 2d, 1780. You approved, sir, of my putting down in writing, before conversing with you upon the subject of the expedition, some of the measures necessary to be taken in either of the following cases: first, if I should command the French detachment; and secondly, if I should resume an American division.~{1} I must begin by observing that this commission is not only a military and political, but also a social affair: and from the circumstances under which I am now placed, I a

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TO HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL WASHINGTON.~{1} (ORIGINAL.)

TO HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL WASHINGTON.~{1} (ORIGINAL.)

At the entrance of Boston harbour, April 27, 1780. Here I am, my dear general, and, in the midst of the joy I feel in finding myself again one of your loving soldiers, I take but the time to tell you that I came from France on board a frigate which the king gave me for my passage. I have affairs of the utmost importance which I should at first communicate to you alone. In case my letter finds you anywhere this side of Philadelphia, I beg you will wait for me, and do assure you a great public goo

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TO M. DE VERGENNES.

TO M. DE VERGENNES.

Waterburg, on the Boston road, From the Camp, May 6th, 1780. I have already had the honour of writing to you, sir, and of announcing to you the news of my arrival; but I place so much confidence in the kindness you express for me, that I do not hesitate to repeat the contents of my former letter. It was the 28th of April, after a voyage of thirty-eight days, and after having experienced both calms and contrary winds, that the Hermione entered the Boston harbour. I cannot sufficiently express my

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FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Morristown, May, 1783. My dear Marquis,—Your welcome favour of the 27th of April came to my hands yesterday. I received it with all the joy that the sincerest friendship would dictate, and with that impatience which an ardent desire to see you could not fail to inspire. I am sorry I do not know your route through the State of New York, that I might with certainty send a small party of horse, all I have at this place, to meet and escort you safely through the Tory settlements, between this place

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TO THE COUNT DE ROCHAMBEAU.

TO THE COUNT DE ROCHAMBEAU.

Philadelphia, 19th May, 1780. Sir,—This letter will be handed to you by M. de Galvan, a French officer in the service of the United States, and you may receive with confidence the various accounts which he will have the honour to give you. I have appointed him to await your arrival at Cape Henry, and you will see that my instructions to this officer are in conformity with those which I have received from the Count de Vergennes.~{1} I reached Boston on the 26th of April. On the morning of the 10t

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Camp at Preakness, July 4th, 1780. You know, my dear general, that I am very anxious to see the army well clothed for this campaign; the importance of such a measure is on every account obvious, and from the knowledge I have of the auxiliary troops that are coming, I can so well demonstrate its necessity that I shall for the present but attend to the means of executing it. In the space of six months (we know from experience) the coats of our soldiers begin to be worn out, so that there is no gre

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TO MM. LE COMTE DE ROCHAMBEAU, AND LE CHEVALIER DE TERNAY.~{1}

TO MM. LE COMTE DE ROCHAMBEAU, AND LE CHEVALIER DE TERNAY.~{1}

Camp, before Dobb's Ferry, Aug. 9, 1780. Gentlemen,—I arrived two days ago at head quarters, and in consequence of the mission I was charged with, my first care was to render an account of our conversations; but the most minute details of them are so important, and the fate of America, and the glory of France, depend so completely upon the result of our combinations here, that, in order to feel more certain of having perfectly understood your meaning, I will submit to you a summary of our conver

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FROM THE COUNT DE ROCHAMBEAU TO M. DE LAFAYETTE.

FROM THE COUNT DE ROCHAMBEAU TO M. DE LAFAYETTE.

Newport, August 12th, 1780. I received, my dear marquis, the letter you did me the honour of writing the 9th of August; permit me to send you, in reply, the one I had the honour of addressing to our general on the 10th of this month, to express to him the opinion you asked for by his desire. I am only now, therefore, waiting for his last orders, and I have earnestly requested him to grant me the favour of an interview, that the admiral and I may receive from his own lips the last plan he has dec

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TO MM. DE ROCHAMBEAU AND DE TERNAY.

TO MM. DE ROCHAMBEAU AND DE TERNAY.

Camp, August 18th, 1780. GENTLEMEN,—As I wish to submit the same observations to you both, permit me to address this letter to you in common, and permit me also (without pretending to complain of the interpretation you have given to my last letter) to accuse myself of having explained my own meaning in a very awkward manner. On my return here, gentlemen, General Washington asked me for an account of our conversations. You know that he had given me full powers to explain to you our situation, and

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TO M. DE ROCHAMBEAU.

TO M. DE ROCHAMBEAU.

Having written, sir, one letter to you in common with the Chevalier de Ternay, permit me to address myself to you with the frankness authorised by the warm affection I have felt, and endeavoured to prove to you, from my earliest youth. Although your letter expresses your usual kindness for me, I observed a few sentences in it which, without being individually applied to me, prove to me that my last epistle displeased you. After having been engaged night and day for four months, in preparing the

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FROM M. DE ROCHAMBEAU.

FROM M. DE ROCHAMBEAU.

Newport, August 27th, 1780. Permit an aged father, my dear marquis, to reply to you as he would do to a son whom he tenderly loves and esteems. You know me well enough to feel convinced that I do not require being excited, that when I, at my age, form a resolution founded upon military and state reasons, and supported by circumstances, no possible instigation can induce me to change my mind without a positive order from my general. I am happy to say that his despatches, on the contrary, inform m

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TO THE CHEVALIER DE LA LUZERNE.

TO THE CHEVALIER DE LA LUZERNE.

Robinson House, opposite W. Point, Sept. 26, 1780. When I parted from you yesterday, sir, to come and breakfast here with General Arnold, we were far from foreseeing the event which I am now going to relate to you.~{1} You will shudder at the danger to which we have been exposed; you will admire the miraculous chain of unexpected events and singular chances that have saved us; but you will be still more astonished when you learn by what instruments this conspiracy has been formed. West Point was

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TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

Near Fort Lee, opposite Fort Washington, on the North River, Oct. 7th, 1780. You must have already learnt, my dearest love, all that can interest you relating to myself, from my arrival at Boston until my voyage to Rhode Island, which place public affairs, and the desire of seeing my friends, induced me to visit soon after my landing. I have been since to Hartford in Connecticut, to be present at an interview between the French generals and General Washington: of all my young friends, Damas ~{1}

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Light Camp, October 30th, 1780. MY DEAR GENERAL,—In our conversations upon military operations you have often told me that, since the beginning of the campaign, your eyes were turned towards a project upon which I generally agree in opinion with you, and beg leave to offer some observations. Far from lessening my desire of finishing the campaign by some brilliant stroke, the project of Staten Island, though it miscarried, has strengthened my opinions, as I have clearly seen, by the details of th

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FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

Head-quarters, 30th October, 1780. 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 endeavour to better our affairs by attempting things which, for want of success, may make them worse. We are to lament that there has been a misapprehension of our circumstances in Europe; but to endeavour to recover our reputation, we should take care that we do not injure it more. E

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Light Camp, November 13th, 1780. MY DEAR GENERAL,—In revolving in my mind the chances of discovery by moonlight, and, on the other hand, the inconveniences of staying longer than you wish under our tents, I have thought if there was any position which might enable us to take advantage of the first hours of the night. How far the sending of the Pennsylvanians towards Aquakanac, and going ourselves to the Hukinsac~{1} position, may awaken the enemy, I cannot pretend to say. The most difficult affa

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LAFAYETTE.

LAFAYETTE.

The Marquis de Laval Montmorency, one of the most illustrious families in France, is on his way to the camp. The Chevalier de Chastellux, a relation and friend of mine, major-general in the French army, is also coming. I every day expect my brother-in-law, and his friend, Count de Charlus, only son to the Marquis de Castries, who enjoys a great consideration in France, and has won the battle of Closter Camp. The Duke of Lauzun has also written to me that he would come soon.~{2} These five gentle

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON (ORIGINAL.)

Paramus, November the 28th, 1780. My dear General,—We arrived last night at this place, and were much favoured by the weather in our recognising of the Island, where, I confess, my feelings were different from what I had experienced when looking at these forts with a hopeful eye. I saw the fatal sentry alluded to, Colonel Gouvion, on an upper battery of Jeffery's Hook. I also saw a small vessel playing off this Hook, but quite a trifling thing, without guns, and but two men on board. Nothing els

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TO HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL WASHINGTON.~{1} (ORIGINAL.)

TO HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL WASHINGTON.~{1} (ORIGINAL.)

Philadelphia, December 5th, 1780. MY DEAR GENERAL,—By my letter of yesterday I have mentioned to you that a Spanish expedition was intended against St. Augustine. They mean to set out at the end of December, which will certainly delay them till the middle of January. It consists of twelve ships of the line, some frigates, bomb ketches, and a large number of troops. I have advised the minister to communicate officially to you this intelligence, and also to Count de Rochambeau, that proper means,

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FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

New Windsor, 14th December, 1780. My dear Marquis,—Soon after despatching my last letter to you, your favour dated at Paramus was put into my hands by Colonel Gouvion. The Chevalier de la Luzerne's despatches came in time for the post, which is the only means left me for the conveyance of letters; there not being so much money in the hands of the quartermaster-general (I believe I might go further, and say in those of the whole army,) as would bear the expense of an express to Rhode Island. I co

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TO M. DE VERGENNES.~{1}

TO M. DE VERGENNES.~{1}

New Windsor, on the North River, Jan. 30th, 1781. The letters which I had the honour of writing to you, sir, and which were dated the 20th May, 19th July, 4th and 16th December, have, I hope, reached you safely. Since the arrival of the squadron, your despatch of the 3rd of June is the only one I have received. The Chevalier de la Luzerne has only received one letter of the same month, and none have yet reached the officers of the army and squadron. The first copy of this letter will be delivere

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TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

New Windsor, in the North River, February 2nd, 1781. The person who will deliver this to you, my dearest love, is a man I am much attached to, and whom I wish you to become intimate with. He is the son of president Laurens, who has been lately established in the Tower of London;~{1} he is lieutenant-colonel in our service, and aide-de-camp to General Washington; he has been sent by congress on a private mission to the court of France. I knew him well during the two first campaigns, and his probi

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL)

Elk, March the 8th, 1781. My dear general,—Your letter of the 1st inst. did not come to hand until last evening, and I hasted to answer to its contents, though I should, in a few hours, be better able to inform you of my movements.~{1} From what I hear of the difficulties to convoy us down the bay, I very much apprehend that the winds will not permit any frigate to come up. Count de Rochambeau thinks his troops equal to the business, and wishes that they alone may display their zeal and shed the

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

On board the Dolphin , March 9th, 1781. MY DEAR GENERAL,—Here I am at the mouth of Elk River, and the fleet under my command will proceed to Annapolis, where I am assured they can go without danger. They are protected by the Nesbitt , of twelve guns, some field-pieces on board the vessel that carries Colonel Stevens, and we are going to meet an eight-gun and a six-gun-vessel from Baltimore. With this escort, we may go as far as Annapolis. No vessel of the enemy ever ventured so far up, and if by

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Williamsburg, March the 23rd 1781. MY DEAR GENERAL,—By former letters your excellency has been acquainted with my motions, from my arrival at the head of Elk to the time of my landing at this place. The march of the detachment to Elk had been very rapid and performed in the best order. Owing to the activity of Lieutenant-Colonel Stevens, a train of artillery had been provided at Philadelphia, and notwithstanding some disappointments, namely, that relating to the want of vessels, no delay should

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FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

New Windsor, 6th April, 1781. MY DEAR MARQUIS,—Since my letter to you of yesterday,~{1} I have attentively considered of what vast importance it will be to reinforce General Greene as speedily as possible; more especially as there can be little doubt that the detachment under General Phillips, if not part of that now under the command of General Arnold, will ultimately join, or in some degree co-operate with Lord Cornwallis. I have communicated to the general officers at present with the army my

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Elk, April 8th, 1781. MY DEAR GENERAL,—Your excellency's letters of the 5th and 6th instant are just come to hand, and before I answer their contents, I beg leave to give you a summary account of the measures I have lately taken. As to the part of my conduct you have been acquainted with, I am happy, my dear general, to find it has met with your approbation. When the return of the British fleet put it out of doubt that nothing could be undertaken for the present against Portsmouth, I sent pressi

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TO COLONEL HAMILTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO COLONEL HAMILTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Susquehannah Ferry, 18th April, 1781. Dear Hamilton,~{1}—You are so sensible a fellow, that you can certainly explain to me what is the matter that New York should be given up; that our letters to France go for nothing; that when the French are coming, I am going. This last matter gives great uneasiness to the minister of France. All this is not comprehensible to me, who, having been long from head-quarters, have lost the course of intelligence. Have you left the family, my dear sir? I suppose s

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Baltimore, April 18th, 1781. MY DEAR GENERAL,—Every one of my letters were written in so lamentable a tone, that I am happy to give you a pleasanter prospect. The anxiety I feel to relieve your mind from a small part of those many solicitudes and cares which our circumstances conspire to gather upon you, is the reason of my sending this letter by the chain of communication, and with a particular recommendation. When I left Susquehannah Ferry, it was the general opinion that we could not have six

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Alexandria, April 23rd, 1781. My Dear General,—Great happiness is derived from friendship, and I experience it particularly in the attachment which unites me to you. But friendship has its duties, and the man who likes you best, will be the first to let you know everything in which you may be concerned. When the enemy came to your house, many negroes deserted to them. This piece of news did not affect me much, as I little value these matters. But you cannot conceive how unhappy I have been to he

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FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

New Windsor, May 4, 1781. MY DEAR MARQUIS,—The freedom of your communications is an evidence to me of the sincerity of your attachment, and every fresh instance of this gives pleasure and adds strength to the bond which unites us in friendship. In this light I view the intimation 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 account of this transaction from that gentleman himself, and immediat

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FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO LUND WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO LUND WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

New Windsor, April 30, 1781. Dear Lund,—I am very sorry to hear of your loss; I am a little 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-compliance with their request, they had burnt my house and laid the plantation in ruins. You ought to have considered yourself as my representative, and shou

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Camp Wilton, on James River, May 17, 1781. Dear General,—My correspondence with one of the British generals, and my refusal of a correspondence with the other, may be, perhaps, misrepresented, I shall therefore give an account of what has passed, and I hope your excellency and General Greene will approve of my conduct. On the arrival of our detachment at Richmond, three letters were brought by a flag, which I have the honour to inclose, and which, as commander of the troops in this state, it bec

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FROM GENERAL PHILLIPS TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

FROM GENERAL PHILLIPS TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

British Camp, at Osborn, April 28, 1781. SIR,—It is a principle of the British army engaged in the present war, which they esteem as an unfortunate one, to conduct it with every attention to humanity and the laws of war; and in the necessary destruction of public stores of every kind, to prevent, as far as possible, that of private property. I call upon the inhabitants of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Petersburg, and Chesterfield, for a proof of the mild treatment they have received from the king's tr

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W. PHILLIPS. FROM GENERAL PHILLIPS TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

W. PHILLIPS. FROM GENERAL PHILLIPS TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. (ORIGINAL.)

Camp at Osborn, April 29th, 1781. Sir,—When I was at Williamsburg, and at Petersburg, I gave several inhabitants and country people protections for their persons and properties. I did this without asking, or even considering, whether these people were either friends or foes, actuated by no other motive than that of pure humanity. I understand, from almost undoubted authority, that several of these persons have been taken up by their malicious neighbours, and sent to your quarters, where preparat

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W. PHILLIPS. TO MAJOR GENERAL PHILLIPS. (ORIGINAL.)

W. PHILLIPS. TO MAJOR GENERAL PHILLIPS. (ORIGINAL.)

American camp, April 30th, 1781. Sir,—Your letters of the 26th, 28th, and 29th, came yesterday to hand. The duplicate dated at Petersburg being rather of a private nature, it has been delivered to Major-General Baron de Steuben. I am sorry the mode of your request has delayed the civility that had been immediately intended. From the beginning of this war, which you observe is an unfortunate one to Great Britain, the proceedings of the British troops have been hitherto so far from evincing benevo

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LAFAYETTE.

LAFAYETTE.

Endnote: 1. General Phillips had been made prisoner at Saratoga....

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TO MAJOR GENERAL PHILLIPS. (ORIGINAL.)

TO MAJOR GENERAL PHILLIPS. (ORIGINAL.)

May 3rd, 1781. Sir,—Your assertion relating to the flag vessel was so positive, that it becomes necessary for me to set you right in this matter. Inclosed I have the honour to send you some depositions, by which it is clearly proved that there has been on our side no violation of flags. I have the honour to be, sir, your humble servant,...

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LAFAYETTE NOTE FOR CAPTAIN EMYNE.

LAFAYETTE NOTE FOR CAPTAIN EMYNE.

May 15th, 1781. The Major-General Marquis de Lafayette has the honour to present his compliments to Captain Emyne, and begs him to recollect that, on the supposition of the death of General Phillips, he said, "that he should know in that case what to do." From regard to the English army, he had made use of the most polite pretence for declining all correspondence with the English general who is at this moment commander-in-chief. But he now finds himself obliged to give a positive denial. In case

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NOTE FROM GENERAL ARNOLD TO CAPTAIN RAGEDALE.

NOTE FROM GENERAL ARNOLD TO CAPTAIN RAGEDALE.

Brigadier-General Arnold presents his compliments to Captain Ragedale, and takes the liberty of informing him, that the flag of truce having been sent by Brigadier-General Nelson, who is not commander-in-chief of the American army, is an inadmissible act. The letters are accordingly sent back unopened. If Captain Ragedale thinks proper to leave them with the servants, a receipt must be given for them. Brigadier-General Arnold has given orders that the officers lately taken in that place should b

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Richmond, May 24th, 1781, MY DEAR GENERAL,—My official letter, a copy of which I send to congress, will let you know the situation of affairs in this quarter. I ardently wish my conduct may meet with your approbation. Had I followed the first impulsion of my temper, I should have risked something more; but I have been guarding against my own warmth; and this consideration, that a general defeat, which, with such a proportion of militia, must be expected, would involve this state and our affairs

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Camp, 28th June, 1781. MY DEAR GENERAL,—Inclosed, I have the honour to send you a copy of my letter to General Greene. The enemy have been so kind as to retire before us.~{1} Twice I gave them a chance of fighting (taking care not to engage farther than I pleased), but they continued their retrograde motions. Our numbers are, I think, exaggerated to them, and our seeming boldness confirms the opinion. I thought, at first, Lord Cornwallis wanted to get me as low down as possible, and use his cava

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(ORIGINAL.)

(ORIGINAL.)

Ambler's Plantation, July 8th, 1781. The inclosed copy, my dear general, will give you an account of our affairs in this quarter. Agreeably to your orders I have avoided a general action, and when Lord Cornwallis's movements indicated that it was against his interest to fight, I ventured partial engagements. His lordship seems to have given up the conquest of Virginia. It has been a great secret that our army was not superior, and was most generally inferior, to the enemy's numbers. Our returns

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TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

Camp, between the branches of York River, August 24, 1781. The residence of Virginia is anything but favourable to my correspondence. I do not accuse public affairs of this evil; and as I find so much time to think of my affection for you, I could doubtless find some, also, to assure you of it; but there are no opportunities here of sending letters, and we are obliged to despatch them to Philadelphia and expose them to many hazards; these dangers, in addition to those of the sea, and the increas

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TO M. DE VERGENNES.

TO M. DE VERGENNES.

Camp, between the branches of York River, August 24th, 1781. When a person, sir, has Lord Cornwallis in front and is flying through the sands of Virginia, he must depend upon others to give circumstantial news of America. Ever since the guidance of this army has been entrusted to me, I have found myself five hundred miles from any other troops, and all accounts of the war, of General Washington, and of congress, are an immense time in reaching me; but you have the Chevalier de la Luzerne, and yo

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TO M. DE MAUREPAS.

TO M. DE MAUREPAS.

Camp, between the branches of the York River, August 24th, 1781. Whilst I am thus, sir, more than ever separated from the rest of the world, I am not less occupied with the persons I love, and who honour me with their kindness and attention. I owe you so much gratitude, and feel so much attached to you, that I wish to recal sometimes to your recollection the rebel commander of the little Virginian army. Interested for me, sir, as I know you are, you would have been alarmed by the important part

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.~{1} (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.~{1} (ORIGINAL.)

Holt's Forge, 1st Sept., 1781. My dear General,—From the bottom of my heart I congratulate you upon the arrival of the French fleet. Some rumours had been spread, and spy accounts sent out, but no certainty until the admiral's despatches came to hand. Inclosed I send you his letter, and that of M. de St. Simon, both of whom I request you will have translated by Tilghman or Gouvion alone, as there are parts of them personal, which I do not choose to shew to others. Thanks to you, my dear general,

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Williamsburg, September 8, 1781. My dear General,—I had the honour to write you lately, giving an account of everything that came within my knowledge. I was every hour expecting I might be more particular; but if you knew how slowly things go on in this country; still I have done the best in my power; I have written and received twenty letters a day from government and from every department. The governor does what he can: the wheels of his government are so very rusty that no governor whatever w

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.~{1} (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.~{1} (ORIGINAL.)

Camp before York, October 16, 1781. My dear General,—Your excellency having personally seen our dispositions, I shall only give an account of what passed in the execution. Colonel Gimat's battalion led the van, and was followed by that of Colonel Hamilton's, who commanded the whole advanced corps; at the same time, a party of eighty men, under Colonel Laurens, turned the redoubt. I beg leave to refer your excellency to the report I have received from Colonel Hamilton, whose well known talents an

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TO M. DE MAUREPAS.

TO M. DE MAUREPAS.

Camp, near York, October 20th, 1781. The play, sir, is over—and the fifth act has just been closed; I was in a somewhat awkward situation during the first acts; my heart experienced great delight at the final one—and I do not feel less pleasure in congratulating you, at this moment, upon the fortunate issue of our campaign. I need not describe the particulars of it, sir, because Lauzun will give them to you in person; and I only wish him the same degree of good luck in crossing the ocean that he

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TO M. DE VERGENNES.

TO M. DE VERGENNES.

Allow me, sir, to offer you my congratulations upon the good leaf that has been turned over in our political tablets. M. Laurens will give all particulars; I rejoice that your Virginian campaign should close so well, and my respect for the talents of Lord Cornwallis renders his capture still more valuable to me. After this commencing stroke, what English general will ever think of conquering America? Their southern manoeuvres have not ended more fortunately than their northern ones, and the affa

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TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

On board La Ville de Paris , in Chesapeak Bay, Oct. 22, 1781. This is the last moment, my dearest love, allowed me for writing to you; M. de Lauzun is going to join the frigate and return to Europe; some business I had to settle with the admiral affords me the pleasure of thus giving you some news of me two days later; what relates to public affairs will be detailed to you by M. de Lauzun. The close of this campaign is truly brilliant for the allied troops; our movements have been all remarkably

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THE MARQUIS DE SEGUR TO M. DE LAFAYETTE.

THE MARQUIS DE SEGUR TO M. DE LAFAYETTE.

December 5th, 1781. The king, sir, having been informed of the military talents of which you have given such multiplied proofs whilst commanding the different corps of the army that has been confided to you in the United States; of the wisdom and prudence that have guided you in the various decisions you were called upon to take respecting the interests of the United States; and of the great confidence with which you have inspired General Washington; his Majesty has desired me to tell you, that

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Alliance , off Boston, December 21st, 1781. MY DEAR GENERAL,—I am sorry to think we are not yet gone, and there still remain some doubts of our going to-morrow. This delay I lament not so much on private accounts as I do on the account of our next campaign, in the planning of which your opinion, as I shall deliver it, must be of the greatest use to the common cause. As to the department of foreign affairs, I shall be happy to justify the confidence of the congress, by giving my opinion to the be

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TO HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

At Robins's Tavern, halfpast four, 26 June, 1778. DEAR GENERAL,—I have received your excellency's favor~{1} notifying your arrival at Cramberry, and am glad to have anticipated your orders in not going too far. I have felt the unhappy effects of the want of provisions, for I dare say if we had not been stopped by it, as we were already within three miles of the enemy's rear, we would very easily have overtaken them and fought with advantage. I have consulted the general officers of the detachmen

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.~{1} (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.~{1} (ORIGINAL.)

At Cranbarry, 5 o'clock, June, 1778, Dear General,—I have received your orders for marching as just as I could and I have marched without waiting for the provisions tho' we want them extremely. Gen. Forman and Col. Hamilton sat out last night to meet the other troops and we shall be together at Hidestown or somewhat lower. Gen. Forman is firmly of opinion that we may overtake the enemy,—for my part I am not so quiet upon the subject as he is, but his sentiment is of great weight on account of hi

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.~{1} (ORIGINAL)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.~{1} (ORIGINAL)

Half past ten, 28th June, 1778. Dear General,—Your orders have reached me so late and found me in such a situation that it will be impossible to follow them as soon as I could wish. It is not on account of any other motive than the impossibility of moving the troops and making such a march immediately, for in receiving your letter I have given up the project of attacking the enemy, and I only wish to join Gen. Lee.—I was even going to set out, but all the Brigadiers, Officers, &amp;c. have r

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Cranbarry, half past nine o'clock, 29 June, 1778. Dear General,—Inclosed I have the honor to send you a letter which Colonel Hamilton was going to send me from this place when I arrived with the detachment, and which may give you an idea of the position of the enemy. I will try to meet and collect as soon as possible our forces, tho' I am sorry to find the enemy so far down that way. We will be obliged to march pretty fast, if we want to attack them. It is for that I am particularly concerned ab

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TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES.

TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES.

St. Jean d'Angely, June, 1779. Sir,—I learnt before I left Paris, that a loan, negotiating in Holland for England, and which was to have been completed the coming autumn, would be stopped, because the lenders had demanded one per cent more interest. This loan was undertaken by a banker of English origin, who has apportioned it among a great many persons, and had become lender-general to the English government. I am told that some profits over and above the commission might help America to this s

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TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES.

TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES.

Havre, 9 July, 1779 Sir, If my letter from America had contained any interesting information, I should not have delayed a moment to acquaint you with it; but it is only a confirmation of what you heard, and we have some later news by the way of England. It will be injurious to commerce for the British to have the command of James River, and while they can coast along those shores with impunity, their transient descents will almost always succeed. If they should establish themselves in their new

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TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Havre, 7th October, 1779. Sir,—As from their minister in France, any European intelligence will be properly conveyed to congress, I beg only the leave of paying them a due tribute of my respect and heartfelt assurance of my unbounded zeal, love and gratitude: so sensible I am of their goodness towards me, that I flatter myself they will kindly receive this letter from one who will ever boast in the name of an American soldier, and whose delight has been long ago, in sharing the same fortune as t

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.~{1} (ORIGINAL)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.~{1} (ORIGINAL)

Peekskill, July the 20th, 1780. DEAR GENERAL,—Having heard of an express from Rhode Island being going through the Continental village, I sent for him as it would not delay him more than an hour. Inclosed I have the honor to send you the letter from Gen. Heath, which I have opened, and also two letters from the French generals to me. It seems, my dear General, that they have anticipated the desire you expressed yourself of our plans in a private conversation. That way indeed will do better than

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Danbury, July the 21st, 1780. As I find an express going from Hartford to General Greene, I send this letter to him that you might hear something further about the recruits of Connecticut. From the Colonel who under Gen. Parsons is intrusted with the care of forwarding them, I hear that by the first of August two thousand of them will be at West Point; but I had put in my head that they were to bring arms with them, and I find it is not the case. Gen. Parsons and myself will meet at Newtown, whe

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Hartford, July the 22d, 1780.~{1} MY DEAR GENERAL,—I hasten to inform you that the missing transport is safely arrived, on the 19th, at Boston. She is said to be a two-decker, and to have on board a vast deal of powder, with pieces of ordnance, and also the baggage of the officers of Bourbonnsis .—The intelligence came this instant by an officer of our army who saw the men encamped on the commons, from where they were to march to Providence. Two American frigates were, I am told, ordered to conv

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Lebanon, July the 23d, 1780.~{1} MY DEAR GENERAL,—I had this morning the honor to wait on His Excellency, the governor, and took the liberty, though in a private capacity, to inform him of our circumstances. The result of our conversation I will therein transmit to you, and to be more certain of conveying the governor's ideas, I am writing at his own house, and will show him my letter before I fold it up. To begin by the article of powder which is so much wanted, and which, from unforeseen circu

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Newport, July 26th, 1780. MY DEAR GENERAL,—Every private intelligence from Long-Island, and also the letters from General Howe, and the officer on the lines do agree with the note I have received from Colonel Hamilton, and are all positive upon it that General Clinton, with a great part of his army, is coming to attack the French troops. In consequence of this Count de Rochambeau is fortifying both Islands, and making preparations of defence. He has requested our calling immediately a body of mi

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Newport, July the 26th, at Seven o'clock, P. M.~{1} My Dear General,—I had this morning the honor of writing to you by Genl. Heath's express, and informed you that we had from every official and private quarter minuted accounts of the enemy's coming in great force to attack this island. For my part I have been a long time a disbeliever of the intelligence; but so many letters came to hand that at length I was forced to take the general opinion about their intended expedition. But, tho' I wrote y

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Newport, July the 29th, 1780. My Dear General,—Your letter of the 22d~{1} came to hand last evening, and I hasten to answer at least to a part of its contents. I shall begin by the disagreeable disappointment I met with on account of our clothing. Inclosed, my dear General, you will find the return of what has been put on board of the fleet, which I have sent by a vessel to Providence, and which will be forwarded to head-quarters. I can't tell you how much I feel for that shoking arrangement of

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL)

Newport, July the 31st, 1780, My Dear General,—In consequence of a note from me the Admiral came to last evening, and defensive ideas gave way to offensive plans. Our conversation was long, and it is not yet ended, but I hasten to write you a summary report of what past between the Count, the Chevalier, and myself. I first began, in my own name, to give them a pretty exact account of the situation we were in three months ago, of the supernatural efforts which the country had made for the purpose

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Newport, August the 1st, 1750. My Dear General,—Your letter to Count de Rochambeau~{1} mentioning the enemy's embarkation, and your future movements against New-York, a positive letter from Governor Trumbull, and a positive one from General Parsons, have once more altered the dispositions, and such of the Militia as had been dismissed have been again sent for. In consequence of these expectations my offensive arrangements have been entirely cut short, they are wholly taken in their preparations.

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Elizabeth Town, October the 27th, 1780. My Dear General.—From what you have heard from Dr. Hagen about the boats when on your way to head-quarters, I don't believe that you may have kept any hope for our success. The boats have been, it seems, reduced to five, and from the time when they were yet at the Little Falls you may see that they could not be here at the appointed hour. I will not permit myself to reflect on this moment upon the many blunders committed on that affair by the Quarter-Gener

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Light Camp, October 27th, 1780. My Dear General,—I am sorry to hear from Major Gibbs that my letter of last night did not reach you before your departure from head quarters. It had been written at one o'clock, as soon as I took my position for the night, and intrusted to Colonel Ogden, who promised to send it by an officer acquainted with the roads. Depending upon your communication of the sad intelligence to Chevalier de la Luzerne, I did not send to Morristown where he was to wait for the news

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Philadelphia, December 4, 1780. MY DEAR GENERAL,—I will for this time write a very short letter to you and cannot be more particular either on public or private business, until some few days stay in this city have enabled me to get further information. I have been greatly disappointed in my not meeting Mrs. Washington. I have been very angry with my bad fate which led me into another road at the only moment when I could miss her—this has been the more the case, as I knew you was uneasy about her

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

December the 5th, in the Evening, 1780. MY DEAR GENERAL,—However acquainted I may be with your intentions, I thought, upon the whole, that I should better wait for your approbation before I present any opinion of yours to the Spanish and French Generals in the West Indies. I will, I know, lose the opportunity of the confederacy, but many vessels are going that way, and if my letters meet with your approbation I shall send them by triplicates. I Impatiently wait for your answer. I will write to G

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Philadelphia, December the 16th, 1780. MY DEAR GENERAL,—Your favor of the 8th instant never came to hand before last night. My former letters will have explained to you my sentiments relating to a journey southward. I must heartily thank you, my dear General, for the kind and friendly letters you have been pleased to send me. I am so happy in your friendship that every mark of your affection, for me gives me a degree of pleasure which far surpasses all expressions. As I have written to you befor

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Philadelphia, March the 2nd, 1781. MY DEAR GENERAL,—Your letters of the 25th and 26th~{1} both came yesterday to hand, which shows that the expresses have not made great dispatch. I would have done myself the honour of writing to your Excellency had I not every minute waited for intelligence from the Southward. Your Excellency remembers that our shortest calculation on the arrival of the troops at the head of Elk was for the 6th of March; I am happy to inform you that they will be there this day

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Head of Elk, March the 7th, 1781. My dear general,—Contrary winds, heavy rains, disappointments of vessels, and every inconvenience to which we had no remedy, have been, from the day of my arrival, combined against our embarkation. I hope, however, we will be on board to-morrow morning, and as nothing certain has been heard from the French ships, no time will be lost on our part for the celerity of the expedition. The troops will embark five miles below this place, and three miles higher up than

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Off Turkey Point, March the 9th. My dear general,—Commodore Nicholson has joined us sooner than I expected; he answers to conduct the detachment to Annapolis without the least danger, there he will wait for intelligence from me, but says that if the French fleet are below be might go with safety (if not for the vessels at least for the troops) to the point of our destination. Nicholson will be very useful to the French fleet as he knows well the bay. I will be at Hampton to-morrow night or the d

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

York, March 15th, 1781. My Dear General,—The number of small frigates and privateers that are in the bay, made it impossible for me to carry the detachment farther down than Annapolis, and I have requested the Governor of Maryland as well as the principal officers of the detachment, to give out that we are going to join General Greene; but the object of the expedition is so perfectly well known every where, that our sole dependence to keep Arnold must be upon the apprehension he has of a French

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Elk, April the 10th, 1751. Dear general,—By my letter of the 8th your Excellency will have known of my arrival at this place, and the preparations I was making to proceed Southward. I took at the same time the liberty to inform you that the great want of money, baggage, clothing, under which both officers and men are suffering, and the hope they had of being furnished with a part of these articles from their States, would render it very inconvenient for the troops to proceed immediately by land;

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Susquehannah ferry April 13th, 1751. MY DEAR GENERAL,—I received your Excellency's letter relating to Colonel Gouvion. It would have been very agreeable to me to keep this officer, your orders have been sent to Philadelphia where he is for the present. However distant I may be from the scene, I am happy to find that your Excellency hopes to undertake the grand object we have had in contemplation. By a letter just received from the board of War, it seems that representations of wants have been ma

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Susquehannah ferry April 13th, 1781. MY DEAR GENERAL,—Had your Excellency's answer to my letter of the 8th, been forwarded with an equal celerity that your favor of the 6th, I would have received it before this time, but whatever change my new situation could make in your Excellency's dispositions, I thought it my duty in the mean while to obey the positive orders I had received, the Troops are now crossing the ferry and will with all possible speed proceed to Richmond. By a letter received from

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Susquehannah ferry April 14th, 1781. MY DEAR GENERAL—Your Excellency's letter of the 11th, has overtaken me at this place, and having given to you an account of every measure I thought proper to take, I will only add that I am still at the ferry where the troops have crossed the river; but the wind blows so high that it has been impossible to take the waggons over, and I am obliged to have others impressed on the southern side of the Susquehannah. Your Excellency mentions the propriety of remain

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TO MAJOR GENERAL GREENE. (ORIGINAL.)

TO MAJOR GENERAL GREENE. (ORIGINAL.)

Hanover Court House, April 28th, 1781. Sir,—Having received intelligence that General Phillips' army were preparing at Portsmouth, for offensive operations. I left at Baltimore every thing that could impede our march, to follow us under a proper escort, and with about a thousand men, officers included; hastened towards Richmond which I apprehended would be a principal object with the enemy. Being on our way, I have received successive accounts of their movements. On the 21st, the British troops,

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TO GENERAL GREENE. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL GREENE. (ORIGINAL.)

Camp on Pamunkey River, May 3d, 1781. Sir,—I had lately the honor to inform you of the enemy's movements towards Richmond, and the forced marches I was making to its defence. The detachment arrived on the 29th; the British army was thirteen miles distant on the other side of the river. Petersburg, Chesterfield Court House, and part of our vessels had fallen into their hands. Our regular force consisted of 900 men, rank and file; that of the enemy, of 2,300, at the lowest estimate. The command of

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Camp near Bottom's Creek, May 4th, 1781. MY DEAR GENERAL,—I request you will receive my affectionate acknowledgements for your kind letters. Every mark of friendship I receive from you adds to my happiness, as I love you with all the sincerity and warmth of my heart, and the sentiment I feel for you goes to the very extent of my affections. Inclosed I send you, my dear General, two copies of letters to General Greene, which I also sent to Congress for their information. You will also find copies

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Richmond, May the 8th, 1781. MY DEAR GENERAL,—There is no fighting here unless you have a naval superiority, or an army mounted upon race-horses. Phillips' plan against Richmond has been defeated; he was going towards Portsmouth, and I thought it should be enough for me to oppose him at some principal points in this State. But now it appears I will have business to transact with two armies, and this is rather too much. By letters from North Carolina, I find that Lord Cornwallis, who I had been a

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Welton, north side of James River, May 18th, 1781. MY DEAR GENERAL.—Having been directed by General Greene to take command of the troops in Virginia. I have also received orders from him, that every account from this quarter, be immediately transmitted to Congress, and to your Excellency; in obedience to which I shall have the honor to relate our movements, and those of the combined armies of the enemy. When General Phillips retreated from Richmond, his project was to stop at Williamsburg, there

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TO COLONEL HAMILTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO COLONEL HAMILTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Richmond, May 23, 1781. MY DEAR HAMILON,—I have been long complaining that I had nothing to do, and want of employment was an objection I had to my going to the southward; but for the present, my dear friend, my complaint is quite of an opposite nature, and I have so many arrangements to make, so many difficulties to combat, so many enemies to deal with, that I am much of a General as will make me a historian of misfortunes, and nail my curse upon the ruins of what good soldiers are pleased to c

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Richmond, May the 24th, 1781. MY DEAR GENERAL.—The junction of Lord Cornwallis with the other army at Petersburg was an event that, from local circumstances, and from their so great superiority, it was impossible to prevent, it took place on the 20th, and having lost every hope to operate, a timely stroke in conjunction with the Pensylvanians, my ideas were confined to defensive measures. I therefore moved up to Richmond, where precautions were taken to remove every valuable property, either pub

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Camp between Rappahannock and North Anna, June 3rd, 1781. MY DEAR GENERAL,—Inclosed you will find the copy of a letter to General Green. He at first had requested that I would directly write to you, since which his orders have been different, but he directed me to forward you copies of my official accounts. So many letters are lost in their way that I do not care to avoid repetitions.—I heartily wish, my dear general, my conduct may be approved of, particularly by you. My circumstances have been

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TO GENERAL GREENE. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL GREENE. (ORIGINAL.)

Camp between Rappahannock and North Anna, June 3rd, 1781, SIR,—I have done myself the honor to write you many letters, but least some of them should have miscarried, which I much apprehend to have been the case, I shall repeat an account of the late transactions in this state. The junction of the enemy being made, which for the reasons I have mentioned it was impossible to prevent, I retired towards Richmond and waited for Lord Cornwallis's movements, his regular force being so vastly superior t

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TO GENERAL GREENE, (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL GREENE, (ORIGINAL.)

Allen's Creek, 22 miles from Richmond, Jane 18th, 1781. SIR,—The enemy's position at Cooke's ford enabled them either to return to James River or to gain our northern communication. The arms and other precious stores arriving from Philadelphia, the importance of a junction with Gen. Wayne, and other strong reasons mentioned in my last, made it my first object to check the further progress of Lord Cornwallis. Some stores at the forks of James River were under the care of the major general, the Ba

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TO GENERAL GREENE. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL GREENE. (ORIGINAL.)

Mr. Tyter's plantation, 20 miles from Williamsburg, 27th June, 1781. SIR,—My letter of the 18th, informed you of the enemy's retrograde movement to Richmond, where they had made a stop. Our loss at the point of Fork chiefly consisted of old arms out of repair and some cannon, most of which have been since recovered. On the 18th the British Army moved towards us with design as I apprehend to strike at a detached corps commanded by Gen. Muhlenberg, upon this the light Infantry and Pennsylvanians m

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TO GENERAL GREENE. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL GREENE. (ORIGINAL.)

Ambler's Plantation, opposite Jamestown, 8 July, 1781. SIR,—On the 4th inst. the enemy evacuated Williamsburg where some stores fell into our hands, and retired to this place under the cannon of their shipping. Next morning we advanced to Bird's tavern, and a part of the army took post at Norrel's mill about nine miles from the British camp. The 6th I detached an advanced corps under Gen. Wayne with a view of reconnoitering the enemy's situation. Their light parties being drawn in the pickets wh

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Mrs. Ruffin's, August 20th, 1781. MY DEAR GENERAL—Independent of the answer to your letter of the 15th, I have been very particular in a second letter intrusted to Col. Moriss. But at this moment wish to send you minuted and repeated accounts of every thing that passes in this quarter. The enemy have evacuated their forts at Troy, Kemp's Landing, Great Bridge, and Portsmouth. Their vessels with troops and baggage went round to York. Some cannon have been left spiked up at Portsmouth; but I have

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Holt's Forge, September the 1st, 1781. MY DEAR GENERAL.—I am happy to inform your Excellency that Count de Grasse's fleet is safely arrived in this bay; it consists of 28 ships of the line with several frigates and convoys a considerable body of troops under Marquis de St. Simon.—Previous to their arrival such positions had been taken by our army as to prevent the enemy's retreating towards Carolina. In consequence of your Excellency's orders I had the honor to open a correspondence with the Fre

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Camp Williamsburg, Sept. 8th, 1781. MY DEAR GENERAL.—Your letter of the 2d September is just come to hand. Mine of yesterday mentioned that the ships in York river had gone down. Inclosed is the account of an engagement off the capes. What disposition has been made for the internal protection of the bay, I do not know. James river is still guarded, but we have not as yet received any letter from Count de Grasse relative to his last movements. I hasten to communicate them as your Excellency will

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Williamsburg, 10 Sept. 1781. MY DEAR GENERAL,—Gourion is just arrived, he says you may be on your way. We hasten to send to the commanding naval officer in the bay. Hitherto I had no way to write to you by water, but Count de Grasse being at sea we request the officer he has left to have every precaution taken for the safety of navigation. It is probable they are taken, but I would have been too uneasy had I not added this measure to those that have been probably adopted. I wrote several letters

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

Camp before York, September 30th, 1781. My Dear General—You have been so often pleased to ask I would give my opinion on any subject that may occur, that I will this day take the liberty to mention a few articles. I am far from laughing at the idea of the enemy's making a retreat. It is not very probable, but it is not impossible, indeed they have no other way to escape; and since we cannot get ships at York I would be still more afraid of a retreat by West Point than any thing else. The French

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TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. (ORIGINAL.)

November 29th, 1781 MY DEAR GENERAL,—Inclosed you will find some numbers, a copy of which I have kept, and which contains some names that may probably occur in our correspondence. I need not tell you, my dear General, that I will be happy in giving you every intelligence in my power and reminding you of the most affectionate friend you can ever have. The goodness you had to take upon yourself the communicating to the Virginia army the approbation of Congress appears much better to me than my wri

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A SUMMARY OF THE CAMPAIGN OF 1781, TO SERVE AS EXPLANATION TO THE MAP.

A SUMMARY OF THE CAMPAIGN OF 1781, TO SERVE AS EXPLANATION TO THE MAP.

After the combat of MM. Destouches and Arbuthnot, the project on Portsmouth was abandoned: the French sailed for Rhode Island; the militia were dismissed, the regular troops proceeded to the north. Arnold was afterwards reinforced by Major-general Phillips, and the conquest of Virginia became the true object of the English during this campaign. The allied army, under the Generals Washington and Rochambeau, proceeded towards New York; that of General Greene attacked the posts which had been left

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TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES.

TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES.

Havre, 18th July, 1779. SIR,—You ask me for some ideas respecting an expedition to America. As it is not a fixed plan which you require, nor a memorial addressed in form to the ministry, it will be the more easy to comply with your wishes. The state of America, and the new measures which the British appear to be adopting, render this expedition more than ever necessary. Deserted coasts, ruined ports, commerce checked, fortified posts whence expeditions are sent, all seem to call for our assistan

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LAFAYETTE.

LAFAYETTE.

Endnotes: 1. I hear that you have, at Lorient, three vessels of the India company, of forty guns and eight hundred tons. These caracks, if I recollect rightly, are fifty-gun ships, of nine hundred and sixty tons all number of vessels would be sufficient; they might soon be got ready, and their force would diminish the required escort. As for frigates, you will find in readiness, at Lorient, the Alliance , the Pallas , and others. However, if you are determined to employ the vessels which are fit

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